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Saturday, November 17, 2018

ARC Review: Unmask Me If You Can by Shana Galen


Finally it is Lord Jasper's turn! Unmask Me If You Can is Shana Galen's fourth book in her Survivors series, and I am so happy for Jasper to finally get his Happily Ever After. The previous three books were amazing, and Jasper was a side character in each that I believe many readers have been waiting for.

Lord Jasper is a man who can find things. His friends in his troupe nicknamed him the Bounty Hunter for that reason. The troupe (they call themselves The Survivors) is a tight net group of twelve men who made it through the war against Napoleon despite extremely dangerous missions that were considered suicidal. Now that the war is over, he makes his living finding things, but mostly people. He is tasked by the Carlisle's to find their daughter who had run away five years before. Her mother is on her deathbed and wishes only to see her daughter again. So Jasper decides to help the family and finds himself in a remote village where he believes the girl lives. On his way up a steep cliff towards the house, he is stabbed and left for dead.

Olivia Carlisle used to be the typical debutante within Society. She was the dutiful daughter to her parents, and she agreed to become betrothed to a duke by their direction. He makes her uncomfortable, but her parents don't seem to think there is reason to do anything. The duke rapes Olivia, and she runs away before the marriage can take place. She has been living in hiding as a widow with her son in a remote village hoping the duke will never find her. It's a much different life than the fancy dresses, parties, and ton, but she does whatever she has to for her son. Then her safe haven and peaceful life gets turned upside down when her son finds an unconscious and hurt man on the path to their home.

It takes a lot of courage for Olivia to take this man in need in to her home and care for him, especially after what had been done to her. However, she pushes herself to do it. I think a lot of her gumption stems from a "Mama Bear" instinct to take care of her son. When Jasper comes back into consciousness, he cannot help but admire this strong and capable woman. Though she knows not all men are like the duke who had hurt her, it is difficult for her to put trust into any man. Jasper knows to be very patient with her, and he is completely understanding. While he has physical scars on his face that he is ashamed of, she also has scars that she is ashamed of. While neither of them have ANY reasons to be ashamed, their experiences bring them together in a unique way.

I loved Jasper, just as I fully expected to, and Olivia was a strong female lead. I always get uncomfortable with books about rape, but Shana Galen did a good job in my opinion of portraying the gravity of it without too many details. It also wasn't played out all at once. Just snippets here and there. I think Shana Galen also did an amazing job of portraying the hesitancy Olivia feels about men and certain experiences because of what she went through. I think this story shows a lot of character growth between Jasper and Olivia. The romantic aspect of the story didn't have too many heart dropping, swoon worthy moments so I had a hard time feeling it as much as some of my favorites. But I do think the way it played out was perfect for this particular situation.

I sincerely hope this series continues! There was a small teaser of her next book at the end of this one, but I believe it was for a different series. While I will usually devour anything by Shana Galen, I hope any breaks from our Survivors aren't too long! We did meet a Survivor I don't believe has been in any previous book, and his small contribution already has me wondering about him. Shana Galen also shows us some more about Colonel Draven's personal life, but only a little to keep us guessing. Hopefully she wouldn't be so cruel as to leave it at that? Liked this book, love this series!

**ARC provided by Author**

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Friday, November 16, 2018

Feature and Giveaway: The Christmas Layover by Robert Tate Miller



The weather forecasters said the snowstorm would miss the eastern seaboard. They were wrong. When Ally Henderson’s flight from Southern California to finally marry her fiancĂ© in New York City on Christmas gets diverted to the tiny Midwestern town of Bethlehem, she’s desperate to get back in the air and to the Big Apple. But with all the airports closed, she’s forced to rely on Midwestern hospitality to wait out the storm.

Living with a welcoming stranger is one way to spend a snowed-in Christmas, but when she meets the local diner owner, the kindhearted and surprisingly sexy Jake, sparks fly. Only, Ally’s a big-city girl with big-city dreams, and Jake will always be a Bethlehem boy.

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


Thursday, November 15, 2018

Feature and Giveaway: Entangled Publishing's August Imprint Book Launch



After her carefully ordered world imploded, Paige Taylor cracks up. On her tenth self-help book, it seemed like a good idea at the time to reinvent herself––move from Manhattan to the tiny beachside town of St. Clair––and take over the local bookstore.

But instead of discovering her spiritual Nirvana, she’s neck-deep in a floundering business, the locals treat her like a plague victim, and her mom’s suddenly decided to visit––with no end in sight––and keeps coming home with one surprise after the next.

Added to that pot of crazy, the one guy who sets her pulse racing has sworn off women forever. He’s got a Samsonite filled with baggage, but damn he looks good hauling it down the street. And giving her those sexy half-smiles. And tempting her to take him for a test ride.

Soon Paige discovers that reinventing herself takes more than just a change of address and a pithy quote on Instagram. She needs to face the truth about her life, and that’s something she can’t do alone.

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


Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Feature and Giveaway: Exclusive and A Touch of Heaven by Samantha Chase


Exclusive

When little-known writer Taylor Scott is granted two weeks to interview a famous reclusive author, it's the opportunity of a lifetime. So is the chance to rekindle her friendship with Mike Greene, who happens to be the author's assistant. But as feelings deepen and time winds down, Taylor will have to choose between the story that could launch her career and an unexpected chance at love.

A Touch of Heaven

As Regan Amerson makes the emotional decision to sell their family home, her mother wins a home makeover from a reality TV show. Regan is furious, and jaded host Sawyer Bennett isn't thrilled either. That is, until he meets Regan—and finds himself enamored by the fiercely independent beauty. She may want nothing to do with him, but Sawyer isn't one to give up easily...

Purchase: | Amazon | B&N | Apple |

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Feature and Giveaway: Searing Need by Tracey Devlyn




Her sister might be the law and her brothers the brawn, but Riley Kingston is definitely the brains of the family. She’s a talented botanist well on her way to a PhD—so why does she feel like a failure? Fired from a dream project in Costa Rica, Riley’s stuck back in her hometown. Cataloguing plants on Steele land keeps her busy, but it’s far from compelling work. Until she discovers a fascinating new specimen. One with a body made for pleasure . . . and eyes filled with a pain she longs to understand.

Delta Force operator Coen Monroe doesn’t want to be studied. Not even by the sexy scientist whose inquisitive glances stir up desires he isn’t ready to handle. He came to Steele Ridge to be alone, to battle his nightmares and the memories triggering them. But Riley’s gentle seduction is as relentless as her curiosity. She soothes his wounded soul . . . and fires up his defensive instincts. But once her research sparks a deadly conspiracy, Coen is exactly what she needs.

< When Riley is targeted by a sociopath bent on silencing her forever, Coen will do anything to protect her. But can he save the woman he loves without losing himself in the process?

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

Monday, November 12, 2018

Feature and Giveaway: A Christmas Miracle for the Doctor by Victoria James



Fall in love this holiday season with this heartwarming story about finding romance, the magic of Christmas, and the importance of family...

Children's bookstore owner Addie Mayberry believes in the magic of Christmas. Or at least, she used to. So when a young customer needs some seasonal optimism, Addie sets out to give the vulnerable, heartbroken little girl the best Christmas ever. Which means helping the hottest man in Shadow Creek, Bella's surgeon father, find his holiday spirit. Addie's up to the challenge, but between tree decorating and late night talks, she realizes she's starting to fall hard for the one man she definitely shouldn't.

Drew Barrett drastically changed his fast-paced life when he moved back to Shadow Creek, but it was all worth it to give his daughter a better life. He wasn't exactly winning dad-of-the-year awards before, so he's determined to make it up to Bella. And with Addie's help, he's slowly repairing his relationship with his daughter. The last thing he wants is to fall in love, since that road only leads to pain, but he can't stop thinking about Addie. Not only is she gorgeous, sweet, and great with Bella, she fills something in him he never knew was missing. But Addie wants forever, which is more than Drew can offer…

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