Review: BADGER TO THE BONE (The Honey Badger Chronicles) by Shelly Laurenston

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BADGER TO THE BONE (The Honey Badger Chronicles, Book 3) by Shelly Laurenston

Publication Date: March 31, 2020

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

95D0361E-2D2F-4A9A-897E-3DB2C66BDCADShe’s the woman he’s been hired to kidnap. But ZeZé Vargas has other ideas . . . like getting them both out of this nightmare alive. Just one problem. She’s crazy. Certifiably. Because while he’s plotting their escape, the petite Asian beauty is plotting something much more deadly …

Max “Kill It Again” MacKilligan has no idea what one of her own is doing with all these criminal humans until she realizes that Zé has no idea who or what he is. Or exactly how much power he truly has.

But Max is more than happy to bring this handsome jaguar shifter into her world and show him everything he’s been missing out on. A move that might be the dumbest thing she’s ever done once she realizes how far her enemies will go to wipe her out. Too bad for them Zé is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her alive . . . and honey badgers are just so damn hard to kill!

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Donna 5 Stars

This is my favorite in the Honey Badger Chronicles! I wasn’t sure how I felt about Max previously, but I love her and her snarky humor. She is bad ass in protecting her sisters, and badger to the bone. I like that her personality and dare I say it…humanity came through. That makes Ze’s attraction more than superficial. Ze’ oh my. I love how it was a “he” that didn’t know he was a shifter. That made for such a fun discovery arc that only added to the mayhem surrounding them. With everything going on, their personal relationship built at just the right speed, culminating in a very sexy romance. I couldn’t get enough of the group dynamics in this story. The camaraderie and ongoing banter within the different groups made me laugh like a hyena.

The writing was smooth and pulled me into their world with ease. This is one of those books where I slowed down reading toward the end. I just wanted it to last longer.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

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Buy Links

Kindle | Paperback

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✦The Honey Badgers Chronicles by Shelly Laurenston✦
✦Book 1: HOT AND BADGERED ➢ Kindle | Review 5 Stars
✦Book 2: IN A BADGER WAY ➢ Kindle | Review 5 Stars
✦BOOK 3: BADGER TO THE BONE ➢ Kindle

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The Honey Badger Series is a spin-off of Shelly Laurenston’s Pride Series. Here’s the series link and a link to a blog post with some of our favorite quotes.

The Pride Series by Shelly Laurenston
Amazon Series Link: https://amzn.to/2unBuRM
Blog Post Fav Quotes: http://bit.ly/2Ggy4BY

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About the Author

Originally from Long Island, New York, Shelly Laurenston has resigned herself to West Coast living, which involves healthy food, mostly sunny days, and lots of guys not wearing shirts when they really should. Shelly is also the New York Times bestselling author G.A. Aiken, creator of the Dragon Kin series. For more info about Shelly’s books go to www.shellylaurenston.com. Or to check out G.A.’s dangerously and arrogantly sexy dragons go to www.gaaiken.com

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Review & Giveaway: THE BILLIONAIRE IN BOOTS by Julia London

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THE BILLIONAIRE IN BOOTS (The Princes of Texas Book 3) by Julia London

Publication Date: March 3, 2020

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

265D27A7-BE88-4B89-85D0-BCFA63998490As the firstborn son, it’s been drilled into Nick that he is the heir apparent to the Prince family empire. But cattle ranching has never been his true passion. Nick wants to be a pilot. However, when his father dies, leaving Nick to clean up the mess, he knows he must do his duty before following his heart.

Charlotte Bailey can’t believe that Nick is back to run the ranch. As the office manager, she knows it’s her responsibility to help him. If only he wasn’t so brooding and cranky–and so hot it’s a wonder his chaps don’t melt right off him. But when sparks fly between them, she’s adamant about staying away from a cowboy on his way out the door.

Nick knows the ranch’s pretty, smart, and capable office manager is off-limits, but he needs her. And working in such close proximity to Charlotte every day is making Nick crazy. She smells good, she looks good, she makes him laugh, but most of all she makes him want to stay….

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Donna 5 Stars

Oh my, what a fun story. I fell in love with Nick right off. Something about him resonated with me and I wanted to make everything alright for this strong and good man. Charlotte was a hoot! I loved how she behaved during all the sexual tension boiling around them. They made a fun couple to watch. Honest emotions, strong chemistry, witty banter, and a romance with just enough heat to keep me warm. Then there are the people around them; large nutty families, well-meaning friends, and of course the animals. I laugh, I cried and now I’m in a warm-fuzzy book coma.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Paperback

Amazon Series Link

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Giveaway

Paperback Copy of THE BILLIONAIRE IN BOOTS by Julia London

Enter Facebook Giveaway HERE

Winner will be selected Monday (3/16) by 6PM EST. Paperback was provided to Reading in Pajamas by Berkley Romance.

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About the Author

Julia London is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly best-selling author of more than forty romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the critically acclaimed Highland Grooms historical series, including Wild Wicked Scot, Sinful Scottish Laird, Hard-Hearted Highlander, Devil in Tartan, Tempting the Laird and Seduced by a Scot. Her latest historical series, A Royal Wedding is set in Victorian England and the first book The Princess Plan has been welcomed with rave reviews. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including the Pine River Trilogy, her Lake Haven Series and her latest contemporaries, The Princes of Texas books.

Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. She lives in Austin, Texas.

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Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: YOU HAD ME AT WOLF by Terry Spear

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YOU HAD ME AT WOLF (Wolff Brothers Book 1) by Terry Spear

Publication Date: February 25, 2020

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

5AAED362-C75E-4372-B895-E6F7847E4C42First in a thrilling new series from USA Today bestseller Terry Spear featuring the hot, powerful Wolff brothers!

A wolf on a mission needs a partner…even if it’s only for one date…

The hot, powerful Wolff brothers have moved to the outskirts of Silver Town and opened a ski lodge. They’ve always wanted to live in a wolf-controlled area, and now they have their chance. They’re settling in for a quiet winter, when their lives suddenly become way more exciting than they’d ever planned.

Private Investigator and gray wolf shifter Josie Grayson is hot on the trail of a dangerous criminal hiding out at the ski lodge when her partner takes ill and must leave her to pursue the mission alone. Blake Wolff steps in—he can’t resist the allure of this brilliant and focused she-wolf whose presence awakens a long dormant yearning in his heart.

As pursuit of their quarry heats up, Blake has a mission of his own…to convince Josie that there’s more to life than work…and that she’s his perfect mate.

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Donna 4 stars

This is a nice spin-off series from the Silver Town Wolf Series. I thought they would incorporate the Wolff brothers and the lodge into that, but I do like this better. Blake and his family are enjoyable, and I do love the search and rescue part of running a ski lodge. It adds a nice dimension to the everyday running of the business. I also loved how the family jumped in to help Nicole and her investigation. Granted the sleuthing excitement seemed to go a bit slow for me, probably how it is in real life. But the pace did allow for the romance and her assimilation into the pack to proceed. I liked Nicole and Blake, especially as a couple. It seemed natural and nothing forced – nor was there a cosmic matching that they had to come to terms with. I liked that, just two people attracted to each other and finding their perfect mate. The romance also built slowly and heated up nicely. I look forward to what comes next for the Wolff family.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Excerpt

“Looks like I’ve got some business to take care of.” Landon frowned, his gaze focused on someone behind Blake who he could hear was fast approaching. From the sound of the ski boots on the tile floor, he thought the person was female. “You go ski, and when you’re done, I’ll take a few runs down the slope.”
Blake glanced back and saw the pretty blond he’d noticed observing him and Rosco during the avalanche training. She was headed straight for them, her expression intense, brows furrowed, her gaze shifting from Landon to Blake. He smelled a whiff of her scent—fresh air and she-wolf. No wonder his brother was eager to assist her. At the same time, Blake was a little embarrassed that the woman approaching had witnessed him struggling with the snowblower. Good thing she hadn’t seen him with an out-of-control Saint Bernard even earlier.
Blake smiled. “I can hang around for a moment and take care of whatever issues she’s having.”
“No, that’s okay, Blake. The sooner you ski, the sooner I get to.”
Blake knew that wasn’t the only reason his brother wanted to take care of the woman’s concerns. Landon had recognized she was a wolf too.
When she drew closer to them, she targeted Blake, and he was eager to be the one to handle whatever was upsetting her. Happily. Conflict didn’t bother him or his brother. It was a chance to prove they could resolve any issues that arose at the lodge with the least amount of fuss. When he caught another whiff of her wolfish scent, that made him even more eager to help her. Though he reminded himself she could have a mate or a potential one.
She smiled brightly at Blake, her cheeks and the tip of her nose rosy from the cold. She was wearing a white parka, the furry hood down, a light-pink and white ski hat, dickey, and gloves, and formfitting light-pink ski pants and white ski boots, looking as if she’d just came off the slopes. She reminded him of cotton candy and snow bunnies, innocent and sweet.
When she reached him, she threw her arms around Blake in a hug, startling him. He smiled down at her, amused at where this was going. Since he was single, he didn’t have to worry about a mate throwing a fit. If he had, all she’d have to do was smell this woman all over him, and he would have been in the doghouse. As long as the woman hugging him didn’t have a mate either. Then again, wolves mated for life, so she probably wouldn’t act this way if she were mated or courting another wolf. She could smell that he didn’t have a she-wolf’s scent on him either. Not until now.
He was surprised at her action. Did she think he was someone else? But she would recognize his scent, which quashed that theory. The only other thought that flashed through his mind was that she was trying to pretend she had a relationship with him because some guy was hassling her. Whatever the reason, he was all too willing to play along and take care of whoever was giving her trouble.
She kissed him, startling him even more, and his brother laughed. “It appears your day is looking up, and I think you have a handle on this.” Still chuckling, Landon walked off.
Blake was enraptured with the woman. Her lips were soft and malleable as she pressed them gently against his, but she began building up the steam, licking his mouth and then nipping and melding hers with his.
Relishing the scent of the she-wolf and the crisp, cold out-of-doors that she carried with her, Blake wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tighter against his body, enjoying her soft curves and warmth, building a slow fire deep inside him. They were kissing like they needed a room, he realized, not family fare in the lobby of their lodge. He very reluctantly pulled his mouth from hers and smiled. “Do I know you?”
“Took you long enough to ask.” She smiled up at him, and he wondered what he was getting himself into.
Hell, he was game.
“I’m Nicole Grayson, and you’re my fiancé. For the moment. My life depends on it.”
Blake frowned, worrying she was really in trouble, though she didn’t seem overly anxious—not in her facial expression, and certainly not in the way she’d been so easily intimate with him. “Do we need to call the sheriff?” He should have already had his phone out, but he didn’t want to let go of her if there wasn’t any need. This was just too damn nice.
“No, I’ve got a handle on this.”
He wanted to laugh at her choice of words since Landon had said the same thing about Blake. “All right, good show. By the way, I’m Blake Wolff.”
“Wolf? I’ll say.”
He smiled. He liked her easy banter and didn’t think she could be in any real danger. He would have smelled her anxiety for one thing, instead of her enticing arousal that was fueling his own. “I’d shake your hand, but I think we’re beyond that.”
“For this to be believable, yes.” She smiled up at him as if she truly adored him. “I saw all the trouble you were having with the snowblower earlier.”
“Uh, yeah.” That kind of blew his macho image, he was afraid. He had hoped she wouldn’t bring it up. “I’ve never used that kind before.”
“I kind of figured that. I haven’t either, or I would have tried to help.”
He smiled. “You watched instead.”
Her cheeks pinkened. “You were entertaining.”
“You saw everything?”

 

Excerpted from You Had Me at Wolf by Terry Spear. © 2020by Terry Spear. Used with permission of the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Paperback

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Giveaway

5 Copies of You Had Me at Wolf

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author

USA Today bestselling author TERRY SPEAR has written over 35 paranormal romances featuring werewolf and jaguar shapeshifters. 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. She lives in Spring, Texas.

 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: THE DARKEST KING (Lords of the Underworld) by Gena Showalter

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THE DARKEST KING (Lords of the Underworld) by Gena Showalter

Publication Date: February 25, 2020

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

9F7A39B6-A99E-448F-ABA8-E42EEBA824F7To become a king of the underworld at long last, William must resist an irresistible beauty—or a curse will ensure his end…

A merciless prince feared by all…

Cursed by a vengeful witch, William of the Dark will die if he ever falls in love—murdered by the woman who steals his heart. His lone shot at redemption is a book filled with indecipherable code. Break the code, break the curse. Now, centuries later, he’s condemned to a string of one-night stands…until he finds the only woman in the worlds able to set him free.

A rare creature of myth and power…

One of the last living unicorn shifters, Sunday “Sunny” Lane works from the shadows as a cryptanalyst, on the run from assassins and poachers. Then the darkly seductive William abducts her, holding her captive in Hell. The closer they get, the more she hungers for his touch…and the stronger a mystical desire to kill him becomes…

But which desire will prove stronger—lust or death? And who will give in first?

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Cori 5 Stars

Grab it now! It’s William’s book! THE DARKEST KING is the fifteenth book in Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series and features William and Sunny, a unicorn shifter. I know a lot of us wanted William to end up with Gillian, but I got over that in the last book and realized Gena Showalter knew what she was doing. I loved William with Sunny! Sunny quickly became one of my favorite heroines in this series! William has always been my favorite in this series and I was just so happy with his story. I recommend reading the series in order to fully enjoy the series storyline. I highly recommend this series for paranormal romance lovers. Gena Showalter always delivers a great love story.

*Review copy provided by Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | PaperbackHardback

Amazon Series link

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✿LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD SERIES BY GENA SHOWALTER✿

Amazon Series Link http://amzn.to/2yzQLQF
✦THE DARKEST FIRE (this is a bonus story and you don’t have to read it to understand the series or the characters) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2yElhGz
✦THE DARKEST NIGHT – Maddox (Violence) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2iX58HF
✦THE DARKEST KISS – Lucien (Death) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2gVyKSC
✦THE DARKEST PLEASURE – Reyes (Pain) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2yzrlCC
✦THE DARKEST PRISON (Novella) – Atlas and Nike (another bonus story) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2xccs5b
✦THE DARKEST WHISPER – Sabin (Doubt) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2xW3MUY
✦THE DARKEST ANGEL – Lysander and Bianka ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2gXVBNz
✦INTO THE DARK – a compendium of The Darkest Fire and The Darkest Prison printed inside, plus the original The Darkest Facts ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2zseQFt
✦THE DARKEST PASSION – Aeron (Wrath) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2yyIGLW
✦THE DARKEST LIE – Gideon (Lies) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2xcwA7l
✦THE DARKEST SECRET – Amun (Secrets) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2gWHcRr
✦THE DARKEST SURRENDER – Strider (Defeat) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2gWhCw4
✦THE DARKEST SEDUCTION – Paris (Promiscuity) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2gWstpW
✦THE DARKEST CRAVING – Kane (Disaster) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2xcNl2a
✦THE DARKEST TOUCH – Torin (Disease) ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-1Fm | Kindle http://amzn.to/2zqzWnO
✦THE DARKEST TORMENT – Baden (Distrust) ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-759 | Kindle http://amzn.to/2lH2Mxp
✦THE DARKEST PROMISE – Cameo (Misery) ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-90y | Kindle http://amzn.to/2rymHCb
✦THE DARKEST WARRIOR – Puck & Gillian (Releasing 06/26/18) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2BQXRz8 | Amazon HBK http://amzn.to/2zrkCr4
✦THE DARKEST CAPTIVE (1001 Dark Nights Novella) – Galen & Legion ➢ Review 4.5 Stars https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-aXd | Kindle http://amzn.to/2CZOY5E
✦‪‪‪THE DARKEST ASSASSIN (1001 Dark Nights Novella) – Fox & Bjorn ➢ Review 4.5 Stars https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-bmm | Kindle $2.99 https://amzn.to/2CdKCuk
✦‪‪‪THE DARKEST KING – Willam ➢ Kindle https://amzn.to/2wavmuj
✦‪‪‪THE WARLORD (Rise of the Warlords) (Releasing 2/23/2021) – Taliyah Skyhawk & Alaroc Phaethon ➢ Kindle: https://amzn.to/2DqEW3k
✦‪‪‪THE DARKEST DESTINY (1001 Dark Nights Novella) – Viola & Brochan (Releasing 12/07/2021) ➢ Kindle $2.99 https://amzn.to/2VYjSqQ

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About the Author

411A3C05-FDF9-4C09-BE5D-F743C622384CGena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, two young adult series–Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles–and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series. In addition to being a National Reader’s Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan (Red Hot Read) and Seventeen magazine, she’s appeared on Nightline and been mentioned in Orange is the New Black–if you ask her about it, she’ll talk for hours…hours! Her books have been translated in multiple languages.

She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com or Facebook.com/genashowalterfan

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: CALLING ON QUINN by Blue Saffire

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CALLING ON QUINN (The Blackhart Brothers Book 1) by Blue Saffire

Publication Date: February 25, 2020

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Synopsis

412D9DDE-A97E-4A90-877B-ACD08D6B1FE5He’s trouble—of the very best kind

Quinn Blackheart is a private investigator, former cop, and no-nonsense, take-charge kind of guy who adores his sprawling Irish family. He likes to check all the boxes, and his niece’s gorgeous driving instructor just earned a place at the top of his to-do list.

Alicia Rhodes has had a tough, chaotic year, and she’s ready to put the past behind her and find happiness in the present. When handsome Quinn Blackhart shows up at a driving lesson, she can see he’s the very best kind of trouble—but is she game? Now isn’t a great time to get involved with a man—even if he’s the most romantic, supportive, understanding, magnificent man she’s ever met.

So between unfinished business of Alicia’s, and a dangerous case threatening the Blackhart family, Quinn is determined to both woo Alicia and keep her safe—which is going to make for one wild, sexy ride.

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Donna 4 stars

I enjoyed this story, not just for the romance, but also the family camaraderie. I would love to belong to the Blackhart family. They poke fun at each other and get a little crazy, but when things get tough, they jump in to have each other’s backs. Quinn was definitely swoon-worthy and rather romantic. I wish his style of protection didn’t include constantly keeping Alicia in the dark. To me it effected the flow of the story. I didn’t warm up to Alicia right from the start, she was too deep into her past for me to relate to. But I understood her more as information was doled out and her personality began to come through. I’m glad, because then I was more invested in them both and cheered as they moved into a very sexy love-story. I also need to mention that the mysterious background story had me happily guessing until the end. I do wish more information was shared with the reader throughout the story because someone would get a call, faces were grim, then they rushed off to god knows where. Plopping the reader into the next scene to wait for the information to be shared. That is why I rated it a 4 and not a 5. Overall I loved the book and can’t wait for the next one.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

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Excerpt

Quinn

That lass does my head in. I don’t know how she can annoy the fuck out of me and turn me on so much I forget my own name at the same time. My body wants to go after her, but my mind is telling me to stay put.

My brothers and I have been on rotation to watch over Erin. Ma and Da left a while ago so Ma could shower in her own home and spend time with the babes. Kasey and Molly need their grandma. All of this is a big adjustment for the family. I think we’re all exhausted.

I can’t say the last time my mum didn’t stay overnight here at the hospital, with my da right by her side. I was happy to sit in while they take some time away. However, now my jaw ticks as I watch the swaying hips of the woman who’s been on my mind for a week.

I need to talk to her. That call went all wrong the other night. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m nothing but awkward when it comes to dating. Still, that woman made it a hell of a lot harder to try to ask her out.

I twist my lips into a frown as I watch her walk away. Trenton walks past her in the hallway, turning his head to watch her go by. I release a growl, feeling possessive and irritated.

“Now, that’s a looker.” He whistles when he enters the room.

“Stay here,” I snap at him.

“Wait, what?” he calls after me, but I’m already in motion.

My long legs eat up the floor as I head in the direction Alicia retreated in. I have her in sight as the elevator arrives. She steps in and the doors go to shut. I get there just in time to stick my foot in the way of them closing.

The lift makes a dinging sound as it opens wide. Alicia looks up from her phone as I step on. Our eyes lock and I close the distance between us. She drops her head down shyly to break the connection. She has to feel the same thing I feel. This energy that’s charging the tight space between us has a pulse.

The elevator chimes and others begin to crowd on, causing us to move closer together. Alicia tries to take a step back, but my hand shoots out. It lands protectively on her waist, drawing her into me to shield her.

I trap a groan between my lips when her soft curves press against me. She still won’t look up at me, but she doesn’t wiggle out of my hold either. She feels so right this close.

I dip my head to whisper in her ear, “We need to talk.”

She lifts her head to look at me, her lush lips are parted, begging me to kiss them. I’m this close to listening. The lift stops again, allowing more passengers onto the car.

Alicia places her hands on my chest as we’re squished more closely. The look in her eyes tells me I’m not alone in this. She indeed feels it too.

When we reach the lobby, the crowd starts to exit. I maneuver her body in front of mine to cover her as I lead her out. She relaxes into my hold on her waist, causing me to have hope that this won’t be a fight.

As soon as we get off the car, my newfound confidence implodes. A stony-faced Kevin is standing outside the elevator. When he turns his eyes to me, I know my talk with Alicia is going to have to wait.

“We need to talk,” Kevin says gruffly.

“I should be going anyway,” Alicia rushes out.

She tries to take off, but I wrap my fingers around her forearm to stop her forward motion. She turns to look back at me. I grind my teeth against the electric current that zaps straight up my arm.

“This isn’t over. We’ll be having that talk,” I say before releasing her.

“Not such a good idea, but it was nice seeing you again. I’ll keep Erin in my prayers,” she replies softly.

Excerpted from Calling on Quinn by Blue Saffire. © 2020 by Blue Saffire. Used with permission of the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Buy Links

Kindle | Paperback

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Giveaway

3 Copies of CALLING ON QUINN

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author

As a young girl, Blue’s mother introduced her to the world of love and music through movies, but once she got her hands onbooks, an author was born. With more than thirty contemporary romance novels and novellas under her belt, she’s now an award-winning, bestselling author. She lives with her husband on Long Island.

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Review: UNFORGIVEN by Jay Crownover

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UNFORGIVEN (Loveless, Texas Book 2) by Jay Crownover

Publication Date: February 25, 2020

Genre: Western Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

8F695521-274D-4399-8EAD-0A9D16DD3B8CFrom the New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series comes an irresistible and suspenseful romance between a tough Texas Ranger and his first love–a woman in danger who insists she doesn’t need his protection.

Hill Gamble is a model lawman: cool and collected, with a confident swagger to boot. Too bad all that Texas charm hasn’t gotten him anywhere in his personal life, especially since the only girl he ever loved has always been off-limits. But then Hill is assigned to investigate her father’s mysterious death, and he’s forced back to the town–and the woman–he left behind.

When Hill left Loveless, he broke Kody Lawton’s already battered heart. And now that he’s working on her father’s case, avoiding him is impossible. She can handle Hill and her unwanted feelings–until he puts his life on the line to protect her. Suddenly, Kody realizes that Hill could be taken away from her…for good.

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Donna 4 stars

I enjoyed this romantic suspense. The small town feel fit in with all the old closet-skeletons that people just can’t keep hidden.  I couldn’t read fast enough to get through the danger and discover the culprit. At times it was a bit convoluted and stretching things, but fun to read. I loved Hill. Strong and capable except when it comes to his hometown and memories, especially Kody. I wish I liked her more and was able to understand the attraction Hill still had for her. She came across as a sophomoric and spoiled bitch to me. Thankfully that feeling passed and I began to pull for their HEA. I liked that the story wasn’t jam-packed with action and left enough time for the romance to build into a sizzling-hot relationship. It’s a fast read that I couldn’t put down. Now I’ll be chomping at the bit for the next installment.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Paperback

Amazon Series Link

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About the Author

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men, The Point, and the Saints of Denver series. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she’ll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: WILD NIGHTS by Katherine Garbera

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WILD NIGHTS (Jokers Wild Series) by Katherine Garbera

Publication Date: February 10, 2020

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

C4172137-2D37-431A-BA46-8A9819EC3F50Master illusionist Nicholas Pine has learned the hard way that nothing—and nobody—is what they seem. So when he runs into sexy antique shop owner, Zelda Quincy, he knows there’s more to her than meets the eye. Still, what he sees is very, very intriguing…and he can’t get her out of his head.

Zelda has spent her whole adult life running away from her family’s reputation. She’s changed her name and tried to move on. The last thing she wants is to return to the world she left behind, even with someone as hot as Nicholas by her side.

But after one hot night––she’s addicted––and so is he.

Too bad the skeletons in Zelda’s closet won’t stay hidden for long…

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Donna 4 stars

I enjoyed this contemporary romance surrounded by a nice little mystery. Nicholas and Zoe each had things in their pasts that haunted them, made them guarded, but their instant chemistry eased the tension. Watching them work through their issues and into a relationship was nice. The romance itself had a nice bit of heat mixed in with tenderness. I also enjoyed the glimpses into the world of illusionists. Overall, a fun, quick read.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Paperback

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About the AuthorKatherine Garbera is the USA Today best-selling author of more than 90 books. Writing is the chief focus of her time after her family and the only thing she likes more than working on her own books is reading other authors. She is a frequent speaker at conferences and loves the opportunity to talk about writing with anyone who’ll listen.

Garbera started making up stories for her own benefit when she was on a competitive swim team in high school. Though she went to State and usually medaled at swim meets, Katherine says her heart wasn’t in swimming but rather in the stories she created as she swam laps at practice.

She worked for The Walt Disney World Company for 15 years and did everything from being a hostess on It’s a Small World, to saving swimmers at the Grand Floridian Resort, to touring around VIPs such as Jack Valenti at the Disney-MGM Studios and being a production page on the New Mickey Mouse Club–yes, it might be possible that Britney, Justine and Christina owe her a nod of thanks for keeping all those kids who had to go to the bathroom from interrupting their performances.

Her books have been featured in magazines such as REDBOOK (11/98)and have even been featured on the large JumboTron in Times Square, and excerpted in COSMO (7/10)

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Blog Tour & Review: IT WAS ALWAYS YOU by Erika Kelly

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IT WAS ALWAYS YOU (A Calamity Falls Novel, Book 5) by Erika Kelly

Publication Date: February 13, 3020

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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823851FB-EEC2-4A04-98DA-E1448C987287He’s the bad boy quarterback, one scandal away from being traded.

She’s the squeaky-clean pop star with a morality clause hanging around her neck.

And they can’t keep their hands off each other.

Cassian Ellis fell in love with Gigi Cavanaugh when he was fourteen. But he couldn’t have her. His mentor — her dad — promised to take him out of detention and all the way to the pros. The price: stay away from his daughter.

But Gigi was embedded in his soul — there was no distancing himself from her. And, senior year in high school, in a moment of desperation when he couldn’t take all the want and love and lust, he ended things in the worst way possible.

Now, nine years later, he’s forced to do charity work to clean up his party boy image.

And guess who’s working right alongside him?

Gigi can’t believe her bad luck. She’s on the same Dreams Come True tour as Cassian Ellis. And, with the press recording their every move, she has to pretend to like the man who tore out her heart and stomped all over it.

But Cassian couldn’t be happier since he never stopped loving her. And he’s determined to win her back. Only, someone’s leaking photographs, and headlines about the bad boy quarterback corrupting the squeaky-clean pop star could sink both their dreams.

Can their love overcome all the world has put between them?

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Cori 4.5 Stars

I could not put this book down! IT WAS ALWAYS YOU is the fifth book in Erika Kelly’s Calamity Falls Series. The Calamity Falls was previously called the Bad Boyfriend Series. The books in this series have new titles in case you have been following The Bad Boyfriend Series and see new books titles out there, they are the same books. I love the entire series and recommend them. Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone.

IT WAS ALWAYS YOU had great characters, hot romance and a story that pulled me in. I really enjoyed reading about these characters basically growing up, finding themselves and their dreams along with their love story. Erika Kelly always delivers a great love story and never disappoints! I recommend this book for romance lovers looking to get lost in a great love story.

*Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Paperback

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✿The Calamity Falls Series by Erika Kelly✿
✦1. KEEP ON LOVING YOU ➢ Review 5 Stars | Kindle
✦2. WE BELONG TOGETHER ➢ Review 4 Stars | Kindle
✦3. THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU ➢ Review 4.5 Stars | Kindle
✦4. JUST THE WAY YOU ARE ➢ Review 4.5 Stars | Kindle
✦5. IT WAS ALWAYS YOU ➢ Kindle

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✿✿✿ ADDITIONAL SERIES ✿✿✿

✿Wild Love Series by Erika Kelly✿
✦1. Mine For Now ➢ Review 4.5 StarsKindle
✦2. Mine for the Week ➢ Review 4.5 StarsKindle

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✿Rock Star Romance Series by Erika Kelly✿

✦1. You Really Got Me ➢ Review 5 Stars | Kindle
✦2. I Want You To Want Me ➢ Review 5 Stars | Kindle
✦3. Take Me Home Tonight ➢ Review 5 Stars | Kindle
✦4. More Than a Feeling ➢ Review 5 Stars | Kindle

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604CAF16-513E-40B9-A008-94B19D5E8AF7Award-winning author Erika Kelly has been spinning romantic tales all her life—she just didn’t know it. Raised on the classics, she didn’t discover romantic fiction until later in life. From that moment on, she’s been devouring the genre and has found her true voice as an author. Over three decades she’s written poems, screenplays, plays, short stories, and all kinds of women’s fiction novels. Married to the love of her life and raising four children, she’s lived in two countries and seven states, but give her pen and paper, a stack of good books, and a steaming mug of vanilla chai latte and she can make her home anywhere.

Review & Giveaway: IGNITE ON CONTACT by Jaci Burton

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IGNITE ON CONTACT (Brotherhood by Fire Series, Book 2) by Jaci Burton

Publication Date: February 4, 2020

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

25419686-066E-45F0-90B0-F6E15EC30F45 New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton is back with a friends-to-lovers romance sure to melt hearts as one smokin’-hot fireman turns up the heat on love.

Relationships. Firefighter Rafe Donovan avoids them whenever possible. He loves dating women, but he makes sure they know up front that he’s in it for fun, great sex and nothing more.

Fun. As an ER nurse and official caretaker of her disabled grandfather, Carmen Lewis doesn’t have time for fun. But Rafe has been there for Carmen–and her grandfather–time and again, and he’s clearly interested in her. She knows he’s a player, but she’s tempted by his charm and incredible body. And maybe a little fun isn’t a bad thing, as long as she keeps her heart away from this fiery game she’s enjoying with a very hot man.

Love. It doesn’t take Rafe long to realize that until now he’s only been playing at romance. With Carmen he feels searing passion and heart-tugging emotion for the first time. Now he has to convince Carmen that what they have together is the real deal.

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Donna 4 stars

I love this series mainly for the group dynamics and camaraderie between the brothers, their co-workers, and now the hospital staff. They make me want to be there. I fell in love with Rafe and wondered at his patience with Carmen sometimes. He’s sexy, funny and an all-around nice guy…ticking all my boxes. I did like Carmen but am not a fan of book long “I was burned once and can’t let myself fall in love again” dialogue. My personal opinion is that it becomes tiring, especially when the past incident was nothing major. I enjoyed their banter and how the relationship grew, surprising them both.

I love Ms. Burton’s writing style and how she pulls you in to develop a relationship with the characters. This story was sweet, humorous, romantic and enough sexiness to keep me warm on a winter day. I enjoyed it and look forward to book 3.

*Review copy provided by Pengiun in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Paperback

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Giveaway

Paperback Copy

Enter on Facebook Post HERE

Winner will be selected Monday (2/17) by 6PM EST. Paperback provided by Berkley Romance.

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About the Author Jaci Burton Bio PicAfter spending too many years to count in the high stress business world, New York Times and USA Today Bestelling Author Jaci Burton is happy to be living her dream of writing passionate romance. She has written over forty-five novels and is contracted to write ten more. Jaci has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business that she is thrilled not to be using in the corporate environment anymore. She grew up in Missouri but migrated to California, where she lived for thirteen years, but now makes her home in Oklahoma with her husband and five dogs. She enjoys being outdoors in the summer and she and her husband are avid Harley riders.

Jaci writes in multiple genres, from erotic romance to romantic suspense to contemporary romance. She has won the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Award, and has been nominated for the award four times. She has been a finalist in the Bookseller’s Best and National Reader’s Choice Awards, and has won The Romance Studio’s CAPA Award four times.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Spotlight, Review & Excerpt: WHITEOUT by Adriana Anders

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WHITEOUT (Survival Instincts Book 1) by Adriana Anders

Publication Date: January 28, 2020

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Synopsis

DB6A5991-F353-4688-B4C3-699802A192E7With a storm coming and a killer on the loose, every step could be their last…

Angel Smith is finally ready to leave Antarctica for a second chance at life. But on what was meant to be her last day, the remote research station she’s been calling home is attacked. Hunted and scared, she and irritatingly gorgeous glaciologist Ford Cooper barely make it out with their lives…only to realize that in a place this remote, there’s nowhere left to run.

Isolated with no power, no way to contact the outside world, and a madman on their heels, Angel and Ford must fight to survive in the most inhospitable—and beautiful—place on earth. But what starts as a partnership born of necessity quickly turns into an urgent connection that burns bright and hot. They both know there’s little chance of making it out alive, and yet they are determined to weather the coming storm—no matter the cost.

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Donna 4 stars

This is a new author that is going on my must-read list. I like how the author didn’t go into minute detail to explain the environment, yet I felt I was there. That made the story flow and not get bogged down. What a wild ride it was…I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see what would happen next. It had it all: A couple you grew to care about, villains you love to hate, ongoing human caused danger, survival of the elements in the balance, and people around them that blend as a group. Coop/Ford, was seriously introverted, yet the author let us see what was going on inside him enough to feel for the guy. Angel was my favorite heroine. Vulnerable, but when strength and determination are needed, she was right there leading the way. They made a great and believable couple. I am was excited to see the development of this new series – now I have to wait for book 2.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

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Excerpt

They finished dinner, cleaned up, and went about getting ready for bed.
“Better take care of those feet,” he said.
A low sound of protest emerged from inside the sleeping bag, where Angel had already taken up residence. “Can it wait till the morning?”
“Frostbite’s not something to mess with. Let’s see them.” He didn’t intend to sound quite so bossy.
“I’ll do it.” Her words were slurred.
“You can barely move.” He held on to the kit, obstinate—and something else. Responsible, maybe. “I saw you limping out there. Your knee’s bugging you. Don’t deny it.”
She threw him a glare, but surprised him by complying.
He took hold of one slender foot and stripped it gently but quickly, since even in shelter, the risk of frostbite was real. It was light in his palm and mostly warm enough to alleviate his worry, though her toes were chilly. He touched each one. “Any numbness?”
She shook her head.
With great care, he peeled the bandages off, cleaned her skin, and reapplied fresh ones where needed, slipping the sock back on before starting the whole process with the other foot.
He couldn’t say exactly when it occurred to him that he held her naked foot in his hand, but once the realization popped into his head, it wouldn’t go away. Hung around like an itch he couldn’t get to.
A foot, for God’s sake. Ridiculous.
But the foot didn’t feel ridiculous right now. He gently squeezed it and expelled a harsh breath.
It felt…improper. Especially in comparison with the rest of her fully clothed body. And secret, somehow. He knew things about her now. He knew her second toe was longer than the big one, that her arches were high and elegant, her skin already roughened from two days of marching in the freezing desert air. He knew she’d put on a bright red nail polish at some point. It’d worn mostly off, but it made her toes look like candy. And he’d never craved sugar so badly.
The best course of action, now that she was all bandaged up, was to give her back her foot.
But he couldn’t.
Instead, he ran his thumb along the central curve, pressed forward beneath her toes, then down to her heel. The sounds she made were—he swallowed—obscene. A shocked gasp that urged him to look her way. He didn’t, though, because if their eyes met, he might have to stop.
And that was the last thing he wanted to do.
Another rub, deeper this time, bearing down on aching muscles. But it didn’t sound like pain when she moaned, low and guttural, and though he knew better, he let his eyes slide up her body to her face.
He froze. He’d never seen anything hotter—not on-screen or in the throes of sex or in his darkest fantasy.
Mouth open, eyes closed, cheeks flushed, everything about her screamed pleasure. Just to be sure, he stroked back and pressed again, wanting—no, needing—to know which notes this spot would play on her ever-changing face.
And she didn’t disappoint. Every feature cringed, slowly, sensually, in a magnified expression of pleasure-pain. Sweeping up to caress her toes now was sheer torture, because he was hard—shocking in this cold—and her reactions, though subtle, were more intimately real than any peepshow.
He could’ve gone on forever, rubbing, rapt, eyes glued to her face as she showed him just how good he made her feel, picturing how amazing she’d look if he were kissing her, or—
Her eyes popped open, ensnaring his in their velvet trap.
Everything went quiet, stilling as if the storm had taken a breath. Or maybe it was him going a little deaf, like when his ears needed popping in a plane. Except he could hear the things happening in this tent. Could feel and smell with overwhelming precision every fine detail blown up under a microscope.
They shared a couple hard inhale-exhales, the tension between them as palpable as the frigid temperature.
The press of his fingers lessened, his caresses slowed, until he did nothing but grasp her foot while she just as steadily held his gaze.
“That feels amazing,” she said in a bedroom whisper that he could feel deep in his bones, though it couldn’t possibly be loud enough to hear.
Her mouth closed and his attention flicked down, watching her swallow with something awfully close to hunger before sliding back up to find her eyes boring into him.

Excerpted from Whiteout by Adriana Anders. © 2020 by Andriana Anders. Used with permission of the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Buy Links

Kindle | Paperback

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About the Author

Adriana Anders is the award-winning author of the Blank Canvas series. Under Her Skin, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2017 and winner of two 2018 Holt Medallions, has been featured in Bustle, USA Today Happy Ever After, and Book Riot. Today, she resides with her tall French husband and two small children in France, where she writes the gritty, emotional love stories of her heart.

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