Torch (Wildwood #3) by Karen Erickson-Review and Book Tour

TORCH (Wildwood #3) by Karen Erickson-Review and Book Tour

Torch Banner

TORCH
Wildwood #3
by Karen Erickson
Genre: adult, contemporary,romantic suspense
Release Date: August 16, 2016

Torch

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About the book: Release Date August 16, 2016

Tate Warren has never met a woman he couldn’t charm—until now.

Wren Gallagher won’t give him the time of day and it’s making him crazy.

But he won’t give up without a fight… because there’s one thing he knows for sure:

Enemies make the best lovers.

Most women swoon over Tate’s devilish grin and firefighter uniform. But Wren couldn’t be less impressed by his good looks and flirtatious banter—in fact, she seems to downright despise him. She thinks he’s a player, but his attraction to her is no game. Wren is unlike anyone he’s ever known and he isn’t about to let the feisty, gorgeous woman slip through his fingers.

Wooing Wren would be so much easier if she didn’t hate him…

Or does she?

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: TORCH is the third installment in Karen Erickson’s contemporary adult WILDWOOD romantic suspense series focusing on the town of Wildwood, California but especially the Gallagher family of brothers, and their sister Wren. This is fire chief Tate Warren, and bookkeeper Wren Gallagher’s story line. TORCH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but for cohesion and backstory I recommend reading the series in order as there is a continuing plot throughout the series-an arsonist has set his/her sights on Wildwood, California and Wren is the next intended victim.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Wren and Tate) TORCH focuses on the building relationship-an enemies to lovers romance- between Wren Gallagher and Tate Warren. Tate wants a relationship with Wren but for some reason Wren continues to treat Tate with vindictiveness and hatred whenever they are together. When Wren’s house is targeted and destroyed by Wildwood’s arsonist Tate offers up his place, if only temporarily in Wren’s mind. What ensues is the jump from enemies to friends to lovers that may be pushed to the side when Wren’s past comes looking for a second chance.

The relationship between Wren and Tate is complicated. Wren’s acerbic personality and mean spirited verbal attacks against Tate are confusing when there has never been any reason for the vitriol and hatred that spews from her mouth. Tate’s attraction to Wren finds him verbally sparring with the feisty female that calls to his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive.

All of the Gallagher brothers, as well as their significant others, play secondary and supporting roles. Each brother is a member of the fire fighting squad, and in their attempts to protect their younger sister, things don’t go according to plan when secrets are revealed and Wren takes her anger out on the man with whom she is falling in love. Hopefully Lane’s story is next and the arsonist’s identity is finally revealed.

TORCH continues to focus on search for the arsonist bent on destroying the town of Wildwood. There are a no suspects but the introduction of a new characters is always considered a possible party.

TORCH is a fast paced, exciting and sexy read. The premise is entertaining with humor, romance, suspense and heartbreak; the characters are colorful and animated; the romance is a push and pull towards a happily ever after-for now. There has been no proclamation of love or forever-the story line felt a little incomplete although the hunt for the arsonist is still on the books-nothing has yet to be resolved.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Ignite
Smolder
Torch

Copy supplied by Edelweiss

Reviewed by Sandy

Torch teaser

About The Author

Monica Murphy:Karen Erickson

USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson writes what she loves to read – sexy contemporary romance. Published since 2006, she’s a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children. She also writes new adult romance as NYT & USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy.

Follow Karen: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Pinterest | Tumblr

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Smolder (Wildwood #2) by Karen Erickson-Review and Book Tour

SMOLDER (Wildwood #2) by Karen Erickson-Review and Book Tour

Smolder Banner

SMOLDER
Wildwood #2
by Karen Erickson
Release Date: June 21, 2016
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Smolder

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /itunes / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 21, 2016

Lane Gallagher wants Delilah Moore – bad.

He’s imagined the sexy brunette in his bed more times than he can count.

She’s everything he’s ever wanted, but the only problem is…

She’s his brother’s ex.

For years, the stoic sheriff’s deputy has fantasized about the sweet, bubbly dance teacher who stirs his deepest desires. But Lane’s too loyal to ever move in on forbidden territory and he knows that while he can look, he definitely can’t touch. Fighting his attraction to Delilah is nearly impossible, but the infuriating-and incredibly sexy-woman seems determined to drive him crazy.

And she’s bringing him to his knees. One smoldering kiss at a time.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW:  SMOLDER is the second installment in Karen Erickson’s adult, contemporary WILDWOOD romance series focusing on the men and women of Wildwood, California but especially the Gallagher family of brothers, and their sister Wren. This is sheriff’s deputy Lane Gallagher, and dance instructor Delilah Moore’s story line. Lane and Delilah were first introduced in book oneIGNITE. SMOLDER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although there is a continuing plot line that runs through each consecutive installment. SMOLDER picks up immediately after the events of book one.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lane and Delilah) SMOLDER follows the friends to lovers, best friend’s brother relationship between Lane and Delilah, as well as the search for a suspected arsonist who has increased the frequency of suspicious fires.

Delilah is a woman who has been in love with Lane Gallagher most of her life but Lane is a man who believes he is not worthy of Delilah’s love. His father’s history of infidelity and neglect has left Lane feeling less than capable of finding his happily ever after although Delilah is the woman that calls to his heart. When Delilah makes the first move Lane is ready to run in the other direction but a call about another suspicious fire finds our hero running –this time with an excuse. What ensues is the push and pull between two people who have loved one another from afar but have been unable to make the move in a permanent direction because Lane Gallagher does not want to be a failure. The $ex scenes are intimate, steamy and hot.

All of the previous story line characters, including the Gallagher family, play secondary and supporting roles throughout the story. Family matriarch Angela Gallagher begins to show signs of slowing down; and their father continues to cause too much stress and conflict within the family. We are introduced to arson investigator Josh Bailey who has yet to show his true colors.

The world building continues to focus on a series of arson fires in the small town of Wildwood, California. The Gallagher brothers are all members of law enforcement or firefighters and play a significant role in the town’s protection and safety. Lane is a man who hides his feelings for Delilah at all times.

SMOLDER is an engaging and heartwarming read. The premise is entertaining; the characters are passionate; the romance is a slow build to a happily ever after. Karen Erickson adds another hopeful dimension to her Wildwood Series.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Edelweiss

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

Lane drove the streets of Wildwood in his deputy patrol car just under the speed limit, his gaze everywhere, his mind focused on only one thing:
Making sure his little hometown was safe.
Safe from crime, safe from reckless teenagers, safe from careless tourists, and safe from a ruthless arsonist who seemed hell-bent on destroying Wildwood, one little annoying fire after another.
He frowned. Had to take back that last remark. The restaurant fire could’ve been a tragedy. So many people had been in there when the fire started. Eyewitness accounts mentioned just how chaotic it had become when everyone tried to escape at once. His sister had been in there, as well as her friend Harper. And . . .
Delilah.
Now he flat-out scowled, wishing Delilah wouldn’t creep into his thoughts. She was always there, sitting in the back of his mind, taunting him.
Teasing him.
He’d stopped by her dance studio like he couldn’t help himself. He’d known Wren wasn’t there, but Delilah’s car had been parked out front. He’d walked in like a man possessed, needing just a glimpse after not having seen her since the day of the restaurant fire.
When he held her in his arms, relieved to find her safe.
When he’d been so damn close to kissing her.
When he’d shoved her away with a curt, “Glad you’re okay,” and gone about his business, reminding himself over and over he shouldn’t want her.
But he did.
Avoiding her never worked. He’d catch glimpses of her here and there—the town was too small and their circle of friends too tight—but he’d tried his best. Focused on work, which was his first true love. The fact that she distracted him so wholly scared the hell out of him most of the time.
And then there were the other times when all he could think about was seeing her. Making her smile or even making her mad, it didn’t matter. As long as he could stare at her, even for just a little bit, that was all that mattered.
He’d entered the dance studio and her scent lingered in the air, making his body stiffen. Hearing her voice call out had made him close his eyes so he could savor it and he’d turned around, not wanting her to see his face when she finally came out to greet him. Still wasn’t prepared when he turned and saw her.
That little bra top thing she wore hid nothing. So much skin on display, though he was sort of mad her legs were covered up. They were her best asset, and he’d imagined those long, lean legs of hers wrapped around his hips more than once. It had taken everything in him to keep his gaze glued on her pretty, pissed-off face and not blatantly check her out like he wanted.
She was angry with him because he wouldn’t make a move, but he couldn’t. She’d been with West a long time ago and he didn’t poach off his brothers. Yeah, yeah, West had moved on with Harper and they made a perfect couple. They seemed perfectly in love. Perfectly happy. He knew West wouldn’t give a shit if he made a move on Delilah.
But there was something about the woman that flat out scared him. She was—intense. Sexy. Smart as hell. Funny. She had no qualms showing her feelings. Meaning that most of the time she was a stressed-out, sexually frustrated woman with a grudge when they were around each other. Not that he could blame her.
She made him feel all kinds of sexually frustrated too. He hadn’t been this well acquainted with his hand since he was a teenager . . .
Pushing all thoughts of Delilah out of his brain as best he could, he refocused on his drive as he headed toward the outskirts of town, near the north end of Wildwood Lake. Spots of the mountainous landscape had been left scorched and black, a result of the latest fire set by the arsonist.
He was ramping up his activity, and the townspeople were starting to notice.
And damn it, Lane wished he could make the fires stop. But he couldn’t. Worse, he couldn’t wrap his head around the arsonist’s motives. Why was this happening?
Did arson ever make sense though? Was there ever a rational reason that made people go, “Oh, I get why he burned the entire town down”?
That would be a no. He could wrap his head around an owner burning his building down for insurance purposes. It was a bad idea, and an illegal one too, but still. He got it.
But burning down random buildings and pieces of land just for the hell of it? That made zero sense. He didn’t like it. Made him feel like he was at war with an anonymous enemy. Meaning he could trust no one.
It could be someone he knew.
Someone he liked.
Someone he trusted.
And that possibility really pissed him off.

About The Author Black and Red

Monica Murphy:Karen Erickson

USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson writes what she loves to read – sexy contemporary romance. Published since 2006, she’s a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children. She also writes new adult romance as NYT & USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy.

Follow Karen: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Pinterest | Tumblr

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Ignite (Wildwood #1) by Karen Erickson-a review

IGNITE (Wildwood #1) by Karen Erickson-a review

Ignite

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 15, 2016

Weston Gallagher is falling hard-for the wrong woman. One night of passion has haunted him for years. Now he’s got a second chance to get the girl of his dreams…but there’s just one problem:

She hates him.

Eight years after he stormed out of Wildwood, California, West has returned to his hometown as a firefighter. His friends and family are thrilled he’s back-with the exception of Harper Hill. His best friend’s sister is all grown up and in all the right ways. He knows she’s going to do everything she can to protect her heart and keep him at arm’s length, but West has other ideas.

He will win the girl that got away. No matter what it takes…

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: IGNITE is the first installment in Karen Erickson’s contemporary, adult WILDWOOD romance series focusing on the men and women of Wildwood, California but especially the Gallagher family of brothers, and their sister Wren. This is fire fighter Weston Gallagher, and book keeper Harper Hill’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Harper and Weston) IGNITE follows the rebuilding of a relationship between Harper and Weston. Eight years earlier, following a night of passion with Harper, Weston escaped the small town of Wildwood, California and never looked back. His latest assignment finds Weston back in Wildwood, and falling in the love with the woman whose heart he broke years before. Harper has never forgotten or forgiven West for walking away, and isn’t prepared to fall in love-all over again.

The relationship between West and Harper is one of second chances; a rekindling of a love that was destroyed when West walked out of town without a goodbye or KMA. The rebuilding of the relationship finds our heroine looking towards the future, and never regretting the past. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive.

The secondary and supporting characters include Harper’s best friends Wren Gallagher and Delilah Moore-Delilah has a thing for Weston’s brother Lane Gallagher but her heart is constantly breaking as Lane refuses to acknowledge there is anything between he and Dee. We are also introduced to the youngest Gallagher brother Holden as well as their fire captain Tate Warren –who has caught the eye of the Gallagher sister.

The world building focuses on the people of Wildwood, California and a series of suspected arson fires sweeping the town. The storyline ends with a happily ever after –for now- while the investigation into the fires is on going. There is still much more story to tell.

IGNITE is a predictable second chance story line; a rebuilding of a relationship that was destroyed by a night of passion followed by an all too quick exit out of town. The premise is enjoyable; the characters are animated although their lack of maturity was not ideal for a romantic adult story line. The romance is a quick build to forgiveness and a happily ever after-for now.

Copy supplied by Edelweiss

Reviewed by Sandy

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Wild Nights (Vegas Nights #3) by Karen Erickson-a review

WILD NIGHTS (Vegas Nights #3) by Karen Erickson-a review

Wild Nights

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 21, 2015

A guy of her own? She’s not holding her breath—until he steals it away.

Natalie’s girls-only weekend in Vegas is shot to hell, thanks to her friends ditching her for very sexy, very famous guys. Not that she blames them. She knows what lonely feels like. A nurse’s long hours leave little time for a social life.

Then she collides with and spills her drink all over a very fine, very exposed male chest. A chest belonging to Noah Wilde, lead singer for the infamous Wilde & Wicked rock band. Thankfully, he’s merely amused as she tries to take care of the mess she made.
he urge to tempt her along for an adventurous night of gambling, drinking, eating, and sin.

But during the harsh light of day, Noah has a change of heart. Not about the fact he likes Natalie—a lot. He’s not sure he wants to drag this sweet lady through his sordid life. Even though sparing her could cost them both a chance at forever.

•••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: WILD NIGHTS is the third installment in Karen Erickson’s adult, contemporary Vegas Nights erotic romance novella series focusing on three friends, and nurses (Andrea, Natalie, Reagan) and a weekend in Las Vegas. This is rock star Noah Wilde, and Natalie’s storyline. The three novellas run parallel to one another, covering the same timeline, wherein each woman will find her happily ever after.

While Reagan and Andrea appear to have found their Prince Charmings, Natalie will be introduced to her former teen crush Noah Wilde- the bad boy lead singer of the rock band Wilde and Wicked. Noah isn’t looking for anything permanent; Natalie knows that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, but try telling that to her heart. Six weeks will pass without a word from Noah, leaving Natalie heartbroken and depressed until a song with a very familiar title begins to climb the charts.

WILD NIGHTS is a very quick and easy read; a fast paced story of insta lust/love where two people with completely opposite life styles will find love and friendship in the city of sin. There is no explanation behind Noah’s silence and disappearance, but one phone call finds our couple professing their love and hoping for a permanent resolution.

Karen Erickson’s VEGAS NIGHTS series of novellas are fun, flirty and predictable. Three friends head to Vegas for a weekend of R&R, and each will find her happily ever after. Once again, there is a little bit of everything: fun, sex, romance and love, with a little bit of heartbreak, on the side. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative; the world building limited to twenty four hours in the life; the sexual attraction is instant. If you are looking for some fluff and fun storylines with the focus on insta love and lust, without having to worry about broken and dangerous pasts, VEGAS NIGHTS is the perfect series to lose yourself for an afternoon.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Vegas Nights Series

Series Spotlight

Wicked WeekendWICKED WEEKEND
(Vegas Nights .5)
by Karen Erickson
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

FREE ebook: Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / / Samhain / All Romance Ebooks

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 23, 2014

What happens in Vegas…could be a fantasy come true.

Between nursing school and starting their careers, Reagan, Andrea and Natalie have had no time for dating. After saving up for a special vacation, they’re on their way to Vegas for a long-awaited weekend of fun, sun, gambling and partying.

When their luggage goes missing, an impromptu shopping trip leads them to James, who makes them an unusual offer—to be part of the female scenery at his boss’s upcoming party. Not just any scenery, but women who are pretty in a real way, not the nipped, tucked and dyed Hollywood version.

Accept a “private party” invitation from a complete stranger? These ladies weren’t born yesterday. Yet before “no thanks” crosses their lips, Reagan discovers who James’s boss really is: Declan Carter, an actor she’s crushed on for, well, forever. Now she’s determined to be the eye candy who catches Declan’s eye. No matter what it takes…

Warning: Epic shopping trip results in meeting hot men. It is recommended that all credit cards be placed out of reach before reading.

________________

Reckless NightsRECKLESS NIGHTS
(Vegas Nights #1)
by Karen Erickson
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / | Samhain / All Romance Ebooks /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 13, 2015

Sometimes dream crushes do come true.

Vegas Nights, Book 1

Reagan can’t believe her luck—and not in a good way. One minute she’s hanging out with her friends at an exclusive party in Las Vegas. The next, she’s attracted the attention of a famous actor. Not just any actor. Declan Carter, the man on which she used to—okay, might still—have a fangirl crush. Whose blue eyes leave her embarrassingly tongue tied.

All Declan wants is to meet a nice, normal woman who won’t use him as a stepping stone to fame. Something about Reagan tells him she could be that rare woman, and he follows his instinct to invite her back to his suite—where they proceed to have wild monkey sex. All. Night. Long.

What was supposed to be one night of no-regrets sex stretches out into a blissful weekend of two people who can’t get enough of each other. But when the glamour of Sin City wears off, they’re standing on the edge of a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn a weekend fling into something lasting. Will they take the jump?

______________

Endless NightsEndless Nights
Vegas Nights #2
by Karen Erickson
Release Date: April 28, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO / Samhain / All Romance Ebooks / iBooks

About the book: Release Date April 28, 2015

The sex is crazy good. Is it crazier to want something more?

Andrea and her two best friends have shed their nurses’ scrubs for a long-awaited weekend in Las Vegas, and nothing—flight delays, lost luggage, or the slightly weird guy with the sketchy invite to an exclusive bash—is going to stop their fun.

Within minutes of arriving at the opulent party, she’s deep in conversation with gorgeous, funny Luke Nelson, wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. For some crazy reason, he can’t seem to keep his eyes—or hands—off her.

Luke isn’t looking for a hookup, he just wants to relax…until he gets one look at the classy brunette in the barely there dress. One minute they’re talking, the next they’re all over each other in a dark corner. It’s like he’s an addict and she’s the fix he’s been searching for all his life.

One night of hot sex isn’t nearly enough. But after a weekend spent never more than a few inches apart, the time is quickly approaching when they’ll have to make a long-distance relationship work—or break it off.

Warning: A lady who wants to go a little wild, a good-guy pro athlete who likes a little sass with his class, crazy good sex, and a crazy ex.

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Endless Nights (Vegas Nights Series) by Karen Erickson-Review and Book Tour

Endless Nights (Vegas Nights Series) by Karen Erickson-Review and Book Tour

Endless Nights Banner

Endless Nights
Vegas Nights #2
by Karen Erickson
Release Date: April 28, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

Endless Nights

Amazon.com / B&N / KOBO Samhain / All Romance Ebooks / iBooks 

About the book: Release Date April 28, 2015

The sex is crazy good. Is it crazier to want something more?

Andrea and her two best friends have shed their nurses’ scrubs for a long-awaited weekend in Las Vegas, and nothing—flight delays, lost luggage, or the slightly weird guy with the sketchy invite to an exclusive bash—is going to stop their fun.

Within minutes of arriving at the opulent party, she’s deep in conversation with gorgeous, funny Luke Nelson, wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. For some crazy reason, he can’t seem to keep his eyes—or hands—off her.

Luke isn’t looking for a hookup, he just wants to relax…until he gets one look at the classy brunette in the barely there dress. One minute they’re talking, the next they’re all over each other in a dark corner. It’s like he’s an addict and she’s the fix he’s been searching for all his life.

One night of hot sex isn’t nearly enough. But after a weekend spent never more than a few inches apart, the time is quickly approaching when they’ll have to make a long-distance relationship work—or break it off.

Warning: A lady who wants to go a little wild, a good-guy pro athlete who likes a little sass with his class, crazy good sex, and a crazy ex.

•••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: ENDLESS NIGHTS is the third installment in Karen Erickson’s adult, contemporary Vegas Nights erotic romance series of novellas focusing on three friends and nurses (Andrea, Natalie, Reagan) and a weekend in Las Vegas. This is professional football player Luke Nelson and Andrea’s storyline. The novellas run parallel to one another wherein each of our heroine’s will find love and her happily ever after.

ENDLESS NIGHTS follows Luke and Andrea’s weekend in Vegas where our couple will begin to fall in love. It is a story of insta-love/lust but in so much as what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas finds Luke and Andrea promising one another something more. When Luke invites Andrea to Seattle for another weekend together, the appearance of Luke’s ex will place doubts in Andrea’s mind-they really don’t know that much about one another’s private lives.

The relationship is very quick to develop; within a matter of minutes Luke and Andrea are in a passionate embrace followed by a weekend spent together in bed. The sex scenes are erotic and hot.

The secondary and supporting characters include flamboyant fairy godfather James who has sent into motion three potential futures for Andrea, Natalie and Reagan. Natalie and Reagan are present as moral support but Luke’s friends Noah and Declan are MIA. There is a prequel novella WICKED WEEKEND which is currently a FREE ebook: Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / that introduces the characters and James’s role in getting our couples together.

Karen Erickson’s VEGAS NIGHTS novella series has a little bit of everything: fun, sex, romance and love. Each of the short stories is erotic and predictable but entertaining and a joy to read. The woman are beautiful; the men are sexy and rich-what more can a reader ask for.

Reading Order and previous reviews:
Wicked Weekend
Reckless Nights
Endless Nights
Wild Nights-July 2015

Vegas Nights Series

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Series Spotlight

Wicked WeekendWICKED WEEKEND
(Vegas Nights .5)
by Karen Erickson
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

FREE ebook: Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / / Samhain /  All Romance Ebooks

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 23, 2014

What happens in Vegas…could be a fantasy come true.

Between nursing school and starting their careers, Reagan, Andrea and Natalie have had no time for dating. After saving up for a special vacation, they’re on their way to Vegas for a long-awaited weekend of fun, sun, gambling and partying.

When their luggage goes missing, an impromptu shopping trip leads them to James, who makes them an unusual offer—to be part of the female scenery at his boss’s upcoming party. Not just any scenery, but women who are pretty in a real way, not the nipped, tucked and dyed Hollywood version.

Accept a “private party” invitation from a complete stranger? These ladies weren’t born yesterday. Yet before “no thanks” crosses their lips, Reagan discovers who James’s boss really is: Declan Carter, an actor she’s crushed on for, well, forever. Now she’s determined to be the eye candy who catches Declan’s eye. No matter what it takes…

Warning: Epic shopping trip results in meeting hot men. It is recommended that all credit cards be placed out of reach before reading.

________________

Reckless NightsRECKLESS NIGHTS
(Vegas Nights #1)
by Karen Erickson
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / | Samhain / All Romance Ebooks /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 13, 2015

Sometimes dream crushes do come true.

Vegas Nights, Book 1

Reagan can’t believe her luck—and not in a good way. One minute she’s hanging out with her friends at an exclusive party in Las Vegas. The next, she’s attracted the attention of a famous actor. Not just any actor. Declan Carter, the man on which she used to—okay, might still—have a fangirl crush. Whose blue eyes leave her embarrassingly tongue tied.

All Declan wants is to meet a nice, normal woman who won’t use him as a stepping stone to fame. Something about Reagan tells him she could be that rare woman, and he follows his instinct to invite her back to his suite—where they proceed to have wild monkey sex. All. Night. Long.

What was supposed to be one night of no-regrets sex stretches out into a blissful weekend of two people who can’t get enough of each other. But when the glamour of Sin City wears off, they’re standing on the edge of a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn a weekend fling into something lasting. Will they take the jump?

Guest Post beige

Fun Facts about Endless Nights

A book series is never born out of nothing. There are always influences that come into play as I put together a series, and the VEGAS NIGHTS series is no exception. So without further ado, let’s discuss a few of those fun little facts.

• When I approached my editor about the VEGAS NIGHTS series, she asked that I have each heroine fall in love with an actor, a pro athlete and a rockstar (she was especially fond of the rockstar idea – and you’ll meet Noah Wilde in WILD NIGHTS in July). I was certainly on board for that…

• The heroine from ENDLESS NIGHTS is named after a favorite blogger of mine (though she doesn’t blog anymore, boo) who complained on Twitter a long time ago, I never see any heroines named Andrea! My name isn’t heroine-worthy. Well, Andrea, now it is. ☺

• I haven’t told my husband that my hero Luke Nelson plays for the Seattle Seahawks because I’m afraid he might disown me. You see, my husband is a hardcore 49er fan and he, uh, hates the Seahawks. But I wanted to keep Luke on the west coast and I’ve already written a hero who plays for the 49ers and I don’t like the Raiders so…hello Seahawks.

• The hotel they’re staying at in ENDLESS NIGHTS is based on the Bellagio. I did a signing in Vegas last fall and stayed at the Bellagio and wow, it’s gorgeous. So I knew I had to base my fictional hotel on the Bellagio because yeah, why not? Though there are so many beautiful hotels in Vegas it’s not hard to find some inspiration.

• The hotel in ENDLESS NIGHTS has no name. I did that on purpose.

• There’s a scene in a lingerie store that was inspired by the Victoria’s Secret catalog I received while writing ENDLESS NIGHTS. I thought, ooh that stuff is pretty, and decided to have Andrea try some of it on for Luke. He mightily approved.

• I love writing a pro athlete hero. I’ve written so many, it’s like I can’t escape them. I don’t want to escape them! They are way too much fun. And sexy. And hot. And gorgeous. And…you get the picture.

I hope you check out ENDLESS NIGHTS. I think you’ll enjoy Andrea and Luke’s story…

About The Author beige

Monica Murphy:Karen Erickson

USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson writes what she loves to read – sexy contemporary romance. Published since 2006, she’s a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Pinterest | Tumblr

 

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Wicked Weekend/Reckless Nights by Karen Erickson-a review

WICKED WEEKEND / RECKLESS NIGHTS by Karen Erickson-a review

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Wicked WeekendWICKED WEEKEND
(Vegas Nights .5)
by Karen Erickson
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

FREE ebook: Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 23, 2014

What happens in Vegas…could be a fantasy come true.

Between nursing school and starting their careers, Reagan, Andrea and Natalie have had no time for dating. After saving up for a special vacation, they’re on their way to Vegas for a long-awaited weekend of fun, sun, gambling and partying.

When their luggage goes missing, an impromptu shopping trip leads them to James, who makes them an unusual offer—to be part of the female scenery at his boss’s upcoming party. Not just any scenery, but women who are pretty in a real way, not the nipped, tucked and dyed Hollywood version.

Accept a “private party” invitation from a complete stranger? These ladies weren’t born yesterday. Yet before “no thanks” crosses their lips, Reagan discovers who James’s boss really is: Declan Carter, an actor she’s crushed on for, well, forever. Now she’s determined to be the eye candy who catches Declan’s eye. No matter what it takes…

Warning: Epic shopping trip results in meeting hot men. It is recommended that all credit cards be placed out of reach before reading.

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REVIEW: WICKED WEEKEND is the first installment in Karen Erickson’s adult, contemporary Vegas Nights erotic romance series. This is the introductory storyline that sets up the series and acquaints the reader with Reagan, Andrea and Natalie-three ER nurses whose weekend in Vegas is everything and more. When a mysterious and very flamboyant stranger invites the three friends to a celebrity party, they have no idea their futures are about to unfold.

Karen Erickson sets the stage for VEGAS NIGHTS-three friends thrown into a world of celebrity parties and one night stands. Each will get their happily ever after but not before coming face to face with the man of their dreams.

WICKED WEEKEND is a very quick read; a teaser of what is to come. And it’s FREE !!

Reviewed by Sandy

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Reckless NightsRECKLESS NIGHTS
(Vegas Nights #1)
by Karen Erickson
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 13, 2015

Sometimes dream crushes do come true.

Vegas Nights, Book 1

Reagan can’t believe her luck—and not in a good way. One minute she’s hanging out with her friends at an exclusive party in Las Vegas. The next, she’s attracted the attention of a famous actor. Not just any actor. Declan Carter, the man on which she used to—okay, might still—have a fangirl crush. Whose blue eyes leave her embarrassingly tongue tied.

All Declan wants is to meet a nice, normal woman who won’t use him as a stepping stone to fame. Something about Reagan tells him she could be that rare woman, and he follows his instinct to invite her back to his suite—where they proceed to have wild monkey sex. All. Night. Long.

What was supposed to be one night of no-regrets sex stretches out into a blissful weekend of two people who can’t get enough of each other. But when the glamour of Sin City wears off, they’re standing on the edge of a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn a weekend fling into something lasting. Will they take the jump?

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REVIEW: RECKLESS NIGHTS is the second novella in Karen Erickson’s adult, contemporary, erotic romance Vegas Nights series. This is actor Declan Carter and E.R. nurse Reagan’s storyline.

The focus follows a one night stand between Declan and Reagan. Declan’s star has fizzled. His previous drug and alcohol use has left him a has-been with the Hollywood crowd. But a clean start is on the horizon for Declan-a new movie that will hopefully show the world he is a better man. Enter Reagan-an E.R. nurse he meets in Vegas and a woman with whom Declan will see the promise of the future. The love scenes are erotic and hot.

RECKLESS NIGHTS is a story of insta-lust/love. Introduced at a private party by the mysterious James, Declan and Reagan are immediately attracted to one another but both are a little hesitant for a one night stand. Declan needs to keeps his new image clean and Reagan does not need to have her heart broken by her Hollywood crush. A night of passion and sex finds our couple committing to an ongoing relationship once Declan finishes the next six weeks of filming. When Reagan does not hear from the man of her dreams, her heart may be broken but the adage-what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas-is her new motto and friend.

The secondary and supporting characters include Declan and Reagan’s best friends who have hooked up together as well: Noah and Natalie, Andrea and Luke, Reagan and Declan. Three couples all introduced by their flamboyant friend and fairy godfather James resulting in three stories about love and a happily ever after. There is a prequel novella WICKED WEEKEND that introduces the characters and James’s role in getting our couples together.

RECKLESS NIGHTS is a fast paced, predictable and erotic storyline. Nothing is off limits between Declan and Reagan-the first steps toward the future are paved with a one night stand and passionate sex.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Stranded with a Hero (Anthology) – a Review

Stranded with a Hero (Anthology) – a Review

 

Stranded with a Hero (Anthology)
Authors:Karen Erickson, Coleen Kwan, Cindi Madsen, Roxanne Snopek
Release Date: November 11, 2013
Stranded with a HeroLinks to order Stranded with a Hero:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
“Getting snowed in never felt so good as boundaries are crossed, opposites attract, and friends discovering more, promise a Christmas no one will ever forget.”


Reviews;

This was a very nice anthology of short and sweet romance stories.  It’s the kind of book you can take and make a nice Sunday afternoon out of, while snuggled up by a roaring fire and glass of wine in hand.  I enjoyed all four stories, all were short, fun reads.  All the characters are easy to like and make you want to see them wind up with their HEA in the end.  Each and every story has it’s own flare and flavour to it, and had me getting more and more into the holiday mood, and made me want to bake up a batch of gingerbread cookies myself, and trim my tree all over again.  For anyone who’s looking for quick, fun reads, with sweet holiday romances thrown in, then this anthology is definitely for you.

Here’s a little recap on all four stories. 

Loving Mindy, By Karen Erickson
“Mindy can’t believe she’s stuck with her ex–best friend—and the man whose heart she broke years ago—for the holidays, though the tension between them is more than enough to keep them warm. Josh Powers never forgot Mindy, but he can’t risk his heart a second time.”

This is a short, sweet, and endearing read.  It’s about two friends who had grown apart over the years, loosing their special friendship, only to finally find love during the year’s worst snowstorm.  The story picks up a number of years later and Josh is still hung up on Mindy, but now Mindy’s divorced and raising her kids.  Josh has tried to keep away from Mindy as much as possible since returning home, but thanks to Mindy’s wandering cat, poor Josh winds up crashing his truck into a snowbank outside Mindy’s house. Thanks to Mother Nature, the weather is so bad he can’t get a tow truck.  Josh and Mindy wind up getting snowed in for a few days, and over the course of those days, rekindle their friendship and realize there’s more then meets the eye in regards to the two of them.  It’s fun to see them reunite, become friends again and realize they do have real feelings for each other and that they were meant to be.  Their scenes together are fun and flirty and having it take place around the holidays is just the perfect touch.  Both characters are likeable and their conversations are heartfelt and warm. The emotion in this one hits all the high spots and had me grinning along and wishing I were stranded in a snowstorm with Mr. Right.  

White-Hot Holiday, By Coleen Kwan
“Naomi’s sworn off men like Aaron—rich, cocky, and dismissive of holiday traditions. Aaron decided to spend Christmas in sunny Australia to avoid snowy New York, not to fall for the woman his best friend warned him away from. But when a volcano grounds him, Aaron and Naomi’s relationship becomes eruptive.”

This is another short, fun and flirty read.  Being a Northern Canadian, and being used to being surrounded by snow at least 5 months out of the year had me wondering what it would be like to be someplace like Australia at Christmas time with no snow.  I found myself sympathizing with Aaron whenever he’d be missing the snow and cold from back home.  Who knew it would take being halfway around the world and in balmy Australia for our hero Aaron to realize just what he has back home during the holidays.  It was fun to see his interactions with Naomi, and watch him go from a Ba-Humbug as she calls him, to Jolly ol’ St. Nick over a matter of days. I really liked this story, and enjoyed Naomi and Aaron. I felt they were well suited for each other and the sparks between flew from their first scene.  Their interations and conversations are real and charming and watching him do things he otherwise would never have considered doing before were quite fun.  The scene where they went to find a new Christmas tree, and then when he actually went and helped her at work(selling Christmas gifts) were priceless, yet charming. Oh the things a man will do to impress the girl he’s attracted to. Aaron is definitely a keeper and Naomi realizes this, but can she let go of her past breakup and take the plunge once again.  Thankfully Aaron is very persuasive, and in the end they both get what they are looking for in their HEA.

An Officer and a Rebel, Cindi Madsen
“  The last person police officer Nate Walsh expected to discover in a snowstorm is his brother’s ex and former town rebel, Kelsey Cooper. She’s his complete opposite and totally off-limits, but as they wait out the storm together, all he can think is how he wishes she’d stay forever.”

To keep the flow of fun, flirty and quirky going in this anthology Ms. Madsen hits all the high spots in this one.  You can’t help but love Nate and Kelsey, two polar opposites pretty much, but there’s no denying the chemistry between the two of them. Even though Nate is trying to do the right thing and keep things light between the two of them because she used to date his brother Derek, Nate can’t help his feelings. I felt so bad for Nate, that at one point I started talking to my Kobo telling Nate;”to hell with your brother, go for it already”.  You see Nate was always the golden boy of his family, and town, you know the boy next door, never gets into trouble kinda guy.  So here he is trying to do the right thing till he talks to his brother, but Kelsey’s not having any of it. She’s attracted to Nate, and knows he’s attracted to her, plus he’s pretty much let the cat out of the bag by kissing her and flat out telling her he’s always had a thing for her since highschool. Oh Nate what a tangled web you’ve woven for yourself.  😉   Watching Nate deal with his feelings and with Kelsey is comical at times. I especially enjoyed their snowmobiling scene, poor Nate trying to keep his mind off his feelings for Kelsey while waiting for his brother to text him back, but Kelsey has other plans.  She’s holding on tight, pinching his butt, basically torturing him.  I was LOL at that scene and couldn’t have agreed more with her tactics.  This story had me LOL at times, and other times wanting to slap Nate silly for being the well behaved, good mannered boy next door. All in all, this was a quick, and quirky read. I really enjoyed both characters, and any man who would beg his friend to fly him in his helicopter on New Years Eve to get the woman he wants definitely has my vote for Mr. Right. 

Saving the Sheriff, By Roxanne Snopek
“Frankie Sylva was determined to free the reindeer cruelly held for a holiday roadshow, even if it meant risking her own life. Deputy Sheriff Red LeClair set out to save a stranger in a snowstorm, never expecting he’d be the one to be rescued.”

Once again we have another fun and quirky read with this one.  I found myself smiling and laughing most of the time thanks to Frankie and her sense of humour, antics and ability to just break out into song for almost anything. I’ve never before seen or heard of someone confessing to a crime by breaking out in song.  LOL!!  Well, maybe only in musicals 😉  Frankie is such a quirky character you can’t help but love her.  She is the perfect woman for Red, especially after the hand he’s been dealt by his ex.  Thanks to his ex, poor Red is miserable and pretty much sworn off women, so when he happens upon the whirl wind that his Francesca(Frankie) Slyva, his life gets expectantly turned upside down.  Since Red is currently divorced and not in a Christmas mood, he decides to play housekeeper for his friends and look after their Wild Mustang Santuary, and winds up meeting Frankie. She’s taken a trailer of Caribou and decided to rescue them from a meat packing plant and set them free on the Mustang Santuary property without anyone being the wiser.  However, as luck would have it, Mother Nature has other ideas.  Thanks to a nasty storm that’s moved in, the trailer gets stuck and she has nowhere to go, enter our Sheriff Red LeClair.  While they are waiting out the storm, Red finally learns the truth behind Frankie’s actions, and can’t blame her for what she did.  As they try and work out a plan, to help her, things begin to heat up between the two, and before you know it, they both realize they’ve fallen for the other.  It’s a rather sweet story, with some rather humourous moments, but at other times serious and endearing.  It’s a well balance story with well written characters who just compliment each other to a ‘t’.  I really enjoyed this one, it had me laughing and at other times had me swooning.  Frankie and Red are two wonderful characters who you can’t help but come to love and want to see make it to their HEA.  Along with Frankie and Red, we also meet some secondary characters who wind up adding a little more spice and fun to the story.  I really enjoyed these characters, and now want to go back and read their stories.

All in all this anthology is a winner in my books. I enjoyed each story.  They all had their own special moments and had me rooting for each couple.  Every single one of our hero’s is very swoon-worthy and makes me want to get stranded in a snowstorm and find my Mr. Right.  As for our heroine’s each one is different, but has her own quirks and fun little personalities that bring a nice balance to the relationship.  Like I said earlier, this anthology is perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon curled up by the fire with a glass of wine. 

Until next time, Happy Reading everyone! 

Reviews by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Game for Trouble (Game For It #2) by Karen Erickson-a review

GAME FOR TROUBLE (Game for It #2) by Karen Erickson-a review

Game for Trouble

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 28, 2013

He’ll play dirty to get what he wants… Willow Cavanaugh would be happy if she never saw cocky football star Nick Hamilton again. Sure, their fling was the hottest she’d had, but he’s way too much of a playboy to settle down with one woman. Plus, she’s got her heart set on a piece of real estate for her catering business—and Nick owns that property.

Nick may be at the top of his game, but all he wants is a second chance with Willow. When he offers to sell her his commercial space if she agrees to a series of dates with him, their chemistry is so scintillating that jumping back into bed seems like an inevitability. But Willow’s decided all’s fair in sex and blackmail. Little does she know, Nick’s playing to win…and she’s the prize.

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REVIEW: GAME FOR TROUBLE is the second instalment in Karen Erickson’s Game For It contemporary romance series. This is Willow and Nick’s storyline. Nick is a player for the San Jose Hawks professional football team and we were first introduced to the players in Game for Marriage-book one-Jared and Sheridan’s story.

The premise of Game for Trouble follows Nick as he tries to win back Willow’s heart. Years before Nick and Willow were in a relationship when Nick abruptly ended the couple. Not knowing the ‘what or the why’, Willow has had a difficult time forgiving Nick for abandoning her. Fast forward several years later and Nick wants a second chance but Willow remembers the hurt and the pain.

The relationship between Willow and Nick begins acrimonious at best. Nick offers a deal-Willow wants something from Nick and Nick wants Willow. 8 dates and they call it even. If Willow does not want Nick after the 8 dates, he won’t bother her again. As the storyline unfolds, so too does the relationship until Nick tells her the truth about why he left years before.

The world building continues from the previous storyline in that Sheridan and Jared play a small role in this particular premise. We watch as a second chance at love is destroyed when the truth is finally revealed.

My only complaint is Willow’s almost bi-polar personality. I know I use this term in many reviews, but she pulls and pushes the man that she loves in every direction. She is aggressive and determined, which at times comes across as too strong.

Game for Trouble is another interesting and sweet romantic storyline by Karen Erickson. There is a little bit of football where we are introduced to a fellow player and publicist. It looks like Karen may be setting up for her next story. If you like an uncomplicated story about second chances, Game for Trouble is a wonderful read.

Reading Order
1. Game for Marriage
2. Game for Trouble

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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