Fanning the Flames

USA TODAY bestselling author Victoria Dahl is playing with fire in her sassy and sexy new contemporary romance series, Girls' Night Out. Get a taste with this novella, Fanning the Flames…

Burning for you

Some men are off-limits. Close friends of your ex-husband, for instance. Or firefighters who work in the same building as you. Yet despite her best judgment, librarian Lauren Foster can't help noticing fire captain Jake Davis whenever he jogs by…shirtless. They've always been friends, but all it takes is one not-so-chance meeting at a local bar and one not-quite-innocent walk home to ignite a fierce, uncontrollable desire between them.

Widower Jake Davis has tried to ignore the spark he feels whenever Lauren's around, but once he sees her curves in a little black dress, there's no turning back. No matter how often she says she's all wrong for him, the sexy, outspoken divorcée is driving him wild in the best possible way. Maybe she's just blowing off steam. Or maybe he can convince her to fan these flames into something deeper, hotter and truer than they ever expected….

For more Girls' Night Out fun by Victoria Dahl, check out the rest of the series, beginning with Looking for Trouble, available August 2014.

Release date July 1, 2014

Harlequin HQN

I'm a huge fan of Victoria Dahl and was so excited to see her newest series available for review on NetGalley. 

Lauren Foster is probably my favorite character Victoria Dahl has ever written. She knows what she wants and doesn't want and makes no excuses. She wants to live her life how she wants and really doesn't want anyone to tell her she can't. She had been attracted to Jake Davis for a long time, but knows they should never hook up since she is so different from his late wife.

Jake is equally attracted to Lauren, so much so he forgets his daughter might come home at any minute when he finally gets Lauren alone in his house. I personally loved the chemistry between Jake and Lauren and especially loved they were a couple in their 40's not their 20's.

I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the new Girls' Night Out series from Victoria Dahl.

So Tough to Tame

So Tough to Tame is the third book in the Jackson series from Victoria Dahl. The publisher is Harlequin HQN, and the release date was September 24, 2013. From the back cover.~

Tough to tame, but not too tough to love… 

Charlie Allington is supposed to be on the fast track to the top—a small-town girl who was making it big in her career. Instead, she's reeling from a scandal that's pretty much burned all her bridges. Now, out of options, she needs a place to lick her wounds and figure out her future. True, working at a ski resort in rugged Jackson Hole, Wyoming, isn't her dream job. But if there's one perk to coming back, it's a certain sexy hometown boy who knows how to make a girl feel welcome. 

Cowboy Walker Pearce never expected a grown-up Charlie to be temptation in tight jeans. She's smart and successful—way out of league for a man like him. But he's not about to let that, or his secrets, get in the way of their blazing-hot attraction. Yet when passion turns to something more, will the truth—about both of them—send her out of his life for good…or into his arms forever?

I'm a huge fan of Victoria Dahl and was excited to get a review copy of So Tough to Tame through NetGalley thanks to the publisher. 

I really liked how strong both Charlie and Walker were as individuals. Charlie is pretty much having to start back over in her security work following a scandal in Nevada. Walker is having to search for work thanks to rumors he was sleeping with the boss's wife at the last dude ranch where he worked. I loved that Charlie and Walker knew each other when in high school and seemed to reconnect pretty fast. They really did have some pretty amazing chemistry, which just got hotter the more times they were together.

I had 2 problems with this book. One was Charlie always trying to make Walker push to be more than a cowboy. She knew he was dyslexic and didn't seem to accept he was happy doing the type of work he was doing. While I agreed with Charlie he would be happier working in a different situation, I didn't agree with her methods of trying to make it happen. My second problem was with the fact that Charlie was more concerned about the red flags she was seeing with her new job. She felt uneasy about both of her bosses, yet never really stepped up and tried to figure out what was going on until it was almost too late. I really felt like she was smarter than she acted. 

Those problems aside, I really did enjoy this book a great deal, and did love Charlie and Walker as a couple. While this is the third book in the series, and can be read as a stand alone, I think you get a better feel for the series if you read the first 2 books in the series first.

Buy link for Amazon.

Too Hot to Handle

Too Hot to Handle is the 2^nd book in the Jackson series from Victoria Dahl. The publisher is Harlequin HQN and the release date was March 26, 2013. From the back cover.~

This good girl's going bad….

Merry Kade has always been the good girl. The best friend. The one who patiently waits for the guy to notice her. Well, no more. Merry has just scored her dream job, and it's time for her life to change. As the new curator of a museum in Wyoming, she'll supervise a lot of restoration work. Luckily she's found the perfect contractor for the job.

Shane Harcourt can't believe that someone wants to turn a beat-up ghost town into a museum attraction. After all, the last thing he needs is the site of his dream ranch turning into a tourist trap. He'll work on the project, if only to hasten its failure…until the beautiful, quirky woman in charge starts to change his mind.

For the first time ever, Merry has a gorgeous stud hot on her heels. But can she trust this strong, silent man, even if he is a force of nature in bed? When Shane's ulterior motives come out, he'll need to prove to Merry that a love like theirs may be too hot to handle, but it's impossible to resist.

I’m a really big fan of Victoria Dahl. I devour her books as soon as they hit my kindle. I was lucky enough to get a review copy of Too Hot to Handle thanks to the publisher through NetGalley.

I loved Merry Kade from the moment we met her. She has been Grace’s best friend forever and anyone who can keep Grace as a best friend has to be pretty special. I loved how protective both Grace and Cole are of Merry. I also loved that we got to see more of Grace and Cole together in this book. I love them as a couple and love how much they love one another.

I really liked the whole idea of restoration of the ghost town. I’m a history geek, so I got just as excited as Merry did about her work. I even liked that Merry was able to get Shane to help her work on the restoration of the town. I really loved the chemistry between Shane and Merry. As with all Victoria Dahl books, readers get lots of super-hot sexy scenes. My only problem with this book was the fact that Shane kept the secret of who he was from Merry even after their relationship moved beyond a working relationship. I really wanted to kick him in the junk multiple times because I knew Merry would be crushed when she found out the truth of who he really was. That being said, I really did love Merry and Shane as a couple and was so glad she was a much bigger person than I would be about the whole situation.

While this isn’t my favorite Victoria Dahl book because of Shane’s lies, I still really enjoyed this book. I’m really hoping the next hero in the Jackson series is Walker. He is one sexy cowboy and I can’t wait to learn more about him. For more information about Victoria Dahl’s books, check out her website.

Close Enough to Touch

Close Enough to Touch is the latest release from Victoria Dahl. The publisher is Harlequin HQN. From the back cover.~

For makeup artist Grace Barrett, Hollywood isn't the land of golden opportunity. It's the land of difficult divas, cheating boyfriends and unemployment. So when her great-aunt offers her a free place to stay in Jackson Hole, Grace thinks she'll spend a little time in the sticks to figure out her life, and then move somewhere exciting to live out her dreams. But it turns out that there are a few more thrills in this small town than Grace was expecting….

Cole Rawlins is a rugged Wyoming cowboy born and bred. Yet he can't help but be drawn to the fascinating big-city girl who moves in across from him. He wants to get close enough to Grace to see past her tough facade, but if he does, she might see the real Cole. The one with a Hollywood history gone bad. As they discover a sizzling attraction, it becomes harder for him to keep his demons at bay—and those fires from long ago may burn them both.

They'll need more than scorching-hot passion to make this opposites-attract affair work. But if they can learn to trust one another enough to reveal their secrets, they just might have a chance at forever.

I’m a huge fan of Victoria Dahl and was super excited to see Close Enough to Touch was available from NetGalley as it had been far too long since I’d had a new Victoria Dahl book to read.

I totally loved  Close Enough to Touch!  Dahl gives her readers the sexy and hot story they have come to expect. I have to say Grace grabbed my heart from the moment she appeared on the page. There was just something about her that made we want to hug her. She puts up this tough-girl front but is really so much more. She has come to Jackson Hole to stay at her great-aunt’s until she can move on yet again to a new job.  Cole is a super sexy cowboy and his yumminess factor is really off the charts. He was injured several months ago when  a horse fell on him, and still is uncertain of his future prospects.

The chemistry between Grace and Cole is obvious from the moment they meet. Even with all that is going on in both their lives, neither can seem to keep hands off the other. The love scenes between them are completely off the charts with hotness. The past doesn’t really stay in the past for either Grace or Cole. Hollywood invades Jackson Hole and the past comes back to slap both in the face. I loved that Grace actually had made some friends in Jackson Hole who support her when her past comes to light. Grace has the first real girlfriends besides her friend Merry with Eve and Jenny. As much as I love the relationship between the hero/heroine, I really think there has to be more than just them to give a story meat. Dahl totally delivers with Grace, Eve and Jenny. Loved how different they all are, yet still found common interest to cement a friendship.

Close Enough to Touch is another winner from Victoria Dahl. The official release date is August 28, 2012 for both print and digital editions and can be found at your favorite bookstore or online retailer. From information on past or future releases, check out Victoria Dahl’s website.

Real Men Will

Real Men Will is the 3^rd book in the Donovan Brothers Brewery series by Victoria Dahl. From the author’s website.~

It was meant to be a one-night stand. One night of passion. Scorching hot. Then Beth Cantrell and Eric Donovan were supposed to go their separate ways. That’s the only reason he lied about his name, telling her he was really his wild younger brother. Hiding his own identity as the conservative Donovan. The “good” one.

But passion has its own logic, and Eric finds he cannot forget the sable-haired beauty with whom he shared one night of passion. When Beth discovers that Eric has lied, however, she knows he cannot be trusted. Her mind tells her to forget the blue-eyed charmer. If only every fiber of her being did not burn to call him back.

I was lucky enough to get a copy of Real Men Will from NetGalley. I’ve wanted to know more about Eric since Good Girls Do. Even though he is very controlling of his younger siblings, who are now adults, I still liked something about Eric from the beginning. I loved reading Beth’s and Eric’s story. In fact, I think their story was the hottest of the three Donovan sibling’s books.

Beth understandable doesn’t trust Eric once she finds out he lied about his name, but she can’t really resist him either. Eric didn’t really mean to lie to Beth when they first met. He just held off from correcting her assumption that he was Jamie, since Jamie was supposed to be working the event. Of course, he is attracted to Beth from the first and their chemistry burns up the pages.

The usual drama between the Donovan siblings happens again in Real Men Will. Of course, learning more about the family’s history made me understand the relationships between Eric, Jamie, and Tessa much better. I still love Eric best, even with all his control-freak issues.

The release date for Real Men Will is October 25, 2011, and I can’t wait to buy my print copy for my keeper shelf. Also, anyone wanting to read about Eric and Beth’s first meeting can read all about it in “Just One Taste” in The Guy Next Door anthology.

Bad Boys Do

Bad Boys Do is the 2^nd book in The Donovan Brothers Brewery series by Victoria Dahl. From the author’s website.~

Olivia Bishop is no fun. That’s what her ex-husband said. That’s what her smart bob and glasses imply. And with her trademark determination, Olivia sets out to remake her life. She’s going to spend time with her girlfriends and not throw it all away for some man. But when an outing with her book club leads her to a brewery taproom, the dark-haired beauty realizes that trouble – in the form of sexy Jamie Donovan – may be too tempting to avoid.

 Jamie Donovan doesn’t mean to be bad. Sure, the wild streak in his wicked green eyes has lured the ladies before. But it’s time to grow up. He’s even ready for a serious romance. But how can that be when Olivia, the only right woman he has ever met, already has him pegged as wrong.

I requested Bad Boys Do from NetGalley and was so excited when I received notification I was approved for an ARC. We first met Jamie and the rest of the Donovan clan in Good Girls Don’t. Jamie intrigued me from the first, but couldn’t really say why until I read his story.

I loved Olivia from the first minute we met her. I could so totally relate to her as I admit I’m a total geek and saw a little of myself in her. I’ve never been really comfortable around guys, especially guys as sexy as Jamie. I loved that Olivia was ready to do pretty much anything and everything to turn her life from safe to fun. Which of course is where Jamie comes in to the picture. Jamie is all about the fun. In fact, his own family still treats him like he is still an irresponsible kid for the most part. I hate to use the phrase they completed each other, but they really did. Jamie brought out the fun in Olivia and that helped her to be more confident in herself. Olivia helped Jamie with getting organized in business which allowed him to finally stand up for himself with his family. Olivia and Jamie are attracted to one another from their first meeting. They were so hot together and I was cheering them on from the first.

I also really loved the friendship between Olivia and Gwen. It was nice to see women who work together become friends, even when the women are so different from one another. Loved that Olivia and Gwen talked about men just like my friends and I talk about men.

Now, I’ve never been a fan of how Eric treats Jamie. I don’t care if you are the oldest sibling, you eventually have to see your younger sibs as adults. Jamie isn’t without fault in this situation. He has allowed Eric to continue to treat him as the kid brother. Jamie is the middle child in the family, and the second son. As the middle child, I understand being in the shadow of an older sibling. However, at some point you have to let the birth order thing go and move on. In fact, once Jamie finally stands up for himself, I think his family, especially Eric, finally saw him for who he really is.

I’m a big fan of Victoria Dahl and really enjoyed Bad Boys Do. I’ll buy my keeper shelf copy on the release date, which is 9/29/11.

Good Girls Don't

Good Girls Don’t is the 1^st book in the Donovan Brothers Brewery series by Victoria Dahl. Fromthe back cover.~

With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donavan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman – or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices here when he arrives to investigate a break-in at her family’s brewery. He’s got his own problems – starting with the fact that his partner Simone is pregnant and everyone thinks he’s the father. The last thing he needs is a nice girl like Tessa getting under his skin.

Tessa has her hands full too. Her brother’s playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tensions could tear her tight-knit family apart. In fact, the only think that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their “baby” sister. Especially as man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath.

I own many books by Victoria Dahl, yet somehow Good Girls Don’t is the first one of her books I’ve read. My friend Katiebabs was nice enough to pick up an early copy for me at BEA in May. I can say right now, while Good Girls Don't is my first Victoria Dahl book, it will not be my last.

I loved Good Girls Don’t! Many times throughout the book I actually laughed so hard I almost cried. Tessa is such a funny character (I love she says “balls” when something goes wrong). She is the peace-keeper between her brothers Eric and Jamie. When Jamie messes up once again, she will do anything in her power to fix things without Eric finding out about Jamie’s latest mistake.

Both Jamie and Eric try to warn Tessa away from Luke because of his past. People only know the half-truths about things that went on in his life, but Tessa is really only looking for a good time at first, so she ignores the rumors. It was really funny to watch big brothers Eric and Jamie realize their “baby” sister was all grown up and capable of an adult relationship.

The only thing I didn’t love about the book was Tessa trying to cover up Jamie’s mistake. Jamie should have been man enough to stand up to his little sister and tell their brother Eric the truth. The rest of the book was awesome and I can’t wait to read the next 2 books in this series. The actual release date for Good Girls Don't is August 30, 2011. Bad Boys Do is Jamie’s story and set for release in October (I’m thinking lat Sept), and we get Eric’s story, Real Men Will, in November (hoping late Oct).