Thursday, June 28, 2018

Review: The One You Can't Forget by Roni Loren


Publication Date: June 5th 2018 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Pages: 416
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

Most days Rebecca Lindt feels like an imposter...
The world admires her as a survivor. But that impression would crumble if people knew her secret. She didn't deserve to be the one who got away. But nothing can change the past, so she's thrown herself into her work. She can't dwell if she never slows down.

Wes Garrett is trying to get back on his feet after losing his dream restaurant, his money, and half his damn mind in a vicious divorce. But when he intervenes in a mugging and saves Rebecca―the attorney who helped his ex ruin him―his simple life gets complicated.

Their attraction is inconvenient and neither wants more than a fling. But when Rebecca's secret is put at risk, both discover they could lose everything, including what they never realized they needed: each other

She laughed and kissed him. This morning she'd melted down. But somehow this man had her laughing and turned on only a few hours later. Everything inside her felt buoyed.

She felt...light.

She'd forgotten what that felt like.

My Thoughts:
Rebecca Lindt is a successful divorce attorney and a survivor of the Long Acre school shooting which has left her with a lot of baggage.  Right after the shooting Rebecca was determined to live her life to the fullest in honor of the ones that didn’t make it, but things haven’t turned out exactly as planned.  Her life takes a turn when she’s rescued and cared for by Wes Garrett after a mugging-gone-wrong.

Wes Garrett’s dreams were derailed when his lying ex-wife swindled him out of his restaurant by misrepresenting him in court, and with the help of Rebecca skewering him in the divorce settlement. Even though Wes is a hero and comes to the rescue, once they figure out each other’s identities things aren’t all rainbows and sunshine…

Both Wes and Rebecca have emotional struggles, Wes has feelings of inadequacy after almost pissing his life away over a bad divorce.  Rebecca grapples with being one of the “lucky” ones who survived, and harbors guilt over a secret from the shooting feeling like she doesn’t quite deserve to be happy. Their problems felt real and relatable.  After the initial bumps Wes and Rebecca form a friendship and help each other see the big picture, recognize their worth to the world and each other.  They grow closer attraction building and simmering along the way until they just about burn up the sheets as lovers!  I love the slow hot sexual tension Roni Loren built between these two!

After not being blow away by The One Who Got Away I was pleasantly surprised by The One You Can’t Forget.  Roni Loren’s talented writing brought Wes and Rebecca to life, made me care about them, and I desperately wanted a happy ending for these two together!  Loved their romantic journey!

5 Suns



Monday, June 18, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: My Summer TBR



Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Reader where each week they post a new top ten list and ask fellow bookish folk to share their lists on that topic.

This weeks theme: My Summer TBR:

As you can see there's quite the variety here: Urban Fantasy, Romantic Suspense, Thriller/Mystery, Cowboy Romance, Rocker Romance, and last but not least a YA Fantasy.  What is on your summer TBR? Let me know in the comments below! :)


(click on cover for Goodreads link)






Sunday, June 17, 2018

6-Book Romance Giveaway!


Hope everyone is enjoying the (almost) start of summer!  Our last giveaway just wrapped up so I'm here with another.  Six romance books to sweep you off your feet!




These books are all signed by the author, to me, (Rachel ) except for All of You by Christina Lee. Click on title for Goodreads link.  The giveaway is open to US Residents only.  Fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win. Good luck!



Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Review: Hooked on You by Kate Meader


Publication Date: May 29th 2018 by Pocket Star 
Pages: 384
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

The steamy Chicago Rebels series returns with this racy and sassy tale of embittered hearts, second chances, and going for the goal—on and off the ice.

Violet Vasquez never met her biological father, so learning he left his beloved hockey franchise—the Chicago Rebels—to her is, well, unexpected. Flat broke and close to homeless, Violet is determined to make the most of this sudden opportunity. Except dear old dad set conditions that require she takes part in actually running the team with the half-sisters she barely knows. Working with these two strangers and overseeing a band of hockey-playing lugs is not on her agenda…until she lays eyes on the Rebels captain and knows she has to have him.

Bren St. James has been labeled a lot of things: the Puck Prince, Lord of the Ice, Hell’s Highlander...but it’s the latest tag that’s making headlines: washed-up alcoholic has-been. This season, getting his life back on track and winning the Cup are his only goals. With no time for relationships—except the fractured ones he needs to rebuild with his beautiful daughters—he’s finding it increasingly hard to ignore sexy, all-up-in-his-beard Violet Vasquez. And when he finds himself in need of a nanny just as the playoffs are starting, he’s faced with a temptation he could so easily get hooked on.

For two lost souls, there’s more on the line than just making the best of a bad situation… there might also be a shot at the biggest prize of all: love.

My Thoughts:
I’ve been enjoying Kate Meader’s Chicago Rebels series.  These hockey skaters were so passionate on and off the ice, and just plain hot!

Violet was a little different from the other two Chase sisters in that she wasn’t outwardly acknowledged until after the death of Clifford Chase, she wasn’t raised in a life of privilege, and she was not involved with hockey until her father died and left a third of the team to her.  Clifford really treated Violet the worst, IMO, because he never tried to get to know her and didn’t officially claim her as his daughter like he did with Harper and Isobel.  Clifford Chase was an asshole to all his daughters, but I think Violet really got the short end of the stick growing up.  Can’t say I was a big fan of her mother either when I found out how Violet was conceived. 

I did love the chemistry between Bren and Violet when they got past Bren’s fear Violet’s wild side.  I did admire that Violet vowed to live the heck out of life after surviving breast cancer, but I can’t say she was my favorite of the Chase sisters (that award goes to Isobel!).  She didn’t let her sisters in completely at first, and she kept pushing Bren away, as well.  Not a fan of someone who keeps their shields up and isn’t honest about their feelings. Also, I wasn’t a fan of the predictable drama at the 85% mark, and I think Cade summed it up perfectly when he said: “I reckon you’re both total idiots.” 

Still despite some of the negatives, I did really enjoy this romance. Bren and Violet snarky exchanges were fun before they gave into that irresistible pull, and then they steamed of the pages with sexy encounters!  Loved that Harper and Isobel were supportive and determined to make Violet feel loved and part of the family until she finally came around.  The epilogue was lovely and made me wish there were more books in the series.    

3.5 Suns



Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Review & Excerpt: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

The Kiss Quotient is one of my favorite romance reads this year so I'm thrilled to share my review, an excerpt and the official book trailer!


The Kiss Quotient (The Kiss Quotient #1) by Helen Hoang
Publication Date: June 5th 2018 by Berkley  Pages: 336
Purchase Links: Amazon | KindleBarnes & Noble | Nook | Books a Million | IndieBound
iBooks | Kobo | GooglePlay

About the Book:

A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there's not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases--a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice--with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan--from foreplay to more-than-missionary position...

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he's making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic...

My Thoughts:
Stella Lane is a whiz with numbers, but romantic relationships are a confusing mystery to her. Especially when it comes to sex.  Stella’s autism can make any relationship tricky to navigate when she doesn’t always pick up on social subtleties.   Feeling pressure from her mother to date and marry, Stella figures a professional should be able to help her enjoy intimacy and sex, and this is where Michael Phan comes in.

Being an escort was never in Michael Phan’s life plan, but life has handed him some rotten luck and a pile of bills.  He dreads his Friday nights, the only nights he takes on “clients”, but that all changes when he meets Stella.  She’s beautiful, awkward, and honest; a breath of fresh air, and Michael’s in serious trouble if he lets himself fall for her. 

I loved The Kiss Quotient from page one! The story was refreshingly different and almost impossible to put down!  I adored Stella!  She was so brilliant, focused and completely unaware of her appeal.  She really thought love and sex would never be fulfilling for her or any man she paired with, because of her condition, but when she gets together with Michael her world shifts. Suddenly numbers aren’t Stella’s only obsession, and I couldn’t blame her! Michael was dizzyingly hot, and we’re not talking about looks here, he made Stella come alive sensually with his touch and words! But more than that, Michael was so patient, understanding, and sweet!  

I savored Stella and Michael’s journey, bumps, struggles and all!  The Kiss Quotient is one of my favorite romance reads this year!

5 Suns



Excerpt:

“You’ve watched Pretty Woman too many times. Kissing doesn’t mean anything, and it’s always best if you’re not thinking too much in bed. Trust me,” he said.
Her mouth thinned into a stubborn line. “This is too important for me not to think. I’d rather not kiss anymore if you don’t mind.”
Michael’s irritation redoubled, and he forced his hands to relax before he popped all his blood vessels. How the hell had he gotten himself into this? Ah yes, he’d been worried about his escort colleagues taking advantage of her. Stupid of him. His life was complicated enough without worrying about his clients. This was exactly why he had the one-session policy.
He would have backed out—it was tempting—but he’d promised. He always carried through on his promises. It was his way of balancing out the universe. His dad had broken enough promises for the both of them.
“All right,” he made himself say. “No kissing.”
“Do the other plans look okay?” she asked.
He forced himself to read them and found them pretty similar, only she’d moved from hand jobs to blowjobs and changed the sexual positions.
Amused despite himself, he said, “I’m surprised you used the terms ‘doggy style’ and ‘cow girl.’”
Her cheeks went bright red, and she adjusted her glasses. “I’m inexperienced, not clueless.”
“Your plans are missing something important.” He held his hand out, and she placed the pen in his palm with wary motions.
She tilted her head to the side as she watched him write FOREPLAY at the top of all the plans in capital letters. As an afterthought, he drew a box in front of each iteration with hard stabs of the pen.
“But why? I was under the impression men don’t need it.”
“You do,” he said flatly.
She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “You don’t have to bother with me.”
He narrowed his eyes. “It’s not a bother. Most men like foreplay. I do. Getting a woman hot is satisfying as hell.” Besides, he was not having sex with her if she wasn’t ready. No fucking way.
Swallowing, she stared down at the menu. “So you’re saying I don’t have a chance to improve.”
“What? No.” His mind scrambled to figure out why she might say that and came up with nothing.
“You saw how I reacted. It was one button.”
“And then you slept with me all night. You were basically naked, and you cling.”
“Are you two ready to order?” the waitress interjected. Judging by the amused glimmer in her eyes, she’d caught the last part of their conversation.
Stella perused the dinner options, her nails picking at the fabric edging of the menu.
“We’ll have the special,” Michael said.
“Wise choice. I’ll leave you to it.” The waitress winked, gathered the menus, and disappeared.
“What’s the special?” Stella asked.
“I have no idea. Let’s hope it’s not woolly.”
A troubled frown bracketed her mouth, and she leaned forward hesitantly, meeting his eyes for the briefest second. “What exactly do you mean by ‘cling?’”
Michael grinned. “It means you like to cuddle when you’re asleep.”

“Oh.”
She looked so horrified Michael couldn’t help laughing. “I confess to liking it.” Which was the truth, and unlike him. Cuddling was an obligatory thing he did for his clients because he understood they needed it. He usually spent the time counting the seconds until he could leave and go home to shower. Holding Stella had been nothing like that. They hadn’t had sex, so there’d been nothing to wash away, and the trusting way she’d curled into him had made him feel things he didn’t want to think about.







About the author:
Helen Hoang is that shy person who never talks. Until she does. And the worst things fly out of her mouth. She read her first romance novel in eighth grade and has been addicted ever since. In 2016, she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in line with what was previously known as Asperger’s Syndrome. Her journey inspired THE KISS QUOTIENT. She currently lives in San Diego, California with her husband, two kids, and pet fish.

Connect with Helen Hoang:




Saturday, June 2, 2018

Review: Cowboy Bold by Carolyn Brown


Publication Date: May 29th 2018 by Forever
Pages: 336
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

With her sassy humor and sexy cowboys, USA Today bestseller Carolyn Brown launches her new Longhorn Canyon series.

One city girl, one die-hard rancher, and eight mischievous kids. What could go wrong?

Every summer Cade Maguire looks forward to opening his Longhorn Canyon Ranch to underprivileged city kids. But this year, he's having no luck finding a counselor for the children--until Retta Palmer walks through his door.

Flat broke after selling everything she owns to pay for her father's medical bills, Retta is thrilled to hear of an opening for a counselor position. She's not as thrilled about the ranching part, or the sexy cowboy with beautiful blue eyes who's her new boss.

After being left at the altar two years before by his fiancée, Cade isn't sure he can take another heartbreak. And Retta isn't even sure she wants to stay. But the sparks between them are absolutely undeniable. And with a couple of lovable kids and two elderly folks playing matchmaker, Cade and Retta may find that the best way to heal is with each other.

My Thoughts:
Retta takes a job at the Longhorn Canyon Ranch as girl’s camp counselor just until she can get her old city bank job back.  Retta is still reeling from the loss of her father, and the family ranch, and has no idea how this “temporary” job will end up affecting her. This is a five-week camp for underprivileged city boys and girls to get away, learn responsibility, how to work on a team and have some fun.  Retta doesn’t plan on losing her heart in the process, but a sexy cowboy, the ranch and the kids have her re-thinking her long-term plans. 

Cade McGuire, the owner of Longhorn Canyon Ranch is smitten with Retta at first sight, but he’d like to protect his heart and keep things professional.  He’s had his heart broken by one city girl before.  But Retta’s different.  She may claim to want the city life, but he can tell ranching is in her blood.  The way she is with the camp kids melts his heart, too, and soon the pull between them becomes too irresistible to fight. 

Carolyn Brown once again charms with Retta and Cade’s romance. Humor, sweet and sexy banter; it was a slow and steady progression to HEA.  These two just made sense together, even if they didn’t realize it at first. The kids added a fun to the story as well. Some of them were prickly with attitude to begin with, so it was touching to see how ranching life and loving attention softened them up and got them to work together as a team.

4 Suns



Friday, June 1, 2018

5-Book Giveaway!

Hello readers! Hopefully you're enjoying some warmer weather and maybe thinking of a book to enjoy by the pool!  I have 5 books I'm giving away that may tempt you!


(Click on title below for Goodreads link)


The giveaway is open to US Residents only.  Fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win.  Good luck!