Always Reading: September 2017

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Review: The Winter Wedding Plans

For this review, I chose The Winter Wedding Plans by Olivia Miles.

I requested ARC copy of the ebook through Netgalley in exchanged for a honest review.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:

All she wants for Christmas is a second chance . . .

Charlotte Daniels has made her share of mistakes, but now that she's a single mom, she vows to do better--and that starts with a new career. Working at her sister's event-planning company is just the fresh start she needs.

Kate Daniels has finally forgiven Charlotte for her betrayal, but forgetting it is harder. But as the holidays approach and Kate has her own wedding to plan, she has no choice but to turn to Charlotte for help to throw a high-profile client the holiday party of the season.

Charlotte leaps at the chance to redeem herself . . . until this irresistible client asks her to pretend to be his fiancée for the party. She knows their charade won't come without consequences--not just for her fresh start with Kate, but also for her own daughter.

As Kate's wedding draws near and Charlotte's fake romance starts to feel more and more real, will she fall back into the mistakes of her past, or finally prove herself to Kate once and for all?

In the vein of New York Times bestselling authors Susan Mallery, Robyn Carr, and Elin Hilderbrand, comes the second in a women's fiction series about the complicated ties of sisterhood that bind us together and sometimes tear us apart.

This is Book #2 in the Misty Point series. I could not wait to read about Charlotte's story. I wanted to see if the relationship between Charlotte and Kate could improve. I also wanted to see her overcome everything and be happy. I will not tell you if they all happened because you really should read this book. Very well written with real characters!! I hope there is third book about their friend and local florist.

☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!

Review: New Tricks

For this review, I chose New Tricks by Kelly Moran.

I requested ARC copy of the ebook through Netgalley in exchanged for a honest review.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:

Loving someone is something you never forget how to do . . .

Zoe Hornsby has enough on her plate. Her pet grooming business tucked inside her friends’ veterinarian clinic is busy, and all her free time outside of work is dedicated to caring for her mother’s ailing mind. Dating is certainly not on her agenda. For all she cares, the town gossips of Redwood Ridge, Oregon, can set their matchmaking sights on someone else. Because no way would she consider sexy veterinarian Drake O'Grady her perfect guy. Once upon a time, she may have harbored a little crush, but he’d only had eyes for her best friend. And the crazy attraction building between her and Drake now? Down boy, down.

After Drake lost his wife to cancer, he’s finally clawed his way out of grief and beginning to feel more like a part of the human race. But he’s appalled to learn his prying family thinks he's ready to jump in the dating pool. And the woman they thrust at him couldn’t be more inappropriate. As his dead wife’s best friend, Zoe is off limits. Even if they seem to share a common sadness, she is too potent a personality to get romantically tangled with. Yet she’s making his heart beat and blood roar like he never thought it could again. And he doesn't want to just exist anymore . . .

This is Book #3 in the Redwood Ridge series. I have read Book #2 in this series and I want to go back to read Book #1. I love books with the hero or heroine being a veterinarian. I love that it is about dogs. I try to read a book or 2 every few months in honor of our older husky, Zeus, we lost days before Christmas.

If your best friend died and you have this attraction for her husband, what would you do? You all were good friends. Grew up together. This was an emotional read. Drake lost his wife to cancer. How is he suppose to move on? Zoe has always been there for him. I loved that Heather was in this book, too, for both Drake and Zoe. Heather was very much loved by both of these people. It warmed my heart how Zoe kept her memory alive even though she wanted a future with Drake.

☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!

Release Blitz: No Prince Charming

No Prince Charming – Grimm’s Circle #2

JC Daniels writing as Shiloh Walker

Re-Release Date: September 30th, 2017

Genre: Erotic Romance, Paranormal

http://bit.ly/2x3K4po

Her Happy-Ever-After has been a long time coming…

Grimm’s Circle, Book 2

Elle spent years trying to get over her so-called Prince Charming, and she’s finally getting the hang of it. A Grimm—a guardian angel with unique gifts—she spends her nights trolling for demons and kicking ass, and lately, her days have been spent with her on-and-off-again lover, Ren, a fellow Grimm. But fate has other plans in store for Elle, plans that include Michael, the prince from her youth who broke her heart.

“What do you choose…live for her? Or would you rather die?”

That was the choice Michael was given all those years ago. Although he knew she’d never forgive him, when Michael was given the chance to become a Grimm, he took it. Still, he isn’t so sure Elle needs him in her life. With a lover at her side and a mission before her, Elle looks like she’s doing just fine.

But the not-so-charming prince isn’t going to back off that easily…not if there’s a chance she might need him again. He’d do anything to save her. Kill for her, live for her, die for her…

** Warning: This dark, twisted version of Cinderella involves demons, deceit, and desire between a princess and two sexy guardian angels, both determined to win the fair Cinderella. **

“Another intense and sensual novella from an author who excels at penning flawed characters with fascinating stories. The imaginative reworking of a traditional fairy tales into a dark and erotic story conjures up some of the scarier elements of the tales from the brothers Grimm yet provides easily identifiable relevancy to the current world. Ms Walker's ability to create tortured souls that the reader really wants to have a happy ending is part of her allure for me and I look forward to reading more of this intriguing series” ~ Night Owl Reviews

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2xiiXWG

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2xMZIWH

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2xbFrJI

A cool wind whipped across the parking lot, carrying with it the acrid stink of smoke, the earthy tang of sweat and sex…and a miasma of death.

Not physical death. No, this was worse. Death of the soul, of everything that makes you who you are. Oh, the body will die. But the body dies anyway. The soul doesn’t have to, unless you give it away.

The soul can go on. It’s meant to go on. People aren’t supposed to give their souls away. But they do it anyway.

Though people didn’t realize it, that’s what was going on. Inside that club, people gave away their souls or their bodies or both. I could feel it.

Idiots. There was a line winding around the front of the building, all these fools vying to get inside—there was fun to be had, after all. Dancing. Drinking. Maybe even some drugs, for those looking to score.

A party.

But the real party wasn’t on the main floor.

“Are we going inside or what, Princess?”

I glanced over my shoulder at my partner for this current job and gave him a halfhearted smile. Ren was one of my best friends, and as such, he could get away with calling me Princess without the threat of bodily harm. Come to think of it, he was the only friend who called me that.

I didn’t have many of them and most of the good friends I did have wouldn’t call me princess just because… Well…they knew. At least, they knew enough. It was a nickname that brought back terrible memories.

The first time I’d been paired up with Ren he had caught my hand and pressed a courtly kiss to my knuckles. As he stared at me over my hand, he’d murmured, “I must call you princess. Or perhaps empress. No…goddess. I’ll call you goddess.”

“How about just Elle?” I’d suggested.

“No. Too simple. Too mundane. I need something to remind me that I am in the presence of magnificence…perhaps it will keep me from making too big a fool of myself.”

The other man with us had given a sigh of long-suffering patience and then, that patience at an end, he’d cuffed Ren across the side of the head. “You’ve a job to do, remember. If you can get it through that daft head of yours.”

Looking back, I remember how those words had worried me. The last thing I’d wanted to have to work side by side with was an idiot.

But Ren wasn’t an idiot. I’d learned that quick enough. Before that job had ended, we were friends.

By the time the next job was dealt with, we were lovers.

The on-then-off-again relationship was one of the few constants of my life. At any time, I knew I could go to Ren, find welcoming arms, a warm body, a lot of pleasure…and a decided lack of pressure. I’d drift away and he’d always be there—waiting until I drifted back.

His presence in my life was a comfort.

Sad, that. He’s an amazing lover and the best thing I can say about him?

He’s a comfort.

Like a beloved old blanket. I grimaced. Ren would utterly despise it if he knew that was what he meant to me. It was more than that, of course. But still…

“Well?”

Sighing, I said, “We might as well go in.”

Ren cocked a brow. It was black, black as midnight, arching over eyes the same intense dark shade. His skin was swarthy and dark, his scalp smooth. He’d been that way for as long as I’d known him and I’d spent enough time around him to know that he wasn’t taking a razor to his head every other day.

“Don’t sound so anxious, lovie,” he drawled, his mouth quirking up in an amused smile. “If I didn’t have a healthy ego I might be a bit…concerned.”

I opened the door and climbed out. He did the same and I looked at him over the roof of the car. “Concerned about what?”

“How not excited you are about walking into a sex club with yours truly at your side ready to do your every bidding.” He wagged his brows at me as he brought his arms up, resting them atop the car. He dropped his chin down to rest on them and gave me a winsome smile. “So, my pretty little poppet, are you going to surprise me with a whip? Some chains? A simple pair of handcuffs?”

Shiloh Walker has been writing since she was a kid... she fell in love with vampires with the book Bunnicula and has worked her way up to the more...ah... serious vampire stories. She loves reading and writing anything paranormal, anything fantasy, but most all anything romantic. Once upon a time, she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest. She also writes under the pen name J.C. Daniels.

To sign up for her newsletter - http://www.shilohwalker.com/website/newsletter-author-shiloh-walker/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shilohwalker

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/96909.Shiloh_Walker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiloh_walker_author

Website: http://www.shilohwalker.com/website/

B&B Promotions

Friday, September 29, 2017

Cover Reveal: Knocking Her Up

Check out the hot-t-t cover of Knocking Her Up by London Hale! It's DUE October 10th!

ADD TO YOUR TBR ►►► http://bit.ly/2xGo4zS FOLLOW LONDON FOR A RELEASE DAY ALERT ►►► http://bit.ly/2t5EPzS

BLURB:

She wants a baby All I’ve ever desired is a family of my own. Too afraid I’ll follow in my late mother’s footsteps, I plan to have a baby before time runs out. Problem is, I fell in love with someone unattainable. John Hamilton is kind, thoughtful, and generous...and it doesn’t hurt that he’s built like a Mack truck. I’m ready to throw caution to the wind and ask him to be the father of my child. The only problem? He’s my stepbrother, and it could destroy our family. He just wants her The first time I met Emery Collins, she was a scrawny teenager...and my new stepsister. She’s a grown woman now, and every long, hard inch of me has taken notice. But with our family ties, she’s officially off limits. Too bad she’s come to me with something she wants, something she needs from me. Now I can’t stop dreaming of filling her...of watching her belly swell with my child. What she’s asking for could tear apart our cobbled-together family. I’m just not sure it’s enough to stop me from taking what I want. You know the drill: looking for something quick, filthy, and taboo? The couples of Temperance Falls deliver. 17352306_177020782805657_2928202939973731385_n

17352306_177020782805657_2928202939973731385_n

About London Hale:

London Hale is the combined pen name of writing besties Ellis Leigh and Brighton Walsh. Between them, they’ve published more than thirty books in the contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense genres. Ellis is a USA Today bestselling author who loves coffee, thinks green Skittles are the best, and prefers to stay in every weekend. Brighton is multi-published with Berkley, St. Martin’s Press, and Carina Press. She hates coffee, thinks green Skittles are the work of the devil, and has never heard of a party she didn’t want to attend. Don’t ask how they became such good friends or work so well together—they still haven’t figured it out themselves.

Follow London online: Amazon ► http://amzn.to/2uybkLD BookBub ► http://bit.ly/2t5EPzS Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLondonHale/ Goodreads ► http://bit.ly/2tY7vxA Twitter ► https://twitter.com/haleyeslondon Website ► http://www.londonhale.com

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Release Week Blitz: The Winter Wedding Plan

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: THE WINTER WEDDING PLAN

Author: Olivia Miles

Series: Misty Point, #2

On Sale: September 26, 2017

Publisher: Forever

Trade Paperback: $14.99 USD

ebook: $6.99

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt:

She pointed out the double set of French doors against the far wall, where a view of a snow-covered stone terrace shone in the moonlight. “Look at that. It’s a winter wonderland out there. It’s the perfect night for a holiday movie.”

He didn’t look convinced. “If you say so.”

“I do.” Charlotte settled back against a pillow. “Besides, this one is really terrific—”

“Wait. You’ve seen it before?”

“At least a dozen times! We watch it every Christmas. It’s sort of a family tradition.”

Greg’s brow furrowed. “That sounds nice.”

Charlotte grinned, imagining how wonderful it would be when Audrey was old enough to partake in the event. “Usually we make a big bowl of popcorn, have some hot chocolate. We can recite all the lines, of course, but that’s just part of the fun. Whenever I think of this movie, well, it just feels like coming home.”

Greg glanced at her. “I can make some popcorn if you’d like.”

Charlotte considered the holiday dress she’d hoped to squeeze herself into for the party, and then decided the diet could wait. She grinned. “I’ll pause it. You don’t want to miss the opening scene.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to do that,” Greg teased, but she could sense that he was pleased.

Charlotte couldn’t wipe the smile from her face as she snuggled deeper under the chenille blanket and waited for Greg to return with the popcorn. Despite the size of the house, she could soon make out the sound of popping—she glanced sharply at the baby monitor, silently willing Audrey to be unaware of the noise. She was enjoying herself, maybe more than she should, and she wasn’t ready to be on mom duty again just yet. For just a few moments she wanted to just be Charlotte.

And somehow, with Greg, she was. Greg, who didn’t know her past. Greg, who had no hold on her future. Greg, who knew her just as she was. Today. Present moment only. No mistakes. No slip-ups.

She stared at the frozen television screen. A year ago she had watched this movie alone, with tears streaming down her face as she worked her way through a family-sized bag of potato chips, wondering if her sister and parents were watching it together, if they were happy she wasn’t with them.

Little did she know at the time just how different this year would be. Better. Or at least on the up-and-up.

Greg came into the room with a bowl of popcorn, his grin sheepish. “I won’t lie. It’s microwaved.”

“The best kind,” Charlotte remarked. Her eyes widened slightly as he slid onto the couch beside her again. Was it just her imagination, or was he coming a little closer this time?

She looked to her right. There wasn’t much more space left for her to move. “Ready to start the movie?” she asked, gripping the remote.

He passed her the bowl of popcorn, and she helped herself to a few kernels. “This isn’t one of those feel-good movies, is it?”

She raised an eyebrow. “It’s a holiday movie. What do you think?”

He shook his head, but she could tell by his faint smile that he liked her response. “Oh, boy. Let’s get it over with then.”

“I have a feeling you’re going to enjoy it. Trust me.”

He gave her a strange look. “I do trust you.”

She rearranged herself on the couch, unsure of what to make of that remark, and fighting back the strange feeling that she just might be able to trust him, too. If she let herself.

The fell into silence as the movie started, and a few glances at Greg told her that he was fully engrossed within minutes. She smiled in satisfaction, and decided to enjoy herself and put her troubles from her mind for a bit. But the next thing she knew the television screen was quiet. There was popcorn sprinkled all over the leather couch, and the baby monitor crackled somewhere behind her.

She tried to remember the last scene in the movie she’d watched, and realized with a sinking feeling that she’d fallen asleep well over an hour ago. Her eyes sprung open. She wasn’t in her bedroom, and the pillow under her cheek wasn’t a pillow at all. It was a chest. A very hard, very sturdy, very manly chest. She blinked in panic as her heart began to race. Staying as still as she could under the tense circumstances, she listened to the steady drum of Greg’s pulse though his sweater, felt the rhythm of his breath as his chest moved softly up and down, moving her with it, almost lulling her into a state of tranquility.

He was asleep. And so help her, she intended for him to remain that way.

Inch by inch, she eased herself off the couch, grabbed the baby monitor by the handle, and made her way to the half-open French doors.

“Hey.”

She winced, and closed her eyes before turning to face the owner of the smooth, groggy voice that was much too deep and husky for her own good. “I think we fell asleep.”

She didn’t bother mentioning just what position they’d ended up in, or how that might have happened. She felt the blood drain from her cheeks when she considered that while she had dozed off somewhere around the scene where the young boy goes to the mall with his wish list, meaning somewhere in the first third of the movie, it was entirely possible that Greg hadn’t nodded off until a few minutes ago.

“Too bad. That was a pretty good movie.”

She nudged him with her elbow. “Told you so.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Rain check then?”

That sounded an awful lot like an invitation she should probably resist, but with that friendly grin and those warm eyes, really, what was a girl to do? “Can’t wait.”

And she realized as she turned from the room and hurried back upstairs that she couldn’t wait. And that was really quite a problem.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Olivia Miles writes women's fiction and contemporary romance. A city girl with a fondness for small town charm, Olivia enjoys highlighting both ways of life in her stories. She lives just outside Chicago with her husband, young daughter, and two ridiculously pampered pups.

FOLLOW FOREVER ONLINE