Saturday, June 29, 2013

Falling for the Backup

Jordan is struggling to maintain his hockey career after an injury that left him out long enough to lose his spot as starting goalie. He is good enough to not just be a back up goalie, but that's the position he's been in for too long. Now he's looking to find another team who will use him as their starting goal. Even though he loves playing for his team, he knows to be happy and fulfilled he's going to have to move on. Just where and to who he's having trouble finding. His girlfriend left him when he was injured, and even though he's moved on from that hurt, he's not ready to start a relationship with anyone right now while his career is so unknown.

Aynslee would love to have a happily ever after, she just hasn't found the right guy yet! When she has to cut short her duty as bridesmaid to a neice's wedding, she is happy to leave those reminders there and head home, even if it is only with the bridesmaid dress on her back! She sure wasn't expecting to have the hottest guy ever sitting next to her on the plane home, let alone spill coffee all over her only piece of clothing! But spilled coffee brings conversation and sparks that might otherwise have not been acknowledged. Aynslee and Jordan both feel the heat between them, but neither makes a move on it and they separate at the airport much to Aynslee's distress! Aynslee is sure he felt something between them too and can't understand why he just left! Sometimes fate works in mysterious ways though, and a couple of chance encounters later Jordan and Aynslee are finally able to light the fire between them.

They fit so well together and like each other so much! But Jordan doesn't know where his career is heading, or where he'll be living next. He feels a lot for Aynslee, but he can't ask her to give up her job and friends to follow him on his career path...or can he? Would Aynslee even be willing to consider it?

Falling for the Backup is a fast paced, quickly read sexy romance. I liked both of the characters, Aynslee is so fun and honest. Jordan isn't really ready to open himself up to another romance, but once he meets Aynslee he finds it impossible not to! I did find them to be a bit immature for people close to 30 years old. Neither of them talked about where their relationship was going...both of them knew that Jordan would in all likely hood have to move, but they didn't talk much about that either and what that would mean to them. They both made a lot of assumptions that I think most people that age would be way past. That was the only thing I didn't really like, the lack of maturity (or what I felt was anyway) towards relationships.

Toni gives us a hot novella with Falling for the Backup...with all the chemistry these two have how can they not find a way to stay together?

3.5 stars

Friday, June 28, 2013

Hold On My Heart by Tracy Brogan: Libby has lost her job and it looks like she’s losing her boyfriend too. She’s moved back to her parents’ home, away from Chicago, while she is on the job hunt. Life always moves on though, and before Libby knows it she’s helping her father Peter restore an old building into an ice cream parlor. She is definitely not looking to get involved with anyone else, with her relationship on the way out the door, her job situation dire, and her life generally up in the air she’s just trying to find her place.Read More

Sunday, June 23, 2013

In Waking Up in Vegas by Romy Sommer, Phoenix is currently a waitress in Vegas. She is a free-spirit, with no intention of settling down and committing to anyone. She’s in Vegas “for the memories, a final adieu to her parents before setting off alone in the world.”

Max is in Vegas to escape his world and to “…celebrate the fact that it feels good to be alive.” He is someone you’d never expect to meet in Vegas, let alone wake up married to! Much to Phoenix’s dismay though, that’s exactly what’s happened. She was out at a bar playing pool with her friend, having a few drinks, then…nothing! That’s all she can remember, and suddenly she’s waking up in a very posh hotel suite, covered in gold glitter, and apparently married to Max.Read More


Saturday, June 22, 2013

In Your Room or Mine? by Charlotte Phillips, Izzy Shaw is trying to get over her break up with her boyfriend. She thought they would have a happily ever after, but apparently she was the only one! When she finds out he’s been cheating, her confidence is shattered. To ‘reinvent’ herself, she decides not to cancel the romantic hotel stay they’d planned and instead goes alone. Izzy’s intention is to relax, go to the spa, shop, etc. But then she meets Oliver, the handsome stranger in the lobby. When she feels the passion between her and Oliver, Izzy goes out of her usual character and has a sizzling one night stand with him! Of course she had to set the ground rules first…one night only, no getting to know each other, no follow up.Read More

In You’re the One by Robin Kaye Bad Boys of Red Hook (Book 2), Logan is back in Red Hook to help run the bar while his foster father Pop recovers from a heart attack and bypass surgery. He doesn’t expect to be in Red Hook long, before heading back to Napa and the successful vineyard owned by his fiancee’s family.

Skye is escaping from her well known family, looking to make her own way when she ends up in Red Hook. As the fates would have it, the chef at Logan’s family’s bar/restaurant has just quit, and Skye is a chef. With no one else able to take on the job, Logan hires Skye, with no clue who she is. Skye is determined to make a name for herself without her family connection.Read More

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

rafeWe followed each of the Sullivan siblings to their happily-ever-afters. We cried, we laughed, and--oh--how we swooned. Just when we were worried it might all be over, Bella Andre surprised us with the best news of the century:  There will be more Sullivan books! YAY!

Today marks the release of the first book in the new Sullivan saga, the Seattle Sullivans. Remember Rafe, the sexy PI, who first popped up in Ryan's love story and later showed us much, much more in the short story, ONE PERFECT NIGHT? Well, he's back and sexier than ever in the 9th book of Bella Andre's hot contemporary romance series, The Sullivans. And his book is named for one of the best love songs in history, THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT--definitely foreshadowing for an epic read!

New to The Sullivans? Never to worry. You can begin your journey of falling in love right aside these charismatic and cool siblings (and cousins!) with any of the nine books in the series. Here's a recap of the books that have come before--click their links to learn more and to access purchase links. Woohoo!
    
  • Book 1: THE LOOK OF LOVE (Chase)
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  • Book 2: FROM THIS MOMENT ON (Marcus)
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  • Book 3: CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE (Gabe)
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  • Book 4: I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU (Sophie)
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  • Book 5: IF YOU WERE MINE (Zach)
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  • Book 6: LET ME BE THE ONE (Ryan)
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  • Book 7: COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER (Smith)
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  • Book 8:  ALWAYS ON MY MIND (Lori)
  • And, of course, you can pick up your copy of THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT at Amazon Kindle USApple iBookstore, Barnes & Noble, KoboSmashwordsARe,Amazon Canada, or Amazon UK.

    ***


    THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT is the newest book in Bella Andre's New York Times and USA Today bestselling Sullivan series. Over a million books sold so far!

    As a very successful private investigator who has caught most of the cheaters in Seattle with their pants down, Rafe Sullivan believes true, lasting love only happens once in a blue moon. Needing to get away from the city to clear his head, he finds the lake house where he spent the best summers of his life is now a wreck...but the sweet girl next door is all grown up and prettier than anything he's ever seen.

    While Brooke Jansen is happy making and selling chocolate truffles in her small Pacific Northwest lake town, she secretly longs to experience something wild. So when her favorite “Wild Sullivan” moves in again next door after more than a decade away, and sparks fly between them, she can't stop wondering if being bad is really as good as it always seemed...and just how long it will be before she can find out.


    But when their summer fling quickly spirals into deeper emotions than either of them were expecting, can they survive the heat between them? Or will Rafe make the biggest mistake of his life and end up losing the best thing that's ever happened to him?

    Monday, June 17, 2013



    Skye can feel it...someone is watching her. Again. She fled New York after a career ending injuring resulting from a car accident that Skye knows was not an accident. She felt the eyes then and she feels them again now. Someone wants her. Someone is following her. Someone is getting into her apartment and going through her things. Whoever it is leaves no trace of himself though and Skye feels like no one will believe her or help her.

    Skye is terrified and the only person she can trust and turn to is Trace. Trace from what feels like a lifetime ago, former lover and protector. Trace pulled himself up out of the gutter years ago. He has a dark side he hides, and a past he doesn't want to talk about. From this he worked hard to become a very rich man and owner of his own security firm.

    Trace has always, always wanted Skye. He set her free once, but now he is determined that she will be his. Skye is not so sure about that. In her eyes Trace rejected her. Even though she still longs for him, she doesn't know if she can have him. But she does know that Trace is the only one who can keep her safe, and stop who ever is stalking her.

    Soon events begin to escalate and the police start to believe her (at last!). Soon Skye is doubting everyone around her, including Trace. And when someone from her past shows up casting doubt on her, she starts doubting herself too.

    Skye will need to trust someone though...will it be the wrong person?

    Mine to Take was a fantastic novella by Cynthia Eden. It is well written, fast paced and full of pulse pounding sexuality and suspense! Cynthia gives us a great story with Skye and Trace. It took me a little while to figure out their history together, because even that was shrouded in mystery at first...but through the novella you get enough of a picture of Skye and Trace earlier in their lives that you can understand them. They both had a bad start but have managed to make it, and I found myself really wanting Skye's doubts to be unfounded.

    Trace is a very dominant and possessive man. His characteristics along with the stalkers thoughts really gave a scary edge to Mine to Take and even had me wondering! Trace was always up front with Skye though, there was no beating around the bush for him!

    Skye was so alone and scared, I really felt for her. She wasn't pathetic at all, didn't want to run and hide. She just wanted the stalking to end so she could get back on with her life. I really liked her!

    Cynthia really brings Trace and Skye to life in Mine to Take. They jump off the pages and pull you into their rocky lives! I'd recommend this to any romance reader who likes the thrill of the suspense in a well written sexy romance.

    4/5 stars

    Barbara Freethy

    I just love all of Barbara's books!!  Her newest series about the Callaway family is sure to entrance you!!



    On A Night Like This by Barbara Freethy is the first book in Barbara Freethy’s Callaway clan and it was a fantastic introduction to this family!

    Aiden, a smokejumper, has come home to San Francisco after a disastrous job that claimed the life of his best friend and colleague Kyle. Unfortunately Aiden can’t remember what happened because he was knocked out, and he is being blamed by too many people for Aiden’s death. He is home to try to find out the truth and decide on his own future.

    Sara has come back to San Francisco hoping to celebrate her father’s birthday with him and rekindle a relationship with him. But Sara’s father has always been distant with her…she’s always been a bit nervous around him. Sara doesn’t know why he doesn’t love her, but she’s not going to stop trying. Read More

    This is definitely a 5 star read!!


    So This Is Love is book two and it just keeps getting better!

    In So This Is Love (Callaways #2) by Barbara Freethy, Emma Calloway is a former fire fighter, now fire investigator. She loves what she does and she is good at it! When Max Harrison, a homicide detective, starts showing up at ‘her’ scenes, she is very annoyed even if she is secretly attracted to him.

    “Their meetings were always tense, the mix of anger and attraction between them making most of their encounters awkward and uncomfortable.”

    Emma is a few months out of a relationship, not looking for another one, and Max considers himself not a relationship guy. Both of them are afraid of love, and on the surface two very different people. Emma is an optimist, her glass is always half full. Her family is big, nosy, and loving. Max’s glass is always half empty and he has some problems with his family that he needs to work through. He also thinks he and Emma are too different to work…Read More

    Act Like You Love Me and Playing the Part

    High school was not a fun time for Brynn. She was a bit of a social misfit and just didn't fit in. Unfortunately her awkward moments were never private and she felt like she never lived them down. Brynn braved on though...she had a huge crush on Sawyer and finally got enough nerve up to ask him to the prom. He didn't even answer her, just looked at her and walked away. Brynn has changed a lot since high school, but she is still quirky and fun. Now she works in the family's bait and tackle shop with her brother, acting part time in local productions on the side.

    Imagine her surprise when first Sawyer catches her in a compromising position outside the theatre, then she discovers he is going to be the director of her current play! He's temporary back in town to fix up his parents' beach house and put it on the market, has recently ended a relationship that left a sour taste in his mouth. The last thing he wants is to get back into a relationship, especially since he's only back briefly.

    Sawyer, much to Brynn's dismay, has no idea who she was in high school. He does find himself incredibly drawn to who she is now though. The sparks are still there for Brynn, but she is still dwelling on what happened in high school. At first she is quite annoyed with Sawyer, which he can sense but has no idea why. Brynn decides to be who she thinks he wants her to be, hiding who she really is. Sawyer and Brynn hit it off really well and who they are now get along so well! But the more lies Brynn tells, the more lies she has to tell to cover the lies! Soon she's drawn into a web of deceit of her own making with no easy way out! When Sawyer finds out Brynn has been lying about who she is the whole time, how is he going to react? Even with his mother begging him to stay, he's going to be leaving soon anyway...so does Brynn need to tell him the truth at all?

    Act Like You Love me is a story about two very different people. One has matured since high school and one doesn't seem to have moved beyond high school. Brynn is quite immature and in a lot of ways selfish, because it's always about her. After she finds out how sick Sawyer's Dad was when he was in high school, she still doesn't clue in that maybe he had a lot of other things going on in his life at the time. She's really going to need to grow up and become the woman she has the potential to be. Most of the time I found her frustrating, but at other times she was funny and sweet.

    Sawyer has issues with relationships and people who lie to him thanks to his previous gone bad relationship. He's doing well for himself as a screenwriter, but he might just realize he needs something else in his life too! He will need to move past his past experiences. He has so many good things going for him, he is a great man with a lot to offer!

    Both Sawyer and Brynn will have to be open and honest with one another, and flexible if they want to have any chance at a relationship.

    Act Like You Love Me was a fairly quick read. Cindi has written very well. I think the characters are realistic because I'm sure there are people out there like Brynn and Sawyer! This is a romance that I'd say would be an ok read for a younger adult.  I would have liked it more if Brynn had been more mature!

    I give this book 3/5 stars.



    After a disastrous break up a year ago, resulting in a lot of negative publicity for Piper, she is trying to make amends with her publisher. Piper is an author whose book is being adapted for a movie, and she's agreed to consult with the actor playing the leading part. Mick has never been in love, and he doesn't have relationships, so he has no idea how to act like he's in one! It is Piper's job to help him get into character.

    As soon as Piper and Mick meet there are not just sparks, but fireworks! The last relationship Piper was in was also with an actor and look how that turned out... Piper is media shy and trying to stay out of the spotlight, but there's no way she can ignore the heat between her and Mick. She knows she'll be leaving Hollywood soon, just as she knows he's not a relationship kind of guy. "...hunger for Mick Blackwell was a very dangerous proposition, because while the bad boy was a nice little fantasy, the reality sucked." Mick lusted for Piper as soon as he saw her, before he knew who she was "She'd turned him on the moment he'd noticed her on the set, and she'd responded to his flirtation, giving it as good as she got. As long as she wasn't the relationship type..."

    Piper and Mick soon give into the heat between them (and there is a lot of that!), having some fun while neither is looking for a lasting relationship. Piper and Mick are good for each other...whether due to the intensity between them or that they're both feeling much more relaxed, Piper is able to write again and Mick starts hitting his scenes. They have their rules (no staying over for one), and Piper is sure she can keep her heart out of this thing with Mick. The last thing she wants or needs is another relationship with someone in the spotlight.

    As determined as Piper is to stay out of the limelight and a relationship, she starts to feel really good with Mick - and not only when they're having sex! Mick has a sensitive, caring side that he keeps pretty well hidden from the public. "The problem wasn't even the epic sex that left her aching for more. The problem was the ordinary, in between times with Mick. The times where they talked, read quietly, or napped in the early afternoon, the long dinners...conversation..." And now Mick wants to change the rules, and have a relationship beyond a temporary fling. Piper makes him feel like no one ever has before.

    But between the press, her past, and who Mick is, Piper is afraid of starting another relationship, of letting her heart become involved. It might be too late for that though...and with another media scandal looming, Piper leaves and heads back to New York. But can Piper let Mick go that easily? Can they both find a way to deal with the constant limelight and press coverage, real or not? Piper might need to let her heart lead her after all...

    I liked both Mick and Piper. We don't get a lot of background on them, but enough to give us an idea of who they are and where they're coming from. They are both honest with each other, no game playing or secrets which I really like. Piper is a fun young lady, quite comfortable with her sexuality, out for what she thinks will be a temporary good time. It's harder for her to accept the evolution of the relationship than it is for Mick, because she's been burned before. She needs to decide who she's going to trust...the press or Mick? 

    Even though Mick is a movie star and Piper is a famous author, the feelings that both of them go through are easy to relate to, especially Piper! Outside of the limelight they are a real couple, quickly falling for each other. I felt like their professions, so different yet so similar added a fun twist to the romantic story line.

    Robyn gives us a good, steamy, romantic read with Playing the Part. There are a lot of explicit sex scenes through out Playing the Part, but they work well with the story line and she writes them very well!

    I give this 3/5 stars :)



    Friday, June 14, 2013

    I've been busy reading!!!

    For Love or Money...I received and ARC of this for review, check out my review here

    It Had to Be You by Jill Shalvis...I don't know how it's possible, but her books just keep getting better and better!  Loved this one!  It Had To Be You

    It's the same with Susan Mallory's books.  These are two of my must have authors!!  Thankfully I don't have long to wait for Susan's next book!  Just One Kiss

    Now I'm reading Barbara Freethy's So This is Love...Emma's story :)

    Friday, June 7, 2013

    I just finished Lori Wilde's Love at First Sight!  It was a great read, whether or not you believe in Love at First Sight!!

    Love at First Sight

    Enjoy!!

    Wednesday, June 5, 2013

    The Officer and the Secret

    Wow, am I mixed up!  My earlier post?  I though today was Tuesday, but it's actually Wednesday, lol!!!

    I was very fortunate to receive The Officer and the Secret for review.  If you haven't read any of Jeanette's, what are you waiting for?  This is the third book in the series and she does not disappoint!

    Check out my review Here

    Enjoy!

    Sun Shiny Days!

    It's so nice to see the sun and feel the heat the last couple of days!  I'm hoping it's around for a while now...we've had enough of dull rainy West Coast weather!  I managed to get some weeding done and flowers planted...lots more to do though!

    From our walk at Moorecraft Regional Park on the weekend...not an ocean view, but a small 'lake' (?pond!!) the beavers play in...



    And here's another book review for you!  Fair Play

    Have a great day!

    Saturday, June 1, 2013

    Well, we are still waiting for warmer weather here!  Today we went for a walk around Moorecraft Regional Park in Nanoose...down on the water, it's a beautiful piece of land.  It used to be a United Church camp with cabins, a mess hall, church, etc.  (Tyler went there, so he can kind of remember how it was).  Now the cabins are gone and the hall is boarded up.  It's a nice walk that doesn't require a lot of exertion if you're looking for an easy walk!

    I've read and reviewed Sweet Tea and Secrets (I LOVE this book!) and Fair Play here...

    Fair Play

    Sweet Tea and Secrets

    Enjoy your weekend!  I am back to work tonight and tomorrow night... :(