New Release: Fighting the Fire by Laura Kaye + Review & Excerpt!

 

Today we have the release day blitz for Laura Kaye’s new contemporary romance, FIGHTING THE FIRE! Check it out and order yours now!

Title: Fighting the Fire

Author: Laura Kaye

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

Here’s what you’ll get in Fighting the Fire:

Smart-ass firefighter hero who's also a closet nerd

Kick-ass ER nurse heroine

Frenemies to lovers when she nurses him back to health

Superhero movie marathon fun

Snarky banter for days!

A Note from Laura:

Dear Readers,

I’m so excited to share my new standalone romance, Fighting the Fire! This is the fourth book in my Warrior Fight Club contemporary romance series, which mixes military and sports romance elements to tell the story of an MMA training club which creates a found family for veterans transitioning to civilian life and dealing with their war-borne demons. In Fighting the Fire, Sean and Daniela are two of my favorite characters I've ever written--they're both strong, loyal, snarky, and hiding some pretty deep hurts that in the end make them so perfect for each other. And all that frenemies tension makes the chemistry between them hot AF! I hope you love them as much as I do!

xx Laura Kaye

 

About Fighting the Fire:

One night is never enough… For firefighter Sean Riddick, Warrior Fight Club keeps the demons of his past at bay, even though it means seeing Daniela England. Her ball-busting sarcasm drives him nuts, and he knows he’s damaged goods anyway, but he can’t help but remember how good they were together that one time. Now he wants to take her to the mats no matter how much they go toe to toe. ER nurse Daniela England has lost so much that she’s vowed never to need anyone again. Fight club helps her beat back her survivor’s guilt, but it means dealing with Riddick. The hot-but-infuriating firefighter is everything she wants to avoid, which is why their one-night stand was a mistake. Now she needs to keep her distance so it doesn’t happen again. But when Dani witnesses Sean’s motorcycle accident, she steps up to help him recover. One on one, they get beneath all the snark and find a connection neither expected. As Sean heals, the sparks between them burst into red-hot passion—and ignite old wounds. Now there are fires all around—and they have to decide which they’ll fight and which they’ll let consume them.

Order Today!

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Series on Goodreads

Goodreads Giveaway

Review:

3.5-4 stars

****

Fighting the Fire is book three in the Warrior Fight Club series. We finally get Sean and Daniella's story. In previous books, we had a glimpse at their bickering way of flirting during fight club together. In this book, we learn the history behind their characters. Daniela is a nurse and was in the military. Her husband was also in the miitary and he died in combat. She carries so much guilt over the circumstances surrounding his death and has not fully healed from that loss. Sean is a former miltary man turned firefighter. He also has some demons in the past, but covers them with his jokey, fun time guy personality. The two of them have had chemistry and an unnamed connection for awhile, but she feels guilty for it and he is not the relationship type so he doesn't push it. But when Sean is in a motorcycle accident, Daniela steps up to help take care of him. As they spend time together, they start to realize they are both still deserving of love and they could have a future together.

This was a good story. I liked Sean and Daniela as characters and together as a couple. I did feel like they liked each other a lot by the end, but I wasn't sure I felt love between them just yet. I did think they had great potential to fall in love and be together forever, though. I was really happy that they were able to overcome their emotional issues and find their HEA with each other. They both deserved to be happy and to have a lighter, brighter future.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and emotional read. Both Sean and Daniela has some pretty heavy issues to overcome and I was happy they came out of that journey on the other side, happy together. I enjoy this series and I hope this is not the end of it. I look forward to more from Ms. Kaye in the future!

Exclusive Excerpt:

The next thing Dani knew, she was over Sean’s shoulder and being carried into the house. Up the stairs. “Sean, put me down. You’re gonna hurt yourself, you big idiot!” She tried to twist out of his hold, but his arm was tight around the backs of her legs. “I’m fuckin’ fine,” he said in a sexy growl. “And we both know you like getting held down, so don’t pretend that this isn’t making you wet.” “Damn you,” she said, dizzy more from the force of her arousal than hanging upside down. He let out a sexy chuckle as he started up the stairs to his second floor. Her thinking brain wanted her to tell him he was going to hurt himself again, but she surrendered to the baser part of herself. The part that knew Sean was right. She was already wet. He dropped her unceremoniously on his big bed. The gray-and-white-striped sheets were messy, and the hunter green comforter was folded back, all as if Sean had just rolled out of bed. It made it feel more intimate, somehow, like she was seeing into a part of his life that she wasn’t meant to see. She rolled to find Sean tearing the button-down off, exposing those muscled shoulders and ridged abdomen. His bruising wasn’t quite as dark now, and in places was turning yellow-green as it healed. Dani’s gaze dropped down to the considerable bulge that filled out the front of his jeans. God, she wanted him to absolutely overwhelm her. And she knew he was one hundred percent capable of it, too.

About the Author:

Laura Kaye is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over 40 books in contemporary, erotic, and paranormal romance and romantic suspense, and has sold nearly two million books in the U.S. alone. Laura grew up amid family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with storytelling and the supernatural. A former college history professor, Laura also writes bestselling historical women's fiction as Laura Kamoie. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters, and and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.  

Connect with the Author:

Website | Facebook | Reader Group | Twitter | Instagram | Get Free Books

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New Release: Oops, I've Fallen by Max Monroe + Review!

 

Oops, I’ve Fallen, an all-new funny and swoon-worthy standalone romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe is available now!

If my time with Ryan Miller were a hit track on the radio, I imagine the lyrics would go something like this…

“We’re so different, but they say opposites attract. Oops, I’ve fallen, and my heart doesn’t want to come back.”

But, holy bingo night, is my attraction to the sexy, broody businessman so much more complicated than the chorus of a song.

His dad lives right next to my mom, and after the two of them suffered an unexplained accident while taking down holiday decorations, both Ryan and I were forced to become the only thirtysomething residents of Sunny Creek Village Independent Senior Living Community.

Temporarily moving in might seem like overkill for a fractured tailbone and a severely pulled groin muscle, but believe me, when your mom is as wild as mine and your dad is as cantankerous as Ryan’s, they need supervision to ensure they stick to doctor’s orders.

Constantly thrown together by the antics of our crazy parents and the tough-as-nails community enforcer, Betty Matthews, Ryan and I formed an alliance for the sole purpose of survival.

But I never expected to be so interested in finding out what he was hiding beneath his grumpy, serious demeanor. More than that, I never dreamed what I found would be the kind of man women sell their souls to the devil for.

Unfortunately, our little one-hit wonder on the airwaves has more to say before it comes to an end.

Although, finishing the outro to this song is a real doozy...

Tell me…what lyric rhymes with Oops, I’ve fallen for my future stepbrother?

Review:

3.5 stars

***

 This was a cute book! Oops, I've Fallen is a standalone book by Max Monroe. This is Carly and Ryan's story. Carly is a free spirit who teaches ski lessons in Colorado. Ryan is more buttoned up and a businessman/workaholic from NYC. When Carly's mom, Stella, breaks her tailbone in a mysterious accident in her retirement village in Florida, she flies down to stay with her and take care of her for a few months. There she meets Carly's mom's next door neighbor, who was also hurt in her mysterious accident, an senior man named Sal. Sal's son, Ryan has also flown in to take care of his dad. Carly and Ryan are thrown together when Sal and Stella announce they are in love. The two act like horny teenagers, leaving Carly and Ryan to bond over their parents and join forces in keeping them in line. As they spend time together, the two of them fall for each other as well.

I wasn't sure if I was digging this book at first. Carly came off as a little annoying and rude, in an effort to appear carefree. She seemed immature for 36. But once she got around her mom and had to be the grown up in the scenario and the voice of reason, she calmed down a bit and I liked her. I thought Ryan was a little dull at first too, but he loosened up, as well. So it took me a little bit to warm up to the characters. But I ended up liking them and the story was cute. I liked the couple together, even if they were a little lacking in chemistry. The retirement village setting and zany senior side characters had the chance to go into "too cheesy" territory, but it turned out okay, too.

Overall, this was an entertaining, light, easy and fun read. I enjoyed Carly and Ryan's love story. The jump ahead epilogue was super cute, too. I look forward to more from Max Monroe in the future!

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3tv6IjN
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/OopsIveFallen

Add Oops, I’ve Fallen to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/30S3B9k

About Max Monroe

A duo of romance authors team up under the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling pseudonym Max Monroe to bring you sexy, laugh-out-loud reads.

Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of more than ten contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far.

Connect with Max Monroe

BookBub: http://bit.ly/3bJFJJh
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ReoxkK
Facebook: http://bit.ly/31XxggS
Instagram: http://bit.ly/39wuCkW
Stay up to date with Max Monroe by joining their mailing list today: http://bit.ly/2HzGmau
Website: https://www.authormaxmonroe.com/

Blog Tour: Marriage and Murder by Penny Reid + Excerpt & Review!

 

Marriage and Murder, an-all new quirky and witty cozy mystery and the second book in the Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries from New York Times bestselling author Penny Reid is available now!

The Devil is in the details . . .

Cletus Byron Winston wishes to marry Jennifer Anne Donner-Sylvester (aka The Banana Cake Queen) posthaste! He’s spent the last year wanting nothing more than for the celebrations to be brief, libations flowing, and BYOB (bring your own blueberries). His future mother-in-law has other plans, plans his intended has been willing to indulge, much to Cletus’s chagrin. Therefore, so must he. To a point. But truth be told, he wouldn’t mind if the meddlesome matriarch disappeared, at least until the nuptials are over.

On the night of Cletus and Jenn’s long-awaited engagement party, just when the surly schemer is of a mind to take matters into his own hands, a shocking event upends everyone’s best laid plans and sends the small hamlet of Green Valley into complete disarray. The final months leading up to Cletus and Jenn’s matrimonial bliss are plagued with chaos and uncertainty. Will Cletus and Jenn finally make it to the altar? Or will murder and mayhem derail their happily-ever-after?
And most importantly, who done it?

‘Marriage and Murder’ is the second book in the cozy mystery series Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries. It is best read after Winston Brothers #3, ‘Beard Science’ (which can be read as a standalone) and Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries #1, ‘Engagement and Espionage.’

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3bxHvvw
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/MarriageMurderPR
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2LqTiBk
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2T5lIVP
Nook: https://bit.ly/2WuiXzm
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2Z0eZjD

Excerpt

“Here.” Cletus suddenly appeared, looking devilishly handsome in the dim light and seemingly all put back together—like we’d been in here holding hands instead of. . . ANYWAY.

He held out my underwear. His eyes were bright even in shadow, and I could see they were half-lidded as they lazily trailed over me. He looked at me like he was hungry, and I was dinner. Despite all the encore orgasms I’d just had, the effect hit me right between my legs. 

I wondered what he was thinking, watching as he licked his bottom lip and drew it into his mouth. Was he just as insatiable for me? And if so, was he okay with that?

Tearing my eyes away, I pulled on the lace and fixed my skirt, telling my body to settle down. We were getting married for hootenanny’s sake! 

Cletus cocked his head to the side while I smoothed my hands down the red fabric, working to get a hold of all this raging want always coursing through my veins whenever he was near. Maybe it was because he was my first, and I guess, my only. Was that why I felt so crazed for him all the time? 

“Miraculous,” he said.

I surmised he meant the dress. “Right? The wrinkles are hidden, if there are any. It’s ’cause they ruched the outer fabric at the seams, see?” I turned to the side to show him the seam, and he stepped forward as though he were going to investigate.

Instead, his hands cupped my face and tilted my chin back. He stared at me with a vibrant intensity I felt all the way to my fingertips. “No, Jenn. Not the dress. You.” Cletus gave me a soft kiss, ending it by gently nipping my bottom lip. “You are my miracle.”

I sighed. And I smiled. And I felt like I was walking on a cloud instead of in four-inch heels, which was also probably something of a miracle. “You say the sweetest things.”

“I think you mean, I say the truest things.”

 I laughed, and he kissed my forehead. He held me there, in the dark with his lips pressed to my forehead. “I love you so completely, with every cell in my body. I wonder sometimes if I’d cease to exist—just evaporate or disappear—if anything ever happened to you.”

“No.” I anchored my hands to his wrists and squeezed. “Don’t think like that. We’ve got our whole lives in front of us. There’s nothing anyone can—”

Three bangs in quick succession pierced the quiet moment, and not a second later Cletus had me on the ground beneath him, covering my back with his body.

“Gunshots,” he whispered in my ear. “From the parking lot. Don’t move.” 

Review:

3.75-4 stars

****

 This was a good book. Marriage and Murder is the second book in the Solving for Pie: Clletus and Jen cozy mysteries series. I really enjoyed book one and this one was no different. I don't want to give away the mystery so I won't say to much about the plot. But I will say, this book takes place in the middle of Jenn and Cletus's wedding festivities and planning. A person close to them is murdered, which definitely puts a huge damper on everything. The two of them stick together through it all, though, and come out together stronger in the end.

Book One in this series was a light, quirky, fun book, but this book was a bit heavier and more emotional. There is a murder and it is someone close to the couple, but not someone they had a positive relationship with. This made the death much harder to swallow and there were a lot of complicated feelings. Add in to that the murderer is a mystery and no one is safe from the authorities' scrutiny, including Jenn, Cletus and their family members. Also, there is a wedding, showers and other festivities going on, to make things even more complicated. But throughout all that, Jenn and Cletus never doubt that they love each other so much and want to be married. I was totally sucked into the mystery throughout the story. I did find the first half of the book to be lighter, while the second half was darker and a little on the depressing side. I understood why it was sadder, but I did wish for a few more happy moments. But, for a cozy mystery, this book had plenty of romance and sexy times in general. I was actually surprised at how hot Cletus was in this book and how smoking the couple were together. I never doubted their love and commitment.

Overall, this book had a great blend of romance and mystery. Jenn and Cletus had some very swoonworthy moments and managed to make it through their hardships to the altar. I was happy to see them happy in the end and I look forward to more of their adventures in this fun series!

Meet Penny Reid

Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

Connect with Penny

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD
Twitter: @ReidRomance
Mailing List: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/
Website: www.pennyreid.ninja

New Release: The Devil in her Bed by Kerrigan Byrne + Review!

 

The Devil in her Bed by Kerrigan Byrne is now available!

He lives in secret service to the Crown—a man of duty, deception, and an undeniable attraction to a woman who threatens to tear his whole world apart.

They call him the Devil of Dorset. He stands alone, a man of undeniable power. Moving in and out of shadows, back alleys and ballrooms, he is unstoppable and one of the Crown’s most dangerous weapons. However, when he sets his sights on the undeniably beautiful Countess of Mont Claire, Francesca Cavendish, he doesn’t realize that he has met a match like no other.

TRUE LOVE WEARS NO DISGUISE

Francesca is a countess by day and stalks her prey—those responsible for the death of her family—by night. What she does not expect is to be thrown into the path of the devil himself, the Earl of Devlin. She has secrets of her own and he seems determined to lay them bare. Can her heart survive finding the love of her life and losing him when all is revealed?

Pick up your copy of the Devil in Her Bed today:

• AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3sOhocS

• KINDLE: https://amzn.to/3eijy0a

• NOOK: http://bit.ly/3sMJchR

• APPLE BOOKS: http://apple.co/2O6Apsa

Review:

3.5 stars

***+

 I enjoyed this book. The Devil in Her Bed is the third book in the Devil You Know series and is Declan and Francesca's story. Francesca is the final redhead in her group of friends, the Red Rogues, to find love. She has a tragic childhood, in which her family was murdered, and she has lived her life trying to find those responsible and get her revenge. She has spied and secretly investigated the upper class in London and she feels close to finding the culprit. Declan is a mysterious figure from her past and that is about all I can say without giving the stories' secrets away.

This book started out really strong. I enjoyed it, especially the first half. There is a lie of identity though, that goes on until nearly the end of the book that I wished had been exposed earlier. It was hard to trust the feelings developing between the couple when one party did not know the true identity of the other. It is really hard to explain without getting into spoiler territory. I just really wanted the couple to be completely honest with each other and to see them fall in love as themselves. I felt like the conflict ended so close to the end that it unsatisfied me. Otherwise, I liked Francesca and Declan in general, despite their miscommunication. The story was good, intriguing, fast paced and had lots of action.

Overall, while not my favorite book by Ms. Byrne, this book was still entertaining and enjoyable. I was happy that Francesca and Declan get their HEA together. I have enjoyed this series and am sad to see the end of the Red Rogues' stories. I look forward to more from Ms. Byrne in the future!

New Release: Marriage and Murder by Penny Reid + Review!

 

The Devil is in the details . . .

Marriage and Murder, an-all new quirky and witty cozy mystery and second book in the Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries from New York Times bestselling author Penny Reid is available now!

Cletus Byron Winston wishes to marry Jennifer Anne Donner-Sylvester (aka The Banana Cake Queen) poste haste! He's spent the last year wanting nothing more than for the celebrations to be brief, libations flowing, and BYOB (bring your own blueberries). His future mother-in-law has other plans, plans his intended has been willing to indulge, much to Cletus's chagrin. Therefore, so must he. To a point. But truth be told, he wouldn't mind if the meddlesome matriarch disappeared, at least until the nuptials are over.

On the night of Cletus and Jenn's long-awaited engagement party, just when the surly schemer is of a mind to take matters into his own hands, a shocking event upends everyone's best laid plans and sends the small hamlet of Green Valley into complete disarray. The final months leading up to Cletus and Jenn's matrimonial bliss are plagued with chaos and uncertainty. Will Cletus and Jenn finally make it to the altar? Or will murder and meyham detrail their happily-ever-after?

And most importantly, who done it?

'Marriage and Murder' is the second book in the cozy mystery series Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries. It is best read after Winston Brothers #3, 'Beard Science' (which can be read as a standalone) and Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries #1, 'Engagement and Espionage.'

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3bxHvvw
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/MarriageMurderPR
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2LqTiBk
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2T5lIVP
Nook: https://bit.ly/2WuiXzm
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2Z0eZjD

Add Marriage and Murder to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2WsIngD

Review:

3.75-4 stars

****

 This was a good book. Marriage and Murder is the second book in the Solving for Pie: Clletus and Jen cozy mysteries series. I really enjoyed book one and this one was no different. I don't want to give away the mystery so I won't say to much about the plot. But I will say, this book takes place in the middle of Jenn and Cletus's wedding festivities and planning. A person close to them is murdered, which definitely puts a huge damper on everything. The two of them stick together through it all, though, and come out together stronger in the end.

Book One in this series was a light, quirky, fun book, but this book was a bit heavier and more emotional. There is a murder and it is someone close to the couple, but not someone they had a positive relationship with. This made the death much harder to swallow and there were a lot of complicated feelings. Add in to that the murderer is a mystery and no one is safe from the authorities' scrutiny, including Jenn, Cletus and their family members. Also, there is a wedding, showers and other festivities going on, to make things even more complicated. But throughout all that, Jenn and Cletus never doubt that they love each other so much and want to be married. I was totally sucked into the mystery throughout the story. I did find the first half of the book to be lighter, while the second half was darker and a little on the depressing side. I understood why it was sadder, but I did wish for a few more happy moments. But, for a cozy mystery, this book had plenty of romance and sexy times in general. I was actually surprised at how hot Cletus was in this book and how smoking the couple were together. I never doubted their love and commitment.

Overall, this book had a great blend of romance and mystery. Jenn and Cletus had some very swoonworthy moments and managed to make it through their hardships to the altar. I was happy to see them happy in the end and I look forward to more of their adventures in this fun series!

Meet Penny Reid

Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

Connect with Penny

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD
Twitter: @ReidRomance
Mailing List: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/
Website: www.pennyreid.ninja

New Release: Cowboy by L.B. Dunbar + Review & Excerpt!

 

Cowboy by L. B. Dunbar is now available!

Cowboy is book two in the Busy Bean series, which is a series written in Sarina Bowen's World of True North. 

Blurb:

Pregnant at forty-two? Back the cow up...

Harland Bull Eaton has lost many things—his first wife, his beloved mother, those three women he proposed to . . . Oh, and there was that time he almost lost the family dairy farm due to a scandal. He’s losing faith in just about everything, especially love. 

But one night, his friends give him a dare. No commitments. No heartbreak. Just buy that gorgeous redhead a drink. The big-city bombshell he’s set his eyes on swirls him into a tailspin that lands them in bed for a one-night stand he’s pretty sure he’ll never forget. But this time, he swears, he won’t let his heart ride herd on his common sense. 

Recently separated and newly unemployed, Scarlett Russell is at a crossroads. With no other plan than visiting a friend in Vermont, the last thing she expects is a hunky, silver fox offering to buy her a drink. Even less expected is when she raises that offer to “take me to bed, cowboy.” She just wants one night to forget everything gone wrong.

Turns out once won’t be nearly enough. Won’t ever be enough, feeling the way she does. But secrets and an unexpected surprise are a lot to handle . . . unless these two can break a trail to an unexpected happily ever after.

Purchase here:
Amazon: https://geni.us/Cowboy-Amazon
Apple: https://geni.us/Cowboy-Apple
Kobo: https://geni.us/Cowboy-Kobo
Nook: https://geni.us/Cowboy-Nook

Add to Goodreads here: https://bit.ly/34Ax3To
Series page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/busy-bean/
Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs

Excerpt:

“A coffee, black, no sugar, no cream, and a caramel macchiato with exactly five drizzles of caramel, fifteen pumps of vanilla syrup, whipped cream, and an extra shot.”

What the . . .

Thank God, I did not take that order. I don’t even know what that is. There’s a pause and I’m wondering what’s happening when Bull says, “You have a little something . . .”

I just want to die a slow death as I imagine him swiping at the corner of her lip or wiping off her nose and that sweet, tender touch will be all the spark she needs to want to pounce on this man behind me. Bull has these deep blue eyes and that silver speckled scruff, plus his hair that looks artfully streaked with gray. He’s just all around sexy and he doesn’t even know it about himself. Then, his touch. The soft strokes down my body and the delicate dips of his fingers, I just can’t—

“Have either of you seen Scarlett?” Audrey asks.

Frick.

“Scarlett?” Bull chokes behind me.

“Yeah, Scarlett. She’s our newest barista and I swear she was out here.”

“I didn’t see anyone,” Vermont Barbie states. “But then again, I’ve only been looking at Bull.”

Okay, that’s enough.

“Found it,” I say, popping up from behind the couch and holding my fingers pinched together like I’ve just found gold in them there wood floorboards.

“Scarlett?” Audrey blinks at me with those expressive eyes of hers . She’s a petite blond with a lot of power behind her personality. I slowly stand but find myself dizzy as I do and grip the back of the couch for support.

“Whoa.” I blurt, unable to stop myself as the room spins and my legs tremble. My skin runs cold, but I break out in a full body sweat.

“Scarlett, are you okay?” Audrey asks, rushing to the edge of the couch while Bull quickly stands to face me.

“I . . . yeah, I just think I stood up too fast.” However, that isn’t the full explanation because that rush to my head has now settled back down to my belly.

“You sure you’re okay? You look a little gray,” Audrey asks.

“I . . . excuse me.” Rushing around the couch, I fight the pull to look at Bull, as I disappear behind the counter, bypassing our waiting customers with one finger in the air, and then press out the door to the grassy area behind the building for some much needed fresh air. Once outside, I promptly bend forward and heave.

“Oh my God, are you okay?” Audrey says behind me and I close my eyes, embarrassed by my position in front of my boss. Audrey’s younger than me, but a good, business woman and kind-hearted. She took me on without any prior experience in the coffee industry.

“Yeah. Just something I ate, I think.” I honestly don’t know. It’s been a few weeks like this, nausea, fatigue, and then if I do get sick, which doesn’t always happen, I feel a million times better once I vomit. “I just have a little stomach bug, but I don’t have a fever. I’m so sorry about this.” I point to the grass which holds no evidence of how my stomach felt. “And that.” I nod toward the café.

Audrey’s brows crease as she examines my face. “What else is wrong? As far as how you are feeling?”

I consider it a second and then answer. “My boobs hurt. My back kills. And I had a tuna fish sandwich for breakfast the other day. I think there was something wrong with the mayonnaise.” Then I reconsider what I’ve said. That sandwich the other morning had been the best damn tuna fish in the world and the last thing I’d ever eat when it comes to a breakfast item.

Audrey’s lips slowly curl and her eyes spark like she knows something. “Scarlett, could you be pregnant?”

“What? No. Heaven’s no. Absolutely not. I . . .” I stare back at her, horrified at the notion. I’m forty-two. I’m recently divorced. I cannot be pregnant at this stage of my life.

“No. I am definitely not pregnant.”

Review:

3 stars

***

 This book was an okay book for me. Cowboy is book two in the Busy Bean series, which is a series written in Sarina Bowen's World of True North. It can be read as a standalone as each book in the series is written by a different author. Cowboy is Bull and Scarlett's book. Scarlett's life is turned upside when she loses her tabloid tv reporter job and her husband leaves her for his pregnant mistress. She heads to Vermont to visit a friend, regroup, and figure out what to do with her life next. Bull is a farmer who runs a farm with his brothers and father. He has a history of unluckiness in love, with a trail of engagements and women leaving him. He and Scarlett meet in a bar and both of them decide to do something out of character, throw caution to the wind and have a one night stand. Neither of them expect to see each other again, although they can't stop thinking of each other. Scarlett goes on to get a job at the Busy Bean coffee shop. But fate has other plans when Scarlett finds out she's pregnant. She and Bull have a lot to work out as both of them have past baggage, but they manage to make it work in the end.

I love a surprise pregnancy so I was excited to read this book, but I didn't quite love this one. Both Bull and Scarlett were in their 40s, but lacked depth and felt immature at times. I didn't completely love either of their characters. Also, there was so much angst and back and forth fighting, with bad tempers, silent treatments, jumping too conclusions and miscommunications. They both had moments of treating each other badly, especially Bull towards Scarlett. It was all very melodramatic right to the end with very few trustful, happy moments. The pacing felt a little too fast to feel any emotions. The writing style felt a little too simplistic and almost on a lower age level. Still, I did find the story and premise was cute. I also liked the coffee shop and Vermont setting.

Overall, this book was not my favorite by this author. I am not a huge angst lover and it just wasn't quite what I expected. Still, if you love lots of drama in your romance, you will probably love this book. I am glad to have found a new series and I look forward to the rest of the books to come.