Spotlight & Excerpt from Melinda Leigh’s Hour of Need + a giveaway

Hour of Need

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Genre: Romantic Suspense

While fighting in Afghanistan, Major Grant Barrett receives devastating news: his brother and sister-in-law have been murdered in Scarlet Falls, the sleepy suburb of Grant’s youth. Emotionally scarred from war, the career soldier returns home on emergency leave to temporarily care for his orphaned nephew and niece. But when someone tries to kidnap the kids and their teenage babysitter, Grant knows it’s not a random act…and neither were the murders.

Already devastated by her neighbors’ violent deaths, Ellie Ross is shattered by the attempted abduction of her teenage daughter so she desperately turns to Grant for help. As they navigate a deadly search for the truth, they struggle with growing feelings for each other and Grant’s impending return to Afghanistan.

But time is running out. The killer is growing bolder by the hour, and Ellie and Grant must find him before the children become his next victims.

Exclusive Excerpt – Hour of Need by Melinda Leigh

“Shh.” Ellie wrapped her arms around Grant’s waist and hugged him.

Shocked, he pulled back, but she tightened her hold. Grant, ignoring the warning signals from his conscience, returned the embrace. He rested his forehead on her hair and accepted the comfort she offered. His heart stirred in an uncomforatble and dangerous spiral. He liked this. Too much. This was the sort of thing his married friends missed while they were deployed: human contact, shared emotions. For a second, he thought maybe it was worth missing. But no, that would be selfish. This wasn’t just about him. It wouldn’t be fair to Ellie to start something he couldn’t finish. He moved every year or so, and if he really wanted to be a general, he didn’t need emotional ties tempting him to turn down assignments that could further his career. It was much easier to remain emotionally detached, because until this week, that’s what he’d been. Grant had spent most of his adult life alone and aloof, avoiding personal connections and complications.

But damn. He couldn’t seem to let go of this soft woman in his arms.

She sighed, and her body relaxed. She shifted, leaning back. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

Her warm brown eyes filled with empathy. “That this all happened to you. You haven’t had time to grieve.”

A small shudder passed through him, followed by a wave of need he couldn’t explain or deny, except that his soul was an empty shell. He pressed his lips to hers and let the taste of her fill the void inside him.

Make sure to check out Kelly’s review of Hour of Need HERE

A little about Melinda:

Melinda Leigh abandoned her career in banking to raise her children. She started writing as a hobby, but soon found her true calling creating characters and stories. She has won numerous writing awards for her paranormal romance and romantic suspense fiction. Her debut novel, She Can Run, was a #1 bestseller in Kindle Romantic Suspense, a 2011 Best Book Finalist in The Romance Reviews, and a nominee for the 2012 International Thriller Award for Best First Book. A 2013 and 2014 Daphne du Maurier Award finalist, Melinda holds a second-degree black belt in Kenpo karate and teaches women’s self-defense. She lives with her husband, two teenagers, a couple of dogs, and two rescued cats.

Learn more about Melinda here: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Giveaway Time:

Montlake has given me permission to giveaway 3 digital copies Hour of Need

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January 10, 2015January 10, 2015

Book Spotlight & Review: You’re So Fine by Kieran Kramer

CAN THE ROLE OF A LIFETIME…

Lacey Clark’s dreams of Hollywood stardom didn’t turn out quite the way she planned. Instead, her life is more of the daytime-drama variety: One of her actor ex-boyfriends fathered a child with another woman, and now, long story short, Lacey is the adopted single mother of his son. She takes little Henry with her to South Carolina to escape the film business but winds up working at a small movie studio, determined to do a good job both on set and at “home.” Only problem is she ends up sharing a house with movie star Beau Wilder, who is no role model for Henry—and only spells trouble for Lacey…

LEAD TO A HAPPY ENDING?

Beau is arguably the most gorgeous man on the planet—and a known ladies’ man. His wealthy Lowcountry pedigree is rivaled only by his bad-boy charm, a combination that proves irresistible for Lacey. And he adores Henry! If they weren’t both on a movie set, their lives would seem too good to be true…unless the chemistry—not to mention the burning attraction—between them is real, and Hollywood’s golden boy is actually falling for this sassy single mom? When it comes to love, sometimes you just have to throw out the script…

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author Kieran Kramer currently writes fun contemporary romance for St. Martin’s Press. A former journalist and English teacher, Kieran’s also a game show veteran, karaoke enthusiast, and general adventurer. She lives where she grew up-in the Lowcountry of South Carolina-with her family. Find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and at www.kierankramerbooks.com.

Jennifer’s Review of You’re So Fine

Review (4.75 Stars): I love Ms. Kramer’s books and You’re So Fine is a wonderful tender-hearted romance with a dash of southern hospitality and charm. Lacey Clark has left the bright lights of Hollywood to raise her son in South Carolina and finds herself sharing a house with Hollywood’s biggest star, Beau Wilder. Beau is in South Carolina filming a movie that he never wanted to be a part of and never expected to be falling for this beautiful woman with a young child. Together, they may find a love that is better than any romance seen on the silver screen.

I liked Lacey and Beau as a couple even though they had a rocky start to their relationship. Beau was considered to be the top of the food chain in Hollywood due to his million dollar pictures while Lacey was known as “the jinx” in the film community because she could only get bit parts and when bad things happened on the set, everyone blamed her. Lacey wasn’t a jinx but a smart, passionate woman who wanted something better for her son than the life she grew up with. She knew what it was like to want to be someone else and gave Beau the opportunity to see another side of himself not only an actor but as a man. He never expected to find that what he really wanted was a true relationship and a place that he could feel at home instead of facade of a Hollywood set. I could definitely see him as a father to Henry and I was glad that he showed this side of himself to Lacey and convince her that he was the right guy for her. Great romance and I can’t wait to read what is next from the talented Ms. Kramer.

January 5, 2015January 4, 2015

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Lie of the Needle by Cate Price

As the owner of Sometimes a Great Notion, a shop specializing in vintage sewing notions and antique treasures, Daisy Buchanan is a strong advocate of preserving the past. But when a killer strikes, she turns her attention to saving lives…

Talk about a great notion! As a fund-raiser to save a two-hundred-year-old farmhouse and stop an ambitious developer, the ladies of the Historical Society of Millbury, Pennsylvania, are producing a Hunky Men of Millbury calendar. Daisy is delighted to lend her support, and the female population of the village is abuzz with anticipation.

But after Daisy’s close friend Cyril doesn’t show up for his photo shoot and the calendar photographer is found dead, it’s beginning to look like the days may be numbered for the men of Millbury. Can a cryptic verse on an antique sampler help Daisy pin down the killer before another pinup runs out of time?

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Cate Price was born in England and came to the U.S. when she was sixteen. She spent her high school years translating her quaint English expressions for fellow classmates, and majored in Communications at Central Connecticut State University with an emphasis on Radio and TV production. She’s made a living as an actress, voice over artist, talent agent, waitress, bartender, casting director and real estate agent, until finally settling on her current occupation as Executive Assistant to a CEO.

She’s a regular sight on the streets of her home town walking her two amazing rescue dogs, and enjoys gardening, yard sales, and cooking with adventurous friends. Writing this Deadly Notions series proved to be rather a dangerous project, because while researching auction houses, she also became addicted to bidding on box lots.

Cate’s previous (unpublished) books span the genres of romantic comedy, romantic suspense and murder mysteries, and have won or finaled in numerous contests, including the prestigious Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, and over the years has served as vice president, web mistress, treasurer, corresponding secretary, and contest coordinator, and has since learned not to volunteer at chapter parties where wine is involved. She is also a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Lie of the Needle

Review (4 Stars): This is the third book in the Deadly Notions mystery series and I have to say that this series is really starting to grow on me. Daisy is such a delightful character and I love the idea of her selling collectable sewing items in her store which always puts her in the middle of a murder mystery. In this story, the Millbury Historical society is hosting a fundraiser where they will be selling calendars featuring the men of Millbury. On the night of the photo shoot of Daisy’s good friend, Cyril, something sinister happens which leaves the photographer dead and Cyril nowhere to be found. As the hunt for answers begin, Daisy finds that there is more to this mystery than meets the eye and she fears that her friend may also be the victim of foul play. Hopefully she can find the killer before it too late or everything they have worked for will go up in smoke.

Lie of the Needle is a charming addition to this intriguing mystery series and I enjoy spending time with this fun cast of characters. The mystery in this story was very complex and I love the fact that I had no idea who it was until the great reveal. In this story, we also get updates on the lives of secondary characters and love is definitely in the air in the small town of Millbury. I was so glad that Eleanor found a second chance at love because she is my favorite character after Daisy. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see what treasures and mysteries that Daisy finds next.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Lie of the Needle. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by January 10th, please leave me a comment below:

January 5, 2015January 4, 2015

Guest Blogger: Carolyn Brown

Hello and thank you for inviting me to Books-N-Kisses.Just reading the name of your site makes me smile. Nothing much better in this world than books and/or kisses!

In my newest release, The Trouble with Texas Cowboys, Sawyer O’Donnell and Jill Cleary had no idea that they were going to be sharing a bunkhouse until the deal was already done. Sawyer’s first thought, after Jill put down that shot gun she had trained on his chest, was Travis Tritt’s song, “T.R.O.U.B.L.E” and he wasn’t far from wrong. Before the night was done, two cowboys had already come to the door, hats in hand, asking Jill to go to Sunday dinner with them the next day.

Either one, Quaid Brennan or Tyrell Gallagher, could give Jill a life that any cowgirl could only dream about. A prosperous ranch, money to burn, a lifestyle of the rich and famous and the list went on from earth to eternity. So how in the hell did someone like Sawyer, who was the newly hired, ranch foreman stand a chance? Well, there’s more than one way to court a sassy red headed lady and not a single one of them involve spending tons of money.

Sometimes a foot rub can start off a beautiful relationship:

He picked up her feet and put them in his lap, massaging the soles through her socks. “I’m going to Wild Horse for dinner and River Bend for supper, but believe me, it’s not happening but this one time,” he said. “I’ll be ready for them next time around.”

She dramatically threw a hand over her eyes. “Next time? Shit! We’re going to have to outrun them again? That feels so good. Did you ever think of leaving ranchin’ and going into massage work?”

“No, ma’am. My heart is in ranchin’, but it makes a person plumb cranky to have achin’ feet.”

And then there’s daisies! Jill hates roses but neither of the two feuding families knew that about her and they brought roses. Since wild daisies aren’t blooming in the middle of winter, Sawyer finds things with daisies on them to surprise her, like setting an old cracked cookie jar in the middle of the table that had daisies painted on the lid.

Going to church with her on Sunday morning and sharing a hymn book. There’s something about letting the mind wander as the preacher talks that can create all kinds of sinful visions. A long, sexy shower together when he washes her hair and tells her that he’d planned to let her sleep late while he did their chores.

And slow dancing after the bar closes its doors. There’s just something about swaying to a country music song on the juke box that has “courting” written all over it.

So what would you consider the ultimate cowboy date? Does it involve wining and dining or would you rather have something like Sawyer gave Jill in The Trouble with Texas Cowboys?

*****

The Trouble with Texas Cowboys

Amazon| B&N

When Sawyer O’Donnell takes a ranch job on a whim, he lands smack dab in the middle of a Texas-sized feud! The Gallaghers and the Brennans are at each other’s throats to woo the red-headed spitfire, Jill Cleary, and stake a claim for the Fiddle Creek Ranch.

Jill makes Sawyer’s blood boil. They argue, they banter, but Sawyer soon goes from being driven crazy to crazy in love. Damned if he knows how that happened. But now that it has, how does he compete with two men that can give this cowgirl a lifestyle beyond her wildest dreams.

Make sure to check out Kelly’s review of The Trouble with Texas Cowboys HERE

A little about Carolyn:

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with more than 60 books published. Born in Texas and raised in southern Oklahoma, Carolyn and her husband now make their home in the town of Davis, Oklahoma. Carolyn’s first women’s fiction novel, The Blue Ribbon Jalapeño Society Jubilee is now available, and you can look for her next cowboy romance, Cowboy Seeks Bride in August 2013! For more information, please visit: www.carolynlbrown.com.

December 31, 2014December 29, 2014

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress by Theresa Romain

Title: Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress

Series: The Matchmaker Trilogy #3

Author: Theresa Romain

Pubdate: January 6^th, 2015

One good proposition deserves another…

Heiress Augusta Meredith can’t help herself—she stirs up gossip wherever she goes. A stranger to Bath society, she pretends to be a charming young widow, until sardonic, darkly handsome Joss Everett arrives from London and uncovers her charade.

Augusta persuades Joss to keep her secret in exchange for a secret of his own. Weaving their way through the treacherous pitfalls of a polite world only too eager to expose and condemn them, they begin to see that being true to themselves is not so bad…as long as they’re true to each other…

Amazon/B&N

*EXCERPT*

She tilted her head, setting the loose curl free again. “Are you doing what you wish?”

Doing what he wished? No, of course he wasn’t.

Right now he wished he could make her smile as she had when giving away her gloves. He wished he could dispense with his conscience and plead for her to take him as a lover. He wished he could pluck the pins from her sunset hair and send it tumbling over her naked skin, wished he could stop kissing her only to make her cry out in pleasure.

But always, in the face of a wish, came prosaic reality. A scarred wooden table, a plate of mutton and potatoes, a wedge of cheese. An adequate fire and a roof over one’s head. Such a reality was perfectly acceptable, even if it didn’t hold the luster of a gemlike fantasy.

“I try to wish,” he said in a calm voice, “for what I know I might attain. For respectable employment for a reasonable wage. For a reasonable employer.”

This brought a faint smile to her features, but the expression fell away in another instant. “That seems a very small dream.”

“What on earth do you mean by that? It’s a very suitable dream.”

“But it’s not really a dream, is it? It’s what you have now, just shuffled about a bit.”

Again, he folded his arms. She lifted her hands, placating. “As you say, it’s perfectly suitable. And if you insist that it’s exactly what you want, then I suppose it is a dream, after all.”

Of course it wasn’t a dream. It was good sense. It was practicality. “I don’t know what else I ought to wish for. This is my life. I am a man of business for a nobleman.” Remembering Chatfield’s words, he added, “I am not in bodily danger, nor in mortal peril. It could be far worse.”

“It could be. But if you want it to be better…”

“Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to buy happiness.”

“No one is fortunate enough for that.” She turned over her fork and scratched the tines into the surface of the table. “That’s not what I meant. I know happiness can’t be bought, or I would have bought it.”

About the Author:

Historical romance author Theresa Romain pursued an impractical education that allowed her to read everything she could get her hands on. She then worked for universities and libraries, where she got to read even more. Eventually she started writing, too. She lives with her family in the Midwest.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress

Review (3.75 Stars): I absolutely love Ms. Romain’s books and I absolutely enjoy her style of writing and the humor that is sprinkled throughout each of her stories. In Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress, Augusta Meredith is in Bath society to hide her famous identity so she can find herself a lover with no strings attached. She pretends to be a newly widowed young woman to accomplish her mission but runs into the one person who knows most of her secrets. Joss Everett has arrived in Bath to uncover the identity of his cousin’s blackmailer and never expected to run into the beautiful and entertaining Ms. Meredith. She propositions Joss to become her lover at first and when he declines her invitation, he agrees to help her find a more suitable candidate if she helps him with her new found connections. As the two get closer to achieving their goals, they find that they are more alike than they expected with a certain chemistry that is becoming too hard to resist.

I loved Augusta in this story because she was just this fun and spunky woman who knew what she wanted and was willing to take a chance to get it. I connected with her right away but I had a really hard time connecting with Joss in this story. For some reason, I just felt that he wasn’t quite the guy that I could see with Augusta and the two of them just felt a little mis-matched. With that said, I still enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next novel that Ms. Romain releases. Even though I didn’t care for Joss, I think Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress was a fun read and I hope other readers will have a different opinion of Joss than I did.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

December 29, 2014December 17, 2014

Felicity Heaton’s Winter Warmers Ebook Deals

It’s that time of year again where we look forward to the holidays and a new year, and what better way to celebrate and relax than with FOUR FREE books and SIX 99c / 99p books?

That’s right, my Winter Warmers (or Summer Scorchers if you’re south of the equator) are back and this year I have some fantastic deals for you.

Not only can you get your hands on my usual four free paranormal romance ebooks, three of which are firsts in series and one of which is a seasonal offering perfect for the holidays, but you can also get six ebooks at incredible discounts for a limited time only. Those books will be just 99c or 99p until January 15th 2015, representing a total saving of $14 / £7, so be sure to check them out and grab them before the offer ends. And don’t forget to tell your book-addicted friends!

You can find all the links to your favourite retailers such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple and Kobo Books, and discover more about the books over at my website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/paranormal-romance-ebook-offers.php

Now, here’s more about each book that is on offer:

Discounted books include:

Kissed by a Dark Prince (Eternal Mates Romance Series #1)

Olivia thinks it’s her lucky night when a dangerously handsome unconscious fae ends up on her inspection table. He’s her chance to redeem herself with her employer, the demon-hunting organisation, Archangel. But when the tall, dark and deadly immortal warrior awakes, she gets much more than she bargained for…

*****

In Heat (In Heat Shapeshifter Romance Series #1)

A heat wave isn’t the only thing making London too hot for lawyer Kim. She’s been spending each night with a man who sets her body and heart on fire. The problem? He’s a man who always sprouts black fur and purrs, and he’s only a dream. Walking into her office, the last thing she expects is to meet Erik, a man who sends her temperature soaring and who resembles her dream guy exactly.

*****

Her Fallen Angel (Her Angel Romance Series #2)

Lukas is gorgeous and way out of Annelie’s league, but when he confesses that he wants her, she can’t resist his passionate kiss and seizes the moment, and Lukas, with both hands. But Lukas has a secret, one that will test Annelie’s love for him and threaten to tear them apart. He’s a fallen angel. Can she help him prove he didn’t commit a terrible crime? Is she brave enough to love an angel?

*****

Crave (Vampire Erotic Theatre Romance Series #2)

Callum has come to the city of romance on business, not pleasure, but when he sets eyes on a gorgeous werewolf in a nightclub, he can’t ignore the dark carnal craving she ignites in him. His work for Vampirerotique, the erotic theatre he runs with three other vampires, can wait. The only thing that matters now is satisfying his sinful hunger for a woman who most vampires would consider an enemy.

*****

Prophecy: Caelestis & Aurorea (Vampires Realm Romance Series #2)

In a world of darkness and danger, Prophecy will fight to her limit to save the vampire she loves and stop a terrible evil from unleashing Hell on Earth. When her visions show her the dark path they must take, will Prophecy and Valentine be able to do what is necessary to win against the mounting threat of a mysterious enemy?

*****

Hunter’s Moon (Vampires Realm Romance Series #6)

The horror of the night he failed to save his werewolf pack from the cruelty of their vampire masters has haunted Nicolae for one hundred years, driving him deep into the Canadian wilderness in search of peace. That peace is threatened when unfamiliar hunters and the scent of blood lead him to a beautiful vampire and a hard decision—face his past and help her or risk losing everyone again.

Free books include:

Prophecy: Child of Light (Vampires Realm Romance Series #1)

A vampire unlike any other, Prophecy lives life in the dark until the night she encounters a sensual dark-haired vampire who is both her enemy and the man who will change her world forever. When she discovers her extraordinary destiny, will she be strong enough to embrace it and stop a deadly war from igniting?

*****

Her Dark Angel (Her Angel Romance Series #1)

Serenity is shocked when a gorgeous black-winged angel shows up in her city of Paris claiming that she called him when she was only casting a simple vengeance spell. He’s no other than the angel of death! When Apollyon offers to obey her and help her have revenge on her cheating ex, she can’t resist the temptation, but can she resist him? Can an angel ever fall for a mortal woman like her?

*****

Covet (Vampire Erotic Theatre Romance Series #1)

Javier knows better than to succumb to his hunger for Lilah. The mortal female belongs to a powerful aristocrat patron of Vampirerotique, the theatre he runs with three other vampires. A single touch is all it would take to break the sacred law of his kind, sentencing himself to death, but his passion for her has become too fierce to ignore and he will risk everything to make Lilah his.

*****

Vampire for Christmas

It was one last mission. Shannon, a hunter, is desperate to ditch the small town and her vampire partner, Rafe. Things are getting complicated and she wants out, but Rafe isn’t about to let the woman he’s fallen for go so easily. Can Rafe make her see that he loves her and make her face her feelings? Will a wish on a star bring Shannon what her heart truly desires–a vampire for Christmas?

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading everyone!

About Felicity Heaton:

Felicity Heaton is a New York Times and USA Today international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! If you’re a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling Vampire Erotic Theatre series. Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the new Her Angel series.

If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Check out the whole tour HERE

Dec 15: Monlatable Book Reviews, Sunshine Book Promotions, Romancing the Dark Side & Marie’s Cozy Corner.

Dec 16: I Smell Sheep, Stephanie’s Book Reviews, Reel Ladys Love Smut & Book Groupies.

Dec 17: Booked & Loaded, A British Bookworm’s Blog & Sapphyria’s Book Reviews.

Dec 18: Pearls Cast Before a McPig, Musings From An Addicted Book Reader & EBook Obsessed.

Dec 19: Moonbeams over Atlanta & Books & Tales.

Dec 20: KT Book Reviews & Angel’s Guilty Pleasures.

Dec 21: Fang-Freakin-Tastic Reviews.

Dec 22: Binding Addiction.

Dec 23: Becky on Books and Quilts.

Dec 26: Em & M Books.

Dec 27: Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock.

Dec 28: A Little Bit of R&R.

Dec 29: Books-n-Kisses.

Dec 30: SBM Book Obsession.

Dec 31: The Book Nympho & Diane’s Book Blog.

Jan 01: Share My Destiny & Twin Opinions.

Jan 02: Vampy and Racey Bookblog.

Jan 04: Bloggers From Down Under.

Jan 05: The Snarkology.

Jan 06: ParaYourNormal.

Jan 07: Indy Book Fairy & Romance Junkies.

Jan 08: Brazen Babe Reviews.

Jan 11: Underneath The Covers.

Jan 12: Bibliophilia, Please.

Jan 13: Home Is Where the Wine Is Book Blog.

Jan 15: Beautifully Broken Book Blog.

December 28, 2014December 27, 2014

Book Spotlight: Mistletoe on Main Street by Olivia Miles

Sleigh bells, snow, and second chances . . .

Briar Creek’s quaint shop windows, cozy homes nestled in snow, and neighborly residents are what Christmas dreams are made of—for everyone except Grace Madison. She left her hometown years ago to pursue a writing career. But when her father’s death leaves his bookstore empty, Grace must return to face why she fled Vermont in the first place: Luke Hastings, who still heats her up like a shot of smoky whiskey on a cold winter’s night.

Grace is back, and Luke is worried. How much has she changed as a bestselling author in the big city? What memories will she stir up? And was the choice he made five years ago the biggest mistake of his life?

Now, with their past, present, and future rocking around the Christmas tree, it’s time for Grace and Luke to face the music . . . and the mistletoe.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Olivia Miles is a bestselling author of contemporary romance. She was the winner of Harlequin’s 2011 Happy Holidays Contest, and her story earned her “The Call.” Her books have since released in more than six countries and have been translated into multiple languages. Her first single-title series, The Briar Creek Series, is now available through Hachette/Grand Central Publishing.

Having grown up in New England, Olivia attended McGill University in Montreal, Quebec before settling in Chicago. A city girl with a fondness for small town charm, Olivia enjoys highlighting both ways of life in her stories.

She currently resides in Evanston, Illinois with her husband, young daughter, and two ridiculously pampered pups.

Olivia loves hearing from readers! She can be reached at writeroliviamiles (at) gmail.com

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Mistletoe on Main Street

Review (3.75 Stars): Grace Madison has returned home for the holidays to spend time with her family after breaking up with her boyfriend and her career as a writer isn’t going how she planned. Being home in Briar Creek brings back a lot of painful memories of her past life with her childhood sweetheart, Luke Hastings, who she just happens to run into at every turn. For Luke, seeing Grace is just as painful because he is still reeling from the loss of his wife to a brain aneurysm and the secrets that he has been hiding about the day that she died. By being near Grace, Luke is reminded of what he has lost and this holiday season, he may just find what he has always needed in his life.

Grace and Luke were an interesting couple that lived their lives with so much sadness. Grace left Briar Creek as a young girl to discover the bright lights of New York to fulfill her dreams of becoming a writer. Luke let her go because he knew that he was meant to stay in their small town and he couldn’t stand in the way of her dreams. Both of them wondered what if, but the timing wasn’t right since Luke had met another and was planning to marry her when Grace came back for him.

Now, they are both in Briar Creek single and their past keeps standing in the way of their future. Luke can’t let go of the guilt he feels over his deceased wife and I was so angry and irritated with him through most of this book. Grace was trying to make a fresh start by reopening her father’s bookstore and Luke’s guilt kept preventing them from finding happiness together. I just wanted to smack him by the end of story and I thought that his decision to be finally be with Grace was almost too little too late.

I loved Grace’s family especially her sisters, Anna and Jane. I am looking forward to reading Anna’s story in A Match Made on Main Street and I’m hoping that Jane will get her happy ending as well after what happened to her in this book.

November 25, 2014November 12, 2014

Spotlight & Excerpt from Julie Ann Walker’s Full Throttle + a giveaway

Full Throttle

Release Date: December 2, 2014

Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Abby Thompson didn’t sign up to be the daughter of the President of the United States. The position was forced on her by the small matter of her birth. Preferring a quiet life of study, she’s content to leave the politics and the international intrigue to her father. Unfortunately, the most powerful man on the planet is sure to make enemies. When a group of armed thugs takes her hostage half a world away, demanding the U.S. government release prisoners in exchange for her safe return, she fears her father’s policy of “not negotiating with terrorists” means she’ll never see the shores of the Potomac again. Luckily, there’s one glimmer of hope. His name is Carlos Soto. And though she abruptly ended things with him years ago, she knows now he’s the only man who can save her…

Carlos “Steady” Soto has taken part in his fair share of dangerous missions working at the covert government defense firm of Black Knights Inc. But nothing prepared him for the emotional rollercoaster he faces when he’s tasked with rescuing the only woman he ever loved-who also broke his heart. Racing against time and outmaneuvering a group of trained terrorists will take everything he’s got. Plus there’s the heat simmering between them which is threatening to ignite into an inferno. While ruthless enemies stalk them, they must learn to trust each other again. Even if they do make it out alive, will Abby turn her back on him… for the second time?

Add to your Goodreads list

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Exclusive Excerpt:

I shouldn’t be doing this!

It was the second time the thought screamed through Abby’s brain. But once again, she chose to ignore it.

Yes, she shouldn’t be doing this. She shouldn’t be kissing Carlos like her life depended on it. She shouldn’t be sucking his tongue into her mouth as if the world would end if she didn’t. But she’d wanted this for so long. Wanted him for so long. And she’d never dreamed he might want her, too. Not in her wildest fantasies could she have imagined smart, sexy Carlos Soto would be interested in her.

Yet here he was…his thick fingers speared into her hair, his hard palms framing her face and showing her just what to do, how to kiss him. And every dart of his tongue, each hot glide between her lips might as well have been a wicked lick to the center of her sex. She burned and would have sworn on a stack of bibles she was seconds away from going up in flames. Just poof! A human torch…

“Abby,” he whispered again before leaving a trail of hungry, hasty kisses across her cheek and back to her ear. “Dios, Abby, you taste so good.” He sucked her sensitive lobe into his sinfully knowledgeable mouth.

She tasted good? She did? No, no. He was the one who should be on the menu of the finest restaurant. Because his breath was fresh and warm, and the sweat on his skin when she turned her head to gently sink her teeth into his wrist was sweet and delightful. He was the appetizer, entrée, and dessert all rolled into one wonderfully decadent male feast.

He moaned against her neck when she darted out her tongue, flicking at the pulse beating heavily in his wrist. The sound went all through her, making her nipples tighten, her toes curl, and her womb contract and ache anew. It was a wanton sound. A shameless sound. The sound a man makes when he’s mindless and in need of a woman.

She couldn’t believe it. Carlos…in need of her. Carlos…wanting her. She was surrounded by him, overpowered by him. His height. His breadth. His sheer masculinity. She reveled in the feel of the muscles in his shoulders, so large her hands couldn’t grip the entirety of them when she dug in her fingers to pull him closer, closer… He could never be too close.

A little about Julie Ann Walker:

Julie Ann Walker is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of award-winning romantic suspense. She has won the Book Buyers Best Award, been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award. Her latest release was named a Top Ten Romance of 2014 by Booklist. Her books have been described as “alpha, edgy, and downright hot.” Most days you can find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission.

Lear more about Julie Ann Walker here: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

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November 24, 2014November 23, 2014

Book Spotlight & Interview: Unwrapped by Maisey Yates

I have Maisey Yates here today to talk about her new novella, Unwrapped, which is a sweet romance for this holiday season. Take it away, Maisey. 🙂

1. Tell me a little about yourself.

*waves* I’m Maisey! I write sexy, brooding sheikhs for Harlequin Presents and hot contemporary cowboys. I also have a BAD BAD biker coming up next year! I live in Oregon with my husband and three kids and I get to work at home in my pajamas! Life is pretty sweet.

2. What inspired you to be a writer? Have you always wanted to write romances?

I used to have fantasies of being a writer that involved staring out the window at a misty gray sea, but they didn’t involve…actual writing. I started a lot of things but didn’t finish them. And as for wanting to write romance? It was the discovery of romance that took writing from a vague aspiration to a DRIVE. I read my first Harlequin Presents and loved them SO MUCH I wanted to create my own. 🙂

3. Tell me about your new release.

Unwrapped is the story of Silver Creek’s resident Kindergarten teacher and good girl, Sarah Larsen, deciding it’s time to try and misbehave. She makes a plan to pick up a guy at a bar to lose her virginity, and she ends up meeting a super hot stranger. She figures she’ll never see Walker again…but unfortunately it turns out he’s the father of the new girl in her class!

4. Where did you come up with the idea for the series?

So many different places. I find very often my ideas come from sad things I see in the news, or that are happening in the lives of people I know. Because I want to fix it. So I’ll put a character in the book with a similar element in their backstory to give them a HEA. I think I’m a frustrated fixer in a world I can’t control!

5. What have been the challenges of writing a romance series?

Keeping the details straight! Silver Creek was my first series, and I spent a lot of time looking for details in previous MSs when writing another book. I learned from that!! When I started my second series, Copper Ridge, I decided to keep a bible full of character/story and place details. It’s been much easier!

6. What was the first book that you’ve ever written and was it published?

Uh yes…the first book I wrote was His Virgin Acquisition and it was published. But during that wait I wrote several more MSs that would have been aimed at Presents that I never submitted. I learned so much writing those books, and revising that first book on sub, that I was just sort of working out craft issues. Practice books!

7. What are you working on now?

Right now I’m finishing up Bad News Cowboy, which is actually the third book in my next cowboy series, Copper Ridge, which comes out in March 2015 and runs through the summer! It has one of my favorite themes…bad boy older brother’s best friend and good girl younger heroine. Though, the heroine is a feisty, foul mouthed barrel racer. I’ve had so much fun writing her!

8. Favorite TV show? Movie? Favorite Drink?

Oh…I watch too much TV. I love Sleepy Hollow, Parks and Rec, How to Get Away With Murder, Arrow…and of all time? Friends. Movie? Lord of the Rings and Bend it Like Beckham. Drink? Pumpkin Spice Latte.

About the Author:

USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit.

In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard. She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Kindergarten teacher Sarah Larsen has spent her whole life being the good girl. But now, she’s ready to do something bad. So wearing the shortest, tightest black dress she owns, she marches over to the nearest bar to fulfill her Christmas fantasy: a wild night with a total stranger.

Walker Callahan moved to Silver Creek to start fresh. He doesn’t want to bring his baggage into a relationship, so an evening of fun with the sexiest welcoming committee ever is just what he needs.

They were both in it for one night with no strings attached.. But when Sarah discovers that Walker is the father of her new student, things turn deliciously complicated. Can the cold winter nights thaw two frozen hearts?

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Unwrapped

Review (4 Stars): Sarah has spent most of her life being the good girl and was taught that good girls don’t like sex and that sex can lead to bad things. Sarah had decided that she is now ready to shed her good girl image and spend one night of passion with a random stranger who will show her what it is like to walk on the wild side. That random stranger just happens to be Walker Callahan, a sexy cowboy who has moved to Silver Creek to start a new life and raise his young daughter on his own. He never expected to meet Sarah but her shy innocent seduction awakens something in Walker that he thought was long gone. For Sarah and Walker, one night of passion turns into something that neither of them expected with emotions that can’t be denied.

Sarah was such a lovely character in this story because she went through her life without knowing what it was like to be truly loved yet was capable of loving someone else without hesitation. She never meant to fall in love with Walker, she just wanted to shed her good girl image and find out what she liked as a woman without being told by someone how she should feel. She tried to keep her feelings in check when she spent the night with Walker but the more they were around each other, the more she fell for him. Walker was the one man who made her feel wanted and desired, yet he was afraid of going down the path to love. He had been married before and things didn’t turn out well and for the sake of his daughter, he was afraid to do it again. I was glad that he realized that Sarah wasn’t like his ex-wife and she had no intention of ever leaving this sexy man’s side. Maisey Yates is one of my favorite writers and if you haven’t read her Silver Creek series, you are missing out. I heard that she has a sexy badass biker story coming up and if he is anything like Charlie Hunnam, I’m all in.

November 14, 2014November 3, 2014

Guest blogger: Karen Swan + a giveaway

Karen’s Favourite Recipe

If asked what my favourite recipe is, it’s got to be my mother’s chicken soup. My daughter is so obsessed with it that if my mother comes to the house with a pot of the stuff, I have to siphon off my portion and hide it before she eats it all!

My mother’s from Southern Ireland and grew up on a dairy farm and I think this is just a basic family recipe that has been handed down. It’s quite starch-based and looks a bit odd when you see the recipe written down (potatoes and rice?) but my goodness, don’t mess with it. It works!

Knob of butter, melted in a pan.
Chicken strips (preferably the leftovers from a roast the day before)
Chicken stock (again, boiled up from the roast leftovers the day before)
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, grated
1 baking potato, grated
½ cup rice
Mixed herbs
Seasoning

Melt the butter in a pan and gently saute the onion until it changes colour.

Add the chicken stock and bring to heat.

Add the grated potato and carrots.

Season and stir.

Add the chicken strips and rice.

Simmer for several hours.

Serve with a crusty bread roll and salted butter.

Yum!

In the wake of a heartbreaking betrayal, a young woman leaves the Scottish countryside to find her destiny in three of the most exciting cities in the world—New York, Paris, and London—in this funny and triumphant tale of fulfillment, friendship, and love.

Ten years ago, a young and naïve Cassie married her first serious boyfriend, believing he would be with her forever. Now, her marriage is in tatters and Cassie has no career or home of her own. Though she feels betrayed and confused, Cassie isn’t giving up. She’s going to take control of her life. But first she has to find out where she belongs . . . and who she wants to be.

Over the course of one year, Cassie leaves her sheltered life in rural Scotland to stay with her best friends living in the most glamorous cities in the world: New York, Paris, and London. Exchanging comfort food and mousy hair for a low-carb diet and a gorgeous new look, Cassie tries each city on for size as she searches for the life she’s meant to have . . . and the man she’s meant to love.

A little about Karen:

Karen Swan began her career in fashion journalism before giving it all up to raise her three children and an ADHD puppy, and to pursue her ambition of becoming a writer. She lives in the forest in Sussex, writing her books in a treehouse overlooking the Downs. Her first novel, Players, was published in 2010, followed by Prima Donna and Christmas at Tiffany’s in 2011.

Learn more about Karen and her books here: Website| Facebook | Twitter @KarenSwan1 | Pinterest | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY:

Karen is going to give away one copy of Christmas at Tiffany’s.

Please leave her a comment and tell her your favorite soup recipe (feel free to share said recipe)

Also please leave your email address so I can contact you.

November 6, 2014November 6, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Eternal by C.C. Hunter

Just when Della feels like she’s starting to figure out her life, she finds herself reborn…and her new existence comes with a whole different rulebook.

Della’s secret powers always made her feel like an outsider in the human world. Now, just when she’s starting to feel like she belongs—at Shadow Falls, a camp for teens with paranormal powers—her life is turned upside down all over again. Attacked by a deadly virus, she must make the difficult choice to be reborn. It’s her only chance at survival, but it comes with a price: It irreparably bonds her to Chase, a tall, dark and mesmerizing vampire who makes her laugh one minute and infuriates her the next.

Chase already knows too many of Della’s secrets, and being eternally bonded to him is the last thing she wants. Even worse, she doesn’t fully understand what their bond means. Is the attraction she’s started feeling for Chase real—or does fate have something else in store? And what does that mean for Steve, the hot shapeshifter whose kisses make her weak in the knees?

Now Della’s battered heart is about to take another hit. While investigating her latest case, she discovers shocking evidence about her father’s dark past, making her question everything she believes to be true…and her place in the world she loves.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

C.C. Hunter grew up in Alabama, where she caught lightning bugs, ran barefoot, and regularly rescued potential princes, in the form of Alabama bullfrogs, from her brothers. Today, she’s still fascinated with lightning bugs, mostly wears shoes, but has turned her focus to rescuing mammals. She now lives in Texas with her four rescued cats, one dog, and a prince of a husband, who for the record, is so not a frog. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, spending time with her family, or is shooting things-with a camera, not a gun.

C.C. Hunter is a pseudonym. Her real name is Christie Craig and she also writes humorous romantic suspense romance novels for Grand Central. www.christie-craig.com

C.C. would love to hear from you. Because of deadlines, it may take her a day or so to get back with you, but she will reply. cc@cchunterbooks.com

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Eternal. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by November 21st, answer me this question in the comments:

Who is your favorite paranormal character?

November 6, 2014November 5, 2014

Book Blast & Giveaway: Ghosts of Christmas Past by Jessica Aspen

Enter to Win

$5.00 Amazon Gift Card or

eBook Copy of GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST

Ghosts of Christmas Past

Haunted Holidays # 1

By: Jessica Aspen

Released August 6th, 2014

Jen MacNamara flees the Christmas wedding of her best friend and cheating fiancé and runs to the country to spend the holiday alone. It’s the perfect plan, until her unexpectedly sexy neighbor and landlord, Nate Pierce, insists on bringing the holiday to her—complete with a Christmas tree, hot chocolate, and an unexpected kiss.

And that’s not Jen’s only problem.

The cozy country farmhouse is already occupied by something evil. Now Jen’s nights are spent wrapped in sensual dreams of a past life, and her days growing closer to Nate as they solve the mystery of the malevolent ghost that haunts not only the house, but also wants Jen dead.

Dare to discover Jessica Aspen’s sexy, new adult, contemporary, Gothic romance, today.

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Jessica Aspen has always wanted to be spirited away to a world inhabited by elves, were-wolves and sexy men who walk on the dark side of the knife. Luckily, she’s able to explore her fantasy side and delve into new worlds by writing paranormal romance. She loves indulging in dark chocolate, reading eclectic novels, and dreaming of ocean vacations, but instead spends most of her time, writing, walking the dog, and hiking in the Colorado Rockies. You can find out more information and read about Jessica’s paranormal romances at her website.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Jennifer’s Review of Ghost of Christmas Past

Review (3.5 Stars): I love an old-fashioned ghost story so this book was perfect for me. Jen MacNamara is trying to escape her life by renting out a secluded farmhouse over the holidays to write and forget that her ex-fiance is marrying her ex-best friend in the wedding that she had once planned for herself. Jen is introduced to Nate Pierce, the owner of the property, and finds herself instantly attracted him with the feeling that they have met once before. While staying at the farmhouse, she also finds that strange things start happening, paired with dreams of a past life involving the sexy Nate and she feels that she is slowly losing her mind. When she finally tells Nate about what she’s been experiencing, he confirms that indeed the house may be haunted and the two then set out to solve the mystery together and discover why Jen is experiencing these dreams of a past life.

I liked Jen and Nate together and I thought that it was interesting that her experiences with a ghost brought her closer to her sexy neighbor. They both had a feeling of déjà vu and I was curious to see why Jen was having those dreams and how exactly Nate played into her life. She needed someone that could be there for her and they both had been hurt before so they were looking for someone that would stay with them no matter what. Ghosts of Christmas Past was an entertaining to read that will keep you up at night until you get to the very last page.