ARC Review: Put Up Your Duke by Megan Frampton

Title: Put Up Your Duke (Dukes Behaving Badly, #2) Author: Megan Frampton Publisher/Publication Date: Avon Books; June 30, 2015 Format/Source: E-ARC, Publisher/Edelweiss Genre: Historical Fiction ISBN: 9780062352224 Amazon    Goodreads About the Book He was once happily bedding and boxing, but in the newest Duke's Behaving Badly novel, Nicholas Smithfield has inherited a title and a bride . . . To keep his estate afloat, the new Duke of Gage must honor an agreement to marry Lady Isabella Sawford. Stunningly beautiful, utterly tempting, she's also a bag of wedding night nerves, so Nicholas decides to wait to do his duty—even if it means heading to the boxing saloon every day to punch away his frustration. Groomed her whole life to become the perfect duchess, Isabella longs for independence, a dream that is gone forever. As her husband, Nicholas can do whatever he likes—but, to Isabella's surprise, the notorious rake instead begins a gentle seduction that is melting every inch of her reserve, night by night . . . To his utter shock, Nicholas discovers that no previous exploits were half as pleasurable as wooing his own wife. But has the realm's most disreputable duke found the one woman who can bring him to his knees— and leave him there? My Thoughts Put Up Your Duke by Megan Frampton is an absolutely intriguing historical romance novel.  Frampton does an excellent job of capturing some of the mannerisms and beliefs of the people from the 1800s. Even though Isabella was less than thrilled about her parents’ arrangement for her to marry the Duke of Gabe, she still tried to adhere to societal norms as she maintained her perfect composure and acted as a duchess should. I was glad that there was a slightly different spin on this historical romance novel. Instead of Isabella having to rebel to get what she wanted, Nicholas was the one encouraging her to be herself and speak what was on her mind. I loved how she became a more daring individual, because her behavior led to some unexpected and entertaining moments. Overall, Nicholas was depicted as being respectful and protective, and I love the way that he dealt with her overbearing parents who accepted nothing less than perfection. Needless to say, he was a swoonworthy character. Nicholas and Isabella did have some communication issues, which resulted in tension between them, but the path they traveled seemed realistic. I also enjoyed the portrayal of some of the secondary characters—especially her sister Margaret who was full of surprises. You simply won’t want to miss what Frampton has in store for readers in this second installment of Dukes Behaving Badly. Rating 5/5 I received an e-arc of Put up Your Duke from the publisher/Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.                             Author Info Megan Frampton writes historical romance under her own name and romantic women's fiction as Megan Caldwell. She likes the color black, gin, dark-haired British men, and huge earrings, not in that order. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and son.

Sale Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway!!! Alive at 5 by Linda Bond

Come On A Thrilling Adventure Vacation in Alive at 5 by Linda Bond, Now On Sale for 99 cents!!! Now on SALE! Read the book that is described as a mix of James Bond and Romancing the Stone! Spend part of your summer vacation on a adventure with a TV news reporter and a thrill-seeking undercover cop while they search for a murderer and face their greatest adventure of all, love. Interested where the idea for Alive at 5 came from? Check out Linda’s blog post here! Not only is ALIVE AT 5 having a sale, but it also got a new cover! Check it out below! About Alive At 5   Description: TV news reporter Samantha Steele is one panic attack away from losing her job. Future on the line and cameraman in tow, she follows her mentor on an exhilarating adventure vacation. When he dies while skydiving, her investigative instincts scream “murdered”, and lead her to gorgeous thrill-seeker Zack Hunter. Zack is an undercover police officer investigating his uncle’s death through the same adventure vacation company. Samantha is a thorn in his side the moment they meet. Not only is she investigating the same case, but the emotionally wounded loner doesn’t want another partner, especially one whose goal is to splash evidence all over the evening news. But Samantha’s persistence is quite a turn-on, and Zack’s overpowering desire makes it harder for him to push her away. When the killer turns his attention to Zack, Samantha might be the only one who can save him, forcing the anxiety-riddled correspondent to finally face her greatest fear. Check out the one of kind book trailer for Alive at 5 here! Fresh Fiction had this to say about ALIVE AT 5: "What a Treat: Great Characters, a Clever Plot, and Extreme Adventures!" “ALIVE AT 5 is extremely well written, fast paced, and what a joy it was to experience, even vicariously, skydiving, scuba diving, and swimming with sharks! Ms. Bond has crafted a superior romantic suspense, and Sam, Zach, and Sam's cameraman George make such a fine team, I dare hope it's the beginning of a series! No chance of dozing off while reading ALIVE AT 5!” On Sale At These E-Retailers: Amazon | Barnes and Noble  | iBooks Alive at 5 by Linda Bond Excerpt 1 “I don’t really expect you to help me, just give me a cover.” He groaned in a blast of disbelief. The irony of this situation was not lost on him. If he wanted to remain undercover for real, he had to provide her with a pretend cover. The woman did have balls, he had to admit. He forced a smile. “And if I don’t go along with your plan?” “I walk right over to my detective friend and tell him my suspicions.” She stared boldly his way, hands on hips, legs slightly apart. “I’ll tell him that Maxwell was killed and you know all about it. That you’re here investigating the other suspicious deaths. I don’t know what agency you’re working for, but Stuart could find out in less than ten minutes, and I imagine you don’t want to blow your cover just yet. Am I right?” His jaw dropped. “Blackmail? Really? Do you know the penalty for that if I really am a cop?” She snorted. “Extortion, actually. Well?” He snapped his jaw shut. He knew very well what would happen if the adventure vacation company knew his real identity, and what his bosses would do if they found out he was still investigating this case after they’d specifically pulled him off it. Wow. She had him. He was impressed, and a little turned on. He ground his teeth. He would agree to her plan, only because he had no choice. He was determined to find and nail the son of a bitch who had killed his uncle. “All right, fine,” he reluctantly said. She might lose her job if she didn’t come back with her investigative story. But he would definitely lose his job if she exposed his undercover activities and his family’s private life on the news. So he would have to keep the nosy reporter under his thumb and under his control. One way or another. Linda Bond has a new release coming out soon called Cuba Undercover! Check out the exclusive book trailer here! Here is a never before scene excerpt from Cuba Undercover featuring Zach and Samantha from Alive at 5! “Nicely done.” Zack Hunter was right beside her, tall as hell and commanding in his presence. “Sam sent me over to rescue you. But once again, looks like you can get out of an uncomfortable situation without much help.” He grinned down at her. Zack’s confidence reminded Rebecca a lot of Antonio’s strength and power. Her heart fluttered at the thought of Antonio. But Zack was a more flirty kind of guy, winking and grinning, very unlike Antonio, who was always so intense and serious. “Thanks.” “We’re over here.” Zack gestured toward the door to another room. “Did you have a chance to check on the case for me?” Her cheeks heated. She knew she shouldn’t be putting Sam’s fiancé on the spot. He was an agent for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and could get in trouble for talking to a reporter about information in an active case. Instead of looking pissed, Zack just smiled. “Yes.” Yes, and? “I know I shouldn’t ask you, but…” “You’re going to anyway.” Zack winked at her. “Sam warned me you would. Here’s what I can tell you. Off the record, of course.” “Of course.” “The FBI’s kidnapping case is still open.” Zack casually led her through the crowd, nodding as they passed people, looking cool and in control. No wonder Sam lived for this guy. “Since we can only assume the other kidnapper, the one caught on tape throwing you in the van here in Tampa, is dead in the waters of Cuba, and Antonio Vega is still in Cuba, the FBI’s case will remain open for a while, but I wouldn’t worry about it.” Zack’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “You were clearly the victim in all of this.” Was I? She exhaled. “Well, right, I’m not in trouble. I just don’t want Antonio to be either.” Zack stopped dead in the middle of the room. “Really?” Now her checks were flaming. One thing she’d left out of her documentary was her growing attraction to and relationship with Antonio. “Well, he has a family here now to support and…” In fact, she hadn’t shared all the details with Sam, either. Zack threw up a hand. “Then your friend should stay in Cuba where our federal law officers have no jurisdiction.” Shaking his head, Zack motioned for her to move through the door first. “The man still masterminded a kidnapping that resulted in a murder.” “He didn’t kidnap me, Zack.” Rebecca wished she had proof of what happened to both Ignado and Antonio, but even Esmeralda hadn’t been able to get info from inside Cuba. Rebecca furrowed her brow, a slight headache coming on. “You okay?” Sam walked up, handing Rebecca a much-needed glass of white wine. “You look stunning in your Alexander McQueen.” “Oh, right.” Rebecca glanced down at her black rented gown. “Thanks.” She’d forgotten how excited she’d been to wear it here tonight. That was before her trip to Cuba and before Antonio. “I’m fine. Thanks for the wine.” She raised the glass in salute to Sam, Dallas, and Zack, her friends all gathering around her in support. “Salud. To a great night.” She must concentrate on what was good right now. Friends, fame, and food. Unlike in Cuba, there would always be plenty of food here. Dallas rolled his eyes. “You get any happier, and that face is gonna fall off.” She sighed. Dallas nailed her with the truth. Once again. “I’m just feeling a little guilty.” Why not tell Sam the truth, too? “Antonio is probably being roughed up in some Cuban jail cell, skinny and sick.” She turned to look at the man who would definitely understand. “And Dallas, we’re here, drinking and being celebrated for exposing his poor family on national TV.” There. She’d said it. “And if Antonio ever comes back to America, I’m the reason he’ll probably be arrested.”  Zack Hunter cleared his throat. “You did nothing to seal that man’s fate. He’s a grown man who made his own decisions. You are a victim.” Maybe in the beginning, but I became a willing participant. And now I miss Antonio. Damn it. She missed every damn thing about him. She especially missed the way Antonio made her question her every decision. He’d forced her to think. He’d been the force behind her growth. And she was a better person now for it. She felt enlightened. Add it to your TBR today! About the Author Linda Bond is an Emmy award winning journalist by day and an author of romantic adventures by night.  She’s also the mother of five, four athletes and an adopted son from Cuba. She has a passion for world travel, classic movies, and alpha males. Linda currently lives in Florida, where the sun always shines and the day begins with endless possibilities.  You can become a Bond girl and share in her continuing adventures at www.lindabond.com You can also visit her online at the following places Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  YouTube |  Google+  |  Pintrest Giveaway Don’t forget to enter to win a $25 gift card from Amazon or Barnes and Noble! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teaser Blitz: Taming Lily by Monica Murphy

Title:  Taming Lily (Fowler Sisters, #3) Author:  Monica Murphy Publisher/Expected Publication Date: Bantam; July 7, 2015 Genre: Contemporary Romance BLURB Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren, Emma Chase, and Maya Banks, the anticipated finale in New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy’s sexy contemporary romance series about three fiery and determined sisters with their own ideas about life and love. I’m in trouble. Again. And instead of facing my problems head-on, I’ve run away. Far away this time, and no one can catch me—not my two younger sisters, Violet and Rose, not my father, my grandmother, or that witch Pilar who wants to take control of my family’s cosmetics company. Now I’m in Hawaii, enjoying the sun and sand and water, where nobody knows the hot mess known as Lily Fowler. And I’m loving every minute of it. But someone is watching me. Following me. He’s gorgeous. Soon we’re talking, and against all my instincts, I reveal bits and pieces of myself to Max. It feels good, though I know he can’t be the man for me. These sudden feelings we share are way too complicated, too fraught, too intense. Then everything explodes and I’m forced to return home. My intentions have always been true, but now everyone’s mad at me. I don’t know who to turn to anymore . . . except to Max. He’s the one I want to trust. But I’m not so sure I should. Maybe it’s worth the risk—what-ifs be damned. . . . AVAILABLE  JULY 7,2015 Pre-Order Today iBooks     Amazon     Nook     Kobo TEASER TRAILER Click on the links to learn more about Owning Violet and Stealing Rose, the first two books in the series! ABOUT THE AUTHOR New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children. She's a workaholic who loves her job. When she's not busy writing, she also loves to read and travel with her family. She writes new adult and contemporary romance and is published with Bantam and Avon. She also writes romance as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson. Facebook | Twitter | Website

ARC Review: Witness to Passion (Guarding Her Body, #1) by Naima Simone

Title: Witness to Passion (Guarding Her Body, #1) Author:  Naima Simone Publisher/Publication Date:  Entangled Ignite; June 16, 2015 Format/Source: E-ARC; Publisher, NetGalley Genre: Romantic Suspense Amazon     Barnes & Noble    Goodreads Book Summary from Goodreads For Fallon Wayland, birthdays are just another reminder of her looming spinsterhood. This year is shaping up to be no different. Unfairly fired from her job, dumped by her boyfriend, and oh yes, witnessing the murder of a high-ranking lieutenant in the local crime family… Yeah, birthdays suck. Ever since a disastrous, hot-as-hell kiss years ago, soldier-turned-security specialist Shane Roarke has avoided his baby sister’s reckless—and gorgeous—best friend. Yet when her life is threatened after she witnesses a gang hit, he insists on protecting her…even if she objects. The two are forced to hole up in a safe house. Alone. Passion long denied erupts between them, burning away their inhibitions. But even as layers—and clothes—are peeled away, danger closes in. Shane and Fallon might finally have a chance at love…if they survive long enough to see it. My Thoughts A tweet, really... Witness to Passion by Naima Simone was a flaming page-turner—yes, it’s high on the heat meter. The beginning was unexpected, and it was at that point that I realized I was in too deep to set the book down. That was until my tablet ran out of battery power, but that's beside the point. Fallon went through witnessing a heinous crime, unemployment, and having a target on her back—just too much for one heroine to bear—hell, it was too much for me as the reader to bear. Fallon was too stubborn for her own good or safety--so not good. Although this was a fictional situation, I just felt so bad for the character and all of her sudden misfortunes and had to know how it would all play out. Shane was an alpha male that sought to protect Fallon, but he got a little sidetracked as the tension mounted and their feelings for one another came into play. Needless to say, they found themselves in some harrowing situations, which kept me glued to the pages until the very end. As for the ending it was shocking and it left me saying, “Whoa, plot twist!” Overall, Witness to Passion is a suspenseful page-turner with heart-pounding action that’ll take you on an emotional ride. It’s simply another enjoyable summer read. Rating 4/5 I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Review: Crazy for the Competition by Cindi Madsen

Title:  Crazy for the Competition (Hope Springs, #2) Author: Cindi Madsen Publisher/Publication Date: Entangled Bliss; June 9, 2015 Format/Source:  E-ARC, Publisher/NetGalley Genre:  Contemporary Romance Book Summary from Goodreads The road to trouble is paved with sweet temptation…  Always the rebel in her ultra-conservative family, Quinn Sakata dreams of quitting her dad's real-estate business and restoring the old Mountain Ridge Bed and Breakfast in her hometown of Hope Springs. Except that Quinn's not the only person bidding on it. Worse still, her competitor is her high school crush, Heath Brantley, who is all kinds of ripped, tattooed hotness... So much for her "nice, conservative boys" rule. Heath has his own reasons for bidding on Mountain Ridge, and he won't give in without a fight - even to the red-lipped hottie with a sailor's mouth. But when their rivalry shifts into an unexpected zing of chemistry, Heath realizes he's in deep trouble. Because it's inevitable that emotions will get involved, and he needs to keep his eyes on the prize before they both get hurt.  Goodreads     Amazon     Barnes & Noble My Thoughts I simply love this book where being authentic and falling in love is what it's all about. I loved this book....Did I mention that I loved this book??? The characters were amazing. Madsen did an excellent job of presenting the difficulties and possibility of a young woman upholding her principles while on the dating scene with her depiction of Quinn, who was always trying to live up to the standards of her traditional Japanese parents.  Initially, Quinn was dating the ultra-conservative; bring home to your parents type of guy…what's his name??? Well it doesn't really matter because his reaction to Quinn's beliefs made this character unlikable and forgettable, so moving on. Now Heath on the other hand, well he was simply swoon worthy and I had to root for him the moment he arrived on the scene. Quinn's reaction to seeing him was priceless. I just couldn’t believe the words that were coming out her mouth. She is definitely a feisty and opinionated character. Heath is the type of bad boy you love to love. Yes, he might have been a rugged mechanic with tattoos and piercings, who was competing for the same site for his business as Quinn, and he might not have been the conservative wealthy man, but he was compassionate. What wasn't to like about him??? So, although this wasn’t the typical romance novel with the typical bad boy, Crazy for the Competition was another fantabulous read by Cindi Madsen. Rating 5/5 I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. You can check out my review of Second Chance Ranch by Cindi Madsen here. Visit Cindi Madsen's website to find out more!!!

Debutversary Blitz & Giveaway! When You Are Mine by Kennedy Ryan

We are pleased to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Kennedy Ryan's debut, WHEN YOU ARE MINE! Make sure to check out the rafflecopter giveaway! AND...only if you've read WYAM, click at the very bottom of the post  to catch up with where the characters are now! ***Spoilers if you haven't read!!!*** Happy Debutversary! “Ryan’s debut is rife with sexual tension, while her easy style and likable characters bring this unpredictable love triangle to life.” —Karina Halle, NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author of The Pact “When You Are Mine is exactly what I look for in a romance! Achingly beautiful with palpable, real characters, you cannot help but completely fall in love with. I cannot wait for more!” –A.L. Jackson, NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author of Take This Regret and Lost to You "Holy hot love triangle! When You Are Mine is a beautiful, yet tragic, intense yet gentle story that grabs you immediately and does not release until the very end. I know a lot of readers get turned off by a love-triangle, but rest assured this one just works perfectly." –Brandi, Talk Books To Me "You know the writing is suburb when you can laugh and cry and get so angry at the characters...My hands were shaking when I started writing this. I screamed at the ending. Going to end with BLOWN AWAY!!!" –Nelle, Nelle's Nightstand Forever is a heartbeat away . . .Kerris Moreton knows how to make things work. Bounced from foster home to foster home as a kid, she adapted; when opportunity arose, she thrived. Now, about to open her own business and accept a marriage proposal, Kerris is ready to build the life she's always wanted. The only thing missing? A passionate connection with her would-be fiancé, Cam. Kerris wants to believe that sparks are overrated-until Walsh Bennett lights her up like the Fourth of July ...but what about love? As one of the East Coast's most eligible bachelors, Walsh enjoys financial independence, fulfilling work with his family's nonprofit, and plenty of female attention. But lately he's been distracted by the one woman he can't have. Lovely to look at and even sweeter to know, Kerris is the soul mate Walsh never thought he would find. The problem is, his best friend found her first . . . Amazon |  Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iTunes | Google Play  |  Goodreads Click HERE for update on where life is now...MAJOR SPOILERS!!! Bonus material only for those who have read books 1 and 2!!!  LOVING YOU ALWAYS Available Now Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes | Google Play | Kobo | Goodreads     BE MINE FOREVER Available Now Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes | Google Play | Kobo | Goodreads GIVEAWAY a Rafflecopter giveaway Stalk Kennedy!  Twitter |  Facebook |  Kennedy Ryan Books | Instagram | Newsletter | Amazon Page Kennedy Ryan  always give her characters their happily ever after, but loves to make them work for it! It's a long road to love, so sit back and enjoy the ride. In an alternative universe, she is a wife to the love of her life, mom to a special, beautiful son, and a friend to those living with autism through her foundation serving Georgia families. Her writings on Autism have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, and she has been featured on the Montel Williams Show, NPR, Headline News and others. Ryan is donating a portion of her proceeds to her own foundation and to her charitable partner, Talk About Curing Autism (TACA). Her interview series MOMMIES DO THE MOST AMAZING THINGS is featured each month in Brooke Burke's online magazine Modern Mom.

ARC Review: Revenge Best Served Hot by Jackie Braun (Men of the Zodiac, #6)

Title:  Revenge Best Served Hot (Men of the Zodiac, #6) Author:  Jackie Braun Publisher/Publication Date: Entangled Indulgence; June 9, 2015 Genre: Contemporary Romance Format/Source: E-ARC, Publisher/NetGalley Amazon     Barnes & Noble     iTunes     Goodreads      Entangled Publishing Book Summary Sign: Virgo He’s all business…until he’s all hers Brody Flynn waited years to get revenge on Douglass Shipping for his parents’ accidental deaths. Now the company is fumbling, profits are down, and it’s the perfect time for a hostile takeover. Vengeance. But the former CEO’s daughter Kate Douglass has other plans… Kate’s been waiting for her chance to take on a real role at Douglass and prove to her family that she’s not the fragile piece of glass they all think she is. There’s no way she’ll give up without a fight. All she has to do is convince the gorgeous new CEO to hire her…and not fall for him. But Brody was never supposed to feel attracted to the daughter of his enemy. He was never supposed to want her as hard as he does. And the only thing stronger than his hunger for revenge is his hunger for her… My Thoughts “Revenge is a hollow victory” (p. 224). It took some time for Revenge Best Served Hot by Jackie Braun to become engaging; however, the slow start worked beautifully given the conflict that was introduced early on. The story started as Brody took over Douglass Shipping. Kate Douglass was the daughter of the previous CEO and she was set on continued employment with the company. Initially, it seemed that Kate’s actions were unrealistic as she agreed to work for the very person who had screwed her family over, but they were understandable as Braun revealed more about Kate’s motivation. Brody was all business and was set on revenge for what happened to his parents. I loved the transformation of his character as he had to do some serious introspection after meeting Kate. As Kate and Brody cozied up to one another, Braun did a good job of keeping the business take over at the forefront and adding elements that raised constant questions regarding whether they would ever be able to trust each other enough to be anything other than two people vying for control. Revenge Best Served Hot is the first book I’ve read by Braun. I loved the execution of the story and the characters’ growth. As such, I would recommend this book as that next summer read for contemporary romance fanatics who also love a dose of competitive tension added in the mix. Rating 4/5 I received an E-ARC of this book from the publisher/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.