Molly Harper interviews Bonnie from Rhythm & Bluegrass

Books-n-Kisses is please to let Molly Harper (One of Kelly’s all time favorite authors) take over the blog today to interview Bonnie Turkle from Molly’s Rhythm & Bluegrass. Take it away Molly.

Molly: So, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Bonnie: I’m Bonnie Turkle. I work for Sadie Hutchins, director of marketing for the highly fictionalized Kentucky Commission of Tourism. You make us say highly fictionalized every time we discuss our setting because you’re afraid that the taxpayers in Kentucky will think that state employees are as irresponsible as your characters. Good employees who make sound decisions rarely end up trapped together in supply closets with only PB&Js and vodka to sustain them.

Molly: Went off on a little bit of a tangent, didn’t you, sweetie?

Bonnie: I just think you tend to be a little mean to your human characters to make up for the lack of vampire angst in our undead-less universe. It’s the only way I can rationalize you setting my car on fire in the first chapter of the book, and the tornado, and the thing with the possum –

Molly: Hey, hey, don’t give the whole thing away. Now, let’s get back on track. What is your position with the highly fictionalized KCT?

Bonnie: I am a multimedia historian.

Molly: And what does that mean?

Bonnie: No one really knows.

Molly: But what do you do?

Bonnie: I put together traveling displays from the marketing information Sadie gives me, usually related to the Kentucky Derby or the state’s significance in the Civil War. I go to schools and do presentations on important figures and events in Kentucky history. And when I’m lucky enough to get funding I get to travel to locations that haven’t been mined by other historians, collect artifacts and put together an entire exhibit on my own. That’s what brings me to Mud Creek and the practically abandoned McBride’s Music Hall. Before it closed, McBride’s was a stop on the country western performance circuit and the rhythm and blues circuit, putting it at a crossroads in American musical culture. All the greats played there. And they left behind all sorts of historical goodies that I need to snatch up before the site is bull-dozed to make room for an underwear plant.

Molly: You say ‘underwear plant’ with an unusual amount of disdain. For you, I mean. Could it be because the subject puts you at odds with Mud Creek’s mayor? Mud Creek’s extremely handsome mayor? Mud Creek’s extremely handsome mayor who also happens to be the grandson of the original owner of McBride’s?

Bonnie: You’re evil.

Molly: (shrugs innocently.)

Bonnie: Yes, the subject puts me at odds with Will McBride. I know that building the factory will bring much-needed jobs to Mud Creek’s economy, which is top priority for him. I know the music hall brings up bad memories for Will. But I can’t help but feel that preserving that priceless musical legacy is just an important as securing a man-panty manufacturer.

Molly: Is that why you overstep your bounds a little bit, filing papers to have the hall designated a protected historical site?

Bonnie: I’d rather not answer. Will and I need to work through it, when we’re not dealing with his wacky neighbors, my cranky stripper-seamstress landlady and his loveable, but meddling, mama. And the possums.

Molly: Fair enough.

Bonnie: Can we talk about the possum thing? And why your characters keep tangling with them?

Molly: Yeah, I had no idea that possums would become a trademark thing with me. My editor, Abby, loves them. And since my books are based in Kentucky, where possums are plentiful, she has threatened to send back any marsupial-free manuscripts back to me unread… I’m not entirely sure she’s kidding.

Bonnie: You couldn’t have given me possum mace or something?

Molly: You wouldn’t have used it. You’re too nice.

Bonnie: True enough. So what’s next for our little troupe of characters? I’d like to know what to expect.

Molly: I thought I was conducting this interview.

Bonnie: Possums, Harper. Angry possums. Near my face. You endangered my face.

Molly: Fine. There will be a third as-yet-untitled book in the BLUEGRASS series, featuring your best gal pal, Kelsey, and her struggle to re-connect with the elusive Charlie Bennett as the whole staff heads to a remote lodge for a staff retreat. And then there is an ice storm… trapping you in the lodge… without power.

Bonnie: Evil.

Molly: I do what I can.

Learn more about Molly here Website | Facebook | Twitter @mollyharperauth| Goodreads

Want to take a look at Molly’s Rhythm and Bluegrass and my review? Keep reading…

TITLE: Rhythm and Bluegrass
SERIES #: Bludegrass #2
CHARACTERS: Will McBride & Bonnie Turkle
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: Oct. 7, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Bonnie Turkle, multimedia historian for the Kentucky Commission of Tourism, is dispatched to Mud Creek, a tiny eastern Kentucky town, with few prospects but many oddballs, to rescue important artifacts from McBride’s Music Hall. Now fallen beyond disrepair, McBride’s was once a jewel of the early American music scene, an intersection of the country-western and rhythm and blues circuits. The former owner’s grandson, Will McBride, who also happens to be Mud Creek’s esteemed mayor, would like nothing more than to see the place bull-dozed in favor of a factory that will provide much-needed jobs to his citizens. But Bonnie finds evidence of a legendary musical event at the music hall and her plans to turn it into a museum put Mud Creek’s economic future at risk – not to mention the growing flirtation between the two of them. If Will and Bonnie can’t find common ground, the town’s past and future will be lost.

REVIEW:
Any Molly Harper books is a good book. But let me tell you about my love hate relationship with Mr. Will McBride. At first I loved Mr. Roadside Cowboy, but as the book went on I started to hate Mr. McBride. He was a complete and udder asshat to Bonnie. I wanted to smack him around on her behalf. But I will say by the end Will redeemed himself.

I loved this book. As I said any Molly Harper books is a good book. I love that her characters are always witty, humorous and just like you and me. Will & Boonie and a fun couple even if they are at each others throat more often than not. But really it was all a big case of miscommunication.

If you love Molly’s first book My Bluegrass Baby, you will love Rhythm & Bluegrass. I can’t wait to see who is next in the Bluegrass series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

October 7, 2013October 6, 2013

Kelly reviews Rhythm and Bluegrass by Molly Harper

TITLE: Rhythm and Bluegrass
SERIES #: Bludegrass #2
CHARACTERS: Will McBride & Bonnie Turkle
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: Oct. 7, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Any Molly Harper books is a good book. But let me tell you about my love hate relationship with Mr. Will McBride. At first I loved Mr. Roadside Cowboy, but as the book went on I started to hate Mr. McBride. He was a complete and udder asshat to Bonnie. I wanted to smack him around on her behalf. But I will say by the end Will redeemed himself.

If you love Molly’s first book My Bluegrass Baby, you will love Rhythm & Bluegrass. I can’t wait to see who is next in the Bluegrass series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

October 3, 2013October 2, 2013

Lauren Dane Interview and Giveaway

The Brown series has a special place in my heart because when I read about Erin, I was hooked. We had a child about the same age and I remember being in tears when I read what had happened to her. Now, her best friend, Raven, has her own book and I am so excited that Raven finally gets her chance for a happy ending. Lauren is here today to discuss her new book, Drawn Together, and I am very excited to have this fabulous author here on Books-n-Kisses.

1. Tell me about your new release Drawn Together.

Drawn Together is the story of Raven Smith and Jonah Warner. Over the Brown Family series we’ve seen lots of prickly behavior from her and had a few glimpses of her softer side but she’s always had this backstory– this reason she acts the way she does and I didn’t want to tell her story until I had the right match for her.

As it happens, Jonah Warner, uber alpha, came along at just the right time and I was so excited to write this book and give her the HEA she needed.

She doesn’t totally change because of love. She’s still Raven. But Jonah gets her and he’s worth opening up for. And he’s sort of pushy and bossy and so totally patient she can’t resist. She finds herself breaking all her personal rules for him and sort of liking it too.

It’s a love story on a few levels, not just between Raven and Jonah, but also between these characters and their friends and family too, which is the heart of this series. Oh and smoking hot sexytimes too 😉

2. Where did you come up with the idea for the Brown Family series?

Erin was the heart of it from the very start. I had this scene come to me and it ended up being the opening scene for Laid Bare – a woman on stage, boots, dreds, tats and piercings. I wanted her to be bold and strong and vivid but also to have this darkness. Laid Bare was born and at the start it was just a one book sale to fill a slot in the Berkley schedule. I knew I wanted to do books for Brody and Adrian but as I was about halfway through Coming Undone, I realized I wanted a book for Cope and that he needed to be with Ella.

Eventually, I wanted to write Raven’s book but she needed a few years to be ready for her HEA. She’s a fitting close for this generation of Brown/Keenan/Copelands and friends.

I love this tight knit group of friends and intentional family. I love how colorful and artistic they are. I love how much they love and support each other while retaining their edges. I’m happy I wrote them all!

3. What kind of research did you have to do for this series?

Mostly fun stuff. I watched a lot of videos of people playing instruments – Erin is a bass player, Adrian a guitarist so lots of that. Concert videos. Tattooing stuff for Brody and Raven (piercings too).

The criminal justice stuff I knew (I’ve got a law degree). I did domestic violence advocacy work post law school so I knew all the protection order stuff really well (for Ella’s situation in Laid Bare and Inside Out). I did ask my dad some stuff about sentencing in California (he was a parole office before he retired several years back).

I live in the Northwest so many of the places they go are my favorites (Zeek’s Pizza, Red Mill, The Dahlia Lounge, etc.) and I know the neighborhoods I set parts of the story in. Written On the Body doesn’t exist, but that neighborhood does, for instance.

Other stuff is made up totally like Happy Bend – although I hear there is an actual town in Arkansas called Happy Bend, it’s not the one from the book! I promise you real citizens of Happy Bend I would not insult your town that way, LOL.

4. I love the Browns, especially Erin, and I was wondering if you are planning any more books for them?

This part of the series is over. I’ve written books for everyone and I don’t want to drag it out and have readers thinking, “She should have ended this three books ago.” But there’s a whole new generation of Brown/Keenan/Copelands coming up as well as Jonah’s brothers so we haven’t seen the last of these characters.

5. What are you working on now?

I just finished a novella called All That Remains that will be in the Marked anthology out in February. It’s an earth set futuristic erotic romance menage (say that ten times fast!) and the start of a new self published series I’ll be doing.

Now I’m working on Fool’s Gold, which is book one in my HURLEY BOYS series and features Paddy Hurley (Damien’s brother from LUSH).

6. Any advice for aspiring writers?

The only real takeaway that I think applies to everyone is that you can’t be a writer unless you write. Don’t talk about it. Do it. If that’s 100 words a day, or 45 minutes a night or at your lunch break, or every other day or weekend, whatever. Put your butt in that chair (or wherever you work) and get working. You can fix whatever you get on the page, but it has to be there to fix.

Thank you so much for answering my questions and I just want to say that I love all your book and am looking forward to everyone learning more about Raven.

Thank you and thank you so much for having me. 🙂

About the Author:

The story goes like this: While on pregnancy bed rest, Lauren Dane had plenty of down time so her husband took her comments about “giving that writing thing a serious go” to heart and brought home a secondhand laptop. She wrote her first book on it before it gave up the ghost. Even better, she sold that book and never looked back.

Today Lauren is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels and novellas across several genres. Though she no longer has to deal with Polly Pocket and getting those tiny outfits on and off, she still has trouble blocking out the sound of iCarly so she can write a love scene.

Website/ Twitter/ Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Drawn Together

TITLE: Drawn Together

SERIES #: Brown Family Series #6

CHARACTERS: Raven Smith and Jonah Warner

AUTHOR: Lauren Dane

PUBLICATION DATE: 10/1/13

ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Beauty is more than skin-deep…..Tattoo artist Raven Smith is blunt and hard, broken and jaded, dark and beautiful. While she doesn’t hide her painful past, she does keep a wall around her heart. She’s free sexually–but no one gets to the real Raven beneath the prickly exterior.

With a voice like smoke, Jonah Warner is a smooth-talking, highly successful attorney, with a body that should never be hidden by a suit. He’s the kind of man who never takes no for an answer and always gets what he wants. And what he wants is Raven. She’s a survivor, and he finds that incredibly alluring.

Jonah gets under her skin in a way Raven has never experienced. He makes her break all the rules–including her no-monogamy rule. But when a figure from Raven’s past shows up at the tattoo parlor and drops a bomb into her life, their relationship will face the ultimate challenge…

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Jennifer NUMBER OF STARS: 4.5 Stars

REVIEW: Raven has always been such a mystery to me throughout the series. A tough free-spirit, who lived by her own rules and at first, I didn’t like her because she just seemed like a mean person. Slowly, she started to grow on me, especially because of her interactions with Erin and Erin’s son, Alexander. I had loved Erin from the very beginning and if Erin loved Raven with such an intensity and protectiveness, I knew there had to be more to her than meets the eye and I was glad that we got to see that side of her in Drawn Together.

Raven is a beautiful, smart, artistic and strong woman that most people don’t cross because of the image that she portrays. She had such a hard life growing up and that life has made her who she was an adult. Jonah was exactly what she needed. He was an alpha in his own world and he was able to break down her walls with his love and devotion and at points in this story, those walls are made up of pretty strong raw emotion. She needed someone that she could finally trust to help her lose a little bit of the tight control in her life and the fact that she was able to do that with Jonah was a huge step for her. She didn’t feel the need to run like she had in the past, she just felt that being with him was the right thing and he proved to her that he was in it for the long haul. The sex scenes were very hot and steamy and I will warn people that Raven and Jonah’s sexual relationship was perfect for them but may not be for everyone.

Everyone knows that Lauren Dane is one of my absolute favorite authors and I purchase every book that she has ever written. The Brown Family series is one of the best series out there and Drawn Together is a perfect addition to these great books. I am so happy for Raven to finally get her happy ending and I can’t wait to read what happens to the next generation of these great characters.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a ARC copy of Drawn Together. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by October 6th, leave a meaningful comment for Lauren below:

October 1, 2013September 30, 2013

Kelly’s review of Command Performance by Sarah Jane Stone

TITLE: Command Performance
CHARACTERS: Hunter Cross & Maggie Barlow
AUTHOR: Sarah Jane Stone
PUBLICATION DATE:
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Subject: Chief Warrant Officer Hunter Cross;
Mission: Keep Margaret Barlow distracted;using any means necessary!
Ranger Hunter Cross is the army poster child—excitement, danger and no strings in sight. And he’s been in town exactly three hours before a curvy blonde named Maggie flashes him a look that says “You belong in my bed.” It’s a night of wicked satisfaction. And it’s a night they can never repeat….
All Professor Maggie Barlow wanted was an orgasm—or three— from the dead-sexy Ranger. Having him as her official army liaison while she works on her new book? That wasn’t in the plan. Especially when she learns that Hunter has orders to “control” her. Little does the army know that when it comes to their deliciously naughty nighttime activities, Hunter is at Maggie’s complete command….
Uniformly Hot! The Few. The Proud. The Sexy as Hell

REVIEW:
3.75 Stars Maggie is on the rebound from finding her fiance cheating on her. So what is a girl to do. Go pick the hottest guy she can find, sounds like a good plan to her. It is just for one night. One night to live a fantasy, to feel, to live, to let go of control and to be who she would really like to be.
Hunter is in town because of his job. He really wants to get the job done and move on. He has obligations that he needs to attend too. But when he spots Maggie he is drawn to her like a moth to a flame. One night. That is all either of them want. That is until morning comes and Maggie walks out of his hotel room leaving Hunter wanting another night with her.
This was a good story. It started off with a bang, then slowed down just a bit, then picked up again. I was overall happy with this book. I don’t know what happened to the formatting as I put it on my kindle but the font wigged out on me. If you are looking for a good book I would suggest picking up a copy of Command Performance.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

September 30, 2013September 21, 2013

Kimberly reviews Against The Ropes by Sarah Castille

TITLE: Against The Ropes
CHARACTERS: Makayla & Max
AUTHOR: Sarah Castille
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/03/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He scared me. He thrilled me. And after one touch, all I could think about was getting more…

Makayla never thought she’d set foot in an underground mixed-martial arts club. But if anyone needs a medic on hand, it’s these guys. Trouble is, at her first sight of the club’s owner she’s the one feeling breathless.

All sleek muscle and restrained power, the man they call Torment plays to win at any cost. Whether it’s in the ring or in the bedroom, he knows exactly when to use a soft touch and when to launch a full-on assault. He always knows just how far he can push. And he’s about to tempt Makayla in ways she never imagined.

REVIEW:
I wasn’t sure when I first started this book how it was going to be. The writing seemed a little off even though I honestly can not say why it was off it just was. But as I read more of the story I realized how much I was enjoying it.

Max is one in the many of the controlling millionaires in the romance genre today but something is a bit different about him. While rich and controlling he is also a down to Earth kind of guy. He has his own demons but he enjoys the way he deals with them. Makayla is funny, sweet and just a average girl with debts and demons of her own. The connection between them is immediate.

I really enjoyed this story. I liked the humor and the sincerity of this story. Looking forward to another story from Castille.

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

September 26, 2013September 21, 2013

Kelly & Kimberly review Always On My Mind by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: Always On My Mind
SERIES #: Lucky Harbor #8
CHARACTERS: Jack Harper & Lean Sullivan
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: Sept. 24, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
THERE’S NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING
After dropping out of pastry school and messing up her big break on a reality cooking show, Leah Sullivan needs to accomplish something in her life. But when she returns home to Lucky Harbor, she finds herself distracted by her best friend, Jack Harper. In an effort to cheer up Jack’s ailing mother, Dee, Leah tells a little fib – that she and Jack are more than just friends. Soon pretending to be hot-and-heavy with this hunky firefighter feels too real to handle.

No-strings attachments suit Jack just fine – perfect for keeping the risk of heartbreak away. But as Jack and Leah break every one of their “just friends” rules, he longs to turn their pretend relationship into something permanent. Do best friends know too much about each other to risk falling in love? Or will Jack and Leah discover something new about each other in a little town called Lucky Harbor?

KELLY’s REVIEW:
4.5 Stars Jack & Leah have been the best of friends since they were kids. They did everything together. Leah was there for Jack when his dad died and Jack was there for every time that Leah’s dad mistreated her. Both have loved each other forever, but Leah was scared and ran not only from a poor home life but from her best friend. Now Leah is back in Lucky Harbor, but only for a short time. Just to help her grandma get back on her feet.
When Leah slips up and tells Jack’s mother that they are dating. She only said it to put Jack’s mom’s mind at ease Leah was not prepared for the follow out of a pretend relationship in Lucky Harper. Not only is the whole town talking about their upcoming wedding, but Jack is really mad at her.
Another great Lucky Harbor story. I so very much love my visits to Lucky Harbor. With each trip I fall more and more in love with this town, this series and Jill Shalvis.
I was so happy that I had the opportunity to read Always On My Mind early. The only bad part is that now I have to wait for the next book in the Lucky Harbor series.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4.5 Stars Oh how I adored this story! I loved Jack. He is so endearing that it is hard not to enjoy his every moment. When he is strong, courageous and determined he is something to behold but when he puts his sweetness to use WATCH OUT! Leah is sweet too. I guess way to describe her is having self-esteem issues but somehow she still manages to stay on her feet and work through it all.

I will be honest. I will a little worried about the bakery and firefighter thing happening in this book. I mean really doesn’t every book have one or both going on? But something about this story pulls you in from moment one. There were so many points where I had to smile and even a couple times of a quick chuckle and there was also a few times of deep sadness for the characters at what they had to endure.

This book is worth the read whether you have read the series or not. I so look forward to the next book in which Ben and Aubrey are featured. Ben is so funny in this story. And trust me no one should miss meeting KEVIN!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

September 25, 2013September 22, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday (Part 2)! Kelly reviews A SEAL Wolf Christmas by Terry Spears

TITLE: A SEAL Wolf Christmas
SERIES #: Heart of the Wolf #12
CHARACTERS: Bjornolf Jorgenson & Anna Johnson
AUTHOR: Terry Spears
PUBLICATION DATE: Sept 24, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Navy SEAL Bjornolf Jorgenson and undercover operative Anna Johnson have a rocky beginning at their first meeting all to do with pantyhose and tying her to a bed after some heavy-duty sparring, and him declaring she has mighty fine killer knees. Christmas is coming but thoughts of sugar plum fairies and kissing under the mistletoe isn’t something these two gray werewolves have in mind when they’re tasked to be the newlyweds preparing for Christmas while investigating a SEAL’s murder at a Christmas Tree farm.

Neither care about Christmas, sharing gifts, and all the traditions that go along with the season since neither enjoyed the holiday while growing up. But as they battle each other as to what makes for the perfect newly married couple’s first Christmas, they learn that a little Christmas cheer can become so much more, especially if they can take down a SEAL’s killer before they become his next target.

REVIEW:
Bjornolf & Anna have a history that not many know about. Well not much of a history as a fleeting moment of time. But that was enough time for both to realize that there was something more between them. But the job always comes first right?

I enjoyed this book very much even if I could not figure out how to pronounce Bjornolf’s name. Why do authors have to pick the most complicated names on the planet. Anyways. I really enjoyed B & Anna’s story. This was my first trip to the Heart of the Wolf series and I do plan on returning and reading the complete series in the very near future. While part of a series A SEAL Wolf Christmas easily reads as a stand alone book. Although I would have like to see the initial interaction between B & Anna. *wink, wink*

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

September 25, 2013September 15, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Christmas On 4th Street by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Christmas On 4th Street
SERIES #: Fool’s Gold #12.5
CHARACTERS: Noelle & Gabriel
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There’s nowhere better to spend the holidays than with New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery in the town of Fool’s Gold, where love is always waiting to be unwrapped… Noelle Perkins just got a second chance at life, and she intends to make the most of every minute. That’s why she ditched a frustrating legal career to open her own store in Fool’s Gold, California. The Christmas Attic celebrates everything that’s magical about her favorite season. Business is booming, and as a bonus, gorgeous army doctor Gabriel Boylan has offered to help out during the holiday rush.

Gabriel’s memories of Christmas past contain more sour grapes than sugar plums, thanks to a drill sergeant father who ran his home like a boot camp. Spending the holidays with his family while he recuperates from injury sounds as appetizing as last year’s eggnog. Still, there are some enjoyable distractions in town, including sunny, sexy Noelle…and the red-hot mistletoe kisses they can’t stop sharing.

Gabriel didn’t think he was made for happily-ever-afters. But when fate hands you a love as sweet and surprising as this, only a fool could refuse.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
5 Stars 6 Hours! 6 Wonderful hours… That is how long it took me to read this book. I could not put it down. There is no better place to be than Fool’s Gold during the holidays or anytime of year really. But there is something about the streets covered in snow with decorations on every business that makes you feel at home there.

We met Noelle in the previous books in the series and while we knew she had a history we hadn’t found out what it was until now. Noelle is a fighter but you wouldn’t know it from the sweetness we have come to know about her. And it takes awhile for Gabriel to see it too. These two are perfect for eachother. There is a chemistry that you feel from the first couple of pages and never seems to stop sizzling.

There is just something about this unbelievable town that makes you want to pack up and move there. Mallery has a way of bringing you home to her fictional town and making you never want to leave.

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4 Stars As always Fool’s Gold is a fun place to visit. While this was not my favorite Fool’s Gold book I have read so far it was still a fun book. Gabriel & Noelle are so sweet together. It started from chapter one and keep going to the end of the book. Which is where I had my only problem. For me the jump from I can’t commit
to the altar was just a little too fast for my liking. But other than that I enjoyed this book. I really loved the snow scene!
If you are a Susan Mallery fan you will love this book. Because how can a trip to Fool’s Gold ever truly be bad?

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

September 23, 2013September 1, 2013

Kimberly reviews Butterfly Cove by Christina Skye

TITLE: Butterfly Cove
SERIES #: Summer Island #4
CHARACTERS: Olivia & Rafe
AUTHOR: Christina Skye
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Maybe opposites don’t always attract. If they did, architect Olivia Sullivan would have run away with bad boy Rafe Russo when they were teenagers. Instead, Olivia has spent ten years dreaming up designs for a life that hasn’t gone the way she planned. Still reeling from her career’s implosion and her father’s death, Olivia thanks her lucky stars for the support of her three lifelong friends. But this good girl is through sitting on the sidelines. When Rafe returns to the beautiful Oregon coast where they grew up, her former flame ignites a new desire. Now Olivia must take a walk on the wild side to show the new deputy that in matters of love being bad can feel very good.

Freshly back from Afghanistan, rugged ex-Marine and new deputy Rafe is done breaking laws and hearts. He’s always regretted leaving Olivia behind, but now she’s after adventure and he’d better proceed with caution. Because wanting her again might be easy, but fighting for a future together will be his biggest risk yet.

REVIEW:
Another great read by Christina Skye. As the author grows so do her stories. When I found her books she was fun to read but now she brings more of an air of romance and intrigue to her books and they keep getting better every time I read one.

The characters she has of Olivia and Rafe have been through so much in their lives and yet it was each other they most wanted. There are a lot of stories right now about the servicemen coming home from the war in Afghanistan and this is another one and while to be honest there was nothing different about this story than so many others right now there was something that connected between the two characters and I found it a pleasure to read.

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

September 20, 2013September 13, 2013

Spotlight Feature of “She Can…..” series by Melinda Leigh

SHE CAN RUN

Series: She Can…, Book 1

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Publication date: November 28, 2011

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N

One bad decision turned a single mom into a fugitive.

Ten months ago, Elizabeth Baker uncovered a dangerous secret about her politician husband—a secret that nearly got her killed. Now she and her children are running for their lives. When Beth is hired as the caretaker of a remote Pennsylvania estate, she dares to hope she has found a corner of the world where Congressman Richard Baker can’t find them. But when her new boss dies suddenly and his nephew inherits the estate, Beth is faced with outwitting a former homicide detective who is very smart, very suspicious—and very attractive.

Forced into retirement by an injury and grieving the loss of his uncle, Jack O’Malley is unprepared to share his new home with a strange woman and her two kids. He is even less prepared for the instantaneous attraction he feels whenever Beth enters the room. She is beautiful, intelligent, kind…and obviously terrified of someone or something. As Jack’s investigation uncovers the shocking details of Beth’s past, the rural community is shaken by the murder of a local woman Driven by instinct and desire, Jack is determined to keep Beth and her children safe, even if doing so means putting his heart—and his life —on the line.

*****

SHE CAN TELL

Series: She Can…, Book 2

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Publication date: December 4, 2012

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N

A horse trainer’s homecoming turns deadly when a vicious stalker, a cold murder case, and a hot police chief threaten to expose family secrets that a killer wants to keep buried.

After a terrible accident ends her riding career, horse trainer Rachel Parker returns to her hometown to a hostile welcome. Her efforts to rebuild the family farm are hampered by her sister’s domestic crisis and a violent vandal who threatens Rachel’s new business and her life. She is also blindsided by the undeniable and unwanted attraction she feels for hot police chief handling her case. Someone is systematically trying to destroy her. Someone who knows private things about her. Someone who’s been watching her…

As his investigation uncovers the turbulent past Rachel keeps carefully hidden, Police Chief Mike O’Connell finds himself with too many suspects and too many feelings for his fiercely independent victim. His desire for Rachel is a conflict of interest that jeopardizes everything he stands for. Long buried family secrets, a skeleton, and a corrupt local official with a grudge against Mike complicate the case, but the escalating violence against Rachel convinces him he doesn’t have much time. Whoever is watching Rachel wants her dead. Mike and Rachel race to untangle a web of deceit and lies that stretches twenty-five years into the past—before her stalker strikes again.

*****

SHE CAN SCREAM

Series: She Can…, Book 3

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Publication date: September 17, 2013

Pre-Order Link: Amazon

In one moment, high school teacher and single mother Brooke Davenport interrupts a vicious assault, saves a young woman’s life, and attracts the attention of a serial killer.

Sixteen years ago, Brooke lost her roommate to a brutal murder. Now she teaches women’s self-defense, still trying to heal from the guilt and grief that plague her. Convinced the predator knows his victims and is stalking his prey online, she is determined to find him before he strikes again. Her brother’s friend, Luke has the computer expertise to help. But Brooke’s unexpected desire for Luke complicates her investigation, and her fixation with the case provokes a deadly reaction from the killer.

Injured in terrorist bombing overseas, computer expert Luke Holloway is still haunted by flashbacks of his young assistant’s death in the explosion. But Luke can’t refuse the request of a deployed friend to look after his sister, Brooke. Taking on responsibility for Brooke’s safety threatens Luke’s tenuous recovery, especially after he develops feelings for her that transcend a promise to a friend. When Brooke saves a young girl from a brutal assault and becomes a killer’s obsession, Luke vows to protect her at all costs.

*****

Make sure to check out my review of SHE CAN SCREAM here

*****

SHE CAN HIDE

Series: She Can…, Book 4

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Publication date: March 25, 2014

Pre-Order Link: Amazon

From the moment Officer Ethan Hale pulls Abby Foster from icy waters, he senses there’s more to her than meets the eye. Abby has no memory of the accident that submerged her car in the frozen river. Three years ago, Abby was kidnapped and abandoned in a well for a week. The botched police investigation nearly killed her. Abby had moved to the mountains of Pennsylvania for a fresh start, but when it becomes clear that this car crash wasn’t an accident, she knows the violence from her past has caught up with her.

But Abby’s former assailant was convicted and imprisoned, so who else wants her dead?

Ethan uncovers a fresh string of murders tied to Abby’s past. Someone is trying to kill her, and this time the stalker seems determined to finish the task. As the killer grows bolder, Abby begins to trust Ethan enough to share the truth, her heart, and her life. But to stop the murders, Ethan must make a decision that could jeopardize it all.

A little about Melinda Leigh:

Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker. A life-long lover of books, she started writing when her youngest child entered first grade as a way to preserve her sanity. in 2007, she joined Romance Writers of America, learned a few things about writing a book, and decided the process was way more fun than analyzing financial statements. It was time to get serious about making her hobby a career. She began submitting her work in 2008. In 2009 she signed with an agent, who sold Melinda’s debut romantic suspense novel, SHE CAN RUN, in 2010 to Montlake Romance.
SHE CAN RUN released in November 2011 and became the #1 Bestseller in Kindle Romantic Suspense. SHE CAN RUN has been nominated for a 2012 Thriller Award for Best First Novel.

Melinda is also an avid martial artist. She holds a 2nd degree black belt in Kenpo Karate, studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and teaches women’s self-defense. She lives in a messy house in the suburbs with her husband, two teenagers, a couple of dogs and one neurotic cat with an inexplicable fear of ceiling fans. With such a pleasant life, she has no explanation for the sometimes dark and disturbing nature of her imagination

To find out more about Melinda and her books you can connect with her online:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

GRAND PRIZE: $25 Amazon card, plus a signed copy of SHE CAN SCREAM

RUNNER-UP: a signed cop of either SHE CAN RUN or SHE CAN TELL

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Melinda Leigh’s SHE CAN SCREAM

Tour Schedule – 9/13 – 9/28

9/13-Book Monster Reviews (spotlight & excerpt??)

http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

9/14- So Many Reads (series spotlight)

http://www.somanyreads.com/

9/15- Romance Junkies (interview)

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/

9/16- The Reading Café (interview)

http://www.thereadingcafe.com/

9/18- Musings From An Addicted Reader (series spotlight & review)

http://musingsfromanaddictedreader.blogspot.com/

9/18- Just Romantic Suspense (guest post)

http://www.justromanticsuspense.com/

9/19- KT Book Reviews (series spotlight & review)

http://ktbookreviews.blogspot.com/

9/20- Books-n-Kisses (series spotlight, excerpt & review)

http://www.books-n-kisses.com/

9/21- Intoxicated by Books (series spotlight & review)

http://intoxicatedbybooks.blogspot.com/

9/22- United by Books (series spotlight)

http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/

9/23- Book Lovin’ Mamas (interviews, spotlight & review)

http://booklovinmamas.com/

9/24- Cocktails & Books (series spotlight)

http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

9/25- Romancing the Book (interview)

http://romancing-the-book.com/

9/26- LITERAL ADDICTION (series spotlight & review)

http://www.literaladdiction.com/

9/26- Deal Sharing Aunt (series spotlight)

http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/

9/27- Night Owl Reviews (interview)

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/Checking-In-With-Melinda-Leigh-July-2013

9/28- Tiffy-Fit’s Reading Corner (series spotlight & review)

http://www.tiffyfit.blogspot.com

September 18, 2013September 16, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap
CHARACTERS: Varies By Story
AUTHOR: Kauffman, Angell & Kincaid
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For friends Clara, Abby and Lily, only one thing is more delicious than the Pine Mountain holiday cookie exchange – finding the right man before they ring in the New Year!
Where There’s Smoke author Donna Kauffman
When flames from a recipe gone disastrously wrong send hunky firefighter Will Mason to pretty Clara Parker’s rescue, the sparks really begin to fly! And once Will gets a taste of Clara, he aches for more than just a little sugar from the famously single food columnist. .
The Gingerbread Man author Kate Angell
Folks have always told fun-loving Abby Denton that her anatomically correct Gingerbread cookies are. . .impressive. But those erotic cookies have nothing on the sexy stranger Abby saves from a snowy country road. Could Lander Reynolds be the Christmas treat she’s truly been longing for?
Sugar And Spice author Kimberly Kincaid
When caterer Lily Callahan goes up against hotshot pastry chef Pete Mancuso in the bake-off of the season, the stakes are high–and scandalously passionate. Will the gorgeous gourmand steal Lily’s heart–and the top prize in the Christmas cookie competition?

REVIEW:
This is a very cute anthology about 3 friends wrapped around cookies and great for the holidays. I was going to review each story separately but to be honest they all flow really well and fit together perfectly. The second story is probably the saddest of the three. And the first by Kauffman was my favorite but I really enjoyed all three stories equally.

The women of this story are strong and independent women and while none of them would mind a relationship it is nothing something they are focusing on which I was glad about. When you’re not looking is when love knocks I guess. The men if this story fall pretty quick but they are all sweet and loving and all very different.

This is a great holiday romance that is not overwhelming to try to read during this busy time of year.

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

September 16, 2013September 11, 2013

Spotlight feature of JD Tyler’s Alpha Pack Series

PRIMAL LAW

Alpha Pack #1

Amazon |B&N | Kobo

Founded by a group of former Navy SEALS, the Alpha Pack is a top-secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers tasked with eliminating the most dangerous predators in the world. But the gift of their abilities comes at a price…

After a massacre decimates half his team and leaves him crippled, Jaxon Law must relearn how to fight—and battle the anger and guilt threatening to overwhelm him. But when he rescues a beautiful woman who reawakens his primal instincts, Jax is unprepared for the dangers that lie ahead.

On the run from her employer, brilliant lab assistant Kira Locke has evidence that leads the Alpha Pack on a hunt for someone targeting human civilians with Psy abilities. And as Jax and Kira circle both the killer and each other, Jax will have to decide if the deep connection he feels with Kira is worth breaking the ultimate shifter rule—because bonding with Kira means putting his abilities at risk, and they might be the only tools he has to keep his mate alive…

*****

BLACK MAGIC

An ALPHA PACK novella #1.5

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

An original Alpha Pack novella featuring the sexy sorcerer and panther shifter Kalen Black…

Recruited by the Alpha Pack, Kalen Black is still very much a lone wolf. But when a paranormal creature threatens the life of Dr. Mackenzie Grant, Kalen must use all of his abilities to rescue her. This brush with death excites a passion between them, and after a night of intense pleasure, Kalen leaves Mac with a mysterious gift that just might save her life again.…

*****

SAVAGE AWAKENING

Alpha Pack, #2

Amazon| B&N | Kobo

A group of former Navy SEALS, the Alpha Pack is a top-secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers combating the greatest dangers in the world. But sometime those dangers are more intimate than they bargained for…

After a mission goes wrong, Aric Savage is taken prisoner. Half-dead and despairing, he makes a stunning discovery: his Pack mate Micah Chase, who was reported dead, is a fellow captive. When the Alpha team goes into full-rescue mode, accompanying them is an absolute stunner with sable hair–and a spine of solid steel.

LAPD officer and Psy Dreamwalker Rowan Chase has one priority: her brother Micah’s recovery. Still, she can’t help but be drawn to Aric, the ruggedly handsome wolf shifter who pleasures her as no man ever has–however fleeting their affair is destined to be. But when Aric’s life is endangered, Rowan must ask herself what she’s willing to sacrifice in the name of love, for the man fated to be her Bondmate.

*****

BLACK MOON

Alpha Pack, #3

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

Ever since he saved Dr. Mackenzie Grant’s life, panther shifter and sorcerer Kalen Black has had trouble keeping the beautiful doctor out of his thoughts, and his heart. The brush with death awakened an intense passion between them–one that for the first time had the notorious loner letting down his guard.

With the Alpha Pack battling an evil Fae who is slowly gaining control over Kalen’s mind, Kalen can no longer trust his own actions, and he breaks off his affair with Mackenzie in order to keep her safe. But when Mackenzie learns that she is carrying Kalen’s child, no amount of danger will keep her away from the man she loves. To be with his mate and unborn child, Kalen will have to unleash the full fury of his power, and risk destroying them all…

*****

HUNTER’S HEART

Alpha Pack, #4

Publication Date: September 3, 2013

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

A group of former Navy SEALS, the Alpha Pack is a top secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers combating the greatest dangers in the world. And when the battle gets personal, their wild side is unleashed….

Ryon Hunter sees dead people—spirits that beg him for help in ways he can’t understand. He’d do anything to end the torment, until a beautiful spirit appears to him with a plea he can’t ignore: Help me…I’m alive. The woman is wildlife biologist Daria Bradford, mortally wounded after encountering a white wolf, calling to Ryon through a rare Psy gift.

When Ryon locates Daria in the Shoshone National Park, it is almost too late, but nursing her back to health at the Alpha Pack compound brings a new complication—Daria is his destined mate, and Ryon is afraid of what will happen when she discovers what he is, and what he had to do to save her life. But the biggest threat of all is still loose in the forest, leaving a merciless trail of death behind it. The Alpha Pack goes on the hunt for the mysterious white wolf, determined to stop the murderous rogue… only to find that the most lethal creature of all is the one they can’t see coming…

*****

COLE’S REDEMPTION

Alpha Pack, #5

Coming: March 4, 2014

Pre Order: Amazon| B&N

Once, they were Navy SEALS. Now they are the Alpha Pack: a top secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers who take on the darkest dangers on Earth. But sometimes the greatest danger lies within their own hearts….

Healer and black wolf shifter Zander Cole has survived horrors that would have broken a weaker man. But when a battle leaves him deaf and his powers dimmed, Zan is devastated. Believing himself to be a burden to his team, he sees only one option: leave the Pack forever.

White wolf shifter Selene Westfall knows pain—she is certain her father was responsible for her mother’s death. And she lives to exact revenge. So when she is challenged by a savage black wolf, she puts up a vicious fight—only to become the black wolf’s Bondmate as a result of his bite.

Two damaged souls—one filled with hatred and one who’s lost his reason for living—are forced together as they come to terms with their unlikely, turbulent bond. A love neither expected may be all that stands between them and a killer trying desperately to keep the past dead and buried….

A little about J.D.:

J.D. Tyler is an award-winning, multi-published author who writes for New American Library under three pseudonyms. Whether this is due to an overdose of ambition or a multiple personality affliction, she’ll never tell.

J.D. writes dark, sexy paranormal romance and has a huge thing for shifters, vampires, the Fae, and just about everything else that goes bump and grind in the night. She can’t get enough of those dangerous supernatural heroes, and the fun of creating her own was just too much temptation to resist… so she didn’t. J.D. doesn’t do self-denial.

When she isn’t writing, J.D.’s idea of a good time certainly isn’t cleaning house (sniff), bungee jumping (not in this lifetime, or the next), or camping (her idea of “roughing it” is a slow bellboy). She enjoys reading, being pampered like the diva she is, and spending time with her awesome family. She lives in Texas with her two teenagers.

Connect with J.D. Tyler:

Website / Facebook / Twitter

TOUR GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

J.D. Tyler is giving away the following prizes at the end of her tour:

Grand Prize: a signed set of the Alpha Pack series (4 paperbacks)

Runners-up: FOUR (4) runners-up will receive a signed book of choice from the Alpha Pack series

a Rafflecopter giveaway