Thursday, October 30, 2014

Short and Tweet Reviews: Spiral of Bliss Series / Break the Sky by Nina Lane

Arouse (Spiral of Bliss, #1)Series: Spiral of Bliss #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Snow Queen Publishing
Publication Date: 12/24/12
Format: ebook
Pages: 394
Source: Purchase
Rating: 4.5 stars


GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  B&N



"One day I'm going to touch you in a thousand different ways and show you how to touch me," he said. And he did.


Struggling with a tormented past, undergraduate Olivia Winter once led a practical but isolated life. Then she met Professor Dean West, a brilliant scholar of medieval history who melted Liv's inhibitions and taught her the meaning of both love and erotic pleasure. But after three years of a blissful, lusty marriage, Liv and Dean now face a crisis that threatens everything they believe about each other. And when dark secrets and temptations rise to the surface, the fallout might break them apart forever.




Opening Lines -  He didn't touch me. He could have -- he had the perfect reason to -- but he didn't.


Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Short and Tweet Reviews: Loving Him Off the Field / Final Lap / Hot as Hades / Stone, At Your Service


I am in such a weird place right now, with blogging. A slump, I guess. So in an effort to keep me going, and less overwhelmed, I'm switching over to Short and Tweet reviews for a bit. We'll see how it goes!






Genre: Contemporary/Sports Romance
Publisher: Intermix
Publication Date: 6/17/14
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher



GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  BN



Sometimes the best defense is a good offense…


Aileen is a sports reporter trying to make a name for herself without relying on her looks, And what better way to do that than to break a scandal about one of the fastest rising stars on the Santa Fe Bobcats? Killian seems too good to be true, so she knows he must be hiding something…


It’s hard enough breaking into the NFL—even more so when you’re a single dad. Killian isn’t proud that he’s keeping his son a secret, but his ex has a reputation that could tarnish his squeaky clean image for good. So when Aileen starts sniffing around, Killian decides to distract her by any means necessary. But Aileen is more than capable of giving as good as she gets…



My review  - One Night with a Quarterback



First Line  "Sweet Christ." It was the last thing Killian Reeves remembered uttering before having a heavy, unfortunate smelling man slam him to the ground.


Sunday, October 26, 2014

Reviews: Coming in From the Cold and Falling From the Sky (Gravity #1-2) by Sarina Bowen

Coming In From the ColdSeries: Gravity #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Harlequin E
Publication Date: 5/1/14
Format: ebook
Pages: 193
Source: Author


GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  BN


Alpine ski champion Dane “Danger” Hollister does not do relationships, though he has an excellent reason. No woman would ever say “I do” to a guy whose faulty DNA will eventually cost him everything: his spot on the US Ski team, his endorsements, and the ability to fly downhill at 90mph.


While Willow Reade moved to rural Vermont to get back to the land, that wasn’t meant to include a night stranded in her vehicle during a blizzard. Luckily, the hot ski racer she practically ran off the road has granola bars and a sleeping bag, and is happy to share. Maybe it’s the close quarters, maybe it’s the snow, but soon the two are sharing a lot more than conversation.


Yet neither can guess how their spontaneous passion will uncork Dane’s ugly secret and Willow’s tentative peace with her own choices. Only their mutual trust and bravery can end the pain and give Willow and Dane a shot at hard won happines





First Line  Willow needed to keep the old truck on the road and out of the snowy ditch for just one more mile.

Poor Willow. She doesn't keep her old truck on the road and inadvertently runs champion Dane Hollister off the road as well. But their loss is their-and our-gain because one snowy night in a Jeep is the beginning of a sexy, emotionally challenging, wonderful story.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Short and Tweet: Temptation in a Kilt by Victoria Roberts



Temptation in a Kilt (Bad Boys of the Highlands, #1)Series: Bad Boys of the Highlands #1
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casa
Publication Date: 9/4/12
Format: ebook
Pages: 323
Source: Purchase



GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  B&N



She's On Her Way to Safety


It's a sign of Lady Rosalia Armstrong's desperation that she's seeking refuge in a place as rugged and challenging as the Scottish Highlands. She doesn't care about hardship and discomfort, if only she can become master of her own life. Laird Ciaran MacGregor, however, is completely beyond her control...


He Redefines Dangerous...


Ciaran MacGregor knows it's perilous to get embroiled with a fiery Lowland lass, especially one as headstrong as Rosalia. Having made a rash promise to escort her all the way to Glengarry, now he's stuck with her, even though she challenges his legendary prowess at every opportunity. When temptation reaches its peak, he'll be ready to show her how he really is...on and off the battlefield.



First Line  Sometimes being a Highland laird was a royal pain in the arse.


Short and Tweet...

A fun and slightly steamy historical set in early-17th century Scotland. Comes with many of the hallmarks of a fun HR: a laird bound by duty, a lady running from a distasteful marriage, thrown together by accident, held together by more. I didn't fully buy into Ciaran's reasons for hesitance in a marriage (an old oath to his father regarding the youngest brother), but in the end, I had a lot of fun with Temptation in a Kilt. Especially when the kilt, or what was under it, came into play!



Rating: 3.5 stars


Favorite Quotes


  Seeing she was not going to relent, he bent closer, placing his lips so close to her ear that he was sure she could feel his breath. "The only reason I had discomfort was because I saw your bare, creamy bottom in front of my eyes. Ye are beautiful and ye almost unmanned me, lass." Ciaran kissed her lightly on her cheek before returning to his blanket.


  Ciaran broke the silence and spoke quietly. "She means naught to me."
  A tear fell down her cheek and she wiped it away. "It doesnae matter--truly," she whispered.
  He reached out and gently brushed Rosalia's arms. When she closed her eyes to avoid his probing gaze, he raised her chin with his finger. He did not speak until she opened her eyes. "It matters to me," he said solemnly.




Temptation in a Kilt (Bad Boys of the Highlands, #1)   X Marks the Scot (Bad Boys of the Highlands, #2)   To Wed a Wicked Highlander (Bad Boys of the Highlands, #3)
(covers lead to GoodReads pages)
 




Victoria  RobertsVictoria Roberts writes sexy, award-winning Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. Prior to ever picking up a single romance novel, she penned her first young adult novella at 16 years old. Who knew her leather-studded motorcycle hero would trade in his ride and emerge as a kilt wearing Highlander wielding a broadsword? Victoria lives with her husband and their two beautiful children in western Pennsylvania.



Website  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads 




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Monday, October 20, 2014

Excerpt and Giveaway: What to Do with a Bad Boy by Marie Harte

 Welcome to my stop on the What to Do With a Bad Boy Teaser Tour! I loved this book and highly encourage everyone to give the entire series a try. Thanks for stopping by!
 


 

What to Do with a Bad Boy (The McCauley Brothers, #4)Series: The McCauley Brothers #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casa
Publication Date: 11/4/14



Mike McCauley had his soul mate for a precious time before she died giving birth to their son. She left him with the best boy a guy could want, so why is everyone playing matchmaker? He's sick of it . . . until he meets Delilah Webster.

For some reason, the foul-mouthed, tattooed mechanic sets his motor running. He sees the loving woman buried within. But the closer they get, the more the pain of past wounds throws a monkey wrench into a future he's not sure he can handle...











“So, Mike, where’s your plus-one?” she asked, knowing it would set him off. She hadn’t forgotten Abby and the girls gossiping about Mike the last time they’d gotten together. Something about his mother constantly trying to set him up.

As predicted, Mike’s mouth flattened. “He’s over there with Brian.”

She followed his glance to Colin. “Uh-huh. Not that woman with your mom, the one who keeps eyeballing you?”

He followed her glance to his mother and the woman with her and moaned. “Oh hell. Not again. Abby, I thought I told you not to invite any single women.”

What am I? Chopped liver? Brody caught her eye and raised a pale brow, apparently thinking the same.

Abby tried unsuccessfully to hide a smile. “Hey, don’t blame me. I threw a party, but Beth wanted to bring a few people. The more the merrier, I say.”

“Dude.” Brody shook his head at Mike. “Maybe if you’d pretend to like people, Bitsy would ease up. You need a social life.”

“Bitsy?” Del asked, fascinated by the turn in discussion. Mike didn’t date?

“Oh, he calls Beth Bitsy and James Pop. Always has,” Abby explained.

“Right.” Whatever. Why didn’t Mike date?

“I like people. Well, the ones who aren’t desperate and clingy,” Mike muttered.

“What’s wrong, Mike? Problem finding a woman who doesn’t mind your macho attitude?” Del took a few munchies from the tray Maddie offered as she breezed by with a smile. The evening was turning out to be more entertaining than she’d thought.

“No, the problem is fending off my mother’s idea of what constitutes my ideal woman,” Mike said, his voice like the rumble of a purring engine. “Christ, I’m thirty-four. I can find my own dates.”

“Apparently not,” Brody disagreed. “Oh look. They’re coming this way.”

Del had no intention of leaving. Neither did Abby or Brody.

“Hell.”



 Amazon  | Apple  |  B&N  |  BAM 

The McCauley Brothers Series


 

The Troublemaker Next Door (The McCauley Brothers, #1)  How to Handle a Heartbreaker (The McCauley Brothers, #2)  Ruining Mr. Perfect (The McCauley Brothers, #3)  What to Do with a Bad Boy (The McCauley Brothers, #4)


(covers lead to GoodReads page)

 


 
 


Date
Blog
URL
Notes
20-Oct
Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance
Teaser 1
21-Oct
The Bookish Babe
Teaser 2
22-Oct
Books n Kisses
Teaser 3
23-Oct
From the TBR Pile
Teaser 4
24-Oct
Bookhounds
Teaser 5
Weekend
27-Oct
Romance Junkies
Teaser 6    
28-Oct
Michelle and Leslie's Book Picks
Teaser 7
29-Oct
Love Romance Passion
Teaser 8  
30-Oct
Bitten By Love Reviews
Teaser 9
31-Oct
The Reading Café
Teaser 10
 




 

MH2croppedMarie Harte is an avid reader who loves all things paranormal and futuristic. Reading romances since she was twelve, she fell in love with romance and happy endings and knew writing was her calling. Years later after the Marine Corps, Information Technology, and 60 hour work weeks, her dream has finally come true.

Marie lives in Oregon with her family and is constantly reading and writing.

 



 





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Sunday, October 19, 2014

Jessica Reviews: Sweet Fall (Sweet Home #3) by Tillie Cole

Sweet Fall (Sweet Home, #3)Series: Sweet Home #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: 8/26/14
Pages: 440
Source: Purchase


GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  B&N



We all have secrets.


Secrets well buried.



Until we find the one soul who makes the burden of such secrets just that little bit easier to bear.
 

Lexington "Lexi" Hart is a senior at the University of Alabama. Surrounded by her best friends, her loving family and having fulfilled her life-long dream of making the Crimson Tide cheer squad, everything is going exactly as she always dreamed it would. But beneath her happy exterior, demons lurk, threatening to jeopardize everything Lexi has worked to achieve. When events in her life become too much to cope with, Lexi finds herself spiraling down into the realm of her biggest fear. Lexi falls hard, victim once again to the only thing that can destroy her and, on the way, finds herself falling straight into the dangerous tattooed arms of a guy from the wrong side of the tracks.
 

Austin Carillo, starting Wide Receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide, must get picked in this year's NFL draft. He needs it. His brothers need it. Most importantly, his mother desperately needs it. Brought up in a world where the poor are forgotten, the sick are left to fend for themselves and no hero miraculously appears to pull you out of hell, Austin had no other choice but to make a living on the wrong side of the law—until football offered Austin the break to get his life back on track. But when a family tragedy drags him back into the clutches of the gang he believed he had left far behind, Austin finds himself falling. Falling back into criminal ways and falling deep into a suffocating darkness. Until a troubled yet kindred spirit stumbles across his path, where Austin quickly finds he is falling for a young woman, a young woman who might just have the power to save him from his worst enemy: himself.
 



Can two troubled souls find a lasting peace together? Or will they finally succumb to the demons threatening to destroy them?

 
 


New Adult/Contemporary Romance novel—contains adult content, sexual situations and mature topics. Suited for ages 18 and up.

Can be read as a stand-alone novel.





And he kissed me. Austin Carillo, the Italian boy from the wrong side of the tracks, kissed me. And it was magical. He made feel safe and, for one glorious night. He made me feel beautiful.

I’ve mentioned before, that it is VERY hard for my eyes to get misty, let alone cry. It’s not that I have a heart of stone or made out of ice (although some would argue this). It’s just that I have the emotion of a drill sergeant sometimes. You know the type: hard ass, tough cookies that take a bulldozer to break down her walls. Yeah, I’m one of those tough chicks. BUT, there are times where even I break down like a slobbery, babbling baby. And THIS book definitely did it for me. I WAS A BASKETCASE!

Lexi’s eyes filled with water and another understanding tear tumbled down her cheek. Leaning forward, I kissed the salty drop away.

And that’s how we fell.

Fell into sleep.

Fell into trust.

Fell for each other.

 
AUSTIN CARILLO.
Austin friggin Carillo. There are not enough adjectives in the English dictionary to describe how GORGEOUS this boy is. He is everything a girl could want in a guy: protective of his siblings, adores and loves his mother fiercely, loyal to his friends, athletic and talented on the football field. He is the full, tattooed package. On top of all that, he is committed to the girl he loves. What else could you ask for? Oh wait. One minor flaw though. He’s also in a very bad situation where it’s literally do or die to get out of.  This situation and Lexi’s illness are what keeps these two broken souls apart for a bit, until the unthinkable happens…

As if feeling my eyes watching her, Lexi looked up at me through long black lashes, and I felt as though my chest had ripped open and my heart was on display. It was that moment people talk about. That moment where you look at the same set of eyes you’ve gazed upon thousands of times before, only this time, you see something more within their depths. This one time, it’s as if you are looking down the lens of a spyglass and you can see into another’s soul and it seems to solder itself to yours.


Lexington “Lexi” Hart.

Beautiful Lexi. Dark little Pixie. Not only did Austin fall head over heels in love with his little Pix, but so did I. I wanted to give her a really big bear hug every day she was feeling crappy and un-in love with herself. I wanted to write Post-It notes in her room, in her books, her bathroom, EVERYWHERE, so she knew how stunning and gorgeous she was. What a beautiful being she was to not only to her friends and family, but to Austin’s brothers and mother. I wanted to tell her that everything would be okay and to not worry and carry the world’s stresses on her shoulder. But alas, it’s not that simple. This illness takes over your whole life and your way of thinking. I had no idea that this disorder is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents. That it is the most common cause of death (up to 12 times higher than any other condition) among young women 15 to 24. Women are also much more likely than men to develop this illness. What Lexi was going through in life, was something she, and she alone, had to overcome. Yes, she had amazing support from her parents, doctors and friends, but it was the strength within herself that made her conquer this horrific disease. And of course, the love she and Austin had.


“What do you think of when you look up at the stars?”

“Sometimes I wonder what they must make of our world. Do we fascinate them or disgust them? Do they look down on us the same way we look up at them and wonder what we’re thinking too? Do they see all our problems? Watch our sorrowful excuses for lives with a growing sense of pity? Or do they envy us for just having a life, good or bad?”

“Ever look at them and feel inferior, feel small?”


“I don’t need to look up at the stars to feel inferior, Austin. All I have to do is open my eyes and look at myself in the mirror.”
 

 
You once said that you wondered if the stars were looking down on us. Did they pity mankind for the fuck-ups we are? But now I see the truth. I now pity the stars. For as much as humans mess up time and time again, we also get to fall in love. We get to be with the other half of our soul, the one that makes us complete. All the stars get to do is watch from above, wishing it was them feeling this crushing yet liberating emotion.



I had NO IDEA this book would affect me this much. I thought I was going into a run-of-the-mill NA book. The kind that are getting so repetitive it makes me want to go run and screaming for the hills because I can’t take them anymore. But this one…this one…was DIFFERENT. From the very beginning I was completely and utterly hooked. I could not put it down. I wanted to stop everything that was happening in my life and just keep reading. And once it was done, I wanted to read more. I wanted MORE Austin and Lexi. I wanted to know what happens after the Epilogue. I know we got a quick glimpse of them in SWEET HOME/SWEET ROME but I still wanted more. More damnit! I’m selfish like that. Ha! ;) (Sidenote: I am so, SO happy that I read this series backwards because had I read it in order, I don’t think I would have loved her so much. In the first and second book, she didn’t grab my attention. She was a secondary character that was more in the far background than anything else. I didn’t feel anything for her. I wanted to know more about Ally than I did her. But I am THRILLED that for once, reading a series out of order, worked out beautifully.) Once you read this book, you too will want more Austin and Lexi.

 Rating: 5 stars

Favorite quotes/scenes:

“Pix, what I feel for you is fuckin’ scary. I thought you were gorgeous from the first time I saw you standing in the empty stadium like some dark pixie lost in a weird dream. But then what I felt for you quickly went to shit. I worried for weeks that you would destroy me, my family, the way my brothers made money…And you have destroyed me, Pix, but never how I thought. You destroyed the fence I’d built up to keep people out. You destroyed the hard-ass persona I wore like a shield. But even more than that, you destroyed any reluctance I had to find comfort in someone else. You fuckin’ bulldozed me, Pix. You, my tiny dark pixie, made all my defenses crumble to dust.”
 

 

Ti amo, Pix. Ti amo tantissimo.”

“You…you love me?”

“More than the stars in the sky.”

 


P.S. I applaud the author for having the courage to write this. The strength she had to put pen to paper and write something that affected her so greatly, I know was not an easy task. It takes bravery of the highest order to open yourself up and bare your soul for all to see and read. And to that I say THANK YOU for being so honest and genuine and for giving the readers Lexi and her Austin.





The Sweet Home Series

Sweet Home (Sweet Home, #1)  Sweet Rome (Sweet Home, #2)  Sweet Fall (Sweet Home, #3)
(covers lead to GoodReads page)
 
 




Connect with Tillie Cole

Website  |  Twitter  |   GoodReads 




Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Review: Carolina Blues (Dare Island #4) by Virginia Kantra

 



Carolina Blues (Dare Island, #4)Series: Dare Island #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: 10/7/14
Format: eARC
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher


GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  BN


Jack Rossi is Dare Island’s new police chief. The laid-back North Carolina community is just what he needs to recover from a rocky marriage and a big-city police department.  He’s learned his lesson: no more high-profile women or high-pressure jobs. The last thing he wants is an unconventional alt girl rocking his world.   Grad student Lauren Patterson made headlines when she kept a bank robbery from going bad.  She’s fled to Dare Island to clear her head and focus on writing her story. However, sexy Jack Rossi is a distraction that’s too hot to ignore, and it’s igniting an affair too combustible to resist—or quit.   But when their pasts come looking for them, Jack and Lauren find themselves fighting for the future they deserve, whatever the price.



My Reviews  Caroline Home  |  Carolina Girl  |  Carolina Man



First Line  Lauren Patterson entrenched herself in the corner table of Jane's Sweet Teas House, barricaded behind her laptop, a latte, and a Glorious Morning muffin.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Spotlight and Giveaway: Promise Me This by Christina Lee





I'm happy to be participating in the Promise Me This blog tour. Today I'm sharing the book details and tour giveaway. Thanks for stopping by!



Promise Me This (Between Breaths, #4)Series: Between Breaths #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Intermix
Publication Date: 10/4/14


GoodReads


A new love will test the boundaries of passion between a privileged boy next door and the tattooed, blue-haired girl who helps him embrace his wild side...



Nate has developed quite a playboy reputation around campus. It's not that he doesn't respect or trust women; he doesn't trust himself. The men in Nate’s family are prone to abusive behavior—a dirty secret that Nate’s been running from his entire life—so Nate doesn't do relationships. But he can’t help himself around one girl…
 

Jessie is strong, independent, and works at a tattoo parlor. Nate can’t resist getting close to her, even if it’s strictly a friendship. But it doesn't take long for Nate to admit that what he wants with Jessie is more than just friendly.




With Jessie, he can be himself and explore what he’s always felt was a terrifying darkness inside him. Even when Nate begins to crave her in a way that both shocks and horrifies him, Jessie still wants to know every part of him. Testing their boundaries together will take a trust that could render them inseparable… or tear them apart.




 Amazon  |  B&N  |  Kobo  |  iBooks
 
 
 

Between Breaths Series
 All of You  Before You Break  Whisper to Me (Between Breaths, #3)  Promise Me This (Between Breaths, #4)
(covers lead to GoodReads)


 
 
 
 

Christina  Lee
Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son--her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip gloss, salted caramel everything, and believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.
        
 Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads





 


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Sunday, October 12, 2014

Reviews: Afternoon Delight by Ann Calhoun

Afternoon Delight
Series: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Intermix
Publication Date: 9/16/14
Format: eARC
Pages: 164
Source: Publisher


GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  BN



Sarah McCall, food truck co-owner and recent Manhattan transplant, savors each moment of her new job—whether it’s refining the truck's menu, learning the city, or spending afternoons in bed with the hot paramedic who's fast becoming her favorite customer.



Tim Cannon spends his days sprinting from one emergency to the next. He eats like he works—at top speed—somewhere along the line he lost his ability to enjoy life's simple pleasures. Hooking up with Sarah is just another way to cope with the stress of his job, until their afternoon trysts coax Tim into enjoying everything he's avoided. Can Tim learn to balance his job saving lives with the everyday delights that make life worth living? If anyone can teach him, it’s Sarah.


First Line - Lieutenant Tim Cannon sat in the ambulance's passenger seat, one elbow resting on the open window, eyes on the side mirror, as the newest EMT backed the bus into the bay.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Five Reasons to Read: Elysian Fields (Sentinels of New Orleans #3) by Suzanne Johnson


Elysian Fields (Sentinels of New Orleans, #3)Series: Sentinels of New Orleans #3
Genre: Urban Fantasy


Series: Sentinels of New Orleans #3
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Torbooks
Publication Date: 8/13/13
Format: Hardcover
Pages:  352
Source: Received from publisher for review
GoodReads  |  Amazon BN
An undead serial killer comes for DJ in this thrilling third installment of Suzanne Johnson’s Sentinels of New Orleans series

The mer feud has been settled, but life in South Louisiana still has more twists and turns than the muddy Mississippi.

New Orleanians are under attack from a copycat killer mimicking the crimes of a 1918 serial murderer known as the Axeman of New Orleans. Thanks to a tip from the undead pirate Jean Lafitte, DJ Jaco knows the attacks aren’t random—an unknown necromancer has resurrected the original Axeman of New Orleans, and his ultimate target is a certain blonde wizard. Namely, DJ.

Combatting an undead serial killer as troubles pile up around her isn’t easy. Jake Warin’s loup-garou nature is spiraling downward, enigmatic neighbor Quince Randolph is acting weirder than ever, the Elders are insisting on lessons in elven magic from the world’s most annoying wizard, and former partner Alex Warin just turned up on DJ’s to-do list. Not to mention big maneuvers are afoot in the halls of preternatural power.

Suddenly, moving to the Beyond as Jean Lafitte’s pirate wench could be DJ’s best option.
   

My Reviews   Royal Street  |  River Road


First Line -  The scariest sound in New Orleans' French Quarter is silence.

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