Book Blast: Good Cop by Liz Kelly

Romance

Heroes of Henderson, Book 1

Publisher: Kelly Girl Productions

FREE until the end of the Year!!!

What happens when best friends fall for the same girl?

A bromance, a romance, and a love triangle.

Local sports heroes Brooks Bennett and Vance Evans are used to being part of a winning team. Yet when it comes to romance their good cop, bad cop images have them handcuffed. They want a woman’s point of view to help unshackle their reputations, and they’ve picked out one pretty, pony-tailed firecracker to do it.

Lolly DuVal longs for a summer fling that can set off all her bells and whistles. So she agrees to tutor Henderson’s hunkiest heroes on what women really want. But now she finds herself caught between two cops and a hard place. And those bells and whistles? They are starting to sound a whole lot more like alarms.

The Newest Release in the Heroes of Henderson Romance Series

Release Day – October 24, 2017

Mr. Wright

Heroes of Henderson, Book 6

Publisher: Kelly Girl Productions

Release Date: October 24, 2017

After Dallas, Laidey Bartholomew finds Henderson to be a breath of fresh air. Out from under the expectations of her socialite family, she can be as invisible as she chooses. She’s perfectly happy flying under the radar, until a hot-tempered, masculine work of art roars into town on his Road King and zeroes in on her.

All of a sudden, Laidey’s not invisible anymore.

Xavier Wright hasn’t lived in Henderson for fourteen years. You’d think by now everyone would have forgotten about his juvenile antics. Knowing his sick ma doesn’t need any additional stress in her life, he’s determined to make amends for his bad-boy ways. Unfortunately, a certain little newcomer continually brings out the worst in him.

She’s way too prissy for him. He’s way too domineering for her.

Harry believes it’s a match made in heaven.

All the books in the Heroes of Henderson Series are complete romances. They do not need to be read in order, but it might be more fun that way as characters continue to show up in Henderson in big ways and small.

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Heroes of Henderson Reading Order

Good Cop Heroes of Henderson ~ Book 1

Bad Cop Heroes of Henderson ~ Book 2

Taming MollyHeroes of Henderson ~ Book 2.5 (Novella)

Top Dog Heroes of Henderson ~ Book 3

Tempting ViviHeroes of Henderson ~ Book 3.5

Kissing Cooper Heroes of Henderson ~ A Christmas Edition

UnderDog Heroes of Henderson ~ Book 4

Mr. Wrong Heroes of Henderson ~ Book 5

Mr. Wright Heroes of Henderson ~ Book 6

About the Author

Growing up every summer in a place where dancing and romancing are literally part of its theme song, Liz Kelly can't help but be a romantic at heart. And since her favorite author, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss wrote some of the world’s greatest romances, she's just trying to give the world a little more of that. (Okay, maybe a little sexier that, but we are now in a new millennium after all.)

A graduate of Wake Forest University, where she met her handsome golf-addicted husband, (who is now sporting dark glasses everywhere he goes) Liz is a mother of two grown sons (also sporting dark glasses) and a miniature Labradoodle named Annabelle. They split their time between The Windy City of Chicago and the Fountain of Youth, a.k.a. Naples, FL where dancing and romancing continues on ad infinitum.

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Mail Order Outlaw by Cynthia Woolf

Publisher & Release: Firehouse Publishing, May 8, 2015

Time and setting: 1882, Arizona Territory

Genre: Western Romance

Length:  253 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Ed Talbot isn’t husband material. He’s an outlaw, was forced into his father’s gang at the age of thirteen, and is wanted Dead or Alive in more than one territory. But now his father is dead, he hates the life, the blood, and his brother’s rages. When a stagecoach robbery goes awry, Ed ends up with a satchel full of charming letters from an enticing young miss. Unfortunately for Miss Lizzie Cobb, her betrothed is now dead, and Ed Talbot sees a way out. Impersonating a fine, upstanding young man shouldn’t be too difficult. Despite the risks, falling in love with her proves to be all too easy.

Isolated on her mother’s ranch just outside of Tombstone, Miss Lizzie Cobb doesn’t have the time or the means to find a respectable husband. As a half Apache woman in the Arizona Territory, being a mail order bride seems like the only solution to her problem until she realizes that San Francisco is too far away, and she’ll have to leave her vulnerable mother and baby brother behind. Her solution? Call off the wedding.

When her groom shows up on her doorstep, she’s shocked. He’s handsome, strong, and has traveled hundreds of miles to claim her. His kisses inflame her body and his presence soothes her soul. Falling for the rugged man is beyond her control. But the past has a way of catching up to outlaws, and facing the truth is going to be hard…for both of them.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://smile.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Outlaw-Brides-Tombstone-ebook/dp/B00XEKFLIE

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Mail-Order-Outlaw-Audiobook/B01C8XKHNG

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25511414-mail-order-outlaw

Vikki’s Musings

I have read several books by Cynthia Woolf and have enjoyed them a great deal. Mail Order Outlaw may well be my favorite so far. Her writing is smooth and even though the plot of a mail order bride has been used many times, she puts a fresh spin on this one. I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful book.

I am not going to do a synopsis because Ms. Woolf has accurately given a detailed one. Mail Order Outlaw is an entertaining read and captured my attention from the first page and held it until the end. The pacing is quick and lively, along with excellent dialogue between the hero and heroine and the supporting characters.

Lizzie Cobb is a wonderful heroine. She is loyal to her loved ones, honest to a fault and has an independent side, yet she also comes across as feminine. Considering she rarely wears a dress and is able to manage her young brother’s rancher on her own is quite a feat. Well done, Ms. Woolf. Lizzie has to deal with prejudices because of her Indian blood, but she does it with grace.

Ed/Mal is a great hero. While life has dealt him a bad hand of cards, he has been able to avoid being tainted by his brother and father, choosing to hold his teachings from his mother close to his heart. I loved that he took an opportunity to escape his outlaw life and in such an innovative way. While he starts his courtship of Lizzie under a cloud of deceit, he does it so sincerely, I could not hold it against him.

Lizzie and Mal have great chemistry, and Ms. Woolf creates a wonderful and believable arch for their romance. I truly wanted them to find a way past the rocky start in their relationship. The love scenes, while explicit to some degree, are very tender and were devoted more to the emotions involved than the physical description of the sexual act. They also happen after their marriage. I really appreciated the delicacy Ms. Woolf used.

If you enjoy a unique love story with endearing characters and a good bit of suspense, then you will love Mail Order Outlaw as much as I did. I look forward to reading the next book in the Brides of Tombstone series. Happy reading!

Book & Audio Review: A Perfect Fit by Heather Tullis

A Perfect Fit by Heather Tullis

Publisher & Release Date: Jelly Bean Press, January 15, 2014

Time and setting: Present Day, Juniper Ridge, Colorado

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length:  264 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Cami DiCarlo doesn’t agree with her father that her life has been stuck in a rut, so she is not happy when he forces her hand into heading up guest services at his newest five-star hotel. The fact that he unveils the existence of four half-sisters at the same time, and insists that they live together while they launch the new resort, only makes things worse.

When she meets Vince Talmadge, the sweet, sexy landscaper her father would never have approved of, Cami can’t say no. If only she could be sure she is on the right track—and that they will be able to stop the person who is trying to destroy everything she and her sisters are working to build.

Buy Links:

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ATC7HOG

http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/A-Perfect-Fit-Audiobook/B00HDQ8DUI

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17236768-a-perfect-fit

Vikki’s Musings

I just love it when I find a new author, don’t you? This is the first book I’ve read the DiCarlo Brides series, and I found this a highly entertaining read. I listen to the audio version of A Perfect Fit. I found it while scrolling through loving for a contemporary romance with a twist when I discovered this one. It’s FREE on Amazon and the audio was only $1.99.

A Perfect Fit is a light-hearted story, yet is still a deep emotional reading. The pacing is excellent and I became engaged from the start and remained so until the end. I liked the plot quite a lot, and it is not one I have read before.

Cami DiCarlo is shocked and terribly hurt to learn that her beloved father had four other daughters she and her sister didn’t know existed. When his will dictates they must work together to open the newest 5-star resort in his conglomerate, she is not happy. How will this ever work?

When she meets landscape artist, Vince Talmadge, she is attracted instantly. Here is a man her father would never approve of for her. Perhaps, she can enjoy a carefree fling to help relieve the stress she feels about having to spend time with these new sisters.

Can Cami grow to accept her new sisters, learning to value each of their unique talents, while finding the man of her dreams, a man quite different from the men in her past.

Cami is an interesting character. She is a bit spoiled in the beginning, but it’s really a front to cover up the pain she feels over what she sees as her father’s betrayal. What I liked most about her was her willingness to change. She starts out determined to dislike these sisters she knew nothing about until the reading of her father’s will. I think most women would feel hurt and confusion to learn their father had fathered four illegitimate daughters.

I feel in love with the hero, Vince, right away. He’s sexy, yet kind-hearted, and not a playboy. He’s modest and likes helping people. I saw that immediately when he offers to take Cami’s bags inside when she arrives at the house she will share with her sisters. It’s refreshing to have more of the boy-next-door kind of hero, instead of one who is so emotionally distant, I sometimes wonder how the hero and heroine will either get past that.

Valerie Gilbert is the narrator, and while she doesn’t attempt to give the men masculine voices, I could still distinguish between the characters. She reads with a good bit of emotion, putting the emphasis where it is needed without going too far. I enjoyed her performance and will listen to future recordings by Ms. Gilbert.

If you enjoy a book with amusing characters, camaraderie between family members and a lovely romance, then you will like A Perfect Fit. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. Happy reading!

Book & Audio Review

Intimate Enemies by Joan Swan

(Covert Affairs, Book 1)

Publisher & Release Date: Cygnet Books, November 9, 2013

Time and setting: Present Day, Baja, Mexico

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Erotic/Romantic Suspense

Length:  362 pages

Heat Level: 3 Flames

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

She is on a quest for answers; answers that could just get her killed.

Six months after the mysterious yacht explosion that killed Cassie Christo’s mother and stepbrother, authorities still have no answers to the cause. Searching for closure, Cassie returns to her childhood home on the Pacific Coast of Baja, Mexico, where she launches her own investigation into the accident. She never expected to find an adversary in the man who had once touched her heart with kindness in her darkest moment.

Rio’s been fantasizing about reconnecting with Cassie for months. But not here and sure as hell not now. As an undercover agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he’s working the biggest sting operation in all of northern Mexico, and he definitely doesn’t have time for the wild attraction he feels for Cassie.

Not only is his cover on the line, so is his heart. Because as the end of a yearlong operation draws closer, Rio knows if he tells Cassie the truth about who and what he is, it won’t only jeopardize his mission, it may result in him losing her forever. And if he doesn’t, his lies and deception could get them both killed.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://smile.amazon.com/Intimate-Enemies-Covert-Affairs-Book-ebook/dp/B008MXK3L8/

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-Thrillers/Intimate-Enemies-Audiobook/B00IK4L494

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16230767-intimate-enemies

Vikki’s Musings

I recently read Reckless by Skye Jordan and thoroughly enjoyed it. I discovered she also writes as Joan Swan and when I read the book description for Intimate Enemies, I was intrigued. Since it also had the audio version, I downloaded it. I am so glad I found this book!

The story pulled me in from the first scene and kept me glued to my seat until the end. The pacing is very fast with lots of action and highly emotion. This is an excellent romantic suspense novel. Ms. Swan’s vivid description of the Baja area is excellent, giving an idea what it must be like to live there with the gangs and drug cartels ruling the streets.

I liked Cassie’s character, even though at times, she didn’t make  the best decisions, especially when it came to her safety. She is fearless to the point she puts her life in danger and the man who is supposed to be protecting her. I could feel her anguish over her mother and step-brothers’ deaths keenly. Her compassion for her cousin, her desire to help the poor, makes her a great heroine.

Now, Rio Santana is everything I love in a book boyfriend. He’s tall, dark and handsome as sin. He’s brave, loyal and determined to keep Cassie safe, even when she rushes in where angels fear to tread. I love a warrior character archetype and Rio fits it perfectly. And when you add in some bad boy, it’s enough to make a girl reach for her fan!

Intimate Enemies is an emotionally-charged love story. I could feel the sexual tension between Rio and Cassie in every scene. The love scenes are erotic, yet they are not all about the sex. The love growing between Cassie and Rio jumped off the page.

I listened to the audio version, and I really liked Christa G. Lewis. She reads with a great deal of emotion and tension radiated in her voice during the suspenseful scenes. I particularly enjoyed all the accents, and her voice tone for Rio is perfection. I will certainly look for other books narrated by her.

If you love erotic romances with lots of action and suspense, and a romantic love story, then you will love Intimate Enemies as much as I did. While this is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Swan, it will not be the last. Happy reading!

Three More Regency Christmas Tales

Happy holiday! Here are three regency Christmas romance sure to get you in the spirit of the season. I am confident you will find them as delightful as I did. Happy reading from Vikki's Musings!

Compromised for Christmas by Jane Charles

Publisher & Release Date: Night Shift Publishing, June 1, 2013

Time and setting: 1812, Paris

Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

Length:  92 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Compromised-Christmas-Tenacious-Trents-Novella-ebook/dp/B00D5G1VMW/

FREE

This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Charles, and I thoroughly enjoyed this interesting tale. I will definitely be reading books by her again. Compromised for Christmas is a moving story and pulled on my heart strings. I also listened to the audio version, which I purchased for $1.99 since I also downloaded the book for FREE!

Elizabeth Whitton receives a letter from her grandfather, the duke demanding her presence at Danby Castle for Christmas. Unfortunately, the letter is not in code, which is a big problem since she is a spy and living at Tuileries Palace as a servant. Knowing she can’t refuse the duke’s command puts her in a difficult position.

Since her family believes she is living in France with her fictitious husband, she goes to Jean Pierre with her dilemma. He is as concerned as she over the letter. When their mission becomes compromised, they have no choice but the flee for their lives.

Will this pair of spies, make out of France alive and arrive at Danby Castle in time for Christmas without giving into the overwhelming attraction between them?

This is a very fast paced story, and I became engaged in the tale from the first page. The characters are surprisingly well developed for such a short novella, and the plot is compelling. There is a great suspense scene early on in the story that almost had me biting my nails!

I do want to mention the narrator, Marian Hussey. She gives an excellent performance, reading with a great deal of emotion. She gives each character their own distinctive voice, making it easy to recognize who is speaking. I will definitely look for other recording by this talented narrator.

If you are looking for a Christmas story with plenty of action and a good romance along the way, then you will enjoy Compromised for Christmas. I know I did. Happy reading!

4 Gold Crowns

On a Cold Christmas Eve by Bethany Sefchick

Publisher & Release Date: Self-published, December 17, 2013

Time and setting: Regency England

Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

Length:  86 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Christmas-Tales-Seldon-Park-ebook/dp/B00HET7OLS/

FREE

I am so glad I found this excellent novella by Ms. Sefchick. This is a very well-written story with a delightful ending. On a Cold Christmas Eve is FREE on Amazon, and suggest you take advantage of this and download the book for your reading pleasure.

Lady Lucy Cavendish is left stranded at an inn by her uncle and has to make her own way to the Fairhaven estate on a bitterly cold night. When she collaspes in the arms of the Duke of Enright, he knows he has to right the wrong his half-brother has perpetrated against this innocent young woman.

Can this relationship starting out of obligation possibly bring true love to Lucy and Adam, or will her evil uncle keep them apart?

For a novella, the characters are extremely well developed and the plot is believable. Even though the romance happens very fast, I could easily see the love between this enchanting couple. I loved the sexual tension between Lucy and Adam. It simmers from their first encounter and only grows stronger as the story progresses.

If you enjoy and fast-paced tale with a good deal of suspense, then you will love On a Cold Christmas Eve as much as I did. Happy reading!

4.5 Gold Crowns

A Christmas Kiss by Jess Michaels

Publisher & Release Date: The Passionate Pen, September 14, 2015

Time and setting: Regency England

Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

Length:  44 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Buy Link:

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B015ERQAFC

FREE 

I have been a fan of Jess Michaels for a couple of years, and find her books a delight to read. While searching for Christmas stories to read this year, I found A Christmas Kiss and the book description intrigued me. On top of that, it is also a FREE read on Amazon.

For such a short novella, the characters are well-defined and the story is realistic, and it is true to the Regency setting, my personal favorite read. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Ms. Michaels didn’t attempt to have a hero and heroine––who had never met before––fall in love in a matter of days. So many times that is the case in a novella particularly, and that just isn’t believable to me. While I do believe in immediate attraction at first sight, the love takes a bit longer.

Amelia, the Countess of Blackgrove is an enchanting character, and I liked her from the first page. As the story unfolds, I became enmeshed with her immediately, feeling her betrayal acutely. I love when that happens, and it’s a sign of a very talented author, which Ms. Michaels is without a doubt.

I didn’t expect to like Stephen, the earl’s character, but he shows so much remorse over his hurtful words, I truly enjoyed this hero. He sets out to woo his lady and does it brilliantly. His thoughtfulness touched my heart.

For me, this isn’t what I normally expect in a Christmas tale. Possibly if the days where he wooed her included a descriptive scene involving decorations, it would have fit my expectations better.

Nonetheless, A Christmas Kiss is very well-written and engaged me from beginning to end, and I absolutely loved the ending. If you enjoy reunion romances with plenty of spice, then you will enjoy this charming story. Happy reading!

4.5 Gold Crowns