Meet the Mitchell brothers of Fool’s Gold, California—five gorgeous men who’ve left a trail of broken hearts in their wake…
Maya Farlow learned the hard way to depend only on herself, so when she fell too deeply for the bad-boy charms of Del Mitchell, she did the only thing she could—she ran. Stunned, Del left Fool’s Gold to make his name and fortune in extreme sports.Now ten years later, Maya’s been hired to promote her hometown’s new slogan, The Destination for Romance. The celebrity spokesman is none other than Del, the man she dumped but never forgot. Awkward!Although Del’s not the type to hold a grudge, he’s determined to avoid falling a second time for the woman who broke his heart. He’s a daredevil, not an idiot. Trouble is, in all his adventures, he never found a rush as exhilarating as Maya’s kiss. Maybe risking his heart will prove to be the biggest thrill of all… Series: Fool’s GoldMass Market Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: HQN Books (July 28, 2015) Exclusive Excerpt:
Maya set her tablet on the table, then cued up the video. While Phoebe watched it, she crossed to the family room and took in the changes her friend had made.
The chintz chairs and dark red sofa had been replaced with large couches covered in warm, family-friendly fabric. The walls had been painted and the artwork moved around. Fresh flowers in pretty vases had been scattered around the room. Phoebe couldn’t help improving everything she touched, Maya thought, a little envious of the skill. Phoebe had never cared about ambition. Her dreams had been about belonging. They’d met in college. Phoebe always told the story as if Maya had rescued her from loneliness and obscurity, but Maya knew it was the other way around. Her friend had been a rock—one of the few stable relationships she’d been able to count on. Zane had been there, too, Maya thought. In his own curmudgeonly way. And Chase. But Chase was a kid, and Zane and she had had some difficult times. Being friends with Phoebe had always been so very easy. Phoebe looked up from the tablet. “You’re so talented. I love this. You bring Del alive. I’ve never met him and I already like him. I love how you take us on the journey as he goes from extreme sport media darling to supercool businessman.” She looked at her watch. “In what? A three-minute segment? There’s nothing to worry about. This is an impressive story told by a news professional.” Maya returned to the table and took the tablet. “Thank you. I don’t deserve the compliments, but I’ll accept them because I’m needy.” She paused. “So there’s nothing…” Phoebe shook her head. “No unrequited like, let alone love. Don’t worry.” “Thank you.” Maya dropped the tablet into her bag. “Enough about me. Tell me what’s going on with the wedding. Are you freaking out yet?” “No, but it’s in my eight-day plan.” Phoebe grinned. “Actually I don’t think I have to freak out. Dellina Ridge is planning everything and she’s so into the details. Oh, that reminds me. We’re going to have a fitting for our dresses soon. I’ll let you know the second they come into the store.” Phoebe had only wanted one attendant, and that was Maya. Chase would stand up with his brother. A family affair, Maya thought, still touched by the decision. “I can’t wait,” Maya told her, and meant the words. She wanted to be there when Phoebe married Zane. She wanted to be a part of things. She might not have gotten the network job she’d wanted, but coming back to Fool’s Gold was going to be a good thing. An hour later Maya hugged Phoebe goodbye. Before heading to her car, she detoured by the barn. Zane kept his office there. She found her ex-stepbrother working on his computer. When he saw her, he smiled. “Phoebe said you were stopping by. Did she mention the dresses will be in soon?” Maya stared at the man who had always seemed so disapproving and stern. “Seriously? You want to talk wedding fashions?” “If it’s important to Phoebe, it’s important to me.” She grinned and took the visitor’s chair. “Is that a chill I feel from the depths of hell?” “Just taking care of what matters.” Maya couldn’t believe how mean old Zane had changed. Although the truth was, he’d never been old or mean. He’d been the one trying to hold the family together after his father died, and neither she nor Chase had made that job easy. His younger brother had been more than a handful and she’d enjoyed pushing Zane’s buttons. She studied him now, taking in the handsome lines of his face. In truth, they weren’t blood relatives and they’d only lived in the same house for two years. A case could be made that they could have fallen for each other. Only from the second she’d met him, she’d seen him as a brother. An annoying brother with a stick firmly planted up his ass, but family all the same. From what she could tell, he’d thought the same about her. Minus the stick. Which meant he’d been available to fall for Phoebe. A fact that still made Maya very, very happy. “She does want to discuss what color the Jordan almonds will be. Lilac, light blue or mauve.” He made a note on a pad of paper. “I’ll talk to her about it later.” She blinked. “Really? Just like that.” “Sure.” Maya shook her head. “You really are crazy about her. There’s no Jordan almond question. I was just messing with you.” His mouth curved into a smile. “I’m happy to help her decide. After I look up what they are.” “Thank God for Google.” “Absolutely.” He studied her. “It’s nice to have you around, Maya.” “It’s nice to be around.” She thought about her earlier conversation with Phoebe. How she’d felt safe for the first time when she’d moved to Fool’s Gold. How her teachers had cared and she’d gotten a scholarship for college. “Was it you?” she asked. “Who funded my college scholarship?” Zane shook his head. “Sorry, no. I should have offered to help pay for it, but I didn’t think of it. Money was tight back then, so I don’t think my dad would have agreed.” She remembered. But their brand of money being tight had been a whole lot nicer than her mother’s. “I just wondered. Somebody put up the money. Mayor Marsha would never tell me who.” “Maybe they wanted to be anonymous. You should let it be.” She laughed. “Because I’m going to start taking your advice now?” “Stranger things have happened.” “Maybe, but that’s not one of them.” She stood and circled the desk, then gave him a hug. “You’re going to research Jordan almonds, aren’t you?” “Of course.” Which only made her love him more. CHAPTER FOUR Del sat on the front porch stairs of his cabin. It was late in the afternoon but still a long way from sunset. The temperature was warm and the kids in the area were out playing. He could hear shrieks of laughter, along with friendly taunts. Being lazy felt good, he thought, reminding himself he should enjoy the moment. Because soon enough he would get restless and want to be doing something. The question was what. He wasn’t an entrepreneur by blood. He’d stumbled into his sky board company in an attempt to please himself. Despite the many offers to collaborate, he wasn’t interested in trying to duplicate the success. A sleek gray convertible pulled up next to his battered truck. The visitor’s car screamed LA and he knew who it was before she got out.        
New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has won the hearts of millions of readers around the world with books described as “immensely entertaining, intensely emotional” (RT Book Reviews), “hilarious” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram), and “heartwarming” (Publishers Weekly). One major retailer recently described her as “the queen of romantic fiction.” While she deeply appreciates the accolades of critics and booksellers, Mallery is even more honored by the enthusiasm of her readers and the word-of-mouth that catapults her toward the top of the bestsellers lists time and again.Mallery lives in not-so-sunny Seattle with her husband and a toy poodle who makes her laugh every day and who’s not even a little bit impressed by her growing fame.
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CoCo Abelli is the last woman Rian Dalton wants to protect. A spoiled heiress to a designer shoe empire with a reputation for hard partying and getting into trouble? Nope, Rian wants nothing to do with CoCo's kind of trouble. Especially when she has a body designed to make grown men fall to their knees…
Rian is rude and hostile, and CoCo can't resist baiting him—especially with her, uh, assets. When their sparring suddenly erupts into one naughtily hot night, CoCo wonders if maybe this "bodyguard" thing might be okay after all. Until someone tries to kill her. Now Rian has compromised himself, and there's only one way to put distance between CoCo and her killers…by putting himself in the most dangerous position of all!
Death threats drove them together, bullets flying changed their lives.
Oh, CoCo is not the easiest of a person to like, at first. She is typical entitled, hothead, rich party girl, who doesn't care about much, than a great party. Rian grew up in a rural Kentucky, with dirt poor childhood, leaving a bad taste in his mouth, for anyone who takes their wealth for granted. You can see these two together could be a disaster just waiting to happen. The bickering, fighting, struggle for the power, it all creates rather hostile environment between those two. The typical hate/lust combination at its best. When CoCo manages to manipulate the situation so, that Rian makes a colossal mistake, and they go clubbing, all is just downhill from there, since Rian gets drugged by CoCo's best friend. And of course, the men hunting for her, would expect to find her at her favorite club. Both of them had a lot of growing up to do, and after the bullets start to fly, and Rian takes CoCo to his childhood home, she has the time and space to ponder on her life, future, and goals, and take a deep inventory of herself at the ranch. I liked how the characters grew and developed through the story. That was clear and evident. CoCo had a true Aha-moment, and was able to turn her life around. Rian also had time for reflection, and seemed to make a peace within himself about his childhood, and the memories. The story was entertaining, it was quick to read, and the surprise elements of suspense gave extra spice to it ~ Four Spoons 
Perfect Touch: A Novel By: Elizabeth Lowell Releasing July 28, 2015 William Morrow 
Sara Medina is a designer and art dealer from San Francisco. She matches her clients desires with fine and folk art from the world over--living up to her thriving business named Perfect Touch. She still remembers her rural childhood of hard work and poverty on the family dairy farm, but she keeps it firmly in the past as she searches out new artwork and artists that are on the breaking edge of acclaim. After she experienced the cultural riches San Francisco had to offer, she decided her life would be that of an urban career woman rather than a working mom commuting from the suburbs. With the intensive hours and travel required to grow her business to the next level, she has no time or energy left for romantic or family entanglements.
Jay Vermillion recently inherited Vermillion Sky, a ranch that nestles up to Wyoming’s Grand Teton Mountains--and the estates of the rich and restless. As a returned veteran of numerous deployments over the course of two wars, he finds himself wrestling with the demands of a ranch that has been run down during his father’s long illness. Between the urgent need to modernize and revitalize the Vermillion Sky, as well as an unexpected and vicious fight with his former stepmother over the custody of now-valuable paintings that were part of his father’s estate, Jay has no time for finding a wife and creating a sixth generation of Vermillions to ensure the family legacy continues. When Jay hires Sara to appraise and market his father’s cache of paintings by Harris “Custer” Armstrong, neither one expects the explosive results of their eventual meeting in Jackson, Wyoming. In addition to a mutually inconvenient attraction, they a discover double murder at the edge of the ranch lands and a potential betrayal even closer to home. All trails lead to Custer’s artworks as valuable enough to kill for, especially an unknown painted rumored to be called The Muse. As Sara and Jay unravel the motive for the killings, they both discover that love, like murder, doesn’t wait for a convenient time. On the heels of that soul-shattering realization, Sara is targeted for murder. Suddenly, the war-weary soldier finds something he is once again willing to die for…
The author's poetic way to describe the beautiful countryside, the art and the city lights was addictive, I had hard time to put the book down.
The plot is beautifully crafted, the art history and family drama in the beginning, lull you into a safety of a cowboy love story, until slowly the chills of danger starts to rise, the danger is present and the tale turns into a blood chilling thriller, with a constant bloody attacks, and human hunting, for unknown reasons. The connection between Sara and Jay is a delight, like a tingle in the belly. With lots of dialog in the story, the banter and flirting between them is entertaining. They are both lovable, charming, and charismatic characters, easy to relate to, and cheer for. I loved how their relationship grew, first with the phone calls, then at the ranch, in a rather natural way, also that there was no conflict between them, but that it came from the outside forces, they had no control over. The danger from both the nature around them, and from the men hunting for them, with the narrow escapes, unknown factors, were the makings of a white knuckle suspense. The passion, friendship, and support between Sara and Jay was luscious and captivating, perfectly balanced with the suspense. And even though all the art talk could be a little long-winded at times, I now want to go and visit my favorite art museum again ~ Four Spoons 
A glance at her watch told her she was out of time. Soon, a different stranger would be deciding the fate of her career in a Jackson courthouse. With a silent curse, she hurried to the front desk.
“I’m in room 101,” Sara told the woman who answered. “My room has been robbed. Computer and coat missing. Tell the sheriff or whoever cares that I’ll be at the courthouse.” Leaving the woman stuttering questions behind her, Sara strode out the front entrance into the chill streets of Jackson in the spring. Within ten steps she was regretting the loss of her coat. And she had forgotten her coffee. Quickly she walked down what had to be the coldest sidewalk in town. The wind rolled straight off the snow of the Tetons through the streets. The chill was made worse by the fact that the sun was shining bright and hard enough to look like summer. An archway leading into a small park caught her eye. At first she thought the arch was made of the bones of cattle that she’d seen as a child. But these were different. They were more elegant and pointed, tapering out. They didn’t feel like the finality of death, but more a symbol of life cycling through change. Antlers, she realized. Grown and shed each year in a cycle that isn’t birth or death, but simply another way to be. Like Custer’s paintings, a beautiful and eerie reminder that wilderness--wildness—isn’t all that far away. Shivering, she hurried on. I should be back in San Francisco, holding hot coffee from Murray Cafe as I head up to the offices of Perfect Touch. But then all I’d know about my mystery man is his voice. So what? The practical part of her mind pointed out. The last thing I need is a man. Sara liked living her life on her own terms, doing what she wanted whenever she wanted. As the only girl out of seven children, she’d had more than enough diapers, house work, and babysitting to last her a lifetime. Wind with icy teeth bit at her black slacks and tugged at her red pullover sweater. The only thing that kept the wind from billowing up her sweater was the sleek black leather belt snugged at her waist. But it wasn’t enough to keep her warm. Damn that thief. Then she reminded herself that it could be worse in so many ways. She could be back home on the dairy farm—a plain, rebellious teen hauling a feed cart through damp, drafty barns, then making the return trip leading a stubborn Holstein. At least there aren’t any holes in my boots forcing me to get up close and personal with fresh cow flops. The phone in her pants pocket rang. If it’s the sheriff, he can wait. 
Elizabeth Lowell’s exciting novels of romantic suspense include New York Times Bestsellers: Dangerous Refuge, Beautiful Sacrifice, Death Echo, The Wrong Hostage, Amber Beach, Jade Island, Pearl Cove, and Midnight in Ruby Bayou. She has also written NYT best-selling historical series set in the American West and Medieval Britain. She has more than 80 titles published to date, with over 24 million copies of her books in print. She lives in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with her husband, with whom she writes novels under a pseudonym. Her favorite activity is exploring the Western United States to find the landscapes that speak to her soul and inspire her writing.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads 
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Hold Me Close The O'Leary's #6 By: Shannyn Schroeder Releasing July 21, 2015 Kensington 
Leave it to the O’Learys to make romance a family affair…
Maggie O’Leary is finally coming home to Chicago. After more than a year in Ireland, she’s ready to make a plan for her future. But first, she’ll have to confront the tragedy that scarred her so deeply. Asking for a job in the family bar is the first step, and it’s one her family isn’t entirely happy about. At least Shane Callahan, her best friend in the world, is behind her a hundred percent. He’s also a hundred percent more lovable than she remembered… Shane is determined to keep Maggie safe, even if it means working three jobs and giving up sleep to be around during her shifts at the bar. But when Maggie boldly tells him she needs more than a loyal friend now, Shane knows a single night together won’t be possible. The idea of spirited Maggie in his bed is electrifying, but will she believe he wants to give her his heart, too?
I love the best friends for lovers stories, and I have been looking forward to this story.
The big Irish, meddling family, full of love, laughter, bickering, and alpha males, what's there not to love?! And ever since I read about Maggie and Shane's friendship in the past books, I have wanted them to find the forever after with each other. But that road seems to be full of obstacles. There's a lot of growth, adjustment, acceptance, turning, and cooperation that has to happen, before it will be possible. Shane is such a good guy, true alpha, protective, caring, and touch, but with complete marshmallow inside, when it comes to Maggie. The open and honest friendship they have has withstood in good, bad, and ugly, seeing each other every day, and living across the world. It seems nothing could break them apart. Maggie tends to be a bit forthright, to the point of being rude, she is the youngest in a big family, and used to use the position in the family to get what she needs. She is a survivor, from a heinous crime of being raped. She is mending, but feels she needs to live again, find joy in a relationship, to be able to have sexual relations again. And she asks Shane to help with the matter. With all the other things they considered while getting into this together, how they never considered the effect it would have in their relationship, is a mystery to me. But it did. The story is well written, and it flows out so lively. The road Shane and Maggie have ahead isn't easy, but they are doing the work, talking and thinking, trying to figure it all out, Maggie even tries to date other people in between. They both are at a crossroads with their careers, as well, so there's enough confusion and turmoil going on. A touching story about growing up, overcoming fears and pain from the past, and learning to love, in a completely new way ~ Four Spoons 
Shannyn Schroeder is the author of the O’Leary series, contemporary romances centered around a large Irish-American family in Chicago and the new Hot & Nerdy series about 3 nerdy friends and their last spring break. When she’s not wrangling her three kids or writing, she watches a ton of TV and loves to bake cookies.
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A NIGHT TO REMEMBER?
One night was all they'd had…or had they? Hayley Templeton prides herself on keeping a level head in life and love. But her recent passionate encounter with Seth Banyon turned her world upside down. Hayley knows she planted a kiss on the sexy security expert, but she can't even remember how much further that lip-lock went. This is one dilemma the psychologist can't analyze her way out of… Seth has plenty of secrets that he doesn't need Hayley prying into—least of all, what he's really doing in tiny Weaver, Wyoming. So he's got to get the irresistible woman out of his system…before he is tempted to make himself at home right there in her arms…
I really liked the dark and a bit edgy mood and tone of the story. There are so many secrets in Weaver, family secrets, and dangerous ones, with possible murder and treason committed.
Hayley is treating one of the federal prisoners, who is suffering from a memory loss. Seth, working for an agency holding the prisoner, is risking his job, to be close to Hayley. Or is he close to her to get information from Hayley's patient? The romance between them provides several sweet, swoon worthy scenes, that made me smile. The pull to each other, the attraction between Seth and Haley is evident. Despite the many warnings they get from Seth's boss, they can't stay away from each other. But not only are their jobs crossing, and causing problems, Seth's past have left some issues to be dealt with, that affect him today. And then there's the family of Hayley, that gives a new meaning to dysfunctional... Her grandmother, Vivian, is a one interesting lady! Lots of family drama, a little bit of danger, mixed with a desirous romance makes great entertainment! ~ Four Spoons Books & Spoons Release Blast with Tasty Book Tours: RELEASE ME by Ann Marie Walker & Amy K Rogers21/7/2015 
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Chasing Fire #2
Ann Marie Walker & Amy K. Rogers
Releasing July 21st, 2015
Berkley/Intermix
Alessandra Sinclair knows that Hudson Chase is the last man she should want. The boy from the wrong side of the tracks has grown into a man who would do anything to get ahead, even if it means breaking Allie's heart. But whenever she's near him, the attraction between them is undeniable. And now that they're working together, keeping her distance from Hudson is almost as impossible as keeping her feelings in check... Hudson already lost Allie once and he refuses to lose her again. He's determined to use their new business partnership to rekindle the spark he knows is still there. Only the closer he gets to winning her over, the clearer it becomes there are still secrets that could tear them apart for good...
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Though thousands of miles apart, Ann Marie Walker and Amy K. Rogers are in constant contact, plotting story lines and chatting about their love of alpha males, lemon drop martinis and British supermodel, David Gandy. You can find them on twitter as @AnnMarie_Walker and @Amy_KRogers.
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After years away serving his country, Cole Bishop finally returns home—with a newborn baby in tow. As a single dad, Cole needs help. But the last thing he expects to encounter at his new job is his high school sweetheart—all grown up and more beautiful than ever. Tessa Applewhite might have broken Cole's heart years before, but she's never forgotten him. And he can wrangle her heart like no one else ever has. But Tessa rejected him when the stakes weren't nearly as high. Can Cole trust her again—and in the process, form a forever family?
A beautiful story, that demonstrates how love, kindness, caring and grace towards a person, can change their life.
The shock both Tessa and Cole feel, when they are working on the same ranch, after being twelve years apart, is evident. For twelve years, Cole has carried anger and resentment, after Tessa's public humiliation in front of the whole town. The surprises Cole is facing at the ranch, don't end there. To find out, that instead of working as a wrangler, he is going to be a mentor for teenage delinquents, sets his world and head spinning. And if that is not enough, he is a single father of a seven week old baby, and now the whole town seems to be working on getting Cole and Tessa back together. Both Tessa and Cole are filled with angst, remorse, dread, and unease with the turn of the events. But determined to do the right thing by the teens, they are trying to work together, learn to trust each other again, respect, and listen. As the weeks at the ranch goes by, Tessa And Cole work with the teens, and mirror their own past history, to help the teenagers at the ministry. They rely on their faith, guidance, and hope of a peace of mind. I admired how the story demonstrated faith to guide them, how a little bit of guidance and love could change the situations. The love Cole and Tessa have, never died over the years, but now they have an opportunity to meet as more mature adults, and make decisions from that foundation they had built over the years. A very touching and poignant story ~ Five Spoons 
Chasing Jillian Love and Football # 5 By: Julie Brannagh Releasing July 7, 2015 Avon Impulse 
Jillian Miller likes her job working in the front office for the Seattle Sharks, but lately being surrounded by a constant parade of perfection only seems to make her own imperfections all the more obvious. She needs a change, which takes her into foreign territory: the Sharks’ workout facility after hours. The last thing she expects is a hot, grumbly god among men to be there as witness.
Star linebacker Seth Taylor had a bad day-well, a series of them recently. When he hits the Sharks’ gym to work out his frustration, he’s startled to find someone there-and even more surprised that it’s Jillian, the team owner’s administrative assistant. When he learns of Jillian’s mission to revamp her lifestyle, he finds himself volunteering to help. Something about Jillian’s beautiful smile and quick wit makes him want to stick around. She may not be like the swimsuit models he usually has on his arm, but the more time Seth spends with Jillian the harder he falls. And as Jillian discovers that the new her is about so much more than she sees in the mirror, can she discover that happiness and love are oh-so-much better than perfect?
I love Seth and Jillian! Both together and as individuals.
Jillian has overcome a tough foster care childhood. She is kind, caring, graceful spirit, always willing to help others, and she is overweight, but determined to do something about it. She doesn't have many people in her corner, but she is a true survivor. Seth is ready for a change, he has a yearning for something more in his life, than just the success on the football field. He is thoughtful, protective, giving, and kind. They are both so easy to like, admire, and relate to. As Seth and Jillian set out to be friends, the true thoughtfulness of Seth comes forward. They have the best time together, doing fun things, and seeing the town. They are getting to know each other, support each other, and are there for each other, giving the reader so many swoon worthy scenes! But as their feelings for each other grow, and their relationship takes a more physical aspect, Jillian's insecurities come to play, and she pulls away from Seth. I liked that Seth was so vulnerable with Jillian, he really felt for her, and was willing to do anything to make their relationship work. The timeline was a bit jerky, markedly so. And I wish some of the important events and conversations in Seth and Jillian's relationship were paid more attention to, or given more details into them. But despite those issues, I truly enjoyed the story, Seth and Jillian are adorable, full of life, love, passion, and kindness ~ Four Spoons 
USA Today Bestselling Author, Julie Brannagh has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She lives in a small town near Seattle, where she once served as a city council member and owned a yarn shop. She shares her home with a wonderful husband, two uncivilized Maine Coons and a rambunctious chocolate Lab.
When she’s not writing, she’s reading, or armchair-quarterbacking her favorite NFL team from the comfort of the family room couch. Julie is a Golden Heart finalist and the author of contemporary sports romances. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Ranger Proud, Ranger Strong...
Texas Rangers swear to uphold the law to the letter. But Captain Ross Sinclair isn't about to play by the rules to destroy a major human trafficking cartel—especially now that the only chance to break this case just strode into his life with attitude as long as her gorgeous legs. Heiress Emm Rothschild is taking names and raising hell as she searches for her abducted sister and niece. And the evidence this wild-child turns up sets off a lethal chain of events—challenging Ross to keep her reckless determination and seductive daring up close and dangerously personal. Now a blindsiding betrayal has Emm heading straight into harm's way. And Ross will have to put his badge and career on the line to get justice—and prove to the woman he loves that a Ranger's word is a forever bond
From the beginning of the story, the desperation and sorrow Emm is feeling, because of the disappearance of her sister and niece, is palpable, and heartbreaking. The story goes into a great, graphic, and at times rough details about human trafficking, and I admit, I had a tough time reading some of the raw details, even though I have read many books on the topic before. This story brings the images and information so clear and vivid in the mind of the reader, that I want you to be aware of that beforehand.
Emm is strong, fierce, and capable woman, I love her! She is not afraid to face whomever, and go after what she wants, when it comes to her loved ones missing. Both Emm and Ross are mature in age and mind, another thing I loved in this story. Their dislike/attraction at the first sight was fun, and how they got to know each other, and admire each other, until they acted on the attraction, was admirable. Ross was a true professional, solid, caring, honest man. So easy to like and respect. The way he stood up for Emm against his family, made me want to applaud. The story has a constant, expectant feeling and tune, the momentum building up, both in suspense and in the romance. It felt a bit dragging at times, moving on too slow in my mind, until the wait is over, and the full blow war explodes all around the characters. Very interesting, vivid, and vicious story ~ Four Spoons 
You can run from the past, but you can’t hide...
Tough as nails, no nonsense San Francisco reporter Grace Hanover will do anything to cover the story of the decade—and her career. Having survived a painful past, she’s learned never to let anything stand in her way. Even if it means following a key witness into the Alaskan wilderness, and partnering with Travis Barnett, a former Navy SEAL turned PI who’s working for the Feds, and who would love to bring in Grace’s witness before she can get her story. But together in the wilderness, they’ll each have to put aside their differences and trust one another if they want to survive. Because someone from Grace’s past is watching, waiting for just the right moment. Every step Grace takes draws her deeper into the line of fire, and into the hands of a killer.
This story is sort of in two parts. The first half of the book, in Alaska, is intense, full of edgy, scary action. It is moving on the fast, riveting pace. The passion and attraction between Travis and Grace is palpable, the hike in the wilderness full of danger, not only from the unknown assassin, but the wildlife around them.
The whole story is told with lots of entertaining dialog, the humor and banter is fun, and the characters are well developed, lovable, and charming. The second half of the book move on much slower pace, is less intense, with mostly the focus on the relationship developing between Travis and Grace, meeting the families, and problems they face along the road. There are little bursts of a suspense every now and then, cause the assassin is still on the loose, but not as fierce as the beginning. Even though I was surprised how the plot was built, and how slow the second half of the story moved compared to the first one, overall I still enjoyed the story, the dialog, and the characters. There was development within the characters, especially with Grace, that went in to deep waters, some values, and priorities, that she needed to evaluate. Travis was really patient, and I liked how those issues were solved. I would definitely like to read more books in the series ~ Four Spoons 
Toni Westmore doesn’t do relationships. She has a demanding boss at her high end Soho art gallery job and an even more difficult and critical mother – who needs the mess of a relationship?
Enter Irish Doctor Gavin McKinnon, her friend’s brother, also known as the perfect summer fling: tall, muscled, smart, funny, definitely ready for a good time and stamped with an expiration date. He’ll go back to Ireland and his family medical practice in a few weeks and she’ll return to her real world and plan her next career move. Gavin’s in town not only to visit his sister, but to try and heal his broken heart. He gets a little help when Toni, his sister’s friend and roommate, enters the picture. Inexplicably drawn to her, Gavin tries to remind himself to look but not touch, but Toni is hard to resist… and when she offers him a no strings fling, how could he say no? But as Gavin’s departure date looms, Toni realizes that her sexy summer fling is anything but. And she was sure she could kiss Gavin goodbye with no regrets… Will she attempt to break their no strings rule? Or will Gavin leave Long Island without looking back?
Oh, if this isn't the summer romance story!! It is so sweet, tender, adorable, passionate, hot, sizzling, and frail. Cause they live on the opposite sides of the ocean, and they only have four weeks of this perfect, delicious romance.
It was supposed to be only a fling. But the connection, chemistry and bond between Gavin and Toni is so real, solid, and unique, their feelings soon come into the play, and things don't go so smoothly after that. Cause the end of the summer is coming fast, and they are running out of time. Gavin has issues with trust, trusting Toni's feelings, cause in the past relationship, he was left behind after four years. Now he only has four weeks to convince Toni, that he is serious, and willing to do anything and everything to make their relationship to work. Toni was emotionally abused in her previous relationship, and just scared of all the intense feelings Gavin is bringing out of her. She is not sure about a thing in her life right now, everything seems to be spiraling out of control. And the departure is agonizing, Toni has so much to figure out, big changes she needs to make in her life, she needs to find her courage, belief in herself, and take a leap of faith. This is a story that made me smile, and later brought tears in my eyes. I loved the characters, adored them! Toni and Gavin are so perfect together, perfect for each other, with all their faults and all. ~ Four Spoons 
Stepping out of your comfort zone can be hazardous…
Denver, Colorado, ER doctor Jillian Rodgers has never done an impulsive thing in her life. But all that changes when she meets the man of her dreams on a ski vacation. Within twenty-four hours, they’ve spent a passionate night together and Jillian is convinced she’s halfway in love. After all, she figures the worst that can happen is she’ll go home with a broken heart… But the man pretending to be an ordinary guy is far from it. In fact, he shouldn’t get anywhere near Jillian. Yet there’s something about her he can’t resist—and she’s perfect for his cover. Besides, he’s sure he isn’t endangering her. Unfortunately, they’re both wrong. When someone uses their chairlift for target practice, Jillian ends up wounded—and her dream man promptly disappears. Within days, her car explodes. Just when things can’t get any worse, she’s kidnapped at gunpoint. Soon Jillian’s running for her life, and the only man who can save her is the one who deserted her. Or is he just trying to protect her? And can she survive long enough to find out?
The plot is great. The prologue just sets a great tone of suspense, and takes a hold of your interest. And the suspense and action is riveting. There are so many twists and surprises, really no idea who is telling the truth, who can you trust, and where will the story go next. There's betrayal, lies, death, sorrow, fear, passion, danger, and risks.
Yet, I don't get any of the emotions from the characters that any of these events should, and would, bring out. And I liked the characters, even though Jillian throws temper tantrums like a little kid, and the way the hero treats her at times is just terrible. Yes, there's an excuse he has for this, but still there could have been another way to reach the same results. I nearly gave up on this book, something I just about never do, but I didn't, and read it all the way. And I'm glad that I did, since the turns of the events are rather exciting, at least for me. There's not much dialog in the story, maybe that could have brought some more emotions out of the characters, given them feelings and fervor to reveal. But for the plot ~ Three Spoons 
Put up Your Duke Dukes Behaving Badly #2 By: Megan Frampton Releasing June 30, 2015 Avon 
He was once happily bedding and boxing, but in the newest DUKES BEHAVING BADLY novel, Nicholas Smithfield has inherited a title and a bride…
To keep his estate afloat, the new Duke of Gage must honor an agreement to marry Lady Isabella. Stunningly beautiful, utterly tempting, she’s also a bag of wedding night nerves, so Nicholas decides to wait to do his duty-even if it means heading to the boxing saloon every day to punch away his frustration. Groomed her whole life to become the perfect duchess Isabella longs for independence, a dream that is gone forever. As her husband, Nicholas can do whatever he likes-but, to Isabella’s surprise the notorious rake instead begins a gentle seduction that is melting every inch of her reserve, night by night… To his utter shock, Nicholas’s discovers that none of his previous exploits were half as pleasurable as wooing his own wife. But has the realm’s most disreputable Duke found the one woman who can bring him to his knees-and leave him there? 
“The Duke of Gage, my lord,” Lowton intoned before bowing and stepping aside to let the man enter.
Isabella kept her eyes down, not looking at him, hoping that if she didn’t see him, he wouldn’t exist. That didn’t work even in fairy tales, but for a just a few moments she could pretend, couldn’t she? “Your Grace,” her father said, stepping forward. Isabella felt her mother’s elbow in her ribs and rose. “May I introduce my wife, the Countess of Grosston, and my daughter, Lady Isabella Sawford.” Isabella raised her head, her usual expression set on her face, only to wish, when she saw him, that Margaret had also included the information that the new Duke of Gage was incredibly handsome. Isabella was not small, but the duke appeared to be at least six inches taller than she. Probably even more; he towered over her father, who was himself larger than the average man. He had dark blond hair that swept back from a strong widow’s peak, and piercing blue eyes—currently focused on her—above his autocratic nose. The intensity of his stare made it seem as though he might see inside to her very soul. His face was lean and sharply planed, his cheekbones strong, and he held himself with a command that he had to have been born with, not just assumed when he’d found himself suddenly a duke. And his form; he was broad-shouldered and lean-hipped, and his long legs were encased in slim trousers that clung to his body in an almost indecent way. Or perhaps it just looked indecent because his whole self was so powerfully, handsomely male, and it was hard not to think of indecent things when one beheld him. He was very plainly dressed, not wearing the fobs and signets and such that the last duke had worn. But he didn’t need any ornamentation; the severity of his dress only highlighted the strong, sensuous beauty of his face. No wonder certain ladies found him intriguing. It would be hard to imagine any lady—not just certain ones—wouldn’t at least give him a second, if not a third, glance. At this moment, in fact, she was staring back at him as thoroughly as he was looking at her.
Megan Frampton writes historical romance under her own name and romantic women’s fiction as Megan Caldwell. She likes the color black, gin, dark-haired British men, and huge earrings, not in that order. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and son.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 
Once and Again Return to Briarwood # 1 By: Elisabeth Barrett Releasing July 14, 2015 Loveswept 
For readers of Shannon Stacey and Susan Mallery, the heartfelt new Briarwood series begins with a tale of forbidden love, broken promises, and second chances.
Growing up in Eastbridge, Connecticut, Carolyn Rivington was a young debutante who did whatever her parents asked. So when her father demanded that she break things off with the boy from the wrong side of the tracks or else, she did. Now Carolyn’s family is deep in debt. She’s no longer a member of the Briarwood Golf and Yacht Club, she’s an employee. And the tanned, tattooed, dangerously handsome stranger who saunters into her lobby isn’t just her new boss . . . he’s also her first love. The last time he saw Carolyn, Jake Gaffney was in the back of a police cruiser, handcuffed and humiliated. But seeing her again stirs other memories: a blanket on the beach, the moon above their heads, and the most expensive bottle of wine he could afford. Now the tables have turned. As a real-estate magnate and Briarwood’s new owner, Jake doesn’t have to answer to anyone. But now that he’s back home, he’s finding it hard to live down his old reputation. Before they can move forward, Jake and Carolyn must face their pasts. But it’ll take more than sizzling chemistry for them to heal old wounds and return to the love they once shared.
A heartwarming story about second chances, new beginnings, youthful romance rekindled, and life at the Briarwood country club.
Jake and Carolyn have history, the best, and the worst kind. And as the path of their lives run together again, after 15 years apart, there's electricity, and animosity, between them. As they work together, rebuilding the country club, they are also rebuilding the relationship between them. Long talks, helping each other, listening to each other, slowly they are building trust, friendship, and more, between them. The story shows clearly, how they grow, chance, and find their feet on the new ground, both as individuals and as a couple. But the book does not concentrate only on Jake and Carolyn, it gives insight into the lives of the other employees and owners as well. As a book one in a new series, it builds a solid foundation for the series, introducing lot of the staff, their family and life situations, and how they found their way to Briarwood. There are some surprises in the plot, unexpected turns of events, great friends, troublesome families, hard work, passion, and love ~ Four Spoons 
Elisabeth Barrett lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and spends her days teaching, editing, writing sexy contemporary romance, and enjoying time with her sometimes-bearded husband and three spirited children. She is constantly perfecting her home-work-writing juggling act, but in her free time she loves to hike open-space preserves, grow orchids, bake sweet things her husband won’t eat, and sing in grand choruses. For more about Elisabeth, please visit her website.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
In a world on the brink...
Six men. One sunken Spanish galleon. Millions in gold and silver coins lying on the ocean floor. And a past that refuses to let the guys of Deep Six Salvage forget the Navy SEAL motto: the only easy day was yesterday... There's more than one kind of treasure... The nation's security has always been CIA agent Olivia Mortier's top priority. But a mission-gone-wrong has begun to make her wonder if there's more to life than risking hers. And more than one secret at the bottom of the sea... Only two things could make Leo Anderson abandon his hunt for the legendary lost ship, La Santa Christina, and return to the world of weapons and warfare he swore to leave behind: a capsule of enriched uranium, lost on the ocean floor, and a plea for assistance from the one woman he can't seem to forget...
Julie Ann Walker has a very unique and quirky voice with her writing. I admit, in her other series Black Knights Inc. it both made me laugh, and it irritated me. There are long inner monologues, that are filled with off the wall pop culture references and cartoon like images. There's outlandish humor in a middle of a serious, deadly scenes, and lust filled thoughts in the middle of an operation about to go bust. BUT, even though this book is riddled with those traits as well, it doesn't irritate me nearly as much here, it was more like seeing an old friend, and laughing at her weirdness, and in an odd way comes addictive.
The characters are well developed, the Deep Six team is full of alpha males, former SEALs, who are fun, jolly, and ready for action at the drop of the hat. They are protective, they care fiercely, and would sacrifice their lives for each other. The women are not shy, as ready for action as the SEALs, they face the danger by their side, and kick ass when needed. There are also moments of pure beauty, illustrating the friendship and brotherhood between the Deep Six men. Olivia and Leo have serious heat, chemistry and attraction between them. They are so hot together, it is sizzling. Amazing how they find the time and opportunity in the midst of all the chaos and danger for intimacy and passion. The action is deadly, dangerous, and rough. The twists and surprise elements kept the suspense going. The tale is told by several different viewpoints, also by the villains, giving it a well rounded picture of events to come, providing with a nail-biting, threatening moments. It was a great introduction to the new series, I am truly intrigued, and can't wait for more ~ Four Spoons and a teaspoon on the side |
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