A DARING ARRANGEMENT by Joanna Shupe

November 5, 2017

daring arrangementThe Four Hundred Series, Book 1

 

Lady Honora Parker, Nora to her friends and family, has been banished to America from England by her father, the Earl. Nora was caught kissing her boyfriend, an undesirable, penniless artist. But Nora believes herself in love, so she hatches a plan to get herself sent back home. She finds the most notorious bachelor in New York City, Julius Hatcher, and convinces him to pretend to be her fiance for several weeks.

Julius is extremely wealthy and good looking, but is known for his playboy ways. He has his own reasons for agreeing to Nora’s scheme. His father was cheated out of the family money by some high society men, and committed suicide. Julius wants to find those men and ruin them, but needs the entree into society that the earl’s daughter can provide.

Determined to make the gossip sheets, Nora proposes one outrageous scheme after another, but Julius is protecting her reputation, despite herself. He’ll be thrown out of society fast if her reputation takes a tumble, so they are at odds. And fall in love, fighting it the whole way; she because she thinks she’s in love with the artist, and he because he is a resolute bachelor.

This is a cute premise for a romance, and there is a lot of action and fun throughout, not to mention some heat in these pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this and read it in one night. I’m looking forward to the next book, A Scandalous Deal, but will have to wait until April, 2018!

11/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

A DARING ARRANGEMENT by Joanna Shupe. Avon (October 31, 2017).  ISBN 978-0062678898. 384p.

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THE CHRISTMAS COWBOY HERO by Donna Grant

November 3, 2017

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Heart of Texas #1

Clayton East is an ex-Navy SEAL who doesn’t want to go home. He lost his brother years earlier and doesn’t like living on the family ranch without him. But his father is having some serious health issues, and it looks like their accountant has made off with the family fortune. His family is in trouble and Clayton has to go home and help his parents, he’s all they have left. And it’s Christmas time.

Then a big chunk of their cattle herd goes missing, along with their $100,000 bull. The sheriff manages to catch one of the perpetrators, a teenage boy named Brice Harper. Turns out Brice and his younger brother Caleb have a legal guardian, their sister Abby. After their mother walked out on the family, Abby was determined to do right by her brothers and she’s been more mother than sister to them. When she gets called about Brice, she is just heartsick.

Clayton is at the jail and she offers to pay him back for the missing cattle if he won’t press charges. But Abby has been living paycheck to paycheck, working for a CPA and taking night classes when she can. When she realizes that she’ll owe Clayton over $250,000, she is beside herself.

Clayton thinks she is beautiful, and he realizes that sometimes you have to give people a second chance. He makes Brice an offer; he can come to the ranch every day after school and every weekend and work off his debt. Clayton is hoping that he will earn Brice’s trust and find his missing cattle as well. Meanwhile, he is falling for Abby and she for him.

The Harpers start spending more and more time at the ranch, and Abby not only falls in love with Clayton but also with his parents, and they love her and her brothers. Clayton and Abby have to get past dangerous cattle rustlers, crooked accountants, have a few close calls, and finally find their Christmas miracle.

I loved this book. I felt like I really got to know these characters, was rooting for their relationship to work out, and there was a bit of heat. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

11/17  Stacy Alesi AKA the BookBitch™

THE CHRISTMAS COWBOY HERO by Donna Grant. St. Martin’s Paperbacks (October 31, 2017). ISBN 978-1250165428. 320p.

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WILDE IN LOVE by Eloisa James

November 2, 2017

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The Wildes of Lindow Castle, Book 1

Lord Alaric Wilde is the second son of the Duke of Lindow, his older brother will inherit the title. Alaric has been wandering the world and writing travel books about his adventures. Much to his surprise, when he returns home for a visit, his ship is met at the docks by a horde of screaming fans – all women. His books are all bestsellers and a play has been written about his adventures. The books may be realistic, but the play is outrageous. No one seems to care about that and it doesn’t seem to stop the celebrity he is forced to endure.

Then he meets Willa Ffynche. Alaric has never thought of marrying, but something about Willa really gets under his skin – maybe because she hasn’t read his books. She is a very private person and has no desire to share the spotlight with the adventurer.

This new series is set in the Georgian period so that’s a little different and I enjoyed it. There are some I liked the humor and the overall sweetness of the romance, but there are also some steamy sex scenes. An excellent start to a terrific new series.

11/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

WILDE IN LOVE by Eloisa James.  Avon (October 31, 2017). ISBN: 978-0062697288. 320p.

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THE BRIDE WHO GOT LUCKY by Janna MacGregor

October 30, 2017

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The Cavensham Heiresses, Book 2

Nicholas St. Mauer is the son of a Duke who has forsaken him. As a student, he covered the gambling debt of a friend and his father never forgave him. Nick is determined to make it on his own, and another friend helps him on his way. Soon he is almost wealthier than his father and that is his goal.

Lady Emma Cavensham is convinced that spinsterhood awaits her. Her best friend Lena made a very poor match, her husband beat her and eventually killed her and the baby she was carrying. Because he was a Lord and well-connected, there were no repercussions to his despicable act, but Emma is determined to see justice meted out.

On an impulse, Lady Emma kisses Nick and he is besotted. But he doesn’t want to get married until his holdings surpass that of his father. Eventually, they become friends, as the headstrong Emma tries to pursue justice for her friend, imperiling her own life and her family’s good name. Nick rescues her more than once, and ultimately they realize they were meant for each other.

With thanks to Eloisa James for recommending this author, a new favorite for sure. This is a terrific read and I’m looking forward to more in this series.

10/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE BRIDE WHO GOT LUCKY by Janna MacGregor. St. Martin’s Paperbacks (October 31, 2017). ISBN 978-1250116147.  368p.

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AUTOBOYOGRAPHY by Christina Lauren

October 29, 2017

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Christina Lauren is the pen name of two women who write together. They write Young Adult and adult fiction, and have a new adult book, Roomies, coming out in November that is terrific. I mentioned it to a co-worker and she recommended I read this book. Thank you, Caitlin! I loved this book.

Autumn and Tanner have been best friends since he moved to Provo, Utah from California. They moved for his mother, Jenna’s job – she’s a high tech genius who left Google to become CTO of a Utah company. His father is a very well respected cardiac surgeon, and needless to say, the family is comfortable financially and very liberal. Tanner’s mom was raised in Salt Lake City as a Mormon, but when her sister came out as a lesbian and Jenna married her Jewish husband, she was ex-communicated and her family disowned both daughters. She has a healthy fear of Mormons and their narrow worldview because of her background.

Tanner is bisexual, which was fine in California and fine with his parents, but not so fine in Provo. His mother especially is adamant that he stay in the closet while living there and no one, not even his best friend knows. Until he meets Sebastian.

Sebastian is the teaching assistant in a senior seminar where the goal is for each student to write a book by semester’s end. Sebastian became a local celebrity when his book was published. He’s only 19 years old, a year older than Tanner, and it is pretty much lust at first sight for both of them. The big hitch is that Sebastian is Mormon, and not only Mormon but his father is a Bishop in the Church.

Tanner’s book for his seminar class turns into a memoir of his and Sebastian’s romance. Tanner knows he can’t turn it in and out Sebastian. There is a lot of angst, a lot of laughs, lots of secretiveness and of course some sadness as their journey progresses.

This is a beautiful story and I read it in one night. It made me laugh, it made me cry but mostly it made me think. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend it.

For another coming of age/gay love story, try Almost Like Being in Love by Steve Kluger.

10/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

AUTOBOYOGRAPHY by Christina Lauren. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (September 12, 2017). ISBN 978-1481481687. 416p.

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NECESSARY ROUGHNESS by Julie Brannagh

October 28, 2017

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As I continue on my exploration of sports romances, I landed on this fun football story. Tanner Cole had a career ending injury, and is need of some serious rehab.

Luckily, the therapist that had been helping him was no longer available so he gets to work with Jordan Mueller. She’s a woman, a really pretty woman, and is super dedicated to her patients. But Tanner isn’t interested in working with her, he’s too busy feeling sorry for himself.

But Tanner has no choice, and quickly realizes that despite Jordan’s sunny disposition, she is really working him hard. Then Jordan is forced to move rather suddenly out of her apartment and with nowhere to turn, Tanner lets her move into the guest suite in his mansion.

Lots of heat and lots of laughs make this a really terrific read.

Note: Kindle version available now, paperback comes out 11/28/17

10/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

NECESSARY ROUGHNESS by Julie Brannagh. Avon Impulse (October 10, 2017). ASIN B01ARKZN7M. 171p.


SCORED by Sloane Howell

October 20, 2017

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This is another sports romance, this time baseball, with an erotica bent. It’s pretty hot and a lot of fun.

Kelsey works in a record store – vinyl records, and she’s really into music. Her best friends introduce her to Matt, a professional athlete, and while physically she is drawn to him, she can’t imagine them having anything in common.

Matt thinks she’s really cute and unbeknownst to Kelsey, he really loves music. So when he finally asks her out, it’s to a concert at one of his favorite venues. Turns out it’s one of her favorites, too.

Try as she does to fight it, Kelsey and Matt have a lot in common and things really heat up between them. It wouldn’t be a romance without some aggravation along the way, but of course they get their happy ending. This is a fast, fun read, available as an ebook only.

SCORED by Sloane Howell. Loveswept (October 17, 2017). ASIN B01M3TJQA6. 221p.


WILL’S TRUE WISH by Grace Burrowes

October 19, 2017

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True Gentlemen, Book 3

Lady Susannah Haddonfield is quite happy with her life and has no desire to marry. Her younger sister does, however, and the only man who seems to be interested carries around a small dog. He is convinced that Susannah doesn’t like dogs and she is afraid he won’t offer for her sister because of her.

Will Dorning is the second in line for the Earl, the spare, if you will. He has several younger siblings and has taken it upon himself to try and keep them in line. He is a dog trainer of some renowned, and an old family friend of the Haddonfields, so Lady Susannah asks him to help her become, if not a dog lover, at least someone who looks like a dog lover.

Meanwhile, there has been a rash of dognappings in the area of mostly very large dogs, the kinds that are used for bear baiting. Yes, that is exactly what it sounds like, and I’m happy to say not much more in the way of details is given. Will’s brothers want him to find the dogs and collect the rewards, but he doesn’t think it is the right thing to do. While Lady Susannah h

While Lady Susannah and Will are spending time together, they fall in love, but he doesn’t feel he has the prospects to marry her. If he collects the reward monies, he might so she encourages him in that direction. But politics play into it, as well as other machinations, making their happily ever after seem like a long shot.

This is another fun entry into this series, and will especially appeal to dog lovers.

10/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

WILL’S TRUE WISH by Grace Burrowes.  Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 2, 2016). ISBN: 978-1492621089. 384p.

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BAD REPUTATION by Nicole Edwards

October 14, 2017

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A Bad Boys of Sports Novel

This is a standalone contemporary romance with some definite heat. I like how it was written with alternating viewpoints, we hear from Cassie and from Chase, and it’s always fun seeing where they are headed before they do.

Cassie and Chase have been best friends (without benefits!) for many years. She told him up front that she was not going to sleep with him, and the relationship worked for them both. Chase became a hockey star and Cassie became a high tech VP and they’ve been hanging out through good and bad relationships and Chase’s philandering ways.

But Chase is quicker to realize that he has developed feelings for Cassie, which he thinks she does not reciprocate. When she asks him along on a business trip to Vegas, things come to a head one very drunken night. What happens in Vegas follows them home and they have to work through a lot to find their happy ending. And they do, with lots of steamy sex along the way.

This was a one night read for me and a lot of fun – pure escapism. If you’re in the mood, go for it!

10/17  Stacy Alesi AKA the BookBitch™

BAD REPUTATION by Nicole Edwards. Loveswept (October 3, 2017). ASIN: B01N6OVQRJ. 273p.

 


FALLING FOR GRACIE by Susan Mallery

October 12, 2017

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Los Lobos Series, Book 2

I didn’t know about this series and for some reason, my library didn’t get the first book so I’m starting here. (But I might have to buy it, I really liked this one!) Susan Mallery has become one of my favorite contemporary romance writers. Her characters are always interesting, she writes good sex scenes, and I love her sense of humor.

Gracie was just fourteen years old when her father died and she fell madly in love with the 18-year-old hottie next door, Riley. At that age, four years makes a huge difference and Riley was not interested. But Gracie was nothing if not persistent, and the stunts she pulled to get his attention and to keep him from marrying his pregnant girlfriend were legendary. So much so that a series of newspaper articles about her kept the small town of Los Lobos enthralled but completely embarrassed her mother, who sent her off to live with an aunt and uncle.

Gracie never came home until fourteen years later, when her youngest sister was about to get married. The aunt and uncle died, leaving Gracie their home, and she started an uber-successful wedding cake business. Her sister is determined to have biggest, most ostentatious cake, and wedding, for that matter, even though she keeps calling it off every time her fiance does something she doesn’t like.

Alexis is the middle sister and the family drama queen, and she is convinced that her husband is cheating on her. He is managing Riley’s campaign for mayor, and Alexis convinces Gracie to spy on Riley’s house to see if her husband is really there. Of course Gracie gets caught, Alexis takes off and abandons her, and Riley demands an explanation of why his former stalker seems up to her old tricks.

Riley got divorced a few months after his marriage when he realized he was duped and his wife wasn’t pregnant. He left town after that, made his fortune and traveled the world. Unbeknownst to most of the town, his uncle, who owned the bank and left an estate of almost a hundred million dollars, left it to Riley with one proviso; he had to take over at the bank and become mayor of Los Lobos. Election season is underway but the standing mayor doesn’t mind playing dirty politics to keep his seat.

Gracie and Riley end up spending some time together, trying to find out what Gracie’s brother-in-law is up to, and find they enjoy their time together. They fall in love but there are obstacles in the way, not the least of which is someone tries to derail the mayoral campaign and destroy Gracie’s cake business.

There are a lot of laughs, some steamy sex scenes and a happy ending in this terrific contemporary romance. I read it in one night and highly recommend it.

10/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

FALLING FOR GRACIE by Susan Mallery. HQN Books (April 25, 2017). ISBN 978-0373801954. 384p.

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