Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "A Kiss for a Kiss" by Helena Hunting

Today, I'm thrilled to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of "A Kiss for a Kiss" by Helena Hunting, book #4 of the All In series. It reads as a standalone, though characters from the earlier books in the series make appearances in this one.

I've been looking forward to reading Jake Masterson and Hanna Kingston's story ever since I finished the last book of this series a year ago; thankfully, it turned out to be even better than I had hoped. I'm always a fan of romances featuring mature protagonists, and "A Kiss for a Kiss" was an especially good one. Nothing about Jake and Hanna's relationship was simple because of the connection they shared through their children, Ryan and Queenie. Jake and Hanna's chemistry was undeniable from the moment they met, however, and what started as an easy friendship eventually became so much more. Finding out that Hanna was pregnant was a shock for them both, and they each had a lot of complicated feelings and emotional baggage to work through. I loved that they were always so open with each other about what they were feeling and that they worked together to make the best possible decisions for themselves and their family.

Overall, I adored this sweetly emotional, heartwarming story and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance. I can't wait to find out what Helena Hunting comes up with next.

 

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

 

About "A Kiss for a Kiss"

A Kiss for A Kiss, an all-new surprise baby, mature adult romance from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting, is available now!

I’m Jake Masterson, single dad, and the General Manager of Seattle’s NHL team. I walked away from a career as a player so I could raise my daughter. For the last twenty-plus years, Queenie has been my main priority, but now she’s getting married.

And there’s a small complication.

A beautiful, sexy complication named Hanna.

She’s my son-in-law’s older sister. Or at least that’s how they were raised. The truth is a little more scandalous than that.

I’ve been drawn to her from the moment I laid eyes on her. And I spent months trying to keep a lid on that attraction.

Until we finally give in.

It starts with one searing kiss, but quickly ends with us between the sheets—and in the shower, and the hot tub, you get the picture—and turns into months of sneaking around.

Here’s the problem: we live on opposite ends of the country. It can’t be anything but casual. And as I’ve already said…it’s complicated.

But when Hanna finds out she’s pregnant…suddenly things get real serious. 

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "A Kiss for a Kiss"

“You’re trouble tonight, aren’t you?” Her fingertips dance along my traps as she brushes past me. “And yes, to answer your question, I did, in fact, bring the red bikini.”

She disappears down the hall to the spare bedroom, where she’s sleeping tonight. Because I invited her to stay at my place this weekend rather than at King’s. It’s not that she isn’t welcome there. It’s more that she wants them to have their privacy. It also means I get more time with Hanna, so it’s a win all the way around. And I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been thinking a lot about time alone with her this weekend.

I change into my swim trunks, pour myself a scotch, heavy on the rocks, and her a glass of wine before I make my way outside. I set the drinks on the outdoor dining table, remove the hot tub cover and check the temperature, making sure it’s not too hot.

Once I carry the drinks over and set them in the cup holders, I sink into the hot, bubbly water, stretch my arms out, let my head fall back and my eyes close. All the time I’ve been spending with Hanna is starting to get to me.

Reminding me that I’m in my forties, and very much still a bachelor. There are a lot of reasons why getting involved with Hanna on a romantic level would not be a good idea. Queenie and King’s relationship being at the forefront.

But she’s fun. And sexy. And we get each other.

A minute later, the sound of the sliding door opening and closing and the slap of flip-flops against the deck have me cracking a lid.

“You better not be sleeping already!” she calls out.

“Not sleeping, just waiting on you.”

I watch as she pulls the tie on her robe and the terry fabric slips over her shoulders, revealing that red bikini I’m such a fan of. Hanna is all curves. Amazing curves. The kind I’ve fantasized about putting my hands on plenty of times over the past several months. And with us spending a lot more time together, it’s been hard not to give in to the constant draw.

I rise from the water and hold out a hand as she climbs the steps. Her fingers slip into my palm, sending a jolt down my spine and a stirring inside my swim trunks.

“Could you try to be a little less beautiful all the time?”I tease as I help her into the tub. “Could you try to have more of a dad bod?” She drags her fingers down my abs, brows waggling, a smile on her gorgeous face. “You are definitely good for my ego, Jake.” She pats me on the chest and sinks into the water on the opposite side of the tub from me.

Which is probably a good thing since I feel like we’re playing with fire tonight. The kind I wouldn’t mind pouring a gallon of gasoline on just to watch it burn brighter.

“That was a great engagement party. I think the kids had fun, don’t you?”She stretches her legs out. Her toes skim the outside of my thigh and I barely resist the urge to run my hand up her calf.

I don’t know what’s in the air tonight, but things seem…different. Heightened.

“Yeah. It was good,” I agree. She pokes me with her toe. “Then why are you frowning? You’ve been off all night. What’s going on?” With all the planning and talks we’ve been having, Hanna and I have gotten to know each other better. And she can read me pretty easily.

“I don’t know. On one hand, I’m happy for King and Queenie and I know he’s going to be a great husband to my daughter, but I spent all these years raising her, and being there for her. They’ve been living together for months, but for some reason, it’s all kind of hitting me. It’s real now.” I take a sip of my scotch. “It’s different from when she went away to college, and even when she moved out of the pool house and in with King. There’s this hole I didn’t expect.”

“It sounds like empty nester’s syndrome.” She moves to the spot beside to me, where the glass of wine I poured her sits.

“Is that what this is? I’m all morose and shit.”

She chuckles and props her elbow on the edge of the tub. “You need to look at it with a fresh perspective, that’s all. You’re not losing your daughter. It’s different with girls. Sure, she’s found her partner in life, but she’s always going to be your baby girl. And the two of you are so close.”

“I don’t know what to do with all of this freedom,” I admit. “My entire life up to this point has been revolved around raising Queenie and my career.”

“Which means you did your job. And that’s a good thing. Think about it, Jake. This is the great part about having a kid young. Sure, you lost out on the freedom of your twenties, but in some ways, this is even better. You’re in your forties. You have a great job, you’re in incredible shape.” She twists and pulls her knee up so it rests against my thigh, her arm extending along the back of the tub, fingertips skimming my . “You have all of your hair.”

“I’m definitely grateful for the last one,” I joke.

“You have great hair.” She runs her fingers through it. “It’s sexy.” She bites her lip and then shakes her head. “Anyway, what I’m saying is, you’re in the prime of your life. Most people in their forties are raising teens, or maybe their kids are getting ready to go to college. You’ve done all that. Now you can just live. You can date. Have fun. Do whatever you want.”

“Fun would be good.”My gaze drops to her lips. “And I’d like to do whatever I want.”

“Me, too.” Her bottom lip slides through her teeth. “Like right now I could kiss you.”

“You definitely could.” I skim her thigh under the water with my fingertips.

She nods. “There’s nothing stopping us.”

“So why aren’t your lips on mine yet?” I ask.

Hanna shifts again, her wet palms come to rest on either side of my jaw, and she presses her soft lips to mine.

I slip my hand under her hair and wrap it around the back of her neck. For a moment, I question whether this is a good idea. But when our lips part and our tongues meet, I forget all the reasons why it might not be.

I groan as I sink into the kiss and our tongues tangle. She tastes fruity, like the wine she’s been drinking. She straddles me and settles in my lap, her breasts pressing against my chest.

She breaks the kiss for a moment and our eyes meet. “I’ve been thinking about this for months.”

“I’ve wanted to know what your lips taste like since the first day I met you.” 

 

***

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Match Made in Paradise" by Barbara Dunlop

Thanks so much to Berkley for inviting me to take part in the blog tour celebrating the release of "Match Made in Paradise" by Barbara Dunlop, book #1 of the Paradise, Alaska series. 

"Match Made in Paradise" was a funny, sweet opposites attract romance between fashion model Mia Westberg and Alaskan bush pilot Silas Burke. Needing an escape from the unrelenting media attention in the wake of her much older husband's death, Mia decided to visit her cousin Raven in rural Alaska. She hoped that her stay would be a short one and she would soon be able to return home to Los Angeles to take control of her late husband's fashion empire, which had been left to her in his will. Her husband's children had contested the will, however, leaving Mia at loose ends until the matter was decided through the courts. 

 

Culture shock started to set in for Mia before she had even arrived in the small town of Paradise, when she met Silas, the pilot for the final leg of her journey. Neither of them made a good first impression on the other, but there was an undeniable spark of attraction between them that only grew as Mia started to make herself at home in Alaska. She wasn't successful at everything she tried, but she was hardworking, persistent, and much more intelligent than most people credited. She and Silas weren't an obvious pairing, but by the end it was apparent that they truly brought out the best in each other.

I really enjoyed the book's small town Alaska setting as well as the quirky, interesting secondary characters. My favorites were Mia's cousin Raven and Silas's boss Brodie; I hope they will become a couple in a future book. However, I had mixed feelings about the end of the book, particularly Mia and Raven's plan to "import" women from California and play matchmaker with the single men of Paradise. What exactly are the women supposed to do if they end up moving to Paradise? There doesn't seem to be much work for them, and there's not really any housing, either. Frankly, the whole thing felt kind of forced as a setup for future books, though I enjoyed this book enough to give it a chance.

Despite my misgivings near the end of the book, I enjoyed "Match Made in Paradise" and would recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I plan to continue with the series.

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

 

About "Match Made in Paradise"

The first in an enchanting new contemporary romance series featuring rugged Alaskan pilots who are about to meet their match from New York Times bestselling author Barbara Dunlop.

Supermodel Mia Westberg finds herself on the run from the paparazzi after the death of her much older husband. In order to stay out of the public eye until the fate of her late husband’s fashion house is decided, Mia leaves behind her lavish Los Angeles lifestyle for the wilderness of Alaska—a place where no reporter would follow. It’s immediately clear that Mia isn’t ready for everything Paradise, Alaska has in store for her: the wild animals, insanely harsh weather, and a gorgeous no-nonsense bush pilot who is immune to her charms.

When pilot Silas Burke flies a beautiful blonde into town, he thinks he has her all figured out from the jump. She’s a city girl who has no business in the rough Alaskan terrain. Silas decides against his better judgment to help Mia acclimate to life in Paradise after seeing her struggle. But he’s an impatient teacher and she’s a frustrated pupil—and nothing gets them more fired up than each other. Can these two polar opposites find common ground and let their hearts soar? 

Read an Excerpt from "Match Made in Paradise"

Magnificent was the first word that came to Mia’s mind. If she was casting a model for a rugged, outdoors spread to attract women from far and wide, inspiring them to buy something for their own man from a new Lafayette wilderness clothing line, this would be her guy. There was a hint of irony in his half-smile, a hint of mischief in his blue eyes. He was fit and tall and confident enough to take on the wild. They’d make a fortune.

He looked her over from head to toe. Then he moved his attention to her luggage.

The five men rolled to their feet.

“Hey, Silas,” one of them said.

“Ricardo,” the man, obviously a pilot, and apparently named Silas, said in return.

“How’s it going?” another of the men asked Silas.

“Welcome back to the grind,” Silas said.

The other man grinned and nodded.

They all hoisted their backpacks and lifted their compact duffle bags to head for the door.

Silas, the pilot, stepped to one side, out of their way, while Mia sat down to wait.

“I take it you’re Mia,” Silas said.

She looked up, met his bright blue eyes and felt her chest tighten and her toes tingle in recognition of his sex appeal.

Yeah, she was a woman and she was alive, and he was a perfect specimen of a man.

Then it hit her. He knew her name.

“You’re here for me?” she asked. She’d thought he was here for those men.

“I’m from Paradise.”

“But?” She looked through the glass to where the five men trooped to a small airplane parked on the tarmac.

He waited.

“What about them?” she asked.

“We’re dropping them off.” He moved toward her, nodding at her luggage. “Raven didn’t tell you to pack light?”

Mia looked at her things. “This is light.”

“Lady, we’re getting into a Navajo PA-31 with five other passengers who, as you can see, are heavier than the average weight.” He picked her bags up one at a time, seeming to test them for weight. “They’re my paying cargo. You’re a ride-along.”

“I’m going with them?” Mia was still getting past that information.

Silas pulled her biggest roller-bag to one side. “You have to leave this behind.”

“What?” Was he insane?

“Becky?” he called over his shoulder. “Can you store this bag?”

“Sure,” the woman named Becky said.

“No!” Mia cried out.

Silas gave her a glare of impatience. “Okay, then these two.” He pointed to her garment bag and her carry-on.

“No way.” She shook her head. She could not leave her carry-on behind. “I’ll put this one on my lap.”

“It’s a weight issue, not space.”

“But . . .”

“Those two?” He pointed to her smaller roller-bag and the garment bag.

That was a bit better but still not doable.

Becky joined them, obviously waiting to see which bags she’d be storing in the FBO.

“There must be some other way?” Mia tried her ice-princess look, the one that usually got her what she expected. When that didn’t seem to move Silas, she changed her expression, hoping to appeal to his compassion. “Maybe one of those guys could . . .”

“Those guys are heading to a drilling camp for three weeks. They took exactly what they needed.”

Mia didn’t have an answer for that.

Silas folded his arms over his chest, his expression implacable. “I am not crashing the airplane so you can bring your makeup and evening gowns.”

“My . . .” She started to be affronted but then dialed it back. Okay, she had brought one dress that could be considered an evening gown. It was a gown, and she could wear it in the evening, not to a super-formal event, but surely to anything that happened in Alaska.

“You coming or not?” He looked fully prepared to leave her behind.

“Fine. But I have to rearrange a few things.”

Silas muttered something under her breath.

Before he could tell her no, Mia quickly crouched and unzipped her smaller roller-bag. She pulled out the essentials: panties, bras and nighties. It figured he’d have to get a look at her underwear. But that was the kind of day she was having.

 

***

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Heavy Petting" by Erin Nicholas

Today, I'm delighted to participate in the blog tour celebrating the publication of "Heavy Petting" by Erin Nicholas, book #2 of the Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild series. It reads as a complete standalone, though characters from the previous book as well as the earlier Boys of the Bayou series make cameo appearances in this story.

"Heavy Petting" was a tremendously funny, sweet friends-to-lovers romance between lifelong best friends Jordan Benoit and Fletcher Landry. After Jordan suffered through a humiliating public breakup with her longtime boyfriend, Fletcher rushed to her rescue in Las Vegas. He had been in love with Jordan for years, and now that she was single for the first time since they were in high school, there was no way he was going to let her get away again. One media firestorm and an impulsive Vegas wedding later, Jordan and Fletcher returned home to the small town of Autre, Louisiana, confident that their more than twenty years of friendship had taught them everything they needed to know about each other. Unfortunately, Fletcher realized almost immediately that there was one very important thing he didn't know about his new wife: how to make sure that their wedding night was the best she'd ever had. From there, Fletcher's doubts about his ability to be a good husband only continued to grow. He'd always prided himself on being the king of grand gestures, coming to Jordan's rescue when she needed it the most. What if Fletcher wasn't good at the simple, day-to-day realities of being in a long-term relationship? What if he couldn't be the person who made everything perfect for Jordan anymore?

I loved that this story was so different from most romances in that it explored what happened after the HEA and how Fletcher and Jordan had to work to build a life together. The fears and doubts they had to overcome as they adjusted to married life seemed completely real and relatable to me. I also appreciated that they didn't just expect everything to magically work out in the end; they actually communicated with each other about their concerns and expectations along the way. They truly were friends first, and it showed, though it certainly didn't take anything away from the incredible chemistry that only seemed to grow stronger between them over the course of the story.

 

The book's secondary characters were just as endearing as Jordan and Fletcher, and it was wonderful to catch up with favorites from past stories as well as get to know several new additions to the town of Autre. There are so many possibilities for future books with this cast of characters, and I am excited for each and every one of them! 

Overall, I loved "Heavy Petting" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book of the series.

 

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

 

About "Heavy Petting"

Heavy Petting, an all-new heartwarming and laugh-out-loud romantic comedy in the Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild Series by New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas is available now!

He's her best friend.
A reformed bad boy turned hot teacher.
And after one spur-of-the-moment Vegas wedding... her husband.

Jordan Benoit and Fletcher Landry have been best friends since they were six. He's always been The Guy. When she needed picked up, cheered up, or lifted up--like literally, to see the stage at a concert--Fletcher was the guy.

So when her boyfriend dumps her--on national TV--Fletcher immediately gets on a plane and comes to her rescue.

And when she ends up in a Vegas wedding chapel and needs someone to say, "I do"...yep, Fletcher's the guy. Of course.

But being The Guy 24/7 is a lot. He just wants everyone to give him a freaking minute to get this marriage thing right. Including his sexy, sweet new wife who he's wanted for three years. Who is exasperatingly, temptingly all-in from minute one.

Jordan knows what she wants. A life in her hometown. A job with alpacas. And Fletcher. Not necessarily in that order.

They've said the vows. They'd told the world. They've told their grandmas. Forget taking things slow. Forget just heavy petting. Forget any chance of backing out when things get tough. They're going to have to go all the way, in every way.

After all, friends becoming lovers should be the easiest thing in the world. Right?

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Heavy Petting"

“I also think that I need to—”

“Marry me.”

“Date you.”

They spoke at the same time.

Then stared at each other.

“What?”

“What?”

They spoke simultaneously again.

“I was trying to give you some freaking space before I said anything.” He seemed very annoyed suddenly.

She leaned in, bracing her hand on the seat between them. “The last person I need space from is you, Fletcher. I mean, we’ve basically been dating for twenty years. If dating is about getting to know someone and figuring out how well you fit with them and figuring out if you want to spend the rest of your life with them…we’ve done that.”

He shook his head. “You have got to be one of the most exasperating people in my life.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Considering your twin brothers are Zeke and Zander, being one of the most exasperating people in your life is pretty huge.”

He shook his head. “Absolutely exasperating. To think I could’ve kissed you when we were standing next to a king-sized bed and you were only in your bra and panties and you would have been all in.”

Jordan felt her cheeks flush, but she grinned widely. “I really am a pain.”

“You really are.” His gaze dropped to her mouth.

Jordan felt a zing of excitement go through her. She really wanted him to kiss her.

“I think you dating me is a great idea,” he said after a moment.

Thank God.

“You’re sure you’re done dating other people? Having fun with all those girls? All the casual relationships?” she asked.

“If it means I get to be with you? Absolutely.”

Her stomach swooped, harder and faster than before. “This isn’t crazy?”

“It makes a hell of a lot more sense than anything else. Like you dating other men. Or either of us being with anyone else.”

“We’ve never talked about this before.”

“You’ve been taken,” he said simply.

Right. That was true. And Fletcher was too good of a guy to go after another man’s girl.

She still felt compelled to say, “It’s been three years since anything happened.”

“Again, because you’ve been taken.” His voice dropped. “Only because you’ve been taken, Jordan.”

Her heart skittered at that and she wet her lips. She thought about her next words carefully. Several seconds ticked by. Then she said simply, “Prove it.”

Fletcher reached out, wrapped his big hand around her wrist, and tugged her close. He cupped the back of her head and brought her in until they were nose to nose. “This changes everything,” he said. Almost as if it was a warning.

“I know.”

“I’m the last frog you’re ever going to kiss. So be sure you want it now.”

That was exactly what she’d wanted to hear without even realizing it. 

 

***

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Chasing Romeo" by Sarah Ready

I'm incredibly excited to take part in the blog tour celebrating the release of "Chasing Romeo" by Sarah Ready, book #1 of the Soul Mates in Romeo series.
 

Ever since incurable romantic Chloe Daniels was left at the altar by her cheating fiance, she's been trying to make the best of things and move on with her life. She has a job she loves as a greeting card designer, an awesome family, and her supportive best friend/business partner Veronica; she's sure that she will find her soulmate too when the time is right. Eight months after the wedding that wasn't, the official matchmaker of the town of Romeo, NY (also known as Chloe's Great-Aunt Erma) announces that Chloe's soulmate is "the boy she first kissed" and that she only has a week to find him, sending Chloe on a wild journey to track down the Matt Smith she knew from summer camp before it's too late. That turns out to be easier said than done, so Chloe is forced to seek help from the decidedly UN-romantic Nick O'Shea, a private investigator who also happens to be her high school ex-boyfriend. Sparks fly as Chloe and Nick set out on a cross-country road trip, but will the ones between Chloe and Nick be bigger than the ones between Chloe and Matt Smith?

Sarah Ready is a new-to-me author, so I didn't know what to expect before I started reading. I was completely blown away by how much I loved this book! For starters, it's probably the most genuinely funny rom-com I've picked up so far this year. Nick and Chloe's flirty, witty banter was epic and there were so many scenes that I could see translating perfectly to a movie screen. The slow burn was also phenomenal, and it was incredibly sweet that Nick did so many crazy things to help Chloe in her quest even though he didn't really believe in it. In addition to all of that, there were some genuinely emotional moments, such as when Chloe confessed the real reason she was so determined to follow through on finding her soulmate.

Overall, "Chasing Romeo" gave me all the feels and I can't recommend it highly enough. I'm certain that it will find a place on my "favorite books of 2021" list, and Sarah Ready has likewise found a place at the top of my "authors to watch" list. I look forward to whatever she writes next!

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

 

 

About "Chasing Romeo"

Chasing Romeo, an all-new heartwarming opposites-attract standalone romantic comedy from author Sarah Ready is available now!

A laugh out loud, soul mate chasing rom-com romp, Sarah Ready’s Chasing Romeo is a perfect feel-good novel about finding love where you least expect it.

Chloe Daniels is a starry-eyed romantic who believes in true love, soul mates and happily ever afters. So when a psychic predicts the identity of her soul mate Chloe will do anything to find him.

But there’s a tiny problem.

Chloe’s soul mate is 1 of 7 men, spread across the U.S. and she has only one week to reach him.

Out of desperation she hires Nick O’Shea, a cynical private investigator who thinks soul mates, love and happily ever afters are a load of crap.

Chloe and Nick have nothing in common. She wants her soul mate. He wants to get paid.

But on their crazy, true love chasing road trip across the U.S. Nick starts to wonder if maybe he was wrong about love, and Chloe starts to wonder if she was wrong about the identity of her Romeo.

Soon, Chloe will have to choose between her soul mate and the man she hired to find him.

Opposites attract in the first book of a heartwarming new series by romance author Sarah Ready.

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Chasing Romeo"

“I’m just asking,” I say, “are you sure you want to bet your future on a myth?” Because, to be honest, something inside me wishes she’d get up and say, screw you, fate, I’m taking my future in my own hands.

“Would I bet my future?” she asks.

I nod and lean forward to hear her answer.

Slowly, she says, “I’d bet everything.”

Her words ring in my ears. She’s serious. She’ll do anything to get with this random guy she hasn’t seen in nearly twenty years. It’s like a cosmic joke, except I’m not laughing. I guess I shouldn’t have expected anything less.

“It’s a myth,” I say. “It’s not real.”

“It is,” she says. She points her finger at me and jabs me in the chest. “And I’m going to prove it to you.” Her hand rests over my heart. We both look down at her touching me. She yanks it back and wipes her hand on her napkin.

No man likes to see a woman wipe herself off after touching him. I scowl and then take her unspoken challenge. “More likely, by the end of this week, I’ll prove that soul mates don’t exist.”

“Good luck, you have hundreds of Aunt Erma’s successes against you.”

No worries, I stand by my belief that the whole town of Romeo is suffering from romantic delusions. Hey, the tourism dollars depend on it.

Also, I’d like to push a little bit of reality into this situation and throw out the idea that this guy might not be decent.

“He could be a rapist,” I say. That gets her attention. Her head snaps up and she glares at me.

“Or a Lothario,” she says. Take that, her eyes say. She bares her teeth at me in a semblance of a grin and I smile back. Game on.

The minstrel who had wandered close again hightails it to the other side of the restaurant.

“He could be a drug dealer,” I say.

“Or a pharmacist,” she says.

“He could be an alcoholic.”

“A vintner.”

“He’s unemployed,” I say.

“Independently wealthy.”

“He looks like a frog.”

“He’s a prince,” she says.

“He’s boring.”

“Strong and silent.”

I glare at her and she glares back, a smile curving on her lips.

“Bad in bed,” I say.

“A sex god.” She bites at her lower lip and I have the urge to take it in my mouth and show her a decade of pent-up wanting. I yank my thoughts from her lips and drop my ace in the hole.

“He could be an ax murderer,” I say. Take that and chew on it.

She laughs, throaty and low, and her eyes light up. The candlelight sparks off her glowing skin.

“Or,” she says, “he’s a lumberjack. Mmmm. Sexy ax. I’ll hold the handle. Rawr.” She claws her hand and scratches at the air.

I shake my head. “You got it.” I hold up my goblet of mead for a toast. “To Matt Smith. Chloe’s lumberjack soul mate.” 

 

***

Release Blitz + Review: "The Fling" by M. Robinson

I'm thrilled to participate in the release blitz celebrating "The Fling" by M. Robinson, book #2 of the Playboy Pact series. Characters from the first book in the series make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

"The Fling" was a laugh-out-loud funny, sweet story with great banter and the perfect amount of steam between protagonists Ashton Hayes and Sage McCoy. Ashton and Sage met briefly at a party on Sage's 16th birthday and had an instant connection, but Sage was in the middle of drama with her on-again/off-again boyfriend Memphis at the time, so nothing happened between her and Ashton. Eight years later, Sage was a busy single mom to twins Haven and Haiden when she unexpectedly ran into Ashton and sparks flew once again. Ashton was determined not to let Sage get away a second time, but things between them were complicated because of a pact Ashton had made with his friends years earlier to stay single. There were also Sage's kids to consider; how would Ashton react when he found out that Sage was a mom? For that matter, how would Haiden and Haven react to the prospect of having to share their mom with someone new?
 

The book's secondary characters were a ton of fun and added a tremendous amount of depth and humor to the story. My favorites were Sage's kids, especially her son Haiden, who was adorable but way too smart for his own good. It was incredibly sweet how Haiden always tried to look out for his mom and sister because he was the "man of the house," even if his methods weren't always the right ones. I also loved Sage's snarky best friend Aspyn and her relationship with Ashton's friend Sawyer, the medical student. They were so funny together! 

Overall, this book was a ton of fun and I loved it. I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I hope there are more adventures to come for this group of friends!

 

*Review copy provided by the author via Wildfire Marketing Solutions. All opinions expressed are my own. 

 

About "The Fling"

From Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author M. Robinson comes a new stand-alone romantic comedy.

What happens when you make a pact with your boys to stay single and never fall in love?

Well, you get the Playboy Pact.

I was the playmaker. The one with the best moves, the best lines. I was the best at everything…
And I mean, everything.
There was no woman immune to my charm. To my looks. To my bed-hopping ways.

It was supposed to be easy. A quick, fun, mind-blowing night where she screamed out my name in ecstasy.

No feelings.
No past.
No strings attached.

I broke the rules.
I broke the pact.

I fell for her smile.
Her laugh.
Our instant connection.
Except, I never expected to fall in love.

Especially with a single mom…

Of twins. 

 

Release Blitz + Excerpt + Review: "Wild Love" by Melissa Schroeder

I'm delighted to participate in today's release blitz celebrating "Wild Love" by Melissa Schroeder, book #1 of the Juniper Springs series. It reads as a standalone, but since it is part of Schroeder's larger Camo and Cupcakes world, several characters from previous books make return appearances in this one.
 

"Wild Love" featured a fast-paced, engaging plot and endearing protagonists whose one-night stand turned into a relationship that neither one of them saw coming. After a bad experience in college, comic book store co-owner Everly Spencer swore off relationships, but there was something about graphic novel author Quinn Hawthorne that she just couldn't seem to resist. Quinn, on the other hand, was a total relationship guy, determined to do whatever was necessary to convince Everly that they were perfect for each other. I loved their steamy chemistry and witty banter as well as the way that Everly slowly overcame her fears about relationships and opened up to the possibility of a future with Quinn.

The book's setting in the small, quirky town of Juniper Springs, Texas was a lot of fun, and I particularly enjoyed the "LOLs" (little old ladies) who tracked what was happening around town through a gossip app. The other secondary characters were also a tremendous amount of fun, especially Quinn's and Everly's brothers. They constantly teased each other, but it was easy to see that there was genuine affection between them. My favorite of the bunch was Quinn's younger brother Carter, who had the quirky, annoying little brother act perfected but was still so lovable. I'm glad that Carter will be getting a story of his own. 

Overall, "Wild Love" was a funny, sweet story that I really enjoyed, and I 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 Give Me Books Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

About "Wild Love"

I’m not the kind of girl who expects happily ever after. In fact, I prefer my partners don’t get too clingy. Don’t get me wrong. I like a good night of loving, but beyond that, I’m happy to see them leave in the morning, without my phone number.

Then I met him.

Quinn is a big bear of a man, with massive hands and amazing…staying power. Like all night long and the next morning kind of staying power. So when he asks me to spend the next day with him, I do. The only reason I give him my number is because he makes me laugh. And, okay, so I might have met up with him once or twice.

That doesn’t mean I need him. Because I am Everly Freaking Spencer, and I don’t need anyone (other than my bestie), and definitely not a man.

Only…

He shows up by chance at my store, which totally freaks me out. Finding out he’s my favorite author doesn’t help either.

And the surprise that’s dropped in our laps later that day?

Major. Freak. Out.

But, like I said, I don’t need anyone.

Right?

If I keep repeating that, I might just believe it.

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Wild Love"

The door to my hotel room slams open as we stumble over the threshold. Neither of us pay attention to it, or anything else. His hands are in my hair, his mouth on mine, and if I don’t get him inside of me right this minute, I might explode.

Since we stepped onto the elevator, our hands have been all over each other. I just can’t get enough of him. His hands slip down my body, grabbing my ass as he lifts me off the floor. Oh, god, he’s amazing. As he slips his tongue along mine, he gyrates his hips, and there is no doubt how aroused he is. Of course, I’ve been feeling that from the moment we stepped onto the dance floor. He’s long and thick, and I can’t wait to have that monster inside of me.

He tosses the pharmacy bag on the nightstand as he carries me over to the bed—an amazing feat because I am not a small woman—and sits down, settling me on his lap. I swivel my hips and he leans his head back with a groan. I take advantage of our position and attack his throat. He smells of expensive whiskey and sexy, sweaty man.

“You’re going to make me come in my pants, woman.”

Power surges through me. My head spins as if I drank five bottles of whiskey in the last ten minutes. I giggle—actually giggle—but he frowns at me. Before I know what he’s about, he stands up, taking me with him, then tumbles me back onto the mattress.

He has quick hands; I’ll give him that. My shoes and socks are off my body before I can blink. Next, he’s clawing at my jeans and I smack his hands away so I can take over the job. Once I have them unbuttoned and unzipped, he tugs them down my body along with my panties as I tear off my shirt and bra. Soon, I’m lying there completely naked. His eyes darken as his gaze roams down my body.

“Jesus,” he says, reverence in his voice. I know I’m in good shape, but I have always thought I was too angular. Apparently, Quinn does not.

“I don’t think we need a third tonight, and definitely not part of the holy trinity.” 

 

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Grumpy Cowboy" by Max Monroe

I'm absolutely thrilled to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of "Grumpy Cowboy" by Max Monroe, book #3 of the Single Dad collection of standalone romantic comedies.

 

"Grumpy Cowboy" was a laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, and heartwarming enemies-to-lovers romance between orthopedic surgeon Dr. Leah Levee and cattle rancher Rhett Jameson. As a favor to her boss, Leah traveled to Rhett's father's ranch in Utah to provide personalized medical care and rehab services for Rhett following a severe knee injury, but a mix-up led her to believe that her patient would be a teenage boy, not a fully grown man and single father. Rhett was just as surprised as Leah because his father, Tex, had failed to mention that she was on her way. Believing that city girl Leah was nothing more than a babysitter hired by his father to keep him in line and that she would go away if he made things difficult for her, Rhett refused to go along with her rehab plans, telling Leah that if she could find him, she could treat him. Never one to back down from a challenge, Leah eventually tracked down her reluctant patient and their battle of wills began in earnest.

 

There was a spark between Leah and Rhett from the moment they met, and I loved their witty, teasing banter as well as the slow burn as their feelings for each other gradually grew stronger. Leah's sweet relationship with Rhett's adorable 5-year-old daughter, Joey, was also a highlight of the book. Joey was always so affectionate with Leah, and she couldn't help falling in love with Rhett's little girl just as she was falling in love with Rhett himself.

I can always rely on Max Monroe to deliver a tremendously entertaining story, and this one was no exception. I adored "Grumpy Cowboy" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I can't wait to see what Max Monroe comes up with next.

 

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

 

 

About "Grumpy Cowboy"

Grumpy Cowboy, an all new steam and laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe is available now!

ATTENTION: If you have been a victim of false advertising, you may be entitled to compensation. If you were ever hired to take care of a fourteen-year-old boy’s knee injury on a luxury ranch in the Middle of Nowhere, Utah, but that fourteen-year-old boy ended up being a tall, rough-and-tumble, muscular, one-hundred-percent all-man cowboy by the name of Rhett Jameson, you may have been put at risk for falling in love. Please seek counsel immediately.

Dear Counselor,

It was supposed to be simple favor for my very important boss, Frank Kaminsky of the Salt Lake Slammers professional basketball team—go to his good friend Tex Jameson’s luxury ranch and provide personal medical care for his recently injured teenage son.

I thought it’d be a working vacation of sorts—a chance for my city-girl self to experience something I would never otherwise do—but everything is upside down, and absolutely nothing is as I thought it would be.

For one, this patient is not a teenage boy.
He’s a real-life, blue-eyed, tough-as-nails, thirtysomething cowboy who is so darn strong he looks like he could lift a car just for the heck of it.

He’s also stubborn, rude, and we don’t get along…at all.

Add in the heart-melting vision of him as a single father to the cutest little girl on the planet, and I’ve found myself in a whole different dimension of trouble.

Lust. Feelings. A whole lot of enemies-to-lovers-style complication.

Please help me. My name is Dr. Leah Levee, I am a victim of false advertising, and if I’m not careful, this Grumpy Cowboy might just be the death of me. 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Grumpy Cowboy"

Leah

Gently, I rap my knuckles against the wood, and moments later, an adorable little blond-haired girl comes running down the hall and right toward me.

She pushes the screen door open with one of her cowgirl boots and steps out until she can keep it open with just her hip. With pigtails and dimples and big blue eyes, she just might be the cutest kid I’ve ever see in my life.

Is this Rhett Jameson’s little sister?

“Who are you?” she asks, ignoring any sort of greeting and getting straight to the point.

I grin. “My name is Leah. What’s your name?”

“Joey,” she answers, her small hands moving with her words. “Well, Josephine, but everyone calls me Joey.”

“That’s a very pretty name.”

“And you’re a very pretty lady,” she says, and her eyes move up and down my body, taking in my hair and my face and my dress and my shoes. “Maybe the prettiest lady I’ve ever seen. Are you in movies?”

“No, I’m not in movies,” I answer on a soft laugh. “But you know what’s funny?”

“What?”

“You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen in my whole life.”

She giggles, and then her eyes get big. “Wait…oh my goodness! Are you here to teach me how to braid my hair?” Her button nose crinkles up in the most adorable way. “My granny told me she’d teach me how to do it, but I think she can’t remember, and is that why you’re here? Because you know how to do it?” she asks, and her short legs bounce up and down ever so slightly.

“Uh…” I pause, completely entranced by this sweet little human, but also utterly confused. “Actually, sweetie, I’m not here to teach you how to braid your hair. I’m here—”

“Aw, shucks.” She swishes one fist from her right hip to her left hip, and her tiny mouth points down at the corners.

Immediately, I feel like the worst human being alive, and it takes everything inside me not to step inside the house and ask her to get me a hairbrush.

But I rein in the emotion and offer up something I hope will soften her disappointment.

“How about this? Since I’m going to be here for the summer, I’ll make sure someday very soon, I teach you how to braid your hair.”

“Yeah?” Her big blue eyes light up like the sun. “Ya promise?”

“I promise.”

Truthfully, I’m just assuming this young girl lives here on this ranch, but I have no idea.

I don’t know if she’s Tex’s daughter or someone else’s daughter. I don’t really know much of anything. Haven’t known much of anything since I told Frank Kaminsky I’d take this job.

But so far, feeling out of the loop appears to be par for the course.

The girl steps out of the house on her tiny cowgirl boots and wraps her arms around my waist. “I’m so excited, Leah!”

I’m shocked at first by her instant affection, but it doesn’t take long before I’m putty in her teeny hands.

“Me too, Joey.” A tickled laugh emerges from my lungs, and I pat her head tenderly.

Eventually, she steps back and puts one hand to her hip. “So, if you’s supposed to be here all summer but it’s not just for my hair, why are you here?”

“I was just about to ask the same thing, Joey.” A deep, raspy voice fills my ears, and that’s when I realize someone else has joined our conversation at the door.

My eyes move up, up, up past Joey and land on a pair of perfectly worn-in jeans, over a shirtless and firm set of abs and an even firmer chest, and they don’t stop until they meet aqua-blue eyes that are pointed directly at me.

Holy shit.

This rugged, fine-as-hell specimen standing right behind Joey isn’t just any man; he’s the manliest man I’ve ever laid eyes on. His body is stretched tight with the kinds of firm muscles that do not come from protein shakes and a gym membership to LA Fitness. No. These are real muscles, made from hard, sweaty work on a big-ass ranch like this.

If you typed the words “hot cowboy” into Google, I’m pretty sure this guy would be the number one search result.

And he looks so damn strong, so physically capable of anything, I honestly think he could lift a car just for the fun of it.

With brownish-red hair that looks almost gold in the sunlight, a sharp jaw that’s peppered with some scruff, and full lips that are set in a firm line, I can’t help but wonder who is this guy?

Rhett Jameson’s…older brother? His uncle?

Some kind of familial male figure?

He clears his throat, and that’s when I realize just how long I’ve been standing here staring at this slightly irritated, but also handsome-looking, cowboy like a moron.

Uh…hello? Earth to Leah? Now would be a really great time to remember how to speak…

 

***