Tag Archives: romantic comedy

A Way With You by Lane Hayes. Happy Release Day! #giveaway #review

Happy Release Day to Lane Hayes and her second novel in her A Way With series, A Way with You. 

Recommended for readers 18 years and older.

A Way with You Banner

Synopsis

Reeve Nelson is determined to make it in Manhattan. He’s hardworking, dedicated and willing to put in the extra hours required to be successful at his new job at a prestigious real estate firm in the city. There’s no way he’s going back to small-town living and an ex-girlfriend who won’t let go. But his boss isn’t making it easy.

Leo Rodriguez enjoys his reputation as a ruthless businessman. He’s a lone wolf who’s scraped his way from the gutter to rebuild his life and launch a distinguished career on his terms. When an opportunity to expand in the market comes up, Leo wants the eager new agent with a sense of wonder on the project. But nothing goes quite as planned. Reeve expected to be intimidated and overwhelmed by Leo, however, the explosive mutual attraction and fierce desire between them is a big surprise. Neither man is looking for love and yet, something special just might happen if they can find their way…together.

Excerpt

Yeah, this was my idea but I wasn’t prepared to be this close to Leo again. His mere presence overwhelmed me. He smelled so good. I wanted to bury my nose in the collar of his button-down shirt and just…breathe. I told myself Leo was a regular guy like every other guy here, but truthfully, he wasn’t the least bit ordinary. Even in executive chic, Leo turned more heads than the shirtless bartenders. And when he smiled at the young man next to me who offered him his stool, he added another admirer to his list.

I’d never been around anyone who changed the temperature in a room simply by entering it the way he did. It wasn’t his appearance either. His height and sharp sense of style might garner a second glance, but his true appeal was innate. It was in the way he spoke and moved. He didn’t mince words or waste time. He was concise and direct and acted with purpose. I got the impression Leo Rodriguez had a reason for everything he did, including wanting to meet with me.

Leo perched on the vacated stool and then hooked his thumb at me when I didn’t reply. “He’ll have a martini too.”

“No. I mean, yes. But with olives, please. No onions.” I thanked the bartender then swiveled to face Leo, accidentally bumping his knee.

I muttered a quick apology and cautioned myself to pull it together. Leo wasn’t my boss anymore, for fuck’s sake. I just wished he didn’t make me so anxious.

Commence the nervous chatter.

“Onions? No one orders onions,” I snorted. “And vodka-soaked onions are especially gross.”

Leo’s lip curled on one side like a pirate. “When was the last time you had a vodka-soaked onion?”

“Uh…well, never,” I admitted with a frown. “But it sounds gross.”

“Chocolate covered scorpions and braised frog legs are gross. Onions aren’t in the same zip code.”

I made a face and shivered. “Have you actually eaten those things?”

“Yeah, and actually, they’re not so bad. Chocolate hides the taste of anything, even insects, and frog legs taste like chicken. But you never know unless you try.”

“No thanks.”

Leo tsked playfully. “You have big opinions, a big mouth, and a hot temper, Nelson. No wonder I like you.” He nodded his thanks when the bartender delivered our cocktails then raised his glass in a mock toast. “To onions.”

“Onions?”

“We sure as fuck ain’t drinkin’ to olives,” he quipped.

I chuckled at his comedic expression then sipped my martini while I wracked my brain for a non-confrontational topic of conversation to stall the inevitable one.

“What do you have against olives?” Weak. But it was better than nothing, and Leo seemed willing to play along.

“Nothing. It’s a texture thing. I don’t eat them if I can help it but I love olive oil. And tapenade is cool as long as those little suckers are chopped really fine. Otherwise, olives are a hard pass for me. Everyone has a food like that. What’s yours?”

“Kidney beans,” I replied quickly. “I like them in chili but not in salad. I have a great recipe for spicy chili that requires multiple glasses of water on standby. My grandmother made it when we were kids and”—I stopped to take a gulp of my drink before braving a look his way—“I’m sorry. You make me nervous.”

“Why, Reeve?” he purred, leaning into his elbow on the bar next to mine. “Is it because of last night?”

My FIVE Star Review:

A Way with You is a romantic comedy with two extremely lovable leading men and it happens to be the first book I’ve read by Lane Hayes. It’s actually the second book in the Memories with The Breakfast Club Set. It’s a short story, novella size and a quick and easy read. I read A Way with Words as a stand-alone but I intend to pick up the first novella, A Way with You, today.

I really enjoyed Reeve and Leo. They both have an interesting past and a job that pulled them together and kind of push them apart. The writing was very funny in places. I loved Reeves humor and Leo’s intensity. These two men were really made for each other and complemented each other well.

I look forward to reading more from Lane.
I received a copy of this book directly from the publisher.

Meet Lane Hayes:

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to a well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and won first prize in the 2016 and 2017 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.

Grab your copy from Amazon Here:  http://amzn.to/2mPrtH4

Find Lane here: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads

Enter Here for a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card:   Rafflecopter Giveaway!!!

As always, Keep Writing/Keep Reading ~janisf

 

 

 

Scored by Sloane Howell #comingsoon #bookreview

Scored, by Sloane Howell, is a Sports Romantic Comedy with a good dose of humor, extremely witty writing and sexy main characters.

Scored releases October 17, 2017, and is intended for readers 18 years and older.

 scored

My Five Star Review:

My first jump into the Sloane Howell world was with his other Contemporary Romantic Comedy, Bossed.  I really enjoyed Bossed and it got me completely hooked on Sloane’s fun, witty and sexy writing.  Scored, is no different.  Each of these books can be read as a stand-alone but if you enjoy a good romantic comedy then I would encourage you to read both.  There are some back-stories in Bossed that make Scored even better.

Matt Stallworth, baseball playing extraordinaire, was a very unexpected surprise.  He was nothing like I expected him to be and it was wonderful to read his story, learn his history and watch him fall in love with Kelsey Martin.  Matt had some unexpected twists in his story that brought several smiles and tears to my face.  Kelsey doesn’t know much about baseball but she loves music which is why she works in a vinyl record store. She is a free spirit., living her life, and trying to figure out her place in it.  As you can imagine, Matt comes storming into her life and convinces her to “date” him when all she really wants to do is keep her heart safe.  Their story is fun, sexy, heartwarming and has a truly wonderful happily ever after.

More about Scored:

He’s a player. But she’s about to score.
Opposites really do attract* as a sassy salesgirl turns a pro athlete’s life upside down in this supercharged standalone novel of seduction from the author of Bossed.
Kelsey: My mom would tell you I’m quite the catch, but since my last boyfriend, I haven’t been dating much. Maybe it’s my rocker style or my lack of filter that intimidates the boys. So I’m pleasantly surprised when Matt Stallworth waltzes into the indie record store where I work and gives as good he gets. Turns out Matt is a professional baseball player, which should mean he’s out of my league. But if he wants to hook up with me, he’s going to have to follow my rules.
Matt: After winning my MVP award, I learned that a guy can get used to having beautiful women practically throw themselves at you everywhere you turn. But everything changes the first time I see Kelsey Martin, and something just clicks. She’s hot, snarky, and whip-smart. I’ve got to see her again. Only problem is, she sees right through all my best moves. And I’m going to have to step up my game to convince Kelsey that I’m playing for keeps.
*And sexy times ensue—for mature audiences.

Find out more about Sloane Howell here:  WebsiteFacebookTwitterAmazonGoodreads.

Want to find out the inside scoop on Sloane and his up and coming releases? Then join his Harem on Facebook by clicking this link: Sloane Howell’s Harem

Check out my review of Bossed here: Janis’s Review.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.

As Always, Keep Writing/Keep Reading ~ janisf

Curious Minds (A Knight-Moon Novel #1) by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton

Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton is a Romantic Comedy with some mystery and the first book in A Night-Moon series.

I recommended this book for readers 16 years and older.

Curious Minds is available August 16, 2016.

CuriousmindsBanner

My FIVE Star Review:

I love a well written romantic comedy that makes me laugh right out loud and Curious Minds totally fit the bill.  You first meet Riley Moon, a 28 year old Harvard Business and Harvard Law school graduate working as a junior analyst for a large mega bank.  It’s her second week of work and she is tasked with visiting Emerson Knight, the owner of the biggest mansion in Washington, DC, who also recently inherited his family fortune.  The kicker is, everyone considers him a “nutcase.”  What’s her job?  Convince Mr. Night that his fortune is perfectly safe within their bank.

Riley literally walks into the eccentric and aloof Emerson Knight and what are her first words? “Crap on a cracker.”  Emerson is gorgeous, 6ft 2in of lean man, wavy dark hair, dark eyes and looking like a romance cover model come to life.  When Emerson apologized to Riley for her stabbing him in the foot with her high heel shoe by saying, “Entirely my fault.  I was exercising my power to cloud your mind, so you couldn’t see me.,”  I knew I was going to love this character!  Emerson’s dialog is so very entertaining that it alone keep me turning the pages.

These two characters go on an adventure with several twits and turns and amazing additional characters in between.  I enjoyed Curious Minds so much I truly didn’t want it to end and I’m looking forward to reading more adventures with Riley and Emerson.  I would highly recommend this book.

About Curious Minds:

“Emerson Knight is introverted, eccentric, and has little to no sense of social etiquette. Good thing he’s also brilliant, rich, and (some people might say) handsome, or he’d probably be homeless. Riley Moon has just graduated from Harvard Business and Harvard Law. Her aggressive Texas spitfire attitude has helped her land her dream job as a junior analyst with mega-bank Blane-Grunwald. At least Riley Moon thought it was her dream job, until she is given her first assignment: babysitting Emerson Knight.

What starts off as an inquiry about missing bank funds in the Knight account leads to inquiries about a missing man, missing gold, and a life-and-death race across the country. Through the streets of Washington, D.C., and down into the underground vault of the Federal Reserve in New York City, an evil plan is exposed. A plan so sinister that only a megalomaniac could think it up, and only the unlikely duo of the irrepressibly charming Emerson Knight and the tenacious Riley Moon can stop it.”

Check out Janet’s website for a sneak peek at chapter 1 here:  http://www.evanovich.com/curious-minds-excerpt/

Find Janet Evanovich here: Facebook, Internet, Goodreads, Twitter, Amazon.

Find Phoef Sutton here: Facebook, Internet, Goodreads, Twitter, Amazon.

Pick up your copy of Curious Minds today at Amazon: https://amzn.com/B01CBLURCG

I received a copy of this book directly from NetGalley.

As always, Keep Writing/Keep Reading ~ janisf

 

 

City Beautiful by CM Foss

city beautiful

About City Beautiful:

“Patrick Thompson is all city, all the time. A young doctor, once full of passion, now disillusioned by the practice, he sets off across the country, intent on a small breather before a fresh start.
Ivy Lang loves the country way. So much so that she’s created a place where others can experience her ideas of the fundamentals for both mind and body. The life is perfect for her, carefully cultivated by her own hands.
He’s waiting for something to inspire him.
She finds inspiration all around her.
But when a chance meeting turns their worlds upside down, can they come together to create something beautiful?”

My Five Star Review:

City Beautiful is a very touching love story and emotional journey between two characters (Ivy and Patrick) who couldn’t be more different, or are they?  (City Beautiful is a Romantic Comedy suitable for readers 18+)

I really enjoyed Ivy.  She is a free spirit kind of woman who focuses on all the positives in life.  She built herself an amazing life she truly enjoys and wants to share with others.  Patrick is a doctor and your typical “city” guy who ends up at Ivy’s farm and it changes his life.

Patrick: “She was the king of beautiful I’d expect to see back home.  City Beautiful. Except there was nothing city about her.”

Ivy: “Come with me.  I’m gonna make you the best meal you’ve ever had.  It’s gonna change your life.”

Their emotional journey drew me in and didn’t let me go until I got to the end of the book. Trust me, you will absolutely love this story so pick it up today.

This is the first book I’ve read by CM Foss but it will definitely not be the last.

Find CM Foss here:  FacebookTwitter

Get your copy of City Beautiful at Amazon today for $3.99.

As always, Keep Writing/Keep Reading ~janisf