THE BEST MAN’S PROBLEM by Sera Taíno – Featured New Release

THE BEST MAN’S PROBLEM

Sera Taíno

He can’t forget the kiss he shared with the best man.

But is he the best man for him?

His sister’s wedding isn’t the ideal place for Rafael Navarro to reconnect with the man he kissed in a moment of reckless abandon. But it’s impossible to avoid best man Étienne Galois! The gorgeous Haitian photographer hasn’t forgotten the intimate moment they shared, even if Rafi is the most maddening person he’s ever met. Can the two find common ground, proving opposites not only attract—they can become lovers for life?

The Navarros

Book 1: A Delicious Dilemma
Book 2: The Best Man’s Problem
Book 3: The Trouble with Exes

Purchase from your favorite retailer here: https://serataino.com/thebestmansproblem

Sera Taíno writes romances exploring the joy of love in the context of community and family in all its rich diversity with an emphasis on inclusiveness.

She was selected for the Harlequin Romance Includes You Mentorship, an initiative launched in 2019 to reach out to diverse communities of writers and bring more own voices stories to romance readers.

Her debut novel, A Delicious Dilemma, published with Harlequin Special Edition, is now available.

When she is not writing, Sera can be found teaching her high school English class, reading, or wrangling her husband and two children.

Sign up for Sera’s newsletter here, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, or BookBub to stay up to date.

I am so happy the Familia Navarro is back! I felt an affinity with this family (especially Papi Enrique) since Sera introduced them in A Delicious Dilemma and I’d been impatiently waiting for Val’s siblings to have their own stories. And now, they’re here beginning with Rafi’s story in The Best Man’s Problem.

Grab the moment because life is too short to waste any of it.”

I knew from the start that I would like this story because opposites attract is one of my favorite Romance tropes. And boy, are Rafi and Étienne opposites. Rafi is so controlled, super organized, and a lot uptight while Étienne is a little chaotic, seize-the-day kind of person. This is the main reason for all the pushing away that happens in the story. And the pull? It’s the physical attraction between them plus the similarity in their love of their respective families and fierce loyalty–Rafi to Val and Étienne to Philip.

I know my worth … I deserve to have someone love me with their whole chest.”

As always, Sera’s writing is lush. Her prose is lyrical and evocative. She makes me relate to the characters and feel for them. I may have related too much to Étienne because, during the point of high conflict, I wanted to kick Rafi’s stubborn ass. Oops!

Life has no loyalty to anyone, so you must live it without remorse.”

I love the diversity, the rich multicultural background, and the steam in Sera’s stories. The first two books in the series have been excellent. I can’t wait for Nati’s turn!

THE EARL SHE SHOULD NEVER DESIRE by Lara Temple – Featured New Release

THE EARL SHE SHOULD NEVER DESIRE

Lara Temple

BLURB

This very handsome earl … Is the one man she cannot fall for…

War widow Lily Walsh has left her aristocratic family behind, but she can’t deny her younger sister’s request to come to London to meet her fiancé. Though not a love match, Lord Sherborne is kind, amusing, and ideal for her sister on paper. But as Lily gets to know him, she’s finding him alarmingly attractive! And the forbidden look in the earl’s eye shows the feeling is mutual …

Purchase Links

https://books2read.com/ThreeKisses
https://bit.ly/MarcusLily

ABOUT LARA

Lara Temple writes strong and sensual Regency romances about complex individuals who give no quarter but do so with plenty of passion. She lives with her husband, two children, and one very fluffy dog and they are all very understanding about her taking over the kitchen table so she can look out over the garden as she writes and dreams up her Happy Ever Afters.

Author Links:

Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/LaraTempleAuthor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaraTemple1
Twitter: www.twitter.com/laratemple1
Amazon author page US: http://bit.ly/LaraTemple
Amazon author page UK: http://bit.ly/LaraTempleUK
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/LaraTemple
Website: www.laratemple.com

REVIEW

In what I consider her most sensual book to date, Lara Temple’s The Earl She Should Never Desire delivers everything this avid reader wants in a Romance–remarkably well-rounded characters, superlative dialogue, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, loads of longing and pining, and a slow-burn journey to happy-ever-after.

I have always admired Miss Temple’s mastery of the written language and she displays it magnificently once again here in the way she developed Lily and Marcus’s personalities and the manner in which she built up their mutual attraction. Whether attending a lecture or a society ball, they shared exquisite moments of communication that engaged both the intellect and the emotion. I found myself learning new facts at some points and crying about touching backstories in other parts. Above all, I found myself believing in the inevitability of their love and rooting for them the entire way.

Another talent in Lara Temple’s immense arsenal is her amazing ability to enliven her characters, even the secondary ones. Dom, Lord Wrexham, with his male beauty and sharp wit, is a standout and I want his story to be told next. Lily’s placid sister Annie, ebullient brother Piers, hateful mother Mabel, and indifferent father Robert round out an expertly-drawn dysfunctional family. And finally, Ombra, Marcus’s dog was so lovable, he makes me pine for one of my own.

A touching, enjoyable read. Five desirable stars.

GIVEAWAY

Win 3 x e-copies of The Earl She Should Never Desire by Lara Temple (Open INT)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494494/

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter link. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for the despatch or delivery of the prize.

A DELICIOUS DILEMMA by Sera Taíno – Featured New Release

A DELICIOUS DILEMMA

Sera Taíno

Different worlds collide in Sera Taino’s debut novel.

It’s hard to remain enemies when you’ve broken bread together

Val Navarro’s first mistake: going out dancing after a bad breakup when the chef should be focused on her family business. Her second mistake? Thinking the handsome, sensitive stranger she meets could be more than a rebound – until she discovers he’s Philip Wagner of Wagner Developments. His father’s company could shut down her Puerto Rican restaurant and unravel her tight-knit neighborhood. When Philip takes over negotiations, Val wants to believe he has good intentions. But is following her heart a recipe for disaster?

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Purchase at your favorite retailer here: https://serataino.com/a-delicious-dilemma/

Debut romance author Sera Taíno was selected for Harlequin’s Romance Includes You Mentorship, an initiative launched in 2019 to reach out to diverse communities of writers and bring more own voices stories to romance readers. For more information on this initiative, click here.

She is also the author of several short contemporary romances, including her latest, “Oil and Vinegar,” part of A More Perfect Union: A Voting-Themed Romance Benefit Anthology. All proceeds benefit Fair Fight, a national voting rights organization based in Georgia.

Her debut, #ownvoices novel, A Delicious Dilemma, is out now with Harlequin Romance Special Edition.

When she is not writing, she can usually be found teaching, traveling, or wrangling her family.

Sign up for Sera’s newsletter here, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, or BookBub to stay up to date.

A Delicious Dilemma is a triumphant debut for Sera Taíno. It’s a sumptuous celebration of food, culture, family, friendship, and love. I devoured this tasty offering in one sitting, its themes so familiar and dear to me.

I find myself relating closely with Val. The eldest of three, close to her dad, loves dancing and cooking, and takes the responsibility for her family’s well-being upon her shoulders. She’s a truly admirable heroine.

Sera’s writing of Philip was impressive as well. I loved the way he handled his inadvertent deception. I cheered his coming into his own against his father. His gentle wooing of Val put a smile on my face.

I loved that the romance was sweet and slow-burn. The tension in the story was just enough that Val and Philip still had to work for their happy ending. Their conflict was authentic but not too heavy drama and was resolved in a satisfactory manner.

Overall, a start that’s more than promising. It already shows Sera Taíno’s immense talent. I want more stories from her. Soon, please.

A couple of my favorite recipes from the Sabor de Casa cookbook are Roasted Pork and flan as I featured here. Check them out for yourself.

A DELICIOUS DILEMMA by Sera Taíno – Preorder Blitz

A Delicious Dilemma by Sera Taíno is coming August 24th! Pre-order now and get an EXCLUSIVE cookbook straight from the fictional family restaurant featured in the novel! Simply email seraspromos@gmail.com with a screenshot or forward of your pre-order receipt to claim!

Pre-Order Here at Your Favorite Retailer

Different worlds collide in Sera Taino’s debut novel.

It’s hard to remain enemies when you’ve broken bread together

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

ABOUT SERA

Her debut, #ownvoices novel, A Delicious Dilemma, is scheduled for publication with Harlequin Romance Special Edition in September 2021.

When she is not writing, she can usually be found teaching, traveling, or wrangling her family.

Sign up for Sera’s newsletter here, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, or BookBub to stay up to date.

SABOR DE CASA

I had the privilege of receiving an early copy of the cookbook Sabor de Casa and I immediately taste-tested several of the recipes. With the Spanish heritage common in both Filipino and Puerto Rican cultures, the dishes are familiar to me and the recipes for them easy to follow. I made the roasted pork (similar to lechon), tostones (the Filipino maruya is a sweet relative), mojo, and the perennial favorite (leche) flan. All the ingredients are readily available in the local grocery stores, especially here in Texas with its huge Mexican community. I chose the small limes because they reminded me of the calamansi. I also substituted evaporated milk for whole milk in the flan recipe.

The house smelled amazing with the aroma of garlic, of the succulent pork while it roasted in the oven, and the sugar being caramelized. The roast pork was super moist and delectable my 12-year-old son had two servings.

I didn’t have a tostonera so I improvised by smashing the plantain with the use of two differently-sized dipping sauce dishes. One note about the tostones–I fried the plantains five minutes per side two times. It should probably only be five minutes for both sides. Ten minutes total frying not twenty. They turned out browner than the recipe called for. My bad. They were still delicious but did not photograph very well beside the pork. I love brown food, so it’s all good as far as I’m concerned.

The flan came out great. Creamy and not too sweet. I’ll probably use less sugar next time (2/3 cup instead of 3/4) and I’ll make it with 6-8 egg yolks. In short, I’ll revert to my own recipe. Hahaha.

I cooked a feast with the three dishes I chose. I can’t wait to try out the rest of the recipes. Maybe I’ll do the arroz con gandules, bistec encebollado, and tres leches cake next. Come back here on August 24 to see which dishes I made and to check out my review of A Delicious Dilemma. Preorder the book so you too can make these scrumptious meals.

THE RETURN OF THE DISAPPEARING DUKE by Lara Temple – New Release Feature

THE RETURN OF THE DISAPPEARING DUKE

by

LARA TEMPLE

BLURB

A scarred mercenary … Or the Disappearing Duke of Greybourne?

Rafe has spent years running from his true identity. He’s a lone wolf, living far from aristocratic England and his violent father. Then unconventional Cleopatra Osbourne requests his protection as she crosses the Egyptian desert. In Cleo he discovers a fellow outcast—and a fierce desire! Cleo must return to London, and here lies Rafe’s dilemma—because following his heart means claiming the title he’s avoided for so long!

BUY HERE:

Amazon: http://mybook.to/RafeDuke
Amazon US paperback: https://bit.ly/RafeDuke1
Amazon UK: https://bit.ly/RafeDukeUK

ABOUT LARA

Social Media links:
Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/LaraTempleAuthor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaraTemple1
Twitter: @laratemple1
Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/2mWin9R
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/LaraTemple
Website: www.laratemple.com

REVIEW

The Return of the Disappearing Duke is my new favorite among the Lara Temple books I’ve read so far. This book gave me respite from my sadness upon a good friend’s much-too-early passing.

Ms. Temple’s signature lyricism is at full display in her vivid descriptions of the characters’ travels through exotic Egypt, their turbulent sea voyage, and eventful arrival in England. Her command of languages, whether English or Arabic, is masterful in both narration and dialogue. The unpredictable nuances of her characterization for both Rafe and Cleo make them easy to love and root for. The fluidity with which she tells their story is highly admirable.

What places this book over the top for me is the delightful humor that I’d only seen flashes of in Lara’s previous works but which is amped up here. The witty banter between Rafe and Cleo, Rafe’s nicknames for Cleo, her love for Shakespeare, his verbal exchanges with both friends and villains provided many smiles and grins from me if not actual bursts of laughter.

I finished reading The Return of the Disappearing Duke feeling light and excited to share my love of it with Romance readers everywhere.

UNLACED BY THE HIGHLAND DUKE by Lara Temple – Release Day Review

UNLACED BY THE HIGLAND DUKE

by

LARA TEMPLE

Unceremoniously packed off to Scotland to care for the Duke of Lochmore’s young son, practical widow Jo Langdale fears she will be ignored as always. But the deep connection and heated passion that develops between her and Benneit is far more dangerous! When Benneit is expected to propose to another, how dare Jo dream of becoming his duchess?

Part of The Lochmore Legacy: a Scottish castle through the ages

Buy links:
https://www.books2read.com/lochmore
Amazon: https://mybook.to/Lochmore
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/BNlochmore
Kobo: http://bit.ly/LochmoreKobo

REVIEW

I thought I’ve gotten tired of reading about a handsome duke and a plain “poor relations” governess until I read Unlaced by a Highland Duke and realized I can still love this classic trope. That is provided the author is as talented as Lara Temple and the story and its characters are as well-written as this book.

I continue to admire Lara’s mastery of the English language. Her impressive vocabulary lends her narrative authenticity in terms of placing the story in its proper time period and exact locations. Whether the scene is inside a carriage, on a beach, or in a castle, the reader views them the same way a character does through exquisite visual descriptions. One could see the stark beauty of the landscape, feel the jagged edges of the rocks, hear the roar of the wind as they happen in the book.

That high quality is carried through in the well-developed characters, especially Jo and Benneit. What I love is that they didn’t need to change who they are and that layers of their personalities are revealed throughout the book. Their discovery of their feelings for one another was beautifully laid out amidst the obstacles they face especially that of Benneit being unofficially affianced to someone who can secure his son Jamie’s future. It’s incredibly easy to root for them to obtain their happy-ever-after.

Another thing I appreciate from this Unlaced is the fact that the secondary characters all served a purpose. They’re memorable and each is distinct from one another. I really approve of Lara making Jamie a normal boy who is adorable but can also be a brat sometimes.

I really enjoyed reading this novel. It has the style and feel of the old school romance books by Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood, and Johanna Lindsey that I love so much. Great story, fascinating characters, engaging dialogue, and fantastic writing. A five-star read.

ABOUT LARA TEMPLE

Lara Temple writes strong and sensual regency romances about complex individuals who give no quarter but do so with plenty of passion.

When she was fifteen Lara found a very grubby copy of Georgette Heyer’s historical romance novel Faro’s Daughter in an equally grubby book store and fell completely in love with historical romance. It took three decades and several fascinating but completely unrelated careers in finance and high tech before she turned this love into writing Regency romances.

Lara lives with her husband, two children and a very fluffy dug who are very good about her taking over the kitchen table for her writing (so she can look out over the garden and dream). She recently went looking for that crowded little bookstore but couldn’t quite remember around what corner it was. Hopefully it is still there and another girl is in the corner by the window, reading and dreaming…

MISTLETOE MIRACLES by Jodi Thomas – Book Blog Tour Author Interview and Giveaway

MISTLETOE MIRACLES

Ransom Canyon

by

JODI THOMAS

Sub-genre: Holiday Romance / Western
Publisher: HQN
Date of Publication: September 25, 2018
Number of Pages: 354

Scroll down for an exclusive giveaway from Jodi Thomas!

A small-town Texas Christmas story, where hearts are lost, love is found, and family always brings you back home.

Griffin Holloway is desperate: the Maverick Ranch has been in his family for generations, but lately, it’s a money pit. He’d sooner marry one of his horses than sell the ranch. Marriage, though, could be a solution. If he can woo a wealthy bride, he might save the ranch—just in time for Christmas. Jaxon O’Grady likes his solitude just fine, thank you very much. But when a car accident brings the unexpected to his door, he realizes just how much one person can need another. Crossroads is the perfect place for Jamie Johnson: avoiding nosy questions about why she’s single, she’s happy to keep to her lakeside home. So she’s baffled when she gets the strangest Christmas present of all, in the form of a Mr. Johnson, asleep on her sofa. Who is he, and why does everyone think he’s her husband?

In this uplifting novel, three unlikely couples discover just what Crossroads, Texas, can offer: romance, belonging, and plenty of Christmas spirit.

”Deeply poignant moments and artfully rendered characters create a rich story that transports readers to an idyllic place.”~ Publishers Weekly

CLICK TO PURCHASE!

AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR JODI THOMAS

What are some of the jobs that you’ve held and how have they impacted your writing?

I’ve had many jobs over the years and I think all of them have helped me become a better writer. I’ve checked groceries, and I’ve worked in the library. I’ve also been a counselor and I think they all impacted me and my writing because they helped me better understand people.

What do your plans for future projects include?

I plan to write more books. Of course there are ideas in my mind that I’ll never have enough time to write, but the stories will still come. There are stories that I tell myself that I don’t think I’ll ever get on paper. But one book that someday I’m going to write is a book about living the life of a writer. I think it’s interesting that writers develop in rare air, not pure air but rare air. And I’d like to write a book on that. I have a little room in my house all set up and stacked with ideas and notes, so someday I’ll get around to writing that.

What does your nightstand look like on any given day?

My nightstand has a bottle of water on it. It has a clock on it because I need to know the time even in the middle of the night. And it always has books. They’re usually stacked in the back of the nightstand and dribbling off on the floor. I have 100 books stacked up in different places in my house that I plan to read just as soon as I have time.

Do you have any strange writing habits or writing rituals?

Yes. Years ago whenever I mailed my manuscripts in, I had to kiss them goodbye. And the postman always thought that was crazy. But, I kissed all my stories goodbye. Now today the ritual I have is when I finish a book, I usually take an extra day and curl up and read it like I’m a reader, And if it doesn’t measure up, then I’m back to rewrites.

What is something interesting, funny that most people don’t know about you?

Most people don’t know that I do not have a sense of a right and left. That makes it almost impossible for me to back up. We share a wide driveway with the house next door and as soon as my neighbor saw me trying to back up, he now parks his car in the garage every time. I don’t think I’ll ever learn. People have tried to teach me. It never works, but I have a great husband who every night goes out, drives my car out of the driveway, turns it around. That way when I get up, ready to go, I can go forward. Thanks, honey.

A fifth-generation Texan, New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Jodi Thomas chooses to set the majority of her novels in her home state, where her grandmother was born in a covered wagon. A former teacher, Thomas traces the beginning of her storytelling career to the days when her twin sisters were young and impressionable.

With a degree in family studies, Thomas is a marriage and family counselor by education, a background that enables her to write about family dynamics. Honored in 2002 as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Thomas enjoys interacting with students on the West Texas A&M University campus, where she currently serves as Writer in Residence.

Commenting on her contribution to the arts, Thomas said, “When I was teaching classes full-time, I thought I was making the world a better place. Now I think of a teacher or nurse or mother settling back and relaxing with one of my books. I want to take her away on an adventure that will entertain her. Maybe, in a small way, I’m still making the world a better place.”

When not working on a novel or inspiring students to pursue a writing career, Thomas enjoys traveling with her husband, renovating a historic home they bought in Amarillo and checking up on their two grown sons.

◆ WEBSITE ◆ FACEBOOK ◆ TWITTER ◆

◆ AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE ◆ INSTAGRAM ◆ GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE ◆

—————————————

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

An exclusive giveaway from Jodi Thomas!

(No purchase necessary. Transportation is not included. Winner will have one year to select available dates. Limit of four people at the condo for selected dates. No exchanges.)

click the image to enter the giveaway

CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

9/25/18		Promo			Hall Ways Blog
9/25/18		Promo			Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
9/26/18		Review			That's What She's Reading
9/27/18		Author Interview 	Chapter Break Book Blog
9/27/18		Excerpt			Kelly Well Read
9/28/18		Review			The Book Review
9/29/18		Author Interview	Carpe Diem Chronicles
9/29/18		Excerpt			Reading by Moonlight
9/30/18		Review			Book Fidelity
10/1/18		Review			All the Ups and Downs
10/2/18		Excerpt			Momma on the Rocks
10/2/18		BONUS Review		Missus Gonzo
10/3/18		Promo			Forgotten Winds
10/3/18		BONUS Review		StoreyBook Reviews
10/4/18		Review			Rebecca R. Cahill, Author
10/4/18		Review			The Clueless Gent