Sunday, August 31, 2014

Review: The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost

Title:  The Beautiful Ashes
Author:  Jeaniene Frost
Publisher/Publication Date:  Harlequin, August 26, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format/Source: Paperback, Publisher


Book Summary

In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.

Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who's bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.

Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn't mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn't: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…

My Thoughts

The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost has a dark tone. The story consisted of the common theme of a heroine—in this case Ivy—who was an integral part of the conflict and initially she didn't know why. So the journey is not only a search for her sister and the relic, it’s also a search for answers. It was difficult to understand Adrian. He was protective of Ivy, but he’s so overcome by darkness that he had difficulty imagining that he had power over his own life. I felt that the beginning was okay and would have rated it as average. But there were a couple of random scenes that seemed out of place and took away from my overall enjoyment of the story. So although I finished the book, I would not recommend it.
Rating 1/5


I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Review: Single Man Meets Single Mom by Jules Bennett

Single Man Meets Single Mom
Title:  Single Man Meets Single Mom
Author:  Jules Bennett
Publisher/Publication Date:  Harlequin Desire, September 2, 2014
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Format/Source:  Paperback, Author

Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Goodreads     Harlequin

Book Summary

From player to...daddy?

Hollywood agent Ian Schaffer could have his pick of gorgeous women. So he's totally thunderstruck by the intensity of his attraction to horse trainer Cassie Barrington. The single mom, with her luscious curves and unadorned beauty, is so much hotter than the bombshells he's used to. But it's her vulnerability and passion that the jaded player finds utterly irresistible—and that sets of alarm bells, because Ian's as commitment-shy as they come. A woman with a child is absolutely off-limits! Too bad the voluptuous mom has Ian aching to break all his old rules....


My Thoughts

Single Man Meets Single Mom by Jules Bennett is a fantabulous addition to the Billionaires and Babies Series. If you've read Bennett’s When Opposites Attract, you’ll be familiar with Cassie Barrington. She’s a single mother, horse trainer, and the sister of Tessa, a jockey.  Now, she has a story of her own.

I absolutely loved the realistic characters and storyline presented. Cassie is a curvy real world heroine with real-life problems. So as you can imagine, there was drama and well-developed conflicts related to her role as a single parent. She struggled with self-esteem issues and was hesitant to date. I was captivated by the story from the moment she dropped into Ian’s life. I just loved the fact that Ian viewed her curves as an asset. Ian was suave and knew how to deal with almost every situation when he wasn't throwing a personal pity party.  I particularly enjoyed his interactions with her ex-husband when he made an appearance on the scene. Although his past left him conflicted about getting involved in a relationship with a single mother, his actions are sure to leave a smile on your face.

You definitely won’t want to miss Ian and Cassie’s story as they struggle with their electrifying chemistry.

“Now his hands came up, framed her face and sent an insane amount of electrical charges coursing through her” (p. 86).

Rating 5/5



I received a review copy of Single Man Meets Single Mom from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Review: City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett

City of StairsTitle: City of Stairs 
Author: Robert Jackson Bennett
Publisher/Publication Date: Broadway Books, September 9, 2014
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Format/Source: Paperback Review Copy, Blogging for Books 

Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Goodreads

Book Summary from Goodreads

Years ago, the city of Bulikov wielded the powers of the Gods to conquer the world. But after its divine protectors were mysteriously killed, the conqueror has become the conquered; the city's proud history has been erased and censored, progress has left it behind, and it is just another colonial outpost of the world's new geopolitical power. Into this musty, backward city steps Shara Divani. Officially, the quiet mousy woman is just another lowly diplomat sent by Bulikov's oppressors. Full Summary Here


My Thoughts:

    As a person who likes epic fantasy, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really did enjoy the world building, the characters, and the strangely broken setting of Bulikov. There was a lot of mystery surrounding the city and the current events that took place throughout the book, and left me with numerous doubts if what was being told was actually the truth. Bulikov was a city once ruled by Divinities who wielded immeasurable power—they practically ruled the world. But it all ended with the war, leaving behind a broken and fractured place where their influence used to be strongest. Saypur literally wanted to erase all traces of these Divinities, and hide the history surrounding them. Right away, the mystery surrounding a murder introduces an interesting set of characters. Shara Thivani (Komayd) was one of those characters, a spy, looking into a case that’s close to her personally. Sigrud, Shara’s “Secretary” was also an interesting addition to the story, as he did handle some situations—his actions were just crazy sometimes. The world building presented an interesting take on the genre, as small bits of information were dropped here and there—while Shara navigated the lines between being an operative and her personal life when old acquaintances show up. The Divinities, gosh, everything about them was just sort of crazy, and the circumstances surrounding them were never clear until the explanations gradually revealed what was happening. The plot points all intersected at the end, as I finally figured out what was going on, and who was behind what. I can’t say much more because I don’t want to spoil anything. Overall City of Stairs was an excellent read and I look forward to reading more of Bennett’s work.

4.5/5

I received this book from Blogging For Books for this review, thank you!

About the Author

Robert Jackson Bennett is the author of American Elsewhere, The Troupe, The Company Man, and Mr. Shivers. His books have been awarded the Edgar Award, the Shirley Jackson, and the Philip K. Dick Citation of Excellence. He lives in Austin with his wife and son.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Review: Super Stitches Sewing: A Complete Guide to Machine-Sewing and Hand-Stitching Techniques by Nicole Vasbinder



Title:  Super Stitches Sewing: A Complete Guide to Machine-Sewing and Hand-Stitching Techniques
Author:  Nicole Vasbinder
Publisher/Publication Date: Potter Craft, March 18, 2014
Genre:  Non-Fiction, Crafts & Hobbies--Sewing


Book Summary

The Perfect Stitch for Every Project

Does your sewing machine come with lots of fancy stitches that you've never thought to try? This essential guide to machine and hand stitches will teach you how to use any and every stitch for professional-looking seams, hems, gathers, darts, and more. Unlock your full sewing potential with 57 machine stitches, 18 hand stitches, and tips to choose the correct needles, threads, and sewing machine accessories, complete with detailed step-by-step tutorials and illustrations.

This comprehensive stitch dictionary is a must-have companion for any sewer, whether you just bought your first sewing machine or you’re a seasoned expert looking to polish your skills. If your passion is dressmaking, tailoring, or simply mending your own clothes, Super Stitches Sewing gives you all of the information you need to make every project a success.

My Thoughts

Super Stitches Sewing by Nicole Vasbinder is an easy-to-follow how to guide for machine sewing and hand stitching. I loved the essential facts tables that provided an overview of the type of material, thread, needle, and foot needed to create the various stitches. The step-by-step illustrated instructions for each type of stitch were also helpful. Some of the stitches are basic, which makes this a great guide for beginning sewing enthusiasts. There are also great tips for people who have sewing experience  but are looking to refine their sewing projects.

Rating 4/5

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

About the Author

NICOLE VASBINDER has taught thousands of people the joy of sewing in classes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. When she is not teaching sewing and design classes at her store, StitchCraft, in Petaluma, California, she designs Queen Puff Puff handbags and accessories. Nicole is the author of Sewing Machine Secrets and Sewing Solutions, and has contributed projects to many books and magazines including Vintage Craft Workshopand Button It Up. Visit her at www.stitchcraftonline.com.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Cover Reveal: Covering Kendall by Julie Brannagh

COVERING KENDALL by Julie Brannagh
On sale: 10/21/2014

Kendall Tracy, General Manager of the San Francisco Miners, is not one for rash decisions or one-night stands. But when she finds herself alone in a hotel room with a heart-stoppingly gorgeous man-who looks oddly familiar-Kendall throws her own rules out the window…and they blow right back into her face. Drew McCoy should look familiar, he’s a star player for her team’s archrival the Seattle Sharks. Which would basically make Drew and Kendall the Romeo and Juliet of professional football…well, without all the dying. Not that it’s an issue. They agree to pretend their encounter never happened. Nothing good can come from it anyway, right? Drew’s not so sure. Kendall may be all wrong, but he can’t stop thinking about her and he finds that some risks are worth taking. Because the stakes are always highest when you’re playing for keeps. 

Posted @ 8:00 AM PT/11:00 AM ET

Book Spotlight: Kiss Me, Captain by Gwen Jones

French billionaire Marcel Mercier is irresistibly sexy in Gwen Jones’s
fun and sassy follow up to Wanted: Wife.

Kiss Me, Captain
A French Kiss Novel
Gwen Jones


Avon     Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Google     iTunes

Readers had a brief glimpse of French billionaire Marcel Mercier in Wanted: Wife. The charming heartthrob is back in the new French Kiss Novel, Kiss Me, Captain (Avon Impulse | on-sale August 26th, 2014 | ISBN: 9780062356482). Gwen Jones displays the perfect combination of smart writing, sexy characters, and sassy dialogue that made the first French Kiss Novel a huge success.

Marcel loves women. And there's a string of broken hearts across two continents to prove it. But as CEO of Mercier Shipping, he's got more important things to worry about … like why the charter company he just purchased in the United States is suddenly the center of an international media firestorm.

Now that big, bad Mercier Shipping owns Captain Dani Lloyd's ship, she's sure her job is at stake. But she won't go down without a fight—even if it means chaining herself to the mast of the Esther Reed and refusing to set foot on shore. The delectable captain and her newsworthy dramatics are a PR nightmare, but Marcel is happy to let Dani prove her skills on a weeklong sail to Boston. He knows no woman can resist him for that long … in fact, he's counting on it.

But Marcel's plan to seduce Dani backfires as sparks fly between the billionaire playboy and the passionate captain, which leaves Marcel realizing that winning her heart is a challenge he can't afford to lose.

About the Author

GWEN JONES, is an MFA, HEA addict, politics geek, and part-time native of the Jersey Shore. She lives with her husband, Frank, and the absolute cutest cats in the world, Gracie and Tommy, near Trenton, New Jersey.

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Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Release Day Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost

the beautiful ashes
Title: The Beautiful Ashes
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Expected Publication: August 26th, 2014

About The Beautiful Ashes

In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.

Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who's bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.

Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn't mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn't: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…

Buy Links Amazon | BN

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About Jeaniene Frost

Jeaniene Frost is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, and the upcoming Broken Destiny series. To date, foreign rights for her novels have sold to twenty different countries. Jeaniene lives in North Carolina with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. Aside from writing, Jeaniene enjoys reading, poetry, watching movies with her husband, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her. 

For information on Jeaniene's books, reading the first 20% of each book free, book trailers, deleted scenes, creature mythology, and more, please visit: www.jeanienefrost.com


Excerpt

A familiar song was playing, but I couldn’t remember the name. That bugged me enough to open my eyes. A wall of black met my gaze, slick and smooth like glass. I reached up to see what it was, and that’s when I realized my hands were tied.

“Silent Lucidity” by Queensryche, my mind supplied, followed immediately by, I’m in the backseat of a car. One that was well taken care of, going by that flawless, shiny roof. With those details filled in, I also remembered what had happened right before I’d passed out. And who I was with.

“Why are my hands tied?” I said, heaving myself into an upright position.

For some reason Adrian didn’t have a rear view mirror, which was why he had to glance over his shoulder to look at me.

“Does anything make you panic?” he asked, sounding amused. “You’re tied up in the backseat of a cop-killer’s car, but I’ve seen people get more upset when Starbucks runs out of pumpkin spice flavor.”

Anyone normal would panic, not that it would do any good. Besides, I ran out of “normal” a long time ago, when I realized I saw things no one else did.

Speaking of which, why wasn’t I in pain? The lump where Mrs. Paulson had whacked me was gone, and my shirt was red from blood, but aside from a mild kink in my neck, I felt fine. When I pushed my shirt up, somehow, I wasn’t surprised to see smooth, unbroken skin on my abdomen. Well, that and a bunch of crumbs, like I’d eaten a dessert too messily.

“Why does it look like I have angel food cake on my stomach?” I wondered aloud.

Adrian snorted. “Close. It’s medicine. You were injured.”

“You can tell me how I’m not anymore,” I said, holding out my bound hands, “after you untie me.”

Another backwards glance, this one challenging.

“You may be the calmest person I’ve ever been sent to retrieve, but if I tell you now what you want to know, that will change. So pick—the  truth, or being untied?”

“Truth,” I said instantly.

He let out a laugh. “Another first. You’re full of surprises.”

So was he. He’d just admitted that he regularly kidnapped people—which was how I translated “retrieve”—so I should be trying my damnedest to get free. But more than anything, I needed answers. Besides, I still wasn’t afraid of him, and somehow, that had nothing to do with him magically healing me.

“Truth, Adrian,” I repeated.

He turned once again and his gaze locked with mine, those odd blue eyes startling me with their intensity. For a moment, I could only stare, all thought frozen in my mind. I don’t know why I reached out, awkwardly touching his arm to feel the hard muscles beneath that bulky jacket. If I’d thought about it, I wouldn’t have done it. Yet I couldn’t make myself pull away.

Then I gasped when his hand covered mine. At some point, he’d taken off his gloves, and the feel of his warm, bare skin sent a shock wave through me. The touch seemed to affect Adrian, too. His lips parted and he edged over the back of the seats—

He yanked on the steering wheel, narrowly avoiding another car. A horn blared, and when the driver passed us, an extended middle finger shook angrily in our direction. I leaned back, my heart pounding from the near collision. At least, that’s what I told myself it was from.

Dyate,” Adrian muttered.

I didn’t recognize the word, and I was at a loss to place his accent. It had a musical cadence like Italian, but beneath that was a harsher, darker edge.

“What’s that language?” I asked, trying to mask the sudden shakiness in my voice.

This time, he didn’t take his eyes off the road. “Nothing you’ve heard of.”

“I picked truth, remember?” I said, holding up my bound hands for emphasis.

That earned me a quick glance. “That is the truth, but you don’t get more until you meet Zach. Then we can skip all the ‘this isn’t possible’ arguments.”

I let out a short laugh. “After what I saw on Detective Kroger’s face, my definition of ‘impossible’ has changed.”

Adrian swerved again, but this time, no other car was near.

“What did you see?”

I tensed. How did I explain without sounding insane? No way to, so I chose to go on the attack instead.

“Why were you in my hotel room? And how did you heal me? There isn’t even a mark—”

“What did you see on his face, Ivy?”

Despite his hard tone, when my name crossed his lips, something thrummed inside me, like he’d yanked on a tie I hadn’t known was there. Feeling it was as disturbing as my inexplicable reaction to his clasping my hands.

“Shadows,” I said quickly, to distract from that. “He had snakelike shadows all over his face.”

I expected Adrian to tell me I’d imagined it, a response I was used to hearing. Instead, he pulled over, putting the car in park but keeping the engine running. Then he turned to stare at me.

“Was that the only strange thing you saw?”

I swallowed. I knew better than to talk about these things. Still, I’d demanded the truth from Adrian. It didn’t seem fair to lie in return.

“I saw two versions of the same B and B earlier. One was pretty, but the other was old and rotted, and my sister was trapped inside it.”

Adrian said nothing, though he continued to pin me with that hard stare. When he finally spoke, his question was so bizarre I thought I’d misheard him.

“What do I look like to you?”

“Huh?”

“My appearance.” He drew out the words like I was slow. “Describe me.”

All of a sudden, he wanted compliments? I might have finally met someone crazier than me.

“This is ridiculous,” I muttered, but started with the obvious. “Six-six, early twenties, built like Thor, golden brown hair with blond highlights, silvery blue eyes…you want me to go on?”

He began to laugh, a deep, rich baritone that would’ve been sensual except for how angry it made me.

“Now I know why they came after you,” he said, still chuckling. “They must’ve realized you were different, but if they’d known what you could see, you never would’ve made it out of that B and B.”

“You can stop laughing,” I said sharply. “I get that it’s crazy to see the things I do.”

Lots of kids had imaginary friends growing up. I had imaginary places, though at first, I didn’t know I was the only one who could see them. Once my parents had realized that what I kept describing went far beyond childhood fancifulness, the endless doctor visits and tests began. One by one, diseases and psychoses had been crossed off until I was diagnosed with a non-monoamine-cholinergic imbalance in my temporal cortex.

In other words, I saw shit that wasn’t there for reasons no one could figure out. The pills I took helped a little, though I lied and said they got rid of all my hallucinations. I was sick of doctors poking at me. So whenever I saw something that no one else did, I forced myself to ignore it—until Mrs. Paulson and Detective Kroger had tried to kill me, of course.

Adrian did stop laughing, and that unblinking intensity was back in his gaze.


“Well, Ivy, I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is, you’re not crazy. The bad news is, everything you’ve seen is real, and now, it’ll be coming for you.”

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Sunday, August 24, 2014

ARC Review: Racing the Hunter's Moon by Sally Clements

Racing the Hunter's Moon Title:  Racing the Hunter's Moon
Author:  Sally Clements
Publisher/Publication Date: Entangled Bliss, August 18, 2014
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Format/Source:  E-ARC, Publisher

Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Goodreads


Book Summary


Pretending to be a couple may drive them crazy.


Feisty mechanic Betty Smith should have only one thing on her mind—catching the conman who swindled her mother. Not the sexy stranger who kissed her then completely disappeared. 


Undercover FBI agent Joe Carter needs to focus on the bad guy who got away, not the gorgeous headstrong brunette who watches too many cop shows and keeps interfering in his case. Unfortunately, catching their prey before he skips town means working together. 


But while entering the vintage car rally as a couple seemed like a good idea at the time, faking feelings for each other turns out to be the easiest part. Neither one can allow anything to get in their way, but staying away from each other is impossible. They both know, though, once their plan is complete, so is their time together.


My Thoughts


For a novella, Racing the Hunter’s Moon by Sally Clements is well-written. There was just enough backstory to set the stage for the current events. I loved that Betty and Joe’s common interest took them on a wild ride as they went on a quest to catch Charmers in his own game. I also appreciated the fact that much was left to the imagination even though there were sensual moments and their hormones were raging rather quickly.

Rating 4/5

I received an e-arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

ARC Review: Operation Paris by Misty Evans



Title:  Operation Paris (Super Agents, #2)
Author:  Misty Evans
Publisher/Publication Date:  August 4, 2014 (original release date of March 2009 as I’d Rather Be In Paris)
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format/Source: E-ARC, Publisher
                                     
Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Goodreads

Book Summary

CIA operative Zara Morgan—codename Tango—has a reputation in Conrad Flynn’s secret army as a renegade. Once held at gunpoint by terrorist Alexandrov Dmitri, she was seconds from saving herself and arresting Dmitri when Lt. Commander Lawson Vaughn, the sexy leader of a covert ops team, intervened. She’s never lived down the fact that everyone—including her boss—believes Lawson is her knight in shining armor.

Former Navy man Lawson Vaughn doesn’t consider himself anyone’s savior. He lives and breathes protocol and hates the fact that his latest assignment is to babysit Zara while she hunts down Dmitri and stops the terrorist from releasing a biological weapon on the world.

But from the time they touch down in Paris, Lawson can’t resist Zara’s sassy attitude and dauntless bravery in the face of danger. When Dmitri kidnaps Zara and injects her with the contagious and deadly virus, Lawson is once again forced to come to her rescue, whether she likes it or not.

With unflinching determination and steadfast courage, Lawson must break all the rules to save Zara, even if it means becoming the one thing he can’t stand…a renegade.


MY THOUGHTS

Operation Paris by Misty Evans is the second book in the Super Agents series. It was re-released on August 4, 2014. It’s a romantic suspense novel that has a great start as the stage is set for the mission at hand. It’s a thrilling story with intermittent action that happens when least expected.  Zara is adjusting to her role as a rookie operative. At times she appears to be kick-ass, but there are times when her emotions shine through a little too much. As a result of this, I was kept on the edge of my seat wondering if her emotions would interfere with the mission. Her partner Lawson Vaughn had control issues. As a female rookie, Zara was constantly trying to earn his respect as a member of the team. Early on it seemed that Zara was making rookie mistakes—actually they were stupid mistakes—and I couldn't wait to see how the situation played out. Could Lawson & Zara/Sara ever work as a team?  Well with Zara’s high-flying emotions and Lawson’s control issues there was an interesting power struggle. And their dynamics resulted in an exciting adventure as they raced against time to stop Dmitri and Vos Loo, a biochemist, from wreaking havoc on the world. 

Rating 4/5

I received an e-arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Blog Tour, Excerpt, Guest Post, Review & Giveaway: Keeping Mr. Right Now by Robin Bielman


Today, I’m excited to have Robin Bielman as a guest at Reading on the Rocks. Bielman is the author of Keeping Mr. Right Now, Kissing the Maid of Honor, Her Accidental Boyfriend, Wild About Her Wingman, Risky Surrender, Worth the Risk, Yours at Midnight & Veiled Target. In addition to her latest release, Keeping Mr. Right Now, I've read Her Accidental Boyfriend.  Bielman’s novels have realistic characters, well-developed conflicts, and engaging storylines. So without further ado, Welcome Robin!

Guest Post


Hello Reading On The Rocks gang! I’m so happy to be here to celebrate the release of my Red-Hot Bliss, KEEPING MR. RIGHT NOW. Thanks so much for having me today, Andrea!

Summer is my favorite time of year and the beach is my favorite place.

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net forever.” ~Jacques Cousteau

This is so true for me! Being a Southern California girl, I’ve been lucky enough to spend a lot of time at the beach. Growing up, I wanted to be a marine biologist. I couldn’t get enough of the ocean and its sea life. I collected seashells like crazy! And the idea of studying all the things that made the ocean so fascinating filled my head with wonderful dreams… Until I got to college and discovered how much math and science I’d need to take to follow through with my childhood ambition. So I minored in biology (the fun part!) and since I was in San Diego, visited Sea World often.


Nowadays, if I could have the sand between my toes every day, I would. Plop me down on the beach with the waves at my feet, and I’m a happy camper. I love to breathe in the salty air, feel the sunshine on my back, catch sight of a dolphin, and people watch. I especially enjoy watching the surfers. ;) So don’t tell my other heroes, but when I decided to write a book with a pro surfer hero, I maybe, sort of, had the best time ever writing him. I’ve been Zaned, and I hope if you read the book, you will be, too.


I feel like the beach is the kind of place where you can do absolutely nothing, and be totally content. Or you can get busy – surf, swim, boogie board, snorkel, scuba dive, paddleboard, kayak – the list goes on for creating memorable adventures. Not many places can boast something magical from two different extremes like that.

"At the beach, life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun." ~ Unknown
What’s your favorite thing about summer?

Book Summary

A temporary agreement neither could keep…


Brainy, organized Sophie Birch is no beach bunny. In fact, she’s totally out of her element among the sun-bronzed crowd at a film festival in beautiful White Strand Cove. When a surf lesson introduces her to Zane Hollander, suddenly she's up close and personal with the world's sexiest surf star. But what can a great-looking, experienced athlete possibly see in a klutzy out-of-towner who’s never set foot in the ocean?
                      
Zane Hollander's playboy reputation has never been a problem…until recently. Now his management team wants him on his best behavior to entice a meaningful new sponsor. Sophie Birch is the perfect girl to help reform his image. She's genuine and respected—and their relationship is purely fictional. But the more Sophie blooms under the beachy sun, the more Zane knows he'll just break her heart. Because nothing's more important to Zane than following the tide.

Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Kobo     iTunes 

Excerpt


“Hey. Sorry about losing you.”
           
“You didn’t lose me. I left.”
           
That she did. “Can I come in?”
         
She hesitated a moment. “Uh, sure.” She stepped aside and he entered the large room with an ocean view. The sliding French door was open, and the gravitational pull of the beach led him to the patio.
          
“Nice view,” he said over his shoulder.
           
“It really is. This is the nicest place I’ve ever stayed at. Not that I’ve stayed in very many places.” She came up beside him, and her cinnamon sugar scent teased him.
          
He wanted to taste her. Eat her up.  “Is this your first time seeing the ocean, too?”
         
“Yes,” she whispered like she was embarrassed about it. “And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that before our lesson the other day.”
           
“No apology necessary. I’m pretty impressed you did what you did.”
          
“Really?” Delight wiped out her shame, coaxing big-ass smiles out of them both.

“You’re a lot tougher than you look.” He turned his head toward the ocean, afraid that if he looked only at her, he’d do something stupid. Bikini-clad women dotted the beach, but not one sparked his interest like the woman next to him. Especially now that pink colored her cheeks. He wanted to take her full bottom lip between his teeth, kiss her, slip his tongue inside her mouth, and once he’d had his fill, lick his way down her body until—
           
“What about you?” She curled up on one of the cushioned patio chairs.
           
“What about me?” He took the other seat, stretching his legs out and situating himself for an easy view of the beach through the iron slats of the patio railing.
          
“How would people describe you?”
          
Her question drew his undivided attention. “Depends on who you ask.” He smirked. “Women and men have very different opinions of me.” The sun glittered off her auburn hair, casting a radiant halo. “All good, mind you.”
           
She rolled her eyes. “Do you ever get tired of it?”
           
“It?”
           
“The fame. Being recognized everywhere you go. Having to always wear a certain image.”
           
His heart beat a little faster. The image he shared with the world was far from the guy his family and close friends knew. He got the feeling from Sophie’s warm, interested eyes that she really wanted to know what made him tick. In his world, women only wanted to know how to get in his board shorts, so it took him a minute to process her curiosity.
           
And damn if it didn’t bother him that she apparently didn’t want in his pants. 

My Thoughts



Looking for another great beach read for the final days of summer? From the start to the finish, Keeping Mr. Right Now by Robin Bielman is an amazing book. I wish I could tell you that this story would cool you down, but that’s just not the case with this red hot Bliss.

The book is primarily set in California as Zane and Sophie have a bit of fun in the sun. I loved the beach scenes in which the descriptions were vivid and I got a real sense of the surroundings and what the characters were feeling. I could only imagine Zane’s connection to the sea and his backstory tied in perfectly with his career choice.

Sophie’s character added a special touch to the story. She wasn’t the typical perfect woman with that perfect body. She was average, klutzy, and had tousled red hair. Sophie seemed to understand Zane and wasn't only looking at his superficial aspects.

What starts out as a favor evolves into something more. I loved that Zane and Sophie spent time together without expectations.  The story was believable because although they were attracted to each other and fantasized about each other, there were barriers/insecurities that interfered with them making a move. However, the chemistry between them seemed genuine as they spent time getting to know each other.


So if you want to take a trip to the California shoreline and don’t have enough time left this summer, you’ll want to read Keeping Mr. Right Now.

Rating 5/5

I received an E-ARC of Keeping Mr. Right Now from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author


USA Today Bestselling Author Robin Bielman lives in Southern California with her high school sweetheart husband, two sons, and one crazy-cute dog who loves to chew on everyone’s socks. When not attached to her laptop, she can almost always be found with her nose in a book. She also likes to run, hike, eat cupcakes, and dip her toes in the ocean. Writing is a dream come true, and she still pinches herself to be sure it’s real.

She loves to connect with readers. Learn more and sign up for her newsletter on her website at http://robinbielman.com. 

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Giveaway
  • Beach Lover’s Gift Bag – with a Beach Rules journal, DVD of the surf movie, Chasing Mavericks, lip balm, a beach ball, signed copy of Kissing the Maid of Honor, tiny Life's a Beach book and an I've Been Zaned t-shirt.
  • $20 Gift Card (Winner’s choice)      
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