book reviews, New Releases, Novellas, Romance

Review ~ The Christmas Fountain – Kait Nolan

November 2017 writinstuff Leave a comment

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ABOUT:

Elementary school teacher Mary Alice Reed wanted a nice, stable guy to share her happily ever after. When she thought she’d found him, everyone tried to tell her that the guy she thought was her Mr. Right, was really Mr. Somebody Else’s. Living with a town’s worth of I-told-you-so isn’t easy, but she’s coping. And definitely taking a break from love in order to get past her last disaster to chair her favorite Christmas charity.

Trauma surgeon Chad Phillips gave up the intensity and long hours of a big city hospital to move to Wishful. He wants a home and family, a town with a slower pace, where he can actually build a life. Being one of Wishful’s most eligible bachelors has gotten him a lot of pie and casseroles, but it hasn’t helped him find that special someone to come home to.

When a friend’s accident lands Mary Alice in his ER, Chad finds himself more than intrigued. Part Martha Stewart, part Mary Poppins, and all Girl Next Door, she’s exactly what he’s been looking for. Volunteering for the Fountain of Hope charity seems like the perfect way to get to know his Christmas crush. But just as he seems to be overcoming Mary Alice’s once bitten, twice shy caution, that one tiny thing from his past, that he probably should have told her about, shows up for a Christmas season visit. Chad’s gonna have some explaining to do.

The Christmas Fountain by Kait Nolan is the perfect holiday story. It’s a full blown romance, complete with meet cute and a slow, sexy buildup. Only it all happens around the holidays. There are no cheesy Christmas themes or kitsch thrown in, just Mary Alice and Chad.

And I LOVED them together. Flirting in the ER over drunk friend was the perfect way for this serious couple to meet. And from that point their relationship progressed perfectly, with fun dates and plenty of sweet romance and a whole lotta steamy romance. There was a little bit of everything for everyone who loves a great small town romance.

I can’t say there was a part of this story I didn’t like. I cracked open my Kindle yesterday and finished it just a minutes before starting on this review. It was quick, fun and easy. But, I’m gonna have to call BS on Chad for one tiny little misunderstanding. Yeah, I know it’s a romance and there has to be drama and/or misunderstanding, I got it and love it. Hell, I write romance myself and I have a bit of a girl crush on Kait. But Chad…seriously? I think Mary Alice was totally within her rights to be pissed off because of ALL the things you hide or keep to yourself IT’S NOT THAT! Not when you know her history, so while it all worked out, I’m calling Dr. Phillips out on his behavior on that part.

Overall, I loved this story. It had just enough holiday for the season and I loved some of the secondary characters. Kait Nolan is one author who excels at pulling in different characters without overloading the story with too many people.

The Christmas Fountain was a fun holiday romance to get you in the spirit!

book reviews, New Releases, Romance

Review ~ Romancing the Bachelor – Diane Alberts

November 2017 writinstuff Leave a comment

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ABOUT:

Eric Hamilton isn’t looking for love. Hell, he isn’t even looking for a girl. He has a five-year plan, and he’s one hundred percent focused on that. But then Shelby walks into his life, and suddenly, he can’t think about anything else. Unfortunately for him, she hates his guts, and wants nothing to do with him. But he’s a man who loves a challenge.

Shelby Jefferson can’t wait to get out of the city, and back to her country roots. She moved to Atlanta for a guy who promptly left her, and the last thing she wants is to fall for another man who might make her want to stay. But Eric is nothing if not persistent, and before long she’s inside his arms, in his bed, and falling for him. Hard. But when history repeats itself, she’s left having to choose between a man and herself…again.

The thing I liked best about Romancing the Bachelor was that these two people, so seemingly different, were so much alike. Not what they liked, but the baggage they carried. Eric is more than a bachelor, he’s a player. A love’em and leave’em kind of guy who makes sure everyone woman knows what to expect from him up front.

And it’s no secret.

So when he finally notices Shelby, who’s been a court reporter in the courts where he argues cases for years. What makes his attention even worse? They also live in the same building and in all those years he never once noticed her. Oh, but she noticed him all right. How could she not? Eric is hot, successful and did I mention hot? But, guess what? Yep, Shelby has baggage too and that baggage is taking her out of the city and back to a small town…somewhere.

But Eric is relentless and Shelby starts to think, why not. She’s leaving no matter what, so why not? Well there are about a billion reasons why not, but when a guy like Eric Hamilton wants in your bed…you let him in!

Romancing the Bachelor was a really good time. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the leads, the flirting and fun sexy banter. It felt real, like you want to feel during those first dates when you’re falling. Diane Alberts is an author I always give a shot to, and this book was no different. There was, of course, drama and misunderstanding but it wasn’t so over the top that it ruined the story.

New Releases, Romance

Hard Work by K.m. Scott is LIVE!

November 2017 writinstuff Leave a comment

It is a sexy new standalone loosely based on Beauty and The Beast, is now available, so get it today and fall in love with Zane and Becca’s story!

Zane Gilford has lived a blessed life. The only son of the owner of The Gilford House Inn, he’s benefitted from his mother’s extraordinary success. But Vermont was never where he wanted to be, and the day after graduation, he put the quaint country inn and everything about it behind him and never looked back.

Until now.

The death of his mother left Zane a very wealthy man, but in her will she also left him a surprise. For an entire year, he must run that Vermont inn he’s hated all his life if he wants to get one red cent of his inheritance.

Becca Fox has worked her way to the top of the advertising business and has the personal and professional scars to prove it. In her rare time off, she loves visiting her favorite bed and breakfast in the mountains of Vermont. When she finds a new owner running The Gilford House Inn, she wonders if her favorite getaway place has been ruined for her. He’s sexy as all hell and incredibly good looking, but he’s so cocky and arrogant.

From the first moment he sees her, Zane knows he wants Becca, but to get a woman like her, he’s going to have to learn to be a better man than he’s ever been. He’s got an inn to run and a woman to win. Neither is going to be easy. And time isn’t in his favor.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2AVzxeF
iBooks: http://kmscottbooks.com/hardib
B&N: http://kmscottbooks.com/hardbn
Kobo: http://kmscottbooks.com/hardko
Google Play: http://kmscottbooks.com/hardgp

book reviews, New Releases, Romance

Review ~ Possessed By A Vampire – Susan Griscom

November 2017 writinstuff Leave a comment

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ABOUT:

They possess the power to make their dreams come true—but it won’t be easy.

Preston Knight—Elvis to his friends—loves being a vampire. The night he was turned was the first step to him becoming the kind of man he always hoped to be. Now, he’s a rock star. What could be better? But the one thing that would make his world complete is just out of reach. The woman he yearns for has some serious secrets, and despite him knowing that she wants him just as much as he wants her, she won’t let him in.

Lily Grey never asked to be a vampire. The choice was taken from her eons ago, and things never improved. Now, she finds herself peddling drugs on the streets of San Francisco and playing the part of doting wife to a possessive and sadistic vampire with delusions of grandeur. But family means everything to Lily, and she’s willing to sacrifice everything for it…even her one chance at happiness with the sexy-as-sin vampire who sets her heart ablaze.

When one night of passion opens the door for a century of secrets to be revealed, Lily and Preston must fight for not only what they believe in but also what they love.

Possessed By A Vampire is the story of two very different vampires. Preston, known as Elvis to his friends, has loved it from the moment he made the transition. But Lily never wanted, didn’t ask for it and resents the hell out of being a vampire. He is a live life by the seat of his pants musician and she is a slightly naïve, sweet and trapped by her maker into living a life she doesn’t want. When they meet, there is something powerful, visceral about their connection. Susan Griscom does a really good job of painting the picture of their connection. She highlights the instinctive protective nature that rises up in good time guy Elvis, when it comes to Lily. Too bad, Lily is deeply connected to another.

The attraction in Possessed By A Vampire is instantaneous and I felt totally okay with that. Especially because there was a long past to get through before we could even get a glimmer of hope for Elvis and Lily. Lily’s life hasn’t been a happy one since was turned into a vampire but the one bright spot is Elvis, but her heart is not free and that’s the major conflict in this story. They had to dig into the past to figure out how to beat the current threat so they could live many, many lives together. To flesh out the story, Susan Griscom has given us a cast of supporting characters to love and hate on this thrilling adventure to the end.

New Releases, Romance

LIVE!! ~ Checkmate Duet Boxed Set

November 2017 writinstuff Leave a comment

Titles Included: Checkmate: This is Dangerous & Checkmate: This is Beautiful
Series: Checkmate Duet Series (Logan & Kayla)
Author: Kennedy Fox
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trope: Second-chance Romance
Photographer & Designer: Sara Eirew

Release Date: November 16, 2017

Introducing the complete Logan & Kayla saga in the Checkmate series from the USA Today Bestselling duo, Kennedy Fox!

Checkmate: This is Dangerous & This is Beautiful is a second-chance romance that’ll have you swooning and laughing from the first to the last page! Are you ready to play the game?

***

Logan Knight is a real-life knight in shining armor.  Brooding and mysterious, he’s the kind of guy every girl instantly notices. Between his seductive smirk and charming good looks, it’s no wonder Kayla can’t help the way he makes her feel when she’s near him.  Too bad he’s unavailable–or so he says.

Kayla Sinclair is a saint and real-life angel.

She wears her heart on her sleeve and inspires Logan to be a better person.

Rescuing dogs, feeding the homeless, volunteering at the local food pantry are just a few of the ways she gives back to others, although no one has ever been there for her.

Falling for her is inevitable, but losing her will destroy him.

Logan may think he has her all figured out, but Kayla is determined to prove him wrong.. This game of push and pull has her running in circles. One wrong move and they could both lose.

When unexpected tragedy strikes and Kayla forgets their relationship ever existed, Logan’s worst nightmare comes to life. He’ll do anything to remind her of the love they shared. It’ll be an uphill battle, but Logan won’t walk away without a fight. Whoever said all is fair in love and war never played by his rules.

Checkmate.

*Recommend for ages 18+ due to sexual content and adult language.*

iBooks: hyperurl.co/ibookslk
Kobo: hyperurl.co/kobolk
Nook: hyperurl.co/nooklk
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2hC7NqJ

Amazon International: hyperurl.co/amazoninlk

PRE-ORDER LINKS
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Amazon: Coming Soon

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Cover reveal is scheduled for January 8, 2018
Release is scheduled for January 30, 2018

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Brooke Cumberland & Lyra Parish are a duo of romance authors who teamed up under the USA Today Bestselling pseudonym, Kennedy Fox who share a love of You’ve Got Mailand The Holiday. When they aren’t bonding over romantic comedies, they like to brainstorm new book ideas. One day, they decided to collaborate and have some fun creating new characters that’ll make your lady bits tingle and your heart melt. If you enjoy romance stories with sexy, tattooed alpha males and smart, independent women, then a Kennedy Fox book is for you!

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Email: kennedyfoxbooks@gmail.com
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book reviews, New Releases, Romance

LIVE ~ The Coalson Family Cookbook of Memories!!!

November 2017 writinstuff Leave a comment

The Coalson Family Cookbook of Memories: as told by Ginny Coalson (Tempered Steel Series 8)

Since the Coalson brothers first appeared on the publishing scene in 2014 in Whistlin’ Dixie, readers and fans have been asking about the wonderful food Mama Ginny Coalson served at their Sunday dinners. Well, never one to disappoint my fans (I hope), I made your wishes come true (and Ginny’s too, as she was working on a cookbook for a fundraising effort).

I gathered all the food talked about in the Tempered Steel Series, added some of my own plus friends, fans, and other authors, to make The Coalson Family CookBook of Memories a truly down-home cookbook. It’s filled with yummy comfort food, warm friendships, and even some short stories of the brothers growing up, told by Mama Ginny, herself. Oh, and like any good friend, I left out all the calories and guilt!

I hope you enjoy the cookbook and the memories from a woman everyone would be happy to call “Mama.”

~Maggie Adams

Release Date: November 14, 2017

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/2zJoYgu

About the Author:

Maggie Adams is an Amazon Best Selling contemporary romance author. Her first book in the Tempered Steel Series, Whistlin’ Dixie, debuted in Amazon’s Top 100 for Women’s Fiction, humor, on November, 2014 and then again at #61 in 2016. Since then, she has consistently made the Amazon best seller 5-star list with Leather and Lace, Something’s Gotta Give, Love, Marriage & Mayhem, and Forged in Fire. She is also the recipient of the Dayreader Review’s Best New Series Award for 2015. Her series has launched the tiny town of Grafton, Illinois, into International recognition with sales in Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and the UK.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling (usually just to the grocery store), dancing (around the kitchen to avoid cooking) and relaxing with her family (aka taking a nap while watching a movie). She loves to chat, so feel free to look her up!

STALK MAGGIE ONLINE!!!

http://www.maggieadamsbooks.com – website

https://www.facebook.com/maggieadamsbooks – book page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/maggiesminxes –fan club page

https://www.amazon.com/author/maggieadams – author page

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9867300.Maggie_Adams – goodreads

https://twitter.com/AuthrMaggieAdms – twitter

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-adams-006a8b142/ – LinkedIn

https://www.pinterest.com/maggiesminxes/- Pinterest

https://www.instagram.com/maggieadamsbooks/ – instagram

book reviews, New Releases, Romance

Review ~ Up for Heir – Ruth Cardello

November 2017 writinstuff Leave a comment

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ABOUT:

Spencer Westerly is his own man. He didn’t need his father’s money to build his wildly successful tech company—and he doesn’t want to deal with the fallout from old family secrets. But as much as Spencer wants to avoid Westerly drama, his grandmother—the family matriarch—is determined to pull him back into the fold. And she’s discovered the perfect lure: his college sweetheart, Hailey.

Although she broke his heart, Hailey is still the only woman he’s ever loved. Now that she’s back and looking as desirable as ever, Spencer is determined to get a second chance.

A lot has changed for Hailey Tiverton. The only thing that hasn’t? The inexplicable pull she feels toward Spencer. When they were younger, his work was his priority. Now, he’d better be willing to prove that, this time, love comes first…

I’ll let you know right up front that I am a pretty big Ruth Cardello fan. Also, I got a copy of this from NetGalley for a review!

From the beginning of Up for Heir, I was pretty sure that I would hate Delinda. She made it easy, by being so blatantly manipulative. The old woman has a pretty fractured family, but most of it isn’t her fault, and now that she’s older and lonely, she wants nothing more than to have them all back into the fold.

Too bad she never heard the old adage about catching more flies with honey.

Delinda wants Spencer back in his life and she sees his old college girlfriend as the quickest route to her goal. But I don’t think even Delinda counted on falling in love with Hailey or her niece Skye, which made it easier to like her. More importantly, I understood her and I LOVED the way Hailey managed to get through to her.

Now on to Spencer and Hailey.

Boy, oh boy did these two give me a headache! Hailey with all of her second guessing—though I understood her reasons—was like a bad roller coaster ride. And Spencer, yeah dude, we get it. Your mom is a big ol’ liar and gave you some issues. But you’re a grown man so suck it up and get over it.

You could tell right away that feelings still lingered between them, but they couldn’t get out of their own way long enough to make it happen! Honestly though, I liked Spencer and I wanted him to find forgiveness and reconnect with his family, but if I’m being honest I still didn’t think he deserved Hailey. The way he dropped the ball in college and the way he just jumped to conclusions, doesn’t sound like a guy in love…no matter what the photos say.

I enjoyed Up for Heir, a lot. Despite the fact that both main characters kind of worked my nerves, I had a good time reading this book and it only took me about a day to finish it.

Now I’m very curious about Brett’s story, so I’m going back and getting a copy of In the Heir!

New Releases, Romance

LIVE ~ Taking A Chance by Maggie McGinnis

November 2017 writinstuff Leave a comment

ABOUT:

A rising star in the corporate world, Emma Winthrop enjoys the view from her cubicle in sunny Florida. But when she’s dispatched to a nursing home in Whisper Creek for three months of field experience, she discovers a slice of heaven made of mountains and mayhem—mostly in the form of rugged, drop-dead gorgeous Jasper Stone, who grinds his specialty beans at the town’s best coffee shop in between organizing dodge-ball games and wheelchair races in Emma’s hallways.

When Jasper walks in on this beautiful angel in silky purple underwear trying to rinse out her blouse, it’s a breathtaking view—even for a Montana native. Wreaking havoc here at Shady Acres keeps his dad in good spirits, but getting under Emma’s skin is proving to be even more fun. Jasper knows that he’s falling faster than a man with his past has any right to, but his body and his heart have a mind of their own. And Emma appears to be claiming both.

Get your copy HERE!!!

book reviews, New Releases, Romance

Review ~ An Ex For Christmas – Lauren Layne

November 2017 writinstuff Leave a comment

Get your copy HERE!!!

ABOUT:

When a psychic tells spunky, superstitious Kelly Byrne that she’s already met her true love, she becomes obsessed with the idea of tracking him down before Christmas. Kelly immediately writes up an “Ex List” and starts contacting old boyfriends to figure out which one is the one. When her college sweetheart rolls into town, Kelly convinces herself that they’re meant to be. The trouble is, sparks are flying with someone she’s never given a chance: her best friend, Mark.

Mark Blakely has watched the guys on Kelly’s list break her heart, and he’s not looking forward to watching them do it all over again. Mark’s always been there for her, but the timing’s never worked out for their relationship to be something more. Now, just as Mark is ready to move on, the sexual tension between them is suddenly off the charts. With Christmas morning around the corner, he just hopes Kelly will wake up and realize that everything she wants has been right in front of her all along.

I really wanted to LOVE this story but it turns out that I only liked it. An Ex For Christmas is a good story but there were times that I wanted to strangle Kelly. Not that I have any problems people believing in or using magic 8 balls, horoscopes, tarot cards and any of that. But letting it rule your life? It grew a bit tiresome way before we got to Christmas Eve and Christmas.

This story was…odd. More than half the story is Kelly tracking down other guys with no mention of having feelings for or even an attraction to her best friend. At fifty percent I had to go back and read the synopsis because I thought maybe I’d misread it. But no, I hadn’t. Then finally something happened but by then I was really just ready to get to the HEA.

As a writer I understand drama and storytelling so I have to give Lauren Layne credit because my reaction to Kelly, at times, was visceral. I screamed “Oh. My. God.” At least ten times from sixty percent to the end. Don’t get me wrong, Mark was no angel either. I mean it was clear he had feelings for her, but not to her.

Did you hear me? Not. To. Her.

I loved parts of this story, the history of their friendship and how close they were, even sharing a dog. I just wished that two people who had such a great relationship, could have communicated a little better. I mean, seriously!

All that being said, Kelly and Mark were adorable together. It was clear they could be a great match if she’d let go of her complete reliance on the supernatural or mystical to guide her life. As someone who used to spend her high school years poring over every horoscope printing in the Sun Times and Tribune, I understand where she’s coming from. Except…I was in high school, not looking for The One.

An Ex For Christmas is good read, probably a great read if you don’t let Kelly annoy you too bad! That’s why I gave it almost 4 stars, let’s call it 3.75 stars.

book reviews, New Releases, Romance

Review ~ Cowboy Christmas Blues – Maisey Yates

November 2017 writinstuff Leave a comment

Get your copy HERE!!!

ABOUT:

When Cooper Mason left Gold Valley, Oregon behind him eight years ago, he told himself he wouldn’t be back. But when a Christmas promise sends him home to face his demons, he’ll find that not everything is as he remembers—especially family friend Annabelle Preston, who’s somehow morphed from childhood pest to full-grown, hot-blooded and oh-so-tempting woman.

Growing up, Annabelle had built a lot of dreams around the ruggedly gorgeous Cooper—dreams she’s long ago learned to put behind her. Until a chance encounter with Cooper leads to a night neither can forget, and all the old feelings come blazing back to life. Now, Annabelle has a week to prove there’s more between them than a no-strings holiday fling…and with a little Christmas luck, she just might convince Gold Valley’s favorite cowboy to come home for good.

We all know that I super biased towards author, Maisey Yates. Her Copper Ridge series is fantastic so you know when I found out she’d discovered more hot cowboys in Gold Valley, I was all over that. And she starts with a really good one!

This introductory novella was the perfect Christmas bite!

Annabelle has always had it bad for Cooper Mason. She followed him around as a kid because he was her hero. Her one true love. But Mason left Gold Valley and has hardly come back or looked back in years. Of course, he has his reasons—pretty damn good reasons—but this year he’s back to spend time with his family. And the town who won’t let his family forget their biggest tragedy.

One night at the only watering hole in town he spots her. A sexy little number he could lose himself in for the night…only after a super hot orgasm does he realize who she is.

DRAMA, y’all!

So that’s Cowboy Christmas Blues in a nutshell but that’s just what happens. This story is fun and a little bit sad, and filled with holiday hope. Annabelle is all grown up and she wants Cooper for herself. Or just while he’s in town. The point is she wants him and watching her try to navigate new feelings mixed with the old hero worship and his own warnings against developing feelings for him, was exciting. A casual, hot affair is just what she thinks she wants or needs, but come on, who can keep it casual when your childhood crush is tall, dark, handsome and just a little bit broken?

Certainly not me, and definitely not Annabelle either!

There were some great secondary characters that I look forward to getting to know better, but if the rest of the stories are anything like Cowboy Christmas Blues, then there are many more cowboys in my future!