Blog on the Run: SMP Romance

NEW RELEASE | MY FAVORITE COWBOY by Donna Grant

I had the chance to read MY FAVORITE COWBOY by Donna Grant previous its release yesterday, and I loved it! I intended to post this yesterday, but for several (personal) reasons I couldn't. So I'm sharing it today. Are you ready??

About the book:

Audrey Martinez is a veterinarian who has devoted her whole life to the care and protection of horses―even if doing so leaves her little time for meeting a man. Who would have thought that a strange case of criminal horseplay would lead her to falling deeply, wildly in love? If only the man who makes her heart race faster than a wild mustang would let his guard down, that is. . .

Caleb Harper is no ordinary cowboy. Sure, he wears his hat, boots, and jeans like a second skin, and displays an easygoing charm that comes from years of working on the ranch. But with his military background, and Army buddies at his side, he is tried-and-true Texas tough. Audrey knows she can trust a man like Caleb to help her save horses. But can Caleb trust himself to resist his attraction to Audrey―or will the sparks of their desire end up getting them burned?

You can add it to Goodreads | And grab a copy on Amazon

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Now maybe you're wandering what's so cool about this book. Well... I'm about to tell you.

I loved how the author managed the tension until the very last moment, how she developed characters so broken yet so lovable, and also how she made them fit together. The rhythm of the narration was fluid, and the story was so well constructed that once I started, I couldn't stop reading.

The setting of the story was wonderful. Think of ranches, horses, beautiful landscapes as far as your eyes can see... and fiery alpha cowboys, a sassy vet med, danger, and enough sexual tension to lit a fire.

Yeah, baby... that's right.

My Favorite Cowboy is part of the HEART OF TEXAS series, but I didn't felt like I missed something in this story in particular, so you can read it as a standalone.

If you're looking for a thrilling plot, wonderful characters and the most steamy and sexy romance novel, you can't miss this one.

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, by Miriam Meza

COVER REVEAL | HANDLE WITH CARE by Helena Hunting

Hi there!! Thanks for joining me in the cover reveal for Helena Hunting's upcoming book in the Shaking Up World!

By now you may already know how much I love this author. I discovered her a looong time ago through a guy called Hayden, and later I fell in love with her Pucked series. After that I've read every single book she has published, and let me tell you. She never let me down.

Now it's time for me to share with you some details about HANDLE WITH CARE, so scroll down and take a look.

Title: HANDLE WITH CARE

Release Date: August 27th, 2019

Hero: Lincoln Moorehead

Need a refresher as to who the heck Lincoln is inside The Shacking Up World?

Lincoln is Armstrong Moorehead's older brother. You don't get to meet him directly in any of the previous books, but he's mentioned in Hooking Up.

You may remember Armstrong as the douchey ex-fiance/husband of Amalie Whitfield's in Shacking Up and her very short term husband in Hooking Up. Their marriage last all of 12 hours since Armstrong go caught cheating on Amalie during their wedding reception. Super classy right? Imagine what it would be like to be his brother.

Blurb/Summary: To be Announced--Myself and my team at SMP are working on this, so once we have it ready to go we'll share it with you! I have an excerpt for you to share with the cover in the meantime.

PREORDER LINKS

AMAZON US | AMAZON CA | AMAZON UK |

iBooks | NOOK | Kobo | Google Play → TBA

Mass Market Paperback Preorder

Amazon | B&N | Chapters | Indie Bound | BAM

Add it to Goodreads → http://bit.ly/GRHandleWChh

EXCERPT

NOTE: This is an unedited excerpt and is subject to change.

I’m startled out of my thoughts when my brother jumps up and shouts a bunch of profane nonsense, hands flailing like he’s trying to swim on land, or approximate the chicken dance while on an LSD trip.

“You can’t do this! It’s absolute bullshit!” Armstrong yells.

I look around the table, trying to piece together what I missed.

“I’m sorry, Armstrong. I know this is a shock, but we feel it’s in the company’s best interest to put Lincoln at the helm during this transitional stage,” G-mom says firmly.

At the helm? I look to G-mom who’s busy not looking at me.

Armstrong jabs at finger at himself. “But I’m the one who’s put in all the time here! I deserve to run the company! Lincoln doesn’t know the first thing about Moorehead. All he knows how to do is dig wells and forage for food in the wilderness. How are those valuable assets here?” He turns his attention to our mother. “Did you know about this? How can you let this happen? Look at him. How can that be the face of our company? He looks like he crawled out of a gutter and mugged a twenty-year-old college kid on a bender. How is this better for our bottom line?”

My mother clasps her hands in front of her. “I’m sorry, Armstrong, but this decision wasn’t mine to make. I know this is hard for you, but your grandmother and fath—”

Armstrong stomps his foot, exactly as a toddler would. “The company is mine! Lincoln can’t have it!”

I raise a hand, half to quiet my brother and also to find out what the freaking deal is. “Whoa, let’s back this bus up. Can someone explain what’s going on?”

“You’ve been appointed as the CEO of Moorehead Media, according to the will,” Christophe—no R, because that would make it far too pedestrian a name—my father’s lawyer says.

I’m working on trying to remain calm as I address my grandmother. “You didn’t say anything about me being CEO. You said you needed my help.”

“Running the company, yes,” she says through a practiced, stiff smile.

It’s her warning face, but seriously, when she said she needed my help for a few months I figured it meant I’d be keeping Armstrong in line while she sorted out who was going to take over the company, which I realize now was a stupid assumption.

“I didn’t think that meant CEO. How am I going to run a company with this dickhead on staff?” I motion to my brother.

“The name calling is unnecessary,” G-mom replies.

“Lincoln’s not even part of this family! He hasn’t attended one event in the past five years except for Dad’s funeral. He didn’t bother coming to my wedding and now he’s going to run the company? How is that fair?”

I snort. “Your wedding was an expensive joke.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “I was set up. Amalie had cold feet and made me out to look like the bad guy.”

The woman beside him shoots him disgusted look.

Armstrong clears his throat and tugs at his collar. “My wedding is not the real issue. The point is that you’ve never involved yourself in any part of this family and now you think you can come in and take over. I will not stand by and let this happen!” He keeps jabbing his finger at me, as if he’s engaged in a finger sword fight.

I lean back in my chair and lace my fingers behind my neck. Armstrong has always been reactive. And self-absorbed. For a while it seemed like he finally had it together—back when he was engaged. But ever since that fiasco of a wedding he seems to have come completely unglued. Again. But worse this time. “Someone needs a timeout.”

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, by Miriam Meza

In #NewRelease, Contemporary Romance

Q&A | Let's talk about SHACKING UP with Helena Hunting

Hi, everyone!! Today I'm sharing with you a few questions Helena Hunting answered about her book SHACKING UP, recently published as a Mass Market Paperback.

Have you read it? Probably you'll want to after reading her answers. Take a look!

Q: Bancroft’s exotic pets in Shacking Up are interesting, like the tarantula and ferret. Why those pets in particular?

A: I felt non-traditional pets would make the most sense in this story, especially Franny the ferret because they’re illegal to own in NYC. Ferrets are adorable (and a little stinky) and very much like dogs in the way they play and need your attention and your affection. They also fit into very tight spaces and are incredibly mischievous, making her so much fun to write. Tiny the tarantula is another unconventional pet, particularly since so many people are spider averse, which gave me great material to work with when Bane introduces Ruby to his pets.

Q: What was your favorite scene you wrote, and why?

A: My favourite scene in Shacking Up is when Bane picks Ruby up from work and they finally have the confrontation we’ve all been waiting for. It’s the build up to that moment, the back and forth, the banter, the tension: it all just comes crashing down around them. Bane succumbs to this very alpha behavior and Ruby, being Ruby, calls him right out on it, so we get to witness their verbal spar until they finally give in to each other.

Q: Do you find parts of yourself coming out in any of the characters?

A: I think it’s impossible not to write elements of myself into my characters because they’re a product of my mind. I identify with Ruby’s desire to make it on her own and not rely on anyone for help.

Q: When working on a manuscript, is it easy for you to keep separate ideas for other projects, or what strategies do you use to stay focused?

A: Most of the time I can keep story ideas separate from each other without too much difficulty. I generally write a single book at a time, however, if I get a story idea for a side character in the project I’m working on, I’ll open a new document and jot down some notes so I don’t lose the train of thought before I go back to the original project.

Q: Is there any story about how you came up with the names “Ruby” and “Bancroft?”

A: Bancroft’s name actually came from an incident in my previous profession. Some police officers were visiting (not for anything criminal, which I realize would make this story even more exciting) and this giant of an officer in full uniform including kevlar vest walks into the office. He was so tall he almost had to duck to make it through the doorway. He was incredibly imposing and he clearly picked the right profession based on his size alone. He proceeds to smile all friendly like and introduced himself as Bancroft, so thinking I was being witty, I introduced myself by my last name. He explained that Bancroft was his first name. Embarrassment aside, that name stuck with me and eventually I found the perfect character to use it with.

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, by Miriam Meza

In #NewRelease, a true cowboy christmas

#NewRelease A TRUE COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Caitlin Crews

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, by Miriam Meza

In #NewRelease, #Review

#NewRelease Don't Look Back by Dawn Ryder

Hi everyone! Let's talk a little bit about this sexy new release by Dawn Ryder, set in her Unbroken Heroes world: DON'T LOOK BACK.

This is my first time reading this series and author, but I found myself captivated by the plot and the charming characters. The story is intriguing, suspenseful and intense, but as I was reading I felt I was missing something.

The book was wrote as standalone, but you need some background to understand what's happening and why. The lead couple in this book, Thais and Dunn, is great but there are moments in the narration where they seem to be secondary characters because someone else steals the show.

The romance part of the story is intense and sexy, difficult because of the past of the characters but hot as an inferno. The suspense part was nicely written and conducted. I would loved to have seen more action in the final chapters, because of the tension that was being built, but things ended and I felt again I was missing something. I suppose that now I have to read the previous books and give this one a new visit soon.

Are you curious?

Take a look at the sexy cover and blurb:

She is the only woman worth fighting - or dying - for...

Shadow Ops Agent Thais Sinclair has sworn off falling in love for good. It’s what’s kept her calculated, steady, and on-task in a world dominated by men. She needs nothing and no one but her own wits and strength to guide her. But when she’s slated to shadow the one man who could reveal their entire operation, all bets are off.

Dunn Bateson, illegitimate son of a Southern debutante, has always had to fight harder than the rest to get what he wants. Now, the last thing he needs is Thais following his every move. She is so strong, sly, seductive. . . No woman has ever captivated him so completely. Thais may only have room for her mission in her heart, but is Dunn up to the challenge of showing her that she’s worth every risk he is willing to take?

Buy your copy on Amazon | Add it to Goodreads

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, by Miriam Meza

In #NewRelease, Broken Promise

#Review BROKEN PROMISE by Tara Thomas

Hi there! Today I wanted to share with you a new release! I'm talking about BROKEN PROMISE, the third book in the Sons of Broad series by Tara Sue Me writing as Tara Thomas, and published by St. Martin Press.

If you love romantic suspense novels, then take a look at this one!

Blurb:

In the sultry streets of Charleston, one family, ruled by its powerful, take-no-prisoners sons, has risen to the top. But a merciless enemy is out to destroy them…and everyone they hold close…

SHE SWORE TO KEEP HER PROMISES.

BUT CAN SHE KEEP THEM SAFE…AND PROTECT HER HEART?

Charleston Police Officer Alyssa Adams made a promise years ago to protect innocent women from harm. Now, she won’t rest until she can reunite every lost daughter with her family. Bring closure to every grieving husband. And, most of all, find out what happened the night her own sister disappeared, more than ten years ago…

As the eldest of the Benedict brothers, Kipling will stop at nothing to protect his family from a threat that aims to destroy them once and for all. But when a long-lost sibling is kidnapped by a powerful adversary, Alyssa is the only one he can turn to to get her back.

As Alyssa and Kipling band together to find their lost siblings, a powerful attraction builds between them that they can’t ignore. As the truth comes to light, will one broken promise tear them apart?

Exclusive bonus content available only in the print edition!

Buy your copy now:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Let's talk about this book:

As I said at the beggining of this post, this book is the third installment in the Sons of Broad series, but it can be read as standalone. I haven't read the previous installments (I'm planning to, tho) but I didn't need it in order to understand the story. The author explain briefly previous situations to keep the reader updated and develop a plot full of suspense and passion.

The lead characters, Alyssa and Kipling, had a rocky start but since the very first page you can feel the tension and the chemistry between them. The way the story is constructed let you spy in their minds, to explore what are they thinking every moment, and it was cool to experiment through them the fear and insecurities, but also the heat and the longing, the passion and the discovery of love.

But this story isn't about romance. Or isn't just about romance. It's also a thriller. Alyssa's sister disappeared and was killed over a decade ago, and she has dedicated her life to bring justice to families in the same situation as hers. She has some clues about her sister's case but that murder wasn't solved. But then she find the connection between her sister's case and a new one, and the hope to discover what happened blooms again.

Kipling discover, soon after his brother's wedding, that his recently found sister has been kidnapped so he'll ask Alyssa's help to find her. But the case is more complicated that they imagined, and the connection between Jade's disappearance and Alyssa's sister will put both of them in danger.

The thrilling situations Kipling and Alyssa will be involved in will lit the fire between them. Even if they try to deny their attraction, that fire will be hot enough to burn their defenses and make them surrender to a passion like no other.

There were a few moments in Broken Promise were I felt the author could have feed the suspense a little more, but the book was pretty cool. I liked the buildup between Kipling and Alyssa, not just the romance between them but how they teamed up to find Kipling's sister and solve Alyssa's case. The villain in the story, The Gentleman, was creepy AF and he had some impressive moments in the book while we discover what drive him to act the way he did. Maybe it was just me, but I kinda wanted more at the ending with him. I felt it was missing something. But that's probably because I didn't read the other books, so don't mind me.

Broken Promise was a fast-paced romance filled with suspense and will engage you in the story from the beginning. It was a great read and can't wait for you to read it.

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As you may know by now, I really enjoy making teasers about my reads. So I made a few about Broken Promise.

Take a look:

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, by Miriam Meza

In #NewRelease, Amazon

#Review DIRTY-TALKING COWBOY by Stacey Kennedy

Emma Monroe has returned to River Rock, Colorado, after the death of her grandmother. Now she’s inherited a farm full of abused animals and she’s working as a waitress at the local hotspot, Kinky Spurs. The last thing Emma wants in her life is a man, as she’s still recovering from a recent heartbreak. But when a sensual and powerful cowboy, Shep Blackshaw enters her life, Emma begins to want things she shouldn't.

Shep knows sex shouldn’t be on his mind. He’s got a world of responsibility on his shoulders. He’s attempting to save his late father’s cattle ranch, Blackshaw Cattle Company, from foreclosure. But Emma’s heated reactions to his touch make ignoring her impossible. She’s the perfect distraction to make him forget that his father’s company is a sinking ship.

While their nights only heat up, soon emotions become tangled into the mix. Shep’s not only giving Emma the hottest nights of her life, he’s also healing her heart. With every encounter, she forgets her heartbreak. With every naughty adventure, she stops mourning the life she left behind. And with every dirty word whispered from Shep’s mouth, she stops thinking of all the reasons why she shouldn’t fall for him. But when the past comes to claim Emma, she’ll need to choose between the life she thought she wanted and the life she’s grown to love with Shep. How will she say no to forever with a dirty-talking cowboy.

This was my first time into a Stacey Kennedy book and it turned out to be a pretty good read. While ‘fun, sexy and easy’ may be some of the words that I would use to describe this novel, the quest for love after Emma got her heart broken was also moving and intense.

After losing her job and being betrayed by her ex-boyfriend (and former boss), Emma goes to River Rock, Colorado, to take care of her Grandma's farm. That's when she has her first experience at Kinky Spurs, that's not only the name of the series this book is part of, but also it's the name of the bar where Emma Monroe finds herself working part time.

And it's precisely in that place where she met Shep Blackshaw, our Dirty-talking Cowboy, and tell me if it isn’t the perfect title for this story! Shep is a sexy cowboy who knows exactly what he wants and he’s not afraid to go and get it. And what he wants is Emma in his bed.

The connection they have is hot and heavy, and you can feel it from the first page. When I started to read this book I couldn't help but sweat because of Sheep and Emma’s chemistry. It was off the charts hot! And while the tension is building, and you think the story is taking some direction, the author surprises you with a wicked and funny turn of events.

I loved this book so much, and not only because it's a pulse racing experience but because is also lighthearted and sweet. The author delivers a story from the heart, with the right amount of heat and passion, and showing us, with a highly care for details I must add, the portrait of a world you would want to get lost into. Kinky Spurs is described with such a detail that you will want to go there and take a drink while ogling the Blackshaw guys. The country life, the animals, the family dynamics…, and every piece of this book are special in their own way.

If you're into sexy cowboys, being tied up and good fun in a barn, this is for you. But if you're also happen to be into romantic, sweet and fun books, then go and click the shit out of this novel.