Friday 30 June 2017

REVIEW: BLACKMAILED BY THE HERO by JULIE PARTICKA


Blackmailed by the Hero
Gone Hollywood #2
By: Julie Particka
Releasing August 11th, 2015
Entangled Publishing
 
 
In Blackmailed by the Hero (Gone Hollywood #2) by Julie Partricka, Vicky Stone has decided she doesn't need a man to make her happy, but her best friend has thrown her a challenge to find a man and get laid. Except somehow, Vicky ends up in the wrong room only to discover her brother's best friend, Dante Palladino is on the receiving end of her attention. So, when he blackmails her into dating him, what is a woman to do but to agree? Will Vicky give Dante a chance at forever love, or did her ex cause her too much pain to give happy ever after another chance?

The brothers best friend trope is one of the best tropes in my opinion, and this story was an intriguing and satisfying read due to the main characters, most especially the hero; whether the hero can win the heroine over when she's already had one relationship that ended in divorce and has made her determined to remain single; and what Vicky's brother reveals that makes her brother realize how wrong of a decision he made when it came to her ex and Dante.

The way this story started had me liking the heroine immediately, as her friend is determined to get Vicky to let her hair down -- so to speak -- and finally find a man that can give her a night of wild abandon. Will Vicky be capable of propositioning someone? Will she go through with the plan if she does find a man to spend the night with? However, it was from the moment the heroine does something that leaves her embarrassed that this story became really interesting. Because the hero is determined to keep her out of the clutches of a total player, even if he has blackmail her to do so.

Both the main characters had me hooked from start to finish, especially because of their past history; what Vicky's brother did to make certain she wouldn't make a mistake, even though she ended up making one by marrying her ex; and the obstacles these two face on their journey to happy ever after. Vicky is strong and brave and I liked how determined she was not to rely on anyone, even though it seems she's struggling and everyone keeps offering to help her. Yet, she relied on someone once before and he didn't turn out to be all that good for her. No way will she ever look for someone to be her hero again, not when she can save herself. I also liked what the hero did for her to help her prove how she good she is at her job and prove to her boss that she deserves more responsibility.

While the hero, he's accomplished a lot going from being a well-known athlete to a movie star. He's confident and determined to do what's right for the heroine, and I liked that he would do whatever it takes to protect her, even knowing she'd be annoyed with him. I also liked the banter between the pair, as it certainly upped the sexual tension between Vicky and Dante until their wonderful chemistry spilled over onto the pages in sizzling sex scenes that illustrated how good these two are together.

Overall, Ms. Particka has penned a seriously hot and delightful read in this book where the secondary characters entertained me just as much as the main ones, especially Vicky's best friend who was a real hoot and made me laugh. The way this story ended had me smiling, because of what Vicky's best friend did and had me sympathizing with the hero because of what happened to tear them apart. Yet, in saying that, I enjoyed how the heroine made things right between them. Her words were perfect, especially because sometimes having a hero in her life isn't a bad thing. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up nicely, because Vicky has finally achieved her dream and I liked the surprise she had for the hero. I would recommend Blackmailed by the Hero by Julie Particka, if you enjoy the brothers best friend trope or books by authors Liz Crowe, Samanthe Beck, Maggie Kelley or Megan Erickson.

 
BLURB
Party planner Vicky Stone is on a post-divorce mission. Not only does she intend to land her dream promotion, she's going to indulge in a night of hot hook-up sex. Preferably with the hunky actor she just met at a work function, no-fraternization rules be damned. Fortunately, his drunken directions included a right that should have been a left, landing her in bed with her brother's extra-hot, extra-off-limits best friend instead of the unemployment line.
 
And, oh, he feels good. Too good.
 
Bad boy Dante Palladino's forbidden fantasies are about to come true...until Vicky realizes who she's feeling up. And to find out she risked her job for sex with some loser? Not on his watch. Dante throws down the ultimate, albeit self-serving, blackmail. Vicky will date him-and only him-and her secret will be safe. But Vicky swore never to fall for another guy who could break her heart...and Dante's on course to do just that.
 
BUY LINK:  Amazon
 

Each book in the Gone Hollywood series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order.
Series Order:
Book #1 Tempting Her Fake Fiancé
Book #2 Blackmailed By The Hero
Book #3 Playing the Perfect Boyfriend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

REVIEW: PROTECTING HIS INTERESTS by SUZANNE ROCK


Protecting his Interests
Hot Heroes in Blue #1
By: Suzanne Rock
Releasing June 20th, 2017
Swerve
 
 
In Protecting his Interests (Hot Heroes in Blue #1) by Suzanne Rock, Scarlett Bishop needs a date, so she decides to hire a high-end escort. She knows she should keep their date strictly professional, but when Gabriel Ferreira is the man escorting her, how can she possibly not think about giving in and accepting the pleasure he could give her? Because it's not as if they don't already know each other since they used to be High School sweethearts until Gabriel broke things off between them. However, when Scarlett discovers Gabriel is more than he seems, will they get their second chance at happy ever after or will his case prove dangerous for them both? 

This is the first book I've read by Ms. Rock, and I really enjoyed it due to the main characters past history; discovering whether Scarlett can give the hero another chance because she has serious trust issues; and the investigation into the case the hero is working that puts the heroine in the path of the bad guys, which ends up turning her life upside down. The way this story started had me charmed with the friendship the heroine has with her assistant because her assistant is sassy and wants Scarlett to show everyone that her split with her ex hasn't affected her as much as her ex and those that know her think it has.

As for the dialogue, it was engaging, fast-paced and had me continually wanting to know whether Scarlett would be able to handle the emotional blows delivered to her throughout, especially when it came to her career. Will her business be able to bounce back from all the bad publicity she's receiving because she's helping Gabriel with his case? Will she be able to handle the betrayal of those she thought she could trust? Moreover, the heroine is resilient, courageous and I liked how determined she was to help Gabriel, despite the fact that she could land herself in a whole lot of trouble, which is proven by the moment she does something Gabriel asks of her. However, her need for control and through that showing Gabriel he could trust her was a tad exasperating, even though, at the same time I could understand her need to be in control because of all she's been through in her past.

While Gabriel, he was a fantastic hero and I could understand his need to keep the secrets he does. He's an undercover cop and it isn't easy for him to trust anyone, even though he knew Scarlett years ago, it doesn't mean that she hasn't changed. Can he still trust her? Will she help him like he hopes, even though what he wants her to do will put her in danger? Then there's the couple's past history that made me sympathize with both of them. He wanted Scarlett in his life and there's no way he's going to throw away this second chance, even if it means explaining why their relationship ended years ago. Certainly, he called things off for the right reasons; reasons that had to do with honoring and helping family.

Overall, Ms. Rock has penned a fascinating read in this book where there was plenty of hot romance and strong chemistry between the characters that had me hoping Gabriel would eventually win Scarlett over, considering all his investigation drags her into. The way this story ended had me on the edge-of-my-seat because of the danger the main characters were in. However, I enjoyed how things turned out between Gabriel and Scarlett, because they deserve a second chance at happy ever after. Besides, the surprise offer Scarlett had for Gabriel would certainly allow them to spend more time together. I would recommend Protecting his Interests by Suzanne Rock, if you enjoy romantic suspense, the second chance romance trope, or books by authors Cora Seton, Cat Johnson, JT Geissinger or Elle James.

 

BLURB
What if the roles in the movie Pretty Woman got switched?
 
After spending months undercover at a high-end escort service, Special Agent Gabriel Ferreira hits a dead end in his case. Then a gorgeous art restorer picks him as her date, and his luck changes in more ways than one.
 
Gabe won’t let Scarlett Bishop come between him and his goal of taking down Miami’s newest serial killer, no matter how great she is in bed. Unfortunately, the more he tries to distance himself from the sexy redhead, the more tangled up she becomes in his investigation. Now she has a target on her back, and he must figure out her connection to the killer and keep her safe at the same time. Every second he spends with the sarcastic beauty, he becomes more infatuated.
 
 Now if only he can keep his hands off of Scarlett’s gorgeous body and concentrate on his mission before they both become pawns in the killer’s dangerous game.
 
BUY LINK:  Amazon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday 29 June 2017

RELEASE BLAST - REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: KING OF CLUBS by SANDRA OWENS

 
Passions—and tempers—flare as
one star-crossed couple gets a second chance at love.
 
 
KING OF CLUBS
Aces & Eights #2
Sandra Owens
Releasing June 27, 2017
Montlake Romance


 
 
 
In King of Clubs (Aces & Eights #2) by Sandra Owens, Lauren Montgomery and Court Gentry fell hard for each other six years ago. But when Lauren's past caught up with her she was determined to do everything to keep Court safe, even if it meant ending things between them and breaking both their hearts. Now though, Lauren is back in his life and he's determined to do everything to make sure she stays in it. So, when she tries to run because she fears for her life, Court manages to convince her to stay and fight. The question is - will Court finally help her be free of her past, so they can have a second chance at forever love?
 
What an addictive, fast-paced, thrilling read Ms. Owens has penned in this second story of her Aces and Eights series, encompassing the second chance romance trope; a heroine willing to do whatever it takes to keep those she cares about safe from her past; and a hero determined to do whatever it takes to keep her safe, especially after discovering the truth about her past and how much danger she's facing. The way this story started with the prologue drew me into this story immediately, because of what happens to Lauren. Will she find a way to escape? What will she endure at the hands of someone that should love her? However, this story became even more attention-grabbing once Cord and Lauren came face-to-face for the first time in six years. Because it's palpable both still care for each other, yet Lauren is still determined to keep her distance, as her past is still haunting her. The threat still existent.
 
As for the dialogue, it was a wonderful combination of intense and teasing banter, which takes readers on a roller-coaster of emotions; and action-packed, edge-of-your-seat moments that had me hooked from start to finish. So much so that the pages really flew by, as Lauren was determined to keep Court safe, but ultimately they find a way to compromise when they begin to learn more about each other. However, what I liked most about the dialogue was the playful banter between them, especially the moments where they talk about the time they first met, the nickname Court had for the heroine and when Court is teaching Lauren all sorts of ways to defend herself.
 
Both the main characters are fantastic due to their back stories; their history, and the obstacles they need to overcome to get their second chance at forever. Lauren is strong and brave with all she's faced with her ex and I liked how determined she was to protect Court, because she knows how dangerous her ex can be, which is proven by what he did to her in the past. I also liked the challenge Lauren provided Court. Will he be able to prove to Lauren that she can trust him, especially once she learns the truth of how he and his brothers can help her? While Court, he's confident, protective and I liked how tenacious he was in getting the information he needed to keep Lauren safe and make certain that she no longer had to worry about her past coming after her once they took the bad guys down. I also liked the tight bond he shares with his brothers. They've been through so much, and their bond certainly helps, as Court knows his brothers will protect Lauren just as meticulously as he would.
 
Overall, Ms. Owens has penned a marvelous read in this book where the chemistry was off-the-charts; the romance full of exquisite heat and passion that illustrated how hard it was for these two to keep their hands off each other because their feelings are too strong to be denied; and the ending was completely gratifying, as no couple was more deserving of a second chance at happy ever after than Lauren and Court. However, in saying that, what happens towards the end with the main characters and the bad guys had me concerned for both the hero and heroine. Will they be able to defeat the bad guys?

Furthermore, I liked how the epilogue wrapped this story up and had me wishing I had the next book to read already, as we discover more about the Gentry family and a certain secondary character. Will this person be brave enough to seek out those they've been asked to? I would recommend King of Clubs by Sandra Owens, if you enjoy romantic suspense, second chance romances or books by authors Maya Banks, Cynthia Eden, Susan Stoker or Melinda Leigh.
 
 
 
BLURB
In the second novel in acclaimed author Sandra Owens’s Aces & Eights series, passions—and tempers—flare as one star-crossed couple gets a second chance at love.

Covert FBI agent Court Gentry loves his brothers, his job, and his Harley-Davidson. Once he loved a girl, too, but when she broke his heart, he put his emotions on lockdown…until she crosses his path again.

On vacation six years ago, free-spirited Lauren Montgomery fell hard for Court Gentry. She returned home happier than ever, only to descend into a spiral of abuse by her ex-husband, Stephan. When Stephan threatened to kill any man who touched her, Lauren cut Court from her life—but not from her heart.

When Lauren and Court reunite after her friend marries his brother, Court guards himself against the person who made him feel such intense passion and pain. Except the undeniable spark between them is impossible to contain and heating up fast. Six years ago, it was love. Now, it’s just lust. Keeping it merely physical is a foolproof plan…right?

When Stephan is released from prison, Lauren can’t outrun her past anymore, and Court vows to protect her. But with Lauren in imminent danger, Court must question his heart and risk his life to save the woman he never stopped loving.



 

Court had wanted to let her know he was here, but Madison said if he did, Lauren would just kick him out. According to Madison, Lauren intended to go straight to bed. He tilted his head, listening to the sounds coming from her bedroom. She was moving around, opening and closing drawers. She definitely hadn’t gone straight to bed. What was she up to?
Suspicious, he waited. An hour later, the floorboards in the hallway creaked. A dark-clothed person walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, took out two bottles of water, and stuffed them into the backpack she carried, and then headed for the door.
Lauren. Lauren. Lauren. “Going somewhere my little midnight ghost?”
She yelped, the backpack falling to the floor with a heavy thud.
“Easy, G.G.” He pushed off the sofa.
“Court?” She pressed her forehead against the door. “Why are you here?”
“Guarding you. Going to be kind of hard to do if you’re not here, don’t you think?” He picked up the backpack. “Where you headed?”
“None of your business.” She slipped around him, backed up to the kitchen light switch, and turned it on. “You can leave now.”
“Don’t think so.” He frowned at the sight of a gun barrel in the partially unzipped bag. He pulled it out and held up the Glock 26, also known as a Baby Glock, preferred by women because of its smaller size. “You planning on shooting someone?”
“Again, none of your business.”
He shouldn’t like that fire in those golden brown eyes so much. “I’m making it my business. Do you even know how to shoot this?” When her gaze shifted away, he had his answer. Christ, she was clueless. About everything. How to use the weapon she’d been careless enough to let him find, how to disappear, and she probably didn’t know how to fight off an attack.
What to do about that? As he saw it, he had two choices. Either let her go and hope she somehow managed to safely disappear or make her his project. He wasn’t stupid enough to tell her that last part since he doubted there was a woman in the world who’d appreciate being any man’s project.
“Are you that afraid of him?” he asked even though he was sure of the answer.
“Feeling like a broken record here because again, none of your business. I’d like you to leave now.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, probably to show him she meant business. It wasn’t working since she’d managed to push up her breasts so that the material of her T-shirt stretched against them, leaving her nipples outlined.

He’d had those beautiful breasts in his mouth, had explored every inch of her body, had known all her sighs of pleasure. He’d once thought she loved him. Until she’d told him in a phone call it was over, not even having the courtesy to tell him to his face.
Nor had she given him a reason. Just, “Don’t call me again or try to see me.” That had happened only days after she’d told him she loved him. He’d learned the hard way women couldn’t be trusted, the first lesson on that coming from his mother. The one time he’d forgotten that lesson had been with Lauren. But never again.
“What are you looking at?” She lifted one arm, snapping her fingers. “My eyes are up here.”
Irritated with himself and her, he kept his gaze on her breasts to prove… What? That he was an ass? “So they are,” he said, lifting his eyes to hers. “Here’s the deal.”
“There is no deal, Court. You have no say so over my life. I’ll ask you one more time to leave.”
“Or you’ll what? Call the cops?”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’ll do.”
He chuckled, amused that she had no clue she was threatening to call the police on an FBI agent. “Let’s sit, and I’ll tell you the deal.” Ignoring the little growl deep in her throat, he settled on the sofa. “Come on, G.G. Just hear me out.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Why? You used to like it.” She’d been his Gorgeous Girl for six days. It must have been the sun and beer and salty air that had tricked him into mistaking lust for love. He had to admit the woman had a lot to do with that, too. All six years had done to her was turn her from a cute college girl with a love of life into a beautiful woman afraid of her own shadow. He could appreciate the physical change in her, but he didn’t like the fear her ex-husband had put in her eyes.
And when did she have that husband? Before he met her or after? Or even during? No, he couldn’t believe that she would have given herself to him so freely, showing no sign of guilt during their time together if she’d had a husband waiting in the wings. He wanted answers and he planned to get them.
“Lauren, please. Sit and hear me out.” Her cat jumped onto the sofa, climbed onto his lap, and peered up at him with curious blue eyes. “See, even… Hemingway, is it?” At her nod, he said, “Even Hemingway wants to hear what I have to say.”
Like a wary crab, she inched sideways to the nearest chair. “You have five minutes.”
Little did she know. He had as long as he wanted because she wasn’t going anywhere. She might not like it, but it was for her own good. As an officer of the law, he couldn’t stand by and watch her get herself hurt. From all the signs she’d unknowingly given him, she fully expected bad trouble was headed her way.
“I have an offer for you.”

 

 
A best-selling, award winning author, Sandra Owens lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Her family and friends often question her sanity, but have ceased being surprised by what she might get up to next. She’s jumped out of a plane, flown in an aerobatic plane while the pilot performed death-defying stunts, has flown Air Combat (two fighter planes dogfighting, pretending to shoot at each other with laser guns), and rode a Harley motorcycle for years. She regrets nothing.

A member of Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll, Sandra is a 2013 Golden Heart® Finalist for her contemporary romance, CRAZY FOR HER. In addition to her contemporary romantic suspense novels, she writes Regency stories.
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday 28 June 2017

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: SOMETHING BORROWED by MEGAN RYDER

 
Three Bridesmaids. Three lost loves. One matchmaking bride.
 

SOMETHING BORROWED
Lone Star Match #2
Megan Ryder
Released June 22, 2017
Tule Publishing Group


 
 
In Something Borrowed (Lone Star Match #2) by Megan Ryder, Brigid Anderson is determined to achieve her goal of making partner and nothing is going to stand in her way. Sacrificing her friends with benefits deal with Grady Coughlin is for the best, but while she's on vacation and staying with him and a group of friends for the week, Brigid finds herself again succumbing to the intense chemistry they have. With lots of decisions to make about her future, will Brigid do what's best for her and Grady, so they can have a shot at happy ever after; or will she continue on the path she's on now and find herself all alone?

Any story that Ms. Ryder pens has always grabbed my undivided attention and this story was no different, as Grady does his best to show Brigid there's more to life than work. Really, this story was enthralling, fast-paced and one I could not get enough of, because of the main characters and their friendships with the secondary characters. Friendships that had fizzled until this time together, as things happened to cause everyone to go their separate ways, but now they have a chance to reunite and solidify the tight bonds that they used to have. Especially since the bride is determined to see her bridesmaids as happy as she is.

The dialogue was compelling and had me glued to every moment Brigid and Grady conversed, because the hero was determined to prove to the heroine that they're good together and that they shouldn't allow the fact that their opposites and he doesn't fit into her world to ruin their chance at happy ever after. I also liked the interactions the main characters had with the secondary characters, as Brigid wasn't afraid to give advice but not so willing to take it, because she had her mind set on her future. Will she realize that love, family and happiness are more important than work before she loses the most important person in her life? What will she do to prove to Grady that she wants a relationship between them to work?

As for the main characters, the hero charmed me from start to finish, because he had it tough growing up with what his mom did to him, but he's gone on to accomplish so much in his life. I also liked that he had such a good relationship with his brother, considering what their mom did. How could a mother be so cruel to abandon a child? I also liked how kind and caring the hero was and all he was doing for the couple who were getting married. Yet, what I liked most about the hero is that he didn't give up on winning Brigid over until the moment where he believed all hope was lost. The moment where she did something he thought she wouldn't do after everything they talked about.

While the heroine, she's always felt like the inadequate sibling of the family, which is why she pushes so hard to be successful and achieve her goals at the expense of putting aside everything that could make her happy. Certainly, I could understand why she worked herself to the bone, but at the same time, if she wasn't enjoying what she did then why do it just because of the pressure her parents put on her to be as successful as her brother and sister. Yet, what I liked most about the heroine is the decisions she made for her future. She had me smiling, because it was palpable that she would be a lot happier in the long run.     

Overall, Ms. Ryder has penned another exceptional read for this series where the chemistry was intense, the romance hot and which made me think Brigid was a lucky woman to have the attention of Grady, because no one would treat her better or support her as much as he does. The way this story ended had me cheering for the heroine to make things right, as she has a lot of making up to do not just with Grady, but with the secondary characters. However, I liked how she won Grady back, because it shows she was willing to do whatever it takes, even if it meant she might make a fool of herself. I would recommend Something Borrowed by Megan Ryder, if you enjoy the opposites attract trope or books by authors Shelli Stevens, Marin Thomas, Kate Hardy or Eve Gaddy.

 
 
BLURB
Three Bridesmaids. Three lost loves. One matchmaking bride. With just a week before the wedding, can a bride-to-be reunite her bridesmaids with the ones who got away?

Brigid Anderson is a second year lawyer on a fast track to making partner. With the weight of her siblings' success on her shoulders, Brigid feels like she needs to prove something–to herself and to her parents. Her life is running smoothly and all according to plan...until she meets Grady. 
 
Grady Coughlin understands focus and ambition, having taken over his father's contracting business and building it into a successful historic preservation business on his own. After a blind date with Brigid that ends in explosive passion, they embark on a friends with benefits relationship. But as Grady establishes himself in the business world, he decides he wants more and wants it with Brigid. 
 
On the eve of her best friend's wedding, with her promotion to partner dangling within reach, Brigid believes Grady isn't the best partner to suit her career ambition. But Grady and her heart don't agree and she must decide if she should stick to the safety of the plan or find the courage to pursue what she really wants.


 
He walked her backwards a few steps until her knees hit the mattress. She sat back on the bed and he followed her down across the bed, lying next to her, lips dipping into the notch at the base of her throat, then lower to trace the edge of the lace of her tank top with his tongue. She shuddered, her breath jagged and rough.
He ran a hand under her top to cup her breast, his thumb running over the sensitive tip, once then twice. She jerked, pushing into his hand with a plea. "Please, Grady. Stop teasing."
He grinned against her skin, loving the teasing as opposed to their usual hurried, almost frenetic sex. "What do you want, Brigid? This?" he kissed the gently swelling mounds. "Or this?" He nipped her then soothed the sting with little licks. "Or this?"
He moved down and captured her other nipple in his mouth through the cotton top, biting down lightly, then sucking. Her breath caught in her throat and her back bowed under him, almost bucking him off.
"Oh no, we can't have that. You need to stay still, Brigid." He draped a leg across her lower body, and she arched into him, trying to get closer.
"Grady, please." Her breathy whisper made him grin.
He tugged her tank up, baring her breasts completely and caressed the swollen mounds, plumping them. He teased one nipple with tiny lashes of his tongue and teeth while his fingers twisted and tormented the other, then he switched until she writhed on the bed, pleading for more. Only then did he make his way down her stomach, skimming the creamy skin until he met the lace of her boy shorts.
"Did I ever tell you how sexy I find these?"
"And I was just wishing I had sexier lingerie with me," she whispered.
"Not on my account. I find the lace edging on these, bisecting your ass, hotter than a thong any day of the week. Don't ever change on my account, Brigid."
She froze under him and he paused. "But I am changing. You're changing me."
He realized in an instant that he had made a tactical error, threw her out of the moment. He quickly moved up her body, settled his lower body between her thighs and framed her face with his hands, forcing her to look at him.
"Brigid, I only want you to be happy. If you don't want to change, you don't have to. I love you the way you are."
Her eyes opened wide and he could see panic reflected in them. "You love me?"
He cursed in his head. So not the way to tell her that. Actually, it was probably the best way to scare her off. But the words were out there. "Yes, I do. And I don't expect you to say it back. Not now, only when you're ready. No pressure."
Her freak out hadn't lessened at his words. "I don't know what to say. Thank you doesn't seem quite right. I care about you but I'm not sure I can say I love you. Not now."
He suppressed the disappointment, knowing full well how emotions were for her, knowing how he had put her on the spot. But he had faith that she had deeper feeling for him, deeper than caring. Or maybe that was hope. No, he wasn't going there. He was all in and had to believe that Brigid would get there. Or this was all for nothing.
She wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him down for a deep, sensual kiss, pulling him back into the moment. "But I want to give this a try, Grady. I truly care about you, more than I ever thought possible. Can you give me a chance?"
"I'll give you all the time you need."
And in that instant, she took charge of their interlude, wrapping a leg around his waist and flipping him onto his back, a seductive smile on her face.
"Now, where were we?"

 
 
 
Ever since Megan Ryder discovered Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught while sneaking around the “forbidden” romance section of the library one day after school, she has been voraciously devouring romance novels of all types. Now a romance author in her own right, Megan pens sexy contemporary novels all about family and hot lovin’ with the boy next door. She lives in Connecticut, spending her days as a technical writer and her spare time divided between her addiction to knitting and reading.



 

Tasty Q&A with Megan Ryder
 
Name one thing you won’t leave home without.
I never leave home without my ipad mini. I can write on that, take notes on it, and read on it. If I’m stuck in traffic, in a doctor’s office, waiting somewhere, I have something to do. I am not the most patient person but with my ipad, I can occupy myself for hours. I can actually leave my phone at home and be fine but if I leave my ipad, I get twitchy.
 
What are some books that you enjoyed recently?
I adored Silver Silence by Nalini Singh. She is one of my go-to authors and I re-read her constantly.
I am in the middle of binge reading the Chicagoland vampire series by Chloe Neill and am loving them.
I just read an ARC of Jamie Beck’s new book Before I Knew, coming out in August. So good and emotional.
And I just read an ARC of Jamie K Schmidt’s Stud coming in July. Sexy and fun, but I loved the characters too.
What are your favorite types of stories to read?
While I enjoy contemporary romance, my guilty pleasure and my go-to reading is paranormal romance and urban fantasy. I can’t get enough of those genres. I have so many authors that I love including Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Chloe Neill (a recent find), Patricia Briggs. Honestly, I could go on and on.
Tell us all about your main characters—who are they? What makes them tick? Most importantly, what one thing would they need to have with them if stranded on a desert isle? ;)
Brigid is a type-A lawyer, determined to make partner at her law firm as soon as possible. The problem is – is it her dream or her parents’ dream? Brigid comes from a high-achieving family. She defines herself as the “boring piece of cheese in the center of a sandwich of brilliance” and she feels constantly inadequate. So she feels this constant need to prove herself to everyone around her. Grady is the one person she doesn’t have to do that with; he loves her for who she is, can see who she really is and accepts her. But she can’t accept him because he is not the type of person her family would expect. He’s not on her plan.
Grady is a contractor who rebuilt his father’s business after his father almost lost it due to an illness. He and his older brother, the groom Matthew, were very close until their parents divorced when Grady was young, with Grady staying with his father. He didn’t see Matthew or his mother again until Matthew reconnected when they were older. His mother had been focused on her status and appearances so when he met Brigid, he thought she was just his mother. He soon learned she wasn’t but her constant choices make him fear that he will always be second in her life, something he just can’t accept. But he keeps trying to get Brigid to pull her head out of her law books and see the world around her and the possibilities, especially him.
Since they’re both so different, Brigid would want her cell phone and a signal on a deserted island because she needs to stay connected at all times. What if the office needs her? Grady, on the other hand, is perfectly fine with a six-pack of beer and his tools to build something, shelter or something to mess around with. He’s not fussy.
 
Where did the inspiration for this book come from?
This book is part two in a series about a matchmaking bride and the bridesmaids who she is determined to bring together with the ones who got away. It came from thinking about weddings and thinking about blissfully happy brides and how often they want everyone around them to be as happy as they are. I also love reunion stories so I started thinking about wedding romances, bridesmaids and what would it be like to be in a wedding and have the bride decide to play matchmaker. Now, it’s pretty hard to have a full romance in a week but, if you have a bride determined to bring her friends all back together and match them again, well, then you have a series. Trying to write three books all over the same week was a bit of a challenge though. Trying to make each story unique and not repetitive. But each bridesmaid was a strong character and tough in their own right, so I think they’ll keep people reading.
How long have you been writing, and what (or who) inspired you to start?
 
I have been writing for more years than I can remember. I always write stories when I was a kid, usually about horses or dogs, then fan fiction when I was older, and then romance in college. I didn’t get serious until the late nineties when I joined Romance Writers of America and my local chapter, which was a God-send, because I met people like me and learned all about writing. I value my friendships that I’ve made as a writer and how I’ve grown as a person through those friendships. What I love about being a writer is the what-if aspect. I’ll hear a news story – any kind – and start spinning a tale off of it. Imagine if this happened, or what if this happened? Many of those ideas don’t go anywhere but sometimes, that little kernel blossoms into something else and you can’t get it out of your mind.
 
What do you like best about being a writer? What is the most challenging part?
The best thing about being a writer is all of the great ideas out there. I love thinking of new ideas, the fodder for stories, and the possibilities that exist. I also love the people I’ve met as a writer, both other writers and readers. Seriously, romance readers and writers are the best people in the world. They are so welcoming and positive and supportive. Many of my closest friends I met through writing and I love it.
What do you do when you are not writing?
I love to knit, so that takes up a lot of time, however, I recently got a puppy, a rescue cocker spaniel. He was six months old when we got him and not training (not even potty trained) so that has been a challenge. So, much of my free time has been taken up training him and trying to convince him that outside is for potty, not inside. But he’s a sweet dog and I love him.
Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
After Something Borrowed, book 3 will be out – Something New. That will be Anna and Wyatt’s story.  Anna and Wyatt had a real volatile history, with Wyatt as the football star and Anna the wanna-be movie-star. Unfortunately, Wyatt had a career ending knee injury and couldn’t achieve his dreams while Anna went on for hers, leaving Wyatt behind. A lot of simmering resentment remains between them, along with guilt. Anna comes off as a real bitch in these books but she might surprise everyone in her story. I loved writing her book and hope readers like her as much as I did.