FOOLISHLY YOURS (Last Chance Beach Romance) by Author Joan Reeves

Happy Book Birthday to Author Joan Reeves and her second book in the multi-author Last Chance Beach Romance series, Foolishly Yours.

Last Chance Beach Police Officer Samantha Ruiz doesn’t date unsuitable men, and the blue-eyed, blond-haired surfer who takes her breath away is the poster boy for unsuitable. She’s always been careful not to become romantically entangled with unsuitable men who won’t measure up to the standards set by her over-achieving parents. So why is she so attracted to beach bum Grayson Crawford?

Find Foolishly Yours on Amazon

Samantha studied her reflection in Granny’s dining room mirror. According to her white grandmother, Sam’s green eyes came from her grandfather’s West African ancestry—Cape Verde to be specific. Her smarts came from both her over-achieving parents, but lately she’d begun to wonder if she had any brains at all. If she were as smart as she thought, she wouldn’t allow herself to be in the same room as Grayson Crawford.

His reflection appeared in the mirror. Her heart pounded. He moved close. His rippling muscles and bronzed skin drew her like a stupid moth to a hot flame. He pressed against her back. She sighed with pleasure at his touch and remained still rather than rejecting him. He wrapped his arms around her and leaned down. His breath against her ear was warm. “Change your mind?”

His body was tightly pressed to hers, and she could tell he hadn’t changed his mind. He was everything she disdained. An unemployed slacker…a dreamer who was keeping secrets from her. Now his hands stroked her arms, raising goose bumps. With a gentle hand, he turned her in his arms. His caressing hands settled on her shoulders.

She’d told him she was not interested, but his touch makes a liar of her. He tilted her chin upward, and his mouth descended.

Oh, dear. She realized she’d passed the point of no return days ago.

Joan Reeves—Keeping Romance Alive…One Sexy Book at a Time—is a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary Romance. All of her stories have the same premise: “It’s never too late to live happily ever after.”

Since Joan discovered the joy of storytelling—she was five at the time and her brothers were her captive audience—she’s been deluged by story ideas from her over-active imagination. Her only regret is that she’ll never live long enough to write and publish all of the stories.

Fortunately, she’s married to her very own happily-ever-after hero who has learned over the years to fend for himself if he’s hungry, needs clean clothes, needs to know where something is, and she’s on deadline. The heroes she writes represent his compassionate, patient, and loving qualities. (Note from Joan: He told me to add sexy to that description, but I told him no, even though he’s right about the sexy part.)

Joan and her husband divide their time between a book-cluttered home in Houston and a quiet book-cluttered house at the foot of the Texas Hill Country where they sit on the porch at night, look up at the star-studded sky, and listen to the coyotes howl.

Sign up for Joan’s Free Newsletter today so you’ll be the first to know about new books, bargain books, and giveaways. When you confirm your subscription, you’ll receive a download link for a free romance ebook.

Website ~ SlingWords Blog ~ Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

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You can find all the books in the Last Chance Beach Romance series on Amazon

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Thank you so much for stopping by today. Please come back all week for more authors and great books!

Nancy

THE MOST ELIGIBLE BRIDE IN LONDON by Author Ella Quinn **BookBlast** *Giveaway*

It’s my pleasure to welcome back one of my favorite Regency authors, Ella Quinn. Today, we’ll be taking a sneak peek at her new release, The Most Eligible Bride in London. You can find all of the stops on Ella’s tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter draw for your chance to win a $20 gift card. The entry form is at the bottom of this post.

GENRE: Regency Romance

Love conquers even the most unlikely lord in USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn’s delightful Lords of London series, as a reformed rogue endeavors to prove himself worthy of his chosen bride . . .

Mistakes happen, to be sure. Rarely are those mistakes as unfortunate as the one made by Nathanael, Viscount Fotherby, when he abducted the now Lady Merton to save his friend from marriage. Nate has been trying to make amends ever since, leaving behind his self-centered ways to fulfill his duties—and that includes finding a wife of his own. One woman sparks his interest above all others—a lady he helped when she was rescuing a child. Alas, there is a devilish complication . . .

Miss Henrietta Stern, Lady Merton’s younger sister, is intrigued by the stranger who comes to her aid—until she learns his identity. Nate’s stunt could have ruined her sister’s reputation, and her family may never forgive him. With beauty, connections, and a sizeable dowry, Henrietta has plenty of admirers. Yet no other suitor quickens her pulse quite like Nate does. Her heart insists that the gentleman has changed for the better. But can a renowned scoundrel possibly prove himself to be the perfect husband?

Amazon ~ Apple iBooks ~ B&N (Nook) ~ Google Play ~ Kobo

Amazon Audio ~ Audible ~ iTunes

Nate glanced back over his shoulder, but the lady’s coach was already turning around. When she’d first faced him with her brows imperiously raised, he’d thought she was Dotty Stern, but that was impossible. Miss Stern had married the Marquis of Merton shortly after Nate had left Town four years before. Surely Merton would not allow his wife to engage in that type of activity. Also, the lady looked like Miss Stern had four years ago.

Whoever she was, she was beautiful. Her hair was as black as night, and her eyes appeared as if they might be light. But what struck him most was her courage. He’d never met a female who had so little fear of using a weapon to shoot a man. Yet even though she was a lady—a fact that had been clear once she’d abandoned her country accent—she was not dressed like a female who would be attending the Season. The cloth was good enough, but the styling was not that of a London modiste. At one time, when he’d been a well-known dandy, those things had actually mattered to him. He was still able to recognize the differences, but he didn’t care about them anymore. Now, he was much more interested in the person instead of the way they dressed.

Yet, because he was a gentleman and she was a lady, he could not insult her by introducing himself. That was unfortunate.

He hoped the infant lived. Most babes would have given a loud screech when tossed. This one had only a small, pathetic cry.

Her carriage traveled up the street at a smart pace, and he went around to the door of his coach and found Mr. Odell, the young woman, and her child already inside. “I see you are ready to leave.”

“We are.” Odell’s smile was wider than Nate had ever seen it as he gazed at the infant in his arms. “Mary has agreed to be our daughter, just as if she and John had wed.”

Mary’s tears were gone and she too was smiling broadly. “From now on I am Mary Odell.”

“What is the child’s name?” Nate climbed into the coach.

“John for his father. Papa”—she looked shyly at Mr. Odell—“said that he was to have the same rights as if John and I had married.”

That did not surprise Nate at all. Odell and his wife had several daughters, all of whom had married well, and one remaining son. The younger son was studying to be a lawyer and had taken little interest in the farm. And there were no entailments to stop Odell and his wife from leaving the property as they wished.

Today had definitely been a good day. Nate returned her smile. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“Papa”—Nate was pleased to see how comfortable she was calling Odell “Papa.” But she would have known them fairly well. Nate briefly wondered why she hadn’t gone to the Odells in the first place, but not only was it water under the bridge, it wasn’t his business —“told me how hard you looked for me,” Mary said as the coach started. “If I live to be a hundred, I don’t think I’ll find a lord as good as you are.”

A flush heated Nate’s neck. “Thank you. I’m glad I was able to help.” The coach had turned and was headed back up the street. “Mrs. Odell should be at Fotherby House by now.” He decided to ask a question that had been bothering him. “How did you survive?”

“My, my.” She straightened her shoulders. “Mr. Bywater made me leave. But my mother gave me all the money she had been able to save, and I got work sewing. But after the baby came . . . ”

“Well”—Odell’s voice was rough with emotion—“at least you had the sense to go to the workhouse. That’s the only way we found you.”

“Yes.” Her tone was barely above a whisper. “It was really my only choice.”

Nate and the older man exchanged a glance. They were both glad she thought that way. Too many young women and girls on their own were forced into prostitution.

USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side (political science professor and lawyer). Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them.

She is married to her wonderful husband of almost forty years. They have a son and two beautiful granddaughters, a Great Dane named Lilibet, and a cat named Winnie. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make their dreams come true lived on sailboat for three years. After cruising the Caribbean and North America, she completed a transatlantic crossing from St. Martin to Southern Europe. She's currently living in Germany, happily writing while her husband is back at work, recovering from retirement. She expects to be back on the boat in 2022.

Ella loves when readers connect with her.

Ella's Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads

The author will be giving away a $20 Amazon/BN Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner.

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Thank you for stopping by today. Please come back again soon.

Nancy

ROCK OF SALVATION by Author M.J. Schiller

Welcome to Notes From a Romantic's Heart. Today it's my pleasure to welcome good friend and rock-goddess author, M.J. Schiller to the blog. M.J.'s here to tell us all about Rock of Salvation, Book 4 in her Love and Chaos Series.

Jericho Tyler was comfortable in his role as the wild man of Just Short Of Chaos.

Different gorgeous women throwing themselves at him every night? What self-respecting hetero male wouldn’t dream of that? But when Salvation steps out of his shower and into his life, things start to change.

Oh, yeah. I knew the second I saw her that she didn’t belong backstage. And she didn’t belong with a man like me, for sure. But I didn’t let that stop me from seeing just how far she was willing to go to keep up her little naughty girl charade. And if she had something to prove, why not prove it with me?

Salvation Jones was not like the rest of her family.

In a parcel of toe-the-line, conservative preacher’s kids, she stood out like a piece of her costume jewelry at the Inaugural Ball.

I must have had a far-sighted stork reading the directions for my delivery. I was louder than they were. More boisterous. I got into more trouble. I’d heard, “Oh, Salvation,” in my mom’s disappointed voice for so long I began to think the O stood for Olivia, or something. It’s not like I meant to misbehave, but it just came naturally to me. I’d tried to be who they wanted; now it was time for me to truly be myself. They say, “Go big or go home,” so why not start out by seducing a rock star? And not just any rock star, the luscious, womanizing Jericho Tyler. Now that was somebody worth sinning for!

Sometimes it takes a bad boy to redeem a good girl. But will she become his Salvation in the end?

Find Rock of Salvation at Your Favorite eBook Retailer

While you're there, grab the first three books in the series:

Book One, ROCKED BY GRACE (on sale for 99¢)

Book Two, ROCKED BY LOVE

Book Three, ROCK IT TO THE MOON

I stepped away from the door and peeled my sweaty shirt off. A shower was going to feel amazing. And I was moving in that direction, until I was brought up short, realizing my shower was already running.

Did Dex get our dressing rooms confused?

It wouldn’t be the first time something like that had happened. I started to cross to rap on the door and it opened, a big ball of steam rolling out. A form emerged through the mist. A beautiful, womanly form. As the steam dissipated, I got a better idea of what I was looking at. She stood with a towel wrapped around her and one twisted on her head. Her gaze lifted to mine.

“Oh.” Her mouth became a perfect circle for a moment. Then she cleared her throat. “Uhh…hello—” She stopped abruptly and ran a hand up the door frame. As what appeared like an afterthought, she cocked the opposite hip awkwardly, in a position that she seemed to think was sexy. And, while it had its merits, her shaky voice, in fact, her whole demeanor told me she was an amateur.

What sort of rebellious preacher’s daughter have we got here, pretending to be a dirty girl?

She wet her lips nervously, which was probably the most provocative thing she had done, even though she did that as if without thinking. “Hello, handsome.”

I stifled a laugh. Her come-on was straight from a movie. No, she didn’t belong here at all. “Okay. Get your clothes on.”

“But don’t you want to….” She gestured vaguely.

It suddenly irritated me. She waltzes in and uses my shower. If I’d done the same to her, I would have been arrested. That flash of anger made me want to embarrass her. I finished her sentence. “Slap the sheets? Screw? Get laid?”

It did knock her back a bit. She blinked. “Yes. All those. I guess….” She chewed on a nail.

I inwardly rolled my eyes. I’d put money on this chick being a virgin. I felt an urge to play with her. It was mean and beneath me, but I had a strong desire to see just how far she would go with this miserable charade of a seduction.

“Okay. Let’s get at it then.” I crossed to her in two big strides. “You won’t be needing this.” I plucked the towel from her and tossed it aside, then pulled her against me.

She gasped and fear shadowed her features. It made me feel sorry for her and wonder what her story was, but I needed to teach her a lesson.

“So, what are you waiting for?” An edge cut through my words, because now that I was near her, and could smell the floral innocence of her fragrance, see her pretty, pouty lips, look into what had to be the most doe-like, amazing eyes I had ever seen, my body awoke.

Oh, shit. I want her. I could so have her without a single worry about whether it was right or not. She was in my shower. But I already knew I wouldn’t do it. Couldn’t do it, to her.

I grasped her chin, tilting her head back. “I thought you wanted to do me?”

She blinked rapidly and I could feel her tremble, which freaking made me yearn for her even more. The towel on her head fell off, exposing red hair with a hint of curl to it.

Shit.

Redheads were my weakness. I brushed my lips over hers. “Come on.” I swallowed but kept trying to push her buttons without engaging mine. “What’s making you wait?” I ran my tongue around her lips and kissed them softly. “Isn’t this what you want?”

Holy shit! I haven’t felt this turned on in a long time, if ever. And it has to be for the virgin I’m unwilling to hurt. This sucks.

I angled my head and lowered my lips until I was a breath apart from her. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it? Huh?” My voice sounded husky. “You want to do it, right?” I kissed her again, longer this time, and deeper. I made the mistake of lifting my gaze to hers, and suddenly I felt weak. Because, in that one moment, I couldn’t see the little girl trying to pretend to be something she wasn’t. All I could see was the desire I had ignited in her.

Her nails raked the skin of my neck and scalp as she threaded her fingers through my hair. With a flick of her tongue, she lashed my lips. Then did it again, searing me with her mouth. Branding me. I let my hand drift down to brush along the skin of her hip. Each new contact with her stirred me all the more. In a rush, I scooped her up from beneath her thighs, and we banged into the wall. I brought my mouth to her neck, grazing her with my teeth, tasting her with my tongue. Her heat against my straining crotch made me even harder.

It was going to take all of my scarce self-restraint to resist her.

She’s somebody’s daughter. She’s somebody’s daughter. She doesn’t know what she’s doing. Although it freaking feels like she knows what she’s doing. She’s simply acting out. She’ll regret giving herself for the first time to a guy like me.

My entire being groaned.

She’s just another girl. Like all the rest. There’s nothing special about her, even if it feels a tad different this time. For me, it will be like every other time. I don’t need this. I don’t need her.

I pushed away, getting a glimpse of a killer body before turning from my temptation. But I could tell she was determined, and she wouldn’t leave unless I forced her to. Scared her. She was a novice. She would crumble. I could handle her. She was a kitten, and I was the king of the jungle. I was freaking Jericho Tyler.

M.J. Schiller is a lunch lady/romance-romantic suspense writer. She enjoys writing novels whose characters include rock stars, desert princes, teachers, futuristic Knights, construction workers, cops, and a wide variety of others. In her mind everybody has a romance. She is the mother of a twenty-seven-year-old and three twenty-five-year-olds. That's right, triplets! So having recently taught four children to drive, she likes to escape from life on occasion by pretending to be a rock star at karaoke. However…you won’t be seeing her name on any record labels soon.

M.J.'s Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Tumblr ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest

Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads

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Thanks you so much for stopping by. We'll be back all next week with more authors, books, and maybe even a giveaway or two.

Nancy

SUNSHINE'S WELCOME by Author Kara O'Neal *Guest Post*

It's my great pleasure to welcome author Kara O'Neal to the blog today to talk about her new release, Sunshine's Welcome, Book 10 in the Pike's Run Bride Series.

Pike’s Run, Texas, 1891

Delilah Davis has all she could want—a loving family and freedom to do as she pleases. Nothing has ever disrupted her world. That is, not until a tall, dark and stand-offish wrangler is hired to work on her family’s ranch. Killian Blake irritates Delilah’s sunshine life, and she’s determined to show him that she’s more than capable of handling herself.

Detective Killian Blake of the Pinkerton Agency must go undercover on the Swinging A ranch to solve a thirteen-year-old murder. Once hired, he expected to be dealing with cowboys. He hadn’t counted on investigating a family with bonds thicker than frozen molasses. And to make matters worse, there’s a beautiful, wild and headstrong female dogging his steps, and cracking the ice around his heart. The closer he gets to Delilah Davis, the more he wants to keep the family secrets. But fate has other ideas…

Get Sunshine's Welcome at Your Favorite Book Retailer

Killian Blake trotted down Main Street early Tuesday morning, looking straight ahead, senses alert and aware of his surroundings. A variety of shops stood on either side of the road, along with the Royal Hotel that rose two stories and had an upper balcony. The shingle for the sheriff’s office swung in the chill breeze. Not many people strolled the walks, the colder temperature keeping them inside where fires burned, as evidenced by the smoke wisping out of chimneys.

A quiet place. A small town. Not even on his map. But here he was, on assignment. Who knew for how long, but hopefully the stint allowed him to rest for a few weeks. After chasing Sasha Parker, The Debonair Kid, and his gang of train robbers across five states for six months, Killian was ready for a breather. Even if that reprieve put him back in the corral.

But he’d handle it. After eight years, it might be good to work with horses again. Of course, he still had to get the job with the Swinging A ranch. If he didn’t, Detective Irwin wouldn’t be happy.

It didn’t take long for Killian to reach the end of the line of stores, and he continued on, heading to the cattle ranch located two miles outside of town that was run by the Davis and Lonnigan families. Killian was on the hunt for a position as a wrangler.

The solitary ride out to the ranch allowed him the chance to survey his surroundings even more. He went past pasture and forests of pine before a homestead came into view on his left. A sign proclaiming “J. Lonnigan, Veterinarian” stood at the gate. A one-story cabin about fifty feet in length sat on a gentle rise, while a variety of stables, paddocks, pens and corrals were on the side and behind the dwelling. Someone worked with a mule in one of the paddocks, and children darted around, some carrying out chores while others played.

Though the last name was the same as the owners of the ranch, Killian didn’t stop. He had the advertisement for the needed wrangler folded in his shirt pocket. It indicated that more information could be found at Callahan’s in Pike’s Run, Texas. The bartender at the saloon had told Killian to whom he should apply— J.T. Davis, Kyle Lonnigan or Deacon Tolbert—and that their spread was two miles south of town on the right. It shouldn’t be much farther and once he arrived, he just had to be hired.

When the gate to the Swinging A appeared, black iron against a chill, blue sky, he turned his horse down a path with deep wagon ruts going under the arched entrance. To his right rose a three-story, grand Victorian home, while a dog-run cabin stood to his left. About two hundred yards of freshly plowed land separated the dwellings. Probably for cotton, he surmised.

He trotted toward the cabin as the bartender had directed him to do, but when he knocked on the kitchen door, no one answered. Frowning, Killian headed out of the dog-run and scanned the field. A barn had been a little behind the cabin. Perhaps the owner of the home was inside. Leaving his horse tethered to the hitching post outside the house, Killian walked toward the larger structure.

As he did so, movement in a tall oak grabbed his attention. He slowed his steps as bits of yellow peeked through the branches that, despite the season, still held leaves. Someone was up in the tree.

He moved closer, ducking down to try to get a better view of who sat on one of the higher branches. Petticoats peeked out beneath a yellow linen dress. Struck, Killian barked, “What the hell?”

A feminine squeak and gasp accompanied a crash.

The bright yellow bundle tumbled down, and Killian’s heart flew up into his throat. He shot forward, stretching out his arms, and caught her just in time. He stumbled under the blow but kept his feet, jostling her close against his chest.

Breathing heavily, his pulse beating wildly, he gazed into the bluest eyes he’d ever seen. Auburn hair framed an angelic face that blinked in astonishment. Her full lips parted as she clutched the front of his shirt with one hand and held tight to his shoulders with the other arm.

Oh…what the hell…

He’d just caught a beauty.

Award-winning author, Kara O’Neal is a teacher and lives in Texas with her husband and three children She write stories with strong family ties, lots of romance and guaranteed happy endings!

Where to find Kara:

Kara's Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads

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Thank you for stopping by. Please come back on Friday for another great author and book news!

Nancy

THE WITCH AND THE DREAMWALKER by Author Victoria Rogers **REVIEW** *Giveaway*

Today we're pleased to welcome author Victoria Rogers to Notes From a Romantic's Heart to tell us about her new book, The Witch and the Dreamwalker, Book 2 in the McKinley Women series. You can find all of the stops on Victoria's tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter drawing for your chance to win a $15 gift card. The entry form is at the bottom of this post.

It’s 1982, and corporate witch Vivian McKinley is determined to climb the ladder of a growing paranormal security firm. With the help of Xavier Prince, President and CEO of Prince Charms, Vivian uncovers a plot to take over the business. The pair navigate office politics and machinations to prove a psychic vampire’s treachery.

Available on Amazon

Vivian shook her head as the pair wandered off. “Soda and lime,” she ordered from the bartender as he finally made his way over. She tossed a bill into the tip jar as she waited.

At this rate she was going to need to go to bed at ten. She stubbed the cigar out in the marble ashtray but kept it as a prop, hoping it would dissuade anyone from offering her another. With John halfway into his cups the news of her promotion would spread like wildfire, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for that. She squeezed the lime into her drink and left the lime slice on a napkin. Bathroom. There would hardly be anyone in there since men outnumbered anyone else in the ballroom. She could escape and process there.

The bathroom was old and gaudy and coated in marble and fading gilt. It had a twelve-foot arched ceiling, and a maroon carpet. There was a sumptuous sitting area adorned with cream colored wing-back chairs and there were grand mirrors for women to, presumably, powder their nose in. The toilets were farther on through a gilded archway and a fan of potted plants.

The place was empty, thank goodness. She sat down at the far end in a chair by a counter. She put the cigar in an ashtray on the mirrored side table and leaned back. Head of Research and Development. Twenty-seven years old and the head of R and D. She clenched her fists and bit her bottom lip, kicking her feet in excitement. By the gods! Her. Vivian Mary McKinley, Head of Research and Development at Prince Charms. This shouldn’t be happening. It was supposed to take her years and years and years to achieve this, not three years and a major project later.

But then again, Xavier had founded Prince Charms at the age of twenty-six. If he could take a small paranormal security company and rocket to the largest in the country in just nine years, well, she could achieve big things too.

Her stomach was busy flipping about when the big wooden door with brass handles and ornate hinges swung open.

“Oh, honey, I thought I’d find you here,” Jenny said as she flopped down in a chair opposite Vivian. “People are asking about you out there.”

“Yes, well, they’re going to have to wait,” Vivian said with a wave of her hand. “I need a moment to myself first. Plus, John made me drink bourbon. I need a break.” She reached for her glass of soda water and took a sip.

“You’re not going to be sick, are you?”

“What? No. I’ll be fine. I just wasn’t expecting this, you know? It’s a lot to take in.”

“You better not be doubting yourself because you deserve every ounce of this promotion. You’re smart, and you’ve got ideas, and you have every bit as much wherewithal as one of those smug-ass bastards out there. No one has ever come up with a psychic vampire ward! No one, not ever, until you figured it out. You got there before anyone else in the world. Vivian, Vivian, look at me.” Jenny pursed her red lacquered lips.

Vivian ripped her eyes away from the ashtray and met Jenny’s pout with a laugh. “Yes! Yes! I hear you. On paper it all fits, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to accept.”

“What? Why not? Any one of those assholes would accept it without batting a lash. Even Peter, from accounting.”

“OK! OK,” Vivian conceded. “Fine. I deserve this promotion.”

“Yeah, you do, babe.” Jenny grinned. “Now, how long are we going to hide in the bathroom?”

“Give me a few more minutes.”

“Whatever you need.” Jenny managed to stay silent for thirty seconds before she spoke again. “So. What’s he like?”

“Who?”

“Mr. Prince! I’ve never met him. He never comes down to the labs. Mr. Simeon always goes upstairs to the offices for meetings. I’ve only ever talked to Pam, the receptionist upstairs.”

“I talked to him for all of three minutes. He smiled a lot, but he was promoting me. I assume most people smile at the person they’re promoting.”

Jenny giggled. “I wouldn’t know.”

Vivian looked up to the ceiling and sighed. “He seemed nice.”

“He’s a god in mortal form is what he is,” Jenny interjected. “Have you seen him on the tennis court?”

“Well, yes, at the club, but he’s our boss.”

“Just because he’s the boss doesn’t mean you can’t look.”

Vivian shook her head. “That’s not what I’m here for, Jenny. I’m here to be a professional. To grow and learn and well… be successful at it all.”

“You can do all that and still look,” Jenny said with a shrug.

“All right. Let’s go back to the party if it means I don’t get regaled with nonsense like this.” Vivian stood and picked up her matching clutch from the chair next to her.

“Anything to help,” Jenny said, smirking.

3.5 Stars

I found The Witch and the Dreamwalker a wonderful trip back to the 1980s with on-point descriptions of the people and places, as well as the troubles women faced climbing the corporate ladder. The writing was enthusiastic, despite a few minor grammatical errors/missing words, etc. However, the errors didn’t detract from the story enough to matter.

While I realize this was intended to be a steamy paranormal, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with how quickly Viv fell into the boss’ bed, especially after having to defend her promotion against the accusations that she’s slept her way up the ladder. I would have also liked to have seen more emphasis on the supernatural, as opposed to the office politics.

If you like your paranormal on the mild size, and your romance/lovemaking on the steamy side, you’re sure to enjoy this book.

Victoria Rogers is an award-winning podcaster, game designer, and storyteller known for their immersive worlds and strong female characters.

Witches, warlocks, gods, and ghosts fill their dreams and stories. Consent and healthy communication are two major aspects of their work – after all, you can’t get what you want unless you ask for it.

Victoria can be found in the garden and in the kitchen making fruit wines, brewing beers, and infusing spirits. When not feeding friends, they attend tabletop gaming conventions and sit on storytelling and world-building panels, teach about online marketing, and produce live events.

Victoria's Website ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter

Victoria Rogers will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thank you for stopping by today. Please come back again soon for more authors, books, and giveaways.

Nancy

TALK OF TOKOYO by Author Heather Hallman **Book Blast** **Giveaway**

We’re so pleased to welcome Author Heather Hallman back to the blog with another book in her Tokyo Whispers series, Talk of Tokyo. You can find all of the stops on the tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter drawing for your chance to win a $25 gift card. The entry form is at the bottom of this feature.

GENRE: Historical Romance

CAREFUL WITH YOUR WORDS

1897 Tokyo is no different than anywhere else in the world: men are exploiting women. Specifically, Western men are exploiting Japanese women, and Suki Malveaux holds no punches in her condemnation of their behavior in her weekly column in the Tokyo Daily News.

Suki knows firsthand when Western men arrive at Tokyo Bay there’s only one outcome for Japanese women: a child and new mother left behind as nothing more than discarded shrapnel from the heartless war on love.

Griffith Spenser is her latest target. He’s been seen with Natsu Watanabe, one of Tokyo’s esteemed war widows. Under full anonymity of the moniker “The Tokyo Tattler,” Suki makes sure Griffith knows exactly why his behavior with Natsu won’t be tolerated.

Away from her Japanese mask as a columnist, Suki never intended to meet the cad. When he seeks her out to hire as a tutor for his niece and nephew, she’s faced with seeing him day in and day out without him ever knowing who she really is.

Caught in her struggle for anonymity so she can keep battling for women’s rights, Suki’s about to learn the full impact of her words on the people behind the story, especially on Griff.

Available at Amazon ~ Apple iBooks ~ Burroughs Publishing Group

Tokyo 1897
Foreign Quarter of Tsukiji

Fluttering her eyelashes in a coquettish manner, which had much in common with trying to dislodge a flying insect, Suki faced the man who held her fate in the palm of his rather well-shaped hands. “I was admiring your fine home.”

“I quite like it myself.”

“Was it constructed after the quake of ’94?”

“We commissioned its construction when we arrived in ’95. I’m assured by its builders it could withstand another earthquake of that intensity. Japanese-style homes fare better than brick and stone.”

“Mother Nature has given us many opportunities to rebuild.”

“Mother Nature?” Spenser furrowed his brow. “I thought it was the giant catfish residing under Japan flipping its tail that caused all these earthquakes.” His tone was teasing, while the observation revealed Spenser as the type of foreigner who bothered learning about traditional culture.

“You know your Japanese folklore,” Suki replied.

“I like to be prepared for all the dragons and ghosts I’m certain to encounter,” Spenser said with a smile that brought out creases along his soft brown eyes. “I should introduce myself, although introductions are probably unnecessary. I’m Griffith Spenser, arrived from England, resident of Tsukiji for almost two years.”

Suki mentally added to the introduction: Spenser counted minor members of the British aristocracy among his family, although he himself had no chance of inheriting a title; his company was the most highly regarded foreign-owned trading firm in Tokyo; he’d arrived with a new bride who left him a year later; and he now graced the bed of war widow Natsu Watanabe. Also, he played lawn tennis.

The Tokyo Tattler’s job was to know these facts about Tsukiji’s most illustrious residents, and Suki needed to continue doing this job, which was why she couldn’t let Spenser’s allure compromise her defenses. The man had asked her to his home without explanation. Although she’d like to imagine he’d summoned her to discuss the modern significance of Japanese mythology, she was a realist. Spenser had a score to settle with the Tokyo Tattler, and all this pleasant banter about earthquakes was merely diversion.

Heather Hallman writes witty, sensual, contest-winning romances set in Meiji-era Japan (1868-1912). She is the author of the Tokyo Whispers series that includes Scandals of Tokyo and Talk of Tokyo.

She is fluent in Japanese language, history, and culture, and earned a doctoral degree in cultural anthropology based on fieldwork research in Japan. She lives in Tokyo with her professor husband and two young daughters. In her free time, she can be found translating ancient Japanese poetry and observing the passing of seasons while sipping green tea. Just kidding, she has no free time. But she does watch something that makes her laugh while she does the dishes.

Perennial obsessions include the weather forecast (she checks three different apps at least three times a day, as no single app can be trusted), Baltimore Ravens football (hometown obsession), and making smoothies that taste like candy bars.

Feel free to chat her up about any of her obsessions, or, even better, about historical Japan—any era is fine, she loves them all. She also enjoys exchanging book recommendations, discussions about the craft of romance writing, and stories about life in present-day Tokyo.

Heather's Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ TikTok ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads

Heather Hallman will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thank you so much for stopping by. Please come back all next week for more authors, books, and giveaways!

Nancy

UNDOING TIME by Author Rachel Dacus **BOOK BLAST** **Giveaway**

It’s my pleasure to welcome author Rachel Dacus to Notes From a Romantic’s Heart today to talk about her new book, Undoing Time, part of the Timegathering Series. You can find all of the stop for Rachel’s tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Also, don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win a $20 gift card. The entry form is at the bottom of this post.

GENRE: Sci-fi – Time Travel Romance

Liv Pomeroy’s high hopes and lavish lifestyle come horribly undone when her fiancé runs off with her maid of honor. Swearing off love forever, she goes on a summer escape to Florence, Italy. Agreeing to help her cousin May raise funds for an art restoration project, Liv is astonished to find they share a genetic gift for undoing time. Soon she’s joining a team of time travelers who rescue history from those who would change it. And fighting her attraction to a sexy time traveling colleague, who just might turn out to be working for the wrong side in the American Revolution. A thrilling tale of time travel, romance, and espionage.

Get your copy on Amazon

THE SAN FRANCISCO QUAKE

He turned to look at her, his brown eyes wide, but his brows pulled together in concern. “Are you going to be okay?”

The smoke from the 1906 earthquake was thick in the air. She repressed a choke. “I’ll be fine.”

“Are you cold? You look like you’re shivering.”

That wasn’t why she was shivering Liv looked down at her clothes and was startled to find herself swathed in a long skirt of heavy silk brocade. Her petticoat rustled its many folds. She was encased in so many layers, she might have been wearing an overcoat to shield her from the wind.

“I’m not cold.”

She turned again and looked down the hill, seeing the ferry building and docks, a familiar landmark. Her emotions calmed.

A man in a bowler hat passed them.

“What’s happening?” Tom asked.

“You’re aware, surely,” the man said. “You see the smoke, the rubble. Pardon me, I must find my family.”

He scooted down the hill.

“In a matter of days, people begin to thirst and even starve,” Tom said. “Half the city is homeless. I just wanted to know if that fellow was a helper.”

“A helper?”

“San Franciscans who had something left began to help the others. The city grew together under the devastation. I wasn’t kidding when I said half of everyone here is homeless, or nearly so.”

Liv couldn’t reply. The enormity of what she was seeing choked her. Tears rolled down her face, and when she wiped them away, soot came off her hand. Her face must have already grown gray with the ash from fires. Tom’s had too.

RACHEL DACUS writes about history, love, romance, and art – usually with a touch of the supernatural. If time travel were possible, she’d hop over to Renaissance Rome, and then check out how the American Revolutionary War is going, and maybe visit an 18th century London artist’s studio. A poet and novelist, Dacus has published four novels and four poetry collections. When not writing, she listens to music, new and old, from indie and progressive rock to classical and jazz. Once a dancer, she’s now an avid walker, often twice a day -- once for the Muse and once for the world’s liveliest Silky Terrier. She blogs about the writing life and has collected a wealth of writing and publishing resources.

Rachel's Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Rachel Dacus will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thank you so much for stopping by today. Please come back again on Friday, and then all next week, for more authors, books, and giveaways.

Nancy