Review & Excerpt: Tempting Brooke by Kristen Proby

Tempting Brooke by Kristen Proby

Publication Date: October 23rd 2018 

Pages: 125

Purchase Links: Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | Amazon AU

About the book:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby comes a new story in her Big Sky series…

Brooke’s Blooms has taken Cunningham Falls by surprise. The beautiful, innovative flower shop is trendy, with not only gorgeous flower arrangements, but also fun gifts for any occasion. This store is Brooke Henderson’s deepest joy, and it means everything to her, which shows in how completely she and her little shop have been embraced by the small community of Cunningham Falls.

So, when her landlord dies and Brody Chabot saunters through her door, announcing that the building has been sold, and will soon be demolished, Brooke knows that she’s in for the fight of her life. But she hasn’t gotten this far by sitting back and quietly doing what she’s told. Hustle is Brooke’s middle name, and she has no intention of losing this fight, no matter how tempting Brody’s smile -- and body -- is.

My Thoughts:

I just love a story of best friends turning into more, especially when the two have quietly longed for more.  Brooke and Brody were best friends in high school until Brody’s homelife made him feel ending his friendship with Brooke was for the best. Brody moved away from Cunningham Falls, but never forgot Brooke just as she’s never forgot him. Now years later, Brody is back in town to sell the business property Brooke is renting for her burgeoning flower shop.  Brooke proposes an offer: stay and see how her business works, the happiness she brings to clients, and if he still wants to sell, then so be it. 

Along the way Brooke and Brody rediscover the friendship they left behind, remember all the feelings buried away and start to fall all over again. 

Being a friends-to-lovers novella, Kristen Proby did an excellent job laying a strong foundation for Brooke and Brody’s romance. They already have a history of unrequited love going in that’s highlighted, so was easy to get invested in their HEA.

3.5 Suns

Excerpt:

  “Let’s go.” He signals for our waitress, pays the tab, and leads me out to the car. I drive us to my house where his car is waiting for him, quiet the whole way.

  What is there to say? We just admitted to loving each other yesterday, and now he’s leaving.

  It sucks. And I don’t know what this means for us.

  When I pull into my driveway, I immediately get out of the car and march inside my house, opening windows and doors to get a cross breeze going.

 This is the first time I can say that I hate my house. I should have installed the fucking air conditioning.

  “Stop,” Brody says softly. He’s standing in the middle of my living room, his hands in his pockets, watching me with tormented eyes.

  “What?”

  “Stop this. You’re running about here like mad, and you just look pissed off. We need to talk about this.”

  I feel my shoulders fall in defeat. “I don’t mean to sound like a bitch here, Brody, but I’m not sure what there is to talk about. You’re leaving, and I’m here. So, thanks? It was fun? Have a nice life?”

  “Are you assuming that I’m never coming back?”

  “No, you have a building here, so I guess you’ll be back now and then.”

  “I’m coming back,” he insists and pulls me to him, lowering his mouth to mine in one of his   Olympic-style kisses. “I can’t give you a timeline, but I am coming back.”

  “Okay.”

  “You don’t believe me.”

  I sigh. “It’s not that I don’t believe you. I think you want to come back. But you have a job, and a life, and so do I. So, I just think it’s going to be hard.”

  “I don’t just have a job, I own the firm.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. So, I have some things to get in order, but it’s not impossible.”

  “Owning the firm only complicates things,” I argue, shaking my head.

  “It’s not forever,” he promises, then checks his phone. “And I’d better go. I have to pack my things at the hotel and turn in my car before my flight in just over two hours.”

  I stare at him, and I want to beg him to extend his trip one more day. One more week.

  But I can’t do that. He’s already done so much for me by staying this past week.

  “I didn’t realize you were leaving so early in the day.”

  Do not get needy, Brooke. No one likes that.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He kisses me once more, and I know this kiss is goodbye.

  Whether it’s goodbye for now, or goodbye for good, only time will tell.

  “Be safe.”

  He smiles and frames my face. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  One more forehead kiss, and Brody is out the door. I don’t watch as he pulls out of my driveway and away from my house.

  Watching him go just seems like torture.

About Kristen Proby:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

Connect with Kristen Proby:

    

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Author Goodreads * TEMPTING BROOKE Goodreads

Release Day Launch: Tempting Brooke by Kristen Proby

       

 

This novella was sexy and fun so I'm excited to be taking part in the Release Day Launch!

From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby, comes TEMPTING BROOKE, a new novella in her Big Sky Series, brought to you by 1,001 Dark Nights! Be sure to grab your copy today!

About TEMPTING BROOKE:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby comes a new story in her Big Sky series…

Brooke’s Blooms has taken Cunningham Falls by surprise. The beautiful, innovative flower shop is trendy, with not only gorgeous flower arrangements, but also fun gifts for any occasion. This store is Brooke Henderson’s deepest joy, and it means everything to her, which shows in how completely she and her little shop have been embraced by the small community of Cunningham Falls.

So, when her landlord dies and Brody Chabot saunters through her door, announcing that the building has been sold, and will soon be demolished, Brooke knows that she’s in for the fight of her life. But she hasn’t gotten this far by sitting back and quietly doing what she’s told. Hustle is Brooke’s middle name, and she has no intention of losing this fight, no matter how tempting Brody’s smile — and body — is. 

Grab your copy of TEMPTING BROOKE today!

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  EXCERPT: 

The bell dings, and I reach for my small handbag and answer the door.

  Brody’s eyes start at my face and slowly meander down my body to my sandal-covered feet, and if I’m not mistaken, his jaw clenches.

Just friends, Brooke.

  “Hey.”

  I can’t help but take my own perusal of the man standing before me. Jesus in a basket, he fills out a suit nicely. His shoulders are broad, and his arms muscular.

Yes, this does things to me.

  “Can I come in?” he asks with a small smile on his lips.

  “Of course.” I step back and he walks inside my small house.

  “This is nice,” he says, but his eyes are still on me.

  “Thanks. I’ve been here for a couple of years.” I glance around, wondering if Brody and I have the same tastes, and then I glance back to him and bust out laughing.

  “What?” he asks.

  “Turn around.” He complies, and I reach up to pull the tag that’s poked out of the neck of his jacket. His hair is soft against the back of my fingers, and I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like as I fist it while he does amazing, sexy things to me.

  I take a deep breath and hand it to him with a laugh. “Wear it every day, my ass.”

  He tucks the tag in his pocket. “I didn’t bring a suit to Montana. I had to improvise.”

He bought it just for me.

  And according to the tag, it wasn’t cheap.

  Now I feel bad. I shouldn’t have pushed the issue. He spent a bunch of money that he didn’t need to, all because I gave him a hard time.

  “I thought we could eat at Ciao tonight,” he says as he leads me out of the house to his rented convertible. The sun broke out a couple of hours ago, and it’s the perfect temperature now. But     I just did my hair.

  I think about asking him to put the top up, and then decide, fuck it.

  I reach into my handbag and pull out a hair tie, twist my hair on top of my head, and grin as I sit in the fun car.

  “I could have put the top up.”

  “And that would have been a waste on a day like today,” I reply smoothly and have to physically restrain myself from reaching over to brush my fingertips through that soft hair at the nape of his neck.

  We drive through town in silence. Rather than park in front of the restaurant, he drives past, and I frown over at him.

  “Having second thoughts?”

  “No.” He sends me a smile. “Before we go in, I’d like to know why you got so quiet.”

  I bite my lip and look out my window, then turn to him and say, “Did you buy that suit just for me?”

  “Seems I do a lot of things for you lately,” he replies with a grin. “It’s not a big deal, Brooke.”

  “I’m sorry,” I reply. “I was just goofing around this afternoon. I didn’t mean for you to have to do all of this.”

  “All of what?”

  “Buy that gorgeous suit, take me to dinner. I feel like I hijacked your day, and I feel bad.”

  He pulls over, whips his seatbelt off, and turns to me.

  “Look at me.”

  I comply. He drags his knuckle down my cheek again, and that’s all it takes to set my body on high alert.

About Kristen Proby:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

Connect with Kristen Proby:

    

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Author Goodreads * TEMPTING BROOKE Goodreads

Release Week: Listen to Me by Kristen Proby

Kristen Proby is known for writing heartfelt characters with deep connections and sizzling passion. In her brand new series from William Morrow Paperbacks, Fusion, she will seduce readers’ senses with the sexy, contemporary romance, LISTEN TO ME, in which five best friends open a hot new restaurant together. Today, we are thrilled to bring you this first book in the Fusion Series. Available now, LISTEN TO ME finds a hot former rock star looking for a steady gig at the restaurant, but he’ll have to convince the prickly front-of-house manager to take a chance on him—with her business and her heart.

Grab Your Copy Today!

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iTunes ** Kobo

"Listen to Me is a phenomenal start to a new series that will hook the readers to the point of no return." -Fiction Fangirls 

About LISTEN TO ME:
In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby’s brand new series, five best friends open a hot new restaurant, but one of them gets much more than she bargained for when a sexy former rock star walks through the doors—and into her heart.

Seduction is quickly becoming the hottest new restaurant in Portland, and Addison Wade is proud to claim 1/5 of the credit. She’s determined to make it a success and can’t think of a better way to bring in new customers than live music. But when former rock star Jake Keller swaggers through the doors to apply for the weekend gig, she knows she’s in trouble. Addie instantly recognizes him—his posters were plastered all over her bedroom walls in high school—he’s all bad boy…exactly her type and exactly what she doesn’t need.

Jake Keller walked away from the limelight five years ago and yearns to return to what’s always driven him: the music. If he gets to work for a smart-mouthed, funny-as-hell bombshell, all the better. But talking Addie into giving him the job is far easier than persuading her that he wants more than a romp in her bed. Just when she begins to drop her walls, Jake’s past finally catches up with him.

Will Addie be torn apart once again or will Jake be able to convince her to drown out her doubts and listen to her heart?

"The story is fresh, the characters are hot, the chemistry between Jake and Addison is through the roof, and the picture that Ms. Proby paints is vivid and energetic." -Literati Literature Lovers 

About Kristen Proby:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves.

Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.

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LISTEN TO ME Goodreads ** Kristen Proby Goodread    

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Cover Reveal: Loving Under the Big Sky Series by Kristen Proby

We are so excited to bring you the Cover Reveal for Kristen Proby'sLove Under the Big Sky Series! The Love Under the Big Sky Series is a Contemporary Erotic Romance series made up of three full-length, standalone novels and one novella published by Pocket Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster! Grab your copy of all of the books in this amazing series!

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** Booksamillion ** Indiebound ** iBooks

  About LOVING CARA:

CHEMISTRY WAS NEVER THIS SEXY IN HIGH SCHOOL.

In her sizzling new series, USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby sets the stage for a passionate reunion under the breathtaking Montana sky. Cara Donovan’s summer tutoring job is turning out to be a challenge—and not just because of her troubled twelve-year-old student. It’s his uncle Josh who’s the real problem. If problem is the word for an irresistibly cocky, muscle-bound rancher with a taste for tight Levi’s and shameless flirtation…  Cara is nothing like the wallflower Josh King remembers good-naturedly teasing in high school. This Cara is gorgeous, confident, fun. From the moment the fiery teacher steps foot on his family’s Lazy K Ranch, the stubborn playboy is determined to corral her. So what happens when his luscious lover takes over the reins? The first in a steamy trilogy, Kristen Proby’s enthralling novel is filled to the brim with one hardworking family’s triumphs and challenges, all the wild adventure of the modern West, and a whole lot of titillating fun.  

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** Booksamillion ** Indiebound ** iBooks

About SEDUCING LAUREN: In the second book in the Love Under the Big Sky series from this New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the With Me in Seattle series, life in Montana gets spicy when a woman and her divorce lawyer sign off the papers—and sign on to love. Now that his best friend, Josh, has happily settled down with his true love on a Montana ranch, small-town lawyer Ty Sullivan starts thinking that maybe single life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And when Lauren Cunningham’s no-good ex-husband comes after her for an unexpected trust fund, Ty steps in to protect her. But soon he can’t help but think of her as more than a client. Lauren’s in no mood to jump into another relationship, so how can Ty convince her that her mistake wasn’t getting married, but marrying the wrong guy?

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** Booksamillion ** Indiebound ** iBooks

About FALLING FOR JILLIAN: From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes the third romance in the Love Under the Big Sky series, featuring a veteran struggling with PTSD and the one woman who can help him recover—and learn to love again. Jillian thought she was a city girl through and through; the fast cars, high fashion, and glamour—she loves it all. But when her ex tells her he’s having a baby with his new wife (after Jillian struggled for years to get pregnant), she hightails it back to Montana to cry on the shoulder of her best friend, Cara. But in truth, Jillian would rather be comforted by someone else…specifically Zack, Cara’s brother-in-law. Zack is a veteran of the Iraq War who came back to the family ranch to raise his preteen son after the boy’s mother took off. He’s struggling to re-establish a relationship with his son, and warding off the demons of PTSD, which still haunt him. The last thing he needs is bold, brassy Jillian…but why can’t he keep his hands off her?   

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** Booksamillion ** iBooks

About SAVING GRACE (Releasing November 30^th): Sparks fly like snowflakes when a klutzy but gorgeous novice crosses skis with a hot resort owner in this tempting tie-in to New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby’s popular Love Under the Big Sky series! Grace Douglas is on a practice run for her friend Cara Donovan’s bachelorette party ski weekend in Aspen. The problem is, despite living in rugged and picturesque Cunningham Falls, Montana, Grace is the clumsiest person ever born. To prepare for the trip, she is taking lessons at a local ski resort. She just prays that they have an ambulance on standby. Sexy hotelier Jacob Berkley is ready to play ski instructor, but he quickly discovers that the best place on the mountain for Grace is in the lodge with a hot toddy. Her sense of humor and easy laugh quickly pull him in, and soon he’s determined to help her get off the bunny slope for a fun vacation with her friends. He just didn’t expect their steamy chemistry to trigger an avalanche of desire straight to his heart.

  Excerpt from LOVING CARA (Book 1): 

 “This is a great place,” I murmur, and turn in a complete circle, taking everything in. The forest is thick here, but with a clearing by a wide pool of water,which is being fed by a creek that empties into it via a beautiful waterfall about twenty yards away. Slabs of rock frame the pond, making a natural ledge to sit on and enjoy nature. “This is where I’ve always come whenever I’m happy or mad or just need to think.” Josh wraps his arms around me from behind and kisses the top of my head. “You brought me to your happy place?” I ask, half kidding, and turn my head to kiss his biceps. I can’t seem to keep my lips off this man. And he doesn’t seem to mind. “It seems that anywhere you are is my happy place these days, Carolina.” I gasp and look up into his soft brown eyes. “So, I brought the person who makes me happy to my happy place,” he clarifies. Well . . . wow. Before I can respond, he kisses my lips quickly and then pulls away to grab a blanket out of a saddlebag. He takes me by the hand and leads me up onto the rocks by the water. He spreads the blanket out and pulls me down next to him. “Are you hungry?” he asks, and pushes my hair back over my shoulder. “Not quite yet.” He nods and his eyes heat as they rake down my face, my neck, and over my tank top, which I know shows off the girls nicely. If he was going to keep me perpetually turned on today, I was happy to return the favor. “You are so beautiful,” he whispers, and leans in to claim my mouth gently. His lips are gentle and soft, sweeping across my own rhythmically yet slowly, sending shivers down my arms and making my stomach clench. He has only touched me with his lips and my stomach is clenched. I’m panting, ready for him to take me right here, in the middle of nature. He cups my cheeks in the palm of his hand and pulls me closer, sinking into the kiss, but then he abruptly pulls back, his brows pulled into a frown. “You really are warm,” he mutters, and feels my neck and forehead. I laugh at him as I rub my hand up and down his firm chest. “It’s hot outside, Josh.” “Let’s cool off.” He smiles down at me wickedly and begins to peel me out of my clothes. “We might give the wildlife quite a show,” I warn him mildly, excitement coursing through me. “That’s the plan.” He winks at me and quickly strips out of his own clothes. He pulls me up onto my feet and peels my jeans and panties down my legs. “Now what?” I ask with a wide smile. “Now we cool off.”

Check out the Love Under the Big Sky Series on Goodreads!

About KRISTEN PROBY: New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby is the author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.    

Website ** Twitter: @handbagjunkie ** Facebook ** Author Goodreads

LOVING CARA Goodreads ** SEDUCING LAUREN Goodreads ** FALLING FOR JILLIAN Goodreads

 

Review: Seducing Lauren by Kristen Proby

Seducing Lauren (Under the Big Sky #2) by Kristen Proby

Publication Date: August 19th 2014 by Pocket Books

Purchase Links: Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks

About the book:

SEDUCING LAUREN Synopsis: In the second book in the Love Under the Big Sky series from this NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author of the With Me in Seattle series, life in Montana gets spicy when a woman and her divorce lawyer sign off the papers—and sign on to love. Now that his best friend, Josh, has happily settled down with his true love on a Montana ranch, small-town lawyer Ty Sullivan starts thinking that maybe single life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And when Lauren Cunningham’s no-good ex-husband comes after her for an unexpected trust fund, Ty steps in to protect her. But soon he can’t help but think of her as more than a client. Lauren’s in no mood to jump into another relationship, so how can Ty convince her that her mistake wasn’t getting married, but marrying the wrong guy?

My Thoughts:

I’ve been looking forward to Seducing Lauren since I read the teaser at the end of Loving Cara, and it did not disappoint. 

Lauren is having troubles from her crappy ex-husband. She thought he married her for love and then found out it was always about the money. Her generous divorce settlement isn’t enough and he’s now after her trust fund. His demands become ugly when he shows up and threatens Lauren, and this is where Ty comes in.  Ty Sullivan is one of the attorneys at the firm that represents Lauren and when he catches wind of the trouble Lauren is facing, he steps in to help and protect her.  Ty’s had his eye on Lauren for a while, but he wanted to give her time and space to get over her marriage first. 

Ty was a great hero, stepping in when Lauren needed support and protection.  He was such a thoughtful man and sensitive to Lauren’s plight because he grew up seeing his mother and sister mistreated by his father.  Seeing her bullied brings out all his protective instincts. 

During the time they were separated Lauren wrote a wildly famous romance trilogy, à la Fifty Shades that are being made into movies, but she did so under a pen name to keep it secret from her ex-husband knowing he’d be after that money as well.  As a reader, I knew it was a matter of when not if he found out so I was anxious over the looming threat this discovery presented.  Lauren’s ex was a complete jerk, and a dangerous one.

The romance was hot and steamy, maybe a little fast, but they did know each other for years.  I loved how devoted and protective Ty was to Lauren. Lauren was a sweet and strong woman who didn’t back down and cower when her ex tried to mess with her.  She totally deserved having Ty after her disaster of a marriage. 

I enjoyed Seducing Lauren even more so than Loving Cara, and I look forward to the next in the series. 

3.5 Suns

Release Day Launch & Giveaway: Seducing Lauren by Kristen Proby

We are so excited to share with you a bit of Kristen Proby's SEDUCING LAUREN today! You can read an excerpt, read all about this new release, and enter a fantastic giveaway! SEDUCING LAUREN is the second title in Proby's Love Under the Big Sky Series! Check out everything below and then go 1-click this amazing new title!

 

Seducing Lauren (Under the Big Sky #2) by Kristen Proby

Publication Date: August 19th 2014 by Pocket Books

Purchase Links: Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks

About the book:

SEDUCING LAUREN Synopsis: In the second book in the Love Under the Big Sky series from this NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author of the With Me in Seattle series, life in Montana gets spicy when a woman and her divorce lawyer sign off the papers—and sign on to love. Now that his best friend, Josh, has happily settled down with his true love on a Montana ranch, small-town lawyer Ty Sullivan starts thinking that maybe single life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And when Lauren Cunningham’s no-good ex-husband comes after her for an unexpected trust fund, Ty steps in to protect her. But soon he can’t help but think of her as more than a client. Lauren’s in no mood to jump into another relationship, so how can Ty convince her that her mistake wasn’t getting married, but marrying the wrong guy?

EXCERPT: 

As I approach his house, I see his Jeep parked in the drive, the hood up, and a tight, jean-clad ass bent over the side.

Okay, he’s definitely home.

I tentatively wander around the other side of the Jeep and lean against the side, looking at the engine. He hasn’t noticed that I’m here yet, and I’m not even sure how he’ll react to seeing me here, but I can’t seem to stay away. His dark head is bent low, his arms buried in the engine, tinkering with something. His arms are bare as he’s pulled off his T-shirt, which is draped over the windshield. A thin sheen of sweat covers his shoulders and back, and his entire sleeve tattoo, which runs from just above his wrist all the way up to the top of his right shoulder, is on full display, making my girlie parts all tingle and come to life.

Holy Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

He’s so fucking toned it’s crazy. Jeez, his muscles bunch and stretch as he pulls on the wrench in his hand.

“Come on, you motherfucker,” he mutters. I have to bite my lips to keep from laughing out loud.

“So, what seems to be the problem?” I finally ask when he doesn’t notice me, keeping my eyes trained on the engine when his head whips up to look at me. I slowly lift my eyes to his and grin.

“I didn’t hear your car,” he murmurs with a smile.

“I walked.” I shrug and look back down into the bowels of his Jeep. “What’s wrong with your car?”

“You walked from your house?” he asks incredulously.

“No.” I shake my head and chuckle. “From Sips. I had coffee with Cara this morning.”

He stands up straight and leans his palms on the side of the Jeep, watching me. My eyes immediately fall to one drop of sweat slowly making its way down his hard chest.

“You had coffee with Cara?” He smiles.

“Yeah.” I shrug shyly. “I’m sorry to just stop by like this. I was out for a walk and just sort of found myself here.” I feel my cheeks heat and I back away, but he shakes his head and smiles widely.

“I’m glad you came by.” He raises his brows as I continue to stare.

I shake my head and raise my eyes to his, then bust out laughing.

“Why are you laughing?” he asks with a wide grin.

“Because I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without a shirt. I didn’t realize the tats went all the way up your arm. Who would have thought that under it all you’re just a bad boy?”

His eyes flash with heat as he narrows them on my face, watching me. He pulls a rag out of his back pocket and begins wiping off his hands, but his gray eyes stay on mine. Did I offend him?

“I’m not such a bad boy. Looks can be deceiving, Lauren.” He smirks as he lowers the hood on his Jeep. “But from the look of you right now, you don’t seem to mind the tats.”

“I don’t mind.” I shrug nonchalantly and try to ignore the way my heart picks up speed as he slowly saunters around the hood of the vehicle.

“Do you have any tats?”

“Yeah.”

His eyes widen in surprise and then rake over me from head to toe.

“Where?”

I grin, enjoying this flirtatious banter. “Here and there.”

“I have ways of making people talk, you know.”

“Bright lights and rubber hoses?” I ask with a raised brow.

He tosses his head back and laughs, an all-out belly laugh. “I’m not a cop,” he smirks.

“You might get to see them. Someday.”

He closes the gap between us and kisses me gently on the forehead, not touching me anywhere else.

“I hope someday comes sooner rather than later,” he whispers before pulling back and smiling softly down at me. “I would hug you, but I’m dirty.”

I wave him off, as if it’s no biggie, although I don’t mind so much that he’s a bit dirty and sweaty. “What were you doing?” I gesture to the car.

“Changing the oil.”

“There are places you can go,” I inform him with a perfectly straight face, “where you pull into this big garage, and then you leave your car and go into this small room with five-year-old magazines and stale coffee, and the people there will change your oil for you.”

“Or, smart-ass, I can do it myself in my own driveway.”

“Suit yourself.” I shrug.

“Did you sleep okay on the couch?” he asks, changing the subject.

“Yeah, actually, I did. But I could always sleep just about anywhere.”

“Hence the chaise in your office.” He chuckles.

I nod and stuff my hands in my pockets. “I’m sorry that I interrupted your morning. I was just out for a walk and found myself here.”

“I’m glad you did.” He scratches his stomach, and my eyes follow the movement. His abs are just delicious. For being so dark haired, he has little hair on his chest and stomach, but a light trail of hair falls from his navel and disappears into his jeans. He’s also sporting a V in the muscles on his hips that the heroes in my novels would covet.

“Lo?” he asks with a wide grin.

“Yeah?” I drag my eyes up to his again.

“I lost you for a second.”

I blink rapidly and feel heat fill my cheeks. Jesus, get a grip! You’ve seen hot men before, Lauren. “Sorry, my mind wandered.”

And don’t forget to read the first book in the Love Under the Big Sky Series…

LOVING CARA

About Kristen Proby: New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

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Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Loving Cara by Kristen Proby

Today I'm part of the Blog Tour for the first in Kristen Proby's new series: Loving Cara (Love Under the Big Sky #1).  This tour is hosted by Inkslinger PR. Thanks for including us!  For my stop I have a review, plus and awesome INTERNATIONAL giveaway! So be sure to scroll down so you have a chance to win!

Loving Cara (Love Under the Big Sky #1) by Kristen Proby

Publication Date: January 21st 2014 by Pocket Books

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

About the book:

In this new Love Under the Big Sky series from a USA TODAY bestselling author, Cara agrees to tutor her former classmate's nephew—and learns some lessons in love!

Josh King is an expert at running his family’s multi-million dollar ranch in Montana. (And all that outside manual labor has done wonders for sculpting his six-foot-three body, too.) But as sure footed as he is when it comes to the ranch, Josh doesn’t know anything about how to deal with an adolescent boy—so when his twelve-year-old nephew, Seth, is dropped off on his doorstep, looking scared and acting surly as hell, Josh knows he needs help in straightening him out.

Cara Donovan loves her quiet life as a teacher in her sleepy hometown, so she jumps at the chance to make a little money over the summer as a tutor. But when she learns she’ll be teaching Josh King’s nephew, Cara’s sweet summer job gets a little bit hotter. Cara tries to focus all her attention on tutoring Seth, but Josh proves to be a delicious distraction, while Josh’s memories of the shy girl he once teased in high school are nothing like the beautiful woman he’s facing now. Can he persuade her that there’s more between them than a summer fling?

My Thoughts:

Loving Cara was a sweet small town romance with plenty of spice. Oh, how I’d love to live on a beautiful Montana Ranch. Well, as long as it came with a hot rancher like Josh!

Cara went to school with Josh and Zack King who are identical twins.  Josh was the type to tease and pull her hair while passing in the hallways, but nothing ever became of it other than Cara having palpitations every time she saw him. Cara thought Josh never looked at her twice, with her being the chubby, frizzy haired girl growing up.  Now that Cara’s all grown up and a school teacher, she gets a job tutoring Seth, Zack’s twelve year old son at the King’s ranch for the summer.  Seth has been dropped off like a sack of potatoes by his horror of a mother, Kensie, and with Zack still in the army Josh is left with his care until his brother can get back.

The old fluttery feelings Cara used to have for Josh come flooding back when she sees him, and with tutoring Seth everyday in Josh’s house, those feelings become so much stronger.  Luckily for Cara, the attraction is mutual and before you know it Josh and Cara are hot and heavy, and can’t keep their hands off of each other.  Cara must battle her feelings of insecurity; she’s not sure what Josh sees in her.  Is she just a summer fling? And Josh for his part is confused by his fast and intense feelings for Cara. Can he trust these emotions when they've come on so quickly?

This romance was relatively angst and drama free which was a relief to me. That’s not to say there weren’t bumps in road, but they were short lived and handled pretty quickly.  Both characters were mature and completely devoted.  With that said I had a hard time connecting with this romance. I would’ve liked a little more buildup before these two were constantly going at it like rabbits.  I didn’t really get why Josh was suddenly crazy for Cara and couldn't get enough of her when he had made no moves on her in the past with them living in the same small town for years.  Plus, it seemed like Josh and Cara were going at it every other page.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my spice just as much as the next girl, but I like a little more story to go with it. 

I did enjoy this story and the setting was lovely.  I've always dreamed of living in a small beautiful ranch town like this one in Montana. Maybe that’s because I usually picture some sexy cowboys sauntering through! The setup with the secondary characters has me excited for companion stories.  The teaser in the end for Ty and Lauren’s story was really good!

3.5 Suns

A copy was provided by Pocket Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

About the Author: KRISTEN PROBY is the USA Today bestselling author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.

Connect with Kristen Proby:

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1-signed copy of LOVING CARA and 3 e-Copies of LOVING CARA for one winner during the Blog Tour. This is an International giveaway, so YAY! Simply fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win! Good luck!