5 STARS!

Even better than the first in the series!  These characters make me laugh … a lot … and the plot is always thick with wondering what is going to happen next.  Lucie has such a talent for getting into things that you would never believe if you weren’t reading it, and already knew her quirky personality. 🙂  Very fun read … can’t wait for Book 3!

Lucie Rizzo is doing so well with her dog-walking/pet accessory business, Coco Barknell, that she’s doing some growing.  She has a new walker-in-training, and she’s looking to set up shop somewhere other than her Mom’s dining room.

She’s off again with Frankie and unsure how she feels when sparks fly when she runs into Detective Tim O’Brien again.  When she stumbles into the middle of a suspicious art deal, he is helpful in being her sounding board and getting whatever info he can on the sly.

Will she be fingered as part of this deal if things go sour?  Will she and Frankie be on again, or will she decide to see where the sparks lead with Tim?

**  Received free in exchange for an honest review  **

 

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DOG COLLAR KNOCKOFF by Adrienne Giordano

About the Book

Title:                           Dog Collar Knockoff
Series:                         Lucie Rizzo Mysteries
Author:                       Adrienne Giordano
Release Date:              February 9, 2016
Publisher:                   SilverHart Publishing
Genre:                         Mystery
Buy Links:                  Amazon / iBooks / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

 

Book Summary:

Catering to the pampered paws set took Lucie Rizzo from unemployed to entrepreneur. With her dog walking/chic pet accessory business on the verge of success, Lucie’s ready to make a name for herself. One not tarnished by her dad’s mobster rep.

When an art deal she brokered between clients turns suspicious, it’s up to Lucie to sniff out the truth. She might not know the difference between Monet and Manet, but Rizzos are no strangers to jail time—and Lucie refuses to be someone’s prison bitch.

Unless that someone is a tall, blond and Irish cop. Detective Tim O’Brien certainly knows how to get Lucie hot under the rhinestone collar. And with her on-again-off-again relationship with Frankie Falcone currently off, O’Brien isn’t shy about making her feel wanted, mafia ties and all. Even joining her crack—or crackpot—team on the trail of two paintings with equally shady origins.

 

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SNEAK PEAK!

Chapter One – DOG COLLAR KNOCKOFF

Lucie paused in front of the Lutzs’ garage while the door made its ascent. The heat from the tiny cobblestone driveway scorched right through the bottom of her sneakers, and she rocked back on her heels. For what this brownstone cost, the driveway should have come with air-conditioning. After all, Chicago in August? The humidity alone could suffocate her.

Once the door silently halted, Lucie pointed toward the interior door. “Stay alert, Lauren. This is where it gets tricky.”

The newest part-time member of Lucie’s dog walking team studied the door and waited for instructions. Lauren seemed like a nice kid. Well, at twenty, she wasn’t really a kid. Lucie was only six years older. Still, Lauren was new to Coco Barknell and needed to understand the intricacies of working with the dogs.

Particularly this dog.

“The door,” Lucie said, “is your friend. Otis is the deadly combination of a jumper and a runner.”

Lauren scrunched her face. “What?”

“When you open the door, you have to do a body block so he doesn’t squeeze through. He’s an eighty-five pound Olde English bulldog. If you’re not careful, you will either A) wind up flat on your butt with Otis on top of you or B) be chasing him around the neighborhood. I’ve done both and it’s not fun. Plus, it’ll destroy your schedule.”

And with the number of clients Coco Barknell serviced in a day, the schedule was the Bible. As happy as Lucie was about the growth of her dog walking and upscale-dog accessory business, she hated turning the dogs over to others. Of course, she’d done a thorough background check on Lauren, but these animals were almost her babies and she couldn’t trust just anyone with them.

Lucie stepped to the door and planted her feet, weight on her heels. “Are you ready?”

“Ready.”

Lauren smiled and maybe that smile had a bit of lady-you’re-a-fruitcake in it, but the first time Otis did one of his Underdog leaps, she would learn.

Lucie opened the door and the howling began. “Hi, boy,” she said, her voice firm and level, no excitement that would cause a doggie mindmelt. “I’m coming in.”

Slowly, she inched the door open and slid through with Lauren bringing up the rear. Otis did his normal jumping and Lucie steadied herself for the onslaught. “Off!”

Finally, he sat, but he tracked Lauren with his eyes. Then—here we go—unable to withstand the pressure of a new person in his space, he leaped, his long tongue flying in search of a cheek to lick.

“Off!”

But Lucie would never be Cesar Milan when it came to making Otis understand who the alpha was. That was Joey’s specialty. It helped that he was six-foot-four and weighed somewhere in the vicinity of two-thirty.

“Sit, Otis,” Lauren said, her voice calm, yet assertive in a truly enviable way.

Otis sat.

Dressed in micro shorts, a tank top, and sneakers, Lauren epitomized the wholesome, yet sexy college co-ed. Her heart-shaped face and long blond hair only added to the morphing of girl-next-door and sexy vixen. If Lucie wasn’t careful, the girl might drive Coco Barknell’s male clients insane.

But the risk was worth it. So far she’d been a responsible employee who showed up on time, ready to work.

Lucie led her through the kitchen to the utility closet, strategically placed in a nook between the kitchen and the adjoining dining room. Otis’s leash and various other dog supplies—poop bags, treats, shampoo—were all stored there and it made Lucie’s life a whole lot simpler. Too bad all her clients weren’t this organized.

“Whoa. Is this an Arturo Gomez?”

Lucie turned and spotted Lauren a few feet away studying the new painting near the dining room entrance. Lucie had seen the painting for the first time last week and marveled at the rich tones. She’d been drawn to the woman’s long, auburn hair cascading over her shoulders as she concentrated on the lute in her hands. The deep red of her dress brought out the smoky archway behind her, and Lucie imagined music echoing off the stone on the surrounding walls.

They shouldn’t be snooping, but the painting was right there. Plus, Lauren was an art history major and probably couldn’t control herself. Lucie decided to let it go. Except the schedule was quickly falling apart.

“I don’t know who the artist is, but the leash is in this closet.”

Ignoring her boss, Lauren inched closer to the painting. “I did a paper on Gomez once. Pure genius at Renaissance.”

“Uh-huh,” Lucie said.

“It might not even be a Gomez, but it looks like one. I don’t think this would be an original though.”

Lucie rolled her eyes. The only fake thing in Mr. Lutz’s world were his wife’s boobs. And those had probably cost a fortune. The man never did anything on the cheap.

“If this is a copy,” Lauren said, “it’s amazing.”

“Lauren, we need to go.”

The girl straightened up. “Right. Sorry. I’ve just never seen one in a private collection. I remember something weird about Gomez’s paintings and how they were sold. I could be wrong though. I’d love to know where he got this one.”

Lucie knew exactly where Mr. L. had gotten it. She’d introduced him to Bart Owens, an art gallery owner who was also a Coco Barknell client. Mr. Lutz had mentioned he wanted to invest in art. Lucie connected him with Bart, and next thing she knew, Bart offered her a finder’s fee for the sale of the painting. And all she’d done was make an introduction. If the amount of the finder’s fee were any indication, that painting was most definitely an original.

After that hefty commission, Lucie—a business owner with escalating expansion expenses to deal with—found herself dropping Bart’s card off with every client she serviced.

Lucie reached into the closet for Otis’s leash. “I think it’s an original. Here’s the leash. Always grab a few of his treats. If he gets loose, it’s the only way to lure him back. He’s a sucker for peanut butter. Trust me, you don’t want him to get loose. He’s an animal.”

At the sight of his leash, Otis leaped, knocking Lucie back a step, but she held her hand out. “Yes, baby. I know. It’s Lucie time.”

When Lucie shoved the leash at her new dog walker, Lauren tore her gaze from the painting. “Sorry. I promise I’m not this flighty. It’s like meeting my favorite celebrity. Total fan-girl here. Would you be able to find out the name of this painting for me? Would that be okay?”

She looked back at the painting with a wistful longing and something in her expression reminded Lucie of herself at twenty. She’d been at Notre Dame back then and dreaming of a future in banking. She’d worked hard, graduated with honors, and landed a job as Mr. Lutz’s assistant at one of the city’s top investment banks. During that time, she’d lived her dream of being more than mob boss Joe Rizzo’s kid. In the world of investment banking, she’d moved beyond the title of mob princess.

For a little while.

Being downsized had certainly humbled her. Reminded her, as if she needed reminding, how easily life could change. It had also busted her back to living in her parents’ home.

That aside, she was now living a different dream. Building her own company. Who would have imagined her little side business of making high-end dog accessories would take off? But take off it did.

In a big way.

Now Lucie, along with her mother and best friend, Roseanne, had a major department store pressuring them for more dog coats and collars. The faster they made them, the faster they sold and Lucie’s panic meter had shot to the red.

All in all, a nice problem to have considering she could still be unemployed, but as with any growing business, time had become scarce. Speaking of…

Lucie checked the time on her phone. Eight minutes behind.

If they didn’t make up some of that eight minutes, by the end of the day, it would be an hour.

“Let’s hit it, Lauren. Plenty more dogs to see today. I’ll ask Mr. Lutz for the title of the painting.”

 

* * *

 

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Adrienne Giordano writes romantic suspense and mystery.  She is a Jersey girl at heart, but now lives in the Midwest with her workaholic husband, sports obsessed son and Buddy the Wheaten Terrorist (Terrier). She is a co-founder of Romance University blog and Lady Jane’s Salon-Naperville, a reading series dedicated to romantic fiction.

Connect with Adrienne:  Website / Newsletter / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Street Team

 

* * *

 

Giveaway Details

There are three giveaways on this tour – two $25.00 gift cards and a swag pack.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1c9cd1c929/?

 

* * *

 

Blog Tour Stops

February 8, 2016

Adventures in Writing

Read Your Writes Book Reviews

Recommended Romance

Long and Short Reviews

February 9, 2016

Lush Book Reviews

Joyfully Reviewed

Cricket’s Chirps

Thoughts of a Blonde

February 10, 2016

Reading on the Rocks

Amy’s Blog

February 11, 2016

Harlie’s Books

Em & M Books

So Many Reads

Becky on Books

February 12, 2016

Romance Junkies

Nicole’s Book Musings

Nerdy Dirty & Flirty

February 13, 2016

Brooke Blogs

Renee Entress’s Blog

Romancing the Book

StoreyBook Reviews

5 STARS!

I adore the Archer family!  We can only dream of having a close-knit family living in a small town like this.  They each have their own unique personality and style, yet make the time to come together to love and support each other.

Liam Archer has avoided Ribbon Ridge as much as he could over the years.  He much prefers his wild and crazy ways in Denver where he’s built himself a successful real estate development company.  Certain things still bring him home to the family though … and this time it hits really hard when he stays longer than normal and has to feel his identical twin brother’s presence in all of their old haunts for the first time since his death.

Aubrey Tallinger is the Archer family’s attorney and has become a friend to some of them. She and Liam have been hooking up when he comes to town for awhile now, but she’s starting to feel too much for the “no strings” guy, and ends it with him.

Will Liam be able to convince her that there’s no harm in having fun?  Or will she be able to tame her love ’em and leave ’em guy?

**  Received free in exchange for an honest review  **

 

 

 

When We Kiss
Ribbon Ridge #5
By: Darcy Burke

Releasing January 19, 2016
Avon Impulse

BLURB:

Denver real estate mogul, Liam Archer, has always been a thrill-seeker, and the loss of his identical twin brother has only intensified his reckless behavior. Sky diving, heli-skiing, motorcycle riding…he’s tried everything once. Except falling in love. Liam doesn’t do relationships, but a no-strings fling with Aubrey Tallinger-the smart, gorgeous lawyer handling his brother’s estate-is totally his speed.

At first, hooking up with Liam whenever he’s in Ribbon Ridge is perfect; but Aubrey fears she could fall hard for the sexy daredevil, if he’d only stop refusing to acknowledge the demons he’s trying to outrun. To protect herself from heartbreak, Aubrey ends their affair. But this time, Liam isn’t leaving town and instead of seduction, he wants to be…friends.

The white hot attraction between them still sizzles but Liam knows that winning Aubrey back won’t happen in his bed. He’ll have to convince her that he’s more than the careless, adrenaline junkie she believes him to be. Because when they kiss, Liam feels whole again… and he isn’t ready to give her up without a fight.

 

Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/12/when-we-kiss-ribbon-ridge-5-by-darcy.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25712086-untitled

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/117022-ribbon-ridge

 

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z9DP6PM/

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-we-kiss-darcy-burke/1122566662?ean=9780062443380

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Darcy_Burke
_When_We_Kiss?id=rQvVCQAAQBAJ

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/when-we-kiss/id1003824137?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/when-we-kiss

 

EXCERPT:

Aubrey grabbed her purse from the back of her chair and fished her wallet from the depths. “Here, let me pay you for my part of the bill.”

Liam’s hand closed over hers as he pushed the wallet back into her purse. “It’s fine. Come on, let’s go.”

This time she couldn’t seem to shake his hand away. She didn’t even try. She let his warmth, his masculinity seep into her and feed the fire burning in her core.

When they stepped outside, the cool, damp night air rushed over her, giving her much-needed clarity. She took a deep breath and moved away from Liam, taking her hand from his grasp and slinging her purse over her shoulder. Then she started to walk down the street. Away from him.

But he only fell into step beside her.

“You’re cute when you’re drunk. Reminds me of Labor Day weekend.”

She threw him a glare. “Do not talk about that.”

It was chilly, so she wrapped her arms around herself. She realized it was also misting, like it had been earlier, and in her haste, she’d left her raincoat back at The Arch and Vine.

She turned a smile on Liam. “Any chance you want to run back and get my coat?” Then she could get rid of him.

He chuckled. “You really don’t want me walking you home, do you? I’ll grab it later. After I make sure you’re tucked into bed.”

She turned the corner onto her street. “Oh no you don’t. You aren’t coming anywhere near my bed.”

“I promise to keep my hands to myself.”

“I just realized your name is almost spelled the same as liar.” She arched a brow at him. “Coincidence? I think not.”

He laughed again. “You are too funny tonight.”

It started raining harder. He pulled his jacket off and wrapped it around her. “Come on, let’s pick up the pace.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her along at a steady clip.

The cooler temperature had given her a much-needed jolt of sobriety, but the speed walking was making her feel off-kilter again. “Not so fast,” she said, trying to tug her hand from his.

“Yes, fast. Or should I carry you?” His blue-gray gaze raked over her, and she realized it was possible to feel a shiver and a blast of heat at the same time. Or maybe she was just super extra drunk.

No, because if she was, she wouldn’t be thinking that, right? She’d be blithely unaware and probably gleefully clutching more than Liam’s hand.

They reached her house, and he ushered her up the driveway and onto her porch. He let go of her hand and held out his palm. “Key?”

Standing beneath the porch light, she rummaged around in her purse. Why did a woman’s purse always get more cavernous when she was looking for something?

Liam took it from her and stuck his hand inside. He immediately came up with her keys.

She put her hands on her hips. “How’d you do that?”

He flashed her a heart-stopping smile. “I think I told you once that I had magic fingers.”

Even if he hadn’t, she remembered. For a brief moment, she gave herself over to the memory of his hands on her body, the way he stroked her inner thigh, the manner in which he cupped her breast.

He opened the door and pulled her inside. “You’re wet.” He tugged his leather jacket from her shoulders and let it drop to the floor.

Bummer because it smelled deliciously like him—cedar and citrus. God, she loved that scent.

“Did you drink any water?” he asked.

She blinked at him. “What?”

“Water. You need water, or you’re going to be miserable come morning.”

Right. Water. No, she didn’t think they’d been drinking much water. Just tequila.

He took her hand again and led her straight back to the kitchen. He moved away from her, then came back and sat her down on one of the barstools. She half expected him to pat her on the head or something.

“You don’t have to take care of me like a lost puppy,” she said.

He laughed. “Is that what I’m doing?” He pulled a glass from her cabinet—he knew exactly where they were, which was remarkable since he’d only been inside her house a few times. She thought of the first time—that night last summer. Not cold and rainy like tonight, but hot and humid. Wet and sexy in a completely different way.

Holy hell she was horny.

He set the water on the counter in front of her. “Drink.”

She saluted him before picking up the glass and downing it.

He swept it up and went for a refill. In the meantime, she realized she was wet. Her sweater was damp from the mist and the rain before he’d covered her with his coat. She glanced at his back and realized he was wet, too. Wetter than she was. His shirt was plastered to his skin, delineating every spectacular muscle.

She swallowed and splayed her hands on top of the granite to stop herself from leaping up and grabbing him. Would that be so wrong? How terrible would one more night with Liam be? She was a grown-up. She knew not to expect more from him. She could do that, right? Trade her common sense for a night of unparalleled, mind-blowing, soul-satisfying sex?

Aubrey whisked her wet sweater over her head and tossed it on the stool beside her. Common sense was extremely overrated.

 

AUTHOR INFO:

Darcy Burke is the USA Today bestselling author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily-ever-after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations.

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids-who each seem to have inherited the writing gene in some form-and two Bengal cats. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Website:  http://www.darcyburke.com/
Facebook:  http://facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/darcyburke
GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5823441.Darcy_Burke

 

 

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY:

(Three (3) Ebook Copies of THE IDEA OF YOU)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

4 1/2 STARS!

A sweet romance about an instant connection that turns into a long-lasting one.  You have a  Princess and a billionaire … yet they are both so down-to-earth and kind that you can’t help but relate to them immediately.  I really enjoyed their story!

Gervais Reynaud, owner of the New Orleans Hurricane NFL team, is abroad visiting Wembley Stadium when he meets Princess Erika Mitras.  They get to talking and he decides to delay his return home and invite her to dinner.  They share a weekend together, then each return to their own lives.

A few months later, Erika surprises Gervais with a visit.  She’s there to tell him that she’s pregnant with his baby … only they shortly find out it’s babies!

Will Gervais be able to convince her that they have something special together and they should plan to raise their children together, or will she stay rigid in her plans to return home?

**  Received free in exchange for an honest review  **

 

His Pregnant Princess Bride
Bayou Billionaires #1
By: Catherine Mann

Releasing February 1st, 2016 (Digital)
Releasing February 9^th, 2016 (Print)
Harlequin Desire

 

BLURB:

 A princess and a Southern billionaire are expecting twins! Only from USA TODAY bestselling author Catherine Mann!

 His focus is on his family’s football dynasty. Louisiana billionaire Gervais Reynaud has no time for romance. But he can’t say no to a tryst with Erika Mitras. True, she’s a princess, but in no way prim…or proper. Their time together is unbelievable…and all too short.

When Erika said goodbye, she meant it. But now she must tell Gervais the truth. He’s about to be a father…to royal twins. After leaving her overbearing family, Erika wants nothing from Gervais. But the tempting tycoon just may charm her into a future she desires all too much

 

Link to Follow Blast:   http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/01/his-pregnant-princess-bride-bayou.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25897469-his-pregnant-princess-bride

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

 

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B010LDKB2M/

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-pregnant-princess-bride-catherine-mann/1122220954?ean=9781488001529

Google Play: https://books.google.com/books/about/His_Pregnant_Princess_Bride.html?id=UVcJCgAAQBAJ

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/his-pregnant-princess-bride/id1013804140?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/his-pregnant-princess-bride

 

Author Info

USA Today bestseller and RITA Award winning author Catherine Mann writes contemporary romance for Berkley, Harlequin, Sourcebooks and Tule. With over sixty books released in more than twenty countries, she has also celebrated six RITA finals, an RT Reviewer’s Award finalist, three Maggie Award of Excellence finals and a Bookseller’s Best win. Catherine and her flyboy husband live on the Florida coast where they brought up their 4 children – and still have 5 four-legged, furry “children” (aka pets). Catherine is an active volunteer with an animal rescue, serving on their Board of Directors and fostering over 200 puppies, ill dogs, and dogs with service/working potential.

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Website:  http://www.catherinemann.com/

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

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/catherinemann1

GoodReads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/93454.Catherine_Mann

 

Excerpt

His dark eyes heated her with memories as he strode toward her. His long legs ate the ground in giant slices, his khakis and sports jacket declaring him in the middle of a work day. He stopped in front of her, his broad shoulders blocking the sun and casting his handsome face in shadows. But she didn’t have to see to know his jaw would be peppered with the stubble that seemed to grow in seconds after he shaved. Her fingers – her body – remembered the texture of that rasp well.

Her breath caught somewhere in her chest.

He folded his arms over his chest, just under the Hurricanes logo stitched on the front of his jacket. “Welcome to the States, Erika. No one mentioned your intention to visit. I thought you don’t like sports.”

“And yet, here I am.” And in need of privacy out of the bright Louisiana sun and the even brighter curious eyes of his team and staff. She needed space and courage to tell him why she’d made this unexpected journey across the Atlantic to this muggy bayou state. “This is not an official royal visit.”

“And you’re not in uniform.” His eyes glided over her wrap around dress.

“I’m out of the service now.” About to return to school to be a nurse, the career field she’d hoped to pursue in the military but they would not allow her such an in-the-field position, instead preferring to dress her up and trot her around as a figure-head translator. “I am here for a conference on homeopathic herbs and scents.” A part of her passion in the nursing field, and a totally made up excuse for being here today.

“Are you here to share specially scented deodorant to my players? Because they could certainly use it.” His mouth tipped with a smile.

“Are you interested in such a line?” Still jet-lagged from the transatlantic flight, she was ill-prepared to exchange pleasantries.

“Is that why you are here? For business?”

She could not just banter with him. She simply could not. “Please, can we go somewhere private to talk?”

He searched her eyes with for a long moment before gesturing over his shoulder. “I’m in the middle of a meeting with sponsors. How about supper?”

“I am not here for seduction,” she stated bluntly.

“Okay.” His eye brows shot upward. “I thought I asked you to join me for gumbo, not sex. But now that we’re talking about sex–”

“We are not.” She cut him short. “Finish your meeting if you must, but I need to speak with you as soon as possible. Privately. Unless you want your personal business and mine overheard by all of your team straining to listen.”

She definitely was not ready for them to hear she was pregnant with the heir to the Reynaud family dynasty.

 

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY:

A Grand Prize winner to get Three (3) books from Catherine Mann & Joanne Rock’s backlist plus loofah, Victoria’s Secret lotion and heart shape cookie cutters.

Second Prize winner to get downloads of two Runaway Bride stories by Catherine Mann & Joanne Rock)

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