Book Tour for Kissing Kin by Karen Hulene Bartell (GIVEAWAY)…..

Life takes an unexpected turn for a veteran looking to start over in this twisty tale of mystery and romance.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Kissing Kin by Karen Hulene Bartell, along with learning more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour, then add it to your bookshelf.  In honor of this standalone book in the Trans-Pecos series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 bookstore GC too!

Maeve Jackson is starting over after a broken engagement—and mustering out of the Army. No job and no prospects, she spins out on black ice and totals her car.

When struggling vintner Luke Kaylor stops to help, they discover they’re distantly related. On a shoestring budget to convert his vineyard into a winery, he makes her a deal: prune grapevines in exchange for room and board.
But forgotten diaries and a haunted cabin kickstart a five-generational mystery with ancestors that have bones to pick. As carnal urges propel them into each other’s arms, they wonder: Is their attraction physical...or metaphysical?

EXCERPT:

“Mind if I camp out ’til the roads clear?”
“Under the circumstances?” The clerk shook his head. “Not a problem.”
“Thanks.” He started toward the sitting room and nearly bumped into Maeve, leaning against the wall. “Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t.” She tossed her chin. “I was cat-napping.”
“Right.” He compared her guarded veneer to her sleeping-beauty persona. Which is closer to her true self?
“Couldn’t help overhearing.” Gesturing toward the clerk with her chin, she grimaced. “I’m responsible for you being out tonight--”
“No.” He shook his head. “This is just a freak storm.”
“You don’t have to sleep in a chair.” She took a deep breath and gave a quick, tight-lipped smile. “My room has two queen beds, and you’re welcome to one of ’em.”
Unsure of the extent of her invitation, he did a double take.
“Just so we understand each other, this is a bunk, a place to sack out. Period. Amen.” She spoke in a low-pitched, no-nonsense voice. “Nothing more, so don’t get any--”
“Got it.” He covered his disappointment with a laugh. “Thanks, I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine dozing by the fire.”
“Hey, I’ve bivouacked with soldiers in Afghanistan. We do what’s necessary under extenuating circumstances.” Shrugging, she glanced at the door. “And this blizzard qualifies.” Her face relaxed into a smile.
Her offer tempting, he compared sitting up all night to stretching out in a bed. Then he glimpsed the clerk.
“If you’re worried about my reputation, don’t be.” She laughed, the sound like sleigh bells tinkling on a crisp, wintry night.
What is it about her that conjures thoughts of other times--other eras?

BUY AT AMAZON here.

AUTHOR INFO:

Author of the Trans-Pecos and Sacred Emblem series, Karen is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life, who writes multicultural, offbeat love stories. Born to rolling-stone parents who moved often, Bartell found her earliest playmates as fictional friends in books. Paperbacks became her portable pals. Ghost stories kept her up at night—reading feverishly. The paranormal was her passion. Novels offered an imaginative escape. An only child, she began writing her first novel at the age of nine, learning the joy of creating her own happy endings. Professor emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen resides in the Texas Piney Woods with her husband Peter and her “mews”—three rescued cats and a rescued *Cat*ahoula Leopard dog.

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Book Blurb Blitz for Obedience by Liza Snow (GIVEAWAY)…….

Readers will look at the circus in a whole new way after witnessing the burgeoning connection between a young woman and an older man, taking on the role of teacher, in a sensual dance full of mystery and suspense.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Obedience by Liza Snow, then learn even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  In honor of this first installment in the Ties That Bind series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $30 bookstore GC, 5 readers have the chance to win a print copy of this book, and 5 more readers have the chance to win a mug or t-shirt too!

Cassandra

Growing up, I was mesmerized by a man soaring the skies.

The greatest silk aerialist in the world, Chandler Moreau.
He was once my lifeline, the dream I clung to after my parents died. I’ve always believed he was my destiny. To join him at the Dreamers Academy. To perform for him.

To soar with him.
He’s more than I ever imagined. Far more than a mentor. When I am high in the silks, turning, flying, falling, he’s my lifeline once again. Twisting my heart and my body into knots like the knots of his beloved Japanese rope bondage, Shibari.
I don’t want to live without him. With each lesson, each touch, I crave more. Only he can satisfy me. And only he can destroy me...
But I must keep him safe from the past that relentlessly follows me.

Chandler
She is my protégé, the student I’ve been waiting to take under my wing for my entire career. Someone with whom I could share my lifelong journey in my family’s circus, Cirque du Lys.
I never intended to fall in love with the student I was supposed to protect—from myself and the demons that lurk in my shadows. But sometimes fate has other plans.
Cassandra, my beautiful butterfly. I know she’s off limits. Forbidden. Still, I want her in my life. My heart. My bed.
My grandfather's taunting words still linger. Mieux vaut plier que rompre.
Adapt and survive.
It’s what we must do. Cassandra and I share a history that entwines us more than the silks we’ve spent our lives mastering ever could.
There are secrets from the past that must never be told. And truths that could destroy what we’ve just begun...

EXCERPT:

“I’ve got you, Cassandra,” I called out to her, gently. Steadying myself, my body locked in place. Breathing slow and rhythmic and calm. I watched her take the same breath as I had, waiting for the little drop in the lyrics before the next few lines began.
The moment their voices bellowed into the theater again, she let herself drop in a salto. In a gentle sweep of my body, I caught her gracefully into my arms. Twisted us together, letting the silks take hold of the two of us as we swung across the room, dozens of feet above the stage below us. Falling like two feathers locked together, dancing into the wind.
When the fabrics released us, I swung us outward. Our bodies drifted apart again as she spun around me, both of us still descending toward the floor. As beautiful as she looked, circling outward away from me, the moment she had, I wanted her back. I used my legs to give myself enough momentum to swing forward, latching on again once she’d appeared.
Cassandra had been so close I’d felt her breath against my face while we dangled above the stage. I got lost in the way it felt to be tangled up with her, a mess of bodies and fabric. Consumed by it. Convinced I might never let go of her again.
As we’d traversed the rest of the way back to the stage, I didn’t. The two of us descended together as a singular unit, just her and I and the fabrics. Improvising the graceful fall we were doing, finding little tricks and motions to carry out, all the while never leaving her side.
We’d both reached the floor, perfectly in sync with one another. I heard a gentle thump as we landed. Followed by the sound of both of our light, audible breaths. Steadying ourselves back on the ground.
Even having left the air, the silks still wrapped around us. Neither of us had freed ourselves. Cassandra was still in my arms, something I realized, when I hadn’t been so caught up in what we were doing all those feet above us, was happening for the very first time.
The sweet smell of oranges overwhelmed me. Her beautiful hazel eyes, those captivating flecks of grays and greens and browns, drowned out the world around us. I watched her breathing softly, holding her to me and those silks holding me to her.
And in those next few moments, every single solitary thing keeping me from her since the day we had met no longer existed in the little reality we were trapped in. Every fear I had, every reservation, disappeared. I tightened her to me, my hands capturing the sides of her face in a gentle sweep, as elegant as every other thing we’d done those last few minutes.
Our mouths fell together, and I lost myself in her. Trapped in those profound and so unbelievably relieving seconds in which the things that had stood in our way no longer mattered.
I hadn’t thought anything could have surpassed the experience the two of us just shared. Undeniably, it had been the best minutes I had ever spent in those silks in my entire career. As simple as it had been. And we had barely started. This was only the beginning.
But this moment now was just as wonderful. As perfect as I could have hoped.

***More to Love:
In addition to the paperback, Obedience is also available in a full-cast narrated audiobook, starring Daniel Zbel and Rapunzaroo, along with a cast of additional voiceover actresses. Brought to life in the way the story is meant to be told, and it will be the best audiobook you listen to this year—possibly for a very long time. You’ll love listening to the two voices of these iconic characters. And don’t forget to read along with them and enjoy a fantastic, immersive experience. You’ll need the paperback copy to fan yourself off from some of the narration!***

AUTHOR INFO:

A bestselling independent author from Florida, Liza has been putting romance books into her readers hands for over a half decade, and has loved every minute of it.
​Liza lives with her husband, her two dogs and her cat, ten minutes from the beach. When she isn't writing, you can often find her walking and enjoying outside, with a coffee and a book in hand.

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Book Release Blast for Running Wild By D.M. Earl (REVIEW)…..

 Get ready for one heckuva ride courtesy of four young women hitting the road for fun, but instead finding danger and mystery (and some steam too courtesy of a few secondary characters) throughout their epic journey.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Running Wild by D.M. Earl, along with getting my impressions of this spinoff to the Devil's Handmaiden MC series, then add this addition to the Mayhem Makers - MMM series to your bookshelf too!

HANNAH

Adventure. Fun. And the freedom of the open road.
I'll show them. They treat me like a child--and I am no child. How dare they tell me "No."
It's an author signing for God's sake.
What could possibly go wrong?
Taking my three besties,
We hit the road, travel across the country for some fun, Real unsupervised, crazy-as-Hell fun.
And boy do we find it.
After all, we're heading to the MMM23 signing, Motorcycles, Mobsters, and Mayhem,
And it's everything we've ever wanted.
This is what RUNNING WILD is all about.

BUY here.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

D.M. Earl continues to thrill with this exhilarating cross country road trip that brings together four prospects who leave their mark with each mile they travel.  From the very start this story amps up the excitement as Hannah, Kitty, Dani and Dotty decide to head to Texas for a book signing without consent from their Club Prez.  These prospects are determined to live life to the fullest, be bold while supporting each other unconditionally, and I loved watching their interactions with all their Girl Power glory.

This story completely captivated me, pushed every one of my emotional buttons on a rollercoaster ride of oohs, aahs, and oh mys!  I gasped with the dramatic twists and turns, clapped with the cleverly crafted reveals, and laughed while watching these four young women get answers to the mysteries they stumble across.  Some of those mysteries are fun while some are a bit more impactful to the storyline.  Add in interactions with other Clubs, as well as the Devil's Handmaidens catching up to the wayward prospects, and things turn even more suspenseful and exhilarating.  This story definitely stands strongly on its own, but I recommend reading the previous two installments in the Devil's Handmaiden MC series to see the early interactions of these prospects as well as getting more insight into some of Tink and Zoey's actions here. Seeing so many secondary characters leant a familial vibe to this story, a family not of blood but by unconditional support that will keep me coming back for more.  On a whole readers will find this a decadent delight, a tale that makes the perfect reread, giving a little something to every reader.  After so many emotionally intense stories I found this the kind of book that cleanses the palate, leaving me feeling immensely satisfied...and for this I give D.M. Earl much appreciation!

My rating for this is an A-

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

AUTHOR INFO:

D.M. Earl is a U.S.A. Today Bestselling Author who spins stories about real life situations with characters that are authentic, genuine, and sincere. Each of her stories allow the characters to come to life with each turn of the page while they try to find their HEA through much drama and angst. D.M. finds ideas for her next story from within those around her and what she experiences in daily life. Each book has a part of her left behind in it. She lives in Northwest Indiana married to her best friend who was instrumental in the start of her writing career in 2014. When not writing D.M. loves to read, play with her seven fur-babies (yeah crazy) and ride her Harley Dyna Lowrider.
“Enjoy this Ride we call Life.” Remember we only get one chance.

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Book Release Blitz for Justice for Samara By Deanndra Hall (REVIEW)….

Readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats with this gripping tale of a young woman using her painful past to solve a recent rash of crimes in a small town where everyone is a suspect.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Justice for Samara By Deanndra Hall, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this 16th installment in the Bluegrass Bravery series to your bookshelf!

Demons of the past threaten the future...

Newly promoted Chief Deputy Michael Edwards is determined to prove his place in the Trigg County Sheriff’s Department. The young leader will do anything to protect the people of his town. But when he meets the new detective in charge of cold cases, everything changes.
Detective Samara Futrell is hellbent on cracking the unsolved rape cases that have piled up in files of her new department. After all, she's no stranger to assault; she can read a woman's fearful body language at any time. Speaking to the victims and watching their reactions tell her everything she needs to know.
As Samara and Michael team up to delve into the cases, they discover an undeniable desire for one another. But someone doesn't want Samara to uncover any further information on the cases. Suddenly, Samara's life is in peril, and it's up to Michael to rescue the woman who taught him how to love again. But can he find Justice for Samara before it's too late and she's just another statistic?

BUY THIS BOOK AT AMAZON here.

GET THE ENTIRE COLLECTION OF BOOKS IN THE BLUEGRASS BRAVERY SERIES here.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Readers looking for an exhilarating read with a bit of romance, and a lot of suspense, will get all that and more with this latest installment in the Bluegrass Bravery series. Though this is the 16th book in the series it stands strongly on its own courtesy of a strong main couple whose connection was both sensual and supportive in their goal of finding justice.  Based loosely on a real crime (one detailed at the beginning) the lives of the main couple become intertwined in a captivating tale that will keep you guessing until the very end, holding on for dear life with each turn of the page.

Michael Edwards has been recently promoted and it has him out to prove himself.  He's a determined man, competent and caring, out to protect the people of his community.  He finds himself distracted though with the department's new hire, Samara Futrell, a detective dealing with cold cases with a background weighed down by her own past assault.  She's a wonderful heroine, one who's tougher than you expect and whose background helps her bond with a slew of others recently assaulted as she sets out to discover whodunit.  This pair had an instant attraction and perfectly balanced their burgeoning romance with gathering evidence and trying to stay one step ahead of the culprit as danger crept ever closer to Samara.  It's a mystery that was well-crafted, the culprit being someone who poses a real threat to both Samara and Michael, and I was on the edge of my seat from the moment the culprit was revealed to the moment they were captured.  This exhilarating mystery brought this couple closer together, bound them emotionally and through their goal of bringing this evil to an end.  Theirs was a journey full of action and suspense, a love full of heart and soul, and a storyline that balanced all of that beautifully in a story that I definitely recommend.

My rating for this is an A.

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

AUTHOR INFO:

Deanndra Hall is a working author living in the far western end of the beautiful Bluegrass State with her husband of over 35 years and small menagerie of weird little dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s editing. When she’s doing neither of those two things, she’s having dinner with friends, spending time with family, kayaking, eating chocolate, drinking beer or moonshine, or looking for something that she put in the wrong place and can’t seem to find (which is pretty much everything she owns).

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Book Release Blast for Risking Forever by A.M. Kusi (REVIEW)……

 Two bruised people find a bit of happiness on their slow burn journey to HEA, a journey strewn with miscommunications and scenes of true love.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Risking Forever by A.M. Kusi, along with my impressions of this second installment in The Emerson Family of Shattered Cove series, then add it to your bookshelf!

She’s looking for a fresh start. He’s still mourning the past. Will a short-term summer arrangement open them up to a beautiful future together?

Elise Aki desperately needs a stroke of luck. Grieving after a painful breakup forced her into couch surfing, the strong-willed teacher craves a fill-in before her new job begins in the fall. So the live-in nanny gig she lands feels like a godsend...until her charge’s handsome single dad comes home and assumes she’s a thief.
Roman Emerson never wants to feel the agony of loss again. Dedicated to his mute daughter, the alarmed father confronts the stranger rifling through their belongings only to be met by a nose-bruising punch. And even after discovering his mom hired the curvy knockout with a mean right hook, he’s certain his unwanted attraction makes her a not-so-good fit for their heartbroken household.
Determined to prove she’s capable, Elise steps up to the challenge of caring for the cute kid and her overprotective parent. And though Roman tries to trust his gorgeous housemate, he struggles with a fierce need to guard his traumatized child and safeguard his fragile heart.
Can two wounded fighters learn to read the love growing between them?

BUY here.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Readers looking for a heartfelt small town romance, with a dash of mystery, will get all that and more with this single dad/nanny romance.  Add in a traumatized, mute little girl and you end up needing tissues while watching these two bruised adults slowly heal through the love growing between them.  By the turn of the final page you feel drained but cleansed and at satisfied peace with this epic romance.

Roman's a grumpy, single dad still trying to deal with the death of his wife.  He's also trying to care for his daughter Ariel, a mute, while juggling his own feelings of guilt and anger.  Unbeknownst to him, his mother has hired a nanny...and so begins a romance built on an unforgettable first meeting that takes a slow burn journey to HEA.  Roman's a tough nut to crack, someone wallowing in his guilt over his loss, but Elise isn't someone to give up on him or his daughter and he eventually decides he's all in with her in interludes full of steaminess that pulled at my heartstrings too.  There were moments early on where he was a bit of a douchebag though, while trying to fight his attraction to Elise, but once he gave up the fight he showed how talented he was at dirty talk which made for decadently delightful scenes of forgiveness.

Elise is a heroine who's easily relatable.  Her previous relationship was emotionally abusive and she's now left riddled with self-doubts and body image issues.  Her ex certainly did a number on her and it's left her a bit lost.  The opportunity to nanny, before starting the school year teaching, sounds like the perfect diversion.  She doesn't expect all the emotional baggage surrounding the family though but shows the kindhearted, loving person she is by being part of their healing process.  It's a process that brought a few tears, along with a few smiles, in a slow burn journey to becoming a family.  I found Elise an admirable heroine with issues we all feel occasionally, but it still broke my heart to hear the negative thoughts perpetuated by her ex in her mind still. Elise's love for Ariel showed through from the very start and it warmed my heart how easily she interacted with the little girl despite her being mute.  She made the little girl feel safe, loved, and special and seeing this trio slowly become a family had me cheering them on.

Courtesy of A.M. Kusi readers are again rewarded with an engaging and emotionally intense tale featuring an appealing main couple whose journey to HEA is richly rewarding.  Readers will find themselves happily put through the wringer when reaching a conclusion as satisfying as the one found between Roman and Elise.  The authors must also be credited with the respectful handling of disability.  Every member of Ariel's family knew sign language and it was seamlessly incorporated into scenes with her.  Another facet seamlessly incorporated into the narrative was that of the continuing mystery surrounding the murder of Nash's fiancée, a mystery hanging over the entire town and one that's keeping me guessing...in a good way.  Add in the conclusion setting the stage for Ricky's story to be told next and readers will be on the edge of their seats waiting for the next installment in this beautifully crafted small town romance series.

My rating for this is an A-

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

AUTHOR INFO:

A.M. Kusi is the pen name of a husband and wife team. We enjoy writing romance novels that are inspired by our own experiences as an interracial/multicultural couple.

Our novels are about strong women and the sexy heroes they fall in love with, are emotionally satisfying, and always have a happy ending.

Book Blast for The Secrets of Gable House by Nancy Fraser (GIVEAWAY)....

Two people find themselves growing closer together, and becoming concerned about the past wreaking havoc on them now, as they learn the truth about an old house given to the great nephew of the original owner.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of The Secrets of Gable House by Nancy Fraser, then discover even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  In honor of this compelling paranormal romance make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $15 bookstore GC too!

Noah Miller is shocked to learn that an unknown great uncle has named him heir to the family fortune, including the residence known as Gable House. Built by Noah’s fifth-back grandfather, the house is ripe with family secrets and unusual occurrences.

Maggie Shephard has spent the past ten years researching the history of Willow-By-The-Sea, including that of her own ancestors. Considered an authority on New England history, she’s often sought out as a consultant. When Noah Miller asks for her help in acquainting him with both the house and his ancestors, she jumps at the chance to share her knowledge with the handsome architect.

Noah and Maggie have an immediate attraction to one another, made even more so by the time they spend together researching the Gable family history. The fact that each Gable male died an untimely and gruesome death, leads Noah and Maggie on a quest for the truth in hopes of setting a murderous spirit free.

EXCERPT:

Maggie paced the parlor, weighing her words against the contradictory stories she’d grown up on, and wondering exactly how much she should tell the heir to the Gable secrets right off the bat. Imparting her knowledge of the Gable family history was something that would benefit from a slow, easing-into-it approach.

Or, perhaps, you’re just wanting to prolong your time in Noah Miller’s company? Maggie batted her lashes, chasing away her annoyingly accurate inner thoughts.

“Archibald was born...um...I want to say in the late sixteen-hundreds, 1680 maybe. His actual birthdate is unclear since he wasn’t born here in the U.S. In 1701, he immigrated to the New England area from Heathshire, Wales with his parents, Theodore and Julia. They both died within months of arrival, having contracted something on the way over.” She drew a breath and continued. “Archibald—"

He interrupted and asked, “How about we call him Archie? It’s less of a mouthful."

She smiled and began again. “Archib...uh...Archie built a trade empire on the backs of indentured workers. According to journals I’ve reviewed, he was not beneath cheating his business partners or competitors. It’s even said, he had a man murdered for not selling him a parcel of land."

“Damn! I thought my ex wife was bad. My ancestors may have her beaten.” He grinned, and added, “But not by much."

Oh, good. He’s not married. Hot as hell and available.

“In 1718, Archie married his first wife, Estella Lanier, daughter of a wealthy French businessman. Armand Lanier died a few months before his daughter’s wedding, leaving his entire estate to Estella. With no business experience to rely on, she gladly turned her fortune over to her new husband. Archie purchased the land and built Gable House for her in 1720, with the intention they would start a family. They became one of the half-dozen or so founding residents of what is now Willow-By-The-Sea. Their plans for a family took longer than they’d hoped, but eventually they had a son, Cornelius.

Unfortunately, Estella died shortly after childbirth. Archibald—"

“Archie,” he corrected.

“Archie remarried a year-and-a-half later, to a woman named Penelope Green. He and his second wife also had a son they named Alister."

“Good grief. How do you remember all these details? More importantly, why would you want to?"

She readily admitted, “It’s become important to me. My fifth-removed grandmother was also a founder of Willow, and I’ve scoured her personal journals over and over again trying to reconcile them with other historical documents."

“And?” he prompted.

“I’m not sure yet. There’s a very thin line between fact and fiction. Sometimes there’s no line at all.”

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO

***FOR FANS OF JIGSAW PUZZLES, VISIT here FOR PUZZLES IN HONOR OF THIS BOOK***

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 currently writes for four publishers. She has published over thirty 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 Tour for Dare to Tempt by Carly Phillips (REVIEW)

An athlete in trouble hires a formidable private investigator with fireworks the result in this compelling contemporary romance that will keep readers frantically turning the pages.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Dare to Tempt by Carly Phillips, along with my impressions of it, then add this second installment in the Dare Nation series to your bookshelf too!

He’s a smooth talking jock in trouble.

She’s the solution to his problems.

Love is the last thing they expected to find.

Damon Prescott had it all. Star quarterback. Money. Fame. Now? He’s being accused of taking performance enhancing drugs and banned from the sport and team he loves.

Determined to prove he’s innocent, he hires tough as nails private investigator, Evie Wolfe. She’s able to bring a man to his knees with a glare, yet sensual in ways that take him off guard - and she’s everything Damon didn’t know he needed.

Evie’s used to men dismissing her, especially playboys like Damon Prescott so she’s not buying the sexual lines he’s trying to sell. She’s with him to do a job, nothing more. But you know what they say about the best laid plans?

Sometimes you end up between the sheets with an arrogant football player anyway.

But when the case is over, can Damon convince Evie she’s the only woman for him or will she leave him tied up in love?

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (KINDLE)  |  AMAZON (PRINT)  |  AMAZON (AUDIO)  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO  |  GOOGLE PLAY  |  AUDIBLE

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

When it comes to reliable authors Ms. Phillips is always at the top of the list for her consistently satisfying romances and her appealing and realistic characters.  With each turn of the page this release is another winner as a fake relationship slowly becomes real while the mystery surrounding a star quarterback is ultimately solved in an all-around HEA.

Damon Prescott's a sexy, star quarterback on the top of his game when this book starts.  Things go quickly downhill though the moment he gets a concussion with tests revealing performance enhancing drugs in his system which lead to being suspended from his team who are more like a family to him.  It's a crushing blow, one that has him doing whatever's necessary to prove his innocence.  Though he's always enjoyed the player lifestyle he quickly commits to a fake relationship with a PI hired to find out the truth and discovers that being close to Evie's the lone bright spot in his life.  Damon starts out as a stereotypical player, enjoying the adoration of the female fans through numerous one night stands.  He's fun, flirty, as well as a bit arrogant, but seeing him around his family shows a man with a big heart just waiting for someone to love him for him.  After a rocky first encounter, Damon and Evie's connection turned combustible and I was rooting for them every step of the way as their pairing was utterly entertaining and made them even more likable as they finally took a chance on love and each other.

Evie Wolfe's a great heroine, self-assured when it comes to her job and protective of both family and friends.  She's a smart cookie too with a need to prove herself in what's normally seen as a man's job and I was cheering her on from start to finish as she dealt with the feelings of inadequacy her ex left her with.  It was an internal battle she waged with herself over embracing her womanly side while solving the mystery of Damon's dirty test results, a battle that's a timely issue and one that made me like her all the more for standing her ground and being true to herself.  Through it all Evie's full of sass, more than capable of giving as good as she gets, and it made for a connection to Damon that was full of sparks.  With each turn of the page this couple became more united, stronger in their love, as they solved not only the mystery surrounding Damon but also mysteries surrounding the heart.

Damon and Evie were a delightful pairing, fun and flirty towards each other, with crackling banter and sizzling interludes.  Damon was a bit superficial at first, but as the story progressed I saw greater depth to his character.  Time spent with family and friends brought out a softer side that endeared him to me while his support of Evie in her job also spoke highly of him.  Evie was an appealing heroine with an air of confidence but also vulnerability that kept me rooting for her to get everything she wanted in a romance I was fully invested in. Surrounding this entertaining main couple was an equally appealing cast of secondary characters, family members and friends, some who readers have seen before and some who left a tantalizing impression on me as I wait for more stories to be told.  Fans of the theme of fake romances will find much to like about this release, much to like about the characters and their beautiful blend of sexy and sweet, and by The End you'll be left with a smile on your face.

My rating for this is a B+

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

AUTHOR INFO:

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips gives her readers Alphalicious heroes to swoon for and romance to set your heart on fire. She married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her three crazy dogs: two wheaten terriers and a mutant Havanese, who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram. The author of 50 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters who put up with having a mom as a full time writer. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as a romance club pick and was the first romance on a nationally televised bookclub. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter and receive TWO FREE books HERE.

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Book Blast for The Ultimate Betrayal by Kat Martin (GIVEAWAY)

A woman trying to prove her deceased father's innocence finds herself relying on her brother's best friend as his guarding her body soon turns romantic in this sensual and suspenseful tale.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of The Ultimate Betrayal by Kat Martin, then discover even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  In honor of this third installment in the Maximum Security series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 bookstore GC too!

To prove her father’s innocent of treason, she’ll have to face a killer--and risk everything...

When journalist Jessie Kegan’s father is accused of espionage and treason, Jessie has no doubt the man she looked up to her entire life is innocent. Worse yet, before Colonel Kegan can stand trial, he’s found dead of a heart attack...but Jessie knows it was murder. Forcing down her grief, she’s determined to use her investigative skills and resources to clear her father’s name. But going after the truth means Jessie soon finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who wants that truth to stay buried with her father.

Protecting Jessie Kegan is a job bodyguard Brandon Garrett can’t refuse. Jessie isn’t just a client at Maximum Security—she’s the sister of his best friend, Danny, killed in Afghanistan. With dangerous forces gunning for Jessie from every angle, keeping her safe will mean keeping her close and Bran finds their mutual attraction growing, though being Danny’s sister puts Jessie out of bounds.

With their backs against the wall, Jessie and Bran will have to risk everything to expose her father’s killer—before his legacy dies with his daughter.

EXCERPT:

Bran leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on her face. “So...no husband. No serious boyfriend, either?"

“No. Listen, if you’re finished with the third degree, I’m going to bed. It’s been a rough day."

His gaze sharpened. “Sorry,” he said, not looking sorry at all and even more curious than before--unfortunately. “I’ll see you in the morning."

“What time?” she managed to ask calmly.

“We leave at six."

“I’ll be ready. Good night, Bran. And thanks again. I really appreciate your help."

Bran casually nodded, but his beautiful blue eyes never strayed as she turned and walked away. She shouldn’t have let his questions get to her. It was a dead giveaway to a guy as smart as Brandon that there was more to the story than she was willing to tell.

Far more.

She thought of the man whose brutality had changed her life. Jordan Duran, Jordy, the man who was currently serving a ten-year prison sentence. She didn’t like to think about him. She refused to let him control any more of her life than he already had. As she had learned to do, she pushed his image from her mind and just thanked God she was still alive.

Yawning, she packed up the computer so she would be ready to travel in the morning and headed to bed. After the drama of the day--being followed from the airport, shot at, meeting Brandon Garrett and his friends, and escaping a possible tail, she should have been exhausted, and she was. Still, she couldn’t seem to fall asleep.

Every time she started to drift away, she saw Bran’s perceptive blue eyes and wondered what he thought of her. Wondered if he found her attractive. It had been months since she had been interested in a man. After Jordy, none of her attempts at a normal relationship had worked out and eventually she had just given up.

But Bran intrigued her. Both his physical beauty and his mind. She also knew that getting involved with Bran on a personal level was a terrible idea. He was exactly the heartbreaker Danny had warned her about. He was also ex-military, an adrenaline junkie who loved to be in the middle of the action. Guys like that never changed. Just as before, her judgment sucked.

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AUTHOR INFO:

New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara where she majored in Anthropology and also studied History. Currently residing in Missoula, Montana with her Western-author husband, L. J. Martin, Kat has written sixty-five Historical and Contemporary Romantic Suspense novels. More than sixteen million copies of her books are in print and she has been published in twenty foreign countries. Kat is currently at work on her next Romantic Suspense.

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