Tag Archives: Tessa Bailey

Too Beautiful To Break (Romancing The Clarksons #4) by Tessa Bailey-a review

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TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BREAK (Romancing the Clarksons 4)by Tessa Bailey-a review

Too Beautiful to Break

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 26, 2017

A love of a lifetime . . .

Leaving Belmont Clarkson is the hardest thing Sage Alexander has ever done. From the moment they met, she knew Belmont was the one, and getting up close and personal with him on his family’s epic road trip has taken her desire to a new, even hotter level. But there’s no way she can go there—not without revealing secrets that could devastate them both.

Losing Sage is not an option. Belmont’s heart is hers, has always been hers. He knows she’s hiding something from him, but nothing will stand in his way of telling her just how much she means to him. Finding her is easy—saving her from her past could cost him everything.

***********

REVIEW: TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BREAK is the fourth installment in Tessa Bailey’s contemporary,adult ROMANCING THE CLARKSONS erotic, romance series focusing on the Clarkson’s siblings. This is eldest sibling Belmont Clarkson, and wedding planner Sage Alexander’s story line. TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BREAK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous story lines is revealed where necessary although I recommend reading the series in order for cohesion and backstory as Sage and Belmont’s story have been developing throughout the series.

SOME BACKGROUND: One year earlier Miriam Clarkson passed away but not before leaving her now four grown adult children (Rita, Aaron, Peggy and Belmont) a journal of her most intimate thoughts and dreams. Miriam’s final wishes were for her children to seek out what is important in their lives and thusly a cross country trek began wherein each sibling will find his or her own happily ever after as they venture their way from California to New York City ending with a New Year’s Eve celebration.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Sage and Belmont) TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BREAK follows the friends to lovers relationship between wedding planner Sage Alexander and salvage boat owner and operator Belmont Clarkson, a co-dependent relationship that places our heroine in a position to walk away claiming her sanity and her sense of self as she struggles with the push and pull of her love for a man so broken he is physically or emotionally unable to let go of his need for Sage Alexander. What ensues is the emotional and heartbreaking revelations about one woman’s past, present and possible future,and man who is willing to sacrifice his freedom and his life for the woman he loves.

Belmont and Sage are kindred spirits; two broken souls whose backstories are heartbreaking; whose memories of the past come with pain, sorrow,loss and the darkness of emotional,physical and mental abuse. Belmont’s siblings are unaware of their big brother’s tortuous past; Sage keeps hidden a past awash in embarrassing secrets and threats against the people she loves.

The relationship between Sage and Belmont is a friends to lovers romance that struggles with the innocence of virginity;memories of the past; and threats that are meant to coerce and control. The $ex scenes are seductive and provocative.

All of the previous story line couples including Belmont’s siblings Peggy and Elliott, Jasper and Grace, Rita and Aaron, play secondary and supporting characters. The Clarkson’s are a tight knit group of siblings, very protective of the people they love. We are also introduced Sage’s parents Peggy and Thomas Anderson.

The world building continues to follow the Clarkson siblings as they search embark on a cross country journey to honor their mother’s final wish. Along the way each sibling will find love,them self, and their purpose in life.

TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BREAK is an emotional and heartbreaking story line.throughout the series Belmont and Sage’s story has been building with hints at the potential breakdown of one man who is unable let go of the past and the woman he loves. The premise is engaging; the characters are broken, colorful and lost; the romance is exploratory and sensitive.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Too Hot to Handle
Too Wild to Tame
Too Hard to Forget
Too Beautiful to Break

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Disorderly Conduct (The Academy #1) by Tessa Bailey-a review

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DISORDERLY CONDUCT (The Academy #1) by Tessa Bailey-a review

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 29, 2017

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone…

Police academy cadet Charlie Burns can’t believe his luck when the gorgeous blonde he meets in a bar murmurs those magic words: “Nothing serious, ’kay?” Mind-blowing, no-strings sex with Ever Carmichael—it’s the holy grail of hookups for a guy who’s too busy following in his law enforcement family’s footsteps to think about getting serious. Charlie’s all about casual…that is, until Ever calls it quits and his world tilts on its axis.

Ever knows that when you control the relationship game, you can’t get played. But for the first time, she wants more than short-term satisfaction. Step one: end her fling with commitment-phobic Charlie. Step two: sacrifice herself to the ruthless NYC dating scene. Yet everywhere she turns, there’s Charlie, being his ridiculously charming self. No online match or blind date compares to the criminally hot cop-in-training, but they’re over. Aren’t they?

If love is a four-letter-word, why does the idea of Ever seeing someone else tie Charlie up in knots? Now he’s desperate to win her back…and a little date sabotage never hurt anyone, right?

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: DISORDERLY CONDUCT is the first installment in Tessa Bailey’s contemporary, adult THE ACADEMY erotic, romance series focusing on a group of three New York police academy cadets (Charlie Burns, Jack Garrett, Danika Silva). This is twenty three year old cadet Charlie Burns, and twenty two year old caterer Ever Carmichael’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Charlie and Ever) DISORDERLY CONDUCT focuses on the reluctant relationship between police cadet Charlie Burns, and caterer Ever Carmichael. Ever doesn’t do relationships-thirty days, no more, no less- and the men in her life are nothing more than a distant memory. Her grandmother’s ‘Mistress Manifesto’, a guideline for all of the Carmichael women demands all women to remain independent, never let the arrangement last past one month, and choose only unavailable men, keeping Ever from ever prescribing to a happily ever after with anyone. Meeting Charlie Burns has our heroine throwing caution to the wind until the moment she realizes that Charlie is a man, like herself, who doesn’t want anything beyond the present. What ensues is the building love between Charlie and Ever, and the fall out when Ever realizes that she wants something more than Charlie is willing or able to give.

Charlie Burns believes that he must sacrifice his own happiness for the ‘job’. Growing up in a family of men married to their jobs Charlie knows that being a police officer means the family comes second, and anyone left behind becomes collateral damage, and for this reason Charlie is unwilling to take a chance on love or anything more than a one-night stand. Ever Carmichael watched her mother’s life implode, going from one man to another, never longer than the designated thirty day, and our heroine is determined to live out her life, on her mother’s terms, one man at a time.

The relationship between Ever and Charlie is one of immediate attraction; a no-strings attached relationship that finds our couple seeking something different when the expiry date of their affair begins to trickle down. The attraction to one another is palpable; their numerous separations are heartbreaking and painful. Charlie’s need for Ever is overshadowed by his inability to commit to something more but saying that his questionable behavior and obsession with our story line heroine is cringe-worthy and disturbing in light of his upcoming future on the police force. The $ex scenes are intimate, intense and seductive.

We are introduced to Charlie’s best friends, roommates and fellow police academy cadets: Jack Garrett, who struggles with his need for alcohol; Danika Silva, a woman who has caught the eye of the police academy instructor Greer Burns; police chief Xavier Burns; Ever’s roommate and business partner Nina ; as well as Ever’s mother who slowly begins to understand the potentially damaging advice long adhered to by the Carmichael female line. Jack and Katie’s story line is next in INDECENT EXPOSURE.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT is a story of mistaken beliefs; of one man’s determination to sacrifice love and family for a successful career; and one woman’s need to follow in her mother’s footsteps, however ill-conceived and emotionally barren. The premise is energetic; the characters are passionate and sassy ; the romance is provocative and heartbreaking.

Copy supplied by Edelweiss

Reviewed by Sandy

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Too Hard to Forget (Romancing the Clarksons #3) by Tessa Bailey: Review, Q&A, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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TOO HARD TO FORGET (Romancing the Clarksons #3) by Tessa Bailey-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

Too Hard to Forget Banner

TOO HARD TO FORGET
Romancing the Clarksons #3
by Tessa Bailey
Release Date: April 25 , 2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

Too Hard to Forget

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM / Google Play / ibooks / indiebound

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 25, 2017

This time, she’s calling the shots.

Peggy Clarkson is returning to her alma mater with one goal in mind: confront Elliott Brooks, the man who ruined her for all others, and remind him of what he’s been missing. Even after three years, seeing him again is like a punch in the gut, but Peggy’s determined to stick to her plan. Maybe then, once she has the upper hand, she’ll finally be able to move on.

In the years since Peggy left Cincinnati, Elliott has kept his focus on football. No distractions and no complications. But when Peggy walks back onto his practice field and into his life, he knows she could unravel everything in his carefully controlled world. Because the girl who was hard to forget is now a woman impossible to resist.

•••••

REVIEW: TOO HARD TO FORGET is the third installment in Tessa Bailey’s contemporary adult ROMANCING THE CLARSONS erotic, romance series focusing on the Clarkson siblings. This is youngest sibling Peggy Clarkson, and college football coach Elliott Brooks’s story line. TOO HARD TO FORGET can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion.

SOME BACKGROUND: One year earlier Miriam Clarkson passed away but not before leaving her now four grown adult children (Rita, Aaron, Peggy and Belmont) a journal of her most intimate thoughts and dreams. Miriam’s final wishes were for her children to seek out what is important in their lives and thusly a cross country trek began wherein each sibling will find his or her own happily ever after as they venture their way from California to New York City ending with a New Year’s Eve celebration. Rita found the love of her life in book one –Too Hot To Handle/ Aaron found love in book two-Too Wild to Tame.

Told from dual third person points of view (Peggy and Elliott) using present day and memories from the past, TOO HARD TO FORGET is a second chance story line focusing on college football coach Elliott Brooks, and one time cheerleader Peggy Clarkson. Three years earlier Elliott and Peggy ended a torrid but forbidden affair between coach and student-an affair that ended when Elliott pushed Peggy out of his life. Fast forward to present day, Alumni Week is in full swing at the University of Cincinnati, and the Clarkson cross-country tour pulls Peggy into the vortex of her of alma mater. Prepared to give Elliott a piece of her mind Peggy comes face to face with the man that ruined her for everyone else, never expecting to pick up where everything went wrong. Enter Elliott Brooks, widowed father of one pre-tween daughter, and the man that broke our heroine’s heart and soul. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Elliott and Peggy, Elliott’s struggle to forgive himself for sins of the past, and the scramble to save one player’s home from bankruptcy and loss.

The relationship between Elliott and Peggy is one of second chances for two people destroyed by one man’s guilt. Elliott is a practicing Catholic who has difficulty forgiving himself for the loss of his wife (a woman he considered more of a friend than soul mate) and for falling in love with the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Peggy was a senior at University of Cincinnati but catching the eye of the school’s infamous football coach placed Peggy on the fast track to lust, love and a potential happily ever after until her world came crashing down when Elliott pushed her out of his life. The $ex scenes are erotic, intense and seductive. Elliott likes to talk dirty in the bedroom; Peggy likes it a little rough.

With two of the Clarkson siblings having found love on the cross country journey, that left Peggy and Belmont, along with Peggy’s best friend Sage to continue onward towards New York and a New Year’s Eve celebration. Belmont struggles with dark demons and his attraction to his sister’s best friend Sage; Sage’s past hints to an abusive and neglectful start.

The world building continues to focus on the Clarkson’s journey towards love and a happily ever after. Told through present day, as well as memories from the past, the reader goes along for the ride as each sibling finds their purpose and role in life. The story line advances the series but a few days.

TOO HARD TO FORGET is a story of heartbreak and sorrow; love and pain; emotional guilt and loss. The premise is realistic, emotional and energetic; the romance is passionate, palpable and compelling; the characters are colorful, intelligent and spirited. TOO HARD TO FORGET is a sultry story line of second chances for two people caught in a tidal wave of one man’s guilt.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Romancing the Clarksons

Too Hot To Handle
Too Wild to Tame
Too Hard to Forget
Too Close to Call (June 2017 novella)
Too Beautiful to Break (September 2017)

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Too Hard to Forget Teaser

Q&A

TRC:  We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Tessa:  I’m a control freak living in Long Island with a wine habit. Ha! I have a five-year-old daughter, a husband of ten years and a temperamental cat. Romance is what makes me cry, laugh and everything in between.

TRC:  Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Tessa:  I’ve always thought writing was my one talent, but I lacked the discipline until my daughter was born. After that, I was very motivated to carve out a career for myself. I guess you could say she influenced me. I wanted to make her proud.

TRC:  What challenges or difficulties have you encountered writing and publishing your stories?

Tessa:  At this point, I have a tried and true system that ensures I can get the book written and released in its best form. In the beginning, I would say my biggest opponent was doubt. Or letting others get in my head and spread doubt about story ideas. Now I ignore everything but my own gut.

TRC:  Would you please tell us something about the premise of TOO HARD TO FORGET and the ROMANCING THE CLARKSONS series?

Tessa:  The Clarksons are four dysfunctional siblings on a cross-country road trip from San Diego to New York, each of them finding love at a different stop along the way. TOO HARD TO FORGET is the third book in the series—the youngest sister Peggy’s turn—and she’s out to make her old flame’s life hell on their stop in University of Cincinnati where he works as the head football coach.

TRC:  How do you keep the plot(s) unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Tessa:  My characters do it for me! A characters’ pasts and insecurities dictate how they respond to any given situation, so give two characters the same plot and they each could take it in a different direction. I love when a character surprises me or I learn something about them during the course of a book. That can often make me change course when it comes to the plot.

TRC:  Thank you Tessa for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of TOO HARD TO FORGET.

Excerpt

“I don’t know, Peggy.” He whirled on her, closing in until she was forced back onto the desk. “I had an All-American on my squad this morning and now I don’t. That’s all I know.” He pointed a finger toward the window. “I solve problems down on the field. Saving people isn’t my job.”
Saving people. God, there was such a wealth of regret and pain in those two words. But he couldn’t hear it and she couldn’t address it. Letting him know she saw right through his façade to the hurt beneath might force Elliott to close himself off. “You didn’t always limit yourself. Why are you doing it now?”
“Accepting things that can’t be changed isn’t a limitation. It’s realistic.”
“But how will you know if something can’t be changed unless you try?”
“When it comes to certain things, Peggy, trying leads to losing.” He was in her face now, the mint from his toothpaste familiar and inviting where it slid over her lips. “And I don’t lose.”
No one ever stood up this man but her, and she wouldn’t be cowed now. “No? You’re out a receiver.” She hitched herself up on his desk. “I’d call that a loss.”
The tips of his shoes met Peggy’s, his hands gripping the furniture on either side of her hips. “Who do you think you are, little girl? Coming into my office and telling me what I’ve done wrong?” His eyes were brilliant in their vexation, the attraction he was trying so hard to fight. “Where do you get the goddamn bravery?”
“The bravery is what you liked best about me,” she breathed, heat sizzling in a downward V toward her thighs. “Isn’t it?”
“No. That bravery is what almost led to my downfall.” His hands found her bottom, jerking her to the edge of the desk. “I resented it. Still do.”
“Liar,” Peggy whispered, easing her thighs wider. “You’re dying for an excuse to head for another downfall.” When her legs were as open as she could spread them, she leaned up to Elliott’s ear and let her breath shake loose. “One thrust.”
Elliott’s right hand came up out of nowhere, molding over Peggy’s mouth as his hips crowded into the notch of her legs. With a quick maneuver to recline her halfway back, Elliott’s erection found the apex of her thighs, delivering an aggressive pump against her underwear that sent a scream climbing up Peggy’s throat, only to be trapped by his hand. Knees jerking up out of reflex over the rush of sensation, an orgasm almost—almost— broke past the surface, sending her waters rippling out on all sides. Her legs wanted to hug Elliott’s waist, her voice wanted to beg for one more, one more, one more, but he shook his head, denying her, even though his gaze was hot, a low groan issuing from his harshly masculine mouth.
He leaned in and nipped the lobe of her ear. “Next time, ask for two.”

About The author

Tessa BaileyTessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans, and laptop, and drove cross-country to New York City in under four days. Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend, and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband and daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

Website /Facebook /Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads

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Wound Tight (Made in Jersey #4) by Tessa Baily-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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WOUND TIGHT (Made in Jersey #4) by Tessa Bailey-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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WOUND TIGHT
Made in Jersey #4
by Tessa Baily
Release Date: December 5, 2016
Genre: adult, contemporary, M/M, erotic, romance

Wound Tight

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 5, 2016

When CEO Renner Bastion walks into a room, everyone keeps their distance. Well, everyone but the sarcastic, tattooed, Boston-bred security guard whose presence has kept Renner in New Jersey longer than intended. As if the unwanted attraction isn’t unsettling enough, Renner finds out his protector isn’t as unavailable as originally thought.

Milo Bautista just came out to his wealthy, ultra-confident boss, a man he secretly respects and admires…in more ways than he’ll admit. Worldly, experienced Renner would never look in his direction, let alone share some of that confidence he wears like a cloak, so Milo has set his sights on someone else to be his first.

Until Renner offers him private lessons in seduction.

••••••••••

REVIEW: WOUND TIGHT is the fourth and final? installment in Tessa Bailey’s contemporary, adult MADE IN JERSEY erotic, romance series focusing on the men and women in the blue collar town of Hook, New Jersey. This is CEO Renner Bastion, and US Army veteran/security guard Milo Bautista’s story line-both of whom we have met in previous story lines. WOUND TIGHT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Renner Bastion is the step brother to Samantha Waverly whom we met in WORKED UP (book 3).

NOTE: WOUND TIGHT is a M/M story line with graphic same sex scenarios and situations.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Milo and Renner) WOUND TIGHT focuses on the building but forbidden relationship between US Army veteran Milo Bautista, and CEO Renner Bastion. Renner is a workaholic; a wealthy businessman who came to Hook, New Jersey to save a manufacturing plant that employs a majority of the town’s people. Renner is gay but his attraction to the manufacturing plant’s head of security is strictly forbidden as Renner is unaware of Milo’s sexual persuasion.

Milo’s interest in Renner Bastion goes beyond safe guarding the boss. Milo is a man who is uncomfortable with his attraction to men, and his preference seems to be leaning towards the man in charge. When Milo reveals his deepest secret, Renner offers to ‘aid’ Milo in the art of seduction knowing that his feelings for Milo may only go one way. What ensues is a developing friendship that soon leads to something more permanent for Milo Bautista and Renner Bastion.

The relationship between Milo and Renner begins acrimoniously. Renner is Milo’s boss and Milo’s carefree attitude gets under Renner’s proverbial skin. The two are constantly ‘butting heads’ as Milo insists on protecting the boss from the dark and dangerous life outside of work. It doesn’t help that Renner keeps himself secreted away from the people who work and live in Hook, New Jersey making himself persona non grata to his other employees. When Milo asks Renner to help him get over his fear of seducing a man, Renner hopes that Milo directs all that he learns towards the man, himself. The M/M $ex scenes are intimate and provocative. There is plenty of sexual tension between Milo and Renner.

Most of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting characters including Samantha Waverly, and her husband Duke Crawford-Duke and Samantha are looking towards the future and adding one more to the population of Hook, New Jersey. I am still hoping that Tessa writes a series focusing on Duke’s four sisters-each recently divorced or struggling in their current relationships.

WOUND TIGHT is an emotional but predictable story line; a sweet romance between two men who struggle with who and what they are. The premise is moving and inspiring; the characters are passionate and encouraging ; the romance is intimate and intense. WOUND TIGHT and Tessa’s MADE IN JERSEY series are a moving and comforting look at a blue collar town and the people who live to love.

Reading Order and Previous reviews

Crashed Out
Thrown Down
Worked Up
Wound Tight

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

About The author

highres-MJB_5140.jpgTessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days.

Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of nine years and four-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

Connect with Tessa Bailey

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Too Wild To Tame (Romancing the Clarksons #2) by Tessa Bailey-a review

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TOO WILD TO TAME (Romancing the Clarksons #2) by Tessa Bailey-a review

Too Wild To Tame

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 6, 2016

Sometimes you just can’t resist playing with fire . . .

By day, Aaron Clarkson suits up, shakes hands, and acts the perfect gentleman. But at night, behind bedroom doors, the tie comes off and the real Aaron comes out to play. Mixing business with pleasure got him fired, so Aaron knows that if he wants to work for the country’s most powerful senator, he’ll have to keep his eye on the prize. That’s easier said than done when he meets the senator’s daughter, who’s wild, gorgeous, and 100 percent trouble.

Grace Pendleton is the black sheep of her conservative family. Yet while Aaron’s presence reminds her of a past she’d rather forget, something in his eyes keeps drawing her in. Maybe it’s the way his voice turns her molten. Or maybe it’s because deep down inside, the ultra-smooth, polished Aaron Clarkson might be more than even Grace can handle.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: TOO WILD TO TAME is the second installment in Tessa Bailey’s contemporary, adult ROMANCING THE CLARKSONS erotic, romance series focusing on the four Clarkson siblings. This is twenty six year old political advisor Aaron Clarkson, and senator’s daughter twenty three year old Grace Pendleton’s story line. TOO WILD TO TAME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although I recommend reading the series in order for cohesion and backstory. The story line advances the series but a few days and picks up immediately upon the events of book one.

SOME BACKGROUND: One year earlier Miriam Clarkson passed away but not before leaving her now four grown adult children (Rita, Aaron, Peggy and Belmont) a journal of her most intimate thoughts and dreams. Miriam’s final wishes were for her children to seek out what is important in their lives and thusly a cross country trek began wherein each sibling will find his or her own happily ever after as they venture their way to New York City ending with a New Year’s Eve celebration. Rita found the love of her life in book one –Too Hot To Handle.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Aaron and Grace) TOO WILD TO TAME focuses on the building relationship between political advisor Aaron Clarkson-the all-American pretty boy who screwed up his career and finds himself lost without a purpose in life, and Grace Pendleton, the presidential candidate’s daughter and a woman whose own life has been spiraling out of control. What ensues is the back and forth, push and pull of attraction as Grace tries to venture out on her own in spite of her father’s over controlling and protective nature. Aaron does not want a repeat of his last political disaster but Grace is a woman in need of some direction in her life.

The relationship between Grace and Aaron begins accidentally as our heroine is caught running from a crime of her own making. Their attraction to one another is immediate and undeniable. As Aaron struggles with his attraction to the feisty, independent, eccentric and troubled young woman, he is also determined to become part of the senator’s political campaign quite possibly at the expense of the woman with whom he is falling in love. Grace is a bit of a wild child with a past mired in a dark and troubling secret, and it is this secret that continues to push at our heroine’s emotions. The senator and his family have chosen to ‘hide’ their youngest daughter from the media and the public eye, and in this Grace is determined to make her own mark-one way or another. Aaron likes to talk dirty in bed.

The secondary and supporting characters include Aaron’s siblings Peggy and Belmont, and the woman that controls Belmont’s demons-Sage. We are also introduced to Grace’s father- a man determined to protect his daughter from the past but a past that he also hopes to use on the race to the White House.

The world building continues to focus on the dysfunctional family dynamics of the Clarkson family. We are up close and personal into the mind of the family matriarch as each sibling will ‘seek out’ their mother’s journal and the message she has revealed and left for each of her children. I am hoping Belmont’s story will reveal the true demons that control his life.

I did struggle with the believability of one particular aspect of this story line as it pertained to Grace’s actions in the initial stages of the story-there would have been some major backlash and a police investigation but the author has chosen to take the story and resulting questionable fall-out in another direction.

TOO WILD TO TAME  sees another Clarkson sibling find his happily ever after. The premise is idealistic; the characters are animated and energetic; the romance is passionate and hopeful.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of TOO HOT TO HANDLE book 1.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Worked Up (Made in Jersey #3) by Tessa Bailey-a review

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WORKED UP (Made in Jersey #3) by Tessa Bailey-a review

Worked Up

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 1, 2016

Factory mechanic Duke Crawford just wants to watch SportsCenter in peace. Unfortunately, living with four divorcee sisters doesn’t provide much silence, nor does it change his stance on relationships. But when a fellow commitment-phobe stumbles into his life, getting him good and worked up, he can’t deny his protective instincts.

Samantha Waverly’s brother just put her in an impossible situation. The only way out? Marry huge, gruff, gladiator look-alike Duke—for show, of course. She doesn’t make promises—she knows too well how easily they can be broken—and this is no exception.

As the blistering attraction between them grows, the lines around the no-strings relationship blur. But Duke and Samantha’s marriage is only for show…or is it?

•••••

REVIEW: WORKED UP is the third installment in Tessa Bailey’s contemporary, adut MADE IN JERSEY erotic, romance series. This is factory mechanic Duke Crawford, and artist / children’s book illustrator Samantha Waverly’s story line. WORKED UP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any information from previous story line is revealed where necessary. The reader was first introduced to Duke and his four ‘divorced’ sisters in book two-THROWN DOWN.

Told from dual third person perspectives WORKED UP focuses on the marriage of convenience between two commitment phobes -artist Samantha Waverly, and Duke Crawford. To appease her brother Renner, the owner of the factory where most of the town of Jersey is employed, Samantha needs to get married to present a unified front to the board of directors. When Samantha’s ‘fiance’ of three years has yet to return home from his trip abroad, Duke Crawford offers Samantha his hand in marriage for all the wrong reasons, and in doing so finds himself falling in love with the spunky artist who is his perfect match both in and out of the bedroom.

Duke Crawford is a bear of a man: he is tall, dark and brooding with a need to help those in trouble. Samantha is a woman torn between what it is she wants to do and the contract that ties her future to that of a promise made to her brother. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Duke and Samantha that ends disastrously when Samantha’s brother adds another caveat to his contract with his sister. The $ex scenes are erotic, intense and aggressive. Duke is a dirty talker in the bedroom ; the sexual chemistry is hot and heavy.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including River and Vaughn (Thrown Down), Duke’s four divorced sisters who all live with their brother, and Samantha’s brother and factory owner Renner who is one of the most despised men in the town. The world building continues to look at the blue-collar town, and the people who work at the local factory in Hook, New Jersey.

WORKED UP is a fast paced story of insta-lust between two unlikely people in a town where everybody knows your name. The premise is enjoyable and fun; the characters are spirited and heartwarming; the romance is passionate and a quick build to forever with a couple of bumps along the way.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Crashed Out
Thrown Down
Worked Up

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Too Hot To Handle (Romancing the Clarksons #1) by Tessa Bailey-Review & Book Tour

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TOO HOT TO HANDLE (Romancing the Clarksons #1) by Tessa Bailey-Review and Book Tour

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TOO HOT TO HANDLE
Romancing the Clarksons #1
by Tessa Bailey
Release Date: May 17, 2016
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic,romance

Too Hot To Handle

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 17, 2016

When rescue looks like a whole lot of trouble . . .

The road trip was definitely a bad idea. Having already flambéed her culinary career beyond recognition, Rita Clarkson is now stranded in God-Knows-Where, New Mexico, with a busted-ass car and her three temperamental siblings, who she hasn’t seen in years. When rescue shows up—six-feet-plus of hot, charming sex on a motorcycle—Rita’s pretty certain she’s gone from the frying pan right into the fire . . .

Jasper Ellis has a bad boy reputation in this town, and he loathes it. The moment he sees Rita, though, Jasper knows he’s about to be sorely tempted. There’s something real between them. Something raw. And Jasper has only a few days to show Rita that he isn’t just for tonight—he’s forever.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: TOO HOT TO HANDLE is the first installment in Tessa Bailey’s contemporary, adult ROMANCING THE CLARKSONS erotic, romance series focusing on the four Clarkson siblings. This is chef Rita Clarkson, and bar/restaurant owner Jasper Ellis’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jasper and Rita) TOO HOT TO HANDLE follows the Clarkson siblings-Rita, Aaron, Peggy and Belmont as they take off on a cross country adventure. One year earlier, following their mother’s death, Rita Clarkson took over the family restaurant, but a fire destroyed everything they had built. It was then that Rita produced their mother’s journal asking that her children seek out what is important in their lives, and thusly the cross country trek began. When the car in which they were driving breaks down near a small New Mexico town, Rita will come face to face with her future-restaurant and bar owner Jasper Ellis-a man who has sworn off women for close to two years.

TOO HOT TO HANDLE covers approximately three days in th life, and is an insta-lust/love story line between two people who are unable to let go of the past. Jasper’s history as a bit of a man-whore finds our hero immersed in self-loathing, insecurity and unable to accept that any woman would want him for himself. He is an alpha male with a vulnerable side that is exposed in Rita’s presence. Rita’s low self-esteem comes from a series of mistakes and failures, and rejection by Jasper adds one more failure to her list of many. The $ex scenes are erotic and intimate. The sexual energy, attraction, and chemistry is palpable. There is plenty of passion (good and bad) between our leading couple.

We are introduced to Rita’s siblings-Aaron, the politician; Peggy the ‘beautiful’ one; and Belmont-a man so caught up in his own mind that no one is aware of what is going on in his life. Aaron’s story will be told next in TOO WILD TO TAME.

The world building focuses on the dysfunctional nature of the estranged sibling’s relationships. It is readily apparent that something happened in the past to destroy what was once a close-knit family but present day sees the siblings as strangers with the same last name.

Tessa Bailey writes a story about family and loss. She will captivate your imagination as four siblings struggle to communicate, to get along, to cooperate with the smallest of ventures. The premise is entertaining; the characters are likeable and colorful; the romance is fated and heartwarming.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt

 

He dipped down until they were nose to nose, saw the rush of thought going on behind her eyes. It was pretty damn breathtaking up close. “Mind cluing me in as to what’s going on in there?”
“If—if—we need to stay overnight—”
“You will.”
“—then I might see you at the bar.” She wedged a hand between them and separated their bodies. “I’d rather see someone’s worst than their best. Saves time.”
Jasper heard the tow truck pulling into the garage parking lot and cursed. Not even remotely confident that his first attempt at polite conversation with an available woman had been successful, Jasper walked her backward until they were hidden behind a rusted pay phone. She’d broken away from his touch, so he was careful to respect that. He dropped his mouth to an inch above hers and said, low, “I didn’t get near enough time with you, Rita. If you don’t show up tonight, don’t be surprised if I come looking.” He laid his palms against the warm building, above her head, watched her gaze dip to his stomach. His lap. “And if I have to come looking, I’ll be twice as determined to get that kiss.”
Her head came up. “W-what kiss?”
Jasper lowered his mouth until their lips brushed. He listened to her breath accelerate, watched her wet her lips. “The one I want to give you right now.” He allowed himself to linger another few seconds, then, with the effort of ten oxen, Jasper stepped back. “Tonight, beautiful.”
On his way to his bike, Jasper tipped his hat at Rita’s gaping siblings

 

 

about the author

Tessa BaileyTessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high
school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days.

Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of eight years and four-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

Connect with Tessa Bailey

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Thrown Down (Made in Jersey 2) by Tessa Bailey-a review

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THROWN DOWN (Made in Jersey #2) by Tessa Bailey-a review

Thrown Down

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 4, 2016

He has one last chance to deserve the girl of his dreams…

Overachiever River Purcell was never supposed to be a struggling single mom, working double shifts just to make ends meet. Nor was she supposed to be abandoned by her high school sweetheart, breaking her heart into a thousand jagged pieces. Now Vaughn De Matteo is back in town, his sights set on her…and River is in danger of drowning a second time.

No one believed Hook’s resident bad boy was good enough for River. Not even Vaughn himself. But he’ll fight like hell to win back the woman he never stopped loving, to keep the daughter he never expected, and convince himself he’s worth their love in the process–even if he has to rely on their fierce and undeniable sexual chemistry.

But even as River’s body arches under his hungered touch, the demons of the past lurk in the shadows. Waiting for Vaughn to repeat his mistakes one last time.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: THROWN DOWN is the second full length installment in Tessa Bailey’s contemporary, adult MADE IN JERSEY erotic, romance series. This is single mom River Purcell, and former US soldier Vaughn DeMatteo’s storyline. We were first introduced to River in book one CRASHED OUT. River is Sarge’s sister. THROWN DOWN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed when necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Vaughn and River) using present day and some memories from the past, THROWN DOWN is a second chance story line for our leading couple. Four years earlier Vaughn De Matteo walked away from the only woman he would ever love but the circumstances behind his disappearance are never known until present day. Enlisting in the army then working specialized security upon his return, Vaughn soon becomes aware that the life and the woman he left behind is everything he ever wanted, and so much more. What ensues is a quick rekindling of a relationship between two people who never stopped loving one another throughout the years.

The relationship between Vaughn and River is one of second chances; a love between two people that was interrupted by circumstance and threats to which only Vaughn De Matteo was willing to agree. River, a single mother to her three year old daughter, finds solace in the knowledge that she has done everything and protected the daughter Vaughn knew nothing about. The rekindling of the romance is sexually graphic with intense language and numerous $ex scenes. Vaughn likes to talk dirty both in and out of the bedroom.

We are introduced to Vaughn’s buddy Duke, and his four divorced sisters who are all about looking after Vaughn and River’s daughter. I am hoping for HEA for Duke.

The world building continues to focus on the blue collar jobs and the local factory of Hook, New Jersey-the people, the town, the night life and the color. Everyone is struggling to make a name and survive.

THROWN DOWN, like CRASHED OUT book one, is a story line with graphic sexual language and text. The numerous $ex scenes are somewhat distracting from the story line premise- the rebuilding of the relationship between Vaughn and River gets lost between the erotic language. For all of River’s independence and ability to be strong in the face of adversity, she is quick to accept Vaughn’s return with little to no over-arcing anxiety; easy to forgive and forget about the previous four years. The premise is quick to build although predictable; the characters are somewhat superficial and perfunctory-sadly I felt very little emotional attachment to the leading couple; the romance is a prelude to $ex, and a happily ever after.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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