Must-read romances: 'Blissful Summer,' 'Caught Up in the Touch,' 'Crossing the Line'
Join me every week as I share a few shout-outs on romance author goings-on, related events and recommended reads.
Blissful Summer anthology by Cheris Hodges and Lisa Marie Perry
Two authors, two stories under one cover — a twice-the-fun read from Cheris Hodges and Lisa Marie Perry.
Multipublished author Cheris Hodges debuts in the Kimani Romance line with Make You Mine Again. Former lovers due to reunite at a wedding, a romantic hot spot like Paris and a double helping of stubborn mind-sets create the perfect storm for this sexy romantic story. Hodges always comes prepared with strong, determined heroines who have the right touch of vulnerability and desires to test the wills of her smart, protective heroes with their tender hearts under the gruff exteriors. The fireworks between the two are explosive, funny and endearing. Can't wait to see more from Cheris Hodges.
About Make You Mine Again (courtesy of Kimani Romance):
Supermodel Jansen Douglas is living her dream. Now a wedding in Paris is about to reunite her with the high school sweetheart she left behind. But Atlanta CEO Bradley Stephens won't let their stormy past stand in the way of reclaiming his first and only love.
Unraveled by Lisa Marie Perry
Lisa Marie Perry's Unraveled is romance with a hefty dollop of steamy erotic spice. A twist of fate sets the pace for this unlikely duo to connect on various levels of intimacy that scorch the pages and woo the heart. But once they do make that instantaneous connection, the journey is quick and deep to reveal innermost thoughts, feelings, fears and dreams. While we get the big reveals, thanks to Perry's skillful plotting, we have all we need to really care for the couple and their success.
About Unraveled (courtesy of Kimani Romance):
Ona Tracy's plans to seduce her high school crush unravel when the reunion trip she books turns out to be an erotic-themed cruise to the Bahamas! Rather than abandon ship, she recruits blond-haired, silver-eyed Riker Ewan to be her hookup, unaware that the hot-bodied ex-marine isn't who he seems to be…
Caught Up in the Touch by Laura Trentham
Laura Trentham continues with the second installment of the Falcon Football series with Caught Up in the Touch, another story that puts power behind the opposites-attract trope. With writing that paints a 3-D, colorful landscape of this small town, big personalities and life-altering personal stories, Trentham makes her story deeper and unforgettable among romance stories. Not only does she do a wonderful job of making you fall hard for the Mountain Man and the barracuda. But there is such poignancy in her description of small-town Alabama with the locale, the food and all the wonderful elements that make up Southern living that she could almost tempt me to camp out and try a few interesting dishes. Laura Trentham delivers a sexy small-town romance with skillful ease.
About the book (courtesy of St. Martin's Paperbacks):
Jessica Montgomery has always lived by three simple rules: stay calm, stay professional, stay in control. Working tirelessly to make it into the executive ranks of her family's business, her dream job of CFO is within reach-if she can convince one stubborn and sexy restaurateur to take her offer and manage Montgomery Industries' flagship restaurant in Atlanta.
On the surface Logan Wilde is all good-old-boy charm and humor, but he can't seem to outrun the hell-raising reputation of his high school years. Although he has thought about leaving his hometown in Falcon, Alabama, he has grown to love the town, his restaurant, and his part-time gig coaching the football team.
Jessica estimates it will take a week tops to get Logan Wilde's signature on her generous offer, but their first meeting is anything but professional. Logan shreds Jessica's control and unleashes a passion she didn't know existed even as a deeper connection between them takes root. When her family's manipulations threaten to tear them apart, Jessica has to decide whether her dream is really the CFO job or the man who has unselfishly offered his love.
Crossing the Line by Lisa B. Kamps
Lisa B. Kamps debuts with Crossing the Line, the first in her professional hockey team — The Baltimore Banners — series. When there is nothing to lose and everything to win, the romantic game gets hot and heavy.
Move over, football and baseball heroes, and make room for these hard-hitting, heart-melting hockey players. Kamps does an effective job crafting these guys with tough, keen determination. As a result, the hero and his friends are realistic, sexy and desirable with hero material stamped all over them — a must for our sensibilities.
The heroine is no slouch either, as she finds her confidence to push for what she wants. That desire brings quite a few conflicts to the surface and a lot of sexual tension to the mix. With a little give and take, the internal and external battles solidify the story points. Good job all around and looking forward to the next in the series.
About the book (courtesy of author):
Amber "AJ" Johnson is a freelance writer who has one chance of winning her dream-job as a full-time staffer: capture an interview with the very private goalie of Baltimore's hockey team, Alec Kolchak. But he's the one man who tries her patience, even as he brings to life a quiet passion she doesn't want to admit exists.
Alec has no desire to be interviewed—he never has, never will. But he finds himself a reluctant admirer of AJ's determination to get what she wants...and he certainly never counted on his attraction to her. In a fit of frustration, he accepts AJ's bet: if she can score just one goal on him in a practice shoot-out, he would not only agree to the interview, he would let her have full access to him for a month, 24/7.
It was a bet neither one of them wanted to lose...and a bet neither one could afford to win. But when it came time to take the shot, could either one of them cross the line?
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Michelle Monkou writes for Harlequin Kimani, Evernight Publishing and Boroughs Publishing. Michelle's website is michellemonkou.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.