Sunday, November 22, 2015

SPOTLIGHT: A SEAL Forever by Anne Elizabeth























A SEAL Forever 


by Anne Elizabeth

West Coast Navy SEALs, Book 3

ISBN: 9781402268960

Release date: December 1, 2015

Genre: Contemporary 

Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca




Even a hero needs someone to believe in him...

Parkour instructor Maura Maxwell has always denied her attraction for her bachelor neighbor because she’s seen his revolving door of women and doesn’t want to become another notch on his belt. But the man who rescues her from a sudden storm isn’t the one she thinks she knows—he’s Master Chief Declan Swifton of SEAL Team Five, and he literally sweeps Maura off her feet.

Just as his teasing and tenderness start to work their way into Maura’s heart, Declan and his team are called in for a dangerous op in the Middle East. The man who returns is facing the toughest fight of his life, and he needs Maura by his side more than ever…






This is the third book of Anne Elizabeth's West Coast Navy SEALs series, but I read it just fine as a stand alone. I'm new to Anne Elizabeth and I found her writing engaging, her characters relatable and her setting was written in such a way it pulls you in and poof you're there with the characters. This isn't an action adventure romance, but a heartfelt picking up the pieces after a traumatic event romance. 

Declan Swifton loves being a SEAL, he loves his team like brothers and he wouldn't live his life any other way. Maura Maxwell has aspirations to owning her own gym, a place where kids can learn parkour and everyone has a place to go for whatever their needs. 

Declan falls for his beautiful, shy, and very athletic neighbor, Maura. Declan and Maura start up their hot and heavy relationship after Declan saves Maura's life. They have a very amusing first date and from then on they are inseparable, Declan has never felt this way about a woman before but the appearance of a past lover reminds Maura of Declan's playboy ways and pulls away from him.

While Maura talks herself out of being such a ninny, Declan gets called out for a mission. From the start everything goes wrong and by the time Declan gets back home he's missing a half of one leg.
Maura instead of running, and abandoning Declan she is exactly what he needs. As a survivor of an accident that left her unable to fulfill her dream she has worked past survivor's guilt and become the best at what she does. Maura is the nurturer and the ball buster motivator Declan needs to continue on successfully in his life. And through all this fall deeper and deeper in love.

Overall, this is the kind of emotional romance I love, it's all not angst and gloom and doom, it has what it needs to get the point across and then they move on. It's a little slow moving in the progression of the story but it was a quick read, if that makes sense. I would mark this up there with Emily March's Eternity Springs series, and I love those books.


    




Master Chief Declan Swifton of SEAL Team Five rolled over the side of the Rigid-hulled Inflatable Boat and slid soundlessly into the Pacific Ocean. The RIB took off without even a comment from the operator, leaving Declan to sink farther into the drink. 
The temperature cooled as he swam away from the surface. Fish skirted the edges of his thighs, small shimmers of movement against his skin. He scissor-kicked his way forward. The ocean currents caught him, dragging him in the direction they wanted to go, toward shore. He lay with his arms at his sides, frog-kicking only. Above him, he could see the afternoon sunlight glistening and frothy foam chasing away the glassy surface. Down here things were different…calmer. Peaceful, in a way few souls would understand, and yet he knew that even he would have to surface soon. 
His lungs would start to ache and burn, his gut would begin to feel as if it would cave in, and that would force him to either head topside or drink in the salt water. But there was still time. This was the water in front of Imperial Beach and the apartment he lived in. He knew it very well. 
Scanning the ocean floor, he gauged it would be about thirty seconds until he reached one of the many rocky sandbars out here. He’d have to pull up before then, or the force of the current would smack him against the side. 
As his body began to complain, he used both arms and legs to draw himself upward. Breaking the surface, he opened his mouth and drew in air like a thirsty man would gulp water. 
The waves bounced him like a buoy. The tide was coming in and the wind was picking up momentum. Looking at the sky to the east, he could see that there would most likely be a storm today. Over his should, to the west, he spied a wave coming his way large enough to take him to shore. It would reach him in about thirty seconds. 
Dec took a long, slow breath and appreciated the sun dropping into the horizon. The colors were extraordinary; orange and gold dappled the horizon as the blazing ball of light attempted to sink before the moon lifted higher in the sky. 
His hands flexed, cupping the water. It had been a hot day, and the sun’s rays had heated the top of the ocean, making the surface feel like a warm bath, loosening his muscles. Three months ago, he’d been in waters so frigid, with actual ice caps—the memory still made him cold. But here, the Pacific Ocean off California’s Imperial Beach, was a slice of heaven. 
Coming in from the east were some nasty-looking cumulonimbus clouds. Seeing the lightning arc way off toward the distant desert, he decided it was time to go in, and right on cue, here came a perfect wave. 
Swimming at top speed, Declan pushed his way through another changing current, one that sought to drag him into faster-moving waters. He went over a higher sandbar, having no intention of going to Mexico today, and increased the reach of his stroke. With single-mindedness he worked his way into the more placid surf as he homed in on a large stretch of beach. 
The SEAL felt a few sea lions swimming around him, and one nosed him in the gut and another in his back a few times, assessing whether or not he’d play. Not this time, my friends. He continued swimming without engaging. If he stopped to play, he’d be out there for hours. 
Switching to the breaststroke, his arms protested. His platoon had switched their training this month to desert-warfare techniques, and he’d been sweating his balls off in the heat. He managed to learn a thing or two, even now, after all of his years in the Teams. But it felt good to be back in the ocean, his element. He’d live in the deep blue like a Jules Verne character if he could.

Buy Links




Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1O3JffD


Books a Million: http://bit.ly/1M6Hrlt

Indie Bound: http://bit.ly/1O3JEPe



A Navy SEALs Fun Fact from Anne Elizabeth



Being a Navy SEAL means accepting an honor code, and understanding that your Teammate comes first. You need to be able to school your own issues and take care of what is happening in front of you. Wounded or healthy, you always need to remember what comes first.




Author Bio





New York Times bestselling author Anne Elizabeth is an award-winning romance author and comic creator. With a BS in business and MS in communications from Boston University, she is a regular presenter at conventions as well as a member of The Author’s Guild and Romance Writers of America. Anne lives with her husband, a retired Navy SEAL, in the mountains above San Diego.



Social Networking Links









Thursday, November 19, 2015

ARC REVIEW Miss Featherton's Christmas Prince by Ella Quinn



Ella Quinn's eighth and final (for now) book of The Marriage Game series. Miss Featherton's Christmas Prince is a funny and lighthearted romance with a bit of suspense. I have read a couple of  the books in the series The Marriage Game, it's not pivotal to the plot that you read all of them but it's nice if you have. I love the Ella Quinn style of writing. She brings humor to romance.

When I first started the book I didn't care very much for Meg, but then I realized something if she wasn't so stubborn and headstrong and blind to everything but her wants then she wouldn't have been so easy to manipulate. I smile because it's a good thing. It really only was the first couple of chapters that she rubbed me the wrong way it soon became clear she really thought she was doing what she thought was for the best.

You have to love Damon, head over heals in love with the chit and never there at the right time. When they first met she was engaged to someone, when that fell apart, due to the fact that the fiance was a sadist, Damon gave her time to get over it, by the time he comes back she's engaged to someone else. Now that that last one's over Damon isn't wasting any time and the Christmas House party at his Godmother's house is just the place to convince Meg that Damon is the perfect man for her. Meg after two seasons and two disastrous engagements has decided to make a sensible match, but the gentleman who she has set her sights on is already spoken for by her best friend. When Amanda realizes her intentions she gets together with Damon and her secret fiance to get Damon and Meg together. They all know Meg is perfect for Damon and that Damon is already in love with her they just give her a reason to be with him all the time so that Meg can see that there is more to Damon than just what she sees on the outside.

But Meg does have her reasons for hesitating and it takes Damon a bit to realize he has to change his strategy if he wants to keep Meg and prove to her that love does matter in a relationship and that they are perfect for each other. But Meg's hesitation isn't the only problem Damon's father is a big pain in the butt. Who it seems is trying to ruin his son's life.

Overall I loved reading this book. It was funny and Meg really does turn around when she realizes what she wants and what she needs are two separate things.










                               



ARC REVIEW Steele Brothers Series by Jennifer Probst



I love Jennifer Probst, and when I started reading her books a couple years ago I never expected her to write in the genre of BDSM. But WOW!





I am blown away, it's a nice subtle theme in the book. I was very impressed. The characters are battling their own demons and past hurts, connect for one night of passion. Tara to prove to herself that she is a sexual creature despite what he ex said she can move past the fear he instilled in her. Rick is stuck in a rut, all the mindless encounters since he found his fiance cheating on him, have gotten old and he needs some connection.


Tara is a natural submissive, she loves to please. But her last relationship he abused Tara's need to please horribly; so that when she finally go the courage to move on she was badly scarred mentally and physically. Tara opted for a night with a man who would be gentle with her; with her being extremely self conscious she thought that is what she needed, what she got was Rick. Rick takes on look at Tara and knows their is something special about her, and after one night with her he doesn't want to let her go. Rick is willing to teach and show Tara everything about how a relationship should be. Tara still scared is hesitant; Rick is patient and knows the best thing for her.
"I want to give you the pleasure you give me.
I want to give you my body, and my heart.You helped me see that I'm beautiful, and worthy of love.You helped me see...Everything."
This story was a great quick erotica read. I never expected this from Jennifer Probst and it has shown how versatile she can be as an author.












Book two, Play Me, delves into the BDSM theme a little more.
"What do you get if you win?"His face turned. Determination and promise gleamed from those blue-gray eyes in warning. His voice dropped to a growl. "You of course. But you'll listen to everything I say without any back talk." He paused and deliberately stated at her with the look of a warrior issuing an order. "And obey."

Rome Steele followed his brother to Vegas, and with little pushing he accepts the blind date with FANTA-C. One night, one perfect night with the perfect woman, what has he got to lose. Rome is pleasantly surprised to find a champion poker player, someone he's been half in love with. Sloane Keller was dubbed "The Queen of Cards" a beautiful woman who appeared on the scene and blew everyone out of the water. She was the perfect woman to give Rome the challenge he craved.

Sloane won the jackpot when she first saw her date for the night, stomach flip flopped and their was something about him that commanded her attention and made her want to give him everything he asked for, not that she would make it easy for him. The bet made, one hand of BlackJack, he wins she obeys him in every way for the night; she wins and he is hers whatever she wants. Sloane loses, but not just the hand of blackjack she loses her heart to him; but with Sloane's life she is worried that her work will jeopardize any relationship she will have and is scared to risk it with Rome

Play Me shows a little more of the dominating side of BDSM, a little bit more on the theme then the first book. A really nice storyline and likable characters






Dare Me, book three, Rafe Steele isn't like his brothers sure he's a card dealer like them, just moved to Vegas looking to start over after leaving the military; but unlike his brothers he secretly yearns to be dominated by a woman. So when his brothers give him the FANTA-C card for the perfect night he knows exactly what he wants. Summer Preston is not what he was expecting, she is a cute girl next door type. But Summer surprised him by immediately taking charge, being understanding, made him feel loved. The both enjoyed their one night and continued their budding relationship but after some time Summer started to feel like the dirty little secret.

Rafe has a lot of self discovery and issues to work through but the thought of not being with Summer tears him apart inside, and having her dominate him scares and thrills him. But he has to be able to admit to himself and to other that he is a sub before Summer will let the relationship continue.

"He was happier on his knees and showing his devotion than he'd ever been trying to dominate or control a woman in the bedroom."
"He was truly himself and vulnerable, and she made him feel more cherished and adored than any woman could."

Rafe and Summer work through some of the hard parts of a BDSM relationship, and the fact that Rafe is scared of what other people would say to find the big soldier and leader of men is a submissive in the bedroom. 



Beg Me, the final and previously never before released Steele Brother book and probably the most BDSM predominate themed of the series. Rem Steele always knew he was a dominate and in college when he found the perfect girl; his perfect submissive he knew. Cara wasn't so sure and at times it scared her so she left without explanation, leaving Rem broken hearted. Rem was never able to get over Cara, every woman since has been a poor comparison to Cara. Rem was the last of his brothers to finally make the move to Vegas, and his brothers knowing him gave him the FANTA-C card. Rem only did it so that he could finally move on. But FANTA-C really works magic the perfect date they matched up for Rem is Cara.

It was first supposed to be the final hurrah, one last time to get each other out of their systems. But all it did was dig them in deeper into each other's hearts. Cara was finally able to verbalize her fears to Rem and admitted she hadn't orgasimed since him.

"I'll give you as many orgasms as you can handle."
Oh, no. 
She stood frozen in place. Her belly fluttered with sweet anticipation and a hint of dread.     
Through the night they finally open up fully to each other and now Cara is willing to be exactly what she needs to be with Rem, but now with the new information of why Cara left Rem is scared that he isn't the dom she needs and rejects her. Rem, with the help of his brothers realizes his mistake, but it might be too late for Rem to win Cara over after the last rejection. Rem isn't going to give Cara up that easy though.


Overall, this series surprised me. I never knew Jennifer Probst could be this versatile. The progression of BDSM throughout the series gradually becomes more intense so by the time you get to Beg Me it can be a little tough for some to handle, I loved it, but I think I've just got thick skin when it comes to that. All the characters are great, I love the brothers. The struggles that they each have to overcome are very believable and very real struggles people face in the lifestyle. 
 

COVER REVEAL Mated in Mist by Carrie Ann Ryan


Mated in Mist Cover v72dpi


Mated Mist Blurb: The Talon Pack continues with an outcast witch and a wolf who can see past the darkness. 

As Heir to the Talon Pack, Ryder Brentwood carries the responsibility of not only protecting his Pack, but ensuring its future. Only no one knows that as he does this, he must also shield his people from their past. When a witch with no ties bursts into his life, he must decide if he can overcome the depravity of his secrets and trust the one person who could break the fragile hold on his control. Grieving over the loss of her twin and on the run from the unknown, Leah Helm knows she is far more alone than she thought possible. Her coven shunned her before she was born and the wolves she sought protection with are in a war of their own. When a wolf with a whisper of secrets is forced to work with her in order to protect their people, she finds she might not be so alone after all. The world knows more than they ever have before about those shrouded in darkness, while Ryder and Leah are thrust into the center of a conflict they never should have been part of to begin with. On their journey they must not only fight those against them, but the burning temptation that is flaring between them. Fate might have paved their path, but that doesn’t mean they have to follow.


Pre-Order Links:
Barnes & Noble http://bit.ly/1UddRlg

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

COVER REVEAL Shadowed Blade by J.C. Daniels

Drop your linen and start your grinnin'!!

Kit Colbana is BACK!




You will notice the beautiful new cover model who is none other than the author's daughter.
and all the previous books will be getting updated covers.

If you are new to the series or have had your interest piqued here is the link to catch you up on the previous books.



You can preorder your book here for the February release. 



ARC REVIEW The Lost Soul of Lord Badewyn by Mia Marlowe

The Lost Soul of Lord Badewyn is book three in Mia Marlowe's The Order of the M.U.S.E series. I'll admit I grabbed this to review without reading the blurb, I enjoyed the previous one enough I wanted to continue the series and to say I was pleasantly surprised, is a bit of an understatement. I enjoyed this more so than the last and I wasn't expecting it to go the direction it did. The fact that Lord Badewyn was a nephilim was a surprise. A good surprise and it gave hints letting you know he was something special but not revealing it outright. Meg is quite extraordinary, in the last book it showed her enough that I understood what kind of a person she is; in this one you come to realize just how stubborn the girl can be.

I love the flow in which Mia Marlowe writes, there is not a lot of action but she teases you with information to keep you intrigued so when the action does happen it's worth it. Huge fight scene at the end had me holding my breathe. Lest we not forget the unexpected humor. The seriousness of the story is broken up with a bit of comic relief that is well fitted with the story .



To snag the blurb from Goodreads.com:

  He vowed to never fall in love...
Meg Anthony was never raised a lady. Instead, she grew up amongst grifters who used her unique “finding” ability for their own selfish purposes. Recently, she's been taken under the wing of the Duke of Camden and the Order of M.U.S.E., learning not only the fine art of becoming a lady, but how to use her extraordinary talent to help others. 
But Meg's gift is a beacon to unsavory characters who would possess her.
 Charged with her protection, Lord Badewyn knows—too well—that his wild, Welsh castle is no safe haven for this lovely, all-too-desirable creature. Part human, part fallen angel, he is one of the Nephilim. He is a recluse sworn never to love. As the dangers to Meg grow more threatening, he cannot help but find himself tempted beyond all reason...and tested to see if he has both a heart and a soul.

Meg has had a hard time adjusting to being a lady. She likes it, but sometimes she feels like she will never really fit in and when her past comes rearing it's ugly head the Duke of Camden must send her away for her protection. To the wilds of Wales Meg travels to the reclusive Lord Badewyn's Faencaern Castle. Samuel is a tortured soul who has vowed to never marry and never fall in love. He knows that Camden's ward is coming to his castle for protection, but now he must protect the beautiful woman from his own past as well as hers. Meg and Samuel are two of the most stubborn people you will ever meet and Mia Marlowe said it best in her Author's Note:

Samuel and Meg are two of my favorites, probably because they both feel unworthy of love. What they don't realize, at first, is that no one is worthy. No one can be. Love is a gift we can deserve. It's a grace. When it comes to us, we should grasp it with both hands. And a thankful heart.
They are a great couple who fight themselves and each other as much as the antagonist in the story. But when everything comes together it is a beautiful story, very fairytale-ish. For those who have read the previous two, Camden finally gets his answers but only to reveal more questions.

RELEASE DAY BLITZ Beg Me by Jennifer Probst

 

SB_BegMe_Blitz

Today we are celebrating the release of BEG ME, the 4th novella in the Steele Brothers series. This is an adult erotic romance series, and each novella from the series is now available! Check out the links below for each book, and a giveaway for some signed books from Jennifer Probst!

  BegMe(final)

BEG ME (Steele Brothers, #4)

BEG ME Synopsis:

Remington Steele comes to Vegas to be with his brothers and try to get over the one woman he's never been able to forget. As childhood sweethearts, she hadn't been able to handle his Dominant tendencies, choosing to run away without a good-bye. But when he's suddenly face to face with Cara Winters, all grown up and finally ready to be his, Remington needs to make his own choice. To leave the past behind forever, or forgive and be with the woman he's always loved?

Cara wasn't ready to be the type of woman Remington needed in his life, so she disappeared and broke his heart. But she's changed, and is ready to embrace the woman she always craved to be. She begs him to take her for one night, and Remington finally agrees. Will they get a second chance at love, or are the scars from their past too deep to heal?

     
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OTHER BOOKS IN THE STEELE BROTHERS SERIES

CatchMe(Final)

CATCH ME (Steele Brothers, #1)

ON SALE NOW

CATCH ME Synopsis:

Rick Steele has avoided relationships since he caught his fiancée cheating, but when he’s talked into a one night stand through Madame Eve, he’s not prepared for his emotional and physical reaction to his date. Tara shows him a raw passion and honesty he’s never encountered. For the first time, Rick wants more than one night, but he needs to catch her first... Tara Denton escaped a brutal past and needs one night with a stranger to get beyond her sexual and emotional limitations. On the brink of recovering her strength and independence, she wants nothing to do with a relationship. But Rick Steele does more than rock her body…he rocks her heart. Tara has to make a choice, but is she ready to get caught?
  PLAYMe(Final)

PLAY ME (Steele Brothers, #2)

ON SALE NOW

PLAY ME Synopsis:

Professional gambler Sloane Keller is tired of dating weak willed men and longs to meet a man who challenges her dominant personality and forces her to submit. As the Queen of Cards, she’s used to making her own rules and craves the excitement of Vegas. But her inner heart cries out for someone who can be her match, both inside the casino and in the bedroom. As the new dealer in town, Roman Steele is burnt out on women looking for a quick penny and a man to follow. He craves a woman with fire in her soul and a keen intellect who can challenge him. When his brother recruits Madame Eve to help, Rome is amazed at the complicated woman he gets to spend the night with. But when the evening is over, will she be gutsy enough to offer him forever?
  DAREMe(Final)

DARE ME (Steele Brothers, #3)
DARE ME Synopsis: As a military leader back from the war, and the youngest of his two dominant older brothers, Rafe Steele struggles with a secret. He craves surrender in the bedroom under the controlled hands of a Dominatrix. When his brothers offer him an experience through the exclusive agency, FANTA-C, he jumps at the chance to experience one perfect night. After one experiment, he’s sure he’ll be able to move on. But he never counted on Summer Preston to strip down his walls and make him want more so much more... An elementary school teacher with a girl next door, fresh face, Summer is constantly barraged by men who want to take care of her, but she longs to meet a strong man who can handle her dominant ways in the bedroom. Trapped in her own storybook life, she books a one-night stand to finally experience her fantasy. But she never counted on Rafe Steele to push her boundaries in both the bedroom...and her heart.




   SB_WEEKS_5

PURCHASE NOW!

BEG ME (Steele Brothers series, #4)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

BEGME_Teaser3

 

PURCHASE THE REST OF THE SERIES NOW

CATCH ME (Steele Brothers series, #1)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

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PLAY ME (Steele Brothers series, #2)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

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DARE ME (Steele Brothers series, #3)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo





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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Jennifer Probst

Jennifer Probst - Bio: Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean. She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon's Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Saturday, November 14, 2015

WHO'S YOUR HOLIDAY HERO: ARC REVIEWS

A Silver Wolf Christmas is book 17 in the Heart of  the Wolf Universe written by Terry Spear. Amazingly this is the first book of hers I have ever read and now I'm sad that I have been missing this series. I feel like I have been missing out on it and really want to read the series in it's entirety, but this book is just fine to be read as a stand alone, I'm just one of those that hates reading the series out of order.

C.J. Silver is such a sweet guy, he was already head over heals for Laurel he just has to wait until she is read for his courtship. Laurel MacTire and her sisters are there for a reason, they love buying and restoring old buildings but that's not the only reason. But for the first time the MacTire sisters are in a pack they are slowly learning the dynamics of living in a pack and two out of three of them are ready to settle down. Laurel, however, is scared that after they learn the real reason they is there the pack will turn on them.

But when things start to happen right before the grand opening for the Inn the alpha of the pack assigned C.J. to help protect the sisters and their Inn. The ghost stories and the appearance of "ghost hunters" just complicates everything. The more time C.J. and Laurel spend together the harder it is for Laurel to keep from liking him. Now the pack is making bets to see when the mating will happen.

Overall, this was a good read. It was exciting and sweet. It is a very good ghost story mystery.



 A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas by Kim Redford is the quintessential Christmas story that I would expect to see as a Hallmark movie. Trey Duval is perfect, I'm not kidding, he practically has no flaws! He runs his family's ranch and he's a volunteer firefighter, everyone likes him and he gets along with everybody. He's not dark and brooding, he has a great family no deep dark past, he is a happy guy. It's almost annoying. (lol) Misty Reynolds, however, isn't. Misty had a tough childhood, lost both her parents at Christmas and was raised by an aunt and she hates Christmas. Misty is a troubleshooter she is great at figuring out puzzles and unraveling a mystery. Her latest job is to investigate the rash of fires happening in the little town north of DFW, Wildcat Bluff, that is well known for it's Christmas Tree farms.

Misty is visiting the quaint town under the guise of being on a well needed vacation but on her way in she is immediately pulled into the the problem front and center. Trey flags down Misty's car to help him put out a brush fire that if it gets out of hand can take out the entire town. Trey immediately dubs her the Christmas Angel and falls head over heals for her. Wildcat Bluff is Christmas crazy, and it takes Misty by surprise and she has to fight off a panic attack just by being their. But Trey has a soothing quality about him and soon Misty is finding herself at home in Wildcat Bluff and with Trey.

Overall, aside from Trey being annoyingly perfect, it had a (to me) a predictable mystery. But I loved the small town dynamics and the characters are a hoot.



It's a Twofer! Samantha Chase brings together her two Christmas Cottage books The Christmas Cottage and Ever After. I loved both of these. I must find more Samantha Chase. The writing style and the storyline and characters are all great.

 The Callahan family has had the Christmas Cottage in it's family for generations, and it is said that if you have your wedding night there on Christmas Eve you are destined to have a happy and healthy marriage. Ava grew up with these stories and now that she is engaged she is determined to have her wedding night there and it must be perfect. Ava charges her best friend and maid of honor, Lacey, and the best man with the job of making sure the place is perfect. Ava's fiancee suddenly had a falling out with his best man and the replacement is Ava's older brother Ean. Lacey has been in love with Ean since she was a kid but on the night of her graduation she kisses Ean and messed everything up. 

Ean Callahan had a lot to prove to himself he was the nerdy guy not the popular guy. He reacted badly when Lacey kissed him and as a result avoided her at all costs, unfortunately, Lacey is very close to his family and he ended up avoiding them also. Now years later he's all grown up and very successful he is need of a vacation. He goes up to the family cabin for some R&R before the holidays and his sister's wedding. To his surprise Lacey is up at the Christmas Cottage and a sudden blizzard traps Lacey and Ean in the Christmas Cottage over the weekend. Trapped together they finally reveal everything they left in the past and became romantically involved. 

But when they get back to real life emotions are complicated and with the promise to keep everything quiet because Ava is extremely superstitious about the cottage. 

  
Ever After takes place almost a year later, Lacey and Ean are happily married and Ava is alone. She is carrying on with her life ready like normal until one day Brian McCabe shows up in her life. Brian is the best friend of Ava's former fiancee, Mason, and the whole reason for the falling out is that he fell in love with Ava. Ava is hesitant especially since he is best friends with Mason. But with Ava and Mason talk and they have a double date, Mason with his new fiance and Ava with Brian. Brian courts Ava so sweetly, I almost think he is too good for for her. Ava still has one major character flaw and that she is obsessed with the damn cottage, not even the events of the last book change her mind. She gets so bad with her obsession in this story that she ruins probably the best thing that has ever happened to her, Brian. 

Overall, The Christmas Cottage if you can get past Ava the bridezilla, it's a nice Christmas romance for Lacey and Ean. Ever After if you can get past Ava acting like a spoiled brat with her head stuck in the clouds is a really sweet romance.

WHO'S YOUR HOLIDAY HERO?






Title: A Silver Wolf Christmas
Author: Terry Spear
Series: Silver Town Wolves, #5
Pubdate: October 6th, 2015
ISBN: 9781492609506

IT’S A SILVER TOWN CHRISTMAS, AND THE WOLVES ARE READY TO HOWL

CJ Silver and his brothers have returned to Silver Town eager to reconnect with the pack. And with the she-wolf newcomers renovating the old Victorian Silver Town Hotel, it looks like the holidays are going to be very merry indeed.

Laurel MacTire and her sisters are excited to be living in a wolf-run town, but they have another motive— to solve the fifty-year-old mystery of their aunt’s disappearance. When CJ gets a whiff of trouble brewing, his protective instincts kick in—now Laurel has a hotel opening to prepare for, a mystery to solve, and a brawny wolf shifter underfoot. Perhaps she should have resisted the temptation to kiss him so wickedly in the snow.

USA Today bestselling author Terry Spear has written over fifty paranormal and medieval Highland historical romances. In 2008 Heart of the Wolf was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. A retired officer of the U.S. Army Reserves, Terry also creates award-winning teddy bears that have found homes all over the world and is raising two Havanese puppies. She lives in Crawford, Texas.


Buy Links:
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1gNEQ4j
Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1R2JYy6




 







Title: Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas
Author: Kim Redford
Series: Smokin’ Hot Cowboys, #1
Pubdate: October 6th, 2015
ISBN: 9781492621478

Warm up this Christmas with a sexy cowboy firefighter who knows how to ignite flames as well as put them out…

He’s hotter than a wildfire
Trey Duval is a rancher, proud as can be of his Wildcat Ranch. He’s also the top volunteer firefighter of Wildcat Bluff, Texas, the town that pulls out all the stops for its Christmas festivities.

City girl Misty Reynolds comes to Wildcat Bluff just in time to help Trey put out a suspicious fire, leading him to dub her his “Christmas angel.” Unfortunately, Misty’s past has left her with terrible memories of fire, and of Christmastime.

As the two are thrown together again and again, Trey finds himself wanting Misty more and more, and Misty feels stronger and braver when Trey is around. Though their trust grows slowly, their passion for each other is burning hot…

Kim Redford draws her inspiration from a Texas lifestyle of cowboys, cowgirls, horses, cattle, rodeos and small towns to create her bestselling novels. When she’s not writing steamy romances, she’s a rescue cat wrangler and a horseback rider. She divides her time between Texas and Oklahoma. A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas is first in her Smokin’ Hot Cowboys series with Blazing Hot Texas Cowboy coming soon. Visit her at www.kimredford.com.


Buy Links:
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1jeh6Im






Title: The Christmas Cottage/Ever After
Author: Samantha Chase
Pubdate: October 6th, 2015
ISBN: 9781492622598

Legend has it that any couple who spends the night in the Christmas Cottage shall have love everlasting...

THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE
Lacey Quinn does not believe in happily-ever-after or the legend of the Christmas Cottage. But her best friend does, and she’s the one getting married. It’s Lacey’s job to make sure everything at the cottage is perfect for the newlyweds. Instead, she finds herself snowed in with the best man, and she begins to wonder if fairy tales really can come true.

EVER AFTER
Ava Callahan wants desperately to believe in love everlasting. But when Brian McCabe walks back into her life and upsets her carefully organized world, her commitment to perfection makes it hard to accept the love that’s right in front of her. Will it take a night in the Christmas Cottage for Ava and Brian to find their happy ending?

New York Times and USA Today bestseller Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan's Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her forties to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Teaching creative writing to students from elementary through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams motivated Samantha to take that step as well. Stay With Me (Montgomery Brothers book 3) hit the USA Today bestseller list upon its debut. Catering to the CEO was included in the romance bundle Loving the CEO, a five-book package that made the New York Times and the USA Today bestseller lists. In March 2013, The Christmas Cottage was nominated for two Indie Romance Convention Awards—Best Indie Romance Novella and Best Indie Contemporary Romance—while Samantha was nominated for Indie Author of the Year. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, blogging, playing Scrabble on Facebook, and spending time with her husband of twenty-four years and their two sons in North Carolina.


Buy Links:
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1FLxqdU
Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1Pl4Thl










Thursday, November 12, 2015

ARC REVIEW Getting Lucky by Stacy Finz

Getting Lucky book 5 in Stacy Finz's Nugget California series. This book was funny, aggravating, sweetly romantic and everything I've come to expect from Stacy Finz. Lucky starts off the book a complete moron. Blinded by first love and a fantasy that could never be. He has worked hard to be the best and to prove he isn't trash. Tawny is a strong woman, she has to be, she's been alone for most of her life. She has struggled with a sick father and then a sick child she has worked hard to be the best boot maker around. Lucky is so oblivious and obnoxious at the start but halfway through you start to see him change. Tawny is a hard sell though, when the truth finally does smack Lucky in the face Tawny is still hesitant; once burned twice shy.

Years ago Lucky left Nugget suddenly to avoid scandal. Lucky has been in love with Raylene for just about ever. He knows the dark truth about the family and even though Raylene didn't contradict her father when he accused Lucky of raping Raylene, when in fact they had been sexually active for years behind her boyfriend's back. Lucky was torn up, and in a fit of depression and misery he confided in the first person he came across little Thelma who had to drop out of school to take care of her father and unbeknownst to Lucky worshipped him from afar. Overly emotional and drunk one thing lead to another and  Lucky and Thelma had a one night stand.

Ten years has past and Lucky is back, he has made a name for himself in the rodeo circuit and now he's back home and ready to settle down, especially now since Raylene is divorcing her husband. Raylene didn't waste time pulling Lucky back into her web. The only things that could make Lucky happier is his cowboy camp construction finishing and Raylene bringing their relationship out into the open. But everything changes when Tawny shows up on his doorstep asking him to donate stem cells for the sick daughter he never knew he had. Thelma, now Tawny, found out she was pregnant and never able to get ahold of Lucky, and with all the crap he left behind she didn't want him to come back and ruin everything he worked hard to change; she didn't even tell his mother.

Katie is nine years old and is living with acute myeloid leukemia, she has already gone through chemotherapy and radiation, her only change is to find a stem cell donor that matches her HLA antigens. Tawny has done the best she can for her daughter and she really didn't have any other choice but to tell Lucky about his daughter and hope he is a donor match. The more time Lucky spends with his daughter the more he falls in love with her and with Tawny also. Tawny is more wary this time around even though she has never stopped loving Lucky.

Lucky isn't so lucky, Raylene's father is still out to get him and ruin Lucky's hard work. Also Lucky finds out the crew he hired to do the construction work on his cowboy camp is dealing drugs and rustling cattle on the side. Lucky is forced to work with police to get the evidence they need for arrest and things get messier when one of the workers is murdered by Raylene's father.

Overall, this book has action, emotion, laughs; everything I look for in a good book. Getting Lucky is definitely one of the better ones in the series.      

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

ARC REVIEW A Talent for Trickery by Alissa Johnson

A beautiful cover for a great book. I can't wait for the other books in this series the characters are all memorable and I know the rest of the Walker Family is going to have exciting tales to read. I loved the way this book was written; how the story played out. Charlotte Walker has been through so much in her life, growing up she was taught the tricks of the thief by her father and when she thought she left it all behind her she experiences the bruised emotions of first love and the misguided love for her father. Owen Renderwell was awarded his viscountcy for saving the life of a kidnapped Duchess, he is the renowned "Thief Taker". Earning his title has made his life any easier he left the Scotland Yard and started in the private sector.

Eight years has passed since Owen used the help of an infamous thief and his beautiful and brilliant daughter to crack the codes other thieves and and track down the missing jewels and kidnapping of a duchess. Owen had previously caught William Walker red handed and offered him the choice help or go to prison; because of his three children he choose to help. Also willing to help is William's eldest daughter Charlotte. In the end William ended up dead Charlotte and her two siblings changed their last name and retired to the country. Lottie and Esther to protect their little brother, Peter, have lied to him about who their father was. Lottie always blamed Owen for what happened and thought that her father should have been exonerated and forgiven for what he has done and remembered for the good he was trying to do when he died. But there is a side to the story that Lottie never considered and that was Owen's. He tried but she never let him explain and now that Owen is back asking for a favor Lottie must come to grips with her feelings and the truth of what happened. Now Owen is back and a string of thiefs and one murder has him asking Lottie for help. An encoded letter has been left at every scene of the crime and only the ingenuity of Lottie can figure it out.

It's a tangled web of lies, secrets and manipulation that pull this story along in an exciting and fun easy read. It's a very subtle easy flowing storyline, and I must concur with another review who stated it was reminiscent of early Amanda Quick books.        

ARC REVIEW The Reluctant Duchess by Sharon Cullen

The Reluctant Duchess is an enjoyable read. I really liked this one. It has mystery, scandal, and romance. It's an exciting story with an unsolved murder, threatening letters with a love story between two unexpecting people. Sara Emerson is a shy and reserved Lady, who let her cousin's vivacious attitude outshine Sara's own beauty. Gabriel Ferguson, the Duke of Rossmoyne, was once engaged to Meredith Emerson but she was murdered in a horrible fashion two years ago. Gabriel and Meredith's engagement was the talk of the town and her murder was shocking, there were no clues to who could do this.

Two years after the death after her cousin, Meredith, Sara started to receive letters, strange letters from an unknown person claiming he knew Meredith and claims that he was there when she died. The only person Sara can think of to help is Meredith's fiancee, Gabriel Ferguson. Gabriel didn't recognize Sara when he first saw her and when he saw her he felt something he has never felt before. Gabriel never really saw Sara when Meredith was around he just thought her as plain. Now that she is out of the shadows of her cousin, Sara has her chance to shine and Gabriel wants her to shine; for him. Sarah however hates to be the center of attention.

Sara has convinced Gabriel to keep her in the loop and to let her help and in return Sara agrees to stay at his residence, with his mother as a chaperone. Gabriel's mother makes it very obvious to Gabriel that he isn't good enough for Sara, and vise versa to Sara which is fine because Sara doesn't think she could be a good Duchess with her dislike of anything social. But the more time Sara and Gabriel spend together the more they realize they are perfect for each other. Sara keeps getting letter that are escalating to the point of threatening and with the help of a young boy and the original investigator they help track down the man behind the letters and the murder of Meredith, but not before he kidnaps Sara.

Overall, this was a fun read.