Tag Archives: Lauren Blakely

Never Have I Ever by Lauren Blakely-Review Tour

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NEVER HAVE I EVER (Always Satisfied #3) by Lauren Blakely-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 4, 2019

Falling for the enemy has never been so deliciously complicated in this standalone romance where a sexy single dad meets his unexpected match! Get ready for all the feels!

Never have I ever been so infuriated by a man I wanted to kiss.

They say opposites attract, but I beg to differ. Combust is more like it. Because every single time I talk to Zach Nolan, I see red.

The too-good-looking, too-smart, too-effortlessly charming single dad who works down the hall from me has turned getting under my skin into a sport. Call it the battle of wits between the wedding planner and the divorce attorney.

Trouble is, when we’re forced into closer quarters planning an engagement party for our best friends, I start to see his other sides.

And I fear I’m falling for the enemy.

***

I’m not out to make friends. My goals are simple — fight till the end for my clients, and my family.

The last thing I need is a vibrant, outgoing, snarky, and surprisingly big-hearted wedding planner to spend my precious free time with…except, watching Piper bond with my daughter just might break down the cinder block walls I’ve built around my heart these last few years.

Second chances don’t come around for guys like me…or do they?

•••••••

REVIEW:NEVER HAVE I EVER is the third instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult ALWAYS SATISFIED erotic, romance series focusing on a group of former college friends. This is attorney, widower and single father Zach Nolan, and wedding planner Piper Radcliffe’s story line. NEVER HAVE I EVER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Piper and Zach) NEVER HAVE I EVER follows the enemies to friends to lovers relationship between attorney, widower and single father Zach Nolan, and wedding planner Piper Radcliffe. As a divorce attorney Zach rarely sees a happily ever after but the death of his wife has jaded our hero to second chances including his own. When mutual friends plan their ‘I do’s’ Zach finds himself face to face with wedding planner and the bane of his existence Piper Radcliffe, the woman who stirs something long thought buried and dead. Forced together for a destination wedding in London, England, Piper and Zach will take their relationship up to the next level, a level that many threaten any hard-fought attempts at friendship. What ensues is the building romance between Zach and Piper, and the potential fall-out as Zach struggles to move forward leaving Piper to pick up the pieces of her broken heart.

The relationship between Zach and Piper is an enemies to lovers. Zach rarely sees a happy ending because of the multitude of divorces he has had to preside over; and Piper is the perpetual optimist regarding marriage and love, except when it involves her own lonely heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic, language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Dina, Heather, Charlie and Jessica, Steven and Jason, Zach’s children Lucy and Henry, as well as Piper’s sister Paige, and Piper’s friend and hairstylist Adrien. We are reintroduced to Sloane and Malone (Delayed Satisfaction / Satisfaction Guaranteed #1).

NEVER HAVE I EVER is a story of second chances, of a sorts, for two people who have loved and lost but lost on a different end of the relationship spectrum. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is seductive, impassioned and hot; the characters are dynamic and charismatic. NEVER HAVE I EVER is a wonderful addition to Lauren’s ALWAYS SATISFIED romance series.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

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

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

GIVEAWAY

Enter to Win a Reader’s Delight Prize Package!

A 32 GB Waterproof Kindle Paperwhite!

A $50 Amazon Gift Card to help stock that bad boy up with

steamy reads!

 And a Happy Planner for 2020 because Piper thinks

everyone should plan their year in style!

 

https://laurenblakely.com/never-have-i-ever-giveaway/

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Delayed Satisfaction by Lauren Blakely-a review

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DELAYED SATISFACTION by Lauren Blakely

FREE ebook: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 22, 2019

I’m not looking for love. I’m definitely not even interested in dating. But when I first see the handsome stranger singing on stage and our eyes lock, it feels like kismet. For seven blissful days, we fall into an intoxicating romance. Until one night when I learn just how forbidden we are…

•••••••••••

REVIEW: DELAYED SATISFACTION by Lauren Blakely is the prequel novella to the author’s SATISFACTION GUARANTEED focusing on twenty-eight year old, veterinarian Malone Goodman, and twenty-two year old, college graduate Sloan Elizabeth.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Malone and Sloane) DELAYED SATISFACTION follows the quick building relationship between twenty-eight year old, veterinarian Malone Goodman, and twenty-two year old, college graduate Sloan Elizabeth. Sloan Elizabeth is looking for a job, and an evening of networking with a group of veterinarians and executives at animal rescues finds our heroine entranced by a man whose voice is that of an angel. Enter veterinarian Malone Goodman, and the two embark on a week of dates that ends when everything comes crashing down.

DELAYED SATISFACTION is a very quick read that introduces some of the back story and history between Malone Goodman and Sloane Elizabeth whose story will continue in SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. But saying that, the prequel is more of a tease that should have been included in Satisfaction Guaranteed.

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Reviewed by Sandy

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The Dating Proposal by Lauren Blakely-Review & Giveaway Tour

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The Dating Proposal by Lauren Blakely-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway  Tour

 

 

Amazon / Amazon Paper / Amazon.ca / B&N / Google Play

ADD IT TO YOUR GOODREADS TODAY!

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 6, 2019

Watch out world — I’m ready to date again.

The seven years I invested in my ex left me with nothing but scorch marks from the way he peeled out and left me at the altar. I’m not looking to put my heart into a relationship any time soon. But getting back out there? That sounds like a helluva good idea to get my groove back.

Then I bump into Chris….Clever and funny, with a sexy surfer’s bod and a brilliant nerd brain, he has just the right screwdriver to fix my hard drive. (Yes, the one for my computer.) I wouldn’t mind dating him. The trouble is he just proposed to me—to be the new dating guru on his TV show.

Now he’s my new business partner.

What happens when you meet the right person at the wrong time?

•••••••••••

REVIEW: THE DATING PROPOSAL by Lauren Blakely is a contemporary, adult, stand alone, erotic romance story line focusing on podcaster and app developer Chris McCormick, and fashion blogger McKenna Bell.

NOTE: THE DATING PROPOSAL was originally released as Trophy Husband in 2013 but the author has re-written and reimagined the tale of Chris and McKenna.

Told from dual first person points of view (Chris and McKenna) THE DATING PROPOSAL follows fashion blogger McKenna Bell, one year after her ex-fiancé dumped her the day before their wedding. In the ensuing time, our heroine has focused on her blog, never considering reentering the world of dating or love. When her friend’s cat knocks over her hard drive, our heroine will come face to face with her future. Enter Chris McCormick, the man with whom McKenna will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Chris and McKenna, and the potential fall-out as McKenna’s issues of trust come to the forefront when her relationship with Chris ventures into serious territory.

Chris McCormick doesn’t do work-place relationships but watching McKenna Bell’s hilarious videos gave Chris an idea for his own struggling show. From friendship to lovers, Chris is willing to take the step from fun to something more, but it is the something more that frightens McKenna into remembering what was, and what may be.

The relationship between Chris and McKenna is one of immediate attraction: their sassy back and forth conversations are flirty and fun; it is only a matter of time before the heart succumbs to love and a happily ever after. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are an eclectic mix of family and friends, cats and dogs, and exes with their new found mates. We are introduced to Chris’s best friend Cooper, and his boss Bruce; McKenna’s sister Julia; friends Andy, Hayden and her daughter Erin.

THE DATING PROPOSAL is a sexy and energetic story of romance and love. The premise is entertaining and seductive; the characters are lively and fun; the romance is captivating and desirous.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

~Chris~I’m not checking out her body.

I’m not staring at her face. I’m focused on the task at hand. Thank God I have one, because otherwise, I’d be staring at those eyes. They’re blue with gold flecks, making them look almost hazel at times. She has all sorts of colors working in her irises, and the net effect is totally captivating.

So is her lush mouth.

She’s running it while I carefully screw the case back together. It’s painstaking work since it’s tiny and the screwdrivers are the size of nails.

“I tried to fix my shower once,” McKenna says, wrapping her slender hands around a cup of coffee. Yes, even her hands are hot. Lord help me.

“Yeah?” I glance at her hands then back at the hard drive. “How’d it go?”

“Well, if you consider scars a good thing, it went well.”

I look up. “Scars can be cool. I trust it ween exceedingly well?”

She lifts her chin and shows me a thin white scar on the right side of her jaw. “Then I did a fabulous job of ‘fixing’ the shower.” She sketches air quotes.

“Looks like it to me. But how exactly did the shower hit you in the face?”

“When the door fell.” She says it so matter-of-factly.

I blink, trying to process the enormity of everything that could have gone wrong. “I don’t know if I should be impressed you tried to fix a shower door without any fix-it skills, or impressed with your good luck in surviving the incident. Because those things are heavy.”

“Hey! How do you know I don’t have any fix-it skills?”

I grin. “Lucky guess?”

“Fine. You’re right. But what else was I to do?” She shrugs, her tone light and breezy. “It wouldn’t close all the way. And that was getting me down because I like to take really hot showers. We’re talking sauna temperature. You know the type? Imagine you walk into the bathroom, and steam is everywhere, and you can barely even see the other person in the shower. Just the silhouette? Can you picture that?”

Can I picture it? Hell, I can feel that. In my pants. “Yep,” I answer, and it comes out a little dry, a little gravelly. Because painting crazy-hot images is playing below the belt, and I bet she doesn’t even realize it. Hot women shouldn’t use the word “shower” in casual conversation. It’s wholly unnecessary, along with “yoga pants” and “strawberries.”

“So you tried to fix it?” I ask, forcing myself to focus on the project in front of me, rather than on images of steam rising, which lead to other things rising.

“Yup. And then that shower door showed me who was boss.” She holds up her forearm vertically then lets it fall as she makes a kaboom sound.

I can’t help but laugh. “And whacked you on its way down?”

“Completely whacked. It’s kind of a miracle I’m alive, come to think of it.”

“I’m glad you survived the shower whacking. What happened with the door thought?”

“I called my friend Andy. He fixed it for me. It works like a steamy, dreamy charm now.” She takes a sip of her coffee, smiling happily.

I stop and take a drink of espresso.

“Andy? So he’s Handy Andy?” I kind of hate him already. Wait. That’s dumb. I don’t feel a thing for Handy Andy who was in McKenna’s shower, that lucky bastard.

“That’s a good one. Can you rhyme my name?”

“Henna McKenna?” I toss out.

“And you’ll be Chris who brings me bliss by fixing the hard drive,” she says, and I just smile at her.

“You’re a bundle of energy,” I say as I return to my project, moving to the right side of the case.

“And you’re a bundle of skills. What do you do when you’re not rescuing hard drives from evil cats?”

“Admittedly, that does occupy a large portion of my day. But in the few hours I can eke out, I host a show.”

“Like radio show or a podcast?”

I twist the screwdriver a notch. “It’s a TV show. On WebFlix. It’s called Geeking Out.”

She narrows her eyes and points at me, circling her finger. “You’re a geek?”

“You say that like it doesn’t compute, and yet here I am, fixing your tech in a coffee shop. I’d say that makes me a geek.”

“You definitely don’t look like a geek.”

I meet her eyes. They’re sparking with a glint of playfulness. “And what does a geek look like?”

“Not like a surfer. You look like you’re going to go hang ten.”

“I do that too. For fun.”

She pumps a fist. “Nailed it. You totally have that vibe about you. Not that I’m pigeonholing you based on your looks. But with the Nor Cal T-shirt, it wasn’t the hardest round of Jeopardy! to play.” She imitates Alex Trebek. “What is the most likely profession of a guy with floppy hair, a not-from-the-salon tan, and casual charm?”

I quirk up the corner of my lips. “You think I’m charming?”

She blushes, but it disappears quickly. “You charmed my hard drive out of my hands.”

I screw the final piece of the case back together, set down the tiny tool, drag a hand through my hair, and gesture to the repaired device. “Good as new.”

“Wow,” she says appreciatively, picking up the drive and gazing at it in admiration. “Thank you so much. You are Mr. Fix It.”

I puff out my chest playfully. “Why, thank you very much. I’m having T-shirts made with that saying. Want one?”

“I do. I want one to sleep in at night.”

And there she goes again.

 


 

 

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

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

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BEST LAID PLANS / NOBODY DOES IT BETTER by Lauren Blakely-Reviews

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BEST LAID PLANS / NOBODY DOES IT BETTER (Lucky in Love Series) by Lauren Blakely-Reviews

BEST LAID PLANS
Lucky in Love #1
by Lauren Blakely
Release Date:February 22, 2019
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 22, 2019

That time I had the brilliant idea to ask my good friend for lessons in sex-ploration…

Awkward? Maybe. But how else is a good girl going to find out if she likes being naughty? I might be sweet as cherry pie, but I’m also bold and damn curious. And Gabe is charming, trustworthy, aces at seduction (or so I hear) and—bonus!— willing to give me lessons. But to guarantee it won’t ruin our friendship, I have some specific requirements for his instruction. I want these classes to be hypothetical more than hands-on. So what if he’s hella sexy? I can handle that, no problem.
***
I have it bad for Arden. She’s bright, brilliant, insanely fun, and I want to take her home and spend all night together—and then spend the day with her, too. When she asks for my help, I see my chance to win her sweet heart by showing her how much fun we can have getting spicy. Trouble is, she has a different idea of what “sex-ploration” should mean. Now I’m going to have to get really clever to win her over.

Good thing I know exactly how to upend her best laid plans.

••••••••••

REVIEW: BEST LAID PLANS by Lauren Blakely is a contemporary, adult, stand alone erotic, romance story line focusing on fire fighter Gabe Harrison, and book store owner Arden East.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Gabe and Arden) BEST LAID PLANS follows the friends to lovers relationship between fire fighter Gabe Harrison, and book store owner Arden East. One year earlier Arden East was in love with a man who thought our heroine was too nice and too vanilla. Angry and heart broken, our heroine begins to toss the picnic she made only to come face to face with fire fighter Gabe Harrison who welcomes the ‘nice’ woman into his last. Fast forward to present day wherein Arden is desperate to step out of her ‘nice lady’ comfort zone, and makes Gabe an offer he cannot refuse- teach our heroine to be sexy and more outgoing. What ensues is the friends to lovers romance and relationship, and the potential fall-out when the emotional magnitude of their growing love threatens the friendship zone Arden squarely placed the man that she loves.

Gabe Harrison has lusted after his best-friend from afar but having been placed in the ‘friend zone’ one too many times, Gabe takes full advantage of Arden’s need to learn to be seductive both in and out of the bedroom. Arden East knows she is the vanilla woman her ex tried to make her believe but having had no experience in the world of kink or sexy fun, our heroine is desperate to put Gabe’s knowledge to use.

The relationship between Gabe and Arden is one of best friends; a relationship where the palpable sexual attraction is evident to everyone but our leading couple. Wanting to ‘experience’ everything and more, Arden makes a bucket list of sexual activities for her and Gabe to practice and learn. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Arden’s best friends: bowling centre owner Vanessa, and police officer Perri Keating; as well as fire fighter Shaw Keating, paramedic newcomer Derek McBride, and Gabe’s pops and parents. Derek and Perri’s story line is next in THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR.

BEST LAID PLANS is a story of friendship, romance, heart break and love. The premise is engaging and endearing; the romance is steamy and fun; the characters are energetic, feisty and lively. BEST LAID PLANS is a sexy and sensual story of romance.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Best Laid Plans
The Feel Good Factor
Nobody Does it Better

Own a copy

_________________________

NOBODY DOES IT BETTER
Lucky in Love #3
by Lauren Blakely
Release Date: April 8, 2019
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance,

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 8 ,2019

A red-hot forbidden romance! Indulge in this ultra sexy best friend’s brother delight!

Some women are just forbidden.

Like—off the top of my head—MY SISTER’S LIFE-LONG BEST FRIEND.

Sis has made it patently clear that Vanessa is hands-off, as in keep my ladies’ man paws far away from her clever, go-getter best friend who’s ready for the real deal. That should be an easy guideline to follow, except Vanessa is deliciously flirty, easy to talk to, and laughs at my jokes. Translation – my libido has been craving her many, many years. So many that we might have stolen a kiss or two.

Can you say pent-up, crazy, raw desire?

That’s exactly what we’re both feeling when the storm of the century hits and it’s 10 inches of snow with Vanessa and me trapped in a cabin all night long…

The trouble is—Vanessa isn’t interested in my playboy ways, and I have one night to convince her that I’m the real deal.

••••••••••

REVIEW: NOBODY DOES IT BETTER is the third instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult LUCKY IN LOVE erotic, romance series. This is firefighter Shaw Keating, and bowling centre operator Vanessa Marquez’s story line. NOBODY DOES IT BETTER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from three first person points of view (Vanessa, Shaw and Derek) NOBODY DOES IT BETTER follows the friends to lovers relationship between firefighter Shaw Keating, and bowling centre operator Vanessa Marquez. Shaw Keating has been in love with his sister’s best friend for most of his life. Shaw’s sister Perri has warned our hero away from Vanessa on more than one occasion but Shaw is determined to make Vanessa his own. A winter snow storm finds our couple alone in the cabin, a cabin they had been preparing for Perri and Derek’s honeymoon. What ensues is the friendship to lovers night of romance between Shaw and Vanessa, and the potential fall-out when their would-be rescuers include Shaw’s sister Perri who is determined to keep them apart.

NOBODY DOES IT BETTER is a novella length, fast paced story of friendship, family, romance and love; of hidden feelings, and a secret set-up where the Book Club Ladies consider themselves cupid and matchmakers for the young and young at heart. The premise is entertaining; the romance is sexy and sassy; the characters are colorful, energetic and fun.

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Reviewed by Sandy

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THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR by Lauren Blakely-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR by Lauren Blakely-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway  Tour

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

ADD IT TO YOUR GOODREADS TODAY!

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 25, 2019

That inked bad boy who’s been flirting hard with me since he rode into town? Turns out he’s my new housemate, which is one hell of a problem since our chemistry is so hot it should be illegal.

I have a fantastic family, great best friends, a job I love…and now I’m up for a promotion to police sergeant. I need total focus—not a flirty, dirty, irresistible, tattooed hottie riding into my town on his motorcycle. Can I arrest him for being too good-looking? When he kisses me senseless in the back of a waffle truck, it’s criminal, the things he makes me think about hot syrup and melted butter. One order of hot, fluffy hookup to go, please.

But the next time I see him, it’s not for our date with benefits. He’s the guy who just rented the room above my garage.

I need the rent to pay my bills, not a man like Derek, who I soon discover to be strong, caring, generous, good with kids, and kind to puppies… If I’m not careful, he’ll be moving into my heart as well as my house.

***

A no-strings-attached fling with the fiery redhead who revs my engine? Why, yes, that does sound like a delicious perk of my new job in this new town, thank you very much. I’m coming off a bad relationship, and I have zero interest in anything serious. I’ve got all the serious I need helping my sister take care of her three little kids while her husband is deployed.

Except, surprise! Perri isn’t just my future fling. Turns out she’s my sexy, sassy landlord. A lease definitely counts as “strings attached,” and as much as I’d like to get tangled in her sheets, I can’t let myself get tangled up in a relationship.

But as soon as we put the cuffs on our escapades, I learn over late-night conversations in the kitchen, that my landlord is so much more than the sexiest woman I’ve ever met– she has a quick mind and the biggest heart.

Once I’m in, I’m all in. And to convince her that we should see where this goes, I plan on turning up the heat—and not just in the kitchen.

••••••••

REVIEW: THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR by Lauren Blakely is a contemporary, adult, stand alone erotic, romance story line focusing on paramedic Derek McBride, and police officer Perri Keating. Perri and Derek were first introduced in the author’s Best Laid Plans. THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR is part of a series of interconnected by stand alone romance tales. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Some of the events of THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR cross over and run parallel to the events of BEST LAID PLANS.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Perri and Derek) THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR follows the roommates to lovers relationship between paramedic Derek McBride, and police officer Perri Keating. Derek’s arrival in Whiskey Hollows, California is met by police officer Perri Keating when our motorcycle-riding hero prefers speed to following the rules. While his brother in law serves in the Middle East, Derek transfers to California to help his sister and her three young, rambunctious children. Needing a place to stay Derek soon discovers that his new landlord and roommate is none other than Officer Perri Keating, the sexy cop who pulled him over for driving too fast. With a fund raiser on the horizon, Perri seeks out our hero in an effort to procure the winning kiss. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Perri and Derek, and the potential fall-out as Perri struggles with a lack of direction in both her private and professional life.

Perri Keating is attracted to the look of a bad boy and Derek McBride’s tattoos and muscles fit the bill. Neither Perri nor Derek is looking for a serious relationship, but the heart wants something different when emotions get involved. Agreeing to a ‘friends with benefits’ type of relationship as they practice for the upcoming fund-raiser, our couple will develop feelings that threaten their non-relationship status, and any potential happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

There are a large number of colorful and sassy secondary and supporting characters including Derek’s sister Jodie and her three children; police chief Jeff Jansen and his wife Theresa; fellow EMS paramedics Henry Granger, Hunter, and Perri’s brother Shaw Keating, and their parents Gail and Sam, as well as Perri’s friends Vanessa, and Arden and Gabe Harrison (Best Laid Plans); Vanessa and Shaw’s story line is next in NOBODY DOES IS BETTER.

THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR is a story of friendship, family, desire and love. The premise is entertaining and energetic; the characters are feisty and flirty; the romance is spicy and hot. Lauren Blakely pulls the reader into a seductive and breath taking look at a passionate romance with a happily ever after.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt intended for mature readers 18+ due to content and strong language.


~DEREK~

Today is my lucky day.

I’d like to thank my sister for getting my ass out of bed.

I’d like to thank my niece for telling me the nice lady with the paints had just made her way down the veggie aisle.

And I’d like to thank fate that this avocado stand is in an out-of-the-way corner of the market, and that the farmer running it must have had to take one hell of a leak.

It’s just us.

This woman is fiery, flirty, and already driving me out of my mind. The stream of market-goers has thinned to a crawl as we near closing time, and left us in a cocoon of raw lust.

I place the fruit on the red-and-white-checkered tablecloth, brush my fingers over her hip, and tug her against me. She lets out the sexiest little sound. “Tell me your name. I’m dying to know.”

“Why do you need it so badly?”

“So I know what name to say when I’m fantasizing.”

A murmur crosses her lips, and she leans her head back against me, her hair spilling down my chest. “Are you fantasizing about me?”

“Every. Single. Night.”

“You must be having a log of long nights, Mr. Trouble.”

“Long, hard nights…Miss Demeanor,” I say with a smirk, trying that nickname on for size.

“Well played.”

“Thank you. It just came to me.”

She glances back at me, her green eyes looking rife with dirty thoughts. “Do you want to come down to the station with me?”

“I want your name, beautiful. Give me your name,” I growl into her ear, commanding her.

“Perri,” she says breathlessly, her voice betraying her longing. A longing that matches mine.

“Perri,” I repeat, tasting her name on my tongue.

Her voice tightens to a warning and sharpens as she speaks. “Don’t say it.”

I narrow my brow in question. “Say what?”

“Don’t say it’s a guy’s name.”

I laugh lightly in her ear, jerking her ass closer to my hard-on. “Do you honestly believe I’m thinking for one second about guys right now?”

She lets out a gasp, chased by a soft moan. “I don’t know. What exactly are you thinking about?”

I drag my scruff against her neck. “How close I am to getting a ticket for indecent everything.”

She wriggles her sexy rear against me. “I’d say everything feel way more than decent.”

I groan as a dart of lust shoots down my spine. I’d like to find a way to kiss the breath out of her right here, right now.

She tenses against me, her body straightening like a ruler, and my gaze flicks to the new crowd of people streaming around the corner, heading toward us.

Fuck me.

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

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

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

✮✮✮ Let us help you feel good with THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR giveaway! ✮✮✮

An amazing handbag giveaway that will make you look good and feel
great! Two prizes! Two winners! A Michael Kors Handbag and a Coach
Handbag along with two $50 gift cards to the retailer of your choice.
($600 value)

https://laurenblakely.com/rafflecopter-giveaway/  

 

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Birthday Suit by Lauren Blakely-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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BIRTHDAY SUIT by Lauren Blakely-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway  tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 17, 2019

There is no rule in the Man Code as unbreakable as this: no matter how beautiful, smart, clever, and witty she is, do not—under any circumstances—fall in love with your best friend’s woman.

Yeah. So there’s that. Look, it’s not like I didn’t know I screwed up by falling for her.
Also, for the record, unrequited love sucks big time.

And, I might have cut myself some slack by now, given everything that went down in the last few years, but Lulu just walked back into my life in a big way.

***
There are three things I’ve never been able to resist—my friends, my family, and chocolate.

Leo Hennessy? He was nowhere on that list. He’s been a true friend—a friend who walked through hell and back with me.

Now, I’m stepping into my new future. I didn’t expect it to include a riddle-filled, race-against-the-clock scavenger hunt across New York City.

With Leo.

Suddenly, I’m looking at this man with new eyes…

But my life spun out because of a man once before, and I can’t risk my fresh start, no matter what the temptation. And Leo is most definitely a temptation of the sexiest, sweetest, and most dangerous variety.

More irresistibly delicious than chocolate.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: BIRTHDAY SUIT by Lauren Blakely is a stand alone, contemporary, adult romance story line focusing on thirty two year old, Heavenly Chocolate executive Leo Hennessy, and chocolatier Lulu Diamond’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Leo and Lulu) BIRTHDAY SUIT follows the friends to lovers romance between thirty two year old, Heavenly Chocolate executive Leo Hennessy, and chocolatier Lulu Diamond. Ten years earlier Leo Hennessy fell in love with his best friend’s girlfriend Lulu Diamond, and watched from the sidelines as Tripp Hudson’s life slowly imploded leaving Leo and Lulu to pick up the pieces of their broken hearts. A recent ‘chocolate’ convention finds Leo facing the woman he has always loved, a woman who is unprepared for the truth. What ensues is the rebuilding friendship and romance between Leo and Lulu, and the potential fall-out as Leo must come to terms with his guilt, what was, and what will never be.

Leo Hennessy and Tripp Hudson met Lulu Diamond on the same day but Leo stepped aside and watched from the sidelines as his best friends fell in love. A tumultuous decade would pass as Leo watch Tripp destroy his life leaving behind heart break, guilt and pain in the process. Rekindling with Lulu Diamond meant a second chance at the woman who owned his heart, a second chance hindered by anguish and grief.

The relationship between Leo and Lulu is a friends to lovers; a second chance, of sorts, between two best friends whose lost their ‘third’ to his own demons and sins. Lulu is oblivious to Leo’s love as our hero struggles between head and heart. The $ex scenes are passionate and intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Leo’s best friend and Lulu’s future husband Tripp Hudson; friend Dean, Leo’s co-workers at Heavenly Chocolate- Ginny Perretti and Noah Rivera, and Lulu’s friend and business partner Cameron.

BIRTHDAY SUIT is a story of friendship, betrayal, and unrequited love. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the romance is seductive and compassionate; the characters are fun, sassy and sexy. There is plenty of fantastic back and forth banter between all of the characters.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

NOTE: The excerpt is intended for mature readers 18+ due to content and strong language

 

I take a moment to add up the facts, only the facts.Lulu is here.

She’s living in New York.

I’m living in New York.

I’m about to add in one more fact, but I can’t in good conscience go there.

Besides, my heart is pounding too fast.

It’s from the incident, I tell myself.

It’s from the adrenaline rush.

It’s not from feelings.

I don’t feel a thing.

I leave the men’s room, take a drink from the water fountain, and wipe my hand across my mouth.

When I look up, she’s there.

With outstretched arms, she spins in a circle, waiting for an appraisal of her new outfit.

Her new, jaw-dropping, sexy-as-sin, might-as-well-throw-in-the-towel-and-raise-the-white-flag-of-surrender outfit.

What the hell was I thinking?

I clearly wasn’t using my brain at all. Because she’s even more alluring in this garb.

She’s only wearing the chef jacket and heels.

“Are you…?” I gesture to the outfit, the end of my words making my meaning clear? Are you naked under that?

She rolls her eyes. “Please. I have on my alpaca panties.”

“Alpaca panties?”

Her eyes twinkle. “I couldn’t resist. There was a sale on cute animal print undies with faces, you know, right here.” She gestures to her pelvis. “A six pack of giraffes, zebras, dolphins, and llamas too.” She casts her eyes down. “Wait. I have on the llama ones. I always get them confused.”

“Alpacas have shorter ears. Llama ears are banana length.”

She snaps her fingers. “Yes. Exactly. I’m wearing the big-eared animal undies, so it’s totally fine.”

Great. Now I’m thinking of her in underwear. In fucking llama underwear. Precisely the visual I’ve assembled way too many times without help, thank you very much. Minus the llamas, of course.

She tugs at the hem of the jacket, revealing the bare flesh of her thigh.

“Lulu.” It comes out like a warning.

She laughs at me. “Relax. I’m tiny; this jacket is huge. It’s like a short dress on me.”

“A very short dress.”

“I can handle a short dress. I’ve worn shorter.”

“Shorter as in ass-cheek length, Lulu?”

Her eyebrows wiggle. Her eyes—green and not so green—sparkle. “Yes. I’ve worn ass-cheek length, Leo. But I’m still decent. And you’re still my hero.”

She leans closer, rises on tippy toes, and moves her lips close, closer, closest. She dusts those lips across my cheek, and it’s like she’s an arsonist.

In one swift move, I’m on fire.

 


 

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

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

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

✮✮✮A Fabulous Birthday Present for You! ✮✮✮

Let’s celebrate the release of BIRTHDAY SUIT
with the cupcake of the month club from Wicked Good Cupcakes and a Subscription to Audible all wrapped up in a Michael Kors Handbag ($500 value)!

https://laurenblakely.com/a-fabulous-birthday-present-for-you/

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Unzipped by Lauren Blakely- Review & Excerpt tour

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Unzipped by Lauren Blakely- Review and Excerpt tour

 Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play / Apple books /

–> 100% of proceeds from the first 5 days of UNZIPPED sales go to California Fire Relief Charities! <–

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 14, 2018.

Wanted: Dating coach to help hot nerd win back the woman of his dreams…

Picture this – I’m ready to win back the love of my life, and I’m going big this time. We’re talking boom box, sing her name in the rain, let the whole damn neighborhood know I’m good and ready this time around. After all, if you’re going to grand gesture the ever-loving hell out of a second chance, you need to pull out all the stops.

There’s only one little problem.

My college girlfriend isn’t the one who shows up when I play my “I’ll do anything to win you back” tune.

The woman who flings open the second-floor window tells me my ex doesn’t live here anymore. But she’ll help me win her back. Anything for romance, anything for a guy so willing to go big for love. And that’s what I want at first. Until I get to know my new “romance coach” and discover she’s funny, clever, and keeps me on my toes. And boy, do I ever need that.

Now I don’t want to win anyone else’s heart. I want the woman who’s been helping me all along.

Trouble is – she thinks I’m in love with someone else, and when we take off on a road trip, everything I think I know about women is about to be unzipped and turned inside out.

***
He’s the last person I ever expected to pop into my life, but he might be exactly what I need to save the thing that matters most to me. All I have to do is not fall for him.

••••••••••

REVIEW: UNZIPPED by Lauren Blakely is a contemporary, adult, stand alone, romance story line focusing on roller coaster developer Kyler ‘Tom’ Sutcliffe, and television comedy writer Finley Barker.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Tom and Finley) UNZIPPED follows the accidental meeting and slow building relationship between twenty-eight year old, roller coaster developer Kyler ‘Tom’ Sutcliffe, and twenty-nine year old, television comedy writer Finley Barker. Kyler Sutcliffe aka Tom, wants to rekindle a romance with his college sweetheart Cassie, the woman who broke his heart but also the woman he hasn’t seen for close to eight years. Arriving at Cassie’s last known residence, and in an effort to win her over ala Lloyd Dobler style from the movie ‘Say Anything’, Tom will come face to face with television writer Finley Barker, who sees Tom’s challenge in the seduction department. Finley agrees to ‘teach’ a bewildered and baffled Tom the subtle art of wooing and romance, as she struggles to keep from falling in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Finley and Tom, and the potential fall-out as Finley’s life begins to spiral out of control, and Tom continues to move towards the woman he thought he once loved.

UNZIPPED is a story of friendship and fun with great back and forth banter between our leading couple. Finley battles between head and heart knowing Tom has only one goal in mind, and that goal will ultimately not include our story line heroine. Tom has always wondered what happened and why to make Cassie walk away without looking back. Little does our hero realize that there is more to the story than he could have ever imagined.

The relationship between Finley and Tom begins accidentally when Tom arrives to woo his former love. Finley is a film buff who is the perfect foil to Tom’s witticisms and movie quotes; their cross country journey finds there is more in common than they had previously expected. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Tom’s brothers Ransom, Nash and Gannon who are a constant source of teasing and taunts; their cousin Gabe; Finley’s friend and book store owner Arden, as well as Bruce Fargo, the man ultimately in charge of Finley’s future. There is something developing between Gabe and Arden.

UNZIPPED is a fast paced, energetic and humorous story line. The premise is fun and spirited; the characters are quirky, clueless and charismatic; the romance is passionate and entertaining. UNZIPPED is an enjoyable and entertaining story of one man’s attempts to woo, failing miserably, but in the end falling for his perfect match.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

As I peruse the scenes, the opening notes of a song filter from the front of my townhome. What the hell? Did I leave the streaming app open on my phone? I step away from the counter and head to the front door, looking for my phone, even though I swear I had it with me in the kitchen.The song grows louder, and it’s not coming from my cell at all. It’s coming from outside. I peer through the peephole.

I jerk back.

Rub my eyes.

What the hell?

Am I really seeing what I’m seeing? I don’t think I had that much wine. I had one sip.

Fine, fine. One large sip. One very large, very hearty sip. All right, it was a gulp.

But I can’t possibly be hallucinating, can I?

I peek again, and holy smokes.

There’s a guy on my front lawn going full Lloyd Dobler.

The hair on the back of my neck stands on end, and my paranoid brain leaps three thousand steps ahead. Did he escape from Alcatraz? Is he going to bang down my door? Attack me?

I pivot and grab the baseball bat I keep handy. As the youngest sister of two older brothers, I’ve learned a few valuable lessons: boys are trouble, pizza is good cold, and always keep a baseball bat near the door and/or bed.

With my bat in hand, I scurry to the kitchen to grab my phone, then fly upstairs to the bedroom, taking the steps two by two.

I race into the bedroom, set the bat at my feet, and keep my phone clutched in my hand, ready to call 911 if need be. I pull back the white curtain a smidge.

And I nearly die laughing.

The song has stopped, and the Dobler wannabe is now kneeling on the ground, furiously hitting buttons on the boom box.

I peer around the curtain’s edge, and it’s like watching a sideshow act auditioning for my circus.

He hoists the boom box up above him again. A new tune plays. I cock my head, listening, and I cringe when I recognize the tune.

For real? Is he truly playing “Unzipped”? I could never stand that song when it was popular eight years ago. The music sounds like a can opener mating with a trombone. I wish he were playing Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes,” like Dobler did in the film.

But as I study the bizarre suburban male mating ritual, I decide to award him points for sheer balls. He also deserves bonus points because he chose to go without the super cheesy trench coat that Dobler wore. It worked for Cusack, but on anyone else that attire screams serial killer.

This guy seems harmless.

And admittedly, from my vantage point two stories above, he’s kind of handsome with the glasses, the thick, floppy hair, and the jeans that fit nicely. Strong jaw too.

Fine, fine. He’s more than kind of handsome. He’s 100 percent good-looking, in that hot nerd kind of way.


 

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

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

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

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

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

ADD IT TO YOUR GOODREADS TODAY!

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 8, 2018

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

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

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

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

••••••••••

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

~ROXY~

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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