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Feature Post and Book Review: Faking Forever by Catherine Bybee

Hi, everyone!

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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Social Media Links

Website: http://www.catherinebybee.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCatherineBybee

Twitter: https://twitter.com/catherinebybee

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2905789.Catherine_Bybee

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Rafflecopter Giveaway

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Book Review: Notorious in a Kilt by Anna Durand

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

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.

Book Review: Springtime at Hope Cottage by Annie Rains

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

Oh my!

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.

Book Review: Salvaging Truth by Joanne Jaytanie

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

SALVAGING TRUTH (Hunters & Seekers Book 1) by Joanne Jaytanie is the exciting start of a new romantic suspense series. The books revolve around a salvage and investigation company called Hunters & Seekers run by three ex-SEAL friends.

Dagger Eastin, Kaleb LaSalle and Stone Garrison are partners and friends who run Hunters & Seekers. As ex-SEALs, they all have a love of the sea and have found the perfect way to carry on in the private sector while still getting that punch of adrenaline they all still seek by being private investigators.

Riley Rawlings is in shock as she listens to her mother’s message on her phone. The research vessel Claudia is on is sinking. Riley does not know exactly what her mother was working on when she died, but it was going to change the balance of power in the energy business world. Riley was left clues by her mother to follow in a scavenger hunt to retrieve her research and get it into the right hands.

Riley needs help solving her mother’s murder and someone watching her back as she follows the clues to her mother’s research. It seems everyone wants Claudia’s research and are willing to kill to get it. Riley and Daggar have to deal with universities, the military, energy corporations and Russian spies. Daggar has Riley’s back as they follow the clues, but can Riley trust him with more?

I really enjoyed the whole premise of this story and the execution. Ms. Jaytaine’s writing was easy-to- read and the scavenger hunt kept me turning the pages. Riley was an intelligent heroine with an interesting career. Daggar was the strong ex-SEAL hero. I had a little difficulty with the romance because for me it felt forced. The author gave reasons for the back and forth, but for me, it was not really believable if he cared for her so much, but the suspense plot in the book more than made up for the weakness in the romance. Kaleb and Stone are strong characters in this story and I am looking forward to reading about future adventures featuring each.

I can highly recommend this first book in this series and I am looking forward to reading more.

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.

Release Blitz/Feature Post and Book Review: Finding Mercy by Riley Edwards

Hi, everyone!

Today I am happy to share with you this Feature Post/Release Blitz and Book Review for Riley Edward’s new book FINDING MERCY (The Next Generation Series#3).

Below you will find the book description, my book review, the author’s social media and a Rafflecopter giveaway. I am always excited every time I get a new Riley Edward’s book and this one did not disappoint!

I hope you enjoy the info below and as always good luck on the giveaway!

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Book Description

DEA Jason Walker became a widower at Twenty-eight. Two years later he’s still torturing himself with guilt. They’d married young, and she’d been his first love, but her illness changed everything. They’d fought a losing battle and he’d held her to the very end. Now he just wants to be left alone with his misery and memories.

Mercy James is no stranger to grief and loneliness. Her brother’s death of a drug overdose, and her police officer father’s death in the line of duty were the driving forces behind her pursuit of a career in the DEA. In spite of—or maybe because of—her past, Mercy doesn’t believe in feeling sorry for others, or for herself.

When a case brings Jason and Mercy together, and their attraction heats up, can her tough, straightforwardness help Jason learn to live in the light again? He’d lost his first love, but is he ready for a forever love?

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

FINDING MERCY (The Next Generation Series Book #3) by Riley Edwards is her new romantic suspense in the Next Generation Series. This generation of brothers, sisters and cousins are all a close extended family who serve in a variety of ways and in each book they meet their perfect match. This story is especially emotional and leans more to the romance of the story than the suspense. It can be read as a standalone because the crossover family characters are easily explained by the author.

DEA Agent Jason Walker married his first young love. He was faithfully by her side through her battle with cancer, but it changed their relationship. When the cancer returned, he refused to leave her side and held her until she died. For two long years, he has pushed his family away and wallowed in his self loathing, memories and misery.

DEA Agent Mercy James knows what it is like to grieve and be alone. Her mother died while giving her birth, her brother died of a drug overdose and her father died avenging his son’s death. Even with her loss, Mercy works to keep an upbeat attitude and moves always forward with her career and life. She also recognizes the sadness in Jason’s eyes.

When Jason and Mercy are partnered together on a case, sparks begin to fly. Mercy is straight-forward and a breath of fresh air in the self-imposed isolation Jason has surrounded himself in. He cannot resist her and her love of life. After having lost his first love, can Jason move forward to claim the forever love that Mercy is offering him?

This story had me emotionally wrapped up in Jason’s past and present. Ms. Edwards’ writing was so authentic in regards to how we can become so caught up in an emotional loop in our heads and how we need family, friends, whomever to sometimes help us find a way out. Mercy is a strong heroine which I always enjoy reading about. The sex scenes are explicit, but not gratuitous to the story. The suspense subplot in this book took a backseat to the romance, but it was a page turner especially at the end and it did tie into hopefully the next book in this series.

I can highly recommend this book and the whole series for a great romantic suspense read!

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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.

Social Media

Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/Novelist.Riley.Edwards/
Facebook Group—Riley’s Rebels: https://www.facebook.com/groups/882567735208878/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rileyedwardsromance/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rileyedwardsrom
Amazon: author.to/RileyEdwardsAmazon
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/riley-edwards
All Author: https://allauthor.com/profile/rileyedwards/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15080716.Riley_Edwards

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Giveaway

Prize: $10 Amazon Gift Card

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Blog Blitz/Feature Post and Book Review: Bad Seed by Heleyne Hammersley

Hi, everyone!

I am very happy to be a part of the Blog Blitz for Heleyne Hammersley’s new book BAD SEED (DI Kate Fletcher Book #3). This Feature Post contains a book blurb, my book review and the author’s social media info.

Even though this is the third book in the series, I had no trouble reading it as a standalone and it is definitely a page-turner. (I will be going back to read the first two books, too.) I love Kate and all of her team. I am hooked on another British police procedural series!

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Bad Seed Blurb

When the body of a woman is discovered near Doncaster’s red light district, DI Kate Fletcher is called to the scene.

The victim has an abdominal wound that looks like a Caesarean incision, leading the police to believe she may have been pregnant.

Kate’s team establish the woman’s identity but it soon becomes clear that those close to her have something to hide.

The post-mortem reveals the victim wasn’t pregnant and, when a second body is discovered with similar wounds, the police realise they are hunting for a serial killer with a sinister fixation.

Can Kate solve the case before another woman dies?

And can a ruthless, methodical killer be brought to justice?

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RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

BAD SEED (DI Kate Fletcher Book #3) by Heleyne Hammersley is the latest DI Kate Fletcher British police procedural in the series. This is the first book I have read in this series by this author and it is easily read as a standalone. I enjoyed it so much, I will definitely be going back to read the first two books.

DI Kate Fletcher is called to the scene of a gruesome murder victim found dumped in a field. The victim has been strangled, raped and had her abdomen sliced open with a precision cut similar to a Caesarean incision. She was not pregnant. As Kate’s team works to identify the woman, they soon discover that those around her are hiding something.

When a second body is found with similar wounds, Kate believes they may have a serial killer. Can Kate and her team catch this methodical killer before another woman dies?

This is a fast paced procedural that kept me turning the pages. Ms. Hammersley’s writing pulls you in and with all the twists and turns I could not put it down. I love DI Kate Fletcher. A strong female lead character done well. The whole team makes a great cast of secondary characters that I hope to learn more about as I follow the series.

I can highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to read more in the series!

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Author Info

Heleyne Hammersley is a British writer based in Cumbria. She writes psychological suspense thrillers and crime novels.

Heleyne has been writing since junior school – her first work was a collection of poems called ‘Give Them the Works’ when she was ten years old. The poems were carefully handwritten on plain paper and tied together with knitting wool.

When she’s not writing, Heleyne can often be found wandering on the fells or in the local park with her dog.

Links: Website: www.heleynehammersley.com

Facebook: Heleyne Hammersley author

Twitter: @hhammersley66