Feature & Giveaway: Forever's Contemporary Romance Blog Tour

Title: With This Kiss

Series: Emerald Lake #2

Author: Bella Riley | Website

Available: 3/1/12

Despite such a close friendship, Rebecca Campbell never saw fireworks with her fiancé. Now with a broken engagement behind her and a promise she has vowed to keep, Rebecca is determined to make a new life for herself in Emerald Lake – a quaint town in the breathtaking Adirondack Mountains.

When Sean Murphy heads home, he never expects to fall for his younger brother’s girlfriend – but that is exactly what has happened. With a smile like sunshine and a wonderful heart, Sean feels something he has never felt before…at home.

Neither Rebecca nor Sean anticipated the sparks to fly so quickly. Lingering secrets aside, Sean can't deny the obvious attraction and burning desire he has for Rachel. But how can he give his heart to a woman he can't trust – or can he? As the days pass and his resolve is tested, Sean begins to realize Emerald Lake is home sweet home and that it is the perfect place for falling in love.

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Title: Last Chance Beauty Queen

Series: Last Chance #3

Author: Hope Ramsay | Website

Available: 2/1/12

Gracious me, my daughter Rocky sure could use my help. I always knew she wasn’t much interested in the local boys—but who’d have thought she’d come home with English royalty. Trouble is, Hugh wants to buy some of our folks’ land. We don’t want to sell, but Rocky’s job depends on her closing the deal. And though Hugh’s obviously smitten, I’m not sure he’s right for my Rocky. After forty years with my Elbert, all I want is to see my little girl find the same. Well, always nice talking to you, and remember: the Cut ‘n’ Curl’s got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.

Add Last Chance Beauty Queen on Goodreads

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Giveaway Details:

3 sets of With This Kiss & Last Chance Beauty Queen are up for grabs courtesy of Hachette Book Group!

Open to the U.S & Canada

No P.O Boxes

Books ship directly from publisher

Winners are subject to Hachette's 1 copy per household rule

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Feature & Giveaway: Forever Contemporary Romance Blog Tour

Title: Home Sweet Home

Series: Emerald Lake #1

Author: Bella Riley | Website

Available: 10/1/2011

Synopsis via Goodreads:

What if you can go home again?

Ten years and two hundred miles. That's what separates Andi Powell from quiet, secluded Emerald Lake-and that's exactly how she likes it. But now her job brings her back to the hometown she's tried so hard to forget . . . and to Nate Duncan, the man she's never been able to.

Nate once looked at Andi with love in his eyes. But that was before she left him in the dust to pursue her big-city dreams. Now he's the town's ruggedly handsome mayor with the power to break Andi's career like she broke his heart. As the two clash over the future of Emerald Lake, the sparks that fly between them rekindle a passion neither of them can deny.

Andi may have left town looking for the life she thought she wanted. But could everything she needs have been in Emerald Lake all along?

Title: Home at Last Chance

Series: Last Chance #2

Author: Hope Ramsay | Website

Available: 9/1/2011

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Dear Reader,

You won't believe what's happened. My son Tulane has come back home! You remember Tulane? He'd set out to find fame and fortune in the big, wide world outside of Last Chance, and I'm mighty proud. But that's not the half of it-Tulane isn't only back, he's brought a young lady with him.

Now Sarah-she does PR for Tulane's stock-car team-she's from Boston, but she's just about the sweetest girl you could meet. I think she's meant to keep Tulane out of trouble after that story in the papers, but he doesn't want to talk about it. Anyhow, the Ladies Auxiliary can't wait to start matchmaking and introduce Sarah to our Reverend Ellis. But mark my words, Sarah is tired of being a good girl. And no one is better at breaking the rules and raising Cain than my son . . .

Listen to me going on and keeping customeres waiting. I best get back to work, but you come round again. The Cut 'n' Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon,

Ruby Rhodes

Giveaway:

3 sets of Home Sweet Home & Home at Last Chance are up for grabs! Thanks Hachette Book Group!

Open to residents of the U.S & Canada

No P.O Boxes please

Leave a comment with a way to contact you to enter

+1 for tweeting about the giveaway (leave a link)

Ends 10/16

Review & Giveaway - Forever Texas Blog Tour

Title: Heartstrings and Diamond Rings
Series: No
Author: Jane Graves | Website
Available: 9/27
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reading Level: Adult










Description from Goodreads:


HE'S THE MAN OF HER DREAMS . . . 

In a world full of frogs, Alison Carter is determined to find her prince. Maybe her dating past is more Titanic than Love Boat, but she's seen enough happy marriages to know that true love is possible. No matter what, she won't give up on happily-ever-after. If she can't find Mr. Right, she'll simply hire someone who can. 

SHE JUST DOESN'T KNOW IT YET 

When Brandon Scott inherits a successful matchmaking business, he thinks his prayers have been answered. Set up a few lonely ladies, collect the fee, how hard can it be? No one needs to know he's not really a professional matchmaker-especially not his first client, the beautiful, spirited Alison. Soon he's falling for her-and her dreams of kids and carpools. But Alison is getting close to figuring out his secret, and if she learns he's deceived her too, she'll walk right out the door, taking Brandon's heart with her.


My thoughts:


Heartstrings and Diamond Rings was such a cute book! While I did find Alison’s desperation to meet Mr. Right made me slightly uncomfortable at times, the crazy dates she went on over the course of the book had me laughing out loud despite the uncomfortable moments. Brandon played the role of hunky love interest perfectly. I loved how much chemistry they had. I did really like Alison, but at times she was a little overwhelming. She was just so hard on herself. When she finally relaxed and we got a glimpse of the real Alison, I quickly discovered what an amazing and genuine character she is. Bonus points for Alison owning multiple cats even though I discovered in this novel I’ve reached the quantity of cats that classify me as “crazy” ;)

This novel also stars a fab cast of secondary characters. I especially loved Alison’s dad, Charlie. The interaction between the two was so sweet and heartwarming. I really loved all the quirky characters in Alison’s life. It had that small town, close knit vibe I just can’t get enough of.

The dialogue in Heartstrings and Diamond Rings was so much fun. I adore Jane Graves’s sense of humor and how it shines in her novels. This is only the second book of hers I have read, and it will definitely not be the last.

Cover thoughts: Alison was especially obsessed with the size of her derrière. It would have been nice to see a cover model with a little more junk in the trunk. Just saying ;)

My Rating:

Title: Don't Mess With Texas
Series: Debut!
Author: Christie Craig | Website
Available: Now
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reading Level: Adult












Description from Goodreads:


Nikki Hunt thought her night couldn't get worse when her no-good, cheating ex ditched her at dinner, sticking her with the bill. Then she found his body stuffed in the trunk of her car and lost her two-hundred-dollar meal all over his three-thousand-dollar suit. Now not only is Nikki nearly broke, she's a murder suspect.

Former cop turned PI, Dallas O'Connor knows what it's like to be unjustly accused. But one look at the sexy-though skittish-suspect tells him she couldn't hurt anyone. The lead detective, Dallas's own brother, has the wrong woman and Dallas hopes a little late-night "undercover" work will help him prove it . . .

My thoughts:

Loved it! Don’t Mess With Texas was my first Christie Craig adult novel. I read the first book in her YA series, Born at Midnight, and found I loved the style of writing she displayed. I was eager to check out some of her romance novels aimed at adults. 

Don’t Mess With Texas showcases a perfect combination of humor, wit, and tender moments that actually had me in tears. The POV shifts between numerous characters. While the primary focus is on Dallas and Nikki, we also get to know Dallas’s brother who is trying to win back his wife. Their story will break your heart. Then there is Nikki’s grandmother. I love books with eccentric old folks! I knew she was my kind of character from the moment she showed up in her Annie Oakley costume.

Dallas and Nikki’s relationship actually starts when she barfs on him in a parking lot after she discovers her ex-husband’s body in her trunk. The craziness doesn’t stop there. This novel was so not like any other romance I’ve ever read. How could I not love it? Dallas was smoking hot and Nikki was so sweet, but a little naïve. At times I couldn’t understand why she wasn’t more upset about what was happening to her. It isn’t everyday she was accused of murder. I think that was just part of her personality though. She is the kind of character who worries more about other people than herself. I really liked both of them and the chemistry was sizzling!

This was a fantastic series debut. The character development was some of the best I’ve ever seen and the plot progressed at a nicely moving pace. I’m always impressed when an author can introduce us to so many characters and still produce a book that doesn’t feel overwhelming and manage to wrap up all the loose ends. Christie Craig did just that. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

Giveaway Details:

I have 3 sets of Heartstrings and Diamond Rings & Don't Mess With Texas up for grabs courtesy of Hachette.

Open to residents of the U.S & Canada

No P.O Boxes please

Leave a comment with a way to contact you to enter (email, Twitter, etc.)
+1 for tweeting - leave a link :)

Ends 10/10

ARC Review: Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith

Title: Back When You Were Easier to Love
Author: Emily Wing Smith
Available: Now
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary












Description from Goodreads:


What's worse than getting dumped? Not even knowing if you've been dumped. Joy got no goodbye, and certainly no explanation when Zan—the love of her life and the only good thing about stifling, backward Haven, Utah—unceremoniously and unexpectedly left for college a year early. Joy needs closure almost as much as she needs Zan, so she heads for California, and Zan, riding shotgun beside Zan's former-best-friend Noah.

Original and insightful, quirky and crushing, Joy's story is told in surprising and artfully shifting flashbacks between her life then and now. Exquisite craft and wry, relatable humor signal the arrival of Emily Wing Smith as a breakout talent.

My thoughts:

Back When You Were Easier to Love follows Joy's quest for closure. Her boyfriend Zan has left their small Mormon community to attend college in California. Joy places blame on the lame kids in her school because Zahn was so different. More mature, intelligent, good looking. You name it Zahn was better. Of course he’d have no choice but to leave for bigger and better things. This has her heading out on a road trip with Zahn's best friend with the hope she can find the closure she so desperately needs.

This is the story of a girl in love with a boy who might not be as perfect as she thinks. Unfortunately, main character Joy's whining and woe is me attitude took up a huge chunk of the book. While I enjoyed the premise and the look at the life of a Mormon teen, I couldn't bring myself to care about Joy or her cause. By the time Joy had started to look at life in a different light there wasn't enough book left for my opinion of her to change. Her love for Zan was borderline obsessive and caused her to treat many of her classmates like they were second rate. Sure didn’t win her any cool points with me. There were also several interesting secondary characters I didn't get to know as well as I would have liked. Joy seemed to have a great group of friends who stuck with her even when she wasn’t being such a great friend.

The book did contain solid writing and I love when a story takes readers on a road trip. I would have given it a 4 star rating if the characters had just contained more depth and developed more as the plot progressed. Even an extra 20 pages might have given Joy time to get on my good side. While I didn’t feel the love for Joy this is still a cute read with a pretty good ending.

Also wanted to note this is a pretty clean read. Some references to co-ed dorm’s and possible shenanigans resulting from the living arrangement. Also an innocent smooch or two. I’d consider this safe for even younger teens.

My Rating:

Cover thoughts: Cute, cute, cute! It is what made me want to read this book.

Source:

Around the World Tours

Feature & Giveaway: Double Trouble Blog Tour with Katie Lane

Title: Going Cowboy Crazy

Series: Deep in the Heart of Texas #1

Author: Katie Lane

Available: Now

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Faith Aldridge wants answers. Bramble, Texas is the only place she can find them . . . as well as Hope, the identical twin sister she never knew she had. But the townsfolk reckon that shy city-girl Faith is really her long-lost sister Hope, back in Bramble at last. And they're fixin' to do whatever it takes to heat things up between her and Hope's long-time flame, Slate Calhoun. If that means rustling her car, spreading rumors like wildfire, and reining in some explosive secrets, well, there's no way like the Lone Star way . . . But Slate's no fool. The woman in his truck may look like Hope, yet the way she feels in his arms is altogether new. He's determined to keep this twin in his bed and out of his heart. Trouble is, the real Hope is headed home, and she's got her own designs on Slate. If Faith wants to avoid heartbreak, she'll have to show a certain ruggedly handsome cowboy that this crazy-impossible love is worth fighting for.

 Title: Make Mine a Bad Boy

Series: Deep in the Heart of Texas #2

Author: Katie Lane

Available: 6/01/2011

  

THERE'S A NEW BRIDE IN TOWN!

Hope Scroggs is finally ready to get hitched. After years of sowing her wild oats, the former head cheerleader and homecoming queen has returned to Bramble, Texas, to marry her high school flame. But her perfect wedding plans are stomped to smithereens when her adoring cowboy two-steps down the aisle with someone else. Now Hope is stuck with the one man from her past she can't shake: Colt Lomax, an irresistible bad boy whose sultry kisses are hotter than the Panhandle in August . . . 

Colt lives for freedom and the open road; he never gets attached, never looks back. Still, he can't forget the night of passion he once shared with Bramble's sweetheart--a night he wouldn't mind repeating. So, he piles on the Texas charm to tease the feisty beauty back into his bed, while she tries her darnedest to resist. But something unexpected is about to tie their fates together . . . and oh, baby, will it ever!

Katie Lane on the web:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Extras:

Five Fun Facts

Article: Going Cowboy Crazy Twins

Giveaway!

3 sets of Going Cowboy Crazy and Make Mine a Bad Boy are up for grabs!

Rules:

Open to residents of the U.S & Canada

No P.O Boxes please :)

Books ship directly from publisher

Winners are subject to the one copy per household rule

Please fill out the form to enter

Comments are appreciated, but will not count as an entry

Ends 5/27

Review & Giveaway: The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis

Title: The Sweetest Thing
Series: Lucky Harbor #2
Author: Jill Shalvis
Available: Now
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance


*Possible Spoilers for the first book in this series*








Description from Goodreads:


Two Men Are One Too Many . . .

Tara has a thousand good reasons not to return to the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. Yet with her life doing a major crash-and-burn, anywhere away from her unfulfilled dreams and sexy ex-husband will do. As Tara helps her two sisters get their newly renovated inn up and running, she finally has a chance to get things under control and come up with a new plan for her life.

But a certain tanned, green-eyed sailor has his own ideas, such as keeping Tara hot, bothered . . . and in his bed. And when her ex wants Tara back, three is a crowd she can't control-especially when her deepest secret reappears out of the blue. Now Tara must confront her past and discover what she really wants. If she's lucky, she might just find that everything her heart desires is right here in Lucky Harbor.

My thoughts:

In The Sweetest Thing we head back to Lucky Harbor where Tara, Chloe, and Maddie are attempting to open the inn their mother left them. They are still struggling to feel and behave like an actual family, but really they have come so far from the three strangers we met in Simply Irresistible (read my review here).  The inn is gearing up for opening day, and Tara is continuing to pretend Ford doesn’t exist. They had a whirlwind romance years prior that left Tara with a broken heart. So now she is using extreme caution when it comes to the guy who can still make her heart skip a beat. Ford with all his sexy maleness is ignoring her leave me alone vibes and invading her personal space at every opportunity. Then the famous NASCAR star ex shows up determined to win Tara back. This has Ford realizing he might not want to lose Tara a second time, but is he ready to actually get serious about something instead of being the laid back guy with no cares in the world.


I love, love, love this series! I was anxiously awaiting this book as soon as I finished the first in the series. I adore the town of Lucky Harbor, all its quirky residents, and the romantic adventures involving the three sisters. The Sweetest Thing is Tara “The Steel Magnolia” and Ford’s story. They are both resisting the urge to try for a second chance at love thanks to a mix of fear and stubbornness. They have very little in common other than their love of cooking, but they still mesh so well. I love when couples in books balance each other so perfectly. We also see Maddie and Jax again, and they are so very happy. Chloe is continuing with her wild child ways, and the tension between her and Sawyer is escalating quickly. I can’t wait to read her story in book #3.


This book stars such wonderfully lovable characters paired with witty dialogue. This one also had a family reunion that left me teary eyed on more than one occasion. The perfect mix of humor, romance, and tear jerker moments. I love a book that can make me laugh and cry on the same page. Jill Shalvis is an author who I know I can turn to when I need a comfort read. She writes stories that leave me feeling all warm and fuzzy. I can’t get enough, and I know I’ll read this one again! If you enjoy contemporary romance you don’t want to miss out on this series.

My Rating:

Jill Shalvis on the web:

Facebook

Website

Twitter

Goodreads


Books in this series:





E-book Companion Cook Book:

I also have 3 copies of The Sweetest Thing up for grabs thanks to Hachette Book Group.

Rules:

Open to residents of the U.S & Canada

No P.O Boxes please

Winners are subject to the 1 copy per household rule

Books will be shipped directly from HBG

Ends 4/24

Please fill out the form to enter. Comments are appreciated, but will not count as an entry :)