Apr 19, 2015 | April 2015, Blog, Grace Burrowes, Uncategorized
The Duke’s Disaster by Grace Burrowes is another powerful story of blind faith that will enchant and romance you. When Noah Winters realizes that he must marry, it becomes a challenge. His situation is rather dire. As he proposes to Lady Araminthea Collins she gives him one request, and he is intrigued.
Most women dream of a handsome suitor, one that they are in love with. Thea doesn’t have that luxury and her faith is broken. Will she ever escape her horrible past? If their relationship is based on necessity, will she ever find love? Noah has patience, but every man has a breaking point. What will he do? Will Thea allow herself to just let go?
A Duke’s world is never easy, as it’s full of expectations and demands. Will Noah be strong enough to handle his responsibilities? This story is full of secrets, misunderstandings and rich with innocence that will pull you in and have you reading this fabulous story in one sitting. Just be sure you sit down in a comfy and cozy chair, you might not be getting up for a while 🙂
I always enjoy reading Grace’s books as they are each a treasure, and this is no exception! The perfect amount of sizzle and intrigue in this regency treat!
I received this ARC from the publisher for a fair and honest review. Check out the excerpt below and see for yourself 🙂
Excerpt
The Duke and Duchess are having a rocky start to their marriage, also to their day…
“Your tea, Duchess.”
Noah had woken up beside his wife—again, despite all plans to the contrary—creating another first for him. Thea had risen several times during the night to tend to herself. He hadn’t realized that monthly courses caused a woman’s rest to be interrupted.
Crashingly bad planning, for a lady’s sleep to be disturbed when she most needed rest.
“You’re not about to steal my tea?” Thea held out the cup, her gaze shy as she sat propped against the headboard.
“Where’s the fun in stealing what’s freely offered?” Noah settled in beside her and filched a bite of her cinnamon toast. “Would you rather have chocolate this morning?”
“Because?”
“You’re”— Noah waved a hand in the direction of her middle—“indisposed.”
“I am not indisposed.” Thea set her teacup down with a little clink. “The discomfort has passed, as it always does. You needn’t be concerned.”
“I am not concerned, Thea.” Not greatly concerned, now that she’d stopped ordering him to go away and was ready for a proper spat. “I am attempting in my bumbling way to dote. You will allow it.”
Drat. He’d given another order.
“You couldn’t bumble if one gave you written instructions, Anselm,” Thea said, looking a little less peaked for having run up her flags. “That was my toast you appropriated.”
“Appropriation is what happens when one’s wife can’t appreciate a little doting. You’re being stingy with the tea, just as you were stingy with the covers. How long does this indisposition last?”
Her chin came up. “I am the Duchess of Anselm. I am not stingy with anything, but you are a very presuming husband.”
“Doting.” Noah took Thea’s free hand to kiss her knuckles— lest she mistake his point. “Also in need of my duchess’s guidance on this one marital matter.”
“This is so personal.” Thea’s gaze was on their joined hands— for Noah would not have her haring off in a fit of mortification. “I didn’t think you’d be a personal sort of husband. You were supposed to appear in my dressing-room doorway a few nights a month, silently take a few marital liberties, and then leave me in peace. We’d trade sections of the Times over breakfast the next morning.”
“Prosaic.” Boring and exactly what Noah himself had envisioned. “Hard to see any doting going on, though.”
“Husband?” Thea’s tone was hesitant. “Thank you, for keeping me company last night. I would not have known how to ask.”
“I suppose that’s the definition of doting.” Noah lingered at the cart to assemble a plate. “It’s the little things you can’t bring yourself to ask for, that an attentive spouse will enjoy providing to you. Bacon or ham?”
“A little of both, please.”
“Feeling carnivorous?”
“I’m a trifle indisposed. I need the sustenance.”
Noah piled both ham and bacon on Thea’s plate, and stole better than half of it, because he needed the sustenance too.
*****GIVEAWAY – Grace Burrowes Book Bundle and Literary Embosser*****
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21996394-the-duke-s-disaster
BUY LINKS:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/1FMKux4
Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/1xmRtvf
iTunes: https://apple.co/1MVrkoL
Author Biography:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes’ bestsellers include The Heir, The Soldier, Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal, Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish and Lady Eve’s Indiscretion. The Heir was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2010, The Soldier was a PW Best Spring Romance of 2011, Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish won Best Historical Romance of the Year in 2011 from RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight was a Library Journal Best Book of 2012, and The Bridegroom Wore Plaid was a PW Best Book of 2012. Her Regency romances have received extensive praise, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Grace is branching out into short stories and Scotland-set Victorian romance with Sourcebooks. She is a practicing family law attorney and lives in rural Maryland.
Social Networking Links
Website: https://www.graceburrowes.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4152482.Grace_Burrowes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grace-Burrowes/115039058572197
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/GraceBurrowes
Apr 18, 2015 | April 2015, Blog, Blog Blitz, Uncategorized
The Lady Meets Her Match (Midnight Meetings) by Gina Conkle is a mysterious, intense and charming story of wit and determination. All Claire Mayhew wants is to own her own business, and is willing to do just about anything to get it. Despite society’s rules and restrictions, Claire is desperate to make her own way. Can she do that despite not being married?
In order to get what she wants she had a simple task – get in and out of the masked ball, without being discovered. However, when she comes face to face with Cyrus Ryland, the chase is on. Who’s playing who? Sparks ignite with all the mystery and the banter that’s exchanged between them is fantastic. It’s an absolutely fabulous story with chemistry that will melt your heart and a fantastic plot with rich details.
What happens when Cyrus decides he needs to know more? Will it cost him everything? Both have pasts that if discovered, could jeopardize their future. This Cinderella was a belle at the ball until the clock struck midnight, will Claire survive if she’s discovered? What will happen when she discovers what really keeps Cyrus up at night.
A beautiful story of hope, determination and lust. The attraction between the two is super hot and super intense. Secret desires. Secret hobbies. This cat and mouse game of seduction is smart and well played. I wish all men would do the laundry the way Cyrus did 🙂
I received this ARC for a fair and honest review from the publisher and absolutely loved it! I look forward to reading more books by Gina, what a great series! I’m looking forward to your next release.
*****
Today we’re sitting down with historical romance author Gina Conkle! Gina’s latest book, The Lady Meets Her Match, comes out this April. A quick question from Gina Conkle:
Q: What inspired you to become a writer?
A: I read Gone with the Wind in fifth grade and knew I wanted to be a writer, but apparently the writer bug goes further back. At Christmas, my mom dug up my grandmother’s old newsletters (my grandma had been involved in international stamp collecting and the California Historical Society). Grandma wrote that I’d been published in a local San Diego cookbook (a project I’d forgotten). She called me a “budding writer.” I was in kindergarten!
An Excerpt
Cyrus removed his fine blue coat, the slide of cloth on cloth an inviting sound to her benumbed senses.
“You’re not warming up sufficiently.” He leaned in and wrapped his coat over her shoulders, his deep voice like an intimate connection. “Someone needs to take care of you.”
She shuddered when his breath tickled her ear. His warmth and nearness was just as heavenly as what he draped around her. She could tell he found her refusal more amusing than deterring. Cyrus closed the coat in front of her, his body heat palpable inside. The collar’s woven broadcloth brushed her rain-misted cheeks, his pleasant scent on the cloth. The coat was part of an expensive, well-tailored ditto suit: identical blue fabric with spare gold trim on the coat, waistcoat, and breeches.
“I’ll ruin part of a perfectly good suit.” But she pulled the coat tighter, greedy for the snug feel.
He added more coal to the blaze. The inferno’s orange light danced across white cotton stretched over his shoulders. Muscles moved under the fabric, mesmerizing her while he built a hotter fire. And then there was his offer to waive her rent and give her a loan, an offer apparently free of unique requirements. His act of generosity pinched her conscience.
How dare he be so…nice.
“About the rent, the loan, I cannot accept your kind offer.” She cleared her throat, trying to sound competent. “I’ll find a way.”
Ryland glanced at her but said nothing to counter her refusal. Instead, he dropped to the floor, kneeling before her. Without asking her leave, he removed one shoe and then the other, and set the soaked footwear against the hearth’s ash pan.
“What are you doing?” Her words, like her body, went slack, all of her too worn down.
His head bent close to her knee. One hand, large and warm, curled around her ankle, rubbing life back into her foot. A big, masculine palm moved under the arch, creating delightful friction. She pressed her lips together, holding back a moan of pleasure.
“I would think a land steward’s daughter would know wet clothes are hazardous for one’s health.” He flashed a devilish grin. “You ought to remove your wet clothes, cover yourself with something warm and dry.”
Such as covering myself with you.
****GIVEAWAY*****
Rafflecoptor Link: a Rafflecopter giveaway
5 copies of Meet the Earl, Gina’s first book in Gina Conkle’s Midnight Series. The winners will be selected by the publisher after the tour on or around 4/20. Winner be contacted directly by publisher.
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/1FrN62T
Apple: https://apple.co/1bczPjI
BAM: https://bit.ly/1APsoUB
B&N: https://bit.ly/1GNfRWg
Indiebound: https://bit.ly/1bczVHZ
Kobo: https://bit.ly/18TXsf4
Author Info:
Gina Conkle, a history nerd to the core, loves castles and museums. Her motto is “the older and moldier, the better.” When not enjoying relics, she lives in the present, dabbling in organic gardening at her home in San Diego, California. She lives with Brian, her husband and favorite alpha male, and their two boys. Visit her at www.ginaconkle.com.
Apr 17, 2015 | April 2015, Blog, Jeanne Adams, Uncategorized
Dead Run: Faithful Defenders #1 by Jeanne Adams is on-the-edge-of-your-seat, super hot, and intense suspense goodness! A mouthful of absolutely fabulous wonder – like biting into a fried snickers. Lots of layers, and a few that are a bit sinful.
Dana Markham and her son Xavier are in the witness protection program due to Xavy’s unfortunate louse of a father. Unfortunately, Xavy’s father is a notorious and very wanted criminal. For years, mother and son have kept a low profile, on the run, and finally in the witness protection program.
When Dana’s ex decides to fulfill a long-standing threat and take her out, she’s ready. The FBI must now race against the clock to keep her safe. That’s their job. But when things don’t go according to protocol everything changes. It’s too difficult to figure out who she can trust and when an injured man reveals his identity to her, she can’t quite figure out the truth. Who is this man? How does he know what to say? Why is he here? Caine Bradley works for the FBI but due to his unique arrival at Dana’s house, she’s not sure exactly what to believe. How long can Caine go before everyone figures out which side he’s really on? I love a great romantic suspense that’s full of secrets, arguments, trust, and lust in the form of an FBI agent. This man is overflowing in the yowzah category and the story is packed with heat!
Discover who’s faithful and will defend to the end no matter what the cost. Discover what happens when lines are crossed and boundaries are tested. I love how detailed this book is, the characters have dimension and the plot has depth. Jeanne knows how to set the scene, create loveable characters – including the four-legged Faithful Defender, Shadow – that you just want to squeeze because you love them, as well as ones you just want to squash like a bug.
A quick note – I purchased this e-book on Amazon for $2.99 – it’s a fabulous price. I’d gladly buy it again as a gift. I can’t wait for the second book – I’m dying to know who’s story will be next.
Author Info:
Although Jeanne Adams likes calling North Carolina home, she lives in DC, where The Tentacle Affaire is set, and often jogs on the C&O towpath with her dogs. Her favorite holiday is Halloween. She starts planning the annual yard decor on November 1. Alas, in this case however, the “Adams Family” – one husband, two sons and three dogs – is all bark and no bite.
On another spooky note, Jeanne used to work in the funeral and cemetery business, and knows a thing or two about getting rid of the body….bwhahahah! (She even teaches classes about it to other writers!)
Jeanne has written suspense novels for Kensington/Zebra Publishing since 2007. THE TENTACLE AFFAIRE, her first urban fantasy/romance, was released in Nov, 2014, along with two new Romantic Suspense Novellas, DEADLY DELIVERY and BEHIND ENEMY LINES. A short story, featured in TINY TREATS #2, St. Patrick’s Day, heralds a new series which will start next year.
She loves hearing from readers, so find her at www.JeanneAdams.com or on twitter @JeanneAdams or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/JeanneAdamsAuthor
Apr 16, 2015 | April 2015, Blog, Blog Blitz
Thank you again to the charming Ladies of Red Door Reads for taking over my blog yesterday and hanging out, it was so much fun. Just in case you missed out on all the fun, here is a quick link: https://booksilovealatte.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/its-a-takeover-from-the-ladies-of-red-door-reads-fifty-ways-to-kill-your-larry-is-finally-here-happy-book-birthday-day-red-door-reads/
As I finish out my three day extravaganza from the Ladies of Red Door Reads today, I’m featuring the remaining Historical stories from Claudia Dain, Susan Gee Heino, Deb Marlow and the Paranormal story from Lori Handeland. Hopefully by now you are ready to download more from these ladies!
Don’t miss out on this collection, I’m not sure how long it will last. Order your e-book copy now at Amazon, iBooks, B&N and Kobo! Great stories and fabulous authors make it a steal at $0.99! Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Ways-Kill-Your-Larry-ebook/dp/B00W2UHG8U/
With so much mystery surrounding Larry, and the wonderful way these ladies revealed their “Larry’s” to us, I had to make sure you had time to savor the goodness from this must read gem!
Now, lets discover what happens to the rest of these Larry’s…
*****
On The Edge of A Blade by Claudia Dain is a tender story filled with a promises, an oak tree, a knife and a young woman who feels she’s destined to live a life filled with misery. What will happen to dreadful Larry? A fabulous story from a great author 🙂
Author Info:
Claudia Dain is a two-time Rita finalist and USA Today bestselling author of historical romance. She lives in NC with her adoring husband and two very hairy, very devoted German Shepherds. Claudia is living the dream.
*****
The Delicate Plot to Burry Lord Larry by Susan Gee Heino is a wild tale of a marriage proposal and a crazy plan. Will Larry’s plan work? Check out what this Larry thinks he must do! Another must read story from a great author.
Author Info:
Award-winning, bestselling author Susan Gee Heino writes lighthearted Regency Romances full of quirky heroines, wicked banter, and dashing cravat-wearing heroes. Adventures ensue, hilarity happens, but the hero always ends up with his lady. And vice versa. She will be releasing her first contemporary-set romance in May, 2015. Ms. Heino is an author, workshop presenter, and preacher’s wife who lives in rural Ohio with her non-cravat-inclined husband, two very remarkable children, and an accidental collection of critters. She loves to hear from readers so please visit her at www.SusanGH.com or connect on social media.
*****
Beyond a Reasonable Duke by Deb Marlowe involves a plan, a disguise and justice. Will Larry’s secret be revealed? Another must read story from a great author that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Author Info:
USA Today Bestseller Deb Marlowe adores History, England and Men in Boots. Clearly she was destined to write Regency Historical Romance.
A Golden Heart Award winner and Rita nominee, Deb grew up in Pennsylvania with her nose in a book. Luckily, she’d read enough romances to recognize the true modern hero she met at a college Halloween party–even though he wore a tuxedo t-shirt instead of breeches and boots. They married, settled in North Carolina and produced two handsome, intelligent and genuinely amusing boys. Though she spends much of her time with her nose in her laptop, for the sake of her family she does occasionally abandon her inner world for the domestic adventure of laundry, dinner and carpool. Despite her sacrifice, not one of the men in her family is yet willing to don breeches or tall boots. She’s working on it.
*****
Blame It On the Moon by Lori Handeland is a great way to end this wonderful collection. A secret mission, werewolves and Nazi Germany. What will happen to Larry now? A great paranormal story by great author.
Author Info:
Lori Handeland is a two time RITA Award winner and the New York Times Bestselling author of the paranormal romance series, The Nightcreature Novels, as well as the urban fantasy series, The Phoenix Chronicles and the historical fantasy series, Shakespeare Undead. She also writes western historical romance under the name Lori Austin. Lori lives in Wisconsin with her husband, enjoying occasional visits from her grown sons.
Check out her websites at www.lorihandeland.com or loriaustin.net
*****
I received an ARC from the Ladies at Red Door Reads for a fair and honest review. This collection is fabulous and am thrilled that I had the chance to review it before it’s release! At this amazing price I would happily purchase it for myself and as gifts – it’s a great collection to discover more fabulous authors!
Apr 15, 2015 | April 2015, Blog, Blog Blitz
I’m so excited to have my first takeover today from the Ladies at Red Door Reads. When I was chatting with Caren Crane about the concept for this fabulous collection she said there was a story and sent it my way. Below is the story directly from the Ladies at Red Door Reads. I hope you’ll love the concept and the e-book 50 Ways to Kill Your Larry as much as I did.
Thanks again ladies for hanging out today and I look forward to your next collection soon! Be sure to come back tomorrow when I end my Three Day Larry Extravaganza and review the Historical and Paranormal stories in this fabulous e-book!
Now about that Larry … 🙂
*****
50 Ways to Kill Your Larry. The authors at Red Door Reads know it’s a strange title for an anthology. The story as to how we, the Red Door Reads authors, came up with it is a story in and of itself. So settle in, kids, and learn why Larry needed to die.
A little over a year ago, we planned a trip to the North Carolina coast to enjoy some writing, bonding and plotting world domination. Off season, the rates are cheaper, and yet the weather is usually still pretty nice in North Carolina; win/win. We knew how many beds we’d need. We knew we’d need a house with an elevator because Dee Davis was on crutches. We found a house that met all of our specifications. Claudia Dain did the research and booked it.
Sounds simple, right? Pleasurable, even? Planning a trip to the beach could only and ever be a joy. What could go wrong? Well, the owner of the property, Larry, has two properties on that particular beach available for rent. And he booked the wrong house for us. No elevator. Not enough beds. Total disaster. Honestly, how can one plot world dominations under those conditions? When Claudia called him as soon as we got there, telling him we had the wrong house (the right house was one door down), he told her that he’d reserved for us the house she had requested. Um…no, he hadn’t. When pressed to make the change to the larger house with the elevator, he said that house was already booked.
The house that was one door down. With no cars parked outside. And no lights on. Liar.
Larry then proceeded to email Claudia every couple of hours detailing all the ways she had screwed up the reservation. Liar!
Is it any wonder that we started, that weekend, to toss out the various ways we’d like to kill Larry? When you piss off a bunch of writers, you should sort of expect vengeance to be brainstormed. And that those brainstormed ideas may develop into an anthology of stories where a character named Larry gets his (or her) comeuppance. It only seemed logical to us, in any case.
Today is April 15—Tax Day in the USA—when emotions are already at fever pitch. Fittingly, 50 Ways to Kill Your Larry is available at all e-book retailers today! You need the release of the tension that April 15 always arouses, don’t you? You know you do. Do yourself a favor and order it now. Then you’ll have something fun to do when you finally get your taxes filed!
**********
Here’s a look at the line-up and 50 Ways to Kill Your Larry
CONTEMPORARY
Casting Doubt by Jane Charles
Cross Springs Scandal by Caren Crane
Lethal Intent by Dee Davis
Weeping Willow by Jerrica Knight-Catania
Sinnocence, or How I Learned To Kill My Boss and Get Away With It by Michelle Marcos
One More On The Rocks by Ava Stone
HISTORICAL
One The Edge of a Blade by Claudia Dain
The Delicate Plot To Bury Lord Larry by Susan Gee Heino
Behind a Reasonable Doubt by Deb Marlowe
PARANORMAL
Blame It On The Moon by Lori Handeland
For more information about Red Door Reads check out their website at https://www.reddoorreads.com and here is a link for the e-book: https://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Ways-Kill-Your-Larry-ebook/dp/B00W2UHG8U/
