My First Love Event with Molly O'Keefe

Molly O'Keefe is a RITA-Award winning author with 25 novels in publication. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her family and the largest heap of dirty laundry in North America.

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ARC Review: Indecent Proposal by Molly O'Keefe

Indecent Proposal is the fourth book in the Boys of Bishop series by Molly O'Keefe. I read this book as a standalone though, and had no problems understanding the story. While I really enjoyed the first half of this book, I felt like the second half lost me. Things started off really interesting and full of tension and it kept me turning the pages. I just wish that the second half had been able to keep my interest as well.

When Ryan Kaminski sees the same sexy man at her bar several nights in a row, she wonders what is behind the sad man drinking alone. One night she finally starts to talk to him to try and ease his pain, and the next thing she knows she is sharing a passionate night with him. Harry is gone the next morning leaving nothing but a note behind. Shortly after Ryan loses her bartending job when her one night stand is discovered, leaving her with no means to pay her bills. When she finds out that she is pregnant, her big brother decides to go to the man who knocked her up himself. Soon Ryan finds herself in the middle of a would be political scandal as her one night stand turns out to be Harrison Montgomery who is heir to a well known Georgia family with a tradition of politicians. Harrison can't afford to have a scandal with his congressional bid coming up and proposes to Ryan assuring her that she will be well taken care of as will their baby, no matter what happens in the future. But what happens when their fake marriage starts to feel real?

I liked Ryan and Harrison, but they both had their moments for me. Ryan was smart and independent, and I loved her quick thinking. She was able to think on her feet and help out just by being herself. She had screwed things up in her past, but I liked that she didn't let it stop her or drag her down. The fact that she didn't want Harrison for his money or what he could do for her really made me admire her. Harrison was sexy and smart as well. He was determined to take care of Ryan and their child, even when he considered them a mistake after finding out. He didn't want to take the same path as his father and set out to make things right. But Harrison and Ryan both ran hot and cold, and it got old quickly. They had great chemistry between them, and you could feel the tension as if you were there standing next to them. They had a connection as well and were able to reach one another in a way that no one else could.

Because of the connection and chemistry between these two, it drove me nuts to see them push and pull so much on one another. I wanted them to figure things out and face the world together. They had enough drama surrounding them that they didn't need issues between them to continue for so long. I wish that we had seen them figure things out sooner, because the second half of the book really suffered for me because of that. I also felt like we really didn't get to see much of these two actually together, and I missed out on what they were like really exploring their relationship. I would have liked to have seen them experiencing things as a couple and exploring the good parts of their relationship. I think that this book was good despite my issues with the story, but I think that it had a lot of potential that it just didn't deliver on. I haven't read the other books in the series, but I enjoyed Molly O'Keefe's writing style and would be interested in going back and reading those books as well. I will look for more from her in the future.

**ARC Provided by Random House Publishing Group-Bantam Dell**

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Feature and Giveaway: Never Been Kissed and Between the Sheets by Molly O'Keefe

Perfect for readers of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson, Molly O’Keefe’s second novel in her exciting new series—The Boys of Bishop—features an irresistible romance and unforgettable characters in a page-turning story that delivers equal parts emotion and humor . . . with a little edge to boot.

As the daughter of a wealthy politician, Ashley Montgomery has had enough of her parents’ expectations for her future and is going her own way, volunteering to work at a refugee camp in Africa. But her act of charity turns dangerous when she takes a boat trip and is abducted by Somali pirates. Enter Brody Baxter, who was a bodyguard for the Montgomery family ten years ago and doesn’t think twice about coming to Ashley’s rescue. Handsome and tough, Brody has always done what needed to be done. So he swoops in, saves Ashley, and brings her to a place where she can rest and recuperate without the glare of the press and her demanding family: Brody’s small hometown of Bishop, Arkansas. But Ashley soon realizes that she’s not the only one in need of healing.

Holed up with Ashley in a tiny apartment over his brother’s bar in Bishop, Brody is tempted and torn in ways he never anticipated. Beautiful Ashley, vibrant despite her ordeal, fearless enough to love him beyond his wall of self-punishment, is now determined to save him. But with a little faith and a lot of love, they just may find happiness in each others’ arms.

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ARC Review: Between the Sheets by Molly O'Keefe

Shelby Monroe is an art teacher at Bishop Elementary. She has many secrets, but one was broadcast on national television. A quick sex romp with a travelling executive branded her as promiscuous, living up to her late father’s assessment of her. Embarrassed beyond words, she hopes the talk and stares have finally stopped. Her mother, Evie, is in an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s and Shelby is in denial about it. She keeps Evie with her and doesn’t accept help. This is her penance for not protecting her mother from her father’s abuse. In the middle of the night, her new neighbor, Ty Svenson, decides to rev up his motorcycle. Shelby takes out her frustration with her life by yelling at him. His son, Casey, is her new student and in trouble. Shelby and Ty meet again in the principal’s office. Casey drew a picture of himself in a cage and upset Shelby. She suggests art therapy to help him deal with his feelings. His mother neglected him and he’s only been in Ty’s life for a couple of months. Major life adjustments for them take time and acceptance. There is a physical attraction between Ty and Shelby and it’s all she wants. No relationship, no conversation, just sex. This works at first, but Ty wants more. He invites her to his home to meet some of his friends. Casey is uncomfortable because of the bad memories he has of his mother’s entertaining drug addicts. Ty moves the party to the local bar which is owned by his employers. He auctions off a prize motorcycle and the town hopes he’ll open a garage to fix cars. Meanwhile, Evie has been wandering at night and Casey sees her. He’s been trying to befriend a stray dog. It’s a bad idea especially when the dog decides to attack him and Evie steps in to protect him. Shelby blames herself and tries to close everyone off, but Ty won’t go without a fight.

Ty is a true hero. Shelby has shut down her feelings and it takes a crowbar to pry her open again. Ty slips into the small cracks in her armor and starts to heal her. Casey has been broken, but finds his way to his dad. Ty is clueless about how to raise a child, but relies on the lessons his grandfather taught him. Ty’s not social and talking with people is a challenge. He realizes it’s necessary to establish a home base for Casey and a career. He takes both bold steps forward.

There’s true sadness in this story. Evie, Ty, Shelby, and Casey have all been emotionally wounded by family members. They cobble together to form a family unit based on trust and caring. It will be an ongoing process.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Seduced by Molly O'Keefe

In 1867, Melody Hurst travels from Georgia to Colorado with her husband, Jimmy, and her sister, Annie. The war has ended, but plagues them all with loss, pain, and memories. Jimmy has dragged them there to seek revenge against a Union soldier. Steven Baywood was a prisoner at Andersonville and Jimmy was his guard. He paid Jimmy to help him escape. Steven knew not to trust Jimmy and ditched him. The Confederate soldiers found Jimmy, labeled him a deserter, and branded his face with a D. Now, Jimmy wants revenge. He has intercepted letters meant for Stephen’s family and arrives at the cabin to wait. He shoots Steven and leaves the women alone in search of an oil prospector. Annie helped wounded soldiers during the war and sees to Steven’s injuries. They nurse him back to health. Jimmy returns with Cole Smith, who is Steven’s actual brother. He’s been tracking Jimmy in hopes he would lead him here. Melody tries to pretend all is well, but Cole isn’t fooled. There’s a fresh blood stain on the porch and Jimmy drinks too much. Melody spikes the whiskey and knocks Jimmy out. Steven is awake and Cole finds him. Jimmy needs to be dealt with and Cole hands a gun to Melody. She’s petrified, but knows it’s her only way out. The two sets of siblings untangle their lives and expose their hopes to each other. Annie wants to live in Denver and be a medical assistant. The brothers try to explain how unmarried women are treated and how much money is needed to live there. Melody decides she needs to marry again, this time with her eyes wide open. She proposes a business arrangement to Cole, he’d prefer love. This is a continuing story so the narrative is not resolved.

Cole and Steven are more interesting than Annie and Melody. They served as soldiers in the Civil War and their brother, Gavin, fought for the Confederacy. They have many stories and memories to share, Steven as a prisoner and Cole as a bounty hunter. Melody remembers parties, beaus, and pretty dresses. All have lost parents, homes, and their ways of life. Being farmers and oilmen will bring the men many challenges. Denver will be a rough wide open town, harder to navigate and settle down.

I like westerns, but there are no cowboys in this book. The wilderness should be more of a character, especially the weather and wildlife.

**ARC provided by Author**

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My Favorite Book Couple with Molly O'Keefe

Molly O'Keefe is a RITA-Award winning author with 25 novels in publication. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her family and the largest heap of dirty laundry in North America.

Places to find Molly:
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Wild Child Blog Hop

Help celebrate the upcoming release of Wild Child (October 29) by Molly O'Keefe with an awesome giveaway! So many prizes up for grabs stop by the blogs below for your chance to win something awesome!

My Favorite Book Boyfriend with Molly O'Keefe and Giveaway

Molly O'Keefe is a RITA-Award winning author with 25 novels in publication. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her family and the largest heap of dirty laundry in North America.

Places to find Molly:
| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

Weekly Winners

Below is a list of all of the winners from the past week.

Natasha
The Guilty Innocent by DN Simmonds

Amber
Seduced by the Gladiator by Lauren Hawkeye

Maureen
Kissing Kendall by Jennifer Shirk

Beckey
Highland Heart by Heather McCollum

Pingle
$10 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Lois Greiman

Amber
Checkmate, My Lord by Tracey Devlyn

Donna
Between by Kerry Schafer

Lori
Can't Buy Me Love + Can't Hurry Love by Molly O'Keefe

All winners have been notified via email. Thank you to everyone that stopped by and entered. =)

Interview with Author Molly O'Keefe and Giveaway

Today I am super excited to welcome to RFTC author Molly O'Keefe. I was lucky enough to read an ARC of Molly's Crazy Thing Called Love a few months ago and instantly fell in love. It's definitely one of my favorite contemporary reads and I'm so happy that she was able to stop by today in celebration of the release of Crazy Thing Called Love. Please give Molly a warm welcome.

Molly O'Keefe is a RITA-Award winning author with 25 novels in publication. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her family and the largest heap of dirty laundry in North America.

Places to find Molly:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

ARC Review: Crazy Thing Called Love by Molly O'Keefe

This was the first book that I've read from Miz O'Keefe and it definitely won't be my last. It was very good and brimming with heat and romance. Not only was I a fan of the romance between Billy and Maddy, but these two were hot together and I loved watching them both work through the problems of their past and get their long deserved HEA.

For as long as Maddy can remember she's loved Billy but love doesn't always work the way you want it to. Fourteen years ago Billy and her were married for two years and their relationship was anything but perfect. Yes there was love, but love isn't always enough. Their relationship was tumultuous to say the least and Maddy felt like everything was about Billy. She had no voice and no identity. After a fight between the two Maddy decides to walk away.

Billy has always regretted the way things worked out between himself and Maddy. He thought he was over their split and his feeling for her until he runs into her at an event. Neither has seen one another in fourteen years and as soon as Billy lays eyes on Maddy all of his feelings come rushing back to the surface. Maddy was the love of his life and he is determined to make things right between them both.

Billy is a hockey star with a bad temper, attitude and manners and if he doesn't change his bad boy ways he may loose his position on his team. When his agent comes to him with the idea of an image makeover on live television his immediate response is "no". Then he realizes that the show behind the makeover idea is none other than Dallas AM, the show that Maddy just happens to host he quickly changes his mind. This could be his chance to finally be able to talk to Maddy and he could apologize for his past behavior.

Maddy is not happy. She doesn't want to see Billy and she definitely doesn't want to reminisce over the past and the mistakes they both made. No, Maddy is now Madelyn Cornish celebrated morning show anchor. She is tough, polished and cares only about her career. She lost herself once before and she is determined to never let that happen again. But when Billy shows up and starts telling her things she always wanted to hear and he's just so sexy, how can she resist?

Pretty quickly these two realize that the attraction is still there, though Maddy is doing everything she can to push it away. When she does finally let Billy in a little it's by her rules and her rules only. After a few intense and heated encounters Maddy is beginning to realize that things may not be all that simple.

I really enjoyed the relationship between these two. It was steamy, yet I got a complete sense of how much these two truly loved one another. I love that we were shown bits from their pasts because it helped me realize just how much they cared. I was rooting for these two from the beginning and I'm so happy they finally got their well deserved HEA. This book is definitely going on my all-time favorite list. It's been a few months since I read it and my heart still tingles when I think about Maddy and Billy. Just so good.


**ARC copy provided by Edelweiss**

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ARC Review: Naughty and Nice by Ruthie Knox, Molly O'Keefe and Stefanie Sloane

Naughty and Nice is book comprised of three different novellas.

Room at the Inn - Ruthie Knox

Carson Vance has been running from his life in Potter Falls for the last sixteen years. Carson has always wanted more from life than the small town could provide. He works for the State Department and is constantly on the move, never settling down for more than a few months at a time. When Carson is called home to take care of his ailing father he must face all the people he left behind, including the person that once meant the most to him, Julie Long.

No matter how much time passes Julie somehow always finds herself caught in Carson Vance's web. She just can't deny the chemistry between them or how sexy he is. But every time she gets caught up he breaks her heart when he chooses to leave. This time Julie is bound to guard her heart and her emotions. If she ignores him maybe her feelings will subside and she will finally be able to move on. Ignoring him is harder than she expected when every time she turns around he's there being helpful and nice and lets not forget unbelievably sexy.

The more time these two spend together the harder they are both finding it to keep their hands to themselves.  Julie doesn't want to have to deal with another broken heart when Carson leaves, because let's face it he is going to leave. Carson is finding that it harder to resist his feelings for Julie. He knows he shouldn't act upon his feelings because he's leaving but there is just something about her that has always drawn him in. But is it enough to keep Carson from leaving Potter Falls again?

I loved this this story. It was just so good. The chemistry and heat between Carson and Julie is explosive. Even though these two haven't seen each other for several years the heat between them is intense and you are sitting there waiting to see who is going to be the first one to give into the temptation. I found myself on the edge of my seat in anticipation. After reading this story by Ruthie Knox I am definitely eager for more.

All I Want For Christmas is You - Molly O'Keefe

In two days not only will Maddy be turning eighteen, but she will also be walking down the aisle. Billy and Maddy love each other unconditionally and want nothing more than to be together, but before they can walk down the aisle Billy and Maddy need to break the news to her parents. Things go awry when her parents reaction is completely different from what was expected.

Yes, this novella falls on the shorter side, but for me it was great seeing the beginning of Billy and Maddy's relationship. I loved seeing just how much in love they are with one another and all of the struggles they overcome just to be together.

One Perfect Christmas - Stefanie Sloane

I enjoyed this novella but admit that I felt like something was missing.

Seven months ago Lucas and Jane shared a kiss. Afterwards, Lucas realized his true feelings towards Jane and fled to Scotland. Now he has returned with hopes of telling Jane his true feelings.

I would have liked to have seen more interaction between Lucas and Jane. I never felt the connection between the two of them. Both claimed to love one another but it just felt like something was missing between them, mainly chemistry. Perhaps if the story was longer I would have been able to get a better read on them as a couple but as it is now, it just felt like something was missing.

Overall

Overall, I enjoyed the first two stories of this anthology immensely. Both had great characters and plots that were interesting and left me wanting more. I thought they these two stories meshed well together. As for the third story, I just didn't feel like it belonged in this anthology. It just felt out of place with the other two.


**ARC provided by NetGalley**

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