Favorites of 2018

Spotlight Tour: The One You Fight For by Roni Loren

How hard would you fight for the one you love?

Taryn Landry was there that awful night fourteen years ago when Long Acre changed from the name of a town to the title of a national tragedy. Everyone knows she lost her younger sister. No one knows it was her fault. Since then, psychology professor Taryn has dedicated her life’s work to preventing something like that from ever happening again. Falling in love was never part of the plan…

 Shaw Miller has spent more than a decade dealing with the fallout of his brother’s horrific actions. After losing everything—his chance at Olympic gold, his family, almost his sanity—he’s changed his name, his look, and he’s finally starting a new life. As long as he keeps a low profile and his identity secret, everything will be okay, right? 

When the world and everyone you know defines you by one catastrophic tragedy…

How do you find your happy ending?

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Excerpt

“This does not look like an establishment that serves cake,” Kincaid said as Taryn stopped in front of the Tipsy Hound bar. “And if it did, I wouldn’t want to eat their cake.”

“After that workout, I need something stronger than cake,” Taryn said, feeling grumpy after the grueling session that Kaya, the perky female trainer who was definitely not Lucas, had put her through. Taryn had not been feeling in the mood for a workout already, but when she’d found out Lucas was no longer going to be her trainer because he’d decided to take some night classes, her attitude had plummeted further. Kaya’s unending enthusiasm had not helped. If she’d said You can do it! one more damn time, Taryn might’ve pushed her in the pool.

Kincaid glanced at the chipped paint on the sign by the door. “This place looks like a dive.”

“It is,” Taryn agreed. “It’s perfect.”

Kincaid gave her a skeptical look. “And it’s eighties open mic night. Are we really going to subject ourselves to that?”

“You signed me up for something that involved trapeze and falling into swimming pools. I have earned the right to choose the next activity.”

Kincaid relented and waved a hand. “Yep, you’re right. Lead on, and I shall follow.”

“Thank you.” Taryn pushed open the door and was hit with the smell of beer and the sound of a Phil Collins song being murdered mercilessly by the woman onstage. “I’ve been here before. It’s got…some charm.”

Honestly, Taryn had no idea why she’d decided to come back to the Tipsy Hound. There were plenty of other places in Austin where she and Kincaid could’ve grabbed a drink. Better lit places. Places where their shoes wouldn’t stick to the floor. But something about this bar had called to her again when they’d driven past. Maybe after watching her life’s work get flushed down the toilet the night before, she needed to remind herself that at least she hadn’t taken the path she’d originally planned and tried to be a songwriter. This would’ve probably been her future. Sticky-floored dive bars. She was still doing better than that, right?

Kincaid fluffed her hair, somehow managing to look completely put together with just a five-minute gym shower and some quickly applied makeup. Taryn had done her best to look presentable, but all she’d packed in her gym bag were hair products, lipstick, and some mascara. Maybe it was good the place was dark.

“Let’s grab a table and see if this joint can make a decent margarita,” Kincaid said, eyeing the possible places to sit.

Taryn pointed. “The one in the back over there looks good. And it won’t be as loud.”

“Hey, Jamez with a z!” a voice called from somewhere off to Taryn’s left.

Taryn winced. She hadn’t considered that someone might remember her from the other night. This place seemed to do open mics every evening. She was just one of many who’d gotten on that stage, but the owner apparently had a good memory. She gave Kaleb a discreet wave, hoping Kincaid didn’t notice.

But he didn’t take the hint. He stepped closer and flicked his bar towel over his shoulder. “Hey, do you do eighties, too? I hope so because, goddamn, we could use a good song tonight. The offerings have been bleak. This has been worse than karaoke night. And karaoke night makes me want to drink the hard stuff.”

Kincaid turned around at that, doubling back. “Excuse me?”

Kaleb smiled affably. “Oh, you brought a friend. Right on.” He put out his hand to Kincaid. “I’m Kaleb, co-owner of the place. I was just telling Jamez here that we could use her onstage tonight.”

Kincaid cocked her head as she shook his hand, no doubt remembering the name Lucas had first called her at the race. Kincaid didn’t forget anything. “Right. Jamez. Onstage.”

“Have you seen her play?” he asked, jabbing a thumb toward the front. The singer ended her tortuous rendition of “Sussudio,” and a smattering of lackluster applause followed.

Taryn put her hands up as if there was a way to stuff that cat back into the bag, but of course, there wasn’t. Kincaid’s attention flicked to Taryn, her eyebrows arching. “Play. Like an instrument. On a stage?”

“Yeah, man. Good guitar player and has some pipes on her, too.” Kaleb grabbed his phone out of his back pocket. “What song you wanna do, Jamez? You can pick anything that hasn’t already been sung tonight.”

“Oh, no, no,” Taryn said, waving her hand. “I’m just here to listen and have a drink tonight. I’m not up for performing.”

Kaleb’s face fell. “Really? You sure? Could I entice you with free drinks for both of you in exchange for a song?”

Kincaid perked up. “Yes, do you have marg—”

“No,” Taryn said quickly. “Not tonight. Eighties really aren’t in my wheelhouse. But thanks.”

Kaleb shrugged and his affable smile returned. “Ah, nineties to the end… I get it. Well, let me know if y’all need anything. And first drink’s on me anyway.”

Kincaid put her hand to her chest. “Well, thanks, sweet thing.” She waited until he walked off and then looked at Taryn with a wicked light in her eyes. “For the drink and the information. Jamez with a z.”

“Don’t look at me like that,” Taryn warned.

“Like what?” Kincaid asked innocently.

“Like I’m now the cake you were looking for. Can we just ignore that this conversation happened?” Taryn asked, stepping past her friend and heading to the table.

“Um, no, we cannot, missy,” Kincaid replied, following closely behind, her high heels clicking on the floor. She waited until Taryn had taken her seat and then slid into the chair next to her. “That is not a conversation I can just forget. You play guitar and sing? Since when?”

Taryn ignored her for a moment and ordered two margaritas on the rocks from the waitress. When they were alone again, she relented. “Since middle school, but I don’t do it anymore. The other night—the night after that bad date—I had a lapse in judgment, gave Kaleb a fake name, and ended up getting onstage here.”

Kincaid’s lips parted on a gasp. “That’s why Lucas called you Jamez! You met him here? He saw you sing?”

She shrugged. “He saw me freak out onstage and bail. Yeah.”

Kincaid set her chin in her hand, a look of wonder and delight on her face. “It’s like I don’t know you at all. I need to see this singing Taryn. I need that in my life right this minute.”

“Not happening. I’m retired.” Taryn accepted a complimentary bowl of homemade barbecue chips and her drink from the waitress and took a long sip, the sweet and salty liquid cooling her dry throat. “It was a stupid thing to do that night. It brings back…too much crap. That was the person I was in high school, before everything. It just brought back painful memories.”

Kincaid frowned. “Oh, I’m sorry, honey. Is that why you freaked out onstage?”

“Pretty much.”

“Ugh,” Kincaid said, leaning back in her chair and grabbing a few of the chips. “Trauma sucks.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Taryn said wryly. “But at least we can sit here and listen to a sure-to-be-stellar rendition of ‘Billie Jean’ by that guy.”

Kincaid looked to the stage where a very paunchy white dude with a biker vest was gearing up for some Michael Jackson. She groaned. “Oh Lordy, I’m going to need a lot of liquor for this.”

However, to their surprise, when the biker actually started singing, he turned out to be pretty damn good. Good voice and much higher-pitched than anyone could’ve guessed. He was hitting every hee-hee with perfect pitch. Taryn found herself bopping her head to the music and enjoying the performance. But when he turned to the side, beer belly on full display beneath his T-shirt, and busted out his moonwalk, she and Kincaid almost lost it. Taryn put her hand over her mouth to staunch her laugh. “Oh my God, he’s so nailing it.”

“I take everything I said back. I love this place,” Kincaid said, clapping and letting out a whoop. “It’s my new favorite.”

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Release Day Blitz: The Dating Alternative by Jennifer Woodhull

Today we have the release day blitz of THE DATING ALTERNATIVE by Jennifer Woodhull! Check it out and grab your copy now!

THE DATING ALTERNATIVE by Jennifer Woodhull

Genre: Romantic Comedy

About The Dating Alternative:

Max has crushed on Brie for as long as he's known her but the timing was never right. When he finds out they're finally single at the same time, he's poised to move from friend zone to serious dating... until he finds out she's only looking for something physical. He offers his services in hopes she'll come around. Just when things are starting to go his way, a shocking turn of events snatches her from his grasp. Now he has to resurrect the life he thought he'd left behind to help the woman he's falling in love with before it's too late.

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Exclusive Excerpt

“I could help you, you know. It would be an investment,” she says, glancing at me from under her eyebrows. She knows my response will be the same as it has the half-dozen times she has asked before. “No, Nana. I’m not taking your money. Thanks, though. I appreciate that you believe in me,” I say, squeezing her hand. “That means more than you know.” “As long as you’re happy, dear,” she says, reaching for another cupcake. “Are you supposed to have two?” I ask her, arching up an eyebrow. She isn’t diabetic and she’s in pretty good health, but I always worry about her. At seventy-eight, I know how important it is for her to eat right so she can stay feisty and keep kicking my ass for a lot of years to come. “The first one was very small,” she says, grinning devilishly as she bites into the second cupcake. This is exactly why I only brought her half, instead of a full dozen. If I brought twelve, she would eat them all, without hesitation, as soon as I was out the door. “I brought my toolbox,” I say. “Got any chores for me?” “Well, if it’s not too much trouble, I might have a couple of things you could do,” she smiles at me. “I won’t keep you all day.” She says, retrieving a notepad on which has scrawled at least seventeen things she needs me to do. I smile as I take it from her hand. “I’m on it, Nana.” “Thank you…. I’m going to go watch my programs,” she says waving her hand in the air as she turns to walk away. “Let me know when you get to page three.” Page three? I flip through the notepad. Yup. Three pages. Fuck. Goodbye, Saturday off.

 

About the Author

 

We all need moments of escape. With all the demands on us day in and day out, we each need something just for ourselves. Perhaps nothing provides a private moment - a brief respite from every day - like escaping into a great story. When you pick up one of my books I hope you find that place that you can escape to. Explore the streets of Paris with new heroines or fly around the world to reclaim your lost love with a favorite hero. Whether it's the romance that takes your breath away or those climactic encounters that make your pulse race, I hope you find that solitary moment of enjoyment while lost in one of my stories.

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Review: The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Published: January 9, 2018

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Ratings: 3/5

Synopsis

When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.

You will assume you are reading about a jealous ex-wife.

You will assume she is obsessed with her replacement – a beautiful, younger woman who is about to marry the man they both love.

You will assume you know the anatomy of this tangled love triangle.

Assume nothing.

Twisted and deliciously chilling, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's The Wife Between Us exposes the secret complexities of an enviable marriage - and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love.

My Thoughts

I kept hearing a lot of this novel so when I finally finished it I was so on the fence. In The Wife Between Us it was labeled as a thriller and so I went into this looking for that but I never got it. There were parts when I was confused as to who was who and in the beginning, I felt something building up but nothing ever really happened.

We see the tale as old as time about a couple who divorce and now he is about to remarry and his ex seems to become obsessed but is she really? Then we hear parts of her story and her past which does come into play. Is she just an obsessed ex who is crazy or is she a victim of sorts? To be honest, by the end I really didn’t care. I did give it three stars because when the “reveal” finally happened I was a bit taken back and surprised.

All in all, I think this failed the hype in my opinion. There were great parts but other times I was like umm okay, I think if it was dubbed a mystery which is what it was more to me I would’ve maybe liked it more. In the end, it wasn’t bad but it was the greatest either.

Holiday Review: Some Kind of Christmas by Jody Holford

Some Kind of Christmas by Jody Holford

Published: November 6, 2017

Format: free Kindle read

Ratings: 3.5/5

Synopsis

Knowing she has to spend Christmas alone, Ellie Wexly tries to make the most of her holidays. When a kitchen mishap brings her past, literally, barging through her door, her plans change. Cooper Walsh didn't realize what he wanted for Christmas until he answered a routine fire call. Now, he knows exactly what he wants: Ellie. This Christmas and every one after.

My Thoughts

In this short Christmas romance, Ellie thinks her day has started off as bad as it could but by the end, she will have everything she has been wishing for. Ellie accidentally has a kitchen disaster and when a hot firefighter comes to her rescue little does she know that her past has come back to haunt her. Ellie knows this guy he is her brothers best friend growing up and her crush back in the day. They soon spend the day together and as time passes both realize that they have fallen for each other. She’s been hurt and wants to take her time and he simply wants her and just wants to make this Christmas her best yet. I really enjoyed this little gem I found it cute and romantic and I didn’t even mind the insta-love factor that was going on. I found Cooper respectful of Ellie and their past together and the fact that he wanted to make her Christmas special since she was by herself gave him big points in my book. This was definitely a good read.

Holiday Review: A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schulz

Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz

Published: 1965

Publisher: Running Press

Format: via Overdrive

Ratings: 5/5

Synopsis

Start this holiday season off with a bang by celebrating with the PEANUTS gang in the timeless classic A Charlie Brown Christmas. Read along with Charlie Brown in his heartwarming quest to uncover the true meaning of Christmas with Snoopy, Linus, and friends!

My Thoughts

I’ve never been one for cartoons even when I was a kid but there was always something about Charlie Brown that I connected with. So even now I still wait anxiously every year for A Charlie Brown Christmas to come on the tv and I sit there smiling at the Peanuts gang as they dance and tell us what Christmas really means. If you haven’t read this what are you waiting for? It’s the best Christmas book with a message that all of us should take to heart.

Review: You Always Change the Love of Your Life by Amalia Andrade

You Always Change the Love of Your Life by Amalia Andrade

Expected Publication: December 31, 2018

Publisher: Penguin Books

Format: via publisher

Ratings: 3.5/5

Synopsis

A broken heart can feel like the end of the world, but the bestselling author and illustrator Amalia Andrade knows this simply isn't true. Change is not a defeat or a surrender, but rather a promise. Because if the "love of your life" doesn't work out, there is always a chance for something new--a new love, or a new life.

When Amalia was faced with her own heartbreak, she knew she couldn't let herself get lost in despair. With her sunshiny outlook, electrifying energy, and unique sense of humor, she constructed the ultimate first aid kit: an interactive guide to getting over someone through reflections, recipes, and lots of ingenious ideas for transforming a negative experience into a liberating one.

In these pages, you'll find the secret code for interpreting text-message read receipts, loving odes to Beyonce, the ideal playlist for crying in the shower, and much, much more. You Always Change the Love of Your Life reveals the secret to mending your heart and maybe even opening it up again: in love and in lovelessness, we are never alone.

My Thoughts

In You Always Change the Love of Your Life author Amalia Andrade gives us everything we could need in order to get over a breakup. As we all have experienced at some point in our lives we all had that moment when we thought we couldn’t move on and that we would never love again. Though a bit of humor and thoughtfulness she gives us pointers if you will on the perfect playlist for crying and advice on how not to stalk your ex on social media. This book has a little bit of everything she gives us recipes and checklists but what I enjoyed the most were the short stories that are weaved throughout. I found them intriguing and very inspiring  Even though this read has some funny parts don't let that fool you, this is also a read with the inspiration to love yourself and to know your value as a person. While this is a short read it has a lot to offer even if you aren’t going through a breakup at the time. I guarantee you will find something inside that will entertain you and its always ideal to have just in case you might need it one day.

Review: Becoming by Michelle Obama

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Published: November 13, 2018

Publisher: Crown

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Ratings: 5/5

Synopsis

In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African-American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.

In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms.

My Thoughts

This book is utterly amazing! In Becoming we get the life and thoughts of Michelle Obama and she doesn’t hold back. We get the story of her upbringing and her relationship with her parents. We see her grow up and her school life and the friendships that still impact her today. I loved when she talked about her parents and how she didn’t ask for more than she needed because she knew that her parents sacrificed for her and her brother yet they always encourage her and made all things possible when it came to her future. There were times in this memoir that brought tears to my eyes when she discussed her parents and her love and the devotion that they had for one another touched my heart.

When Barack enters the picture she shares her initial thoughts on him and how he simply fitted into her life, they balanced each other out and they always supported one another in all aspects of their lives. I liked that she shared parts of her life, such as her trouble to conceive and her heartbreak of miscarrying a child to her feelings on both election nights and how she felt when Hilary Clinton lost.

All in all, this is a compelling read one that shows us sides of the former First Lady that many might not know. We get her feelings on things that happened during their run in the White House and how she tried to balance marriage and family life in the world spotlight. Its inspirational and you can truly feel her love for her family and for this nation. This is a must read for sure.

Review: One Day in December by Josie Silver

One Day in December by Josie Silver

Published: October 16, 2018

Publisher: Broadway Books

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Ratings: 4/5

Synopsis

Laurie is pretty sure love, at first sight, doesn't exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there's a moment of pure magic...and then her bus drives away.

Certain they're fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn't find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they "reunite" at a Christmas party, when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It's Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.

What follows for Laurie, Sarah and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming and an immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.

My Thoughts

This book gave me the feels Y'all!! One Day in December is about Laurie who one day while on the bus sees the one. Yes, a stranger but she knows he is the ONE! Although she just sees him for a few seconds when their eyes connect she knew there was something there. So what is a girl to do when she sees the guy she feels she was meant to be with? Absolutely nothing she didn’t get a name or number so she goes through life always wondering about that guy. Like they say if something comes back to you then its meant to be and years later HE comes back into her life. However it's not as she would’ve liked it, he is her best friends new boyfriend talk about awkward! Like a good friend, she doesn’t say anything to her friend who knows all about the guy she simply keeps her feeling to herself.

She doesn’t know if he remembers her although he acts like he doesn’t which crushes Laurie. So she must move on because she knows her friend is head over heels in love and he couldn’t feel anything for Laurie could he? As the years go by and relationships change they become friends but have the feelings changed? Are they just friends or is something lurking beneath? A lot is at stake if she reveals her true feelings she could lose her best friend forever and her friendship with Jack, she must decide if its all worth it to take that chance.

I really enjoyed this read I thought it was sweet and swoon-worthy. Is it cheesy? Yes but I love that about it. I loved how we see friendship evolve over the years and that it shows us the true spectrum of a romance. Like real life, nothing comes easy and it has its ups and down. I highly encourage everyone to read this gem that will have you cheering for Jack and Laurie though the years.

Review: The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman

Published: October 31, 2017

Publisher: Atria Books

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Ratings: 4/5

Synopsis

A father and a son are seeing each other for the first time in years. The father has a story to share before it’s too late. He tells his son about a courageous little girl lying in a hospital bed a few miles away. She’s a smart kid—smart enough to know that she won’t beat cancer by drawing with crayons all day, but it seems to make the adults happy, so she keeps doing it.

As he talks about this plucky little girl, the father also reveals more about himself: his triumphs in business, his failures as a parent, his past regrets, his hopes for the future.

Now, on a cold winter’s night, the father has been given an unexpected chance to do something remarkable that could change the destiny of a little girl he hardly knows. But before he can make the deal of a lifetime, he must find out what his own life has actually been worth, and only his son can reveal that answer.

My Thoughts

The Deal of a Lifetime is such a touching story of a father who hasn’t been there for his son finds out he has cancer. He was always busy with work and put that before his family and that caused his family to fall apart, he thought success and wealth were more important than anything else. I like how this novel was teaching and showing us how family should be the most important thing and that material things don’t matter much in the end. This is a very emotional and touching read about sharing your feelings with those around you because you never know what lies ahead.

Review: Goldie Vance Vol. 3 & 4 by Hope Larson

 

Goldie Vance Vol 3&4 by Hope Larson

Published: November 21, 2017 / November 7, 2017

Publisher: BOOM! Box

Format: via Hoopla

Ratings: 4/5 & 5/5

My Thoughts

In Volume 3 we find Goldie back at it when she thinks someone is trying to sabotage a major race coming up. Not only that but she thinks someone is trying to hurt her old childhood friend Sugar but Goldie is determined to find who it is and maybe even find some common ground with Sugar again. I really enjoyed this one especially since we get a little more drama and more of a backstory when it comes to Sugar.

In Volume 4 all havoc breaks loose when a huge music festival comes to Florida but something is off when major power outages could ruin everything. However, something doesn’t add up since it only happens when a certain bands song play. Who is behind all of this and will Goldie and friends be able to solve this and make the festival go off without a hitch? This one by far was my fave! I loved the music aspect and of course, all the mystery but what I love most is that this one balances both perfectly.

12 Days of Clean Romance: A Snow Globe Christmas by Hayley Wescott

 

A Snow Globe Christmas by Hayley Wescott 

Kelsey Patrick is homesick for the snow and family Christmas tree from her childhood in Connecticut. The holidays are coming and South Florida weather is lovely, but it's not what she wants for Christmas. She's making the best of it, but she expects her Christmas to be un-snowy and lonely. When she receives a lovely and thoughtful last minute Secret Santa gift from Mrs. Claus, Kelsey's Christmas spirit is revived. When she tries to find the one who gave her the gift under the guise of Mrs. Claus, she makes an assumption that leads her down the wrong path. Brett Taylor is firmly seated in the friend zone and knows Kelsey is making a mistake, but he's in no position to try to change her mind. Just when both Brett and Kelsey are set to spend their holidays working and alone, a chain of events just might change all that. And maybe Mrs. Claus will see her sweet work behind the scenes bring two love birds together at last.

   

“Oh, you are still going to be able to make it to my supper party after the gift giving, aren’t you?” Kelsey asked. “I mean, it’s nothing special, just a big tray of lasagna and some appetizers and dessert, of course. And being cramped into my tiny apartment will be an adventure. But, it’s Christmas, and you guys are my Florida family. We’re all working over the festive period, so we need to let our hair down a little, don’t you think?” “Hey, I’m coming back with you after the gifts to help you get ready. Wouldn’t miss the Patrick festive Christmas lasagna,” Annie said giggling. “Tell me what you need me to bring and I’ll get it while I’m out now. It was the best night of the year, last year.” “Thank you, that means a lot, Kelsey said, touched at Annie’s compliment. “I think I’m good, though.” She paused. “No, hang on a minute. They didn’t have any heavy cream when I went to the store earlier. Could you see if Nielsen’s has any, if you’re going to be next door at Caspar’s.” “I can do that. Ooh, I do hope you’re gonna use that cream in your famous cherry trifle. I just love that stuff,” Annie said, not disguising the desire in her voice. Kelsey couldn’t help wondering if she was actually drooling. It made her smile to think her food was so appreciated. “I might, I might not. It’ll all depend on whether you get me the cream,” she teased. “Oh, I’ll get you that cream,” Annie vowed. The two women laughed and made their good byes, assuring each other that they’d meet up at work the next day. Hanging up, Kelsey wondered what it must be like, to be one of those people who left everything to the very last minute. To not have even thought about what you were going to buy someone, the night before that gift was to be given, that would never sit well with Kelsey. Normally her tree would have been up on the very first day of December, and her presents and cards wrapped and delivered across the country a week ago. She absolutely hated that her tree had only gone up today when it was just a week and a half from Christmas. But, because of all the shifts she’d taken at work she didn’t really have much of a choice if she wanted to sleep any. It was done now and her living room sparkled from all the fairy lights as they flashed their bright hues over the glittering tinsel and shiny metallic baubles. Feeling weary, Kelsey stretched and yawned loudly. Winston looked at her with wide eyes. “Bed time?” she asked him. He ran straight through to the bedroom and began to stake his claim at the end of the bed. He kneaded the mattress with his paws, then settled down, curling his body up into a tight ball, though he left his legs out in front of him, making him look a bit like a furry shrimp. Kelsey slipped off her shorts and tee shirt and slipped on an old night shirt. It had a very faded Mickey Mouse on it and was so misshapen from all the years of washings that it was barely holding itself together. But it was comfortable on the warm nights here in Florida, and so Kelsey would never part with it. The sheets were cool as she slipped between them, and it wasn’t long before she had fallen fast asleep. She dreamed of snow falling all around her with fat, heavy flakes landing on her hair and her eyelashes. Wrapped up in a thick coat, with woolen mittens and a hand-knitted scarf and hat she was toasty warm. She twirled around and around, as though she were a ballerina in a music box, turning her face up to the sky and opening her mouth so the snow could land on her tongue, all icy and fresh. It was like Heaven on Earth, and when the alarm sounded Kelsey didn’t want to wake up and face the bright sunshine, or the palm trees, or the sea because there would be no snow again today in Florida. 

 

Wonderful story! The characters are engaging and I love the emphasis on family. Christmas away from home filled with memories takes the reader on a sweet Christmas adventure with friends and surprises to make for a nice evening read. The end is such a sweet surprise, I never saw it coming! Very good clean romance.     

     

Author Hayley Wescott

Hayley Wescott loves a sweet love story with the emphasis on the sweet. As a Christian author, she's happy and fulfilled to write stories about real life that don't include cringe-worthy moments or details a reader doesn't really want. Some of Hayley's stories are about real life. Contemporary stories about flawed people and people that have issues. But each of these stories is resolved in a positive way and the guy always gets the girl. As part of the Hero Hearts group, Hayley loves writing about heroes who will save the day in big ways and small ones. With Annie Boone, who writes historical romance, and Kate Cambridge who writes both historical and contemporary romance, these three will deliver sweet stories that will capture your heart. Handsome men with big hearts and big jobs and the women who end up falling for them.

  

     

    

Giveaway Details 

$25 Amazon Gift Code or $25 in PayPal Cash Ends 1/6/19 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, Instagram, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day Blitz: Until the Next Time by Josie Kerr

UNTIL THE NEXT TIME by Josie Kerr is available now! Get your hands on this sexy contemporary romance today.

About UNTIL THE NEXT TIME

Meghan Sullivan doesn’t have time for distractions, especially one like handsome veteran Jason Richards. She needs to concentrate on saving Foley’s Public House, and that means focusing all her energy on preparing for a huge local event that could make or break the struggling pub.

Jason Richards has a long history with Meghan. The two had been friends with benefits until Meghan put an end to things when her father got ill. Now Jason spends his time with his brothers, both blood and military, but wonders what would have happened if he’d gotten his act together earlier.

When outside forces conspire against Meghan, she reluctantly turns to Jason for help. The two vow to keep things professional, but serious chemistry and years of bottled up emotions make it impossible for them to keep their distance. When the actions against Meghan turn personal, Jason will do everything in his power to keep her safe.

Get your hands on UNTIL THE NEXT TIME now:

✦Amazon https://amzn.to/2DTJyNd ✦Apple Books https://apple.co/2DRjO4c ✦B&N http://bit.ly/2DSF09S ✦Kobo http://bit.ly/2DSFAok

Read an excerpt from UNTIL THE NEXT TIME now:

“J-Jason, you asshole,” Meghan stammered against his chest. She looked up at him, expecting him to be flashing that mischievous, sexy grin of his. Instead, she found him as serious as she’d ever seen him look. “Jason,” she whispered. “You scared the shit out of me.” “Sorry, babe.” He wiped a droplet of water off her cheek with his thumb and smoothed her soggy hair back from her face. “I didn’t mean to.” He stepped away from her, his eyes blazing. “You’re soaking wet, Meghan.” His voice was hushed, intense, and his gaze practically burned her. His eyes swept her from head to toe, pausing where her nipples jutted through her thin T-shirt, which was now transparent. “That’s what happens when you spray yourself with water.” God, Meghan. You are an idiot. “You should probably get out of these wet things.” His lip twitched, and his familiar grin appeared. Meghan snorted. Maybe Jason was the idiot. What wasn’t idiotic was the way he ran his hands over her body, first on her shoulders and down her arms, then to her waist. He plucked the T-shirt from her waistband, exposing the strip of skin at her waist. “Do you need some help?” he whispered even as he worked her shirt over her head. Meghan heard the plop of wet cotton on the floor, but she didn’t take her eyes off him. Her thoughts raced through her head. He’d pulled back yesterday, which was definitely reasonable, although disappointing. But now? Now, he looked like he wanted nothing more than to take her every way imaginable. And Meghan had a very vivid imagination. He stepped into her space and pulled her to him, his big hand splayed across her back. “What about the thing we talked about yesterday?” Meghan was horrified the moment the words came out of her mouth. What the hell was she doing? He froze, but he didn’t take his hands off of her. In fact, she could feel him fiddling with the clasp of her bra. “I haven’t started working on your project, so I’m not technically your employee yet.” “Oh. Well.” Meghan swallowed hard. “That’s a totally different situation, then, right?” “Right.” The clasp sprang open, and Jason’s hands were all over her bare back and then at her shoulders, slipping the straps down her arms. Meghan panicked for a split second. She could think of only two times when Jason saw her completely topless, but by his appreciative look, he approved. Then, in a flash, he had her up in his arms and had carried her over to the empty dry-goods table which was a height where her breasts just happened to be at the perfect level for him to suck one peak into his hot mouth. She groaned as his tongue circled her nipple while he thumbed the other. He was so good at this. So, so good.

About Josie Kerr

Josie Kerr is a transplanted West Texan now living on the edge of both metro Atlanta and North Georgia Mountains. She has an M.Ed. in Secondary English Education, but discovered that she hated high school more the second time than she did the first, so she decided to meld her love of technology with her education background and became an Instructional Designer. When not writing articles about how to fire someone without getting sued or why you should really not apply for jobs using your SexxyStud99@aol.com email address, she writes steamy romance novels that feature grown-up Heroes and Heroines.

You can find Josie on social media: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Holiday Review: Restoring Christmas by Kate Kasch

Restoring Christmas by Kate Kasch

Published: June 20, 2018

Publisher: Createspace

Format: free Kindle read

Ratings: 4/5

Synopsis

The Christmas season is not all sugarplums and twinkle lights – at least not for Adrienne and Gretchen Harkins. Torn apart by tragedy, the sisters have been living estranged lives in New York City. That is until a mysterious red envelope shows up on both their doorsteps with news that forces them to reconnect and return to their hometown. In order to save the house they grew up in the sisters have to work together to restore their home and their relationship . . .and they only have five days to do it.

When all the odds seem stacked up against them, Adrienne and Gretchen find help . . . and love, in the most unexpected of places. Thrown into a race against the clock, can they pull off a Christmas miracle or will they lose their home, their family and true love in another Christmas disaster?

My Thoughts

Gretchen and Adrienne are two sisters who try to ignore Christmas ever since their parents past away four years ago during the holidays. Each has gone their own ways and have lived separate lives but this holiday season they both get a letter saying that their childhood home is going to be sold if they don’t pay what is owed. So they meet up and decide to go back to the home that holds both cherished memories and sad ones at the same time. They have five days to try to get the money together and save their home.

Adrienne soon bumps into her ex-boyfriend whom she left without a trace years ago and with his help and others in town try and fix up the house in hopes of winning the town Christmas home contest and use that money to save their house. With time Gretchen and Adrienne begin to grow closer together and realize what is truly important.

I really loved this tale of family and learning what is important in life. These sisters let what happened in the past separate them but with all the time they have spent together and being back in their hometown they sense that feeling of family and don’t want that to go away. This is truly a great Christmas read that will give you that cute and cozy holiday feeling.

Flash Sale + $50 Giveaway

 

Her TV Bachelor Fake Fiancé by Kimberly Krey 

Cambria gave this year’s TV Bachelor the face-slap seen & heard across America. Can she offer him redemption too? Canyon Byer, pharmaceutical rep turned famous model, is the new eligible bachelor on Find My Fiancé. Weeks into filming the reality TV show, Canyon earns the title of America’s Shallow Bachelor, as he seems to eliminate women with substance. As the finale draws near, he needs a shot at redemption, but in order to get it, America’s favorite bachelorette—the same woman Canyon wishes he hadn’t wronged—will have to give him a second chance. While Cambria Wilson sits among family and friends during finale night, mixed feelings fight for a place in her heart. Sure, she and Canyon shared a very memorable kiss and she’d even been falling for him until she realized what a jerk he was, but that doesn’t explain the strange sadness that looms as she waits to see which of the finalists he’ll propose to. In an unexpected twist during the final episode, Cambria learns that Canyon’s not going to propose to either of the bachelorettes left on the show. In fact, he’s about to appear on the doorstep of a woman he hopes to win back—all on live TV. The bachelorette will be asked to join Canyon on a two-week winter wonderland getaway. Cambria would bet her Soap and Body Shop that she’s the last woman he’d choose; that is, until the chime of her doorbell proves her wrong.

   

Her Crazy Rich Fake Fiancé by Jennifer Youngblood

Haven Lockwood’s Christmas takes a nosedive when she discovers that her mother and identical twin sister, Brynn, ditched her, leaving her to spend Christmas alone in their New York City apartment. To make matters worse, Brynn’s boyfriend Wyatt shows up, ready to take Brynn on a road trip to Atlanta to meet his family. Haven is fully prepared to tell Wyatt the hard news—that her flighty twin sister jetted off to Ireland with a movie star, leaving him high and dry—however, when she finds herself staring into his mesmerizing blue eyes, all explanations fly out the window. Not only is Wyatt devastatingly handsome, but also charming and witty with an adorable Southern accent that rolls like a ballad off his tongue. Haven knows that when Wyatt looks at her with adoring eyes it’s only because he has mistaken her for her glamorous clothing designer sister. She wants to tell Wyatt the truth, but she can’t stand the thought of spending Christmas alone. As one thing leads to another and Haven and Wyatt share a near-kiss, Haven makes a split-second decision to accompany Wyatt to Atlanta—as Brynn! When the sizzling attraction deepens to something real, Haven faces an internal dilemma—should she come clean now, before Christmas, or wait until afterwards? Will the truth destroy Haven’s chance for happiness … or will it be the very thing that brings two searching hearts together?

    

Her Hollywood Fake Fiancé by Taylor Hart 

A famous movie star and the drama teacher who calls him a hack! Will they get their Christmas Miracle? Grant Kent, movie star extraordinaire, doesn't like the fact he has to have a fake 'media' relationship with his co-star to keep his movie producer's happy. And he really doesn't like the fact his brothers' give him grief about it. So when he's asked to help out at an acting camp for inner city kids, he jumps at the chance to do something real. Too bad the woman in charge tells him outright she thinks he's a hack. The talented Jewel Olympia only wants to help inner city kids by giving them an opportunity to learn acting skills. When she's notified the week before Christmas that the P.I. she's hired to track down her birth mother has a solid lead on her whereabouts, she decides it's time to finally meet the woman that abandoned her in a hospital emergency room twenty-five years ago. Too bad an amazing looking movie star keeps bugging her to go on a date--bug off, she's unavailable. But when her parents show up on her doorstep asking where she's going, she tries to distract them with Grant's star power to avoid hurting their feelings. When he blurts out he's her fiance, everything gets derailed and she finds herself on a jet to Jackson--this is not her life! When a simple trip turns into a media frenzy, they're left with a choice--trust in Christmas angels or lose everything. 

 

Her Billionaire Boss Fake Fiancé by Cami Checketts

Farm girl sass takes on America’s Most Eligible Bachelor in this fun fake fiance romance. Callum Hawk has it all—fame, money, and a family that loves him. He doesn’t have time for romance but that’s all right, his head of marketing does a great job scheduling dates with models and actresses for the necessary social events. When he almost hits Alexia Hall with his motorcycle, he’s intrigued by the feisty blonde and offers to hire her to be his fake fiancé for his brother’s wedding. When she not only turns him down but tells him to never come near her again, he has no clue what went wrong. Lexi Hall almost kills her billionaire boss--ripping his Brioni suit, and scarring his motorcycle. Her errant tongue offends him and she storms away from the job opportunity of a lifetime. Hours later, she finds out her mom has finally been matched to a kidney donor, if Lexi can help pay for the surgery and medications. Her options are to swallow her pride and beg Callum Hawk to take her back as his fake fiancé or jeopardize her mother’s health and let her entire family down. 

  

  

Christmas Cash Giveaway Details

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/16/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, Instagram, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the participating authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.     

a Rafflecopter giveaway