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