Book Review with featured author, Lucy Gilmore: Puppy Kisses

Puppy Kisses by Lucy Gilmore

Publisher & Release: Sourcebooks, Casablanca, June 30, 2020

Time and setting:  Present Day, USA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 352 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

These adorable service puppies
are matchmakers in the making...

Dawn Vasquez never takes life too seriously. But when she rescues a golden retriever named Gigi, Dawn begins to imagine what it'd be like to settle down and let someone rely on her for a change. Unfortunately, Adam Dearborn—a handsome, hopelessly buttoned-up cattle rancher in need of a guide dog—has also fallen in love with the little ball of fluff and stubbornly insists that no other animal will do.

Adam isn't sure what drives him to fight to keep Gigi for himself, but he suspects it has something to do with his growing—and unfortunate—attachment to Dawn. Her whirlwind spirit and sunny disposition might make her a delight to be around, but they also make her unsuited for the difficult life of a rancher. He should be able to put her out of his head. But what's a love-struck cowboy to do when what he wants and what he needs have never seemed so far apart? And can he allow himself to take a chance on everything Dawn has to offer: puppy kisses, puppy love...and her.

Service Puppies Series:
Puppy Love (Book 1)
Puppy Christmas (Book 2)
Puppy Kisses (Book 3)

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Puppy-Kisses-Forever-Home-Book-ebook/dp/B083ZMHDRR

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/puppy-kisses-lucy-gilmore

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/puppy-kisses-2

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50199655-puppy-kisses

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/puppy-kisses-forever-home-book-3-by-lucy-gilmore

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of Puppy Kisses by Lucy Gilmore for the purpose of reading and reviewing prior to publication. My opinions are my own and no one has influenced me in any way.

Puppy Kisses is the third book in Ms. Gilmore’s Forever Home series. It’s a light-hearted romance with plenty of carefree moments and delightful banter between the hero and heroine. The pacing kept me engaged from the first page to the last.

Dawn Vasquez’s character is footloose and fancy free. She lives life on her own terms with no filter. She flits from one brief relationship to another until she meets the hero. He is the game changer for her, but she doesn’t want to admit it. 

Adam Dearborn is an endearing hero. His blindness makes him vulnerable without making him weak. His surprising attraction to the quirky Dawn blows him away, but her offer of a no strings attached affair is too tempting to pass up. I thoroughly enjoyed his confusion over where he wants his feelings for her to go.

The romance between Dawn and Adam blazes to life early in the story and burns hot. The sexual scenes are visceral, yet filled with emotions. Although more graphic, especially in the early part of the story than my personal preference, they are absorbing. I truly wanted this great couple to find their happy ending.

If you enjoy lighted-hearted contemporary romances with engaging characters and a unique plot, then you will love Puppy Kisses as much as I did. I’ve enjoyed this delightful series and highly recommend these enjoyable novels. Happy reading!

Author Bio:

Lucy Gilmore is a contemporary romance author with a love of puppies, rainbows, and happily ever afters. She began her reading (and writing) career as an English literature major and ended as a die-hard fan of romance in all forms. When she's not rolling around with her two Akitas, she can be found hiking, biking, or with her nose buried in a book. She also writes under the penname Tamara Morgan.

Social Media:

Website: https://www.lucygilmore.com

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTamaraMorgan/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Words_by_Lucy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamaratamaralucy/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-gilmore

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18573441.Lucy_Gilmore

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorlucygilmore/

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Goodreads Book Giveaway

Miss Kathleen's Scandalous Baron

by Vikki Vaught

Giveaway ends July 31, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

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Book Review: The Fix by Sylvie Stewart

The Fix by Sylvie Stewart

Publisher & Release: Self-published, July 1, 2016

Time and setting: Present Day, North Carolina

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Comedy

Length:  179 Pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

How do you take a chance on love when every other decision you’ve ever made has been the wrong one?

Laney Monroe’s life looks nothing like she’d planned. She certainly hadn’t pictured herself as a twenty-five-year-old single mom with a boring job, a freeloading brother, and an exhibitionist son who worries more than Shaggy and Scooby Doo put together. When her brother finally steps up and applies for a job, Laney never imagines it might lead to an opportunity for her as well – an opportunity at love.

Nate Murphy has always been about family. When you come from an Irish family, it’s hard not to be. But when a family emergency brings him home to North Carolina, Nate is faced with some difficult choices. Can you choose what you want over what your family needs? Then Laney Monroe walks onto his construction site and Nate decides that she just might make those choices a hell of a lot easier – or maybe this girl will make life more complicated than ever.

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Fix-Carolina-Connections-Book-ebook/dp/B01ERYJ4JW

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30757017-the-fix?ac=1&from_search=true

Vikki’s Musings

Wow! Sylvie Stewart’s debut novel is a winner. This is a funny, and quirky romantic comedy, just right for a lazy afternoon at the pool or sunning at the beach. This is a truly down-to-Earth kind of romance, and I am glad I had an opportunity to read it. Thanks to the author for an ARC.

Laney’s life is not what she imagined. Her life took a detour after she was faced with the consequences of a one-night stand her first year of college. The result was an eighteen-year commitment, named Rocco. Although, it is one she can never regret.

While she may not love her job, she has her adorable son to light up her world. She also has her goofy brother living with her, and he loves to aggravate her. When he finally gets a job, she meets his drop-dead, awesome-looking boss. Not only does Nate re-define the word sexy, he’s a great guy and embraces her son, even willing to build Rocco an amazing treehouse.

Should she, at last, take a chance on romance with this terrific guy, or should she avoid the risk and let fear continue to rule her life?

The Fix is a well-written novel. It’s romantic comedy at its best. The pacing makes this a lightning fast read, yet it did not feel rushed at all. The dialogue zings, and the characters have a good amount of depth to them. The plot is realistic, and well-developed.

Laney, the heroine, is hilarious and had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. She has grit and uses humor to combat the dull aspects of her life. Her love for her son comes through on every page. Some of her internal thoughts had me in stitches.

The hero, Nate, is yummy from Ms. Stewart's delicious description. He is an all-around good guy. Although he has a life in Austin, Texas, he is willing to up-turn his life to help out his family when his dad has a heart attack. I also loved his immediate willingness to understand that if he wants Laney, he has to accept her son.

If you enjoy a light-hearted read with strong characters, a humorous story that will put a smile on your face, then you will love The Fix. I can’t wait to read the next book in this delight series. Happy reading!

Book & Audio Review: Happily Bedded Bliss by Tracy Anne Warren

Happily Bedded Bliss by Tracey Anne Warren

Publisher & Release: Penguin Group, March 1, 2016

Time and setting: 1818, England

Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

Length: 363 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

When Lady Esme Byron happens upon a gorgeous naked man sleeping beside a secluded country lake, she can’t resist the impulse to sketch him. But when her highly improper drawing is mistakenly revealed at a party, she finds her once-pristine reputation in tatters. 

Gabriel, Lord Northcote, may be a notorious rakehell, but he is still stunned to find himself accused of despoiling a duke’s sister—especially since he's never set eyes on her. When Esme’s six irate brothers demand a hurried trip down the aisle, he has no choice but to comply. He thinks he can forget about his inconvenient bride but Esme Byron is no ordinary woman and Gabriel is about to learn just how unforgettable she can be.

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Happily-Bedded-Bliss-Cavendish-Square-ebook/dp/B00Z8VT7TG

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Happily-Bedded-Bliss-Audiobook/B01BZ02J9I/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1466429296&sr=1-1

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25684964-happily-bedded-bliss

Vikki’s Musings

I have been a fan of Tracy Anne Warren since I read the Husband Trap years ago. Her romances are light-hearted, yet have an underlying compelling story. Happily Bedded Bliss is the second book in her Cavendish Square series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The story is fast-paced and grabbed my interest from the first scene and kept me vastly entertained until the happy ending. Me. Warren’s turn of phrase gives this book and very authentic setting. Her vivid descriptions dropped me into the country world and also took me to the balls of the ton. This is a true delight to read.

Lady Esme is a wonderful heroine. I fell in love with her from the start. While Esme is the youngest of the Byron family and has been pampered and coddled by her brother, she quickly adapts to the situation her scandalous drawing causes. When things do not go smooth, she digs her heels in and does not give up. I loved her determination to win Gabriel’s heart against all odds.

Gabriel is my kind of hero. While a rake, he is still honorable to the core. Although he has every reason to distrust love, he finds himself drawn to Esme. His fear of giving his heart pulled at my heart-strings. It’s obvious that he has fallen head over ears in love with her, but he fights his feelings. He wants to trust her and admit his love, but his past holds him back. I loved the part where he accepts his love for her.

I want to say, it has been a while since I have read a romance where the couple are so right for each other. The chemistry between Esme and Gabriel is so strong, and not just in the physical way. They not only become lovers, more importantly, they become friends along the way.

I listened to the audio version performed by Charlotte Ann Dore. I struggled with her narrative because she articulates to such a degree that at times it came across as quite stiff. She reads word for word, more concerned with her pronunciation than what is going on with the characters. Fortunately, the dialogue is so sparkling and well-written, I was able to still enjoy the story immensely.

If you enjoy a light-hearted, yet emotionally-charged romance with enchanting characters, then you will love Happily Wedded Bliss as much as I did. I highly recommend this excellent example of a Regency love story. Happy reading!

Along Came Mr. Right by Gerri Russell

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, May 10, 2016

Time and setting: Present Day, Seattle

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length:  226 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Olivia Tyler loves helping foster children find their forever homes, but she’s still waiting for her forever love. Ever since her ex-boyfriend humiliated her on Facebook, she hasn’t been ready for a commitment. But on the night of the charity auction for her adoption agency, she gives in to temptation with a stranger who helps her out of a jam…and out of her bright-blue stilettos.

After the most mind-blowing romantic night of her life, everything about Max Right seems perfect: he’s handsome, chivalrous, and he’s about to launch an algorithm-based matchmaking app with an extraordinary success rate. But when Olivia finds out her mystery man is also someone else’s fiancé, no matter how much they seem to click, this romance doesn’t add up. For Olivia, unavailable means incompatible.

When a troubled teen comes to both of them for help, Olivia is willing to put their differences aside temporarily. But as the three spend time together, she discovers the truth about Max’s heart, and it just may be the key to opening her own.

Buy Link:

http://smile.amazon.com/Along-Came-Right-Gerri-Russell-ebook/dp/B01946V7CK

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28351306-along-came-mr-right

Vikki’s Musings

This is the first book I have read by Gerri Russell. When I received an invitation from the publisher to read via Net-Galley in exchange for an honest review, I decided to accept based on the book description. I am certainly glad I did! I just realized I have another one of Ms. Russell’s books I downloaded as a Kindle First months ago. Now, I can’t wait to read it as well.

Olivia knows all too well what it is like to end up in a foster home as a teenager. She now dedicates her life to helping children in this situation. When one of the teens she mentors is struggling in school, she finds her a tutor.

Imagine her surprise when she meets the tutor? He is none other than the man she had her first and only one-night stand with just a few nights before. The chemistry sizzles between them, but there is a problem, Mr. Right is engaged. How can she have these feelings for a man who is committed to another?

But all is not as it seems. Should she trust her instincts and give Max a chance, even though he can’t tell her about his fake engagement?

Along Came Mr. Right grabbed my attention from the first couple of pages. I love it when that happens. Even better, it kept me in its thrall throughout the book. This is a fast-paced story with a unique plot. It also has overtones of women’s fiction, but it is definitely a romance.

Olivia is an endearing character, and I liked her immediately and grew to love her as the story unfolds. She is so compassionate and caring towards Paige, the troubled teen. While it is hard to give her trust after what her ex-fiancé did, she is willing to wait when Max asks her to trust him.

Max Right is the typical boy-next-boy kind of guy who can’t say no to his life-long friend, even though it puts him in a ticklish situation. Because of an NDA, he can’t tell Olivia why his engagement is a fake. I felt his turmoil over this dilemma. The guy is really caught between losing his invention or the woman he is falling in love with.

The chemistry is great between Max and Olivia and my heart ached for their situation. This book starts out showing the sizzle right away, but then because of his fake engagement, they have to rein in their desire for each other to work together and help Paige. This creates fantastic sexual tension.

Another aspect of the story I thoroughly enjoyed was the dedication both show toward Paige. It’s this sub-plot that has me seeing this novel with women’s fiction elements. I enjoyed the chance to learn of the teen’s feelings and felt it added greatly to the story.

If you enjoy a light-hearted love story with more than fluff with a good bit of substance, then you will enjoy Along Came Mr. Right as much as I did. Happy reading!