Archives for June 2021

The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage by Jessie Gussman

June 28, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage by Jessie Gussman
Sweet Water Ranch Western Cowboy Romance Book 5
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

It was supposed to be simple.

Marry the tall Texan. Her children get a father. They save the ranch.

A business transaction, nothing more. She definitely wasn’t going to fall in love. After her husband ran off with her little sister, she was no longer susceptible to cowboy charm.

Except, the North Dakota girl had never met a Texas cowboy.

He married her for the ranch.

A former champion bull rider needs a spread to call home, even if it is in North Dakota.

Even if it comes with four little kids.

And a big, black, slobbering dog.

Especially if it comes with a woman with enough sweetness and enough toughness to rope his heart and heal it.

The cowboy’s not afraid of anything…except losing his heart again.

Reading this romance was like breathing in a sweet, refreshing gust of air that cleared my mind of current worries and concerns. I needed an uplifting, positive romance read and I found it in The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage. I’d never read a story by Ms. Gussman before and I am pleased that my first book by this author ended up being a great experience.

The premise is simple. Rich guy leaves a lot of money to various people after he dies, but puts restrictions and provisos that seem ridiculous and unattainable at first glance. I don’t know how other books fared in the series, but in this book, even though it uses a well-known trope, the business arrangement of a marriage, or a marriage of convenience, was perfectly executed and delightfully told.

Rem is a banged up cowboy who has ridden his last champion bull. Elaine is a woman who’s burdened by choosing love and motherhood over the sometimes easier but often-chosen path of shared parenting in her divorce. Her burden isn’t because she chose single-parenthood – it’s because her family legacy and love of the land she called home is causing a hardship that was forcing her to face a choice she didn’t want to make – sell the farm. She’s hanging on by the skin of her teeth when Rem steps up to the plate.

I found it interesting that the author used other people, who must have been characters from a previous romance story, to vet and verify the quality and veracity of Rem and Elaine’s characters so the story could jump right into the good stuff. Two strangers agree to marry to secure their own ends and meet their most pressing concerns but end up doing the very last thing they thought they’d do – fall in love and heal the needs, hopes and lost dreams of their hearts. It’s their journey that the book is about and it’s filled with family, love, sacrifice and gentle humor.

There are too many details to cover that justify my high rating of this novel. I don’t want to accidentally spill spoilers either, so I’ll be vague. Rem’s growing relationship with Elaine’s four children is heartwarming to watch. The dog is sparsely applied but effective comic relief. Rem’s estranged relationship with his father and brother is briefly explored but provided interesting insight. Rem’s mom kind of rubbed me the wrong way – passive aggressive manipulation isn’t a favorite ploy of mine, but I still get the feeling that Rem loves his mom anyway, and she did love her son. The description of inside the home he grew up in kind of makes me understand why his mom might be the way she is. And, I’m really glad Rem ends up in North Dakota. I respect a man who makes his own decisions and makes his way in the world by not backing down from challenges. Elaine’s situation is a huge challenge to be sure, and the hero is more than up to the task of dealing with what looks to be insurmountable financial odds. I say insurmountable because the rich guy’s bequest might not be the boon everyone expected. How Rem deals with that is what makes him an awesome hero.

I would classify this romance as sensual. There are passionate thoughts, kisses and temptations but I appreciated that when the time finally came to be husband and wife in more than name only, the bedroom door closed. I am left knowing that they were satisfied with that part of their relationship and it was blissful, but I didn’t need explicit scenes to believe that their love and compatibility in that arena was genuine and beautiful.

The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage ends with an emotionally satisfying happy ever after with feelings of joy, contentment and the knowledge that they are now truly one big happy family where love and faith guide and nurture their hearts. The epilogue also includes a very effective hook for the next installment of the series. I’ll have to check it out because it sounds interesting and if it’s anything like this story, I’ll be in for another great read.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Getting to You by ML Uberti

June 28, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Getting to You by ML Uberti
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Zac Xavier is called from a meeting to find his wife, a teacher, is in a lockdown situation at her school. Rushing across town, he remembers when they first met.

In fear for her life, Emma is determined to protect her students at all costs. But while danger lurks closer, she flashes back to meeting her beloved husband.

Zac won’t stop until Emma’s safe, and Emma will do what she has to in order to protect her students. Will their love affair meet a tragic end or will they get their happily ever after?

Zac and Emma are happily married and deeply in love. When Zac gets a call that Emma – a teacher – is in a lockdown situation at her school he rushes to meet her. Both Zac and Emma flash back to their first meeting, can they get to each other in time?

This is a really different but thoroughly enjoyable story. I was absolutely surprised that I enjoyed the heavily flash-back style of plotline but somehow the author really made it work for me. I feel this won’t be a number of readers cup of tea. For starters there is a school lockdown due to an active shooter emergency and that could definitely be a trigger for some readers. The tension overall and student’s fear – as well as Emma’s fear and strong desire to protect her students – is I feel very tastefully and well written but I could completely understand if it’s simply a bit much (or too close to reality) for some readers. So this definitely won’t be for everyone. Also I feel – like myself – many readers might shy away from a romance that is centered more on recollections of the past and how Emma and Zac came to be together, rather than focusing on their present or future plans. It’s an odd way of writing a romance story and while I was skeptical at first, I really found it to be quite enjoyable.

Readers who can look past the fact that much of the relationship-building – and intimacy – in this story is told in flash-backs and text conversations should find like I did that this is an intense and wonderful story of two people determined to stay with each other and live a long, happy life together despite the odds.

Finally, I was amused – and curious – about Zac’s relationship with his brothers and found their banter and communications a delight to read. I’d absolutely pick up more stories about this family and am intrigued enough to look further into this author.

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Setting the Stage by Kat Martin – Guest Blog

June 28, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Kat Martin who is celebrating the recent release of The Perfect Murder, a Maximum Security novel.

SETTING THE STAGE

I love to write novels that revolve around interesting subjects. The bad news is, it’s usually a subject you don’t know anything about or you wouldn’t find it interesting. That involves a ton of research.

My latest release, THE PERFECT MURDER, the final book in my Maximum Security Series, is set around the offshore oil drilling industry. Since I couldn’t actually visit a platform off the Houston, Texas coast, I had to dig into the subject extensively. It’s a difficult, dangerous life, I learned, one that takes the men and women who work on the platforms away from their families for two or more weeks at a time.

I learned a lot and I’m hoping readers will find the subject interesting as well

In the THE PERFECT MURDER, Reese Garrett, CEO of Garrett Resources, a billion-dollar oil and gas corporation, is a man with a past who is determined to retain his hard-earned reputation by avoiding an affair with the beautiful woman who works for him, a valued and trusted employee.
When McKenzie Haines is accused of murder, Reese is forced to make a choice–one that could destroy his career or get him killed. It’s a fast-paced, high-stakes action adventure as well as a love story between two smart, determined people who refuse to give up no matter the odds.

I hope you’ll watch for THE PERFECT MURDER and that you enjoy. Until next time, all best and happy reading, Kat

The eldest of the three wealthy Garrett brothers, Reese Garrett is in the middle of a major purchase for his multimillion-dollar oil and gas company, Garrett Resources. The Poseidon offshore drilling platform venture will greatly enhance the company’s value.

But when Reese is on a trip out to see the rig, his helicopter crashes, leaving him hospitalized and two men dead. It’s discovered the chopper was sabotaged, and Reese is determined to find out who’s behind the crash—and whether he was the intended target. Then, when his lover, Kenzie, is accused of her ex-husband’s murder—a man with a vested interest in the Poseidon deal—clues start pointing to a connection that puts Reese, Kenzie and her young son in the sights of a killer.

From the Texas heat to the Louisiana bayous, Reese and his brothers must track down the truth before the body count gets any higher.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Seconds after the chopper lifted off the pad, Reese felt the odd vibration. Along with the pilot and co-pilot and five members of the crew, the Eurocopter EC135 was headed for the Poseidon offshore drilling platform.

For a moment, the ride leveled out and Reese relaxed against his seat. As CEO of Garrett Resources, the billion-dollar oil and gas company he owned with his brothers, he was always searching for the right investment to expand company holdings, the reason he was flying out to the platform.

For months he’d been working with Sea Titan Drilling, the owner of the offshore rig, to complete the five-hundred-million-dollar purchase, an extremely good value when the average price of a similar rig was around six-fifty.

The vibration returned and with it came a grinding noise that put Reese on alert. The men in the cabin began to glance back and forth and shift nervously in their seats. A sharp jolt, then the chopper seemed to fall out of the sky. It climbed again, began to dip and sway, dropped then climbed as the pilot fought for control.

The pilot’s deep voice rumbled through the headset. “We’ve got a problem. I don’t want you to panic, but we need to find a place to set down.”

There was definitely a problem, Reese thought, as the vibration continued to worsen. The chopper was out of control and the whole cabin was shaking as if it would break apart any minute. His pulse was hammering, his adrenalin pumping.

Along with the men in the crew who rode back and forth from the rig every few weeks, he stared out the window toward the ground. They were no longer above the heliport. Clearly the pilot was looking for an open space big enough to handle the thirty-six-foot blade span. All Reese could see were the rooftops of warehouses and metal commercial buildings.

The chopper kept shaking. The crew was grim-faced but resigned. The pilot did something to take the pitch out of the rotors and the chopper started falling.

“No need to worry,” the pilot said. “We’ll auto-rotate down. I’ve done it a dozen times.”

About the Author: New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin, a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, currently resides in Missoula, Montana with Western-author husband, L. J. Martin. More than seventeen million copies of Kat’s books are in print, and she has been published in twenty foreign countries. Fifteen of her recent novels have taken top-ten spots on the New York Times Bestseller List, and her novel, BEYOND REASON, was recently optioned for a feature film. Kat’s latest novel, THE ULTIMATE BETRAYAL, a Romantic Thriller, was released in paperback December 29th. The final 2 books in her Maximum Security series will be release in June, COME MIDNIGHT, a short story on June 1st, and THE PERFECT MURDER, a novel in hardcover on June 22nd.

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Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Romance

Writing Multiple Genres by Ana Jolene – Guest Blog and Giveaway

June 28, 2021 By 1 Comment

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Ana Jolene who is celebrating the recent release of In My Dreams, book six in her Moonrise Beach series. Leave a comment or ask the author a question for the chance to win a copy of the book.

Writing Multiple Genres

I’ve been a reader for a very long time and in those years, one of my favorite things is when authors merge different genres together to create something totally unique and new. My debut series, the Glory MC series, blended together New Adult, Dystopian and Erotic Romance in a thrilling mix and now I’ve continued to do the same with my Contemporary Romance series, Moonrise Beach.

The newest installment to the series is called IN MY DREAMS and it blends Contemporary and Women’s Fiction elements together. Why do I like to do this with my books? Well, I think it’s because you can really play around with the theme and characters of the book better. Take the heroine of IN MY DREAMS for example. Sage Bishop has appeared in the other Moonrise Beach books for a while now and has experienced a lot of pain and heartbreak. So when it was her time to have a happily-ever-after, I wanted to showcase her personal journey more.

Women’s Fiction focuses a lot on the heroine’s struggles and growth and so, IN MY DREAMS definitely dives deeper into Sage’s personal grief. It’s only when Bodhi, the hero of the story, returns to Moonrise Beach that she begins to heal from her past by embracing it rather than trying to run away from it.

IN MY DREAMS has come one of my most emotional and poignant books to date and many readers and reviewers have already shown their praise for it. It truly makes me happy to see you all enjoying the book as it was a bit out of my comfort zone. But I think all the extra work was worth it in the end. IN MY DREAMS is definitely a book that I’m proud of.

Sage Bishop lost everything when her husband, Cole, died in a tragic car accident. But in overcoming her grief, she has also managed to create the first dog café in Moonrise Beach. Although Latte Love is bursting with success, Sage still feels the hollow ache that her husband’s absence has left behind.

After the death of his older brother, Bodhi Evans fled the country and moved to Australia to pursue his surfing career. But when his training brings him back to Moonrise Beach, Bodhi must come face-to-face with his grief and his brother’s widow—the same woman who he has loved since he was a child.

Will seeing each other again after all these years reopen old wounds? Or will Sage and Bodhi finally be able to let go of the past and discover the healing power of love?

About the AuthorAna Jolene is the author of the Glory MC series, a New Adult Dystopian and the Contemporary Romance series, Moonrise Beach.

Growing up as a rebellious kid didn’t allow for much reading time. It wasn’t until Ana was in university that she found her passion for books and has since then devoured every book placed before her. Ana holds a B.A. in Psychology and has worked in both IT and Administration. But she’s had the most fun in the bookish world, working as a reviewer, columnist, and assistant to multiple sites and best-selling authors.

Ana currently lives in Toronto with her family and an extremely lazy Shih Tzu whom she adores. To learn more about Ana and her books, please visit her websiteand subscribe to the newsletter to be notified of the hottest new releases and giveaways!

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Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

June 25, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

What happens when America’s First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?

When his mother became President, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius―his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There’s only one problem: Alex has a beef with the actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex-Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse.

Heads of family, state, and other handlers devise a plan for damage control: staging a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, Instragramable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret romance with a surprisingly unstuffy Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations and begs the question: Can love save the world after all? Where do we find the courage, and the power, to be the people we are meant to be? And how can we learn to let our true colors shine through? Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue proves: true love isn’t always diplomatic.

A fun story of love conquering all.

This is my first book by Casey McQuiston and won’t be the last. The characters were fun and the story intriguing. It’s cute. Royals and the closest thing America has to royals getting together and being gay! Sounds like a winner.

The writing style sort of put me off at times. I’m not a fan of present tense writing, but this might not be a turn off for all readers. There were times when the story was choppy, but again, this might not be a bad thing for all readers. It was me. I would’ve rather had the story from Alex and Henry’s point of view, instead of the way it was done—but that’s on me.

If one is looking for super hot scenes this one might not work, but if you’re looking for cute, sweet scenes where it’s implied things are happening in the bedroom, then this one is for you.

A cute story for a lazy afternoon.

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The Last Days of John Lennon by James Patterson, Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge

June 25, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Last Days of John Lennon by James Patterson, Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co
Genre: Historical, Non-Fiction, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The greatest true-crime story in music history, as only James Patterson can tell it.

With the Beatles, John Lennon surpasses his youthful dreams, achieving a level of superstardom that defies classification. “We were the best bloody band there was,” he says. “There was nobody to touch us.” Nobody except the original nowhere man, Mark David Chapman. Chapman once worshipped his idols from afar—but now harbors grudges against those, like Lennon, whom he feels betrayed him. He’s convinced Lennon has misled fans with his message of hope and peace. And Chapman’s not staying away any longer.

By the summer of 1980, Lennon is recording new music for the first time in years, energized and ready for it to be “(Just Like) Starting Over.” He can’t wait to show the world what he will do.

Neither can Chapman, who quits his security job and boards a flight to New York, a handgun and bullets stowed in his luggage.

The greatest true-crime story in music history, as only James Patterson can tell it. Enriched by exclusive interviews with Lennon’s friends and associates, including Paul McCartney, The Last Days of John Lennon is the thrilling true story of two men who changed history: One whose indelible songs enliven our world to this day—and the other who ended the beautiful music with five pulls of a trigger.

The last days of John Lennon. There isn’t much more to say.

Okay, there’s a little more to say. This is the first book I’ve ever read by James Patterson, Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge. It reads like a compilation and seemed more to be about length than depth.

I know that sounds strange. This book seemed to touch on lots of little bits here and there about John Lennon’s life, intermixed with the actions of Mark David Chapman on the last days of John’s life. If one is a Beatles or John Lennon fan, then much of the details are already known. Not much new is presented. If you’re reading just for fun or to go on a ride, then this might be the book for you.

The book read like a thriller one might pick up for true crime night or for book club, but there wasn’t much depth to the tale and this is a complicated story.

Fans of Patterson might readily pick this one up. I’m glad I read it and it was a one-sitting sort of read, so it was worth the time.

If you’re interested in John Lennon, his murder or just like crime books, then this might be for you.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Sun, Sea and Surprises by Larissa Vine

June 25, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Sun, Sea and Surprises by Larissa Vine
Publisher: Totally Entwined Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Summer of surprises…or summer of love?

Tessa feels like pinching herself. She’s going to be a bridesmaid at the wedding of the summer on an exotic island in Thailand. Finally, this is her chance at the A-lister life and the glitz and success that are sure to follow. All she has to do is shape up enough to look stunning in her bridesmaid’s dress. Easy, right? Especially with the super-hot and super-famous fitness star Josh Jordan to train her.

Josh Jordan can’t wait to coach Tessa. Not only will he get to spend time with her, but he’ll be doing what he loves, training people—the grass roots of his fitness empire. His summer’s starting out nicely, apart from one thing. He’s inherited a greedy, slobbery dog that seems hell-bent on shedding hair and chewing up every goddamn stick of furniture in his penthouse apartment.

As Josh and Tessa begin their workouts, their lust for each other blossoms. But with the wedding looming, Tessa still has a lot to achieve, and Josh continues to be at loggerheads with the dog.

Their summer turns out to be one surprise after another…but can they turn it into a summer of love?

If you are looking for a sweet, light-hearted romance to while away a couple of hours on the beach, then this may be just the book for you.

Our two main characters meet and fall into insta-lust, quickly followed by constant over-thinking the other, and trying to arrange “accidental” meet-ups. The reason for this is a wedding – where the bride calls the female MC up after TEN YEARS to ask her to be her bridesmaid. Why? No idea. I’ve got my thoughts, but it is one of the questions that isn’t answered.

From America to Thailand, and back again, this book will give you some summer heat as the two MCs try to figure out their lives and spend time together. Have a read and see what surprises are in store for you.

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Creating Characters by Claire Gillies – Guest Blog and Giveaway

June 25, 2021 By 2 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Claire Gillies will be awarding a signed copy of the book. (International) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Creating characters, how I visualise them

On The Edge is my first novel, and I have to say this book took years to write! I originally started writing when I had a similar life experience to the main protagonist, Cat. Much like her, I left my office job to go live on a remote Scottish island. During the time I was living on the island, the book got put on hold for a few years; one reason being, I had no idea how to write! I know, not the thing you say, right? Learning this skill has taken time and I know I will keep learning as I go!

So, when it came to writing characters, I wanted to write about a regular girl from a humble background, facing struggles that many of us do. In my mind I knew she was a redhead, her features being very Celtic. Her image was there in my mind from the start, it was the other characters I needed time to visualise…

When I start writing now, I usually mark up the points of the story on post-it notes, then I write down bullet points under each character. These points relate to how they look; what eye colour, hair colour etc, but also their personality traits and common words they might use. These character profiles are essential when you’re in the middle of writing and you forget everything – “ah what hair colour did they have?!” So, I have learned the hard way that this happens often, and it is important to keep note of their personality points. A big part of my process now is Pinterest! When I have established the characters, I use Pinterest to bring them to life them in my mind. I’ve now adopted Pinterest into my process for my next two books and it really is a useful, but fun way to visualise. The love interest in On the Edge is gorgeous Irishman Patrick, a cheeky musician with dark features. To my surprise I found the perfect actor to reflect him – Poldark’s Aidan Turner….no wonder I enjoy this process of finding character images!

You can find the On The Edge Pinterest board under Claire Gillies.

Catherine MacGregor spends life daydreaming her way out of the perils of a dead-end job, and a dwindling love-life. Rather than face imminent redundancy, Cat finds herself giving up her life in the city, and moving to a remote Scottish island for a fresh start.

Unlocking her passion for art, things have never looked better, until the handsome but elusive musician Patrick Flannagan takes to the stage, complicating her best-laid plans.

Cat’s past could be catching up with her at last. Can she unlock her own secrets, and learn to love again, in time to save her brave new beginnings?

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Hey, just because I don’t go around snogging boys! I’ve only recently split up with my long-term boyfriend!”

“That was two months ago!” Jess cried,

“I know – that’s recent!”

“No it’s not! It’s not like you’ve been left a widow and loved your husband ’til the end; you told me you’d fallen out of love with Dave a long time before you left. What are you waiting for?” Jess looked wide-eyed.

Cat chewed the inside of her mouth and looked down, unable to meet Jess’s gaze. “I don’t know”.

Just then the phone beeped, making the two girls jump.

“It’s fine, whatever the outcome” Cat assured herself loudly.

Jess pressed buttons on her phone, and silently read for what seemed to Cat an eternity.

“You are good to go my friend!” Jess wiggled on the bed and held her phone up to Jess to read “Single!”

The two girls whooped and bounced on the bed.

“You read that for a long time. Jeez, I can’t believe how much I wanted him to be single!” Cat screeched, then quickly covered her mouth in surprise and embarrassment.

“Well, the lovely Kate said he was with a girl for a few years. She was local, but she’s now living in Australia. They split up, not sure why.” Jess re-read the message aloud, and they both settled down on the bed.

“What now?” Cat grinned at her friend.

“Bacon and eggs?” Jess pleaded with big blue eyes.

“I’ll get my purse,” Cat smiled and for the first time in a long while, thought that life couldn’t get any better.

About the Author: Born and raised in the Highlands of Scotland, Claire’s homeland continues to be a stream of inspiration for her. A clothing designer too, Claire (Lorna) creates one-off bespoke garments using Scottish tweeds and tartans.

Claire currently splits her time between Scotland and Australia with her lovely Irish husband. She is a cat lover (without the cat) and can be found either drinking coffee, researching the best cake haunts, or watching yet another costume drama!

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Kendra’s Keeper by Katherine E. Hunt – Spotlight and Giveaway

June 25, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Katherine E. Hunt who is celebrating the recent release of Kendra’s Keeper, the second book in her Mended Hearts series. Enter to win a fabulous gift package and get a FREE eBook from the author!

When Ethan, her childhood sweetheart, turns up on her doorstep, Kendra must learn to love or risk losing him once again.

Kendra, a regular member of the Winchester Widows Sex Club, is perfectly happy with the life she has built since the loss of her husband. Sure, one of her lovers is leaving to start a new life, but she still has her regular, Chip, and there’s even a new guy in the club to keep her occupied. She doesn’t get attached—and that suits her just fine.

But when her first love, Ethan, turns up on her doorstep, he brings with him painful memories of secrets and lies—feelings that Kendra has safely tucked away for years.

Can she allow him back into her life and her bed without those pesky little feelings getting in the way? Is her carefree existence not as liberated and uncomplicated as it first appears? Maybe Ethan is just what she needs to finally open her heart to love.

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Say my name.” Striding up behind me and about to enter me for the very last time, Military Guy had suddenly decided he had demands. “Just for tonight, call me by my name.”

“Uh…” He looked a bit like a Josh. Think, Kendra. I searched the dregs of my mind. “I like Military Guy. It suits you.”

He lifted my arms one at a time, placing them on the wall like he was going to do a body search. “You don’t know it, do you?”

Crap.

“I do. I just… Well, you know I don’t get involved—names, family and all… I don’t do that. You know this.”

He traced a finger down my spine, making me flinch. “Three months, Kendra. Three months I’ve been sleeping in your bed at least once a week, and you don’t even know my name.”

“Sleeping?” Yeah, that wasn’t exactly what I’d have called it. “Josh?” I proffered.

“Josh! Do I look like a Josh? You’ve got to be kidding me. This is not going to go unpunished.” He pulled my butt toward his crotch, rubbed his coarse hands around my cheeks, then slapped gently, but it was sharp enough to sting. “Try again.”

He slid his cock, hard and ready, under me, waiting to take me again. Fuck. My mind was a complete blank. Why don’t I listen more?

“Nick?” Slap. “Matt?” He chuckled and slapped again. I closed my eyes and tried to remember the name on his uniform. “Dan. It’s Dan.”

A warm body lay over my back, enveloping me, “Say my name,” he whispered in my ear as he entered me from behind.

“Oh, Daniel.” It purred out of my mouth as he thrust into me. He snaked his hand around and under my belly, holding me to him. “Fuck me, Daniel.” He found my clit with his fingers, and I grasped the wall as he filled me.

Daniel was a strong, powerful man, who looked like he was made of ninety percent muscle. Lifting and holding me to him while he thrust into my body came easily to him.

He pulled out then turned me around “I want to look at you if it’s going to be the last time.” Lifting me, he lowered me onto his dick with my arms splayed out behind me, steadying me, my legs wrapped around his trim waist.

He grabbed me and slowed, grinding and turning until he found the perfect position. Ecstasy. Only Daniel could make me come without touching my clit. He just had to find my G-spot, and I was putty in his big, strong hands.

Who taught you this? How do you know?

He teased me, listening to my rapid breaths, bending his head to suck on my breasts. “I want to make you come so you’ll never forget me.” He yanked his crotch forward, changing the angle.

“Fuck.” A million nerve endings screamed at the same time as I did, sending a jolt through my body. The man was a machine, twisting and contorting his body, carrying me with his bare hands and making me writhe with pleasure. I threw back my head and screamed his name as my pussy tightened around him and sent waves of pleasure crashing onto his dick.

“Shit.” He spun around as he came, unable to hold me, his legs giving way with the strength of his own orgasm. “Shit, Kendra. You wipe me out every time.”

Lowering me gently onto the bed, he slipped off the condom and flopped down next to me, completely spent.

“I’m going to miss you, Daniel.”

“You’re going to miss this dick.” He thrust his crotch, his tired cock doing a final dance of honor.

“No, seriously. I know I don’t say these things—the cute, girlfriend-type things—but I’ll still miss you.”

“It doesn’t have to be over.”

Oh, bless his heart.

“Of course it does. You’re going to go save the world, fall in love with a sweet, young woman, buy a nice little house with a white picket fence and have lots of cute babies. That’s how it should be.”

He enveloped me in his toned arm and, for once, I left it there and settled down to sleep. I wasn’t usually much of a hugger, but this was a special night.

“Get some sleep. Big day tomorrow.” Training over, I was giving Dan his marching orders…straight out of my life.

People leave. I’d come to expect it. When my husband had died suddenly a few years back, it was almost as if I’d been wondering why he hadn’t done it earlier.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… Don’t get attached. No names, no families. It’s better that way.

About the AuthorKatherine E Hunt ran off with a Frenchman twenty years ago. She now lives on a French mountain with three children and two dogs. When she isn’t writing contemporary romance she can be found huddled up in front of a roaring fire, with a glass of Chardonnay in one hand and a book in the other.

You can find out more about Katherine on her website.

Website | Goodreads | First for Romance

Buy the book at your favorite venue or First for Romance.

KATHERINE E. HUNT IS GIVING AWAY THIS FABULOUS PRIZE TO ONE LUCKY WINNER. ENTER HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A LOVELY GIFT PACKAGE AND GET YOUR FREE KATHERINE E. HUNT ROMANCE BOOK! Notice: This competition ends on 6th July 2021 at 5pm GMT. Competition hosted by Totally Entwined Group.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Guest Blogs Tagged With: ,

Friday Five Writing Prompt Challenge for June 25, 2021

June 25, 2021 By 1 Comment

Each Friday, Long and Short Reviews hosts a weekly five word writing prompt. For more details on how to participate, please click here.

Every month, we’ll have a giveaway with four winners — prizes for June will be winner’s choice of a $5 Amazon GC -or- a 3 month LASR Cover only ad! Enter on the Rafflecopter below (but make sure you also include your URL on the link list).

Today’s five words to use as your prompt are: ally, fool, pool, revenge, tense

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Filed Under: Friday Five Writing Prompt Challenge, Miscellaneous Musings Tagged With: , , ,
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