Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Make Me Yours" by Melanie Harlow

I am thrilled to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of "Make Me Yours" by Melanie Harlow, book #2 of the Bellamy Creek series. It reads as a complete standalone, but I adored the first book of the series ("Drive Me Wild") and highly recommend picking it up as well.

 

I've been looking forward to getting my hands on this book ever since I finished the last one, and it did not disappoint. Main characters Cole Mitchell and Cheyenne Dempsey were incredibly likeable and sympathetic, and I loved their teasing banter. Single dad Cole had been focused on raising his daughter Mariah and his job as a police officer ever since his wife's death in childbirth, but when his best friend's younger sister moved into the house next door, he couldn't deny his attraction to her. Cheyenne had been hiding a crush on Cole for years, but she managed to keep it hidden until accidentally sending him a suggestive text late one night. Their relationship grew from there, though it wasn't exactly smooth sailing as Cole was finally forced to deal with his unresolved grief over his wife's death. Cheyenne and Cole really seemed to bring out the best in each other, however, and I found it very easy to cheer them on to their HEA.

Overall, I adored this funny, sweet, emotional story and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to the next book in the series.

 

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

 

 

About "Make Me Yours"

Make Me Yours, an all-new rom com that is all too sexy from USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow is available now! 

 

He’s my brother’s best friend.
The hot single dad next door.
And one accidental sext later, my massive crush on him is no longer a secret.

It’s my own damn fault. I’m thirty years old, for heaven’s sake. I’m a kindergarten teacher and a (reasonably) responsible adult. I should know better than to get tipsy and draft a fake text listing all the dirty things I wish Officer Cole Mitchell would do to me.

I wasn’t supposed to hit send.

He wasn’t supposed to see it.

And he definitely wasn’t supposed to text back telling me to go on...

Because after that, things escalate quickly.

Cole is everything I’ve ever wanted. He’s sexy and protective. A devoted father to his little girl. A dedicated cop the whole town adores. The kind of guy you can trust to keep his hands to himself, even when you’re desperately hoping he won’t. 

I’m not the girl he thought he’d end up with, but after all this time, I might finally get the chance to say the words I’ve always dreamed of . . . make me yours.

Download your copy today or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited! 

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Make Me Yours"

Darlene spoke up. “My mother passed them down to me, and I want to make sure they’re in good condition so I can leave them to Cheyenne when she gets married.” Then she crossed herself and closed her eyes, her lips moving in a quick, silent prayer.

Cheyenne ignored her mother and addressed Mariah again. “My brother and I always had to wash and dry the wedding china on holidays before we went to bed. It took forever.”

“I’d stay and help you, sis, but I have to get Blair home. Sorry.” Griffin gave her a grin that said he wasn’t the least bit sorry, and Cheyenne stuck her tongue out at him.

“Cole, why don’t you stay and give Cheyenne a hand?” My mother suggested, wrapping her scarf around her neck.

“That’s a great idea,” Darlene said brightly. Then she sort of bent over and rubbed one hip, her expression agonized. “I’d help her myself but I’ve been on my feet a lot today and the doctor said that isn’t good for my joints.”

“You should just get to bed, Darlene,”my mother said, shepherding Mariah toward the front door. “Cole will be more than happy to stay and help Cheyenne.”

“Oh, that’s okay.” Cheyenne smiled at me and shook her head. “I can handle them.”

But Darlene beamed at me, reaching over and snatching my coat out of my hands. “That’s so nice of you, Cole. I’ll just hang this in the front closet.” Before she left the room, she and my mother exchanged a look that had me wondering if the whole helping-with-the-dishes thing had been a set-up.

Either way, ten minutes later Cheyenne and I were pushing up our sleeves in the kitchen, the house dark and silent except for the running faucet and the hum of the dishwasher.

“I’ll wash, you dry?” she asked, adding dish soap to the side of the sink she’d plugged and lined with a towel.

“Sure.”

She took a plate from the stack to her left and placed it in the warm soapy water. “Oh! I almost forgot.” Slipping her rings and bracelets off, she set them on the windowsill above the sink. “So I don’t scratch anything,” she explained.

“Oh.” I glanced down at my wedding ring. “It’s okay,” she said quickly. “You don’t have to take it off.”

“It’s fine,” I said, working it off my finger and placing it on the sill next to her jewelry. For some reason, I felt compelled to explain why I still wore it all the time. “Mariah once told me she likes when I wear it, so . . .”

“I think it’s nice, ”she said. “I like a guy who wears his ring. It says something about him, you know?”

I nodded, my attraction to her growing even stronger. “Still, we’d better be careful with these dishes.”

“Damn right, we’d better,” she deadpanned. “This is my fucking wedding china, Cole. If we even look at it wrong, I might end up a spinster.” She laughed as she gently scrubbed the plate with a cloth. “My God. Is she not totally ridiculous?”

“She’s pretty bad,” I agreed, taking the plate from her and carefully drying it with the soft clean towel she’d given me. “But mine wasn’t much better tonight. Did you have the feeling something was up between them as we were saying goodnight?”

“Yes,” she said. “And it’s probably my fault because I made the mistake of telling my mom you bought me dinner last night. In her mind, I believe we are now betrothed.”

I laughed. “That’s all it takes, huh?”

“Apparently. Tomorrow I’ll be pregnant because we washed dishes together after dark.”

“Wow. Guess I should have worn the rubber gloves.” 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Playing with Trouble" by Amy Andrews

I am very excited to participate in today's release blitz celebrating "Playing with Trouble" by Amy Andrews. This book is a crossover between the author's Sydney Smoke Rugby and Credence, Colorado series, but reads as a complete standalone.

 

The romance between main characters Cole and Jane was definitely a slow burn. In fact, it may have gone a bit too slow at first, and that's coming from a reader whose favorite trope is slow burn! In the first half of the book, Cole spent more time with Jane's son Finn than with Jane herself, and while Cole and Jane had a few decent conversations and shared a couple of passionate kisses in that time, it didn't feel like quite enough of a basis for their relationship. Fortunately, things improved substantially about halfway through the book. Cole and Jane finally started to grow closer and I felt the chemistry between them more and more. Despite the obvious challenges they faced, I really liked them together and wanted things to work out for them.

 

Cole was an incredibly likeable and sympathetic lead character. I felt so bad for what he was going through because of his injury and having to come to terms with the end of his professional rugby career. Fortunately, he seemed to be handling it well, and the time he spent with Jane and Finn seemed to be therapeutic in a lot of ways. Cole turned out to be really good with kids, and I loved the scenes of him interacting with the 4- and 5-year-olds during his rugby clinic. His nicknames for them were hilarious, as was his spot-on observation that working with kids at that age is like trying to herd cats.

There were a number of wonderful secondary characters included in this story, many of whom I recognized from earlier books in the Credence, Colorado series. I especially enjoyed the time Cole spent at the Lumberjack bar with Arlo, Tucker, and Drew. I'm still hoping that Arlo and Drew will get stories of their own in the future!
 

Despite the slow start to Jane and Cole's romance, I loved this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story and highly recommend it for fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to seeing what Amy Andrews writes next.

 

*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Grey's Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "Playing with Trouble"

From pro rugby player to...Manny?

Australian rugby pro Cole Hauser has had enough of speculations about his future post-injury. So when a football buddy puts his house in America at Cole's disposal, he jumps at the chance for some peace and anonymity. The plan is perfect--until he discovers he's roomies with a woman who knows how to wield a nail gun and her kid. Awesome. Not.

Single mom Jane Spencer is supposed to be spending four weeks alone in the wilds of Colorado rehabbing a house that'll put her business on the map. Instead, her time is overrun by her four-year-old and a grumpy, too-sexy rugby dude whose only goals are to watch ESPN and brood. Awesome. Not.

When, surprisingly, McHottie offers to get his ass off the couch and help Jane out with Finn, she's hesitant. But before she knows it, Cole is knee-deep in kid activities during the day and they're both fighting their simmering attraction at night.

Anything between them can only be temporary - their time together is short and Cole lives on the other side of the planet. It should be easy to say goodbye, right? Wrong. It doesn't take long for them to realize they've borrowed a whole lot of trouble.

But trouble never felt this good. 

 

Release Blitz + Review: Kitty Valentine Books 5 & 6 by Jillian Dodd

Happy double release day to author Jillian Dodd! Her latest novels, "Kitty Valentine Dates an Actor" and "Kitty Valentine Dates a Best Man," are now available and free to read in Kindle Unlimited.

About the Kitty Valentine Series

Spin the wheel. Date the guy.

Six years ago, Kitty Valentine took the book world by storm when her sweet debut romance hit number one on the New York Times Best Sellers list, which was followed by a string of successful releases.

Her latest novel, however, totally bombs, causing her editor to suggest she write much sexier books. To Kitty, writing smut is the literary equivalent of stripping. But with no advance coming in and her royalties dipping to an all-time low, Kitty has no choice.
 

Armed with a hot-guy spinning prize wheel, made by her best friend, listing all the different types of men she will date and then write about, Kitty will be spinning--not stripping--her way back onto the best-sellers list.

 

My Review 

Book 5: "Kitty Valentine Dates an Actor"

 

Like its predecessors, "Kitty Valentine Dates an Actor" was a ton of fun to read. I loved this fast-paced, funny, sweet story and highly recommend it for all fans of romantic comedy and chick lit.

 

In this installment, Kitty's mission was to date an actor, and she turned to the Internet for help in finding one. Sadly, social media was not kind to Kitty at first, serving up a number of unwanted dick pics and other not-so-pleasant messages. Despite that, Kitty managed to connect with a reader who was part of an actors' group, through which she met her "research subject," actor Rafe. 

 

Rafe wasn't my favorite of Kitty's love interests so far, even though she was obviously smitten with him. He seemed much more interested in his craft than in her. I can't fault his focus or drive; I'm sure they're absolutely necessary to succeed as an actor. That said, Rafe didn't really seem to be in the right headspace for any kind of relationship, casual or otherwise. It wasn't a surprise to me when things didn't work out between them. At any rate, I'm still rooting for Kitty to end up with her neighbor/frenemy Matt. I love the way those two banter and tease each other!

Kitty's best friend, the lovable yet snarky Hayley, went through a tough time in this book, but I continue to adore her and the way that she and Kitty support each other through thick and thin. Kitty's grandmother and her butler/beau, Peter, were also back in this installment. They are the sweetest couple, and Kitty's grandmother consistently makes me LOL with the outrageous things she says.

In conclusion, the Kitty Valentine series seems to get better with every book, and I can't wait to see what's up next for Kitty and her friends.

*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Book 6: "Kitty Valentine Dates a Best Man" 

"Kitty Valentine Dates a Best Man" was yet another cute, funny addition to the Kitty Valentine series. Lovably quirky lead character Kitty was especially snarky and funny in this installment, and I enjoyed the fact that she was able to spend so much time with her best friend Hayley as well as visit a new place. Kitty needs to get out of her comfort zone sometimes!
 

While this wasn't my favorite of Kitty's adventures so far, I think she experienced a tremendous amount of growth in this story. She learned a lot about herself and what she's willing to accept in a romantic relationship. I also appreciated that Hayley's sister Kylie finally pointed out the obvious chemistry between Kitty and her neighbor/frenemy Matt at the end of this installment. I am firmly on Team Matt and hope that the two of them end up together in the end. Their banter and teasing is always a lot of fun.

Overall, I enjoyed "Kitty Valentine Dates a Best Man" and recommend it for all fans of chick lit and romantic comedy. I look forward to the next book in the series.

*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.

Review: "Mistletoe in Malibu" by Lola West

Mistletoe in Malibu by Lola West
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Lola West's "Mistletoe in Malibu," a sweet yet steamy story featuring endearing characters and a well-crafted reverse age gap romance between hairstylist Delores "Dee" Reed and cowboy Buck Marlow.

There was a lot of plot packed into this novella, and I actually felt like I got to know Buck and Dee pretty well. I loved the way that Buck looked at life as an adventure, and that he knew exactly what he wanted in terms of a relationship and wouldn't settle for less. I understood Dee's concerns about getting involved with Buck after she had been hurt before, plus she had to consider the impact on her teenage son in addition to herself. However, Buck was a wonderful, caring man, and he clearly thought that Dee hung the moon. Even though their relationship grew quickly, I truly believed in the strength of their feelings for each other, and it was very easy to cheer them on to their HEA.

This novella is related to West's Big Sky Cowboys series (Buck is a Morgan cousin and Dee is Maddie's friend and business partner from "Tofu Cowboy"), which meant that the Morgan family was back in full force and just as much fun as ever. I adored seeing all of them together for the holidays, and the way they teased each other made me laugh. Buck and Dee fit right in and were a fantastic addition to the Morgan clan.

Overall, I highly recommend "Mistletoe in Malibu" for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to Lola West's next release!

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

View all my reviews

Review: "Art and Soul" by Claire Huston

Art and Soul by Claire Huston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed Claire Huston's "Art and Soul," a sweet, heartwarming slow burn romance between mature, likeable protagonists, Charlie and Becky. They seemed like an old married couple long before either of them admitted their feelings for the other! I loved the way they bonded over simple things such as their mutual hatred of wearing glasses or contacts and their love of old movies.

The relationships that Charlie and Becky developed with each other's children were also an important part of the book, and I liked that they all started to seem so much like a family even before Charlie and Becky became a couple. The way Charlie's daughter Phoebe worried about and tried to take care of her dad was very sweet, though it made me a little sad at the same time because she had obviously been forced to grow up too fast in the wake of her mother's abandonment.

I would recommend "Art and Soul" for all fans of sweet contemporary romance, particularly readers who enjoy British humor and/or authors like Debbie Macomber. I would read more of Ms. Huston's work in the future.

*Review copy provided by the author via Hidden Gems Books. All opinions expressed are my own.

View all my reviews

Release Blitz + Review: "Oh My Garland!" by Melissa Williams

I am very happy to join today's release blitz celebrating "Oh My Garland!" by Melissa Williams, the third and final book of the All My Jingle Ladies series. This short, sweet story reads as a complete standalone. 

 

As in the previous novellas, there wasn't much in the way of character or relationship development, but main characters Noah and Gretchen had great chemistry and it was easy to tell that they genuinely liked each other too. Noah's relationship with Gretchen's daughter Violet was also very cute, though I have to say it was a bit surprising that she was so casual about introducing them and letting them spend time alone together. If it were me, I would have been concerned about allowing a stranger to spend time alone with my child, not to mention what might happen if Violet got attached to Noah and the relationship didn't work out. Fortunately, there was basically zero conflict between Gretchen and Noah, and they were pretty much together from the moment they met without even the need for much discussion.

In terms of the characters and setup, "Oh My Garland!" was probably my favorite of these three novellas, although I think I might have liked it better as a full-length novel. In that scenario, Noah and Gretchen's relationship could have developed at a more realistic pace, plus there were a number of aspects that could have been more thoroughly explored, including Noah coming to terms with the end of his football career and what he wanted to do next, Gretchen's struggles as a single mom, and her need to learn to trust again after having been hurt by Violet's father. It might also have been nice if at least one of the novellas had been based on a trope other than insta-love, especially since the three were released so close together. Variety is always a good thing IMO!
 

Overall, "Oh My Garland!" was a quick, funny, steamy read and I would recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I plan to check out the author's Donut Disturb series next. (Hopefully those books are based on tropes other than insta-love...)
 

*Review copy provided by the author via Grey's Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "Oh My Garland!"

Fall in fa-la-love this holiday season with bell ensemble group All My Jingle Ladies. Three feisty bell-ringing friends must face the music when the magic of Christmas brings them their happily ever afters.

I’m a retired football player. So I know how to make a season count.
I may not be a player anymore, but when I set my sights on single-mom Gretchen, I know I’m going to have to up my game. Our first meeting leaves her bristling, and I’ll have to pull out all the stops to get on her nice list. She may be busy decking other people’s halls with boughs of holly, but by Christmas we’ll be wrapped up in each other. 

 

All My Jingle Ladies suggested reading order:

• Jingle Lady
• Jolly Hour
• Oh My Garland!
  

Release Blitz + Excerpt + Review: "Head Over Heels for the Holidays" by Jennifer Bernard

I am thrilled to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Head Over Heels for the Holidays" by Jennifer Bernard, book #7 of the Lost Harbor series. While each book can easily be read as a standalone, I highly recommend the entire series for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance. Besides creating compelling stories and wonderful characters, the author does such a beautiful job of describing Alaska's scenery and lifestyle in these books that she has convinced me of the need to add our 49th state to my (already lengthy) travel bucket list.

 

I've really enjoyed getting to know police chief Maya Badger over the course of this series, so to say that I have looked forward to her story might be something of an understatement. "Head Over Heels for the Holidays" more than lived up to my expectations, delivering a well-crafted slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance and a fast-paced plot with a nice touch of intrigue and suspense. Maya and her love interest, Rune, were so cute together! I enjoyed their banter and the stories they shared of childhood days in Hawaii. Maya has always seemed so tough and no-nonsense in previous books, and it was fun to see a different side of her with Rune when she finally lowered her defenses and let him in.
 

In addition to the central romance between Maya and Rune, I really enjoyed the aspects of the plot related to the investigation of criminal activity in Lost Souls Wilderness and the pursuit of Rune's sister Cara's stalker. I felt so bad for Cara; it's not fair for anyone to have to experience such trauma, but the fact that Cara was so young when the stalking began made it seem even worse to me. Cara herself was delightful, however, and I loved that she was able to remain so positive despite the challenges she faced. Her friendship with Maggie, the teenager who had been kidnapped as a baby and raised in isolation in Lost Souls Wilderness, was a highlight of the book for me. It was great to see them acting like normal teenagers for a while, having sleepovers and worrying about grades and boys.

Overall, "Head Over Heels for the Holidays" was a fast-paced, funny, and sweet story with the perfect amount of steam. I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and look forward to Jennifer Bernard's next release.

 

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

 

 

About "Head Over Heels for the Holidays"

Is he the cure for her holiday heartbreak?

Ever since her ex-boyfriend dumped her on Christmas Eve, the holiday season has been tough for Maya Badger—especially since Lost Harbor, Alaska, pulls out all the stops for the holidays. Sure, she could focus on her police work and her father’s recovery from heart surgery. But when her dad’s home healthcare nurse turns out to be her childhood buddy—all grown up and the stuff of her naughtiest fantasies—she may have a solution to her holiday blues. After all, Jay-Jay always was the perfect playmate!

Rune Larsen hasn’t been skinny little Jay-Jay in a long time…not since he and his teen sister were forced to change their names to avoid Cara’s stalker. Taking a job in tiny, remote Lost Harbor seems like the perfect way to stay one step ahead of danger. The fact that his childhood friend is the town police chief is a bonus. Not to mention the fact that Maya has grown into a beautiful bronze goddess. Hell, even her serious cop side is a turn-on…though he’s up for the challenge of bringing some fun back into her life.

In fact, if they can navigate a stalker, a runaway yak, eleventy-billion holiday parties and a criminal investigation into the dark side of Lost Souls Wilderness, Rune just may convince Maya to fall head over heels for the holidays…and beyond.

 

Check out the book trailer for "Head Over Heels for the Holidays"!

Read an Excerpt from "Head Over Heels for the Holidays"

Without thinking too hard about it, Maya rose to her feet and grabbed Rune by the collar of his jacket, pulling him close. “How about a fake kiss?” she asked quickly. “Just make it look good from a distance.”

He flashed her a pirate grin and cupped her face with his free hand. “My pleasure. I’m an excellent fake kisser.”

“Come on, hurry.”

He bent his head over hers, but he still didn’t go for the kiss. “You can’t hurry a fake kiss, or it will look fake. We’re flirting, we’re completely caught up in each other, we don’t even care that we’re drifting on the open ocean. Keep looking at me, just like that except without the ‘what the hell are you talking about’ expression.”

She smothered a laugh and relaxed her face into a dazzled smile. As if Rune was the most wonderful thing in the world, better than chocolate and bubble baths combined.

He blinked, as if she’d momentarily thrown him off his game with her smile. A personal triumph, she figured.

“That’s…good,” he said, a little more strained than before.

For a fake kiss, he sure was overthinking it. They needed to get this thing done.

She took command and wrapped her hand around the back of his neck. Tugging him down, she offered him her mouth. “Let’s do this,” she hissed. “Tick-tock.”

Honestly, why did she always have to be the one with any common sense? If those men onshore had binoculars, they were already watching. To throw them off, she only had a few moments. If the men thought they’d been busted, they might rework their entire comms system. The lead would be worthless. The source would be burned. The case back to square one.

And then all thoughts of logic flew from her mind as Rune claimed her lips with a kiss that sent shock waves through her system. Warmth…sizzle…sunshine…all of it swirled together in a rush of brilliant pleasure. His lips were firm and generous at the same time, as if they were inviting her into his world. A world where she would be queen and he would be whatever she needed.

A kind of exhilaration swept through her and she parted her lips for more. He gave it to her, sweeping his tongue inside the cave of her mouth, where every surface tingled and warmed at his touch.

Fake kiss, my ass.

This was the real thing and she couldn’t get enough of it. She drank him in as if she’d been starving for this, pining for it. Her mind—always working, always on guard—let go like an anchor releasing her to drift on the current. She lost herself in the flood of pure physical joy.

She staggered as the boat got slammed with a supersized wave. Rune held her tight so she didn’t lose her balance. “I need to steer this thing,” he murmured against her lips before turning back to the helm.

“Yes. Yeah. Of course.” She ran her tongue across her lips, tasting salt from the spray and sweet from Rune. She plopped down onto the bench as he wrestled with the wheel. Picking up her binoculars, she focused on the spot where the two men had been.

They were gone—or maybe her angle had changed and she couldn’t see them anymore.

She dropped her glasses and sighed. Hopefully she hadn’t messed anything up by making them suspicious. “Go ahead and pick up speed. Let’s keep going toward Mount Sage for a bit.”

“Roger that.”

Was his voice a little gruffer than usual? Was it the effect of the salt in the air?

He put the boat in gear and they cruised farther into the bay. She watched the little cove as it receded into the distance, swallowed up by the greater landscape of forests and rugged outcroppings.

What now? How to handle this? She and Rune had kissed, and there was no way she could forget about it the way she had when she was a kid.

Maybe never mention it again?

Or maybe do it again?

The tempting thought hovered out there like the promise of an ice cream sundae after a long week. Treat yo-self, she could imagine her cousin Reecie in Anchorage saying. Go for it, Kate would urge. I knew it, Jessica would say.

“Tell me when you’re ready to head back,” Rune said. “It’s your call.” His voice had returned to normal. She wondered what he was thinking about this situation. Then again, he didn’t overthink things like she did. He probably wasn’t worried about it at all. He probably kissed people all the time—all those non-girlfriend “girls” he’d talked about.

“I will,” she told him. “Give it a few more minutes.”

“The other thing is your call too,” Rune said softly, his attention still on the choppy water ahead.

“What are you talking about?”

“I know you’re trying to decide what to do about that kiss. I can see your wheels spinning from here.”

“I’m not—okay, I am. I didn’t intend for it to be like that.”

“It’s my fault.” His voice shifted to a jaunty cheerfulness. “My pride was hurt that you forgot the first kiss. I was aiming for ‘best kiss.’ One that you wouldn’t forget. That’s all.”

It wasn’t all. She could hear it in his voice. It was so much more complicated than that. Friendship, attraction, sizzle…all that, lined up against her better judgment. But even so, it touched her that he was trying to make the whole thing easier for her.

“Best kiss? Isn’t that a little arrogant?” She adopted a teasing tone to match his.

“Second best? Third? Just tell me it wasn’t the worst. Gotta start somewhere.”

“It wasn’t the worst.”

That was as far as she could go right now. 

And maybe it was the best. Because right at this moment, she couldn’t think of any other specific kiss that might compete with it.

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Oh, Fudge" by Erin Nicholas

I am pleased to participate in today's release blitz celebrating "Oh, Fudge" by Erin Nicholas, book #5 of the Hot Cakes series. It also serves as a prequel to "Four Weddings and a Swamp Boat Tour," book #6 of the Boys of the Bayou series, scheduled for release in February 2021. Characters from previous books in both series make appearances here, but readers do not need to have read the earlier stories to enjoy this one.

"Oh, Fudge" was a short, funny, sweet story with just the right amount of heat. Main characters Paige and Mitch were quite likeable and had great chemistry. They seemed to have a lot in common, and I really liked the way their connection grew in such a short amount of time together. What I most appreciated is that the story did not end in a cliffhanger. Mitch and Paige left things in a good place, and I am excited to see where their story goes from here.

I will definitely be picking up "Four Weddings and a Swamp Boat Tour" when it's released, and in the meantime, I recommend "Oh, Fudge" for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy.

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

 

 

About "Oh, Fudge"

Oh, Fudge, an all-new sexy and sweet small-town romance from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas is available now!

Paige Asher likes her men the way she likes her coffee: hot, slightly sweet, and only to-go.

The hot friend-of-a-friend she had a scorching single night with was just about perfect--tall, rugged, with a sexy drawl...and on the road out of town by six a.m. the next morning. Long before her mom could start picking out wedding flowers.

But now she can't stop thinking about the Louisiana boy. His texts make her smile and she suddenly has a craving for gumbo all the time...hot and spicy and far from home.

Mitch Landry had no idea Iowa would be so hospitable to a visitor. He knew the Midwest had a reputation for friendliness but his welcome gift--a sassy, sweet blond who is as no-strings-attached as he is--was a dream come true six months ago.

But why is he still texting her? And why did he jump at the chance to come back to Iowa? And why is he so annoyed by her obvious phobia to commitment this time around? And why is he pretty sure leaving Paige this time is going to be one of the hardest things he's ever done?

Damn, is this what falling in love feels like?

Oh, fu...fudge.

* A cross-over between the Hot Cakes series and Boys of the Bayou series 

* A prequel to Boys of the Bayou book 6

 

Blog Tour + Review: "Duke I'd Like to F..." Historical Romance Anthology

I am super excited to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of the "Duke I'd Like to F..." historical romance anthology, featuring stories by authors Sierra Simone, Joanna Shupe, Eva Leigh, Nicola Davidson, and Adriana Herrera. I used to read nothing but historical romance, but I've gotten away from it in the past few years after discovering so many wonderful contemporary authors and needing to catch up on their backlists. Historical will always be my first love, however, and it's comforting to come back to it whenever I find the time. That's one of the reasons I was so excited to pick up this anthology. The other is the fantastic selection of authors included; I've read Joanna Shupe and Eva Leigh before and loved them, as well as a few of Adriana Herrera's contemporaries. 

 

The stories from the three authors mentioned above more than lived up to my expectations, and I am happy to recommend this anthology based on them alone. I haven't had a chance to read Sierra Simone or Nicola Davidson's stories yet, but plan to come back to them as soon as I find the time.

 

I haven't yet had a chance to write reviews of the individual stories, but at some point (hopefully in the near future!) I will update this post to include them. In the meantime, I highly recommend "Duke I'd Like to F..." for all fans of historical romance. I will definitely make time to read more work by these authors in the future! 

*Review copy provided by the authors via Candi Kane PR. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "Duke I'd Like to F..."

He’s got big duke energy… 

The Chasing of Eleanor Vane - Sierra Simone 

Ajax Dartham, the Duke of Jarrell, has a problem. And that problem is his future niece-in-law. When the clever and capable Lady Eleanor Vane—understandably—runs off into the night rather than marry his horrible nephew, the Duke has a choice. Should he catch Eleanor and return her to her fate—or make Eleanor his own instead?

My Dirty Duke - Joanna Shupe
Violet knows that her father's best friend, the Duke of Ravensthorpe, is the most powerful man in all of London with a reputation for sin. But nothing can stop Violet from wanting to shed her wallflower ways and fulfill her darkest, most forbidden desires...even if it means seducing a man twice her age.

An Education In Pleasure - Eva Leigh
As a governess to the Duke of Tarrington, Cecilia Holme resigns herself to a passionless life. Except now the old duke is dead and Owen, the new duke, is very tempting—and much younger. Is the chance to give Owen an education in pleasure too enticing to refuse? 

Duke For Hire - Nicola Davidson 

As her fiery clergyman father chases away all suitors, Miss Ada Blair is resigned to spinsterhood. Yet while she can’t wed, bedding might be another matter. One man meets all her requirements for a discreet and expert pleasure tutor—Jasper Muir, Duke of Gilroy—but he insists on a very wicked contract… 

 

The Duke Makes Me Feel... - Adriana Herrera 

Dukes and their demands are nothing new for Marena Baine-Torres. Her newfound success has her little apothecary teeming with ill-mannered aristocrats. But as tiresome as they are, she needs the business. When the unflappable Duke of Linley storms into her shop and makes her an offer she’d be a fool to refuse, Marena soon finds herself on the adventure of a lifetime with a man who is as infuriating as he is intriguing.

 

Review: "Dashing Through the No" by Tara Sivec

Dashing Through the No by Tara Sivec
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tara Sivec's "Dashing Through the No" made me laugh so hard I cried, and I absolutely loved it. This book reads as a standalone despite being the third book of the Summersweet Island series, but main characters Bodhi and Tess were introduced and played significant roles in the earlier books, so I would still recommend reading the series in order. (Besides, the first two books are every bit as awesome as this one - don't miss out!)

I enjoyed Tess and Bodhi's antics before, but after getting to know them better in "Dashing Through the No," I completely adore them both. Their behavior makes a lot more sense now and isn't quite as crazy as I originally thought it was, but it is still very funny. For example, Tess's hypochondria and obsession with fires were both hysterical, but the reasons behind them somehow made her very relatable. Learning about Bodhi's awful parents and childhood made him very relatable too, apart from the times he turned into an overgrown toddler hopped up on sugar. I'm pretty sure Tess deserves sainthood for not murdering Bodhi or at least punching him a few times to get him to settle down! They obviously had a very special connection, and I especially loved that they read "bedtime stories" (romance novels) together at Bodhi's insistence.

The book's secondary characters were fantastic and added so much depth and humor to this story. It was wonderful to see Allie, Jason, and Millie from "Christmas Cliche" again! I would still love for Millie to get her own book. Sheldon the stalker was also hilarious. I loved the way he would sneak up on people and casually offer tips and/or weapons for kidnapping or murder. Despite that, they still let him keep hanging around!

Overall, "Dashing Through the No" was a tremendous amount of fun, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I am very much looking forward to Sivec's next release.

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

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Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Better Luck Next Time" by Denise Grover Swank and A.R. Casella

I am delighted to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of "Better Luck Next Time" by Denise Grover Swank and A.R. Casella, book #2 of the Asheville Brewing series. While it reads as a standalone, I highly recommend picking up the first book in the series ("Any Luck at All") as well because I loved it.

 

I've been excited to dive into this story ever since I finished the last book, and it turned out to be even better than I had hoped. When we last saw her, lead character Adalia Buchanan was kind of a hot mess, having recently been bailed out of trouble (literally) by her older sister, Georgie, and relocating from New York City to Asheville for a fresh start. Despite her problems, Adalia was incredibly sweet, funny, and likeable, and I really wanted good things to happen for her. Adalia's love interest, Finn Hamilton, also seemed to be a good person in spite of the various conflicts between him, Georgie, and Georgie's boyfriend, River. 

 

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect of Finn and Adalia as a couple because they seemed so different, but they proved that opposites attract because the free-spirited artist and the preppy businessman worked surprisingly well together. I loved how supportive Finn was of Adalia's art, even if he didn't always show his support in exactly the right way. He saw her talent immediately and encouraged her to get back to doing what she loved, because he could tell that she needed art in her life to be happy. In return, Adalia encouraged Finn to find a path that would make him happy, even if it turned out to be something a bit different than what he'd expected. 

The book's secondary characters were just as much fun here as they were in the previous book, particularly River's aunt Dottie. Jezebel the devil cat still ruled the roost in hilarious fashion, though surprisingly, she seemed to become attached to Georgie and Adalia's half-brother Jack. Speaking of Jack, I enjoyed getting to know him a bit better and finally learning the secret he had been hiding back in Chicago, which wasn't quite what I expected it to be. I'm excited for Jack's story to come in the next book, when he will be paired with River and Finn's friend Maisie.

Overall, I loved "Better Luck Next Time" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book of the series. 

 

*Review copy provided by the authors via Social Butterfly PR. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "Better Luck Next Time"

The last person she wants might be the second chance she needs.

Better Luck Next Time, an all-new funny and heartfelt standalone romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Denise Grover Swank and A.R. Casella is available now!

Adalia Buchanan broke up with art, but it won’t break up with her. So she paints in secret, then destroys her work. Her mentor stole her art months ago, and she’ll never share her work again.

After he sold his brewery, Finn Hamilton’s life was supposed to be on an upward trajectory. Instead, he’s lost his way. When he stumbles upon Adalia destroying her painting, two thoughts come to mind: one, she looks like a Valkyrie with blonde hair swinging and paint flying from her blade, and two, she’s talented. Very talented.

Suddenly, she's no longer the sassy sister of his best friend’s girlfriend—she’s an intriguing, beautiful woman he’s dying to get to know better.

Too bad Adalia, who's infatuated with Pride and Prejudice, thinks he’s arrogant and conceited, a modern-day Mr. Darcy.

Then again, Elizabeth Bennett changed her mind about Darcy, so there may be hope for them yet...if they can survive an evil cat, a goat-obsessed artist, and their meddling families. 

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Better Luck Next Time"

“Working outside of the office?” Finn asked once he’d lowered himself into the other chair.

“Sort of.” Adalia didn’t feel like telling him what she was really up to. Not after what he’d said to her. She was worried she’d see disappointment in his eyes, although for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why his opinion mattered. “But mostly playing the ‘Who are you?’ game.” She was slightly embarrassed to admit it, but it felt safer than talking about the résumé. Or her art.

He leaned back, his upper shoulder pressed against the railing around the small seating area, his arms crossed over his chest—did he always wear button-downs or polos?—and an amused look lit up his eyes. “Okay, you’ve got me. What’s the ‘Who are you?’ game?”

“It’s simple,” she said, leaning forward, sure this would scare him off. He might talk like a poet, but he was still a rich boy businessman. His name was Finn Hamilton, for God’s sake. “You find someone walking by and come up with a story about who they are and where they’re going.”

He cocked an eyebrow.

“I’ll start.” She scanned the street and found the mother pushing the stroller as she emerged from a store. “That’s Willow. She’s a former executive of some BS company from Charlotte—they probably made toilet paper or something. Then her husband got a hair up his butt to move to Asheville. She was reluctant at first, but see that yoga mat sticking out of the bottom of the stroller?”

Finn turned slightly, nodding when he caught sight of the woman.

“She joined a Mommy and Me yoga play group and she’s considering becoming a yogi.”

His slight smile turned into a full-blown amused grin. “And her baby’s name?”

“Fig Tree, Tree being the middle name, of course.”

“Of course,” he said, still smiling. “But you never said where they were going.”

“Home. The baby’s about to go down for a nap and she’s eager to try the tantric sex method she learned from the instructor while they sipped organic oolong tea after class.”

Adalia had said it to shock him. She was pretty good at catching people off guard, and she’d come to recognize it for what it was—a defense mechanism to keep others at a distance. And she definitely needed to keep Finn at a distance. Only he didn’t look as taken aback as she’d expected. Instead, he pursed his lips as though giving it some thought. “Interesting how you jumped right to sex.”

A slow smile spread across her face. He’d surprised her, and she delighted in surprises. Good surprises. “You disagree?”

He let his arms drop to his sides and sat up slightly. “No, quite the opposite.” He turned slightly to glance at the woman before turning back to Adalia. “I’m sure her husband is already waiting at home, ready to strip her naked the moment she walks through the door.”

The way he said it made Adalia shiver with anticipation, but she mentally shook herself. This was Finn. The man who’d betrayed River by selling Big Catch to one of those mega conglomerates with so many product lines the people who ran it probably only knew about half of them. Finn Hamilton was much too good-looking, rich, and cocky for his own good. He was used to getting anything and anyone he wanted, and she wouldn’t be one of his conquests. Not her and not her art either. 

 

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