Words of Wisdom....from The Scarf Princess: March 2017

Friday, March 31, 2017

Book Tour for The Hard Truth About Sunshine by Sawyer Bennett (REVIEW)

Readers longing for an unforgettable romance will get just that with this tale of unlikely friends finding support when they're at their lowest. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of The Hard Truth About Sunshine by Sawyer Bennett, along with my impressions of it, then add this heartwarming and thought-provoking romance to your bookshelf too!

New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett has written her most gripping and poignant tale yet. Provocatively heart-breaking, audaciously irreverent and romantically fulfilling, The Hard Truth About Sunshine exposes just how very thin the line is between a full life and an empty existence.

Despite having narrowly escaped death's clutches, Christopher Barlow is grateful for nothing. His capacity to love has been crushed. He hates everyone and everything, completely unable to see past the gray stain of misery that coats his perception of the world. It's only after he involuntarily joins a band of depressed misfits who are struggling to overcome their own problems, does Christopher start to re-evaluate his lot in life.

What could they possibly learn from one another? How could they possibly help each other to heal? And the question that Christopher asks himself over and over again... can he learn to love again?

He's about to find out as he embarks upon a cross country trip with a beautiful woman who is going blind, a boy with terminal cancer, and an abuse victim who can't decide whether she wants to live or die.

Four people with nothing in common but their destination. They will encounter adventure, thrills, loss and love. And within their travels they will learn the greatest lesson of all.

The hard truth about sunshine...

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

People who don't think romance novels have substance will find themselves chagrined by this unforgettable tale full of heart and soul. When an eclectic group of individuals who lives are far from perfect bond during an emotionally intense road trip readers will find themselves put through the wringer alongside them every step of the way.

Christopher lost his leg and parts of his hand in the war and it's left him bitter and alone as the life he ran away from now wants nothing to do with him. When a bar fight puts him in mandatory counseling he forms an unexpected bond with people who are just as damaged as him. His compatriots in pain are varied in age and issues but they all just click as they travel the countryside, finding commonality and affection. Christopher's antagonistic attitude is tempered by Jillian who's going blind and has a heart condition that could kill her at any time, but who's a bundle of light and serenity that he can't help being drawn to. As they form a fragile and loving bond, time becomes the enemy of them all as the youngest among them is dying of cancer. Connor sees this trip as an opportunity to live before he dies and it's his journey that broke my heart the most. He's wise beyond his years and his presence brings the others out of their shells as each moment they're all together is magical. The most bitter of them all is Barb, a survivor of sexual abuse who longs to commit suicide. She, like Christopher, is full of rage and it takes her far longer to let down her walls and be vulnerable. Each one of them left me hopeful at times, but when tragedy befalls one of them it left me shaking.

From start to finish this was a tough tale to read, but sooo worth the time invested. The pain these individuals were going through was easy to relate to, especially as I'm a quadriplegic, and I ached with them as the miles passed. Their unlikely friendship was heartwarming, and heart-wrenching, but ultimately uplifting for those left behind. The romance between Christopher and Jillian was subtle but no less powerful as he changed in her presence, became a better man. Friendship is what this story is about though and on that level it crackles. The ending isn't conventional, like the story as a whole, but it is reaffirming. Love and friendship, random moments of joy, are what life's all about...and this memorable group of people did a whole lot of living and it's was has me recommending this book wholeheartedly.

My rating for this is an A+

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Book Cover Reveal for the Real Dirty Duet by Meghan March

Meghan March is bringing readers a decadent delight with this scorching duet. Set in a town in the middle of nowhere, readers will become captivated by the country singer who seems to have it all and the bartender who's struggling to get what she wants and their scorching battle of wills. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Real Dirty (releasing on May 9th) and Real Sexy (releasing on May 23rd), then count down the days until you can add these enticing romances to your bookshelf!

REAL DIRTY (Book #1)

I have everything a guy could want—a new single burning up the charts, more money than a simple country boy could spend, and a woman I’m planning to marry.

Until she doesn’t show up for my proposal.

The life I thought was so perfect, isn’t.

The guy who thought he had everything, doesn’t.

I’ve got my heart on lockdown, but life sends me straight into the path of a mouthy bartender who puts me in my place.

Now the only place I want to put her is under me.

I thought I was done with love, but maybe I’m just getting started.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY LINKS: AMAZON | iBOOKS | BN | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

REAL SEXY (Book #2)

In Nashville, country stars are a dime a dozen.

I swore I’d never get caught up with one, but Boone Thrasher made a liar out of me.

I said I’d never put my heart on the line, but he didn’t ask before he stole it.

Now we’re facing my worst fears, and we'll see if this country boy is tough enough to see it through.

Girls like me don’t get happily ever afters… but maybe he’ll prove that wrong too.

BUY LINKS: AMAZON | iBOOKS | BN | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

AUTHOR INFO:

Meghan March has been known to wear camo face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered boots, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She's also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she's ever had.

Blurb Blitz for Maon: Marshal of Tallav by Cailin Briste (GIVEAWAY)

Fans of sci-fi romances will find themselves quickly consumed by this erotically-charged tale Set in a western society of two people drawn to each other despite their plans for the future. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Maon: Marshal of Tallav by Cailin Briste, and learn even more about it by visiting the other sites hosting this tour, then add this BDSM-fueled tale to your bookshelf. In honor of this second installment in the Sons of Tallav series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $10 bookstore GC too!

Maon Keefe has always been told he’s doomed to fail as a husband. He decides never to marry instead focusing on living life as a player and becoming a capable marshal of Tallav. When he is shot and the most-wanted criminal he’s escorting escapes, he fears that his career, his one success in life, is doomed. Assigned to ferret out the cause of missing shipments for a VIP aristocrat, he meets Selina Shirley CEO of the House of Shirley. He finds himself inexplicably attracted to her despite her frumpy appearance. When he meets a hooded and masked, scorching hot Domme, Lasair, at his friend’s BDSM club, he’s torn between the two women. Both fire his imagination and call to his submissive nature. Either might be the woman to change him into successful husband material.
Selina Shirley organizes her life like she organizes her business, taking control of all aspects of each. She’s concluded that she must marry to get an heir and that her future husband must be totally submissive. Mentored by the sector’s most famous sadist, she learns what it takes to be a proper Domme. Then, hidden behind a hood and mask, as Lasair, she meets Maon and her instant attraction to his full submission at the BDSM club leads her to break her own rules and become involved with him. But he’s also the marshal assigned to investigate thefts at her company. When his broad streak of protective alpha male comes into play, it obvious he’s not a 24/7 submissive. To stick to her plan to marry the perfect husband, she must ignore her heart and dump Maon.

EXCERPT:

Despite his ordinary, nondescript looks, Randolph, owner of the Whip Hand, had a charisma that mesmerized even the most difficult people into doing exactly what he willed. Not that Maon needed mesmerizing to take up Randolph’s gauntlet. They were friends, and when Randolph had needed someone to help in a predicament bondage scene, Maon had been hesitant to assist him. After all, what was in it for Maon? He wasn’t into Randolph, and he didn’t like pain. When Randolph turned it into a challenge with a hot female sub as a prize, Maon’s reluctance had evaporated. Now it was a given that Randolph would offer Maon a new sadistic challenge whenever Maon made it to Beta Tau. The public play space was already crowded with tourists of every stripe, from lifestyle kinksters to the merely curious. The Whip Hand was a place to indulge your fantasies or explore new possibilities. Only the serious-minded would complete the security registration that allowed them to enter the private play space and individual rooms beyond the public areas. Maon spotted Randolph heading toward him. A woman who looked familiar to Maon was following him, but she darted into the locker room before he could get a good look at her. He turned back to the scene he’d been watching.

“You ready?” Randolph asked when he strode up to where Maon was observing a younger man using a single tail to make a submissive shriek in fear. With each crack, she screamed even though the whip had yet to touch her.

“He’s good,” Maon said.

Randolph crossed his arms over his chest. “Trained him myself."

“What? Mind fucks or the whip?"

“Both actually.” Randolph’s face lit with a smirk.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY LINKS: LOOSE-ID | ONLINE RETAILERS

AUTHOR INFO:

Cailin has been writing fiction for five years and non-fiction for two decades. Her non-fiction work has been published in magazines and in a non-fiction anthology. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America, the RWA Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter, and the RWA Passionate Ink Chapter.

Cailin likes to flip convention on its head, creating a universe in which each planet is a study in different what ifs. What would happen to alpha men on a matriarchal planet where the women are not Dommes in the strictest sense but certainly have the attitude down pat? How would society handle it if girls born on their new planet developed empathic senses? Cailin throws her characters into these settings, heroes and heroines whose kink is a major defining attribute of their personality.

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Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Book Tour for Forbidden Dance by Deanna Roy (Review & GIVEAWAY)

A sheltered young woman finds a connection with a man jaded by the superficiality of fame in this sweet and sexy romance. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Forbidden Dance by Deanna Roy, along with my impressions of it, and discover even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour. In honor of this first installment in the Lover's Dance series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a Kindle Fire and 2-$25 Amazon GCs too!

She was hidden from the world. Then he arrived.
An emotional new novel from six-time USA Today bestselling author Deanna Roy...
For four years, I’ve lived in almost total seclusion. Homeschooled, forbidden from social media, seeing no one other than the dancers at Dreamcatcher Academy, where I teach ballet to little girls in wheelchairs.
Then Blitz arrives.
He’s the disgraced host of Dance Blitz, a bawdy reality show where Blitz sleeps with as many dancers as possible while looking for his perfect partner.
At least he was. A few weeks ago, he got kicked off his own show.
He’s at my academy for a publicity stunt, and my wheelchair ballerinas are his ticket back into the public’s good graces.
I intend to hate him and stay as far away as possible. But when he looks at me, I can’t resist. Before I realize what’s happened, we’re sneaking into back rooms, dancing, kissing, planning dates away from the cameras and the wrath of my family.
But I’m afraid. I have a secret at the academy, a small, wonderful, terrible secret, and if I stay with Blitz, the world will find out.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY LINKS: AMAZON | BN | KOBO | iBOOKS

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Into the sensual world of dance comes this charming and sexy romance between two very different people. When a young woman's teenage indiscretion leads to years of isolation and judgments, her chance encounter with a fun and flirty young man jaded by fame and notoriety can only lead to sparks and an unforgettable romance. Through clandestine encounters and moments teeming with sexual tension this unlikely couple finds their connection put through the wringer as her guilt and shame war with his obligations and desires.

A single choice changed Livia's life in the blink of an eye. Before that she was care-free, brave, and lived life to the fullest. That choice was a defining one though and changed her family dynamic from that moment on. As her parents heaped shame and guilt on her they also took away her choices. They locked her away from the world, and all the sins they think drove her, to leave her a shell of herself. Livia's now quiet and full of self-doubts, longing to do something that will make her family proud of her. Dancing ballet is her one chance to rebel, along with her reason for setting up ballet classes for children in wheelchairs, and it's a time where she shines and is full of life. Meeting the fun and flirty Blitz Craven also offers her a chance to rebel as they make a connection based on honesty and realism. Forced into choosing between her family and Blitz, readers will be left on edge waiting for the hard-fought conclusion to play out. Livia's immensely likable, a kind soul paying a very high price for girlish love. Her parent's treatment of her was emotionally abusive and had her always on edge but she still tried to make a life for herself despite their oppression. She was an honest and loyal young woman who wore her heart on her sleeve and I was rooting for her to break out every step of the way.

Blitz came from humble beginnings. He loved to dance despite his father's mockery of it and turned it into fame because of his charming and sexy attitude. Gaining fame was fun at first but it lost its luster as superficiality and betrayals took over, marring the one thing he loved. Blitz soon lost himself in that glitzy and highly sexualized world though and came home to find the young man he once was. Meeting Livia is like a breath of fresh air as she's unaware of his fame and notoriety, incapable of artifice, and he sets out to find his soul with her as his guide. When contractual obligations force him back into the snake pit will he get lost once again or will he be saved by his unlikely angel? Blitz was a lovable and charming man despite the callous act that sent him running. Being with Livia and the other dancers reminded him of his joy of dancing and his demeanor was infectious. He took his time winning over Livia, pushing her only as far as she was willing to go. His connection to her was crackling and every scene teeming with sexual tension, but it's not until very late in the story that they fully commit. Their long distance relationship makes things rocky but it proves their devotion to one another and culminates in a heartwarming and cheer-inducing conclusion that had him proving he was a changed man.

This was a well-paced story with a good flow that captivated me from the first page to the last. The connection between Blitz and Livia was fun, flirty, and sensual. I enjoyed her occasional naivete, that belied her increasing inner-strength, and its pairing with his subtle dirty talk and boyishness. Their differences made them more compelling and highlighted his becoming a better man because of her which endeared him to me. Surrounding them is an intriguing cast of secondary characters. From the supportive dancers at the academy to her rigid and judgmental parents these characters added depth and drama to a very satisfying story. Though there's a definitive conclusion to this romance there's more to come in the lives of this likable couple as her past invades her future, as well as a few other loose ends that need to be tied up. All in all this was a delightful romance with a hero who charmed me, while making me blush, and an admirable heroine finally able to start living.

My rating for this is an A-

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Deanna Roy is the six-time USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and women's fiction.

She is a passionate advocate for women who have lost babies. She has several books on the subject, including her bestseller FOREVER INNOCENT, a romance about a couple whose baby is taken off life support at seven days old.

She has run the website PregnancyLoss.Info for fifteen years, including many large spin-off support groups both online and in person.

To learn about new releases, sign up for her subscriber list HERE. She has regular giveaways in conjunction with major pregnancy loss events.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE

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Book Cover Reveal for Match Made by Amelie S. Duncan (GIVEAWAY)

Friends to lovers is a favorite theme of mine when it comes to romances and is what brings together a woman with far too many stresses and a man who gives her unwavering support when she needs it most. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Match Made by Amelie S. Duncan, then spend time drooling over this cover until it releases on April 10th! In honor of this second installment in the Love and Play series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 Amazon GC too!

All over Broadway, my name is up in lights. From New York to London, the words ‘Gemma Sinclair’ are synonymous with up-and-coming fame, and a super-fast rise to success.
Yeah, well, super isn’t how I feel...
Between my deadbeat addict of an ex-boyfriend and the stress of my parents relying on me back home—sometimes I feel like the ground beneath my feet is slipping away.
Until I crossed paths with Knox Callahan, the hot and sexy as hell veteran player for the New York Football Club—and a total player when it comes to women. A year after our disastrous first date, I’m still in no position to have anything to do with a guy like him.
But then right at my lowest, here he comes, riding back into my life and offering me something I’ve been desperately longing for—support. And truth.

And, well, the truth is—now I can’t for the life of me remember why I didn’t want to be a part of his team…

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY LINKS: AMAZON | BN | KOBO | iBOOKS

THE PREVIOUS BOOK IN THE LOVE AND PLAY SERIES...

MATCH FIT (Book #1)
He’s cocky, dirty, and demanding. He’s a walking wet dream.
He’s also mine. Or at least he’s pretending to be...
Brooke
Notorious British bad boy footballer Dylan Pierce is scorching hot...and he knows it.
With a mouth as filthy as his reputation, linking myself with him could ruin my public image.
But showbusiness is all about risk, and as a down-on-my-luck actress, this could be the break my career needs.
Dylan
Brooke Sullivan is my most difficult opponent yet.
Being seen with a good girl like her may give me a chance at Hollywood stardom, but I never expected to crave this feisty redhead.
I can’t lose my focus—I always keep my eye on the ball, I’m always match-fit.

And winning her is the most important game I’ve ever played.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY LINKS: AMAZON | BN | KOBO | iBOOKS

AUTHOR INFO:

Amélie S. Duncan writes contemporary, erotic romances with a dark edge. Her inspiration comes from many sources including her life experiences and travels. She lives on the West Coast of the United States with her husband.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP

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Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Book Tour for Hard to Hold by Arell Rivers (Review & GIVEAWAY)

Readers who enjoy hard-fought journeys to HEA will quickly become captivated by the rocky romance of Cole and Rose. When a cocky rock star falls for his reserved PR agent sparks erupt as they struggle to keep their relationship secret in Hard to Hold by Arell Rivers, which you can learn more about by visiting the other sites hosting this tour. Keep reading to get a tempting glimpse of this erotically-charged romance, along with my impressions of it, then add it to your bookshelf. In honor of this second installment in The Hold series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a signed set of all three books in this series too!

Cheer for Rose Morgan—strong, determined and driven—a brilliant publicist who thought she had finally overcome her tragic past when, once again, her life is turned upside down. Rose and Cole’s passionate love story continues in this second full-length novel in The Hold Series.
Distraught by news of Cole’s unexpected marriage, Rose Morgan tries to pick up the pieces of her life, only to be confronted by Cole at every turn. With her PR career in serious jeopardy, Rose can’t escape his orbit and is forced to continue working on his account. Under snowballing pressure, she seeks solace from unlikely sources.
Reeling from the disastrous fallout after his drunken night in Las Vegas, rock star Cole Manchester is a tormented man. He reaches out to Rose, the one woman who has always fixed his mistakes, only to realize that he might have pushed her away forever. Now, he’ll do whatever it takes to get her back.
Rose and Cole each must face their deepest fears if their love is to survive. But Cole’s stalker is becoming increasingly unhinged … and dangerous. In the end, Rose and Cole must decide if some things are just too Hard to Hold.

EXCERPT:

… I grab my purse and yank the door open. Of course, one of my nails breaks in the effort, but I’m beyond caring. I just need to escape. I rush past the cubicles toward the elevator. I’m sure no one even noticed that I left, except maybe Kim, who probably feels triumphant.

A heavy hand lands on my arm, abruptly halting my progress toward the lobby and freedom. A deep male voice growls in my ear. “I said stop."

When I look up, angry green eyes bore down into me. Cole glances around and pulls us into an unoccupied office.

“Rose."

I reply through gritted teeth, “Cole."

“We need to talk."

“This isn’t the time or the place."

“I don’t give a fuck.” He runs a hand through his hair. His eyes now register hurt and anger in equal measure. My defenses start to lower, so I work double-time to shore them back up. “Ro, this is killing me."

“You don’t think it’s killing me, too?” Refusing to look back into his eyes, I feign a sudden fascination with my hand, rubbing my broken nail over my index finger. Polish has chipped off that nail, too.

“The photos. Mom. Us. It’s too much."

“Kim can provide an objective eye. Let her help you."

He takes hold of my shoulders. “Fuck, I can’t do that. Everything is so out of whack. I need you."

Refusing to look at him, I close my eyes. Which only intensifies my awareness of him. The heat emanating from his body, the way his fingers tighten and loosen on my shoulders. His musky scent. I could step forward and be in his embrace. It would comfort both of us. But no, he has to go through those photos. I need him to focus on the task at hand.

“Can you please help me with the photos? Nothing more. I just. Can’t. Think.” His large frame shudders.

Julie was a wonderful woman. Those photographs show her love for him. I can’t let him go through this alone.

“Yes,” I whisper, surprising us both.

He wraps me in his embrace. Being surrounded by his arms is heaven. I inhale his intoxicating scent, allowing myself to enjoy being here, my face pressed against his chest, his chin on top of my head.

A few moments pass. I need to stop this. We’re not a couple anymore. The words “Mrs. Starr Manchester” flash before my closed eyes.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

With the jaw-dropping cliffhanger from the previous installment in this series still running through my mind, and weighing down my hopes for a HEA for Cole and Rose, I was eagerly anticipating this book. From the very first page readers were quickly caught up in the chaos and hurt feelings a single act generated. As the fall-out from that drunken night takes over the narrative, the love between Cole and Rose is put through the wringer and leaves readers aching for them. Add in the increasingly erratic and desperate measures of a crazed fan and not only is the relationship hanging in the balance but so too are their very lives.

Cole's left frustrated and angry at the start of this story. He's heartbroken over the assumption he made when seeing Rose with her ex and desperate to undo what alcohol and hurt led him to. While his PR firm tries to clean-up some of the mess, he sets out to win Rose back by any means necessary. Seeing Cole so broken made my heart ache. All along all he's wanted was Rose, but her devotion to her work forced him to keep his feelings hidden. He steps up his sexual onslaught in this story though, skirting ever closer to letting the world know who he loves. While he lavishes her with endless love and devotion, along with supportive nudges to start her own firm, he's also trying to keep her safe from his stalker whose attacks are becoming more aggressive. The time he and Rose spend together is full of decadent delights that burned up my eReader with scorching sexual encounters and lots of dirty talk in and out of the bedroom. There were also quiet moments that showed him with his heart on his sleeve that reminded me of why I fell for him in the first place. He loved Rose completely, needed her realness in his life as he's tired of the superficiality, and I was frustrated once again by her continuing to keep their relationship hidden.

Just as Rose is ready to take another step forward with Cole what happened in Vegas hits the internet and she's left reeling. Though she's hurt and tries to stay away from him her heart, as well as his charming and sexy attempts to get her back, drive her to discover the truth. Trying to protect Cole though leaves her career hanging in the balance, and brings out the cattiness of some of her co-workers, which again has her treating Cole like a dirty little secret. When she's not stressing over her job readers get to enjoy moments of sweetness balanced with erotically-charged encounters. Just as Cole's stalker meets her face-to-face though everything implodes in a fiery conclusion that left me gasping. Rose is a likable heroine tainted by her mother's teachings, teachings that leave her doubting Cole's commitment to her, and desperate to keep a job that she's increasingly becoming unhappy with just to keep making money. She's willing to sell her soul, and put her HEA in jeopardy, to stay with her vile and manipulative boss Greta. Rose's low self-esteem frustrated me as Cole did nothing to deserve her doubts as she's the one who constantly pushes him into the shadows. With the life-altering conclusion readers are left with I can only guess at what comes next for her as her HEA is once again snatched away.

This story went on a bit too long in dealing with the Las Vegas fall-out. It was a bit overly melodramatic as the outcome was obvious from the start. The time did allow readers to enjoy the scorching and captivating romance between Cole and Rose though as they're connection is crackling. Though Rose's actions often left me frustrated it was Cole who kept me swooning in a romantic narrative that was nicely balanced with the desperate actions of his stalker who got braver as the story went on. Her final act certainly left an indelible mark that has me clamoring to get the next book! Along with a compelling main couple came a very likable cast of secondary characters who find themselves pairing off too. From the sexy Ozzy and spunky McKenna to Cole's bodyguard falling for a surprising woman. It all adds up to an exhilarating and scorching thrill ride that once again left me screeching!

My rating for this is a B.

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

HARD TO HOLD PLAYLIST

1. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson ~ Rose Morgan assigns this as a ringtone for a reason.

2. “Cuts Like a Knife” by Bryan Adams ~ Cole Manchester and Ozzy Martinez sing this song in a restaurant.

3. “Don’t Wanna Know” by Maroon 5 ~ I feel this song captures both Rose and Cole’s moods!

4. “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten ~ Go, Rose!

5. “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye, feat. Kimbra ~ again, Rose and Cole have to go through this.

6. “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga ~ this is Cole and Rose’s lives.

7. “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Meghan Trainor, feat. John Legend ~ no one is promised tomorrow.

8. “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran ~ photographs play a big part in Hard to Hold.

9. “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5 ~ beautiful love song for Cole and Rose!

10. “Pillowtalk” by Zayn ~ Hard to Hold is a contemporary romance, after all!

11. “Killer Cars” by Radiohead ~ you have to read Hard to Hold to find out!

HERE ARE THE OTHER BOOKS IN THE HOLD SERIES...

NO ONE TO HOLD (Book #1)

*My previous review of this book HERE.

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD (Book #3)

AUTHOR INFO:

For as long as I can remember, I have been lost in a book. During my senior year in college, I picked up a Danielle Steel novel … and instantly was hooked on romance.

I started writing my first novel, No One to Hold, because the characters were screaming at me to do so. The story started coming out in my dreams and attacking me in the shower, so I took to the computer to shut them up. But they kept talking.

Born and raised in New Jersey, I have what some may call a “checkered past.” Prior to discovering my passion for writing romance, I practiced law, was a wedding and event planner and even dabbled in marketing. I live with a very supportive husband and two mischievous cats. When not in my writing cave, I can be found making dinner in the crock pot, working out with Shaun T or hitting the beach.

I hope you enjoy my stories about driven men, strong women and the passions that ignite!

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE

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Sunday, March 26, 2017

Spotlight on The Painter is a Lady by Adriana Kraft

Suspense and romance collide in this tale of a former military man, drawn to the one he always let get away in high school, while on a mission that will soon have both of them in peril. Keep reading to get a tempting glimpse of The Painter is a Lady by Adriana Kraft, with its compelling storyline and edge of your seat thrills, then add it to your bookshelf!

Secrets. Trust. Courage. Who will knuckle under first—the war hero? The spirited single mom? Or the former high school bully who still hates them both?

When war hero Michael Jarvis returns to his hometown on the shores of Lake Superior, he doesn’t plan to stay—he’s undercover, investigating a possible sex trafficking ring operating on the Great Lakes. But he does want to sample the pesky girl next door he always turned down—and it wouldn’t hurt if she’d clear up a few mysteries of her own.

Successfully established as an interior house painter, Brenda Tower finally has her act together as a single mom—but it hangs by a thread, a secret she’ll guard with her life. The return of her youthful crush Michael Jarvis threatens to unravel everything.

Jealousy has inflamed Brett Hill’s hatred of Michael and Brenda for as long as he can remember. Revenge will be so sweet—and it will fit in perfectly with his high stakes game.

When the secrets break open, can Michael and Brenda find the courage to trust each other, or will revenge and betrayal triumph?

EXCERPT:

Ignoring the catch in her voice, Brenda asked, “Did you really tell Tommy you’d help him with his pitching?"

Michael’s eyes lit up. “Ah, he remembered. I wasn’t sure he would. I did tell him once that if I moved back here, I might give him some tips."

“Why?"

“Why did you even suggest such a thing? You obviously know the rumors. So does Tommy.” She gulped and curled her fingers into fists. “He thinks you’re his father. He wants you to be his father."

Sitting back in the booth as if she’d slapped him, he eyed her cautiously. “And that’s my fault? I’ve only seen him a few times. When we did have that conversation, he was having a bad day. He’d been ragged on by his peers for throwing like a girl. He’d been crying, for God’s sake. I just stumbled into him near the park as he was coming home from school. He knew who I was. I knew who he was. So we talked. I didn’t think that was a crime."

The pain on Michael’s face made Brenda wince. “I didn’t mean it that way. I doubt you’d do anything to hurt a little boy, but…but Tommy thinks you’re a hero. He’s eager to have you as a friend."

Michael shrugged. “Sounds like the boy is more eager than his mother."

“Damn. Do you have to twist everything I’m trying to say?” She clenched her fingers around the stein she’d hardly touched since sitting down.

“Sorry,” he said softly. “Maybe we could start over. You were going to tell me why you selected me as Tommy’s father. There must’ve been plenty of others to choose from."

“That hurts.” She shook her head. “Don’t apologize. I deserved that. We both know I was quite active sexually before Tommy was born.” She shrugged. “You made the most sense. You weren’t around to protest, and folks in town thought we’d been together off and on since I reached puberty, anyway."

“So much for folks in town."

“Right. Anyway. I wasn’t going to leave that line on the birth certificate blank. You were convenient. You were out of the country. I imagine I thought you might never find out.” She fought back tears, remembering filling out the necessary forms two days after Tommy was born. “And you were my friend."

“I won’t deny that. For all the misery you caused me, there were plenty of times you stood by me when the chips were down. So I was convenient.” Michael raked his fingers through his hair. “You can tell me it’s none of my business, but I have to ask. Do you know who is Tommy’s actual father?"

Brenda gulped for air, nodded, and ignored the tears suddenly brimming in her eyes. “Yes,” she squeaked. “But I won’t tell you."

“I wasn’t asking you to, but at least I know you’re not just protecting Tommy―you’re also protecting his father.”

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AUTHOR INFO:

We are a married couple writing Sizzling Romantic Suspense and Erotic Romance for Two, Three, or More. With backgrounds in criminology and counseling, we combine our expertise in the criminal mind, trauma, healing, and human nature with a passion for robust sexuality and life-long vitality.

Our Romantic Suspense line delivers “warmth, blazing hot sex, and well-developed characters” (Romance Junkies Reviews) as our hero and heroine battle outer threats and inner demons to stay alive and fall in love.

We write our Erotic Romance stories to entertain, of course, but most of all we write them because we believe in happy endings for all who fall in love, whatever their gender, sexual orientation or numerical combination.