Promo: A Cupcake Christmas

If you are having post-Christmas blues, check out Beth's latest book, A Cupcake Christmas!

Title: A Cupcake Christmas
Series: Touchstone Series, #5
Author: Beth Barany
Publisher: Firewolf Books
Release Date: December 25, 2015
Pages: 150
Buy Links: Amazon | Kobo | iBooks

Blurb:

What if you risked losing your baking legacy by cooking up a love truly special? 

Florian MacMillian needs a final job to complete his baking resume—preferably a job where he’s unlikely to blow things up with his unruly magic—before returning to the North Pole and taking his rightful place as Master Baker to all the elves. 

Kate Delore desperatelyneeds help in her fast-growing cupcake business in downtown San Francisco. Florian is a perfect fit, so she brings him on as baker. For a short time, Florian is happily up to his elbows in batter, and Kate’s business is booming. 

But when things heat up between them, Florian wonders if he should risk his legacy to cook up something truly special. 

Fun Facts about Beth Barany

-Her stories always have some kind of magic.
-She can say Thank You in over 15 languages.
-She has earned two belts, so far, in Capoiera.
-Her favorite city is Paris, France.
-She writes YA Fantasy to empower teen girls to be the heroes of their own lives.
-For her day job, she helps other novelists write, publish, and market their books as a creativity coach.

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Review: Sleeping Beau

Title: Sleeping Beau
Series: Fiery Tale, #4
Author: Lila DiPasqua
Self-Published
Release Date: December 18, 2015
Pages: 122
Buy Links: Amazon | BN | iBooks | Kobo

Blurb:

Inspired by the tale of Sleeping Beauty--an erotically charged historical romance novella from the acclaimed Fiery Tales series. One sleeping rake, one scorching kiss, one night of unforgettable passion...

Five years ago, the notorious rake, Adrien d'Aspe, Marquis de Beaulain, was awakened by a sensuous kiss--and experienced a night of raw ecstasy that was branded into his memory.

Years later, he spots his mysterious seductress--and this time, he has no intention of letting her go...

**NOTE: Originally published in the AWAKENED BY A KISS anthology.

There's something very special about historical romance. Each encounter behind closed doors seemed extra special, possibly because the ladies in that era held such importance over propriety. I haven't read a historical romance in a while, to be honest, so I found this book a bit difficult to read at first.

However, when dialogues became more frequent between Adrien and his seductress, I started to feel the need to never stop reading until I'd finished the book.

"Speak to me of desire and I am interested. Speak to me of this ridiculous martyrdom, and I will direct my "interest" elsewhere."

I did appreciate Adrien's need for honesty. He wasn't like the other men of the era. In a way, he seemed a bit more modern because he didn't much care for what people thought of him. I really liked his three uncles as well. I wish there were more scenes with them. (I just realized as I was writing this review that the three uncles were supposed to be the three women in Sleeping Beauty. Doh!)

As for Adrien's seductress, I loved her courage and her strength. I also appreciated the fact that she wasn't shy when it came to asking for what she wanted, even though it was out of her comfort zone. 

Overall, the story had a great flow, although towards the end, I thought it seemed a bit rushed and all the fairy tale elements were thrown in the story at once. 

If you're looking for a short and sweet historical romance, I think this one is worth a read. 

Arianne

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Review: Man of Her Dreams

Title: Man of Her Dreams
Series: Welcome to Ravenwood, #1
Author: Sue Barr
Self-Published
Release Date: November 3, 2015
Pages: 137
Buy Links: Amazon | iBooks | Amazon CA | BN | Kobo

I was sent an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Blurb:

Making it in a man’s world as a home renovation expert is tough, but Lindsay Swanson’s up for the job – leaving no time for any kind of social life, until… 

Jared Kane moved to Ravenwood for some much needed peace and quiet to finish his next book, which is hard to do when his sexy neighbor is the one renovating his kitchen… 

Then Lindsay overhears Jared talking about her notebook. A notebook wherein she and her BFF – after one too many bad dates and one too many glasses wine – concocted a checklist of the perfect guy. Is Jared the real deal, or has he been molding himself into the man of her dreams to get past her defenses? 

The evidence points to his guilt, and the rift between them seems insurmountable, but Jared’s not about to let the woman of HIS dreams get away.

I love contemporary books, and there's something about small town romance that really attracts me to them. This book was one such story. I liked it right from the beginning!

Jared Kane really was the perfect man - he owned a Ducati (sexy!), he had a fit body (waggles eyebrows), and he was a normal guy. I really wouldn't know how to explain the last one, but he was a great guy. I'd totally want a guy like him in my life (please).

Lindsay: "Oh for Pete's sake." She stomped over to Jared, grabbed the towel out of her bag and sat beside him, glaring at everyone around the circle. "Grow a pair. You'd think I was a child."
Jared: "Tough crowd." He bumped her shoulder and said in a low voice, "You like my kisses."
Lindsay: "That's all you got out of this?"
Jared: "Well, yeah. That one kind of stood out."

Lindsay was the kind of woman I would admire. She was strong, independent, but also a relatable woman. She was a puddle of nerves around Jared, which was just so adorable. 

Besides the chemistry between Jared and Lindsay, I really loved the supporting characters. Lindsay's friendship with Tina was something I wish I had as well, and Lindsay's relationship with her family was something I envied. Anyway, they were all amazing. Lindsay's other brother was funny because he liked to eat...A LOT!

"Get your mind out of the gutter, geez. Ever since you became pregnant, you've become a walking, talking hormone."

One thing that I did like about this story was the purity ring. I wouldn't go into detail, but that was quite the twist and I really did enjoy that. 

There was so many aspect of this book that I enjoyed, but if I reveal any more, then you wouldn't want to read the book. So, just take my word for it and trust me that this book was such a joy to read. I honestly just wanted to read it and forget about everything else.

"Oh sugar. The ball has some heat."  ;)

About the Author

Sue resides in beautiful Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her retired air force husband, close to their sons and families. The other members of the Barr clan are furry, and demanding. Very demanding. The kids were easier....

When not busy writing, Sue loves to spend time with family and friends. She sings along with the radio in the car hoping no one sees, has been known to laugh until it hurts, sneaks a few non-healthy things.... ugh.... a LOT of non-healthy things into her diet, and thanks God daily for allowing her to have this wonderful, wonderful life.

For more information about Sue’s books or to sign up for her newsletter and get the skinny on new releases, visit her website: www.suebarrauthor.com - NO Spam policy. Pinkie swear.
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