A MONSTER LIKE ME by Pamela Sparkman

Heart of Darkness series #2

HELLO STRANGER by Lisa Kleypas

The Ravenels series #4

THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT by Emma Scott

Companion to the Full Tilt series

PLAYING FOR KEEPS by Jill Shalvis

Heartbreaker Bay series #7

UNWRITTEN by Jen Frederick

Woodlands series #5

Cross My Heart by L.H. Cosway

Hearts series #5.75

MOONSHADOW by Thea Harrison

Moonshadow series #1

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Blog Tour: The Secrets of Love Story Bridge


A single father gets an unexpected second chance at love in the heartwarming new novel from the author of The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper


THE SECRETS OF STORY BRIDGE 
by PHAEDRA PATRICK
Series: Standalone
Publication date: April 28, 2020
Published by: Park Row/Harper Collins
Genre: women's fiction 

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SYNOPSIS

It’s summer in the city and passions are soaring along with the temperature—for everyone but Mitchell Fisher, who hates all things romance. He relishes his job cutting off the padlocks that couples fasten to the famous “love story” bridge. Only his young daughter, Poppy, knows that behind his prickly veneer, Mitchell still grieves the loss of her mother.

Then one hot day, everything changes when Mitchell courageously rescues a woman who falls from the bridge into the river. He’s surprised to feel an unexpected connection to her, but she disappears before he can ask her name. Desperate to find out her identity, Mitchell is shocked to learn she’s been missing for almost a year. He teams up with her spirited sister, Liza, on a quest to find her again. However, she’s left only one clue behind—a message on the padlock she hung on the bridge.

Brimming with Phaedra Patrick’s signature charm and a sparkling cast of characters, The Secrets of Love Story Bridge follows one man’s journey to unlock his heart and discover new beginnings in the unlikeliest places.

Purchase your copy now!


EXCERPT 


As he did often, over the past three years, Mitchell Fisher wrote a letter he would never send.
He sat up in bed at midnight and kicked off his sheets. Even though all the internal doors in his apartment were open, the sticky July heat still felt like a shroud clinging to his body. His nine-year-old daughter Poppy thrashed restlessly in her sleep, in the bedroom opposite.
Mitchell turned on his bedside lamp, squinting against the yellow light, and took out a pad of Basildon Bond notepaper from underneath his bed. He always used a fountain pen to write—old-fashioned he supposed, but he was a man who valued things that were well-constructed and long-lasting.
Mitchell tapped the pen against his bottom lip. He knew what he wanted to say, but by the time his words of sorrow and regret travelled from his brain to his fingertips, they were only fragments of what he longed to express.
As he started to write, the sound of the metal nib scratching against paper helped him block out the city street noise that hummed below his apartment.

Dearest Anita

Another letter from me. Everything here is fine, ticking along. Poppy is doing well. The school holidays start soon and I thought she’d be more excited. It’s probably because you’re not here to enjoy them with us.

I’ve taken two weeks off work to spend with her, and have a full itinerary planned for us—badminton, tennis, library visits, cooking, walking, the park, swimming, museums, cooking, a tour of the city bridges, and more. It will keep us busy. Keep our minds off you.

You’ll be amazed how much she’s grown, must be almost your height by now. I tell her how proud I am of her, but it always means more coming from you.

Mitchell paused, resting his hand against the pad of paper. He had to tell her how he felt.

Every time I look at our daughter, I think of you. I wish I could hold you again, and tell you I’m truly sorry.

Yours, always

Mitchell x

He read his words, always dissatisfied with them, never able to convey the magnitude of grief and guilt he felt. After folding the piece of paper once, he sealed it into a crisp, cream envelope, then squeezed it into the almost-full drawer of his nightstand, amongst all the other letters he’d written. His eyes fell upon the slim lilac envelope he kept on top, the one addressed to him from Anita, that he’d not yet been able to bring himself to open.
Taking that envelope out, he held it under his nose and inhaled. There was still a slight scent of her on the paper, he thought, of violet soap. His finger followed the angle of the gummed flap and then stopped. He closed his eyes and willed himself to open the letter, but his fingernails dented crescents into the paper.
Once more, he placed it back into his drawer.
Mitchell lay down and hugged himself, imagining Anita’s arms were wrapped around him. But, when he closed his eyes, the words from all the letters weighed down upon him like a bulldozer. As he turned and tried to sleep, he pulled the pillow over his head to force them away.




1. A Locked Heart

The lovers who attached their padlocks to the bridges of Upchester might see it as a fun or romantic gesture but, to Mitchell, it was an act of vandalism.
It was the hottest year on record in the city and the morning sun was already beating down on the back of his neck. His biceps flexed as he methodically opened and squeezed his bolt cutters shut, cutting the padlocks off the cast-iron filigree panels of the old Victorian bridge, one by one.  
Since local boyband Word Up filmed the video for their international smash hit “Lock Me Up with Your Love” on this bridge, thousands of people were flocking to the small city in the North West of England. They brought and attached locks marked with initials, names, messages, to demonstrate their love for the band and each other, on the city’s five bridges.  
Large red and white signs that read no padlocks studded the pavement. But as far as Mitchell could see, the locks still hung on the railings like bees swarming across frames of honeycomb. The constant reminder of love surrounding him, other people’s, made him feel like he was fighting for breath.
As he cut off the locks, he wanted to yell, ‘Why can’t you just keep your feelings to yourselves?’
After several hours of hard work, Mitchell’s trail of broken locks glinted on the pavement like a metal snake. He stopped for a moment and narrowed his eyes as a young couple strolled toward him. The woman glided in a white floaty dress and tan cowboy boots. The man wore shorts and had the physique of an American football player. With his experience of carrying out maintenance across the city’s public areas, Mitchell instinctively knew they were up to something.
After breaking away from his girlfriend, the man walked to the side of the bridge while nonchalantly pulling out a large silver padlock from his pocket.
Mitchell tightened his grip on his cutters. He was once so easy and in love with Anita, but rules were rules. ‘Excuse me,’ he called out. ‘You can’t hang that lock.’
The man frowned and crossed his bulging arms. ‘Oh yeah? And who’s going to stop me?’
Mitchell had the sinewy physique of a sprinter. He was angular all over with dark hair and eyes, and a handsome dorsal hump on his nose. ‘I am,’ he said and put his cutters down on the pavement. He held out his hand for the lock. ‘It’s my job to clear the bridges. You could get a fine.’
Anger flashed across the blond man’s face and he batted Mitchell’s hand away, swiping off his work glove. Mitchell watched as it tumbled down into the river below. Sometimes the water flowed prettily, but today it gushed and gurgled, a bruise-grey hue. A young man had drowned here in a strong current last summer.
The man’s girlfriend wrapped her arms around her boyfriend’s waist and tugged him away. ‘Come on. Leave him alone.’ She cast Mitchell an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry, but we’re so in love. It took us two hours and three buses to get here. We’ll be working miles away from each other soon.  Please let us do this.’
The man looked into her eyes and softened. ‘Yeah, um, sorry, mate,’ he said sheepishly. ‘The heat got the better of me. All we want to do is fasten our lock.’
Mitchell gestured at the sign again. ‘Just think about what you’re doing, guys,’ he said with a weary sigh. ‘Padlocks are just cheap chunks of metal and they’re weighing down the bridges. Can’t you get a nice ring or tattoo instead? Or write letters to each other? There are better ways to say I lov– Well, you know. . .’
The man and the woman shared an incredulous look.
‘Whatever,’ the man glowered, and he shoved his padlock back into the pocket of his shorts. ‘We’ll go to another bridge instead.’
‘I work on those too . . .’
The couple laughed at him and sauntered away.
Mitchell rubbed his nose. He knew his job wasn’t a glamorous one. It wasn’t the one in architecture he’d studied hard and trained for. However, it meant he could pay the rent on his apartment and buy Poppy hot lunch at school each day. Whatever daily hassle he put up with, he needed the work.
His workmate Barry had watched the incident from the other side of the road. Sweat circled under his arms and his forehead shone like a mirror as he crossed over. ‘The padlocks keep multiplying,’ he groaned.
‘We need to keep on going.’
‘But it’s too damn hot.’ Barry undid a button on his polo shirt, showing off unruly chest curls that matched the ones on his head. ‘It’s a violation of our human rights, and no one can tell if we cut off twenty or two hundred.’
Mitchell held his hand up against the glare of the sun. ‘We can tell, and Russ wants the bridges cleared in time for the city centenary celebrations.’
Barry rolled his eyes. ‘There’s only three weeks to go until then. Our boss should come down here and get his hands dirty, too. At least join me for a pint after work.’
Mitchell’s mouth felt parched, and he suddenly longed for an ice-cold beer. A vision of peeling off his polo-shirt and socks and relaxing in a beer garden appeared like a dreamy mirage in his head.
However, he had to pick Poppy up from the after-school club to take her for a guitar lesson, an additional one to her music class in school. Her headteacher, Miss Heathcliff, was a stickler for the school closing promptly at 5.30pm, and it was a rush to get there on time. He lowered his eyes and said, ‘I’d love to, but I have to dash.’
Then he selected his next padlock to attack.


Excerpted from The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick, Copyright © 2020 by Phaedra Patrick. 
Published by Park Row Books



Praise for The Secrets of Love Story Bridge:

“Patrick blends romance, mystery, and quirkiness to highly entertaining effect.” —Booklist

“The Secrets of Love Story Bridge is a wonderfully hope-filled story about how plunging into the unknown and allowing ourselves to be swept along by the currents of life can bring us to a place of unexpected happiness. Phaedra Patrick has a knack for creating memorable and touching characters, and Mitchell Fisher is no exception. A brave, compassionate man who has locked away his emotions following a tragic accident, Mitchell earns our affection as we follow his journey to truth and acceptance.” —Sarah Haywood, New York Times bestselling author of The Cactus


“Fans of cozy fiction will enjoy this small escape from reality.” —Kirkus Reviews





ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phaedra Patrick is the author of The Library of Lost and Found, Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone and The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, which has been published in over twenty countries around the world. She studied art and marketing, and has worked as a stained-glass artist, film festival organizer and communications manager. An award-winning short story writer, she now writes full-time. She lives in Saddleworth, UK, with her husband and son.

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Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Cover Reveal: Varsity Heartbreaker by Ginger Scott


Check out this amazing cover of Varsity Heartbreaker (The Varsity Series, Book 1) by Ginger Scott! We hope you can join us for the first book in a new mature YA romance series! Add it to your TBR today!


VARSITY HEARTBREAKER (The Varsity Series Book 1) by GINGER SCOTT
Photograph by:  Wander Aguiar Photography
Cover Designer: Ginger Scott


Head over to Goodreads and vote for Varsity Heartbreaker as a May 2020 Most-Anticipated Romances!


Varsity Heartbreaker
Book 1 in The Varsity Series by Ginger Scott

Lucas Fuller is a lot of things.
He’s the boy next door.
He’s the first crush I ever had.
He was my first kiss.
He’s also the only person who has ever broken my heart.

For two years, I’ve wondered what happened to the us I used to know.
We were best friends, and then suddenly…we weren’t.
I tried to run away from it. I even changed schools just to make the hurt disappear.
But no matter how hard I tried to not think about Lucas, I just couldn’t stay away from the high school quarterback with perfect blue eyes and so many secrets.

I’m back. We’re seniors now. We’ve grown—all of us. And Lucas Fuller might be different, but I’m different too. This is my time to take risks, to experience life and to fall in love for real.

I want Lucas Fuller to be a part of my story, but I know for that to happen, I need to know the truth about our past.

Excerpt reveal: May 13
Teaser blast: May 5, 12, 19, 26
Release day blast: May 28
Review tour: May 28-June 4


About the Author:


Ginger Scott is an Amazon-bestselling and Goodreads Choice Award-nominated author of several young and new adult romances, including Waiting on the Sidelines, Going Long, Blindness, How We Deal With Gravity, This Is Falling, You and Everything After, The Girl I Was Before, Wild Reckless, Wicked Restless, In Your Dreams, The Hard Count, Hold My Breath, and A Boy Like You.

A sucker for a good romance, Ginger’s other passion is sports, and she often blends the two in her stories. (She’s also a sucker for a hot quarterback, catcher, pitcher, point guard…the list goes on.) Ginger has been writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and blogs for more than 15 years. She has told the stories of Olympians, politicians, actors, scientists, cowboys, criminals and towns. For more on her and her work, visit her website at http://www.littlemisswrite.com.

When she's not writing, the odds are high that she's somewhere near a baseball diamond, either watching her son field pop flies like Bryce Harper or cheering on her favorite baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ginger lives in Arizona and is married to her college sweetheart whom she met at ASU (fork 'em, Devils).

Social Media Links:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GingerScottAuthor
Twitter: @TheGingerScott
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/thegingerscott/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GingerScottAuthor
Google: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GingerScottAuthor/posts
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/GingerScott
Website: http://www.littlemisswrite.com

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Review: Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon


In this epic and haunting love story set on the Oregon Trail, a family and their unlikely protector find their way through peril, uncertainty, and loss.



WHERE THE LOST WANDER by AMY HARMON
Publisher: Lake Union/Amazon
Publication date: April 28, 2020
Genre: historical fiction, romance

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SYNOPSIS

The Overland Trail, 1853: Naomi May never expected to be widowed at twenty. Eager to leave her grief behind, she sets off with her family for a life out West. On the trail, she forms an instant connection with John Lowry, a half-Pawnee man straddling two worlds and a stranger in both.
But life in a wagon train is fraught with hardship, fear, and death. Even as John and Naomi are drawn to each other, the trials of the journey and their disparate pasts work to keep them apart. John’s heritage gains them safe passage through hostile territory only to come between them as they seek to build a life together.

When a horrific tragedy strikes, decimating Naomi’s family and separating her from John, the promises they made are all they have left. Ripped apart, they can’t turn back, they can’t go on, and they can’t let go. Both will have to make terrible sacrifices to find each other, save each other, and eventually … make peace with who they are.




Purchase Here: Amazon | Paperback | Audio









Praise for Where the Lost Wander:

“The genuine bond between John and Naomi will keep readers turning the pages.” —Publishers Weekly

“Harmon brings the tribulations of the vast westward migration to life in this sweeping, majestic narrative…filled with tension and honest reflection, as well as missteps and disappointments, all of which add a rich realism to this sumptuous historical novel.” —Booklist (starred review)



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Harmon is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and New York Times Bestselling author. Amy knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story. Her books are now being published in eighteen languages, truly a dream come true for a little country girl from Levan, Utah.

Amy Harmon has written fourteen novels including the USA Today Bestsellers, Making Faces and Running Barefoot, as well as The Law of Moses, Infinity + One and the New York Times Bestseller, A Different Blue. Her fantasy novel, The Bird and the Sword, was a Goodreads Book of the Year finalist.

Follow Amy Harmon:  
Website | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook


REVIEW

Where the Lost WanderWhere the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Where the Lost Wander is a sweeping saga of the hardships American pioneers experienced along the Oregon Trail. It's a gritty look at the devastation to befall many families who made the journey in the hopes of a better life with their loved ones. The expeditions were riddled with disease, exhaustion, hunger, and desperation. No one was prepared for the sacrifices they would have to make or the strength they would need in order to get to the other side.

    Regardless of their possessions or their position, it seems everyone has the same dream. They all want something different than what they have now. Land. Luck. Life. Even love.

I'm going to start out with what I enjoyed about the book: the author's inspiration from her own family and how she blended fiction with facts. I especially liked learning about the Shoshone chief, Washakie who played a major role in the novel. He was a real life ally to settlers who accurately predicted future technology and cultural shifts through a prophetic vision. I also liked the exploration of hate, hope, and transcendence. It's easy to point fingers, placing blame unfairly at entire groups of people after tragedy strikes. Hate and anger can consume you when you're feeling lost in despair. True strength of character is shown when you can overcome obstacles with grace. Naomi struggles to make sense of what happened to her in the last half and must find a way to find peace and direction once again with the man she loves.

We meet Naomi as a young twenty-year-old widow, about to set off on the trail with her family. John is along on the trip to help his uncle guide the group, and meet with Captain Dempsey when they reach Fort Kearney. The two of them feel an immediate draw and attraction to each other, however, he is very reserved and avoids her company at first because he believes they could never be together. As a man who is half Pawnee, half white, he has experienced prejudice and contempt his whole life. Shunned by both sides of his parentage, he feels unwanted and unloved by everyone. Never feeling as if he has a home with one way of life or people. He's understandably closed off from others because of it, and Naomi's exuberant acceptance mixed with her blunt honesty leaves him very unsettled.

When it came to the two main characters, there was a noticeable emotional attachment on my part for much of the book. That was a real problem for me as I was trying to engage with what was happening to them. Because of the rushed nature of her romantic feelings for him I couldn't help but feel that their relationship was underdeveloped. It seemed to take a backseat to the extensive descriptions of land masses, bodies of water, the directions and paths they were taking, and setting up and breaking down camp. I couldn't really comprehend why John was attracted to the sweet young artist who often leaped before she looked. Or why Naomi yearned so deeply for the quiet man who was equal parts prickly and sweet. He wanted to grow old with her at less than 30% in the book and there wasn't much interaction with them at that point.

    More than pain, I am riddled with deep regret. I have not told Naomi May how I feel about her. I have not told her that I want to watch her grow old. I have not told her so many things. And I desperately want to.

This book was quite heavy. There was a feeling of doom hanging over you like a black cloud after reading the prologue that doesn't really go away. We're told that blood is shed on the trail, and that wasn't a surprise, but the grim reality continued to deepen even further with Naomi. That being said, there were several beautiful quotes and moments that I enjoyed. For example, when Hanabi helped nurse Naomi's brother when Winifred couldn't produce enough milk. Or when John stood by Naomi and became her shelter in the storm. He waited patiently for her to heal, without judgement or censure.

Help me find my way home, wherever home is.

The ending gives you hope after the May family is so shattered, and I welcomed it with open arms after such bleakness. Without giving any spoilers, there was a certain event in the epilogue that I wish had more detail. I wanted to really savor that moment of happiness after plowing through the endlessly tragic journey with the couple. This wasn't one of my favorites by Amy Harmon, but I appreciated the themes that were deftly examined with such eloquence. It's worth a read, especially if this historical topic is one that interests you. I'm forever a fan of this author's writing, and even though this wasn't a huge hit, I always look forward to seeing what she has to offer in the future.


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Book Spotlight: The Virgin and the Rogue by Sophie Jordan


Continuing her bestselling Rogue Files series, Sophie Jordan brews up a scintillating romance about a timid wallflower who discovers a love potion and ends up falling for a dashing rogue.


THE VIRGIN AND THE ROGUE by SOPHIE JORDAN
Series: The Rogue Files #6
Publication date: April 28, 2020
Published by: Avon Romance
Genre: historical romance

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SYNOPSIS

A love potion…

Charlotte Langley has always been the prudent middle sister, so her family is not surprised when she makes the safe choice and agrees to wed her childhood sweetheart. But when she finds herself under the weather and drinks a “healing” tonic, the potion provokes the most maddening desire... for someone other than her betrothed.

With the power…

Kingston’s rakehell ways are going to destroy him, and he’s vowed to change. His stepbrother’s remote estate is just the place for a reformed rogue to hide. The last thing he wants is to be surrounded by society, but when he gets stuck alone with a wallflower who is already betrothed... and she astonishes him with a fiery kiss, he forgets all about hiding.

To alter two destinies.

Although Charlotte appears meek, Kingston soon discovers there’s a vixen inside, yearning to break free. Unable to forget their illicit moment of passion, Kingston vows to relive the encounter, but Charlotte has sworn it will never happen again—no matter how earth-shattering it was. But will a devilish rogue tempt her to risk everything for a chance at true love?

Purchase your copy now!
Amazon | iBooks  | B&N | Kobo | Google Play 



Praise for The Virgin and the Rogue:

"The sixth in the Rogue Files series is a lusty reversal of the rake-and-the-wallflower trope. A refreshing dose of fun—and the best in the series."
- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.

A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing.

In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Review: First Comes Scandal by Julia Quinn




FIRST COMES SCANDAL by JULIA QUINN
Series: Rokesbys #4
Publication date: April 21, 2020
Published by: Avon Romance
Genre: historical romance

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SYNOPSIS

She was given two choices...

Georgiana Bridgerton isn't against the idea of marriage. She'd just thought she'd have some say in the matter. But with her reputation hanging by a thread after she's abducted for her dowry, Georgie is given two options: live out her life as a spinster or marry the rogue who has ruined her life.

Enter Option #3

As the fourth son of an earl, Nicholas Rokesby is prepared to chart his own course. He has a life in Edinburgh, where he's close to completing his medical studies, and he has no time—or interest—to find a wife. But when he discovers that Georgie Bridgerton—his literal girl-next-door—is facing ruin, he knows what he must do.

A Marriage of Convenience

It might not have been the most romantic of proposals, but Nicholas never thought she'd say no. Georgie doesn't want to be anyone's sacrifice, and besides, they could never think of each other as anything more than childhood friends... or could they?

But as they embark upon their unorthodox courtship, they discover a new twist to the age-old rhyme. First comes scandal, then comes marriage. But after that comes love...

Purchase your copy now!
Amazon | iBooks  | B&N | Kobo | Audio 



Interview with author Julia Quinn On 'First Comes Scandal: A Bridgerton Prequel!




ABOUT THE AUTHOR


#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance, and and if you watch reruns of the game show The Weakest Link you might just catch her winning the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British and literary, answered all of her history and geography questions correctly, and knew that there was a Da Vinci long before there was a code.

A graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, Ms. Quinn is one of only sixteen members of Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. Her books have been translated into 32 languages, and she lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.

The Bridgertons, her popular series of historical romance, is currently in production by Shondaland as a Netflix original series starring Julie Andrews, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rége-Jean Page.

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REVIEW

First Comes Scandal (Rokesbys, #4)First Comes Scandal by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was my first read in the prequel series, and what fun it was! In First Comes Scandal, Georgiana Bridgerton meets her match with her childhood friend, Nicholas Rokesby. The Rokesbys have a neighboring estate and the two families are inseparable. Nicholas' father, Lord Manston is Georgiana's godfather, so when she is abducted by a fortune hunter and her reputation is ruined, he's not willing to sit by idly. He immediately summons his fourth child home from medical school to swoop in and save the day. I don't know if it's funny or sad that it never even crosses his mind that Nicholas would object to an arranged marriage. Probably a little of both. His heart was in the right place, but he could have been trapping his son in a loveless, passionless marriage for the rest of his life. When the idea is presented to him in fact, it was hard for him to wrap his mind around looking at Georgiana in a romantic way, let alone spending the rest of his life with her.

Georgiana has found herself in a horrible position through no fault of her own. She's always followed society's rules, and comported herself like a lady, but gossips were quick to shred her reputation to tatters after Freddie Oakes' abduction. Although she never particularly yearned for marriage or entering a season to find possible suitors, she's despondent over the choice being taken away from her. This is one thing the two main characters had in common-being trapped in a situation not of their own making where people play with their life like chess pieces. Georgiana is understandably sensitive and frustrated about people telling her how she must feel, or that she doesn't know her own mind. The last thing she wants is pity or duty from a man proposing to her, and that is how she views poor Nicholas' clumsy offer.

Nicholas thought he knew her pretty well considering how much time they spent together growing up. But shortly after they renew their acquaintance, her sense of humor and intelligence has him looking at her in ways he never has before.

    “When Georgiana Bridgerton smiled like that, he wanted to reach into the sky and grab down the sun, just to hand it to her on a platter.”

Her curiosity for medicine rivals his, and they can have intellectual and often hilarious conversations about the subject most important to him. If women were afforded the same freedom of choice back then, Georgiana would have loved to get a higher education. Nicholas would answer all of her questions and treated her as an equal rather than patronizing her. When she told him how she felt about her own health issues he truly listened to her and trusted that she knew what was right for her own body. He was such an honorable and gentle man. I loved that both he and Georgiana were inexperienced in romance and physical intimacy because we got to see them discover passion for the first time together.

    She had known him forever, but suddenly the whole world was strange and new. He was holding her hand, and she was suddenly full of emotion and confusion and something she couldn’t quite define.

The Bridgerton kids' parents from the main series are in this which was such a delight to me! We are gifted a peek into Edmund and Violet's relationship early in their marriage when the lovebirds were blissfully wrapped up in each other. Edmund is Georgiana's brother, and at the time of this story three of his eight children have been born. Julia Quinn gives us little snippets of insight, and of course hilarious moments to savor. They are just secondary characters here, so their page time isn't heavy, but it was wonderful to spend just a little bit of time with them from a new perspective.

I would describe this story as sweet and entertaining that lacks misunderstandings or drama. If you're looking for a romance with low angst this would be a great pick. For me, there wasn't much conflict between the couple, and the romance did feel rushed in the way that it moved from platonic to love in a short span of time. However, I enjoyed every minute with the Bridgertons! The cat scenes had me belly laughing, and Julia Quinn's fast-paced writing was such a comfort to ease into. There was zero difficulty engaging my attention, and never a moment of boredom. I can't wait to catch up on the rest of the series!


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Release Blitz: Don't Go Stealing My Heart by Kelly Siskind

Today we are celebrating the release of a romantic comedy title from Kelly Siskind! Don't Go Stealing My Heart just went live, and you won't want to miss this romance! CLICK HERE to grab your copy now, and make sure to follow Kelly for details about all of her books.

PURCHASE NOW

Amazon | Apple | Nook | Kobo

Don't Go Stealing My Heart by Kelly Siskind

A Standalone Romantic Comedy
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Book Blurb:

She wants to steal his Van Gogh. He wants to steal her heart. Some people would call Clementine Abernathy a criminal. She considers herself a modern day Robin Hood, who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Not exactly on the up-and-up, but she knows what it's like to lose everything. Her latest heist involves swiping a priceless Van Gogh from its owner, who's supposed to be an egotistical trust-fund brat. Turns out Jack David is a sexy, kind-hearted man...and Clementine is in trouble. Falling for her mark would make her the World's Dumbest Conwoman, but Jack is charmingly persistent, always singing sweet songs in her ear. And that earth-shattering kiss? She never stood a chance. Now she's imagining a fresh start with this dashing man, but that means telling Jack about her past. And other nefarious sorts are after the same painting. Too soon, Clementine learns what it means to risk it all for love.

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

 
A small-town girl at heart, Kelly moved from the city to enjoy the charm of northern Ontario. When she’s not out hiking with her husband or home devouring books, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head.
Her novels have been published internationally.
 

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Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Spotlight: The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez


From the USA Today bestselling author of The Friend Zone comes an adorable and fresh romantic comedy about one trouble-making dog who brings together two perfect strangers.


THE HAPPY EVER AFTER PLAYLIST
by ABBY JIMENEZ
Publication date: April 14, 2020
Published by: Forever
Genre: contemporary romance

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SYNOPSIS

Two years after losing her fiancé, Sloan Monroe still can't seem to get her life back on track. But one trouble-making pup with a "take me home" look in his eyes is about to change everything. With her new pet by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker's owner reaches out. He's a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.

Well, Sloan's not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can't deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There's no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?

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Praise for The Happy Ever After Playlist:

"A perfect blend of smart, heart-wrenching, and fun."
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Delightfully adorable."
Library Journal

"Jimenez combines sentimentality, sexiness, and humor in this remarkable rom-com about finding the courage to take a second chance on love...Sparking wit and vulnerable characters bring this story to life. Jimenez tackles deep emotions without ever losing sight of fun."
Publishers Weekly (starred review)


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Abby Jimenez is a Food Network winner and USA Today best selling author with her hit debut novel The Friend Zone. She founded Nadia Cakes out of her home kitchen back in 2007. The bakery has since gone on to win numerous Food Network competitions and has amassed an international cult following. Abby's wry literary wit was spotlighted as the admin behind the hilarious viral comments on the now famous Nadia Cakes Vageode ® cake.

Abby loves a good romance, coffee, doglets, and not leaving the house.


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