BABY, IT’S HOT OUTSIDE, A Contemporary Romance Collection from The New Romance Café – Happy Book Birthday!

BABY, IT’S HOT OUTSIDE

A Contemporary Romance Collection from The New Romance Café

It’s getting HOT in here …

This multicultural charity anthology has something for everyone: enemies to lovers, swoon-worthy athletes, vacation romance, insta love, fake relationships – take your pick or read them all!

All proceeds go to Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This summer read is available for a limited time only, don’t miss it!

BUY LINKS:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096THQTVW
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B096THQTVW

Available in KU

INDIVIDUAL STORY BLURBS

Ignite – Kenna Shaw Reed

She. Hit. Me.

My first day in town and my ute is wrecked. I’m here to play football, not play fireman. Rylee’s sexy, sassy and knows her way around cars. But I’m not looking for the perfect woman— even if she crashed into me.

He’s not my type.

I’m done with footballers. I’m done with sexy AF men who can have any woman they want. I’m done. Except, Ethan is more than a footballer. He’s more than his billion-watt smile. But if he’s not ready to be part of our town, then we have nothing to ignite.

***

Say You’re Mine – Charlotte O’Shay

Skylar: I’m not the type of woman who kisses strangers in bars. But if you met this guy—the one with a shiner on his sculpted cheekbone and a New York City sized chip on his massive shoulders, if you looked into his turbulent eyes—you’d understand. He figures I’ll tumble into his bed—because I kissed him without knowing his name. But one stolen kiss is all I’ll take because this bad boy will never be satisfied with a woman like me.

Finn: Actions speak louder than words and I’ve learned to let my fists do my talking. Schoolyard bullies who ridiculed my stutter only made that mistake once. These days women want my tatted-up fighter’s body more than romantic words I can never give them. But when a sleek uptown woman comes on to me in a bar, everything changes. Now I have to find the words to make her mine.

When serendipity brings them together, will they have the courage to say yes to forever?

***

Segments From A Secret Summer – A. Perveen

Meet-cute with a namesake stranger was the last thing on Tamanna Shaikh’s mind when she’d reluctantly boarded the plane to get to her ex-husband’s cousin’s destination wedding. Her mother was cross with her, the last two books hadn’t sold well, and inspiration was playing hard-to-get. Could spending time with her intriguing co-passenger raise the temperature enough to help unfreeze that cold, colossal bitch? Ah, well, no harm in trying…

As a successful, exclusive event planner, Armaan Jatoi loved weddings. Good thing his clients didn’t know he hated marriage. Having witnessed the train wrecks on steroids that counts as marital bliss for most people, a lasting relationship was the farthest thing he wished for. But casual flirtation with a gorgeous namesake wedding guest? Count him in. Only, the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to turn away…

She spins dreams from truths. He dresses up lies for a living. Can love be born in a place that was dismantled before they met? No place like a desi summer wedding to find out.

***

Summer Vacation Blitz – Jackie Paxson

Ellie Franklin is a devoted elementary school teacher. Her whole life revolves around her school year and her garden. On the last day of school, her best friend offers her a free two-week trip to Fiji. At first, she’s reluctant but when she glimpses what her future could be she jumps on the opportunity. What could possibly happen on a two week vacation?

Lucas Stallworth is a star football player and a hopeless romantic. In one swoop, his heart and dreams of his own happily ever after are shattered. To break Lucas out of his stupor, his best friend arranges a vacation/training excursion to Fiji. A reluctant Lucas drags himself to the sunny beaches.

When Ellie and Lucas have an unconventional meeting, the sparks fly along with some choice words. Can two people really fall in love in two weeks or will reality crush their romance before it’s really begun?

***

The Way You Drive Me Crazy – Olivia Hardin

Can a simple drive lead to something as crazy as love?

Lacey isn’t adventurous. She’s not a wild child and crazy isn’t what she does. She’s certainly not the kind of girl who gets into a car with a total stranger to go off on a wild goose chase. But losing her dad changed things and she’s been on a mission. So, if hitching a ride with a cute mechanic from Simoneaux Bayou is needed to track down the last mysterious piece of her genealogy… well, a girl’s gotta do at least one crazy thing in her life, right?

Luke is just a grease-under-the-nails diesel mechanic. A mechanic who just happens to be the favorite nephew of one Betty Ruth… as in Betty Ruth’s Country Store. In his aunt’s eyes, he can fix just about anything, so it’s not that unusual for him to get a call about “pretty little girl” who’s car is broken down out at Simoneaux Bayou. But this girl is all woman and its hard to keep his eyes off of her long enough to get a good look at her busted transmission. And when Aunt Betty tells him he has to drive the girl to Lafayette… well, he’s not gonna argue over getting to spend a few hours alone with the best looking girl a mechanic like him has ever seen, is he?

***

Challenging Helen – Susanne Ash

Sparks fly when an disorganized wedding planner has to rely on the help of a new competitor with a hidden agenda.

Event planner Helen Williams’s day goes from bad to worse when the venue for the biggest wedding of the year falls through. Ethan Shaw is the new competition, but to her surprise, he comes to her rescue. But there’s a catch: they have to work together. Which wouldn’t be a problem, if she didn’t feel so attracted to him.

Ethan Shaw lost a big promotion to nepotism and he’s out for revenge. He needs Helen’s help to get close to one of her clients. A client who can help him get a foot in the door back home and show his old boss that he’s made a big mistake. The problem? He likes Helen and using her for his own gains is becoming harder by the day.

How will Helen react when she discovers Ethan’s secret agenda? Is the deception something they can overcome to find their happily ever after?

***

Queen of Hearts – L.D. Wosar

Radio talk show lonely hearts advisor, Darinda Levian, tells her callers to open themselves to love. However, her track record with men is anything but romantic; it’s an epic fail.

Jeffery Halohan, confirmed bachelor, thinks Darinda’s lonely heart spot on the radio is fluff. They have a friendly competition on the radio station. His failing financial advice show versus her matters of the heart. They make a deal to engage in a fake relationship for one month to help boost his ratings.

Is this agreement business as usual or will love blossom at the end of the month?

PARTICIPATING AUTHORS

Kenna Shaw Reed

Kenna lives in the land down under with most of her books set in Sydney or the south coast of Australia. She writes from experience of past loves and lovers. Of broken hearts and redemption. Of women who get the man (or men) they deserve. Kenna lives with her darling hubby, two children and two dogs who love her, and a cat that refuses to acknowledge she exists.

Facebook | Instagram | Website

***

Charlotte O’Shay

The only thing award winning author Charlotte O’Shay loves more than reading steamy romance where happily ever after always wins is writing them. Charlotte lives with her IRL hero, Mac, in the West Soho section of Manhattan where walks along the Hudson Riverfront serve up fresh story ideas every day. Charlotte loves to talk all things romance at:

***

A. Perveen

A. Perveen is a South Asian introvert who daydreams about love-myths, monsters, and magic during her day job and binge-watches period dramas at night. When she’s not writing romance, she’s either having imaginary conversations with fictional characters over chai or chatting up the stray cats in her backyard. She spends most of her life reading steamy books, humming off-key old Bollywood songs, and sighing over gardening blogs because she loves plants and has a knack for killing them.

You can follow her at:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/A-Perveen/e/B08R44J192
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/20234394.A_Perveen
FB: www.facebook.com/A.PerveenAuthor
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/saraab.e.sukhan/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aperveen1
Blog: www.sarabesukhan.com

***

Jackie Paxson

Jackie lives in central Pennsylvania with her husband, three kids and two crazy fur babies. When she isn’t writing, she’s busy irritating her colleagues at her day job. Most of her one-liners they have heard during work hours. She’s an avid reader who had a blog for more than seven years. Her love of reading and writing goes all the way back to her days reading Sweet Valley High while pretending to clean her room.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackiepaxsonauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackiepaxsonauthor
Newsletter: www.jackiepaxsonauthor.com

***

Olivia Hardin

Olivia Hardin always realized how strange she was to have complete movie-like character dreams as a child. Eventually she began putting those vivid dreams to paper and was rarely without her spiral notebooks full of those mental ramblings. She’s also an insatiable crafter who only completes about one out of five projects, a jogger who hates to run, and is sometimes accused of being artistic, though she’s generally too much of a perfectionist to appreciate her own work. A native Texas girl, Olivia lives in the beautiful Lone Star state with her husband, Danny, and their two rescue pups, Bonnie Sue and Heidi Ho.

Facebook | Bookbub | Goodreads

***

Susanne Ash

Susanne Ash writes sweet contemporary romance. When she’s not busy putting pen to paper, she loves to cook, knit, and head out exploring with her husband and daughter. She lives close to the beach in beautiful South Carolina. You’ll find that her novels’ settings are often a fictionalized version of her surroundings and the places she’s visiting with her family.

For more Palmar Island stories, check out her other books on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Susanne-Ash/e/B07TFTMD5D

***

L.D. Wosar

LD Wosar writes Western Fantasy. She’s from Olympia, Washington but currently living in Las Vegas and works in the Gaming Industry. She’s written the Western trilogy, Kit Weston Chronicles, A Capot Adventure Series, a time-travel adventure, Relic, as well as her newest Jaded Vamp series. Writing is her obsession, which she spends all of her free time writing stories with a Paranormal flare.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/L.D.-Wosar/e/B081DD1WHP
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ldwosarbooks
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LdWosar
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ld-wosar
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19390914.L_D_Wosar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ldlegendarylitcrew

DIFFICULT by Brianne Gillen – Happy Book Birthday!

DIFFICULT

Phoenix Pictures Book 1

Brianne Gillen

BLURB

“I suppose everyone expects a flop from us…But wouldn’t it be a lot more fun if we did something else?”

The Biggest Gossip, Straight Out of 1947 Hollywood!

A Diva Destined for Disaster…

With a face made for the cinema and the acting chops to back it up, Lois Ashford should be one of Hollywood’s most powerful players. But for the last decade, her notorious reputation for being “difficult” has kept her dreams of true stardom at bay—and now it might even cost her the contract she needs to continue her career.

A Heartthrob Heading toward Hazard…

Golden-boy Nick Bradley has always been considered one of the screen’s most captivating leading men—devastatingly handsome, tremendously talented, and a real-life hero to boot. That is, until a scandalous brush with the law makes him tabloid fodder and lands him in hot water with his bosses.

A Match Made for Motion Picture Magic…

When their studio pairs them in a stinker of a film, the last thing anyone expects is for their punishment to lead to a dynamic partnership—least of all Lois and Nick. And after the big bosses push them to capitalize on the momentum with a phony publicity marriage, it isn’t long before the sparks get real and their wedded bliss becomes a lot less fake. But all that glitters is not so golden, and their newly-minted status as Hollywood Royalty might just come at the expense of their hearts. Unless they can find the courage to tell a new story…

*Author’s Note—Content Warning: This book contains discussion of past (off-page) workplace sexual harassment.

Buy Links:
https://www.briannegillen.com/difficult-buy-links

EXCERPT

The Latest from Hollywood!

—November 1937

Quite the racket emerging from Neptune Pictures lately! Rumor has it the brunette stunner they were counting on to be their new Siren has turned out to be quite the Sea-Witch instead. Despite the whispers of her already being a diva on day one, we graciously gave her the benefit of the doubt. But it seems we were too merciful. Word comes from the set of her new picture—only her second, if you can believe it!—that she unleashed what could only be called a Temper Tsunami on everyone present. We have no idea what could have caused such an eruption, but really, is there ever an excuse for that kind of behavior? Looks like studio head Arthur Ronson might be regretting his decision to sign this troublesome beauty already…

***

Hollywood Happenings

—June 1940

Big change-up in Contract-land today! The fine folks at Neptune Pictures are finally unburdening themselves of their resident Difficile Dish, passing her contract across town to Parkmoor Studios. Talk of her outrageous behavior on set has become the stuff of Tinseltown legend, so it’s likely for the best that she’s moving on. We will admit, her talent is undeniable. Perhaps her new studio will have better luck taming this Shirley Temper into more of a Norma Sheer-Dream. Let’s raise a glass to Parkmoor—they’ve certainly got their work cut out for them!

Read Chapter One preview here: https://www.briannegillen.com/difficult-chapter-one-preview/

ABOUT BRIANNE

Brianne Gillen is a romance author, costume designer, theatre educator, and life-long storyteller, based in the Los Angeles area. She loves classic films, especially the screwball comedies of the ‘30s and ‘40s, and will never turn down the opportunity to browse the treasure troves otherwise known as vintage clothing stores. She is also a voracious reader and firm believer in happily-ever-afters. She has done a bit of playwriting, and in recent years, has contributed her opinions to a few online publications centering on the art and craft of costume design. Difficult is her debut romance novel, and the first in her Phoenix Pictures Series, about fierce dames and cinnamon-roll gents finding love in late-1940s Hollywood.

Social Media links:
Website: www.briannegillen.com
Instagram: @booksbybrianne
Twitter: @BooksbyBrianne

HOTEL KING by Claire Marti – Happy Book Birthday!

HOTEL KING

by

Claire Marti

Entrepreneur Ryan Michaels never loses. Well, except that time, a few years ago when he lost a promotion to spoiled rich girl, Charlotte “Charlie” Ray. Now he’s forced to hire his nemesis to secure funding to develop a string of luxury boutique hotels. Not only does she not fit his corporate vision, but she’s too damn attractive for her own good. And his.

Working as VP of Sales and Marketing for a luxury hotel is Charlie’s dream job. Too bad her boss is Ryan Michaels, the same pompous stick-in-the-mud that she remembers. If he tells her that this project is his legacy one more time, she might scream. Or maybe kissing him will get him to shut up?

Because that’s the other thing. The sizzling attraction between Ryan and Charlie is impossible to ignore. But everyone knows not to mix business and pleasure. Don’t they?

Buy Links:

Books2Read Kindle Nook Kobo Apple Google Play Indiebound

Did his player little brother want to date her? Could he blame Austin?

He surged to his feet and stalked around the room. Charlie was gorgeous, brilliant, and full of creative, progressive ideas. Hell, he couldn’t lie to himself that she intrigued him. Which was funny because at their old job, he truly hadn’t noticed her. He’d never had this strange and annoying inability to stop watching her. What had seemed obnoxious and strident before now appeared more friendly and vivacious.

And since when could he not control his behavior? He didn’t want to be attracted to her, damn it. His complicated new fascination with his former nemesis needed to stop. Simple dislike had been a lot easier.

On a personal level, it was a terrible idea––they were opposites after all. On a professional level, it was suicide. He couldn’t blur the lines.

Claire Marti started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.

Finally, Claire followed her heart and now focuses on two of her true passions: writing romance and teaching yoga.

Social Media Links:

Website: clairemarti.com
Facebook: ClaireMartiAuthor
Twitter: @clairepmarti
Instagram: clairepmarti
Goodreads: Claire_Marti
Bookbub: claire-marti
Amazon: Claire-Marti

IT TAKES HEART by Tif Marcelo – Featured New Release

IT TAKES HEART

by

Tif Marcelo

From romance author Tif Marcelo comes a heartwarming story about taking a second chance on love at a family-owned couples resort.

Heart Resort, a private resort in the Outer Banks, is a romantic getaway for couples but a hotbed of family drama for its proprietors, the Puso family. Brandon Puso, the youngest of the four siblings, prefers life on his own as a licensed contractor in DC after a falling-out with his eldest brother.

After a hurricane plows through the Outer Banks, Brandon has a change of heart. He returns to the resort to help with the grand reopening but encounters his big sister’s best friend, designer Geneva Harris, who’s there to do the same thing. But Geneva and Brandon have a secret. Years ago, they had a secret romance that ended in heartbreak.

With the resort’s future at stake, Brandon and Geneva decide to put the past aside and to keep peace with the family. But as their mutual attraction heats up, they have to decide if history will repeat itself—or if this time, love gets a second chance.

Buy links:

Tif’s Website
Amazon

Tif Marcelo is a veteran US Army nurse and holds a BS in Nursing and a Master’s in public administration. She believes and writes about the strength of families, the endurance of friendship, heartfelt romances, and is inspired daily by her own military hero husband and four children. She hosts The Stories to Love Podcast, and is the USA Today bestselling author of In a Book Club Far Away, Once Upon a Sunset, The Key to Happily Ever After, and the Journey to the Heart series.

Follow her here:

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To follow.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

LEARNING TO LOVE by Trinity Wood – Featured New Release and Giveaway

Title: Learning to Love

Series: New Zealand Sailing #1

Author: Trinity Wood

Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance

Release Date: August 5, 2021

BLURB

New Zealand Romance with Spice

Sam Northcroft needs to win.

Every single time.

On the water, on the Olympic sailing stage, or on land.

He’s got something to prove.

Ellie Tennyson can’t lose.

Not this time.

Between teaching four year-olds and playing grown-up, her dating life is flatter than a can of soda left out overnight.

She’s got something to prove.

Sparks fly between broody introvert Sam and bubbly Ellie when they meet at a house party on Auckland’s North Shore, but will his past and relentless pursuit of winning threaten their future?

***

LEARNING TO LOVE is the first book in the New Zealand Sailing series, and can be read as a stand-alone. This steamy book features a K-drama-loving artless preschool teacher, a cinnamon roll athlete hero with a lot to learn, and the most meddling group of friends ever. In the City of Lovers, HEA is guaranteed.

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

GOOGLE PLAY / BOOKS2READ

COMING SOON

HIDDEN DEEP

Releasing September 15

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

AUTHOR BIO

Trinity writes contemporary romance set in New Zealand. Because she can’t get enough of book boyfriends, she created some of her own. Get ready to meet Sam, Corey, Jay, Tai, Luke, Mike Travis, and many more, but please form an orderly line. Behind Trinity.

A self-professed good-time nerd, Trinity’s never far away from one of her trusty Pokemon coffee mugs. Trinity also swears that Margaritas can cure colds.

Keep in touch on Facebook in The New Romance Cafe, or at trinitywoodauthor@gmail.com.

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REVIEW

I always love books that transport me to another place and Learning to Love does exactly that with Ms. Wood’s vivid descriptions of the setting, the cadence of the characters’ language, and the specificity of aspects of New Zealand culture mentioned in the book.

While I got slightly breathless by the fast pacing of Ellie and Sam’s romance, I also appreciate the decisiveness of their actions. There wasn’t much push-and-pull that could get annoying if overdone. I like the effort made to be inclusive and diverse and I love the involvement of friends and families.

Overall, a promising debut by Trinity Wood. I enjoyed my return visit to New Zealand through this book.

JOY OF THE SEASON by Heather Scarlett – Featured New Release

JOY OF THE SEASON

by

Heather Scarlett

If this Grinch in a cowboy hat thinks he can steal Joy’s Christmas spirit, he’s got another thing coming.

No one believes in the magic of Christmas more than Joy Williams. She owns a Christmas-themed store in Wildwood Falls, Montana, and loves nothing more than sharing the happiness of the holidays with her customers. But then a sexy cowboy saunters into town, with his fancy boots, shiny belt buckle, and lazy smile—and an eviction notice. Turns out, he’s her new landlord, and his plans for the building don’t include her shop.

Luke Hudson is a down-on-his-luck ex-rodeo star. After a devastating injury caused him to miss out on the rodeo circuit for a full season, he needs an infusion of cash—fast. When he unexpectedly inherits an historic building, the solution is clear. Evict the tenants and sell the building. But after meeting the charming owner of the Christmas shop, that’s easier said than done.

It’ll take more than Christmas magic to save Joy’s store and teach Luke the importance of community. They’ll both have to lay their hearts on the line.

Buy Links:

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To follow

Heather Scarlett lives on the East Coast, though her heart is in Montana where she lived for six wonderful years. She loves big sky, wide open spaces, and cowboys. Heather writes smart and sexy romance that is equal parts sweet and emotionally satisfying. Her heroines are strong and sassy and her heroes are rugged and capable. Heather’s stories are family focused and relationship driven.

Social Media Links:

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DEAD DUKES TELL NO TALES by Catherine Stein – Featured New Release

DEAD DUKES TELL NO TALES

Sass and Steam #3

by

Catherine Stein

Airship pirates, mysterious inventions, and a treasure beyond compare? All in a duke’s work.

Chicago scrap metal mogul Clifford Kinsley has never encountered an obstacle he couldn’t dismantle. Until he inherits a dukedom burdened with mountains of debt, stifling rules, and people who want to ship his seven-year-old daughter off to boarding school. He’s stuck with the title for life. Which leaves only one solution: kill the duke. And for that, he’ll need the assistance of a professional.

Sabine Diebin, the infamous pirate captain La Capitaine, has one final treasure to find before she settles down to a well-deserved retirement. Unfortunately, the key to finding her prize is buried somewhere in the mess left behind by the late Duke of Hartleigh. To speed up her search, Sabine makes a deal with the oddly charming new duke-next-door. If he digs through her clutter, she’ll help him disappear.

Working together, Cliff and Sabine uncover a trail of clues that sends them on a world-wide search for a potentially life-changing device. With their combined skills, they can dodge murderous enemies and unravel baffling messages, but they can’t deny their growing bond or the desire sparking between them. Pirates don’t have partners. But if they dare to open their hearts, they might discover that the greatest treasures of all can’t be buried.

Buy Links:

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“The leftovers of the Mad Duke.” He huffed a little laugh.

“Yes. I understand you run a scrap collection business? Perhaps I could employ you to haul everything away.”

“I was in the recycling business.” His mouth tightened into a hard line. “Now, unfortunately, I’m a goddamned duke, if you’ll pardon my French.”

Sabine tried not to laugh. She really did. But he was so delightfully, blunt-spokenly American.

“Has your new title destroyed your ability to pluck valuable bits from the rubbish?”

He adjusted his spectacles, assessing her with a steady gaze. His eyes were an icy blue, like the glacial caves in the Alps—quiet, still, and eerily beautiful.

“I don’t expect it has, no.”

“Since we are neighbors, maybe you would like to lend your expertise and help me straighten out this mess of a house? As payment, you may keep what you wish of the saleable items. After I have taken any that are of interest to me, of course.”

Hartleigh folded his arms across his chest. “Why, may I ask, did you purchase this house and all the items in it if you didn’t want them?”

“I do want them. Or, rather, I want some of them. There are items in this collection, purchased long ago, that are of great interest to me, if only I can find them in the mess.”

“So you’re a collector yourself, then.”

She chuckled. “More of a treasure hunter.”

“See, Daddy?” Lola grinned at her father. “I told you!”

“You told him I was a treasure hunter?” Sabine asked.

“No. I told him you were a pirate.”

“Oh, God.” Hartleigh put a hand to his temple. “I’m so sorry. Pirates are her new favorite thing. The trip across the ocean was very long, and we’d just read Treasure Island together…”

“Please, don’t apologize.”

He leaned so far forward he rocked the piano bench onto the front two legs. “No, I must. I’m sure there’s some way I could have better explained that you don’t call your new neighbor a pirate, even if she does collect treasure, and…”

“But I am a pirate,” Sabine said. “Haven’t you heard of the infamous La Capitaine? I am she.”

Hartleigh gaped at her. “I, uh…” Before he could stammer a coherent word, the piano bench slipped, sending the peculiar new duke tumbling to the floor with a resounding crash.

This is a fantastic romp of a novel. It should be adapted into a movie along the lines of The Mummy and Romancing the Stone. The story is incredibly entertaining with humor, action, emotional depth, and romance blending well. The characters are wonderfully diverse and utterly likable, especially the MCs Sabine, Cliff, and Lola.

We’re better together. I’d rather have a short life with you in it than a long life thinking about what might have been.”

Cliff is my new favorite of Ms. Stein’s heroes. Reluctant duke, klutzy nerd, amazing girl dad, sexy considerate lover. He’s absolutely endearing. And Sabine, what a heroine! Super strong, smart, and capable with a soft center. They fit so perfectly.

Award-winning author Catherine Stein believes that everyone deserves love and that Happily Ever After has the power to help, to heal, and to comfort. She writes sassy, sexy romance set during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Her books are full of action, adventure, magic, and fantastic technologies.

Catherine lives in Michigan with her husband and three rambunctious kids. She loves steampunk and Oxford commas, and can often be found dressed in Renaissance Festival clothing, drinking copious amounts of tea.

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A DUKE IN TIME by Janna MacGregor – Featured New Release

A DUKE IN TIME

The Widow Rules

Janna MacGregor

Katherine Vareck is in for the shock of her life when she learns upon her husband Meri’s accidental death that he had married two other women. Her entire business, along with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be a royal supplier, is everything she’s been working for and now could be destroyed if word leaks about the three wives.

Meri’s far more upstanding brother, Christian, Duke of Randford has no earthly clue how to be of assistance. He spent the better part of his adult years avoiding Meri and the rest of his good-for-nothing family, so to be dragged back into the fold is…problematic. Even more so is the intrepid and beautiful Katherine, whom he cannot be falling for because she’s Meri’s widow. Or can he?

With a textile business to run and a strong friendship forming with Meri’s two other wives, Katherine doesn’t have time for much else. But there’s something about the warm, but compellingly taciturn Christian that draws her to him. When an opportunity to partner in a business venture brings them even closer, they’ll have to face their pasts if they want to share each other’s hearts and futures.

Buy Links:

Amazon B&N Books-a-Million Indiebound Powell’s

With its wild premise, easy-to-root for main characters, fascinating set of secondary characters, easy pace that kept the story moving, and low-angst conflict, A Duke In Time gives Janna MacGregor’s new The Widow Rules series a promising start.

Janna has always written strong and resolute female leads and Katherine is a remarkable example of them. Her occupation and hidden background provide for a refreshing change from the previous heroines who were born into nobility. Her backstory allows for a better understanding of her decisions and actions throughout the story.

Christian, the titular duke, is himself an admirable character with his care for war veterans and his taking up the responsibility for his brother Meri’s three widows and the menagerie that kept on coming. His kind treatment of the people under his employ and his resolve not to follow his father’s debauched ways make him immensely likable.

I like that Kat and Christian formed tight friendships with each other and with others. I like that while there was an instant attraction between them, they didn’t act on it until they established a bond. I appreciate the absence of excessive push and pull. They satisfied their physical desire with agreement on both parties without coy protestations.

While there are some aspects of the story that could have been better fleshed out (I’m still unclear how Katherine managed to start a business on her own with two hundred pounds to her name) and the lack of flaws in Christian’s characterization, I recommend this light and easy read to fans of “modern” historical romance.

Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and splits her time between Kansas City and Minneapolis with her very own dashing rogue, and one smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pug. She loves to hear from readers.

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GINGERBREAD KISSES by Minette Lauren – Book Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

GINGERBREAD KISSES
Hot in Magnolia Book 4

By Minette Lauren

Publication Date: April 30^th, 2021
Pages: 275
Categories: Sexy Romance

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Hollywood actress Ginger Lynn Harding is broke, unemployed, and stuck in the glaring spotlight of a sex-tape scandal thanks to her lousy ex-boyfriend. Changing her coveted ginger-colored hair to brown, Ginger heads to small-town Magnolia, Texas, where she plans to hide out and wait tables at the Cupcake Diner and Dive.

As a Magnolia constable and possible candidate for mayor, Roland Karr prides himself on protecting the community. When he nabs a Lauren Bacall look-alike for speeding, Roland is surprised that he lets the sassy beauty off the hook, but he can’t help it. She looks like she could use a break.

As Ginger settles into life in Magnolia, she can’t stop thinking about the handsome and debonair cop, but can she risk losing her heart when she’s lost everything else?

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

With its double serving of swoony love stories, small-town quirks, adorable pets, and fascinating characters readers would want to get to know more, Gingerbread Kisses is an early holiday treat for Romance lovers everywhere. Its fun and light tone makes it an easy and enjoyable read and its steamy sexytimes live up to the series title of Hot In Magnolia. Funny, low-angst, and hot. Exactly how I like my Romance.

This is my first book by Minette Lauren, my first visit to Magnolia, and I’m happy to go back for more. I usually don’t seek out stories with actors and actresses as lead characters because I find so little in common with them, but Ms. Lauren made Ginger Lynn sympathetic to me and I give her kudos for that.

I admire Ginger’s determination to get back on her feet after her humiliating fall from grace, her willingness to work two jobs that she considered beneath her in the past, and her gradual warming up to the people of Magnolia. I understood her loss of confidence and cheered for her when she realized what’s important. I also liked the characterization of Roland as a by-the-book constable whose life is upended when Ginger came into town. I really like his patience with her and his respect for her wishes despite her sometimes hot-and-cold behavior. I especially like the ending where they both reached out to the other and decided to be together even to the point of giving up what’s familiar.

I have an equal appreciation for the second-chance romance between Lexi and Noah. I’m always soft for heroes who fall fast and fall hard for the object of his love and Noah ticks that box for me. There’s a “Seize the Day” quality to their getting together that is totally my jam.

Ms. Lauren’s vivid descriptions gave this book a great sense of place. I can picture in my head where the scene locations are as if they’re real. Magnolia seems to be a quintessential Texas small town with a higher proportion of hot men and women than most places in the state (or country). Herein lies my major cavil about this book–the lack of diversity. There’s not much indication of multiculturalism or unconventional lifestyles. Everyone seems to be fit, white, and straight. Not truly reflective of the society we live in today.

Overall, an engaging read and a book I’d recommend to the followers of this blog. It put me in a holiday spirit, inspiring me to bake gingerbread kiss cookies. I’m not sure if it’s Ginger’s grandma’s recipe, but it sure made the house smell like Christmas. Thanks to Ms. Lauren for the inspiration and for providing me with a complimentary copy to review through Lone Star Lit.

Minette Lauren is an award-winning author who loves animals and writes humorous romance in a small Texas town.

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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

THREE WINNERS
First place: Signed copies
of the Hot in Magnolia series books (prequel included) + $25 Amazon gift card
Second place: Signed copies of all four books in the series
Third place: Signed copy of Gingerbread Kisses

(Continental US residents only. Ends midnight, CDT, June 4, 2021)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH STOP ON THE TOUR, UPDATED DAILY, or visit the blogs directly:

5/25/21	Excerpt	Hall Ways Blog
5/25/21	Character Spotlight	Forgotten Winds
5/26/21	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
5/26/21	BONUS Promo	LSBBT Blog
5/27/21	Review	Julia Picks 1
5/28/21	Character Interview	That’s What She’s Reading
5/28/21	Review	Reading by Moonlight
5/29/21	Excerpt	All the Ups and Downs
5/30/21	Bonus Scene	Chapter Break Book Blog
5/31/21	Review	It’s Not All Gravy
6/1/21	Author Interview	The Clueless Gent
6/1/21	Review	Carpe Diem Chronicles
6/2/21	Sneak Peek	The Page Unbound
6/2/21	Review	Jennie Reads
6/3/21	Review	Book Fidelity
6/3/21	Review	Missus Gonzo

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AAPI SPOTLIGHT – A LOWCOUNTRY BRIDE by Preslaysa Williams

A LOWCOUNTRY BRIDE

by

Preslaysa Williams

A heartwarming Avon debut of love, forgiveness, and new beginnings set in the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry.

Maya Jackson has worked for Laura Whitcomb, Inc, a renowned New York City bridal gown brand for years and dreams of becoming Head Designer. She has the talent, she just needs a chance to showcase her unique style. Due to an illness, she’s always prioritized her career over her personal life until Maya’s father fractures his hip and she returns to Charleston, SC. While home for only a few months, she’s thrilled to find an opportunity at the local bridal gown boutique, never expecting sparks to fly with its owner…

A military veteran and widowed father, Derek Sullivan hopes to save Always a Bride from bankruptcy in order to preserve the legacy of his mother. He also wants to reconnect with his estranged, twelve-year-old daughter, who is still recovering from the loss of her mother. The last thing he needs is a relationship with a beautiful, smart, complicated woman who will be leaving soon.

When Derek begins to fall for the lovely Maya, he knows there’s no future. But destiny has its own plans, and these two lonely people with big hearts discover that coming home to love is the best gift life can give.

Buy links:

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A Lowcountry Bride is an affecting story of discovering identity, fulfilling dreams, dealing with loss, keeping the faith, and finding love. The authenticity with how the characters’ culture came across strongly emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for own voices stories, of lifting marginalized creators, of representation and inclusion.

This book is bursting with Ms. Williams’s pride in her unique mix of West African/Filipino heritage. It’s manifested in the food, by distinctive sewing techniques, and in the sympathetic personalities of the main characters.

Maya Jackson, with her struggles to cope with a chronic illness while attempting to achieve her mother’s dreams for her amidst obstacles in the workplace, feels like a real person to me. Adding to all those the care for her injured father, she is heavily burdened than most but utterly real. Maya’s internal conflict when making life-altering choices made me anxious. Despite the guarantee of a hopeful ending, I still fretted over her decisions.

While I liked Maya, I was soft for the men in her life–her father Carl and her love interest Derek Sullivan. These two dads had similar tales of guiding their daughters to find their paths. They had the best lines from the book.

Her dad’s advice resonated with me.

But don’t stop living, Maya. Don’t ever stop living. You owe it to yourself to live every single day to the fullest.”

Derek’s declaration made me melt.

It’s not the dying that matters. It’s the living. … I can bring the past with me and use it to craft a beautiful present and a hopeful future.”

I like that despite the heavy topics (illness, deaths from a mass shooting, inequity in the workplace, racism) this book is not depressing. There’s enough humor and joy in the successes both Maya and Derek achieved individually and together.

My minor concern is with the portrayal of Laura, Maya’s boss, as an irredeemable villainess. I wish there’s more dimension to her character. After all, she hired Maya in the first place. Her part in the story appeared soap-opera-ish.

Besides that, I enjoyed this book. It’s engaging and made me root for the characters. I can’t wait for the author’s upcoming books.

Preslaysa Williams (nee, Preslaysa Edwards) is an award-winning author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction with an Afro-Filipina twist. She loves sharing her culture with her readers.

She has an undergraduate degree from Columbia University and a MPA from the University of South Carolina. She is also a Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar, a Jackie Robinson Foundation Extra Innings Fellow, and a Sol Spiegelman Scholar. Preslaysa is currently earning a MFA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University.

In addition, she’s a professional actress. She started acting at age eight, joining the Screen Actors Guild as a teenager when she co-starred on the Nickelodeon TV show, The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo.

She’s an avid bookworm and planner nerd who hoards pens, pencils, and notebooks in her spare time. In her daily life, you’ll find her wearing mismatched socks while being a homeschool mom. Preslaysa presently makes her home in Virginia with her husband and two children. You can visit her online at www.preslaysa.com where you can sign up for her newsletter community.

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