It was finally happening! Mia James was about to lead her first reality show. But when the beauty with sapphire eyes gets wind that her ex would be involved in the project, her sister suggests that she levels the playing field with a fake boyfriend…
Enter Wishing Well’s wild heart throb, Travis Briggs, who’s more than happy to fill the role and so much more for Mia. Ever since he laid eyes on her, the cowboy knew his world would never be the same… What started out as pretend will turn very real when emotions and desires can no longer be denied in…Taming Travis…
After a review of a Melanie Shawn book I was asked if I always get so emotionally charged as I review a book - my simple answer was "you obviously haven't read the author's books, or you would understand, they get the feels, girl!" And Travis and Mia definitely got all the feelings roaming and I am not even going to try to hold myself and my emotions in check here as I lay down the adoration I have for them.
I love the fake relationship turning into a blistering hot romance type stories, and here you add the instant ardor Travis has for Mia. With the very first look at her, his life changes and he is willing to do anything to get to be near her, for to be part of her life, to have a future together. And it is so sweet and adorable. I swear I highlighted half the things Travis thought about Mia because it was so perfect.
"Being with Mia felt like my soul found its home"
"You're more than my better half, you're my whole. You're my everything"
Travis is one of those good guys, like Mia said, nearly too perfect to be true. He is honest, kind, considerate, romantic, generous, sweet, and hot, and yes, he has played the field but never to break hearts. He was so charming, he had me from the very first moment and I just swooned after him ever since.
Mia is the perfect life partner for Travis. She is a capable and independent woman, likes to take charge at work situations yet willing and able to make compromises in a relationship. She doesn't have much experience with men, her ex didn't treat her well, but she soon learns that she can trust Travis and his words and actions. I loved how the story has the focus on the developing relationship, with the small town as a backdrop, instead of the reality show. Also, the way Mia's ex is played in the plot was just a perfect amount of drama and conflict without going overboard or to be too distracting. The story is told in the first person point of view, and that took me by surprise. But since both Travis and Mia gets their chance to tell their view of the events, giving well-rounded picture to the reader, it worked in this story. Taming Travis is pure entertainment, it is fun and filled with good vibes and positive feelings. It had me smiling, laughing, swooning and sighing. The characters are charming, the banter and sibling rivalry a joy. The romance is instant yet has a strong hold of their hearts. The passion is off-the-charts hot yet has tenderness and sweetness you want to savor. I adore the Briggs family, the love, and care between the family members are palpable, and I can't wait to learn more about them in the future installments! ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
0 Comments
A billionaire's baby deal!
One look into his infant son's trusting blue gaze and Aiden Langford knows his wild, carefree days are over. If only he can get Sarah Daltrey, his son's temporary guardian, to give him daddy lessons Certainly the soft-hearted entrepreneur will agree to his ten-day proposal to stay as the nanny. Aiden just needs to keep his mind on parenting and off Sarah's seductive curves Being in the handsome tycoon's arms puts up Sarah's emotional defenses even as her body begs her to let go. But being a babysitter with benefits isn't on her agendaespecially for a father and son who might steal her heart
This is such a delightful story it left me with a big, happy smile on my face. I enjoyed it truly, it was a joy to watch Aiden Langford to fall, and to fall hard, not only for Sarah Daltrey but also for his son.
The plot was well thought out, giving ample time in the ten days for Aiden and Sarah to have deep conversations, to get to know each other, and even have time together without little Oliver. The story had a natural flow and I was enjoying it so much I read it in one sitting. Aiden Langford was so down to earth, even though a rich and powerful man. He charm was genuine, and his own struggles with his family made him determined to put his little Oliver first and always make him feel loved. Aiden treated Sarah as an equal, with respect and care, his kindness and considerate actions were admirable, making him a character easy to like and root for. Sarah Daltrey had broken her heart while working as a nanny and was determined to make her clothing line to be a success, so she never had to return to her nanny days again. She is determined, independent, gracious, and warmhearted. She says what's on her mind without being mean or hurtful. I liked how Aiden and Sarah interacted with each other and with Oliver. The attraction was powerful, yet there was more than that between them as well. The support and compassion they showed to each other were steadfast, the love they both had for Oliver was a connection that made them seek for compromises and middle ground from the start. A captivating story that was easy to get lost in with alluring characters lusciously falling in love. I smiled and sighed through it with the entertaining twists in the story dazzling me until the fragile deepening emotions, growing between the characters, elevated all the feelings gripping my heart. Oh, the glee of a great read! ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
His Last Defense
Uniformly HOT! By: Karen Rock Releasing March 21, 2017 Harlequin Blaze
Semper Paratus. Always ready.
Years ago, Coast Guard rescue swimmer Dylan Holt left Kodiak, Alaska, with his heart in pieces. He thought Nolee Arnauyq and her mouthwatering curves were behind him—until he's sent to rescue the crew of a capsizing boat…including Nolee. And Dylan is definitely not ready for the too-familiar way his body aches at seeing her again. Nolee's always gone after what she wanted, and to hell with the risks. Now she's a rookie ship captain taking on the deadly waters of the Bering Sea. But out on these treacherous waters, there's no way to avoid the sizzling sexual tension between them—or the dangerous pull of emotions that could leave both their hearts lost at sea…
“It’s my life, Dylan. I call the shots in it. Only me.”
“You came way too close to losing it yesterday,” he growled. Nolee reached a hand to his cheek. Laid her palm flat against it. His breath lodged in his chest and his mind went blank. “But I didn’t.” No. He was acutely aware of just how alive she was here beside him, short-circuiting his brain. His defenses against her were running low. God knew, he was trying his damnedest to do the right thing and save her from her worst instincts before he left Kodiak. “What if you hadn’t been rescued in time?” “Then I would have died doing what I love. Isn’t your motto So Others May Live?” “That’s different.” “Is it?” She angled her head and her dark eyes met his in the dimness. “I risk my life to save other people’s lives. You’re risking yours for profit.” “You’re wrong.” “Then what?” He stroked a hand through her mane of straight, glossy black hair, the strands running through his fingers like a silken waterfall, her eyes closing in pleasure. “I want to be independent. Free,” she murmured. He watched her breath quicken and he felt the barrier he’d erected between them start to crumble. “We’ve both always wanted that,” she added. Something inside him shifted. Loosened. “Nolee. I don’t want anything happening to you.” She raised her face, lips parted, as if in a question, and put her hand to the scar above his brow, tracing it with her fingertips. “The worst thing that could happen to me is nothing.” He groaned at the brush of her mouth against his jaw. In an instant he had her in his arms, his heart pounding against hers. It was only a few seconds, but it was as much as a man on the edge could take. He stripped the hat from her head and tossed it on the dashboard, while his lips descended to hers. And he kissed her with all the longing that had been plaguing him since he’d laid eyes on her again.
Describe yourself in five words or less.
Romantic dreamer and complete dork. Can you tell us a little about your book? This is a high-stakes, action-packed second-chance romance that takes place on Alaska’s most deadly waters: The Bering Sea. Nolee Arnauyq is a crab fishing boat captain who’s determined to make her own way in a man's world after growing up dependent on others' charity. She doesn't want to be rescued, least of all by the ex that broke her heart, USCG rescue swimmer Dylan Holt who plucks her from her sinking vessel after he's been assigned back to his old hometown in Alaska. Out on the most dangerous waters in the world, where a tumble overboard will stop your heart in five seconds, Dylan's greatest worry is his returning feelings for Nolee, a woman who's never left his heart or thoughts, no matter how far he's traveled for his coast guard work. He plans to transfer stateside as soon as possible, and leave the stifling hometown that holds bad memories, but Nolee's proving to be one sizzling temptation his body, and heart, can't resist. How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story? I’m addicted to Discovery Channel’s hit show THE DEADLIEST CATCH! I knew I wanted to set a book in this extreme setting but needed the right, high-octane story. When I saw an episode where a USCG Air and Sea Rescue team rescues a crab fishing crew from a sinking vessel, I imagined the ultimate sexy alpha hero- a fearless rescue swimmer daring and determined enough to fling himself into most dangerous waters in the world to save others. Of course, then I needed a heroine strong enough to go toe-to-toe with such a tough guy and who better than a headstrong, fearless crab fishing boat captain whose staked her claim in this testosterone-charged world. I wanted them to be second-chance lovers with lots to lose by risking their hearts with each other again. Putting them on a boat together in a life-and-death adventure, where they can’t resist their sizzling chemistry, made this one of my favorite sexy romances to write of all time. What gave you the most trouble with this story? My biggest challenge was the painstaking research I undertook to ensure that I created an authentic experience for the readers in the unique world of crab fishing on Alaska’s Bering Sea. In addition to watching lots of THE DEADLIEST CATCH episodes and videos of USCG Air and Sea rescues, I fact checked with USCG Commander Bill Friday, a Jayhawk pilot who was stationed for several years in Kodiak, Alaska and one of THE DEADLIEST CATCH’S captain's THE TIME BANDIT'S Jonathan Hillstrand. He provided the kind of insider details that helped me convey an unforgettably sexy romance set on treacherous waters. Name one thing you won’t leave home without. My cell phone! I’d feel lost if I couldn’t connect to my family and friends via social media, email and texts. The downside is that it’s also next to me as I write and even though I mute it, and turn it upside down, I still find myself checking it way too much. Name three things on your desk right now. Since my “desk” is really an easy chair where I write with my laptop, the following three things are on it: a can of lemon-flavored seltzer water wedged between me and the arm rest, Post-It notes stuck to the edges of my laptop reminding me of appointments, changes to make to my MS, reminders for contests and grocery lists, and my puppy, Zoey, who takes her job as “author assistant” very seriously by laying at the end of my chair, her head resting on my ankle, as I write. Tell us all about your main characters—who are they? What makes them tick? Most importantly, what one thing would they need to have with them if stranded on a desert isle? ;) Nolee Arnauyq has a white father, who abandoned her before she was born, and an Inuit mother who struggled to provide for them due to her serious health issues. Growing up dependent on others' charity has made Nolee fiercely independent and determined to make her way in the world- even in a man's world- like becoming a crab fishing boat captain. This high risk job also comes with huge rewards and she's willing to gamble all, even her life, to never be dependent on anyone else again, and to provide for her mother. It surprised me just how easy it was to insert a female character into such a macho world. The crew men accept her as their leader and look up to her because she's good at her job and keeps them safe while pulling lots of crab to fatten their bank accounts. She can also transform from tough as nails captain to an irresistible temptress when she decides to make the most of her time with her ex, gorgeous USCG rescue swimmer Dylan Holt. If stranded on a deserted isle, the one thing she’d need to have with her would be a fishing pole since she’s an expert fisherman and could feed herself with it. Dylan Holt grew up in Kodiak Alaska. He’s the youngest son of a father he could never please, especially when he refused to join the family business to join the Coast Guard as a rescue swimmer. He’s tough, fearless and gorgeous with a sense of humor that’s disarming and so sexy. He’s also loyal and passionate and he’s never forgotten his first love, Nolee Arnauyq, who crushed his heart years ago. He vowed never to return to Alaska, but can’t avoid confronting his past when he rescues Nolee off her sinking crab fishing vessel when he’s transferred to the USCG Kodiak Air Station. Dylan is a talented swimmer and exceptional athlete. If he were stranded on a deserted isle, he’d need to have his swim gear (snorkel, mask and fins) so that he could deep dive for crab and other fish to feed himself, and possibly swim to safety. If anyone could cross an ocean in fins- it’d be Dylan. Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with? Military and law enforcement heroes are the ultimate sexy alpha male romantic hero. They’re strong, commanding, passionate, fearless and are smoking hot in those uniforms! I love personal courage and conviction and plan to write many more books featuring them. I’m drawn to stories with lots of edgy action and am currently working on a high-stakes suspense series set in a Dallas male strip club that will feature under cover law enforcement. Book One- Dangerous Moves- will be released with Kensington Press in 2018. For updates about my new releases and giveaways, follow my Amazon author page at http://amzn.to/1NSRVrT , follow me on Goodreads on http://www.goodreads.com/karenrockauthor or drop by my website at http://www.karenrock.com
Award-winning author Karen Rock is both sweet and spicy—at least when it comes to her writing! The author of both YA and adult contemporary books writes red-hot novels for Harlequin Blaze and small-town romances for Harlequin Heartwarming. A strong believer in Happily-Ever-After, Karen loves creating unforgettable stories that leave her readers with a smile. When she’s not writing, Karen is an avid reader who’s typically immersed in three different books at a time, all in different genres. She also loves cooking her grandmother’s Italian recipes, baking, Christmas (no need to specify—she loves every bit of it), and having the Adirondack Park wilderness as her backyard, where she lives with her husband, daughter, dog and cat who keep her life interesting and complete. Learn more about her at her website.
Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS
ONLY A MISTRESS WILL DO
by Jenna Jaxon
Pub date: 4/4/2017
Genre: Historical Romance
The man of her dreams . . . belongs to another woman.
Destitute and without friends, Violet Carlton is forced to seek employment at the House of Pleasure in London. She steels herself for her first customer and is shocked when the man rescues her instead of ravishing her. A grateful Violet cannot help but admire the handsome Viscount Trevor. But she must curb her desire for the dashing nobleman she can never have because he is already betrothed to another...
Tristan had gone to the House of Pleasure for a last bit of fun before he became a faithful married man. But when he recognizes the woman in his bed, he becomes determined to save her instead. Now, his heart wars with his head as he falls for the vulnerable courtesan. Unable to break his betrothal without a scandal, Tris resolves to find Violet proper employment or a husband of her own. Still, his arms ache for Violet, urging him to abandon propriety and sacrifice everything to be with the woman he loves...
London, November 1761
Shivering in the brisk wind cutting straight through her thin gown, Violet Carlton trudged across the small dirt-packed backyard, littered with tufts of dead grass and scattered brown and red leaves. Teeth clenched to stop their chattering, she mounted the short three steps of the back stoop, straightened her shoulders, and rapped three times on the dull gray door of the silvery clapboard house. Beyond the weathered board fence of the house next door a dog barked, but no one stirred. No prying eyes to witness her shame. The door opened a crack, and a lad of about twelve stuck his head out. “What you doin’ ’ere this time o’ day?” “I would like to speak with Madame Vestry, please.” Perhaps she should have waited until later in the morning. Such an establishment would obviously keep late hours. But the ache in her belly had forced her here as soon as the sun had risen. “She’s still sleep. Come back later today.” He started to push the door closed but Violet rammed her boot between it and the jamb. The boy kept shoving, squeezing her foot until she winced in pain, but she gritted her teeth, put her shoulder to the door and pushed back. If she didn’t do this now, she wouldn’t have the courage, or the strength, to come back. “I need to see her now.” She raised her voice, and threw her weight against the rough boards. Despite her small stature, she was stronger. He staggered back and she fell into a narrow back foyer with a row of coat hooks and the devastating yeasty smell of baking bread. Her mouth watered and her stomach rumbled. She hadn’t eaten for days. Blond hair straggling from under a mobcap, a girl, maybe fourteen, rushed into the room. “What the hell’s going on in here Willie?” She wiped her hands on her apron, streaked with flour and grease. Warily, her gaze shifted from Willie to Violet. “Who are you?” “I’ve come to see Madame Vestry.” Violet focused on the girl’s narrowed eyes. “I need to talk to her, please.” Her heart gave a sickening lurch. In one practiced glance, the girl took in her appearance, from what used to be her second-best hat to the rumpled and stained deep-purple dress to her scuffed black boots, and sniffed. “I see you do.” The appraisal stung, but was probably fair. She’d come down fast in the months since her grandmother’s death. Her possessions long gone, her wardrobe—reduced to two dresses and a well-worn cloak—had been sold, leaving her with only the dress she stood up in. These clothes wouldn’t fetch a shilling in a secondhand shop now. The servant girl nodded to Willie. “Close the door before we freeze to death, jingle-brains. Come on.” She led Violet out of the foyer. “I’ll ask if Madame will see you. But she won’t be happy being woke up this early, you can bet your dippers on that.” The last thing she wanted was to antagonize her future employer. Still, she couldn’t risk waiting until later. Taking a firm grip on herself, she followed the girl down a shadowy hallway until she motioned her into an equally dim reception room. “Wait here.” The girl turned on her heel and left. Violet let out the breath she’d been holding. She hadn’t fainted yet, though her empty stomach had tied itself in knots. The pain meant she was alive and by God she intended to stay that way. She strode farther into the room and perched on the red cushioned sofa. Let the woman arrive swiftly to get this over with. Sitting rigidly, she stared at her hands clenched in her lap, then shook herself. She had better be stronger than this. Determined, she sat straighter. A classical-style painting in a large gilt frame across from her caught her interest. A naked woman lay on a chaise, her legs spread. Oh, good Lord. Her womanly parts were exposed and a swan lay with its beak pressed between her thighs. Her face heated and she had to look somewhere else, anywhere else but at that painting. The fireplace on her right held two candlesticks, shaped like naked women. Wax had dripped onto the figures, drops hanging from the nipples. Was there nowhere in the room without a lewd image? Violet gripped the end of the sofa. The plush red carpet seemed safe to study. The smooth, polished wood under her fingers had been carved in an oval with folds in the middle. She traced the pattern absently, still unable to get the image of the painting out of her mind. The swan’s long neck lying at the apex of the woman’s open legs. Her forefinger stroked the wooden oval, so similar to the-- “Dear God!” She snatched her hand away and rubbed it against her gown. “Miss Carlton?” A small, dark-haired woman in an exotic scarlet silk robe seemed to fill the room. Violet jumped to her feet, her heart thudding wildly. “My maid said you wished to see me?” Madame Vestry’s dark eyes took in every detail of Violet’s appearance. She raised an eyebrow. On the tip of her tongue to retort of course, she did not wish to see the owner of a brothel, she instead swallowed back her anger. She could ill afford to provoke Madame Vestry. “Yes, ma’am. My brother told me if things went very badly for me I should…” Words stuck in her throat like a fish bone. “Come to my establishment?” Face flushing, Violet nodded. “Yes.” “Who is your brother, Miss Carlton?” A narrowing of the woman’s eyes echoed the suspicion in her voice. “James Carlton, ma’am.” Vestry’s head rose slightly and she relaxed. “Ah, yes, Jamie. You are his sister? Then I am sorry for your loss, Miss Carlton.” “Thank you, Madame Vestry.” Thankfully, her voice held steady, the months since her brother’s death easing the grief to the point she did not weep instantly at the thought. Her current plight was enough to do that. “And you have now come to that desperate point where you seek employment with me?” The business-like tone, neither condoning nor condemning, stiffened Violet’s resolve. “Yes, ma’am. As of today, I have nowhere else to go, no one to turn to.” A sickening churn of her stomach that had nothing to do with hunger sent tension through her. “Nothing else of value.” Except herself. “You are how old, Miss Carlton?” “Nineteen, ma’am. Almost twenty.” “Let me see you walk, please.” With a crisp snap, Vestry pulled the curtains open and nodded to the path between the sofa and fireplace. Violet straightened her skirts as best she could. Suddenly stiff and self- conscious, she concentrated on putting one foot before the other until she came face to face with another obscene painting. She clenched her hands and averted her eyes. “Turn please.” Feeling more and more like a horse or a cow at Smithfield market, she did as she was told, hopefully with a bit more grace. In reward, Vestry gave her a slight nod. “You speak and move as befit your station, Miss Carlton. With a little training, I suspect you will be quite popular with our patrons. I should be able to command a high price for your virginity.” Violet’s feet tangled in the plush carpet. The scant approval vanished as Vestry glared at her. “I assume you are intact?” Oh, the shame. How could this woman suggest she had already lain with a man? Bitterness flooded her mouth and her chest ached with mortification. Finally, she managed a curt nod. “Lie down on the sofa please.” “What? Why?” “I am not fool enough to take your word, Miss Carlton.” Vestry smiled mirthlessly. “A brief inspection will allow me to assure your buyer he is indeed purchasing a virgin.”
Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical and contemporary romance. She has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager. A romantic herself, she has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise—so expect her to incorporate these elements into her work! She lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets where she is currently working on the next House of Pleasure book, Only A Mistress Will Do, as well as a Regency series. When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director. She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage when she writes. Jenna equates her writing to an addiction to chocolate—once she starts she just can’t stop!
The search for her birth mother brought Cora Kelly to the New Horizons Boys Ranch. Getting a job there was easy enough, but confiding in Aiyana, the ranch's owner, that she's really her daughter?
Cora's not sure she can do that, not unless she's confident the news will be welcomed. And once she gets to know Elijah Turner, Aiyana's adopted son and ranch manager, that decision becomes even more difficult. Although Elijah can't deny his deep attraction to Cora, he's always struggled with trust. Anyone with his past would, and there's something about the ranch's newest employee that isn't exactly as it seems. But if the feelings she awakes in his guarded heart are any indication, she might be just what he's long been waiting for.
The blurb sold me and knowing the author's superb style of writing and going to the depths of the emotions with her characters with unexpected plot twists, I was eager to read this book one for her new series.
And the story is good. The writing is smooth and the tale is flowing well off the pages with the interesting setting of the private high school for troubled boys and the intriguing characters with pained past. These elements could have provided distraught moments and agitated events in the story and great character development with the protagonists, yet that never really happens. The students are barely mentioned and the history of the characters is smoothly passed with the main focus of the story being Cora and Elijah's physical attraction. I think this might be a case of my misplaced expectations, but I was surprised with the turn and focus the plot took us. Elijah Turner was horribly abused as a child and suffered greatly at the hands of his mother and step-father. Even with his mother still harassing him, Elijah had left his childhood drama in the past and didn't let it much bother him. I liked Elijah, his dedication to the school and his solid, honest, and trustworthy character were admirable. I loved his connection with his brothers, and the easy relationship they shared with each other and with their adoptive mother. Cora Kelly's need to find more about her origin drove her to the New Horizons Boys Ranch to get to know her birth mother. She goes about this with lies and deceit, yet that is overlooked quickly as the truth comes out. I had a hard time liking her and her decisions, she seemed to do everything from a point of view that suited herself the best and disregarding others. She is also very brazen at the beginning of the tale with everyone, and not in a positive way, in my opinion. The development of the relationship is mostly focused on the physical aspects, the burning attraction between Cora and Elijah that has them acting upon it in public places and even in a classroom during a lunch break. Addition to public sex scenes, the story touches 'tabu relationships'. With the compelling storyline and smooth writing, interesting setting for the series, and the charming brothers that you want to root for, this series has a great potential to be a fan favorite. ~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
It was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak's career as a bestselling author--she caught her day-care provider drugging her children with cough syrup to get them to sleep all day. That was when Brenda decided she needed to quit her job as a loan officer and help make a living from home.
"When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book," Brenda says. But she sold that book, and the rest is history. Her novels have made the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists and won many awards, including five Rita nominations, the Book Buyer's Best, the Book Seller's Best and the National Reader's Choice Award. Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are proud parents of five children--three girls and two boys. When she's not spending time with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising funds for diabetes research (her youngest son has this disease). So far, Brenda has raised $2.5 million. Please visit www.brendanovakforthecure.org to see how you can help. Website | Facebook | Twitter
The Magnate’s Mail-Order Bride
The McNeill Magnates #1 By: Joanne Rock Releasing April 4, 2017 Harlequin Desire
A mix-and-match mock engagement?
Ballerina Sofia Koslov's career is on the line when she's accosted at the airport by a rich, reckless playboy who thinks she's his mail-order bride! But the playboy's levelheaded brother, Quinn McNeill, solves the media snafu with a switcheroo. He'll pretend to be her legitimate fiancé to protect her reputation—and to protect his family's business deals from her father's wrath. Sofia's one condition: they'll share the spotlight as a loving couple but won't share a bed. But soon Quinn's gentlemanly ways strike a chord, and Sofia's dying to renege on that condition and have a real fling…
“I never would have guessed your brother would spend a small fortune on a ring for a woman he never met.”
She edged out of his grip. “I thought he was a romantic, not completely certifiable.” Quinn’s smile faded. “I assure you, Cameron is neither.” He set the ring on the steamer trunk beside her. “I’ll let you decide whether or not to wear it in the morning. And in the meantime, I’d better let you get some rest.” He rose to his feet, leaving a priceless piece of jewelry balanced on last month’s Vogue. “Quinn.” She stood to follow him to the door then reached back to grab the ring so she could return it. “Please. I don’t feel right keeping this here.” He turned to face her as he reached the door, but made no move to take the glittering ring. “If you were my bride-to-be, I would spare no expense to show the world you were mine.” His blue eyes glowed with a warmth that had her remembering his kiss. Her breath caught in her chest and she wondered what it might be like for him to call her that for real. Mine. “I’m—” At a total loss for words. “That is—” She folded the diamond into her hand, squeezing it tightly so the stones pressed into her soft skin, distracting her from her hypnotic awareness of this man. “If you insist.” “It’s a matter of believability, Sofia.” “It’s only for one month.” She wasn’t sure if she said it to remind him or herself. “We’ll work out the details tomorrow.” He reached to smooth a strand of hair from her forehead, barely touching her and still sending shimmers of pleasure along her temple and all the way down the back of her neck. “Sleep well.” She didn’t even manage to get her voice working before he was out the door again, leaving her alone in a suddenly too empty apartment. Squeezing the ring tighter in her fist, she waited for the pinch of pain from the sharp edges of the stones. She needed to remember that this wasn’t real. Quinn McNeill had only agreed to this mad scheme to clean up his brother’s mess. Any hint of attraction she felt needed to be squashed immediately, especially since Quinn was cut from the same mold as her father—focused on business and the accumulation of wealth. Her world was about art, emotions and human connections. Her mother had taught her that people did not fall into both camps. In Sofia’s experience it was true. And since she wanted her own relationships to be meaningful bonds rooted in shared creativity and ideals, she was willing to wait until she had more time in her life to find the right partner. Romance could not be rushed. “It’s only for a month,” she said aloud again, forcing herself to set the engagement ring on the hallway table. Surely she could keep up her end of a fake engagement for the sake of appearances? She’d made countless sacrifices for her career, from dancing on broken toes to living away from her family on the other side of the globe to train with Russian ballet masters. Ignoring the sensual draw of Quinn McNeill couldn’t possibly be more difficult than those challenges. Yet, even as she marched herself off to bed, she feared she was lying to herself that she could keep her hands off the man anywhere near as easily as she’d set down the ring.
Four-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn't like. The author of over seventy 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.
Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS
A Sinister Vision
Sinister Series Book 2
by A. Nicky Hjort
Genre: Romantic Thriller
Elise Phillips, a doctor in training, has successfully repressed her kidnapping five years prior. The only problem is...she has six and one half days to remember every terrible detail, or a total stranger will die. But to make matters even worse, in order to save this nameless woman, Elise will have to face something that scares her even more than death–intimacy.
Another paranormal romantic thriller, A Sinister Vision: Know This Much is True, the second of the Sinister Series, will take you even further over the edge of what you know to be possible and guide you right back out through the only way left...impossible.
Wake up. Open your eyes. Accept your assignment.
...The problem is not to find the answer–but to face it.
Know this much is true.
A Sinister Bouquet: Awakening
Sinister Series Book 1
Devyn Mitchell has a choice… listen to the voice of her unborn baby – or die- again.
After a near death experience, Doctor Devyn Mitchell finds herself not only mysteriously pregnant but able to communicate with her fetus.
She has two choices: give in to total madness or surrender to her new reality, which just may be the only way she and her family will survive the obsessions of the Homeless Hunter’s mind.
A true paranormal romantic thriller, A Sinister Bouquet: Awakening, the first of the Sinister Series, will take you right to the edge of what you know to be possible and then drop you in a place so dark, so terrifying, that the only passageway out is through the blinding light of awakening.
Wake up.
Open your eyes.
Finally.
We’ve missed you so.
(MA18+ for graphic sexual and violent content)
A. Nicky Hjort is originally from Arlington, Texas- the second of five siblings, all of whom have strong creative talents. She currently lives in coastal central California where she practices medicine as an Ob/GYN. In between being a lovingly devoted mother and delivering babies, she writes stories that cross multiple genre lines- from Sci Fi to high fantasy, but all of her stories have thriller and strong romantic components. And for her clever reader, all of her manuscripts are subtly connected to each other, with their purpose to explore all facets of Love and Light. She likes to say that her stories write themselves, and in the process, often write her, or at least the next version of her hoping to emerge. A lover of all the arts, A. Nicky Hjort hopes her stories might inspire you to find your inner creative genius.
As for her heroes- they are as varied and eclectic as her choice of narrative genres, but when pushed to list her favorite influences, she would say James Patterson, Barbara Kingsolver, Patricia Cornwell, Dean Koonntz, Gene Roddenberry, Shel Silverstein, Suzanne Collins, and Walt Disney.
She thanks you for your attention to her work.
There's tons of neat prizes up for grabs!
MASKED POSSESSION
by Alana Delacroix
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pub Date: 8/8/2017
A MAN WHO CAN WEAR ANY FACE
Caro Yeats doesn’t run from much. As a former investigative reporter now working PR for Toronto’s supernaturals, what she hasn’t seen mostly isn’t worth seeing. But the assignment to “rebrand” Eric Kelton’s out-of-control alter egos has her on edge from the start. Kelton is the heirarch of the Masquerada, beings able to change their face—their entire persona—on a whim. Eric’s charisma muddles her instincts. How can she trust a man who can become anybody?
A WOMAN WITHOUT A PAST
Eric has never met anyone like Caro, with her lightning wit and uncanny insight. But desirable as she is, he’d be a fool to let her near. Struggling to hide the sudden loss of his powers, Eric can’t risk becoming entangled with a woman who scorns her supernatural side and claims not to play politics. The enemies on her trail are strong, clever, and vicious. And when they force Eric and Caro together, the fallout could shatter far more than two hearts . . .
Amazon * B&N * GooglePlay * Kobo * Apple
Alana Delacroix lives in a little house filled with books in Toronto, Canada. She loves exploring the city, on the hunt for both the perfect coffeeshop as well as ideal locations to set her paranormal romances. A member of RWA, Alana worked as an archaeologist before forging a slightly more stable career in corporate communications. You can follow her at @AlanaDelacroix or learn more at alanadelacroix.com.
COURTING THE CORPORAL
by Heather McCorkle
Genre: Historical Romance
Pub Date: 6/27/2017
May the road rise up to meet you . . .
The Civil War has ended, but for Corporal Patrick “Rick” Fergusson the battle rages on. Still haunted by what he witnessed on the battlefield, the earnest Irishman is heading west, seeking only to be free of the past. His services are in high demand; wealthy East Coasters in need of escort clamor to join him on the journey. But one client, a beautiful lady named Cat, disturbs Rick’s newfound equilibrium.
High society widow Catriona O’Brian is anxious to get to California, even if it means traveling with the handsome corporal who seems to dislike her so. Cat no longer seeks marriage; she has pinned all her hopes on making it to the west coast and starting her own winery. Between the elements, wild animals, and hostile natives, however, everything seems to be conspiring against her. Time and again, Rick comes to her rescue. And soon, the independent lass discovers that her biggest obstacle may be the longing of her own traitorous heart . . .
Heather McCorkle is an award-winning author of paranormal, steampunk, and historical fiction. When she is not writing, editing, or designing book covers and websites, she can be found on the slopes, the hiking trails, or on horseback. As a native Oregonian, she enjoy the outdoors nearly as much as the worlds she creates on the pages. No need to travel to the Great Northwest though; connect to her instead on her blog and her many social networking sites. You can also find her the first Monday night of every month at 6:00 pm Pacific Time on the #WritersRoad chat on Twitter, which she co-created and moderates. Entertaining readers and uncovering stories and points of view that haven't been covered are two of her greatest passions.
PROTECTING THE SINGLE MOM
When a fellow FBI agent is kidnapped and a protected witness vanishes, Leo Gallagher will stop at nothing to find them both. So when he discovers a link between the case and a single mother in Wyoming, Leo and his trusty K-9 partner rush to question Alicia Duncan. Could she be the key to locating the missing persons? Not if a killer has anything to say about it. Someone is determined to keep Alicia from talking, so Leo and his chocolate Lab must keep her and her little boy safe on their family ranch. With danger lurking around every corner, Leo must work overtime to not lose another person who's important to him.
The new K-9 Love Inspired multi-author series takes off with intense, danger-filled story riddled with life-threatening events, deadly collateral damage, and keen teamwork from the FBI unit and local law enforcement. Mix in a whirlwind romance, puppies, and a cute little boy and you have the makings of a winner tale.
The Prologue in the story set the stage for the series, with one of their own hurt and missing in action, kidnapped by the escaping criminals, the rest of the FBI's K-9 team is willing to do anything to save him and bring the ones responsible to the justice. I love the K-9 stories for many reasons, one of them being the loyal partnership between the dogs and their handlers. Those units have a unique harmony and understanding between them, that I admire immensely, and enjoy reading about. The danger and threat towards Alicia Duncan, and possibly to her son, is constant and escalating. The steps taken to secure her and her family were logical and believable. I loved that modern technology was used as part of the story, somehow bringing it up a notch, and giving it a fresh feel. The clues come along take them one step forwards and two steps back. But the unit is not about to give up, the determination to get the killer lurking around strengthen the closer he gets to Alicia and Leo. Leo Gallagher is a stellar hero. He is likable, honest, and honorable. His faith in God is his guiding light and overcoming his childhood and the challenges he faced as a young child were admirable, a small miracle in itself that he was the man he is today. The only down faults are his stubbornness and control-freak nature that makes him take blame in every situation, even when there's no blame to go around. Alicia Duncan is a teacher, mother, and a young widow of a police officer, who witnesses a crime. With unhappy marriage behind her, she is not open to a relationship, yet the attraction she feels towards Leo is palpable and transparent. She is fierce, tough, smart, and loving, nearly as stubborn as Leo, but able to make compromises. She is willing to stand for the victims of the heinous crimes and brave enough to help the law enforcement to identify the culprit she saw in action. She leans on her faith in God, and gladly share it with people around her. I liked the chemistry between Leo and Alicia. Even though their emotions and attraction deepen fast and take root I felt their feelings to each other were believable and convincing. Alicia's little boy, Charlie, made them an instant family unit, where love, care, and protective feelings were evident. A riveting and perilous start for the series, that showcased the abilities and the unity of the FBI's K-9 team, mixed with sweet and adorable love-at-first-sight romance that made me sigh and smile. The mystery of their kidnapped teammate is not solved, but this story had a satisfying ending, leaving me eagerly waiting for the next installment of the series. ~ Four Spoons
Runes
Runes Series Book 1
by Ednah Walters
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her.
Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.
Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about him. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only is she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.
Goodreads * Amazon *iTunes * B&N * GooglePlay * Smashwords * Kobo
Taking a deep breath, I opened my door and slowly walked down our driveway. My heart pounded hard as I started down the sidewalk and headed for Torin’s front door. I paused before hopping onto the porch. Once again, I gave myself a pep talk before pressing the doorbell.
No response. Okay, leave. You tried. But I couldn’t leave now that I’d made it this far. I pressed the doorbell again and angled my head to listen for movement from inside. Nothing. The garage door was open and I’d seen his Harley, so I knew he was home. Maybe he was asleep. Relieved, I turned to leave. He yanked the door open. “Can’t stay away from me, can you, Freckles?” “Don’t flatter…” My voice trailed off when I found myself staring at his bare chest. Not that I was complaining, but did he have something against shirts? “Yourself,” I finished weakly. He chuckled, drawing my attention upwards, past the water droplets on his chest to the wet hair caressing his shoulders. At least he had a legitimate reason for walking around shirtless this time. Still, you’d think he’d put on a shirt before answering his door. “Can we talk?” I said. His brow shot up. “About?” “The incident at the park.” He looped a towel I hadn’t noticed around his neck, crossed his arms, and leaned against the doorframe. His eyes narrowed. “What incident?” “You know, when that girl attacked me and—” “You tripped and landed on your lovely ass?” “Lovely…?” My face warmed. “That’s not what happened and you know it,” I protested. “That’s what I saw.” “Liar.”
Immortals
(book 2)
Grimnirs
(book 3)
Seeress
(book 4)
Goodreads * Amazon
Souls
(book 5)
Witches
(book 6)
Goddess
(book 7)
USA Today Bestselling Author Ednah Walters is a multi-published author of four different series--her Norse-mythology-based bestselling YA Paranormal romance series, RUNES(YA-Paranormal Romance) and Nephilim THE GUARDIAN LEGACY-(YA fantasy romance).
She also writes contemporary romance under E. B. Walters. The Fitzgerald Family series started with SLOW BURN. There are six books in this series. Her new USA Today bestselling series, INFINITUS BILLIONAIRES. Impulse (book 1) was published in January 2015. Indulge (Aug 4th).
An FBI agent must protect his ex and her newborn baby in the latest saga by USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen
FBI agent Drury Ryland is no stranger to surprises. But upon returning to his family's cattle ranch in Texas, he's confronted with the ghosts of his pastand a threat to his future. Caitlyn Denson is the beautiful woman who broke his heart and the last person Drury expected to reunite with. But his ex didn't arrive at Silver Creek Ranch alone. With a killer on her trail and a newborn daughter in her arms, Caitlyn must put aside her tumultuous history with Drury and focus on survival. Drury feels obligated to protect the family he never had, but professional boundaries begin to blur as their enemy shifts into stark focus.
From the very first scene, the story put me on the edge of my seat with the fierce, savage action and held me there till the very end of the book. Every moment of the story filled with adrenaline and high 'fighting for your life' energy, like this whole series has been, took my breath away. To say that the action is non-stop doesn't even describe it correctly, as it seems like one intense explosion that lasts for the time of the story to unfold. The suspects are known but the person behind the deadly, brutal attacks is not an obvious find.
The Ryland clan has won my heart over with each installment of the series, and Drury wasn't an exception either. The 'serve your country, love your family, protect the innocent' attitude with their sense of honesty, honor, and integrity are admirable and stand out in every story. Caitlyn Denson had made some bad choices in life and love, but she owned up to them, didn't hide behind excuses, and told honestly what was behind her reasoning at the time. She asks for help when things get out of her control and then she listens and does as she is told by the law enforcement that is there to protect her, yet stands up and acts smartly when it is needed, making her the perfect heroine of the story. The connection between Caitlyn and Drury was complicated. The hurt from the past was present and still aching, but they didn't dwell on it or in the drama from the past. I got a good laugh with the clumsy matchmaking from the Ryland men, their forgiving hearts, and minds just one more thing to love about them even more. Fiery, combustible action, suspense that keeps the reader's mind engaged, a family that will always stand up for each other, and blazing hot attraction that turns into a lasting romance with babies and cowboys and swoon-worthy moments that makes you smile after biting your nails off with the deadly danger the characters are in - Delores Fossen knows how to keep the readers entertained and hooked on the stories, wanting more at each 'the end'. ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
THE ONLY PLACE SHE FEELS SAFE...
After her capture by human traffickers, international reporter Arden Wilkes should have felt safe back in her small hometown. Blue Falls, Texas, feels comfortingly familiar--and painfully foreign. Disoriented, Arden struggles to regain her sense of self and deal with the aftermath...only to find a sense of safety in the last place she ever expected. Rancher Neil Hartley knows too well the kind of scars that trauma can bring. However, what started out as warm friendship with Arden is quickly turning into a deepening attraction. But despite Arden's slow recovery--and the promise of love--her old life still awaits her return. Now Arden must choose between the woman she used to be...and the safety of her rancher's arms.
Oh, be still my beating heart! What a wonderful, emotion filled, sweet romance that seriously had me in tears in the chapter ONE! When does that happen?! Never!
Even though the plot touches some serious and heavy topics as targets of the investigative reporter's interests, it mostly has a focus on the tender, fragile, adorable romance that is budding between Arden and Neil. The plot is original, fresh, and has just enough angst and deep emotions mixed with the beauty of Texas prairie and the love of a family, attraction, and worries about the future to make it believable, authentic, and satisfying cowboy romance tale. Arden Wilkes PTSD was given such authenticity, that it took my breath away, and yes, had me in tears. The emotions are raw and real, the horrors she had gone through in Uganda were unimaginable. I am glad that the author didn't indulge with more details into the capture as it is now, and how she underlined the fact that one can not judge the whole nation because of a few bad apples. Arden is struggling to find herself again after the tragedy, wondering about her future, and worried with the financial burden, her parents are under because of her father's heart attack. Neil Hartley knows something about survival, and the nothing short of amazing connection he immediately forms with Arden is the life preserver that Arden needs to start the healing process she desperately requires to be able to move on from Uganda. Both Neil and Arden are characters easy to like and relate to. Even with opposite lifestyles, they have much in common with their values, beliefs, and love for the Texan landscape. I adored them together, as well as with their families. The banter and fun with the Harley siblings were a delight, and I do hope I get to witness the rest of the gang to fall hopelessly and helplessly in love, as well. The depth of the emotions, the love for a family, the care for the land, and most of all the precious, dreamy romance in a story that took me by surprise, captivated my mind and charmed my heart. ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Someone is murdering beautiful young women in the New York area and displaying them in mausoleums and underground tombs. The FBI is handling the case, with Special Agent Craig Frasier as lead.
Kieran Finnegan, forensic psychologist and part owner of Finnegan's, her family's pub, is consulting on the case. Craig and Kieran are a couple who've worked together on more than one occasion. On this occasion, though, Craig fears for the safety of the woman he loves. Because the killer is too close. The body of a young model is found in a catacomb under a two-hundred-year-old church, now deconsecrated and turned into a nightclub. A church directly behind Finnegan's in lower Manhattan. As more women are murdered, their bodies discovered in underground locations in New York, it's clear that the police and the FBI are dealing with a serial killer. Craig and Kieran are desperate to track down the murderer, a man obsessed with female perfection. Obsessed enough to want to "preserve" that beauty by destroying the women who embody it"
Being a fan of Heather Graham's work, I get a little giddy when I open her books on my Kindle. The rush to start another action filled story is always there. A Perfect Obsession is filled with eerie and creepy imagery from the underground tombs of New York, taking the thriller to another level of danger, while the chills were running down my spine.
The suspense in the story is well built and the tension is escalating as more victims are discovered and the Finnegan family is once again right in the middle of it. The constantly present fear and danger, and the acute awareness that Kieran Finnegan is a match to the victims put Special Agent Craig Frasier on the edge, his overprotective tendencies heighten to the extream. The story is heavily ridden with the history of New York, and especially the history of different graveyards, going into such details that it dulled some of the building intensity from the investigation. Craig Frasier and Kieran Finnegan met and fell in love in the book one of the series. I enjoy the chemistry between them, the passion and banter between them are entertaining and fun. The relationship is a strong part of the story yet there's no further development or deepening of the bond or commitment between Kieran and Craig as the story progress. The link the Finnegan siblings have with each other is admirable, I love how their protectiveness of each other often gets them in more trouble than not. It tells a lot about Craig's nature, that they have accepted him as part of the fold so unconditionally, the respect Kieran's brothers have for is obvious. While not one of my favorite Heather Graham stories, this is a solid tale with escalating suspense that comes into a treacherous and alarming crescendo that had my heart racing. I am definitely interested to see what direction this series will take in the future and if the two single brothers of Kieran will find their match somewhere along the line ~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side |