TASTY BOOK TOUR For Better or For Worse by Lauren Layne

Will a budding wedding planner and her bad boy neighbor 

stop banging heads and start hearing wedding bells?

FOR BETTER OR WORSE

The Wedding Belles #2

Lauren Layne

Releasing Aug 30th, 2016

Pocket Books

Will a budding wedding planner and her bad boy neighbor stop banging heads and start hearing wedding bells in the sexy second novel in USA TODAY bestselling author Lauren Layne’s irresistible new series that marries Sex and the City with The Wedding Planner?

When small-town girl Heather Fowler finally gets promoted from assistant to actual wedding planner, she’s determined to make it as one of Manhattan’s elite Wedding Belles. Unfortunately, her first client demands an opulent black-tie affair at the Plaza…in five months’ time. Heather’s days quickly become a flurry of cake tastings, dress-fittings, RSVP cards, and bridal tantrums. But what she’s really losing sleep over is the live music blaring from her playboy neighbor’s apartment all night.

Five years ago, Josh Tanner was an up-and-comer on Wall Street, complete with the penthouse and the migraines. But a grim cancer diagnosis made him realize there is more to life than the corner office. If only he could convince his pretty, workaholic neighbor to let loose, too. As Heather lets down her guard, Josh is surprised when he starts falling for the sweet, vulnerable woman hiding beneath those power suits. Soon, it’s Heather’s turn to convince Josh to take the biggest risk of all: love.

I love Lauren Layne. Really. I have not read a bad book by her. Heather and Josh were like Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake in Friends with Benefits. They all say I don't want to fall in love, it's just sex. yadda yadda...Famous last words.

Heather finally gets her chance to get promoted to full Wedding Planner, no longer an assistant but first she has to plan the wedding for a social media princess who just gave her the kiss of death, she gave her carte blanche to plan the wedding. 

Josh is living like he's dying, he survived cancer and now he gave up his high profile Wall Street job and is living life to the fullest. Well so he thought, but it's getting old. His newest entertainment trying to seduce his new neighbor.

It was just suppose to be sex but the more they got to know each other the more their feelings came into play. Spending Thanksgiving with Josh's family and then New Years together. Heather finding reasons to spend time with Josh never even realizing the feelings she was feelings were love. Josh trying to keep Heather at a distance because the possibility that he might get sick again and not wanting her to be hurt.

Overall, this was a fun and sweet story. Josh and Heather are such a fun couple with their teasing.    

“So this is where the noise happens, huh?” she asked. 

Josh’s eyes narrowed as his friend’s hand touched Heather’s back briefly. “Absolutely,” Trevor said. “We’re sorry it keeps you up though.” 

“Oh, it’s okay,” she said, waving her hand. “I mean . . . it’s not. But tonight I couldn’t sleep anyway, so you get a free pass. What do you all play?” 

“Donny’s bass, Felix is on drums. Josh is lead guitar, and I, as the most important member, have the pipes.” 

“Oh! I thought Josh was the singer,” Heather said with a quick glance over her shoulder at him. 

Their eyes locked, and Josh felt a flicker of . . . something. 

“Ah, is that what he’s telling the women these days,” Trevor joked. 

“No, I just . . . I hear him, singing sometimes,” Heather muttered. 

“Our boy can carry a tune well enough, but wait until you hear me, love,” Trevor said.
Josh turned away in mild disgust, pulling a beer out of the fridge as Trevor and the other guys coaxed Heather into the practice room, thrilled to have any sort of audience, even a reluctant one. 

“Yo, Tanner,” Felix called. 

“What,” he called, popping the lid off the bottle and tilting the beer back to his lips as he tried to shake off whatever was bringing down his mood tonight. 

“Let’s show Heather here that we’re more than a bit of noise coming through her bedroom wall.” 

Josh turned around to see Donny dragging one of his kitchen chairs across the room, disappearing into the practice room. 

“All right, love, you just sit down and get comfortable,” Trevor said. “Tanner! Come on, man.” 

Josh heard the low strum of Donny’s guitar, heard Felix do a little warm-up rhythm, and knew there was no way of getting out of it. If he refused to play a song now, he’d look like an ass. 

Still, his feet didn’t move, and he took another sip of beer. 

Feeling eyes on him, he glanced up to see Heather in the doorway, leaning one shoulder against the door jamb as she studied him. 

“Okay, 4A?” she asked. 

Her tone was lighthearted, almost slightly reluctant, as though she didn’t want to care about why he was out here alone, feeling oddly itchy with his life. 

He appreciated it. He’d spent enough time in the past few years dealing with people who walked on eggshells around him, cooing sweetness. Some of it genuine, some of it not so much. 

Heather’s no-nonsense question was refreshing—and exactly what he needed.
He was happy, and healthy and living the dream, damn it. 

Even if he was no longer sure it was his dream. 

“You going soft on me?” he asked, taking one last sip of his beer before setting it aside and strolling towards her. 

Heather’s eyes narrowed. “Hardly. I just wanted you to get your shit together so I can see your cute lead singer work his magic.” 

He deliberately stepped into the doorway so she couldn’t move in either direction without brushing against him, grinning at her discomfort. 

“You’re in a better mood tonight,” he said, his eyes skimming over her crazy curls and relaxed expression. “Why?” 

“Believe it or not, I’m not a shrew.” 

“Huh.” 

Heather shoved his shoulder with a little scowl. “I’m not!” 

“Does that mean you’re going to start making banana bread like Mrs. Calvin?”
“Yes, definitely. And coffee cake and sugar cookies and whatever other goodies you might like. All while wearing a frilly, feminine apron.” 

“Dare I hope there’s nothing under the apron?” he asked, leaning in slightly.
“Right again!” she said, in mock delight. “I just love to bake naked.” 

Josh’s pulse leapt, but Trevor interrupted before the sudden X-rated picture in his mind could turn into a full-fledged fantasy. 

“Dude, we doing this or what?” 

Josh looked at Heather. 

“One song,” she said, holding up a finger. “I may as well see what the music sounds like on this side of my the bedroom wall.” 

She slipped back into the practice room, sitting in the stuffed armchair in the corner. Josh followed her in, reaching for his guitar and slipping the strap over his neck before catching her eye and giving her a wink.

Heather rolled her eyes, and Josh couldn’t hide the grin as he ripped his first chord.

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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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ARC REVIEW The Mad Earl's Daughter by Lynne Barron

The Mad Earl's Daughter is a stand alone; so far, I hope more come from this crazy cast of characters. This was an amusing murder mystery with a CLUE-esk kind of result. Lynne Barron is great at leading me to believe one thing all the while setting out subtle clues about what's really going on and unless you catch on the end result will take you by surprise, and in the case of The Mad Earl's Daughter an amusing chase. As always I love Lynne's writing style and her stories are always so well thought out and complex, and when she goes erotica, damn.  I love insta-lust, especially when it plays out like this one did. Typically in the romances that I've read it's the guys that have a quirk or a "madness" I love that it's Annie who has it in this book. The fact that she's obsessive compulsive about things and has nervous habits it just adds realism to her character. Also the fact that Hugh is a swindler gone straight it's nice to have such imperfect characters that want their own HEA.

Hugh Forsythe is a solicitor and investigator, he is also for former shyster. Raised by a woman who slept her way into society and taught him all the best ways to con. Wanting to put all that behind him Hugh goes the straight and narrow. One day a young lady offers him a job, Hugh thinks that there's something hinky going on but the pay is too good to turn down. The case leads him to the doorstep of Annie Wellesley.

Annie wants more than anything to open a foundling home, she has it all planned out and all she needs now is the house ready, she owns two townhouse next to each other and is merging them into one. Annie's past is a mystery, she appeared eight years ago, and no one really knows or cares one way or another. Her family is very close, all her servants are her friends as well as her family and their loyalty is so steadfast she need not worry about loose lips. They know her past and love her enough to protect her from anything that might harm her. Annie is hiding from her father, and she fears more than anything having to return to him she knows that if she gets married than her father will have no power over her. Annie's choice is the sexy carpenter Bert Forest aka Hugh Forsythe.

Hugh worked his way into Annie's house, knowing something wasn't right about his case he kept quiet to his client about finding her so soon. He never expected Annie to be as beautiful or caring as she is. One night they find themselves alone and well... Annie made her choice she wouldn't have slept with him otherwise. Hugh is a little slow on the uptake the more he learns about her the deeper he falls but the mystery of who she is is still shrouded in mystery and now it's obvious someone else is looking for her for the murder of a peer, Annie's ex-fiance. But is Annie really who she says she is? or is that even a lie too? Where is the ex-fiance? and will Hugh ever tell Annie the truth about who he really is? and more!

Overall, while it not my favorite (that still goes to My Darling Gunslinger) it was a joy to read. I loved the clue-esk ending so chaotic and humorous it really had me giggling and the end did make me cry, so sweet.        

TASTY BOOK TOUR My Fair Princess by Vanessa Kelly

The Improper Princesses—three young women descended from royalty, 

each bound for her own thrilling adventure . . .

MY FAIR PRINCESS

Improper Princesses #1

Vanessa Kelly

Releasing Aug 30th, 2016

Zebra

First, Vanessa Kelly brought readers The Renegade Royals. Now, in a delightfully witty new series, she introduces The Improper Princesses—three young women descended from royalty, each bound for her own thrilling adventure . . .

Despite being the illegitimate daughter of a prince, Gillian Dryden is happily ignorant of all social graces. After growing up wild in Italy, Gillian has been ordered home to England to find a suitable husband. And Charles Valentine Penley, the excessively proper, distractingly handsome Duke of Leverton, has agreed to help transform her from a willful tomboy to a blushing debutante.

Powerful and sophisticated, Charles can make or break reputations with a well-placed word. But his new protégée, with her habit of hunting bandits and punching earls, is a walking scandal. The ton is aghast . . . but Charles is thoroughly intrigued. Tasked with taking the hoyden in hand, he longs to take her in his arms instead. Can such an outrageous attraction possibly lead to a fairytale ending?

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My Fair Princess is the first of Vanessa Kelly’s Improper Princess series which is a spinoff of sorts of her Renegade Royals. Even if you haven’t read that series this is a great place to start. If you have then the notorious Griffin Steele has a sister, well half-sister. I love Gillian, she is a force to be reckoned with. Now if you are expecting a prim and proper princess then the series title “Improper” Princesses should be a good hint that this is not the series you are looking for. But if you are looking for a headstrong, outspoken, nobody talks bad about my mother, I’m going to do what I think is right, hoyden of a princess then yes, this is the story you are looking for. That's what I loved about Gillian she is fiercely loyal and a strong sense of justice. I mean she went after the bandits that murdered her step-father and one by one killed them because no one else seemed interested in enforcing justice. Charles was a hard pill to swallow in the beginning he was very much his nickname Perfect Penley and even though he has Gillian's best interest at heart he just seems so very priggish. But I had a change of heart by the time they made it into the country, without all the eyes of society on them he seemed more relaxed, he still managed to stick his foot in his mouth a couple of times and still very high handed, I sympathized with Gillian a lot, if I were in her shoes I'd so the same damn thing.      

I loved the interplay between Gillian and Charles. It really was inevitable that they fell in love, opposites attract. Charles needed someone to challenge him and knock the Perfect off of Perfect Penley. Gillian needed someone to love her even though she never thought she was good enough, or worthy of love. She never cared what people thought of her because that’s what she thought of herself, she needed someone to prove her wrong. I loved seeing Griffin and Justine again they had a nice little part. I really hope the other princess are as improper as this one. I really adored Gillian and even Charles after he stopped being so priggish. Overall, great story and a great build up to the climatic ending and just the right amount of angst to play at the heartstrings a bit.         

Her grandmother let out a heavy sigh, and even Griffin shook his head. The duke, however, simply regarded her with a perfectly unruffled manner, as if she were some recently discovered species, only vaguely interesting. Gillian began to get quite a bad feeling that she’d finally met her match. 

She’d been hearing for weeks how Leverton was the key to solving Gillian’s little problem, as her family called it. According to them, he was perfectly suited to guide her into society’s good graces, and perfectly capable of managing away even the most troublesome elements of her background. 

He must be a bloody perfect miracle worker, if that was the case. 

As she cautiously eyed him, she couldn’t help concluding that he did seem rather perfect in some respects. He was certainly prettier than she was, with thick, tawny-colored hair, striking blue eyes, and a face straight off a Greek statue. And he was certainly a good deal more stylish than she was, although that was true of almost anyone. But even she could appreciate the way his beautifully tailored coat showcased his broad shoulders, and how his breeches clung to his muscled legs with nary a wrinkle. As for his cravat, it was practically a work of art. 

In fact, he was so damn perfect it made her stomach hurt. She’d been drawn in by perfection before, and it had almost ruined her. 

“Stop trying to shock us, Gillian,” her grandmother said. “You know quite well it won’t work.” 

“Au contraire, Lady Marbury,” Griffin said. “I find myself quite riven with horror.” 

He flashed Gillian the conspiratorial smile that always made her feel someone truly did understand her. And, more important, Griffin didn’t find her wanting, unlike apparently everyone else in London. She couldn’t wait to shake the dirt of England from her boots and return to Sicily—the sooner, the better. 

“Miss Dryden is quite right,” Leverton said. 

Gillian frowned. “I am? About what, exactly?” 

He slowly crossed the room to her. He didn’t prowl, precisely, but something in the way he moved made her think of . . . a wolf, perhaps. Slipping silently through the night as he hunted in silence. 

An exceedingly clever wolf, she guessed. One with very sharp teeth well suited for ripping apart a person’s carefully ordered life. 

Leverton’s height forced her to tilt back her head to meet his gaze, and she found herself staring into eyes a beautiful shade of cobalt. She had to admit they were really quite amazing. 

“Please believe me, Miss Dryden, when I say I meant no insult. I was merely surprised by a few details regarding your situation. It caused me to forget my manners.” A glint of amusement lurked in his gaze. 

Her stomach twisted at the notion that he might be laughing at her. But when he smiled, her stomach seemed to untwist and start dancing with butterflies. 

“Come, my dear girl,” he said in his beautifully cultured voice. “I beg you to forgive me before I’m compelled to do something drastic—like throw myself at your feet. That would be embarrassing for both of us.” 

“Bloody coxcomb,” Griffin muttered. 

Leverton ignored the aside, keeping his attention on Gillian. Her heart began to thump and heat crawled up her neck. “Oh, very well,” she grumbled. “I forgive you.” 

“You are most gracious,” Leverton said. “Now, perhaps we can start over and leave all this awkwardness behind.” 

“What a splendid idea,” Grandmamma said. “Your Grace, my granddaughter, Miss Gillian Dryden.” 

The duke bowed as if she hadn’t just tumbled through the door, and as if they hadn’t just spent the last few minutes insulting each other. 

“Gillian, I have the pleasure of introducing you to the Duke of Leverton,” Grandmamma added. 

“Good Lord. I know who he is,” Gillian replied, not hiding her exasperation.
“Then make him a curtsey, my dear. A proper one.” 

Repressing the urge to roll her eyes—one curtsey was as good as another, as far as she was concerned—Gillian dipped down and quickly came up. 

Leverton’s eyebrows ticked up. On him, she rather expected it was the equivalent of a horrified gasp. 

Well, nobody ever said she was graceful, at least when it came to that sort of silliness.
“Hmm,” he said. “We’ll have to work on that.” 

“It’s all nonsense, if you ask me,” Gillian said. “All this bowing and scraping like a peasant before his master. Perhaps you’d like me to polish your boots while I’m at it.”
His disapproving gaze made her blink, and she almost took a step back. This was a man who did not like being crossed. 

“Gillian Dryden, you will cease acting like heathen,” her grandmother rapped out. 

“I had no idea you had revolutionary tendencies, Miss Dryden,” the duke said. “How very interesting. And no, I would not like you to polish my boots. My valet would not approve.” 

Now he sounded bored. And if he was bored, he would be more likely to go away and leave her alone. Splendid. 

Still, she couldn’t help feeling irked by his dismissive tone and demeanor. The Duke of Leverton was certainly a snob and probably a fop. She didn’t know which was worse.
“Why would you think I have revolutionary tendencies, sir?” she added in a sugary-sweet voice. “Is it because I think I’m as good as anyone else, despite my unfortunate social status?” 

Gillian braced herself for the expected put-down. She’d grown used to being labeled a prince’s by-blow, or worse. It was best to simply accept it and then do her best to avoid anyone who looked down on her because of her parentage. She’d learned that hard lesson a long time ago. 

The duke studied her for a few moments before replying. “Of course you are.” 

“Of course I am what?” she asked. 

“As good as anyone else. Any sensible person must think so,” he said. 

“That eliminates most of the ton,” Griffin said. 

Leverton seemed to weigh her brother’s droll comment. “I believe your assessment is too pessimistic, Steele. Shall we say, perhaps fifty percent?” 

The exchange was so silly that Gillian had to laugh. Leverton’s eyebrows ticked up again, but not, she thought, with disapproval. Then he flashed her another dazzling smile that made her feel like the floor had just tipped sideways. 

“That’s much better,” he said. 

She shook her head, exasperated. “I don’t understand any of this.”

Vanessa Kelly is an award-winning author who was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association, as one of the “New Stars of Historical Romance.” Her Regency-set historical romances have been nominated for awards in a number of contests, and her second book, Sex and The Single Earl, won the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance. Her current series, The Renegade Royals is a national bestseller. Vanessa also writes USA Today bestselling contemporary romance with her husband, under the pen name of VK Sykes.

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ARC REVIEW Saving Her Angel by Missy Jane

Book three of Missy Jane's Archangel series. Unfortunately I missed the first two, I did feel like I was missing out on some of the story, recurring bad guy and background on the archangels buuut the story was enough to pull me in and entertain me. I liked the characters well enough Cam was delish but oblivious and Eleanor she was special, especially to Cam. I loved the concept of the story, it was a good story but it just didn't stick with me. I enjoyed some parts more than others, they were more memorable. The ending was really good I liked the action at the end but the build up to it was just so so. Even the romance between Cam and Eleanor was not what I hoped, it wasn't until the end that it really caught my attention.

Eleanor is a wallflower, she just blends in, people easily forget about her even her boss sometimes forgets she's in the office. Which is unfortunate for her because she's been in love with her boss forever. Cam is nearing the end of this life cycle he is about to give up his ties in this town and start a new life elsewhere. Eleanor is let go from her job, and just as it is so close to never seeing each other again Cam finally takes notice.

It's the end of the world, no just kidding it's just a demon from hell trying to gain access into our world through human sacrifice. And one of the key elements is Eleanor. Cam and the other angels have to find away to defeat the demon with no loss of human life. Cam, as I said is oblivious, he doesn't think anything is worth giving up his wings for, not even Eleanor. His brother's just shake their heads it isn't until he almost loses her he realizes his mistake.

Overall, I wish I had read the first two and I wish I could like this book more. But I will probably read more from this series if they came out.    

ARC REVIEW Quantum by Jess Anastasi

Sci-fi Romance yummmmmm. This is the sequel to last years Atrophy. Captain Rian Sherron and the crew of the Imojenna are back with a little help from their friends. It's not necessary to have read the first book but it wouldn't hurt just for the added background of the characters and their mission. The main characters of this book were introduced separately in the first book, Captain Admiral Zander Graydon and Lieutenant Marshal Mae Pertos. This was a great book just as good as the first. It's an intense action packed story even more so than the previous one. In the beginning it does flip flop between Graydon and Mia's story with what's going on aboard the Imojenna and the animosity/sexual attraction of Rian and the priestess they saved in Atrophy, Ella. (their book/relationship is still in development and probably won't be out soon, but I'm giddy about that one) New characters are introduced, including Space Pirates! and a new plot twist has been revealed.

Rian is concerned about the hit list Tannin discovered. It's a list of people who have been or are potential targets for the Reidar to take or have taken over. On that list is one of his best friends. Rian send Mae undercover to figure out if he is himself or a Reidar clone. In the span of a day Graydon is attacked and almost killed three times. Stranded on a planet days away from civilization Gray and Mae have to walk. On this walk Mae is constantly fighting her attraction to Gray just as much as she is trying to figure out if he's human. Gray knows about the Reidar, he doesn't know everything but what he does know is that Mae is hiding something from him and as much as he wants to figure out what it is he can't help but be drawn to the beautiful, strong, and witty woman.

It is impossible to summarize this book and include everything that's awesome about it. So much happens, Mae and Gray finally meet up with the Imojenna, The Reidar Imposter has already taken Grays place aboard his vessel the Swift Brion. Luckily Rian is a crazy genus and comes up with a plan. They discover a couple of new things but for every question answered about the Reidar five new questions pop up.

Overall, OMG okay, other than having to train my brain not to read Rian's name as rain, I freakin' loved this book everything about it! I am really looking forward to the next book and the book after that and so on.  

ARC REVIEW The Right Kind of Trouble by Shiloh Walker

The McKay's book three by Shiloh Walker, The Right Kind of Trouble is the conclusion to the McKay's troubles. I hope I see more of the town McKay's Treasure in the future. I'm a fan of Shiloh Walker, I really enjoy her writing and I had been waiting on Moira and Gideon's story since the first book. First off I would not read this as a stand alone, it is easier to understand and follow if you have read The Trouble with Temptation and Headed for Trouble. It is a great big ball of mystery and devious means the whole shebang that started in the first book wraps up and I just have to say, I CALLED IT!!! Right off the back from the first book I said he did it, I love it when I'm right. But the reason behind it, which I was nowhere near close to guessing right was good, great motive.

Moira and Gideon have a history, it has said as much in the previous book but in this one it delves a little bit more in the the seriousness of their history and the fact that Moira was punishing herself for what she thinks she did wrong. Up until this book you always see Moira as the calm collected type, queen bee, in charge, ice queen but you see the vulnerable side of her in this one. With everything going on dealing with the trouble with the family and the fact that both Hannah and Neve are planning a double wedding and then someone attacked her; Moira is having a hard time keeping her composure add that to fact that Gideon has started dating one of the other deputies and she is close to breaking down. Gideon never stopped loving Moira it has never wavered, he has never given up but he's close to his breaking point now too. After so many years of being close but never being able to have and he can't move on with her so close it's not fair for the woman he started seeing because he never stops think about Moira. Moira's attack rattles some sense back into both of them they are finally able to talk about the past and straighten things out and move on hopefully with each other.

The motive for Moira's attack is someone is looking for the lost McKay treasure, only there isn't one. After her attack the IRS gets a tip that the family is hiding money from the government, bring trouble to the company, then it's discovered someone in the company has been embezzling and that's one more thing for Moira to worry about. Then Brannon's book store is set ablaze, then Moira's project that she put her heart and soul into the McKay Museum is torched as well. It almost seems like a never ending saga of "what the hell is going to happen next?" It is all revealed, but it's not over until the climactic ending.

Overall, this was a good series I loved the characters and the whole mystery arc in all three books. This book I love Gideon, Moira was a little hard to like at some points just because of her way of doing things and being stubborn. I swear I was almost screaming at her, "Just listen to Gideon Dammit!!" but other than that I loved it.           

ARC REVIEW Gone to Deep by Katie Ruggle

Mmmmmm George. Ok Gone Too Deep is 3 in the Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue series by Katie Ruggle. I noticed something while reading this book. I really have a thing for the strong silent types. (probably because IRL my hubby won't shut up) I want a George of my own, I'm gonna hug you and kiss you and love you forever, sorry I sometimes channel Elmyra Duff.

The on going whodunnit finally reveals whodunndidit. I was disappointed with it, not so much the who but it was predictable. I just kind of rolled my eyes and thought eh go figure. I loved everything else about the book. I really love reading books where the main characters are freezing their asses off while I'm boiling in 100+ degree weather.

Ellie is the daughter of Baxter Price, the man who identified the victim in book one. He called Ellie to tell her he loved her and that they were after him and they were trying to kill him. Ellie knows her father suffers from paranoid delusions all part of his PTSD, and after that call she got really worried about him and tracked him down. She tracks him to the tiny town of Simpson, Colorado. Ellie strikes up an insta-friendship with Lou who helps her find out exactly where her father is. The only problem now is that Ellie now needs a guide to take her out there and while the over friendly and kind of creepy and unsettling Joseph Acconcio would be more than willing to take her, her best bet is the silent, broad, tall, gorgeous, and bearded George Holloway. George can't resist the over her head clueless Ellie he normally doesn't take people up the mountain but he's not going to let Joseph take her up. Everything goes relatively smoothly until they get robbed, yes robbed in the middle of the forest, George's camping gear is the only thing taken due to some quick thinking, then there is an avalanche and woo a bunch happens. They are are running for their lives because the thugs who robbed them are trying to kill George for...well reasons. George and Ellie fall for each other, of course, but with the differences between them they are both unsure how to handle everything when the journey is over.

Overall, move over Ian Walsh it's time for George! I loved how Ellie was able to draw out the shy George and get him from grunting to actually speaking in sentences. This was a really exciting book and the characters I just love all of them, well except for Joseph he's an ass. What I like about Katie Ruggle's writing she pulls you in, you really want to know what happens to these people next. She is also so knowledgeable about what she's writing about it makes it all the more realistic.      

RELEASE BLITZ Branding the Virgin by Alexa Riley

  

 

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Mary-Jane wasn’t looking for drama. All she wanted was a family of her own, so she decided to make that happen. A mix-up at the sperm bank leaves her with a baby in her belly, but the father is none the wiser.

Ty was injured in a bull-riding accident, and now all he plans on doing is working on his ranch and keeping to himself. That is, until a little dark-haired woman shows up on his doorstep.

When their paths cross, will Mary-Jane be able to reveal to Ty that he’s the father? Will Ty be able to keep Mary-Jane from running? Will there be a lot of steam in this book? You betcha!

Warning: This pregnant virgin story is wonderfully ridiculous and just as sweet as it sounds. Saddle up and take an evening stroll with this easy quickie

This is a freaking cute story. Absolutely angst free romance. You have your typical foul mouthed bad boy badass and the sweet woman who tames the beast into a kitten, very Alexa Riley. Aside from the ridiculousness of the story, you know pregnant virgin, it really is a quick and easy read that will leave you with a smile on your face. 

All Mary-Jane has ever wanted was a family of her own but she never found the right guy so she takes matters into her own hands and gets artificially inseminated. The clinic however majorly FUBARs and gives her the wrong sperm, the sperm she got was from an unwilling, unknowing donor. 

Ty has retired from rodeo, a bull riding accident saw to that. And while the doctors say test after test nothing that is wrong Ty still can't get it up. That is until a sweet little thing walks into his life and changes it forever.

I hope I see more from this family, Ty has two younger brothers and a sister that he basically had to raise. I really hope I see more from this south Texas family. Overall, I would recommend this book. If you have a long lunch, you can easily sit and read this. This story has the potential to beat Guarding His Obsession as my favorite Alexa Riley book.    

                                                               Chapter 1

*Mary-Jane*

“How did you get yourself into this, Mary-Jane?” I ask myself for the twentieth time today. I was set to arrive at my new temporary place of employment in a little over two hours and dread was weighing heavily on me. I just hope the clothes I brought will do well to hide this little baby bump that keeps getting bigger and bigger by the day. I’m running out of time.

 

I let out a long sigh as I absently rub my hand over the bump. This little boy has become my whole world. In all my planning I never thought this would happen. Just when I thought I was getting something I’d wanted so dearly, everything else in my life started to fall apart. Just goes to show you: you can plan everything how you like, but someone else can come to kick it out from under you, and you have to try and pick the pieces up the best you can. This time, though, it isn't my pieces I’m picking up. I have a baby to protect and to make a life for.

“I promise, little man, I won’t let anyone take you from me.” I rest both hands on my stomach, praying my words are true and that I’m not making a giant mistake by going to see the one person who could take my baby away from me. My heart clenches at the thought of losing him. I can’t. I won’t, I correct myself. Losing this baby isn’t an option.

Someone couldn’t be that heartless, could they? To take a baby from its mother? I’m not so sure here, though. If what I’ve found out about my baby’s father is true, then heartless is pretty damn close.

Last week my doctor told me that they’d made a mistake. A giant one. They’d given me a specimen from the wrong sperm donor. Someone who wasn’t a willing donor at all.

I’d gotten two giant kicks in one day. I’d lost my job and was possibly losing my child. The clinic said they had to inform the man who’d donated. I’d asked for his name and requested they give me some time before they contacted him. They were reluctant at first, but they’d given me both after I threatened a lawsuit.

After a little online stalking I’d found my baby’s father. When I’d seen who he was, I’d lost my breath. He was known all over Texas, or so it seemed with all the articles a few years back. He used to ride bulls, but now he owns a big ranch down south, almost two hours from here. The place I’ll be calling home for a little while.

A lot of the articles weren’t flattering. He was one of the best bull riders, having won dozens of competitions, but he had a reputation to go along with it. Many articles and posts I found called him an arrogant asshole. Meaner than the bulls he rode. It made me think he wasn’t going to have any compassion when it came to this situation. Or maybe he’d just sign on the dotted line and let me and my son go.

Or he could try to take him from me. He had the money. The thought of running kept fluttering through my mind. I had money saved up, and made a small profit when I’d sold my little house just two days ago, but something about running felt wrong.

I had to be sure that if I did choose to run, I was making the right decision. That I was protecting my baby, making sure we could be together. That’s why I had to do this. I had to go meet this man. See who he was in person, because you can’t always believe rumors.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Ideally, maybe we could share custody. I could get a place in town not far from his ranch. Find a local job there and we could do this together, if that’s what he wanted. It wasn’t what I signed up for when I’d decided I wanted a baby. I’d made the choice to go this alone, which I’ve been doing my whole life.

What if he has a wife or girlfriend? The thought makes my stomach turn. I could be turning their lives upside down. Then my baby would have another mom. A lump forms in my throat. It feels like every time I get something good going in my life, someone or something is trying to rip it from me.

I searched and searched for anything on him with someone else and came up with nothing. I’d read article after article on his bull-riding days and never was a woman mentioned or pictured with him. He had a hard look on his very handsome face, so I’m not sure I’d want to stand next to him and pose for a picture either.

It was hard to see his face in a lot of pictures with the cowboy hat, but I could always see the grim line of his mouth and hard jaw. It always seemed locked in place. You’d think if you just won some big competition you’d at least smile or something. Nope. Not him. Picture after picture he still had that hard, locked jaw. Almost like he couldn't talk. He’s scary and intimidating. I don’t know how I’m going to tell him about this baby.

Worse is thinking maybe he does want to be in this baby’s life and he’ll be cold and hard to my little boy. I’d grown up with a father like that and it wasn't easy. Even to this day I can’t say whether or not he loved me. Did he take care of me? Yes. But I feel more like he put up with me because he had to. It didn’t matter if I was there or not.

I think I would rather him at least be angry or something. The indifference and coldness left me empty and numb.

What I did find during my internet search was a job opening on his ranch. Someone to help around the house for the summer and do some of the books. I could get an up-close look at the father of my child before I had to tell him the truth.

“Ma’am, I think that’s everything.” I look up at one of the movers who’s been packing up my stuff to put into storage. I take the clipboard he’s holding out and sign on the dotted line. He hands me the key to the storage unit they’d put it all in.

My hand closes around the key that holds almost everything I own except two suitcases I have packed away in the trunk of my car. Even the stuff for the baby room I’d started to put together has been packed away in here. I hold back a tear, not wanting to make this poor man uncomfortable.

“Thank you,” I tell him, handing back the clipboard.

He nods before turning to leave.

I stand in my empty house. The place where I thought I’d be raising my son. A home that would have been filled with so much love. He’d never feel the coldness like I had.

Even without the donor mix-up I would have been leaving anyway. I’d moved to this little town because I wanted to get away from the big city. I dreamed of living somewhere where everyone knew everyone. I wanted to have a family in a place like this.

Problem was, I couldn’t find anyone I wanted to have a family with.

Alexa Riley is two sassy friends who got together and wrote some dirty books. They are both married moms of two who love football, donuts, and obsessed book heroes.

They specialize in insta-love, over-the-top, sweet, and cheesy love stories that don’t take all year to read. If you want something SAFE, short, and always with a happily ever after, then Alexa Riley is for you!

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