Wednesday, 18 May 2016

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: GOOD GIRL by LAUREN LAYNE

 
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By: Lauren Layne
Releasing May 17, 2016 
Loveswept
 
In Good Girl by Lauren Layne, when a rotten lying dirtbag ruins her good girl image via means of the media, country music superstar Jenny Dawson packs her bags and heads for Lousiana. She figures getting away from the spotlight instead of fighting back will help her situation, especially when she needs to get some songs written for her next album. But she never imagined that the caretaker of the property where she's staying could provide both the right amount of distraction and inspiration. Yet, she'll take all the help she can get.
Preston Noah Maxwell Walcott knows lying to Jenny about who he really is could backfire, but he does it anyway. If only to give himself the chance to forget about his troubles for a while, mainly his manipulative ex that thinks he'll come back to her. He shouldn't be considering getting involved with someone -- even if it is temporary -- but Jenny is hard to resist, especially when she continues to surprise him. How could he ever believe she was anything like his ex?
  
I always look forward to when Ms. Layne releases a new book, because she's an author that never fails to grab my attention from the very beginning and doesn't let go until I'm at the end. And of course, this book managed to do exactly the same just as I imagined it would. The opening chapter had me laughing, as Jenny has a major dilemma with what's called her burrito belly. But as soon as the horrible situation with the rotten dirtbag unfolds, dragging her good name through the mud, I couldn't help feel anything but sympathy. She didn't deserve what happened, and yet, it turned out to be a good thing both personally and professionally.   
 
The dialogue was entertaining, and I loved the verbal sparring between Jenny and Noah. She provides a challenge for the hero, and it doesn't help that he makes some wrong assumptions about her in his attempt to keep his distance. However, the dialogue is also intense due to the main characters back stories. Noah didn't have the easiest of times growing up, because he grew up in two different worlds. His mother didn't have a lot to offer, while his father had money. The saying 'money doesn't buy happiness' certainly rings true from Noah's point-of-view, as he struggles to decide what he wants out of life, and I liked what he finally decides. 
 
I enjoyed both the main characters, and Noah's best friends definitely charmed me with their antics. One he met when he lived with his mom, and the other when he lived with his dad, so they're complete opposites. But they really care about Noah and want what's best with him, even if they don't agree with some of the things he does throughout this story.
 
Jenny is strong, brave, tenacious and feisty. She goes through a lot in this story, and I liked how she handled the situation, even if I thought running away was the wrong decision at first and that the suggestion her friend, Amy, made was the way to go. However, in saying that, her time away gave her a chance to get her priorities straight. To give her a chance to realize what she wanted for her future. Did she want to keep following her dreams if she couldn't handle the ups and downs of being famous? Then there's the friendship she has with her dog. The little fluff ball sounds cute, and definitely is a good judge of character. 
 
While Noah, he's a total jerk in the beginning. Lying and making snap judgments about Jenny certainly proves how much of a jerk he is, and as the story progressed, I could understand why he wanted to steer clear of getting close to the heroine. However, she proved him wrong. She is nothing like his ex, and it goes to show that he shouldn't judge a book by it's cover and shouldn't rush to judgment. That she should be considered innocent until proven guilty by what the media is claiming she did. 
 
Overall, Ms. Layne has penned another really good novel where hot sex scenes heat up the story, and illustrate the strong chemistry between these two that is there from the moment they meet. Chemistry that just keeps building because of their constant bickering. The way this story ended was perfect, as Noah needed to find a way to make things up to Jenny after the fiasco that tore them apart. I would recommend Good Girl by Lauren Layne, if you enjoy a hero and heroine that need each other to help them realize what they want for their future. 
 
OVERALL RATING:
 
        
  
 
BLURB:
In this steamy novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Blurred Lines, country music’s favorite good girl hides away from the world—and finds herself bunking with a guy who makes her want to be a little bad.

 
Jenny Dawson moved to Nashville to write music, not get famous. But when her latest record goes double platinum, Jenny’s suddenly one of the town’s biggest stars—and the center of a tabloid scandal connecting her with a pop star she’s barely even met. With paparazzi tracking her every move, Jenny flees to a remote mansion in Louisiana to write her next album. The only hiccup is the unexpected presence of a brooding young caretaker named Noah, whose foul mouth and snap judgments lead to constant bickering—and serious heat.
 
Noah really should tell Jenny that he’s Preston Noah Maxwell Walcott, the owner of the estate where the feisty country singer has made her spoiled self at home. But the charade gives Noah a much-needed break from his own troubles, and before long, their verbal sparring is indistinguishable from foreplay. But as sizzling nights give way to quiet pillow talk, Noah begins to realize that Jenny’s almost as complicated as he is. To fit into each other’s lives, they’ll need the courage to face their problems together—before the outside world catches up to them.
 
Buy Links:      Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo
 
 
What time did you say this chick was arriving?” Finn asks around his cigarette.

“Tomorrow morning,” I say, rapping my toe against a funny-looking floorboard and wincing when it buckles.

“Huh.” Finn exhales and looks out the window.

I know that tone. “What?”

“Seems she might have gotten here early,” he says, a second before the quiet afternoon erupts with the sound of my dog losing his mind, mingled with the shrill piercing yap of a much smaller dog.

“Seriously?”

Finn shrugs and nods. “There’s a girl outside.”

“Shit,” I mutter as I head toward the stairs, dodging the two broken ones.

Ranger’s about as good a dog as they come, wouldn’t hurt a fly. But he’s a big dog with a big bark, and one serious weakness: gleefully humping smaller dogs. He’s a rescue, and though he was fixed after they brought him in, he’d already gone through canine puberty, or whatever. He’s still got the fierce urge to hump, although it’s more habit than hormones.

I exit out the front door just in time to see my big brown Lab leap forward, his clumsy paws finding the shoulders of a blond girl who lets out a shriek, holding a cat above her head like that scene from The Lion King.

“Ranger, no! Down.”

I run forward, my hand finding the collar of my dog and yanking him backward as I search the ground to find the source of the small-dog barks still piercing the air.

Then I register that the sound is coming from above, and realize . . .

The cotton ball isn’t a cat.

That orange piece of fluff is a dog, and Ranger is apparently in love.

“What the heck is wrong with your dog?” the girl says as she slowly lowers the puffball from over her head, cradling the hideous little monster against her chest as it continues its high-pitched bloody-murder yips.

“At least my dog is actually a dog,” I say, staring in horror at the pointy face of a canine that could fit in one of my hands. “I’ve seen dust bunnies bigger than that thing.”

“Dolly’s a Pomeranian,” she says, setting a hand on top of the monster’s head. “She’s supposed to be this tiny.”

“Well, Ranger’s a Lab. He’s supposed to be this normal.

“He attacked me,” she says, giving Ranger a wary look as his tongue hangs out the side of his mouth, his eyes locked lovingly on Dolly.


“He didn’t want you, he wanted the . . . dog,” I say, forcing myself to acknowledge that the creature in her hands might be part of the canine family.

“For what, dinner?”

I don’t respond, because now that the crisis is averted, I’ve managed to shift my attention from the dogs to the girl, and . . .

Holy shit.

I’m not sure I’ve ever been sucker-punched by equal waves of lust and disdain before.

Jenny Dawson is hot as hell.

I knew that going in, but up close she’s even more mouthwatering. Her white skirt is short and tight, her legs long and toned.

She’s wearing some billowing pink top, so I can’t get a good look at what’s happening there, but it doesn’t really matter. I’ve always been a legs man, and I can’t stop looking.

The legs are a 10.

The face is a 10.

And the long blond hair spilling over one shoulder definitely begs to be spread over a man’s pillow. My pillow.

And yet even as my cock says yes, my brain is saying hell no.

Gorgeous as she is, she screams diva from the pink toenails to the sky-high stiletto sandals and all the way up to the carefully made-up face.

I just turned my entire life upside down trying to get away from a woman exactly like this one, so this is definitely a look, don’t touch situation.

But I’m looking. I’m definitely looking.

 
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author of more than a dozen contemporary romance novels.

Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. A year after moving from Seattle to NYC to pursue a writing career, she had a fabulous agent and multiple New York publishing deals.

Lauren currently lives in Manhattan with her husband and plus-sized Pomeranian. When not writing, you'll likely find her running (rarely), reading (sometimes), or at happy hour (often).
 
 Author Links:  Website | Facebook Twitter | Goodreads



 
 
 
 

 
 
 

Tuesday, 10 May 2016

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: ONE NIGHT WITH THE CEO by MIA SOSA


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One Night with the CEO
Suits Undone #2
By: Mia Sosa
Releasing May 3, 2016 
Forever Yours
In One Night with the CEO (Suits Undone #2) by Mia Sosa, Karen Ramirez doesn't have time for romance, not when she'll soon be putting herself through medical school. Yet, the charming and gorgeous Mark Lansing seems like a good choice for one last fling, before she needs to buckle down and concentrate on her future. Besides, he might be the perfect guy to show her just what she's missing out on when it comes to great sex, if only she can keep herself from falling for him. 
 
The moment the gorgeous Karen Ramirez runs into him, Mark Lansing wants her. But he's hesitant to pursue her because she'll be his best friend's sister-in-law soon. How would he ever be able to face her, if things turned out badly between them, and they couldn't end up being friends? Still, it doesn't stop him from going after what he wants, and what he wants is Karen. If only what happens in Puerto Rico stays in Puerto Rico. Except that's impossible, especially when Karen is the only woman he can see himself having a future with.
 
I haven't read any of Ms. Sosa's books before, but after reading this second story in her Suits Undone series, I'll be reading more of her work. Right from start to finish, this book was engaging, fast-paced and drew me in with it's well-written dialogue and charming characters. I really liked how this book started with Karen hanging out with her sister and having a good time, then later finding herself having a very personal conversation with Mark. A conversation that comes to an abrupt end when he discovers just who she is and how young she is. No way could he pursue her after that discovery.
 
There were some light-hearted moments between Mark and Karen as well as the heroine and her relatives that made me smile or laugh. She's close with her family, and they're really proud of her. They also want her to be happy, and see that she is with Mark. Indeed, the heroine is smart, strong and brave. She goes into the relationship, knowing there's an expiration date on their romance, yet I felt sorry for her when things fell apart in their growing relationship. She didn't deserve the way Mark treated her. However, in saying that, I did like the confidence she gained through their being together. He made her feel cherished, an emotion she hadn't felt much of from men.
 
While Mark, he's kind, caring, hard-working and it was no wonder he didn't do relationships after the kind of marriage his parents had. His mother is a bit eccentric with the way she expects him to treat her. They have more of a relationship as acquaintances than as mother and son. It made me feel sorry for him, but at least he has a decent relationship with his dad.
 
Hot sex scenes heated up the story at the right moments throughout this book, and illustrated the intense chemistry these two had from the moment they met. Mark is looking to settle down while Karen doesn't believe she can because she needs to focus on her studies, and all the hero would be is a distraction. Yet, they're so right for each other.
 
Overall, this was a really good book that didn't fail to entertain me, and quite frankly a story I wanted more of. The way it ended was brilliant with Mark being there for the heroine when she needed him, and then Mark impressing Karen with his determination to win her back. Truly, his speech was perfect. I would recommend One Night with the CEO by Mia Sosa, if you enjoy a story where the couple try to keep their relationship casual but soon realize just how right they are for each other.
 
OVERALL RATING:
  
 
 
 
BLURB:
After some disappointing dates, Karen Ramirez has concluded that great sex is for other people. Especially since medical school won’t leave her much time for romance anyway. Then she runs into tall, dark, charming, and ridiculously wealthy Mark Lansing—and quickly reconsiders celibacy. Adding to temptation? Mark will be the best man at her sister’s wedding and the nuptial destination is sultry Puerto Rico. Now this trip might just be sensory overload—or the perfect chance for Karen to find the groove she’s never had.
For CEO Mark Lansing, his perfect match would be smart, sweet, and funny, with long legs and silky hair the color of dark chocolate. In short, someone a lot like Karen. But Mark’s looking to settle down, while a relationship is the last thing on Karen’s mind. So Mark proposes a plan: he and Karen will use their weekend in paradise to sizzling advantage—before downshifting to friendship. The only problem? Karen is all Mark can think of when he gets home. Now his most challenging negotiation will be for the one thing money can’t buy . . .
 
Buy Links:      Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo

 


 
Well, that had escalated quickly.

Mark’s mouth captured hers. She tasted salt and a hint of sweetness on his lips, a heady combination that made her moan in appreciation. She arched into him, wanting—no, needing— to feel his body against hers. He responded by snaking his hand under her hair and caressing her neck. Seconds later, he wrapped his other hand around her middle and stroked her back. Mark’s kiss promised a full-body experience, and she shivered in response to all the points of contact. Finally, he drew back, gulping in air. Oh, right. She needed to breathe. Funny how easily he made her forget a minor inconvenience like breathing.

She pressed her face against his chest and held on to the lapels of his suit jacket as she took in air. “What’s happening?”

He brushed his fingers against her hair. “I’m sorry for acting like an ass.”

She looked up at him then. “That’s your version of an apology?”

He stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. “No, that’s my version of being selfish. What I should have done was apologize for being a jerk to you. You didn’t deserve it.”

She nodded. “You’ll get no argument from me there.”

He stepped toward her and reached for her hands. “I wanted to kiss you, but I didn’t think it would be a smart move, so I took my frustration out on you.”

“And the kiss?”

He dropped her hands and shoved his own in his pockets. “The kiss is harder to explain.”

“Um, unless I’m missing something, the phenomenon is called attraction. Your pheromones and my pheromones are sending chemo-signals to each other. Totally normal.”

He gave her his trademark half smile. “Totally not a good idea, either.”

She didn’t disagree with him. Doing anything with Mark didn’t figure in her plans, no matter how much he’d nearly owned her with a single kiss. “Again, you’ll get no argument from me. Still, that kiss was pretty freaking hot.”

Mark closed his eyes and raised his head to the night sky. “Stop doing that. I’m relying on you to be the voice of reason in this situation.”

Ha. That was cute. But she’d oblige him anyway, because she needed to put the kiss in its proper place: a momentary lapse in judgment not to be repeated. If she didn’t, he’d consume her thoughts, and she couldn’t afford the distraction. “Mark, look around. We’re in Puerto Rico. You look hot. I look hot. It’s hot, period. And we’re standing in front of a garden. You hear that?”

“What?”

“The coquis.”

“What’s a coqui?”

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Only one of the most important cultural symbols of Puerto Rico.” When he stared at her blankly, she continued. “The tiny frogs, Mark. You must have seen them everywhere at the airport. T-shirts, mugs, hats, you name it. Listen.”

They faced each other in silence. “That’s their mating call,” she told him. “They’re practically begging us to lock lips. You can’t be faulted for wanting to kiss me under these circumstances.”

He bridged the distance between them. “What if I told you I’ve wanted to kiss you every single second I’ve been in your presence? Can you explain that?”

She gulped. “Well, that’s a little harder to explain.”

He pressed his hand against the back of her neck and pulled her flush against him. “And I’ve never wanted to stop at kissing. I want us to do more than that. A lot more.”
 
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mia Sosa is an award-winning writer and 2015 Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® Finalist. She writes contemporary romances that are funny, flirty, and a little dirty. Ahem. Her first book, Unbuttoning the CEO, was published by Grand Central Publishing in December 2015 and garnered a starred review from Library Journal, which called it “a sparkling romance debut.”

Although Mia once dreamed of being a professional singer, practical considerations (read: the need to generate income) led her to take the law school admissions test instead. She practiced First Amendment and media law in the nation's capital for ten years before returning to her creative roots. Now she spends most of her days writing love stories about smart women and the complicated men who love them. Okay, let's be real here: Mia wears PJs all day and watches more reality television than a network television censor--all in the name of research, of course. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters and will forever be on the hunt for the perfect karaoke bar.


Mia is represented by Sarah E. Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads



 
 

 

THE MISBEHAVED by JESSICA JAYNE RELEASE BLITZ includes REVIEW


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The Misbehaved
By: Jessica Jayne
Releasing May 10, 2016
Totally Bound
 
In The Misbehaved by Jessica Jayne, the only person in her family Natalea Jones has been able to rely on is herself. Her mother is a hopeless case that only turns to her when she's desperate for money. Really, if it wasn't for her best friend Drake Harte and his family, there's no telling where she would have ended up. Having been an unruly girl growing up, getting into trouble that she was lucky to get out of. Not wanting to lose her friendship with Drake, she hasn't acted on the strong feelings she has for him. But that's all about to change, because Drake wants her and he's not going to give up until he wins her heart.
 
The best friends to lovers trope is not one I read a lot of, but Ms. Jayne surprised me with this book. Right from the beginning, this story gripped my attention, as Natalea is very independent and certainly done well for herself. The heroine alone made me want to keep reading, because she hasn't had an easy life, but somehow she's managed to turn it all around. What has she gone through that has made her so close with Drake?    
 
Both characters were engaging, and I loved the close friendship they had. The way they tease and flirt with each other made me smile, and had me cheering along with the secondary characters that believe they belong together. However, the dialogue was also intense due to the main characters back stories, especially the heroine's, which brings a dash of suspense to the story. Her mother is trouble with a capital T, and yet, Natalea can't help but come to her rescue. Yet, I liked that she finally said enough was enough. She couldn't keep enabling her mother's addiction, even if it brought trouble to her door. Trouble that Natalea might not be able to get herself out of.
 
Natalea is strong, brave, independent, and I could understand why she didn't want to give into her feelings for Drake. Because if they didn't work as a couple, then it was possible that she could lose him forever, and she couldn't allow that to happen. However, I liked that she took a chance on Drake. She deserved happiness after everything she's been through, and Drake was the perfect choice, as no-one knew her better than he did. While Drake, he's confident, smooth, and would do anything for Natalea. His love for her comes through loud and clear in the dialogue, and I liked that he stood up to her mother to make the woman see that she could not keep doing what she kept doing to her daughter. It wasn't fair to Natalea, not when she's worked so hard for everything she has.
 
Scorching, fan-your-face sex scenes heated up the story, and prove how much Drake and Natalea love each other, even if the heroine couldn't admit it to herself when she first took a chance on taking their friendship to the next level. Yet, Drake is very convincing and will do anything to prove she's the one for him. That she's the only woman he'll ever want. 
 
Overall, Ms. Jayne has penned a wonderful best friends to lovers story with warm and inviting characters that have made me eager to read more of this author's work. The story was wrapped up nicely with Drake convincing Natalea about what he wants to happen next with their relationship. Who wouldn't say yes with what he was bribing her with? I would recommend The Misbehaved by Jessica Jayne, if you enjoy the best friends to lovers trope, or a story that combines a dash of suspense with a hot romance.
 
OVERALL RATING:
 
    

BLURB:
Natalea Jones has had a rough life. An absentee father. A gambling addicted mother, who seems to show up only when she needs something—preferably money. Natalea survives her childhood and teenage years because of her best friend, Drake Harte, and his family. Even though she’s been in love with Drake for years, she refuses to let her lust come in the way of their friendship. Life without Drake is not possible and sex would certainly complicate things.
 
Drake Harte is not only known as the most eligible bachelor and firefighter in Gamble Park, Florida, but he’s also known for sexing the ladies and leaving them. Only he knows the reason he can’t make a commitment to the women throwing themselves at him—he’s in love with his best friend. It’s time he either goes for it or moves on.
 
After Natalea and Drake share a night of passion, an unexpected event occurs that proves to both of them that life—and love—are too precious.


Buy Links:  Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Totally Bound
 
 
Or what? Was his firecracker of a best friend challenging him? He may have gotten off his twenty-four-hour shift at the firehouse mere minutes ago, but he was always ready to rumble with Natalea. Her honey-colored eyes gleamed with the familiar twinkle she had every single time they provoked each other. She loved it as much as he did.

 
Damn!

 
He loved everything about her. She was a whole lot wrapped up in a five-foot-three package. She was beautiful—beautiful in a way that wasn’t cover model, but real. Sweet. Caring. Honest. Strong. Stronger than anyone he knew. Her life hadn’t been easy.

 
He exhaled a laugh before dropping the towel and placing his hands on the bar top. Having spent as much time as he had in The Misbehaved, he knew exactly how much space he had to clear before he’d be on the ground on the other side. He pushed off with his feet on the stool rungs and slammed it to the ground with a bang as he propelled himself over. He landed with a thud on the black rubber floor mat. Heads swiveled in their direction.

 
Natalea yelped and dropped the towel. She spun on her heels and dashed to get away from him. He swung his arm around her waist and jerked her flush against him. The feel of her softness against the rigid planes of his body made a groan bubble up in his chest. He bit it off.

 
He hoisted her over his shoulder and wandered out onto the floor. Her lush breasts pressed against him and made his cock twitch to life in his jeans. Her legs flailed in the air, her black work boots thudding against his abdomen. She may have been small, but she was mighty. He’d give her that. As the thought entered his mind, her teeth sank into his lower back muscles through his T-shirt.

 
“Ow,” he cried, surprised by her bite. “Watch it, baby girl. You know better than to walk this tough-girl path with me. It never ends well for you.”

 
She grunted and groaned at his words. Several of the male patrons hooted and hollered.

 
“Nice legs,” one of the guys standing by the pool table shouted. A few whistles followed and Drake realized what the fuss was about. Her already scant jean shorts had ridden up her legs, exposing all of her thighs, maybe more. Despite the crowd being predominantly female, the few males made themselves quite vocal.

 
A wave of possessiveness flowed over him. He didn’t like that the guys were gawking at her ass poised in the air, and at her tan, muscular legs draped over his shoulder. Legs he’d fantasized about encircling his hips as he buried himself inside her. That fantasy had recurred on numerous occasions over the last decade.

 
Yes, he pined after his best friend. Had for years. Whenever she was around, he popped a perpetual boner. He also needed to protect her, which pretty much ruined any chance she had for a relationship with anyone else. No one—and he meant no one—was good enough for her.
 
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jessica Jayne is a born and raised small-town Ohio girl who moved to the Sunshine State after graduating from college. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English. What college major could possibly be better than one that makes you read novels and write about them! Now she is thrilled to be able to share all the hot stories floating around in her head.
Jessica loves to travel and travel often! She shares her love of travel with her husband and children. She’s a huge sports fan, especially football. She loves the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Ohio State Buckeyes! She’s a wine-making (and wine-tasting) aficionado. She loves all music. And nothing is better than sunset at the beach!
In the journey of life, she also married a wonderful man and had three beautiful (and sometimes crazy) children. Life is always an adventure!
Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads