Bingeworthy Books

Category: Review

  • Review: The Hot One by Lauren Blakely #Excerpt

    Where do I start? How about I’m a broken record where this series and Lauren Blakely books are concerned?  I thoroughly enjoyed the book before this one, The Sexy One and as much as I loved that one, I wondered if I’d love this one as much. Short answer? Yes.

    Second chance romances are kind of hit or miss for me, mainly because of the possible angst factor. I can honestly say that heavy angst wasn’t an issue with The Hot One. Tyler goes into this mission with one objective: Get his girl back. He goes in with his eyes wide open, knowing that he totally screwed up when he broke up with her so many years ago. Much groveling occurs…as it should. (FYI-Tyler Nichols gives good grovel.) He also takes the time to get to know Delaney as the woman she is now and gives her time to get to know who he is now. He admits that he screwed up and is completely honest and tells her what he was thinking at the time.  So many second chance romances do not give characters time and space like that.

    “Let me introduce you to me. I’m the guy who wants you back. Badly.”

    Delaney and Tyler had a very sweet and easy love when they were in college. I think many of us have had that kind of love and it’s completely addictive and… hard to duplicate. You may even be weary of it again, believing that it cannot happen again because it was so dang incredible.

    Tyler Nichols is more than the opening act, the closing act, and the main attraction of my dirty dreams. He’s the one who got away. He’s the guy I loved more than sprinkles. He’s the man who made me feel beautiful, adored, and cherished.

    Blakely captures the rediscovery of a love that never completely disappeared for either Delaney or Tyler. The humor and the absolutely hot as fire sexiness of this book are irresistible … do NOT miss The Hot One.

     

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    She turns her head.

    And waves.

    And smiles.

    That smile makes me feel like I can do this. Like I can win her heart again. Mine pounds faster as I near her, and it’s not just because I happen to think she’s the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen, but because of who she is.

    I arrive at her side, and she straightens. “Hey.”

    “Hey.”

    There’s that awkwardness again, and I want no part of it today. Like the bungee jumper I am, I lean in and dust a quick kiss on her lips. At first, she freezes. That won’t fucking do at all. My tongue darts out, flicking her top lip. A soft breath escapes her, and she gives in. Her sweet lips linger on mine, sending a charge down my spine. My brain leapfrogs ahead, and I picture scooping her up in my arms, carrying her to a quiet little patch of trees, and kissing her till she begs me to take her home.

    I want that badly—I want her to beg for it because she’s at her happiest when she’s overcome—but I suspect it’s too soon for her.

    Not to mention, screwing in Central Park usually results in a public citation. Public fornicators are never as clandestine as they think they are.

    I nibble lightly on her bottom lip for a few seconds, drawing out a throaty murmur from her. Then I somehow find the will to separate.

    She blinks. Several times. She sways the slightest bit, like her feet barely touch the ground. Good. I want her to be affected.

    She furrows her brow. “I’m sorry, but do we kiss now when we see each other in the park?”

    “Evidently we do.”

    “Weird. Because I didn’t get that memo.”

    I rock on my heels. “Want me to take it back?”

    “The kiss or the memo?”

    “The memo,” I say matter-of-factly, like this is all so obvious. “You can’t take a kiss back.”

    “You sure on that, Nichols?”

    “I can try to take back the kiss. Want me to, sweet girl?” I use the term of endearment I once called her. She doesn’t blanch, and that’s a damn good sign.

    She smirks. “Be my guest.”

    I kiss her once more, like I’m reversing the lip lock, doing it all in rewind, pulling away ever so slowly, ever so softly, leaving her dazed once more.

    Perfect.

    If she can drive me this crazy, make me this hard, send the temperature in my blood to beyond incendiary, the least I can do is return the favor.

    Judging from her reaction, I’m doing it right.

    I gesture from her to me. “Like that. I think that’s how you take back a kiss.”

    Chuckling, she nods to the running path. “Ready for me to kick your ass?”

    Every competitive bone in my body snaps to attention. “We’ll see about that,” I say, then I smack her pink nylon covered behind.

    Her eyes widen, saying oh-no-you-didn’t.

    But there’s a twinkle in those baby browns that says the lady might like spanking.

    That’s new, and it’s most interesting.

    I pencil in a new item on my mental to-do list. Find out how much she likes spanking. I never spanked her in college—just wasn’t part of the repertoire. But judging from her response now, I’m more determined than ever to find out everything she likes in and out of bed.

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  • Review: At Close Range by Laura Griffin #Excerpt

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    Welp, it looks like my TBR just grew by TEN books. Why is that you ask? After reading At Close Range, I have a new to me series to binge read!

    I’ve read only two other books by Ms. Griffin, her Alpha Crew series, and I really liked those. So, when I stumbled upon this book, I was intrigued and I figured it was time to jump into the Tracers series.  Yes, I’m a stickler for reading a series in order but I can assure you that you can safely jump into this series, even at book number ten. Isn’t is fun to read a book in a series and know that there are NINE more that you get to read? I know I’m excited.

    So after saying all of that, you can assume that I liked At Close Range and that would be true. For me, the test of a good romantic suspense book is how the romance and the suspense are balanced. If it’s too heavy on the romance/erotic side, the suspense plot becomes secondary. Some rom/suspense books are too light on the romance and those are not my preference. I think there are many romantic/suspense readers that prefer more suspense and less romance. So, it’s a very delicate balance.

    Dani is a rookie detective and the little sister of Scott Black’s best friend. Can I just add here how overprotective her brother is? It’s actually kind of funny and if his book has been written, I can’t wait to read it and if it hasn’t been written, I hope it’s on Ms. Griffin’s to-do list because I’d love to see him taken down a peg or two by love.  Anyhoo, Dani and Scott have known each for a very long time and she’s had a crush on him forever but he has always kept his distance especially after his last SEAL deployment. So, yeah, Scott Black has some issues and I’ll admit that those issues made it a little harder for me to understand him, to connect to him as a character. Even though Dani ends having to investigate him as a possible suspect in a double murder, their attraction finally reaches its tipping point. Because let’s face it, Dani knows Scott and she knows he couldn’t have committed the crime. Now, they have to solve a double murder. The procedural aspect of At Close Range was fascinating and that’s another reason I want to catch up on this series, those details fascinate me.

    Dani and Scott are an interesting couple, Scott has always been a love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy but Dani brings out feelings in him that he’s never had before. Dani is a great character, she’s a badass and is dedicated to her job. I liked her a lot! I have to say that I’d like to read more about Dani and Scott, I think I wanted a little bit more from them after they got together, that’s just me though.

    At Close Range was a great read, it was a pulse-pounding thrill ride with a side of passion and intrigue.

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    Dani watched him. Scott stood beside the car, his back to the victim as he skimmed his flashlight over the ground. The firearms expert was tall and broad-shouldered, with the super-ripped body of a former Navy SEAL. Instead of his usual tactical pants and combat boots, he wore jeans and a leather jacket tonight, so maybe he’d been out when he’d gotten the call. Dani knew from experience that his jacket had nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with the Sig Sauer he carried concealed at his hip.

    Something glinted in the grass, and Scott crouched down to tag it with a numbered marker. Two minutes on the scene and already he’d discovered a piece of evidence. He stood and squared his shoulders, and Dani felt a pang deep inside her as he approached.

    He stopped and towered over her, and for a moment they just stared at each other.

    “Was the passenger door closed when you got here?” he asked.

    “That’s right.”

    “Where’s the girl?”

    “No sign of her.” She nodded at the woods. “One of our officers is searching near the lake with Travis.”

    He watched her for a moment with those cool blue eyes. His gaze shifted to the woods. “You need a K-9 team.”

    She bristled. “I know.”

    He strode over to his truck and opened the toolbox again. He took out a metal detector, which would help him locate shell casings or bullets, and maybe even the second victim if she was wearing jewelry or a belt.

    Then again, the killer might have taken her somewhere else. Dani glanced back at the road and got a queasy feeling in her stomach. Where was she? She turned her attention to the lake, visible just beyond the trees. It was a scenic spot, usually–a tranquil little oasis for couples. But not tonight.

    She glanced at Scott again, and he was watching her closely–so closely it made her wonder what he was thinking.

    “You coming?” he asked.

    She nodded at the body. “I’ll stay with him until the ME shows.”

    Scott walked off, and Dani let her gaze follow him until he disappeared into the woods.

    The medical examiner’s van rolled up, followed closely by Ric, and Dani’s stomach tightened as she thought of everything she didn’t like about this case. And it wasn’t even an hour old yet.

    Ric walked over, his expression grim as he took in the scene. “The media has it.”

    “That didn’t take long.”

    “It was all over the scanner,” he told her. “I give us ten minutes, tops, before they roll in here with their cameras. We need to barricade the road.”

    “Daniele.”

    She turned toward the sound of Scott’s deep voice calling her from the woods. He was a tall silhouette at the edge of the trees, and from his tone Dani knew it was bad.

    “What is it?” she yelled back.

    “I found her.”

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  • Review: Rock Chick Reawakening by Kristen Ashley

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    If you’re a fan of the Rock Chick series, this prequel will hit the spot and if you’ve never read series, Rock Chick Reawakening is a great place to start.

    Daisy in many ways, has always been the heart and soul of the Rock Chicks, whether it’s instigating shenanigans or comforting a friend in need, she was always there. RCR also delves into Daisy’s childhood and that history aids us in understanding Daisy even more. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read this series and I’ve always wondered about Daisy and Marcus and the details of how they came to be. Marcus’s devotion to Daisy is legendary and now we know how and why.

    Prequels, whether they be books, tv or movies can be a very scary notion for die hard fans. Have you seen The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith?  So, I’ll admit that I was a teeny bit nervous about this one BUT, I was quickly reassured that this prequel was going to be even more than I had hoped for.  The hope for a prequel for me is that it will enrich what has already been written and I can honestly say that RCR only added to my enjoyment of the series as a whole.

    Daisy’s neverending optimism and larger than life persona was earned very early in life and somehow she maintained that outlook, I think, in many ways, thanks to Marcus. In typical KA alpha fashion, he sets his sights on her and decides that she is THE ONE. His timing could not be more perfect in because she ends up needing someone to lean on, whether she admits it or not. (She doesn’t of course.) Marcus perseveres and lives up to the hype that he creates for himself. Daisy has no reason to trust a man who says he will stick around and be good to her. But Marcus makes good on that promise and more.

    As I read this novella, I truly felt like it made me understand even more of Daisy’s actions in the RC books and it made me want to read the series again just to experience Daisy in all of her glory. And let me say… that EPILOGUE? OMG.

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    “Who’s that tall, dark drink of handsome water?” I asked Ashlynn, my eyes on the tall man with broad shoulders and fabulous suit who was sauntering out of the club in the manner of a man who owned it.

    In the manner of a man who owned anything he wanted.

    “Don’t go there,” Ashlynn answered.

    I looked to Ashlynn.

    “What, sugar?”

    She shook her head. “He’s hot. Knew a girl who’s had him and I’ll repeat, he’s hot. Took her out four times. All to fancy restaurants where she had to buy fancy dresses and shoes. And he gave it to her good at the end of the night, and I mean real good, the way she described it. He also, like, opened the car door for her and everything.”

    Opened the car door for her.

    And everything.

    Oh my.

    “Ended it with her giving her a gold bracelet,” Ashlynn carried on, recapturing my attention. “Pure class.” Her look got intense as she stared into my eyes. “And he’s trouble.”

    I glanced to the door that he’d obviously gone through because he’d disappeared, then back to Ashlynn.

    “Trouble?”

    Ashlynn didn’t answer that question.

    She just shook her head again and declared, “He wouldn’t date a stripper anyway. Like I said. He’s class.”

    I felt my mouth get tight.

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  • Review and Author Spotlight: Light After Dark by Marie Force

    Oh, Gansett Island, how I love to visit you and your residents!  I was eagerly awaiting the release of this book because this series is a comfort read for me. Going back to Gansett and catching up with the McCarthy Clan and friends always makes me happy. Now, be aware, this review is spoiler free.

    For some reason, my brain had not clicked into the fact that the reader would not know who Mallory would be paired up with. Until a review copy was graciously bestowed upon me, I finally realized how EXCITED I was not to know who Mallory’s main man would be. I found this approach refreshing and I couldn’t wait to start the book. (And frankly, I don’t think I could trust just any author with that approach.)

    I can tell you, that for me, the wait and mystery shrouding Mallory’s love interest was totally worth it. I love who she was paired up with and I thoroughly enjoyed his backstory and journey as well. And he was soooo sexy and just…everything.

    This book is important in the McCarthy world because it’s how Mallory found her spot in the McCarthy clan. She had a number issues that she needed to deal with after finding out that her father was Big Mac McCarthy and how to deal with that huge family who loves each other fiercely. Mallory walks into a ready made family full of BROTHERS and a sister not to mention, cousins and aunts and uncles and well, it’s a lot for her to get used to. The development of her relationship with her father plays an important role in this book and I appreciated the time given to that.

    As always the McCarthy family love and humor was front and center and we were able to catch up with other McCarthy family members and get updates on their relationships and families.  Now, I’m a sucker for romance (obviously) and as important as that is, Mallory’s relationship development is deftly combined with her coming to terms with her place in her very big and very loving family.

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    Author Spotlight

    Can you start by introducing yourself to the readers that may not be familiar with you?

    Hi there! I’m the author of more than 50 contemporary romances, including the Gansett Island Series, the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books, the Green Mountain Series and the erotic romance Quantum Series, written under the slightly modified name of M.S. Force. Other than the Fatal Series, all my series are now indie-published.

     Can you tell us a little about your journey to becoming an author?

    I started writing fiction in 2003/2004 and wrote seven books before I finally sold one to a publisher in 2007. That book was my debut, Line of Scrimmage, in 2008. I also sold Fatal Affair, the first book in the Fatal Series, to Harlequin in 2010. My career really took off when I self-published the first three books in the Gansett Island Series three months in a row in 2011. That series has been, my far, my most popular series, and Light After Dark is book 16 in that series. If you haven’t started it yet, you can get book 1, Maid for Love, for free everywhere ebooks are sold.

     What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

    The joke among the friends/family that work with me is that I have one talent and one talent only, and I get myself into trouble when I try to branch out into other “talents.” They may be right about that!

    Do you have any rituals when you write?

    I like to write in bed—I joke that as a romance author, that’s where I do my best work. I dive into writing as soon as my son, who is my youngest, leaves for school at 7 am and don’t stop until my brain says ENOUGH. I worry about my whole program going to hell next year after he graduates and I no longer HAVE to get up early. Yikes!

    If you could have dinner with any of the characters from the McCarthy family, who would it be and why?

    Definitely Mac McCarthy, who was the star of book 1, Maid for Love, and has had a story with his wife, Maddie, in every subsequent book. I have spent a LOT of time with Mac over the last seven years, and I absolutely adore writing him and his wicked sense of humor. I love when his pranks go so very wrong and he gets himself in trouble with his big mouth. He’s so fun to write.

     Favorite snack?

    Do I have to pick just one?? I am cursed to have the sweet tooth AND the salty tooth! So I will say anything chocolate as well as salt & vinegar chips. Yummmmm!

     Favorite drink?

    Water. I drink gallons of it every day.

    Favorite song right now:

    Favorite song forever: Hallelujah –favorite versions are by KD Lang and Rufus Wainright. I have every version of that song every recorded on my iTunes. Last summer at the beach, when my phone was set to alphabetical order, my friend said, Um, Marie, I think we just heard that song, and I said, um, Nina, I have like 20 versions of it. LOL

     Last book you read:

    I have been re-reading the Gansett Island series, so Light After Dark is the last one I read. When I finished my re-read, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I’m moving on to a re-read of the Green Mountain Series now. Re-reading is a big part of my writing routine. I came out of the re-read of Gansett with a list of 20 ideas for things that need to happen in upcoming books. It helps me to tweak the timeline, the series bible and generally refreshes my memory.

     Favorite movie of all time: Pretty Woman! Never gets old, except for my family who can’t stand the way I say all the lines along with the characters. Close second would be the first Sex in the City movie.

     Last Netflix/series you binge watched: Breaking Bad. OMG, so, so, so good. My son, husband and I watched it together. It was great.

     Who are some of your favorite authors and books? Favorite authors include some of my friends—Lauren Blakely, Christina Lauren, Emma Chase, Penelope Ward, Vi Keeland, Kristen Proby, to name a few. Favorite books are anything by the ladies listed here as well as Lisa Kleypas’s old historicals.

     What is the best piece of advice you have received in your writing career so far?

    To run my business the way a man would. This advice wasn’t intended to be sexist, but a reminder to be tough and lead with practicality rather than emotion. That advice has served me very well.

     What’s coming up next for you?

    Up next is Every Little Thing, book 1 in my new Butler, Vermont Series, which will pick right up where the Green Mountain Series left off. I’m also working on the first Gansett Island Episode, which will be shorter stories featuring past characters on Gansett, set to debut in 2017, as well as Delirious, book 6 in my Quantum Series. I also promised my readers a new Treading Water book in 2017 after five years of them pleading for it. I’m really excited to revisit the Harrington family that started my career in 2004/2005 when I wrote Treading Water, which was my first book. I love that all these years later, readers are still asking for more of that family.

     Thanks so much for having me! Find out more about my books at marieforce.com and follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/MarieForceAuthor, on Twitter @marieforce and on Instagram @MarieForceAuthor. Email me at marie@marieforce.com

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  • Review: Deadly Attraction by Misty Evans #Excerpt

     

    It’s hard for me to believe, but Deadly Attraction is the first book by Ms. Evans that I’ve read!  As much of a romantic suspense junkie that I am, I figured I would’ve read her by now. Luckily, I’ve rectified that issue by breaking the ice with this book.

    I’m going to keep this pretty simple, I really enjoyed this book. Evans builds the relationship and the suspense in equal parts and does it really well. Emma, the female MC, is a fantastic character, she’s smart and in charge of her own safety and isn’t afraid to stand up for what she needs to do, even in the face of Mitch.  Sometime romantic suspense heroines can be TSTL (too stupid to live) and make really dumb decisions or they can be so hardass that they are difficult to emotionally connect with or even like. Not so with Emma, I thoroughly enjoyed her!  Mitch gets thrust into a situation due to a forest fire and his location at the time. He thinks he’s going to go get Emma and take her to a safe house. Ha!  Emma is not even having that, she’s not going to leave her farm even with a crazy guy possibly coming after her. This totally drives Mitch nuts and of course, begins to endear her to him.  And let’s face it, “endear” is too light of a word because the mutual attraction between the two is pretty high on all levels.  Mitch is a great male MC, he’s got just the right amount of alpha and he realizes that Emma is quite capable of protecting herself, he still feels a natural protectiveness towards her and not just because he is getting paid to protect her. He recognizes Emma’s inner strength and finds it very attractive.

    One thing I really appreciated was how Ms. Evans built up and maintained the level of suspense. I actually felt myself feeling anxious and wondering what was going to happen next!  That “on the edge of my seat” feeling was present throughout a great deal of this book.  Not only was the suspense well written, the HEA was AWESOME!!! Not going to reveal anything spoilery here, but I was just so happy with the way it ended. ❤️

    I’m really glad that I took a chance on this book, after reading this one, I’m definitely going to delve into Evan’s backlist.  Deadly Attraction was an exciting and sexy thrillride and I’m looking forward to more!

     

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    The woman who answered the door wasn’t at all what Mitch expected.

    Her brown hair was forced into a clip on top of her head, a couple pieces of hay sticking out of it and random strands stuck to her neck. Her face was devoid of makeup and sporting a healthy smear of dirt on her cheek. She clutched the edges of a worn plaid robe close to her neck, her short fingernails showing traces of caked mud. Beneath the hem of the robe stretched sexy bare legs, slender ankles, and Barbie-pink toenails.

    Mitch fought to take his eyes off her shapely calves and bring them back up to her face. “Is Dr. Collins home?”

    The porch light gave her face a subtle yellow glow. He couldn’t be sure about the color of her eyes. They looked brown one moment, then flashed a hint of green the next as she glanced behind him as if she expected the boogeyman to be in the shadows.

    Maybe she did.

    “I’m Dr. Collins. What is this about?”

    “You’re Emma Collins?”

    Those eyes of hers flashed again, but she replied evenly. “Dr. Emma Collins, yes. And you are?”

    Damn. Definitely not what he expected a forensic psychologist to look like. Shouldn’t she be…older? More buttoned-up with a bun and glasses?

    Maybe that was just his librarian fantasy getting in the way.

    Mitch flashed his ID and she glanced at it. “Agent Mitch Holden. National Intelligence. Currently on loan to the Southern California Violent Crimes Taskforce. May I come in?”

    She was a good six inches shorter than him, her focus swinging up to return to his face. “I’m not in the habit of letting strange men into my house, Agent Holden, so no, you may not. Not until you tell me what this is about.”

    Brown. Her eyes were definitely brown with specks of green in them. The specks caught the light like a cat’s eyes.

    Get it together, Holden. Quit analyzing the woman’s eyes and get down to business. “Chris Goodsman escaped a transport out of the Hills today.”

    Her face blanched. “What?”

    She obviously hadn’t heard the news yet. “Victor Dupé asked me to get you to a safe house. He’s been trying to reach you, but with the wildfires and all, landlines have been overloaded and some of the local cell towers aren’t working.”

    The mention of Dupé seemed to wipe away her hesitation about letting a strange man into her house. She stepped back and motioned him in, her pretty eyes once more scanning the shadows over his shoulder.

    Two Labs, one black and one white, rushed Mitch, sniffing and wagging their tails.

    “Hope you’re not allergic,” Collins said, closing the door behind her.

    “Nah.” Cold noses met his fingers. They, too, had a dirt on their faces and hay in their short coats. “My brother and I always had dogs growing up.”

    Collins snapped her fingers and the Labs retreated, heads down, tails still wagging. They flanked her, one on each side like bodyguards. She absently petted their heads, the V of her robe falling open enough for him to see tan skin and freckles dancing across her collarbone. “How did Chris escape?”

    Chris. Sounded funny for the doctor to refer to the actor—a man she’d labeled a sociopath—by his first name. “The transport van was run off the road. Goodsman escaped, the driver was killed, another guard’s in serious condition. I don’t know all the details, but I’m sure Dupé can fill you in when he meets us at the safe house.”

    Her nose wrinkled. “Have you been drinking?”

    Shit. “Not enough to affect my reasoning or judgment skills, Dr. Collins. I assure you, I can keep you safe.”

    Pushing off the door, she headed for the kitchen, a brightly lit room off to his left. “I’ll make you some coffee.”

    Coffee sounded good. The tone in her voice—like she was reprimanding a kid about skipping school or not washing behind his ears—didn’t. “I had two sips of whiskey, that’s all, before I got the call to come protect you.”

    He found himself following her into the kitchen, his gaze drawn to her ass as she reached up to grab a bag of coffee from a rough pine cabinet. “The holidays are hard on all of us,” she said.

    So now she was presuming to know he hated Christmas and the emotional shitstorm it brought on? Yeah, maybe he did feel that way, but it was still annoying that within two minutes, she seemed to see right through him.

    One of the Labs nuzzled his fingertips. Gritting his teeth, Mitch did his usual trick when someone probed into his personal life—turned the tables on them. “How is it hard on you? Your boyfriend dump you right before Christmas or something?”

    She paused in pouring water into the coffee maker, but her face was serene when she glanced over at him. “Touchy subject, I take it?”

    Guilt over lashing out at her clawed its way into his chest. Jesus, what was wrong with him? He was here to get her to a safe house, nothing more. Then it was back to a few last hours of vacation filled with moping and a twelve pack. Mac could keep his scotch. “Yes, actually, it is.”

    She nodded and finished pouring the water, hit the switch. “Sorry. I’m sure this isn’t what you had planned for your Saturday night.”

    It wasn’t what she’d planned either. Once more, he chastised himself for being so defensive over nothing. For being rude. “Look, I appreciate the coffee and the chitchat, but you need to pack a bag so we can get out of here.”

    “I’m going to shower and get dressed.” She walked by him toward the living room and the stairs. “Help yourself to the cookies in the Snoopy jar on the counter.”

    She was halfway up the stairs when she turned back and caught him ogling her ass. That same serene look crossed her features before she motioned at the door. “There’s a shotgun above the door, locked and loaded. Just in case.”

    Huh. Interesting. A handsome Remington rested on hooks over the front door exactly like she claimed. He also noticed for the first time that there wasn’t a Christmas decoration of any kind inside the house.

    No menorah or kinara either.

    Was she atheist or some other religion? Did she simply hate the holidays as much as he did?

    He tipped his head at her. “Good to know.”

    “FYI, I also have a couple of weapons upstairs.”

    Was she warning him or letting him know she didn’t need his protection? Either way, he found it cute. “Do you know how to use them?”

    One of her dainty eyebrows arched. “Better help yourself to that coffee, Agent Holden. I’ll be back shortly.”

    “We really need to get on the road.”

    “If Chris is coming after me, I’d rather not smell like a barn when I have to confront him.”

    She did smell. “You have livestock?”

    “Horses. My practice involves therapy animals. You ride?”

    “Just motorcycles, ma’am.”

    She glanced at his black boots. “A similar type of therapy I’m told. No motorcycle tonight, though, huh?”

    He hadn’t trusted himself on his bike. Too tempting to flee town, just him and his demons, and ride like hell. “Not tonight.”

    “Too bad.”

    She disappeared up the stairs, the Labs on her heels, before he could ask why.

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  • Review: Better Love by Daisy Prescott

    I’m a long time fan of Daisy Prescott and anyone who has been reading this blog or my reviews over the past few years knows that this is not a secret. I’m also a forty-three-year-old woman.  Why am I pointing that out you ask?  Well, recently, I’ve noticed that my taste has changed and frankly, I think it’s my tolerance.  Tolerance of what, you ask?  Characters, inner monologues, back and forth relationships, overly negative characters, those who wear their issues like an Under Armour sweatshirt. I’m done, I’m over it. It being? The twenty and sometimes even the early thirtysomething characters.

    To be honest, Ms. Prescott’s last book in this series, Anything But Love, did not blow up my skirt like every single one of her previous books. There was a part of me that was a bit distraught because this author and her writing is one of my safe places. She makes me laugh and swoon and feel a comforting nostalgia for my college days (aka The 90’s wubba, wubba, wubba). In Anything But Love, I could not connect with the main male MC. I loved the supporting characters and I laughed as I always do but I didn’t feel that deep connection I tend to feel on some level with her books. Now, I know that I’m not going to LOVE LOVE LOVE every single book my favorite can do no wrong authors write.  In my heart of hearts, I get it. But I kept the faith that Anything But Love would be one of the few for me.

    There has been a low hum in corners of the romance community about heroes and heroines over forty. Where are they?  We want them and there are authors that want to and ARE writing them.  KA has been writing them for awhile and it’s only just now dawning on us. Ms. Prescott has been writing them.  Question is, why aren’t we getting more?  Those of us over forty, we hold the power and the money. The shine on the NA apple?  I’m not sure if it’s as bright as it ever was or if I’m just not paying attention as much. I’ll read it but two things tend to happen, I’m tempted by the cover and I end up cussing myself for reading it or I stick with the few NA authors I know I can tolerate.

    Back to the main subject at hand. Better Love. (Focus, Mandy.) In a nutshell, it was fanfrickingtastic and it was everything I needed and wanted it to be.  Dan is a forty-three year old man, he’s been there and done that, has made mistakes, learned from them and moved on. In the case of this book, his mistake was walking out of Roslyn’s life and now he wants her back in his life for good. How does he accomplish this? By being a hilarious, sexy, smart and honest MAN.

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    “I messed up five years ago giving you an ultimatum and walking away. I’ve known that for four years and three-hundred-sixty-four-days. I set fire to my bridges and never looked back to see if they still stood, charred but passable. I was wrong. I don’t know if we can find a way forward, but I’d like to try. I’m not the same man who only saw the world in black and white. I don’t even know if we could find a balance between our lives, but fuck it, I want to find out.”

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    And that is what this lovely book is about.  Realizing your mistakes, being man enough to admit them and moving forward because you want her back and in your life forever.  Dan takes his time and lets Roslyn be Roslyn and he also courts her, he dates her and makes her feel valued and loved. There’s no crazy back and forth and I loved reading Dan’s POV.   *Shrugs* I loved this damn book. I don’t care what age you are, you’d be crazy not to read it.

     

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    Read the Wingman series:


     

  • Review: Bishop’s Queen by Cristin Harber

    I swear I feel like such a broken record when it comes to Cristin Harber but in a good way.  See, a little history lesson is in order here. Three years ago, I had just started my blog, it had been up and running for a few months and I got a review request from an author I had never heard of and she had five books releasing. (I still have those emails, lol.) It was in my genre of choice, so she sent me book one, Winter’s Heat, I loved it and soon after that, she sent me all 5 books/novellas. I was in love. Romantic Suspense and Military Romance demand a delicate balance of plot and passion. I like a healthy dose of both and if it’s too much sex and a weak suspense/action plot, you’ll likely lose me.  I’d like to think of myself as a connoisseur of those genres as I’ve read and continue to read in those genres still. Not to mention, I cut my romantic suspense teeth on early Maya Banks KGI and Lori Foster’s Men Who Walk on the Edge of Honor, so my standards were already high.

    Three years later, I’m still reading/devouring everything she writes. Harber continually sets the standard and then raises the bar in the genre. Her characters are fresh and interesting and the plot lines are completely unique.  I have to admit, that I always favored Roman in Hart Attack. I salivated in anticipation over his book, so for me, he was always my standard for Titan men. Roman, honey, Bishop is giving you a run for your money.

    Not only is Bishop an interesting guy, Ella is an interesting and entertaining character as well. Usually, the whole reality tv character doesn’t work for me but she also hosts her own Eco Ella blog and YouTube channel.  She’s completely committed to her job and she practices what she preaches as an environmental warrior. Harber took a subject that I wasn’t quite sure that I’d be interested in and wove it into a refreshing and intriguing plotline.  Bishop and Ella have a previous connection, a very personal one, in fact, that lays the groundwork for their current undeniable attraction.  Their chemistry is CRAZY good and Bishop doesn’t shy way from showing Ella how he feels about her, once they let those feelings loose, not to mention there is some serious BUMP AND GRIND Magic Mike action going on with him. YOWZA.

    One thing I’ve always said that Harber excels at is creating unique characters and plotlines. It can be very easy to create characters that bleed easily into others, especially in this genre. All of the Titan men are alphas to varying degrees and they wield those traits with their women, carefully because Harber has given them absolutely glorious female characters to pair up with. They have various  backgrounds, careers, and are not ones to bleed into the wallpaper or fall victim to the TSTL (Too Stupid to Live) syndrome, which still runs rampant these days. (Isn’t there a vaccine for that now?)

    Three years later and eight books into the Titan series and Harber is still kicking ass. Harber has my complete respect and admiration and I salute her.

    And yes, this was a totally gratuitous use of a JJ Watt gif, he’s totally Titan worthy.

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    Find out more here about the Titan series:

    Goodreads

    Amazon

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  • Review: The Sexy One by Lauren Blakely #Excerpt

    I’ve been overwhelmed by angst in recent books and I’m kind of over it. Thank the book reading baby Jesus because this is soooooooo not the case with this book.

    Abby is a nanny for Simon and his sweet little girl Hayden. The thing is, Simon and Abby have a long-simmering attraction that finally boils over. While some may call this a “forbidden or illicit” romance, I didn’t feel like it was written that way at all. There was no tropey-ness or cliche to this sweet love story. Simon and Abby were genuinely concerned for Hayden and the repercussions a dalliance, hook-up or relationship could have.  Abby is a fantastic nanny and Simon did not want to lose her, as a nanny or as a presence in his life.  Ergo, they act like adults and talk about how they feel about each other and explore those feelings.

    This is a love story with no crazy ups and downs, it’s the story of two people coming to terms with how they feel about each other and figuring how and when to cross the line and give in.

    This could’ve easily fallen into the angst black hole but it did not. Instead, it stayed right on the sweet and blissful track to love. And lots of hot sexytimes…can’t forget that.

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    “I want to talk to you about the other day.” He sounds so serious.

    All of a sudden, the weight of my mistake crashes down. “Are you firing me?” I blurt out.

    His jaw drops. “What?”

    “I’m sorry,” I say, and the wild anxieties consume me once more. “I love this job, and I love working with Hayden, and I didn’t mean to jeopardize it by . . .”

    By making out with you? By touching you? By murmuring your name when you kissed me senseless in the cab, and would you please just do it again?

    He steps closer. My stomach makes like a skydiver.

    “You did not jeopardize a thing. I’m not firing you. I promise.” His blue eyes are locked to mine. “I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable. And I hope I didn’t lose you, either. You’re so good at what you do, and I value your skills so much. You’re great with Hayden, and I don’t want to mess that up. I’m sorry for crossing the line.”

    I shake my head. “It’s okay. I crossed it, too.”

    He licks his lips. “And I really appreciated you inviting me out with your friends. I wanted to go, but I didn’t want to mess up your night. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

    A grin threatens to take over my face because my heart soars. I thought he was turning me down. Instead, he was thinking of me. “You wouldn’t have messed it up.”

    “I wouldn’t have?”

    “No.” I latch onto Harper’s advice. Talk to him. “I wanted you there.”

    My breath comes fast, and the hairs on my arms stand on end. We’re so near to each other—our words, our voices, our bodies. Everything in me reaches for him.

    “I’m glad,” he whispers.

    “And you don’t make me uncomfortable. I promise.”

    He doesn’t say anything in response. Just nods. I press my teeth into my lips. My back is against the sink, and he’s standing so close I can smell him. The faint scent of his soap intoxicates me. He must have gone to the gym after work and taken a shower, and oh God, now I’m imagining him naked in the shower, soaping up his strong body. I go up in flames.

    “What happened in the cab was”—he pauses, as if he’s searching for the right word—“crazy.” But the way he says it in a voice full of longing doesn’t sound like crazy-bad. It sounds like . . .

    “Crazy-good,” I supply.

    He nods. “So good,” he whispers, and inches closer.

    “It was so good,” I echo, my voice breathy, full of this potent need for him.

    He stares at me, his eyes brimming with heat. I exhale, and my lips part slightly. He’s looking at my mouth now, and I’m burning all over.

    We collide.

    His hands are in my hair, and his lips crush mine. My fingers race up his shirt and around his neck. I pull him against me, his strong, hard body aligned with mine. His erection presses against my belly, and the realization that he’s already hard thrills me. Sparks fly through me as I register how hard he is, and my God, I want him. I want to feel him slide into me, I want to take him deep into my body. I want him to know what he does to me, too—that I’m as turned on as he is, and I can’t stop kissing him.

    His big hands curl around my head, and I moan into his mouth. I love how much bigger he is than I am—taller, broader, stronger. He meets every primal desire I have to be taken. I want this man to consume me. I want to be under him, I want to be pinned by him—I want the full weight of him moving over me.

    His lips are demanding, coaxing out more and more kisses from me. More murmurs, more sighs. As I arch into him, he groans, rough and husky.

    Then, he breaks the kiss.

    “This is bad,” he says firmly, his breath coming heavily. But then, he’s not so certain at all. “Is this bad?”

    “Yes,” I answer quickly. “It’s bad. But it’s so good.”

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    ✮✮✮ Celebrate the release of The SEXY ONE! Enter to win a NIGHT OF ROMANCE, including a $100 gift card to your favorite restaurant, Signed copies of Big Rock, Mister O, and Well Hung, $25 gift card to Fandango, $25 gift card to 1-800 Flowers, and a $25 gift card to Victoria’s Secret or Bath and Body Works for 1 winner. Second and Third place prizes include a Signed copy of Well Hung and $25 Amazon Gift Card. ✮✮✮

    ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE!

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  • New Release and Review: Live Wire by Cristin Harber

    Previously, Live Wire was only available on iTunes, now you can get it at all retailers!! 🎉

    I’m going to make this simple for you, if you’re a Titan fan at all, you’ll want to read this book.  It’s chock full of Sugar, Lexi, Parker and Boss Man, Jared goodness.  There’s also some serious nerd/glasses porn that made me swoon and laugh.

    Jared aka Boss Man is adding to the Titan team and Lexi and Sugar decide that they need to check out the possible new recruits.  OF COURSE, hilarious hijinx ensue. With typical Sugar charm and badassness, she vets the new recruit while getting in and out of a bit of trouble, with the help of a few good men. 😉

    After getting in and out of trouble… it’s baby time for Jared and Sugar.  I’m an absolute sucker for a badass like Jared being brought to his knees by his love for his ladies. Seriously, this is such a sweet side of Jared and I melted into a pile of goo.

    Don’t forget, we also get to meet Bishop, the subject of Ms. Harber’s Titan book!  I have to say that I can’t wait for his book.  I know, I say that about every book she writes but I REALLY mean it!

     

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    The rhythmic pounding of the man running for his life in between Sugar’s and Lexi’s treadmills was more than enough up-close proof that Bishop O’Kane was as physically fit as his profile said. This gym catered to professional bodybuilders but was empty with the exception of one other person and staff. It was elite and niche, and Sugar had basically used her pregnant stomach and her hormones to get them a day pass.

    Not exactly Titan-level detective work, but this was more a girl’s trip than anything else… right? Her phone buzzed as she and Lexi walked lazily on either side of their unknowing target.

    Lexi: What have we learned? I’m bored.

    Sugar: I was bored at home. This was something to do.

    Lexi: Right.

    Lexi: I think he knows we know each other.

    Lexi: Shoot! He’s looking at both of us.

    Lexi: SUGAR!

    Sugar got off her treadmill and walked calmly to the bathroom. The second she was out of sight, she pulled her phone back out.

    Sugar: Do I have to teach you how to creep up on a dude!?!?

    Lexi: Maybe…

    She tittered to herself. Well, that was probably true. For as hot as Lexi was, she was clueless when it came to the art of flirting. Though they weren’t flirting. But still, spying on a guy took a certain level of finesse that Lexi didn’t have.

    Sugar: We need a new game plan.

    Sugar: Does he still look suspicious of us?

    Sugar: Hello?

    Sugar: Hey, Thelma, it’s Louise. Why’d you go radio silent?

    Lexi: We have a problem

    Sugar: On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 is we need to hit the pancake house again, and 10 is I have to hit up GUNS for the ammo Jared wouldn’t let me have, gimme a number.

    She grabbed her bag from a locker and wrestled out of her exercise pants and back into leather pants, which—thank the Lord for maternity adaptation—were more comfortable.

    Sugar’s screen blinked with the text.

    Lexi: 10. 10. 10.

    Sugar: Easy, killer. On my way.

    But the text wouldn’t send. The little circle kept circling. No signal. Ugh. What the hell? She pushed out the door to find the hallway dark. A tickle of adrenaline crept up her neck, and she slowed her pace.

    “Hello?” A Russian accent called into the bathroom where she had just been.

    Training and instinct made Sugar drop to the floor, listening to the voice continue to call and the person go in and out of the locker rooms and whatever rooms were down the other hallway.

    Her pulse picked up. She could feel the blood thumping in her neck and in her stomach, which was a change from the norm. But all in all, this was no different than creeping like a shadow on any other job. Except she didn’t know who or what she was dealing with, and she had to hide what felt like an additional few feet of her stomach from view while trying to figure out what the double deuces was happening.

    She tried her cell phone again. Shoot. She got nothing but a spinning circle and a no service signal. Clearly, somewhere in the building was a cell-phone jammer, which meant this was more of a professional job than a slam-and-bam robbery.

    Okay… what to do?

    Slinking down the hallway, she heard no exercise equipment clinking and clanking. No men throwing heavy things. No people grunting as they lifted heavy objects for personal enjoyment. There was only the empty blare of music that, now that all was abandoned and quiet, played far too loud. Her phone continued to cycle without a signal, and Sugar’s eyes searched for signs of anyone in the building—most importantly, Lexi. And where had that searching Russian man gone? She needed a weapon. Fast.

    She checked her phone again.

    Nope. The hell with it. She tucked it in her back pocket. Across the open floor were hand weights. She could grab a few jump ropes or one of the calisthenics bars while she was there. But crossing the gym was too dangerous. With a view of nothing but treadmills, elliptical machines, and stair climbers, she had nothing but magazines to smack a bad dude with. Nothing deadly.

    So the plan for the moment was to keep against the wall and head for the main desk. Surely there was a pair of scissors. A stapler. Hell, she could be deadly with a phone cord. All she needed was the right angle. But really, Sugar stressed about Lexi.

    She crept around another corner of the main gym. No one was there.

    No Lexi. No Bishop. No random meatheads. No guy with a Russian accent searching for rogue people hiding and creeping.

    “What is going on?” Her pulse pounded in her neck, and confusion covered every thought. Only Emergency Exit signs illuminated the room, and the place was eerie.

    Her quiet question went unanswered, and the baby took that moment to kick. “Easy, tater tot. I’ve got this.”

  • Review: Her Halloween Treat by Tiffany Reisz

    Are you in the mood for something REALLY sexy, REALLY funny and an all around fun read?  Then by all means, please buy this book. If you’re like me and you’ve shied away from Reisz’s previous work due to it being too edgy for you, then this is an excellent introduction to her writing style.

    Reisz writes so cleanly, with snappy snark and humor and did I mention the sexy?  Holy crap.

    Joey and her best friend, Kira are absolutely hilarious:

    “What if he’s not murdering you, but you’re screaming because it’s such good sex?  Do I still call the cops?”

    “I’m not a screamer.”

    “If he’s the right guy, you will be.”

    See? Funny.

    You want sexy?

    “God, Chris. It feels so good,” Joey said into his ear.

    “You want it?”

    “I want it. All the time.”

    “You can have it all the time. Whenever you want. Just ask and it’s yours.”

    “Now?”

    “Now.”

    “Tomorrow?”

    “Every day for the rest of your life,” he said thrusting deep again.

     

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    Joey and Chris were very close in high school, he was a little older than her and had a crush on her. She didn’t think of him that way. Coming to Oregon for her brother’s wedding and to get away from her dumbass ex- boyfriend offers her the opportunity to get to know Chris now that he has grown up and has fully grown into his Oregon lumberjack potential. (YES.)

    The attraction between these two is immediate and they have a shared history to fall back on, which really fleshed out the potential for a relationship between them beyond this visit.

    I really loved this book AND this is book one in a series. Yes, you read that right, there is even MORE hilarious sextastic holiday books to come and I’m going to read them, I hope you will too.

     

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