Release Blitz + Excerpt + Review: "The New Billionaire Boss" by Tina Gabor

I'm pleased to participate in the release blitz celebrating "The New Billionaire Boss" by Tina Gabor, book #1 of the Bronson Billionaire Romance series.

"The New Billionaire Boss" was a fun enemies-to-lovers/workplace romance featuring likeable, three-dimensional characters and an engaging plot. Sparks flew between protagonists Lauren McCall and Aiden Bronson from the moment they met, although some of them were from anger rather than attraction given that Aiden was in the process of stealing Lauren's Uber at the time. When they met again later that same morning and Aiden accidentally caused Lauren to sprain her ankle, he volunteered to take care of her, hoping for a chance to improve her first impression of him. She soon learned that he wasn't the typical arrogant billionaire she was expecting; instead, he was caring, protective, funny, and sweet, exactly the type of guy who could easily become her friend, if not more.
 

Having just returned to the West Coast branch of his family's company after a disastrous end to his engagement to a fellow employee in the New York office, the last thing Aiden expected was to fall for another co-worker. His family warned him to stay away from Lauren more than once, not only because they couldn't afford another scandal, but also because she was such a valued employee. He couldn't seem to stay away from her, however, and she turned out to be exactly the perfect match for him. I liked how smart, driven, and determined to succeed Lauren was, as well as the fact that she never let Aiden hide behind his charm and rich playboy persona.

Overall, I loved "The New Billionaire Boss" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. The story felt somewhat more realistic to me than most billionaire romances, but there was still more than enough of a fantasy element for me to enjoy. I look forward to whatever Tina Gabor writes next. (I'm not-so-secretly hoping it will be Aiden's brother Damien's story. I really want to know what happened with him in Florida!)

*Review copy provided by the author via Xpresso Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "The New Billionaire Boss"

My life was finally on track.
Until my boss’s brother transferred to our office.

From the minute I met the broody, handsome, and infuriating Aiden Bronson, he was destroying all of my carefully made plans.

First, he hijacked my Uber. Then, he caused an accident that left me out of work for months.

Except, the disastrous day we spent together turned into the most fun day of my life.

And now, I can’t stop thinking about him. And that kiss…

I doubt he feels the same about me, and even if he did, any future together is hopeless.

He’s not allowed to date employees.
And without any family to fall back on, I can’t risk my livelihood.

But when he becomes my new boss, and we get trapped together in a beach house, I don’t know if I can resist risking it all.

THE NEW BILLIONAIRE BOSS is book one of the Bronson Billionaire Romance Series, but can be read as a complete standalone! Guaranteed to have you swooning and breathless. It includes a fierce and funny heroine and a charming, playboy hero. 

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "The New Billionaire Boss"

 

Aiden

I stared at the woman standing outside of the Uber. She looked pissed. But I needed to get to our West Coast corporate retreat.

She opened my door, which took me by surprise. Did she have some type of mental imbalance, or was she on drugs?

She opened her mouth to speak, but her phone beeped. She looked down at her phone and then turned to the driver. "You canceled my ride!"

The driver shrugged. "He offered me $100."

She stomped her foot on the ground and threw up her hands. "You'd already started the meter!"

Damn. I thought she was just keeping the man waiting. I didn't know she was paying him to wait. That meant I was the asshole here.

I sighed. Time to turn on the charm.

I stared directly into her green eyes. "Please forgive me." I saw her lips part just a little. Yup, she wanted me.

I shot her a flirty smile, reached into my wallet, and pulled out a $100 bill. "Take this, for what was already on the meter, and get yourself breakfast on me."

She didn't reach for the money. "I don't need your money. I need this car. So get the hell out."

Seriously? Judging from her big box store athletic wear, which I had to admit hugged her figure well, I couldn't believe she didn't need, or at least want, the money.

"Listen, lady, I'll come back for you," the Uber driver said.

Her head snapped to face the driver. "I'll deal with you in a minute."

I wanted to be contrite, even though I really didn't have the patience for this. "Get in the car, and I'll pay him to take you wherever you want to go after I'm done."

She folded her arms across her chest. "How about you go wherever you're going after I'm done?"

"I don't have time for this." Yes, I was in the wrong, but the driver wanted my business more than hers. Just as I was about to lean forward to tell the driver to leave, she swung the door open wide.

I stared at her. "What do you think you're doing?"

She tried to push her way into the backseat. "I don't have time for this either!"

I refused to budge.

She attempted to push me across the seat with her little body, and when she didn't succeed, she opted to climb over me.

Her butt grazed my lap as she took the place next to me in the backseat.

The move was insane, but it turned me on. I am a dude, after all.

Her long, light brown ponytail swayed back and forth as she panted from the effort of forcing her way into the backseat with me. If I wasn't in such a hurry, I'd think she was kind of cute. Not my regular type and possibly insane, but definitely cute.

"Take me to the Malibu Retreat Center," she instructed the driver.

"The one just up the hill?" the driver asked her.

She refused to even look in my direction. "Yes, it'll only take five minutes. Then you can take him to his Assholes Anonymous meeting or wherever he's going."

I couldn't help but smile. She worked for my father's company. Wouldn't little Miss Angry Pants be so surprised!

Release Blitz + Review: "Mama's Boy" by Avery Flynn

I'm delighted to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Mama's Boy" by Avery Flynn, book #1 of the Last Man Standing series. Readers familiar with Flynn's previous books may recognize some returning characters from the Hartigans and Harbor City series, but it reads as a complete standalone.

To win a bet with his cousins Nash and Griff, cosmetics company CEO Dixon Beckett turns to a dating app to find a woman who is exactly the opposite of perfect for him. The winner of the bet must remain single until the end of the year in order to receive the mysterious final gift from their late grandmother, and Dixon has no plans to lose. After all, Becketts never lose, and besides, he doesn't intend to open himself up to love again after being betrayed by his late wife, Nicole. However, he must go on six dates planned by his cousins, so he creates a dating profile and accepts the first woman to respond: third-grade teacher Fiona Hartigan. What Dixon doesn't know is that the relationship is also a means to an end for Fiona; he's canceled each of the three appointments she's made to meet with him, so in exchange for helping him win the bet, she plans to ask Dixon for the chance to pitch her Nana's senior skincare line to his company.

 

The sparks between Fiona and Dixon were immediate, as was the witty banter. I laughed so hard when she asked him if he was a serial killer because he put in his dating profile that he was looking for a woman who hates dogs! Dixon and Fiona were a lot alike despite their vastly different backgrounds and upbringings, but because they were both trying so hard to be something they weren't, it took them quite some time to realize it. That said, their behavior was totally understandable; after being badly hurt in previous romantic relationships, they were just trying to protect themselves. It was obvious from the beginning that they were perfect for each other, however, and I loved Dixon's grand gesture in the end.  

Overall, I adored "Mama's Boy," but that came as no surprise to me because I've loved all of Avery Flynn's books so far. I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy and can't wait for Dixon's cousins' books, which should be releasing later this fall. (I hope Fiona's sister Faith will get a story of her own, too!)

 

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

 

About "Mama's Boy"

He's exactly who you want to take home.

Top three lies about mama's boys:

1. That we don't know what we want. That one is straight up BS. I know exactly what I want—to win this bet with my cousins by any means necessary even if it means finding the worst possible date in all of Harbor City and agreeing to whatever she asks in exchange for her pretending to fall for me.

2. That we are soft, little wimps. Yeah, you don't get to be CEO of a multibillion dollar company by letting other people take advantage of you. So as soon as I realize my date Fiona Hartigan isn't exactly who she appears to be, there's nothing that will stop me from figuring out the truth—no matter how many dates it takes to unravel that mystery.

3. That we don't know how to kiss. Oh yes we do. The only problem is that once I start kissing Fiona, I don't want to stop and I have to because we've already agreed that all of this is temporary.

Now I'm the guy that every woman wants to bring home to mom—except for the woman I'm fake dating and falling in love with for real.

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Cocky Counsel" by Samantha Baca

Congratulations to author Samantha Baca on today's release of "Cocky Counsel," a standalone Cocky Hero Club novel inspired by "Stuck-Up Suit."

 

Tired of her moping around at home ever since her fiance dumped her for another woman, corporate attorney Eva Sanchez's sisters and best friend decided to drag her out for girls night at a nightclub. Eva's intention was to stay for one drink and then return home; instead, she made eye contact with a handsome stranger across the room, impulsively followed him to the bathroom, and hooked up with him in a linen closet without exchanging names. Two weeks later, Eva started a new job and was shocked to learn that her new boss, Ethan Roberts, was also her one-night stand. They both vowed to keep things between them professional and forget all about their hookup, but it wasn't long at all before they found themselves hooking up again in the file room after hours. 

Unfortunately, this turned out to be a book that I wanted to like more than I actually did. While the writing itself was decent and there was plenty of steam, IMO the relationship development left a lot to be desired. For much of the book, Eva and Ethan didn't even seem to particularly like each other when they weren't hooking up. However, the bigger problem for me was that Ethan was a terrible boss who never seemed to respect Eva's skill as a lawyer. He acted like she was a total idiot with no experience despite having worked in the field for almost ten years, wouldn't take the time to brief her on current cases or give her assignments, and got angry when she helped out another employee who went home sick. His excuse for not bringing her in on any of his cases was that he was "too busy," which infuriated me because he always had plenty of time to stop in the middle of the day to hook up with her! 

I was also really bothered by the situation at the end of the book involving Eva's sister Lucy and her estranged husband. Lucy's husband nearly beat her to death, and rather than sending the police to arrest him, Ethan took it upon himself to go and threaten him to stay away from her and their young son. The man belongs in jail, not walking around free! Even if he actually does stay away from Lucy, what's to prevent him from doing the same thing to another woman?
 

While this book was a bad match for me, it may well appeal to fans of the insta-love trope looking for a quick, steamy read. I would give the author another chance in the future.

 

*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Give Me Books Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "Cocky Counsel"

I’m rarely a man who mixes business with pleasure but when I find myself hypnotized by a beautiful woman at the nightclub, I make the time to enjoy the finer things in life. Like having a quickie in the linen closet. Fast forward two weeks when that same magnificent woman shows up to my office, ready to work for my law firm as our new attorney.

Everything inside me screams I should step back and forget the girl that I haven’t been able to get out of my head, but it’s nearly impossible when she’s working in the office directly across from me. Her professional attitude and sexy attire do nothing to keep the inappropriate thoughts out of my head. But when a sexual harassment lawsuit from a former employee falls into my lap, I’m forced to walk away or risk losing everything I’ve worked so hard for.

Lust isn’t anything to worry about. It’s love you have to watch out for. It’ll bite you in the ass at the least opportune time.

Cocky Counsel is an instalove/office romance inspired by Stuck-Up Suit. 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Scoring Beauty" by Alley Ciz

Today, I'm excited to take part in the release/review blitz celebrating "Scoring Beauty" by Alley Ciz, book #6 of the BTU Alumni series. Characters from earlier books in the series make appearances in this one as well, but it does read as a standalone.

After her surrogate father accepted a new job as the head coach of the New Jersey Blizzards professional hockey team, single mom Amara Miller packed up her 9-year-old son, Maverick, and moved across the country to be with her family. Coach Watson's wife had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and Amara's flexible job as a beauty influencer allowed her to help care for her as she went through treatment. While visiting Coach Watson at the arena one day, Amara literally ran into Blizzards team captain Ryan Donnelly, who was drawn to her from the moment he laid eyes on her. When he learned of her connection to Coach Watson, however, he placed her firmly into the off-limits category. Besides that, Ryan had sworn off dating after one too many bad blind dates orchestrated by his best friend/ex-girlfriend, Maddey, plus Amara had no intention of getting involved with a hockey player after her son's hockey-playing father abandoned her as a pregnant teenager. Unfortunately for Amara, her son Maverick quickly bonded with Ryan and decided to play matchmaker for him and his mom, helped by Ryan's sister Jordan and her "girl gang," the Coven. Would Ryan and Amara be able to fight their well-meaning friends and family, not to mention their own feelings for each other?

Ryan and Amara's romance was definitely a slow burn, with much of the first half of the book seemingly focused on the antics and matchmaking interference of their friends and family. To me, it felt a bit longer than it needed to be, but I might not say that if I had already read the previous books in the series. Longtime fans will probably enjoy the chance to catch up with so many favorite characters from past stories, and even I got quite a few laughs out of their text exchanges. At any rate, when Ryan and Amara finally went on their first date, it was just about the sweetest thing ever. I completely adored Ryan's thoughtful, creative idea to give Amara a taste of the teenage experience she missed out on by taking her to an indoor amusement park. From there, the relationship development was well paced and the conflict between them at the end was understandable, though painful. Ryan's grand gesture showed once again just how well he knew Amara, and I loved it.

 

On a separate topic, as someone who has battled breast cancer, I very much empathized with the challenges Mama Watson and her family faced as she went through treatment. I appreciated how sensitively the topic was handled and that the impact on caregivers was highlighted as well as the patients.

Overall, I loved "Scoring Beauty" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance, especially romantic comedy and sports romance. It was the first book I've ever read by Alley Ciz, but I will definitely be picking up more of her work in the future. 

 

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

 

 

About "Scoring Beauty"

RYAN
I’m done with dating.
Happily-ever-after isn’t in the cards for me, so I’m officially taking myself off the market.
Hockey is my mecca.
The arena my temple.
The ice the altar I worship at.

Then…I met her.
Strip me naked and run me over with a Zamboni—she’s the textbook definition of a bad love match.
Amara Miller, beyond beautiful and effortlessly drawing me into her orbit and making it impossible to resist her.

AMARA
It should have been a simple cross-country move.
Instead, it sent me crashing—quite literally—into the captain of Coach’s new hockey team.
Did I mention he was half-naked when it happened?

It doesn’t matter that he’s sexy as sin and the swooniest motherpucker I’ve ever met.

I will not lust after hockey players.

Been there.
Done that.
Bought the maternity shirt.

And Ryan Donnelly? He’s pretty much Mr. Hockey.
The problem is, I’m not the only one enamored with him—my kid is too.
It’s turning into a problem, because this mama doesn’t have time to play games when it comes to our hearts.

Scoring Beauty is a sporty, sexy romcom featuring a hot-mess (at least in her eyes) single mom who’s about to knock this swoony motherpucking hockey player on his very fine behind. This interconnected stand-alone comes complete with your favorite can’t-mind-their-own-business Covenettes, a next generation trying their hands at the matchmaking shenanigans, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

 

Release Blitz + Review: "The Wedding Arrangement" by Annie Dyer

I'm happy to participate in the release/review blitz celebrating "The Wedding Arrangement" by Annie Dyer, book #1 of the Green Family series. It's a spinoff of the Callaghan Green series, but works well as a standalone.

Noah Soames-Harrington and Imogen Green attended school together as teenagers, but hadn't seen each other in more than a dozen years. They reconnected when Noah sought assistance from the Callaghan Green law firm on a boundary dispute affecting one of his family's properties, and Imogen was assigned to handle the case. Noah was engaged at the time, but after he caught his fiancee cheating and called off the wedding, Imogen impulsively suggested that she marry Noah instead. Noah's main reason for getting married was the desire to have his beloved grandfather, who was in the early stages of dementia, at his wedding. As for Imogen, she was tired of her family always trying to fix her up on blind dates that would only end badly. She was happily married to her career and couldn't imagine ever finding a man willing to put up with her inability to put him before work. Recognizing the benefits for them both, Noah agreed to Imogen's proposal, and they quickly found themselves planning a wedding of their own.
 

I loved the genuine friendship that arose between Noah and Imogen before the wedding as well as the fact that they were so honest and open with each other about their expectations for the "temporary" marriage. There was plenty of chemistry too, and they had a lot of fun exploring it. They truly seemed to be the only ones who couldn't see that they were perfect for each other! By the time they got to the wedding day, both Noah and Imogen were starting to wonder if their arrangement might be more than temporary, but were understandably afraid to share their feelings. Their fears seemed completely reasonable to me, but fortunately, with the help of their friends and family, they found a way to move past them.

The story included a fantastic cast of secondary characters, some new and some of whom will be familiar to readers of the earlier Callaghan Green series. I particularly enjoyed Noah's best friend, Zeke, and Imogen's sister Catrin, who will be featured in the next book of the series. Based on their interactions in this book, it promises to be a great enemies-to-lovers story!

Overall, I loved "The Wedding Agreement" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. It was the first book I've ever read by this author, but it certainly won't be the last. 

 

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

 

 

About "The Wedding Agreement"

Her heart is not up for negotiation…

Noah Soames needed to get married, only there was one small problem – he didn’t have a suitable contender to be his wife.

Until a few glasses of red wine later, and I’d volunteered for the position. He was charming, wealthy and panty-melting gorgeous, which meant that this small favour should be no problem.

Shouldn’t it?

A twelve-month deal and we’d separate as friends, nothing messy, no tangled emotions and definitely no difficult divorce settlements. I could find out if married life was better than my single, career-focused one, and see if I was really missing out, and at the same time put an end to the horrendous blind dates my friends kept setting me up on.

It’s the perfect solution. Isn't it?

It should be. Until my heart gets involved, and I have to decide whether it’s time to re-negotiate the terms of our agreement.

But will Noah sign on the dotted line?

Review: "Rumours and Romance" by Julia Jarrett

Rumours and Romance by Julia Jarrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Rumours and Romance" by Julia Jarrett, book #2 of the Dogwood Cove series, was a super cute small town romance with just the right amount of steam. Characters from the first book make return appearances in this one, but it reads as a complete standalone.

After breaking off his engagement and learning that the head of the pet shelter where he worked had been accused of embezzlement, veterinarian Jackson Holt was in need of a fresh start. His new job at a vet clinic in the small town of Dogwood Cove, which offered the possibility of a partnership, seemed like a perfect fit. The only catch was that his new boss wanted to see Jackson setting down roots in the community before he'd make him a partner. Still getting over the end of his engagement, Jackson wasn't yet ready to date, but his new friend, local bakery owner Mila Monroe, came up with the perfect solution to his dilemma: a fake relationship. She hoped that the arrangement would be mutually beneficial by convincing her brother and friends to stop worrying about her workaholic tendencies, allowing her to focus on expanding the bakery. It had been her mother's dream to open a full-service cafe serving breakfast and lunch in the empty space next door to the bakery, and Mila was on the verge of making it a reality.

I loved the adorable friendship that developed between Mila and Jackson before their relationship turned romantic. They were so sweet and funny as they got to know each other, especially when Mila teased Jackson about the "geriatric" bran muffins he ordered every morning and made it her mission to get him to try new things. As their feelings for each other grew and the fake relationship evolved into a friends with benefits scenario and then more, Jackson really struggled with his fear of being hurt again after the way his engagement had ended. I empathized with his fears, but at the same time, I wish he had talked to Mila about his feelings sooner.

Overall, I very much enjoyed "Rumours and Romance" and recommend it for all contemporary romance fans, especially those who enjoy small town romance and/or the friends-to-lovers trope. This was the first book I've ever read by Julia Jarrett, but it certainly won't be the last.

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

View all my reviews

Release Blitz + Review: The Ryker Ranch Collection by Kim Loraine

I'm pleased to participate in the release blitz promoting The Ryker Ranch Collection by Kim Loraine, which includes the first three books of the Ryker Ranch series: "Saddle Up," "Bucked Off," and "Ridden Hard."

 

An individual review for each book is below, but in short, I very much enjoyed this collection and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance fans.

Book 1: "Saddle Up"

Clint Ryker, the eldest of the five Ryker siblings and majority owner of Ryker Ranch, is doing his best to hold everything together after a heartbreaking betrayal by his ex-girlfriend, Jess. The ranch is in dire financial straits after Jess stole most of the Ryker family's money and disappeared, and if they can't find a way to increase their revenue, they may be forced to sell. Without her children's knowledge, Clint's mother arranges a meeting with reality TV producer Ever Wilson, who's looking for a place to film her new reality show, described as a cross between "City Slickers" and "Survivor." Clint and his brothers are concerned about the prospect of allowing untrained workers to try their hand at potentially dangerous ranch work, but Ever is offering a lot of money, which the ranch desperately needs. Clint finally agrees to Ever's proposal, but only if she can get through two weeks as a ranch hand first.

Even though he swore off relationships after Jess's betrayal, Clint couldn't help being drawn to Ever as soon as they met, and their feelings for each other grew quickly in spite of his fears. Surprisingly, it was Ever who panicked as they started to grow closer, running back to Los Angeles and using a no-fraternization clause in the reality show contract as an excuse to break things off. Clint wouldn't let her go without a fight, however. It was sweet how protective he was of her, even though at first he tried to pass it off as concern for the ranch and their liability if she got hurt while working there. 

Overall, "Saddle Up" was a great start to the Ryker Ranch series and I enjoyed it. It will be very interesting to see what happens with Clint's siblings as the reality show begins filming over the next few books of the series. 4 stars.

Book 2: "Bucked Off"

When middle brother Buck Ryker learns that producers of the reality show being filmed on his family's ranch plan to script a "romance" between him and one of the show's contestants, he's determined to avoid it by any means necessary. His younger brother Tristan suggests that Buck find a fake fiancee to take himself off the market. At first, Buck doesn't take the idea seriously, but when he runs into his teenage crush Penny Callahan, now a recently unemployed massage therapist, he quickly realizes that a fake relationship would be beneficial for them both. In exchange for acting as his fiancee for three months, Buck offers Penny a place to live, a job in the new Ryker Ranch spa, and a share of his earnings from the reality show, which Penny plans to use to buy her dream house and start her own business after their "relationship" ends. Living together proves to be more of a challenge than either of them expected when their long-simmering chemistry finally ignites. Will they really be able to walk away when their agreement comes to an end?

 

I loved Buck and Penny as a couple and thought that their relationship development was perfectly paced. As much as they tried to tell themselves they were only friends with benefits, it was obvious that they had a deeper connection from the start. Their banter was a ton of fun, and I also enjoyed how sweetly Buck cared for Penny after she was thrown from her horse and injured. He even read her romance novels and seemed to enjoy them - be still, my heart!

Overall, I enjoyed "Bucked Off" even more than the first book of the Ryker Ranch series and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance fans. I look forward to finding out what happens in the next book. 5 stars.

Book 3: "Ridden Hard"
 

While out with her twin sister Erin for a night of fun following a tough divorce, nurse practitioner Hazel meets and has a one-night stand with Tristan Ryker, who's in town to see his older brother Sam compete in a rodeo competition. Several weeks later, Hazel is shocked to learn that she's pregnant. She and Tristan didn't exchange phone numbers or even last names, so she has no way to contact him at first. She finally figures out his identity after she and Erin watch the first episode of the Saddle Up reality show, which is filmed at Ryker Ranch. Afterwards, Erin decides to book them a stay at the ranch so that Hazel can share the news with her baby daddy. Hazel doesn't expect anything from Tristan, but he surprises her by insisting on being there for her and his child. 

 

There was a lot more to Tristan than it seemed based on his playboy reputation, and as Hazel's week on the ranch progressed, she found it increasingly difficult to resist him. Still recovering from the trauma of her divorce, Hazel was understandably afraid of making a mistake that would result in her getting hurt again. However, Tristan knew that Hazel was special, and I loved how patient and understanding he was in his efforts to prove that he was worthy of her trust.

Overall, "Ridden Hard" was another excellent addition to the Ryker Ranch series, and I highly recommend it for all contemporary romance fans. 5 stars.

 

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

 

About The Ryker Ranch Collection

Three swoony cowboys, three bestselling standalone romances, one collection from Kim Loraine's Sunrise, Montana world.

SADDLE UP

He's a handsome cowboy trying to save his family's ranch.
I'm a reality TV producer with a brilliant plan.
Sparks fly when Clint Ryker strikes a deal with me that brings me to the ranch to learn the ropes. But when we get snowed in together, with only one bed, everything changes.

BUCKED OFF

A word of advice. Don't fall in love with your fake fiancée.
When the producer of my family's reality show, Saddle Up, tried to get me to participate in an on-screen scripted romance, I saw only one way out. I told them I was unavailable--engaged, to be exact. That meant I needed a fake fiancée, pronto. Enter spitfire, and the girl who got away once upon a time, Penny Callahan. It should be harmless. Pretend to be together until the show is done shooting, then move on with our lives. But living with the woman of my dreams and playing the part of lovesick fool is easy for reasons I don't want to admit. And I don't want to let her go.

RIDDEN HARD

Baby daddy (noun)
slang
The cowboy who knocked me up after one night together.

They call me the wild one.
The Ryker brother who'd rather have more notches on his bedpost than rodeo championships.
I'm good with horses, even better with women. I've been warned that sowing my oats might have consequences, but I'm always careful. And there's nothing wrong with having a little fun.
But the truth is, I want more than fun. I want it all. With the right girl.
So when the most beautiful woman I've ever seen shows up at my ranch, it should all fall into place. Except she's got a big surprise for me. She's pregnant, and the kid is mine, but she wants nothing to do with me.

 

Release Blitz + Excerpt + Review: "The Baby and the Blueblood" by Tru Taylor

I'm thrilled to participate in today's release blitz celebrating "The Baby and the Blueblood" by Tru Taylor, book #3 of the Eastport Bay Billionaires series. Characters from the previous books make cameo appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone. 

 

Cinda Brown and Alexander Wessex's secret summer romance came to an end when Alex had to return to his home country without saying goodbye. With no way to contact him after he left, Cinda was unable to let Alex know when she found out that she was pregnant. Five years later, after giving birth to her son AJ and building a successful house cleaning business, Cinda was shocked to come face-to-face with Alex again and learn his true identity as the Crown Prince of Aubernesse. Afraid of what might happen if Alex learned about their son's existence, Cinda did everything in her power to avoid Alex, but he was determined to learn the truth about what had caused their relationship to end so abruptly. Would they be able to work through the misunderstandings and pain of the past in order to build a new future together as a family?

Cinda and Alex were both endearing, relatable characters, and I found it very easy to cheer them on to their HEA. I loved that Cinda was so much of a mama bear and put her son first in everything she did. As for Alex, I appreciated his efforts to woo Cinda and the way he took care of her after she injured her ankle. He may have grown up in a palace surrounded by servants, but he actually had some practical life skills such as cooking, cleaning, and first aid, which was honestly impressive (and a bit surprising). 

Overall, I adored this charming modern take on "Cinderella" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. This series just keeps getting better with every book, and I can't wait to find out what the author has in store for us next.

 

*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Give Me Books Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "The Baby and the Blueblood"

She’s risen from the ashes of heartbreak…
As a single mom, I’m not looking for Prince Charming. The last time I fell for a handsome, sophisticated, wealthy guy, he left me at the worst possible time without a look backward or even a word of explanation.

He did leave me with a lovely parting gift though… which arrived nine months later.

With no way to reach him, I picked up the pieces of that shattered glass slipper and moved on. Now I’m running my own business—the Fairy Godmother Cleaning Agency. My hands—and all my hours—are more than full managing my employees (including my two hapless stepsisters) and keeping my four-year-old son happy, healthy, fed, and clothed. It’s not easy doing it all on my own, but I have zero interest in a new relationship.

And who has the time? My high society clients expect their Eastport Bay, Rhode Island mansions to be sparkling—on schedule—come hell, high water, or hurricane.

So when a flu epidemic sweeps through my agency the day before the royal family of Aubernesse is to arrive in Eastport Bay, I put on a uniform and pick up the slack, working furiously to make sure their gorgeous vacation home is immaculate and ready for the elaborate ball they’re planning to throw.

He’s looking for the perfect fit…
I’m back in Eastport Bay for the first time in five years—and not exactly happy to be here. There’s a reason I’ve stayed away so long.

The place lost its magic for me long ago—the night the only girl I’ve ever loved proved beyond a shadow of a doubt she didn’t feel the same.

But this trip is non-negotiable, a matter of duty. I’m planning to fly in, attend the ridiculous ball my mother is so insistent upon, then get back to my life in Europe as quickly as possible.

That is until I arrive at the family estate early and catch the cleaning crew still at work.

And get a look at the woman beneath that coating of dust, ash, and spiderwebs…

The Baby and the Blue Blood is a small-town rom com take on Cinderella, filled with heart, heat, and secret baby/second chance/royal billionaire romance fun! 

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "The Baby and the Blueblood"

I laughed lightly and sank deeper into the steamy bath, enjoying the feel of the warm heat on my skin and muscles, relaxing fully now that Alex had left the room.

When the water had begun to turn tepid and my fingers had pruned, I wrapped the heavy, soaked towel around my body again, tucking the top edge tightly under one arm and pulling the lower edge down to cover my thighs. I’d actually have to hold that in place because the water kept floating it up.

With my good foot I kicked the lever to release the drain mechanism then called for Alex.

He opened the door so quickly I suspected he may have been waiting outside it after all.

“Have a nice bath?” he asked as he approached the tub.

I didn’t answer right away. I couldn’t. Alex was shirtless.

His feet were bare, and he wore only a pair of black running shorts.

As he’d mentioned earlier, we’d seen each other in bathing suits nearly every day of that long-ago summer. But it had been long ago. I’d been in the company of very few shirtless men since then, and none of them had looked like this.

Even Alex hadn’t looked like this back then.

He’d always had an attractive physique, tall and broad-shouldered with great muscle tone. But he’d been thinner then, lanky as young men often are.

Now, at age thirty, he was a male in his prime. His arms and chest were filled out with firm muscle, as were his legs. His stomach was… oh good God I was staring. I needed to look away from all that tanned skin and segmented muscle, or I wasn’t going to be able to handle it when he—

Too late. Alex lifted me and held my dripping wet body against him, and now my warm skin was pressed against his, and that amazing scent I’d detected earlier was right there, and, and…

Mind on the game. Off the hot man. On. The. Game.

Say something. Make conversation.

“Were you… exercising?”

He barked a short laugh. “No. Why do you ask? Do I smell like a locker room or something?”

“You… took off your clothes.”

He grinned widely. “This is my mermaid-retrieval uniform.”

When I gave him a dazed look, he explained in a tone of voice one would use with a small child. “I don’t have that many changes of clothes here, and we can’t exactly hang things outside to dry. I knew I was bound to get soaked while fishing you out of the tub.”

I craned my neck to see water running down Alex’s long legs and pooling on the bathroom floor around his feet. “Oh. Right. Sorry about that.”

“No worries. I just wanted to be prepared.” He set me on the bathroom rug and gestured toward the shorts. “These will dry off pretty quickly in front of the fire. When you’re dressed, I’ll take you there too, so your hair can dry and you don’t catch a chill.”

He held up a finger. “Which reminds me…”

Alex left the bathroom and came back a moment later with a large man’s bathrobe. “I couldn’t find anything left in Janey’s room, but I did find this hanging in the master closet. It seemed like a better option than the pajamas you had on or your clothes from yesterday. The house is a bit chilly.”

I took it from him gratefully. “Yes. Thank you. It’s perfect.”

Anything to get you and your sexy, shirtless self out of my line of sight as soon as possible.

Review: "When Sparks Fly" by Helena Hunting

When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After a serious car accident leaves her with several broken bones and in need of round-the-clock care, Avery Spark's best friend and roommate, Declan McCormick, volunteers for the job. He's overwhelmed with guilt after backing out on his promise to accompany Avery on a road trip the morning of her accident and hopes that caring for her will help convince her to forgive him. As they're forced into closer proximity than ever before and Declan helps Avery cope with increasingly personal needs, the chemistry between them becomes impossible to ignore. Neither of them is willing to risk their friendship, especially Declan, who has sworn off serious relationships after witnessing the fallout from his parents' disastrous marriage and subsequent divorce. Declan and Avery may just find that their love is worth the risk, but first, they'll need to work through the baggage of their past.

This book genuinely gave me all the feels. I went from laughing at the hilarious opening scene involving grown men lining up to joust with hobbyhorses to sitting at the edge of my seat while reading the scene of Avery's accident and praying that she would be okay. When she came home from the hospital, I truly empathized with Avery's frustration at being unable to handle even simple tasks on her own, as well as with Declan's feelings of guilt regarding Avery's injuries. Their relationship growth was perfectly paced, and even though I hated to see things between them blow up the way they did, it was probably realistic. I was happy that they used their time apart to work through their issues in a healthy way and they ended up in a great place, both individually and as a couple.

Overall, I loved "When Sparks Fly" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to whatever Helena Hunting writes next.

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

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Review: "For Love Or Honey" by Staci Hart

For Love Or Honey by Staci Hart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"For Love or Honey" by Staci Hart was a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance featuring endearing, relatable characters and an engaging plot. Grant Stone expected to face opposition when he arrived in the small town of Lindenbach, Texas to convince the holdout landowners to sell their mineral rights to his company, Flexion, for natural gas exploration, but he was sure it wouldn't be anything he couldn't handle. After all, he'd visited countless towns just like Lindenbach in the past and always managed to win them over with his natural charm and big payouts. However, Grant had never before faced an opponent quite like Jo Blum, who was determined to put a stop to Flexion's plans because of the potentially damaging environmental impact on farms like the one that had been in her family for generations. Grant knew he had to win Jo over to have any chance of success in Lindenbach, but would he be able to prevent himself from falling in love with her in the process?

The chemistry between Grant and Jo was intense from the very beginning, and even though they went into the relationship with the idea that it would only be a temporary fling, it was difficult for them to keep from catching feelings that seemed very permanent. I completely understood each of their reasons for not wanting to make a long-term commitment, but I couldn't help rooting for them to work through those challenges and find a way to be together anyway. In addition, I loved the sweet, funny, playful vibe that existed between them for much of the story as Jo tried desperately to find a small town or farm task at which Grant wouldn't succeed.

Overall, "For Love or Honey" gave me all the feels and I completely adored it! I have enjoyed Staci Hart's last few small town romances tremendously; they are definitely her best work yet. I highly recommend this book for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans and can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series, featuring Jo's sister Daisy.

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

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Release Blitz + Review: "There's Something About Molly" by Christina Hovland

I'm delighted to take part in the release blitz celebrating "There's Something About Molly" by Christina Hovland, book #2 of the Mommy Wars series. Characters from the first book make return appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

 

Like the previous book in the series, "There's Something About Molly" was rather an unconventional romance, but satisfying nonetheless. Single mom Molly Princeton had never been a fan of her best friend Rachel's ex-husband, Gavin Frank. After all, she'd had a front row seat to his behavior towards Rachel and their twin sons, Kellan and Brady, over the years. Fresh off a failed engagement, however, Gavin was focused on being a better father and getting to know himself outside of a relationship. His genuine efforts to step up his parenting game were really sweet; unfortunately, every time he started to think he had a handle on things, the boys did something to make him realize just how unprepared he was. Most of the situations were laughable, especially because they really weren't Gavin's fault. (Honestly, who could predict that their child is going to put a Skittle up their nose?) He was lucky to have Molly there to bail him out on several occasions.

After getting to know him a bit in the last book of the series, the Gavin we met in this book was not what I expected, in a good way. I loved that he saw Molly for who she really was and pushed her to be kinder to herself. She needed to build herself up as much as she tried to build up everyone around her. She was fiercely independent and fought her feelings for Gavin valiantly, but he managed to win her over in the end. They were both incredibly likeable and relatable characters, and it was easy for me to cheer them on to their HEA. Gavin attempting to learn the nuances of emojis so that he could text with Molly was particularly relatable (and hilarious) for me. I have a tough time keeping up with the secret meanings behind most of them myself!

Overall, I adored "There's Something About Molly" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

 

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

 

 

About "There's Something About Molly"

Keeping it together. Barely.

Molly Princeton hasn't met the right guy. Yes, she's a dating coach. But she's also a single mom with a rocky relationship history. She may be able to help others find love, but she doesn't really need it in her life. Happiness doesn't require falling in love. Winning a matchmaker competition however requires being part of a couple. And darn it, she needs to win this one. That's when she sets her sights on Gavin Frank—the one man she would absolutely never fall in love with.

Gavin is her nemesis, her best friend's ex, and yeah, okay, he's sexy as sin. He's also off limits. But she's out of other options. Plus Gavin could use a fake relationship to keep his meddling mother from setting up blind dates with every available woman in the Mile High City. There's no way he'd fall for Molly. None. Nada.

The two quickly learn there's a thin line between hate and love, and she finds herself tipping onto the wrong side. For the first time, she doesn't have all the answers. What the heck is she supposed to do next? Lucky for her, Gavin realizes there's something about Molly he can't resist...

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Pressure Point" by Claire Hastings

I'm happy to take part in today's release blitz promoting "Pressure Point" by Claire Hastings, book #2 of the Atlanta Rising Football Club series. Characters from the previous book make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone. 

For two seasons, Liam Daley was the backup goaltender for his hometown football (soccer) team in Dundalk, Ireland, but an awkward breakup left him in need of a fresh start. When Liam's mentor, Gunnar Gracin, accepted a head coaching job with the Atlanta Rising, Liam seized the opportunity to go with him and become Atlanta's starting goaltender. Meanwhile, physical therapist Avery Houghton was also new to the team, and she'd quickly developed a crush on star player Dash Lazaro. Realizing that she would need help in overcoming her natural awkwardness if she ever hoped to get Dash's attention, she turned to her new friend Liam for help. The only problem was that Liam had a crush on Avery himself, and helping her score a date with another man was the last thing he wanted to do. Could Liam help Avery see that she was perfect just the way she was, and that the perfect man for her had been right in front of her all along?

Generally speaking, I enjoyed this story and thought that Liam and Avery were super cute together. Liam was particularly awesome; I loved how sweet and patient he was with Avery, as well as his belief that she was perfect just the way she was. I also empathized with his feelings of always being second best because of the situation he left behind in Ireland, as well as when it seemed as if Avery was choosing Dash over him. As for Avery, my feelings were more complicated; at first, I found her awkwardness endearing, but by the time I was a third of the way through the story some of her behavior started to annoy me. Without getting into spoilers, IMO her obsession with Dash went on for way too long, and I wanted to yell at her on multiple occasions to get a clue. That said, her insecurity about her appearance and social anxiety were both very relatable, and I liked the way that she gradually gained confidence in herself over the course of the story.

 

I recommend "Pressure Point" for all fans of contemporary/sports romance and look forward to the next book in the series. 

 

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

About "Pressure Point"

How high does the pressure get inside the friend zone? This goalkeeper is about to find out...

Moving to America forced Liam Daley to leave almost everything behind in Ireland - his family, his team, and his dreams about what might have been. Now on a mission to prove that he's more than second string as a member of the Atlanta Rising Football Club, there's only one thing distracting him: the team's charming and quirky physical therapist, who just happens to be crushing on the hotshot rookie Dash Lazaro.

Avery Houghton is living her dream working for the Atlanta Rising. In fact, life would be perfect if she could just score a date with her dream guy. But overcoming her natural awkwardness is unlikely, and her insecurities aren't doing her any favors either. She's desperate for help, and who better to teach her how to attract a football star than another football star?
 

As Avery's reluctant partner in crime, Liam hopes to show her that she doesn't need to change for any man. But simply telling Avery how he really feels seems impossible. While Avery gets closer to everything she thinks she wants, Liam starts to feel the pressure. Will he be forced to pass when he's finally ready to make a play for her heart? 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Brazen Player" by Robin Stone

Today, I'm pleased to take part in the release blitz promoting "Brazen Player" by Robin Stone, a standalone Cocky Hero Club novel inspired by "Stuck-Up Suit."

 

Logan Forrester knew that he was more than qualified for a promotion to his company's executive team. The only thing standing in his way was the fact that he was single, a real problem in light of the company's recent efforts to become more family-friendly. With no time for or interest in dating because of his dedication to his job, Logan decided that his best option was to find a fake girlfriend to accompany him to several upcoming corporate events, hopefully helping him to secure the promotion at last. After approaching two of his ex-girlfriends and getting shot down, Logan asked a new acquaintance, construction company owner Olivia Watts, for help. While she wasn't initially a fan of Logan's "rich boy" persona, Olivia agreed to help him in exchange for his help with the house her company was renovating for a charity that supported single mothers. The more time they spent together, the more difficult it was for them to deny their intense chemistry, and eventually the fake relationship turned into a friends with benefits arrangement. Could there be something real between them after all?

 

I really enjoyed how playful and flirty Logan and Olivia were with each other from the moment they met. Even though they were opposites, they complemented each other well, and it was easy to understand why they were attracted to each other. I found it very easy to cheer them on to their HEA.

Overall, "Brazen Player" was a cute, fun story with just the right amount of steam. I enjoyed and would recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. 

*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Give Me Books Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "Brazen Player"

We’re both playing the game. But who’s going to win?

Logan
I should get this promotion to the executive team. I have experience. Loyalty. Smarts.
But the one thing I don’t have is the one thing I’ve never been able to achieve: a family.
My personal life shouldn’t matter, but the executive team is filled with family men and women.
Me? I’ve had a revolving door of dates. It’s just the way I like things—casual, no-strings.
But it’s time to toss out the little black book and get serious.
I need a woman who’s feisty, someone who can handle me.
Someone strong and funny and intelligent.
Someone like that hot little brunette I see in the elevator who sets my libido on fire.
It’s lust at first sight.
Too bad she can’t stand me.

Olivia
Men—the bane of my existence!
Between my nuisance ex and people who think a woman doesn’t belong on a construction site…well, they can all kiss my curvy ass.
As a home renovation expert, I know my way around power tools.
I’m taking things to the next level, renovating and flipping a condo in a high-end building.
I’m out of my element here. I can tell by the way the unit owners look down their noses at my paint-stained clothing and work boots.
Especially the snob in the suit I meet in the elevator.
He thinks he’s better than me. I certainly don’t need a snooty jerk like him…
Until he makes me an offer I can’t refuse.

Brazen Player is a fake relationship romance inspired by Stuck-Up Suit.