Blog Tour: Dr. Strange Beard by Penny Reid + Review, Giveaway & Excerpt!

Dr. Strange Beard, an all-new standalone in the bestselling, romantic comedy Winston Brothers Series by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Penny Reid, is available NOW!

Hunches, horse races, and heartbreak

Ten years after Simone Payton broke his heart, all Roscoe Winston wants is a doughnut. He’d also like to forget her entirely, but that’s never going to happen. Roscoe Winston remembers everything—every look, every word, every single unrequited second—and the last thing he needs is another memory of Simone.

Unfortunately, after one chance encounter, Simone keeps popping up everywhere he happens to be . . .

Ten years after Roscoe Winston dropped out of her life, all Simone Payton wants is to exploit him. She’d also like some answers from her former best friend about why he ghosted her, but if she never gets those answers, that’s a-okay. Simone let go of the past a long time ago. Seriously, she has. She totally, totally has. She is definitely not still thinking about Roscoe. Nope. She’s more than happy to forget he exists.

But first, she needs just one teeny-tiny favor . . .

Dr. Strange Beard is a full-length romantic comedy novel, can be read as a stand-alone, and is the fifth book in the USA TODAY bestselling Winston Brothers series.

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Excerpt:

“Simone, this is not one of our adventures from when we were kids. This is not finding Blithe Tanner’s cat. These men are murderers, drug dealers, thieves.” “I know.” Boy oh boy, did I know. I didn’t want to be here anymore than he did. I was frightened. Yet allowing Roscoe to be taken on his own hadn’t been an option. “I can handle myself, and I can provide backup for you, if you need it.” Roscoe gripped my shoulders. “Nothing can happen to you, do you understand?” His words were emphatic, his gaze disoriented, desolate, frantic. “If anything happens to you, I’ll . . .” He swallowed, apparently unable to finish the sentence. My heart twisted to see him like this. I wished there were some way to show him what I could do, what I was capable of, so he would stop seeing me as a liability. Well, why can’t you? “Huh.” Now there was a thought. Stepping out of his grip, I walked backward to the other side of the room and took a deep breath. “Okay. Come at me.” He blinked. “What?” “I want you to come at me.” “Simone,” he seethed. “Come at me, bro.” I did that little movement with my fingers, my palm turned upwards. “Come at me or I’ll start singing again.” “I’m not doing this.” “Fine.”Frustrating. “I’ll come at you.” He stood there, features set, looking raw. Moving quickly forward, staying light on my feet, I faked right and then went left, hooking him behind the back of his leg, catching his arm to twist behind his back, and sending him to the ground—face-first—with a thud. I winced as he grunted, my knee at the base of his spine, his arm restrained behind his back. “Sorry! But you wouldn’t listen to me.” Leaning forward, I whispered in his ear, “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” Roscoe’s back and shoulders rose and fell with an expansive breath, like he was about to respond, but in the next moment he’d spun his legs to the right, leveraged my knee on his back to throw me off-balance, and slipped his wrist from my hold. In my defense, my grip had been lax as I was purposefully trying not to injure him. The next thing I knew, Roscoe had me pinned to the ground, air knocked out of me, him hovering above, and my gun digging into my ribs beneath my shirt. He’d been careful to subdue my legs, likely so he wouldn’t end up with a bruised ballsack. His stare more probing than angry—which I took as a good sign—he said, “I didn’t teach you that. Where’d you learn that?” Even though I was still coughing, I smiled and rasped, “Since college, take judo.” He nodded faintly, his eyes moving between mine, looking concerned. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” “No.” Endeavoring to catch my breath, I said, “I took it easy on you because I didn’t want to hurt you either, but I’m an asset, not a liability.” “You’re definitely an asset.” Roscoe frowned, his gaze dropping to my mouth. “And a distraction,” he said, his voice rough. “I’m a distraction?” I asked, my words still breathy. I bucked, but he held me fast. “Yes. . .” His stare turned inward. “You are most definitely a distraction.” Even though I’d had plenty of time to recover and we’d been holding still for close to a minute, I was still breathing hard. This might have been because of my lingering irritation. Or, maybe it was because the length of Roscoe’s lean body was lying on mine. He held my hands on either side of my head, our faces even, his mouth just inches away. Was it insane that I hoped he kissed me? Yes? No? Let’s go with no. He gave me his eyes again and I saw something there, a battle. He looked undecided, at war with himself, straining against something I couldn’t see. “Roscoe?” I whispered. Roscoe closed his eyes, and I thought he was going to let me go, but in the next second his lips descended, capturing my mouth in a tender kiss. I moaned. I kissed him back. That’s what one does when Roscoe Winston kisses one. Moan and kiss. Repeat. Because not doing so would be a travesty. His hold on my hands slacked, his fingers seeking and threading with mine. He settled his hips between my legs, his form relaxing. The weight of him was different now, warmer somehow. At least I felt warm. I also felt cherished as his tongue sought mine, again tenderly, stroking, causing my abdomen to twist and tighten into delicious knots. He broke the kiss and a protest died on my lips as his mouth trailed down my jaw to the sensitive skin of my neck, sucking, licking, savoring me. What had felt warm and cherishing heated, and my hips tilted reflexively as he nibbled on my ear, cradling his rapidly growing erection. We both gasped as his hips rocked in an answering yet inelegant movement. It felt perfect and essential in the moment. “Oh God.” His hot breath spilled against my jaw, a ragged sigh. “What are we doing?” “I don’t know, but don’t stop.”



REVIEW:

4 stars

****

 This was a good addition to the Winston family series! This is Simone and Roscoe's story. Simone and Roscoe grew up together as best friends in their small Tennessee town. But their friendship ended abruptly as young teens and they haven't spoken since. Now, Roscoe is a veterinarian living out of town, but he comes home often to see his family. Simone has a big secret. Her work has brought her back to her hometown, but she can't tell anyone about it or why. I can't explain a lot more without spoiling the book, but I can say - Circumstances bring the two together again. They work out the misunderstanding between the from the past and begin to face a future together, all while dealing with some danger and conflict from outside sources. 

I really enjoyed this book! I really liked Simone and Roscoe. They were best friends growing up but a misunderstanding ended their friendship unexpectedly when they were young teens. They both hold some resentment and hurt over their past. But once they spent time together in the present, it was obvious to see they were meant to be together. Simone was practical, focused on work and afraid of feelings. But she was also sweet, funny and smart. She had to fight her ambition and fear of feelings to let love in, but she softened as the book went on. Roscoe was swoony. He cares about his family, is sentimental and romantic. He adored Simone. The book is not too angsty. There is a bit of a slow burn and there is a good suspense subplot. I liked the FBI aspect, too, as well as catching up with the rest of the Winston family. 

There was a lot going on to further the series story arc. I don't want to give too much away so I won't go into detail. There are a few questions answered, but a lot more questions come up. I'm really not sure how Ms. Reid will go with the remaining book to wrap up the series, which seems to be Billy and Claire's book (but you never know!). There is also so much room for more stories set in this world with side characters. 

Overall, Dr. Strange Beard was a great addition to the Winston world! I enjoyed Roscoe and Simone's journey to love. I can't wait for more from Ms. Reid and this fun series!

Enter the Giveaway!

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Meet Penny Reid:

Penny Reid is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City 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/

www.pennyreid.ninja

New Release: The Chase by Elle Kennedy + Excerpt & Review!

The Chase

by Elle Kennedy

Blurb:


Everyone says opposites attract. And they must be right, because there’s no logical reason why I’m so drawn to Colin Fitzgerald. I don’t usually go for tattoo-covered, video-gaming, hockey-playing nerd-jocks who think I’m flighty and superficial. His narrow view of me is the first strike against him. It doesn’t help that he’s buddy-buddy with my brother.
And that his best friend has a crush on me.
And that I just moved in with them.
Oh, did I not mention we’re roommates?
I suppose it doesn’t matter. Fitzy has made it clear he’s not interested in me, even though the sparks between us are liable to burn our house down. I’m not the kind of girl who chases after a man, though, and I’m not about to start. I’ve got my hands full dealing with a new school, a sleazy professor, and an uncertain future. So if my sexy brooding roomie wises up and realizes what he’s missing?
He knows where to find me.

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Paperbacks coming soon!!

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Excerpt:

“Dance with me?”

I want to say no.

But I also want to say yes.

I call this the Summer Dilemma—the frustrating, polar reactions this green-eyed, golden-haired goddess sparks in me.

Fuck yes and hell no.

Get naked with her. Run far, far away from her.

“Thanks, but I don’t like to dance.” I’m not lying. Dancing’s the worst.

Besides, when it comes to Summer Di Laurentis, my flight instinct always wins out.

“You’re no fun, Fitzy.” She makes a tsking noise, drawing my gaze to her lips. Full, pink, and glossy, with a tiny mole above the left side of her mouth.

It’s an extremely hot mouth.

Hell, everything about Summer is hot. She’s hands down the best-looking girl in the bar, and every dude in our vicinity is either staring enviously or glowering at me for being with her.

Not that I’m with her. We’re not together. I’m just standing next to her, with two feet of space between us. Which Summer keeps trying to bridge by leaning closer to me.

In her defense, she practically has to scream in my ear for me to hear her over the electronic dance music blasting through the room. I hate EDM, and I don’t like these kinds of bars, the ones with a dance floor and deafening music. Why the subterfuge? Just call your establishment a nightclub, if that’s what you want it to be. The owner of Gunner’s Pub should’ve called this place Gunner’s Club. Then I could’ve turned right around when I saw the sign and spared myself the shattered eardrums.

Not for the first time tonight, I curse my friends for dragging me to Brooklyn for New Year’s Eve. I’d way rather be at home, drinking a beer or two and watching the ball drop on TV. I’m low-key like that.

“You know, they warned me you were a curmudgeon, but I didn’t believe it until now.”

“Who’s they?” I ask suspiciously. “And hey, wait. I’m not a curmudgeon.”

“Hmmm, you’re right—the term is kind of dated. Let’s go with Groucho.”

“Let’s not.”

“No-Fun Police? Is that better?” Her expression is pure innocence. “Seriously, Fitz, what do you have against fun?”

An unwitting smile breaks free. “Got nothing against fun.”

“All right. Then what do you have against me?” she challenges. “Because every time I try talking to you, you run away.”

My smile fades. I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s calling me out in public. We’ve had a whopping total of two encounters, but that’s plenty of time for me to know she’s the type who thrives on drama.

I hate drama.

“Got nothing against you, either.” With a shrug, I ease away from the bar, prepared to do what she’s just accused me of—run.

A frustrated gleam fills her eyes. They’re big and green, the same shade as her older brother Dean’s eyes. And Dean’s the reason I force myself to stay put. He’s a good friend of mine. I can’t be a jackass to his sister, both out of respect for him, and for fear of my well-being. I’ve been on the ice when Dean’s gloves come off. He’s got a mean right hook.

“I mean it,” I say roughly. “I have nothing against you. We’re cool.”

“What? I didn’t hear the last part,” she says over the music.

I dip my mouth toward her ear, and I’m surprised that I barely have to bend my neck. She’s taller than the average chick, five-nine or ten, and since I’m six-two and used to towering over women, I find this refreshing.

“I said we’re cool,” I repeat, but I misjudged the distance between my lips and Summer’s ear. The two collide, and I feel a shiver run up her frame.

I shiver too, because my mouth is way too close to hers. She smells like heaven, some fascinating combo of flowers and jasmine and vanilla and—sandalwood, maybe? A man could get high on that fragrance. And don’t get me started on her dress. White, strapless, short. So short it barely grazes her lower thighs.

God fucking help me.

Review:

4 stars

****

 This was a pretty good NA read! The Chase is Fitzy and Summer's book. Summer, the younger sister of Dean from The Score, is new to Briar University after an incident got her kicked out of her former college. She finds herself kicked out of the sorority house, and without a place to live, before she even moves in. Dean pulls some strings and gets her a place to live... with a few of his former hockey teammates, including Fitzy. Colin Fitzgerald, or Fitzy, had a run in with Summer a few weeks earlier, where they almost hooked up, but a miscommunication stopped that from happening. Now, they are living together and fighting the tension between them. I won't go into the story any farther, but they manage to work things out between them and fall for each other along the way.

This wasn't my favorite book by Ms. Kennedy, but I liked it. It had been awhile since I read an NA book and it took me a bit to put myself back into that college student mindset. Summer and Fitzy acted typically for someone that age. The weren't great at communicating. Fitzy, especially, had trouble expressing his feelings. I didn't mind their sometimes immaturity and insecurity. They both had a lot going on, with school, work and hockey problems. I enjoyed their relationship journey, as well as each of their personal journeys. 

I liked Fitzy and Summer. Fitzy is a hockey player, but also thinks of himself as a nerd. He is an artist and computer programmer who designs video games. Summer is a fashion major, but she is a little lost. She has trouble with school because of a learning disability. Still, Summer is a fun-loving, happy, bubbly girl that everyone loves. The two of them are opposites, but they attract each other in the best way. Their relationship was a bit of a slow starter. There is also some ow/om drama, and while I didn't love it, it did not bother me a lot. At least it was G rated drama. It felt realistic and they did not know each other well. They were both feeling that college atmosphere where the possibilities for the future seem endless. Neither of them were pining for each other and both thought the other person did not like them. It took them awhile to work out their miscommunications, but the progression felt natural. I liked that they were roommates first, which added an interesting aspect. I loved their friends Hollis and Bre. Both were funny and great characters. 

Overall, I liked The Chase. Fitzy and Summer were a good couple. There are also lots of fun, new characters that would make for good romantic interests in future books. I look forward to more from this series and Ms. Kennedy!

Excerpt Reveal: The Chase by Elle Kennedy

The Chase

by Elle Kennedy

Blurb:


Everyone says opposites attract. And they must be right, because there’s no logical reason why I’m so drawn to Colin Fitzgerald. I don’t usually go for tattoo-covered, video-gaming, hockey-playing nerd-jocks who think I’m flighty and superficial. His narrow view of me is the first strike against him. It doesn’t help that he’s buddy-buddy with my brother.
And that his best friend has a crush on me.
And that I just moved in with them.
Oh, did I not mention we’re roommates?
I suppose it doesn’t matter. Fitzy has made it clear he’s not interested in me, even though the sparks between us are liable to burn our house down. I’m not the kind of girl who chases after a man, though, and I’m not about to start. I’ve got my hands full dealing with a new school, a sleazy professor, and an uncertain future. So if my sexy brooding roomie wises up and realizes what he’s missing?
He knows where to find me.

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Excerpt:

“Dance with me?”

I want to say no.

But I also want to say yes.

I call this the Summer Dilemma—the frustrating, polar reactions this green-eyed, golden-haired goddess sparks in me.

Fuck yes and hell no.

Get naked with her. Run far, far away from her.

“Thanks, but I don’t like to dance.” I’m not lying. Dancing’s the worst.

Besides, when it comes to Summer Di Laurentis, my flight instinct always wins out.

“You’re no fun, Fitzy.” She makes a tsking noise, drawing my gaze to her lips. Full, pink, and glossy, with a tiny mole above the left side of her mouth.

It’s an extremely hot mouth.

Hell, everything about Summer is hot. She’s hands down the best-looking girl in the bar, and every dude in our vicinity is either staring enviously or glowering at me for being with her.

Not that I’m with her. We’re not together. I’m just standing next to her, with two feet of space between us. Which Summer keeps trying to bridge by leaning closer to me.

In her defense, she practically has to scream in my ear for me to hear her over the electronic dance music blasting through the room. I hate EDM, and I don’t like these kinds of bars, the ones with a dance floor and deafening music. Why the subterfuge? Just call your establishment a nightclub, if that’s what you want it to be. The owner of Gunner’s Pub should’ve called this place Gunner’s Club. Then I could’ve turned right around when I saw the sign and spared myself the shattered eardrums.

Not for the first time tonight, I curse my friends for dragging me to Brooklyn for New Year’s Eve. I’d way rather be at home, drinking a beer or two and watching the ball drop on TV. I’m low-key like that.

“You know, they warned me you were a curmudgeon, but I didn’t believe it until now.”

“Who’s they?” I ask suspiciously. “And hey, wait. I’m not a curmudgeon.”

“Hmmm, you’re right—the term is kind of dated. Let’s go with Groucho.”

“Let’s not.”

“No-Fun Police? Is that better?” Her expression is pure innocence. “Seriously, Fitz, what do you have against fun?”

An unwitting smile breaks free. “Got nothing against fun.”

“All right. Then what do you have against me?” she challenges. “Because every time I try talking to you, you run away.”

My smile fades. I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s calling me out in public. We’ve had a whopping total of two encounters, but that’s plenty of time for me to know she’s the type who thrives on drama.

I hate drama.

“Got nothing against you, either.” With a shrug, I ease away from the bar, prepared to do what she’s just accused me of—run.

A frustrated gleam fills her eyes. They’re big and green, the same shade as her older brother Dean’s eyes. And Dean’s the reason I force myself to stay put. He’s a good friend of mine. I can’t be a jackass to his sister, both out of respect for him, and for fear of my well-being. I’ve been on the ice when Dean’s gloves come off. He’s got a mean right hook.

“I mean it,” I say roughly. “I have nothing against you. We’re cool.”

“What? I didn’t hear the last part,” she says over the music.

I dip my mouth toward her ear, and I’m surprised that I barely have to bend my neck. She’s taller than the average chick, five-nine or ten, and since I’m six-two and used to towering over women, I find this refreshing.

“I said we’re cool,” I repeat, but I misjudged the distance between my lips and Summer’s ear. The two collide, and I feel a shiver run up her frame.

I shiver too, because my mouth is way too close to hers. She smells like heaven, some fascinating combo of flowers and jasmine and vanilla and—sandalwood, maybe? A man could get high on that fragrance. And don’t get me started on her dress. White, strapless, short. So short it barely grazes her lower thighs.

God fucking help me.

Cover Reveals: Guilty as Sin and Reveling in Sin by Meghan March

   

   

  

Guilty until proven innocent. That’s the way the world works, right? I’m tired of being convicted without evidence, all because my last name is Gable. The Riscoffs might own this town, but I’m done following their rules. If only I could forget just how easily Lincoln Riscoff can drag me under his spell.    

iBooks | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | Kobo | BN

       

Whitney Gable is the kind of woman you fight to the death to protect. To keep. To cherish. I’ve finally learned my lesson, and it’s time to prove I’m the man who’s worthy of her. I don’t care what it takes, because failure is not an option. No matter who or what stands in our way—this time, she’ll be mine forever.

iBooks | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Kobo | BN

                 

       

From New York Times bestselling author Meghan March comes a brand new saga of forbidden love and second chances. 

   A Riscoff and a Gable can never live happily ever after. Our family feud is the stuff of legends. Ten years ago, Whitney Gable caught me off guard with her long legs and grab-you-by-the-balls blue eyes. I didn’t know or care what her name was. Like any Riscoff worth the family name, I went after what I wanted. We burned like a flash fire until she married another man. She hates me, and she should. I objected on her wedding day. Now she’s home, with those same long legs and man-eater stare, but there’s no ring on her finger. They say a Riscoff and a Gable can never live happily ever after . . . but I’m not done with Whitney Gable. I’ll never be done with her.

     

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          A New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels, Meghan March has been known to wear camo face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered boots, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She’s also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she’s ever had. 

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