A Kowalski Double Play

All He Ever Needed
Kowalski Family #4
Shannon Stacey
Released Sept 10th, 2012
Carina Press-Ebook
Releasing Dec 18th, 2012
HQN- Paperback
Source: NetGalley

"Men are a luxury, not a necessity."

Great mantra for Paige Sullivan to live by, if only she hadn't ever met Mitch "Never Settle-Down" Kowalski.  Mitch comes back to his hometown to help his younger brother, Josh, get the family business back together, little does he know the new owner at the town diner might just keep him coming back for more...pie...hee hee.

Unfortunately for Paige, who has finally settled down with her life, her new business and her small, but homey trailer, she finds herself falling for the one man who likes to be on the go, never owning anyone explanations.  They both agreed to a fling, but when your heart gets involved, that's when things get really complicated.

I LOVE the Kowalski Family and all the books in the series so far, but I think for me, Mitch takes the cake.  I loved the dialogue between Mitch and Paige, I loved the start of their affair and I LOVED the end.  Paige and Mitch are what romance novels are all about. 

This is a NEED-TO-READ for all my Tasty Readers, as well as, the rest of the Kowalski Family Series. 

All He Ever Desired
Kowalski Family#5
Shannon Stacey
Releasing Nov 19th, 2012
Carina Press- Ebook
Releasing Feb 26th, 2013
HQN- Paperback
Source: NetGalley

Ryan Kowalski is back in town, and trying his best to stop running into the one woman that he always wanted and never had, Lauren Carpenter.  Lauren can't forget that "what-if" moment in her life with Ryan years ago, but now she may have a second chance with him and she plans to take full advantage.  But for two people who's lives are so far apart, can a romance work between them, or will they just crash and burn?

The fifth book in the Kowalski Series was so much fun!  Not only did we have a steamy, sexy romance brewing between Ryan and Lauren, but we got to see all our old Kowalski relatives.  And what I still want to know is, "What is going to happen between a certain couple that disappeared during a certain event at the lodge?"  I hope Shannon doesn't keep me waiting too long to find out!!

These Kowalski brothers just can't get it together...and I can only imagine what a trip baby-brother, Josh will be in the next installment, All He Ever Dreamed.  I really enjoyed the romance between Ryan and Lauren and all the "real-issues" they had to face, with ex-husbands and sixteen year-old sons, that might have been my favorite part.  I really liked Nick, and I thought Shannon did an excellent job with portraying a sixteen year-old, and the trouble that they can get into when dealing with their issues.

This was another fun, sexy, romantic read and I hope with all hope that Shannon continues to write more of the Kowalski Family, cause I sure do love them!!

Make sure this Upcoming Release is on your Pre-Order list!!

SPARKLING NEW RELEASE

Secrets of the Fog
Immortals in Alameda Series
Jaye Shields
Released Oct 29th, 2012
173 Pages
Crimson Romance
Source: Gifted by Author

Jaye Shields brings us another Paranormal Romance that reaches to the furthest corners of our imagination and introduces us to some half-naked Knights!

Blurb

When the dryad Tera’s friends inform her that the portal on Alcatraz Island is buzzing with an arrival, she thinks her goddess mother has come to visit. When Tera arrives at the portal to welcome her, she doesn’t find her mother, she finds a gigantic otherworldly warrior causing mass destruction among the San Francisco tourists. Being a forest dryad born from the Goddess of the Hunt has its perks, and kicking ass is one of them.

Sabin is six-feet-six of hard-bodied soldier, used to subduing demons twice his size. One day after chasing an elusive smoke demon through a portal into the human realm, Sabin is brought to his knees by a beautiful woman, literally. After arriving at a pier full of dead bodies, Tera issues a passionate smack-down before Sabin can explain that he’s the good guy.

He’s just in time: an an ancient grudge has come to life. Eris, the Goddess of Chaos, has held a bitter hatred for Tera’s mother, Artemis, for over 400 years – and now she’s ready to destroy all dryads – including Tera.

If Secrets of the Fog is Jaye Shields baby, then call me Auntie Lisa.  I can't express how proud I am to see Jaye's first Paranormal Romance finally published, and knowing that her fans are going to enjoy the story makes it all the more satisfying.  Tera, Sabin and the whole Alameda crew have come a long way and I can't wait to hear what all of you think!

Secrets of the Fog follows along Tera on a journey of not only self-discovery, but of falling in love...and falling into bed with a very sexy, very seductive Knight of the Fog, Sabin.  Sabin, following a smoke demon into the human realm, practically falls into Tera's arms, or into her fist, depending on who is telling the story.  With these two, it is love at first, or maybe second sight, but the connection throws both of them for a loop. 

Aside from working together, along with Sparrow, The Knights and a few Wiccan's, to rid San Francisco of invading demons, Tera and Sabin are also trying to find a way to navigate these new feelings that have come between them. 

This is not your typical cookie-cutter romance.  This Paranormal Romance takes you to places that you could never have thought up on your own.  One minute you will be cheering on Tera and Sabin in battle and then waiting until they are together again, engaged in a deep kiss.  I found myself cheering for these two until the very end, I just wanted them to find a way to their Happily-Ever-After.

Within Secrets of the Fog, we get a menagerie of secondary characters which you can't help wishing they were your friends.  Many of them will make appearances in the next two books of the series, so know that it's not the end.  There are many more adventures ahead for the Immortals of Alameda.  Oh...and more half-naked Knights!!

I recommend this romance to anyone looking for something new, something fresh and something where you get to visit other realms!!  Open your imagination and give Secrets of the Fog a try!!

http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-of-the-Fog-ebook/dp/B009LQH5HU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351374298&sr=8-1&keywords=secrets+of+the+fog

From Pom Pom's to Pistols

Mafia Secret
Angie Derek
Released Oct 13th, 2012
196 Pages
Tell-Tale Publishing
Source: Gifted by Publisher

If you are looking for a romance that has the drama and flare of The Sopranos, then you have found the right book. 




Blurb

Lessa Noelle grew up never knowing she was the illegitimate daughter of a mafia king pin. After his murder, she finds herself a surprise heiress immersed in the dangerous world of organized crime with only the guidance of Marco Santo her father’s second in command to help her.

Marco searches for her father’s killer and tries to keep the realities of his life from touching her. An uneasy attraction blossoms between the two. An already dangerous situation turns volatile when a killer turns his attention to Lessa.

 

Well, HELLLLLLOOOOOO Marco Santo!!  That is how you will feel about this mysterious, dangerous, very sexy man who walks into Lessa's life, announcing that she is a mafia princess.  His job is to get her to her "father's" funeral and introduce her to her "family", who don't welcome her with open arms.  Marco has a few secrets of his own, which Lessa begins to discover, while also falling for his charms.

 

We are definitely kept in suspense, and I honestly had no idea who the killer was until the very end.  The romance between Marco and Lessa is slow forming, but when these two finally get together, it's exactly what you are hoping for from the moment Marco walks into her life.  Angie Derek gives us a very exciting, on the seat of your pants thriller with MAFIA SECRET. Takes you right into the action from the start and never lets you go.

 

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a different kind of romance, one with a little suspense, a lot of sparks and a really smokin hot hero with a dangerous side.

A Cowboy for Christmas? Yes, please!

A Cowboy for Christmas
Jubilee, Texas Series
Lori Wilde
Releasing Oct 30th, 2012
384 Pages
Avon Romance
Source: Gifted by Publisher

Can't help but love me some Rafferty Jones...oh baby!!  This book should come with a warning label, "Will Fall For Hero".

Blurb

It's Christmastime in Jubilee, Texas, but Lissette Moncrief is having a hard time celebrating . . .

Especially after she accidentally smashes her car into Rafferty Jones's pick-up truck. Yes, he's a whole lot of handsome—from the tips of his boots to the top of his Stetson. But he's no Christmas present. Lissy's not about to let herself get whisked away by his charming ways and words . . . only to watch him drive away in the end.

But what Lissy doesn't know is Rafferty's in town just to meet her—and to give her a share in a windfall that doesn't rightly belong to him. At first, he just wants to do his good deed and get out. But one look at this green-eyed beauty has him deciding to turn this into a Christmas to remember . . . making promises he's determined to keep—whether she believes in them or not.

Lori Wilde does it AGAIN!!  She always manages to grab my heart and play with it for a while, taunting and teasing, and then she gives it back whole again...I don't know if I can take it anymore.  I loved the first two books in the Jubilee, Texas series, but I think A COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS has some stiff competition for them...no pun intended...hee hee!

I simply adored this book from page one, getting sucked into Lisette Moncrief's grief and sorrow, falling in love with little Kyle and wanting to bring Jake back from the dead so that I could kill him again.  But then Rafferty Jones walks, well saunters, into her life and somehow the sun is shining again.  You will literally fall in love with Rafferty the moment he opens his mouth...he is everything Lisette needs and wants but doesn't think she can have. 

I loved this book from start to finish, wishing that it would never end.  The relationship that builds between these two is electric and I literally sat on the edge of my chair waiting for the tension to explode!! 

This is a TO-READ, as well as, the other two books in the series, THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE and THE COWBOY AND THE PRINCESS.  They will have you feeling joy and pain, will have you laughing and then crying, but isn't that what we love best about romance, the way a book can pull you so far into the story that you feel as if you are standing right there, feeling emotions right along with the characters...Lori Wilde does it to me EVERY TIME!!

Enjoy and Happy Reading!!

WHERE ARE MY KGI FANS?

Special Treat today ladies...especially for my Maya Banks/KGI Fans!  After my review of SOFTLY AT SUNRISE, make sure to keep reading for a chance to win a DIGITAL copy of this KGI Novella featuring one of Maya's most beloved couples, Rachel and Ethan Kelly, from the first KGI Book, THE DARKEST HOUR.

Softly at Sunrise
KGI #5.5
Maya Banks
Released Aug 21st, 2012
132 Pages
Digital Copy
Source: Gifted by Author

Rachel and Ethan Kelly have finally got their life back together after all the past trauma they endured.  But now Rachel is ready to go back to work teaching and the couple is planning to move into a new home behind the gates at the Kelly compound, but Ethan is still nervous about Rachel going back to work, and throw in a bundle of drama, and we have ourselves a novella about this beloved couple from THE DARKEST HOUR, the first KGI romance from Maya Banks.

I actually had to go back to THE DARKEST HOUR and re-read about Ethan and Rachel Kelly, yes another heartbreaking time...swoon!!  Those Kelly brothers are quite the protective men, especially when it comes to the woman they love. 

SOFTLY AT SUNRISE gives us a glimpse into the lives of Rachel and Ethan, how they are handling life without all the drama, well, they intended to have no more drama, but sometimes life surprises you.  The book is only a novella, so I don't want to give anything away, but for all of you KGI fans, you will by truly happy when you finish SOFTLY, you will be left light-hearted and full of smiles...I love a happily-ever-after!!

I would suggest getting your hands on a copy of THE DARKEST HOUR, if you have not yet read it, before you read SOFTLY AT SUNRISE, only because you will be more emotionally invested in Ethan and Rachel's relationship, as well as, many of the other secondary characters.  But don't let me stop you at just Ethan and Rachel's romance, you still have Sam and Sophie, Garrett and Sarah, Nathan and Shea and Rio and Grace.  So I say, if you haven't read the KGI series, get started today!!

For all my Maya and KGI fans, Maya is offering a FREE digital copy to ONE LUCKY WINNER!! 

All you have to do is name who you would choose to play Ethan and Rachel Kelly in the movie?

We need a blue-eyed Ex-Navy SEAL and a brown-eyed beauty with long strands.
 
 (If you haven't read the books, take a wild guess, that's the fun part)

Winner will be announced on Wednesday, October 24th. 

RACY RED PANTIES WEEK

A Heart's Endeavor
Mary Wehr
Releasing Nov 19th, 2012
ebook
Beachwalk Press
Source: Gifted by Publisher

There are times when it's best to allow your heart to overrule your head.

Being diagnosed with depression not only messed up Melanie Manning's life, but her marriage as well. Her husband made it very clear that he considered her "damaged goods" and he didn't have time to coddle a mentally ill wife. After his sudden death, Melanie knew she was destined to be alone. Loneliness sounded a hell of a lot better than exposing her illness to another man. Her self-esteem couldn't survive another blow.

When state trooper Jack Horan meets Melanie, the attraction is immediate. Her deep blue eyes make him weak in the knees, but those eyes also hold a hint of sadness. Jack is determined to wipe away her pain, but how can he do that when Melanie refuses to let him get close to her?

Can Melanie learn to face her fears and trust her heart in the hands of another man?

First time author, Mary Wehr shows off her writing talents with A HEART'S ENDEAVOR.  No Melanie Manning does not run a lingerie shop, but I thought this book would go well with Racy Red Panties Week because for one, Jack is an officer, and for two, he likes to tear off panties to get to the good stuff.

She threw back her head and asked innocently, "Is there a problem, officer?"
Jack narrowed his eyes. "You know damn well there’s a problem, young lady." He pushed her gently in front of him and smacked her on the ass. "That’s for teasing me." They reached the front door and he drew her to a stop. He cupped her jaw and kissed her mouth. "Hmm, you taste like vanilla." He licked her throat and nibbled at her ear. "All over."

I personally wasn't blown away with this romance.  I am not sure if I didn't relate to the characters because they are in their mid-forties, or because some of the language used by Jack was a slight turn-off, or it could have been the fact that Jack brings a piece of fruit into the bedroom, and that was also a turn-off for me.  I couldn't stop thinking, "What if a piece of it breaks off?" Just not my cup of tea, I guess.

As for heroines, I really liked Melanie.  Some writers take insecure heroine and tend to make them quite whiny and annoying, obsessing over and over about their flaws, but not Melanie, she made a few comments about her aging body, but never harped on it for too long, and never harped on her depression either, this I appreciate.  I hate reading a romance where the heroine is such a downer, even I wonder why the hero is with her!

Jack did make quite the handsome hero, but like I mentioned before, sometimes the things that came out of his mouth just turned me off.  I guess "spanking" or being "thrown over one's knee" doesn't do it for me, but hey...Some of you ladies might enjoy that!!

So I say, give it a shot!  We all have very different taste's in romance and what we like and don't like.  If you do decide to grab this one up, come back and let me know what you thought!

Enjoy and Happy Reading!!

RACY RED PANTIES WEEK

Bare Necessities
Brookfield Series
Lacey Wolfe
Released Oct 1st, 2012
ebook
Source: Gifted by Author

After years of bad relationships, Ava Miller is finally living life for herself and isn’t going to let anyone get in the way. Her dream is to open a lingerie shop, and she has chosen Brookfield, Wyoming as her new home, where her dreams might just come true. Once she meets the town sheriff, though, she’s suddenly involved in a flirtatious battle for the right to open her store.

Seth Hampton is the town’s sheriff, and when Ava shows up, he’s not sure what hits him. He craves her, yet he can’t stand to allow that type of shop to open in his small town. However, he isn’t alone. Someone else wants Ava to leave town. Things take a turn when her shop is vandalized, and all evidence points to Seth.

Ava isn’t sure what to think. While Seth seems to be the only one with motives, something inside her believes he would never do it. Can Ava and Seth figure it out before one of them gets hurt?

BARE NECESSITIES, the newest release from author Lacey Wolfe, takes us back to Brookfield, Wyoming, for another romance and maybe a little trouble.  This time we meet Julie's cousin, Ava, a hot-tempered Italian who comes head to head with the town's Sheriff over the opening of her new store called, Bare Necessities.  Let's just say that these two don't agree on anything, except maybe their mutual attraction to one another.

Ok, I did like the storyline of this romance, and I did enjoy the build-up in suspense, as well as, the build-up of sexual tension, BUT...It was missing something.  I think it had to do with the fact that the first time they meet feels a bit rushed, and then they have a few awkward moments together, and then they are "in love".  I didn't feel as if they had gotten a chance to really get to know each other.  Could just be me, every reader is different, but I like when the hero and heroine have a few choice meetings before he insults her...haha...nice going Officer!

There were some great scene's between Ava and Seth that had me cracking up, when that fiery Italian temper came lashing out,

"Listen here, you're not going to stop me from opening my shop. It isn't against the law. There will always be prude people, but I never expected you to be one of them. My store isn't just dildos and vibrators. It's mainly going to be sleepwear for women and, yes, lingerie. Do you have a problem with pretty panties?"
He was still taking quick glimpses at the pair she wore.
"It looks like you like the ones I'm wearing. You keep looking at them. Should I take them off?" Her finger lingered at the top.
Seth's Adam's apple bounced. She could see she might have taken it a bit too far, but she enjoyed pushing this man's buttons.
"No, leave them on." He managed to spit out.
She stepped closer and let her fingers dance along the edges of the lace. "What's the matter, officer? Do I make you nervous?" she whispered. 

I always enjoy Lacey's romances, so I was a bit sad that this one didn't hold my absolute attention, but I would still recommend it to all my Tasty Readers, especially if you are enjoying the Racy Red Panties Romances this week.  Come back and let me know what you think!! 

Enjoy and Happy Reading!!

RACY RED PANTIES WEEK

Return to You
Laurel Heights #3
Kate Perry
Published April 15th, 2012
197 Pages
Kindle Edition
Source: Reviewer Purchased

That rat bastard Michael Wallace is back.

The last person Olivia Parker expects to walk into her lingerie shop is her high school sweetheart. She's so over him. Mostly. Except that he's hotter than ever and still knows her better than she knows herself. But how can she risk her heart when she knows he's just going to leave again?

It's a simple plan: return home, shoot the movie, and leave emancipated from the contract he signed eleven years before. But Michael's plan gets blown away the moment he sees Olivia again. Smart, sexy, and successful, Olivia is distraction personified. Only worse than that—Michael fears Olivia may be his heart and soul…

RETURN TO YOU was a kindle-freebie that I picked up a while back and ran across this weekend.  Funny enough, I was reading a bunch of books where the heroine owned a lingerie shop, and this one fit the bill for my Racy Red Panties Week. 

From the first page I was invested in Olivia and Michael, their past, their present and their future, if they even had one together.  There was a lot of pain and mistrust on Olivia's end, and a lot of regret on Michael's, but the attraction was still burning as strong as ever, maybe even stronger.

She jumped. "What are you doing?"
Snaring a g-string from behind her, he dangled it from the tip of his index finger. "Do you wear stuff like this?"
She grabbed the scrap of lace from him. "Don't touch my underwear."
His gaze dropped to her lips. An irrational need to see how badly he could smear her dark lipstick spurred him on. "You didn't used to mind."
"My standards were lower then."
"Ouch."

There is also a secondary romance between Olivia's father, and his assistant, which I found to be endearing and fun to read.  I liked that we get to meet some characters from previous books and future books, but they don't takeover the story, they are just there as supporting characters, but you are also intrigued enough to want to pick up their romances to find out what might have happened or what might be happening, especially with Gwen and Rick.

To be honest, I plowed through about fifty percent of this story until it dies down a bit.  I am not sure if I would have liked a bit more information about the movie that Parker and Michael were filming, a bit more of Parker and Lanie's romance, or a bit more about Olivia and Michael, and the progress of their romance.  I felt a bit rushed towards the end, and felt slightly lost, but still the story went on.  I think the "black moment" could have used some work, or at least the few scenes leading up to it, but the story went on and I did enjoy where it took us.

This was a very cute read and I would recommend this book and the rest of the series to all my Tasty Readers.  I now have Kate Perry on my Authors to watch list and I hope to see much more from her in the future.

Hope you are enjoying Racy Red Panties Week....and if you have a romance that involves a lingerie shop...share with us...who doesn't love a Racy Romance!

Enjoy and Happy Reading!!

RACY RED PANTIES WEEK

Longing For Love
The McCarthy's of Gansett Island #7
Marie Force
Released Oct 2nd, 2012
368 Pages
HTJB, Inc.
Source: Purchased by Reviewer


Marie brings Naughty to Gansett Island!!

Series favorite Tiffany Sturgil steals the spotlight in Longing for Love as her new boutique Naughty & Nice opens in downtown Gansett, right in time for the annual spring Race Week festivities. Finally divorced and ready for a new beginning, Tiffany wonders if sexy Police Chief Blaine Taylor thinks of her as often as she thinks of him since their explosive encounter last fall.

Back then he directed her to call him the second she was officially divorced, but the opening of her store and her unconventional advertising "campaign" have put the island's lingerie queen at odds with the town's top cop. Despite their clashes, when these two finally get together after months of steamy build up, readers will need to keep a fire extinguisher close at hand!

 
I for one was THRILLED when Marie announced that Tiffany was going to get her own book.  I had been sayin that Tiffany needed a good "Schtuping" since book one of the series, and she was still married then, but I didn't think she was going to be married for long.

If you are a reader of the Gansett Series, you know that in the last book, Tiffany and Blaine shared a wildly sexy encounter on her kitchen counter that set us up for what was to come when these two FINALLY got together, and boy, oh boy, Marie NEVER disappoints!!

"Is there something in particular I can show you?" She asked, glancing at him
His grin was nothing short of predatory.
"Anything in the store, that is."
"I have this friend, " he said. "About your height and size.  I'd like to get something for her.  Something special."
Playing along, Tiffany said, "Is this a new friend or an old friend?"
"Newish."
"So you don't want anything too racy."
"On the contrary.  The racier the better."
 

LONGING FOR LOVE was Naughty, Nice and Everything Right!! Marie took us to the edge of the line with some steamy hot sex scenes that will have you looking for the closest freezer! I for one, simply loved the romance between Tiffany and Blaine. He comes to find that she is someone who can stand on her own two feet and someone that he wants to stand next to, and she comes to find him to be more than just a pretty face and a oh so sexy body, (and a kinky mind), but a man that she wouldn't mind having in her life when things get tough, and he is even wild about her daughter...I know...SWOON!!

Like all the other Gansett Island romances, we also get to see what some of our other Gansett couples have been up to, and a few new romances have blossomed in LONGING.  Kara and Dan finally take the next step in their relationship (I LOVE these two), and Semus makes an announcement that not only shakes up the island but Carolines whole world.  There is much romance and a bit of kink coming to Gansett in LONGING FOR LOVE, so I say, if you are not on the Island...Get started today!! 

MAID FOR LOVE, the first book of the Gansett Series, is still FREE on Amazon, pick it up today and fall in love with the McCarthy's of Gansett Island, http://www.amazon.com/Maid-McCarthys-Gansett-Island-ebook/dp/B004YKZIGI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1350390738&sr=1-1&keywords=maid+for+love

HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY

Since the Season of Giving is upon us, the very wonderful, Marina Adair, author of the Upcoming Release, KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE, has asked A Tasty Read if she could offer a Giveaway of the book...and who doesn't LOVE Giveaway's!!

So Thank You to Marina, and to all of you who will enter this Giveaway. 

Blurb

Regan Martin stopped believing in Christmas miracles six years ago when she lost everything—her house, her job, and her impeccable reputation in the wine industry—after she fell in love with a man she had no idea was married. Then Regan gets a chance for a fresh start in the Napa Valley. With her dream job, dream home, and her daughter enrolled in a wonderful new school, she starts wondering if holiday wishes really do come true.

But she soon tumbles back down to earth when she learns that her new boss is none other than Gabe DeLuca, the scorned wife’s brother. Gabe wants nothing more than home-wrecking Regan Martin out of his life, his sister’s world, and his family’s business. Mostly, he wants the lush beauty out of his head. Yet his attempts to run her out of town have him thinking twice, especially when he sees that Regan may hold the key to tracking down his sister’s stolen start-up capital. Even worse for Gabe, Regan might just be his Christmas wish and hold the key to his heart.

To Enter:

(1) Leave a comment about your FAVORITE Holiday Tradition

(2) Leave a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS


This Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents Only.  Giveaway will run until Sunday Evening, October 14th, EST.