Category: Contemporary Romance

Baby’s Bodyguard by Lisa Childs

Posted August 3, 2019 by Marsha in Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

From detective to daddy?

An ex-cop guards a vulnerable family.

After an injury, Detective Forrest Colton is forced into early retirement. But Forrest isn’t the type to sit still, so he volunteers to protect alluring single mom Rae Lemmon, whose life is threatened after a dead body is discovered on her property.

When Forrest finds a note threatening Rae’s infant son, his senses go on high alert. He needs to save this family even if it means his own “permanent” retirement.

Baby’s Bodyguard is the 2nd title in the multi-author series Colton 911.  For a listing of titles and authors in this series, and links to reviews done here at Keeper Bookshelf please check out our Colton 911 page.

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Forbidden to Touch by J C Harroway

Posted August 1, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Series / 0 Comments

She made the rules. But he’s changing the game… 

Within thirty seconds of meeting Reid Faulkner again, I’m reminded of exactly why I had a crush on him for so many years. That confidence, that effortless control, that thigh-clenching hotness… Only, this time I’m not little Blair Cameron, sexually frustrated teenager. No, now I am an adult woman reliving every filthy fantasy I’ve ever had about him…

His dark, sexy stare is filled with naughty promises. Promises of sex. Great sex.

But I’m here to work for him. I have a contract, and I won’t let any man—no matter how delicious—underestimate me again. So I am proposing a second contract. An unofficial one, where we explore my every desire. It’s the perfect no-strings arrangement—all sex, no emotions. The only problem is that I made a concession: to play by his rules.

Now we’ve crossed that line and tasted forbidden. It started with only a touch. But will a man who controls everything protect his heart at all costs…even if it means breaking mine?

Titles in the Billionaire Bachelors series include — Forbidden to Want –  Forbidden to Taste –  Forbidden to Touch

This title is part of Harlequin Dare a line of romances that are hot, steamy and explicit.  Intended for adult, 18+ readers due to strong sexual situations geared toward an adult audience.

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Hot Under the Collar by Roxanne St. Claire

Posted August 1, 2019 by Marsha in Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Firefighter Braden Mahoney is devastated when his beloved Weimaraner, Jelly Bean, fails the canine arson investigator test. Faced with the challenge of raising the money for advanced training, it’s Braden’s sweet grandmother and her best friend who suggested he use the services of the new event planner in town. Not that he needs a push in Cassie Santorini’s direction. Ever since she arrived, Braden has had his eye on the sassy Greek goddess…and can’t stop thinking about getting the rest of him on her, too.

Cassie has spent years putting family first, even moving to Bitter Bark when her mother falls in love with the local veterinarian. Having a huge new extended “family” is fun, especially when one smoke show of a firefighter attends the gatherings, but Cassie has no plans to remain in this small town. She’s ready to pursue her big-city dreams. But when Braden asks for an assist for his precious pup, Cassie agrees to help him set up a town-wide scavenger hunt. It isn’t exactly a hardship to be around those blue eyes and brawny shoulders, especially since they both agree that everything – even the undeniable sparks that crackle between them – is temporary.

But when temporary gets complicated by feelings that might lead to forever, Braden and Cassie start to question the direction they’re headed. Should they follow their dreams…or their hearts? It’ll take a dog with a bad nose and a sweet soul, two particularly meddlesome grandmas, and some help from the clan that loves them to make sure Cassie and Braden follow the clues and find their way to each other’s arms.

Titles in The Dogmothers series include — Hot Under the Collar – Three Dog Night –

The Dogmothers is a spin-off from The Dogfather series – a listing of those titles and links to review posts can be found on our Roxanne St. Claire page.

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Forbidden to Want by J.C. Harroway

Posted July 31, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Series / 0 Comments

One delicious hookup deal

One rule—no falling in love

Mia Abbott never backs down from a challenge—especially one posed by sexy widowed billionaire Kit Faulkner.

He’s dark, dangerous, damaged—and pure, raw sex appeal. And for the next three weeks, he’s also Mia’s boss.

The rules of their wicked engagement? No romance.

Only, one night together isn’t enough. They’re about to discover that the most forbidden things are also the hardest to give up.

Titles in the Billionaire Bachelors series include — Forbidden to Want –  Forbidden to Taste –  Forbidden to Touch.

This title is part of Harlequin Dare a line of romances that are hot, steamy and explicit.  Intended for adult, 18+ readers due to strong sexual situations geared toward an adult audience.

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Keeping Score by Shannon Stults

Posted July 31, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

With everything on the line, it’s game on

Logan Kase has reveled in being Willow Creek’s infamous wild child until one detrimental decision proved it was time for a change. Years later, Logan is back in her small hometown and ready to prove to everyone (especially herself) that she’s not that same girl anymore. But the new life she’s so carefully constructed starts to tear apart the second she runs into Cole Tucker.

Logan thought she’d put her childhood rival and their adolescent games behind her, but it takes her only one night before she’s forced into one final game, a series of hilariously immature challenges that has the whole town keeping score. A game that, should she lose, could destroy everything she’s built her new life around.

Titles in the Willow Creek series include — Keeping Score – Daring to Fall –

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Rock Chick Redemption by Kristen Ashley

Posted July 31, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Roxie’s on the run from a bad boyfriend who will not catch the hint that it is o-v-e-r. She’s in no mood for love at first sight, but when her eyes fall on Hank, it’s trouble from the get-go. Roxie tries to hold Hank at arm’s length but Hank wants to be a closer (as in, a lot closer). Roxie’s trouble catches up with her and Hank wants to help but Roxie knows in her heart that she’s no good for a white hat guy. The problem is no one agrees with her, especially her crazy hippie best friend Annette or her parents; the even crazier small-Indiana-town Herb and Trish. Toss into the mix the gang from Rock Chick and Rock Chick Rescue and Roxie finds herself totally outnumbered.

Climb in for another Rock Chick wild ride through Rock Chick Redemption. As the odds stack up against Roxie, she has no choice but to hold on and just ride it out through the kidnappings, car chases, society parties, a riot at the strip club, Hank getting “Mom Bombed” and one crazy night at the Haunted House.

During all this Hank works at convincing her she really wants to stay and he, along with the Hot Bunch, go all out to make her safe. Hank also needs to work on showing Roxie that her past decisions don’t mean her future can’t include something as downright delicious as… normal.

Titles in the Rock Chick series include — Rock Chick – Rock Chick Rescue – Rock Chick Redemption – Rock Chick Renegade – Rock Chick Revenge – Rock Chick Reckoning – Rock Chick Regret – Rock Chick Revolution – Rock Chick Reawakening (1001 Dark Nights) – Rock Chick Reborn –

Series, connections, and review links for Ms. Ashley’s many addicting series can be found on the Kristen Ashley page.

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Wind River Protector by Lindsay McKenna

Posted July 30, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Real love is worth every risk . . . 
  
Ex-Air Force pilot Andy Whitcomb loves nothing more than the wide blue skies, but when a helicopter crash fighting forest fires in California leaves her injured and shaken, she’s ready to return home to the peace of Wind River Ranch. The good news is, there’s a chance for her to fly helos for the county sheriff’s department. The bad news? The person in charge is none other than Dev Mitchell, an ex-Army Black Hawk pilot—and the rugged, sharp-eyed man Andy has never forgotten after five days together running from the Taliban after a nerve-wracking near-miss in Afghanistan. 
 
Dev can’t believe his eyes when Andy walks into the interview. She’s as strong and sexy as he remembers, and every bit qualified for the job, which she clearly wants. Unfortunately, if he’s going to be her boss, their relationship has to remain strictly professional—a regret Dev fights to keep hidden as they begin to work together. But when a chance encounter with violent drug traffickers forces them into survival mode, both of them will fight to hold on to the connection they can’t ignore—and the chance of a future together.

Titles in the Wind River Valley series include — Wind River Wrangler – Wind River Rancher – Wind River Cowboy – Wrangler’s Challenge – Lone Rider – Wind River Lawman – Kassie’s Cowboy (#6.5) – Home to Wind River – Wind River Protector – 

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A SEAL Never Quits by Holly Castillo

Posted July 30, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

A SEAL is ready for anything…except losing his heart…

Lieutenant Amador “Stryker” Salas and his tight-knit Navy SEAL team are undercover on a Texas ranch and tasked with covert ops across the border. It’s an assignment that requires all their skills, all their secrets, and all their know-how.

Anya Gutierrez, the local veterinarian, has been serving the ranch for years. She loves the animals and ranching life, and Stryker finds her a breath of fresh air in his otherwise rigidly disciplined existence.

When Anya gets caught in the crosshairs of a mission gone sideways, Stryker must tell her the truth about who he really is, risking everything to keep her out of harm’s way, even if it destroys him.

Titles in the Texas Navy SEALS series include — A SEAL Never Quits

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Last Chance Rodeo by Kari Lynn Dell

Posted July 30, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Series / 0 Comments

David Parsons was on a straight shot to the top of professional rodeo until one thoughtless moment lost him everything. Now that his beloved horse has been found on the Blackfeet Reservation, he can finally get his life back together again.

It should be the happiest day of his life, but the troubled teen who’s riding Muddy now has had more than his fair share of hard knocks, and his custodial aunt Mary Steele will do whatever it takes to make sure losing this horse isn’t the blow that levels him. David finds himself drawn to both woman and boy, and is soon faced with a soul-wrenching dilemma. Claim his horse and claw his way back into the spotlight or lose everything he ever thought he wanted…and gain everything he never thought he’d need?

Titles in the Blackfeet Nation series include — Last Chance Rodeo

**This title was originally published on February 3, 2015, under the title “The Long Road Home”.

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Don’t Give Me Butterflies by Tara Sheets

Posted July 29, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Pine Cove Island calls to her soul… 

As the Queen of Impulsive Decisions, Kat Davenport has found herself without a job or a place to live. So settling on Pine Cove Island isn’t the sanest choice–meaning it’s perfect. Like the mysterious Holloway cousins, Kat has her own unique gift. In her case, it’s a knack for communicating with animals. Which makes getting hired at the local animal shelter feel like kismet. Especially when she finds a room to rent at a nearby lavender farm–complete with a sweet landlord and her brawny grandson–a guy who happens to give Kat an all-too-familiar flutter in her stomach…

Jordan Prescott isn’t back in Pine Cove to find romance. He’s here to sell the family farm, a fact that bewilders Kat. A former foster kid, she can’t understand why he’d give up his childhood home. So when the big-hearted beauty starts bringing home strays from the shelter, Jordan is suddenly her adversary. Until their fiery disagreements turn into fiery kisses…

Now Kat is falling for a man who will likely make her homeless yet again. Unless she learns how to lend her considerable powers to taming the beast lurking inside this prince.

Titles in the Holloway Girls series include —  Don’t Call Me Cupcake – Don’t Touch My PetuniaDon’t Give Me Butterflies

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Love at First Bark by Debbie Burns

Posted July 28, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Animal portrait painter Mia Chambers and architect Ben Thomas have volunteered at the High Grove Animal Shelter for years, and they share a complicated history. Ben has secretly loved Mia all this time, but she was married to his best friend. Now she’s newly widowed, with a young son, and Ben doesn’t know how to tell her what’s in his heart. All he can do is stay close, help her as much as she’ll let him, and watch for the right moment to bare his soul.

When a dozen adorable border collies get dumped in St. Louis’ biggest park, everyone at the shelter mobilizes for a large-scale rescue. Rushing to the park to round up the frisky collies, Ben and Mia unexpectedly plunge into a new phase of their entangled lives. Who knew that opening their hearts and homes—to animals in need and to each other—would lead to so many upheavals…and new beginnings…?

Titles in the Rescue Me series include —  A New Leash on Love – Sit, Stay, Love – My Forever HomeLove at First Bark

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Lone Wolf Cowboy by Maisey Yates

Posted July 28, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Modern Western Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Will Gold Valley’s most reclusive cowboy finally find a reason to heal?

As a former EMT and a wildland firefighter, there’s no one Jacob Dalton can’t rescue–except himself. Since his best friend’s tragic death, Jacob has isolated himself…until Vanessa Logan returns to Gold Valley. He saved her life during a medical call years ago, and he’s never forgotten her. The instant jolt of heat between them takes him by surprise, but he knows that giving in to it would only end in disaster.

For Vanessa, returning home was about healing, not about exploring her attraction with Jacob. He is the guardian angel from her past–with strong, capable hands and an irresistible mouth. A temptation she knows she can’t afford. Until the chemistry between them explodes and unites them in a way they could never have imagined.

Titles in the Gold Valley series include — Cowboy Christmas Blues (#0.5) – Smooth-Talking Cowboy – Mail-Order Cowboy (#1.5) – Untamed Cowboy – Hard Riding Cowboy (#2.5) – Good Time Cowboy – Snowed in with the Cowboy (#3.5) – A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas – Unbroken Cowboy – Cowboy to the Core – Lone Wolf Cowboy – Cowboy Christmas Redemption

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Lone Star Defender by Jennie Jones

Posted July 26, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Nine days to build a future… 

Pepper Mackillop is no soft touch – but try telling her townspeople that. She’s only been home a week and is facing so many problems she’s numbered them to keep track. Her goal is to help rejuvenate her economically rundown hometown of Reckless in Calamity Valley, Texas, but between the town’s unrealistic expectations and the underhanded developers snooping around, she’s challenged every which way. Then Jack Shepperd comes home. 

Prodigal son Jack is forced to return home to his family ranch when his uncle decides to retire. He has nine days to close down the ranch and pay a debt to Pepper’s grandmother. A debt that will keep him all but glued to Pepper’s side. Pep is the most captivating, spirited, headstrong woman he’s ever met. Years ago, she broke his heart. What are the chances of a clean getaway this time around?

Titles in the Calamity Valley series include — Lone Star Hero – Lone Star Protector – Lone Star Defender

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Montana Daughter by Juanita Kees

Posted July 24, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

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Trinity Calhoun is a name everyone knows on the race circuit, but her days in the hot seat are numbered. She’s tired of the limelight, meaningless relationships and long hours behind the wheel. When her father calls her and her sister home, she’s ready. She slips right back into the family business, finishing off the custom car projects her father has lined up. But racing is in her blood and she’s lured back to risking her life on the hot rod drag strips outside of town. It’s there she meets paramedic and volunteer firefighter, Reece Balmain, who has her re-thinking the road her life is taking. 

Reece Balmain arrives in Big Fork a broken man. He’s lived and breathed through horror accidents, haunted by the faces of the people he’s cut from vehicles. He knows one thing–speed kills. He’s hoping not to see too much of it in small-town Montana until he hears about the drag races taking place outside of town. He knows Trinity Calhoun. He’s watched her race, seen her win, held his breath when her car somersaulted into barriers in Daytona Beach. He doesn’t like what she does, but he can’t stay away from the woman who’s claiming his heart.

Titles in The Calhouns of Montana series include —  Montana BabyMontana Daughter – Montana Son

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Rock Chick Rescue by Kristen Ashley

Posted July 24, 2019 by Marsha in Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Jet McAlister has a secret. Eddie Chavez has the hots for Jet (not to mention Eddie’s just plain hot). Jet has too many problems to realize that Eddie’s interested. Eddie loses patience when Jet ends her waitressing shift at a strip club with a knife at her throat. Since Eddie’s a cop, he figures he can help. Since Jet’s used to solving everyone’s problems, she doesn’t want Eddie’s help.

Throw in a Dolly Parton look-alike, a gruff but lovable strip club owner, Jet’s ne’er do well father, his ne’er do well friend, Bear, Bear’s long-suffering, chain-smoking wife Lavonne and the crew from Rock Chick and you’ve got Rock Chick Rescue.

Rock Chick Rescue takes you on a wild ride with Jet, Eddie and the gang as they wrestle bad guys in a bagel shop, hit Denver’s backstreet poker tables (with big hair), and help the strippers at Smithie’s take down a would-be murderer.

Through this, Jet’s got to learn that even when life made you give up your dreams, you can still end up with the (hot) guy. Eddie’s got to rescue Jet from a bad man (so he can do better things with her) and teach her that some dreams can come true.

Titles in the Rock Chick series include — Rock Chick – Rock Chick Rescue – Rock Chick Redemption – Rock Chick Renegade – Rock Chick Revenge – Rock Chick Reckoning – Rock Chick Regret – Rock Chick Revolution – Rock Chick Reawakening (1001 Dark Nights) – Rock Chick Reborn –

Information about Ms. Ashley’s titles that have been reviewed here at Keeper Bookshelf (and links to the review posts) can be found on the Kristen Ashley page.

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