Monthly Archives: November 2018

Rock Redemption (Rock Revenge Trilogy #3) by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott-a review

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ROCK REDEMPTION (Rock Revenge Trilogy #3) by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 30, 2018

I lost everything.

Stripped of all I’d found, now even my name is a scar.

A reminder of how far I’ve fallen and what was ripped away.

By my own devices, if not my own hand.

My music is all I have left, and the memories of the only woman I ever truly loved.

Zoe, who owns my heart.

I’ll do anything to earn her forgiveness. Even lay myself bare.

And I want my brother back.

Finally, I have a family, if they’ll have me. A real life beyond the trappings of fame.

I’ll do whatever it takes. Even start all over again.

But not all the demons of the past have been laid to rest. Now my final reckoning is at hand.

And those I love most may get caught in the crossfire.

Author’s Note: Find redemption with Ian Kagan, our new rockstar anti-hero in the conclusion of our super hot, romantic suspense trilogy, Rock Revenge. The trilogy occurs in the Oblivion world though it can be read on its own. Rock Redemption is a full-length novel with a HEA.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: ROCK REDEMPTION is the third and final instalment in Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott’s contemporary, adult, erotic romance ROCK REVENGE Trilogy focusing on up and coming rock star Ian Kagan, and artist / photographer Zoe Manning. ROCK REDEMPTION should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book two Rock Reclaimed. ROCK REDEMPTION and the Rock Revenge Trilogy are a spin-off from the authors’ LOST IN OBLIVION series, and as such several characters cross-over for cohesion and back story.

NOTE: If you have not read the previous instalments, there may be some spoilers in my review.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Zoe and Ian) and third person perspective (Margo) ROCK REDEMPTION follows in the wake of potential disaster as Margo Kagan, Simon’s wife goes missing, and the events that follow pit brother against brother as Ian must reveal the truth about his past, and the on-going battle between head and heart. As life begins to spiral out of control, Ian finds himself walking away from everything in order to protect the woman he loves, and the family he has never known. As Zoe, Simon and Margo struggle with the truth, Ian must make amends but not before forgiving himself.

Ian Kagan has always been the ‘spare to the heir’; never good enough, and definitely not his rock star brother Simon. Having learned at an early age that he would never amount to the stardom of the brother he never knew, Simon quickly fell onto hard time, and the resulting aftermath has found our hero struggling with what happened and why.

Zoe Manning is Lila Shawcross’ cousin. Lila is an executive at Ripper Records, and in this Lila struggles with Zoe’s attraction to a man who could very well destroy Simon and the band. As Zoe embarks on a journey of reflection, she must come to a decision about her future with or without the man that she loves.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters: Simon and Margo; Nick and Lila: Donovan Lewis, several members of the band Oblivion (Deacon, Gray and Jazz), and the Ian Kagan Band (Grant, Lark and Perry); music producer Rory Ferguson, country rock-star Flynn Sheppard, Ian’s manager Sabrina, and as well as the introduction of Zoe’s brothers (Beck, Justin and Hayes), parents Sarah and Christopher Manning, and Lila’s mother and Zoe’s aunt Laverne. The requisite evil has many faces. I am hoping for a story between Sabrina and Flynn.

ROCK REDEMPTION is a story of family and friendship, struggle and acceptance, lies and betrayal, falling in love and letting go of the past. The premise is startling, wondrous, emotional and revealing; the romance struggles in the face of secrets and lies; the characters are broken, colorful, sassy and wounded. ROCK REDEMPTION is an amazing conclusion to the Rock Revenge Trilogy.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Rock Revenge
Rock Reclaimed
Rock Redemption

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Eggnog Makes Her Easy (Boys of the Big Easy ) by Erin Nicholas-Review Tour

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Eggnog Makes Her Easy (Boys of the Big Easy) by Erin Nicholas-Review Tour

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Add to GoodReads:http://bit.ly/2OjXjXn

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 30, 2018

Lindsey is expecting silent nights this holiday. Just her and her boys while her husband serves overseas. But her blue Christmas turns merry when things start rockin’ under the mistletoe thanks to a surprise gift from her naughty Santa.

Which is fine. The nice list is overrated anyway.

•••••••••

REVIEW:EGGNOG MAKES HER EASY is instalment 2.5 in Erin Nicholas’ contemporary, adult BOYS OF THE BIG EASY erotic, romance series. This is Matt and Lindsey’s story line. EGGNOG MAKES HER EASY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Matt and Lindsey) EGGNOG MAKES HER EASY follows Lindsey as she expects to spend another Christmas without her husband, US Army Team Leader Matt LaSalle. The local single-parents club was hosting their annual adult Christmas party and the sexy Santa was everything Lindsey had ever wanted for Christmas. But things don’t go according to plan when duty calls before the holidays have even started.

EGGNOG MAKES HER EASY is a quick read;  a sweet and sexy story; an erotic Christmas tale wherein Santa makes Lindsey wishes come true including the reality that time is precious when the family gets together. The premise is spicy; the characters are sassy and colorful; the romance is a rekindling seduction.

Reading order and Previous Reviews
Easy Going
Going Down Easy
Taking It Easy
Eggnog Makes Her Easy

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Erin Nicholas is the New York Times bestselling author of sexy contemporary romances. Her stories have been described as toe-curling, enchanting, steamy and fun. She loves to write about reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines and happily ever afters. She lives in the Midwest with her husband who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books, her kids who will never read the sex scenes in her books, and family and friends who say they’re shocked by the sex scenes in her books (yeah, right!).

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A Protector in the Highlands by Heather McCollum – a Review

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A Protector in the Highlands by Heather McCollum – a Review

 

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Description:
With few other options, Scarlet Worthington flees from her home in England to the wild Highlands of Scotland to help her sister run a school for ladies. There, Scarlet begins to rebuild her own shattered confidence by recruiting a fierce Campbell warrior to teach her and the students how to protect themselves from villains and scoundrels. The intimidating Aiden Campbell both infuriates Scarlet and ignites a fire inside her as she works closely with him to hone her new skills.

Burned in a fierce fire, set by English soldiers, Highland warrior, Aiden Campbell, has finally healed enough to take temporary command of his clan. That’s where his focus should be instead of dealing with the feisty, beautiful Sassenach who asks him to teach her students.

When Scarlet’s past stalks her up into Scotland, her nightmares come alive, and Aiden’s lessons are put to the test. With his own ghosts from the past making him despise English women, Aiden fights the inferno of passion that’s grown between them, a different kind of wild fire that could prove just as deadly.

Each book in the Highland Roses School series is STANDALONE:

* A Rose in the Highlands
* A Protector in the Highlands

 

Review:

A Protector in the Highlands by Heather McCollum is the 2nd book in her Highland Roses School series.  This book starts where the last book ends.  You don’t need to read the first one, but a little background info on the characters always helps (you find out why scarlet is running, and his Aidan gets his scars) 

Aidan hates the English with a passion. He holds them responsible for everything, and there is no way he is going to help a fiery English woman teach women to fight and defend themselves, but there is something that keeps draining Aidan back. 

Scarlet is running from her past, her saviour comes in the form of her sister (A rose in the highlands) she travels to Scotland to help her run a school for young ladies. But running from your past is sometimes easier said than done, and when it comes back to haunt her, she ya too sure of her options. 

The banter between Aidan and Scarlett is at first more enemy than friends, then realising the attraction between them, it turns, but both of them are fighting it, Aidan wants nothing more to do with the English, if she were a lass from Scotland, then there would be no issue, but trust is hard for Aidan. 

It’s another nice read, I find the enemy to friend a little boring and predictable, but I love the characters that the author has created. The highlands of Scotland come to life whilst reading it. 

It’s a fun afternoon read, and if you like your hero’s with trust issues and heroines with a shady past, then I’d recommend this one to you ?

Reviewed by Julie B.

 

 

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Must Be Crazy by Deborah Garland – a Review

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Must Be Crazy by Deborah Garland – a Review

Amazon /  Amazon.ca /

Description:
How much can one person take?

Skye Mallory’s brother and sister have found true love and now her father expects her to be next. Except, she’s keeping a secret that will devastate her family. 
Edward Mendelsohn has been a patient man, secretly desiring a woman he can’t have. Running his architecture business, raising his son by himself and volunteering for the fire department has left no room in his life for romance. 
When a fire wipes out Skye’s apartment and business, the woman Edward wants so badly ends up in his arms. 
As quick as Edward and Skye discover their scorching desire is quite mutual, a bizarre conflict of interest swiftly tears them apart. Can their love survive without everything else going up in flames?
Having it all means risking everything…

 

Review:

Must be Crazy by Deborah Garland is part of her Darling Cove series.  What a sweet sexy romantic read. This was a very enjoyable romance with a lot of humor, love and great characters.Skye has just started her new job at a law firm when her ex boyfriend Miles shows up wanting her to represent him against the contractor who built his house but messed up his bathroom and he won’t fix it. Skye doesn’t want anything to do with miles after the way he left her, but she needs the money so she says yes.Edward is a very handsome likeable guy;  he’s also town’s fire chief and a single father trying to raise his son Julian and he doesn’t have much time for romance.  Lately he’s been thinking about Skye a lot after having  met her over a year ago and has wanted on many occasions to ask he out on a date ,but she’s always surrounded by her family.

But when Skye accidentally starts a fire at her house it’s Edward to the rescue. He saves Skye and gets his first date with her!  There is a lot of  great chemistry between Edward and Skye;  they are spending more time together and the passion is steamy and hot too.

But when Skye finds out that Edward is the contractor that did Miles house it all blows up in their faces and if this isn’t bad enough Julian’s mother is back and she wants her son back and she’s not leaving without him. With so many things going on you have to wonder if Skye and Edward can get though it and still find happiness and oh yea there is  a secret that Skye has been keeping from her family and she must now decide to not only tell the family, but the man she has fallen in love with too. Will Edward still want her or leave like Miles?

Reviewed by Kat

Copy supplied for review

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Naughty or Nice Anthology by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward et al

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NAUGHTY OR NICE Anthology by Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Jodi Ellen Malpas, Emma Chase, Marie Force, Corinne Michaels and Susan Stoker-a review

 

Get your FREE copy of Naughty or Nice now:  https://dl.bookfunnel.com/x5n9vn7exd

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 24, 2018

Six new holiday short stories from seven New York Times Bestselling Authors.

OVERVIEW:  NAUGHTY OR NICE is a collection of six ‘naughty and nice’ short stories perfect for those nights when you want to cuddle with someone close.

•••••••••••

SEXY SCROOGE by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

The last thing I needed was to share an Uber with Scrooge—a cocky lawyer on a snowy Christmas Eve. It was bad enough I was on my way to court for the gift of eviction. Although maybe today wouldn’t turn out so bad after all. The Sexy Scrooge and I started to connect as we trudged our way through a storm. Our ride was about to end. But would I ever see him again?

REVIEW: SEXY SCROOGE follows twenty-eight year old Meredith Eden on Christmas Eve as she embarks on a mission to save herself from potential eviction. For weeks, nothing has gone right for our story line heroine but meeting attorney Adam Bullock sets Meredith towards a path of making all of her wishes come true.

A quick read, SEXY SCROOGE is a realistic, clean, Christmas tale with a down on her luck heroine, and a sexy ‘Clark Kent’ hero. A flirty and fun holiday short with a spirited couple.

••••••••

BIG BAUBLES by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Shannon’s last-minute Christmas shopping trip quickly goes from tedious to thrilling when she meets a sexy stranger in Harrods. He’s irresistibly cheeky, hot as sin, and he seems to want to play. So when he sets Shannon the challenge of completing her Christmas shopping before he completes his, she can’t help but accept. And she plans on winning. But the sexy stranger plays dirty on the shop floor. And even dirtier in the women’s changing rooms…

REVIEW: BIG BAUBLES follows executive PA Shannon as she finds herself in a dilemma on Christmas Eve. Forced to babysit her boss’s children, our heroine must make a last minute run in order to fulfill her own Christmas shopping list. Meeting a sexy stranger in a similar situation, Shannon reluctantly finds herself in a competition at Harrods, with said sexy stranger, to see who finishes their shopping first- winner takes all including an almost tryst in the change room!

Another quick read, BIG BAUBLES is a fun, sexy and flirty short story wherein our couple make a date to go shopping every day of the year.

••••••••••

THE NAUGHTY LIST by Emma Chase

Evie Sanders has a secret. She’s in love with her boss, Jace Winters, the hot as hell, hardworking owner of the best bar in the snowy, ski resort town of Alpine. She thinks Jace barely knows she exists—that to him, she’s just an employee. But at this year’s Christmas party, bells get jingled, stockings get stuffed, snow—and other things—get thoroughly plowed, and Christmas wishes (even the naughty ones) just might come true.

REVIEW: THE NAUGHTY LIST is an erotic short that follows twenty-five year old Alpine Colorado bar waitress Evie Sanders as she struggles with her attraction to, and love for her boss Jace Winters. When given the opportunity to complete a sexual fantasy questionnaire, the answers become a naughty list of things she would like to do with her boss, a man whose own sexual fantasies include our story line heroine.

THE NAUGHTLY LIST is a sexy, spicy and provocative short wherein Christmas wishes, really do come true.

••••••••••••••

JOYOUS–A QUANTUM CHRISTMAS by Marie Force

After a remarkable year that included a wedding and a big Oscar win for Quantum Productions, Hollywood superstar Flynn Godfrey wants to give his wife, Natalie, and closest friends a Christmas they will never forget. But when best-laid plans go awry, Flynn will learn that sometimes the season’s greatest gifts are those that can’t be bought or wrapped.

REVIEW: JOYOUS is a sexy, short story in Marie Force’s contemporary, adult QUANTUM series. Focusing on Hollywood superstar Flynn Godfrey and his wife Natalie, JOYOUS follows Flynn as he sets a plan into motion to give his wife the most amazing, special Christmas of her life. Things do not go according to plans when the entire Quantum Productions family is forced by bad weather to spend Christmas at the Castaway Inn in Saint George Utah.

JOYOUS is a heart warming and spicy look at the familiar faces we have grown to love.

•••••••••••

A HOLIDAY LIFT by Corinne Michaels

Holly has had enough pain around the holidays to last her lifetime. All she wants is to focus on her work. All of that becomes impossible when she’s stuck in the elevator with her co-worker Dean. She can’t avoid his intense stares, deep voice, and scent that drives her crazy. Will the holiday season bring them an unexpected lift or will they come crashing down?

REVIEW: Told from dual first person perspectives (Holly and Dean) A HOLIDAY LIFT follows Holly Brickman as her life continues to spiral out of control. With the timeline for a new campaign pitch for a new promotion shortened to within hours instead of days, Holly must face her one-night stand, a co-worker and competitor who all but ignores our story line heroine. Getting stuck in a elevator goes from bad to worse, when her only companion is Dean Pritchard, her one-night stand, and the man who could destroy her heart.

A HOLIDAY LIFT is a sweet, clean short story about two people drawn together by fate and love. A few minutes in the life of Holly and Dean, A HOLIDAY LIFT is a wonderful addition to this multi-authored anthology.

••••••••

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER by Susan Stoker

When Chris and Sienna meet during an accident in Texas, the perfect strangers soon discover they’re inexplicably linked…in more ways than one. Coincidence? Perhaps. Or maybe the makings of their very own Christmas miracle.

REVIEW: BEST CHRISTMAS EVER follows fifty-two year old, paramedic Sienna Bernfield in the aftermath of a car accident on Christmas Eve. Having witnessed said accident Sienna will find herself commiserating with accident victim, forty-nine year old prison guard Christopher King, as they wait for an ambulance and the police to arrive. One thing leads to another and our couple discover they have something in common including their children currently on leave from the US Army.

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER is another sweet, clean and encouraging short story. A spirited heroine, and a passionate hero who struggles to move on from the past.

Copy supplied by Bookfunnel

Reviewed by Sandy

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Haints and Hobwebs (Elemental Assassin 4.7) by Jennifer Estep-dual review

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HAINTS AND HOBWEBS (Elemental Assassin 4.5) by Jennifer Estep-dual review

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Re-release Date: November 27, 2018.

Even the Spider can’t escape a ghost’s web . . .

I’m being haunted.

As Gin Blanco, aka the assassin the Spider, I’m used to being haunted by all the bad things I’ve done over the years. I suppose it was only a matter of time before an actual ghost came back to haunt me. But for once, I’m not the bad guy, and I wasn’t the person who sent this ghost—this haint—into the afterlife.

But this haint definitely wants something from me, and I can’t help but think that it’s revenge on the person responsible for her untimely demise.

Good thing revenge is my specialty, whether it’s among the living or the dead . . .

Note: Haints and Hobwebs is an 11,000-word story that takes place after the events of Tangled Threads, book 4 in the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series. Haints and Hobwebs first appeared in The Mammoth Book of Ghost Romance in 2012.

•••••••

Sandy’s REVIEW: HAINTS AND HOBWEBS is a short story in Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin paranormal/ urban fantasy series focusing on Gin Blanco aka The Spider aka The Assassin –the reigning Queen of the paranormal Underworld of Ashland. HAINTS AND HOBWEBS takes place after the events of Tangled Threads (Elemental Assassin #4).

NOTE: HAINTS AND HOBWEBS first appears in The Mammoth Book of Ghost Romance in 2012

DEFINITION: A Haint is a restless spirit who is unable to move on due to unfinished business.

Told from first person point of view (Gin Blanco) HAINTS AND HOBWEBS follows Gin as she is haunted by the spirit of a young woman who needs our heroine’s help. Unable to move on, the ‘haint’ needs Gin’s help to reunite with the man that she loves but his soul lays trapped behind magic and glass. When Gin’s foster-brother Finn discovers the truth behind the spirit’s death, Gin goes in search of the young lover’s soul.

HAINTS AND HOBWEBS is a very quick read; an intriguing, engaging and colourful stand alone in the author’s Elemental Assassin series that reveals at little about Gin and Owen’s growing love; Gin and Jo Jo’s ability to see spirits; the early stages of Finn and Bria’s relationship; and the ultimate evil who steals the souls of the people he kills.

 

BARB’s Review:   Haints and Hobwebs by Jennifer Estep is a short story that is part of her wonderful Elemental Assassin series.  Haints and Hobwebs is a re-release that was published as part of an anthology from a few years ago. Since I had never read this book, I looked forward to reading this, as I love Gin Blanco and Elemental Assassin series.

The story begins with Gin visiting Fletcher’s grave and she sees a female ghost standing over someone else’s grave.  Gin is shocked as this is the first time she can see a ghost; as she watches the girl, Gin notices the desperation on her face.  What is a Haint? It is a spirit (ghost) that cannot move on due to something left unsettled.  Even though communications is difficult, in a short time, Gin and her team will become involved in helping the haint solve the problem, which has been in existence for many years.

What follows is a quick story that is exciting and also fun.  It was exciting as Gin will discover an evil vampire who is killing people and stealing their souls; one of those souls is from the girl’s (haint) boyfriend, whom she is desperate to help.  It was tense when both Gin and Owen find themselves in a deathly situation.  The fun part, since this goes back to earlier in the series,  was remembering the early days of Gin & Owen; Gin’s sister Bria, and just spending time with them all.

Haints and Hobwebs was a nice fast paced enjoyable read. If you are a fan of the Elemental Assassin series, I suggest you read this short story, as it was fun.

 

Copy supplied for review

 

 

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series. The books focus on Gin Blanco, an assassin codenamed the Spider who can control the elements of Ice and Stone. When she’s not busy killing people and righting wrongs, Gin runs a barbecue restaurant called the Pork Pit in the fictional Southern metropolis of Ashland. The city is also home to giants, dwarves, vampires, and elementals – Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone.

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Hidden Kingdoms by M.A. Abraham – Review & Giveaway

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Hidden Kingdoms by M.A. Abraham – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
It has been several years since the Elves created the boundary that keeps them hidden from the rest of the world. They have been busy rebuilding the lands that were destroyed during the Drazon war, and developing new lands.

Now that the bulk of the work is done, the Oracles have called upon members of the younger generation to go on a Quest. It is time to free the High King of the Ancients at the furthest end of the Empire. To do this, they will have to travel through parts of the empire that everyone thought was nothing more than wild and empty territory. This, however, is not the case. What they are about to find will challenge their skills in many ways.

Come with them as they travel through this perilous land to find out if they can successfully free the Ancient King from his jail. If they do, will they return with him unchanged?

 

 

Review:

Hidden Kingdoms by M.A. Abraham is the first book in her new One Empire series. The good news is that many fans of the Elven Chronicles will be thrilled to return to this world, in this new spin-off series. This story revolves around a quest that leads through the hidden kingdoms of the Elven Empire that were forgotten through the ages that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.

Years after the Drazon war, with the Elven Empire living in peace, and working hard to rebuild and restore from the effects of that war, the Kings are all summoned by the Oracle.  The Fates have ordered a quest to save a High King, who is slowly dying. The problem is that no one is aware of the far lands they will have to travel through, which was thought to be uncharted and empty territory. We then follow a select group of the younger generation, from various thriving kingdoms of the empire, who are chosen by the fates to travel into other unknown hidden kingdoms; they will face danger and discovery on this arduous and dangerous mission.  

On each discovery of a different kingdom, the warriors will be meet many different elfs, as well as demon hybrids that were infiltrated into those territories.  Our Elfs will help each of the kingdoms to erase the enemy, as well as enlighten them on how much has changed in the Empire after the Drazon war. 

What follows is an exciting, at times tense, action packed adventure, as we get to spend a lot of time with the younger generation, with some sneak peeks at some of our favorites from the Elven Chronicles.  There were so many characters in the story that it was hard to keep up with them, with the exception of the Eagle Claw family.  I am amazed how M.A. can blend all of the characters so well, and not miss a beat.  J   

Hidden Kingdoms was a great start to this new series, which allows us to look forward to future books with those we meet in this book, as well as our favorites.  M.A. Abraham’s trademark of exciting adventures, fun bantering among the warriors continues in this new series, which introduces us to not only the younger generation of the Eagle Claw family, but more Kings and warriors from other unknown kingdoms that have been mostly dying over the years. If you are an Elven Chronicles fan, you cannot miss starting this new series, One Empire.   You will be glad you did.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

M.A. is graciously offering an e-copy of HIDDEN KINGDOMS to TWO (2) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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You Had Me at Cowboy by Jennie Marts – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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You Had Me at Cowboy by Jennie Marts – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
This cowboy is falling hard

Mason James is the responsible one who stayed behind to run the ranch while his brother, Rock, took off to play professional hockey. Women have used him before to get to his brother–and Mason intends never to get burned again. But after he meets quirky Tessa Kane at his brother’s wedding, Mason discovers he’s ready to take a chance on love.

Tessa Kane is a reporter on the verge of losing a job she desperately needs–unless she’s clever enough to snag a story on the famous Rockford James. But when she falls for her subject’s brother, she’s caught between a rock and a hard-muscled cowboy. What will happen when Mason finds out who she really is?

 

Review:

Dilemma: Deny yourself a HEA to save your grandmother/family home? Tessa faces such an obstacle, and after you’ve swooned for Mason, you might start packing Grandma’s bags, too. I kid, I kid. You Had Me at Cowboy, book 2 of the Cowboys of Creedence series by Jennie Marts, sets up this complicated situation that is sure to break hearts or build dreams. Based on my experience with this writer, you’re in for a bumpy ride. 😉

Now let’s see just how tenuous the situation is. Tess was just fired from her job as a reporter for not submitting “hit pieces”. You know the kind. The salacious, grab-your-copy while-you-can story. Usually exploitative and most certainly damaging to a celebrity. Though not her typical fare, Tess is far from being selective due to the limits afforded by unemployment. When opportunity arises from the ashes of her career, Tess pounces and agrees to expose the real reason why playboy hockey star, Rock James, is rushing to the altar.

“You want to keep your job, Tess? Go in there and get me THAT story” “You want me to go spy on the bride and groom at their own party?” “That’s exactly what I want you to do. Go in there and mingle… Talk to the family, the guests, find the dirt.”

 So far so easy, right? Rock’s notorious reputation has garnered tons of interest so she’ll have to maneuver her way into the pre-wedding events to extract her story. It’s here, however, that a too-tight shirt changes the course of her life. A real life cowboy, a chivalry-isn’t-dead-kind-of cowboy, intervenes on Tess’s behalf, sparing her from a fashion faux pas, and illuminates a path to the festivities. Just so? He happens to be the Best Man. And, oh, yeah…his name is Mason James. He’s the bad boy’s younger brother. Doh!

 Fun ensues and I do mean fun. Mason and Tess genuinely connect and it takes them both by surprise. Burned by previous relationships, neither was expecting the initial moment of lust to linger and downright ignite. The purpose of Tess’s presence can’t be ignored for long, however, especially when there’s a deadline and, worse, her heart is at risk of falling madly in love.

 Love from deception? Crazier things have happened. Even though the Creedence series is not centered in Texas, “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose” is apropos to surviving the chaos surrounding Mason and Tess. Is love enough to forgive…but how can it possibly be love when they’ve only just met? Answers, satisfying, deep-sigh kind of answers, await you. Jennie Marts tangles her characters in an abundance of romance and comedy enough to charm the boots off of you!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

Excerpt: Plan CTessa slipped into the back door of the lodge, clutching the clean shirt to her waist. She spied the ladies’ room door at the end of the hall and hurried toward it, but the door wouldn’t budge.
Dang it.
She waited a few seconds, then checked the other doors in the hallway. The first one was locked, but the second opened into an odd combination coat closet and storeroom, and she slipped inside. One half of the small room was carpeted and had a rod of hangers along part of the wall, while the other side was tiled and had a tall shelf that held assorted books and cleaning supplies.
The room didn’t have a lock, but it would work in a pinch, and she wouldn’t need long to change.
She quickly unbuttoned the stained silk blouse and let it fall to the floor, her mind preoccupied with how she was going to get into the party without Mick. This wasn’t how her day was supposed to go—especially the part about locking her keys in the car—but after a quick round of cussing, followed by a swift bout of self-pity, she’d rallied, giving herself the kind of pep talk she imagined Mimi would have offered.
This might not have been the original plan for the day, but she was improvising and moving on to plan B.
Shoving her arms into the sleeves, she noticed the shirt felt odd but didn’t realize what the problem was until she tried to pull the lapels together. What the heck?
She pulled at the sides again and felt the material stretch across her back.
No. I couldn’t have.
She looked closer at the shirt, and her shoulders fell.
I did. She’d grabbed the wrong white shirt from the dryer. Instead of removing her roomy, stretch-cotton shirt, she’d taken her grandmother’s blouse. Her petite five-foot-nothing grandmother.
Well, shit. She wanted to weep as she looked down and realized there was no way she was squeezing her ample chest into that blouse.
Plan B ruined by a double-D cup!
Dammit.
Please fit, she prayed as she tried again, squashing her chest and working to squeeze the small button into the opposite hole. She cursed the extra weight she’d put on, knowing this wasn’t the first time lately she’d tried to squeeze into apparel that was just a smidge to small.
She let out a tiny shriek as the door to the utility closet suddenly opened, then froze as she took in the ridiculously handsome cowboy who filled its frame. The hinges of his chiseled jaw must’ve been broken because his mouth dropped open, and his eyes went wide at the sight of her.
Par for the course of her day, the button on her shirt picked that horribly inopportune moment to work free, and her shirt popped open like a can of biscuits.
“Oh dang. Sorry,” the cowboy muttered, his eyes widening further as his gaze dropped to the black lacy bra for just a moment before he turned his back and shimmied out of his suit jacket. He passed it back to her. “You all right there, miss?”
No, she was not all right. She was definitely not all right.
She wanted to cry and stamp her feet and run home to Mimi’s house to curl up on her grandmother’s outdated chintz sofa and stuff her face with marshmallow cookies.
But that wasn’t an option because Mimi’s cupboards were bare, and she may not have her house—or the chintz sofa—for much longer. Tess held back a sigh as she slid her arms into the sleeves of the jacket, careful not to mess up the red rose pinned to the lapel.
It was time to admit defeat. To give up on this stupid plan and try to come up with another way to raise the money. She wasn’t cut out for this kind of stress. Maybe she should rethink Mimi’s spiked lemonade-stand idea or see if she could get a job as a waitress.
“I’m fine. Mostly. Except that a bird pooped on my shirt, and the one I was trying to change into must have shrunk in the dryer.” She couldn’t believe she’d just blurted out the bird-turd fiasco, and she couldn’t bring herself to admit the added stupid mistake of grabbing the wrong blouse. “I just need a minute.”
“I’ll leave you to it then,” he answered, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips as he backed away from the door.
She pulled one side of the coat over the other, thankful the suit jacket covered her exposed chest.
Hmmm. She skimmed the satiny petals of the rose. Boutonnieres were typically reserved for the bridal party. This guy must be one of the groomsmen.
“Wait,” she called as the cute cowboy started to walk away.
Plan B had just turned into plan C. 


 

Jennie Marts is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and the “perfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.” Fic Central claimed one of her books was “the most fun I’ve had reading in years.”
She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet that loves to tweet to the oldies. She’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends.

Her books include the contemporary western romance Hearts of Montana series, the romantic comedy/ cozy mysteries of The Page Turners series, the hunky hockey-playing men in the Bannister family in the Bannister Brothers Books, and the small-town romantic comedies in the Lovestruck series of Cotton Creek Romances.
Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books, or Twitter at @JennieMarts. Visit her at www.jenniemarts.com and sign up for her newsletter to keep up with the latest news and releases.

 


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