REVIEW: NOT THROUGH LOVING YOU by PATRICIA PRESTON

Not Through Loving You

Love Heals All #3

By: Patricia Preston

Releasing June 20th, 2017

Lyrical Shine

 

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In Not Through Loving You (Love Heals All #3) by Patricia Preston, Lia Montgomery knew she had a half-sister, but never got to know her like a sister should. But when she learns about Candace's death and that her sister had recently delivered a baby, Lia is determined to do what's right by her nephew. However, she never imagined she'd fall for the man that's looking to adopt her sister's baby, and if she's not careful, her falling for pediatrician Aaron Kendall could lose her everything she's worked so hard for. Yet, when love is on the line, how can she possibly turn her back on Aaron?

What an engrossing, fast-paced, wonderful read Ms. Preston has penned in this story, encompassing the enemy to lovers trope with Aaron wanting to adopt the baby and Lia determined to make sure her half-sister's baby goes to a home she feels will give the baby the love it deserves. Is Aaron the right choice to Lia? What will happen if she believes he isn't? How far is the hero willing to go to prove he is the right person to adopt her nephew? The way this story started proved to be a bit of an eye-opener, as Aaron's family go a tad wild with the bachelor party his father is hosting. However, it was from the moment that Lia and Aaron met that had me flipping the pages quickly, determined to know how Lia would react to the situation, because what's going on at the bachelor party is something Lia believes is unsuitable for someone wanting to adopt a baby.

As for the dialogue, I was hooked by both the main characters back stories, as what Lia is doing by making sure her nephew has a good future could lose her everything she's work hard for. Since she's living a lie; a lie that she knows she can no longer keep secret, and yet, if it comes to light she's afraid it could break the bond she shares with her father. Although, at times, it seemed the man cared more about her career than her as a person. However, I'm glad that her father proved me wrong in a critical moment where Lia needed him more than ever. Even if his advice wasn't something she could consider paying attention to because she'd fallen in love with her nephew.

While the hero, I absolutely loved him. Lia coming into his life and disrupting it isn't going to stop him from adopting the baby, no matter how much of a fuss she puts up and I liked that he proved her assumptions about him wrong. He is the best choice for the baby, not only because he's a doctor and has been there for the little one since the moment he was born, but because he's kind and caring and would do whatever it takes to make sure the baby is well cared for and happy. Certainly, he goes to desperate lengths to prove to Lia he can be a good father to the baby, which is proven by the fact that he listens to his brother's advice for winning the heroine over.

Overall, Ms. Preston has delivered a marvelous enemy to lovers story in this book where Aaron and Lia have plenty of chemistry and where the story weaved the promise of love, family and happiness for the main characters, if they can overcome the challenges they face. Can Aaron understand why Lia has to expose the lie she's been living alone to those it'll have an effect on such as her father, so they can have a shot at happy ever after? Will Lia respect the ultimatum the hero gives her, or will she fight for their love? The way this story ended was delightful, as it illustrates love is worth fighting for. And besides, what a better way for the heroine to win Aaron back than to use her musical talent. Since, of course, her song was a beautiful array of words that reveal just how much the title of this story plays for the ending. I would recommend Not Through Loving You by Patricia Preston, if you enjoy the enemy to lovers trope, a story where the secondary characters will definitely tempt a reader to check out the previous books of this series as well as future books of it, or if you enjoy books by authors Tracy Brogan, Lisa Mondello or Victoria Pinder.

 

 

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In the Southern town of Lafayette Falls, a new life brings together a woman with everything to lose and a doctor with everything to prove.

When a sickly infant is surrendered at the Lafayette Falls Medical Center, and orphaned soon after, pediatrician Aaron Kendall arranges to adopt him. After a painful divorce, the busy baby doc is about to realize his own dream of becoming a father when the baby’s beautiful estranged aunt turns up. She doesn't exactly approve of the Kendall bachelor pad complete with Aaron's cranky dad and wacky brother, forcing Aaron to form a risky alliance with her.

Country singer-songwriter Lia Montgomery barely knew her half-sister, but she's determined her tiny nephew goes to a good home. If only she fit the bill herself, but her stressful life on the road is no place for a baby. Yet despite her misgivings, as she gets to know Aaron, she realizes the smart and sexy doctor is everything a child could want in a dad and more unsettling, everything she's ever hoped for in a man. After all she's put him through, is it too late to form a family and maybe put a song in the good doctor's heart?

 

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SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY: TEMPTING TESSA by SAMANTHA LIND

 

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Tempting Tessa

By: Samantha Lind

Releasing May 4, 2017
Self-Published

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BLURB

After losing her high school sweetheart to an accident at work, Tessa doesn’t know how to move on in life even though life is moving on all around her. She’s caught up in trying to figure out how to survive without her husband, raise their son and keep his memory alive. When things literally start falling apart all around her, will she be able to accept the help being offered and love again?

Jake has pulled his life back together after living through hell while being injured in the Army. It takes him years to recover and he’s still dealing with the emotional pain. When Tessa enters his life, and turns it upside down, can he tempt her to fall in love with him and find her new forever?

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I walk back into my bedroom and realize she can’t get the zipper open on her dress. My dick twitches in my pants at the thought of taking that dress off her body. I slowly walk toward her, never taking my eyes off hers. It only takes me a few strides to reach her, and she turns so her back is against my front. I slowly trace my finger along her shoulder blade and down her spine until I grasp the zipper and slowly pull it down. I have to stop myself from helping the dress from falling from her hot as fuck body. Just as I’m about to step back and leave the room, she looks me in the eyes again from over her shoulder.

“Please don’t go.” She says on a whisper

That is the opening I needed, I spin her around so she is facing me. The motion makes her dress fall down to the floor and she’s standing before me in a skimpy black lacy bra and matching panty set that makes my mouth water. She is so fucking beautiful.

“You are so fucking beautiful,” I growl out to her.

I cup her face again and bring my lips to hers. She lifts up on her toes to deepen the kiss and I swipe my tongue across her lips looking for access to her mouth. She opens for me and I deepen the kiss and take complete control. I lift her up and she wraps her legs around my waist. I can feel her heat and arousal through her wet panties and fuck, that’s hot and makes my cock hard as steel. I could devour this woman all night and never tire from it.

I gently lay her down on my bed, her legs still wrapped around me and grind myself into her. This makes a deep moan escape from her. I can feel the moan form deep within her. I move my lips to kiss along her jawline and down her neck. From the moans leaving her, I am going to guess she likes what I’m doing and keep working my way down to her collarbone. I then kiss my way back up to behind her ear and graze my teeth across her earlobe. I whisper in her ear, “Is all this ok, do I need to stop?”

“Don’t stop,” she says between moans. “Don’t you fucking stop.”

Roger that! I continue to kiss my way down her neck and across the tops of her full breasts. They have been on display tonight and I’ve been dreaming of when I could get my hands and lips on them. I quickly locate the clasp of her bra and flick it open and drop it to the floor. I kiss my way down one breast, sucking her nipple into my mouth and use my hand on her other one rolling her nipple between my fingers. This extracts a few louder moans from her and has her arching her back to thrust her breast into me even more. I release her nipple with a pop and look up at her. The look of desire on her face tells me everything I need to know.

“You have too many clothes on,” she says to me pulling at my shirt.

I reach behind my head and grab my shirt and rip it over my head. Her hands run down from my shoulders to my abs, tracing a few of my tattoos along the way. She also traces over one of my scars from one of my many surgeries. “Does that hurt when I touch your scars?” she asks tenderly.

“No, they haven’t hurt me in years. The only scars that I get pain in sometimes are on my leg along my stump.”

I lean down and capture her lips again with mine while I explore her body with my hands. I lift her higher up on the bed and then kiss my way back down her body. I love the feeling of her muscles twitching beneath my fingertips and lips. I am sure my few days’ worth of stubble is adding another layer of stimulation. Once I reach the top of her panties, I hook my fingers in the sides of them and slowly pull them down off her hips and down her toned sexy legs. I toss them behind me once I have them off of her. I can see her arousal glistening and can’t help but need to taste her.

As I lean down, I kiss her inner thighs first on her left leg and then the right working my way toward her center. I flick out my tongue and swipe her slit. “Fuck you taste fucking amazing,” I moan into her pussy before sucking her clit into my mouth. I slip my hand around and run my finger along her opening and then press one finger in. Her body immediately pulses around my finger and the moans and encouragement coming from her spur me on. I add a second finger and rotate them until I find that perfect spot that has her lifting off the bed. It only takes a few more seconds before she’s coming all over me. I can’t get enough of her. I slowly kiss my way back up her body allowing her time to come down from her orgasm.

"Holy shit, that was hot baby,” I whisper to her.

“I need you inside me right now,” she pants back to me.

I stand needing to drop my jeans and remove my prosthetic as well as grab a condom from my nightstand. Sex with my prosthetic on is uncomfortable. It just gets in my way. I have never been insecure about people seeing either my prosthetic or my leg without it on. It is just a part of who I am. I look down at her; beautiful, open, and ready for me. I give a couple tugs to my cock before sliding the condom down into place. I crawl back up her body sucking a nipple into my mouth as I make my way back up to take her lips in mine. I drag my cock along her wet slit and along her clit, dragging moans out of her as I do. I break the kiss to pull back and look in her eyes.

“Are you sure you’re ready?” I ask. I would hate for her to regret this in the morning

“I am sure, please get inside me now.” She moans back to me, doing her best to press me into her with her legs that are wrapped back around my waist.

“Yes ma’am,” I tell her as I gently slip the tip of my cock into her warm folds. I stop for a few seconds to let her adjust and then thrust the rest of the way inside her. Holy fuck, she is perfect. So fucking tight. It’s almost like her body was created to fit mine. I’m not going to last long at this rate. I find our rhythm and within a few minutes we are both on the brink of orgasm. I reach down between us and flick her clit and she explodes around me. I follow her over the edge and have the best orgasm I have ever had in my life. I kiss her and then roll so I’m not crushing her and pull her so she is beside me with her head on my chest. I wrap my arms around her and just melt into the bed.

I need to take care of the condom, so I slip out of bed and into the bathroom. I come back out with a warm washcloth to help clean her up and then climb back in and pull her into my arms.

“That was amazing baby,” I say into her hair.

“Best birthday present ever,” she sighs back to me.
 

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Samantha Lind is a contemporary romance author. Having spent the first 27 years of her life in Alaska, she now calls Iowa home where she lives with her husband and two sons. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, watching hockey, and listening to country music.  She can be contacted via Email or found on Facebook.

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REVIEW: FORBIDDEN PROMISES by KATEE ROBERT

 

Forbidden Promises

The O'Malleys #4

By: Katee Robert

Releasing May 30th, 2017

Forever

 

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In Forbidden Promises (The O'Malleys #4) by Katee Robert, there's only one thing on Jude MacNamara's mind and that is revenge. He doesn't have time for his new neighbor, Sloan O'Malley; a woman with innocence written all over her, even though she's from a powerful mob family. However, Jude can't seem to stay away from her, which could prove dangerous. Will he be able to keep her safe, so they can achieve their happy ever after; or will there be consequences to being together?

I've only read one other book by Ms. Robert before and it wasn't from this series, so I was glad this story could be read as a stand-alone, even though it would have been nice to read the previous books encompassing the heroine's siblings. However, in saying that, the way this story started had me sympathizing with the heroine due to the dilemma Sloan is facing with what she's going to do with her life now that she's finally free of her family's hold over her, and I liked how she's moving forward to take care of herself. Will she thrive in the small town she's found herself in?

As for the dialogue, it was riveting and intense due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the hero. He wants revenge for what happened to his entire family, and he'll stop at nothing to get it. Can Sloan convince Jude that revenge is no longer the right solution to what happened to his family? That if he continues on the path he is on, his revenge could have consequences, especially with the knowledge she has about who he's targeting. However, there was also another side to the dialogue I enjoyed and that was the hero and his dirty talk. It's hot, sinful and certainly ups the sexual tension between this couple until their intense chemistry spills over onto the pages in sizzling sex scenes that illustrated Sloan needed a man like Jude to show her just how good physical intimacy can be.

Sloan was a wonderful heroine and I could understand why she needed to escape her family, because she doesn't want to be used as a pawn to cement the family's power. Moreover, Sloan is resilient and courageous and I liked all she's done to get to where she is in her life; a life she'll actually be able to enjoy without having to worry what her family will expect of her. Even if she does miss them and may have to worry that someone may discover her whereabouts someday. While Jude, he was an intriguing hero that  I thought definitely deserved his vengeance for what happened to his family. I also loved how protective he was of the heroine once he discovered who she was and that he wouldn't give in to the demands of someone trying to use him to suit their own agenda.

Overall, this was a really good read encompassing the forbidden romance trope, secondary characters that have me wanting to read the previous books and the next in this series and an ending that had me wanting to know what Sloan's family would do once they discovered who she was involved with. Would they let her go for good? Would they try to keep her away from Jude? Would Jude be able to keep Sloan safe, especially with what's going on with her? I would recommend Forbidden Promises by Katee Robert, if you enjoy the forbidden relationship trope, the sexy protector trope or books by authors Samanthe Beck, Lauren Blakely or Kaylea Cross.

 

 

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Some lines should never be crossed . . . not even for love.

Sloan O'Malley just left her entire world behind-her family, her wealth, and even her real name. For the first time in her life, she's free. She can live the "normal" life she's always wanted. A life without fear. But there's nothing safe about her intensely sexy next-door neighbor.

 

Jude MacNamara has no room for innocence in his life. Only revenge. Still, he's never been able to walk away from the forbidden, and Sloan-who is every inch of pure, mouthwatering temptation-has forbidden written all over her. Only after it's way too late does he discover the real danger: claiming Sloan as his puts a target on her back. To protect her, Jude is willing risk everything . . . and to hell with the consequences.

 

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PRE-RELEASE BLITZ: I KNEW YOU WERE TROUBLE by LAUREN LAYNE

Win an Audio CD book set of Irresistibly Yours (Book #1),

I Wish You Were Mine (Book #2); and

Someone Like You (Book #3) of Lauren Layne's Oxford series.

 

 

I Knew You Were Trouble
Oxford #4

By: Lauren Layne

Releasing June 13, 2017
Loveswept

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New York City’s hottest bachelors are stirring up trouble in this fun, flirty Oxford Novel, as a love triangle forces a feisty beauty to choose between winning back Mr. Right or giving in to Mr. Wrong.

Taylor Carr has it all—a sleek job in advertising, a stunning Manhattan apartment, and the perfect man to share it with: Bradley Calloway. Even after Bradley dumps her for a co-worker on move-in day, Taylor isn’t worried. She’ll get her man eventually. In the meantime, she needs a new roommate. Enter Nick Ballantine, career bartender, freelance writer—and longtime pain in Taylor’s ass. Sexy in a permanent five-o’clock-shadow kind of way, Nick knows how to push Taylor’s buttons, as if he could see right through to the real her.
 

Nick’s always trying to fix people, and nobody could use a good fixing more than Taylor. Sure, she’s gorgeous, with mesmerizing silver eyes, but it’s her vulnerability that kills him. Now that they’re shacking up together, the chemistry is out of control. Soon they’re putting every part of their two-bedroom apartment to good use. Then Taylor’s ex comes crawling back to her, and Nick figures she’ll jump at the chance to go back to her old life—unless he fights for the best thing that ever happened to him.

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Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen romantic comedies.

A former e-commerce and web marketing manager from Seattle, Lauren relocated to New York City in 2011 to pursue a full-time writing career.

She lives in midtown Manhattan with her high-school sweetheart, where she writes smart romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush. In LL's ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books. 

 

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REVIEW: TOUGHEST COWBOY IN TEXAS by CAROLYN BROWN

Toughest Cowboy in Texas

Happy, Texas #1

By: Carolyn Brown

Releasing May 30th, 2017

Forever

 

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In Toughest Cowboy in Texas (Happy, Texas #1) by Carolyn Brown, Lila Harris and Brody Dawson were once very close, but he let her down and she moved away. Now years later, she's back in town for as long as it takes to sell her mom's café and the chemistry still sizzles as hot between them as it did back in high school. Will Brody be able to convince Lila to give him a second chance?

I've had a few of my book friends recommend this author's books to me, so what better way to be introduced to Ms. Brown's writing than with the first book of a new series for her. From start to finish, this story was entertaining and I really liked the way it started. Brody never thought he'd see Lila again, but he's happy she's in town because he's really missed her. Seriously, I could feel every emotion along with the characters, and it's palpable the hero hasn't forgotten her. However, it's also palpable that Lila is wary of Brody in the beginning. He hurt her badly in the past and her sassiness towards him in the moment they come face-to-face for the first time in the story is a defense mechanism; a way for her to keep her distance until she can decide whether she can trust him again.

Both the main characters were completely captivating, and I loved how Brody wins Lila over, even though she's reluctant to give in to being with him because she's not going to stick around Happy. Lila is strong, brave and I liked how determined she is to confront the past and prove that she's no longer the wild child she was branded as in the past. Even though she may seem reckless to some because of her mode of transport and some things she does that if she's caught could get her in trouble. Moreover, I liked that Lila fights for her chance with Brody and isn't intimidated by his mom and grandma; two women that would rather not see Brody with Lila. While Brody, I liked how tight he and his family are and how they support each other, especially since his sister lost the love of her life and she has three kids to care for. I also liked that he wasn't willing to give up on getting a second chance with Lila, because they're a couple that are meant to be, and they shouldn't let anything stop them from being together. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this story where there was plenty of chemistry between the main characters that had me hooked to discover how things would turn out for these two. Would they get their second chance? Would Lila move back to Happy or would Brody go to wherever Lila ended up? The way this story ended was delightful, as Lila makes a decision that's right for her and I'm glad that she made the decision she did. No way would she have been happy if she hadn't made such a decision. I would recommend Toughest Cowboy in Texas by Carolyn Brown, if you enjoy the second chance romance trope or books buy authors Kari Lynn Dell, Jennifer Ryan, Lori Wilde or Kate Pearce.

  

BLURB

The Spark of an Old Flame

Last time Lila Harris was in Happy, Texas, she was actively earning her reputation as the resident wild child. Now, a little older and wiser, she's back to run her mother's café for the summer. Except something about this town has her itching to get a little reckless and rowdy, especially when she sees her old partner-in-crime, Brody Dawson. Their The Spark of an Old Flame
 

Last time Lila Harris was in Happy, Texas, she was actively earning her reputation as the resident wild child. Now, a little older and wiser, she's back to run her mother's café for the summer. Except something about this town has her itching to get a little reckless and rowdy, especially when she sees her old partner-in-crime, Brody Dawson. Their chemistry is just as hot as ever. But he's still the town's golden boy-and she's still the wrong kind of girl.

Brody hasn't had much time lately for anything other than ranching. Running the biggest spread in the county and taking care of his family more than keeps him busy. All that responsibility has him longing for the carefree days of high school-and Lila. She may have grown up, but he still sees that spark of mischief in her eyes. Now he's dreaming about late-night skinny dipping and wondering how he can possibly resist the one woman he can never forget...

 

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REVIEW: AFTER ALL by ERIN NICHOLAS

After All

Sapphire Falls: After Hours #1

By: Erin Nicholas

Releasing May 2nd, 2017

EN Fiction, Inc

 

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In After All (Sapphire Falls: After Hours #1) by Erin Nicholas, Peyton Wells has strong feelings for Scott Hansen. But what he's asking for, she doesn't believe she can give him, because she doesn't do relationships. Yet, when Scott is injured on the job, Peyton is determined to help nurse him back to full health. However, the more time she spends in close quarters with Scott, the more she finds herself wanting what he wants - a relationship. Will Peyton give Scott a chance to prove happy ever after isn't a bad thing?

What a fantastic read Ms. Nicholas has penned in this story, which pulled me in from the very beginning and had me hooked until the very end. Seriously, I read this book in one sitting and loved every minute of it, despite it taking me a while to warm up to the heroine. However, once her back story started to come to light, she totally won me over. Since I could understand why she is the way she is in terms of not wanting a relationship, because she doesn't want any relationship she's in to be one like her parents have.  

The way this story started had me liking Scott immediately, as the moment reveals how close he and his friends are and how they're not afraid to tell him things they know he's not going to like. How will Scott react? Will desperate times call for desperate measures? What will he do when he confronts Peyton after hearing what his friends have told him? His reaction was quite amusing in the moment where the hero and heroine first come face-to-face in this story, and the dialogue at various times had me smiling or laughing too. The whole sex-no-strings-attached attitude from Peyton versus Scott's need for a relationship makes for interesting reading, as Peyton is determined to succeed until she realizes what she really wants. That being in a relationship with Scott wouldn't be so bad, because they already have a friendship that is as tight, if not tighter than some relationships. He's always there for her, and she's willing to do the same, which is proven when they end up role reversing with Scott determined to seduce and Peyton showing the hero that she's ready for a relationship.

Both the main characters charmed me with their back stories and the decisions they have to make. Peyton is sassy, a challenge for Scott, loves small town life and loves to make everyone around her happy. So much so that I liked how it ends up helping her realize what she wants to do in terms of expanding on her career by combining two things she really likes. While Scott, he's kind, caring, protective and I liked how he's always there for Peyton, because she's never had someone be there for her like he is.

Overall, Ms. Nicholas has penned a wonderful read in this story where the chemistry was off-the-charts and spilled over onto the pages in scorching sex scenes that will no doubt leave female readers thinking Peyton is one lucky woman to have the attention of such a delectable hero in Scott. The way this story ended had me smiling, because of the surprise Peyton has for Scott. She is so creative. I would recommend After All by Erin Nicholas, if you enjoy the friends to lovers trope or books authors Melanie Shawn, Samantha Chase, Kylie Gilmore or Jennifer Bernard.

  
 

BLURB

Big, hot Sapphire Falls cop Scott Hansen, the source of Peyton Wells’ dirtiest daydreams, has only one fault in her opinion…he’s crazy about her.

She’ll do absolutely anything Scott asks if he obeys three simple rules: they’re both naked; there are lots of hands and lips involved; and they absolutely do not call it a relationship. The R word gives her hives. Why can’t the guy just be happy with no-strings sex?

But, when Scott’s injured on the job, Peyton can’t stand the idea of anyone but her playing nurse—and Scott sees the perfect opportunity to show her that a relationship with him can be the best time she’s ever had.

But things with Peyton are never easy. After all, he doesn’t call her Trouble for nothing…

 

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