Excerpt + Giveaway: Accidentally Married on Purpose by Rachel Harris

Please join us in celebrating the release of Accidentally Married on Purpose (Love and Games #3) by Rachel Harris!

 

Title: Accidentally Married on Purpose (Love and Games #3)


Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Release Date: July 14, 2014


Goodreads

  

Synopsis

One ring plus one wild night equals one crazy love

Sherry Robicheaux loves men. She loves love. And she loves an adventure. So when she meets a mysterious man while working backstage at a country music concert in Vegas, she’s all about what’s happened in Vegas staying there.

Country music superstar Tyler Blue just wants a weekend of anonymity…though there’s something about the spunky waitress with the streaks of purple hair that tempts him like no other. Until the next morning, when they both wake up with fuzzy memories…and rings on their fingers.

Convincing Sherry to maintain the ruse for his public image isn’t the hardest part—it’s reminding himself that their time spent playing husband and wife in her small town of Magnolia Springs can’t last. Tyler’s first love will always be music—and the road is no place for a sweet downhome girl.

 
 

 

   Waking up face-first on the bathroom floor may not be cause for alarm for everyone, but for Sherry, it ranked right up there. Especially since she knew the second her eyes cracked open that it wasn’t her bathroom.

   Fuzzy-edged memories pranced around her brain, just out of reach, as she hooked a hand on the toilet seat and pushed to a sitting position.

   The world tilted.

   As her stomach heaved, she dove for the porcelain throne, but nothing came up. Nothing other than slightly sharper memories. Ones that told of dancing, magical fountains, way too much alcohol, and some very, very sexy time between the sheets. The images pulsed like an old movie, blanking out too much for her liking, but a flush heated her skin at what she could recall.

   Hot damn. She’d been right. A night with a roadie like Tyler would definitely keep her fantasies occupied for years to come. Shame she couldn’t remember more.

   Resting her head on the cool surface, she surveyed the fancy digs with half-lidded eyes. It was a hell of a room, particularly on a roadie’s budget. Further proof that either Tyler was in tight with his boss, or Blue wasn’t nearly the egotist she’d pegged him to be. Too bad she hadn’t had a chance to meet him the other night.

   “Tyler?” she called out again, wincing at the roughness of her voice. She sounded like an old lady who smoked a bazillion packs a day. Lovely. Grabbing hold of either side of the toilet, she wobbled first to her knees, and then her feet. The mirror was just a few feet away. Time to inspect the damage.

   Eyes half closed, she fumbled forward and latched onto the counter to steady herself. Hangovers really didn’t suit her. She turned on the faucet, and as she waited for the plastic cup to fill with water, Sherry raised her eyes to her reflection.

   “What the freaking hell?!?”

   She was wearing a wedding veil.

   A wedding veil was on her head. It was white. It had lace. And it was on her freaking head.

   She didn’t have a single stitch of clothing on her body otherwise, but she did have that. “Hubba, hubba, wubba…what?”

   She blinked hard, repeatedly, thinking her reflection would change. It didn’t. Cold water ran over her hand, and it didn’t wake her from the bizarre dream. The door behind her started to creak open, and Sherry jumped, snatching a towel off the floor.

   When she saw a huge honking diamond on her finger, she ditched the towel and screamed instead.

 

  

Check out the other books in this fun series!

Taste the Heat

GoodReads  |  Amazon  |   BN  |  iBooks

Seven Day Fiance

GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  BN  |  iBooks

 

 

 

 

1-$25 gift card to Amazon, BN, or iTunes

 

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About Rachel Harris

Award-winning and Bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls next door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books...and kissing. Lots of kissing.

An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, and LOVES talking with readers.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Street Team | Newsletter

 

 

BLOG TOUR: MAKING WAVES by OPHELIA LONDON ~ REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Welcome to the Making Waves Blog Tour, with Ophelia London and hosted by Wordsmith Publicity! Today I have a review and giveaway to share with you. Visit the tour page to follow all the stops.

Series: Perfect Kisses #3.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Release Date: 6/16/14
Format: eARC
Pages: 122
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 stars

GoodReads | Amazon | B&N | iBooks ~ get it for only .99!


She’s in over her head and he’s in hot water…


Visiting her friends Ellie and Charlie in Hawaii was supposed to be a much-needed vacation for journalist Justine Simms. But when she learns the notoriously reclusive pro-surfer Chase Ryder is coming out of retirement for a competition, she knows she’s found the perfect exclusive to save her career. Of course, then she learns he’s the gorgeous, secretly nerdy guy who broke her heart a year ago.

Will Davenport—aka Chase Ryder—doesn't do interviews. He keeps his real name out of the papers and doesn’t mix his public life with his private. That is, until the still-heartbroken Justine blackmails him into giving her an exclusive. Seeing Justine, stunningly beautiful as ever, brings back all the feelings he had before. But despite their smoldering attraction, nothing has changed since he had to leave her the first time.

My Review

Oh, Entangled Bliss, it was been too long since I've picked one of you up. How I've missed you and your sweet romances that leave me swooning and smiling simultaneously! And though Falling For Her Soldier is the only Perfect Kisses novel I've read until now, I quickly realized that I've missed this series. To have the opportunity to revisit Charlie and Ellie, now living in Hawaii, was a treat.

Basically, Making Waves is the perfect summer beach read. You have the gorgeous Hawaiian setting, a surfer hero with a secret, and a second chance love story. Justine - sister to Mac from Speaking of Love- is visiting Charlie and Ellie (from Falling For Her Soldier), who've been relocated to Hawaii, on a much-needed vacation. The past year has been rough on Justine, who lost her best friend in a tragic accident, and her boyfriend Will the next day. When a big story on pro surfer Chase Ryder nearly falls in her lap, Justine decides to go for it. When she approaches Chase for an interview, the past collides with her present. Justine has questions, and Chase wants another chance.

Despite my efforts to connect the dots between this and previous installments, Making Waves can definitely be read as a standalone. I will admit though, that revisiting Charlie and Ellie made me smile a lot, and if I hadn't read their book before, I would most definitely be making it a priority. And honestly, it makes me want to go back and read Playing at Love and Speaking of Love, as well.

Everything I've said about the series as a whole aside, I enjoyed Making Waves for the fun and romantic love story it was. Chase was deliciously complicated, and Justine was intriguing in her own right. I was pulled in by the twistiness of their past relationship, and finding out why Chase left Justine like he did. London gave the two a fantastic sense of chemistry, and wow, did she give good visual for Chase's surfer physique. *fans self*

Making Waves was such a fast, fun read. I cared about and believed in Justine and Chase. I smiled, I swooned, and I left the story feeling happy and satisfied and ready for the beach.

The Perfect Kisses Series

      

(covers lead to GoodReads pages)

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 About Ophelia London

Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas and she's lived in Dallas ever since. A cupcake and treadmill aficionado (obviously those things are connected), she spends her time watching arthouse movies and impossibly trashy TV, while living vicariously through the characters in the books she writes. Ophelia is the author of DEFINITELY, MAYBE IN LOVE, ABBY ROAD, the Perfect Kisses series including: PLAYING AT LOVE, SPEAKING OF LOVE, and FALLING FOR HER SOLDIER (coming Jan 2014). Visit her at www.ophelialondon.com. But don't call when The Vampire Diaries is on.


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REVIEW: FALLING FOR HER SOLDIER by OPHELIA LONDON

Series: Perfect Kisses #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Publication Date: 1/13/14
Format: eARC
Pages: 219
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3.5 stars

She fell for the nice guy, but will she fall for the real guy?

Ex-ballerina Ellie Bell has twenty-four days left until her self-imposed man-less year is up. No more falling for the wrong kind of guy—charming, sexy, bad. Why can’t she find someone sweet like Charlie Johansson, her soldier pen pal? His e-mails meant the world to her, and she can’t stop thinking about him…until she meets Hunter, whose muscles and cocky smile threaten to have her relapsing.

Before Charlie “Big Game Hunter” Johansson’s last tour of duty, he’d gone through women like crazy. But after connecting on a real, emotional level via letters with his best friend’s sister, Charlie’s ready for a relationship—with Ellie Bell. But then her brother introduces him as Hunter. Proving he’s no longer a player by becoming Ellie’s dance partner for an Army benefit seems like it could convince both siblings he’s changed, but the harder he falls for Ellie, the harder it is to come clean. Can he convince her to fall for the real him before it’s too late?

I'm adore the Bliss line from Entangled, and I've heard really good things about all of Ophelia London's books. Falling For Her Soldier is the third in the Perfect Kisses series, but can easily be read as a standalone. However, with the glimpses of past leading couples, and with hero Charlie being Tess from book one's brother, I will say that now I would love to go back and reading Playing at Love and Speaking of Love.

Falling For Her Soldier has a trope-double whammy: falling for the brother's best friend, and a case of mistaken, or misrepresented, identity. I almost always love the falling for the brother's best friend, but am sometimes iffy on the misrepresented identity, lies of omission or not. In this case, it absolutely worked for me. Charlie's shame at his former "Big Game Hunter" ways, his hope to become a better man, and his feelings for Ellie all combined to portray a man who is  desperate to win the woman he'd come to care for via correspondence. Despite the duplicity, I got Charlie and I wanted him to win his girl.

The girl in question, Ellie. She is nearing the end of a man-free year. Bad choices and bad relationships have caused her to spend the past year working on herself, evaluating why she always picks the wrong guy. I liked that she was very self-aware, and adored seeing her fall for the soldier despite her resistance.

Characters who strive to do and be better, and a romance that was sexy and intimate behind the scenes has me recommending this to fan of Bliss (or Bliss-like) books. Falling For Her Soldier was a really sweet, endearing love story.


Favorite Quote:

  He traced his fingers up her spine, then slid a hand under her hair, resting it on the back of her smooth neck. When they finally kissed, he felt the strangest sensation of coming home, like when he took that first step onto American soil after a long deployment. His heart pounded hard, pushing hot blood through his veins, while at the same time, he felt at peace with her, free, yet securely connected.

The Perfect Kisses Series

     

 (covers lead to GoodReads page)

Purchase Links

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  iBooks

 

About the author

Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas and she's lived in Dallas ever since. A cupcake and treadmill aficionado (obviously those things are connected), she spends her time watching arthouse movies and impossibly trashy TV, while living vicariously through the characters in the books she writes. Ophelia is the author of DEFINITELY, MAYBE IN LOVE, ABBY ROAD, the Perfect Kisses series including: PLAYING AT LOVE, SPEAKING OF LOVE, and FALLING FOR HER SOLDIER (coming Jan 2014). Visit her at www.ophelialondon.com. But don't call when The Vampire Diaries is on.

Website/  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Pinterest  |  GoodReads

 

 

 

MINI-REVIEW: LOVE SONGS FOR THE ROAD by FARRAH TAYLOR

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Publication Date: 1/13/14
Format: eARC
Pages: 274
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3 stars

A rock star. The nanny. A love that could rock their world.

The only thing rock star Marcus Troy loves more than making music is his kids. So finding just the right nanny to take on tour with them is important—as is proving to his ex he deserves joint custody. Falling for his employee wouldn’t just be fodder for the paparazzi: it could ruin everything.

Too bad the perfect nanny turns out to be beautiful, vibrant Ryan Evans. Ryan’s never left her small Montana town before, so she jumps at the chance to see the country. And as much as accidental fame doesn’t gel with shy Ryan, what does is her relationship with her capricious, smoking-hot, shockingly good dad of a boss. Marcus is nothing like what she expected. But when the whole world’s watching them, will life in the spotlight be too hot to handle?

I really like the premise of Love Songs for the Road - a rock star, single father hires a nanny to help care for his children while on tour. I've read so many rocker books, but none with that particular angle. And true to form with the Bliss line, it is a sweet romance that made me smile a lot.

When I think to my reading experience, I can definitely say that I did like this story. The two main characters, Ryan and Marcus were likable characters with good intentions. And though I'm a mom, I sometimes become annoyed with kids in books, especially when they are super precocious, but the children in this book were very sweet and played a nice - and prevalent - role. In addition to the characters, I thought the story was an interesting one because not only do we have a rock star and his nanny falling in love tour, but it also examines the pressures on the new romance from the media (not to mention the ex-wife). Even better, Love Songs for the Road deals with what happens when a normal woman who wants her own life and career, falls in love with a man who has a consuming career of his own. Ryan must decide how to pursue her own life goals, and still be with the man she loves, or will she choose him at all? I like that Ryan wasn't the one who had to bend to Marcus' lifestyle, that he must meet her.

Despite liking Love Songs for the Road, I can't say that I was swept away by the story. I've thought about this a lot, and cannot exactly pinpoint why. It was sweet, it had romantic moments, but I wasn't consumed. I think that might be due to a lot of off-page interactions between Ryan and Marcus. I'm fine with fade-to-black, but I needed a little more emotion to go on.

Despite that, I did like Love Songs for the Road. It was sweet, heart-warming and real.


Favorite Quote:

  He pressed his mouth hotly against hers. With their lips and tongues, they teased and flirted, asked questions and gave answers in a wordless dialogue. Marcus felt the heat of the desert sun warming their joined bodies. And the hollow, still emptiness in his chest--the bottomless well of craving and yearning that had been there for so long he forgot it existed--fill with air and light.

Purchase Links

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REVIEW: RESISTING THE HERO by CINDI MADSEN

Series: Accidentally in Love #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Publication Date: 1/13/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 197
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 stars

 Faith Fitzpatrick isn’t looking for a hero. Burned one too many times in the past, she’s now sworn them off completely. And when her brother’s best friend, Connor, convinces him to join the dangerous SWAT team, Faith has never been more anti-hero. What’s wrong with having a safe job? There’s nothing safe about Connor. Confident, sexy, and sporting a six-pack that should be illegal, he’s everything she doesn’t want.

When his best friend’s sister moves to town, local cop Connor Maguire knows he’s in trouble. Faith is feisty, funny, and talks trash like nobody’s business. She’s also his partner’s sister—and so totally off limits. Working on the Fall Festival together, they agree to a truce and become friends. But the more time Connor spends with Faith, the more he’s willing to risk the wrath of her brother. If he could only convince her to take a risk on him, too.

In what will be no surprise to anyone, I adored Resisting the Hero. I've read all of Madsen's published books, and I've enjoyed every single on. So let me tell you exactly why I loved this one.

• Resisting the Hero was funny. I knew I was in for an enjoyable ride when I busted out laughing twice within the first few paragraphs.

The bar was bursting with guys tonight--seriously, it was like Muscles R Us up in here, all filled-out chests and bulging arms with biceps upon biceps. Under other circumstances, Faith might take a moment to enjoy the view. But right now, she was looking for one particular meathead, and she happened to be related to him.

and...

  "My friend and I were just talking about what a sausage fest this was, and then you came in." He ran his appraising gaze down her body, lingering on the V of her neckline.
  Faith crossed her arms. "That works out, because I'm here for a weenie roast."

With funny little moments like this sprinkled throughout, Resisting the Hero made me smile and laugh repeatedly.

• Faith Fitzpatrick is another of Madsen's signature heroines. And by that I mean, I adored her. Faith was snarky yet sweet. Though she's spent the last decade running from the pain of her father's tragic death, Faith is now determined to demand more of herself, men. Faith can and does stand up for herself and what she wants. She may be a pretty shoddy cook, but she can always whip up a heaping dose of sarcasm and wit.

  "Now, behave will you? I'm trying to watch bugs catch a mate. See if I can't get some tips.

  "Hell, make your ass glow, and I might take back everything I've said about you."

• Connor Maguire is the total package. Now, I'm not emphasizing the physical here (though Connor is a total babe). Connor is a good man who's using his job to protect those who can't protect themselves. Connor knows what it's like to be helpless and afraid, and he is determined to do all he can for others.  Oh, Connor also collects Star Wars figures, and claims to even have the sheets. Connor was a bit of a playboy, but from the moment Faith puts him in his place, it's pretty much game over for him.

 

"Just give me a shot, Faith. I won't let you down, I swear."

• Resisting the Hero brings us full circle in the Accidentally in Love series. The series began with Wes and Dani in Falling for Her Fiance, then we had Sawyer and Brynn in Act Like You Love Me. Due to close ties, between Wes and Connor and Faith and Brynn, I was very happy to see both couples again, particularly Wes and Dani because wedding bells are ringing! I love revisiting former series leads and seeing what happens after their happily ever after. The circle may be complete, but I will always remember each story fondly.

Cindi Madsen never fails to write stories I enjoy wholeheartedly. She always writes with such charm and wit, and creates characters who are utterly impossible not to love. If you are lucky for a series that will leave you with a smile on your face and a happy heart, I can't recommend Accidentally in Love highly enough.


Favorite Quotes:

  When the knocking came again, Faith padded to the door and swung it open. Connor stood on the other side. He wore a light blue collared shirt with a police logo, black pants, and a belt with all the bells and whistles, including a gun and handcuffs.
  In other words, he looked like uniformed police hotness, and she wasn't entirely uninterested in being cuffed. Wait, that a bad thought. I don't mean it. She took him in again, her throat suddenly dry. Well, she didn't exactly not mean it, but she knew better than to want it. Or something like that. She was still too asleep to think clearly.


  "So. Are we friends again?"
  "'Again' is such a strong word," she joked. "But yes. I suppose we're friends."
  "Who occasionally..." He dragged his slightly calloused thumb across the inside of her wrist and her pulse underneath the thin skin quickened in response. "Watch fireflies together."
  She shook her head but couldn't help smiling. "Yes. That type of friends."

Accidentally in Love Series

 

   

(click on cover for GoodReads page)

 

My Reviews:

 

Falling for Her Fiance  |  Act Like You Love Me

 

 

 

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

About the author

Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.

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REVIEW: ACT LIKE YOU LOVE ME (ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE #2) by CINDI MADSEN

Series: Accidentally in Love #2
Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Publication Date: 6/10/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 242
Source: Received from publisher for review

What would you do for a second chance with your first crush?

 Brynn McAdams isn’t the awkward drama geek she was in high school—she’s grown up and confident, or at least she likes to think so. But when her old crush, the impossibly handsome and impossibly unattainable Sawyer Raines, comes back to town to direct her community play, Brynn finds herself determined to be someone other than the girl he doesn’t even recognize. Good thing she’s an excellent actress.

After his bad breakup in NYC, the last thing Sawyer wants is to get involved with another actress. But the glamorous and beautiful Brynn draws him in, even though as her director, he knows she’s off-limits. There’s just something about the woman that feels…familiar. Like home.

As Brynn’s lies start to snowball, she struggles to stop acting and come clean. But what if Sawyer is already falling for the fake Brynn, not the Brynn she truly is?

 

 

Falling for Her Fiance has been a favorite book of mine by Cindi Madsen's, so far. So when I learned that it was going to be the first in The Accidentally in Love series, I was suuuuper happy. Act Like You Love Me is a wonderful follow-up to FfHF, and I would now be hard pressed to say which book is my favorite.

If you've read book one, you might remember Wes's friend Paul (the guy who lent Wes a ring). Act Like You Love Me is about Paul's younger sister Brynn. Brynn is such a endearing and really engaging character. She was a drama geek in high school and was very awkward. Her high school memories are painful, to say the least, but she's made a nice life for herself since. She's developed a style that works for her, runs a business with her brother, and fills her time by performing in plays. But Brynn is still that same girl from high school in ways. She still loves to break out in song, quotes lines from plays into conversation, and often has her head in the clouds. As much as Brynn has moved on, she never quite got over the heartbreak of being shot down by Sawyer Raines. Her new director.

Sawyer Raines left home as soon as he graduated and never wants to settle there again. In fact, he never wants to settle at all. His father's death after a difficult illness left Sawyer with a fear of  love and commitment. So when he comes home temporarily to help his mom, Sawyer is thrown when he meets the sweetest, funniest, most beautiful girl he's ever known, Brynn Sawyer doesn't remember Brynn from high school, or the fact he shot her down. Despite the fact he's leaving town, Sawyer wants to know get to know Brynn, and have a relationship. But he quickly realizes that the more he gets to know her, the harder leaving will be. I have to admit, I was a little worried about Sawyer in the beginning, thinking he would be a huge jerk. Rest assured, because Sawyer was a truly sweet guy, who just needs to realize that it's okay to  take a chance on love.

So you may be wondering, why doesn't Brynn just tell Sawyer who she is? For starters, that's kind of a huge part of the story, so if she had, well, you know... And it should be noted that the play Brynn is in and Sawyer is directing is The Importance of Being Earnest. That is a classic play about mistaken identity and half truths all in the name of love. (I highly recommend the movie adaptation with Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, and Reese Witherspoon.) So it is cool that there are some parallels between the book and the play. But also, when you see how hard high school was for Brynn and how thrown she is about seeing Sawyer again, and that he's actually interested in her, it really makes sense. Plus, who's going to say, "Hey, remember me? The girl you humiliated when I asked you to Prom?" This is a case of self-preservation that snowballs into a huge lie. And you know it's not going to end well, but you just have to hang on for the ride. Most importantly, along the way, Brynn comes to realize that that the "real" her is great just as she is, and only someone who can recognize that deserves her heart.

Bonus points: Wes and Dani are in Act Like You Love Me!

Most readers are lucky enough to find authors who write books that feel like they're written specifically for them. For me, Cindi Madsen is one of those authors. Any time I read one of her books, and this series in particular, I have the best time. Her writing has such charm and quick wit, and it truly makes me happy. That's not to say that humor is all that's going for her writing, because tucked in between the charm and fun is always a thoughtful story. As I was reading, I kept feeling like Act Like You Love Me had a similar tone as one of my favorite movies. About halfway through, it hit me: Never Been Kissed! (And now I'm realizing that movie is due for a re-watch.)

Act Like You Love Me is another great book from Cindi Madsen and Entangled Bliss.


Favorite Quote:

  "You're just...you're like a hurricane. You come in talking a hundred miles an hour, swinging your arms around and saying things like 'living life'. You've gotta hold back when you first meet people. Ease them into the crazy."    ~(Paul to Brynn) eARC, 29%


  "Cute." What every guy dreams of being called by a beautiful woman."
  Tingly warmth wound through her, and she was sure she was grinning like an idiot. "Well, cute and very macho, of course. Drinking grape soda makes you a total non-conformist and gives you that bad-boy edge every girl looks for."  ~eARC, 61%


  "Maybe I didn't see you in high school, Brynn McAdams...but now you're all I see, everywhere I look."

Purchase Act Like You Love Me at:

   

The Accidentally in Love Series

(click on cover for GoodReads page)

My Review of Falling for Her Fiance

Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.

Connect with Cindi at:
her website | Twitter | Facebook | blog

JUST FOR THE SUMMER BLOG TOUR ~ REVIEW and GUEST POST w/AUTHOR JENNA RUTLAND

Welcome to my stop on the Just for the Summer Blog Tour! My stop includes a review, guest post,

Thank you to Entangled Publising for the tour invite.

Series: Lake Bliss #1

Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Entangled Bliss

Publication Date: 3/11/13

Format: eARC

Pages: 131

Source: Received from publisher for review

Dani Sullivan has come to Lake Bliss to write her latest cookbook and take a breather. After the year she’s had, she deserves a summer retreat to reevaluate priorities and make peace with past decisions. But from the moment single dad and sheriff Matt Reagan shows up, she has a hard time convincing herself that a life away from Lake Bliss could beat the life she might have here.

Recently divorced Matt is ready for a new relationship, but he doesn’t want short-term—his son needs permanence, and so does Matt’s heart. Unfortunately, it’s the smart-mouthed and sinfully sexy Ms. Sullivan who catches his eye. But when Matt learns Dani’s secrets, will he still want her to stay? Or will her chance for love last just for the summer?

Just for the Summer was a really heartwarming, fun, and sweet story. I love the premise, a woman spending her summer intent on finding peace and healing, but gaining so much more. Dani's secret, and her struggle with doing the right thing to be so heartbreaking. And though parts of the story are sad, and serious, Just for the Summer was also a lot of fun, as well. The author packed a lot of emotion into the story, which is fantastic considering it's short length.

I just adored Matt and Dani. Matt was such a good guy. A man who's job is protecting the people of Lake Bliss, he's also a good friend, and most of all, a devoted single dad. I love reading about guys like Matt, he was truly the man every woman deserves. And poor Dani. She has recently lost her mother, was jilted by her fiancé a few years ago, and has a painful secret. She comes to Lake Bliss to find peace, but can't help falling in love with Matt and his son, Sam. The chemistry between Dani and Matt was amazing. Dani has a fiery little temper and tends to smart off when her buttons are being pushed. And, oh, how Matt loves pushing her buttons. These two were so much fun and truly made it easy to love Just for the Summer.

Once again, I find myself saying that I just love the books in the Entangled Bliss line. The stories are always so charming, and yes, they always make me think "I want to see this as a movie on Lifetime!" I have an idea of what may come in future Lake Bliss books and I can't wait to read more from this series.


Favorite Quote:

  She nudged his hand away. "I was up late. Couldn't fall asleep."
  "If you want to go back to bed," he said, leaning down to whisper in her ear, "I could tuck you in."
  As he talked, his lips brushed the sensitive skin below her ear.
  His denim-clad knee played against her bare leg when he stepped back. Her heart beat in a maniacal rhythm, and a throbbing started low in her belly. Why did every encounter with him feel like foreplay? "I'm sure you're probably quite good at tucking."
  He leaned back, gave her an absurdly sexy smile. "I have a fair amount of experience."
  Her head told her to keep her mouth shut. Instead, she lowered her voice a notch. "It's been a while since I've been...tucked."  ~eARC, 20%

Guest Post 

TOP 10 PLACES TO GO, JUST FOR THE SUMMER

1. Lake Bliss for swimming, fishing, and a picnic on the beach.


2. Spread out a blanket on the beach and enjoy the Fourth of July fireworks as they light up the sky over Lake Bliss.


3. Matt Reagan’s patio for drinks and dinner with some smooth jazz playing and maybe a fire going if it’s a chilly night.


4. Lake Bliss summer festival for frozen turkey bowling.


5. Millie’s Market in downtown Lake Bliss for the weekly farmer’s market.


6. Local park to watch the men play softball, and then place bets with the other women on which of their men will be the most sore the next day.


7. Rosie’s Pizzeria on Tuesdays when Lovely Ladies Lunch day heads outdoors to their two-tiered deck.


8. Dani Sullivan’s to enjoy homemade peach ice cream.


9. Miniature golfing at Blissful Putting. Beware though, somebody cheats.


10. Lake Bliss Drive-In to make out with that special someone. But the sheriff is taken.

**Thanks to Jenna for the fun Top Ten list!** 

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About the author

Jenna Rutland lives in a small Michigan community with her husband, son and senior cat. Her daughter and son-in-law have recently given Jenna the awesome title of grandmother!
While her days are spent working as a medical transcriptionist, her nights are filled writing contemporary romance--stories of love, laughter and happily ever after. Guess which occupation is more fun?
She is a member of RWA and is active in her local chapter. After several years on the MVRWA board, she now chairs the group's annual fall brainstorming weekend as well as acts as food coordinator for several other events.
Jenna takes pleasure in spending time with her family. She also enjoys reading, gardening and loves the challenge of a new recipe.
Jenna welcomes the chance to connect with writers and readers. Visit her at www.jennarutland.com.