eARC Book review: Arm Candy (Real Love #2) by Jessica Lemmon

Available Sept. 5th 2017
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

Davis: I’ve had my eye on Grace Buchanan for a while now. Unlike the bubbly blondes I usually date, the feisty, flame-haired bartender both intrigues and bewilders me. Something about Grace—the tattoos? the nose ring?—makes every part of me sit up and beg. There’s only one problem: She hates me. Trading insults and one-liners has become our M.O. But when Grace bets me that I can’t get a date with a non-blonde if my life depends on it, I’m determined to prove her wrong by landing the ultimate non-blonde: her.

Grace: I’m used to regulars hitting on me, and I’ve turned them all down, except for one: Davis Price. I like giving him a hard time, and he’s kind of cute in his suit and tie—if you’re into that kind of thing. Anyway, I don’t care how many blondes he takes home . . . until one of them sidles up to him in my bar. Nuh-uh. But after my little bet with Davis backfires, our first date lands us in the sack. So does the second. And the third. Neither of us wants more than the best sex of our lives. The trouble is, it’s not a question of what I want. It’s what I need. And what I need is Davis. 

Davis Price experienced the ultimate relationship disappointment. Left at the alter literally at the last second at a destination wedding. That could screw a guy up for life! Since then he's been serial dating and it's been 6 years. Grace Buchanan has been doing her own thing after her college degree job ate her up and spit  her out. Now she's a bartender and Davis just happens to be one of her regular customers. They seem to have a hate/hate relationship until Davis makes a dating bet. Once given a chance to know each other sparks fly between the two. It's a toss up with their messed up backgrounds who will walk out first. Grace's parents got a bitter divorce then her dad bailed on her. Davis not only had his runaway bride but his mom took off on him when his dad died. In the relationship stakes both have a lot working against them.  If only they can be brave. I loved this couple. Individually and together.  In the beginning i thought maybe Davis was going to be an ass and the flake in the relationship but he was a pleasant surprise.  All i can say is this is a must read book. The emotional stuff is gripping and the sexy scenes are hot. The slow but steady pace will suck you right in and deliver you to a fast and emotional ending.


Find out more about this series and author Jessica Lemmon here www.jessicalemmon.com

eARC Book review: The Cowboy's Second-Chance Family (Return to Stonerock) by Jules Bennett

Available Sept 1st 2017
eARC Provided by author for review

Finding love twice in a lifetime 

When Lucy Brooks lost her husband, her dreams of a family went with him. Now her life is a busy balance of friends, work and the demands of her small ranch. When she meets handsome, brooding Noah Spencer, she recognizes the grief in his penetrating eyes. And yet she can't deny the feelings—and hope—that he has reawakened within her. 

All widower Noah has in life is his little daughter and a fresh start as Stonerock's newest police officer. Right now this cowboy needs to keep his life simple and his heart guarded. Yet he can't resist the instant pull of sweet, selfless Lucy. This could be a second chance at happily-ever-after…if they can both let go of the past. 


Jules Bennett tells a story of two people dealing with the hard path that is grief. Lucy Brooks lost her husband two years ago and with two of her friends started a support group for those who are dealing with similar things. It's to help her cope and help others deal too. In walks this sexy brooding cowboy at the latest meeting and Lucy is automatically drawn to him and the pain she sees in his eyes. Que a sigh. It's definitely worthy of one. Noah Spencer is new to Stonerock and looking to start over with his adorable little girl. Seems no matter where he turns there's Lucy. His wife passed away tragically 6 months earlier and he questions if he's ready for someone else. Seems no matter what the pair do they keep being drawn back together.  I loved this story. It's one of those books you can kick back and relax and read in a evening. You get into it and before you know it you've hit the last page. The characters are all fun and awesome and you want things to work out for everyone. Both Lucy and Noah struggle to find their way back to a path in life where things can be good again. It's enjoyable to watch them figure out they need each other to do that.

Find out more about this series and Jules Bennett here www.julesbennett.com

eARC Book review: You Say It First (Happily Inc. #1) by Susan Mallery

Available August 22, 2017
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fool's Gold romances invites you to visit Happily Inc., a wedding destination founded on a fairy tale 

Sculptor Nick Mitchell grew up in a family of artists and learned from his volatile father that passion only leads to pain. As he waits on a new commission, he takes a day job as a humble carpenter at a theme wedding venue. The job has its perks—mainly the venue's captivating owner, Pallas Saunders. Although he won't let love consume him, for ecstasy with an expiration date, he's all in. 

Pallas adores Weddings in a Box. But if she can't turn the floundering business around, she'll have no choice but cave to her domineering mother and trade taffeta for trust funds working at the family's bank. Then when a desperate bride begs Pallas for something completely out of the box, her irresistible new hire inspires her. Nick knows she doesn't belong behind a desk, and she knows in her heart that he's right—where she really belongs is in his arms.

This brand new spinoff from the Fools Gold series starts with Nick Mitchell. One of several brothers we met in Fools Gold California. Nick and two of his brothers now reside in Happily Inc. California. All artists, the brothers work through family issues together but each has their own as well. Nick finds himself working for Pallas Saunders wedding business. He's there for the job of rehabbing some wooden artistic panels but ends up helping her with the creative side of her business as well. When Pallas' good friend left her Weddings in a Box in his will she has to decide if she can make a go of it or give into the pressure her mom has been putting on her to work with her at the local family bank. Both Nick and Pallas have relationship hang ups but they click immediately. The chemistry was amazing and i loved Nick right from the start. It was a toss up on which would blow the relationship first but watching them be together and support each other was fun. I think this is amazing start to this new spin off series. It's not always easy to make these spin off series work but i feel like this one is going to be a winner. One of those enjoyable reads where you practically smile as you read every page.

Find out more about Susan Mallery and this series here www.happilyinc.susanmallery.com

eARC Book review: Dirty Deeds (Dirty #1) by HelenKay Dimon

Available now
eARC Provided by the publisher through Netgalley

No dirty deed goes unnoticed in a seductive game of cat and mouse. But for Alec and Gaige, the wrong move could get them killed.

Alec Drummond didn’t make his billions by playing nice—or by playing much at all. When it comes to pleasure, Alec only has time for whatever’s quick and easy, which is exactly what he gets from his company’s hot new computer genius. But Gaige Owens isn’t some pushover. He pushes back, and it’s giving Alec a rush. The question is, could Gaige be the one who’s leaking trade secrets? Just to be safe, Alec keeps him close at hand . . . night and day.

Gaige never thought he’d roll over for a man like Alec again, but who could resist sex this mind-blowing? Then there’s the draw of Alec’s mysterious side: his cutthroat ambition, his covert CIA connections, and the murder in his past. For Gaige, a deeper look proves an irresistible temptation. But when Gaige and Alec are stripped of their defenses by an unseen danger, everything they don’t know could bring them closer together—or tear them apart. Only one thing is certain: Before it’s all over, someone’s going down.

First in a new series by Helenkay Dimon, Dirty Deeds is the first book. Alec Drummond is the oldest of three brothers and the head of his families company. A company with extremely tight security. The best, until Gaige Owens breaks in. Forced to work for together for Seth, a CIA agent, they slowly but steadily form a bond. Someone it seems is trying to kill Alec or Gaige or maybe both, while they try to find out if someone has tampered with the Global Seed Vault. From what i understand this series is a spin off from another series. I have not read that series so I'm not sure if that was a hindrance to reading this book or not. I loved the plot and most of the characters. Gaige and Alec were awesome together. Somehow with everything i did like I had a hard time getting through the book. It took way longer than it should to read. I honestly can't nail down why i had so much trouble. The relationship between the characters worked for me but the techy stuff i guess fell flat.  It was like OK OK now get back to the good stuff. In the end overall i felt indifferent about the book. I could take it or leave it. Leaves me wondering if i want to continue reading this series or not. 

Find out more about HelenKay Dimon and this series here www.helenkaydimon.com

eARC Book review: Stud by Jamie K. Schmidt

eARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley
Available now!

Terri Cooke wishes she could give Mick Wentworth a piece of her mind. The infuriating stud muffin walks into her coffee shop every morning expecting his regular order at 8:57 on the dot, without ever acknowledging Terri’s presence—except for staring at her cleavage. And yet she can’t deny that Mick Wentworth has an animal magnetism that’s stronger and richer than any espresso . . . which explains why Terri says yes when he suddenly, inexplicably asks her out.

After the morning coffee run, Mick’s day is all downhill from there. His family’s marketing firm is dysfunctional in more ways than one, so to save the business, Mick desperately needs to impress their newest client. When he learns that Terri’s a fan of their trendy product, he tries to get inside her head. It doesn’t hurt that she’s the barista he’s been lusting after for the past five months. But as things heat up with Terri, Mick finds that a little steam is just the jolt he needs to turn his whole life around.

This a new to me author. Honestly the cover kind of jumped out at me and i thought i need to read the blurb on this. So here I am! Terri Cooke had a good life a boyfriend the job she always wanted. Then her brother got sick and she lost it all to take care of him. Mick Wentworth has money and is part of a family that owns a ad agency. He seems like he's got it all. Except his family sucks.  He's trying to get his families company out of the hands of his parents and back on track when he finds out that Terri who he's been seeing at the coffee shop she's been working in. Sparks fly! You know Mick comes off as a jerk off and on in this book. You can understand why trust is hard for him once you see what his family is like. Terri had the opposite type of family. Her parents and brother loved each other and then her parents died and it was just her and her brother. He fell ill and she would do anything to care for him. Something Mick knows his family would not do for him. There's a lot of crazy stuff going on in this story but Mich and Terri sizzle on the page when they get together. If you are in the mood to try something new this is only around 200 pages and its a hot sexy read! Well worth the read.


Find out more about Jamie K Schmidt here www.jamiekschmidt.com

eARC Book review: Worth the Wait (Guthrie Brothers #2) by Lori Foster

eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

Available now!

Ready or not…love will find a way 

Single dad Hogan Guthrie is getting his life back on track, and working as the "barbecue master" at a local diner is just a temporary detour. He and restaurant owner Violet Shaw constantly butt heads…until one night they end up mingling other parts instead. Hogan thought he had the recipe for happiness all figured out. But loyal, carefree Violet is daring him to trust his impulses…and see just how sweet small-town living—and loving—can be. 

Nathan Hawley traded his SWAT team credentials for a sheriff's badge, but a gorgeous new neighbor is shaking up his orderly life. Nathan has a hunch there's more to Brooklin Sweet than meets the eye—but given her caution about getting involved, he has his work cut out for him. Still, there's something about the elusive beauty Nathan can't walk away from—and helping her come to terms with her past might pave the way to the future they both secretly long for.

Lori Foster's two book series ends with two new couples. Hogan Guthrie is Jason's brother from book one. He was just settling in to a new life with his son staying with his brother in book one. Now he's juggling a accounting job and BBQ master rib griller at a local diner. The diner is owned by Violet Shaw who is a women who can take care of herself and doesn't like to need help or accept it. The attraction is pretty instant for both of them. Hogan has some pretty big emotional barriers to get through to have anything with Violet that isn't superficial and she needs to learn how to let people help now and then. The other couple Nathan Hawley is the town sheriff and used to be on a SWAT team when a something went terribly wrong and he was left injured and a coworker killed. He still senses trouble when he meets Brooklin Sweet. Brooklin is hiding. From what is the million dollar question. You're kept guessing for a good part of the book until Nathan can win her over.  I like how the author  combined two couples into one cohesive book. They each had their own stories but were intermingled in a way that didn't take away from either couple. Colt steals the show for me. Colt is Hogan's 17 year old son and who would not want a son like him? He's thoughtful and smart and pays attention and is planning for his own future. Great story telling you are made to feel like you are a part of the story and i loved the wrap up at the end. Solid read!

Find out more about Lori Foster and this two book series here www.lorifoster.com