A sophisticated city girl, a small town guy. Will their differences drive them apart or will they discover that home is where the heart is?
When the only girl Joey Bennett ever loved stole his heart and sped off to the city lights, he swore he’d never again surrender his heart or be measured by someone’s big city ideals. Love is for chumps. Trust is only given to family and locals who care about him for who he is, and what he isn’t. But when a beautiful stranger dances into his bar, he takes up the challenge to prove that his hometown is different. Brittany Carlson hates small towns after growing up where the old boy’s network turned a blind eye to her father’s abuse, destroying her mother’s life… and her own. She left that hell in the rear-view mirror the minute she turned eighteen. New York City is her new hometown where her neighbors are friends and everyone looks out for each other. They keep her safe. But a weekend visit to Oak Grove and one dance with a sexy local threatens to change… everything. Joey is not like any guy she’s ever met. And she likes that. Long nights stoke Joey and Brittany’s desire to stay together, but reality is different when exposed to the harsh light of day. If Brittany goes back to New York, she’ll be heartbroken. But she promised herself long ago that she wouldn’t ever again live her life looking over her shoulder, wondering what secrets people are hiding and what ugliness lurks in the shadows with no one there to help. Can she take the small town out of Joey, or can the love of a good man become her new home?
A heartfelt and delightful story about finding your destiny, finding your place in the world, about love and living, friends and family, life in the small town where people genuinely care for each other and look out for each other.
I am loving the Bennett family, the tight-knit solidarity they have, the unit the brothers form to protect their family and loved ones when needed. The stories do entwine yet they are easily read as stand alone books. The ongoing problems their sister Rachel is having in her relationship gets more insights in One Last Dance, and the abuse she faces might be a trigger to some. The tragic, terrifying situation Rachel lives with is painted with realistic and vivid, heartbreaking images, I have to say I am anxiously looking forward to her story coming up next month. But One Last Dance is about Joey Bennett and Brittany Carlson. Joye, the former happy go lucky from fling to fling guy is looking at the happiness his brother has found and is longing for something more to his life as well. His business is going well, he volunteers his time to a great cause, and his dedication to help veterans and raise awareness of their needs is admirable. Joye is easy to like, he has charm, wit, and charisma. His protectiveness towards his sister is fierce, and eventually, his temper gets him in trouble. He had his heart broken once by a girl longing for the city lights, yet he is learning that some risks are worth to take to find your place in life. Brittany has thick walls around her, to protect her secrets and hold herself together, to keep going. She has a temper to match Joye's, but her heart is golden, her desire to serve and help others is genuine, and her feelings towards Joye are unavoidable. The abused girl in her sees the reality Rachel is living in, by looking in her eyes. With Brittany's help, the situation with Rachel starts finally unravel as the family finds more about her life. There is a lot going on in the story, with the family, and with Joye and Brittany. The connection between them is adorable and passionate. They are so perfect together, perfect for each other, despite the seemingly opposite lifestyles. I loved how they supported each other, how well they fit with each other and their interests in life. They do things together that they both enjoy and that brings them even closer together. The development of their characters, the healing and the growing they absorb through their journey is remarkable. Even though the events in the book all happen within a short time period, a lot of living and learning is done during those days. The feelings, the emotions, the relationship developing between Joye and Brittany is believable, solid, sweet, and taking deep roots. I'm really liking this series and the range of emotions and life the stories hold. One Last Dance is a great addition to the saga of the Bennett family and left me excitedly waiting for the next installment. ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Before long, Joey pulled the truck into a dirt-covered patch in front of a metal gate. A path extended beyond the gate and wound into the woods. He shut off the truck and then turned to her. “ We’ll walk in from here.”
“Where’s here?” “ You’ll see.” Boy, today was going to be a riot if all their conversations consisted solely of two-word sentences. Before Brittany had a chance to climb out, Joey threw open the door, wandered to the back of the truck, and fiddled with something. She scrambled out, tugging her T-shirt down. “ Can I help with anything?” “ Nope, I’ve got everything covered. I’d planned to come out alone anyway.” “ Obviously, so why didn’t you just tell Karen no?” Joey shot her a look that told her maybe she didn’t want to hear the answer. He mumbled under his breath again. “ All right, that’s it. Go ahead and get it all out.” Joey ran his hand through his hair, spinning away from her for a minute before turning back. “ You’re right. I didn’t want you to come hiking with me. I’d been looking forward to this time alone all week.” “ Then why did you agree to let me come?” She threw her hands in the air and stomped her feet like a petulant child. She hadn’t meant to yell, but her peaceful feelings were quickly being replaced with unsettling ones, reminders of the past she’d rather stay there. “ I don’t know, okay?” A clear look of exasperation crossed his face, and then his eyes locked on hers. With his eyebrows raised and his jaw tight, he looked as ridiculous as this situation was. Neither of them were happy that Karen had roped them into this. The corner of Brittany’s mouth quirked, and the pressure built in her gut until she couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst out laughing. Not a quiet, simple one, but a full-out belly laugh. She doubled over, clutching her stomach as she continued to laugh. Eventually she stood and wiped the tears from her eyes, only to see Joey had joined in her laughter. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be taking this out on you,” he said. “It’s okay.” Tears still flowed down Brittany’s face. “Let’s relax and have fun for a few hours.” “ Sounds good to me.” The creases on his forehead relaxed and his jaw eased. His features softened and she was reminded of the man she’d met last night, not the tense man who had driven her here.
Nancy Stopper is an award-winning debut author. She writes contemporary romance with strong women and sexy heroes that tug at your emotional heartstrings and leave you with a warm feeling that lingers long after the last page. Her favorite escape is small-town romance and even when set in a larger location, her books have that small-town feel.Her first novel, One Last Risk, won first place in the Short Contemporary Romance category of the Fool for Love Contest and was a Maggie Finalist in the unpublished Single-Title Contemporary Category. Dreams Come True in Laguna, Nancy's first novella, was published in the Laguna Beach Kindle World in 2016. One Last Risk, her first full-length contemporary romance novel was published in April 2017. Nancy lives in Virginia with her husband, two of her three kids that are still at home, and one cat who regards her with disdain daily. When she's not behind her laptop, you can find her at a ballfield, cheering on her favorite team (Washington Nationals) or her favorite player (her son, who pitches for his local high school), or at a dance performance with her daughter.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Goodreads
0 Comments
Called Out
Calling It #3 By: Jen Doyle Releasing May 29, 2017 Carina Press
Jack "Ox" Oxford is used to being alone. Granted, when you screw over your friends, being alone isn't always a choice. Playing for the Chicago Watchmen is a last-ditch effort to save his career…and right some of his past wrongs. He's not expecting a warm reception, but he's also not expecting a flat tire to change everything.
Recovering control freak, single mom and semiprofessional chaos wrangler Lola Deacon McIntire doesn't need an arrogant ballplayer to swoop in and save her from anything, much less her flat tire. And she definitely doesn't need her body to betray her and decide this is the guy to wake up her rusty libido. She isn't about to upset her sons' lives for any man—much less one who so clearly doesn't think he's dad material. Jack never thought he'd find someone who wanted to build a life with him, but the more time he spends with Lola and her boys, the more it starts to feel permanent. Even tough-as-nails Lola concedes there just might be a future here—the big, beautiful, messy future neither of them was looking for—but only if Jack will accept he deserves it.
When Jen Doyle tells a story, it is filled with charming characters you want to get to know personally, it has humor that makes the drama and troubles of the protagonists lives bearable, it has adoration and admiration, sexy scenes that nearly melt the pages, it has friends and family, it has life, loving, and living, even death. There are few authors whose voice as they tell a story mesmerizes my mind, every single time, and I get lost in the pages, in the story, in the lives of characters of the book. Called Out I pretty much inhaled one rainy afternoon, all 100 000 words of it. It is a compelling story of forgiveness, redemption, new chances in life, friendship, parenthood, and most of all it is about learning to love.
Lola Deacon McIntire is a widow, a mother of four, a sister, a friend, a business owner. She wears all her hats admirably, she has spunk, attitude, and temper. She would do anything for her family and friends, and she is not afraid to stand up for herself or for her loved ones when the need arises. It was impossible not to admire her, and the fire for life she has. A smart, passionate lady with a beautiful soul. Jack "Ox" Oxford has mastered the ice cool cover image he hides behind. He learned at the early age that to show emotion leads to trouble, to have personal expectations will lead to disappointments. He was made to believe he is not worthy since he was a young boy, and the message was honed in at every opportunity through his life. Yet inside there is a deeply feeling, vulnerable, kind man with a big heart. I felt for Jack. The more I got to know him and about him the more I liked him. He really is an honest, solid man. I loved his moments with One, Two, Three, and Si, the kids, talk about swoon worthy hero! And I adored Jack and Lola together, the way they center each other, the connection so palpable it was obvious to everyone around them, the feelings that were growing and taking a strong root, the newness of it all for Jack, it was sweet, it was ardent, and it made me smile. The foundation of the story is one event, a mistake Jack made, that had a tsunami kind of ripple-effect on everyone's lives on a very large scale. While I absolutely loved the story I kept expecting more information, details, of the life-changing moment and the results of it. Because if I was to believe that Jack is the man that I saw behind the walls, the man he developed to be through the story, he would have been dealing with the results of the devastation he left behind. I am trying not to give out anything away and still say why I had so many questions in my mind as I finished this story and why did it not have a perfect score at the end - I felt a major issue was nearly ignored and left hanging. Called out hit all the emotions while I was reading it. There was laughter, sighs, smiles, triumph, tears, pleasure, frustration, grief, and heartache. It is an entertaining and captivating story, well written with a fluent flow and witty dialog. ~ Four Spoons
The only person who didn’t seem to notice was Jack. She didn’t particularly expect any special treatment, and it was clear he wasn’t interested in a long, happy life together any more than she was. But when he pushed his plate aside and started to say his goodbyes, she did have to turn her back to make sure her face didn’t betray her disappointment.
When he did finally come up behind her to say goodbye, it was without leaning in and whispering in her ear, and he kept his hands far away from her. It was clear that whatever had happened between him and Deke—and Lola could read a room enough to know that something had happened—meant things were about to come to an end. Lola was okay with that. She hadn’t really expected anything after the other morning anyway. Still, it was an effort to plaster a smile on her face, especially when he nodded his head toward the hallway. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” Lola sighed. “Cover me?” she said to Mary. And then she turned to move past him and walked straight ahead. “So,” she said when they got to the back hallway. She didn’t think it counted as breaking up when they weren’t together, but she’d never actually been broken up with before so she wasn’t sure. And although she wasn’t willing to make it easier for him, she wasn’t about to make it hard. “So,” he said. He was nervous. This was going to be worse than Lola had thought. Well, it wasn’t going to be worse than having Tuck show up in his police uniform the night of the accident, or spending all those long lonely nights when Dave was deployed wondering whether he was still alive. “Obviously,” Jack said, “we have two very different lives.” Yep. Lola nodded for him to go on. “And we both know I am not by any means a catch.” It kind of depended on how you defined it, but this wasn’t the time to agree or disagree. She clasped her hands behind her back. “This is probably a really, really bad idea.” He ran his hands through his hair and Lola tried not to think about how cute he was. How cute it was, to have the big, bad Iceman be so nervous because of her. Even if it was because he was about to tell her that he never wanted to see her again. “But how would you feel about seeing me tonight after you get off?” “I’m sorry?” That was not what she’d expected him to say. He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Not get off. That innuendo was not intentional. I meant after you’re done with your shift.” Wow. He wasn’t even making double entendre jokes. This was seriously strange. And not how she’d expected this to go. He started pacing. “I, uh…” He cleared his throat. “Jules mentioned the babysitter puts your kids to bed and stays over on the nights you work late.” “She did?” Jules was so much more of a troublemaker than she led anyone to believe. Jack nodded. “I was thinking maybe I could pick you up and take you to dinner somewhere.” And now Lola was irritated. Never mind that ten o’clock was too late to have dinner. “Seriously? We’re doing the dating thing?” She may have had her breakdown earlier, but it didn’t change her overall goal. “What part of ‘fuck me against the wall’ did you not understand?” Lola was fairly certain she’d been clear on that. Jack tensed before straightening up to his full height. Then the Jack she knew was back and in front of her—crowding right up against her, pinning her between him and the wall. This time his grin was natural and easy and entirely carnal—just the way she liked it. “I never said fucking against the wall was off the table. I just thought maybe you’d like to grab a bite first.” Resisting the impulse to say that she would, actually, like to take a bite out of something first, she set her lips in a grim line. Was this truly what he wanted? Or was it just what he thought she wanted, despite what she’d said? Trying to keep the frustration out of her voice, she said, “I don’t want to go on dates, Jack. I don’t want a boyfriend. I don’t want another thing to add to the list.” She wasn’t pulling punches. Not today. Although he winced and said, “Ouch, babe. That was harsh,” he didn’t seem overly upset. Especially not as he slid his thigh between her legs, looking entirely as if he were going to eat her up. “I don’t want to go on dates, Lola.” He brought his hand up between them. “And I really don’t want a girlfriend.” Though he seemed utterly calm, she could feel his heart beating as rapidly as hers was. “But I do have a list, and it includes fucking you repeatedly, and not just against the wall.” Then his hand closed over her breast, and he pinched the increasingly sensitive tip, and to her annoyance, she couldn’t hold back her gasp. Right here in the hallway of her family’s restaurant. “I do, however,” he said, “have higher standards than an unheated, unfinished farmhouse.” Her breath hitched as he rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, twisting just enough for a moan to make its way out of her throat. “Hey,” she managed to say. “That’s my unheated, unfinished farmhouse you’re talking about. Be careful what you say.” He smiled but didn’t reply. Unless you counted taking her earlobe between his teeth and giving enough of a tug for her to feel it shoot down to her core. “Okay.” She needed to work at not being quite so easy. “I suppose that could be added to my list, too.” “Great.” His voice low and raspy, he didn’t pull back. “So what do you say?” She let her head fall back against the wall as she closed her eyes. Dorie was right. The date itself didn’t matter. She had no illusions about Jack and she wasn’t looking for a replacement for Dave. But she was a thirty-six-year-old woman who had a whole lot of living left to do. She took a deep breath as she opened her eyes, “Okay.” In a startlingly gentle way, he brushed her cheek with his thumb as he smiled. “I’ll be back at ten to pick you up.” Keeping the wall at her back, she nodded. “It’s not a date.” “Not a date,” he repeated, bending down and touching his lips to hers, giving the slightest of reminders as to what his mouth was truly capable of. Then he backed away, keeping his eyes on her until he disappeared from sight.
A big believer in happily ever afters, Jen Doyle decided it was high time she started creating some. She has an M.S. in Library and Information Science and, in addition to her work as a librarian, has worked as a conference and events planner as well as a Communications and Enrollment administrator in both preschool and higher education environments (although some might say that there is very little difference between the two; Jen has no comment regarding whether she is one of the “some”).
Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS
The Whole Way Home
By: Sarah Creech Releasing June 6, 2017 William Morrow
A ferocious talent on the brink of making it big in Nashville must confront her small town past and an old love she’s never forgotten in this engaging novel—a soulful ballad filled with romance, heartbreak, secrets, and scandal from the author of Season of the Dragonflies.
Playing to packed houses while her hit song rushes up the charts, country singer and fiddler Jo Lover is poised to become a big Nashville star like her idols, Loretta, Reba, and Sheryl. To ensure her success, Jo has carefully crafted her image: a pretty, sassy, down-to-earth girl from small-town Virginia who pours her heart into her songs. But the stage persona she’s built is threatened when her independent label merges with big-time Capitol Records, bringing Nashville heartthrob JD McCoy—her first love—back into her life. Long ago Jo played with JD’s band. Then something went wrong, they parted ways and took their own crooked roads to stardom. Now, Jo’s excited—and terrified—to see him again. When the label reunites them for a show, the old sparks fly, the duet they sing goes viral, and fans begin clamoring for more—igniting the media’s interest in the compelling singer. Why is a small-town girl like Jo so quiet about her past? When did she and JD first meet? What split them apart? All too soon, the painful secret she's been hiding is uncovered; a shocking revelation that threatens to destroy her reputation and her dreams. To salvage her life and her career, Jo must finally face the past—and her feelings for JD—to become the true Nashville diva she was meant to be.
JD Gunn stood up from his wooden pew in the Ryman and joined the entire audience as they clapped and whistled for Jo to return to the stage for an encore. It felt good being on this side of the stage for once, just another audience member looking up with awe at a stellar performer. Nashville’s finest musicians, critics, and business folks gathered in these pews to witness her performance, alongside some of the most devoted fans he’d ever seen. JD’s ears were ringing from all the screams unleashed for her.
He and the band cut their Northeast tour short a day to come to the Ryman for Jo’s induction into the Grand Old Opry family. He and his band had been members for five years and he tried to make it to every new induction. Now he was second-guessing that decision. He figured enough time had passed between them that his presence here wouldn’t bother her, that maybe she would’ve expected to see him and be happy about it. But there was something about the way she looked at him, like there was a glitch in her system. And Jo Lover, who was master of her instruments, one of the finest musicians he’d ever known, messed up that easy Loretta number. JD put his fingers in his mouth and let out a cattle whistle. His bass player Rob stood next to him and shouted Jo’s name over and over. Rob wore the same black and white Willie and Waylon outlaw t-shirt he’d owned since middle school. JD was an only child and Rob was the closest to a brother that JD had. JD and Rob snuck out the house and hitched a ride away from Gate City to attend that Willie and Waylon show together. Rob waited in line for almost an hour to have his shirt signed. When it was finally his turn and he had the chance to talk to Willie, he almost didn’t speak, just stood there adjusting his thick glasses. JD shoved him and Rob finally said, “You guys are so cool” and Willie said, “So are you, kid.” Rob talked about it for months. Still brought it up when they got drunk. All they wanted back then was to be those guys. Swore they’d grow up to be outlaws and not ruin their bodies at the quarry like their fathers had. They swore they’d find something better to do with their hands.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
The research process! I explored the history of country music through the wonderful scholarly texts of Bill C. Malone and I drew so much inspiration from tales of Opry romances and curses, friendships and heartbreaks. Country music is the most neglected of all music styles in scholarly work due to its complicated regional history, but it’s far and away the best narrative music genre. I’m grateful for Malone, who dedicated his scholarly career to studying the roots of country music and beyond. Through Malone and other important writers, I discovered the romantic relationships between Martina McBride and her producer husband and George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Those romantic/working relationships have long fascinated me since I’m in a marriage with another artist. I also researched the on stage duet relationships between superstars like Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner and all the complications that arise when a romantic link is missing. I had the pleasure of being granted access to the Frist Library in the Country Hal of Fame in Nashville, TN, where I listened to the earliest recordings of the Grand Ole Opry, found the first draft of Waylon Jennings’s autobiography, which I promptly read it from start to finish, and explored all the microfiche a writer could want about the country music industry. I’m fascinated by independent labels like Big Machine (Taylor Swift’s label) headed by Scott Borchetta and 3rd Man Records headed by Jack White and how they operate in a town where multi-national corporations hold most of the power. I read through many newspaper clippings and explored the trajectory of the country music industry from the 60s to current day and all the disruptions along the way like rock music, the Vietnam War, and the rise of pirating technology. On one of my last days at the Frist Library, Jack White and his entourage walked into the room where I was the only person granted access on that day. He’s much taller in person and extremely charismatic. His energy animated the inanimate objects in the room. He told me I was pretty. And I thought, the nerve of that guy! He said that to me because he’s Jack White, because he could. Still, for a full hour I was deeply distracted. A few weeks later I found out he was there to pick up one of the earliest known recordings of Elvis. A friend of Elvis’s from before he was famous found the record in his closet, and Jack White had it digitally re-mastered at the Frist Library. And I happened to be there when it was all finished. Meeting Jack White and researching in Nashville became a turning point for the novel. The night before I was set to head home from this research trip, I had a dream that I’d forgotten my current manuscript on an elevator that would never come back down to me. I knew my dream was telling me to start over, to make it bigger, to try and capture all the light, charm, and magnitude of Jack White’s presence and Nashville at large. Beyond book research, I found myself drinking lots of whiskey with great musicians who generously gave me just enough access to their lives to inspire the characters in this book. Chance McCoy of Old Crow Medicine Show and J.P. Harris of J.P. Harris and the Tough Choices were so open and helpful that I’ll never be able to thank them fully. If you could trade places with anyone for just one day, who would you be? Dolly Parton A la Twitter style, please describe your book in 140 characters or less. About the rising Queen of Country and the Top 40 superstar she used to love. Where did the inspiration for this book come from? A few years ago I was sitting at a local honkytonk joint called the Thirsty Beaver here in Charlotte, NC, where I live. This is an iconic bar in Charlotte, and proudly sells the most Jim Beam in the entire state. The bar is run by two fabulous brothers who created the idea for this place before the Plaza Midwood neighborhood was as cool and in demand as it is now. They had no idea if anyone would come to a bar playing Hank Williams, not Blake Shelton. There’s a velvet Kenny Rogers poster on the storage room door and a Charlie Pride hologram on the wall. (I tried to capture the charm of this place in my novel. The Thirsty Baboon is an homage to this place.) So I was sitting on a barstool at the Thirsty Beaver, drinking a whiskey neat, and waiting for J.P. Harris and The Tough Choices to start playing. I’d seen J.P. play once before in Galax, Virginia, on a snowy evening where couples came out for a two step. He promised me his show at the Thirsty Beaver would be a lot more raucous. And he was right, of course. I remember sitting on that bar stool, watching him perform with his sleeves of tattoos on display and his big black beard grown out before all the hipsters were doing it and I remember his passion for the roots of country music, for playing covers by the greats like Merle Haggard and Hank Williams. This rebellious musician and all his respect and passion for the tradition really struck me. I thought, What if I guy like this could become really famous in Nashville? And that question sparked the beginning of The Whole Way Home. The book doesn’t follow the exact trajectory of that question, but I’m glad to report that J.P. Harris is well on his way to turning that what if into reality. Now he’s so busy touring that the guys at the Thirsty Beaver can’t book him anymore! We’re all proud of him. How long have you been writing, and what (or who) inspired you to start? I wrote and illustrated my first book of poems in the 4th grade and my first novel in the sixth grade, and I’ve been writing ever since. My mother was a voracious reader. I have many memories of walking into her bedroom in the evenings and on the weekends to find her reading paperbacks in bed with many more scattered on the floor. She was a single, hard-working mom of four girls with no help from my father. I knew how stressed and difficult her life was and I remember drawing the conclusion that books gave her comfort, peace, just like reading Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein, and Amelia Bedelia did for me. Books were magical, and I wanted to participate as a creator. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? Treat the first ten years like an apprenticeship. Be impatient for success and patient with your failures. Don’t quit. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans? Thank you so much for reading on all formats, for building community through books, and for keeping word of mouth promotion alive and well. Without you, writers work in a silo.
Born and raised in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sarah Creech now teaches English and Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte. She lives in Charlotte, NC with her two children and her husband, the poet Morrie Creech.
Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS
His Accidental Heir
A Billionaires and Babies Romance By: Joanne Rock Releasing June 6, 2017 Harlequin Desire
The Boss’s Baby Bargain
When resort developer Cameron McNeill goes undercover to root out problems at his prized island property, his first discovery is the irresistible concierge, Maresa Delphine. Her business smarts are vital to his mission. But the struggling single mom could help with his personal mission, too: fulfilling the marriage terms of his grandfather’s will. Maresa is overwhelmed caring for her infant niece and tending to the demands of the resort’s sexy mystery guest. When he reveals himself as the owner, she’s thrown for a loop. But when he proposes…can she resist his brand of trouble in paradise?
What a delightful story!
From the first moment, the author paints such a vivid and clear images of the beautiful tropical paradise making it effortless to submerge into the scenes and live in the moment with the charming characters, forgetting everything around you, just focusing on the story. Maresa Delphine is a champion of a woman, a true heroine. She willingly put her own life to the side to take care of her family, and carry the responsibility of her mother and brother, even her niece, when the need arisen. Yet she was able to perform in her demanding job in a stellar way, never avoiding a responsibility. I admired her strength, her spunk, her artful way to serve others around her humbly, yet with a thankful and uplifting spirit. Cameron McNeill was a hunk of a hero! I so wish now that I had read the book one in the series because I know he had a secondary role in the story and I loved him! He is a Knight in shining armor. So thoughtful, helpful, kind, and considerate, while a shark of a businessman, smart and successful. His mornings with the baby had me swooning big time, him lifting her in his arms for the first time was such a tender and sweet moment. Maresa and Cameron were setting off some serious sparks. I loved the ease of them being together, they fit, the connection was authentic, the attraction palpable, and their feelings towards each other believable though instant. While the story does confront several types of family drama and trouble, mostly the tone is joyful and lively, a story that makes you smile and sigh with sunny and cheerful thoughts, just what I needed when I picked up the book. And there is a Finn in a walk-on role at the resort! Oh, that just made my day because it is the little things in life that matter, and that felt like a warm hug! If you are looking for a vacation reading material, I would recommend getting the whole series with you, because if the weather does not co-operate with sunny days, these stories will deliver it for sure! ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
She appreciated the cooler breeze on her overheated skin, and the light mist of rain blowing in with it. Only now did she realize the strap of her sundress had fallen off one shoulder, the bodice slipping precariously down on one side. Before she could reach for it, however, Cameron slid a finger under the errant strap and lifted it into place.
Her skin hummed with pleasure where he touched her. “Sorry.” He slid his hand away fast. “The bare shoulder was…” He shook his head. “I get distracted around you, Maresa. More than I should when I know you want to keep things professional.” The room was mostly dark, except for a glow from the last light of day combined with a golden halo around a wall sconce near the bathroom. He must have turned that on when he’d entered the master suite and found her sleeping. Dreaming. “What about you?” Her voice carried the sultriness of sleep. Or maybe it was the sound of desire from her sexy imaginings. Even now, she could swear she remembered the feel of his strong thigh between hers, his chest pressed to aching breasts. “I can’t be the only one who wants to keep some professional objectivity.” She slid her feet to the floor, needing to restore some equilibrium with him. Some distance. They sat on opposite sides of the chaise longue, the gathering storm stirring electricity in the air. “Honestly?” A flash of lightning illuminated his face in full color for a moment before returning them to black-and-white. “I would rather abdicate my role as boss where you’re concerned, Maresa. Let my brother Quinn make any decisions that involve you or Rafe. My professional judgment is already seriously compromised.” She breathed in the salty, charged air. Her hair blew silky caresses along her cheek. The gathering damp sat on her skin and she knew he must feel it, too. She was seized with the urge to lean across the chaise and lick him to find out for sure. If she could choose her spot, she’d pick the place just below his steely jaw. “I don’t understand.” She shook her head, not following what he was saying. She was still half in dreamland, her whole body conspiring against logic and reason. Rebelling against all her workplace ethics. “We haven’t done anything wrong.” Much. They’d talked about a kiss. But there hadn’t been one. His eyes swept her body with unmistakable want. “Not yet. But I think you know how much I want to.” He didn’t touch her. He didn’t need to. Her skin was on fire just thinking about it. “What would your brother think of me if he knew we…” Images of her body twined together with this incredibly sexy man threatened to steal the last of her defenses. “How could he be impartial?” Another flash of lightning revealed Cam in all his masculine deliciousness. His shirt was open at the collar, just the way it had been in her dream. Except now, his shirt was damp with raindrops, making the pale cotton cling like a second skin. Cameron watched her steadily, his intense gaze as stirring as any caress. “You know the way you have faith in your brother’s good heart and good intentions? No matter what?” She nodded. “Without question.” “That’s how I feel about Quinn’s ability to be fair. He can tick me off sometimes, but he is the most levelheaded, just person I know.” She weighed what he was saying. Thought about what it meant. “And you’re suggesting that if we acted on this attraction…you’d step out of the picture. Your brother becomes my boss, not you.” “Exactly.” Cameron’s assurance came along with a roll of ominous thunder that rumbled right through the villa. Right through her feet where they touched the floor. Maresa felt as if she were standing at the edge of a giant cliff, deciding whether or not to jump. Making that leap would be terrifying. But turning away from the tantalizing possibilities—the lure of the moment—was no longer an option. Even before she’d fallen asleep, she’d known that her window for selfish pleasures was closing fast if Isla proved to be Rafe’s daughter and Maresa’s responsibility. How could she deny herself this night? “Yes.” She hurled herself into the unknown and hoped for the best. “I know that you’re leaving soon, and I’m okay with that. But for tonight, if we could be just a man and a woman…” The simple words sent a shiver of longing through her. Even in the dim light, she could see his blue eyes flare hotter, like the gas fireplace in the Antilles Suite when you turned up the thermostat. “You have no idea how much I was hoping you’d say that.” His words took on a ragged edge as his hands slid around her waist. He drew her closer. Crushed her lips to his.
Four-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn't like. The author of over eighty books enjoys writing a wide range of stories, most recently focusing on sexy contemporaries and small town family sagas. An optimist by nature and perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance fits her life outlook perfectly--love is worth fighting for. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville but credits her fiction writing skills to her intensive study with friend and fellow author Catherine Mann. When she's not writing, Joanne enjoys travel, especially to see her favorite sports teams play with her former sports editor husband and three athletic-minded sons.
Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS
How to Bewilder a Lord
How To series #3 By: Ally Broadfield Releasing June 5, 2017 Entangled Scandalous
Gavin Corey, the Earl of Thornbrook, has shed his rakish ways in the hope of winning Lady Louisa’s heart, but neither she nor her parents consider him a suitable match. He convinces her to join forces with him to locate a missing family treasure by proposing a wager: if he finds the jewels, Lady Louisa must allow him to court her, but if she prevails, he must reveal the secret he’s keeping from her.
Lady Louisa Adair might be the most sought after lady on the marriage mart, but she values her independence above all else and has no interest in giving up her inheritance to marry. As she spends more time with the charming earl, however, she comes to wonder if he’s worth risking her inheritance and her family’s disapproval… until she’s confronted with the scandal from his past.
She paused and flipped back a few pages. “So it looks like she stopped journaling when she began her…ahem…relationship with Bukov.”
“Of course she did. She had a vastly superior form of entertainment to indulge in.” “For heaven’s sake, do be quiet.” Her eyes flashed back and forth across the page. “For the sake of my sanity, could you please read aloud.” Without looking up, she waved a hand at him. “I’ll let you know as soon as I find something interesting. “Of course. I’ll just sit here and twiddle my thumbs until you deem it appropriate to include me.” “There it is!” He leaned closer, but her arm blocked his view of the page in question. “‘Begin where warmth abounds. Very close, yet worlds away, it is no place for the meek.’” “Right. That was the clue that we all assumed pointed to the portrait over the fireplace. Is there any reason to think otherwise?” Louisa shook her head. “Not that I can think of.” Gavin tossed the words around in his head. “I’ve never understood what she meant by ‘…it is no place for the meek.’” “I agree, but I don’t think it matters. This was the clue that led to the painting that had the grille hidden beneath the backing.” Something was tickling his memory, but he couldn’t figure it out. “Is there a pen and paper somewhere? I’d like to write down the clues so we have them all in one place.” She pointed to the other side of the room. “Check the drawers in the desk over there.” He found what he needed and pulled off his gloves before carefully writing the entire clue. In the meantime, Louisa had continued reading without him. Oddly enough, her face was flushed a deep red. “Have you discovered another clue?” “Not exactly.” She sucked in a deep breath. “A few days later, she wrote, ‘What new surprises will my lover have for me tonight?’” She flipped the page. “‘I long for the sweet torture of his touch, for the pleasure he brings me.’” It suddenly seemed very warm in the room. Louisa swallowed audibly. “There’s more.” Lord help him. “‘My pulse races as I remember the warm touch of his hands. I throb with unmet desire, craving his practiced attention.’” “Um, perhaps we should stop here for the night.” Preferably before he spontaneously combusted. Her eyes wide like a frightened animal, she nodded her agreement and put the journal back on the shelf, then came toward him and stopped a few feet away. Without thinking, he lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. For a moment, she leaned toward him, and he leaned a bit nearer to her. They were so close he could feel her warm breath against his neck. Just when he decided it would be a good time to kiss her, she took a step back. He reached for her hand, but she backed away from him. “Louisa,” he said ever so softly, reaching for her again. She shook her head, then turned and ran from the room, her dog trailing behind her. His throat tightened. That had not gone well. Certainly not the way things had progressed in a thousand or so of his dreams that had featured her. He wanted to chase her down the corridor, but that would probably scare her away forever. Though he was certain she was as innocent as the day she was born, he might still have a chance with her if she desired him even a fraction of the amount he did her.
Ally Broadfield has worked as a horse trainer, director of marketing and development, freelance proofreader, and a children’s librarian, among other things. None of them were as awesome as writing romance novels (though the librarian gig came closest). She lives in Texas and is convinced her house is shrinking, possibly because she shares it with three kids, four dogs, a cat, a rabbit, and assorted reptiles. Oh, and her husband.
Ally likes to curse in Russian because very few people know what she’s saying, and spends most of what would be her spare time letting dogs in and out of the house and shuttling kids around. She has many stories in her head looking for an opportunity to escape onto paper. She writes historical romance set in Regency England and Imperial Russia. Stay up to date by visiting her Website, Facebook, and Twitter, though she makes no claims of using any of them properly. Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS
Contemporary Romance
Date Published: 3-7-17 Publisher: self/ Carolina Blue Publishing
Dr. Elizabeth Abbott Fitzgerald has spent the last ten years of her life running; from tragedy, from family, from love.
But now her mother’s failing health calls her home to Windsor Falls, North Carolina; to the place where her past awaits. Sam Bishop can’t believe his eyes when the love of his life returns after ten long years. All he wants is to clear his conscience and get back the family he lost when Connor, his best friend and Elizabeth’s husband died tragically. Could it really be true that time heals all wounds?
Screwing up her courage, Elizabeth exited the bathroom and walked into the kitchen in search of something to do. What she found was Sam.
"Oh, I didn't know you were in here." She shoved her hands in her pockets and thought about backing out of the room. Although she had been trying to speak with him all week, suddenly that didn’t seem like such a great idea. His face was devoid of any expression. "No problem. I was just taking a break from the crowd. Can I get you anything?" Sam stood, seemingly nonchalantly, with a hip propped against the counter and his tanned, muscular arms folded across his chest. She noticed that the same lock of errant hair fell across his forehead. She clenched her hands in her pockets to avoid stepping forward and brushing it back into place. Elizabeth started to say no but changed her mind. Her pulse beat wildly through her veins. Taking a deep breath and steeling herself, she took the plunge. "Yes, I do want something, Sam. I wanted to tell you that I'm staying. I took a full-time position in the ED and gave notice in California. That's what I've been trying to tell you all week." When he didn’t say anything, or show any reaction, she hurried on. "I also want to know what's going on between us. Why haven’t you returned my calls? Why are you avoiding me?" Elizabeth stopped then to take a breath, her cheeks flushed with emotion. "I hope you’re not staying here because of me. Because of what happened between us." Sam stayed where he was, seemingly unaffected by what she had said. "We had a little fun, but that’s all it was. I'd rather not make more out of it than it is, Elizabeth." A chill swept over Elizabeth. She stood as still as a statue, as if she had been frozen by his words. She heard what Sam had said, and yet she couldn’t understand them. He didn’t even look like her Sam; his face a cold mask. How could those nights spent locked in each other's arms not mean anything to him? She couldn’t think of a single thing to say to him. She continued to stare as the color drained from her face. The knuckles of her hand were white where she gripped the center island for support. Tears pooled in her eyes, yet she refused to shed them. With her heart shattering in her chest, Elizabeth turned and left the room. Her back was straight. She didn’t make a sound. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
Kimberley O’Malley is a recent transplant to Charlotte, North Carolina from the frozen North. She is learning to say y’all but draws the line at sweet tea. Sarcasm is an art form in her world. When not writing, she is a full-time nurse and part-time soccer Mom, but not necessarily in that order. She shares her life with an amazing husband of more than twenty years, two teenagers, and one very sweet Shetland Sheepdog, Molly.
Contact Information Website | Facebook | Twitter
New Edge-of-Your-Seat Read from an Established Romantic Suspense Author
Kate O'Brien has been leading a quiet life in small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas, for the past four years when her past suddenly comes roaring back to life. Four years ago, she and her twin sister were attacked by an elusive serial killer. Only Kate survived, and it was her drawing of the attacker--along with some last-minute evidence--that convicted the suspect. She's been in witness protection ever since, but new evidence suggests the convicted man isn't the murderer and she's been subpoenaed to testify in the new trial. Nervous about the risk, she'll only agree if the same marshal who protected her during the original trial escorts her to St. Louis. Deputy U.S. Marshal Tony DeLuca accepts the assignment to bring Kate to the trial, remembering how her strength impressed him. While in Shelter Cove, however, he gets a call from his chief, advising them to stay in Shelter Cove until a new development in the case can be straightened out. But when Kate's safety is threatened, Tony must race against the clock to keep her alive and put this ugly case to rest before anyone else gets killed.
Dark Deception starts off with an intense and fear-filled scene that chilled me down to my core.
Kate O'Brien is a survivor, fighter, a warrior. She witnesses her twins brutal murder, was left to death herself but survived, and had to face the killer again and again in this haunting thriller. The personal battle she has to go through to be able to go on, accept that she is still alive, and to get over the survivor's guilt is a wearing road, yet she does champion on, with the help from the people around her and with the faith she finds in God. I wish I had read the first book in the series before I read this one, the feeling of jumping into a middle of a scene was strong here. With the generous amount of characters, keeping everything in line came to be an effort. Kate's previous connection to Tony DeLuca is referred several times, the developing relationship between them is heavily based on those previous feelings between them, and I wanted to know more about the foundation the new connection, after being apart for years, was based on. Tony DeLuca is a solid man, straight-shooter, honorable and honest. His faith in God is evident, his trust for God's guidance clear. One of the highlights of the story for me was a conversation between him and Kate, where they share their past hurt and burdens, talk about depression and suicide, when openly and honestly, they admit their brokenness and weakness and help each other to heal. The suspense in the story is convoluted and distressing. There are clues to the culprits but they lead the trail so close to the protagonists you would rather not believe them. It is twisted, dangerous, tangled mess, that brings the law enforcement to their knees. After the built up I was expecting a bit more fiery solution, but all the loose ends are tightly wrapped up in the end. An interesting faith-based romantic suspense story, volatile and deadly action and riveting mystery with a touch of romance and the characters growing and developing in their faith in God. ~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband, Norman, and her very active puggle, Watson. First published in 2001, she has now authored nine books, including an omnibus mystery collection, Cozy in Kansas, which contains three of her previously published Ivy Towers mysteries. Book three in the series, For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls, won the American Christian Fiction Writers Mystery Book of the Year award. Nancys main writing interests lie in mystery although her new Harmony Series leans more toward the romantic suspense genre. Nancy runs a HUD program for the city of Wichita and is president of a volunteer organization, Wichita Homebound Outreach. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Kansas Authors Club. You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: www.nancymehl.com
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Scandal of the Season
By: Liana LeFey Releasing May 30, 2017 Entangled Select
Five years ago, Lord Sorin Latham fled England’s shores to avoid heartbreak and scandal in the form of one Lady Eleanor Cramley. On returning home, he finds the young miss he used to scold for lack of decorum is now a stunning woman who fires his blood. But he must resist temptation or risk losing his honor as a gentleman and the friendship of those he holds dear, including Eleanor.
Lady Eleanor is determined to be the paragon of propriety Sorin urged her to become. But now that he’s back, the man she once thought of as an older brother makes her long to be anything but proper. She must make Sorin see her as worthy of his heart and his desire without losing his good opinion, or her Season will end in disgrace.
“Eleanor, Charles has told me of your many rejected suitors. You have, to his utter bewilderment and despair, refused to consider any and every gentleman that has expressed interest in you, and I cannot help but feel that the fault is in some way at least partly mine. While it is true that I’d hoped to impart to you a sense of decorum, I never intended that you should withhold yourself so entirely as to become isolated.” In the silence that followed, Sorin braced himself.
But in spite of her reddening face, she spoke with chilling calm. “You confuse reserve with a lack of feeling. Reserve is the veil behind which we conceal those sentiments inappropriate to display, is that not what you said?” “It was indeed,” he replied, now regretting the fact that he’d ever broached the subject. “Then consider it fortunate that I maintained my reserve, because to have displayed my true feelings for those so-called suitors would have been insulting to their dignity and very likely ruinous for me.” Her eyes flashed, belying her cool tone. “I’ve given every gentleman before which Charles has paraded me an opportunity to prove himself worthy of my regard. It’s not my fault that all have failed to meet my standards. If I’ve been reserved, it is because I have yet to find a gentleman possessing the qualities necessary to engender my trust and affection.” Prudence warred with curiosity—and promptly lost. “Might I inquire as to these…standards you’ve set forth? Because it seems to me you’ve set some lofty requirements, if indeed no less than four—six if you count the good reverend’s repeated attempts—proposals of marriage have been turned down due to lack of their fulfillment. Are you certain the fault lies with the gentlemen?” In an instant, he knew he’d gone too far. Her eyes widened, and the flags in her cheeks brightened to a cherry red that spread to the tips of her ears. “Perhaps I am too harsh a critic,” she said a bit unsteadily. “My only excuse is that my expectations have been set by the examples with which I was provided in my youth. My father, Charles, and…” A suspicious brightness rimmed her lower lashes for a bare instant before she averted her gaze. Comprehension dawned. “If you mean to say that I am at fault for—” “Who else was there?” she snapped, glaring at him through leaf-green eyes that glittered with unshed tears. “Had I been exposed to lesser men, I should perhaps be more willing to accept such a one. However, as I was not, I shall continue to hope for better. Had you been here to see what has presented itself thus far, I would like to think that you would agree with my decision.” The words had been spoken softly, and yet they cut like the sharpest steel. He took a step toward her, intending only to offer comfort and reassurance, but she quickly edged away.
Liana LeFey delights in crafting incendiary tales that capture the heart and the imagination, taking the reader out of the now and into another world. Liana lives in Central Texas with her dashing husband/hero and their beautiful daughter. She’s also privileged to serve one spoiled rotten feline overlord. Liana has been devouring romances since she was fourteen and is now thrilled to be writing them for fellow enthusiasts.
Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS
The Chase
by Vanessa Fewings Release Date Reveal: Jun 6th, 2017 Genre: Contemporary Romance
A rising star in one of London's top art investigation firms, Zara Leighton's talent for seeing deep into paintings is in her blood. She's chosen to help track down Icon, an enigmatic international art thief whose heists are methodical, daring, baffling. To Zara the case is maddening—bordering on an obsession.
She finds distraction in the chiseled form of top-shelf client Tobias Wilder, a magnetic American billionaire who demands her expertise, her discretion—and her secrecy. Wilder doesn't ask questions. He gives orders. His gaze alone ignites her deepest fantasies. And his touch… The sudden whirl of exclusive exhibitions and decadent parties that Wilder introduces her to is a potent aphrodisiac. But surrender soon becomes tinged with suspicion. Is Zara's tryst with Wilder the real thing…or just a convincing forgery?
Vanessa Fewings is the USA Today bestselling author of the ENTHRALL SESSIONS.
THE CHASE is the first in her sizzling new romantic trilogy from HQN Books and will be released in June 2017, followed by THE GAME & THE PRIZE. Vanessa is also the author of The Stone Masters Vampire Series. Prior to publishing, Vanessa worked as a registered nurse and midwife. She holds a Masters Degree in Psychology. She has traveled extensively throughout the world and has lived in Germany, Hong Kong, and Cyprus. Born and raised in England, Vanessa now proudly calls herself an American and resides in California with her husband. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Website Stay up to date with Vanessa by signing up for her newsletter
WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE YOU
by Allyson Charles
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pub Date: May 9, 2017
Disorder In The Court . . .
Connie Wilkerson has worked her butt off to go from heartbroken paralegal with a drinking problem to becoming Pineville, Michigan’s fiercest new lawyer. But she’s still short on luck. Exhibit A: her very first case is against bad-boy contractor David Carelli.
Carelli has been a thorn in Connie’s side since high school, getting away with whatever he dreams up. He’s blond, handsome, and he dresses like a model. But everyone in town knows he cuts corners. Just the way he looks at her really gets Connie’s goat. She’s going to get him into chambers and settle the smug right out of him.
There’s just one problem. Exhibit B: Their supposedly hostile negotiations are turning hot instead. Now the jury is out on whether a second chance is recommended . . .
She knew he was trouble the moment he crossed her path. Big caramel eyes. Shaggy dark hair. An attitude as big as Lake Michigan. Head lowered, legs wide, he stood in the middle of the road like he owned it.
The brakes of her Jeep squealed as she rolled to a stop and put the vehicle in park. She met his suspicious glare with one of her own. Connie Wilkerson peered down her narrow drive. It was about an eighth of a mile from her home to the main road along the bumpy dirt road, and no one else was in sight. What the hell was he doing here? And how had he gotten onto her driveway? Those were mysteries she didn’t have time to deal with. She had twenty minutes to make it to the courthouse for her first ever case as an attorney, and she couldn’t be late. Big and hairy didn’t look like he planned on moving out of her way anytime soon. Connie eyed the tuft of coarse brown hair jutting from his chin, and then the rows of rough-cut stones forming close walls around this stretch of driveway. Her fifteen-year-old Jeep had taken her over some rough terrain before, but attempting to roll over a two-foot rock wall would be foolhardy. Leaning on her horn, she made shooing motions at him through the windshield. He dipped his head lower. Connie dug her nails into the steering wheel, her breaths coming short and fast. The clock on her dashboard told her she had eighteen minutes until court would be in session. She wiped away the dust covering the plastic clock face to confirm it. Yup, she was going to be late. Why did this crap always happen to her? She honked again, but the obstacle stood firm. She had to face the beast. Connie opened the door and lowered her sensible navy pumps to the ground, her two-inch heels sinking into the dirt. She reached into the backseat for the old steering wheel lock she never seemed to get around to throwing out, and held the metal bar in front of herself like a cattle prod. “Move along.” She shook the club at him and took a small step forward. “Time to go on home.” The goat cocked its head. Connie narrowed her eyes. Sure, the mongrel might not understand her words, but any animal could understand from her waving a bar around that she wanted it to move. He didn’t have to look at her like she was crazy. Choking up on the club like a baseball bat, she swung it back and forth in the air. Unfazed, the goat snorted and pawed the ground. He must have escaped from a local farm, but she didn’t know of any that kept goats. Where the hell did he belong? She didn’t know that either, except it wasn’t on her driveway—or anywhere on her forested lot, for that matter. “Well, you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” And now she was giving the stupid animal the bartender talk. The goat reacted to it about as well as she had in her heyday. He blew her a big raspberry, a string of drool dripping into his chin hair. Connie’s foot paused inches above the ground. She looked down at her double-breasted silk skirt suit, the one that she’d spent her first paycheck as an attorney on, and back at the slobbering beast. She took a step away. Retreating to her Jeep seemed like a much better idea. Maybe if she nudged him with her bumper he’d scamper off? And really, if he decided not to move and worse came to worst, would anyone miss the scruffy animal? Goats went missing every day. Her butt bumped the hood, and the animal chose that moment to charge. Throwing her torso on the Jeep, she reached for the seam where the hood met the windshield to pull herself up. The metal bar in her hand slammed into the windshield. A crack splintered along the glass, and her jaw dropped with each inch. She had barely a second to process the damage when something tugged sharply at the back of her skirt. Connie craned her neck and shrieked in outrage when she caught sight of the navy silk caught firmly between the goat’s teeth. He smiled around his mouthful. “No!” She kicked out, and the animal danced sideways, avoiding her foot while maintaining his grip. He backed up. “Oh shit.” Abandoning the club, she gripped the waistband of the skirt being pulled down her hips. “Let me go!” He lowered his head and took another step back. Something had to give: either her skirt or her position on the Jeep. Connie slid off the hood and landed in a heap on the dirt. She pulled a dark lock of hair away from her mouth and looked up at one pissy goat. The animal blew a foul smelling breath across her face, and nausea coiled in her stomach. “I didn’t mean it about running you over. I swear.” He jutted his chin, appearing unconvinced. A branch broke, and both Connie and the goat swung their heads around as a deer walked through the pine trees about fifty feet away. The goat took off, leaping over the low wall, spraying clumps of dirt onto Connie’s lap. He trotted toward the buck, looking like he’d found his new best friend. Short black tail perked up straight, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth, he pranced around the deer, apparently forgetting the woman he’d just assaulted. The buck continued its stroll, ignoring the goat. Connie’s heartbeat thundered in her ears, and she pressed a hand to her chest. “What just happened?” Neither animal answered. Connie was used to wildlife around her home. She’d bought the small house out in the woods because of its rundown back porch where she could sip her coffee and watch the mourning doves and woodpeckers flit about. She’d even seen an elk and a fox roam her property at different times. But a goat with anger management issues was definitely a first.
Allyson Charles lives in Northern California. She’s the author of the “Pineville Romance” series, small-town, contemporary romances published by Lyrical Press. A former attorney, she happily ditched those suits and now works in her pajamas writing about men’s briefs instead of legal briefs. When she’s not writing, she’s probably engaged in one of her favorite hobbies: napping, eating, or martial arts (That last one almost makes up for the first two, right?). One of Allyson’s greatest disappointments is living in a state that doesn’t have any Cracker Barrels in it.
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and giveaway!
Falling for the Right Brother
Saved by the Blog #1 By: Kerri Carpenter Released June 1, 2017 Harlequin
Saved by the blog!
This just in, fair readers! Chic and stunning, that gorgeous new woman about town is none other than our very own little Ellie—now Elle—Owens. She's a far cry from the frumpy, bookish student we used to know, but then, living in Italy will do that to a girl! Still, this blogger can't forget the infamous video that caused her to leave! Apparently Miss Elle has been spotted with yummy contractor Cam Dumont…but we thought her heart belonged to his little brother. Are Cam and Elle a new couple? They were seen cooling their passions in the bay…in April! If this is love, let's hope she's swimming with the right brother. The Bayside Blogger will keep you posted.
He liked being around Elle. Most women wanted to talk about their feelings. Not that there was anything wrong with that when it was needed. But there was a lot to be said for enjoying a quiet moment.
Plus, she could hold her own with him. And she could cook. And she was gorgeous. Sneaking a glance at her, he felt his heart practically stop. She’d let her hair out of its ponytail. Now the wind was moving through it, light brown strands flying around her face. The setting sun cast an aura over her that highlighted her smooth skin. Awash in light, with a dreamy expression on her face, she looked serene, calm. Exquisite. Exquisite? Ah, hell. He liked her. “Damn.” She turned her head at his oath. “What was that?” she asked, an amused expression on her face. He couldn’t like her. Not if she had any feelings for his brother. That wouldn’t be right. All he wanted to do was kiss her. With his body tensed and primed at her nearness, he desperately wanted to draw her to him. He wanted those lips on his, those arms around him. “Cam?” He met her curious gaze. Why couldn’t she be weird or crazy or just not his type? “What are you thinking?” she wondered aloud. “Do you still have feelings for my brother?” he blurted. Idiot. Her face fell and then he cursed himself for that. “Sorry, it’s none of my business.” “It’s okay,” she said, waving her hand. “Jasper…I never really knew Jasper.” “You were in the same class.” It sounded like an accusation. “That doesn’t mean anything.,” she said slowly, taking a step toward him. “Dinner last night was the longest we’ve ever talked.” It hit Cam then, crystal clear. Jealousy over that dinner was what had been bothering him all day. What had kept him awake the night before. Feeling irritated even now, he wanted to pace. But she was standing so close. He could smell her perfume, a flowery scent that mixed with the aromas from the kitchen. Shouldn’t go together, but to him, it was intoxicating. “Look, Elle, just tell me, once and for all, do you have feelings for my brother?” “No,” she practically screamed. “And for the record, I would never go after someone who was taken.” “Great. I don’t want you to do that.” “Then what do you want, Cam?” “I want to kiss you.” “So kiss me.”
Hi everyone! I have a new book out called Falling for the Right Brother, which is the first book in my new Saved by the Blog series for Harlequin Special Edition. In the series, there is a gossip blogger who is dogging everyone in the small town of Bayside. What better way to learn more about this book series than to interview the person at the heart of it all. Welcome the Bayside Blogger!
Kerri: Thanks for joining us. Any chance you’ll tell us who you are? Bayside Blogger: Pfffaw. No way! Reveal my biggest secret? Not even my favorite little gossip birdies know who I am. You’re crazy, Carpenter. Kerri: Fine. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about this new Saved by the Blog series? Bayside Blogger: Well, rumor has it that Nora Roberts-wannabe, Kerri Carpenter, has created a contemporary romance series for Harlequin. I believe she describes it as a combination of Sabrina and Gossip Girl, with a little Saved by the Bell thrown in for fun. *Snort* Your addiction to that silly little Saturday morning teen show is redonk. Kerri: Excuse me! Saved by the Bell is the greatest show ever to air on television! That’s why I named the town in my series Bayside. Bayside Blogger: You mean you stole the name. Kerri: It’s an homage. Bayside Blogger: Keep telling yourself that. Kerri: Anyway…Would you like to tell us about your most recent victims? Bayside Blogger: Victims? Are you serious? Fine, fine. But it’s not my fault if such a juicy little tidbit fell right in my lap. You’ll never guess who returned to Bayside after living in Italy for the last ten years? Little Ellie Owens, that’s who! Remember how she used to be shy and reserved and a total nerd? Well, at least, until she made that scandalous video about being in love with Jasper Dumont. Kerri: Maybe she has a shot with Jasper now that’s she back in town. Bayside Blogger: *Eye roll* You are so naïve, Carpenter. Anyway, seems like Jasper’s older brother, the mysterious, yet totally sexy, Cam Dumont has caught Ellie’s eye. In fact, Cam seems quite besotted with Ellie—who likes to go by Elle now, btw. Looks like Elle is no longer the ugly duckling. She turned into quite the beautiful swan. And where do swans like to hang out? In the water. Kerri: What does that mean? Bayside Blogger: Let’s just say that Twitter was exploding the night Elle ended up in the Chesapeake Bay. Hmm, guess which Dumont brother fished her out? You know I’ll never tell. *Grin* Kerri: Anything else you care to share? Bayside Blogger: Well, I’m not one to spread gossip but…I will say that pseudo-Danielle Steel over there DID write one heck of a fun, happy, and as she would say, sparkly book. That’s right, Dear Readers, you heard it here first. Stay tuned for more from your favorite Bayside Blogger….
Award-winning romance author Kerri Carpenter writes contemporary romances that are sweet, sexy, and sparkly. When she’s not writing, Kerri enjoys reading, cooking, watching movies, taking Zumba classes, rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams, and anything sparkly. Kerri lives in Northern Virginia with her adorable (and mischievous) rescued poodle mix, Harry. Visit Kerri at her website, on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or subscribe to her newsletter.
Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS
Buried alive…
As a teenager, Vickie Preston survived an attack by a serial killer. That was the first time she saw a ghost. Now the city of Boston is being terrorized—someone is kidnapping women and burying them alive, but cruelly leaving a glimmer of hope for the authorities by sending a clue about their location. Vickie is pulled into the investigation when her name is mentioned in one of the notes. And as a historian, she has the knowledge to help uncover the graves the killer known as the Undertaker is choosing. But she also has another, unique lead: the spirit of one of the victims is appearing to her in dreams. Special Agent Griffin Price is on the case for the Krewe of Hunters, the FBI's special unit for paranormal investigators. He feels particularly protective of Vickie, since their shared past is connected to the threat that currently surrounds them. With the killer accelerating his plans, time is running out for more victims hidden around the city. Vickie is becoming closer with Griffin, but she's getting too close to the danger, and every breath could be her last.
Rich in history and intriguing puzzles the Krewe of Hunters have a new case in their hands where the past collide with the present and changes the future of the main characters.
The murders and the kidnapped women's perplexing disappearances without any clues or evidence left behind can only be solved with the help of the ghosts and the knowledge of the history Vickie Preston has. The prologue of the story had my heart pumping fast, and I was excited to see what the Krewe would have to face this time around. And the mysteries, the clues, and the fear in Boston are all intriguing and difficult to handle, yet I didn't get that intense, palpable tension from the danger with this story. It is a well-told tale, interesting, and baffling, however, the constant long references to the history of the town, to the people of the past, and the events hundreds of years ago, it took the edge off the action, the intensity from kidnapped women's case to be solved. The romance in the story was rather adorable. The two people, Vickie Preston and Griffin Price obviously have a connection, affection, and attraction towards each other. It was like serendipity for these two to meet again, and to be able to work together, to complete each other as their solve the riddles. I felt like the romance had more attention and room in this story than the previous Krewe books, and I liked it immensely. It felt believable, it was authentic, and the passion between Vickie and Griffin was a beautiful thing to observe. Vickie's parents were a bit overprotective, yet their humorous interferences were understandable. All the secondary characters enhanced the story. At first, I felt like there were things left unwrapped with some of the secondary cast, but the story ends in a surprising cliffhanger, so there might be answers to those questions coming up later on. I enjoyed the story, the characters, the mysteries, and the interactions between the characters. The story is well written with that touch of paranormal that all the Krewe stories have, as the special unit from the FBI who can communicate with the ghosts around them. With the plentiful information and the ample amount of history as part of the tale, this was a story that took me longer to read as normally. Instead of a race to find the culprits and the solution in my mind, I felt like it was more of a cozy mystery to be enjoyed at my leisure. Still pleasing and gratifying, even jittery at times, with that delightful romance of two obvious soulmates having a chance to meet again. ~ Four Spoons
For Bryson O’Sullivan, Wishing Well was home. He had a good life with his family and friends but the sexy Irish-Texan knew something was missing and he found it when he laid eyes on her…
Kelsi Robbins was ready to do what no one had ever done for her; make someone else priority number one. And as new guardian for her younger brother Milo, she had enough to worry about. Which meant that falling for him was out of the question…or was it? He wants nothing more than to be there for her, and she has to be there for someone else, but when love enters the picture, Kelsi will have to decide if Trusting Bryson is worth it all. Stand-alone Wishing Well romance, complete with HEA--and plenty of heat and heart along the way!
If smoldering hot yet adorably sweet romance stories are your thing, you are going to love Trusting Bryson. It has the sweet 'we take care of our own' small town feeling, yet it has a taste inner city flair. It is strong on family values, friends for life, respecting your elders, and romantic gestures, yet the detailed sex scenes melt the pages, are vigorous, and imaginative. The dual first person point of view gives you the window to the dreams, hopes, and concerns of the protagonists, as well as the lustful yearnings they experience when in close proximity to each other. The characters from the main couple to the people around them are charming and delightful, people you want to spend time with and get to know better.
Bryson O’Sullivan is... perfect. He is just a perfect hero, and he is perfect for Kelsi Robbins, and Kelsi and he are perfect together, and his influence in Milo's life is amazing. Bryson is stubborn, impatient, workaholic, honest, caring man with the softest heart you can imagine. He loves his hometown, his friends, his family, his job, and helps to renovate his parent's house when not sleeping. Kelsi grew up without knowing parental love or care. She has acted as a mother to her baby brother since she was twelve. Her romantic relationships have left a lot to be desired, and she knows she can not mess the temporary guardianship she finally got with Milo. But Bryson is making it hard to hold on to her plans, the magnetic pull they have is stronger than anything coming in-between them. Trusting Bryson is an entertaining story, it is fun and delightful, hitting all the three S's with swooning and sighing and smiling. There's a minimum amount of drama and trouble, instead delivering all those good, uplifting, cheerful thoughts and feelings that you get when reading about a delicious romance. The perfect feel-good summer romance to relax with and forget about the worries of the world! ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Edge of Truth
by Brynn Kelly Release Date: May 30th, 2017 Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tensions sizzle in this electrifying novel guaranteed to capture your heart and take your breath away. Fans of Julie Garwood, Suzanne Brockmann and Jayne Ann Krentz will devour this action-packed, emotionally stunning tour de force, where every page reveals another damning secret and daring gamble.
Rotting in an African dungeon is the last place journalist Tess Newell expected to find herself. As she's held hostage by the terrorist group she's investigating, Tess's salvation--and temptation--arrives in the form of another prisoner. A French Foreign Legionnaire with a sinful smile and too many secrets to be anything but dangerous. Yet she knows he's her only hope of surviving. The Legion is the only family Flynn has. His sanctuary and his purgatory, after years spent in hell. When a mission goes south and Flynn is captured, it's not the enemy that worries him, but the brazen, alluring reporter whose prying questions threaten to bring down his world--and the walls he's built around his heart. Yet after a daring escape, Flynn must risk it all and go on the run with Tess to retrieve the evidence she needs. The chemistry between them threatens to detonate but, with the enemy fast closing in, time is running out to unravel the truth from the lies in this deadly conspiracy…
Non-stop, breathtaking, explosive, deadly action mixed with an instant attraction that leads to a romance.
From the very start, the story put me on alert with the cruelty of the circumstances. Brynn Kelly writes action and battle scenes with a fierce edge and realistic consequences. The abundance of constant action and long fight scenes had me holding my breath, and exhausted. At times it seemed a bit too much happening at once - like several pages were used to describe a minute of action - and it started to be overwhelming, making it difficult to build the images in my mind. Having to go back several times to check what did I just read started to dull the edge of the intensity of the story. The conspiracy, the political power hoarding behind the events, and the goal of the capture of Tess Newell were eerily realistic and believable. The spark between Tess and Flynn is hot and fiery. Even when captured they are firing puns and banter, with lustful glances. What they accomplish within the two days is nothing sort of miracle, and the constant fear for their lives and the fear of the future, if they do not succeed in their mission, draws them together and the budding feelings bind them tightly to each other. I admired their determination to accomplish their mission even while facing the possible death, that they understood the consequences of the stratagem and prioritized the mission to resolve the issues. Breathtaking and mind-boggling action, deadly and cruel battles, political suspense that chills your bones with its rational, political secrets that need to be exposed yet to accomplish that will expose the personal secrets of the protagonists that will have life changing and even possible life-ending effects. Buckle down, the road to the Edge of Truth is frenzied and violent. ~ Four Spoons
“We’re stealing the truck? Great.” Her feet ached at the promise of respite. From the cab, a phone ringtone sang out.
“No, we’re not.” “What? Why?” “Because there’d be a chase and we’d lose. We’ve been through this before—we have to do what they don’t expect.” “We could drive with no lights, be long gone before they realized.” “They’re already coming.” “What?” He nodded along the tree line. In the distance, a pair of headlights was zigzagging—a vehicle, turning. A low hum reached her ears, in stereo sound. She glanced over her shoulder. “There’s another one, coming from behind.” “Here,” he said, handing her the goggles. “Find me the biggest rock you can carry, and quick.” She pulled them on. No point asking about his plan. He disappeared around the far side of the truck. The driver’s door squealed open. A rock. A big rock. The goggles made everything green and screwy. She couldn’t tell a stick from a snake. She shoved them up to her forehead, and blinked. The truck started up and maneuvered around. Was Flynn planning to drive it away, draw attention elsewhere while she escaped on foot? The headlights closed in—three pairs, now. The truck idled. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. Whatever his plan, she’d feel better if they stuck together. “How are you doing with that rock?” Flynn called. She focused back on the ground. Stones, stones, stones…rock. She heaved it up and staggered back toward the truck, swaying. Flynn had turned the truck so it faced the wasteland. He was shoving something big and solid into the driver’s seat, lit by the internal light. Psycho’s body? Flynn picked up the trussed guy’s rifle and jammed it through the steering wheel, then pulled the wheel. It didn’t budge. He ran up. “Give me the rock, quick.” Gratefully, she rolled it into his arms. Another minute and the nearest reinforcement would be upon them. She raised her rifle at it, as Flynn climbed in the passenger side. A thump, a clack. What was he doing? The truck whined as it started moving, then accelerated quickly. Oh God, he was leaving. Something fell from the passenger door—Flynn. He hit the ground, balled up, rolled to his feet, then sprinted to catch up with the straining vehicle. What the…? Legs pumping into a blur, he reached out and shoved the flapping passenger door. It slammed. The internal light revealed Psycho’s silhouette, his head slumped. It timed off. “Get down!” Flynn yelled over the roars of several engines. This time she obeyed instantly. As the truck gained speed, a set of headlights swept the ground two feet from her nose. Crap. The approaching truck spun out, tires scraping against stones, and accelerated. Chasing Psycho. The other two pairs of headlights veered away and joined the pursuit. Genius. After a minute Flynn leaped up, his head snapping around like he was looking for something. “Can you run?” “Yeah.” What option was there? She could internalize a bit of pain. Flynn had bought them another chance. Now it was she who had the urge to kiss him.
After an award-winning twenty-year career as a journalist, Brynn Kelly has abandoned fact in favor of her first love, fiction.
She’s delighted that she gets to spend her days in a bubble of delicious words and fiendish plots, turning all those stranger-than-fiction news reports into larger-than-life romantic thrillers for HQN Books, a Harlequin/HarperCollins imprint. Brynn has a journalism and communications degree and has won several prestigious writing awards, including the Valerie Parv Award and Pacific Hearts Award. Her acclaimed debut novel, Deception Island, was nominated for a Golden Heart Award® by Romance Writers of America. She’s also the bestselling author of four nonfiction books in her native New Zealand, and a mother of two. In her (guffaw) spare time, she murders Italian arias studies classical singing, indulges her theatre geek tendencies, and doesn’t do nearly as much yoga as she should. She is working on a third novel and a novella in the Legionnaires series, to be published in 2018. Represented by Nalini Akolekar of Spencerhill Associates. Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads Stay up to date with Brynn by signing up for her newsletter
Airman to the Rescue
Heroes of Fortune Valley #2 By: Heatherly Bell Releasing June 1, 2017 Harlequin SuperRomance
She's off-limits…and perfect for him!
It was supposed to be easy. Sarah Mcallister was going to flip her late father's house and head back to Colorado for a fresh start. But when her shady contractor gets arrested, taking most of her budget with him, she's at risk of losing everything. Enter Matt Conner…sexy pilot, single dad, Sarah's brother's best friend…and far too good with his hands for her peace of mind. Moving into Sarah's spare bedroom is just asking for trouble, but Matt's trying to make amends with his troubled teen son, and a key step is finding a decent place to crash for as long as it takes. And the woman needs his help. Unfortunately, the closer the house gets to reno-perfect, the more he knows Sarah is meant to stay in Fortune Valley…with him.
An ardent and heartfelt story about family, parenting, and love. Airman to the Rescue is a wonderful story that I enjoyed spending my time with. The charming cast and crew kept me entertained, the insights to the family structures, the teenage drama, and the forever complicated relationships we have with our parents added to the passion-filled, intricate from friends to roommates to lovers relationship heating up between Sarah Mcallister and Matt Conner.
I really liked Sarah's character, and how she was portrayed in the story. You see, she was given this stamp of being prickly, bitchy, bitter lady, and even though I can believe that this is how she could be, those characteristics were not underlined or blown to be so big and dominating that I could not see the tender, kind, sweet, considerate, and a bit fragile woman who wanted to be cared for and loved under the stubborn and uncompromising shell. Her relationship with both of her parents was complicated, and the struggles and healing she goes through to be able to be her, Sarah, and embrace her life, family, talents and learn to love and accept to be loved was a beautiful journey to be witnessed. I loved how part of this development was shown through her art. Matt Conner was a hero easy to fall for. He might not be big on grand gestures or talking about emotions, but his considerate kindness, his thoughtfulness, his ability to see Sarah as she truly is, his honesty and dignity, the solid and trustworthy man that he is, oh dear, I was sold. Ending up being a teenage parent might have been a huge mistake, but calling Hunter a mistake would be wrong, and Matt realizes this himself as well. Part of the story is told from Hunter's point of view and that gave to the tale depth and insights to the angst and challenges many - if not most - teenagers live with, in the western world today. The different parent-child relationships the story takes a look at, the apprehension with relationships people who grew up in broken homes might have, the trust issues parent's divorce and the after-drama might have created in the minds of their children, makes the story very relevant and real, as the turmoils of the characters are revealed. The development all the characters go through based on those upheavals has a unique kind of insights and smarts that was easy to recognize and appreciate. A sexy, fun, delightful and entertaining story that delivers an emotional punch, has wisdom and observations about life, love, teenagers, and parenting that gives you food for the thought while enjoying the luscious romance. ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Sarah stumbled into the now dark living room, and found Matt lying on the couch, Shackles curled up at his feet. Through the sliver of moonlight shining through the window, she could make out that he had his shirt off, a pillow over his face. As if she’d given him a headache.
Wait until she got going. “Matt.” Under his pillow, she heard him groan. “What’s going on here?” She stood hands on hips and then decided that looked too accusatory for seduction, so she relaxed her arms at her sides. “Go to sleep, Sarah.” “No.” He lifted the pillow from his face, one eye open. “I don’t want to argue with you.” “I don’t want to argue, either. I just want you to tell me what happened tonight.” “Guess if you don’t know, I must not have done it right.” “You did everything right.” Her voice softened. Now that she faced this—thing—between them her mouth was parched and dry. But she couldn’t lose her nerve now. “The only thing you did wrong was stop.” “Wasn’t my choice.” “But now it is.” He didn’t move. “Go to sleep. Please.” “Well, since you said please.” “Seriously? That’s all it takes?” “No. I lied. I’ll go to sleep, but not until you hear me out. I might be Stone’s sister, but I’m also a grown woman and I know what I want.” “What do you want? Because I thought you wanted to fix this house and flip it. Sell it so you can get back to Colorado.” Couldn’t a woman want more than one thing? “I want you, Matt. That’s what I want.” “Do you? Be careful what you’re asking for. Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do.” “I know enough. I know you’re one of the good guys.” He snorted. “Yeah.” “Do you think I’m going to fall in love with you? Is that it? Because that’s not an issue. I don’t believe in love.” At that he removed the pillow from his head. “You don’t believe in love.” “Does that shock you? Why should it? I grew up as the child of a broken home and I’ve seen more divorces around me than I care to remember. You of all people should understand.” “Me of all people?” “You’re also from a broken home. And…you’re a single father.” “That doesn’t mean I don’t believe in love. And I think it’s pretty messed up that you don’t, Sarah.” “Okay. What do you want? Is it me at all? Because a couple of hours ago you had me pretty well convinced, so if you’ve changed your mind you need to tell me now.” There. She couldn’t believe she’d let all her thoughts spill out at last. Everything she’d intended to tell him for months had come pouring out of her lips, like the semidark of the room had given her added courage. In the ensuing quiet Sarah didn’t think he would answer her at all. Worse, in the dark of the room she couldn’t take a cue from his usually expressive eyes. “I want you, Sarah.” He finally spoke, the sound of his voice so naked and raw that Sarah’s knees went boneless.
Heatherly Bell writes books, drinks copious amounts of coffee, craves cupcakes and occasionally wears real pants. She lives in northern California with her family.
Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS |