Must-read romances: 'Fatal Mistake,' 'Force of Nature,' 'London Bound'

Join me every week as I share a few shout-outs on romance author goings-on, related events and recommended reads.

Fatal Mistake by Iris Bolling

Iris Bolling's Fatal Mistake (soon to be released) starts out with the feel of a prime-time TV season opener that makes you sit up and pay attention. Those Pendleton men are never quite out of reach. In Fatal Mistake, we meet Nicolas Brooks, a business partner with Tyrone Pendleton, and Erika Kennedy, a woman on the hunt. While the drama is certainly there, the story is neatly packed with suspense, mystery and romance — all in the right doses to make it a well-rounded read.

Creating characters that stick with you long after the story ends is one of Bolling's strengths. In a few choice words and phrases, the cast comes alive, and even without a name tag, I'd know who they were in a scene. Partner those well-crafted characters with a juicy story full of surprising twists and turns and Bolling has created another installment in the must-read category.

About Fatal Mistake (courtesy of Siri Enterprises):

Can you have love without trust?

Sports-Agent Nicholas Brooks will never forgive himself for compromising his clients. It was rare, but he placed his heart and trust in the hands of a woman who not only deceived him, but wiped out his client's bank account.

It was a sting operation gone bad. There was no other way Erika Kennedy could explain what happened. Oh…she got what she wanted, she always did. But this time she made a fatal mistake…she fell in love with the target.

She was getting over it, until her brother came to her for help. Now she has to face the man she betrayed. Will Nick help, or handcuff her on sight?

INTERVIEW WITH …

Iris Bolling

Michelle: What's on the horizon for 2015?

Iris: Hi, Michelle, and thank you for the opportunity to speak with your readers. Wow, 2015 is full of excitement for me. I've started a new business, Siri Austin Entertainment. We have two divisions, publishing and production. Under publishing we will assist authors with their publishing dreams, and the production division will assist authors with turning their books into film. As some of you know, we completed our first project, season one of The Heart, in 2014. In 2015 we are producing season two. Pre-production has already started and casting is underway. Anyone who wants an opportunity in front of or behind the camera, now is the time to reach out. For authors who are interested, The Heart television show has slots available for commercials and product placement. Siri Austin Entertainment wants to provide authors with the means to bring their story to life. We are giving you the opportunity to green light yourself.

Michelle: How do you keep all the hats that you wear organized?

Iris: In February of 2015 I hung up one of my hats for good. I retired from my 9-to-5 and replaced it with a 12-to-12. LOL. It's true, I'm working harder now as an executive producer for The Heart TV show, CEO of Siri Austin Entertainment and my first love, writing.

Michelle: What can readers look forward to from you, the author?

Iris: This year readers will get four full-length novels, two in The Brooks Family Values series and two from The Gem and Gent series. I'm very excited to introduce my detective series in early 2016. First up, in The Brooks Family Values series, is A Fatal Mistake. It is the continuation of Sinergy, Nicole Brooks' story. A Fatal Mistake centers on her twin brother, Nicolas.

Michelle: Tell us about your reader event on June 26-27.

Iris: We have planned a weekend filled with excitement. On Friday, you will be treated to a belly-dancing class and then given the opportunity to strut your stuff. Then later Friday night we are hosting our first Palace After Dark Live session. In my Facebook group, Iris Bolling's Book Palace, each first Friday of the month we take the group private and hold discussions about any and everything. And I do mean everything. These sessions are for the mature minds only. At the Royal Affair 2015 we will be doing it live with a male auction, where cast members from The Heart and others are donating their time to raise funds for the building of The Black History Museum here in Richmond, Va. Then on Saturday, we are doing an historical trolley tour of Richmond to share some of our rich heritage with the reader. On Saturday night we are having a Masquerade Ball … That's right, outfits, masks and all. The winners of the male auction will meet their dates and be escorted to the event. As you can see, it's going to be a packed weekend. Anyone who would like to join in the fun can register at www.irisbolling.net.

Michelle: Thanks, Iris. Good luck with everything.

ROMANCE RECS

Force of Nature by Kris Norris

I like Coen Brady. Yeah, from the first run in with Finley, he won me over with his brash, but sexy confidence. He's not shy. He's not going to waste time with a tentative getting-to-know-you phase of the relationship. I fell hard for him.

But that's not all with Force of Nature, Collateral Damage book one, there is adventure. The story has enough humor to help with the banter and battle of wills that are constant between the couple. Then, there is the good dose of danger and heroic action that not only amps up the pacing, but ratchets up the sexy interaction between Finley and Coen.

Kris Norris keeps that spotlight on her targets and there is nothing to distract or muddy the reading experience with extra cast or story lines that bring nothing to the table. As for writing sensual, wow, she's nailed it. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

About Force of Nature (courtesy of author):

Love—an unparalleled force of nature.

Conservation Officer, Finley McKay, isn't a stranger to criticism. Taking risks to protect delicate ecosystems doesn't impress most people—including the doctor renting the cabin beside hers. The man's arrogant, opinionated and far too sexy in his faded jeans and tees. She already knows he's an ass—she just wished it mattered enough to make her keep her distance.

Dr. Coen Brady isn't looking to fit in. Having recently retired from the military, he's hoping to spend a few months hiding from the world in a small, out-of-the-way town in northern Washington. But just his luck, he has the misfortune of running into his next-door neighbor. A girl who seems determined to get herself killed before his time there is up. She's reckless, stubborn and slowly driving him insane.

When anger morphs into angry sex, Coen knows taking her to bed is a calculated risk—one he might regret when her investigation turns deadly, leaving Finley's life hanging in the balance. Breaking a few rules to keep her in the game doesn't seem that dangerous, until it becomes painfully obvious she won't stop until justice is served—even if the price is her life.

Cravings by Lynn Crandall

Lynn Crandall's Cravings is a sensual paranormal romance that continues her Fierce Hearts series. She creates a world with harsh realities and characters driven by their own agendas. The plot is meaty and complex with lots of danger to provide the conflicts necessary to carry the pacing. In this world of lies, betrayal and abuse, young people with special abilities and powers must be smart and brave. Crandall successfully sets the stage with characters who are strong, yet vulnerable, passionate and resilient. Reader enjoyment is in the suspenseful ride as secrets come to light, providing an influential backdrop for the young lovers' relationship struggling to survive in this brutal world.

About Cravings (courtesy of Crimson Romance):

Were-lynx Kennedy's world implodes when she's sent to a facility for illegal and torturous experimentation. Only after she's rescued does she learn she's been living a lie for 22 years. She can count on nothing from her past — not her parents, her surname, or her safety. Only the brother she didn't know and his colony of were-lynxes offer any semblance of stability. Suspicious of everyone and unsure of her path forward, Kennedy reluctantly starts to realize that charming were-bobcat Asher Monroe might be her only hope.

Sportswriter Asher has been trying desperately to ferret out the truth behind why the sinister Nexus Group has been kidnapping and experimenting on were-cats. But he's also willing to use his special mind-controlling ability to discover whether the gorgeous Kennedy is a threat to the colony or simply a lost soul.

As their need for the truth takes them into escalating danger, they discover explosive secrets that could bring Kennedy and Asher together — or rip them apart forever.

London Bound by Jessica Jarman

In London Bound by Jessica Jarman, opposites do attract and are wonderful characters to root for to get to the happy ending. This book is a steamy romance, with strong emotional triggers, that leaves you sighing in bliss. I liked the attention to the realities of a relationship between an older woman with children and a younger man who has never had children or who has never been married.

The heart of the story interwoven with back history is well done. The realness was pure enjoyment from beginning to end. Jarman also shows a knack for portraying great family dynamics that ultimately play a major role in the romantic arc of this story. Get your passports ready and head for London with London Bound at the ready for a great reminder.

About London Bound (courtesy of the author):

After losing her husband six years ago, Meg Stevens has focused on the day-to-day and being a mother, not sparing a thought for anything beyond—no dates, no excitement, no life other than what she already had. A six-week vacation to London, all but forced on her by her two children, changes all of that. Meg meets the man of her dreams—gorgeous, dominant, and completely on board with a short-term fling—despite the fact he's far too young for her.

Nathan Harris is more than a bit curious about the beautiful woman renting the upstairs flat, and once he talks to her, curiosity is quickly replaced by arousal and desire. It doesn't take long before it's clear she longs to experience sexual submission, and Nathan finds himself desperate to be the one she submits to.

Her days spent exploring the city, her nights exploring Nathan and the pleasure submitting to him brings, Meg discovers the trip she'd taken out of obligation has turned into something she doesn't want to walk away from. However, the life she left behind beckons, and there's no room there for dreaming of something she can never have.

INTRODUCING …

Jessica Jarman

Michelle: Please tell us about yourself.

Jessica: Jessica Jarman is an author, blogger and rather obsessive fangirl. Having grown up in Upper Michigan and currently living in Minnesota, she's a Midwestern girl through and through. When Jessica isn't working to get words on the page, she passes the time with her amazing husband and four children, attempting to be crafty (and failing miserably), squeeing uncontrollably over her favorite shows or curling up with a good book.

Michelle: What/who inspired your story?

Jessica: Originally, I was trying to come up with an idea for a boxed set — which, unfortunately, fell through. So, I was thinking about bad-boy neighbors, working through ideas. Then, last fall, I went on a wonderful vacation to London, and it all started forming in my head. American woman in London, hot younger British guy in the neighboring flat … and it just flowed from there.

Michelle: If you had to pick actors for your major characters, who would you choose?

Jessica: Easy question! For Nathan, I'd choose Bradley James. British, hot and perfect. For Meg, Alyson Hannigan. She's gorgeous, the right age, and would look lovely opposite Bradley.

Michelle: I actually can see this hook-up. LOL.

What's your favorite snack while writing and/or reading?

Jessica: Salt and vinegar chips, hands down. I could keep the chip company in business. LOL

Michelle: Thanks, Jessica.

Find out more about Jessica and her books at www.jessicajarman.com.

OUTLANDER ON HEA

Folks, the popular Outlander recap is back. Join Mandi Schreiner and me to catch up and join in with your thoughts about the popular historical drama airing on Starz.

Michelle Monkou writes for Harlequin Kimani, Evernight Publishing and Boroughs Publishing. Her website is michellemonkou.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.