New Releases in Romance - Week of November 29, 2015

Paranormal

Historical

Contemporary

Other

Black Friday Book Bonanza - Blog Hop and Giveaway

Welcome to Black Friday! I hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend, and we're here to make it just a tad better with an amazing book giveaway. We have a mix of two Christmas romances for you, some heat and some sweet to brighten your winter days. And as a bonus some really nifty earbuds from Eve Langlais and IRC 2015.

And don't forget to hop on over to the other blogs in the 5th Annual Black Friday Book Bonanza - the list of links can be found just below the giveway!

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Winter of Wishes by Charlotte Hubbard - Review

Title: Winter of Wishes (Seasons of the Heart #1)

Author: Charlotte Hubbard
Genre: Amish Romance, Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra
Release Date: September 3, 2013
Source: Self-Purchased
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 1
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

As another year draws to a close in Willow Ridge, life seems to be changing for everyone but Rhoda Lantz. Her widowed mother is about to remarry, her sister is a busy newlywed, and soon Rhoda will be alone in her cozy apartment above the blacksmith's shop. An ad posted by an Englischer looking for someone to help with his mother and children may offer just the companionship she's looking for, but if she falls for the caring single father, she may risk being shunned by her community. Certain she can only wish for things she cannot have, Rhoda must remember that all things are possible with God, and nothing is stronger than the power of love.

 This was a really different Amish romance and nothing like what I expected. Rhoda is discontent with her life. She feels like the odd one out as both her sister and mother are getting married and moving on with a new life with new families. She feels a change in the air and jumps into a new job without looking back. I have to say, I admire her bravery for taking that leap.

That leap leads to more than just a great job that she loves. It leads to a family that deparately needs her - and even if she doesn't realize it just yet - that she desparately needs as well. But there's one really big problem. This family isn't Amish - so they are strictly off limits in the romantic sort of way.

Rhoda tackles this problem by trusting God, her Englischer friend tackles the problem in a way that I thought was postively brilliant. If I hadn't loved him already - I definitely would have fallen right then and there. The romance was amazing, the people in the story were amazing. I loved this part soooo much.

Again, and I've mentioned this before in other books by Charolotte Hubbard, the accent was just a bit too much for me. It was toned down in this one since a good portion of the book takes place outside of the Amish community. I understand the concept of drawing the reader in with accents and realistic language, but it just doesn't do it for me in this case.

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Unwrapped by Katie Lane - Review

Title: Unwrapped (Hunk for the Holidays #3)

Author: Katie Lane
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: September 29, 2015
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 5
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Good things come in sexy packages...

Jacqueline Maguire has a problem tying the knot. After fleeing the altar (again), the runaway bride drives off with no particular destination in mind. Which is how Jac finds herself stranded in a snowstorm with a hot, hard-bodied stranger who treats her to the naughtiest night of her life... but come morning, he's long gone.

Contractor Patrick McPherson is deeply committed to his bachelor lifestyle. No strings, no rings. As the Christmas season approaches, however, Patrick still can't quite forget his curvalicious one-night stand. Then Jac shows up unexpectedly, and all holiday hell breaks loose. Because this year, Patrick is getting the biggest Christmas surprise of his life...

I am in love with the series. Such a great mix of characters that give a good dose of humor, love, romance, and excitement. And the hot covers don't hurt either. Patrick was a guy I liked - even while he was in his eternal bachelor, love em and leave em stage. He didn't beat around the bush about it. You knew what you were getting if you went home with him - the night of your life, but just the one.

In one of the more hilarious cases of mistaken identity, he meets Jacqueline. Thinking she's another girl his family is throwing at him, he's not afraid to sweep her off her feet and carry her to bed - not realizing that she's far from anything he's ever imagined.

Jacqueline was quite the character. I'm not really sure how to describe her. You go from wanting to shake her in frustration to thinking she's the best thing in the world. In the end, you can't help but fall in love with her crazy quirky attitude and borderline insane personality.

Through a string of very unexpected events, and more than a few misunderstandings, Patrick and Jacqueline fall in love - but nothing happens in a normal way for Jacqueline. I laughed at the antics, fumed when someone just didn't understand, and cheered uncontrollably when they finally got their acts together. An amazing Christmas romance that I know I'll be re-reading next season.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Previous Reviews for the Series

Hunk for the Holidays (Hunk for the Holidays #1)

New Releases in Romance - Week of November 22, 2015

Paranormal

Historical

Contemporary

New Adult

Thankful for You Blog Hop Giveaway

All of us here at Bitten by Romance would like to thank our readers and followers. We love sharing our bookish thoughts with you and love hearing what you have to say as well.

To celebrate, we are participating in the Thankful for You Blog Hop hosted by The Herd Hops. We're giving away two surprise sweet Christmas romances to one lucky reader!


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Just click on the links below to hop along to the other Thankful for You Blog Hoppers!

Ice Moon by Lisa Kessler - Excerpt and Giveaway

Jared Ayers works outdoors, embracing a solitary life, hiding from his inner demons. But after so many of his Pack brothers have found their mates, he starts wondering if there might be a mate in his future too. His world turns upside down after he's hired by the "Ice Queen of Lake Tahoe". One touch is all it takes. One touch to send the wolf howling within...

A gifted psychic with pyrokinesis, Taryn Goldstone wields fire beyond her control– sometimes with dire consequences. With Jason, she discovers that some flames are meant for passion–and healing. She has enemies who covet her powerful gift, but they are about to learn just how far a wolf will go to protect his mate.

Purchase your copy of ICE MOON:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Entangled | Goodreads

Excerpt from Ice Moon:

My black body suit fit like a second skin. I stared at my reflection from every angle. I kept myself in good shape, but this get-up was going to be tough not to be self-conscious in. Not to mention, I’d never been to a costume party before. Maybe this was modest compared to what the other women would be wearing? I brushed my hair and let it fall down my shoulders. 

This would also be the first time my clients and employees saw me without my trademark messy bun. 

Lots of firsts. Made me nervous, but it was thrilling at the same time. 

I pulled up a picture of Dr. Jean Grey on my phone and compared. The form-fitting black suit was an amazing match to the movie version. Madison had done a great job finding it. Other than my blue eyes, I looked pretty close. People at the party should at least be able to recognize the costume. 

Satisfied, I forced myself to walk out into the living room. If I couldn’t be Dr. Jean Grey in front of Jared, there was no way I’d be ready to parade around the Masquerade on Friday night. I came down the hall and turned to the right. 

And practically choked on my tongue. Jared turned around in his body-hugging black uniform, a dead ringer for Wolverine. He’d been growing out his sideburns, and while I was back changing he even combed his hair up at the sides for Wolverine’s signature do. 

"Rugged and handsome" didn’t really do him justice. 

“Wow.” I was usually pretty articulate, but that was all I had. 

His gaze ran slowly from my feet all the way up to meet my eyes, his sexy grin curving on his lips. “You look amazing, Taryn.” 

And for the first time in years, that was exactly how I felt, too.

About the Author:

Lisa Kessler is an award winning author of dark paranormal fiction. Her debut novel, Night Walker, won a San Diego Book Award for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror as well as the Romance Through the Ages Award for Best Paranormal and Best First Book.

Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.

When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego.

Connect with Lisa Kessler

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter

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Deathly Magic by A.L. Kessler - Cover Reveal

Title- Deathly Magic (Book 2 Here Witchy Witchy Series) 

Author- A.L. Kessler 

Release Date- February 15th 2016 

Synopsis Zombies... When Abigail Collins heard Nick’s theory on their current case, she knew he had to be crazy, but when a zombie shows up in her apartment she has no choice but to believe him. A renegade necromancer bent on manipulating witches and murdering innocent people runs amok in town and Abby and Nick have to stop them before more bodies pile up. Further complicating matters two PIB agents step onto the scene, claiming a link between their case and Abby’s. To top it all off, blood starved vampires are causing chaos in the city. It’s just another day for PIB Agent Abigail Collins, full of blood, monsters, and explosions.

Available for Pre-Order: Amazon

About the Author 

A.L. Kessler is the author of Dark War Chronicles. She dabbles in paranormal romance, steampunk and urban fantasy. Since she was a teenager she's loved weaving stories and spinning tales. When she's not at the beck-and-call of the Lord and Lady of the House, two black cats by the names of Jynx and Sophie, training a playful puppy named Zelda, playing with her daughter, or killing creepers and mining all the things with her husband, she's either reading, participating in NaNoWriMo, or writing in her Blog Writing Rambles. For those who like things on the more spicy side, she leads a double life as Alexandra Webb.

Now You See Her by Dale Meyer - Release Blitz and Giveaway

Check Out the Newest Novel from USA Today Best-

Selling Author Dale Mayer, NOW YOU SEE HER. 

Energy is where all life comes from. Sometimes it is good and 

sometimes it is evil. Tia escaped from a ‘special program’ and is on 

the run. Those that had her are hunting her and they won’t stop till 

they get her back…

Energy. The life force of good … and evil

And sometimes evil is stronger.

Tia spent years imprisoned in a 'special' program. When she finally escaped, she ran as far 

Only one person can help her. Stefan. But when she contacts him for help, she gets more than 

she bargained for. Six weeks later, she awakens from a coma to find more problems than ever – 

Dean, moonlighting as a guard at the hospital, finds himself in an impossible situation. His belief 

system is stretched out of control by someone whom he can't forget ... and can't believe. Until 

away as she could. But it wouldn't leave her alone.

and she's still being hunted.

he has no choice.

With everything on the line, Tia and Dean must work together to solve the problem that has 

somehow – in a very unique way – entwined them both.

Order this title at these online retailers:

Amazon  |  B&N  |  iBooks |  Goodreads |  Kobo  |  Google Play

Excerpt from Now you See Her:

Tia wanted to bolt up from the couch and run as far and as fast as she could from the three men. But

she didn’t move a muscle. In fact, she wasn’t sure she could. Her body was starting to seizure but her 

muscles didn’t appear to move. Energy seizures? Was such a thing possible?

People with abilities seemed to have two systems. One physical and one energetic. If a person could get 

sick on the physical system, in theory it should then be possible to get “sick” on the energetic level.

Great.

Just what she needed. Was there an equivalent to cancer on the physical system? ’Cause it would be so 

typical of her to be the first one. Damn.

Deciding she’d had enough of being stared at, she shifted to a sitting position then stood up – a little 

shaky but at least she was vertical. She studied the room. As far as she could tell she was still in Dean’s 

house, but everything was foggy. As if she was looking through a light rain.

“Where’s Dean?”

“Right in front of you.” Dean’s voice came through a weird cloud.

She rubbed her eyes but she still couldn’t see him clearly. “I can’t see you very well,” she muttered.

Instead of a shocked exclamation, a warm hand landed on her shoulder, grounding her. 

Instantly, her vision cleared. He stood in front of her, a worried look on his face.

She smiled. “Thanks, now I can see you.”

“I didn’t do anything, but you’re welcome.” His smile gentled, but his gaze narrowed as he studied her 

features. She could feel the power of his concern. It was…disconcerting.

“I wish I woke feeling like I’d had some rest. Instead, every time I wake up I feel frazzled, frayed at the 

edges. Terrible feeling,” she muttered. She should go to the washroom, wash her face, maybe it would 

wake her up, but she didn’t want to move.

Dean stepped back, letting his hand fall away and as if a connection had broken she suddenly felt 

worse. Weird. She felt better touching him. 

Still, she could hardly hold his hand all the time. Besides, she was better than before she’d collapsed. 

She excused herself and used the facilities. Afterwards she tried to run her fingers through her hair. 

Thankfully there was mouthwash in a cupboard. Stefan had brought her meager belongings from the 

hospital, but apparently toiletries had not been among them. 

Finally, she pushed open the door and walked out to the living room and to the men who waited for 

her. She heard Dean say something to her but where he stood was only a blur of energy. 

Turning toward the sound of Stefan’s voice, she realized he was no longer as clear as he’d been either.

She whispered, hating the fear snaking through her, “There’s something wrong with me.”

Then she fell to her knees.

The men rushed to her side.

But not in time.

She toppled face forward to the floor.


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New Releases in Romance - Week of November 15, 2015

Christmas

Paranormal

Contemporary

Suspense

Erotic

The Billionaire's Christmas Proposal by Victoria James - Review

Title: The Billionaire’s Christmas Proposal (A Billionaire for Christmas)
Author: Victoria James
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: Novel
Publisher: Entangled: Indulgence
Release Date: November 16, 2015
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 5
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

She's everything he wants for Christmas…

Social worker Allison Barrington's home went up in smoke, literally, a month before Christmas. Now the guardian of her teenage sister and a crazy pup, she shows up on the doorstep of the only man in the city she can trust. Resisting Ethan Dane had never been easy, but luckily, Allie isn't into cutthroat playboy businessmen. And Ethan is as driven as they come.

Ethan Dane has wanted Allie since the moment he laid eyes on her at their best friends' wedding. Having her in his home is the perfect chance to prove to her that their chemistry can't be denied, but when he finds out that the biggest business coup of his career means destroying the youth center where Allie works, Ethan is forced to decide what kind of man he wants to be…

This was a very cute Christmas romance with just about everything I wanted in it. Allison is a great person that just doesn't seem to see her worth many times. A social worker that takes care of her mouthy teen-age sister who suddenly finds herself homeless. The shelter she works at make be getting sold to a real estate tycoon and Christmas just seems like it's not going to be a very good one.

Ethan is in love with Allison - but she keeps turning him down. She's afraid to risk their friendship by trying something more. But when she is forced to turn to him for help she discovers new sides to Ethan that make it hard to resist him. I love how Ethan struggled with the wishes of his family versus his conscience and what Allison has asked him to help with. He's willing to put everything aside to try and help her and the shelter she loves so much. I especially liked his little bout of jealousy when they meet Allison's ex-boyfriend.

Ethan will need to get used to having not just a teen-ager around, but a strange little one-eyed dog that doesn't have a lot of manners - but he is incredibly cute. There is plenty of holiday cheer to find in this story and lots of great romantic scenes that are more than just gestures. I loved it!

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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