Nat's Top Ten of 2015

I can't believe it's that time of year again.  This is my 5th Top Ten list and, just like the first, second, third and fourth, it was difficult to decide.  As usual, I chose from all the books I read this year and not just books published in 2015.  While putting together this list, I decided to go through my previous lists.  It was fun to see what I had picked for favorites previously and it was entertaining to find that my love of romance has not abated one bit.  I am linking to previous lists just for the hell of it.  

2011  2012  2013  2014  

 And now, without further adieu, 2015

Cut & Run Series by Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban

Much like Ty and Zane, this series and I had a rocky start to our relationship.  There is a significant amount of head hopping in the first book which is usually a deal breaker for me.  But Zane and Ty were so fascinating I kept on reading.  The issues I had with book 1 were worked out for book two and what you are left with is an amazing story of two  men as they try to forge a lasting relationship while dealing with dangerous jobs and unhealthy addictions.  Not only did I read one of the best love scenes I've ever read in a romance (Book 5 - Armed & Dangerous), I also added a new book boyfriend to my roster.  Let's just say that I will fight Ty to the death for his Zane.  And that's knowing that Ty will win.    If you are looking for lots of action, two alpha males, a little bit of angst and a really slow burn, I can't recommend this series enough.


Galgorithm by Aaron Karo

I didn't read a lot of YA this year but of the ones I did get to, this was, by far, my favorite.  Aaron Karo delivers a romcom with the quirky and awkward humor that I adore in romance.  And to top it off,  it included one of my favorite tropes - Friends to Lovers.  The only other thing I can say is, Amor y Cacahuetes.   Love and Peanuts.

Just Business by Anna Zabo

Every time someone asks me my favorite read of 2015, Just Business is the title I give them.   I read this in May and I STILL think about it.   Eli and Justin are wonderfully fun and complex characters and Anna Zabo's writing is stellar.   There is an office filing scene where there is zero nudity, touching or dirty talk and yet it was one of the hottest things I've ever read.  I'm not sure I'll be able to do office work ever again without blushing.

Lonely Hearts by Heidi Cullinan

This is a super hot new adult title that includes, per the warning on the book, sex in a Tesla and kinky anime role play.  But it's not all about the sex.  Not even close.  Heidi's endless understanding and empathy bring together two broken young men that work through their chronic health (mental and physical) issues  in ways that are not always healthy.  Between their friends, a pastor and his wife who have a whole lot of love to give, and their desire to live, Elijah and Baz have what they need to become healthier people.   There is no sugar coating in this book.  Their struggles are realistic and sometimes painful.  But never so painful you doubt they will get the happy ever after they both deserve.



Off Campus by Amy Jo Cousins

I read Five Dates (a freebie) on a whim.  That was my first taste of Amy Jo Cousins' writing and I think we all know that I am now a life long fan.  I read Off Campus in August and I have read it 3 more times since then.  This has obviously become a total comfort read for me.   Even with all his paranoia, Tom is insanely nice.  The things he does to make Reese feel safe made me melt.  And I'm not any less in love with Reese.  This kid is a survivor.  After experiencing a horrific and life damaging assault the year before, he still returned to campus.  He's a strong and scrappy guy that is determined to survive.



Delivered Fast by Annabeth Albert

Annabeth Albert is another new favorite author that I discovered this year.  This is the third book in the Portland Heat series.  I enjoyed the entire series but I really connected to this book.  Chris is surprised to find himself attracted to a guy that is 15 years younger than him .  And he almost fell over when said youngster hit on him and asked him out. What starts out as temporary and beneficial arrangment quickly becomes something more.  The problem?  Chris doesn't want to be the older guy that holds Lance back from pursuing his dreams.  Fortunately, Lance has his shit together and realizes he can pursue more than one dream at a time.  Now he just needs to convince Chris.



Burnt Toast B & B by Heidi Belleau and Rachel Haimowitz

So I picked this up on a whim when it was on a sale.  The humorous title was a total draw for me.  What I didn't expect was a beautiful and romantic story between a gay man afraid of getting close to anyone because he might lose them and a transgender man that has yet to find anyone that completely accepts him for who he is.  Belleau and Haimowitz's empathy and accuracy when it came to writing these two characters was nothing short of amazing.  I look forward to checking out more of their books in the future.





Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

I don't think Katie McGarry can write a bad book.  It just isn't in her.  And after meeting her a few months ago, I have a new appreciation for her dedication and attention to detail.  Spending a month with members of a motorcycle club gave her a level of insight that produced a book that is fascinating and romantic but not always attractive.  If you are looking for some angst with certain style of grit and honesty, definitely pick this one up.






Undressed by Shannon Richard

This is one of my favorites in the Country Roads series.  It's super sexy and lots of fun.  It hits the ground running with an unbelievably hot opening scene and it never loses its momentum.   Of course, there was just enough angst to make me happy and more than enough fun and hockey hotness to make non-angst lovers happy too.

No Parking at the End Times by Bryan Bliss

This is a story of a teen girl that is desparately grappling with the knowledge that her father's faith in a scheister televangelist and her mother's unhealthy desire to please her husband has led to them living in a van with no income and has put their family in a situation from which they might never recover.  She and her brother independently seek comfort and seek a way to escape the hopeless situation their parents have put them in.  Definitely not a happy book but it certainly is a book that I think a lot of people can relate to in one way or another.

Unsung by Shannon Richard

***

One Night In Nashville

Harper Laurence has been jilted on her way to the altar. Desperate for some time away from her friends and family, Harper takes off for Nashville—only to meet a hot, scruffy, tattooed stranger. A man she liked a little too much, and who left her the teeniest bit . . . well, pregnant.

Liam James is an up-and-coming country musician, who just found his muse. Ever since their weekend together, Liam hasn't been able to forget the curvy, vivacious woman who left him wanting more, even as she inspired some of the greatest songs he's ever written. He's determined to convince Harper that he's the guy for her . . . and that the best love songs can never be unsung.

Review:

The above summary sets this story up perfectly.  Two people fall instantly fall in love but have to fight to make their relationship work.   They have quite a few obstacles to overcome.  The fact that they still don’t really know each other, an unexpected pregnancy, Liam’s rising fame, and some cruel people that will say or do anything to make their life a living hell.

I’ve always enjoyed Harper’s role in previous books.  She’s strong and super independent.  So to watch her experience a point in her life that is super emotional in a way that she can’t always control made me feel for her.   She’s still recovering from a horrible breakup when she meets Liam.  When she runs away I totally got it.  She might feel a connection but she was hurt so badly and so recently that putting her heart out there again so fast and so soon is too much to even consider.  Add an unplanned pregnancy to the mix and a famous boyfriend that the tabloids love and I just wanted to give the poor girl a hug and take care of her myself.

As for Liam, I could really get behind his “all in” attitude.  There is no doubt in his mind that Harper is THE ONE.  She is it and he is in it for the long haul.  No questions asked.  And he proves that he is committed over and over again.  Kind of hard to not fall for a hero like that. 

But, as much as I enjoyed these characters individually, I was not completely sold on their romance.  I’m a slow burn sort of girl.  It takes a lot to sell love at first sight to me.  A LOT.  So I’ll just put it out there now that that is the reason I didn’t love Unsung as much as I have loved the other books in this series.  Don’t get me wrong.  I enjoyed it.  I couldn’t put it down which attests to Richard’s excellent writing.  But I often felt just a little too unsure about the stability of their relationship to ever get attached to Harper and Liam as a couple.

But, if you are a fan of insta-love or love at first sight in addition to sexy country singing heroes and loveable independent heroines then you will very likely love the latest in what has become one of my favorite contemporary romance series. 

Nat

Unsung by Shannon Richard Launch Day Blitz

Today we are celebrating Shannon Richard's latest release Unsung!  We've got all the info and an excerpt.  Add this one to your tbr pile folks!

UNSUNG by Shannon Richard (November 3, 2015; Forever Yours E-Book; A Country Roads Novel)

ONE NIGHT IN NASHVILLE…Harper Laurence has been jilted on her way to the altar. Desperate for some time away from her friends and family, Harper takes off for Nashville-only to meet a hot, scruffy, tattooed stranger. A man she liked a little too much, and who left her the teeniest bit . . . well, pregnant.

Liam James is an up-and-coming country musician, who just found his muse. Ever since their weekend together, Liam hasn't been able to forget the curvy, vivacious woman who left him wanting more, even as she inspired some of the greatest songs he's ever written. He's determined to convince Harper that he's the guy for her . . . and that the best love songs can never be unsung.

Buy the book!

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About the author:

Shannon Richard grew up in the Florida Panhandle as the baby sister of two overly protective but loving brothers. She was raised by a more than somewhat eccentric mother, a self-proclaimed vocabularist who showed her how to get lost in a book and a father who passed on his love for coffee and really loud music. She graduated from Florida State University with a BA in English Literature and still lives in Tallahassee where she battles everyday life with writing, reading, and a rant every once in a while. Okay, so the rants might happen on a regular basis. She's still waiting for her Southern, scruffy, Mr. Darcy, and in the meantime writes love stories to indulge her overactive imagination. Oh, and she's a pretty big fan of the whimsy.

Social Media Links:

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Excerpt:

“Forget this?”

            Her purse flew into the air, hitting the floor with a thud. She clutched her chest and spun around. Liam was leaning back against the counter, her bra dangling from his forefinger, swaying just slightly in the air.

            Okay, yes it was true that she’d gotten to see his body up close and personal the night before, but there was something to be said about seeing it in the daylight. Actually there was a lot to be said about it. She just couldn’t do that much talking as her brain had temporarily short-circuited.

            He was wearing nothing more than a pair of black boxer briefs and a smile, his washboard abs giving her the strangest urge to do laundry. She looked like death warmed over and he looked…well, glorious.

            “Your bra wasn’t the only thing that you forgot either. I don’t get a goodbye, Harper?”

            “I figured it would be better,” she said as she reached up and attempted to smooth her hair. She had no doubts that she did not succeed.

            He leaned back against the counter and folded his arms across his chest, her bra now hanging at his side. “Better for whom?” His mouth quirked to the side, making him look infinitely sexier.

            The jerk.

            “Look, we don’t have to do this whole awkward morning after thing,” she said making a gesture between the two of them.

            “Perfect.” He nodded his head as he reached up and scratched his beard, the sound of his nails on his scruff reached her ears from across the room. He used the hand that was still holding her bra and it swayed with the motion, taunting her like a freaking red flag…even though it was navy blue.

            “Then I’ll just get going.” She took her eyes off of him, so not an easy thing to do, and went to grab her purse on the floor.

            “Why?”

            “What?” Her head came up and she straightened.

            “Why are you leaving?”

            “I thought we just established this.”

            “No, we established not having the awkward morning after thing. We never established you leaving,” he said shaking his head.

            “Do you plan on making this as uncomfortable as possible?”

            “I was thinking about it. But if you head out that door I think you’ll make yourself plenty uncomfortable all on your own.”

            “Meaning?”

            “How were you planning on getting back to the bar?”

            Well, that had her coming up short. “I hadn’t really thought that out.” She hadn’t really thought anything out as was evident by her current predicament.

            “It’s three miles to the main road, and another five to the Secondhand Guitar. And as you don’t know where you are I would imagine it would be difficult to call a cab. Also I don’t think you’d get far walking on those shoes of yours before your feet started to kill you.”

            “Well, isn’t this the perfect setting for a horror movie.”

            A laugh escaped his mouth and he shook his head. “I was actually going for the perfect setting for a romantic comedy. Boy meets girl, boy takes girl home and gives her multiple orgasms, boy makes girl breakfast the following morning.”

            Okay, she was going to ignore the romantic comedy comment. “Look Liam, last night wasn’t something that I’ve ever done before. I’m not the kind of girl who goes home with men I just met.”

            He tilted his head to the side and his grin somehow widened. “See, we have something in common. I don’t go home with men I just met either.”

            The corner of her lip twitched despite herself.

            “It this something you do for all of the girls you have one-night stands with?” The question was out of her mouth before she thought better of it and she inwardly cringed at her words. She was that girl. The one-night stand girl.

            His head straightened and he studied her for a second, the humor in his eyes gone. “First of all, I’ve never made breakfast for any girl that I’ve brought home. And second, I wouldn’t classify you as a one-night stand.”

            His words had her coming up short again. She couldn’t get her brain to connect with her mouth to say anything.

            “Let me cook for you, Harper. Then I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”

            It was on the tip of her tongue to say no, to ask that he just drive her back now. She wasn’t sure what it was, the fact that he hadn’t called her a one-night stand or the intensity in his gaze, because the word “okay” slipped past her lips. And judging by the look on his face, she wasn’t the only one shocked by it.

            “Good.” He pushed himself off the counter and crossed the space to her, reaching out to hand her the bra when he was close enough. When she grabbed it he didn’t let go. His green-gold eyes focused on hers as his free hand slipped around her waist and he moved in closer. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

            He hesitated for just a moment, giving her a second to object…but just like the night before she found herself objectionless. She couldn’t think straight around this man, not when he was speaking, or looking at her, or breathing in her general direction. And now he had his hand on her, his mouth just inches from hers.

            She gave a small nod before he lowered his head. His lips gently brushed hers and his fingers tightened at her hip bringing her flush against his body. She couldn’t stop herself from sighing in pleasure and the second her mouth was open he took full advantage, dipping his tongue inside. She wasn’t the only one who’d taken a moment to freshen their breath either and he tasted so damn good.

            And just like that her palms were flat on his chest, like they had a mind of their own. Yup, her ability to think straight was obliterated when he was around…but maybe thinking straight was entirely overrated. 

That's What HE Said Thursday #30

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend it's us ;)

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Nat introduces us to this week's book boyfriend, Jax from Undeniable by Shannon Richard. The scene: Jax takes Grace to the house he’s been remodeling to propose. This is part of his speech to her. Sidenote: Grace is a baker and runs a café. Ahh... sweet romance!

 “This kitchen was always part of the plan.  YOUR kitchen was always part of the plan.  And it’s because YOU were always part of the plan, it just took me a little while to figure it out.  I built this house for you, every part of it.  I wanted to give you what you gave me.  Because, Grace, you’re my home. The place I feel safe and loved and wanted.  The place where all the brokenness from the past goes away and it’s just you and me.”

~ Jax to Grace 

Undeniable (Country Roads #2) 

by Shannon Richard

   

     

    

Undeniable by Shannon Richard

* * * *

"Funny, sassy, and sexy. Reading Shannon Richard is pure pleasure!" -Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author 

THEIR LOVE WAS UNDENIABLE

Grace King knows two things for certain: she loves working at her grandmother's café and she loves the hunky town sheriff. She always has. As she bakes him sweet treats, Grace fantasizes about helping him work up an appetite all night long. But whenever she thinks she's finally getting somewhere, he whips out some excuse to escape. Growing up, he never looked twice at her. Now Grace won't rest until she has Jax's undivided attention.

Jaxson Anderson can't deny that his best friend's kid sister is the sexiest woman in Mirabelle, Florida. Unwilling to burden Grace with his painful past, Jax keeps the sassy blonde at arm's length. Yet one heated kiss crumbles all of his carefully built defenses. But when a town secret surfaces, threatening to destroy everything they believe in, can the man who defended Grace from bullies as a child protect her now?

Review:

Somehow, along the way, I missed the release of the second book in the Country Roads series.  That will teach me to pay better attention.  But the up side to that is I had a new-to-me Shannon Richard book and a cup of coffee to cuddle up with while hiding away from the below zero temps we had in January.   

Grace was 6 year olds when Jax Anderson became the love of her life.  Maybe not in a romantic way.  But he was certainly her hero.  How could he not be when he scared off the bullies and insisted that she was a princess?  But she grew up and 18 year old Grace was fully aware that her feelings for Jax had grown with her.  Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried to get his attention, he always seemed to be oblivious.  Recently Grace has stepped back and has decided there’s no reason she should be waiting around for someone who doesn’t return her affections.  Not that she’ll stop taking care of Jax by making sure he has his morning coffee and plenty to eat.  It’s what she does. 

Jax won’t lie to himself and pretend that he doesn’t want Grace with every fiber in his being.  But he will deny himself pursuing her in any way, shape or form.  Jax grew up with a physically and emotionally abusive father.  One of the more lasting effects of that abuse is Jax’s lack of self-worth.  He’s truly feels that he isn’t good enough for Grace.  But Grace’s quiet persistence over the years is starting to get to Jax.   And he’s finally getting to the point (thanks, in part, to the help of meddling friends) where maybe, just maybe, he can let himself have a little bit of happiness.  Just a little.

There is a lot going on in this story besides the dancing around (yes, that can be construed as a euphemism for….something) that Grace and Jax are doing.  One of the things I loved most in this story is that Jax and his friends are re-modeling Jax’s future home.   It is apparent to everyone except Jax that he is subconsciously building his house with Grace in mind.  Not that all his buddies didn’t notice.  But they were too nice to say anything.  Until they feel their interference is needed, of course.  Seriously, the Men of Mirabelle are such meddlers.  It’s hilarious.

Then there are plenty of frightening things to get in the way of Jax and Grace’s developing relationship.  An unsolved string of burglaries and thefts have kept Jax constantly busy.  Then there is the continuous harassment Grace is experiencing from some creeps who went to high school with her.  And then throw in a hate crime against one of Grace’s closest friends.  Mirabelle is a hot mess and Jax and Grace are feeling the pressure. On top of all of that there is also that horrid gossip blog run by an angry and bitter woman named Bethelda.  No one is safe from The Grim Truth.  Not even a town Deputy, Jax.  And certainly not, Grace, who for some reason has always been held accountable (by her very existence) for her late mother’s love life.

This romance is sexy and fast paced.  There is plenty of the angst I enjoy so much but it’s perfectly balanced with plenty of humor keeping me entertained at every turn of the page.  If you are a fan of contemporary small town romances, definitely give Undeniable a try.  You won’t be disappointed.

Nat

Undressed by Shannon Richard - LAUNCH DAY BLITZ!!!

We are super excited to part of the Undressed Launch Day Blitz!  By now you probably know that I've become a huge fan of Shannon Richard. UNDRESSED is the last in the Country Roads series. A sexy and romantic novella that is set in the world of the NHL.  I swear, her heroes and heroines get hotter and hotter with every book.  Keep reading for info on the book and excerpt AND a list of the TOP 5 actors Shannon Richards would love to see play Logan James.  And if you don't mind my gushing, check out our previous post with my review of UNDRESSED!

About UNDRESSED

She knows the rules of the game . . . but she can't resist his moves

Publicist Abby Fields's career is on the rise. And with failed romances in her past, she has no time for men. When a job opportunity opens up with a sports team in Florida, Abby eagerly packs up and heads south. Yet after a work event in Mirabelle, Florida, Abby finds herself in the arms of a hockey player whose heartstopping smile leads her to the steamiest night of her life . . . Logan James is hot on and off the ice. With his team on an epic winning streak, life couldn't get better . . . until he meets Abby, the fiery redhead assigned to protect his team's image. Now Logan's finding it difficult to concentrate on anything other than getting Abby undressed. But after a secret is leaked to the press, the taste of betrayal opens old wounds. If they can't learn to trust each other, they may risk losing more than their hearts.

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The Top 5 Actors you would like to see play Logan in a movie...

Jensen Ackles is who I picture for Logan, so I’d say he’d be first on the list. 

 Henry Cavill wouldn’t do too shabby in the role. 

 Scott Eastwood would be able to do Logan justice.

 Chris Pine would look good in a pair of skates.

 Matt Bomer…because, well, it’s Matt Bomer. 

As a reader and a fan, I am behind these choices 100%.  And not going to lie....I had a GREAT time picking photos for this list...

Now picture one of those 5 beutiful Logan's in the following excerpt...

“You already want me out of here?” he asked as he walked up next to her, leaning against the railing of the porch and looking out at the view. The Rigels’s house was built on stilts by a river, the dark waters rushing behind it.

“I just figured you’d want to get home and back to normal.”

“You have no idea what I want, Red.”

Her entire body tensed up more, something that he didn’t even know was possible. If she got any more rigid, her spine would probably snap. It was such a contrast, this moment compared to how pliant she’d been the night before.

What he wanted was more of that. Her beneath him…or on top. He wasn’t all that picky.

He turned to her, and she automatically moved in response, looking up at him. He reached out slowly, running his fingers down the side of her face and to her chin where he lightly pushed up.

When she didn’t pull away he lowered his mouth to hers, just a soft kiss to her lips. Her mouth opened on a sigh and her entire body seemed to relax into his. He took that as his cue and his other hand came up, sliding around her hip and to her lower back. He pulled her fully into his body as he slipped his tongue passed her lips.

“I’ve been craving that since I woke up this morning,” he whispered against her mouth before he dove back in.

This time her hands came up and were in his hair, her fingers trailing down the back of his neck. Holy hell she made him hard in an instant. As she was flush up against him, he was pretty sure she was fully aware of it, too.

He pulled away from her just enough to where he could look down into her face. Her eyes opened slowly, those startling blues more than a little bit dazed.

“I take it back,” he said as he ran his thumb across her lips. “I do want to know why last night can’t happen again.”

Within a matter of seconds, Abby managed to get ahold of herself. His words bringing her back to reality. She dropped her hands from the back of his neck and reached for his wrists, pulling his hand from her face and the other from her lower back.

“We work together.” She took a step away from him, and despite her best efforts at composure, her breathing was still erratic.

“All right, I promise to be just as uncooperative as I was before. No one will suspect a thing.”

About Shannon Richard

Shannon Richard grew up in the Florida Panhandle as the baby sister of two overly protective but loving brothers. She was raised by a more than somewhat eccentric mother, a self-proclaimed vocabularist who showed her how to get lost in a book and a father who passed on his love for coffee and really loud music. She graduated from Florida State University with a BA in English Literature and still lives in Tallahassee where she battles everyday life with writing, reading, and a rant every once in a while. Okay, so the rants might happen on a regular basis. She's still waiting for her Southern, scruffy, Mr. Darcy, and in the meantime writes love stories to indulge her overactive imagination. Oh, and she's a pretty big fan of the whimsy.

Twitter  Website  Facebook  Goodreads

Undressed by Shannon Richard

****

She knows the rules of the game . . . but she can't resist his moves

Publicist Abby Fields's career is on the rise. And with failed romances in her past, she has no time for men. When a job opportunity opens up with a sports team in Florida, Abby eagerly packs up and heads south. Yet after a work event in Mirabelle, Florida, Abby finds herself in the arms of a hockey player whose heartstopping smile leads her to the steamiest night of her life . . .

Logan James is hot on and off the ice. With his team on an epic winning streak, life couldn't get better . . . until he meets Abby, the fiery redhead assigned to protect his team's image. Now Logan's finding it difficult to concentrate on anything other than getting Abby undressed. But after a secret is leaked to the press, the taste of betrayal opens old wounds. If they can't learn to trust each other, they may risk losing more than their hearts. (50,000 words) 

 Review:

If you’ve read Undone (the first book in the Country Roads series) you might be familiar with Abby Fields.  She is Paige’s best friend and makes appearances throughout the series.  There were hints that she might get her own story and this is it.   Abby was a publicist for politicians in DC.  She recently took a job as a publicist for a NHL team.  The change was huge but she is finding that she loves it even more.  But, just like in DC, she has her problem children.  One of those problem children is the very hot Logan James.  When she says “problem child”, she doesn’t mean that he causes too many problems for her to fix.  It’s more his unwillingness to participate in many of the publicity events hosted by the team.

Logan James finds the team’s new publicist to be unbelievably hot. Too bad her profession is one that he absolutely despises.  He’s not interested in exploiting other people for his or the team’s benefit.  Having suffered a significant loss when he was younger, he realizes that doing good for the sake of doing good is the only thing he’s interested in.  That means he’ll do his own charities and if the team’s publicity team wants to be involved they’ll have to agree to his terms.

After an unexpected snowstorm and a night stuck in Logan’s cabin while waiting for a new flight to a charity “event” in Mirabelle, Abby and Logan take their non-existent relationship to the next level.  The next morning, Abby is already moving on.  Because, in the end, it should have never happened.  She will lose her job if anyone found out she had any sort of relationship with someone on the team. When they get to Mirabelle for the media-free (Logan’s demand for his cooperation) and personal (to Abby) event, Abby observes Logan interact with all of her friends in Mirabelle and realizes that maybe Logan isn’t quite the standoffish jerk she thought he was and that he really is more like the guy she spent the night with.

It’s been a long time since Logan’s been in a relationship but after one night with Abby he’s willing to explore the possibilities.  Unfortunately, she’s already acting like nothing ever happened between them.  On the bright side, Logan isn’t opposed to going after what he wants.  So after telling Abby that he’s still interested (and after Abby has a heart to heart with her BFF, Paige) they decide to continue their relationship privately. Away from the eyes of the team and management.

Of course, hiding a relationship with a NHL player that is likely going to playoffs is difficult.  Even more difficult is hiding their relationship when certain members of the team (both on and off the ice) will stoop to anything to see Abby fail at the job she loves. 

As you all may have noticed, Shannon Richard has quickly become a favorite author.  I’ve adored the Country Roads series and this novella was a great addition.  Abby is a wonderfully strong contemporary romance heroine.  She is a determined and focused professional and her solid belief that she should be able to have her career AND her relationship is both attractive and refreshing.  And wow….I thought the Men of Mirabelle were something.  Obviously Shannon Richard was just preparing me for the force that is Logan James.  

So, yeah.  If you are looking for a steamy romance featuring a hot hockey player and an all around amazing woman, Undressed is probably just what you are looking for.

Nat

Unforgettable Release Week Blitz with Shannon Richard with EXCERPT

We are super excited to be part of the Unforgettable Release Week Blitz!  It only took her first book, Undone, for me to become a big fan of Shannon Richard.  And she keeps getting better and better.  Unforgettable is book #4 in the Country Roads series and Richard doesn't fail to deliver the type of strong heroine we love and a confident sexy hero that we insist on swooning over every chance we get.   

About UNFORGETTABLE

One long, hot summer would never be enough . . .

Attorney Hannah Sterling lives a life she's worked hard for. So when she unexpectedly inherits an inn, Hannah decides to take that long overdue holiday and settle her eccentric grandmother's estate. She knew there would be challenges, but what's hardest about returning to Mirabelle, Florida, is facing the man who gave her the most passionate summer of her life-and then broke her heart. Nathanial Shepherd never forgot the redheaded goddess who lit up his world and got away. Now that she's home, Shep vows to make up for their years apart-and if the fire in her kiss is any indication, they're well on their way. But when a devastating secret from their past threatens their future, Shep must fight to heal Hannah's heart. Because this time, their love will truly be unforgettable . . .

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About Shannon Richard

Shannon Richard grew up in the Florida Panhandle as the baby sister of two overly protective but loving brothers. She was raised by a more than somewhat eccentric mother, a self-proclaimed vocabularist who showed her how to get lost in a book and a father who passed on his love for coffee and really loud music. She graduated from Florida State University with a BA in English Literature and still lives in Tallahassee where she battles everyday life with writing, reading, and a rant every once in a while. Okay, so the rants might happen on a regular basis. She's still waiting for her Southern, scruffy, Mr. Darcy, and in the meantime writes love stories to indulge her overactive imagination. Oh, and she's a pretty big fan of the whimsy.
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Excerpt

She looked up at him, her heart in her throat. She couldn’t give him what he wanted. Couldn’t tell him the truth. She wasn’t ready. Telling him the truth, all of the truth, would rip her wide open, and she couldn’t handle that pain yet.

She wasn’t sure if she’d ever be able to handle that pain.

“Fine. I’ll go first.” He somehow moved closer to her. “Me kissing you is never a mistake. There are a lot of things in my life that I’d take back, but my lips on yours? That’s not one of them. I know that fact without a doubt.”

He reached up and pulled her glasses from her face, setting them on the counter behind her before he lowered his mouth to hers. He nipped at her bottom lip, pulling it gently before his tongue darted out. He didn’t even get it past her bottom lip before her mouth was covering his, her tongue sliding along his.

He let go of her hands, letting them drop to her sides before he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her entirely against his body.

He had her backed up against the kitchen counter again, their hot and hungry mouths eating at the others.

Every notion about fighting this thing with him flew out of her head, and she let herself go over to it. To all of it. All of him.

“Does this feel like a mistake, Hannah?” He pulled back, resting his forehead against hers as he looked down into her eyes. “Right now, in this moment. Does it?”

Her voice didn’t want to work, and it took her a second to form a response. “No.” She shook her head. “No, it doesn’t.”

“What about this? My hands on you?” he asked, his eyes not leaving hers as he moved his palms under her shirt, running them up and down her bare back before he moved them to her sides.

“No.” She couldn’t stop the shiver that ran through her body, and his mouth turned up in that predatory grin of his.

“Or this?” This time his eyes did leave hers as he dropped his head and put his mouth on her neck, his tongue flicking against her skin.

Her answer was a long, low moan that went all the way down to her toes.

“Do you want me to stop?” he asked right before he ran his tongue along her collarbone.

“No.” Her eyes closed of their own accord as her head fell back. “Please.”

“Please what?” Kisses across her shoulder.

“Please don’t stop.”

“Well, aren’t those lovely words?” His lips were working back up her neck, and then he found her mouth again. He was consuming her with his kisses, inhaling her. And his hands. Holy hell they were still running wildly over her hips and back. And then he brought one between them, his fingers tracing around her belly button before it moved low on her belly.

He flicked the button on her jeans open and then went on to her zipper, pulling it down slowly. Maybe he was giving her another chance to protest.

There wasn’t a chance in hell she was going to stop it this time.