August Is Read-A-Romance Month and Why That Matters To All Romance Lovers

Posted August 12, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

heart There is an absolutely fantastic event going on, right now. Read-A-Romance month is a celebration of romance – romance writers – romance readers. And that’s us, right?

August 2015 Author Calendar <– That link is where you need to begin if you have never heard of or read about the Read-A Romance Month event. There you will see more than 93 reason why you need to be checking this site daily.

Authors that you may know and love, as well as new to you authors give their thoughts on what romance and writing romances means to them. The peek into the minds and thoughts of some of my favorite romance writers has given me goose bumps this morning… and I’m not done. There is so much more to go back and read that it might take me a few days to get caught up on this year’s and the previous year’s essays and posts. And that’s okay – because I can’t think of a more enjoyable way to pass the time than to learn from the best in the business. (Okay maybe I could but I’m trying to keep this post PG people 🙂 )

If you’re a Twitter user, just use the hashtag #RARM to keep track of what people are talking about. Or the Home page of Read-A-Romance Month — The Joy of Romance is another great place to get started.

We all love romance. Most of us read romance daily or weekly – so don’t you want to know more about the authors that let us live in their worlds for a brief time. Learn a bit more about what their personal thoughts and dreams about romance are as well? Yeah, me too. So if you are a romance reader please give yourself the gift of visiting this event and simply enjoy yourself. And spread the word if (when) you like what you’ve discovered there.

May all your romance dreams come true…

Review: RavenStorm Witches – A Coven of Bitches by Misha McKenzie

Posted August 12, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: RavenStorm Witches – A Coven of Bitches
Series:
Author: Misha McKenzie
Genre: Paranormal
Published: May 15, 2015
Publisher: Icasm Press
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

The RavenStorm Witches have taken the art of revenge to an all new level.

Hilarity ensues when Maeve and the rest of her Coven of Bitches take on the liars, manipulators, and bullies who’ve hurt or betrayed their loved ones.

And for those needing a little something extra… there’s always the stock from the better-off-dead potions cabinet.

Read on for my thoughts on RavenStorm Witches – A Coven of Bitches. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: One Night With The Bad Boy by Eve Gaddy

Posted August 12, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: One Night with the Bad Boy
Series: Whiskey River #4
Author: Eve Gaddy
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: August 12, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

The Blues might be new to Whiskey River, Texas, but these illegitimate sons of the legendary Boots Kelly are no strangers to charisma.

Xander Blue, IT genius, has always been a love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy. But when he meets the CFO of Kelly Boots, beautiful single mom, Bailey Richmond, he knows he’s down for the count.

Bailey Richmond has been there and done that and won’t do it again. In Bailey’s eyes, once a player always a player and she and her son have too much at stake to risk it all on a fling. But dark-haired, blue-eyed, sexy Xander Blue makes her question all her rules.

Xander is determined to prove to Bailey that there’s more between than chemistry. Can a charming millionaire convince a once bitten, forever shy single mom that she wants more than one night with the bad boy?

Read on for my thoughts on One Night with the Bad Boy. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Brown-Eyed Girl by Lisa Kleypas

Posted August 11, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Brown-Eyed Girl
Series: Travis Family #4
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: August 11, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Wedding planner Avery Crosslin may be a rising star in Houston society, but she doesn’t believe in love–at least not for herself. When she meets wealthy bachelor Joe Travis and mistakes him for a wedding photographer, she has no intention of letting him sweep her off her feet. But Joe is a man who goes after what he wants, and Avery can’t resist the temptation of a sexy southern charmer and a hot summer evening.

After a one night stand, however, Avery is determined to keep it from happening again. A man like Joe can only mean trouble for a woman like her, and she can’t afford distractions. She’s been hired to plan the wedding of the year–a make-or-break event.

But complications start piling up fast, putting the wedding in jeopardy, especially when shocking secrets of the bride come to light. And as Joe makes it clear that he’s not going to give up easily, Avery is forced to confront the insecurities and beliefs that stem from a past she would do anything to forget.

The situation reaches a breaking point, and Avery faces the toughest choice of her life. Only by putting her career on the line and risking everything–including her well-guarded heart–will she find out what matters most.

Read on for my thoughts on Brown-Eyed Girl. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Falling for the P. I. by Victoria James

Posted August 11, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Falling for the P. I.
Series: Still Harbor #1
Author: Victoria James
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: August 10, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

She could never trust a cop…

Teacher Kate Abbott’s fresh start in Still Harbor was the beginning of the life that she and her two best friends always imagined for themselves. Still, being a working single parent of a special needs daughter hasn’t exactly improved Kate’s love life. But Kate’s preference for nachos over men quickly disappears when she meets the oh-so-sexy Matt Lane.

Until she finds out he’s a cop.

Matt is a former cop-turned-private investigator, and he knows fear when he sees it. A cop clearly spooked Kate…or hurt her. Still, something about the gorgeous professor catches his attention, and despite his “no settling down” policy, he can’t resist her. But all of the attraction in the world won’t be enough to overcome Kate’s past.

Read on for my thoughts on Falling for the P. I. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: A Promise of Home by Wendy Vella

Posted August 11, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: A Promise of Home
Series: Lake Howling #1
Author: Wendy Vella
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 8, 2015
Publisher: Vella Ink
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

When Branna O’Donnell heads back to Lake Howling, Oregon, she’s not sure what to expect. It’s a place that holds plenty of memories, both good and bad, but Branna is determined to find some peace there from the demons of her past. However, she soon realizes that living in a small town again comes with complications, and one of them is named Jake McBride.

Once the town golden boy, Dr. McBride has returned from Iraq angry and, like her, shouldering a few emotional scars. They strike sparks off each other from the outset, and Branna knows that if she gives in to the attraction between them it’s going to result in a world of pain. The problem is she’s not sure how to walk away.

Read on for my thoughts on A Promise of Home. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Sweet Nothing by Alison May

Posted August 7, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Sweet Nothing
Series: 21st Century Bard
Author: Alison May
Genre: Retelling, Contemporary Romance
Published: August 7, 2015
Publisher: Choc Lit
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Would you risk everything for love?

Independent, straight-talking Trix Allen wouldn’t. She’s been in love once before and ended up with nothing. Now safely single, Trix is as far away from the saccharine-sweet world of hearts and flowers as it’s possible to be.

Ben Messina is the man who broke Trix’s heart. Now he’s successful the only thing rational Ben and free-spirited Trix see eye-to-eye on is the fact that falling in love isn’t part of the plan. But when Ben’s brother sets out to win the heart of Trix’s best friend, romance is very much in the air. Will Trix gamble everything on love and risk ending up with zero once again?

Read on for my thoughts on Sweet Nothing. No true spoilers, promise.

Get Your Maggie Shayne Fix – New Releases Out Now

Posted August 5, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

I am officially a happy camper today – and also officially taking some time off to go read without distractions.

Why? New Releases!

Twilight Vendetta – the second novel in the Wings in the Night Reborn series is out.

And if that is not enough –

Maggie Shayne’s novella Dead by Twilight in Edge of Darkness is also just out.

And if you haven’t read the first novel in the Wings in the Night Reborn series yet – now there is no excuse because –

for a limited time Twilight Guardians is free at Amazon for the Kindle.

What are you waiting for? Go. Shoo. Pick up at least the first novel now and discover a fantastic paranormal romance series.

Review: Exposing The Heiress by Jennifer Apodaca

Posted August 5, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Exposing the Heiress
Series: Once A Marine #3
Author: Jennifer Apodaca
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: August 4, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Ignite
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

This Marine will protect her at all costs…

When wealthy heiress Alyssa Brooks finds out her stepfather has been paying her fiancé to marry her, she’s humiliated and betrayed. She quickly breaks the engagement, only to be blackmailed by her now ex-fiancé, who threatens both Alyssa and the son she gave up for adoption. With nowhere to go, she turns to the one man she can trust.

Former Marine sniper Hunter Reece’s lethal skills could save Alyssa’s life. But his little sister’s best friend has turned into a woman, who is an irresistible mix of secrets and sexiness. And while Hunter can trust himself to protect her, he can’t trust himself to keep his attraction hidden…or even pretend to be the man that Alyssa remembers.

Because the only way to keep the lovely heiress safe is to become the one thing he knows she could never love…a killer.

Read on for my thoughts on Exposing the Heiress. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Falling Under by Lauren Dane

Posted August 5, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Falling Under
Series: Ink & Chrome #2
Author: Lauren Dane
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: August 4, 2015
Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

The men of Twisted Steel are great with their hands.

And they’re not afraid to get dirty.

Duke Bradshaw, co-owner of the Twisted Steel custom motorcycle and hot rod shop, may devote his days to chrome and leather, but his nights belong to Carmella. His sultry redheaded neighbor has a smile like an angel and a body built for sin, and for the past year both have dominated Duke’s dreams. When a problem at Twisted Steel requires a fast fix, Duke sees his chance to finally make his fantasy a reality.

Ever since she first heard the low rumble of his engine, Carmella Rossi has wondered if Duke Bradshaw handles his women as expertly as he handles his bike. When he shows up at her door offering her a much-needed job at his shop, she gets her chance to find out. Beneath Duke’s masterful touch, Carmella soon submits to a world of unimaginable pleasure.

But history has taught Carmella how bad a boy boy can be. If she doesn’t put on the brakes fast, her hard-bodied heartbreaker could drive her right over the edge . .

Read on for my thoughts on Falling Under. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Make You Burn by Megan Crane

Posted August 5, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Make You Burn
Series: Deacons of Bourbon Street
Author: Megan Crane
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MC
Published: August 4, 2015
Publisher: Random House Publishing – Loveswept
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Meet the Deacons of Bourbon Street, bad boy bikers who are hell on wheels—and heaven between the sheets. Megan Crane revs up an irresistible new series co-written with Rachael Johns, Jackie Ashenden, and Maisey Yates.

Sean “Ajax” Harding’s oaths are inked into his skin. Once second-in-command of the Deacons of Bourbon Street motorcycle club, he left New Orleans to protect the brotherhood, and only the death of his beloved mentor, Priest Lombard, could lure him back. Walking into the old hangout gives him a familiar thrill—especially when he gets an eyeful of the bar’s delectable new owner. A wild ride with her is just the welcome Ajax needs. Then he realizes that she’s Priest’s daughter, all grown up and totally off limits.

Sophie Lombard loved her father, not his lifestyle. She’s done with bikers . . . until Ajax roars into town—arrogant, tough, and sexy as ever. And although he treats her like the Catholic schoolgirl he once knew, Sophie’s daydreams tend to revolve around sin. With the very real possibility of heartbreak looming, Sophie knows better than to get too close to an outlaw. But every touch from Ajax is steamier than the Louisiana bayou—and heat like this may just be worth getting burned.

Read on for my thoughts on Make You Burn. No true spoilers, promise.