My Review:

Friends and Lovers was my favorite type of read! I love the romantic suspense so of course I would totally grab this one! What was the MOST appealing was the substance. It was not fluff both Lauren and Wes had really real back story history. Wes always the player had eyes for Sherry’s best friend.He promised his sister that he wouldn’t mess with Lauren. Wes wanted Lauren but Sherry threatened him and told him to leave her be. So for Lauren, she swooned over Wes big time and never said anything to Sherry either. The reveal of that was really enjoyable. I really liked the main characters. Wes was incredibly hot, Lauren was strong and someone you would admire, Sherry was the ultimate BFF. I enjoyed the entire group so, when the events started to unfold I felt much more invested. 

When the back story of Lauren comes out you will be SHOCKED!  I hope that you read it and get the entire impact of her family and the creation of present day Lauren. The book was loaded up with romance, some very swoon worthy moments and tons of bad guys with motives to hurt others. 

Lauren being the Director of the shelter, you sort of know that something from a residents past is going to come up, but the when and why is fabulous. There is humor, love, suspense, romance, family issues, trust and bonding. There were parts that were very thought-provoking. The author and her style are an exact match to my taste, so if you love the romantic suspense type novels this is totally for you! This is a must read!

Author Info:

 

Visit Tara Mills Romance or find me on Facebook ~ Twitter

There’s complicated. And there’s Rowen Sterling. That is an understatement! As with other Nicole Williams books, there is a really great character lead and the supporting cast is bigger than life. Rowen has just been bad news from the beginning. This is not a result of anyone other than her own mother. What an awful way to treat a kid. Her Mom sends her to live with a good friend in an effort to set her on the right path. Any other time, this would have been a great idea, now it is not. The anger and pain she exhibits is a direct result of her mother resenting her. The only thing Rowen wants is to go to art school so she agrees to go to Willow Springs Ranch to work so her Mom ill pay for her schooling. That right there is the only reason Rowen has to survive and exist. Thrive is not even part of her vocabulary.

After a long bus ride to Montana, Rowen is greeted by Jesse. He is her ride to Willow Springs. Right away he is intrigued and then you find out later it is her appearance She is sort of punk and goth and uses that to hide who she is. She even wears color contacts to cover up her bright blue eyes. Jesse actually wants to get to know her. At first I thought well Lord he is in Montana who else has he got to talk to right? He is lonely, then it comes to realization  he is genuine and a nice guy. The reveal as to why he is the way he is comes out. There is more than one reason.

The family owns a farm. Neil and Rose have Jesse the eldest, Lily, Hyacinth and Clementine. Very unique and adorable names. There is a part where Rose says that Peony was not an option. I laughed out loud over that one! Rose and Kate are college friends and complete opposites. Rowen doesn’t get how she can be best friends with her Mom. This woman loves kids, is nurturing and even home schools them year round.  Kate on the other hand is an evil mother   a new boyfriend every month. Other  than the men in her life she cares more about her clothes than Rowen. This a where the book gets really emotional. It deals with a lot of complex issues that have been brushed off.

All of her secrets do eventually come out. No spoilers but I will say there are a few reveals that make up for the unknown. The story behind Rowen is deep. She tries, but is not optimistic and thinks her future will be trashed. It goes to show that not everyone can be a mom and more importantly not everyone wants to be a mom.

 Yes Kate meakes me ill!

The character development takes a slow and steady pace throughout the book. The reveals are fabulous! You will see what shapes Rowen, Jesse and the minor characters like Josie. It was just a fabulous book and a must read. I know it will appeal to just about everyone. I know I took away another life lesson about how parenting is hard, and sometimes a little hurt wont heal. Be kind, loving and nurture your kids! PLEASE read this

READ IT

About the Author

I’m a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I’m still writing because I love it. I write young adult because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. Here’s to staying young at heart *raises champagne glass* . . . care to join me?

Author social media links:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/nwilliamsbooks

Blog: http://nicoleawilliams.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nwilliamsbooks

  Big congrats

Brandelyn

and

Brooke

Brooke won the Notebook giveaway and a copy of

Color of Loneliness

and

Color of Forgiveness [Kindle Edition]
by Madeleine Beckett

Book Description
Publication Date: September 21, 2012
Myra Sommers, an attractive young copy editor living in Philadelphia, makes the tough decision to return to her family home in Nyssa, Oregon. A recent death leaves her with no remaining family, and she decides to heal and regroup there. Her decision to leave is solidified by recent revelations involving her cheating ex-boyfriend, Trent.

Myra parts ways with her only friend, Susie O’Connor, a zany woman who’s more than a little insane. In Nyssa, Myra finds little immediate comfort in her “new” home which is literally falling apart around her. She sinks into a deep depression, exacerbated by her feelings of loneliness and isolation in the small town.

News of Myra’s return takes no time to spread through Nyssa, and she quickly encounters several locals, some friendly, some not. Among the friendly faces is Jim, an elderly neighbor whom she begins to rely on for help and companionship. When she realizes that she’s going to have to hire someone to do repairs on her broken-down home, Jim gives her the name of a local contractor, Dylan Lawson, who has done work for him in the past.

When Myra calls Dylan for an estimate, she’s astounded by the contractor’s gruff, surly demeanor. But she trusts Jim and there are few other options in the small town.

Dylan can’t help but notice that Myra is young, single, and beautiful, which makes him suspicious of her real reason for calling him. The women in Nyssa pursue him relentlessly but he’s not in the least bit interested.

After Myra approves his estimate, Dylan begins the process of repairing her home. While he works, she begins writing a book; that is, when she’s not fielding insane calls from Susie who misses her like crazy.

Slowly, a reluctant friendship develops between the pair, followed by romantic feelings which neither of them can fight. However, their painful past experiences threaten to tear them apart. Can they move beyond their despair and open their hearts to love?

Book Description
Publication Date: March 15, 2013
Myra Sommers is just starting to get her life back on track when everything falls apart. Having had her heart shattered in the past, she hesitates to take a chance on her grumpy, attractive contractor but finds herself falling for him nevertheless. Though she knows the rough yet tender man is keeping his painful past hidden from her, she is stunned when the trust she was beginning to put in him is broken.

Dylan Lawson is fighting back from the darkness and barely existing when he meets Myra. But his inability to open up to her about his past catches up with him, and suddenly their new, fragile relationship is put to the ultimate test. With an inner battle of loss, grief and pain, will Dylan find his second chance and forgiveness in Myra or will he forever be trapped in his past?

A devastating secret is about to be revealed that could either end or strengthen their relationship. Myra could be the key to Dylan’s own healing and forgiveness but can his heart take another chance? With so many obstacles in their way, can they forgive themselves and each other and build a future together? Find out in this final installment of the Color series.

Graham Reynolds has always taken on the role of the protector in his family. He’s a hard working DEA agent but he has a secret that he’s been keeping his whole life — he can jump to a parallel universe. It’s on one of these jumps that he faces an impossible dilemma. Will he make it in time to save his half sister from the wrath of a mad man? Will Graham be able to deal with the consequences of his actions? 

Book Blog Tour

05/06/2013 – 06/06/2013

Author / Book Information:

Author Name: Kate Mathias

New Release Book Title: Hiding in Plain Sight

Release Date: 04/20/2013

First Book in Series Title: Worlds Apart

Series Name: Silver Oaks Series

Third Book in Series Title – Coming Fall 2013: Spitfire

Social Media Sites:

Facebook Author’s Page Link 

Goodreads: Author’s Link 

Goodreads: Hiding in Plain Sight’s Link 

Goodreads: Worlds Apart Link 

Amazon: Hiding in Plain Sight Link 

Amazon: Worlds Apart Link 

 

Author Bio:

 

Kate Mathias is former elementary teacher and real estate agent. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three children.

Fun Facts about Author:

I’ve been skydiving and have flown a small airplane.

My dad’s a pilot and I’ve taken a plane off numerous times.

I’m an adventure junkie and love the thrill of roller coasters and anything that moves high and fast.

I can’t get enough of sweets and often have dessert after breakfast.

I don’t drink coffee or tea.

I’m a night owl and tend to stay up every night until midnight even during the week.

My family and friends always come first and I’m dedicated to other’s happiness almost to a fault.

 

Book Blog Tour

05/06/2013 – 06/06/2013

Author / Book Information:

Author Name: Kate Mathias

New Release Book Title: Hiding in Plain Sight

Release Date: 04/20/2013

First Book in Series Title: Worlds Apart

Series Name: Silver Oaks Series

Third Book in Series Title – Coming Fall 2013: Spitfire

Social Media Sites:

Facebook Author’s Page Link 

Goodreads: Author’s Link 

Goodreads: Hiding in Plain Sight’s Link 

Goodreads: Worlds Apart Link 

Amazon: Hiding in Plain Sight Link 

Amazon: Worlds Apart Link 

Author Bio:

Kate Mathias is former elementary teacher and real estate agent. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three children.

Fun Facts about Author:

I’ve been skydiving and have flown a small airplane.

My dad’s a pilot and I’ve taken a plane off numerous times.

I’m an adventure junkie and love the thrill of roller coasters and anything that moves high and fast.

I can’t get enough of sweets and often have dessert after breakfast.

I don’t drink coffee or tea.

I’m a night owl and tend to stay up every night until midnight even during the week.

My family and friends always come first and I’m dedicated to other’s happiness almost to a fault.

Book Blog Tour

05/06/2013 – 06/06/2013

Author / Book Information:

Author Name: Kate Mathias

New Release Book Title: Hiding in Plain Sight

Release Date: 04/20/2013

First Book in Series Title: Worlds Apart

Series Name: Silver Oaks Series

Third Book in Series Title – Coming Fall 2013: Spitfire

Social Media Sites:

Facebook Author’s Page Link 

Goodreads: Author’s Link

Goodreads: Hiding in Plain Sight’s Link 

Goodreads: Worlds Apart Link 

Amazon: Hiding in Plain Sight Link 

Amazon: Worlds Apart Link 

When Piper Reynolds comes face to face with Pip, a woman that looks identical to her from a parallel reality, she discovers that their bond draws them together in times of need. Piper is the first to “jump” into Pip’s world and finds that although many aspects appear the same, small choices have made their realities much different. Piper is forced to not only face her own mortality after a car accident, but that of her child’s when she finds that her young son has leukemia.

Pip falls victim to a stalker that has set his sights on her. Although Pip’s husband tries to save her from the stalker’s assaults, the only one that can save her is Piper. Pip frantically works to save the life of Piper’s son, Graham, by being a bone marrow donor. Will she be able to stay in Piper’s world long enough to provide her life saving gift?

Pip struggles to hold onto her personal relationships after she gives Piper the ultimate sacrifice. Will their bond of friendship and love be able to save them and their families from losing Graham to leukemia and Piper leaving her life after a car accident?

Author Bio:

Kate Mathias is former elementary teacher and real estate agent. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three children.

Fun Facts about Author:

I’ve been skydiving and have flown a small airplane.

My dad’s a pilot and I’ve taken a plane off numerous times.

I’m an adventure junkie and love the thrill of roller coasters and anything that moves high and fast.

I can’t get enough of sweets and often have dessert after breakfast.

I don’t drink coffee or tea.

I’m a night owl and tend to stay up every night until midnight even during the week.

My family and friends always come first and I’m dedicated to other’s happiness almost to a fault.

Excerpt B:
“Hi,” She glanced up at Graham and slowly licked her bottom lip. Her eyes had gone from a warm brown to a dark liquid color that threatened to drown Graham. “Hi yourself,” he took a hold of her chin with his thumb and traced a small circle on her jaw line. Bending his head, he slowly brushed his lips on hers and was instantly met with a current that seemed to stir him all the way to his stomach. He craved her like no other, but also wanted to take his time and enjoy every curve of her soft skin, every crease he needed to memorize.

He inhaled her sweet smell and seemed to hold his breath as her scent filled every inch of his being. With both of his hands free, he wrapped them around her lower back and bunched a handful of material in his fist. Graham pulled her into his body, feeling her warmth and softness, which threatened to take all of his senses over the edge.

His tongue joined hers and in a slow dance with one another’s mouths, he hungrily deepened the kiss until he could hear his heart beating in his ears. Graham could be satisfied kissing and drinking in her lips for days, but Lily broke away from him slowly.

Looking up at him through her eyelashes, she bent down and slipped off her heel on one foot and then removing the other one, she let it drop to the floor. She never took her eyes off of Graham and watched him watching her. Reaching up and pulling her hair so it fell to one side, she slowly untied the knot on the halter dress behind her neck. Graham watched as the material slipped down and seemed to free-fall past her curvy hips to land in a heap on the floor.

Hiding in Plain Sight by Kate Mathias

Book Blog Tour

05/06/2013 – 06/06/2013

Author / Book Information:

Author Name: Kate Mathias

New Release Book Title: Hiding in Plain Sight

Release Date: 04/20/2013

First Book in Series Title: Worlds Apart

Series Name: Silver Oaks Series

Third Book in Series Title – Coming Fall 2013: Spitfire

Social Media Sites:

Facebook Author’s Page Link 

Goodreads: Author’s Link 

Goodreads: Hiding in Plain Sight’s Link 

Goodreads: Worlds Apart Link 

Amazon: Hiding in Plain Sight Link 

Amazon: Worlds Apart Link 

Author Bio:

Kate Mathias is former elementary teacher and real estate agent. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three children.

Fun Facts about Author:

I’ve been skydiving and have flown a small airplane.

My dad’s a pilot and I’ve taken a plane off numerous times.

I’m an adventure junkie and love the thrill of roller coasters and anything that moves high and fast.

I can’t get enough of sweets and often have dessert after breakfast.

I don’t drink coffee or tea.

I’m a night owl and tend to stay up every night until midnight even during the week.

My family and friends always come first and I’m dedicated to other’s happiness almost to a fault.

Excerpt A:

“You promise?” Lily winked and then threw her head back and laughed.

Graham knew at that moment that he had been waiting his whole life to hear a sound like that – it swirled around his heart and rested on his soul.

Blurb-

After seventeen year-old Sophie’s mom dies in a tragic accident, she is so engulfed with guilt and sadness, she feels like she could literally, simply lie down and die. But a few months later, on the night she and her friends experiment with a Ouija board, things begin to change in unimaginable ways. Sophie begins to hear, and then see, Nick, a boy who has been dead for two years. This story tells of their blossoming friendship, young love, and how, through Nick, Sophie learns to live again. But even in the spirit world, happiness can’t last forever. There is a dark side to this otherworldly friendship. Not all spirits are good. Sophie’s dreams become haunting, scary nightmares. And soon these nightmares become reality, and lead Nick and Sophie into a battle against this evil spirit. They must fight for her life, but even if they can figure out how to fight a ghost, Sophie isn’t sure she wants to. If she dies, she could be with Nick forever.

 FALLING grips emotions and keeps the reader turning pages late into the night.

 Links-

 Goodreads    Amazon 

About The Author-

Lisa lives near the beach with her daughter and four dogs. She spends every spare moment at the beach, either reading, or surfing, or just sitting and watching the water. That’s also where she does most of her writing, in a notebook, with a pencil. Lisa is a school teacher, and a yoga teacher. She is passionate about dog rescue. As busy as she stays, she is most happy sitting on her sofa, cuddling with her pups.

Goodreads-