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I Was a Stripper Librarian
-- EXCERPT: I got involved with a former stripper before I ever became one myself. Lillian had gorgeous long red hair, tattoos, and wore glasses. She was working as a barista at a coffee shop in my college town, Champaign, IL. I was twenty-three and finishing off a year of fucking around partying before moving to Ann Arbor to pursue a Master of Science in Information at the University of Michigan. One day, I went into her coffee shop and, as I often did when ordering things, I became annoyingly indecisive about what I wanted. “I want a green tea, or wait, maybe a chai… I think I’m hungry… I’m sorry I’m wasting your time.” Lillian just looked at me coyly. “Don’t worry about it. I don’t have anywhere else to be.” I smiled and felt more at ease as she winked. I finally picked a chai and enjoyed the feeling as her gaze lingered on mine while she handed it to me. Then another customer popped up behind me, and I realized I had to move along, but I knew I wanted to see her again. Later, I found out from mutual friends that she was newly single and, like me, was hitting the bars like a fiend. We formally met when our friend groups started coalescing at all the local watering holes. After our drinking group finally reached critical mass, we declared ourselves a girl gang, named ourselves Pussy Control, after the Prince song, and convinced ourselves that we were a serious force to be reckoned with. Most guys quickly learned not to mess with us, because we would cackle at them or mock their ridiculous attempts to approach us. We were not the toughest or most organized gang ever, but we did at least manage to decrease the number of random guys hitting on us. Maybe Lillian’s risqué past was part of what drew me to her. I don’t know. I had never thought there was anything wrong with stripping, but like most people, it was something I didn’t think I would ever do. At the same time though, I was intrigued with her previous job and wondered what it was like to do something considered so socially deviant and potentially stigmatizing. I had actually done sex work before, but it was working as a dominatrix one summer in Chicago. That kind of work had its own stigma, but there was no audience, I didn’t have to get naked, and I also didn’t have to be nice. Lillian would tell me about the stage and the pole tricks that would leave calluses on her hands. There were her quirky customers, like the man that just wanted her to sit still like a doll on his lap while he spoke to her. She explained how different customers liked different looks for their strippers and how she avoided working at clubs that only featured what she considered Barbie look-alikes. Lillian described living in Baltimore and how she would walk around half-naked all night, make good money, and then go home to her apartment. It sounded so normal, like being a waitress who happened to forget to put the rest of her clothes on. 
GIVEAWAY! Hosted by:  Synopsis: Can she show him how to be a rancher… And a family man? Noah Bodine is paying the price for missing his sister’s wedding by temporarily running his family’s Kansas ranch. But the corporate cowboy is way out of his element. Thankfully, neighbor Kate Lancaster is there to help, though the pretty single mom isn't pleased to spend time with Noah. She still blames Noah for her husband’s death. That is, until Kate’s little boy decides to make Noah his new best friend…and changes both Kate’s and Noah’s meaning of home. Kansas Cowboys Book 1: The Reluctant Rancher Book 2: Last Chance Cowboy Book 3: Cowboy on Call Book 4: Her Cowboy Sheriff Book 5: The Rancher's Second Chance Book 6: Twins Under the Tree Book 7: The Cowboy's Secret Baby Book 8: Mistletoe Cowboy Book 9: A Cowboy's Homecoming
, My thoughts: A Cowboy's Homecoming is a sweet, heartwarming love story which deals with family and relationship dynamics, grief, raising a gifted child, finding a balance between family expectations and one's own desires and many others. When we first meet Noah Bodine, he is coming back home after having missed his sister Willow's wedding, while Kate is anxious to get home to her four year old son Teddie. An unexpected blizzard blocks roads and there isn't anyone to meet Kate. Noah offers to give Kate a lift knowing that Kate holds him indirectly responsible for her husband's death. If you love enemies-to-lovers trope, you are going to enjoy the way these two characters manage to find their way to open up to each other. Kate is still grieving and cannot imagine ever leaving her family ranch, something Noah did many years ago after a particularly heated argument with his strong-willed father. He has built a successful business from scratch and doesn't see himself as a cowboy any more. Yet, when he has to step in and take care of the ranch until his siblings come back, Noah doesn't hesitate-he'll whatever is necessary to help his family. Kate is his neighbour, so it is clear that these two are going to run into each other sooner or later. Teddie, Kate's adorable little boy, and Noah immediately take to each other, although Kate is much more guarded. Will Noah stay for a longer time or will his presence in Kate and Teddie's lives be a transient moment? I got drawn into the story straightaway and was very involved, especially in the first half (the second half was a bit too long and repetitive). There were interesting secondary characters and plotlines e.g. the story of Meg, Kate's aunt. Some characters from the previous books make their appearance adding to the atmosphere of a small town. Noah, Kate, Meg are all well-written and we learn not ony their backstory, but also what dilemmas they grapple with and what decisions they have to make, e.g. Kate knowsthat sooner or later she will have to decide whether to homeschool her gifted son or enter him into a special program, which would mean spending a lot of time driving him to the school in a different town. This was my first book from Leigh Riker's Kansas Cowboys series, but I enjoyed it so much that I would love to go back and read the previous story Mistletoe Cowboy, which is about Noah's sister Willow. An enjoyable book, recommended to any reader who appreciates clean, wholesome romance, enemies-to-lovers and single mother/father finds a new life partner tropes. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Harlequin for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. 
To Hold A Rancher’s Hand
-- EXCERPT: “You’ve been back a couple years.” Javier sipped his coffee as he gazed pensively at his former ward. “I think you’ve got a better handle on it than you let on. But it’s alright. I’d rather you take it at your pace and maybe think about settling down.” “Settle down?” Rafe couldn’t stifle his laughter. “With what? All I ever see are the sheep and dogs.” “Well, you’re always pent up in this house.” Javier motioned to encompass the kitchen and the rest of Rafe’s home. “I spend fifteen hours a day working out on the ranch.” Rafe chided, sliding his breakfast onto the plate. “I’d hardly call that pent up in the house. You know I’ve never had much luck with women.” “It’s only because you don’t actually ask any of them out,” Javier said with a chuckle. “I just haven’t met a woman who, well, a woman who made sense to me.” Gabriel took a big bite of his toast and egg. “Maybe you need to rethink how you make sense to other people.” Javier stood up to wash out his coffee mug. “Maybe it’s the way you’re looking at it.” “I’ve never even had a girlfriend,” Rafe said. “That is as awkward as they come.” “Well, it’s hard to have a girlfriend when you’re in the military. But I was married when I was 21. You know you need a support system to get you through some of these things in life that you’re going to face.” Javier placed his cup in the drying rack. “I can’t imagine facing worse than I have.” Rafe took another bite. “I pray you don’t,” Javier said. “But whatever you face, a wife sure helps with that. Martha is the only reason I was able to make it through when your parents died. Here I was all of a sudden responsible for a whole ranch and a small, grieving child.” “Well, I don’t have a child to take care of.” Rafe shrugged as he finished his breakfast. “No. You’re going to have a hundred children to take care of as soon as these ewes start lambing.” Javier laughed and drained his coffee. Rafe was just rinsing his plate when a loud static sound filled the air. A dispatcher’s voice called out over the radio. “Report of a half-acre in the grass, moderate rate of spread. Coyote Valley vegetation fire…Cow Mountain Road near mile post 12.38. Command 8. Tactical 2. First at scene will establish roadway IC. Stand by for check back on command 8.” Gabriel and Javier exchanged a look. “That’s on North Ridge.” Gabriel left his plate in the sink and headed to the entry hall to grab his gear. “All volunteers report to base,” the dispatcher continued. “Fire house 13 we have a report of a blaze starting up on Cow Mountain we need all hands to the fire department please including the volunteers we need as much help as we possibly can get. There’s a fire on Cow Mountain heading south.” Javier squinted out the window and the trees swaying in the wind. “There are a few houses up on North Ridge. It’ll get to those first.” “People living up there, still?” Rafe hoisted his web gear onto his shoulder and slung his boots and helmet up in his other hand. “Yeah, I think there are about five houses up there,” Javier said, pulling out his phone and preparing a group text. “I’ll get the guys together.” “I’ll head to the houses. It’s probably near where the fire started.” Rafe nodded to Javier who pulled the door open for him. “It’s not like there was a lightning storm going on.” “You get what you need to get done,” Javier said. “I’ll send the boys up the mountain as soon as I can.” “We’re going to need all the hands we can get,” Rafe threw his gear in the back of the truck and tipped his hat to Javier. “If the wind is blowing south, the fire will be headed straight to us.” 
GIVEAWAY! Hosted by: #Book Blitz #Frostbite (Touch of Frost Book 1) by Lynn Rush #YA #Paranormal @Xpresso Book Tours27/7/2021
Frostbite
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo -- EXCERPT: “You barely know me, Zach.” And I was so the wrong girl. He just didn’t know it. “I’m trying to get to know you. You won’t let me.” His dark eyebrow quirked up, and his dimple flared as he offered me his totally addicting half-smile. He was right, though. So trained to stay protected I’ve pretty much forgotten how to…be. So controlled. So… I inched closer, which probably looked ridiculous as I scooted across the sand, but if I was going to take a chance, Zach was going to be that chance. His eyes widened, and he leaned forward as his grip on my hand tightened. Despite the sand mixed in with our hands, his warmth still crept up my arm. But it also left a trail of goosebumps. Do. Not. Freeze. Him. I drew in a breath, then pushed that last inch separating us. My reward was the softest pair of lips. The contact, as light as it was, sent a shockwave through my chest, rattling down my spine. The warmth of the sun toasting us, and his now familiar scent, swarmed around my body, filling me with him. All Zach. I turned my head a fraction and that angle offered me even more of him. That pouty bottom lip I’d been eyeing since I’d first seen him was all mine to taste. To nibble. And I took full advantage. 
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A Vampire’s Sin
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo -- EXCERPT: She’d come to the club to talk to him countless times in the last three months, but today was different. Today, her quest was personal. The one she was coming to see was the most infuriating man of her acquaintances—as if nothing serious ever touched him. Keeping her persona at the highest level of professionalism was the best way to approach him. And there he was. She watched him work at his usual corner booth beside the bar. Magnovald St-Amand. Owner of this trendy Montreal nightspot, his actual wealth a secret, even to her. No doubt its origin tethering between both sides of the law, some legitimate and some probably criminal. And this time—even though it killed her to have to do this—it was the latter she had come for. Mag, as they called him, was pouring over a pile of ledgers spread across the table and punching numbers on a printing calculator, his demeanor unusually focused on the menial task. A nudge of respect rose with a flutter in her stomach to see him work on his own accounts. Such a contradiction. Nothing in his laid-back facade indicated a thriving business owner. As always, his dark hair brushed his neck, the curls a little too long above the plain black t-shirt emphasizing the defined broadness of his shoulders and arms. His skin—a tad too pale to be healthy—contrasted gently with the sculpted cheekbones and dark determined brows. And as she watched him check his calculations, she knew she had mere seconds before needing to brace herself from his immense charm. Once his dark gaze hit her, when his lips curled into that constant amused expression he had every time they met, she would have to fight hard her attraction for the man who was nothing like her. His life was far from the world she came from. His was late evenings and sensual pleasures. Dubious connections all over the city and the lording over its luxurious nightlife. Hers was pondered and orderly. Charity balls and business bureaus. A continuous quest to keep her tight hold on the Montreal’s real estate power. As she looked at him now with a slight weight lodged in her chest, in those few seconds before he would become aware of her presence, she couldn’t help but wonder if there was perhaps a possible place where they might be alike. But that small hopeful moment was soon over. He knew she was here. Magnovald St-Amand slowly lifted his head. With a profound inhale, she took hold of herself as the dark undercurrent of his gaze seized her and threatened her very soul. 
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The Enemy in My Bed
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo -- EXCERPT: “If you won’t talk about what happened last night, then why don’t you tell me how you got these?” I stiffen and try to move away at the feel of Pierce’s fingers tracing the scars along my back. He only tightens his grip around my waist. With every question, it’s as though he’s flaying me alive. Perhaps that’s his intent. “They were given to me by a man named Maksim.” I give in, because I don’t have it in me to fight. Not tonight. He’s chipped away at too much. Pierce continues touching each one, as though memorizing them. “That didn’t answer my question. I want to know how you got them.” I close my eyes against the painful memories. He isn’t going to let this go. “I got them by fighting back. By refusing to beg. I got them as a reminder. So I never forget who I am, which is no one. I got them because I was weak.” “Mila,” Pierce growls into my ear. “Nothing beyond that matters. Why make me pick at a scab that’s long been healed over? All that will do is add another scar to the ones already there. Don’t I have enough?” He lets out a sigh. “What if I want to get rid of your scars?” I shake my head. “Don’t be naive. Scars as deep as these, you can’t just get rid of, no matter how hard you try. They’re permanently etched into my skin.” “Look at me,” Pierce commands. Because it’s pointless to resist, I roll onto my other side and face him, but keep my eyes on the crown on his chest. He pinches my chin between his thumb and forefinger and tips my head up, so I have no choice but to meet his gaze. “I’m not talking about the scars on your back. I’m talking about the ones here.” Pierce releases his hold and places his hand over my heart. My eyes burn with unshed tears, and it’s hard to swallow. “Those might be even harder to erase.”
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Damaged Gods
-- EXCERPT: “If this kills me—” “If this kills you, you should thank me. Since you’re immortal. That means your curse would be broken.” Well. She’s got a point there. I put the test tube up to my lips, almost pass out from the horrible smell, then down it in one gulp. It hits my stomach with a burn. “The burn passes,” Pie says hurriedly. And she puts her hand on my arm, either faking compassion or really meaning it. Her touch is warm too. And something about it does make me feel better. Soon, the burn is gone and in its place is a tingling feeling in my hands. Then a buzzing in my head. “Did you get to the buzzing yet?” she asks. I nod. “Good. You’re almost there. Now, while we’re waiting for it to work, let’s talk about this job.” “No.” I put up a hand. “Not now.” “Yes. I need a job. Just a part-time one. The Honey Bean is looking for a waitress. I need that, Pell. And I will use all my money to buy what we need and then I won’t have to go into debt.” “You don’t get it. That won’t work. The harder you fight the curse, the more it works against you. The less magic money you use, the more the curse will force you to use it. Bad things will happen. And that will force you to work harder to…” I pause, not really wanting to say the last bit. “Harder to what?” she presses. “Please me. The harder you’ll have to work to please me with the debt book stuff.” She points a finger in my face. “I will not be blowing you. Just… FYI.” I cannot hide my laugh. “Good to know. And for the record, Pie, you’re not my type.” She lifts her chin up in indignation like I just insulted her. “I’m not your type?” “Nope.” “What kind of type do you like? Bull girls?” “I’m not a bull.” “A satyr chimera girl?” “There are no female satyr chimeras. We’re all men.” “Then what is your type?” And now she’s annoyed. I shrug. “I’ve always been partial to the nymphs.” “Nymphs.” She crinkles her nose like the thought of nymphs is distasteful. “Water fairies?” “Not fairies. Nymphs. You know. Willowy girls with evil intentions lurking in the forest.” She laughs. A real laugh. “You like bad girls?” “I do.” “I’m not bad enough for you?” “Not even close.” 
GIVEAWAY! Hosted by:  Thankyou to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Zoe Allison's hot summer romance Sun, Sea and Summer Vibes.  Sun, Sea and Summer Vibes Sometimes first impressions are far from the truth... Nina Darwish is a scientist who likes to proceed with caution and careful deliberation. When she arrives at the party destination of Ibiza to play PA for her best friend and international pop sensation Isla Starr, she has trouble adapting to the carefree and easy-going vibe on the island. The situation isn’t aided by Isla’s seemingly surly yet irritatingly attractive music producer, the world-renowned dance DJ Logan Wild, known by his real name—Cameron—to his friends. Plus, Nina’s run-ins with, and repeated rebuttal of, an extremely entitled and very annoying male singer named Zac don’t help to aid her mood. Unbeknownst to Nina, Cameron remembers her from the past, when he was a geeky student who admired her from afar. Unfortunately, it’s clear that Nina considers him ill-natured, no doubt due to his natural awkwardness, which he masks using a stage persona. However, even if that weren’t the situation, he’s involved in a dead-end relationship with his celebrity girlfriend Ash. Plus, Nina’s eye appears to have been drawn onto Ash’s no good ex-boyfriend, Zac, therefore there’s no point in believing anything could ever happen between them. But despite all of that being the case, for some reason, he just cannot stop thinking about her. Purchase Links First for Romance (Totally Bound’s bookstore) Amazon UK Amazon US  My thoughts: If I told you that most of the action in Zoe Allison's new book takes place on the island of Ibiza, would the picture you envision include disco, music,and parties? if these are the first things that come to your mind, well, you're on the right track....There's also a super sexy DJ, a singer, a rising influencer star...and a geeky scientist, who happens to be the singer's BFF. Don't forget an arrogant celebrity, who just won't go away and who likes to put the spanner any time he gets a chance... A few misunderstandings, deep emotional connection seemingly coming out of nowhere, obsession, flirting and forbidden attraction, and finaly passion- all the elements of a holiday romance are here, so let's unpack them. Nina has recently been made redundant and is at a crossroads as far as her future is concerned. When her best friend Isla, who has been climbing musiccharts, calls her and invites her to Ibiza (officially to work as a PA, unofficially to have a lovely all-paid holiday to help them reconnect with each other, Nina doesn't think twice. Once Nina is on the island, she is immediately drawn into the whirlwind of Isla's world. Nina gets hit on by an unlikeable A-list celebity Zac (who she can't stand) and meets mysterious DJ Logan Wild a.k.a Cameron who studied at the same university as Isla and Nina. Cam is difficult to work out-he seems cold and stand-off-ish at first glance, although, undoubtfuly, handsome. Not that it should matter, since he has an influencer girlfriend Ash. Cam and Isla are supposed to work together on a song, but Nina is getting more and more worried about her friend behaving strangely. If all of this isn't already complicated, Isla gets together with Zac, who aso happens to be Ash's ex. Cam+Ash, Zac+ Isla, Nina-...? Nina isn't there to fall in love, she is supposed to help Isla organise her work and this noble intention on her part means she gets to talk to Cameron quite a lot and discover that she might have been too hasty in her first impression of him. Despite the complex love geometry, this is a fairly short book and I don't wantto give away the story. There were some interesting issues touched upon: feeling disconnected from one's family and friends because of focusing too much on career and fame, negative aspects of social media (trolls etc), losing a parent and trying to be what you think would make them proud of you,being with a person because of their looks and judging them for superficiality at the same time. I had a few niggles the biggest of which is the 'better that the other girls' vibe, but this is just my personal opinion. Finally, I loved this cover: sun-soaked days, sandy beach, crystal-clear sea, and a book in your tote bag- what more can you ask for a perfect holiday? Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources and the publisher for the review copy.  Author Bio – Growing up, Zoe Allison loved stories about falling in love. But rather than being rescued by a knight in shining armour, she imagined herself fighting dragons alongside him, battling supervillains as heroic allies, or teaming up to dive into perilous waters in order to save a loved one from drowning. Once Zoe did grow up, she became a doctor. But as time went on, she craved a creative outlet to counter the soul sapping burnout that her career inflicted upon her, and also to achieve those happy endings that were so often lacking in the real world. She wanted heroes who truly love and value women, who find their true love inspiring, are fascinated by her, want to connect with her as a soulmate and fully open themselves to her on an emotional level. And so, Zoe began to write her romances. A Zoe Allison novel promises a heroine who is not only her hero’s equal in ability and intellect, but whose hero equals her in emotional intelligence. Her characters overcome conflict infused with spine tingling sexual tension to forge a deep connection as soul mates as well as lovers, and ultimately, they both rescue each other emotionally. Even if they might begin their journey as enemies… Social Media Links – Twitter: https://twitter.com/zoeallisonauth1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zoe.allison.9279 Insta: https://www.instagram.com/zoeallisonauthor TikTok: tiktok.com/@zoeallisonauthor  Thank you for reading the post! 
The Stolen Husband
-- EXCERPT: Now I wish I hadn’t worn the heels. “Lukas!” I call out hoarsely, afraid for him. As I run through the narrow, twisty cobblestoned streets in six-inch stilettos, my legs begin to ache again and remind me that I’m still not in great health. As swarms of people surround me, it gets even worse as my heart rate doubles, pounding so rapidly that my chest hurts. I can feel it in my ears, and it’s making me dizzy. I feel like I’m going to pass out. I try to breathe. People are brushing past me and touching me, coming from every direction. Spinning me around until I’m lost and don’t know where I am. I haven’t been this close to so many strangers without masks since before I got sick with Covid. And even way before that, I was mostly being careful… I only had a few, select indiscretions that I thought would be safe. But this all happened to me because I trusted people, and got close to people. The wrong people. And now I’m in a crowd of strangers breathing on me, and I don’t know any of them, and… I’m alone. “Lukas!” I call out again, desperately. I run in a different direction, trying to find some sign of him. What if I never see him again? Wouldn’t that be a cruel trick for fate to play on me? To give me just a little taste of happiness, a sampler plate like the tapas appetizers, and then just tear it away completely? Wouldn’t that be just my luck? Of course. Nothing else seems to go right for me lately. I should have known that the moment I agree to marry a guy, he’s bound to get kidnapped and murdered immediately when we try to go out to dinner. Why did we post our location on social media? Why were we so stupid? All these thoughts are getting to me. Worrying if Lukas is okay. Running around the restaurant in heels. I feel so useless. I find a spot where some grass is growing, and let my body sink to the ground. The grass is cool and wet underneath my legs, and that’s a bit comforting, as my body was kind of overheating. I reach down and undo the straps of my high heels to slip them off my aching feet. I just hope he’s okay. I really couldn’t take it right now if anything happened to him. I need him a lot more than I realized. Just the prospect of losing him is making me feel so sick and afraid—I guess this shows me how much I actually do love him. I am sitting here on the street corner in my red dress, like an abandoned kitten, watching the people pass me by on the sidewalk. I’m not sure what to do. Should I call the police? And what do I tell them? Would they even do anything to help? Or do they have to wait a certain period of time before they can start searching? 
GIVEAWAY! Hosted by: #Book Blitz #All I've Wanted All I've Needed by A.E.Valdez #Contemporary Romance @XpressoBook Tours25/7/2021
All I’ve Wanted All I’ve Needed
-- EXCERPT: Harlow I should’ve known something was up when a race red Ferrari pulled up to my house. Hendrix has always been flashy, from his material items to his personality. He commands the spaces he occupies. Hendrix is a man used to going after, and getting, anything and anyone he wants. Except me. I’m the girl to tell him, “No.” My response stuns him, and he asks, “It’s a no then?” Slowly, he rises from the kneeling position he adopted mere seconds ago to ask me this life changing question. “You deserve better than me,” I say as tears sting my eyes. I’m aware people are staring now. I thought we were in for an intimate night, sitting at a candle-lit table scattered with rose petals, tucked away at the back of the restaurant. But there’s nothing intimate about prying eyes focused on us, watching me refuse my boyfriend’s proposal. He sits back down in his seat and reaches across the table for my hand. “You’re my beginning and end, Harlow. All I want is you.” I can’t bring myself to meet his gaze. Staring into his honey brown eyes will only make this harder. He watches me in silence, probably trying to figure out why I would say no to his proposal. We’ve been together for two years and things were going great. We’re often the couple people describe as “relationship goals.” But despite seeming picture perfect, I can’t shake the feeling that this isn’t lasting love. “Don’t you ever feel like we’re just settling, Hendrix? As though we’re together because we’re comfortable, not because we’re in love with one another?” My eyes still haven’t met his. I didn’t want to have to sift through this with him tonight. I hadn’t expected him to propose to me. I for damn sure didn’t expect him to do it in a public place. Still not letting go of my hand, he asks, “Are you saying you’re no longer in love with me?”
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