Daily Archives: 14/07/2023

Title: Cajuns. Love. Curves.
The Guidry Family Series
Authors: Kat Baxter & Emma Lee Jayne

Genre: Steamy Romance Novellas
Tropes: Navy SEALs/Brother’s Best Friend/Second Chance
Release Date: July 14, 2023

BLURB

USA Today Bestselling Authors Kat Baxter and Emma Lee Jayne bring you three stand alone novellas about a small town family with big ambitions. They aren’t looking for love, but they just might be smart enough to grab it when it lands in their laps.

This series collection includes all three books.

Covert Curves
By Kat Baxter
She’s a run away heiress with a powerful father. He’s the off-duty Navy SEAL coerced into bringing her home safely. From the moment he sees her, all he wants is to protect her, but how can he bring her home when he wants to keep her for his own?

In Too Deep
By Emma Lee Jayne
When she needs a fake boyfriend for a tropical vacation, her penpal steps up. He’s been in love with her, sight unseen, for years, even though she’s his best friend’s little sister…

Scars and Stripes
By Kat Baxter
He comes home broken and wounded. The last person he expects to be his physical therapist is the woman he left behind. Now he’s grabbing this second chance at true love with both hands.

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/183353392-cajuns-love-curves

PURCHASE LINKS

US: https://amzn.to/46yNnm4
UK: https://amzn.to/3NXR8Kz
CA: https://amzn.to/3O0KIdx
AU: https://amzn.to/3rhZ1Sb
Universal: https://mybook.to/Cajuns_Curves

Free in Kindle Unlimited

BLP REVIEW – Tracy

I’m a fan of Kat Baxter. I do enjoy her steamy Insta-life reads.
I’d never read anything from Emma Lee Jayne previously but I thoroughly enjoyed her story in this set.

The Guidry Family were entertaining. The brother, Remy & Wade were protective and determined. Remy was still in service while Wade had had to leave the SEALs, they were both in very different places mentally and physically but when they were hit by cupids arrow, they were very similar in thoughts and action.

Cassie was a determined and stubborn gal. Growing up with brothers will do that to you I suppose..

Covert Curves had a bit of intrigue as to why Remy was tasked with find and taking Ava back home to the city. When he found out the truth he wasn’t a happy man at the reason but it gave him the opportunity to learn more about Ava!

In Too Deep introduced Remy’s best friend who was more than willing to pretend to be Cassie’s boyfriend to save her embarrassment at a work event. They’ve been in contact for a couple of years communicating back and forth while he was in service but had never met until Remy was home for a visit with Nick in tow.
I liked them both and enjoyed how their story evolved.
I’m off to read Too Far Gone after getting snippets of that storyline in Cassie & Nick’s read

Scars & Stripes brings Wade back home to Saddle Creek and back into the life of Kelli who he had hurt prior to leaving town to join the military.
Wade was not in a good place and for Kelli he was the last person she wanted to deal with but her job was to help and he definitely needed her assistance!
It was fun catching up with one of the characters from the Saddle Creek, Crawford series!

A good set of stories that I read straight through (yep, gave up some sleep to do so!!). I wanted to know how each couple got on and couldn’t put the book down!!

AUTHOR BIOS & LINKS

Kat Baxter

USA Today Bestselling Author Kat Baxter writes fast-paced, sweet & STEAMY romantic comedies. Readers have dubbed her books “laugh-out-loud funny,” “hot enough to melt your kindle,” and “The Queen of Adorkable.” She lives in Texas with her family and a menagerie of animals. Kat is the pseudonym for a bestselling historical romance author.

Connect with Kat online

Website: https://katbaxterauthor.com
Newsletter: https://katbaxterauthor.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kat.baxter.1848
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/455684435169876
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katbaxterauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/katbaxterauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatBaxter9
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18936779.Kat_Baxter
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kat-baxter

Emma Lee Jayne

I write the kinds of books I want to read. Fast-paced books with lots of world-building, snarky heroines, and swoony heroes. I love story, pop culture, gossip, and baked goods. I’m a modern-day hippy and certified LEGO nerd.

I live in the Austin, Texas hill country, with my geeky husband and two extremely geeky kids. We have dogs, chickens, cats, and more LEGOs than should be allowed by law.

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/emmaleejayne
Instagram: https://instagram.com/emmaleejaynewrites

Posted in #KU, Authors & Books, Blitz, Blurb, Buy Links, Favourites, New Releases, Recommended, Reviews, Teaser

RELEASE BLITZ – The San Marco Heist (An Enemies to Lovers Heist : Reynolds Recoveries #1) by Janet Oppedisano

Jul 14

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Title: The San Marco Heist
An Enemies to Lovers Heist
Series: Reynolds Recoveries #1
Author: Janet Oppedisano

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers/Forced Proximity
Release Date: July 14, 2023

BLURB

With my brother’s life on the line, I’ll do anything to get him back—even team up with an annoyingly sexy private eye for the heist of a lifetime.

When I plan the recovery (don’t evercall it theft) of stolen items for their rightful owners, nothing matters more than the safety of my team. I trust no one outside our tight-knit circle. Because a couple years ago I lost my fiancé in a heist gone wrong. My heist. My fault.

But while undercover to take back a near-priceless manuscript, I encounter Malcolm Sharpe, an old friend of my brother’s whose diamond-blue eyes and toe-curling smile almost cause me to blow the heist. We pull it off, beating another team to the prize, but I can’t help feeling like I’ve dodged a bullet.

The other team, though, will stop at nothing to get revenge. That includes kidnapping both Malcolm and my brother—and sending only Malcolm back with a message. They demand my crew steal a medieval relic in exchange for my brother’s life.

And then there’s my brother’s plea to trust Malcolm. Trust a freelance PI whose loyalty ends with a paycheck? Not a chance. But if I’m to get my brother back alive, I need all the help I can get. Even from a man who’s hiding a secret that could turn my entire world upside down.

The San Marco Heist is the exhilarating first installment in the Reynolds Recoveries romantic suspense series, featuring charismatic heroes, smart heroines, and a thrilling heist in each novel.

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/124984248-the-san-marco-heist

PURCHASE LINKS

US: https://amzn.to/3oGEPIK
UK: https://amzn.to/43BdPcA
CA: https://amzn.to/3oxfzop
AU: https://amzn.to/3MIfZjM
Universal: https://bit.ly/43npawV

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO IN THE SERIES

The Phoenix Heist – Reynolds Recoveries prequel novella

https://janetoppedisano.com/reynolds-recoveries-series/

COMING SOON

#2 The Eagle’s Vault – Releasing January 19

US: https://amzn.to/3PQVJ2i
UK: https://amzn.to/3NEvdXx
CA: https://amzn.to/43ihhYJ
AU: https://amzn.to/3rmgVD6
Universal: https://bit.ly/46uXxEa

BLP REVIEW – Tracy

I thoroughly enjoyed the San Marco Heist (I will say that I’m glad I read ‘The Phoenix Heist’ prior to this as it introduced some of the characters and I felt I understood what was going on a little better than I might have had I gone in blind to who and what Reynolds Recoveries were!)

Malcolm and Scarlett were really good together. Quick thinking, good at what the did but both hiding secrets…I did wonder at points if they’d manage to find a way to be together. This pair were scorching together but both had their own reasons not be involved in a long term relationship.

I loved the action – it’s like reading something akin to Mission Impossible given the stunts and actions this gang pull off!! It was fun – and a little WTH, they’re gonna get caught – reading about their heists!

Janet writes a horrible person well, I just didn’t expect it to be the matriarch of the family that I was gonna dislike so much! Her treatment of Scarlett was puzzling and really uncalled for and I seriously wanted our FMC to put her mother firmly in place more than a dozen times!! Time will tell (hopefully) if and why she’s as cold hearted as she comes across?

I’m now looking forward to finding out more about the rest of the ‘family’ and seeing how things go for them on both the life and action front!

4.5* and definitely a recommended read.

AUTHOR BIO

Janet Oppedisano hails from Canada’s East Coast and has lived in five provinces, from the Maritimes to the Prairies. Growing up with a Mountie for a father and marrying a Navy diver, it’s no surprise she writes romance with a hint of danger and mystery in it. Not to mention strong heroes and equally strong heroines.

When not writing, you can find her… thinking about writing. And indulging in her favourite pastimes, like baking, travelling, hiking, playing with her new puppy, and watching her hockey goalie son on the ice.

Oh, and it’s pronounced oh-ped-ih-SAH-no. Exactly the way it’s spelled. Honest!

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanetOppedisanoAuthor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/janet-oppedisano
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21796886.Janet_Oppedisano
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanetOppedisano
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janet_oppedisano

Website: https://janetoppedisano.com

Posted in #KU, Authors & Books, Blitz, Blurb, Buy Links, Coming Soon, More in the Series, New Releases, Pre-order links, Review to Come, Still to read, Teaser, Want to read

RELEASE BLITZ – Twist of Date (Happily Ever After, Inc. #2) by Lauren Helms

Jul 14

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Layla James has always been in the business of love and never mixes business with pleasure, but when Cole Reed walks back into her life, she’s left questioning everything.

Can this blast from the past convenience Layla to set her rules aside and take a chance on love?

Fans of secret fling romances will love TWIST OF DATE by Lauren Helms, a steamy matchmaker romance.

Blurb

Once upon a time, there was a charming restaurant owner and an unsuspecting matchmaker who refused to mix business with pleasure…

Layla
I’ve always been in the business of love. Happily Ever After, Inc. has thrived under my leadership and the hard set of rules that I set for myself. But when a never quite forgotten blast from my past walks into my life, I’m suddenly questioning everything and everyone around me.

Cole Reed is everything I want in a man – handsome, successful, and charming.

There’s just one small hiccup…Cole is Happily Ever After’s latest client, and he’s got his sights on me.

Cole
I’m used to getting what I want and I’ve never left a date unhappy. So when my grandmother insists I need to work with a matchmaker…her lifelong best friend at that…I’m skeptical. Especially when my path crosses with the girl that always seemed to get away.

She’s sexy, smart, and determined – everything I’ve always admired about her. And this time, I refuse to let her get away.

There’s just one small problem…Layla James is my so-called matchmaker’s granddaughter – and the owner of the matchmaking company that’s just taken me on.

It feels like a weird twist of date that’s put the two of us back in each other’s life, but Layla doesn’t quite see it that way.

Can I convince her to break a few rules and take a chance on our own happily ever after?

Add to Goodreads

Goodreads → https://bit.ly/twistofdate

Buy Now At Your Favorite Retailers!

Buy Now → https://books2read.com/twist-of-date

Excerpt

“I have so many questions,” I say.

“About?” He chuckles. His hand reaches out like he’s going to touch me again but drops his hand into his pocket.

“You being here in Indy. Meeting with Ruth,” I explain. I won’t share the Googling sleuth Stella just performed.

“Ah, yeah, it’s been a hell of a long time, Lays.” He uses the old nickname like it’s still second nature to him. The reminder of how he insisted on adding the S when we merely acquaintances, friends at best. While we had chemistry, it was never the main factor in the relationship we had. His nickname for me had always baffled me, but I wouldn’t deny that I loved it.

“Ten years,” I say, nearly in a whisper.

A seductive gleam flowers in his eyes as he grins back at me. “You look damn good, Layla.” In my building and meeting with my grandmother.

I smile at his compliment. “So do you, Cole.” He’s wearing is flirty smile, so if I don’t direct him off this flirty path, I’ll regret it later.

“Why were you meeting with Ruth?” I try not to sound stern, but I’m not flirting right now.

He lets out a sigh. “She’s apparently my matchmaker now.”

A heavy ball forms deep in my gut. That’s what I was afraid of. She’s going to find him a match, and that will be that. I set my lips in a firm line, switching on my professional mode.

“Well, that’s perfect. Ruth is the best.” My eyes dart away from his face. I can’t continue to look at him. He practically belongs to someone else now.

He doesn’t seem to notice the difference in my demeanor, which is good, but his next words cause me to reinforce the walls.

“I want to catch up. Soon. Can we set a date?”

I gulp before looking back at him, opting to look at his chest rather than his face. He’s wearing a black winter jacket, but it’s unzipped, his dark-colored, green maybe, button-down showing through.

“Oh, yeah, maybe,” I say.

“Let me have your phone. I had to get a new number a few years ago.” He reaches out his hand, his palm face up. I stare at it a moment, then pull out my phone against my better judgment.

I assume he’s entering his number and I’m correct when his own phone pings from somewhere on his person. His grin is huge as he hands my phone back to him.

“Now I’ve got your number.” He reaches out one more time and squeezes my bicep. “I’ve got to run. Potential new distributor meeting.”

I nod, forcing a smile.

Damn, he’s so attractive and all I want to do is snag his hand and pull him over to a table and catch up. But that won’t happen.

“All right. It was good seeing you,” I tell him. Truth.

Then he catches me off guard, pulling me into him for a hug. “So fucking good seeing you, Lays.” I feel his warm breath in my hair before he steps away. “Promise we will catch up soon, yeah?”

I nod, still taking in everything about that hug. His manly, woodsy scent, his warmth, the feel of his body around mine. His chuckle follows him as he leaves. I watch him leave until I can’t see him anymore.

What just happened?

I look down at my hand and see my phone still in it. I swipe open the messages to see what he texted himself.

Me: you’re still so hot, Cole. #perfection

Rereading the message from himself, he replies and my eyebrow rises.

Cole: Damn, Lays, you know how to make a guy blush.

I snort at his bullshit reply with a quick eye roll emoji. Even though he’s probably halfway down the street by now, I can practically hear his laughter.

About Lauren Helms

Lauren Helms is a romance author her nerdy and flirty contemporary words. Lauren has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best–video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and write her first novel, Level Me Up. Several published novels later, Lauren created PR company, Indie Pen PR, to help other authors promote their books.

Lauren lives in Indianapolis, Indiana sharing her love of books and video games with her own Gamer Boy husband and three young kid nerds who will hopefully grow up to share the love of things that united Lauren and her husband on their own happily ever after.

Follow Links

Facebook → http://bit.ly/Facebook_LH

Reader Group → http://bit.ly/ReaderGroup_LH

Instagram → http://bit.ly/Insta_LH

Goodreads → http://bit.ly/GoodR_LH

Amazon → https://amzn.to/2IqJ68N

Bookbub→ http://bit.ly/BookBub_LH

Newsletter → http://bit.ly/Newsletter_LH

TikTok → http://bit.ly/TikTok_LH