Blog Tour + Review: Betting the Bad Boy by Stefanie London

May 16, 2017May 16, 2017 rosiereads6131 Comment

Betting the Bad Boy
Behind the Bar #3
By: Stefanie London
Releasing May 8, 2017
Entangled Lovestruck

Self-confessed perfectionist Paige Thomas isn’t used to failing. But when a critical error in romantic judgment sends all her big city career dreams crashing down, she scrambles to find a job—any job—to make ends meet.

Noah Reid may as well have “trust issues” tattooed on his forehead. Being raised in the foster system didn’t give him a positive outlook on relationships, but now he’s looking after his best friend’s bar for one month, and he can’t do it alone.

Things get steamy when Noah hires Paige, but she’s determined not to repeat her mistakes and she bets Noah that she can keep her hands to herself while they’re working together. Too bad for her, Noah is an expert at breaking the rules…

Link to Follow Tour:
http://tastybooktours.com/tours-master/2017/4/3/betting-bad-boy-stefanie-london

Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34738007-betting-the-bad-boy

Goodreads Series Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/160771-behind-the-bar

Buy Links:
AMAZON | B & N | ITUNES | KOBO

Author Info

Stefanie London is the USA Today bestselling author of over ten contemporary romances with humour, heat and heart. Growing up, Stefanie came from a family of women who loved to read. Thus, it was no surprise Stefanie was the sort of student who would read her English books before the semester started. After sneaking several literature subjects into her ‘very practical’ Business degree, she got a job in Communications. When writing emails and newsletters didn’t fulfil her creative urges, she turned to fiction and was finally able to write the stories that kept her mind busy at night.

Originally from Australia, she now lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is currently in the process of doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and zombie movies.

Author Links:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Winners choice of a Stephanie London Backlist)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

She held the blindfold while trying to ignore the flutter of excitement in her stomach. Her fingers toyed with the elasticated band meant to hold the mask in place.

“Both partners are going to get a turn at being blindfolded,” Libby said from the front of the room. “Between yourselves, pick who’s going to go first.”

Noah looked down at her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He ran a hand along his jaw, catching the reddish-gold bristles of his burgeoning beard. For a moment, Paige was totally captured with the idea of how the bristles might feel on her skin. Would they be smooth or rough? Would she shriek if he brushed them along her inner thigh?

“What do you say, new girl?” He cocked his head. “Would you rather do the blindfolding or be blindfolded?”

At that point she would have been happy to go all in— blindfolded, tied up, and held down.

Holy crap, would you listen to yourself? This is a work function, not a goddamn re-creation of Fifty Shades.

“Blindfolded,” she squeaked, thrusting the mask into his hands and spinning so quickly that she almost lost her footing.

“You know, I’ve never done this before.” His hand steadied her, the reassuring warmth of his touch seeping into her skin. Her bones felt like jelly.

“Blindfolded someone?” she asked, cringing at how shaky her voice sounded.

“Ah, no. I meant the taste test.” He chuckled as he slipped the mask over her eyes.

Heat rushed up to Paige’s cheeks. Of course he meant the taste test. What an idiot she was. Just because her brain was earning an R-rating tonight didn’t mean his was, too. She fought back a tremor as he brushed some loose hairs from her neck so he could adjust the strap on the mask.

Everything went dark, and Paige gripped the edge of the table for support.

Warm breath whispered over her ear, and she could tell he’d leaned in a little closer. The scent of coffee and faded cologne tempted her to turn her head toward the source.

“I’ve definitely blindfolded someone before, but it wasn’t for a taste test.”
Her breath hitched, and she was grateful that she’d had the presence of mind to hold on to something.

Self-professed perfectionist meets bad boy, who wouldn’t want to read that love story. When the bad boy is described as the fourth Hemsworth brother and the story takes place in Melbourne, Australia. Well then I was sold. This is the first romance that I have ever read that has taken place down under and it honestly made the story so much better.

Paige Thomas’s life is not going the way she planned. In her mind, she would have the perfect accounting job at this point in her life not unemployed and living off her best friend’s couch having daily matches with her cat Damon. And she did have this perfect accounting job until her decision to go on a date with a co-worker resulted in her termination. Now she had less than a month to find a job or it was back to her small country town, solidifying the fact that she, in her mind, had failed. Who knew that one visit to First, a bar-slash-restaurant for a simply cup of coffee to clear her head and get her refocused after another unsuccessful job interview would change her life forever.

Noah Reid was just trying to hire a new barista at First, which he was temporarily managing while his friend Des was away, but so far the applicants were less than stellar. That is until Paige breezes into First. Paige is more distracted by how freakin’ gorgeous Noah is that it takes her a minute to realize that Noah has mistaken her as his next applicant. What does Paige do? Well she hijacks someone else’s interview of course. The thing is, working in a place like First is not so far fetched seeing as Paige’s family owns a cafe back home which she worked in for many years. When Noah finds out that Paige is not who she say she is well things go a little south from there. Except Noah does not know Paige’s determination because she bets him that if she can make him the best coffee he has ever tasted then he has to hire her.

Paige and Noah’s first meeting was so fun much and absolutely hilarious. It was what drew me into the book in the first place. Their banter was so cute and natural during the interview but you could clearly tell that there was some underlying sexual tension happening. I think the best part was when Paige was trying to win the bet. You could clearly see the romantic comedy elements of the book coming out. Paige seemed so comfortable around Noah even though they had just met but she was still kind of shy and a little bit embarrassed especially after the incident that happened during her interview. Let’s just say Paige exposed a little bit more of her self than she wanted to Noah while dazzling him with her coffee making skills.

While I really enjoyed the beginning of Paige and Noah’s relationship and the bets they made to one another, I think my expectations in terms of where the story was going and the overall pacing did not match up with the story. I finished the book wanting more. More of Noah’s relationship with his family. More intimate moments between Paige and Noah. Just MORE. I will say though that the ending really tied things together for me even if the middle was in the end a bit underwhelming.

If you are looking for a cute romantic comedy that takes place down under, then definitely check out Betting the Bad Boy!

blog tour · book blog · book review · books · promo · reading · romance

Blog Tour + Review: Good Lies by Charlotte West

May 16, 2017May 17, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

Good Lies
Charlotte West
A Wild Minds Novel
May 08, 2017

If Warren Price was gasoline, I’d be a lit match.

Addison Wanks, rock ’n’ roll’s favorite daughter, is good at keeping secrets.

Secret One

She’s responsible for the long-standing feud between her father’s band, Wanks and Janks, and younger band Wild Minds. She may or may not have let Wild Minds’ sexy bad-boy lead singer
Warren defile her backstage at a concert. Okay, she totally did.
Secret Two

She’s supposed to be attending college but instead skips town to follow Wild Minds on their European tour. Addy adores Warren Price.

Secret Three

Europe doesn’t go so well. Her sexy lead singer turned out to be king of a**holes. He’s arrogant, demanding and controlling. Addy loathes Warren Price. Oh, well.

Secret Four

Fast forward a few years and Addy is planning to attend her father’s farewell tour when she hears the news—Wild Minds is back in the good graces of Wanks and Janks. The two bands will be headlining together. This is going to make avoiding Warren difficult. Especially since it seems Warren doesn’t want to be ignored. He also doesn’t want a divorce. That’s right, Addy is married to the Wild Minds front man. Shh. Don’t tell.

What will happen when all Addy’s secrets are revealed?

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34527117-good-lies?from_search=true

About the Author:

Charlotte West writes romance about strong heroines and the sexy alpha males who love them. She lives in Washington state with her husband and very large dog (think miniature pony size). She spends way too much money on books, and way too much time reading. When she’s not reading, she’s feeding her reality television addiction, eating chocolate, or traveling. She’s been known to consume her weight in Girl Scout cookies.

She has a degree in Science and a Master’s in Education, neither of which she is currently using but is still paying for. Occasionally, she moonlights as a YA author.

Author Links:
Website: https://www.charlottewestbooks.com/
Newsletter: https://www.charlottewestbooks.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16551940.Charlotte_West
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Charlotte-West-1297992550266292/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CWestBooks

The minute I read the blurb for this book I wanted to read it. I mean how can you not read through all of Addison’s secrets especially the last one and not want to starting reading Good Lies immediately. And the cover, which um hi is absolutely GORGEOUS, only made me want to get my hands on this book even more. I should also preface this review by saying this is the first rockstar romance that I have ever read but if there are others that are just as amazing as this one I’m pretty sure rockstar romances will become my new favorite kind of romance to read.

I loved how this book started because it was not how I was expecting it too. In the prologue, you are introduced to Addison when she is a child after she is found by the police because her mother, who left her alone for four days, unfortunately died of an overdose. Addison admits in the prologue that her father, at least she was told, is Billy Wanks, a world famous rockstar. While one of the officers is very skeptical, another officer, Officer Pete, who will become an important person in Addison’s life is more open to the possibility. Within the next few chapters, it is confirmed that Addison is Billy’s kid. Even though he has no idea how to raise a child at the age of 22, Billy takes Addison home and raises her in his rockstar lifestyle until she is about sixteen. That is when Addison first meets Warren Price, her future husband, and things get a little crazy from there.

Switching to present day we find Addison in college, trying to make it on her own in NYC without her father’s money and the attention that comes with it. Everything is going well until her father calls and asks if she could come on the last leg of his tour. Addison is very reluctant to go because her husband and his band are the opening act. Addison and Warren’s relationship is a bit strained, considering Addison left him in Europe with no explanation and then has sent divorce papers for him to sign over the last few years each time getting them back blank. But Addison’s love for her father wins out overall and she decides that this is the perfect way to get Warren to sign the divorce papers once and for all. As if it was going to be that easy lol.

This book was so much more than just a rockstar romance with its quintessential arrogant, I-think-I’m-a-rock-god rockstar. Don’t get me wrong Warren Price fits that bill perfectly, but there was also a lot of angst and emotion. Addison has not lived the most normal life with being abandoned and then swept up into this world of fame and traveling on the road with Billy. Add in Warren and their love story, with Billy disapproving of Warren from day one, and the huge secret of their marriage and you really feel for her throughout the book. Secrets and lies pile up and you know things are going to hit the fan at some point but you also hold out hope for Addison and Warren because through everything they still love each other.

There is a lot going on in this book and because I was hooked from the first page, I think I read this just a tad too fast because I don’t think I was able to connect with what was happening at some points in the book and that through off my paced feeling for the book towards the end. All I know is that I plan on reading this again very soon and that I CAN’T WAIT for Ash and Lily’s story (Warren’s brother and Addison’s best friend).

All I can say is that if you are a fan of rockstar romances, you have to pick this up soon. And if you aren’t that much of a fan, still pick it up because there is some much more to it that just the rockstar aspect.

blog tour · book blog · bookblast · books · promo · reading · romance · teaser

Blog Tour + Promo: Good Lies by Charlotte West

May 15, 2017May 15, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

Good Lies
Charlotte West
A Wild Minds Novel
May 08, 2017

If Warren Price was gasoline, I’d be a lit match.

Addison Wanks, rock ’n’ roll’s favorite daughter, is good at keeping secrets.

Secret One

She’s supposed to be attending college but instead skips town to follow Wild Minds on their European tour. Addy adores Warren Price.

Secret Three

Europe doesn’t go so well. Her sexy lead singer turned out to be king of a**holes. He’s arrogant, demanding and controlling. Addy loathes Warren Price. Oh, well.

Secret Four

What will happen when all Addy’s secrets are revealed?

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34527117-good-lies?from_search=true

About the Author:

She has a degree in Science and a Master’s in Education, neither of which she is currently using but is still paying for. Occasionally, she moonlights as a YA author.

Excerpt #1:

Putting my head down, I decided to follow Ash. After all, Warren had said, “Get out,” to everybody. I was only respecting his wishes. That was nice of me. Considerate. I’d even collect my bags at a later time. Scratch that. I’d just buy all-new stuff. I’d use Billy’s card. He’d like that. Daisy could go shopping with me.

My arm grazed Warren’s. Heat pricked along my side at the contact. He stayed as still as a statue, his body taut and tense. He was going to let me pass. Thank you very much. I was almost home free. Until his hand shot out and wrapped around my upper arm, his grip tight enough to halt me but not tight enough to hurt me. I could feel the warmth from his palm through my damp sweatshirt, burning me, branding me.

“Not you,” he said, his voice hardening.

I shuffled back into the bunks, forcing him to let go. His stare went to my heaving chest. It felt as if the temperature had skyrocketed a thousand degrees.

Warren advanced. His nostrils flared and his septum piercing, a thin silver band, flashed in the low light.

I stepped back until I was pressed against a sliver of wall. Dammit, why’d they have to make these spaces so tight? Warren kept coming until he was flush against my front. I fisted his shirt. To push him away or bring him closer, I didn’t know. Then his fingers were in my belt loops, pressing me into him. I could feel his desire for me, his hardness against my stomach.

“Warren…” I started.

He closed his eyes. “Fuck, I’ve dreamt about you saying my name. Say it again,” he demanded. Always so bossy.

“Warren,” I said again, this time more firmly.

He didn’t understand my tone or he chose to ignore it. Probably the latter. His head lowered and then his lips crashed against mine. He cupped the nape of my neck and begged entrance into my mouth with his tongue.

Something inside of me broke free. A need so fierce it bulldozed all my common sense, all my reasons against this, everything I’d kept tightly reined in for the last few years. I yielded to him. His mouth tasted like whiskey and chocolate, two of my favorite things. Warren groaned and it was like a tiny earthquake inside of me, the vibration snaking down to my belly and igniting desire between my legs. As if he sensed it, his kiss became hotter, wetter, more demanding.

Somehow, my hands found their way under his thin t-shirt, caressing his abs. Cool air hit my stomach and then the tops of my breasts. Warren was stripping me. He broke the kiss for one second to whip my sweatshirt and t-shirt over my head. Then he was back on me, his tongue in my mouth, his body shifting down and up, forcing my legs to wrap around his waist to keep balance.

He rubbed against my core. I made a guttural sound. His lips withdrew and then plastered to my neck. Oh, God, he still knew my sweet spot, right behind my ear he licked and whispered, “I knew you’d come back to me. I knew it.”

What? A cold sensation crept along my spine. Warren didn’t notice. He sucked the thin skin on my collarbone. I almost forgot what he’d just said but then he opened his big fat mouth again. “Are you sorry for what you did? Leaving me in Rome?” He kissed a wet trail down to the top of my breast. “You want me back, don’t you? Jesus, I should make you beg but I don’t think I’m going to last.”

blog tour · book blog · book review · books · promo · reading · romance

Blog Tour + Review: Going in Deep by Carly Phillips

May 11, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

Carly Phillips
Going in Deep
Billionaire Bad Boys, Book 4
May 9, 2017

He isn’t Mr. Nice Guy…

Julian Dane thought he’d hit rock bottom — until he met a woman (isn’t that what they all say?). He used her and broke her heart. Now he wants to turn things around but the damage he dealt stands in his way.

Kendall Parker’s unique issues have made it hard to live a normal life. Very few people understand her and she trusts even less … but she believed in Julian once, and he only betrayed her.

Now Julian is back — a new man — and determined to win Kendall’s heart. But this reformed bad boy just might find that Going in Deep is harder than it looks.

Billionaire Bad Boys: Rich, Powerful and Sexy as hell.
All Billionaire Bad Boys Novels stand alone!

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34216074-going-in-deep

About the Author:

After a successful fifteen-year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find out more about Carly at http://www.carlyphillips.com.

Author Links:
Website: http://www.carlyphillips.com/
Newsletter: http://www.carlyphillips.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10000.Carly_Phillips
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Carly-Phillips/e/B001I9W0MS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarlyPhillipsFanPage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carlyphillips

Previous books in the Billionaire Bad Boys Series

Going Down Easy
Billionaire Bad Boys
Book 1

Billionaire Bad Boys: Rich, Powerful and sexy as hell.

Billionaire Kaden Barnes has a reputation for being difficult and always getting his way.

Enigmatic and exacting, he’s unable to keep an assistant for long. Enter his newest hire, Lexie Parker. She’s no-nonsense, efficient and all business… She’s also hot as sin and soon starring in Kaden’s dirtiest fantasies.

As their passion for each other reaches a boiling point, neither can control the explosive outcome when they finally give in to their desires. He may think he’s calling the shots, but for this bad boy, going down easy has never felt so good.

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30064124-going-down-easy

Buy links:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29CXgH0
B&N Nook: http://bit.ly/29qYYaS
Kobo: http://bit.ly/29wlJL1
iBooks: http://apple.co/29lk0G4
Google Play: http://bit.ly/29qcKMj

Going Down Fast
Billionaire Bad Boys
Book 2

Billionaire Bad Boys: Rich, Powerful and sexy as hell.

Lucas Monroe dropped out of college only to become a multi-billionaire and tech world God. He can have any woman he desires in his bed, but the only woman he’s ever wanted is off limits and always has been. When Maxie Sullivan finds herself in dire straits, the only man she can turn to is the one she’s always secretly loved: her childhood best friend. Can they trust their hearts and make a future, or will their complicated pasts stand in the way?

This bad boy is going down fast …

And going down fast has never felt so right.

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30297093-going-down-fast

Buy links:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2acSVXh
B&N Nook: http://bit.ly/2acUdSf
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2aiVlWT
iBooks: http://apple.co/2awzmvS
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2asyBmA

Going Down Hard
Billionaire Bad Boys
Book 3

Billionaire Bad Boys: Rich, Powerful and sexy as hell.

Derek West rose from poverty to take the tech world by storm. He’s sexy, confident and gets any woman he wants. And who he wants is Cassie Storm, the rich girl he’s never been good enough for.

She’s desperate to save her family company and there’s only one man who can help. But Derek isn’t interested in helping. He wants to possess both the company and the woman he’s never been able to forget.

His plan? To screw her out of his head. Except once he’s had a taste of Cassie, he doesn’t want to let her go. Her family remembers where he came from, and they won’t allow it. When the truth about their pasts comes to light, though, it may be Cassie who’s going down hard.

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30289585-going-down-hard

Buy links:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2eHavVe
B&N Nook: http://bit.ly/2e8Rq1T
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2f1RvU9
iBooks: http://apple.co/2elBggW
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2hgRZIE

After reading the other three books in this series and really getting invested in these characters and the world of the Billionaire Bad Boys, I will be honest I was a bit apprehensive to read this fourth and final book. My apprehensiveness swirled around the fact that this couple, Julian and Kendall, and the issues they each have and are working on overcoming were probably going to make this book an emotional rollercoaster. And I was not wrong, this book was an emotional rollercoaster.

Let me start out by saying that this book is by far my favorite in the series. I enjoyed the other three books quite a bit but Going in Deep was different from them. I think it was because, if you have read the other books in this series, you are introduced to Julian and Kendall in the first book. You see their beginning and then unfortunately you see the betrayal when Kendall finds out that Julian used her the entire time to get back at Kade since Kendall is the twin sister of Lexie who falls in love with Kade in Going Down Easy. What Julian didn’t know is that Kendall is bipolar and at the time was not entirely in control of her disorder. But, it is the realization that he hurt someone who was not mentally stable that caused Julian to re-examine his life and become a better man.

My opinion of Julian in the first book was less than stellar especially after my suspicions were confirmed that he was using Kendall to get what he wanted: to get back at Kade. But this book completely threw those opinions out the freakin’ window because not only do you see just how much Julian has done in his life to change and become a better person but you also learn about his background and why he turned to drugs. The character development of both Julian and Kendall are amazing but it was Julian’s actions and his want to make things work with Kendall a second time around that made me not only root for him but also fall in love with him a little bit.

I feel like I haven’t rooted for a couple to get together this much in a while. Both Julian and Kendall have had their issues to work on but it is those experiences of working on getting better that makes them perfect for one another. Even if they have obstacles such as the approval of Lexie and Kade. It frustrated me to no end that Lexie and Kade were so resistant even after Kendall explained that Julian had changed. I understand their hesitations but it got to the point where I wanted to shake them. It made me love Kendall even more when she finally stood up for her feelings towards Julian because it was about damn time.

I could honestly gush about this book for a few more paragraphs but this review is already long enough. If you like second chance romances that will pull at your heartstrings and have you furiously rooting for the couple, then PICK. UP. THIS. BOOK. You will not be disappointed. (While you don’t have to read the other books in the series, I do recommend it because you will get a better sense of this couple’s journey.)

VERDICT: Carly Phillips hits yet another romance out of the park.

blog tour · book blog · books · promo · reading · release blast · romance

Blog Tour + Promo: Going in Deep by Carly Phillips

May 9, 2017May 9, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

Carly Phillips
Going in Deep
Billionaire Bad Boys, Book 4
May 9, 2017

He isn’t Mr. Nice Guy…

Kendall Parker’s unique issues have made it hard to live a normal life. Very few people understand her and she trusts even less … but she believed in Julian once, and he only betrayed her.

Now Julian is back — a new man — and determined to win Kendall’s heart. But this reformed bad boy just might find that Going in Deep is harder than it looks.

Billionaire Bad Boys: Rich, Powerful and Sexy as hell.
All Billionaire Bad Boys Novels stand alone!

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34216074-going-in-deep

About the Author:

Previous books in the Billionaire Bad Boys Series

Going Down Easy
Billionaire Bad Boys
Book 1

Billionaire Bad Boys: Rich, Powerful and sexy as hell.

Billionaire Kaden Barnes has a reputation for being difficult and always getting his way.

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30064124-going-down-easy

Buy links:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/29CXgH0
B&N Nook: http://bit.ly/29qYYaS
Kobo: http://bit.ly/29wlJL1
iBooks: http://apple.co/29lk0G4
Google Play: http://bit.ly/29qcKMj

Going Down Fast
Billionaire Bad Boys
Book 2

Billionaire Bad Boys: Rich, Powerful and sexy as hell.

This bad boy is going down fast …

And going down fast has never felt so right.

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30297093-going-down-fast

Buy links:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2acSVXh
B&N Nook: http://bit.ly/2acUdSf
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2aiVlWT
iBooks: http://apple.co/2awzmvS
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2asyBmA

Going Down Hard
Billionaire Bad Boys
Book 3

Billionaire Bad Boys: Rich, Powerful and sexy as hell.

Derek West rose from poverty to take the tech world by storm. He’s sexy, confident and gets any woman he wants. And who he wants is Cassie Storm, the rich girl he’s never been good enough for.

blog tour · book blog · book review · books · excerpt · reading · romance

Blog Tour + Review/Excerpt: Payback by Christina Phillips

May 8, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

Payback
Viking Bastards MC #2
By: Christina Phillips
Releasing May 1, 2017
Entangled Scorched

Gage…

I don’t fuck girls who work for me, but as soon as Amelia turns those big green eyes on me I know she’s trouble. I can’t keep my hands off her, and the almost-but-not-quite-sex we share in the kitchen is the hottest thing I’ve ever had. Except she calls it quits, before we’ve even started.

Instead of moving on, she’s all I can think about and that’s bad news. I’m breaking all my rules for her, and don’t even care.

Until I find out who she is and what she really wants. She’s after payback, but there’s no way she’s going to get it. No way in hell…

Link to Follow Tour:
http://tastybooktours.com/tours-master/2017/3/29/payback-christina-phillips

Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34741829-payback

Goodreads Series Link
https://www.goodreads.com/series/197376-viking-bastards-mc

Buy Links:
AMAZON | B&N | iTUNES | KOBO

Author Info

Christina Phillips is addicted to good coffee, expensive chocolate and bad boy heroes. She writes on the sizzling side of naughty, and loves bringing her tough biker heroes to their knees (her heroines enjoy this, too ☺)

She is also owned by three gorgeous cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong.

Author Links:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Rafflecopter Giveaway ($20.00 Amazon Gift Card)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I trace the outline of her ear and those three irresistible hoops. She gives a little shiver but still doesn’t grab hold of me. Guess it’s time to ease her mind on things.

I move in closer, and she steps back until she’s flat against the larder door.

“What happens between us tonight doesn’t affect your job. You understand?”

“You mean if I knee your nuts, you won’t fire me?”

Instinctively, I cradle my junk. “That wasn’t my first thought.”

Her smile damn near takes my breath away. “I bet it wasn’t. I know exactly what you’re thinking.”

“Is that right?” I’m sure my package is safe so I twist a length of her hair around my finger. It’s as soft and silky as I imagined. “What’s that, then?”

“I think you’re trying to get inside my thong.”

The image of Amelia in nothing but a sexy thong fills my head. “You got a problem with that?”

“Yeah. It’s not happening.”

My gaze drops to her mouth. “Wanna bet?”

“I don’t need to bet. I’m telling you. All you get tonight is a kiss.”

Chicks don’t lay down the law to me. But then again, I’ve never been with a girl who confuses me as much as Amelia. If she wants to leave, she could easily walk away. I won’t stop her. But she stands there, like she’s daring me to take me up on her offer.

A kiss.

I give her a mocking smile. “You’ll want more than a kiss from me.”

She doesn’t answer right away, and I hide my smirk of victory as I lean in to claim her mouth. Her head tilts to the side, evading me, which is both frustrating and oddly fascinating.

“It doesn’t matter what I want. A kiss is my best offer. Take it or leave it.”

Despite the throb between my legs, I have the crazy urge to laugh. “That’s your best offer? You sure you don’t want me to go down on you?”

For a second I swear she’s about say yes, but then she hitches in a ragged breath. “Totally sure. Keep your head right where it is.”

No chick has ever refused that offer before, and the way she’s so desperately trying to hide how turned on she is makes me grin. “Okay. But I’ll only kiss you on one condition.”

“Huh?” She sounds drunk, and blinks at me like everything’s out of focus. “You have a condition?”

“It’s only fair.”

She stares at me as though I’ve lost my mind. I think I fucking have. Not that I care, since crazy as this all is, I’ve never had as much fun hooking up before.

Finally, she speaks. “What is it?”

“I can use my hands on you.” I wave my fingers in her face and she glances at them as though she has no idea what I’m talking about.

“Okay.” There’s a cautious note in her voice as though she thinks it’s some kind of trick. “But that’s all. Just your hands.”

That’s all I need.

Revenge is the name of the game in the second book of the Viking Bastards MC series but I’m pretty sure anyone could come to that conclusion based on the title lol. Much like the first book, it starts out at Odin’s, the bar frequented by the MC but this time the Viking Bastard that is getting the spotlight is its owner, Gage Reynolds. And who has their sights on Gage, in a I-want-to-make-you-pay kind of way, well that would be Amelia Crane, or for undercover purposes Amelia Davis, who has gotten a job at Odin’s as a bartender. Her plan was to get close to Gage so that she could get information on how to bring his MC down. The only problem with this plan… well it might have something to do with the fact that she thinks he is freakin’ hot and that her body seems to react whenever he is around her. Getting close to Gage won’t be hard, it is the whole trying not to put her hands on him or have his hands on her that might be a little more difficult. Of course, if Amelia just remembers that it was Gage’s father who killed her father, who was part of the Silver Wolves MC, then it might make the whole no touching thing a lot easier.

The chemistry between Gage and Amelia is what really drew me into this book. They both had their own reservations as to why it couldn’t happen but in the end that didn’t stop them whatsoever. Gage is very much an alpha who goes after what he wants and uses whatever means necessary to get it. You can clearly see that in the excerpt above where he manipulates the situation in his favor by agreeing to only kiss Amelia but he is allowed to use his hands as well. The result is pretty explosive especially since Amelia may have grown up in the MC lifestyle when she was younger but the guys she has date before are NOTHING like Gage. Gage opens up Amelia’s world as she gets a taste of someone who is a bit more dominant but that does not mean she fully allows it. Amelia is headstrong and has come here for a purpose, to exact revenge for her father’s death, and even though things start to shift as her feelings for Gage get stronger she still holds her own when with Gage. Amelia may be swayed by Gage in some instances but in others she stand by her beliefs and does not let Gage push them aside. It was those qualities that allowed me to love Amelia just as much as Gage.

While the beginning half of this book was hot and the sexual tension radiated off the pages between Gage and Amelia, the second half fell flat for me. Overall, I thought it moved way too fast. As a reader, I was so caught up in Gage and Amelia’s relationship, until the conflict that was building in the background just popped up and was dealt with way too quickly. I wish the second half was fleshed out a little bit more so it didn’t feel so rushed. Another thing that bothered me was how little what Amelia did as a career was talked about in the story. I understand that this is a MC romance so that is going to be the main thread running through the story but this happened in the first book as well where we get only a glimpse of what both the heroines do and nothing more. Both Amelia and Grace from the first book, Hooked, had such wonderful passions but they were only showcased for what felt like a moment. With the amount of angst that occurs in this book after secrets are revealed, if the second half was just fleshed out more I would have enjoyed this book a lot more as a whole.

Overall, though, this book did continue to fuel my love for MC romances. The sexual tension and sparks between Gage and Amelia were addicting. Gage is such a sexy delight, going after what he wanted and showing Amelia that she was just as affected as he was. The connection they had was hot as hell and so strong that you are left a little heartbroken when certain secrets are revealed and feelings get hurt. I can’t wait to continue on to the next book in this series! (Crossing my fingers that it is Kat’s story, Gage and Zach’s sister)

blog tour · book blog · book review · books · reading · Uncategorized

Review: Truly, Madly, Whiskey by Melissa Foster

April 14, 2017April 14, 2017 rosiereads6131 Comment

Truly, Madly, Whiskey
By: Melissa Foster
Releasing April 10, 2017
World Literary Press

A new sexy standalone romance by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster.

Eight months is a long damn time to have the hots for a woman who keeps a guy at arm’s length. But Crystal Moon is no ordinary woman. She’s a sinfully sexy, sass-mouthed badass, and the subject of Bear Whiskey’s midnight fantasies. She’s also one of his closest friends.

Just when Crystal thinks she has her life under control, scorching-hot, possessive, aggressive, and fiercely loyal Bear pushes all her sexual buttons, relentless in his pursuit to make her his.

The more Bear pushes, the hotter their passion burns, unearthing memories for Crystal that are best kept buried. But there’s no stopping the collision of her past and present, catapulting the two lovers down an emotional and sexually charged road that has them questioning all they thought they knew about themselves.

Link to Follow Blast:
http://tastybooktours.com/tours-master/2017/1/20/bearing-her-secrets-by-melissa-foster-1

Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32075375-truly-madly-whiskey

Book Trailer:
Vimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/209272565
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/cwsBu1Mef9Y

Buy Links:
AMAZON | B & N | GOOGLE | ITUNES | KOBO

Author Info

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

Author Links:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Three (3) e-copies of TRU BLUE)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

After reading this book, I kind of beat myself up a bit for not reading the previous book because I missed some of the amazing moments between Bear and Crystal in the first eight months of their “relationship”. To read this book and see the immediate chemistry these two characters have and to have not read their previous encounters such as when they first met felt wrong. Regardless of these feelings, this was yet another AMAZING book by Melissa Foster, further cementing her into my auto-buy author category.

Crystal Moon has Bear Whiskey listed as “Him” in her cell phone because for the last eight months this motorcycle riding, arrogant yet gorgeous man has injected himself into her life to the point that she needs to put distance between her and him anyway she can. The only problem with this method of hers is that her attraction and feelings towards Bear are starting to make it extremely difficult to keep resisting his advances. And boy has Bear made advances. Relentless should be Bear’s middle name because he does not waste any opportunity to let Crystal know that he is interested.

But Crystal has some reasons to distance herself from Bear, especially from an intimacy standpoint, because she has gone through a lot in her past and is still working on overcoming what she has unfortunately experienced. Even though she may be physically trying to keep away from Bear does not mean she is completely silent to his attempts to go out with him. It is usually during these moments when Crystal’s snark comes out and hilarious and playful banter ensues between the two of them. I’m a sucker for banter between characters so I was hooked very early on. You could clearly see the chemistry between Crystal and Bear it was practically rising off the pages, or the screen in my case.

Though the banter was definitely entertaining, Bear stole the show for me. It has been a while since I have been smitten with a male lead but Bear Whiskey filled that void. I mean his name alone makes you curious as to who he is. The fact that Bear is part of a motorcycle club with his family and rides a motorcycle only made me fall for him harder. But while he may be one gorgeous, sexy, bad ass alpha male, it was his heart and his love for Crystal that really did me in. There is one moment involving flowers that literally took my breath away and made my heart ache because it was such an insanely beautiful moment and showed just how much Bear cared for Crystal. Bear may be relentless in his pursuit of Crystal but he also has a ton of patience and understanding. He is book boyfriend material for me that’s for sure.

If you are looking for a romance where the chemistry between the two characters is off the freaking charts but also has a lot of heart to it, then go read Truly, Madly, Whiskey. Bear Whiskey is waiting for you ;).

blog tour · book blog · book review · books · reading

Review: Faking It by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde

April 14, 2017September 20, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

Faking It
Carly Phillips & Erika Wilde
April 11, 2017

Confirmed bachelor Max Sterling isn’t into rescuing damsels in distress, but when the very tempting Hailey Ellison needs his help, there’s only one thing for him to do. Step in and pose as her loving fiancé. Except there is nothing fake about his attraction to her, or how much he wants her beneath him in his bed, moaning his name. But what starts as a sexy, flirty, temporary engagement, quickly becomes something more serious that neither one ever anticipated.

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33897795-faking-it

Buy links:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2nATDDp
B&N Nook: http://bit.ly/2mW6F1g
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2nAXaSe
iBooks: http://apple.co/2lXgNrf
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2lXeHrk

About the Authors:

Carly Phillips is the N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of over 50 sexy contemporary romance novels featuring hot men, strong women and the emotionally compelling stories her readers have come to expect and love. Carly is happily married to her college sweetheart, the mother of two nearly adult daughters and three crazy dogs (two wheaten terriers and one mutant Havanese) who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. Carly loves social media and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find out more about Carly at http://www.carlyphillips.com.

Website: http://www.carlyphillips.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10000.Carly_Phillips
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Carly-Phillips/e/B001I9W0MS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarlyPhillipsFanPage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carlyphillips

carly-and-erika

Erika Wilde is the author of the sexy Marriage Diaries series and The Players Club series. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two daughters, and when she’s not writing you can find her exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. For more information on her upcoming releases, please visit website at http://www.erikawilde.com.

Website: http://www.erikawilde.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5357264.Erika_Wilde
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Erika-Wilde/e/B00CVE4WSO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErikaWildeAuthorFanPage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/erikawilde1

percy-klein
Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde just keep hitting them out of the park! Yet another book of theirs that I thoroughly enjoyed, even though I wasn’t exactly surprised since I seem to love every book that I have read so far.

Hailey Ellison has a few secrets. One: She is faking the fact that she is engaged. Two: She has the hots for her realtor, Max Sterling. Now Hailey’s reason for the fake fiancee situation is understandable. She has her own matchmaking business which is doing very well and for the founder to be single, well that does exactly bode well. Now the whole having the hots for her realtor thing, she thinks that is all one-sided. Hailey soon finds out is NOT the case at all.

Max Sterling knows that he should not be attracted to his client, who is very much engaged, but he can’t help it when it comes to Hailey Ellison. But after a run-in with one of Hailey’s clients, he soon learns that the man Hailey is engaged to is none other than him. Wait, what? After Hailey explains how things became so mixed-up and complicated, Max actually agrees to continue to pretend to be her fiancee. Why? Because that allows him to spend time with Hailey and show her just how right he is for her.

I love the way they did the fake fiancee storyline in this because it was sort of a twist for me. Normally with these kinds of storylines, one of the characters needs the engagement in order to get something they are after. This leads them to purpose this fake facade to the person who will play their fiancee. In Faking It, Hailey needs to give off the illusion that she has a fiancé, only it kind of backfires when the person she created as her fiancé is an actually person who then finds out from a third party that they are in fact “engaged”. Max’s willingness to play along even after all the deception and complicated mess that Hailey created was refreshing. He saw this as an opportunity to show Hailey that he was the guy for her after all which I loved about his character.

Another element I found refreshing was that Hailey was not the typical leading lady in romance who is very much in shape and has a gorgeous slim body. The fact that Hailey has a more average body type with wonderful curves just made this story so much more real in my mind. I connected so much with Hailey as she explained her insecurities about her body and her past dealing with guys who made fun of her size. She held herself back from ever getting close to guy so she wouldn’t get hurt but that all changed once she meets Max. Max has his alpha side to him but his patience, understanding, and protective nature towards Hailey is what made me love him as a character.

Though it was again a little too short for my liking, this story still had a lot to love about it. If you are looking for a sweet romance with characters who feel real and will make you swoon, then definitely check out Faking It!

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blog tour · book blog · bookblast · books · promo · reading · release blast · teaser

Promo: Faking It by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde

April 11, 2017April 11, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33897795-faking-it

Buy links:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2nATDDp
B&N Nook: http://bit.ly/2mW6F1g
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2nAXaSe
iBooks: http://apple.co/2lXgNrf
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2lXeHrk

About the Authors:

blog tour · book blog · bookblast · books · promo · reading · release blast · teaser

Release Blast: Truly, Madly, Whiskey by Melissa Foster

April 10, 2017April 10, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

Truly, Madly, Whiskey
By: Melissa Foster
Releasing April 10, 2017
World Literary Press

A new sexy standalone romance by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster.

Just when Crystal thinks she has her life under control, scorching-hot, possessive, aggressive, and fiercely loyal Bear pushes all her sexual buttons, relentless in his pursuit to make her his.

Link to Follow Blast:
http://tastybooktours.com/tours-master/2017/1/20/bearing-her-secrets-by-melissa-foster-1

Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32075375-truly-madly-whiskey

Book Trailer:
Vimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/209272565
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/cwsBu1Mef9Y’

Buy Links:
AMAZON | B & N | GOOGLE | ITUNES | KOBO

Author Info

Author Links:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Three (3) e-copies of TRU BLUE)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Really, Bear. I can drop you at your place before I go to the fabric shop.” Crystal started the car, feeling more in control than she had inside the shop. She hated the way she’d frozen up when things had gotten hot between them. She wanted him. After putting herself through three years of therapy, dealing with not only the trauma of the attack, but the bullshit with her mother and the loss of her father, she was sure she could handle anything. She’d dated other guys since she’d left college without issue. Why did it have to be different with the only guy she wanted to be close to? It pissed her off that her past still owned a piece of her, and she needed to get over it before Bear got fed up and walked away for good.

“I have to go to the store anyway.” He flashed one of his smiles. “We might as well go together.”

“You need to go to the fabric store?” she said flatly, knowing he was bullshitting her. She realized her car smelled different, cleaner. The seats were shiny, the dashboard dust free. “Did you clean my car?”

“Detailed it,” he said casually, as if he did this type of thing every day. For all she knew, he did. “Changed your oil, topped off your fluids. You really need to do those things every three thousand miles.” He touched the doll hanging from her rearview mirror. “I dusted off this, too, even though I’m a little worried that it’s a voodoo doll.”

She wasn’t about to tell him it was a worry doll that she loved more than life itself.

“Bear.” She couldn’t suppress her smile about the voodoo doll as she drove toward the store. “You really need to stop acting like you have to take care of me. I appreciate you handling the inspection, which I’m paying you for, by the way. But you don’t have to do all these things for me. I already like who you are.” Even if I have a hard time showing it.

“I know you do,” he said, as cocky as ever.

Why is that such a turn-on?

“I didn’t do it to get your attention. Shit, six three, two thirty.” He flexed his biceps and winked. “You’re sitting next to Peaceful Harbor gold, baby. I’ve got your attention.”

She couldn’t suppress a laugh. “That you do, and probably half the women in this town.”

“Only half?”

He kept her laughing the whole way to the fabric store, and it was just what she needed. It really had been a long day. They’d hosted three parties, and one of the mothers was just about the most obnoxious woman on earth. She’d pushed her daughter toward pink frilly outfits for the first half hour, when all the little cutie had wanted was to dress up as a skateboard princess. Gemma realized Crystal was going to strangle the wench, and she’d calmly suggested the woman head down to Jazzy Joe’s for coffee. The rest of her day hadn’t been much better. Plus, she’d spent the morning overthinking everything about her relationship with Bear, which was probably why she’d freaked out when she’d really been dying to kiss him.

She parked in front of the fabric store. There were some things that just didn’t fit in the world as Crystal knew it, and Bear Whiskey clad in a tight black T-shirt that said Whiskey Bro’s across his massive chest, a pair of snug, low-slung black jeans, and leather boots strutting into Jennilyn’s Fabric was on the top of the list.

She pulled her list from her bag as his eyes coasted over the store. What was he thinking, coming with her? That was dedication she could not ignore. The epitome of commitment.

That is Bear.

My Bear?

She toyed with that as he draped his arm over her shoulder. She wondered what had taken him so long. She’d expected him to do it the second she’d stepped from the car, but he was probably in shock that they were actually going to a fabric store. She smiled to herself as he leaned closer and rubbed his nose along her cheek.

“Can I help you?” she asked with a laugh.

“You smell like jelly beans, and I happen to have a thing for sugary goodness.”

“You can’t seriously have that good a sense of smell.”

He pressed an unexpected, and deliciously warm, kiss to her cheek and reached into her purse, withdrawing a bag of jelly beans. “Hoarding? Or were we going to hide these later in your body and let me find them?” He moved his mouth beside her ear and whispered, “Blindfolded. With my hands tied behind my back.”

He nudged her deeper into the store. Holy crap. She’d stopped walking. Was she breathing? And was that a thing? Blindfolded? Hands tied behind his back? Oh, the control that would give her. She’d be at no risk of being overpowered. But would she want that much control? She imagined herself lying naked on her bed, watching as his greedy mouth moved over her breasts, down her belly, and she felt herself go damp.

No, no, no.

Ice cream. Ice baths. Cow poop!

Her body continued vibrating from the inside out. This was bad. Really, really bad. Like a virus she couldn’t shake. She needed an anti-Bear pill. Stat!

The Hopeless Romantic Bookworm

"The world was hers for the reading" -Betty Smith

Category: blog tour

Blog Tour + Review/Excerpt: Payback by Christina Phillips

I trace the outline of her ear and those three irresistible hoops. She gives a little shiver but still doesn’t grab hold of me. Guess it’s time to ease her mind on things.

I move in closer, and she steps back until she’s flat against the larder door.

“What happens between us tonight doesn’t affect your job. You understand?”

“You mean if I knee your nuts, you won’t fire me?”

Instinctively, I cradle my junk. “That wasn’t my first thought.”

Her smile damn near takes my breath away. “I bet it wasn’t. I know exactly what you’re thinking.”

“Is that right?” I’m sure my package is safe so I twist a length of her hair around my finger. It’s as soft and silky as I imagined. “What’s that, then?”

“I think you’re trying to get inside my thong.”

The image of Amelia in nothing but a sexy thong fills my head. “You got a problem with that?”

“Yeah. It’s not happening.”

My gaze drops to her mouth. “Wanna bet?”

“I don’t need to bet. I’m telling you. All you get tonight is a kiss.”

Chicks don’t lay down the law to me. But then again, I’ve never been with a girl who confuses me as much as Amelia. If she wants to leave, she could easily walk away. I won’t stop her. But she stands there, like she’s daring me to take me up on her offer.

A kiss.

I give her a mocking smile. “You’ll want more than a kiss from me.”

She doesn’t answer right away, and I hide my smirk of victory as I lean in to claim her mouth. Her head tilts to the side, evading me, which is both frustrating and oddly fascinating.

“It doesn’t matter what I want. A kiss is my best offer. Take it or leave it.”

Despite the throb between my legs, I have the crazy urge to laugh. “That’s your best offer? You sure you don’t want me to go down on you?”

For a second I swear she’s about say yes, but then she hitches in a ragged breath. “Totally sure. Keep your head right where it is.”

No chick has ever refused that offer before, and the way she’s so desperately trying to hide how turned on she is makes me grin. “Okay. But I’ll only kiss you on one condition.”

“Huh?” She sounds drunk, and blinks at me like everything’s out of focus. “You have a condition?”

“It’s only fair.”

She stares at me as though I’ve lost my mind. I think I fucking have. Not that I care, since crazy as this all is, I’ve never had as much fun hooking up before.

Finally, she speaks. “What is it?”

“I can use my hands on you.” I wave my fingers in her face and she glances at them as though she has no idea what I’m talking about.

“Okay.” There’s a cautious note in her voice as though she thinks it’s some kind of trick. “But that’s all. Just your hands.”

That’s all I need.

Review: Truly, Madly, Whiskey by Melissa Foster

Review: Faking It by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde

I trace the outline of her ear and those three irresistible hoops. She gives a little shiver but still doesn’t grab hold of me. Guess it’s time to ease her mind on things. I move in closer, and she steps back until she’s flat against the larder door.

“What happens between us tonight doesn’t affect your job. You understand?”

“You mean if I knee your nuts, you won’t fire me?”

Instinctively, I cradle my junk. “That wasn’t my first thought.”

Her smile damn near takes my breath away. “I bet it wasn’t. I know exactly what you’re thinking.”

“Is that right?” I’m sure my package is safe so I twist a length of her hair around my finger. It’s as soft and silky as I imagined. “What’s that, then?”

“I think you’re trying to get inside my thong.”

The image of Amelia in nothing but a sexy thong fills my head. “You got a problem with that?”

“Yeah. It’s not happening.”

My gaze drops to her mouth. “Wanna bet?”

“I don’t need to bet. I’m telling you. All you get tonight is a kiss.”

Chicks don’t lay down the law to me. But then again, I’ve never been with a girl who confuses me as much as Amelia. If she wants to leave, she could easily walk away. I won’t stop her. But she stands there, like she’s daring me to take me up on her offer.

A kiss.

I give her a mocking smile. “You’ll want more than a kiss from me.”

She doesn’t answer right away, and I hide my smirk of victory as I lean in to claim her mouth. Her head tilts to the side, evading me, which is both frustrating and oddly fascinating.

“It doesn’t matter what I want. A kiss is my best offer. Take it or leave it.”

Despite the throb between my legs, I have the crazy urge to laugh. “That’s your best offer? You sure you don’t want me to go down on you?”

For a second I swear she’s about say yes, but then she hitches in a ragged breath. “Totally sure. Keep your head right where it is.”

No chick has ever refused that offer before, and the way she’s so desperately trying to hide how turned on she is makes me grin. “Okay. But I’ll only kiss you on one condition.”

“Huh?” She sounds drunk, and blinks at me like everything’s out of focus. “You have a condition?”

“It’s only fair.”

She stares at me as though I’ve lost my mind. I think I fucking have. Not that I care, since crazy as this all is, I’ve never had as much fun hooking up before.

Finally, she speaks. “What is it?”

“I can use my hands on you.” I wave my fingers in her face and she glances at them as though she has no idea what I’m talking about.

“Okay.” There’s a cautious note in her voice as though she thinks it’s some kind of trick. “But that’s all. Just your hands.”

That’s all I need.

“I have to go to the store anyway.” He flashed one of his smiles. “We might as well go together.”

“You need to go to the fabric store?” she said flatly, knowing he was bullshitting her. She realized her car smelled different, cleaner. The seats were shiny, the dashboard dust free. “Did you clean my car?”

She wasn’t about to tell him it was a worry doll that she loved more than life itself.

“I know you do,” he said, as cocky as ever.

Why is that such a turn-on?

“I didn’t do it to get your attention. Shit, six three, two thirty.” He flexed his biceps and winked. “You’re sitting next to Peaceful Harbor gold, baby. I’ve got your attention.”

She couldn’t suppress a laugh. “That you do, and probably half the women in this town.”

“Only half?”

She pulled her list from her bag as his eyes coasted over the store. What was he thinking, coming with her? That was dedication she could not ignore. The epitome of commitment.

That is Bear.

My Bear?

“Can I help you?” she asked with a laugh.

“You smell like jelly beans, and I happen to have a thing for sugary goodness.”

“You can’t seriously have that good a sense of smell.”

No, no, no.

Ice cream. Ice baths. Cow poop!

Her body continued vibrating from the inside out. This was bad. Really, really bad. Like a virus she couldn’t shake. She needed an anti-Bear pill. Stat!

I trace the outline of her ear and those three irresistible hoops. She gives a little shiver but still doesn’t grab hold of me. Guess it’s time to ease her mind on things.

I move in closer, and she steps back until she’s flat against the larder door.