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#Review of Claiming the Drakos Heir (Greek Island Brides #2) by Jennifer Faye w/a rafflecopter giveaway! @JenniferFaye34 @HarliquinBooks @PrismBookTours #CTDHBT #giveaway #bookreview #booklover #booktour #newbooks #reading #bookworms #booknerds #bookaholic

June 6, 2019 Admin

Claiming the Drakos Heir
(Greek Island Brides #2)
By Jennifer Faye
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 256 Pages
June 1st 2019 by Harlequin Romance

The rebel bachelor is back…

To claim her baby!

In this Greek Island Brides story, pregnant surrogate Popi Costas is faced with raising her late sister’s child alone, until the baby’s wealthy uncle arrives to take charge! Apollo Drakos is distractingly handsome, but Popi won’t let that stop her from fighting to keep the baby. Yet as she gets to know the man behind the wild card reputation, Popi’s reconsidering welcoming Apollo into her new little family…

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EXCERPT

One dance led to another. The bride and groom were all smiles, as they had eyes only for each other. Popi considered this wedding a success. She took her first easy breath.

And the next thing she knew, she was being led around the dance floor by the best man, Roberto, who was also Xander’s close friend and second-in-command. She’d met him more than once, and though Lea was anxious for them to hit it off, it wasn’t going to happen. Popi couldn’t put her finger on why. He was definitely handsome and successful, but neither one was into the other. They were becoming fast friends, but that’s all it would ever be.

Partway through the song, there was a tap on Roberto’s shoulders. Popi’s gaze followed the finger up the arm and then her gaze settled upon the sexy stranger’s face. Apparently it was time for their talk. She had to admit that she was anxious to learn his identity and what he had to tell her.

“Can I cut in?” The stranger wore a serious expression.

Roberto, looking caught off guard, stopped dancing. “Um…” His gaze moved to her and she nodded. “Thank you for the dance.” Roberto turned back to the other man. “She’s all yours.”

The man took Popi in his quite capable arms, but there was no escaping their closeness with her protruding abdomen. No one had long enough arms to allow for much room between them—not even this man.

“What are you doing?” Her voice came out in a heated whisper.

“Dancing. With you.” He led her around the dance floor.

“But I don’t know your name. I don’t even understand why you’re at the wedding—”

“Shh… I’ll answer all your questions after one dance. That seems like a fair bargain, doesn’t it?” He smiled at her, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

His words were smooth, but she got the impression there was more going on here than him trying to pick her up. Although, a man with his striking good looks being interested in dancing with a woman almost nine months pregnant was an offer she couldn’t turn down.

She nodded her consent.

His muscled arm moved to her waist while he took her hand in his and held it to his chest. Her heart was racing madly. She assured herself it was the physical activity and nothing to do with the handsome man holding her in his arms.

His gaze met hers and held it. She wasn’t able to read his thoughts, but that didn’t keep her heart from continuing to race. Was it wrong to acknowledge that he was the sexiest man at the wedding? On the island?

I’m a sucker for babies and pregnancy stories but Ms. Faye takes to another level. Putting two very wounded people together that shouldn’t be with one another but really do. In other words, they belonged together. Just took them a while and the bonus was the baby. The journey was long with some issues along the way but I totally understood the story arc from the first book til this one. Do you have to read the first one to understand this story? No, you don’t but I did review it and it’s a good one. Here’s the link: Review link

What sets this book apart from the pack is the emotional connection that I felt for both Popi and Apollo from the start. I could immediately tell that getting these two together would a tough road and Ms. Faye doesn’t make it easy for them. They are both emotionally scared from the deaths of her sister and his brother. Oh yes, we finally get a backstory on Nile and Adrina. It’s a fascinating story that could only be told through Apollo and Popi’s eyes. In the end, I felt like their deaths were necessary for Apollo and Popi to find each other, let go of the hurt that they had experienced with them and finally be able to find love.

The setting is again lush and exotic. The gardens at the estate sounded just wonderful and I especially liked how Ms. Faye wove Apollo’s adventures to his tending the overgrown gardens. Their relationship is intense from the beginning with the storm, the birth of the baby and then finding their footing when it came to just living in the estate once the baby is born. Anna, the housekeeper is a great secondary character that helps Apollo, in the end, understand his relationship with Popi. While this is on the sweet side, the romantic build up is well done. The chemistry is palpable and emotional. Again, don’t discount Harlequin Romance.

Overall, this is a great addition to the Greek Island Brides trilogy. We get to see Xander and Lea, which is a bonus for me. I can’t wait for Stasia’s story. Should be a doozy.

Freebie

Go to Jennifer’s Contact Page HERE and order your bookmark(s)!

The Greek Island Brides Series
Finding love that lasts to infinity!

All marriages that take place on renowned wedding destination Infinity Island are guaranteed to last forever!

And the picturesque Greek island is about to weave its magic for friends Lea, Popi and Stasia. They dream of finding their own happy-ever-afters… And they’re about to meet three billionaires who will sweep them off their feet—and down the aisle!

Follow Lea’s journey from surprise pregnancy to dream proposal in…

Book #1 – Carrying the Greek Tycoon’s Baby

From one night…

To nine months!

In this Greek Island Brides story, for jaded tycoon Xander Marinakos, renowned wedding destination Infinity Island is just another opportunity to expand his empire. Until he’s captivated by its beautiful owner, Lea Romes… When their one night together has unexpected consequences, Xander must negotiate the deal of a lifetime, and put his guarded heart on the table to convince independent Lea they can be a family…for infinity!

Order Now: Amazon│AmazonUK│AmazonCA
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And coming September 2019…

Book #3 – Wearing the Greek Millionaire’s Ring

A convenient engagement…

An inconvenient attraction!

In this Greek Island Brides story, widow Stasia Marinakos is learning to enjoy life again aboard a Mediterranean cruise. Her chemistry with gorgeous Greek tycoon Roberto Carrass is a pleasant surprise—until she’s mistaken for his fiancée! Nevertheless, the guarded bachelor asks Stasia to continue the charade to stop his family from matchmaking. As their attraction grows, their fake romance feels ever more real…but what will happen when the vacation ends?

Pre-order Now: Amazon│AmazonUK│AmazonCA
B&N│Harlequin│Kobo│iBooks│GooglePlay

About the Author

Award-winning author, Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming contemporary romances with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and enchanting royalty. Internationally published with books translated into nine languages. She is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous other awards.

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Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

1 winner will receive a copy of Carrying the Greek Tycoon’s Baby (print if US, ebook if INT) and a $25 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally
Ends June 12, 2019

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Excerpt, Giveaways, Reviews

#Review of No Angels for Christmas by Petie McCarty w/a rafflecopter giveaway!

May 30, 2019May 29, 2019 Admin

No Angels for Christmas

by Petie McCarty

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Contemporary Romance with suspenseful elements

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BLURB:

No Angels for Christmas . . . a cozy romantic mystery with suspense from The Mystery Angel Romances series. An angel hidden in every book waiting for you to figure who . . .

Child psychologist Rachel Kelly isn’t quite sure how to handle the situation with her newest client — a six-year-old boy who says he can talk to angels and one is coming to help Rachel. She already has her hands full of trouble this Christmas season, and things quickly take a turn for the worse when a stalker crashes Rachel’s Christmas party and takes her young clients hostage.

Police negotiator, Lt. Jake Dillon, walked away from his fiancée Rachel when she suddenly balked at having kids. His kids. Yet when the hostage crisis erupts, Rachel calls Jake first. Now he has a choice to make — stand back and wait for the cavalry to save Rachel or step in and try to save her himself. Time is running out, and Jake may be their only chance for rescue.

Unless Rachel’s little angel-spying client is telling the truth…

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Excerpt Three:

“Since this isn’t our Publix, I’m assuming you stopped on your way home from work,” Jake said when she reached his side.

Our Publix? Did he even realize he’d said that?

“You’re right,” she replied. “So why are you here?”

“My apartment’s just around the corner.”

Ouch.

That simple statement shouldn’t hurt—she knew his apartment was near here—but it did. She nodded.

“I’ll help you out.” He gently nudged her hands off the cart handle and took over, setting his own bag on top of her stack.

Rachel paced alongside the grocery cart as they moved through the electronic door and knew a moment of joy that her parking spot lay at the far end of the lot. She would have a few extra moments to be with him. How pitiful was that? She eased a step closer, anxious to inhale his unique scent of soap, aftershave, and pure Jake.

He glanced over and caught her staring. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she hoped he didn’t notice the flush.

“Jake, look out!” She grabbed the cart to stop it just short of a car backing out.

He gave her his sexy crooked Jake-smile. “Guess I should keep my eyes on the road.”

Her heart ka-thumped inside her chest. “At least until we get to the car.”

His smile went to an all-out grin.

Had she just flirted with him? Had it been that easy to get past her trauma for a few brief minutes?

Far sooner than she would have liked, he stopped the grocery cart next to her Honda and helped stow her bags in the trunk, leaving his in the cart.

“Thanks for helping me,” Rachel told him.

“I’m glad you decided to stop at this Publix tonight.”

“You are?”

“Yeah. I’m glad I got to see you.” Jake grazed a knuckle gently across her cheek leaving a streak of tingly nerve endings in its wake.

“But I thought you wanted . . . I mean, I haven’t heard from you . . .” She cleared her throat. “. . . in a long time. I thought you might’ve . . .”

Why couldn’t she finish a sentence tonight? Bad enough she felt pathetic, now she sounded pathetic.

“You thought I might’ve what?”

She swallowed hard. “Might’ve found someone else by now.”

He studied her for a long moment. “After all we meant to each other, you thought I’d go right out and grab a new girlfriend, just like that?” His mouth tightened to a thin line.

She hadn’t meant to rile him. The last thing she wanted to do was fight with him. Without thinking, she reached up and brushed two fingers gently across his lips, wanting that sensuous mouth to smile at her again.

She startled him, and he jerked at her touch. She whisked her fingers away. “Sorry. I don’t want you to be mad.”

His gaze trapped hers, his pupils expanding until little of the brilliant green remained. “There’s no new girlfriend, Rachel,” he said gruffly.

“No?”

He slowly shook his head, his all-dark eyes tracking hers. He seemed closer than he’d been a minute earlier.

She exhaled hard. “Not yet anyway.”

He frowned.

Why had she said that?

“No, not yet,” he said flatly.

“I’m glad,” she said quickly.

Screw pride.

“Are you?”

He was definitely closer now. If she eased forward just a few inches, she could press her lips to his, feel that certain sizzle that always flared when they touched. But Jake had walked out on her. His move. Though she ached with the need to hold him, if only for a second.

“Yes. Very glad. I don’t want you to find someone else—”

His lips brushed hers into silence—sweeping gently across as though seeking permission—the touch just light enough to make her lean in for more. He didn’t miss the movement and kissed her again, his lips settling on hers and nibbling at her lower lip.

The sensuous teasing had her knees growing weak, and she grabbed the placket of his dress shirt to steady herself.

He didn’t miss that movement either, and he cradled her cheeks in his big palms to deepen the kiss.

Suddenly lightheaded with desire, she twisted her knuckles into his shirt to keep him close. She didn’t care if they were kissing in front of God and everybody. If Jake wanted to throw her down here in the middle of the Publix parking lot, she was ready. She could always shop at Winn-Dixie.

Admittedly, this is not my first book by Ms. McCarty and this is the second book in a nonconnected series that I have read. Ms. McCarty just keeps getting better and better with her storytelling and characters. I will warn you though, this book has a lot of characters so you really need to pay attention when you read it. Did I figure out the angel in this story? Not a chance but when it was revealed I was actually shocked. I would also say that this book has romantic elements, not a full-blown romance. Jake and Rachel have a lot to go through before you get the big payoff and its worth it in the end.

Jake and Rachel have broken up at the beginning of the book and only the reader and Rachel know why. Poor Jake. He just can’t get a break with Rachel and their relationship. Miscommunication is a big thing with these two and a time or two, I just wanted to bash them in the head but then there would be no story to finish. 🙂 Both have huge hearts when it comes to their jobs and it shows but when it comes to each other, not so much. I won’t tell you the reason why they broke up but I understand it. It’s just that Rachel really needed to be honest with Jake from the beginning.

The mystery and suspense in the book are fantastic. Taut and suspenseful, I honestly didn’t know how it was all going to play out in the end. Truly, I didn’t. Just when you think the story is over, there are two more very important scenes that are just terrific and really solidified the book for me. The kids in the book, Chad, Emily and Alex are dealing with some issues that are not easy to read in the book. From physical abuse, a child pedophile and then just thinking your child is crazy because he can see angels. Ms. McCarty has done her research and it shows. Bravo and I loved how the kids bounded in the end. Especially Chad and Emily. Brought a smile to my face.

Overall, I really liked No Angels for Christmas. Ms. McCarty knows how to write a book and keep the reader engaged. This is not an easy book to read in parts but well worth it in the end. Plus, Jake and Rachel…well, you need to read it. Enjoy.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Petie spent a large part of her career working at Walt Disney World—”The Most Magical Place on Earth”—where she enjoyed working in the land of fairy tales by day and creating her own romantic fairy tales by night, including her new series, The Cinderella Romances. She eventually said good-bye to her “day” job to write her stories full-time. These days Petie spends her time writing sequels to her regency time-travel series, Lords in Time, and her cozy-mystery-with-romantic-suspense series, the Mystery Angel Romances.

Petie shares her home on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with her horticulturist husband and a noisy Nanday conure named Sassy who made a cameo appearance in No Angels for Christmas.

Visit Petie’s web site online at http://www.petiemccarty.com or her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/petie.mccarty.

BIO Social Media:

http://www.petiemccarty.com

https://www.facebook.com/petie.mccarty

https://twitter.com/authorpetie

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6094579.Petie_McCarty

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/petie-mccarty

https://www.pinterest.com/petiemccarty

http://www.amazon.com/author/petiemccarty

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-mccarty-30851412

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

Petie McCarty will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC and 3 ebook copies of Duke Du Jour, book 1 of the Lords in Time series to 4 randomly drawn winners (one prize per winner) via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Excerpt, Giveaways, New Release, Reviews

#Review of The Virgin Club by Kayley Wood w/a rafflecopter giveaway! #contemporaryromance

April 12, 2019April 11, 2019 Admin

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kayley Wood will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Challenge: Lose my virginity before my 24th birthday. Time Left: 23 days.

Appletinis, a semi-meltdown, and a ‘Lose My Virginity Challenge’ post. That’s all it took for my little blog to go viral.

I’m going to be fine. I’m anonymous. I can just delete the post and pretend it never happened. No big deal, right?

Wrong!

My co-worker crush, Logan—gorgeous, yummy and out of my league—found out about my secret deadline-driven cherry popping quest.

Humiliated would be an understatement.

Fortunately, my besties come to the rescue with a brilliant plan that involves my trending blog. If all went smoothly, I’d not only win over the untouchable Logan but also live my dream of becoming a full-time writer.

The plan isn’t just brilliant, it’s perfect… until my new boss, Alexander Freeman comes into the picture with his Brooks Brothers suit and Tom Ford briefcase.

So what if the Stiff is hot? I will not ruin my one chance with Logan or my dream career.

But I’m in more trouble than I originally thought.

Turns out Alex has a few intentions of his own and a huge secret I’m totally unprepared for.

Read an Excerpt

Group Text
To: Jada, Lauren
From: Emma

E: Logan knows I’m the author of The Virgin Club which means he knows about my stupid Virgin Challenge!!!

E: He was working at Freeman Foxx when I broke my nose. I told him it was me and I totally forgot I wrote a post about it.

L: OMG

J: Wow!

E: Yeah, been through that stage already. What the hell do I do now??? How can I go into work tomorrow and face him? That’s it. I’m quitting my job. Hey Lauren, if I lose my apartment can I take your spare room?

L: Of course you can.

J: You’re not quitting your job or moving out! Take a deep breath and let’s take this one step at a time.

E: Ok. I’m semi-calm now. So what’s the first step?

J: Are you sure he knows it’s you?

E: Yes, he sent me a message. It was definitely him and he obviously found the blog because my dumb Virgin Challenge post is trending.

L: Was his message flirty?

E: Yes, like he was teasing me with it.

J: Is he still with that obnoxious girl who needed a smack upside the head?

E: No. They broke up a few weeks ago.

J: Well this is interesting news 🙂

L: I can almost see the light bulb going on in your head lol.

E: Oh no. What?

J: Confession time. Do you still like Logan?

E: I’ve already been there. I’m not embarrassing myself again. Logan knowing I’m a virgin is bad enough.

J: Answer the question, Emma. Do you like him or not?

E: Yes.

J: Enough that you would welcome him “taking on your over-expired V-card”?

E: Yes, but I obviously suck at reading signals. I don’t even know if he’s interested, single or not.

J: There are ways to get around that and they start with your blog.

E: My blog? No. Absolutely not.

J: FaceTime me. I think once you hear my plan, you’ll change your mind 🙂

L: Count me in too! I am NOT missing this.

E: Ok, but it better be good.

J: It’s not good. It’s brilliant.

New author to Harlie and boy, I’m a glad that I read this book. I know that this book is not listed, per se, as a contemporary romance (at least on Amazon) but I would definitely put it in the categories of a rom-com, New Adult and maybe, chick lit. This book is a lot of things and as an older woman, it resounded with me. I understood why Emma thought that she HAD to lose her virginity. Society has a way of saying that you have to lose it before a certain age and that’s just wrong. Having sex is a very personal thing that NO ONE should tell you when it’s okay to do. I lost mine early in high school and actually went through a Born Again time period before I met my husband. Do I regret my choices? No, but I’m from a completely different era.

That said, watching Emma with her friends find love is tough. I’ve been there and the t-shirt is a rag but through that, I found myself and learning to love yourself first is more important than finding the “one”. But Harlie will get off her soapbox right now and tell you why I loved this book.

Emma – is stronger than she thinks. Sure, she is young and naive but once she figures out what she really wants, she goes for it. I loved at the end of the book when she finally has enough with the villains and lays into them. Girl power!
Alex – is a dream. I could totally understand him and why he kept Emma at arms lengths at times. It made sense and I applaud him for his choices. Plus, his secret is one of those moments that defined not just him but his relationship with Emma in the end. Plus, putting his heart out there, in the end, is heartbreaking but also took courage. And then his brother stepping up for him. Alex wasn’t as damaged as he thought he was.
Logan – is a douche but he is crucial to the relationship of Emma and Alex. You just have to read the book to understand.
Claire – we have all worked with a Claire. Again, read the book to understand.
Jada, Lauren, Rachel, and Vin – friends to the end. The group texts and times that they are together are gold. You can never have too many friends like them.
Emma’s mom – oh my. She is all kinds of awesome and doesn’t ever make Emma feel like a child. She helps her see her ways and is there for her no matter what.

Ms. Wood has a written a wonderful book about friendships, finding true love and working with people that are just flat out awful. The work scenes are well written and bring back some pleasant and not so pleasant moments. At times, the book can be cringe-worthy but other times, swoon-worthy. Ms. Wood writes her characters with true flair and an understanding of what young adults yearn for and what they go through.

If you want to know if Emma loses the v-card, you will have to read the book. The ending is sweet and I actually sighed out loud when I finished. Do yourself a favor and read this book. You won’t be sorry.

About the Author: