Call Her Mine (Harmony Pointe #1) by Melissa Foster-Review tour

Call Her Mine (Harmony Pointe #1) by Melissa Foster-Review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.co.uk /B&N / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 13, 2019.

Ben Dalton has always been honest, except where his heart is concerned. He’s been in love with his best friend—saucy, smart-mouthed Aurelia Stark—forever. But Ben’s a planner, and timing has never been on his side. When he finally decides to make his move, Aurelia beats him to the punch with a move of her own—to a different town.

Aurelia loves her new life in the charming town of Harmony Pointe. She has a great apartment and her very own bookstore, and best of all, the sinfully hot, commitment-phobic friend she’s crushed on for years is no longer just around the corner. Maybe she’ll finally be able to leave her unrequited love behind and move on.

But when a baby is left on Ben’s front porch—a baby that is presumably his—Aurelia is there for him. Neither one knows the first thing about babies, but how hard can it be? Ben and Aurelia are catapulted into a world of love, laughter, and tracking down the baby mama, and it might even add up to a very happily ever after… just not one either of them expects.

•••••••••

REVIEW: CALL HER MINE is the first instalment in Melissa Foster’s contemporary, adult HARMONY POINTE erotic, romance series-a spin off from the author’s Sugar Lake series. This is book store owner Aurelia Stark, and billionaire businessman Ben Dalton’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Aurelia and Ben) CALL HER MINE follows the best friends to lovers/ secret baby trope between book store owner Aurelia Stark, and billionaire businessman Ben Dalton. Ben Dalton and Aurelia Stark have been best friends for a number of years but best friends who have secretly lusted after one another without ever taking the next step towards something more. When Ben finds an abandoned baby on his door step, Aurelia steps up to help Ben but finds herself caught between head and heart believing she will always be friend zoned by the man that she loves. What ensues is the quick building romance between Ben and Aurelia, and the potential fall-out as Aurelia struggles with her place in Ben’s life including the possibility of losing her heart to a child, not her own.

Ben Dalton desperately wants a more than a friendly relationship with Aurelia Stark but our hero has a bit of a colored past that is about to send his well-ordered life spiralling out of control. Having no idea as the identity of the child’s mother, Aurelia and Ben begin to search through Ben’s recent past in the hope of uncovering the truth. Aurelia Stark wanted to start fresh and opening her own book store in Harmony Pointe was the first step in starting over but moving away meant pushing herself further from the man that she loved. A surprise baby gave Aurelia the opportunity to spend more time with Ben Dalton but our heroine is overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for a child, and the possibility of losing is all should Ben opt for single parenthood.

The relationship between Ben and Aurelia is one of friends to lovers, friends who have been afraid to admit their feelings, and their emotional ties to one another. Aurelia believes she has been friend zoned by the man that she loves, and Ben believes Aurelia’s fresh start is the first step in moving away from their current relationship. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Aurelia’s grandmother Flossie; best friend Everly Love; as well as Ben’s large extended family: his parents Roxie and Dan Dalton; Ben’s four sisters Willow (Zane), Bridgette (Bodhi), Piper and Talia ; actress Remi Divine; Ben’s business partner Aidan Aldridge; construction project manager Kase Force.

CALL HER MINE is an animated story of friendship, family, surprises and love. The premise is engaging and entertaining ; the romance is flirty and spicy; the characters are sassy, strong and spirited. CALL HER MINE is a captivating and energetic look at growing up and taking responsibility when needed the most.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Also in the Harmony Pointe Series
This is Love (Harmony Pointe Book 2)

Actress Remi Divine is sick of bodyguards, sick of stalkers, and sick of feeling like she is always under a microscope. But this movie star isn’t helpless by any means. She’s got a rebellious streak and she knows how to use it. First order of business: Getting rid of the overbearing bodyguards who are sticking to her like glue.Mason Swift has made protecting others his life, and when Remi ditches his two best men, he takes over and gives it everything he has. Having grown up in the foster care system, and as an ex-special operative, he knows all the tricks. Nothing gets by him, especially not gorgeous, sneaky, and rebellious, Remi.

He thinks she’s a diva. She thinks he’s arrogant. But when sparks turn to flames and their walls come down, their hearts are revealed and their connection is unstoppable. But when tragedy strikes, Remi realizes that being protected isn’t the worst thing in the world—but losing Mason just might be.

Releasing 3rd December 2019
Available to pre-order from …


She Loves Me (Harmony Pointe Book 3)
Fall in love in Harmony Pointe, where hearts are lost, found, and sometimes misplaced…and everyone get a happy ever after.
If a woman can’t find love in the quaint town of Harmony Pointe, it’s sure to find them—whether they’re looking for it or not. Here, the remaining single Dalton siblings are about to discover that they’re next in line to get swept away by love. A sweet and sexy spin-off of Melissa’s beloved Sugar Lake series.
Releasing April 2020
Available to pre-order from …
The Harmony Pointe series is published by Montlake Romance and will be available in paperback and audio formats, and exclusively in digital format for Kindle and Kindle apps. Download a FREE Kindle reading app HERE (or order the paperback)

 

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Todaybestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance and new adult romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex relatable issues.Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa enjoys chatting with readers and book clubs. Send her an email invitation to your next event!

Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.
Find Melissa on the following sites….
NOW FOR THE AUTHOR’S GIVEAWAY !!
Win Finding My Girl (Love Like Ours Companion Booklet) ebook
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DIRTY RICH SECRETS Part 2 by Lisa Renee Jones-a review

DIRTY RICH SECRETS Part 2 by Lisa Renee Jones-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 13, 2019

Ashley and Aaron’s journey continues right where the prior book left off in this edgy and intense story. More secrets and lies, and more passion and danger. Ashley and Aaron could never be prepared for what’s about to happen. Questions will be answered. Answers will lead to more mysteries. And the chemistry between these two will leave you breathless.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: DIRTY RICH SECRETS Part two is the second instalment in Lisa Renee Jones’ contemporary adult DIRTY RICH Secrets erotic, romantic suspense serial focusing on paralegal Ashley, and former CIA operative Aaron aka Noah. DIRTY RICH SECRETS PART 2 should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of Part 1.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ashley and Aaron) DIRTY RICH SECRETS Part 2 focuses on Aaron’s jealousy of the previous attention paid to our story line heroine by a member of the Walker Security Team. Throughout the instalment Aaron is unable to let go of the idea that Ashley may have wanted another man, a man who has also sworn to serve and protect. From angry $ex to accusations of lust and need, Part 2 barely skims the surface of the threats against our story line couple, threats brought about by sins of the past.

DIRTY RICH SECRETS Part 2 focuses on issues of trust; of jealousy, possessiveness, and suspicion. There is an inordinate amount of redundancy as Aaron aka Noah is constantly accusing the woman he loves of lusting after another man, or of having sex with said man while Aaron was on the run. Apparently, I am in the minority with my thoughts and take on Part two. Sadly, I struggled to accept Aaron as anything more than a possessive and controlling character whose behavior screams all kinds of wrong, thusly overriding the little bit of information imparted regarding the threats against our story line couple. In this I had a difficult time liking the man we have come to know as Aaron, and therefore struggled to like this particular instalment.

Saying that, this is an issue with novels that have been divided into serialized chapters or parts of books. Oft times, a number of the instalments divulge little to no pertinent information. Reviewing a serialized novel is difficult because to comment on the world or characters building requires a complete novel wherein background, history, personality and premise have evolved or changed throughout the course of the book or series.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of Dirty Rich Secrets Part ONE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Lisa Renee JonesNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series.

In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is also the author of the bestselling the bestselling DIRTY MONEY and WHITE LIES series. And will be publishing the first book in her Lilah Love suspense series with Amazon Publishing in March 2018.

Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.

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The Loyal One by Shelley Shepard Gray – a Review

The Loyal One by Shelley Shepard Gray – a Review

 

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Description:
When Katie Steury hires her old friend Harley Lambright to remodel her rundown old house into a charming bed and breakfast, she does so with trepidation. Though they are longtime friends, they’ve always had a rocky relationship, thanks to her being partly responsible for his most recent breakup. But while they may not always get along, she needs someone to trust with her secrets, and Harley is nothing if not trustworthy and loyal.

Katie has always reminded Harley of a bright hummingbird—she is small and flighty, moves a mile a minute, and she possesses a very sharp beak. He’s hesitant to accept the job because of his history with Katie. But when he realizes that Katie’s been hiding her mother’s hoarding, he agrees to help her because it’s clear she needs someone on her side.

Both soon discover that clearing the debris in one old house also means they have to do some clean-up in their lives, forcing them to reevaluate their past and their future. This somewhat painful process reveals that Katie isn’t the only one with secrets. As the house gets a second chance, so, too, does their relationship. Now all they have to do is open their hearts—and hope and pray that their new bond will also stand the test of time.

 

 

Review:

The Loyal One by Shelley Shepard Gray is the 2nd book in her Walnut Creek series. The Loyal One returns to Walnut Creek and the group of 8 friends that we got to know in the first book, who all have decided to stay in town and be there for each other.  This is a mixed group of men and women, who are Amish, Mennonite and English.

This story revolves around Harley Lambright and Katie Steury, who have always been friends, but neither of them thought of any thing beyond.  Katie is in the midst of trying to fix up her run-down house, and hires Harley to remodel the house into a bed and breakfast.  Katie has always been outspoken, and at times this used to rattle Harley, but now he is sympathetic to her concern for anyone to see the condition of the house where her mother hoarded things.  Katie does not want her friends to see how she lives now, and is trusting Harley to keep her secrets.  But this is a group of friends that stay together no matter what, and when they accidently see the house, they will bond together to help Katie, especially to allow them to help her and not be embarrassed.

Slowly the relationship between Katie and Harley grow beyond friendship, as both change their ways and begin to understand each other, not to mention their new feelings.  The Loyal One is a sweet story about romance, friendship, family and bringing everyone together.  It was really nice to see everyone again, but most importantly it was wonderful to see despite their different backgrounds and personalities, they will always be friends and help each other.  There was also a side story showing the friendship building between Harley’s brother Kyle and Gabby, who is English.  This was a nice feature to see Kyle bring out Gabby and her brother to spend time with his family.   Very nicely done.

The Loyal One was a simple story of friendship, family, love and a sweet slow built romance, with a great group of secondary characters. I look forward to the next book in this series, which is well written by Shelley Shepard Gray.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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She’s Got Game by Laura Heffernan – a Review

She’s Got Game by Laura Heffernan – a Review

 

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Description:
WINNER TAKES ALL
 
Travel blogger Gwen Williams is about to live the dream—competing in the annual American Board Game Championship. She’s up against some stiff competition, namely legendary gamer and four-time champ Cody McKay. The seriously buff hottie and shameless flirt is going all-out to seduce her. That’s when Gwen lays her cards on the table: She never, ever mixes gaming with romance . . . until resisting Cody becomes a losing proposition. 

As Gwen gives in to temptation, everything’s in play for a major heartache. With the rounds heating up and players eliminated, she knows she’s gambling a lot more than a seat at the final table in Vegas. But Cody’s kisses promise more than a fleeting romance. If she plays her cards right, Gwen just might walk off with the championship and the man of her dreams. 

 

 

Review…. 

She’s Got Game by Laura Heffernan is the first book in her new Gamer Girls series.

Living your life playing games, it seems like a great life. 

Gwen is also a blogger, and likes (no loves it) to travel. Reading the description, I did wonder if Gwen was more of a dungeon and dragon type player. (The game was fairly simple. Players rolled a pair of dice, then collected cards with different “resources” on them. The resources could be discarded to build various structures. A bad roll could result in losing cards, and the first player who got to ten points won.) 

Cody loves to win, and there is nothing he won’t do to make sure he comes out on top. He seems like a nice guy, until he hits the tables, then all bets are off. 

Cody and Gwen meet at the gaming tables. There is lots of “trash talk” and a little flirting. But although Gwen finds him cute, she won’t date a gamer. (She did once and got taken advantage of, so she swore never again) But as the games proceed, Gwen is finding it harder and harder to resist him. 

Then the inevitable happens ….. Gwen doesn’t know how to process the night they spend together, her emotions are running high, she second guesses everything. 

So will Gwen give Cody another chance? What happens when the game ends? 

You’ll need to read to find out ?

Well written and thought out. Hoping Shannon and Holly get stories and they are Gwen’s best friends. 

That was a fun read ?

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy supplied for review

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Bound (Tangled Web #3) by Aleatha Romig-Review tour

Bound (Tangled Web #3) by Aleatha Romig-Review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 13, 2019

With danger lurking around every corner and my life turned upside down, I struggle with who to believe and who to trust.

Can my heart convince my mind that what was bound long ago is where I’ll find love, safety, and security?

Or are the memories simply an illusion?

•••••••••

REVIEW: BOUND is the third and final instalment in Aleatha Romig’s contemporary, adult TANGLED WEB dark erotic romance, psychological suspense trilogy focusing on scientist Dr. Laurel Carlson, and assassin for hire Mason ‘Kader’ Pierce. The Tangled Web series is set in the same world as the author’s WEB OF SIN trilogy (Sterling Sparrow) but you do not have to have read the original series to understand or follow Tangled Web. BOUND should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book two OBSESSED.

SOME BACKGROUND: Dr. Laurel Carlson, along with her colleague Dr. Russell Cartwright are missing, and part of their scientific discovery is currently on the black market, auctioning off to the highest bidder. Imprisoned by an assassin for hire, Laurel struggles with her attraction to a man whose end game is to take her life.

Told from several first person points of view including Laurel, Kader, Mason and Jack using present day and memories from the past, BOUND picks up immediately following the events of book two OBSESSED wherein our heroine discovers the true nature of Kader’s obsession and abduction: an obsession that reveals a mutual history but an abduction meant to eliminate Laurel Carlson. With Laurel’s research missing, and her former colleagues missing or dead, Laurel struggles with issues of trust believing her time with Mason comes with an expiry date- a hit ordered by an unknown source hoping to eliminate our story line heroine. Renewed threats force our couple on the run, threats meant to destroy both Kader and Laurel.

Sterling Sparrow and his team make a cameo appearance as Mason/Kader struggles to protect the woman with whom he has fallen in love. We are re-introduced to Sparrow’s wife Araneae; his men and former members of Mason’s platoon- Reid Murray and his wife Lorna, and Patrick Kelly, as well as Kader’s commander Clifton ‘Jack’ Jackson. Patrick’s story is next in the Web of Desire Series.

BOUND is a complicated and edgy story of betrayal and deception; vengeance, secrets and love; a tale of power and control. The premise is intriguing, captivating and thought-provoking; the characters are colorful, energetic and charismatic; the romance is passionate, seductive and intense. BOUND ends on a happily ever after for now, but saying that there are still a few unanswered questions, and the conflict resolution was cursory and disappointing.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Twisted
Obsessed
Bound

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

NEWSLETTER | WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | GOODREADS
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Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Together with her high-school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years, they’ve raised three children. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns or her new lighter side, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!

Sign up today to receive her monthly newsletter  and /or text message alerts stay informed.

And if you’re new to ALEATHA, check out her FREE books.

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Unbreak Me by Michelle Hazen – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Unbreak Me by Michelle Hazen – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
What could two troubled souls from different walks of life have in common? Maybe everything.

Andra Lawler lives isolated at her family’s horse ranch, imprisoned by the memories of an assault in college. When she needs help training her foals, she hires a Haitian-Creole cowboy from New Orleans with a laugh as big as the Montana sky.

LJ Delisle can’t stand the idea that Andra might be lonely—or eating frozen TV dinners. He bakes his way into her kitchen with a lemon velvet cake, and offers her cooking lessons that set them on the road to romance. But even their love can’t escape the shadow of what they’ve been through. Despite their growing friendship and his gentle rapport with the horses, LJ is still an outsider facing small-town suspicions.

Before they can work through their issues, LJ is called home by a family emergency. In the centuries-old, raggedly rebuilt streets of New Orleans, he must confront memories of Hurricane Katrina and familiar discrimination. And Andra must decide if she’s brave enough to leave the shelter of the ranch for an uncertain future with LJ.

 

 

Review:

Unbreak Me by Michelle Hazen is an inter-racial love story between two troubled souls.  LJ Delisle, our hero, is a Haitian-Creole horse trainer from New Orleans, who arrives at a horse ranch in Montana to apply for a job.   Andra Lawler helps run the ranch with her father and brother, and she is the one who trains most of the foals.  When LJ arrives, he notices Andra calmly handling the horse she is training, and recognizes how good she is.  When he walks to meet her, he accidentally causes her to fall, and she goes into a panic shock.

Though her father tries to run off LJ, Andra sees that he is just the person who can help her train the horses, especially after she puts him through the tests and the horses seem to love LJ.   Both Andra and LJ have issues in their lives that causes them grief, and working with the horses alleviates the pain of their past.  LJ lived with his family when Hurricane Katrina destroyed the area he and his family and friends lived; even years later, with little money, they live in terrible conditions.  Andra is closed off from socializing with the people on the ranch, even partially her family.  5 years earlier, she was kidnapped and abused, though she managed to escape; but she still is haunted by nightmares, and suffers severe anxiety panic attacks. Andra is very uncomfortable dealing with people, especially knowing the local townsfolk still stare at her.

What follows is a friendship between LJ and Andra, as they work together.   LJ is very charming, and goes out of his way to help Andra relax and try to enjoy things, such as his wonderful cooking and boastful laugh.  She begins to enjoy his company and even laugh more.  When LJ learns more about what happened to her, he finds it hard to control his anger, as he has come to care for Andra, even if her father wants him out.  When their relationship begins to escalate into a possible romance, LJ is afraid to push her, worrying about her attacks.  When his mother becomes ill, he leaves to go back to New Orleans and help care for her.  Andra will take it upon herself to travel to New Orleans to talk LJ to come back, and meet his mother and friends while staying there for a bit.  When her father calls her home, the question is will LJ and her find a way to fulfill the love they have for each other, especially with all the obstacles surrounding them?

Unbreak Me was very well written by Hazen, with the story covering a number of issues, such as; racism, sexual assault, anxiety, panic attacks, aftermath of Katrina and family.  It was also a love story of two unlikely people who faced slim odds in finding a way to stay together, despite the complications.   Unbreak Me was a very good story, which I suggest you read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

Andra opened her front door, and the frown froze on her face as LJ’s shoulders filled the doorframe.
He was holding . . . a cake?
“Um, hi,” she managed.
She reached behind her back to undo the knot that pulled her T-shirt tight against her chest, shaking the baggy hem so it would fall to cover some of her leggings. What was he doing here? Oh crap, she’d promised to talk to him about the horses.
“Look, I’m sorry. I know I said I’d come talk to you a couple days ago, but then Socks kicked one of the grooms, and Mary Kay lost a shoe, and I completely forgot.” She hadn’t forgotten, so much as she was . . . working up to it. Giving him a few days of seeing her around the ranch when she was in control of herself, before she got close enough she’d have to see his opinion of her in his eyes.
He shrugged, careful not to tip the tall cake off its platter. “I think we got off on the wrong foot the day we met, and our do-over didn’t really stick.”
Oh God. Apparently, he wasn’t tiptoeing around anything today.
LJ grinned—a playful, twinkly-eyed one that made him look like he was just having more fun than everyone else. “Besides, nobody’s afraid of a guy with a cake.”
A smile tugged at the edges of her mouth. “I’ve never heard that.”
“No? It’s completely true. Not to mention, bringing a cake is the best excuse to eat some. I mean, it’s yours. You don’t have to share. Of course, if you don’t, you may want to pass a tissue or two my way, is all I’m saying.” He widened his eyes mournfully.
She glanced at the cake, the white icing whipped into gorgeous swirls. “Did Stacia make that? She used to be terrible at baking.” She gripped the edge of the door a little tighter. Maybe her friend had been practicing. It wasn’t like she knew what Stacia was up to these days.
“I’m a little offended. A man doesn’t bring a borrowed cake for an apology.” He lifted the platter and gave it a waggle. “We’ve got lemon velvet with French buttercream here. You oughta get it out of the heat soon, though. The sun melted the frosting some on the way over. It’s a hike to get up over here, you know it?”
Oops, he was feeling around for an invitation. Duh, and she was still standing in her door like some kind of freak. “Um, come in.” The least she could do was feed him some cake and try to act like a normal person. She stepped aside and racked her brain for small talk that didn’t involve anything on four hooves. “You know, I can’t quite place your accent. You said you were from Louisiana, but I’ve met lots of people from there at rodeos, and they didn’t sound quite like you.”
“Well, you can tell I’m from the South because I interrupted your workout with dessert.” He tipped his head toward the yoga mat she’d left by the couch. She smiled, and his grin brightened a couple more watts. “Seriously, though, I think I’ve got a little bayou country from my days on my uncle’s horse ranch, cut with the rhythm of the Lower Ninth, maybe some southern drawl creeping in from the Mississippi border. And New Orleans has a sound all its own, always has.” Between one word and the next, his words straightened to all square corners instead of luscious curves. “Then again, if my mother is listening, I sound strictly like the Yankee university she helped pay for.”
“Your mom doesn’t like your accent?” Andra frowned. “Doesn’t she have one?”
“Mama thought I wouldn’t get a decent job unless I talked like a white banker from Wisconsin.” He shrugged.
Her eyes widened. “That’s not fair. Why should you have to fake an accent to get a job?”
“That’s the way the world works. People have ideas about what intelligence should sound like, and I don’t expect I’m going to change all of them on my own.” He winked. “I tutored English composition for work study all through college, so I can play the game. I have to admit, though, sometimes it’s nice to sound like home.”
Andra laughed, a little self-consciously. “I don’t think I even realized we had an accent up north until you imitated it.”
“Oh, it’s an accent all right, sweetheart. And you’ve got it thick as anything.”
Heat crept into her skin at the endearment, though she didn’t get the feeling he was really flirting with her. She glanced away, the afterimage of him seared on her lids. His deep-brown eyes were a couple of shades darker than his skin, and they always seemed to be laughing. He was handsome, with high cheekbones and sensual lips. The kind of man she would have looked twice at, once.

 

 

Michelle Hazen’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of UNBREAK ME to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe. Good Luck With That review

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Don’t Game Me by Zoe Forward – a Review

Don’t Game Me by Zoe Forward – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes

 

Description:
Becca Harrison is screwed. She never intended to get involved in an illegal eGaming scheme. The notorious Symphis demands she steal financial information from her brother’s gaming company. Refusal isn’t an option. To do the gamelord’s bidding she must get close—very close—to her brother’s best friend and business partner, Jake Allen. The man she’s burned for since she was in high school.

Jake Allen has been called many things. Sexiest video game CEO. Bad-boy. Player. The last thing he wants is to live up to his reputation with his business partner’s sister when Becca propositions he be her wedding hook-up. He’s wanted her forever, but the Harrisons are the only real family he’s ever known. One night between the sheets could ruin everything for him.

 

 

Review:

Don’t Game Me by Zoe Forward is the 2nd book in her Game Lords series.   Having read the first book, I looked forward to reading this one, and I am happy to say that once again I enjoyed this 2nd book of the series.

Becca Harrison is our heroine, and sister to Noah Harrison (last book hero).  Becca is in trouble, as she is deeply involved with the same illegal eGaming group that threatened Tori (her friend, Noah’s fiancee, and 1st book  heroine). Though Tori is now free, Becca is being forced to steal financial information from her brother’s company, and she is desperate to save her family, even at the cost of running away forever.  But Becca needs to keep one step ahead of the mysterious and evil Symphis, who is the leader of the gamelords, and threatens her life.

Jake Allen is our hero, and Noah’s partner in their own gaming company.   Jake has a reputation of being a womanizer, though he never stays more than a couple of times with the same woman.  When Becca and Jake run into each other, as best man & maid of honor, for Tori and Noah’s wedding, she tries to convince Jake to be her date.  At first, he doesn’t want to be too much near her, as he has always found her attractive, but eventually they will be pushed together for the event.  He doesn’t know that Becca, has another ulterior motive, to copy from Jake’s computer, financial information that Symphis wants. 

In a short time, both Jake and Becca find their attraction to each other impossible to ignore, and the chemistry between them is scorching hot.  Jake knows he wants Becca, but is afraid to ruin the relationship he has with the entire Harrison family, and he doesn’t trust he is the right person for her.   Becca finds herself falling hard for Jake, but knows there could be no future, as she plans to protect them (give false information), and go on the run from Symphis. 

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful and fun story. I am amazed how well Zoe Forward continues to describe the gaming industry, giving us a wonderful insight to that industry.   I especially loved Jake and Becca together. It was great to see many of the characters from the first book again, especially Noah, Michael, Tori, Emma, Quan, just to name a few.  The second half of the book upped the tension, with the excitement escalated as Becca was in the middle of the desperate action, with Jake and Noah, plus others did everything they could to find her and help her from a dangerous adversary.

Don’t Game Me was a fast-paced, fun enjoyable story; wonderful couple, great secondary characters, as well as filled with excitement and suspense.  If you have not started this series, I suggest you read Off Her Game before you read Don’t Game Me.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

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Description:
They call him the Duke of Ruin.

To an undaunted wallflower, he’s just the beast next door.

Wealthy and ruthless, Gabriel Duke clawed his way from the lowliest slums to the pinnacle of high society—and now he wants to get even.

Loyal and passionate, Lady Penelope Campion never met a lost or wounded creature she wouldn’t take into her home and her heart.

When her imposing—and attractive—new neighbor demands she clear out the rescued animals, Penny sets him a challenge. She will part with her precious charges, if he can find them loving homes.

Done, Gabriel says. How hard can it be to find homes for a few kittens?

And a two-legged dog.

And a foul-mouthed parrot.

And a goat, an otter, a hedgehog . . .

Easier said than done, for a cold-blooded bastard who wouldn’t know a loving home from a workhouse. Soon he’s covered in cat hair, knee-deep in adorable, and bewitched by a shyly pretty spinster who defies his every attempt to resist. Now she’s set her mind and heart on saving him.

Not if he ruins her first.

Review:

The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare is the 3rd book in her Girl Meets Duke series. I have not read the first two books in this series, but this read very well as a standalone; though I will say the fun humorous banter between the friends, who were part of the previous stories make me want to read the earlier books.

Lady Penelope Campion (Penny), our heroine, lives alone with servants in her family home; but she does have plenty of company with her rescued animals. Penny does not like to socialize, and has no problem being known as the spinster.  She is very warm, compassionate and puts her heart into taking care of her animals (talking parrot, crippled dog, goat, hedgehog and kittens), especially those that no one wants.  When Penny’s aunt visits to let her know that if she does not socialize more and get rid of the animals, her brother will force her to leave her home.   Penny is beside herself with worry, and when the parrot escapes to the abandoned house next door, she goes to the rescue.

Gabriel Duke, our hero, is known as the Duke of Ruin.  Gabe lived all his young life in poverty, and eventually made a success of himself by buying out and ruining many families to become wealthy and part of the society that fears him.   He is woken up from a deep sleep, when he hears a noise, and sees this woman trying to coax her parrot.  Gabe will surprise Penny, as she did not know anyone was in that house.   He will learn quickly about all the other animas that Penny has living with her, but when he learns she is being forced out of her home, he offers to help her find places for her animals.  His motive? He does not want her to move, as her living there will bring more buyers to his new house project, as she is part of society.

In a short time, both Penny and Gabe find themselves becoming attracted to each other; but Gabe fights that off, as he does not think he is suitable for love.  They made a great couple with wonderful chemistry, but the best thing about Gabe and Penny was the banter between them.   Tessa Dare does a marvelous job making us laugh and be entertained.

Though I had not read the first two books, we did meet the heroes from those stories, and it was a blast to see their reactions to Penny becoming involved with The Duke of Ruin.  Lots of fun with Penny and her friends.   It was also a laugh a minute when they went together to place some of the animals and the things that went wrong.  Besides the humor, make no mistake that the romance between Gabe and Penny was very steamy.

The Wallflower Wager was a wonderful Historical romance that was heartwarming, fun, sweet and a sexy romance.  I enjoyed this book very much, and plan to go back and read about her wonderful friends.  The Wallflower Wager was very well written by Dare, and I suggest you make sure to read this book, as it was a lot of fun.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

She circled back, standing before him. “There now. Better?”
He gave a reluctant nod.
“Can you move your arm in all directions?”
He rolled his shoulder to prove it. “Yes.”
“What about your grip?
“My grip is strong.”
“Perhaps I should wrap the arm in a sling.”
“I do not need a sling.”
“Wait here. I’ll dash upstairs to fetch some linen and—”
“For the love of God, woman. My shoulder is fine.” He took her by the waist and lifted her straight off the floor, until they were eye to eye. “There. Believe me now?”
She nodded, wide-eyed.
“Good.”
In his hands, she was delicate, breakable. Her hair was a golden treasure he should never, ever touch. And oh, how he hungered for those soft, pink lips.
The familiar voice echoed in his ears.
Don’t touch, boy. She’s not for the likes of you.
Put. Her. Down.
But before Gabe could lower those beribboned pink slippers to the floor, she captured his sooty, sweaty face in her hands—
And kissed him on the lips.


 

Tessa Dare is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty historical romances. Her books have won numerous accolades, including Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® award (twice) and the RT Book Reviews Seal of Excellence. Booklist magazine named her one of the “new stars of historical romance,” and her books have been contracted for translation in more than a dozen languages.

A librarian by training and a booklover at heart, Tessa makes her home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband, their two children, and a trio of cosmic kitties.

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Tessa Dare’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of THE WALLFLOWER WAGER to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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9. Giveaway runs from August 12 – 16, 2019

 

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