Category: After Hours

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Book Review, Giveaway: Hwy 550 (Rock Point #3) by Freya Barker

Title: HWY 550
Author: Freya Barker
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: February 17th, 2019
Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

Special Agent Luna Roosberg lives and breathes her job. Who needs a personal life when work is so rewarding?
When a new case sends her to investigate a local motorcycle club, covering as the president’s new flavor of the week, the lines between professional and personal quickly start to blur.
Although the Arrow’s Edge MC stays mostly on the right side of the law since Ouray took the gavel, the appearance of the feds at their gate can still rattle his cage.
When a string of robberies points squarely in Ouray’s direction, he’s forced to cooperate and put the blonde, prim and proper half-pint on the back of his bike.
With pressure mounting both in—and outside—the club, Ouray no longer knows who he can trust, except the woman who is shaking up his life—and stirring his blood.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

On my best day, I’m not the most sociable person, and this afternoon required me to use up my quota of nice for the week.

 

I swear the man is probing for my tonsils, his tongue is so far down my throat, and all I can do is go along for the ride.

 

I’ve turned to putty in her hands. Lovesick bastard. Never thought I’d catch that particular disease, but here I am, gaining on fifty and drinking the Kool-aid, so to speak.

 

I’ve always been clear on what I don’t want— so it doesn’t take a lot for me to know when what’s in front of me is exactly what I’ve been holding out for.

 

My Review:

 

I was engaged and engrossed in this intriguing and entertaining tale of romantic suspense featuring an uptight and petite FBI agent with something to prove and a burly MC club President with a soft heart for street urchins and ugly dogs. Sounds like a highly unlikely pairing but they were tossed together when a string of violent robberies appeared to be framing Ouray and the MC and Luna was the best choice as the agent to send undercover. The line between professional and personal was quickly smudged and gradually blurred before being totally erased. But, really, how could she resist a big-hearted and magnetically sexy man who rescued children and handled her with wizened respect, patience, and sizzling hot kisses?

 

I adored this sassy couple as well as the large group of likable and oddly compelling secondary characters on both sides of the law. The multiple storylines were active and cunningly paced while taunting and stimulating my curiosity with cleverly contrived suspense when all the while a steamy romance and sweet rescue of a preteen runaway with his own special needs were progressing right along. Freya Barker just gets better and better.

Freya Barker inspires with her stories about ‘real’ people, perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy.

She is the author of the Cedar Tree and Portland, ME Series, the Northern Lights Collection and the Rock Point Series. She is also co-author of the SnapShot Series.

To see Freya’s complete backlist, or to find out what is coming down the pipe, visit freyabarker.com.

 

 

 

 

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Book Review, Giveaway: Lust – The Elite Seven #1 by Ker Dukey

NOW’S YOUR CHANCE TO DELVE INTO THE SECRET SOCIETY

 

THE ELITE SEVEN

LUST an Elite Seven novel by Ker Dukey is LIVE!!

Keep reading to grab your copy & to enter to win a $20 gift card!!!

 

I was born with wealth, athletic ability, and looks that could melt the panties off a nun.
I had a clear path to success.
Until fate dealt me a cruel blow, leaving me empty and in need of purpose.
My only focus now is to become part of The Elite—a secret society in one of the most prestigious colleges in the world.
But everything comes at a price, and with The Elite, you have to earn your place.
Lucky for me, being sinful is in my DNA.
The only obstacle to full initiation is my task: seduce the un-seducible, the forbidden, and lure her with the sins of the flesh.
Easy for a man like me…in theory.
She started as my task, but what happens when the lines between lust and love blur, and the need for power rages war with the need for her?
Accept your sin wisely, for the tasks given to earn your place are not for the weak—they’re for The Elite.
This is my life, my chance, my legacy.
I am Rhett Masters.
I am Lust.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

Her eyes take in every part of my face before dipping low to my crotch. “Tempting, but I’ll pass. I already had Vienna sausage for lunch. One’s enough for any lifetime.”

My Review:

 

I struggled with this one as I could only find one likable character through most of the story, yet I was intrigued and couldn’t put my Kindle down.   I despised the main character of Rhett, as he was arrogant, irresponsible, spoiled and just vile, as was his friend. I hissed at his duplicitous, contemptible, and supercilious inner musings, yet I couldn’t stop reading. Man, if this overindulged, crass, and entitled wastrel was one of the best the school had to offer I don’t want to contemplate what the rest look like… But yet, I was also perplexingly involved in this despicable story and consumed with an intrusive interest. Curses!   A pox on the wily minx known as Ker Dukey for her wickedly addictive arrangements of words. Her sinister word skills were like sharp talons deeply embedding themselves into my gray matter and prickling my curiosity. I was physically unable to put my Kindle down, and in a near frenzy, I devoured this twisted tale to the very last page.   It was not my fault – Ker Dukey’s word voodoo was far too strong. Resistance was futile…

PURCHASE NOW

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Amazon CA | Amazon AU

 

The Elite Seven

7 AUTHORS.
7 STORIES.
7 DEADLY SINS.

 

Since 1942, The Elite Seven Society have created and guided influential leaders, molding the country into something better. This society was birthed by Malcom Benedict, II who wanted more for Americans. More wealth. More influence. More power. Some leaders have the skills, but not the influence, and that simply wasn’t fair according to Mr. Benedict. He invested his own money and time to construct a society that bred the best of the best, year after year.

But to be the best, you must be ruthless.

Good leaders make sacrifices. Sometimes the sacrifices are hard, but the rewards are plentiful. Mr. Benedict made sure to indulge these leaders with their utmost desires. A devout Catholic himself, he designed a society that rewarded his leaders with the sins that were frowned upon. If they were giving up love and happiness and joy for the betterment of the country, they deserved something in its stead.

Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, and Lust.

Choosing leaders for this society means that it takes intense focus. Only seven are to be selected, and the investments and time are showered upon the new seven chosen every four years. The predecessors of each group of seven choose people who fit the sin that will mold them into who they are needed to be in the future—what America needs them to be. This is after a detailed study of many potential candidates. The university’s acting dean behaves as a liaison for the society bringing the college applicants to the predecessors so that the selection may begin. The society members who are going out will bring forth a candidate that the society votes on and approves.

After they are chosen, the initiates are given a token and an invitation to initiation. The initiation will be a test to their character and ability to do what’s right for the betterment of the society. Once the initiates pass their test, they are discreetly branded with the mark of the society, and are groomed through challenges during the course of their elite education to breed them into the influential people they were meant to be.

Once in The Elite Seven, there is no getting out. The money and power are their reward. Should they choose to stray or break the rules, the society strips them of everything. Anything they once had will be removed. Opportunities will never arise. They will no longer have the support of the society. To this day, there have been no known occurrences of anyone from the society having to be banished. This elite group of people are what every young man and woman aspire to be a part of. While the group is a secret society, they are whispered about amongst the privileged folks in the country. Anyone who is anyone knows of the group and secretly hopes it’s their son or daughter who are selected, for good fortune is showered on the family for decades to come.

Lust: NOW LIVE

I was born with wealth, athletic ability, and looks that could melt the panties off a nun.
I had a clear path to success.
Until fate dealt me a cruel blow, leaving me empty and in need of purpose.
My only focus now is to become part of The Elite—a secret society in one of the most prestigious colleges in the world.
But everything comes at a price, and with The Elite, you have to earn your place.
Lucky for me, being sinful is in my DNA.
The only obstacle to full initiation is my task: seduce the un-seducible, the forbidden, and lure her with the sins of the flesh.
Easy for a man like me…in theory.
She started as my task, but what happens when the lines between lust and love blur, and the need for power rages war with the need for her?
Accept your sin wisely, for the tasks given to earn your place are not for the weak—they’re for The Elite.
This is my life, my chance, my legacy.
I am Rhett Masters.
I am Lust.

Purchase LUST by Ker Dukey NOW

Amazon US | Amazon UK
Amazon CA | Amazon AU

 

 

Pride: Releasing February 25th

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.

But who said the devil was a he?

In my world, she was out to cause havoc on all our lives.

She’ll use the one thing I care most about to control me—force me into her Elite world, filled with sin, deceit, and power. And under her spell, I’ll lead a sinister brotherhood of seven at one of the most prestigious universities in New Orleans.

Seven tasks set forth by the devil herself, promising nothing less than the forbidden fruit of power. What they don’t understand is it will all end in bloodshed and regret.

They call me the alpha. The one in charge. The one with pride bigger than any task I could be given. And my pride won’t let me be anywhere but at the top of the food chain until she gives me what I truly want.

My task is Meghan Thorne.

She’s too pure for me to touch, too good for me to ruin—and the only thing standing in my way to freedom.

Accept your sin wisely, for the tasks given to earn your place are not for the weak…they’re for The Elite.

As they say, pride comes before the fall.

I am Mason Blackwell.

I am Pride.

PRIDE By J.D Hollyfield

PRIDE Pre-Order Now!!
Amazon US |Amazon UK
Amazon CA | Amazon AU

 

Wrath: Releasing March 11th

I’m a motherless son to a father who hates me. Fury has lived and breathed in my black heart for so long, it’s a part of my soul now. The only thing that’s ever mattered to me is protecting my twin sister, Sabella, from my father’s temper.

So when the chance to join a secret society presents itself, there’s no question I’ll do whatever it takes to become a member and earn my place in the ranks of only the most Elite.

With a taste for the deviant, I’m drawn to the darkest of desires, and no one ever leaves my bed unscathed.
My task: seduce Patience Noelle, St. Augustine’s sweetheart and the mayor’s beloved daughter—then break her heart.

Sinning is what I live for, and deviance is my passion. Failing has never been an option.

But what happens when my sin becomes my curse—when destroying the only woman I’ve ever wanted is my key to protecting my sister?
Accept your sin wisely, for the tasks given to earn your place are not for the weak…they’re for The Elite.

This isn’t just my chance, it’s my legacy and reckoning.
I am Samuel Gunner.
I am WRATH

WRATH by Claire C. Riley

 

Envy: Releasing March 25th

It was temptation that broke the sinner.

People say I have everything.
They’re wrong.
I may have looks, money, and privilege, but I don’t have the one thing that really matters, the one thing I crave: a woman with eyes only for me.
I’m searching for my woman—one who will fall to her knees because I’m her king. She’ll wear the crown of my tarnished name, and long for me when I’m not near. And when I am close, she’ll be naked across my lap, feeling the sting of my palm across her milky skin.
You could say I’m a sinner because I’d do anything to have the perfect woman—compliant to my every need and whim—and I’m envious of every couple who walks around naive to the luxury they have.

That’s why I joined The Elite, the most prestigious brotherhood in the south.
It’s the one place that will give me what I cannot have.
Only…the task assigned to me is too much for my jealous eyes.
Accept your sin wisely, for the tasks given to earn your place are not for the weak…they’re for The Elite.
Those who envy have no peace.
My name is Sabastian Westbrook.
I am Envy.

ENVY by M.N Forgy

 

Greed: Releasing April 8th

I was born into a world of darkness—one that never touched me when I was around my brother, Mason Blackwell. Leader of The Elite Seven. The thing about darkness, though, is it’s persistent. Eventually, it pushes itself into my life, penetrating my soul and leaving its stench latched to every vein, rooted inside every bone, and sunken into every pore. I thought I reached rock bottom when I fell in love with my brother’s best friend. My very own brand of drug with no comedown. My own nightmare I never woke from. But I was wrong. So very wrong. When I returned to New Orleans, I arrived as a shell of the girl they once knew. Put on a smile. Be the sweet innocent girl they remember.

I’m Evie Blackwell, hostage to my demons. Can the damned be saved?

I’ve done some unforgivable acts in my years, but I never asked for forgiveness. Nothing beats the feeling of wrapping my hand around someone’s throat and watching as their life bleeds down their cheeks. She was everything I should have stayed away from. The first night I saw her, I knew I was doomed—a slave to the girl with the pretty eyes and soft smile. The girl who turned out to be my best friend’s baby sister. I couldn’t stay away. I had to be near her, even if it meant ruining her in the process. I wanted to wreck her, so I could piece her back together—a puzzle only I knew how to solve.

I’m Micah Dixon.
Greed.
I come for everything and get everything I come for—and I want all of her. But she’s changed, and so have I.
I’m much, much worse now…

GREED By Amo Jones

 

Gluttony: Releasing April 22nd

My life has been served to me on a gold platter to be devoured by my silver spoon.

Money, money, and more money. It’s the backbone of the Goddard name. I’m the only son, so it’s all mine for the taking.

But sometimes money isn’t enough. I always want more, yet nothing seems to satisfy me.

My father has made sure I become a part of The Elite Seven. Where most candidates are chosen, I was given my place. Everything comes at a price, though. Luckily, I can afford any price—no one has more money than God.

The Elite Seven have their initiations. My assignment is personal and beneath me: steal a car and send a warning. It’ll hurt my best friend in the process, but we both made a pact going into this. There’s no line we won’t cross.

My task makes an ugly turn and I nearly take a life. Such a small, unimportant person—someone no one would even notice was gone. She’s a problem my money and power can easily sweep under the rug.

It’s what my father wants. It’s what my brothers want. But when she finally opens those big, innocent brown eyes, I realize I’ve found what I’ve been searching for my entire life. I don’t want my little problem to disappear…I want to keep her.

Accept your sin wisely, for the tasks given to earn your place are not for the weak—they’re for The Elite.

Money is my legacy, but I want something money can’t buy.
I am Baxter Samuel Goddard V.
I am Gluttony.

GLUTTONY by K. Webster

 

Sloth: Releasing May 13th

I don’t give a fuck.
Not about money or fame, beauty or power. I’ve had all those things since birth, and trust me, they’re a fucking snooze.
I don’t give a fuck about anyone, not even myself.
Until my father proves evil can exist in the most holy of places. For the first time ever, something like interest stirs in my soul.
He wants me to enroll at St. Augustine.
Join The Elite.
Court the virginal daughter of Archbishop Savoie.
Prove to him I’m worth the family name.
I’ll do it all.
And I’ll do it so well, no one will know what’s coming. People are so quick to underestimate the wicked and lazy.
They forget idle hands are the best tools for the devil’s work.
I am Rush Dempsey.
I am Sloth.

SLOTH By Giana Darling

 

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Book Review: Honey and Happiness (Hemlock Creek Book 4) by Josie Kerr

Honey and Happiness

(Hemlock Creek Book 4)

by Josie Kerr

Amazon US / UK / CA / AU / Universal

B&N / iBooks / Kobo

Saffron McNabb is living her best life. After abandoning corporate rat race almost twenty years before, Saffy’s happily managing a small bed and breakfast in the north Georgia mountains. That is until the owner of the Creekside B & B wants to sell, and not to Saffy. 

Bruce Baird is in desperate need of a change. Bored both professionally and personally, when he’s forced to take a vacation, the normally unadventurous actuary decides to throw caution to the wind. 

A close encounter with one of Saffy’s rescued animals leaves the tightly-wound man and the free-spirited woman at odds. But when reality intrudes on the odd couple, they find they have more in common than not, and maybe, just maybe, Saffy and Bruce actually make a perfect combination. 

.

.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Chances are his suitcase was lost despite the assurances of the airline, and if it was, he didn’t want to spend the next week looking like he was dressed in castoffs from a community theater production of Godspell.

 

“But I got to thinking—” “Oh, Saffy. Never, ever think when you’re locking lips with a handsome man.” “I know,” Saffy said with a sigh.

 

… so what type of person did that make her? A judgmental twatermelon…

 

 

My Review:

 

This has been one of my favorite series, like ever! And I smirked and sighed contentedly while reading this amusing, sweet, and sexy stand-alone installment. Aptly titled, as it was sweet as honey and certainly made me happy. This endearingly appealing tale arrived on my Kindle at the perfect time, as I needed something fun, refreshing, and pleasantly satisfying while definitely lighter in nature after an unhealthy diet of angst and tension. The alluring and adorable couple of Saffy and Bruce worked a charm. The storylines were fresh, delightfully upbeat, easy to follow and well paced, while laced with levity, a sweet romance, a few surprises, and hits of humorously delectable steam.

 

The lovely book cover alone continues to affect me like some sort of visual Xanax, as the gleeful and magnetically attractive woman featured has managed to magically elicit a smile every single time my eyes have landed on her joyful countenance. She makes my heart sing and was the perfect match for the character.

 

I enjoyed both of the quirky and enticing main characters, although I aspire to be as Zen in my world as Saffy was in hers; she had found her niche, enjoyed utilizing her skills, and had established a useful and satisfying outlet for her creativity. I adored her! Saffy had been living a calm and almost totally fulfilling life with her unusual menagerie of rescue animals while running a B&B and organic products store ingeniously named Goat Waggle ~ snort! Sounds like Nirvana to me, and a handsome and gentle vacationer turned out to be the tasty treat who tipped the scales toward total bliss. That was until a greedy twatwaffle attempted to sell it all out from under her with shady dealings. The hero of the day was not whom I expected and I look forward to hopefully peeling that onion in a subsequent volume in the series.

 


 

 

Josie Kerr   

Website

Twitter  authorjosiekerr

Goodreads

Josie Kerr is a transplanted West Texan living on the edge of semi-profoundly rural Georgia, a.k.a. the southernmost edge of the northernmost county in Metro Atlanta.

She has an M.Ed. in Secondary English Education but discovered that she hated high school more the second time than she did the first, so she decided to meld her love of technology with her education background and became an Instructional Designer. When not writing articles about how to fire someone without getting sued or why you should really not apply for jobs using your SexxyStud99@aol.com email address, she writes steamy romance novels that feature grown-up Heroes and Heroines.

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Book Review: Legend by Sawyer Bennett

Legend

(Arizona Vengeance, Book #3)

Sawyer Bennett

Release Date: February 5, 2019

Amazon| B&N|iBooks|Google Play|Kobo |Audible

 

The Arizona Vengeance is hockey’s hottest new team. But hockey’s hottest goalie is learning that even the best players sometimes need an assist.

Everything is clicking for the Vengeance. We may be new, but we’re well on our way to winning the championship, and I’m having the time of my life headlining the sports media as the hottest goalie—hell, player—ever. I for one am going to live up to my name . . . because I am Legend Bay.

Dragging my ass home from the gym, I’m blinded by some gaudy, glowing holiday lights. As usual, my hot-as-hell neighbor Pepper Nantais has gone way over the top. But just as I’m about to tell her off, something else catches my eye . . . Seems like Santa left me a present and not one I was expecting.

As life takes an unexpected turn, I realize that there’s much more to Pepper than meets the eye. Sure, she’s gorgeous. And exasperating. And her taste in decorating may be a bit . . . unique.

But beneath her carefree demeanor is a fierce determination and a heart of gold. And before I know it I’ve fallen for her. Hard . . .

Pepper is exactly the woman I never knew I needed.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

My world just got narrowed down to this eight-pound bundle of wonderment in my arms and I am a different person as of now.

 

“Casual,” I confirm with a hard nod, but I do feel compelled to add on. “But exclusive.” Dax grins knowingly, because he understands that I just metaphorically peed on Pepper and marked my territory.

 

“You have nothing to be nervous about. You are wonderful and you could never embarrass me.” Relief wells in her eyes. “Unless you have an extreme case of flatulence at the table, and in that instance, I’m going to have to ask you to sit in the car and wait for me until I finish eating.”

 

I was 99.9 percent sure Pepper would say yes, but damn if that one-tenth of a point chance she might not didn’t have my body locked tight.

 

My Review:

 

I know next to nothing about hockey, other than it is played on the ice and it tends to violent, as the players are prone to brawl. So imagine my surprise when the tale turned out to be quite sweet. The storylines were well balanced with levity, erotically sensual steam, foul-mouthed characters, mental health issues, intrigue, and a tender yet sexy romance. The writing was observantly insightful and sneakily emotive. I enjoyed watching Legend’s awareness evolve and I found myself becoming quite unexpectedly fond of him, as he was protective and increasingly considerate of not just his innocent child but of Pepper and his struggling teammates. The storylines were briskly paced, well plotted, written with my favorite dual POV, and kept me continually entertained with a pleasantly engaging romance while also tickling my curiosity as I waited for the looming threat to arise.

 

The main characters were neighbors who had been somewhat at odds and annoying each other for several months as the highly structured and uptight hockey player, Legend, did not appreciate the colorful lawn displays and social lifestyle of Pepper, his somewhat bohemian next-door neighbor.   Pepper was free-spirited and had a kind and relaxed personality as well as a creative and artistic flair to her style.   I adored her. When her sexy yet cranky pain in the keister neighbor stumbled into her door in panic mode, Pepper did not hesitate to render assistance.   Legend was lucky she was so forgiving and generous with her time as his panic turned out to be warranted. A newborn baby had been left at his door in the dark with only a note, and that was only the beginning of the baby mama drama.

About the Author: Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released multiple books, many of which have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

A reformed trial lawyer fromNorth Carolina, Sawyer uses real-life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active daughter, as well as a full-time servant to her adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or even better, both.

Sawyer also writes general and women’s fiction under the pen name S. Bennett and sweet romance under the name Juliette Poe.

Connect with Sawyer:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Book + Main Bites | BookBub | Amazon | Newsletter | Master Blogger List

 

 

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Book Review: Waiting for Willa by Kristen Proby

WFW RB Banner.jpg

Waiting for Willa, the newest installment in the beloved Big Sky Series by

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby is

live!

WaitingforWilla_Amazon_WEB.jpg

Max Hull left Cunningham Falls a long time ago. Thanks to his killer instincts and business smarts, he’s come back to town richer than anyone’s wildest imagination. Now he’s closer to his family, living in his dream home, and at the top of his career—it sure looks like he has it all.

All but one thing. And she’s not interested.

Willa Monroe and Max were childhood sweethearts. She daydreamed about their wedding day and named their children, but Max’s dreams were bigger than her. After high school, he left her behind without another word. Now, Willa is a single mother and a successful business owner, and the heartbreak of losing Max was a very long time ago.

She’s moved on.

But when he walks into her shop and back into her life, suddenly it feels like no time has passed at all. He’s as handsome as ever, and more charming than she remembered. Once he makes friends with her son and turns his attention on her, how long will she be able to resist him?

And does she really want to? Sometimes you do get a second chance at first love.

WfW AN 3.png

Download your copy today!

Amazon – https://amzn.to/2KSfbIL

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/WaitingforWillaKP

AppleBooks – https://apple.co/2FSpDkC

Nook – http://bit.ly/2Q8eyR2

Kobo – http://bit.ly/2FVwREn

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2UfuHTi

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I just had to have an eight-year-old show me how to drive a car. Is it too early for wine?

 

He looks at you like you’re a new computer… And that’s pretty great, because he loves his computers.

 

Oh, honey, this isn’t drama. Have you seen The Bachelor? That’s drama.

 

I want you to know that I like you. I respect you. And if you hurt my sister, my brother is the chief of police, I have more money than God himself, and I can make your death look like an accident.

 

“Why didn’t you call me when he asked?” “We were having sex at the time,” I say with a laugh. “Um, we need to change your proposal story. That can’t go in People magazine.”

 

My Review:

 

I enjoyed this cleverly amusing second chance romance, it was a pleasant and snappy read with crisp writing and fun and an entertaining plot. The characters were lovable and highly appealing and even included a curious child with a cute puppy. The storylines were relevant, engaging, and well balanced with healthy servings of levity and heart squeezes with a refreshingly low level of conflict and angst.   This is only my second exposure to the lovely Kristen Proby, with both experiences being top-rate. I excitedly perused her impressive listing and just realized I am extremely late to the party with Goodreads listing sixty-eight books to her credit.

release blitz .png

About Kristen:

Kristen was born and raised in a small resort town in her beloved Montana. In her mid-twenties, she decided to stretch her wings and move to the Pacific Northwest, where she made her home for more than a dozen years.

During that time, Kristen wrote many romance novels and joined organizations such as RWA and other small writing groups. She spent countless hours in workshops, and more mornings than she can count up before the dawn so she could write before going to work. She submitted many manuscripts to agents and editors alike, but was always told no. In the summer of 2012, the self-publishing scene was new and thriving, and Kristen had one goal: to publish just one book. It was something she longed to cross off of her bucket list.

Not only did she publish one book, she’s since published close to thirty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion Series.

Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two pugs and two cats.

Connect with Kristen:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooksByKristenProby/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Handbagjunkie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenproby/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kristen-proby
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2kBRdpj
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2BD4vfq
Pinterest: @handbagjunkie
Website: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/kristenproby/newsletter-sign-up

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Book Review: Second Chance by L.B. Dunbar

Second Chance

by L.B. Dunbar

Amazon US / UK / CA / AU 

 

 

Another romance over 40 from L.B. Dunbar

Can one sexy silver fox face the woman he once left behind but never let go?

Her.

A widow at forty-four, her husband left her a letter.

Contact Denton.

Once upon a time, the three of them had been best friends.

Mati Rath isn’t sure she should look back.

Her heart isn’t ready, or so she thinks.

Him.

A pleading phone call forces him to make a decision.

I’ll be there.

Yet, he hasn’t been home in twenty-seven years.

Denton Chance isn’t sure he should return.

The past still haunts his heart.

A desire that never left them, along with circumstances beyond their control, brings the past to the present.

Can one sexy silver fox face the woman he once left behind but never let go?

Sometimes love deserves a second chance.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

My now best friend Cora tells me I need to get back out there. I don’t know where there is—or where I’d go.

 

I’m not certain how to categorize what just happen. It was the best non-sex-sex I’ve ever had.

 

My Review:

 

I have adored this series and author but I struggled more than a bit with this installment as it was a full-on angst-fest with near constant conflict, neither of which will ever be among my favorite tropes. I seek an emotional balance in my world but find I am willing to put aside my discomfort for exceptional wordsmiths such as the skilled raconteur known as L.B. Dunbar. The two main characters were each struggling with old regrets as well as recent losses and ongoing grief, as such, the tone was understandably heavy and other than occasional lashings of levity and bone-melting sensual scenes, it remained a chest squeezing read with thirty years worth of secrets and memories, wistful longings, resentments, disappointments, heartbreak, domestic and child abuse, family drama, and the emotional seesaw of their current indecisiveness and ambiance. Welcome respites from the ratcheting tension were found in the comedic flair of the family drama and observant insights of southern small-town living and pettiness, sassy and clever banter, and the breakneck speed of gossip.

 

 About the Author:

L.B. Dunbar has been accused of having an over-active imagination. To her benefit, this imagination has created over twenty novels, including a small-town world (Sensations Collection), rock star mayhem (Legendary Rock Star series), MMA chaos (Paradise Stories), rom-com for the over forty (The Sex Education of M.E. and After Care), and a suspenseful island for redemption (The Island Duet). Her alter ego, elda lore, creates magical romance through mythological retellings (Modern Descendants). Her life revolves around a deep love of reading about fairy tales, medieval knights, regency debauchery, and strong alpha males. She loves a deep belly laugh, a strong hug, and an occasional margarita. Her other loves include being a mother to four grown children and wife to the one and only.

 
Books. Kissing included.
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Book Review: One Hundred Lifetimes (An Aspen Cove Romance Book 7) by Kelly Collins

One Hundred Lifetimes

(An Aspen Cove Romance Book 7)

by Kelly Collins

Amazon  US / UK / CA/ AU / B&N

Kelly Collins invites you back to Aspen Cove, the charming mountain town where dreams never die and love lives on forever… 

Poppy Dawson has spent her entire life wanting what she can’t have—namely Mark Bancroft, Aspen Cove’s deputy sheriff. Growing up the daughter of a cattle rancher, there was no time for silly things such as love. But after watching her terminally ill mother wither, Poppy realizes that life is not only unpredictable, it’s short. She has to decide if she’ll settle for the life laid out for her or the life she desires. 

Abandoned by his no-good father at the age of eight, Mark Bancroft has spent over twenty years trying to redeem his family name. He’s been a good man. An honest man who’s been in love with Poppy Dawson ever since he can remember. But when his father stole everything from the Dawson’s and left town, he took Mark and Poppy’s future with him. Done carrying the burden of his father’s crimes, Mark sets out to win her heart, but first, he must win her father’s respect.
Can a decades’ old family feud be ended for love? Find out in One Hundred Lifetimes. 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Some girls were always a bridesmaid and never a bride. Poppy had never been either.

 

She was sadly inexperienced when it came to all things men. Her knowledge about relationships came from the Hallmark Channel or the books she managed to pick up on her occasional trips to Copper Creek.

 

“I think it would look great. That and flower boxes and flower beds. A picket fence out front to keep your litter of children under control,” she teased. He jingled the cuffs he’d placed back on his belt. “I’ve got cuffs. Or we could buy lots of duct tape and rope.”

 

I’m mortified. Even the damn chickens get more action than me, and there’s only one rooster.

 

… she liked to chat with Mark, who was too kind to shut her up and leave. It didn’t hurt that he was easy on the eyes. Mrs. Brown was old, she wasn’t dead.

 

At some point, you make your own family. If people didn’t move on from their parents, no one would have populated the world. Or everyone would be inbred with three eyes and two noses.

 

My Review:

 

This was a fun read that was equal parts humor, romance, and family drama. Kelly Collins expertly captured the small town feel and tendencies of eccentric characters, the wildfire speed of gossip, long memories, and narrow thinking; as well as the positive aspects of community cohesiveness and support such as delivering food and assistance in times of loss. Poppy and Mark were endearing and lovable characters but her father was an odious piece of work, he was a selfish and bitter jackass on a good day and totally vile or repugnant when riled. He was an unpleasant reminder of what I so merrily moved away from when I last glimpsed the small town of my youth in the dust from my rear view mirror. I always get a kick out of Ms. Collins’ personal style of pithy humor, which she so deftly tucks into her sweet and steamy tales.   Her books are pleasantly entertaining and easy to follow. While the appealing stories easily interconnect and provide tasty updates on the earlier featured characters, each book stands strong on their own while keeping your appetite teased and a bit hungry for more.

 

 

ABOUT KELLY COLLINS   

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Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping the love alive.

Always a romantic, she is inspired by real-time events mixed with a dose of fiction. She encourages her readers to reach the happily ever after but bask in the afterglow of the perfectly imperfect love.

Kelly lives in Colorado with her husband of twenty-five years. She loves hockey, shiny objects and has a new-found appreciation for green smoothies.

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Book Review: Three Little Words by Jenny Holiday

Three Little Words

(Bridesmaids Behaving Badly #3)

by Jenny Holiday

 

Amazon US / UK / CA / AU / B&N

Kobo | Apple Books |  Google Play

 

In this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, USA Today bestselling author Jenny Holiday proves that opposites don’t just attract, they ignite.

Gia Gallo is officially in bridesmaid hell. Stranded in New York with her best friend’s wedding dress, Gia has six days to make it to Florida in time for the ceremony. And oh-so-charming best man Bennett Buchanan has taken the last available rental car. Looks like she’s in for one long road trip with the sexiest – and most irritating – Southern gentleman she’s ever met…

Bennett’s pretty sure that if there was ever a woman to break his “no flings” rule, Gia would be it. Sure, she’s stubborn. She’s also funny, smart, and the attraction between them is getting hotter with every state line they cross. While Bennett doesn’t do casual, Gia doesn’t do “relationships.” But if they break the rules, this unlikely pair might discover that their impromptu road trip could turn out to be the best ride of their lives.

The Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series:
One and Only
It Takes Two
Three Little Words

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Gia was Canadian, so admittedly, her impression of southern American culture was based on Duck Dynasty and the William Faulkner novels she’d read in her one year as a literature major, but this dude, with his drawl and his falsely pretty manners, sounded like he belonged in a rom-com romancing Reese Witherspoon.

 

A little smile played at the corner of her lips as she stared at his lap with unbroken concentration, like she was a Jedi master with the power to make men pop woodies with her mind.

 

Bennett was like a rare, complicated flower blooming in many phases.

 

What was it about Bennett? He could shift the entire tenor of a conversation with a single sentence. He could look at her like he was seeing inside her, like he was shining light on stuff that had been in the dark for as long as she could remember.

 

My Review:

 

I’m feeling a bit conflicted about this one. I have adored the series, enjoyed the premise, smirked at the clever levity and thermonuclear sex scenes, and found the storylines entertaining and engaging; but I struggled to fully appreciate the main character of Gia. To most people outside of her friendship circle, Gia was rather vile; she was difficult, arrogant, entitled, prickly, and mean. She was rude and prone to going postal with service personnel when her needs were not met – gah! Gia was the type of person I make a point to avoid and maybe, umm, even feel compelled to spill my coffee on as they walked by. Yeah, I know, but sometimes karma needs a little help, or maybe I’m just too impatient to wait for karma to catch up to obnoxious snobs like that…

 

However, I was totally enamored with the lovely Bennett, he was a true altruist and the opposite of the cranky and snarky Gia. Bad weather threw the mismatched couple together for a long road trip in a Mini Cooper convertible, which, to me, sounded like a lower level of hell. As with the earlier books, there were wedding and family dramas aplenty, sweet and adorable updates and continuing stories of the previously featured couples, smoking hot sensual scenes, witty banter, profoundly insightful observations and inner musings, captivating subplots, and clever humor. I am growing rueful and melancholy with the realization that this may well be the last of the series as all the bridesmaids have now completed nuptials… I can only remain hopeful that this clever scribe will invent a few more people in need of wedding attendants, as I am unwilling to let this fun and feisty group go just yet.

About the Author:
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Jenny Holiday is a cunning Slytherin who is constantly being told she’s unduly optimistic. This year, after realizing she had accidentally put “hero makes late-night grilled cheese sandwiches for heroine/other hero” in three books, she started doing it on purpose. When she’s not writing, she’s probably having porch wine with her neighbors and enjoying having gardened. Follow her @JennyHoli on Twitter, @holymolyjennyholi on Instagram, and find other fun stuff at JennyHoliday.com.
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Book Review: A Virtual Affair: An inspirational story of love and loss. by Tracie Podger

A Virtual Affair:

An inspirational story of love and loss.

by Tracie Podger

Amazon US / UK / CA / AU / B&N

Do you know what hope smells like?
It’s a combination of the sea, of exposed seaweed and salty air.
Of wet sand on a winter’s day.

Jayne was mid-forties when she experienced the worst and the best times of her life.
She fell in love, so desperately in love.
She lost everything overnight.

But no matter how bad life gets, how far down that dark tunnel you are, there is always a glimmer of hope.

From her dream house in Kent, via the ‘nuthouse’, and eventually to a cottage in Cornwall, Jayne takes a journey that is to wound, to destroy, and eventually heal her.

This is a story of one woman’s quest to find herself and learn to love herself again.

Is this a story about affairs? No, it’s so much more than that. It’s about depression and loss, love and laughter.

Contemporary Romance for readers over the age of 18. 

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I smiled when I thought of my parents. They lived nearby in Crinkly Bottom as they called it. It was a complex for the elderly.

Before I turned out the light I noticed a white shirt in the laundry bin. It was one of Michael’s.   I pulled it out and held it to my face.   It smelled of him, of his aftershave.   It smelled of her perfume too. I took the shirt into the garden and lifted the lid off the BBQ. I squirted lighter fuel over the top and with my lighter, watched it go up in flames.

Watching my dad die, witnessing the process of death, would live with me forever. As would the smell. There were no words to really describe the smell of death, but it permeated the air, my clothes, and my hair. It was acrid with hints of acetone.

I’d never slept naked before. I had that silly thought instilled from childhood – never sleep naked in case the house caught fire. I had a fear of the fireman having to help me down a ladder with my bare arse on show.

I wanted you from the moment you stumbled on a speed boat. I don’t know what it is about you but I need you. I’ve never connected with someone the way I connect with you. You pull me, all the time.

‘I can’t let go of you,’ he said. ‘Don’t let go of me,’ I whispered.

 

My Review:

 

I finished Tracie Podger’s latest masterpiece of A Virtual Affair with my bruised yet hopeful heart in my throat, tear tracks down my face, and a smile on my lips. Poignant is a word that comes close to describing this book – but it doesn’t quite do it justice. Let me add in real world, relevant, heart squeezing, painfully honest, highly emotive, cleverly insightful, masterfully written, and sneakily humorous. As I read through the book, I frequently mused to myself that Ms. Podger knew far too much about depression and personal pain to be able to give such vivid detail and perfectly descriptive words and passages to the dark feelings of despair and sorrow. In reading her ending letter I found that the book contained, “many truths and a lot of made up stuff,” bingo!

During a cold and unhappy marriage, the main character of Jayne had gradually become a ghost of herself – and like many caged and neglected animals in a zoo – had become complacent in her misery.   Following a traumatic loss, she tumbled into a steep spiral. The inner narrative of her struggles and recovery was deeply moving, and my eyes seemed to develop a strange wetness that just wouldn’t go away. But I don’t want to give the impression that the book is morose and maintained a constant level of gloom and angst – NOT! As with any and all Tracie Podger stories, A Virtual Affair also contained stealthy and welcome hits of clever levity throughout, as well as a few deliciously steamy sensual scenes. Ms. Podger has mad skills, as well as a wicked and underhanded sense of humor that I just adore – more, please!

Author Bio

Tracie Podger currently lives in Kent, UK with her husband and a rather obnoxious cat called George. She’s a PADI Scuba Diving Instructor with a passion for writing. Tracie has been fortunate to have dived some of the wonderful oceans of the world where she can indulge in another hobby, underwater photography. She likes getting up close and personal with sharks.

Tracie writes in various genres, Contemporary Romance but likes to explore relationships that are not always easy and there isn’t always a happy ending, Romantic Suspense, Thriller, and Erotic Romance. She likes to have her books feel real with realistic timelines and with strong women who don’t run because the going gets tough. Sex is important between loving people, therefore all her books contain graphic scenes. However, the character’s relationship is more important.

If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact her, she would love to hear from you.

Social Media Links

Facebook    Twitter    Amazon    Instagram

Website    Facebook Reader Group

Facebook Book Club

 

 

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Book Review: It Takes Two (Bridesmaids Behaving Badly #2) by Jenny Holiday

It Takes Two

(Bridesmaids Behaving Badly #2)

by Jenny Holiday

 

Amazon | Kobo | iBooks 

 B&N | Google Play

 

In this hilarious romantic comedy, USA Today bestselling author Jenny Holiday proves that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas…

 
All’s fair in love and war
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Wendy Liu should be delighted to be her best friend’s maid of honor. But after years spent avoiding the bride’s brother – aka the boy who once broke her heart – she’s now trapped with him during an endless amount of wedding festivities. Luckily she’s had time to perfect her poker face, and engaging Noah Denning in a little friendly competition might just prove that she’s over him for good…
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Noah Denning is determined to make his little sister’s wedding memorable. But it seems Wendy is trying to outdo him at every turn. Challenging each other was always something he and Wendy did right, so when she proposes they compete to see who can throw the best bachelor or bachelorette party in Sin City, Noah takes the bait – and ups the stakes.  Because this time around, he wants Wendy for keeps. And when you’re fighting for love, all bets are off.
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The Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series:
One and Only
It Takes Two
Three Little Words

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My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Maybe this hadn’t been a good idea. Maybe the correct number of times a man should accompany his little sister wedding dress shopping was actually zero… And, ignorant as he was about such matters, he’d had no idea how long it took to put one of those things on— or how many helpers it required. Each new dress required a small army of overly Botoxed women in Chanel suits to carry it into the fitting room, and, from the sound of things, to hoist it onto Jane.

 

She still thinks she’s doing the ‘low-key’ thing… So she can’t get too out of control because that will violate her image of herself and create a disturbance in the force.

 

“One and done. Two and through.” That was Gia’s motto…

 

“We have a nice ‘hot for teacher’ experience. Or we do a Los Alamos package— your dancer will arrive attired in a scientific lab coat and hand out sex toys emblazoned with the phrase ‘Caution: nuclear fallout.’” Wendy cracked up. A person really could order up anything in Vegas, it seemed.

 

“I have no plans to get married either.” Gia raised her glass again as if to punctuate the point. “But ‘spinster’ implies, like, dust and cobwebs.” She made a vague gesture at her body. “Ain’t nothing getting dusty here.”

My Review:

 

I have hit my favorite jam with this delightful series and will profess to be near gleeful with the knowledge of having the next book already locked and loaded on my kindle for immediate perusal. Every book in this beguiling series has been an expertly balanced mix of clever levity; smart, endearing, yet somewhat emotionally damaged characters; insightfully observant, smooth and alluring writing that hits all the feels; volcanic sensual scenes; and engaging and Pez related storylines. It feels like nirvana. I do hope Jenny Holiday isn’t easily startled, as she seems to have gained a rather rabid fangirl.

About the Author:
Jenny Holiday is a cunning Slytherin who is constantly being told she’s unduly optimistic. This year, after realizing she had accidentally put “hero makes late-night grilled cheese sandwiches for heroine/other hero” in three books, she started doing it on purpose. When she’s not writing, she’s probably having porch wine with her neighbors and enjoying having gardened. Follow her @JennyHoli on Twitter, @holymolyjennyholi on Instagram, and find other fun stuff at JennyHoliday.com.