Unwrapping a Review of HOT WINTER NIGHTS, a Heartbreaker Bay novel by Jill Shalvis

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that in publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. In an attempt to make up for my neglect, I have been offering up guest reviews for you to enjoy by my dear friend, Connie Fischer. I hope you have been following them.

However, today I am actually sharing a review of mine of a book I actually got to read albeit a couple of months ago…yay! – HOT WINTER NIGHTS, a Heartbreaker Bay novel by Jill Shalvis.

***print copy provided to me by the publisher but I am sharing an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for HOT WINTER NIGHTS:

Who needs mistletoe?

Most people wouldn't think of a bad Santa case as the perfect Christmas gift. Then again, Molly Malone, office manager at Hunt Investigations, isn't most people, and she could really use a distraction from the fantasies she's been having since spending the night with her very secret crush, Lucas Knight. Nothing happened, not that Lucas knows that — but Molly just wants to enjoy being a little naughty for once...

Whiskey and pain meds for almost-healed bullet wounds don't mix. Lucas needs to remember that next time he's shot on the job, which may be sooner rather than later if Molly's brother, Joe, finds out about them. Lucas can't believe he's drawing a blank on his (supposedly) passionate tryst with Molly, who's the hottest, smartest, strongest woman he's ever known. Strong enough to kick his butt if she discovers he's been assigned to babysit her on her first case. And hot enough to melt his cold heart this Christmas.

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My Review:

After being shot on the job, Lucas Knight is eager to get back to work but his boss is being stubborn about it. Still on painkillers, he makes the mistake of mixing whiskey with them and when he wakes in the morning, he discovers himself in bed with the one person who has always been off limits to him—his best friend's little sister, Molly Malone. Worst of all, he doesn’t remember anything—at all.

The brunette was still in his bed.

At the bright light flooding the room, she gasped and sat straight up, clutching the sheet to her chin, her hair a wild cloud around her face.

And not a stranger’s face either.

Molly’s face.

Molly was in his bed and first thought was oh shit. His second thought tumbled right on the heels of that—he was going to die today, after all, slowly and painfully.

So now Lucas has to worry about Joe finding out he spent the night with his little sister while trying to resist her with the added trouble caused because Archer has put him on babysitting duty to watch over Molly as she attempts to help out some elderly elves who claim Santa Claus is a crook. All of this throws them together in far too close proximity. Yes, he begins to feel his life is quickly coming to an end.

Molly Malone has worked for Hunt Investigations for some time now and wants to do more than fetch coffee, answer the phone, do paperwork, and get patted on the head by her brother, her boss, as well as the sexy Lucas Knight and told to run along. She wants to be out there solving crimes and bringing in the bad guy. She’s been watching, learning, and training in self-defense not only because she needs it but it helps her compensate for the pain and numbness in her leg which could be unpredictable and a hindrance. When she broached a case she wanted to work to Archer, he shot her down and to make matters worse, her brother backed him instead of supporting her. So, she decides to work the case off the books and without their help. When Lucas suddenly volunteers to assist her, she wonders if he has ulterior motives but decides something is better than nothing as long as she’s in charge.

I always enjoy Jill Shalvis’s take on people, their pain and conflicts, whether obvious or hidden, because her characters are so three dimensional they could easily be my friends. Lucas and Molly are two such characters. They are both suffering physical pain but each has their own personal pain which they’ve buried deep and are not willing to show to anyone—yet. I love how each of them gains the strength to finally open up from each other. I especially appreciated how Lucas came to Molly’s defense and supported her as the excellent investigator he discovers her to be…even at the risk of turning his best friend and partner against him. That’s a good man.

HOT WINTER NIGHTS is book six in the Heartbreaker Bay series and I know I’m a tad out of order but that’s okay because each reads very well on its own. As usual, the banter is excellent, the sexual tension palpable, and the happily ever after so satisfying don’t be surprised if it brings a happy tear to your eye. I even surprised myself reading a Christmas themed book in the heat of summer. I usually have to be in the mood for holiday-themed stories, but it really was less about Christmas and more about Lucas and Molly getting naughty and nice.

I highly recommend reading HOT WINTER NIGHTS by Jill Shalvis and if you haven’t delved into the wonderful friendships in the Heartbreaker Bay series yet—please do! I think this is her best ever series.

Happy Reading Everyone!!

HOT WINTER NIGHTS, a Heartbreaker Bay novel by Jill Shalvis, Avon Books, available now in print, ebook, and audio at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.  

Unwrapping a Tour Stop Spotlight on PLAYING FOR KEEPS, a Heartbreaker Bay novel by Jill Shalvis with #excerpt

 

PLAYING FOR KEEPS

A Heartbreaker Bay Novel

by

Jill Shalvis

Available now from Avon Romance

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Avon Romance | Google Play | iBooks

If you’re planning on falling in love…

When it comes to the confident, charismatic Caleb Parker, Sadie Lane feels the spark—the kind that comes from rubbing each other the wrong way. She’s a tattoo artist, he’s a straight-laced mogul. But after they accidentally co-rescue an abandoned dog from a storm, Sadie sees a vulnerable side to the seemingly invincible hottie.

you’d better be sure…

Caleb doesn’t do emotions. Growing up the underdog, he’s learned the hard way to build up an impenetrable wall. Perfect for business. Disastrous for relationships. He’s never worried about it before—not until he finally gets behind Sadie’s armor and begins to fall.

…someone is there to catch you.

Both guarded and vulnerable, Sadie and Caleb are complete opposites. Or are they? Shocked at their undeniable connection, can they ever admit to wanting more? That all depends on what they’re each willing to risk.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Excerpt:

“Sadie.”

She shook her head.

“Look at me. Please?”

It was the damn please that had her opening her eyes. He’d closed the gap so that if she so much as took a breath, they’d be touching.

So she did just that. She took a deep breath, and then their bodies were up against each other, his warm and hard. Everywhere. “What’s happening?” she whispered.

“I believe you’re deciding between kicking me in the nuts and kissing me.” One side of his mouth curved very slightly as he lifted their still joined hands above her head, against the wall.

“But that last part might just be in my dreams.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Yes, it’s just in my dreams?”

She meant to say yes again, she really did.

She even opened her mouth to say it, because this was insane, this incredible . . . craving she had for him. It made no sense. Less than no sense, and yet . . .

She went up on tiptoe and touched her mouth to his.

About the Author:

New York Times bestselling author JILL SHALVIS lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventure.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

Tour provided by Pure Textuality PR

Unwrapping a Review of ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE, a Heartbreaker Bay novel by Jill Shalvis

Yes, I’m back with a review of another Heartbreaker Bay novel by Jill Shalvis. I can’t get enough of these fabulous characters in this series. ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE is every bit as wonderful as the rest of the series with perhaps a bit more sizzle since the heat’s been brewing between Elle and Archer for quite some time. Everyone knows it…except perhaps them.

***eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted novel

Blurb for ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE:

There’s no such thing as a little in love…

Elle Wheaten’s priorities: friends, career, and kick-ass shoes. Then there’s the muscular wall of stubbornness that’s security expert Archer Hunt—who comes before everything else. No point in telling Mr. “Feels-Free Zone” that, though. Elle will just see other men until she gets over Archer…which should only take a lifetime…

There’s no such thing as a little in lust…

Archer’s wanted the best for Elle ever since he sacrificed his law-enforcement career to save her. But now that she’s earned happiness and success, Archer just wants Elle 24/7. Their chemistry could start the next San Francisco Earthquake, and Archer doesn’t want to be responsible for the damage. The alternative? Watch her go out with guys who aren’t him…

There is such a thing as…

As far as Archer’s concerned, nobody is good enough for Elle. But when he sets out to prove it by sabotaging her dates, she gets mad—and things get hot as hell. Now Archer has a new mission: prove to Elle that her perfect man has been here all along…

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We first met Elle Wheaten and Archer Hunt in SWEET LITTLE LIES. They are very much a part of the gang that either works or lives in the Pacific Park Building and hangs out at O’Riley’s Pub on the first floor. We’ve also noticed that there is a certain level of unrequited sexual tension that simmers beneath the surface in both of them and now Elle and Archer are about to butt heads over a few issues, including her ‘dates’ and her sister, Morgan. Everyone has the same thought when it comes to these two hot numbers…the fashionable Elle in her power suits and heels and the sexy and exotic looking Archer with his ‘nice package’…if they don't do something about the steam building between them, San Francisco might be blown off the map. Both stubborn about expressing their feelings while incredibly attracted to each other and with Elle determined not to kiss him again, or anything else with him, and Archer stubbornly determined to win her over, ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE is a page turning delight and keeps us constantly wondering just when they’re going to do it already. When they do…well, I’m not going to tell you. You’ll have to read this one and find out.

I’ve always loved the characters Jill Shalvis creates, the banter between them, and the tension she can build without being overtly sexual but with each Heartbreaker novel, she manages to make me love the next as much and sometimes even more than the one that came before it. I have to admit to having been very excited about Elle and Archer’s story, and feared I might be disappointed but I wasn’t at all. There were times I wanted to knock Elle upside the head and tell her to stop being such a ninny about Archer and other times, I wanted just to scream, ‘Step aside…if you don’t want him, I’ll take him!’

I also had a lot of problem with major errors, including wrong names in the galley and I hope, truly hope that they’ve been caught, and corrected. I’m always being told that they will be but when I purchase the book, some are still there. Not cool.

All the same…I highly, highly recommend ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE, book three in the Heartbreaker Bay series by Jill Shalvis because it’s just so much fun, features such amazing characters, and Elle and Archer, so perfect for each other, are just itching to set the pages on fire.

Happy Reading Everyone!

ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE, a Heartbreaker Bay novel by Jill Shalvis, Avon Romance, scheduled release date: January 24, 2017, available in print, audio, and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

Unwrapping a Review of ONE SNOWY NIGHT, a Heartbreaker Bay novella by Jill Shalvis

I absolutely love, love, love the Heartbreaker Bay series by Jill Shalvis, so when she put out a novella between THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE and her upcoming new release, ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE, I knew I had to read it. Well, actually I inhaled it. ONE SNOWY NIGHT was definitely a holiday treat and perfect for a cold winter’s night.

***purchased for my own personal reading but sharing my honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for ONE SNOWY NIGHT:

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Heartbreaker Bay with a fun and festive holiday novella!

It’s Christmas Eve and Rory Andrews is desperate to get home to the family she hasn’t seen in years. Problem is, her only ride to Lake Tahoe comes in the form of the annoyingly handsome Max Stranton, and his big, goofy, lovable dog Carl.

Hours stuck in a truck with the dead sexy Max sounds like a fate worse than death (not), but Rory’s out of options. She’s had a crush on Max since high school and she knows he’s attracted to her, too. But they have history… and Max is the only one who knows why it went south.

They’ve done a good job of ignoring their chemistry so far, but a long road trip in a massive blizzard might be just what they need to face their past… and one steamy, snowy night is all it takes to bring Max and Rory together at last.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rory Andrews is a wayward runaway that Willa Davis, owner of South Bark Mutt Shop and heroine of THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE, has taken in under her wing. Is she playing matchmaker by asking Max Stranton to give Rory a ride home to Lake Tahoe on Christmas Eve? Yes. Does she have reason to believe there is a match worth making? Probably. Isn't it obvious?

After being convinced by her friend to go home for Christmas after too long an absence, Rory decides to do just that but needs a ride. When her only ride possibility is Max, the boy she’s crushed on since high school, she wonders if she’s gone mad at even considering the trip at all. After a couple of hours on the road in increasingly bad weather, Rory is convinced she’s made a grave mistake but soon discovers that Max’s cold demeanor isn’t just about their past. There’s heat in that truck and it’s not just from the heater or Carl, his dog, panting over her shoulder. There’s real sexual tension, and it’s about to get hotter.

I love how Jill Shalvis conjures such endearing characters but the best part is how like family they become. More than friends, they have each other’s backs in a way that only family should but don’t always. Max and Rory knew each other once upon a time. You could even say they have a past resulting in a slight animosity on the part of Max, but he’s attracted to her. Only he can’t quite get past what she did in high school either. Rory doesn’t know the effect of her actions in the past on Max’s future so when he tells her, she immediately accepts the blame and pushes him away. Their ride together on a stormy road to Lake Tahoe reveals secrets, regrets, and attraction that neither is able to deny, but also takes some time to accept.

I’m not kidding when I said I inhaled this story. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop, even though there were a couple of major errors that tried to stop me. I ignored them and kept reading, I had to know what came next. Jill writes her tales in such a way that we aren’t just reading it; we are experiencing it along with the characters. I highly recommend reading ONE SNOWY NIGHT by Jill Shalvis. Truly, one of the most delightful novellas I’ve read in a long while and it’s perfect for a cold winter day/night read. So grab hold of it, curl up by a fire or under your favorite blanket and escape into a long drive home on a Christmas Eve with Rory, Max, and Carl…you’ll love it.

Happy Reading Everyone!

ONE SNOWY NIGHT, a Heartbreaker Bay novella by Jill Shalvis, Avon Impulse, available in print, audio, and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

Unwrapping a Review of THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE, a Heartbreaker Bay Novel by Jill Shalvis

Already a fan of Jill Shalvis, I’ve often considered her one of the best voices in contemporary romance but I think she’s really coming into her own with the Heartbreaker Bay series. Having thoroughly loved SWEET LITTLE LIES, I hadn’t really expected to enjoy THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE as much, and certainly not more.

***eARC provided by author via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review

Blurb for THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE:

If she has her way ...

Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even remember her ...

He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking.

Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen the drop-dead-gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him ...

Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice ...

Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school: he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but can she trust him not to break her heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish—and let the mistletoe do its work ...

~*~               ~*~               ~*~               ~*~

Willa Davis is up to her elbows running her pet shop, taking care of animals, and helping other young girls who haven’t had the best childhood to stay off the streets. She’s also doing her best to avoid men because she’s totally off them, after her last boyfriend turned into a stalker. When the guy from high school, who she asked to the Sadie Hawkins Day dance and who then stood her up, walks into her shop begging for help with his aunt’s demon cat, she is humiliated further when he doesn’t remember her.

Keane Winters keeps most people at arm’s length because that’s what he’s accustomed to from family, but there’s something about the pretty Willa that makes him want to get close to her…he calls it animal magnetism but perhaps it’s more. Can Willa show him that there are more reasons to connect than stay disconnected? And what will she learn in the process?

Jill Shalvis writes wonderful characters, snappy banter, and the crew of the Heartbreaker Bay series is one of the best cast of characters and enrich each story. This is especially true in THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE by Jill Shalvis, even though the story centers around Willa and Keane, the secondary characters are as important to the story as the main characters. Keane is sexy but vulnerable, funny, charming, and even though he denies caring, he can’t help himself. Willa is adorable, quirky, and I love that she takes care of everyone even though she hasn't really had anyone to take care of her. Her love of Christmas, her love of animals, and the fact that she puts everyone before herself makes her easy for me to relate to...I already know her well.

Why should you read THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE by Jill Shalvis? Because it will make you smile, laugh, fall in love, and wish you had friends like the wonderful folks of the Heartbreaker Bay series. I highly recommend reading this one and the first, SWEET LITTLE LIES, and I definitely can’t wait to read the next one.

Happy Reading Everyone!

THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE, a Heartbreaker Bay novel by Jill Shalvis, Avon Romance, releasing September 27, 2016 in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

 

Unwrapping a Review for SWEET LITTLE LIES, a Heartbreaker Bay novel by Jill Shalvis

Contemporary romance novels have to carry some mystery, danger, or a lot of steam for me to fall head over heels in love with them but occasionally, one comes along that blows me away. SWEET LITTLE LIES, new from the fabulous author Jill Shalvis, is one that has. I’m totally in love with Finn O’Riley and quite possible the rest of the men of this new series from Avon Romance.

***eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for SWEET LITTLE LIES:

Choose the one guy you can’t have…

As captain of a San Francisco Bay tour boat, Pru can handle rough seas—the hard part is life on dry land. Pru loves her new apartment and her neighbors; problem is, she’s in danger of stumbling into love with Mr. Right for Anybody But Her.

Fall for him—hard…

Pub owner Finn O’Riley is six-foot-plus of hard-working hottie who always makes time for his friends. When Pru becomes one of them, she discovers how amazing it feels to be on the receiving end of that deep green gaze. But when a freak accident involving darts (don’t ask) leads to shirtless first aid, things rush way past the friend zone. Fast.

And then tell him the truth.

Pru only wants Finn to be happy; it’s what she wishes for at the historic fountain that’s supposed to grant her heart’s desire. But wanting him for herself is a different story—because Pru’s been keeping a secret that could change everything…

~*~               ~*~              ~*~               ~*~

Pru Harris is on a mission. After her parents were killed in an accident caused by their overindulgence in alcohol, and after that same accident took the lives of others and left others injured, she has made it her goal in life to make amends to those harmed directly or indirectly by the accident. Her heart is that big. Using funds from life insurance and the sale of the family home as well as calling in some favors, she’s managed to make sure all affected have seen better lives for her efforts. However, there’s one more thing she feels she needs to do and it involves seeing some happiness in the life of one tall, gorgeous pub owner named Finn O’Riley.

Finn has made the best of the life handed him. Having had to leave college and baseball to take care of his younger, wilder brother after their father’s death by a drunk driver, he’s made a success of O’Riley’s pub, tried to keep his brother in line but he hasn’t left much room for any fun in his life, and certainly not romance. When a sexy new tenant in the building becomes a regular in his pub, he finds her claim of being the fun whisperer too much to resist. When the truth of who she is and what she’s done comes out, he feels betrayed. Falling in love wasn’t something he planned to do, but then who does?

SWEET LITTLE LIES by Jill Shalvis is wonderful from page one to the last. The characters are so three dimensional that you can almost imagine yourself as part of the fun. Pru and Finn are fabulous together and Troy, an incorrigible mongrel, is as much a main character as the others. Comradery and a sense of belonging make this cast of characters more like family than just friends. I can’t wait to see what happens next for this is going to be a must read series. I can only imagine the secrets and fun that will come along in the Heartbreaker Bay series.

Jill never disappoints for her conjuring of characters, atmosphere, and emotion are exquisite. Always one to infuse plenty of humor as well as drama, there’s plenty of both to go around in SWEET LITTLE LIES. However, I trust you will laugh more than woe for there are more than a few times when you just find yourself grinning ear to ear.

I highly, highly recommend SWEET LITTLE LIES, book one in the new Heartbreaker Bay series because it’s probably my favorite sweet, funny, sexy as all get out contemporary romance that I’ve read so far this year. Finn O’Riley is a man that I only wish existed in real life. His little brother, Sean, ain’t so bad either…then again, there’s Archer and Spence. Oh my, well…you get the picture. There is a future of good stories coming our way and SWEET LITTLE LIES is an excellent start to what promises to be a wonderful series. 

Happy Reading Everyone!

SWEET LITTLE LIES, a Heartbreaker Bay novel by Jill Shalvis, Avon Romance, available now in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.