Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Beefcakes" by Katana Collins

I am happy to be participating in the blog tour celebrating the release of "Beefcakes" by Katana Collins today. This story is related to both the Maple Grove and Silhouette Studios series, but reads as a complete standalone. I haven't yet read any of the previous books in either series, but did not feel lost at all by starting here.

A full review is included at the end of this post, but in short, I loved "Beefcakes" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. The main characters, Neil Evans and Elaina "Laney" Dyker, were incredibly likeable, relatable, and well-developed, and I found it very easy to cheer them on to their HEA. The book's secondary characters, particularly Neil and Laney's siblings, were also a lot of fun, and I hope we will see them again in future books.

About "Beefcakes"

Things are about to get sticky...

Beefcakes, an all-new ”amazing and unforgettable” romantic comedy from Katana Collins, is available now!

I might as well permanently add the label "Ex" to my name. I'm an Ex-Mr. Universe. Ex-Mr. Olympus. An Ex-Hollywood Stuntman. But no one from my small hometown cares anything about that. They only care that I'm the ex-boyfriend to the beloved Mayor's daughter, Elaina Dyker.

And now, ten years later, I'm back, helping my siblings run my mother's bakery while she takes on chemo. What should have been a routine cupcake delivery turns into utter chaos when the bachelorette party thinks I'm a stripper. And what's worse? Elaina is the maid of honor.

But the meme about us sure went viral fast. My small hometown has become positively infested with tipsy bridesmaids looking for my erotic cupcakes.

Now Hollywood's knocking again—and this time they want me and my ex, Mr. Beefcake and Ms. Prude, to star in a reality show.

It could solve all my problems—except her.

Read an Excerpt from "Beefcakes"

I arched my brow at her. “I bragged about knowing you so well…but man. I did not see this almond croissant massacre coming. What do you have against almonds? Or was it the amount of butter that offended you? Because as a fitness expert, let me tell you butter isn’t the enemy. Sugar is the enemy.”

She laughed. “I, uh…I might have some anger management issues.”

I took the bag from her and peeked in. There were knuckle marks against the outside of the croissant. Literal knuckle marks. I barked a laugh. “Elaina Dyker. Did you punch the croissant?”

She laughed, pressing her lips together as though this would hide the fact that I saw her adorable little giggle. She brought her thumb and forefinger up beside her temple. “Maybe a little.”

“Did you even try a bite?”

She shook her head no. “I like my routine. I like my daily lunch of yogurt and almonds.”

I made a face. Because she had to be exaggerating. Sure…she liked them. But having that same thing every day? Even chocolate cake every day would get tedious. “You can like yogurt and almonds but still indulge every now and then, you know.” I reached in and pinched off a piece of the smashed croissant, holding it out toward her lips. “C’mon. Live a little. I promise you, it is actually healthy, if that’s your concern.” Not that she needed to be concerned about that. “Almond flour. Gluten free. Grain free. Only two net carbs. The only sugar is the honey in the honey roasted almonds and the natural sugar in dates.” Her eyes grew wide at that and I knew I had hooked her.

She reached out her hand to take the piece of croissant from me, but I pulled back. “Nuh-uh,” I teased. “We can’t have your fingers getting sticky. Might ruin that fancy suit you’re wearing.”

She rolled her eyes, but parted her wet lips, her tongue peeking out just enough for me to place the croissant on top of. She moaned as soon as it hit her mouth, and her eyes fell closed as she slowly chewed and swallowed. “That’s…that’s healthy?”

I nodded. “See? I’m not just a pile of muscles. I’ve got some talent, too.”

Her head fell to the side. “I never said you weren’t talented. I just wish you wouldn’t show off quite so much of your other assets.”

I grinned. “I thought you liked my assets?”

“I do,” she answered absentmindedly, then immediately shook her head, realizing what she’d said. “I mean, I did.”

***

My Review

"Beefcakes" by Katana Collins was a funny, sweet, and charming story featuring relatable, well-developed characters that I absolutely adored. The central relationship between main characters Neil Evans and Elaina "Laney" Dyker was a beautifully developed combination of enemies-to-lovers and second chance romance that gave me all the feels. Neil and Laney were previously involved in high school but had a falling out when Neil left town shortly before their graduation without saying goodbye to Laney. When he returned home ten years later following his mother's breast cancer diagnosis, they seemed destined to remain enemies, but after a photo of them at Laney's sister's bachelorette party went viral, they were forced to become uneasy allies in a bid to rehabilitate their images and win a million dollars on reality TV. This reluctant partnership soon gave way to friendship and eventually something deeper as Laney and Neil came to realize that they were meant to be together all along.

Both Laney and Neil were very likeable characters and I found it easy to relate to each of them in different ways. I couldn't help empathizing with Neil and his family in particular because I know exactly how tough (and expensive!) breast cancer treatment can be, having gone through it myself over the past year. In addition to his mother's illness, Neil was dealing with his own potentially career-ending injury, a cross-country move back to his hometown, and trying to save a debt-ridden family business, all while fighting to be taken seriously as more than just a good-looking guy. In truth, Neil was a lot smarter than most people gave him credit for being, not to mention a genuinely nice, caring person who just wanted to do what was best for those he loved.

Like Neil, Laney had come a long way since high school and took great pains to overcome her party girl past in order to be taken seriously as the Maple Grove town manager. She was also dealing with some trust issues in the wake of a brutal breakup with her boyfriend of 9 years, as well as lingering resentment over the way Neil left town without saying goodbye years earlier. As a result, Neil and Laney had a lot of issues to work through before they were able to repair their relationship, but forcing them to team up for the reality show was a really fun way to bring them together so that they had no choice but to do so. As a bonus, it led to quite a lot of laughs along the way.

In addition to Neil and Laney, I enjoyed getting to know their siblings in this story, and it would be great to read stories about each of them in the future. In particular, it seemed as if there could be a romance brewing between Laney's sister Chloe and Neil's brother Liam, which could be very interesting indeed!

"Beefcakes" was the first book I've read by Katana Collins, but I am certain that it will not be the last.

*ARC provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR. All opinions expressed are my own.

Review: An Education in Edinburgh

An Education in Edinburgh by Holland Rae
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"An Education in Edinburgh" by Holland Rae was a short, sweet story released as part of the multi-author Ticket to True Love series. It is likely to appeal to fans of the insta-love trope, which is not a particular favorite of mine, and I can't say that it worked very well for me here. That said, the main characters, Isla and Alistair (aka Ali), were fairly likeable, and being forced to spend a week together exploring the city of Edinburgh at least gave them an opportunity to build on their initial attraction before they declared their love for each other.

Aside from my dislike of the insta-love between Ali and Isla, there were a number of things about the story itself that didn't make sense to me. For example, how could there possibly have been no other bedroom besides Ali's available for Isla to sleep in? What was the plan if Isla's mother had been able to go on the trip as originally planned? Would she have been forced to share a bedroom with Ali too? As a single, middle-aged woman traveling alone, I can't imagine why she would have agreed to that. Besides, I would think that the trip organizers would have ensured that they had an even number of men and women to pair up when taking registrations to avoid just such a situation, given the potential liability issues involved. Also, if there really weren't any other bedrooms available, what was the big deal about Isla having to pick a roommate while she was on the plane? Who exactly was she choosing between?

I was also somewhat confused about the woman on the plane with Isla who gave her the spring water from True Springs, Pennsylvania. I wasn't able to find any further explanation in the novella, but my guess is that True Springs is supposed to connect all of the books in the Ticket to True Love series. Assuming that is the case, it would have been nice if that had been explained in a prologue to the story, since each novella is supposed to be able to be read as a standalone.

Finally, I must note that there were a fair amount of typos and missing words in the text, especially in the second half of the story. Additionally, Ali's brogue seemed really off to me, which I found to be a distraction at times. For example, I think "din" was supposed to mean "don't" or "didn't." However, a true Scotsman probably would not use a contraction there, but rather "doonae" or "dinnae" for "do not" or "did not." In any event, I would have been fine with Ali's dialogue being written in plain English so I could imagine his voice in my head, rather than having to try and figure out what the author was actually trying to convey.

Overall, I wouldn't say that this was a terrible story, but neither was it a keeper for me. I don't think I can recommend it.

*ARC provided by the author via BookSirens. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: Your French Kisses

Your French Kisses by Lauren Blakely
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lauren Blakely's "Your French Kisses" was a sweet, charming epilogue to the Boyfriend Material series. It was a very short story that only took me about an hour to read, but there was still something magical about it that really resonated with me. It may have been the fact that main characters Reid and Marley's first meeting took place in Paris, a famously romantic city that I have always wished to visit. I also loved the way they tried to live in the moment and treasure every bit of their time together, even knowing that they both had to leave in a matter of hours and might never see each other again.

Marley and Reid's banter was quite amusing and fun, and even though I'm not exactly a believer in fate or love at first sight, I couldn't help but hope they'd somehow end up in the right place and time to be together. In addition, I note that it is not necessary to read the previous books in the Boyfriend Material series to understand and enjoy this short story, but personally, I am glad to have read the series in order. I liked Marley and Reid when they were introduced in the earlier books, and having that previous connection with them made watching them fall in love just a little bit sweeter for me.

While I'm sad that this series has ended, I look forward to whatever Ms. Blakely writes next!

View all my reviews

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Attracting Aubrey" by Avery Flynn

Today, I am thrilled to participate in the blog tour promoting Avery Flynn's latest novella, "Attracting Aubrey," which is being released as part of the Gone Wild series. Gone Wild is a collection of five standalone stories by bestselling authors Katee Robert, Robin Covington, Piper J. Drake, Stacey Kennedy, and Avery Flynn, featuring five friends from college who plan a vacation together and accidentally end up aboard a singles cruise. Hilarity ensues because of the mix-up, but each of the friends also manages to find love in between games of shuffleboard and excursions to beautiful Caribbean ports.

I've only read "Attracting Aubrey" so far, which is technically book #3 of the series, but I can confirm that it reads as a complete standalone. Like all of Avery Flynn's stories, I found it to be charming, funny, and sweet with likeable characters and a multitude of laugh-out-loud moments. I am happy to recommend it for all fans of contemporary romantic comedies.

About "Attracting Aubrey"

Read for a great cause and help those in need!

Attracting Aubrey, an all-new not-to-be-missed standalone romantic comedy from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Avery Flynn, is available now, and Avery is donating all royalties from Attracting Aubrey this month to Feeding America‘s COVID-19 Response Fund!

I never dreamed I’d meet my celebrity crush while stealing every single pair of my best friend’s pants.

Trust me, my life is not that wild. In fact, the most excitement I usually get is running my fan-favorite Insta thirst account featuring butt-tastic pics of Hollywood superhero Carter Hayes. So, imagine my shock when, in the middle of the cruise ship hallway, I realize the guy whose shirt I'm stuffing slacks inside of is Carter disguised as a tourist. How I manage not to faint dead away, I've got no clue.

When word leaks that Carter might be on board, he asks me to help him maintain his cover. There’s no way I’m gonna say no to that. I just don't share that I’m the anonymous woman behind the fan account that reported sighting him onboard. No biggie. Right?

However, when things between us go from friendly to hot to OMG-I-can’t-keep-my-clothes-on-around-him, all I can do is hope he never discovers my secret. You see, somewhere along the way, Carter went from an untouchable movie star to the man I’m falling for.

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Read an Excerpt from "Attracting Aubrey"

This was beyond a doubt the weirdest experience Carter Hayes had ever had and he'd once spent six hours on a green screen sound stage wearing a CGI suit and pretending to fight a one-eyed zombie giant with poisonous farts.

When he'd turned the corner and found the cute blonde giggling to herself as she pulled one pair of pants after another out of a suitcase, he thought she might be a little touched, as his grandmother used to say. When she held one pair up in the air and declared she was freeing Grace's sexy thighs, he figured she was drunk already. And just when he thought it couldn't get more bizarre, she managed to pull him in as an accessory to pants theft and now she wanted him to shove four pairs of pants down his shirt?

This was a mistake. It would only draw attention to himself when he was supposed to be observing others, not be observed. The last thing he needed was for anyone to realize that he wasn't mild mannered dental laboratory technician Carter Van Stettle from Iowa. This cruise was his opportunity to prove to indie-darling director Kennedy Howard that he could disappear into a part, that movie goers could look up at the big screen and see him as anyone other than The Admiral.

He was all ready to return the pants to their rightful owner and be on his way. It was the smart thing to do. Then, the thief beside him said please and, well, one could only play the most debonair superhero to ever top the box office for so long before some of the character stuck to them. He stuffed the stupid pants up his shirt and tucked the hem of it into his shorts to keep them from falling out. The special effects team on his last movie would have laughed their asses off, but the pants' paunch effect was actually pretty good.

***

My Review

I am generally a fan of romances featuring Hollywood movie stars, and Avery Flynn's "Attracting Aubrey" was no exception to that rule. It was a super cute, fun, and flirty story that kept me smiling the entire time I was reading. Main characters Carter and Aubrey were very likeable and well-developed in spite of the story's short length, and I really appreciated that there wasn't a typical insta-love feel to their relationship development. Between the forced proximity of being on a cruise ship together and faking a relationship in an effort to maintain Carter's cover, it felt like they were able to get to know each other pretty well in a short period of time, which made their feelings for each other more believable to me.

I adored Carter, who seemed very down to Earth despite growing up in Hollywood as the child of two famous actors before becoming famous himself. He was sweet, funny, and, of course, handsome; based on the various descriptions of him in the book, I couldn't help but picture him as a Chris Evans lookalike. Aubrey was also very funny and apparently the prankster of her friend group, but she had a good heart and looked out for those she loved. She gave up a lot to move back to her hometown after college to take over her grandmother's bakery, even though she had no interest in (or talent for) baking herself.

Despite their very different backgrounds, Aubrey and Carter seemed to have a lot in common. For example, they both wanted to be taken seriously for their talents (writing for Aubrey and acting for Carter). In addition, each of them was unhappy with the current direction of their life and was looking to make a change. Boarding the cruise and meeting each other was exactly the spark they needed to point their lives in a new direction, and both Carter and Aubrey ended up much happier for it.

Overall, "Attracting Aubrey" was a lighthearted and delightful story, and I found it to be a perfect distraction from the craziness of current events. I highly recommend it for all romantic comedy fans whether or not they have read the other books in the Gone Wild series or any of Ms. Flynn's previous works.

*ARC provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR. All opinions expressed are my own.

Blog Tour + Review: "Number Neighbors" by Emma Hart

I am ridiculously excited to participate in the blog tour celebrating today's release of Emma Hart's newest novel, "Number Neighbors." I've been looking forward to reading this story ever since I finished Ms. Hart's last release, "Frenemies," in which many of these characters were introduced. That said, I should note that even though the books share some of the same characters, they both read as complete standalones, and it is not necessary to read them in order.

My full review is included at the end of this post, but in short, "Number Neighbors" was a charming, funny, and sweet story, and I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romantic comedies.

About "Number Neighbors"

What happens when your number neighbor turns out to be your hot, British, next-door neighbor?

NUMBER NEIGHBORS, an all-new, side-splittingly hilarious neighbors-to-lovers rom-com from New York Times bestselling author, Emma Hart, is LIVE!

Bad Idea #241: Sending a dirty text to your number neighbor.

In my defense, my friends did it too, and their neighbors took it as the joke it was.

Mine didn’t.

He responded with a dirty text of his own. Next thing I know, I have a standing texting date every night at ten-thirty.

Until I have to miss it because the stray kitten who adopted me one week ago is sick. The only person I know who can help me at this time of night is my British next-door neighbor and local vet, Isaac Cooper.

I’ll keep him overnight, he says. Here’s my number to call me in the morning, he says.

The problem?

I know that number.

Because I’ve been texting it every night for the last four days.

My Review

"Number Neighbors" by Emma Hart was exactly the book I needed to read right now to put a smile on my face and escape from the craziness of the real world. It was hysterically funny, sweetly romantic, and steamy at the same time, and I adored it.

The male lead character, British veterinarian Isaac, was a fantastic and completely swoon-worthy book boyfriend. His love for animals and sense of humor made him a great match for the female lead, Hannah, who was wonderfully snarky and independent. Their banter was very amusing, and I laughed out loud during many of their conversations. I especially loved when they argued over American vs. British words and sayings (mainly because I'm a language nerd and find differences in dialects fascinating).

The secondary characters in this book were also a tremendous amount of fun, especially Hannah's matchmaking Grandma Jen and Jen's friends from book club. I loved Hannah's "attack kitten," Lucifer, too. She could deny that she was keeping him all she wanted, but her love for him was clear in the way she took such good care of him.

Overall, I loved "Number Neighbors" and can't wait for Ms. Hart's next release!

*ARC provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

Blog Tour + Review: "Tempting Talk" by Sara Whitney

I am incredibly excited to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of Sara Whitney's latest novel, "Tempting Talk," book #3 of the Tempt Me series. I read the previous book in this series, "Tempting Taste," about a month ago and loved it, so I have very much been looking forward to picking up Ms. Whitney's follow-up effort. It turned out to be even better than I had hoped, featuring likeable characters, witty dialogue, and an engaging plot.

Even though it is the third book in a series, "Tempting Talk" reads as a total standalone. The male lead, Jake Carey, made cameo appearances earlier in the series, but those who have not yet read the previous books will not feel lost at all by starting here. I highly recommend this book for all fans of contemporary romance whether they have read the rest of the series or not.

About "Tempting Talk"

Deejay Mabel Bowen rocks the morning airwaves, but once she signs off, she’s happy going home alone; a long-ago humiliation taught her that women in the public eye should be cautious about dating. Then she meets the Clark Kent-ish accountant overseeing the sale of her radio station and starts wondering if she should break her own “girl, don’t date him” rules.

Since he was teenager, Jake Carey has worked to lift his family out of poverty, and he’s now on the verge of a promotion that’ll secure their financial future. Why, then, is he so quick to set aside his spreadsheets whenever the gorgeous morning show host is around? After years of using work as an excuse to avoid searching for emotional connections, he’s now jumping at every chance to spend time with Mabel and her maple syrup voice.

Despite their initial reservations, Mabel and Jake move from conversations over coffee to flirty office lunches to a night out that obliterates all their previously drawn lines. Then a professional betrayal sends Mabel fleeing back to the safety of her single-girl rules. But Jake isn't ready to give up on this once-in-a-lifetime love and sets out to balance their work/life books. Can he convince Mabel to turn up the volume on their future, or will she decide that the numbers don’t add up?

"Tempting Talk," a 2019 RWA© Golden Heart© award finalist, is book 3 in Sara Whitney's funny, feisty contemporary romance series, Tempt Me. Turn on your favorite playlist and get reading!

Get Your Copy Today:

Amazon | Apple | Nook | Kobo | Universal Link

My Review

I loved Sara Whitney's "Tempting Talk," a sweet, witty, and engaging story featuring likeable, complex characters. The main characters of this story, Jake and Mabel, were very well matched, and it was truly a pleasure to see them find happiness with each other after they had both been burned so badly by romantic partners in the past.

I was intrigued by Jake, the male lead, when he was introduced earlier in this series. He seemed so polished and sophisticated, and I never suspected how sensitive he actually was beneath that cool, workaholic exterior. He threw himself into his work to compensate for feelings of loneliness and yearning for an emotional connection with a romantic partner. Mabel also buried herself in work, though her reasons for doing so were somewhat different from Jake's. However, they understood each other in a very unique way, and couldn't help being drawn together despite the obstacles standing in the way of a relationship.

In addition to the central romance between Jake and Mabel, I enjoyed the dynamic between Mabel and her best friend/co-host, Dave. They acted like brother and sister at times, which made for some very amusing interactions. Dave's wife Ana was pretty great too, and I loved the way she encouraged Mabel to step out of her comfort zone and pursue a relationship with Jake.

Overall, I highly recommend "Tempting Talk" and look forward to reading the next book in this series.

*ARC provided by the author via InkSlingerPR.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "The Sea Glass Cottage" by RaeAnne Thayne

Today, I am happy to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of RaeAnne Thayne's latest novel, "The Sea Glass Cottage."

I found "The Sea Glass Cottage" to be an enjoyable read, reminiscent of one of Debbie Macomber's or Emily March's novels. There were a lot of plot threads and characters involved in the story, but everything was woven together nicely and easy to follow. Each of the characters was likeable and well-developed, and their complicated relationships plus the various secrets they kept from each other made for a compelling story.

I particularly enjoyed the book's overarching themes of healing and forgiveness, as well as how the three generations of Harper women came to better understand each other and how to navigate their complex family dynamics. Juliet, Olivia, and Caitlin were much closer by the end of the book and had learned to relate to each other in new, healthier ways. Their individual journeys were quite interesting as well, and Juliet's and Olivia's romances with Henry and Cooper, respectively, added yet another emotional layer to the plot.

In addition to the central story involving the Harper family, I was also drawn into the plot thread involving Cooper's sister Melody, whose husband had abandoned her and her three young boys a few months earlier. Melody seemed like such a lovely person, and her boys added a bit of fun to the narrative. It would be great to see Melody's story continue in a future book. She deserves to find love again, and her boys deserve a father figure besides their Uncle Cooper.

Overall, I am pleased to recommend "The Sea Glass Cottage" for anyone who enjoys stories about the complex nature of family relationships and learning how to forgive the ones we love even when it's a challenge. I look forward to Ms. Thayne's next book.

*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

About "The Sea Glass Cottage"

From the New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne comes a brand-new novel for fans of Debbie Macomber and Susan Wiggs. RaeAnne Thayne tells the story of an emotional homecoming that brings hope and healing to three generations of women.

The life Olivia Harper always dreamed of isn’t so dreamy these days. The 16-hour work days are unfulfilling and so are things with her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when she hears that her estranged mother, Juliet, has been seriously injured in a car accident, Liv has no choice but to pack up her life and head home to beautiful Cape Sanctuary on the Northern California coast.

It’s just for a few months—that’s what Liv keeps telling herself. But the closer she gets to Cape Sanctuary, the painful memories start flooding back: Natalie, her vibrant, passionate older sister who downward-spiraled into addiction. The fights with her mother who enabled her sister at every turn. The overdose that took Natalie, leaving her now-teenaged daughter, Caitlin, an orphan.

As Liv tries to balance her own needs with those of her injured mother and an obstinate, resentful fifteen-year-old, it becomes clear that all three Harper women have been keeping heartbreaking secrets from one another. And as those secrets are revealed, Liv, Juliet, and Caitlin will see that it’s never too late—or too early—to heal family wounds and find forgiveness.

***

Check out an excerpt from "The Sea Glass Cottage" here!

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Drive Me Crazy" by Samantha Chase

I am thrilled to be participating in the blog tour celebrating the launch of Samantha Chase's latest novel, "Drive Me Crazy," the first book of the RoadTripping series. I'm generally a fan of road trip romances, so I've really been looking forward to reading this book. Thankfully, it turned out to be just as charming, funny, and sweet as I had hoped. There was minimal angst, the banter between main characters Finn and Grace was witty and fun, and I loved the grand gesture at the end.

Given the state of the world at the moment, it seems likely that many of us could use a distraction from real life, and I am happy to recommend this book as a good one!

About "Drive Me Crazy"

One car.
Two strangers.
Infinite possibilities.

Grace Mackie is having the worst day.

Finding out her fiancé only proposed for the sake of a promotion is one thing. But discovering he’d also knocked up his assistant? There’s no coming back from that. Desperate to escape her own destination wedding, she’ll do just about everything to get back home and put the whole mess behind her. Even driving cross-country in a rental car.

Finn Kavanaugh’s day is even worse.

What had started as a brother bonding trip has now left him stranded three thousand miles from home without a car or credit card. Because his brother took off with both. So much for bonding, right? As much as he might want to throttle his brother, he first has to find a way to get home. His only option? A rental car and a cross-country trek.

Neither of them expected their trip would come complete with a surprise passenger. But desperate times and all that.

Warning — This sweet, sexy and laugh out loud funny romance is filled with all the most ridiculous road trip stories you can imagine and sure to drive you crazy with all the feels!

Goodreads: https://geni.us/DriveMeCrazyGoodreads
Amazon: https://geni.us/DriveMeCrazyKindle
Apple: https://geni.us/DriveMeCrazyApple
Nook: https://geni.us/DriveMeCrazyBN
Kobo: https://geni.us/DriveMeCrazyKobo
Google Play: https://geni.us/DriveMeCrazyGoogle

Read an Excerpt from "Drive Me Crazy"

“Why do I have to shop for you? I’ve got my own shopping to do. And we agreed–just minutes ago, mind you–how we were responsible for ourselves. I’m not shopping for you, Grace.”

Her shoulders sagged. “Oh, come on! Seriously? Look at me, Finn! Haven’t I been humiliated enough today? Now you expect me to go inside and shop looking like this?”

“Trust me, Grace, no one is going to judge you in there. If anything, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t even be in the top ten of weird dressers in there.” He paused and grinned. “I believe there’s an entire website dedicated to the crazy way people dress to shop at Walmart. You’ll be fine.”

She wanted to argue because the thought of facing any more people while wearing her wedding dress was beyond unappealing, but she knew the quickest way to get out of the damn dress was to go inside for herself and shop.

“Fine,” she said with a dramatic sigh. “Let’s get this over with.”

“Thirty minutes,” he stated firmly as they climbed from the truck. “Let’s give ourselves thirty minutes to get in and done so we can get on the road.”

Grace nodded because it all sounded good to her. The sooner they got what they needed and moved on, the happier she’d be.

Once they stepped inside the store and grabbed their own shopping carts, Grace was amazed at how the majority of the people simply glanced at her and kept on walking.

Thank God.

Finn reminded her of the time and walked away. Part of her had hoped they’d shop together because it would make her look a little less pathetic, but…with no other choice, she embraced the spectacle that she was and began shopping.

The basic toiletries were first–shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a razor. Her makeup was in her satchel, so she was good there. Thinking quick, she grabbed a brush and a couple of bands for her hair. Next, she walked over to the women’s department and grabbed a couple of pairs of yoga pants, a couple of pairs of jeans, and a handful of t-shirts. Next came tennis shoes, socks, and underwear. The cart was filling up, but she still had a few more things to grab. Two nightshirts and a robe were thrown in before she walked over to the travel section and found a suitcase and travel pillow.

Standing back, she examined everything she had picked and knew it would have to do. If she forgot anything, no doubt she and Finn could stop along the way. Deciding she could go and check out, Grace had gone all of five steps when her stomach started to grumble. In all the wedding preparation hoopla earlier, she hadn’t eaten. The plan had been to enjoy a big dinner after the ceremony, and with everything she had to do to get ready, she had skipped lunch.

“Snacks,” she muttered. “Better grab some snacks.” What followed could best be described as a hungry child left unsupervised in a candy store. The top of her shopping cart was covered in every variety of candy bar topped with several bags of chips, some snack cakes, and a six-pack of soda. Smiling with satisfaction, she said, “That should do it.”

She spotted Finn on one of the checkout lines and walked over and moved in behind him. He took one glance at her cart and then at her.

“Is this your passive-aggressive way of saying you’re hungry?” he asked, one dark brow arched.

“Right now, I should be cutting my wedding cake,” she replied sarcastically. “After enjoying a three-course meal that included chateaubriand, grilled scallops, baby asparagus, and a Caesar salad.”

“Oh.”

“And…I skipped lunch!” She crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a ‘take that!’ look.

He stepped closer and examined the contents of her cart and Grace looked around him toward his.

It was way more organized.

And contained a lot less stuff.

“Are you sure you got everything?” she asked. “It doesn’t look like you have enough.”

Shrugging, Finn began unloading his purchases onto the belt. Grace watched and counted three pairs of jeans, a package of t-shirts, a package of socks, a package of boxers, some kit that contained all the male-essential toiletries, a brush, and a duffle bag.

Clearly, Finn was an efficient shopper.

He shrugged. “Don’t need much. This isn’t a vacation; it’s just so I don’t smell while we’re driving.”

Um…okay, she thought. Most men she knew would be a little more eloquent in describing this sort of thing but whatever. Jared would have insisted they go to a mall to shop and then…nope. She was not going to go there. For starters, Jared would never do a road trip, and second, she didn’t want to even think about him right now.

The bastard.

Finn bagged up his stuff and paid while Grace loaded her stuff on the belt. The cashier looked at her and then at Finn and smiled broadly. “Honeymoon off to a rough start?” she asked. “What happened? The airline lose your luggage?”

Grace could feel her cheeks heating and didn’t know how to respond because, really, did this cashier need to be on the receiving end of all the sarcasm, anger, and snark that was just dying to be released?

Before she could do or say anything, Finn leaned in and laughed. “They sure did! It’s been a wild day, and we’re anxious just to have some necessities until the whole mess gets cleared up, aren’t we, honey?”

She looked at him like he was crazy, but when she realized what he was doing, she began to laugh along with him. “You know it, sweetie pie!” She turned to the cashier. “We know this is just a little bump in the road, and it will give us something to laugh about and tell our grandkids one day!”

Soon the cashier was laughing with them. “You two are adorable!” Then she started ringing up Grace’s things. “Although, just a bit of marriage advice for you…don’t pay for things separately! You are one now! Embrace it!”

Grace looked nervously at Finn, who looked away, and she knew he was snickering. She just knew it! Keeping her smile in place, she said, “This will be our last separate purchase, right, baby?”

Grinning, Finn nodded. “Of course, snookums. Now, why don’t we let this lovely lady finish ringing you up so you can get changed and we can get going?”

Just the thought of getting out of the gown was enough to spur Grace into action. After she paid, she pulled a pair of yoga pants, a t-shirt, socks, and sneakers from the bags and walked over to the ladies’ room. Finn took the rest of the purchases and told her he’d meet her at the truck, and that was fine with her.

It didn’t take long, however, for her to realize that this wasn’t going to be a quick-change. It had taken the help of Tilly to get into her gown, and no matter how hard she tried, it was impossible to get out of it alone. She was practically sewn into it. She stepped out of the stall and caught her reflection in the mirror and wanted to cry. There was a time when she’d thought this was her dream gown. The salesgirl at the dress shop had said it was a fairytale fantasy kind of gown and had sold her with her whimsical description. The fitted bodice was adorned with exquisite lace appliques and accented with beads and rhinestones. The sheer off-the-shoulder neckline was exactly what she had wanted, and months of working out at the gym meant she could really show off her arms.

But the floor-length skirt had sealed the deal for her. The oversized skirt was embellished with delicate handmade flowers. The outer layer was made of tulle, the interlayer was made of silk net, and the lining was made of satin. The first time she had tried it on, she felt like a princess. And now look at her. She was muddy, the dress was ruined, her makeup was a smeared mess, and she was standing in a Walmart bathroom. Muttering a curse, Grace grabbed her new clothes and stormed out of the ladies’ room and out to the parking lot where she found Finn eating one of her candy bars.

“Hey!” she snapped. “What the hell, Finn? Those are mine!”

With a shrug, he laughed and looked her up and down. “Problem?”

“Yes, there’s a problem! Why wouldn’t there be a problem?” she asked sarcastically. “I can’t get out of this stupid gown. I can’t reach the damn buttons.” Turning her back to him, she motioned to them. “Can you…can you please just help me?”

He popped the last bite of candy into his mouth before reaching out and Grace could feel his knuckles gently caress her skin. Tingles of awareness ran down her spine, and she cursed herself for responding at all at a time like this.

“These buttons are ridiculously small,” he murmured as he leaned in close, and now she could feel his warm breath along her spine too.

“I’m in hell,” she muttered.

“Excuse me?”

“What? Oh…uh, nothing. Just commenting on how rotten my luck’s been today.”

She felt his hands down near her waist and quickly stepped aside. “I think that should do it. Thanks.” Glancing toward the massive store, Grace considered her options. The rain had stopped, and she was just so damn tired. “Hey, can you just…you know…turn around?”

Finn looked at her like she was crazy. “You’re not going to get changed right here, are you?”

“C’mon, Finn. I don’t want to hike back inside!” she whined. “My feet are killing me, this dress is wide open now in the back and…please? Just stand in front of me. I’ll open the truck door to shield me on one side and you can shield me on the other. I’ll be fast, I swear!”

“Grace, you can’t be serious…”

And that was it.

She’d hit her breaking point. Stepping in close, she poked him in the chest. “Do you think that maybe–just maybe–something can go my way tonight? Isn’t it bad enough that I’m standing here in a Walmart parking lot on what was supposed to be my wedding night? I’m tired, I’m hungry, and all I want is to take this damn dress off! You ate one of my candy bars, so you owe me! Now, are you going to help me or not? Because I’ve got to tell you, Finn, I’m not opposed to stripping down right here and just getting it over with!”

By the time she was done, she was breathless and shaking with rage, and Finn must have realized it because he turned around and gave her some room. “Wait,” he said. Stepping around her, he reached into the space behind the seats and pulled out all the shopping bags. Loading his hands with all of them, he stepped in front of her and turned his back to her. “Extra blockage.”

As crazy as it sounded, it was the nicest thing he could have done for her.

“Thank you,” she said softly, and then quickly stripped off her dress and pulled on her new comfy clothes.

My Review

I very much enjoyed Samantha Chase's "Drive Me Crazy," a cute, sweet, and fun novel featuring likeable, well-developed main characters, Grace and Finn. There was a bit of an insta-love feel to their relationship, which isn't my favorite, but in this case it worked for me because of the amount of time they had to spend together while driving cross country. The forced proximity gave Finn and Grace an opportunity to get to know each other pretty well in a short period of time, flaws and all.

Grace was very outgoing, sweet, and fun, and I really liked the way she teased Finn and tried to get him to break out of his comfort zone. Her ability to quickly get to know and understand other people is likely one of the things that made her so good at her job as a career coach, and it was amusing to see her turn some of those skills on Finn in a personal setting.

Finn really needed someone like Grace to help him understand that it was OK to deviate from his plans sometimes. For example, when they started out on their trip, he was very rigid and insisted on sticking to a driving schedule each day. With Grace pushing him, however, Finn began to loosen up and came to realize that the world wouldn't end if they took some time for sightseeing along the way. His new outlook carried over into other parts of his life, helping him improve his relationship with his younger brother, Dave, and figure out a way to have a permanent relationship with Grace.

Overall, I recommend "Drive Me Crazy" and look forward to seeing what happens in the next book of the series.

*ARC provided by the author/publisher via InkSlingerPR.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Changing Roles" by Melanie Moreland

I am very excited to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of Melanie Moreland's latest novel, "Changing Roles." I am generally a fan of stories set in Hollywood, so I was really looking forward to reading this book. Thankfully, it did not disappoint, and I ended up enjoying it every bit as much as I thought I would. In fact, I had a difficult time putting the book down once I started reading.

The main characters of this story, Liam and Shelby, were totally delightful and frequently made me laugh with their quick-witted banter. However, I also empathized with the difficulties they faced in trying to build a life together while being hounded by the press. There were times when I wasn't sure their love would be enough to keep them together, but they persevered, and their HEA was extra sweet because of it.

About "Changing Roles"

Lights! Camera! Clueless!

Liam Wright is Hollywood’s golden boy and at the top of the A-list.

But what he doesn’t know about life… Well, it could fill his very large Hollywood mansion. Thankfully, he’s got Shelby Carter in his world to keep him—and his house—camera-ready. Part confidante, part master chef, Shelby is his best friend and the only one who knows the real Liam.

Pampered, pretty, and often puzzled, Liam and his antics keep her on her toes, and there is never a dull moment living with him.

Until one day, Liam sees her as more…and he wants her to see him for the man he can be. The man he wants to be.

For her.

Is Liam up for the part?

Read an Excerpt of "Changing Roles"

I filled the sink beside her with warm water, planning on soaking her feet and then bandaging them.

“The dress,” she whispered.

I groaned. I didn’t care about the bloody dress. But I knew she did. “Take it off, then.”

“Right here?”

“Shelby, I’ve seen you in a bathing suit. I think I can handle your underwear.”

“Um—”

Chuckling, I shrugged out of my jacket and unbuttoned my shirt, yanking it off, leaving me in my undershirt. “You can put this on.” I wrapped my arm around her. “Come on, I’ll help you.” Gently, I set her on the floor, my eyes following her hand as she pulled down the hidden zipper on her dress. The deep-red gown pooled at her feet, and I swallowed when I saw what was hiding underneath the satin.

Her bathing suit, I could handle.

This, I wasn’t sure about.

Red. Lacy. Strapless.

A bustier.

My gaze drifted downward.

Tiny scraps of fabric tied at her hips in the same shade of red, leaving a tantalizing strip of soft flesh between the bustier and her underwear. A strip I wanted to lick.

And the underwear…tiny straps with bows that led to…

I shut my eyes as the room became far too small and far too hot. All the blood in my body was now pooled in one place.

My hard, aching cock.

Which was at that very moment trying to punch its way out of my pants to get to that red lace.

Bugger. Shit. Damn.

I gulped in air. Tried to think of anything else. Puppies. Worms. Everett in his underwear. Anything but the warm, red-lace-wearing woman in front of me.

Who was in pain and needed me to look after her.

Not lift her back onto the counter and fuck her until she screamed my name.

At least once.

Three or four times, preferably.

Her voice broke through my thoughts. “Liam?”

I blinked at her and handed her my shirt. I needed to rein myself in. “Put this on, Shelby, please.”

With downcast eyes, she did as I asked. I realized she thought I wanted her to cover up for a different reason than I needed her to cover up. I cupped her cheek. “Hey.”

Her hesitant gaze met mine. I covered her mouth with my lips, yanking her close. I pulled her hips against mine so she knew how she was affecting me. Her eyes flew open, meeting mine that were already staring at her—trying to convey a hard message.

I smiled against her lips. “Just for now, Beaker. Or your feet won’t be the only thing that’s sore.”

I set her back on the counter, keeping my eyes averted. She hissed in pain as I placed her feet in the warm water. I grimaced in understanding. “Sorry. Now, where can I find bandages?”

“My bathroom has a first aid kit. Left cupboard by the vanity.”

“Okay, stay here.”

“Where else am I gonna go?”

I hesitated. “I’m not gonna have to touch…other things to get to the kit thing, am I?”

She smirked. “Other things, Liam?”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Um…your girl…things, Shelby?”

“No, you’re quite safe.” She winked. “Just make sure you open the left cupboard. Not the right.”

“Right.”

“No, left.”

“Bloody hell, don’t confuse me! I don’t have a lot of blood in that particular head right now!”

Her amusement followed me down the hall.

It was music to my ears.

My Review

I'm a big fan of stories about movie stars, so I particularly enjoyed Melanie Moreland's "Changing Roles." I especially liked how different it was from so many of the previous books I've read about behind-the-scenes Hollywood. The focus here was not so much about an actor's life on set or attending glamorous events, but rather how the press and public attention impacts them and their loved ones. There are a number of downsides to fame that I don't think I fully understood until reading this story.

I absolutely adored the book's male lead, Liam, who was incredibly funny, caring, and sweet. His inner thoughts made me laugh so many times, but I think my favorite scene was when he was trying to decide if he should go and apologize to the female lead, Shelby, while she was working in the kitchen. He was initially concerned because Shelby had "access to knives there," but quickly shrugged off those concerns and decided that he could handle whatever Shelby did because he was "like a ninja." I also appreciated how protective Liam became after he finally realized that he was in love with Shelby. His relationship with her helped him mature and finally become the strong, capable man he was meant to be.

Shelby was also a wonderful lead character and deserved to be treasured by a man as wonderful as Liam, especially after the way her jerk of an ex-husband treated her. I liked that she always treated Liam as if he were just an average guy, not a celebrity, and their banter was quite funny. They were best friends first and neither of them expected to fall in love, but they really were perfect for each other.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I will certainly be reading more of Ms. Moreland's work in the future.

*ARC provided by the author via Candi Kane PR.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Review: Love, Hannah

Love, Hannah by Staci Hart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adored Staci Hart's "Love, Hannah," an incredibly sweet, beautifully written story of two people finding each other and coming together to complete a family. Main characters Hannah and Charlie had a tough road to travel before arriving at their HEA, but their struggle was all worth it in the end.

Charlie was such a great guy, and I really empathized with his desire to do whatever was best for his kids even if it meant making difficult choices. Hannah was also quite lovely and turned out to be exactly the breath of fresh air Charlie and his kids needed after the toxic situation they were in with his ex-wife, Mary. Spending time with Charlie, Maven, and Sammy helped Hannah too; she needed a safe place to heal after being subjected to inappropriate advances from her previous employer. Both she and Charlie were hesitant to begin a romantic relationship, but found it difficult to resist their feelings for each other.

Overall, this was a wonderful story with a perfect ending, and I highly recommend it. I look forward to seeing what the next book in this series brings!

View all my reviews

Review: A Thousand Letters

A Thousand Letters by Staci Hart
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was really looking forward to reading Staci Hart's "A Thousand Letters," but unfortunately, I ended up being disappointed with it. This story is much angstier than the previous book in the series, but that makes sense to me since it was inspired by Jane Austen's "Persuasion." I've always found that to be the angstiest of Austen's published works. At any rate, I could have lived with all of the angst if it hadn't been coupled with a healthy dose of "big misunderstanding" between the two main characters, Elliot and Wade. For most of the book, there didn't seem to be anything keeping them apart besides their own stubbornness and a refusal to have an honest conversation.

I didn't find either Elliot or Wade to be particularly likeable, either. Elliot came across as a real pushover, and it bothered me that she was still just drifting along two years after finishing college with no real direction in life. She seemed to have very low self-esteem because she took pretty much whatever crappy treatment her family and others dished out, particularly Wade. I hated how selfish he was and the fact that if he couldn't have things exactly the way he wanted them, he would just throw a tantrum and run away. For all that he was supposedly a military hero, Wade was a complete emotional coward. He failed at supporting his sisters after their father died, refused to have a simple conversation with Elliot so that they could figure out their relationship, and basically just made himself and everyone around him miserable for the majority of the book.

The only characters I actually did like in this book were Elliot's brother-in-law, Charlie, and her best friend, Wade's younger sister Sophie. I'm very happy that Charlie will be getting his own story in the next book of this series; he deserves a much better partner than Elliot's horrible older sister, Mary.

Overall, I gave "A Thousand Letters" a two star rating because the writing itself was pretty good (as Staci Hart's books usually are), and because I know there are readers out there who will enjoy all of the angst. I personally didn't enjoy the story, however, and can't recommend it.

*ARC provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

View all my reviews

Excerpt + Giveaway + Review: "Engaged to the Earl" by Lisa Berne

Today, I am very excited to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of Lisa Berne's latest novel, "Engaged to the Earl," book #4 in the Penhallow Dynasty series. Even though it is the fourth book in a series, it is a complete standalone; while a few characters from the previous book did make brief appearances, readers (like me) who have not yet read the rest of the series will not feel lost at all by starting here.

A full review is included at the end of this post, but in short, I loved "Engaged to the Earl" and highly recommend it for fans of sweet, humorous historical romances such as the ones written by Eloisa James or Julia Quinn. The main characters, Gwendolyn and Christopher, were very likeable and well-developed, and I enjoyed how adventurous they both were. Even though they had known each other since childhood, their love for each other took them by surprise, and watching their story unfold was a lot of fun.

For a chance to win your own paperback copy of "Engaged to the Earl," click here! (Giveaway ends on April 30, 2020. For additional terms and conditions, click here.)

About "Engaged to the Earl"

A spirited debutante--a brash adventurer--the perfect fiancé--and good intentions gone terribly, deliciously bad. The Penhallow Dynasty continues in this sparkling Regency romp!

Christopher Beck came striding into a glamorous London drawing-room and can’t believe his eyes. The last time he’d seen Gwendolyn Penhallow, she was a dreamy, strong-willed girl with a wild imagination, and now she’s a beautiful and beguiling young lady . . . who’s engaged to Society’s darling the Earl of Westenbury. Christopher had fled England to seek adventure elsewhere. Has he found it here too — the most delightful adventure of his life?

Gwendolyn is sure she’s betrothed to the most wonderful man in the world. But then, shockingly, Christopher Beck shows up. Nobody has heard from him in years — and not only he is very much alive, he’s also sinfully attractive, blithely unconventional, and disturbingly fun to be with. Which wouldn’t be a problem, except for the fact that she’s, well, promised to another. And just what on earth is she going to do about it?

***

Check out an excerpt of "Engaged to the Earl" here!

My Review

I very much enjoyed Lisa Berne's "Engaged to the Earl," a delightful Regency romp that reminded me of some of my favorite historical romances by authors such as Julia Quinn and Eloisa James. Ms. Berne has a unique, subtly witty writing style with which I really connected; the book didn't contain any outrageous, over-the-top scenes, but I still found myself chuckling at many of the things the characters said, did, or thought.

The story's main characters, Gwendolyn and Christopher, were quite likeable and well-developed. I especially loved Gwendolyn's curiosity about the world, enthusiasm for life, and spirit of adventure. Christopher had a similar nature, and their mutual love of travel was one of the many things that brought them together. Their connection was complicated by the fact that, when they first met again as adults after years spent apart, Gwendolyn was engaged to another man, the Earl of Westenbury. She and Christopher quickly become friends, however, and love eventually took them by surprise. They were truly perfect for one another, and watching their story unfold was a tremendous amount of fun.

This was the first book I've ever read by Ms. Berne, but it's safe to say that it will not be the last. I look forward to reading the other books in the Penhallow Dynasty series soon.

*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss. All opinions expressed are my own.

Release Blitz + Excerpt + Review: "The Trade" by Meghan Quinn

I am delighted to participate in today's release blitz promoting Meghan Quinn's latest novel, "The Trade." A full review is included at the end of this post, but in short, this book gave me all the feels and I absolutely adored it. Main characters Cory and Natalie were incredibly likeable and well-developed, and the slow burn of their growing relationship had me on the edge of my seat for hours. I couldn't wait for them to finally give into their feelings and admit what they felt for each other!

This book is a complete standalone, though it does feature appearances from a few of Ms. Quinn's past characters, including Jason and Dottie from "The Lineup" and Carson and Milly from "The Dugout." I haven't read either one of those books yet but didn't feel lost at all while reading this one. I am happy to recommend it for anyone who enjoys a romantic comedy with heart, whether they've previously read Ms. Quinn's work or not.

About "The Trade"

Can you pinpoint a time in your life where you realized you are completely and utterly screwed?

I can. I got the dreaded phone call, the one every baseball player hopes and prays never comes.

I was traded. Yeah, that phone call.

Traded from my long time team of over ten years. And not just to any team, but my childhood rivals; the Chicago Rebels.

Completely and utterly screwed, right? Wrong. The trade was the least of my concerns.

I met a girl. Natalie. Man, she's perfect.

I swore I would never get involved with anyone during the season. Too complicated. But can you believe I have zero restraint when it comes to this girl? I couldn't get her out of my head and the more I talked to her, the more I realized I needed her in my life.

So what's the problem? Why am I screwed? Because, Natalie, the girl I can't stop crushing on, yeah . . . she's married.

At least, that's what I was told . . .

Read an Excerpt from "The Trade"

CORY

I’m fucked.

I’m sure you hear that all the time, so the term has lost its impact.

I ran out of sugar for my cookie batter . . . I’m fucked.

Forgot my phone in my car . . . I’m fucked.

Saw my neighbor’s old-man balls . . . I’m fucked for life.

I can guarantee you right now, this is nothing compared to old-man balls and cookies.

This is way worse.

This defines the term, I’m fucked.

What is it you ask?

It happened after one of the worst baseball seasons of my life. Traded halfway through the season to the team I’d hated my entire life, I was drowning in the constant media attention, persecuting me for the pass off for my multi-million-dollar contract.

“We want to win,” the Rebels said. “We can do that with Cory Potter wearing black and red.” And just like that, the team I’ve been playing for my entire professional career up and traded me to unload my hefty salary to develop new up-and-comers from the farm system.

The Rebels.

I’m a fucking Chicago Rebel. Words I never thought I’d say, especially growing up as a Chicago Bobcats fan, the rival team to the Rebels. Not just rival, but enemies. The teams themselves don’t get along, the fans hate each other, and Chicago is divided for a good portion of the year when the stadium lights are on.

But here I am, my name attached to the biggest trade in sports history.

A ballsy move.

An upset to Baltimore.

A baseball anomaly: All-American turned Rebel.

I’ve heard it all, I’ve seen it all, and no matter what’s splashed across the headlines, it doesn’t deviate from the fact that my long-time team decided to part ways with me midseason.

Mid-fucking-season.

After fourteen years, I packed up everything and moved back to Chicago.

But even that’s not why I’m fucked; it’s just the start of it.

The beginning of the end.

Dramatic? Maybe.

But if you were in my shoes, you’d be thinking the same thing.

After not even coming close to getting into the playoffs, the season ended, I was booed off the field because that’s how Rebels fans are—you don’t perform, they hate you—and I sequestered myself to my practically empty and cold apartment.

After a week of binge-eating deep-dish pizza and watching every prison documentary on Netflix, my sister finally dragged me out of my apartment, forcing me to attend a Bobbies playoff game with her so we could cheer on my brother-in-law. Her husband.

Seeing a Rebels player cheering on a Bobbies player plastered all over the news went over just as well as a grandma telling her grandson her favorite pastime is cock-tickling.

Not well.

But still . . . not the reason I’m fucked.

This is beyond worse than that.

During that game, I got the talk. Not the birds and bees, but the talk from a concerned sister about my lack of social life.

You really should get out more.

I know some single moms who are really nice.

Maybe a dating app might be fun. Girls would be ecstatic to match with the one and only Cory Potter.

I don’t want you dying alone.

That last one was a real kicker.

Dying alone. I’m fucking thirty-five and she has me with one toe in my grave.

The way I see it is, if you don’t meet your girl in college or high school, you’re sure as shit not going to meet her while playing professional baseball. Not when the schedule is obscenely busy and long, and not when you’re known for one thing in your city: making a shitload of money for playing a sport.

It’s almost impossible to find genuine relationships when you have this level of fame.

So I’ve resolved to waiting until after I retire to fall in love.

That doesn’t mean I’ve been celibate, I’m a man after all—a man with a shitload of adrenaline pumping through him on a daily basis. I’ve had my fair share of one-night stands with women, and a few on a solid repeat with zero expectations. Every woman I’ve bedded I’ve treated with respect, and I’ve been honest with them, because if anything, I’m a genuinely nice guy who doesn’t ever want to make someone feel bad.

Ask anyone who knows me, I’m the nice guy, the dependable guy, the leader with a heart.

I don’t screw women over, ever.

Are you thinking one of those one-night stands turned into an “accident”? Is that the reason I’m fucked? Got a girl I don’t know pregnant?

Nope, not that either.

But the conversation I had with Milly pushed me to a new way of thinking.

I don’t want you dying alone.

She made me fucking paranoid.

Was I really going to die alone?

Were my good years behind me and now I’m old meat on the market?

Should I be trying to find love in the midst of the craziness of my life?

Milly made me think, which then made me open up to the idea of finding someone, of looking at women differently, of allowing the relationship part of my brain to turn on.

So instead of ignoring every woman that has relationship potential I’d possibly look for, I turned off my blinders and started looking for them.

But I didn’t come close to meeting anyone that remotely fit the box of someone I’d consider going out on a date with. That was until I attended a certain charity event.

I saw her from across the room. Her smile was what caught my eye, then it was the way she laughed and held on to her brother’s hand, her brother who had cerebral palsy.

It was the way she’d lean into him, hold him, as if he was the most wonderful human she’d ever met.

The fact that she was absolutely breathtaking with piercing blue eyes had nothing to do with it.

It was her infectious laughter.

Her kind heart.

Her dedication to her family.

In a matter of seconds, I wanted to know her, wanted to find out her name, wanted to be in her orbit. Wanted to be a recipient of her warmth and affection.

I watched her from across the room, how she interacted with every person who came up to her, and when I was finally granted the opportunity to introduce myself, my breath caught in my throat when our hands connected. I felt my heart slam against the cage in my chest. And I knew, in that moment, with our hands mid shake, my life would never be the same.

Her name is Natalie.

Sister to my new teammate Jason Orson and his twin brother Joseph.

Director of Jason’s foundation, The Lineup.

And the reason why I’m utterly fucked.

Because while I started to grow attached to this magnetic and beautiful woman, when I told my sister about her, she informed me there was a ring on Natalie’s finger.

A ring that didn’t belong to me.

Hope plummeted in the matter of seconds as I felt the color from my besotted face drain into a puddle of remorse.

She was married.

She is fucking married.

See? Totally fucked.

I’ve been crushing so hard, because even a month later, I still think about her. I can still hear her laugh, see her smile, feel her hand in mine.

I want her.

Fucking bad.

They say time will heal all wounds, well for me, the more time passes, the more my wound is exposed and tormented.

Cory Potter is crushing on a married woman . . .

That is why I am completely and utterly . . . fucked.

My Review

Meghan Quinn's "The Trade" gave me all the feels, and I absolutely loved it. The main characters, Natalie and Cory, were incredibly likeable and well-developed, and the slow burn of their growing relationship kept me on the edge of my seat for hours. Their banter was a tremendous amount of fun, and I enjoyed the way they constantly kept each other on their toes.

Cory was such a kind, sweet, and loving person, and I appreciated the way he treated Natalie as if she were the most precious, beautiful thing in the world. Natalie was also a very sweet person, and she deserved to be treasured after the way her jerk of an ex-husband behaved towards her. However, Cory's protective instincts sometimes went too far, and he had to learn that it was okay to share his burdens with a partner. Natalie was more than capable of helping him to shoulder those burdens.

I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book, especially during Natalie's early dating disasters. I felt bad for her having to go through such terrible experiences, but as an outside observer, I couldn't help but find them hilarious. I also loved Cory's story about his encounter with a crazy fan, which made me laugh so hard I cried. However, there were a number of serious moments in the book too, which really made me empathize with both Cory and Natalie. For example, the way Cory was harassed by the press and his team's fans made me sad, especially because of the toll it took on his health.

The book's secondary characters, particularly Natalie's brother, Jason, added a tremendous amount of depth and fun to the story. Jason was so lovably quirky, and his man crush on Cory made me laugh every time it came up. Now that I have read and loved "The Trade," I look forward to going back and reading Jason and Dottie's story in "The Lineup" (in addition to whatever Ms. Quinn chooses to write next).

*ARC provided by the author via Candi Kane PR.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Blog Tour + Review: "A Simple Wedding" by Leigh Duncan

Today, I'm excited to participate in the blog tour celebrating this week's release of "A Simple Wedding" by Leigh Duncan, the first book in the Heart's Landing series. A full review is included at the end of this post, but in short, "A Simple Wedding" was a sweet story set in the charming, fictional town of Heart's Landing, Rhode Island, known as one of America's premier wedding destinations. There was absolutely no angst to be found anywhere in this book, and I found reading it to be as comforting as a warm cup of tea on a cold winter's day. This story is likely to appeal to readers of Debbie Macomber's and Emily March's books. 

About "A Simple Wedding"

Fall in love with Heart’s Landing,

a romantic wedding destination,

in the first book of a Hallmark series.

Jenny always dreamed of getting married at Heart’s Landing. But when she finally visits the charming small town, she’s there to make wedding arrangements for someone else: her cousin, who also happens to be her boss and a famous movie star. Her cousin wants a simple wedding, not a media circus. To keep the event top-secret, she’s talked her assistant Jenny into pretending she’s the one getting married.

Nick, a baker and lifelong resident of Heart’s Landing, is intrigued by this bride-to-be who starts visiting his bakery for sweet treats and conversation. It seems strange that her fiancé isn’t at least a little involved with the wedding plans.

As Jenny tries to keep up with her fickle cousin’s ever-changing demands—which exasperate the florist, the caterer, and several other vendors—she tries to hide her attraction to Nick. Meanwhile, the people in town talk Nick into trying to distract Jenny with a sightseeing tour in order to keep her from changing her mind again. The more time Nick spends with Jenny, the harder it becomes to remind himself that she’s already spoken for.

Planning this wedding couldn’t be more complicated…and what will happen once the truth comes to light?

Get Your Copy Today: 

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

 

My Review

Leigh Duncan's "A Simple Wedding" was a sweet, romantic story featuring likeable, well-developed characters and a charming setting in the small town of Heart's Landing, Rhode Island. I couldn't help but empathize with the female lead character, Jenny, who found herself in a difficult position when her cousin, Hollywood megastar Karolyn "Kay" Karter, asked her to lie and say that Jenny was planning her own wedding in order to keep Kay's wedding plans a secret from the press. Jenny seemed like a genuinely nice person who wanted to do the right thing, and she knew the kinds of problems her cousin's demands and last-minute changes would create. While I wished for Jenny to have a bit more backbone in dealing with Kay, I understood why she didn't feel that she could say no to her.

The male lead character, bakery owner Nick, also seemed like a genuinely nice person, and he made a wonderful match for Jenny. They were obviously drawn to each other from the first time they met, but couldn't act on their feelings since Jenny was pretending to be engaged to someone else. However, they quickly struck up a friendship, and though they tried to resist, their feelings of friendship grew into something more.

While I mostly enjoyed this story, there were a couple of elements that didn't entirely work for me. First of all, I wasn't quite sure why Jenny's cousin Kay couldn't just ask the wedding service providers to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent them from leaking her plans to the press. If she had done that, Jenny wouldn't have had to tell so many lies. Second, I wasn't clear on how a "true Heart's Landing bride" was identified or why everyone in town went out of their way to help one. I don't remember a specific description being provided, but it seemed like the main criteria were a certain look in one's eyes and not acting like a total bridezilla. Have we really fallen so far as a society that it has become necessary to reward people for acting like decent human beings and not throwing temper tantrums when everything doesn't go their way?

At any rate, I would recommend this book and look forward to reading more stories set in Heart's Landing.

*ARC provided by the author/publisher via InkSlingerPR.  All opinions expressed are my own.