Thursday, April 10, 2014

BEAUTY AND THE HIGHLANDER by HILDIE MCQUEEN

Carrick Gordon believes no woman would willingly be with him because of his scarred face and the widowed Analise Macgregor believes no one would be interested in her as she feels less than attractive. Throw this pair into an arranged marriage and you get a very interesting tale of yearning for acceptance and love.

Spurned by his father, the Laird Angus Gordon insists on him marrying a widow from another clan to improve relations between the clans. Carrick will do as his father wants, but he doesn't have to like it. When he finally sees the beauty who is to be his wife, he has hope until she suggests they live apart after the wedding. What he doesn't know is that Analise only suggests that to spare the handsome man from having to endure her unwanted presence. Even with the misconceptions about one another, the pair sizzle in bed, the only place where they seem to be compatible. 

When Carrick is summoned to his father's stronghold because the Laird is deathly ill, Analise accompanies her husband only to discover that the Laird is being poisoned. Almost immediately the pair who have been almost estranged from one another, begin to work as one to attempt to save the Laird's life and ascertain the culprit in the crime. Will Carrick and Analise put aside their miscalculations of one another to see the truth beneath their self inadequacies? Will they forgive the wrongs they have done to one another and become the couple that each has dreamed of being? 

BEAUTY AND THE HIGHLANDER by Hildie McQueen is touching and passionate. A quick but complete read with an abundance of feeling. I highly recommend this story by Ms. McQueen, who is such a great writer. Her characters are real and want what every single one of us wants, a happy ending. 

~KIMBERLY~

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

GUEST REVIEWER ~ MARGIE HAGER ~ AFTERSHOCK by DESIREE HOLT & GIVEAWAY


Determined to shake off her past, Sydney Alexander plans to seize the day when it comes to handling PR for Lightnin’ the blazing star rising on the rock scene. Rick Trajean, Lightnin’s lead, torches her all business all the time mantra when the sizzling chemistry between them ignites brighter than the band’s popularity.

As Lightnin’ scorches the charts, Rick and Sydney burn up the sheets. But can their passion handle the pressure of the music business? Not everyone is happy with Lightnin’s success and when the vindictiveness so common in the business threatens to destroy the band, their tour, and the love Rick and Sydney found in each other, their powerhouse may come crashing down. What’s left when it does? #Aftershock2
  
LIGHTNIN’ STRIKES!

I loved Desiree Holt's book, Joy Ride.  As a matter of fact, I can honestly say that Joy Ride turned me into a Rock Band Romance Junky.  With that in mind, I'm here to tell you that Aftershock, the sequel to Joy Ride, has more than satisfied my appetite for this sub-genre of romance.
  
Aftershock is a truly amazing read.  In my opinion this story is even better than Joy Ride.  You do get to catch up on what's happening with the hero and heroine of Joy Ride, Marc and Emma, as well as getting to know the other members of the band Lightnin' a bit better.  But you also get to meet Sydney Alexander, newly named promotions agent for the happening, new-on-the-scene band Lightnin' who is hot, sexy yet somewhat troubled by some past life experiences and the nasty, bitter aunt who raised her after the death of her parents.  You get to learn more about Rick Trajean, leader of the band, Lightnin' while savoring all the sweet, sexy details of how Syd and Rick fall for each other.  Then hold on to your hats because things get a little wild when the nasty villain enters the picture.  Let me tell you.  Desiree Holt writes THE BEST villains and she sure doesn't disappoint in this story.  You are going to love hating this villain.
  

Desiree Holt is one of my absolute favorite authors.  I love her writing style.  Her characters are always so real.  The story line is always sure, succinct and sure to grab your attention.  All this is true in Aftershock but she goes beyond the usual.  I felt like I was really backstage listening to Lightnin' perform during the concert and interacting with everyone after the concert while reading this book. I highly recommend this book for your reading pleasure.  Aftershock is most definitely an Off-the-Charts #1 winner!

~MARGIE HAGER~ 


Our awesome Desiree Holt has offered up a copy of Joyride and Aftershock to 2 lucky readers. Just leave Desiree a question she can answer! Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter! 

BLUE HORIZON (SHADES OF BLUE #4) by HILDIE MCQUEEN



Laura Foster left the desolation of her life and moved to Alder Gulch, where she finally felt a glimmer of hope that she had people that cared for her. She and her toddler son have wormed their way into the hearts and lives of her adoptive townspeople and she even has a protector in the form of Josiah McClintock, who has his own secrets and crosses to bear. Laura has not had it easy. Her young life has so much tragedy it's amazing how this woman can take it and not want to just lie down and cease living.

Josiah McClintock has been watching out for Laura since she came to Alder Gulch.There's just  something about her that make him constantly have her in mind. Laura cannot understand they whys of Josiah's interest. She's nobody, broken and alone but for her precious boy. Josiah has never told the occupants of Alder Gulch and it's surroundings the true facts of his life. He wonders if they knew, would they still accept him. He thrives on the day to day. He isn't afraid of hard work and there's just a peaceful quality about him that is attractive. Josiah watches his friends marry and have children and is torn about whether he wants the same for himself. Josiah knows that Laura still has nightmares of her life with Frank, who she is sure is dead. What if he isn't dead? What if Laura's leaving his home and seeking refuge with her sister and her family leads to more anguish? These things are never far from either Laura's, or Josiah's mind for that matter. 

When her nightmares become reality how will Laura survive losing all that she holds precious? It takes Josiah's staunch determination and his willingness to open his heart for Laura to realize she is better in this world instead of the next.

BLUE HORIZON by Hildie McQueen in the fourth novella in the Shades of Blue series or Western Romantic stories and it not for the faint of heart. BLUE HORIZON is a tear-jerker with so much feeling. There is tragedy and there is hope and understanding. Josiah and Laura are fabulous additions to the cast of characters in the Shades of Blue series. They stand on their own and are as unforgettable as is BLUE HORIZON.  I truly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to all. Be prepared for some tears or sadness and then some of joy, something Hildie McQueen is so great at writing.

~KIMBERLY~ 

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

DANCING WITH A DEVIL (Whisper of Scandal Novel #3) by JULIE JOHNSTONE



Coming into this series at the present book and I will admit that there is much in the past I would like to have known better. Nonetheless, I was entirely engrossed in this tale.

Audrey Cringlewood wants to be loved and be in love when it comes time to marry. Her parents did not have the loving relationship that Audrey dreams of and her father is aloof to her and her gambling drunkard of a brother. Audrey's had a few seasons, but the only man who has sparked her interest is  the handsome Lord Trent Runtherford. Trent may find Audrey attractive and appealing, but deception in his past has turned him off the idea of marriage. Even after a passionate kiss and Audrey's complete sensual awakening, Trent let's her down with his telling her they can be friends, but that is all.

Lord Trent Rutherford spent some time in France helping the English crown with information. While there, he fell in love with a local beauty, married her and was betrayed by her. After her death, he returns to his homeland a changed man. No longer can he be trusting and caring. He needs to keep all at bay. When he returns to England, he throws himself into a full on bachelor lifestyle of loose women and gaming, until his meets the innocent beauty named Audrey, who turns his insides out and makes him want to run for the hills.
When other suitors begin taking interest in Audrey and one of them Trent seems unsavory, he sets out to protect Audrey from the rogue, only to fall hook. line and sinker for her whilst in full denial all the way.

When an inkling of acceptance makes Trent want to male an offer for Audrey's hand, a letter arrives from France changing the game and when Audrey is faced with not only her ruination, but her heart breaking, she is left with making decisions that go against all she ever stood for. Once Trent finally realizes Audrey is absolutely the one for him, he now has to set out to convince her of his sincerity, because in all honesty, the man has completely made a mess of things.

DANCING WITH A DEVIL by Julie Johnstone is intrigue, passion and excitement. When characters make me want to throttle them with a cane then hug them to pieces, the author's job has been expertly done. Now that I have come in on the third tale, I am excited about going back and seeing where it all began and eagerly await anything else that the ever so talented Miss Johnstone has to say. DANCING WITH A DEVIL  had me up until the birds began chirping and I read the last word. Now that's  good book!

~KIMBERLY~

Monday, April 7, 2014

ONE GOOD COWBOY by CATHERINE MANN



Stone McNair has just found out his beloved grandmother is seriously ill, but she wants no tears. The McNair family matriarch wants her CEO grandson to perform a task which may decide if he is a good choice to run the family businesses. Who gets to oversee Stone on the task Gran sets for him? Why his ex-fiancee Johanna of course. Stone's task is to find Gran's much loved dogs new homes because she knows while she is in treatment for her illness, she won't have time to shower them with the very much needed affection she is used to giving them, and because her doctor  told her to put her affairs in order.

The handsome, hard-working Stone, devastated by the possible loss of the one consistent human being in his life now has to deal with being in close proximity to the one woman who sets him on fire, Johanna, who publicly dumped him seven months prior. Johanna Fletcher has been in love with Stone for what seems like forever and gladly accepted his proposal, but when Stone insists that the couple never have children, a heartbroken Johanna realizes that the possibility of her never being a mother is a deal-breaker. Only problem is, even seven months later, Johanna still has feelings for Stone.

How will it be possible for these two who still have a spark for one another to spend a week flying around the country interviewing families for doggie adoption? Oh it's intense, to say the least. Stone fights his inner demons when Johanna is around, convinced that even though he's not good enough for her, he still wants her. Coming to terms with secrets he has never told a soul eat at him whenever he sees Johanna. Would she understand his motivation for not wanting to be a father? Do they love each other enough to make concessions? This and much more comes to light in ONE GOOD COWBOY by Catherine Mann.

ONE GOOD COWBOY by Catherine Mann, is an enjoyable read with a lot of feeling. Catherine Mann shows the reader that two seemingly different people from such seemingly different worlds can fit together with total and mutual understanding and without judgement. Gran knows that Stone and Johanna are meant to be together and ONE GOOD COWBOY is their discovery of that journey. Very enjoyable read. 

~KIMBERLY~


One Good Cowboy banner
Today is my blog tour stop during the blog tour for One Good Cowboy by Catherine Mann. This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs the whole month April on weekdays only, you can view the whole tour schedule here.


OneGoodCowboyOne Good Cowboy (Diamonds in the Rough #1)
by Catherine Mann

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Adult
Blurb:
From Ex to Eternity?

To inherit his family's empire, Texas cowboy-turned-CEO Stone McNair must prove he has a heart beneath his ruthlessly suave exterior. His trial? Finding homes for his grandmother's rescue dogs. His judge? Johanna Fletcher, the woman whose heart he broke.

Sure, Johanna can handle a week traveling the country with her ex-fiancé to fulfilll his dying grandmother's request. She and Stone want different things—plain and simple. But there's nothing plain about Stone, or simple about the heat that still flares between them. One week may not be long enough.

You can find One Good Cowboy on Goodreads

You can buy One Good Cowboy here:
- B&N
- Kobo


Do you like books with an animal rescue theme? Keep an eye out for Shelter Me by Catherine Mann, it’s being released on August 5, 2014. It’s a heartwarming novel about a returning soldier, the daughter of his fallen commander, and a very special dog with a mission.


ShelterMeCoverShelter Me (Second Chance Range #1)
By Catherine Mann

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Category: Adult
Release Date: August 5, 2014

Blurb:

Staff Sergeant Mike Kowalski wants only one thing after he gets home from Iraq: to sleep in a king-sized bed with clean sheets. But first, he has to hand off his fallen commander’s dog, Trooper, to his family without handing off his heart to Sierra…

Sierra McDaniel needs a break. Her family life is crazy, and when she’s not mucking out kennels, she’s slogging through grad school. Sierra certainly doesn’t want another dog, especially one that reminds her of her father. And she definitely doesn’t want to see Mike with that charming smile of his…

But Trooper has a mission of his own. Before too long Mike is moving to the ranch to lend a hand—and hoping for his own second chance with Sierra.


You can find Shelter Me on Goodreads.

You can view the book trailer for Shelter Me on Youtube.

About the Author:CatherineMannHeadshotB2014
USA Today bestseller Catherine Mann and RITA Award winner, Catherine writes contemporary romance for Berkley, Harlequin, and Sourcebooks, With over two million books in print in more than twenty countries, she has also celebrated five RITA finals, three Maggie Award of Excellence finals and a Bookseller’s Best win. A former theater school director and university instructor, she holds a Master’s degree in Theater from UNC-Greensboro and a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts: Theater (with minors in both English and Education) from the College of Charleston. Catherine and her flyboy husband live on the Florida coast where they brought up their 4 children – and still have 5 four-legged, furry “children” (aka pets). Catherine is an active volunteer with her local Humane Society, serving on their Board of Directors and fostering puppies and special needs dogs (she stopped counting at a hundred). She recently checked off a major item on her “bucket list” by completing the hands-on training for the Florida State Animal Rescue Coalition. Catherine enjoys hearing from her readers and can be found online daily. To receive an autographed bookmark, send a SASE to: P.O. Box 6065, Navarre, FL 32566

You can find and contact Catherine here:
- Blog

There is a tour wide giveaway for a 25$ amazon gift card! For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:

Saturday, April 5, 2014

FROM DEBUT AUTHOR, ELLE BOON ~ SELENA'S MEN (RAVENS OF WAR) m/f/m

My dear friend, ELLE BOON, has her debut novel out now!!!
[Ménage Amour: Erotic Fantasy Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, F/M/F elements not involving the main characters, paranormal elements, gods, spanking, HEA]

Max and Malcolm King had been part of an Elite group of twelve men created by Zeus, called the Ravens of War. When they were no longer needed they were sent to Earth in hopes they’d find happiness. After hundreds of years, they‘d given up hope of finding their Fated, until they met Selena Ramos.

But the Gods aren’t done with them. Zeus needs them to find his lost daughter and time is running out for all of them. As the three lovers are consumed with passion, they find themselves thrust in a fight for their lives.

Cronus the dethroned King of the Gods has found the missing Goddess and plans to use her as the ultimate weapon for revenge. He’ll use her to regain the throne on Mount Olympus, killing his son Zeus at the same time. Max and Malcolm are willing to do anything, even share Selena, but they will die before they give her up.

STORY EXCERPT

The change in the atmosphere was a palpable thing to Selena. One minute she’d been watching her employees go through the different routines on the bar, and the next she was on top the glossy surface and showing them it was okay to do a little improvisation.

With her favorite jean skirt and tank top with the bar’s logo bedazzled across the front and a pair of well-worn, fire-engine red cowgirl boots, she started stomping to the beat. By the time the chorus began, she’d shuffled across the bar with her arms up, and the straw hat on her head bobbed along with the words. She stopped abruptly and did an exaggerated hip swivel, facing her bartenders, and smiled. It wasn’t a sweet, “aww look how cute I am” lift of her lips. No, as Tamara was fond of saying it was her “girl’s gonna do something crazy” look.

Selena raised her left arm in the air and brought her right arm out, swooshing her hand through the air as if she were slapping something. The tempo increased, and with each slap of her hand she moved her ass back and forth, increasing the pace as the beat to the music became faster and faster.

When the last note blared out she stomped first one booted foot then the other, the sound echoing around the now silent bar. She shrugged her shoulders, looked over at Tamara and winked. Not stopping to think, she jumped, flipping off the mahogany surface, landing in a crouch onto the matching floor.

The stunned silence that met her little show was a bit disarming, but Selena was anything but shy.

All eyes had turned toward the entryway and the two men who filled the space with their presence. Both men’s eyes glittered with a feral light that sent a shiver of fear down her spine. With their hands fisted at their sides, they looked like warriors who were barely holding themselves in check.

Light and dark filtered through her befuddled brain. Although they were clearly identical outside with dark hair and the bluest eyes she’d ever seen in real life, there was a difference inside.

The vague sense that she knew these two men intimately gave her a start, but she lifted a shoulder and dismissed the crazy images flashing in her mind. Selena couldn’t very well meet the two men while having dirty daydreams.

Making her way to where they stood frozen to the spot, she tried to control the full-body shake that ran through her. With her heart threatening to burst out of her chest, she put on a brave face.

All her being wanted to make everyone in the club disappear so she could lay claim to the men whose sole focus was pointed straight at her.

“Howdy, boys,” Selena said in her best southern drawl. With her hand extended and smile firmly in place, she reached out to greet the one she believed was Max first.

The first to recover grasped her hand, and with the same ability she’d always had she knew it was Malcolm who gripped her fingers in a gentle embrace. For such a large man he was surprisingly gentle, just like Max had been earlier.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Selena,” Malcolm said.

“You must be Malcolm?”

He looked at his brother, then turned a wide grin back to her. “Yep…That’s me. I’m the better-looking, smarter and all-around best twin.”

A muscle ticked in the other’s jaw before he took a deep breath and reached for the hand still enclosed within Malcolm’s.

“It’s very nice to see you again Selena, you look amazing,” Max murmured. “Do you usually get up there and um…dance like that?”

Selena wasn’t sure if he sounded angry or jealous, like he wanted to toss her over his shoulder and hide her away. The notion sent a thrill to her core, which worried her. She tugged her palm out of his grasp, tossed her hair over her shoulder to cover her nervousness or whatever she was suddenly feeling for them. Wanting two men she’d basically just met to go all Neanderthal on her ass wasn’t her.

She snorted. “As often as I can, yes.”

Malcolm nudged Max’s shoulder. “Great…I mean you dance really well.”

The growl that Max answered his brother’s statement with could’ve been agreement.

“Would you guys like a drink and then a tour? The employees were just getting ready to go grab some dinner before the opening.”

They had about three hours before the doors officially opened, giving Selena a little breather.

“How about you give us a tour first? Do you have an office here, too?” Malcolm asked.

The question was asked casually, but the heat radiating off both men was anything but casual.

“Of course.”

A Siren Erotic Romance
SIREN LINK: http://www.bookstrand.com/selenas-men

Friday, April 4, 2014

CHARMING THE DUKE by HOLLY BUSH



Miss Matilda Sheldon could care less what people think about her. Unlike her sisters who always the height of fashion and comportment, Matilda thrives to disappear into the background wherever she goes. Her only interest is opening and running an orphanage and to care for those orphans who have nothing. Her lovely but dim-witted sisters are on the lookout for suitors and consistently peck at Matilda about her drab appearance. 

The Duke of Thornsby needs to find himself a bride, one that would fit into his lifestyle well but not overtake his life. The clock is ticking for the duke though, for unless he marries by the time he turns thirty he stands to lose his inheritance, but his scandalous reputation keeps the eligible ladies and their marriage minded mothers at a distance ans the pickings are slim for the handsome duke. 

The Sheldon sisters, daughters of the 6th Earl of Bisset are quite the trio. While two are quite attractive and social, they are pretty much airheads, and Matilda, the middle daughter while dull in appearance, is intelligent and quite mouthy when she feels it's necessary. When the duke meets the outspoken Miss Sheldon, neither of their lives will ever be the same. While the duke needs to marry, and quickly, Matlida wants nothing to do with it. When the pair are caught in a compromising position placing Matilda's reputation at risk, instead of going the marriage route, she runs the other way leaving the duke in a state of confusion. Matilda is quite confused herself, for even though she says she will never marry, she has developed feelings for Thornsby and doesn't know what to do about them. In the wings, Matilda's beloved grandmother and the duke's sister champion for the pair to wake up and smell the proverbial coffee.

When Matlida refuses Thornsby's suit he needs to find an alternate solution to his problem. His subsequent proposal to an unsavory lady of the ton prompts quite a few displeasing incidents, one of extreme import is the disappearance of the two children who were left in the duke's care by their mother. a servant of the duke's who passed away, leaving the children alone. When the duke realizes his huge mistake in his proposal to the obnoxious lady he quickly dismisses her, but not before she threatens to make his life miserable. Now Thornsby must make an attempt to court Matilda, for as he finally realizes, she is definitely the lady for him.

CHARMING THE DUKE by the smart and sassy Holly Bush, is a fabulous read from beginning to end. Holly's unbeatable sense of humor and her remarkable storytelling shine through in CHARMING THE DUKE.. I thought the duke was going to be a stodgy bore of a hero and was so pleasantly surprised by his reaction to Matilda that he has wormed his way into being my new book boyfriend. Matilda's bright determination make her such an interesting heroine.  Miss Bush is as comfortable in Regency England as she is in the American Mid-West and I will follow this brilliant writer anywhere. 

~KIMBERLY~