Blog Tour Review- S.O.B.:A Step brother Romance by J.C. Valentine

Publisher- J.C. Valentine

Pub. Date- November 10, 2015

Genre- Contemporary Romance 

Source- e-arc

Rating- 4 stars

Goodreads- http://bit.ly/1O11Oi1

Blurb-

Levi Black is an s.o.b.

Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he’s a pretentious, obnoxious, womanizing jacka** who thinks the world revolves around him.

He wouldn’t be wrong.

A famous soccer player, his skills on and off the field have won him medals, trophies, women, and the cover of every heartthrob magazine in the country. He’s broken nearly every bone in his body and a few hearts along the way, including mine—his stepsister—and lived to tell about it.

One night changed everything, and I’ve avoided him like the plague ever since. Just long enough to finish college, to bury the hurt, and to outrun the memories. But now that’s all changed. I’m back, and there’s no more running.

My hands are supposed to be my livelihood, but now they’re my curse. Levi’s reckless ways have landed him in a sticky situation, and his father has given me an offer I can’t refuse. One month, and all I have to do is put my hands on his body. Easier said than done. The problem is, even though I know it’s bound to bite me in the a**, I can’t bring myself to say no to the s.o.b. 

 

Review-

"I don’t think you want me to go away. I think you want me to chase you. Well, princess, you’ve got your wish, because you’re the only dummy I want to chase.”

This isn't your typical step brother romance. Nope...at least I don't think it is. Do you know the saying,'what you see is what you get?' Well, you get so much more in S.O.B. It's my favorite type of story in romance; the bad boy with a heart of gold. I didn't really expect to love this book as much as I did. After all, I thought it was going to be the same old step brother book that everyone seems to be writing. The main characters were awesome and Levi was sarcastic and crass; I adored that dirty mouth of his. 

"I don’t want to be that girl. The one who falls for a guy’s quick lines and filthy mouth, but I am that girl because Levi is that guy... and I’m falling for him. All. Over. Again."

Vista and Levi haven't spoken or seen each other after four long years; after the night of the their parents wedding and the night Levi broke Vista's heart. Fast forward to present day, Vista is all grown up and on her way to starting her own physical therapy business. There's only one thing standing in the way - Levi. As a professional soccer player, Levi is under scrutiny in the media. Oh and he just so happened to break his leg. Hence why Vista is needed. 

“I’ve spent the past four years trying not to think about you,” he says, his voice low and husky in my ear. Closing my eyes, I listen to his soft voice, powerless to argue when he’s this close, his body touching mine. “You’re a siren, calling to me in my dreams. No matter what I do, I can’t escape you.”

She only has to help him for one month rehabilitate his leg. Then she can walk back out of his life and continue on with her dreams. But even after all these years, their sexually chemistry and tension hasn't dampened. Levi thinks they need to have sex to  flush it out of their systems. Will Vista be able to separate her feelings and do what Levi wants? The billionaire, soccer player manwhore and the girl who might be more than just another notch on his bedpost. Because she might just have his heart. 

"Growing up, I always got what I wanted. In that sense, I am my father’s son, and what I want now is her. All I have to do is bide my time and eventually, she’ll come. In more ways than one."

Overall, if you're looking for a witty, lighthearted read, this is the one for you. What more could you want? A hot soccer player, a strong heroine, a twist you won't see coming, bastard fathers, and a plot that will keep you reading until the very end. I certainly enjoyed myself; I also wouldn't be opposed to more Levi. That guy is HOT. 

“You can run, you can hide, but I’ll always follow. Always.”

*Thank you to the author for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Buy the Book!

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Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/1l5je6B

Amazon CA: http://goo.gl/N880PZ

Amazon Paperback: http://goo.gl/kXFm8B

About the Author-

J.C. Valentine is the USA Today and International bestselling author of the Night Calls and Wayward Fighters Series and the Forbidden Trilogy. Her vivid imagination and love of words and romance had her penning her own romance stories from an early age, which, despite being poorly edited and written longhand, she forced friends and family members to read. No, she isn't sorry.

J.C. earned her own happily ever after when she married her high school sweetheart. Living in the Northwest, they have three amazing children and far too many pets and spend much of their free time together enjoying movies or the outdoors. Among the many hats she wears, J.C. is an entrepreneur. Having graduated with honors, she holds a Bachelor's in English and when she isn't writing, you can find her editing for fellow authors.

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Release Day Blitz feat Excerpt: A MIDNIGHT CLEAR by Hope Ramsay

About A Midnight Clear

Dr. Tom Crawford isn't feeling the spirit of the season when he arrives in Last Chance. Far from friends and family, he's the odd man out in this town of gossiping, tight-knit Southerners-until he meets a sweetly sexy single mom who makes him feel welcome. Suddenly the handsome doctor is thinking he's finally found a place to call home.

Local florist Teri Summers has her hands full of mistletoe in preparation for the holiday, yet finding someone to kiss is her last priority. But when the gorgeous new doctor makes a connection with her special needs son, Aiden, Teri finds herself wondering if she's finally found happiness in this season of joy. For Teri and Tom, Last Chance may be their best chance at love.

 

 

 Buy the book here!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Sky4k2

B&N: http://bit.ly/1jjPAsl

iTunes: http://apple.co/1LzUA2O

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1MCYcoG

About Hope Ramsay

Hope Ramsay grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you'll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. She's a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart and is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia, where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar. 

http://www.hoperamsay.com/

https://twitter.com/HopeRamsay

https://www.facebook.com/hope.ramsay

Excerpt:

 “She turned to look over her shoulder. “Doctor Crawford, are you asking me out on a date?”

He couldn’t tell if she was shocked or surprised, so he gave her a nonchalant shrug. Maybe he could fool her into thinking he wouldn’t be disappointed if she declined. “I am. I was wondering if you would introduce me to the barbecue in this town. I’ve heard it’s excellent.”

“It is excellent. Much better than anything you’ve got in Boston.” She turned all the way around to face him. “But I’m afraid I’m busy tonight.”

“Oh, all right. Some other time then.” He backpedaled, and his prosthesis almost tripped him up. He stifled the urge to massage his knee. He was just proud enough not to want Teri to know about his missing leg.

He’d lost it as a result of bone cancer at the age of seven. His “peg leg” as Jimmy liked to call it, had been with him for a long, long time, and he was mostly steady on his feet. In truth, his scars from that time were far less visible.

He took another step back, steadier on his one foot. Luckily, Teri hadn’t noticed his awkwardness. Good.

“I’m putting up my own Christmas tree tonight,” Teri said in a rush, as if she was trying to explain her rejection. “Well, anyway, I’m going to try. But you know Aiden might not like it, so I was just going to, you know, put up something small and maybe put some angels on it or something. So I . . .” Her voice trailed off. Her face got redder.

“I see,” he said.

“Uh, well, Aiden and I are going to be on our own this Christmas, you know. And I need to put up a tree. I haven’t done that in a long, long time. I’m not sure how Aiden will react.”

“Want some help?”

She stood silent for the longest moment, either trying to compose herself or weighing the pros and cons. “You’d do that?” she finally asked.

He opted to play this scene straight. No need to give her a speech about his past. The less said about that the better. “I’m pretty good at putting up Christmas trees. Although”—he looked around at the mess—“I might not be up to your professional standards.”

Her mouth quirked as if she were trying to keep it from trembling. “My professional standards mean ”

Her mouth quirked as if she were trying to keep it from trembling
“My professional standards mean nothing. Aiden has definite likes and dislikes, and this year I thought I’d try to tailor Christmas to his standards, instead of forcing him to celebrate the holiday by everyone else’s.” She bit her lower lip.

“Sounds like a good plan to me.” Man, she had one kissable mouth. Too bad he hadn’t caught her under the mistletoe that she was clearly planning to hang before the day was out.

“Yeah,” she said with a little nod, “it does sound like a good plan, doesn’t it? I have no idea where this is going to lead though.”

Neither do I. “I’m adventurous.”

            “I think that’s true. You came all the way from Boston to the middle of nowhere to do battle with Lillian Bray and the rest of the busybodies in this town. That takes courage.”

He was surprised. Ma had told him that joining the NHSC had been an act of supreme stupidity. “So, what time?” he asked.

“Uh, well, I guess about six.”

“Six it is, then.” He turned and made the quickest of getaways before she realized that he’d just sort of invited himself over.”

Release Blitz feat Review and Giveaway:Misconduct by Penelope Douglas!!!!

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Title: Misconduct Author: Penelope Douglas Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: December 1st, 2015

Synopsis:

Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students and trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn’t important. She can’t let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing…

Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet…there is something about him that draws Easton in—a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn.

Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton’s resolve—and reveal what should stay hidden…

(*STANDALONE, NO CLIFFHANGER*)

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed Misconduct and had a hard time putting it down.

Tyler Marek was absolutely infuriating at times. He was bullheaded, cocky, and downright delicious. I'd teeter from wanting punch him one minute to wanting to tear off his clothes in the next. He's definitely a lot to handle, but I believe that he found his match in Easton. If anyone could be seen as his partner – his equal – it was her.

Easton Bradbury is my hero. I abso-freaking-lutely LOVED her. She's highly intelligent, stubborn, caring, and she doesn’t back down from a fight. I respected her for not giving into everything that Tyler wanted and for having a voice when it would have been easier to remain silent.

The story itself started off a little slower than what I'm used to, but there's nothing wrong with a good build up. It was actually refreshing. It kept my interest from the first page onward and I became more and more hooked as the story progressed.

I'd have to give Misconduct 4.5 stars. It kept me up all night reading and I have so many bits highlighted that my e-copy is bleeding yellow. Penelope is definitely one of my favorite authors and she just keeps getting better and better. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

Excerpt:

“Good morning. Tyler Marek’s office,” a woman’s pleasant voice chirped. “How can I help you?”

My heart pounded in my ears, and I could feel the pulse in my neck throb. I held back, almost wishing he wasn’t in his office after all.

I needed time to calm down.

But I swallowed and pushed forward anyway. “Yes, hello,” I rushed out.

“Easton, keep your cool,” I heard my brother warn from my side.

I bit my lip to keep the anger out of my voice. “I’m Easton Bradbury calling for Mr. Marek,” I told her. “I’m sure he’s not in today, but—”

“Just a moment, please,” she interrupted, and disappeared.

I sucked in a breath, realizing that he was in after all.

“Marek?” my brother asked. “Tyler Marek?”

I glanced at him, arching an eyebrow in annoyance.

“Easton, get off the call,” Jack ordered.

His arm shot out, trying to grab the phone, but I slapped his hand away.

“Watch the road!” I barked, pointing at the street ahead.

“Easton, I’m serious,” he growled. “Tyler Marek has a workforce of more than ten thousand people. He may be a senator, for crying out loud. It isn’t your place to argue with him.”

I shot him a look. My place?

My brother was worried about his career, but I didn’t care who Marek was. He was still a man.

Nothing but a man.

“Ms. Bradbury.”

I turned my head away from my brother, suddenly hearing Marek’s voice in my ear.

Thick anticipation filled my chest, and I dropped my eyes, disappointed that I was actually excited.

“Mr. Marek,” I replied curtly, remembering why I had called. “I received your e-mail, and I’d love to . . .” I trailed off, wiping the sweat off my hairline. “I’d love to schedule a meeting to sit down and work out a plan for Christian.”

“We’ve already met,” he pointed out, his voice clipped. “And it was not a productive use of my time, Ms. Bradbury.”

I tried reasoning. “Mr. Marek, we both want what’s best for your son. If we work together—”

“Ms. Bradbury.” He cut me off, and I could hear people talking in the background. “Apparently I wasn’t clear enough in my e-mail, so let me save us both some time. My son has no problems with any other teacher, so it goes without saying that you’re the problem.” His stern voice cut me, and I felt like shrinking. “You suffer from an overindulged sense of entitlement, and you forget that your job is on a yearly contract.”

My eyes widened, taking in his threat that my job this year could belong to someone else next year. I fisted the hem of the skirt at my thigh.

“Now, I’m a busy man,” he continued, sounding condescending, “and I don’t have time for silly young women who don’t know their place.”

My skin stung from where my fingernail dug in. His son didn’t have problems with me. Perhaps I graded harder than other teachers, and I might have had unorthodox methods, but most of the students enjoyed my class, including Christian. When he participated. If he ever challenged me, it was because his father wouldn’t allow him the freedom to have the tools to participate like all the other students.

“Now, can I get on with my day and consider this issue settled?” he sniped.

Heat spread over my skin, and I bared my teeth. “You can go to hell,” I shot back, raging. “No wonder he can’t stand you.”

“Easton!” Jack burst out next me.

But it was too late. My eyes widened, and my hand tingled, nearly losing grip on the phone.

What the hell did I just say?

About The Author:

Penelope Douglas is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Fall Away series.

She dresses for autumn year round, loves anything lemon flavored, and believes there is too much blood in her Coca Cola stream. Or too much Coca Cola in her blood stream. Or...

You know what? It doesn't matter. She loves Coke. Now you know.

She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and daughter.

Follow Her Here: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads
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Review: When Our Worlds Collide by Lindsey Iler

 Publisher: Lindsey iLer

Pub. Date: October 12, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Source: ARC provided by Author

Rating: 4.5 Stars

GOODREADS

Blurb:
Note: Edited, updated version uploaded 10-12-15

Kennedy Conrad is everything he needs.
Graham Black has two rules in life. Play baseball, so he can get the hell out of Tennessee, and leave your shirt on when you drop your panties.
He’s a typical all-American pitcher with the world at his fingertips. His devilish good looks and charm help him crawl into the beds and hearts of the girls at his high school. With secrets no one knows, he has every intention of running away from his hometown the minute he graduates. Nothing can get in his way. Until poor choices collide him into Kennedy Conrad.
Graham Black is everything she wants.
Kennedy Conrad has her own set of rules. Dance with your whole heart, and make it through each day without being noticed.
She’s sweet and reserved, everything Graham’s not. After one fated night, she can’t stop him from noticing her anymore. She knows there’s a chance of heartache by letting him in. When the unthinkable happens to Kennedy, Graham realizes what he’s been fighting is what causes Kennedy to end up hurt.
Can their love survive one more thing that is meant to pull them apart?

Review:

“Do you think two people who have every reason in the world not to be together, can still find a way to make it work?"
 
Wow. I just don't know what other word I can say other than wow...in a way I have to much I need to say but I don't know how to put anything into words. I got contacted by this lovely author and I just had a feeling - I had a feeling that this was going to be my type of book. Of course all I had to read was that a hot baseball player, who also happens to be a pitcher, was going to be the love interest of the story.

Hook. Line. And sinker. I'm not even joking, I didn't read the blurb! I have a soft spot for anything baseball and rock stars. Chances are if you write about any of these two subjects, I'm going to love it. It's inevitable. So here I am just newly downloading the book on my kindle and I say to myself, "just read a few pages to feel the story." Well pages turned in to chapters... Chapters turned into me eventually finishing the book.

You know it's a good one when it's the premiere of the last Hunger Games movie, and you're contemplating staying in just to keep reading. I even wore a shirt that said 'Rather be Reading'.


“I never thought I’d love anyone. I never thought I deserved the love of someone like you, but God, Kennedy, I love you so damn much it hurts sometimes,” I confess as I wipe a single tear from Kennedy’s eye.

When I started the book, my first thoughts were that I wasn't going to like the min character...at all. Right away I could tell her insecurities about not belonging would annoy me. And if there's any kind of major downfall about the book, it's that. Kennedy is constantly putting herself down throughout the book. I hated that. Mainly because it's a quality about myself that I hate. I know many girls in the world have these types of thoughts about themselves as well.

It still didn't sit right with me though. At times it sounded as if it was a poor me type thing. But the more I read the more I realized it wasn't. I get it, but it's something I really hated.

But to me, that's the only thing I hated. As for everything else, well damn, let's just say I'm in love. Graham is a boy who hides - hides who he truly is, hides secrets that could potentially ruin his life, and hides the fact that he may not be the golden boy everyone makes him out to be. Everything changes the moment Kennedy comes into his life.

She isn't anything like he's used to; easy. Kennedy is smart, beautiful, and doesn't put up with Graham's shit. He brings out a side of her she never knew she had. The two come together after a night that will forever change them. The ultimate game changer. The more time these two hang together, the more they realize that the magnetic pull they feel towards one another, can't be ignored. Not by a long shot.

But what happens when love isn't enough?

When Our Worlds Collide is a deeply emotional novel that deals with real live issues in our world today. Rape - child abuse- assault -bullying - self doubt - briefly touches on suicide...These are all things in our world today that need speaking up about. I had no idea what I just read was going to be serous. It's not your typical YA/NA novel...it's so much more.

Overall, I'm so amazed at the emotions the author was able to evoke from me. It was just what I needed at exactly the right time. I can't wait to read more books by Iler and see what amazing stories she comes up with next! 


"We’re only in high school, but I know, no matter what happens, she’s the grand finale, the final pitch, the last and final breath."

*Thank you so much to the author for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Buy this delicious book!

AMAZON 

AMAZON UK

About the Author:
When she's not writing (which should be all the time, so if she's not you have permission to yell at her), she's spending time with family and friends, listening to music, reading (obviously!), and hopefully just enjoying every moment in life. She has a twisted sense of humor, tends to speak honestly, and her mind tends to feel most comfortable in the gutter.

Lindsey writes new adult contemporary romance. She falls in love with every character that pops into her head. She's notorious for writing long chapters in her notes on her iPhone (It is sort embarrassing how many started/unfinished projects are on that thing). She finds inspiration from music and the people around her, so be nice to her or else she might pull a Taylor Swift and write you into her next book.

Naughty or Nice?

On the Naughty List: On the Naughty List, The Duke and Miss Christmas, Christmas with a Billionaire Rancher, Hot Toy
On the Nice List: Home for Christmas, Christmas at Evergreen Inn, Snowflake Wishes, Heartsong Cottage

Naughty…

On the Naughty List by Lori Foster, Carly Phillips, Beth Ciotta, and Sugar Jamison
Four hot holiday stories, now in one great package, featuring two New York Times bestselling authors!
Lori Foster has two co-workers plan a Christmas party and discover a love worth celebrating in Christmas Bonus.
Carly Phillips explores a "mistletoe moment" when a lawyer intent on seducing her boss kisses his twin instead, in Naughty Under the Mistletoe.
In Sugar Jamison's Have Yourself a Curvy Little Christmas, wild child Dina Gregory returns home to find her young son's father. Instead, she finds his stuffy brother, Ben. Ben admires her tenacity and bold beauty. Could it be that Dina has reignited his Christmas spirit?
Beth Ciotta brings two friends together at home for the holidays. They don't have much in common anymore, but when they get stranded together during a blizzard, they might realize that true love was there all along, in Some Kind of Wonderful.

Duke and Miss Christmas by Amelia Grey
A delightfully charming, wickedly sexy Regency-set Christmas romance novella from New York Times bestselling author, Amelia Grey!
Crispin, the Duke of Hurst, has never met a woman he couldn't handle--until he's hit over the head with a basketful of mistletoe by a young lady who mistakes his intentions. When he gets into a tussle with her--and she can hold her own--Crispin knows he has finally met his match. Miss Gwen Prim is mortified that she attacked a duke, but even more concerning is the way her resolve melts when she's near him. She's never felt this way about a London gentleman in her life. And with the magic of Christmas in the air, she may end up with a proposal she didn't expect.

Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher by Mandy Baxter
A fabulously intense contemporary series, featuring sexy heroes and the sassy women they love in the Lone Star State.
There's nothing Nate Christensen hates more than a golddigger. Nate wants to stay away from all the women who want his money. That is, until he meets the sexy, beautiful Chloe Benson, who lights a fire in his blood that only the most wildly passionate nights can ease... The only problem is, she needs Nate's money. True, it's for a very worthy charity, but is their passion enough to still Nate's fears that she's only wants him for the size of his bank account?

Hot Toy by Jennifer Crusie
A fan favorite holiday novella, now available as a standalone e-book!
Mayhem ensues under the mistletoe as a determined shopper grabs the very last hot toy action figure off the shelf, only to find herself plunged into the middle of a real-life spy game and in the arms of a sexy secret agent...

Nice…

Home for Christmas by Lily Everett
A heartwarming holiday romance about a wounded warrior who finds healing and love during Christmas on Sanctuary Island.
Magazine columnist Libby Leeds has made a name for herself sharing heartwarming stories from her perfect life on Sanctuary Island. There's just one minor detail she's left out: she hasn't set foot on the island since her childhood. Now wounded war hero/single-father Owen Shepard is returning to Sanctuary Island, and Libby's editor insists she cover the story. But the sweet, reclusive writer is more intriguing, and more tempting, than Owen could have imagined. Decorating trees, and warming up by the fire it’s the closest Libby has come to love and family since she was a child. Will the Christmas spirit enable them admit what they feel for one another?

 

Christmas at Evergreen Inn by Donna Alward
Sparks fly in this fun, festive holiday novella when a small town cop gets snowed in with the proprietor of the local inn.
When a December Nor'easter roars up the eastern seaboard, Jewell Cove cop Todd Ricker spends his day off being a Good Samaritan to stranded holiday travelers. But when the roads close and Todd can't make his way home, he discovers that the Evergreen Inn is full up. That is, until another Lainey Price opens her doors and offers him a place to stay in her tiny cottage. While the two are stormed in for a wintry evening by the fire can Todd convince Lainey to open her heart to Christmas?

Snowflake Wishes by Maggie McGinnis
A magical and enchanting holiday romance from USA Today bestselling author Maggie McGinnis.
Noah Drake was that guy--the one always on the lookout for his next adrenaline high, so it was no surprise when he took off across the world, seeking adventure as a travel writer. But one thing he could never escape was Piper Bellini, the girl who got away--the girl he let get away, a fact he's never let himself forget. When he returns to Echo Lake to see if there's any chance the flame between them can be rekindled, he never expects to spend the night holed up with Piper in a roadside diner while a blizzard rages outside. Noah may have been handed a Christmas miracle, and he intends to make all Piper's wishes come true...

Heartsong Cottage by Emily March
Fall in love with this heartwarming new romance in the New York Times bestselling Eternity Springs series.
Haunted by the loss of his wife and son, Daniel Garrett left the police force to devote his life to finding missing children. But he still hasn't found a way to mend the wounds of his past-until he attends a wedding in the small mountain town of Eternity Springs...and meets a beautiful, intriguing woman who offers a glimpse of something Daniel thought he'd never have again. She restores Victorian cottages for a living, but will the life she restores in Daniel’s heart be enough when danger comes knocking at her door?

"Emily March's stories are heartwrenching and soul-satisfying. For a wonderful read, don't miss a visit to Eternity Springs."
-Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author

Candidate: A Love Story (Book 2) by Tracy Ewens

Publisher: Self pub

Pub. Date: June 23, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Source: E-ARC

Rating: 4.5 Stars

GOODREADS

Blurb:
If only life were as simple as choosing between Toaster Strudel and Fruit Loops.

Katherine Galloway is two years divorced and still living out of boxes. Between her brothers (cops that work with her ex) and her mother’s constant reminders that her clock is ticking, Kate is trying to hold it all together. But the truth is, she’s eating Toaster Strudel for dinner, and living and breathing her PR career. When it comes to public relations, there’s nothing she can’t handle . . . or at least that’s what she thinks.

Grady Malendar, the only son of United States Senator Patrick Malendar, has a reputation as a playboy who likes to have a little too much fun. The senator is running for re-election and needs Grady’s help with the youth vote. But what they want is a new and improved, headline-free Grady, so they hire a PR firm. Grady is willing to participate in the dog and pony show to help his father win, but there are some things about Grady’s life he wants to keep hidden. Especially from his snoopy new PR “babysitter,” Kate Galloway.

Somewhere between campaign stops and fundraisers, Kate and Grady discover that neither of them are what they appear to be on the surface. Tensions between them grow until there is no denying they are falling in love behind the scenes of a façade they both need to keep in place. Will scandal, old wounds, and secrets tear them apart, or will Kate and Grady realize, despite appearances, they are both candidates for love?

Review:
"She was hiding, and she was dangerously close to being found."

The Candidate wasn't anything like I expected. I guess I've been reading too many 'alpha male' type books, that I just expected it would be that type of book. It wasn't anything like that. This is a true, classic love story; one that slowly burns into something more. The leads...oh, they were perfect; they balanced each other out very well. Never did I feel like there was a dull moment and there were a few times I couldn't help but sigh like one of those triplets from Beauty and the Beast. 

I really needed this. I needed a story where there were no games played, just pure and simple wanting. Two adults that are attractive to each other but can't be together due to one being the professional and the other the client. But rules were meant to be broken, right? I had way too much fun reading about these two characters. Way too much!

"You need me, Kate, and God, over the last couple of months I've needed you."

Kate, single and never again ready to mingle, works for the PR firm that will be footing the Senator of California and his notoriously bad-boy son, Grady. Six long months Kate will need to be right there beside Grady, making sure he acts right in order for his father to gain votes. Easier said than done. Things start changing when Kate starts seeing Grady in a different light - there's more to him than meets the eye. 

 

"Neither of them was the most likely candidate for love."

She's been divorced for a couple of years due to a wandering husband. It's left her...broken; she puts the world and everyone in it at arms length. Work is her life - the only love she needs. 

“I think you want to be found. I think beneath all this, this pencil skirt, tightrope-walking, you’re probably breathtaking. I’m guessing you’re brilliant when you’re flustered and spinning out of control.”

Grady...he's so sweet but what I love most was how big of a smart-ass he was. You can never go wrong with a funny guy - bonus points when he's good-looking!  The senator's son is not what Kate expected in the least. So many times throughout the book, she's 'assumed' things about him that couldn't be more wrong. It was a tad bit judgmental; even if he did show the world what they 'wanted' to see. Which wasn't very good stuff. 

"Here's what you don't understand, I can't stop this, won't leave, and whether you know it or not, you can't either."

I had a strong connection when it came to Kate. Like her, my husband also cheated on me. It devastated me and absolutely broke me. You never truly get over it... Sure you forgive him and sure you might 'forget' over time, but it's still there in the back of your mind always. It sucks and what sucks even worse is the knowledge that in that point in time, you weren't worth not being cheated on. Here's a direct quote from the book...I couldn't have said it better myself.

"Something happens to a woman when her husband is unfaithful. Songs and poems are written about heartbreak and betrayal, but they only serve to flower up the ugly truth. The young girl, the one inside every grown woman, the one dancing around in her mother’s shoes, she dies. The wide-eyed innocent who looked up at the man she loved and professed her devotion, she leaves and the woman is never the same. Even when she heals, kicks out the bitterness and the pain, she is changed. Some will say she becomes more of a woman, stronger, but Kate simply lost herself, her whole self."

 

Overall, I was so surprised on how much I enjoyed and loved reading this book. I need to go back and read the first book though even though I kind of already know what happens. These are standalones but I think reading them in order is a must because stuff from the previous book may spoil things for you. Just my two cents.

"Love me back, all the way. I'm worth it, I promise."

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Buy the book!!

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About the Author:

Tracy Ewens writes contemporary romance and shares a beautiful piece of the desert with her husband and three children in New River, Arizona.

She is a recovered theatre major that also blogs at from the laundry room.

Taste - A Love Story is her fourth novel, and the third in her A Love Story series.

Tracy is a horrible cook, wishes she could speak Italian, and bakes a mean snickerdoodle.

ARC Giveaway- Coming Back by Lauren Dane & If Only In My Dreams byMariah Stewart

In celebration of Thanksgiving we're giving away two Advanced Reader Copies to ONE lucky winner. (Books pictures below). These books will be featured on the blog in the upcoming tours and release day blitzes and fortunately, I was sent extra. Yay for you! 

Romance, angst, sex, and good storylines are so great to have in books. Don't get me wrong, I don't necessarily have to have that stuff in order to enjoy reading; but it sure makes it extra nice! 

Now, enough talk, this giveaway will be up for four days. Once I choose a winner, they'll have exactly 48 hours to get back to me. When those 48 hours are up, I choose another winner. This is open internationally and sharing it caring :)

Love you all and good luck! 

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