May 19, 2013

The Week Ahead May 20-25

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s going to be posted this week on Book Reviews & More by Kathy:

This week’s book reviews:

May 20: Close Up Magic by Michelle Garren Flye (Release Date 6/1/13)
May 21: Twerp by Mark Goldblatt (Release Date 5/28/13)
May 23: The Sweet Spot by Laura Drake (Release Date 5/28/13)
May 23: Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller (Release Date 5/28/13)

Blog Tours:

May 20: Darlene Panzera’s Recipe for Love
May 21: Jill Elaine Hughes’ Zombie, Incorporated
May 21: Lori Wilde’s One True Love
May 22: Aimee Duffy’s Never Say Never
May 23: Morrie Richfield’s Revelation
May 24: Linda Kage’s Kiss It Better

Winning Wednesdays (5/15) eBooks up for grabs are:

Trouble in the Making by Lissa Matthews
Then, Again by Karen Stivali
The South Side Tour Guide by Shelter Somerset

Click here for more info on entering the eBook contests.

This week’s Friday’s Feature is Linda Kage’s Kiss It Better cover reveal.

This week’s Saturday Spotlight is Jane Porter and contest.

Have a great week!!

***All the eBooks in this week’s Winning Wednesday giveaway have been purchased by Book Reviews & More by Kathy.***

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May 18, 2013

Saturday Series Spotlight: Anne Rainey’s Blackwater & Contest

Title: Sam’s Promise by Anne Rainey
Blackwater Series Book one
Publisher: Samhain Publishing Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Red Hots!!
Length: Novella

Summary:

This Thanksgiving comes with all the fixings…and something extra hot.

Blackwater, Book 1

Sam Jennings promised his father he’d always take care of the woman who yanked him and his four brothers out of foster care. When his adoptive mom has a near-fatal heart attack, Sam knows it’s past time to live up to his word.

As he sets out to put the Blackwater Diner back on its feet, he runs into his first snag. Waitress Julie Rose’s sweet curves and long legs are driving Sam to distraction. Even his brothers aren’t immune to her kind heart. But Sam is determined to be the only man in her bed.

Julie doesn’t regret the years she lost caring for her grandmom, but now, between business classes and her job, she’s left with very little time and energy for dating. Then there’s her policy about never getting mixed up with the boss’s son. But Sam’s hard body and wicked ideas have Julie forgetting all about annoying things like rules, and she accepts his invitation to show her all she’s been missing.

Sam is more than willing to take things slow as he teaches her all about the pleasures of the flesh. Luckily for him, Julie is a darned good student…

Product Warnings: Contains explicit language, a sexy carpenter, and extra helpings of naughty fun under the stars. Heat and increased heart rate may help burn off extra holiday calories.

Title: Vance’s Rules by Anne Rainey
Blackwater Series Book Two
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Red Hots!!
Length: Novella

Summary:

His tools, his rules…

Blackwater, Book 2

Looking at Vance Jennings now, no one would guess that the tough-as-nails building contractor once suffered a broken heart. Twelve years has blunted the pain of the breakup with his high school sweetheart, but not the memory. Until she shows up on his doorstep asking for a second chance.

One look at the sexy redhead, and Vance adds a foot or two to his rock-solid emotional barriers. No way is he letting her back into his life. But he’ll be happy to let her close enough to sample her delectable body.

Shayla Riggs is no longer the vulnerable teenager who was forced to give up her first and only love. She’s older, wiser, and determined to make things right. Except the changes in Vance throw her for a loop. He’s definitely not the sweet boy she remembers. In fact, the grown-up version lights her up hotter than a firecracker.

It takes only a kiss, a caress, to bring back the explosive passion they once shared. But if Shayla can’t find a way to break through the bitter walls around his heart, it just might destroy them both. Again.

Product Warnings: This story contains a stubborn woman intent on seduction and an alpha male with some naughty ideas of payback. Let the fireworks begin!

Title: Breaking Brodix by Anne Rainey
Blackwater Series Book Three
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Red Hots!!
Length: Novella

Summary:

She wants to get all up in his business? She’ll have to get real personal.

Blackwater, Book 3

Brodix Jennings has a head for business, but his skills are put to the test when his brothers call on him to bring the family restaurant back into the black. With the grand reopening only days away, it’ll damn near take a miracle to keep the doors from closing for good.

Reporter Sarah Greer knows exactly what Brodix needs—free publicity on the front page of the town’s only newspaper. All she wants in exchange is the Jennings brothers’ rags-to-riches story. Except none of them are talking. And Brodix, who cuts a blazing path through her body with just a smile, is the most tight-lipped of the lot.

Brodix wouldn’t think twice about seducing prissy, buttoned-up Sarah into his bed, if her lousy profession didn’t leave him cold to the bone. A second look at the bar’s books, though, makes him think twice about saying no. But if he’s going to open the floodgates, it’ll be on his terms.

When Brodix asks her out, Sarah agrees, confident she can keep personal at arm’s length from professional. Until physical attraction melts their emotional barriers…and Sarah gets way more than she bargained for.

Product Warnings: Expect an annoying ex-husband, a slightly pushy reporter, a fiercely protective hero, and some meddling family members. Of course there’s also a whole lot of naughty sex, and in numerous positions too. Possible overheating of various electronic devices could occur.

Title: Reilly’s Wildcard by Anne Rainey
Blackwater Series Book Four
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Red Hots!!
Length: Novella

Summary:

The most potent lover she’s ever had…and the morning sickness to prove it!

Blackwater, Book 4

Lucy Rice knew that a night of uninhibited passion with sex-on-a-stick Reilly Jennings would leave a lasting impression on her body. But never in a million years did she expect to see a plus sign appear on that little white stick.

Pregnant? She can’t believe her eyes. When a second test confirms it, Lucy admits the truth. She’s about to be a one-night-stand mommy. How’s that for luck?

Reilly never wanted the responsibility of fatherhood, much less tie himself to an infuriating, headstrong woman like Lucy. Still, his sense of honor won’t let him abandon his baby like his biological parents abandoned him. Yet it isn’t long before he’s captivated by the coming baby—and the mother carrying it.

Lucy is rocked with all sorts of conflicting feelings for the father of her child. Unfortunately, she’s been down that road before, and it left her a blubbering mess. Not again. No way, no how. Except Reilly seems hell-bent on keeping her close. Maybe it’s the hormones, but Lucy’s beginning to forget why that’s a bad idea…

Product Warnings: This title contains a tender and romantic man bent on proving he can be more than a good time, and a woman in serious need of the love of an honorable man.

I am giving away one eBook from the Blackwater series-WINNER’S CHOICE. Here’s how to enter the Saturday Series Spotlight contest:

You must Do TWO of the Following:

1. Sign up for e-mail updates (upper left corner). One email daily with the day’s posts.

OR:

2. Be or become a fan of Book Reviews & More by Kathy Facebook page

OR:

3. Follow me on Twitter (@BookReviewsMore)
OR:

4. Friend Book Reviews & More by Kathy on Goodreads

Make sure you have filled out the contest entry form:

5. To be eligible to enter contests on Book Reviews and More by Kathy you MUST fill out the contest entry form (found HERE). This form only needs to be filled out ONCE. Your privacy is important to me, and I will not share your information.

And don’t forget to:

6. Leave a comment on this post telling me WHICH book you would like to win by 5 PM Mountain Time Monday afternoon.

It’s that easy! The winner will be selected using random.org. I will e-mail one lucky winner the eBook of their choice in their preferred format. The winner will be posted HERE on Tuesday.

***The eBooks in this giveaway have been purchased by Book Reviews & More by Kathy.***

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Filed under Anne Rainey, Blackwater Series, Contest, Saturday Series Spotlight

May 17, 2013

Friday Feature: Guest Blog & Contest Kate Meader’s Feel the Heat

Feel the Heat by Kate Meader

Bringing a Small Town Vibe to a Big City Romance

Thanks to Book Reviews & More by Kathy for hosting me on my release tour for Feel the Heat, the first in my Chicago-set Hot in the Kitchen series about an Italian restaurant-owning family and the sexy, sizzling chefs who love them. I thought I’d chat about what readers expect when it comes to a story’s setting. It’s a well-known fact that we love small town romances: the sense of community, the quirky, nosy neighbors and family members, the local hang outs where everybody knows your name, the stranger who shows up and eventually earns the grudging respect of locals—and the love of a good man or woman. Well, I don’t write small town contemporaries but I try to bring all those heartwarming elements to my own big city tales of love, laughter, and food.

The Hot in the Kitchen series centers on the love lives of a close-knit Chicago Italian family: Lili, the loyal homebody, Cara, the seemingly perfect older sister, and their bad boy charmer of a cousin, Tad. The sense of community is strong and vibrant as these funny Italians cook, eat, and annoy the hell out of each other. But they will also fight tooth and claw to defend their own because there’s nothing more important than la famiglia. Looking for quirky, nosy family members? Then you’ll enjoy Aunt Sylvia with her inappropriate questions and less-than-subtle attempts at matchmaking. Pull up a stool at the local Irish bar, O’Casey’s Tap, where the alcohol flows and many a poor decision is made (Note to self: Don’t kiss a smokin’ hot celebrity in full view of a bar crowd with phone cameras poised for the money shot). And it all starts with a tall, dark, and handsome stranger: Jack Kilroy, British, famous, the rock star chef who has everything a man could want except the one thing he needs: a way back to his love for food and the family he left behind on his journey to superstardom. The town might be bigger but the problems are the same—(hot, sexy) people seeking connection, love, and the perfect Amatriciana sauce.

Title: Feel the Heat by Kate Meader
Hot in the Kitchen Series Book One
Publisher: Hatchette Book Group
Imprint: Forever
Genre: Contemporary,Romance
Length: 384 pages/Word count: 97,000

Summary:

IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT . . .

Photographer Lili DeLuca spends all her time managing her family’s Italian restaurant, instead of following her dream of getting an MFA. When famous British chef Jack Kilroy unexpectedly challenges her father to a cook-off, Lili decides she’s tired of playing it safe and vows to seduce the tempting Brit. But once a video of her and Jack kissing goes viral and her luscious butt starts trending on Twitter, Lili fears she’s cooked up a recipe for disaster . . .

. . . GET INTO THE BEDROOM

Jack Kilroy’s celebrity has left him feeling used and used up. While Lili’s oh-so-sexy moans when she tastes his delicious creations turn him on, he’s even more aroused by how unimpressed this beautiful, funny woman is with his fame. He knows they could be amazing together, if she could only see past his bitch fork-wielding fan base. Now, as he’s about to start a new prime time TV cooking show, can Jack convince Lili to realize her own ambitions – and turn up the heat in his kitchen?

Purchase Links: Kindle * Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Here’s an excerpt that demonstrates the family coming together to protect their own in the aftermath of a steamy kiss between Jack and Lili going video viral:

“Don’t hold back,” Jack said.

Tad gave a press-on smile, but it made no impression on those flinty eyes. “She knew what she was doing. At the top of my list is the moron who put up that video.”

Jack nodded grimly. “You and me both.”

“But that doesn’t mean I think you’re completely blameless. There’s some rumor going round the Interweb that you’ve got a new show in the hopper.”

“And?”

“And,” Tad dragged out, “after all that Hollyweird shit with your skanky soap opera chick, advertisers might be more open to a guy with a regular girl from the hood, complete with a nice TV-friendly family.” His mouth curled into a sneer. “Not that we’re especially friendly.”

Is that what people thought? More importantly, is that what Lili thought? His agent hadn’t wasted a second. “That’s a rather cynical viewpoint, and that video doesn’t exactly fit the wholesome image so beloved of advertisers.” He adjusted in the booth, the memory of her wandering hands sending all his blood rushing hellward. Nope, nothing wholesome about that.

Tad smirked. “Maybe. But it’s not going to do you any harm, is it? As long as we’re clear, if I see you gaining an advantage at Lili’s expense, you’ll be moving to the top of my list. She’s too good a person for that.”

“I would never hurt her.” Damn, all he wanted to do was protect her from all that. Keep her safe from every hater with a camera or a keyboard. Sweat trickled down the back of his neck.

He strummed the table and added, “I like her.”

A slow burn of a smile animated Tad’s face, and Jack immediately wanted to bite back his admission.

“Okay,” Tad said, a million things hinted in that single word, all of them annoying as all get out.

They were bonding. Cute.

Author Bio:

Kate Meader writes contemporary romance that serves up delicious food, to-die-for heroes, and heroines with a dash of sass. Originally from Ireland, she cut her romance reader teeth on Catherine Cookson and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Mills & Boons thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, and she’s there. She has a bachelor’s in law (useless), a master’s in history (not as useless), and another master’s in library and information science (yay, using). When not writing about men who cook and the women who drool over them, she works in an academic library. Her stories are set in her adopted home town of Chicago, a city made for food, romance, and laughter – and where she met her own sexy hero. For news, excerpts, and recipes, check out her website at http://www.katemeader.com.

Links: Email * Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Blogs

Ms. Meader’s Giveaway:

One grand prize winner will get a Feel the Heat Swag Bag containing a Supper Hero-Wonder Woman apron, a Feel the Heat tote bag, a Vespa-shaped pizza cutter, a “Grate Love” cheese grater, heart-shaped measuring spoons, a Feel the Heat fridge magnet, heart-shaped pasta, cookies, and a recipe card for goat cheese caramel gelato. Ms. Mead is also giving away smaller swag bags of assorted kitchen utensils and more!

Click HERE to see pictures of the swag and follow the rest of the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Filed under Blog Tour, Contest, Friday Feature, Guest Blog, Kate Meader

May 16, 2013

Blog Tour, Guest Blog & Contest: Kristen Bearisto’s Going After the Heart

Fun Tidbits

Thanks so much for having me!!

At the moment, I’m in the process of editing my next release. It’s a novella, something new for me and I’ve been slashing and condensing left and right. The other day it struck me how many things can change during the editing process.

So I thought it would be fun to share some of the things that changed through the process of writing and editing Going After the Heart. Then if you read it, you can let me know if you like the changes. :)

• Originally, along with the main love story of Lizzy and Gavin, the heroine and hero, there was going to be a small side story where Gavin’s father falls in love. I decided to scrap it after I met one of Gavin’s brothers. :)
• Lizzy and Gavin’s daughter’s name started out being Elizabeth, after her mother, but I changed it to Sky as a nod to my older daughter, Skylar, and the inspiration for the story. Going After the Heart is loosely based on a bad dream I had about my husband and I in the future.
• When I first wrote out notes for the story, the book was going to start with the fight where Gavin walks out. (No, I’m not giving anything away. You find out about it right in the first chapter. :) ) But I decided the actual fight didn’t matter since it had been a build up over time that makes Gavin decide to leave.
• Lizzy started out as a blond, but then I realized the heroines in my last two books were also blond. When the realization hit, I closed my eyes and started to think about all the things that made up Lizzy Bergstrum and discovered she really had black hair in a pixie cut.

Do you ever wonder what the early drafts of your favorite books looked like? Ever wonder what kind of scenes or details got cut out?

Title: Going After the Heart by Kristen Bearisto
Publisher: Self/Indie
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 234 pages

Summary:

Lizzy Bergstrum thought she finally reached a point in her life when she could honestly say she had it all. A thriving writing career. A wonderful daughter. And a marriage to the love of her life. But looks can apparently be deceiving because her husband just walked out on her and their eight year old daughter hates her.

Gavin Bergstrum can’t handle the direction his life has taken. Not only did he get laid off from his job, but his wife seems to barely remember he exists. Convinced he’s tried his best to change things, he begins to wrestle with the possibility of divorce. But he can’t think straight in the same house as Lizzy. Hating to leave his daughter, but needing time to think and come to terms with what he feels he needs to do, Gavin decides to return to his small home town in Oregon and stay at his family ranch with his father and brothers.

In shock, Lizzy gives Gavin his space. But as time passes and he doesn’t say a word about their marriage, Lizzy decides it’s past time she takes matters into her own hands. Without a word, she follows Gavin to Oregon.

Now facing a daughter who blames her for everything, an irritated husband, and a small town that feeds on the drama, Lizzy finds herself trying to figure out how to convince Gavin to give her another chance, teach her daughter it takes two to make a successful marriage, and overcome her own insecurities – all without compromising who she is.

Warnings: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

Purchase Links: Amazon * B&N * Kobo * CreateSpace * Smashwords

Excerpt

He could kill her.

At this exact moment, Gavin Bergstrum could easily reach out and gladly kill his wife of ten years. Well, almost ten years, in another two months anyway.

If she lived that long.

Gavin watched as the woman—who may or may not survive the next two months to be his spouse of ten years—pulled her Cadillac Escalade to a stop a few yards in front of him in the wide open dirt area serving as the driveway of his father’s ranch. She climbed out of the driver’s side door of the big vehicle as though she belonged there, as though there weren’t a wall of issues between them.

Despite the dark trendy shades covering what he knew were deep violet almond shaped eyes, Gavin felt the heat being aimed his way and felt a morbid satisfaction in the fact she clearly wished violence on him at the moment too.

Well, at least they still had something in common.

Author Bio:

In between her to-be-read pile and trying to bring the characters in her head alive, Kristen spends as much time as she can with family and friends. Much to her husband’s dismay, she enjoys collecting purses, shoes, and jewelry. During those rare times she’s not working at her day job, rushing her daughters somewhere, watching movies with her husband, and trying to meet a deadline, she can usually be found energetically cheering for one of her favorite New York sports teams.

As with just about every other writer on the planet, Kristen grew up an avid reader. She started with young adult before she technically hit the age range and moved on to sci-fi classics by Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. At fifteen, her best friend gave her a book she just had to read! The book was Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts. Always a sucker for a happy ending, she was a goner and fell in love with the romance genre. Having started writing novel length stories at the age of eleven, Kristen’s stories all took a romantic turn from that point on.

Connect with Kristen Beairsto: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

Giveaway

Prize is 5 eBook copies (1 each to 5 winners) of Going After the Heart from Kristen Beairsto. Contest is tour-wide and ends June 16. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. To enter today’s contest:

You must Do TWO of the Following:

1. Sign up for e-mail updates (upper left corner). One email daily with the day’s posts.

OR:

2. Be or become a fan of Book Reviews & More by Kathy Facebook page

OR:

3. Follow me on Twitter (@BookReviewsMore)
OR:

4. Friend Book Reviews & More by Kathy on Goodreads

Make sure you have filled out the contest entry form:

5. To be eligible to enter contests on Book Reviews and More by Kathy you MUST fill out the contest entry form (found HERE). This form only needs to be filled out ONCE. Your privacy is important to me, and I will not share your information.

And don’t forget to:

6. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the rest of the tour HERE.

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Filed under Blog Tour, Contest, Guest Blog, Kristen Bearisto

May 16, 2013

Review: The Rebound Girl by Tamara Morgan

Title: The Rebound Girl by Tamara Morgan
Getting Physical Series Book one
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 94,000 words
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Book one of Getting Physical

Plastic surgeon Whitney Vidra knows all about getting over a cheating ex. She followed her boyfriend halfway around the world before she found out about his infidelity. Now she’s focusing on her career and her friends, and using men just for single-serving, no-strings fun. Until she meets charming Matt Fuller.

Newly single Matt is captivated by the vibrant Whitney, in every way the opposite of his cheating ex-wife. When he confesses to Whitney that he hasn’t had sex since his divorce, she volunteers to be his rebound girl. But Matt’s not a no-commitment kind of guy–he’s either all in, or all out.

Whitney is determined to remain attachment-free, but Matt is equally determined to prove to her that what they have is more than just a rebound fling.

94,000 words

The Review:

There is very little I did not love about Tamara Morgan’s The Rebound Girl. Fabulous characters, unique plot, steamy make-out scenes and witty dialogue are a winning combination in this first romance in the Getting Physical series.

Whitney Vidra comes across a little harsh on occasion, but she is such a refreshing character that it is easy to overlook this sometimes annoying trait. She is a definitely a force to be reckoned and I like every brash, larger than life aspect of her personality. Whitney speaks her mind, she does not give a darn what other people think of her and she goes after what she wants. But there is a vulnerable side to Whitney and she goes to great lengths to protect herself from ever being hurt again.

Matt Fuller is such a sweetheart. He is a genuinely nice man with old-fashioned values. Nice does not necessarily mean pushover, and Matt stands his ground with Whitney when he needs to. However, he does have a blind spot where his ex-wife, Laura, is concerned and she does take advantage of him.

The secondary cast of characters is eclectic and I loved everyone of them. Whitney’s friends and business partners, Kendra and John, cut her some slack when she needs it but they also make her live to her business obligations. Whitney’s parents are positively delightful and I LOVED them!! Matt’s sister, Hilly, is a lot like Whitney when it comes to speaking her mind and I really enjoyed her scenes. I am crossing my fingers we see Matt’s brother, Lincoln, in a future book in the series.

The relationship between Matt and Whitney is not what readers typically find in a romance novel. It begins as a strictly no strings attached fling and the emotional connection is slow to build. Matt has definite ideas of how far he is willing to go sexually without a commitment and although Whitney continually pushes his boundaries, he does not give in.

The Rebound Girl is a fast paced and engaging romance. Tamara Morgan provides just enough conflict between Matt and Whitney to keep the story interesting. The sexual attraction between Matt and Whitney is intense and their sex scenes are incredibly sensual.

Realistic characters, a believable plot and an angst-free resolution make The Rebound Girl one of the best romances I have read in a long time. I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment in the Getting Physical series.

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Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Getting Physical Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Rebound Girl