Forever Romance Excerpt + Giveaway: Back In The Game by Erin Kern

Back In the Game

Champion Valley, 2

Erin Kern

Forever

October 31, 2017

Stella Davenport wasn't made for small-town life. Sure, teaching ballet in Blanco Valley, Colorado, is great, but she longs for the chance to perform in a big city. Stella swore she'd never let anything get in the way of her dream-until sexy, broad-shouldered Brandon West walks back into her life. Stella is determined to resist him, even if arguing with Brandon is sexier than any foreplay.

For Brandon, it's always been just him and his son, Matt. Knowing that love only leads to heartbreak, he isn't looking to expand his family any time soon. Stella, with her long, gorgeous legs and infectious laugh, is a breath of fresh air he didn't even know he'd been missing. But when she's offered her dream job in Chicago, will he be willing to put his heart on the line?

My Thoughts: 

InkSlinger PR Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: Ride Wild by Laura Kaye

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laura Kaye brings you the third novel in her Raven Riders Series, RIDE WILD. A sexy contemporary romance series, and a spin-off from Laura’s Hard Ink world, about a different kind of motorcycle club with a protective mission. The Raven Riders Series takes you on an adventure and kicks it into overdrive! RIDE WILD is the hot and emotional story of a sexy single father wild with grief over the death of his wife several years before and the strong survivor he hires to be his nanny. Order your copy of RIDE WILD today!

About Ride Wild (Raven Riders #3, 10/31/17)

Brotherhood. Club. Family. They live and ride by their own rules. These are the Raven Riders...

Wild with grief over the death of his wife, Sam “Slider” Evans merely lives for his two sons. Nothing holds his interest anymore—not even riding his bike or his membership in the Raven Riders Motorcycle Club. But that all changes when he hires a new babysitter.

Recently freed from a bad situation by the Ravens, Cora Campbell is determined to bury the past. When Slider offers her a nanny position, she accepts, needing the security and time to figure out what she wants from life. Cora adores his sweet boys, but never expected the red-hot attraction to their brooding, sexy father. If only he would notice her...

Slider does see the beautiful, fun-loving woman he invited into his home. She makes him feel too much, and he both hates it and yearns for it. But when Cora witnesses something she shouldn’t have, the new lives they’ve only just discovered are threatened. Now Slider must claim—and protect—what’s his before it’s too late.

My Thoughts:

The Duke by Katharine Ashe (Review)

I'm seriously in the minority here, but I wasn't a fan of The Duke. Yes, I know. It's rough even admitting this fact. I totally struggled with the story. Honestly, I struggled with Amarantha. At the beginning of the story she's extremely naïve about life and love. She has high hopes about her marriage to Reverend Paul Garland. Pompous jerk in my opinion, and we don't see a lot of him. Even after she meets Gabriel Hume, she still set on her course to married Garland. Seriously, Gabe was a better match for Amarantha. However, she's extremely stubborn. She's stubborn throughout the story. She's a hard person to like, because she's unwilling to bend to anyone. Which is fine, but when it's not working towards her favor it's time to give in a little.

LOVE GABE! Seriously, this guy was willing to take Amarantha even after rejecting him. He saw something special about her. He even tried to get her to married him. Then his cousin was being an idiot and thought he was doing the guy a solid with his lies. Nope. Not one bit. Anyway, Gabe is willing to help Amarantha out no matter what. He even tries to convince her to marry him again. However, she's stubborn.

I struggled with Amarantha's stubbornness through most of the book. I think we had an inkling of what her marriage was like with the good Reverend I might have been a little more forgiving on her stubbornness when it came to Gabe. I truly struggle with this story. I got to a point that I probably should have stopped reading the story and DFN. However, I kept going with the pursuit that it was bound to improve. So, I wanted to strangle Amarantha, totally wanted to take Gabe in my arms and tell him to move on. Yet, the heart wants what the heart wants. He's a strong man for that. Of course the cover is absolutely amazing. It was a miss for me, but I'm part of the minority. I hope that it works for you.

Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss

Rating:
2 1/2 Stars

The Charmer by Avery Flynn (Review)

At the end of The Negotiator I was super excited that Sawyer's brother was going to get his own story. It was pretty much told in the epilogue. I mean Hudson was fun loving, easy going, complete opposite of his brother. So, it sounded like it would be a win. However, The Charmer was a bit slow at the get go. I found myself a little detached from the story at times. Eventually, the story did pick up.

Anyway, we have Hudson Carlyle who is the charmer, but he also harbor's a secret from his family. He has a secret life that he promised his father he wouldn't do at all. So, he's living with the guilt of keeping the secret that he's a pretty awesome painter. Then we have Felicia Hartigan who has been mooning over her brother's best friend, and she feels this is the year to get him. Basically, Hudson decides to try to help her get the guy she wants, but secretly keep her to himself in the long run. Sounds like a fixin' of a good fun romantic comedy. However, it kind of comes up short for me. Like I said it took a little time to get into the story. I enjoyed Hudson, and for the first time in his life he's kind of at a lost when the girl doesn't fall to his feet. Felicia is has her mind single to the one man she longs for, but slowly realizes that he's not right for her. So, she's face with the challenge of trying to get the right man for her, but he's kind of dense about it. Granted, she did kept saying that she's after the other guy, so yeah I could see why he would be in disbelief.

Anyway, The Charmer was an okay read. It was cute in the ways of romantic comedies. There are some hot little scenes. However, I'm actually looking forward to reading Felicia's brother's best friend's book, now that one sounds promising, at least I hope it happens. Seriously, the two people can't stand one another. Anyway, Hudson and Felicia are adorable together once everything is said and done.

Copy provided by Entangled via NetGalley

Rating:
3 1/2 Stars

Harper Collins Review + Excerpt: Pupcakes by Annie England Noblin

Pupcakes

Annie England Noblin

William Morrow Publishing

October 10, 2017

Sit! Stay! Speak! author Annie England Noblin’s novel takes one woman starting over, adds an aging pug named Teddy Roosevelt, and proves the power of a well-baked dog treat.


All she wants is a settled-down life.

What she gets is a dog—and a whole new normal . . .
There he stood in the doorway: overweight, depressed and nearly homeless—a pug named Teddy Roosevelt. Teddy was Brydie Benson’s latest problem, arriving on top of her messy divorce and sudden move. Brydie needed a place to start over, so this rent-free home seemed a great idea. She just never counted on Teddy, or his owner, the Germantown Retirement Village’s toughest customer, Pauline Neumann.

And because rent-free doesn’t mean bills-free, Brydie gets a night-shift job at a big-box grocery. Whoever guessed there were so many people who wanted baked goods after midnight?

Then, she gets an idea—why not combine her baking skills with her new-found dog knowledge? And so her store Pupcakes is born. Along with a new start comes a possible new love, in the form of Nathan Reid, a local doctor with a sassy Irish Wolfhound named Sasha. And as fall turns to winter, and then to Christmas, Brydie begins to realize that life is a little bit like learning a new recipe for puff pastry—it takes a few tries to get it just right!

My Thoughts:

Author's Pal Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: Her Duke at Daybreak by Wendy LaCapra

Her Duke at Daybreak

Mythic Dukes, 1

Wendy LaCapra

October 17, 2017

Infamous for his pedigree of madness and murder, the reclusive Duke of Ashbey believes he cannot feel until a mysterious woman unlocks a world of sensation in a single, shattering moment of connection. He casts a desperate bid for more.

Recent widow Alicia Stone has long been reviled as the chief impediment to a love affair that captured the nation’s imagination. Publicly, she settled for respectability’s cold comfort, but, secretly, she longs to experience what she never found with her famous husband—uninhibited passion.

When a devilish duke proposes a discreet three-night assignation, Alicia shocks herself by accepting. But will their explosive union cost them both far more than they bargained?

My Thoughts:

Forever Romance Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt

Duke of Desire

Maiden Lane, 12

Elizabeth Hoyt

Forever

October 17, 2017

A LADY OF LIGHT
Refined, kind, and intelligent, Lady Iris Jordan finds herself the unlikely target of a diabolical kidnapping. Her captors are the notoriously evil Lords of Chaos. When one of the masked-and-nude!-Lords spirits her away to his carriage, she shoots him…only to find she may have been a trifle hasty.

A DUKE IN DEEPEST DARKNESS
Cynical, scarred, and brooding, Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore, has made it his personal mission to infiltrate the Lords of Chaos and destroy them. Rescuing Lady Jordan was never in his plans. But now with the Lords out to kill them both, he has but one choice: marry the lady in order to keep her safe.

CAUGHT IN A WEB OF DANGER…AND DESIRE
Much to Raphael’s irritation, Iris insists on being the sort of duchess who involes herself in his life—and bed. Soon he’s drawn to both to her quick wit and her fiery passion. But when Iris discovers that Raphael’s past may be even more dangerous than the present, she falters. Is their love strong enough to withstand not only the Lords of Chaos but also Raphael’s own demons?

My Thoughts:

Forever Romance Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: Most of All You by Mia Sheridan

Most of All You

Mia Sheridan

Forever

October 17, 2017

"Heartbreaking...inspiring, uplifting and raw..." ― RT Book Reviews, A 5-star Gold Pick

A broken woman . . .

Crystal learned long ago that love brings only pain. Feeling nothing at all is far better than being hurt again. She guards her wounded heart behind a hard exterior and carries within her a deep mistrust of men, who, in her experience, have only ever used and taken.

A man in need of help . . .

Then Gabriel Dalton walks into her life. Despite the terrible darkness of his past, there's an undeniable goodness in him. And even though she knows the cost, Crystal finds herself drawn to Gabriel. His quiet strength is wearing down her defenses and his gentle patience is causing her to question everything she thought she knew.

Only love can mend a shattered heart . . .

Crystal and Gabriel never imagined that the world, which had stolen everything from them, would bring them a deep love like this. Except fate will only take them so far, and now the choice is theirs: Harden their hearts once again or find the courage to shed their painful pasts.

My Thoughts:

Second Chance Girl by Susan Mallery (Review)

A couple of days ago I finished Second Chance Girl by Susan Mallery. I actually wanted to read this story, because cover is soooo adorable. However, the story was an all right read. We have Carol Lund, who was a bit of a downer. After awhile you kind of get tired of her saying she's not so special, and the boy next door isn't going to ever be in love with her. Then we have the player next door, Mathias Mitchell. He has many issues they all stem from his family. He's a bit of commit phobic, and this is the reason he's friend zone Carol. However, he's trying hard to fight his feelings for Carol. Actually, I liked Mathias a lot. Also in the story we follow Carol's sister and the Duke. I actually like their storyline a lot better than main story line. I kind of wish the story focused more on Violet and Ulrich; oh well.

Like I said it wasn't a bad read. I felt a little down as I was reading Carol's head. However, I did like her interaction with Millie, the giraffe. I also liked how they were trying to get Millie some friends that was sweet of them all. Anyway, Second Chance Girl was an all right read to me. I think the town is a bit adorable, so I'm willing to continue on with the series.

Copy provided by Harlequin via NetGalley

Rating:
3 Stars

Maybe This Christmas by Jennifer Snow (Review)

I finally finished Maybe This Christmas, and it was an all right read. I liked the romance between Emma and Asher. I'm not a friends to lovers kind of person. They started off as friends, then they added with benefits. Let's be honest that always works out in the best. Fortunately, they did progress to something more, but it took some time. Emma wanted to move out the benefits to real relationship, Asher didn't want to ruin a good thing. Good thing Emma had a busybody sister. By the way, I wanted to deck her sister throughout the book. SERIOUSLY! DECK HER!

Emma's sister bothered me, I had to stop reading a couple of times because of her sister. She was bitch, and she belittle her sister about her choices in life. I personally think she was a little jealous, but that's my opinion. I think her sister should have apologized to her, but oh well. However, if her sister didn't try to intervene in her life Asher would have missed out on something special.

Overall, Maybe This Christmas, wasn't a bad read. I did like most of the story, except the parts when her sister came into the picture. I'm surprise I still have molars. I did like Asher and Emma, they were cute together.

Copy provided by Forever via NetGalley

Rating:
3 1/2 Stars

The Scoundrel and the Lady by Robyn DeHart (Review)

First off, let say that I love that dress. Oh my goodness, the cover totally caught my eye. I also love the background. Gorgeous! Anyway, I did enjoyed The Scoundrel and the Lady. We meet Merritt Steele at the beginning. He kind has a disdain for the ton, so it's ironic that he inherits an earldom. However, he's not going to quit his business, but now he can use his connections to more for his paper. Iris Bennington, an outstanding young woman heading her way to spinsterhood. She's not going to marry just anyone, oh no why should she be tied down to someone who isn't going to appreciate her. She's also has been taking care of her younger brother for sometime, but he has some oats that need to be sow. Which is perfectly normal had he not been getting his information from a satirical article, which Iris and Merritt to meet.

Oh boy, these two have a rough bout. They kind of infuriate one another, so much so that Merritt tries to tries to find dirt on her. Then he figures she's the perfect girl to help his sister. When in exchange she helps his sister and he helps become like a gentleman. Sounds like a reasonable thing to do. Oh the scandal if she's caught dressing up as a dude.

Anyway, The Scoundrel and the Lady was a pretty good read. I mean have lady who is skirting around scandal with a gentleman. I like Merritt tries to save her and she's like no. That was pretty funny. They are both stubborn in their ways, but they actually fit well together. I like that Iris was trying to fix Merritt with his pride, and he was trying to put her in her place. Oh the trouble these two can get into. So, if this sounds like your kind of read you might a take a chance on The Scoundrel and the Lady.

Copy provided by the author.

Rating:
4 Stars

Caught by the Scot by Karen Hawkins (Review)

I finally finished Caught by the Scot and I have to say that it was pretty fun to read through most of the story. There were parts where it became a little longwinded. Towards the end I wanted Conner and Thea together at a certain point the story carried on with more antics.

Anyway, we have Conner who has found that he and his brother stand to inherit their family lands and stuff, but there is a stipulation they must married and good standing women. Otherwise the stuff will go to a rival clan. Eek! Conner believes he has the perfect girl, Theodora Cumberbatch-Snowe . I mean what could go wrong. Basically, he lallygags, and finds out she's decided to elope with a local Squire. Crap. I know. Now he's off to stop that wedding. Thea has decided she's tired of waiting for Conner to actually she her, so she decided to take the next best thing. Honestly, this quite a entertaining. We have Conner trying to convince Thea she's doing the wrong thing, and at the same time offer himself as the better offer. Oh goody.

There are array of characters that beginning to popup as Conner tries to stop this wedding. Picture this as a romantic comedy of errors. I enjoyed the story for the most part. However, I felt that story started to drag a little towards the end, but mostly a good read. I actually like how Conner's ego took a nosedive. It needed to be brought down a peg or two. I liked how decided she wasn't going to wait around for Conner to wake up to see her for real. Overall, Caught by the Scot is a light fun read as they gallivant towards Gretna Green. So, if you are in the mood for a light fun read, Caught by the Scot might be your kind of read.

Copy provided by PocketBooks

Rating:
4 Stars

Foreward PR & Marketing Spotlight + Review + Giveaway: Grigori by Lauren Smith

Girgori

Brothers of Ash & Fire,

Lauren Smith

October 3, 2017

Swerve

He’s one of the last of a powerful but vanishing bloodline …

Grigori Barinov is the eldest in an ancient line of dragon shifters and the guardian of his family’s lands and fortune. Sworn to protect their history and magic, he won’t rest until he neutralizes any threat to their existence. When he discovers an ancient manuscript that exposes his family and their dragon lineage has fallen into a mortal woman’s hands, he knows he must get the book back by any means necessary. If that means seducing a nosy American woman with an intoxicating scent, he is more than willing to carry her off to his palatial home deep in the heart of Russia.

She’s the one woman who could expose him to the world…

Madelyn Haynes has never fit in. As an adopted child she grew up in a loving home but never felt as though she belonged. Plagued by mysterious dreams she’s had of a silver scaled beast ever since she was a little girl, she is convinced dragons are real. While in Russia working on her PhD in mythology in order to escape the ridicule from fellow professors, she unexpectedly crosses paths with the sexy and dominating Grigori, and after just one night with the man whose eyes seem to burn, she starts to change inside. Isolated in the Russian wilderness Grigori calls home, Madelyn can’t help but fall under his sensual spell, yet something deep inside her calls out that she can’t trust him. She has to show the world dragons are real to salvage academic reputation, even if it means costing her the heart of the dragon she’s falling in love with.

My Thoughts:

Savage Rising by Katie Reus (Review)

I have to say that I like Savage Rising so much more than Resurrection. However, Resurrection had it's purpose to introducing us to these new characters. Even though you don't have to really need to read the first book to understand Savage Rising, it might help with the establish of characters. Yes, you see most of the gang in this story. However, the focus is on Zac Savage, and we are introduced to Olivia Carter.

Zac and Olivia are on a mission to get her out of a pickle. Basically, they need to rescue her nanny who is more like a mother and ensure to keep her child safe. Don't you hate when the past comes back to haunt you. Anyway, there's a lot that goes on in this story. Zac is a bit a jerk when he first meets Olivia. He kind of paints her as a bad mother, for being young and stupid. However, I love how she puts him in his place. Then we have the intense heat between these two. Yet, they manage to stay on task, because lives are on the line.

Overall, I liked Savage Rising. I like that there was mission that brought Zac someone who would be good for him. You see the team working together to solve Olivia's problem. Plus, I think Katie kind of hints around who's going downing next in the love category. Which I totally hope it's who I think it is, because he sounds like he would be fun to watch. Yes, by the end of the story, you have a happy ending, and the team is a little bigger than before. I can't wait for then next assignment these guys will have to face.

Copy provided by author

Rating:
 4 Stars