Kiss Me That Way~ Laura Trentham ~ NEW RELEASE & REVIEW

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KISS ME THAT WAY

Cottonbloom #1

Laura Trentham

Releasing May 31st, 2016

St. Martin's Paperbacks

A river divides Cottonbloom in two: the upscale enclave on the Mississippi side and the rundown, rough and tumble side in Louisiana. They’re worlds apart—but nothing can build a bridge like love…

Cade Fournette never had it easy Cottonbloom. He stuck around long enough to raise his orphaned siblings and then hightailed it out West—and never looked back. Even though he’s made a success of himself in Seattle, Cade never lost the toughness and the angry edge that helped him survive down South. His only weak spot: the girl he left behind…

Monroe Kirby came from the wealthy side of town, but that didn’t protect her from her mother’s drinking—or her mother’s boyfriend. It was Cade who did that, on a long-ago hot September night, before he disappeared…along with a piece of her heart. Now Monroe is a physical therapist who can fight for herself, and it’s Cade who could use some conditioning when he makes an unexpected return back home. Will he and Monroe pick up where they left off and finally explore their mutual passion—or will the scars and secrets of the past divide them once more?

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Elizabeth's Review



My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would Recommend to a Friend

Review Copy Provided by Author

I discovered Ms. Trentham with her Falcon Football series and I loved how she described small town Southern life. In this first installment of her new Cottonbloom series, she continues that excellent and believable touch.

Cade saves 13 year old Monroe and for years they have a secret friendship before she heads to college and he disappears from town. He comes back and appears in Monroe's life as her patient and their friendship rekindles.

Monroe, Cade, and their supporting cast are all well written and characters that you enjoy spending time with. They are all colorful and fit some of the stereotypes who would expect from small town Southern life without being caricatures.

I enjoyed spending time with these two as they figured out who they to each other as adults. There is romance, ego, and history all bound up together is a complicated mix that you leaves you feeling just as much anticipation as the characters involved. One of my favorite elements of Ms. Trentham's books is the other relationships that play a key role in addition to the romantic relationship. We get to see Cade work on his relationship with his siblings and for Monroe its her friends and community.

Everything is woven together in such a way that you get to know everyone in town without pulling the focus away from the characters at the center of the story. I truly enjoyed Kiss Me That Way and am looking forward to seeing what happens next in Cottonbloom.

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Don't miss the next Cottonbloom romance 
coming June 2016

An award-winning author, Laura Trentham was born and raised in a small town in Tennessee. Although, she loved English and reading in high school, she was convinced an English degree equated to starvation. She chose the next most logical major—Chemical Engineering—and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years.

She writes sexy, small town contemporaries and smoking hot Regency historicals. The first two books of her Falcon Football series were named Top Picks by RT Book Reviews magazine. When not lost in a cozy Southern town or Regency England, she's shuttling kids to soccer, helping with homework, and avoiding the Mt. Everest-sized pile of laundry that is almost as large as the to-be-read pile of books on her nightstand.

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Before That Night ~ Violet Duke ~ NEW RELEASE

New York Times bestselling author Violet Duke's BEFORE THAT NIGHT is available today! We're so thrilled for everyone to get their hands on the first part of Caine and Addison's story.

Find out more about BEFORE THAT NIGHT below and enter to win a $50 giftcard!

 

About BEFORE THAT NIGHT

Before that night, Addison Millan had been just a college dropout secretly raising her two young siblings in a beat-up minivan she’d bought with her first semester’s tuition refund—the only money her addict mother hadn’t taken off with when she’d abandoned them the year prior. Before that night, Caine Spencer had been just a rough, gruff cop sent to check out the phoned-in claims of suspected child neglect involving the same woman he’d met a month ago when she’d first served him the city’s worst diner coffee...which he’d been drinking daily ever since. Before that night, Addison would never have thought the man she’d been fighting hard not to fall for—her only friend in her new shadow of a life—would be in a position to rip her family apart. Before that night, Caine would never have believed any woman could make him fall head over heels, let alone make him feel so damn compelled to look the other way when it came to his job. Then that one perfect night changed everything. BEFORE THAT NIGHT (Book 1) chronicles the destiny-altering events that take place seven years prior to EVERY NIGHT WITHOUT YOU (Book 2), Caine & Addison’s emotional story of love, sacrifice, and the lengths one will run—and chase—when their past threatens their future.

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Get a peek at BEFORE THAT NIGHT:

Christ, she just kept getting sweeter every day. When Addison rounded the counter and hopped up onto the empty stool next to him so she could stick up another collage of carefully cut, colored, and glittered Easter eggs on the wall, Caine felt his brain blitz out for a second or two. The woman was a petite little thing, but she had curves for days. And that perfect hourglass figure of hers was currently inches from his face. Good lord. “So you don’t think your brother’s making a good business decision?” she asked him quizzically as she wobbled a bit to try and reach a spot about a foot beyond her reach. His hands shot out to grab her waist and steady her. What in the world were they talking about again? “Thanks. I’m good now.” She finished taping up the eggs and blushed from the apples of her cheeks to the tips of her ears when he picked her up off the stool and gently settled her down on the ground. “Um, yeah. Again, thanks for the assist.” Quick as a skittish kitten, she scurry-shuffled back behind the counter. Meanwhile, Caine felt like his entire body was drifting in slow-motion—his brain especially, which was taking its sweet time un-fuzzing. Jesus, she’d felt good in his arms.  

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About Violet Duke

NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling author Violet Duke is a former professor of English Education ecstatic to now be on the other side of the page writing wickedly fun contemporary romances filled with strong, unique heroines and memorably romantic heroes. With just under a million books sold to date, since becoming an author in 2013, Violet has appeared on the USA Today bestseller list thirteen times and the NYT bestseller list three times, with the additional honor of charting in the Top 10 across the major eretailers both in the U.S. and internationally. Her fans, who she just adores to pieces, affectionately call her books sweet & sexy 'laugh & cry' love stories.

When she's not feeding her book-a-day reading addiction, Violet enjoys tackling reno projects with her power tools, trying pretty much anything without reading the directions first, and cooking impossible-to-be-duplicated 'special edition' dishes that laugh in the face of recipes. A born and raised island girl, she spends her days in Hawai'i chasing after her two cute kids (daughter Violet & son Duke) and similarly adorable husband (their ringleader).

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter | Facebook Fan Group

Favorite Military Veteran Books

In Honor of Memorial Day ~ I asked the group attending our Blog anniversary party, their favorite books featuring a military or veteran hero. Here are there responses, in no particular order:

Warrior by Nicole Blanchard
Gingers Heart by Katy Regnery
The Corps Security Series by Harper Sloan
Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery
Kincaid by Marie James
Her Forbidden Hero by Laura Kaye
The Vixen and The Vet by Katie Regnery
Beloved by Corrine Michaels (currently free)
A Lover's Lament by KL Grayson & BT Urruela
Worth the Fall by Claudia Conner
Right Here Waiting by Lucy Gage
Seal Brotherhood Series by Sharon Hamilton
KGI series by Maya Banks
Hallowed Ground by Rebecca Yarros
Winter's Heat by Cristian Harber
Steel Corps series by JB Havens
Trident Security Series by Samantha A Cole
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
Soldiers Heart by Megan Green

*Buy links included here may earn a commission for E-Reading After Midnight. Those funds eventually turn into giveaways on the blog :)

Strange Magic ~ Michelle Mankin ~ Review

Billy Blade is a hardworking, hard living, razor sharp musical force. Mysterious behind his dark shades, the rough around the edges Texan mesmerizes with his haunting harmonica and tantalizes with his dangerous looks and smooth country charm. His latest album is topping the charts. He’s the newly crowned King of the Bacchus Krewe. He’s definitely living the rock star dream.

Exotic Creole beauty Thyme Bellerose couldn’t be more content. She has it all. An adoring grandmother. A handsome Tulane medical student beau. A satisfying job in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter. Her life is as rich as the ice cream she creates. She’s got everything under control.

But control is an illusion. Dreams can turn into nightmares. And now during Mardi Gras, otherworldly powers stand ready to shape their destinies in ways they could never imagine. Shadow and light. Magic and mystery. Reality and myth. All come together in a place where rules bend and lines blur. Even those between life and death.
~ Part One and Part Two. The full and complete novel.

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Elizabeth's Review

My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy gifted by Author

I met the author of Strange Magic at a signing and was intrigued by the way she described the book. "A singer who can summon the dead with his harmonica." Paranormal romance is not my "go to" genre, but I do enjoy it and was definitely willing to try a new to me author.

SO GLAD I DID!

Ms. Mankin does a fantastic job of world building, weaving together several mythologies around the vibrant culture of New Orleans. Her characters are colorful and entertaining and it's incredibly fun to go on the journey of discovery with them.

Strange Magic focuses on Billy and Thyme. Both of who have emotional wounds to battle and histories they know nothing about. Their meeting and early relationship are definitely different, but it works and is a pleasure to watch. You can't help but root for them as the story moves forward.

One challenge for stories like this can be building the "world" while also keeping the story moving. This story is definitely one of the better examples of how it can be done well. The reader learns the details and mythology at the same time as Thyme then Billy do. That keeps you on your toes as you read and I have to admit that I really feared a cliffhanger when I was about 80% into the book! But, everything gets wrapped up well without feeling rushed.

This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be my last. Ms. Mankin has joined Dianne Duvall as paranormal authors I really look forward to reading.

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Mr and Mr Smith ~ HelenKay Dimon ~ New Release & Review

Secrets and seduction make for an explosive combination in HelenKay Dimon’s edgy, thrilling new series, which kicks off with a novel about two men who can handle any threat—except the one posed by desire. 

 Fisher Braun knows how to keep a secret. As a covert paramilitary operative, his job—and his life—depends on it. He’s at the top of his game, ready for action and always in control. No enemy has ever brought him to his knees, but one lover has: Zachary Allen, the man currently sharing his bed. The perfect package of brains and brawn, Zach is someone worth coming home to, and Fisher hates keeping him in the dark about what he does. But the lies keep Zach safe. Until the day Fisher loses everything. . . .

Zachary Allen is no innocent civilian. Although he plays the tech geek, in reality he’s deep undercover for the CIA. In a horrible twist of fate, the criminal enterprise he’s infiltrated has set its sights on the man whose touch drives him wild. Zach would do anything for Fisher—except blow his own cover. Now, in order to save him, Zach must betray him first. And he needs Fisher to trust him with all his heart if they want to make it out alive.

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 Stars - Worth A Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Net Galley

Mr. and Mr. Smith is a well written, fun adventure.

Ms. Dimon gives us interesting characters in Fisher and Zach and thrusts us right into the middle of their relationship imploding. I don't know if I would say that the following journey really includes romance or relationship building, but it does show our heroes working through their issues and feelings.

Suspense, sexy times, and humor from interesting secondary characters abound and make this a fun summer read.

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Until June ~ Aurora Rose Reynolds ~ NEW RELEASE & REVIEW

The Boom is real! 

Meet June & Evan in Until June 

Now available! 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1T8B4ns 

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1TRbaVd
iBooks: http://apple.co/1rZwlt2

 Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1QNOL4n
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1sH7ivA

June Mayson and Evan Barrister’s whirlwind courtship resulted in a secret marriage right before he left for boot camp. Evan knows deep in his gut that June is too good for him, but after getting a taste of the beautiful life they can have together, he’s unwilling to let her go. June promises to wait for him, knowing neither time or distance will ever change her feelings for Evan—that is until she’s served with divorce papers while he’s overseas and she’s forced to let him go. Her marriage and divorce a well-kept secret, the last person June expects to run into when she moves back to her hometown is Evan. Angry over the past, she does everything within her power to ignore the pull she feels whenever he is near. But how can she ignore the pain she sees every time their eyes meet? How can she fight the need to soothe him even if she knows she’s liable to get hurt once again? Is it possible for June and Evan to find their way back to each other again? Or will they be stopped by an outside force before they ever have a shot?

Excerpt 1

Seeing Evan again is taking a toll on me, I can’t sleep and my mind is in a constant state of turmoil. I wake up in the middle of the night from dreams of us. The memories of him, of us are too much. Some memories have the ability to heal. The ability to light up the dark because the beauty of the memory is so bright you’re still able to bask in it. But the memories of us are killing me slowly. They remind me that for one moment I had everything while reminding me it’s gone. It’s the realization that we’re done that’s killing me. The realization that I can see him but can’t touch him that he exist but he’s not mine is agonizing. 

Excerpt 2

He’s beautiful his body is a work of art I want to touch him, I want to know what It feels like to have his bearded face against my delicate skin, I want to know if the rough edges I now see are smooth to the touch.

“June.” My name in his course tone gets my attention but when our eyes meet its not anger he’s looking at me with, its raw, powerful, hungry possessiveness.

Book Trailer :https://vimeo.com/167496949 

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 Stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy provided by Author

What would you do if you had a second chance to be with the love of your life? That's the issue June faces when her college sweetheart/ex husband reappears in her life after disappearing without a word.

Ms. Reynolds gives us fun characters and a great cast of supporting players to watch this second chance romance play out. Lots of creative sexy time is balanced with a light suspense element and emotional relationship building.

Nothing is too deep in this quick, enjoyable read. Until June is part of a series that is related to another series. Having some exposure to some of the prior books would be helpful, but not necessary.

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About The Author 



Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who's husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She's married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it's beauty. Website: http://aurorarosereynolds.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aurora-Rose-Reynolds
Twitter: https://twitter.com/auroraroseR
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1pzLVIO
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/creynoldsauthor/

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Finding Me ~ Stephanie Rose ~ NEW RELEASE & REVIEW

Title: Finding Me (Second Chances, #2.5)

Author: Stephanie Rose

Genre: New Adult

Release Date: May 22, 2016

 

Synopsis

I've always been lost . . . Abandoned by a father who didn't want me. Cherished by a stepfather, though I wasn’t his. Shattered by a boy who swore he loved me. But I belonged nowhere, to no one. Then I met Owen, the sweet-talking hockey player who made me love him. He gave me the courage to trust in someone besides myself. He showed me a love I longed for. When an unwanted ghost comes knocking on my door, my heartbreaking history threatens to repeat itself. But where do I turn if I lose everyone? And how do I find where I belong, when I’m still Finding Me? Finding Me is a spinoff from the Second Chances series and can be read as a standalone.  

Purchase your copy today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK

 

Excerpt

I couldn’t quite make eye contact with Ethan since the last time I came back to the apartment with Owen before Thanksgiving break. We caught Ethan naked in the hallway—on a date and thinking they had the place to themselves for a night. I was no prude, but seeing junk not belonging to my boyfriend turned me three shades of red. I hadn't even seen Owen's, but I . . . felt it . . . a lot. On my leg, against my stomach, sometimes rubbing my back if he was holding me from behind. Why I was so bashful I couldn't say, especially since I didn’t have a cherry to pop. But it was only one guy and only one time, shortly before he shredded my heart and then stomped all over it. Even though I couldn't make my virginity grow back, I wasn’t quite ready to go there again. However, not being ready for sex had absolutely nothing to do with wanting it. Our time together always ended with a scorching kiss and groping against the nearest wall. Owen’s Southern gentility was probably wearing thin these past few weeks. “Owen? The movie starts in a half hour!” I called as I strolled down the hallway. “Hey, City. Give me a minute, practice ran late.” Owen had just stepped out of the shower and was dripping freaking wet. The V on his hips disappeared into a towel cinched around his tapered waist. Water traveled from the stray tangled locks at his neck and trickled down over his ripped chest and his abs before disappearing into the bunched up material at his waist. I licked my parched lips and tried to remember how to speak. How many damn abs did he have? Six? Eight? I was gaping at a wet, half naked Owen while the corner of the bastard's mouth turned up in a smirk. I didn't have the faculties to scowl back. My tongue didn't want to work unless it was tracing the water trails across Owen's body. “Keep looking at me like that, baby. We won't be going anywhere tonight.”

Elizabeth's Review

4.5 stars - One of the best books I've read

Review Copy Provided by Author

Every now and then, you come across a book or author (or both) that you connect with. For me that is Stephanie Rose. In each of her books, she has created characters and situations that I connect and relate to as more than just interesting people on the page (or e-reader in this case).
In Finding Me, we reconnect with Bella (the little girl from Always You) and she is all grown up and headed to college. She's had her heart broken by her high school boyfriend and is leery when meeting campus heart throb/hockey star, Owen.

I appreciated the tone of this book - I know that's an odd thing to say, but let me explain. Bella and Owen are significantly younger than the other couples Ms. Rose has written (they are a college Freshman and Junior) and while they are definitely grown up and deal with grown up situations, the heat factor has been adjusted to reflect the maturity of the people involved. I would be comfortable with a teenage girl reading this :)

The romance in Finding Me is sweet! Owen is a mature 20/21 year old and I loved that he recognized something in Bella right away and his approach was just perfect. The way he pursued her without pursuing her made me like him and made it so easy to root for them as a couple.
While Finding Me is a romance between Owen and Bella, it's also the story about Bella's relationship with her family and how she identifies herself. We get to see Lucas and Sam (the couple from Always You) and Lucas has several swoon worthy moments as he reminds Bella that biology doesn't matter when it comes to family. When Bella's sperm donor rears his head, I was so grateful that Owen and Lucas were there for her.

If you have read Always You, you will love getting to catch up with Bella and her story. But, don't worry if you are new to Ms. Rose's work. Finding Me is a well crafted, well written story that stands on it's own. I know we all typically swoon over the heros in books, but for this one, the character I am a little in love with is Bella. She's smart, sassy, and does an excellent job of dealing with situations that would be challenging for someone older, much less someone who is 18 and away from home for the first time.


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About The Author

Stephanie Rose was born and raised in the Bronx, New York and still lives there with her superhero-obsessed husband and son. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a day job in marketing, but she always has a story in her head. Her books are full of swoon-worthy men and feisty heroines. This lifelong New Yorker lives for Starbucks, book boyfriends, and 80s rock. Her voice is often mistaken for a Mob Wives trailer. Goodreads |Facebook | Twitter

Purchase The Series

Always You

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

Only You

Amazon US | Amazon UK

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Sugar Daddy ~ Sawyer Bennett ~ COMING SOON & REVIEW

Title: Sugar Daddy (Sugar Bowl, Book #1) 

Author: Sawyer Bennett 

Release Date: May 24, 2016 

Synopsis: Sela Halstead lost her innocence in a way that no sixteen-year-old should ever have to endure. She’s spent years trying to forget that night even while wondering about the identities of the monsters who brutalized her—until a telltale tattoo flashes across Sela’s TV screen. The incriminating ink belongs to Jonathon Townsend, the millionaire founder of The Sugar Bowl, a website that matches rich older men with impressionable young women. Obsessed with revenge, Sela infiltrates Townsend’s world, only to come face-to-face with a tantalizing complication: Beckett North, his charismatic businesspartner. The tech mastermind behind The Sugar Bowl, Beck always gets what he wants, in business and in bed. And yet, for a man who’s done every dirty thing imaginable, there’s something about the naïve, fresh-faced Sela that sparks his hottest fantasies. Because with her, it’s not just about sex. Beck opens up to her in ways he never has with other girls. So why does he get the feeling that she’s hiding something? In a world of pleasure and power, the shocking truth could turn them against each other—or bind them forever. Note: Sugar Daddy ends on a cliffhanger. Sela and Beck’s story continues in Sugar Rush and Sugar Free!
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25573737-sugar-daddy

Elizabeth's Review

My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Publisher vis NetGalley

I finished Sugar Daddy last night and have been "stewing" on it ever since trying to figure out how to rate it. On one hand, I loved it. It's a story that runs the emotional gamut with characters that you relate to. On the other hand, I hated it. It's a cliff hanger of epic proportions that will take 2 more books to resolve the story.

Sela is a rape survivor who has been emotionally fragile since her attack 10 years ago. When an entertainment news report awakens a memory of her attack and attacker, she decided to get revenge.
Beck is the technical mind behind the quasi dating service Sugar Daddy, matching wealthy, lonely men with young women looking for financial gain. Sela attends a mixer intending to exact her revenge, but finds Beck instead.

The story that follows in alternately incredibly sweet and terribly sad. Beck doesn't believe in commitment, but his connection to Sela won't be denied, so he approaches her with a deal. She is attracted to him, but agrees for the payout and potential to get her revenge. Ms. Bennett did a wonderful job of guiding these two through the initial slightly stiff "sugarship" moments to reach the beginnings of a real relationship. Watching both characters blossom under the care of someone who seemed to not have an agenda was refreshing. I really rooted for Sela when she was trying to decided if the potential happiness with Beck could outweigh the relief revenge might bring.

But, all of those sweet moments are overshadowed by the fact that Sela has been lying to Beck from the day they met. Will that fact allow them to have a real relationship? How will she handle the fact that his business partner is her rapist? We will have to wait to find out the answer to those questions.

I really did enjoy meeting Sela and Beck - I am looking forward to seeing what happens for them next, BUT, I will say that this is the type of book I would have preferred to read when all three volumes have been published. The story is so good that it's hard to leave it behind and wait to see what happens next.


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Purchase Sugar Daddy: 
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Rb6cft 
B&N: http://bit.ly/1SSoRj4 
iBooks: http://apple.co/1RevoHk
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1M7yRzz 
Kobo: http://bit.ly/222C52P

Pre-Order the remaining Sugar Bowl books now! Sugar Rush (releasing 8/2/16): Amazon: http://amzn.to/1WFjBo2 
B&N: http://bit.ly/1RkH9vQ 
iBooks: http://apple.co/1QpjxG2 
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1O5wYuy 
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1P3Ai6s

Sugar Free (releasing 10/11/16): 
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Rb6Auc 
B&N: http://bit.ly/1TuReY5 
iBooks: http://apple.co/1XD5spa 
Google Play: http://bit.ly/213kRVe 
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Qr1uKn

About the Author:


Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions. A reformed trial

Discovering You ~ Brenda Novak ~ Coming Soon & Review

Can she ever trust another "bad boy"?

India Sommers once had the perfect family—until an ex-boyfriend broke in and shot her husband. Not only did that cost her the man she loved, a respected heart surgeon and the father of her child, but she also feels responsible. Charlie died because of the people she hung out with before she had the strength to change her life.

Just after moving to Whiskey Creek with her little girl, Cassia, to start over, she's learned that her ex-boyfriend's trial ended in a hung jury. He's getting out of jail; he could try to find her again. And that's not all that scares her. She's extremely attracted to her next-door neighbor, but Rod Amos is the handsome "bad boy" type that's given her so much trouble in the past. If she got involved with him, her in-laws would sue for custody of Cassia.

India has to keep her distance from Rod—but the more she gets to know him, the more difficult that becomes.

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Elizabeth's Review

My rating: 3 of 5 stars - Average Read

Review Copy Provided by Publisher via Net Galley

This is a book that I picked up because I have enjoyed other books in the Whiskey Creek series and while I enjoyed Discovering You, I didn't feel that it was a strong entry in the series.
In this installment of the series we are spending time with Rod Amos and the Amos brothers new neighbor, India. India was widowed nearly a year ago when an ex-boyfriend broke into her home and killed her husband.
While Rod and India are the main focus of the book, I didn't feel like their romantic relationship was given the attention it really deserved. It seemed that the suspense element over took the relationship building. Their adventures where exciting, but I wish we had seen more of what bound them together and really drove Rod to go to the lengths he did.
If you have enjoyed the other books in the Whiskey Creek series, I think this would be a great book for you. It's a good opportunity to touch base with the Amos brothers.

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On Higher Ground ~ Melissa Collins ~ New Release

HAPPY RELEASE DAY! Dax and Beck are LIVE and waiting for you!

Have you grabbed your copy? AMAZON iBOOKS B&N KOBO GOOGLE PLAY

When there's no peace after war... When there's no solace after death... When there's only pain and suffering... Anxiety and loss... All you can hope to find is something more... Something that makes you whole and complete Something that puts you On Higher Ground

AND DON'T FORGET... ON SOLID GROUND IS ON SALE!

On Solid Ground is where it all began, and you can start today for only 99 pennies!

AMAZON iBOOKS B&N KOBO GOOGLE PLAY

***GIVEAWAY***

We have an awesome Amazon Kindle Fire to giveaway! Some of my author friends have also donated ebooks to the winner!

All you have to do to enter is go to this blog post! GOOD LUCK!

***The giveaway is open to US residents only. If you enter and win and are not a US resident, your prize will be forfeited.

Sawy ~ Adriana Locke

Title: Sway

Series: Landry Family #1

Author: Adriana Locke

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 Release Date: May 16, 2016

Blurb

BARRETT LANDRY has it all.
Power, prestige, and plenty of women, the dapper politician’s life is pretty phenomenal. But in the midst of the biggest campaign of his life, he needs to focus. The last thing he can afford is a distraction. 

ALISON BAKER is a work-in-progress.
As a single mother to HUXLEY, she’s rebuilding life on her terms. She’s focused on family, faith, and a future for her son that can’t be taken away. Putting her child first means not being careless, no matter what.

A chance encounter forces Barrett and Alison to redefine what they really want out of life. But everything comes at a cost ... and sometimes, even for love, it’s a price too steep to pay.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK

Excerpt

“I want a chance to win you over,” he breathes, peering at me. The way his eyes search mine make it seem like time stands still. “Will you let me try?”

He forces a swallow and the look of hesitation, the internal fight he’s having, isn’t lost on me. It’s there, right beneath the surface, and when I add my concerns to the mix, it’s enough to make me balk. Just a bit.

"I'll think about it," I whisper, holding on to the little strand of courage I have left.

“Say yes.”

Instead of responding, I ask, "Where'd you get that scar over your right eye?" I reach out and press gently on the raised skin. I expect him to pull back, but he doesn't.

My hand shakes as I touch his warmed skin. His forehead is silky and smooth. I'd like to run my hands over every inch of it, feel it ripple beneath my fingertips.

The corner of his lips twitch. "Lincoln hit me in the head with a baseball."

"Bad reflexes on your part?"

"Wicked curveball on his," he says, his face breaking out into a full smile.

“I thought he played center field?”

“He does. But he pitched some growing up.”

We stand inches apart, my hand gently brushing down the side of his face. Although I feel like he'd stand here all night and talk to me, it’s not possible.

"I really need to get back to work," I say, trying to unlock my eyes from his.

“Dinner? This week?”

I can barely resist the look in his eye, the one that implores me to say yes. The one that makes me believe he really does want to have dinner and spend a few hours with me.

I need to get away, put some space between us while I can.

“We ran into each other tonight,” I shrug. “If we’re supposed to see each other again, then I guess we will.” I start to turn away before I completely buckle under his gaze.

“How am I supposed to get ahold of you? I don’t have your number,” he calls after me.

Heading up the steps to the Savannah Room, I glance at him over my shoulder. “You’re the Mayor. Figure it out.”

Author Bio

USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.

She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her pocket.

For sneak peeks, giveaways, and more, please join Adriana's Facebook Group, Books by Adriana Locke, or her Goodreads group, All Locked Up.

Author Links

WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / TWITTER

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Giveaway

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Drawing Me In ~ Tracey Alvarez ~ NEW RELEASE & REVIEW

DRAWING ME IN is the seventh story in Tracey Alvarez’s best-selling Due South books set against the stunning backdrop of Aotearoa, New Zealand. If you like Jill Shalvis, Marie Force, or Bella Andre, then you’ll enjoy diving into these heart-warming, sexy & seductive small-town romances with authentic men and women struggling to find their special someone. 

Meet Harley and Bree...

She’s drawn by his wild spirit…
Bree Findlow’s ordered world slides into chaos when the man who broke her heart arrives back in their small New Zealand home-town. But with years of avoidance tactics under her belt, she figures ignoring the sexy-as-sin artist whose touch colors her red hot, is a practical solution. Until her mother arrives with an announcement jeopardizing Bree’s livelihood, and her sister also shows up…along with the nine-year-old secret Bree has kept hidden from everyone. Especially the father of that secret.
He’s drawn by her quiet strength…
Harley Komeke is back in Oban to rest, regroup and hopefully re-find his missing muse. He also isn’t against rediscovering every inch of the icy-cool treat, Bree Findlow—after falling under her spell in what felt like a lifetime ago at Art College. His pursuit takes an unexpected turn when, hello, insta-fatherhood. Reeling from shock, Harley knows he should despise the woman who allowed her sister to informally adopt their son, but he can’t. Because Bree, more than anyone, understands that with his past, he never, ever wanted to risk having a wife and family.

They’re drawn to each other over and over…
Like the formidable tides that surge around Stewart Island, Bree and Harley can’t resist the heat generated between them. Push and pull, kiss and retreat, touch after breathless touch—until a moment's recklessness has consequences neither can brush aside.

Passion won’t hold them together when past fears threaten to tear them apart.

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 Stars - Worth a Reader's Time 

Review Copy Provided by Author

In Drawing Me In, Tracey Alvarez takes us back to Oban and the community of friends that we've gotten to know. On this visit, we are spending time with gallery owner, Bree, and famous artist, Harley.

Bree and Harley's story is a second chance romance that spans more than 10 years. They grew up together and a college romantic interlude fundamentally changed both of them before Harley left New Zealand for New York. Now he is back and they have a lot to deal with. There are the repercussions of old decisions, rekindled attraction, old emotional baggage, and new complications. 

Ms. Alvarez does an excellent job of letting us into the heads and hearts of Bree and Harley. She gives us glimpses into the issues, both past and present, that weigh them down and keep them from fully embracing the love in front of them. As we watch Bree and Harley work things out, we also get to see some of the friends we've gotten to know in previous books with a chance to get caught up on where they are today.

Drawing Me In is a well written story with characters that grow emotionally and explore the wounds of the past while the build a future. Friendships and families are central to the theme of this sweet and fun read.

Amazon: http://bookShow.me/B01FQ36CBQ (This link will take you to your country’s Amazon store).

iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/drawing-me-in/id1068725448

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drawing-me-in-tracey-alvarez/1123141131

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/drawing-me-in

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Tracey_Alvarez_Drawing_Me_In?id=iTwpDAAAQBAJ&hl=en

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28238843-drawing-me-in