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WHAT BOOK DID YOU WANT TO SEE MADE INTO A “MADE FOR TV” MOVIE?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT BOOK DID YOU WANT TO SEE MADE INTO A “MADE FOR TV” MOVIE?

The number one choice was….. LOVE BY DESIGN BY ELIZABETH JAMES
In a close second was The Fatal Series by Marie Force
Followed by:
Three Sisters by Susan Mallery
The Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton
Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost
Against The Wall by Rebecca Zanetti
Lord Of The Abyss by Nalini Singh
A Christmas Hope by Joseph Pittman
The Dark Tower series by Stephen King
The Demonica Series by Larissa Ione
Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James
The Seascape Trilogy by Vicki Hinze
Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian
and The Sultry series by Macy Beckett

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Kissin’ the Week of March 25th-30th Goodbye

3.25.13

Cover Reveal: Hard as it Gets by Laura Kaye

Spotlight feature of Against the Wall by Rebecca Zanetti 

Interview & giveaway with Jennifer Apodaca 

Guest Blog & Giveaway with Beth Ciotta

Kimberly’s review of With this Kiss part three by Eliosa James

Kelly’s review of Once Tempted by Laura Moore

3.26.13

Spotlight Feature of Buried by Kendra Elliot

Book Blitz:  Jessica by Laura DeLuca

Release Day Madness

Kimberly’s review of Currant Creek Valley by RaeAnne Thayne

Kelly’s review of Buried by Kendra Elliot

3.27.13

Guest blogger: Lindy S Hudis

Kimberly’s review of The Wanderer by Robyn Carr

Kimberly’s review of Wolf With Benefits by Shelley Laurenston

Kimberly’s review of Grounds to Kill by Wendy Roberts

3.28.13

Guest Blog & Giveaway with Eliza Daily

Jennifer’s review of Along Came Trouble by Ruthie Knox

Kelly’s review of The Baby Bargain by Jennifer Apodaca

Kimberly’s review of Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks

Guest Reviewer:  Erica reviews Three Sisters by Susan Mallery

3.29.13

Interview & Giveaway with Kendra Elliott

Kimberly’s review of Send Me No Flowers by Trish Jensen

Kelly’s review of Her Lucky Love by Carrie Ann Ryan

3.30.13

SINsational Saturday Series

Jane Jameson Series by Molly Harper

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Jane Jameson Series by Molly Harper

Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs

(Jane Jameson #1)

Maybe it was the Shenanigans gift certificate that put her over the edge. When children’s librarian and self-professed nice girl Jane Jameson is fired by her beastly boss and handed twenty-five dollars in potato skins instead of a severance check, she goes on a bender that’s sure to become Half Moon Hollow legend. On her way home, she’s mistaken for a deer, shot, and left for dead. And thanks to the mysterious stranger she met while chugging neon-colored cocktails, she wakes up with a decidedly unladylike thirst for blood.

Jane is now the latest recipient of a gift basket from the Newly Undead Welcoming Committee, and her life-after-lifestyle is taking some getting used to. Her recently deceased favorite aunt is now her ghostly roommate. She has to fake breathing and endure daytime hours to avoid coming out of the coffin to her family. She’s forced to forgo her favorite down-home Southern cooking for bags of O negative. Her relationship with her sexy, mercurial vampire sire keeps running hot and cold. And if all that wasn’t enough, it looks like someone in Half Moon Hollow is trying to frame her for a series of vampire murders. What’s a nice undead girl to do?

*****

Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men

(Jane Jameson #2)

Following Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs, the second in a hilarious, smart, sexy romantic series about an out-of-work librarian who is turned into a vampire.

With her best friend Zeb’s Titanic-themed wedding looming ahead, new vampire Jane Jameson struggles to develop her budding relationship with her enigmatic sire, Gabriel. It seems unfair that she’s expected to master undead dating while dealing with a groom heading for a nuptial nervous breakdown, his hostile werewolf in-laws, and the ugliest bridesmaid dress in the history of marriage.

Meanwhile, the passing of Jane’s future step-grandpa puts Grandma Ruthie back on the market. Her new fiancÉ, Wilbur, has his own history of suspiciously dead spouses, and he may or may not have died ten years ago. Half-Moon Hollow’s own Black Widow has finally met her match.

Should Jane warn her grandmother of Wilbur’s marital habits or let things run their course? Will Jane always be an undead bridesmaid, never the undead bride?

*****

Nice Girls Don’t Live Forever

(Jane Jameson #3)

Nothing sucks the romance out of world travel like a boyfriend who may or may not have broken up with you in a hotel room in Brussels. Jane Jameson’s sexy sire, Gabriel, has always been unpredictable. But the seductive, anonymous notes that await him at each stop of their international vacation, coupled with his evasive behavior over the past few months, finally push Jane onto the next flight home to Half Moon Hollow — alone, upset, and unsure whether Gabriel just ended their relationship without actually telling her.

Now the children’s-librarian-turned-vampire is reviving with plenty of Faux Type O, some TLC from her colorful friends and family, and her plans for a Brave New Jane. Step One: Get her newly-renovated occult bookstore off the ground. Step Two: Support her best friend, Zeb, and his werewolf bride as they prepare for the impending birth of their baby . . . or litter. Step Three: Figure out who’s been sending her threatening letters, and how her hostile pen pal is tied to Gabriel. Because for this nice girl, surviving a broken heart is becoming a matter of life and undeath…

*****

Nice Girls Don’t Sign a Lease Without a Wedding Ring

(Jane Jameson #3.5)

online, 9 pages

Published June 30th 2010

Nice Girls Don’t Sign a Lease Without a Wedding Ring
OK, you asked for more Jane, so I offer you a little bite of the Nice Girls universe. There will be other short stories posted here in the future. And I might possibly participate in an anthology featuring Half-Moon Hollow’s cast of weirdos. Enjoy!

*****

Nice Girls Don’t Bite Their Neighbors

(Jane Jameson #4)

Just as Jane Jameson’s unlife seems to be stabilizing, fate sinks its fangs firmly into her butt. Despite her near-phobia of all things marital, her no-frills nighttime nuptials to her sexy boyfriend Gabriel are coming along smoothly. But the road to wedded bliss gets bumpy when a teenage acquaintance is fatally wounded in front of Jane’s shop and she turns him to save his life. The Council pronounces Jane responsible for the newborn vamp until he can control his thirst.

Jane’s kitchen at River Oaks barely holds enough Faux Type O to satiate the cute teen’s appetite and maintain Gabriel’s jealous streak at a slow simmer. As if keeping her hyperactive childe from sucking the blood out of the entire neighborhood isn’t enough to deal with, the persnickety ghost of Jane’s newly deceased Grandma Ruthie has declared a war on the fanged residents of River Oaks. Suddenly,
choosing monogrammed cocktail napkins and a cake that she can’t eat seems downright relaxing in comparison.

Tensions inside the house are growing…and outside, a sinister force is aiming a stake straight for the center of Gabriel’s heart. Most brides just have to worry about choosing the right dress, but Jane fears that at this rate, she’ll never make it down the aisle for the wedding all nice girls dream of…

Find more of Molly’s books here:

Molly Harper’s Amazon Page |Molly Harper’s B&N Page
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Interview & giveaway with Kendra Elliot

Books-n-Kisses is SUPER excited to have our pal Kendra Elliot on the blog again to help celebrate her 3rd book BURIED!!!!

Kendra, can you please share with us a little about yourself.

Thanks for having me, Kelly! Last spring, I became a full time author, leaving behind the dental industry and late night writing sessions. My debut romantic suspense, HIDDEN, was published last summer along with my second book, CHILLED.  I have three daughters, 11, 13, 15, and an insufficient hot water tank.  I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and the state’s cutest Pomeranian.

Can you please tell us about your newest book?

BURIED is Michael Brody’s story. Michael had a large role in HIDDEN. Now I’ve found a woman who can put up with his level of cockiness and confidence. Michael’s younger brother vanished with a group of children twenty years ago and today a group of children’s remains have been found. But why isn’t Michael’s brother with them?

Open your book to a random page and read us a few lines.

Jamie’s stress level floated somewhere close to the ceiling. A night alone in a room with Michael Brody. Hormones had bounced between them since they met, and now they were going to be trapped in a small space with a bed?

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

I just turned in the fourth book in the Bone Secrets series. It’s Victoria Peres’s story.  While editing BURIED, my editor, Charlotte, said this was the character I had to write about next, because she made her curious. I said, “No. She scares me.” And I already had a loose plan for the next book. Turns out I couldn’t get my editor’s words out of my head. Three chapters in, Victoria took over the book.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

I’ve never been to the UK. I want to go with a small group of people who already know all the awesomest places to go.

What would you do if I gave you a box that had marshmallow cream, duct tape and binder clips?

Slip the binder clips in my pocket…I love all office supplies and then trade you the duct tape for a spoon.

What do you say we do a little Fact or Crap our home state?

Oh, crap. I’m fourth generation Oregonian. I’ll  be embarrassed if I bomb.

A little Oregon Fact or Crap Time:

#1 Oregon is one of only 3 states without self-serve gas stations

I’ll say crap. I think it’s two states? Or am I thinking of states with no sales tax?

#2 Oregon’s state colors are baby blue and yellow

Crap. I think it’s dark blue and yellow.

#3 The Chinook salmon is the state fish

Fact.

#4 Oregon’s birthday is February 14th

Fact.

#5 Oregon’s Mt Hood is over 13,000 feet tall

Crap. It’s closer to 11K, I believe.

#6 Eugene Oregon was the first city to have a one-way street

Hmmm. Nothing about Eugene surprises me.  I’ll guess Fact.

#7 The Oregon State Flag only has a beaver on it

Crap…I think there are gold stars, too?

#8 The Oregon Sea lion caves are the largest in the world

No idea. Fact.

#9 Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state

No idea. Crap.

#10 Crater Lake is not the deepest lake in Oregon

Crap. Isn’t it one of the deepest in the world?

What to know how well Kendra did?

Here are the answers:

#1 Crap-It only Two.  Oregon and New Jersey are the only states without self-serve gas stations.

#2 Crap- Navy blue and gold are Oregon’s official state colors.

#3 Fact- The Chinook salmon is Oregon’s official state fish.

#4 Fact- Oregon’s state birthday is on February 14, Valentine’s Day.

#5 Crap- At 11,239 feet Mount Hood stands as the tallest peak in Oregon. Mount Hood is a dormant volcano.

#6 Fact- Eugene was the first city to have one-way streets.

#7 Crap-Oregon’s state flag pictures a beaver on its reverse side. It is the only state flag to carry two separate designs.

#8 Fact- In 1880 a sea cave was discovered near what is now known as Florence. Sea Lion Caves is known to be the largest sea cave in the world.

#9 Fact- Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state.

#10 Crap – Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States It was formed more than 6,500 years ago. Its crystal-blue waters are world renowned.

*****

Buried

A Bone Secrets Novel #3

Release Date:   3/26/2013

Order here:  Amazon | B&N | Powell’s

Twenty years ago, a small private-school bus of children and their driver completely vanished on the way home from touring the state capital building of Oregon.   No clues were ever found. Two years later, a boy near death, Chris Jacobs, walked out of the Cascade Forest as the sole survivor.   Brain and physical trauma left him unable to help police find the other children and the investigation went cold. Today, multiple gravesites of children have been uncovered at an abandoned dairy farm and investigators determine they are the remains of the vanished children from the bus.

Investigative reporter Michael Brody anxiously awaits news of his missing brother’s body. All the lost children’s remains, except for Michael’s brother’s, are recovered. Desperate for answers, Michael reaches out to Chris Jacobs to see if Chris has recovered any memory to create leads for the investigation. Unable to locate Chris, Michael goes to Chris’s only relative, his younger sister Jamie. Attraction is instantaneous between Michael and Jamie. But so is utter frustration with each other’s attitude and opposing positions on Chris’s whereabouts and his inability to help the police. Michael and Jamie hunt for Chris, racing against a tattooed stranger who wants to find Chris and silence him permanently this time.

Learn more about the Bone Secret Series HERE

A little about Kendra: 

As a kid, I read and read and read. Laura Ingalls, Nancy Drew, and Trixie Belden were my close companions, and I was never without a book in hand. Today, mysteries are my primary reading genre. I enjoy Lee Child, Karen Rose, Robert Crais, and Tami Hoag. But I also love a sweeping historical novel by Diana Gabaldon or a contemporary romance by Rachel Gibson.

I decided to try my hand at novel writing after I read a newspaper article about NaNoWriMo. Heck, I can do that. I sat down and wrote a contemporary romance but kept tripping over dead bodies in each chapter. I got the hint and my stories evolved into romantic suspense.

I joined my local Romance Writers of America chapter, the Rose City Romance Writers, and found a fabulous community dedicated to educating its members about writing and publishing. Book purchases are tax deductable?? I also belong to International Thriller Writers and the Kiss of Death Chapter of RWA.

In 2010, my manuscript, Stronger Than Bone, was a finalist in RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart® contest. This same manuscript caught the attention of Jennifer Schober of Spencerhill Literary Agency and she became my agent. The book is now published as HIDDEN.

I grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still live there with my husband, three daughters, two cats, and a Pomeranian. In the real world, I’m a dental hygienist who is fascinated with forensics, refuses to eat anything green, and loves a good Mai Tai on the beach on Kauai.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GRAND PRIZE:

Kendra is offering up a $40.00 Amazon Gift Card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Kelly’s review of Her Lucky Love by Carrie Ann Ryan

TITLE: Her Lucky Love
SERIES: Holiday Montana #4
CHARACTERS: Brayden Cooper & Allison Malone
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: March 2, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Brayden Cooper has always been lucky. It’s in his blood and in the coin that he has hanging on a leather tie around his neck. He has everything in the world he could ever want: money, a job, brothers he loves, and the luck that comes with his powers. Yet he’s empty. Everyone but him knows he loves Allison, yet it’s going to take something stronger than luck to bring them together.

Allison Malone is exhausted. After the death of her abusive husband, her hell of a marriage is finally over and now she’s alone with her three children that are the center of her world. Long hours at work, plus mommy duty at home are taking its toll on her and that’s not the worst of it. Her late husband’s family is in town and they want her children.

The outsiders have secrets of their own and it’s going to take all of the Coopers, especially Brayden’s, help to save them. When trouble attacks, Allison will have to remember that she’s also a woman who needs love, and Brayden might be the one to give that to her.

Warning: Contains one sexy mechanic with a lucky streak, a waitress who needs to give into her temptations, and a love so fierce it’s bound to set the sheets on fire. Again.

REVIEW:
Finally Brayden gets his story and we get to see a side of Bray that no one would believe. See Brayden is the nice Cooper brother. Well that is what everyone thinks. But Brayden has been keeping a secret. One he has not wanted to share with anyone let alone his pain in the butt brothers. But when a threat from Allison’s past comes back, Brayden is willing to do anything to keep the love of his life safe and sound.

This was a really good story. I was so happy that Bray & Ally finally got over their issues and made a run of it. They are so sweet & hot together. And Brayden while he may seem the sweet nice Cooper brother, he does have a few surprises up his sleeves for his new lady love.

If you have enjoyed the other Holiday Montana stories you will really enjoy Her Lucky Love. Can’t wait to see what happens with the next and final book in the Holiday Montana 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.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly’s review of Send Me No Flowers by Trish Jensen

TITLE: Send Me No Flowers
CHARACTERS: Jenny & Rob
AUTHOR: Trish Jensen
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/04/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When she was known as an overweight kid from a “loony” family, he often rescued her from bullies. Now she’s come back home all grownup and gorgeous, and he’s the one who will need rescuing. Sheriff Rob Townsend of Daredevil, South Carolina remembers Jenny Creighton as the girl mean kids called “Jumbo Jenny.” He was compelled to protect her on more than one occasion, a brand of heroic kindness Jenny never forgot. Jenny’s returned to the small town to claim an inheritance and open a flower shop. On the inside, however, she’s still the chubby girl who doesn’t want anyone to remember her humiliating past. Rob has turned into a hunk with a painful history of his own-one that makes him the biggest heartbreaker south of the Mason-Dixon line. When he becomes her best customer-buying flowers as goodbye gifts for a growing line-up of ex-girlfriends-the women in Daredevil begin to run from Jenny and her kiss-goodbye bouquets. How can she build a business when all the single gals in town are scared to see her on their doorsteps? And what are the secrets behind her childhood hero’s love-’em-and-leave-’em lifestyle?

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars This is a re-release from I believe 1999. This is a very cute book. As with all of the earlier books from Jensen as much as I enjoyed it I enjoy her current works better but this was a great story.
It was set in small town America so it seemed I was watching something out of Mayberry. Everyone speaks with a hick accent and says “yes ma’am” and calls everyone “Miz ___” but once I got used to that it was a enjoyable read.

Jenny is written very well. I liked how she was written as a normal woman. She wasn’t perfect but was an everyday woman who dealt with life. I enjoyed Rob as well. While he does play that small town playboy personality we really didn’t see a lot of that because the story starts off with Rob and Jenny having met 6 months ago (this time around). It is not a long book but it is worth the read.

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

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Guest Blog & Giveaway with Eliza Daly

My Life in the Federal Witness Protection Program

Do you ever have a bad day and dream about leaving your life behind and starting over someplace where nobody knows you? I admit, I’ve flirted with the idea more than once. However, I never seriously thought it through until I was researching my romantic suspense novel, Identity Crisis. I learned what people went through when entering witness protection, officially called the Federal Witness Security Program (WITSEC). They gave up their lives to keep themselves and their families safe. I’m very close to my family and friends and I couldn’t imagine living without them. But if I had to enter the program to stay alive, here’s how I picture my life.

My new name. WITSEC recommends that you keep your first name and initials so you can catch yourself if you start writing your old name or so family members don’t slip-up and call you by your real name. My name is Elizabeth, but most people know me as Beth. So I’d stick with Beth or Eliza. My last name starts with a W, but here’s my chance to move up in the alphabet. My pseudonym Daly is an Irish surname, so maybe I’d use another Irish surname, such as Butler or Byrne.

My new abode. As much as I hate Wisconsin winters, there aren’t a lot of places I’d like to move to, outside of Ireland and Paris. WITSEC wouldn’t place me internationally, so I would choose a warmer destination. At the top of my list would be San Francisco or Savannah. But WITSEC wouldn’t place me in my preferred cities because I’ve likely mentioned them to someone. Maybe they’d compromise and relocate me to Napa Valley, near San Francisco. I love wine and the countryside is beautiful.

This leads me to my new job. I could own a winery. I’m an event planner, but I couldn’t continue to travel extensively for my job, since I could encounter people I know in airports and hotels. My winery could host special events like weddings and parties. One of the perks of being a writer is that I can do it from the privacy of my own home. I could use a pseudonym, a name different from my fake name, and really confuse the bad guys. I could use my cat for my author pic. After all, authors are a quirky bunch of characters. Social media is my main marketing tool, so unless I make it really big I wouldn’t have to worry about doing book signing tours. As a writer, it would be easy for me to hide out, except for my author’s voice. That elusive voice comprised of an author’s word choice, sentence structure, etc. I’ve had many people who know me well tell me that my real voice comes through in my comedy books. It would be difficult to change my voice. I’d have to stick to writing romantic suspense or historical romance, which wouldn’t require a contemporary voice.

My hobbies. WITSEC recommends that you don’t continue with hobbies that could lead the bad guys to you. I wouldn’t have to give up reading or my genealogy research, since it would be next to impossible to track me down through either. The dead people I locate can’t give away my new identity.

My new look. My hair is auburn, which would be very difficult for me to part with, but maybe I could try plum. I would have to stop wearing my hair up in a twist. I hate styling my hair, so maybe this would be the time to try wigs, which have become more popular in recent years. My signature color is fuchsia with both my wardrobe and my lipstick. If I had to select an alternate color I guess it would be red.

And now that I’ve put this all out there on the worldwide web, I guess I’ll have to change my plans if I ever enter the Federal Witness Security Program.

What life changes would you make if you had to enter the Federal Witness Security Program?

*****

Identity Crisis 

 

Identity Crisis is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, All Romance, eBooks.com, and Kobo

When Olivia Doyle’s father dies under suspicious circumstances, rather than inheriting a family fortune, she inherits a new identity. She learns they were placed in the Federal Witness Security Program when she was five years old. Her father was involved in an art forgery ring and testified against the mob. Brought up not to trust anyone, Olivia has a difficult time relying on U.S. Marshal Ethan Ryder to protect her, and to keep her secret. She fears her father may have continued his life of crime through her art gallery. She has little choice but to depend on Ethan when she realizes someone is now after her. Olivia’s search for the truth leads her and Ethan across country to a family and past she doesn’t remember.

At the age of ten, Ethan witnessed a brutal murder. He vowed when he grew up, he’d protect people in danger. Protecting Olivia is difficult when she won’t trust him. He soon realizes his desire to protect her goes beyond doing his job, but if his judgment becomes clouded by emotions, her safety could be jeopardized.

Can Ethan and Olivia learn to trust each other when they uncover secrets that will change their lives forever?

 

 

 Author Bio: 

Eliza Daly’s first attempt at creative writing was in fourth grade. She and her friends were huge Charlie’s Angels fans and she would sit in her bedroom at night writing scripts for them to act out at recess the following day. She was Kelly Garrett. Fast forward to the present, she’s still writing stories about beautiful women who always get their men. The journey from fourth grade script writer to published author wasn’t an easy one, but it was always an adventure and the final destination was well worth it.

When Eliza isn’t traveling for her job as an event planner, or tracing her ancestry roots through Ireland, she’s at home in Milwaukee working on her next novel, bouncing ideas off her husband Mark, and her cats Quigley, Frankie, and Sammy.

You can find Eliza on the web at Website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

 

Giveaway—Thank you so much to Books-n-Kisses for having me here today and helping me celebrate the release of Identity Crisis. I will be giving away an e-copy of Identity Crisis to one commenter. To enter to win, please answer the question at the end of my post. The winner will be announced April 1.  Thank you for stopping by!

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Jennifer’s review of Along Came Trouble by Ruthie Knox

TITLE: Along Came Trouble
SERIES #: Camelot Series #2
CHARACTERS: Ellen Callahan and Caleb Clark
AUTHOR: Ruthie Knox
PUBLICATION DATE: 3/11/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
An accomplished lawyer and driven single mother, Ellen Callahan isn’t looking for any help. She’s doing just fine on her own. So Ellen’s more than a little peeved when her brother, an international pop star, hires a security guard to protect her from a prying press that will stop at nothing to dig up dirt on him. But when the tanned and toned Caleb Clark shows up at her door, Ellen might just have to plead the fifth.

Back home after a deployment in Iraq and looking for work as a civilian, Caleb signs on as Ellen’s bodyguard. After combat in the hot desert sun, this job should be a breeze. But guarding the willful beauty is harder than he imagined–and Caleb can’t resist the temptation to mix business with pleasure. With their desires growing more undeniable by the day. Ellen and Caleb give in to an evening of steamy passion. But will they ever be able to share more than just a one-night stand?

REVIEW:
Ellen Callahan just wanted peace and quiet in her life but that wasn’t possible when her famous brother decided to have an affair with the next door neighbor. Now the paparazzi are in town to get a glimpse of the famous couple and tramping over Ellen’s lawn to do it. Ellen didn’t need anyone to take care of her and that goes for the security detail that her brother has hired for her. I liked that she was very successful in her career but also very down-to-earth. She had a famous brother and she never got wrapped up in that lifestyle. She just wanted to raise her son without distractions after recently divorcing her philandering, drunk, yet full of himself ex-husband, Richard. I loved her personality and I truly connected with her because its hard being a mom while having a career and trying to balance both worlds. She didn’t want to find love but it was exactly what she needed and I wish everyone could have a Caleb Clark.

As I read this book, I kept picturing Caleb as a Dwayne Johnson type of guy that seemed to have it all. He was this handsome, strong guy who looked as though he could have any woman that he wanted because he was such a charmer. The thing is, he was actually looking for that one woman that he could call his own and when he saw Ellen, he knew that he had found her. He just had to convince her and take took a little “negotiation.” He was the perfect match for her because protecting his family and the people that he loved meant everything to him because after being in the military, that was one of the things that he could do very well. I also just loved the way Caleb and Ellen interacted with each other, sometimes without even saying a word.

This is the second book in the Camelot series and Ruthie Knox has created a real winner with this one. This story is filled with humor, family fighting, romance and hot steamy sex between our two main characters. I can’t wait to read more from this author and I hope that when I grow old I can be like the character Nana in this book. She had some of the best lines that will have you laughing out loud.

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

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Kelly’s review of The Baby Bargain by Jennifer Apodaca

TITLE: The Baby Bargain
CHARACTERS: Adam Waters & Megan Young
AUTHOR: Jennifer Apodaca
PUBLICATION DATE: March 11, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Seeing Adam Waters is the last thing veterinarian Megan Young expects. Ex-Marine. Ex-boyfriend. And still extremely dangerous territory. But Adam doesn’t know the secret Megan has been keeping from him. The secret that was created three years ago, after their last night together…Adam returns to Raven’s Cove to sell his home in a final break with the town and memories that haunt him. The problem is that his attraction to Megan is as blazing hot as it ever was. But when a vicious smear campaign against Megan turns ugly, Adam learns the truth he never knew—he has a son. Now the only way Megan can protect her child is to strike a bargain with Adam. And it’s a bargain that looks a lot like blackmail…

REVIEW:
Adam & Megan were college sweethearts. But Adam decided the small town life was not for him so he left. Leaving everything behind even the girl he loves. But now he is back. Even if it is only for a couple of weeks. Adam is determined to get back in Megan’s good grace…..or more.

Megan has tried really hard to put the past behind her. but that is really hard to do when your past just walked through your door asking for help.

This was a very quick read. I didn’t put the book down once from start to finish.

Adam & Megan are just so sweet together. Even when they are keeping secrets from each other. But when push comes to shove they both step up to the plate and do what is right.

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.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly’s review of Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks

TITLE: Highlander Most Wanted
SERIES #: Montgomery/Armstrong #2
CHARACTERS: Genevieve & Bowen
AUTHOR: Maya Banks
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/19/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In Highlander Most Wanted, a reclusive woman content to live in the shadows shows a Highland warrior the true meaning of love.

Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever.

REVIEW:
What a wonderful and sad story. I have never read Banks before but now I have found a new author to enjoy. Genevieve breaks my heart. While she tried to be so brave her desperation is so palpable that I just wanted to cry for and with her. And what a wonderful man Bowen was written to be. This may just be my favorite Highlander novel.

I was worried that the sadness of Genevieve would go on for so long that it would become aggravating but it never did. And while it did continue throughout the entire story she was written with such a fighting spirit that just when you thought it might get tiresome something happens and you begin to understand her sadness yet again. Bowen is a strong man who is willing to do anything for Genevieve to be happy again.

This is the second in the series and I will say having not read the first I was a little lost with the characters and history at first but that was soon inconsequential to the rest of the story so it was fine. The other problem was there was a bit of the same information over and over but again it is written so well that it was still enjoyable.

If you enjoy Highlander novels this will most certainly need to be one you pick up and if you have not read one before this should be your first. You will fall in love with the Highlanders and Maya Banks.

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

4 Hearts

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Guest Reviewer Erica reviews Three Sisters by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Three Sisters
SERIES #: Blackberry Island #2
CHARACTERS: Andi/Boston/Deanna
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After Andi Gordon is jilted at the altar, she makes the most impetuous decision of her life – buying one of the famed Three Sisters Queen Anne houses on Blackberry Island. Now the proud-ish owner of the ugly duckling of the trio, she plans to open her own pediatric office on the first floor, just as soon as her hunky contractor completes the work. Andi’s new future may be coming together, but the truth is she’s just as badly in need of a major renovation as her house.

When Deanna Phillips confronts her husband about a suspected affair, she opens up a Pandora’s Box of unhappiness. And he claims that she is the problem. The terrible thing is, he’s right. In her quest to be the perfect woman, she’s lost herself, and she’s in danger of losing her entire family if things don’t change.

Next door, artist Boston King thought she and her college sweetheart would be married forever. Their passion for one other has always seemed indestructible. But after tragedy tears them apart, she’s not so sure. Now it’s time for them to move forward, with or without one another.

Thrown together by fate and geography, and bound by the strongest of friendships, these three women will discover what they’re really made of: laughter, tears, love and all.

REVIEW:
Susan Mallery’s newest novel, “Three Sisters”, is the second in her newest series, Blackberry Island. It follows the first in the series “Barefoot Season”. This is about 3 women and their families who live in the 3 Queen Anne Victorian houses on the island. Andi buys the 3rd house, to turn the bottom part into a pediatric office, and she will live upstairs.

Next door is Deanna, a wife and mother of 5 daughters. She accuses her husband of having an affair, and he assures her that he is not cheating on her. She is obsessive-compulsive, she washes her hands so much, that she is embarrassed to shake Andi’s hand when she talks to her for the second time, and she hides it in her sleeve. The first time she meets Andi, she is rude. She feels that her daughters do not appreciate her, she always sees the daughters yelling that “Daddy is home”, but she never gets the same treatment. I did not like Deanna at the beginning of the book, but luckily she matures and changes throughout the novel. We learn about why Deanna acts the way she does, and why she washes her hands so much.

Finally, we have Boston, who married her high school sweetheart, but they do not have any children. Unfortunately, they had a son, who passed away at only 6 months old. Boston spends her days painting, and drawing pictures of her son, eating, sleeping, anything her beautiful baby did, or did not get to do, due to his short life. Boston’s husband spends his time away from home, trying to drown his sorrows in a bottle. At the end of the book, Susan gives us a lovely meeting between Boston and her husband where they talk about what happened, and eventually they help each other get through their grief.

Andi meets Wade, who will be her contractor. Wade is the Brother-in-Law of Boston. He will tear apart the first floor of her house, and turn it into a beautiful pediatric office. Andi also commissions Boston to paint a mural to make the kids feel more excited than scared to be at the doctor. Susan describes an amazing jungle scene, which I for one, really wanted to see in paint, besides what I painted in my head.

Andi also spends some time with a few of Deanna’s daughters. She invites them over for lemonade and cookies, and one day Boston visits, and spends that afternoon drawing the children, and their cat.

Deanna talks to Andi about her OCD, and Andi gives her the name of a psychiatrist, and convinces her to go for an appointment. Deanna does go for the appointment, and by the end of the book, she is a lot nicer than she was at the beginning. She also talks more to her daughters, and instead of yelling at them like she did in the beginning of the book, she listens to them and talks in a calm manner.

We also get to see Michelle and Carly from the first book, when Deanna goes to apply for a job at their bed-and-breakfast. We do not get to catch up with them; we are mainly with Deanna when she meets them for her interview.

This is just another amazing Susan Mallery novel, She writes amazing characters with sad, happy, and sometimes tragic back stories, but at the end of each novel, she gives them hope, love, and great friends. I for one cannot wait for the next Blackberry Island novel.

On the plus side, on susanmallery.com, she has a calendar on the left side of the page, which gives us some save-the-dates for some of her upcoming novels. Also visit blackberryisland.susanmallery.com, for a Blackberry Island map, and a visitor’s guide, and also recipes.

Also see foolsgold.ca.susanmallery.com, for her Fools Gold series, which at the end of July of this year, will have released 12 full length novels, and some e-novellas.

Disclaimer: The above review was written by a guest reviewer, is the opinion of that reviewer and not a paid review.