Monday, November 30, 2015

Safe in His Arms by Melody Anne


 Title: Safe in His Arms 
Series: Unexpected Heroes 
Author: Melody Anne
Release Day: November 30, 2015



Can a California transplant survive Montana’s deep snows? New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Melody Anne breaks the ice between a sexy fireman and a brand-new teacher in this steamy holiday tale—originally published in the sizzling anthology Baby, It’s Cold Outside—which launched her popular Unexpected Heroes series.


Natalie Duncan is thrilled to get her first teaching job, but southern California didn’t prepare her for winter in Montana—or for gorgeous fire chief Hawk Winchester. For a man dedicated to putting out fires, Hawk really knows how to add heat to Natalie’s life, especially when he’s rescuing her from compromising situations. A man this strong and capable should know exactly what to do when a lady is trapped under the mistletoe. Suddenly Natalie’s blue Christmas is glowing red-hot...





This was a super cute novella. It was perfect for the Christmas season. 

When you read a novella, you know insta-love is part of the package and even though I'm not a fan of insta-love but for some reason, in this case, I was ok with it. 

If you read other books by Melody Anne you know there are always meddling parents or grandparents trying to make their grown up children fall in love. This is the case for Hawk and Natalie.

Natalie is the new teacher in town. She moved from California to Sterling, Montana. She had no idea what a Montana winter would be and she was not dressed for it. She was also not ready to fall for the chief of the fire department, Hawk Winchester. Her plans do not involve falling in love before her career has settled down or owning a home.  

Hawk Winchester is happy with his job and he loves his family except when they are meddling in his love life. That's why he doesn't date close to home which makes it unbelievable crazy to want to date Natalie. She has woken up something in him, he can't turn away from. He wants her close to him and for her to become part of his family too.

I love how Hawk didn't want to play games. He knew and accepted that Natalie fit right in his life. He also had a great heart and one particular scene got me misty-eyed. In regards to Natalie, this book made me want to hug her and offer her my complete support. She had a tough upbringing and she needed someone to take care of her just like Maggie did.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

Searching for You by Jennifer Probst


Title: Searching for You 
Series: Searching For #2.5 
Author: Jennifer Probst
Release Day: November 30, 2015


When a high-powered CEO and a playboy billionaire get stranded in a snowstorm, sparks will fly…if they can make it through the night together! This sexy enovella from Jennifer Probst’s heartwarming Searching For series—originally published in the sizzling anthology Baby, It’s Cold Outside—depicts an encounter almost too hot to handle.



Successful and determined executive Riley Fox has everything a modern woman could want…except for the love of her life. But she didn’t get to the top of her field without setting stringent expectations, and when it comes to finding a partner, she’s leaving nothing up to chance. Until her car breaks down in a blizzard, trapping her with the one man she’s always loathed and secretly crushed on: wealthy womanizer Dylan McCray.


Tired of his reputation as a ladies’ man, Dylan longs for a serious relationship with the woman of his dreams. Countless casual dates and hook-ups have left him with no idea what that gut-clenching moment of rightness feels like…until he rescues the stunning woman who has always tempted his fantasies. Will these staunch opposites repel rather than attract, or will sunrise bring everlasting romance after a steamy night in the snowy mountains?






Riley Fox is ready to settle down and get married. She has joined her friend's Kinnections as their new customer and Kate has set her up on a blind date. She only knows his first name and she's on her way to meet him when a blizzard interferes. Next thing she knows, she's in Dylan's house. Dylan is the man she met in college and shared one hot kiss with. She knows he's nothing but danger to her plans. He doesn't fit in the box she has made up for the perfect man. 

Dylan McCray has been a customer of Kinnections for about two years. He has tried to find the one, but all his dates end up without a second one. He might be a billionaire and has a womanizer reputation but, he has worked hard for what he has accomplished. Riley is the one he let go, but now he's mature and he knows she's the only one for him. He just needs to modify the "box" she has made up to include him.

I loved all Jennifer's books and this novella had everything I liked about her writing. It was sweet, romantic and endearing. A perfect snow day romance.  Both characters were strong, determined and hot together. They have gained their success by hard work which was one more thing they had in common. They have thought about each other during the years apart and they are not going to waste any more time.

"It's you. I've been searching for you."

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

Rekindle the Flame by Kate Meader


Title: Rekindle the Flame 
Series: Hot in Chicago 0.5
Author: Kate Meader 
Release Day: November 30, 2015



Cuddle up by the fire with the irresistible prequel to Kate Meader’s smokin’ Hot in Chicago series—originally published in the sizzling holiday anthology Baby, It’s Cold Outside—a superhot e-novella that will warm you from your head to your heart and all the way to your toes!

Chicago firefighter Beck Rivera always knew his destiny would be defined by two things: his dream to follow in the footsteps of his legendary foster father Sean Dempsey and his teenage passion for heiress Darcy Cochrane, the one girl who could both stoke and cool his fire. Loving her meant setting her free and breaking her heart—and his. But when a chance reunion at his family’s bar, sparked by a drunk Santa, places her in his path again, destiny can no longer be denied.

The last thing heiress-turned-tattoo-artist Darcy Cochrane needs is the rollercoaster of emotion stirred up by her first love: sexy, gorgeous man-on-fire Beck Rivera. But he always had such talented hands. And more talented lips. And...maybe one time can’t hurt. Then she’ll send him packing like he did to her all those years ago. But Darcy and Beck soon discover that nothing ignites holiday flames like rekindling a lost love...





Kate Meader's Hot in Chicago series is one of my favorites. 

This is the novella which was featured in Baby, It's Cold Outside and it's all about Beck and Darcy.
I read the other books first, so it was great going back and seeing Eli, Luke and Gage before they fell in love. 

Beck Rivera made a mistake. Seven years ago he let Darcy leave town. He wanted her to conquer the world. He didn't feel he was good enough for her. He was just a kid and his only ambition was to become a firefighter, just like his foster dad had been. 

Darcy Cochrane is back in town for a few months helping her grandmother heal. She doesn't see eye to eye with her dad and she has been living mostly in Europe. She has become a tattoo artist and a very good one at that. Seeing Beck again has made her realize she has been running and he's tempting her to stop. 

I love how the novella ended. Nothing more romantic than Beck supporting Darcy and making a statement about it. It made my heart melt with love.

"When you're in the room, you're my sun."

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

Chasing Spring by R.S. Grey




Title: Chasing Spring
Author: R.S. Grey
Release Date: Feb 1, 2016
Find on Goodreads - http://bit.ly/1P9U57p


I thought I’d left Blackwater, Texas behind for good. I didn’t belong in the small town, but my dad wouldn’t listen. He dragged me back home in his beat-up truck and dropped a bomb along the way: Chase Matthews was moving in with us. He was the golden boy of my high school, my former best friend, and the last person I wanted sleeping across the hall. His presence was too great a reminder of the ghosts I was trying to forget.
I didn’t ask for a hero. I don’t want to be saved.
 
To me, Lilah Calloway meant late nights sneakin’ out, moonlit hair, and sparklers in July. She was my best friend until the day she left and I’d assumed Blackwater had seen the last of her. Then, like a tempest, she rolled back into town for the final half of senior year. The chopped hair and dark devil-may-care attitude warned most people away, but I knew if I fought hard enough, I could find the lost girl.
I didn’t want to be her hero. Some girls don’t need to be saved.



I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way, I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things... everyday.


I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors include Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm a comedy geek and love all things "funny". Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.



Saving Grace (Love Under the Big Sky, #2.5)
by Kristen Proby






Sparks fly like snowflakes when a klutzy but gorgeous novice crosses skis with a hot resort owner in this tempting tie-in to New York Timesbestselling author Kristen Proby’s popular Love Under the Big Sky series!

Grace Douglas is on a practice run for her friend Cara Donovan’s bachelorette party ski weekend in Aspen. The problem is, despite living in rugged and picturesque Cunningham Falls, Montana, Grace is the clumsiest person ever born. To prepare for the trip, she is taking lessons at a local ski resort. She just prays that they have an ambulance on standby.

Sexy hotelier Jacob Berkley is ready to play ski instructor, but he quickly discovers that the best place on the mountain for Grace is in the lodge with a hot toddy. Her sense of humor and easy laugh quickly pull him in, and soon he’s determined to help her get off the bunny slope for a fun vacation with her friends. He just didn’t expect their steamy chemistry to trigger an avalanche of desire straight to his heart.




This was the first time I have read anything by Kristen Proby, and I have heard a lot of positive things about Kristen's writing. Even though I didn't absolutely love this novella, I do think I will read more from Kristen in the future. I really liked the plot of this novella and Kristen's writing. 

I really like reading novellas, but I couldn't really get into this novella. In the case of this novella, I couldn't really become attached to the couple. The insta-love vibes didn't really work for me in this novella. I thought the relationship developed way too quickly for the romance to seem believable. I also couldn't connect very well with the main character, Grace. I thought she was charming at first, but she actually became annoying very quickly. I found myself rolling my eyes at some of the things she did and said. She just seemed to be trying way too hard to be cute and flirty. However, I did really like Jacob. I thought Jacob was sexy and just an amazing guy. I wish this would have been a full length book so I could get to know Jacob more. I would like to see Grace and Jacob in another book so I could see their relationship develop more. 

Even though I wasn't a huge fan of the romance as a whole, I did like some of the romantic scenes. Some of the scenes were really sweet or really steamy, which I enjoyed. Grace and Jacob had awesome chemistry that lead to some great banter. I also really liked the setting of this book. The setting was romantic and put me in the holiday mood! 

Overall, this was a fun and quick read. I didn't love this book, but I enjoyed it overall. If you are looking for a romantic novella that takes place in the snow mountains, then this is the novella for you!

3.5 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for a honest review.* 










Sunday, November 29, 2015

The Shadows by J.R. Ward


Title: The Shadows 
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #13
Author: J.R. Ward


Two brothers bound by more than blood fight to change a brutal destiny in the heart-wrenching new novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood by #1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward.

Trez “Latimer” doesn’t really exist. And not just because the identity was created so that a Shadow could function in the underbelly of the human world. Sold by his parents to the Queen of the S’Hsibe as a child, Trez escaped the Territory and has been a pimp and an enforcer in Caldwell, NY for years- all the while on the run from a destiny of sexual servitude. He’s never had anyone he could totally rely on... except for his brother, iAm.

iAm’s sole goal has always been to keep his brother from self-destructing- and he knows he’s failed. It’s not until the Chosen Serena enters Trez’s life that the male begins to turn things around... but by then it’s too late. The pledge to mate the Queen’s daughter comes due and there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and no negotiating.

Trapped between his heart and a fate he never volunteered for, Trez must decide whether to endanger himself and others- or forever leave behind the female he’s in love with. But then an unimaginable tragedy strikes and changes everything. Staring out over an emotional abyss, Trez must find a reason to go on or risk losing himself and his soul forever. And iAm, in the name of brotherly love, is faced with making the ultimate sacrifice...




The Shadows as the name says, it's about the two brothers. iAm and Trez.

Trez has been in love with the Chosen Serena for a few books now. He wants her in his life, but he's ashamed of what he has done to his life until now. He feels unclean. Trez is supposed to be predestined to become the man to service the Princess of the Territory per the Queen of the S'Hsibe. Trez has done everything in his power to avoid becoming the princess's mate. He wants nothing to do with her, he hasn't even met her and it's not in his plans to do so.

iAm is the considerate Shadow. His goal in life has been to keep his brother safe, safe from the Queen but most importantly safe from himself. No one can be more destructive than Trez himself. iAm's other passion is cooking. It relaxes him. He can be deadly, but he likes Boo, the cat, which he tries to hide from everyone.

Besides the brothers, we get a lot of Rhage in this book. He's having some personal issues and I'm guessing a few of them will come to a head in The Beast, the next book in the series.

I have to say I didn't expect how this book ended. It was so different from the other books in the series. I didn't love it like I did the rest. Despite my personal issues with the story, I was glad to be in their world again. The BDB is one of my favorite series and I'll continue reading as many more as Mrs. Ward gives us.

Cliffhanger: No

3/5 Fangs

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Remembering Everly by J.L. Berg


Title: Remembering Everly 
Series: Lost & Found #2 
Author: J.L. Berg


After a stunning cliffhanger ending in Forgetting AugustUSA Today bestselling author J.L. Berg delivers the happily ever after that fans have been waiting for in the sequel, REMEMBERING EVERLY.



He's forgotten his past, but it hasn't forgotten him. After losing two years of his life trapped in a coma, August Kincaid will do anything to win back the love of his life. But his past threatens to destroy his second chance at happiness, it's Everly who is in danger of paying for his crimes.



Amazon  | B&N |  iBooks |  Kobo  | BAM!


Forever Romance and J.L. Berg invite readers to join them for a Facebook party on December 9 from 7 – 10 PM EST to celebrate FORGETTING AUGUST, on sale December 1.  In addition to fun guests and giveaways, there will be a great discussion about the book as J.L. Berg takes fan questions. RSVP here<https://www.facebook.com/events/1638191816444435/>.




FORGETTING AUGUST by J.L. Berg (December 1, 2015; Forever E-Book; Lost & Found: Book #1)

She can forgive, but can she forget?
Some days, Everly still thinks she sees him. In the food court at the mall, or in a car speeding past as the light changes. It only lasts a second, but when it happens, she slips back to a time when she was ruled-and nearly ruined-by August Kincaid. And it doesn't matter that she's moved on, that she's about to marry another man. In those moments the only thing she can do to regain control is take a deep breath and remind herself that August can't hurt her-because he's in a coma. Except that he's not anymore.

August is awake. With no memories, he sets out to solve the mystery of his lost life. He unearths a photograph of a beautiful redhead named Everly and knows instinctively that she's the key. But when he finds her, the August she describes is more monster than man.

Tortured by the thought of having hurt her, August wants only to become the man Everly deserves. As the new August emerges, Everly glimpses the person she first fell in love with. But can she trust that this August is real? When the final secret of their shared past is revealed, one of them will make a choice that changes their future forever . . .



Amazon | B&N | iBooks | GooglePlay |  Kobo | BAM!





Author J.L. Berg is a California native living in the South.  She is the author of the self-pubbed Ready series, which has sold over 100,000 copies.  Married to her high school sweetheart. She and her husband have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she's not writing, you can find her with her nose stuck in a romance book, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate.


Friday, November 27, 2015

Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher


Title: Proven Guilty 
Series: The Dresden Files #8)
Author: Jim Butcher 


There's no love lost between Harry Dresden, the only wizard in the Chicago phone book, and the White Council of Wizards, who find him brash and undisciplined. But war with the vampires has thinned their ranks, so the Council has drafted Harry as a Warden and assigned him to look into rumors of black magic in the Windy City.

As Harry adjusts to his new role, another problem arrives in the form of the tattooed and pierced daughter of an old friend, all grown-up and already in trouble. Her boyfriend is the only suspect in what looks like a supernatural assault straight out of a horror film. Malevolent entities that feed on fear are loose in Chicago, but it's all in a day's work for a wizard, his faithful dog, and a talking skull named Bob....




This is my favorite book of the series so far. 
As soon as I started Proven Guilty I knew it was going to be a good book. It had the perfect combination of drama, awesome fighting scenes, humor and by the end of it, a sense of understanding. 
Jim Butcher has made me love Dresden. I know he can be too sarcastic at times, but I just go with it. I was glad Michael was back in the picture. I have missed him.  
Molly was a surprise in a way. I knew she was going to play a big part in Harry's life, but I could have never had guessed how much! 
I wonder how old Harry is in this book. Is he in his early or late twenties? 
I had a mini heart attack with Mouse. I almost stopped the book.....
Poor Harry is getting into more politics with the White Council, Winter and the Summer queens, but he's also making more allies, which he's going to need if Michael is right. 
Thomas was excellent in this book. I hope he's able to be with Justina at some point. 
One thing I'm sure of, it's I know who Harry has to give the sword to. I have no doubts. 
I missed Butters... I hope he's in the next book. 

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

Rage by Elizabeth Reyes


Title: Rage 
Series: Fate #5
Author: Elizabeth Reyes
 
rage


Having made it to the major leagues, AJ "Rage" Romero is determined to shake the stigma his temper has earned him over the years. He's finally managed a shaky hold of that elusive self-control.


Until he meets them . . .

Without warning, his coach and mentor's brilliantly gifted granddaughter Clair and her equally amazing mother Addison Lara blow into AJ's life. The harder he falls for Addison, the closer and more attached he becomes to Clair. 

Having fallen so fast and hard, he agrees to respect the understandably protective single mother's wish to forever keep the identity of Clair's absent father unknown to everyone—including AJ.

But when the ugly truth about Clair's dad begins to surface, the fire in AJ's fiercely possessive heart is lit. As more of the troubling reality comes to light, his zero tolerance for secrets and dishonesty put his temper—and his love for Addison—to the ultimate test.

Self-control has never felt so impossible.







AJ had two rules when it came to women. He didn’t play games, and he didn’t beat around the bush. If he was in it for nothing more than sex, he made it clear up front. There was no sense in making promises he didn’t intend to keep for the sake of getting in their pants. Too many were able and willing to give it up for nothing more than the fun of it or even bragging rights to have to lie his way into anyone’s panties. 
He’d always known that, if he ever wanted more than just a good time, he’d be up front about that too. There was nothing stupider than when he heard guys get all bent out of shape when they found out the girl they’d been bagging, no strings attached, was screwing someone else too. In most cases, the guys were just selfish pricks. They didn’t want to stop bagging other chicks, but they wanted one in particular for themselves exclusively. 
In other cases, some guys had fallen for their part-time girl for real but were afraid of losing what they did have with her if they pushed for more. That was just insane. AJ had always known it. If he ever fell for anyone he was screwing, he’d be damned if he wouldn’t just tell her, and she’d either agree to exclusivity or he was out. No way would he stay in a relationship with anyone he felt more for, knowing it was an open one. 
No fucking way. 
He’d known for weeks if he ever took the risk of trying for anything with Addison it wouldn’t be a casual fling or even a one-time deal. If he were going to risk it, it was all or nothing. With Addison, he wouldn’t even be willing to sleep with her the one time just to get it out of his system, not with what he felt for her now. 


Award winning, USA Today Bestselling Author, Elizabeth Reyes continues to answer her calling on a daily basis. Since releasing her debut novel FOREVER MINE (MORENO BROTHERS #1) in 2010 she has since published seven more in that series, FOREVER YOURS, SWEET SOFIE, WHEN YOU WERE MINE, ALWAYS BEEN MINE, ROMERO, MAKING YOU MINE, and TANGLED with more stories about the Moreno family and their friends to come. She’s also published a second series, 5th Street which includes, NOAH, GIO, HECTOR, ABEL. FELIX. Her Moreno Brother’s spinoff series FATE includes FATE, BREAKING BRANDON, SUSPICIOUS MINDS and AGAIN (Sydney’s story). Her debut traditionally published title is DESERT HEAT and her latest release is her first ever three part romance serial DEFINING LOVE.
When she’s not writing (which is rare) she spends as much time as she can with her husband of almost twenty-one years, two young adult children, her Great Dane, Dexter and big fat lazy cat named Tyson.


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Thursday, November 26, 2015

Seven Books For Seven Lovers

Get more bang for your buck with SEVEN BOOKS FOR SEVEN LOVERS; an exclusive ebook boxed set, featuring seven full-length contemporary romances and extended teasers of five other books, perfect for every romance reader! You read that right: SEVEN full-length books for only $4.99!