Tag Archives: Jen McLaughlin

The Backup Plan by Jen McLaughlin – a Review

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The Backup Plan by Jen McLaughlin – a Review

 

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Description:
I’m beyond help…

I threw a football before I could walk. Everything in my life revolved around football–and I loved every second. I was a star. Until, suddenly…I wasn’t. Now everyone thinks I’m the monster who killed his best friend. I’m an outcast on campus, silent and alone. Then Taylor Selmer walks back into my life. When will she learn–I’m beyond saving.

I need to save him…

Chase and I used to be friends. But after the accident, nothing was the same. We used to have something special–until we didn’t. But he doesn’t smile anymore. Doesn’t talk. Doesn’t play. It hurts me to see him this way, and I will do everything I can to get him back in the game. Whether he likes it or not.

 

Review:

The Backup Plan by Jen McLaughlin is the first book in her Back in the Game New Adult series. I loved McLaughlin’s Sons of Steel Row series, and decided to check out her new series.  I did enjoy this book, but it was a different type of read for me by McLaughlin, as it is New Adult, which I am not really a big fan of.

In The Backup Plan, we meet our heroine, Taylor Selmar, who enrolls in the same college as her childhood friend Chase.   Taylor’s parents have worked in the Maxwell house as servants, and Taylor grew up there.   But she hasn’t seen Chase in a long time, and when she is offered a deal by his father to enroll at the college, get her degree, and  to help Chase with his studies and help him get out of his funk; she accepts.

Chase Maxwell is suffering from a shoulder injury from a car accident where his best friend was killed.  Though Chase was not at fault, he blames himself for his friend’s death, and is in a rut, where he rarely talks to anyone for the past 6 months.  His school friends treat Chase like an outcast, as they feel he was at fault and give him a hard time.  When Taylor finds Chase, he is surprised to see her, and in the beginning, as she does everything she can to motivate him, he is belligerent to her, as he is to others in the school.

What follows is a slow built sweet romance that is intense at times. I did like Taylor and Chase together and watching Taylor slowly bring Chase back was heartwarming to see.  Taylor was a great heroine, with the perfect amount of sass to handle Chase, and their banter between them was fun.  At the same time, she was very vulnerable to her situation with Chase’s father.  As they both began to realize that they were falling in love, the pressure mounts for Taylor, as she loves Chase, but the threats to her family will cause her to step back, causing their relationship to suffer.  Will Taylor tell Chase the truth?  Will she give up Chase to save her family?

Besides Chase’s father, there is an ex-girlfriend who is also determined to win Chase back, creating more havoc for Taylor and Chase.  I thought early on Chase was nasty, but he turned around and ended up to be great.  The Backup Plan was well written by McLaughlin, and the two main characters were very likable. If you enjoy the new adult genre, with some angst, and a nice romance, I suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Dare to Lie by Jen McLaughlin – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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Dare to Lie by Jen McLaughlin – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

 

Dare To Lie Banner

 

Dare to Lie
Sons of Steel Row series – Book #3
by Jen McLaughlin
Release Date: February 7, 2017

Dare to LieAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
As an undercover DEA agent in the most powerful gang in Boston, Scott Donahue accepts the risks of living a double life. But when Tate Donovan, leader of the Sons of Steel Row, assigns Scotty to take his place in a bachelor’s auction sponsored by his sister’s sorority, he’s exposed to a whole new level of danger. Even though Tate makes it very clear—Skylar is off limits—the second Scotty sees her, he’s a goner. But how does he tell Sky she’s falling for a man who doesn’t exist?

Sky can’t resist Scotty’s cool confidence or the raw, edgy power oozing from his perfect body. She’s always been the good girl, but he brings out the bad in her. And even though she knows so little about who he really is, Sky’s willing to take the biggest risk of all. But putting her heart on the line is no guarantee that Scotty won’t slip through her fingers…

 

Review:

Dare to Lie by Jen McLaughlin is the 3rd book in her Sons of Steel Row series. As noted in my previous reviews, I love this series; as it has everything you would want in a romance suspense.  Dare to Lie grabs your attention from the start and doesn’t let go until the very end.  The story is action packed, exciting, and a great couple, with sizzling hot chemistry.  I also loved the epilogue at end.  Thank you, Jen McLaughlin for another wonderful story in your Sons of Steel Row series. 

We have been following Scotty Donahue since the first book, which revolved around our then hero and Scotty’s brother, Lucas.  We have all been waiting for Scotty’s story, knowing that his life was hanging by thread, since he was an undercover agent for the DEA.

Skylar Daniels, our heroine, is the sister of Tate, the leader of the Sons of Steel Row gang. She is in medical school, and her brother helps support her; but Skylar knows nothing about Sons of Steel Row.  Scotty has been assigned to replace Tate at a charity event , which was run by Skylar.  Almost immediately, you can see the sparks flash between them, but Scotty wants nothing to do with his boss’s sister, as he was already warned to keep his hands off her.  Skylar felt the attraction right away, and during the auction, she won a bid for dinner with Scotty, which started off badly, as he was very rude.  But the chemistry between them had sparks flying off the wall, and soon both of them would act on their lust for each other. Scotty doesn’t see himself in any kind of long term relationship, since he feels he isn’t a good man, and his life would put anyone close to him in danger. 

What follows is an exciting adventure of gang land wars that was very suspenseful; I could not put the book down.  A rival gang has been attacking Scotty, Chris (previous book hero), and killing off some of the gang members.  Scotty will work behind the scenes with the DEA to help them capture the rival gang.  When the war escalates to attacks against the women/family of Sons of Steel Row members, an all out bloody war ensues, which also puts Skylar’s life in danger and Tate finding out about the relationship between his sister and Scotty.   Scotty must put aside his feelings for Skylar to not only protect her, but Lucas, Heidi, Chris & Molly, too.  Will Skylar & Scotty find away to stay together?  Will Scotty survive his double life?

Skylar was such a great heroine, being smart, savvy, tough, independent and stubborn.  Scotty was pretty great too, but his life was filled with so many secrets and living a double life, which put him at risk always. In reality, I can see why Tate did not want Scotty to have anything to do with his sister.  Dare to Lie was another wonderful exciting and romantic story in this fabulous series.  I suggest you start this series with the first book, Dare to Run, and enjoy the writing of Jen McLaughlin.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Guest Post

Sons of Steel Row

Hello, everyone! Thank you for having me here today! I’m Jen McLaughlin (though I also write as Diane Alberts) and I’m here today to talk about books, antiheroes, heroes, and the challenges all those things represent. My latest book, DARE TO LIE, is the third book in the Sons of Steel Row series. The series itself revolves around a gang in Boston that sells guns illegally, and the heroes in the books are anything but hero material. They’re liars. Killers. Criminals.

Yet we all fall for them anyway.

Everyone has their favorite type of books or heroes to write, and I have to say, writing the Sons of Steel Row guys has been one of my favorite moments in my writing career. It’s easy writing heroes who are likeable when they’re…well…likeable. But to take men who are criminals, men who kill for a living, and somehow turn them into characters that a reader not only will root for, but will fall in love with? Yeah, that’s frigging amazing.

And a huge challenge.

A challenge I (gladly) accepted. I thought it would be fun to look at the three heroes in the Sons of Steel Row series, and to talk a little bit about the challenges they represented.

Our first hero, Lucas Donahue, is fresh out of jail, and looking to mind his own business in DARE TO RUN. No one else is doing the same, though, and it’s not long until we find out he has a price on his head. I think the hardest part about writing Lucas was his undying loyalty to his family—aka his brother, Scotty. No matter what happens, or who tried to kill him, he refused to turn his back on his brother, and for a guy who killed for a living, this was hard to portray at times.

Then our second hero…ah, our second hero. DARE TO STAY with Chris O’Brien. It’s hard to say why he was such a challenge without creating spoilers for people who haven’t yet read the series, but the biggest challenge with him was making readers like him. Everyone went into this book hating him, and fully prepared to continue doing so, but by the time they finished the book, a lot of readers wrote me and told me he was their favorite hero—above even Lucas. I could easily say that he was my biggest challenge ever, and he’s my favorite, too.

Last, we have Scotty Donahue, in DARE TO LIE. Oh, Scotty is and always has been more of a hero than an antihero like the other two men in this series. He’s got a good heart, despite his actions, and this has never been a secret. The biggest challenge with him was making him toe the line between both of his worlds (again, no spoilers!) without ever having him wonder if he was doing the right thing in his one world. His faith in himself and his cause had to be one hundred percent true and real, and he couldn’t afford to slip up.

Is there a certain type of hero that you love to read about, that no matter how many times you’ve read a book with this type of hero, you can’t resist picking up another, and getting sucked into the story of how he becomes who he is meant to be, with the help of a heroine you can’t help but envy?

For me, it’s the bad boy with a golden heart that’s buried way, way, way deep down, under lots of armor and weaponry. I just can’t get enough of them, and watching them soften.

You?

 

giveaway

Jen’s publisher is offering a paper copy of DARE TO LIE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging in please refresh the page (at the top of your computer)

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE us on GOODREADS  for an additional entry.

6. Please LIKE  Jen McLaughlin on FACEBOOK.

7. Giveaway is open to USA only

8. Giveaway runs from February 8 to 12, 2017

 

 

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Dare to Stay by Jen McLaughlin – Review, Interview & Giveaway

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Dare to Stay by Jen McLaughlin – Review, Interview & Giveaway

 

Dare To STay Banner

Dare to StayAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Bruised and bloodied on Boston’s mean streets, Chris O’Brien is reeling from the loss of his childhood best friend. But after barely escaping a hit placed on his head, Chris is desperate to live. A safe haven comes to mind – the home of the perfect girl from his childhood, Molly Lachlan. Before he has fully considered what it would mean to involve her in his mess, he finds himself on her doorstep.

When Molly agrees to let Chris inside her home, she realizes she’s also letting him into her life. Danger and desperation are coming off him like steam, and yet she can’t bring herself to turn him away. His bad boy charm always had a hold on her, but now there’s a soulfulness and sorrow in him that she’s never seen before. And despite the heart-stopping risk of helping him, she hopes against all reason that he’ll stay…

 

Review:

Dare to Stay by Jen McLaughlin is the 2nd book in her The Sons of Steel Row series. Dare to Stay picks up after the first book, Dare to Run leaves off.  I was surprised to find out the McLaughlin used Chris O’Brien as this books hero, as he was the bad guy in the previous book.  Once I found out he was the hero, I was prepared to dislike him, since I felt what he did was unforgivable.  Of course, authors do have a way to win you over.  🙂

Molly Lachlan is our heroine, and I liked her from the start.  Molly lives alone, and keeps mostly to herself, though her friends at work keep trying to get her to go out.  Since her father’s murder at the hands of a gang, Molly tries to keep her distance.   Then one night she sees Chris lying in an alley way having been shot and bleeding profusely.  Molly knows Chris from her teenage days, and privately had a crush on him.  She does not know that Chris is a member of the Sons of Steel Row  gang. She helps Chris and brings him to her place to heal him, and learns quickly about his dangerous and violent lifestyle.

Chris, while he lies there thinking he will die, regrets his actions in betraying his best friend, Lucas.  He plans to help Lucas’s brother to make up for all the bad things he knows were so wrong.  Chris wants to leave Molly’s house, so not to put her in danger, but he knows he cannot leave until he becomes stronger. 

What follows is a sweet romance of two people living completely different lives. Chris’s father was abusive; he is a gang member, and knows nothing of killing rival gang members.   Molly was sweet, smart, a kindergarten teacher and lived a comfortable life.  Molly finds herself falling for Chris, despite his determination not to stay.  Dare to Stay is also an exciting story, with Chris pulled into fights with the rival gang often, and in a short time, Molly will also get pulled into the danger.  We get to see Scott, as he will play a big part of this story, working with Chris and eventually helping him.  So many times throughout the story, Molly has doubts if her relationship with Chris is worth all the worry; especially with Chris always in the middle of all that danger, and his willingness to give his life up to save Scott, in penance for betraying Lucas.  Despite her begging him to step away, Chris refuses to leave the gang and Scott.  He knows he has fallen in love with her, but does not believe he is worthy of her.  Will they ever be able to stay together?  With the war ongoing with the rival gang, will Chris even survive?

Jen McLaughlin has written another wonderful story of two opposites, one being an anti-hero, whose chances at love and happiness were unlikely.  I surprised myself by liking Chris by the time I was half way through, and I loved Molly, the perfect heroine. Dare to Stay was an exciting, emotional, sexy and violent story. I loved every moment of it. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Interview blue

Hi Jen.  Thank you for taking the time today, to answer some questions for our members at The Reading Café.  We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.

Jen:  Thank you so much for having me here!

TRC:  Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Jen:  I’m pretty boring! I write books, and sit on the sidelines at basketball practice and cheerleading practice in my “spare” time, haha. But right now, I’m on a road trip with my family, driving through the desert of California as I type!

TRC:  Did you always have an interest in writing?  When and how did you first start writing?

Jen:  Yes, always! Even when I was in grad school, I competed (and got chosen to go to) for the Young Writer’s Association in elementary school. I got to talk to an author back then, and I knew immediately that this was my dream job. And I’m lucky enough to be able to do it for a living!!!

I always wanted to write, but after I had my youngest daughter, I finally did it. I had a dream about a guy on a cliff, and I decided I needed to write that guy’s story. So…I did. It was published in 2012, and I haven’t stopped since!

TRC:  Dare To Stay was released on Tuesday, which is the 2nd book in you’re the Sons of Steel Row series.  For our members who have not read this series, can you tell us the premise of the The Sons of Steel Row?

Jen:  So all of the heroes are actually antiheros, and they are members of a gang that run guns illegally. The heroes are very gritty, and the hero in the second book is actually even harder to like at first than the first one…for reasons I can’t divulge in case someone reading this hasn’t read the first book yet! I’ve enjoyed writing this book a lot because it goes to dark places that I haven’t gotten to go previously, but it’s still a romance book with that glimmer of hope that all is well in the world.

TRC:  How did you come up with the idea of this series and how many books are you planning for the The Sons of Steel Row series?

Jen:  My agent, myself, and my editor (at the time of signing the contract) actually kind of brainstormed together, and once we had a general idea of where we wanted to go, I started the outline and it all rolled downhill from there!

I’d love to write six (or more!) books in the series, but as of now, there are only three completed ones! 🙂

TRC:  Can you please give us a brief description of Dare to Stay?

Jen:  Chris is on the run (can’t tell you why, because spoilers!) and Molly, a kindergarten teacher who has nothing to do with his way of life, finds him. They have a bit of history, but not of the romantic sort. She helps him, and gets dragged into his world because of it. We learn lots of secrets along the way, as they literally fight for their lives.

TRC:  You write Contemporary & Sexy Romances.  Have you thought about writing in other genres?

Jen:  YES. I am working on a Young Adult synopsis right now, and I also have a historical romance I’m dying to polish up and submit so it can hit the shelves.

TRC:  You also write under the pen name of Diane Alberts. Can you please tell us the difference between Jen McLaughlin and Diane Alberts books?

Jen:  Diane writes in the third person POV and Jen writes first. That’s about it! Same voice and style otherwise!

TRC:  Can you please tell us what you are working on now, and what you have upcoming in 2017?

Jen:  A Young Adult proposal, edits on a Diane book, and edits on a Jen book!

TRC:  What is your writing process?  Do you like to outline your story before you start? Do you have a specific place you like to write?  Is there a special time of day that works best for you?

Jen:  I used to be a panster, but now I HAVE to outline. If I don’t I feel lost throughout the book. It breaks my heart, but I’m a total outliner now. * sighs dramatically *

And daytime, right on my couch. I don’t like writing at night. My brain protests!

TRC:  What books, authors or people in your life have influenced your writing? 

Jen:  As a kid, I grew up reading Johanna Lindsay, Jude Devereaux, Julie Garwood, and Christina Dodd. They’re my heroes. I still LOVE their books. 

TRC:  When you are not writing, what other interests or hobbies do you have?

Jen:  I like to knit, but don’t get a lot of time to do so in between writing, editing, and taking my four kids to their various activities!!

TRC:  Would you like to add anything else?

Jen:  Thank you SO much for having me here today!!

 

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Homemade ravioli

Favorite Dessert: Warm apple pie!

Favorite TV Show:  The Walking Dead
  TRC:  We are also a big fan of this show.

Favorite Movie or TV Celebrity: BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH. I love love love love love him!

Favorite Fictional Character (not your own):  Daemon from Jennifer Armentrout’s Lux series.

 Milk or Dark Chocolate:  Dark all the way, baby!

Dog or Cat:  CATS. I have five (and one dog).

TRC:  Thank you Jen, for taking the time to answer our questions.  We wish you the best of luck with Dare to Stay. 

Jen:  Thank you so much!!!! 🙂

 

theauthor

Jen McLaughlin


Diane Alberts is a USA TODAY bestselling Contemporary Romance author with Entangled Publishing. Under the name Jen McLaughlin, she also writes New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling books with Penguin Random House. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.nk you so much!!!! 🙂

 

 

giveaway

Jen’s publisher is offering a paper copy of DARE TO STAY to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging in please refresh the page (at the top of your computer)

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE us on GOODREADS  for an additional entry.

6. Please LIKE us on TSU.

7. Please LIKE  Jen McLaughlin on FACEBOOK.

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from August 3 to August 7, 2016

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Dare to Run by Jen McLaughlin – Review & Giveaway

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Dare to Run by Jen McLaughlin – Review & Giveaway

Dare to Run Banner

Dare to RunAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
She knows what he’s like on Boston’s mean streets. Now she’s going to find out if he’s got some heart.

Lucas Donahue is not ashamed of his criminal past, but after a brief stint in prison, he’s ready to go legit and live a normal life. The problem is, no one leaves the gang without permission—even if he is one of the boss’s top men. Plus someone’s placed a hit on him. And then there’s that feisty little bartender who’s going to cause him even more trouble.

Heidi Greene knows to keep her distance from a ladies’ man like Lucas—even if she can’t keep her eyes off him. When he rescues her from an attack in the alley outside her bar, she’s forced to stay by his side for safety. But the longer she spends time with him, the greater her chances are for getting hurt in more ways than one.

 

 

Review:

Dare to Run by Jen McLaughlin is the first book in her new The Sons of Steel Row series. This is my first book by McLaughlin and after reading this book, it will not be my last. The cover on this book was hot, but nothing in comparison to our couple, who not only were both tough, savvy, street smart; they totally scorched the pages throughout the story. I loved them both.

Lucas Donahue is our hero, and though he is hot, he is also very dangerous. Lucas grew up in a gang environment after the death of his mother. He took care of his younger brother, Scott, who is also part of the gang that they are members of. After a short stint in prison, Lucas, is now one of his boss’s top men. He thinks nothing of killing those who threaten him, as this is the only life he knows.

Heidi Greene is our heroine, and she owns a bar that was left to her. Heidi is beautiful, tough and also comes from a bad childhood, where she ran away and learned to live on the streets. Heidi’s beauty and sex appeal causes her to be attacked outside her bar, when Lucas comes to her rescue.

Lucas is determined to protect Heidi, not to mention he finds himself attracted to her. The men he killed trying to protect Heidi are members of a rival gang, and Lucas has to say that they tried to attack his women. That claim somewhat lets Lucas off the hook, but it forces both him and Heidi to live together to prove his claim is real; saving both of their lives.

While this is going on, Lucas learns that his brother is working with the rival gang and is planning to kill him. At this point, anything more would be spoilers. What follows is a tense exciting dangerous adventure which puts their lives in danger, with many twists along the way that will reveal some secrets and betrayals.   But most of all, this is a scorching and sweet romance that starts off a bit slowly as Lucas and Heidi begin to become attracted to each more every passing day. Even when they are falling hard, they know there can be no future for them. All Lucas wants is to keep Heidi safe, which means eventually pushing her away from the life he lives. What will happen between Lucas and Scott? Will Heidi allow Lucas to walk away?

Jen McLaughlin did a fabulous job holding my attention throughout the book from start to finish. She has created a great storyline, great characters, a fantastic couple, with a hot hot romance. After reading this book, I plan on adding Jen McLaughlin to my must reads. Dare to Run is a wonderful read, and I suggest you read this book now.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

About the author

Jen McLaughlinJen McLaughlin is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of sexy books with Penguin Random House. Under her pen name, Diane Alberts, she is also a USA TODAY bestselling author of Contemporary Romance with Entangled Publishing. Her first release as Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line, hit the New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal lists. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and four cats. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

See more at: http://www.jenmclaughlin.com/about/#sthash.Yfyuj9rF.dpuf

 

giveaway

Jen’s publisher is offering a paper copy of DARE TO RUN to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE us on GOODREADS  for an additional entry.

6. Please LIKE us on TSU.

7. Please LIKE  Jen McLaughlin on FACEBOOK.

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from February 1 to February 6, 2016

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The Wedding Dare Series .5 to 4 from Entangled Brazen-a review

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The Wedding Dare Series .5 to 4 from Entangled Brazen -a review

Wedding Dare Series

Entangled Brazen’s WEDDING DARE series is the culmination of five authors and five storylines that overlap and run concurrently with one another. Each story involves the building of a relationship, a broken heart and the love affair of a happily ever after. No one ever said the road to happiness was easy, but one couple will bring together eight people and by week’s end, each will have found the one person that will hold their heart and call to their soul.

At the end of each instalment, the author will offer up an epilogue-a quick look into the future from four months to one year. The reader will get a glimpse at what is in store for each of our couples and BEST MAN WITH BENEFITS will bring all five couples back together for another celebration-of a different kind.

Each of the storylines is a blend of romance and erotic sex; there is the allure of the first kiss, the butterflies in the stomach and the anticipation of waking up in the arms of someone new. The Wedding Dare series focuses on ten people whose lives will collide at the wedding of their best friends-eight people who are looking for the someone special to share the rest of their lives-and one couple who are about to walk down the aisle and say their ‘I do’s’.

Click HERE for our review of DARE TO RESIST by Laura Kaye-the book that started it all.

Let’s begin and forgive me but it is a long post !!

______________________________

Falling for the GroomsmanFALLING FOR THE GROOMSMAN
(Wedding Dare #1)
by Jen McLaughlin (aka Diane Alberts)

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 9, 2014

She’s the one that got away. He’s the one she can’t forget.

Photojournalist Christine Forsythe is ready to tackle her naughty little to-do list, and who better to tap for the job than a hot groomsman? But when she crashes into her best friend’s older brother, Christine realizes her list needs updating. And fast. Tyler Dresco took her virginity during the best night of her life, then bolted. Now that they’re trapped together at a destination wedding, she’s going to get her revenge.

Tyler has never forgiven himself for how completely he lost control all those years ago. Being in Christine’s arms had felt right…until he realized what he’d taken from her in the hallway of a cheap motel. And oh, how she’s making him pay for it now. The insatiable heat between them has only grown stronger, but every time things heat up, Christine walks away.

With every encounter, things go a little bit further until Christine’s caught in her own trap of seduction. And before their time’s up, Tyler’s not the only one wanting more…

••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: FALLING FOR THE GROOMSMAN is the second instalment in Entangled Brazen’s contemporary, erotic romance Wedding Dare series. There are a total of five storylines including Laura Kaye’s introductory novella Dare to Resist that sets up the wedding where 4 bridesmaids dare one another to find lust –or love- at the wedding between their friends. Each consecutive instalment will be written by a different author but all five storylines will be centered around Kady Dresco and Colton Brooks’s wedding. This is photojournalist Christine Forsythe and the bride’s brother Dr. Tyler Dresco’s story.

The premise is a second chance at love storyline. Christine lost her virginity to her best friend’s brothers eight years earlier and has never forgotten the abject humiliation when he walked away without a second glance. Now that they have reconnected at the wedding, Christine hopes for revenge and sets into motion a plan to humiliate Tyler they way he had done to her. But her plans go all to h*ll when she realizes that what she feels for Tyler isn’t hatred but love.

The reader is pulled into a storyline where emotions and anxiety run deep and strong. Christine’s need for revenge drives a good portion of the storyline but when she realizes that she has gone too far, Tyler is the one to walk away –again-but this time it may be for good.

We are introduced to the players in the Wedding Dare series-the friends and family of the bride and groom. Each one will have a story to tell and FALLING FOR THE GROOMSMAN is the starting point for each couple although this particular storyline will fast forward several months for Tyler and Christine.

__________________________________

Baiting the Maid of HonorBAITING THE MAID OF HONOR
(Wedding Dare #2)
by Tessa Bailey

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

About the book: Release Date June 9, 2014

He’ll own her from the very first touch.

Julie Piper and Reed Lawson have nothing in common. She’s a people-pleasing sorority girl hiding behind her perfect mask. He’s a take-no-prisoners SWAT commander who isolates himself from the world. But when they’re forced together at their friends’ posh destination wedding, one thing is clear—Reed wants Julie more than he wants his next breath. Which is why he’s not about to stand by when she’s dared to seduce another man.

Julie wants neat, tidy sex, so she could get back to what she does best—making everybody else happy. She never expected to slip into a dark bedroom and have her mind blown by rough, demanding hands, and a sinfully filthy mouth—neither of which belong to the best man. One night should have been all Reed needed to get the blond temptress out of his system, but when one taste is nowhere near enough, he’ll be forced confront the effects of his hellish past. One that may push Julie away forever…just when he realizes he can’t live without her

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REVIEW: BAITING THE MAID OF HONOR is the third instalment in Entangled Brazen’s contemporary, erotic romance Wedding Dare series. This is Julie Piper (current wedding planner) and SWAT commander Reed Lawson’s storyline. Julie is Kady’s Maid of Honor and Reed is one of Colton’s best friends. BAITING THE MAID OF HONOR (as with all four of the Wedding Dare storylines) will run parallel to one another and cross over at different times.

The focus of this particular instalment finds Julie Piper as the manic wedding planner for her best friend’s nuptials. From a destination wedding to a week spent in Colorado so the wedding party will get to know one another, Julie has every detail planned down to the last moment-from a scavenger hunt to ballroom dancing lessons and more. What she didn’t plan was falling for the rough, tough and demanding Reed Lawson.

Julie comes from a well to do family who expect nothing less than perfection from their only surviving daughter, and Reed comes from a background rife with abuse, neglect and addiction. These two opposites attract when Reed can’t resist the challenge that is Julie Piper. When Julie sets her sights on Logan-the pretty boy best man, Reed waits knowing that Julie will be his-at the end of the night.

Tessa Bailey pulls the reader into another emotional storyline where our couple will get their happily ever after but not before words are exchanged and the past is revealed. Reed isn’t a man who does hearts and flowers, in fact, he is a man who keeps to himself but when he tells Julie what he thinks about the direction of her life, Julie believes that Reed has it all wrong. Anxiety and trepidation follow our couple wherever they go.

The eclectic mix of secondary characters includes the members of the wedding party and we will see each get his and her happily ever after. The world building continues on the road to Kady and Colton’s wedding celebration but we do not get the privilege of attending the wedding vows. Reed and Julie’s storyline will fast forward four months after the wedding, where we will get a glimpse at what is in store for their future.

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Seducing The BridesmaidSEDUCING THE BRIDESMAID
(Wedding Dare #3)
by Katee Robert

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 9, 2014

She has a plan. He’s about to change it.

Regan Wakefield is a headhunter in both name and personality: driven, motivated, and unafraid to pursue what—and who—she wants. Naturally, she’s thrilled when her friend’s wedding offers her an opportunity to score Logan McCade, the practically perfect best man. Unfortunately, groomsman Brock McNeil keeps getting in her way, riling her up in the most delicious of ways. But Brock’s smooth southern charm isn’t part of the plan…so how exactly did they end up having searing-hot sex?

Regan may pretend the erotic electricity sparking between them is merely a distraction, but Brock knows better. She refuses to see beyond the devil-may-care façade he presents to the world, while he sees straight through hers. Changing her mind—and getting under her skin—is a challenge he can’t resist. And when he wins, Brock will do whatever it takes to convince Regan that the best man for her is him.

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REVIEW: SEDUCING THE BRIDEMAID is the fourth instalment in Entangled Brazen’s contemporary, erotic romance Wedding Dare series. This is headhunter Regan Wakefield and groomsman Brock McNeil’s story. Regan has her eyes set on best man Logan McCade-the personification of success; a man who owns his own sporting good company but a man who has eyes for someone else. SEDUCING THE BRIDESMAID, as with all four of the Wedding Dare storylines, will run parallel to one another and cross over at different times.

The focus of this particular instalment finds Regan eyeing the prize-best man Logan McCade. As with all of the novellas, our bridal party has their week outlined with a scavenger hunt, ballroom dancing and getting to know one another. As Regan puts a plan into motion to seduce the best man she will come face to face with Brock McNeil-a man she has judged not worthy of her time or talent. She believes he is a southern redneck, born into money, with no aspirations of success. To scratch the proverbial sex itch, she agrees to Brock’s offer of a one-time fling only to find that neither one can get the other out of their minds. As Brock continues to pursue Regan, Regan pushes away at every opportunity –still hoping to catch Logan McCade before the end of the week.

Regan is a difficult character to like. She is judgmental, ascerbic, condescending, mouthy and an all around b*tch-there is no other word to describe the woman to whom Brock has lost his heart. Brock continues to pursue Regan at every opportunity only to be rebuffed and belittled with each attempt. No man on the planet would take the emotional and verbal abuse but this is, after all, a fictional storyline where each couple will get their happily ever after but one that set my teeth on edge with Regan’s attitude and clearly inflated ego. When Regan uncovers the truth about Brock’s life and his past, she is quick with an apology but perhaps it is too little, too late. Brock has discovered her plan to seduce Logan and will walk away for the final time.

The secondary characters include all of the bridal party and we will get a glimpse as each couple begins to fall in love with one another. SEDUCING THE BRIDESMAID gives the reader a glimpse into the wedding ceremony and fast forwards the storyline approximately four months in Regan and Brock’s epilogue.

Katee Robert writes with passion and emotion. Her heroes are alpha yet vulnerable to the pain of rejection and heartbreak. It is her heroine in this particular storyline that was not worthy of redemption (in my opinion). Sometimes people are not capable of change but in this romantic storyline, our heroine knew she had made a huge mistake and groveling should have been only the beginning.

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Best Man With BenefitsBEST MAN WITH BENEFITS
(Wedding Dare 4)
by Samanthe Beck

Order Links: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 9, 2014

How far can one favor go…

Logan McCade arrives at his best friend’s wedding overworked and in desperate need of a vacation, only to discover his best man duties have been…expanded. He must coax Colton’s sister out of her shell, or risk her hiding in her room all week. Logan figures he can handle one introverted bridesmaid, but he’s not expecting how much he enjoys “handling” Sophie…or how much she enjoys being handled.

Socializing has never been web designer Sophie Brooks’s strong suit, but she’s determined to shed her wallflower image and embrace the “New Sophie”—a feat made easier with the supremely sexy Logan McCade tempting her to explore all her forbidden fantasies. If she’s not careful, she just might fall for the best man.

Sophie’s sweet, sexy, and delectably awkward demeanor brings much-needed calm to Logan’s hectic life. With the nuptials only days away, Logan is forced to face the possibility that his favor to a friend might have become something else entirely…and that he’s not willing to let Sophie go. Ever.

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REVIEW: BEST MAN WITH BENEFITS is the fifth and final instalment in Entangled Brazen’s contemporary, erotic romance Wedding Dare series and runs parallel to the previous three Wedding Dare novels. This is web designer and Colton’s little sister Sophie Brooks and sporting goods entrepreneur and best man Logan McCade’s storyline.

Colton has asked his best man Logan McCade to make sure his little sister has a good time. Colton knows that without a little push, Sophie would rather hide away in her room until the wedding ceremony. To Logan’s surprise, Sophie is no longer the shy and awkward teenager he to whom he was introduced years before but a beautiful, petite, voluptuous woman whose self esteem has been shattered by the taunts of her past. Logan is instantly attracted to Sophie but knows she is off limits. What ensues is a relationship built on needs and wants, and Logan wants Sophie for his very own.

Samanthe Beck is in the fortunate position to wrap up the Wedding Dare series. As with each previous instalments Logan and Sophie will find their happily ever after but not before mistaken beliefs and the bridesmaids dare goes a little too far. The reader is pulled into an emotional storyline where the pain of growing up the ugly duckling is a vivid reminder every time one looks into the mirror. And it will take the love and determination of a man with the looks of a model to show Sophie she is more beautiful than she could have ever imagined.

Copies supplied by the publisher

Reviews by Sandy

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