Friday 11 December 2015

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: WELCOME TO FOREVER by ANNIE RAINS


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Welcome to Forever
Hero's Welcome #1
By: Annie Rains
Releasing December 1, 2015
Loveswept
 
Micah Peterson is very protective of his son, Ben, and only wants what is best for him. Teaching him to be independent is important, especially for a child relegated -- more and more -- to a wheelchair. He can't help confronting those that give Ben special treatment, and the principal at his kid's new school is the first person he's determined to give a talking-to, for treating Ben differently than her other students. 
It's not easy for Kat Chandler to live in Seaside, a small town full of Marines and their kids. However, she can't up and leave. Not after recently being appointed principal of the local Elementary school. Determined to do what is best for her students, she finds herself introducing new and improved ways of dealing with the delinquents. Even knowing there are parents bound to be opposed to her methods. Yet, never once had she thought one would confront her over the kindness she shows his son.
What an incredible first book to start off Ms. Rains Hero's Welcome series, comprising a hero determined to make sure he gives his son the best out of life, and a heroine finally coming to the conclusion that she deserves to be happy again after losing someone she loved. The opening chapter certainly sets the fast-pace of the story, and the moment the hero and heroine meet is really good. As Kat finds herself dealing with her first bit of trouble at school.
I really liked Kat and Micah. Both of their back stories are compelling, and are definitely what makes some of the dialogue quite intense. They face some tough obstacles that made this book an absolute page turner. Such as the fact that Micah is a Marine and Kat has sworn off military men, Micah's dad and his controlling ways when it comes to the hero's career in the military and the trouble Kat faces at the school that puts her at odds with a student's father. However, there are plenty of fun moments between Kat and Micah, especially with Ben determined to bring them together because he wants his dad to be happy.
Kat is strong and brave in the way she's determined to give Micah a chance despite the fact that she lost someone close to her to the same career as he has. She's also very benevolent because, of what she's doing with her students. Her idea of detention is certainly a fun one, although the kids don't think so -- at first. While Micah, I liked how protective he was of Ben, and that he was determined to give his son the best life he could as a single parent. He's also very good for Kat, as she comes to realize that it's time to move on with her life.
This couple have really strong chemistry right from the moment they meet, and it only gets more intense every time they interact. Kat can't seem to resist Micah, although she's adamant with the fact that she wouldn't get involved with a military man again. Because she's already lost someone she loved to the dangers of such a career. Eventually though, their intense chemistry spills over onto the pages in some scorching sex scenes that do their chemistry justice.
Overall, Ms. Rains has impressed me with a book that encompassed strong dialogue, engaging characters and a plot that kept me entertained from start to finish. The ending wrapped this story up nicely, as Ben got his wish. Besides, no-one deserved a happy ever after more than Kat. I would recommend Welcome to Forever by Annie Rains, if you enjoy reading Kristan Higgins, Susan Mallery, or Jill Shalvis. 
 
OVERALL RATING:
 
 
BLURB:
If you love Kristan Higgins, Susan Mallery, or Jill Shalvis, you won’t want to miss the Hero’s Welcome military romance series! Welcome to Forever introduces a small coastal town where America’s best and brightest risk everything for love.
 
 
In Seaside, North Carolina, there are two kinds of people: Marines, and kids of Marines. Then there’s Kat Chandler. Recently hired as the principal of Seaside Elementary, Kat makes it her mission to turn the school into a place of peace and calm. That’s not going to be easy with hard-liner parents like Micah Peterson storming in, telling her how to do her job—and then kissing her with those gorgeous lips of his and turning her brain into mush.
 
As a Marine Sergeant and a single dad, Micah Peterson has just two priorities: doing his job better than anyone else, and getting the absolute best for his son, Ben. But when he meets Ben’s beautiful new principal, a different yearning shifts into focus. He wants her, sure, but he’s also moved by the connection Kat forges with her students. So after learning that she refuses to date Marines, Micah sets two more objectives: convincing Kat to give him a chance . . . and then holding on to her forever.
 
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“Have you thought about that kiss?” she asked, as he leaned in close to fasten her seatbelt. She couldn’t control what was coming out of her mouth. “Because I have. A little.” She started laughing again. Val had warned her that she was a horrible drunk, and evidently, it was true.

“What have you thought about it?” he asked, his voice low and bristly. Her buckle snapped into place with a loud click. He could step back now, but he didn’t.


And she didn’t want him to. What was the point of being drunk if you couldn’t say and do what you wanted, and then apologize for it in the morning? No one blamed a drunk, they blamed the drink. “I thought that I liked it. The kiss. It was amazing.” She held her breath as he lingered in front of her, his hand still resting on the seat’s buckle.

“I thought the same thing.”

“You did?” She swallowed thickly, as her heart rode up her throat.

His brow lifted. “You sound surprised.”

“I’m out of practice.” She nibbled on her lower lip, drawing his gaze there. Then his gaze flicked back to her ring. Just the thought squashed the flutterings in her chest, leaving a deep ache that vibrated with the alcohol. “He’s been gone for two years,” she said.

Micah’s brows pinched together softly.

Explaining about John in her state wasn’t a good idea, though. She might start crying, which she didn’t do in front of others anymore, and right now all she wanted to do was forget everything but their kiss. That she wanted to remember. “You could kiss me again,” she said softly.

His smile deepened and, damn, he smelled good.

Leaning in closer to her ear, his hot breath melted her as he whispered, “Kat, you’ve had too much to drink. I’m taking you home now.”

Before she could process what he’d said, he stepped back and shut the Jeep’s door, the sound as offensive as if someone had crashed cymbals in her ears. A moment later, he reappeared on the driver’s side and cranked the engine, another sound that made her wince.

She closed her eyes, unsure of what to do with her drunken emotions.

“If I kiss you again, I want to be one hundred percent sure it’s what you want. Not because my almost ex is walking up and you want to help me out. Not because you’ve had too much to drink and want to escape.”

She suddenly felt very tired, as the Jeep Cherokee headed out of the parking lot. “So, you are going to kiss me again?” she asked. Before she could hear his answer, though, her eyes closed and the sounds of the road and his voice, and the blood thundering in her head, blurred together. She remembered their kiss, the feel of his stubble roughly brushing against her cheek, and the way he had smelled like pine and fudge brownies.

No, wait. His eyes reminded her of fudge brownies. He didn’t smell like them.

Her eyes fluttered open. Yeah, she was definitely going to regret tonight in the morning.
 
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Annie Rains is a contemporary romance author who writes small town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America's largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn't writing, she's spending time with her husband and 3 children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors. Represented by Sarah Younger at Nancy Yost Literary Agency (NYLA).
 
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Monday 7 December 2015

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: SNOWFLAKE BAY by DONNA KAUFFMAN


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Snowflake Bay
The Brides of Blueberry Cove #2
By: Donna Kauffman
Releasing September 29, 2015
Zebra
As her brother's best friend, Ben Campbell was once a huge part of Fiona McCrae's life. But when she moved to New York to pursue her career, they rarely saw each other. Now though, she's moved back for good and it's hard to ignore the handsome man he's become, or forget the silly crush she had on him for years. A crush that still seems as strong as it was when she was younger. Yet, she knows there's no hope for a relationship with him, especially when he saw her as nothing more than her brother's annoying little sister. So, why would he feel any different now that they're older?

I always enjoy books that encompass the brothers best friend trope, and Ms. Kauffman has penned a really good story. That was fast-paced from the beginning, as Fiona thinks up rules in case she ever decides to write a bridesmaid guide book.
 
The dialogue was compelling, and I loved the playful banter between Ben and Fiona, which is there from the start. Yet, becomes even more so, once they overcome one of the obstacles in their growing relationship. Where Fiona admits how much she despised the nickname he used to call her when they were younger, and still has a habit of using in the present. 

I really liked both the main characters. Yet, I found Logan -- Fiona’s brother -- annoying at times. I felt he needed to stop interfering. Fiona and Ben were adults, and could fixed things between them on their own when they were good and ready. Fiona is strong and brave when she confronts Ben over the nickname he gave her and the fact that it hurt her feelings. It helps them both immensely, and gives them a chance to leave the past in the past, if Fiona can find it in her heart to give Ben the opportunity to prove that he’s not interested in her out of pity, but because he is genuinely attracted to her. She’s also very determined to make her sister’s wedding the best she can, which helps take her mind off a family member that suffers a serious medical matter that has all her and her siblings really worried. No way is she going to have them cancel the wedding when it may just help said family member to a speedy recovery since he’s a big part of the ceremony for the bride.
 
While Ben, he’s hard-working and determined to make things right with Fiona. Especially by helping her get through the difficult time she goes through with her family, and the moment I liked best was when they were talking on the phone to each other while she was trying on wedding dresses. That was a really funny scene in this book, and it showed just how far they’d come in their growing relationship. Ben is also very benevolent by taking over for his father at the family business, now that his father is unable to run it anymore with his own health issues.  

Overall, Ms. Kauffman has penned a wonderful Christmas romance in this second book of her Brides of Blueberry Cove series where hot sex scenes steam up the pages, and do justice to their intense chemistry, which is there from the very beginning. As for the ending, I really enjoyed it. The way Fiona handles Ben’s ex was perfect, and had me smiling, because it made Ben realize how much the heroine had come to mean to him. I would recommend this story, if you love the brother’s best friend trope.

Overall Rating:
 



BLURB:

There’s no place like seaside Blueberry Cove, Maine, at Christmas—and there’s nothing like a wedding, the warmth of the holidays, and an old crush, to create the perfect new start…


Interior designer Fiona McCrae has left fast-paced Manhattan to move back home to peaceful Blueberry Cove. But she’s barely arrived before she’s hooked into planning her big sister Hannah’s Christmas wedding—in less than seven weeks. The last thing she needs is for her first love, Ben Campbell, to return to neighboring Snowflake Bay…

As kids, Fiona was the bratty little sister Ben mercilessly teased—while pining after Hannah. But Fi never once thought of Ben like a brother. And that hasn’t changed. Except Fi is all grown up. Will Ben notice her now? More importantly, with her life in a jumble, should he? Or might the romance of the occasion, the spirit of the season, and the gifts of time ignite a long-held flame for many Christmases to come…

Something old might just become something new…
 
 
Buy Links:  Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo
 
 
Big hands gripped her shoulders again and turned her back around. Then she felt rough, thick fingers gently tug at the scarf until her face was completely uncovered, or at least most of it was. Curls still clung to her eyelashes and errant wool fibers remained plastered to her Chapsticked lips.

She finally looked up at him. What the hell. She couldn’t possibly be more mortified around him now than she had been during pretty much every waking, breathing moment of her adolescence, could she?

Any latent, exceedingly selfish hopes she might have harbored that time and age had been unkind to him were extinguished with that one simple glance. He was … beautiful. He’d always been beautiful. Thick, chestnut-brown hair that was forever in need of a trim topped a pair of always twinkling eyes the color of Maine evergreens, and a ready grin set between a strong jaw and sharp cheekbones. Only now, age and time had somehow transformed him into a man who was more rugged, more handsome, more genuinely, heart-grippingly sexy. The kind of sexy a thirteen-year-old couldn’t even begin to appreciate, but the thirty-two-year-old woman standing before him could all too well.

His body was as ruggedly appealing as his face, with broad shoulders to match those wide palms, and the kind of muscles roping his arms and biceps that even the green plaid wool jacket he had on over a faded red hoodie did little to hide and everything to enhance. She didn’t dare look lower. Didn’t have to. He’d always been athletic and agile despite his size. Looking at those long legs and perfectly muscled thighs wasn’t necessary. She imagined them anyway, remembering far too many summers spent watching him and Logan from her bedroom window as they played pick-up basketball at the hoop mounted to the front of the carriage house, in nothing more than gym shorts and gleaming, honey-gold skin.

It seemed so unfair, she thought, even as she drank in the sight of him like a woman who’d been in the desert since, well, since the summer of her eighth grade graduation. Which was when he’d left town, and her unrequited love, in the unnoticed and seriously pathetic dust.

“Hello, Ben,” she said, seeing the wisps of wool still clinging to her lips dance briefly in the warm, dry air. She wanted to close her eyes. Hell, she wanted to dig a hole to China. Instead, she forced herself to maintain eye contact. Adult. Mature. Not thirteen. Not stupidly pining for a guy who never once thought of you as anything but his best friend’s annoying, bratty kid sister.

At the moment, however, he looked sincerely happy to see her. That shouldn’t have made her knees knock. Or her thighs clench.

“I didn’t know you were back in town,” he said.

“That makes two of us,” she said, thinking that her heart had to be pounding against her chest so hard, if she looked down, she’d surely see a cartoon version of it pumping out through her coat. Her fireplug red, down-filled coat.

Yeah.

Her karma clearly didn’t include things like having the sexier-than-ever Ben Campbell reenter her life when she had on cute yoga pants and was in some innocent but super suggestive pose that had him immediately wondering why in the hell he’d never noticed her before.

“You, uh …” He made a brief motion toward her mouth, and then that gleaming white grin flashed. “Either you’ve been slimed by your scarf, or you have a very unfortunate fungal issue. Either way—” He reached past her to nimbly snag a napkin from the holder she’d half buried under her satchel. “Here,” he said, offering it to her.

Aaaaand humiliation complete. Forever thirteen. Ah well, what the hell. Might as well own it. She tugged off her gloves with her probably wool-coated teeth, then took the proffered napkin. “Thanks,” she said, and turned to put her gloves on the marble countertop and do the best she could without benefit of a mirror to de-fungi herself. Turning back around, she crumpled the napkin in her hand and gave him a wry smile. “Better?”

“Mostly,” he said.

She went stock-still again when, teasing grin still firmly in place, he stepped closer, bowed his head, and gazed ever-so-intently at her mouth. She had no idea how her legs held her upright as every one of her adolescent fantasies came screaming back to mind, but in a far—far—more adult fashion. Surely, he couldn’t mean to—

He brought his hand up—not to cup her cheek so he could lower his lips to hers—but to pluck away the few remaining fibers that still clung to her lips.

What did it say that the tips of his fingers brushing her lips elicited a far greater response from her body than the last man she’d actually gotten naked with? Nothing positive, she was sure. About her, or about poor, couldn’t-find-an-erogenous-zone-if-it-was- staring-him-in-the-face Charlie. Which, sadly for them both, one rather universally well-known zone had been.

“Now you’re good,” he said, smiling again as he stepped back.

No, not really, she thought. But you sure are. She swallowed against a throat that was suddenly a dry wasteland, while other parts of her were … decidedly not. Oh, so, very, very good.
 
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
USA Today bestselling author of the Cupcake Club Romance series, Donna Kauffman has seen her books reviewed in venues ranging from Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal to Entertainment Weekly and Cosmopolitan. She lives just outside of DC in the lovely Virginia countryside, where she is presently trying to makeover her newly empty nest into something that doesn’t have to accommodate piles of sports equipment falling out of her coat closet (okay, out of every closet...and under every bed....), size 13 cleats and sweaty uniforms cluttering her foyer (and stairwell, and laundry room, and...), and a kitchen that should have come with a traffic light. And a pantry monitor. (Anyone with a clever idea on how to repurpose lacrosse sticks into matching reading lamps, she’s all ears!) When she’s not stripping paint, varnishing an old auction house find, or trying to avoid bodily injury with her latest power tool purchase, she loves to hear from readers!
 

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Tuesday 1 December 2015

SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY: FORGED IN FIRE by LINDSAY MCKENNA


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Forged in Fire
Delos #3
By: Lindsay McKenna
Releasing December 3, 2015 
Blue Turtle Publishing
 
 
BLURB:
Pediatrician Dara McKinley loves her job. So how could she say no when her sister asks her to come to Kabul for a few weeks to offer medical assistance at a local orphanage? Terrified of the dangers surrounding her, Dara finds unexpected solace in the protective arms of Sergeant Matt Culver. Transfixed by the warrior with the exotic gold eyes, can Dara overcome her fears?

Matt, a Delta Force operator, has always listened to his instincts, and they have yet to steer him wrong. So when he sees the alluring blond belly dancer at Bagram’s annual holiday show, he knows without a doubt that she’s “the one.” Now he just has to convince her to take a chance on him…and love. If they survive…


Buy Links:  Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

EXCERPT:
You look stressed,” Matt said, seeing her try to hide it from him.
Oh, it’s me,” Dara admitted, giving him an apologetic look. “This is why I’m not cut out for charity work. Callie can handle the emotional end, but I find myself starting to unravel over the horrible suffering these children undergo, and they can never escape it.”        
How did you make it through medical school, then?” Matt wondered aloud.
It wasn’t easy,” Dara muttered, “believe me. I’m just the opposite of Callie, who is such a trouper.”
I like the fact that you wear your heart on your sleeve. It becomes you.” Matt held her gaze, feeling their connection deepen.
You’re really good at knowing people very quickly,” she pointed out wryly, wiping a bit of mayonnaise off the corner of her mouth. “Are you sure you didn’t miss your calling as a therapist? A psychiatrist?”
I’m not cut out to be one,” he grumbled, shaking his head, enjoying the tasty sandwich, which was far better than a protein bar. “This is just me as an operator, where you have to be able to read people instantly. It could save your life"
Maggie told me how you helped that little girl who was just delivered here a few days ago.”
Aliya?”
Yes.” She tilted her head, giving him a long, deep look. “You are so much more than what you appear to be, Matt.”
Uh-oh,” he teased unmercifully, “now I’m in real trouble.”
She laughed and shook her head. “It was a compliment. Relax.”
And it gets me what?” he asked, giving her a wicked look.
Well,” she murmured, “given what Callie and Maggie have told me, I think you deserve to be taken out for dinner. Tonight. On me. Interested?”
His mouth firmed. “I’m sort of used to paying for a lady’s meal.”
It’s not the Middle Ages, Matt. I think I can afford to buy you a meal.”
Okay, I’m an easy keeper. Sure, I’d like you to take me to dinner tonight, but I warn you, I’m more than ready for a two-pound T-bone steak.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Considering all the work you’re going to do this afternoon on that playground, you’ll probably want a three-pound T-bone by the time we get there.”
Matt loved the fire in her eyes. A moment ago, she’d been downcast and exhausted.. Now, with just a bit of teasing on his part, she’d rallied. He liked that about Dara. She could be like quicksilver, fluid, like that sensuous belly dancing she did. “I’ll be a gentleman about it and simply say, thank you. Offer accepted.”  
Good. I like a man who can compromise.”





 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lindsay McKenna lives her life as a risk taker, and it shines through the books she loves to write: romance, adventure and suspense. She started writing at age thirteen and continues to hone her writing skills to this day. She sold her first romance novel in 1981. The rest is history.
 
Because she went into the military, this experience became the backbone of her writing—she is credited with writing the first military romance novel (Captive of Fate, 1983, Silhouette Special Edition) and has created a thriving sub-genre within the romance field! As a New York Times Best Selling author, she has sold 23 million books and in 32 foreign languages in her career thus far. Her many experiences in the U.S. Navy are backdrop for her understanding of the military in general, and also her very successful Morgan’s Mercenaries, which is an ongoing series in Silhouette to this day! Forty-five books strong!
 
Lindsay has gone Indie in 2015 and has created a new family saga on par with Morgan’s Mercenaries It is known as the DELOS SERIES. There will be paperback and eBooks created under Blue Turtle Publishing, her company for her fans. Readers who love Morgan and his family are bound to fall in love with the Culver family. Delos is romantic suspense, which Lindsay is well known for. It took her five years to create and bring DELOS to her readers. It was worth the wait, but we’ll let you decide that.
 
Lindsay loves to hear from her readers and loves to know what they’d like to see her write next. Stay up with the latest on the Delos Series here. Please visit her Web site at www.lindsaymckenna.com. And be sure to sign up for her free quarterly newsletter. It contains exclusive content found nowhere else on the Net. Plus, giveaways and other surprises, to her loyal and faithful subscribers!
 
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