Sheila Roberts Talks Tasty Reads and Giveaway

What a special treat I have for you today...Sheila Roberts, author of the newly released, Better Than Chocolate, is here and she is talking sweet treats and delicious reads...Sheila is also kind enough to give away a copy of her new release, so please make sure to answer the giveaway question at the bottom of this post in order to be entered. 

 

A Tasty Read: Sheila, we are honored to have you here at A Tasty Read to talk about your upcoming Release, Better Than Chocolate!!

  Speaking of Chocolate, what is your biggest downfall? For me, it's a huge Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake...yummy...How about you?

 

Sheila Roberts: Frango mint pie! This is basically a French silk pie with mint. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and you’re in taste bud heaven! It’s so rich you can’t eat very much at a time. (That doesn’t prevent me from trying though!)

A Tasty Read: That sounds utterly amazing...For my Tasty Readers who don't know this about you, I read that you used to be in a band and still write songs.  What song is your Go-to, singing at the top of your lungs in your car SONG?

Sheila: I do still write songs. In fact, I hope your tasty readers will go to Youtube in November when my novel Merry Ex-mas is out and watch the music video “Merry Christmas Mama”, which we’re putting up as a fun bonus for readers. As far as a sing at the top of my lungs song, that can be anything that has harmony. But I’m especially fond of Billy Ocean’s “Get Out of My Dreams and Into My Car” and Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman”.

A Tasty Read: I am fond of Reba's "I Want a Cowboy" myself.  Out of all of the books you've written, which character is the most like you, or do you put a bit of yourself into each character you write?

Sheila: Somehow, part of me seems to always show up in my characters. In my novel “Small Change” there was a lot of me in the character Jess. In my book “Bikini Season” one of my characters was a bit of a hypochondriac. That’s so me.
 

A Tasty Read: Let's talk BETTER THAN CHOCOLATE...Tell us a little bit about the book?

 

 

Sheila: I’m very excited about this book because it celebrates the resiliency and strength of the human spirit. My heroine Samantha Sterling and her family have got trouble. Her dear, walking disaster of a stepfather has died, leaving the family chocolate factory in big trouble. (A chocolate company in trouble – this is not a good thing!) and Samantha is left in the unenviable position of having to save it. And save it she must since this business provides a lot of jobs for the people in the town of Icicle Falls.

The town’s been in a bit of slump, so when Samantha comes up with the crazy idea of putting on a chocolate festival in a very short amount of time, everyone gets behind her. And then the romance and craziness really begins. I must admit I’m very fond of this book because I think it’s both funny and poignant. At least I hope it is. Hey, and it’s got chocolate recipes in it. You can’t go wrong with that, right?

A Tasty Read: As a writer, I know that the idea for a story can show up out of nowhere...How did you come up with the idea for BETTER THAN CHOCOLATE?

Sheila: I really thought it would be fun to write about a chocolate company. I asked myself, “What would happen if that company was in trouble?” and that was my jumping off place. I also wanted to do something to honor the town of Leavenworth, Washington. Back in the fifties this town was on the verge of becoming a ghost town, but in the early sixties the town reinvented itself and today Leavenworth is a charming alpine village and a popular tourist destination – a real success story.

A Tasty Read: What can we expect next from the desk of Sheila Roberts?  Do you have anything new in the works?

Sheila: Merry Ex-mas will be coming out right after this book – a fun tale of three women and their exes, also set in the fictional town of Icicle Falls. And boy, did I have fun with that book. I hope readers will, too.

A Tasty Read: I am definitely adding it to my TBR Pile...I can't wait to read  more tales from Icicle Falls! 

Thank you again so much for stopping by, and for Hosting this Awesome Giveaway!!  As Giveaway Host, you get to come up with the Giveaway question.

Sheila: Thank you so much for having me. And don’t you think our question should have something to do with chocolate? How about, “What is your favorite kind of chocolate?”

Ok, Tasty Readers...Leave your comment sharing with us your Favorite kind of Chocolate, and a valid email address and you will be entered in the Better Than Chocolate Giveaway.  Winner will be announced Monday, Oct 1st.


**Big Thank You to the wonderful ladies at Little Bird Publicity for setting up this interview and giveaway with Sheila...you ladies are the best!!

 

Delicious Experience

Better Than Chocolate
Sheila Roberts
Released Sept 25th, 2012
400 Pages
Harlequin MIRA
Source: Little Bird Publicity

Better Than Chocolate is a sweet story about a quirky family with a dash of romance.

Blurb:

Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company has been in the Sterling family for generations, ever since Great-Grandma Rose literally dreamed up her first fabulous recipe. But now it looks as if they're about to lose Sweet Dreams to the bank—and that would be a disaster, not only for the family but for the town of Icicle Falls, Washington. Can Samantha, the oldest daughter and new head of the company, come up with a way to save it?

After Samantha does some brainstorming with her mother and sisters, inspiration strikes. They'll have a chocolate festival! Time's running out, but the Sterling women are determined and the town's behind them, so everything's bound to go smoothly…....

Or not. Events seem to be conspiring against Samantha, and her mother's attempts to help aren't helping. To make matters worse, the fate of her company is in the hands of her archenemy, Blake Preston, the bank manager with the football-hero good looks. It's enough to drive her to chocolate. But Blake's also enough to convince her that (believe it or not) there's something even better than chocolate.

Firstly, I will point out that this very enjoyable read is more of a Women's Contemporary than a Romance, so anyone who enjoyed Susan Mallery's Barefoot Season or Already Home, will truly fall for the wonderful ladies of Icicle Falls.

I don't know what it is about redheads, but they sure know how to take charge when the going gets tough, and that is exactly what Samantha Sterling did when the chocolate business that had been in the family for years and years was threatened.  With the help of her mother, Muriel, and her two sisters, Bailey and Cecily, they were going to come up with a plan to keep the business open...even if some of the plans were a little "out there".

These ladies had me cracking up at points and tearing up at others.  A lot of emotions come to head between these ladies and if you come from a family of all girls like I do, those emotions can sometimes tip the scales.

The bit of romance we do get is between Samantha and the former football god of Icicle Falls, Blake Preston, the now Bank Manager...you can already see where this is going.  Let's just say it was NOT love at first site, but Blake was a better man than given credit for and I for one think that Samantha could use more than just a kiss...if you know what I mean!!

Better Than Chocolate is sweet, funny, and will have you wishing that you had a creamy chocolate truffle in front of you after finishing this book. 

I hope you all will give this one a chance, or at least come back tomorrow when Sheila will be here for a great interview and will be giving away a Copy of Better Than Chocolate.

Sweet Holiday Romance

Hunk for the Holidays
Katie Lane
Released Sept 25th, 2012
352 Pages
Forever Publishing
Source: NetGalley

Have you ever been caught up in a situation where someone assumed you were someone else, when you were really the last person they would want to associate with??  Well...that is there James Sutton finds himself a few days before Christmas, standing in front of Cassie McPherson, beautiful, sexy, and looking for her escort for the night.  What's a man to do?

Cassie thinks that this amazingly sexy man is the escort she hired to be her date for the annual Christmas Party.  Never before has she felt an instant attraction to a man as she does with James, so when the mistletoe is hanging and the drinks are flowing, what's a girl to do?

Cassie and James fall for one another, hook, line and sinker, but what will happen when Cassie finds out that her "James' is none other than James Sutton of Sutton Construction, the company trying to put her company out of business. 

I really enjoyed this Holiday Romance.  It was sweet, funny, sexy and laugh-out-loud funny!  The second James and Cassie set eyes on each other,  it's MAGIC!!  Their chemistry jumps off the pages, with sweet tender words and then smokin' hot love makin, you can't help but love these two together.

I found this book so funny in some parts, especially when Cassie tries to make things better between her and James and she just makes things WAYYYYYY worse.  Haha..you will have to read to find out what I am talking about.

This is a great Holiday Romance and one that I HIGHLY recommend.  It will definitely be a romance to read over and over each year around the holidays!!

Take the Risk

Run the Risk
Love Undercover #1
Lori Foster
Releasing September 25th, 2012
379 Pages
HQN
Source: NetGalley

When Detective Logan Riske goes undercover to find Pepper Yates, a potential link to his best friend's unsolved murder, he vows to gain her cooperation by any means necessary. But the elusive beauty is more suspicious—and in far more danger—than he expected. And the last thing Logan needs is to start caring for her….Pepper has spent years dodging the corrupt club owner who will stop at nothing to keep her silenced. She can trust no one, not even the handsome new "construction worker" who's moved in next door. The heat between them is undeniable. But will surrendering to passion bring her the safety she so desires—or will her feelings for Logan draw them both into a killer's crosshairs?

Another new romance series from Lori Foster...I am SOOOO excited!!  If the first book of the series is any indication of what is to come..well, let me just say...BRING THEM ON!!

You will be completely enraptured in the story from page one and will be begging for more.  I couldn't get enough of the sizzling attraction between Logan and Pepper...can you say "Cold Shower Needed".  The plot is original, the characters are spunky, tough and very sexy and Lori keeps you in suspense until the very end, who's good, who's bad and who's in on the take. 

Not only do you get a thrilling, sweet romance between Pepper and Logan, but you will be introduced to three fine lookin men who are the heroes of the next three books, Dash, Reese and Rowdy...and let me just say...YUM!!

I HIGHLY recommend this Need to Read and hope you enjoy it as much as I have!! 

YA WEDNESDAY

Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide to Getting Girls
Tellulah Darling
Releasing Oct 17th, 2012
244 Pages
Te Da Media
Source: NetGalley

Why the hell can’t chicks be more like guys?

That question plagues high school senior Sam Cruz. Sam is perfectly happy being a player. He just wishes girls wouldn’t change the game from sex to relationships. It makes him look like an asshole. But when Sam’s best friend, Ally Klinger, gets dumped, she begs him to transform her into someone who can screw around then screw off. No risk of heartbreak that way. It’s Sam’s chance to create the perfect female AND cheer up his best friend. Armed with Sam’s Three Step Guide to Backseat Success, Ally gets the game better than Sam thought she would and before long, Sam has his wish: the female version of himself. Too bad it’s driving him nuts. Told from Sam’s and Ally's alternating POVs, Sam Cruz’s Infallible Guide to Getting Girls is a fast-paced romantic comedy that follows these teens as they navigate the minefield of sex, love, and friendship.

This book contains strong language, drinking, euphemisms, and lots of “bow chicka wow wow.”


I will say that Tellulah Darling, a new YA author to me, is definitely one to watch.  This book is a to-read for anyone who LOVED The Duff by Kody Keplinger.

Sam Cruz, our hero, is your typical teenage boy, yes, that means sex is on his brain at all times.  He is a full on "player" as some would say, and he has a set of rules that keeps the ladies at arms length, until he starts seeing his best friend, Ally, as more of a female and less of his best friend.

Ally Klinger is tired of being the "nice" girl, and after being dumped by her granola boyfriend, she decides that she is going to try out "bad" for a while.  Unfortunately that means falling into bed with her best-friend, Sam, which changes everything between them.

This was a cute, realistic view of what can happen when sex comes between two best friends, especially when love gets in the way.  I really enjoyed the interactions between Sam and Ally, and that we are able to read from both of their POV's. 

Super-fun read, and I hope you all will give it a chance!!

Enjoy and Happy Reading!!

Sex Demon's Have Arrived

Confessions of a Sex Demon
The Sex Demon Trilogy #1
Jaye Shields
Released Sept 17th, 2012
ebook
Beachwalk Press
Source: Gifted by Author


What can you say about a romance about Sex Demons??  Well, for one, they are STEAMY, SEXY and oh so good!!

Confessions of a Sex Demon by Jaye Shields is the first in a trilogy about a family of Sex Demons who survive by climax...I know...doesn't sound so bad.  Until someone seeks revenge on your brother and holds back on your climaxes in order to torture you...sounds painful. 

This is what happens to Zahra, who is only trying to seek out a better life for her and her adopted sister, Sephina.  And being attracted to the man who is trying to kill you, not always the best idea, even if he knows how to use his hands and mouth to bring her to the brink of pleasure...she did like her guys a bit kinky...but this was a bit much, even for her.

Jaye writes spunky heroines and alpha heroes who keep you entertained from page one.  Even though this is only a novella, you will feel drawn to Zahra and Lennox, and sometimes you have to look beyond the anger to find a true hero, which is what you will find with Lennox. 

Give this one a shot...and fall in love with a villainous hero who might just steal your heart!!

Don't forget to enter the Confessions Giveaway that was posted yesterday.  I am giving away FOUR Digital Copies of the novella, so enter today by posting a comment on yesterday's post.  Winners will be chosen tomorrow.

http://atastyread.blogspot.com/2012/09/confessions-of-sex-demon-release-party.html

And look for me in the Acknowledgement page...I am the unpaid agent!!  Love ya Jaye!!

Confessions of a Sex Demon Release Party!!

We have a special treat at A Tasty Read today...Not only are we celebrating the Release of Jaye Shields first published Novella, Confessions of a Sex Demon, but we have Jaye here chatting with us, and we are also going to hear from Zahra and Lennox, the hero and heroine from Confessions, the first book in a Trilogy published through Beachwalk Press.  I am also giving away FOUR Digital copies of the novella, so make sure to find out how YOU can enter the giveaway!!


A Tasty Read: Jaye, welcome to A Tasty Read...I am honored to have not just a Newly Published Author, but an amazing Crit Partner and Great Friend here with me celebrating the release of her FIRST published romance...How do you feel today?

Jaye Shields: I am honored to be with A Tasty Read on my release day. It should be mentioned that there would probably be no Confessions of a Sex Demon without Tasty’s head lady and crit partner extraordinaire! She said, “Do an erotic novella” and I did! Now I have a dead-sexy trilogy coming out!

A Tasty Read: I have had the honor of not only reading the complete Trilogy, but being involved since day one.  Tell all my Tasty Readers a little it about the first book, Confessions of a Sex Demon?  Where did the idea to write about Sex Demons come from?

Jaye: Well, since I made the decision to switch from full-length paranormals to flaming hot novellas, I thought, hey, I need a good title. Because of course, who needs a plot? I was walking to the coffee shop to write my very first scene (no clue what the book was about yet) and the title came to me. Confessions of a Sex Demon. It was a title so delicious I just had to tell the tale. Our heroine, Zahra is a sex demon and needs climax to survive J Things just went from there.

When I arrived at the coffee shop I was ready to write the first line:

“Returning the metal-barbed chains to her wall of toys, Zahra Aniron exhaled the last tremors of passion from her body.”

A Tasty Read: Sounds SPICY!!  Let's just hope no one at the coffee shop was looking over your shoulder.

What can we expect next from Jaye?  Now that you are officially a published writer, where do you go from here?
 

Jaye: The entire Sex Demon Trilogy will be releasing from Beachwalk Press. That’s right, Claiming of a Sex Demon will be out in December, and Addictions of a Sex Demon will be out in February. Claiming of a Sex Demon is actually a bit of a prequel, and we see why Lennox went a bit nutzo. In Claiming, we see Zahra’s brother steal away Lennox’s girl ;) And Addictions of a Sex Demon is Sephina’s story. Gotta love that succubus, you’ll get to know her in Confessions as Zahra’s sister.

 

I also have a full-length, sensual paranormal trilogy set to release this October from Crimson Romance. The first book is titled Secrets of the Fog, and I think those who love Confessions of a Sex Demon will also adore the handsome immortal knights from my Immortals in Alameda trilogy.

A Tasty Read: I KNOW your fans are going to fall in love with the Knights of the Fog, they are all quite tasty and they don't wear many clothes..hee hee.

Let's talk to the two people, who without them, we would have no Confessions at all, Lennox Aegros and Zahra Aniron. 

Hey guys, thanks so much for coming by A Tasty Read to chat with me.  So tell me, who has the bigger ego, now that your book is finally published?
 

Lennox: Her. No question. After all, Zahra is now the famed sex demon.

Zahra: Yep, definitely me. I have grand plans of starting a line of leather corsets and it’s gonna be called, “Made By the Famous Sex Demon”. Has a nice ring to it, no? I told Lennox we could do some badass advertising by engraving the blades of the swords he makes with “the Sex Demons Trilogy”, but he wouldn’t have it. I might have to seduce it out of him later.

 
A Tasty Read: I sincerely think you might be able to change his mind!!  Zahra, when did you first know that you were in love with Lennox?  Personally, I would have made him beg and pine for my affections a bit longer, but you are a better woman than me.

Zahra: No, no, I totally get the “hard to get” thing. Great strategy! I think that may have been Lennox’s thing all along. A lot of people think succubi are easy, but that’s just me. When you need climax to survive, one gets much less selective. Which is probably why I fell for my kidnapper. He had me at ‘bondage’.  In all honesty, there was a very tender moment when I fell for him, but if I told you, it’d spoil the surprise!

A Tasty Read: Lennox, some readers may feel that you were not just the hero of Confessions, but also a villain?  How do you feel about being cast in that kind of light? 

Lennox: It’s true. I was in a very dark—

Zahra: Psychopathic—

Lennox: place. I had every intention of destroying Zahra, but once I had her…destruction turned to desire.

A Tasty Read: Do I dare ask about Emmerie and Reza?  (Hee Hee)

Zahra: You just think he’s sexy when he’s all raging, don’t you?

Lennox: I already promised Zahra I’d forgive the miserable son of a—future brother in law. After all, having Emmerie taken from me was the best thing for all parties, because I found my soul mate.

A Tasty Read: Will we get to see you both again in Claiming and Addictions? 

 Lennox: You’ll see a bit of me in both. Claiming of a Sex Demon was before I met Zahra, and in Addiction of a Sex Demon for most of the book. After all, Zahra and I have to look out for out girl, Sephina. Love can be a dangerous endeavor, especially when you fall in love with a dragon demon.

Zahra: I kick some major ass in Addictions of a Sex Demon. That book is action-packed, and I’m not just talking about hot sex, so stay tuned…

A Tasty Read: Thanks soooooo much to all of you for taking the time to attend The Confessions Release Party at A Tasty Read, and Jaye, congratulations on your first published romance, I know my Tasty Readers will completely Fall In Love with this Trilogy!! 

Jaye: Thanks for having me, my love. XOXO


Release Day Giveaway

Since Jaye Shields is a GREAT friend of mine and I truly think you will enjoy her first release, I am GIVING AWAY FOUR DIGITAL COPIES of Confessions of a Sex Demon. 

To enter, please leave a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS and "LIKE" Jaye's Author page on Facebook,  https://www.facebook.com/#!/JayeShieldsAuthor

Winners will be announced on Wednesday, Sept 19th.

CONGRATULATIONS TO Patti, Amanda, Elizabeth and Karen who were chosen by Random.org as the winners of the Confessions of a Sex Demon Giveaway!!  Thank you to ALL of you who entered.  Please check back for more giveaway's!


About Jaye Shields

Jaye Shields holds a degree in Anthropology from San Francisco State University with an emphasis in archaeology. Her previous claims to fame include being a bass player for a grunge band called the Hymens, being mistaken for Britney Spears while in Tokyo, and commercial model. She insists the commercial still counts even though her lines were cut.

Born and raised in Seattle, she now lives in the realm of fog, skyscrapers, and redwood trees. Happy to call San Francisco home, she spends her time writing sensual paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Thanks to her grandmother, she's been reading romance novels since she was ten years old. Jaye sprinkles her love of history, mythology, and the occult into flaming hot reads.

You can find Jaye's website at: www.jayeshields.com

 

 

Not really "The Accidental Bride"

The Accidental Bride
Christina Skye
Releasing Sept 18th, 2012
384 Pages
HQN Harlequin
Source: NetGalley

Love can find you in the most unlikely of places...

When her friends order her to take a vacation, celebrity chef Jilly O'Hara is skeptical. She may be overwhelmed by her sudden success, but a trip to the mountains is not her idea of fun. Especially when a snowstorm forces her to fill in for an absentee bride in a lavish television wedding taking place at the resort. But then the ruggedly handsome make-believe groom arrives.... Walker Hale has kept to himself since his return from active duty-but the next thing he knows, he's reluctantly playing along with the wedding charade.

Even this jaded loner isn't immune to Jilly's quirky charm...or her beauty. But Jilly has to return home to Summer Island, leaving Walker to decide if the feelings between them were something more than pretend.

I honestly wouldn't pay too much attention to the book blurb, because the book was nothing like what I assumes by reading the blurb.  Not that it was totally different, Jilly went on a forced vacation, there was no television wedding, and the make believe groom was in it from the beginning of a certain wedding charade....and Jilly leaves under different circumstances, not because she has to.  So you see, you can't always believe a book blurb when the book is much more than what it seems.

Jilly O'Hara was a workaholic and if she didn't slow down soon, she wouldn't be lasting that much longer.  Her two girlfriends are worried so they send her away to a knitting retreat in the mountains, which they tell her is a cooking retreat...hee hee.  At the airport she meets Walker Hale and Winslow, his amazing and lovable pup.  The two are war worn and are finally home from a contract job they were on.  Jilly not only falls for Winslow, but for Walker as well. 

The two are thrown together time and again and it just so happens that neither of them mind all that much.  I will mention that if you are a reader who likes a long, strong, burning love scene, you won't be getting that with this romance.  There was one or two scene's towards the end, but that was it.  It was A LOT of flirtation and two sexually frustrated people, but it is not a romance full of sex scene's, so I am just giving you a heads up. 

Overall, I liked this book.  I was expecting something different, but what I got I did enjoy.  This was my first from Christina Skye and I think eventually I will go back and read about Jilly's two friends, Caro and Grace, who each have their own book. 

I would recommend The Accidental Bride to anyone in need of a good romance with a broken hero and heroine who find a certain healing with each other, and a town full of some very sweet and loving characters.

Enjoy and Happy Reading!

Falling for Fairy Tales Giveaway

The Ugly Duchess
Fairy Tales #4
Eloisa James
Released Aug 28th, 2012
384 Pages
Avon
Source: Avon-Addicts



Sad to say, that I hadn't read a historical in quite awhile.  I have been floating along in the contemporary world and YA world, that I hadn't remembered how much I LOVE a beautifully written historical romance.  So thank you Eloisa James for showing me what I was missing out on.

The Ugly Duchess shares the story of Theodora Saxby, a girl unlike the rest of her peers in looks and in attitude, but none of that has ever mattered to her best friend, James Ryburn, the Duchy of Ashbrook.  They have grown up together after her father dies at a young age, and have grown to love each other almost as brother and sister.  But James' father will force James to marry Theodora, for if not, they will lose everything.

Things are wonderful for a day or two, until Theodora learns the truth behind their marriage and is heartbroken.  This is where the book really begins.  I am not going to give ANYTHING away, only because I LOVE where the story takes us, and I hate to ruin the surprise for anyone who hasn't read the book yet.  But let's just say...I think I fell harder for the new James and the old James.  If you thought he was a bad-boy before...hee hee.

Theodora had no chance, with the old James or the new...her heart was his and he was going to take advantage of that fact, and he did.  I loved Theo, she was funny, crass, honest and she had style and flair...A true heroine.

Eloise James knows how to write historical and knows how to bring the romance and emotion to each and every page, especially with her Fairy Tales Series.  This was the first in the series that I have read, but it won't be my last. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone in need of a beautiful Ugly Duckling story, because we all know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Giveaway

A Tasty Read just so happens to have a paperback copy of The Ugly Duchess up for grabs...so if you would like to enter to win, please share with me your Favorite Fairy Tale and make sure to leave a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS.  If you don't leave an email you will not be entered.  (Winner will be announced on Friday)

Congratulations to Hallhome@hotmail.com... You are the winner of The Ugly Duchess Giveaway!!  I will contact you today to get your mailing information.  Thank you to ALL of you who entered!! 

Assassins Are At It Again

Empty Net
Assassins #3
Toni Aleo
Released Sept 3rd, 2012
353 Pages
Kindle Publishing
Source: Gifted by Author


Definition of an Empty Net: When a team pulls the goalie for an extra attacker, desperately seeking a goal.



Audrey Parker was in a horrible place.
She hated her job, her sister was getting married and moving out, but worst of all, she was in love with a total jerk. No matter what she did, every guy she met hurt her. All she wanted was her happily ever after. Her Prince Charming. Her Lucas Brooks! She didn’t know how to change her life but she knew she needed too.  Feeling like she was about to hit rock bottom, Audrey wakes up next to Tate Odder.

Tate Odder had lost everything.
After being brought up from the Assassins’ farm team, the Florida Rays to the Nashville Assassins, Tate hopes he’ll forget everything he has lost. He doesn’t. Each day gets harder to live in a place he doesn’t know. Even being the first rookie goalie to shut out an opposing team three times during the Lord Stanley Cup Finals, he still felt Tempty. With the loss of his parents and sister still heavy on his heart, Tate isn’t sure how to live like everything is okay.

But when he wakes up beside Audrey Parker, things start to change. She turns his life upside down with her kooky sense of humor and her bright clothing. She is intelligent and beautiful, and for once, he doesn’t feel empty.

Will Audrey be the person to fill the holes in Tate’s heart, making him whole again?
Or will another player ruin everything, leaving him feeling forever like an empty net?

With Toni Aleo we are never disappointed!!  Empty Net is another fun, sexy, slightly tragic romance where we find two lovers battling for a chance at true love. 

I enjoyed the romance between Audrey and Tate, even through sometimes I wanted to smack Audrey for being such a push-over when it came to dating horrible men.  But like your own girlfriends...you can only tell them so many times until they have to make up their own minds about the men they are dating.  That's who Audrey felt like, one of my girlfriends who kept dating complete losers. Until Tate.

Tate was adorable, very sensitive, slightly broken, but adorable.  I think he is my favorite hero of Toni Aleo's Assassins Series.  He is kind, generous, and head over heels for Audrey, but he doesn't push her to be more than friends...since that is what she continues to remind herself.

There were a few moments where the same issues kept arising, but once you got passed that, the romance was quite a roller coaster ride...I say "hold on to your hats ladies...it's going to be a bumpy ride."

I am very intrigued by what will come next, I believe we are left with quite the cliffhanger at the end of Empty Net and I can't wait to see what Toni has planned for Piper and her hero who is yet to be named!!

This is a fun series, especially if you like sexy hockey players and the women who have them falling to their knees.  I recommend Toni's Assassin's Series and I hope you all enjoy Empty Net.


http://www.amazon.com/Empty-Net-Assassins-ebook/dp/B0095CUXO2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347284053&sr=8-1&keywords=empty+net

Meet the DeMarco Men and Giveaway

Soft Sounds of Pleasure
DeMarco Men #1
Eden Connor
Released June 9th, 2012
202 Pages
E-Book
Silver Publishing
Source: Gifted by Author

Don't let the cover fool you...this is a book about a widow, Lila Walker trying to find a place for herself in a world without her husband and son.  One has passed and one is away fighting for his country, and she is alone for the first time in years, and maybe a bit lost.

Then in walks Colton DeMarco, who has been in love/lust with Lila for the last ten years, not that he'd ever make a move on a married woman.  Until one afternoon when he walks up on her sunbathing nude in her backyard and one thing leads to another. 

Turns out that Colton is interested in making more of their relationship than just sex, but Lila isn't even sure she can continue with what little she is willing to offer him.  She is older than him, has some money issues and doesn't want to be involved in any rumors that might get back to certain family members. 

Will Lila let her heart be captured by one of the handsome DeMarco brothers, or will she live the rest of her life regretting letting him go?

This was a nice beginning to a new series from Eden Connor.  The story was a bit different from your usual romance, and the sex was very steamy.  The heroine was a bit older than the hero, and had recently lost her husband.  She was a true characterization of any newly widowed woman trying not to lose her heart again, especially to a younger man who probably deserves to be with a woman who can give him everything out of a marriage that she cannot offer him.

Colton was a great hero, strong-minded, stubborn and sexy, sexy, sexy!!  I loved his determination in showing Lila that things could work out for them, that she could love again, and he was going to be the man to claim her heart.  Who doesn't love those qualities in a hero?

This was an enjoyable book, and I look forward to reading about the other two DeMarco brothers, especially Daniel, who is the hero in the upcoming, Wildly Inappropriate, releasing September 8th. 

 

 

In honor of her new release, Eden is Giving Away an E-BOOK Copy of Soft Sounds of Pleasure to ONE LUCKY WINNER!!  To enter, please leave a comment sharing with us your favorite romance series featuring Handsome, Sexy Brothers, and a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS...please...you will not be entered if you do not leave an email address.  Giveaway ends on Sunday, Sept 9th.

 

Good luck and Happy Reading!!

New Trilogy to Watch

When Lightning Strikes
Whiskey Creek #1
Brenda Novak
Released Aug 28th, 2012
448 Pages
Harlequin MIRA
Source: NetGalley

I know that I haven't reviewed When We Touch yet, which is the novella that introduced us to the new Whiskey Creek Series from Brenda Novak, but I am skipping ahead because I am LOVING this series so much that I wanted to tell all of you about it.  (BTW...When We Touch is FREE, so get started on the series now)

This is a new Small-Town series revolving around a group of friends that remain close years after high school.  Some moved away and come back for visits, and some have made their lives in Whiskey Creek.  When Lightning Strikes features Gail DeMarco, owner of Big Hit PR services in LA, or used to be owner, but after losing her biggest client, Simon O'Neal, hottest male lead in the business, she might have to close her business for good. 

Simon O'Neal has been on a downward spiral since his divorce and not being able to see his son has put him at the edge.  Gail realizes that someone needs to help Simon get his reputation back together and it just so happens to be her.  But with a fake marriage and a real connection, what will happen when Simon begins to get his life together?  Will he find himself truly in love with the one person who stood by him, or will he go back to his foolish ways?  Oh Simon...how I love a battered, broody hero. 

This book was GREAT!!  I enjoyed the relationship between Gail and Simon and was on the edge of my seat waiting for these two to realize that what they had was true.  A little drama + A lot of sexual tension = A wonderful romance.  I couldn't have asked for more.

It was fun meeting all the secondary characters who we will be meeting along the way.  I had the pleasure of reading the next book, When Snow Falls, and I think I loved that one even more.  Ms. Novak certainly knows how to break into your chest and make you care for these characters...and I agree...Dylan Amos is one AWESOME Hero.  Sorry, you will have to wait, but not too long.

So get When Lightning Strikes, get to know the folks in Whiskey Creek and maybe stay awhile!!

Enjoy and Happy Reading!!

http://www.amazon.com/When-Touch-Whiskey-Creek-ebook/dp/B008JI9EHU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346854849&sr=1-1&keywords=when+we+touch

Heading to Fool's Gold for the Holidays

A Fool's Gold Christmas
Fool's Gold #10
Susan Mallery
Releasing Sept 25th, 2012
320 Pages
Harlequin HQN
Source: NetGalley

What a great end to the Stryker Family saga within Fool's Gold.  I was very curious to know what Susan had in mind for Evie and she certainly didn't let me down. 

Evie Stryker, baby of the three Stryker brother's, is forced into Fool's Gold when she is injured while performing as an NFL Cheerleader.  Evie has a lot of resentment towards her family, especially her mother, who has always treated her like an outcast, since she was conceived out of wedlock.  Evie takes a position at the local dance studio, where it is left on her shoulders to produce the annual Christmas Recital.  Since the dance studio is located above her brothers firm, she seems to run into her brother, Rafe's, best friend and business partner, Dante Jefferson, a lot. 

Dante can't stand Fool's Gold, nor can he stand the little tapping feet that dance across his ceiling everyday.  He decides to confront the teacher, and instead is struck silent by her beauty and elegance.  Dante knows that getting involved with his best friends little sister is not a good idea, but the more time he spends around her, the more time he wants.  But can he ever be what she really needs or will he be one more person in her life to disappoint her?

This was such a wonderful addition to the Fool's Gold series.  I loved Evie and Dante.  Susan Mallery sure knows how to pick the perfect mates for her heroes and heroines, and these two are a special pair.  I loved the magic of the season, the sparks that ignite when Evie and Dante are together, and the romantic ending to a beautiful story.  Dante might just be my favorite Fool's Gold hero!!

My readers know how much I adore the Fool's Gold Series, so I hope you have read them all, but I will definitely recommend this wonderful Christmas romance.

Enjoy and Happy Reading!!

I'm a FOOL FOR LOVE

Fool For Love
Cupcake Lovers #1
Beth Ciotta
Released Aug 28th, 2012
368 Pages
St. Martin's Press
Source: Gifted by Author

This was my first romance by Beth Ciotta and it will certainly not be my last.  Fool for Love has most of the things I enjoy most in my romances, a broken-hearted heroine, a over-bearing hero, a crazy cast of secondary characters and decedent desserts, how can you go wrong?

A broken-hearted, Chloe Madison comes to Sugar Creek after taking a companion/cook position with Daisy Monroe, a senior member of the Cupcake Lovers and Grandmother of Devlin Monroe, our strikingly handsome, over-bearing, bossy-pants hero.  As the oldest child in the Monroe family, Dev feels the responsibility of caring for his family, especially his Gran, who has a mile long wild streak.  Devlin doesn't trust Chloe and he isn't shy about her knowing it, but the truth is that as much as he doesn't trust her, he also wants to take off all her clothes and spend a few hours, or days, alone with her until his lust is sated.  This could be a problem.

Chloe has been dealing with controlling men all of her life, from her father to her last cheating boyfriend, Ryan.  So when it comes to Devlin Monroe, she isn't going to be a pushover, even if his kisses make her girly parts all tingly.  Between trying to keep Daisy out of trouble, keeping Dev off her pa-tooty, and trying to help the Cupcake lovers out-smart their current president, Chloe has her hands full, and falling in love with Dev is something she is trying to avoid. 

Chloe and Dev have the kind of chemistry that will keep you turning page after page just to see what will happen next. 

We also get a sneak peak of what is to come in the cupcake lovers series.  We have Rocky, Dev's sister and two men who could steal her heart, then we have sexy, little brother Luke and womanizing, cousin Nash, who could have their own romances coming. I can't wait to find out who is next to fall in love in Sugar Creek.

I would definitely recommend Fool for Love to anyone who loves a sweet, small town romance.  If you enjoyed Hope Ramsay's Last Chance series, you will love Fool for Love. 

Enjoy and Happy Reading!!