From the TBR Pile: September 2020

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Blog Tour: Review of A Promise Given by Michelle Cox

Book Title: A Promise Given (The Henrietta and Inspector Howard Series) by Michelle Cox
Narrated by: Jayne A Entwistle
Length: 14 hrs and 21 mins
Category: Adult Fiction (18+)
Genre: Historical Mystery
Publisher: Michelle Cox
Audiobook Release date: February, 2020
Content Rating: R: Books 1-2 do not have any sex scenes, though there is sexual reference, Books 3-5 do have explicit sex scenes (tasteful). There is periodic swearing and violence, but not a lot. There are some dark themes (though not graphic examples) of suicide, prostitution, mob involvement, rape, drinking, homosexuality.

This third book in the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series provides a delightful romp through the English countryside and back. Anxious to be married, Henrietta and Clive push forward with their wedding plans despite their family differences, made worse now by Oldrich Exley’s attempts to control the Von Harmons. When the long-awaited wedding day arrives, there is more unfolding than just Clive and Henrietta’s vows of love. Stanley and Elsie’s relationship is sorely tested by the presence of the dashing Lieutenant Harrison Barnes-Smith and by Henrietta’s friend Rose―a situation that grows increasingly dark and confused as time goes on. As Clive and Henrietta begin their honeymoon at Castle Linley, the Howards’ ancestral estate in England, they encounter a whole new host of characters, including the eccentric Lord and Lady Linley and Clive’s mysterious cousin, Wallace. When a man is murdered in the village on the night of a house party at the Castle, Wallace comes under suspicion―and Clive and Henrietta are reluctantly drawn into the case, despite Clive’s anxiety at involving his new bride and Henrietta’s distracting news from home. Delicately attempting to work together for the first time, Clive and Henrietta set out to prove Wallace’s innocence, uncovering as they do so some rather shocking truths that will shake the Linley name and estate forever.

Buy the Book:
Audible ~ Amazon.com
Chirp ~ Apple ~ Kobo ~ Google Store

My thoughts:

A Promise Given is the third book in the The Henrietta and Inspector Howard Series. At this point in the series, you really need to have read the first two books before this one. There are a lot of characters and points of view. So, reading the first two books will give you a lot more context.

Having said that, so far, this is probably my least favorite of the series. It moved a bit slow for me. The mystery doesn't show up until about halfway through the book. I felt like the book could have been shorter. This is due largely to the multiple points of view. I am not really enjoying Elsie's story-line. I did not like the path that her story took in this book at all. I found myself enjoying the book more when it focused in Henrietta and Clive.

I still do recommend this one and the series. Next up is A Veil Removed.

Meet the Narrator:

Jayne Entwistle was born in the North of England and lived in a myriad of places (Vancouver, San Francisco, Tucson, Sequim, Seattle) before landing in Los Angeles. She is an avid improviser who hitched her space-work wagon to Patrick Bristow’s company, Improvatorium, where she studied, taught, directed and performed improv. She is an award-winning audiobook narrator best known for her narration of the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley. She also received the 2015 Odyssey Honour Award for The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry and the 2016 Odyssey Award for, The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. When not inhaling books for work or pleasure, Jayne works in film, television and commercials. The biggest star she has ever worked with is Shaquille O’Neal. He is quite literally THE biggest star she has ever worked with. Ever. He’s really big!

Meet the Author:

Michelle Cox is the author of the multiple award-winning Henrietta and Inspector Howard series as well as “Novel Notes of Local Lore,” a weekly blog dedicated to Chicago’s forgotten residents. She suspects she may have once lived in the 1930s and, having yet to discover a handy time machine lying around, has resorted to writing about the era as a way of getting herself back there. Coincidentally, her books have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and many others, so she might be on to something. Unbeknownst to most, Michelle hoards board games she doesn’t have time to play and is, not surprisingly, addicted to period dramas and big band music. Also marmalade.

Connect with the Author: website ~ facebook ~twitter ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule:

Aug 31 - Bookish Paradise – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Aug 31 – Hall Ways Blog – audiobook review of A Girl Like You / giveaway
Aug 31 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of A Girl Like You / guest post / giveaway
Sep 1 – Lamon Reviews – audiobook review of A Girl Like You / giveaway
Sep 1 - Rebecca Graf on Medium - audiobook review of A Girl Like You
Sep 2 – Bookriot – audiobook review for A Child Lost / author interview / giveaway
Sep 2 - Rajiv's Reviews - audiobook review of A Girl Like You / giveaway
Sep 2 - Library of Clean Reads - audiobook review of A Girl Like You / giveaway
Sep 3 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of A Girl Like You / giveaway
Sep 3 - Amy's Booket List - audiobook review of A Girl Like You
Sep 4 - Rebecca Graf on Medium - audiobook review of A Ring of Truth Sep 4 - Rajiv's Reviews - audiobook review of A Ring of Truth / giveaway
Sep 7 – Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of A Ring of Truth / giveaway
Sep 7 – Books for Books – audiobook review of A Girl Like You
Sep 7 - Rajiv's Reviews - audiobook review of A Promise Given / giveaway
Sep 8 – Sefina Hawke's Books – series spotlight
Sep 8 - Rebecca Graf on Medium - audiobook review of A Promise Given
Sep 9 – Jazzy Book Reviews – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Sep 9 - Rajiv's Reviews - audiobook review of A Veil Removed / giveaway
Sep 9 - Library of Clean Reads - audiobook review of A Ring of Truth / giveaway
Sep 10 - Amy's Booket List - audiobook review of A Ring of Truth
Sep 10 - Rosepoint Publishing - audiobook review of A Girl Like You
Sep 11 – Books for Books – audiobook review of A Ring of Truth
Sep 11- Rebecca Graf on Medium - audiobook review of A Veil Removed
Sep 14 – Hall Ways Blog – audiobook review of A Ring of Truth / giveaway
Sep 14 – Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of A Promise Given / giveaway
Sep 14 - Rajiv's Reviews - audiobook review of A Child Lost / giveaway
Sep 15 – Olio By Marilyn – audiobook review of A Girl Like You / giveaway
Sep 15 - Rebecca Graf on Medium - audiobook review of A Child Lost
Sep 16 – Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of A Veil Removed / giveaway
Sep 16 - Library of Clean Reads - audiobook review of A Promise Given / giveaway
Sep 17 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of A Ring of Truth / giveaway
Sep 17 - Amy's Booket List - audiobook review of A Promise Given
Sep 18 - Books for Books – audiobook review of A Promise Given
Sep 18 - From the TBR Pile - audiobook review of A Girl Like You
Sep 21 - Books for Books – audiobook review of A Veil Removed
Sep 21 – Hall Ways Blog – audiobook review of A Promise Given / giveaway
Sep 22 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of A Child Lost / giveaway
Sep 22 – Olio By Marilyn – audiobook review of A Ring of Truth / giveaway
Sep 23 – Book Corner News and Reviews – audiobook review of A Veil Removed / giveaway
Sep 23 - Library of Clean Reads - audiobook review of A Veil Removed / giveaway
Sep 24 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of A Promise Given / giveaway
Sep 24 - Amy's Booket List - audiobook review of A Veil Removed
Sep 25 – Books for Books – audiobook review of A Child Lost
Sep 25 - From the TBR Pile - audiobook review of A Ring of Truth
Sep 28 – Hall Ways Blog – audiobook review of A Veil Removed / giveaway
Sep 28 - From the TBR Pile - audiobook review of A Promise Given
Sep 29 - Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of A Veil Removed / giveaway
Sep 30 – Olio By Marilyn – audiobook review of A Promise Given / giveaway
Sep 30 - Library of Clean Reads - audiobook review of A Child Lost / giveawaySep 30 - From the TBR Pile - audiobook review of A Veil Removed
Oct 1 – Olio By Marilyn – audiobook review of A Veil Removed / giveaway
Oct 1 - History from a Woman’s Perspective - audiobook review of A Girl Like You
Oct 1 - Amy's Booket List - audiobook review of A Child Lost
Oct 2 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of A Child Lost / giveaway
Oct 2 - From the TBR Pile - audiobook review of A Child Lost

Enter the Giveaway:

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Release Blitz: Internet Famous Collection

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Whether they accidentally rose to fame or staked the claim, these modern-day princes are social media royalty. We are super excited to let you know that six of the books in this collection release today! Follow the Internet famous celebs as they deal with fame, power, and the consequences of falling in love. Each story is a STANDALONE fairytale retelling with an HEA and swoon-worthy alphas. There's a little something for every book craving. All books available in Kindle Unlimited.
The Collection includes:

Sonya Jesus’ new romantic suspense, Shook. This twisted Cinderella retelling brings to life a killer obsessed by a True Crime Blogger and her internet famous crush.

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Nancy Chastain’s new friends to lovers sports romance, Beast is a page-turning Beauty and the Beast retelling like you’ve never seen before.

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MK Moore’s contemporary romance, Trolled, is a new and improved version of Snow White. Fans of steamy fairytale retellings are going to love this modern take about a celebrity gamer and his crush.

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Jade Royal's lesbian romance, Devoted, changes up The Legend of Hua Mulan. A spicy must read that defies the rules of gender identity and war.

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Cam Johns’ second chance romance, Seconds, is a dark retelling of Rapunzel that will leave you craving more from this hot celebrity chef.

💻 Order on Amazon ➳ https://amzn.to/3gjSF9y
💻 Add to Goodreads ➳ https://bit.ly/3hDP4VC

Mel Walker’s Stagefight is the sweetest combination of dance fiction and celebrity romance. This retelling of the Princess and the Pea will liven up any stage and is perfect for fans of The F List and Take the Lead.

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Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of Lethal Temptation by Kaylea Cross

by Kaylea Cross

Available Now | Rifle Creek Series, #2

Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Nook

She’s got her guard up. Detective Avery Dahl finally has her life back on track after a painful divorce. She’s not going to risk her heart again, especially to a sexy veteran with heartbreak written all over him. Due to extenuating circumstances at an upcoming family wedding, she reluctantly agrees to bring him as her fake boyfriend—and soon realizes her mistake. Because Mason is as lethal with seduction as he is with a weapon, and keeps pushing her boundaries until her carefully constructed walls begin to crumble. Her instinct is to push him away, but when a mysterious enemy targets her, Avery has a choice to make. Face it alone, or take a risk and let him in. He’s determined to get past it. After a horrific accident ended his military career, Mason Gallant has struggled to fit into the civilian world. Now that he and his buddies are opening a business together in Rifle Creek, he’s finally found his footing again. But he never counted on meeting a woman like Avery. He can’t stop thinking about her, so when she needs help, he steps up. Except posing as her boyfriend makes things even worse—because he soon realizes he wants way more than just her body. Now that he’s seen the caring, sensual woman inside the tough cop, he wants to protect her from whoever is threatening her. As the attraction between them heats up, the danger escalates. Mason must prove to her that she can trust him with her heart as well as her life—or risk losing her to the bullet of a stone-cold killer.

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My thoughts:

Lethal Temptation is the second book in the Rifle Creek series. It is the first one that I have read and it worked very well as a stand alone book. I have not read the fist book, but I really want to read Tate and Nina's story. This one is Avery and Mason's story. I really enjoyed that romance between Mason and Avery. While it was a quick romance, I felt like it was believable and they just clicked. They had great chemistry both in and out of the bedroom. There is kind of a mystery. Even though I (as the reader) knew who was targeting Avery, it was still enjoyable to watch her figure it out. I definitely recommend this one. Tala and Braxton story is next. There were hints to their relationship in this book and I can't wait for their friends to lovers story.

Excerpt:

“Avery Dahl,” she said, handing over her ID to the clerk. “Checking out Sunday.”

“Welcome, Ms. Dahl, we’re glad to have you.” The clerk typed something into his computer. “Okay, we’ve got you in the Ponderosa cabin. It’s got an incredible view of the lake from the loft bedroom.”

Avery frowned. “Cabin? No, I’m in the main lodge with the rest of my family. We’re here for the wedding—”

“I upgraded us to a luxury cabin,” Mason said, aware of her relatives watching and listening nearby.

Avery snapped her head around to gape at him. “What? Why would you—”

He settled his hands on her hips and tugged her close, aware of the eyes on them. “Nothing but the best for my lady,” he said, loud enough for the others to hear him, then dropped a kiss on her lips, which were still parted in surprise.

She tensed and sucked in a breath but he was already lifting his head and curling an arm around her to pull her into his side. It was no hardship for him to play this role, and it felt eerily natural to claim her publicly. He liked it. Maybe too much.

“How many beds does it have?” she said to the clerk.

“A king-size.”

She frowned and lowered her voice, maybe hoping her relatives wouldn’t overhear. “Is there a pullout couch? He snores.”

Mason grinned and nuzzled the hair next to her temple, breathing in the clean vanilla scent of her. “You’re gonna find out whether I do or not soon enough,” he murmured, and choked back a laugh at the tiny jab of her sharp elbow in his ribs.

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

Website: http://kayleacross.com/v2/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KayleaCrossAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kayleacross

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylea_cross_author/

Newsletter: http://kayleacross.com/v2/newsletter/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2902054.Kaylea_Cross

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2V6iyQs

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/KayleaCrossBB

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of Sunsets and Somedays by S.L. Sterling

Only on Amazon + Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited
Amazon ➝ https://amzn.to/3hSzjtL
Goodreads ➝ https://bit.ly/3e4B4SJ

Ben
I know why I lost her. I was too serious. I was too practical. I was grounded when I should’ve been dreaming about forever with Jess.

Over time, this wore on her, all her big exciting ideas and all the ways I shut them down. No wonder she handed me my ring back and left town. No wonder she hadn’t been back in ten years. No wonder she’d married someone else, leaving me with memories of sunsets at the beach and the somedays we planned for the future we’d never live.

So, I built a lift without her. My father and I opened the second division of Sunset Builders in New York, and to my surprise, I stayed busy, almost busy enough not to notice the loneliness.
While I was on a job site, my little sister booked an appointment with a woman who lived on Madison Avenue. A quick bathroom and kitchen remodel, she’d said. I should have asked more questions because when I arrived and the door opened memories came flooding back.

Jessica had returned. If I’d learned anything in her absence it was that anything worth doing was worth being done well, and anything worth having was worth fighting for. Maybe by the time the condo was done, Jessica would give me a second chance.

Jessica
All those years ago, Ben had been right to try to keep me grounded. I should’ve listened. The falls didn’t hurt as bad that way.
Instead, I wanted a bigger life in a bigger place and I never appreciated the beauty of living in a small town with a huge support system. So, I left town without so much as a goodbye chasing asilly dream. I alienated myself, moved to a strange city where I knew no one, and chased after something that took me down a dark path.

I married the man who promised me the sun, moon, and stars, but delivered blinding blows. Sometimes, I thought I’d die before I escaped the nightmare. I knew my only way out would be to run...again. This took more years than I could count. Years of me squirreling away money, and years of me hiding in the dark so that no one would see my bruised face in the light of day.

Then my grandfather died. He left me money and a gorgeous condo in New York. While my husband was away on a month-long trip, my best friend drove me to New York. My plan: to upgrade the condo, sell it, and leave my current life behind.

Little did I know when I had called contractors to get some quotes that Ben would show up on my doorstep. He swore we could make more dreams real, but this time I was the grounded one. This time, I could only see how it would never work. I’d made too many mistakes. Love was terrifying. And I never wanted to tie myself to anyone ever again.

After all, 425 Madison is the perfect place to fall in love!

Sunsets and Somedays is the 21st book in this series. Working well as a stand alone, this one was a little bit different than most of the books in the series. It follows both main characters from their HS years to the present day, instead of using flashbacks to tell about their past. I wish I could say I loved this one, but it ended up just being OK for me. I really didn't like Jessica and never warmed up to her. I didn't like the way she treated Ben. I did like Ben and was not convinced that Jessica awas the right person for him. I also would have liked to read what their make-up conversation was in the end. That was kind of skipped over. It's not a bad story, it's just not what I was hoping for. Check it out for yourself.

Excerpt
Copyright @ S.L. Sterling 2020

I slowly opened the envelope and pulled out a thick stack of papers. On top sat some beautiful images of Jessica, which I flipped through slowly, taking them in. "These are amazing pictures of you. It was nice of them to send them to you. I love this one," I said, holding up what I thought was one of the best shots of her.

"Yeah, they are great, but that isn't all they sent me," she said, the excitement building in her voice. She reached over and pulled the images off the thick pile of paperwork, producing what looked to be a contract. "Two weeks ago, they called and presented me with an enormous opportunity, and here it is! All in black and white." She squealed. "I waited to tell you until I got the paperwork."

I began reading the letter that sat on top. Words like contract, New York, California, moving. They were the ones that jumped out at me, and I felt my chest getting tight at the thought of her going away. I swallowed hard. "What does all this mean, Jessica?"

"It means they are offering me a modeling contract in the big city, Ben. It's my dream come true. I'll get to model and see the sights, and I am so excited that I wanted to share this with you in our special place."

"What did your parents say?" I asked as I sat there trying to focus and re-read the letter, but it did little good, so I started flipping through the bundle of paperwork.

"They were angry. Furious, actually," she said, picking at one of her nails.

"Are... Are you going to go?" I asked. I could feel tightness in my chest that hadn't been there before, but now that I'd asked her the question, it didn't seem to want to let up.

"Well, I thought that perhaps you would want to go with me. I'm sure my parents would feel better about it if you were with me. Plus, there is so much opportunity out there, and it would only be for a little while. I mean, the contract is only for a year. I want you to go with me."

My stomach hurt at the thought of her leaving me, and it was getting harder and harder for me to breathe. It reminded me of the time that I had gotten tackled in one of my high school football games. The guy had come charging at me and knocked me flat on my ass. I hadn't even seen him coming. When we collided, I went flying, and when I landed, he had knocked the air right out of me. This was no different. She had tackled me, just differently.

About S.L.

S.L. Sterling was born and raised in southern Ontario. She now lives in Northern Ontario Canada and is married to her best friend and soul mate and their two dogs.

An avid reader all her life, S.L. Sterling dreamt of becoming an author. She decided to give writing a try after one of her favorite authors launched a course on how to write your novel. This course gave her the push she needed to put pen to paper and her debut novel "It Was Always You" was born.

When S.L. Sterling isn't writing or plotting her next novel she can be found curled up with a cup of coffee, blanket and the newest romance novel from one of her favorite authors.

In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, sunny destinations, spending quality time with family and friends and of course reading.

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Monday, September 28, 2020

Spotlight: Excerpt of Lord Shallow by Eileen Putnam

Author: Eileen Putman
Publisher: Anglesey Press
Pages: 364
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Goodreads:

To all of London, Sebastian Traherne is a pretentious fop who prizes his tailor over his dukedom. In truth, he’s an obsessively rational fellow protecting a secret marriage. When a prickly Welsh miss arrives at his crumbling castle one gloomy night, she upends his world—and every principle he holds dear. Worse, she believes in a silly fairy tale known as True Love.

Gwynna Owen might be the last true Princess of Wales, but she needs this very English duke to claim her legacy and vanquish a tyrant. When Sebastian quickly sees through her boy’s disguise, she must plead her case with only a rusty dagger—and sapphire eyes that conjure what he most wishes to avoid.

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Book Excerpt:

Gwynna had prepared herself to face an old man who might wish to set things right in the twilight of his years. Instead, she had this aloof aristocrat.

Pretentious fop or no, the Duke of Claremont was something else as well: Beautiful. As handsome a man as Gwynna had seen.

Moreover, he was immense. Measuring him with her Welshwoman’s eye, which could judge at a glance whether there was meal in the larder to last the month, Gwynna decided he was nearly half a foot taller than any man she knew.

Yet his eyes held a cool intelligence. He was no one’s fool.

Despair swept her. She might have faced down an old man preparing to meet his Maker, but she’d never persuade this too-perceptive aristocrat—whose features had only hardened since discovering her gender—that she was a member of his family.

Still, she was an Owen. He was but an Englishman. Welsh did not give way to English.

“I am the daughter of Megan Glendower Owen of Anglesey,” Gwynna said. "It’s an island off North Wales. It’s there William and my mother met. They fell in love.”

His gaze narrowed. “How the devil do you know that?”

That was the rub. She had no proof.

The duke looked down that patrician nose. “You Welsh are storytellers, are you not? Doubtless you felt compelled to put a lovely bow on something sordid—”

“It was love,” Gwynna insisted. “A man with your lofty self-regard cannot possibly fathom how passion can sweep all else aside."

He stiffened. "You know nothing of me."

A frisson of uneasiness swept her. They were all but alone in this dreadful castle.

His gaze hardened. "There’s no reason to believe a word of your tale, especially since you’ve been engaged in pretense from the first.”

“I pretended to be a boy because I couldn’t travel alone as a woman.”

“Those ruffians were on the verge of unmasking you.”

“I would have prevailed. Owen was with me.”

The duke frowned. “The only person I saw at your side was your terrified friend. Owen, whoever he may be, was nowhere —”

“Owen is Prince of Wales.”

He blinked. “If I recall correctly, England already has a Prince of Wales. Just the one, mind you, and his name isn’t Owen. Moreover, he would be the last person to rush to any woman’s defense.”

“You refer to the Regent—English royalty,” Gwynna said. “I do not regard him. Owen was the last true Prince of Wales. I am his blood descendant.”

“Ah. He would be dead, then?”

She glared at him. “His spirit lives. I’ll have what I’m due by rights, Englishman. And while I am certain every woman in England finds you a catch, I have no use for puffed-up peacocks."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

One early surprise may be a deal breaker for some romance fans. If you’re looking for classic Regency historical that fits a formula, Lord Shallow may not be your cup of tea. Yet character will out. Here you’ll find a man who is so much more than he seems and a woman who’s finding her voice after years of having it suppressed. Their struggle as they make their way to one another is this story’s truth.

About Maitland's Rogues: Andrew Maitland's group of daring English rogues risk all for their country. Hardened and deadly, they have no use for love—until it ensnares them...

Sunday, September 27, 2020

Spotlight: Excerpt of The Last Man She Expected by Michelle Major

Author: Michelle Major

Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: September 2020

How could being so wrong suddenly feel so right? Falling for her arch nemesis Isn’t going to happen.

Moving to Starlight was Mara Reed’s first step forward after her devastating divorce. But had she known she’d find Parker Johnson, her ex-husband’s ruthless divorce attorney, there, she might have gone in a different direction. Away from the big city, Mara is seeing Parker in a new light—but is it enough for her to set aside her anger?

Sales links:

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Excerpt, THE LAST MAN SHE EXPECTED by Michelle Major “Come to finish me off?” he asked as Mara Reed walked into the room. She sniffed. “How’s your head?” He removed the bag of peas, tossing them to the top of the dryer. “I’ve taken harder hits.” “Not that I meant for you to fall, but I can’t say you didn’t deserve it,” she told him, crossing her arms over her chest. He raised a brow. “That’s an interesting way to apologize.” She gave a humorless laugh. “I’m not here to say sorry.” Parker felt his mouth drop open. “You practically pushed me out of the bounce house.” “Not quite. You grabbed for me and I evaded you with my catlike reflexes. Is it my problem that you’re clumsy?” He had to admire her moxie. The moment had
happened so fast, but he was pretty sure she’d given him a tiny shove when he stumbled. Not that he’d throw her under the bus by telling anyone. “If you didn’t seek me out to apologize, why are you here?”

“You took everything from me,” she said instead of answering, her husky voice laced with bitterness.

“Your anger is misdirected,” Parker said, shifting under the weight of her stony glare. “I’m not your ex-husband.” He’d represented hundreds of clients over the years, but this was the first time he’d actually been confronted outside the courtroom. He didn’t like the way Mara Reed made him feel, as if he’d been the one to cause the destruction of her marriage.

“No,” she agreed, her hazel eyes giving him a slow once-over. Despite her obvious dislike of him and the obstinate set of her heart-shaped jaw, there was no denying Mara’s beauty. She had dark hair with a few hints of burnished gold highlighting it and pale, luminous skin that would have inspired the finest Renaissance painter.

She was taller than average, something he’d al-ways appreciated in a woman given that he stood well over six feet. She’d fit perfectly with him, a thought that almost made him laugh for its absur-dity. He couldn’t imagine any scenario which would make Mara want to be close to him.

“You made it possible for him to destroy me,” she said, her voice oddly devoid of emotion. He wanted to deny it, but the truth was he couldn’t remember the details of her case, especially since she’d been Paul Reed’s much younger third wife. He’d already been twice down that road with his client. It was a mental trick he employed, not allowing himself to see the opponent as a person. Mara Reed had been a name to him, an entity he’d set out to take down like he was a remote-control drone zeroing in on a target.

“It wasn’t personal.”

She flinched, and he wanted to take back the words. They were simple enough as part of his job, but he imagined they felt like salt dumped into an open wound to Mara. Despite his now pounding headache, he didn’t mean to hurt her. He understood what he did for a living and had come to terms with the man he’d become as a result, even if he didn’t always like himself because of it.

“It was to me,” she whispered and walked away.

Author bio:

Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories
Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at www.michellemajor.com.

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Saturday, September 26, 2020

Spotlight: Excerpt of A Tail for Two by Mara Wells

Author: Mara Wells
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casblanca
Publication Date: 9/29/2020

All paws on deck!

Carrie Burns has a successful business, a young son, Oliver, and an energetic Jack Russell terrier. She doesn’t have time in her busy schedule for her ex-husband and his talk of working together again. But when she runs into Lance in the dog park, their lives are turned upside down.

Lance Donovan wants to promote his fledgling construction company by helping his brother Caleb with a big condo conversion. Lance even knows the perfect interior designer to make this project a success—his ex-wife, Carrie. But after a fateful meeting at the dog park, Lance finds himself not only petsitting both his brother’s dog and the beloved Jack Russell terrier he had to leave behind in the divorce, but babysitting a young son he never knew he had while his ex-wife tries to get back into dating. How did life get this crazy?

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Excerpt:

Carrie called the elevator, nerves stretched so tight she thought she could hear them twang as she walked. That had been close, too close, and now here she was owing Lance for saving the day, for charming Kristin into extra time, for getting her business back on track. She felt unsettled by the whole thing, from her panicked call to him to his casual acceptance of the job. The Lance she knew wouldn’t have been so calm, would’ve argued about Kristin’s timeline and threatened her with all the things that could go wrong if the job was rushed. When had he learned to schmooze a client like that? When had he traded his anger for charm? For all that she’d lived with the man for five years, she found herself staring at him like she’d never seen him before.

“Come by the Dorothy tomorrow.” Lance followed her into the elevator, unaware she was silently freaking out. “You could bring Oliver.”

That snapped her right back into the moment. “To an active construction site?”

“Right, bad idea. I heard it as soon as it left my mouth.” He smiled ruefully, a familiar expression that made him her Lance again.

“You take lunch breaks?”

He leaned broad shoulders against the back wall. “Yeah, most days.”

“You can have lunch with us.” She busied herself looking for something in her purse. Keys? Sure, it didn’t matter. She just couldn’t look at him. “If you want.”

Lance waited until she looked up, and his eyes locked with hers. “Oh, I want.”

Carrie stilled. Caught. Because she wanted, too. She watched him watch her, sure that want on his face was reflected on hers. He’d always read her so easily. It was one of the things she loved about being with him, how completely she felt seen. Understood. Only now she wished he wasn’t quite so perceptive.

He took a step toward her. She took a step back and another until she was pressed against the elevator doors. He followed, stopping when he was close enough that the heat of his body radiated through the thin T-shirt, warming her. Melting her resistance, one particle at a time. She grasped the strap of her bag tightly with both hands. She would not reach for him.

“You want me, too.” It wasn’t a question, but her head bobbed in agreement. His eyes flared at the movement, pupils darkening, widening. He leaned toward her. She wobbled on her heels, knees suddenly too weak to support her. Lance shot out a hand and steadied her, using his grip to pull her closer.

He lowered his head. He was going to kiss her. She knew it, knew she should do something to stop it. Nothing good could come of kissing Lance. But he’d come and helped when she called, hadn’t stayed angry at her about Oliver. And he smelled so good, a citrusy soap and that something in the air that was simply Lance. Her Lance.

“Yes,” she said even though he hadn’t asked a question, and his lips crashed down on hers.

It was fierce, their first kiss since Oliver was conceived, like the years apart had left them both starving. She was starving. She let go of her bag’s strap and fisted handfuls of T-shirt, hauling him closer until her breasts pressed into his chest. She moaned at the pressure. He changed the angle of their kiss, going deeper, harder. She couldn’t breathe and didn’t care. He was all the air she needed. God, she’d missed him. Missed this, the very us of them together.

The door dinged and opened, bringing fresh air against her back. She gasped and pulled away, stepping backward and over the threshold, wiping her palms down the front of her chocolate skirt. What a mistake. What a colossal mistake. She should say that out loud, tell him to forget it happened. She opened her mouth, but one look from his smoldering eyes silenced her. Instead, she turned and fled. She was pretty sure he’d get the message. Lance Donovan was not something she could have, and her raging hormones would simply have to calm down and get over it.

He followed her to her Blazer and leaned in the window once she’d pulled on her seat belt. “See you tomorrow?”

Oh God, tomorrow. She swallowed. “Yeah.”

He tapped the top of her car. “Sleep well.”

“I always do,” she lied. Then she lied to herself all the way home about how letting Lance back into her life was only for Oliver’s sake. And Beckham, of course. Yeah, it was all for them. She would put the kiss out of her mind. Old habits and all that. She was sure it meant as little to Lance as it had to her. If she never mentioned the kiss again, she doubted he’d even bring it up. It was better this way, really. She repeated that in her head until it started to sound true.

***

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About the author:

Mara Wells loves stories, but especially stories with kissing. She works in academe, and lives with her family and two rescue dogs—a poodle-mix named Houdini Beauregarde and Sheba Reba Rita Peanut, a chihuahua-mix in Hollywood, Florida.

Author Website: https://www.marawellsauthor.com/

Friday, September 25, 2020

Blog Tour: Review of A Ring of Truth by Michelle Cox

Book Title: A Ring of Truth (The Henrietta and Inspector Howard Series) by Michelle Cox
Narrated by: Jayne A Entwistle
Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins
Category: Adult Fiction (18+)
Genre: Historical Mystery
Publisher: Michelle Cox
Audiobook Release date: May, 2020

Content Rating: R: Books 1-2 do not have any sex scenes, though there is sexual reference, Books 3-5 do have explicit sex scenes (tasteful). There is periodic swearing and violence, but not a lot. There are some dark themes (though not graphic examples) of suicide, prostitution, mob involvement, rape, drinking, homosexuality.

In this second book of the series, Henrietta and Clive delightfully rewrite Pride and Prejudice―with a hint of mystery! Newly engaged, Clive and Henrietta now begin the difficult task of meeting each other’s family. “Difficult” because Clive has neglected to tell Henrietta that he is in fact the heir to the Howard estate and fortune, and Henrietta has just discovered that her mother has been hiding secrets about her past as well. When Clive brings Henrietta to the family estate to meet his parents, they are less than enthused about his impoverished intended. Left alone in this extravagant new world when Clive returns to the city, Henrietta finds herself more at home with the servants than his family, much to the disapproval of Mrs. Howard―and soon gets caught up in the disappearance of an elderly servant’s ring, not realizing that in doing so she has become part of a bigger, darker plot. As Clive and Henrietta attempt to discover the truth in the two very different worlds unraveling around them, they both begin to wonder: Are they meant for each other after all?

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A Ring of Truth is the second book in the Henrietta snd Inspector Howard series. This second book finds newly engage Henrietta spending time in Clive's family home. She had no idea that he came from immense wealth. While trying to learn how to fit in, she stumbles on a mystery. She just needs to convince Clive it's worth investigating.

I thought this was a solid follow up to the first book. I do recommend reading A Girl Like You first. This can be read as a stand alone, however, you will have much more background for certain characters and events in this one. I did enjoy the book. I felt like it was less of a mystery and more of a family drama. Henrietta learns some truths about members of her family. She and Clive also begin to question where they both fit and if they are right for each other.

I am enjoying this series immensely. The cast of characters has begun to expand and that really enhances the story. I do recommend this one. Stay tuned for my thoughts on A Promise Given.

SERIES DETAILS:
Series Title:  Henrietta and Inspector Howard by Michelle Cox
Category: Adult Fiction (18+)
Genre:  Historical Mystery
Publisher:  Michelle Cox
Release dates:   November 2017; April 2017; April 2018; April 2019; April 2020
Content Rating: R: Books 1-2 do not have any sex scenes, though there is sexual reference, Books 3-5 do have explicit sex scenes (tasteful). There is periodic swearing and violence, but not a lot. There are some dark themes (though not graphic examples) of suicide, prostitution, mob involvement, rape, drinking, homosexuality.

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