Mine to Keep by Rhenna Morgan book review

I love Rhenna Morgan’s Haven Brotherhood series 💙💙💙. A few of those books are something that I have been rereading during this pandemic season. Escaping into a fun fantasy world is just what I need. NOLA Knights is a spinoff of the Haven series and there are some recurring characters, which is super fun to see. You can read the book as a stand alone, but I am very particular about my series reading 😉 

Our two main characters (who don’t know they are looking for love...yet) are Bonnie Drummond and Roman Kozlov. Bonnie has tried to do her best to get away from her family that does any thing to cheat the system or con someone out of their money. Roman is an enforcer for Sergei Petrovyh and making strides in getting his own businesses up and running. He has a dark past and feels that he is not worthy of anything good in his life. He is trying to make up for things he did by moving forward as a man of honor. 

Bonnie’s father is sick and there is not a lot of money to pay for his medical bills. Bonnie works all the time, but it’s difficult for her to make ends meet. He brother and father go missing one night and Bonnie calls the only person she can think of to talk to. She calls Cassie and she brings the mafia! Bonnie doesn’t want any shady dealings, but she doesn’t expect to have feelings for Roman. Roman just came along to do his job and help someone in need, but things quickly changed as sparks started flying between him and Bonnie. 

I love that this book explores shades of gray in the world and in actions people take. Rhenna Morgan is a master at writing alpha characters who are bound and determined to keep their women safe and to provide for them. It may be a swoony fantasy, but it sure is a hot and sexy world to escape into. Throughout the series, she has her characters leave their past behind them and start over with a person they have fallen in love with. Roman loves with his entire soul and it takes a while for Bonnie to learn to trust him and allow him to take care of her. If you are ready for a strong, sexy Russian to fall in love with...you need to read this book!

Bayou Dreaming by Lexi Blake Book Review

I love Lexi Blake books! I was so excited to see this new small-town contemporary romance series. This is the third book and it’s Zep and Roxanne’s turn to fall in love. I really did crack up at their semi-flirting stage. I don’t really know what to call it. Roxanne left the NYPD and ended up in Papillon, Louisiana as a police officer because she had met Armie, her boss, at a law enforcement conference. He hired her when she came to him looking for a job. She needed a fresh start: new job, new town, new state, new friends. When she got there, she met the town bad boy and made what she thought was a bad decision. Zep wanted more and Roxie thought he was in it for the chase. She kept him sort of close and kept arresting him. Only in a small town could you throw someone in a jail cell to just keep an eye on them. I really did crack up at their semi-flirting stage. I don’t really know what to call it. I love that Zep didn’t really complain about it…I’d say he kind of looked forward to it because it was the only time Roxanne would spend with him. 

I loved this book so much that I read the ARC three times! A woman could easily fall in love with Zéphirin Guidry. OMG! So hot, sexy, smart, funny and kind. What more can a woman want? As the reader, you can see right away how much he gave up and my heart just hurt for him. The sex scenes were off the charts and I love the emotion that was detailed in them. So hot! The chemistry was amazing. Zep was so there for everything she needed. I love how the author made Zep show he cared by helping. All men need to learn from Zep 😉 His zest and enthusiasm for life was contagious. I could also feel Roxanne’s annoyance and frustration with her mom. I mean, who wants to hear that their eggs are shriveling up? And from their mother!?!?! You really get the sense that she was searching for where she belonged. Love, Love, Love!!! Read this book today. It just came out and I promise, it's soooooo good.

Custom Built by Chantal Fernando book review

Custom Built is the first in Chantal Fernando’s Fast & Fury series but has some of the characters from the Knights of Fury series. I have not explored too much in other MC stories, but this one definitely holds my attention and I’ve enjoyed all of them so far. 

Our two main characters are Bronte and Crow. Bronte was really having a hard time with life in general. The book starts off with Bronte having some medical issues and then she had to be laid off of a job that she really loved. It was even harder because her boss was also a good friend. But I would say that it’s a realistic element to the story that may resonate with a lot of readers because life is tough right now. Bronte then has to tell her dad that she lost her job and is looking for something new. She doesn’t like asking for help. Fortunately, when she is visiting her dad, her Uncle Neville puts her in touch with a custom bike shop that needs some help. 

Turns out Crow is her boss and he is not very nice at first. Crow is trying to keep a waaaay too distant professional relationship. Things start to pick up a bit because as she starts her new job, she meets a cousin that she never had. Motorcycle Club is a whole new world for Bronte and Abbie can help her a bit with the ins and outs of knowing men in a motorcycle club. She’s not really “in” but she just works for an affiliated business. 

As Bronte begins to settle in, the drama goes up a notch. There is a murder, drug running, mysterious disappearances, and some shooting. Poor Bronte just can’t catch a break! But the flirty fun starts as Bronte tries to make the best of things. Turns out Crow is full of surprises and is quite charming. I think that Crow and Bronte do have some great chemistry. To me, one of the hottest things that Crow did was take care of Bronte when she needed it. *fans self* The story is fast-paced. It focuses on friendship, family, and helping each other out. There is a lot of action and I had to keep reading to find out who the bad guys were. The suspense will keep you up until you finish. If you are looking for your next contemporary romance or are new to MC books, give this one a try.

Highland Treasure by Lynsay Sands book review

You can wrap me up in Rory Buchanan’s tartan anytime 😍 A hot Scottish healer? Yes, please! I’ve mentioned before that I am a big fan of Lynsay Sands books. I like them all. This one does not disappoint. This is a Scottish historical romance and tells the story of Lady Elysande de Valance and Rory Buchanan. 

Lady Elysande is a victim of torture and is trying to get herself to safety. While her injuries are nothing to laugh at, it’s a little funny that Rory prides himself on being a good healer; what he didn’t know was that Elysande also had some medicinal knowledge and was able to begin healing herself. The action and mystery revolve around a group of men plotting to remove the King of England. Elysande is trying to get a message to the Crown, but can’t really do it without the help of her Scottish escorts (oh! the irony). I love how the slow burn romance starts building between Rory and Elysande. There are definitely many more pressing matters to attend to, but as they travel together and get to know each other, the reader realizes how perfect they are for each other.  

There are a lot of elements of betrayal woven into this story. You will find yourself really hoping for Elysande’s happy ending. I also really like that Rory was more focused on his studies than finding women. Being a good healer just made him a lot more attractive. This is the ninth book in the series, but can also be read as a standalone. It has a perfect blend of mystery, adventure, history, and romance. I've read this book twice now. A definite add to your TBR pile!

The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman book review

I was worried that my review for this would be well past the publication date, so I sat down to write it and realized that it’s not out until December 29, 2020! I sometimes forget that I read a lot of Advance Reader Copies. So, yes, I got this one early through NetGalley.

I have read the other two books in the Bow Street Bachelors Series. They are all well written and I like how the author uses more unconventional roles for her main characters. In this book, the romance is between Anna, a Russian Princess on the run and hiding her identity, and Sebastion (Seb) Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, and Bow Street Runner. He was being moody and lamenting the loss of his best friends to marriage and decided to visit a brothel. Anna just happened to be there visiting and Seb thought she “worked” there and tried to offer money for her services. She was totally offended and left at the perceived insult. However, their first kiss was quite the scorcher and will leave you wanting more juicy details.

Anastasia was Anna’s real Russian name and she soon discovers she is in danger. Seb steps up to protect her. Unfortunately for her, he lives above a gaming hell, which is not the most appropriate situation for an unmarried woman...much less a princess! I love the tidbits of Russian culture woven throughout the story. I love that a lot of the story takes place in the more gritty parts of London and not just glittering ballrooms. Bateman does a nice job with the storyline, the dialogue and all the details. Once you sit down with this book, it will be hard to put down. This will be the perfect book to curl up with during the dark and cold days of winter. You will get your happily ever after and some fun, sexy times along the way. Grab and glass of wine and click that pre-order button 😉 🍷

My Last Duchess by Eloisa James book review

I have SO been enjoying the Wildes of Lindow Castle series and I was really excited for the prequel with Hugo and Ophelia’s story. So romantic. I want to be wooed by Hugo. I mean, how can you not love his wit, humor, intelligence and determination to win Ophelia over??? It kind of made me laugh because for the time period it seems that it would be taboo to be looking for a third wife. I mean, maybe it didn’t matter if you were a duke? He also has eight existing children!!! His sister advised him not to start off any courting by mentioning the number of children he has. 

This is definitely a love at first sight book. It is not without conflict as Ophelia has enough money, a nice house, a staff and a daughter she loves. Most importantly, as a widow, she has quite a bit of freedom and independence. She really was not on the marriage mart. She tried hard to resist Hugo’s charms. Also, eight children!!! It makes me tired just thinking about it. I like that they are not perfect characters and are accepted by the people they surround themselves with. 

I may be a bit biased as I write this because I love everything that Eloisa James writes. Any fan of historical romance will love this book. I stayed up late reading it. I think we all need some joy in our lives right now and a place to escape to. So why not Victorian England? Enjoy the London Frost Festival right alongside the characters. I feel like I pick up a lot of well researched historical tidbits in these books. I loved this story. Highly recommended.

Rookie Instincts by Carol Ericson book review

I have been enjoying all of the Tactical Crime Division series books. I started reading them because I like author Elizabeth Heiter’s romantic suspense books (and she’s a Michigan author) and I was super excited to start this one because it takes place in Traverse City, Michigan. I’m really liking the Michigan connection here… 

Author Carol Ericson is new to me, so I looked her up, and see that she has written a whole slew of books! I’m happy I found a new author whose books I enjoy. I discovered this particular title on a Harlequin related Facebook page - because of the talk of the setting being Traverse City. I sure hope this book is in every book display in Traverse City, Port Huron and Detroit. A large part of the story takes place in Port Huron. Our two main characters have connections to Detroit. 

The character focus in this book is on Aria Caletti. She is a former Detroit police officer and her first day of being with the FBI Tactical Crime Unit Traverse City team, has her looking into the deaths of two women with the same ID. There is a difficult scene with a baby being found next to one of the murdered women, fortunately, the baby was safe. As they start to investigate with the Port Huron PD, they come across Grayson Rhodes who filed a missing persons’ report. Grayson just happens to be a civilian working undercover at the docks trying to discover what happened to his sister. He’s a huge lead. He’s also wealthy and hot ;) 

Aria and Grayson start to work together to figure out what happened to his sister. A lot of the reality about the opioid epidemic is woven into this story. As they get to know each other better, sparks fly. Aria tries to keep her professional distance, but as we all know, love gets in the way of professional detachment. The secondary characters in this book are also a lot of fun. We meet the team leader, Alana and the rest of the agents: Alex, Max, Ophelia, and Selena. I’m looking forward to reading more about their stories! This book was just released October 27, 2020 so it’s not too late to get in on the first book of what promises to be an exciting and suspense filled series.

A Princess by Christmas by Julia London book review

Christmas!!! WooHoo!!! This was my first Christmas book this season. If you haven’t read one yet this year; get this one! The festive and gorgeous cover will definitely put you in the Christmas mood. 🎄

Our main characters are Hollis Honeycutt and Marek Brendan, an advisor to the Minister of Trade for Wesloria. I did not realize that this was the third book in A Royal Wedding series, so it can be read as a stand alone. Although, personally, I have to get the first two now. I wondered a bit why I was so confused by the Weslorian/Alucian happenings and descriptions, so it totally made sense when I looked it up and realized it was the third book. 

When widow, Hollis Honeycutt, overhears a rumor about the peace accord between the counties of Alucia and Wesloria, she knows she has to investigate. Hollis is the owner and editor of Honeycutt’s Gazette of Fashion & Domesticity for Ladies, so it might make for good investigative journalism. Hollis is fun, joyful and doesn’t really care what others think of her, it makes Marek the total opposite of her. Marek is very concerned about the King’s health and of the trade agreements. If they want to uncover some dastardly plan, they must work together to solve the mystery. 

Some unique aspects of this book included a partially deaf main character, a secondary character who was gay and another main character who liked to eat. I really loved Donovan and I really like what the author did with his relationship to Hollis. I don’t know enough history to know the truth of whether or not their living arrangement could have really happened, but it really fit with the book. Oh man! And then the twisty ending!!! Is there a special category for Victorian Romantic Suspense??? (there should be). I definitely recommend this book. Get it before Christmas 😉

The Duke Effect by Sophie Jordan book review

The Duke Effect is the seventh book in the Rogue Files series. Our main characters are Nora Langley and Constantine Sinclair. Nora is, of course, unmarried and is happy learning more about herbs and medicine. She basically apprenticed with her physician father, but couldn’t go to medical school because women were not allowed. Constantine is a soldier, who is horrified to find out he is the only heir left to a dukedom that he does not want. He has to leave his post and head home to England to learn about what he is supposed to do. It wasn’t until I started reading this book, that I remembered some of the other ones. I realized that this was the same Nora who gave her sister a untested pain reliever that ended up having an aphrodisiac effect. 

I think the overall storyline is pretty unique. While the ethical choices can be debated in the real world, I thought it was rather smart of Nora to lead people to believe that her father was still alive so she could give medical advice. She really didn’t have much of a choice if she wanted to keep doing what she loved. What she didn’t expect was Constantine to show up on her doorstep looking for her father’s advice! She was forced to tell the truth and as the reader can imagine, Constantine was angry. This was a major obstacle in the falling in love part of the story! As Nora inserts herself in his life, it’s fun to watch a rigid and stuffy man slowly loosen up. 

The romance is a slow burn. Both Nora and Constantine have some obstacles to overcome. But you can definitely expect some great chemistry and sexual tension within the pages of this book. Readers can look forward to the aphrodisiac making a comeback. I really enjoyed this book, as well as the rest of this series. It can definitely be read as a standalone, but if you are like me....I like to read each and every book in a particular series. This is the perfect book to escape the winter blues. Enjoy!

The Line of Duty by Nichole Severn

Wow! There was a lot of action in this book by Nichole Severn. Our male protagonist was Vincent Kalani, a member of Blackhawk Security member who does work for hire. When he was up in Alaska working on a case, he spent time with Anchorage PD officer, Shea Ramsey. She did not like working with someone who she considered to be a vigilante. She was an officer and she did her best to uphold the law and help people. She decided she did not like working with him….but…. 

One day Shea and Vincent found themselves on the same plane from Anchorage to New York City. Shea had some personal business to take care of and Vincent got a lead on a former case. Then the action started. Their plane went down and they were stranded out in the middle of nowhere in the mountains of Alaska. They did have some gear, but not enough. Shea was realizing that she needed to trust Vincent if they wanted to get out of there alive. Both Shea and Vincent thought their plane was sabotaged, but for different reasons. What they did know was that a group of armed men were shooting at them. The injuries keep piling up and the reader really begins to doubt that they will be able to get out of the Alaskan wilderness. 

The action was off the charts. The setting was really descriptive. I swear I was cold and needed a blanket as I was reading how cold it was in Alaska. The descriptions were that good. I would say the romance is a slow burn, but I guess since they were fighting for their lives, that makes sense. The focus was really on the criminal investigation and corrupt cops. The author also spent time exploring Shea’s experience with post-partum depression and I feel like the reader will really feel for Shea. Definitely a good read when you need some heart stopping action. You won’t be able to put it down until the story is finished.

A Highlander is Coming to Town by Laura Trentham

Do you love Christmas? Men in kilts? If so, then you need to get this book for the holiday season. I’m a big fan of contemporary and historical Scottish romance. I mean, who doesn’t love a tall, strong man with a sexy accent??? 

In this case, Holt might not have the sexy accent going on, but Claire does ;) This is the third book that takes place in Highland, Georgia where they embrace all things Scotland. Accurate descriptions of Highland Games, music and drink. I love it! I really liked Holt’s character. He is always doing the right thing and he seems to be pretty laid back and nice. He works hard and hasn’t been the most lucky in the romance department. Part of it is all his responsibilities and part of it is small-town living. Claire came to Highland to run away from her past and to decide what to do with her family commitments. She started working for Ms. Meadows, doing things around the house that she could no longer keep up with. As a secondary character, her secrets brought Claire and Holt together a bit more. I think it was pretty swoon-worthy when Holt tried to impress Claire with a nice date night. 

I really like the setting of the town. It’s small, friendly and loves a good party. I think this series and this book will appeal to those readers looking for a nice, sweet, contemporary romance. It’s a got a bit of humor, some personal issues to work through, but a kind and supportive cast of friends. Along with a good dose of kilts and sexy accents.

Running Out of Time by Cindi Myers book review

Nooooooo!!!! I did not want this series to be over! I have really enjoyed all four of the books in the Tactical Crime Division series. I loved the collaboration between the authors and the fun book trailer that was created for this series. This last book, titled Running out of Time, by Cindi Myers is about Jace Cantrell and Laura Smith. Jace is definitely the hot alpha military type and Laura is the uptight behind the scenes researcher. They both work for the Tactical Crime Division and are sent in undercover as a married couple. That right there was a great beginning. Who knows what juicy things will happen when forced to live together??? 

 

Jace and Laura are being sent in as the new employees at Stroud Pharmaceuticals to figure who is behind a string of poisonings linked with tampered packages of the company’s best-selling herbal Stomach Soothers. As possible suspects are rooted out, the tension and suspense rise in this story along with the sexual tension between Jace and Laura. There are several secondary characters that add a lot to the story that readers will enjoy. I also love the small-town setting (Mayville) which adds to the connections between victims and possible suspects. There are multiple bombings which adds to the urgency of getting this crime solved. The author did a nice job working in some humor to some of the scenes. I particularly enjoyed it when Laura got to their trailer and saw just one bed. She was already distracted by Jace’s presence. Her reaction will have you laughing. I love that the author was able to add this humor to otherwise serious and tragic events. It added a lot to the story. I’m a sucker for a happy ending and this book will not disappoint. Read the whole series. If you are not currently a reader of romantic suspense, this series might convince you otherwise.

Who Wants to Marry a Duke by Sabrina Jeffries book review

I get excited anytime a new Sabrina Jeffries book pops into my feed! I’ve been waiting for this one. In this series titled, Duke Dynasty, the cast of characters is unconventional and complicated. I think it adds a lot of fun to the backstory. In this third book, Who Wants to Marry a Duke, Marlow Drake, the Duke of Thornstock, runs into Olivia Norley for the second time and a lot of good and bad memories come rushing back to both of them. They definitely had some chemistry, but circumstances (and blackmail) prevented them from getting together. 

It’s been nine years since their first run in and during that time, Olivia has been working on her career as a chemist. She has a lot of obstacles in her way, the biggest one being that she is a woman. But she is determined and takes a job offered by the Duke of Greycourt. Greycourt is Thornstock’s half brother, which is the connection that brings Thornstock and Olivia back into each others’ circle. Greycourt hired her to determine if his father had been poisoned by arsenic. This job might just be the one where she makes a name for herself as a chemist. 

This book definitely has a lot of mystery and the deaths of previous dukes in this family may all be connected. Someone makes an attempt on Olivia’s life as she is conducting her investigation. The issue of trust is the stumbling block for this couple. It definitely takes a while to earn that trust back. There is a lot of suspense and the danger goes up a few notches in this plot. There is definitely some sizzling chemistry between Thornstock and Olivia. This story is a good addition to a complicated family tapestry and perfect for those readers in the mood for a historical romantic suspense story.

When You Wish Upon a Rogue by Anna Bennett book review

I have really been enjoying this series by Anna Bennett.  When You Wish Upon a Rogue is book #3 in the Debutante Diaries. Book #1 is titled First Earl I See Tonight and book #2 is The Duke is But a Dream.  As always, I prefer reading the books in order, but they can be read as a stand-alone.  I always like returning to familiar settings and seeing glimpses of previous couples.

In this book, Miss Sophie Kendall is being forced by her parents to wed for money.  She doesn’t want to and tries to escape her reality by organizing meetings of the Debutante Underground and writing an advice column targeted to women.  But she knows that her marriage will be happening soon and is conflicted between her loyalty to her family and doing what makes her happy.  As she was searching for a new meeting space, she ran into Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire.  He allows Sophie to use his space and in exchange, she has to spend some time with him to help him get over his wartime trauma.

I really like that Sophie was a feminist and a subversive heroine. Henry is definitely not perfect.  He is troubled by his past and is a bit of a tortured soul.  He also does not have much money, which is exactly the opposite of what Sophie’s family needs from her.  I like the elements of friendship in this book and overall sweet romance. If you are looking for your next historical romance with some slow burn chemistry, you should pick this one up (along with the previous two books).  I am a fan of Bennett’s books and enjoy her style of storytelling.

Hate Crush (Filthy Rich, #2) by Angelina M. Lopez book review

Grab a glass of wine and dive into this contemporary romance set in a wine-growing region in Northern Spain. Hate Crush is the second book in the Filthy Rich series. The female protagonist is Princess Sofia (Princesa Sofia Maria Isabel de Esperanza y Santos) and the male protagonist is Aish Salinger. Aish and Sofia met each other working at his uncle’s winery in California. They hit it off right away and had a pretty steamy summer romance. The present-day part of the story is a second chance romance, ten years later.

While Sofia is a princess, her parents squandered a lot of their money and Sofia is a self-made millionaire with her winemaking technology. She is definitely vulnerable in matters of the heart and has just focused on her work and friends. Aish had chosen his career over Sofia, but now his life is falling apart and he is trying to redeem himself. Sofia has long been dogged by the paparazzi and they had falsely documented some of her wilder exploits. So each character has some personal struggles they are going through.

Sofia is getting ready to launch her new winery on her family property. She needs the buzz of the wine industry, so she invites wine experts, journalists and bloggers. She also invites Aish at the urging of her PR person. His fame could be enough to give the winery its needed push for the big launch. Sofia does not want to interact with him and writes a script for their interactions on camera. She really wants nothing to do with him when the camera is not rolling. However, it is difficult to deny the chemistry that still exists between them. Everyone notices and it even starts trending on social media.

Things I really liked about this book are the details about wine growing and winemaking, the Spanish setting, the mysterious saboteur, the hot chemistry between Sofia and Aish and the twisty resolution at the end. I also really like how fiercely loyal Sofia is to her close friends and her siblings. It adds more of a feel-good vibe outside of the sizzling romance. You should totally kick back with a glass of wine and get this book today for a feel-good summer read.

Title: Hate Crush
Author: Angelina M. Lopez
Series: Filthy Rich, #2
Length: 416 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Imprint: Carina Press
eBook On-Sale: June 29, 2020
eBook ISBN & Price: 9781488057052, $3.99 U.S.
MMP On-Sale: June 30, 2020
MMP ISBN & Price: 9781335459503, $8.99 U.S.
Book Description: A fake relationship could help Princesa Sofia save her kingdom. Only problem: She’ll have to fake it with the man who broke her heart.

Ten years ago, wild child Princesa Sofia Maria Isabel de Esperanza y Santos fell in fast crazy love with heartbreaker Aish Salinger during one California harvest season. Now, all grown up and with the future of her kingdom on her shoulders, she hates him as passionately as she once loved him.

Even if her body hasn’t gotten the hate memo.

Faking a relationship with the now-famous rock star for the press and public will ensure the success of her new winery and prosperity of her kingdom. All she has to do is grit her teeth and bear his tattooed presence in her village and winery—her home—for a month.

Trying to recover from his own scandal, fallen superstar Aish Salinger jumps at the chance to be near Sofia again. Leaving her was the biggest mistake he’s ever made, and he’s waited ten years to win her back.

He never counted on finding a woman who despised him so much she didn’t want to be anywhere near him.

A war of wills breaks out as the princess and rock star battle to control their fake relationship. She wants to dictate every action to keep him away from her. He wants to be as close as he can be. She’s already lost so much because of Aish—e won’t be the reason her people lose even more.

But he also won’t make her break her life’s most important vow: To never fall in love again.

Read Filthy Rich Book One, Lush Money, available now from Carina Press!

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About Angelina M. Lopez
Angelina M. Lopez wrote "arthur" when her kindergarten teacher asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. In the years since she learned to spell the word correctly, she's been a journalist for an acclaimed city newspaper, a freelance magazine writer, and a content marketer for small businesses. Finally, she found her way back to "author."

Angelina writes sexy, contemporary stories about strong women and the confident men lucky enough to fall in love with them. The fact that her parents own a vineyard in California’s Russian River Valley might imply a certain hedonism about her; it's not true. She's a wife and a mom who lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. She makes to-do lists with perfectly drawn check boxes. She checks them with glee.

You can find more about her at her website, AngelinaMLopez.com.

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Read this excerpt:

Aish pulled the bud out of his ear and straightened, never taking his eyes off her as he held it out. When she took the bud from him, she let her fingers linger. His fingertips were warm and that tiny touch sent a frisson down her arm.
She unwrapped the headphones from around her neck and stuffed them into her back pocket. But she didn’t move back.
“I’m a musician,” he said, voice low.
“I know.”
A corner of his mouth went up. “What else do you know?”
That he made every millimeter of her skin buzz. That he smelled like boy and sweat and ocean salt. She hated the nose-clogging scent of cologne. There was nothing fake about the way this boy smelled.
She pulled her long braid over her shoulder and tugged on it. “You’re from LA, your father designs clothes, your mother is a famous fitness instructor. Y…you’re very good at surfing, singing, partying, working harder on less sleep than everyone else and…oh, sí, ménage à trois.”
Shock, mortification, and humor created a palette across his expressive face. “Who said I’m good at threesomes?”
Sofia ran a hand down her braid and shrugged, all Spanish cool. “No sé. I keep my nose to myself. It’s everyone else who talks.”
When he grinned this time, he looked like he might lean down and taste her. “And what does everyone say about you?”
Sofia worked to maintain her smile. She wanted to be no one to nobody. She wanted to have nothing said about her. But even if she’d lived a cloistered life in a high tower, her story would be marred with her parents’ dramas and affairs and fights, ugly public episodes that stripped Sofia of dignity without her involvement. And Princesa Sofia hadn’t lived a cloistered life. Maintaining her dignity hadn’t been high on her list when she’d mooned the crowd from atop a Semana Santa float in Cádiz or when she’d waved drunkenly to the paparazzi from a movie star’s hotel balcony when she was supposed to be presented to the Queen of England. She’d been neither drunk nor sleeping with the star. But her humiliated mother had abandoned the duke’s bedroom she’d been occupying to drag Sofia back to the Monte.
She didn’t want to think about her scandalous past. She didn’t want to think about the demands of her future. All Sofia wanted right now was to be a dirty, half-naked girl wrapped around a beautiful boy in a wine tank.
“I know some stuff about you,” Aish said quietly.
Sofia focused on the air in front of his face and ran her hand down her braid.
“Your name’s Sofia. That’s…really fucking pretty.” He hadn’t said Princess Sofia. He hadn’t said Sofia de
Esperanza y Santos. Just Sofia. And he thought it was pretty. She focused again on his eyes.
“You’ve got a great accent.” The air between them felt like it was warming up. “You like grunt work, which is so hot it kinda hurts.”
Nothing about her royal status. Nothing about her reputation. He’d just arrived; perhaps none of the interns had told him about the princess in their midst. Perhaps his uncle had just said, “Make sure the new intern hasn’t passed out. Her name is Sofia.”
“You’re not wearing a bra.” Her mouth opened at that, surprised, as his eyed gripped shut. “I noticed and if you noticed I noticed, I’m sorry ’cause I don’t want you to think I’m a total fucking creeper and scare you away…”
“I don’t think you’re a creeper,” she said, reaching to brush her fingers over his clenched fist. Her breasts were so small she seldom wore a bra. But this boy acted like they were an irresistible temptation.
Aish opened his eyes. “Are you for real?”
Sofia smiled up at him, feeling helpless and foolish and floating.
“I mean, am I having some weird acid flashback?” His urgency seemed to express that it was a real possibility.
“Wouldn’t I be having one, too?” she asked. “And I’ve never done acid.”
“No, no.” He was a lit fuse aimed in her direction. “This could be my own personal hallucination. Because, what the fuck. My uncle tells me to go check on the new intern and inside a tank is a kick-ass, bare-skinned fairy girl listening to elf music. I feel like I’m tripping. Am I?”
With amazement beaming from her, Sofia shook her head.
He reacted like she’d punched him. “Fuck. Your smile. Can I kiss you?”

Copyright © 2020 by Angelina M. Lopez

Daring and the Duke (The Bareknuckle Bastards #3) by Sarah MacLean

Finally!  The last book of the Bareknuckle Bastards series by Sarah MacLean. This book is Grace and Ewan’s story.  We saw glimpses of Grace in the first two books and only “heard” about Ewan.  I have to confess, he did not sound like a very redeemable character. Devil and Whit were keeping Grace safe by telling Ewan that she had died.  She remade herself into Dahlia and she ran the swankiest brothel in London for women.  I did not look up the historical accuracy of this, but I love the twist.  Why not have rich women pay for sex?  The men in Victorian times always do. Well, Ewan was out for vengeance, and this is woven throughout the story.  He was known as the Mad Duke of Marwick because he was so eccentric.  It seemed that he had been in mourning for his only true love.

This is definitely a story of redemption.  I was convinced that I would not like Ewan, but the back story helped.  It was rather sinister that Ewan had a lot to gain from Grace’s death, but knowing there is a happily ever after...this had to resolve itself.

I think it’s rare that Victorian Historical Romances take place in the darkest, smelliest parts of London.  It is unique to see Covent Garden instead of Mayfair as the setting.  I also like that the characters are a bit freer from social constraints.  There is a moral code, but totally different than society visits.  There are a lot of flashbacks in this story that fill in all the holes from the previous two books. The twist at the end was satisfying and somewhat unexpected.  I also really love the beautiful cover.  The yellow (gold) dress was the perfect complement to Grace’s personality. 

Say Yes to the Duke by Eloisa James book review

Boo! To me - for jumping into this fun series at the fifth book!!! Honestly, this is something I try to avoid doing because I have a thing for reading books in series order. Say Yes to the Duke by Eloisa James totally hooked me and now I have to read the other ones. Since I did it, it can totally be read as a stand-alone. The Wilde family are the celebrities of London during their time. Anyone that does anything in public it is published in the papers and postcards. They seem to fan the flames of the gossip mill.

This story is about Viola Astley. Her mother became the third Duchess of Lindow, and Viola was just raised in the Wilde nursery. Her stepfather and stepsiblings view her just as much a Wilde as any of them. This part of her background really affects her self confidence and contributes to her being so shy. She has put off talking to eligible men because they terrify her. However, there is a new vicar in town who is cute, nice and Viola does not get nervous talking to him. He is already engaged, but Viola still has a bit of a crush on him. She has been writing him notes and made arrangements to meet him during a ball in the library. Unfortunately, the Duke of Wynter was discussing what he was looking for in the perfect duchess for him and Viola and her sister Joan were part of the unflattering (and mean) conversation.

Viola told the Duke she would never allow him to marry her sister and blows him off. Of course, the Duke, Devin Elstan, is intrigued by this behavior. He can’t stop thinking about her because she stood up to him. Viola told Devin in no uncertain terms, that she was not interested in ever being a Duke’s wife. I loved getting to know Devin and Viola and as the story progresses, you begin to see how perfect they are for each other. The chemistry is definitely there and their personalities complement each other.

This is a well-written story with great characters. The dialogue and the setting held my attention and I enjoyed discovering how they would end up together. I’m also glad that I was introduced to a great new series and I have lots to read this summer. This is the perfect summer read!

Midnight Abduction by Nichole Severn book review

This is the third book of the Tactical Crime Division series. If you love romantic suspense, you need to go get this book! This story revolves around Ana Ramirez and Benning Reeves. Ana left Benning about 7 years ago and it is obvious to the reader that they still have some sizzling chemistry between them. Benning calls Ana to help him find his kidnapped twins. He has the most faith in her ability to track down the kidnapper and figure out what is going on.

Ana views this case as a chance to help a friend, save lives and prove that she is a good agent. The twins in this story really add a lot as secondary characters. Olivia is very bright and imagines herself to be an investigator when she grows up. The bond between the twins and Benning is very heartwarming and you can see right away that he will do anything for his children.

The story itself is action-packed and will keep you on the edge of your seat. There is definitely a violent criminal element in the story. Benning and Ana are injured during some encounters, but they keep fighting for the children. Lots of twists and turns. I don’t think you will be able to put down the book until you finish. If you like the other books in this series, definitely give this one a try. It can also be read as a standalone. I read them out of order without realizing it at first and I don’t think it took anything away from the stories. I definitely enjoy the happily ever afters in this series. We all need some feel-good moments during these stressful times.

Secret Investigation by Elizabeth Heiter book review

This is the second book in a planned four book series within the Tactical Crime Division (TCD). I totally read them out of order. I still need to order the first one, then I read the third one and now I read the second one. So, I guess they can be read as stand-alone and totally make sense...but I normally choose to read them in order. Somewhere along the way, I was not paying attention. I was particularly looking forward to this one because I enjoy Elizabeth Heiter’s Harlequin Intrigue books. Her books got me hooked on Romantic Suspense and now here we are…

This fast-paced book will hook you from the first page and you won’t be able to put it down until the end. Leila is the CEO of Petrov Armor and she is being investigated for selling faulty body armor to soldiers *gasp*. Leila is a young CEO of such a large company, so she feels like she constantly has to prove herself and this incident is not helping matters. Leila is willing to let Agent Davis Rogers go undercover and investigate whether or not the faulty armor is really from her company. Things are pretty personal for Davis because one of his close friends died from the faulty armor. The immediate attraction to Leila creates a lot of conflicting feelings on both sides.

Leila is sure it cannot be anyone at her company that is responsible for the faulty, but she lets Davis investigate. She is also doing her own investigation. Cracks start to appear within the company’s ranks and the intrigue is definitely climbing. The mystery and action is definitely exciting and the romance brewing between our two protagonists is believable and exciting. Readers will find themselves rooting for Leila and Davis. This is definitely a great addition to the series. You will probably want to end up reading all four of the books.

And it has an amazing series trailer!

Immortal Angel by Lyndsay Sands book review

Ahhhh...the Argeneau world is like coming back to an old friend. I can’t even remember how long I have been reading Lyndsay Sands books, but they sure do make for a fun and romantic escape. Well, at least while the couple’s story is being told. I guess some of the storylines have some bloody scenes. 😂 I do love that Sands gives her characters equal opportunity. In this particular story, Ildaria Garcia is a kick-ass vigilante when it comes to helping women fight off their male attackers. Her actions do draw the attention of Lucian, so she is reluctantly forced to move to Toronto and has been given a stern warning about beating men up. Ildaria is settling into her new life and she is savoring it because she has been on the run for 200 years and is tired of it. She is going to school for an accounting degree and because of that, agrees to do bookkeeping for Joshua James Simpson Guiscard, aka G.G.. G.G. is a sexy mortal who operates an immortal bar. His parents are both immortal, so that is why he is accepted. Since they are our two main protagonists, you can guess that they are life mates. The problem in this coupling is that G.G. does not want to become immortal. He witnessed his mother’s transformation and has been scarred by that childhood memory. His mom has not been able to convince her son otherwise.

As we delve deeper into Ildaria’s past, we learn a lot about the experiences that shaped who she is today. I think it is pretty powerful that G.G recommended counseling before they got intimate to help Ildaria move forward from her past trauma. Also, helllloooooo steamy sex scenes with my favorite paranormal twist. Lucian cracks me up. It’s not that he is trying to be funny, but being one of the oldest immortals, he just doesn’t do small talk and other socially appropriate things. He sure is blunt and no-nonsense. Sometimes those scenes make me want to reread Lucian’s story. The resolutions are satisfying and I hope there are tidbits about how they are doing in future books. I love this world that Sands has built. I love all the character names...the best names can be found in this series. Anytime she has a book release day, I am nowhere to be found, enjoying my escape in the newest storyline.

Temper by Chantal Fernando Book Review + Excerpt - Blog Tour!!!

I totally dove into something new with this book → I have never read a Motorcycle Club book 🤯, didn’t know I was starting with book three, AND this is also my first book by Chantal Fernando. A lot of firsts here :) It was a whole new world to explore.


Temper is our male protagonist and he is the current president of the Knights of Fury MC. I would say the name suits him because his family was well acquainted with his temper when things did not go his way. Our female protagonist is Abbie. She works at her family dive bar in Nevada called Frank’s. She had gradually taken on more responsibility at the bar, putting off her own needs and education to keep her family afloat. The first time Temper met Abbie, he asked her out and she turned him down. She continued to turn him down every time they came through town until one night, she finally agreed. The date was soooooo romantic and perfect. Abbie was kind of rethinking all the scary things she had heard about the Knights of Fury. Until a thing happens, and the suspense goes off the charts. Suffice it to say that Abbie was now unwillingly under the club’s protection. One can only be mad for so long with the chemistry that was brewing between Temper and Abbie. She has a choice to embrace her new life or go back to what she had.

This really is a fun story. Lots of action, suspense, some plot twists and a whole lot of sexy. I don’t think you will be able to put the book down until you finish the story. I love how the others portrayed Temper and his grumpy attitude before Abbie came into his life. I also love how Abbie becomes more of a risk-taker in her own life and starts living what she has really been wanting. The sense of family really grabs you in this story. I mean, isn’t that something we all want?

The dialogue flows between all the characters. The setting has a lot of details and brings you into the story. As I was reading this, I thought that Chantal Fernando has a writing style like Rhenna Morgan (so if you are a fan of either, you will like all the books). Both their characters walk the gray line when it comes to the law, but they do right by the people they are loyal to. There is a lot of bad in the world and sometimes you have to make tough choices. Definitely character traits of strong, sexy men. I will be picking up books 1 and 2 of this series. It was so good and now I think I am hooked on MC romance books.

TEMPER by Chantal Fernando Excerpt

It’s been a while since I’ve seen [Temper], and he looks good. It’s like the man doesn’t age. He’s tall, strong, and kind of mean looking, but he’s been nothing but nice and respectful toward me. We kind of have a routine going every time we see each other. We chat, we flirt, he asks if he can buy me dinner, and I say no. He ac­cepts that and leaves, until next time.

I don’t know why I always say no anymore. The first time was a combination of him being a biker and feel­ing so much older than me. But the age thing doesn’t bother me that much anymore. Truth is I’ve never said yes, to any man, to any date. I get asked out by people coming into the bar, but you don’t have to be experi­enced to know what they are really looking for, and it’s not a loving, long-lasting relationship. My experience is severely lacking, aside from prom and the mistake I made after it, and there’s no saving me now. I’m going to be a spinster. Hopefully Ivy will give me some nieces and nephews I can claim as my own.

Temper places money on the table, with a huge tip, like he always does. “Seriously? Who tips that much?”

His lip twitches. “You can take yourself out to a nice dinner with it, since I know you’re never going to let me take you out.”

“You giving up that easily?” I tease, giving him a flirtatious smile. I don’t know where this sudden bold­ness is coming from, other than the fact that I don’t want him to stop asking me out, and I’ve only just re­alized this.

I’ve never met another man like Temper, and I don’t think I ever will. I see how people treat him, avoid him, and make sure not to challenge him. Hell, my own mother warned me to be friendly with him, but never too friendly. He has this air of menace about him, but over the years I’ve also seen how he treats his MC brothers like family, and he’s always respectful, even to the people who work here. I’ve seen him vulnera­ble when he talked about his Prez… Hammer was his name, I think. He’s never rude, or arrogant—to me, anyway—and he’s always generous and polite. When he speaks to me, he always uses a humble, gentle tone, one that I’ve come to enjoy listening to. I know there is another side to him, and I can’t help but want to get to know that more.

“It only took a few years of rejection,” he jokes, lifting the whiskey glass to his lips. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him make a joke before.

“Maybe this was the year I was going to say yes,” I reply, clearing my throat. I don’t know what’s come over me, but I have the feeling like if I truly do want to take a chance and go on this date, it’s now or never. I’m stuck here, in the same job, doing the same thing every damn day, and I deserve to have a little fun and do something reckless for once in my life. I’ve always been the good girl, the trusted daughter, and the responsible older sister, taking care of my family as much as I can, since my dad has never been around. I know his name, Cohen Pierce, and that he lives in California somewhere. But he wanted, and still wants, nothing to do with me, and that’s fine. I’ve accepted that.

But what have I ever done for me? Other than college, which I had to drop out of anyway, I can’t think of one single thing.

Temper lowers his glass and studies me, brown eyes filled with surprise and suspicion. “You want to go on a date with me? Why now?”

Shrugging, I lower my eyes to the counter before returning them to him. “Time for me to live a little.”

Being safe hasn’t gotten me anywhere in life.

Title: Temper

Author: Chantal Fernando

Series: Knights of Fury MC series, #3

Length: approx. 60,000 words (256 pages)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Imprint: Carina Press

eBook On-Sale: April 20, 2020

eBook ISBN & Price: 9781488054037, $4.99 USD

Book Description: New York Times bestselling author Chantal Fernando returns to the Knights of Fury series with her most complicated hero yet. He may be the epitome of cool, but this MC president isn’t called Temper for nothing…

Every year, the hot, tatted biker comes into Abbie’s bar, orders whiskey and asks her out. Every year, Abbie turns him down. After all, dating a man that goes by Temper seems like a really bad idea, no matter how attracted she is to him.

But this year is different. Abbie’s different. Older, wiser and tired of being stuck behind the bar in a sleepy town. This year, she’s ready for whatever adventure the sexy but sweet biker has in store for her.

Or so she thinks…until an elegant candlelit dinner ends with a dead body.

Now Abbie finds herself on the ride of her life, whisked away to the big city in Temper’s protective custody. She should be scared, but—despite his nickname—it’s clear the last thing Temper would ever do is hurt a hair on her head. And when danger catches up with them, Abbie soon realizes that holding tight to her man while straddling a Harley may be the safest place of all.

Buy Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YCQPTBW

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/temper-chantal-fernando/1133792899

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/temper/id1481346510

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/temper-13

Google:https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Chantal_Fernando_Temper?id=eWxDwAAQBAJ

About Chantal Fernando
Chantal Fernando is the New York Times bestselling author of the Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club series, the Cursed Raven Motorcycle Club series, and the Maybe series, along with several other novels. She lives in Western Australia, where she is working on her next book. Find her online at AuthorChantalFernando.com, and on Twitter and Facebook.

Connect with Chantal Fernando

Website: http://www.authorchantalfernando.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorchantalfernando

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChantalFernando

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7056719.Chantal_Fernando

Bears Behaving Badly by MaryJanice Davidson book review

It’s been a while since I have picked up a MaryJanice Davidson book and I am glad that I did! It’s hard to describe a paranormal romance to people who do not usually read them because it might sound a bit weird ;) But here it goes…

Werebear shifter Annette Garsea is a social worker for shifter children. The Interspecies Placement Agency is hidden in a government building and all the people who work there are shifters. David Auberon is also a bear shifter but has not really worked with Annette until this case which involves two young werewolves. One who is an escape artist and one who won’t talk.

When Annette And David team up, there are obvious sparks. They are working under the assumption that neither one of them wants to start something, which leads to some hilariously awkward moments. But the chemistry is there. As the case goes on, this starts to turn into a mystery/action/suspense involving a shifter trafficking cartel. Because Annette is a social worker, part of her job is placing kids into foster homes, which is pretty emotional. Some of the secondary characters are Nadia, Oz, and Pat. They sure do bring a lot of color to the story. They are funny, fierce and loyal to Annette. Pat is gender fluid, Oz is her foster brother and Nadia is her co-worker and friend. The dialogue when all these characters are together is irreverent, funny, silly and full of naughtiness. The story is set in Minnesota, which made me chuckle because one does not imagine that to be a hot-bed of shifter activity.

This book will have you laughing out loud. The mystery is full of suspense, the romance is more of a slow burn throughout the book, but the action will have your heart pumping. It’s a light-hearted book that does tackle some serious social issues, but the dialogue is well done and totally off the wall. I’m glad that I picked it up and this book might just be a great choice to tune out the world and find yourself a part of the shifter community for a while.

Heiress for Hire by Madeline Hunter

I admit, I am a huge fan of Madeline Hunter’s historical romances. All of them :) Some are steamier than others. In my mind, the more the better. I think it’s super sexy and romantic to meet in the garden, have sex in the study or be seduced by candlelight. This new book does not disappoint. This is the first book in the A Duke’s Heiress series. The beginning of this book will hook you right in because Minerva Hepplewhite, meets Chase Radnor as he is breaking into her house. Instead of her fainting, she bashes him in the head and knocks him out. It’s a delicious twist right from the beginning. I think that from the first page, this book sets itself up into being a non-traditional historical romance. It’s not often you have a widow who has changed her name, started a new life with some of the former help and is starting a new business called Hepplewhite's Office of Discreet Inquiries. She is definitely not out husband-hunting.

Chase is the cousin of the new duke and does not stand to inherit anything from the former Duke of Hollingburgh. He is loyal to his family and wants to know why the former duke left his fortune to three seemingly random women. Chase describes himself as a gentleman who performs discreet inquiries. He has enough money to live comfortably and is not interested in fighting over inheritance money. There are several mysteries that Chase wants to unravel related to his family. He and Minerva keep crossing paths as they are conducting their own investigations. It becomes apparent to the reader that they are both chasing some of the same mysteries. Readers will love the verbal sparring and the intentional actions they both partake in to misdirect the others' inquiries. What will it take for them to start working together and sharing information?

In addition to pursuing the same case, there is a ton of sexual energy between the two. One might even cheer when they kiss for the first time. It’s so fun to be a part of the revealing of Minerva’s and Chase’s secrets, finding out why they do what they do, understanding their backgrounds. They obviously have a lot in common as they both consider themselves to be private investigators. There are several clues in the story that start alluding to the fact that Minerva came from an abusive marriage. She is damaged from that experience, but Chase is the perfect man to right a lot of wrongs in her life. I like that he doesn’t save her because she was doing just fine on her own, but they both realize that they make a good team.

This first book is a great start to the new series. The setting, the introduction of future main characters, the mystery that needs to be solved is all set up in this first book. As always, the historical details are so well researched. It makes you feel like you are there looking at the buildings, the estates, the attire, understanding the manners and societal expectations. The sexual tension is swoon worthy and I cannot wait for the next two books in this series. Do yourself a favor and get this book on April 28, 2020!

Hers to Tame by Rhenna Morgan book review and blog tour

Book Review
I LOVE Rhenna Morgan’s books! I’ve read Wild & Sweet at least 20 times. Zeke might be my longest-running book boyfriend. Given that, I am not sure how I missed the release of the first NOLA Knights series, His to Defend. Then Hers to Tame popped up in my NetGalley...Book 2?!?!?!?!? Where have I been?

Given my need to read series books in order, I had to buy the first one. Sergei and Evette’s story was hot and introduces you to this new cast of characters. Then I was ready to read Hers to Tame. Based on the first book Kir did not seem like he was ready for his own happily ever after. But Cassie was the perfect woman to capture Kir’s heart. I’ll reluctantly admit that it could be read as a stand alone...but I really love the connection to past characters that Morgan puts in her books. It’s one of my favorite things about her series writing.

I really felt for Cassie and her need to be independent through hard work. She is a good reporter. I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but given how journalists are treated today, it’s good to see a character following journalistic integrity and doing the right thing. I think that sets her apart and defines her personality. She’s got a way with words, which makes for funny and witty banter between her and Kir. I think that is part of what makes their romance so hot.

At first, I wasn’t sure about the Russian mafiya back story, but throughout the course of the two books, you can see the philosophy is similar to the Men of Haven series. Sergei and Kir follow the old ways -- they are totally alpha, strong, sexy and trying to do the right thing. Sometimes the law is warped and those gray areas between right and wrong make for a compelling story. It’s always good to have some intrigue and an obstacle to overcome in a sizzling love story. Kir is trying to do what is best for New Orleans and her people, but bad, greedy people get in the way and they have to be dealt with. Kir’s is quiet, but full of surprises. He has had to overcome a lot of hardships to get where he is today and that has built his inner strength. He is loyal to his chosen family and will do anything to protect them.

Your heart will start pounding when he starts stepping in to try to help Cassie. Then the pages will sizzle as he becomes deliciously naughty in the bedroom. You won’t be able to put the book down. I think that Cassie’s reaction to becoming involved with Kir totally reflected my reaction. Did she want to get involved with a mafia-type? There were lots of rumors as to what they were involved with and the probability of violence is something that needs to be considered. Cassie is smart and determined to do what is best for her. I highly recommend this book. You will fall in love with NOLA, with Kir and Cassie and there is just enough intrigue and action to keep the romance hot and exciting. Whew! This just might be the perfect escape from today’s news and social distancing. Cozy up with Kir and you won’t be sorry 😉

HERS TO TAME by Rhenna Morgan Excerpt

“Please take this in the spirit it’s intended, but you work for a man who’s suspected of leading a growing crime family. I don’t think me telling you where I live is a good idea.”

“1023 South Franklin Avenue.”

Cassie stopped so hard she wobbled slightly in her heels. “How did you… I mean, I only just moved in there.”

His smile softened and his words were offered with gentle deliberateness. “I’m a very thorough man, Cassie. You can’t possibly think I wouldn’t learn everything I could about a person before I shared important information with them.”

Very thorough.

Frighteningly so.

She shook the foreboding off and resumed her trek to the station, albeit on slightly less stable legs. “All the more reason for us to meet someplace public.”

“All right. Then I’ll pick you up and take you somewhere.”

“Not necessary.” She checked both ways on the street and hurried across. “Just tell me where you want to talk, and I’ll meet you there.”

“I’m afraid my retrieving you and escorting you is nonnegotiable.”

She frowned at him, but kept going. “You’ve got a lot of points you won’t negotiate. Tell me why this one’s one of them.”

“Because while I’m very much interested in hearing what you have to share, I’m not interested in anyone else hearing. The best way to ensure our privacy is to make sure no one else knows where we’re going—including you.”

She stopped just six feet from the station’s front door. “You don’t trust me?”

“Should I?”

Hmm. He did kind of have a point. And given how she’d stiffed him after their second date, he still might be wondering if she’d simply used him. “Fine. Pick me up at my place tomorrow at eight. But don’t pick any place fancy. A coffee shop, or someplace simple. And not Starbucks either. It’s criminal what they charge for coffee.”

His mouth twitched as if it were all he could do to keep a wisecrack trapped behind his lips. “You seem determined to expose me to establishments with limited standards.” He nodded, the picture of gentility and confidence. “I’ll endeavor to pick a location that suits your expectations.” He held out his hand, palm up. “Until tomorrow, then.”

He had great hands. Not too smooth like someone trapped in an office, but a man’s hands. Slightly calloused, with long fingers and blunt fingertips. Of all the things she’d replayed from their time together, his touch had been the most frequent. Which was exactly why she’d be smart to avoid any and all physical contact with him going forward.

Glutton for punishment and well-mannered Texas girl that she was, she slipped her palm against his.

Oh, yeah.

Still amazing.

Electric and warm. Supercharged and bristling with promise.

And that was just her hand.

“Thank you again for the dinner. It wasn’t necessary, but I appreciate it all the same.” Hating the breathiness in her voice, she tried to release her hand.

Kir held it tight, the pad of his thumb subtly moving over the tender spot between her thumb and her forefinger. As if he were remembering other, more intimate places he’d touched her. “I assure you. The pleasure was all mine.”

He gently released her, turned without the least amount of hesitation, and strolled toward the parking lot like he didn’t have a care in the world.

Watching him was something to relish. An indulgence she didn’t even realize she’d taken until he 

stepped off the sidewalk and turned to open the door to his car.

Great. And now he’s busted you ogling him.

She swung one of the double glass doors open and strode into the arctic reception area.

“Girl, that dude was hot,” Bonnie said before Cassie’s eyes could adjust from the blinding sunshine outside. “He your boyfriend?”

“Oh, no.” She set the paper bag on the counter and shook her head. “Just a contact that helped me out on a few stories a while back.”

And ruined me for other men, but why quibble over details?

Bonnie took the bag and opened it, but the look on her face and her answering chuckle said she didn’t buy a word Cassie’d said. “Uh-huh. Looked to me like he was plotting how to peel you out of your professional getup.”

Yeah, it’d felt like that, too. But she wasn’t going to think about that now. Or ever, if she could help it. “Nope. Just talking business.” She waved toward the bag and headed back toward the newsroom.

“Good business, or bad business?”

Cassie swung the door to the hallway open and cast Bonnie one last look. “I haven’t decided yet. Could have been the lottery, or the biggest wrong turn of my life.”

Copyright © 2020 by Rhenna Morgan

Title: Hers to Tame
Author: Rhenna Morgan
Series: NOLA Knights, #2
Length: approx. 85,000 words
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Imprint: Carina Press
eBook On-Sale: March 16, 2020
eBook ISBN & Price: 9781488054167, $3.99 USD
MMP On-Sale: March 31, 2020
MMP ISBN & Price: 9781335962645, $8.99 USD



Book Description: Book two of NOLA Knights, the heart-stoppingly sexy spin-off series by Men of Haven author Rhenna Morgan As an avtoritet for the most powerful crime syndicate in New Orleans, Kir Vasilek doesn’t act without purpose, doesn’t speak without thought and never, ever loses his cool. The lives of his brothers, his family, depend on it. But then Cassie McClintock strolls back into his life, and staying cool is next to impossible. Cassie was the one who got away—and Kir is willing to break all his own rules to keep it from happening ever again.

It’s one thing to report on the Russian mafia; it’s quite another to sleep with one of them, especially one as dangerous, and as sinfully sexy, as Kir Vasilek. Even though the information he once provided helped make her career—and the memory of his touch still keeps her up at night—Cassie knows too much about his world to go down that path.

But when Kir reaches out for help after a rival family comes for one of his own, Cassie doesn’t want to say no, either to investigating a gruesome murder or to the heat that pulls her right back into his arms…and his heart. Taming Kir—and helping to save the family she’s come to call her own—is not the story she thought she’d write, but it’s the one she’s determined will get a happy ending.

Hers to Tame is the highly anticipated follow-up to His to Defend. And don’t miss Roman’s story in Mine to Keep, coming soon from Rhenna Morgan and Carina Press.

Buy Links 
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1335962646 
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hers-to-tame-rhenna-morgan/1133500058 
iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hers-to-tame/id1479851710 
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hers-to-tame 
Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rhenna_Morgan_Hers_to_Tame?id=-yGvDwAAQBAJ 

Author Bio 
A native Oklahoman, Rhenna Morgan is a certified romance junkie. Whether it’s contemporary, paranormal, or fantasy you’re after, Rhenna’s stories pack romantic escape full of new, exciting worlds, and strong, intuitive men who fight to keep the women they want. For advance release news and exclusive content, sign up for her newsletter at http://RhennaMorgan.com. You'll also find all of her social links there, along with her smoking hot inspiration boards.

Social Media Links
Website: http://rhennamorgan.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RhennaMorgan  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RhennaMorgan 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhennamorgan/ 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8596977.Rhenna_Morgan