Sunday, February 28, 2021

Book Spotlight on Paws for Love by Mara Wells (GIVEAWAY).....

It's a charming and endearing read of second chances for two high school sweethearts after 15 years apart when a retired racing dog with special needs unexpectedly brings them back together.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Paws for Love by Mara Wells, then add it to your bookshelf.  In honor of this third installment in the Fur Haven Dog Park series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win 1 of 5 sets of the first two books in this series too!

Broken hearts—man, woman, and dog—have a second chance for love, healing, and happiness under the warm Miami Beach sun in this endearing contemporary romance...
Danielle Morrow works tirelessly for a greyhound rescue helping retired racing dogs find their forever homes. She guards her heart as vigilantly as her two adopted greyhounds guard her. One heartbreak per lifetime is enough for any woman, and no one she’s met since her high school boyfriend dumped her to join the military has ever tempted her enough to risk love again.
Knox Donovan expected to be career military, but an injury and an honorable discharge leave him uncertain of his future. When his brothers ask him to come back to Miami Beach to help with their new condo conversion, he has no intention of staying on in the city that has so many bad memories for him.
Knox is reminded that not all his memories are bad when he sees Danielle again at the grand opening of the new Fur Haven Dog Park. Fifteen years haven’t softened the pain of their breakup. But Knox is different now, more hard-edged and suspicious, and when he bonds with the retired racing greyhound, Sarge, Danielle’s cool reserve begins to melt. Sarge needs special care after the injuries that ended his racing career, and it’s not long before Danielle realizes that Knox does too. Can Danielle trust her heart to the only man who’s ever broken it?

EXCERPT:

“I guess we don’t know as much about each other as I thought.” Knox frowned at the bushes, picking strings out from between his fingers.
Danielle stared at him, hand frozen in mid-eight-ball shake. It hadn’t occurred to her that he’d had secrets in high school, too, but of course he had. He’d never wanted to talk about his family, especially his mother, deflecting questions with hot kisses that left her unable to remember her own name, much less any topic of conversation. She gave the eight ball a half-hearted shake to avoid responding. What was there to say anyway, especially after all this time?
Knox nodded at the eight ball. “What’s it say?”
Danielle showed him the result—concentrate and ask again. “I didn’t ask a question, so it makes sense that the eight ball has no wisdom for me.”
“What kinds of things did you ask as a kid?” Knox stood back from the bushes, head cocked, then stepped forward to flick a few strands so they draped on the leaves evenly.
Danielle plopped onto the front step and shook the ball again, still no question in mind. “Will there be a math quiz tomorrow? Does Tommy Peralta like me? Will I get Ms. Kandice for homeroom next year? You know, kid stuff.”
“Did it answer you?” Knox took a break from hedge decorating and sat a careful few inches away from Danielle, close enough that she could imagine leaning against him but far enough away that she didn’t. Not that she would, she reminded herself. It wasn’t like that with Knox, not anymore.
She handed him the ball. “Sure. It’s what kept me coming back.”
“And did Tommy Peralta like you?”
Danielle folded her hands in her lap, fiddling with the nail on her thumb. “I believe the most common reply was Don’t count on it. Sometimes I got 'Ask again later', which I liked better. More hopeful.”
Knox gave the ball a hard shake. “Was Tommy Peralta a complete idiot?”
Without a doubt.
“See?” Knox held the response so she could see it. “You weren’t asking the right questions. And there seems to be an abnormal amount of idiotic guys at your middle school.”
“I’d say it was a normal amount of idiotic guys.” Danielle laughed, comfortable with Knox in a way she usually wasn’t with new people. But Knox wasn’t really new, was he? Just different. Older, more mature. And certainly more built. The width of his thigh next to hers made her feel small. When he laughed, too, she found herself inching toward him on the tiled step.
“What questions should I have asked?” Danielle caught her lower lip in her teeth, but it was too late to stop the words before they escaped. It wasn’t so much the words themselves as the way she’d said them. Low, breathy. Was she really sitting on Eliza’s front porch flirting with her ex-boyfriend? She was.
Knox’s eyes locked onto her lower lip, and he took a long blink. “You should’ve asked—” He coughed and started over, this time in a high-pitched cartoon voice, “Will I grow up to be the fairest of them all?”
Danielle laughed at the question and his poor acting skills.
“Here.” He handed her the ball after shaking it.
She hefted the weight of it in her palms, turning the plastic window toward her.
It is certain.
Danielle blushed. She felt the heat rise, knew it made her freckles blend together until she was one red-faced mess. She ducked her head, letting her bangs swing forward to cover her cheek while she pretended to study the ball.
“Two for two. Guess that thing is pretty accurate.” Knox closed the remaining inches between them, and their hips touched.
Danielle’s breath caught in her throat. She shook the ball idly to cover her intense reaction to Knox’s nearness.
“I always thought so,” she said once she’d coached her breathing back to normal. “It made me sad when Eliza packed it up for the year.”
“Ask it something now.” Knox nudged her with his knee.
Danielle slanted a glance at him under her eyelashes. She couldn’t shake the rightness she felt in Knox’s presence. The awareness of him, the longing for him. Did he feel the same pull? She asked the question in her mind and shook the ball.
Better not tell you now.
The breath rushed out of her. Had she really thought the Magic Eight Ball would add clarity? A kid’s toy? She deserved the disappointment that flooded her, bowing her spine so that she curled into the ball on her lap.
Knox tipped the ball his way with a finger. “A secret question, huh? That’s not playing fair. You have to ask it aloud. That’s the rule.”
“You didn’t even know how to play this game five minutes ago.”
“Now I do. Only questions asked out loud get real answers. Go ahead, ask it what you really want to know.” His blue eyes dared her.
Her heart sped. They might’ve had their secrets back then, but he’d always helped her feel braver than she really was. His eyes traced her face, the crinkles around his eyes tightening like he wanted to smile. His gaze landed on her lips and stayed there. “Go on. Ask.”
Danielle licked her suddenly dry lips, and Knox’s breath hitched.
“Does Knox Donovan want to kiss me?” Danielle closed her eyes and shook the ball.
The lightest of touches brushed across her lips. Her eyelids fluttered open at Knox’s gentle kiss. His lips pressed against hers for the briefest moment, his blue eyes intent on hers. Her own lips curled into a smile, and she leaned into the kiss, exerting her own pressure. He pulled back a fraction of an inch, then returned for another caress. It was simple and innocent, the tickle of their lips against each other, but her heart pounded like she was in the middle of a particularly brutal spin class.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO  |  BOOKSHOP  |  BaM  |  BOOKS2READ

AUTHOR INFO:

Mara Wells loves stories, but especially stories with kissing. She works in academe, and lives with her family and two rescue dogs--a poodle-mix named Houdini Beauregarde and Sheba Reba Rita Peanut, a chihuahua-mix in Hollywood, Florida.

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Saturday, February 27, 2021

Book Tour for Finding Me by Lyssa Cole (REVIEW).....

  Two friends find themselves wanting more but fears over what could be leaves their future complicated and uncertain in this romance set against a backdrop of the rockstar world.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Finding Me by Lyssa Cole, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this fourth installment in the You and Me series to your bookshelf!

Love is...complicated.
Full of hurt and empty promises.
He was the last person I thought I’d develop feelings for. 
But during those long nights caring for our friends, things happened.
Things changed.
Neither of us knew what to do.
So we stayed friends. Ignored the feelings. Pretended we were the same.
But you can only pretend for so long.
Until love’s strong grasp pulls you down.
The further I fell, the further I ran.
Too bad I can’t run forever.
Even if I could, he’d never stop chasing me.
He needs me like I need him.
Two broken souls finally mending each other.
But my broken soul? What if it isn’t meant to be whole?

FIND AT GOODREADS here.


BUY here.


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Since I started reading the You and Me series I've been captivated by the intense feelings, multifaceted characters, and lyrical narration of these stories set in the rockstar world.  In a story of friends to lovers, readers will see the power of love in action to bring together two people meant to be while helping others heal in order to reach their HEA.  After being on the periphery throughout the previous books, supportive of friends in their hour of need, this installment finally brings Mable and Drew to center stage. There have been glimpses of the pain these two were going through in previous books but they kept things to themselves, supporting others while needing support too, but doing what needed to be done for their friends.  That pain's catching up to them though and in this book that means lots of heartstrings being pulled, lots of tears, and the need for lots of tissues.  It's a rocky road to forever for Mable and Drew, an immensely satisfying journey that left me wrung out but happy by The End.

Mable and Drew were an unforgettable pair, easy to relate to and likable, with stories that made my heart ache...particularly Mable.  In constantly being there for their friends they never took the time to deal with their own issues, issues ranging from family to self-esteem to sexual assault.  It's those issues that are weighing on them and keeping them from giving into their very obvious attraction in a romance full of push/pull and frustrating highs and lows that keep these two apart for way too long.  I felt every one of those highs and lows, felt my heart hurt with pain and anger then pump in joy, as time and their demons waged war over their burgeoning connection.  It's a powerful journey ultimately, one that ticked every box on my list of favorite book themes and it kept me fully invested from start to finish.  By the turn of the final page Ms. Cole has crafted an epic romance, and an unforgettable series, that fans of rockstar romances won't want to miss!

My rating for this is an A.

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


AUTHOR INFO:

Lyssa Cole has been in love with books for as long as she can remember. Escaping into a story is her favorite pastime. Wanting to be a writer for a couple years, she is now crafting her own stories. She loves to write angsty & sexy romance with lots of heat and some suspense to keep you guessing and wanting to turn that page! She lives in Southeastern Mass with her two children and two dogs. Lover of coffee, all things chocolate, & always the avid reader, you can keep up with Lyssa Cole by subscribing to her newsletter HERE.

Book Spotlight on Jackson by LaQuette (GIVEAWAY).....

In a place of starting over, a woman struggles to keep her family's home afloat with the help of an unexpected ally with a sizzling romance springing up between them.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Jackson by LaQuette, then add this sensual and suspenseful contemporary romance to your bookshelf.  In honor of this first installment in the Restoration Ranch series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win 1 of 5 copies of this book too!

Restoration Ranch may have been the first step on her road to redemption...but Jackson Dean will be the last mile.
Aja Everett longs to turn her old family ranch into a place where anyone can find rest and healing. But her big heart’s bound to get her in trouble if she’s not careful—someone wants her gone, and they’ll do whatever it takes to drive her away from the land that’s her lifeblood. Whether she’s willing to admit it or not, she needs help.
She needs a man like Ranger Jackson Dean.
Jackson doesn’t trust love. He once made the mistake of following his heart and all he’d gotten was pain in return. But when city-slicking do-gooder Aja Everett asks for his help, he can’t stay away...and as attraction sizzles and protective instincts flare, she may be the only woman able to restore the heart of this Texas Ranger.

EXCERPT:

Jackson Dean made his way inside the Texas Rangers’ Headquarters and headed straight for his office. It was early in the morning and he wanted nothing more than to still be in his bed. Unfortunately, a call from his boss, Major Hargrove, put the kibosh on that plan.
He twisted the knob and switched on the light, waiting a moment for his eyes to adjust to the brightness flooding the room. He remembered how happy he was to get an office of his own. The room was nothing much to speak of. A typical windowless space in a government building made of white concrete walls and filled with metal furniture. But no matter how bland it was, he was still proud to have his name etched on the door because it came with his promotion to team leader eight years ago.
Today, it looked almost exactly the same as it had when he’d first been given the keys. But at the moment, when sleep hadn’t yet completely let loose its grip on him, boundless pride wasn’t the emotion he was experiencing. No, it was more like annoyance and frustration grating on his nerves at having to come in early after working in the field late last night.
He dropped his bag on a nearby chair and headed straight for the coffeemaker on top of a metal filing cabinet. Fresh, frequent, and plentiful caffeine would be the only thing to keep him from getting an insubordination write-up in his personnel file, so he opened a couple of bottled waters and poured them into the machine.
A tap on his door grabbed his attention. He glanced up from it and rested his eyes on the yet-to-start dripping coffee machine and groaned.
“Someone must want me to get a write up.”
Another tap and he pushed away from the filing cabinet and opened the door. “Morning Jackson,” Major Hargrove didn’t wait to be invited in. He just assumed the open door was all the invitation he needed.
“Thanks for coming so quickly.”
“I’m still half asleep,” Jackson groaned as he stepped away from the door and made it back to his coffee pot.
“At least you had the chance to go to sleep, I’ve been up for about twenty-four hours since I got this call just before I was about to head home yesterday.” Jackson stared through narrowed slits. Hargrove didn’t play with his time. He stayed when necessary, but he was obsessed with him and his rangers having a clear work-life balance. Nothing kept him from punching out at six in the evening unless there was a real emergency. “You made it sound like it was life or death that I came in at,” He raised his left wrist pretending to read the wide-faced watch there. “ass O’ clock in the morning. What’s going on Major?”
His boss slid a file on Jackson’s desk and took the seat in front of it waiting patiently for Jackson to fill the mug he’d grabbed the second the alarm on the machine told him his brew was ready.
“You’re not gonna put any milk or sugar in the rotgut?”
“No sir,” he replied, sitting down and taking a long slow sip. “I like it the way it is: strong and black, just like me.”
He took another sip before opening the file. The first thing that caught his attention was the picture of a woman in a fitted designer dress. Not that he knew fashion from foam rubber, but the way the black material hugged her full curves, he was certain it had been made or at least tailored, just for her.
“I’m not gonna be ready to read this without at least another cup. Just give me the highlights. Who is she?”
His boss crossed an ankle over his knee and tilted his head. “She’s the niece of a friend. A judge in Hill Country. Her property has been vandalized and the judge needs someone to look into it.”
Jackson felt his brow inching higher into his hairline. Something about the way Major Hargrove said “someone” scratched at his bullshit meter.
“What do the locals have to say about it?”
Hargrove lifted an open palm before letting it fall back to his knee. “Not a thing. There’s some bad blood between the local sheriff’s department and Ms. Everett.”
Jackson shifted in his seat, the coffee plus his boss’ preliminary recount was starting to sketch an outline to this tale of a spoiled judge’s niece using her uncle’s connections to get what she wanted.
“Anyway, the judge wants to make sure this is taken seriously. Especially since the vandalism has escalated from fence posts and a scaffold being knocked down to her barn being burned to the ground yesterday.”
Jackson sat up straighter. “Anyone hurt?”
“Minor cuts and bruises on Ms. Everett. Her uncle called me while she was being seen at the hospital. Asked me to get her a protective detail and send a team out to investigate.”
“She pointing fingers at anyone?”
Hargrove stood up and tapped on top of the beautiful woman’s picture. “Don’t know. But you can ask when she gets here. I assigned Jennings and Gleason to her protective detail overnight. They’re bringing her in first thing this morning so she can swear out a statement. Get your team together and figure this thing out.” He walked toward the door confident his orders would be followed. And they would be. Jackson might give his boss shit, but he always got the job done.
He looked at the picture of one Ms. Aja Everett again. He ran his finger slowly over the high cheekbones that turned her eyes into barely-opened slits as her wide grin smiled back at him. “Why would anyone want to harm you?”

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO  |  BOOKSHOP  |  BaM  |  BOOKS2READ

AUTHOR INFO:

LAQUETTE writes savvy, sexy contemporary romance. She is the 2016 Author of the Year Golden Apple Award Winner, 2016 Write Touch Reader’s Choice Winner, and a 2018 Passionate Plume Finalist. She is an advocate for the #WeNeedDiverseRomance campaign. LaQuette, a native of Brooklyn, lives in Pennsylvania with her family. Learn more about her HERE.

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Thursday, February 25, 2021

Book Tour for Played By the Rockstar by Christina Hovland (REVIEW)......

 A rockstar and a waitress make beautiful music together in this fun and flirty tale of opposites attracting.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Played By the Rockstar by Christina Hovland, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this first installment in the Mile High Rocked series to your bookshelf!

He's a rock star.
She's a waitress.
He's about to rock her world.
Certified behavioral counselor (and former band groupie) Becca Forrester needs a break. Taking a leave of absence from her job, she moves into the apartment over her parents’ garage, and clinches a gig waitressing at a dive bar known for bringing in big name musicians.
Cedric “Linx” Lincoln is a certified rock star. Bassist for the hugely popular rock band, Dimefront, he’s in Denver while the band is on hiatus a-freaking-gain. He's looking for something—anything—to keep him occupied until they can all get back to making music. When he saunters into his friend’s bar, he finds the perfect diversion.
Becca’s presence is a breath of fresh air. The sizzle she ignites in him is precisely what he needs. Bonus: no- stress, no-strings hookups are his specialty. But when things between them tip toward serious, his band implodes, and Becca's leave of absence ends, they’re forced to decide what their “real” lives should look like. Maybe there’s room for an encore...

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  AMAZON (AU)


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Readers will find themselves utterly charmed by this tale that's an offshoot of a previous series set in the rockstar world and pulls us back into that world with all its glitz, glamour, and frustrations.  For two immensely likable characters, they find one another at a time of trying to find themselves, and it leads to  some unexpected decisions.  In a world of starting over, two people looking for a fling find something more meaningful in a romance that warmed my heart, made me smile, and fogged up my glasses a time or two.

Cedric “Linx” Lincoln is bassist for the popular rock band Dimefront, a band that's had its own struggles and is again on a break.  Linx isn't the kind of guy who can sit and do nothing though as he's a man who's larger than life, used to traveling the world, with a talent for writing and making music.  He's a sexy beast too with a typically smoldering rockstar vibe.  Below that facade though is a caring man with a big heart, a man who exudes being carefree but is surprisingly thoughtful in his decisions.  I quickly fell in love with Linx during his time away from Dimefront as he was fun and flirty.  He enjoyed just making music, didn't need all the glamour to be fulfilled, in scenes that oozed joy and had my head bopping to the music in my brain.  He made Becca feel like a queen, showed her her true worth, in an enjoyable romance full of heart and soul.

Becca Forrester's always loved music, been a fan of the band Dimefront since she was young.  Imagine her surprise then when she comes face to face with the band's sexy bassist!  Arriving in Denver for her own chance at introspection, feeling a bit lost and burnt out with her job as a therapist, Becca's looking for a brief vacation from her life. She's looking for a bit of fun too...and Linx is more than happy to provide that in a relationship that starts out carefree but soon becomes something much more important to each of them.  Becca's a likable heroine, caring and kind, strong-willed but with bruised self-esteem.  She fit right in with the musicians playing at the bar she worked at though, making them all seem like one big family and solidifying this book as a very satisfying series starter.

This was an entertaining story from the first page to the last, a story with a great pace and likable characters.  Linx and Becca had a sizzling connection from their very first meeting, and though they seemed like opposites due to their lifestyles, they couldn't have been a better match in a connection that warmed my heart.  Along with this appealing main couple was a cast of secondary characters who made this story even more enjoyable.  Becca's mother was utterly delightful in her exchanges with her daughter, exchanges that were endearing and full of humor because of her outspoken nature and larger than life personality.  And then there's Babushka, a character who breathed life and humor into every scene they were in.  Add in the musicians traipsing in and out of Brek's Bar, the band offering Linx a new beginning, and there's the bright promise of more delightful rockstar romances coming our way. On a whole Ms. Hovland has crafted a fun and flirty read with a couple who grew stronger in each other's arms and has introduced readers to another series of drool-worthy rockers that are not to be missed!

My rating for this is an A.

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

AUTHOR INFO:

USA Today Bestselling Author Christina Hovland lives her own version of a fairy tale—an artisan chocolatier by day and romance writer by night. Born in Colorado, Christina received a degree in journalism from Colorado State University. Before opening her chocolate company, Christina’s career spanned from the television newsroom to managing an award- winning public relations firm. She’s a recovering overachiever and perfectionist with a love of cupcakes and dinner she doesn’t have to cook herself. A 2017 Golden Heart® finalist, she lives in Colorado with her first-boyfriend-turned-husband, four children, and the sweetest dogs around.

Book Blitz for The First Man by Alex Kelly (GIVEAWAY).....


A forbidden but emotionally intense romance, forced into a world of secrets and lies, is what readers will find in this epic m/m tale that will pull at the heartstrings.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of The First Man by Alex Kelly, then add it to your bookshelf.  In honor of this second installment in the From Connemara With Love series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $20 Amazon GC too!

Shane
Do you want to know what it means to live like me?
It means being forced not to look at him, not to touch him, not to be left alone in the same room as him.
Not to seek him out. Not to want him.
Not to love him.
Do you know how it feels to spend your entire life pretending to be someone else? Do you know what it’s like to love someone who doesn’t want to be loved?
I’ll tell you how it feels.
It feels as if you’re living in constant torment: you know which path you should follow, but you also know that, if you follow that path, you can never turn back.
And I can’t do that to him.
Every day I come back, because I know that he’s waiting for me.
Every day I promise him that he will never have to live without me.
Andy
Do you know what it means to live like me?
It means being forced not to touch him, not to kiss him, not to be able to leave the room while he’s still in it.
Not to breathe him in, not to lust after him.
Not to love him.
Do you know how it feels to spend your entire life pretending to be someone else? Do you know what it’s like to love the only person you’re not allowed to love?
I’ll tell you how it works.
You can’t seem to feel anything other than him; when you walk away, you know that you’re turning your back on the only thing that’s good in your life.
Yet you still walk away.
Every day I leave, knowing that he will be standing there, watching.
Every day I ask him to promise me that I will never have to live without him.

EXCERPT:

He steps closer, forcing me to take a few steps back. He storms into the pub, slamming the door closed behind us. He looks like he hasn’t slept at all. His beard is straggly, and he’s still wearing my shirt.
“We’re alone,” he says, his breath heaving. “Alone.”
“Shane...”
He moves quickly and loops his hand around the back of my neck. “We’re alone,” he says, moving his face closer to mine. “And I want you.” He pushes his mouth against me. “I want you, Andy.” His other hand is behind my neck, now, too. “Don’t send me away.” His fingers weave their way into my hair.
“Don’t make me beg,” he says, holding me tightly against him. I couldn’t move away, even if I wanted to. “Because I’m ready to do it,” he says, throwing himself against me like a raging storm you hope will never let up. I’d rather drown in his waves than live another minute on this life raft, in the middle of the ocean.
I want to drown inside him, and never come back to the surface.
Shane’s kisses are my salvation and my ruin. They’re messy and passionate, painful and tender, strong yet weak.
Shane’s kisses are land and sea, my refuge and my destruction; they’re my worst nightmare and the dream I never want to wake up from.
Shane’s kisses are my end and my beginning.
Shane’s kisses are the only thing I open my eyes for every morning.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.


BUY AT AMAZON here.

AUTHOR INFO:

Alex Kelly writes uplifting, emotional and heartwarming Romantic Fiction and Family Sagas.
She's a bibliophile, a Yogi, a lover of English literature and a baking enthusiast.
She was born in Italy but lives in Ireland with her husband, two children and a cat named Oscar.
Also writes as A. S. Kelly.

WEBSITE  |  INSTAGRAM  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER

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Book Tour for Rookie Move by Samantha Lind (REVIEW).......

 Young love has to fight for a future HEA in this hockey-fueled romance of hard choices and the twists and turns of fate.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Rookie Move by Samantha Lind, along with my impressions of it, then add this ninth installment in the Indianapolis Eagles series to your bookshelf!

Dylan
My future was all mapped out.
Graduate high school.
Get drafted.
Make a professional hockey team’s roster. Marry my high school sweetheart.
I had it all within my grasp; Everything was falling into place. Except for the distance,
And our conflicting schedules.
How can we both follow our dreams when the roads keep taking us in different directions?
Hailey
My future was all mapped out. Graduate high school.
Graduate Med-School.
Land my dream residency.
Marry my high school sweetheart.
My dream took me to the opposite coast, but my heart just wasn’t in it anymore. Could I find a new path to my goal and still find happiness?
Was thinking we could make this work just another rookie move?

FIND AT GOODREADS here.


BUY here.


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

From the moment I started reading this book I found a sense of familiarity, a story of high school sweethearts with hopes and dreams of a future that was easy to relate to. Like real life though, dreams don't always go as you think they will and in this story the main couple found themselves struggling to make their plans come to fruition.  Theirs was a journey that ended up being full of twists and turns, decisions made that changed both of their futures, but ultimately love led them back to each other in a satisfying story from start to finish.  It was a story that pulled at my heartstrings, kept me fully invested in their journey, as I watched them experience life and love.

Dylan and Hailey are an appealing couple, focused on their careers and their future as a couple.  They're a formidable pairing who are determined to make their HEA together despite being on opposite coasts.  While outside forces were determined to keep them apart they knew they were meant to be together and did the heavy lifting necessary to keep their HEA in sight.  It made for a heartwarming journey full of sweet and sensual moments, a journey that could've been full of angst, but was instead full of heart and soul.  It was a romance that renewed my faith in the power of love and had me rooting for this couple to get everything they wanted and deserved.

Though this book is part of a series it can stand strongly on its own courtesy of its appealing main couple, a couple who you can easily call friends.  When it came to matters of the heart, I enjoyed Dylan and Hailey's sweet romance and the subtle ways they showed their love and support of each other.  I wish though there had been just a bit more angst between them, something to keep me on edge and rooting even harder for them.  This book at times felt more like an epilogue than a journey as I never doubted the outcome.  Despite my small quibble, I still found this a quick and satisfying story, a story with a delightful and supportive cast of secondary characters.  These characters often felt more like family and I'm now definitely left wanting to read the previous books in this series as these characters left a lasting impression throughout this book.  Fans of sport's romances, and HEAs, will find this a satisfying addition to the genre and Ms. Lind a talented voice that has me looking forward to what she has planned next.

My rating for this is a B.

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


AUTHOR INFO:

Samantha Lind is a contemporary romance author. Having spent the first 27 years of her life in Alaska, she now calls Iowa home where she lives with her husband and two sons. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, watching hockey (Go Knights Go!), and listening to country music.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Book Blast for His Marriage Gamble by Nancy Fraser (GIVEAWAY)......


A woman ahead of her time tries to help those most in need by undertaking a dangerous journey north in this historical romance full of twists and turns...as well as an unexpected connection to a man leery of women.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of His Marriage Gamble by Nancy Fraser, then discover even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  In honor of this second installment in the Love's a Gamble series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $15 bookstore GC too!

Felicity Beaumont, the rebellious daughter of Louisiana elite devises a plan to move her father’s illegally owned slaves north to safety using the gambling riverboat known as the Lucky Lady. Dressed as a young farm boy, she attempts to sell family heirlooms to raise the funds she needs. Short the full amount, she continues her ruse and bargains her way aboard the boat as their chaperone.
Charismatic owner of the Lucky Lady, Jake McAlister doesn’t trust women, and when he discovers Felicity’s subterfuge, he remembers exactly why.
While they find themselves in agreement about helping the free men and women, they are at odds over everything else, including their quickly escalating feelings for one another. When caught between Felicity’s powerful father and the ire of a local judge, they’re forced into a marriage neither wanted.
Can they make the best of a bad situation? And, will gambling on love be a bust or reap them both a happily ever after?

EXCERPT:

Jake McAlister lifted his foot to the railing above the Lucky Lady’s stern and lit a thin cheroot, its tip glowing bright red in the dark night sky. His cargo hadn’t yet arrived, and he felt the first stirring of concern. He’d asked permission to dock at this unfamiliar port under the guise of making some repairs. To overstay his welcome would draw attention he didn’t want or need. He’d give them twenty minutes and then...
“Excuse me, are you Jake McAlister?”
Jake raised his head. A young boy of no more than fifteen or sixteen stood before him. “Can I help you, kid?”
“I’m here to arrange passage for some of my friends.”
The boy coughed out his words, and Jake had to stifle a chuckle at the lad’s attempt to hide the obvious changes in his voice. “You’re the one who contacted me?” Jake asked.
“Yes.” The boy shuffled nervously from one foot to the other and kept his gaze narrowed on the ship’s deck.
“And, just where are these friends of yours?”
The boy let out a shrill whistle and a long line of blacks came out from behind a nearby building, first the men, then the women and, finally, the children. They arrived carrying their worldly belongings in a few large satchels, a handful of worn burlap sacks and, surprisingly, one rather expensive-looking steamer trunk. Jake counted heads as they came on board.
“I count four men, six women, and sixteen children. At fifty bucks a head for the adults and twenty for the children, that comes to eight hundred and twenty.”
“That’s right,” the boy confirmed, “how much extra for me?”
“I don’t take spectators on these runs, boy. The agreement is to take the blacks north to freedom. From the looks of them, they don’t need a caretaker, unless it’s to help them read.”
“My friends all know how to read, Mr. McAlister. And write.” “Then they don’t need you, do they?”
“I’ve got the money.”
“Which you are going to give to me.”

FIND AT GOODREADS here.


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AUTHOR INFO:

NANCY FRASER—Jumping Across Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.
Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.
Published in multiple genres, Nancy has published over thirty-five books in full-length, novella, and short format.
When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

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Book Blast for The Lady and Her Champion by Sara R. Turnquist (GIVEAWAY)......


It's a compelling historical tale addressing the ups and downs of a collection of couples that will keep fans of historical romances glued to the pages.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of The Lady and Her Champion by Sara R. Turnquist, then discover even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  In honor of this third installment in The Lady Bornekova series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $40 bookstore GC too!

She needs someone to fight for her. He needs to be rescued.
Karin and Pavel have become separated by war and the destruction of his family's home. When Pavel hears of Karin's predicament, he rushes to his beloved. But what will he find? Will the pull to remain by her side be stronger than the tug to return to the front lines?
Zdenek and Eva are blissfully happy after finding one another. Then his father summons him home. It is a reunion Zdenek dreads. How will his father react to Zdenek's involvement with a merchant's daughter? More...what will Zdenek do if the man does not accept her?
Radek, who has recently defected, finds himself caught between two worlds. He stumbles upon a Hussite captive in the Royalist camp in dire need of a champion. Can he defy yet another army? Ostracize himself and limp back to the Hussites for the sake of a woman he owes nothing to?
While the Hussites maintain a tenuous hold on their lands, will internal conflict prove their undoing?

EXCERPT:

Zdenek’s father stopped in front of him and Eva.
Eva moved closer to Zdenek. But only slightly.
Father looked her over, eyes settling on their clasped hands. He grimaced.
Zdenek let loose her hand.
“I am...relieved that you have come, Zdenek.”
“Of course, Father.” Was his voice as weak as it seemed?
Zdenek sensed Eva’s eyes on him. Perhaps his tone needed strength.
“We have much to discuss,” the larger man boomed.
“Yes, Father.” A tug on his shirtsleeve reminded him that Eva was beside him. He had not introduced her.
“Father, I would like you to meet my wife, Eva.”
“Yes. I had heard,” the great man said.
There was something dismissive about Father’s tone. Glancing at his bride, Zdenek could not mistake the hurt in her eyes. What was he to do? Speak up for Eva and anger Father further? “Father, I don’t think—" Zdenek’s father made a motion for one of the servants across the room to come forward. The small woman obeyed.
“Please, take my son’s...wife...to her chambers.”
“Her chambers?” Zdenek spit out. “Are we not to share as man and wife?
His father’s eyes were hard. “I only expected you would wish to bed down in your old chambers. As you may remember, it only accommodates one.” The man’s lips twisted before righting into a smile.
Zdenek swallowed. Hard. He resisted the urge to look toward Eva. Though he sensed her eyes boring into him. Dare he speak up? Dare he not?

AUTHOR INFO:

Sara is a coffee lovin', word slinging, Historical Romance author whose super power is converting caffeine into novels. She loves those odd little tidbits of history that are stranger than fiction. That's what inspires her. Well, that and a good love story.
But of all the love stories she knows, hers is her favorite. She lives happily with her own Prince Charming and their gaggle of minions. Three to be exact. They sure know how to distract a writer! But, alas, the stories must be written, even if it must happen in the wee hours of the morning.
Sara is an avid reader and enjoys reading and writing clean Historical Romance when she’s not traveling. Her books range from the Czech lands to the American wild west and from ancient Egypt to the early 1900s. Some of her titles include The Lady Bornekova, Hope in Cripple Creek, The General’s Wife, Trail of Fears, and the Convenient Risk Series.

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