Under Pressure ~ Lori Foster ~ New Release and Review

   

PASSIONS ARE READY TO POP IN THIS STEAMY NEW ROMANTIC THRILLER FROM AWARD WINNING BESTSELLING AUTHOR LORI FOSTER

From New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Lori Foster comes UNDER PRESSURE, the first book in her brand-new Body Armor series, featuring her trademark alpha-male heroes and strong-willed heroines, who risk everything to save one another from the deadly forces that seek to destroy them.

   

Get your Copy of UNDER PRESSURE here!

Amazon * Kindle * Barnes & Noble * Nook * Book Depository

GooglePlay *iBooks * BAM * Kobo * IndieBound

UNDER PRESSURE Synopsis:

He can protect anything except his heart

Leese Phelps's road hasn't been an easy one, but it's brought him to the perfect job—working for the elite Body Armor security agency. And what his newest assignment lacks in size, she makes up for in fire and backbone. But being drawn to Catalina Nicholson is a dangerous complication, especially since it could be the very man who hired Leese who's threatening her.

What Catalina knows could get her killed. But who'd believe the sordid truth about her powerful stepfather? Beyond Leese's ripped body and brooding gaze is a man of impeccable honor. He's the last person she expects to trust—and the first who's ever made her feel safe. And he's the only one who can help her expose a deadly secret, if they can just stay alive long enough…

   

“Romantic thriller veteran Foster has been honing her skill for a long time, and it’s clear she’s at the top of her game here. Readers will find themselves, along with her colorful cast of supporting characters, rooting for a happy-ever-after.”

- Kirkus Reviews

“Teasing and humorous dialogue, sizzling sex scenes, tender moments, and overriding tension show Foster’s skill as a balanced storyteller. She sets up a continuing story line for the series with the mystery of who murdered the firm’s founder, Sahara’s brother, but this thread never overwhelms the gripping main story, which will leave readers breathless.”

- Publishers Weekly

   

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

   

“Foster writes an action-packed story that has everything her readers have come to love about her books…. Foster continues to prove why she is a mega-talent in the romance world!”

- Jennifer Wilson, RT Book Reviews

 

   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

    About Lori Foster: LORI FOSTER is a New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than 55 titles, beloved for her contemporary romance novels revolving around alpha males and the women they fall for. Lori has been a recipient of the prestigious RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Fantasy, and for Contemporary Romance. For more about Lori, visit her website at LoriFoster.com, or check out these online locations where she interacts with readers: Facebook.com/LoriFoster, Twitter.com/LoriLFoster, Goodreads and Pinterest.com/lorilfoster. You can also sign up for her monthly newsletter at LoriFoster.com/Newsletter.    

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | YouTube

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 Stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Publisher via Net Galley

This is a pretty standard Lori Foster book. Leese is a secondary character from a previous series who gets top billing as the hero here. He's likeable and very alpha.
Cat is a strong female, but has a vulnerability that is appealing too. The interaction between these two is fun to watch. I especially appreciated the fact that Leese tried to avoid crossing boundaries, but found the attraction to Cat too hard to avoid.
The intrigue elements of the story keep things moving and keep everyone on their toes. Well written and fun, this is a good starting place for new Lori Foster fans. People who have enjoyed her recent work will be excited as some old favorites show up for a visit.

View all my reviews

Excerpt:

One thing stuck in Leese’s mind. “You didn’t like the family business?” From what Leese knew, her father had grown a highly successful empire supplying enhance­ments to new tech gadgets. Smartphone covers, special screens, camera lenses—he offered something for ev­eryone, and had distribution throughout the country, as well as in select markets around the world.

“No.” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t fit the mold. Honestly, though she faked it well, my mom didn’t ei­ther. She could attend the fancy parties and appear to enjoy them. The transition was almost seamless for her. But when we were alone, she was herself. Really warm and funny, sometimes too strict and overprotective.” She fell silent, then whispered, “Webb was different when she was here. I think she was a good influence on him.”

“She passed away from cancer?”

“Yes. A terrible disease. Holt does a lot of fund-raising for cancer research. I think it’s why Bowen went into medicine.”

“Do you look like your mother?”

 She flashed him a smile. “Everyone says I do. She was really petite too. Same color hair and eyes. I always thought my mom was really beautiful, and I know I’m not, so I’m complimented when people tell me that.”

Justice, who’d been so quiet Leese almost forgot he would be listening, said, “Oh, I dunno. You’re awful cute. I imagine if you dolled up, you could turn some heads.”

She laughed. “Thank you, but I don’t have many op­portunities to ‘doll up’ anymore, thank goodness. That’s one of the things I disliked most about wealth. Everyone expected me to look perfect all the time. And I’m just not the type who can pull that off.”

 Leese thought she looked pretty damned perfect, even in her tattered jeans, with her hair tangled and windblown and not a speck of makeup on her face. Her mouth, especially, drew his attention. She had full lips and when he’d kissed her—

“Teaching art to kids means wearing lots of smocks, not gowns. Usually the smock ends up being pretty col­orful though—paint, clay, marker. I’m far better suited to a grade-school art room than an influential committee.”

All in all, Leese thought that sounded pretty nice.
Justice asked, “You like kids, huh?”

“Very much. My students are terrific, even the more troublesome kids. They’re all creative in their own unique ways.”

 Leese let her and Justice talk about children and art, knowing it was a distraction for her. She didn’t yet want to tell him about her stepfather, but time would soon run out.

When the two of them wound down and Justice ran out of teasing compliments, Leese said, “You can have a short reprieve, but when we get to the agency, you’re going to need to decide.”

A whole lot of wariness flooded back into her expres­sion. “Decide what?”

“If you’re going to make my job easier by coming clean, or if you’re going to leave me muddling about in the dark, which could also be riskier for both of us.”

She released a tense breath. “Maybe a better decision would be to leave so you guys aren’t at risk.”

Leese caught her chin, a surefire method to gain and hold her attention. “That’s one choice you don’t have. Whether you like it or not, you’ve got my protection.”

Justice added, “If you’re thinking of dodging him, think again. He’s pretty good at surveillance.”

Cat scowled at them both. “I think I’ll take a nap, after all.” She bunched up her coat and shoved it against the door like a pillow. “Wake me when we’re there.”

So she wouldn’t rest against him this time? Too bad. But he wouldn’t waste the quiet time. He had a whole lot more research to do, and this time his focus would be on her stepfather and his friends. With or without her help, he’d get things figured out. Hopefully in enough time to keep her out of trouble.  

Any Time, Any Place by Jennifer Probst ~ Coming Soon and Review

HGTV’s Property Brothers meets The Marriage Bargain in this second volume in the Billionaire Builders series, an all-new heart-wrenching and sexy contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst.

When she was a teen, Raven Bella Stratton’s father was killed in a horrible car crash. The bigger shock was the discovery of a woman with him—Diana Pierce—and their two fully packed suitcases with airline tickets to Paris. Devastated by her father’s betrayal, Raven went to live with her aunt, never truly overcoming the traumatic event. When she discovers that the mysterious woman had a family with a husband and three boys, Raven vows to leave the memory of her father behind.

Until Dalton Pierce visits one night and suddenly her past challenges her future...

Leaving his life in California behind to run Pierce Construction with his two older brothers, Dalton Pierce has enjoyed returning home and studying his passion of woodworking. But when he visits the local bar with his brothers one evening, he’s immediately drawn to the smart-mouthed, badass, sexy bartender who sets his body on fire. Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem as intrigued by him, and his multiple advances are met with rejection. When he offers to restore the bar back to its original glory, he begins to work with her on a daily basis, and falls harder. His plan of seduction slowly weaves a web around them both, until they are caught up in the spell. But Dalton doesn’t know the secret that can either destroy them both...or finally mend two broken hearts

  Goodreads ~ Amazon

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 stars - Worth a Reader's time

Review Copy Provided by Publisher via Net Galley

It's hard to know how to describe this book...
Friends to Lovers almost fits because Raven and Dalton do develop a friendship first, but it's not exactly right. Enemies to Lovers doesn't really fit either because Dalton doesn't realize that they share a connection to a painful past event. I think we leave it at this is a "Good book."
Raven and Dalton are both interesting and somewhat complex characters that are fun to get to know and watch together. I appreciated the effort Dalton put into pursuing Raven both the first time and later when he had to rebuild the trust that he lost.
I had one big complaint about the book that kept it from being a 4 star read for me - The big fight/secret reveal and resolution happened fairly late in the book and there just wasn't a lot of time for our characters to get things right. The resolution was cute, but I think it could have been a little better had there been more time.
Over all this is a book I enjoyed and would recommend it. It's part of a series about the Pierce brothers, but it works very well all on it's own.


View all my reviews

The Summer Wedding ~ Lucy Kevin ~ New Release and Review

THE SUMMER WEDDING is the second book in the fun and romantic “Married in Malibu” series — a spin-off of Lucy Kevin’s New York Times bestselling “Four Weddings and a Fiasco” series.

 Jenn Fairhurst wants her Married in Malibu wedding cakes to be legendary. Her job baking sweet treats at the Southern California wedding venue means everything to her―even if she’s not sure that she’ll ever be able to love, or trust a man, again after going through a terrible divorce.

 Daniel Brooker is an award-winning photojournalist who gave up his globetrotting career to become a wedding photographer after his wife passed away, leaving him as the sole parent to his son and daughter. After such a tragic loss, he never thought he’d be able to love again. Until he met Jenn. 

Soon, Daniel is falling head over heels for Jenn and wants to show her what true love really is. But right when it looks like she might finally be ready to give love another try, her past comes back to haunt her. Will she be able to risk her heart again?

 Lucy Kevin is the "sweet" pen-name of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Bella Andre (who writes the #1 bestselling series about The Sullivans). Lucy Kevin books are fun, flirty and romantic―without the steamy scenes.

  Goodreads ~ Amazon

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 stars ~ Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Author

This is a sweet, quick read.
Both Jenn and Daniel have had marriages end and neither are looking for love when it finds them at work. I enjoyed both characters and their story.
This is not a deep dive, super emotional or complicated story. These are two people who are deciding if s second chance is worth it and it is sweet to watch their potential romance blossom. They are easy characters to root for and hope to see with a happy ending.
If you are looking for a sweet escape with a hopeful message, then give The Summer Wedding a try.

View all my reviews

Divine Desire ~ Audrey Carlan ~ New Release and Review

Divine Desire (The Lotus House Series) by Audrey Carlan Release Date: 27th December 2016 Genre: Contemporary Romance #divinedesire #audreycarlan

Synopsis

When veteran yoga instructor Mila Mercado was asked to attend a new class and report back to the studio, she had no idea that the over-confident, ruggedly sexy newbie Atlas Powers was going to teach more than just a very controversial and erotic form of yoga. 

New instructor Atlas Powers has two passions in life: his music career and steamy by-the-book Mila Mercado. He teaches yoga by day and works at his passion by night until the fiery woman walks into his class and gives the term desire a whole new dimension. 

In this wicked hot tale of love and lust, two struggling artists are trying to make their dreams come true. Only one thing gets in the way… until they stop fighting long enough to burn up the sheets and the yoga studio with a divine desire neither of them can avoid.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1UfFunz

Kindle: http://amzn.to/29xFDXI

B&N: http://bit.ly/29qX9e9

Nook: http://bit.ly/2auSo2P

iBooks: http://apple.co/29zJdyE

Google Play: http://bit.ly/29kVUvu

Kobo: http://bit.ly/29BAHzW

Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/29kHGiN

Kindle AUS: http://amzn.to/29tJiWm

Kindle Canada: http://amzn.to/29lcvPl

Kindle UK: http://amzn.to/29nOWGF

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/29lbWFg

Other Books by Audrey Carlan; http://www.audreycarlan.com/book/

Meet The Author

Audrey Carlan is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She writes wicked hot love stories that are designed to give the reader a romantic experience that’s sexy, sweet, and so hot your ereader might melt. Some of her works include the wildly successful Calendar Girl Serial, Falling Series, and the Trinity Trilogy.

She lives in the California Valley where she enjoys her two children and the love of her life. When she’s not writing, you can find her teaching yoga, sipping wine with her “soul sisters” or with her nose stuck in a wicked hot romance novel.

Facebook   Twitter

Website

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy provided by Author

In Divine Desire, Ms. Carlan takes us back to Lotus House and the family of yogis. Mila and Atlas have both been secondary characters in previous books, so it is nice to get to know them better here.
Both Mila and Atlas have other pursuits and dreams besides teaching at the yoga studio, so that isn't as front and center as it has been in some of the other books, but it still adds a unique element to the story.
A relationship that starts as two adversaries quickly becomes passionate and leads to so much more and transitions into a partnership/romance almost without anyone realizing it. Both Atlas and Mila are strong characters and it was interesting to watch them balance their individual needs with those of their relationship.
The past rears it's head for each of them and they both struggle with the results. Atlas is a true sweet character and I loved his grand gesture to show Mila just how silly he'd been and what she meant to him.
Well written and fun, Divine Desire is a great addition to the series. Ms. Carlan does an excellent job of giving us glimpses of previous characters, so we know what's going on with them and expanding the circle of friends so we have ideas of where the series might be headed.

View all my reviews

Completely Yours ~ Erin Nicholas ~ New Release and Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: COMPLETELY YOURS

Author: Erin Nicholas

Series: Opposites Attract, #1

On Sale: December 20, 2016

Publisher: Forever

Mass Market: $5.99 USD

eBook:  $3.99 USD

Add to Goodreads

The first book in a brand new contemporary romance series from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas about three geeky girls and the hunky guys who fall for them.

Kiera Connelly leads a quiet life, and that's just how she likes it. She's built a name as a graphic designer and meets up with her friends online, all from the comfort of her living room couch. But when a rare outing turns disastrous, Kiera finds herself up close and way too personal with an unbelievably hot real-life hero.

Zach Ashley doesn't see himself as a hero. He's just a regular guy who gets to help people every day as an EMT. But when he's called to a scene and has to treat his most gorgeous patient ever, he finds himself mixing work with pleasure. He never hesitates to put his life on the line...but will he ever risk his heart?

BUY THE BOOK HERE

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million

Google Play

iBooks

Indiebound

Kobo

THE SERIES

COMPLETELY YOURS, #1

FOREVER MINE, #2

Series Page on Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erin Nicholas is the author of sexy contemporary romances. Her stories have been described as toe-curling, enchanting, steamy and fun. She loves to write about reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines and happily ever afters. She lives in the Midwest with her husband who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books, her kids who will never read the sex scenes in her books, and family and friends who say they're shocked by the sex scenes in her books (yeah, right!).

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

FOLLOW FOREVER ONLINE

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

RAFFLECOPTER

<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/26635ce2403/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="26635ce2403" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_jzsw27y7">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>

—OR—

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/26635ce2403/? 

Erin's Top 5 Reads of 2016

Wow, this is a tough one! Only five??  Okay, here we go…
1. First Star I See Tonight-- Susan Elizabeth Phillips
2. Big Rock-- Lauren Blakely
3. Boss Man-- Vi Keeland
4. Flirting With Disaster-- Victoria Dahl (not a 2016 release but I read it this year ;) )
 5. Fire Me Up-- Kimberly Kincaid (same… I got behind!  )

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 stars - worth a reader's time

Review Copy provided by publisher via Net Galley

This is a story that is just plain cute, sweet, and a little sexy.
Kiera and Zach meet when he helps rescue her and her friends from a building collapse in Boston. Their instant connection leads to both of them going outside their comfort zones to get to know each other.
I really liked both characters. They have both taken troubling experiences and developed coping mechanisms that seem to work, but when confronted with the opposite point of view, they discover that they really don't. I enjoyed the fact that they were willing to reach outside of their bubbles to appreciate the other's ideas and grew together and as individuals.
Zach is a swoon worthy hero figure and Kiera is sweet, smart, and passionate. Definitely a fun read, Completely Yours touches on some sensitive subjects, but is overall fairly light hearted. A perfect read for a cold, snowy day.

View all my reviews

Checkmate: This is Love by Kennedy Fox ~ Coming Soon and Review

Viola Fisher is the epitome of perfection. She despises my one-night stands and mocks my less-than-classy habits. She’s smart, beautiful, and too good to be true. And I want her.

 If she were anyone else, I’d have made my move years ago, but considering she’s my best friend’s little sister, she’s always been off-limits. Not to mention how much she loathes my very existence.

 Hating me is her religion, but needing her is mine. Her sexy curves and filthy smart mouth make me want her even more, and I’m more determined than ever to change her mind.

 I’ll prove I’m done playing games. But until then, we’ll continue to play by her rules. Viola Fisher may have won the battle, but the war isn’t over yet.

 Checkmate, princess.

Goodreads~ Amazon

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Author

To be honest, I liked it, but didn't love it. Book 1 ended with a pretty big cliff hanger that turned out to be not such a big deal.
I enjoyed Travis and Viola more in this book and loved the growing relationship between the two, but I didn't really understand why they felt the need to keep things hidden.
The lack of communication (between Viola and Travis , Travis and Drew, as well Viola and Drew) seemed to create unnecessary issues when there was enough natural drama thanks to Mia and other live events.
The book is well written and fairly seemless given that it is a joint effort. I am looking forward to the series continuation with Drew's story.

View all my reviews

Keep Us ~ Faith Andrews ~ New Release and Review

Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs

Release Date: December 5, 2016

 

Synopsis

For the Grayson family the holidays have always been a time of togetherness. Eat, drink, and be merry is their motto, but not this year . . . With Marcus and Riley knee deep in their flourishing careers, their spouses, Tessa and Beck, have been decking the halls and dashing through the snow without support from the busy Grayson duo. A new baby is on the way for one of these ladies and she hasn’t even had the chance to tell the daddy; plans for a huge holiday feast are up in the air because priorities are out of whack; unexpected visitors and a bomb of a surprise from Mr. Grayson—it’s safe to say this holiday will be far from jolly. Tempers are high, feelings are bruised, and it’s not something spiked eggnog can cure. Will Marcus and Riley make it home for the holidays or will Tessa and Beck be forced to ring in the New Year alone?

Intended for Bristol by L.P. Dover ~ New Release and Review

L. P. Dover’s tantalizing Second Chances series gets a change of scenery as the Carolina Cougars’ infamous bad boy heads to the West Coast. His best laid plans call for seduction—but a driven career woman has him begging for more. 

Trying to live down his very public indiscretions, Carolina Cougars kicker Jaxon Reed feels like the most hated man in the NFL. When he’s traded away, his new teammates in California don’t waste any time making his life miserable. Unfortunately for them, Jaxon’s no easy target. As payback, he sets his sights on the quarterback’s sister: a sultry brunette who’s curvy, confident, and sexy as hell. But what begins as a revenge fling turns into so much more.

Bristol Thomas doesn’t have time for games, especially those played by her brother’s Neanderthal teammates. A talented interior designer with lofty goals, she doesn’t know the first thing about football, or Jaxon—except that he’s exactly the type of man she usually avoids. But when his deep laugh and deeper kisses break through her walls, she becomes the target of a fan who’s obsessed with Jaxon. Now she needs to know that Jaxon has her back . . . because he already has her heart.

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 stars - Worth A Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Publisher via Net Galley

If you have followed Dover's Second Chance series, you've met kicker, Jaxson Reed, and know that he has worked hard to get his bad boy reputation. In Intended for Bristol, we get to see his softer side and his evolution from bad boy to devoted boyfriend.

His love interest, Bristol, is the sister of a new teammate - and an avid avoider of all things football so she has no clue who Jax is when they first meet.

While some of the events described in Intended for Bristol are a bit improbable, the over all book is a lot of fun. There is a dash of intrigue along with hefty doses of sexy time along with a great emotional story. We see Jax have to redeem himself for some of his bad behavior and we see the friends he was reluctant to let in defend him when he needs it.

It was a pleasure to learn more about the hidden Jax and to see him with his family. If you are a fan of the Second Chances Series, you will enjoy this book too. It works as a stand alone, but I think the full effect of Jax's redemption comes if you have read some of the other books as well.

View all my reviews

Teach Your Heart ~ Tracey Alvarez ~ New Release and Review

Some lessons are harder to learn than others…

 Doctor O-for-Awesome Owen Bennett is all about fixing broken things. Then the arrival of his orphaned nieces and nephew for twelve weeks causes his workaholic life to plummet into chaos. Hiring the beautiful but unpredictable Gracie Cooper as a live-in nanny might just get him out of a tight spot…or it could seduce him into a reckless affair.

After four years flitting around Europe, waitress/dog-walker/au-pair Gracie Cooper has returned home to New Zealand. Her plans to hang out with her big brother change when Owen offers a perfect solution to her crippling university debt. In spite of her sexy-stick-in-the-mud boss, she’ll spend fun days playing in Bounty Bay’s sand and surf with three cute kids. At summer’s end she’ll follow the sun overseas again.

Gracie and Owen’s opposites-attract connection is so unexpected and powerful that their foundations are rocked. But some things aren’t easy to fix. Some past hurts can’t be run from forever. And the lessons they teach each other risk breaking their hearts.

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 stars ~ Worth a reader's time

Review Copy Provided by Author

A sweet story that takes two wounded people and forms a family.
Owen is a doctor who works too hard and is grieving the loss of his sister and her husband. He has temporary custody of his nieces and nephew while his mother recovers from surgery. Gracie comes home to New Zealand after the terrorist attacks in Europe make being there too difficult. Home means dealing with the expectations of her father. Owen and Gracie meet by chance and discover that they can help each other. Owen needs a nanny for his young charges and Gracie needs funds to pay off student loan debt.

Watching Gracie, Owen, and the children together is so much fun. The five of them each bring something to the others that they were lacking. For Owen, it's the bridge that Gracie creates allowing him to reconnect with his family on more than a surface level. For Gracie, it's ultimately the opportunity to stand up for what she really wants and to see her worth and importance to others.

Ms. Alvarez does an excellent job of creating characters and communities that are easy to like and relate too. Teach your Heart connects to other books by Ms. Alvarez, but can easily be read as a stand alone book.

Amazon

View all my reviews

Miracle on 5th Avenue ~ Sarah Morgan ~ New Release

It will take a Christmas miracle for two very different souls to find each other in this perfectly festive fairy tale of New York! 

Hopeless romantic Eva Jordan loves everything about Christmas. She might be spending the holidays alone this year, but when she's given an opportunity to house-sit a spectacular penthouse on Fifth Avenue, she leaps at the chance. What better place to celebrate than in snow-kissed Manhattan? What she didn't expect was to find the penthouse still occupied by its gorgeous—and mysterious—owner.

Bestselling crime writer Lucas Blade is having the nightmare before Christmas. With a deadline and the anniversary of his wife's death looming, he's isolated himself in his penthouse with only his grief for company. He wants no interruptions, no decorations and he certainly doesn't appreciate being distracted by his beautiful, bubbly new housekeeper. But when the blizzard of the century leaves Eva snowbound in his apartment, Lucas starts to open up to the magic she brings…This Christmas, is Lucas finally ready to trust that happily-ever-afters do exist?

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 stars ~ Worth A Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Publisher via Net Galley

A cute story! Eva and Lucas are both grieving losses in previous holiday seasons, but they approach it in very different ways.
I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold from slightly adversarial to reluctantly romantic.
Good friends and a meddling grandmother help their love along and help them evolve into a couple that you can't help but root for to find a happy ending.

Amazon

View all my reviews

Blow by Heidi McLaughlin ~ New Release & Review

Meet the complicated men behind the sexiest boy band in America! In Blow, the start of an emotionally charged series from bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin, an insatiable heartthrob gets blinded by the spotlight—and learns to fight for love.

 Bodhi McKnight has always had everything handed to him on a silver platter: fame, success, money, girls. The raven-haired, blue-eyed hottie is the son of Hollywood A-listers, and when he’s asked to join the boy band Virtuous Paradox, his star shoots even higher. But so do expectations, leading Bodhi down a destructive path of addiction—until a drop-dead gorgeous guardian angel shows him her sizzling brand of tough love.

 When Bodhi ends up in rehab, he doesn’t expect to meet someone as cool and down-to-earth as Kimberly Gordon. Although he’s enjoyed the company of beautiful, charming women before, none of them have tried to get to know the “real” Bodhi. But Kimberly isn’t fazed by his stardom. She’d rather go horseback riding, teach Bodhi to play guitar, or ask him about his feelings. Soon Bodhi realizes he’s fallen head over heels for her. He just hopes that he’s strong enough to protect what they have from all the pressures and temptations of the outside world.

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 Stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Author

In Blow, we meet the boys of Virtuous Paradox, especially Bhodi. He's at the lowest of low points at the beginning of this rockstar romance and we see his journey to list himself back up.

I enjoyed both Bhodi and Kimberly, his love interest, they were both well written characters that had a lot going on. A relationship that started under less than ideal circumstances flourished and they were fun to watch together.

The secondary cast had moments that I enjoyed, but I felt like they were just brushed in and not as developed as some of them needed to be.

As much as I enjoyed Blow and am looking forward to the next Virtuous Paradox book, there were several places that I felt could have easily been more developed. In some places it was characters or conflict, but I really did want more.

View all my reviews

TRINITY'S TRUST by CA Harms ~ New Release and Review

TRINITY'S TRUST by CA Harms
Sawyer Brothers #5
Genre: Western Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Release Date: Nov. 1, 2016
— SYNOPSIS —
Trinity Flores stumbled upon the Sawyer family when she needed it most.

She was broken, lost, and looking for a new beginning.

They gave her love that most dream of, unconditionally devoted to her well-being.

The large, overbearing, protective, bullheaded Sawyer men vowed to keep her safe, and—of course—at times drove her crazy.

When Chase Douglas came to town, he hadn’t expected to do anything other than help his ill grandmother. Then the new deputy caught sight of the shy, blonde-haired beauty and it was impossible not to want to know her more. But he had no idea the torment he was about to face, or the obstacles he would encounter from the Sawyer Brothers.

They didn’t make it easy for him to win her heart. He had to prove himself first, and that just made him fight harder to prove he was the right man for her.

Gaining Trinity’s trust was his number one goal.

Because in Chase’s eyes, no one deserved the love of a devoted man more than the woman who captured his heart.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE AUTHOR'S NEWSLETTER

ADD THE BOOK TO YOUR GOODREADS TBR

— PURCHASE —

KINDLE | PAPERBACK

— SAWYER BROTHERS SERIES —

Purchase books 1-4 in the series individually: http://amzn.to/2fLYC4v

or in a BOXSED SET: http://amzn.to/2eHFyjt

— EXCERPT —

Sometimes I woke from a dream of still being trapped in that house, still fearful of his anger. My mind would fall back to that place where I felt it was all deserved. Michael had a control over me I couldn’t explain, and I allowed it to continue for far too long.

I lived with it and just accepted it as my fate until that final day when I could no longer take the hate he showed me. I could barely even tolerate myself because I was so shameful of my life and how far I’d let things go.

It was my fault I never stood up to him; instead, I allowed him to knock me down daily and take all his anger out on me. He had a way with words that could make anyone feel inferior to him. He was condescending and manipulative and I was a fool.

It was disgusting, the person I had become.

I was really heartbroken now when I thought back on it all. How I’d wasted precious time, time I’d never get back.

But I escaped and somehow, by some miracle, I found my way to Livingston. I stumbled upon some of the greatest people with the warmest souls. And I was proud to refer to those people as my family. It didn’t matter that we didn’t share the same bloodline; they loved me just the same and I in turn loved and adored them. It was because of the Sawyer family that I found the strength to press charges against Michael for the things he had put me through. It was because of them I filed for divorce and started to once again live my life.

I would forever be grateful to Noah and Ryan for helping me find the right path that day. They honestly could have shipped me down the road and forgotten about the homeless girl they found stranded in a car on a back country road. Instead they introduced me to the women they loved, and in turn I found myself surrounded by so much joy I had no idea what to do with it all.

The three Sawyer men referred to me daily as their sister and so did their wives. And Tammy, God bless her, gave me the love of a mother, something I’d never had before, and nothing had ever felt so good.

It was something I treasured and in no way could I ever explain just how thankful I truly was.

The bond we’d formed could never be broken. I was finally home.

I had become so wrapped up in my own thoughts I hadn’t heard the bell above the door of Sassy Ladies chime, announcing a customer had entered. But at the sound of a deep voice just a few feet behind me, I yelped in surprise as I spun around with my hand pressed tightly against my chest.

There, only a few feet away, stood the man who’d starred in so many of my dreams lately. So vivid and convincing that it was hard not to feel they were real.

Chase Douglas.

— ABOUT THE AUTHOR —

C.A. Harms is like any other addicted reader. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. She hasn't always been a lover of Romance and had once been addicted to a good Mystery. Just recently she has taken on a new liking and now is a full blown Romance novel addict.

She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. You will always find her with her kindle or paperback in hand as it is her favorite pass time.

NEWSLETTER | TWITTER | BLOG | LIMITLESS PUBLISHING | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK

Elizabeth's Review

Review copy provided by Author

3.5 Stars- Worth a Reader's Time

 This is the first book in the Sawyer Brothers series that I've read. I enjoyed it, but I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read the previous books.

 This story follows Trinity, the quasi adopted member of the Sawyer family, and Chase, a town police officer. Their story is sweet and definitely give a case of the warm and fuzzies. My only complaint was the hefty references to story lines for not directly related to Trinity and Chase. Having not read the previous books, there were times that I found the references confusing. This is a fun, quick read that has me very curious about the rest of the series. I will definitely be going back to check them out.

The Billionaire Next Door by Jessica Lemmon ~ New Release and Review

Can't Buy Me Love

It's Tag Crane's job to be the life of the party. Traveling from one exotic locale to another is just part of running the luxurious Crane Hotel empire. But even paradise isn't perfect. Devising a new business strategy is keeping Tag up at night-and so is the Great Dane barking at all hours in the apartment below his. To muzzle the problem, Tag charges downstairs . . . right into the most beautiful, blond distraction he's ever seen.

Dog-sitting by day, bartending by night. It's not exactly the life Rachel Foster dreamed of. But when Tag Crane rushes in, all mountain-man shoulders and obscenely sexy smile, needing her help for the Crane Hotels, it's a fantasy come true. What's the harm in a fun no-strings fling? Only a fool would give her heart to a billionaire player like Tag-until suddenly the one man who can't be caught is the one flirting with forever . . .

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 Stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy provided by Publisher via Net Galley

Ms. Lemmon brings us the second of the Crane brothers, Tag, in The Billionaire Next Door.
Tag and his love interest, Rachel, are both interesting characters with some mild emotional baggage. This is a fun, well written story where the reader gets to enjoy watching two people get to know each other and fall in love. There is some mild angst as both of them figure things out and decide how to deal with it, but there is the expected happy ending.
Being the second book in the series, there are cameos by both of Tag's brothers. Reese from book 1 and Eli from the upcoming third book. These appearances are well woven into the story and add enjoyable detail.
Overall, a good, quick read.

View all my reviews

Tempting Tristan ~ Melissa Foster ~ New Release and Review

Looking for your next sexy M/M romance?

TEMPTING TRISTAN

A M/M Contemporary Romance

Harborside Nights #3

Melissa Foster

Releasing Oct 19th, 2016

World Literary Press

Fresh off the heels of yet another bad relationship, Tristan Brewer is taking a break from men to try and figure out where he keeps going wrong. He knows his biggest fault—he leads with his heart, not his head—and that’s never going to change. But after several introspective weeks, he’s beginning to get a handle on things. That is, until badass heartthrob Alex Wells walks into his bar…

Alex has spent eight years in the Army, months in a hospital bed, and far too long hiding his sexual identity. He’s guilt-ridden, damaged, pissed off, and up for a Silver Star—for the incident that nearly cost him his life, and kept him from his grandmother’s funeral. But all he wants to do is forget his stint with the institution that allows but doesn’t necessarily accept, and live the life he’s always dreamed of.

The chemistry between Tristan and Alex ignites from the moment they meet, and the more time they spend together the hotter the flames become. But the closer Tristan gets, the more Alex’s walls go up, and when the two walk onto a military base, Tristan finds out Alex’s physical scars aren’t the ones that run the deepest.

BUY NOW

Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo

Excerpt

“Can I ask you something? You don’t have to answer.”

Tristan shrugs. “Have at it.”

“Why were you taking a break? I get that your ex was a prick, but is there more to it?”

He looks down the street, across the street, and then his hand cruises through his hair as it has so often that I’ve already come to expect it when he’s nervous.

“Ian was a prick, but the rest is going to make me sound like a pussy,” he admits.

“I’ve only known you a day, and I already know nothing can make you sound like a pussy.”

He meets my gaze, and his jaw tightens. He lifts his chin and I recognize the struggle between feeling proud and worrying about looking weak. I fight that battle on a daily basis.

“I give away my heart too easily, and I end up getting hurt.”

His eyes never leave mine, and that trust, that confidence, is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.

“I was right. Nothing can make you sound like a pussy.” I slide my hand to the hard ridge of his jaw and lean in closer. “I’ve never given my heart away. That makes you braver than me.”

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women's fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa's emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, perfect beach reads, and always family oriented. 

 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |Newsletter

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 Stars - Worth a Reader's Time 

Review Copy provided by Author

A well written book exploring the idea that when we find "the one" we become the complete and full version of ourselves.

 Tristan is taking a relationship "break" after realizing that he has repeatedly let his exes treat him badly. Alex is a former soldier recovering from the physical wounds of war, the emotional wounds of missing his grandmother's funeral, and the scars of having to hide who he is for the past 8 years.

The chemistry between these two was immediate and electric and the sexual tension made my kindle steam. As hot as the sexy times are, the romantic moments and the time spent developing a real relationship are incredibly impactful. Emotionally, Alex and Tristan are exactly what the other needs and it's sweet to watch them both blossom as they spend time together. Their road isn't always smooth, but the dedication to work things out is a lesson a lot of couples could take to heart.

 Ms. Foster is an author that has been lurking on my TBR for a long time. The experience with Tempting Tristan has me looking forward to reading her other work.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love Burns by Mandi Beck

Love.
It’s my name. It’s what I fight for. It’s Frankie.

I’m a fighter. Trained to always keep my cover. To anticipate, see the next hit coming. I never expected her past to come at us swinging like it has.

I’m about to take on two of the most important fights of my life. My girl and the belt. I know that I can handle it. That I’ll never stop fighting. But what do you do when your life, your love is threatened and you can't take the hits-she has to? You shut your eyes and f*cking pray like hell that she’s strong enough, fierce enough to come out on top.

I went to war for her. Now it's her turn.

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 stars - Worth a reader's time

It's been several months since I read Love Hurts, the first book in this series and I've been wanting to read this one and finally made time for it. I enjoyed the conclusion to Deacon and Frankie's story, but I felt like there were some missed opportunities to make the story stronger (That's why it's 3.5 stars instead of 4).
Love Burns picks up exactly where Love Hurts leaves off - with Deacon coming to Frankie's rescue. A lot of the relationship issues, especially when it comes to communication, these two had in the first book are still present and that creates a roller coaster effect that wore on me a little bit. There were several times when I just didn't see how they could not learn from their own mistakes. The other issue I had was the mystery/intrigue element of the story would be ignored and then pop back up. It made sense, but I felt like it was part of the story line that could have been explored more fully.
Overall, if you enjoyed Love Hurts, you'll like Love Burns - especially if you like super sexy alpha guys..... (and just for Mandi, I would love to see Sonny's story and what was behind all the good advice he had for Deacon!)


View all my reviews

Sparking The Fire ~ Kate Meader ~ Blog Tour and Review

SPARKING THE FIRE

BOOK 3

 A HOT IN CHICAGO NOVEL

KATE MEADER

Pocket Books

September 27, 2016

ISBN 9781476785936

$7.99

Praise for Sparking the Fire, Book 3:

“The tale of hot firefighters and the women—and one man—who love them has come to an end. Meader ends this series with role playing, fierce family loyalty and multiple orgasms. The male protagonist goes through a transformation that showcases his vulnerability, insecurities, possessiveness and protectiveness. The many instances of a family sticking together through it all are more than enough to tug on the heart strings, but the steamy sex and sentimental pillow talk make this book a must-read.” —RT Book Reviews Four Star Review, Scorcher

“Can a firefighter and a movie star really make it work? Meader (Rekindle the Flame, 2015) immerses you in Wyatt’s tight-knit family of foster siblings that she’s built throughout the Hot in Chicago series, and readers will feel like part of the family in no time. Her descriptions of Chicago will leave fans wanting to travel to the Windy City and fall in love with their own firefighters.” —Booklist

 About Sparking the Fire, Book 3:

Heating up reading lists this Fall will be Kate Meader’s highly anticipated Sparking the Fire, the “sexy and sassy” (#1 New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux) steamy third novel in the Hot in Chicago series, where former lovers unexpectedly reunite for a sizzling affair that will have the director yelling, “Quiet on the set!”

AN OLD FLAME STILL SIMMERS… Wyatt Fox, resident daredevil at Engine Company 6, needs a low key job to keep him busy while he recovers from his latest rescue stunt. Consulting on a local movie shoot should add just enough spark to his day. But then in struts Molly Cade: the woman who worked his heart over good, and then left him in the Windy City dust.

BUT WILL A NEW SHOT AT LOVE LEAVE HER BURNED? Actor Molly Cade, America’s fallen sweetheart, finally has her shot at a Hollywood comeback with a dramatic new role as a tough-as-nails firefighter that promises to propel her back into the big time. And she’s not going to let anything stand in her way—even a certain brooding, blue-eyed firefighter she’s never quite been able to forget…Their story is straight out of a script: irrepressible, spunky heroine meets taciturn, smoldering hero. But these two refuse to be typecast, and when the embers of an old love are stoked, someone is bound to get burned…

About the Author:

Kate Meader was raised on romance. An Irish girl, she started with Catherine Cookson and Jilly Cooper novels, and spiced it up with some Mills & Boon. Now based in Chicago, she writes romances of her own, where sexy contemporary alpha heroes and strong heroines match each other quip for quip. When not immersed in tales of brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, Kate lives on the web at katemeader.com.

Fire Giveaway:

We are excited to do a Fire Giveaway to celebrate the third in Kate Meader’s Hot in Chicago series, Sparking the Fire. This giveaway will include Flirting with Fire (Book 1) and Playing with Fire (Book 2). You can visit all sites on the blog tour to enter the Fire Giveaways – but keep in mind you can only win once! U.S. only.

Sparking the Fire buy links: 

S&S
AMAZON
B&N
BAM
INDIEBOUND
IBOOKSTORE (ebook)
KINDLE (ebook)
NOOK (ebook)
GOOGLE PLAY (ebook)

HOT TIP: 

Kate is also offering a $25 Amazon gift card during the Sparking the Fire release tour. It will run Monday September 26 to Friday October 7. Enter here. 

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 Stars - Worth a Reader's Time 

Review Copy provided by publisher via Net Galley

In Sparking the Fire, Ms. Meader takes us back to Chicago and the Dempsey family of fire fighters. This time we follow the story of Wyatt, the strong silent member of the family. Wyatt has been a character that has lurked in the background during the other Hot in Chicago books, you knew he was there, but didn't know much about him. It was really nice to get to know him better in this book. 

Molly is a blast from Wyatt's past suddenly in his present. Fabulous sparks flew between these two. Add in the rest of the Dempsey clan and a surprise niece and you have a fun story.

Sparking the Fire got off to a slow start for me, but I ended up enjoying it. Ms. Meader did an excellent job of peeling the layers back and giving us a glimpse at the gooey center of super Alpha Wyatt. Molly is a female character that I couldn't help but like. She is wounded, but strong and reclaiming her identity. Well written with humor and multi-layered relationships, this was an excellent end to the Hot in Chicago series.

Blog Tour: 

October 4:
About That Story
Love is a State of Mind
Closet Geeks and Slow Mo
Book Junkiez
Books Are My Friends, Come See Why
Off-Grid-Momma’s Bookshelf
Fire and Ice Book Reviews
Polished Book Worm
Ingrid’s Book Blog
Thoughts of a Blonde
E-Reading After Midnight

October 5:
Cocktails and Books
WTF Are You Reading?
Alathia Paris Morgan
The Reading Café
Those Crazy Book Chicks
Anonymisses
The Sassy Bookster
Always Booking
I Love Romance
Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Kitty's Book Spot!

October 6:
Bea’s Book Nook
Kricket’s Chirps Romance Blog
Ever After Book Reviews
Marie’s Tempting Reads
Jenerated Reviews
I’m A Sweet And Sassy Book Whore
Ebookobsessed.com
A Fortress of Books
Author Liaisons
Sexy Bibliophiles
The Librarian – Blog Talk Radio Author’s on the Air - Interview Only - Listen Live at 7:30 pm ET! 

October 7:
Once Upon a Page
Ramblings from this Chick
Southern Yankee Book Reviews
Dog-Eared Daydreams
Oh My Growing TBR
Bujoijoi22
After Dark Book
Lovers Literary, Etc.
Misty’s Book Bin And More
Fiction Fangirls
The Book Quarry