Book Release Blast for Strange and Unusual by Lani Lynn Vale (REVIEW)…..

 It's another epic read in a long list of emotionally intense romances set in the world of MCs.  In this new release a man burned by love, and swearing of women, finds himself drawn to his bakery's new hire and a woman with baggage of her own.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Strange and Unusual by Lani Lynn Vale, then get my impressions of this sixth installment in the Battle Crows MC series.

The moment he divorced his ex-wife, Jeremiah decided two things.

One, he would never, ever get into that kind of situation again—i.e., marriage.
Two, he would spend more time doing what he loved—baking, riding motorcycles, spending time with the Battle Crows MC, and getting some quiet time for just himself. Pretty much doing the things he enjoyed, that his ex-wife could no longer ruin.
And, months after his divorce was final, he’s held strong.
He hasn’t gotten entangled with a woman. He’s opened his own bakery. And he’s never been closer to his club.
It has to be why he allowed them to have a massive club party at his place, which became the cause of Gracelynn Barry entering his life.
If he’d known Gracie was going to be his employee, he definitely wouldn’t have slept with her.
Yet, there he is, in the middle of an interview, finding out not only was the woman he slept with the most viable applicant for a job he very much needed filled, but that she’d recently broken up with the man he loathed. The second reason he’d divorced his ex-wife. Erich. His ex-stepson.
To say life is simple for Jeremiah would be a joke of epic proportions.
It’s time for him to buckle up.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  iBOOKS  |  BN  |  KOBO  |  AUDIBLE

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Silence can sometimes speak volumes and in this book it's what binds two bruised souls together as they find a bit of peace in a storm of rage, anger, and endless noise caused by their exes and the danger brewing around the Battle Crows MC.  From the first page to the last this was a book that pulls you in with characters that are easy to relate to and more that meets the eye.

Jeremiah Crow isn't your typical bad boy biker in that he likes baking and reading.  He's more seasoned, a bit set in his ways, and after an unhappy marriage he's done with commitment, done with sacrificing his wants and desires.  It's now time for him to focus on himself.  The moment he meets a quiet woman at a party though is the moment when all his plans get turned upside down as she ends up becoming a vital part of his life, both his personal and work life.  Their connection is instantaneous, sizzling yet surprisingly sweet.  Readers see Jeremiah as standoffish and brooding early on, a man still trying to move on after divorce.  He's a tough guy, commanding, yet happy in his world of books and pastries and it's here where he and Gracelynn bond.  Jeremiah was definitely more than what he showed the world and he was just who the equally quiet young woman needed.  He became the perfectly imperfect hero for someone needing a harbor in the storm.

Gracelynn Barry is someone easy to relate to.  She too is seen by others as standoffish as she longs to be away from the chaos and the noise, happy in her world of books.  Her past is one of emotional pain, betrayal, and I felt very protective of her as the story progressed.  When it comes to her need for quiet, her feeling overloaded, Ms. Vale has again not shied away from addressing her issues.  By embracing her quirks, her imperfections, readers are wholeheartedly pulled into Gracie's world and the haven she found with Jeremiah.

Along with a compelling romance between two unforgettable people Ms. Vale amps up the action and suspense here.  It's a raw book, letting the chips fall where they may through many surprising twists and turns.  These events certainly kept me on the edge of my seat while causing a few tears to fall.  The romance itself was rocky but well-worth all the bumps and bruises to reach its hard-fought HEA.  Surrounding this engaging main couple was a cast of supportive secondary characters with a few issues of their own that impact the overall storyline.  On a whole the groundwork laid here has me excited where things go next in this exhilarating, no holds-barred series!

My rating for this is an A.

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

Book Blitz for The Estrogen Patch by Marnie Minsi…….

Much about this book entices me!  From the easily relatable heroine (when it comes to age and disability), to the tantalizing older woman/younger man romance, readers will be drawn to it just as much as I am!  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of The Estrogen Patch by Marnie Minsi, then add this delightful contemporary romance of new beginnings and unexpected twists and turns to your bookshelf!

The Estrogen Patch is a fictional romance comedy about a recently divorced woman in her early fifties named Marie. Marie has lupus and is going through early menopause. After doctors put her on an estrogen patch to curb her hot flashes, she discovers that it is causing some unusual side effects, one of which is making her a bit more aroused than normal.

With all her recent life changes--her teen daughter being sent away to wilderness therapy camp for depression, anxiety, and self-harm; divorcing her husband who is eighteen years older than her; moving again for the second time in one year; starting a second job; and dealing with the all aches and pains of having lupus--Marie finds herself falling for a much younger, fitter, and healthier guy named Pauly.

After continuous spying and brief encounters, Marie finds herself falling for Pauly. Can someone like Marie, with all her issues, have any kind of romantic relationship with a much younger man? Will her physical setbacks be an issue for a healthier, younger man? Can she try to make herself look younger with Botox and CoolSculpting? Can an older woman with all of her insecurities find love again this late in the game with someone that seems to be unobtainable? Should Marie just throw out her estrogen patch and go back to her usual uneventful and boring life?

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN  |  GOOGLE PLAY

Book Blast for Only One Regret by Natasha Madison (REVIEW)…….

 Fans of friends to lovers romances will be charmed by this tale set in the hockey world that has two people, after years of being side by side, find unexpected love.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Only One Regret by Natasha Madison, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this fifth installment in the Only One series to your bookshelf!

Cooper.

My name came with big skates to fill...
At the top of my game, I had everything I wanted, or so I thought...
Being traded to Dallas was not what I was expecting but neither were the divorce papers I was served...
Now I’m a single dad in a city that isn’t my home...

Erika.
Handed my biggest client when I was twenty-two made my dreams come true...
Over time, our work relationship changed, and we grew closer, leaning on each other for support...He was my rock, my best friend..
Then one drunken night changed everything, and I saw what was in front of me all along...
I just hope that when the dust settles, we won’t regret it.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (Kindle)  |  AMAZON (Paperback)  |  AMAZON (Audio)  |  iBOOKS  |  BN  |  KOBO

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

The Only One series by Ms. Madison continues to entertain with this sweet and sexy friends to lovers romance as a third generation hockey player finds himself unexpectedly giving in to his long hidden feelings for his best friend.  From the first page to the last this is a fun, virtually angst-free tale, where two very likable people navigate their newfound connection.  While focusing on these friends to lovers, Ms. Madison also brings back past couples to give readers a sense of family while introducing new characters to leave us longing for even more HEAs.

Cooper Grant is a delicious hero, one by which all heroes should be measured.  Not only is he strong and sexy, but he’s also down-to-earth with a heart of gold and a strong sense of family that had him desperate to keep his family together with divorce on the horizon from the start.  After becoming a single dad I found him to be even more endearing in his interactions with his daughters…heartwarming and realistic.  His time with his friend Erika showed a delightful side to him throughout the story too.  They have been each other’s support from the very beginning.  She was a part of his work life, helping him become successful on the ice, while being his emotional rock off the ice. I loved seeing these two together and how much they supported one another, without a hint of anything more.  Their romance just evolved naturally, exploding in a sensual surprise one night that neither expected, but that felt completely right.  Erika’s an immensely likable heroine, kind and patient, supportive and a loving motherly figure to Cooper’s daughters.  Unbeknownst to them, they’ve become a little family over the years and the interactions between them will wrap readers in a blanket of warm and loving feelings, a feel good read with a nice bit of steam.

From the very start Cooper and Erika were a perfect match!  Strong and supportive friends whose joy in being together was infectious.  When they finally kiss it was explosive!  She was at first worried about their friendship, but he was all-in from the get-go.  Their kiss unleashed something in him, an alpha tendency that has him focused on her and their relationship turning romantic with interactions that were sizzling. The transition felt right, felt natural, and it made for a romance that I found an utter delight. Their sweet and sexy interactions were a perfect balance and they kept me turning the pages in breathless anticipation. Along with this delightful main couple were past couples, past bromances, that were part of the action now and that put a smile on my face.  The banter, the playfulness, the sense of family made this a wonderful addition to the series and I definitely recommend it to others looking for a fun and flirtatious read full of heart and soul!

My rating for this is an A-

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

AUTHOR INFO:

When her nose isn't buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she's in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It's a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn't listen to her...

WEBSITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM  |  FACEBOOK READER GROUP  |  AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE  |  BOOKBUB AUTHOR PAGE |  NEWSLETTER

Book Blast for Back to the Beginning by Christina Ann Gist (GIVEAWAY)...

Readers drawn to small town romances will find this an emotionally intense tale of love, loss, and starting over that will pull at your heartstrings with each turn of the page.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Back to the Beginning by Christina Ann Gist, then learn even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  In honor of this first installment in the Mer Harbor series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $10 bookstore GC too!

Mer Harbor is a small, coastal town in Southern California. Everyone knows everyone, and nothing is a secret among Mer Harbor residents. Some hope to escape someday, while others find the charm of the town enticing, and never leave.  Everley Romero and Heath Mitchell had always planned to take on the world together. To leave Mer Harbor and pursue their dreams. It all seems to crumble when a tragic loss sends them in different directions. Almost ten years later, Everley finds herself on the receiving end of a bitter divorce, leaving her no choice but to return to the home - and past - she'd hoped to leave behind for good. Heath is building a good life for himself in Mer Harbor. When he crosses paths with Everley, he learns that they'll both have to face a past full of heartbreak and loss that they've both tried to bury.

EXCERPT:

“Why the hell did you even bother?” Benny was shouting again, this being what seemed like their millionth fight this week. “It's obvious you don't love me, so why didn't you just stay in Mer Harbor?”

“I do love you!” she shouted back, “I don't know how else I'm supposed to prove it to you!”

“Get over him!”

“Screw you!”

It was always the same argument, and it happened every year around her daughter's birthday. Why couldn't he see her sadness was about the child she’d lost and not his high school rival?

Running away had been a mistake, but Mer Harbor had become so suffocating that she saw no other option. Besides, she usually had fun with Benny. How could she have predicted he'd forever be jealous of a relationship that had ended years ago?

“Six years, Everley,” he started up again. “It's been six damn years and he hasn't come looking. He doesn't care about you anymore.”

She knew he wasn't looking, and she knew exactly where he was. Heath had returned to Mer Harbor shortly after she left, and he wouldn't look for her, because he hated her.

Mistake or not, she was determined to make what she had with Benny work. She owed him that much.

“What do you want from me?”

“Be with me,” his expression softened, and he stopped shouting, “and I mean really be with me. Stop putting it off and marry me.”

BUY AT AMAZON:  PRINT COPY  |  KINDLE COPY

AUTHOR INFO:

Telling stories before she could even write, Christina grew up knowing she wanted to be an author. She “published” her first stories with construction paper and handwritten pages for her family and friends. Now, with the magic of technology, she’s able to share her characters and stories with the world.

When she’s not writing, you can find her dabbling in her other favorite hobbies such as photography, stargazing, and of course: looking for her next adventure.

FACEBOOK  |  WEBSITE

**********GIVEAWAY**********

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Book Cover Reveal for The Naughty Pine by Sibylla Matilde........

A young woman sets out to find herself in this erotically-charged tale of self-discovery, empowerment, and lots of steam.  Keep reading to get a tempting glimpse of The Naughty Pine by Sibylla Matilde, then start counting down the days until this book hits shelves on February 22nd!

On the fourteenth anniversary of my first divorce, I went to a kink club.

Thirty-three and no clue who I was. What I wanted out of life. I only knew it was passing me by and I was tired.

Tired of surviving the day-to-day.

Tired of trying to forgive myself for two failed marriages.

Tired of being a single mother with no semblance of a social life, of bending over backwards to be a fitting role model for my teenage daughter.

That was, until I stepped foot in The Naughty Pine.

I didn’t plan to participate. I only went to appease the dark corners of my curiosity. To see something wild and taboo and full of life. Something sinful to shock the loneliness clean out of my system.

Don’t know what I expected, but it sure wasn’t him...

PRE-ORDER AT AMAZON here.

AUTHOR INFO:

Sibylla Matilde grew up on the back of a horse exploring in the mountain valleys of Southwest Montana. She attended a two-room schoolhouse 1st through 6th grade where she had sameteacher the whole time. At the age of 12, Siby discovered historical romance, devouring the work of Jude Devereaux, Lisa Kleypas, and Karen Robards. She began writing in 2013 with her debut novel, Little Conversations, and self- published ten works over the next three years. She took a few years off to deal with life (it proved very difficult to move on from her Bangin’ Mofos...they were a blast to write), but is back at the keyboard with new steamy stories brewing in her naughty little brain.

Music is her emotional trigger. Growing up with a Wagnarian-opera-loving mother, Sibylla loves music that digs deep into her soul and covers her with goosebumps. The soundtrack to her life includes different genres and generations, but her favorites include Thirty Seconds to Mars (she’s a bit obsessive about Jared Leto, actually), Kings of Leon, The Killers, My Chemical Romance, and many other artists and bands. Her inspiration playlists on Spotify truly drive her writing, and she loves to share her eclectic taste with anyone who will listen.

Siby strives to write books that make the reader bask in the sweet glow of new love, burn hot with a passionate intensity, and day drink from gut-wrenching heartache. Her characters are not world-famous rock stars or billionaires, rather every-day small-town people experiencing their own extraordinary romantic adventures in the Rocky Mountains she calls home. Siby loves to hear from fans and can be reached at Siby@SibyllaMatilde.com.

WEBSITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  PINTEREST  |  GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE

Book Spotlight on A Tail for Two by Mara Wells (GIVEAWAY).....

A man with a business opportunity calls on the help of his ex-wife which puts them in close quarters and gives them a second chance at HEA under the watchful eyes of the son he barely knows as well as two charming dogs.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of A Tail for Two by Mara Wells, then add this sweet and sensual romance to your bookshelf.  In honor of this second installment in the Fur Haven Dog Park series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win 1 of 5 copies of the first book in this series too!

All paws on deck!

Carrie Burns has a successful business, a young son, Oliver, and an energetic Jack Russell terrier. She doesn’t have time in her busy schedule for her ex-husband and his talk of working together again. But when she runs into Lance in the dog park, their lives are turned upside down.

Lance Donovan wants to promote his fledgling construction company by helping his brother Caleb with a big condo conversion. Lance even knows the perfect interior designer to make this project a success—his ex-wife, Carrie. But after a fateful meeting at the dog park, Lance finds himself not only petsitting both his brother’s dog and the beloved Jack Russell terrier he had to leave behind in the divorce, but babysitting a young son he never knew he had while his ex-wife tries to get back into dating. How did life get this crazy?

EXCERPT:

Carrie called the elevator, nerves stretched so tight she thought she could hear them twang as she walked. That had been close, too close, and now here she was owing Lance for saving the day, for charming Kristin into extra time, for getting her business back on track. She felt unsettled by the whole thing, from her panicked call to him to his casual acceptance of the job. The Lance she knew wouldn’t have been so calm, would’ve argued about Kristin’s timeline and threatened her with all the things that could go wrong if the job was rushed. When had he learned to schmooze a client like that? When had he traded his anger for charm? For all that she’d lived with the man for five years, she found herself staring at him like she’d never seen him before.

“Come by the Dorothy tomorrow.” Lance followed her into the elevator, unaware she was silently freaking out. “You could bring Oliver."

That snapped her right back into the moment. “To an active construction site?"

“Right, bad idea. I heard it as soon as it left my mouth.” He smiled ruefully, a familiar expression that made him her Lance again.

“You take lunch breaks?"

He leaned broad shoulders against the back wall. “Yeah, most days."

“You can have lunch with us.” She busied herself looking for something in her purse.

Keys? Sure, it didn’t matter. She just couldn’t look at him. “If you want."

Lance waited until she looked up, and his eyes locked with hers. “Oh, I want."

Carrie stilled. Caught. Because she wanted, too. She watched him watch her, sure that want on his face was reflected on hers. He’d always read her so easily. It was one of the things she loved about being with him, how completely she felt seen. Understood. Only now she wished he wasn’t quite so perceptive.

He took a step toward her. She took a step back and another until she was pressed against the elevator doors. He followed, stopping when he was close enough that the heat of his body radiated through the thin T-shirt, warming her. Melting her resistance, one particle at a time. She grasped the strap of her bag tightly with both hands. She would not reach for him.

“You want me, too.” It wasn’t a question, but her head bobbed in agreement. His eyes flared at the movement, pupils darkening, widening. He leaned toward her. She wobbled on her heels, knees suddenly too weak to support her. Lance shot out a hand and steadied her, using his grip to pull her closer.

He lowered his head. He was going to kiss her. She knew it, knew she should do something to stop it. Nothing good could come of kissing Lance. But he’d come and helped when she called, hadn’t stayed angry at her about Oliver. And he smelled so good, a citrusy soap and that something in the air that was simply Lance. Her Lance.

“Yes,” she said even though he hadn’t asked a question, and his lips crashed down on hers.

It was fierce, their first kiss since Oliver was conceived, like the years apart had left them both starving. She was starving. She let go of her bag’s strap and fisted handfuls of T-shirt, hauling him closer until her breasts pressed into his chest. She moaned at the pressure. He changed the angle of their kiss, going deeper, harder. She couldn’t breathe and didn’t care. He was all the air she needed. God, she’d missed him. Missed this, the very us of them together.

The door dinged and opened, bringing fresh air against her back. She gasped and pulled away, stepping backward and over the threshold, wiping her palms down the front of her chocolate skirt. What a mistake. What a colossal mistake. She should say that out loud, tell him to forget it happened. She opened her mouth, but one look from his smoldering eyes silenced her. Instead, she turned and fled. She was pretty sure he’d get the message. Lance Donovan was not something she could have, and her raging hormones would simply have to calm down and get over it.

He followed her to her Blazer and leaned in the window once she’d pulled on her seat belt. “See you tomorrow?"

Oh God, tomorrow. She swallowed. “Yeah."

He tapped the top of her car. “Sleep well."

“I always do,” she lied. Then she lied to herself all the way home about how letting Lance back into her life was only for Oliver’s sake. And Beckham, of course. Yeah, it was all for them. She would put the kiss out of her mind. Old habits and all that. She was sure it meant as little to Lance as it had to her. If she never mentioned the kiss again, she doubted he’d even bring it up. It was better this way, really. She repeated that in her head until it started to sound true.

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

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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Book Tour for The Trade by Meghan Quinn (REVIEW)

Readers will find themselves drawn to this contemporary romance set in the baseball world as a player’s trade to a new team complicates his love life.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of The Trade by Meghan Quinn, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this charming romance that started in Ms. Quinn’s The Dugout to your bookshelf!

Can you pinpoint a time in your life where you realized you are completely and utterly screwed?

I can. I got the dreaded phone call, the one every baseball player hopes and prays never comes.

I was traded. Yeah, that phone call.

Traded from my long time team of over ten years. And not just to any team, but my childhood rivals; the Chicago Rebels. Completely and utterly screwed, right? Wrong. The trade was the least of my concerns. I met a girl. Natalie. Man, she's perfect.

I swore I would never get involved with anyone during the season. Too complicated. But can you believe I have zero restraint when it comes to this girl? I couldn't get her out of my head and the more I talked to her, the more I realized I needed her in my life.

So what's the problem? Why am I screwed? Because, Natalie, the girl I can't stop crushing on, yeah...she's married.

At least, that's what I was told...

EXCERPT:

CORY

I’m fucked.

I’m sure you hear that all the time, so the term has lost its impact. I ran out of sugar for my cookie batter...I’m fucked.

Forgot my phone in my car...I’m fucked.

Saw my neighbor’s old-man balls...I’m fucked for life.

I can guarantee you right now, this is nothing compared to old-man balls and cookies. This is way worse.

This defines the term, I’m fucked.

What is it you ask?

It happened after one of the worst baseball seasons of my life. Traded halfway through the season to the team I’d hated my entire life, I was drowning in the constant media attention, persecuting me for the pass off for my multi-million-dollar contract.

“We want to win,” the Rebels said. “We can do that with Cory Potter wearing black and red.” And just like that, the team I’ve been playing for my entire professional career up and traded me to unload my hefty salary to develop new up-and-comers from the farm system.

The Rebels.

I’m a fucking Chicago Rebel. Words I never thought I’d say, especially growing up as a Chicago Bobcats fan, the rival team to the Rebels. Not just rival, but enemies. The teams themselves don’t get along, the fans hate each other, and Chicago is divided for a good portion of the year when the stadium lights are on.

But here I am, my name attached to the biggest trade in sports history. A ballsy move.

An upset to Baltimore.

A baseball anomaly: All-American turned Rebel.

I’ve heard it all, I’ve seen it all, and no matter what’s splashed across the headlines, it doesn’t deviate from the fact that my long-time team decided to part ways with me midseason.

Mid-fucking-season.

After fourteen years, I packed up everything and moved back to Chicago. But even that’s not why I’m fucked; it’s just the start of it.

The beginning of the end.

Dramatic? Maybe.

But if you were in my shoes, you’d be thinking the same thing.

After not even coming close to getting into the playoffs, the season ended, I was booed off the field because that’s how Rebels fans are—you don’t perform, they hate you—and I sequestered myself to my practically empty and cold apartment.

After a week of binge-eating deep-dish pizza and watching every prison documentary on Netflix, my sister finally dragged me out of my apartment, forcing me to attend a Bobbies playoff game with her so we could cheer on my brother-in-law. Her husband.

Seeing a Rebels player cheering on a Bobbies player plastered all over the news went over just as well as a grandma telling her grandson her favorite pastime is cock-tickling.

Not well.

But still...not the reason I’m fucked.

This is beyond worse than that.

During that game, I got the talk. Not the birds and bees, but the talk from a concerned sister about my lack of social life. You really should get out more.

I know some single moms who are really nice.

Maybe a dating app might be fun. Girls would be ecstatic to match with the one and only Cory Potter.

I don’t want you dying alone.

That last one was a real kicker.

Dying alone. I’m fucking thirty-five and she has me with one toe in my grave.

The way I see it is, if you don’t meet your girl in college or high school, you’re sure as shit not going to meet her while playing professional baseball. Not when the schedule is obscenely busy and long, and not when you’re known for one thing in your city: making a shitload of money for playing a sport.

It’s almost impossible to find genuine relationships when you have this level of fame.

So I’ve resolved to waiting until after I retire to fall in love.

That doesn’t mean I’ve been celibate, I’m a man after all—a man with a shitload of adrenaline pumping through him on a daily basis. I’ve had my fair share of one-night stands with women, and a few on a solid repeat with zero expectations. Every woman I’ve bedded I’ve treated with respect, and I’ve been honest with them, because if anything, I’m a genuinely nice guy who doesn’t ever want to make someone feel bad.

Ask anyone who knows me, I’m the nice guy, the dependable guy, the leader with a heart. I don’t screw women over, ever.

Are you thinking one of those one-night stands turned into an “accident”? Is that the reason I’m fucked? Got a girl I don’t know pregnant?

Nope, not that either.

But the conversation I had with Milly pushed me to a new way of thinking.

I don’t want you dying alone.

She made me fucking paranoid.

Was I really going to die alone?

Were my good years behind me and now I’m old meat on the market?

Should I be trying to find love in the midst of the craziness of my life?

Milly made me think, which then made me open up to the idea of finding someone, of looking at women differently, of allowing the relationship part of my brain to turn on.

So instead of ignoring every woman that has relationship potential I’d possibly look for, I turned off my blinders and started looking for them.

But I didn’t come close to meeting anyone that remotely fit the box of someone I’d consider going out on a date with. That was until I attended a certain charity event.

I saw her from across the room. Her smile was what caught my eye, then it was the way she laughed and held on to her brother’s hand, her brother who had cerebral palsy.

It was the way she’d lean into him, hold him, as if he was the most wonderful human she’d ever met. The fact that she was absolutely breathtaking with piercing blue eyes had nothing to do with it. It was her infectious laughter.

Her kind heart.

Her dedication to her family.

In a matter of seconds, I wanted to know her, wanted to find out her name, wanted to be in her orbit. Wanted to be a recipient of her warmth and affection.

I watched her from across the room, how she interacted with every person who came up to her, and when I was finally granted the opportunity to introduce myself, my breath caught in my throat when our hands connected. I felt my heart slam against the cage in my chest. And I knew, in that moment, with our hands mid shake, my life would never be the same.

Her name is Natalie.

Sister to my new teammate Jason Orson and his twin brother Joseph.

Director of Jason’s foundation, The Lineup.

And the reason why I’m utterly fucked.

Because while I started to grow attached to this magnetic and beautiful woman, when I told my sister about her, she informed me there was a ring on Natalie’s finger.

A ring that didn’t belong to me.

Hope plummeted in the matter of seconds as I felt the color from my besotted face drain into a puddle of remorse.

She was married.

She is fucking married.

See? Totally fucked.

I’ve been crushing so hard, because even a month later, I still think about her. I can still hear her laugh, see her smile, feel her hand in mine.

I want her.

Fucking bad.

They say time will heal all wounds, well for me, the more time passes, the more my wound is exposed and tormented.

Cory Potter is crushing on a married woman...That is why I am completely and utterly...fucked.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

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

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

When it comes to romance books I love the ones that balance a bit of emotional intensity with moments of humor....and Ms. Quinn has become a reliable author when it comes to crafting those feelings.  This collection of books, stories set in the baseball world, are particularly entertaining with heroes that are drool-worthy and heroines who are more than a match for them in slow-burn romances.

Cory Potter has devoted ten years to his baseball team, years where he put off living life for himself so he could stay focused on the team.  After ten years of being a respected leader, and beloved by the fans, he’s unceremoniously traded to another team that proves that nothing is forever and that he should finally start going after what he wants.  And what he wants is Natalie Orson, sister to Cory’s friend Jason (another of Ms. Quinn’s delicious heroes), who through a misunderstanding thinks is married and is the first of many hiccups in their burgeoning relationship.  Theirs is a relationship that builds with each turn of the page and brought out a naughty side to the gentlemanly Cory with his talent for dirty talk and scorching moves.  He’s a delightful dichotomy that made me fall for him despite my frustration with him late in the story.  From the moment readers first met Cory in The Dugout we knew he’d leave a lasting impression and boy did he throughout this book!  Early on he was the reliable good guy but starting over with a new team gave him the chance to start over as he realized he wanted more than just baseball in his future...he wants a HEA of his own and will do all he can to win over Natalie.

Natalie’s a likable heroine with an equally likable brother and an understanding of what ballplayers go through for their sport.  She understands Cory’s frustrations with being traded and is a good support to him when he needs it most.  She’s got her own issues however courtesy of a cheating ex who dealt a blow to her self-esteem and though she’s attracted to Cory from the very start she doesn’t think she’s worthy of him.  It just means that Cory will have to work even harder to show her her worth.  Through it all Natalie and Cory are an entertaining pair with a few bumps on their journey to a HEA that made for a rollercoaster ride of emotions that had me cheering them on every step of the way.

From the first page to the last this was a delightful romance with a pair you can’t help but be drawn to.  There’s bits of angst, a few self-doubts, scorching interludes, a few chuckles, and lots of heart and soul in a tale that was a wonderful addition to Ms. Quinn’s series of baseball romances.  I loved seeing couples from previous books with their endearing interactions and the familial vibe they brought to this story. Along with the immensely satisfying romance was the bromance between Jason and Cory.  They were a hoot and I had a permanent smile on my face whenever they were together.  Readers looking for a sexy rom-com will want to grab this book for their very own as it’s just what we need during this time of chaos.

My rating for this is an A-/B+

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

AUTHOR INFO:

USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

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Book Tour for Far Reaching Consequences by Anya Summers (GIVEAWAY)

Fireworks ensue when a divorcee trying to start her life over returns home to open a B&B and runs into the now adult man who gave her one unforgettable night as teens. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of the erotically-charged Far Reaching Consequences by Anya Summers, then learn even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  In honor of this second installment in the Crescent City Kings series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 bookstore GC too!

Phoebe needs a second chance at life.

In the aftermath of the devastation from her failed marriage, Phoebe returns to her old stomping grounds to open her own bed and breakfast. Starting over is the bravest thing she’s ever done – or so she thinks. But opening her front door to find a blast from her past on her front porch changes all that. The teenager she’d once known has become a jaw-dropping, dominant man in his prime.

He wasn’t looking for a relationship until she blazed back into his life.

Graham runs his own construction business, remodeling homes, and building brand new ones. When his buddy gives him a lead on a new project, he never expects to run into Phoebe, the woman he shared a single kiss with eons ago. Nor is he prepared for the Dominant in him to stake his claim before the end of their first meeting. He wanted her in high school but there had been too wide a gulf separating them. Now, Graham will stop at nothing until he makes her his. But there are larger forces at work, attempting to tear them apart.

When everything Phoebe holds dear becomes a target, Graham will risk it all for the one woman he knows he can never live without.

EXCERPT:

“Graham? Graham Layton, is that really you? You’re the contractor Dante recommended?” Joy filtered into her voice as she stared at the blast from her past. It had been almost nineteen years since the night of the winter formal in high school. The night she had always considered one of the best of her life.

Surprise filtered over his handsome features. A grin split his face wide and his thick, dark chestnut brows rose to nearly beneath his hairline, almost touching the Rayban sunglasses shoved on top of his head. There were tiny laugh lines around his eyes that crinkled.

“Phoebe, as I live and breathe. Well, aren’t you a sight?” Graham dismissed all formalities, stepped through the doorway, and surrounded her with an effusive hug. She stiffened at the impromptu embrace, but only for a moment, because the delight of seeing him overrode her internal panic button.

She caught a whiff of him, a sinful mixture of man with traces of his soap, a spicy, exotic fragrance that made her want to bury her face in his chest and just inhale him. The boy she’d known on the cusp of manhood in the intervening years had grown into a powerfully built man. A very hot man, with a killer smile and a body that made her dead hormones rise from their early grave and pay attention before he released her. It left her dumbstruck: the sudden onslaught of disappointment that rose in her chest when he released her.

Wasn’t that just the oddest thing?

“It’s great to see you. If I’d known it was you...“

Graham gave a manly half-shrug as he stepped back. “It is a surprise—a nice one, to boot.”

Then he knelt, resting his elbows on his knees so that he was at eye level with Daisy, and held his hand out for her to sniff. “And who is this?”

“Daisy, this is Graham. He’s a friend.” Daisy glanced up at her for the okay, her golden eyes searching Phoebe’s face. When Phoebe nodded in the affirmative, Daisy’s stance relaxed, and she turned into a normal, goofy dog. She snuffled Graham’s hand, and then lavished his face with a few swipes of her pink tongue against his cheek before falling at his rather large feet as he stroked her fur and gave her a belly rub. Euphoria emanated from Daisy. And, for a split second, Phoebe wondered what it would feel like to have Graham rub her belly—and further south.

“Beautiful dog.” Graham rose with Daisy following him up into a sitting position from which she stared at him with adoration. “I cannot believe you’re the one who bought Riverland Plantation. When Dante gave me your name, it didn’t ring any bells.”

“Same. I didn’t realize you were G.C. Layton of Layton Construction. For me, it’s the last name that’s different. Probably why my name didn’t sound familiar to you.” Quite a few other things had changed as well, like that she no longer believed in love or happily ever after, or that she could depend on anyone but herself.

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AUTHOR INFO:

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Anya grew up listening to Cardinals baseball and reading anything she could get her hands on. She remembers her mother saying if only she would read the right type of books instead binging her way through the romance aisles at the bookstore, she’d have been a doctor. While Anya never did get that doctorate, she graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with an M.A. in History.

Anya is a bestselling and award-winning author published in multiple fiction genres. She also writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance under the name Maggie Mae Gallagher. A total geek at her core, when she is not writing, she adores attending the latest comic con or spending time with her family. She currently lives in the Midwest with her two furry felines.

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