Today is my stop on the blog tour of Sara Whitney’s Tempting Heat! A couple of days ago I wished this gorgeous new romance a Happy Publication Day and now I am back with the review of this sweet (but also sizzling hot) novella. Title: Tempting Heat Author: Sara Whitney Genre: Contemporary romance 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞. I spent years in love with his best friend’s girl. Not that uncommon, really. They even write songs about it. Then she blamed me for their ugly breakup, and we parted as enemies. So it’s suuuper awkward years later when a blizzard traps me with the woman I never expected to see again. The woman who’s more beautiful than ever. The woman who’s still too angry to look me in the eyes. 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨, 𝐚 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞-𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲. 𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐛𝐞𝐝. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐲, 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭 𝐌𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬. Get Your Copy Today! Ebook Paperback My thoughts: When the publisher's description said 'sizzling' it didn't lie! There's so much wonderful tension and fabulous chemistry between the protagonists of this gorgeous new novella set in Chicago. Finn used to date Tom's best friend Dylan and then something happened that made these two turn from best friends who used to understand and trust each other implicitly into enemies. Fast forward a few years later, one snowy weekend Finn finds herself locked in by the raging blizzard in her house and gets a shock ofher lifewhen it turns out that her roommate's latest hookup must have slept in and missedall the weather alerts. They are stuck with each other and have little choice, but try to find out what exactly separated them and why. Perhaps then they can admit to themselves that some feelings don't go away and some people are meant for each other. Loved everything about this novella- the setting was so romantic! The protagonists stranded in a house buried under snow cannot run away from their feelings and strong attraction. The characters seem to have opposite dispositions on the surface- Tom, an extrovert, somebody who is at ease in any situation, somebody who can make friends with anyone, and serious, meticulous, super-organised Finn (Fiona), but they just fit together like two pieces in a giant puzzle of life. They see each other beyond appearances and circumstances. Their banter was so entertaining and so romantic! There was great pace and gradual build-up in tension that makes the reader root for the couple to appreciate how lucky they are to get this second chance and be blissfully happy together. I'll be definitely looking forward to reading more from the Tempt Me series by Sara Whitney! About Sara Whitney: Sara Whitney writes sassy, sexy contemporary romance novels packed with wit, heat, and heart. A 2019 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award finalist, Sara worked as a newspaper reporter and film critic before she earned her Ph.D. and landed in academia. She’s a good pinball player, a so-so karaoke singer, and an expert TV opinion-haver. In a funny twist of fate, Sara’s married to a divorce attorney, and she likes to think that her happily-ever-afters help keep their household in balance. She and her husband live in the Midwest surrounded by books, cats, and half-empty coffee cups. Keep up with Sara by subscribing to her mailing list here. Connect with Sara: Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Twitter | Amazon | Bookbub | Goodreads | Newsletter Thank you for reading the post! Have a great Friday and a fantastic weekend!
![]() Broken Beginnings
-- EXCERPT: Lucca tosses the broken plate into the sink. The sound makes me jump but doesn’t scare me as much as when I look away from the sink and find Lucca advancing toward me. I take a hesitant step back. Instantly, I’m the prey, and he’s the hunter. Lucca’s chest brushes against mine, and sparks of desire form low in my belly. I lick my bottom lip, wondering what it would be like to kiss him or if he would kiss me back? I’m so caught up in him, in his scent, his body, what I want him to do to me, that I lose focus for a moment. I can’t let the lust drive me alone. Dark blue eyes pierce my own, and I break the connection taking a step back, putting a breath of space between us. It’s hard to show him my anger when he’s this close. “I will not be your prisoner here. I will not be trapped in that bedroom. I’m an adult, but more than that, I’m a human being, not an animal you can keep in a cage.” “I don’t care how old you are and what you think is best for you…” His voice is deep and soft, causing me to look up from his chest and directly into his eyes. His gaze has softened to a dull knife, and for once, in all the time I’ve known him, I feel like I’m seeing him, the real him, for the first time. His thumb brushes against the apple of my cheek, his touch making my skin heat. “Your age doesn’t stop me from protecting you, nor does it stop me from locking you up in that bedroom and keeping you there until you learn to listen to me.” ![]()
GIVEAWAY! Synopsis “Some nightmares exist beyond our dreams.” Arising from a month-long slumber after discovering she’s more than human, Damina Nicaud moves beyond her dreamscape as a brand new supernatural world unfolds. Torn between a new love and a love once lost, Damina grapples with her own predestined fate as she seeks to understand the origin of her lineage. Coupled with Dacari’s sudden disappearance and the ticking time bomb set by Decaux, a new fight emerges and new enemies are revealed. Damina must now rely on the men at her side to aid her quest to find her cousin while battling growing threats on the horizon. But is their desire to claim her as their own stronger than the dark forces closing in all around them? Journey back to New Orleans with Damina Nicaud as she awakens with new eyes, diving deeper into the supernatural world of the Order of Altrinion, Scourge vampires, Skull wolves and more as she wrestles with love, loss, betrayal and pain. ![]() Book 1: https://books2read.com/BeautifulNightmare1 Goodreads A quck recap of Book 1: Damina Nicaud, a beautiful, successful art buyer in Washington, D.C., has been plagued by hauntingly romantic dreams of a mystery man every night. While she knows she shouldn't consider her dreams to be anything more than anxiety brought on by her upcoming nuptials, she can't help but be lured into its entreat. Unbeknownst to her, the dreamscape that plagues her mind will be all that carries her through eventual heartbreak and learning the truth of her orphaned lineage. She is more than human. Escaping to New Orleans on the heels of her broken heart, she begins to unravel the mystery of her life while discovering a love powerful enough to unleash an ancient power residing within herself. Weaving through a world of artistic passion, vampires, wolves, and the supernatural, Damina Nicaud begins to take hold of her Beautiful Nightmare. My thoughts:
This is one of those cases where you really need to read the books in order, otherwise it is difficult to appreciate the complex magic hierarchy of this world and family connections of our protagonist Damina. Damina wakes up after a one-month 'slumber' (perhaps a coma would be a more appropriate word). Her aunt Delia and her friends are there for her. Damina is still angry about all the lies she has been told, but her first thought goes to her cousin Dacari who disappeared. Fearing the worst, Damina just won't believe that Dacari could have left on her own accord. And then new revelations begin that once again turn everything she thought she had figured out upside out. Damina finds out that she is one of the Fated Ones and what that could potentially mean for the person she loves. About that: sooner or later she will have to sort her feelings out and choose between her two love interests. Power struggles and political intrigues, raw, intense feelings, family, passion, friendship- all of this is coupled with the characters' identity search and development in this twisty, gripping continuation of the Beautiful Nightmare paranormal saga. ![]() Caligo
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo -- EXCERPT: “Here.” Jasper grinned and pointed to this throat, teeth gleaming in the dark. “Although I would prefer if you didn’t actually hit my throat tonight. They might not be sharp, but you could still do some damage. But in all seriousness, most of your targets are going to be bigger than you. You’re going to want to aim for the easiest spots that do the most damage.” He pointed to several spots on his body. “Throat. Armpits. Stomach.” I nodded, taking the details in. “What about the back?” Jasper shook his head. “Too many bones. Stay away from it. You probably won’t have much time to aim.” He dug in his bag again, coming up with two Bokken of his own. Jasper swung them around in the air expertly a few times, looking like he was born fighting with them. “Okay, you ready?” My stomach tightened, but I could do this. I knew I could. These blades felt like an extension of my arms already. We started out slow. “Stay close to your opponent.” Jasper was speaking so easily he could’ve been at a party, not in the middle of sparring. “Your size will be your advantage. If you stay close, they won’t have the range to do as much damage.” I nodded, not enough breath left in me to respond. Soon, the talking stopped, and the pace picked up by an unspoken agreement. I found my blades easy to use, but I felt clumsy and slow compared to Jasper. It didn’t take long before Jasper had one of his swords at my neck. We were both breathing heavily, caught up in the moment. “Get out of your head Green. Don’t focus on my strength, think about your speed,” he told me, pushing me a few steps away to start again. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. He was right. I wasn’t going to beat him with strength alone. My instincts were good, and I had to focus on that. I could do this. Turning off the logical part of my brain, I went on my instincts alone and dropped into a defensive stance. Jasper mirrored my movements. “Now we’re talking.” I focused on matching his blows with speed instead of strength. Jasper’s smile dropped, and the only sound in the dark night was the cracking of wooden blades as they met each other. I found myself beginning to outpace Jasper’s moves, and I could see him concentrating as he tried to stay on top of things. There was nothing in my current world but me, these blades, and Jasper. ![]()
GIVEAWAY! Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. The book I can't wait for this Wednesday is ... Description: From the author of Annihilation, a brilliant speculative thriller of dark conspiracy, endangered species, and the end of all things Software manager Jane Smith receives an envelope containing a list of animals along with a key to a storage unit that holds a taxidermied hummingbird and salamander. The list is signed “Love, Silvina.” Jane does not know a Silvina, and she wants nothing to do with the taxidermied animals. The hummingbird and the salamander are, it turns out, two of the most endangered species in the world. Silvina Vilcapampa, the woman who left the note, is a reputed ecoterrorist and the daughter of a recently deceased Argentine industrialist. By removing the hummingbird and the salamander from the storage unit, Jane has set in motion a series of events over which she has no control. Instantly, Jane and her family are in danger, and she finds herself alone and on the run from both Silvina’s family and her ecoterrorist accomplices—along with the wildlife traffickers responsible for the strange taxidermy. She seems fated to follow in Silvina’s footsteps as she desperately seeks answers about why Silvina contacted her, why she is now at the center of this global conspiracy, and what exactly Silvina was planning. Time is running out—for her and possibly for the world. Hummingbird Salamander is the Annihilation author Jeff VanderMeer at his brilliant, cinematic best, wrapping profound questions about climate change, identity, and the world we live in into a tightly plotted thriller full of unexpected twists and elaborate conspiracy. Publication Date: April 6th, 2021 Publisher: FSG (MCD) Jeff VanderMeer is the author of Dead Astronauts, Borne, and The Southern Reach Trilogy, the first volume of which, Annihilation, won the Nebula Award and the Shirley Jackson Award and was adapted into a movie by Alex Garland. He speaks and writes frequently about issues relating to climate change. VanderMeer lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with his wife, Ann VanderMeer, and their cats, plants, and bird feeders. ![]() Mirror Witch Magic
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![]() ACROSS THE AISLEby Stephanie Vance Publication Date: April 12, 2021 Genres: Adult, Entangled: Amara, Contemporary, Romance Tough as nails DC lobbyist Dallas McGrath can’t believe she’s being ordered to reach a legislative compromise with the opposition. And not just with anyone…with the most arrogant, obnoxious lobbyist in DC, Grant Pierce. He always finds a way to get under her skin, and it usually starts with that kissable mouth of his turning up into an annoying smirk. Well, this is one negotiation she plans to win at any cost. Career lobbyist Grant Pierce knows he shouldn’t enjoy ruffling the feathers of the opposition this much, but he can’t help it. Almost no one leaves him without a witty comeback—except Dallas McGrath. Maybe it’s her sharp mind, or maybe it’s the sexy way she bulldozes his every argument. Either way, he’s got the perfect plan to put her off her game. He suggests they negotiate at baseball games, jazz clubs, and nap studios—but even he’s not prepared for what happens next... Somehow the suggestion had popped out of her mouth. “Hey, why don’t we go to the Congressional baseball game?” She’d meant to give her general admission tickets to Rebekah and Jack and take up Ryan’s invitation to sit in the posh Delta Sky360 box, with catered snacks and exceptional cocktails. Instead she’d invited Grant Pierce—the man who needed to think of her as a ruthless lobbyist—to the one place in the city where she could truly be herself. God, she hoped it wouldn’t ruin baseball for her forever. Even though it was supposed to be a business meeting, she was so nervous she’d gone so far as to make it a group hang with Rebekah and Jack. She expected Grant to ask why they’d try to talk business with all these people around. Instead, he texted to ask if Oshuna could come. Of course. Dallas had texted back. Her disappointment surprised her. She’d already turned it into a group hang. Why did she care if he wanted his bestie there? Because it means he wants some company if he finds me too boring to talk to. “You don’t care if he gets bored. You don’t care if he wants other company. This. Is. Business,” she’d muttered at her phone after replying. She stood in her bedroom, digging through her closet and dresser, trying to find the perfect outfit. Her anxiety infuriated her further. She had never, not once in her life, cared what she wore to a game. Once, she’d even shown up in sweats with no makeup and her hair back in a greasy ponytail. On the other hand, her concern made sense. The teams were made up of Members of Congress. There’d be lots of lobbyists there. Maybe she’d even have a chance to talk to some key players from both sides of the aisle. Bipartisan events like this, where members of Congress and staff put aside their differences, offered real openings to discuss policy options. A compromise between UFRA and FFA would certainly qualify. Despite how much Grant annoyed her, he did seem judicious—perhaps even enough to pursue a much-needed compromise. Something Matt, her father, and UFRA had forbidden her to pursue. “Get it together, Dallas. Don’t let Grant Pierce sweet-talk you into an agreement,” she murmured. After her pep talk, she finally selected her favorite pair of faded skinny jeans, which she hoped looked casual, and a loose flowing top with a Celtic pattern, which she hoped looked slightly bohemian. Remembering Grant’s comment at Ben’s about her stained-glass jewelry collection, she clasped a pendant around her neck: not to make herself more appealing, of course. Just to see if it would distract him. She thought about telling Grant how she’d made them herself while at RISD, then dismissed the idea. That past was irrelevant now. That would surprise the hell out of him, though. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror. ABOUT STEPHANIE VANCEWashington Post bestseller and romantic comedy writer Stephanie Vance’s works often feature spunky D.C. characters who humorously discover how even political opposites can generate a lot more than just policy sparks. A graduate of the Taos Writer’s Workshop, Stephanie earned her MFA from Western State Colorado University. Her speculative short fiction has been published in a variety of outlets, including Bark Magazine, Andromeda Spaceways, and the anthologies One Star Reviews of the Afterlife and Enter the Apocalypse. Her non-fiction book The Influence Game was on Washington Post bestseller list. Just as art imitates life, Stephanie’s inspiration as a novelist is rooted in her 30-year career as D.C.’s “Advocacy Guru” and veteran of the capital’s legislative scene. An extensive traveler and avid scuba diver, she has visited six continents and dived everywhere from Iceland to the Great Barrier Reef. She attended college on a music scholarship (flute) and holds 3 master’s degrees—which she’s pretty sure equals a Ph.D. A wine-drinker and dog mom to a beloved Australian Cattle dog, she lives with her husband in Washington, D.C. Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Profile ![]() Wynter
-- EXCERPT: “I thought I’d test out the rink,” I tell Hockey Hottie—who I really can’t keep calling that, even just in my head. Not unless I want to risk blurting it aloud. “I’m Zoelle Wynter. Zoe for short.” “Wynter, eh?” He lets out a deep, throaty chuckle that I can feel right down to my toes. Then he extends one large hand, palm up. For a second, I think he wants me to cross the distance between us to shake it. But then he looks up at the sky and watches as the snowflakes drift down onto his skin. They melt against his bare palm and suddenly, I want to melt against his palm, too. To feel his hands all over me. To see what those long fingers of his can do. I don’t think I’ve ever had such a strong reaction to a man. Not at first sight. I’ve had one-night stands before, but I’ve never wanted to strip a man naked outdoors, in the dead of winter. Or wondered if a hockey player might want to do any other type of scoring on the ice. “Leaf,” he calls out. “What?” I stare up at him, wondering if I just zoned out on half of what he was saying. Why else would he be talking about leaves? Unless he means the Maple Leafs? But why even bring up a human hockey team, when as far as the NHL is concerned, supe teams—and supe players—do not exist? “My name.” He rewards me with a throaty chuckle. “Scottish mother. Jewish father.” “And they called you Leaf?” “Leith, with a TH.” He grins as he spells it out for me. “It actually means wet. So nothing to do with leaves.” “Wet,” I repeat and swallow hard. Leith rewards me with a knowing grin. One that has my body reacting in… well… the way his name would entail. ![]()
GIVEAWAY! Synopsis: Two childhood friends are playing house—and maybe playing for keeps—in this sexy, and unpredictable marriage-of-convenience romance. To save her Tennessee bed-and-breakfast, Sophie Bates needs a fast-cash miracle. Holden McKenzie, her childhood best friend, needs to prove to a prospective employer that he’s a committed man. Their fortunes on the line, Holden proposes…a solution. He’ll take care of Sophie’s bills if she agrees to a temporary marriage of convenience. And why not? They’re comfortable together, they have fun, and they trust each other. It’s as simple as saying “I do.” But the off-the-cuff wedding has all of Honey Creek talking—and Sophie and Holden realizing that their perfect arrangement is working too well. If they’re not careful, this marriage could turn into a love story. My thoughts: Like you love me has two things that make me swoon every time I come across them in a book- a small town setting with kind, supportive, quirky in their own way inhabitants, and my favourite trope- friends to lovers. There's nothing more romantic for me than falling in love with the person you've known and respected for years.... Holden, a.k.a. Dr Holden, aka Dr McKenzie comes back to a small Tennessee town where his grandfather runs a veterenary practice. Holden has just lost both his dream job (through no fault of his own) and his fiancee. The problem is in his field employers take a prospective candidates seriousness and stability very seriously... Sophie Bates is about to lose her beloved bed-and-breakfast...unless she comes up with a quick cash intervention. The business is a bit slow, so however hard she wracks her brains, she is no closer to finding a solution. Until Holden, her childhood friend, comes up with a perfect arrangement that will help them get weather their respective storms and get on their feet, ready to face life. A temporary marriage. You can probably guess what is going to happen with these two charming newly weds. Yep, it's obvious, they are bound to find out that they are perfect for each other. I loved Adriana Locke's writing style- it was so easy to fall into the story and keep turning pages on and on. You know what is going to happen and you are there for evry minute of the characters' journey to their happily-ever-after. Can't wait to read the next story in the series! Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. USA Today and Washington Post bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her pocket. Stay up-to-date with all things Adriana by joining her newsletter: http://bit.ly/NewsletterAddy Please contact Adriana at www.adrianalocke.com. She loves to hear from readers. Goodreads Group: All Locked Up Twitter: @AuthorALocke IG: @authoradrianalocke Facebook: /authoradrianalocke Pinterest: /authoradrianalo ![]() Bond Deeper Than Bloodby K Webster Publication Date: February 16, 2021 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Paranormal, RomanceRead for FREE in KindleUnlimited: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU From USA Today bestselling author K Webster comes a forbidden, age-gap vampire romance standalone! They took everything from me as a child. Two crazed vampire twins stole my family from me and nearly my life. Worse, they turned my favorite person into one of them. I’m now a ruthless vampire slayer with one purpose. Find the evil twins and seek my revenge. And a mercy kill for…him. He’d want nothing less. My mission is clear. I just have to find them first. All goes well until I see him again. For so long, I’ve ached to end his miserable existence he was forced into. But he doesn’t want that at all… He only wants me.About K. Webster![]() Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Newsletter |
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