Thursday, December 22, 2016

ARC REVIEW Chase by Sidney Bristol

Book three of Sidney Bristol's Hot Rides series has us falling in love with Gabe and Nikki. This is a second  chance love story, Nikki and Gabe originally meet years ago when she was assigned as his handler for his undercover work. They fell in love but when a case went wrong he left the FBI now he is working with the contracted undercover team of racers and gear heads at Classic Rides. Nikki wanted the job as temporary handler for the Classic Rides team she has a case and needs their help with it. The new case is finding a homegrown terrorist, a militant group using disabled veterans, manipulating them, blackmailing them into trying to overthrow the government and the mad man behind the whole thing wants to start by setting off bombs somewhere in a well populated place in the Miami/Dade county area. Nikki needs this case to go right so she can get her own little project green lighted by the higher ups.  

The relationship between Nikki and Gabe almost seemed like it picked up where they left off, as soon as they talked about what went wrong and and where they both made mistakes they were in love again. The sexual tension between them was really good and it lead up to something really hot but it just was lacking in comparison to the suspense and action part of the story. The story starts out kind slow as they are trying to find leads but it all comes to a huge intense climatic conclusion.

Overall another great story and I can not wait for the next one.

ARC REVIEW The Gamer and the Geek by Sidney Bristol

It's no secret that I love this author. She is diverse and not just because she writes multiracial romance but she is diverse in her writing style from romantic suspense to rom com geeky romance to BDSM erotica but she also varied in those. It's not just the stereotypical geek but all types of geeks. Like this book you can assume by the title (just the title not the blurb) that gamer means video gamer, but you would be wrong in this case Sidney Bristol delves into what she knows and is passionate about herself board games. I know nothing about board games, I kind of suck at them, so this was informative to read about all the boardgame intricacies and the two main styles of them and all the details Sidney went into about the boardgame world; just enough to be interesting but not too much detail that it overwhelms the book. Rashae and Declan are combustible from the sexual tension to their dialogue they are really close to being my favorite couple of the Gone Geek series.

Rashae is finally getting the chance to branch out into the board game world and show off her art in that field. The only roadblock is that the creators know nothing about about the industry and are nitpicking everything the only one who seems to be on her side is the sexy Irish campaign manager Declan. Rashae and Declan are hesitant to start a relationship because they are working with each other but after spending time together and really getting to know each other they both realize they are falling for each other. Rashae is about ready to put her heart on the line when everything they have been working for with the to board game developers blows up and it is going to take quite a bit for Declan to prove to Rashae that he had nothing to do with it.

Overall, this was another great book from Sidney Bristol.    

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

ARC REVIEW It Must Be Christmas: Three Holiday Stories

It Must Be Christmas is three stories that range from tame to hot! Jennifer Crusie bring Hot Toy, one I had the pleasure to read last year and loved. Donna Alward introduces me to Jewell Cove and Christmas at Seashell Cottage and finally another book I enjoyed last year Mandy Baxter's Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher.

Hot Toy: Jennifer Crusie

This is a short and fun Christmas short story that at first starts off like Jingle all the Way, but quickly turns into something so much more. Trudy is trying to be the best aunt ever and make sure her nephew gets the toy he wants for Christmas. Only the action figure he wants is impossible to find, and the one she does find throws her into a big mess with spies and lies and gun fights. Now this is a fluff piece, but man do I love a good piece of fluff every now and then. It is more of a comedy with a budding romance then a Christmas Romance but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Christmas at Seashell Cottage: Donna Alward

A first for me and I adored it. It was a semi sweet semi hot romance between the town's new doctor, Charlie Yang and former NAVY SEAL, Dave Ricker, who's trying to find a place for himself in civilian life and his daughter's life. They are brought together when a newborn baby is left in the manger at the church's nativity scene. Charlie unwilling to let the baby go into foster care at Christmas decides to take the responsibility until CPS can organize a proper place. Charlie is longing for a place to belong she feels that after a lifetime of emotionally distant parents that she'll never find someone or fit in in the small town. Dave is just trying to find a place in his daughter's life without interfering with his ex's new husband and their life. Dave has never had an emotional attachment to anyone and doesn't realize that he is in love with the beautiful and caring doctor. A really good short romance and I enjoyed this so much.

Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher: Mandy Baxter

This was a cute romance, naughty, but it really tugged at my heartstrings. I'm always glad when the contents of the book aren't as cliche as the title of the book.  Nate is a reluctant billionaire, and kind of insecure because of how his father treated him he left home and vowed never to have anything to do with his father, his money or his company ever again but the will his father left left him the majority of everything he didn't want. Chloe is a strong woman but a bleeding heart. Chloe was just initially going to hit up Nate for a donation for her charity if she doesn't get the money she needs by the end of the year she loses everything, but after one night with him she was in love and their was no way she was going to ask him for the money now. Nate hates gold diggers just as much as he hates his father's money, but time with Chloe has him rethinking everything. Nate's insecurities just might get in the way of his HEA with Chloe.

ARC REVIEW The Dollmaker by Mary Burton

Mary Burton does it again, she creeped me out and had me fall in love. Sadly I missed the release of The Shark the first book in the Forgotten Files series but worry not it was not necessary to read it to read this one.

Firstly the romance aspect of the story was probably the easiest part of the story, Tessa and Dakota have been estranged for about half of their marriage. Tessa was best friends with Dakota's little sister who was murdered in college and it was never solved. Tessa and Dakota didn't met up again until years later and then had a whirlwind romance and quickly got married, but after being married for some time and a very difficult case that hit a little too close to home for police detective Dakota they started having issues. Not knowing what to do Tessa give an ultimatum, and when Dakota doesn't give in she leaves for Vietnam, identifying the soldiers in unmarked graves. But after eight months Tessa realizes what went wrong and is back and wants to start over with Dakota. Dakota is scared that Tessa will just leave again like she did last time. he isn't good about showing his emotions or anything and as much as he loves Tessa he's scared he'll get hurt again.

Now the good part, someone has been kidnapping woman and keeping them until finally kills them and he leaves them in a place they will be easily found but they are tattooed and dressed up to look like dolls. It's sick and twisted in it's own right but Tessa makes the connection that the victims were all connected and that she falls into that connection. With Tessa at risk Dakota steps up and does everything he possible can to protect her. The more they try to find out about The Dollmaker they more they discover that it goes farther back than they think.

Overall, Mary Burton is quickly becoming my go-to author for creepy and intense suspense with a touch of romance. I know I talked a bunch about the romance but I didn't want to spoil to much about the serial killer. This was a great one and I can't wait for more.  

ARC REVIEW The Jekyll Revelation by Robert Masello

I've always loved the story of Jekyll and Hyde and this was a fantastic interpretation of the story. Interweaving Hyde, Jack the Ripper, and the real life of Robert Lewis Stevenson. The back and forth jumping from modern times to Victorian times, from the third person POV of environmental scientist, Rafael Salazar, to the first person journal of Stevenson, it was an outstanding concept and as annoying as it got sometimes with the mini cliffhangers at the end of the chapters it was a really good read. As slow as it was at times it made up for it by the intense situations the characters got into, a good almost horror suspense.

It all start with a foreboding open chapter from the journal of Stevenson telling that something followed him from London, something he thought he left far behind. The next chapter jumps to modern day California Topanga county and Rafael tracking the coyotes the has been researching and documenting. It also introduces the trouble makers that make Rafael's life hell and the woman he can't stop thinking about. The Stevenson journal entries follow him from the time he visits a doctor in the mountains of the Alps to try and cure or control his tuberculosis. The treatments are unconventional and Stevenson ends up suffering from some unusual side effects. Rafael's side of the story just spans a few weeks it follows him from the discovery of an old trunk full of a noxious smell, a set of gentleman's Victorian suit, a flask, and an old journal. As Rafael reads the journal he finds out the startling truth behind Jack the Ripper and the real story of Mr. Hyde. And with every other chapter the reader also slowly discovers the truth.

Overall, this was a great read and if you can stand the slow progression of the story and the back and forth POV it really pays off in the end.      

ARC REVIEW Immortal Writers by Jill Bowers

It takes a very intriguing blurb for me to pick a young adult to read and review. The premise was very interesting and very much reminded me of League of Extraordinary Gentleman. The main character, Liz, is a young author whose book series hit it big, like Harry Potter big. As a result the magic in her words became real and she became an Immortal Writer. Her characters came to life, her villain and his angry horde of dragons included. Liz is 19 years old and while that would technically make this a new adult the simplistic writing style and ease of reading makes this more aimed for the younger side of young adult. I think my kids would enjoy this. I enjoyed it the same way I enjoyed Eragon, it's not something I normally read but I enjoyed reading it. Curtis as the hero seemed a little one dimensional, the fact that the book is in Liz's POV takes away from character development of the other characters, you only see things as Liz sees it and you don't get any insight to the other characters beyond that. The book was good the plot was great the romance between Liz and Curtis was obvious and a give in she wrote the perfect man for her and she was already in love with him before she meet the actual man.

Liz is exhausted, she just got done with her book tour and all she wants to do is go to sleep, but Shakespeare has something else planned. William Shakespeare the original Immortal Writer has brought Liz into the fold before her time because her creation is on the loose and has almost gained enough power to expose the living literary world to the real world. Curtis has to train Liz how to fight dragons and Healer teaches her how to use the magic all so she can defeat Kendric. There is lots of action that's broken up with scenes that set up motive and Liz's background and Kendric's background. It all leads to a very exciting climactic conclusion. I liked the interpretation of the other famous authors it was nice to see how someone might view them in a modern setting.

Overall it was a nice and easy read, there is going to be another another book in the series and what I'm liking is that it's not centering around Liz but that of another author.          

Saturday, December 10, 2016

FOREVER HOLIDAY BLOG TOUR REVIEWS


Full disclosure, I've never read Debbie Mason before. I'm glad I was able to find this series at the first book because it does look like it's going to be a great series, it has a great introduction to all the characters and the town but especially the Widow's Club. Romance, Christmas, a wedding, a mischievous ghost, and a equally mischievous cat; top all that off with a deep secret that has everyone looking for a lost diary.

The romance was perfect because Sophie and Liam have always loved each other but never thought the other was interested. Sophie after graduation suddenly left Harmony Harbor she stayed way for years until disaster struck and she had no other option except to go back home and move in with her Grandmother. She didn't come back alone she has a young daughter with her, a young daughter that does not speak. Sophie is working hard to find her place back in the small town and avoid Liam.

Liam moved from Harmony Harbor and went to work as a Firefighter in Boston but when he lost his best friend in a fire and injured himself he went back home to recuperate and deal with his PTSD. His father the chief of HHFD asks him to help out in town and Liam's chief back in BFD agrees that it might be better to get back in a small town setting rather than back in Boston. Liam hesitant at first soon accepts it especially because Sophie is back in town and the attraction is stronger than ever not to mention he has found a kindred spirit with her daughter.

Sophie doesn't want to get involved with Liam, she knows he plans on going back to Boston, and the fact that she's hiding something from everyone that just might make her an outcast in the towns eyes and Liam might not like it. But the friendly ghost that recently started haunting the house is set to make everything as it should be.

Overall, a really enjoyable and Debbie Mason has a wonderful active setting, the entire town and their inhabitants are very likeable, and relatable. I look forward to the series.

    
 This is a new one for me, I haven't read Olivia Miles before and with this being book 5 of the Briar Creek series I thought I would get lost in the characters and the setting but nope it can be read as a standalone. The main focus was on the two main characters and what was happening with them with a few side notes from another character which is setting up for her own book. This was an absolutely adorable book. I love books like this because it plays out in my head like a Hallmark Christmas movie. You have the typical grinch type character Nate and a Christmas angel Kara, opposites attract I love it.

Kara is doing something she has dreamed of doing, she has set up a cookie bakery in town and is now trying to prove to the whole town, especially her own mother, that she is not a fickle and that she will stick with it. Her biggest fear is failing, not only because will she lose something near and dear to her but it will prove the town right. In Kara desire to prove herself she has over working herself for the Christmas holiday, between the everyday workings she has special order gingerbread houses, cookies order for her mother's ballet recital,  and a massive order of cookies for the food drive for the needy families in the area.

Nate is only visiting Briar Creek because he felt guilty for sending his parents on a cruise when they had originally to visit his aunt. His Aunt Maggie runs the inn and is getting on in the years Nate agreed to visit and help out around the inn. Coming from a poor background he worked hard to make a lot of money, he's also very good at what he does. Christmas was never a good memory for him and he grew up resentful because it was never a special time for him with his family. But the little town of Briar Creek and a certain cookie maker has him rethinking everything about his life.

Overall, this is probably one of my top favorite Christmas novels for the year. It made me cry and fill my heart with joy. It's a great story for getting in the Christmas spirit and for a lovely romance.

 
 This was probably my least favorite for this year, I still enjoyed the premise of the story but I really didn't like the romance or half the characters. The majority of the book David is still in love with his dead wife and is being very obtuse about Willow, he's down right hateful to her because she is making him feel something he should only be feeling for his wife. The majority of the Lyndon family were pompous, stuck-up, and hateful. Willow I liked, she did what she knew was right and is being punished for it, but she's not going to back down. She goes back home to fulfil the dream of her best friend who died unexpectedly the year before. She only has to convince her bestfriend's husband to let her and give her the chance to buy it from him. David hates the Inn he inherited from his wife, he blames her death on the Inn and he can't wait to sell the thing. When Willow comes back into town and makes him feel things he hasn't felt for anyone but his wife and asks that he open the Inn again for his cousin's high profile wedding and give her the chance to buy it he's doubtful, but Willow also has a special connection with his daughter, and seeing her work with his daughter and the society that is shunning her he starts to have doubts about everything he thought he wanted.


 
I have previously reviewed this book look here for the review





I have previously reviewed this book look here for the review


Thursday, December 8, 2016

HOLIDAY BLOG TOUR Forever Romance's Christmas Romances

Forever’s Holiday Celebration Blog Tour

‘Tis the season to celebrate! Five of Forever’s authors with brand new Christmas romances are sharing their favorite holiday recipes and memories.

CAROLYN BROWN’S PUMPKIN BREAD

Kids, grand children, great-grands, all coming home for the holidays—the aroma of pumpkin bread baking in the oven—everyone waiting for it to get done so they can slice it up while it’s still hot, slather butter or whipped cream cheese on it, and tell the age old stories about the holidays we’ve had in the house. That’s the stuff memories are made off and every time I smell pumpkin bread it puts a smile on my face for the whole day.

PUMPKIN BREAD
This makes 2 loaves and 8 muffins; Or it makes one Bundt cake

½ cup butter
½ cup shortening
2 2/3 cups of sugar
4 eggs
2 cups canned pumpkin (one 15-16 ounce can)
3 ½ cups flour
1½ teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons soda
1 cup pecans (optional)
2/3 cup of cold strong black coffee
(NOTE: I use all butter if I’m out of shortening or even oil)

1.     Cream first four ingredients.
2.     Add canned pumpkin.
3.     Add dry ingredients alternately with coffee
4.     Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour for loaves or bundt cake, 25 minutes for muffins, or until they test done in the center.
5.     Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan.
6.     Cool completely before frosting with Harvest Moon Frosting (below).
HARVEST MOON FROSTING
3 egg whites
1½ cups brown sugar
6 tablespoons water
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients except vanilla in a double boiler. Cook 7 minutes, beating the whole time with an electric mixer, over the boiling water.  The frosting will stand in peaks when done. Add vanilla.  Beat until thick enough to spread.



Find out more about Carolyn Brown at her website.

PAULA QUINN’S CHRISTAS COOKIES

My dad used to live across the street from us. Every year, when my
kids were little, he would dress up like Santa, climb out his window
on the second floor, and hang Christmas lights on his fire escape. My
kids would watch from our window with wonder in their eyes, unaware
that it was grandpa. He would turn and wave to them, sending them into
little fits of breathlessness. Later, we would visit grandma and
grandpa’s for homemade cookies (left there for them by Santa). The
house was always fully decked out with every Christmas decoration
imaginable with Alvin and the Chipmunks on repeat while the kids
hunted down little “pre-Christmas” gifts he’d hide for them. I loved
witnessing the magic of Christmas and love through their eyes. Now
grown, my kids will sometimes still look out the window at his fire
escape and smile, remembering a grandpa who loved them beyond measure.



GRANDPA’S CHRISTMAS COOKIES (A favored Italian recipe)

4 eggs

1 cup sugar

½ cup butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

3½ cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder


1.     Sift dry ingredients.
2.     Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs; add
vanilla and dry ingredients.
3.     Knead and add flour as needed to keep dough from sticking to hands.

4.     Pinch off dough, roll in your hands to form a log and then twirl into
shape.
5.     Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes.

ICING
2 cups sifted confectioner’s sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 teaspoons water

Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl.  Stir until creamy. Dip cookies into icing and sprinkle with trim. Place on wire rack with wax paper on counter to collect the dripping icing and sprinkles.



Find out more about Paula Quinn at her website.


DEBBIE MASON TREE TRIMMING PARTY

One of my family’s favorite holiday traditions is our tree trimming party. We’ve held one every year for the past thirty years. Though I don’t know if it qualifies as a party seeing as it’s just the immediate family. But we do make a thing of it with our favorite carols playing in the background, fire on (mostly for ambience), hot chocolate served in festive mugs, lots of holiday treats, and a special ornament for each of the kids and grandkids to open before the tree decorating gets under way.


But I think the most fun for all of us isn’t decorating the tree, it’s unpacking the ornaments. I’ve always tried to buy an ornament that’s uniquely suited to each of the kids, whether it was a sport they were into that year or a movie, book, or hobby they loved, so unwrapping each one brings back a lot of special memories. Here’s a peek at just some of the collection. I don’t think it will be long before we have to break from tradition and let the kids take some of the ornaments home to decorate their own trees. Either that or we’ll have to put up another tree.



And this one in my office doesn’t countJ Every year, my family gifts me with an ornament too. This year they gave me these three adorable oranaments to celebrate the release of the first book in the new Harmony Harbor series, MISTLETOE COTTAGE, and the short story, CHRISTMAS WITH AN ANGEL.



Find out more about Debbie Mason at her website.


HOPE RAMSAY’S GINGERBREAD COOKIES

Every year for the last quarter-century, or possibly longer, I have set aside the Saturday closest to Christmas to bake gingerbread cookies with my children, and now, with my grandchildren.   These are the only cookies I make at Christmas time, and the activity is more about family fun than turning out a perfect cookie.  Usually I do most of the rolling, cutting, and baking.  And the rest of the family does the decorating.

The magic is in the royal icing.  The white icing is a snap to make, and it can be divided up into small bowls and colored with food dye, creating pots of colored cookie paint.  I give each child (or adult) a watercolor paint brush and let them paint the icing onto the cookies.  The kids have a blast, and the cookies always come out looking wonderfully homemade. 

To me, cookie baking embodies everything I love about Christmas: kids, family, baking, and yummy desserts.



GINGERBREAD COOKIE DOUGH
Makes about 6 Dozen

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon Dutch cocoa powder
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter
1 cup superfine sugar
1 egg at room temperature
½ cup unsulphured molasses

1.     Whisk together the dry ingredients – flour cocoa, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, backing soda, and salt.
2.     Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.  Add the egg and molasses and beat thoroughly.
3.     On low speed, add the dry ingredients until thoroughly combined.
4.     Cut the dough into thirds, pat into disks, wrap in plastic and chill until firm – 2 hours or overnight.
5.     Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough about 1/16 inch thick and cut cookies with cookie cutters.  Transfer the cookies to an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake for about 10 minutes, until the edges of the cookie turn brown.
6.     Let cool on sheets and then transfer to a wire rack.  Decorate with royal icing.
ROYAL ICING
2 egg whites, at room temperature
1 pound confectioners sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ cup water

Using a mixer, place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat at high speed until fluffy, thick & shiny (about 10 minutes.)  Divide the icing into smaller bowls and color it using food coloring. 






Find out more about Hope Ramsay at her website.


OLIVIA MILES SNOWFLAKE COOKIES
In my newest release, CHRISTMAS COMES TO MAIN STREET, my heroine owns a cookie bakery. As this story takes place over the holidays, I thought hard about a signature cookie she might make, and eventually I settled on charming snowflake cookies. Of course these are not just any old cut out cookie, though. No, Kara makes them by the dozen, sure to keep each one in the batch distinct in shape and decoration, because no two snowflakes are ever the same, after all! And it’s these snowflake cookies that she delivers every day to the inn in Briar Creek…where a Christmas visitor falls in love with more than just her cookies.
I hope you all enjoy these snowflake cookies as much as Nate does! J
KARA’S SNOWFLAKE COOKIES (sugar cookie cut-out and royal icing recipes courtesy of Martha Stewart)
4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1.     Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.
2.     Put butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Gradually mix in flour mixture. Divide dough in half; flatten each half into a disk. Wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
3.     Preheat oven to 325 degrees with racks in upper and lower thirds. Let one disk of dough stand at room temperature just until soft enough to roll, about 10 minutes. Roll out dough between two pieces of plastic wrap to 1/4 inch thick. Remove top layer of plastic wrap. Cut out cookies. Transfer cookie dough on plastic wrap to a baking sheet. Transfer baking sheet to freezer, freeze until very firm, about 15 minutes. Remove baking sheet from freezer and transfer shapes to baking sheets lined with nonstick baking mats. Roll out scraps, and repeat. Repeat with remaining disk of dough.
4.     Bake, switching positions of sheets and rotating halfway through, until edges turn golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.
ROYAL ICING
2 large egg whites, or more to thin icing
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar, or more to thicken icing
Juice of 1 lemon
3 drops glycerin

Beat the whites until stiff but not dry. Add sugar, lemon juice and glycerin (if using); beat for 1 minute more. If icing is too thick, add more egg whites; if it is too thin, add more sugar. The icing may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Decorate each as you wish!


Find out more about Olivia Miles at her website.



Tuesday, December 6, 2016

RELEASE DAY God of Wine by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

 

God of Wine


Immortal Matchmakers, Inc. book #3

by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff, comes a new standalone Contemporary Romance. GOD OF WINE, Book #3, Immortal Matchmakers, Inc. Series (Standalone) CAN ROCK-HARD ABS SAVE THE WORLD? HE SURE THINKS SO Acan, the God of Wine and Intoxication, has been partying for over ten thousand years. And New Year’s Eve, when humans around the world succumb to his naturally occurring spike in powers, is his big night. Only this year, things are bit different. A plague is sweeping the immortal community, and he’s turning downright evil. All those New Year’s bashes will turn into bloodbaths if he doesn’t stop it. Sadly, the only known cure is finding a mate, and he is a giant, rude, beer-bellied mess. Definitely not husband material. But can a little gym-time and help from the pros at Immortal Matchmakers, Inc. turn him into a divine sex-machine? Absolutely! So watch out, ladies! The God of Wine is lookin’ for love. And he has absolutely no clue what he’s doing.



I didn't think that Mimi could make her books any hotter then she has... and then she wrote Acan. 


With the end of the world diverted and Cimil and Zac forced to play matchmaker before another impending apocalypse can destroy everything. One sign of the next apocalypse is role reversal, the bad guys turning good, well that's good but what's not good is the fact that the "good" (and I use that term loosely) Gods are turning evil. Zac is already hiding the fact that he's shifting and the hell he's raising with Tula wooooooo. Most importantly the party God himself is turning evil and with the power to influence millions of people at the same time the upcoming New Year's Eve party could be disastrous, unless Belch can find a woman. 

Margarita, I loved the smart mouth on that woman. I loved that she was in her forties! I loved that she was a mother and a business owner and had the body of a twenty year old due to her healthy living and workout lifestyle and most importantly the exact opposite of what Belch wanted in a woman. The hijinks that follow Belch and Margarita's first meeting are hysterical and dirty. I really like that Forgetty had more of an active role in this story and I'm really, really looking forward to her book. 

This book absolutely hysterical, dirty, and downright surprising.         




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About the Author

 
MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling romance author. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dream. Mimi lives with her Latin Lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and the rat terrier duo, Snowflake and Mini Me, in Arizona. She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men Sign up for Mimi’s mailing list for giveaways and new release news!

Immortal Match Makers, Book #1

Seven days to go from lethal immortal assassin to Prince Charming? Not likely. Demigod Andrus Gray may look like every woman’s dream, but when it comes to charm, he sees no point pretending: He has none and makes no apologies for it. Behaving nicely hasn’t made him the deadly assassin he is today. But is that really the reason he’s still single? The Goddess Cimil—owner of Immortal Matchmakers, Inc.—thinks yes. So when she foresees a mate in Andrus’s near future, she’s determined to make the match happen. That means hiring aspiring actress Sadie Townsend to help the barbarian “act” a little more civilized. But are seven days really enough? And why does the idea of seeing Sadie everyday excite him more than meeting his mate? (STAND ALONE NOVEL)

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Tommaso, Book #2

From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff… TOMMASO, Book #2, Immortal Matchmakers, Inc. Series SOMETIMES, HOT MEN CAN BE REAL MONSTERS… Tommaso Fierro is used to the finer things in life—nice suits, nice car, nice house. Okay, his past isn’t so nice, but that’s in the past. Or at least it was until he blacked out after meeting the woman of his dreams. Annnd possibly capturing her. Annnd possibly terrorizing her before she got away. Annnd discovering that he’s turning into a horrible creature he loathes with all his heart. Luckily, there’s a cure. Unluckily, it will require him to track this woman down and convince her to give him a second chance. But if he finds her, will she ever believe that he’s really not a monster? (STAND ALONE NOVEL)

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REALIZE BLAST Someone Like You by Lauren Layne


A man who’s living a lie—until his dream woman takes away the pain.


SOMEONE LIKE YOU
Oxford #3
Lauren Layne
Releasing Dec 6th, 2016
Loveswept


Lauren Layne’s bestselling Oxford Series continues with the poignant, heartwarming story of New York’s most eligible bachelor, Lincoln Mathis, a man who’s living a lie—until his dream woman takes away the pain.
 
Lincoln Mathis doesn’t hide his reputation as Manhattan’s ultimate playboy. In fact, he cultivates it. But behind every flirtatious smile, each provocative quip, there’s a secret that Lincoln’s hiding from even his closest friends—a tragedy from his past that holds his heart quietly captive. Lincoln knows what he wants: someone like Daisy Sinclair, the sassy, off-limits bridesmaid he can’t take his eyes off at his best friend’s wedding. He also knows that she’s everything he can never have.
 
After a devastating divorce, Daisy doesn’t need anyone to warn her off the charming best man at her sister’s wedding. One look at the breathtakingly hot Lincoln Mathis and she knows that he’s exactly the type of man she should avoid. But when Daisy stumbles upon Lincoln’s secret, she realizes there’s more to the charming playboy than meets the eye. And suddenly Daisy and Lincoln find their lives helplessly entwined in a journey that will either heal their damaged souls . . . or destroy them forever.



Advance praise for Someone Like You


“Fun and flirty, sassy and steamy, with a deep emotional pull that will keep you turning the pages.”—Kelly Jamieson, author of Top Shelf


“An unsung hero with a story that touched my heart. Emotional and gripping. A top favorite of 2016 for me.”New York Times bestselling author Melanie Moreland




I was almost scared that I wouldn't like Lincoln's story that it wouldn't live up to the hype of Lincoln.
I'm so glad it lived up to it's hype. Lincoln's story is as witty and heartwarming romance as the others and so much more, and Daisy OMG! I loved her. Daisy and Lincoln are kindred spirits. I don't have a better way to describe what they have. Lincoln's backstory is so heartbreaking and his issues that he keeps firmly placed between Daisy and himself are all in his own making he just has to move on and accept what his heart tells him not what his head thinks his heart should feel. Daisy has her own issues but her heart is more open to loving Lincoln.

Overall, it was a heartbreaking and heartwarming story and so full of Lauren Layne's trademark wit. I love these books and Lauren Layne's writing voice is fantastic and while we thought this would be the last book in the Oxford series two new characters are calling for a book of their own.  



“Lincoln, you know that I love you like a brother, but if you make a move on my sister, I will end you.” 
Lincoln Mathis took a slow sip of his cocktail as he studied the fierce bride-to-be. “I hope Cassidy knows how lucky he is. You’re so delicate and gentle.” 
Emma Sinclair, soon to be Emma Cassidy as of this time tomorrow, lifted one elegantly manicured fingernail and flicked his chest. “Promise, Lincoln. No hitting on Daisy.”
“I don’t hit on women.” 
Emma gave him a look.  
He held up his free hand in surrender. “I don’t. They come to me. I’m like the stamen.”
Emma stared at him with wide, slightly accusatory brown eyes. “The what?” 
“The stamen. The pollen-producing part of a flower, Sinclair. Don’t you watch the Discovery Channel? Animal Planet? I just saw a fascinating documentary on bees. See, when the bees land on a flower, their little feet pick up pollen from the stamen— “ 
“Mathis. Are you talking to my fiancée about semen?” Alex Cassidy asked, coming up beside Emma and setting a possessive hand on her waist. 
“Stamen,” Lincoln clarified. “Not semen. Honestly, is sex all you people think about?” 
“Yes.” This came from Riley Compton, a brunette bombshell whose status as New York’s foremost “sexpert” meant she had zero qualms about discussing sex at her best friend’s rehearsal dinner. “And you know, actually, the stamen is rather sexual. I saw that bee documentary too, because these are the sort of things you do when you’re nursing a never-satisfied baby, by the way, and the stamen is a flower’s male reproductive organ. Sexy, right?” 
Emma inserted the arm not holding her champagne flute between the two of them. “Guys, it’s my wedding weekend. Can we not talk about flower boners?” 
“Fair enough, Bride,” Lincoln said. “What do you want to talk about? Cassidy’s boner?” 
Alex Cassidy choked into his champagne. 
“There will be no boner discussion,” Emma said. “Lincoln and I were just having a chat about how Lincoln will be maintaining his distance from my sister.”  
“Speaking of flowers, where is Daisy?” Riley asked, scanning the room. 
“Running late. Knowing my sister, her dress had a slight crease from the suitcase, and she won’t make an appearance until every wrinkle’s banished, every hair’s in place, and there’s not a speck of lint anywhere.” 
“Gosh, however will I keep my hands to myself?” Lincoln muttered. 
“Lincoln, I swear to God—” 
“He’s messing with you, Em,” Cassidy said, carefully tugging his fiancée away from Lincoln. “Don’t let him press your buttons. And Lincoln, man, what is with that drink?” 
Lincoln glanced down. “It’s called a Jasmine. Gin, lemon, some Campari—” 
“It’s pink,” Cassidy observed. 
“Right? You want one?” 
Cassidy rolled his eyes. “I’ll stick with wine, thanks. Ah shit, there’s my grandma waving us over. Emma, you up for talk about the state of your uterus?” 
 
Emma groaned. “Oh no. I thought she’d agreed to wait until after the wedding to talk about my eggs.” 
“I’ll go with you,” Riley said. “As the only one in our little group of friends who’s ever pushed a human skull out my—” 
“Okay, I’m going to expand my taboo list,” Emma said. “No talking about boners, flowers, or vaginas.” 
“Fine,” Riley said, as she entwined her arm in Emma’s and started leading her toward Cassidy’s grandma. “But if Grams starts talking about fertility, just follow my lead . . . ”
Lincoln smiled as he watched his friends walk away. He could follow, certainly, help run interference, but new mom Riley was a far better choice for this particular bridal-party duty. 
Besides, as best man, Lincoln had enough to worry about. The ring, reconfirming transportation to the church tomorrow, the speech that he was going to slay tomorrow, the— 
Lincoln’s best man to-do list scattered as his eyes landed on a woman standing in the doorway to the private event room. He did a double take. When had Emma found time to change? Generally speaking, he didn't consider himself particularly in tune with his friends' clothes. Especially the women, because, well . . .  he didn’t really give a crap. But he was pretty damn sure Emma had been wearing a white dress just ten seconds ago.  
Now she was wearing a short yellow dress, with fussy, flowy sleeves, high-necked and a bit demure— 
No, not demure, Lincoln amended as she turned. Hot. The dress was backless, showing a smooth expanse of lightly tanned skin from the small of her back all the way up to long dark blond hair. 
. . . Blond hair. 
Emma had shoulder-length brown hair. A wardrobe swap, he might be able to buy, but the hair? 
You idiot. 
He was looking at none other than Daisy Sinclair, the forbidden fruit, in the flesh. 
He’d forgotten that Daisy wasn’t just Emma’s sister—she was Emma’s identical twin.
Other than the fact that she was, apparently, not to be hit on, Lincoln didn’t know much about her. 
Well, he supposed  he now knew that she dyed her hair blond.
Or maybe Emma dyed hers brown? 
Whatever. Girl stuff he didn’t care about one way or the other. 
And yet he didn’t look away, captivated somehow. He racked his brain for everything he’d heard about Daisy Sinclair. 
He knew that she and Emma had grown up in North Carolina. But Emma left for New York City shortly after college, and Daisy had stayed. He thought he remembered talk of a recent divorce, although he didn’t recall the details 
Didn’t need to, really. Lincoln knew better than anyone that not all relationships had happy endings.  
Lincoln watched as Daisy hesitated just inside the doorway, unnoticed yet by the rest of the bridal party and out-of-town guests.  
Making people comfortable was a particular skill of his. Normally he’d be over there in a heartbeat with a glass of wine and some of his best banter until her shoulders relaxed and he’d coaxed a smile from her pretty face. 
But he wasn’t entirely convinced Emma wouldn’t make good on her castration threats, so instead Lincoln merely studied Daisy. The woman was beautiful. No surprise there, since Emma was gorgeous. Yet, though their features were identical, they were attractive in entirely different ways.  
Emma was all polished confidence, stunning in an untouchable sort of way.
Daisy was softer somehow. Gentler. She seemed . . . touchable. 
Lincoln’s cocktail froze on its way to his mouth as the forbidden rocked him back on his heels. Daisy Sinclair was not for him to touch for reasons that had nothing to do with Emma’s threats. 
As though sensing a man’s brooding thoughts on her, Daisy turned slightly, her eyes locking on his. Eyes that he’d known would be dark brown like Emma’s, and yet eye contact with Emma had never felt like this. 
Lincoln felt something akin to panic, because for a heart-stopping moment, it felt like Daisy Sinclair was seeing him. Not seeing the Lincoln he wanted everyone to see.
The real him. 
He gave himself a little mental shake. Get it together, Mathis. The woman doesn’t even know you. 
None of them did. 
Not really. 
He saw the moment of answering shock in her own gaze, sensed that for a split second, she considered turning and running. From him, from the party, all of it.  
Then he saw something else. Something familiar, because he’d done it a thousand times himself. She squared her shoulders, and he watched as a mask slid into place. 
He knew even before she approached that Daisy was exactly like him—good at being around people only because she chose to be. Knew that perhaps once it had been second nature, and now it was nothing but a deliberate attempt to make sure everyone thought she was okay. 
Daisy began making her way toward him, and he tensed for reasons he couldn’t identify before ordering himself to chill out. 
It was just his friend’s sister. The maid of honor to his best man. 
She stopped in front of him, and he caught just the faintest whiff of her perfume, a surprisingly elegant scent for someone named Daisy, before she extended her hand.
“You must be Lincoln Mathis, The Manwhore of Whom I Should Beware?” 
Her voice was a surprise. It had the same low huskiness as her sister’s, but years in New York had all but erased the Southern from Emma’s whiskey-raspy voice. Daisy’s drawl was very much intact—a mint julep on a hot day. 
He grinned and took her smaller hand in his. “Which would make you Daisy Sinclair, Delicate Flower to Whom I’m Not to Speak.” 
She grinned. “Nailed it.” 



Lauren Layne is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen romantic comedies. She lives in New York City with her husband (who was her high school sweetheart--cute, right?!) and plus-sized Pomeranian.

In 2011, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time writing career in Manhattan, and never looked back.

In her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.

For a list of all her works, please be sure to check out her official website!



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