ONE MORE MOMENT (BAND ON THE RUN #3)

Julian Grayson is taking a break

     …from his cheating fiancée

     …from his band

     …from his life in the spotlight

Charlotte Clark is devoted to her work

     …to save the world

     …to help the homeless

     …to get a broken man back on his feet

When Charlotte Clark offers to pay for Julian Grayson’s coffee, the world-famous drummer assumes she wants something from him. But Charlotte has no idea who he is, and Julian can’t resist keeping up the charade—being incognito is a novelty and a relief. He’ll have to tell her...eventually. But as Charlotte cheerfully undertakes to transform his life, Julian realizes there’s something about her that gives him what he hasn’t felt in years: hope.

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Liza’s Review:

I enjoyed each of the books in the Band on the Run series from Samantha Chase and have to say I think One More Moment was my favorite of the series. I really liked Julian Grayson, but have to say Charlotte Clark was my favorite character in this story.

Charlotte honestly had no idea who Julian was when she offered to pay for his coffee when he forgot his wallet one morning. I loved she really just wanted him to pay it forward to someone another day, yet he couldn't stay away from her. Julian has so many trust issues thanks to his ex Dena. He honestly can't believe there is someone out there who would do something nice for someone else without wanting something in return. I'm not going to lie, while I loved Charlotte from the moment she appeared on the page, Julian was hard to love in the beginning. He was so distrustful and suspicious of everything in the beginning, while Charlotte looks for the good in people first. When I say this is a story of opposites attract, I mean it.

I think I loved One More Moment best because there was so much growth of characters in this book. Charlotte had to let go of her comfort zone to step into a relationship with Julian, who lives in a world so different from her own. Julian had to learn to not only trust again, but to open up and actually discuss everything that was at the root of his messed up relationship with his ex. While it was hard for Charlotte to be in this new world of wealth, I worried so much more about Julian opening up about his past and learning from past mistakes.

I loved when Charlotte and Julian were together. While their connection was there from the very beginning, it was more of a slow burn and sweet romance than a hot romance. The chemistry was super strong, but Ms. Chase writes her romances on more of the sweet side of things and I find when I pick up one of her books it's like I need that sweet romance without even realizing it until I've already been pulled in.

One More Moment was a wonderful story and I highly recommend it to fans of sweet contemporary romance stories. While I feel like you can totally read it as a stand-alone story, the relationships between the band mates and their history is much easier to understand if you have read each of the other books in the series first. That being said, Ms. Chase does a wonderful job filling in the reader on the back-story of the other characters.

Rating: 4 Stars (B)

Review copy provided by publisher

One More Moment 

Samantha Chase

Excerpt

She relaxed against him and her breathing was starting to even out as he kissed her again and began to hum. The melody had been in his head all week—a ballad. For almost a year, Julian had blocked music from his mind. Long before the wedding. He’d been so consumed with what was happening in his personal life that it had been impossible to think of anything other than what was going on around him.

But now the music was back, demanding to be heard.

Back at the house he was selling sat a magnificent baby grand piano. If he were there right now, he’d be sitting at it and working through the song in his head.

Instead, he hummed softly. It was so loud and strong in his head that he was surprised Charlotte couldn’t hear it with him. When he was certain she was asleep, he slid from the bed and gently covered her with the blankets before putting on a pair of sweatpants and heading out to the living room.

Grabbing a notebook, he walked out onto the deck and breathed in the beach air. He sat down on one of the lounge chairs and began to write down as much as he could about what he was hearing—he wrote out the melody, made notes on how he would like to see it orchestrated, and then played around with some lyrics. Those were always the hardest for him, but when the four of them were together, the lyrics always seemed to come.

That was why Riley couldn’t write.

That was why Matt couldn’t perform.

They were a unit, and no matter how much Julian tried to convince himself it wouldn’t bother him to retire from music, he was finding it was a lie. He wanted to play. He wanted to write and create and record and perform for the fans.

There were so many obstacles to overcome, however. And although most of them were his own mental issues, it didn’t make it any easier to work through.

Tonight had left him feeling what he hadn’t felt in far too long. Mainly happiness and hope. Could he really keep that going? Keep the momentum and work toward getting back to that place where he had been when he was maybe twenty or twenty-five? That was when Shaughnessy was new and everything they did gave him a sense of accomplishment. Wouldn’t going back to that time be as counterproductive to him as focusing on the past five wasted years with Dena?

No. It took him less than a second to realize that. In one instance he was focusing on positive, where the other was purely negative.

Only…sometimes it wasn’t.

Tossing the notebook down, Julian leaned back in the chair and sighed. The reality was that in the beginning, things with Dena were good and the two of them were happy. At least…he was. With nothing but calmness around him and his mood better than it had in a while, he could look back on those years with more of an open mind.

Yes, some of the time together had been good, but he knew now the exact point when he should have walked away.

And it was certainly before he was standing at the front of a church for his own wedding.

Raking a hand through his hair, he stared up at the sky. It was cloudy and dark with not a star to be seen. How could he have been so blind for so long? How could he have given up so many years to something that left him feeling nothing but rage and emptiness? Because of his own stubbornness, he lost everything. Okay, not everything. He still had his friends, his health, and most of his finances—damn Dena for that payoff he’d made to get rid of her—but there was still a large part of himself that was missing.

“Julian?”

Charlotte’s soft voice called from behind him. He turned and saw her standing in the doorway wrapped in the afghan from the sofa. Holding out a hand, he silently beckoned her to him. She seemed to float like an ethereal vision toward him. When she was next to the lounge chair, he carefully guided her down until she was cradled in his arms.

“What are you doing awake?” he asked softly, combing the hair away from her face that was blowing in the ocean breeze.

She kissed his jaw. “I woke up and you weren’t there.”

Everything negative that he’d been thinking was gone. This woman—this amazing woman in his arms—was all he wanted to think of. He kissed her forehead. “My brain wouldn’t be quiet, so I came out here to write a bit and then I was enjoying the peacefulness of the night.”

“Mmm… It’s good isn’t it?” she asked. “That’s why you found me on the beach that night. Sometimes it just helps quiet my soul.”

He shifted to get them more comfortable and when the afghan slipped, he noticed she was naked beneath it. His eyes met hers and she gave him a shy yet mischievous grin. “Had I known what was going on underneath this blanket, I would have come back inside. You must be cold.”

But Charlotte shook her head. “Not when I’m near you. You always keep me warm.”

Holding her closer, he felt so many emotions that he had no idea how to put them into words. Did she have any idea how the things she said made him feel? Affected him? Did she know that every day with her had him this much closer to falling in love with her?

And even saying it in his mind didn’t scare him.

Reaching up, he cupped her cheek and kissed her lips. They were soft kisses. Gentle kisses. Shy kisses. Charlotte was warm and sleepy in his arms and with nothing but the moonlight over them, she was beyond lovely.

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UNTIL THERE WAS US (THE MONTGOMERY BROTHERS #7)

Megan Montgomery has always been the careful type. Except...one time at her cousin's wedding when she threw caution to the wind and had the steamiest hook-up of her life. But that was two years ago— why can't she stop thinking about it? So when Megan accepts a job at her cousin's company, she does everything she can to avoid Alex—knowing he'll shake up her carefully crafted world. 

Alex Rebat's been living a good life. He loves his career and friends, but like Megan, hasn't been able to stop thinking about their passionate encounter. And once Megan moves to town, Alex makes it his personal goal to show her that maybe it's time to start taking a few more risks...

Release Date: May 1, 2018

Sourcebook Casablanca

The Montgomery Brothers #7

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

Until There Was Us was wonderful addition to the Montgomery Brothers series from Samantha Chase. While I’ve missed a few of the books in the Montgomery Brothers series, I’ve been able to pick back up on stories without feeling lost at all. I was so excited to see we were getting Megan’s story with Until There Was Us.

I’ll just say right up front I loved Megan from the moment we met her. She is such a hard worker and has a crazy-strong work ethic. I think part of why I loved Megan so much is because she isn’t your regular heroine. She isn’t super confident in most areas of her life other than her work life. Thanks to stuff from her childhood mostly, she hides her amazing talent for crochet and everything thinks she is buying all the gifts she makes. I loved she was way more happy in yoga pants and sweatshirts than fancy clothes, but when she dresses up she looks every bit as amazing as she did in her yoga pants. I have to say I think Alex really does help Megan come out of her shell and see how amazing she truly is the more time they are together.

Alex Rebat is pretty sigh worthy from the moment we meet him. He honestly could appear almost too perfect at times, yet there is still something about him that gave off a bit of vulnerability too. I loved that while he accepts Megan as the workaholic she is, he also wants to help her step outside her comfort zone by exploring new things. It was almost like Alex knew what limits he had, as he never seemed to push Megan too far outside her comfort zone. I also love that he and Megan shared so much with each other that they didn’t share with others. Megan trusted Alex with her love of her hobby even before she told any of her family members, even those she talked to about everything. I just fell in love with Megan and Alex as a couple the more time they spent together. 

I honestly worried because of how everything ended between them after the wedding hookup; they might have issues getting past it. However, they had such a connection and such amazing chemistry, I felt like the more time the spent together the more I knew they would fight to be together. I love when I read a romance and fall in love with the couple, and with Alex and Megan, I fell in love with them as much as they fell in love with each other. 

Until There Was Us was an emotion filled romance that pulled me in and made me want more. I find myself falling more and more in love with the various family members in Samantha Chase’s books with each new story I read. I highly recommend her books to romance readers who love contemporary romances.

Rating: 4 Stars (B)

HOLIDAY SPICE SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY

As soon as the mistletoe goes up, that's when life gets really interesting

Darcy Shaughnessy has gotten used to her overbearing brothers chasing away any man she wants to date. But a chance meeting with a brooding – and deliciously handsome – artist is about to make this holiday season one to remember.

There's only one thing Benjamin Tanner loves more than his woodcarving: solitude. Then he gets snowed in with Darcy in his cozy cabin in the woods, and their heated feelings begin to melt the icy barrier between them.

With Ben's need for privacy and Darcy's love of family and social life, will opposites still attract once the snow clears and the holiday festivities come to an end?

EXCERPT

This was not what he had planned.

Maybe it was what he had fantasized about, but this was not what he had planned.

But the instant Darcy’s lips touched his, Ben was lost. From the first time he’d laid eyes on her, he’d wondered how she’d feel in his arms.

Now he knew. Amazing.

From the first time he watched her move, he wanted to know how she’d feel moving against him.

Now he knew. Incredible.

From the first time he’d seen her smile, he wanted to know what her lips would feel like as he kissed her.

Now he knew. Sexy as hell.

His arms banded around her waist until he made sure there wasn’t even room for a breath between them. She went up on tiptoes to press even more intimately against him—which he totally appreciated—and it allowed his hands to linger and cup her denim-clad bottom.

And what a denim-clad bottom it was.

Gently, he squeezed it and even considered grabbing it harder and lifting her onto the counter, but he wasn’t ready to let go of the full-body contact just yet.

It was insanity. One minute, she was frustrating the hell out of him in a nonsexual way, and the next, he was so consumed with need for her that he almost didn’t recognize himself. This wasn’t the man he normally was. He didn’t pounce; he didn’t even think of initiating anything physical in a situation that was so mundane.

And breakfast was pretty mundane.

When Ben chose to sleep with a woman, there was, well, there was a certain protocol to it for him. There were the required three dates. There was the kiss good night that would build in heat over the course of the dates, and then it was normally at her house. Never here. Never in his bed. His home was just that—his. It was his sanctuary, and he was possessive of it. But right now, all he wanted—almost more than his next breath—was to have Darcy in his bed.

Under him.

Over him.

Another growl escaped before he could stop it.

For a moment, he allowed his lips to leave hers, because he was desperate to taste her in other places. His mouth trailed along the delicate line of her jaw, her throat, and up to nip at her ear, a spot he quickly learned made her knees buckle and had her gasping.

Good to know.

But she wasn’t having any of it for long. With her hand firmly anchored in his hair, she let him know the instant she wanted to kiss him again, and he went willingly. Over and over, his mouth slanted over hers until he thought he’d simply consume her. Tongue tangled with tongue. Breath mingled with breath. Never had the act of kissing seemed so carnal. So indecent and so damn erotic.

And that’s when he knew standing at the kitchen sink was no longer cutting it. He needed her. Wanted her. And from the sounds she was making and the way she was moving against him, Darcy felt it too.

This time when he reached down and cupped her ass, he lifted her up onto the counter. Stepping in close until he was firmly pressed against the juncture of her thighs, he cursed their clothes. Cursed the fact that the nearest soft surface was so damn far away. And cursed the fact that she tugged at his hair as she pulled away from him.

“Ben, wait,” she panted.

Well, shit.

A little dazed, he forced himself to open his eyes and focus on her. Her lips were wet and red and a little swollen, and her skin was flushed.

So. Damn. Sexy.

Resting his forehead against hers, he took a minute to catch his breath.

Was he supposed to apologize? Step away and start shoveling? Hell if he knew, but he was going to stay quiet and let Darcy say whatever it was she was thinking. So he didn’t move, and once his breathing was back to normal, he almost felt as if he was holding it.

“What are we doing?” she asked quietly.

Was she serious? Those were some fairly obvious moves going on, on both their parts! How could she be questioning it? And on top of that, she was the one who had initiated it! Lifting his head, he looked at her.

“I thought we were kissing,” he said simply.

She blushed, and it was sexy as hell to see. His fingers twitched with the need to touch her cheeks and feel the heat there.

“I…I know, but…I guess I’m just a little confused as to where that all came from.”

She was confused? Because now he was a little beyond that himself. Taking a step away, he frowned. “Why don’t you tell me?” he began levelly. “Since you were the one who reached up and pulled me into the kiss in the first place.”

The blush was instantly replaced by a look of mild annoyance. Darcy jumped from the counter, placing her hands on her hips. “I guess I got caught up in what I thought was a moment. I mean you came over and crowded me into the cabinets and then started touching me—out of the blue, might I add—so I guess I thought you were into it too.”

Oh yeah. He had forgotten about that part. Once she had reached up and kissed him, Ben had pretty much forgotten about his own actions leading up to it. “Fine. Yes. I came over here and—” He stopped and cursed, raking a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. I wanted to do that since you first showed up here.”

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A SKY FULL OF STARS

The stars are about to align in the newest Shaughnessy brothers romance!

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE
Brilliant astrophysicist Dr. Owen Shaughnessy feels more connected to the cosmos than to people. He's great with calculations, but when he leads a team of scientists to study a famous meteor shower, he doesn't factor in his free-spirited artist assistant Brooke Matthews.

LOVE CAN DAZZLE YOU
Polar opposites in personality, the friction between them threatens to derail the project. But the beauty and mystery of the night sky draw Owen and Brooke together―and she's going to surprise him in ways the stars never could.

Release Date: June 6, 2017

Sourcebook Casablanca

Shaughnessy Brothers #5

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

I've adored the books in the Shaughnessy Brothers series I've read to date. I have to admit I always wanted Owen's book though. There is just something about the quiet super intelligent guy that speaks to my heart.

I love an opposites attract romance, and Owen and Brooke totally fit that description to a tee. Owen is the super studious professor and Brooke is the free spirited artist. Somehow, they each got each other so quickly I had to believe they almost had love at first sight. Seriously I loved that Brooke brought out the fun side of Owen that he didn't show more than his family and Owen made Brooke see the world in a way she never had before. 

I loved the chemistry between Owen and Brooke. It was pretty obvious from the moment they met they both wanted each other. There was both a sweetness and a sexiness to their lovemaking and I fell in love with them as a couple right along with them falling in love with each other. 

I really liked how protective Owen was of Brooke. I pretty much cheered when he gave his family hell for not welcoming Brooke the way he had expected. It was sweet to see the quiet guy become the big Alpha male when it came to the woman he loved. 

Samantha Chase once again gives her readers a wonderful sweet and sexy romance with A Sky Full of Stars. While I found Ms. Chase's books after many books had been released, I have enjoyed going back and reading her back list to play catch up. I highly recommend A Sky Full of Stars and the rest of the books in the Shaughnessy Brothers series.

Rating: 4 Stars (B)

MATT REED IS HIDING

…from his fans

…from his past

…from a failure too painful to contemplate

Most of all, Matt is hiding from himself.

VIVIENNE FORRESTER IS A WOMAN WHO GIVES HER ALL

…to her friends and family

…to her online food blog

…to the man she loves

Release Date: February 7, 2017

Contemporary Romance

Band on the Run #1

Sourcebooks Casablanca

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

Samantha Chase is a new to me author, but when I was sent the information about her newest release, I knew One More Kiss was right up my alley. I adore the older brother's best friend falling for the younger sister troupe, and Ms. Chase did a great job with Matt and Vivienne's story. As One More Kiss was my first book by Samantha Chase, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect. I love reading a new to me author and then falling in love with their voice. 

I love there was a history between Matt and Vivienne, even if Matt only remembered her from when they were kids. Yes, Vivienne was initially a little hostile with Matt, but she soon let that go and I enjoyed watching them become friends. I liked they were friends first before they gave into their attraction to one another. Matt and Vivienne had really great chemistry, and I think they were so good together because they started out as friends. 

One More Kiss was a great start to Ms. Chase's newest series. I already know I want to go back and read so many books on her backlist, and I also can't wait to read more books in the Band on the Run series.

Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Since then, she has published twenty more titles and has become a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She lives with her husband of twenty-five years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

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Excerpt:

Carefully, she put the cap back on the bottle and stood. “Okay, maybe I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, but I can see how it’s affecting you. And I know I don’t know you that well, but it doesn’t mean I can’t see what’s right in front of me.”

“Really?” he asked incredulously.

“Yes, really.”

He made a snorting sound and walked away. Vivienne eyed the back door and seriously considered just calling it a night. Clearly she wasn’t helping him in any way, shape or form and was only serving to instigate on an already sensitive subject. Besides, she wasn’t good with confrontations. It was one of the reasons she enjoyed working from home – no drama.

So without a word, she simply made her way across the room toward the door. Her hand had barely touched the doorknob when she felt Matt’s hands on her shoulders as he spun her around to face him. She gasped in surprise. “Matt? What…?”

“What do you see right now, Vivienne?” he asked, his voice low, a near growl.

“I don’t…what do you mean?” There was a tremor in her voice and it was breathy and very unlike her.

He stepped in closer and her back came in contact with the wall. “You said you can see what’s right in front of you. So tell me, what do you see?”

It was a loaded question, she thought. And if she wasn’t careful, she’d blurt out how she saw a sexy-as-hell man who turned her on simply by being in the same room! But there was no way she could admit to that and she knew it certainly wouldn’t help the situation at all.

“I see a man who is struggling with his identity,” she said, swallowing hard.

His eyes narrowed. “Seriously? That’s what you see? That’s all you see?”

There was something in his tone that warned her this was going in a completely different direction than she thought and all she could do was nod.

“Then you honestly can’t see what’s right in front of you.” Now his voice was gruff and so deep and so close that Vivienne almost purred from the sound of it. “Because I’m not struggling – I’m a bastard. I’m selfish. And you know what? I don’t even care.”

She shook her head.

“Trust me. I know what I want, and it’s right in front of me.”

Her eyes went wide as she softly gasped.

And then he pressed against her fully and kissed her.