In Patti's Imagination: January 2016

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

BLITZ - Lucy Gage's JUST REALIZED (Ward Sisters, #6)

Title: Just Realized

Series: Ward Sisters, #6
Author: Lucy Gage
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Fiction

Publication Date: January 11, 2016
Length: 416 pages
Publisher: Patricia Korbet
Cover Designer: PK Designs Editing and Graphics

Goodreads

SYNOPSIS

She appears to be the irrepressibly happy girl. Nina Jacobs has had some rough patches in life, and men have always disappointed her. The day Owen Nichols drops into her world, the last thing she expects to happen is happily ever after.

He gravitates toward the role of knight in shining armor for damsels in distress. Sergeant Owen Nichols has a bad habit of being the rebound guy. When he meets Nina Jacobs, he recognizes the moment where preparation meets opportunity.

Some life lessons have to be earned the hard way. Owen is determined to prove worthy of Nina's trust, and they form an unshakable bond of friendship that she can't believe—and he dares not presume—is more. Can Owen find the courage to leap before she rediscovers her heart with someone else? Or will Nina realize that she already has everything she needs with the man who has become her best friend?

BUY LINKS

Amazon

REVIEW

[Christina]

Amazon/Goodreads Rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination Rating: 10/10

After waiting (mostly patiently) for the 6th installment of Lucy Gage's Ward Sisters series I was so excited to dive right in to Nina Jacobs and Owen Nichols' great love story. The thing I love most about this author's writing style is how she first shows you a couple's first meeting and then goes back in time to show how these people got to the fateful moment. I enjoyed learning all of Nina's secrets and dreams, and seeing into her past helped me to better understand why she has the insecurities about love that she does. Owen... What a man!!! The Sergeant has a history of being loyal, loving, caring and oh-so-protective over those he loves. Both Nina and Owen have been burned by love in the past and go into their relationship knowing it's just a fling. That fling soon deepens into stronger feelings, and they become best friends fighting against love. Owen is quicker to admit to his burgeoning adoration while Nina believes herself unworthy of a forever kind of love. At times you want to smack that girl but as I said Ms. Gage shows us the reasoning behind her fear.

If you haven't read the other books in this series I highly recommend you do, although it is not necessary before reading Just Realized. Each book is a standalone, but they are all interconnected so some parts of the book overlap with another character's POV. Plus, you are going to want to meet Captain Neil Murphy from Right Here Waiting. Trust me, he is SWOON WORTHY! I'm hard pressed to say he's better than this story's hero, Owen, but both men are wonderful. In all actuality ALL the men in this series are damn near perfect, and Lucy makes them so realistic.

All in all, this reader is a fan for life, and can't wait to see what Ms. Gage comes out with next. GO READ THIS SERIES!!! You won't be sorry you did, I promise!!!

EXCERPT

This time, he dove in with her still on his shoulder—instead of dumping her—and she was ready for it. When they surfaced, she was laughing and he was, too. He swooped her into an embrace, leaning his face inches from hers.

She tried to pull away and he said, “Don't. Not yet.”

“Why?”

“Because your ex is watching. I'm going to kiss you. Make him jealous.”

“What if I don't want to kiss you?”

“Do you want to make him jealous?” he asked, his lips a hair from hers.

“Yes,” she breathed.

“Then let me kiss you,” he whispered. “Wrap your arms around my neck and your legs around my waist.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.”

He shifted his hands to her butt and pulled her pelvis to his. Heat flooded her body as the hard ridge of him rubbed her aching clit with each passing wave. “Better?” Lust coated his voice.

“Uh huh,” she muttered as he pressed his lips to hers, warm, despite the cold water, and surprisingly soft. When she swiped her tongue over his lips, tasting the ocean salt, he opened them.

His tongue danced with hers as if meant to do so. No war, no fighting, just a sensual give and take. When he pulled away, he'd left her breathless.

“Why'd you stop?” I could kiss you for hours.

He panted. “Did you want to keep going?”

“Yes.” God, yes. I might fly apart, but I don't care.

“Okay.” He kissed her again, his luscious mouth turning her inside out. This time, he let her slide down his body, and a wave nearly toppled them.

“Did that work for you?”

To her delight, his brawny arms still held her. “Which part? Making Liam jealous or getting excited while kissing you?

Owen smiled. “I liked kissing you, too.”

TEASERS

PLAYLIST

Just Realized

AUTHOR BIO

Lucy Gage started her writing career under another name, but the same vivid imagination and love of books still fuels her daily life. When she's not writing, you can find her spending time with her family in her home state of Maine, experiencing a life that helps shape her writing.

She loves to hear from fans, and appreciates that they asked about her writing while she took this last year to focus on other parts of her life. Look for her website in 2016. Ward Sisters Series Book #7, Think of Me, will arrive in 2016. Steal Your Heart, Book 1 in the Vega Brothers Series—a Ward Sisters spinoff—launches later in the year.

AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS

Facebook Twitter Google+ Goodreads Pinterest
Amazon Author Page

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

BLOG TOUR - Vi Keeland's THE BALLER

Title: The Baller

Author: Vi Keeland

Publishing Date: January 18, 2016

Meet Brody Easton in THE BALLER!
A standalone Contemporary Romance novel by
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Vi Keeland
NOW AVAILABLE

BUY LINKS

Amazon US Amazon UK iBooks B&N Kobo

SYNOPSIS

The first time I met Brody Easton was in the men’s locker room.
It was my first interview as a professional sportscaster.
The famed quarterback decided to bare all.

And by all, I don’t mean he told me any of his secrets.
No. The arrogant ass decided to drop his towel, just as I asked the first question. On camera.
The Super Bowl MVP quickly adopted a new hobby—screwing with me.
When I pushed back, he shifted from wanting to screw with me, to wanting to screw me.
But I don’t date players.
And it’s not because I’m one of the few women working in the world of professional football.
I’d date an athlete.
It’s the other kind of player I don’t date.
You know the type. Good looking, strong, cocky, always looking to get laid.

Brody Easton was the ultimate player.

Every woman wanted to be the one to change him.
But the truth was, all he needed was a girl worth changing for.
Turned out, I was that girl.
Simple right?
Let’s face it. It never is.
There’s a story between once upon a time and happily ever after…
And this one is ours.

EXCERPT

A new song had just started, and I was enjoying his company when a voice behind me said, “Can I cut in?”

My head whipped around, even though I had no doubt whom the gravelly voice belonged to.

Michael was gracious. “I hate to share. But I suppose I have been hogging the most beautiful woman at the event.” He let go of my hand and stepped back with a gentlemanly nod. “Thank you for the dance, Delilah.”

Again Brody Easton had caught me off guard. Before I knew it, I was dancing with the arrogant jerk. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled my body tight against his. Way tighter than Michael had held me.

“Good to see you again, Lois Lane.”

The man had balls; I had to give him that. I looked him straight in the eyes. “Nice to see you with clothes on, Easton.”

“Do you prefer me without?”

“I prefer you on the other side of the room.”

He chuckled. It was a hearty laugh. “That’s what happens sometimes when you decide you want to hang out in the men’s locker room.”

I tried to pull back, but he tightened his grip and held me in place. I craned my neck. “Let go of me.”

“No.”

“No?”

“That’s right. No.”

“I can scream at the top of my lungs.”

“I’d like to hear you scream.” His tone made it clear he meant he wanted me underneath him while I was doing the screaming.

“You’re an asshole. You know that?”

“I do. You asked me that yesterday. For a reporter, you should really try changing up your questions more frequently.”

My eyes bulged.

Easton shifted his hand down to the small of my back before twirling us around the dance floor. Figures the prick can dance.

“Are you seeing anyone?”

“You can’t be serious?”

He ignored my comment. “Would you like to have dinner tonight?”

“We just ate.”

“Dessert at my place, then?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Did you hit your head at the game yesterday?”

“On a diet, huh?”

“Yeah. That’s it. I don’t want to go to your place for dessert because I’m on a diet.”

“Well, that’s just a shame.”

TEASERS

AUTHOR BIO

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!