Blog Tour: Review: Bare It All by Lori Foster

Review

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review*

Bare It All
(Book #2 in the Love Undercover series)
Amazon | Goodreads | BN
Author: Lori Foster
Publisher: Harlequin HQN (April 30, 2013)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult, 480 pages
ISBN-10: 0373777612
ISBN-13: 978-0373777617
My Copy: Paperback

SUMMARY:

"A cop's craving to know more about the woman next door could prove fatal in the steamy new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster"

As the person responsible for taking down a brutal human trafficker, Alice Appleton fears retaliation at every turn. No one knows about her past, which is exactly how she prefers it...until the sexy cop next door comes knocking.

Detective Reese Bareden thinks he knows what makes women tick, but his ever-elusive neighbor keeps him guessing like no other. Is his goal to unmask Alice's secrets? Or protect her from a dangerous new threat? One thing is certain: their chemistry is a time bomb waiting to explode. And with no one to trust but each other, Reese and Alice are soon drawn into a deadly maze of corruption, intrigue and desire-and into the line of fire....

MY REVIEW:

After being kidnapped and held captive for over a year, Alice Appleton takes "safe" to a whole new level. With numerous weapons on her person and scattered around her house, she doesn't take things too likely. But who would, after being what she's been through? After a showdown in her neighbor's, Detective Reese "Bare It All" Bareden, apartment, that ends in a bloody mess (Book #1 in the Love Undercover series) Alice lets Reese crash in her apartment until Reese gets the okay to go ahead and move back into his place.

Intrigued with the little, prim and proper Alice Appleton, Reese makes it his mission to make sure she's okay and to get answers out of her, even if that means seducing her a bit to get his answers. Reese knows that Alice is hiding something, and he's being very patient with her and willing to wait for her to spill her past.

After reading the first book in this series, I was definitely excited to read the Bare It All and jump into the world of BARE IT ALL BAREDEN! What I liked about this book is that the roles were somewhat reversed. Usually in books, you have the heroine saying things like "eyes up here" instead of the guys looking at her breasts. But in this book, Reese kept having to tell Alice to look up, instead of at his chest...or even lower (; The characters were all believable and kept me turning the page to see what would happen next.

What I didn't like, was that the book kind of dragged. Don't get me wrong, the story line was awesome and I was definitely intrigued from beginning to end, but I felt that it lagged. Very slow, but I don't mind that all that much, because I got more page time with Reese and Alice, and not to mention everyone's (well, my favorite) bad boy Rowdy Yates. Aside from the dragged story line, I thought everything was pretty much believable and ran smoothly.

I would definitely recommend this book. Although this is the second book in the series, I believe you can read them out of order. Lori Foster does a great job of covering the basics from the first book and it doesn't at all tie into what happens in the second book. The characters are all there, but I'm sure you'll catch on quickly. If you love yourself a great contemporary romance novel with a little bit of suspense thrown in, I would definitely recommend Bare It All. 

MY RATING:

Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a Waldenbooks, Borders, USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. She also received the Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Series Romantic Fantasy and Contemporary Romance.

Lori believes it is important to give back to the community as much as possible, so she routinely arranges events among authors and readers to gather donations for various organizations.

Goodreads | Facebook | Website

Buddy Review: Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Hai! So, Melissa of LilyElement and I decided to buddy read Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire together and what better way to finish off our buddy read with a buddy review! Enjoy :)

Walking Disaster
(Book #2 in the Beautiful series)
Amazon | Goodreads | BN
Author: Jamie McGuire
Publisher: Atria Books (April 2, 2013)
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, 448 pages
ISBN-10: 9781476712987
ISBN-13: 978-1476712987
My Copy: Paperback

SUMMARY:

Can you love someone too much?

Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

BUDDY REVIEW:

Ana: Welcome, welcome. Tod—

Mel: Today we are talking about hookers. I mean Walking Disaster! And possibly some hoe bags that Travis likes to uhhh. Oops. 

Ana: *shakes head* uuhhhh....yeah. *coughs* 

Mel: SEXY TIMES!

Ana: Mhm! Sexy times! woohooo! For those of you who don’t know, Jamie McGuire released her new novel WALKING DISASTER *fangirling* 

Mel: HOLY SHIT THE PICTURE MOVES! I’m the one on the right - just FYI.

Ana: lol it does! WHAT IS THIS MAGICS?!?! haha -- Lol. Fine by me! The one on the left is fangirling HARDER! 

Mel: DAMN YOU! ;)

Ana: ;) -- So... excuse us and please feel free to fangirl along with us. We just can’t seem to get enough of Travis Maddox... yes, we’re leaving out the “Madd Dog”  nickname since we know he doesn’t like that nonsense! 

Mel: Being introduced to Travis Maddox in Beautiful Disaster left me wanting more. When I found out Walking Disaster was the same story told in Travis’s POV I was ecstatic. The actual story line told in Walking Disaster stayed true to the events that happened, thank goodness. There were extras thrown in that were basically events that Travis did on his own (without Abby). 

Ana: I agree. I think I really needed Travis’ POV. Abby was a bit... much for me. But you automatically see from Travis’ eyes, how he see’s Abby. She’s not as whiny or ehh in Walking Disaster as she is in Beautiful Disaster.

Mel: Being able to see what Travis was thinking made me understand why he reacted the way he did. In Beautiful Disaster I thought Travis was a little bit nuts, even though I still loved him long time.

Ana: I loved Walking Disaster, but if you’re new to Jamie McGuire, I would suggest you read Beautiful Disaster first. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Lol. But in all seriousness, don’t reading WD first. You’ll be so lost, you’re gonna wanna hitchhike to the nearest clue. The timing of events is all there, but if you didn’t read BD, some of what’s happened will be lost on you. 

Mel: I agree, Beautiful Disaster has to be read first to fully understand what the heck is going on and why.

Ana: THE MADDOX BROTHERS! *swoon* Can I just... eat them up?? They’re so...ahhh. YES please. I’ll have an appetizer of Thomas and Travis, and entre of Tyler and Taylor and Trenton for dessert. Nom nom nom. 

Mel: Bishhy, you can’t call dibs on ALL of the brothers. Share a least one with me! I loved that WD had Travis’s brothers in the mix. I read this on JMcGuire’s FAQ: “I have plans to write novels for the Maddox brothers in the future as well.” *fans self* I’m hoping that happens soon, I’m going to have withdrawals if not.

Ana: Oh, I mean... it’s a dinner for two ;) -- And YES *fangirling* ahh. I need me some more Maddox brothers! Thank you JMcGuire! 

We’re gonna keep this review short and sweet. If you’ve read Beautiful Disaster then stop wasting precious time and pick up Walking Disaster. MUST READ for 2013! READ IT NOW! *compelling you to buy the book* 

… Are you compelled yet? NO?! 

How about now? GOOOOOD! GO BUY THE BOOK!

Ana: Well, Mel. I had a blast reading WD with you, even if you finished it, like, a whole day ahead of me ;( BUUUT, what are you rating this bad boy? 

Mel: 1 MILLION STARS!

Ana: Holy SHAT! *starts collecting stars* -- Well, there you have it folks! ONE MILLION STARS for Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire. Love you some bad boy loving? Pick up this novel! BUT, if you’re a complete noob to JMcGuire, then you should totally pick of Beautiful Disaster FIRST! FIRST, FIRST, FIRST! 

***THIS REVIEW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: MEL & ANA BITCHES!*** 

*sings* lalalalala the boys are waiting lalalalala

Don’t forget to bring your milkshakes! The Maddox brothers will be coming to your yards ;)

Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway: The Marine Cowboy by Heather Long

Review + Giveaway

Thanks for stopping by! This tour is brought to you FMB Promotions

Check out the other blogs participating in this tour HERE

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review*

The Marine Cowboy
(Book #7 in the Always a Marine series)
Amazon | BN | ARe | Bookstrand | Decadent Publishing | Diesel | iBooks | Kobo
Author: Heather Long
Publisher: Decadent Publishing (December 26, 2012)
Genre: Erotica, Western Romance, Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, 44pages
ASIN: B00ATHX1GO
My Copy: eBook

SUMMARY:

Turning down a billet at Mike’s Place in Dallas, Sergeant A.J. Turner left Iraq for Freewill, Wyoming with one goal in mind—to forget the last five years. Trading his MARPATS for jeans and his cover for a cowboy hat, he plans to work his ranch and pray the green grass, tall trees, and sweet mountains can wash away the taste of the desert.

The last thing he expected was a reminder of a promise made to his buddies: one night to help them all start again.

Sheri Vaughn quit her corporate job, sold her house and moved to Freewill on a whim. Six months after her divorce, she’s hardly ready to put her toe in the dating waters again. One bottle of wine later, however, she signs up for Madame Eve’s exclusive 1Night Stand service and lists a very particular set of qualities she wants in a man; he must be honorable, courageous, forthright, single, have served as Marine, but be a cowboy at heart. If she wants to dream, at least she can dream big.

But when local hero A.J. Turner arrives home, Madame Eve comes through, and Sheri has to find the courage to make her dream a reality…

Can one night, even a night arranged by Madame Eve, fulfill both a promise and a dream?

MY REVIEW:

Ahh. I already have problems with shorts. I feel that they aren't long enough to grasp my attention, to really pull me in and have me hang on to every single word. I did finish this in one sitting, but it was only 44 pages.

You've got Sheri, who's fairly new to Freewill. Left her scumbag of a husband and decided to move to a small town and put in an application for a one night stand. When Sheri put in her application, she thought the standards that she listed were far too bazaar and out there. But, after moving to Freewill and hearing about A.J. Turner. She knew he was the one. And when he came home for good after a tour in Iraq, she wasn't surprised when she got an email from Madame Eve with the details of her one night stand.

I honestly felt that this book was just too short for me. I didn't connect with the characters, I didn't find it believable. I didn't really have an "ooh-ahh" moment. The romance is there, albeit I feel it's forced. Too short of a time span to really make that quick of a connection. But, then again, I'm not a big fan of insta-anything. Just too quick for me.

On one hand, if you're looking for a story, I wouldn't recommend this one. But, on the other hand, if you love shorts and you need that kick of erotica to get you through the night, then by all means, go ahead and pick this one up. It might be book 7 in the series, but I was not lost at all. It can be read as a stand-alone.

MY RATING:

ALSO BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ALWAYS A MARINE SERIES!

♥Once Her Man, Always Her Man

♥Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here

♥Tell It To The Marine

♥Proud To Serve Her

♥Her Marine

♥No Regrets, No Surrender

♥Merry Christams Marine

♥Semper Fi & Good Night

♥The Marine Cowboy

♥The Two and The Proud

♥A Marine and A Gentleman

♥Whisky Tango Foxtrot

♥Combat Barbie

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DECADENT PUBLISHING

For more information about Decadent Publishing authors, books, and their submissions guidelines, visit www.decadentpublishing.com. 

Decadent Publishing is current accepting submissions in all sub-genres of romance, including their ongoing series'.

Sign up for Decadent Publishing's Newsletter | Follow on Twitter | Like us on Facebook 

Heather Long lives in Texas with her family and their menagerie of animals. As a child, Heather skipped picture books and enjoyed the Harlequin romance novels by Penny Jordan and Nora Roberts that her grandmother read to her. Heather believes that laughter is as important to life as breathing and that the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus are very real. In the meanwhile, she is hard at work on her next novel.

Website  | Facebook | Twitter | Series Facebook

Blog Tour: Review + Q & A: Three Sisters by Susan Mallery

Review + Guest Post

Thanks for stopping by! This tour is brought to you by Book Trib.

Follow this blog tour by clicking HERE :)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review*

Three Sisters
(Book #2 in the Blackberry Island series)
Amazon | Goodreads | BN
Author: Susan Mallery
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA; Original edition (February 26, 2013)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Adult, 352 pages

ISBN-10: 0778314340
ISBN-13: 978-0778314349

My Copy: ARC Paperback

SUMMARY:

After Andi Gordon is jilted at the altar, she makes the most impetuous decision of her life – buying one of the famed Three Sisters Queen Anne houses on Blackberry Island. Now the proud-ish owner of the ugly duckling of the trio, she plans to open her own pediatric office on the first floor, just as soon as her hunky contractor completes the work. Andi's new future may be coming together, but the truth is she's just as badly in need of a major renovation as her house.

When Deanna Phillips confronts her husband about a suspected affair, she opens up a Pandora's Box of unhappiness. And he claims that she is the problem. The terrible thing is, he's right. In her quest to be the perfect woman, she's lost herself, and she's in danger of losing her entire family if things don't change.

Next door, artist Boston King thought she and her college sweetheart would be married forever. Their passion for one other has always seemed indestructible. But after tragedy tears them apart, she's not so sure. Now it's time for them to move forward, with or without one another.

Thrown together by fate and geography, and bound by the strongest of friendships, these three women will discover what they're really made of: laughter, tears, love and all.

MY REVIEW:

First off, I am brand new to Susan Mallery and after reading Three Sisters, I'll definitely be diving into her other works. Three Sisters has three point of views from three women going through a phase in their lives where they are tested and pushed to their emotional brinks.

After Andi Gordon, pediatrician, is left at the alter with family and friends as witness to this horrible day, she packs her bags and heads to Blackberry Island to find herself and leave all her past (And her libido—or so she thinks) behind; Just like her fiance left her to marry his secretary. Shady, right?

Then you've got Boston King, Andi's new neighbor and amazing artist, who has issues of her own. After losing her newborn son to an unknown cause, Boston can't help but draw her grief away. Losing herself in her drawings is how she copes, but with this, Boston hasn't let herself fully accept that her baby boy is gone and that her marriage is slowly falling apart.

And last but not least you've got Deanna Phillips, the third of this fabulous trio. Deanna finds herself struggling to keep her marriage, family and herself together. Growing up with a rough past has seems to slow down her present and possibly keep her from her future.

I absolutely loved this book. The different issues that these three women had were tough in their own ways, yet they manage.  What I liked the most, would have to be the problems at hand. And how these three very strong women handled them and pulled their lives together. The background characters were a hoot. They added a bit of a breather from the main characters, that I think  was needed a time or two. What I didn't like, was one of the characters. Deanna Phillips. It started off a very slow dislike in the beginning of the book and as the book progressed, it turned into a simmering disgust. After about 60% - 70% of the book my feelings started to make a really big U-turn in which Deanna's character really wasn't so bad and I was starting to dislike her less and less. But, again, the characters around her is what made me pull through the first half of the book (on her POVs that is).

Following Andi, Boston and Deanna, I couldn't help but be pulled into this fantastic novel with these three women and their battle to overcome their hardships. I would definitely recommend this book. These women might be going through their own personal hell, but I would consider this a light read. This book is the second in the Blackberry Island series, but I don't feel I was missing anything from the first novel at all. So, with that, I would say that this can be read as stand alone.

MY RATING:

Q & A

With more than 25 million books sold worldwide, New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery is known for creating characters who feel as real as the folks next door, and for putting them into emotional, often funny situations readers recognize from their own lives. Susan’s books have made Booklist’s Top 10 Romances list in four out of five consecutive years. RT Book Reviews says, “When it comes to heartfelt contemporary romance, Mallery is in a class by herself.” With her popular, ongoing Fool’s Gold series, Susan has reached new heights on the bestsellers lists and has won the hearts of countless new fans.

Susan grew up in southern California, moved so many times that her friends stopped writing her address in pen, and now has settled in Seattle with her husband and the most delightfully spoiled little dog who ever lived. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com and www.facebook.com/susanmallery.

1) You’ve lived in many places across the country—out of all the places you’ve lived, which has given you the most inspiration for your writing? How deeply does your location influence the setting of your books?

I grew up in California, and I’d say that is the state that has inspired my writing more than any other. My fictional town of Fool’s Gold is based on many of the lovely, small towns I’ve visited in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada on the California side but of course has taken on a life of its own.

That said, Seattle, my current hometown, has influenced my writing quite a bit. All that rain keeps me at my desk! And of course, Blackberry Island, the setting for Three Sisters, is near Seattle.

2) What inspired you to create a fictional island off the coast of Seattle for the setting of Three Sisters? How did you come up with such a detailed history about the island (as posted on your website)?

Seattle and the islands in the Puget Sound are breathtakingly beautiful, especially when the sun shines. When you’re out on the water, the sunlight sparkles in the waves, and each inhale feels cool and fresh and liberating. A weekend getaway inspired Blackberry Island, which is both an island and a town, dotted with wineries and quaint B&Bs. (Every getaway should include wine!)

The island has a very interesting history, inspired by real-life events in Seattle and the Puget Sound area. I created the website to enrich the experience of reading the books, as bonus content for my readers. In addition to the island history, there’s a map and lots of great blackberry recipes, including a recipe for Blackberry Chipotle Chicken Tacos that will change the way you look at the world. www.blackberryisland.com

3) Who or what in your past made you decide that you wanted to become a writer?

I majored in Accounting in college. For months, I had been intrigued by a flyer for a night school course called “How to Write a Romance Novel.” I was an avid romance fan, so that class sounded like a lot more fun than my Accounting Theory class. (Columns of numbers weren’t boring enough – now we had to talk about the theory behind them.) Although I was taking a full load of regular courses, I couldn’t resist signing up for the fun class, too. Within a couple of weeks, I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life. I was a good girl and finished getting my degree, but I never worked as an accountant.

4) How do you come up with such dynamic characters? Do you base the characters in your books, like Andi, Deanna and Boston, on people you know in your real life? 

I think my characters feel real to readers because they feel so very real to me. Makes for some confusing dinner conversation. At times, when I’m ranting about something someone said that day, my husband has to clarify, “Is this person real?” (I bet that question doesn’t come up in most marriages!)

No, I don’t base characters on people I know in real life. Part of my job as a writer is to torture my characters, to put them into uncomfortable situations and then ask myself, “How can I make this worse?” I’m too nice a person to do that to people I really know!

Most of them, anyway.

5) What’s the last book that kept you up all night to finish reading?

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins is a terrific young adult novel. I’m not normally into paranormal, but I gave this a shot because a friend recommended it. I loved it. The book has all the wonderful angst of growing up – the issues of trying to fit in, the cute crush, the awkwardness of making friends, along with the trauma of coming to terms with who we really are.

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has entertained millions of readers with her witty and emotional stories about women and the relationships that move them. Publisher’s Weekly calls Susan’s prose “luscious and provocative,” and Booklist says, “Novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.” While Susan appreciates the critical praise, she is most honored by the enthusiastic readers who write to tell her that her books made them laugh, made them cry, and made the world a happier place to live.

Susan lives in Seattle with her husband and her tiny but intrepid toy poodle. She’s there for the coffee, not the weather. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.

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Chattin' It Up + Giveaway with Tracie Banister

Ana: Welcome to Beach Bum Reads! I’m glad you can join me today :)

TBanister: Thank you so much for having me, Ana! I’m excited to be here.

Ana: We’re going to start off with some basics…Can you tell us a little about yourself?

TBanister:  Like my favorite fictional heroine, Scarlett O'Hara, I am a Southern belle who lives on the outskirts of Atlanta. I'm addicted to television (I watch everything from Disney shows to Top Chef and think the DVR is the best invention since the wheel.), crossword puzzles (I do 3-5 a day and like to time myself.), and salt and vinegar potato chips (My one junk food weakness.) Animal rights (I have three rescue dogs, two with special needs.) and finding a cure for diabetes (I've been a Type 1 diabetic for over 25 years.) are my two passions. I love theater and try to get to New York to see several Broadway shows every year. And, of course, I am a rabid reader who enjoys a wide variety of genres, everything from Historical Romance to Steampunk.

Ana: What was the first book that got you into reading?

TBanister:  I was obsessed with The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling when I was little. It was the book I wanted to be read to me every night, and I had every word memorized so my mother couldn’t skip a page without me calling her out on it!  

Ana: What/who inspired you to become a writer?

TBanister:  I think it was just books in general. I loved reading from a very young age and I was never happier than when I was in a library. I started writing my own stories when I was in elementary school, and my love of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) just grew from there.  

Ana: Is there anything you want to say to aspiring writers?

TBanister:  Focus on being the best writer you can be and don't rush to publish the first thing you write. Read as many different books in as many different genres as you can. Take the time to learn and grow as a writer. You’ll know when you've written the book that's "the one," then you can educate yourself on the different publishing avenues and decide what's best for you.

Ana: I absolutely loved In Need of Therapy, but let’s pretend I have no idea what it’s about, can you tell us a little bit about it?

TBanister:  Thanks, Ana! I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. Okay, in a nutshell . . . In Need of Therapy is a fun, fizzy read about a Latina psychologist who struggles to cope with all the craziness in her life, which comes in the forms of her high-strung family, her demanding patients, and a trio of potential love interests, all of whom are Mr. Wrong.  

Ana: I loved Pilar’s patients and their problems. And some of their problems were pretty out there, are you a therapist in disguise or did you have a hunky doctor at your beck and call?

TBanister: I wish I knew a hunky doctor, but alas I do not. I did toy with the idea of becoming a psychologist when I was in school and even took several courses on the subject so that’s where some of my info on the therapeutic process came from. Also, I picked the brains of friends and family members who’d been to see a shrink and I did plenty of research into different psychological conditions.

Ana: What was the hardest part about writing In Need of Therapy?

TBanister: Honestly, I can’t think of anything that was too difficult about writing Therapy. I had a blast with the characters, the story, and the setting. It was the first book I wrote using a first-person POV, so that might have taken me a little time to get used to, but I love a writing challenge!

Ana: Are you currently working on anything? Care to dish?

TBanister: My current work-in-progress is a Chick Lit novel about two sisters who are polar opposites and live in San Francisco. I can't say anything more without getting spoilery, but I can promise plenty of comedy, romance, cute guys, and even cuter dogs. This one should be released in the fall of 2013.

I am, also, hoping to write a Regency Era series that will have the same comedic and romantic elements that my modern-day novels do. I've already got several chapters of the first book in the series under my belt and I look forward to moving forward with it as soon as I'm done with my San Francisco story!

Ana: Okay, last question… and I’ve gotta ask… are you a beach bum? 

TBanister: Sadly, no, since I live in a landlocked area. That’s probably why I decided to set In Need of Therapy in Miami; I got to transport myself to the beach every day when I was writing the book!  

Ana: Thanks for stopping by! It was a pleasure having you here today :)

TBanister:  It was great to hang out here on the virtual beach with you, Ana! Thanks again for reading and reviewing In Need of Therapy!

Think Fast:

Ana: Water or Soda?  

TBanister: Water, the bubbly kind with lemon

Ana: Coffee or Tea?

TBanister: Tea, love it – must be the English blood from my maternal grandmother

Ana: Zombies or Vampires?

TBanister: I’m a True Blood addict, so vampires all the way. Zombies freak me out!

Ana: Rap or Rock?

TBanister: Rock

Ana: Day or Night?

TBanister:  Day

Ana: Salad or Burger? 

TBanister: I love a good cheeseburger, but not beef – turkey or bison!

Concluding our little chat, Tracie is giving away an eBook copy of In Need of Therapy! 

<a href="http://www.beachbumreads.com/2013/01/JScottInterviewGiveaway.html" target="_blank"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGH4zcy_r0U8leQWR2Rd6TYtj7ud_A7e4q3jWWwD12rSVeqKpp6Ogxsx_xVY5E1_6ts3cCsL8RWN1MkoY787MVlqIW-PMZjoUvTAftkyuU-rEOFfZ3n7aIua0Q7XGxmQYN2Gytt2BQ0G2/s1600/JScottGiveaway.png" /></a>a Rafflecopter giveaway

An avid reader and writer, Tracie Banister has been scribbling stories since she was a child, most of them featuring feisty heroines with complicated love lives like her favorite fictional protagonist Scarlett O'Hara. Her work was first seen on the stage of her elementary school, where her 4th grade class performed an original holiday play that she penned (Like all good divas-in-the-making, she, also, starred in and tried to direct the production.) Her dreams of authorial success were put on the backburner when she reached adulthood and discovered that she needed a "real" job in order to pay her bills. Her career as personal assistant to a local entrepreneur lasted for 12 years. When it ended, Tracie decided to follow her bliss and dedicate herself to writing full-time. Her debut novel, the Hollywood-themed BLAME IT ON THE FAME, was released in January, 2012. And she's following that up with the Miami-set Romantic Comedy, IN NEED OF THERAPY.

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Review: In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister

In Need of Therapy
Amazon | Goodreads | BN
Author: Tracie Banister
Publisher: Self Published (July 19, 2012)
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, 478 pages
ASIN: B008N6Z36Y
My Copy: eBook

SUMMARY:

Lending a sympathetic ear and dispensing sage words of advice is all part of the job for psychologist Pilar Alvarez, and she’s everything a good therapist should be: warm, compassionate, supportive. She listens, she cares, and she has all the answers, but how’s the woman everyone turns to in their hour of need supposed to cope when her own life starts to fall apart?


While working hard to make a success of her recently-opened practice in trendy South Beach, Pilar must also find time to cater to the demands of her boisterous Cuban family, which includes younger sister Izzy, an unemployed, navel-pierced wild child who can't stay out of trouble, and their mother, a beauty queen turned drama queen who’s equally obsessed with her fading looks and getting Pilar married before it’s “too late.” Although she’d like to oblige her mother and make a permanent love connection, Pilar’s romantic prospects look grim. Her cheating ex, who swears that he’s reformed, is stalking her. A hunky, but strictly off-limits, patient with bad-boy appeal and intimacy issues is making passes. And the sexy shrink in the suite across the hall has a gold band on his left ring finger.

When a series of personal and professional disasters lead Pilar into the arms of one of her unsuitable suitors, she's left shaken, confused, and full of self-doubt. With time running out, she must make sense of her feelings and learn to trust herself again so that she can save her business, her family, and most importantly, her heart.

MY REVIEW:

Pilar Alvarez is a therapist who is nearly 30 years old and still isn't married. That "still" being stressed by her ever persistent and overtly dramatic mama. Aside from helping her patients get through all of their problems, Pilar finds herself in a bit of a romance puddle. With three guys no less.

It took me a while to get into this book, but once I got to about 30% in, this book was easy sailing. I wasn't really a big fan of Pilar and a few other characters in this book. They just weren't my cup of tea, but that didn't stop the awesomeness that is this book. Aside from my slight dislike for Pilar, I thought her therapy patients were pretty danged cool. The problems they dealt with I wouldn't have thought of, even though they were pretty common. And I'm sure that a few of us have run into people with said problems:

• Hypochondriac 
• Teenage body issues
• Man Whore
• Marriage issues
• Clingy woman

Familiar with these? Yepp. Aren't we all. Ms. Banister sure does have a way with going about these issues that I wouldn't even have touched. I felt these characters, as little page time as they had, were very believable. 

Pilar doesn't just have to deal with her patients, but also with her starting up business, rent, family issues, clingy-ex-boyfriend-who-doesn't-understand-the-meaning-of-no, a patient with the hots for her, and a hot new doctor who takes up the office right next to hers. All these things kept me turning the page and anticipating what will happen next, even the patients. 

I would definitely recommend this book. It might be oozing with other peoples problems, but it's definitely a light read with a budding romance in the making. 

MY RATING:

Blog Tour: Review + Guest Post: The Best Man by Kristan Higgans

Review + Guest Post

Thanks for stopping by! This tour is brought to you by Book Trib.

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review*

The Best Man
(Book #1 in the Blue Heron series)
Amazon | Goodreads | BN
Author: Kristan Higgans
Publisher: Harlequin HQN (February 26, 2013)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult, 432 pages
ISBN-10: 0373777922
ISBN-13: 978-0373777921
My Copy: Paperback

SUMMARY:

Sometimes the best man is the one you least expect…

Faith Holland left her hometown after being jilted at the altar. Now a little older and wiser, she's ready to return to the Blue Heron Winery, her family's vineyard, to confront the ghosts of her past, and maybe enjoy a glass of red. After all, there's some great scenery there….

Like Levi Cooper, the local police chief—and best friend of her former fiancé. There's a lot about Levi that Faith never noticed, and it's not just those deep green eyes. The only catch is she's having a hard time forgetting that he helped ruin her wedding all those years ago. If she can find a minute amidst all her family drama to stop and smell the rosé, she just might find a reason to stay at Blue Heron, and finish that walk down the aisle.

MY REVIEW:

Faith Holland is the youngest of the Holland children. After being humiliated at the alter by her high school sweetheart/fiance, she takes off to California to get away for a while. And that "while" turns into years.

Oh. My. Gosh. Kristan Higgans is a pure genius! GENIUS! I absolutely loved The Best Man and all it's characters. After finding out that her fiance is gay, at the alter no less and being outed by the best man, Levi Cooper, Faith flees Blue Heron to put her past behind her. She's still carrying around the love and hurt for her ex fiance Jeremy. She thinks Jeremy has ruined her. No one, and I mean NO ONE, can measure up to Jeremy. Doesn't help that the first two men she meets and has somewhat of an "attraction" to in California are gay and the third man she meets, is a two timing asshole with a wife and child.

After getting a call from her sister, Faith packs her bags is on her way back to Blue Heron. She doesn't plan to stay long, but that short trips turns into an extended vacation with simmering heat between herself and Levi Cooper, the man who "ruined" her wedding. Levi and Faith didn't have much of a friendship growing up, but more of a mutual ground seeing as Jeremy was a big part of both of their lives. Running into each other now, there's a heat that's there and it's coming to a small boil.

I absolutely loved everything about this book. And all the characters. Yes, even the gay ex fiance was awesome. All of the Holland children are a hoot. Faith being the youngest, I didn't think I'd connect with the older siblings, but I did. Ms. Higgans mixed this big bad novel in a big ol' pot of love. Her ingredients:

• Gay Ex Fiance
• Sexting between two grown married folks
• Bathroom mishaps
• Chocolate
• Chocolate
• More Chocolate
• Wine
• Wine
• More Wine
• One hot smokin' chief sheriff (Levi Cooper)
• Cute dogs
• Bickering couples
• Faith Holland

Ahh. Yepp, that's one big ass pot of love. I might have left out of a few ingredients, but the chocolate and the wine will make up for it xD 

I'll admit, this is my first book by Ms. Higgans, but I can assure you it wont be my last. If you love yourself a light contemporary romance read that has you craving that glass of wine (seriously, this book is practically filled to the rim with wine), then this book is for you. This book is the first in the series, and I can't wait for the second story, where we catch up with Faith's older sister.

MY RATING:

GUEST POST:

THE BEST MAN is the first book in the Blue Heron series.  Do you sometimes find yourself beginning to write the next book before you’ve finished the one you’re working on? If you do, what do you do to remember all your ideas?

Since I haven’t written a series before, this has been a learning experience. Knowing that I’ll be picking up another character or two and carrying them into the next book(s) made it important to hint at certain things early on. For example, I knew that Honor, the middle sister, would be the next heroine, so I had to deal with her very carefully in THE BEST MAN.

What’s always interesting is that what one character thinks about another isn’t necessarily true—it’s just that character’s perception. So Faith, the heroine of THE BEST MAN, views her older sister as somewhat terrifying and uber-competent. Honor herself doesn’t see things that way…and she views Faith differently from how Faith sees herself. I love that stuff! It’s so true in families…how many of us have said, “Mom loves you best” to our siblings, only to have them screech, “Are you kidding? Mom loves YOU best!”

As I was writing THE BEST MAN, I knew a few things about Honor’s story, and I kept notes as I went along. When I got to the edits stage of the first book, I was pretty solid on what I needed to know about Honor in this first book.

I’m never terribly far from a computer, so when I get an idea that’s going to have to sit for awhile before it can geminate, I just write it down. If I’m on the road, I call myself and leave messages, so the kids might come home to find a message that says, “Make sure Honor references the grandparents anniversary party.” They know by now not to erase those. 

Hello! I’m flattered that you clicked the button. If you clicked by mistake, well, hello anyway.

I live in a small Connecticut town with a beautiful library, a great agricultural fair, nice people and not much else. I have two lovely, entertaining children and a brave firefighter for a husband, who is, perhaps more importantly, a fantastic cook. Digger from Fools Rush In is inspired my very own Digger, our cheerful Lab mutt. We also have two cats and grieve for an occasional, short-lived beta fish. 

I worked as a copywriter until I had kids and started writing fiction when my children graced my life with simultaneous afternoon naps. Writing, I surmised, was infinitely more satisfying than folding laundry, and so I started my first novel. Before long, I had finished Stalking Joe, whose title was later changed to Fools Rush In. Catch of the Day followed, winning the 2008 Romance Writers of America's RITA© award, which just thrilled me to my toes. Then came Just One of the Guys (August 08), Too Good To Be True (Feb 09), The Next Best Thing (Feb 10), and All I Ever Wanted, summer 2010. More books are in the pipeline.

I love to write books about relationships, since the search for love and security is one of the driving forces of life. And I try to focus on an aspect that’s common, if not universal, hence the “stalking” in Fools Rush In and the crush on the unattainable man in Catch of the Day. People ask if I’ve ever stalked a guy. Of course not! Jeez! Come on! It’s fiction! They also ask if I’ve ever had a crush on a priest. Of course not! Jeez! Come on! It’s fiction! As far as being crazy about one of my brother's friends, which is the plot of Just One of the Guys, well, yes to that one. But I'm not naming names. Dating a fictional man, like Grace does in Too Good To Be True? Um...can I take the fifth on that one? Whether it's my own experience or not, I try to find something we can all relate to.

When I’m not writing, I like to be with my kids, goof around with my husband, read, watch baseball, ride my bike and bake. I suffer from chronic bedhead and an unhealthy (and completely understandable) obsession with Derek Jeter, shortstop for the New York Yankees. Like Millie Barnes, I run, which provides the neighbors with some real entertainment. 

We spend as much time as possible at our family home on Cape Cod, swimming in the Atlantic, shivering on the beach, swatting horseflies and watching fish evade my lure at Higgins Pond. It’s as close to heaven as it gets.

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