Rainy Thursdays
books, videogames, and all the nerdy things
Review: Once Upon a Real Good Time by Lauren Blakely
That smoking hot one-night stand with a former rock star?
Turns out he’s my son’s new music teacher. Oops.
But I didn’t know that the night I met Campbell. All I knew was he played my body the same way he played a guitar — like he owned it.
My libido is still high-fiving me after being self-served for too many years, and we’re both ready for another night or two of fun, especially since we don’t just have chemistry in bed — we connect over everything.
That is, until I learn he’s the man who’ll be coming to my house twice a week to teach my son — the best music lessons money can buy.
Time to turn down the volume on our shenanigans. Only that’s easier said than done.
***
I can rock a guitar solo in front of thousands, I can write chart-topping tunes, and I can absolutely stop thinking about my student’s mother naked.
After all, I’m a single parent too, and I know what it’s like to put your kid first. That’s what I do every damn day.
Trouble is, now that I’ve had Mackenzie, it’s hard — and I do mean hard — to stop wanting her. Harder too when I get to know her, and learn she’s an awesome mom, a great friend, and, oh yeah, she happens to get along perfectly with my daughter.
All we have to do is set some rules. No dating, no nookie when the kids are around, and no one gets hurt.
It’s all working out beautifully. Until we start breaking the rules, one by one.
Making music with her in the bedroom is easy. But will we be more than just a real good time when the music stops?
While I typically don’t read novels that involve single parents (it’s just not my thing), Lauren Blakely is one of the handful of my go to authors. Her skill at creating realistic dynamic characters is evident and they draw you into their world. It is impossible to not become invested in their stories just as it is hard not to love them. Her leads have blatant chemistry, with witty and humorous dialogue and more than just heat between the sheet. They just…work so well together.
Blakely should be commended on her ability to take cliche, overused tropes and make them entertaining. From the former rockstar dad to him being her son’s tutor to their agreement to just stay friends, separate they all sound like a story that has been written a million times. It’s Blakely’s skill as both a writer and a storyteller that turn these into an engaging story.
From her engaging characters to her steamy scene involving a couple clearly mean to be, everything about Blakely’s novel is absolutely lovely.
Review/Excerpt: Wound Tight by Lorelei James
From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lorelei James, comes WOUND TIGHT, a new crossover novella in her Rough Riders/Blacktop Cowboys® Series, brought to you by 1,001 Dark Nights! Be sure to grab your copy today!
About WOUND TIGHT:
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lorelei James comes a crossover story in her Rough Riders/Blacktop Cowboys® series…
A May-December romance hotter than the 4th of July…
Bull rider Justin Donohue spent his youth hell-bent on winning world championships. After hitting the big 4-0, Justin takes a job at the Grade A Ranch and Rodeo School, where he immediately locks horns (and lips) with the sexy, sassy Callie—a 22-year-old cowgirl set on seducing him. Discovering their age difference doesn’t deter Callie; neither does Justin’s warning that she deserves more than a busted-up former rodeo cowboy.
From the moment Callie Morgan encounters the hot-as-fire new ranch hand, she knows his gruff manner is an attempt to mask his attraction to her. But she’s never backed down from a challenge, especially not when Justin’s actions speak louder than his denials. Callie doesn’t give a damn that he’s older than her or what others might think of their relationship. The uptight cowboy needs to relax and she’ll do whatever it takes to loosen him up, proving there are no age restrictions when it comes to lust…or to falling in love.
Grab your copy of WOUND TIGHT today!
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Known for her cowboy erotica, Wound Tight is a perfect additions to James’ resume. Her heroine Callie is a fierce woman who knows what she wants and isn’t scared to work for it. Her comfort with her own sexuality was also a breath of fresh air. James should also be commended for her unique hero. Rather than the cocky overly Alpha males that tend to saturate the genre, Justin is a lost soul who seems to be stuck in a rut. The emotional depth and background that went into each character draws the reader in, making the story worth investing the time.
Of course, James’ does not forget to bring her trademark heat. The chemistry between the leads is evident from their first meeting, driven by Callie’s unapologetic nature.What follows is a erotic and emotional journey of two souls overcoming obstacles, both internal and external, to noteworthy conclusion.
As always, James has proved herself to be the queen of cowboy erotica. Fan will devour this new addition while those unfamiliar with her work will fall in love with her work.
EXCERPT:
“Have you seen the new ranch hand?” Callie gushed to her coworker Svetlana.
Svetlana—aka Lana—took a break from mopping and looked at Callie. “I cannot keep up with all of the new hires,” she said with a sniff.
“Oh, come on. How could you have missed him? I swear his hotness even made Mrs. Gradsky blush—and she’s been surrounded by good-lookin’ cowboys her whole life.”
“Did our boss lady catch you drooling over this man?”
“God no. I was literally hiding in the bushes outside the office as I picked up trash.” Callie sighed. “I had to stay still even when I wanted to break the damn branches to get a better look at that killer ass of his.”
“You were checking out his…?”
Her mind supplied “package” but virgin Lana would blush ten shades of crimson if Callie admitted that. Instead she said, “Behind? Of course. Such a hardship, watching that perfect cowboy butt sauntering away from me. But he did me a solid before he disappeared inside the office. He turned around and his frontside was just as delicious as his backside.” She whistled. “The man has it going on. Dark blond hair, vivid green eyes, great smile.” Amazing smile. Even from thirty feet away the man oozed charisma.
“You are what my mama used to call boy crazy,” Lana said.
“I’m not interested in boys. I’m interested in men.” Not that a man like him would take interest in her, especially not when she was covered in dust after a full day of doing grunt work.
“You are certain this new ranch hand is not married?” Lana asked.
“I assume not since he’s living in the bunkhouse with the rest of the hired hands.”
“How do you know that?”
Because curiosity had gotten the better of her. Despite Lana’s claims there were too many new hires, there actually weren’t. The Gradskys paid their employees very well, so employee turnover at the rodeo school or the ranch associated with the school was nearly nonexistent. When a new school session started there was an influx of students and parents, but the local staff only increased by two or three. And in the year she’d worked there, none of the hires had looked like him.
“Cal-lee,” Lana accused, stretching out her name. “You followed him.”
“I noticed him and another guy hauling some stuff from the parking lot into the bunkhouse.” She frowned. “He didn’t have much, now that I think about it.”
“Probably because he got kicked out of wherever he was living before. If he’s that good looking the guy’s probably a major player.” Her eyes took on a mean glint. “I hope if he cheated on his wife she took him for everything and he has to start over with nothing.”
Lana assumed the worst about everyone—men especially. Which made zero sense since she’d never had a boyfriend.
About Lorelei James:
Lorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary erotic western romances set in the modern day Wild West and also contemporary erotic romances. Lorelei’s books have been nominated for and won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s choice Award, as well as the CAPA Award. Lorelei lives in western South Dakota with her family…and a whole closet full of cow girl boots.
From Lorelei: “Why do I have a particular fondness for all things western? Well, I’m a fourth generation South Dakotan, living in the Black Hills, which is chock-full of interesting characters, including cowboys, Indians, ranchers, and bikers. The geographical diversity of the surrounding area showcases mountains, plains, and badlands. Living in and writing about rural settings gives me a unique perspective, especially since I’m not writing historical westerns. Through my fictional world, I can show the ideals and the cowboy way of life are still very much alive.”
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Review Tour: Restless Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan
About RESTLESS INK
Available September 18, 2018
The Montgomery Ink series continues with the so-called sensible sister and the one man she never should have fallen for.
For Thea Montgomery, baking isn’t only therapeutic, it’s also her dream job. She’s worked countless hours keeping her bakery afloat, and now that it’s where she wants it to be, she’s ready to expand and take the next step. When it comes to work and her family, she’s on top of her game. Her personal life, however, is a different story.
When Dimitri Carr isn’t teaching and hiding his ink under long sleeves to keep the bosses happy, he’s trying to be the best brother and friend he can be. After his divorce, he’d thought he would lose Thea from his life forever because she’s his ex-wife’s best friend. But now that he’s free, and the two of them realize they want to keep their friendship. Then he finally sees what he’s been missing all this time.
But there are more problems than the fact that Dimitri is Thea’s best friend’s ex. And when accidental touches and flirtations aren’t enough for either of them, and they’re finally ready to take the next step, they’ll find out exactly what that cost is for crossing that line. And will need to find the strength to face it.
Get your hands on RESTLESS INK now!
✦Amazon http://amzn.to/2xykEQ9
✦iBooks http://apple.co/2hj9JDL
✦B&N http://bit.ly/2P5bKAa
✦Kobo http://bit.ly/2hiqorn
✦Google Play http://bit.ly/2MoqgEm
✦Amazon Paperback https://amzn.to/2P1YNHl
✦Audiobook https://adbl.co/2P1YP1V
As always, Miss Ryan delivers with her trademark humor, heart, and hunky heroes. The Montgomeries are a family that the reader can’t help but love and want to follow. There may be a lot of novels and spin-offs, but each installment is just another great addition to a family that feels like old friends.
Miss Ryan has proven herself a skilled writer. Besides creating lovable characters, they also feel real and personable. Their interactions with each are as humorous as they are heartfelt. But it would by a Carrie Ann Ryan book with the emotion.
Overall, Restless Ink follows Ryan’s typical style: engaging interesting characters, a heartfelt plot driven by the characters, and enough steamy to satisfy their reader’s needs.
About Carrie Ann Ryan
Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.
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Review Tour: The Jack by M.K. Harkins
Today we have the blog tour of THE JACK by MK Harkins! Check out the tour and be sure to grab your copy today!
Title: THE JACK
Author: MK Harkins
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Enter MK’s Giveaway:
About The Jack:
What matters more to Archer: saving the woman he loves but can never have, protecting humanity, or avoiding a prison sentence that would stretch for eternity?
Archer is a half breed, caught between two opposing heritages – the Jacks, a bloodthirsty race who kills for sport, and the Readers, a docile race trying to save humankind. Two years ago, he betrayed the Readers, though, in a last-minute change of heart, saved them from ultimate destruction. But now he’s all alone, wallowing in unrequited love.
Sadie is an Immortal Seer with a dangerous calling: she must hunt down and destroy the last of the vengeful Jacks. But her quirky humor and gentle spirit make her an unlikely fit for the job.
Archer is drawn to Sadie’s pure, kindhearted nature, rekindling hope he might not have to live a solitary life, but he has no idea the danger he’s in.
When fate forces the mortal enemies to work together, Sadie must determine which side Archer is on, how much of his charm is real, and if she should follow through with her directive: should she kill him or save him?
Get Your Copy Now!
Catch Up on the Series
THE READER
Review
Despite being the second in the series, The Jack can be enjoyed as a standalone. That being said, there comes a certain appreciation that comes from having read the first one and having that knowledge going into the second.
An interesting premise of enemies to lovers, The Jack is filled with interesting characters and a fascinating story. It draws you in from pages one with its captivating storyline and suspense. The world is nicely fleshed out and characters are developed though some receive more attention than others. The hero truly shines in this story.
Overall, The Jack has an interesting world with a story spurred on by its characters and their actions.
About MK Harkins:
MK has always been a voracious reader. After hitting a dry spell of reading material, she decided to write the kind of book she’d like to read. This resulted in the creation of her debut novel, Intentional. (Award for Best Sweet Romance – eFestival of Words- August 2014)
Unintentional, the second book in the series, is based on the life of one of the characters in Intentional (Cade – an engineer/rock star). Unintentional was written as a stand-alone book.
Breaking Braydon, another stand-alone book, is now available on Amazon.
Taking Tiffany (A spin-off) is available now.
MK is currently working on a paranormal romance – The Reader. Due out 2016.
When she’s not writing novels, she likes to spend her free time traveling the world, splashing in mud puddles (She lives in Seattle, what can she say?), watching movies and reading (!)
Connect with MK:
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Review: Ice Cream Castle by Clarke Collins
When uptight Eli crosses paths with world-weary Naomi, culture clash ensues. After a strained encounter, the pair later discovers that what they share in common outweighs their differences. ICE CREAM CASTLES is a May-December romance that explores grief, understanding, and acceptance, with a passionate twist. It will leave you wanting more.
An engaging short read that can be read in one sitting, Ice Cream Castles is a powerful yet subtle read. The author should be commended for the ease at which she weaves a tale and makes it real. Her characters are so lifelike, that the reader feels they personally know them and they come off as old friends.
The story itself begins inconspicuously enough. It almost doesn’t even come off as a romance, which works in its favor. Most romances glamorize every situation, even if it’s negative. In Ice Cream Castles, Eli and Naomi definitely do not meet under ideal circumstances and the author doesn’t try to glamorize it. Instead, their adult behavior and communication ultimately brings them together. While their relationship isn’t perfect, it is just as touching and brings as much heat.
Overall, Ice Cream Castles is a well written interracial romance with a mature feel and depth both of story and characters. Those searching for different kind of a romance should add this to their TBR list.
