(Review) Falling for Max by Shannon Stacey

Title: Falling for Max
Author: Shannon Stacey
Series: Kowalski Family, #9
Published: July 2014 (Carina Press)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Paperback, borrowed from the library

Summary: Max Crawford has reached the point in life where he's starting to think about settling down. Unfortunately, he's always been a little awkward when it comes to social interactions, and working from home doesn't help. He spends so much time alone, painting beautiful, historically accurate model trains that half of Whitford has begun to joke that he may be a serial killer. Not exactly prime husband material.

Tori Burns has found happiness in Maine, thanks in large part to her shifts at the Trailside Diner. She likes the work, and she loves the local gossip. When shy, geeky Max Crawford becomes a regular, she's intrigued. When she finds out he's in the market for a wife, she's fascinated…and determined to help.

Molding Max into every woman's dream turns out to be much easier than expected. But has Tori's plan worked a little too well? As she turns his comfortable life all sorts of upside down, she'll have to find a way to show just how she's fallen for him…the real him.

So, I was all set to use my spare time tonight to sit down and write my review for Level Up, which I read a few days ago and adored. But I plopped down with my Chick-fil-A in one hand and this book in the other, and once I started, I couldn't stop until I'd reached the end. So now I need to tell you about my feelings for THIS book. And be prepared, because I have a lot of them. (But be on the lookout for my other review, too, soon. Because Level Up was awesomesauce.)

Three things I love but can almost never find all together in one package: contemporary setting, a humorous tone, and slow burn.

And guess what?

Falling for Max has ALL THREE OF THEM. Plus awesome characters. And I'm not just talking about the main two, either.

(This review is just basically going to be me gushing. In case you hadn't gotten that vibe already.)

Honestly, though, I already knew I loved Shannon Stacey. But it had been quite a while since I'd read one of her books, and I'm a lot pickier about my romance nowadays. It takes more to hook me and keep me invested in the characters and the romance, much less actually impress me. But that is exactly what Stacey did.

I loved Max. I loved Tori. I loved Tori's best friend, Hailey, who was the town librarian and kept Tori supplied with books. You may think that this is extraneous information, but a) it actually wound up being important and b) she was just awesome. I really enjoyed reading about their friendship, from the book drops to the dialog to the supportive friend moments. Give me a solid lady friendship, and you're already one step further into my good graces. Also, Hailey said this, which has no relevance except for the fact that I love it and want to share it:

Bad things happen to people who write in library books, Tori. Very bad things.

BUT I WILL MOVE ALONG. To, you know, the romance. Or we might be here all night.

Falling for Max is basically a super amazing reverse Pygmalion / My Fair Lady / The Ugly Truth. The heroine offering to help "make over" the hero? HELLO, I'M THERE. I was very excited about this premise, and I love how it worked into the story. Tori didn't go overboard with the advice, never suggested that Max had anything to be ashamed of. She was more of a coach and a cheerleader, all wrapped up into one. Over the course of working together (which involved a fake date at one point, and let me tell you, if I have a single trope weakness, it's Fake Dating), Tori and Max bonded and quickly became friends. Of course, it didn't stop there, but they were friends for a very long time while the chemistry sizzled steadily in the background. But while my toes were curling in anticipation at every longing stare, it wouldn't have made sense for them to get together in the beginning. So they didn't. And I was a happy camper, just waiting for them to get around to figuring things out and then deciding whether or not to do anything about it. And in the mean time, I enjoyed the heck out of their friendship. They made me giggle and swoon, and I genuinely enjoyed every time they interacted.

As for the characters themselves, I was definitely fan.

Max was an introvert and socially awkward, but Stacey did an excellent job of writing him. A lot of times when authors attempt to write socially awkward or anxious characters, the characters wind up feeling like cartoonish stereotypes. But this wasn't the case with Max at all. He felt real. I understood his perspective. And he wasn't All Awkward, All the Time. He was just, in his own words, a bit of an odd duck, and I mean that in the most loving way possible. (And trust me, that's a lot of love.)

Max was very familiar with people saying logical in a tone that suggested the word had a negative connotation to it.

And Tori! Tori was a graphic designer slash waitress, and she was a delight, honestly. She was friendly and outgoing, and unlike Max, she was very engaged with the community. She had major hang-ups about love and marriage, due to her parents' nasty divorce (which weren't magically swept aside by The Power of Love, either), which she was honest and up-front about from the beginning of the story.

You know what else is great?

Honesty.

There was no Big Misunderstanding in this book, because the characters were honest with each other. They were up front about things. Was everything hunky dory? No. Did they fight? Yes. Did I believe they would make it in the long run? Without a doubt.

I have only one complaint about the entire book, and that is the ending. It was rather abrupt, and I wish it would have been drawn out a bit longer. It just felt a little jarring. And then there's the fact that it ended, period, which let's face it, was pretty sad. But I do happen to have two other Shannon Stacey books checked out from the library right now, so there's a silver lining.

I wasn't super impressed by the cover or title of Falling for Max, but please don't be fooled by either! This is honestly one of the best contemporary romances I've read in a long time. I laughed out loud on multiple occasions. I saved tons of quotes. And I fell hard for the characters and the romance. (And did I mention that it was slow burn? Because it was slow burn. And this fact alone makes me want to get up and do a happydance.) This book reminded me why I automatically smile when I see Shannon Stacey's name on a book cover, and I definitely recommend it.

First:On the first day of each month, Max Crawford made it a habit to compile a list of everything he wanted or needed to accomplish that month. Without a list, he tended to immerse himself in work and then wonder why he was out of mouthwash and the car payment was overdue.

As the calendar ticked over to October, he catalogued which projects he was working on and their due dates. He noted there were two birthdays on his calendar, which meant shopping for and sending gifts to his mother and niece. The furnace needed its annual checkup. And he wanted to find a wife.

---

Favorite:"I have feelings. I intend to kill them with ice cream."

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Teaser:“Did I tell you how nice you look tonight? Definitely the good nice.”
“You didn't have to.” He took her hand and started toward the door.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I see the way you look at me in this sweater.” He stopped walking. “Maybe I should leave it in the car. This is a family restaurant.”
She slapped his arm and nudged him forward. “I've created a monster.”

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(Review) Anticipation by Sarah Mayberry

Title: Anticipation
Author: Sarah Mayberry
Series: Brothers Ink, #2
Published: April 2015
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Digital review copy provided by author for honest review. (Thank you!)

Summary: Blue Sullivan knows a player when she sees one. And Eddie Oliveira—charm and sex personified—was born to play. She never wanted him to say goodbye, so for the last ten years she’s ignored the sizzling attraction between them and focused on being the best sidekick a guy could have. Smart girl, right?

Then Blue has a serious accident, and overnight Eddie changes. Suddenly he’s more intense and singularly devoted…to her. With all this sexy attention, it’s hard to stay within the boundaries she’s scrupulously drawn. The temptation, the anticipation builds and, finally, she has to have what he’s offering. Of course Eddie proves to be brilliant. Now, she worries he’s ruined her forever…and she might regret leaping from friends to lovers.

I love that the title of this book is Anticipation, because that is entirely accurate in regards to my feelings about it. I've been looking forward to Blue and Eddie's story since meeting them in Satisfaction last year. While it is not absolutely necessary to read that one first, I would recommend doing so. It is nice to see Blue and Eddie's dynamic from an outsider's perspective before getting a peek at what is really going on beneath the surface. Plus it's just a great book!

Anticipation does not disappoint! I have a serious weakness for I've-loved-you-forever books. From the very first paragraph, you know that is going to be the case with this one. Blue has had feelings for her best friend Eddie for years, but she is trying to move past them. Alas, she is not, much to her dismay, having very much luck.

This book does have a Big Dangerous Incident. That is common enough in romance novels, and it is usually used as the catalyst to make someone - quite often the hero - realize that he does, in fact, have feelings for the heroine, that he cannot go on living with out her, etc. etc. And I don't know about you, but I've been sick of that plot device since the first ten times I read it. BUT in Anticipation, the Incident actually happens in the first chapter. Blue is hit by a motorcycle while crossing the street, and she winds up in the hospital. While Eddie is extremely upset, obviously, the accident is not merely the hit over the head he has always needed to realize he loves her. He already knows he cares deeply about her; they have been friends for years. It is treated seriously, and it has repercussions. It also leads to her staying at his apartment so he can help her recuperate, which is a 100% awesome setup, let me tell you.

One of the reasons I loved this book is that I was so convinced of how Blue and Eddie knew each other inside out. They were friends - close friends, real friends - for years before the book even started, and that shows in all their interactions. They give each other crap. They joke. They fight. But you always know that there is that foundation of caring that will always remain.

I really enjoyed having Blue as a main character. She is an atypical heroine, definitely, and rather difficult. A talented tattoo artist who wears her hair in varying shades of blue, she has walls a mile thick. She is straightforward and blunt, and she doesn't take crap from anyone. I've seen reviews that said she interfered with their enjoyment of the book, but I personally loved her! My heart broke as she struggled against her natural instincts to run away from anything that might wind up causing her pain.

Eddie is a great guy as well, and it is clear that he cares very much about Blue. He also has a great relationship with his brother, a dynamic I very much enjoyed reading. Then there's the chemistry between the two of them (er, "them" being Eddie and Blue, obviously). Yowza! I thought my Nook was going to start shooting sparks at one point.

Overall, Anticipation is definitely a winner. It could be just a standard friends-to-lovers with lots of long-time pining, but Mayberry makes it so much more. She brings the tattoo parlor and the secondary characters to life. Blue and Eddie are flawed people, but she weaves their story together beautifully.

First:Her life would be so much easier if she could hate him.

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Favorite:Ground rules: anything I can do for myself, I do for myself. Period. End of story. You can, however, bring me food any time you like.

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Teaser:“I can be as gracious as the next person.”
“If the next person is a sleep-deprived rhino with anger management issues.”

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|Review| Worth the Fall by Claudia Connor

Title: Worth the Fall
Author: Claudia Connor
Series: The McKinney Brothers #1 (companion)

Published  September 9th 2014 by Loveswept

Genre: contemporary romance
Rating: C+

Goodreads summary:

They meet on a beach. . . . Abby Davis isn’t wearing a skimpy bikini or sipping umbrella drinks, not when she’s busy chasing around four little ones. And Matt McKinney isn’t looking for fun—he’s a Navy SEAL, a grown man with a long list of missions . . . and fallen brothers.

They only have a week. . . . Abby has brought her children to this beach to start over, to give them the enjoyable memories they deserve. Matt’s been sidelined by a combat injury, and haunted by the best friend he lost and the promise he made: to remain a SEAL—focused and dedicated. This leaves no time for what he’s always wanted: a family.

But a week is all it takes. . . . Matt opens her heart while Abby soothes his soul. And though they plan to say good-bye when the week is over, something magical happens on that beach, something neither can forget. Something utterly, completely worth falling for.

Most of my romance recommendations come from Twitter and this one was no different. A few people praised the book, someone linked the page to Amazon, I accidentally clicked "one click" and turns out it works super fast! Even if you stop the page, the transaction went through in that nanosecond and I'm glad it did! Why would I not enjoy a romance with a Navy SEAL hero and a pregnant, widowed heroine who already has four kids? No reason!

Worth the Fall delivered and I can definitely see why it's been circling the romance Twitterverse. The beginning is set at the beach where Matt meets pregnant Abby and her four kids Annie, Jack, Gracie, and Charlie. Jack and Gracie kind of pull Matt into the family and it was just so heartwarming to read these scenes. The kids played a big part of the story and they were not just caricatures. Jack and Gracie, who who had the biggest role, had so much personality which made me so happy! I love romances where the hero or heroine have kids because I like the complexity that presents but its usually never used to its full potential in books. However, it was just perfect in Worth the Fall.  I LOVED the kids and their scenes with Matt were some of my favorite.

Now the only thing I didn't like about Worth the Fall and what's keeping me from giving it five stars is the drama at the end. All romance books has the drama inducing misunderstanding at the end where the couple separates before they have to learn grow up and they have the "I love him/her!" epiphany. Well, Worth the Fall had about twenty of those moments. One ended, we think its time for the heavily ever after then boom, another drama inducing misunderstanding. On their own, it wasn't bad-but-back to back drama llama misunderstandings? It was too much for me. I barely tolerate the stupidity of the drama inducing misunderstanding in the first place so having more than one just killed the ending for me. If you have a high tolerance for drama, this won't bother you as much.

Despite the nature of the end, I don't regret reading the book and I see myself rereading the first 70% of the book. The romance was just that sweet! Matt and Abby were really well matched and they overcame the obstacles holding them back quite well (widowhood, the Navy, dramadramadrama). The beginning portion of the book that is set at the beach and it's just 10 star worthy. I felt like I was the beach and seeing Matt slowly join the family just completely warmed by heart and it was swoony!  To sum everything up, the romance was so sweet and touching, the kids were the cutest and I'm more than ready for the next book! So do I recommend Worth the Fall? Yes!

Recommended for: readers who like their romance sweet flavored or readers who enjoy hunky brothers series!

Rating: [C+] Don't let my rating fool you, I thoroughly enjoyed this romance & recommend it!

First:

"You ever notice that hot, mostly naked chicken don't show up in a snow covered train whenever you pop open one of these?"

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Teaser:

Gracie grabbed Matt's free hand and tugged. "Come on. I have to show you somefin. It's weally portant."

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(Review) He's So Fine by Jill Shalvis

Title: He's So Fine
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Lucky Harbor, #11
Published: September 30, 2014 (Grand Central Publishing)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Egalley provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review (Thanks!); paperback borrowed from my sister, borrowed from the library.

Summary: For Olivia Bentley, Lucky Harbor is more than the town where she runs her new vintage shop. It's the place where folks are friendly to strangers-and nobody knows her real name. Olivia does a good job of keeping her past buried, not getting too cozy with anyone . . . until she sees a man drowning. Suddenly she's rushing into the surf, getting up close and personal with the hottest guy she's ever laid hands on.

Charter boat captain Cole Donovan has no problem with a gorgeous woman throwing her arms around his neck in an effort to "save" him. In fact, he'd like to spend a lot more time skin-to-skin with Olivia. He's just not expecting that real trouble is about to come her way. Will it bring her deeper into Cole's heart, or will it be the end of Olivia's days in little Lucky Harbor?

I had He's So Fine for several weeks before I finally read it. I would look at it, get excited, then stop before I actually read the first line. Why? Because reading it would mean there would only be one more Lucky Harbor book for me to read ever, and that's just a terrible thought. Thankfully, the release date came around, and my cousin devoured this book faster than you can say "sa-woon." This, of course, prompted me to finally crack it open (figuratively speaking, obviously, as it was on my Nook), so we could discuss it!

As always, it was wonderful to be back in Lucky Harbor. I always like seeing it through the eyes of characters who are both new to town (Olivia) and those who grew up there (Cole). And, of course, those who make the town as quirky as it is (Lucille, who had recently navigated the transition from Facebook to Tumblr, due to their less restrictive photo policies, all the better for posting shirtless photographs of our favorite resident ship captain).

Oh, Cole. He is what made this book for me. Truthfully, I was surprised to learn this book was about him, because in the Lucky Harbor mini-trilogies, the most intriguing hero of the three is usually saved for the last book, and I was drawn to Cole immediately. (I am certainly eager for Tanner's now! Who knows what amazingness Shalvis has been holding out on us?) Far be it from me to complain, though! I'll take a nice, sexy, honest, comfortable-in-his-own-skin handyman any day of the week. Cole had some things he had to work through, but he was definitely the star of the show.

Olivia was a little difficult to get to know as a character, because she was hiding a lot of her past. She had been a child star named Sharlyn, but her super popular show was canceled when at age 16, she finally looked too old to convincingly play a young girl anymore. After this, she had a typical Hollywood meltdown, went into hiding, and rebuilt her life as Olivia. She was scrappy, smart, and dedicated, but she was also used to being secretive and hiding her past. This created a problem when she started to get involved with Cole, who was all about the honesty.

Their interactions were spectacular! I mean, really. Their first official meeting happened because she jumped into the water to rescue Cole after watching him fall from a boat, only to make matters worse because he was actually fine, and she had no idea what she was doing. It was hilarious! She had the best of intentions, though, you had to hand it to her. Though they got started on kind of a crazy foot, Cole and Olivia fell into something like friendship pretty quickly and naturally, but although they had some pretty sizzling attraction, things had to be worked out before either was ready for a real commitment.

I only had a few small problems with this book. One is that the book felt kind of thrown together at times, the writing a little rushed. I would have liked to see some of the details a little more fleshed out, and I definitely wanted more interaction between the three main guys.

However, I was super excited to see Callie, Becca and Olivia's new neighbor, show up! She's clearly going to be the third heroine, and I'm already anticipating her story. Especially since she used to have a crush on Tanner AND is related to Lucille. I know the next book is going to rock. If I can ever convince myself to read it, that is. But if He's So Fine - and all the previous Shalvis books I've read - taught me one thing, it's this: Saying "yes" to a Jill Shalvis book is always the right answer.

First:For a guy balancing his weight between the stern of his boat and the dock, thinking about sex instead of what he was doing was a real bonehead move.

---

Favorite:“You’re engaged to be married,” Callie reminded her.
“Yes, but it’s Captain Jack Sparrow,” Becca said. “He’s a fictional character. You’re allowed to lust after fictional characters when you’re engaged. It’s in the Engaged Handbook somewhere.”

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Teaser:“Just because we’ve done...it,” she said, “doesn’t mean–”
“We discussed your sexual vocabulary. ‘It’ is not on the list of acceptable descriptions for what we did.”
“Fine,” she said. “We had wild monkey sex that ruined me for all other men. Happy?”
“Getting there.”

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(Review) It's in His Kiss by Jill Shalvis

Title: It's in His Kiss
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Lucky Harbor, #10
Published: August 26, 2014 (Grand Central Publishing)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Egalley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review (Thank you!)

Summary: Becca Thorpe has uprooted her life and escaped to the beach. Now's her chance to get away from city living, throw caution to the ocean winds, and live in the moment. Especially if the moment includes the deliciously sexy surfer she meets shortly after arriving in Lucky Harbor. Something about the dark intensity of Sam's eyes and the thrill she gets at his touch convinces her to stay awhile.

Boatbuilder and investment genius Sam Brody is a self-made man who knows how dangerous it can be to mix business and pleasure. But he can't resist offering Becca a job just to hear her laugh and have her near. Yet when her brother comes to town asking for help, will he tempt her back to her glamorous life in the city? Or do Sam and little Lucky Harbor have a chance to win Becca's heart?

If I could pack up and go live in my choice of any fictional setting I've ever read, I would choose Lucky Harbor. And not just because I've always had an obsession with small towns or the fact that it's constantly overflowing with hot, available men (though that certainly doesn't hurt). Maybe I'm just feeling a little melancholy and bittersweet because this is the beginning of the end - the first book of the last "trilogy" in the Lucky Harbor series. But really. Truly. I love the atmosphere of the town. I love Lucille. I want to stay at the B&B and visit the Love Shack and maybe even get pulled over by Sawyer (because yum!).

In all seriousness, though, Shalvis has captured my heart again. I am completely head over heels for this new group of guy friends: Sam, Tanner, and Cole. They have years of co-worker/friendship/blood brothers bonding behind them, and if I'm a sucker for any dynamic, it's that one. I love a good male friendship. I was already excited for Sam's story because he was the sexy, taciturn runner we got to see just enough to be teased in the previous set of Lucky Harbor books, but I was just as fascinated by Cole and Tanner as I was by Sam. I found myself wanting to know more about each of them individually, and I can't wait for their stories.

But back to the love story that I did get this time around, because it was a doozy. I laughed (because hello, this is a Jill Shalvis book, and if I don't laugh at least a dozen times when reading a Jill Shalvis book, call an ambulance) and sighed and swooned. I was captivated from the first page. I picked it up during Bout of Books, not sure if I was going to go for it or one of my other books on my goal list. But as soon as I started page one, I was a goner.

See, Sam wasn't the only one with secrets; in fact, that was not his department as much as it was Becca's. In fact, he wasn't nearly as silent as he gave the impression of being. He cared deeply for those within his circle. He was very sweet and sincere in his actions, even when not in words. Yeah, he was gruff sometimes, but it worked for him. I could absolutely see why Becca fell head over heels.

As for Becca, my heart hurt for her immediately, because you just knew she had something in her past that was haunting her. But she was a fighter. She went after what she wanted (including Sam, telling him straight-up what she wanted from him on a number of occasions, from wanting to sleep with him to wanting to date him, and can I just revel for a second in how refreshing that is?). She was scrappy and fun and totally obsessed with ranch popcorn and knew how to laugh at herself. Basically, I would totally be friends with her if I could somehow finagle my way into this fictional universe.

I was completely captivated by this story. It dealt with family problems and friendship, with fears and expectations, all against the charming and fun backdrop of the Pacific and Lucky Harbor. It had a good story and great characters, and not only the leads. I want to know more about Cole and Tanner. I want to know more about Olivia, Becca's neighbor. Thankfully, it seems I will be getting my wish in the next couple books! And while I'm not excited about getting closer to the end, I think these stories will be worth it.

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Blog Tour: Wild Iris Ridge by RaeAnne Thayne (Review)

Welcome to my stop on the Wild Iris Ridge blog tour! Be sure to check out the Tour Page at CBB Book Promotions for all the other stops.

Title: Wild Iris Ridge
Author: RaeAnne Thayne
Series: Hope's Crossing, #7
Published: June 24, 2014 (Harlqeuin HQN)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Egalley provided by publisher as part of the book tour.

Summary: Lucy Drake and Brendan Caine have only one thing in common, and it's likely to tear them apart. Because it was Brendan's late wife, Jessie—and Lucy's best friend—who'd brought them together in the first place. And since Jesse's passing, Brendan's been distracted by his two little ones…and the memory of an explosive kiss with Lucy years before his marriage. Still, he'll steer clear of her. She's always been trouble with a capital T.

Lucy couldn't wait to shed her small-town roots for the big city. But now that she's back in Hope's Crossing to take care of the Queen Anne home her late aunt has left her, she figures seeing Brendan Caine again is no big deal. After all, she'd managed to resist the handsome fire chief once before, but clearly the embers of their attraction are still smoldering…

Even though I'd never read any of the Hope's Crossing books, I jumped at the chance to read this one. Why, you ask? Because of the story. I mentioned in a recent Lit Ladies video just how much I adore the storyline where a widower and his love interest are only connected by his late wife. It all started years ago with Sarah's Child, so I guess I'll blame Linda Howard. But I love stories that rip my heart out of my chest before providing the HEA, and this is obviously a storyline that can do that. However, interestingly enough, Wild Iris Ridge didn't capitalize on that too much. It had been two years since Jessie, Brendan's late wife, had passed, and though grief was obviously a factor, it was handled tastefully, and the book wasn't an angst-fest (like, say, Within Reach *clutches heart*), which I know a lot of readers will appreciate.

Having never read anything by RaeAnne Thayne before, I was definitely pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Wild Iris Ridge. I finished it in less than 24 hours. I would have finished it in one sitting, but I had to do the whole sleeping thing in order to do the whole work thing the next day. But I finished it at the next possible opportunity. The story unfolded at a leisurely pace, - though the I-love-you-HEA was a little rushed - but I couldn't put it down!

The hero, Brendan, was a fire chief with two small children, and the heroine, Lucy, was a marketing director who had just been fired from her job (basically as a scapegoat, since the fiasco wasn't her fault). She had temporarily returned to the mansion in Hope's Crossing she had inherited from her great aunt to turn it into a B&B, which had been a dream of her great aunt as well as Jessie, who had been her cousin and best friend. As she lived less than a block away from Brendan, they interacted frequently for a variety of reasons, and there was obvious chemistry between them from the start.

I liked both Brendan and Lucy! They were very different but compatible, once they got past their original dynamic where each thought the other didn't like them, leaving them in a perpetually awkward state. Also, Brendan's kids were absolutely adorable, and he had a large, messy, wonderful family as well. Clearly, you could open up a copy of Wild Iris Ridge alongside a list of my weaknesses and check them off one after the other.

My one real issue with this book stemmed from a tiny source, but it's a huge pet peeve of mine: a puppy. I'm not a dog person by any stretch of the imagination, but I've been around them enough to know that puppies are not magical, sparkling little balls of sunshine that miraculously cure all evils with which they come into contact. But that's what happened in this book. The energetic boy with no attention span settled down, the introverted bookworm became more outgoing, and the rebellious teenager suddenly became totally friendly and helpful with only a mild dose of sarcasm. I mean, seriously? No. Just no.

Beyond this, though, I didn't have any serious issues. I liked how the Career vs. Small Town dilemma was handled. I loved the family atmosphere and the characters. Plus, the hero had a brother who was totally geeky cute and pushed all my nerd girl buttons. I will definitely be on the lookout for his book! And in the meantime, I will probably investigate some of the earlier books in the series. If my feelings for this book are any indication, they will probably be a hit!

First:This was, without question, the craziest thing she had ever done.

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Favorite:An object in constant motion eventually had to run out of steam. She didn’t know if that was an actual physics principle, but it definitely applied to five-year-old boys.

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Teaser:Don’t make the mistake of thinking because a place is small, nothing of significance happens there. The smallest moments in a person’s life can be life-changing.

*All quotes from a review copy and may differ from the published version.

USA TODAY bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne loves words. This led her to a fifteen-year career in journalism as a newspaper reporter and editor. But through it all, she dreamed of writing the kind of stories she loved best, romance, and has since published more than 40 titles. RaeAnne finds inspiration in the rugged northern Utah mountains, where she lives with her hero of a husband and their children. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website, RaeAnneThayne.com.

Don't run away just yet, because now it's time for the giveaway! TWO WINNERS GET: 1 book from the Hope's Crossing series, 1 beaded HOPE bracelet, 1 Iris necklace (US/CA)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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(Blog Tour) Suddenly Last Summer by Sarah Morgan: Interview, Review, and Giveaway!

Title: Suddenly Last Summer
Author: Sarah Morgan
Series: O'Neil Brothers, #2
Published: June 24, 2014 (Harlequin)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Digital review copy provided as part of the blog tour. (Thanks!)

Summary: USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan introduces another irresistible O'Neil brother who's more tempting than dessert and twice as sinful!

Fiery French chef Élise Philippe is having a seriously bad day. Not only have the grand opening plans for her beloved café fallen apart, but Sean O'Neil is back in town and looking more delectable than ever. Memories of the electrifying night they shared last summer leave Élise very tempted, but she knows all too well that eventually Sean will be leaving…again.

Being back in Vermont—even temporarily—is surgeon Sean O'Neil's worst nightmare. Returning home to the Snow Crystal Resort means confronting the guilt he feels about rejecting his family's lifestyle years ago. But discovering that Élise is still in Vermont and still sets his blood racing is a very welcome distraction! Remembering last summer and how good they were together is going to make walking away more difficult than he could imagine….

I was so, so excited to take part in this tour! My introduction to Sarah Morgan was when I read the first book in this trilogy, Sleigh Bells in the Snow, in December, and I couldn't sing its praises highly enough. Obviously I was ecstatic to return to Snow Crystal and read Sean and Élise's story.

Sean and Élise had one previous smoking night together after which they'd never really interacted, and that was fine with them. It was refreshing to see both parties with a modern attitude about sex and what it entailed, and that it had actually worked for them. Had being the keyword there. But then circumstances changed. Sean came back for an extended period of time, and that just blew the plan out of the water. As two complete commitment-phobes, Sean and Élise weren't prepared for a full-out relationship, and for their own reasons, neither wanted one. Watching them fumbling their way into love and a relationship and all those wonderful things was by turns amusing and touching.

Now, I know I talk chemistry a lot, because that happens when you focus on romance novels and YA books with a strong romantic element. But you guys, Sean and Élise brought it to a whole new level! (And spoiler alert: There was outdoors!sex involved at some point. You're welcome.) They also delivered some hilariously awesome banter. Observe:

“You said you wanted a man to perform heroics. I was planning on finding something heroic to do on the walk.” He let go of her arm and adjusted his pace to match hers. “You might want to stick around. You’re about to see a tough, macho man of the forest in action.”

“Does a tough, macho man of the forest always choose to dress in a suit?”

“A bear tore my loincloth when we were wrestling.”

I also really liked both Sean and Élise individually. They were both damaged, ambitious, successful, and a host of other things. They were complicated. They were real. Sean had problems with his family. Élise had problems from her past. But I empathized with both of them even when I was frustrated (with Sean especially), and I could always understand their motivation.

I can't review an O'Neil book without mentioning the O'Neil-and-friends clan, because that's still one of my favorite elements about these books (as you will see in the interview below). The close-knit community feel continued in Suddenly Last Summer, and I loved every scene where the family interacted.

While it didn't quite top Sleigh Bells in the Snow as my thus-far favorite of the trilogy, Suddenly Last Summer definitely held its own! It was a beautiful story set against a breathtaking backdrop of Vermont in the summer, and I enjoyed every moment of it. Now, if only I could build a time machine and get my hands on Tyler and Brenna's story, I'd be a completely happy camper.

Now, it's time to learn more about the fabulous Sarah and this awesome book she's written! She has graciously stopped by for an interview.

USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes hot, happy contemporary romance and her trademark humour and sensuality have gained her fans across the globe. She has been nominated three years in succession for the prestigious RITA© Award from the Romance Writers of America and has won the award twice, in 2012 and 2013. RT Book Reviews has called her 'a magician with words' and she has made numerous appearances in their 'Top Pick' slot. Sarah lives near London, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors, preferably on vacation so she can forget the house needs tidying. She loves chatting with readers by email and on Facebook and Twitter. More information can be found on her website.

Sharon: First of all, Snow Crystal has quickly jumped up onto my List of Top Fictional Places. Do you have a real-place inspiration, or is this magical mecca of snow and nature a creature of your imagination?

Sarah Morgan: It’s a mixture of real and fictional. I’ve always loved mountains, snow, lakes and forest and I took certain aspects of places I’ve travelled to, combined them and created Snow Crystal. One of the many benefits of being an author is that you are in charge of the setting. Although Snow Crystal itself isn’t real, certain elements are real. I like to think this place exists somewhere. If anyone finds it, please email me!

Sharon: I think my favorite thing about the O'Neil books is just that: The O'Neils. I love how much importance you place on family - and that family does not only mean those related to you by blood. Is this a dynamic you intended to explore with these books?

Sarah: I wanted to write about a close-knit family and the rest of it just happened. I’ve always been fascinated by how family impacts on a person, how it can produce both conflict and support. The dynamics within the close-knit O’Neil family certainly influences the choices of all three O’Neil Brothers. You know that the women they fall in love with will have a lifetime of big, noisy, possibly exasperating family gatherings ahead!

One of the great things about writing longer novels is having the opportunity to explore not just the close up relationship of the hero and heroine, but the interaction with other family members and friends. It’s about showing how they fit into the wider community. For me, that makes the story more real and part of the focus of each of these stories is showing the family welcoming new members.

Sharon: Élise, our heroine, is a French chef who can whip up anything from a madeline to an eight course dinner without batting an eye. Did you do any research on cooking or recipes for this book? If so, did you discover any new favorites?

Sarah:Writing this book made me so HUNGRY. Truly. Although Élise is French, I wanted her cooking to reflect the local area and the produce she’d be likely to favor, so I did plenty of research. As a result of that I now have at least four brand new cookery books from Vermont on my bookshelves. That is one area of research where my family was keen to take part!

Sharon: I must say that it was a delight watching two such startlingly resolute commitment-phobes as Sean and Élise fall for each other despite their best efforts. Their chemistry was smokin'! How did you write such an interesting dynamic?

Sarah:I loved the idea that Sean and Élise had spent one steamy night together but never taken it further. Both of them think they have their feelings under control but of course that belief has never been challenged because Sean’s work is in Boston and he has his own reasons for spending as little time as possible in Snow Crystal. The fun came in throwing them together so they no longer had distance as a protective barrier. I loved seeing their relationship develop and watching two very independent people gradually relinquishing some of that control.

Sharon: Thank you so much for stopping by today and answering my questions. It was a pleasure having you! (And may I say...I am so excited for Tyler and Brenna's book! October cannot come quickly enough, and not only because I'm already sick of weather over 85 degrees. ;) )

Sarah: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to see Tyler and Brenna’s story, Maybe This Christmas, on the shelves too. This story has the same snowy, wintery feel as the first book, Sleigh Bells in the Snow, and an ending I’ve been dying to write ever since I started this series.

Now, don't go away quite yet! Last but definitely not least, we have a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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(Review) Riding the Wave by Lorelie Brown

Title: Riding the Wave
Author: Lorelie Brown
Series: Pacific Blue, #1
Published: July 1, 2014 (Signet)
Rating: Lunch Break Read
Format: Digital review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review. (Thanks!)

Summary: With a make-or-break world championship on the line, professional surfer Tanner Wright has come back to the coastal California hometown he left a decade ago, carrying only his board and the painful knowledge of his father’s infidelity. Now that Hank Wright is dead, Tanner intends to keep the secret buried to spare his mother and sister the burden.

The last time Avalon Knox saw her best friend’s brother, she was fourteen and he was a twenty-year-old surfer god. She’s never understood or respected the way Tanner distanced himself from the family that has embraced her. But now she has the professional chance of a lifetime: to photograph Tanner for the competition—if he’ll agree.

Out on the waves, they find in each other passion that’s impossible to resist. And Tanner’s not the only one trying to move forward from his past. As the competition heats up, secrets get spilled, and lust takes over. How close can Avalon get to this brooding surfer without getting burned?

I'll be honest: When Estelle from Foreword Literary first approached me about this book, my answer was a resounding HECK YEAH. (No, really. I can go screencap the email if you doubt me.) Long-time crush? Best friend's older brother? Sexy surfers? Forget the sound of the ocean, that was clearly the sound of a book calling my name, and who was I to deny it?

I'm definitely glad I went for this one! It delivered on all fronts. Tanner was a gorgeous surfer who was coming home after avoiding it for 10 years. He'd been keeping his father's secrets for a decade, but now that his dad had passed away, he was free to return to his mother and sister. Except that the past didn't quite stay in the past, and there was still a lot to deal with.

Then there was Avalon, the best friend of Tanner's younger sister, Sage. I really liked her! She was spunky and ambitious and adorable. Sage was awesome, too! I didn't get as much interaction with her as I would've liked, though. I really hope she gets her own book! Preferably one where she is paired with Jack, a surfer who maybe possibly has feelings for her? But we don't actually know; at this point, I'm speculating wildly along with Avalon, but I'm definitely crossing my fingers.

I went into this book expecting there to be lots of tortured I-want-you-but-I-shouldn't glances and smoldering chemistry, but Brown actually surprised me by switching it up! And while I do have a gargantuan small soft spot some forbidden love drama, the best friend's older brother thing didn't really come into play that much. It was a factor in the beginning, but they treated it like adults, and I respected and even liked that. It was more of a problem that they were working together, with Avalon trailing him in the month before the big surfing competition.

While there wasn't forbidden angst, one thing Riding the Wave definitely delivered in spades was chemistry. Yowza! Avalon and Tanner had good build up, and I half expected my Nook to start shorting out when they decided holding out wasn't for them because hello. I also enjoyed the friendship aspect between them and appreciated that it wasn't just sex holding them together.

I enjoyed the book overall, but I did have a couple issues. While I knew that there was family drama and understood the reasons for it, it got a little repetitive after a while. I also think the phrase "apples of the cheeks" was used way too much, especially given that it doesn't really feel like a 31-year-old surfer kind of thing to think. But I've always disliked that phrase, so I'm probably a little biased.

One of my favorite things is that Brown hit the perfect balance when creating the surfing atmosphere. I definitely got the surfing feel, but I also wasn't bombarded by terms or bored to death by action paragraphs I didn't understand. Overall, Riding the Wave was a hit! It definitely made me want to take up surfing, which would be a feat given that I'm about as landlocked as it is possible for a person to be. But one day! Until then, I'll just go watch Blue Crush and Gidget, which is about as close to surfing as I get.

First:The past ten years of the waves down under hadn’t been home to Tanner Wright, not like the gray-green swells of San Sebastian.

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Favorite:Because some people in this world are broken, and some are not. Some of us have broken pieces and we need to find somewhere to fit them into.

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Teaser:If she ever started thinking about his mouth too much, all the she had to do was remind herself of his near-shithead status. Easy peasy.

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(Review) Waiting on You by Kristan Higgins

Title: Waiting on You
Author: Kristan Higgins
Series: Blue Heron, #3
Published: March 2014 (Harlequin HQN)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Paperback borrowed from the library

Summary: Colleen O'Rourke is in love with love... just not when it comes to herself. Most nights, she can be found behind the bar at the Manningsport, New York, tavern she owns with her twin brother, doling out romantic advice to the lovelorn, mixing martinis and staying more or less happily single. See, ten years ago, Lucas Campbell, her first love, broke her heart... an experience Colleen doesn't want to have again, thanks. Since then, she's been happy with a fling here and there, some elite-level flirting and playing matchmaker to her friends.

But a family emergency has brought Lucas back to town, handsome as ever and still the only man who's ever been able to crack her defenses. Seems like maybe they've got some unfinished business waiting for them—but to find out, Colleen has to let her guard down, or risk losing a second chance with the only man she's ever loved.

There is just something about a Kristan Higgins book. Her writing impacts me in a way that few other authors manage. It's something about her sense of humor and way of conveying emotions. I always laugh like a hyena multiple times and bawl like there's no tomorrow at the end - and sometimes at sporadic times throughout.

There's something else you should know about me: I don't do ex stories. Especially if the h/hr were high school sweethearts. There are very few faster ways to turn me away from a book before I've even started reading it. I don't know why; that particular plot device simply doesn't interest me.

So I had a little pang of disappointment when I saw this was going to be a story about exes. But it was Kristan Higgins. I knew if anyone could do it, she could.

I wasn't wrong.

She pulled it off with aplomb! The chemistry between Colleen and Lucas was mind-boggling. I'm all about the slow burn, but even I was practically shouting, "JUST KISS ALREADY!" Yet it wasn't all about the chemistry. It also wasn't entirely focused on their previous relationship (something that often bugs me about the few ex books I have read). Those were both definitely factors, but Colleen and Lucas also had a relationship in the present that could not be denied. They were a compatible and compelling couple; they won me over quickly.

I really liked both Colleen and Lucas as individual characters. Lucas was a "Southie" who was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago (try not to start singing "Bad Bad Leroy Brown" when you read that, I dare you) until he went to go live with his wealthy uncle's family as a teen. Colleen was born and raised in Manningsport? where she co-owned a bar with her brother and also worked part time at the nursing home where her grandfather lived. Colleen knew everyone. Lucas felt like he never belonged, in the town or with his family.

As usual, Higgins provided a wide and entertaining cast of secondary characters. I kept track of them easily, though that may be due to the fact that I knew some of them from previous Blue Heron books. Fun fact: Colleen was also a matchmaker of the first degree. Her current project involved Paulie and Bryce (Lucas's cousin), a pairing that seemed at the onset to be as strange as it was impossible. But fear not, Colleen to the rescue! There was also a subplot with Colleen's brother and his mystery girlfriend that intrigued me. I really hope he gets a book in the future!

At over 450 pages, Waiting on You could have easily dragged, but it never did. It moved at a steady pace (with a few flashbacks that told the story of Lucas and Colleen's previous relationship). Every page was entertaining, compelling, heartrending, or any combination of the three. In short, Waiting on You was another winner by Higgins. Now excuse me while I run off to Goodreads to stalk the release date of the next one.

First:“Drinks are on the house!”

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Favorite:“Bryce doesn’t need more complications in his life right now.”
“And by complications, you mean what, exactly?”
“The Chicken King’s virgin daughter.”
“Oh, cool! That sounds like a Harlequin romance. I would definitely read that.”

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Teaser:“As of right now, you’re my boyfriend, Jack, and I will castrate you if you deny it.”
“And we wonder why you can’t find a man.”

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|Review| The Troublemaker Next Door by Marie Harte

Title: The Troublemaker Next Door
Author: Marie Harte (Website | Twitter)
Series: The McCauley Brothers #1

Published June 3rd, 2014 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

Genre: Erotic contemporary romance
Rating: B+

Goodreads summary:

He can fix her sink, but can he wrench his way into her heart? 

Flynn McCauley never thought he’d be so cliché as to fall for the girl next door. But when Maddie calls him over to help fix her faulty sink, he’s a goner. Too bad the fiercely independent interior designer wants nothing to do with him. Even worse, he’s forced to rely on the advice of his nosy brothers—and his five-year-old nephew!—to figure out how to make her give him a shot.

I love contemporary romance but I have a hard time find a contemporary romance book that I'll like (besides from trusted authors). Finding the right combination of sweet, emotional, sex and love is tough. I mean I like a sexy book but I need the couple to fall in love for a reason besides earth-shattering sex. I requested The Troublemaker Next Door on a whim from NG because of the bright cover and summary, without having read any reviews, and I'm SO glad I did!! 

The book opens up with Flynn McCauley babysitting his nephew Colin. Then we meet Mike, Colin's dad and the oldest McCauley brother. Brody is Flynn's best friend (and business partner. Hot plumbers!) and a McCauley in every way but name. Last there is Cameron, the youngest McCauley who's different then his blue-collared brothers.  I love this group! They were funny, I understood why they were so close and had each other's backs. Mike's neighbor is a romance writer and likes to sit and listen to group of brothers talk for research and I totally would too. Can we get a book that's McCauley brothers reality TV?

Next door to Mike we have the heroine Maddie and her roommates Abby and Vanessa. Maddie is the feisty redhead, Abby is her shy romance writer best friend and Vanessa is Maddie's intense and slightly psycho cousin. These three also had a great relationship and an interesting dynamic because they were all rather different from each other but their bond was strong. Maddie didn't let her cray cray cousin walk over her and I loved how feisty she was! I just loved reading about the three roommates just as much as I enjoyed reading about the McCauleys (which is saying something!).

If I looked at Marie Harte's other books, I would have realized that this book would be SEXSEEEH ,but I didn't so it definitely caught me by a surprise. A good surprise! Flynn is a filthy dirty talker and if you're not a dirty talker... then what purpose do you have? So I would definitely classify this as an erotic contemporary romance. At one point I thought we would have a threesome but nope. I'm actually pretty sad about that. I shall mourn The Threesome That Never Was for as long as I remember this book. Anyways, there were PLENTY of sex scenes but it wasn't all about the fun in the sheets. Flynn and Maddie's romance was so fun to read because of the awesome banter and chemistry. From Maddie and Flynn's first meeting, I knew they were meant to be:

"I spent ten fucking years working to get to that place. [...] But this insult! In this day and age, with so much bullshit about being PC and sexual harassment has no place in the workplace, and my boss just made me feel him up in his own office during business hours. The perv! I feel like a total—"

She looked up to see a huge, green-eyed hunk filling out a white T-shirt and jeans like he'd stepped out of a Man of the Month calendar. One of them. A man. The enemy. 

Marie Harte summed up the nature of Flynn ad Maddie's romance pretty well at an interview with The Reading Cafe:

"When Flynn McCauley meets Maddie Gardner, sparks fly. She hates men. He’s not into relationships. She lost her job. He fixed her sink—but that’s not all he wants to fix. When a ride home turns into a lot more, Maddie and Flynn decide to keep things strictly casual. Strictly sexual. They won’t date. And they end up not dating…a lot. But soon Flynn wants more from the wary redhead. If he can just keep her distracted long enough to burrow under her skin, Flynn might convince Maddie they have a shot at real happiness. That’s if Maddie can overcome her past to take a chance on the future."

The Troublemaker Next Door is a sexy romance novel that made me laugh out loud, it had great banter between the hero and heroine, great banter between the McCauleys AND great banter between three ladies and to add icing to the cake, it had a cute five-and-a-half year old boy. This series opener sold me for the next next three books and I've already marked my calendar down for Brody & Abby's book, Cameron & Vanessa's book, and last but certainly my most anticipated one, Mike's book which has no info beside a title and cover (I'm guessing that What to Do with a Bad Boy is his book). Of course the book I'm most looking forward to is last!

Recommend to: contemporary romance fans, anyone looking for a sexy hawt read, anyone looking for a romance on the funny side rather than the angsty side. This is a book to read while you're lounging by the pool or beach because of the laughs and hot hot hotness it will deliver. The Troublemaker Next Door is for romance fans all and since its summer, the time to read it is now!

Rating: [B+] Sexy and funny, a terrific combination of a start to a series that promises to deliver more laughs and swoon!

The McCauley Brothers Series

I love these covers! They're hot and they match but they're not exactly alike. I also looooove the titles of all the books. They're so fun and scream contemporary romance. Well done, Sourcebooks Casablanca! I really was not kidding when I said I'm so excited about this new series.

*taken from ARC
First:

"But Uncle Flynn, you promised."

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Favorite:

If Mike didn't want the others to know he'd once modeled for a romance cover, who was he to say?

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Teaser:

"Will you, my sweet, wear these ear bobs as a token of my extreme affection?"

*Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the e-ARC! 

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(Review) Satisfaction by Sarah Mayberry

Title: Satisfaction
Author: Sarah Mayberry
Published: February 28, 2014 (Small Cow Productions)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Digital copy received from author in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Maggie Hendricks loves her life. She’s got a great job, amazing friends. Everything is perfect - except for one smallish problem. Maggie can’t quite get there, sexually speaking. It’s just never happened for her. And while she tells herself she’s fine with that, she can’t help feeling as though she’s missing out.

When her friend shares the intimate details of an encounter with an extremely talented lover, Maggie makes a desperate pact with herself. She will seduce this man - or allow him to seduce her - and if he can’t get her there...well, then she’ll hand herself over to medical science. A simple enough plan. What could possible go wrong?

Within minutes of meeting Rafel Oliveira, Maggie knows the answer to that one: plenty. But Rafel turns out to be far more than simply talented in the bedroom. As he takes her on a journey toward the ultimate pleasure, Maggie finds herself craving a lot more than his beautiful body. The question is, is Rafel’s heart available for the taking?

I've been reading Sarah Mayberry since I first became a fledgling romance convert years back, and she hasn't let me down yet. Obviously when the opportunity came, I jumped at the chance to review Satisfaction, her newest self-published novel (especially since her last self-pub was so freaking incredible. Seriously, if you like hate-to-love stories, check outHer Best Worst Mistake. You won't regret it.)

Satisfaction is such an original story! I've never read anything like it. This is the story of Maggie, a bookstore owner in Australia who has a frustrating problem: She cannot achieve orgasm. She's in her mid twenties and has never been able to, by herself or with the help of talented (or not-so-talented) partners.

So when her friend describes a one-off hands-down-best-sex-of-her-life encounter with a Brazilian tattoo artist in his parlor but has no intention of pursuing things, Maggie gets a crazy idea. She should go pretend like she's going to get a tattoo and seduce the guy. Obviously someone so legendarily talented couldn't let her down.

Only there's a slight problem.

She gets the wrong guy.

See, it turns out Mr. Potential Orgasm has a twin brother, Rafel, and Maggie propositions him instead. She flees in embarrassment when he rejects her, but a comment that she makes intrigues him. After some pondering, he tracks her down a bit later and offers to help her with her problem. She agrees.

Thus begins their sexy game.

But it becomes more than a game pretty quickly. What could have so very easily been a Magical Sex = Love plot did not fall into that trap. Between their sessions of Pursuit of the Little Death, Maggie and Rafel have real interactions. They talk about their emotions, their dreams. They joke, they laugh. He reads a book purely based on her recommendation. They spend a day together at the beach with his brother and Blue, a close friend of the brothers. And wait for it because this is the cherry on top: They actually communicate and are honest with each other! Something which is delightful to read even when it's painful, which is sometimes the case here.

I have read quite a few books lately where the heroines either work at or own a book store, and it always makes me happy! This one is especially awesome, as Maggie talks about a lot of romance authors like Meredith Duran, Nalini Singh, and Georgette Heyer (Maggie's favorite author, something which prompted me to finally pick up my first Heyer, which I'm currently reading!).

I've never read a story quite like Satisfaction, and I appreciate Mayberry's frank treatment of Maggie's orgasmically-challenged affliction. I'm not going to spoil whether or not she ever, ahem, reaches satisfaction, but I'll tell you that Rafel and Maggie's interactions are certain to have you reaching for a glass of cold water regardless. Plus, they are just so sweet! This is definitely a winner, and I would recommend it for anyone who likes her romances real, hot, and satisfying.

First:“Beautifully written. Very lyrical. And so many triple-score words I had to read with a dictionary by the bedside just to make sense of it.”

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Favorite:“What’s so funny?” he asked, head tilted to one side, quizzical smile on his mouth.
“Such a guy meal,” she said. “The sandwich equivalent of banging your chest like Tarzan.”
“You don’t like meatball subs?”
“I love them.”
“But you’re still giving me grief?”
“Seems like it.”

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Teaser:She felt a little dizzy. The man was so hot he was practically a walking erogenous zone.

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(Review) Once in a Lifetime by Jill Shalvis

Title: Once in a Lifetime
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Lucky Harbor, #9
Published: February 18, 2013 (Grand Central Publishing)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Digital galley received from publisher in exchange for an honest review. (Thank you!)

Summary: After a wrenching loss, Ben McDaniels tried to escape his grief by working in dangerous, war-torn places like Africa and the Middle East. Now he’s back in his hometown and face-to-face with Aubrey Wellington, the hot-as-hell woman who is trouble with a capital T. Family and friends insist she’s not the one to ease his pain, but Aubrey sparks an intense desire that gives Ben hope for the future.

Determined to right the wrongs of her past, Aubrey is working hard to make amends. But by far, the toughest challenge to her plan is sexy, brooding Ben …even though he has absolutely no idea what she’s done…
Can this unlikely couple defy the odds and win over the little town of Lucky Harbor?

I'm always, always excited to return to Lucky Harbor, Washington. Whether it's a brand new book, a re-read, or I'm just thinking about how much I love the characters, it's just a happy place for me. Needless to say, I was pumped to read the newest one, Once in a Lifetime, especially because of the two characters it featured.

We had met both Ben and Aubrey in previous books. I've been desperate for Ben's book ever since he was first mentioned. He had all the earmarks of a hero I would love: a guy with a military background, amble brains and brawn, who might be a little bit emotionally broken and had spent the past few years doing awesome things with war-torn and post-disaster locations. As a bonus, he was beloved by the town, which is always a good sign. Then, as if that wasn't enough, we saw in Once in a Lifetime that even if he was a little awkward around them, Ben had a heart for kids and was good with them. Excuse me while I reach for the smelling salts. I was also very intrigued by Aubrey! The main reason being that we weren't supposed to like Aubrey back when she was first introduced as a character. But then once you got a little peek beyond her façade, you saw that she wasn't as terrible as she appeared. She was a complicated character, and I appreciated that Shalvis gave her her own book. I really wanted to get to know her after seeing a little of her before, and I definitely got to in Once in a Lifetime.

Aubrey was not always a nice person. In fact, she spent a lot the story making amends for past hurts she had caused, an idea that occurred to her when she accidentally attended an AA meeting ('cause, you know, it happens). I particularly enjoyed the storyline with Aubrey and her sister, Carla. When their parents divorced while the girls were still pretty young, Carla - The Brains - and Aubrey - The Beauty - were split up, too: Carla lived with their father who was a successful doctor, and Aubrey went with their mother, a beauty-obsessed woman who pushed Aubrey into beauty pageants and wanted her to go into modeling. Forced into these roles by their parents, the sisters did not interact much, and they were both secretly jealous of each other. Aubrey's attempts to make amends with Carla brought the two sisters a little closer together and gave me hope that they would have a much stronger relationship in the future. I'm also crossing my fingers that Carla gets a book later on, because I really liked her!

Now, onto the romance. Aubrey and Ben's interactions began when Aubrey accidentally tossed her drink all over Ben at the bar (um...whoops?). I felt the tingles immediately as he looked her, all strong and silent. While Aubrey had had a crush on Ben since high school, he was a pretty intimidating presence, and there was always a sort of unexplained animosity between them. When Ben was hired by Aubrey's uncle to make the renovations she needed for the grand opening of her bookstore (!), though, the tension and sparring turned to sparks of chemistry they could no longer deny. There was a bit of a hindrance to their romance, though: Aubrey had a Big Secret in the fact that Ben was on her list of people to whom she needed to apologize. And he didn't even know it.

Unfortunately, there were a couple things that made me go a little frowny-face. For instance, at one point, Ben stole the something-or-other-part from Aubrey's car so it wouldn't work so she would let him drive her around. Just so he could know what she was up to. Yes, he was nosy and curious and maybe even protective, and it was played out in a humorous way. But that crossed the line for me into things that are less romantic and more stalkerish. Thankfully, this type of behavior did not continue, and Ben owned up to it later.

All in all, Once in a Lifetime was definitely another winner of a Lucky Harbor book! The town continued to charm, and I wanted to visit Aubrey's bookstore! It sounded so lovely. Plus, since she was unofficially open before her Grand Opening, we got to see some interactions between Aubrey and her customers which were both hilarious and fairly apt (such as the people who ask for historical fiction but actually mean historical romance). We also got a preview of the next Lucky Harbor book, It's in His Kiss, featuring Ben's running partner and friend who was mysterious, enigmatic, and silent enough to make Ben look like a regular Chatty Cathy. I definitely can't wait to see what's going on there!

Until next time, Lucky Harbor. Until next time.

First:There was one universal truth in Lucky Harbor, Washington – you could hide a pot of gold in broad daylight and no one would steal it, but you couldn't hide a secret.

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Teaser:“I mean it, Ben,” she said. “This is my business.”
“Whatever you say, Sunshine.” He pulled out his phone, presumably accessing whatever shoot ‘em up, kill ‘em game he was playing with Jack.
It was as close to a promise as she was going to get, and she knew it. She blew out a breath and then caught sight of his screen. Not a shoot ‘em up, kill ‘em game at all. “Words with Friends?” she asked. “That's the killer game you play?”
“It can be killer,” he said lightly, his manhood apparently not threatened in the slightest. “Hey, do you know a seven-letter word that’s got the letter X in it? I've got a triple-word opportunity here.”
“Extinct,” she said,” which is what I’m going to make you if you follow me.”

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|Review| Snow-Kissed by Laura Florand

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Title: Snow-Kissed
Author: Laura Florand
Published September 1st, 2013 (self-pub)

Genre: contemporary romance
Rating: B

Goodreads summary:

Florand takes us to a snow-kissed Christmas cabin for this heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, forgiveness—and hope. After the utter destruction of her marriage and her happiness, Kai knew it was better to shut herself away from the world than to hurt and be hurt. Holed up in her mountain cabin, she planned to spend her Christmas alone. Until her not-quite-ex-husband shows up as the first flakes start to fall. Now should she send him back out into the cold? Or can she be brave enough to let this winter snow bind them back together?

(A novella of 34,000 words. Approx. 130 pages.)

Laura Florand has two published series but she ventured to the self-pub realm to publish this holiday novella about a marriage in trouble. So in my review of A Christmas Promise, we learned that I:

1) love the arranged marriages trope
2) I love the hate to love trope
3) I love Hardy Cates

And here is a new one:

4) I love marriage in trouble stories

Marriage in trouble stories have the capacity to be so romantic and so moving and beautiful but unfortunately, it's not a popular trope (but shout out to Making it Last by Ruthie Knox for being an excellent marriage in trouble novella that I highly recommend). So I'm always happy to find a good marriage in trouble story and Snow-Kissed certainly was excellent.

Snow-Kissed was everything I expect from a marriage in trouble story: emotional, moving, beautiful, and heartbreaking in a bittersweet way but ultimately happy and satisfying. I'm really glad Florand published this novella because it is beyond good. There is just something so unbelievably sweet about seeing a couple fall in love again and that is the case with Kai and Kurt. Also, Florand's writing is just so, so, so beautiful. She has a way with words. So not only is the story beautiful, but so is the writing.

Snow-Kissed works as novella, for anyone who has doubts. We get a glimpse of how Kai and Kurt fell in love and what tore them apart but the novella is spent on a snowy white mountain with the couple patching up their marriage. I will say though, I suffered from major deception when my Kindle told me that I had 10% left but I finished the book and the last 10% were all excerpts. I definitely thing the novella could have used another chapter to make the resolution less abrupt.

This novella is set during Christmas time and this is a vital time for Kai and Kurt. The year before, they spent Christmas separated and miserable so this time, Kurt wants to make sure he is with his wife so he doesn't get sucked by depression on such a special day.

An excellent romance, an excellent holiday read and a short quick read at 99cents, this is not a read romance fans would want to pass up!

Rating: [B] The writing is simply beautiful. I need an extra chapter but otherwise, a terrific read.

First:

The snow fell over the black granite counter in a soft hush of white.

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Teaser:

She worked so hard to be done with tears like this. And yet their onslaught was almost comforting. Oh, there you are. I've missed you. I guess we;re not done with each other after all.

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