Release Blitz + Review: "Heartbreak Hitter" by Kimberly Readnour

I'm pleased to participate in today's release blitz promoting "Heartbreak Hitter" by Kimberly Readnour, a standalone Cocky Hero Club novel inspired by "Park Avenue Player." It's also a crossover with Readnour's Cessna U Wildcats series featuring cameos by Braxton and Cara of "Swinging Strike."

 

An injury landed first baseman Rick Bosley in the minor leagues for almost two years, but now that he's been called back up to the majors, he's determined to make the most of his second chance. Unfortunately, he's quickly embroiled in scandal after news of his hook-up with the daughter of one of the team's major donors lands in a newspaper gossip column. Reluctantly, he decides to follow the general manager and team publicist's advice to find a "nice girl" to bring as a date to the team's charity function that weekend, giving the impression that he's in a committed relationship. The only problem is that he's not sure where to find such a girl on short notice, until he comes home to find his new neighbor, Hailey LaCroix, standing in the hall outside their apartments. Someone broke into Hailey's apartment while she was at work, so Rick helps her with the police and offers her a place to stay for the night. They get along so well that he ends up asking her to be his date for the charity event. What Rick doesn't know is that Hailey is a sports reporter, and her latest assignment is to get an exclusive interview with him. Accompanying him to the fundraiser is exactly the break she needs to get the interview, though she can't help feeling bad for not being up front with him about where she works. 

This is a tough review for me to write because I thought the story showed a lot of promise in the first half, but it fell flat for me in the second half. Initially, I really liked the hints of mystery and suspense that surrounded both Hailey's and Rick's backgrounds, as well as the break-in at Hailey's apartment and why her stories kept being leaked at work. Unfortunately, the "suspense" didn't turn out to be anything of importance (I was expecting someone to be coming after Hailey because her dad owed money for drugs or something), and the "mystery" behind who was leaking Hailey's stories was not really a mystery at all. There were so many times I wanted to scream at Hailey for being blind to what was going on right in front of her. Not only that, it bothered me that she was willing to accept such a crappy facsimile of "friendship" for so long. I just wanted her to grow a backbone and tell a certain person to take a hike!

My other major issue was that Hailey and Rick's relationship felt very rushed to me. They had great chemistry and I believed that they really liked each other by the end, but love was stretching it. 

Overall, I didn't hate "Heartbreak Hitter," but I didn't love it either. I do think it will appeal to many sports romance fans, however, and I would give the author's books another chance in the future.

 

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

 

 

About "Heartbreak Hitter"

Second shots and fake dates, what can go wrong?

I screwed up.

Considering the team is laden with controversy, adding to the rumor mill wasn’t my intention, especially since this is my second shot at the majors.

As the Boston Bears’ first basemen, my job consists of more than winning games. I’m tasked with winning over the scorned fans.

I thought my batting average would speak for itself.

I was wrong.

When my off-the-field actions collide with my on-the-field goals, I have no choice but to devise the persona of being a committed man.

The task is impossible until I meet my neighbor, Hailey LaCroix. Goal-driven and refined, she’s the perfect woman to help pull off this ruse.

I need a fake relationship. She needs an exclusive interview.

The very ones I refuse to do.

I didn’t earn the Heartbreak Hitter title by being a saint. There are reasons I keep my past a secret and stay single.

But there’s more to Hailey LaCroix than her good looks and smoking hot curves. She’s pure and real. She makes me believe I have more to offer than swinging a bat.

And the longer we stay together, the more I want to confess all of my secrets.

The very ones that will destroy me.

Heartbreak Hitter is a fake relationship/sports romance inspired by Park Avenue Player. 

 

Blog Tour + Review: "Sealed" by Laura Pavlov

Today, I'm thrilled to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of "Sealed" by Laura Pavlov, book #4 of the Willow Springs series. Characters from the earlier books in the series make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

Coco Radcliff was in desperate need of a date for her older sister Whitney's wedding, mainly to spite her mother and sister who believed she'd never settle down. For weeks she'd been telling her family about her fake boyfriend, nicknamed Big Sexy, but she still hadn't managed to find a man who could play the part without getting attached to her. With only a few days to spare, Coco convinced Roman Amato, the new owner of her favorite bar, to do it in exchange for a feature in Houston Vibe, the magazine where Coco worked. She also agreed to return the favor and play Roman's fake girlfriend at his son Valentino's birthday party to make him look good in front of his former mother-in-law. The more time they spent pretending, the more their relationship started to feel real, and they had to keep reminding themselves of the rules of their agreement: no hanky panky, and no catching feelings. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, it seemed like they might be catching feelings after all. Would they really be able to walk away when the "contract" was fulfilled?

The banter and chemistry between Coco and Roman was absolutely phenomenal, and I loved the way their relationship quickly grew from friendship into something more. From the beginning, Roman's main concern was protecting his son Tino, who had recently started to realize what it meant for him not to have a mom like the other kids in his class did. When Tino met Coco, he quickly got attached to her and wanted her to fill that role in his life, even nicknaming her his "Comie" (Coco-Mommy). The three of them were such a sweet little family! Coco had been searching for a place to belong for most of her life because she never felt like she fit in with her own family, and she found it with Roman and Tino. 

Overall, I adored "Sealed" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary/small town romance and romantic comedy. I can't wait for the next book in the series. 

 

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

 

 

About "Sealed"

A sexy-as-sin single dad. A sassy, hotheaded diva. Two players. One game. What could possibly go wrong?

Roman Amato is perfect on paper.
Sexy and broody and arrogant.
He’s a divorced single father, so he’s completely off-limits.
I’m not looking for anything other than a hot date to take to my sister’s wedding.
I have something he needs, and he has something I need.
The fake dating gods have shined down on both of us.
We write up a contract so everything is aboveboard.
Signed, sealed and soon-to-be delivered.
Rule number three is written in all caps…
NO CATCHING FEELINGS.
It couldn’t be more basic.
I pride myself on staying in control.
But from the moment I slip onto the back of his bike, I enter a gray area.
I despise gray areas.
This is supposed to be temporary.
Temporary is my specialty.
But Roman Amato makes it easy to want forever. 

 

Blog Tour + Review: "Love, Artifacts, and You" by Sarah Ready

Today, I'm excited to participate in the blog tour celebrating "Love, Artifacts, and You" by Sarah Ready, book #4 of the Soul Mates in Romeo series. Characters from previous books make brief appearances in this one, but it reads as a complete standalone.

Ten years ago, second-generation treasure hunter Emma Castleton was ready to give up her entire world for Andrew Santiago, but when she thought he died, she tried to move on. Now, after being labeled a fraud and losing the company her father founded, she's retreated to a friend's cabin in upstate New York to figure out what to do next. While visiting the local library one day, Emma meets Miss Erma, the famous "soul mate psychic" of Romeo, NY, who predicts that Emma will find both the Lost Treasure of Romeo and her soul mate in the same week. She's not sure she believes in the soul mate part, but the treasure hunt intrigues her, so she decides to give it a go. She's searching for clues one afternoon when she's saved from a bear attack by none other than Andrew, who miraculously survived years of captivity and torture to become a millionaire treasure hunter in his own right. Believing that Emma and her father are responsible for his ordeal, he's out for revenge, but he doesn't plan for his old feelings for Emma to reignite - or for the possibility that she might be innocent.

In contrast to the first three books of this series, this book didn't really feel much like a rom-com to me. There were some pretty emotional moments, particularly related to Andrew's years of captivity. However, the story was quite compelling, and I particularly enjoyed the adventure aspect of searching for the Lost Treasure of Romeo as well as the mystery surrounding what had happened to Andrew and who was actually responsible. Emma and Andrew clearly had very deep feelings for each other, and after everything they went through in the years they were apart, it was wonderful to see them finally find happiness together.

Overall, while the first two books of the series remain my favorites, I enjoyed "Love, Artifacts, and You" and would recommend it for all fans of contemporary/adventure romance. I hope that there will be more books in this series! I can think of at least two characters who still need stories (Chloe, Veronica, and Jessie's friend Ferran and Emma's friend Justin).

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

 

 

About "Love, Artifacts, and You"

A love that spans from the jungles of Central America to the hidden caves of Romeo, New York…

Infamous treasure hunter Emma Castleton desperately wants to find the Lost Treasure of Romeo. Emma’s been labeled a fraud and she’s determined to fix her reputation.

She’s also been promised that when she finds Romeo’s Lost Treasure, she’ll finally find her soul mate. But Emma knows that’s a lie. Her true love died ten years ago on a devastating treasure hunt in Central America.

Former street kid Andrew Santiago loved Emma with all his heart. That is, until she shattered his life, betrayed his trust, and left him for dead. Now Andrew’s back, wealthy and powerful, and determined to take his revenge on the woman who broke his heart.

But as Andrew and Emma hunt for Romeo’s Lost Treasure they uncover secrets of the past, buried artifacts, and ever-present danger. Soon, they’re confronted with a choice, what is the greater treasure – true love or revenge?

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Puck Shy" by Teagan Hunter

I'm delighted to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Puck Shy" by Teagan Hunter, book #1 of the Carolina Comets series.

Ever since he drew a penalty that cost his team the Stanley Cup, things have gone from bad to worse for professional hockey player Collin Wright. The latest in his run of bad luck? His car broke down in the middle of nowhere, he dropped and broke his phone (not that there was cell service anyway), and he was nearly run over by a careless (but beautiful) driver while walking along the highway towards the nearest exit. The one small bright spot in his terrible day is when Harper, the woman who nearly ran him over, stops and offers him a ride. A few days later, Collin is kicking himself for not getting Harper's number (or at least her last name) because he can't forget how much fun they had on their impromptu road trip. He's in the last year of his contract, however, and knows that his focus needs to be entirely on hockey if he wants to stay with his team. Collin's teammate Rhodes thinks he needs to relax (read: hook up) in order to play better, so he talks Collin into joining a dating app. He's pleasantly surprised when he matches with Harper, but unfortunately, she doesn't realize that she's chatting with her road trip buddy Collin.

I absolutely loved Harper and Collin as a couple. Their banter when they first met and started driving together was hilarious, especially the debate about which horror movie was the best and when Collin teased Harper about nearly running him over. Even though they were strangers in an incredibly awkward situation, they seemed comfortable together right away. After they got to know each other and started dating, the biggest problem they faced was Harper's fear of commitment because of issues in her parents' marriage that weren't revealed until after her father had passed away. They initially agreed to keep things casual because of that as well as Collin's need to focus on hockey, but it wasn't long before feelings started to grow on both sides. When Collin realized that he was in love with Harper while she was still trying to push him away, he knew he had to end it. She quickly realized her mistake, however, and her efforts to win him back were both creative and very sweet.

Overall, I loved "Puck Shy" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary/sports romance and romantic comedy. It was a great start to a new series, and I look forward to finding out what's in store for us with the next book. (I'm not-so-secretly hoping that we'll see Harper's best friend Ryan again in a future story!)

 

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

 

 

About "Puck Shy"

I'm having the definition of a bad year.

Game Six loss costing my team the Cup? Check.
Getting arrested and ruining my image? Check.
Almost getting run over after my car breaks down? Oh, look--a hat trick.

My contract is up with the Carolina Comets this year, and I need to get it together if I want to stay with the team.

I need relaxation, not a relationship.

But when I'm scrolling on a dating app and stumble across the pretty girl who almost ran me over, I know I can't let her walk away this time.

Harper is funny, smart, and doesn't care about hockey.

I'm not supposed to be focusing on anything other than my career, yet I can't get Harper off my mind.

I know I shouldn't fall for her...but I think I already have. 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Main Street Dealmaker" by Brighton Walsh

Today, I'm happy to participate in the release/review blitz celebrating "Main Street Dealmaker" by Brighton Walsh, book #1 of the Holidays in Havenbrook series. It's a spinoff of the Havenbrook series with several characters from those books appearing in supporting roles here, but still reads as a standalone. 

After Sadie Rollins and her twin sister Elise inherited the Starlight Haven Inn from their late grandmother, she felt like she'd finally found her calling. She loved running the bed and breakfast, especially planning the weddings they hosted on-site. She was feeling overwhelmed as Christmas approached, however, especially with her sister finding every possible excuse to leave Sadie with the majority of the work. When Sadie's cousin Natalie, a photographer, begged her to fill in as a model for a wedding magazine shoot after the original couple dropped out, she reluctantly agreed, hoping that the publicity would lead to an increase in bookings at the Inn and enough extra cash to hire more staff. The problem came when Sadie learned that Natalie had recruited local divorce attorney Cole Donovan to play her "groom." Cole had been Sadie's mortal enemy ever since he represented her twin sister's cheating ex in their divorce a few years earlier and she couldn't imagine how she would pretend to like, let alone love, him for the photos.

 

Cole had secretly been attracted to Sadie ever since he first laid eyes on her, but he no longer believed in love or marriage after a bitter divorce caused by his ex-wife's affair with his former best friend. As a wedding planner, Sadie was the complete opposite, and she hoped to find her own happily ever after someday. Forced to spend time together during the photo shoot and because Cole was a guest at the Inn while his house was being renovated, the undeniable chemistry between them quickly intensified. What was supposed to be a one-night stand turned into two nights, then more, and feelings started to grow on both sides. Would Cole be able to overcome his fears and learn to trust in love again in order to give Sadie the happily ever after she desired?

 

Overall, I enjoyed this sweet yet steamy opposites attract romance and would recommend it for all contemporary romance fans. I hope there will be a story for Sadie's sister Elise at some point!

 

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

 

 

About "Main Street Dealmaker"

All Sadie Rollins wants for Christmas is a break. Three years ago, she stumbled into her dream job as a wedding planner, but she's been so bogged down with the minutiae of inn ownership that she can't even enjoy it. She and her twin sister might have been bequeathed the Starlight Haven Inn, but the bed and breakfast didn't come with much more than extra long hours and piles of debt.

Cole Donovan was looking for a fresh start when he moved to Havenbrook. Instead, his reputation as a cutthroat divorce attorney preceded him--and tainted his introduction to the only woman he's had eyes for since his own divorce. Too bad she can't stand him.

In a favor to her cousin, Sadie agrees to a little modeling in exchange for a spread in the country's leading wedding magazine. All she has to do is wear a wedding dress and pretend to be smitten with a stranger for a couple hours. Except the fake groom is no stranger, and as much as she loathes Cole, her body hasn't gotten the message. Neither, it seems, has his.

But though these opposites attract, there's no way there could be any kind of a future for a wedding planner and a divorce attorney...right? 

 

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Love in a Pickle" by L.B. Dunbar

Congratulations to author L.B. Dunbar on the release of "Love in a Pickle," book #9 of the multi-author Green Valley Library series published by Smartypants Romance. It's also the third and final book of Dunbar's Winters Sisters sub-series. Characters from the earlier books make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

Now that I'm (gasp!) in my late 30s, I'm finding that I enjoy reading romances that feature more "seasoned" protagonists, but they're not always easy to find. Many of my bookstagram friends have recommended L.B. Dunbar's silver fox heroes, so I was excited to have the opportunity to review "Love in a Pickle." There were a lot of things I really liked about this book, especially the aspects related to foster care and adoption. Unfortunately, I was not a fan of either of the main characters, Scotia Simmons and Chester "Chet" Chesterfield (aka Big Poppy). Scotia was just so unlikable to me, and while the reasons for her behavior became clear over the course of the story, IMO there was nothing that truly justified her sometimes cruel treatment of the people around her.

I'm in the minority on this one, but I didn't enjoy "Love in a Pickle" as much as I had hoped I would. That said, I will definitely give Dunbar's books another try in the future.

 

*Review copy provided by Smartypants Romance. All opinions expressed are my own.  

 

About "Love in a Pickle"

When a mysterious silver fox becomes intrigued with this small town’s most disliked society woman, he finds she’s more than a little trouble and possibly a whole lot of heart.

Scotia Simmons. The name says it all—ornery, judgmental, mean—but underneath a woman like that is typically a shattered heart. Locked within her secrets, this fried pickle princess has used her unkindness as a shield of protection against the loneliness. However, menopause and a one-night stand can change a woman’s perspective on things. Who knew it would take a man the likes of him to push her strong will to its limits?

Chester Chesterfield. The name has more than one meaning—generous, quiet, private—but within one man is a multitude of personas. The gruff oil mogul has a wounded heart (and a big secret) that holds him hostage from the man he’s meant to be. His past defined him, or so he thought. He never imagined it’d take a woman like her to push him over his carefully constructed edges and show him love has no boundaries.

When you’re in a pickle, it’s time to relish what—or rather who—stands before you and accept that even over forty, a second chance at love can be a big dill (every pun intended).

"Love in a Pickle" is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #9 in the Green Valley Library series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Love in a Pickle"

I give Chester a five-second head start before I follow him. My heart bleeds for him after hearing the story he’s told me. This big, beautiful man—his heartbreak is so huge.

We move away from the crackle and snap of the fire and into silent darkness. The loud crunch of my wellies on gravel echoes in the night. My sister’s farm has been restored now that she owns it outright and shares the land with Jedd. He’s built a horse barn on the property, and Chester stalks in the direction of the structure.

I want him to talk to me, but he continues to walk faster without looking back. With his long legs, he’s put quite a distance between us. He detours into the barn as I’d suspected. Once I enter, he seems to have disappeared inside the dark building. Despite a dim light illuminating the passageway, I’ve lost him.

“I know you’re in here,” I call out as if we’re children playing a game of hide-and-seek. Perhaps we are, as it seems we share bits and pieces of ourselves with one another, hiding truths, and then seeking full disclosure. We’re . . . curious . . . about each other, or at least, I am about him. I want to know more about him. And I’m not letting him walk away after the bomb he just dropped.

I pause before a horse stall. The heavy breath of Lucky One steams into the cold passageway. Jedd breeds and trains horses for the rodeo. It’s a process I don’t pretend to understand, not being much of an animal lover myself, but it makes him happy. Jedd’s happiness makes Beverly ecstatic, which is something she rightfully deserves after all she’s been through.

I think about Chester. His best friend, Davis, and his wife, Harper, lost their lives in a house fire, leaving behind three beautiful boys. Chester is now their guardian and an excellent provider for them. For a moment, I wonder why he doesn’t live with them. Why does he live in a bus just over the border instead of the valley? I suppose the locale might have something to do with his ownership of The Fugitive, but then again, his Chesterfield Oil offices are said to be in Knoxville. There’s a hefty distance between the locations with Green Valley in the middle.

I’d reach up to pet the horse, but I’m afraid he’ll bite me. Jedd likes to call him a mean sonofabitch, yet surprisingly, the animal has a soft spot for Beverly. While Beverly loves animals, Naomi loves the woods, which reminds me of her Samhain ritual later tonight. I’m doing my part to keep up the sisterhood rejuvenation plan, and after what I’ve learned about Chester’s friends, I take a moment to recognize I’m blessed that my sisters are still with me. I’ve missed them. We’re very different people as adults, and in many ways, it should make us more incompatible than ever, but there’s something about blood I can’t deny. My sisters are the truest people I have in my life next to my daughter, who I haven’t spoken to in a week.

After a few minutes, I decide I’m not going to find Chester in the dimly lit barn and give up on the hope of him speaking further to me. I turn toward the entrance and pause when I see him blocking my exit.

“Why did you follow me?” His low, gruff tone startles me, and we stare at one another for a minute.

“Because I don’t want you hurting. That was a lot you shared, and I just want to be sure you’re—”

I’m cut off from more words as he closes the distance between us in three broad steps and crushes his mouth to mine. His hands firmly cup my face. He kisses me as though he can’t get close enough. Our mouths nip and suck, devouring one another, reminding me how I’ve never been thoroughly kissed. Never like this.