Feature and Giveaway: I'll Be Home for Christmas by Lori Wilde

Nothing says Christmas like New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde and Twilight, TX, and now Lori returns to Twilight for a brand new heartwarming holiday tale. The matchmaking members of the Cookie Club are up to their old tricks again!

Christmas in Twilight, Texas, is all merriment and mistletoe. The Cookie Club is whipping up their most festive sweets, the townspeople are scrambling to get their holiday shopping done, and Joe-a hometown guy with a restless heart-is dreaming about the woman he wants to kiss most…

…And who happens to be staying at his sister’s place over the holidays, while Joe’s sister is away. But Joe isn’t quite sure he wants to be a living Christmas present to runaway law student Gabi Preston.

Joe thinks the sassy sweetheart he nicknames “Trouble” won’t inconvenience anything but his healthy sex drive. But when he discovers the reasons Gabi escaped from her life, he aches to give her everything she’s never had. As the magic of the season draws them together, the gift of love is the only one worth giving…

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ARC Review: Rules of the Game by Lori Wilde

Rules of the Game is the second book in Lori Wilde's Stardust, Texas series. Each book can be read as a standalone story, but the characters are interconnected. This one was a really sweet and fun book, and I enjoyed reading it. Lori Wilde is a great contemporary romance writer, and I always enjoy her stories. If you are looking for a great quick and easy read, you really can't go wrong with Lori Wilde.

After being dumped at the alter and turning 30, Jodi Carlyle decides its time to face her fears and move forward with her life. She gets dressed up and crashes a wedding. Needing some help after she forgets the invitation she stole from her sister, Jodi catches the eye of a sexy stranger. Jake wants to get to know Jodi better, but she gives him a fake name and refuses to let him get to know the real her. She decides a fling is exactly what she needs and Jake is the perfect person for one. But after they go their separate ways, Jodi thinks that is the last she will see of him. But little does she know that he is the new star of the Dallas Gunslingers, and also the best man at her sister's wedding. Can Jake and Jodi turn their fling into something more? 

I really liked Jake. He was sweet and charming. I thought he was great from the very start, and the more I got to see of him the more I liked. I loved that he was so determined to get to know Jodi, even when she wasn't giving him much to go on. She gave him a fake name and tried to end their time together, but he kept pushing for more. It was refreshing to see the guy pursuing the girl, when in romance you so often see it from the other side. Jake had been through a lot, and it was good to see him wanting more after everything he had been through. Jodi had some issues and was trying to move forward with her life just like Jake. They had different ways of going about it, but they were both after basically the same thing. I think that was what made these two so great together, was that they could connect because they both had painful things they were struggling with in their pasts. They were just surviving before, and trying to figure out a way to start living again. Jake and Jodi were great for one another, and I really enjoyed seeing them fall for one another. It was good to see Jodi come out of her shell and I thought that Jake was such a big part of that. These two had a lot of chemistry and were really cute together. 

Overall, I thought that this was another good read from Lori Wilde. It was fun and entertaining, and a good read for when you are looking for something light and easy. While the characters are struggling with issues, Lori Wilde has a way of keeping things upbeat and I really like that. I know that I can sit down and just spend a few hours enjoying a good story without it being dark or filled with drama and angst. Her books always leave me feeling happy and in a good mood. There are times when the dialogue and story got a little cheesy for me, but I like the sweetness so it isn't that big of a deal for me. I would recommend this book if you are a fan of contemporary romance, especially if you like a good sports romance. Lori Wilde never disappoints, and I know I will read more from her in the future.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: Back in the Game by Lori Wilde

New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde welcomes you to Stardust, Texas . . . where dreams come true and love is always right around the corner

Wanted: ghostwriter. Must be female, a baseball fan, and have a great pair of legs.

Ex-pitcher Rowdy Blanton never saw a woman he couldn't conquer or a team he couldn't beat. And now that he's off the field he's ready to tell all about when he played the field. So he chooses Breeanne Carlyle to do the job-she's got the requirements, but more important, there's something about her that makes him want to be a better man.

Convinced there's more to Rowdy than a good fastball, a wicked smile, and a tight pair of pants, Breeanne can't help but be tempted. After all, it's boring always being the good girl, and Rowdy dares her to be just a little bad. The stakes are high, but win or lose, this time Breeanne's breaking all the rules playing the game of love.

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ARC Review: Back in the Game by Lori Wilde

Back in the Game is the first book in Lori Wilde's new Stardust, Texas series. Each book in the series is a standalone story with interconnected characters. I was really looking forward to this book because Lori Wilde is a great romance writer, and her stories are always really cute with a touch of magic thrown in. I am not a huge paranormal fan, but she manages to somehow put just a bit in so that it adds to the story without being too much. I also really love sports romance stories, so the fact that Rowdy plays baseball was just a bonus.

Ex-Pitcher Rowdy Blanton is ready to tell his story now that he is no longer playing baseball. When he begins interviewing ghostwriters for his autobiography, he never expects the girl he briefly met but can't get off his mind to show up. He knows that he needs someone tough for the story he intends to tell, but he ends up giving her the job rather than turning her away. But soon Rowdy and Breeanne Carlyle are connecting more than just professionally. Rowdy and Breeanne are both passionate about baseball, and Breeanne is determined to start living her life finally. But Rowdy isn't looking for a relationship and doesn't want to hurt Breeanne. Can she convince him to take a chance on something fun with her?

I liked Rowdy and Breeanne. They were both really nice and normal characters that I found easy to relate to. Rowdy was a bit cocky at times, but it was never so bad that you didn't like him. He was charming and straightforward, and I liked that he was always so sweet with Breeanne. He was just a good guy that had been through a tough childhood and I loved that he had turned his life around. Breeanne was also really easy to relate to. She was a bit geeky and inexperienced, yet she wasn't completely naive or annoying. She had also had a tough childhood, but for different reasons than Rowdy. It was good to see her stand up for herself and finally start taking control of what she wanted. I thought that she had a great connection with Rowdy, and they definitely had chemistry.

While I did like this story, it was predictable and similar to others I have read. It was good but it didn't blow me away. There were several things that I found cheesy and I didn't care for them. The biggest one for me was the heroine constantly saying "nut bunnies" when she messed something up or made a mistake. It was explained in the book why she said it, but it was just too corny for me to ever be okay with it and I found myself rolling my eyes every time that she did it. It just didn't seem to be something that a 25 year old would say, even one that had been as sheltered as her. I think that Lori Wilde is a great writer though, and she always tells a solid story. This contemporary read was enjoyable and light, and was a pretty quick read. If you are looking for something fun and easy to read, you might give this one a shot. I am looking forward to reading more from Lori in the future, and I am interested to get to know the rest of the characters in this series better.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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Guest Post with Author Lori Wilde and Giveaway

Meet Lori Wilde, author of Christmas at Twilight.

LORI WILDE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 70 works of romantic fiction. She is a two-time RITA award nominee, a four time Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice nominee and has won numerous other awards. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Texas Christian University and holds a certificate in nursing forensics. An animal lover, Lori is owned by several pets, and lives in Texas with her husband, Bill.

Places to find Lori:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

Interview with Author Lori Wilde and Giveaway

Meet Lori Wilde, author of Love with a Perfect Cowboy.

LORI WILDE is the New York Times bestselling author of more than sixty books. A former RITA finalist, Lori has received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Holt Medallion, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers’ Choice, and numerous other honors. She lives in Texas, with her husband and a wide assortment of pets. Lori teaches Romance Writing Secrets via the internet through colleges and universities worldwide at www.ed2g.com.

Places to find Lori:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

ARC Review: Mad About You by Lori Wilde

License to Thrill

Charlee Champagne is a Las Vegas private investigator who is only afraid of two things: black widow spiders and gorgeous men. Her grandmother, Maybelline, has gone missing. Mason Gentry is in town searching for his grandfather, Nolan, who helped himself to company funds. The grandparents have a history and a secret to keep. Mason is the family janitor, always sent to clean up after someone else’s mess. Mason and Charlee team up to find their wayward elders. Elwood, Charlee’s dad, is also looking for his mom. Maybelline has an envelope containing evidence of a Hollywood bombshell scandal. Back in 1955, the Oscars were rigged. Nolan had been an actor and nominated for the award. He also met a scared pregnant girl, Maybelline, who threatened to commit suicide. He talked her out of it, fell in love, and married her. His family didn’t approve and Maybelline left him in hopes he’d marry up. Reunited, they are on a road trip to California to stop the same man who tampered with the Oscars from winning again. Their grandchildren avoid bad guys trailing them, win a game show, and outsmart an Elvis impersonator. Who will win the race to the Oscars?

Mason is a stickler for the rules, almost to the point of putting people in danger. He lacks imagination and ingenuity. If not for Charlee, he would have collapsed from the weight of decision making. He’s tentative and lukewarm in all his dealings. Charlee could do better. It’s hard to believe he’s in charge of major deals in his family’s business.

Charlee is used to living by her wits. She understands hesitating puts Maybelline in danger. She has a sharper eye and is able to adapt to the changing situation. She needs a man to compliment her strengths, not bog her down.

You Only Love Twice

Marlie Montague is a comic book illustrator. Angelina Avenger is her character and alter ego. She fights crime and gets involved in government conspiracy theories. Marlie’s comics are controversial and have caught some bad guys’ attention. Her father was wrongly accused by the Navy of aiding the enemy and was killed by his friend, Gus Hunter. Now, Marlie is attacked and runs to her neighbor’s house for help. She doesn’t recognize him, but he’s a friend from her childhood, now a former Navy SEAL, and Hunter’s son, Joel. He’s been sent to watch and protect her. He doesn’t expose his true identity, but knows she’s not safe. They travel to her mother’s house. They get there just in time to have it explode into flames and realize her mother is missing. Marlie’s attacker is one of the bystanders. Joel gives chase, but loses him. They are followed and go to her friend’s family’s home. Meantime, Joel ex-wife, Treeni, and Marlie’s friend, Cosmo, are getting better acquainted in Washington DC. Treeni’s father has presidential ambitions. Marlie has stumbled on a state secret her father held. The race is on the find hidden missiles. Everyone finds more than they bargained for, some are happy and others not.

Marlie and Joel make an excellent team. They play off each other’s strengths. They know much is at stake and both push forward to find the truth. Marlie is smarter than she thinks and Joel realizes he needs help. Running out of people to trust, they turn to each other. I like characters that dig deep and find the steel at their core.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: Mad About You by Lori Wilde

LICENSE TO THRILL

Las Vegas private eye Charlee Champagne is absolutely fearless. But when handsome Mason Gentry strides into her office, demanding to know where his grandfather is, she can't control the goosebumps. It's not like Mason to be in Sin City while the biggest deal of his banking career wraps up without him, but one moment with Charlee brings out his wild side. Before he knows it, Mason is on a mission, driving pedal to the metal across the desert with the toughest, sexiest woman he has ever met . . .

YOU ONLY LOVE TWICE

Comic book creator Marlie Montague's life isn't as exciting as her heroine's . . . until someone points the business end of a pistol right at her. Now she needs help from a real-life action hero: her rock-hard Navy secret-agent neighbor, Joel Hunter. Soon he and the beautiful Marlie are blowing the doors off a full-blown conspiracy with more double agents than a Bond flick. But the real mystery is: How does Marlie manage to leave Joel both shaken and stirred?

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ARC Review: One True Love by Lori Wilde

I have never read a book by Lori Wilde, but if this novella is anything to go by I will definitely be reading more in the future! In the past i've said that I have a love hate relationship with novellas, because even though they are a quick read, they are just so short that it is hard to do a story justice. That was absolutely not the case with One True Love! I found that this story was extremely well developed and was written so well that I just couldn't put it down. I devoured this entire novella in a single sitting!

One True Love is set in the 1920's and begins with Millie answering the door to a handsome stranger who happens to be her father's boss John Fant. Unfortunately John is there with devasting news of a cave in at his family's mine and Millie's father was one of a few men killed. Coming from a large family and being the oldest Millie is the one her mother always leaned on for help. After her father's death, John and his family offer Millie a job as a maid with a large enough salary to help support her mother and younger siblings. Millie decides that even though she will miss her family, it is time to spread her wings and get out of their small town. As Millie begins her new job, her and John begin to cross paths. Although both of them feel a strong attraction to one another, they know that nothing can come of a relationship between the wealthiest man in town and a maid. As if their social standings weren't enough of a road block, John is betrothed to another woman in which he does not love. As the wedding date approaches, Millie decides to write a letter to Cupid pleading her case for her one true love John.

I absolutely loved John. He was handsome and sweet. I loved that he was himself with Millie and even though he knew that he should be more formal with her he just couldn't help himself. It was really cute how he even gave her a nickname and often encouraged her to use is given name. John was unafraid of what others thought and I loved that even though he was of a higher class he still wanted to spend time with Millie. His character was just a genuine good guy who saw Millie for who she was rather than that she was from circumstances beneath his own.

Millie was an extremely likeable heroine, and I was rooting for her from page one. I found her to be brave and strong. I thought that her character was extremely kind and selfless. She was willing to live without her true love John because she felt that he was too good for her and above her station in life. The fact that she would sacrafice her love and happiness for him and truly wished for him to be happy with his betrothed spoke volumes of her character.

This prequel sets up the Cupid, Texas series and it could not have done a better job. I really felt the connection and emotions between Millie and John, and their story was wonderful. There were so many obstacles in the way for these two, and at times the story was absolutely heart breaking. But I loved seeing how true love really can conquer all and overcome anything. If you are looking for a truly sweet and easy to read romance this story is an absolute must read! I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the Cupid, Texas series as well as many more from Lori Wilde in the future.

**ARC provide by Publisher**

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Feature: All Out of Love by Lori Wilde

The second book in a dazzling new Cupid, Texas series by Lori Wilde. Welcome to Cupid, where every wish for love comes true…

For years, a small group of women in Cupid, TX, led by Millie Greenway, have taken it upon themselves to keep the Cupid legend alive. Now Millie has roped her four disbelieving granddaughters into joining the cause.

Lace Bettingfield knows for a fact that the Cupid legend is bogus. As a shy sixteen-year-old, she left a letter at the statue and got nothing in return but heaps of embarassment when her letter ended up printed in the school newspaper. But now the boy she longed for is back in town and Lace can't help wondering...what if?

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