Beauty and the Highland Beast by Lecia Cornwall ~ Review

Title: Beauty and the Highland Beast (A Highland Fairy Tale #1)
Author: Lecia Cornwall
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 279 pages
Publisher: Swerve
Release Date: June 21, 2016
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Powerful and dangerous highlander Dair Sinclair was once the favored son of his clan, The Sinclairs of Carraig Brigh. With Dair at the helm, Sinclair ships circled the globe bringing home incredible fortune. Until one deadly mission when Dair is captured, tortured and is unable to save his young cousin. He returns home breaking under the weight of his guilt and becomes known as the Madman of Carraig Brigh.

When a pagan healer predicts that only a virgin bride can heal his son’s body and mind, Dair’s father sets off to find the perfect wife for his son. At the castle of the fearsome McLeods, he meets lovely and kind Fia MacLeod.

Although Dair does his best to frighten Fia, she sees the man underneath the damage and uses her charm and special gifts to heal his mind and heart. Will Dair let Fia love him or is he cursed with madness forever?

So much fun! This was such a great, light-hearted, historical romance with just a enough of a hit of classic fairy tale. Dair is a wonder beast - haunted by tragedies in his past that he blames on himself, he haunts Carraig Brigh with his nightmares and terrors. When it is foretold that only a virgin can save him, everyone loses hope (apparently there aren't many in the area). But when Dair's father visits the lands of the Fearsome McLeods, he finds a couple that just might work.

Fia was a breath of fresh air. She was a helper and a healer. Satisfied with her place in life and the knowledge that she would be there for the rest of her days - until Dair. Once she meets Dair her dreams change, and she finds that her presence and voice offer a comfort to him that none have been able to provide. She may really be able to magically vanquish his crazed side.

But there are rumors of a witch, and Fia will find herself caught up in the superstition. Her life will be at risk, and along with it, the very sanity that allows Dair to be laird of the land. A great mix of suspense and daring, love, and a bit of fairy tale magic (but no actual magic) brings this story together in a way that I just loved.

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Twilight Fulfilled by Maggie Shayne ~ Review

Title: Twilight Fulfilled (Wings in the Night #18)

Author: Maggie Shayne
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Mira
Release Date: September 20, 2011
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Utanapishtim has paid dearly for the sin of creating the vampire race; imprisoned in a living death for centuries, driven to near madness. With a single white-hot glance, he immolates his descendants; and the vampire Armageddon begins.

Beautiful and deadly Brigit Poe, not wholly vampire but fiercely loyal to that shared bloodline, is called into action. She abhors yet cannot deny her destiny: to vanquish the once-great king of the immortals and save the vampire race.

Two warriors, equally matched in power and determination, are soon locked in an unwinnable battle, only to discover a passion so shocking it threatens every truth they’ve ever known; even as they must face one final battle that seems fated to end in death and heartbreak for them both.

The final book in the Wings in the Night series wrapped the story up very nicely (and I did a happy dance for getting a series complete). In Twilight Fulfilled we shift our focus to the deadly part of the mongrel twins, Brigit Poe and her power to destroy with a flick of her fingers has been assigned the task of killing Utanapishtim. Yep, it's a suicide mission, he's all powerful, can steal any powers he doesn't already have, and is just an overall tough guy. Oh, and did I mention he's lost his mind - totally insane - but I can't blame him after what he's been through.

But something happens when he meets Brigit. Sparks fly, intrigue is aroused, and he just doesn't want to kill her. So starts the battle within himself. Brigit pushing him one way - join the vampires and learn to live in this new era. And his mind, DPI, and the government pushing him another - detroy the vampires and become the ultimate weapon.

I love the very psychological aspect of this book. You understand Utanapishtim's confusion and worry over what to do. His connection with Brigit really the only thing holding his last thread of sanity in place. Their relationship was a lot different than ones from previous books, and it's going to stand out to me for a while.

Full of action, love, and sacrifice Twilight Fulfilled was an amazing way to close out the epic vampire series Wings in the Night. I hear there's a follow-up/spin-off that started and I think I'll be on to that one next!

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Wings in the Night

Born in Twilight (Wings in the Night #5)

Two by Twilight (Wings in the Night #9 and #6)

Twilight Hunger (Wings in the Night #7)

Embrace the Twilight (Wings in the Night #8)

Edge of Twilight (Wings in the Night #10)

Blue Twilight (Wings in the Night #11)

Prince of Twilight (Wings in the Night #12)

Demon's Kiss (Wings in the Night #13)

Lover's Bite (Wings in the Night #14)
Angel's Pain (Wings in the Night #15)
Bloodlines (Wings in the Night #16)
Twilight Prophecy (Wings in the Night #17)

Cowboy Rising by Mia Hopkins ~ Release Blitz, Excerpt, and Giveaway

Feisty reporter vs. gruff cowboy—buckle up for a hard ride…

Come back to the rodeo with Mia Hopkins and the newest release in the Cowboy Cocktail series, COWBOY RISING! 

Journalist Georgia Meyers is writing an article about MacKinnon Ranch in a last-ditch effort to save her job at a failing newspaper. At first, the hot-as-hell rancher wants nothing to do with her. But butting heads leads to knocking boots, and soon she’s getting the real story—in bed and off the record.

Cattleman’s son and petroleum engineer Daniel MacKinnon turned down a lucrative oil career to take over the family farm. Frustrated about giving up his dreams and worried about money, Daniel buries himself in ranch work—that is, until gorgeous Georgia shows up and rocks him to the core. A blazing one-night stand leads to something deeper. Despite their feelings for each other, he’s tied to the land and she’s a rolling stone. When the time comes to part ways, will the lovers choose duty over desire? Or will they face their fears and rise to the challenge of love?

Warning: Get ready for sassy banter, sizzling sex, orgasms galore, and a nerdy dirty-talkin’ cowboy who can go all night long.

On Sale in Digital: November 22, 2016

Amazon

*****

 Add COWBOY RISING to your TBR pile on Goodreads!

CELEBRATE THE RELEASE WITH A GIVEAWAY!

Grand Prize: Digital copies of Books 1-4 in the Cowboy Cocktail series plus a delicate gold and quartz crystal necklace from FeminaHandmade.

5 Runner-Ups: Digital copies of Cowboy Resurrection (Book #2 in the series)

*****

Excerpt:
His cheeks red from working outside, the new brother removed his gloves and tucked them under his arm. He took off his hat and shook her hand. His rough fingers were warm.

“Daniel MacKinnon.” He didn’t smile.

Georgia couldn’t explain it. With a heavy jaw and dirty blond hair styled high and tight, he was as clean cut as a cadet—she usually preferred tattooed, bearded types. He looked to be in his mid-twenties—she usually liked seasoned men who were older than her, not younger. But this guy’s hotness seared her eyeballs, nailing her feet where she stood.

“Georgia Meyers, L.A. Chronicle,” she said automatically, all other words escaping her. She was too old, too experienced, and far too smart to react this way—and yet, here she was. Staring slack-jawed at a pretty-faced cowboy like some blue-stockinged virgin at a rodeo dance.

 “I know you’re here to see my father,” he said, the low rumble in his voice stroking a sweet spot inside her chest, “but he isn’t available today. You need to reschedule, Miss Meyers.”

His bright green eyes were so distracting, she almost didn’t register his words. “Reschedule?”

“Yeah. You need to come back. Do the interview another day.”

“What?” Snap out of it, Gigi. The story. She yanked her professional persona back in place. “Mr. MacKinnon, I’ve just driven an hour and a half from Fresno to be here. Two days ago, your father said he’d give me a tour of the ranch and walk me through the organic certification process. Isn’t there anyone else I can talk to?”

Daniel’s stoic expression was both infuriating and unspeakably hot. “No.”

Hot or not, who does this guy think he is? She stood up straight. “Okay, let me lay it all out for you. If there’s no one here who will speak with me today, just to make sure my time isn’t wasted, I’ll be more than happy to find another rancher. There are plenty of spreads in your neck of the woods, aren’t there? I’m sure my readers wouldn’t mind learning about conventional ranching operations. Maybe someone at the Hughes Ranch will make time for me. What do you think?”

He narrowed his eyes at her and took a deep but silent breath. His broad chest rose and fell as he looked her over. At last he said, “Can you ride?”

“A little.” Which was completely true, depending on one’s definition of “a little.”

Fresh impatience lit up Daniel MacKinnon’s eyes. “All right. Let’s go.”

*****

See what people are saying about the Cowboy Cocktail series:

"Mia Hopkins knows how to put characters on a page."  - HEROES AND HEARTBREAKERS

"Mia Hopkins is an imaginative author who doesn’t take the easy road to a formulaic book."

- USA TODAY 

"Sweet and filthy at the same time, just the way I like it. This book made me so happy." 

- READ ALL THE ROMANCE

"The writing is excellent, the emotions leap off the page, and the sex is downright earthy."

- JILL SORENSON, AUTHOR 

"Beautifully descriptive...hot, sexy and full of yearning!"  - DELILAH DEVLIN, AUTHOR 

“Off the charts hot.”  - THE ROMANCE STUDIO

 “A tantalizing slow seduction of the senses.” - STRANGE CANDY REVIEWS

"Hopkins packs a lot of heat and romance on the pages...Caution: hot, sexy times ahead!" 

- READER GIRLS BLOG

 “Filled with sizzling chemistry, hot sex, and just enough sweetness to leave me wanting more…And those sex scenes…Holy hotness!”  - CRYSTAL BLOGS BOOKS

*****

Check out the other books in The Cowboy Cocktail series!

Forget chocolate and flowers. This homegrown honey is all the sweetness he craves.

Small-town life is nothing but a waiting room for eighteen-year-old honor student Corazón Gomez. Work and school leave little time for love, but with a full-ride Ivy League scholarship and a one-way ticket out of the boondocks, who needs it?

The answer appears on Valentine’s Day when her old cowboy crush ambles into the ice cream parlor where she works, inviting her to go on a late-night ride in his truck. For the first time she wavers between staying on the straight and narrow, and going off-road with the handsome heartbreaker.

After four years working on ranches all over the country, Caleb MacKinnon is back on the family farm helping out his mom and brothers while his father fights cancer. The one bright spot: smart, funny, and wickedly sexy Cora.

From the start, they both know this blazing-hot love affair can’t last. But when autumn comes and Cora has to leave for the East Coast, Caleb must find a solution to keep himself—and his heart—from falling apart.

Warning: Contains hard, cherry-poppin’ sex in a pickup truck and a cowboy charmer who talks dirty in two languages.

Book 1 Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Google Books | Kobo | BAM

*****

Ball-busting business woman meets no-holds-barred cowboy. He’s gonna need a longer rope…

Marketing hotshot Monica Kaur has put her big-city life on hold to help bail out her brother’s failing business. Now she’s got three months to plan and promote a rodeo, the first her tiny hometown has ever seen.

To ensure the rodeo’s success, Monica enlists a local hero, a rancher’s son who’s made a name for himself on the bull-riding circuit. Problem? She can’t stop daydreaming about the cocky bastard—and all the things she longs to do to him out behind the chutes.

Professional bullfighter Dean MacKinnon is home helping his family while his father fights cancer. Haunted by bad memories, jaded by love, Dean finds escape in a no-strings-attached go-round with brainy, sexy Monica, whose close-knit Sikh-American family would sooner run him out of town than see her with a notorious rodeo Romeo.

In private, Monica and Dean play as hard as they work. But as the rodeo draws near, that clean break they promised each other is getting more and more hung up in the rigging.

Book 2 Available at:  Amazon  |  B&N  |  iBooks |  Kobo

*****

For eight years, Melody Santos played the game of love and lost—big time. Now she’s back in her tiny hometown looking after her younger sister, making ends meet with an assortment of odd jobs. When her childhood best friend hires her to help him sell his family’s grass-fed beef, the last thing she anticipates is falling in lust with the legendary, brown-eyed player.

To put his family’s cattle ranch back in the black, Clark MacKinnon has his sights set on big contracts—gourmet chefs and restaurateurs. If that means long hours traveling from farmer’s market to farmer’s market, Clark doesn’t mind. Particularly since his new assistant is his childhood crush, all grown up and sexy as hell.

One night in bed leaves them breathless and hungry for more. But when his love-’em-and-leave-’em reputation collides with her trust issues, Clark and Melody must face the truth about what they’ve become: not friends, not lovers, but players in a game that’s impossible to win.

Warning: Contains filthy banter, raunchy sex, excessive Johnny Cash references, and hundreds of pounds of raw beef.

Book 3 Available at: Amazon | Kobo | iTunes | B&N | Samhain | AllRomance | Google Play | Books-A-Million

*****

When Harmony Santos’s boyfriend dumps her on her birthday, she doesn’t get mad. She gets lucky…with a mysterious cowboy whose bedroom eyes and rough edges bring out her inner bad girl. But when their one-night rodeo turns into more than a rebound, Harmony worries her heart hasn’t healed enough to take on someone new—even if that someone is as sweet as he is sexy.

Tie-down roper Lucky Garcia can’t believe his good fortune. A shot at national finals and now this—his longtime crush, in his arms at last. The more time he spends with Harmony, the harder he falls for her. But financial demands and family responsibilities take him further and further away from her—as does his secret fear she hasn’t quite gotten over her dickhead ex.

Behind closed doors, Lucky and Harmony are filthy perfection. But when reality comes knocking, the star-crossed lovers must decide: walk away intact, or risk it all for a chance at happiness.

Warning: Get ready for rope tricks, spanking, self-pleasure, and a smoking-hot cowboy who puts the big D in Dominant.

Book 4 Available at: Amazon

*****

Author Bio:

Mia Hopkins writes lush romances starring fun, sexy characters who love to get down and dirty. She's a sucker for working class heroes, brainy heroines and wisecracking best friends.

When she's not lost in a story, Mia spends her time cooking, gardening, traveling, volunteering and looking for her keys. In a past life, she was a classroom teacher and still has a pretty good "teacher voice" and "teacher stare."

She lives in the heart of Los Angeles with her roguish husband and two waggish dogs.

You can also visit her online at the following places:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | Pintrest | Instagram

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Lucky Chase by Milly Taiden ~ Review

Title: Lucky Chase

Author: Milly Taiden
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 211 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: November 4, 2016
Source: Review Request
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Event planner for the rich and famous, Lucky Nuñez lives her dream job. But when it comes to love, she’s scraping the bottom of the barrel. She’s dying to have babies, but it seems that’s never going to happen. A chance encounter leads her into the arms of Jared Thomas. He’s a bad boy to the bone. Sexy, seductive, and so domineering, he makes her toes curl. And he’s got dirty talk down to an art form.

Jared Thomas is a ladies’ man, but when he meets sexy Lucky, he knows she’s worthy of more than just play time. Never has he wanted to keep a woman like he does her. He will make her his wife and mother of his children. There’s only one problem: his past is trying to kill his future.

They have more than communication problems playing havoc with their relationship. With trust issues the size of Texas, these two need to open up to each other. That’s if they can stay alive long enough to try.

This was one hot romance. Lots of chemistry and some great scenes to get the heart racing. I loved Lucky, she was such a spitfire. Determined to do things her way and her schedule - everything is thrown out the window when she meets Jared.

Jared knows that he has to have Lucky the second he sees her. He doesn't anticipate falling in love and finding her reluctant to allow his pursuit. He's rich, handsome, and sexy as hell - why wouldn't she want him?

But Lucky has some things to work through, and Jared is going to be there the whole time, proving that he's here to stay. But Jared's life isn't as perfect as he thinks. When his enemies decide to use Lucky against him, he'll have to think fast to keep the woman he loves.

I really enjoyed this story, but I wish the suspense element had been drawn out a little bit more. I liked the hints dropped along the way, but when it all hit the fan? It was wham bam thank you mam, and done. I wanted to be left waiting for a little bit longer.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**

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My Guardian Gryphon by Krystal Shannan - Review

Title: My Guardian Gryphon (Sanctuary, Texas #5)

Author: Krystal Shannan
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 300 pages
Publisher: KS Publishing
Release Date: October 25, 2016, 2016
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

A beauty and her beast...

Gretchen has been falling for the Gryphon of Sanctuary a little more each hour she spends in the Castle library. He reads to her, he tells her stories of the real history he lived, and surely he notices her growing affection. Only he hasn't. Or won't. But every moment she doesn't confess her love brings her closer to the doom she fears: the Sisters of the House of Lamidae need her to have a human's baby. And Alek is anything but human...

Alek looks forward to finding Gretchen in the Castle library. Her smile calms his inner beast. Her happiness reminds him there is beauty in a world out to destroy his kind--Others. Supernaturals waiting for a way to leave Earth and return to their world. But Gretchen makes him want to stay.

But Gretchen is off-limits. The House of Lamidae has a present destiny, and his duty is to protect them. Not fall in love.

This was a very intense edition to the Sanctuary, Texas series. I learned a lot about the House of Lamidae, not all of it very good. There are a few people that I look at quite differently after seeing a more 'anything for the greater good' side to them, willing to sacrifice the feelings of one in a grand attempt to move closer to their goals.

Gretchen was a bit of an enigma. She was different than the rest of the House of Lamidae, and it made her intriguing and a little frustrating at the same time. She wants to break the mold and be something different that the rest of her sisters. She wants to find love. But her search causes all sorts of problems.

This is a bit of a dark story. Not everything ends up ice cream and roses. I lost faith in some characters, and I just completely lost others. I will warn you that the ending isn't as hopeful as ones in the previous books. But the tenacity and determination of the citizens of Sanctuary really shine through.

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More Sanctuary, Texas

My Eternal Soldier #3

Mastered: Teagan (Sanctuary, Texas Novella)
My Warrior Wolves #4

Candy Cane Christmas by Laura Trentham

Title: Candy Cane Christmas (Cottonbloom #3.5)

Author: Laura Trentham
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: 90 pages
Publisher: Swerve
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Jeremy Whitehurst has tried to leave his bad-boy behavior and tarnished image behind in Alabama for a fresh start in Cottonbloom, Louisiana. Unfortunately, trouble has dogged him across state lines. Stepping up and protecting a young woman from her abusive boyfriend earned him a beat-down and got him fired. Although the thanks in the girl’s dark eyes made it all worth it, he recognizes she’s just a different kind of trouble. A trouble he’s not sure he can stay away from.

One rebellious summer dented Kayla Redmond’s carefree innocence. Now her focus is on completing her associate’s degree for bookkeeping, and no one is going to derail her plans. Unfortunately, her job at Fournette Brothers Designs puts her in the path of the one man who has seen her at her worst, yet his blue eyes don’t judge her. He sees beyond the brokenness inside of her and rouses her wild side once more. But, that’s what got her in trouble in the first place.

Christmas is coming and Kayla’s ready to forgive herself and take a chance. But the holiday has only ever brought heartache to Jeremy. No Christmas miracle kept his mother clean or out of jail. Will one reckless night and some time spent in the back of a cop car be the best present Jeremy’s ever been given?

I really enjoyed this book while I was reading it. But for some reason, the story didn't really stick with me. I can't put my finger on why exactly. The storyline was one that I had seen before, but it did have a few twists with the characters to make it a little different. Both Jeremey and Kayla were more of a rough around the edges type - which I thought was unusual to see in both characters.

It just wasn't memorable enough to stand out from the field of Christmas romances out there this time of year.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**

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An Animal Under the Fur by E.J. Mellow ~ Cover Reveal

The Animal Under The Fur
E.J. Mellow
Publication date: 2017
Genres: Action, Adult, Romance

From award-winning author E. J. Mellow comes an action romance dripping with vengeful delight. 

Orphaned on the streets as a baby, Nashville Brown, a.k.a Kill Operative 3, knows better than to rely on anyone. With heightened senses and superhuman strength to survive, she’s been raised as the perfect assassin. 

The trick to her success? Keeping everyone, even her best friend, at arm’s length. 

Losing his entire family in the span of a year, Carter Smith left his ability to love buried deep in their graves. His only concerns now are completing his missions and effortlessly charming the next temptress to warm his bed. 

The key to his accomplishments? Working alone mixed with a Casanova smile. 

But when a deadly weapon needs to be stopped from falling into the wrong hands, the lone wolves find themselves thrown into an explosive partnership. Can Carter and 3 lower their guns aimed at one another long enough to succeed, or will their unwillingness to compromise end up destroying more than their perfect records? Whatever their differences, both agree on one thing—in the game of lies and deceit, the line between friend and foe is often blurred by blood splatter. 

The Animal Under The Fur is a hate-to-loath-to-love stand-alone novel filled with savagery, secrets, and enough angst to wrinkle the pages you’ll find gripped in your hands. 

Coming 2017

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Author Bio:
E.J. Mellow is the Award Winning author behind the NA Contemporary Fantasy trilogy The Dreamland Series. With a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, E.J. Mellow splits her time between her two loves – visual design and writing. Residing in NYC, E.J. is a member of Romance Writers of America and their Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter. She has no animals but loves those who do.

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Untapped by Logan Chase ~ Cover Reveal

Untapped
Logan Chase
Publication date: December 20th 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance, Thriller

Some desires are better left uncovered…
Erik Bertinelli is the son of the vilest mob boss in all of New York’s underbelly. He’s the enforcer, the hitman for the syndicate, and the type of guy who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty. His hideaway is as unconventional as they come… the New York Public Library. 

With a thirst for knowledge and a grand getaway at his fingertips, he loses himself daily in the dusty tales of old. Life is too f*cked up most days of the week. Peace would be beyond welcomed. 

Grace Adams desires more than anything to live fully alive, and yet, she’s doing just the opposite of that. She’s a librarian at the New York Public Library and spends her days wishing like hell that she could disappear into one of the romance novels she reads. 

With an imagination that would shock her family and friends, she keeps to herself and lives in the colorful parts of her mind – alone. Untapped. 

When the same deliciously dangerous alpha male keeps showing up between the bookshelves, her daydreams quickly dive into passion that feels too good to be true. The kind that could burn anyone involved. The kind she would do anything for. 

Maybe even kill…

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Author Bio:
Romance is a genre that is oftentimes written by women, but my novels give you the chance to see through the eyes of some of the men that perhaps you fantasize about, and the opportunity to read about passion from the other side for a change. Stories told about real relationships, legit problems and past experiences… unless you’re an ex, in which case any resemblance to women living or dead is merely a coincidence. ;) 

My name is Logan. I’m a full time firefighter during the day, but I’m not here to put out any fires. I’m here to start them. Hope you enjoy my stories and feel free to reach out at any time. I love to flirt.

Behind the Book by Heather Dahlgren ~ Cover Reveal

Behind the Book
Heather Dahlgren
(Sexy, #2)
Published by: Limitless Publishing
Publication date: December 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Cover Design: Deranged Doctor Design

London Tweed will protect herself at all costs, even if it endangers her heart…

London has achieved a thriving writing career, but her social life could use some work. She doesn’t have many friends and can’t even remember the last time she went on a date. If only the memories of her previous relationship would let her enjoy a little of the success she’s earned. London fears she’s lost the ability to feel anything, until she meets the cover model for her new book.

Blake Foster is proud of his career—and his reputation… 

Blake is a model who loves the ladies as much as they love him. He’s got great friends, a successful career, and definitely no lonely nights. He can’t understand why anyone would want to settle down. Then London Tweed chooses him to be on her next book cover and invites him to attend a signing with her. He has a great time at the event and makes it his mission to get London to loosen up. 

Temptation has never felt so right… 

When the after party gets out of hand, London finally lets the walls around her heart down and starts to have fun again. All thanks to Blake. She wants to take a chance on him, but the fear of everything she left behind still follows her.
Can the past stay in the past? Blake’s ready to give up his playboy lifestyle for London, but can he convince her that his love is stronger than the world around them?
Judging a book by its cover may not be fair, especially when you don’t know what’s going on…
Behind the Book.

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—

Author Bio:

Heather Dahlgren writes Contemporary Romance, sprinkling each book with a bit of humor, a lot of naughty and true love. She self-published her first book in 2014 and continues to do so today. Her over active mind promises the stories are in no short supply. 

Heather grew up and still resides at the Jersey shore. She loves being so close to the Atlantic Ocean and the Pine Barrens. She is surrounded by the best of both worlds. 

She is married to her high school sweetheart and has three kids. There is nothing more important in the world to her then her family. 

When Heather isn’t writing you can find her getting lost in a great book, spending time with family and helping her fellow authors. 

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Sacrifice of Mine by Janeal Falor

Title: Sacrifice of Mine (Mine #4)

Author: Janeal Falor
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance
Length: 218 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: September 14, 2016
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 1
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

After a ravaging war, Bethany and her family are forced to flee to Envado. There, women are safe from the oppressive rule of male owners. When her pursuers draw too close, Bethany stays behind to buy her sisters time to escape and she's captured.

She's turned over to a depraver who tarnishes her. Now bald, branded, and barren, she's worth less than the shadow she casts. From this lowly place she leads the tarnished to overthrow the Grand Chancellor--the man behind Chardonia's oppressive rules against women and the tarnished. If they fail to defeat him and his supporters, all will be lost.

The final book in the story of Chardonia is a sad one. Bethany has been captured, tarnished, and finds herself in a very very very very (I can't say enough very's here) bad place. But she's also in a good place to try and help the resistance from within the heart of Chardonia. But a lot of lives will be placed on the line because of it.

Unfoturnately, the editing errors in this one were really bad. There were times I think she mixed up the two countris of Chardonia and Envado, because otherwise parts just wouldn't make sense. The ending was also a little off. It seemed to just "poof" wrap up with a nice bow. Yes, there was a lot leading up to it, but once we got to the top, it just all dropped off really fast.

I really enjoyed this series. It leans more towards a fantasy than a romance, but each story had a nice little romance that weaves through it and really made a different set of characters stand out in a nice way.

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Mine to Fear by Janeal Falor

Title: Mine to Fear (Mine #3)

Author: Janeal Falor
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance
Length: 227 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: August 17, 2016
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: 1
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Waverly resents being sent home to Evando just as things are getting intense in Chardonia. She can't just sit in safety while her friends suffer under oppression and restrictions simply because they are women.

Upon returning to Chardonia, she discovers conditions have degraded faster than she thought possible, and her mere presence puts her loved ones in grave danger. When the Grand Chancellor calls for a change in laws that threatens the lives of her friends, her family, and anyone who doesn't comply, her only option is to run, with both friend and foe.

As the stakes grow higher with each passing day, Waverly must become the leader she's never been, or her life, and the lives of all those she cares for, will be lost.

This series takes a very dark turn in Mine to Fear. Things are not going well, and I'll warn you, the story arc does not end well. We do have a fairly decent HEA for the romance side, but the realm Chardonia is in chaos and it only gets worse.

The people of Envado are trying desperately to change things, and they are losing the battle. The Grand Chancellor is taking the country in hand by making drastic and severe changes that puts the lives of many at risk. It's scary, very scary, and you don't see much light at the end of the tunnel.

Waverly finds herself caught up in the war as she tries to free her friends from the tyranny of the Grand Chancellor and his friends that are determined to keep women and magic under the control of a very select male population. There's a lot to  read between the lines here, and it was done very well.

My biggest complaint, and Mine to Fear may have gotten 5 stars without this, is the editing. There were some areas that were quite poorly done and it really did take away from my ability to just read the story. But it is one hell of a story.

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When Snowflakes Fall by Tara Wyatt

Title: When Snowflakes Fall (The Grayson’s #1)

Author: Tara Wyatt
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: 92 pages
Publisher: Swerve
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Sometimes the heart needs a little Christmas magic.

When Dr. Christie Harmon up and moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming to escape a vicious scandal, she expected a quiet, lonely Christmas on-call as a pediatrician at the local hospital. But when she’s treating a little boy with a bump on the head, she doesn’t expect his dad to be so distractingly handsome…or single.

In the wake of his ex-wife’s abandonment five years ago, Luke Grayson has been focused on raising his son Ethan. The scars from the split run deep, and Luke hasn’t trusted another woman to come into their lives. But there’s something about the sweet—and sexy—Christie that has him wondering if something’s been missing.

Can new love help lonely hearts find a way? After all, Christmas is a time for magic…

This was a super sweet romance. Two broken souls coming together over the holidays to find love and happiness. It might have been just a tad too sweet for me to really fall in love with the story.

Christie has a "thing" in her past that is horrible and she's basically run away to start over again - and I think that was the right thing to do. This "thing" is mentioned many times but we don't know what it is until near the end. I had a hard time relating to her feelings on this without knowing what it was.

Luke was in a crappy marriage and he's afraid to be hurt, and he's afraid to have his son hurt again. His protective instincts are amazing. I like the back and forth he has mentally over this - with his son firmly in the "go for it" camp. This was a very real struggle for him, and I imagine many readers would understand his hesitation and doubts.

In the end, there was a huge misunderstanding and a  huge reconciliation. It was sweet and sappy, but a little much at times. I still enjoyed the story, just from the side of Luke more than Christie.

*I voluntarily read a review copy of this book*

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The Watcher by Rebecca E. Neely ~ Cover Reveal, Excerpt, and Giveaway

Celebrate the release of THE WATCHER by Rebecca E. Neely with a sneak peek at the new Crossing Realms story and 5 Exclusive Fun Facts about the heroine!

About The Watcher

Hell bent on avenging his own death, former Keeper Dev Geary eagerly accepts when the Watchers task him with returning to the human realm to discover the secret for rendering Similitude—the very thing that killed him.

But to succeed in the seven days he’s been granted, he’ll need to work with the one human who wants nothing to do with him, and who he can’t help falling for—Meda Gabriel, a cagey, street smart bar owner with a unique skill set, and maybe, the key to his mission.

With the clock ticking and the Betrayers barely a step behind, can Dev conquer his demons and find the answers the clan so desperately needs, with Meda at his side? Can love find a way, or will he be forced to abandon her and the clan, leaving them all to face imminent destruction?

Find out more: Goodreads / Amazon

5 Fun Facts About….

Meda Gabriel

Loves her German Shephard, Tan

Knowledgeable about healing crystals

Part Iroquois

Has a few cool tattoos

Never completed any formal schooling but has a head full of scientific knowledge

Excerpt:

Her gaze flicked over the stone at the base of his throat. Kneeling, she patted down his legs, arms, and the portion of his waist not occupied by Tan. No weapons.

That gave her a measure of relief. Even without aid of her ability, oddly enough, she knew with absolute certainty Dev wasn’t here to hurt her or she’d have considered calling the police.

She stood and paced. The low-profile life she’d adopted in recent years, coupled with her childhood aversion to authority, had her second guessing herself. She didn’t want anyone poking into her business. Plus, there’d be no keeping it from Musko, and she didn’t want to worry him any more than she already had.

Dev watched her with laser focus, his expression unblinking, unreadable.

She’d been right about the man, and his energy. Both were hell bent.

So, what now?

As if in answer to her silent question, Dev slowly lifted his hands and placed them on Tan’s hindquarters.

She gasped. “What are you doing?”

The stone around his neck glowed.

Tan grunted.

Not in pain. Like he did when she rubbed his belly.

Tan released his jaws from around Dev’s neck, slid off his chest, and bounded across the apartment, his tail wagging.

The way he’d done two years ago. When Musko first brought him home.

The whole thing happened in less than ten seconds. Meda clapped a hand over her mouth, ignored the sheen of sweat slicking her limbs. She stared. At Tan. At Dev. “Oh my God.”

Dev rose, adjusted the stone around his neck, which no longer glowed, she noted. He took a step toward her. She took a step back. Without her three-inch heels, he stood a head taller than her five-eight. He strode forward, crowding her. His eyes hot and green and intent on hers, his presence filled the room with zero charm and one hundred percent defiance.

He spoke, danger skirting the edge of his voice. “Do you have time to talk to me now?”

About Rebecca E. Neely:

A sucker for a happy ending, Rebecca writes the kind of stories she loves to read—those featuring authentic, edgy and vulnerable characters, smack dab in the middle of action that explodes from page one. 

Raised on a down home blend of Johnny Cash, Jack London, Sherlock Holmes, the Steelers, and all things small town, Rebecca feels blessed to have grown up in a close knit, fun loving and artistic family. Her mother, a voracious reader and scratch cook, and her father, an entrepreneur, English teacher and lover of literature, taught Rebecca and her brother to work hard, aim for the stars, and live life. 

With music, books and laughter as constant companions, she grew up working, cooking and eating in the family’s restaurant business. A certified book and hoagie junkie, Rebecca thrives on live music, mysteries and the outdoors. 

She’s a cheddar enthusiast, lover of cats, teddy bears, hot coffee, cold beer, thunderstorms, the blast of a train’s whistle, the change of seasons, country roads, woodpeckers, spoon rings, cool office supplies, and the Food Network. 

Careers, past and present, include freelance writing, accounting, mother, problem solver, doer and head bottle washer.

Rebecca is a member of the Three Rivers Romance Writers, a PAN member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), and is honored to serve as a judge for several writing contests each year.

Connect with Rebecca: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | Pinterest

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