3/12/16

Cover Obsession #1

Available September 27, 2016
Isn't Avon Books' art department just the best?  Jennifer McQuistion's newest book, The Perks of Loving a Scoundrel has one of the best covers I've seen in a while.  I love the softness of the illustration, it gives the cover a lush look.  Don't mind me, I'll just be staring at this cover for a little bit.

Spring Romance Reccomendations from Amazon

An excerpt from 10 Upcoming Books with Buzz via Omnivoracious:

Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn - I admit I've already read this, because I tossed away all personal responsibilities and burrowed into the couch with this book in hand as soon as I received it. And I enjoyed it immensely, as I do with most of Julia Quinn's novels, especially those that revolve around the Bridgertons or Smythe-Smiths. Quinn is in her element here, slowly building the relationship between two people who've grown up next door to each other but have always had a somewhat prickly relationship until...well, until they find themselves trapped together on the roof of an abandoned farmhouse. Quinn's newest takes place one generation before her bestselling Bridgerton series, with our heroine Billie Bridgerton being the older sister of Edmund Bridgerton. It's a different era, with the colonials in revolt over in America, but Quinn's fans should adapt quite happily.

Doing It Over by Catherine Bybee - Bybee's bestselling Weekday Brides series matched wealthy men with smart women. (PS—The men were smart too; it wasn't like the ladies were hitching themselves to dumb turkeys.) In her new series starter, Doing It Over, a woman voted Most Likely to Succeed returns to her home town feeling anything but successful but still searching for a way up. Her romantic interest is a handsome builder who loves small-town life. (I'm seeing a fair number of hot contractors in romances these days, probably because we all appreciate a hero who's good with his hands.) I'm guessing that this new series is about people who are jump-starting their lives after suffering disappointment, and I have no doubt that we'll root for them, as Bybee always does an excellent job of crafting empathetic characters.

Dirty by Kylie Scott - Tattoos? Check. Male musician (well, former musician)? Check. Young woman who's done everything right but is now prepared to do something really, really wrong (or at least a little dirty)? Check. I enjoyed Kylie Scott's Stage Dive series immensely, with Lead as my favorite of the four books, and I'm ready and willing to follow Scott into her new series that revolves around bartenders.

Sugar Daddy by Sawyer Bennett - I do, actually, pick up books based on their covers, and this sassy, sparkling cover grabbed me as soon as I saw it. Then I read Sawyer Bennett's book Hawke last month, and now I'm excited about what's on the inside, too. It sounds like this epically hot romance will evolve over the course of three books, with the finale hitting in October, so be prepared for a lot of drama. (Though I admit I'm not loving the final book's title, Sugar Free. Too close to Fifty Shades Freed, plus anything sugar-free tends to taste worse than good ol' sugar-strong.)

Make sure to click on the link to read the entire article.  What are some Spring 2016 books that are on your can't miss list?

Can't Wait For: Laura Lee Guhrke's No Mistress of Mine (September 2016)

USA Today bestselling author Laura Lee Guhrke is back with the latest in her dazzling An American Heiress in London series, in which a reformed rogue finds all his honorable resolutions tested by the only woman who ever broke his heart . . .

After spending his youth as one of the wildest rakes in the ton, Lord Denys Somerton has devoted the past six years to putting his past behind him. He is determined to fulfill his duties, find a suitable wife, and start a family, but that plan changes when Lola Valentine—the red-haired temptress from his past—returns to London, sparking the same irresistible desires that almost ruined his life once before.

Lola is a woman with no romantic illusions. She knew love would never be enough for a British lord and an American girl from the wrong side of the tracks. For Denys’s sake, she walked away from him and the glittering life he offered. But when an unexpected inheritance brings her back to London, Lola discovers the passion between them is as hot as ever. Can they vanquish it, or will it burn out of control again and destroy them both?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Laura Lee Guhrke is an automatic buy for me.  Her characters are wonderfully flawed, the chemistry is almost always sizzling, and the story is fabulous.  September is gonna rock!  

3/2/16

Book Review: Dukes Are Forever (Secret Life of Scoundrels #1) by Anna Harrington


ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE
Battlefields and barrooms hold much more interest for Edward Westover, Duke of Strathmore, than a little girl's fondness for dolls and lace. When he takes possession of his enemy's estate, everything that villain held dear-including his daughter-belongs to Edward. Hire a governess, arrange a dowry, give a few reassurances, and be off on his way-that's Edward's plan. But he's in for the shock of his life. For his new ward is a beautiful, impetuous, and utterly irresistible woman . . .

. . . AND WAR
Kate Benton is stunned. Who is this arrogant, infuriating man who's invited himself into her home and taken over her life? Her vow: to do everything in her power to convince him to leave her-and Brambly House-alone. Yet as chilly days melt into sultry nights, Kate sees glimpses of kindness underneath Edward's cool façade . . . and a passionate nature that takes her breath away. There's so much she doesn't know about this man. But does she dare trust this devilish duke with her heart?


* * * * * *  REVIEW  * * * * * *

Dukes Are Forever is a nice debut novel from author Anna Harrington.  Kate Benton is a wonderful heroine--independent and strong enough not to let her alpha male hero, Edward Westover run roughshod over her.  Kate wants nothing more than to live on the estate that was left to her by her grandparents, take care of the tenants and seeing to their medical needs.  Too bad her father is a jerk who gambles away his daughter (and her estate) to Edward Westover.  The Duke of Strathmore has no idea that the girl he's won in a poker match is a grown woman of one and twenty years.  Once the initial shock wears off, the two begin falling in love with each other.

Ms. Harrington weaves a wonderful tale, with believable reasons why Edward would want to ruin Katherine's father and why Katherine is reluctant to give up on her delinquent jerk of a father.  Watching this couple come together and overcome the obstacles placed in their way to a happy ending was an enjoyable way to pass the weekend.  Anna Harrington created a delightful world that I can't wait to get back into!

XOXO,

Teresa

Rating:  4 out of 4 stars.  Excellent series starter.  Reccomended to readers who enjoy alpha male heroes, slightly unconventional heroes and historical romance.

Book Facts:
DUKES ARE FOREVER (Secret Life of Scoundrels #1) by Anna Harrington
Forever Romance  |  December 2015
ISBN:  978-1-4555-3403-6
Buy it:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble
Connect with Anna on  Facebook  |  Twitter 

Up Next in the Secret Life of Scoundrels Series:

Now Available
ALONG CAME A ROGUE (Secret Life of Scoundrels #2)
March 2016

THE WICKEDEST SECRET . . .
Major Nathaniel Grey is free to bed whomever he wants, whenever he chooses, and that's exactly how he likes it. His only loyalties are to country and the two friends he served with-brothers he'd do anything for. So when one of them is gravely injured and asking for his little sister, Grey will move heaven and earth to bring her home. He's greeted not by the gangly girl he remembers, but a stunningly beautiful woman holding a loaded musket. And he's utterly captivated by her . . .

IS A SECRET SEDUCTION
Once upon a time, Emily would have loved nothing more than a stolen hour with her brother's best friend, the dashing officer who captured her heart and soul. But things are different now-and so is she. Gone is the eager young woman who believed in love. In her place is a widow weighed down with secrets who desperately needs to disappear before they're revealed. But Grey's sinfully sexy smile offers protection unlike anything she's ever known, tempting her to risk everything . . . even her heart.
 

Available 04/26/2016
HOW I MARRIED A MARQUESS (Secret Lives of Scoundrels #3)
May 2016

A SHOCKING DECEPTION . . .
Josephine Carlisle, adopted daughter of a baron, is officially on the shelf. But the silly, marriage-minded misses in the ton can have their frilly dresses and their seasons in London, for all she cares. Josie has her freedom and her family . . . until an encounter with a dark, devilishly handsome stranger leaves her utterly breathless at a house party. His wicked charm intrigues her, but that's where it ends. For Josie has a little secret . . .
 
. . . LEADS TO AN EXQUISITE SEDUCTION
Espionage was Thomas Matteson, Marquess of Chesney's game-until a tragic accident cost him his career. Now to salvage his reputation and return to the life he loves, the marquess must find the criminal who's been robbing London's rich and powerful. He's no fool-he knows Josie, with her wild chestnut hair and rapier-sharp wit, is hiding something and he won't rest until he unravels her mysteries, one by one. But he never expected to be the one under arrest-body and soul . . .

Book Review: ALL CHAINED UP (Devil's Rock #1) by Sophie Jordan

Available 03/29/2016
There are bad boys and then there are the men of Devil's Rock

Some men come with a built-in warning label.  Knox Callaghan is one of them.  Danger radiates from every lean, muscled inch of him, and his deep blue eyes seem to see right through to Briar Davis's most secret fantasies.  But there's one major problem:  Briar is a nurse volunteering at the local prison, and Knox is an inmate who should be off-limits in every way.

Knox feels it too--a shocking animal magnetism that drives him to risk his own life to protect Briar's.  Paroled at last, he tries to resist her.  She's too innocent, too sweet, and she has no idea what Knox is capable of.  But a single touch can lead to a kiss--and a taste...until the only crime is denying what feels so right...






* * * * * *  REVIEW  * * * * * *

All Chained Up is the book version of the tv show PRISON BREAK.  OK, not really, but dang it if Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) and Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies) didn't breeze through my mind a couple of times while reading this.

I think this book, and the series it belongs to, are fascinating simply for the type of hero that is featured in it:  an inmate.  Let's face it, when you think of a heroic leading man, a felon/inmate is not usually at the top of any reader's list.  They come with a fairly huge strike against them:  they're in prison for committing a crime.  And author Sophie Jordan does not shy away from this flaw, she embraces it and makes it work for Knox.  Knox and his brother North, are in prison for murdering the guy who raped their cousin.  Jordan makes this work for Knox because he doesn't shy away from what he did and he certainly doesn't think he's a hero because of it.  Would he do it again?  Probably, because at his core, Knox is an honorable man defending his family.

Now that the elephant's out of the bag, so to speak, on to the rest of the book.  Briar Davis is a timid nurse when we first meet her.  Jordan portrays her nervous reluctance to accompany her boss to the local prison, Devil's Rock, in an extremely believable way.  Briar wanted to volunteer, but when at the prison realized she bit off a bit more than she could handle.  Briar is not written as a sterotypical prison bunny ("Oh, you're in prison?  OK, let's get it on!"), but as a gentle soul who has an abusive past.  She doesn't understand or necessarily like that she's attracted to prisoner Knox Callaghan.  That changes after Knox rescues/protects her during a "riot" in the medical bay.  His actions get him an early parole.  The story picks up from there and the chemistry between Knox and Briar is scorching! The themes of redemption, personal forgiveness and strength are threaded throughout the story and bring a nice depth to the plots and characters.  Knox is a hero readers will love.

Ms. Jordan lays the groundwork nicely for the rest of the series--the next book in the series features Reid Allister (Knox's "gang" leader in Devil's Rock).  And I'm hoping that Knox's brother North gets his own book.  Kudos to Sophie Jordan for a wonderful story and for not romanticizing felons/inmates.

XOXO,

Teresa

~*~ Avon Romance provided me with an ARC/Galley. ~*~

Rating:  3 out of 4 stars.  Wonderful series starter; Readers who enjoy slightly damaged heroes and heroines will enjoy this, as will readers who look for spicy reads.

Book Facts:
ALL CHAINED UP  (Devil's Rock #1)  by Sophie Jordan
Avon Books  |  April 2016
ISBN:  978-0-06-242368-9
Buy it:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble 
Connect with Sophie on  Facebook  |  Twitter

Next up in the Devil's Rock Series:
Available 07/26/2016

HELL BREAKS LOOSE (Devil's Rock #2) 
August 2016

Hell hath no hunger like a man let out of a cage . . .
Shy and awkward, First Daughter Grace Reeves has always done what she’s told. Tired of taking orders, she escapes her security detail for a rare moment of peace. Except her worst nightmare comes to life when a ruthless gang of criminals abducts her. Her only choice is to place her trust in Reid Allister, an escaped convict whose piercing gaze awakens something deep inside her. Reid is nothing like her other captors.

He’s tougher, smarter…and one blistering look from him makes her hotter than any man ever has.
Reid spent years plotting escape and revenge . . .years without a woman in his bed. For this hardened felon, Grace Reeves isn’t just out of his league—she’s from another planet, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting her. Escaping Devil’s Rock was tough, but resisting this woman could be the end of him. For a man with nothing to lose, protecting her . . . claiming her as his own, becomes more necessary than his next breath.

Can't Wait For: Jessica Lemmon's Billionaire Bad Boy Series (July 2016 & November 2016)

Available 06/28/2016
An all-new, sexy series about three hotel magnate brothers and the women who take them to their knees.
 
Reese Crane has a problem.  His father has been grooming Reese to take over as the CEO of the infamous Crane Hotel brand when he’s ready to retire and that day has finally come.  Too bad the Board of Directors isn’t on-board.  Reese’s past as a manwhore has been splashed all over the tabloids and gossip columns and the last thing the Board wants is a pleasure-seeking playboy to sully the company name.  But Reese isn’t giving up so easily.  They want a settled man to lead the company?  Then that’s exactly what he’ll give them. 
 
Merina Van Heusen will do anything to keep her parents’ funky and historic boutique hotel in business—even marry cold-as-ice but sexy-as-hell billionaire bachelor Reese Crane to do it.  It’s a simple business contract—six months of “marriage”, absolute secrecy, and the Van Heusen is all hers again.  But nothing is ever that simple. 
 
Now married and appearing together publicly, Merina has no problem putting on a show for the cameras, but what she doesn’t expect is to be as wildly attracted to Reese behind closed doors as he is for her. With sparks flying and tempers flaring, they give into the volatile attraction more than once and Merina finds herself faced with her worst nightmare: falling in love with her husband.
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 
Available 10/25/2016
 A CINDERELLA STORY…
 
Rachel Foster had to find work somewhere after her ex-boyfriend screwed her over at the office. Enter: a position as a bartender at a local pub and an odd job as a dog sitter in Crane Tower, a high end apartment building downtown. Her goal is to gather enough money to finally get out on her own, so when her tall, handsome, and as she learns later—billionaire neighbor comes to her with a proposition, she can’t turn him down.
 
In charge of Guest and Restaurant services, it’s Tag Crane’s job to be the life of the party, but his portion of the company is in serious trouble. When he takes on overhauling the pool bars for Crane hotels, he knows he’s going to need an adviser. Not only is the gorgeous blonde in his building a smart savvy business woman turned bartender, but she’s snared his attention in a way no other woman ever has. One steamy make out session later, and she agrees to come with him to Hawaii. Score. 
 
Rachel used to be intimidated by everything about Tag Crane, until several sultry nights where she learns she’s just as capable of turning him inside out as he is her. But she knows a player is always a player, and soon her luxury lifestyle will turn back into a pumpkin. Since she first met him, she’d promised to tuck the moments with Tag into her heart and move on, but now that she’s fallen for the billionaire prince, is she willing to walk away?
 
* * * * * * 

Reese and Tag sound delicious!  I can't wait to see these two hot billionaires be tamed by Merina and Rachel!  As I've mentioned, Jessica Lemmon is a wonderful author with great plots, delightful supporting characters, and off the charts sexy heroes and heroines!  Both of these books are available for pre-order on Amazon, and I highly recommend adding them to your wish list!  
 

P.S.:  There is a third book in the series, The Bastard Billionaire, but it is not available to pre-order just yet.  Ms. Lemmon's website lists a January 2017 release date for the book.  Yeah, can't wait for that one either! 

Can't Wait For: Jessica Lemmon's Return of the Bad Boy (May 2016)

Available 04/26/2016
He's a mess...

Asher Knight has three constants in his life: music, beautiful women, and a bottle of Jack. He lives for the next gig, the next city, and dreams only of a life spent in front of an arena full of screaming fans. But Asher's nomad ways come to a sudden stop when he learns he's the father of a three-year-old from a past relationship and suddenly this rock star bad boy is forced to put down roots.



Only she can clean up

Gloria Shields is no one's fool. Sure, the sexual chemistry between her and Asher has always been intense, but she'd never risk giving her heart to a man who has a perfect record for breaking them. Except the man desperate to make things right with his newfound son is nothing like the rock god she's guarded her heart against for years. And it isn't long before she starts to wonder if life with this bad boy might be the best thing that's ever happened to her.


* * * *

It is ridiculous how much I want this book in my hot little hands.  Gloria and Asher's love story has been building throughout the first three books in this series and I can't wait to see how they'll get together!  I imagine I'll be calling into work just so I can read it in one fell swoop (OK, maybe not--have to earn book money somehow!). 

Author Jessica Lemmon is a fairly new (to me) discovery and her Second Chance series is a very well written, passionate series.  The second book of the series, Rescuing the Bad Boy, is one of my all-time favorite books.  Seriously, you cannot go wrong with this series.  Just go out and buy or download all the books that are available in the series now.  You'll thank me.  

In My Mailbox: March 2016


Here's what Amazon sent me this month.  All because I told them what I wanted and paid them for it.  Funny how that works.  *wink*


Skinny Dipping With Murder (Otter Lake Mystery #1) by Auralee Wallace
Kernal Of Truth (Popcorn Shop Mystery #1) by Kristi Abbott
And Then There Were Nuns (League Of Literary Ladies #4) by Kylie Logan
Play To Win (Risky Business #3) by Tiffany Snow
Necessary Risk (Bodyguard #1) by Tara Wyatt
Along Came A Rogue (Secret Life Of Scoundrels #2) by Anna Harrington
Kiss Me In Christmas (Christmas, CO #6) by Debbie Mason
See You At Sunset (Seashell Bay #3) by V. K. Sykes
A Covert Affair (Deadly Ops #5) by Katie Reus
Happily Bedded Bliss (Rakes of Cavendish Square #2) by Tracy Anne Warren
Fully Ignited (Boston Fire #3) by Shannon Stacey
An American In Scotland (MacIain #3) by Karen Ranney
The Groom Wore Plaid (Highland Weddings #2) by Gayle Callen
Lady Bridget's Diary (Keeping Up With The Cavendishes #1) by Maya Rodale