Book Review and Giveaways: A Kiss to Build a Dream On (A White Pine Novel) by Kim Amos

This 'second chance' romance is a fast, light read.

A Kiss to Build a Dream On (A White Pine Novel)

by Kim Amos

• File Size: 796 KB
• Print Length: 352 pages
• Publisher: Forever (March 31, 2015)
• ASIN: B00LLIIZAC
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2015
TROUBLE IN HIGH HEELS . . . 
If pride goes before a fall, Willa Masterson's trip back to White Pine, Minnesota, should be one heck of a tumble The girl who left her hometown-and her first love, Burk Olmstead-in the rearview twelve years ago was spoiled and headstrong. But the woman who returns is determined to rebuild: first her family house; then her relationships with everyone in town . . . starting with a certain tall, dark, and sexy contractor.
MEETS HER MATCH
Burk has no reason to believe Willa has changed, and every reason to discourage her from converting the Masterson house into a B&B. He has plans of his own for that house, and they certainly don't include a no-vacancy sign. But Burk didn't count on how distracting Willa's bright green eyes or her all-too-familiar touch would feel-or how impossible she will be to resist . . .

Review:
Willa was a spoiled heiress who left her small-town high school sweetheart without so much as a goodbye kiss to flee to New York. There she lived a high society life-style with shopping as her main occupation while her investor boyfriend controlled her accounts. Willa was shocked when her boyfriend was arrested for fraud and theft, including having wiped out Willa’s accounts. Fortunately Willa had two assets left when it was all over - one old trust account and her home estate in White Pine.

Willa returns home with the plan to turn the old family house into a Bed & Breakfast. The problem is her high school sweetheart, Burk, is the local contractor and he had other plans for the home. He has cared for the property for the past twelve years since Willa left, continuing even after her absent mother died and no one was paying him. Burk isn’t thrilled to have the girl who broke his heart back in town but he is happy to have the job to keep his crew employed.

Willa realizes that she has hurt a lot of people and she must apologize and make amends if she wants to succeed with her B&B. She volunteers to help the high school girl’s track team and is invited to a recipes exchange group. Even though Willa has no clue how to cook she joins the group of women and begins to make real friends for the first time in her life.

Burk and Willa find it tense to work together as both hide their past feelings and hurts. Willa doesn’t want to reveal the extent of her money problems, although she can't hide how ill-prepared she is for many normal life tasks. Burk figures Willa will leave town soon and he wants to convince her to sell the house to him. He surely doesn’t want to fall prey to Willa again.

I liked the small town features, the secondary characters and the second chance romance. The setting descriptions are crisp, several emotional portrayals are worded really well and the message of forgiveness is nicely presented.  I was able to get beyond Willa being a mean person in high school, a foolish young woman not caring for her own money,  to suddenly being a nice girl... after all, people can mature. The story reads quickly but I was bothered by the constant thread of visual sexuality and then the basic sex scenes. When they weren’t ‘secretly’ ogling each other’s chests, their chests were aching from loss and longing. The focus on sexual attraction took up way too much of the book for my likes. Although this made the reading tedious for me, some readers will no doubt like this aspect.

I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review for Forever Romance blog tour. This qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge. 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1xfmEZm
B&N: http://bit.ly/1ErH3HJ
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1AxKQ4M
BAM!: http://bit.ly/1F4vQC8
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1I04MCu

About Kim Amos

A Midwesterner whose roots run deep, Kim Amos is a writer living in Michigan with her husband and three furry animals. 

Website: http://www.kimamoswrites.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimAmosWrites

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimamoswrites

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kimamoswrites/

Excerpt available at author website.

GIVEAWAYS

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Book Review and Giveaways: Scandalously Yours by Cara Elliott

This is a delightfully fun romp.

Scandalously Yours (The Hellions of High Street)

by Cara Elliott

• File Size: 639 KB
• Print Length: 289 pages
• Publisher: Forever (January 7, 2014)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00D19E04O
• Genre: Historical Romance
• My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Proper young ladies of the ton-especially ones who have very small dowries-are not encouraged to have an interest in intellectual pursuits. Indeed, the only thing they are encouraged to pursue is an eligible bachelor. So, the headstrong Sloane sisters must keep their passions a secret. Ah, but secret passions are wont to lead a lady into trouble . . .
SCANDALOUSLY YOURS
The eldest of the three Sloane sisters, Olivia is unafraid to question the boundaries of Society-even if it does frequently land her in trouble. Disdaining the glittery world of balls and courtship, Olivia prefers to spend her time writing fiery political essays under a pseudonym for London's leading newspaper. But when her columns attract the attention of the oh-so-proper Earl of Wrexham, Olivia suddenly finds herself dancing on the razor's edge of scandal. With the help of her sisters, she tries to stay one step ahead of trouble . . .
However, after a series of madcap misadventures, Wrexham, a former military hero who is fighting for social reform in Parliament, discovers Olivia's secret. To her surprise, he proposes a temporary alliance to help win passage of his bill. Passion flares between them, but when a political enemy kidnaps the earl's young son, they must make some dangerous decisions . . . and trust that love will conquer all.

Review:
Olivia is a true blue-stocking who cares little for ton activities and rules, except that she must not ruin the chances for her younger sisters. Olivia’s father was a free thinking explorer who gave the girls a lot of independence, even taking Olivia along on trips to study native cultures. Olivia loves to research and write controversial, political essays which are published under a man’s name. Those passionate essays get the attention of the upright and proper Earl of Wrexham.

Wrexham, a retired soldier referred to as ‘The Perfect Hero’, is a widow with a ten year old son, Prescott (Scottie). Wrexham has decided it is time to find a proper wife to stand with him in society as he takes his place in Parliament. He hopes to champion rights for war veterans and he is anxious to meet the author of the essays he has read in the paper. Meanwhile, he is about to court a 'proper' young woman to the dismay of Scottie who dubs the lady “the Steel Corset”. The young boy misses the spontaneity and laughter associated with his mother.

Wrexham stumbles upon Olivia at a ball in an inappropriate setting at an erotic chessboard which provides a strategic game thread in the story. The pair accidentally meet again and then become entangled through secrets and mischief. Prescott wrote an advertisement seeking a less stiff and regimented woman to apply to be his mother. Olivia’s sister, Anna, sent the reply Olivia wrote in jest as “Lady Loose Screw”. Now Olivia has another secret to hide even as she hides her heart behind a wall of past hurt and proclaimed independence.

I think Ms. Elliott must have had great fun plotting and writing this story as that humor fills the book. The three audacious sisters are writers of different media: essays, penny romance novels, and poetry and drama. The girls bounce ideas off each other providing wonderful banter, as well as creative scheming, which they share to deal with Scottie’s antics and to help Olivia in the next step of the big game of chess she is playing with Wrexham. The writing moves at a good pace and includes lovely (and fun) alliteration.

There are two or three heated, sensual scenes which compliment the resistant romance. There is also a bit of danger that adds excitement and opportunity to throw the reluctant pair together. I totally enjoyed the story and I’m eager to read Anna’s romantic adventures in the next book, Sinfully Yours, which I will review at the end of April.

I picked this up for blog tour for Forever Romance, through NetGalley, for an honest review.  It qualifies for NetGalley Challenge. 

Buy Links:

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Kobo

About the author:
Cara Elliott started writing Western novels at the age of five. However, she traded in her cowboy boots for Regency high-top Hessians after reading Pride and Prejudice in junior high school and hasn't looked back. She graduated from Yale University, and she now lives and works in New York City.

Social Media Links:

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Twitter

Goodreads

EXCERPT:

   “How dare you spy on me, sir!” demanded Olivia, once she had mastered her emotions enough to speak.
    He fixed her with a commanding stare, the one that had set many a seasoned soldiers to quaking in their boots. “I would not have had to resort to such tactics if you had shown me the courtesy of answering my letters.”
    Olivia refused to be intimidated. Lifting her chin, she scowled back at him. “I did answer them.”
    “With a single word—no.”
    “And what,” she asked with excruciating politeness, “did you not understand about such a simple syllable?”
    John couldn’t help but admire her grit. It took courage and resourcefulness to play in a man’s world. And she played well, he conceded.
    Expelling a harried sigh, he felt his anger dissipate just as quickly as it had come. She had no choice but to guard her secret very carefully. “Look, at least hear me out, Miss Sloane. Tracking down The Beacon has led me on a merry dance throughout Town.”
    Olivia paled at the mention of the nom de plume. Turning abruptly, she plunged off the path and darted around a tangle of holly.
    “Wait!” John ducked under the prickly branches, losing his hat in the process.
    “Go away!” Her voice was muffled by the overhanging leaves.
    “Not until we talk!”
    “I’ve nothing to say to you.”
    The Devil take it. All but a last little flutter of her skirts disappeared behind a shaggy yew hedge. Swearing under his breath, John cut through a patch of lavender. He hadn’t come this far to be rebuffed. She would damn well listen. Or else…
    Several long strides brought him within arm’s reach of her. “Confound it, Miss Sloane, stop and listen,” he called, lunging for her sleeve.
    As his fingers seized the fabric, his boot snagged on a twist of morning glory. Pitched off-balance, he stumbled and fell, taking her with him. Tangled together, they hit the ground hard, their momentum rolling them into a patch of pachysandra.
    “Ooof!” Olivia’s flailing kick caught him square in the shin.
    Flat on his back, John got a momentary glimpse of Olivia’s irrepressible curls dancing in the breeze before another half turn landed him on his stomach. Burning with embarrassment, he tried to right himself, only to find that she was sprawled across his…posterior.
    Bloody hell, he had never felt like a bigger arse in all his life.
    They both started wriggling at the same time. He managed to twist face-up just as she slipped on the glossy leaves and fell back down atop him.
    “Miss Sloane,” he gasped.
    “Lord Wrexham,” wheezed Olivia, an odd little burr roughening her already throaty voice.
    For an instant, he feared she was going to burst into tears.
    Instead, she began to laugh.
    And laugh.
    Scottie was right. It was a delightful sound, its top notes shaded with a rich, sensual echo that seemed to stroke over his skin like a moon-dappled midnight breeze.
    A twitch tugged at his lips. His dignity—as well as his coat—was in tatters, his pride was bruised, and though he should not find it at all funny, John felt a rumble vibrate deep in his throat.
    Olivia tried to get up again, but her limbs were too weak with mirth. “Good Lord, what a ridiculous picture we must make!” she wheezed in between burbles of laughter.
    “Here, let me help you.” Levering to his feet, John lifted her up and as she seemed a bit shaky, he kept his hands on her waist.
    “Well, it’s not every day I take a tumble in the hay with an earl,” she quipped.
    “Please don’t think that I make a habit of ruining a young lady’s reputation,” he answered.
    Her cheeks, already pink from the breeze, turned a lusher shade of red as she looked up and wet her lips.
John felt his body clench. His legendary sang froid began to bubble…His steely self-control went up in smoke…
    Olivia flinched as his mouth possessed hers. She was like summer rain against his tongue. So soft, so sweet.
    Her hands came up around his neck.
    Hell, it would serve him right if she throttled him on the spot.
    But then, all of a sudden, she was kissing him back.
    In a daze, John twisted around and braced her back against the ivy-covered wall, the glossy leaves crackling under the crush of silk. He was dimly aware of a roaring like cannonfire in his ears, and as his hands slid down to cup her breasts he realized it was the pounding of his own heart.
    Knocking all reason to flinders.
    A gust of air ruffled his hair, stirring wild, wicked thoughts of her waltzing naked through the trees. In response, his own privy parts began dancing to their own drummer. Thump. Thump. Thump. His pulse was pounding a military tattoo, commanding all soldiers to stand erect.
    And Dear God, his Major Organ was responding with unabashed enthusiasm.
    Olivia didn’t seem disgusted by his display of primitive lust. With a tiny moan, she tightened her hold and hitched her hips into him.
    Lud, it felt good. No, better than good.
    Exquisite.

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For 3 Extra Bonus entries (a) comment on the review, 

OR

(b) visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open to US/CANADA only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) April 10, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after April 10, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Book Review and Giveaways: What a Devilish Duke Desires by Vicky Dreiling

This is an interesting tale of the difficulties facing a Duke falling for a maid in Regency London.

What a Devilish Duke Desires
(The Sinful Scoundrels)
by Vicky Dreiling

• File Size: 779 KB
• Print Length: 416 pages
• Publisher: Forever (February 24, 2015)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00KVK30R4

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 24, 2015
WILL A FEW FLIRTATIOUS STEPS
Harry Norcliffe never wanted to inherit his beloved uncle's title. The rigidity of the ton, the incessant reminders from his marriage-minded mama that he must settle down with a highborn lady and produce an heir and a spare: it's all such a dreadful bore. So when his mother asks him to take part in a dancing competition, he patently refuses. The last thing he needs is another chore . . . until a beautiful, brilliant, delightfully tempting maid makes him rethink his position.
LEAD TO A SCANDALOUS SEDUCTION?
Most women would be over the moon to be pursued by a wickedly handsome-not to mention wealthy-duke like Norcliffe. But Lucy will not be any man's trophy. She could use a friend, though, and what begins innocently soon ignites into desire. As Lucy tries to resist Harry's scorching kisses, he makes an utterly irresistible offer. Enter the dance contest with him, and win a prize that could change her life forever . . . if falling in love doesn't change it first.

Review:
Harry is a likable rogue who didn’t much worry what the ton thought of him. He is grieving at the death of his uncle and terribly annoyed that he is suddenly being sought after because he has become a Duke. Now, he doesn’t much care what people think because he has enough wealth and position to ignore them. Harry knows he will have to settle down someday and provide a legacy like his other 'scoundrel' friends. But, even with his mother’s manipulations, he isn’t prepared to do that just yet...until he meets Lucy.

Lucy is a beautiful young woman whose parents have died, leaving her to care for her blind grandmother. Lucy loves to dance, a gift she learned from her mother. She dreams of having her own dance studio one day. She works as a maid and a dance assistant just to eek out wages for a dingy apartment in a dangerous part of town.

Harry comes to Lucy’s aid one night when a thief tries to rob her. He is immediately smitten although Lucy is cautious of the intentions of this unknown ‘Sir Galahad’. Lucy knows that their social status it too far apart to allow any relationship between them. But Harry pursues her, convincing her to meet him in the park where their friendly banter grows to caring.

There are many obstacles before them, including Harry’s rather haughty mother. There is some tension added by Lucy’s former employer, a drunken dance instructor, who seeks revenge, blaming her for his loss of position. Lucy herself is the most stubborn objector as she doesn’t want to bring shame and harm to Harry who is responsible for his three female cousins who are just reaching marriageable age.

The premise of the story is engaging and for the most part entertaining. I liked Harry’s devilish, yet gentlemanly, character and his determination to make Lucy his own. I liked Lucy’s determination and ability to -mostly- do what has to be done to protect herself and her grandmother. There are several sections of fun banter between the lead characters and also between Harry and his buddies.

Unfortunately the second half of the book slips in execution. There are repetitions of facts, banter, and even (lackluster) sexual encounters. There are sections of “telling” instead of “showing” and some awkward jumping of threads. It seemed to me as though the book got rushed and no one bothered to give it the final edits, tweaking and polishing it could have used. Although the story is a nice read, I felt it was not up to the standard I expected from the author and publisher. Also I admit annoyance that the blurb is not accurate to the story: Harry and Lucy never enter the dance contest, unless you stretch that to mean the dance caused by their unequal status.

I still recommend it as a fast reading, fun story with a lot of sweetness. Be sure to check out other reviews too as some are more positive than mine.

Buy Links:
Amazon
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I received this from Forever Romance (Hachette) through NetGalley for an honest review. I will include it as part of my NetGalley Challenge and W for Alphabet Soup.

About the author:
Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the United Kingdom allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her Trouble. When she's not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and, most of all, long lunches with friends. A native Texan, she holds degrees in English literature and marketing.
Social Media Links:
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Twitter
Goodreads

EXCERPT:

Lucy stood behind the table dressed in an apron. A cap covered all but one wisp of her red hair. She handed a glass of lemonade to a matron. When the lady walked away, Lucy lifted up on her toes.
Evidently, she was watching the dancers.
He strolled over to her table. “Lucy?”
Her green eyes widened. “What are you doing here?” she said under her breath. A blush stole over her cheeks. “Sorry, that was foolish.”
“No, it wasn’t. I escorted my mother and cousins . . . I didn’t expect to see you here.”
She wouldn’t be here if she didn’t need the coin, but she couldn’t be earning more than a pittance.
“You are working?” he said. Brilliant, you just sounded like a complete idiot.
“Yes, isn’t it obvious?”
He smiled. “Well, yes. You are well?”
“I am,” she said. “And you?”
“A few minutes ago, I would have said tolerably well, but then I saw you and brightened considerably.
“Flirting again, Your Grace?”
“Who me?” he said, putting his hand to his heart.
She looked over her shoulder and returned her gaze to him. “You had better go.”
He looked behind her.
“What are you about?” she said.
He grinned. “One of your curls escaped the cap.” She attempted to tuck it in.
“Don’t,” he said. “It’s rather fetching.”
“Please go. I cannot afford trouble.”
“No one is paying attention to us. May I have a glass of lemonade?”
“Of course.” She poured and handed the glass to him. He took a sip and puckered his mouth. “It’s
terrible, but I should have expected it. Almack’s is well known for its lackluster refreshments.”
“One would think the ton would serve decent food and drink.”
“Believe me, no one comes here for the refreshments,” he said.
“Except you?” she said in a teasing tone.
He laughed. “I saw you watching the dancers. I wish you could dance with me.”
“I’m working.” She glanced over her shoulder again. “You had better leave before someone notices you’re talking to me.”
He glanced out at the crowd. “No one is paying the least bit of attention. Everyone is focused on the dancers.
“Why aren’t you dancing?” she said.
“I would if you were free.”
“If you wish to flirt, I advise you to choose a lady of leisure. I must work.”
“I wish I could dance the rest of the night with you. I can’t, so I won’t dance at all.”
She shook her head. “I’m not the reason you’re avoiding dancing,” she said. “I know the patronesses changed the rules.”
“Yes, and I narrowly escaped dancing all night with a young lady out in her first season. I felt sorry for her. She couldn’t be a day over seventeen, making her much too young for the likes of me.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Aren’t you expected to dance?”
“I don’t care about expectations.”
She met his gaze straight on. “I wager your family does. I know courtships take place primarily on the dance floor.
“When I decide to court a lady, I will choose the time and place. I make my own decisions, and I answer to no one,” he said.
She arched her brows. “Perhaps a higher power?”
He smiled. “Or a lower one.”
Her mouth twitched in a slight smile. “Does that make you a devilish duke?”
His shoulders shook with mirth. “Clever.”
A rotund maid walked out. “Lucy, give the gentleman a glass of lemonade and be done with it.”
Lucy winced and poured a glass. “Yes, Mrs. Thompson. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not me you owe an apology.” Mrs. Thompson regarded him. “She’s new, but that’s no excuse.
He’d made trouble for Lucy, and he’d better undo the damage. “Mrs. Thompson, I beg your
pardon.” Harry gave her his best flirtatious smile. “The lady did try to discourage me. I take all the blame. "Do forgive me."
Mrs. Thompson’s eyes grew as round as carriage wheels and her face turned pink. “Imagine me forgivin’ you. Carry on, Miss Longmore,” she said, and walked off.
Afterward, Lucy leaned toward him. “Please go now. I can’t risk losing my job.”
The devil. He shouldn’t have teased Lucy. Her words worried him, because she couldn’t be earning much. That only made him wonder how she was managing.
He wandered past the other tables, stopping occasionally to watch her. She and her grandmother lived in a rough neighborhood. That fact only increased his curiosity and his concern. Most likely, she held more than one job, because she couldn’t possibly survive on whatever pittance she earned serving lemonade.
When she caught him eyeing her, she averted her gaze. A lady approached, and Lucy served her a glass of lemonade. Afterward, Lucy looked out at the crowd as if determined to avoid him.
Once again, he was struck by the contradiction of her. He told himself to walk away and forget her, but he couldn’t. She was a riddle, one that he itched to solve, but that was not all. In truth, that one kiss had only made him want more. He wanted to pull her up to her toes and kiss her senseless. He wanted to hold her in his arms. He wanted her to surrender everything to him, but he mustn’t rush her. That one kiss had assured him she was an innocent.
The orchestra ended the tune with a flourish. The master of ceremonies called for silence. The guests moved closer en mass toward the dais where the patronesses sat.
Three ladies inside the refreshment room hurried out to join the throng. Harry consulted his watch. It was half past eleven. He turned around. Lucy was alone.
When he strode toward her, she eyed him warily. He set the half-finished glass of lemonade on the table and leaned closer to her.
“I want to see you again. Meet me at Green Park tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to know more about you.”
She shook her head. “I do not think it is a good idea.”
“Who will know but us?” he said.
She narrowed her eyes. “What if one of your friends saw me with you? I can well imagine what they would think of me.”
“They’ll be at Rotten Row during the fashionable hour. No need to worry.”
A roar went up within the ballroom, followed by thunderous clapping. Harry turned around and saw his eldest cousin Mina and Lord Everleigh standing on the dais. “I had better go.”
“Yes, go, and please do not jeopardize my job again.”
He grinned. “I will see you tomorrow.”
“You’re awfully confident, but you are bound for disappointment.”
He looked at her over his shoulder, winked, and walked into the ballroom.

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For 3 Extra Bonus entries  (a) comment on the review, OR

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Which would you choose? A Wicked Earl, a Reckless Rouge or a Devilish Duke?

OR

(c) visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open to US/CANADA only for Print Copy.
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Book Review: Last Chance Family by Hope Ramsay

This was a treat to read! An orphaned child, a cat and some kittens add to the charm of this sweet romance.
Last Chance Family
by Hope Ramsay

• File Size: 1238 KB
• Print Length: 369 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1455556432
• Publisher: Forever (November 25, 2014)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00IRISK4K
• Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 25, 2014
Mike Taggart has always been willing to take a gamble. But these stakes are just way too high - there's no way he's prepared to become a legal guardian to his five-year-old niece. His only option is to head from Las Vegas to Last Chance to sort things out as quickly as possible. Problem is, he arrives to find an inconsolable little girl, her sick cat, and a gorgeous veterinarian he can't get out of his mind.

Charlene Polk has two talents: healing sick critters and falling in love with the wrong men. Mike has trouble written all over him, but she can't leave him in the lurch. And the more time she spends with the sexy high roller, the more she sees that this ready-made family is the best stroke of luck they've ever had . . .

Review:
Mike is a gambler who plays poker in Las Vegas and supplements his income with day trading. Mike doesn’t believe he is made for family life. After all, as a five year-old, his stepdad left with his three year-old half brother, Timmy. Mike suffered with his addicted mother until he escaped home and his mom’s dangerous boyfriend, leaving behind his younger half sister, Angie. Now he has taken over temporary custody of his traumatized five year-old niece, Angie’s daughter, who witnessed her mother’s drive-by murder. Mike brings Rainbow, clutching Tigger her cat, to Last Chance, where he hopes that her other uncle, Pastor Tim, will take over custody.

Charlene is the assistant veterinarian in Last Chance. She has had a history of picking the wrong men, including her latest crush who she learns isn’t interested in her...or any other woman in town. Mike and Rainbow bring Tigger to the vet’s office with the sniffles and a cough. Charlene is quick to misjudge Mike’s real relationship with the adorable, clearly mixed-race child who won’t speak.

Pastor Tim is shocked when Mike shows up with Rainbow. He doesn’t remember having an older brother so is inclined to check out the story. He directs Mike and Rainbow to an apartment of one of his parishioners who is out of town. Mike is surprised to discover his interesting neighbors. One is another of Pastor Tim’s parishioners who is part of the local gossip chain in their small town. The other neighbor is the curvy veterinarian, Charlene, who has her own secret reasons for wanting to protect and care for Rainbow and Tigger while keeping her distance from the sexy bad-boy gambler.

Charlene and Rainbow begin to bond and Mike begins to think that Charlene would make a perfect Mother for Rainbow. All he has to do is get her hooked up with Pastor Tim, while ignoring his own attraction to her. A bachelor auction fundraiser seems just the place to get them together if he can get Tim to agree to participate and convince Charlene to bid on him. Mike even consults with Miriam, the town matchmaker.

I found myself picking this up whenever I had open time, and even staying up late to read. It is an adorable story! I totally enjoyed the vulnerable characters as they first tried to resist each other and later found redemption through each other. Ms. Ramsey treats several sensitive issues with grace and gentleness. The secondary characters are fun too and helped to remind me why I always enjoy this series. The romance is clean and warm and the writing has an easy flow with cute phrases that I like.

This may not be grand literature but it is an entertaining treat to read. I recommend this story to those who enjoy sweet, warm romance with child and animal elements.

I received this for an author tour and honest review. Please visit Author Top 5 post for Giveaway chance!

Book Review and Giveaways: Sugar's Twice as Sweet: Sugar, Georgia: Book 1 by Marina Adair

This is a sexy romance with a fun story in small town setting.
Sugar's Twice as Sweet: Sugar, Georgia: Book 1
by Marina Adair 

• File Size: 811 KB
• Print Length: 385 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1455528668
• Publisher: Forever (November 25, 2014)
• ASIN: B00IRISIF6

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 25, 2014
"Marina Adair writes with heart and sizzling heat. SUGAR'S TWICE AS SWEET will charm you!"  --Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author
"A can't miss read with small town sweetness, endearing characters and a unique quirky flair."  --Carly Phillips, New York Times bestselling author on SUGAR'S TWICE AS SWEET
He's trouble she doesn't need . . .
Thanks to a cheating fiancé, Josephina Harrington's perfect life just crashed and burned. Moving in with her overbearing parents is definitely not an option. No, she needs to prove she can make it on her own. And she will-by turning her great-aunt's old plantation house into a destination getaway. She's just not expecting her contractor to be so hands-on-and so totally irresistible.
. . . but everything she wants
Bad-boy golf champion Brett McGraw figured his hometown of Sugar, Georgia was the perfect place to lay low and get his life back up to par. The leggy blonde with a pint-sized pup is the kind of sweet 'n sassy trouble he never saw coming. She doesn't know a nut from a bolt and before long, he's renovating her house . . . as she steals his heart. Can he convince Josephina that his womanizing ways are in the past and he's ready for forever?

Review:
Josephina had lost herself trying to be the perfect socialite girlfriend and fiance for four years. When she learns he has been cheating on her she takes off rather than face her family with her latest failure. She arrives in Sugar, Georgia determined to remodel the old house she inherited from her spirited, southern great-aunt. Josephina remembers the Fairchild House had a magical quality because that is where her great-aunt encouraged Josephina to find her wings amid the fairy dust.  Unfortunately Josephina doesn’t receive a warm welcome as a group of elderly ladies resent ‘that Yankee’ strutting in and making changes to their friend’s house.

Handsome, bad-boy, golf champion Brett McGraw has come home to Sugar to hide out from his latest scandalous escapade. He is intrigued when he sees Josephina walking down the road, especially since he remembers her as a child with pig tails who had to be rescued from his oak tree when she couldn’t "fly" down. Brett is well known for his one night stands but he realizes that Jolie is vulnerable and she isn’t a one night kind of girl. His attraction to her has him thinking maybe he could risk his heart.

When Brett’s grandmother and her gang cause more trouble for Jolie, Brett has to find a way to help her move forward with her dreams. Brett believes that Jolie can accomplish what she wants but she won’t accept help from family or friends. He steps in to help as her contractor but also helps in other ways that may end up backfiring in their relationship.

Jolie and Brett are two lively and likeable characters. The chemistry between them sizzles and the first half of the book seemed like a long seduction. I was a little distracted early in the book because it seemed that every new character was a “looker” - well at least the young ones. The elderly ladies are distinct characters who were frustrating and sometimes a hoot. The story moves along at a good pace with writing that is crisp and flows easily. The small town setting makes for plenty of fun to add to the warm story and the sexy romance. There are several brothers and friends who I imagine would make good material for more books in this series. I recommend this book to those who like a fun, sexy romance.

I received this for Forever Romance tour and an honest review.

SUGAR'S TWICE AS SWEET by Marina Adair (November 25, 2014; Forever Mass Market; $6.00)

Buy Links:

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About the author:

Marina Adair is a lifelong fan of romance novels. Along with the Sugar series, she is also the author of the St. Helena Vineyard series. She currently lives in a hundred-year-old log cabin, nestled in the majestic redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with her husband and daughter.

As a writer, Marina is devoted to giving her readers contemporary romance where the towns are small, the personalities large, and the romance explosive. She also loves to interact with readers and you can catch her on Twitter at @MarinaEAdair or visit her at www.MarinaAdair.com.

Social Media Links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Marina is hosting this fabulous Rafflecopter giveaway featuring Amazon & B&N gift cards:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

EXTRA: 

Autographed PRINT BOOK GIVEAWAY

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on the review, OR
visit THE AUTHOR'S Website and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open US/Canada Only for Print Book.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) December 6, 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after December 6, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and eBook Giveaway: Pushing the Limit (Alpha Ops) by Emmy Curtis

This is a very fast paced, high intensity read.
Pushing the Limit (Alpha Ops)
by Emmy Curtis 

• File Size: 929 KB
• Print Length: 304 pages
• Publisher: Forever Yours (November 4, 2014)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00IRISIM4

Genre: Military Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

They're tough. They're brave. And they'll do anything for the women they love. They're the Alpha Ops. In the tradition of Suzanne Brockmann and Julie Ann Walker comes a sizzling new high-octane romantic suspense novel from rising star Emmy Curtis.

PUSHING THE LIMIT

After their one-night fling at a wedding, archaeologist Henrietta "Harry" Markowitz thought she'd never see war hero Matt Stanning again. So when they're paired up to investigate a military plane crash in Iraq, she's not sure if the three-month reunion is serendipitous or cursed. What she does know is this gorgeous man lights her body on fire-and incredible sex is always a welcome distraction.

Air Force Sergeant Matt Stanning has been called a hero, but he feels nothing like one when he realizes the sexy blonde in his bed is the widow of his fallen brother-in-arms. Even worse, he actually has to work with her, and she's unearthed evidence that points to a military conspiracy. If they dig deeper, they'll put their lives in danger. If they don't, they'll never know the truth-not only about the mysterious plane crash, but about each other.

Review:
Henrietta “Harry” is an archaeologist who married her teen sweetheart and then lost him when he died in an explosion that occurred during his specialized service in Iraq. Harry has held him in her heart and buried her need for anything but work and no-commitment relationships. One of those one night encounters occurs at a wedding of a friend when she meets Matt. They didn’t really get a chance to hook up although it was a close thing and both have fantasized about the other. She didn’t expect to ever see Matt again but is pleased to see him arrive as a military liaison on her dig in Iraq.

Matt was with his team of EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) specialists when his friend died. The death sent him into a spiral of guilt where he relieves the pain with quick one night stands. He also shifted divisions so he no longer works in EOD but rather brings home the missing bodies of other servicemen.

Matt has no idea the petite, sexy woman he met a few months before was his friend’s widow or he would never have ended up in bed with her. Now he has to try to resist their combustible attraction while keeping her safe from a growing danger.

Harry and her team have reported finding a piece of metal that may be from a downed aircraft. That is what brought Matt to the site. Now they have located the outlines of a buried box. They have some conjecture of what it might be and, although they are keeping the details secret, Harry has spoken with another colleague who has been engaged to dig in an adjacent sector. When the man ends up dead after leaving dinner with Harry, the danger really revs up.

I liked Harry and Matt although their initial meetings are rather heavy on the sexual side.  I will give warning that there are several graphic and hot sexual encounters. Still, there is good emotional engagement, interesting secondary characters, betrayal and plenty of danger to keep the story interesting and moving quickly.

This is the first story I have read by Ms. Curtis and I enjoyed the intensity and action. Although part of a series this read fine as a stand alone. I recommend this to readers who enjoy fast-paced military romance and don’t mind some steamy scenes.

I received this title from Grand Central/Hachette/Forever Romance through NetGalley for a launch day blitz and honest review.

Buy Links

B&N: http://bit.ly/1096Qrd 

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1wlHZNt 

GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/10bneXR 

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1wPmovR 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/10bnjLb 

About Emmy Curtis

Emmy Curtis is an editor and a romance writer. An ex-pat Brit, she quells her homesickness with Cadbury Flakes and Fray Bentos pies. She's lived in London, Paris and New York, and has settled for the time being, in North Carolina. When not writing, Emmy loves to travel with her military husband and take long walks with their Lab. All things considered, her life is chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny. And if you get that reference...well, she already considers you kin.

Social Links

W:http://emmycurtis.com/ 

T:@EmmyCurtis19

F:http://facebook.com/EmmyCurtisAuthor 

GR:http://bit.ly/1096r82

EXCERPT: [Sorry - I have shortened this excerpt as I have a family friendly site. There may be more available at other sites participating in the blitz. :-)]

     Matt heard her sharp intake of breath and wondered if he’d misjudged his attempt at lightening her mood.
     There was a second in which he opened his mouth to explain, when there was a shifting in the air around him, and just as his lightning instinct had him reaching for his weapon, a soft projectile thwomped into his face, knocking him backward and off the bed.
     “No one makes fun of my pain without incurring the wrath of the pillow ninja,” she hissed.
     Relief and outrage vied for pole position as he immediately planned his revenge. He let out an agonized groan.
     “Oh my God.” He heard her scrambling over the bed to the foot where he’d fallen from. “I’m so sorry, did you hurt—”
     He reared up, wrapping his arms around her legs, and launched her back onto the bed. She bounced like a rag doll as he grabbed the cushion he’d taken from the lobby and swiped at her as she tried to right herself.
     “Ooff,” was the only thing she managed to say.
     Victory is mine. “Truce?” he asked from a safe distance.
     “My hand is caught in the headboard.” She giggled. “I swear it’s not a trap. I’m an honorable foe, unlike you. Look, or feel.”
     Still keeping his distance, he put out his hand where he thought her shoulder should be. It was soft. Heat rose in his body.
     “Okay, airman, it’s not my breast that’s trapped, it’s my hand,” she said with a totally audible grin.

GIVEAWAY

One Winner at this blog will get an ecopy of Pushing the Limit from the publisher through NetGalley.

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on this review, OR

visit THE AUTHOR'S Website and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open US and Canada Only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) November 14, 2014.
Winners are asked to respond, within 72 hours, by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Unleashed (Love to the Rescue) by Rachel Lacey

This is a solidly cute romance with lots of animal interest.

Unleashed (Love to the Rescue)

by Rachel Lacey

• File Size: 1224 KB
• Print Length: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever (October 28, 2014)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00I829RT2

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

What happens when you find the right one at the wrong time?
Cara Medlen has a serious case of animal attraction. And it's not because of all the foster dogs she's rescued. She's got it bad for her incredibly sexy neighbor. Her one rule: Don't get attached. It's served her well with the dogs she's given to good homes and the children she's nannied. Yet the temptation of Matt's sexy smile might just convince her that some rules are made to be broken.

Matt Dumont doesn't need his skills as a private investigator to detect disaster on the horizon. Cara is everything he thought he'd never find-gorgeous, funny, and caring. But there's no way he can start a relationship just as he's about to move to another state. Talk about bad timing. As their attraction sizzles too hot to deny, they'll have to make a decision: forget the consequences and let loose, or forget each other and let go...

Review:
Cara works as a nanny and is fortunate that her job allows time to volunteer at the local pet shelter. She loves dogs and is a foster home for rescued dogs. Unfortunately some of her neighbors have objected to the dogs which growl when they first come home with Cara. Now the homeowners association is asking her to give up the dogs or move.

Cara has noticed the hot looking guy next door but she has remained aloof from all her neighbors due to her policy of holding herself apart because of past illness. She figures there is no reason to get involved with others until she gets a 10 year clearance on her own health situation. That is the same reason she has held off starting her dream career, photography.

Matt has been busy building his PI business but he has noticed his pretty neighbor. Now he is preoccupied with wrapping up his jobs so he can move back to Boston to take care of his sick mother. This is no time to get involved with a woman, no matter how attracted he is.

These are two fun, warm characters and their distinct reasons to avoid relationship make for interesting conflict when it is clear they have wonderful chemistry. The dogs and Cara’s dilemmas are a great element, providing lots of adorable animal interest. I enjoyed the encouraging message of the book and I  liked the clean interactions (although there is plenty of sizzle and some bad words). The dialogue is easy going and the story reads quickly. I recommend this to readers who love animals and a warm romance.

I received this from Forever Romance through NetGalley for tour participation.

Buy Links

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1xxKB94 

Books A Million: http://bit.ly/1v74Mbo 

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/1v74QIg 

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1tB2Wmz 

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1yFXRcZ 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1swFvFG 

About Rachel Lacey

Rachel Lacey lives in North Carolina, with her husband, son, and their own rescued pup. She volunteers her spare time with Carolina Boxer Rescue and truly has a passion for helping our furry friends. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America as well as her local Heart of Carolina RWA chapter.

Social Media

http://www.rachellacey.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/RachelLaceyAuthor?fref=ts 

@RachelsLacey

EXCERPT:

    The temperature had indeed begun to fall as they drove home. Matt was glad for the jacket he kept tucked behind the back seat. He shrugged into it, then walked Cara to her front door.
    “Thanks for dinner, and for helping us out. Really, if you get us the evidence to get those dogs seized, I won’t even know how to thank you.” Her warm eyes shone up at him as they stood on her front porch.
    Matt gave her a devilish grin. Seriously, did she say these things just to drive him crazy?
    Cara licked her lips and took a step back toward her front door.
    “No problem.” His gaze slid to her neck, soft skin gleaming white as marble in the silvery light of the moon.
    He saw her pulse pounding there. Her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. Her eyes met his and held on like a magnet drawing him in.
    Matt tried to resist. He really did.
    And then her lips parted, and his blood turned to steam, and the only thing he could hear was his own pulse hammering away in his ears.
    He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. Cara let out a whimper that caught in his chest and tugged at his restraint. Her lips were soft and warm, tentative as they pressed against his. Her eyes slid shut.
    Matt gave her one more gentle kiss. Just a little goodnight kiss, nothing either of them would regret in the morning. He ran his fingers through her curls, and they were as soft as he’d imagined. Softer.
    She was kissing him back now, her lips pushing against his, asking for more.
    His tongue swept into her mouth. She tasted spicy, like wing sauce and the promise of hot, sweaty sex. The next thing he knew, she was pressed against her front door, Matt’s body crushed against hers. Cara’s arms were around his neck, her tongue tangling with his, her soft moans driving him right out of his mind.
    After a minute, she ripped her mouth from his, gasping for breath. “Damn, what did they put in those wings?”
    All he could do was smile.
    Cara leaned in and brushed her lips against his. Then she winked. “Goodnight, Matt.”
    She slipped inside and shut the door in his face.
    Matt swore under his breath. He was really starting to develop a love-hate relationship with Cara Medlen’s front door.
    ***
    Oh. My. God.
    Cara leaned against the wall, heart flipping in her chest, silly grin on her face. She couldn’t quite believe she’d just been wedged up against her own front door with Matt’s big, hard body pressed against hers while he kissed her like she was a friggin’ Playboy model.
    Okay, now she got the fuss about kissing. With other guys, she’d enjoyed it, but it was nothing she couldn’t live without. She was always worried about where she should put her hands and how quickly he was going to start unbuttoning her blouse.
    She’d have unbuttoned her own blouse if Matt had asked. Good lord. His kiss had heated her blood and curled her toes, all those clichés she’d heard but not experienced. Phew.

GIVEAWAY
(ends 11/3/14 at midnight so Hurry!)

Giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: It Happened at Christmas by Debbie Mason

This is a lovely small town romance with delightful characters.
It Happened at Christmas
by Debbie Mason

• File Size: 1177 KB
• Print Length: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever (September 30, 2014)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00HQ2N246

Genre: Contemporary

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Love is the best Christmas gift of all.
Free-spirited activist Skylar Davis is out of money and out of options. After using up her trust fund trying to save the world, she hides out in Christmas, hoping the kindness of friends will help her forget the reckless actions of her past. All goes well . . . until she comes face-to-face with one of her mistakes: the town's gorgeous young mayor.
Ethan O'Connor likes his life drama-free and predictable now that he's about to make the move from small-town politics to the Colorado State Senate. Then Skye blows back into town, as impulsive and passionate as he remembers. If word ever got out about their night together-the night he's never been able to forget-the scandal could cripple his career. Yet as he starts his campaign, Ethan finds that, like the town of Christmas itself, he can't get Skye out of his head . . . or his heart.

Review:
Skylar Davis is an activist with a trust fund that has allowed her to travel extensively and support her liberal views with action, not just words. She has been chained to a few trees trying to save the rain forest and spent a few nights in jail for harassing fur-clad stars. She is a vegan and doesn’t agree with policies of most of the cattle, dairy and poultry industries. She knows that she is an embarrassment to her Republican politician father. She believes her dad was responsible for running her free-spirited mother away when she was just a child.

Skylar has lost her trust fund, not by her own actions but by failing to watch over the account manager. She refuses to tell her father or seek his help so she seeks refuge with her best friend Maggie, who lives in Christmas, Colorado. She has accepted the help of friends and is working to get back on her feet. Then she spots Ethan O’Connor in town.

Ethan is a successful Assistant State’s Attorney, and a staunch Republican who is making a bid for State Senate. This was his father’s dream and a death bed promise. His high society mother and Sklyar’s childhood society nemesis, who is Ethan’s campaign manager, are his biggest supporters. They are horrified to learn that Ethan can’t take his eyes off of the flighty Skylar. Even Ethan knows that a loose cannon like Skylar would not be helpful to his campaign efforts.

Skylar and Ethan met a few months earlier and had a rousing night together. She would be more than glad to stay out of Ethan’s way especially when she discovers she is pregnant. But ‘bad’ news travels fast and when one of Skylar’s friends finds out she slips and reveals the secret in front of her friends, Ethan and his family. There is no way Ethan will step away from her now but can he keep her contained until he is elected? Skylar tries to present herself as the proper, quiet socialite, Kendal (her real name). But there is no way to keep her past and her activist activities a secret for long.

These are two adorable characters - well she is adorable and he is hunky, confident and yet so snuggable. There was much miscommunication that made for lots of conflict. I enjoyed the light-hearted style and easy flow of the writing. Although there was sizzle between the characters the sex was mostly kept in the bedroom or at least without detailed description.

The small town setting creates a warm atmosphere. The strong primary and secondary characters add plenty of energy and created interest in me for the prior stories and the stories to come. This story follows the drama of Skylar and Ethan’s romance from summer through Christmas to a very happy result. This is the first time I have read Ms. Mason’s work but I look forward to more warm entertainment from her.

I received this title from Hachette, Forever Romance, through NetGalley.

Forever Romance Holiday Heat Week Release Celebration with Giveaway!

Maybe it isn't quite cold outside but I appreciate the chance to enjoy some early Holiday Spirit in these Christmas reads! PLUS there is a generous Giveaway with all FOUR books thanks to Forever, Hachette! Check out the book and author information and enjoy the excerpts. Then enter the Giveaway below.

About the books & authors

RING IN THE HOLIDAYS by Katie Lane

Psychologist Ellie Simpson is about to get a healthy dose of sex therapy. Leaving her cheating boyfriend behind, she has everything she needs for a quick rebound: Vegas, plenty of champagne, and a proposition from the sexiest man she's ever seen. As her handsome stranger helps her ring in the New Year-over and over again-Ellie finds herself blissfully losing all of her inhibitions. Attorney Matthew McPherson is good at making women lose things, like their minds and underwear. With his athletic build and soulful eyes, he doesn't need to use his powers of persuasion or famous last name to get a woman into bed.  But when morning comes, Matthew finds Ellie is the only woman he can't bear to leave-ever.  It's enough to make him wonder if what happens in Vegas really has to stay there.

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About Katie Lane

Katie Lane is the USA Today bestselling author of the Deep in the Heart of Texas and Hunk for the Holiday series.  Katie lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and when she isn't writing, enjoys reading, going to the gym, golfing, traveling, or just snuggling next to her high school sweetheart and cairn terrier Roo.

Learn more about Katie Lane at:
www.katielanebooks.com
Facebook.com/katielaneauthor 
Twitter, @ktlane3

Ring in the Holidays Excerpt:

She dropped her gaze and cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, but—”

The elevator came to a jerky stop, and she glanced over and forgot what she was about to say.

While the bright lights highlighted her flat hair and mascara- smudged eyes, they made him appear even more of a god. A god in vivid color. His skin was a smooth, even brown that no tanning product could duplicate. His lips a subtle, tempting rose that held a trace of moisture as if his tongue had just swept over them. His hair expertly cut waves of black velvet that begged for a woman’s caress. All set off by a pair of piercing green eyes. A green so vibrant and intense it reminded her of the eighteenth hole at her father’s golf course after a light spring shower. Those eyes stared straight through her as his finger slid away from the bright red stop button on the wall of the elevator.

“Did you just stop—?”

The rest of what she was going to say ended up muffled beneath firm lips as she was guided back against the wall and lifted to her toes. Unlike Riley’s gentle hunt and pecks, this man went straight to the good stuff. And the good stuff was the best she’d ever had.

She tried to remember what she was going to tell him, but his mouth wiped away all thoughts from her mind like a damp paper towel on a dry- erase board. He devoured her hungrily, leaving no room for breath or refusal. Not that she wanted to refuse him. At least, not yet. Once he ended the kiss, she would put a stop to things. But for now, she was quite happy doing exactly what she was doing. She liked how his lips molded to hers and how his long fingers flexed at her waist with each sexy flick of his tongue. But she especially liked the way his body held her in place, the hard press of his chest, stomach, and thighs papering her against the wall.

A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER ANTHOLOGY: 

by Jill Shalvis, Dream a Little Dream: Melissa has kept every man at a safe distance-especially firefighter Ian, a sexy

friend with sexy benefits. But Ian secretly longs for more. Luckily, 'tis the season for giving love a chance . . . 

by Kristen Ashley, Every Year: Holidays don't come easy for Shy and his brother, Landon. But with the magic of Christmas, along with a little help from Tabby and her family, the Cage brothers are about to get the gift of a lifetime . . . 

by Hope Ramsay, Silent Night: Down on her luck and evicted from her apartment, single mother Maryanne hopes to start over in Last Chance. When the snow begins to fall, it looks like her baby might literally spend Christmas Eve in a manger. And Maryanne might celebrate the holiday with a handsome stranger. 

by Molly Cannon, Have Yourself a Messy Little Christmas: Lincoln is a bachelor who's set in his ways-until a professional organizer dressed up as Mrs. Claus changes his life, one tip at a time. . . 

by Marilyn Pappano, A Family for Christmas: War widow Ilena doesn't mind spending Christmas alone. But when a new doctor blows into town with the winter wind, will she get her secret Christmas wish?

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About the authors

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

You can learn more at:
JillShalvis.com
Twitter @jillshalvis
Facebook.com/jillshalvis 

Kristen Ashley grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana, and has lived in Denver, Colorado, and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multigenerational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland, and Kristen grew up listening to the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon, and Whitesnake.

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music and love was a good way to grow up. 

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
You can learn more at:
KristenAshley.net
Twitter @KristenAshley68
Facebook.com/kristenashleybooks 

Hope Ramsay grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you'll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. She's a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart and is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia, where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar. 

You can learn more at: 

HopeRamsay.com 
Facebook, www.facebook.com/Hope.Ramsay 
Twitter, @HopeRamsay.

Molly lives a charmed life in Texas with hernearly perfect husband and extremely large cat Nelson. When she's not writing, she spends her days reading, taking dance classes with the hubby and watching all kinds of sports. 

You can learn more at: 
MollyCannon.com
Twitter, @cannonmolly

Known for her intensely emotional stories, Marilyn Pappano is the USA Today bestselling author of nearly eighty books. She has made regular appearances on bestseller lists and has received recognition for her work in the form of numerous awards. Though her husband's Navy career took them across the United States, he and Ms. Pappano now live in Oklahoma high on a hill that overlooks her hometown. They have one son and daughter-in-law, an adorable grandson, and a pack of mischievous dogs.

You can learn more at:
MarilynPappano.com
Twitter, @MarilynPappano
Facebook.com/MarilynPappanoFanPage

From Molly Cannon’s A MESSY LITTLE CHRISTMAS Excerpt:

“Which one of these ornaments is yours?” she asked.

He took a funny- looking Santa Claus from the tree. “I made this in my third grade art class.”

Santa was made out of paper plates and construction paper. His hat was folded and bent, his beard was shaped from the rippled edge of the plate, and his button nose was falling off. Linc studied it critically, thinking it was pretty good for third grade. “I do my best work in construction paper and glue.”

“It deserves a place of honor, for sure,” she said solemnly. She reached out to take it from him and her fingers brushed his. He stopped short. It was impossible to ignore the electrical charge that zipped between them. If she’d been any other woman he wouldn’t have hesitated. He would have pulled her into his arms, crushing the silly ornament between their bodies, and kissing her right then and there.

She smiled invitingly and her lips parted a bit, enough so he could feel her soft breath on his cheek. Her eyes softened to a leaf green, and he felt his caution crumble and transform into a maddening urgency. He let the ornament fall to the ground.

Then he was kissing her. She tasted like peppermint tea and smelled like cinnamon and pine needles. Her body melded against his, her breasts pressing against his chest. He wrapped both arms around her like he was claiming something rare and long lost. His fingers tangled in her hair, pulling it from that infernal ponytail. Her mouth opened under his and while their tongues dueled, her hands roamed across his back. It wasn’t enough. Without another thought, he picked her up and headed down the hall.

IT HAPPENED AT CHRISTMAS by Debbie Mason

Free-spirited activist Skylar Davis is out of money and out of options. After using up her trust fund trying to save the world, she hides out in Christmas, hoping the kindness of friends will help her forget the reckless actions of her past. All goes well . . . until she comes face-to-face with one of her mistakes: the town's gorgeous young mayor. Ethan O'Connor likes his life drama-free and predictable now that he's about to make the move from small-town politics to the Colorado State Senate. Then Skye blows back into town, as impulsive and passionate as he remembers. If word ever got out about their night together-the night he's never been able to forget-the scandal could cripple his career. Yet as he starts his campaign, Ethan finds that, like the town of Christmas itself, he can't get Skye out of his head . . . or his heart.

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About Debbie Mason

Debbie Mason is the bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series. Her books have been praised for their "likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots" (RT Book Reviews). She also writes historical paranormals as Debbie Mazzuca. Her MacLeod series has received several nominations for best paranormal as well as a Holt Medallion Award of Merit. When she isn't writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, their four wonderful children, an adorable grandbaby, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella.

You can learn more at:
AuthorDebbieMason.com 
Twitter @AuthorDebMason

IT HAPPENEDAT CHRISTMAS Excerpt:

Later that evening, Ethan sat at a table in the local sports bar, the Penalty Box, with Gage and their mutual friend Jack Flaherty. Brandi, wearing her waitress uniform—a black-and-white-striped jersey and a short black skirt—approached with a tray of drinks. “Compliments of the house. Sawyer named the drink after you, Mr. Senator-to-be. It’s a Prince Charming. Bourbon, cinnamon schnapps, Goldschläger, and root beer rimmed with coarse salt,” she explained as she set the drinks on the table. “Sawyer suggested you have a couple of them before you speak to your baby mama again.”

Gage and Jack laughed. “Har har,” Ethan muttered, slanting a look to where the owner, Sawyer Anderson, stood behind the bar taking orders. The tall, broad-shouldered ex-captain of the Colorado Flurries, a professional hockey team, gave Ethan a two-fingered salute and grinned. “Your friend’s a real comedian,” Ethan said to Jack.

“Yeah, he likes to think so,” Jack said, “but maybe this time he’s right. From what Grace said, you could use all the help you can get.”

“At least your wife’s talking to you. Thanks to him”—Gage jerked a thumb at Ethan—“mine isn’t.”

“She was until I defended him. Now I’m in the same boat as you,” Jack said, taking a long pull on his beer.

“Would someone like to explain how I’m the bad guy in this? She had no intention of telling me about the baby. As far as she’s concerned, I’m a sperm donor and have no rights.” And once his initial shock had passed, he started to get excited about the baby. He’d always hoped to be a father one day, and he was not about to let Skylar Davis take that away from him. “I asked her to marry me.”

He didn’t realize Brandi had hung around until she said, “No, you didn’t ask her. You told her you were getting married. At the courthouse. On Friday.”

“Yeah, and you also told her she was irresponsible and flighty and threw losing her trust fund in her face,” Gage said.

Brandi gasped. “You didn’t?”

“Come on, I didn’t say anything that any of you haven’t said or thought. Besides, I was pissed off. And I had good reason to be.” He might’ve had good reason to be angry, but he shouldn’t have let his temper get the best of him. The temper he didn’t have until he met Skylar Davis. “I sent her flowers and an apology, okay?”

Gage grimaced.

“What? You don’t think she’ll like them? The florist told me any woman would love them. I sent her three dozen roses.” Who knew flowers could be that expensive? But even Ethan realized he had to make some kind of gesture after what he’d said to Skye.

“Most women would, just not the one you sent them to,” Gage said.

Nell McBride, Evelyn Tate, and Stella Wright ambled over, dragging chairs to the table.

Evelyn beamed at him. “Don’t you worry, Ethan. We’re the love experts. And, dear, those roses you sent me were beautiful.” She fluttered her lashes.

“Yes, Ethan, that was very sweet of you to send them to us. But a little extravagant, don’t you think? I hope you didn’t send them to all your female supporters. Their husband’s might not be as understanding as mine,” Stella said.

Ethan rubbed the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, ignoring Gage’s I-told-you-so look. “Did all three of you get a dozen roses?” he asked in hopes he misunderstood them and that Skye hadn’t sent his peace offering to the three older women.

“Yep, me, Stella, and Evelyn. But you didn’t have to bribe us. We’d vote for you anyhow. We want one of our own in the state senate, don’t we, girls?” Nell said as she pulled out a pad and pen. “And just as an FYI, when you put from a secret admirer, you’re not supposed to sign your name."

MISTLETOE ON MAIN STREET by Olivia Miles

Briar Creek's quaint shop windows, cozy homes nestled in snow, and neighborly residents are what Christmas

dreams are made of--for everyone except Grace Madison. She left her hometown years ago to pursue a writing career. But when her father's death leaves his bookstore empty, Grace must return to face why she fled Vermont in the first place: Luke Hastings, who still heats her up like a shot of smoky whiskey on a cold winter's night. Grace is back, and Luke is worried. How much has she changed as a bestselling author in the big city? What memories will she stir up? And was the choice he made five years ago the biggest mistake of his life? Now, with their past, present, and future rocking around the Christmas tree, it's time for Grace and Luke to face the music . . . and the mistletoe.

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About Olivia Miles

Olivia Miles is a Chicago-based romance writer. Having grown up in New England, Olivia attended McGill University in Montreal, Quebec before settling in Chicago where she lives with her husband, their daughter, and two ridiculously pampered pups.

When she is not chasing after her little ones, she is hard at work creating feisty heroines and alpha heroes with a heart. A city girl with a fondness for small town charm, Olivia enjoys highlighting both ways of life in her stories.

For more information on Olivia Miles, you can find her at:
http://oliviamilesbooks.com/
Twitter: @MsOliviaMiles
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AuthorOliviaMiles

This is a sweet, easy read. Please take a few minutes to check out my Review on the prior post!
MISTLETOE ON MAIN STREET Excerpt:

When he glanced over at her, she was staring into the fireplace, the dancing flames painting a warm glow on her porcelain complexion. Her eyes looked flat and far away.

“Everything okay?” Doubt ate at him, leaving him with the twisting feeling of dread. Had she changed her mind about staying in town?
“I was just thinking of how things played out between us, the effects they had on everything else. I—I wish I had handled it differently. I wish that I had been able to come back here.”

He swallowed the knot in his throat, refusing to feel any more guilt. She was a big girl, she had made her choice. Besides, she had been the one to leave him first. She had set all this in motion.

“If there is one thing I’ve learned in the past few days, it’s that regret is the worst type of emotion.” He met her eyes. “You can’t change the past, Grace, and you have to tell yourself that everything that happened led us to this moment.”

“This moment?” she repeated.

He held her gaze, managing a nod.

“You’re right, I know.” She gave a sad smile. “I miss my father sometimes. I wish I could have seen him more often than his visits to New York. I wish…I’d never left.”

Luke leaned over and tucked a strand of her hair back from her face, his fingertips tracing the smooth silk of her neck. Arousal burned deep inside him, and his pulse quickened. He reached over and took her wineglass from her hands, setting it on the coffee table. She stared into his eyes, expectation parting her mouth. He met her lips with his, their contact so light it was almost imperceptible, save the shiver that zipped down his spine at the sensation.

He grazed her mouth, slowly bringing her full lips to his. His hand came around her slim waist, his fingers warming at the softness of her sweater, itching to slide the material away and experience the even softer skin beneath.

She sighed into him and he parted her lips with his tongue, slowly lacing his tongue with hers and then pulling away to gaze into her eyes. The green of her irises shone in the firelight, the flames reflecting in the flecks of gold around her pupils. She lowered her eyes, smiling shyly, and her long, black lashes dusted the apples of her cheeks. He leaned in again as arousal burned deep and pressed her into his chest. He could feel every curve of her body as her ripe, firm breasts rose and fell with heavy breaths. He lowered his hand, caressing her waist, her hips, and then higher, to trace the contours of her breast and the swanlike arch of her neck. He kissed her lips, her neck, her ear, breathing deep into her skin, memorizing every taste of her skin, every touch.

The buzzing from the timer on the oven stirred his attention from her, and he groaned. He pulled away, throwing her a bashful grin. “We’re being chaperoned,” he said.

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