Feb 23, 2015 | Blog, February 2015
The Other Duke, by Jess Michaels, is a charming and steamy story that will surprise you from the first page until the last. Serafina McPhee should be a happy bride-to-be preparing to marry the Duke of Hartholm. Unfortunately, Serafina is dreading her upcoming wedding and when her father informs her that her betrothed, the Duke, has been killed in an accident, she is instead overcome with relief. While her father vents his his frustration and concern, she is secretly jumping for joy. Now she won’t have to marry the old Duke after all.
However, she’s completely stunned when her father insists that the contract must still be honored. A wedding will still occur and she must marry the Duke. Poor Serafina is still morning her fiancé when she is handed off to his successor, the new Duke of Hartholm. Raphael Flynn.
Unfortunately, Serafina’s father has his own agenda and her opinion doesn’t matter. Trust is non-existent and her best interests are neglected. The original contract states that she must marry the Duke of Hartholm, it’s just a technicality as to whether it’s the old Duke or the new one. When Serafina briefly meets Raphael she has a passing moment of wonder that she might just actually be ok. He’s definitely a step up from the previous Duke and so perhaps this man might be bearable. Once again, there’s a wedding to prepare for and plans to be made.
While Serafina would prefer to be released from her obligation to marry, something about Rafe intrigues her. Rafe isn’t exactly thrilled either to have inherited a title of Duke and a fiancé either. Both Rafe and Serfina are conflicted, what will they do?
A few unexplained accidents, two hearts torn in different directions, secrets and a family contract that is still binding, make this a challenging union. Both families need this union but for different reasons. Will their reputations catch up with them or will it destroy a blessed union?
All Rafe wants is to show her something she’s never had, will she allow him that? With a little charm to sweeten their negotiations, will they both get what they want? Rafe makes a promise to Serafina but she questions whether he will honor it. What will they do when they discover their true feelings? Perhaps what they are looking for is the one thing that may already exist?
Bravo Jess, this story was easy to read, chock-full of sweet surprises and a perfect amount of sizzle. A great first book that’s a sexy and sassy quick read. I could not put this book down! Lucky for us that Book two will be here soon!
This Spicy read is just enough sizzle to make you tingle and for mature audience, 18+
BIO:
Jess Michaels began writing full-time in 1999 after being encouraged by her husband to follow her dream. In 2003, she sold her first novella, an erotic historical romance about an Egyptian tomb and a very sexy curse. Since then she has published nearly 50 novels and novellas under three different pen names with several major publishers, small presses and via self-publishing. Her erotic historical romances have been national bestsellers and won awards from booksellers and readers.
She and her awesome husband live in Tucson where she enjoys playing video games, exploring the beautiful desert, reading and spending petting her two old lady cats.
Feb 22, 2015 | Blog, Erica Ridley, February 2015
All I Want, by Erica Ridley (Premiere Collection by Romance Writers of America), is a sassy and witty tale full of charm and marvel. All Lady Matilda Kingsley desires is to leave the soiree, but her cousin insists that she help him win one last game of cards. If she plays his last hand, he will grant her request to go home. Fearing she’s now stuck in a game of wits and at his mercy, she relents. Upon sitting down to play she risks a scandal. One she’d rather not engage in, the cards or the scandal.
Matilda always wondered what had happened to her childhood friend Owen, and now Major Owen Turner was sitting across from her. A mix of emotions were invading her thoughts, he was no longer the boy she once knew. Instead he was a grown man and she needed to know where he had been? What brought him back to town? Did her cousin know the truth? Matilda’s world had just tilted and now everything had suddenly shifted.
Unfortunately, when it comes to games the only person she can trust is herself . This is one game that she does not want to play. Too many questions and secrets, what will she do? Owen never imagined that Matilda would be seated at his card table in this last game of Chance. This was not what he had in mind when he returned to town. They were both risking everything on this one game and when one of them turns over the wrong number, everything changes.
Can she keep her feelings from Owen? If he discovers she’s had feelings for him since they were children, will he leave again? The tension between them is undeniable but they are both too stubborn to deal with it and so the games continue. Will the one thing they wager keep them apart or unite them once and for all?
This tale is in the Premiere Collection absolutely fantastic and a must read until the very last page. I look forward to reading Erica Ridley’s Duke’s of War Series soon. I am delighted to have discovered a new author in this collection that I’ve added to my reading list. What a perfect way to end a relaxing weekend!
I received this ARC for a fair and honest review. I would’ve purchased this collection of tales and look forward to gifting this to a friend.
BIO:
Erica Ridley learned to read when she was three, which was about the same time she decided to be a writer when she grew up.
Now, Erica is a USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels. Her latest series, The Dukes of War, features roguish peers and dashing war heroes who return from battle only to be thrust into the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, ziplining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
Website: https://www.EricaRidley.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EricaRidley
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/EricaRidley
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/EricaRidley
Feb 21, 2015 | Blog, Collection, February 2015, Sabrina Jeffries
An April Fool’s Forbidden Affair, by Sabrina Jeffries, is an affectionate tale that will sweep you off your feet. When Mason Brandt, Earl of Westville is having difficulties being around his late wife’s youngest sister, Miss Augusta Hunt, things begin to get strange. Augusta’s brother gets involved in a scheme that nearly ruins the family name and reputation by placing a false add in the paper. One that will surely cause more harm that good if he’s caught. And his reasons for doing so will tug at your heart.
Unfortunately that isn’t the only reputation about to be ruined should Mason show any feelings towards Augusta. What would happen to her if anyone discovered a deepening friendship between them? To show affection towards a sister-in-law, even if the “sister” is now deceased is not an approved relationship. What will happen when they fully realize their feelings?
I love reading Sabrina’s books as they always have fabulous characters, fun and exciting plots and well that yummy connection we love in her stories. I received an ARC of Premiere: A Collection of Romantic Tales, for a fair and honest review but would definitely purchase this as a gift!
BIO:
Sabrina Jeffries is the NYT bestselling author of 38 novels and 9 works of short fiction (some written under the pseudonyms Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas). Whatever time not spent writing in a coffee-fueled haze of dreams and madness is spent traveling with her husband and adult autistic son or indulging in one of her passions—jigsaw puzzles, chocolate, and music. With over 7 million books in print in 18 different languages, the North Carolina author never regrets tossing aside a budding career in academics for the sheer joy of writing fun fiction, and hopes that one day a book of hers will end up saving the world.
She always dreams big.
You can find Sabrina online at:
https://www.sabrinajeffries.com
https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaJeffriesAuthor
https://twitter.com/SabrinaJeffries
https://www.pinterest.com/sabrinajeffries/boards/
Feb 20, 2015 | Blog, Collection, February 2015, T.L. Costa
The Poet, by T.L. Costa, is a sweet and tender tale of young love. Thomas Wyatt Hershowitz discovers he’s named after a dead poet. Now in high school he’s a football player and completely tongue tied whenever he sees Hannah Smith. Unable to utter any words or sounds he always clams up when he is near her.
When Hannah slips him a note one day in class and asks him to text her their homework assignment he should be able to do that, text her the assignment. Unfortunately instead of sending her the homework assignment he sends her something else and panics. What will she do when she reads the text? Is there a way to retrieve it? Fearing that he’s just made an even bigger mess, he must confess to her brother what he’s done and pray it doesn’t come between their friendship.
I loved this tale and how it portrays high school and friendships. Sometimes it’s those memories that make us want to dive into these books and get lost for days!
I received an ARC of Premiere for a fair and honest review but would definitely purchase this as a gift!
BIO:
T.L. Costa is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and has a Masters of Teaching from Quinnipiac University.
Her debut, Playing Tyler, won the 2014 Nautilus Silver Winner in Young Adult (YA) Fiction, won the 2013 USA BEST BOOK AWARD for Young Adult Fiction and was a finalist in the Booksellers Best Awards and the 2014 Silver Falchion Awards.
Her short story, The Poet, appears in the RWA Anthology, PREMIERE, which was edited by Sylvia Day.
She taught high school for five years before becoming a full-time mom and writer. She has lived in Texas, New York, New Jersey and Spain. Currently, she lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children.
Feb 19, 2015 | Blog, Coffee With, February 2015, Theresa Romain
First, if we were meeting at a coffee shop I’d be drinking a Latte 🙂
What would you order?
Hi, Rae—thanks for inviting me for virtual coffee! I like lattes too, but if we meet in the morning I’d better just order a dark roast. I need a few big cups of coffee to get me going in the morning, and I just add a little sweetener.
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer a few questions. Your last book in the Matchmaker Trilogy was released last month. What was it like writing this series? How did you research for this?
I really liked writing this series, because it gave me the chance to introduce some characters and settings that were new to me as a writer. In the first book, IT TAKES TWO TO TANGLE, the ex-soldier hero has a paralyzed arm. The second book, TO CHARM A NAUGHTY COUNTESS, is a rake-bluestocking story in which the heroine’s a rake and the hero is the bluestocking. And SECRETS OF A SCANDALOUS HEIRESS, our on January 6, doesn’t have a titled hero or heroine. The hero is an Anglo-Indian man of business, and the heroine is going under a false identity.
The research for each book was different, as you might imagine! For SECRETS, I researched the city of Bath during the Regency, since that’s where the entire book is set. I also had to learn about Regency cosmetics, health care, English relations with India, and Indian therapeutic plants for different aspects of the story. I learn a lot with every book I write.
Now that your Pleasure series has come to a conclusion, what’s next?
I’m working on two new historical series! The Romance of the Turf series for Sourcebooks will kick off this December with a novella that ties into both the Matchmaker trilogy and the new one. It focuses on the Regency horse-racing world and one scandalous family’s connections to it. And next February, my Royal Reward duo begins for Kensington. It’ll involve a treasure hunt—and, of course, lots of romance.
8 Tantalizing Tidbits 🙂
1. A must read book and why? This is really tough, because my bookshelves are full of beloved keepers. But my favorite new-to-me author for 2014 was Susanna Kearsley. Once I read THE FIREBIRD, I was completely hooked on her beautiful blend of history, romance, suspense, and sometimes a bit of the paranormal. I’ve since read everything else she’s written.
2. What is one place that I should see if I visit your hometown? We’d need to go to The Donut Whole and Watermark Books. I live in Kansas, and those are two great Wichita spots. The Donut Whole serves great locally roasted coffee (you can get an awesome latte there!), plus they always have quirky flavors of doughnuts. Their Doctor Who doughnuts blew up a few months ago when David Tennant shared a picture. As for Watermark, it’s a fabulous indie bookstore. Whenever I ask them for gift recommendations, they know the perfect book. It’s such fun to go there.
3. Castles or Beaches? Castles, definitely. As a writer of historical romance, how could I not say that? I’d love to spend more time in historic buildings, just soaking in all the stories that have taken place within their walls.
That being said, when I go to the beach, I like to build things out of sand. But not castles, oddly enough! More animals, like dolphins or sharks or turtles. To me, the sand is more fun than the water.
4. Organized or Free Floating? Organized is always the goal, though I sometimes fall short. 🙂 I’ve learned the hard way that I feel better and am more efficient when I have a plan in place, whether for the book I’m writing or something everyday like a trip to the grocery store.
5. What is your guilty pleasure? During the holiday season, I put eggnog in my morning coffee. (I’d do it year-round if eggnog were for sale all the time.) My husband thinks it’s weird and teases me, and I guess it is pretty indulgent. But I don’t feel guilty about it. It’s too tasty!
6. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours 🙂 )? I’d love to see Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia mysteries made into a BBC TV series. They’re Victorian-set, with lots of wildly witty characters and a clever mystery in each book. From novel to novel, the main characters grow and change. The series just ended, and I’m so sorry to say goodbye to the characters. BBC, please give Ms. Raybourn a call and get on that production!
7. Do you love to cook or go out to eat? I love to bake, but not to cook. Actually, my favorite of all is to get takeout and eat at home while watching a good movie. But most of the time, I make dinner for my family. We’ve gotten into a pretty good routine this school year, where I cook while my daughter does her homework. She also checks on what I’m cooking and provides frequent unsolicited feedback. 🙂
8. If you could invite 5 people to dinner (not friends and family – that’s too easy) who would you invite? It could be anyone past or present. I’d have to invite Jane Austen and Mark Twain, because they are two of my favorite authors. And Mark Twain HATED Jane Austen’s style, so I think that could make for some interesting conversational fireworks! I really enjoy silent film, so I’d invite comedian Buster Keaton along too. Maybe we could get him to spill some interesting stories about early Hollywood. And we’ve got to have Tina Fey there too, because she’s just brilliant. I will read anything she writes and watch anything she’s in.
For the fifth person, I feel like I ought to invite a chef to prepare the food. How about Ted Allen, the host of Chopped? That’s the show that got me hooked on the Food Network. Ted Allen’s got such a dry sense of humor; I think he’d be a lot of fun to hang out with. And he would make sure the six of us at the dinner party had some great things to eat.
BIO:
Historical romance author Theresa Romain pursued an impractical education that allowed her to read everything she could get her hands on. She then worked for universities and libraries, where she got to read even more. Eventually she started writing, too. She lives with her family in the Midwest, where she is working on her next book.
Website: https://theresaromain.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTheresaRomain
Twitter: @TheresaRomain
Tsū: https://www.tsu.co/TheresaRomain
Newsletter: https://theresaromain.com/contact/
Print: amazon • barnes & noble • book depository • books-a-million
Ebook: kindle • nook • kobo • ibooks • google
Feb 18, 2015 | Allison Brennan, Blog, Collection, February 2015
Their Night Off, by Allison Brennan, is a romantic suspense tale full of heat and charged with tension and sexual chemistry. When a string of robberies doesn’t add up FBI Agent Suzanne Madeaux can’t seem to leave her work at the office. Detective Joe DeLucca offers her a distraction – a much needed night of hot sex. Suzi can’t stop thinking about her case while Joe is trying to romance her at dinner. With a mysterious robbery that needs to be solved and two sexy law enforcement agents hot on the trail, this is one tale you will want to read.
This tale has everything – a fantastic story with a great heroine and a crime to be solved that includes a sexy love interest. All packed into a compact and bite sized treat. This is exactly what you’d expect from a great Romance Suspense story!
I received this ARC for a fair and honest review. I would happily give this collection as a gift – it has a fantastic selection of writers and tales! Discover a new author now!
BIO:
Allison Brennan is the New York Times bestselling author of two dozen thrillers and numerous short stories. RT Book Reviews calls Allison “a master of suspense – tops in the genre.” She was a 2014 finalist for the Thriller Award; a one-time winner and six-time finalist of the Daphne du Maurier award; and nominated five times for best romantic suspense by Romance Writers of America.
Allison is currently writing the Lucy Kincaid FBI romantic thriller series and the Max Revere investigative reporter mystery series. Her most recent books include Notorious and Dead Heat, and the upcoming Compulsion. She makes her home near Sacramento, California. For more information, visit www.allisonbrennan.com.
This Spicy read is just enough sizzle to make you tingle and for mature audience, 18+
