3 STARS!

I loved the characters, I loved the background of the story, and I laughed out loud a few times at the interaction between them… but over-all, it just was not one of my favs that I’ve read by Lauren.  There just seemed to be some depth missing somewhere there.  I’d still recommend it as a fun read when you want to enjoy a little humor and some fun sex scenes, it’s just not in my top 5 favs by her or anything.

Jenny Dawson is catching her stride in Nashville with her most current album hitting double platinum, when scandal hits and she’s being bombarded by the press.  She decides to get away from it all for awhile and work on writing the songs for her next album in a place she had visited years ago in Louisiana.

Noah Maxwell has lived a sort of combined double life for years now.  He’s been poor and he’s been rich but right now he just wants to get away from his own troubles for awhile. He knows he should tell Jenny who he really is when she mistakes him for the caretaker where she’s staying, but he’s enjoying the simple life for a change.

When she finds out the brooding common guy she’s falling for is actually Preston Noah Maxwell Walcott, an insanely rich guy, will she be able to forgive his deception?

ARC received from NetGalley

4 STARS!

A couple of loners with huge hearts connect and enjoy getting to know each other!

Sam Marshall cared enough about his music to move to Nashville to chase the dream a few years ago, but he has never lost his connection to his family back in Colorado, nor his passion to help others through teaching at the fire academy.

Finn Leary has been taking care of life for longer than she can remember thanks to her dreamer parents.  If she never came across another head-in-the-clouds musician in her life it wouldn’t hurt her feelings a bit.

When Sam meets Finn at her cafe, he’s instantly drawn to her.  When he hears she’s not up on musicians, he tries to keep his distance, but he can’t help but like her and her adorable kid sis.  Can he convince her that he’s not a bad guy and worthy of her taking a chance on him?

**  ARC received from Prism Book Tours  **

 

 

He’s a man who wants it all…if only he could have it….

Dreams of stardom took musician and firefighter Sam Marshall far from his Colorado roots. Starting fresh in Nashville hasn’t been easy, especially after an injury on the job, but he’s working his way to the Grand Ole Opry one open mike at a time, teaching at the fire station to make ends meet. Yet Sam’s intentions are shaken when he meets the lovely owner of a local café. Suddenly, Sam’s dreams are filled with her. Too bad that as the daughter of country-music wannabes, Finn Leary’s been there, done that. She’ll never choose a musician. So how can Sam possibly get the girl and keep the guitar?

3 STARS!

I liked the characters of this book, and I enjoyed what there was to it, but I wanted more. More background into the lives they hint about growing up with, more depth to their relationship other than just a few days of making up and breaking up, etc.  I would recommend it for a quick fun read at the beach.

Jolene Hart is a singer/songwriter in Nashville who had a very public break-up with her boyfriend a few months ago.  Now her manager is pestering her to get back to work writing the next album … only problem is, her songwriting partner and fellow duo performer is Chase Rivers, her EX!

Chase grew up in the fold of Nashville songwriting and it’s in his blood.  He doesn’t care so much about the getting famous part though.  He’s happy to be behind the scenes pumping the songs out.

When they agree to go away for a week to a secluded to cabin to work on writing together again, it turns into a free-for-all of fighting, then making up, then fighting some more!

ARC received via NetGalley.

5 STARS!

This third and final part to The Growing Season was touching!  These three siblings lost the mother they all adored to breast cancer, and it all seemed destined that they were falling apart afterwards.

Ann had held things together for as long as she could during their Mom’s battle, and then she basically was ready to wash her hands of the turmoil and resign herself to a life of simply existing … until things start to change in her life!

Cass was off the rails more than ever before with her pill addiction, and wouldn’t admit it, much less ask for help … until a bottom of the barrel epiphany finally makes her see the light of a brighter tomorrow!

Chuck had closed himself off and was on the verge of losing everything he wanted out of life if he couldn’t simply be honest about all that he felt and all that he wanted … and when he took the chance, everything started to roll into place!

This three part book was a pleasure to read.  It brought pain, loss, love and laughter to life between it’s pages.  A bittersweet loss … turned into a stronger than ever family.

ARC received from author.

5 STARS!

A gut-wrenching story of being on top of the world, but stupidly making a mistake that rips it all away in the blink of an eye!  A story of guilt, of punishment, and of redemption.

Dmitri Nazarenko was in his glory that night all those years ago when his team won the Stanley Cup.  It’s what a hockey player prays for, and he was lucky enough to be granted his wish … but what his mistakes that night cost someone close to him will forever haunt him.

Dima still plays hockey, now for the Tulsa Thunderbirds, but he is a different man.  He is surly and gruff, covered in tattoos and a beard to hide behind.

London Hawke has overcome her own trials in life, so when she sees Dima wasting his life on guilt, it really pushes her buttons.  She makes it her mission to get in his face and make him see things differently for awhile.  The fire that rages between them when they start sparring with one another burns even hotter when their dance turns physical.  Will she be able to get through to him and show him that living half a life isn’t truly living at all, or will he push her away so many times that she doesn’t even try anymore?

ARC received from author.

5 STARS!

Such a great story!  It warms your soul and has you rooting them on the whole book!

Cara McCord spent her teenage years fighting cancer, and now that she’s just gotten the all clear diagnosis after 5 years in remission, she’s on top of the moon and ready to set the world on fire!

Trace Briggs has been in love with Cara since he was 9 years old.  He’s stood by on the sidelines as he watched her brave fight, just waiting for her to be ready for him to be part of her life.

When Trace finds out that she’s on a dating mission and makes his move, will they get the happily ever after they both deserve?

ARC received from author.

 

5 STARS!

A sweet & sexy story about finding a connection just when you need it most!

Kasha Carlyle has just started her knew job with the Dallas Gunslingers when she meets the team’s relief pitcher, Axel Richmond.  She’s known the feeling of desire before, but there’s nothing to describe the raw attraction and deep seeded need she feels when she sets her eyes on him.  Try as she may, he’s a hard man to ignore!

Axel will do anything to get back into the game after a shoulder injury, but when talk of a new procedure is thrown out there, he’s hesitant, and after prodding help out of her, he gets Kasha assigned to his physical therapy for a week!

Kasha is intent on getting custody of the orphaned half-sister that she only recently learned of.  She’s not wanting to rock the boat of this knew job too much, but this draw to Axel is really hard to ignore!  Will she be able to help him heal and get back to living his dream?  And when along the way, they realize she needs some healing too, will she be able to overcome her past and live only for the future?

ARC received from Tasty Book Tours

 

Love of the Game
Stardust, Texas #3
By: Lori Wilde

Releasing April 26, 2016
Avon

BLURB:

A sexy sports superstar discovers his body isn’t the only thing that needs healing in this newest Stardust, Texas novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde…

With major league good looks and talent, Dallas Gunslingers relief pitcher Axel Richmond was living the good life. Even if the roar of the crowd could never distract him from the loss of his young son. But now with an injured shoulder and his career on the line, Axel is stuck recuperating at a ranch in Stardust, Texas . . . striking out only with his gorgeous physical therapist.

Kasha Carlyle has one week to get Axel back in action or she can kiss her much-needed job with the Gunslingers goodbye. And any chance to seek custody of the orphaned half-sister she never knew existed. She quickly learns that Axel’s guarded heart also needs healing . . . requiring all kinds of sneaky plays and sexy moves in extra innings.

 

Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/03/love-of-game-stardust-texas-3-by-lori.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26029528-love-of-the-game

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/129829-stardust-texas

 

Buy Links:      Amazon | B & N | Google Play | Kobo

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0062311433/

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-of-the-game-lori-wilde/1123023645?ean=9780062311436

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Lori_Wilde_
Love_of_the_Game?id=NYlKCgAAQBAJ

Kobo:  https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/love-of-the-game-1

 

EXCERPT:

It starts like this: an unexpected spark, instant attraction, the jolting jab of oh-so-you-feel-this-too? Flash fire in the belly. A corkscrew twist in the center of the chest. A physical ache that punches low and heavy and spreads out hard and fast through muscles and tendons, blood and bone.

Heady.

Erotic.

Thrilling.

Physical therapist Kasha Carlyle had felt it before, this hot flare, runaway-mine-train-express that stirred fear in the dark recesses of her mind. She’d resisted it then. Resisted it now.

But this? This here? This was something more.

Stronger.

Bolder.

Scarier.

Coal black eyes melted her resistance, seared it to ash. In that stopwatch moment when her gaze struck, and stuck to the steely stare of the Dallas Gunslingers’ most valuable pitcher, Axel Richmond.

He’d just completed a physical therapy session with his trainer, Paul Hernandez, and he was sitting on a bench wearing nothing but red workout pants, his bare chest on display. Every glistening muscle was finely etched. Not a drop of fat on him. He was a splendid specimen of adult male in top physical shape, life and passion oozing from his pores.

The only thing that seemed out of place was the black tattoo over his heart that spelled out

“Dylan.”

One look and everything and everyone blended and blurred as white-hot need transported them into their own little world far from the sports medicine facility in North Dallas, where baseball coaches, managers, administrators, and sports medicine specialists surrounded them.

For a split second.

Then pure panic set it.

It was Tuesday, May seventeenth, and the second week of Kasha’s three-month probationary period at her new job working with injured major league baseball players.

And she was already falling in lust.

No. No. This simply would not do. Keeping her job was essential.

Now that she had Emma to consider, she urgently needed the bump in salary to pay off the student loans that had gotten her through her PhD. Not to mention the excellent health insurance coverage. Finding out about Emma had changed everything.

Quickly, Kasha peeled her gaze from Axel’s and studied the insignia on the wall above his head—the blue and green Gunslingers crossed dueling pistols logo—but she didn’t see a darn thing. Purposefully, she slowed her breathing, and forced herself to listen to the conversation.

“I wish we had better news,” Dr. Tad Harrison, the lead physician on the team, said to Axel.

Dr. Harrison had been the one to hire Kasha, and the one to caution her that only thirty percent of probationary employees made it past the first three months. “It takes a special breed to work with these ballplayers. They’re long on arrogance and stubbornness and always think they know best.”

“I have a lot of patience,” she’d said because it was true.

“I heard they call you the Exorcist in your current job,” Dr. Harrison had said. “Why is that?”

She couldn’t keep from smiling. “My colleagues say I have a talent for taming difficult clients.”

“And do you?”

“I consider physical therapy a calling.” She folded her hands in her lap, and said without a hint of ego. “I was born for this work.”

Dr. Harrison stroked his chin. “That’s what Rowdy said too.”

Rowdy Blanton was the field manager for the Gunslingers. He was also Kasha’s brother-in-law, married to her younger adoptive sister, Breeanne, and he’d recommended her for the job.

“If I hire you,” Dr. Harrison had continued. “It will be on your own merits, not your relationship to Rowdy. He got you this interview, but that’s as far as nepotism goes.”

“As it should.” Kasha bobbed her head.

The uncertainty of the job was why she hadn’t yet rented an apartment in Dallas. Every day, she made the one hundred and thirty-five mile, one-way trek to the stadium from her hometown of Stardust.

While she was optimistic, she was also practical. She’d learned that fate could derail even the best intentions and you had to be ready to flow whichever way the current took you. For the next three months, until she solidified the job, she would keep making that drive.

For Emma.

Her thoughts took off in a hundred different directions at once. Stalled. Spun. Gathered momentum like an encroaching hurricane. Realizing her mind had wandered, she forcefully shut down the unproductive thoughts and directed her attention back to the patient.

Axel Richmond.

One more look and Kasha was on fire and she hated it. The last thing she wanted right now was to meet a guy, especially this guy. Whose stark dark hair was drenched in the heady sheen of sweat.

He was as sexy as ten kinds of sin, and twice as handsome, and he was studying her through heavily lidded eyes as if she was the most fascinating creature he’d seen in years.

Um . . . yes . . . that’s why her mind had wandered. To keep from dealing with the feelings his hot-to-trot gaze churned inside her.

She let out such a long sigh that everyone in the room swiveled to stare. She kept her face blank and examined her fingernails, pretending she’d discovered a ragged cuticle.

From the moment Axel had strolled into the therapy room with his pro-athlete swagger and princely sense of entitlement, she’d been mesmerized.

Spellbound by the way his fitted T-shirt hugged his intricately muscled body. Then he’d stripped off the shirt, giving her an even more arresting view. A thick head of lush brown hair curled around his ears, and those powerful thighs strained at the seams of his workout pants.

Whew.

 

AUTHOR INFO:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Lori Wilde has sold seventy-eight works of fiction to four major New York Publishing houses.

Her first NYT bestseller, the third book in her Twilight, Texas series, The First Love Cookie Club has been optioned for a television movie. The town of Granbury, Texas, upon which her fictional town of Twilight, Texas is loosely based, honors Lori with an annual Twilight, Texas weekend each Christmas.

A popular writing instructor, Lori is a two time RITA finalist and has four times been nominated for Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She’s won the Colorado Award of Excellence, the Wisconsin Write Touch Award, The Golden Quill, the Lories, and The More than Magic.
Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter |  GoodReads |Pinterest

Website:  http://loriwilde.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LoriWildeBooks

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/loriwilde

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/38217.Lori_Wilde

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/loriwilde/

 

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY:

$25.00 e-Gift Card to Choice Book Seller and a Print Copy of LOVE OF THE GAME

a Rafflecopter giveaway

4 1/2 STARS!

With this 4th book in the Bayou Billionaire series, Joanne Rock brings us the story of the youngest Reynaud brother, Jean-Pierre.  It’s a sweet ending to getting to know the sexy brothers!

Tatiana Doucet grew up around professional football, and she’s headed back into the fold when she comes to find her childhood beau Jean-Pierre, Quarterback for the New York Gladiators.Their one night of fiery passion a few months ago led to a surprise that she needs to tell him about.

Jean-Pierre sees a media circus starting when Tatiana shows up at the press conference just before they head out of town for a big game, so to thwart it, he brags about a fake relationship between them.  Little does he know she’s about to introduce him to the son he didn’t know he had!

ARC received from Tasty Book Tours

 

Secret Baby Scandal
Bayou Billionaires #4
By: Joanne Rock

Releasing May 1 (eBook) and May 10 (Paperback)
Harlequin Desire

BLURB:

His proposition: pretend they’re a couple to end a scandal. But she has secrets of her own…

Tatiana Doucet has dealt with sexy, arrogant athletes most of her life. But Jean-Pierre Reynaud is a whole different animal—in bed and on the field. Unbeknownst to him, their one amazing night produced a son. Now her family’s biggest football rival is back, offering a seductive wager she can’t refuse.

Jean-Pierre despises the media. When rumors fly, he knows a fake relationship is the perfect diversion for the tabloids—and Tatiana’s unbridled passion is the perfect diversion for Jean-Pierre. But when she drops a baby bombshell, the scandal will rock them both!

 

 

 

Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/02/secret-baby-scandal-bayou-billionaires_23.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27190152-secret-baby-scandal

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/168229-bayou-billionaires

 

 

 

Buy Links:  Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Baby-Scandal-Bayou-Billionaires-ebook/dp/B015W8IWPE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secret-baby-scandal-joanne-rock/1122713651?ean=9780373734580

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Joanne_Rock
_Secret_Baby_Scandal?id=Bo6fCgAAQBAJ

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/secret-baby-scandal/id1044200950?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/secret-baby-scandal

 

 

EXCERPT:

…Darting back the way she came, she turned a corner and nearly plowed right into none other than Jean-Pierre himself.

“Oh!” With a yelp of surprise, she gripped his forearm to stay upright.

“Shh,” Jean-Pierre warned her, tucking her under his arm and pressing a finger to her lips. “There’s a camera crew just down that hallway.” He nodded to the ramp just ahead on his right.

Tatiana tensed at his touch. His scent. His maleness. She’d spent so long avoiding him, but in spite of all logic, he affected her. At six-three, and at this close range, he had to peer down at her, his brown eyes flecked with hints of gold and green. She’d fallen for him hard back in prep school, a young love that had only felt more poignant after they’d been torn apart by their families’ sudden rift. They’d both moved on, of course, two thousand miles of separation proving as effective a deterrent as the well-publicized feud. But when he’d joined the Gladiators and she’d seen him at the occasional party, she’d been as drawn to him as ever. It had been an attraction that hadn’t been reciprocated, judging by his cold words about her court case last winter. She still didn’t understand how that terse confrontation in the courtroom had turned so heated.

Now, heart hammering, she simply nodded, knowing they needed to avoid the press. Heaven forbid the media were to overhear what she had to tell Jean-Pierre.

He frowned down at her, not moving.

“What?” she whispered, shaky and off-balance as she peered up into his shadowed face.

“We could let them find us,” he suggested, his gaze roving over her as he seemed to weigh the idea. “They could photograph us kissing.”

The mention of kissing should not have sent a bolt of lightning through her. Especially when Jean-Pierre seemed to be mulling over the idea with the same attention he might give a playbook. Dispassionate. Assessing.

“Are you insane?” Her whisper notched up an octave as she grabbed his sleeve and tugged him in the other direction.

Not that he moved….

 

AUTHOR INFO:

Three-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn’t like. The author of over seventy novels enjoys writing contemporary romance and medieval historicals alike, recently exploring Young Adult romance under a pseudonym. An optimist by nature and perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance–in all its forms– fits her life outlook perfectly. 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.

 

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Website:  http://www.joannerock.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/JoanneRockAuthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/JoanneRock6

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/93455.Joanne_Rock

 

 

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY:

Joanne will be hosting a Tour Wide U.S. Prize Pack giveaway including, MY SECRET FANTASIES by Joanne Rock, PURSUED BY THE RICH RANCHER by Catherine Mann, emery boards, lip color, notecards, towel. Joanne is also hosting an International Giveaway including a set of Runaway Brides Series ebooks

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5 STARS!

Young love gone wrong sets the scene for a fiery reconnection!

Rock star Ivy Hudson is not excited to be heading home to Rosewood, Alabama!  A current scandal has her aching to get out of the press, and her Manager is prodding her to head home to help with a rebuilding fundraiser for the high school after a destructive tornado tore through the town.

What she doesn’t know until after she arrives, is that Blake Chamberlain is now the high school football coach that she will be working hand in hand with on the project.  Blake was her high school boyfriend who broke her heart in college and inspired her first hit song … “Size Matters”.

Blake’s NFL career went down in flames after an injury, and he is yet to live down that humiliating song.  When they are forced to work together for the good of the town, they’ll have to finally have it out about what went down all those years ago!