Goodreads
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Thursday, April 12, 2018
The World's Worst Boyfriend by Erika Kelly is the best time for a romance reader!
Book description:
From award-winning author Erika Kelly comes her brand new, smoking hot series about four elite athlete brothers raised in the Tetons by their eccentric, billionaire dad and uncle.
Six years ago Fin Bowie made a decision that cost him the love of his life. Now his ex is coming back to town for her brother's wedding, and he can finally make things right. Except, right before the event, a text he sent goes viral. Overnight, he becomes an international meme. And it's hard to win your woman back when the whole world's calling you The World's Worst Boyfriend.
The last thing on Calliope Bell's mind is getting back with Fin. Not when her life's just gone sideways, forcing her to spend the summer in Calamity, Wyoming. She can't be away from the New York art world this long, so she comes up with the idea to turn the hottest pop culture event of the moment into a museum exhibition.
The two have every intention of avoiding each other--until the county judge sentences Fin to community service...helping her exploit the meme he's trying to make go away.
The last thing on Calliope Bell's mind is getting back with Fin. Not when her life's just gone sideways, forcing her to spend the summer in Calamity, Wyoming. She can't be away from the New York art world this long, so she comes up with the idea to turn the hottest pop culture event of the moment into a museum exhibition.
The two have every intention of avoiding each other--until the county judge sentences Fin to community service...helping her exploit the meme he's trying to make go away.
My Review:
The World’s Worst Boyfriend is the first book in Erika Kelly’s
“Bad Brotherhood” series. This story alternates between the hero & heroine’s
POV. As with other books by Erika Kelly, the main characters in The World’s
Worst Boyfriend are equally flawed, and the romance is super sexy. This is a
story for romance fans who enjoy “second chance” love stories & “fated love”
stories. Fin Bowie and Calliope Bell have known each other forever and had a
tragic break-up six years ago. When this story opens, they meet up again under
some pretty awkward circumstances. She has a live-in boyfriend, and Fin is at
the center of a media firestorm. The media frenzy is not his fault, but the
added drama doesn’t help his plans to woo back the girl he’s never stopped
loving.
Because this story is told from both perspectives, both Fin
& Callie are sympathetic characters. These characters break your heart at
times. This couple cares so deeply about each other – a failure to communicate
just cripples their attempts to reconcile. Fin is a total hottie and he never
stops trying to win over Callie and convince her how important she is to him.
Callie just has trouble conveying to Fin what she needs most from him, and what
she thinks the major problem is. This story has plenty of fun small-town charm.
Fin’s brothers are equally obnoxious and entertaining, and I look forward to
reading more about them in future books.
Holy wow! This is a fab book for romance fans who enjoy
destined lovers stories & character-driven yummy goodness. This book had me
staying up late until I finished. The World’s Worst Boyfriend is full of sighs
and sizzle in equal measure. I can’t wait to next the next book in this series!
*Book Excerpt*
“What’s with the hair, wild thing?” The all-too familiar
deep, rough voice cracked through her like a thunderclap.
It might have been a while since she’d heard it, but
Callie’s body responded like a rosebud to sunlight. Every cell bloomed and
strained in his direction.
Her stomach lurched, and she did not want to turn around. She didn’t want to look at him. With fight
or flight kicking in, it took every bit of strength she had not to run like
he’d just tossed a lit match at her feet and set her on fire.
“Hey, Fin,” Megan said.
Brushing Callie’s arm as he reached across the small circle
they made, Fin met Megan in the middle for a hug. His scent—that hint of sage
and clean clothes, the essence of Fin—swirled
around her, filling her senses and sending her crashing back in time. She had a
matter of seconds to pull herself together and treat him like an acquaintance.
Her boyfriend didn’t know about him, so she needed to just be normal, but turbulence scrambled her
system, and her mind went blank.
And that pissed her off. She’d prepared for this moment.
Hell, she’d rehearsed her responses. But living it, having him right here, she just…dammit. No matter how
many nights she’d lain awake scripting this interaction, she couldn’t control
her body’s reaction.
Come on. She gave
herself an internal shake. He’s just a guy.
But when he pulled back, he turned his full attention on her
and…Oh, my God.
For the first time in years, she looked Fin Bowie, in all
his six feet two inches of rock-hard muscle, in the eyes. A tremble started
from deep within, rising in velocity until her composure shook like a tree in a
violent storm. Last time she’d seen him, he’d been a boy. A gorgeous, untamed,
mischievous boy who’d kept her on edge for most of her life. His wild, free
spirit made him impossible to nail down.
But the boy she’d loved so fiercely had nothing on the man
who stood before her. With his overgrown dark hair and bright blue eyes, he was
a shock of rugged, raw power next to her lean, elegant boyfriend.
Monday, February 19, 2018
Hard Rocking Hotties - New Releases & Old Favorite Rock Star Romances
I love rock star themed romances and two of my favorite authors have new books out in two of my favorite series - Loyalty by L.P. Maxa & Forbidden Song by Brooklyn Ann. Both series are fab and addictive but both authors take a different approach to a beloved sub-genre.
Loyalty is part of a spin-off series from L.P. Maxa's "Devil's Share" series. This new series focuses on the children of rock stars. This is a series heavy on the drama, heavy on the sexy times, decadent and delicious, and you can't look away. These characters get into all kinds of complicated personal situations but you get sucked along as they try to make sense of things.
Twins Cash and Crue Matthews are as close as brothers can be. Cash would do anything for Crue, so much so he lived a lie - a huge lie - for over a year. Cash doesn't know who he's angrier with, himself for doing it, or Crue for asking. Either way, Cash feels like crap. Then, Mason Maxwell's sweeter than sin daughter, Katie Cadence, drops into his life and Cash has a new purpose. But...how will she react to his secret, and can he risk losing her by telling the truth?
Katie Cadence's parents have treated her like she'd evaporate in the rain. True, her beginning was so tragic the news media covered it for years. But, damn. She wants to break free and take chances. When she's banished to the Devil's Share compound, she expects more of the same, only to find the Devil's Spawn know how to live, and Katie's all in for spreading her wings. Who's offered to give her the guided tour: Cash Matthews. Falling in love wasn't on her list of firsts, but when it hit she has no choice but to go with it.
Goodreads
BREAKING FREE
After having one of the worst experiences a young teenager could endure at the hands of cruel musicians, Christine Mayne's rock star brother Quinn tried to lock her away from the world. She had to fight to live her life, go to college, get her master's and enter her PhD program. Now, she's determined to complete her research on group dynamics by touring with Bleeding Vengeance, even it means deceiving her brother and lying to the band's fabulous lead singer, Cliff Tracey.
Cliff Tracey hates being manipulated, lied to and deceived. He'd know, having gone through a string of exes who had done just that. When he thinks he's found a kindred spirit, and a beautiful babe to boot, imagine his surprise - and disappointment - when he learns she played him so she can tour with his band to complete her PhD. When he finds out why, he knows he's in double trouble because Quinn Mayne will kill anyone who touches his sister, and Cliff Tracey has all sorts of plans for Christine Mayne that involves more than either of them ever expected.
Loyalty is part of a spin-off series from L.P. Maxa's "Devil's Share" series. This new series focuses on the children of rock stars. This is a series heavy on the drama, heavy on the sexy times, decadent and delicious, and you can't look away. These characters get into all kinds of complicated personal situations but you get sucked along as they try to make sense of things.
Twins Cash and Crue Matthews are as close as brothers can be. Cash would do anything for Crue, so much so he lived a lie - a huge lie - for over a year. Cash doesn't know who he's angrier with, himself for doing it, or Crue for asking. Either way, Cash feels like crap. Then, Mason Maxwell's sweeter than sin daughter, Katie Cadence, drops into his life and Cash has a new purpose. But...how will she react to his secret, and can he risk losing her by telling the truth?
Katie Cadence's parents have treated her like she'd evaporate in the rain. True, her beginning was so tragic the news media covered it for years. But, damn. She wants to break free and take chances. When she's banished to the Devil's Share compound, she expects more of the same, only to find the Devil's Spawn know how to live, and Katie's all in for spreading her wings. Who's offered to give her the guided tour: Cash Matthews. Falling in love wasn't on her list of firsts, but when it hit she has no choice but to go with it.
Goodreads
Forbidden Song (Hearts of Metal #5) - by Brooklyn Ann
Brooklyn Ann's "Hearts of Metal" books are very character-driven and are less about rock star excess than honest emotion. The heroines in these stories are very different but fierce and aren't easily manipulated. The men in this series are wildly different, but are either very self-aware, caring toward their ladies, or quirky and honest.The romance in these books develops very organically and make the stories lots of fun.
Womanizing rock star, Cliff Tracey represents everything that has been forbidden to Christine Mayne, which only makes him a greater temptation, especially since she discovers he’s so much more than he pretends to be.
BREAKING FREE
After having one of the worst experiences a young teenager could endure at the hands of cruel musicians, Christine Mayne's rock star brother Quinn tried to lock her away from the world. She had to fight to live her life, go to college, get her master's and enter her PhD program. Now, she's determined to complete her research on group dynamics by touring with Bleeding Vengeance, even it means deceiving her brother and lying to the band's fabulous lead singer, Cliff Tracey.
Cliff Tracey hates being manipulated, lied to and deceived. He'd know, having gone through a string of exes who had done just that. When he thinks he's found a kindred spirit, and a beautiful babe to boot, imagine his surprise - and disappointment - when he learns she played him so she can tour with his band to complete her PhD. When he finds out why, he knows he's in double trouble because Quinn Mayne will kill anyone who touches his sister, and Cliff Tracey has all sorts of plans for Christine Mayne that involves more than either of them ever expected.
Kissing Vicious - "Hearts of Metal" #1
With Vengeance - "Hearts of Metal" #2
Now along with these two new books, I have a few favorite re-reads. I love Olivia Cunning's "Sinners" series and her "Exodus End" series. I find these books super entertaining and the sex scenes super hot, sometimes gross, sometimes funny, but every scene is always tailor-made to each couple and their personalities. My favorite couple in Cunning's "Sinners" series is Eric and Rebekah. Eric is described as being part Mr. Romance and part Mr. Porn Star. I love Eric's cheesy and goofball sense of humor, his emotional honesty, and his devotion to the woman he loves. I'm so glad Olivia Cunning gave this couple three stories, including one wedding story in her wedding anthology.
Other favorite rock star romances:
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
New rock star-themed romance by Brooklyn Ann
Forbidden Song by Brooklyn Ann
"Hearts of Metal" - Book 5
Womanizing rock star, Cliff Tracey represents everything that has been forbidden to Christine Mayne, which only makes him a greater temptation, especially since she discovers he’s so much more than he pretends to be.
BREAKING FREE
After having one of the worst experiences a young teenager could endure at the hands of cruel musicians, Christine Mayne's rock star brother Quinn tried to lock her away from the world. She had to fight to live her life, go to college, get her master's and enter her PhD program. Now, she's determined to complete her research on group dynamics by touring with Bleeding Vengeance, even it means deceiving her brother and lying to the band's fabulous lead singer, Cliff Tracey.
Cliff Tracey hates being manipulated, lied to and deceived. He'd know, having gone through a string of exes who had done just that. When he thinks he's found a kindred spirit, and a beautiful babe to boot, imagine his surprise - and disappointment - when he learns she played him so she can tour with his band to complete her PhD. When he finds out why, he knows he's in double trouble because Quinn Mayne will kill anyone who touches his sister, and Cliff Tracey has all sorts of plans for Christine Mayne that involves more than either of them ever expected.
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Tempting Kate by Jennifer Snow
TEMPTING KATE is book two in Jennifer Snow’s “Wild Wedding
Nights” series. This book is exactly the kind of sexy good time I want in a
romance novel. Kate Hartley is a wedding planner. Scott Dillon is a man trying
to stop a wedding from happening. When their worlds collide, you get explosive
yet delightful results.
Kate is a flawed but relatable and sympathetic heroine. Although
she has good reasons for wanting the wedding she’d been planning to materialize, she
has a conscience and she struggles with whether to listen to her head or her heart. Although
it might be easy to cast Scott in the role of villain in TEMPTING KATE,
Jennifer Snow has written him as a very multi-layered character – charming,
rakish, hard-working, sensitive, funny, and a loyal brother. He doesn’t try to
break up his brother’s wedding for selfish reason or because of a wounded ego,
but because he genuinely doesn’t want his brother to get hurt in the long-term.
Scott’s playful yet determined seduction of Kate is amazeballs and so fun to
read about. I love that he finds himself seduced as he tries to seduce Kate.
The ending of TEMPTING KATE is imaginative and satisfying. The
main characters in TEMPTING KATE take you by surprise and never do what you’d
expect, making for a refreshing story. I look forward to reading Jennifer Snow’s
next book.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
More Than a Feeling by Erika Kelly - Released April 4th 2017
From the award-winning author of
TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT comes the final full-length standalone contemporary
romance in Erika Kelly’s red-hot Rock Star Romance series, MORE THAN A FEELING.
A steamy and emotional story about a loner rocker finding his perfect duet, MORE
THAN A FEELING finds the perfect pitch and will leave you with more than a song
in your heart! Grab your copy of MORE THAN A FEELING today!
About
MORE THAN A FEELING:
From
the award-winning author of TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT comes the final story in her red-hot
Rock Star Romance series, about a loner rocker finding his perfect duet.
When
Cooper Hood left Snowberry, Montana ten years ago, he swore he’d never go back
to the town that painted him with the same brush as his addict mother. But
right in the middle of his band’s national tour he gets a call to come home:
his mom’s got a whopper of a secret to reveal.
Daisy
Charbonneau’s in trouble. The talent she hired for her resort’s annual
Huckleberry Festival just bailed on her, and she’s desperate to find a
replacement act. Luck turns her way when she discovers her high school crush is
back in town—and he happens to be a rock star.
As they work together, a crush deepens into so much more, but who falls in love in two weeks?
Especially when Cooper’s never coming back to town, and Daisy’s never going to leave it.
As they work together, a crush deepens into so much more, but who falls in love in two weeks?
Especially when Cooper’s never coming back to town, and Daisy’s never going to leave it.
Click on this link for a Rafflecopter giveaway!
EXCERPT:
Daisy’s
fingers trailed across his shoulders as she breezed past him. Her warm vanilla
and honey scent swirled in her wake, and he felt like that boy all over again
who’d lived in a state of hyperawareness around her. The boy who’d noticed the
way her dark hair pooled onto the desk as she’d hunch forward to write, her
fingers curled around a pencil. The way the tendons in her neck strained when
she’d hit and held a high note. Her burst of laughter in the music room had
made him stop whatever he’d been doing just to witness her joy.
He’d
hoarded all those images, those sacred moments, to pull out and comfort him as
he lay alone in the dark woods, waiting for his home to be safe enough to go
back inside.
She
would never know it, but she’d been his saving grace.
Taking
her seat across from him, she set two little pots on the table. Her vivid blue
eyes sparkled in the candlelight. “Try this.” She held a spoon out to
him.
Letting
her feed him was just too damn intimate, so he took it from her and fed himself.
Creamy dark chocolate filled his senses. “Mousse?” Although it was denser, the
chocolate more velvety. Richer. “It’s good.”
“It’s
a Pot de Crème.” She scooped another mound for herself. Turning the spoon
upside down, she brought it to her mouth, closing her eyes when her tongue
touched the chocolate. She moaned, and her tongue swept across her bottom lip.
Desire
surged through him, and he couldn’t help wondering if she’d look like that in
bed. If she’d go all slack and dreamy-eyed when he sucked a nipple into his
mouth.
His
blood rose at the image of Daisy naked beneath him, back arching, her hands
digging into his hair, holding him to her as if she never wanted him to go
away.
She
opened her eyes and licked the damn spoon. “I had my mom make it just
for you.” The silky fabric of her shirt draped over her breasts, accentuating
their round fullness. Desire pulsed through him.
Jesus,
would you stop already?
“Let’s
try this one.” She slid the edge of her fork into the cake, a cream-covered
strawberry sliding out. “It’s my favorite.” The Montana sapphire studs
glittered in her ears, and her lush mouth curved into a smile. His dick went
hard.
He
accepted the fork, but even when the cake and cream hit his tongue he couldn’t
taste a thing. Because the only thing in his mind, heart, and body was the
primal, urgent need to taste her.
All
that teenage longing came roaring back. He wanted her more than ever. And not
because she was beautiful and had a body his hands were dying to explore, but
because every single cell in his body reacted to her. Wanted her. Yearned for
her.
And
this was why he’d never come back to Snowberry. He didn’t want to yearn
for the things he couldn’t have. Didn’t want to wait for his mother to give him
a crumb of her attention. Didn’t want to be around these people who’d only ever
looked at him with disgust.
“What
do you think? Delicious?” Daisy’s voice yanked him out of the negativity.
And
he was damn glad. Because his past didn’t matter anymore. He was a man now.
He’d made his way in the world. And he had a chance to be that man around
Daisy. His gaze on her mouth, he said, “Hell, yes.”
*******************************************************************
What you should know:
This is the 4th and final book Erika Kelly's "Rock Star Romance" series.
What I love:
I love romances with rock star heroes & character-driven stories and this book fits the bill. The hero (super sexy rock star Cooper Hood) and the heroine (Daisy
Charbonneau) knew each other when they were teens & they were bright spots for each other in the hell that is high school. This is a fantastic story for romance fans who live for books about characters who have a complicated history and get a second chance at love. Erika Kelly satisfies fans of this series by providing a fab epilogue. Even though it's the last book, I actually think this works for readers new to the series because Cooper wasn't really a huge part of the previous books, and in this book Cooper is far removed from his bandmates and inserted into the wildly beautiful - but completely different from his usual stomping groups - setting of a small town in Montana. That the town is where Cooper and Daisy were born and grew up adds plenty of drama, but Erika Kelly balances the drama with her usual infusion of sexy fabulousness.
I am sad to see this series end, but I look forward to reading Erika Kelly's next book!
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Q&A with historical romance author Manda Collins
I recently interviewed author Manda Collins about her last "Lords of Anarchy" novel, and then again for her most recent novel Ready Set Rogue which introduces a new series.
Link to interview: http://freshfiction.com/page.php?id=8868
My interview of Ready Set Rogue: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=61888
WHO WILL WRITE THE BOOK OF LOVE?
When scholarly Miss Ivy Wareham receives word that she’s one of four young ladies who have inherited Lady Celeste Beauchamp’s estate with a magnificent private library, she packs her trunks straightaway. Unfortunately, Lady Celeste’s nephew, the rakish Quill Beauchamp, Marquess of Kerr, is determined to interrupt her studies one way or another...
Bequeathing Beauchamp House to four bluestockings—no matter how lovely they are to look at—is a travesty, and Quill simply won’t have it. But Lady Celeste’s death is not quite as straightforward as it first seemed…and if Quill hopes to solve the mystery behind her demise, he’ll need Ivy’s help. Along the way, he is surprised to learn that bookish Ivy stirs a passion and longing that he has never known. This rogue believes he’s finally met his match—but can Quill convince clever, skeptical Ivy that his love is no fiction?
Don't miss Ready Set Rogue, the first in Manda Collins' new series set in Regency England!
Buy Links:
Amazon paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Ready-Set-Rogue-Studies-Scandal/dp/1250109868
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