HEART OF STONE

After being jilted at the altar, Claire Walsh decides to take her California Christmastime honeymoon alone--and finds a heart more in need of healing than her own.

Another Chance

Claire Walsh had it all: a good job, wonderful parents and a fiancé who seemed to be too good to be true. And he was. Fifty feet from the altar, Claire learns the groom of her dreams is a no-show, and everything she believes about love and herself goes straight out the window. Determined to give herself space and time, she takes her honeymoon alone, and finds herself drawn to a man with a heart in worse shape than hers. 

For the past five years Mac Stone has been going through the motions working with his aunt Myrna at her historic Santa Barbara B&B. He's made a life for himself, of sorts, but keeps his distance from emotional entanglements of any kind. But their newest guest, Claire Walsh is about to challenge all of that, and before Mac knows how it happened, the beautiful, vulnerable woman found a way into his heart--a heart he was certain would never love again.

Release Date: November 17, 2016

Boroughs Publishing Group

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by author

Liza’s Review

After Claire Walsh is jilted at the alter, via text message to the wedding planner, she decides to take her Christmastime honeymoon alone. My first thought as I started reading Heart of Stone was Claire got away lucky since she was totally engaged to a total tool. My second thought was she is a super strong woman to make the choice to go on her honeymoon alone. I will say I cracked up so hard when she stepped off the plane completely toasted after her flight to California. Claire was so freaking funny as she first met Mac Stone.

Mac and Claire had a pretty instant attraction, even as Mac was trying to keep a drunk Claire under control initially. I felt like the connected in a way neither was expecting or looking for at the time. Claire being on the rebound, and Mac still not over the death of his wife 5 years ago, made for an interesting set up to a new romance. Mac's past absolutely brought me to tears, even as I wanted his to realize it was time to move forward. I loved the chemistry and how they just really seemed to get one another. I also absolutely loved that Mac's Aunt Myrna could tell there was something between them and tried to give them the space to figure it all out. 

Heart of Stone is a sweet, fast-paced romance that pulled me in from the very first page. I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a contemporary holiday romance.

Rating: 4 Stars (B)

PICTURE THIS

When it comes to relationships, Tess Callahan is gun-shy. An ambitious Atlanta divorce attorney, she’s seen the aftermath of relationships gone bad, which is why she has no time in her life for any man except for Nick Russo. Handsome and exciting, he’s the perfect choice to give her all she desires—including the fact he’s never around long enough for things to get complicated. Until suddenly they do. 

Nick Russo has the world. His job as a photographer takes him everywhere, and he wouldn’t give that life up for anyone, not even the beautiful and brilliant Tess Callahan. Or so he thinks. An unexpected pregnancy is about to bring everything into focus, a brighter and more colorful world than he ever thought to imagine. The possibilities are endless, and they’re something he can capture not just on film but in reality.

Release Date: July 11, 2015

Boroughs Publishing Group

Liza’s Review:

I've enjoyed other books by Marilyn Baxter in the past, yet somehow missed the release of Picture This when it came out in July. I headed to Amazon as soon as I realized I'd missed her newest release and downloaded it to my kindle.

Picture This is a wonderful romance that was a really fast read for me. We had met Tess in Direct Deposit and I was glad she got her own story with Picture This. I really loved both Tess and Nick as individuals and loved watching their occasional hook-up arrangement change to something more. I totally laughed out loud when Tess and Nick ran into each other in a big-box store and he realized she was pregnant. Nothing like running into someone 8 months later only to discover the last night you had amazing sex, you also made a baby.

I loved that Nick stepped up immediately to help Tess out, and his family was super accepting once they found out as well. Both Nick and Tess are so ingrained in their jobs; I wondered how they would handle the day-to-day life once their baby was born. I wanted Tess and Nick to figure out a way they could be a family, as I could tell each totally loved the other. 

I have to say I absolutely laughed until I cried as Tess told Nick off and cussed like a sailor on leave while she was giving birth. Honestly, I think the humor in Picture This was part of my favorite part of the story. I totally loved the romance between Nick and Tess, and loved watching them become a family.

Picture This is a sweet and funny romance. I really enjoyed the latest release from Marilyn Baxter and look forward to more books from her in the future.

Direct Deposit

She wanted to make a withdrawal from a sperm bank. He would give all he has to make a direct deposit. 

INVESTING IT ALL 

Family law attorney Maddie Prescott is driven to succeed. A pawn in her parents’ messy divorce, she devoted her career to representing children in court, and when her husband’s early death makes it seem like she can’t have it all, she’s ready to beat the odds by going to a sperm bank. One advantage to single parenthood is that her child will never be a pawn. That, and she’ll never have to deal with sarcastic ladies’ men or liars.

Jack Worth promised to look out for his dying best friend’s wife: a small repayment for someone who once helped an irredeemable bad boy find the path to happiness. So, while Maddie Prescott’s baby plans are questionable, duty and loyalty prompt Jack first to volunteer as the sperm donor...and then to propose a marriage of convenience. And the more he gets to know her, the more this onetime player will see that Maddie is the woman of his dreams, and that the child they will make deserves to be from a direct deposit.

Release Date January 19, 2015

Boroughs Publishing Group

I was lucky enough to be given a copy of Direct Deposit from the author. I have enjoyed Marilyn Baxter's other books and was excited to read Direct Deposit.

I really enjoyed Direct Deposit. It was a fun, fast, sweet and sexy read. Both Maddie and Jack are such strong characters. Honestly Maddie and Jack seemed so opposite from one another at the beginning of the book. It was almost like they couldn't stand to be around one another, except I could feel the underlying attraction between them when they were in the same room together. I loved that when Jack figured out Maddie was going to a sperm bank to get pregnant, his first thought was to offer to be her sperm donor. I also loved the fact he immediately offered marriage when another wrench was thrown in Maddie's path.

I loved Maddie and Jack as a couple. Again while they seemed so different, I felt a connection between them from the beginning. Add in their smoking hot chemistry and you have a great couple. Plus the more time they spent together, the easier it was to tell they each loved one another. I loved their friends were the ones to see both had fallen for the other first. 

Marilyn Baxter writes sweet, sexy stories with heart. Direct Deposit stole my heart from the very beginning and I look forward to reading many more books from Ms. Baxter in the future.

Direct Deposit Spotlight

Family law attorney Maddie Prescott is driven to succeed. A pawn in her parents’ messy divorce, she devoted her career to representing children in court, and when her husband’s early death makes it seem like she can’t have it all, she’s ready to beat the odds by going to a sperm bank. One advantage to single parenthood is that her child will never be a pawn. That, and she’ll never have to deal with sarcastic ladies’ men or liars.

Jack Worth promised to look out for his dying best friend’s wife: a small repayment for someone who once helped an irredeemable bad boy find the path to happiness. So, while Maddie Prescott’s baby plans are questionable, duty and loyalty prompt Jack first to volunteer as the sperm donor…and then to propose a marriage of convenience. And the more he gets to know her, the more this onetime player will see that Maddie is the woman of his dreams, and that the child they will make deserves to be from a direct deposit.

Direct Deposit is set to release on 1/20/15 from author Marilyn Baxter. The publisher is Boroughs Publishing Group and the buy link from the publisher is here. 

Buy Links:

Boroughs Website:  http://boroughspublishinggroup.com/books/direct-deposit

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Direct-Deposit-Marilyn-Baxter-ebook/dp/B00SGNT2LQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421730657&sr=8-1&keywords=direct+deposit+marilyn+baxter

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Direct-Deposit-Marilyn-Baxter-ebook/dp/B00SGNT2LQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1421730722&sr=1-1&keywords=marilyn+baxter

Amazon Canada: http://www.amazon.ca/Direct-Deposit-Marilyn-Baxter-ebook/dp/B00SGNT2LQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421730764&sr=8-1&keywords=marilyn+baxter

All Romance eBooks:  https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-directdeposit-1730475-177.html

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/512249

Excerpt from Direct Deposit:

It’s time to move on, Jack,” she told him. “And I think it’s time we stopped these monthly pity parties. We struggle to carry on polite conversation. I choke on every bite of food. You sit there feeling sorry for me. I’ve made some decisions in the last few weeks that will move my life in a new direction. I only hope you’re able to do the same.”

“Is that what the sperm canister is all about?”

Water spewed everywhere.

“How...” Her cheeks burned from embarrassment.

“The letter behind your phone. You aren’t seriously considering going to a sperm bank are you?”

Maddie pushed away from the table and picked up her plate, heading toward the kitchen. “And if I am, what makes it your business?” Chagrin replaced the previous awkwardness.

Jack followed, juggling his plate in one hand as he nudged open the door to the kitchen with his elbow.

“What the hell are you thinking? You’re going to get yourself knocked up by some total stranger so you can play Mommy?” He took her plate and scraped it into the sink.

“No one is knocking me up as you so charmingly put it.” She crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. “The procedure is done in an office by a doctor and—”

“I know how the hell it’s done.”

“Oh? I wasn’t aware The Playboy Channel televised medical documentaries.”

“I watch The Learning Channel, too. Surprised?” He loaded the dishwasher while she looked on in amazement. “What? I’m housebroken. I’m not Emeril, but I cook a mean meatloaf and mashed potatoes.” He squirted dish gel in the dispenser. “From scratch,” he added.

“Quite honestly, nothing about you would surprise me, Jack. What did surprise me was my husband being in business with you. You were as different as… as…”

“Champagne and beer?” he suggested as he rinsed the sink. “Caviar and hot dogs? You and me?”

“You got that right.” Maddie lifted her chin defiantly.

In 2001, Marilyn discovered romance novels quite by accident, which led to a renewed interest in writing.  She’s had over forty stories published in the confessions and romance magazines and taught a class in how to effectively write for this genre.  She is a member of Romance Writers of America and her local RWA chapter, Heart of Dixie Romance Writers.  Her involvement on the local and national levels has combined to give her a great love of the romance genre and to develop friendships that span the globe.

In addition to reading and writing, Marilyn loves to knit simple things, cook in the crockpot and garden in a few pots on her patio.  Her motto is “Have passport, will travel,” and she recently added Ireland and Wales to the list of 32 states and 21 foreign countries she has visited.

A native of North Carolina, she came to Huntsville, Alabama by way of Frankfurt, Germany.  She has lived there longer than anywhere else and calls it home.  After raising two great sons, she loves to dote on her two granddaughters.  And somewhere amidst all the above, she fits in a day job as an administrative assistant for a boutique law firm.

You can find Marilyn on Facebook (link: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.baxter.372) and on Twitter as @marilyn_baxter.