NEVER SAY I LOVE YOU (Never Say #1) by Amy Pennza is the
first contemporary romance in a new series by a new to me author.
Ashley Ann Scobel is an out of work actress. For two years,
she has made ends meet by refurbishing antiques, but she decides she needs to
return to her small Texas hometown of Prattsville and try to pull herself and
her finances together. But Prattsville has no fond memories for Ashley. She
hopes to use her grandmother’s old furniture in her family home attic to
finance a return to California. When she gets home, she finds her mother gone
and the house sold to the next door neighbor named Smith. Hopefully he won’t
mind if she stays for just a few weeks.
Chief of Police Smith Salvatierra likes everything orderly
and predictable. He and his canine partner, Deuce appreciate the boring and
quiet small town over the crowds and frantic pace of the larger San Antonio. He
likes his privacy and his partner never asks about his past. When Smith finds
Ashley in the house he bought next door, they come to an arrangement. Ashley
can stay for eight weeks.
Smith’s new tenant is messy, unpredictable and beautiful.
Ashley finds Smith to be by-the-book tall, dark and handsome and is not sure
what to make of her landlord’s hot and cold attitude. Can the two of them find
what they need in each other?
I was very happy I tried this new to me author. This
contemporary romance had an interesting twist with Smith dealing with a tragedy
in his past that colors all of his decisions in the present. His rigid
adherence to predictability is challenged by Ashley and he begins to see an
opportunity for change. I love dogs in books and I loved Deuce. He is a great
example of an emotional support dog. The sex scenes in this book are explicit but
not gratuitous. My only problem with this story was I felt the ending was too
abrupt. I would have preferred that some of the secondary issues had been
locked down instead of still up in the air. Hopefully this H/h will be
revisited in future books in the series and I will find some of the answers I
am looking for in a complete HEA. Overall, a good start to this new series.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.
Today’s Feature Post/Bog Tour and Book Review is for the first book in a new romantic suspense series with a unique plot setting – the world of on-line gaming.
OFF HER GAME (The Game Lords Book 1) by Zoe Forward is a unique suspense plot which will continue to arc over more books in this series, but the romance is a complete HEA in each book. Below you will find the book description, my book review, author social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway.
You will enjoy this new romantic suspense series whether you are a on-line gamer or not and as always good luck on the Rafflecopter giveaway!
Tori Duarte’s big dreams to be a video game designer…well, they haven’t panned out. And a girl’s gotta eat. Enter: the Stadium, a secretive video game gambling ring. As a world ranked eGamer, winning should be cake. Until it’s not. Gambling debts suck her in deep.
A chance encounter with the media shy, ridiculously handsome video game CEO Noah Harrison offers her a way out. The deal: 1) Assist the FBI to catch the underworld eGaming kingpin (doable but dangerous). 2) Keep the FBI connection secret by pretending to date Noah (not optional but keeping it PG is problematic).
Noah’s never been more attracted to a woman in his life. Maybe because he’s never been the focus of anyone as sexy, smart, and badass as Tori. But while the dates are fake, the threat to Tori’s life is real. What neither expected was an explosive chemistry that’s more than convincing—it’s sizzling. Falling for each other is the most dangerous thing they could do…
OFF HER GAME (The Game Lords Book 1) by Zoe Forward is the
first book in a new romantic suspense series set in the unique world of on-line
gaming. The suspense plot was very intriguing and keeps the pages turning. The
romance has a gamer nerd turned hot hunk game creator, rich CEO still being a
nerd in personal situations in a fake relationship with a feisty, sexy female
gamer, game creator.
Tori Duarte is ranked as one of the top female gamers in the
country. She attended MIT, she can program and code and she has a video game
she is trying to sell. She also has a big chip on her shoulder because of the gender
bias in the gaming world. When she needs help with money, she gets involved in
a secretive on-line video gambling ring called the Stadium. The game is rigged
and she just keeps getting further and further in debt.
CEO Noah Harrison is co-owner of a major gaming company. He
is set up on a chance meeting with Tori. He lost his brother to the Stadium and
is now helping with an FBI sting. He wants Tori’s help to stop them from
killing more people and bring them to justice. They will pretend to date to
cover for the FBI.
Tori and Noah play at dating, but with the sparks flying
between them, could this lead to more? As they are caught up with this dangerous
cyber-criminal, the stakes continue to rise. Can Tori get out of the Stadium to
have a real relationship?
Tori and Noah were an interesting pairing. The shy CEO who is inept with women, but can sure turn it on and take control during sex with the snarky, but insecure gamer girl. When they were together it was really hot, but I felt the author pulled them apart too frequently. There was too much insecurity coming from such a supposedly smart and talented heroine. The sex scenes were explicit, but not over the top. All of the secondary characters were well fleshed out and I am looking forward to seeing how the author continues on with their stories, also. I did like the twist during a very well written suspense plot when the heroine faced the kingpin without the hero at her side. Overall, I loved the suspense plot and that the Stadium plot will arc over future books with this book having a complete HEA romance.
I can recommend this first book in this new series and I am
looking forward to reading more.
***
About Zoe:
Award winning author Zoe Forward is a hopeless romantic who can’t decide between paranormal and contemporary romance. So, she writes both. Her novels have won numerous awards including the Prism, Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence, Golden Quill, Carolyn Readers Choice Award, and the Booksellers’ Best Award.
When she’s not typing at her laptop, she’s cheering her son on at baseball, chasing the toddler or cleaning up the newest pet mess from the menagerie that occupies her house. She’s a small animal veterinarian caring for a wide range of furry creatures, although there has been the occasional hermit crab.
She’s madly in love with her globe trotting conservation ecologist husband who plans to save all the big cats on the planet, and she’s happiest when he returns to their home base.
I am so excited to share this Feature Post with you. Riley Edwards is starting a new series featuring the Gold Team which is a crossover with Susan Stoker’s new Legacy SEALs. BROOKS (Gold Team #1) is full of action, adventure, ex-SEALs, ex-military, spies and the hot men and women who work behind the scenes to protect us.
If you love hot, sexy romance on the run with plenty a twists and turns in the action, this is definitely the series for you.
Below you will find the book description, book review, the author’s social media and a Rafflecopter giveaway. Good luck on the giveaway!
Title:Brooks (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Gold Team Book 1)
Tatiana Jones is no stranger to the battlefield. One look at her scarred flesh tells the tales of her time in captivity. But it’s not only her skin the bears the marks her failures, doubt and a healthy dose cynicism now clouds her vision. She has also mastered the fine art of deception. In her line of work it is a necessity.
Former Navy SEAL Brooks Miller is living the good life working as a mercenary. Employed by the highly sought-after Z Corps, a private, special-ops company, there are no shortage of contracts sending him around the world. He lives wild and free with nothing tying him down—just the way he likes it.
When the Gold Team’s latest mission takes them to Bahrain, Brooks thinks it will be a quick in and out. That’s until he walks into a shitstorm and comes face to face with the woman who’s about to turn his world upside down. There was something working behind her intelligent eyes, and it looked a lot like pain. Not the physical kind, the emotional aftermath of heartache. And when she tries to hide behind snark and sass he decides on the spot he wants to know more.
Tatiana doesn’t have time for games. She’s on the hunt for the man who left her life in ruins. Brooks has something else in mind, something more, something far more permanent than the no strings fun Tatiana is offering. He had her right where he wanted her until the hunters become the prey and their world explodes. It will take more than the Gold Team to bring down a Saudi Prince out for blood. Their only hope is the one and only, king of all things cyber, John “Tex” Keegan. Can Tex get search and rescue team to them in time, or will it be a recovery mission?
Brooks: Book 1 in the all new Gold Team series features Susan Stoker’s new Legacy SEALs. *
BROOKS (Gold Team #1) by Riley Edwards is the first book in
a new romantic suspense series which will have crossover with Susan Stoker’s
new Legacy SEALs series. This book takes off from the first page with ex-SEALs,
ex-military, spies, action and suspense that engrosses you in the story and
keeps you turning the pages.
Tatiana Jones knows the risks of being a spy intimately.
Ex-CIA and working for a private firm now, she has the scars on her body from
days of torture. She made a mistake. Now she is out for revenge.
Former SEAL Brooks Miller is now working for Z Corps. Z
Corps is a private special-ops company with no shortage of contracts for their
highly specialized work. He loves his team and the freedom of working for a
private company.
While in Bahrain, the Gold Team’s latest mission crosses
Tatiana’s mission with an assassination attempt on her life. Brooks does not
know what it is about this snarky, sarcastic female, but he sees beyond her attitude
and scars to the emotionally wounded female inside. Tatiana does not have time
for this man who sees far too much. She is out to get the man who left her life
in ruins.
Brooks has Tatiana’s back and she has his, but will it be
enough as they face multiple enemies and life and death situations?
This book is fast paced, exciting, emotional and hot. Brooks
is the definitely an alpha hero, but Tatiana is with him every step of the way
with her kick-butt self. Tatiana’s emotional past includes a failed marriage to
a mentally abusive adulterer and physical torture from terrorists which makes
her exterior tough, but Brooks works to prove to her that that is not who she
is. Ms. Edwards does an excellent job of balancing emotional turmoil, hot sex,
action and suspense. The suspense plot twist and turns with surprises and
thrills. The sex scenes are explicit and steamy. I started this book and could
not put it down.
I am looking forward to reading many more books in this
series!
About Riley:
Riley Edwards is a bestselling multi-genre author, wife, and military mom. Riley was born and raised in Los Angeles but now resides on the east coast with her fantastic husband and children.
Riley writes heart-stopping romance with sexy alpha heroes and even stronger heroines. Riley’s favorite genres to write are romantic suspense and military romance.
This Feature Post is for Catherine Bybee’s new release FAKING FOREVER (First Wives Book 4). Below you will find an excerpt from the book, my book review, a book summary, info about the author, her social media links, and a Rafflecopter giveaway.
I have been waiting for Shannon’s story and it did NOT disappoint. If you have been reading and following my posts on the other books in this series then you have been waiting for this book, too.
Enjoy this post, read this series and as always good luck on the Rafflecopter giveaway!
***
Excerpt: FAKING FOREVER by Catherine Bybee
Victor
noticed Shannon sitting in the open dining area of the hotel the next morning,
drinking coffee and reading on her e-reader. He’d spent most of the previous
day licking his metaphorical wounds and nursing a headache.
Dressed in cotton pants that went midcalf and a
light shirt, she looked like she was dressed for a long plane ride home. As
much a pain in the ass as the woman had been, he felt compelled to say goodbye.
After all, he was the reason she was there.
He walked up quietly behind her. “If it isn’t
woman who fed me mezcal.”
The sound of his voice made her jump.
Too bad she wasn’t holding her coffee.
“You have got to stop doing that.”
Without an invitation, he sat and smiled. She
took a deep breath and looked away, came painfully close to rolling her eyes.
For some reason, he appreciated the fact she held back and wondered just how
much it would take for her to disregard him with such a gesture.
“Please, sit down,” she said.
He glanced at his chair. “Thank you.”
She set her e-reader aside and regarded him. “I
thought for sure you’d be back at the office by now.”
So did he. “I couldn’t fly yesterday even if
I’d found a flight.”
“Oh?”
He didn’t miss the tiny shine in the corner of
her eye.
“No. I had one too many the other night.
Inflicting that on whoever had the misfortune of sitting next to me on the
flight home was more than I could take after my flight here.”
She smiled, briefly, and lifted her chin. “I’m
glad to hear you’ve evolved since Friday.”
Unable to help himself, he laughed.
Her smile returned.
Victor felt a twist in his gut, a pull to
something he didn’t want to name. “I guess you’re leaving today,” he said.
She shrugged. “I am.”
He nodded. “Justin informed me you made sure I
didn’t decide to go for a late night swim.”
“It was tempting. But then I realized you
wouldn’t be able to pay me if you swallowed too much water.”
“Self-preserving. Very smart of you.”
“It’s a gift.”
When the woman wasn’t tossing barbs at him, she
was beautiful. Perfect lines in her face, high cheekbones … he couldn’t tell if
her olive skin was from an ancestor or the byproduct of living in Southern
California. Not anything like anyone he’d been attracted to before.
What was he thinking? He wasn’t attracted.
Victor shook his head and stood. “Well, I saw
you sitting here and thought I’d at least say goodbye.”
She stood with him and extended her hand. “For
what it’s worth, I’m sorry things didn’t go as planned this weekend.”
Her fingers were long, elegant. Just like the
woman. Disappointment saying goodbye was an emotion he had no business feeling.
Yet there it was, like a lump in his chest.
“Are you?”
Her smile cracked. “No. But it seemed the right
thing to say. I am sorry for the heartache. That’s never easy, even if it’s for
the right reason.”
Victor realized he was still shaking her hand
and let go.
“Goodbye, Victor. Good luck to you.”
“Goodbye, Shannon.” And because it was the
appropriate thing to do once you said goodbye, Victor walked away. When he
turned to take a last look, Shannon sharply moved her gaze to her coffee.
***
My Book Review
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
FAKING FOREVER (First Wives Book 4) by Catherine Bybee is a
contemporary romance and the fourth book in this series. I have been anxiously
waiting for Shannon’s story. It was not what I was expecting or hoping for and
yet it was the perfect story for Shannon’s HEA and I loved it.
Shannon Wentworth is in Mexico as the photographer for a destination
wedding. She has decided that while she is in Mexico, she will also find
willing man to give her what she desires – a baby. Her biological clock is
ticking and she is not going to let being single stop her.
Victor Brooks is a workaholic in Mexico to marry his much
younger finance. She walks out and he is suddenly alone on a honeymoon for one.
Victor blames Shannon of sabotaging his wedding.
Even though Victor blames Shannon, the sparks are flying between the two. Shannon thought she knew Victor’s type, but between the beautiful Mexican setting, tequila and sun she discovers a very different side to the man. They go from enemies to wanting more. Worried that it is just the surroundings, they both decide to return home and wait three months to see if they can be just as attracted to each other at home.
But the past comes calling and all of their plans are at
risk.
Shannon surprised me in this book. She was always the quiet
and steady First Wife. I was expecting a different romance for Shannon and yet
Ms. Bybee took me to a completely new place and made it perfect. The emotional changes
in both Shannon and Victor make this work. It was also great to catch up with
the other First Wives. Their bond is what made these stories special for me.
Ms. Bybee always gives me an emotionally realistic romance read that is hard to
put down and this one had some unique twists. I am sorry to see the First Wives
all paired up now, but hopefully Sasha will get a story even though she is not
technically a First Wife.
Thank you so much to Montlake Romance and Net Galley for
allowing me to read this eARC. It has been a wonderfully entertaining romantic
series.
***
About the Title
Title: Faking Forever
Author: Catherine Bybee
Release Date: March 12, 2019
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Summary
Shannon Wentworth’s biological clock is ticking, and she
isn’t going to let her single status keep her from having a baby. When her
wedding-photography business takes her to Mexico, she has every intention of
finding a willing baby daddy to help her out. Until the bride goes AWOL,
leaving Shannon to coddle the arrogant fiancé who has accused her of sabotaging
his wedding.
Victor Brooks never could have imagined that he’d be on a
honeymoon for one. Only here he is, taking a hard look at his life after the
younger women he thought he loved walked out. The woman who volunteers to help
him reflect is the last person he expects to be attracted to. Between the
tequila, the sun, and one earth-shattering kiss, Victor finds Shannon a
distraction too sexy to ignore.
They strike a deal: wait three months, cool off, and see if their tropical beach attraction is worth taking up when they go back home. Unfortunately, that’s just enough time for the past to come calling. All their best-laid plans are at risk. So is the last thing Shannon expected to matter the most: her heart.
***
About the Author
New York
Times, Wall
Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author
Catherine Bybee has written twenty-eight books that have collectively sold more
than five million copies and have been translated into more than eighteen
languages. Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in
the hope of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she
returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career
in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Not Quite
Series, the Weekday Brides Series, the Most Likely To Series, and the First
Wives Series.
NOTORIOUS IN A KILT (Hot Scots #5) by Anna Durand is a
smokin’ hot contemporary second chance romance. This entire series of sexy
Scottish brothers and cousins is easy to read and entertaining. Each book can
be read as a standalone although it was fun to read them in order and watch how
each meets their perfect American mate.
Rae Everhart fell in love with her college professor. With
only one month to go before graduation, they could not wait. They were both
adults and only had one night of passion before the jealousy of others tore
them apart. Her lover disappeared leaving Rae with so many unanswered questions
and a daughter to raise alone.
Iain MacTaggart thought he was saving Rae by leaving her. He
knows nothing about his daughter and has quite the reputation since returning
to his home in Scotland. Since he can’t have the one woman he loves, he sleeps
with many others. He never promises them anything except a good time.
Thirteen years later on Rae’s sheep ranch in Texas, Iain
comes marching back into Rae’s life. He
is willing to do anything to win her trust back, but he still has secrets that
could break them apart once again. Can Rae trust Iain with not only her heart,
but her daughter’s heart also?
This is the book I have been waiting for! Iain was a
secondary character in other books in this series and I always wanted to know why
at fifty he was still not settled. You knew there were secrets and this book
tells all. Both Rae and Iain suffered and yet rebuilt their lives as best they
could. They had to be together though in the end for this HEA to satisfy. Iain
is extremely hot and Rae is the perfect strong and resilient heroine. Beside
the reignited romance, you also get blackmail, misunderstandings and a bumpy
road to happiness. The sex in this book is explicit and hot as in this whole
series.
I really enjoyed this story and was very happy to finally
find out more about Iain. This is a great second chance romance and one of my
favorite in this series to date.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.
This second book in the Sweetwater Springs contemporary
romance series is an absolute joy to read from beginning to HEA. I cried and laughed
and just could not put it down. SPRINGTIME AT HOPE COTTAGE (Sweetwater Springs
#2) by Annie Rains was a pleasure to read.
Josie Kellum is a writer on a major magazine in NYC. It was
her dream job until the arrival of the new owner. She decides she needs a trip
to visit her BFF, Kaitlyn in Sweetwater Springs for article ideas and time to
consider her future at the magazine. As Josie is walking behind Kaitlyn’s
B&B, she goes off the trail and ends up with a severely twisted knee.
Kaitlyn knows the perfect physical therapist to help get her up and about as
soon as possible. She is supposed to return to NYC soon.
Tucker “Tuck” Locklear grew up in Sweetwater Springs and
returned after college to run his physical therapy practice using the outdoors
and nature at Hope Cottage to heal instead of an exercise room in a facility.
He has been a widower for two years now and is just starting to move on. His
first impression of Josie is of a high maintenance city girl, but as the two
get closer he finds she is so much more. Tuck knows Josie will be returning to
NYC soon and it would be stupid to risk his heart on someone who will be
leaving, but there is so much he likes about Josie.
Tuck and Josie get an extra month together when there is a
fire in the apartment next to Josie’s in NYC. They each have reasons that
should keep them apart, but the attraction is too strong. Can Josie slow down
and quit running? Can Tuck take the chance at a second love?
This is story that will stay with me for a while. Josie’s
reasons for hiding in her work and Tuck’s reasons for not getting involved were
all handled realistically by this author. Ms. Rains writing had me completely
engrossed in Sweetwater Springs and its inhabitants. So many little things can
add up in our lives and change a person. These characters showed that sometimes
you have to forgive yourself as much as others. All of the secondary characters
are as realistic and entertaining as the H/h. This is a sweet romance and none
of the sex scenes are explicit.
This is an emotional romance read with a very satisfying HEA.
I can highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading more books
in this series.
Thanks very much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and
Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC.
