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Once Upon a Wild Fling (Heartbreakers #3) by Lauren Blakely-Review & Excerpt Tour

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ONCE UPON A WILD FLING (Heartbreakers #3) by Lauren Blakely-Review & Excerpt Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 8, 2018

My brother’s best friend has a proposition for me. Have I mentioned he’s a sexy single dad? Tell me more…

There are a million reasons why Miles Hart isn’t the man I should date but allow me to enumerate the top three. He’s friends with my brother, he’s a single dad, and he’s a sexy, in-demand rock star. He might as well wear an off-limits, totally unavailable, and don’t-even-attempt-to-ride-this-ride sign.

Then he asks me to be his plus-one when his band plays at his high school reunion, and the night unfolds in ways I never expect.

***
I have three good reasons to keep my hands off Roxy Sterling–her brother’s my business manager and good buddy, my kid is the center of my world, and the last time I fell hard for a woman I was burned so badly that my interest in relationships has gone up in flames. But once I bring Roxy’s body next to mine on the dance floor, I want all the not-safe-for-work things I can’t have with her. So I make a proposition.
Then I learn exactly how risky we might be.

••••••••••

REVIEW: ONCE UPON A WILD FLING is the third instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult HEARTBREAKERS erotic, romance series focusing on the Hart Brothers. This is musician and single father Miles Hart, and thirty-one year old, dog groomer Roxy Sterling’s story line. ONCE UPON A WILD FLING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Roxy Sterling is Mackenzie Markson’s best friend (Once Upon a Real Good Time-Book one).

Told from dual first person perspectives (Roxy and Miles) follows the friends with benefits relationship between musician and single father Miles Hart, and thirty-one year old, dog groomer Roxy Sterling. Miles Hart needs a plus-one for his fifteen year, high school reunion, and who better to take than Roxy Sterling, his friend and business manager William Sterling’s sister, and a woman off-limits in more ways than one. Having been burned once before Miles is in no hurry for relationships, romance or love, but something about Roxy calls to Miles’ heart. What ensues is the friends with benefits relationship between Roxy and Miles, and the potential fall-out as Roxy is hoping for something more.

Roxy Sterling is tired of the single’s scene and is determined to move forward alone. Meeting Miles Hart finds our heroine reconsidering the future with the man with whom she will fall in love. Roxy has plans for her immediate future, and she is hoping Miles is willing to go along for the ride. Miles Hart is a single father, burned in the past, by a previous relationship, leaving him a single father to his newborn son. As the youngest Hart brother in the one-time boy band the Heartbreakers, Miles is about to bring fame and fortune back to his front door, and starting a new relationship was never in the plans.

The relationship between Roxy and Miles is one of immediate attraction; a friends with benefits, each other’s plus one that turns into something more but Roxy has a secret that is about to be revealed very soon. A strong-willed and independent heroine, Roxy never expected to fall in love after years of failing in the world of dating. Miles Hart is the perfect father, and a sexy rock star, both equally attractive in the eyes of his adoring female fans. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Miles’ son Ben Hart, as well as Mile’s brothers Campbell ‘Mason’ (and Mackenzie), and Miller (and Ally); and Roxy’s brother William Sterling.

ONCE UPON A WILD FLING is a story of romance and love, family and friendship with sexy and sassy characters, and a ‘chicken magnet’ for a dad. The premise is entertaining, engaging and endearing; the romance is passionate and seductive; the characters are courageous, fun and lively. ONCE UPON A WILD FLING is a fantastic addition to Lauren’s HEARTBREAKERS series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Once Upon a Real Good Time
Once Upon a Sure Thing
Once Upon a Wild Fling

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

~ROXY~

I find Miles behind a stage that has probably witnessed high school graduations, speeches, and musicals. His eyes take a leisurely stroll up and down my body. The way he stares, every zone in my body feels erogenous. Especially the boob zone, where he spends more time than usual.

When he slides his gaze up to my face, he looks hypnotized, then he shakes it off and brings me in for a hug. “So glad you’re here, Rox. Now go enjoy the show, and I’ll find you the second we’re done.”

Once it starts, I do enjoy the show. I never saw the Heartbreakers in concert when they were in their heyday. I’ve never been a concert person. Not that I’m opposed to music, but my mother set a precedent when I was in the eighth grade and my friends had a chance to see P!nk perform. I asked her if I could go, but the next day I had to take the prep school entrance exam, so the answer was no.

“It’s a better use of your time to stay in and study,” she’d said.

That’s what I mostly did in high school, listening to music on the radio as I worked through math problems and wrote essays on the Vietnam War. The Heartbreakers kept me company that way. Later, when Miles became a solo artist, I’d find myself humming his tunes when I heard them play in Starbucks, or while riding the escalator at Bed Bath & Beyond.

I became a fan, but I’m not a fangirl like some of the others here tonight. I don’t just mean the women. The Heartbreakers have fanboys and fangirls, singing along, belting out tunes. They’re crowding the stage, and the security guards hired when the Heartbreakers were confirmed for the event are standing on alert, arms crossed. Fortunately, there are no bras or panties thrown at the stage, nor briefs or belts either. I’m glad Miles’s high school class is full of fans but not crazy groupies.

The music reverberates in the gymnasium as the trio of gorgeous brothers sings love songs and fun songs and sexy songs while disco balls twirl from the ceiling and strobe lights flash.

When the set nears the end and they dive into one of Miles’s most popular solo tunes, a love song called “Today,” I swear his eyes find mine in the crowd as he sings about yesterdays and tomorrows. The way he sings turns the tingles into sparks, and I’m feeling it now for sure—that click, click, click of my heart, or maybe it’s my hormones.

Whatever it is, my breath comes faster as I dance.

When the show ends and the band thanks the crowd, that’s my cue to find him backstage. He’s sweaty, and I’ve never found sweat so sexy before. He drapes an arm around me, drops a kiss to my cheek, and says, “Hey, sexy bodyguard.”

My voice is a little breathier than I expect as I reply, “Reporting for duty.”

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In October she’ll release HARD WOOD, a sexy, standalone romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter!  laurenblakely.com/newsletter

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter ** Goodreads

NOTE : The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour promoter or the author

✮✮✮ A giveaway that will bring music to your ears.✮✮✮

Let’s celebrate the release of ONCE UPON A WILD FLING! One lucky person will receive a gorgeous Kate spade tote bag for fun on the go, an Amazon echo dot to play all your favorite music and audiobooks, and an Amazon gift card to help you add to your music and audiobook library.

https://laurenblakely.com/once-upon-a-wild-fling-giveaway/

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Once Upon a Sure Thing (Heartbreakers #2) by Lauren Blakely-Review & Excerpt Tour

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ONCE UPON A SURE THING (Heartbreakers #2) by Lauren Blakely-Review & Excerpt Tour

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ADD IT TO YOUR GOODREADS TODAY!

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 24, 2018

It’s so easy being best friends with a gorgeous, talented, charming guy.

Said no woman ever. Except me.

My friendship with Miller is a sure thing — he’s my plus one, my emergency contact, and my shoulder to lean on. He’s also been by my side helping me raise one helluva awesome kid who’s the center of my world.

Nothing will change our easy breezy friendship. Until I have the bright idea to convince him to start a new band with me.

Trouble is, our sizzling chemistry in the recording studio is getting harder to ignore, no matter how risky it might be.

***

Sing sexy songs with the woman you’ve been lusting after? Get up close and personal as you croon to the woman you’ve wanted for years?

Piece of cake.
NOT.

Performing with the sweet, sassy and insanely wonderful Ally is like one gigantic obstacle course of challenges for my libido. And my libido is one sexy love song away from kissing her senseless and taking her home.

But, I’m not a serious kind of guy, and she’s not a one-night-stand kind of woman. If we cross the horizontal line, we might risk our sure thing and end up out of tune forever..

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW:  ONCE UPON A SURE THING is the second instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary adult HEARTBREAKERS erotic, romance series focusing on the Hart Brothers. This is Miller Hart, and YA audio book narrator Ally Zimmerman’s story line. ONCE UPON A SURE THING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ally and Miller) ONCE UPON A SURE THING follows the friends to lovers relationship between Miller Hart, and audio book narrator Ally Zimmerman. Ally Zimmerman has been the sole guardian to her eleven-year old niece Chloe following the death of her sister Lindsay five years earlier. Hoping to bring in a little more cash Ally sends in an audition tape knowing that if she is selected she will be singing with her best friend and the man with whom she has lusted after for close to six years. Enter Miller Hart, former teen idol, and one-third of the pop band the Heartbreakers. What ensues are Miller and Ally’s friends to lovers/ friends with benefits relationship that grows into something more.

Miller Hart has wanted Ally since the first time they met but Ally was about to become the mother to her sister’s six year old daughter, and Miller wasn’t about to disrupt their lives any more than it already had. Best friends for years, Miller was shocked when he discovered that Ally had considered singing a duet, a duet that was about to bring the Heartbreakers back together.

The relationship between Ally and Miller is a friends to lovers/friends with benefits romance that turns into something more. Ally isn’t willing to risk their friendship for a one-night stand but when Ally realizes she is falling in love, our heroine battles between head and heart, and pushes Miller back into the friends-only zone. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate; the palpable sexual attraction is heavy and hot; the back and forth banter is sassy and sexy, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

All of the Hart brothers play secondary and supporting characters including Miles, and Campbell and his girlfriend Mackenzie, as well as Mackenzie’s best friend Roxy Sterling. We are introduced to Ally’s eleven-year old niece Chloe; her best friend Macy; and Miller’s ‘little brother’, seventeen-year old Jackson who is filming a behind the scenes video of Ally and Miller, for his college application. Miles and Roxy’s story line is next in Once Upon a Wild Fling.

ONCE UPON A SURE THING is a story of family and friendships, falling love and happily ever after. The premise is realistic and spicy; the characters are spirited and lively; the romance is seductive and provocative. ONCE UPON A SURE THING is a flawless and energetic story that will have you wanting more.

Click HERE for sandy’s review of book one -ONCE UPON A REAL GOOD TIME

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

~Ally~Miller holds open the hobby shop door for me. “After you, my warrior princess. I believe we have a castle to create.”

“Chloe left me a list of items to pick up, since she’s seeing her therapist.”

“Never miss a shrink visit, I say.” Miller stops in front of a remote-controlled helicopter display. “How are they going for her, anyway?”

“Good. She’s almost done with the appointments. She’s doing so well now, but it took a while,” I say, smiling as we go inside, proud of my girl.

“I’m glad she’s doing better. It’s all because of you.”

I wave off the compliment as we head down the aisles. Pom-poms and fabrics abound, nestled alongside scrapbook boxes and glitter glue, which cuddles with glitter guns and ribbons. I stop at an aisle bursting with silver ribbons, polka-dot ribbons, and ribbons with tassels. I scratch my head. “I don’t understand why there are so many ribbons.”

Miller leans in close and whispers, “The better to tie you up with, my pretty.”

A tingle spreads over my shoulders, surprising me, even thought I’m not surprised by his words. He’s a natural-born flirt, and I’m used to his naughty banter. It’s never directed toward me, per se. He’s just having fun. It’s Miller being Miller, like when we play Bananagrams and he tries to make as many naughty-sounding words as possible, like caulk and diphthong. “In that case, let’s make it a polka-dot ribbon. I can wear it with my famous polo shirts and ponytails,” I say, referring to the super-sweet style I wore when I sang online with my brother.

“Ooh, that makes it even naughtier, and it proves my point.”

“What’s that?”

He holds up a finger. “I have a hunch craft stores are frequented by the Fifty Shades crowd.”

I laugh. “DIY BDSM-ers?”

He wiggles his eyebrows. “Ribbons are for typing pretty wrists.” He circles his hand around my wrist, sending another unexpected charge through me. I do my best to ignore the sensation. He lets go quickly and leads me to an aisle of wooden frames, birdhouses, and, oddly enough, paddles. “Those paddles are not for school projects, I tell you.”

“Whatever are they for?” I ask, feigning innocence.

Miller mimes spanking my butt. Next, he gestures to the candle-making section. “Exhibit B that hobby shops are fronts for kinky sex clubs—just imagine all this wax dripping on bellies and butts tonight.”

“How on earth am I supposed to work on a project with Chloe now that you’ve put these thoughts in my head?”

He runs a hand lightly over my hair and says in his raspy baritone, “I suspect those thoughts were already there.”

Were they?Are they? Images scroll through my mind, mostly involving ribbons.

 


 

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In October she’ll release HARD WOOD, a sexy, standalone romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter!  laurenblakely.com/newsletter

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter ** Goodreads

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Once Upon a Real Good Time (Heartbreakers #1) by Lauren Blakely-Review & Excerpt Tour

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Once Upon a Real Good Time (Heartbreakers #1) by Lauren Blakely-Review &  Excerpt  Tour

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

ADD IT TO YOUR GOODREADS TODAY!

That smoking hot one-night stand with a former rock star?

Turns out he’s my son’s new music teacher. Oops.

But I didn’t know that the night I met Campbell. All I knew was he played my body the same way he played a guitar — like he owned it.

My libido is still high-fiving me after being self-served for too many years, and we’re both ready for another night or two of fun, especially since we don’t just have chemistry in bed — we connect over everything.

That is, until I learn he’s the man who’ll be coming to my house twice a week to teach my son — the best music lessons money can buy.

Time to turn down the volume on our shenanigans. Only that’s easier said than done.

***

I can rock a guitar solo in front of thousands, I can write chart-topping tunes, and I can absolutely stop thinking about my student’s mother naked.

After all, I’m a single parent too, and I know what it’s like to put your kid first. That’s what I do every damn day.

Trouble is, now that I’ve had Mackenzie, it’s hard — and I do mean hard — to stop wanting her. Harder too when I get to know her, and learn she’s an awesome mom, a great friend, and, oh yeah, she happens to get along perfectly with my daughter.

All we have to do is set some rules. No dating, no nookie when the kids are around, and no one gets hurt.

It’s all working out beautifully. Until we start breaking the rules, one by one.

Making music with her in the bedroom is easy. But will we be more than just a real good time when the music stops?

•••••••••

REVIEW: ONCE UPON A REAL GOOD TIME is the first instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary adult THE HEARTBREAKERS erotic, romance series focusing on the Evans brothers. This is single parents, former teen idol and guitarist Campbell Evans aka Mason Hart, and graphic designer MacKenzie Marksons’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Campbell and MacKenzie) ONCE UPON A REAL GOOD TIME follows the building relationship between former teen idol and guitarist Campbell Evans aka Mason Hart, and graphic designer MacKenzie (Markson). MacKenzie is all about playing trivia at The Grouchy Owl until the one night the sexy lead singer of a local band offers up more than a couple of songs for our story line heroine. Enter single father and former teen idol Campbell Evans aka Mason Hart, and the man with whom MacKenzie will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between MacKenzie and Campbell, and the potential fall-out as MacKenzie struggles with Campbell’s position as her son’s infamous music teacher.

MacKenzie is a single mother to Kyle Markson, a child music prodigy whose has been offered a prestigious chance with a former star but unbeknownst to MacKenzie, said former star and her son’s new music teacher is the man who is currently starring in both her literal and virtual dreams. Unwilling to risk her son’s chance for the future, MacKenzie sacrifices her friendship and relationship with the man that she loves. Campbell Evans suffered a tragic loss, and in the ensuing years left the band to raise his daughter as a single father, but meeting MacKenzie gives Campbell the hope for a second chance at a happily ever after.

The relationship between Campbell and MacKenzie is one of immediate attraction; a palpable sexual attraction between two single parents who have put their personal lives on hold for the foreseeable future. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense. Both Campbell and MacKenzie like to talk dirty in the bedroom.

We are introduced to MacKenzie’s son Kyle, his father Jamison, and MacKenzie’s best friend Roxy Sterling; Campbell’s daughter Samantha, and his brothers Miles and Miller Evans aka Hart.

ONCE UPON A REAL GOOD TIME is a story of family, friendship, music and love. The premise is sexy and sassy; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are flirty, colorful and lively. ONCE UPON A REAL GOOD TIME is a spicy and spirited story that is sure to set the sheets on fire.

I will add I am not sure if Markson is MacKenzie’s last name. I looked throughout the story but could only find one reference to Kyle’s last name, and no last name given for the other significant man in MacKenzie’s life, Kyle’s father Jamison. I am not a fan of no last name for the heroine, especially when the leading male is ‘gifted’ not one but two last names. The female lead is entitled to the same recognition, in my humble opinion.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

CampbellShe nibbles on the corner of her lips. “My friend Roxy thinks I should—”

“—let yourself have a good time for one more night?”

“How did you know?”

“She seemed like a good wingwoman.” I reach for a strand of her hair, running my finger across the soft locks, cataloging her reaction. “Want to know what I’m thinking?”

She nods.

I flash her a wicked grin. “I’m wondering if you want to be kissed by someone who’s been wanting to kiss you all night long.”

A flash of hesitation crosses her face, then she raises her eyes as if she’s thinking.

“I do,” she whispers, and the few seconds of reticence make her answer even sweeter.

I thread a hand through her hair. I’m going to take my time working up to a kiss, to make sure she wants it desperately. “I’ve been thinking about running my hands through this hair.”

“You have nice fingers…”

“Were you watching my hands when I was on stage?”

Her voice is soft and feathery, a quiet little confession. “Yes. I like the way you play.”

“What did you like about it?” I curl my hand tighter around her head. I swear, heat is radiating off her body, and it’s so damn enticing. “Did it make you think of anything?”

She nibbles on the corner of her lips. “Made me thing about how you might play…me.”

A groan works its way up my chest. She is an alluring mix of daring lioness and clumsy puppy. I yank her flush to me, bringing her mouth mere inches away from mine. “I’d like to play your body like a guitar. I’d like to make you sing, make you cry out in pleasure.” I run both hands through her soft hair, tugging her head back.

She gasps, and that’s my cue to lick a path up her neck, where I nibble on her jaw till she’s squirming against me. “Did you think about how I might kiss you when you watched me play?”

A sexy little sigh seems to escape her lips, followed by a yes.

“I noticed you the other week. At your booth, doing your quiz. Couldn’t stop looking at you. You were so sexy and adorable, and now you’re so damn close to me all I want is to turn you on.”

She parts her lips, and there’s no more need to tell her what I want to do. It’s time to show her.

 


 

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In October she’ll release HARD WOOD, a sexy, standalone romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter!laurenblakely.com/newsletter

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter ** Goodreads

 

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