Irresistible You (Chicago Rebels #1) by Kate Meader

* * * 1/2

Three estranged sisters inherit their late father’s failing hockey franchise and are forced to confront a man’s world, their family’s demons, and the battle-hardened ice warriors skating into their hearts.

Harper Chase has just become the most powerful woman in the NHL after the death of her father Clifford Chase, maverick owner of the Chicago Rebels. But the team is a hot mess—underfunded, overweight, and close to tapping out of the league. Hell-bent on turning the luckless franchise around, Harper won’t let anything stand in her way. Not her gender, not her sisters, and especially not a veteran player with an attitude problem and a smoldering gaze designed to melt her ice-compacted defenses.

Veteran center Remy “Jinx” DuPre is on the downside of a career that’s seen him win big sponsorships, fans’ hearts, and more than a few notches on his stick. Only one goal has eluded him: the Stanley Cup. Sure, he’s been labeled as the unluckiest guy in the league, but with his recent streak of good play, he knows this is his year. So why the hell is he being shunted off to a failing hockey franchise run by a ball-buster in heels? And is she seriously expecting him to lead her band of misfit losers to a coveted spot in the playoffs?

He’d have a better chance of leading Harper on a merry skate to his bed…

Source: e-galley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review


All right, folks. There's a plethora of hockey romances out there so what makes this one different? Answer: a little Cajun spice.

Remy or "Jinx" has his peers call him is on the brink of retirement but first he needs to do one more thing before that happens: win the Stanley Cup. And he thinks it'll happen with his current team. But a certain, newly-minted owner of the Chicago Rebels has other ideas. She trades for him to join the Rebels hoping that his work ethic and experience will fire up her team and take them from Loserville to hoisting that much sought-after piece of hardware. It looks great on paper but in real life it's going to require a great amount of effort on Harper's part to convince Remy that this is a good move. She even strikes a bargain with him without informing her half-sisters, who are the other co-owners of the Rebels, about this. While Remy may be resistant to the trade it doesn't mean he is impervious to the hotness that is his new boss, Harper Chase. The woman has a confident, don't-mess-with-me-or-I'll-knee-you-in-the-balls vibe and that only makes Remy hungry to get closer to her. As the new owner of the Rebels, Harper has much to prove in a little amount of time. Not only does she need to get her organization running smoothly again but she and her sisters have to fulfill the terms of her late father's will in order to keep control of it. Everyone from the media to the public to other organizations is looking to see them fail, Harper especially. So she won't let a little inconvenient attraction to her team's latest acquisition sideline her momentum. The boss can't mess around with one of her employees because that would be unprofessional and hurt her credibility but ...

Firstly, there's a lot of heat throughout most of this book. Remy is an imposing figure, all masculinity and charm. It helps that he drops those lovely French phrases and terms of endearment regularly. I was pleasantly surprised by his backstory and what his anticipated plans are for after his retirement. His line of thinking was not something I was expecting from a pro-athlete who has it all from luxuries to women thrown at his feet. I did get a kick out of how he started to bond with his teammates. Some of them don't have quite the finesse he has but he seemed to take to his role of being a leader seriously. Secondly, I felt for Harper. Like most females in the workplace, she's in a precarious position. Meader provides plenty of Harper's backstory and examines how any woman taking on a leadership role within a company faces skepticism from her counterparts about her worthiness or effectiveness at her job. A woman has to work 10 times harder to prove her detractors wrong. I personally had reservations about her and Remy hooking up but then there wouldn't be a story if they didn't. And because their relationship is forbidden it only makes their "magic time" hotter. Let me tell you, that stroll down a New Orleans street was quite something memorable!  

I had a great time reading Irresistible You. It's naughty, fun and I mentioned naughty, yes? Allow Remy to add some spice to your reading list :)

~ Bel



P.S. I got to meet Kate Meader at RT17 back in May and she was so delightful and sweet. I had to share this pic of us! It was taken after a very taxing and loud trivia game but it was oh so much fun ;)

The Hot Shot Release Blitz

* * * * 1/2

First we were friends. Then we were roommates. Now I want more…

What can I say about Chess Copper? The woman is capable of bringing me to my knees. I know this about five minutes after getting naked for her.
No one is more surprised than me. The prickly photographer my team hired to shoot our annual charity calendar isn’t my usual type. She’s defense to my offense, a challenge at every turn. But when I’m with her, all the regrets and darkness goes away. She makes life fun.

I want to know Chess, be close to her. Which is a bad idea.

Chess is looking for a relationship. I’ve never given a woman more than one night. But when fate leaves Chess without a home, I step up and offer her mine. We’re roommates now. Friends without benefits. But it’s getting harder to keep our hands off each other. And the longer we live together the more I realize she’s becoming my everything.

Trick is… Now that I’ve made her believe I’m a bad bet, how do I convince her to give this player a true shot at forever?


Source: advance e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review


Are we really on number 4 in the Game On series? I don't know why that shocks me but it does. The Hot Shot is firmly placed in the adult world with Finn "Manny" Mannus, the star quarterback of the New Orleans team facing off against one of his toughest opponents, Chess Copper, a no-nonsense photographer who seems immune to his charms. Being set in NOLA gives the story a little more spice but the real heat comes from this duo and their sweet, semi-slow burn affair that I couldn't get enough of.

I've read all four Game On books so far and I have to say that I feel a special connection to this one. In her previous books, I was a voyeur watching events as they happened to the characters. For some reason as I was reading The Hot Shot I felt as if I was Chess looking straight at Finn, interacting with him and pretty much internally drooling over him. I enjoyed their growing friendship which gave me a good sense of who they were as individuals. Their deepening bond is honestly the best thing about how their unlikely friendship and by the time they do take their relationship to that intimate stage it's well...amazing! What did it for me is that Finn is not the typical arrogant athlete. He exudes confidence but in an un-douchebag way, plus there's just something wholesome about him that made him stand out to me. I think it just has to do with maturity - his party-boy phase is behind him and he's looking to make a solid connection with someone who gets him. Chess does that for him and it's lovely to see a woman so self-assured also be honest with him. They click naturally and in Finn's world that's a premium. He doesn't have to be concerned with any hidden motives because she's not some sycophant. I can't tell you enough how I completely enjoyed their dynamic. What comes as a surprise is that I half-expected some ridiculous dramatic problem to pull these two apart but that never came. Instead, their challenges can make or break any couple. I held my breath for how that would turn out. Angst has its place but sometimes it's nice to see that the characters have some sense about them, you know? Being upfront despite their hesitations - I wanted to hug them so badly.

Back in January I'd re-read The Hook Up which is a feat because as much as I'd like to I don't have a lot of time for re-reads. But that one was burning a hole in my brain. Oh boy do I love Drew "Battle" Baylor but since reading The Hot Shot, he has some serious competition in Finn. Kristen Callihan has given me all the things I love in a sports romance: the chemistry and the fast quips. It's more grown up and like I said, that slow burn makes it all worth it in the end!

~ Bel

* * * Excerpt * * *

FINN

She sits quietly as I eat, and shakes her head when I offer her a sandwich section. Because I’m hungry, and because I don’t like the idea of her having to wait for me to eat, I wolf down my food. The brownie follows with a few, quick bites.

Wiping my hands on a napkin, I set the plate and empty can on a side table, and then let out a contented sigh. “Thanks. I needed that.”

Her smile is small and quick. “I should have fed you as soon as you got here.”

“I’m good now.”

Chess braces her hands on the seat and leans forward to watch her feet as we slowly rock the swing. Silence descends, thick and awkward, and for the first time in her presence, I’m at a loss for words.

I don’t know this girl. Not really, and yet I’ve inserted myself into her life with a determination I usually reserve for winning games. Except I have no endgame here. I told her I want to be friends. But how does that work for us? 

Our friends and lives couldn’t be any more different. Parties for me are self-congratulatory events, filled with people whose one focus seems to be bolstering my ego, followed by me searching for a quick hookup. And my friends are all part of football in some way. We talk football or sports. It’s a narrow focus life, but it’s my comfort zone. That chafes too, knowing I live a life that seems wild and free to outsiders but is actually small and structured on the inside.

The silence has stretched too long. I should go. But I don’t move. If I go, I know it will be the end of whatever this is. Embarrassment will have me avoiding seeking her out again. Likely, she’ll do the same. And that will be that.

The knowledge sits like a stone on my chest.

“I’m sorry about my friends,” Chess says. “They can be uncomfortably brazen.”

“So can mine.” I shrug. “Your friends are…fun.”

Her lips pull tight. “They can be. But they were definitely giving me—and by extension—you shit tonight.” She bites her bottom lip. “I don’t think they know what to make of you.”

“So I wasn’t imagining things.”

“’Fraid not.”

The novel sensation of being a fish tossed into the wrong pond grows. I’ve taken away Chess’s fun by coming here, and I’m sorry for it.

“I shouldn’t have asked you to come here,” Chess says in a low voice.

She’s only echoing my thoughts but the stone sitting on my chest pushes harder against my ribs.

Chess makes a small sound, as if she’s trying to laugh but can’t. “Parties suck when you arrive halfway through and don’t know anyone.”

“I know you,” I point out quietly.

She turns and the porch light illuminates her face. Green eyes met mine and hold, as a slow, true smile curls over her cherry lips. Something inside of me shifts and slides. I want to kiss Chester Copper. Haul her onto my lap and make out with her like we’re teenagers hiding out at our parents’ party. But that’s not what she invited me here for.

“I wanted to see you,” she confesses in that husky morning voice that goes straight to my cock. She turns away and stares out into the darkness. “It’s weird, you know? But hanging out with you was so unexpected it kind of felt like I imagined the whole thing.”

I know exactly what she means. My hand settles next to hers, close enough that our pinkies touch. That small point of contact sparks along my skin, makes me want to move closer. I hold steady because I don’t trust myself not to act. “I wanted to see you too,” I tell her. “It’s been a long fucking day.”

I hadn’t planned to admit that, but it feels good to tell her.

Chess eases back against the seat and then curls her fingers over mine with a light squeeze. The unexpected touch holds all my attention. It’s nothing more than a simple offer of comfort, and here I am twitching in my seat as if she’d cupped my dick instead. I’m in so much trouble here because this woman is getting to me in ways I don’t know how to navigate. But I don’t pull away. Not one fucking chance of that.

Chess speaks, pulling me attention back to our conversation. “So tell me about it.”

I can’t remember the last time anyone asked me to tell them about my day. Likely, no one ever has.

So I do. And with every word that leaves my mouth, a little bit more of my stress eases. No, I don’t yet truly know Chess. And yes, our lives are different. But there’s no way I’m ending this. Because when it’s just her and me, everything else falls away. I’m not going to let myself forget that again.

* * * About the Author * * *

Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she’d rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer’s Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine’s Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal , best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher’s Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.

WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / TWITTER / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Color Blind by Sheila Sobel

* * 3/4

April is alone in the world. When she was only a baby, her teenage mother took off and now, unbelievably, her dad has died. Nobody's left to take April in except her mom's sister, a free spirit who's a chef in New Orleans--and someone who April's never met. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, April is suddenly supposed to navigate a city that feels just like she feels, fighting back from impossibly bad breaks. But it's Miles, a bayou boy, who really brings April into the heart of the Big Easy. He takes her to the cemetery where nineteenth-century voodoo queen Marie Laveau is buried, and there, April gets a shocking clue about her own past. Once she has a piece of the puzzle, she knows she will never give up. What she doesn't know is that finding out the truth about her past and the key to her future could cost her everything--maybe even her life. 






When April's father passes away, she is left in limbo. Her mother has been out of the picture for years and so now her only family is her estranged aunt, Kate, who lives in New Orleans. This arrangement while necessary is not ideal since April knows nothing about Kate or her mother's side of the family. It's evident how painful this situation is for both of them based on the stilted conversations and awkward silences. April is in a difficult place where she is almost an adult living with her aunt who has never wanted kids but who abruptly has to be responsible for one. There's some hostility between them which is why April seeks solace elsewhere. She meets Miles, a tour guide, when she decides to join his graveyard tour. He sparks in her an interest in New Orleans' voodoo history and gets especially intrigued when she senses a connection that has something to do with her family background. 

There were aspects of the story that appealed to me such as the setting and voodoo since that was a new topic for me. I was so intrigued by it that I was secretly hoping the plot would explore more of that but it didn't. Voodoo being as important as it was at the beginning ... I guess I just felt it petered out by the end and a part of me was disappointed. Instead, the second half of the book zeroes in on family and April learning to get used to her new one. The contentious relationship between April and Kate lost me slightly because I didn't connect with either of them. They never hit it off so that was a pall over most of the book. At the same time, I do think it says something about Sobel's writing that I was affected as I was by their poor rapport. 

This wasn't really my cup of tea but I recognize that's due to my wishful thinking as far as what I wanted the story to explore. A mystery and some highly suspenseful moments are also included in the plot.In the end, Color Blind reminds us that family can some about in unexpected ways.

~ Bel

Easy for Keeps by Kristen Proby Release Day Blitz

New York Times Bestselling author Kristen Proby brings readers a glimpse back into her sexy as sin The Boudreaux Series. EASY FOR KEEPS is a Contemporary Erotic Romance novella in The Boudreaux Series, brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights. Grab your copy of this sexy novella today!

   

Amazon ** Paperback

ABOUT EASY FOR KEEPS:

Adam Spencer loves women. All women. Every shape and size, regardless of hair or eye color, religion or race, he simply enjoys them all. Meeting more than his fair share as the manager and head bartender of The Odyssey, a hot spot in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, Adam’s comfortable with his lifestyle, and sees no reason to change it. A wife and kids, plus the white picket fence are not in the cards for this confirmed bachelor. Until a beautiful woman, and her sweet princess, literally knock him on his ass.

Sarah Cox has just moved to New Orleans, having accepted a position as a social worker specializing in at-risk women and children. It’s a demanding, sometimes dangerous job, but Sarah is no shy wallflower. She can handle just about anything that comes at her, even the attentions of one sexy Adam Spencer. Just because he’s charmed her daughter, making her think of magical kingdoms with happily ever after, doesn’t mean that Sarah believes in fairy tales. But the more time she spends with the enchanting man, the more he begins to sway her into believing in forever.

Even so, when Sarah’s job becomes more dangerous than any of them bargained for, will she be ripped from Adam’s life forever?

   

Excerpt-

I love this place. I’ve worked at The Odyssey most of my life. First, for Callie’s dad, and then for her after he passed last year. And now that we’re planning to expand the space, Callie asked me to be her partner. The paperwork was finalized last week, and the expansion is moving forward.

It’s exciting and terrifying at the same time. I don’t just work here, I’m part owner and able to leave at a moment’s notice if the notion struck me.

Not that I ever have, or would, do that. But it was an option.

Now strings are attached, and I’ve never been a strings kind of guy. In fact, at the first mention of commitment, I’m a run-in-the-other-direction kind of guy.

And I make no apologies for it. The women I’m with know the score. I keep my life simple.

This is work, I remind myself. I’ve had a soft spot for The Odyssey for a long time, so attaching myself permanently is a good move.

It’s not a woman.

“You didn’t go home with her,” Callie says as she comes out of her office, surprising me.

“I thought you went home,” I reply instead of answering her question. “Didn’t I see Declan earlier?”

Declan is a popular New Orleans musician and Callie’s husband.

“You did,” she replies with a soft smile. “But I had some work to do here, and sometimes I just like to stay until closing.”

“We’re bar people,” I reply with a smile and walk behind the bar to pull out a bottle of water.

“So, why didn’t you give that pretty thing a ride on your desk?” Callie asks in the nonjudgmental way that only she can. She’s my best friend for a reason.

“Wasn’t feeling it,” I reply with a shrug, then grin. “Literally.”

“Harhar,” she replies, but her smile is bright. “I haven’t heard many women stories lately.”

“You enjoy my conquest stories?” I ask, not believing her. “You always cover your ears and tell me to shut it.”

“Well, some of them are just gross. Like the time you had sex in the back of a cab. That’s just not sanitary, Adam.”

“Sex isn’t supposed to be sanitary, Cal. If you’re worried about sanitation, you aren’t doing it right.”

   

And don’t forget to grab the first three books in the Boudreaux Series!

EASY LOVE

EASY CHARM

EASY MELODY

Preorder the 4^th full-length novel in the Boudreaux Series here!

EASY KISSES

ABOUT KRISTEN PROBY: New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.  

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Easy Charm by Kristen Proby Cover Reveal

I recently read Easy Love, so I'm thrilled to share the cover for Kristen Proby’s EASY CHARM! EASY CHARM is a Contemporary Erotic Romance novel and is the 2^nd book in The Boudreaux Series. It is due to be released on July 7, 2015!! This awesome cover was designed by Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations with photography by Kristen Proby!

 

Add EASY CHARM on Goodreads

ABOUT EASY CHARM: Gabrielle Boudreaux, the youngest of the Boudreaux clan, is a single mother of her young son, Sam. Running a Bed and Breakfast at the family plantation house at the edge of the Mississippi River, Gabby loves her inn, her boy and her family. She meets new people every day, and takes pride in the house and land that has been in her family for more than five generations. Blessed beyond measure, she’s also lonely, although she would never admit that to anyone. Until Rhys O’Shaughnessy walks through her door, brooding and wounded and the sexiest thing she’s ever laid eyes on. Rhys has been at the top of his game as a major league pitcher for the Boston Red Sox for more than ten years. Baseball is in his blood. But when he tears his rotator cuff and has to sit a season out, he retreats to Inn Boudreaux at the recommendation of his cousin, Kate, to heal and work toward building his shoulder back to perfect shape with only one goal in mind: to return to the game he loves. But he didn’t plan on being utterly charmed by a devastatingly beautiful woman and her baseball-loving son. When Rhys’ shoulder has healed and he’s given the chance to return to his team, will he leave the family he’s come to love behind, or will he stay with Gabby and Sam?    

And don’t forget to grab the first book in the Boudreaux Series!

EASY LOVE

 

ABOUT KRISTEN PROBY: New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby is the author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.

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Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

* * * *

Description taken from the book:

“Even at night, the wrecks glowed with work.  The torch lights flickered, bobbing and, moving. Sledge noise rang across the water.  Comforting sounds of work and activity,

the air tanged with the coal reek of smelters and the salt fresh breeze coming off the water.  It was beautiful.”

“In America’s gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota – and hopefully live to see another day.  But when, by luck, or chance, he discovers an exquisite clipper ship is beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it’s worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life …

In this powerful novel, award-winning author Paolo Bacigalupi delivers a thrilling, fast-paces adventure set in a vivid and raw, uncertain future.”

I’ve been drawn dystopian books lately, therefore, this one should come as no surprise to my fellow BiblioJunkies.  

The setting takes place in the New Orleans area, or more accurately what used to be it.  What is left in the aftermath of extreme weather, hurricanes and climate change is a flooded area economically and socially depressed.  The locals live in “clans” and scavenge ships that have run aground for their endless supplies of copper, cargo and parts.  It’s a tough life that everyone is born into and children are not immune to the hard work.

Nailer Lopez is the main protagonist who is about 15 years old, so he thinks.  This is the life he’s always known.  As a ship breaker he works the light crew meaning that he’s small enough in size to navigate the narrow ducts and pipes to strip copper wiring from the ships.  It’s dirty, dangerous work.  He has all the bruises, cuts and tattoos to prove it.  And he must make quota in order to maintain his status and place on the crew.  They live by a very strong code of conduct including taking blood oaths amongst themselves to be loyal to each other.  And any break in that code of conduct results in the person being tossed out of the crew and no one willing speak for them.  The social structure is slightly reminiscent of the feudal system in Europe during the Middle Ages.  You’re born into your line of work and that’s it.  If you happen to be lucky enough to run into good fortune, you’ll be made and can call the shots yourself.  Nailer always has in the back of his mind that you have to be a combination of lucky and smart in order to survive much less be rich.

When the latest hurricane passes, he and his fellow crewmember Pima, come across a clipper that was caught in the storm.  Not believing their good luck, they immediately try to loot it for any valuables when they come across a young girl trapped in the wreckage.  This is a pivotal moment when Nailer has to decide if he’s going to strike it rich or listen to his instincts and place his trust in a total stranger and rescue her.  Nita couldn’t come from a more different world – privileged, educated and proper.  Yet Nailer finds a future of possibilities in allying himself with her especially after he learns that she’s the daughter of a successful and powerful shipping magnate whose position is being usurped by an enemy within the family.  Helping her reunite with her family means that he could escape his misfortune and distance himself from his abusive, alcoholic, murderous, drug-addict father.  He sounds like a fine catch doesn’t he?

Bacigalupi includes great detail about the ship breaking industry and blends elements of science fiction.  In this time and place, there’s a new breed of creature called “half-men” – beings that are genetically engineered from human DNA mixed with those of dogs, hyenas, cats – with the purpose of providing muscle, inspiring awe and fear and most importantly extreme loyalty to their owners.  When I first read it, I wasn’t quite sure I understood it correctly.  It just seemed so out of place to hear about something so scientifically advanced against the backdrop of poverty that Nailer lives in.  But as more was explained, it fell into place. 

The description of a ravaged New Orleans sunken below the sea left a deep impression on me.   There’s a scene where Nailer and Nita are escaping on a train headed towards Orleans.  It’s hard to fathom but at the same time very tangible to see that area as described in the book – abandoned suburbs and roads that have become swamplands due to the climate change.  Orleans itself is described as very third-world country.  Some examples: people opting to save their money wading through murky water rather than taking a water taxi to get across channels or eating grilled rat on a stick. Sorry, I had to throw that out there.

While some of the descriptions and activities did make my stomach lurch just a little, I still felt compelled to read on because I wanted so badly for Nailer and Nita to survive and find hope, particularly Nailer.  You always want to root for the underdog and in his case, I could empathize with his desire to rewrite his own fate.  His biggest fear is turning out like his dad, an addict completely lacking in morals.  Nailer at one time thought he had no choice in his future but meeting Nita has changed his perspective on loyalty and family.  My favorite part in the book is where he comes to the conclusion, “…the blood bond was nothing.  It was the people that mattered.  If they covered your back, and you covered theirs, then may be that was worth calling family.  Everything else was just so much smoke and lies.”  When he starts realizing that he can be his own man and create his own destiny, Nailer achieves the confidence he never thought he had.

Ship Breaker is full of rich detail, diverse characters and a gripping storyline.  Between all the infighting and power struggles, and the lessons he learns about loyalty and friendship, you’ll find yourself cheering on Nailer as he steps into his own new world.

~ Bel