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Saturday, November 2, 2013

Weekly Winners

Below is a list of all of the winners from the past week.

Sienna
HGTV Magazine Subscription from Aven Ellis

Diane
Book of Choice from Maggie Robinson

Tiffany
Meghan
Never Desire a Duke by Lily Dalton

Anita
RFTC Monthly Giveaway

Angela
Swag Pack (Spooktacular Giveaway)

Sharlene
Swag Pack (Spooktacular Giveaway)

Jeanne
Swag Pack (Spooktacular Giveaway)


All winners have been notified via email. Thank you to everyone that stopped by and entered. =)

Review: Falling For Her Fiance by Cindi Madsen


I love a good friends to lovers story. I always find them to be so much more believable because they seem to be the most plausible trope out there. That being said, sometimes the storylines tend to become very similar and can almost seem to be the same old thing just regurgitated with a few differences. Falling For Her Fiance was different though. I really loved the spin that Cindi Madsen put on this one, and it was nice to see these best friends actually fall in love. Wes and Danielle really were just friends before this story started, and I found it unique that neither one of them had been secretly pining away for the other. It really caught them both by surprise and this one was a fun one to read because of that. I really enjoyed watching them as they began to feel more for each other than just friendship.

Danielle needs a date for a work retreat. It is her best chance to convince her boss that she is ready and deserving of a promotion. When she approaches her best friend Wes with the idea, he is happy to help on one condition...that she attend his sister's wedding with him as his fiance. Wes is ready to prove to his family and his ex-fiance that he has moved on, and what better way to do that than with a new fiance. Even though Danielle and Wes have always been just friends, they think this is the perfect solution to both of their problems. They have always got along great and have a lot of fun when they are together. But what they don't expect is to start developing feelings for each other and the more time they spend together the more they become attracted to one another. But can they admit that things are starting to feel less fake and more real? Or will they continue to fight what they are feeling in order to not risk their friendship?

I loved Wes. I thought that he was sexy and sweet, and I loved that he was spontaneous. He brought out a side in Dani that she didn't seem to have with anyone else. It was nice to see that he loved and cared about his family and that they were such a big part of his life. I also really liked Dani. She was exactly the type of heroine that I connect with. She is anything but girly and definitely more into being one of the guys. She was determined and strong, and I liked how much she did to help take care of her family. She was kind and thoughtful and definitely put them first. I liked both Dani and Wes individually, but absolutely loved them together. Their relationship was natural and easy. They definitely belonged together, even if they couldn't see it. They were sweet and funny, but also really supportive and always there for each other. It was great to see them as they started to feel the chemistry between them and really sort of look at each other in a new way. With this being a Bliss title, there was more less steam than I would have liked though. I was really hoping to get a bit more of them actually together, but I still found their scenes to be enjoyable.

Overall, this book was a great quick and light read. I found it to be sweet and romantic, but also funny. These two were not only great together, but because they were friends first they had a familiarity that you just don't get without knowing each other for years. The characters were interesting and likable, and I felt really invested in Wes and Dani. I kept turning the pages on this one until I had read the very last one, as I was unable to put it down. My only criticism is the fact that I was missing a bit of the sexiness. I just wish that there would have been a bit more physical interaction between them as I think it would have really strengthened the growing love and relationship between them. I also wish that we would have been given a bit more of an ending. It felt a bit abrupt to me, and I was hoping to get a bit more of them after everything that had happened. But those complaints are minor and didn't keep me from liking this book. I think that this is book is one that any romance fan will find to be very enjoyable and believable. Wes and Dani are fantastic characters, and its impossible to not root for them and fall in love right along with them. If you haven't read this one yet, it is absolutely worth checking out.

**Copy provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |



Romance is Bliss Event with Cindi Madsen


Meet Bliss author, Cindi Madsen.

Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the author of YA novels All the Broken Pieces and Demons of the Sun, adult contemporary romances Falling for Her FiancĂ© and Act Like You love Me, and the women's fiction novel Cinderella Screwed Me Over.

Places to find Cindi:
| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Friday, November 1, 2013

Review: Jane's Gift by Karen Erickson


So far everything that I have read by Karen Erickson, I have really enjoyed. Jane's Gift is no exception. Being part of the Bliss line from Entangled, Jane's Gift is more sweet and sensual than the sexually charged stories that Erickson usually writes. While normally I really love the sexy and steamier reads the most, I found that I was enjoying this story so much that I didn't miss it like I thought I might. This book is a great holiday read and really brings out the spirit of the season.

After losing her husband in a tragic house fire that left her covered in scars, Jane takes her three small children and moves back to her hometown. Her family and friends rally around her to help out. When her brother Mac sets up a tour with the local fire captain Christian in order to ease the kids' fear, sparks fly between Jane and Christian. Christian is not one for commitment, and Jane is still mourning the loss of her husband as well as self conscious over the scars the fire left behind. But the attraction the feel to each other is unlike any they have felt before. Soon they are unable to fight the connection they feel to each other and they give in to their feelings. Can Christian get past his fear of relationships and commitment, or will the idea of a ready made family and a future be too much for him to overcome? And will Jane be able to leave behind her past and open herself up enough to let Christian in and share herself with him?

I liked Christian. He was a nice guy. I loved that he was persistent in his pursuit of Jane. He never gave up and kept trying no matter how many times she rejected him. I also really liked how understanding and patient he was with not only Jane, but also her kids. He was sweet and sexy, and he was also a great leader and friend. He was a very likable guy and was very easy to root for. Even though he did make a few mistakes, you could tell that he was scared and in unfamiliar territory, making it easy to overlook. I liked Jane. She was a great mom and a survivor. She was a little timid and self conscious about the way she looked after all that she had been through, which was completely understandable. I liked that she began to open up to Christian and he helped her to see that she was pretty despite all that happened to her. He was able to help her emotionally heal and grow and it was really sweet to see. Christian and Jane were a great fit for each other, and I thought that they not only had great chemistry together, but that they also developed a great connection. I liked watching them as their relationship slowly progressed, and I felt that it was very real and believable.

Overall, Jane's Gift was short and sweet. This book was filled with warmth and holiday spirit, and really got me in the mood for the season. I liked all the characters, including the secondaries. I am interested to read more about them, and can't wait to continue this series. Next up is Jane's brother Cameron and I'm excited to get to know him better! I am also anxious to read more about Mac! (hint hint!) Jane's Gift is definitely a book that I would recommend, especially if you love a good holiday romance. This story is heartwarming and has lots of sweet and touching moments. I know that this story will be one that I will want to read every holiday season, just to get more of Jane and Christian and feel the holiday cheer! If you haven't read this one yet, I highly suggest that you check it out! I think that you will fall in love with the little town of Lone Pine Lake and its residents and enjoy reading about them getting their HEAs.

**Copy provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |



Romance is Bliss Event with Karen Erickson


Meet Bliss author, Karen Erickson.

USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson writes what she loves to read – sexy contemporary romance. Digitally published since 2006, she’s a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children. She is also the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of new adult contemporary romance Monica Murphy.
Places to find Karen:
Site Blog Facebook Twitter Goodreads Pinterest |

Monthly Giveaway - November


Want to win some books and swag?

Each month here at Ramblings From This Chick a new prize pack will be up for grabs for 4 lucky winners.

Here's a peek at this months prize.

4 lucky people will win an envelope of swag + a book from my stash.


Thursday, October 31, 2013

ARC Review: Trust In Me by J. Lynn


Trust In Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout writing as J. Lynn is a novella in her Wait For You series. This short novella is Wait For You from Cam's perspective. We get to be inside his head and experiencing things as he did which I was extremely excited for! Not only do we get to go back and see many of the most memorable moments from Wait For You, but we also get to see some things that we never have before. I really loved Wait For You and I was really sad when it was over because I wasn't ready to be done with Cam and Avery. Trust In Me was the perfect extra bit of them that I had wished for and my only complaint was that I still wanted more of them. When it comes to Cam and Avery and the rest of the characters from this series, I am extremely greedy! I always want more because they are such fantastic characters!

Cam has never had a problem getting what he wants, especially when it comes to girls. But the moment he meets Avery, when she literally crashes into him, things are different. He is drawn to her like no other girl he has ever met and their mutual attraction is instant. But it is clear from the start that Avery has secrets about her past that she isn't willing to share, and she isn't about to jump into a relationship with anyone, even Cam. But Cam isn't willing to give up easily, especially when it comes to Avery. As their friendship grows, so do their feelings and Cam knows its only a matter of time before she agrees to go out on a date with him. Can Cam convince Avery to give him a shot and open herself up enough to trust him? Or will her secrets and past continue to stand in the way of a relationship between them?

I honestly didn't think it was possible to love Cam any more than I already did, but I was completely wrong. Everything about him that I loved so much from Wait For You was just that much better in Trust In Me. We get to see his thoughts and feelings, and I really loved seeing some of my favorite moments through his eyes. It was such an interesting way of adding more to this series, because you might be experiencing the same events but the feelings and thoughts are completely different. I loved seeing how Cam felt about Avery and how his feelings for her grew and changed from their first meeting on. It was great to see Avery as he saw her and I thought it was really cute how much he really cared for her. Cam is such a great guy. He is just so genuine and real, and he is exactly the type of hero that is so easy for readers to fall in love with. I loved that he wasn't dark and angsty and he definitely wasn't a hardcore alpha which I found to be really refreshing. I love that he is charming and funny and sweet. He was also extremely patient with Avery and I loved how nice he was to her because that is just who he is.

Not only was it nice to see Cam's side of his relationship with Avery, but it was also really great to see him interact with some of his friends and family. It really allowed us as readers to get to know him better and see the depth of his character. He is a great boyfriend, but also a great friend, son and brother and I loved seeing more of him in all aspects of his life. Overall, this book was really great and I think it adds so much to this series! We really got to know Cam and Avery better, but we also got to know some of the secondary characters better as well and I think that this book did a great job of helping to set up the rest of the series. I absolutely cannot wait to get Jase and Teresa's story next, and I'm also looking forward to more Ollie! These characters are absolutely amazing and J. Lynn is a fabulous writer. She is quickly becoming one of my favorites, and I'm excited to read more from her in the future. If you haven't read this series yet, you are seriously missing out on some wonderful stories. I highly recommend that you check these out, as J.Lynn definitely does not disappoint and you won't be able to put these down once you start reading. This series is cute as well as sexy with just the perfect balance of sweet and steamy moments.

**ARC provided by Edelweiss**

Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble |



Guest Post with Author Lisa Kessler and Giveaway

Please welcome back to RFTC Lisa Kessler, author of Hunter's Moon.

Lisa Kessler is an award winning author of dark paranormal fiction. Her debut novel, Night Walker, won a San Diego Book Award for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror as well as the Romance Through the Ages Award for Best Paranormal and Best First Book.

Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.

When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego.

Places to find Lisa: 

Feature and Giveaway: Trust in Me by J. Lynn


It's Wait for You as you've never seen it. Trust in Me lets you in on Cam's side of the #1 New York Times bestselling story.

Cameron Hamilton is used to getting what he wants, especially when it comes to women. But when Avery Morgansten comes crashing into his life—literally—he finally meets the one person who can resist his soulful baby blues. But Cam's not ready to give up. He can't get the feisty and intriguing girl out of his head.

Avery has secrets, secrets that keep her from admitting the feelings Cam knows she has for him. Will persistence (and some delicious homemade cookies) help him break down her barriers and gain her trust? Or will he be shut out of Avery's life, losing his first real shot at the kind of love that lasts forever?

Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble |

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Review: Wait For You by J. Lynn


Wow this book was so amazingly good, I hardly have the words to describe it. I had been told by more than one person how great this book was, and I knew I would like it. I just didn't know that I would absolutely love it! This story is one of those books that will stick with you and I find myself unable to let these characters go. I absolutely adored Cam and Avery, but I also loved their friends. I am so glad that this is a series and that we will be getting more of all these characters! This story was a perfect example of everything I love about the New Adult genre. It had its sweet moments, some steamier ones, and even though there were some heavier parts they didn't bring the story down or make you feel as though it was all dark and angsty.

Avery's first day of college starts off nothing like she planned. She is running late due to traffic and is forced to rush not to be late to class. She runs straight into the back of Cam. He is really nice to her and extremely gorgeous, so of course she is super embarrassed. She ends up running away, unable to face him or an entire class staring at her for being late. Then on her way to her car, she runs into him again. Then later that night she finds out that he is living in the apartment across the hall from her. The more times they seem to be thrown together, the more Avery starts to like Cam. Its not long before they are spending time together and becoming friendly. Avery left Texas and went to a school in West Virginia in order to get away from her parents and a town filled with people who remember a horrible incident that happened five years ago. Even though Avery knows that Cam is the last person she should get involved with, the more she gets to know him the less she can resist. He keeps asking her out until she finally gives in. But with both of them having secrets about things in their past that they are not proud of, its only a matter of time before the truth comes between them. Can they get past their secrets and trust enough in each other and the relationship they are forming to share all? Or will they continue to hide their secrets and let it tear them apart?

I loved Cam. He was definitely one of the best characters I have read in a long time. He was sweet and patient, sexy and funny. I loved that he was able to really wait for Avery to come around. He never really gave up on her when so many others would have. It was really sweet how much he cared her and looked out for her. I honestly think I fell for him when he pulled out the cookies, I just knew he was the kind of hero I will always have a soft spot for. I really loved how he was just such an easy going straight up kind of guy. What you see is what you get with him and he was just so real to me. I loved Avery also. She was independent and strong despite all that had happened, and she was also quirky and awkward in a cute way. I loved her and Cam together. I think that they are so real and believable. They had everything that makes a perfect pairing in my opinion. They were sweet and sexy together. I loved that we were able to see their relationship really develop. They didn't just instantly jump into a relationship or into having sex, and I think that watching them go from their first encounter to friends to love was what made them seem like they weren't just characters in a story to me. I was so invested in these two, and I just had to keep reading to see them figure everything out together.

Overall, this book was absolutely fabulous and I really loved reading about Cam and Avery. I felt so connected to these two and I was sad when the story was over. I wasn't ready to leave these two, or their friends. Their friends were great characters, and I found them all to be extremely likable and interesting. I am really looking forward to more books in this series and seeing all these characters get their HEAs too. There was only one small criticism that I had and it wasn't enough for me to lower my rating. I was waiting for them to bring up protection or birth control when things started to get serious between them, and there was not a single time that it was ever mentioned. It was just something that I felt should have been mentioned and never was and for some reason just really stuck out to me. But despite that small issue this book was one that will stick with me, and I can see myself re-reading many times in the future. I highly recommend that you check this one out if you haven't already. Wait for you is sweet and is a beautiful love story that I think romance fans will really enjoy. This one is definitely a must read for me and I look forward to the rest of the series and more from Jennifer Armentrout/J. Lynn in the future!



Guest Post with Samanthe Beck and Giveaway

Please welcome back the super awesome author Samanthe Beck. Samanthe is celebrating the release of her newest book, Falling For The Marine and has stopped by to share her Top 10

Sam was transfixed from an early age with any tale featuring a handsome prince, a great dress, and, of course, the all-important kiss, and eventually aspired to write her own happily-ever-afters. Naturally, she became a lawyer. The legal world heaved a sigh of relief a few years ago when Samanthe retired from law to take the plunge as a writer.

When not living the glamorous life of a romance author (i.e., chained to her computer), Samanthe keeps busy with the care and feeding of her extremely patient prince-charming of a husband, a not-so-patient ball of energy known as their son, a furry ninja named Kitty, and Bebe, the trash talkin’ Chihuahua. Their love, support, and willingness to eat Pizza Hut three or more times a week enables Samanthe to pursue her literary dreams.

Places to find Samanthe: 

Feature and Giveaway: Black and Blue by Gena Showalter



New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter's pulse-pounding paranormal series continues with an electrifying story about the ultimate warrior and his prize: a beautiful woman he will do anything to possess.

HE IS EVERY WOMAN’S FANTASY. . .

Corbin Blue is a man of many talents. One of the most powerful otherworlders ever born, he is wealthy, a professional football star, and a legend in the bedroom. But only a select few know he is also a black ops agent...and there is no better killer. When he and his crew are attacked and separated, he’s forced to turn to his boss’s daughter for help―a woman with even more secrets than Blue.

. . .SHE BECOMES HIS ONLY OBSESSION

Evangeline Black has always been wary, guarded. No man has ever breeched her walls. Until Blue. He has never been denied something he wants, and now, he’s decided he wants her. As he sweeps her into his double life of seduction, intrigue, and danger, he helps her see beyond the darkness of her past. But as an enemy closes in, Blue will have to let Evie go to keep her safe—even though he'd rather die than live without her…

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |

Feature and Giveaway: A Risk Worth Taking by Heather Hildebrand


When 22-year-old Summer Stafford’s parents split halfway through her senior year at college, Summer’s world is rocked. Everything she thought she knew—heck, everything she thought she wanted for her own life—feels like a lie. The truth is love is a risk. And the true kind, the kind that lasts, might even be a fairy tale.

Reeling from the divorce, Summer derails her own future by breaking up with her parent-approved boyfriend and giving up her lifelong plans for a big-city career. She moves back home, business degree in hand. Dad needs her to fill the gaps her mother left behind; Summer needs to find who she is outside of the cookie-cutter life that failed so miserably for her parents.

Ford O’Neal’s future involves one person: himself. He doesn’t have a permanent address and he definitely doesn’t commit. To a place or a person. Raised by hippies, he plans just far enough ahead to secure his next stop, this one landing him at a work-study program at Heritage Plantation where he can grow his own herbal and medicinal creations.

Summer is gorgeous and smart and fun to be with, the perfect way to pass five months. It won’t be love—Ford’s got too many things to accomplish, too many places to go, before he settles down. Yet Summer pulls him in, challenging him to rethink his own philosophy.

When Ford’s five months are up, each of them must decide if love is really worth the risk.

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Guest Post with Author Marianne Harden and Giveaway

Meet Marianne Harden, author of Malicious Mischief.

I love making people laugh. True, I should probably spend time on an analyst’s couch, but I’d rather spill loads of fun into my books. I’m rarely at a loss for words, which is wicked cool for a writer. And it would be poppycock to say I didn’t laze away my wonder years dreaming of far-off places.

Over the years, I’ve traversed the insanely fun back roads of Australia and New Zealand, trekked the wildly exotic landscapes of Asia and Africa, soaked up the blistering Caribbean sun, survived bitter Arctic cold to witness the Northern Lights, and lost a wee bit of my heart to the awesomeness of Europe.

My goals in life are simple: do more good than harm and someday master the do-not-mess-with-me look. I roost in Washington State with my husband and our two children.

Places to find Marianne:

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

ARC Review: Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis


Jill Shalvis is one of my two go-to contemporary authors for a fantastically-written, humorous, and sexy read (the other is Julie James). I have read most of Jill’s extensive backlist and have devoured every book in her two most recent contemporary series. So when RUMOUR HAS IT, book four in her acclaimed Animal Magnetism small-town contemporary series, came up for review, I jumped at the chance to read it. I had thoroughly enjoyed the glimpses of both Kate and Griffin in the previous instalment and had been anxiously waiting for their story since last November. And RUMOUR HAS IT did not disappoint—it is vintage Shalvis, with the perfect amount of humour, heart, sexytimes, small-town charm, and two great characters you will want to take home. Is it formulaic? Yes. Does it have a broody, sexy alpha that will rock your socks? Absolutely. Is there an adorably endearing heroine that will have you rooting for her much-deserved HEA? Definitely. Will it have you alternately laughing your ass off and fanning yourself due to the scorching chemistry? Unquestionably. It is impressive how Jill can juggle two long-running small-town contemporary series that are in essence incredibly similar but manage to feel fresh and enjoyable every time.

I absolutely LOVED Kate Evans as a character, almost even more so than the hero. She’s used to taking care of everyone after her mother’s death—her recovering addict of a father, her whiny teenage sister, her somewhat special baby brother, her ex-boyfriend (even 2 years after their breakup), her fourth graders, the homeless man in town… anyone but herself. She’s been putting off a dream year-long Master’s programme in science education at UCSD for years to be the glue that holds her family (and, seemingly, her town) together and is torn between wanting to spread her wings and leave tiny Sunshine, Idaho for the first time in her life and staying put in case her family implodes. Though I sometimes felt like strangling her for putting everyone’s hopes and dreams above her own, her situation is definitely one everyone can relate to: the fear of taking a chance and leaving the familiar behind holding us back from pursuing what we most want. Kate is a quintessential Shalvis heroine: endearing, funny, quirky (her tendency to spew inane science facts when nervous is hilarious), unknowingly sexy, unexpectedly strong, and looking for a bit of a walk on the wild side. I seriously want to move to Sunshine and have her be my BFF—we can be self-professed boffins together. To top it off, Kate’s had a lifelong crush on one Griffin Reid, her best friend’s older brother and former town punk turned elite Special Ops demolitions expert.

Grif is in in town for his sister’s wedding and to figure out where his life is headed. He’s at a crossroads after a near-death experience with an IED: a civilian for the first time in his adult life, back in the town he couldn’t wait to escape from as a teen, and unsure of who he is and where he belongs (but definitely not in Sunshine!). He’s the love ‘em and leave ‘em type and believes Kate is hearth and home to the core so he does his best to resist the scorching attraction between them. Watching him try to be a gentleman when Kate repeatedly throws herself at him in her quest for her one night of Griffin-fueled fun is both hilarious and heartwarming… but resistance is futile, even in the face of his sister’s warnings to stay away from Kate. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Kate and Grif, which starts off as purely physical and quickly grows into something more. Those dates to give Kate more than just a (very hot, earth-shattering) roll in the hay? The way he makes her feel sexy and desirable and in charge of her sexuality? Be still, my heart! Jill does a great job of having Grif begin to find his place and believe he belongs in Sunshine with Kate and Kate finding the courage to grab onto her dream of going to San Diego with both hands… and then she throws them under the (emotional) bus with some family drama and a major man moment that will have you wanting to slap Grif upside the head. Repeatedly. But it’s hard to stay mad at him because he grovels like a champ and his momentary asshattery really makes Kate come into herself. These two make a fantastic couple you genuinely want to root for and may be one of my favourite Shalvis couples yet!

As always, Jill has a knack for setting and secondary characters. Tiny Sunshine, Idaho feels remarkably different than quirky Lucky Harbour, Washington (the setting of Jill’s other contemporary series) but comes equally to life in the pages of each Animal Magnetism novel. Reading RUMOUR HAS IT is like being a part of the community and the energy of the town, and catching up with the other former protagonists of the series is a treat. And the secondary characters almost steal the show—from Grif’s ornery dad, Donald, to Kate’s adorable fourth graders and somewhat dysfunctional family (teen sister Ashley is spot on, and quirky seven-year-old brother Tommy is equal parts adorable and hilarious) to the town hobo, or the town asshole. Every character, even those that appear only in a couple of scenes, is well developed and three-dimensional and incites an emotional response from us readers—no easy feat!

Overall, RUMOUR HAS IT is Jill Shalvis at her (already superb) finest, and a fantastic addition to the Animal Magnetism series—my favourite one yet! It is a fun, feel-good read with just a touch of angst and a heaping dose of heat that feels like hanging out with your (fictional) best friends. Definitely recommended for all Shalvis fans or anyone looking for sexy contemporary romance done right. Can’t wait for the next instalment!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |




Interview with Author Jill Shalvis and Giveaway

Please give a warm welcome to Jill Shalvis. Jill is one of my most favorite authors and I am so happy to have her here to celebrate her newest release, Rumor Has It.

Jill Shalvis is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over four dozen romance novels, including her fun contemporary Animal Magnetism series, which promotes animal rescue dogs. Jill is a 3-time National Readers Choice winner, and lover of animals! More information about Jill and her collection of fabulous romance titles can be found at www.JillShalvis.com.

Places to find Jill:
Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

Feature and Giveaway: Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh


Nalini Singh, the New York Times bestselling “alpha author of paranormal romance” (Booklist) returns to an immortal world of violent passion and lethal power…on the brink of a deadly archangelic war.

Angels are falling from the sky in New York, struck down by a vicious, unknown force.

Vampires are dying impossibly of disease.

Guild hunter Elena Deveraux and the Archangel Raphael must discover the source of the wave of death before it engulfs their city and their people, leaving New York a ruin and Raphael’s Tower under siege by enemy archangels.

Yet even as they fight desperately to save the city, an even darker force is stirring, its chill eyes trained on New York…and on Raphael. Rivers of crimson and nightmares given flesh, the world will never again be the same…

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |

Monday, October 28, 2013

ARC Review: The Trouble With Being a Duke by Sophie Barnes


The Trouble with Being a Duke was a nice book. It is the first book of Sophie Barnes’ new series, At the Kingsborough Ball. Nice is the most accurate word I can think of for this pleasant story. The writing was not inspired, but it was nice. The story was not unique, but it was nice. The characters were not special, but they were nice. This was not the best book I’ve ever read, but it was a nice Regency Cinderella-themed book.

Ever since his father died and he became the next Duke of Kingsborough Anthony Hurst has worked hard to abandon his rakish lifestyle and become a responsible leader of his family. He convinces his mother to hold another Kingsborough after a five-year hiatus. At the ball Anthony falls hard for a beautiful girl. She is Isabella Chilcott, an impoverished girl from the neighborhood. Isabella is practically engaged to man she does not love, but needs to marry him to help her family. She borrows a mysterious gown from the attic, dons a mask and heads out for one special night. Complications are many as Anthony pursues Isabella and she tries to stay true to her commitments. There is a bit of a mystery and a major resolution before the book is done.

I enjoyed The Trouble with Being a Duke because it was a nicely done story, but there were some shortcomings. Anthony was almost too good to be true. As a result, I didn’t quite buy the fact that he was supposed to be such a rake. Isabella clung to her chosen path even though there really wasn’t much reason for her to do so. Her parents were resistant to Anthony’s suit for no apparent reason (OK, the reason was later explained, but it wasn’t totally satisfying to me). The ending was somewhat dragged out without a clear climax. I liked that fact that the plot for the next book was introduced very subtly and it did not interfere with this story. The book certainly didn’t break new ground, it was an interesting twist on an old theme. I liked it and it will appeal to Regency readers.

**ARC provided by Edelwiess**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |



Guest Post with Tessa Bailey and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome back to RFTC author Tessa Bailey. Tessa is celebrating the release of Lovers Unleashed and has stopped by to chat.

Tessa lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and young daughter. When she isn't writing or reading romance, Tessa enjoys a good argument and thirty-minute recipes.

Places to find Tessa:

Feature and Giveaway: Game for Trouble by Karen Erickson


He’ll play dirty to get what he wants…

Willow Cavanaugh would be happy if she never saw cocky football star Nick Hamilton again. Sure, their fling was the hottest she’d had, but he’s way too much of a playboy to settle down with one woman. Plus, she’s got her heart set on a piece of real estate for her catering business—and Nick owns that property.

Nick may be at the top of his game, but all he wants is a second chance with Willow. When he offers to sell her his commercial space if she agrees to a series of dates with him, their chemistry is so scintillating that jumping back into bed seems like an inevitability. But Willow’s decided all’s fair in sex and blackmail. Little does she know, Nick’s playing to win…and she’s the prize.

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Sunday, October 27, 2013

ARC Review: Sins and Needles by Karina Halle


Sins and Needles is the first book in The Artists Trilogy by Karina Halle. There is a prequel that can be read before Sins & Needles, but you don't need to have read On Every Street in order to understand what is going on in this one. However, I would recommend that you read On Every Street first though, because it adds so much more to this story! I am really enjoying this series and I have no idea what took me so long! This series is so unique and there are so many twists and turns! I honestly never know exactly what is going to happen or where Halle will take us, but I thoroughly enjoy every bit of it! I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy this one after getting so attached to Javier in On Every Street (despite what he did at the end!). But I really did end up liking this one and I even enjoyed Ellie and Camden.

Ellie is the daughter of two con artists. She is used to being on her own and doing whatever it takes to survive. But after a bad con, she is ready to give it up for good and heads to the only place she has ever considered home. She runs into Camden McQueen, the boy she once considered her best friend. Camden is no longer the weird boy he used to be though, now he is a successful tattoo artist. Camden and Ellie start hanging out and she quickly discovers that his tattoo shop is thriving. She plans on Camden being so into her that he won't notice if a little cash goes missing. But Camden knows her better than she thinks and he figures out what she is up to. Camden needs Ellie's help and uses her attempt to con him in order to get her to help him with some problems that he is having. As Camden and Ellie start working together, they end up on a dangerous path with some very bad people after each of them. As they struggle to get away from those after them, old feelings resurface and the two of them begin to want more than just to make it out of this safely. But will they be able to escape those who refuse to give up hunting them and manage to have a relationship together?

Oh Camden. I will admit that I really didn't want to like him. I was 100% team Javier going into this book. I just knew that it was Javier and Ellie that were meant to be. But Camden won me over. He was tattooed and sexy, and just a little bit nerdy. He was likable and interesting, and there was so much more to his character than what you see on the surface. I think that Camden and Ellie were great together. They not only have a history together, but they also had an easiness to their relationship that was different from what Ellie had with Javier. I really enjoyed Ellie and Camden getting to know each other again, and seeing them interact as the people that they had grown to be. I thought that the flashbacks were a great way to really allow us to get to know them when they were younger as well as the people they were in the present. They had a natural chemistry and they were really sexy together! I wasn't expecting them to have steam like she had with Javier, but these two were great together. I loved that even when Camden was mad at her for things that she had done, he was still sweet with her. These two had a great connection that I felt was very real.

Overall, I am loving this series. The characters are flawed and deep. There is always more to them than meets the eye and I really love the way that each one is always evolving and changing. Karina Halle is an excellent writer and I love the depth that she brings not only to the characters but the story. Things are constantly developing and not everything that happens is good for the characters, but everything feels so realistic and believable. I love that I never quite know whats going to happen next, and even if I guess I am always surprised by what actually takes place. I think that this series is going to end up being one of my absolute favorites. I just can't seem to put these books down, and I end up reading until 4 AM just so that I know what happens. I absolutely recommend that you give this series a shot if you are into edgy and unique stories that have flawed characters. The steam and chemistry is fabulous and the twists and turns will keep you turning the pages. I can't wait to read Shooting Scars and see where these characters go from here. These characters have drawn me in and I am so invested that I have to know that is going to happen to all of them.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

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Guest Post with Lexi Ryan and Giveaway

Meet Lexi Ryan, author of Wish I May.

Lexi Ryan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, writes romances with humor, heat, and heart. A former college English professor, Lexi now writes full time from her home in Indiana, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Places to find Lexi:
| Site | Facebook | Twitter

Feature and Giveaway: Logan's Acadian Wolves


Deep in the heart of New Orleans, Acadian Wolves’ Alpha, Logan Reynaud, rescues a beautiful woman in the dead of night. Intrigued by the mysterious human, the commanding Alpha is determined to elicit all of her secrets, including her deepest fantasies. After tragedy strikes, Logan discovers dangerous adversaries are planning an attack in his city. Driven by responsibility and honor, Logan must protect both his pack and the woman who’s captivated his attention.

Dr. Wynter Ryan, a leading virologist, is fascinated with her charismatic protector. As the chemistry ignites between her and the dominant Alpha, she relinquishes her ties to the past, embracing ecstasy and submission within his arms and intrepidly acquiescing to her own adventurous instincts. Succumbing to desire, she learns to trust her Alpha, discovering what it means to be wolf.

Passion and mystery on the bayou stirs Logan’s wolf, demanding he claim his mate. Yet Wynter’s a distraction he can’t afford when his priority is to lead his new pack. Will Logan surrender to the uncontrollable need to claim Wynter as his mate? And will he be able to keep her alive, finding the killer who threatens the Acadian Wolves?

Warning: This book contains several erotic love scenes, including m/f/m menage, and is intended for adult readers only.

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