A HARLEQUIN CHRISTMAS BLOG EVENT

'Tis the season, and what better way to celebrate than with 3 wonderful Harlequin releases by 3 wonderful Harlequin authors!  Have a peek! I think Santa will understand! 

A BRAVO FOR CHRISTMAS

By New York Times and USA Today bestselling author

Christine Rimmer

‘Tis the season for a sexy holiday!

When Darius Bravo wants something—he usually gets it. And the powerhouse CEO has wanted Ava Malloy since he was a Justice Creek High senior. Darius is already adored by one Malloy: Ava's spirited daughter. Helping Sylvie and her local Blueberry troop build dollhouses for needy kids is a worthy cause that's bringing him closer to the widowed single mom. Imagine his surprise when the usually unapproachable Ava starts flirting and making her romantic intentions crystal clear!

With one condition.  A holiday fling with the man Ava has always found irresistibly attractive is a thrilling way to ring in the New Year. She can't promise Darius the future—one devastating heartbreak in a lifetime is enough. But Ava underestimates his staying power. And what about her own secret heart's desire? A Bravo under the mistletoe and in her arms forever!

CHRISTINE RIMMER is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has written more than 100 contemporary romances for Harlequin Books. A reader favorite, Rimmer has won Romantic Times Book Review's Reviewer's Choice Award for best Silhouette Special Edition. She has been nominated seven times for the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award and five times for Romantic Times Series Storyteller of the Year.

A BRAVO FOR CHRISTMAS

by Christine Rimmer

Harlequin Special Edition; November 22, 2016
$5.50 U.S.; 224 Pages
ISBN-978-0-373-65095-8

THE GREEK’S CHRISTMAS BRIDE

By Lynne Graham

‘Tis the season for a Sexy Holiday!

Coldly ruthless and deeply cynical, Apollo Metraxis has made a career of bachelorhood. But when the inheritance of his father’s estate is conditional on a marriage and a child, he is forced to do the unthinkable!

Unpolished Pixie Robinson is the world’s worst choice of a wife for Apollo. Yet her family’s mounting debts leave her defenseless and therefore uniquely suitable. But when the wedding night exposes Pixie’s untouched vulnerability, striking a chord in the dark reaches of his heart, Apollo is forced to think again.

And that’s before he discovers that she’s carrying not one but two Metraxis heirs!

LYNNE GRAHAM is a popular Northern Irish author of more than 60 romance novels, published by Mills & Boon since 1987. Graham met her husband when she was 14, but before marrying she completed a degree at Edinburgh University. Lynne and her husband have five children, one natural and four adopted, two from Sri Lanka and two from Guatemala.

THE GREEK’S CHRISTMAS BRIDE
by Lynne Graham

Harlequin Presents; November 22, 2016

$4.99 U.S.; 224 Pages
ISBN-978-0-373-134885

MAID UNDER THE MISTLETOE 

By USA Today bestselling author

Maureen Child

‘Tis the season for a sexy holiday!

Single mom Joy Curran needs this temporary holiday housekeeping job working for a reclusive billionaire. But her sexy, aloof boss pulls at Joy's heartstrings—and her long-denied desires—in unexpected ways…

Sam Henry never got over the loss of his wife and son, and he's shut himself off from happiness, love—and the holidays. But Joy and her sweet daughter bring laughter into his life. And living with his new maid ignites a passion he can't ignore. After one glorious night in Joy's arms, will this beauty be the Christmas miracle that changes the beast forever?

MAUREEN CHILD is the author of more than 130 romance novels and novellas that routinely appear on bestseller lists and have won numerous awards, including the National Reader's Choice Award. A seven-time nominee for the prestigious RITA award from Romance Writers of America, one of her books was made into a CBS-TV movie called The Soul Collector. Maureen recently moved from California to the mountains of Utah and is trying to get used to snow.

MAID UNDER THE MISTLETOE 

by Maureen Child

Harlequin Desire; December 6, 2016
$5.25 U.S.; 224 Pages
ISBN-978-0-373-73500-6

JOANN'S REVIEW ** Real Earls Break the Rules (The Infamous Somertons #2) by Tina Gabrielle **

This book is a revisit to the Somerton ladies. Ms Gabrielle first introduced us to the ladies in her earlier novel An Artful Seduction.

This story was also a delight. When Brandon St. Clair, the Earl of Vale first met Amelia Somerton she was working in a print shop and he was just so intrigued by her. Amelia's sister marries the Earl of Huntingdon, Brandon's closest friend and Brandon invites the whole family for a stay in his country estate Rosehill. As the daughter of a renowned forger she is skeptical of Brandon's proposal to paint his portrait and copy a famous artwork he has in his home.

Brandon just can not keep his hands off Amelia and she too is just as passionate towards him. This is a great book for fans like myself of historical romance. Will the Earl break rules and marry the forger's daughter or seek a wealthy young debutante?

~~ JOANN~~

RELEASE DAY BLISS with SAMANTHA KANE ** FOR LOVE & COUNTRY, Brothers In Arms #13 **

Sir Barnabas James is secretive, manipulative, cold and alone. He abhors society and shuns personal attachments despite a long list of lovers. All the better to be the consummate spymaster in service to King and country. Until an old enemy asks a personal favor…

Lord Ambrose Wetherald has always taken pride in his status as an English gentleman. He obeys even the strictest of society’s rules, is unfailingly polite and deferential, and feels it is his responsibility to protect women and the underprivileged. He has also saved himself for marriage. Until one day he needs a favor…

Melinda de Vere was once the spoiled and willful toast of the London season, but she threw it all away on childish escapades and unfulfilling love affairs. Now she is married to a treasonous scoundrel who abuses and degrades her. Until one day she is rescued by two men she has never met.

When Barnabas demands Ambrose repay the favor in his bed and Mel goes undercover as Barnabas’s housekeeper to help trap her traitorous husband, the three embark on a sensuous affair. Barnabas will have to choose love over duty, Ambrose must surrender his reputation, and Mel will need to learn to trust again if the mismatched, unsuitable lovers hope to survive the devious plot against them.

*For mature readers, 18+

BUY LINK

Monique's Review of * Viking Warrior Rebel (Viking Warriors #2) by Asa Maria Bradley *

In a forest in Washington State lies a fortress where immortal Vikings hide. They must stop half-god Loki from annihilating the human realm. As Loki is not permitted to roam the earth – Midgard – he has henchmen do his dirty deed, wolverines. The immortals’ new queen, Naya, asked her friend Astrid Idrisdotter to find her brother Scott for her impending wedding. Astrid is determined to go at it alone to redeem herself for her previous mission, which went quite badly. Alas, luck is not on Astrid’s side when she runs into a few problems: new, improved wolverines, Scott who has vanished, and Luke Holden, with whom she had had a one-night-stand… 

If only to give you an idea how good VIKING WARRIOR REBEL is, I am not a fan of mythology per se, and I loved this book! Ms. Bradley knows her subject, but better still she is able to smoothly weave mythology, paranormal, suspense and romance seamlessly, thus creating a fresh new world. I ran into some difficulties at the beginning of the story for a somewhat peculiar reason: while they are masterfully written, there were too many action scenes, mostly fighting and sparring scenes, to my taste. However, around halfway through the book, things really take off. I hope Ms. Bradley won’t mind, but almost from the onset I pictured Jason Statham as Luke: Luke is a tough, no-nonsense alpha male, an undercover special agent, but he has a tender side and he is very sweet. He has a terrific backstory, and I would have wished to know even more. Astrid is just a fabulous heroine, and she will forever remain my perception of a Valkyrie.

The romance in VIKING WARRIOR REBEL is simply glorious! The lust that Luke and Astrid experience is palpable, but they work well together, they respect each other’s talents, they are equally strong and wilful, and in spite of major bumps on the road, they trust each other, they have each other’s back. The banter is terrific all around, the characters are all well defined, but what I liked the most is the distinctive spins Ms. Bradley put on a few commonplace paranormal elements. Life mates – själsfrände – are not exactly what we’re used to see, and both Luke and Astrid are somewhat baffled by what it entails. Berserkers, a sort of collective conscience shared by the immortal Viking warriors goes deeper than what we usually see in shifters: it’s more existential than a mere communication device, if you will; it’s the essence of the Viking warriors’ soul and I loved how that it’s much more fluid and that it is not static. And it helps a lot to see real Swedish, and not some made-up Scandinavian drivel. I wonder if there will be some Finnish mythology in the future as well…

I have no idea what Ms. Bradley has in store for us in the third instalment (there will be a third book, won’t it?), but I will be waiting because the possibilities are endless! VIKING WARRIOR REBEL is an innovative, exciting paranormal romance that goes beyond the usual fare; a terrific book! 

~MONIQUE~

Monique's Review of The Legendary Lord by Valerie Bowman

Christian Forester, Viscount Berkeley, isn’t too fond of London Society, and even though he has been searching for a bride for years, he still hasn’t found anyone suitable. He is on his way once again to his refuge, his lodge in the Scottish wilds, however, upon arriving, it’s obvious there’s someone in his home, and it’s not his caretaker Mr. Fergus. It’s the beautiful Sarah Highgate, who is ready, willing, and almost able to defend herself against the intruder! Sarah has fled London and a betrothed imposed by her father; she acted impulsively and not she regrets it, but the inclement weather is not cooperating. The nice Mr. Fergus told her to stay, that the master of the house wouldn’t mind. Christian has spent his life tongue-tied around beautiful women, but it’s not the case around the very appealing Sarah…

THE LEGENDARY LORD is absolutely delightful! Christian and Sarah become fast friends, as they can both help each other, and they do have a lot in common. There’s a touch of Pygmalion, as Sarah endeavours to rid Christian of his problem and find a wife; both are such very appealing characters, individually and together. The banter is very enjoyable, the tone is perfect, and the couple’s chemistry feels very genuine and is off the charts. I had a smile plastered on my face nearly throughout, and I read THE LEGENDARY LORD in one sitting. I often the find snowed-in trope – which is the case here – highly predictable, but Valerie Bowman makes it totally enchanting, not so predictable, and very much fun. The pace is lively, the writing is positively gorgeous, as expected, the story flows seamlessly, and the secondary characters are just as fabulous as Sarah and Christian; the scheming Lucy nearly steals the show. At times, Sarah and Christian are a tad clueless and adorable fools, I loved them both dearly; they’re just perfect!

THE LEGENDARY LORD is a simple story made quite complex because of Sarah and Christian’s upbringings and Regency societal dictates. Once again, Ms. Bowman weaves a beautifully romantic story highlighted by delightfully witty banter, and characters that are both unforgettable and endearing. And on to the next book in this fabulous series!

~MONIQUE~ 

WEEKEND GIVEAWAY ALERT ** D.D. Ayres: EXPLOSIVE FORCES (A K-9 Novel)

Danger is heating up…

When Carly Reese’s beloved fashion boutique catches fire, she sees her dreams go up in smoke. The good news is that Carly was saved from the flames by a barking dog nearby. She soon discovers the heroic pooch is a trained K-9 who’s guarding his unconscious partner …a gorgeous firefighter who ends up in Carly’s arms.

Noah Glover and his K-9 are a fearless duo, and Noah has clearly met his match with the brave, beautiful Carly. Soon they team up to track down the arsonist behind the blast – a psychotic criminal who’s intent on framing Noah. Meanwhile, the sparks between Noah and and Carly could ignite a five-alarm fire. Should they smother their feelings in the name of justice…or fan the flames of passion? Find out in Explosive Forces!

“A power-packed tale of romance and suspense…Rival Forces is Ayres’ best yet.”―RT Book Reviews (Top Pick!)

GIVEAWAY ALERT

2 PEOPLE WILL WIN A PRINT COPY OF THIS BOOK... JUST LEAVE A RANDOM COMMENT!

BUY LINK!

RELEASE DAY BLISS: The Rogue's Wager (Sinful Brides) by Christi Caldwell

Author Christi Caldwell's Montlake debut, THE ROGUE'S WAGER (Sinful Brides Book 1), is a shining example of brilliance encompassed in a book. There is simply no other way to describe this work of art. 

Lord Robert Dennington is a cynic when it comes to women and relationships. At the impressionable age of 21 he walked in on the fiancée he thought he loved, in a very compromising position with his own grandfather. That defining moment altered Robert from the young man in love to the rogue who keeps everyone at arm's length. Robert knows that someday he will have to do right buy his title of Marquess of Westfield and marry to secure the next generation, but he is determined that the woman he chooses be interested only in his title. Until that time however, he will do as he pleases, and in excess. 

Helena Banbury, a bookkeeper in a gentleman's club, is a  Miss of dubious beginnings and a savant when it comes to numbers. Her job as her "brothers" club's bookkeeper keeps her busy and well away from the public... that is until the night when a very soused Robert Dennington wanders into the private area of the Hell and Sin club and wakes up on on the wrong side of town and in the bedroom of Helena Banbury. The plot thickens when Helena's brother, upon discovering his sister had the Marquis in her abode,sends her to live with her father in town. Helena is an unwanted reminder of her father's infidelity to his wife and is treated with disdain by the woman.  Helena however, has the determination of steel, for even though she would much rather be back at the Hell & Sin Club, she won't let anyone make her feel less than she is. 

Although from two different worlds, Robert and Helena's acquaintance steadily becomes a friendship and much more. Robert's trust issues are at the forefront and Helena's abusive childhood and its lingering effects make for one of the most amazing and intense love stories to date. Not a read for the faint of heart, A ROGUE'S WAGER by the prolific Christi Caldwell is the journey of a lifetime and a veritable roller coaster of emotion. Christi Caldwell never ceases to hold this reader well within her grasp with every golden tale spun. This first in the new SINFUL BRIDES series is a winner and I eagerly await the next one! Bravo Miss Caldwell...

~KIMBERLY~

GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!

Leave a Comment For Your Chance To Win An AUDIO Copy Of This Book!!!

GUEST REVIEWER, MONIQUE ** The Sexy One by Lauren Blakely **

And I thought Lauren Blakely couldn’t get any better! I so love being wrong! Simon Travers is THE SEXY ONE, all the nannies think so, and so does Abby Becker, the nanny for his daughter Hayden. Abby has been crushing over Simon for the seven months he’s employed her, but one does not sleep with one’s boss, and so she pines in silence while always wishing more, especially after they evening chats. Simon has been ogling Abby discretely since the first time he saw her, but she is the best nanny ever, his daughter loves her; he has no right to jeopardise this business arrangement. If only he dared… What if she dared?

Lauren Blakely can do no wrong this year. Starting with Big Rock, and every book that has followed relating the love lives of our New York friends, it gets better and better. THE SEXY ONE is a total delight from the first word to the last, and wait for those excerpts of the awesomeness that is to come this winter! How do you fall in love over French braids, French lessons, watching the eaglets grow? THE SEXY ONE is sweet, passionate, loving, wonderful, beautiful; and I think one of the most genuinely romantic contemporary romances I have ever read. Simon is a gentler version of the previous men in this series of books – you know those covers – and THE SEXY ONE is simply true love translated into words, and this is not easily done. There are such many wondrous moments in this book; every paragraph is poetry and love, and smiles and happiness. And the first kiss? Swoon!

Simon and Abby’s love is found in all those little things, the small gestures, the communication, the caring. THE SEXY ONE is a simple yet grand love story: it’s insanely romantic and so genuinely charming!

~ MONIQUE~

Romance Rebels Publishing brings you: CUFFED & CLAIMED

#NEWRELEASE and #Giveaway Cuffed & Claimed - A Law Enforcement #romance only #99cents and it supports #LEO #CuffedandClaimed

Women everywhere are clamoring to secure their copy of the hottest collection of law enforcement erotic romance available!

 

Romance Rebels Publishing brings you:

CUFFED & CLAIMED

Featuring stories by: Caitlyn O’Leary, Daisy Philips, Elle Boon, Fiona Archer, Holly Roberts, Jenika Snow, Lori King, Lynne St. James, Sherri Hayes, and Sydney Lea

What's better than an Alpha man in uniform?

Ten of them. Turn up the heat with ten BRAND-NEW law enforcement stories from some of the hottest USA Today, Amazon, and International best-selling romance authors around. These commanding men in uniform will fulfill your every sinful fantasy, and leave you panting for more.

 

All the proceeds from this 5 STAR read will go to support the families of Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line of duty!

 

Delta Rogue by: Elle Boon

Hailey’s tired of seeing men she considers her brothers nearly killed. The Navy was the one place she considered home, until now. Maddox is used to playing cat and mouse, his job is to keep the United States safe from terrorists. However, the ends always outweighed his own needs. Only this time, with Hailey’s life hanging in the balance it wasn’t the same. As threats escalate, and Hailey is placed under his care 24/7 will he be able to keep things professional? Or will it all fall apart as secrets are uncovered and the threats are closer than either thought?

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Arresting Submission by: Daisy Philips

Cat Conroy had fallen for a bad boy before and it hadn’t ended well. Scott Weston was trouble with a capital T. He claimed to be a CPA but in Cat’s experience, accountants rarely carried guns to work.

Undercover FBI agent Scott loved Cat from the moment he met her. Unfortunately, the lies he had to tell were driving them apart. Would she be able to forgive him when the truth finally came out?

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

In His Custody by: Fiona Archer

English teacher Mercy Jones has sworn off men, especially the edgy ones. So why does the new substitute history teacher have to be dangerous, raw, and challenging—on every level? His uncompromising masculinity and questioning mind captivate Mercy, tempting her to risk her heart. Detective Aidan Shaw is a cynical bastard. But when working undercover to eradicate a high school drug network, Aidan meets an intelligent, feisty blonde. Mercy’s warmth and generous spirit awaken a part of him buried deep for too long. But as he closes in on the criminals manipulating innocents for profit, the stakes grow ever higher.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Street Justice by: Holly Roberts

Street Justice combines a sexy alpha cop, a bohemian woman with a heart of gold, and a half-Shepard half-Poodle mix with a leg-humping need to prove who’s top dog in the neighborhood. With suspense, humor, and steamy romance Street Justice will have your alpha-cop fantasies on full alert.  

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Yes, Sir by: Jenika Snow

Brittin I had no choice but to come back. I knew I’d run into Law, my bear-shifting ex, and the man I still loved. I thought I could move on.I was wrong. Law Brittin is the only woman I will ever love. She is it for me, even if she broke it off. I screwed up when I lost her, and I spent the next two years regretting it. Now she’s back, and it’s my chance to show her I can be the man she deserves.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

The Lawman's Lover by Lori King

A divorcee whose broken dreams are buried so deep she can’t remember where she put them. A Deputy Sheriff with a mountain of responsibilities weighing him down. A fling. No strings attached. No plans for the future. Until someone’s heart gets broken. Find out how Deputy Colby Bricker and waitress Elizabeth Newcomer take their shared past and build a new future, in this sister story to the Crawley Creek Ranch Series.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

House Arrest by: Lynne St James

Ethan Price thought a job as a small-town police detective in Willow Haven would be easy after five years as a pilot in the Air Force. Then a rash of break-ins puts the entire department on alert and the woman he loves at risk. Anna Taggart is smart, stubborn, independent, and doesn’t think she needs anyone. Having her heart broken before, she refuses to give in to her feelings for Ethan no matter how hard he pursues her. Will Ethan be able to convince Anna life is too short not to love?

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Seducing the Detective by: Sherri Hayes

When Detective Janey Davis is sent to the small town of Liberty to consult on a recently discovered John Doe, she’s paired up with Deputy Kyle Reed. She’s run into his type before—handsome, overly confident, and he has the ladies fawning all over him. It should be easy to resist her attraction to him. If only someone would tell that to her heart.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Dirty Liars by: Sydney Lea

Undercover FBI agent Nikolai has been treading a fine line between right and wrong for the last few years and everything he has worked for is thrown into utter chaos the moment he risks it all to save Harper. Harper’s life has just been turned upside down, and now she must rely on the one man who has been lying to her from the moment they met. Can they overcome all the dirty lies told between them?

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Her Hearts Protector by: Caitlyn O’Leary

It’s the worst case scenario for David Sloane as a Military Policeman. An earthquake has rocked Las Flores, leaving devastation in its wake. The local government leans heavily on David to lead the manhunt to recapture the escaped convicts. In the midst of the chaos, former army nurse Sarah Kyle arrives with the International Aid Workers. As David comes face to face with the woman he’s never forgotten, danger continues to escalate as the desperate prisoners do anything they can to leave the island. When conditions deteriorate will these former lovers survive, let alone have the happily ever after they deserve?

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

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Release Day Bliss With JOCIE MCKADE & Yankee Tenacity (Mayson-Dickson Mystery Series Book 2)

Following the latest cryptic message that might lead them to the truth about their parents, Emme Mayson and Jackie Dickson are pulled into another murder investigation when a man dressed in a kilt falls from the sky onto their truck. 

As if a dead body isn't enough, FBI Special Agent Chris Meechum and sexy caretaker Sam Fender try to rein in their sleuthing, but the sisters are determined to solve this murder. Men in kilts, Renaissance Faires, and a few mobsters in all the wrong places complicate the case. 

Emme Mayson is a Southern charmer from Alabama. Jackie Dickson is a straight-forward professional from Boston, they aren't exactly a match made in heaven. The only thing keeping them from starting another war between the states is the mystery surrounding their parents, and their own lives. 

Mayson-Dickson - Northern logic, Southern charm, and murder! 

Yankee Tenacity Excerpt

Jackie Dickson glanced behind her at the long truck bed. "Why would you buy a pisser like this?"

"Don't you be calling my pickup a pisser. That is just not nice." Emme patted the dashboard. "I like Cleo, and I've missed having my truck."

"Cleo? You realize this is a machine, right? Nuts, bolts, an engine, nothing more." Just when she thought her "maybe" twin sister, that was still to be determined, was going to be tolerable to live with, she goes all Alabama redneck.

"At least, it's more practical than that little skateboard you bought." Emme snarled at her.

"Skateboard? That blue beauty is a Z4 BMW roadster that tops out at a 165 MPH." Patting the dashboard of the truck sarcastically, she moaned. "What does this tank do? A slow crawl through Dixie?"

"It ain't all about the speed. Cleo can pull a boat, haul anything you want, lets me see over traffic, and as a bonus, I can run right over your puny little Beamer." She smiled.

Such was life with Ellie May Clampett. Jackie wondered what karmic debt she owed to have been sent here. It must have been a whopper.

"Did you put those coordinates into the GPS?"

"No, I'm just riding shotgun, while throwing biscuits to Jethro in the back."

Emme swerved a bit to the right, driving through the center of a huge pothole. The sudden impact jolted Jackie off her seat, crunching her elbow against the door. Then a loud thud hammered the back of the truck sending a shudder through the metal. The truck swerved, and Emme fought the wheel.

"Being a smart ass is one thing, trying to kill me is another." Jackie snapped.

"It wasn't me," Emme pulled the steering wheel hard. "I think we blew a tire." Easing the truck onto the side of the road, she pushed the four-way lights on and slid out. Tilting her head to one side, she looked at the tires, gave a shrug, started to walk to the back and stopped dead in her tracks.

Emme's hazel eyes grew large, the color drained from her tanned face and every part of her body was frozen into place.

This was one of those moments when Jackie had to decide if she really wanted to look behind her or not. They probably ran over some poor woodland animal. Those beasts were all over the place down here in the south. It's remains were probably scrambled over the side of the truck, and this miserable humidity would make it start stinking.

Emme stood on tip-toes, tilted her head to one side, and crooked her finger motioning Jackie to get out. Damn, there was no way of getting out of seeing what carnage was underneath the truck. Shoving open the door, she stepped onto the gravel shoulder, turning.

"Holy shit, what is that?"

"I think it's a body."

They walked toward the bed of the truck where booted feet hung over the side. The edge of the truck's bed was now a funky 'U' shape, the feet were perched at odd angles, and the branches of several pine trees nearly covered the rest of the body. At least, Jackie hoped there was a rest of the body.

"No. Hell no. Not another dead body. Seriously? Who the hell did we piss off so bad?" Jackie shook her head. Three dead bodies in a matter of weeks wasn't normal. Normal? Ha! It was downright screwed up.

"Eww, eww," Emme peered into the truck bed first. "That is nasty." Walking to the back, she stepped up on the bumper.

"What are you doing?" If she thought it was nasty why was she getting an even better look?

"Huh, will you look at this." Two cars sped past, their breeze making Emme hang onto the tailgate. "What do y'all think this is a NASCAR race?" She shouted after them.

Jackie hesitated. They'd seen enough mangled bodies recently to last a lifetime. Just a few weeks ago, they hadn't known each other existed. Jackie was a happy executive with a pharmaceutical company in Boston, and Emme was an architect working in Alabama. Then they both received a cryptic letter to come to Washington, D.C.

Since then a man was assassinated in front of them, they'd been shot at, moved to a 'safe' house by some agency - they didn't know which one - told their recently deceased parents were spies, and decided to open a private investigation office as a way of hiding their search for the truth about their parents. That was all it was supposed to be a PI agency that acted as a good cover story in their search. PI credentials opened doors.

Then they solved a high profile murder after a dead body slammed into them. That gave them a good paycheck, let them help the local cops put a murderer behind bars and put them square in the PI business. They had managed to keep their names out of the paper, barely. Publicity wasn't a good thing for people in a jacked-up witness protection program.

Jackie was hoping for nice little cases that involved cheating spouses or worker's comp fraud, not real dead bodies.

Standing on the bumper beside Emme she looked at the surprisingly intact body. It was a man in his mid to late thirties, Caucasian, brown hair tied in a ponytail, and dressed in, wait, what? A Scottish kilt.

"What the hell?" They exchanged glances. Jackie took one of the pine branches and lifted the kilt.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm checking to see if he was a real Scotsman." She dropped the branch.

"And you think looking at his junk is going to tell you? That is just rude." Emme jumped down just as a convertible sports car stopped.

"Hey, sweet thing do you need some help?" The driver's bald head glistened in the sun, his neon blue mesh tank top had been blown to an odd angle off one shoulder, and he was in serious need of a shave. He gave the engine a few revs.

"We sure do, honey." Emme pointed to the truck. "We could use some help dumping this dead body." The man the floored the convertible for all it was worth.

Did her sister really just tell that man there was a dead body in their truck? Yes, dammit she did.

"You know that man is calling the cops right now."

"My call will trump his." Emme smiled. "I have Agent Meechum's private number."

Meet The Author: Jocie McKade

Jocie McKade is an Amazon bestselling author, scriptwriter, and journalist. She lives in the Midwest with her family and Diesel the Wonder Dog. 

I write romantic comedy because, well, most of my real life could be a comedy, so I go with what I know! 

I am a grower of ArnoldSchwarz-a-weeds, which I call my garden guardians (no one wants to raid a garden with THOSE kind of weeds)and I am a camping goddess - I love camping and hey, I may not rock a bikini, but I can make a back-pack look good!!!

Visit Jocie's website to join her newsletter, get the latest news on releases and giveaways.

Guest Reviewer AMY COMPTON ~ The Pleasure of the Rose: The MacNeil Legacy - Book One by Jane Bonander ~

Fletcher MacNeil, half Comanche Indian and half Scottish, was raised on the stories of his Scottish ancestors and homeland even though he lived his whole life in Texas. When Fletcher was 15, his father remarried and Fletcher, feeling that he was just in the way, set out to make his own way. Unfortunately, he gets into a bit of trouble and finds himself sitting in an army jail cell, accused of murder, and awaiting the gallows. The last thing he expected was Gordon Geddes, a Scottish solicitor, arriving to inform him that he was the only surviving heir to Castle Sheiling on the Isle of Hedabarr. In order to claim his inheritance, Fletcher escapes and sails to Scotland, a new world.

Rosalyn Geddes, sister of Gordon, is the housekeeper at Castle Sheiling. She is shocked when she first meets the savage duke, as she refers to him. His dark skin and long braids are so unlike the people on the island. Yet, a strange feeling settles in her whenever she looks at him. Rosalyn’s brother reveals to Rosalyn and Fletcher that there is another stipulation to the will. Fletcher must marry and produce an heir within the year or all the fortune goes to an idiotic cousin. Fletcher agrees, but is concerned for his half siblings he left behind in Texas and vows to return to look for them if they are not located soon. Rosalyn vowed she’d never marry again. Her first husband was a heinous man whose cruelty resulted in the death of her daughter. But after an unexpected intimate encounter with Fletcher, Rosalyn concedes to the marriage. As Rosalyn and Fletcher face the day to day life of running the island, they begin to learn more about each other and are more open to the possibility that their relationship could be more.

There were several things I really enjoyed about this story and I would actually give 3 1/2 stars if Goodreads allowed that rating. Fletcher’s introduction to his duties as earl were comical. He was shocked to discover that the position of earl mostly required common sense as many of his duties were no more than settling arguments among the islanders.

I also enjoyed the initial banter between Fletcher and Rosalyn. She saw him as a rude, crude, and ill- mannered savage who liked to parade around naked. While Fletcher saw her as haughty and with cool superiority. Just the kind of woman he avoided. They often toyed with one another just to aggravate the other one.

I especially got a kick out of some of the secondary characters. The decrepit, gassy butler was pretty amusing and I liked the side romance that occurred between Rosalyn’s brother and her best friend. Fletcher’s siblings were likeable characters as well, and will hopefully have stories of their own.

As I said, there were lots of enjoyable elements to the story. I gave it 3 ½ stars because it just fell flat for me for a few reasons.

The conversations at times didn’t seem to fit the environment or the time period and just felt a little bland. The intimate scenes fell flat for me as well just seeming to be too abrupt and not really eliciting romantic feelings. I felt like the romance aspect was often overshadowed by other events in the story. There were other parts of the story that seemed resolved too quickly- Fletcher’s adjustment to the island and his sister’s adjustment as well.

Overall, it was an enjoyable novel but just fell short for me in some areas. As I said though, the secondary characters were good and I would be interested in reading their stories in the future. I was given and ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

~AMY COMPTON~

Guest Blogger, SISSY MAE'S Review of Passionate Pursuit (Dangerous Desires #3) by Tina Donahue

'Passionate Pursuit' by Tina Donahue is book three in the "Dangerous Desires" series. This is the story of Beatriz and Tomás. I have read the other books in this series: Loving Lies and Wicked Whispers, but I easily feel this is a standalone book. It does have the other characters from the previous book so I did enjoy catching up with them. 

Beatriz is running from her father and his arranged marriage he has made for her. Beatriz father is a unfeeling mean person and only made the arrangement to better himself. So now Beatriz is pretending to be a servant for Tomás. Tomás has found Beatriz to be very beautiful and caring..not to mention that he is highly attracted to her. So he has been complex in how to move forward with her. As a servant and he the owner he shouldn't have any relationship with her but he can't resit her. Beatriz feels the same way so they start a friendship of sort but it quickly moves to something else. But Beatriz knows there can never be anything else so she tries to end it while Tomás tries to get her to marry him. 

I so loved this book...it might be my favorite one yet in the series! I just could not put it down! 

~SISSY MAE~ 

Review posted on:

https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordpress.com/2016/08/07/passionate-pursuit/