Working Stiffs #2 ~ OPEN HOUSE ~ by Sahara Kelly

Successful architect, Jeff McAdams is stuck playing salesman at his father's request. His father has fired the last design firm and he expects his son to meet with the new firm he has hired. When Jeff comes face to face with the gorgeous woman that got away from him eight years before, sparks fly.

Gabriella Rossini , the new designer, was the one that got away, due to Jeff's stupidity, but as soon they set eyes upon one another, lust abounds and they cannot, nor want to keep their hands off each other. 

Yet another orgasmic read from Sahara Kelly. This lady certainly know how to get the creative juices flowing. This Working Stiffs novella series is a definite plus and I am waiting with bated breath for the next one. Pick up Working Stiffs #1 Hired Help, with co-writer SLCarpenter and this fab read Working Stiffs #2, Open House by Sahara Kelly today!

~KIMBERLY~

4 Orgasms Read (Awesome!!!)

Train Station Bride by Holly Bush

Julia Crawford is a  constant source of embarrassment for her wealthy East Coast family. The plump, twenty something has decided to do everyone a favor, especially herself. After corresponding with a middle-aged man looking for a wife to take care of him and his aging mother in North Dakota, Julia packs her bags and secrets herself away to become the man's wife. 

Jake Shelling has sacrificed much of his early life to care for his sisters once their parents die of influenza. At sixteen he stepped up and became parent, provider as well as brother to his siblings. Now in his early thirties, he realizes it's time to lay down his own roots, marry and have some children. Jake isn't even thinking of love, he's not even sure he knows what that is.

A twist of fate has Julia and Jake together with an I do and a fainting spell. Once reality hit the couple, they decide to make the best of things until Julia's family get involved. Julia has a secret she has been hiding for ten years and once this secret is out it could ruin her relationship with Jake as well as her family in Boston. 

What an awesome story with characters I cared so much for. Julia, a product of her family's upbringing comes into her own once she is away from the very people who are supposed to have cared foe her unconditionally. Instead they berate her and make her feel unattractive and useless. Once married to Jake, she has a tough time believing the kind things he and his family say to her. When Julia finally comes into her own, I wanted to do a happy dance. I also wanted to take some of her snooty family members and beat the living daylights out of them. At first, Jake seems to be uncaring and aloof, but quickly turns into the hero of the day with his honesty the way he treats those he cares for. When a story gives me that much to work with, it's a great read and I love to share my feelings about it.

Train Station Bride is a fabulous read by Holly Bush and I hope you all give it a go and enjoy it as much as I did. 

~KIMBERLY~

Holly Bush's website: http://www.hollybushbooks.com/

Holly on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Holly-Bush/247399131941435

Holly on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hollybushbooks

4 Stars (Brilliant)

The Emerald Isle Trilogy by Renee Vincent

I wanted to take a break and read for FUN... Every once in a while I like to go off the beaten path from all the reads I have promised to read and just grab something. I know Renee Vincent is not a new author, but she is new to me. After a little Twitter back and forth, I went to her website and checked out the blurbs for her historical series and decided I would give one a try. Only thing is, after reading the first one, Raeliksen and being left a crying mess, I had to jump right into Mac Liam for my own sanity, once I was left in a much better state of mind, I grabbed The Fall of Rain and once again was gasping for air. I loved this Trilogy and I wanted to share it with you.

What is it that kept me coming back? Hmmm well let's see... Hot Vikings, ancient Ireland, beautiful princess and battles are a few of the reasons. Maybe the awesome story... in addition to the fact that I have never read something quite like it.

In Raeliksen, we find  Daegan Raeliksen, a wealthy merchant and a chieftain in his own right,  in search of a wife. Daegan. In his travels, Daeaen has come upon the beautiful Mara, a Irish woman wandering the countryside on her own. Days go by and Daegan watches Mara as she spends her time near the shore. He is captivated by not only her beauty, but her essence as well. Daegan doesn't realize, but Mara is the daughter of a Irish King, regardless of that fact, the merchant/ chieftain has decided in a his infinite wisdom, that Mara is to be his wife.

When Mara's life becomes endangered, Daegan must act quickly to save her, in the process, whisk her away, or basically kidnap her. Raeliksen is an epic tale of the determination this larger than life man has when it comes to what he wants and the woman that at first seems the shy bit of a thing, but upon closer observation is quite the strong character. Be prepared for tears in this tale as well as deep, dark secrets that come to light.

Should you continue to read on here, you will find spoilers to the first book, which cannot be helped.

The continuation of the Emerald Isle trilogy comes to us in Mac Liam, seven years after the Daegan Raeliksen saga, we find Breandan Mac Liam, who was introduced in the first book, still pining after his lost love. He honestly feels no remorse in his pining and only wishes for an opportunity to see the object of his affection again. That opportunity arises when he receives news that the King of Connacht, Mara's father is on his deathbed and wishes to see his only daughter before he passes on. The King has asked that Breandan escort his daughter from Inis Mor to him.

Mara lives in the Isle of Inis Mor with the product of her short but timeless love affair with Daegan, their son Lochlann. Six years after the birth of Lochlann she has neither seen nor heard from her father, Callan, the King of Connacht. She lives under the watchful of of her deceased husband's best friend Tait, the new Chieftain, and Nevan, King on Inis Mor. Lately, Mara, although seemingly content in her existence has been feeling low. She watches as those around her have full lives with intact families and she feels a pang of something if not jealousy. The love she has for her son and the extreme love she still feels for Daegan keep her going but also leave her wanting.

Mac Liam is a story of secrets coming to light and dreams coming true. It is a tale of second chances and enlightenment, acceptance and need. Breandan is a gentleman and a catch and Mara basically has no chance when they are reunited, and after the outcome in Raeliksen, you don't want to see Mara get away either.

Finally we come full circle with The Fall of Rain. Present day, where we find Kentucky native Lorraine O'Connor coming out of a long relationship with a total jerk who didn't deserve her. All her life, Lorraine has had some pretty vivid dreams of ancient Ireland and a handsome Viking. She has an affinity for Ireland and her dream is to travel there. With her breakup, her best friend Patrick books her on the first flight to the Emerald Isle to live it up and fulfill her lifelong dreams. Reluctantly, Lorraine, or Rain as her friends call her, makes her journey to Ireland and ends up staying on Inis Mor.

Leif Daegansen is an archaeologist from Norway who, living on Inis Mor, is trying to find the definitive Viking/Ireland link. So involved in his task, he rarely takes the time to see what's surrounds him. With his recent find or an intricately designed treasure box, he is more determined to find that link, until a beautiful female faints dead away in his presence while out on his ride on horseback. When hours later, Lorraine awakens in Leif's home, confusion and enlightenment abound in a heartbeat as Lorraine comes face to face with the man in her dreams. Suddenly coming to terms that reincarnation does in fact happen, spurns Lorraine into action. Being reunited with her lost love, centuries after his untimely demise has Rain determined not to allow him to slip though her fingers. Leif, a tad clueless at first feels a connection with Rain, but doesn't know from where it comes and really doesn't question it.

Can Rain make Leif see that he is in actuality her lost love? What will he do when she confronts him with the story and some unbelievable facts? Of course you will have to read The Fall of Rain to find out, because if you came this far in the Emerald Isle Trilogy, there is no place to go but forward!

~KIMBERLY~.

Renee Vincent's Website:  http://www.reneevincent.com/

Renee on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReneeVincent

Renee on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/reneevincent

No Longer a Gentleman by Mary Jo Putney

1803 France: After an indiscretion with a high-powered French politician's wife, the privileged Grey Sommers, Lord Wyndham, finds himself in a private dungeon for ten long years. During his captivity, the English, Grey goes from the easy going golden boy to fighting for survival and his sanity in solitary confinement. His only distraction is a French priest that was captured and placed in the next cell, and that was two years after Grey had already been there. 

1813: England:  Cassie Fox is a spy for England. During her life she has effectively lost all. Her English father and French mother along with her brother,were burned to death in the family home at the onset of the war. She had a short respite with a neighboring family but tragedy continued to mark this young lady's life until she escaped and made her way back to England,  not as the young Baron's daughter she once was, but as Cassie Fox, extraordinary female with the ability to make herself unnoticeable. Her goal in life is to destroy Napoleon's Empire.

Cassie has been sent on a fact finding mission to France to investigate rumors that Grey Sommers is still alive. After so long with no word, the heir to the Wyndham title has been written off by many, but a select few still believe in their hearts that such a determined man could survive anything. Cassie's ingenuity and her ability to blend in finds that Lord Wyndham is in fact alive and prisoner in Castle Durand. When she finds the chance in a million to actually free Grey, she takes it, escaping with the unrecognizable Lord Wyndham and the priest who kept him company. 

After leaving the priest with his family, Cassie and Grey embark on their escape from France. Grey, having been without outside contact in ten years clings to Cassie as his lifeline and his warmth. Along the way Cassie and Grey slip into an affair not easily defined. One of mutual desire and mutual need, but Cassie is holding back Once returned to England, Grey is loathe to jump back into society. He finds masses of people terrify him and only Cassie's presence can calm him. He wanted to delay a family reunion until he looked more like his former self than a captive, but news from home changes that.

Once returned to the family fold, will Grey be able to take up his mantle as heir? Will be he able to live his life without his lifeline? Does he even want to? Will Grey be able to cast off the terrors that return to haunt him? Read No Longer a Gentleman by Mary Jo Putney to find out.

Surprisingly, No Longer a Gentleman was my first Mary Jo Putney book. It definitely will not be the last as this is the fourth in " The Lost Lords " series and I am rushing back to read book one. Cassie's character as the English spy is an awesome one. Plain to all see her, she has just something attractive and strong about her that makes her one of my new favorite females. Grey is not your typical Lordling either. His ten years in captivity has made him pensive and deeper than any male of his time would be. He is a great character, honest with his feelings. I didn't put down the book once Cassie freed Grey and I suspect you won't either. I highly recommend this read.

~KIMBERLY~

4 Stars (Brilliant)

The Secret Life of Cowboys ~JESSE~ by C.H. Admirand

Jesse Garahan has been unlucky in love.He thought he was in love at one time, but she only wanted him as a friend. Now The Circle G is all atwitter with his brother's women and he feels that pang of jealousy and also the longing for what both Tyler and Dylan have

Driving along in his truck Jesse comes upon two damsels in distress. Danielle Brockway and her daughter, pint-sized pink cowgirl Lacy are in serious need of help. Danielle is about to attempt a big no-no with her overheated car and remove the radiator cap. Cowboy Jesse saves the day before Danielle could come to harm and he becomes Lacy's instant hero.

Divorcee, Danielle Brockway is in the town of Pleasure to stay with her Uncle Jimmy, who owns a diner and makes the best pies in Pleasure. She and little Lacy have been abandoned by her ex, a bull rider who only thinks of himself and has no place in his life for a wife and child. The instant she meets Jess Garahan, she is intrigued by the handsome and well mannered cowboy. Lacy is full on in love with Jesse from minute one and it seems that Jesse feels the same way for the smart as a tack three year old. 

Jesse also feels an instant attraction to the beautiful blonde, Danielle and wonders if she could be the one for him. Even after being hurt by the same woman twice he is willing to see where his attraction takes them. Danielle has trust issues because of her ex and doesn't know if opening herself up to Jesse will cause more heartache. Would a cowboy take on a divorcee and her tiny daughter and love them as his own? If he does, can the divorcee trust him to be the honorable and loving man he is known by others to be? Well, pick up Jesse to find out!

Jesse is the third installment in the Secret Life of Cowboys trilogy and it is my favorite. Jesse's true man comes out clear as day and it makes me want to be a cute little blonde named Danielle. Lacy is a shining star constantly rooting for her cowboy and you can't help but melt every time she opens her mouth. Danielle doesn't realize she is as strong a woman as she is and it takes both Jesse and Lacy to bring it out. Jesse by CH Admirand shows that families come in all shapes and sizes. Watching newcomers Danielle and Lacy fit in  with the Garahan clan is an awesome sight that makes you want to be on the inside. Jesse is a hometown romance only CH can write, truthful and to the heart of it. I highly recommend Jesse by CH Admirand , and hope you go ahead and read Tyler and Dylan first because getting to know each Garahan in their own story is part of their charm.

Thank you CH Admirand, for bringing the Garahans and their loves to life as only you can!

~KIMBERLY~

CH Admirand's Website: http://chadmirand.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CH.Admirand
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CHAdmirand

5 Stars (Hook Line and Sinker)

Granite Rose by Linda McMaken

Fiercely loyal Roman General, Marcus Alexius is given the unwanted task of returning to Rome with the kidnapped Princess of neighboring country Dacia. Emperor Trajan has come up with a secret plan to bring the Dacians within his grasp and Princess Sianna Cynara is the means to achieve that.

Nineteen year old Princess Sianna is not your usual lady of the day. She is confident, gutsy and stubborn to a fault. Her stubbornness is what gets her kidnapped in the first place. The entire journey to Rome is riddled with her failed attempts at freedom and the General's stopping her each and every time. Outwardly Marcus shows his contempt for the Dacian princess as her people were responsible for the deaths of his brother and sister-in-law but inwardly he is having a struggle because this female is highly intelligent, resourceful and unflinching. Sianna is torn between hating the handsome General and respecting her treatment and protection of her in front of his men.

Once in Rome, Marcus is ordered by the Emperor to keep the Dacian captive at his villa, where Sianna becomes tutor to Marcus' young nephew. During this time, negotiations begin for Sianna's release but through political underhandedness by unscrupulous men vying for power and wealth, Sianna's future hangs in the balance.  Not only her life, but the reputation and very life of her protector Marcus is in jeopardy, demonstrating that loyalty sometimes is a weakness when ambitions of those in power prevail. 

The bigger picture here is that the Emperor himself has many enemies who would see him brought down. These enemies, through bribery and their lust for power alter the lives of innocents at a whim. Can a loyal subject and a foreign princess save Emperor Trajan's reign? Can the General rid himself of his inner hatred of Sianna's people to open his eyes to what's in front of him? These answers and more when you read Granite Rose by Linda McMaken.

I will begin my part by saying that I am a lover of ancient history and this book's subject was already highly appealing to me before I began to read it. It is not your typical romance for it shows the ugliness of  these Roman times and the uncertainty of life, day by day. The story here is an amazing one. Sianna's struggle to keep her dignity while in captivity and her growing admiration for the gruff Marcus secret, is one that I loved. Marcus' best intentions of keeping his distance and his not so obvious interest in the mouthy princess is his cross to bear. Ancient Rome's atmosphere was not pretty. Underneath it was dirty and and conniving and a difficult venue for a budding romance, yet it happened in the midst of the chaos. 

Linda McMaken is a daring writer to venture into this territory, and for this I applaud her, because Granite Rose is a fabulous read and opens ones eyes to the obscure. I highly recommend Granite Rose. 

~KIMBERLY!

Linda McMaken's Website:  http://www.linda-mcmaken.com/index.html

BLOG: http://www.makenwords.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lindamcmaken

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/makenwords

4 Stars (Brilliant)

Author Spotlight ~C.H. Admirand~

Early 2011 I picked up a book named Tyler, by a new author to me, C.H. Admirand, and quickly fell in love with Garahan family in the story. Being who I am, curious to say the least, I wanted to know more about this talented author, so I sent her an email about how I enjoyed the book C.H. emailed me back quickly and so began our relationship. This week her third book in the Secret Life of Cowboys series, Jesse is hitting thhe bookshelves and I would like to share the Colleen Admirand I know with you.

I was very fortunate to meet C.H. Amirand at last Summer's RWA in New York and loved her from minute one. She is so enthusiastic about meeting her readers and so appreciative of anyone who approaches her. Then we got to have a splash of an great time at Lora Leigh's RAW, where Colleen spent time with Denise and I and pretty much dragged me over to meet Lori Foster, who I was a tad nervous about meeting. That went very well. I might add.

In November 2011, Colleen came down to see the Book Obsessed Chicks group in my home and we had the best evening with her.She told all about her series and her previous books, and we got to know her on a very relaxed level. Every single one of my girls is a staunch supporter and big fan of C.H. Admirand and I would love you all to be as well.

Last time I was fortunate to see Colleen was this June at the Book Obsessed Chicks 2nd Annual Beach BBQ Blast at Lido Beach, N.Y. The lovely lady brought along her friend and fellow author, Tara Nina to share in the festivities where we all got to find out more about the author and a great lady whom I call my friend, Colleen Admirand.

Q&A with C.H. Admirand in honor of the release of
 ~THE SECRET LIFE OF COWBOYS (BOOK 3) JESSE~

1. When did you know you wanted to write? I've always loved writing. I used to write poetry--badly--for a high school crush and then wrote my first short story...entitled MISSING...in my high school creative writing class.

2.Did you find it difficult to get published? LOL! I had 99 rejections before I received the call. I started writing seriously for publication in 1995 and received the call in June of 2000...my first book was published in December of 2001. But the hard part was wondering if I was going to be a one-book wonder because I didn't sell my second book until 2007...and then I sold six more! My first editor left before THE MARSHAL'S DESTINY was published. Being orphaned before the book was actually published was difficult. After years in the Library and Small Press Market, I achieved one of my career goals and sold a trilogy to Sourcebooks. TYLER was my 10th book, but my first mass market paperback. :)

3.Tell us a little about yourself and about Jesse. I'm definitely a homebody and my brand really does describe me: Romance, Family, Hearth & Home. My family centers me and has been supportive of my career from the beginning. They totally understand that when I’m on deadline, it's the 3 Ps for dinner: Peanut Butter, Pasta, or Pizza! LOL. I love writing and reading Romance, spending time with my family and our beautiful grandbaby, baking, and playing in the dirt in our gardens.

JESSE is the youngest of the dark-haired, dark-eyed, handsome-as-sin Garahan brothers. He loves his brothers and the Circle G Ranch and will do anything he has to in order to save their 150 year old legacy. He’s had his heart broken twice—by the same woman, so it seemed only fair that he would fall in love with two…the curvy blonde he stopped to help at the side of the road on the way into town—and her three-year-old pixie-pink, cowgirl daughter!

4.What inspired you to write The Secret Life of Cowboys Series? It all started with one of my author friends asking if I’d go with her to support her publisher and the Ellora’s Cave models by going to a local club to see them. Of course I’d do just about anything for my friends…but next time, I think I’ll ask questions first…because we ended up at LeBare in Houston, a ladies’ club. I thought I was old enough to go…but apparently I was wrong. I was mortified and so uncomfortable that I nearly missed out on the perfect opportunity to do research. By the time the final act walked out onto stage…a cowboy…my interest was captured. And I began to wonder, why would a real cowboy be up on that stage? And then I knew—to save the ranch! Once the creative juices started to flow, I had the synopsis for the first book and on the plane ride home, the bare bones for two more!

5.Who was your favorite character to write and why? Hmmm…that’s a tough question, because while I’m working on my wip, I live with those characters…eat with them, sleep with them, etc., heck they even wake me up in the middle of the night because they’re arguing in my head! But I do have to say that Jesse, Danielle, and Lacy have been pure pleasure to write about…as a mom, incorporating snippets of memories of our three when they were little was so much fun.

6.What do your family and friends think about your choice of career? My hubby and our three kids…and now our son-in-law are very supportive and are ready to be a stand in for an action scene, for example, if I can’t envision just where my 5’4” heroine would get hit if she stepped in the middle of a fist fight. LOL!  For some reason, my guys really enjoy pretending that they’re about to clip me in the chin. My author friends and I support each other, reading when needed and doing events and promo with and for one another. Do they read your books? My daughter has read chapters for me over the years, but not my guys…but they’ve all said they’d read my digital comic when it’s released in March.

7.On a personal note, what’s your favorite television show? If and when I get the remote, I enjoy watching NCIS…other than that I love tuning in to the Encore Western and Hallmark channels.

8.Who are your favorite authors? Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christina Skye, to name a few.  Favorite Book? Hmmm…that’s a tough one because I have so many…Ransom by Julie Garwood.

9.Do you have any role models? If so, who? From the first moment I heard her speak at a writer’s conference, Nora Roberts has been a huge influence. She’s smart, savvy, and sooo talented, but besides that has her finger on the pulse-beat of what readers want and delivers it time and time again. Mentors? I don’t have any personal mentors, but I have a group of mentors RWA and NJRW…without those two writer’s groups, I do not think I would have ever received the call.

10.What’s your favorite holiday? It’s a tie between Thanksgiving—big fan of turkey, stuffing, and PIEs…and Christmas…it’s the cookies. LOL!

 11. Do you have any say in cover choice? I did for my first book…that’s my great-grandmother, the real Margaret Mary Flaherty on the cover of the book.  I decided to use family names in all of my books and am still working on my Irish ancestors’ names…Margaret Mary Flaherty was the heroine in my first book.

12. Any last words of wisdom to your readers? For those that are aspiring writers—NEVER give up! You never know just how close you are to receiving that call if you do. For readers—thank you for supporting Romance and loving it as much as I do!

P.S. LET'S KEEP OUR COWBOY SUMMER GOING!!!