Here is some great info on the new release from Helena Hunting, and be sure to come back for my stop on the Blog Tour on July 19 – I’ll have a juicy review for ya!
“I LOVED both Cosy and Griffin! This story was ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!”- Kendall Ryan, New York Times bestselling author
Making Up an all-new laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from New YorkTimes bestselling author Helena Hunting is available now!
Cosy Felton is great at her job—she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she’s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she’s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list.
Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend’s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him.
As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin’s motivations, there’s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off. Filled with hilariously awkward situations and enough sexual chemistry to power Sin City, Making Up is the next standalone in the Shacking Up world.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.
I’ve made no bones about my love for Melanie Moreland’s books (see my reviews of Bentley, Van, and Over the Fence for example). The Contract is no exception.
The story has a “Beauty and the Beast” feel to it,
but not in the usual way. I mean, Katy is a good and kind person, and everybody
likes her (except for Richard), and Richard is pretty much a beast to everyone,
but mostly Katy, who happens to be his assistant. It’s not giving anything away
to say that by the end there is a HEA (I mean, it’s a romance, for Pete’s
sake!)
What makes Ms. Moreland’s books stand out, however, is the
way she manages to bring depth to her characters. An excellent illustration of
this occurs early on when Richard makes repeated judgments about what Katy
eats, how she dresses, and how clumsy she is. He’s pretty darn nasty about it
every time.
As the story progresses, we find out (at the same time as
Richard) the reasons for why Katy dresses poorly, eats very little, and is
often clumsy. And the reasons are deep and meaningful. The reader has the
opportunity to feel Richard’s shame right along with him, but at the same time,
admire Katy for her strength and courage.
Reading that over, it sounds a little convoluted. But it’s hard
to put just how REAL these characters are into words without totally giving
away the plot.
The story itself has a great background, and the catalysts
for the major events all make perfect sense and are natural. There is never anything
forced about this author’s plots. Even the twists are never melodramatic but
heartfelt and realistic.
I’ll also admit to needing tissues a few times, including
during what might be the most romantic gesture I have ever read in a story. But
it was the moments with Penny that got me the most because they reminded me of the
last times I spent with my father before he became unable to speak or move.
Ripped me apart completely, but (as in the past) Ms. Moreland managed to show
me the hope on the other side of sadness.
I loved the story, I loved the characters (even Richard’s grumpy ass), and I want to work with The Gavin Group. So yeah, essentially I just want to go live in their world.
Melanie Moreland has fast become one of my favorite authors. I’m a huge fan of the BAM series, but this book is just as good, if not better. The trope is familiar (boss needs fake fiancé, “hires” assistant, shenanigans abound, and true love appears). But that is selling this book incredibly short because Ms. Moreland has a true talent; she creates real characters with depth and natural emotions, which makes it so much easier to root for them. Richard’s “awakening” and Katy’s inherent goodness dovetail perfectly. I loved following the journey of these two and hope there will be more books in their “universe.” For more thoughts on this book, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. This book was written based on a complimentary digital copy.
Working at Bliss Lingerie, Sarah Harrison deals with all sorts of—interesting clientele. Yet no one sparks her interest more than Jared Gaines, the ultra-rich, ultra-sexy businessman who frequents her shop, buying delicate little “gifts” for the women in his life.
But one day, Jared sends her a gift from Bliss. Then another—and another. So when Sarah walks into his office demanding to know why he can’t stop sending her gifts, he makes her an offer she somehow can’t refuse: be his fake girlfriend for the weekend while attending his brother’s engagement party.
Next thing Sarah knows, she’s in San Francisco, pretending to be in love with Jared. Not that it’s a hardship. Once you get the man away from the office, he’s much more relaxed. Sweet. Funny. Even…thoughtful? Oh, and sexier than ever, of course.
Their pretend relationship feels very real, very quickly. Soon Sarah’s in over her head. Could what she and Jared share turn into something real? Or is it all actually…fake?
Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and HarperCollins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.
She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she’s not writing, she’s reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She’s a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.
It’s now available!!! ICYMI, here’s my 5-star review.
The Kissing Contract, an all-new irresistible romance from USA Today bestselling author Amy Andrews, is available now!
Marshall Dyson wants one thing and one thing only: to raze his grandfather’s island to the ground. Everything is ready to go––except for the freakin’ bunnies! Hundreds of the furry critters hopping about and multiplying before his eyes. And then there’s the American Bunny League, along with one distractingly beautiful veterinarian, taking him to court to save them…
Dr. Augusta “Gus” North can’t believe the grumpy–and annoyingly hot–builder she’s facing in court cares more about demo-ing some cabin than the lives of 200 bunnies. But when the judge orders Marshall to stay on the island and help her rehome the rabbits – the entire month – she knows they’re going to need to lay some ground rules.
Like, for example, absolutely no kissing. Might as well go ahead and get that in writing. Sure it’s on a napkin, but that still counts.
How hard could it be to keep their hands off each other amidst all the fighting? Surprisingly, harder than wrangling 200 bunnies…
Amy is an Aussie author of hot contemporary romance who believes in multiple orgasms, mighty wangs and happily ever afters. She’s been penning them for over twenty years and has 70+ books to her name.
As well as unforgettable characters and great sex you’ll also be treated to some laughs and a dollop of quirk because Amy doesn’t seem to know how to write a book without a bit of both. You might also cry a little because there’s nothing she loves more than a laughy-criey book!
She also loves sunsets and rainbows, unicorns and mermaids, booze and travel. And her home that overlooks the ocean. She may also happen to believe she was a Roman goddess in her past life because its the only thing that explains her adoration for all things Italy.
Let me just start by saying that I love the way Amy Andrews plots her stories. There is no fake drama, no 11th-hour twists, and no extra characters; just two people with their hang-ups trying to navigate the crooked path of love. You know, like real life. The Kissing Contract is no exception.
It’s the story of Gus and Marshall, and holy hell is it good!
From the opening courtroom scene to the closing scene, I liked just about everything in this book. I loved how Marshall was open and honest with his feelings and how comfortable he was (for the most part) in his skin.
I’m not gonna lie, Gus thought a little bit too much. I love that she had brains and got why her character was the way it was, but there were times that I wanted to yell at her to stop overthinking things too much. I’m sure I’m not alone in that.
But that’s also what makes Ms. Andrews’ characters so realistic. It would be perfectly natural for a woman like Gus to react the way she did to events and feelings. She is relatable and human. So is Marshall, especially when it comes to stepping out of his comfort zone.
And let’s talk about that comfort zone. Bunnies. Everywhere. Pregnant bunnies. Honestly, one of my favorite parts of the entire book was Marshall finding himself in the role of bunny matchmaker. His “profiles” of the bunnies for the adoption website were hysterical.
Of course, no Amy Andrews book is complete without a few steamy scenes, and this book includes not one but two of the steamiest I have read in a long time. The shower scene alone will stick in my memory for quite awhile. To be perfectly honest, that was another thing I loved about Marshall; he was willing to deprive himself in order to make a point to Gus. But when they both caved? Holy crap was it gooooood!
You don’t want to miss this one, guys. It releases July 16 – go get it!
It’s another winner from Amy Andrews! I love how her characters are human and have flaws. It makes it so much easier to root for a couple to recognize their feelings for each other. Then again, not every couple has a few hundred bunnies to deal with while they sort their feelings out. The premise was unique, and I loved the humor that tied into the plot catalyst of the bunnies. As always, the sexy times were ohhh, so hot! I’ll never look at a jetty the same way again. For more thoughts on this one, visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and the author for a complimentary pre-release digital ARC of this book.
You know that thing about what happens in paradise, stays in paradise? Yeah, no.
You know that other thing about first impressions?
Check this out: Tall. Broad shoulders. Fine butt. No manners. All work, no play reflecting in those big brown eyes.
You know that thing about keeping your hands to yourself?
I should keep my mind on the sun, sand, and tequila.
But it’s Cancun, and when Mr. Annoying turns on the charm … I can’t resist.
You know that crucial thing about never sleeping with your boss’s boss?
Yeah. Too late.
That promotion that I was a shoo-in for? History.
If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll make Miller regret making me his competition.
But I can’t stop thinking about that thing about keeping your closer …
Miller
Between a troublesome client and my fake-girlfriend-for-my-sister’s-Cancun-wedding canceling at the last minute.
I’m having the day from hell.
Then I spot Claire. Sexy. Smart. Sassy.
So one of my superstar employees is boarding the same plane.
With her help, I could kill two problems with one tequila shot.
That thing about never mixing business with pleasure?
I should’ve remembered.
Now the hottest one-night stand I’ve ever had is my biggest business rival.
We’re after the same client.
I’m after her heart.
The trick is how to win one without losing the other.
Because when love has you by the balls, it’s time to play dirty.
USA Today bestselling author Claudia Burgoa spins a new romantic comedy. This hot office rivalry romance will have you swooning and laughing your panties off! An enemies to-lovers contemporary romance with just the right amount of heart and humor.
Hey everyone! I’m reading this right now, so I’m excited to share an excerpt. Be sure to check back for my stop on the blog tour in about a week!
We’re a couple of minutes away from my apartment, which also means we’re almost at the end of our date. End-of-date protocol often means a goodnight kiss.
And I’ve eaten onions. Lots of them. What the hell was I thinking? I feel around in my shorts pocket, hoping I have a random stick of gum. I find a tiny square packet and pull it out, along with an old tissue. I shove that back in my pocket and sigh with relief as I carefully open the Listerine Pocketpak. There’s one strip left. I pop it in my mouth, wishing I had water since my mouth is dry and I’m suddenly super nervous.
Griffin pulls up in front of my apartment building. I swallow a bunch of times, trying to get the strip to dissolve on my tongue and glance out the tinted window, seeing it from his perspective. I don’t live in a bad part of town, but I sure as hell wouldn’t leave this car sitting out here for any length of time unless I wanted it keyed or stripped down.
Griffin shifts into park and turns to me, one hand resting on the back of my seat near the headrest. “I had a great time, Cosy.”
“Me too, thanks for dinner.” I tried to fork over my share, but he was quick on the credit card draw.
“It was my pleasure.” He leans in the tiniest bit, a nonverbal cue that he’s going in for a kiss.
I mirror the movement, giving him the go ahead. My stomach flutters in anticipation. I exhale slowly through my nose. Even though the Listerine strip should be doing its job to mask the onions, I don’t want to ruin the moment by breathing that in his face.
His fingertips skim my jaw, and I close my eyes. And then his lips brush my cheek. I wait for them to move a couple of inches to the right, but after what feels like a lot of seconds—and is probably only a few—I crack a lid.
Griffin is still close, a wry smile on his lips and a smolder in his eyes.
“Seriously, that’s it? A kiss on the cheek?”
His smile widens, making his eyes crinkle at the corners. He’s nothing like the guys I usually end up on dates with. College boys don’t take things slow. If I were out with one of the guys from school, I’d be sitting in a beat-up Civic with some stupid music playing, and he’d be all over me with his tongue halfway down my throat, copping a feel.
“I thought all the onions you ate were the equivalent to garlic for vampires.” Griffin fingers my hair near my shoulder. I’d really like him to finger something else. Wait. I mean I’d like to feel his hands on me. Not in my pants. Okay, maybe I’d like them in my pants, but not after date number one.
“I wasn’t thinking, and I really like onions. A lot. In hindsight, it’s not a great date food. I feel kinda dumb. And I guess at first I wasn’t so sure about you. How was I supposed to know you’d actually be kind of normalish?”
“Normalish?”
“Well, you drink club soda on purpose, so you can’t be all there.” I tap his temple.
Griffin circles my wrist with his fingers and drops his head, lips brushing over my knuckle. “We can’t all be perfect, now, can we?”
“I suppose not, and perfect is boring.”
“That it is.” He hums against my skin, and I feel it through my entire body. “I would like to try that kiss again, if you’re still interested.”
A new standalone, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting.
Cosy Felton is great at her job—she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she’s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she’s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list.
Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend’s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him.
As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin’s motivations, there’s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off. Filled with hilariously awkward situations and enough sexual chemistry to power Sin City, Making Up is the next standalone in the Shacking Up world.
Bio:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.
I hadn’t read the first books in the series, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What I got was a mixed bag of a book. I thought that the plot was interesting and ultimately, that is what kept me turning the pages. For once, a tag line is accurate because it is not for the faint of heart. There were only a few grotesquely detailed scenes, but they were vital to understanding the motivations of the characters, so I didn’t mind them. I will say, however, that there was a lot of backstory and references to previous events that kept me a little bit confused at times–even though this could be read as a standalone, it would have been much more enjoyable had I read the others first, so readers may want to take that into consideration. The only real disappointment was with the reveal of the ultimate bad guy–I thought it fell flat and came out of nowhere. I was hoping for more of a twist. But otherwise, it was a good crime novel that explores the evil nature of man and how easy it is to manipulate people. I would recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK, and the author for a complimentary pre-release digital ARC of this book.
Inspired by her years working in corporate America, Sienna loves to serve up stories woven around confident and successful women who know what they want and how to get it, both in – and out – of the bedroom.
Her heroines are fresh, well-educated, and often find love and romance through atypical circumstances. Sienna treats her readers to enticing slices of hot romance infused with empowerment and indulgent satisfaction.
Sienna loves the life of travel and adventure. She plans to visit even the farthest corners of the world and delight in experiencing the variety of cultures along the way.
When she is not writing or traveling, Sienna is working on her “happily ever after” with her husband and children. Hosted by RRR PROMOTION
Danielle Lazzari is in trouble. Someone wants the head of the Lazzari family six feet under. With her brother in prison and her father dead, Dani is trying to take the family business legit. But when the threatening letters get all too real, her childhood best friend and love of her life is forced to protect her.
Michael Armstrong left Chicago wanting to make a life for himself and Dani. Becoming a Navy SEAL was a dream come true until a tragedy forces him into seclusion. But when the only woman he’s ever loved is in trouble, Mikey leaves the security of his cabin and heads to Las Vegas hoping to keep Dani safe. Needing their expertise, Mikey calls on former SEALs, Tex and Dude to help find a would be killer.
Does Michael have what it takes to protect the love of his life, or will her stalker find her first?
