Monday 31 August 2015

SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY: DELAYED PENALTY by SOPHIA HENRY


 

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Delayed Penalty
Pilots Hockey # 1
By: Sophia Henry
Releasing September 1, 2015 
Loveswept
 

 
BLURB:
She closed her heart long ago. He just wants to open her mind. For fans of Toni Aleo and Sawyer Bennett, the debut of Sophia Henry’s red-hot Detroit Pilots series introduces a hockey team full of complicated men who fight for love.
 
Auden Berezin is used to losing people: her father, her mother, her first love. Now, just when she believes those childhood wounds are finally healing, she loses something else: the soccer scholarship that was her ticket to college. Scrambling to earn tuition money, she’s relieved to find a gig translating for a Russian minor-league hockey player—until she realizes that he’s the same dangerously sexy jerk who propositioned her at the bar the night before.
 
Equal parts muscle and scar tissue, Aleksandr Varenkov knows about trauma. Maybe that’s what draws him to Auden. He also lost his family too young, and he channeled the pain into his passions: first hockey, then vodka and women. But all that seems to just melt away the instant he kisses Auden and feels a jolt of desire as sudden and surprising as a hard check on the ice.
 
After everything she’s been through, Auden can’t bring herself to trust any man, let alone a hot-headed puck jockey with a bad reputation. Aleksandr just hopes she’ll give him a chance—long enough to prove he’s finally met the one who makes him want to change.
 
 
Buy Links:   Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo
 
 
EXCERPT:
 
“Aleksandr, this is Auden Berezin. She will be your translator.”
“I don’t need a translator.”
I almost laughed, because he’d said he didn’t need a translator in Russian.
“You must talk with the media at some point, Sasha. They’re riding my ass to get better answers from you than ‘was good game.’ ”
Aleksandr Varenkov, hot Russian hockey god, laughed, showing the perfect set of white teeth I’d noticed at the bar.
“You have your teeth in, but you haven’t even showered yet?” Orlenko asked.
Was Orlenko a mind reader? I sure hope not, because I would be fired for thinking about my client naked.
“I wanted to look good for pictures.” Aleksandr winked at me. Then he stood, and drops of sweat raced down the hard planes of his chest.
I’d never been so envious of perspiration in my life.
“Sometimes I talk in the shower. Will she translate for me in there?”
My cheeks began to burn, so I averted my eyes, lowering them to the black Cyrillic script tattooed down his sides, then thought better of that line of sight and studied the soiled beige carpet below my feet.
“Aleks—” Orlenko sighed, rubbing his forehead.
“Zhenya,” Aleksandr began. “You know I’m kidding, yes?” He shoved a towel onto the shelf above his nameplate and walked away without waiting for an answer.
“Yes,” Orlenko hissed. He’d said it under his breath, but I heard him and wondered what my grandpa had gotten me into. “Well, that was Aleksandr Varenkov, your client. He’s a talented player and a good man. But he can be a little—”
“Douchey?” I offered in English. I shouldn’t have said it, considering Grandpa’s professional reputation was in my hands. Then again, Evgeny Orlenko was Grandpa’s friend first, so maybe he wouldn’t be too hard on me. Besides, Grandpa knew what kind of mouth I had, and he’d sent me for the job anyway.
Orlenko laughed, and continued in Russian. “Wild was the word I was looking for, but your adjective may not be that far off.”
“I’ve got it, Mr. Orlenko.”
“Are you sure?” He inspected me through thick black-rimmed glasses that were too small for his puffy face.
“As a college student with an active social life, I’ve learned how to handle arrogant douche bags.” This time I was being paid to handle one.
“I shouldn’t be having this conversation about one of my clients,” Mr. Orlenko said, his lips quirking up, then back into a tight line. At least he was trying to keep a straight face. “You’re like a breath of fresh air, Audushka. I hope you stay that way even with his off-ice antics.”
Off-ice antics? What the hell did that mean and why would I have to deal with them? “Will I have to hang out with him outside of the arena? I thought I was here to translate for media interviews after games and some practices.”
“Aleksandr speaks very little English. He’ll need your assistance in all aspects of his career; interviews, community service. At least, until he gets acclimated. Vitya said you were here for the month, is that correct?”
“Yep. All of winter break.”
 
 

AUTHOR INFO:
 
Sophia Henry, a proud Detroit native, fell in love with reading, writing, and hockey all before she became a teenager. She did not, however, fall in love with snow. So after graduating with an English degree from Central Michigan University, she moved to North Carolina, where she spends her time writing books featuring hockey-playing heroes, chasing her two high-energy sons, watching her beloved Detroit Red Wings, and rocking out at concerts with her husband.
 
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

REVIEW: DELAYED PENALTY by SOPHIA HENRY

 
 
Buy Links:   Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo
 
In Delayed Penalty (Pilots Hockey #1) by Sophia Henry, Auden Bezerin hasn't had the best of times growing up. She's lost those most important to her, and now maybe her chance to go to college after losing her soccer scholarship. Needing a job to pay her tuition, she thinks translating for a Russian hockey player will be easy. Until she discovers he's the deliciously sexy man that shamelessly flirted with her at the bar the previous night.

There's something about Auden that has Aleksandr determined to get to know her better. Maybe it's the emotional scars she does her best to hide, and yet somehow he sees right through them. It's hard not to, especially when he has his own after losing his family too young. Hockey, vodka and women helped him to deal with his grief. Can he find some way to finally help her conquer hers once and for all?
 
I loved the opening chapter. It certainly sets the steady-pace of the plot, and introduces the main characters really well. I thought the pick-up line used was quite cheesy, yet I couldn't help but laugh. The dialogue provided both amusement and sadness. I really enjoyed their playful banter. Some of Aleksandr's lines, I couldn't help but shake my head at though. Do men really say those sorts of ridiculous lines, and expect women to actually fall for it? It probably does work when it's said with an accent like I imagined Aleksandr had. While their back stories provided the emotional side of the dialogue.
 
I really liked both characters. Neither are afraid to speak their minds to the other, and that's what I liked so much about them. But that wasn't the only thing. Both have suffered tough times through their lives, and yet, have somehow managed to keep moving forward. Taking things day by day. While with the sex scenes, they were hot, passionate, and illustrated their strong chemistry pretty well. Aleksandr shows Auden what love should be like. Unconditional.
 
Overall, this was a good start to this series, and I can't wait for the next one. I would recommend it to fans of New Adult Romance, and hot Russian hockey players.

OVERALL RATING:




BOOK INFO:

Publication Date: September 1, 2015 / Loveswept / Pilots Hockey #1
 
She closed her heart long ago. He just wants to open her mind. For fans of Toni Aleo and Sawyer Bennett, the debut of Sophia Henry’s red-hot Detroit Pilots series introduces a hockey team full of complicated men who fight for love.
 
Auden Berezin is used to losing people: her father, her mother, her first love. Now, just when she believes those childhood wounds are finally healing, she loses something else: the soccer scholarship that was her ticket to college. Scrambling to earn tuition money, she’s relieved to find a gig translating for a Russian minor-league hockey player—until she realizes that he’s the same dangerously sexy jerk who propositioned her at the bar the night before.
 
Equal parts muscle and scar tissue, Aleksandr Varenkov knows about trauma. Maybe that’s what draws him to Auden. He also lost his family too young, and he channeled the pain into his passions: first hockey, then vodka and women. But all that seems to just melt away the instant he kisses Auden and feels a jolt of desire as sudden and surprising as a hard check on the ice.
 
After everything she’s been through, Auden can’t bring herself to trust any man, let alone a hot-headed puck jockey with a bad reputation. Aleksandr just hopes she’ll give him a chance—long enough to prove he’s finally met the one who makes him want to change.
 
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
 
 
 

 


Saturday 29 August 2015

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: TREASURED BY THURSDAY by CATHERINE BYBEE

 
Enter Rafflecopter Giveaway to Win $100 Amazon Gift Card, a print box set of
Weekday Brides books and (1 of 2) $20 Amazon Gift Cards
 

TREASURED BY THURSDAY
The Weekday Brides Series, Book Seven
Montlake Romance, Contemporary
August 18, 2015, First Edition
Paperback & Kindle

Determined not to let her past mistakes influence her future, Gabriella ‘Gabi’ Masini is working for Alliance, an elite matchmaking firm that arranges marriages for wealthy clients. When asked to investigate a new client, Gabi accepts the job, unaware that her new client will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
 
Hunter Blackwell isn’t used to anyone telling him no, so it’s a blow to his ego when Gabi denies his request to become a client of Alliance. Forced to retreat so he can find her one weakness, he soon learns the truth about her past and uses it against her.
 
As with all the books of this author’s weekday bride series, the plot was extremely entertaining, and drew me in immediately. As Hunter is a new character to the series, and a complete mystery I wanted to learn more about as quickly as possible. I loved the confident and commanding presence Hunter had, especially in the opening lines of this book. I could easily imagine that scene unfolding before my very eyes, just as I could with the rest of this book.
With the dialogue, I loved Gabi’s humor. Her one liners were totally amusing, and I couldn’t wait for the moments where she was bantering with Hunter. In fact, I wanted to skip ahead of the story, just to read what she had to say next to him. It was impossible not to. However, I didn’t because I was intrigued by Hunter’s back story. There were so many questions I wanted answered. The most important being -- what made him the ruthless businessman he is? 
 
I absolutely loved both characters. They’re very charismatic, and make a wonderful couple. The chemistry between them was intense from the moment they met, and spills onto the pages perfectly with some great sex scenes. Their intimacy was hot, full of passion and could very easily have a reader fanning themselves from the heat level. What I liked so much about Gabi was her strength and how she managed to bounce back from the mistakes of her past to move forward with her life. She actually seemed happy most of the time and that I didn’t expect. Instead, I thought she’d be a lot more guarded. Yet, being with Hunter was good for her. While with Hunter, I loved that he could admit when he was wrong. Because I imagine him admitting such a thing, doesn’t happen all that often.
Overall, this was an incredible read and an excellent way to end the series. I’d definitely recommend to all romance readers looking for a good contemporary romance that has a little bit of suspense added to it. Moreover, I wouldn’t recommend just this one of the series, I’d recommend them all. Starting with Wife by Wednesday, followed by Married by Monday, Fiance by Friday, Single by Saturday, Taken by Tuesday, Seduced by Sunday, and then this book. 
OVERALL RATING:  
  
BLURB:
The seventh and final tale in the dazzling, heartwarming, and pulse-racing Weekday Brides series.

Gabriella Masini: She’s a woman haunted by her past, with the scars to prove it. She believes that fairy tales are for other people. An elite matchmaker at Alliance, she’s great at crunching numbers, but something doesn’t add up with her latest prospective client: a billionaire bad boy with his own secrets. When Gabi refuses to be his temporary wife, Hunter forces her hand with an offer she can’t refuse. But marriage to a man like that could never last…or could it?

Hunter Blackwell: Only his bank account is bigger than his ruthless ability to obtain anything he wants. These days, he has a secret reason to settle down, at least for a while—and he thinks the sensual and sassy Gabi will fit the bill perfectly. But when their marriage of convenience becomes downright dangerous, Hunter must decide how far to take his vow to honor and protect Gabi forever.
 
BUY LINKS: AMAZON / B&N / BAM / BOOK DEPO
 
EXCERPT:
“I think we should talk about what’s going on here.”
She swallowed. "We're cooking."
“Gabi, look at me.”
She shook her head, taking the coward’s way out. If she noticed the lock of hair falling into his eyes a second time, she might have to push it back in place.
“Gabriella?” The smooth texture of his voice was like chocolate on her tongue.
His sticky hand tucked under her chin and forced her to meet his gaze.
He stepped closer, his frame molding to hers and pressing her back against the counter.
She couldn’t breathe.
His thumb traced her bottom lip. “This is a bad idea,” he mumbled her thoughts.
She nodded. “Very poor choice.” Her hands gripped the side of the counter to keep from touching him.
Hunter sucked in a deep breath. “You smell like flowers.”
“I’ll change my shampoo.”
He started to dip his head and she kept talking. “Something musky, so you won’t notice me.”
“I don’t think that’s going to work.”
He was close enough to catch the scent of mint on his breath. “I don’t even like you.” One of her legs lifted and rubbed against one of his.
“I don’t trust you.” His hand moved from her lip the side of her neck.
You blackmailed me.”
“You tricked me into cooking with your mother.”
She smiled. “The two hardly compare.”
Instead of dropping his lips to hers, he detoured to the side of her neck and kept talking, his breath brushing her skin. “Have you met your mother?”
“That’s sill—”
His lips found her neck.
She moaned and closed her eyes. Such a deliciously bad idea.
 
 
 
 
 
AUTHOR INFO:
New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Weekday Brides Series and the Not Quite Series. Bybee lives with her two teenage sons in Southern California. 
 
 

Praise for Treasured by Thursday


“..an exquisitely written and complex story brimming with pride, passion, and pulse-pounding danger... Readers will gladly make time to savor this winning finale to a wonderful series.” –Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Bybee concludes her popular Weekday Brides series in a gratifying way with a passionate, troubled couple who may find a happy future if they can just survive and then learn to trust each other. A compelling and entertaining mix of sexy, complicated romance and menacing suspense.” –Kirkus Reviews
“The Weekday Brides never disappoint and this final installment is by far Bybee’s best work to date..” –RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Wednesday 26 August 2015

REVIEW: FALLING FOR THE P.I by VICTORIA JAMES


In Falling for the P.I (Still Harbor #1) by Victoria James, Matt Lane doesn't believe love and relationships are for him. Yet, the moment he spies Kate at the bar and starts flirting with her, it seems she might just change his mind. Except, her discovery that he was once a cop, has her running scared. Which makes him determined to discover the reason behind her fear.
 
Kate Abbott loves her daughter, and couldn't imagine life without her. Yet, a night out with her two best friends, is actually doing her good. Meeting a man as sexy as Matt could be the start of a new relationship. Except, there's the problem that he's an ex-cop.
 
Ms. James never ceases to impress me with her books, and this one was absolutely delightful to read. The plot was compelling, well-written and I loved how it started with Kate meeting Matt, and then running scared when she learns certain things about him.
 
As for the dialogue, there are so many aspects to it. It's a combination of sweet, intense, playful and emotional. The sweet moments are between Kate and her daughter, Janie. As well as between Matt and his sister. Those moments were the most memorable. Janie and Matt's sister seem so cute, and I couldn't help but like the pair as much as the two main characters. However, the playful dialogue was also just as memorable, as it reveals a different side of Kate that I didn't expect. Because until the moment she meets Matt, she seems so serious, so uptight. That I wasn't sure she knew how to be anything but. While with the intense and emotional dialogue, was all due to their back stories.   
 
Immediately, I liked both Kate and Matt. They're well-developed, and their back stories make them the great characters they are. Kate's relationship with her daughter is a very special one. It seems Kate is trying to recapture some part of her past, and Janie helps her do that. Then there are the secondary characters that provide their own uniqueness to the story. Kate's two best friends are a real hoot, especially when they're trying to convince Kate to take a chance. 
 
The sex scenes were scorching, and illustrated the intense chemistry these two had from the start. They were perfect where they were in the story, and Kate couldn't have been in more capable hands. The fact that she trusted Matt enough to get up close and personal with -- despite his past profession and her fear for cops -- was remarkable. Because I wasn't sure they'd be able to get over that particular hurdle. 
 
Overall, this was an excellent start to a new series for this author, and I can't wait to read the next one. I would recommend this to all romance readers, but especially those that love a hero willing to prove that love can overcome the painful memories of the past.
 
OVERALL RATING:
 
 
  
 
BOOK INFO:
 
Publication: August 10th, 2015 / Entangled Publishing (Bliss) / Still Harbor #1
 
Teacher Kate Abbott's fresh start in Still Harbor was the beginning of the life that she and her two best friends always imagined for themselves. Still, being a working single parent of a special needs daughter hasn't exactly improved Kate's love life. But Kate's preference for nachos over men quickly disappears when she meets the oh-so-sexy Matt Lane.

Until she finds out he's a cop.

Matt is a former cop-turned-private investigator, and he knows fear when he sees it. A cop clearly spooked Kate…or hurt her. Still, something about the gorgeous professor catches his attention, and despite his “no settling down” policy, he can't resist her. But all of the attraction in the world won't be enough to overcome Kate's past…