My First Love Event with Nina Croft

Growing up in the cold, wet, north of England, Nina Croft spent a lot of time dreaming of faraway sunnier places and ponies. When she discovered both, along with a whole load of other things, could be found between the covers of a book, her life changed forever.

Later, she headed south, picked up the perfect husband along the way, and together they volunteered to work in Africa. There they discovered a love of exotic places and a dislike of 9-5 work. Afterward they spent a number of years travelling (whenever possible) intermingled with working (whenever necessary.) Eventually they stumbled upon a remote area in the mountains of southern Spain and the small almond farm they now call home.

Nina spends her days reading, writing and riding her mare, Gencianna, under the blue Spanish skies—sunshine and ponies. She reckons this is proof that dreams really can come true if you want them enough.

| Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

Indulge Yourself Event with Nina Croft

Growing up in the cold, wet, north of England, Nina Croft spent a lot of time dreaming of faraway sunnier places and ponies. When she discovered both, along with a whole load of other things, could be found between the covers of a book, her life changed forever.

Later, she headed south, picked up the perfect husband along the way, and together they volunteered to work in Africa. There they discovered a love of exotic places and a dislike of 9-5 work. Afterward they spent a number of years travelling (whenever possible) intermingled with working (whenever necessary.) Eventually they stumbled upon a remote area in the mountains of southern Spain and the small almond farm they now call home.

Nina spends her days reading, writing and riding her mare, Gencianna, under the blue Spanish skies—sunshine and ponies. She reckons this is proof that dreams really can come true if you want them enough.

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

A Naughty New Year with Nina Croft

Growing up in the cold, wet, north of England, Nina Croft spent a lot of time dreaming of faraway sunnier places and ponies. When she discovered both, along with a whole load of other things, could be found between the covers of a book, her life changed forever.

Later, she headed south, picked up the perfect husband along the way, and together they volunteered to work in Africa. There they discovered a love of exotic places and a dislike of 9-5 work. Afterward they spent a number of years travelling (whenever possible) intermingled with working (whenever necessary.) Eventually they stumbled upon a remote area in the mountains of southern Spain and the small almond farm they now call home.

Nina spends her days reading, writing and riding her mare, Gencianna, under the blue Spanish skies—sunshine and ponies. She reckons this is proof that dreams really can come true if you want them enough.

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

ARC Review: Blackmailing the Bad Girl

My feeling the whole time I was reading this book was that 'I should like this more.' I'm usually really into redemption books featuring heroine's who have gone astray. I also like a little bit of coercion every now and again like you find in the blackmail books. So I thought for sure this book would be for me but something just didn't quite click. One possibility is that this is the second book in a series. This book is promoted as a standalone but based on what I now know, there might be information in the preceding book that would help to put this book in better context. I haven't read the first book so I'm speculating but based on some of the other reviews I've read, this seems accurate.

I don't have very strong feelings about this book so I'll keep my review brief. If you've read the synopsis of the book, it's accurate. There are no major surprises. There are a few plot twist but nothing you can't guess based on what comes before it in the book. Nik is a likable character. Yes, he got scammed by Summer but his desire for her is genuine. The fact that he never forgot Summer and still wants to save her (even though that is not at all how he sees it at first) kind of made you feel like, awwww, true love endures. Or something like that. 

Summer, on the other hand, is NOT a likable character.  It took Summer too long to come to terms with what she wanted. Also, I can't stand a character who wrongs another character and then acts like they are the ones suffering. Nope. You did the crime so get off your high horse convict. The chemistry between the couple was sufficiently dictated but it was hard to overcome Summer's character flaws. You can't really root for a couple when you don't like one half of the couple.

The last thing I will note about this book is that it kind of mixes subgenres: Blackmail, enemies and lovers, boss and subordinate etc. That's ok if it's done well but I kind of felt like there was some confusion here. It was almost as if the author couldn't make up her mind exactly what she wanted to do so she wound up not really doing anything. This is an ok read if you like this author. If you're new to this author, I would suggest starting with something else.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo |

ARC Review: His Fantasy Bride by Nina Croft

I don't remember the last time a heroine got on my nerves as much as Gabby. If you can deal with all the things I'm about to tell you about why I really did not like Gabby, this might be an ok book for you. It's got a pretty interesting plot, it's fast moving and it's got some decent sex scenes. But just Gabby uggggggh.

Ok so Gabby is Vito's runaway fiance. She abandoned him the night before their wedding and 6 months later, Vito wants answers. From the very first encounter between Vito and Gabby, I had the sense that one or both of them was going to step all over my nerves. I don't know how much I should tell you so here is your warning that this might be very slightly spoily. But the first time Gabby and Vito are reunited, one would think Vito would be focused on getting the answer as to why Gabby left him damn near at the altar but nope. Instead, the two, who had not previously had sex, decide that the reunion would be a prime time to break the seal on that situation. I just couldn't deal with it. I mean you find out that the person you thought you loved and you were going to spend your life with lied about dang near everything and that doesn't piss you off enough to effect your libido? I guess that's possible. Maybe it's like my appetite for Oreos? Like no matter what happens, I can eat Oreos. But if Oreos broke my heart and made a fool out of me, I think that would give me pause. Wait....what were we talking about?

Things don't get better. The actual reason that Gabby got involved with Vito and then left him just made me mad. Like, I think the author meant it to be something really deep but it actually didn't make sense to me. And then, as soon as Gabby got involved with Vito she decided to abandon the "plan" but she didn't abandon Vito. Now, I think that's because her feelings for him were real but she refused to admit that to herself and later to him.

After Vito finds Gabby and they start redeveloping their relationship with Gabby being more of who she really is, I really got irritated. Gabby could have told Vito the truth right away but instead she strings him along for weeks. I still can't understand why Gabby kept lying. But in the end, that's what completely turned me off about this book. Gabby was lying through the entire book. When she finally comes clean and Vito is justifiably angry, she trys to blame him for being angry. I was just too through with her.

I actually want to try the other books in this series. We get introduced to some of the other characters and this writers writing makes me want to get their stories. This book, however, just really annoyed me.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | B&N | iTunes |

A Naughty New Year...Brazen Style with Nina Croft and Giveaway

Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia, which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.

Nina writes all sorts of romance often mixing in elements of the paranormal and science fiction.

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

ARC Review: Taking Control by Nina Croft

Taking Control is the third book in the Babysitting a Billionaire series by Nina Croft. Each book can be read as a standalone with interconnected characters. I was really excited to read this one because not only is it a second chance love story, but the heroine was a total badass. She was fun and feisty and wasn't afraid to say what was on her mind. This was a fun read, and it had some really great steamy moments as well.

Jessica Bauer has a bit of an attitude problem and isn't afraid to admit it. But when her friend Jake tells her that in order to get her promotion she needs to tone it down and be nicer, she vows to be so nice that her new client will be singing her praises. That is until he meets her new client and finds out that it is none other than Declan McCabe, the same man that left her and broke her heart ten years ago. Jess knows that she needs to make things work, so she sets out to be as professional as possible even though it about kills her. But as the passion reignites between them, she decides to explore the chemistry between them once again and get him out of her system for good. But just when it is looking like they will be able to finally put things to rest, she finds out that Declan isn't willing to let her go so easily this time.

I liked both Declan and Jessica. Declan was the buttoned up billionaire that had lived his life according to what his parents wanted. He always did the right thing and was exactly what was expected of him. But he had a bit of a wild streak underneath that seemed to only be brought to the surface with Jessica. When he was with Jess, you could see all the passion and fun that his life was otherwise missing. I loved seeing him loosen up, and I thought that he was so much better with Jess in his life. Jess was an awesome heroine, and I really liked her character. She wasn't into makeup and fashion, but rather was into guns and kicking ass. She was fun and feisty, and told it like it is. I liked that while she had never fully gotten over what happened with Declan, that she wasn't just sitting around pining for him either. She lived her life and became very successful at what she did. I did think that it was great to see her soften a tiny bit with Declan though. Not that she lost her edge, but just that she was able to have another side to her with him around. They had a ton of chemistry, and I enjoyed the back and forth between them. The tension was so thick, and I just knew that sooner or later there was bound to be an explosion.

Overall, Taking Control was my favorite that I have read from this series. These two were great, and I really enjoyed their story. They had both moved on with their lives, but it was clear that they weren't really living. They were going through the motions and trying to ignore the hole that the other had left behind. I enjoyed seeing the previous characters as well, and I thought that all the secondary characters added a lot to this story. I am looking forward to reading more from Nina Croft in the future, and I would love to see more of some of the others from Knight Securities.

**ARC Provided by Entangled Publishing**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Book Depository |

A Naughty New Year...Brazen Style with NIna Croft and Giveaway

Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia, which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.

Nina writes all sorts of romance often mixing in elements of the paranormal and science fiction.

Find Nina at:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

ARC Review: Out of Control by Nina Croft

Out of Control is the second book in Nina Croft's Babysitting a Billionaire series, and I really enjoyed it. I had liked the first book in this series, but for me this one was better. These are standalones with interconnected characters, and I really enjoyed getting to know Dani and Zach. It was nice to see Jake and Kim from the first book though as well.

Dani was injured on her last deployment and has been taking it easy while she heals. She goes to work for her friend Jake, and he assigns her to protect a friend of his. Zachary Hunter made some enemies out of the wrong people, and has been threatened. When Dani shows up to work, she immediately labels him a playboy asshole when she finds him naked and floating in the pool with a blonde on his arm. Zach is surprised that his friend Jake would send such a small woman to protect him, and doesn't help things when he makes that known. But the more that Zach is around Dani, the more he is drawn to her. Dani is attracted to Zach, but it determined to remain professional. Zach however has other ideas and pursues her relentlessly. Before long the chemistry between them is more than either can fight and they decide to be together until their time runs out. But when the job is over and Zach is safe, will Dani reenlist or will her future have been changed by the relationship that they have started to build?

I liked Zach. He had definitely earned his playboy reputation, and at first glance it appears as though Dani had him pegged correctly. But once you start to get to know his character better, you see that he is actually thoughtful and caring and a really good guy. He was athletic and sexy, but he was also really smart and I loved that he was a writer. He was honest and up-front, and I liked that he was really understanding when it came to everything that Dani had issues with. He was patient and let her explain things in her own time, and he was always really supportive. It was great to see him being so fun-loving and playful and he really got her to loosen up and come out of her shell. I liked Dani, but she had several issues. She had lost her brother and felt a ton of guilt over it, and her parents weren't great either. Then she joins the Army and ends up getting injured and having to deal with all of that. It wasn't surprising that it took her awhile to open up to others and that she tended to make assumptions rather quickly. I did like that she was able to open up to Zach though, and she really started to heal and get over things with his help. I liked that she wasn't just a soldier in the Army though, but that she was also a dog trainer and operator. There is something fascinating to me about someone who is able to handle animals that way and their commitment to those animals. Dani was strong and capable, and I liked seeing a heroine that wasn't a typical girly girl. Dani and Zach had a ton of chemistry together, and I thought it was great that she was so unlike the girls that he would normally be attracted to. These two were really hot together, and I thought that they were absolutely perfect for each other. They just fit the other and were the balance that the other needed.

Overall, I really liked this story and it was a book that I was able to really get invested in. I liked the characters and I thought that they were each unique and different, and weren't like others that I have read before. The story was good if a bit predictable, but honestly that didn't bother me. I was able to just enjoy it for what it was, and it left me happy and smiling. The pacing and writing were great, and I have come to find that Nina Croft always entertains. This book is definitely worth the read, and I think that anyone looking for a good lighthearted read with some heat and strong characters will really enjoy this one. I look forward to reading more from Nina Croft in the future, and can't wait to see what she writes next. If you haven't read any of Nina Croft's Babysitting a Billionaire series yet, I recommend that you give this one a shot.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | B&N |

ARC Review: Losing Control by Nina Croft

I'll be the first that I am a sucker for the friends to lovers trope. I just can't help myself when it comes to stories that have friendship as the basis for the relationship. I was really looking forward to Losing Control by Nina Croft because not only was it a friends to lovers story, but it was the opposite of most. In Losing Control the guy is actually the one who has been pining away for the girl and is ready to commit. I was really interested to see how that played out, and I had a good time reading Jake and Kim's story.

After an abusive marriage, Kim has taken back control of her life. Vowing to never let anyone else try to dictate anything about her life she sets out to advance her career as a bodyguard. Only problem is that she works for her best friend Jake, and he refuses to promote her or assign her any case that are possibly dangerous. She begins to think that maybe she needs to have a no-strings-attached affair to loosen her up and decides that the new guy at work Steve is just the man for the job. However Jake has other ideas for her. Jake has been in love with her for awhile but refuses to tell her, thinking that she will run away. After a passionate hook-up, Jake sets out to convince Kim that they can have a future together as more than just friends. But after being hurt in the past Kim is reluctant to have anything serious with anyone she cares for, and she is scared to lose her best friend Jake. But once they have been together, all they can both think about is being with the other person. Can Kim give up some of her control and let Jake in or will she continue to keep him at arms length to avoid the possibility of being hurt?

I really liked Jake. I was interested in this story first and foremost because of him. Any man who can admit he loves a girl, wants to commit to her and her alone, and continues to fight for her despite being turned down is always a hero I will root for. He was patient and kind and knew when to push Kim and when to give her some space. I really thought that he was sweet and charming. Kim was stubborn and strong all at the same time. I found myself slightly annoyed with her over the course of the book because of her being so stubborn. There were times that she seemed to do the exact same thing over and over and it just seemed to me that she was a little immature. She definitely had some growing up to do and it was nice to see that she did eventually see that she had been running and needed to take a risk in order to grow. I couldn't understand why she would constantly run and think she wasn't a good match for Jake when it was clear to see that they already had such a great foundation and friendship. Their connection was realistic to me and I thought that they were really sexy together.

Overall, this was a quick, fun, and sexy read. Despite the few times that I had some problems with Kim's character, I really felt that Kim and Jake belonged together. Their relationship was very believable and I was glad that they got their HEA. It was nice to read a friends to lovers story with a twist on the same old trope! This is a book that I think most fans of contemporary romances will enjoy. I am looking forward to reading more in Brazen's new Babysitting a Billionaire series, and I will be looking for more stories from Nina Croft in the future.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Deadly Pursuit Winner

Congratulations to:

Lady Vampire

On winning a ecopy of Deadly Pursuit

Winner has been contacted via email. Thank you to everyone that entered. 

Guest Post with Author Nina Croft and Giveaway

Hi everyone. Today I would like to welcome to the blog author Nina Croft. Nina is currently on tour promoting the release of her book Deadly Pursuit. So if you would all please give Nina a nice warm welcome.

The Lure of the Vampire…

I love writing about anything speculative—you can let your imagination run wild and as long as you stick to the rules of your particular world, absolutely anything can happen. But while I write about all nature of supernatural beings, I have to admit that vampires are my all time favorite.