Category Archives: Contemp. Romance

2nd Chance, Contemp. Romance, Part of a Series, Small Town Romance

#WOTR22 #NewRelease #SeriesStarter #smalltownromance #southernromance #smalltowntennessee #contemporaryromance #secondchanceromance #backwoodsracing #motorcycles #illegalraces #disciples #bmx #motogp #motorcross #deaconandolivia #saintsvssinnersseries #Deacon #cjwarrant – Deacon, Sinners VS Saints, book 1 by CJ Warrant

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Deacon (Saints vs Sinners Series Book 1) by [CJ Warrant]

Deacon Saint’s father told him once that anything that gets his blood racing is worth the risk doing. He doesn’t factor in that he would have to face the tragic loss of a best friend, discover that his mother has Alzheimer and come face to face with a girl who broke his heart all those years ago. Nevertheless, coming back to my hometown in Tennessee after being gone for ten years—leaving behind a racing career in the MotoGP world—that Deacon would have to deal with the trials set before him in this small town. He’d rather take on the track, lose skin, break bones, and tear muscle than choose to open his heart.

Olivia Bane thought her life is perfect. Working as a nurse, a boyfriend who’s a doctor, and friends she cherishes. However, the second Deacon Saint comes back home, her ideal life shifts to utter chaos. Someone broke into her barn and a fire is set in Deacon’s, all the while learning a hard lesson of trust.

Deacon shattered Olivia before he left town and now he thinks it’s water under the bridge and is determined to reclaim her heart. She might be throwing off mixed messages, but it’s going to take more than sweet talkin’, fast motorcycles, and good old Southern country charm to win her back.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I was given the book by the author for an honest review.

I saw the cover and was like HEEEEY GURL!!  Tell me MOOOORE!!!  I was super pumped when CJ let me have a copy to review.  I have read one book by her but have been looking for another to try.  Given this is a new series and it was about bikes, I was in.  But again, can we talk about the cover *Wipes drool* I am all in with that baby.

Alright so this story is a 2nd chance romance and I gotta say they are my jam.  I mean the fact Deacon and Olivia have this blazing chemistry was also a big win for me.  The two are totally head over heals in love but are both idiots and wont admit it because…..feelings/fear/pride??  I mean all of these things get in the way…oh yeah and Olivia’s DB Boyfriend but lets just eye roll him and move on.

Deacon comes home for his besties funeral when all the “guys” are there.  He finds out some old secrets and then discovers his family is in serious disarray.  All he wanted to do with make peace to his friend, bury said friend, and peace outta this town for good but when the script flips and the drama takes over Deacon and Olivia are in for a wild ride.

Award-Winning Author CJ Warrant was born an overseas Army brat, in a Korean Italian household, but settled in the states at five. With a career in the beauty industry, married to a wonderfully supportive man, and three grown kids, her view of life is as such. Life is a journey; both good and bad, light to the dark. She takes it all in, learns from every experience, and captures those moments in her stories.

Visit CJ at www.cjwarrant.com

www.facebook.com/groups/167874440806362

www.twitter.com/cjwarrant

www.instagram.com/cjwarrant

www.bookbub.com/profile/cj-warrant

www.tiktok.com/@cj_warrant_author

www.pinterest.com/cjwarrant

Contemp. Romance

#WOTR22 #TwinsieforthedayJulia #WOTRMommaJulia #review – And Baby Makes 2 1/2, The Homegrown Cafe Book Club book 4 by Mellanie Szereto

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And Baby Makes 2½ (The Homegrown Café Book Club 5) by [Mellanie Szereto]

The women of The Homegrown Café Book Club are over 40, single, and loving it. Fate, however, has a different plan with a younger man for every last one of them.
Marriage and children aren’t in the cards for family law expert Georgina Swofford, but that didn’t stop her from butting in just enough to ensure her friends from The Homegrown Café Book Club found happily-ever-after. Hers will have to be fake—with the man she almost bankrupted in divorce court five years ago. A pretend engagement to help him gain custody of his nephew will make them even, won’t it?
Hermit Oscar Banyan prefers solitude after the high-profile divorce that nearly cost him everything, including his freedom. But payback backfires when living together with his attorney for appearances’ sake costs him more than his ponytail and shaggy beard. Playing house becomes a little too intimate to deny his feelings, and convincing her to stay will take more than sleepless nights of sharing a bed and parenthood.

Goodreads

Review by WOTRMomma Julia with permission from her daughter Madi

AWWW Georgina and Oscar the final story of the Homegrown Café Book Club. And what an adventure it is! All the other ladies found their Happy Ever After’s, but Georgina absolutely was not looking! In fact she in some way meddled in everyone else’s. Oscar married them all, even though he didn’t believe in marriage. But we find out their story here! Seems Georgina had a part in Oscar’s disastrous divorce, only because she didn’t have all the facts. So when Oscar blackmailed her into a fake engagement to gain custody of his nephew, things started snowballing. Feelings got caught, and in a big way! They both had to reveal their baggage and jump through hoops to make this work, but in the end it all worked out! I loved all these stories but Melanie saved the best for last!

When her fingers aren’t attached to her keyboard, Mellanie Szereto enjoys hiking, Pilates, cooking, gardening, and researching for her stories. Many times, the research partners with her other hobbies, taking her from the Hocking Hills region in Ohio to the Colorado Rockies and the Adirondacks of New York. Sometimes, the trip is no farther than her garden for ingredients and her kitchen to test recipes for her latest steamy tale. Mellanie makes her home in rural Indiana with her husband of thirty-four years and their son.

Contemp. Romance

#WOTR22 #NewRelease #Romance #Adult #ARC #Netgalley – Out of the Blue, A Perfect Fit Book #4 by Alison Bliss

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Alison Bliss shares her smart, sexy, contemporary voice in this new rom-com about a curvaceous heroine falling for her personal trainer—perfect for fans of Olivia Dade and Kate Stayman-London.

The course of true love was never supposed to start on a stair climber…

Preslee Owens has never worked out in a gym before. Like truly never. Until today. As she struggles to stay upright on the stair climber, she accidentally broadcasts a vlog that lets complete strangers—and even worse, people in her own small town–witness the hilarious start to her fitness journey. To her surprise and mortification, viewers love it.

The positive reaction leaves Preslee with no choice but to return—and the discovery that her unrequited crush, Josh, works out in the same gym is a big bonus. It also helps that her new personal trainer is making sure she doesn’t kill herself in the process. In fact, Adam has even offered to pretend to be her boyfriend to help make Josh a little jealous.

Having Adam cheering her on brings out a strength and confidence Preslee barely recognizes in herself. And soon she’s enjoying being his fake girlfriend waaay too much. But will her newfound courage allow her to face her biggest fear yet and seize the life she truly wants?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

I love the books in this series and was glad to get back to them since I feel like it’s been FOREVAH!!

I loved this book for the slow burn of Preslee an dAdam.  They both are head over heels in love but thing the other had friend zoned them.  He thinks she is in love with Josh, and she thinks she is not model thin for him.

Preslee clumsily falls into a gym…kinda sounds like a funny joke punchline right???  She got not great health news and needs to make a healthy change in her life.  So, she decides to join the new gym in town.  Unfortunately, her fear of being “the fat girl in the gym” and having people stare at her PLUS The fact the machines almost kill her she runs away…. well after the gym owner sniffs her too.  LOL

Adam needs to bring in more clients for his new business or he will be closing shop in a few months’ time.  When he sees Preslee almost die on a machine, he steps in to help her (and sniff her) while not realizing she was vlogging the whole incident!!!

Adam is attracted by Preslee and makes a bet…guys don’t ever make a bet about a women……..anyway he maes a bet with his buddy Kurt to train Preslee if she vlogs about it after the hair sniffing video goes viral.  One look at Preslee outside of the gym he sees her loving Josh from afar and he hatches his plan.

The couple have great teasing banter and slowly you feel the heat rising between the two characters.  However, they are both so guarded and afraid of the others rejection plus they have these ideas in the their head of what the other wants. It was such a great build a heat and love.  The wedding reception was when the lines seems to cross and then things get all messed up between the two.

I loved loved loved that Alison brings up a health mental health and the importance of it in the story.  Preslee has some issues she needs to see a therapist about.  I love that Alison brought that into the story because we really do need to shine a light on the negative stigma of mental health issues.

I can’t wait for more from the series,  I want to see the woman who brings Kurt to his knees!

Alison Bliss is a best-selling, award-winning author of humorous, contemporary romances. A born and raised Texan, she currently resides in the Midwest with her husband and her two kids. The youngest of five girls, she has never turned down a challenge or been called by the right name. Alison believes the best way to know if someone is your soul mate is by canoeing with them because if you both make it back alive, it’s obviously meant to be. She enjoys writing fun, steamy love stories with heart, heat, and laughter. Something she calls, “Romance…with a sense of humor.”

Contemp. Romance, Friends to Lovers, Review

#Review – The Double D Ranch: A Friends to Lovers Novel (A Fortuna, Texas Novel Book 1) by Rochelle Bradley

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The Double D Ranch: A Friends to Lovers Novel (A Fortuna, Texas Novel Book 1)

Welcome to Fortuna, Texas where the men read romance novels. This spicy, heartwarming friends to lovers romance is set in the small town of Fortuna and is the first in the Fortuna, Texas series.

Longhorns and lingerie…

Much to the chagrin of foreman Josiah, Jessie Davidson wants a romance reduction. But the Double D Ranch hides a secret. Since inheriting the property, Jessie kept her grandmother’s hoard concealed, but now she’s found the courage to purge the unwanted items: steamy novels, thousands of them. Romance has to go! Donating the books is a good thing, right? Not when coupled with a dare.

The dare spirals out of control. The ante is upped when caches of the spicy books, left in barber shops, pool halls, and pubs, challenge others to join the fad. A perverted prankster runs amok playing on the town’s fantasies. Book clubs are formed. Plots acted out. In a town saturated with romance, Jessie finds her love life underdeveloped.

Keep Jessie safe. It’s the promise Josiah Barnes made to Jessie’s dying grandmother. He aims to honor it, even if it means protecting Jessie from himself. Failing her in the past has him on high alert when the Double D becomes ground zero for the arousal avalanche sweeping the town. As a full-support, silent partner, Josiah will do anything to augment the Double D. But when Jessie starts selling handmade lingerie, keeping his hands to himself is easier said than done…

Will she shelve happily ever after like a rejected novel, or open her heart and start a new chapter?

Goodreads

Review by Kelly

The Double D Ranch is where the arousal avalanche started with the discovery of the provocative hoard of romance novels. Now all the big bad men are in book clubs learning the art of magic mouths while the women wait to be experimented on. LMAO! This is not all! There is a wonderful story about Jessie who inherited the Double D Ranch when her grandparents passed away. She is slowly but surely going through all their things when she happens upon the hoard of romance novels. And I use the term hoard very loosely. A bet is made and next thing you know the whole town is hooked on the romance novels! She uncovers a past about her grandparents that she didn’t know and realizes that her grandmother was a little feistier than she ever would have thought. I LOVE her grandmother’s story and the fact that her friend is still around to add fuel to the fire. Actually, there are a lot of things that go on in this story. I will be brief so not to give too much away but there is a town prankster, lingerie, an incredibly slow burn love story, crazy characters, and an intense backstory of Jessie’s. I must be honest that the slow burn part was killing me. There were times that I was like “just get it on already”! However, the crazy names, funny situations, the plethora of sexual innuendos and the witty banter had me literally laughing out loud! There is a great story, though a bit sweet and corny at times, kept me turning the page. This is a new author for me, but I definitely needed the tongue-in-cheek story. If you need something light-hearted and a bit on the slapstick comedy side, I’d recommend!

Rochelle Bradley

Rochelle puts an artistic spin on everything she does but there are two things she fails at miserably:

1. Cooking (seriously, she can burn water)

2. Sewing (buttons immediately fall back off)

But she loves baking and makes a mean BTS (Better than Sex) cake. When in observation mode she is quiet, however, her mouth is usually open with an encouraging glass-is-half-full pun or, quite possibly, her foot.

She is a Bearcat, a Buckeye, an interior decorator, and fluent in sarcasm.

In 2008 she decided to get the stories out of her head. Midway through her first novel, hurricane Ike (yes, a hurricane in Ohio) rendered the laptop useless with a nine-day power outage. She didn’t give up, but continued to pursue her dream.

Every November Rochelle takes on the challenge of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo.org) where she endeavors to write 50,000 words in thirty days. You can often hear her cheering the Dayton, Ohio area Wrimos (those who join her in this crazy pursuit).

Rochelle shares her home with a big black cat, an itty-bitty orange tiger kitty, her daughter, her son, and her Prince.

She loves to connect with readers. You can find her on Facebook (search for Author Rochelle Bradley), Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Visit Rochelle’s website to sign up for her newsletter to keep up to date about future novels and book signings (RochelleBradley.com).

Contemp. Romance

#WOTR21 -A Heart Redeemed by Dawn Brower

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A Heart Redeemed (Heart's Intent, #6; The Everyday Heroes World)

Dawn Brower’s A Heart Redeemed is a Suspenseful, Emotionally-Charged, Contemporary romance written in K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes Worlds.

Paige Morris has secrets…

Her life has been filled with darkness for too long. After a terrorizing experience with her daughter’s father she makes necessary changes. Redemption isn’t always possible, but she hopes in time she’ll achieve hers. When she is asked to foster a little girl whose parents were murdered she automatically agrees.

Alexander “Lex” Foster is battling demons of his own…

He has witnessed a lot of awful things in his life, but the gruesome murder he’s assigned to investigate tops the list. The little girl he finds cowering in a cupboard breaks his heart. Solving the case becomes his top priority. What he doesn’t expect is his instant attraction to the foster mother who takes in the victim’s daughter.

Deception, murder, and inescapable passion…

What could go wrong? As Paige and Lex grow closer, so does the killer. After several disturbing messages Lex moves in to protect the girls. Ensuring their safety is his priority. He cannot afford any diversions; however, his growing desire for Paige may be his undoing. When the psychopath makes his move he might be too late to save them.

Goodreads

Amazon

USA TODAY Bestselling author, DAWN BROWER writes both historical and contemporary romance. There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet.

Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She raised two boys into productive young men. There is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby and she loves all genres.

She is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To follow her or can find more about her check out her website for the pertinent information: www.authordawnbrower.com

Contemp. Romance

#NewRelease #ReleaseDay- Great Pretender, Cocky Hero Club Book by Khardine Gray

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Great Pretender (Cocky Hero Club)

He needs a wife so he can get his inheritance.
I’m up to my eyeballs in debt with a sick father who needs treatment.
When he offers me a million dollars to be his fake wife, am I supposed to say no?

Chad Holdsworth is one of the wealthiest football stars in the country.
We’ve been best friends since birth.
So his shenanigans are nothing new to me.
The idea of getting married should have been easy.

Until he kissed me.

We then forgot we were supposed to be pretending.
And broke all the rules.

I know better than to fall for a playboy.
Even if he is my friend.
But I’m so lost in him I can’t see my way back.
With that panty-melting smile and his bedroom baby blues, he could get a nun in trouble.
What chance do I have of resisting?

If you play with fire, you will get burned.
Loving this man might be a mistake I’m not prepared for.

Goodreads

Amazon

Khardine Gray is a USA Today Bestselling author who loves writing sizzling hot contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance.
She also writes under the pen names: Faith Summers for Dark Romance and Bella Fontaine for multicultural and interracial romance.
Her books have sexy, drool-worthy heroes who will make you melt, and sassy, fun loving, ambitious heroines.
She simply adores her readers and loves spoiling them xx

Contemp. Romance

#WOTR21 #NewRelease – At Her Service, Book 1 of the Ryd Service by Michel Prince

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At Her Service by [Michel Prince]

Harrison Cordell knows the new ride app, RYD, created for those who work at AYS Protection, is a test from his boss. One that might bring him a huge promotion if he can woo the right kind of client.

When Mackenzie Turner’s delicate fingers tap on her phone, the line between client and lover will be tested.

Kenzie Turner is gutting out a boss from hell. Learning from one of the top CFOs in the country. When she’s asked to test out the new RYD app, she never thinks she’ll be picked up by a man she can only want, but never have.

There must be a way to get around the no-touch client rule; only she may need more than his touch when an outside threat puts her life in danger.

Will Harrison give Kenzie the ride of her life? Or will they stall out before they even leave the curb?

Goodreads

Michel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes young adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel is a member of RWA Pro and Midwest Fiction Writers. In 2013 she was awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and cat.

Contemp. Romance

#WOTR21 #SeriesFinale #KindleUnlimited #kindleunlimitedromance #romcomreads #romcombooks #newbookalert #newbookrelease #onetimeatcamp #summerlovin #romancebookstagram #romancereaders – Under the Stars: Summer Loving Book Four by Amabel Daniels

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Under the Stars: Summer Loving Book Four by [Amabel Daniels]

Summer Loving carries on!
Who’s ready to head to the woods?
⛺️ enemies to lovers
⛺️ dares
⛺️ water…sports

Goodreads

Amabel Daniels lives in Northwest Ohio with her patient husband, three adventurous daughters, and a collection of too many cats and dogs. Although she holds a Master’s degree in Ecology, her true love is finding a good book. When she isn’t spending time outdoors, she’s busy brewing up her next novel, usually as she lets her mind run off with the addictive words of “what if…”

Contemp. Romance, Review, Suspense

#Review – Finally Us (Next Generation Book 5) by J.M. Walker

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Finally Us (Next Generation, #5)

-Vince-
She was perfect.
Her heart.
Her soul.
Everything.
I had been in love with Gigi Rodriguez for as long as I could remember. I had never been shy about my feelings toward her. Everyone knew how I felt. Except for the person who mattered most.
I needed her like I needed my next breath. Our souls called out to each other, entwining together to form a bond I had never felt with another person.
She was passionate.
Strong.
Mine.
Just when I thought I had her in my arms for good, an unknown force threatened to take away the only thing I had ever wanted…

-Gigi-
He was stubborn.
Obsessed.
Dominating.
Vincent Stone Junior was the very reason I danced. Every time I moved, I moved for him. He just didn’t know it yet.
It all started the night of his eighteenth birthday, but school got in the way and I didn’t see much of him for the next three years.
When he came home for good, I knew that he had one mission: To crack down the walls I had built.
I didn’t want to love him.
I didn’t want to need him.
But losing a piece of myself made me realize that I did in fact want those things. He taught me to love myself first and that he would be there, ready and waiting…
For me.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

There are some books that just stay with you. Vince and Gigi’s story is one of those. They are childhood friends but with a little age gap. Vince was basically everyone’s little brother. Both have “secretly” had the hots for each other, but as they have become adults, Vince knows that he must make Gigi his. And boy does he! Funny part to this is that everyone knows that these two need to be together.   Now, if you have read any of JM Walker’s books, you know that she can weave a very heart wrenching and extremely hawt tale. Well, let me tell ya, Finally Us is deeply passionate and full of emotion…like I said earlier, this one will stay with you. Vince and Gigi are completely relatable characters, almost as if they are real people that you actually know. You will feel for both of them and root for them right to the very end. It is a slow burn at first, but the wait is totally worth it because when they collide…whew! They truly ignite!

J.M. Walker

J.M. Walker is an Amazon bestselling author who hit USA Today with Wanted: An Outlaw Anthology. She loves all things books, pigs and lip gloss. She is happily married to the man who inspires all of her Heroes and continues to make her weak in the knees every single day.

“Above all, be the HEROINE of your own life…” ~ Nora Ephron

Find me: https://linktr.ee/authorjmwalker

2nd Chance, Contemp. Romance

#WOTR21 #NewRelease #Review #2ndChance – NOTHING BUNDT LOVE by Samantha Lind

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Nothing Bundt Love by [Samantha Lind]

Nathan Bailey was the one that got away…or so I thought.

After leaving our hometown of Sweet Valley, Tennessee, for college,
He never looked back….
Until ten years later, when he walked into my bakery.

The now billionaire tech-mogul is back in town and has his eyes set on me.

He’s no longer the boy next door.
Tall, dark, and handsome, he’s all man now.

His sweet-talking is impossible to ignore; it’s almost as delicious as my bundt cakes.

Can I take a chance on my first crush and hope he won’t break my heart for a second time?

Goodreads

Buy link for others HERE

Review by Twinsie Angie

I was given this book by the author for an honest review.

So I have fallen in love with Samantha’s audio series for the hockey series she has out.  When I saw she was starting a new series and caught the name…sold!! I mean it sounded adorable and fat girl loves cake!!  LOL

One thing I do love about Samantha’s characters are how true to life they seem.  They have the flaws you and I have so I feel they are relatable.  Which makes it easier for me to be THAT girl in the story…and who didn’t wanna be THAT girl in this story because Nathan…HEEEY!!!!

Nathan is coming home to visit his grandma after being gone a substantial amount of time creating a business that is thriving.  When he comes home he sees HER…ya know the one girl….ya know….Harper.  He totally crushed on her and her him but nothing ever came of it.

Now that Nathan is back he is totally going after Harper.  The two need to talk and slowly trust but with all Samantha’s books she gets the characters where they need to be to move everything forward.

Samantha Lind is a contemporary romance author. Having spent the first 27 years of her life in Alaska, she now calls Iowa home where she lives with her husband and two sons. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, watching hockey (Go Knights Go!), and listening to country music. You can connect with Samantha on her website, www.samanthalind.com.

Sign up for Samantha’s newsletter: https://bit.ly/FDSLNL
Looking for a signed paperback? Check out Samantha’s paperback store! https://www.etsy.com/shop/SamanthaLin…

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