Monday, October 6, 2014

Feasted On: A Little Christmas Jingle by Michele Dunaway

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 1541 | Expected Release Date: October 7, 2014 | Publisher: St. Martin's Press : Paperbacks | Obtained: NetGalley

"A Little Christmas Jingle" by Michele Dunaway

Author's Book Description : Women, men, stray dogs—everyone's looking for love this holiday season. Sometimes all it takes is a LITTLE CHRISTMAS JINGLE to get into the spirit. . .

Kat Saunders needs a Christmas miracle. She’s expanded her vet practice to include a no-kill shelter, and she forgot to get the required permits. Now that a few neighbors have complained and she’s been summoned to court, she could lose everything she has worked for. When a gorgeous detective comes to her with an abused pit-bull, she does everything she can to save the puppy and soon realizes that brooding Jack Donovan might just be the answer to her legal woes.

Jack, or Mr. December to fans of the Sexy Public Servants Charity Calendar, hates Christmas. As head of St. Louis’s first Animal Cruelty Task Force, Jack has seen the worst in people, especially around the holidays. But one sexy vet is getting under his skin with her tireless holiday cheer, intent on proving to him that there is Christmas magic in the air...

My Book Review : 4.5 out of 5 stars! Jack meets Katherine (Kat) at a ball they both attend, while there they share a mistletoe kiss and loose each other in the middle of everything going on. A while later they meet up again after Jack bring an terribly abused puppy (Jingle) to Kat's clinic for help, from there a relationship begins that will shake up their lives for the better.

Kat and Jack's romance is one that would put a good Hallmark Christmas movie a run for its money. It was sweet, fun, with just enough drama to keep the reader enraptured! I especially loved how after their "big crisis" Jack won Kat back, as it was very romantic! Plus, I liked all the animals that were in this novel since it gave it more personality! Poor Jingle, though, I wish I could cuddle that little guy. Even though I know Jingle isn't real, his story is a common one (sad to say) and I liked how Ms. Dunaway handles the subject.

I recommend this novel to those who like contemporary holiday romances!!

Purchase This Book Here :

Author's Novel Extras : A Little Christmas Jingle - Overview

Book Teaser(s) :
"Oh, please. You mean to tell me you weren't flattered by all those women vying for attention at the ball?"
"You mean my stalkers?"
"Fan club?"
"Stalkers. Or overzealous attention seekers? Calendar groupies? Those better terms?" ~ within Chapter 3

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Michele, then please check out her website.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Made the Grade: Whiskey Creek Series, Book 3

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Hardcover - Pages: 400; Paperback - Pages: 400; Kindle Edition - File Size: 508 | Expected Release Date: January 29, 2013 | Publisher: Harlequin : MIRA Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"When Summer Comes" [Whiskey Creek Series, Book 3] by Brenda Novak

Author's Book Description : One day, Callie Vanetta receives devastating news. . .

She needs a liver transplant. But her doctors warn that, in her case, the chances of finding a compatible donor aren’t good.

Determined to spend whatever time she has left on her own terms, she keeps the diagnosis to herself and moves out to her late grandparents’ farm. She’s always wanted to live there. But the farm hasn’t been worked in years and she begins to fear it’s too much, she’ll have to return to town.

One night, a stranger comes knocking at her door...

He’s an attractive and mysterious drifter by the name of Levi McCloud who offers to trade work for a few nights’ shelter. Callie figures she doesn’t have anything to lose. He needs a place to stay until he can fix his motorcycle; she needs an extra pair of hands. The arrangement seems ideal until what was supposed to be temporary starts to look more and more permanent. Then she realizes she does have something to lose — her heart. And, although he doesn’t yet know it, Levi stands to lose even more.

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! An Army vet, who's on the run, stumbles onto Callie's front door and into her life after being attacked by dogs seeking help. Little does Callie know that Levi will give her the hope that she needs to keep fighting for her life, if only they both are willing to sacrifice their hearts for one another.

After reading "When Lightning Strikes" I found I wasn't a fan of Callie (at least from how she acted in that novel), therefore I was delighted to find that I enjoyed her as a heroine in this novel. She is a strong woman who doesn't know how to inform her friends and family about her illness. When Levi comes into her life he gives her an unknowing reprieve to forget about her own fears, a chance take care of someone else for a change, and a way to come to terms about what she really wants out of her life no matter how little she might have left of it.

I found Levi and Callie's romance to be heartwarming and fun. I liked how Levi held his previous love in such high regard that it took him a while to come to terms with his own feelings for Callie. Together they found a way to lighten each other’s burdens and create prospective futures for themselves, if they are willing to get over their pasts and fight for what they want.

The only reason I didn't give this novel a higher score was because of how long it took Callie to inform her friends, family, and Levi about her illness. I understand she was under a lot of stress and liked to pretend everything was normal for her but it was very annoying how long she waits and then the way she just throws the results out there for them was terrible too.

Nevertheless, I liked how this novel wraps up, how Levi steps up, and the epilogue. In addition, I liked how this one was written in a multi-POV way and updated us more on Kyle's divorce along with a bit about Olivia and Brandon's relationship.

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes contemporary romances that deal with intense situations.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 0.5 (Prequel) | Book 1

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : The Bastard / Honor Bound | Coulda Been A Cowboy

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013

Author's Novel Extras : WHEN SUMMER COMES - Overview & Excerpt | When Summer Comes Hit USA Today’s Top 100! | WHEN SUMMER COMES & THROUGH THE SMOKE are NRCA Finalists!

Author's Series Extras : Whiskey Creek Series - Overview | WHEN WE TOUCH - Overview & Excerpt | WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES - Overview & Excerpt | WHEN SNOW FALLS - Overview & Excerpt | HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK - Overview & Excerpt | TAKE ME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - Overview & Excerpt | COME HOME TO ME - Overview & Excerpt | THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS - Overview & Excerpt | THIS HEART OF MINE - Overview & Excerpt | Whiskey Creek Store | WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES is a 2012 NRCA Finalist! | WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES is a 2013 finalist in the Booksellers Best! | WHEN SNOW FALLS is a Golden Quill Finalist | WHEN SNOW FALLS Named Best Contemporary of 2012 by RT Book Reviews! | Next up on the Whiskey Creek Series... | HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK is a RITA Finalist! | HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK is a Booksellers Best Award Nominee!

Book Teaser(s) :
The hair rose on Callie's arms. Her dog meant business. She'd never seen him like this. What had him so upset? And what should she do about it? She'd watched too many true-crime shows not to realize what could happen. But, given her health, getting murdered would be too ironic. Surely, this couldn't be leading there. ~ within Chapter 1
"We're going over approved content for when we're making love."
She smiled at his playful expression. "I see. How about 'just shut up and kiss me'?"
"Not bad. I've used that one myself," he said, his mouth so close to hers they exchanged breath.
"Do you have a list?" she asked.
"Just some suggestions."
"Like..."
"'Give me more' is fine. 'God, that feels good' is even better. And 'Ah, yes, fuck me' in broken gasps is pretty much my favorite. But I'm in a precarious state when it comes to control, so you might not want to use that one too soon."
She laughed; she'd never seen this side of him. He'd always been so serious. "What about 'nice ass'?"
He nipped at her lips. "I give you 'fuck' and you give me 'ass'? That's grade school stuff." ~ within Chapter 20
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Brenda, then please check out her website.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Made the Grade: Whiskey Creek Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Hardcover - Pages: 448; Paperback - Pages: 448; Kindle Edition - File Size: 533 | Expected Release Date: August 28, 2012 | Publisher: Harlequin : MIRA Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"When Lightning Strikes" [Whiskey Creek Series, Book 1] by Brenda Novak

Author's Book Description : Simon O’Neal’s causing trouble again. And it’s up to Gail DeMarco to stop him.

Gail DeMarco left Whiskey Creek, California, to make a name for herself in Los Angeles. Her PR firm has accumulated a roster of A-list clients, including the biggest box office hit of all — sexy and unpredictable Simon O’Neal. But Simon, who’s just been through a turbulent divorce, is so busy self-destructing he won’t listen to anything she says. She drops him from her list — and he retaliates by taking the rest of her clients with him. Desperate to save her company, Gail has to humble herself by making a deal with Simon. The one thing he wants is custody of his son, but that’s going to require a whole new image. He needs to marry some squeaky-clean girl who’ll drag him off to some small, obscure place like Whiskey Creek. . . Gail’s the only one he can trust. She agrees to become his wife — reluctantly. But she isn’t reluctant because he’s too hard to like. It’s because he’s too hard not to love!

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars, a woman agrees to marry her ex-client as a way to help out his image and get custody of his son while getting her company back on better footing. What neither of them expect is to loose their hearts along the way to achieving their goals.

This novel was not what I expected, as I had hoped for it to be a bit lighter and fun then it was. Even though, I did like its plot, at times it was hard to read the amount of Gail protesting about her feelings for Simon or how much she discredited his feelings. After a while, I found Gail a bit annoying and had to force my way through the novel to the end. Nevertheless, I am happy I finished it as I feel it really redeemed Simon and proved how much their relationship was beginning to mean to both of them.

I will say I liked them together, once they put all of their insecurities to the side, they seemed like they could be a good couple.

Overall, I do recommend this novel to those who are fans of this series, fans of Ms. Novak, and/or those who like contemporary romances!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 0.5 (Prequel) | Book 3

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : The Bastard / Honor Bound | Coulda Been A Cowboy

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013

Author's Novel Extras : WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES - Overview & Excerpt | WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES is a 2012 NRCA Finalist! | WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES is a 2013 finalist in the Booksellers Best!

Author's Series Extras : Whiskey Creek Series - Overview | WHEN WE TOUCH - Overview & Excerpt | WHEN SNOW FALLS - Overview & Excerpt | WHEN SUMMER COMES - Overview & Excerpt | HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK - Overview & Excerpt | TAKE ME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - Overview & Excerpt | COME HOME TO ME - Overview & Excerpt | THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS - Overview & Excerpt | THIS HEART OF MINE - Overview & Excerpt | Whiskey Creek Store | When Summer Comes Hit USA Today’s Top 100! | WHEN SNOW FALLS is a Golden Quill Finalist | WHEN SNOW FALLS Named Best Contemporary of 2012 by RT Book Reviews! | Next up on the Whiskey Creek Series... | HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK is a RITA Finalist! | WHEN SUMMER COMES & THROUGH THE SMOKE are NRCA Finalists! | HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK is a Booksellers Best Award Nominee!

Book Teaser(s) :
"Something wrong?" he asked when she couldn't get comfortable.
He hadn't moved in some time. She'd assumed he was asleep. "No, why?"
"I thought you didn't want to watch Here Comes Pussy."
She could hear the laughter in his voice and felt a certain amount of embarrassment. "I didn't really watch it. I was just...surfing around."
"Sure you were."
He'd caught her and he knew it. "It was your fault!" She threw a pillow at him, which he batted away.
"You were in charge of the remote." ~ within Chapter 11
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Brenda, then please check out her website.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Blog Tour - Made the Grade: Prince Hafiz's Only Vice by Susanna Carr | Interview, Review, & Gift Card Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Susanna Carr, who I interviewed about her latest novel "Prince Hafiz's Only Vice!!"

ALSO -- Be sure to check out Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY(s)!! [Blog Tour will run from September 29 - October 24, 2014]



My Q&A with Susanna Carr :

Jess : Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Susanna : I read my first Harlequin when I was ten years old and that started a lifelong passion for all things romantic. My favorite romantic movie is FRENCH KISS, my all-time favorite TV show is REMINGTON STEELE, and my favorite romance authors are Lori Foster, Lynne Graham and Jayne Ann Krentz.

Jess : Please describe Lacey, from "Prince Hafiz’s Only Vice," in one to two sentences.

Susanna : Lacey loves unconditionally but she is never the top priority of those she loves.

Jess : Which of your characters would you most & least like to invite to dinner, from which book and why?

Susanna : I would invite Hafiz because he had done and accomplished a lot in his life. I would also invite Lacey but I think they would only have eyes for each other and I would feel like the third wheel.

I would not invite the Sultan from "PRINCE HAFIZ'S ONLY VICE." He would decline anyway because he would disapprove of me.

Jess : Is there any differences and/or similarities between Hafiz from your "Prince Hafiz’s Only Vice" novel and Travis from your "Wild Weekend" novel?

Susanna : Hafiz has to consider his countrymen who rely on him when he makes a decision. Travis, on the other hand, makes choices so he is not bound to anyone any place.

Jess : What sparked the idea for "Prince Hafiz’s Only Vice?"

Susanna : I wanted to write a story about forbidden romance. Once I decided to set it in a desert kingdom, I started to think about the characters and why they were the best, the worst, and the only ones for each other.

Jess : What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write in a novel and why?

Susanna : The epilogue is my favorite part of "PRINCE HAFIZ'S ONLY VICE." While I was writing the book, I stopped to write the epilogue to see their happy ending and then went back to writing the book.

Jess : What is the most dramatic thing one of your characters, from "Prince Hafiz’s Only Vice," said or did?

Susanna : I won't give away too much, but I would say Hafiz's sacrifice was probably the most dramatic thing he did in the story.

Jess : Out of all of the secondary characters within "Prince Hafiz’s Only Vice," do you have one or two favorites so far? If so, who are they and can you tell us why?

Susanna : My favorite secondary character is Hafiz's brother, Ashraf. While he is considered the perfect prince, son, and even perfect brother, I think he has some dark secrets--and dark passions--that are just ready to break free.

Jess : How many books have you written? Which is your favorite and why?

Susanna : I have written over thirty romances and each one has a special meaning to me. For example, "THE WRONG BRIDE" is an important book to me because it was my first print book. "SECRETS OF A BOLLYWOOD MARRIAGE" is one of my favorites because I've been thinking about the idea for years. "PRINCE HAFIZ'S ONLY VICE" is one of my favorites even after several rewrites and I kept at it. I'm glad to see it out in the world.

Jess : Do you have any other projects in the works? If so, can you share a little of your current work with us?

Susanna : My next book "LET THEM TALK" is a Harlequin Blaze and will be in stores February 2015. It's about three women who take part of a risqué book club and try out what they've read with unexpected results. I also have another Harlequin Presents coming out in July 2015. "TYCOON'S DELICIOUS DEBT" is a revenge story that offers readers glamour and scandal in exotic locations.

Jess : Do you have a favorite aspect of fall or tradition in your family during fall/Halloween season that you’d like to share with us?

Susanna : Once the trick-or-treating is over, we have a tradition of watching WAIT UNTIL DARK starring Audrey Hepburn. We turn off all the lights to watch and--it never fails--I jump at the one famous scary scene.

Jess : If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

Susanna : "STILL AT IT"

Jess : What cartoon character best represents your personal philosophy?

Susanna : One of my friends gave me the nickname of Eeyore. I can see the downside to anything.

Jess : List 3 books you just recently read and would recommend?

Susanna : I've been on a novella kick these days and I really enjoyed:
"BACK IN THE ITALIAN'S BED" by Annie West
"THE GREEK'S STOLEN BRIDE" by Kate Hewitt
"THE LADY ALWAYS WINS" by Courtney Milan



About the Author :

Susanna Carr is an award-winning author known for her contemporary romances. Readers throughout the world find Susanna's stories a delightful escape that has often helped them through difficult times. Reviewers frequently describe her work as "fun", "sexy" and "a must read." When she isn't writing or spending time with her family in the Pacific Northwest, Susanna enjoys reading romance and connecting with readers online.



- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 192; Kindle Edition - File Size: 294 KB | Expected Release Date: October 1, 2014 | Publisher: Harlequin Presents | Obtained: Goddess Fish Promotions

"Prince Hafiz's Only Vice" [Royal and Ruthless Series, Book 8] by Susanna Carr

Author's Book Description : What a royal wants...

Prince Hafiz devotes his days to his people and his nights to indulging his desires with his stunning American mistress, Lacey Maxwell. But duty requires him to marry a "suitable" bride.

In her deepest secret fantasies, Lacey naively hopes to one day wear Hafiz's ring, until her dreams are shattered and he chooses someone else.

Faced with the reality of a passionless union, Hafiz realizes the years spent with Lacey have done nothing to slake his hunger for her. Instead he's determined to turn his only vice into a virtue for the sake of his country...and each other!

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars, a man struggles to deal with his two worlds. Feeling like he has no hope in bringing those worlds together he is forced to give up one of them, either the only woman he’s ever loved or the life he’s built for himself and the country he hopes to help prosper.

In truth, this novel was a struggle to get through, mostly, because both Hafiz and Lacey make their situation sound so bleak even though I understood where each of them were coming from. It would be easy to have stopped reading this novel as soon as things went down hill between them and not have liked Hafiz because of his attitude about keeping Lacey only as his mistress. Yet if you don’t stick with it you’ll never get to read the sweet redemption scenes that each of them have or find out that even though Hafiz didn’t like his own decisions he thought they were the only options he had at the time. I liked how this novel was able to redeem it’s characters enough that I was able to root for their relationship, hope for something more/better for them, and not completely hate them for being dumb while everything was going on. =0)

Basically, if you really think it over, Hafiz isn’t the bad guy; he’s just a product of the life he was born into and struggling to make the best of the situation while making up for his past mistakes. Hafiz’s parents are the true bullies in this novel. So much so that I wish there was more interaction with them so the readers could hate them more. *hahaa*

Together I feel that Hafiz & Lacey help each other flourish into something better. Both of them admit to it in the novel more then once and it was hard not to it notice too. I liked their romance, it was intense and hard, but not every novel can be a fairytale even when its own character tries to compare herself to a certain longhaired princess.

I do recommend this novel to those who are looking for an intense contemporary romance!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

Author's Novel Extras : PRINCE HAFIZ'S ONLY VICE is available for pre-order (with a TEASER) | Readers in Canada can also pre-order (with a TEASER) | You can pre-order the larger print edition of PRINCE HAFIZ'S ONLY VICE (with a TEASER) | Get the print or eBook edition of PRINCE HAFIZ'S ONLY VICE now (with a TEASER) | The print edition of PRINCE HAFIZ'S ONLY VICE (with a TEASER) | PRINCE HAFIZ'S ONLY VICE is now in stores (with a EXCERPT)


Book Teaser(s) :
Lacey leaned against the wall and sighed. Hafiz flattened his hands next to her head, her sunglasses dangling from his loose grasp. He stared at her mouth, his lips stinging with the need to kiss her.
But this was as close as he would allow himself. If he leaned into her softness, he wouldn’t leave.
The tip of her tongue swept along her bottom lip. “Hafiz, we’re outside,” she reminded him, her voice hitching with scandalized excitement. “You shouldn’t be this close.”
He knew it, but it didn’t stop him. She was his one and only vice, and he was willingly addicted. He had already risked everything to be with her. Each day he made the choice to risk everything for her. But now the choice was taken away from him, and it was all coming to an end. ~ within Chapter 1
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Susanna, then please check out her website.



Book Excerpt :

"I will miss you, Hafiz," she said brokenly as her throat closed up. The tears she thought couldn’t happen beaded on her eyelashes.

Hafiz let out a shuddering breath. He swept his fingertip against the corner of her eye, taking her tears with him. The moisture clung to his knuckle, and he rubbed it into his skin with his thumb, silently sharing her agony.

The image took a chink out of her hard-earned resolve. Lacey wrapped her arms around her stomach before she crumbled altogether. "I had so many questions to ask you, and now I can't remember what they were." All except for one that danced on her tongue. "Did you ever love me?"

Silence throbbed in the air.

Lacey blinked at the question that had tumbled from her mouth. Of all the things to ask, her mind screamed.

Hafiz went unnaturally still.

"I don't know why I asked." She shrugged as her pain intensified. "Please, don't answer that."

The words were ripped from deep within her. She desperately wanted to know the answer. She never questioned it before, but she had been living in a fantasy.

Lacey had always felt Hafiz loved her. It was in his touch, in his eyes, and in his smile. But he never said the words, even when she chanted her declaration of love in the height of ecstasy.

It was too late to find out. If he didn't love her, she would never recover. If he did love her, then she would never let go. Even if he was married, even if he kept her hidden. And she couldn't let that happen.



Giveaway!! :

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Soo .... COMMENT on this post!! And you could WIN!! =0)

ALSO -- Be sure to follow the tour around the other blog sites!



Find Susanna Carr :

Feasted On: Texas Rodeo Barons Series, Book 6

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 224; Kindle Edition - File Size: ??? | Expected Release Date: November 1, 2014 | Publisher: Harlequin : American Romance | Obtained: NetGalley

"The Texan's Christmas" [Texas Rodeo Barons Series, Book 6] by Tanya Michaels

Author's Book Description : HER CHRISTMAS WISH

The last thing rodeo cowboy Daniel Baron needs is a commitment. After a lifetime of feeling like an outsider among his larger-than-life stepfamily at Roughneck Ranch, Daniel is ready to leave the ring—and Texas—behind forever. Except he can't stop thinking about the woman he just met—beautiful, bighearted...and pregnant.

Of course Nicole Bennett is attracted to strong, sweet Daniel—he's pretty much perfect. But he made it clear that he doesn't want a family, the one thing Nicole's dreamed of her whole life. Now, just as that dream is coming true, Nicole could lose the only man she wants to share it with...unless Daniel can find the courage to open his heart.

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars!! I loved how this series wrapped up with Daniel’s story! It is a lighthearted novel about two people, who have always felt like they were living on the outside looking in, finding each other. Yet, after a while of spending time together they have to decide if they want to stick to their personal dreams or to listen to their hearts.

Daniel & Nicole sizzle from the beginning and their chemistry doesn’t let up! I especially liked how these two fall into a relationship with no expectations yet end up caring for each other from the very beginning. So sweet, I didn’t want this novel to end!

I recommend this novel and series to anyone who enjoys contemporary romances!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 5

Authors' Series Extras : New Kid On The Block | The Allure of Cowboy Stories | Writing from the Heart


Book Teaser(s) :
"You're what?" He dropped his gaze to her midsection in disbelief. "Seriously?"
She scrambled down from the railing. "No, not seriously. I always make random jokes about carrying a baby after a guy kisses me."
"Right. Stupid question." ~ within Chapter 5
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Tanya, then please check out her website.
This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts. Basically Jess earns from qualifying purchases.
More specifically Jess partners those websites' programs and you should be aware that they may collect personal information when you interact with their sites. The collection and use of this information is subject to their own privacy policies.
You can check out Rakuten Marketing's privacy policy here: https://rakutenmarketing.com/legal-notices/services-privacy-policy/