Today I am excited to be sharing my Feature Post and Book Review on the Blog Tour for Salt+ Stilettos (South Beach Romance Book #1) by Janet Walden-West.
Below you will find a book blurb, my book review, an about the author section with social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway. Good luck on the giveaway and enjoy!
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Book Blurb
Sweet Home Alabama meets Top Chef when Miami’s most determined image consultant clashes with Samoa’s most uncooperative chef in a race to rebrand him as South Beach’s newest star.
Brett Fontaine learned early that appearance matters and not to count on anyone but yourself. Trading her red-dirt roots for the title of Miami’s go-to image consultant, she refuses to let anything jeopardize her new life.
Not an influential client-turned-stalker who’s up for parole.
Not post-kidnapping panic attacks.
Certainly not the stubborn, attention-phobic chef she’s challenged to transform into a celeb in ninety days.
Will Te’o can almost taste the dream he sacrificed American Samoa, culture, and cherished family ties for—opening a four star restaurant in the most cut-throat culinary location in North America.
Unfortunately, that requires navigating it’s equally cut-throat social scene. When his first public performance ends in a social media spectacle, his only option is turning to the stiletto-wearing nemesis who’s invaded his kitchen.
Neither expected to share anything but barbs, yet somewhere between accidentally bonding over comfort food and office-wrecking sex, they’re named South Beach’s hottest pairing. Until Brett’s stalker engineers a reputation-shattering reveal. She may be going down, but she’s not taking Will’s dreams with her. Now Will’s pulling out all his new skills and cooking up a last-ditch event. He’ll prove to Brett that relying on the right person makes for the perfect recipe—or be left heartbroken in the spotlight.
Ebook and paperback: April 21st from City Owl Press
SALT + STILETTOS (South Beach Romance Book #1) by Janet Walden-West is a new contemporary romance by a new to me author with plenty of food, fashion and love.
Will Te’o is about to realize his dream. He worked his way up from his home in American Samoa to the top of the culinary scene in South Beach. With his partner, he is about to open his first restaurant but as talented as Will is in the kitchen, he has no understanding of the social scene and celebrity status he must now achieve for his and his restaurant’s success.
Brett Fontaine worked hard to raise herself up from dirt poor and hungry to the top image consultant in South Beach. Brett knows image and clothes matter. Her best friend has hired her to take on his partner, Will and get him ready in just 45 days for their restaurant’s grand opening.
Brett and Will butt heads, but slowly they learn to trust each other and the chemistry builds to a flash point. When Brett’s stalker engineers a reputation shattering reveal, Will is determined to prove that Brett can always rely on him. Can Will prove to Brett that he will always be there for her?
I fell in love with Will and Brett. Both are such contradictions and you would think opposites, but under the shell of each is someone so ready for love. Will is six feet eight of talented chef, traditional Samoan, and chief support of his extended family back home. He was so loving and that his character started out so insecure and hurt it broke me up. I was so glad that Brett was able to understand him and build him up rather than hurt him more. Will was so full of love and Brett needed it. Brett had to deal with both her terrible childhood and a stalker which left her traumatized and yet she was still willing to let Will in. When these two finally came together the sex scenes were smokin’ hot. The romance progressed at a realistic pace and the sex scenes were never gratuitous. All the secondary characters were interesting and fully fleshed.
I can highly recommend this contemporary romance and am looking forward to many more books in this series!
***
About the Author
Janet Walden-West lives in the southeast with a pack of show dogs, a couple of kids, and a husband who didn’t read the fine print. A member of the East Tennessee Creative Writers Alliance, she is also a founding member of The Million Words craft blog. She pens diverse Urban Fantasy and inclusive Romantic Suspense and Contemporary Romance.
A 2X PitchWars alum, 2019 Pitch Wars Mentor, and Golden Heart® finalist, her debut multicultural Contemporary Romance, SALT+STILETTOS, is due out April 21st 2020 from City Owl Press. She is represented by Eva Scalzo of Speilburg Literary Agency.
Today I am excited for my turn on the April 2020 Harlequin Series Blog Tour. My Feature Post and Book Review is for Melissa Senate’s Special Edition book – WYOMING SPECIAL DELIVERY.
Below you will find a book description, my book review, a letter from the author, an excerpt from the book and an about the author section. Enjoy!
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Book Description
Their feuding fathers never could have predicted this…
He came to claim the Dawson Family Ranch…but was Daisy Dawson’s heart part of the deal? Harrison McCord was sure he was the rightful owner of the Dawson Family Ranch. And delivering Daisy Dawson’s baby on the side of the road was a mere diversion. Still, when Daisy found out his intentions, instead of pushing him away, she invited him in, figuring he’d start to see her in a whole new light. But what if she started seeing him that way, as well?
WYOMING SPECIAL DELIVERY (Dawson Family Ranch Book #2) by
Melissa Senate is a contemporary romance and the newest addition to the Dawson
Family Ranch series. This story can easily be read as a standalone, but it was
so engaging that now I want to read about all the Dawson siblings.
Daisy Dawson is abandoned at the alter and decides to leave
on her own to her honeymoon hotel, but on the way her car breaks down and her
baby decides it is time to be born. Stuck on the side of the road and in labor,
the mystery man from Cabin 1 comes along just in time to help deliver Daisy’s
baby. She cannot thank him enough, until she returns home and finds out why he
is on the ranch.
Harrison McCord has come to settle a ten-year-old score for
his deceased father and terminally ill aunt. He is the rightful owner of the
Dawson Family Ranch. When Daisy returns, Harrison gets the family together and
tells them his reason for being on the ranch. The family is ready and willing
to fight him in court, but Daisy has another plan.
Can Daisy show Harrison what the ranch has meant to the
Dawson family for generations and help him change his mind about his father’s
last request? Will Harrison be able to keep this as strictly business and not
let his growing feelings for Daisy and her baby interfere with his decisions?
This is a cozy romance with no sex scenes, but a lot of love. The romance happens quickly with a lot of emotional ups and downs. I enjoy how Ms. Senate gave both Harrison and Daisy valid points of views and sides in the feud that had to be worked out for the HEA. This was an enjoyable read, but for me this plot would have been more realistic over a longer timeline.
I will be anxiously waiting for Daisy’s brothers’ stories and hoping they find all the love that Daisy wishes for them too.
***
A Letter from the Author
Dear Reader,
The nine-months-pregnant single heroine of Wyoming Special Delivery, Daisy Dawson, is one of six siblings and the only female. But when she goes into labor on the side of a Wyoming road in the dead of summer without a cell phone or a spare brother, she’s beyond grateful when the handsome, mysterious guest at her family’s dude ranch turns up—and delivers her baby boy.
But Harrison McCord has a secret reason for staying at the Dawson Family Ranch. A reason Daisy will not like one bit. Bringing her newborn son into the world, though, changes everything for the both of them.
I hope you enjoy Daisy and Harrison’s story. Feel free to write me with any comments or questions at MelissaSenate@yahoo.com and visit my website, melissasenate.com for more info about me and my books. For lots of photos of my cat and dog, friend me over on Facebook.
Happy spring and happy reading!
Warmest regards,
Melissa Senate
***
Excerpt
Late the next afternoon, Daisy stood in the farmhouse nursery with Noah and Sara and gasped as she looked around. She gently put down Tony’s infant carrier and unbuckled him, carefully cradling him along her arm as she stepped around the room. The nursery sure looked different than it had a day and a half ago. She’d had the basics of the room set up for a couple months now—the crib, the dresser with its changing pad, the glider—all gifts from Noah a few days after she’d told him she was pregnant. But now there were surprises everywhere. In one corner was an adorable plush child’s chair in the shape of a teddy bear for Tony to grow into. And someone had stenciled the wall facing the crib with the moon and stars. Tony’s name was also stenciled on his crib, which was Sara’s handiwork. And there were stacks of gifts in one corner that she knew were baby clothes and blankets and burp cloths. She wouldn’t have to buy anything for Tony for a long time.
“Ford and Rex did the moon and stars,” Noah said. “For novice stencilers who had to read the instructions twice and watch a tutorial, they did a great job.”
“And Zeke and Axel hit up BabyLand and bought that adorable polka-dot rug and the yellow floor lamp,” Sara added. “I didn’t even go with them to make sure they didn’t buy anything weird or clashing, and what they picked out is absolutely perfect.”
The room was so cozy and sweet. “You guys are going to make me cry,” Daisy managed to say around the lump in her throat as she surveyed the nursery. She used her free hand to swipe under her eyes.
She couldn’t say she and her brothers were close—well, except for Noah these days—but they were always there for her. And they’d all been there to meet Tony the day he was born. That was the one lucky thing to come out of her nonwedding—her whole family had already been at the ranch.
This place had always held bad memories for all the siblings, but after inheriting the ranch from their father, they’d all invested in rebuilding and renovating and reopening the Dawson Family Guest Ranch. Noah had done the lion’s share on his own; Daisy had been too pregnant to help much when she’d arrived a few months ago, and the four other Dawsons couldn’t get away from the ranch fast enough.
Ford had once said hell would freeze over be-fore he’d come back here, a sentiment shared by the other three brothers as well, but Ford, Rex, Axel and Zeke had surprised Noah and Daisy at the grand opening this past Memorial Day weekend. And now Axel was staying at the ranch for a bit. That meant three out of six Dawsons at the ranch at the same time. It was a start. And Daisy was going to run with it.
***
About the Author
Melissa Senate has written many novels for Harlequin and other publishers, including her debut, SEE JANE DATE, which was made into a TV movie. She also wrote seven books for Harlequin’s Special Edition line under the pen name Meg Maxwell. Melissa’s novels have been published in over twenty-five countries. She lives on the coast of Maine with her teenaged son, their sweet shepherd mix, Flash, and a comical lap cat named Cleo. Visit her website MelissaSenate.com.
TROUBLE (Dogwood Lane Book #3) by Adriana Locke is another
great contemporary romance in the Dogwood Lane series. This romance has another
of the lifelong friends meeting their match with all of the fun, sex and emotional
angst I have come to expect in Ms. Locke’s romances. This book can be read as a
standalone romance, but being set in a small-town all of the main characters crossover.
Penn Etling had a rough start growing up, but he is now the
laid-back, fun loving friend who is always willing to help. He is a player, but
everyone knows and understands what they will get from him. No harm and no
foul.
Avery Perry has moved to Dogwood Lane to live and work with
her aunt. She can no longer take the type of life she was expected to live in
L.A. as the daughter of a movie star. She is excited to make real friends who
want to know her without expectations. As she is attempting to hang a speaker,
she falls right into Penn’s arms. Avery knows guys like Penn and she is not
willing to go there. She wants a real relationship, not a one-night stand.
When these two come together the sparks fly, but is Penn
willing to give more of himself than ever before and stop his playboy ways? And
will Avery tell Penn the secret she is keeping and give him a chance to prove
he can change?
I absolutely love Penn. His hard body, bad boy persona, but
his soft heart are why all the girls want him and he is the perfect opposite
for Avery. And yet, they were not opposite in their emotional scars from their
upbringings. Avery is the type of heroine I like because even though she falls,
she is still willing to pull away and stick up for what she truly wants in her
life. All the secondary characters are fully fleshed out and many carry over
from the previous two books.
In this series, Ms. Locke has written realistic and fun
dialogue, sex scenes that sizzle and burn up the pages and characters in this
small-town setting that make you want to be friends with them all.
I recommend this contemporary romance and all the books in the series!
***
Author Biography
USA Today bestselling
author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly
obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys dreamed up by other authors,
she decided to create her own. She is the author of Tumble, the
first novel in her Dogwood Lane series; the Exception series; the Gibson
Brothers series; and the Landry Family series.
She resides in
the Midwest with her husband, her sons, two dogs, two cats, and a bird. She
spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and
cooking. You can find her outside if the weather’s nice, and there’s always a
piece of candy in her pocket. Besides cinnamon gummy bears, boxing, and random
quotes, her next favorite thing is chatting with readers. She’d love to hear
from you! Look for her at www.adrianalocke.com.
I am excited to be sharing my Feature Post and Book Review on this Blog Tour for SUGARCOATED (Hot Cakes Book #1) by Erin Nicholas.
Below you will find a book blurb, my book review, an excerpt from the book, author info and social media links. Enjoy!
***
Book Blurb
She’s
his best friend’s little sister. He’s known her all his life. He’s practically
part of the family. There is nothing either of them could do to surprise the
other at this point.
Then
she showed up in his bedroom in lingerie and asked him to take her V-card.
Now,
that was a surprise.
Aiden
is pretty sure Zoe was equally surprised when he told her no.
To
say that he didn’t handle it well would be a massive understatement. Almost as
massive as the amount of work he’s going to have to do now to convince her that
he wants her. Forever.
Right
after he tells her that he’s bought the company that’s her bakery’s biggest competitor.
Maybe
if he tells her he’s in love with her first, that will help sugarcoat the whole
we’re-rivals-in-business-now thing.
So, first “I’m in love with you”, then “take off your clothes”, then “I’m now your business adversary”.
Piece of cake.
***
“You can always count on Erin Nicholas for fun, sexy
contemporary romance.”―Melissa Foster,
New York Times bestselling author
Sugarcoated, an all-new sexy and laugh-out-loud standalone romance from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas, is out now!
SUGARCOATED (Hot Cakes Book #1) by Erin Nicholas is
the first book in a new contemporary romance/romantic comedy series. This story
is a best friend’s little sister/friends-to-lovers mash-up with all the emotion,
humor and sexual chemistry I expect in a romance by Erin Nicholas.
Fluke, Inc. is a highly successful company started by five
college friends who sold their highly popular, original video game for millions.
Aiden and Camden grew up in a small town in Iowa, which is where they all become
involved in the purchase and rescue of the town’s largest employer – Hot Cakes.
Aiden is looking for an investment project so that he can
return home and claim his best friend’s sister and live happily ever after. The
opportunity to buy and save Hot Cakes to keep three hundred people employed in his
hometown pops up and he feels it is the perfect opportunity for Fluke, Inc. and
him. How can he tell Zoe he loves her, but he also bought her hated rival and
competition?
Zoe has been dreading Aiden’s return to town ever since he
turned down her surprise offering of her virginity on Christmas Eve. He is back
and shaking up everything she believes in and Zoe does not like change. As Zoe
begins to open up and believe in Aiden’s love, he is still hiding his other
reason for his return.
This is such a sweet and tasty treat of a romance. When I started this book, I thought Aiden and Zoe were so different, but they both ended up having the same fear. Ms. Nicholas’ dialogue is witty and her sexual tension and inuendo continue to ramp up the heat to a sexy and hot scene in Zoe’s bakery. The sexual banter and sex scenes are explicit, but not gratuitous. The introduction of Zoe’s friends and all the other men in Fluke, Inc. has you anticipating even more fun and sexy romance to come.
I recommend this first book in the Hot Cakes series and I
will definitely be waiting for more.
***
Excerpt
“Yes!” It was the wrong answer, he knew, even
as he said it. But it was true.
“You are so full of yourself!” She
frowned. “You actually thought I’d be waiting around, pining for you, didn’t
you?”
Maybe not crying herself to sleep
every night, but thinking about him? Yeah. Fuck. He hadn’t been able to get her
out of his mind for more than a few hours at a time. “It’s only been five
months,” he said. “Is it really crazy for me to think that you didn’t get your
virginity ‘taken care of’ yet?”
“Exactly! It’s been five months!” she said.
“You went twenty-five years without
sex, and you couldn’t go five more months?”
“Well, it’s not like you gave me an IOU!”
she shot back. “I had no idea when you were coming back, and I assumed your
answer would have still been no. So yeah, I moved on, Aiden.”
“Who was it?” he asked, noting his
tone was suddenly a little ominous.
“I’m not telling you that.” She
looked at him like he was insane.
“Tell me, Zoe.”
“No.”
“I’ll find out. This is Appleby. I’ll
probably know by the end of tonight.”
“You won’t.” She lifted her chin. “I
can promise you that.”
“Bet I do.”
“Why do you really even care? Now you
don’t have to do it.”
“Because you’re mine.”
Yeah, shit. See, he’d known
that was the wrong answer to give. Guys didn’t go around claiming women like
they were property or possessions. He knew that. He’d never had that urge
before. This woman was strong and independent and confident and certainly
didn’t need him for anything.
But the idea of another man touching
her, seeing her naked, making her feel the ultimate pleasure, made his blood
boil.
She stood, just staring at him. Then
she picked up a cake ball. And threw it at him. It hit him square in the red
tie and bounced back onto the table.
“You’re a jerk.”
Yeah, maybe he was. A nice guy would
probably just take all her explanations and excuses about why they shouldn’t be
together and admit his idea was crazy.
He didn’t say anything. He didn’t
wipe away the sticky crumbs the cake ball left on his tie. He picked up the
ball and rounded the worktable.
Her eyes widened, and she backed up
as he came closer. He kept going. Until her back was against the front of the
fridge.
He didn’t say a word as he stopped
right in front of her, lifted his hand to cup her face, and leaned in.
Aiden ignored her hands on his chest.
She wasn’t pushing. She wasn’t pulling him closer either, but she wasn’t trying
to get away. She wasn’t lifting her knee to his balls. She wasn’t saying no.
He stared into her eyes for a long
moment. She could stop this. He knew she knew that.
She didn’t.
So he kissed her.
***
About Erin
Nicholas
New
York Times and USA
Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as
long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy,
contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,”
“steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and
happily ever afters.
Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her
husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who
will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who
claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).
Today I am very excited to be sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for MY WAY TO YOU (Canyon Creek Series Book #1) by Catherine Bybee. This is an emotional and heartfelt romantic start to this new series.
Below you will find an author interview, a book summary, my book review, an excerpt from the book, an about the author blurb and social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway. Enjoy!
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Author Interview
Please tell us about the fire that inspired your
newest novel My Way To You.
I was taking my youngest son to his senior
pictures for the school when we noticed a plume of smoke in the rearview
mirror. I have lived through many fire scares in the twenty years I lived in my
home. Only this time, it wouldn’t be a false alarm.
You had to evacuate your house because of the fire. How did you feel in those
moments?
I was thankful my children and I escaped, and terrified that I would come home
to nothing but ash and debris. I’d packed up the cars with pictures and things
I felt I couldn’t replace, but had to leave one of my cars behind because the
fire engine was blocking my ability to drive it away. But none of that truly
mattered. I felt like all the work I had done to keep my children’s family home
after my recent divorce was for nothing. That fire was going to undermine the
stability I had desperately tried to preserve. In short, I was an emotional
mess.
While your property suffered immense damage, thankfully your home was
left standing. Did this experience change the meaning of that word for you—home?
Home is stability. It’s a base for all the
things we cherish. But it’s the people who make it so. I had a conversation
with my youngest son not too long ago. I asked him if he missed the home he
grew up in. (I’ve since moved to San Diego and sold my property in Santa
Clarita.) This is what he said, “The day we ran from the fire, I stopped caring
about the house. I didn’t think it would be there when we came back.” So no, he
doesn’t miss his childhood home. I was shocked to hear this since my youngest
tends to hold back his feelings. I lived in that house for 21 of my 51 years of
life. There were memories in every corner. But in the end, the fire and flood…
and exhaustion made it easier for me to sell it and walk away. Now that I’m in
a new place I’m reminded that my family and memories are always with me—and a
house is wood and stone. Whether I like it or not, however… it is stability.
And that was shook to its core because of the fire.
Your life changed drastically in just one day, which is something your heroine
Parker experiences—twice. The first time is when her parents die. How does this
one event inform the course of her life?
She has to stop thinking about herself and put others before her. She had to
grow up. Trauma changes you! Period. And I needed Parker to experience that so
she could realize just how strong she was.
She has to find that strength again when fire almost destroys her home. Tell us
how your heroine changes during all of this.
She needed to learn to lean on others again. Her parents death took that away
and made her a very controlling person. (Ahummm… that’s my own epiphany.) It’s
through the course of the book, and all the other players, that she learns to
open herself up to live a full life. I think she also learns to be a big sister
again and not the parental figure she took on.
In what ways is Parker like you? In what ways is she different?
She learned to let go, I still can’t do that.
She fell in love… That’s not me.
She had a privileged childhood with tons of
options… Not me.
Parker fought to keep her home and make it right to live in it. I fought to
keep my home and make it right to sell it. After so many years and so many
struggles, it just wasn’t the peaceful place it once was. And with an empty
nest and no Colin there to give it meaning, I needed to let go and start
new.
***
Summary
When a wildfire nearly destroys Parker Sinclair’s family home, it’s just one more disaster to add to her mountain of stress. For the past two years, she has shouldered the responsibility of raising her younger brother and sister after their parents’ untimely deaths. Forced to leave college for a crappy job that barely pays the bills, Parker manages her family property, which consumes every aspect of her life. Now winter is coming and the forecast isn’t spreading sunshine on the dark cloud over her head. The last thing Parker needs is a mudslide destroying everything she has worked so hard to maintain.
Colin Hudson’s job as a public works supervisor is to protect Parker’s property and neighborhood from further damage. But it’s a little hard when the owner of the land is a control freak who tries to do everything herself. The hardworking, attractive young woman is far from the “hot mess” she claims to be. In fact, her tight grip of control is one of the things that attract him the most. It’s also the hardest to crack. Now Colin’s working overtime to help Parker open up her heart, trust him, and let him in.
As Parker and Colin work together to keep her home and neighborhood safe, they may be in for another disaster. Or they may just realize that sometimes it takes destruction to create something new.
About the Title
Title: My Way To You
Author: Catherine Bybee
Release Date: March 10, 2020
Publisher: Montlake
***
My Book Review
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
MY WAY TO YOU (Canyon Creek Series Book #1) by
Catherine Bybee is the first book in a new contemporary romance series that is a
powerful and engaging emotional read. I have enjoyed many books by this author,
but this one grabbed me and would not let go.
Parker Sinclair had to grow up fast. Her parents were killed
in an accident which meant she had to drop out of college and return home to finish
raising her two younger siblings. After two years of a job that barely pays the
bills, Parker is managing to keep the family property up in Canyon Creek, but
it takes everything out of her.
When a wildfire strikes and burns all of the outbuildings
and vegetation on the surrounding hills, Parker knows she is lucky to have had
the house survive, but now with the rainy season coming Parker has to worry
about mudslides that can destroy everything she has worked hard to save.
Colin Hudson is the county public works supervisor sent to
evaluate Parker’s property for mud slides. He is struck by the tenacious and strong
young woman shouldering such a large burden. Colin and Parker butt heads due to
Parker not willing to give up control, but Colin is the is willing to work hard
for Parker’s trust.
Can Parker and Colin work together to save her home and
neighborhood?
I absolutely fell in love with Colin and the way he treated
Parker. I know how hard it is to give up control even when you feel like you
are drowning and I could relate with Parker. Ms. Bybee gave the couple witty
banter and realistic dialogue. The sex scenes were explicit, but not gratuitous
and did not overshadow the tenderness of the romance. I will be thinking of
these two H/h’s for a long time to come. This story also has a third major
character in Mother Nature and the destruction that she can bring. All the
secondary characters are fully fleshed and are completely believable.
I highly recommend this emotional contemporary romance! I am
now anxiously waiting for more books in this series.
***
Excerpt: My Way To You by Catherine Bybee
“Excuse
me?”
Parker turned toward the sound of the male
voice and brushed aside hair that had fallen out of her ponytail. The sun
glared in her eyes, making it difficult to get a clear picture of the man
standing on the other side of her gate.
“Hello,” she greeted him.
“Do you live here?”
Probably a neighbor, she thought to herself.
They’d shown up constantly after the fire to see how close the flames had
actually come to their homes. Many of them invited themselves in without
knocking. That was until she paid to have someone come in and fix the broken
gate and stop the trespassers.
“I would hope so,” she said, waving the pruner
in her hands. “I don’t think I would take this job for actual money.” The
closer she got to the gate, the better the features of the man came into focus.
He stood at least three inches taller than her, no easy task when she was five
nine. Broad shoulders and arms that didn’t look like they slaved in an office
all day. He wore jeans. It had to be over a hundred degrees, and the man wore
jeans.
And filled them out nicely, if she wasn’t too
tired to notice.
Parker forced her gaze back to his face, his
eyes hidden by his sunglasses; his thick brown hair wasn’t covered by a hat.
She stopped in front of him, the gate to the
property a clear division. The intense set of his jaw softened slightly. “Is
your, ah … husband here?”
Three years ago, in a bar … or while out with
friends, she would have instantly denied a lack of a husband. Out here, with a
stranger … even an attractive one standing at her front door, she wasn’t about
to correct him. “Who’s asking?”
The man’s smile fell and he quickly removed his
sunglasses. “I’m sorry. My name is Colin Hudson. Colin to my friends.”
“What can I do for you, Mr. Hudson?” She wasn’t about to
call him by his first name.
“I work with the Public Works Department and
wanted to see if you’d let me take a quick look at the wash that runs through
your property.” He reached into his back pocket and removed his wallet. Out came
a business card that he handed her through the bars of the iron gate.
She had to move close enough to take the card,
but retreated once she had it in her fingertips.
He instantly shoved his hands in his front
pockets and took a step back.
The card looked legit. Parker reminded herself
that anyone with a computer could make a business card. “Does your department
work on Saturdays, Mr. Hudson?”
“All the time.”
She peered beyond the gate, didn’t see a car.
“Did you walk here?”
Mr. Hudson looked over his shoulder, pointed
his thumb down the street. “I have a company truck. I parked around the
corner.”
“Ah-huh.” She wanted to believe him. His
caramel brown eyes looked kind enough. “Even Ted Bundy was good-looking,” she
said loud enough for him to hear.
Parker looked up to find him staring, his mouth
gaped open. “That’s a first.”
“Sorry.” Not sorry. “By-product of being a lone woman on a large piece of property with
a stranger asking to come in. Business card aside, you could be anyone.”
He lifted his hands in the air. “Very wise. I
hope my sister would do the same. I was just hoping to get an eye on the canyon
before Monday’s meeting. But I can wait.”
She relaxed her grip on the tree pruner. “What
meeting?”
“The city and county are meeting to discuss the
concerns of the watershed after the fire. We’re developing a plan to preserve
property during the winter. If I could take a quick look it would help.”
“You mean prevent mudslides?”
“Control mudslides,” he corrected her.
She shifted from foot to foot. “You can do
that?”
“It’s a big part of our job.” He smiled, looked
over her shoulder. “I can wait. I don’t want to make you uneasy.”
Parker looked back toward the house. “Tell you
what. You go get your company truck and I’ll grab a snake fork and show you the
wash.”
His eyes narrowed with an unasked question.
“It’s summer. Rattlesnakes are a thing,” she
explained.
“You sure?”
Yeah, she was sure. “I’ll open the gate. You can park inside.”
***
About the Author
New
York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee has
written thirty-four books that have collectively sold more than seven 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.
For more information on the author, visit www.catherinebybee.com.
Today I am happy to be sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for YOURS IN SCANDAL (Man of the Year Book #1) by Lauren Layne. This is an entertaining start to a new series by a new-to-me author.
Below you will find an author interview, a book summary, my book review, an excerpt from the book, the author’s bio and social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway. Enjoy!
***
Author Interview
Tell us
about your new series.
The series
features three men who are named “Man of the Year” (think: People’s
Sexiest Man Alive) and the unexpected ramifications that come with that! Yours
in Scandal kicks off the series with a young, wealthy mayor of NYC who
falls for his political rival’s daughter.
Why was it
important for you to start your series with Addie and Robert?
The real
answer? There’s is the book listed first in the contract 😉 In truth I’m
equally excited about all three books in the series, and could have happily
jumped in anywhere! That said, writing a politician was a unique and fun
challenge for me (I tend to write a lot of businessmen!) so a new take on my
“hot guy in a suit” was a fun creative challenge!
Even though
she is still young, your heroine Addie has lived quite a life. Where did her
teenage rebellious streak come from?
The first
thing I always do when I get a new story idea is to figure out where the
conflict is—I have to make sure these two people, however attracted, can’t get
together (easily) by chapter three. When I decided to take on a hero who’s a
mayor, I took a step back to think which woman would be most off-limits to him.
One with a bit of scandal was the obvious answer, since the spouses of
politicians are usually held to the same exacting standards (if not more so)
than the politician him/herself! From there, I dug into Addie’s character and
her scandal-laden past.
Do you have
anything in common with your heroine?
Honestly? No
🙂 Other than being a little mouthy during puberty, I was a pretty easy kid
and teenager, and skipped the rebellious phase, at least according to my
parents! I sort of skipped the whole rebellious phase growing up no underage
drinking, no missed curfews, I’ve never even gotten a ticket. Though, I think
perhaps I was saving up all my rebellious urges for my mid-twenties, where I
seemed to chafe really hard at being managed in the corporate world, and quit
my practical, well-paying job rather spontaneously and irresponsibly with
almost no safety net, and dove headfirst into being a full-time writer. And I
suppose, for that matter, I’ve made some rebellious choices as an author
(quitting Facebook, not doing ARCs on my self-pub title, etc). So, I guess I
change my answer! Yeah, I have a little in common with Addie after all!
Your hero
Robert is fantastic! He is smart, successful and just earned the title ‘Man of the Year’.
What made you fall in love with him?
He really is
great, isn’t he? 🙂 I actually knew from the start that Robert was going
to be a pretty stand-up guy. I wanted to steer as away from the cliche, corrupt
politician as possible, and show that it’s absolutely possible for people to be
in public office simply because they want to do good, not because they’re power
hungry. I think what I love most about him is how he never wavers in wanting
best for Addie and the people around him, even if it hurts him personally. He’s
a really unselfish guy, and that is so, so appealing to me!
Would you
say that there are similarities that all of your heroes share?
I’d say
they’re all pretty quick with a comeback. Whether they’re the charming playboys
or the more reserved, Mr. Darcy types they’ve got a bit of a sharp, clever
tongue! Also, the vast majority tend to be wealthy and suit-wearing. I’ve got a
few exceptions, but I think there’s something so sexy about a buttoned-up guy
in a suit coming undone over a woman, so I tend to come back to that again and
again!
Some of the
best moments in Yours In Scandal happen when your heroine and hero are
around their trusted friends. Are any of the secondary characters we meet
destined to get their own happily-ever-afters?
No plans for any spinoffs with those characters! Not because I don’t love them, but because the writing schedule’s pretty jam-packed!
***
Summary
Fresh off being named Citizen magazine’s
Man of the Year, New York City’s youngest mayor, Robert Davenport, decides it’s
time to strategize. Next move: a bid for the governor’s seat. In his way: an
incumbent with a flawless reputation. He also has an Achilles’ heel: an
estranged wild-child daughter with a past so scandalous it could be Robert’s
ticket to victory. And a charm so irresistible it could be Robert’s downfall.
Rebellion is a thing of the past for Adeline Blake. As New York’s premier event
planner, she’s all about reform and respectability. Then she’s approached by
Robert to organize the party of the season. Curious, considering he’s her
father’s most formidable opponent. And alarming, too. Because Addie can’t help
but fall for the righteously popular candidate with the movie-star smile.
Now it’s Robert’s choice. Does he pursue a future that holds his legacy? Or the woman who holds his heart?
About the Book
Title: Yours In Scandal
Author: Lauren Layne
Release Date: March 10, 2020
Publisher: Montlake
***
My Book Review
RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars
YOURS IN SCANDAL (Man of the Year Book #1) by Lauren
Layne is the first book of a new contemporary romance series by a new to me
author. This is a fun and sexy, feel-good romantic comedy.
Robert Davenport is almost at the end of his two terms as
the youngest man ever elected as the mayor of New York City. Just named Citizen
magazine’s Man of the Year, Robert’s campaign manager decides it is time for
him to use the publicity and work towards his next goal as governor. His main
competition is an incumbent with a flawless reputation who also happens to have
an estranged wild-child daughter.
Adeline Blake has a scandalous past, but she is now working
hard to reform. She is New York City’s premier event planner. She is curious why
she is approached by her father’s most formidable opponent to organize the party
of the season.
Robert feels a strong, immediate attraction to Adeline that
is not part of the plan and Adeline has many reasons she should not get
involved with Robert. Can Robert follow his heart over his head?
I really enjoyed this story. It was predictable, but so well
written with funny banter and witty dialogue that it did not matter that I could
predict the HEA. I loved Robert and Adeline’s chemistry. I felt they handled
the obstacles placed in their way as mature adults which made the characters
seem more realistic to me. The secondary characters are all entertaining and
fully fleshed to support both main characters.
This is a very entertaining and heartfelt start to this new
series and I am looking forward to reading more.
***
Excerpt
“I just need
to be sure . . . am I going crazy? I am, right? Our girl’s not seriously
telling us she had dinner with the mayor,” Rosalie said, turning to Jane.
“You’re not the crazy one—she is,” Jane said, emphatically pointing at Adeline.
Adeline nibbled on the corner of a chip. “It’s
really not the big deal you two are making it out to be. It was just dinner.
Pizza.”
“That’s even worse!” Jane said shrilly. “It’s
so intimate.”
Adeline glanced over at her calmer friend.
“Please tell her there’s nothing intimate about Italian sausage.” She winced as
she caught herself. “Yeah, I heard it.”
“It is a little out of character,” Rosalie said
slowly. “You haven’t exactly made it a secret how you feel about men these
days. To say nothing of your thoughts on elected officials.”
“I didn’t sleep with the guy, we just had
pizza.”
“I’d actually be less concerned if you’d slept
with him,” Rosalie admitted.
“Agreed,” Jane said, smacking the table. “A sexy fling with the Man of the
Year is one thing. A cozy dinner at his place is just . . .” She threw her
hands up. “I can’t. I literally can’t process it.”
“You don’t have to process anything,” Adeline
said, dunking the chip into the salsa and stuffing the whole thing in her
mouth. “It was a one-time thing. The party’s next weekend, and then I’ll
probably never see him again.”
“What if he wants you to be his forever event
planner?”
“He won’t. His regular planner’s one of the
best in the city, and I’m sure she’ll be back from maternity leave by the time
he needs to hire someone again.”
“Is his regular event planner hot and single?”
Jane pointed out.
“She’s married.”
“Exactly. Much less susceptible to his sexy
face than single you.”
Adeline sighed and looked again to the
perpetually calm Rosalie. “Make it stop.”
“Just promise you’ll warn us if you start to
fall for the guy,” her friend said, fiddling with her chip. “Much as I love the
idea of you landing the hottest guy in the city, I also know just how tricky
that would be for you.”
“Tricky is an understatement given he’s likely
running against The Bastard in the next election,” she said, knowing that both
of her lifelong friends knew she was referring to the father she’d all but
disowned.
Adeline hadn’t known Rosalie as long as she’d
known Jane, but they still went all the way back to high school. Adeline had been
the loose cannon, Jane the genius, and Rosalie had been, well . . . perfect.
“You know,” Adeline said, looking thoughtfully
at Rosalie over the top of her margarita. “I actually thought about setting you
and the mayor up.”
“Wait, what?” Rosalie’s eyes went wide.
“You said yourself he was hot,” Adeline pointed
out. “You’re also beautiful, well spoken, polished. You never look bad in a
photograph, and you never say the wrong thing. I literally can’t think of a
more perfect future First Lady of New York.”
“Oooh, I see that!” Jane said, pivoting in her
chair to stare at Rosalie.
Adeline gave Jane an exasperated expression.
“You were just warning me off of the
guy.”
“Warning you off, yes. But Rosalie . . .”
Adeline tried to ignore the sting. It wasn’t as
if Jane were saying anything Adeline herself hadn’t thought. Even if she were
inclined to pursue the mayor, and she wasn’t, she knew that she was the last
thing someone like him needed. Her past alone made her an inconceivable choice
for him, and even if she could keep her past mistakes under wraps, she would
never be the right woman for him. She may have mastered the bun and the
blazers, but she was still the woman who collected adventurous lingerie and
loved tequila.
“The guy’s definitely attractive,” Rosalie
said. “But I don’t know that I want one of Adeline’s rejects,” she said with a
smile intended to annoy Adeline.
“I wouldn’t let that stop me,” Jane said,
fanning herself. “If it weren’t for Dan . . . . Too bad I love that man so damn
much. Seriously, Rosalie, let Adeline fix you up, so I can live vicariously.”
“Hello,” Rosalie said, staring at the
admittedly, occasionally tone-deaf Jane. “Are you not seeing what I’m seeing?”
She pointed at Adeline.
Jane glanced over and narrowed her eyes.
“Ever since she came back from New Mexico with
her hair brown, she’s been like this buttoned-up ice woman. But when she talks
about him . . .” Rosalie made an
unrecognizable hissing, clicking noise.
“What was that?” Jane asked.
“Fire igniting,” Rosalie explained. “Whatever,
so sound effects and act-outs aren’t my strong suit. The point is—”
“If I sound fiery when I talk about the mayor,
it’s only because he’s a control freak and pain in the ass,” Adeline interjected.
“The man doesn’t know how to delegate, is hell-bent on carrying on his father’s
legacy without ever checking in with himself, and . . .”
Adeline’s thoughts scattered a little as she
realized she wasn’t being entirety fair to the mayor. Yes, he was obsessed with
his image, as a man in his position had to be. But he could also be funny and
irreverent. He could also be spontaneous and casual.
He’d proven that yesterday, first with the tour
of his home, then the invitation of dinner. Even the way he ate pizza was
appealing, somehow both buttoned-up precise and outright relishing, all at the
same time.
“We need more margaritas.”
***
Author Biography
Lauren Layne is the New York Times and USA
Today bestselling author of more than two dozen novels,
including Hot Asset, Hard Sell, and Huge Deal in
her 21 Wall Street series, as well as her Central Park Pact series. Her books
have sold more than a million copies in nine languages. Lauren’s work has been
featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, the Wall
Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New
York City. For the latest updates, be sure to check out her website at www.laurenlayne.com.
