Review Blast: Caught Looking by Jody Holford

Blurb:

Sometimes loving enough means letting go…

Major league baseball player, Ryan Walker, takes a mandatory leave of absence to escape the paparazzi and the false drug charges against him. All he wants is a little peace of mind out in the middle of nowhere.

Eager to rid herself of the empty socialite life, Frankie Vaughn moves to a rundown home in Minnesota that she inherited from her aunt. But Frankie is shocked at what she discovers inside: three young boys. When Ryan discovers that Frankie, his new neighbor, has taken on the three homeless kids as her own, he has a new hope for humanity.

Despite how easily and lovingly Ryan takes to Frankie and the boys, his past just might be the reason Frankie can't adopt the boys. Now, Ryan must choose between loving them or letting them go. Can he walk away from what he's been looking for all along?

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My Review:

I was given an ARC of Caught Looking by Jody Holford for an honest review. This is the first of Jody’s books I have read. Caught Looking is about Frankie Vaughn and her need for a fresh start. She has grown up in the world of the Hamptons. She has watched her parents pretend to be happy and rich to save face and keep their status quo in tacked. When her Aunt leaves her a house she decides it’s her chance to start over and find out who the real Frankie is.

Ryan Walker is a famous baseball player that has gotten some bad press and needs to leave the spotlight for a bit. He finds himself neighbors to Frankie and even though he doesn’t want complication he can’t stay away. He finds himself drawn not only to her but also to the three boys living in her house. Sure he thinks she is crazy but he knows why she is doing it. 

This book started out a bit slow for me but it gave you a chance to really get to know both Frankie and Ryan. See what they left to start new. Both grabbed me and I liked reading about them. The three boys that Frankie takes in were written beautifully and grabbed my heat. Mid way through I was hooked, needing to turn the pages to find out what would happen next. However, and this is why I am only giving this book 4 stars, Jody kinda lost me. The pure emotionally draining turnout of a one part was just too much. I will not give away any spoilers. If you like being all in and the story to be very true to real life, then you will enjoy this read. It does have a fantastic ending and I do recommend it. For me though the situations hit too close to home and caused me a few issues. 

The book did have great writing, emotional drama, steamy chemistry, and a need for family. Jody is a good writer and I will look for other books by her in the future. Add this one to your TBR!

Excerpt

As he edged near the property line, he caught sight of toned, shapely legs swinging from the branch of a tree. His neighbor was doing pull-ups. On a tree.

“What the hell are you doing?” Ryan said the words to himself, his finger sliding off of the trigger. Frankie hadn’t heard him. Her earbuds’ cord was connected to the iPod strapped to her arm. He repeated his question, louder, and she startled, dropping from the limb she’d been holding. Pulling her earphones out, she smiled and gave a surprised laugh. Lust curled tight in his stomach at the sound. Which pissed him off since he didn’t need more complications in his life.

“Hey. Didn’t see you there, neighbor.” 

She wiped the sweat off her brow with the back of her hand. Strands of hair were escaping the ponytail sitting high on her head. She put her hands on her hips, gulping in air, still smiling. His eyes roamed over the tone and definition of her arms. Arms weren’t supposed to be a turn on. They were just something to have wrapped around you. Along with legs. But legs were a turn on. Still, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her arms. They led up to sleek shoulders and a graceful collarbone. When his eyes met hers, she was grinning and he knew he’d been caught looking. 

“You’re doing pull-ups on a goddamn tree?”

“Um, it’s my tree,” she said, looking back and forth between him and the tree. Small as she was, the tree didn’t look like it could hold its own branches, never mind a person’s weight.

“Actually, it’s smack in the middle of our property line. So stay the hell off it and get a pull-up bar.”

She rested a hand on the bark and smiled at him with something like fire flashing in those blue eyes. Her breath was a bit uneven, but firm. “I’ve never shared a tree with anyone. It feels like a big step.”

He bit back a smile. “Funny. This tree needs to be cut down. It’s rotted.” He kicked at the trunk to show her what he meant.

“Don’t kick our tree,” she said, not even trying to hide her smirk.

“It’s not safe.” Jesus. She was hard to be irritated with. Which, oddly, only irritated him more.

“And as much as I appreciate your neighborly concern, Ryan, I can take care of myself. And our tree. See, my home gym isn’t quite set up yet so I’m using what’s available. If you want, we can work out a schedule for tree use.” 

There was as much sarcasm in her stance as in her tone. This time, the grin spread before he could stop it.

“You’re feisty.”

“You’re a jerk.”

“Yeah. But it’s still not safe. I have an extra pull-up bar in my garage. You put it in the frame of a doorway. I’ll grab it and bring it over,” he said, hoping the gesture served as an apology. 

Which he was man enough to admit she deserved from him.

Frankie’s eyes widened and she took a step back, wariness overshadowing her amusement.

“No thanks. I’m not ready for visitors.”

He arched an eyebrow. “I wasn’t planning on coming for tea.”

She gave a rough laugh. “I don’t need anything from you, Ryan. I’ll pick another tree. Or do push-ups.”

She backed away, the unease in her eyes fascinating the hell out of him. She didn’t want him over. And not because he was a jerk. She waved one perfectly shaped arm over her head as she went back to her house. 

He turned the weed trimmer back on, purposely turning his body in the other direction. He wasn’t going to stand around and watch her go, even across her yard. He’d never watch a woman leave again. Once was enough.

Author Info

Jody Holford is a multi-published author who has a soft spot for happily ever after. So much so, she tattooed the words on her arm. She’s a mom and a wife, a friend, sister, daughter, teacher, and book-lover. Her stories have a little bit of heat and a lot of heart. And maybe, some swoon-worthy moments that will make you smile.

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Spotlight: Playing The Spanish Billionaire by MK Meredith

BLURB: 

Mateu Espasa, CEO of Barcelona’s most luxurious hotel, knows how to deliver a five-star experience. When he learns the identity of hotel reviewer, London Montgomery, it seems harmless to play as her local tour guide to make sure she enjoys her stay and places his hotel back in the running for the Elite Life and Travel Magazine's hotel of fame. But every moment with London makes Mateu want her just as much as he needs that review. Constantly working to cover her mother’s medical bills, London needs to have a little fun on this vacation. First on her list: Kiss a hot Spaniard, and her knight-in-shining-Armani at the train station seems to fit that bill—he’s local and definitely hot! But when she discovers the man charming her is really CEO of the hotel she’s reviewing—supposedly secretly—she decides to see how far he’ll go to make her dream vacation a once in a lifetime experience. Mateu shows her the romance of his city and his soul, but when the truth comes out, the fun is over, and it turns out nobody wins in a game of hearts. 

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She picked up a tomato as Señor Bustillo suggested. “He is adorable.” Mateu chuckled softly. “He isn’t the only one.” 

“Now, choose a bright, deep red tomato. No bruise, no blemish. Yes?” Bustillo spoke to the group. She turned hers over in her hand, carefully inspecting for marks, cracks, or soft spots. 

“You want a heavy tomato. Ripe and juicy makes for tomato with weight.” As the group inspected their finds, Señor Bustillo checked in with each. “Good. Good.” 

“Give gentle squeeze. You want a tomato that responds to your fingers, like the perfect woman, yes?” He directed the last part at Mateu, making London want to roll her eyes. 

All men were the same. Mateu wiggled his brows, and she chuckled softly. It wasn’t his searing good looks she needed to guard herself against, it was his playful side. While Bustillo spoke, Mateu stayed close. She could feel the heat radiating from him, though he didn’t touch her. 

Choosing a plump tomato from the crate, he wrapped his large hand around it in a light grip. He gave a slight squeeze, and the atmosphere seemed to go from comfortable to sweltering as her imagination took off on a path all its own. Holding it out to her, he asked, “What do you think?” 

She blinked twice. “Perfect.” She snapped her eyes to him. “I mean…” Mateu’s smile was slow and deliberate. She couldn’t help but fall for his teasing. It reminded her of how fun living could be when stress wasn’t a persistent, heavy blanket. 

“Finally, test the tomato for a sweet, earthy odor. You want strong scent, not light.” Bustillo’s animated voice boomed over the din of the crowd. Pulling herself together, London ignored the look in her sexy concierge’s eyes and dipped her nose toward his hand. She smelled the tomato close to the stem as directed. “Strong and sweet, just as Señor Bustillo suggests.” 

“Strong and sweet. I’m glad you approve.” She raised a brow. “We’re talking about your tomato.” 

“My favorite topic.”

Author Info: 

MK Meredith writes single title contemporary romance promising an emotional ride on heated sheets. She believes the best route to success is to never stop learning. Her lifelong love affair with peanut butter continues. Only two things come close in the battle for her affections: gorgeous heels and maybe Gerard Butler…or was it David Gandy? Who is she kidding? Her true loves are her husband and two children who have survived her SEA's (spontaneous explosions of affection) and live to tell the tale. The Meredith's live in the D.C. area with their large fur baby...until the next adventure calls. 

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COVER REVEAL: Preservation: The Walsh Series Book 7 by Kate Canterbary

BLURB:

Two lonely hearts.

Just once, she'd like to be someone's first choice. 

She's strong-willed and spunky, but she's left picking up the pieces from her ex's lies and manipulations, and daydreaming about taking a scalpel to his scrotum. 

Flying under the radar is what he does best. 

He's laid-back and loyal, but he wants the most off-limits woman in his world, and nothing will ever make that a reality. 

An arrangement of mutual benefit.

Two months, four dates. 

Five, if things go well. 

Five at the most. 

But possibly six. 

Definitely no more than six dates. 

Only the appearance of a romantic relationship is required, and they expect nothing more from their time together. There will be none of those benefits involved.

One wild weekend.

After waking up in bed together—very naked and even more hungover—the terms and conditions of their arrangement no longer apply. Now they're faced with something riskier than exposing their fake relationship: letting go of the past and zipping up the future. 

Some things have to fall apart before they can be put back together.

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Kate Canterbary doesn't have it all figured out, but this is what she knows for sure: spicy-ass salsa and tequila solve most problems, living on the ocean--Pacific or Atlantic--is the closest place to perfection, and writing smart, smutty stories is a better than any amount of chocolate. She started out reporting for an indie arts and entertainment newspaper back when people still read newspapers, and she has been writing and surreptitiously interviewing people—be careful sitting down next to her on an airplane—ever since. Kate lives on the water in New England with Mr. Canterbary and the Little Baby Canterbary, and when she isn't writing sexy architects, she's scheduling her days around the region's best food trucks. 

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Cover Reveal : Lightstruck by Liz Crowe

BLURB:

Brewer Ross has given up on love…until he meets a woman who turns his life—and brewery—upside down.

Ross Hoffman held the potential for a perfect life in his hands—a life with Evelyn, the only woman he’d ever allowed himself to love, their baby and…her husband, Austin Fitzgerald, who also happened to be his best friend. But the challenge of trying to make a threesome into something acceptable—let alone the thought of actually sharing Evelyn with anyone—forces him to bolt. Determined to put all thoughts of their relationship behind him, Ross jumps headfirst into a new brewery job in Colorado, and back into the sort of sexual decadence that he hopes will distract him from his misery.

When he agrees to assist Austin through a spate of brewery mishaps, he lays eyes on his true fate—in the form of the petite, mysterious and exotic Elisa Nagel. Hired as assistant brewer, Elisa is absolutely everything he believes he doesn’t want in a woman. But he’s drawn to her in ways he can’t explain, and he can’t help but fall hard, fast and deep, which places him square in the middle of her horrific, until now secret backstory.

Ross is determined that his love will conquer and overcome the horrors of Elisa’s past, allowing her to trust him with the only thing he desires—her heart.

Reader Advisory: This book contains a scene with attempted rape and violence, as well as a brief scene alluding to person being drugged and raped.

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Author Info

Amazon best-selling author, mom of three, Realtor, beer blogger, brewery marketing expert, and soccer fan, Liz Crowe is a Kentucky native and graduate of the University of Louisville currently living in Ann Arbor. She has decades of experience in sales and fund raising, plus an eight-year stint as a three-continent, ex-pat trailing spouse.

Her early forays into the publishing world led to a groundbreaking fiction subgenre, “Romance for Real Life,” which has gained thousands of fans and followers interested less in the “HEA” and more in the “WHA” (“What Happens After?”). More recently she is garnering even more fans across genres with her latest novels, which are more character-driven fiction, while remaining very much “real life.”

With stories set in the not-so-common worlds of breweries, on the soccer pitch, in successful real estate offices and at times in exotic locales like Istanbul, Turkey, her books are unique and told with a fresh voice. The Liz Crowe backlist has something for any reader seeking complex storylines with humor and complete casts of characters that will delight, frustrate and linger in the imagination long after the book is finished.

Don’t ever ask her for anything “like a Budweiser” or risk bodily injury.

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Emergency Attraction by Samanthe Beck

BLURB:

Ten years ago when Shane Maguire chose the Marines as his escape from some trouble of his own making, he only regretted one thing—leaving Sinclair Smith behind. Despite his best intentions, she ended up as the one that got away. Now he’s back, determined to reclaim everything he gave up, including Sinclair.

Sinclair is immune to Shane’s charms. She’s immune to stolen kisses behind the gym. And she’s definitely immune to that maneuver he did in the back seat of his car… Okay, maybe her hormones are susceptible, but she has absolutely no desire to risk anything on the bad boy who broke all his promises.

When a little emergency lands her at his mercy, he offers her a deal she can’t refuse. And this time, she’ll show Shane what it means to be left wanting…

MY REVIEW:

Have you read this series yet? If so you know it is AWESOME! If not, I suggest you start, because it is a must read! This book is about Sinclair who get to know in both Emergency Engagement and Emergency Delivery. She is the take no crap from anyone women I just loved. Samanthe Beck did a great job making me want to know more about Sinclair but I never would have guessed this… Ya, If you are used to my reviews you know it’s not that easy, to find out all you must read!

I will tell you about Sinclair’s ex who comes home though. His name is Shane and he is ex-military. This choice was pretty limited though, but just as a lot of things in life, sometimes good comes from bad. Shane fell hard for Sinclair when he was eighteen but life intervened and pushed them apart. Now he is back and wants to claim her as his again. Sinclair has only let herself love one man, and when he broke her heart her love life becomes casual and short. She gets out before anyone gets attached, but when Shane comes back into her life she has a hard time remembering her motto. He is determined to show her she never truly let him go and now she doesn’t have to. 

I really loved Shane and Sinclair, their past and present are weaved into the story beautifully. Samanthe does a fantastic job of showing us how each person are feeling so you can see every angle. When they are together set up your fans and grab a cold drink, because the heat will blaze from pages! This is a definite sexy read with heartache, frustration, HEAT, and some tears. And for those who have read the other two books we do get to see all the friends come back. The epilogue is fantastic letting us see a different side of the men in these three books. So enough reading my review grab your book and curl up to start reading it yourself!   

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

USA Today bestselling author Samanthe Beck lives in Malibu, California with her husband, their son and Kitty the furry Ninja. When not writing fun, sexy, contemporary romances or lazing on her beach towel with her face snuggled to her Kindle, she searches for the perfect ten dollar cabernet to pair with Ambien. 

Connect with Sam via her website at www.samanthebeck.com to check her progress on that never-ending quest, or to get the latest on her upcoming books.

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Emergency Delivery

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A Better Man by Candis Terry

BLURB:

Meet the Kincade brothers: they’ll do what it takes to protect their legacy—but what happens when love gets in the way?

Hockey star Jordan Kincade wasted no time ditching Sunshine Valley and everyone who mattered for a career in the NHL—a truth Jordan confronts when his parents’ deaths bring him home. Now he’s back to make amends, which begins with keeping his younger sister from flunking out of school. It’s just his luck that the one person who can help is the girl whose heart he broke years ago.

Lucy Diamond has racked up a number of monumental mistakes in her life, the first involving a certain blue-eyed charmer. She has no intention of falling for Jordan Kincade again, but when he shows up asking her to help one of her students, Lucy just can’t say no. Worse, the longer he’s back, the more she sees how much he’s changed. And so when a blistering kiss turns to more, she can’t help but wonder if her heart will be crushed again . . . or if she’ll discover true love with a better man.

MY REVIEW:

The true test of people comes from tragedy. Some may think it is a cliché but I happen to have lived and seen this be true. Candis Terry shows us the true character of the Kincade family in her new series A Sunshine Creek Vineyard. In the first book A Better Man we meet Jordan Kincade, a hockey pro close to winning the Stanley Cup with his team. It is something he has worked for all his life, putting everything including his family, on the back burner. Until the unthinkable happens and he is needed back at home, back with the family he feels like an outsider with. Jordan is determined to fix this, and repair the relationship he doesn’t have with his little sister. He knows his hockey team will need him but his family is more important. 

Lucy Diamond loves being a teacher; she just wishes she could help her high school students more. Especially Nicole Kincade, the poor girl was suffering in her personal life and Lucy knew it was more than that too. Yes her whole family had suffered a big blow, but Nicole had been doing poorly even before that. Lucy wants to help anyway she can, even if it means putting up with the man that caused her heartache. Jordan and Lucy knew each other from high school, though she tries to hide that fact from Jordan. She doesn’t want to re-live it. 

I loved Lucy and Jordan, the fact that he does remember her and sees her with new eyes. Candis writes this romance with finesse that in sweet and hot all rolled into one. Lucy is a woman I can relate to, she sees herself as ordinary, not ugly or undesirable, just not the model types Jordan normally dates. I enjoyed the ways Jordan steps up and shows her what he sees when he looks at her. Helping her build her self-confidence and become the women she is on the inside. Watching Lucy grow and bloom was so much fun! Jordan doesn’t have it easy though, he is balancing so much that he struggles not to drop anything or anyone. A choice does have to be made though and you will be surprised how this story ends. Will Jordan go back to hockey; he does have a contract on the line. Or will he choose to stay with his family and continue to mend fences and the wine vineyard? It is a fun, emotional ride you will LOVE! Grab your copy NOW, and curl up for a great evening with new friends.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Candis Terry was born and raised near the sunny beaches of Southern California and now makes her home on an Idaho farm. She's experienced life in such diverse ways as working in a Hollywood recording studio to chasing down wayward steers. Only one thing has remained the same: her passion for writing stories about relationships, the push-and-pull in the search for love, and the security one finds in their own happily-ever-after.

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The Trouble with Bachelors by Caitlyn Blue

BLURB:

Falling for her sister's first love, how could that possibly go wrong...

Zach Thorne is supposed to be off limits. He’s her sister’s high school boyfriend and his love life is a revolving door of women. He’s also handsome, sexy and the one guy Emma Callahan has never been able to forget.

Now they’ve been thrown together as best man and maid of honor for her sister’s wedding and some serious sparks are flying. Zach is perfect wedding fling material until he starts to take their romance seriously. Now, Emma is left wondering: is he for real or is she about to get her heart broken?

The trouble with bachelors is you never know.

MY REVIEW:

Emma Callahan and Zach Thorne are two people I wish were real. I think I would get along with them fabulously! Their story is one of the wrong time, Emma was fourteen when she met seventeen year old Zach and was head over heels. She saw him first but because of the age difference her older sister got to date him. Poor Emma had to watch the man she loved date her sister, which would be awful enough but when he does something to shatter her image of him… Well let’s just say it’s another ten years before these two really talk again. 

I wanted to read this book because the cover looked so fun and I wanted a funny book. I was not disappointed in the least! Caitlyn had me laughing to tears and loving the jokes and banter between all the characters in this book! The cousins are the best, always there for Emma but also the ones to slap some well needed sense into her. Zach has a lot to fix with his reputation if he wants to convince Emma he wants more than a fling. What he does, both dumb and sweet will make you love him. Dreams are realized by both and you will truly enjoy watching these two fight their ‘first instincts’ to grow into the people they are meant to be! Grab your copy and watch for the rest of this series as it comes out, I know I will be.

EXCERPT:

“This was fun,” I murmur as his fingers coast over my cheek.

He tucks a lock of hair behind my ears and traces my jaw. It’s been a year since a man has touched me. And no one has ever caressed me like this. It’s like he’s trying to memorize my features. I’m enthralled. It’s hard to know what to do next, so I clutch my hands in my lap and stare at him. His eyes lock on my lips and I realize I’ve seized the lower one between my teeth.

His breath hisses out on a soft sigh. “Do you have any idea how sexy you are?”

“No.” It’s not the default word anyone uses when describing me.

“You are.”

How many women has he used this line on? Hundreds surely. He’s a player. A guy you sleep with not someone you date. 

At the moment I’m standing at the line that separates the woman I am and the woman guys like Zach sleep with a few times and never call again. I can listen to my body and have several amazing orgasms to relive over and over, or I can listen to my heart, stay true to who I am and keep looking for a guy who can make me happy long term.

His fingers curve around the back of my neck. As he draws me forward, I ask, “Are you going to kiss me again?”

“I’d very much like to.”

This time his kiss is more direct. Firm and determined, he claims my lips and as his tongue darts forward, I open for him. He tastes like the striped peppermint candy we snagged on our way out of the restaurant.

The kiss quickly goes nova. Heat explodes in my midsection and lances downward as Zach’s hand curves over my knee. I clutch his shoulder, trembling with longing. Phrases spill through my mind. Naughty things I’d want to say to him. Images of taking him into my mouth again and making him cry out my name as he comes. I’ve forgotten that I’m not the type who has sex in cars. Right now, all I’m thinking is: yes, please, let’s do this.

Our tongues are dueling, my legs are parting and Zach’s hand is riding up my inner thigh when the phone in my lap buzzes with an incoming text. It’s close enough to my happy place that the vibration only adds to my arousal. I moan. Zach drags his lips from mine.

“That’s it, baby. Let me hear it.”

As his other hand dips inside my coat, fingers gliding over my breast, it’s easy to moan again. Damn, he’s good at this. Trembling with need, I bite my lip as the urge to whimper builds. I shift my hips as my clit perks up and starts crying for attention. If he doesn’t touch me there I’ll go out of my mind.

A second text follows the first or maybe it’s just that reminder that I haven’t looked at the first one. Either way, it feels great. So does Zach’s mouth on my neck. And is that his teeth? I open my thighs, silently begging him to go higher. He’s so close. I’m so close.

Buzz.

I’m panting. He’s sucking on my earlobe. Shit. That’s amazing. His thumb grazes my nipple.

Buzz.

Buzz.

The hand beneath my skirt reaches the elastic on my panties and I shift my hips, pushing into his fingers. Can he feel how wet I am? A little higher, please.

Buzz.

Buzz.

The vibration is so constant it’s like a sex toy and I’m so close to getting off. Just a little bit more. His finger brushes over the soaked crotch my panties. The lightest of touch and my body is electrified.

“Fuck,” he mutters, tracing over my hot, aching core a second time. “These are soaked.”

A garbled noise emerges from my throat.

Buzz.

Buzz.

Buzz.

Buzz.

And then Zach’s fingers are retreating and I groan in protest. “Um, do you need to get that?”

Get what?

Buzz.

Buzz.

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” I exclaim as Zach removes his lovely, clever hands from beneath my clothes.

He flops back against his seat with a hearty curse. Eyes closed, breathing hard, he shields his face as his shoulders move. Damn the man. He’s laughing.

Snarling, I pick up the phone and see at least a dozen texts from my cousins. Looking over at the house, I spy all three of them lined up at the living room windows. Well, what did I expect? I’m making out with Zach in front of our house. I might as well have set up a neon sign on the front lawn that says orgasms happening here. Almost happening…so close. A growl vibrates my chest.

“Your cousins?”

“Yes.”

ABOUT AUTHOR:

Caitlyn Blue is a voracious reader with an overactive imagination and a chocolate addict. She loves fancy cocktails and tasty edibles, is a sucker for adventure movies and any music with a beat. When not writing, Caitlyn loves to connect with her readers for whom she's extremely grateful. Join her VIP list to stay up to date on giveaways and exclusive offers.

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BOOK TWO:

You May Kiss The Bride by Lisa Berne

BLURB:

In an unforgettable debut, Lisa Berne introduces you to the Penhallow Dynasty—men destined to marry, but hesitant to love.

Wealthy and arrogant, Gabriel Penhallow knows it’s time to fulfill his dynastic duty. All he must do is follow “The Penhallow way”—find a biddable bride, produce an heir and a spare, and then live separate lives. It’s worked so well for generations, certainly one kiss with the delectable Livia Stuart isn’t going to change things. Society dictates he marry her, and one chit is as good as another as long as she’s from a decent family.

But Livia’s transformation from an original to a mundane diamond of the first water makes Gabriel realize he desperately wants the woman who somehow provoked him into that kiss. And for all the ladies who’ve thrown themselves at him, it’s the one who wants to flee whom he now wants. But how will he keep this independent miss from flying away?

MY REVIEW:

This is a debut book for Lisa Berne and I thought it sounded really good. I read clips and reviews which to be honest don’t sway me normally. Some reviews were raving and others middle of the line. Wanting to give this new author a shot I got the book and started reading. 

You May Kiss the Bride did grab me with the information on the heroine, Livia, she is an orphan who is mistreated by everyone in her life. She has nothing really to call her own and is told she has no future, YET she is strong, opinionated, and doesn’t give up. She is fueled by the meanness around her, determined to prove everyone wrong. We get a great deal of information about Livia and her past. Even though the book is written in both her and Gabriel’s point of view. The problem I had was even by the end I didn’t get to know Gabriel that well. 

The supporting characters are great, I love grandmamma, Miss. Cott, and Hugo was a blast, even the mean Miss Cecily and her horrid mother, were important. The side characters helped show us where Livia is coming from and who she is answering too. You can also use your imagination to fill in the blanks on why Gabriel is so aloof and cold. 

The story as a whole was a bit slow at first but I did like that Livia and Gabriel didn’t jump right into bed, or marriage. We got to see their journey, see how they changed weather for the good or bad. The reason I gave this a 4 star rating was for the lack of information on Gabriel. There is a misunderstanding in the book (not telling, you will have to read it yourself), and part of me was left wondering if this was truly how Gabriel would have handled things. If we had more character information I think that would have fixed my confusion. 

All in all though I do recommend this book! She is a new author that has done a great job. The book is well worded, descriptive and keeps you in the right era. Get you copy and curl up for a time of relaxation.

EXCERPT:

She had been dismissed. Livia rose and after dipping the briefest of curtsies in Lady Glanville’s direction, went to the door with long strides, so angry that she felt she had to get out of there or explode. Behind her she heard Aunt Bella saying in a soft little bleat, “Livia! No word of gratitude! Pray come back!” Instead, she closed the door with exaggerated gentleness and leaned against it for a moment.

By the bannister stood a maidservant with an armful of gowns. With a muttered sentence of thanks Livia took them and hurried upstairs to her room where with savage satisfaction she flung the gowns against the wall, leaving them to lie in a crumpled heap on the floor. She paced back and forth, back and forth, until the red haze of rage subsided. Then she went to her bed and dropped full­length upon it with unladylike abandon, causing the old wood frame to creak alarmingly.

It was stupid of her, she knew, to react like that to the Orrs. But it was hard, so hard, when Cecily had every­ thing and she had so very little. No parents, no brothers or sisters; no money, no education, no prospects.

Your future must be thought of, too.

It was strange, now that she considered it, how little time she had spent thinking about her future. Possibly because there was no point to it. In her existence here she was like a great hoary tree, deeply, immovably, rooted into the earth.

She couldn’t even hang on to the morbid hope of inheriting anything from Uncle Charles when he died. He’d run through most of Aunt Bella’s money ages ago, and year by year everything had slowly declined, dwindled, faded away. Now there wasn’t much left; the estate barely brought in enough for Aunt Bella to pay for her cordial, and for Uncle Charles to spend his days hunting, drinking, and eating. Speaking of romantic marriages.

Well, it could be worse. At least she didn’t have a mother like that revolting Lady Glanville. Imagine having her breathing down one’s neck all day.

Still, this was only a small consolation. A very small consolation.

Livia thought about Cecily’s beautiful white gown and those elegant kid slippers with the dainty pink rosettes.

It was those rosettes that did it.

Envy, like a nasty little knife slipping easily into soft flesh, seemed to pierce her very soul.

Abruptly Livia twisted onto her side and stared at nothing.

She would not cry.

Crying never helped anything.

There came to her, suddenly, the memory of the first time she had met Cecily, some twelve years ago; they’d both been around six. Cecily and her mother had come to call. Livia, recently arrived from faraway India, desperately lonely, was so anxious to be friends with the lovely, beautifully dressed girl with the long shining curls. Shyly she had approached, trying to smile, and Cecily had responded by saying in a clear, carrying voice:

“Oh, you’re the little orfin girl. Your papa was sent away from here and he died. And your grandpapa was a runaway and he drownded. And your mama drownded, too. Why is your skin so brown? Are you dirty?” And she had backed away, to hide behind the skirts of her mother Lady Glanville, who had said to her, with that same cold smile that never reached her eyes, “Poor little Livia isn’t a native, my dear, she’s every bit as English as you and I. The sun shines quite fiercely in India, and she had no mama or papa to make sure she stayed under her parasol. Do you see?”

Livia had never forgotten the burning sense of shame from that day. Nor had Cecily made it any easier, for from time to time she would laughingly recall the occasion of their first meeting and how she had thought Livia to be unwashed, as if it was the funniest anecdote in all the world.

Livia did not like to remember, even if only hazily, how when she was four, the monsoon season struck Kanpur with devastating onslaughts of rain. Both her widowed mother and her grandfather had died in a great flood, and it was with grudging reluctance that Uncle Charles had sent money for his niece’s passage to England.

Upon arriving in Wiltshire, Livia was not so much welcomed into the home—if such the ancient, ram­ bling domicile known as Ealdor Abbey could be so termed—of Uncle Charles and Aunt Bella, as absorbed. Aside from grumbling within earshot about the expense of feeding her, Uncle Charles barely noticed her. Aunt Bella, childless, somnolent, always unwell, with interest in neither Society nor useful occupation, accepted Livia’s presence without a blink but also without care or concern for the little girl for whom she was, ostensibly, responsible.

Oh, you’re the little orfin girl.

Livia smiled without humor.

Yes indeed, Cecily certainly had a knack for getting to the heart of things.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Berne read her first Georgette Heyer book at fourteen, and was instantly captivated. Later, she was a graduate student, a grant writer, and an investment banker, but is thrilled to be returning to her roots and writing her own historical-romance novels! She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.

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BOOK TOUR : CRAZY FOR YOU

BLURB:

“Rachel Lacey is a sure-fire star." --- Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author

SHE'S TAKING A WALK ON HIS WILD SIDE

Emma Rush can't remember a time when she didn't have a thing for Ryan Blake. Haven's resident bad boy is just so freakin' hot-with tattoos, a motorcycle, and enough rough-around-the-edges sexiness to melt all her self-control. Now that Emma's over being a "good girl," she needs a little help being naughty . . . and she knows just where to start.

Before Emma's brother enlisted in the military, he made Ryan promise that he would protect her from everything--including himself. When her brother doesn't come home, Ryan needs to turn his screwed-up life around to honor his pledge. But he knows he's still not the right kind of guy for someone as sweet as Emma. Only he can't stop wanting to be with her. Wanting her. Falling in love with a good girl may be the craziest risk this bad boy can take . . .

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MY REVIEW:

This is officially book two in the Risk it All series but because of a novella that hooks you in, I consider it story number three. Rachel did another spectacular job at building dynamic characters that make you feel as though they are family. Watching both Emma and Ryan grow in this book made me very proud. They have been best friends since they were pretty young, Ryan was a friend of Emma’s brother. When Emma’s brother went to war he promised to keep Emma safe and to not hook up with her. They managed to keep their relationship platonic for a long time. However when Ryan comes home to work with his buddies he realizes the best friend he left behind has grown into a beautiful woman. Men, so clueless! 

I liked Emma and Ryan they are such good friends and have a real closeness neither want to lose. I thought Rachel did a great job bringing the friendship these two have to the forefront. They knew so much about each other and Ryan has been traveling all over, even though they don’t say it outright it makes you think they kept in touch letters, email, etc. It is funny that Emma wants Ryan to help her be bad when all Ryan keeps trying to do is be good. The two complement each other well though, through in a fun family/friend group and you can’t go wrong. 

Crazy For You can be read as a standalone but I do recommend you read all the books to become immersed in Haven, NC. So don’t wait any longer, grab this series NOW. Find that reading spot and start enjoying Rachel Lacy’s Risk it All series. Who knows you might get some ideas for your bucket list, I know I did! 

**I received an ARC from Netgally for my honest review**

GUEST REVIEW by ALICIA MARIE

If you like bad boys with tattoos and motorcycles, good girls who are tired of being good and want a little bad in their lives then this is the book for you. It grabbed me within the first few pages and was funny, daring, and captivating throughout the whole book. I loved every second of it. 

Ryan and Emma are perfect together even if he has no idea she has always been in love with him. The obstacles keep coming in this sweet and daring romance. Will love conquer all? Find out in the second book.

Whoa. Emma closed her eyes and let out a shriek as Ryan guided the motorcycle onto Main Street and picked up speed. The cold wind whipped her face, taking her breath away. Beneath her, the engine rumbled and roared like a wild thing. Holy sh*t. She was on the back of Ryan Blake’s bike, and it was amazing. 

The wind bit through her thin, knit gloves, hitting her fingers with an icy blast. Actually, every part of her was freezing, but she didn’t care. She wrapped her arms more firmly around Ryan’s waist, anchoring herself to him so she didn’t tumble off the back of the bike, and somehow her hands slipped beneath his jacket. Ahh. That was better. Toasty warm, and also…her hands were on his T-shirt. Even through her gloves, she felt the hard contour of his abs, and nope, she wasn’t cold now. 

And this was absolutely freaking amazing. 

She hung on tight as he guided them over Haven’s twisting mountain roads, deserted at this hour. Overhead the moon shone like a beacon, illuminating the night in its soft, silvery glow. The roar of the engine and the slap of the wind against her face shocked her senses. It was thrilling, invigorating, so completely different from riding inside a car. 

She’d never have done this if Mandy hadn’t dared her, and now she felt like her eyes were open for the first time in years. This was what she needed. Somewhere along the way, as she sat at the bar talking to Ryan, she’d realized she was having fun, really having fun. And she wanted more. She wanted it all, every last wild and crazy fantasy. 

All too soon, her building came into view. Ryan cut the engine and guided them quietly into the driveway, coming to a stop behind her silver Toyota RAV4. He turned his head to look at her, so sexy in his helmet and riding glasses. “So how was it?” 

“Even better than I thought it would be.” She gulped for air. His lips were way too close to hers, and she was still a little bit drunk on beer and a whole lot drunk on her first motorcycle ride. Mandy’s words echoed in her ears. Bonus points if you kiss him. Just stand up a bit, lean over his shoulder, and… 

Emma leaned forward, her chest sliding up his back as she tipped her face to his. Holy hell, she had completely lost her mind, but she was going for it. Every nerve in her body went haywire. 

Clunk. Her helmet smacked into his, drawing her up an inch short of his lips.

Author Info 

Rachel Lacey is a contemporary romance author and semi-reformed travel junkie. She's been climbed by a monkey on a mountain in Japan, gone scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and camped out overnight in New York City for a chance to be an extra in a movie. These days, the majority of her adventures take place on the pages of the books she writes. She lives in warm and sunny North Carolina with her husband, son, and a variety of rescue pets. 

Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

1-What did you enjoy most about writing this book? 

I loved writing all the fun, adventurous things Ryan and Emma did together in CRAZY FOR YOU – rock climbing, cliff jumping, motorcycle rides, etc. They were so much fun to write, and it was the perfect balance to some of the heavier themes in the book. These two characters really bring out the best in each other, constantly pushing each other out of their comfort zones. 

2-If you had a theme song, what would it be? 

Dream On by Aerosmith – “Dream until your dreams come true!” 

3-Name one thing you won’t leave home without. 

Chapstick! I have a weird obsession with it. 

4-A la Twitter style, please describe your book in 140 characters or less. 

Contemporary Romance Author. Wife. Mother. Animal Lover & Rescue Advocate. Hufflepuff. Powered by wine, chocolate, and books! 

5-If you could have dinner with any three authors (alive or dead), who would you choose and why? 

First, JK Rowling because she is a literary genius and a fierce feminist, and I’d love to chat with her about anything and everything. Next, Mary Higgins Clark because she was my very first “favorite author,” and I’d love to thank her for that. And of course Nora Roberts because she is my hero and gives great advice. All three of these ladies have inspired me so much, and I would love to just soak up all the knowledge they could impart. 

6-What are your favorite types of stories to read? 

My favorite books make me laugh *and* cry. I want ALL THE FEELS while I’m reading!

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