As the first trillionaire in existence, my boss lives a life most people can only dream of. Anything he wants—anything at all—is a snap-of-the-fingers away.
But when the coldhearted magnate snaps his fingers and requests me for a six month stint on his arm playing the role of his devoted fiancée, he makes an offer I can’t refuse.
And so I don’t.
But I make it clear that for the next 180 days, he’ll have my time, my body, my attention, my discreet professionalism—everything except my heart.
It’s not for sale.
Because all the money in the world can’t change the secret I’ve kept the last ten years. A secret that complicates the very business deal I’m to help him secure. A secret that makes the undeniable tension between us all the more forbidden.
Trey Westcott can have anything he wants … but he can never have me.
Even if he’s all I’ve ever wanted.
Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Winter Renshaw is a bona fide daydream believer. She lives somewhere in the middle of the USA and can rarely be seen without her trusty Mead notebook and ultra portable laptop. When she’s not writing, she’s living the American dream with her husband, three kids, and the laziest puggle this side of the Mississippi.
And if you’d like to be the first to know when a new book is coming out, please sign up for her private mailing list here —> http://eepurl.com/bfQU2j
The man who once abandoned me is now seeking comfort in my arms, and this time, I’m not sure if I can give in.
Love Disregarded, an all-new, angst-filled, second chance contemporary romance from Rachel Blaufeld is available now!
When I first met Aston Prescott, I thought I’d be able to let go of him.
I was naive.
He belonged to the private club where I worked, and despite the vast difference in our social status, I still fell for him. I thought he fell for me too, and that our love would overcome any obstacles.
But our relationship was discounted by everyone around us. Our families didn’t support us, and our friends avoided us.
So we moved on with our lives, but then everything fell apart.
The man who once abandoned me is now seeking comfort in my arms, and this time, I’m not sure if I can give in.
Because if I do, I may never be able to let him go again.
Rachel Blaufeld is a bestselling author of Romantic Suspense, New Adult, Coming-of-Age Romance, and Sports Romance. A recent poll of her readers described her as insightful, generous, articulate, and spunky. Originally a social worker, Rachel creates broken yet redeeming characters. She’s been known to turn up the angst like cranking up the heat in the dead of winter.
A devout coffee drinker and doughnut eater, Rachel spends way too many hours in local coffee shops, downing the aforementioned goodies while she plots her ideas. Her tales may all come with a side of angst and naughtiness, but end as lusciously as her treats.
As a side note, Blaufeld, also a long-time blogger and an advocate of woman-run anything, is fearless about sharing her opinion. She captured the ears of stay-at-home and working moms on her blog,BacknGrooveMom,chronicling her adventures in parenting tweens and running a business, often at the same time. To her, work/life/family balance is an urban legend, but she does her best.
Rachel has also blogged for The Huffington Post and Modern Mom. Most recently, her insights can be found in USA TODAY, where she shares conversations at “In Bed with a Romance Author”and reading recommendations over at “Happy Ever After.”
Rachel lives around the corner from her childhood home in Pennsylvania with her family and two beagles. Her obsessions include running, coffee, basketball, icing-filled doughnuts, antiheroes, and mighty fine epilogues.
When she isn’t writing, she can be found courtside, tweeting about hoops as her son plays, or walking around the house wearing earplugs while her other son, the drummer, bangs away.
I’m shameless…at least in writing. As the vaguely anonymous reviewer here, I can fan-girl over C.D. Reiss, and you can assume I’m shameless even when my cheeks are pink from my adoration for her brand of romance. Now, to be clear, I know her brand runs the gamut of tropes, and she can be as dirty as you want in a romance or she can be a bit more buttoned-up. If I had to characterize her newest book, Lead Me Back, it’s a bit more buttoned-up (not by much, though) than I’m used to from her. However, that seems so inconsequential when you consider the genius of her brain. Now, I’m SURE I’m going to overdo this review. I’m sure I’m reading WAY too much into Lead Me Back. For gosh sakes, I earned my master’s in English and Literature. I spent YEARS learning to read and read EVERYTHING into that reading, picking it apart and contextualizing it with literary theory…blah blah blah. BUT if I am going to take this review too far and if I’m going to read into Reiss’s newest book, so be it. I’m putting myself out there and who cares. Right?
At the most basic level, I loved Lead Me Back. This book is more of her Hollywood series, so there are characters from earlier books who show their faces which is fantastic, wonderful, everything you love about Reiss. Additionally, her heroine, Kayla, is a ballsy broad for lack of a better term. She takes no prisoners and she gives back to Reiss’s hero (which he loves) what he deserves for his entitled self. Kayla is the person you want in your corner when you must slay your dragons. She’s honest and insightful when she isn’t self-flagellating over past choices. And Reiss’s hero, Justin…ahhh…hold on to that name as it clues you in to her inspiration for him, is layered. At first glance, you don’t see it. In fact, there were times when Justin made me a little crazy by his actions. When your life is driven by others for so long, you tend to lose yourself, and Justin has fallen prey to this. I think this is typical of Hollywood, and Reiss does a fantastic job of showing that struggle, but it also makes him frustrating at times. However, as we know, romance needs moments of conflict to keep the readers engaged or they will lose interest and close the book. All of these qualities make this book worthy of a read. No question.
But…but…but… here is where I can’t help but want to believe what I suggest to be Reiss’s writing genius. And yes, once again, I may be reading into this, but please bear with me. In the story, Justin has been cast as Mr. Darcy in another iteration of Pride and Prejudice (honestly, what a miscast but he does well apparently). If you’ve ever read one of my favorite books of all times, then you know, or might know, that Pride and Prejudice illustrates the consequences of misperceptions. And for this book, C.D. Reiss, takes that idea and creates an allusion to P&P within Lead Me Back. She doesn’t recreate P&P; she carefully crafts its truths into her story in a way that feels like it could be a different version of it. Again, I might be reading this idea into her story, but there were moments that felt like a parallel to Austen’s story. And if I’m right, then, in my mind, Reiss is a genius. Yes, I know writers do this all the time, and yes, I think they are geniuses too especially if they write it as nuanced as Reiss has. But for Lead Me Back, it works, and it works well.
Along with that level of genius, Reiss interweaves the story with pertinent social issues: the #metoo movement is in this story, mental health issues are here, the dangerous specifications of the fashion industry and the relationships that support it find purchase in Lead Me Back, etc. If you think Reiss left the heavy lifting for another book, she didn’t. If you think this is simply about a former boy bander turned actor romancing a future fashion guru, you’re wrong. The qualities of Reiss’s storytelling that make it important reside in Lead Me Back hidden behind the facade of Hollywood, and it makes this book nerd silly. My fangirl flag is flying once again after reading one of her books.
If I haven’t sold you on the characters or story or $exiness of C.D. Reiss’s Lead Me Back, then I have not articulated myself well enough, and you should one-click it anyway. You can trust Reiss to tell stories that will titillate, challenge, and steam your glasses. Lead Me Back is more of that with the added depth of story that makes Reiss’s romances feel necessary.
How do you begin a Skye Warren review? That’s a good one. For one, her books guarantee some of the darkest romance: dangerous, dirty $exiness, a hero who is so freaking broken that it seems like hope is lost for him, a heroine who is seemingly innocent and vulnerable but who shows her moxie when confronted with the hero and his disaster, and a story that grips you and grabs you all the way through to the end. Guess what? Diamond in the Rough is. All. Of. This.
You should know (I didn’t realize this before reading this book) that Diamond in the Rough is a book 1. It ends on a cliffhanger. I don’t know if that’s a spoiler, but as a reader, I tend to like to know that. Personally, for authors I love such as Skye Warren, I don’t particularly care. I will read their works when they release, but I know some readers plan, so keep that in mind when deciding to read this book.
And two…the hero is familiar. I don’t want to spoil it, so I’m not going to. Just know, that you will SCREAM (at least I did) when you realize who you’re dealing with.
Now, what is to love about this book?
It’s quintessential Skye Warren. If you love her books, you will absolutely love Diamond in the Rough.
I want to really talk about the hero because he comes from a family of seriously f-uped dudes. This family needs a HUGE hug. Like now. With that, there are all types of complications between him and her heroine, Holland aka Holly. This causes all the drama and complication you can muster, but again, this is Skye Warren storytelling. The struggle between Holland and her hero pulls you in, makes you feel that borderline discomfort where the gray area lives, and then guts you as nothing is easy between these two. Up and down you go the Skye Warren rollercoaster of romance. This is all here in Diamond in the Rough.
The story. It’s captivating, edge-of-your-seat storytelling. Here’s the thing I love most about Warren’s brand of romance. She plays with the idea of “good hero” or “bad guy.” Those lines are blurred. You are never quite sure who the true villain is because Warren illustrates a truth about human nature in her romance: there is both good and bad in all of us. This idea is woven into Diamond in the Rough’s story, and it keeps you glued to the page. It also causes you to hope when it seems ridiculous to do so, as everything can seem pretty broken. That type of storytelling grabs me and compels me forward to the final page, and Diamond in the Rough does this brilliantly.
I know dark romance isn’t for everyone, but if there is anyone whom you should read, it is Skye Warren. Either I wasn’t paying attention enough to her Facebook page or what, but she surprised me with this book. And I love surprises in books because it reminds me that each story is special and unique. Sometimes, certain authors lose that surprise, and reading their stories feels like putting on the same socks on a different day. Not with Skye Warren. The most common tenet of her books is that they are dark. She tends to deal in anti-heroes and sometimes dubious consent. Yet, even with those terms to define some aspect of her romance, she finds ways to keep it fresh and surprise expert readers such as myself. If you want to be entertained and challenged in your ideas about morality, read Skye Warren’s Diamond in the Rough. You should know that this reader is READY for the next book, Gold Mine.
“‘You’re a long way from home,’ I said. He shrugged, ‘Maybe not. You’re here.’”
And this my friends is the reason that you should read Louise Bay’s Mr. Knightsbridge. Dexter aka Sexy Dexter is the reason I’ve been waiting with bated breath for Bay’s newest book. His persona in her last book, Mr. Mayfair, piqued my interest immediately. Imagine a hero who is dirty in the bedroom, gorgeous in appearance, holds a business acumen that has placed him at the top of his industry, AND has the ability to show compassion and care to those who feel like family to him. This man IS your prototypical romance hero. Oh, and by the standards of romance, he has a large “member.” (That’s for you, Amazon). So, given all of those attributes, I knew I wanted this book. I needed it. And in true Louise Bay fashion, she did not disappoint me. Not. In. The. Least.
For one, I ate this book in one serving. I didn’t take any breaks, and it satiated my romance appetite completely. It also made me want a bit more…but then I’m a glutton. Thankfully, there is a book coming (no spoilers here) and I believe we’ll see more of these two, just as we saw more of Beck and Stella in Mr. Knightsbridge.
Two…while Dexter is everything you love in a Bay hero, Hollie is divine. She’s my favorite type of heroine paired with a suave, erudite hero such as Dexter. Hollie is irreverent and compelling. She’s complicated, but she’s real, and she humanizes Dexter in a way that even his best friends aren’t able to do. She carefully and compassionately offers him other viewpoints to struggles in his life which challenge him. In doing so, she is responsible for his evolution in this story. While Dexter is dreamy, he is also stubborn and believes too heavily in the personal mythology he’s created about himself. It is Hollie who asks him to recast that personal mythology. In doing so, it changes his path…in a good way. Hollie is the type of heroine who makes me want to read romance. And as she changes Dexter’s life, he also helps her re-see her own life, changing it for the better.
Three. Bay’s messages in this story are keen. While Dexter and Hollie are seemingly different, in a way, they struggle with the same problems: perceptions of family. However, each has a different flavor of that perception. I won’t reveal the issues as they play heavily into the story, but Bay is very clear in her storytelling that we MUST (1) trust the people we denote as family based on their past actions and (2) make sure to protect our own happiness when it is threatened by the self-serving actions of our family. This is decisive in her story. Both Dexter and Hollie struggle because they do not follow these tenets. When they finally align themselves with them, their happiness is assured. I love when writers such as Bay weave these nuggets of life truths into their story as a reminder for the readers to do the same.
Four. The “band of brothers” (my name for them) are back. Like I mentioned previously, Beck and Stella are here, but we also gain a little bit more information about the other characters in the friend group. While there are still a few who remained in the shadows this time, Bay once again shows us the depth of their friendship. That is key because it is often one of the saving graces for her characters, in this case, Dexter.
If you can’t tell, I adored Mr. Knightsbridge for many reasons. Louise Bay continues on as she always does, writing gripping romances that keep this reader reading. Her storytelling flows across the page once again in this story, and she absolutely writes characters that you can’t help but love. I love that I can trust her to engage me, entertain me, and challenge me to see life as she sees it. Grab this one fast!
“I wanted her on a primal level, more than ever before.”
Oh, Skye, your story did not disappoint. As is the case with Layla Hagen’s brand of romance, when the hero and the heroine meet, there is absolutely no turning back. There is chemistry from their meet-cute. And Hagen’s newest book, One Perfect Touch, is absolutely no different. In this story, her hero, Rob, and her heroine, Skye, are two sides of the same coin: how do you balance your professional life with your personal life? Hagen’s answer: by simply falling in love.
What is there to love about Skye and Rob’s story?
*Their characterization. Hagen makes their struggles palpable. These are two career people who have lived their professional (and personal) lives in control. When they meet, that control begins to slip because they simply cannot stay away from each other. The highlight of this book is watching these two lose themselves in each other as if they can’t help themselves. As they journey towards a future together, their change illustrates the message in Hagen’s book that love changes, that truly being loved by someone allows you to be the best version of yourself. Hagen develops this message well through her characterizations.
*The connection to her Hagen universe. One Perfect Touch is the third book in her Very Irresistible Bachelor’s series, and while it seems that this series relates to separate bachelors, in true Hagen fashion, these men and women are found in the same family. Therefore, as One Perfect Touch goes, you are treated to more of Hunter and Josie and Ryker and Heather, the heroes and heroines from her other books, which means updates of their stories. Additionally, there are future stories brewing in One Perfect Touch. This is how Hagen keeps you engaged in her storytelling. She wiles her way into people’s love for community and offers them stories that keep them buying her stories. One Perfect Touch is a perfect representation of this community.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Layla Hagen’s newest book. There are times when the narrative felt a little slow, but there is definitely a tension in the story that drives you forward. Yet, it never overwhelms you in the end. Reading Layla Hagen’s stories is really like coming back home after being away. It provides a level of comfort that allows you to fall in love with her characters and storytelling without overwhelming you with too much angst. It feels like the perfect “touch” for romance.
Lead Me Back, an all-new, not-to-be-missed Hollywood Romance from New York Times bestselling author C.D. Reiss is available now!
A twist of fate proves wildly explosive in New York Times bestselling author CD Reiss’s smart and sexy Hollywood romance about the cost of running from your past to get to your dreams.
Cutting all ties, Kayla Montgomery drives cross-country to Los Angeles. New start. New life. And an unexpected new job: assistant to Justin Beckett.
The Justin Beckett.
The boy band rebel with the cocky attitude and dreamy bed head who casts a spell over his fans and tests the patience of his handlers.
Now at the peak of Mount Adulthood, he has to build a clean-cut, movie star image. It’s in his contract. No partying. No attitude. No groupies.
To tie it together, he needs a normal girl.
Suddenly, Kayla’s swept up in Justin’s glamorous world, and his arms. But the most dizzying thing is Justin himself. Sweet, generous, reliable, and as eager to shed his past as Kayla is hers.
About that…
Those ties she thought she’d cut? They’ve followed her across the country with her secrets in tow, and they’re about to test Kayla’s courage, Justin’s loyalty, and a love that wasn’t part of the deal.
CD Reiss is a New York Times bestseller. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn’t pick up she’s at the well hauling buckets.
Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master’s degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere but it did give her a big enough ego to write novels.
She’s frequently referred to as the Shakespeare of Smut which is flattering but hasn’t ever gotten her out of chopping that cord of wood.
If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.
Blurb: Dexter Daniels prefers gems over women. Emeralds over girlfriends. Diamonds over marriage.
He might be the most successful jeweler of his generation, a loyal friend and some say the most handsome man in London, but his past means he doesn’t deal in love.
When Hollie Lumen enters the ballroom where exquisite royal jewels are on display, she brings Dexter’s world to a screeching halt. Despite her hand-me-down dress and borrowed shoes, Hollie is even more stunning than the jewelry. Feisty, funny and ferociously independent, she’s all Dexter can see.
Hollie Lumen can’t catch a break. She thought an internship in London was her chance to escape her responsibilities back in Oregon and for her dreams to come true. When she’s fired only a few weeks after touching down, she’s ready to give up and go home. Hollie never asks for help. She knows the only person she can rely on is herself.
So what’s she going to do about the tall, dark, handsome stranger who keeps rescuing her?
She’s going to rescue him right back.
Mr. Knightsbridge is a stand-alone romance.
About the Author: USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes sexy, contemporary romance novels – the kind she likes to read. Her books include the novels Faithful (not currently on sale as undergoing maintenance!), Hopeful, The Empire State Series, The Royals Series, The Nights Series (both series of standalone books each following different characters) and the standalone Gentleman series.
Ruined by romantic mini-series of the eighties, Louise loves all things romantic. There’s not enough of it in real life so she disappears into the fictional worlds in books and films.
Louise loves the rain, The West Wing, London, days when she doesn’t have to wear make-up, being on her own, being with friends, elephants and champagne.
“Dark, sensuous, and wonderfully deep, Diamond in the Rough is Skye Warren at her best!” – Anna Zaires, New York Times bestselling author
Finding yourself has never been so dangerous…
Diamond in the Rough by Skye Warren is now live!
I’m stepping off a nine hour flight when it happens. A white van. A dark hood.
Every woman’s worst nightmare. Now I’m trapped in an abandoned church. The man who took me says I won’t be hurt. The man in the cell next to me says that’s a lie. I’ll fight with every ounce of strength, but there are secrets in these walls. I’ll need every single one of them to survive.
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH is a new dark romance from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren. Finding yourself has never been so dangerous…This is a trilogy with cliffhangers.
Download today on Amazon, Nook, Apple Books and Kobo!
Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance such as the Endgame trilogy. Her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat.
In business circles, I’m known for being cutthroat and demanding. Robert Dumont is a hardass, they say. And it’s true. I thrive on challenges. Taking the family-owned restaurant chain to the next level is my passion.
When my sister’s marriage implodes, I head back to New York, to be there for her and my niece. These are my only two priorities: growing the business and taking care of my family.
My new neighbor is a temptation I hadn’t counted on. Skye Winchester is bold, sensual and I just can’t keep my distance. I’m determined to make her mine. But once I’ve touched her, I want more. I want to worship her all night long.
As a business owner herself, Skye’s got enough on her plate. I was expecting her to run in the opposite direction when she realizes how complicated my life is. Instead, she does the opposite: making my sister laugh, charming my niece… She completely wins me over.
Neither of us expected our attraction to grow until it obscures everything but each other.
And neither of us can afford to allow that. But how can we stop now?
Welcome! My name is Layla Hagen and I am a Contemporary Romance author.
I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later. I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world. And I drink coffee. Lots of it 😀
Professor Romance 