4 Star – Page 70 – Books-n-Kisses

April 29, 2015April 28, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: A Match Made on Main Street by Olivia Miles

Anna Madison has faithfully avoided her old flame for six years, even though their Main Street restaurants are only a few blocks apart. The sting of his rejection was enough to make her swear off dating for good, but when her successful restaurant is damaged in a fire, she’s left to the mercy of the one man she’s spent years proving she doesn’t need…and convincing herself she doesn’t want. Mark Hastings can’t say he’s happy being alone, but at least his heart is safe. Burnt out from running the Briar Creek diner, he’s ready for a change. He tells himself he’s just being neighborly by letting Anna use his kitchen, but being by her side again stirs up temptations he might not be able to resist a second time around.

Amazon/B&N

*EXCERPT*

Mark leaned in, catching a whiff of her sweet scent as he did. He closed his eyes briefly, trying to capture the single sense. When he looked up, Anna was staring at him, her gaze hooded. He could lean in, just another inch, remember what it felt like to kiss her mouth, to feel her soft curves pressed against him.
He pulled himself back in the stool instead. He was here to find her friendship again. Nothing more. “The bookstore’s doing fine now; I see people in there all the time. It’s never looked so great.”
Anna sighed through a small smile. “It does, yes. But…that’s not what has me worried. I took out a loan to match Grace’s investment. She’s covering rent and the bookstore renovation; I’m covering well…everything else. For now. It was all going to be fine. More than fine. And then–”
“The fire.”
She nodded. “The fire.”
“How bad is it?”
She met his stare. “Bad.”
He let out a low whistle. It was exactly the kind of situation that made Hastings to appealing. The place was paid up; they owned it outright. A new venture, of any kind, could never offer the same security. One day it could be booming, the next…
“Does Grace know?”
“No,” said quickly, “and I don’t intend to tell her.”
He leaned into his elbow. “So what’s your plan, then?”
She looked at him quizzically. “I intend to win this contest!”
He burst out laughing, hearing his own foolish desires in her preposterous statement. Until now, winning had been a vague notion, not something he was banking on, but hearing her say it aloud, a desire to not only compete but to win, made him suddenly believe it was possible. That anything was possible.
“I do intend to win!” Anna cried, but even she couldn’t stop from laughing. The sound rolled through the room and pulled at his heart, filling holes he didn’t even know were there.
He didn’t realize he’d stopped laughing until she did. The air went still, punctured only by the sound of his heart beating in his chest, and he knew he couldn’t hold back any longer. Without thinking, or daring to consider the consequences,he leaned into her and her eyes flashed with surprise, her lashes fluttering quickly as he slid off his stool and closed the distance between them.
A gasp of surprise escaped her throat as he brought his lips to hers and his hands came around her waist, pulling her close to his chest until he felt her body relax on each kiss. He sensed her hesitation, but he couldn’t pull back, not when her lips were on his, her sweet taste filling his senses. She parted her mouth, and he pulled her closer, feeling the soft swell of her breasts against his chest. His groin pooled with warmth as her thighs rubbed against his. He pressed his palms deeper into her back, and lower, resisting the urge to explore her hips, knowing if he did he wouldn’t be able to stop. And he should stop–he should. But…he couldn’t.
He kissed her, as if for the first time, tasting the forbidden fruit, knowing it was wrong, wrong, wrong, even thought it felt so damn right. He tore his lips from hers, letting his mouth roam her neck, burying himself into her hair, that coconut-scented hair, and breathed into her ear, wondering if she would run, if she’d push him back, tell him to go.
He pulled back, watching the way her eyes searched his. He should say something, explain himself, but there was nothing to say.
Anna’s cheeks were dotted with pink as she picked up a knife and pulled the vegetables from the basket. His gaze lingered her on a few moments more, watching the way she expertly chopped and diced, the way they’d been instructed in school, fingers tucked.
“Anna.” His voice was low and husky.
He should tell her it was a mistake, that it couldn’t happen again. That he wanted to be friends, to make her understand once and for all that it was all they ever should have been.
“We should get to work,” she said abruptly, and he hated the slight quiver in her voice. “We still have a lot do and we leave for Cedar Valley tomorrow afternoon.”
They’d be at the lodge for two nights; he’d have time to talk to her then. For now, she was right. It was time to get to work, put all personal matters aside, and focus on winning this contest. And getting what they wanted at long last.

About the Author:

Having grown up in New England, Olivia Miles attended McGill University in Montreal, Quebec before settling in Chicago where she lives with her husband, their daughter, and two ridiculously pampered pups. When she is not chasing after her little ones, she is hard at work creating feisty heroines and alpha heroes with a heart. A city girl with a fondness for small town charm, Olivia enjoys highlighting both ways of life in her stories.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of A Match Made on Main Street

Review (4.5 Stars): I liked Anna when I first met her in Grace’s story, Mistletoe on Mainstreet. She was smart, attractive and loyal with a snarky sense of humor that always felt as though she had been through her own share of heartbreak. In A Match Made on Main Street, we finally learn Anna’s story and her experience with a certain male which has lead to her to have such a low opinion on men. Mark Hastings was the one man who broke Anna’s heart and when a fire destroys her restaurant forcing her to work out of Mark’s restaurant to pay off her debt, sparks fly between these two characters. These two had this intense chemistry and you could tell that they really cared about one another. Mark was the perfect match for Anna but he had to redeem himself to her after everything that happened in the past. She was afraid to trust him after everything that happened but true love always seems to find a way to prevail. I loved this delightful, charming romance and I’m hoping that Jane gets her happy ending next in this series.

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April 29, 2015April 29, 2015

Kelly reviews Storm Warned by Dani Harper

TITLE: Storm Warned
SERIES #: Grim #3
CHARACTERS: Liam Cole & Caris Ellis
AUTHOR: Dani Harper
NARRATOR: Justine Eyre
RUN TIME: 10 Hours & 41 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: March 31, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When Caris’s unearthly musical talent attracts the attention of the Wild Hunt, the Welsh farm girl is stolen away to serve as a faery grim, a herald of death. Two centuries later, she’s finally escaped back to the human world—and into the present-day life of a reclusive and heartbroken American musician.

Music was Liam’s whole life—until a crushing betrayal left him desperate to flee the public eye. Yet long-dormant passions awaken after a powerful storm strands a beautiful, strong-willed woman on his isolated farm. When a Fae prince bent on ruling both human and Faery realms threatens Caris’s life, Liam must decide if he can finally believe in love again, not just for her sake—but for the sake of two worlds.

From the best-selling author of Changeling Moon, this sweeping and passionate story of paranormal romance follows two souls from centuries apart who lost everything . . . and found that only love can save them

REVIEW:
One wickedly crazy prince trying to take over two world. One woman who just wants to be human again. One man who wants to be left alone with his broken heart.
Secrets will be revealed that will change the fabric of both the Nine Realms and the Mortal world.

In Storm Warned we get to meet Liam Cole an amazing musician who has everything going for him. That is until Liam’s world completely crumbles around him. Now he finds himself a recluse on his Uncle and Aunt’s farm and wants nothing to do with anyone.
Caris’ has lived for many years in a prison. A prison in the form of a Grim’s body. But when her captor leads a rogue hunt across a mortals farm, Caris see her chance to finally escape. As long as she doesn’t get caught.
Another great Grim story by Dani Harper. Liam and Caris are great. And we get to see some of our favorites from the first two books. Of course the Lord of the Wild Hunt, Lurien has some major page time in this book. Which leads me to hope beyond hope that Lurien’s book is next.

I had the great honor of listening to Storm Warned on audio book. The amazing Justine Eyre is will just amazing!! I love that Justine can take a great story and bring it to life for me. I am already looking forward to Justine reading Dani’s next Grim story to me.

If you have not checked out this series and like Fae mythology and lore you need to pick up book one Storm Warrior. And find out why the Fae should never be trusted.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

April 28, 2015April 27, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Wild Heat by Lucy Monroe

Sometimes old flames are the hottest of all . . .

In the quaint little town of Cailkirn, Alaska, it’s impossible to keep a secret, especially one as juicy as the unexpected return of Kitty Grant. Tack MacKinnon remembers her wild red curls and even wilder spirit-and still feels the sting from when she shattered his heart in college. But there’s a pain in Kitty’s gorgeous eyes that guts him to the core and Tack is determined to do whatever it takes to see the woman he still loves smile again-even if it means taking on her demons as his own.

After fleeing an abusive ex-husband, Kitty decides that the best way to heal her broken heart is to come back home. But she gets a whole new shock when she sees how undeniably sexy Tack has become. More handsome, more muscular, more charming-more everything-he’s impossible to resist. Before she knows it, they’re reigniting sparks that could set the whole state of Alaska on fire. Yet trust doesn’t come easy to Kitty anymore, and as things heat up between her and Tack, she can’t help but wonder if one of them is going to get burned . . .

Amazon/B&N

*EXCERPT*

An almost frenzied need to bring her back to the present washed over him. His instincts were telling him the best way to accomplish that, but his brain insisted it was a bad, bad idea.

Fighting the urge to act on his instincts, Tack cleaned up the detritus of lunch. It only took a couple of minutes to put everything back in his pack. But in that short time, Kitty didn’t just maintain her distant silence, but she drew further away from him.

And she couldn’t afford to do that.

He couldn’t say how he knew that, he just did.

Tack’s certainty growing that she’d checked out mentally in a way that was dangerous for her emotions, he put his pack aside and scooted closer to Kitty. She didn’t seem to notice.

“Wildcat?” he prompted, his voice as gentle as he could make it. “You okay in there?”

“Of course.” The words were right, but the vacant tone was anything but.

He slid his hand under her hair, cupping her neck, giving physical contact to draw her back to him and now. She didn’t react to the touch at all and that scared him.

“Damn it, Caitlin Elizabeth Grant, look at me.”

Her brows furrowed. “Don’t.”

“What?” he asked in a tone as gentle as he’d spoken sternly before. Come on, wildcat, tell me not to yell at you.

Her silence changed, as if she was searching for words. “Call me Caitlin.” She frowned. “I don’t like it.”

“I thought you wanted me to.” She’d said so, hadn’t she?

“No.”

“Why not? Why don’t you like it?”

She shrugged.

And that was it. He was done playing nice, his own misgivings not nearly as powerful as his need to stop whatever was going on inside Kitty’s mind.

With careful, but inexorable pressure, he turned her head so she faced him. Her pupils were dilated like they’d been yesterday, her complexion waxy, but her lips were pink and parted invitingly.

Her breathing changed just a little bit and he took that as a victory.

“I’m going to kiss you, wildcat. Are you up for it?”

About the Author:

A USA Today Bestseller, most of Lucy Monroe’s titles have spent multiple weeks on national bestsellers lists, including Neilson Bookscan (in both North America and the UK), Amazon & B&N.com. She is ranked as a top selling contemporary romance author on Amazon.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Wild Heat

Review (4.5 Stars): Such a great romance and I love Alaskan men! Kitty Grant has returned home to pick up the pieces of her life after ending an abusive marriage and there is no other safe place then being with those you love. Tack Mackinnon grew up with Kitty and was heartbroken when she chose another man while they were both attending USC together. Now, that she is home for good, Tack finally has a chance to see if they have a second opportunity to find their happy ever after together.

I loved seeing Kitty and Tack together as a couple. He had loved Kitty for so long and was devastated when she decided to marry someone else and cut all ties with him. By returning home to find herself, Tack pretended that seeing Kitty wouldn’t affect him the way that it used to but it was hard to deny what was in his heart. Kitty has always cared for Tack but her abusive ex-husband wouldn’t let her have any connection to her old life or her handsome childhood friend. She tried desperately to get back to her old self when she got home but it took her a while to trust anyone including Tack. I loved the interaction between these two because even though it seemed playful on the surface, you could tell that these two characters had deep feelings for each other and only time would heal their hearts. Their chemistry together was amazing and I wanted so desperately for them to finally find their way back to each other after all this time apart.

Wild Heat was a deliciously sexy Alaskan romance that makes me want to go find a guy like Tack right away. This is the first book in Ms. Monroe’s new series, The Northern Fire and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this delightful series. Ms. Monroe is an author to watch and I’m looking forward to reading more from this talented author.

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April 28, 2015April 28, 2015

Kelly & Kimberly review Hold Me by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Hold Me
SERIES #: Fool’s Gold #16
CHARACTERS: Kipling Gilmore & Destiny Mills
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/28/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery’s classic blend of lighthearted humor and intense emotional conflict works its magic on two newcomers to the California town of Fool’s Gold, which Library Journal calls “a setting so real and appealing readers will want to start scoping out real estate.”

Destiny Mills believes passion has its place—like in the lyrics of the country songs that made her parents famous. After a childhood full of drama and heartache, she wants a life that’s calm. Safe. Everything that Kipling Gilmore isn’t. Her temporary assignment with the Fool’s Gold search and rescue team puts her in delicious proximity to the former world-class skier every day. Part of her aches to let go for once…the rest is terrified what’ll happen if she does.

Though an accident ended his career, Kipling still lives for thrills—and a hot fling with a gorgeous redhead like Destiny would be a welcome diversion. Yet beneath his new co-worker’s cool facade is a woman who needs more than he’s ever given. With her, he’s ready to take the risk. But love, like skiing, is all about trust—and before you soar, you have to be willing to fall.

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts As always my trip to Fool’s Gold is meet with a roller coaster of emotions. Highs, lows , happy, sad, unsure and really wanting to throw some plates. But Ms. Mallery has a way of bring together all those emotions into a great story that will leave you wanting to keep turning the page when you reach the end.
In Hold Me we get to learn a lot more about the man behind G-Force. Kipling is way more than just Shelby’s brother. Way more than just an Olympic Skier who had a terrible accident. Kipling is pretty much everything you are looking for in a man, partner or friend. His only flaw? He likes to fix things. Mostly people’s problems, and unfortunately this can lead to people thinking that he sees them only as a project.
Destiny Mills is new in town. She is only here to get the new search and rescue program up and running then she is out. But fate has a much much much different plan for Destiny. Not only is she now the guardian of a half sister she knew nothing about. But the man that will change everything in her life just walked into her office.

Again, this was a great book. I have loved every visit I have made to Fool’s Gold. I can’t wait to go back.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts Another wonderful visit to Fool’s Gold. The town that Susan Mallery has made up and yet so many of her readers want to live.

I will say that as much as I enjoyed this visit back to my favorite fictional vacation spot this was not one of my favorite books in the series. But considering it is the 16th in the series and I still gave it 4 stars I think that is saying something. It is a wonderful book. But sadly after reading all 16 of the books this was just not the greatest. Again that being said it is well worth the read.

It might have been that neither Kipling nor Destiny is from the town. Off hand I can not remember if there has been another outsider couple that have come to town to fall in love. Seems to be someone is always an insider but not this time. There was a lot of the same sentences to help us understand the backstories of both characters so that might have been it too. I enjoyed the cameos of the past couples (which I always appreciate) as well. This couple just did not do it for me like the couples of Fool’s Gold usually do.

Now all that being said I LOVE the Fool’s Gold series and REALLY LIKED this story. If I had read it as a stand alone it might be one of my favorite but comparing it (fairly or unfairly) to the rest of the series it just doesn’t stand the test. I will be picking up the next in the series and can’t wait for my next visit to the town of my (and many readers) dreams.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & HQN Books, Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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April 27, 2015April 26, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires by Sophie Barnes

Welcome to Thorncliff Manor, where London’s elite mix, mingle, and may even find their heart’s desire…

There are thousands of things Christopher, Viscount Spencer, would rather do than hunt for a bride, especially since experience has taught him that women are not to be trusted. Then he finds the intriguing Lady Sarah scrambling around in Thorncliff’s conservatory and he is instantly charmed by her passionate nature. But why is she so intent on avoiding him?

Lady Sarah would make the perfect bride for a peer—if not for a tarnished past that she’s hiding from the ton. A stay at Thorncliff Manor was meant to help her plan for her future, not fall in love. Yet Christopher’s kisses are irresistible, his gallantry enticing. When her secret stands to be revealed, will the truth ruin their dreams of happiness?

Amazon/B&N

In a carriage on the way to Thorncliff Manor
1820

“Do you suppose we’ll be arriving soon?” Rachel asked with an edge of impatience. “Before leaving the last posting inn, Mama assured me that it would only be another two hours, but according to my pocket watch it has already been one hundred and twenty- seven minutes. To be exact.”

Christopher gazed across at his younger sister. “I don’t believe Mama has ever visited Thorncliff before,” he said, referring to the Countess of Dun- caster’s large estate, which she had turned into a guesthouse. He and his family would be spending the summer there. “This makes her estimate regarding the duration of this journey exactly that—an estimate.”

Rachel didn’t look pleased. “I wish everyone would appreciate the importance of precision as much as I do.” “Cook does,” Laura said sweetly, directing Christopher’s attention to another sister. He had five in total. “I’m sure she would acknowledge the importance of accuracy. After all, there’s nothing worse than a cake with too much flour in it.”

“Do you have to encourage her?” Fiona asked. As the youngest of the Heartly siblings, she had never developed the sort of patience the rest of the brood possessed.

Christopher frowned, while Rachel’s face beamed with newfound pleasure as she latched onto Laura’s comment. “Life as we know it would be impossible without adhering to mathematical and scientific principles. Buildings would fall to the ground, dough would refuse to rise, your clothing would be ill- fitting . . . why, I could go on forever about the effect a lack of structure would have on us all.”

“Must you?” Fiona asked with an underlying note of dread.

“Why not distract yourself by contemplating the splendor of our destination?” Christopher suggested. As much as he loved Rachel, he had little desire to endure a prolonged lecture on Euclidean geometry or, God forbid, her recent study on the movement of slugs. “I’ve heard that Thorncliff is magnificent. Apparently the third Earl of Duncaster wasted no expense when he expanded it,” Laura said before Rachel could comment. “My friend Lady Harriet visited last year with her family, and she has assured me that the estate can easily amuse us all for the duration of our three-month stay.”

“I’ve no doubt about that,” Fiona said promptly, her eyes lighting, “especially since I’ve every intention of putting my own time there to good use. I mean to find that jewelry box Grandmamma spoke of when we were little.”

Christopher stared at her. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t you remember? She always said her family in France sent heirlooms to England during the revolution to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. It was all she would have had left of her family after they all perished at the guillotine, but for un- known reasons, the box of heirlooms never arrived. I’m convinced they must be hidden away at Thorn- cliff. Considering Grandpapa’s close friendship with Lord Duncaster, I—”

“Now that you mention it, I do recall her saying something to that effect, but I never really put much weight in it,” Laura said.

“You know how badly Grandmamma suffered the loss of her family. I always believed her talk of the jewelry box was her way of hoping a part of them had been left behind and would eventually come to her.”

“But she specifically mentioned receiving a letter from her sister, the Duchess of Marveille, in France, encouraging her to wait for it—that the duchess had sent it to England and that arrangements had been made for it to be delivered to her.”

“Your memory is certainly to be admired,” Rachel said, “but I think we must accept that the heirlooms never left France, as unfortunate as that is.”

“But in her diary,” Fiona insisted, “Grandmamma wrote of a visit Grandpapa made to Thorncliff shortly before his death. She wrote that she prayed her husband would soon return home with the box.” “And yet she never received it,” Christopher pointed out.

Fiona sighed. “No, she didn’t. Grandpapa set sail for France, perishing with the third Earl of Duncaster when the ship went down.” She sighed, her expression somber, though her eyes remained sharp with determination. “It’s possible the jewelry box is still at Thorncliff, in which case, I’ve every intention of locating it. You can count on that.”

About the Author:

Born in Denmark, Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish and Romanian. She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor’s degree from Parsons. But, most impressive of all, she’s been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.
While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion: writing. When she’s not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires

Review (4.5 Stars): Lady Sarah was such a fun, spunky and entertaining character that was trying to deal with the proposition of marrying an older man to appease her family for her past indiscretions. She was at Thorncliff Manor to meet her future husband when she has a chance encounter with Viscount Spencer that changes everything. Christopher was a delight and I loved the humorous banter between these two characters over the course of this book. Lady Sarah didn’t want Christopher to discover her secret because she was afraid that he would want nothing to do with her. It didn’t matter what her secret was, he wanted her anyways and would stop at nothing to win her heart. Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires is a very sweet and charming romance where true love can conquer all your past mistakes and lead to an even brighter future. Looking forward to reading the next book in this wonderful series.

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April 27, 2015April 26, 2015

Kimberly reviews One Wish by Robyn Carr

TITLE: One Wish
SERIES #: Thunder Point #7
CHARACTERS: Grace & Troy
AUTHOR: Robyn Carr
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/15
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Grace Dillon was a champion figure skater until she moved to Thunder Point to escape the ruthless world of fame and competition. And though she’s proud of the quiet, self-sufficient life she’s created running a successful flower shop, she knows something is missing. Her life could use a little excitement.

In a community where there are few eligible singles, high school teacher Troy Headly appoints himself Grace’s fun coach. When he suggests a little companionship with no strings attached, Grace is eager to take him up on his offer, and the two enjoy…getting to know each other.

But things get complicated when Grace’s past catches up with her, and she knows that’s not what Troy signed up for. Faced with losing her, Troy realizes Grace is more than just a friend with benefits. He’s determined to help her fight for the life she always wished for but never believed she could have—and maybe they can find real love along the way.

REVIEW:
Thunder Point is one of my favorite (book) vacation spots. I love the visits to the coastal town and I really enjoyed this visit. Grace and Troy are a great combination. I enjoyed catching up with couples from book past as well.

Grace is a quiet character and for me was a little hard to like in the beginning but eventually I did and I was glad about that because Grace is a joy. Troy is the exact opposite of Grace but that is why they connect. And connect they do

OK now there are some things that were a little difficult to read. Parts were not an easy read as they say. Some were just sad and some aggravating but that being said it was a good read. I don’t want to have any spoilers but you need to be ready for some things that can be a touchy subject.

Carr is one of the best contemporary romance writers in my opinion so pick up this series. You will not be disappointed.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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April 22, 2015April 20, 2015

Kimberly reviews Say My Name by J. Kenner

TITLE: Say My Name
SERIES #: Stark International Trilogy #1
CHARACTERS: Sylvia & Jackson
AUTHOR: J. Kenner
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/07/15
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author J. Kenner kicks off a smoking hot, emotionally compelling new trilogy that returns to the world of her beloved Stark novels: Release Me, Claim Me, and Complete Me. Say My Name features Jackson Steele, a strong-willed man who goes after what he wants, and Sylvia Brooks, a disciplined woman who’s hard to get—and exactly who Jackson needs.

I never let anyone get too close—but he’s the only man who’s ever made me feel alive.

Meeting Jackson Steele was a shock to my senses. Confident and commanding, he could take charge of any room . . . or any woman. And Jackson wanted me. The mere sight of him took my breath away, and his touch made me break all my rules.

Our bond was immediate, our passion untamed. I wanted to surrender completely to his kiss, but I couldn’t risk his knowing the truth about my past. Yet Jackson carried secrets too, and in our desire we found our escape, pushing our boundaries as far as they could go.

Learning to trust is never easy. In my mind, I knew I should run. But in my heart, I never felt a fire this strong—and it could either save me or scorch me forever.

Say My Name is intended for mature audiences.

REVIEW:
First let me say that I enjoy the books by J. Kenner… mostly. For some reason I just never seemed to enjoy the Stark books and when I requested this I didn’t even notice it was a spin off of the Stark books so when I started to read it I was a little hesitant. But I am so glad that I did read it. I enjoyed it very much.

Jackson is sexy and Sylvia can’t seem to resist him even though she really kind of wants to. They share a history together as sorted as it is it is still a history that they both want to repeat and yet are unsure if it is the right thing to do.

This is another great read from J. Kenner. If you enjoy the genre then you will enjoy any works by Kenner so give this a try. While you do not need to have read the Stark books to read this I can see how it would be helpful.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

April 20, 2015April 19, 2015

Kimberly reviews Full Contact by Sarah Castille

TITLE: Full Contact
SERIES #: Redemption #3
CHARACTERS: Sia & Ray
AUTHOR: Sarah Castille
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/07/15
ORDER LINKS:Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When you can’t resist the one person who could destroy you…

Sia O’Donnell can’t help but push the limits. She secretly attends every underground MMA fight featuring The Predator, the undisputed champion. When he stalks his prey in the ring, Sia is mesmerized. He is dominant and dangerous and every instinct tells her to run.

Every beautiful thing Ray “The Predator” touches he knows he’ll eventually destroy. Soft, sweet and innocent, Sia is the light to Ray’s darkness-and completely irresistible. From the moment he lays eyes on her, he knows he’s going to have to put his dark past behind him to win her body and soul.

REVIEW:
Another hot and steamy read from Castille. I have really enjoyed this series and this is another one that I really enjoyed. Sia has been through some stuff that causes her to have trouble with relationships and yet she is mesmerized by Ray. Ray feels like he has the opposite of the Midas touch. But something about Sia makes him realize that he needs to take the chance.

I really am not into the whole MMA reads but I have enjoyed this series very much. While in that world every other page is not about the fight which I appreciate. I think anyone would enjoy this book and series even if you are not into the MMA world.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

April 17, 2015April 16, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Five-Alarm Fudge by Christine DeSmet

The Cape Cod of the Midwest is this cozy’s setting

With author Christine DeSmet, the Fudge Shop Mystery Series

Ava Oosterling and her Grandpa Gil operate Oosterlings’ Live Bait, Bobbers & Belgian Fudge & Beer on a harbor in Door County, Wisconsin, known as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest.”

In Five-Alarm Fudge, Book 3 of the Fudge Shop Mystery series, Ava and her Grandpa Gil are again mixed up in a fun fudge felony—this time involving romance, royal relatives, and revenge.

When a visiting European prince asks Ava Oosterling to unearth a priceless, 1800s divinity fudge recipe, the request fans the flames of foul play, with murder marring Ava’s Cinderella dreams.

Prior to the story, Grandpa took it upon himself to invite the prince of Belgium to visit. Grandpa insists the prince is a shirt-tail relation but far enough removed by ancestors to qualify as marriage material for Ava.

Ava is beside herself with Grandpa. She’s in the midst of a rekindled romance with her ex, Dillon Rivers, who is refurbishing the Blue Heron Inn in order for Ava to take it over. In the meantime, Ava lives in a rundown rental cabin with an ever-present field mouse.

Grandpa has also promised the prince that Ava will find a long, lost divinity fudge recipe supposedly hidden in a local historical church by a Belgian nun during an 1871 fire.

The irony of being surrounded by miles and miles of water in this peninsular county is that on October 8, 1871 the very real Great Fire happened—taking an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 lives in this region. This event occurred the same days as the famous Chicago fire that took about 300 lives.

This novel delves into a lot of real history of the region. Did you know that this area is home to the only church-sanctioned Marian sighting in the United States? You’ll learn about the real Sister Adele Brise, who hid in a wood church and was spared in the Great Fire. Prior to that event, she reported being visited by Mary, the mother of Jesus. Today, travelers from across the United States stop at the shrine in Champion, Wis., on their way to Door County.

Just north of there, in Namur, Wis., Grandpa Gil feels sure that the traveling, teaching nun must have hidden an early version of a divinity fudge recipe in the brick church, thus protecting the special recipe from fires.

Ava scours the local church for the recipe, but instead finds a dead body, a fire, and the start of a game of hide-and-seek with an arsonist out to do in Ava before she can try on the glass slipper.

Other regular characters in my series include Ava’s best friend Pauline, who’s a kindergarten teacher, and Laura, who’s having twins and waiting for her husband to come home from a special mission in the Middle East.

There’s also a smart gaggle of church ladies who often cause Ava no end of trouble when they volunteer at the fudge shop.

And Dillon Rivers’ American water spaniel, Lucky Harbor, finds his nose in all kinds of trouble in every fudge mystery.

My series presents a warm-hearted view of a real place popular for vacations. I hope readers have a chance to look it up online to explore and then visit sometime where reading a Fudge Shop Mystery while lazing away a day in a hammock is what Door County is all about.

About the Author:

Christine DeSmet writes the Fudge Shop Mystery Series (Penguin Random House/NAL/Obsidian). She’s also an award-winning scriptwriter and teaches writing at University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Studies where she directs the annual June Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Workshop & Retreat. You can write to her at UW-Madison, cdesmet@dcs.wisc.edu or find her on Facebook or at her website, www.ChristineDeSmet.com.

It’s autumn in Fishers’ Harbor, Wisconsin, and fudge shop owner Ava Oosterling is busy preparing for the harvest festival and a visit from some royal relatives who live in Belgium. According to Ava’s grandpa, a famous divinity fudge recipe from the 1860s is hidden somewhere in a local historical church—a treat fit for a prince.

But when a fire in the church reveals the body of a murdered man, it looks like someone is willing to go to any length to possess the valuable secret to the divinity fudge. As Ava searches for the killer—and the recipe—she could use a little divine intervention, because she may have bitten off more than she can chew…

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Jennifer’s Review of Five-Alarm Fudge

Review (4 Stars): Five-Alarm Fudge is a charming mystery filled with irresistible treats, fascinating characters and a complex plot-driven whodunnit that kept me reading past my bedtime. Ava and her family are preparing for a visit from some royal relatives and Ava must find a missing fudge recipe that her grandfather said that she would make for their visiting guests. When a fire in the church leads to the discovery of a dead body, Ava learns that this missing recipe may be the motive for murder and is on the hunt to find another killer before it is too late.

Ava is such an interesting character and I enjoy spending time with her and her lovely friends with each new mystery. I loved seeing how far she has come over the course of the series, especially in her relationship with her old flame, Dillon. The mystery was entertaining and fun and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the Fudge Shop Mystery series.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Five Alarm Fudge. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by April 22nd, please leave me a comment below:

April 17, 2015April 16, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Obsessed by Beth Ciotta

A Fallen Star…

A hot-mess of controversy and scandal, Dakota Breeze—tarnished pop star of fading fame and fortune—accepts a friend’s offer, taking refuge in a small Midwestern town in order to rehearse her comeback concert in secret. Starstruck is the perfect venue however rehearsals are marred by Dakota’s reluctance to resurrect her former bad-girl persona and complicated by an anonymous death threat.

A Haunted Bodyguard…

Enlisted by a mutual friend, Wyatt MacDermott—a seasoned protection specialist—agrees to act as Dakota’s temporary bodyguard. Forced to set aside a personal grudge in order to fulfill his duties, Mac’s stunned by his fierce and instant attraction to the reckless celebrity he’s long associated with his greatest regret.

Obsessed with conflicting needs and united passion, Dakota and Wyatt spin out of control, indulging in a whirlwind affair and tempting an avenger’s wrath.

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Dakota palmed her aching chest, fought for an even breath as Mac steered the sedan through the gates to her temporary residence. She hadn’t meant to spew or to beg. She didn’t want his pity.

But she did want him.

For all his indifference, he made her feel safe. At this point she’d welcome anything, even the company of Ice Man, to minimize her stress. Stress messed with her concentration and judgment, undermining her on-stage performances and her pursuit of private serenity.

Feeling exposed and raw, Dakota pushed her agenda. “So are you with me or not?”

He didn’t respond. Of course, he didn’t respond. The man was a freaking robot.

The car stopped just shy of the house and, with a white-knuckled hold on her purse, Dakota pushed open her door. Her shoulder sang with the effort, but she didn’t groan or complain or even wince. Mac was right. She was lucky to be alive.

She blocked his cold rejection from her mind, focused on Maggie. She needed to check on her ailing assistant and she didn’t want to compound matters by looking like a frazzled mess.

A startled scream stuck in her throat as her new bodyguard backed her against the car.

“One,” he said, spearing her with steely grey eyes, “You don’t move without telling me first. Two: As soon as we get in the house, I want that letter. Three: I say jump, you jump. I’m talking unflinching trust, Dakota.”

It was the most he’d said to her since they’d met and even though he’d done nothing but issue arrogant orders, a strange sense of calm snaked through her tense being. Pinned between the tank of a car and her broad-shouldered bodyguard, Dakota held his gaze and raised onto her toes, her mouth a breath away from his own. “For me to jump, MacDermott, I need to know something other than ice flows through your veins.”

And with that she indulged in one last impulsive act. She pressed her lips to his, anticipating rejection.

Anticipating Antarctica.

Instead, he blew her away, melting her bones with a deep, searing kiss. His touch, his taste, his passion dazed her far more than any spinning car. Who could think straight with his strong hands exploring her curves? With his massive erection raging between them?

Dakota gave over to the intensity, the wonder, the mind-blowing melding that obliterated morality. Just shy of her jumping his freaking bones, Mac cooled her jets by backing away.

“Now you know,” he said as he reverted to professional indifference. “And if you’re smart, you’ll leave it at that.”

About the Author:

Storytelling comes naturally to award-winning author Beth Ciotta. Dubbed “fun and sexy” by Publisher’s Weekly, Beth specializes in contemporary, historical, steampunk, and paranormal romantic fiction.
Beth lives in NJ with her husband, two zany dogs, and a crazy cat. A retired professional performer, Beth now pours her artistic passion into her writing. To learn more about her colorful life, visit her website at www.bethciotta.com

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Obsessed

Review (4 Stars): I loved Obsessed and was sad that this story wasn’t longer. The chemistry between Dakota and Mac was so hot that smoke was coming of the pages from these two. Mac was so stoic and distant when he first met Dakota because he blamed her for what had happened to his sister. After spending time with her, he couldn’t fight the attraction that he felt for her and Dakota felt the same way about him.

I enjoyed the mystery of discovering the identity of the person that was stalking Dakota and trying to prevent her from returning to the stage which added just the right amount of suspense to this sexy romance. I’m a big fan of Ms Ciotta’s cupcake series and I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next two books in the Starstruck series. Obsessed is a hot sexy thrill-ride and I have a feeling that I will revisit this story in the future.

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April 16, 2015April 12, 2015

Kimberly reviews The Girls Of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery

TITLE: The Girls Of Mischief Bay
SERIES #: Mischief #1
CHARACTERS: Nicole & Shannon & Pam
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/24/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Susan Mallery, the New York Times bestselling author of Three Sisters, is world renowned for her “insightful, funny, and poignant” stories (Booklist). With her brand-new Mischief Bay series, she brings vivid color to the story of three friends on the brink of a new life.

Nicole Lord wants to be a good wife, but there’s a difference between being supportive and supporting her husband, who quit his job to write a screenplay she’s never seen. He won’t even help take care of their son, leaving Nicole to run the house and work full-time.

Sacrificing a personal life for her career is how Shannon Rigg became VP at her firm, but she wonders now whether she made the right choice. An exciting new relationship with a great guy convinces her that it might not be too late—until he drops a bombshell that has her questioning whether she really can have it all.

Although Pam Eiland adores her husband, she feels restless now that the kids are grown. Finding sexy new ways to surprise him brings the heat and humor back to their marriage, but when unexpected change turns her life upside down, she’ll have to redefine herself. Again.

Through romance and heartbreak, laughter and tears, the girls of Mischief Bay will discover that life is richer with friends at your side.

REVIEW:
I’ll be honest. I love the works of Susan Mallery but my favorites are part of the Fool’s Gold series. But every year she adds another book to a trilogy series and this is the first of the new Mischief Bay series. And while wonderful it is not Fools Gold.

The three women of this story are so different and yet somehow they mesh together. Their lives are going through some growing pains and they are having a hard time figuring out what to do so they rely on each other.

The story is heartwarming and while a delightful read the trilogy series Mallery writes always has a moral to it and this one is no different. But you need to read the story to know what that moral is.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

April 15, 2015April 14, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Demise in Denim by Duffy Brown

Walker Boone here from the lovely city of Savannah, Georgia. The azaleas are in bloom, the magnolias are big as dinner plates and I’m on the run.

In Demise in Denim, I’ve kind of gotten myself into one big huge mess and it looks like Reagan Summerside and Auntie KiKi are the only ones trying to get me out of it.

You see there was this dead guy in a bathtub. Not my bathtub but his own and my housekeeper happened to stumble across the body. If I remember right it went something like…

“See, there he is, Mr. Boone,” Mercedes said to me. “Just like I told you on the phone, Conway Adkins dead as a fence post in his very own claw-foot bathtub and naked as the day he was born.”
“I take you added the washcloth?” I said to Mercedes, both of us standing in the doorway and staring at the corpse.
“Couldn’t be having the man laying there with his shrivelness all exposed to the world now could I. Not proper for a man his age.”
“Or for the rest of us,” I added.

At first Mercedes was the number one suspect. That was bad enough because she’s a friend and she can’t be beat as a housekeeper. On both accounts–and with my dust-bunnies threatening to mutiny—I went after the rear killer.

I didn’t have a lot of luck, in fact I almost got killed a few times and then…somehow…I wound up the number one suspect.

“This is circumstantial evidence,” I said to Reagan as we stood on the sidewalk outside my house. “The police have to see that someone’s setting me up to cover their own butt.”
     “It’s your butt that needs covering, Walker Boone,” Reagan offered. “The police found your .38 and it matches the bullet that killed Conway. The cops are on their way. You got to get out of here right now.”
      I looked at my red ‘57 Chevy convertible parked at the curb. “Might as well put a target on my back driving this thing.”
      Reagan shoved her helmet at me.      “Take Princess.”
     “A scooter? You want me to ride a pink scooter named Princess?”
     “Better than that being your nickname in the big house.”

Reagan was a big help in me getting away but it might not be enough:

The convertible top was down, a crescent moon hung low over the marshlands and the night sky was filled with a bazillion stars as I drove Walker Boone’s precious ’57 red Chevy toward Tybee Post. It was a perfect spring night except that my palms were sweating, my heart was rocketing around in my chest, and there were one, two, make that four police cars on my bumper, their red and blue lights flashing in my rearview mirror.

I need a place to hide out but where? Where would you go if you were on the run? Who would help you out? Let me know and I’ll give away two Demise In Denim totes from the answers. Wish me luck.

About the Author:

Duffy Brown loves anything with a mystery. While others girls dreamed of dating Brad Pitt, Duffy longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom. She has two cats, Spooky and Dr. Watson, her license plate is Sherlok and she conjures up who-done-it stories of her very own for Berkley Prime Crime. Duffy’s national bestselling Consignment Shop Mystery series is set in Savannah and the Cycle Path Mysteries are set on Mackinac Island.

Website/Facebook

It’s springtime in Savannah, Georgia, in the newest Consignment Shop Mystery from the national bestselling author of Pearls and Poison. The azaleas and magnolias are in bloom—and Walker Boone is on the run. . .

When Reagan Summerside turned the first floor of her old Victorian home into a consignment shop, she never imagined she’d be harboring a fugitive in her attic. But after a dead man is found in a bathtub and local lawyer Walker Boone is accused of doing the dirty deed, she suddenly has a new houseguest.

Having the lawyer who took her to the cleaners in her divorce settlement—and who has been getting under her skin ever since—in close proximity is enough to drive Reagan to distraction. For the sake of her sanity—and Walker’s freedom—they need to put their heads together to find out who is trying to get the lawyer out of the picture . . .

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Jennifer’s Review of Demise in Denim

Review (4.5 Stars): I want to warn everyone first that Demise in Denim picks up right after the events of Dead Man Walker, which is a novella that was released in earlier this year. It would be helpful to read this first but if you are already familiar with these characters then you are able to follow along with the story rather quickly. Boone is wanted for murder and it is up to Reagan to figure out the identity of the killer who is trying to frame Boone for a crime he didn’t commit.

I absolutely love this series because I can’t stop myself from laughing as I read all the crazy antics that Reagan seems to find herself in with each book. I enjoyed seeing how Reagan and Boone’s romantic relationship was progressing in Demise in Denim and I’m happy to say that I had a huge smile on my face by the end of the book. Demise in Denim is a charming mystery with the right dose of southern sass and hospitality that always has me coming back for me. I adore Reagan and I can’t wait to see what is up next for her and Boone in the future.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Demise in Denim. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by April 22nd, please answer Duffy’s question above: