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  • A Soldier’s Dawning

    Posted on by Karen Comment

     

    Series: Happy Endings Resort #8
    Author: Lisa Survillas
    Genre: Contemporary Romance
    Release Date: September 28, 2015

    I am not just a Man. 

    I am a Husband. A new father.

    A Soldier.

    I am Jason Reynolds.

    For me, serving my country was supposed to make a better life for us all. Injured overseas, my only focus is healing for my family. When I’m given the news that my family will never be the same, I find myself drowning in pain. Talk about life being a cruel bitch. 

    In search of a solitary life, I take up residence in a town far from my shattered life. The Happy Endings Resort seems to be the perfect place for me to nurse my wounds. Finding a job is easy, and Brandon’s garage is the perfect place to wallow in my misery. Somehow Brandon, seems to understand my need to work until I’m exhausted, and to keep to myself. He gives me the space I need to overcome my wounds . . . all of them. Little did I know he’d have a niece. 

    Will these demons haunt me forever and drive me to hide from everyone and everything I’ve ever known? Will The Happy Endings Resort give me the solitude I need? Will the people here to be the cure I didn’t know I was longing for? 

     

     


     

     

     

    Inside it’s like a blast to the past, and not my generation’s past.  It’s way into the past, a throwback to the 50s.  The booths are covered in red leather, with shiny white tabletops.  They stand out against the black and white checkerboard tiled floors.  Even the waitresses look like they’re from the 50s, in light pink button-up dresses with white aprons.  As strange as it is, it’s got a nice homey feel to it.  And it’s packed, so the food must be pretty good. 

    After seating myself at the bar, I open the menu and see that it’s similar to one at a soda shop.  I love a good burger, but my stomach does flips when I see the list of malts they offer.  I haven’t had a good chocolate malt in ages. 

    Ready for some good ol’ American diner food, I wait patiently for the waitress to come my way.  When I hear her voice, I don’t even bother looking up.  It doesn’t matter who it is, I just need my food.  Gruffly, I place my order, “Burger, medium, with everything, fries, and a chocolate malt.”

    My attitude doesn’t faze her.  She just replies, “I’ll get it right out for you,” and walks away.  I didn’t notice it the first time she spoke, but her voice has a song-like quality, just like Amelia’s; sweet, yet expressive.  I take a moment to swallow down the lump in my throat.  I can’t believe anything here reminds me of Amelia.  It shows me I made the right decision in not going home, since everything would remind me of her.

    After a few minutes, she drops off a glass of water without a word.  Curious about the woman who would gladly ignore me in return, I look up as she walks away.  I can’t see her face, but the sway of her hips and that tight ass make my cock take notice. 

    I hear the easy rapport she has with the people around me.  Her laugh is contagious.  Every time I hear it I find myself smiling.  A genuine smile that I haven’t had in a long time.  When I turn around to see the people she’s talking to, you can see the joy on their faces as they engage with her. 

    When my food arrives, I make a point to look up.  Although I know I’ll never give myself the chance to love again, I’d be foolish to think that part of my body will get on board too.  What I don’t expect is to look into her eyes and feel that electricity deep into my stomach. She is a vision, with big bright eyes that match her straw-colored hair.  She’s on the shorter side, but in good shape.  I can’t believe the pull she has on me. 

    It’s too much.  I throw a twenty down on the counter and practically run out of the diner without so much as a word.  I won’t be able to go back in there.  She could be trouble for me and my life of solitude.  Her eyes were hypnotic. I’m pretty sure I could be drawn into them and never escape.

    I throw the truck into drive as quickly as possible and get the hell out of there, making a mental note to steer clear of the diner when working.  I try to rationalize with myself that it was just hunger, but I know deep down it was more than that.  Fuck! I can’t believe I let myself feel that.  It’s only been a few weeks since I lost the love of my life, so there’s no excuse for feeling like that now. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Hi! I’m Lisa. I live in SUNNY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA with my wonderful husband and two teenage children. With two kids in high school and involved in activities both inside and outside of school, I have a lot to juggle. When home, I lock myself inside the office to write. I’ve always loved to write, but life always seemed to be too busy. When inspiration finally hit, I made the most of the time hubby and kids were busy and published my first book in February 2014. I’ve published a total of 4 books in the past year and am hoping to bring you a few more before 2015 ends.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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    Reviews

  • Love Under Two Drifters by Cara Covington

    Posted on by Karen Comment

    My Review

    This book is actually a 2 for 1. Not only is this the story of Trace, Laci, and Lucas, but we also get the benefit of learning the story of Angela and Ricoh. 

    In true Lusty fashion, Laci comes to Lusty with a past that is catching up to her. As she tries to move on with her life the best she can, she meets Trace and Lucas. Although she tries to hold them off emotionally, there is no chance for that wall to hold. 

    Trace and Lucas came to Texas to learn more of the family that was kept from them. Then, they were going to move on. They thought they would drift in, then drift right out. They might have too if they hadn’t meet Laci.

    I really enjoy the Lusty, Texas series. Every book is a new love story, but with each book you feel like you are coming home for a visit. Characters from books past come together and you “know” them. If you haven’t read this series, you really should.

    Love Under Two DriftersSynopsis

    Laci Sinclair came to Lusty at the urging of her best friend, Chloe Jessop. The last thing she needs is romance. So how did Trace and Lucas Benedict get under her skin so fast?

    Trace and Lucas leave Montana to find a place of their own, with a stop to visit their cousins in Lusty. Once they meet Laci, they know their drifter days are over. Though leery of working with family again, they give their cousins the benefit of the doubt and decide pretty fast they like family, Lusty style.

    They hope to cure Laci’s relationship reluctance with two men ten years her junior by offering to be her “friends with benefits.” But they soon discover she’s hiding something from them—and that something could end their love before it ever truly begins.

    Meanwhile, Ricoh Stone knows it’s time to find out about Angela Monroe’s past, and he turns to a rodeo  friend who now lives in Divine—Julián Alvarez.

    Buying Links:  Siren Bookstrand

    About the Author

    Morgan has been a writer since she was first able to pick up a pen. In the beginning it was a hobby, a way to create a world of her own, and who could resist the allure of that? Then as she grew and matured, life got in the way, as life often does.

    She got married and had three children, and worked in the field of accounting, for that was the practical thing to do and the children did need to be fed. And all the time she was being practical, she would squirrel herself away on quiet Sunday afternoons, and write.
    Most children are raised knowing the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule. Morgan’s children also learned the Paper Rule: thou shalt not throw out any paper that has thy mother’s words upon it.

    Believing in tradition, Morgan ensured that her children’s children learned this rule, too.
    Life threw Morgan a curve when, in 2002, she underwent emergency triple by-pass surgery. Second chances are to be cherished, and with the encouragement and support of her husband, Morgan decided to use hers to do what she’d always dreamed of doing: writing full time.

    Morgan has always loved writing romance. It is the one genre that can incorporate every other genre within its pulsating heart. Romance showcases all that human kind can aspire to be. And, she admits, she’s a sucker for a happy ending. Morgan also publishes as Cara Covington.

    Morgan’s favorite hobbies are reading, cooking, and traveling – though she would rather you didn’t mention that last one to her husband. She has too much fun teasing him about having become a “Traveling Fool” of late.

    Morgan lives in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, with a mysterious cat that just showed up one day, a dog that still has no dignity, and her husband of forty-two years, David.

    Blog   |   Website
    Cara Covington’s Twitter
    Cara Covington’s Facebook Fan Page
    Cara Covington’s Author Page on Amazon


    Reviews

  • Men for Hire Anthology

    Posted on by Karen 1 Comment

    mfha-450-675-compressed-400x600Got Muscle by Tina Donahue
    Menage at Mealtime by Bella Settarra
    Calculated Risk by Michelle Roth
    Marital Duties by Jennifer Denys

    MyReviewI really liked this eclectic anthology.  These are basically stories about the use of an repairman for hire agency and the woman who use it.  They find themselves getting more than they thought they would out of these men.

    My favorite story was Calculated Risk by Michelle Roth.  Stella is trying to restore her mom’s home, trying to hold onto the memories created there.  There is so much damage to the home from renters that she has to hire someone who can do it.

    Ian is that man.  He is talented at what he does and he is absolutely hot.  Fate keeps him in the house overnight and passion ignites.  I love that they had dinner and talked until they realized how late it was getting.  Talks where you lose track of time are always the best.  There is so much depth to this short story that it didn’t seem that short. 

    Synopsis

    Stella Whitman has inherited her mother’s country home. When she fThinds it in utter disrepair, her cousin suggests that she call Men for Hire in search of a handyman. When he arrives, she’s somewhat shocked to find that his deep brown eyes and Despite his instant attraction to Stella, Ian Starling has convinced himself that they need to keep things strictly professional. He’s been burnt before and has vowed never again. It becomes increasingly more difficult as he gets to know her, though. Then one rainy night changes everything…

    BuyLinksAmazon US: http://amzn.to/1Km4JAE

    Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1Kl4ckF

    Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1LCzlhm

    All Romance: http://bit.ly/1JeNO16

    Kobo: http://bit.ly/1KVLjrW

    Luminosity: http://bit.ly/1NBk05g

     

    BiographyMichelle Roth is a novelist from the Great White North (Toronto, ON). When she’s not disappearing into foreign lands, or making two perfect strangers that she invented fall in love, she’s probably curled up somewhere with a glass of wine and a good book.

    In her spare time she is typically hanging out with her awesome boyfriend and their two equally awesome cats. She likes taking road trips to nowhere in particular, cooking elaborate meals then making other people do the dishes, and being nerdy on the internet. Her books are currently available on Amazon, Nook, Kobo, and any other place that sells absolutely filthy romance novels.

     

    LinksTwitter: @mroth_author
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrothauthor
    Website: http://www.michelleroth.net
    Newsletter: http://michelleroth.net/mailing-list/
    GooglePlus: http://google.com/+MichelleRothAuthor
    Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8178847.Michelle_Roth
    Amazon Author: http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Roth/e/B00KQNZOAW
    Email: [email protected]


    Reviews

  • M.Q. Barber’s Her Shirtless Gentleman

    Posted on by Karen Comment
    Her heart is in his hands…
    After her marriage ends in betrayal, Eleanora Howard finds herself struggling to navigate the dating scene as a thirty-one-year-old divorcee. But feeling undesirable and living alone in the house she once shared with her ex is hardly the recipe for finding new love—until she meets Rob. He’s just the kind of charming, old-fashioned guy she needs—but he’s also eager for intimacy…

    After serving in the Air Force and getting a well-paid civilian career, Rob Vanderhoff planned to settle down with the right woman and raise a family. But at thirty-six, he’s still single and searching—until he meets Eleanora. She’s everything he wants. All he has to do is draw her out of her shell. Soon he’s taking her on high school-style dates, fanning the flames of her desire—and helping Nora re-discover the sexy, adventurous woman they both know she really is…

    “Her Shirtless Gentleman by MQ Barber was a sweet, romantic, and quick read that I enjoyed.” ~ Goodreads Reviewer

    “I love her writing style and the skillful way she evokes your emotions with her words.” ~ Goodreads Reviewer

    “If you are looking for an easy, romantic summer read, this is a great book for you!” ~ Goodreads Reviewer

    “This novel would not allow me to put it down. Another A++++ for M.Q. Barber. This book has a wonderful story plot that will keep you engaged and wanting more. It shows what people have to do to get out of their shell.” ~ Goodreads Reviewer

    Rob examined Eleanora the way she pored over ledger sheets, but what she added up to in his head, she couldn’t say.
    “We’ve got the best pie in town waiting, and you have to try both.” He switched sides, coming to rest alongside her with his legs stretched to the far edge atop the curving wheel well. The pie wedges sat in a paper boat he nestled in one hand. He picked up the lone fork. “Which one do you want to try first?”
    She could’ve protested. Procured her own plastic cutlery and asked him to divide the slices. Demanded he pass over the fork and let her cut her own bites. “You choose.”
    He raised an eyebrow and glanced from the pie to her. “You sure about that?”
    “I expect I am.” She hoped, anyway. The usual effects of his proximity already trounced rational thought.
    “Close your eyes, Eleanora.”
    She exhaled on a shuddering breath. The gruff-but-coaxing demand in his voice twanged a response low in her belly. Might be enough to overcome her nerves. Trusting David would’ve been impossible. But Rob wasn’t David. He’d been nothing but trustworthy so far. With a slight nod, she closed her eyes.
    Anticipation sluiced through her, leaving a cold fire burning in its wake. She strained to hear the scrape of the plastic fork on paper.
    “Open up.” His low command drowned out all other sound.
    Had the first bite been apple or peach or coconut crème, she wouldn’t have known the difference. Her heart ran the four-minute mile while every cell in her body, down to the ones in her taste buds, danced with excitement the second her mouth closed around the fork. Her shoulders unclenched, and she moaned without thought.
    “Seems you’re a strawberry-rhubarb woman.” Rob’s intimate whisper lacked any hint of laughter. “If you like the apricot half as well, I’ll count my evening well-spent watching you sample pie.”
    Her internal squeeze surprised her, an involuntary response to the passionate warmth in his voice. Leaving her eyes closed, she rolled her arm. Not much, but enough to rest the back of her forearm and her knuckles against Rob’s thigh. The resurgent thrill zipped through her.
    “Have another taste.”
    She opened her mouth. Sugary-sweet fruit with a buttery crust and juice coated her tongue.
    “Best pie you’ve ever had?”
    Best service, for sure. She licked her lips. “I might be biased. Can I expand the sample size before I decide?”
    He fed her small bites at a languid pace matching the laziness brought on by the summer sun.
    She didn’t care to open her eyes, and he never asked.
    Stretching her fingers, she curled them against worn denim. The thickness had to be a seam. The bottom hem. She traced the ridge with her index finger and grazed warm flesh.
    His thigh flexed. “Last bite. Best make it count.”
    She closed her lips and sucked the fork clean. Sweet, delicious strawberry. She swallowed it down and loosed an appreciative sigh. “Definitely the best I’ve ever had.”
    USA Today bestselling author M.Q. Barber likes to get lost in thought. She writes things down so she can find herself again.
    Often found staring off into space or frantically scratching words on sticky notes, M.Q. lives with one very tolerant, easily amused husband and one very tolerant, easily amused puppy.
    She has a soft spot for romances that explore the inner workings of the heart and mind alongside all that steamy physical exertion. She loves memorable characters, witty banter, and heartfelt emotion in any genre.
    The former Midwestern gal is the author of the Neighborly Affection and new Gentleman contemporary romance series. Pick a safeword, grab a partner or two, and jump in.

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    Reviews

  • Game Misconduct by V.L. Locey

    Posted on by Karen 1 Comment

    MyReviewOne of Victor’s drunken nights threatens to rip him and Dan apart.  I don’t think Victor knew how deep he was in love with Dan until he almost loses him.  He gets his priorities straight (lol no pun intended) with Dan’s help.  But when a teammate thrusts their relationship out, together they swear to make Phillip pay.  

    There is so much more I want to say, but that would give too much of the story away.  I could just put spoiler alert and do it, but I won’t.  This is a really good sequel, although it is a sort of cliffhanger where you can’t wait to see what happens next.  Buy it and find out who received the Jessica Fletcher Award for Snoopiness……lmao!Synopsis

    Game-Misconduct_MSRThis book is a sequel to Two Man Advantage

    Life has been treating Victor Kalinski well, which is a surprise for the ginger-haired forward with the venomous tongue. His career is somewhat stable, at least for another season. His relationship with Cougars alternate captain Dan Arou is deepening, despite the fact that Daniel has yet to come out of the closet.

    It’s typical Kalinski luck when a puck bunny he shared a drunken night with several months ago slaps him with a paternity suit. Despite the sizzling passion and painfully heartfelt connection between them, Dan doesn’t take the news well, and heads back to Canada alone.

    If he wants to make things right and win back the man he loves, he has no choice but to swallow his pride—and nobody’s prouder than hot-headed, ego-driven Victor.

    EllorascaveAMAZONgoodreads-button

    BiographyV.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, two dogs, two cats, a flock of assorted domestic fowl, and three Jersey steers.

    When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand. She can also be found online on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and GoodReads.

    LinksTsu Pinterest facebook twitter website goodreads


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