LONG, HOT TEXAS SUMMER by CAROLYN BROWN

Books like LONG, HOT TEXAS SUMMER by Carolyn Brown are the very reason I read romance. They lift my spirit and make me run a gamut of emotions. In one word, LONG, HOT TEXAS SUMMER is perfection to me. 

Divorced for seventeen years, after finding her husband in the arms of another woman in her own barn, Loretta Bailey returns to the Lonesome Canyon Ranch on a mission. Her twenty-one year old daughter Nona has told her parents that she no longer wishes to finish her last year of college. Nona would prefer to be a rancher and continue her budding relationship with her ranch hand boyfriend Travis, but Loretta will have none of it. Having not seen the ex-husband, Jackson Bailey, since Nona learned to drive herself to the ranch, Loretta is both out of her element and back home at the same time. 

Handsome forty year old, Jackson knows he did his first love, Loretta, wrong when he sneaked off to the barn to lip-lock with local diva Dina, but after it happened, he thought Loretta would fight for their relationship, not hightail it back to her parents and siblings, taking their only child, Nona with her. As soon as Jackson sets eyes on his ex, he knows those intense feelings he always had for her are still there, but his stubborn and outspoken ex, Loretta has a one track mind, which only includes taking Nona away from the ranch and making her finish out her college career. Jackson finds Loretta to be more beautiful than ever and even more alluring with age and he wouldn't mind exploring a new relationship with her.

After spending time in her old stomping ground and having the perspective of a mature forty year old woman, Loretta realizes that maybe she didn't give Jackson the second chance he deserved. Maybe there was more than what met the eye when she caught him in Dina's arms. The fact that Loretta has a career and a contented life, or so she believes, is what prompts her to get Nona away from the ranch. She wants her beloved daughter to have more choices with her life than she thinks she had. Nona is one headstrong young lady though, and her parents are to thank for that. Nothing can sway this lady in love from her path to Travis and the ranch, but can Loretta and Jackson move on from their painful past and renew those feelings that put them in each other's lives in the first place?

As much as I would love to continue to tell you about this amazing story, I think I need to quit before I give too much away. As you already know, I truly loved LONG, HOT TEXAS SUMMER by the indomitable Carolyn Brown. This book reflects the authors spunky personality, which I endlessly admire. Maybe because I'm of a certain age where romances between twenty-somethings now bore me that this story of two mature but lively forty year olds,  just sang to me. The story between Loretta and Jackson is so real and the colorful cast of supporting characters just bring life to all in this Texas town and I wish I could throw myself right in there as well. I so highly recommend LONG, HOT TEXAS SUMMER by Carolyn Brown to all. It has definitely jumped to one of my all-time favorite reads to date.

~KIMBERLY~

Trapped at the Altar by Jane Feather

Ariadne Carfax has been betrothed to Ivor Chalfont since childhood. When her grandfather passes away, the time has come to live up to the betrothal and marry Ivor, but Ari is in love with another man. How can she discard her poet for the man chosen for her by her family? The union of the Catholic and Protestant sides is paramount to Ari's family, as they want to be reinstated among the nobility after decades of shame. 

For the greater good of the family, Ari sends her lover away and bucks up to marry Ivor, but she also plans to forsake her marriage one the family regains their place. Ivor has waited his entire youth and is resigned to marriage with his childhood friend, but he will not accept just a part of her, he wants it all. Ivor wants Ari to love him more than she loves her Gabriel and he won't accept any less. Ivor sets out to convince his bride that he is what she needs, no one else. Once Ivor sets out to win his wife over, the sparks fly between the pair, but Ari is impetuous. Does Ivor have what it takes to woo his wife away from her poet and make a life with her in harmony and love? 

TRAPPED AT THE ALTAR by Jane Feather is an enjoyable historical read. I admit to liking Ivor way more than the seemingly spoiled Ariadne and found it hard to see her side of things when Ivor from the get-go was so obliging. He may be an obliging character, but he no doormat, and he lets Ari know that from the get-go. This is my first read by the author and I admit that I am intrigued by Jane Feather and would like to explore her previous books. 

~ KIMBERLY ~

THE TRUTH ABOUT LEO (NOBLE SERIES #4) by KATIE MACALISTER

Princess Dagmar Marie Sophie is in a bit of a bind. Barely getting by with what she has, Dagmar is about to be thrown out of her home by her cousin. He has given her a choice, get thee to family or be sent to live in a convent. None of those options are agreeable to the Princess. British spy, Leopold Ernst George Latimer, the seventh Earl of March is in a bind himself. Attacked in Copenhagen and left for dead, he wakes up on a ship headed to England in stranger circumstances, he discovers he's married to the princess. Just how did that happen? 

Once in England, the pair decide to make the best of the strange situation, meanwhile odd mishaps start happening  and in addition to getting their lives in order, the ultimately must fight to stay out of danger. Feeling guilt for having thrust an unknowing Leo into marriage, Dagmar decides she will give him an annulment, but Leo has other ideas as he finds he is quite taken with his wife and all of her eccentricities, so he sets out to convince her that while she was underhanded in the onset of the marriage, now, she is truly what he wants in a wife. An innocent at first,  Dagmar soon finds the intimacy of marriage in  to her liking and her inner cheekiness is welcome to her new husband. Leo is one of the most honorable of heroes who makes the most of what he is given and comes out even better for it.

Katie MacAlister's THE TRUTH ABOUT LEO is a simply enjoyable read with it's twists and turns and its humor and sensuality. For all that, I did find Dagmar to be a tad annoying in her insistence that she give Leo his freedom while the man is protesting to wanting it. I really do like this series and will continue to read the NOBLE SERIES as long as Katie MacAlister adds to it with her wit and wisdom. 

~KIMBERLY~

INTRODUCING ~ Payoff Pitch by VK Sykes ~

Payoff Pitch by VK Sykes

Thanks so much for hosting us today, Kim!

And by us, I’m referring not only to myself but to my husband, Randy, who is my writing partner for our bestselling series of sports romances.  Payoff Pitch is book 5 of The Philadelphia Patriots, which features some truly sexy pro baseball players as heroes.  That’s where the writing partnership comes in—I know next to nothing about sports, so most of the plot and all the sporty-type details are on Randy.  But these are romance novels, first and foremost, so that’s where I come in.  I’m way better at portraying emotion—I know, you’re shocked to hear that—and I also write all of the sex scenes.  Randy cringes just thinking about doing that, so he always writes: INSERT HOT SEX SCENE HERE in the first draft where the sex scenes are supposed to go.  Fortunately, our division of labor works for us!

Speaking of sex scenes, here’s the intro for the first really hot encounter between Noah Cade, sexy pitcher, and Teddy Quinn, his professional dog walker.  Teddy is staying at Noah’s house to take care of his dogs while he’s dealing with problems with his pitching arm.  It’s late at night, and Noah has just arrived home after a losing game at the ballpark.

“Noah, are you drunk?” Teddy asked, her fists automatically going to her hips.

She wouldn’t blame him if he’d gotten loaded after the game—not after how he’d pitched—but she’d be furious if he’d driven home drunk.

He shook his head. “I had a couple of beers with the guys at Angelo’s. Then Locke made me go next door for coffee with him and talk it all out. I swear I’m sober.” He took another step forward and his right hand drifted up to her shoulder. “After the game, they demoted me to the bullpen. I don’t blame the manager, and the guys I talked to were totally supportive, but it still feels like I’ve got a six-inch blade stuck in my gut.”

And now it felt like someone had just stuck that blade into her gut, too. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, wishing she could do something to help him. “I was worried about you. I couldn’t sleep.”

“You were worried about me?” He sounded surprised. And skeptical.

“Of course I was worried. You always come right home after the game.” She winced and dropped her gaze, embarrassed at her admission. She got a little jolt when she took in the serious bulge in his jeans.

And, dammit, she could immediately feel herself growing wet as she stared at his impressive package. Her instinctive response shocked her, but she couldn’t move. Didn’t want to move. Her heart drummed a staccato beat against the walls of her chest as she waited for him to say something.

Please say something, Noah. Get us out of this.

When she lifted her gaze, she realized how foolish that idea was. Noah had clearly noticed that she’d noticed, because he gave her a slow, sexy smile and closed the gap between them until his chest brushed her stiff nipples. She gave a soft gasp as heated sensations rippled through her, sensations she hadn’t felt for a long time.

Or maybe ever, come to think of it. At least not so strongly that the backs of her knees went weak as water. That was both a testament to his major league hotness and, unfortunately, to her lousy sex life.

When he enfolded her in his brawny arms, Teddy didn’t resist. Couldn’t resist. She was sick of not knowing what it was like to be swept away by a passion so overwhelming that nothing else mattered in that moment. She wanted, she needed to let go and give in to everything she felt for him.

And he needed her, of that she had no doubt.

Ignoring all her good intentions, ignoring everything but him, she snaked her hands around his broad back and snuggled into the warmth of his chest. Suddenly, she was anything but cold.

“Nobody ever says they worry about me,” Noah whispered into her ear as his heavy stubble rasped against her cheek. “Not since my mom died, anyway.”

Teddy heart’s ached for him even as her body shook with desire. She knew he’d lost his mother as a very young child and that he had a cold relationship with an emotionally distant stepmother. But what about the other people in his life?

She raised her head, blinking away the beginning of tears as she stared up into his darkly intense gaze. “I’m sorry about that, too, Noah. You deserve to have someone who worries about you.”

He bent, just a bit, and their lips slid together so smoothly it seemed to happen without any conscious will or effort. A final, sharp warning sounded in her brain, telling her to pull back. But even before she parted her lips to Noah’s probing tongue, she’d already gone boneless in the strength of his embrace, knowing on some level beyond thought that this was right—if not for always, at least for this moment.

For now, that was enough.

Teddy gasped against his mouth as he came into her, his tongue tasting and stroking with a leisurely sensuality. Noah’s hand cradled the back of her neck, holding her captive as he claimed her with an intoxicating possession. No man had ever kissed her like this. No kiss had ever made her surrender like this. She heard herself whimper and could hardly believe she’d made such an aching, almost desperate sound.

Out of pure, primal instinct, Teddy reached down with both hands for his belt. His erection was right there, big and hard and thrusting at his jeans, and the mere brush of her hand against its length brought a groan from deep in Noah’s throat.

But when he pulled back, she wanted to groan herself with frustration.
“Teddy, no,” he said in an agonized, raspy voice. “We said we wouldn’t—”

“Shut up, Noah,” Teddy ordered as she slid her bare leg up his thigh and pressed herself up against his groin.

PAYOFF PITCH, book 5 in the USA Today Bestselling series, The Philadelphia Patriots.

Blurb:

He’s a billionaire ballplayer…

Noah Cade, pitcher for the Philadelphia Patriots, has big problems. He’s recovering from a serious injury and he’s just been saddled with his sick aunt’s crazy dogs. Then there’s his dad, a wealthy oilman who wants Noah to retire from baseball and step into his shoes as CEO of the family corporation. All Noah wants is to pitch again and help his team win the World Series, but his family keeps dragging him in the opposite direction.

She’s a small town girl…

Teddy Quinn moved to the city to start a dog walking business for rich people, hoping the income will pay for law school and help her fight the oil corporations drilling the county where she grew up. When Noah Cade hires her as a full-time dog sitter for his high-energy pets, it seems like the answer to Teddy’s financial woes. But the boundaries get blurred when she starts falling for her boss, who uses all his formidable charm to lure her into his bed.

When Teddy discovers Noah’s father owns Baron Energy, she’s devastated. How can she work for—or love—a man whose family stands for everything she hates?

Buy links: 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1jD2UCv

Nook:  http://bit.ly/1qagZgr

iTunes: http://bit.ly/V2UwGL

Kobo: http://bit.ly/TwEX8T

Smashwords:  http://bit.ly/1z2pcY3

Social media:

Website: www.vksykes.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/VKSykesBooks

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/VKSykes

Bio: V.K. Sykes is really two people—a husband and wife team who write USA Today Bestselling contemporary romance.  Vanessa also writes bestselling historical romance for Kensington Zebra as Vanessa Kelly.  You can find her at www.vanessakellyauthor.com.

A Review of THE CAPTIVE by GRACE BURROWES

First I must admit to something rather distressful. While I have several books by Miss Grace Burrowes on my TBR shelf, I had never read any of them until THE CAPTIVE  crossed my NetGalley screen and I simply couldn't resist. Well now I am smacking myself in the head and taking all of my dusty Grace Burrowes novels off the TBR shelf, cleaning them off, and sitting them on my reading table for the weekend.

Captured and tortured by the French for months on end, Christian Severn, The Duke of Mercia does all he can to survive. The sadistic men who summarily disfigured his body and toyed with his emotions instill a hatred in Mercia that keeps him going. Revenge is his savior, for when he is finally set free, he begins to plot the demise of the monsters who made his life a living Hell. In addition to his own Hell, he is told upon his release that his wife and son have 

Gillian, Countess of Windmere, has her own crosses to bear. Marriage to an older man who abused her physically and emotionally before he dies of a heart attack is met with an inquest into whether Gillian actually did the man in. Once cleared of any wrong-doing, Gillian seeks out the Duke of Mercia in Town, for even though he has lost a wife and son, he still has a beautiful daughter, who desperately needs his presence to survive a decline that has her silent. Is Lucy's inability to speak a product of the losses she has had in her young life?  As her mother's cousin and confidante, Gillian has made it her mission to reunite the young lady and her father, so healing for all can begin.

Gillian surprises Christian in so many ways on a daily basis. She steadily revives the man that once was from the thin shell he became in his captivity and makes him want to live again. Gillian is also mesmerized by Christian's manner, as living with an ogre gave her a skewed notion of how a man acts with a lady. They in fact help each other overcome much of the pain from their recent pasts and begin to open up emotionally to one another and awaken passions that neither knew were possible. When faced with demons from the past, can Christian set aside the plans for revenge he had built up to survive? Can Gillian accept the love that Christian has so easily placed in her lap, or will she continue to feel like she is under the shadow her departed tormentor placed her? These answers and so much more are revealed in THE CAPTIVE by Grace Burrowes .

And yes, I have found another go-to author for my historical fancies. THE CAPTIVE by Grace Burrowes toys with the reader's emotions from page one and does not release them until the last page. It is a revelation when such darkness sees light and so many wrongs, though not justified, become righted in their own way. Both Christian and Gillian are powerful and captivating characters. Both show the world that they are far worse things than one's normal trials and tribulations and when faced with them, caring and honesty can overcome much. Yes, the book begins in a dark place. No one wants to know that such torture can be possible, but where the books ends, shows all is as it should be. I look forward to the next in this CAPTIVE HEARTS TRILOGY by Grace Burrowes with great anticipation and in the meantime, resolve myself to devour this author's library of titles.   

~KIMBERLY~ 

WEDDING AT CARDWELL RANCH by B.J. DANIELS

Jackson Cardwell  is in Montana to attend his brother's wedding. Unlike his brother who has become enamored of  both Montana and a local girl, Jackson has all intentions of returning home to Texas. After an ill-fated marriage and break-up, Jackson is definitely relationship shy and would prefer the status of single father of a young son, to that of his brother's taken status, until he sets eyes on the beauty of the wedding planner, Allie Taylor.

Allie Taylor has been widowed in unusual circumstances. The husband she was planning on leaving and divorcing turns up missing and presumed dead after a hunting trip to the mountains somehow becomes fatal. All Allie wants to do is move on with her precious daughter, but it's become difficult with odd incidents like her husband's favorite clothing appearing after Allie disposes of them, and the wardrobe he made her wear is vandalized and in its place a new wardrobe more to her liking.  In addition she has to deal with a less than pleasant mother-in-law and brother-in-law. How much more can a woman take?

Jackson is nothing but helpful to Allie, who appears to be distraught and a bit off kilter. When Allie confides in Jackson some of the goings on, Jackson is more than willing to help and reassure Allie all will be well, but someone wants Allie to lose it, or at least have those around her think she is incompetent of taking care of her daughter. When Jackson sees that all is not what it seems, he sets aside his reservations and jumps right in the fray to assist Allie and her daughter.

Once again B.J. Daniels has a winner in the form of WEDDING AT CARDWELL RANCH. The mystery begins on page one and the thrill continues throughout the entire story. There is no putting down a book like this once you have begun. The mystery must be solved. Author B.J. Daniels is expert in keeping this reader awake through the night.  The Texas Cardwell cousins are a fresh addition to the Montana family and Jackson Cardwell is destined to fall for both Montana and sweet Allie Taylor as B.J. Daniels makes sure the heroine is impossible to resist. I recommend WEDDING AT CARDWELL RANCH to any reader who loves a little romance thrown in with a thrilling tale of suspense.

~KIMBERLY~

~ INK HEART AUTHORS~ SEXY AND SWEET SUMMER READS & GIVEAWAY!!!!

InkHeart Authors presents two boxed sets

for your summer reading pleasure!

Make sure to download both the Sexy and Sweet AND

the Steamy and Sizzling Set - 21 books for $5.98!

***Available for ONE MONTH ONLY***

Sexy and Sweet Summer Reads 

Available for only $2.99 at:

Amazon | B&N, iBooks, and Kobo coming soon!

                                               
Falling Into Forever by Elena Aitken
Secrets cause Kari to run, Rhys is determined to catch her, can she find the courage to trust again?

A Daughter’s Place by CJ Carmichael
For the sake of her child, a single mother must face the father who disowned her, the ex-boyfriend who hurt her and the neighbor she's always loved in... 

Tempt Me Cowboy by Megan Crane
Chelsea Collier is a good girl schoolteacher who’s never done a bad thing in her life, but bad boy newcomer Jasper Flint is definitely a bad thing worth doing…

His for the Weekend by Janelle Denison
After nine years apart, one forbidden kiss between past lovers leads to one hot weekend, but when their time together is over, will Rachel walk away from Luke again, or can he convince her to stay and be his forever?

Unspoken by Lauren Hawkeye
Once, Ellie Kendrick was the only thing that Dominic Gabriel wanted... now she’s back and her version of what happened between them so long ago makes him question everything he knows about himself as a man...

Weekend with the Tycoon by Kaira Rouda
When wealthy tycoon Blake Putnam invites employee Samantha Jones to a family wedding on Indigo island with no strings attached he knows it’s risky business, but neither of them expects what happens next.

Sweet Reunion by Melanie Shawn
Sometimes first love deserves a second chance.

The Start of Something Good by Renee Vincent writing as Gracie Lee Rose
Who knew Mr. Right lived right next door?

Where Their Hearts Collide by Zoe York
When the girl next door meets the man of her dreams...at exactly the wrong time. 

Steamy and Sizzling Summer Reads

Available for only $2.99 at:

Amazon | B&N, iBooks, and Kobo coming soon!

The CEO's Fantasy by RG Alexander
Dean and Sara agree to a month of indulging their most forbidden fantasies--but when reality is better than his wildest dreams, will the CEO break his own rules to keep her?

Wicked All The Way by Shayla Black
When a gruff military man with a desire to control seduces a skittish divorcee bent on finding her independence, will she give in to more than their sizzling chemistry?

The Dom Who Loved Me by Lexi Blake
Sent to steal her secrets, he soon craved her submission.

The Male Stripper by Opal Carew
Her ultimate sexual fantasy brought to life....not one, but two sexy male strippers for one night of torrid passion she'll never forget.

Elemental Pleasure by Mari Carr and Lila Dubois
There is passion and power in three.

Grif by Bianca D’Arc
Grif is far from home when he meets a sexy, magical woman in desperate need of his help.

Web of Desire by Cathryn Fox
When the captive suddenly becomes the captor, Ally finds herself tangled in a web of desire—of her own making.

Allure by Nina Lane
In Book Two of the sexy Spiral of Bliss trilogy, Liv and Dean West's passionate romance is put to the test as they struggle with an unexpected family crisis.

One Hot Fall Term by Sharon Page
College freshman Mia fights to make a long distance relationship work with her gorgeous hometown boyfriend Ryan--but billionaire's son Jonathon plans to seduce her away.

Dare to Love by Carly Phillips
When a man who requires dominance falls for a woman who needs independence, can they survive the fallout?

The Great Escape by Suzanne Rock
Gianni loves dominating Sienna during her sessions at the Ecstasy Spa, but when his ex-lover returns and wants in on the action, all three of them uncover a bond that forces them change their views about love.

Through My Window by Jayne Rylon
What happens when a sex worker fall in love with a client but doesn't plan to quit her job?

Rocked by Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott
Love definitely wasn't on the setlist.

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