Latest from the pen of Laura Florand!

Okay, ladies, let's try this one more (and last) time.  I never heard from Phoebe so I've chosen another winner.  The new winner is KIM V - congratulations, Kim!  Please email me at ljodamron@gmail.com with your choice of the Kindle or Nook version of NO PLACE LIKE HOME and the email address that you wish it to be sent to.  Happy New Year everyone!

The winner of an ecopy of NO PLACE LIKE HOME is PHOEBE C.!!

Contragulations, Phoebe!  Because I'm a day late in announcing the winner and Christmas is right around the corner, I'm going to give Phoebe until Friday to reply.  Please email me at ljodamron@gmail.com with your preference of the Kindle or Nook version of the book together with the email address you use to receive ebooks.  Thanks to everyone for checking out NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

The work of some of the most well-known and respected romance authors, NO PLACE LIKE HOME will have you longing for a soft, warm throw, cookies and hot cocoa. While I enjoyed all of the stories, Laura Florand's A ROSE IN WINTER was my favorite, having a quality and appeal that sometimes must be read slightly between the lines to capture and appreciate the author's artful expression.

This book has a wide variety of writing styles and I highly recommend it to all romance readers.

Want a copy? Of course you do! I'll give a Kindle or Nook version to one reader who comments here.  Will pull the winning name on Sunday, December 22, so there will be plenty of time to enjoy before Christmas. Comment about anything. Have you read any/most/all of the authors in this anthology? Have a favorite story? Do you bake? Love to cook? Are you the hostess with the most-est? Will you be traveling this holiday season?  You get it, anything!

Thanks for checking out NO PLACE LIKE HOME and special thanks to Laura Florand for allowing me to read this beautiful Christmas story!

   

Rachel Bailey's COUNTERING HIS CLAIM

My sincerest apologies for being so late in naming a winner. This past week has been horrid to say the least.  Visits to the dentist, the endodontist, back to the dentist and now back to the endodontist for a root canal next week, yuck!  On top of that, my mom has been having neck issues and there was testing and then xrays for that and physical therapy.  She's doing much better and I'm hopeful the craziness will stop.

 

The name I drew was Crystal - congratulations, Crystal!  I have your email address and will be in touch this afternoon to confirm your book choices.

 

Thanks to everyone who commented and again, I apologize for being late with the winner.

 

Rachel Bailey was a new author to me until I read COUNTERING HIS CLAIM (in exchange for an honest review). I'm oh so very pleased to have found her!  Her latest book, COUNTERING HIS CLAIM (Harlequin Desire) is a positively lovely story. To top it off, look at how classy this cover is! It's definitely one of the best I've seen in a long, long time.

About the book:
Never be distracted by a woman is hotel magnate Luke Marlow's golden rule, especially when the woman just inherited half his late uncle's luxury cruise liner. But ship's doctor Della Walsh is the exception. Her dignified beauty ignites Luke's desire despite his suspicions. Even so, he will gain full control of the ship at all costs.
For Della, the ship has been a sanctuary. Now she has just three weeks to change Luke's mind and save the ship—until passion comes along and steers them off course….

Della Walsh is a doctor on the  Cora Mae cruise ship. When the owner of the ship dies, Della is heartbroken and, like everyone else working on the ship, is more than a little anxious to learn what the owner's nephew, undoubtedly the beneficiary of the ship, will do with it. When the will is read and Della and Luke each receive a one-half interest in the ship, Della is stunned and Luke is not pleased.
Luke's family has been in the business of hospitality and Luke wants to buy Della's share and dock the ship and turn it into a floating hotel. He understands where Della is coming from in wanting to keep the ship active as a luxury cruise liner, but refuses to let his attraction to her get in the way of his plans.
Della and Luke are each more than a little damaged from events in their pasts. Della, having grown up on cruise ships, feels very strongly about keeping the ship out on the water and Luke is equally determined to turn it into a hotel. Their attraction to each other is instantaneous, but they don't act on it immediately which is a nice example of story building. Ms. Bailey's work should be enjoyed by all romance readers. I'm off to shop her back list!

I've decided to do a giveaway of two books from Ms. Bailey's back list in Kindle or Nook version (subject to availability) to one lucky reader here.  If you're interested, please leave a comment. Have you ever been on a cruise? Have you read Rachel Bailey's work? Which two books would you choose if you win?  Any and all comments are welcome! You know the drill, if you send a friend over who mentions you in their comment and you'll each get your names in the draw an extra time.  I'll draw the winning name on Monday, October 14. Leave your email with your comment and I'll contact you if you're the winner.  Otherwise, be sure to check back.

Thanks to Rachel Bailey for allowing me to read and review COUNTERING HIS CLAIM for you - I absolutely loved Della and Luke and look forward to reading more of your work.

Laurie

Winners named!

Good evening!

Because so many of you took the time to read my review and leave a comment, I decided that there would be two winners.  The names I pulled are robertsonreads and KarenJ.  Both ladies left their email addresses, so I'll be getting in touch with them directly.

Thanks to everyone who commented - I hope you'll get your hands on Rowdy's book - and please stop back and let us know your thoughts, ok?

GETTING ROWDY, the latest from Lori Foster

Hey ladies! I'm sure you know by now that Lori Foster has a new release, GETTING ROWDY. Lori was kind enough to send me a review copy and I've gotta say this is one of my favorite covers ever - who agrees?  My start of the book didn't start out as bright and shiny as I'd wished, because Rowdy just didn't start out as one of my favorite characters, regardless of how sumptuous his cover is. He was perfectly likable in the previous books in this series but I was slow to warm up to him in his own book.  Poor Rowdy!

About the book:
Charismatic bar owner Rowdy Yates isn’t the kind of man women say no to. So when he approaches waitress Avery Mullins, he fully expects to get her number. However, the elusive beauty has her reasons for keeping her distance—including a past that might come back to haunt them both.
Avery spends her nights working for tips… and trying to forget the secret Rowdy is determined to unearth. But when history threatens to repeat itself, Avery grows to rely on Rowdy’s protective presence. As the sparks between them ignite, she will be forced to choose between the security she’s finally found… and the passion she’s always wanted.

I'll admit that GETTING ROWDY is the only Lori Foster book I've started and after the first chapter, I put it down. It took me a bit to pick it back up. I didn't like Rowdy's actions in the very beginning and while the heroine, Avery, got past it and moved on, it took me a little longer. Am I getting old and square? Maybe so. To be honest, I thought Rowdy was just a bit of a dick and his redemption would be difficult to pull off.  But Lori did it. I finished the book and was ridiculously pleased that I went back to it.

My review:
Avery takes a bar tending job at Rowdy's bar and he knows that Avery is hiding something, and quite possibly, herself. He's determined to find out her secrets while he protects her from them.
Rowdy is well-known as a womanizer and Avery knows she's playing with fire when she takes the leap and goes after him. Before long Rowdy has to question whether his growing feelings for Avery are lust or something much deeper. His determined struggle with this was interestingly endearing.
Typical of Lori Foster's work, GETTING ROWDY has an over-the-top alpha male and an intelligent, independent woman with a troubled past. What every romance reader loves, right? Clever banter between all of the characters keeps the story fresh and fun, and for readers who love a romantic, sensual love story, I highly recommend GETTING ROWDY.

I'll give one reader here the choice of the Kindle or Nook version of either of the previous books in this series, RUN THE RISK or BARE IT ALL. Just leave a comment and you'll be entered.  Of course, I'd much rather your comments be about your favorite Lori Foster books, characters, etc.! If you wish to leave your email address with your comment, I'll contact you directly if you're the winner. Otherwise, you'll need to be sure to check back because I likely won't track you down. I'll draw a winner on Sunday, October 6th.

Thanks, Lori, for allowing me to read and review GETTING ROWDY for you!  I hope we can get together before/for the holidays!

And the winner is .....

I'm considering this giveaway to be closed.  I didn't hear from either winner and am not going to keep Jill hanging while waiting for someone to get in touch. Just a reminder (and yes, I'm guilty too) when you enter a giveaway, be sure to stop back to see if you're the winner.

NEW WINNER: Because I haven't heard from Lola, I've pulled a new winner and it's KimH.  Kim, please email me at ljodamron@gmail.com with your book of choice from Jill's previous releases in the Lucky Harbor series, print or ebook choice, and depending on which you choose, your email address or your mailing address so I can pass them on to Jill.


Lola!  Drop me an email at ljodamron@gmail.com with your book of choice from Jill's previous releases in the Lucky Harbor series, print or ebook choice, and depending on which you choose, your email address or your mailing address so I can pass them on to Jill. If I don't hear from Lola by Monday, I'll draw another name.
Thanks to everyone who commented and special thanks to Jill for allowing me to read and review ALWAYS ON MY MIND and for the giveaway!
I hope everyone has a terrific weekend!
Laurie

ALWAYS ON MY MIND, the latest from Jill Shalvis

Did you all hear any loud noises today? I’m pretty sure I heard a collective sigh as Jill Shalvis readers started reading ALWAYS ON MY MIND. I was fortunate enough to get an early copy of the book (thanks, Jill!), and I can pretty much guarantee that those readers will not be disappointed!

There’s nothing like the real thing.

After dropping out of pastry school and messing up her big break on a reality cooking show, Leah Sullivan needs to accomplish something in her life. But when she returns home to Lucky Harbor, she finds herself distracted by her best friend, Jack Harper. In an effort to cheer up Jack’s ailing mother, Dee, Leah tells a little fib – that she and Jack are more than just friends. Soon pretending to be hot-and-heavy with this hunky firefighter feels too real to handle…

No-strings attachments suit Jack just fine – perfect for keeping the risk of heartbreak away. But as Jack and Leah break every one of their “just friends” rules, he longs to turn their pretend relationship into something permanent. Do best friends know too much about each other to risk falling in love? Or will Jack and Leah discover something new about each other in a little town called Lucky Harbor?

My review:

ALWAYS ON MY MIND is typical Shalvis in that it has a ridiculously hot alpha male, a beautiful, quirky, totally capable female, and the requisite undeniable attraction between the two. What sets this apart, in my opinion, is the weight that both are carrying on their shoulders and the lengths they are willing to go to trying to prove that they’re just fine.

Leah had a cold, sometimes violent, childhood and could always rely on her Gram for gentle hugs and positive support. When Gram has knee surgery, Leah comes home to Lucky Harbor to run her bakery while she’s recovering. Between dropping out of culinary school and appearing as a contestant on a cooking show, Leah has had her share of stress and welcomes returning to the calm of her hometown. Except for the fact that Jack is still there. Jack was also a constant in her childhood and offered his shoulder on more than one occasion when Leah would sneak out of her room and into Jack’s to escape her father’s wrath. Unable to share the results of the cooking contest until the final episode has aired, everyone in Lucky Harbor is constantly asking Leah if she was the winner. All bets are on her. It’s too bad she doesn’t have the confidence in herself that everyone else does.

Jack can’t believe that Leah is back in Lucky Harbor. He’s now a firefighter, just like his father who died a hero while fighting a fire. His father’s heroic death weighs heavy on Jack and he’s always taking risks, just like his father did. Jack’s mother is battling breast cancer and when she’s down because of chemo's side effects and the fact that Jack is still all alone, Leah takes heart and tells her that she and Jack are seeing each other. This thrills Dee and starts the entire town talking. Jack isn’t immediately very happy with Leah but when he sees how the little lie has brightened his mother and her outlook, he can’t deny that they should let it go just a bit longer. Little does he know that Leah would worm her way back into his heart (or maybe she never left?) and he has some decisions to make.

Jill Shalvis always tosses an abundance of humor into her books and the biggest source of humor in ALWAYS ON MY MIND is Jack’s dog, Kevin. Kevin is smart and goofy, just like most dogs, but he weighs in at one fifty, making him impossible to ignore. Characters and settings from previous books make an appearance and it’s nice to see how the others we’ve come to know and love are doing. I give ALWAYS ON MY MIND my highest recommendation.

To celebrate the release of ALWAYS ON MY MIND, Jill is offering one reader here a copy (print or ebook, winner’s choice) of any of the previous books in the Lucky Harbor series. Leave a comment if you’re interested and you’ll be entered. If you want to talk about Jill’s work, her fun daily blog, characters, covers, etc., please do!  Every time I read one of Jill’s books, I have new favorite characters. The winning reader will be chosen on Friday, September 27^th. Be sure to check back and see if you’re the winner – good luck!!
 
Thanks Jill, for allowing me to read and review ALWAYS ON MY MIND!

Winners, just a little late - so sorry!

Hey ladies, my apologies for being so late in naming the winners of Laura Florand's SNOW-KISSED.  I'm so excited for everyone to read this lovely story and would love for you to stop back and let us know your thoughts!
The winners are pretty much everyone who commented, with the exception of Sharlane, who has already read SNOW-KISSED (smart lady!), and Traveler who asked for the print version. Because of the obvious price difference and shipping expenses, I (typically) only offer Kindle or Nook versions.
Sooo, if Chris M, Maryellen P, Laurie G and Quilt Lady will email me at ljodamron@gmail.com and give me the address you use for Kindle or Nook books (and which of the two you prefer), I will get your books ordered right away.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by and for your patience!
My plan is to post reviews (w/giveaways, of course!) for Jill Shalvis's ALWAYS ON MY MIND and Lori Foster's GETTING ROWDY in the next day or two, so be sure to stop back.
In the meantime, get your hands on as many of Laura Florand's books as you can! Special thanks to Laura for allowing me to read and review this wonderful book for her.
Laurie

SNOW-KISSED, the latest from Laura Florand

Author Laura Florand has a new book, SNOW-KISSED, and it's a breathtakingly beautiful, almost hauntingly, romantic story.

Romantic Times calls Laura Florand's writing "sensuous and sumptuous", awarding her their Seal of Excellence, and NPR says it's "explosive, sensual . . . and utterly sweet".
Now the internationally bestselling author of The Chocolate Thief takes us to a snow-kissed Christmas cabin for this heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, forgiveness--and hope.
Once they had been the happiest couple in the world. Once serious, restrained Kurt had fallen hard for a laughing, easy-going woman who filled their lives with joy.
But when loss struck them, Kai went down under the avalanche of grief. She threw their marriage away, and she left him, fleeing the world for this cabin high in the mountains.
Now, as the two find themselves snowbound over Christmas, Kurt has to convince his wife that while she may have lost everything else, she never lost him. Now he has to show her the true strength of one man's love.
My review:
SNOW-KISSED is a novella, but its emotional impact is staggering, almost a tangible thing. Kurt and Kai have suffered multiple tragic losses over the years of their marriage, and that one final loss was simply too much for Kai and she chooses to walk away.
Most men would choose to simply move on, but Kurt takes his marriage vows seriously and will wait however long he has to in order to get Kai back. This may sound bold and cavalier, but the wait is practically crushing for him.
Kai has taken up residency in a secluded, wooded cabin property belonging to Kurt's mother. When a secretly arranged meeting leaves the couple stranded in a violent snowstorm, there's an abundance of time for them to attempt reconciliation.
I have found that Ms. Florand never fails to deliver a richly intimate, gut-wrenching story with each and every book. This is storytelling at its most basic form, borrowing from raw, human emotion to weave a satisfyingly hopeful story. I feel certain that I'm not the only one who is very quickly becoming one of her biggest reader fans. If I had talents worthy of putting pen to paper for, this is the very kind of author I would want to be.

I've decided to do a giveaway to celebrate this beautiful story, and will gift five Kindle or Nook versions of SNOW-KISSED to readers here.  If you're interested, simply indicate so in the comments.  I'll choose the five winners on Sunday, Sept. 22nd.  Send a friend over who mentions your name and you'll each get your names in the draw an extra time.  Good luck!!

Where has the year, summer, August gone?

Anyone else feeling like 2013 has been whizzing by?  I can't believe we're into September already.  Don't get me wrong, I love fall, but I'm just not quite ready for it. There are so many fall events that we enjoy that we'll be busy most weekends for a while.  Anyone else like to decorate for fall? Have you started already?  I haven't, but likely will in the next couple of weeks. What fall festivals do you go to?

Next up review-wise is Laura Florand's SNOW-KISSED, a beautiful love story in novella form.  It is sooo good and I'll be chatting it up soon!

Talk to me!
Laurie

THE CHOCOLATE THIEF Winner!

Is QuiltLady!  Congratulations!  Please email me at ljodamron@gmail.com to advise whether you'd like a Kindle or Nook copy of THE CHOCOLATE THIEF, as well as the email address you use for book downloads.

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to read the review and comment!  I truly hope you'll check out Laura Florand's work, you won't be disappointed!

Laurie

 

(Making a correction here as Ciar has advised that this is not Steampunk, but Historical - in that case, I'll be getting a copy!)  I haven't read this book, and with all due respect, likely won't, simply because Steampunk just isn't my cup of tea. However, Ciar Cullen is an exceptional author who pours her heart and soul into each and every one of her books. I simply adore her and her unique writing style.
Check this out!!

From Ciar Cullen:
KINDLE FIRE KINDLE FIRE KINDLE FIRE!
I have four more copies of my book to give away, an Amazon gift card, and a Kindle Fire! But I need more entries (mean publicist). So won't you simply share this post or say something about it on your blog? Or tell your cat ;o)

About the book:

At the cusp of the twentieth century, an heiress turned detective enters a world of deception and danger and must learn to trust her nemesis with both her life and her love.
Tormented by a tragic past, Miss Lillian Holmes nonetheless found the strength to go on, to become the greatest female detective of her time. To make her uncle proud. Except...he was not truly her uncle. Sherlock was a fictional character, and Lil was less a true detective than a sheltered twenty-six year old heiress with taste for mystery...and morphine. But then she saw him. Leaping from her neighbor’s second-story window, a beautiful stranger. With the recent murders plaguing Baltimore, here was a chance to
reveal the truth.
Except, the Leaping Man was far more than he seemed. A wanton creature of darkness, an entry point to a realm of deception and evil, and to a Truth she had waited countless years to uncover, he would threaten far more than Lillian’s life. He would take both her heart and soul. And she would rejoice in it.

This book is available now, so pop over to Amazon to grab a copy for yourself!

Novak book winners!

And the winners are ......  Laurie G and Crystal GB!  Both left their email addresses with their comments and I'll be contacting them.  Thanks to everyone who checked out my review.  I hope you'll get your own copies of the Whiskey Creek books! Don't forget to take a look at the Laura Florand review and giveaway!!

Laura Florand's THE CHOCOLATE TOUCH

Author Laura Florand was a new author for me, but after reading THE CHOCOLATE TOUCH, I'll be shopping for her backlist. My review for THE CHOCOLATE TOUCH is below. Check it out, and then read on to see the giveaway to celebrate the release of this book.

My review:
Jaime Corey has come to Paris to heal, physically and emotionally, after being savagely attacked on the Ivory Coast while securing labor practices at cocoa farming facilities. Jaime's family owns a multi-million dollar cocoa production business that provides cocoa for some of the world's finest chocolatiers. When she frequents Dominique Richard's chocolate shop daily, she finds herself unusually comforted. Her fragile femininity catches his eye and he finds himself powerfully intrigued, wanting to nurture her, body and soul, with his unique chocolates. He doesn't know who Jaime is, but he anticipates her daily stops. The two eventually begin something that feels like a relationship although they've never actually acknowledged it to be so. Jaime's brother-in-law is also a well-known chocolatier and he and Jaime's sister are quite protective of her; just one of the reasons she chooses to keep her budding relationship with Dom to herself.
Dominique Richard appears to be a brute of a man. He's a big man, rarely without a black leather jacket or a menacing stare. Dom has a dark past and the reputation to go along with it. He dragged himself up from a tender age and while he's not particularly concerned with what others think of him, he's extremely proud of the success he's made of his chocolate shop.
This story is unique and Ms. Florand clearly knows her way around Paris and fine chocolates. Readers are pulled into each and every scene with the characters and at times I swear I could smell the chocolate and taste their exquisitely intense flavors melting on my tongue. My only criticisms would be that the amount of time it took for Jaime and Dom to declare their love seemed a little too short to be realistic. Also, there are several comments made between characters in French. It would be helpful to those of us who don't speak French if translations could be made in parenthesis. 
THE CHOCOLATE TOUCH should be read by every romance reader. I truly didn't want to come to the end of this book, savoring its deliciousness. 
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Ms. Florand for allowing me to read and review this book for her.

Now the giveaway! I'll give one reader here a Kindle or Nook copy of THE CHOCOLATE THIEF (it precedes THE CHOCOLATE TOUCH). Leave a comment telling what you've done this summer. I'll draw the winner from the comments on Wednesday. Tell your friends and have them mention you in their comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each mention.

Laurie

Brenda Novak's HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK

Brenda Novak has a new release in her Whiskey Creek series.  HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK is an emotionally charged story that will touch readers on many different levels.
Below is my review of HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK (be sure to check out the contest that follows):

Adelaide “Addy” Davies left Whiskey Creek after her high school graduation like the devil himself was licking at her heels. She had been violated by a group of boys at a party and just wanted to escape, keeping the attack to herself. Now she’s back to help her failing Gran with her restaurant. Addy’s Gran was her only source of unfailing love and security as she was growing up.  Soon after Addy’s return, she’s pulled from her bed and taken to the abandoned mine where she was gang raped all those years ago. Noah Rackham hears her cries for help and rescues her. It doesn’t help that Noah’s brother, Cody, was the ringleader in her rape and was accidentally killed in the mine that night. Noah is clearly interested in Addy, but she keeps him at arms’ length, despite having a serious crush on him back in high school. Addy chose not to tell anyone about her attack and has no intention of telling anyone now, but visits from the other boys, now men, prove that they are all nervous about the truth getting out. Needless to say, Addy’s rape affected her emotionally and her marriage failed because of it. She would love a future with Noah, but fears his reaction if he learns of his late brother’s attack on her.

Noah knows that Addy is hiding something and try as he may, he can’t get her to tell him. Someone is threatening her and he’s determined to find out who. Noah has issues of his own as a result of his brother’s death and his parents’ refusal to see Cody as being anything less than perfect. To further confuse Noah, his best friend Baxter confesses that he’s gay and professes to be in love with Noah. Despite Noah’s acceptance of Baxter’s sexual preference and insistence that they can still be friends, Baxter is deeply troubled about how the town and his family would react upon learning he’s gay.
I found Home to Whiskey Creek to be a highly emotional story. Anyone who has lived in a small town knows that they are prone to gossip that can be vicious and vile, and secrets that may or may not be kept. Addy and Noah both, in varying degrees, have dysfunctional families and some family members will have readers gritting their teeth.  This is not a fluffy little story, it is hard hitting and covers a gamut of emotions. The reactions to those emotions are sometimes painful and raw. I have no doubt that readers will be pleased to have been treated to such a warmly satisfying story.
 
My thanks to Brenda Novak for requesting an honest review in exchange for an advance copy of the book.

I am giving to two readers here Kindle or Nook copies of both WHEN SUMMER COMES and WHEN WE TOUCH (a novella), which precede HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK.  Leave a comment to be entered. You know I always love to hear about the author whose book is featured, so if you're familiar with Ms. Novak, tell us which of her books you've read and enjoyed - or a cover you love, etc. If you wish to leave your email address with your comment, I will notify you if you are the winner.  If you do not leave your email address, be sure to check back to see if you're a winner as I'm not likely to attempt to track you down. I will draw names on Saturday, August 3rd.  August already? Where did July go??

Laurie

Remember me??

I'm red-faced once again. Haven't been here in so very long.  I hope you're all doing well and having a great summer.  I can't believe summer is half over - truly don't know where the time has gone. We've had rain every day for the past three weeks and so much heat and humidity that you can practically feel the air. Truly miserable. Today is bright and sunny, much cooler and the humidity is gone - beautiful!
What's everyone been up to?  Lots of reading, I'm sure!  If you have suggestions, please tell us! I'm working on reviews for some very good books and will be sharing them in the next week or so. Will do some giveaways with them, so stay tuned!
I was on vacation last week and while we didn't go anywhere or do anything terribly exciting, I did get a bunch of canning done. Did strawberry/rhubarb jam, mixed berry jam, zucchini relish and "Habanero Gold" jam. The habanero jam was for the girls, who both love hot and spicy foods. Not me. I'm such a wuss that bbq potato chips are spicy! They loved it though, served over brie on crackers.

This pic shows the berry jams but not the relish or habanero jam. I'm planning to do more canning and look forward to trying a new recipe from Ball for strawberry/balsamic vinegar jam. They claim it's earthy and good, so I'm going to give it a try! Does anyone else enjoy canning?
Let me know what you're all up to, ok?  After battling menopausal depression and Tim's broken arms, things are finally looking up and it looks like we're going to survive!

Laurie

Everyone's a winner!

Sadly, there were only three comments on the Alisha Rai book. Lucky for those three, I'm buying each of them a copy.  I'll be emailing you momentarily, ladies.  Thanks so much for your comments - I hope you'll check out Ms. Rai's other works!

PLAY WITH ME, new from Alisha Rai

I admit that Alisha Rai is a new author to me and when I requested a review copy of PLAY WITH ME (the first book in her new BEDROOM GAMES series) in response to a tweet she posted for reviewers, I did so a tad reluctantly. I found myself feeling hesitant, guilty even, because as I've often said here, I'm not a fan of strong BDSM. I never want to take a reading/review opportunity away from another reader/reviewer who will enjoy a book more than me and I like to think that I'm considerate of books I request for review. I absolutely loved PLAY WITH ME and I'm thanking my lucky stars that I did speak up and request a copy.

About the book:

Jewelry designer Tatiana Belikov may have matured enough to curb her impulsive nature, but wickedness is still her best accessory. When family troubles bring her to Las Vegas and face-to-face with the man who knows all her darkest desires, resisting temptation is futile. A night of no-holds-barred sin? Jackpot.

Once Wyatt Caine had nothing to offer Tatiana except his heart, but time has changed his fortunes. Now he’s the king of vice, and the king always gets what he wants. Especially when all he wants is her, all grown up and ready to play every dirty game he can devise.

They ignite like fireworks on the Strip, blazing hot enough to melt the best intentions. But their roll in the sheets turns into a roll of the dice, and when morning comes, Wyatt and Tatiana are left wondering whether to walk away…or go all in.

Game on.

You'll find an excerpt and ordering information here: http://alisharai.net/books/play-with-me/

My review:
Tatiana Belikov and Wyatt Caine were sweethearts in high school. Sweethearts that discovered a sexual preference for things a little dirty, sometimes rough even, and both knew what brought the other the most pleasure. Having been adopted, Tatiana has recently been introduced to her biological half-brother. He is faced with substantial debt and, having taken money from his employer, Tatiana wants to help him make things right. When she finds that his employer is her lost love, Wyatt, she is understandably nervous. Wyatt has been hugely successful in business and owns an exquisite casino in Las Vegas. Wyatt's demands for repayment from Tatiana aren't as simple as her just writing a check. He wants one night with her, and as the blurb says, it will be no holds barred.

It isn't the night with Wyatt that Tatiana is opposed to. Rather, she questions the feelings she will have for him and the pain she'll face when their time is through. Wyatt comes across as being cold-hearted and unfeeling, but readers will quickly discover that there is a surprisingly warm heart beating in his chest, a heart that feels more for Tatiana than he would ever admit to. I would point out that there is no  obvious HEA, but I felt it was implied that that's the direction they were going and I was not disappointed.

I look forward to the next book in Ms. Rai's Bedroom Games series, RISK AND REWARD, coming in June, 2013.  Alisha Rai is an author that I am thrilled to have found.

I'll give two copies of PLAY WITH ME (it's an ebook) for Kindle or Nook, winner's choice. Just leave a comment here and you'll be entered, but of course we would like to hear about your lost love reunions, if you have any. Or feel free to chat about any of Ms. Rai's work that you've read. I'll pull two winners from the comments on Saturday, May 11. Like always, don't be surprised if I'm a day or two late in drawing, I seem to be quite good at that.  Also, if you'd like to provide your email address, I'll advise you if your name is drawn. Otherwise, be sure to check back because I won't hunt you down!

Thank you for checking out PLAY WITH ME and special thanks to Alisha Rai for allowing me to read and review this book for her.

 

Alison Kent has a new series (Hope Springs) that begins with THE SECOND CHANCE CAFE.  It deserves a look by all romance lovers. Here's all about it!

Kaylie Flynn was just five years old when her mother abandoned her to the Texas foster system and vanished. But Kaylie was luckier than most, blessed with a foster mother who taught her the comfort of home…and the healing power of baking the perfect brownie.
Now two decades later, Kaylie has journeyed back to Hope Springs to open a café in the rambling Victorian she once shared with her foster family—and hopefully to find answers to lingering questions about her birth parents.
Yet Kaylie’s carefully laid plans quickly take a turn for the complicated. The house needs more work than she ever imagined, and handsome Tennessee Keller, the carpenter Kaylie hires for the job, is having an unnerving effect on her heart. Add an unexpected crisis to the mix, and Kaylie has all the ingredients for a perfect disaster—or a perfect love.

My review:
Alison Kent meanders down a slightly different path than in the past with her new Hope Springs series. While I have enjoyed her work practically from the very start, I’m finding this new series to be a breath of sweetly fresh air. This is my review of THE SECOND CHANCE CAFÉ, first in the series.

Life hasn’t always been fair to Kaylie Flynn. Dealt one bad hand after another, she easily could have made excuses, given up, and made nothing of herself. Instead, she takes her life experience and determined independence and puts them to use in opening her own café. Kaylie was just a little girl when she witnessed her mother’s grisly suicide attempt.  Between her mother’s subsequent imprisonment and not knowing the father who seemingly abandoned them, she’s tossed into the foster system, being tumbled around until she eventually landed in the home of Winton and May Wise. Being in their care was better than any dream Kaylie could have dreamt. Kaylie learns from May how comforting a warm, loving home can be, and that time spent in the kitchen can be healing and good for the soul, which is best described in the following passage referencing said kitchen: “It was this room, more than any other, where she’d come to terms with the life she’d lost and the one she’d been gifted in return”. Several years later, Kaylie purchases the home she shared with the now deceased Winton and May.  She hires highly recommended local handyman Tennessee “Ten” Keller to update the first floor for her envisioned cafe, and while you know there will be an attraction between them, it starts off as slow simmer, slowly showing the promise of building to a full rolling boil.

Ten Keller has ghosts of his own but is willing to face them in order to help Kaylie start her business. His attraction to her and her simple, unassuming way, has him loosening his tongue about his painful past and sharing deeply personal things with her that he has kept silent for many years. He finds himself smiling more and very much anticipating a future that looks to include Kaylie.

 
This book is almost poetic at times and readers are warmly welcomed to the story. Comfortable as an old shoe, it steadily gains intensity and even picks up a little intrigue on the way. The secondary characters and their stories add a great deal of charm and a wealth of raw emotion. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in this series.  

Please do yourself a favor and click over to Amazon where you can get the paperback version for almost half price at $6.99 and the Kindle version for $4.99!  A real steal for a book this good!


 

Ooooops!

If it's not one thing, it's 271.  I'm working on review of Alison Kent's THE SECOND CHANCE CAFE because it's stellar and deserves high praise, but the past week and a half has been a little unsettled at Casa Damron.  Tim fell at work on 4/02 and broke his right elbow in two places and his left wrist. Wrist is casted with thumb up as if he's hitchhiking and elbow was in a splint until this past Tuesday when orthopedic surgeon told him to take splint off and start exercising arm, trying to straighten it. Well, my overachiever husband had it pretty much straight by Wednesday (he has a very high pain tolerance). The cast will be on the wrist for five more weeks. He should be back to work in a week or so, under light duty restrictions.

Interesting making drinks/food accessible for him while we're at work. I was showering with him b/c he couldn't get either hand/arm wet and we had to bag them in plastic. Difficult showering when you don't have workable arms/hands/thumbs! Showering together was a lot more fun 30 years ago when we were younger and didn't worry about falling and breaking something (else)!!

I hope you're all having a great spring - we're still waiting on it in Ohio, it's been a little on the chilly side.  Are you reading anything great?  Do many of you like to read series? If so, who do you recommend? Personally, I love them. Some good ones are by Jill Shalvis, Lori Foster, Pamela Clare, Kaylea Cross, Catherine Mann, Kristen Ashley, Dee Davis ...  I could go on and on!

Have a great weekend - and look for that Alison Kent review soon!

Laurie

And the winner is ....

Barb V!  Barb, please email me at ljodamron@gmail.com with your email info and whether you prefer a Kindle or Nook version of UNDENIABLE.

Thanks to all who commented!  I hope you'll check out Alison Kent's work - she has several books releasing this year, including a new "Hope Springs" series that I'll be talking about soon.