I am thrilled to share this Feature Post and Book Review for Erin Nicholas’ new CRAZY RICH CAJUNS (Boys of the Bayou Book 4). I have been waiting for Kennedy and Bennett’s story and I am not disappointed!
Below you will find a book blurb, my book review and the author’s bio and social media links. All of the books in this series are short, sexy, hot and HEA romances. Erin Nicholas knows how to bring the heat, fun and heart!
***
Book Blurb:
He
wears suits and ties. He’ll one day inherit a fortune. He has a law degree. He
shines his shoes, for God’s sake. What is she doing attracted to a guy like
him? But she is. She so is.
She
drives air boats on the bayou, drinks and cusses, and gives city boys in suits
a hard time just for fun. Why can’t he get her out of his mind? But he can’t.
He definitely can’t.
A
weekend trip to Savannah for a fancy-schmancy party with his highfalutin family
is the surefire way to prove that they have nothing in common but intense
chemistry. And to maybe scratch this I’ve-never-wanted-anyone-like-I-want-you
itch once or twice. Or five times.
But
it takes only about twenty-four hours for the bayou girl and the city boy to
figure out that they don’t really know much at all–about each other, or about
themselves. And figuring all of this out is going to be downright crazy.
CRAZY RICH CAJUNS (Boys of the Bayou Book 4) by Erin
Nicholas is another great addition to this contemporary romance series, in fact,
it is my favorite. For three books we have been getting glimpses of Kennedy and
Bennett sparking off of each other and in this book in the series Ms. Nicholas
delivers a romance that is everything I was hoping it would be.
Kennedy Landry runs The Boys of the Bayou Tour office.
Kennedy dresses like a goth, tattoo and piercings in rebellion of her years in
childhood pageants. She runs the office like a general, swears and drinks like
a sailor and cares for her extended family and friends with her whole heart. So
why does she have this fascination with the new partner in the suit?
Bennett Baxter is rich, runs his own foundation which works
on environmental issues especially in the bayou and wants to fit in with the
Landry clan in Autre, LA. He is especially attracted to the smart-mouthed goth
who runs the tour office.
Bennett invites Kennedy to his father’s retirement party in Savannah
over the weekend. Kennedy is not sure how or if she will fit in with Bennett’s
society friends, but she sure wants to get Bennett in bed and try to figure out
why she craves him to distraction. Bennett wants Kennedy to be herself and show
his parents he is not interested in the path they have laid out for him.
What they both find out is that they have explosive sexual
chemistry, but they do not know much about each other and still have a few
things to find out about themselves. Can these opposites find their HEA?
Kennedy and Bennett are such great characters. Ms. Nicholas
surprised me with the romance starting one way and then… plot twist…with both
characters growing and changing in a way I did not anticipate. All the
situations during the weekend party had me laughing out loud and/or cheering.
Ms. Nicholas always gives her characters entertaining, realistic and sexy dialogue
that pulls you into the story. Kennedy and Bennett have explicit sex scenes that
burn up the pages. (Wait until you read the shower scene. Smokin’!) They also have
great sexy texts and dialogue.
All the books can be read as standalone romances, but I
recommend you read them all because they are just so much sexy fun and full of
love. They are all short, just 12 chapters each and will have you not wanting
to stop until the HEA.
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 happy to be a part of the Release Blitz for COMING HOME TO THE COWBOY (Redemption Ranch Book 1) by Megan Ryder.
Below you will find a book description, an excerpt, my book review and author info and social media links. This is an emotional cowboy contemporary romance and I cannot wait to read all of the books in the series.
Champion bull-rider and all-around fun guy Chase Summers is everybody’s friend, but his affable personality hides a lifetime of pain. Having been abandoned as a young child at the steps of a church, he learned young that he was unwanted. The only thing that saved him from isolation was his foster dad and life on Redemption Ranch. Now he spends his time on the rodeo circuit, sending home his winnings to help the ranch succeed, and his nights with buckle bunnies, making sure no one gets close enough to touch the pain deep inside.
The town good girl who saw the good in everyone…
When accountant and small business advisor Hailey Spencer is hired by Redemption Ranch to implement their guest ranch ideas, she and Chase are thrown together. It’s not long before he is introduced to the son that she had with his best friend. The best friend who would’ve following Chase anywhere…even the bull riding circuit with it’s deadly potential. With Hailey hanging on to resentment and Chase racked with guilt, the two try to fight their age-old attraction – in vain. Chase knows Hailey deserves more than a broken-down cowboy for her son and her heart.
Can Chase resist the call of the rodeo and man up for a woman he’s loved for years or will he leave for the allure of the road?
Hailey’s breath caught in her throat and she swallowed hard.
Chase Summers.
Her heart pounded in her chest and the world felt like it tilted under her feet. She had expected to run into him at some point. She had only hoped to have some time to settle in, had time to prepare herself before being confronted with the reality of him.
She drank in the sight of him eagerly, despite the pit in her stomach. It’d been three, no four years since she’d last seen him, since Adam’s funeral. Chase had been a rock for her, solid as the granite the town had been named for. He stood by her side, making sure she had everything she needed while she slept-walked through those horrifying days when she tried to figure out what went wrong and how to move on with her life and raise a two-year-old on her own. He had offered to stay on in Billings and help, but what was there for him to do? So, she’d sent him on his way and tried to get on with finding her new normal.
He’d called a couple of times after Chase died, but she had always responded with a text saying she was busy or something. He’d seemed as relieved as she, and she had no trouble staying away from Grand Junction in the Professional Bull Riding’s off-season, effectively avoiding him, even as a part of heart wanted to be near him. But she had to make her own way, and Chase was too much a loner for her to rely on.
Tara’s head was bopping back and forth between the two of them like a tennis match, with Chase was standing at the top of the porch steps, patiently waiting while Hailey took processed him. She took another step to see him more clearly in the shadows of the porch and gasped.
“Oh my God, Chase. What happened to you?”
He was leaning on a cane and his face had a few yellowed bruises to match bruises on his arms. The T-shirt should have revealed the six-pack stomach she knew he had, but instead it showed a smooth area where bandages were wrapped tightly around ribs. Her gaze fixed on the subtle tightening of his jaw and the muscles around his eyes revealing the tension and pain he must be feeling. Damn that moved that had kept her from keeping up with the circuit, damn this fucking sport that injured him, and most of all damn his adrenaline need to risk his life for the sport that killed her husband.
He quirked a grin at her. “Not a pretty sight, is it? Oleander took offense at me riding him for eight seconds and got his revenge. I’ll be all right in a few weeks.”
“But for now, he’s staying here in the apartment I promised you. I’m so sorry, Hailey,” Tara finished in a rush. “I completely forgot yesterday. I was so excited that you were interested. But the whole house is empty and the rest of the place is planned for a B&B, so the other rooms are all finished but not rented until next season. You and AJ can have the run of the place until then.”
Tara’s words slowly sank in, and Hailey pivoted and stared at her. “You mean, have me and AJ live here with Chase? For how long?”
Chase, too, stared at Tara. “Wait a minute. You never said anything about having a roommate.”
“It’s perfect. Chase, someone needs to make sure you’re okay, especially after your lung injury, and Hailey needs a place to stay.”
Chase’s jaw clenched, but he only aimed a questioning look at her, and she flushed. “I have a place to stay. I just prefer to find somewhere else.”
Tara waved her hand and arched a brow. “Come on. Do you really want to stay with your parents when you can live here?”
Chase started down the steps and both women stopped him immediately. He glared at them both. “I can walk down the damned stairs. It’s just a sprain. I was at the barn earlier today. Tara, can you give Hailey and I a few minutes? I think we need to talk before we agree to being roommates.”
Tara’s gaze shot between them, full of questions, but she nodded. “I’ll go hang with Ty at the barn and be back soon. Don’t run her off. She’s the second-best thing to happen to Redemption Ranch, and we need her.”
Chase grinned. “And you’re the first?”
Tara shot him a saucy grin over her shoulder. “And don’t you forget it.”
***
My Book Review:
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
COMING HOME TO THE COWBOY (Redemption Ranch Book 2)
by Megan Ryder is a new cowboy contemporary second chance romance. The story is
written by a new to me author that satisfied me with everything I look for in a
genre romance. This is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read
as a standalone and I will definitely be going back to read book 1.
Hailey Spencer returns to her hometown to help her mother
after a stroke. It is a chance for her young son, AJ to spend time with his
grandparents. She is also looking for a job so that she can stay in the area,
when an old high school friend introduces her one of the owners of Redemption
Ranch. She accepts the position as business manager and is excited to start,
but she also is worried about running into her dead husband’s best friend,
Chase.
Chase Summers is a champion bull-rider. After a terrible
accident on his last ride, he has returned home to recuperate. He is grateful
his foster dad brought him to the ranch and saved him from the foster care
system. Since high school, he has spent his time on the rodeo circuit riding
bulls and sending part of his winnings home to help the ranch succeed. He is a
fun-loving, cocky cowboy who never lets anyone get too close.
Hailey and AJ move onto the ranch and under the same roof as
Chase. Hailey has old hidden feelings for Chase even though she married his
best friend and Chase has always had a secret crush on Hailey, but he also
feels guilty for Hailey’s husband’s death. As Hailey and Chase’s attraction
grows so does AJ’s attachment to Chase. Can Hailey and Chase overcome their
pasts or will the rodeo win once again?
I felt so much as I read this romance! Ms. Ryder has written
a beautiful story that is heart-breaking, heart-warming and everything in between.
Family, hope and love are all interwoven into this story which draws you in and
refuses to let you go until the last page. Hailey, Chase and AJ are realistically
written characters that I felt could walk right off the page and I will be excited
to meet them again in future books in this series.
I highly recommend this cowboy contemporary romance and I am
looking forward to reading all of the books in the Redemption Ranch series!
***
About the author:
Ever since Megan Ryder discovered Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught while sneaking around the “forbidden” romance section of the library one day after school, she has been voraciously devouring romance novels of all types. Now a romance author in her own right, Megan pens sexy contemporary novels all about family and hot lovin’ with the boy next door. She lives in Connecticut, spending her days as a technical writer and her spare time divided between her addiction to knitting and reading.
I am so excited to be sharing THE WONDER OF YOU (Sanctuary Sound Book 3) by Jamie Beck. I have been anxiously awaiting Peyton’s story in this trilogy and Ms. Beck did not disappoint!
Below you will find a guest post from Jamie Beck, an excerpt, my book review, a book summary, the author’s bio and social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway. As always good luck on the Rafflecopter giveaway and you have to read this book!
***
Guest
Post: Author Jamie Beck Urges Readers to Focus on the Wonder of Now
Throughout my career, I’ve
loved the challenge of redeeming a character that might be hard to like, much
less love. In Peyton, the heroine from The Wonder of Now, I took on
a particular challenge, because most of my readers are women, and most women
don’t forgive a friend who betrays them for a man. This setup made redeeming
Peyton a singular challenge and begs two questions: who is Peyton, and why
should you care about what happens to her?
Peyton Prescott is part of a
legendary literary family owing to her great-grandfather’s prolific career as a
celebrated novelist. The casual observer would say she’s grown up in a mansion
by the sea and enjoyed every privilege (wealth, beauty, wit). But life in
Arcadia House wasn’t as picture-perfect as her family would have the public
believe, and emotionally distant parents didn’t exactly model warmth or instill
a sense of deep love and acceptance. She spent her twenties living out of
suitcases and blogging about her travels, then had the misfortune of falling
for her childhood friend’s boyfriend, who dumped that friend for Peyton…until
she got diagnosed with breast cancer, at which point he dumped her, too.
Facing her mortality alone
forced her to take a hard look at her life and her choices, spurring a sincere
desire to become a better person, and to make amends with the friend she
betrayed. Although she gets diagnosed in the first book in this series, and
begins to make amends in the second, this final book is when all the threads
come together. She and her famed-photographer brother recorded her journey from
diagnosis through her final surgeries, collaborating on a memoir that is about
to release (the proceeds of which will be donated to cancer research). Of
course, at this point in time she’s more interested in moving on with her life
than with reliving the experience with cancer and sharing those intimacies in
public forums. Her attitude puts her in direct opposition to the publicist,
Mitch, who is counting on her becoming his fledgling company’s big hit.
Despite Peyton’s flaws, of
which she is well-aware, she also has strengths that draw people to her. She’s
self-deprecating, witty, brave, beautiful, and empathetic. She now also has a
heightened appreciation for living in the moment and not taking any day for
granted—something the goal-oriented Mitch must learn to do. Although he has
very good reasons for being disciplined and focused on his ambitions, he is
instantly drawn to her energetic spirit and zest for life.
I confess that I struggled
while writing this book, but it ended up becoming my favorite to date. Not just
because I loved rising to the challenge I’d set up, but also because Peyton’s
musings, fears, and hopes go to the heart of what connects us all, and because
I think I gave her the perfect man to help her complete her much-needed
personal growth arc. But you can be the judge!
***
Excerpt:
The writer from the Barcelona
Review swaggered in and sat down. Medium height, trim, with coal-black
hair worn a bit shaggy. The guy’s eyes lit up when he got his first good look
at Peyton’s smile, making Mitch’s gut tighten.
“Hello, Miss Prescott. I’m
Javier Molina, but friends call me Javi.” He reached across the table to shake
her hand.
“Nice to meet you, Javi.
Please call me Peyton.”
The little knot in Mitch’s
stomach screwed tighter when he thought she was flirting. She’s only
smiling, stupid.
Javi set up his phone
recorder and then slouched back, feet planted wide apart on the ground, pen in
hand. That cocky bastard was trying to intimidate Peyton with his domineering
position. “First, let me say I enjoyed the book, although I suspect some of the
caustic humor was meant to keep us at a distance.”
“Not exactly,” she muttered.
Javi hesitated but would be
disappointed if he expected his silence would force her to elaborate. Mitch had
watched her operate with interviewers in Rome. She’d make an excellent trial
witness, answering only those questions asked—nothing more or less. Even this
spare utterance seemed to have slipped through her fortress wall.
Javi prodded again. “In
certain cases, the photographs are more raw than the narrative, although they
blend seamlessly together. All but the cover photo, which has no explanation or
accompanying exposition. It’s a spectacular, harsh image . . . Can you tell our
readers what was going through your mind when it was taken?”
“You mean aside from ‘I’m
going to kill you, Logan’?” She chuckled, buying herself a precious moment to
compose her thoughts, Mitch guessed.
Meanwhile, Javi raised his
index finger with a sly nod, as if she’d proved the point he’d made a moment
ago about her defense mechanism. Rather than venture another attempt to flirt
his way past Peyton’s defenses, Javi simply stared at her this time, waiting
for a real answer.
Her gaze drifted, eyes
cloudy. If she’d wanted to discuss whatever happened at the time of that photo,
she would’ve put it in the memoir.
Mitch loosened his fist and
wiggled his fingers. She needed to do this for herself, and it might be easier on
her if he left the room. It would certainly be easier on him not to listen to
the story behind the photo that had captivated yet haunted him for weeks.
He wrestled with his
internal debate until she sighed.
Without looking at Javi, she
picked up the pen and began doodling on the pad in front of her while she
spoke. “Forty-five minutes before Logan shot that photo, I’d used the magic
mouthwash to help with my mouth ulcers. After the waiting period, I went to the
kitchen to get some water. It was predawn, so I’d assumed Logan was sleeping. I
took a few sips and then wandered to the living room window. Outside, the
street was already coming to life, all shadows and movement and secrets.
Garbage men emptying bins, night-shift workers heading home, a stray woman
dashing toward the subway on an obvious walk of shame . . . ordinary people
living their lives. Probably worrying about the electric bill, or looking
forward to a sporting event, or maybe daydreaming about a new love. Things that
had once occupied my thoughts but, in that moment, meant less than nothing to
me.”
When she paused, Mitch stole
a look at her notepad. Daisies?
Her expression shifted to
something self-deprecating. “And yet I envied them and those small worries . .
. envied their health. Their nonchalance about another new day. I was so
separated from it all—and not only by the glass. I swallowed a scream because I
knew they, like me before my diagnosis, were taking everything for granted. I
watched them, resentment festering because I might not exist long enough to
even see those people months later. Worse, they’d never know. Life everywhere
would go on without me, and very, very few people would care. Just like
that”—she snapped her fingers—“it hit me that my whole life never mattered
much. No spouse. No children. No impressive legacy from my Globejotter days.
What, of value, had I done with my time?”
The room remained silent
while she resumed her doodling. “I don’t know what woke Logan. All I remember
is that I turned when I heard the camera click, and then he kept snapping.” She
finally looked at Javi and tapped the book jacket with the back end of her pen.
“That was his favorite of the bunch.”
Javi straightened his
posture while finishing his notes. Peyton shot Mitch a quick glance punctuated
by a half shrug. What a strange, intriguing woman. Drawing flowers while
relaying her existential crisis to a total stranger.
Mitch offered a sharp nod of
approval when what he wanted was to gather her in his arms like a bouquet of
delicate flowers and tell her that he would care very much if she didn’t exist
tomorrow or the next day or the one after.
***
My Book Review:
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
I have been anxiously waiting for Peyton’s story and Ms.
Beck did not disappoint!
THE WONDER OF NOW (Sanctuary Sound Book 3) by Jamie
Beck is the third contemporary romance in this trilogy about three friends who
dubbed themselves the Lilac Lane League growing up and their lives until they
each find their HEAs. This can be read as a standalone, but there is character
and back-story crossover.
Peyton Prescott is not the same carefree, world travel
blogger she was before her breast cancer. She has survived a double mastectomy,
reconstruction surgery and a year of baring her sole through words to go along
with the pictures taken by her brother, Logan, a professional photographer, of
her personal journey to be published as a book with half the proceeds going to fight
cancer. Up until the cancer she led a privileged and spoiled life, but now she must
find a way to face her new self in the mirror not just physically, but mentally
also.
The first leg of publicity for the book is a tour through
Europe. Logan is at home planning his wedding, so the publisher hires a
publicist to accompany her.
Mitch Mathis has been responsible and disciplined ever since
he lost his father to cancer while in high school. His new company’s success is
riding on Peyton’s tour being a success. There are definitely sparks between
the two, but Mitch has been burned before in an office romance and refuses to ever
let personal feelings interfere with business again.
As the tour progresses, Mitch and Peyton’s attraction grows,
but so do expectations, stress and miscommunications. Both need to decide if they
are willing to be what the other needs.
All three of these books were about such emotionally strong
women, but I especially loved this book. I have known many women who have gone
through Peyton’s journey and others who have passed on and this book realistically
covers so many of their fears and joys as I witnessed their terrifying and amazing
journeys. Mitch and Peyton are a wonderful couple with a complex, flawed and
slow burn romance that had my emotions engaged throughout. These characters and
this book will stay with me for a long time to come.
I highly recommend this contemporary romance trilogy and for
me, they only get stronger as they progress.
***
About The Book:
Title: The Wonder of
Now
Author: Jamie Beck
Release Date: September 10,
2019
Publisher: Montlake
Summary:
Peyton Prescott would give anything for the carefree life she knew
before breast cancer changed everything. But instead of using her second chance
to move forward, she’s stuck promoting the memoir her brother convinced her to
write, thus reliving the very battle she wants to forget. If she hopes her
European book tour will allow her to enjoy revisiting her favorite
travel-writing destinations, she’s wrong: her PR whiz is too consumed with his
own goals to consider her needs.
Mitch Mathis has relied on discipline to achieve his goals, and
with his new firm’s success riding on Peyton’s book launch, he must keep her on
task. They’re here for business, not pleasure. And Mitch won’t let unbridled
desire harm his professional reputation—not again.
When frustrated expectations and attraction throw the tour into chaos, it challenges everything Mitch and Peyton believe about themselves, life, and love, forcing these opposites to consider whether they can embrace the change they need to grow.
***
Author Biography:
National
bestselling author Jamie Beck’s realistic and heartwarming stories have sold
more than two million copies. She’s a Booksellers’ Best Award and National
Readers’ Choice Award finalist, and critics at Kirkus, Publishers
Weekly, and Booklist have respectively called her work
“smart,” “uplifting,” and “entertaining.” In addition to writing, the author of
the Cabot novels, the Sterling Canyon novels, and the St. James series enjoys
dancing around the kitchen while cooking and hitting the slopes in Vermont and
Utah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient,
supportive family.
Fans can learn more about her on her website, www.jamiebeck.com, which
includes a fun “Extras” page with photos, videos, and playlists. She also loves
interacting with everyone on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JamieBeckBooks.
Today I am sharing with you the Feature Post and Book Review for Penelope Bloom’s new release ANYONE BUT RICH (Anyone But…Book 1). This romantic comedy/contemporary romance that had me laughing out-loud. This is the first of a trilogy featuring three billionaire brothers who return to their small hometown to claim the women they could never forget, but the girls made a promise seven years ago to never date one of the King brothers again.
Below you will find a guest post from the author, an excerpt from the book, my book review, a book summary, the author’s bio and social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway.
This was an entertaining escape read that will make you laugh and leave you anxiously waiting for the other brothers’ stories. And as always, good luck on the Rafflecopter giveaway!
***
Guest
Post: Meet
the Kings of North Carolina with Author Penelope Bloom
Anyone But Rich is the first book of my new, three book “Anyone
But…” series. Every book is a true romantic comedy and is full of
moments that I hope will have you laughing out loud, if not at least breathing
out a little puff of air from your nose.
Anyone But Rich follows the oldest King brother, Richard King, and his love
interest, Kira Summerland. Seven years ago, the King brothers left behind a
trail of scorched earth as far as Kira and her best friends, Iris and Miranda
were concerned. The three women swore an oath that they’d never date the King
brothers again, even if they wound up becoming mega-famous billionaires and
came back on their knees, begging for forgiveness.
But that’s exactly what happened. Now, Kira isn’t so sure she’ll be able to
hold herself to a vow she made seven years ago, even if breaking it could drive
a rift between her and her best friends.
Rich
and the King brothers are global phenomenons. Each of them takes their own,
unique approach to melting hearts. Rich is the kind of guy who puts business
first and relentlessly pursues his goals, even if it means ruffling feathers
along the way. That’s what makes Kira so special for him. She’s the one person
who can bring out a softer side of Rich, and at times, even a funny side. But
Kira or not, he’s generally seen as the face of the company, and he’s easily
the biggest name to ever land in a place like West Valley.
Cade is Rich’s twin brother, but the two men couldn’t be more
different. Cade is a somewhat strange blend of intelligence, goofiness, and
unbearable cockiness. He can turn any situation into a joke, but behind the
laughs and crude comments, he still wonders if his high school crush, Iris,
would ever look beyond their past.
Nick is the youngest of the trio and generally
thought of as the quiet genius of the group. He’s not as in-your-face as Rich
can appear, but Nick commands respect in his own way. He also has the closest
relationship with Cade, partly because Nick is the only one who ever seemed up
to the task of keeping his wild, older brother alive.
All in all, the three brothers are like the riders of
the apocalypse, if apocalypses were caused by melted panties and broken hearts,
at least.
But the King brothers all share one thing in common. Whether they’ll ever admit
it or not, they all came back to West Valley for the girls they left
behind. Anyone But Rich is the story of Richard King and his
attempts to win the forgiveness of Kira Summerland, his old high school flame.
The question for Rich is how long he can pretend forgiveness is all he wants.
For Kira, it’s a question of whether she can look past the mountain’s worth of
warning signs telling her to stay as far away from Rich as possible.
There
are endless obstacles between the King brothers and their West Valley girls, but
the King brothers aren’t the type to shy away from a challenge. They’ve just
never faced one this great.
***
Excerpt
Principal
Lockett.
He was shorter
than most of the freshmen, but the shiny patch of bald skin on his crown and
the drooping bags under his eyes meant there was no mistaking him for a
student. “Just wanted to say good luck on your first day, Kira.”
“Thank you,” I
said. I hoped my smile looked genuine. I’d expected to need to try very hard to
make a good impression on my new boss, but from the first day of preplanning
two weeks ago, it seemed like he was the one sucking up. It
wasn’t the first time being the mayor’s daughter had given me some unwanted
advantage. No matter how much I protested, some people in West Valley were dead
set on the idea that getting in my good graces was the same as getting in my
father’s good graces. Unfortunately, my objections went unnoticed, and people
had never been quick to believe that favoritism wasn’t something I secretly
encouraged.
So I did what I
always did. I pretended I still needed to bust my ass to make a good
impression. I refused to sit back and let my father be an easy pass, and I
hoped for the best.
“Is everything
okay?” I asked when he was still standing there with a smile plastered on his
face. From the corner of my eye, I saw students start pouring into my room from
the back door.
“There is just
one thing. A slight hiccup, really. Nothing that you would need to worry your
father about,” he said. “There’s a very influential businessman in town. He got
on the phone with the right people a few minutes ago, made some very
interesting promises, and . . . well . . .”
“Well, what?”
My eyes were darting between Principal Lockett and my rapidly filling
classroom.
“He’s
apparently an old friend of yours. Said he’d like to be able to stop by today
and say hello. He promised it would be quick.”
“It’s my first
day,” I said slowly, hoping I wouldn’t need to explain any further.
“And you’ll do
great!” Principal Lockett seemed to sense my inevitable eruption, so he ducked
back into the hallway and flashed me a quick thumbs-up before the door snicked
closed.
I turned my
eyes toward my students and made a weak attempt to mentally rally. I
can do this. They’re just children in bodies that have grown faster than their
brains.They aren’t as mature as they look.
“Do you see how
red her face is?” whispered a girl in the front row. I wasn’t sure if it was
intentional, but I was pretty sure I would’ve been able to make out every word
of the “whisper” from the parking lot.
The boy beside
her smiled cruelly. “Maybe she’s PMSing.”
The girl
frowned at him and slapped his arm. “That’s not how it works, you idiot.”
“What do you
mean? There’s all the blood issues. Some of it must end up in their
heads.”
The girl rolled
her eyes, crossed her arms, and gave up on him.
I cleared my
throat. “I’m Miss Summerland.” I paused, swallowed, and willed my windpipe to
grow a little bigger. “This is—”
The bell
signaling the start of first period rang deafeningly, cutting me off and making
me realize I was already showing what a rookie I was.
I cleared my
throat again. “This is—”
The
announcements began, instructing the students to stand for the Pledge and the
anthem.
I turned my
back to face the flag and pretended I didn’t hear the snickering students
behind me. I also pretended I didn’t remember being a high schooler not so long
ago, and how quickly I would’ve decided a teacher like me was the kind students
were going to eat for breakfast.
A few minutes
later, the announcements ended, and I finally turned to face the students
again. “Okay. This is—”
The door to my
room opened. I spun, hands balled into fists. All the frustration of the last
few minutes boiled over into an embarrassingly squeaky outburst. “I would love
to finish my sentence!”
And that was
when I saw my visitor.
Richard
King.
Distantly, I
heard the excited whispers of every girl in my classroom.
“Is that
him?”
“Oh my God,
is my hair okay?”
“This is
going on my Snapchat!”
Their voices
faded into background noise as I looked at him in person for the first time in
so many years.
“Please,” he
said. His voice was so deep and rich I could feel it rumble through my chest.
“Finish your sentence. I’ll wait.”
He knew damn
well there was no way I could think about anything else with him standing
there. The corner of his mouth had twitched up into the suggestion of a smirk,
and his eyes were locked predatorily on me. He knew exactly what was happening
to me, and he was enjoying it.
I tried to
picture a normal human being in his place. I tried and failed to unsee the
broad, powerful shoulders and long legs, to unmake every cruel and perfect line
of his face, from the sharp jaw to the dark eyebrows and burning green eyes.
His nearly black hair was cut short and neat. He wore a suit that would’ve made
most men look overdressed, but he seemed perfectly at ease. Here I was with my
legs spread out like I was trying not to step in a puddle, pretending I was in
control. Meanwhile, Rich’s pinkie toe projected more confidence than my entire
body.
I wanted him
and his obnoxiously cocky pinkie toe out of my classroom and out of my life. I
was perfectly happy seeing him in a dirty dream every few weeks, where he
couldn’t screw up my reality any more, thank you very much.
“Out,” I
said.
“That was the
end of your sentence? ‘This is . . . out’?”
The students
acted like his sitcom laugh track, and I already wanted to give them all
detentions for being traitors.
I turned, annoyed, and gestured to my students. “This is English Four Honors.”
I looked back at Richard. “Out.”
***
My Book Review
RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars
ANYONE BUT RICH (Anyone But…Book 1) by Penelope Bloom
is a new release romantic comedy/contemporary romance that had me laughing out-loud.
This is the first of a trilogy featuring three billionaire brothers who return
to their small hometown to claim the women they could never forget, but the
girls made a promise seven years ago to never date one of the King brothers
again.
Kira Summerland is starting her first year of teaching at
her hometown high school. Seven years ago, Kira, Iris and Miranda made a promise
when they were students at this very high school to never date a King brother
again. When Richard King shows up at Kira’s classroom door on the first day of
school, she is as angry at herself as she is at him.
Richard King has returned to town with his brothers. Cade
and Nathan to set up their company’s headquarters in their hometown. The
beautiful woman on his arm is just a ruse to keep both sets of their parents
from matchmaking. He has his heart set on Kira. He knows it will be hard work
to get Kira to forgive him and get her friends approval, but Rich has always
worked hard to obtain his goals.
Kira must deal with her promise to her friends as she begins
to let Rich back into her life. Can she have both? Will Rich be able to get
Kira to forgive him and get the girl he has always wanted?
I love Rich and Kira together. Kira is the perfect lovable heroine
to bring out serious Rich’s softer side. The dialogue between the friends and
the brothers is laugh-out-loud funny and at times raunchy which made it more
realistic. The sex scenes are explicit but not gratuitous. Each character’s
unique personality adds to the fun of reading this book. For me, this is not a
new plot or storyline, but the author’s voice makes it very entertaining. This
is an easy-to-read romance that has me anxiously waiting for the other brothers’
stories.
***
About the Book
Title: Anyone But
Rich
Author: Penelope Bloom
Release Date: September 3,
2019
Series: Anyone But…, #1
Publisher: Montlake
Summary
Seven
years ago, my best friends and I made a promise: No matter what, we would never
date one of the King brothers. Even if they grew up to become megafamous,
gorgeous, heart-stopping billionaires. Even if they crawled on their knees and
begged for forgiveness.
But guess who just flew back into our lives in a private jet? And guess who
just showed up to my job on my first day? Richard. King. Fortunately, it takes
two seconds for Richard to reveal he hasn’t changed. Conceited. Cocky.
Rude. Unfortunately, he’s also the kind of gorgeous that’s
borderline offensive—with a jawline to make statues self-conscious and a grin
that short-circuits my brain.
He’s spent years taking what he wants. I doubt he’s hungry for anything else—except me, apparently. There’s no way I’ll let him maneuver his way back into my life. My friends would never forgive me. I would never forgive me. But did I mention his jawline?
***
Author
Biography
Penelope
Bloom is a USA Today, Amazon, and Washington Post bestselling
author whose books have been translated into seven languages. Her popular
romances include His Banana, Her Cherry, Savage, and Punished.
Her writing
career started when she left her job as a high school teacher to pursue her
dream. She loves taking her imagination for a spin and writing romances she’d
want to live. She likes a man with a mind as dirty as sin and a heart of gold
he keeps hidden away. Her favorite things include getting to wear socks all
day—pants optional—and being a positive example for her girls. Showing her
daughters that no dream is too big, no matter what anyone tells them, is worth
all the late nights, doubts, and fears that come with being a writer.
Today I am happy to be a part of the Release Blitz for D.E. Haggerty’s new romantic comedy/contemporary romance ABOUT FACE (Love in the Suburbs Book 1). I love all the characters in this book and especially Grandma who is an absolute hoot!
Below you will find a book blurb, my book review, the author’s bio and social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway. This romance is definitely one to add to your TBR list. You will be laughing long after you are done reading. As always, good luck on the Rafflecopter giveaway!
***
Blurb
My grandma is trying to hook me up.
To be painfully specific, my seventy-five-year-old grandmother thinks a little hanky-panky would cheer me up. Direct quote. Since I’m currently living with her, I can’t escape the endless line of grandchildren of friends who keep ‘dropping by’ for dinner. Literally, I can’t escape. I can barely manage the trek to the dining room at this point.
While Grandma’s determined to find me a husband, I’m determined to learn how to walk again so I can walk away from her matchmaking skills. Spoiler alert: She has no matchmaking skills.
But then I get a brilliant idea. I can fake date my physical therapist. Only he wants a real date. Gulp. A real date with me? Is he for real? I’m no longer the stylish girl with the glamorous job. Now, I’m a woman with a shattered leg and a scarred face.
If I’m going to learn to live with my new reality and give love a chance, my attitude needs to do an about face. Easier said than done.
***
My Book Review
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
ABOUT FACE (Love in the Suburbs Book 1) by D.E.
Haggertyis a new romantic comedy/contemporary romance by a new to me
author that is also the start of a new series. I love all the characters in
this book and cannot wait for more!
Francis “Frankie” McMillan is living it up in the big city.
At 35, she is the top event planner in the firm she works for. Life is long
hours of work, checking out hip venues while dancing and drinking with her
three girlfriends. She is beautiful with
designer clothes, stiletto heels and a third floor walk-up.
And then…. she wakes up in the hospital after a horrible car
accident with a leg that was barely saved and a two inch scar on her cheek.
Upon release, she moves in with her Grandpa and Grandma in the suburbs. Now,
she is facing physical therapy and going out in public. She does not want to do
either, but she has to learn to walk again to get her job back. Facing the
world with her scars has her terrified, but she can hide the scars on her leg
with clothes and she always wears a bandage on her face.
She is surprised when her physical therapist is a burly
Viking with a beard named Brodie. She also cannot believe that she is very
interested in him, but what man wants to be with someone as ugly and scarred as
she is now? With laugh-out-loud help from her Grandma, her new best-friend
Shelby and Brodie, Frankie learns things about her old life and self she is not
very happy with and maybe with the help of some real friends, she just may live
happily-ever-after after all.
This is a laugh-out-loud entertaining romance that also has
some very poignant scenes. Frankie is on a very sharp learning curve, not just
physically but also emotionally. Brodie has his job cut out for him trying to
convince this “city girl” that she is still beautiful inside and out. The sex
scenes are appropriate to the story and realistic. Shelby, who Frankie meets in
physical therapy is a true friend and I love her snark. Almost every time I
laughed-out-loud while reading this book is when Grandma makes an appearance.
She is “THE BEST”!
I highly recommend this romantic comedy/contemporary
romance! You will laugh-out-loud and be cheering Frankie on throughout. I am
anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.
***
About D.E. Haggarty:
I grew up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on, from my mom’s Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew, to Little Women. When I wasn’t flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin.
A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic after returning to the law. But being a lawyer really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out being a B&B owner wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before following the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from my adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.
EXCEPTION TO THE RULE by Charlotte Symonds is a contemporary
romance by a new to me author. This is a well written romance with fun and
witty dialogue, a hero that every girl dreams of and a wounded heroine who
avoids dealing with her emotional past by avoiding relationships.
Delilah Bennet can write a sex scene so well, she has been
hired to be a ghost writer by a well-known romance author. She loves her job
because she gets to freely manipulate all of the heroes. She is in total
control. In her personal dating life she has rules and keeps the control,
always. She must be the one to approach and she uses the men for sex. No
relationships.
Delilah lives with her best-friend, Rhen and has always been
the shield that Rhen uses to hide his true sexuality from his
ultra-conservative family. Rhen is the only person who knows the real Delilah
and why she is the way she is with men. When she tells Rhen about the fantastic
mystery man she spies on while he exercises through the window of their
apartment, he believes this may be the one to get Delilah to give real dating a
shot, but she never sees his face.
Jake Hastings is the plus-one to Rhen’s cousin at a family
wedding. When he sees Delilah dancing, something seems familiar about her, but
he does not know from where. With his blue eyes, hard-body and sultry voice,
Delilah cannot resist, even though he came up to her. Jake has trouble keeping
Delilah from running away each time they get close, but he also cannot stop
thinking about her and wanting more.
Is Jake truly sincere and an honorable man? Will Delilah
make an exception to her rules and end up possibly having her heart broken for
the first time or believe in Jake?
I am in love with Jake! Here is a romance hero who did not
do anything, but be a nice guy. (OK. He is gorgeous and rich, too, which never
hurts.) Delilah is the wounded heroine, instead of the wounded hero as in most
romances. She proves she is capable of love and friendship with Rhen, but Rhen
is safe. Her reasons for her rules are believable and give her a reason for
always doing a runner when things get personal with Jake. Ms. Symonds has
written realistic, funny and witty dialogue throughout the story. The sex
scenes are fun, hot and explicit. The characters in this romance are
interesting, entertaining and I feel could walk right off the page.
