Friday, December 23, 2016

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



Saturday, November 26, 2016

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~~

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

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+

Monday, November 14, 2016

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~

Sunday, November 13, 2016

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~ 

Saturday, November 12, 2016

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!

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

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!!!