Wednesday, November 06, 2013

I'll be Home for Christmas


I’ll be Home for Christmas (a Coming Home novella) is the newest release from Jessica Scott. The publisher is Forever Grand Central Publishing and the release date is November 5, 2013.  From the author’s website.~

There's nothing in the world Army Sergeant Vic Carponti loves more than his wife and his country. Smart-mouthed and easy tempered, he takes everything as a joke . . . except his promise to come home to his wife, Nicole, for Christmas. As he prepares to leave for his latest deployment into Iraq, Vic will do everything he can to shield his beautiful, supportive wife from the realities of war . . . and from his own darkest fears.

As a career army wife, Nicole Carponti knows just what to expect from her husband's tour of duty: loneliness, relentless worry, and a seemingly endless countdown until the moment Vic walks through the door again. But when the unthinkable happens, Nicole and Vic's bond is tested like never before and changes everything they believe to be true about the power of love and the simple beauty of being home for the holidays.

I was lucky enough to get a review copy from the author through NetGalley. I'm a huge fan of Jessica Scott and love her Coming Home series so much. 

I have to say how much I've loved Vic Carponti in the other books and was so happy we would get a book that featured him. Vic's humor has always had me laughing out loud and I love how protective he is of his friends and the people he loves. Vic and Nicole totally work for me as a couple, even as I saw them as so different from one another. I kinda felt like their differences brought them closer together. Add in their chemistry, and they were perfect.

Much of this story takes place with Vic on the front lines and Nicole at home. I'm not in the military and have never had anyone I'm in love with deployed, so this book gave me incredible insight into the lives of the men and women in the military. This book wrung so many emotions out of me, which I've really come to expect from any book from Ms. Scott. Vic's humor gave me all the laughs I could ask for in this book. I also felt his pain when anyone on his team was injured and could feel his despair about not talking to his wife about what all was going on. I also could totally feel Nicole's pain, fear, and loneliness as she waited for Vic to come home. When Vic is hurt and Nicole goes to him, not knowing what she might find, my heart broke for them both. I have to say Vic's humor in the situation still made me laugh and I loved that Nicole totally even threw in a few of her own jokes to get them through everything.

Nicole and Vic's story was so beautiful and I'm already counting down the days for the next book from Jessica Scott. Back to You will be Trent and Laura's book and I've been chomping at the bit to read it since we first me them.

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

I'll be Home for Christmas Release Day Blitz

There's nothing in the world Army Sergeant Vic Carponti loves more than his wife and his country. Smart-mouthed and easy tempered, he takes everything as a joke . . . except his promise to come home to his wife, Nicole, for Christmas. As he prepares to leave for his latest deployment into Iraq, Vic will do everything he can to shield his beautiful, supportive wife from the realities of war . . . and from his own darkest fears.

As a career army wife, Nicole Carponti knows just what to expect from her husband's tour of duty: loneliness, relentless worry, and a seemingly endless countdown until the moment Vic walks through the door again. But when the unthinkable happens, Nicole and Vic's bond is tested like never before and changes everything they believe to be true about the power of love and the simple beauty of being home for the holidays.


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Author Bio:
USA Today bestselling author Jessica Scott is a career army officer; mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs; wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she's a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon and someone liked some of the stuff she wrote. Somehow, her children are pretty well-adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

She's written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View: Regarding War Blog, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn and has served as a company commander at Fort Hood, Texas.
She's pursuing a PhD in Sociology in her spare time and most recently, she's been featured as one of Esquire Magazine's Americans of the Year for 2012. 

Excerpt from I'll be Home for Christmas

“You’re not serious.”

Carponti turned around, his shoulders covered in flecks of red hair. “What?”

Nicole grinned as she leaned against the door. “Garrison is going to kill you.”

“Garrison is going to love my new hair cut. It looks just like his.”

Nicole arched one blond eyebrow. “Except for the bright red fuzzy patch in the center of your head.”

Carponti shrugged and rubbed his hands over his freshly shorn scalp. “I can’t wait to see what the

sergeant major says.”

“Isn’t he going to be mad?”

Carponti brushed the hair off his neck. “We’re going to war. My hair isn’t on the list of things he’s going

to worry about.”

Nicole looked down at the pile of hair on the floor and sighed. “Then why do it?”

Carponti smirked. “Because it’ll get a rise out of him and I live to make his blood pressure go up.”

She laughed. “You need a hobby. Other than blowing things up.”

He sidled across the room and hooked his thumb into the waist of her jeans and tugged her close until

their hips met. “I have a hobby. Keeping you well satisfied.”

She sniffed but her lips curled at the edges. “You’re going to be derelict in your duties for a while.”

“But I’ll be home soon enough and then I’ll make up for it.”

“I think I’m going to need a deployment boyfriend.”

He grinned wickedly. “Did you already get one?” He backed her up against the wall, his body hard

against hers. God but she loved this man. “Can I see it?”

A slow flush crept over her face and she tried to look away. He threaded his fingers with hers and lifted

her arms over her head. Her back arched with the movement.

“Please?” he whispered against her lips. “That would be an awesome memory to take with me

downrange. Just think of me, alone in the middle of the desert. One visual of you with your deployment

boyfriend and it could make a lonely night go by so much faster.”

Nicole giggled until the laugh overwhelmed her and she was gasping for air. He released her hands and

she threaded them around his neck. She buried her face against his throat and laughed.

“There’s something really wrong with you,” she said when she could breathe again. “I’ll send you a

video.”

He brightened instantly. “Really?”

“Yes. And dirty letters.”

“Promise?” He nibbled along the edge of her jaw, guiding her slowly backward toward their bed, stacked

high with his two duffle bags and all the crap he still hadn’t packed.

But he didn’t care.

“I promise. And you’re going to be late.” Her voice caught in her throat.

“Screw it,” he whispered. “This is the last chance to make love to my beautiful wife before I have to go

traipsing across the desert like Lawrence of Arabia.” He nibbled at her earlobe while his hand slipped

down her belly to the moist head between her thighs. “Tell you what. You send me a picture of yours

and I’ll send you a picture of mine. Maybe I can get him a little horse and saddle and send you a picture.

Maybe a Barbie camel. I can put him in a little man dress.”

She laughed and Carponti’s heart swelled in his chest at the sound of it.

“I’m going to hold you to that.” She traced her fingers over his scalp, her body soft and warm against his

erection. “I want a picture of him in a man dress in exchange for a video of the deployment boyfriend.”

Her legs bumped into the back of the bed and he followed her down. Tangled between the duffle bags

and his uniforms, he made love to her one last time before he got on a plane and headed to war.

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Monday, November 04, 2013

Serendipity Series Spotlight


I’ve been a fan of Carly Phillips for years. I’m not sure I had read her Harlequin books when they were originally released, but I remember reading The Bachelor when it was picked for the “Reading by Ripa” book of the month in 2002. I’ve gone back and read all of Carly’s backlist and have never missed a release since The Bachelor. Her Serendipity and Serendipity’s Finest series are 2 of my favorite series from her. I fell hard for the Barron brothers (especially Dare) from the very first book and love we continue to get to see them over the course of both series.

***Carly has been nice enough to offer one (1) copy of any of her currently released Serendipity books to one lucky winner. Please comment and include your email to be entered. Any format is available. Will include all comments from 11/4 to 11/8.***

Serendipity (Serendipity Book 1) Release date September 6, 2011

Faith Harrington was the classic girl of privilege--until her father was convicted of running a Ponzi scheme and then her marriage crashed and burned.

Now Faith is back in her hometown, hoping for a fresh start. But her father's betrayal has rocked Serendipity - and not everyone is ready to welcome her with open arms. Then she runs into her teenage crush – the dark, brooding Ethan Barron. Ethan, no stranger to scandal himself, never imagined he'd own the mansion on the hill, much less ever again
come face to face with Faith--the princess he once kissed senseless. The chance meeting reignites the electric charge between them.

Still, when Ethan hires her to redecorate what was once her childhood home, Faith is sure that getting involved with the town's notorious bad boy will only lead to trouble. But her heart has other ideas. And so do the townspeople of Serendipity ...

Kismet (Serendipity novella) Release Date November 11, 2011


Long Lost Love and Second Chances

Elisabetta Gardelli thought she’d spend her days serving coffee and writing obits for the town paper until an unexpected opportunity results in her dream job as a journalist. Now, divorced and determined to make it on her own, Lissa is hired to do a series of interviews about entrepreneurs who’ve made their mark at an impressively young age. First up? Wall Street mogul Trevor Dane — Lissa’s first love. Lissa hasn’t seen Trevor since he left the small town of Serendipity to earn his spot on the right side of the tracks. Ten years have passed but neither has really moved from their super-passionate teenage affair – or the heartbreak that followed. This reunion can be their second chance or it can provide much needed closure. It all depends on Trevor. Can he forgive Lissa or will the past continue to stand in their way?

*can be read alone - for Serendipity readers- this novella takes place between Serendipity and Destiny.

Fated (Serendipity Novella) Release Date December 4, 2012

This novella takes place between Serendipity and Destiny.
Kate Andews is the original rebound girl. But she has had enough and has vowed to never be someone’s second choice again. Unfortunately, her undeniably intense desire for Nick Mancini is testing her best laid plans because Kate has carried a torch for Nick since high school– but she’s always been permanently in the friend zone.
Lately, Nick has definitely noticed Kate. Unfortunately he can’t get her to take him seriously. He knows he’s made some stupid moves in the past but he’s determined to get Kate to act on their obvious and mutual attraction. However Kate’s stubborn and she’s been hurt before, which means Nick will have to pull out all the stops in order to convince her he’s not the same boy she used to know, and she’s not second best… she’s everything.

Destiny (Serendipity Book 2) Release Date January 3, 2012


Nash Barron may be cynical about love, yet even he likes a good wedding. But the only good thing about his brother’s wedding is Kelly Moss. Nash can’t help but admire her confidence and beauty, but he’s forced to keep his distance because getting involved with Kelly could destroy his relationship with his newly discovered half sister, Tess…
Kelly came to Serendipity to give Tess–her half sibling as well, thanks to an illicit affair–a second chance at life. She learned long ago not to rely on anyone but herself. Besides, she doesn’t want to upset Tess’s life by pushing for a fling with Nash. Except the more she gets to know him, the more vulnerable she becomes to the kindness beneath his gruff exterior, and the less she’s able to stay away. But she has other reasons for keeping her distance. Like the secret from her past she knows Nash will never forgive…

Karma (Serendipity Book 3) Release Date May 1, 2012

Police Officer Dare Barron has had a crush on Liza McKnight ever since he was a teenager. But despite his lifelong attraction, the closest he’s ever come to interacting with her is watching Liza regularly bail out her brother at the station.
 


Dare’s dark past with Liza’s brother, Brian, has always kept him from pursuing her. But suddenly Liza finds herself in need of protection and Dare appoints himself as the man for the job.  And while the sizzling attraction between Dare and Liza draws them together, the past that Dare and Brian share threatens to keep the two apart forever.

Perfect Fit (Serendipity’s Finest Book 1) Release Date December 31, 2012


MIKE
Always feeling like the odd man out in his family, Michael Marsden wanted to make it on his own. So he escaped Serendipity to become an undercover cop in Manhattan, where the Marsden name wasn't known. But Michael's independence is compromised when he returns home to replace his sick father as chief of police. Back in the shadow of his family, he's as lost and restless as ever, until he's challenged by someone he never anticipated.

CARA
Cara Hartley is the Serendipity cop with whom Mike had a one night stand three months earlier. Neither expected anything more but fate has other things in store. When Mike returns as Cara's boss, the sexual tension between them is impossible to ignore - and the unexpected emotional connection continues to grow. But Cara's a small town girl while Mike has a wanderer's blood in his veins.

Together their chemistry explodes but ...
Both are convinced a future together is impossible. Until Mike's real father's secrets come back to haunt him and he realizes there are some things worth staying and fighting for. Including Cara.

Perfect Strangers (Serendipity Novella in Hot Summer Nights) Release Date July 2, 2013 Re-releasing as eBook only novella January 7, 2014

Carly Phillips takes you back to the town of Serendipity, where overworked Alexa has an instant connection with a sinfully sexy football star on the dance floor. A one-night stand evolves into multiple nights when Luke decides to teach the good doctor about his own brand of fun. But when it’s time for him to leave town, will these “Perfect Strangers” be able to say goodbye for good?

Perfect Fling (Serendipity’s Finest Book 2) Release Date July 30, 2013


Erin ... The Good Girl
Assistant District Attorney, Erin Marsden,is Serendipity's quintessential good girl.  The only daughter of the ex-police chief, she has never made a misstep, content with her quiet, predictable life ... or so she thinks.  Until Cole Sanders returns to town with heated interest in his eyes and shadows in his past.  

Cole ... The Bad Boy
After seven years of deep under cover work in New York City, Cole returns to Serendipity to help his aging father and to find his moral compass once more. Not to get involved with wholesome Erin Marsden.  Even as a rebellious teen, he knew a girl like Erin was off limits and that hasn't changed.  But neither one of them can resist their off-the-charts chemistry and a one night stand brings complications neither Erin nor Cole expected.

The Attraction ... Off the Charts!
Then Erin's current case plunges her into a killer's crosshairs. With more at stake than anyone knows, Erin succumbs to Cole's take-charge attitude. As a bodyguard, he's the best. As a lover, he's even better. But there's more than the matter of Erin's safety at stake.  And Cole must forgive the sins of his past and prove to himself - and to Erin - that he's capable of the love and the forever she - and their baby - desperately need.

Perfect Together (Serendipity’s Finest Book 3) Release Date February 4, 2014

In the picturesque town of Serendipity, New York, three siblings have grown up in the shadow of their proud and respected police chief father. But what do love, fate, and fortune have in store for the next generation of Serendipity’s finest?

Tired of being the easygoing daughter, always ignored in favor of her high-maintenance sister, and no longer interested in being her fiancé’s trophy wife, Nicole Farnsworth calls off her wedding. All she wants is to be herself. And where better to find her destiny than Serendipity? The place where she met the one man who made her heart beat faster, and gave her the courage to reinvent her life—even if he doesn’t know it.

Officer Sam Marsden calls Serendipity home and he loves it there—even though his childhood sweetheart was stolen by his best friend. After such heartbreak, Sam fears he can’t trust his instincts when it comes to love. Yet he’s so tempted by Nicole, a woman he met only briefly but who has starred in his dreams ever since. For Nicole and Sam, opening their hearts one more time could change their lives forever. But who’ll be the first to take that chance?

Sunday, November 03, 2013

The Perfect Match


The Perfect Match is the 2nd book in the Blue Heron series from Kristan Higgins. The publisher is Harlequin HNQ and the release date was October 29, 2013. From the back cover.~
What if the perfect match is a perfect surprise? 
Honor Holland has just been unceremoniously rejected by her lifelong crush. And now—a mere three weeks later—Mr. Perfect is engaged to her best friend. But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust herself off and get back out there…or she would if dating in Manningsport, New York, population 715, wasn't easier said than done. 
Charming, handsome British professor Tom Barlow just wants to do right by his unofficial stepson, Charlie, but his visa is about to expire. Now Tom must either get a green card or leave the States—and leave Charlie behind. 
In a moment of impulsiveness, Honor agrees to help Tom with a marriage of convenience—and make her ex jealous in the process. But juggling a fiancé, hiding out from her former best friend and managing her job at the family vineyard isn't easy. And as sparks start to fly between Honor and Tom, they might discover that their pretend relationship is far too perfect to be anything but true love….

I was lucky enough to get a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley. I'm a big fan of Kristan Higgins and was excited to read the 2nd book in the Blue Heron series.

I enjoyed The Perfect Match. I'll be honest and say it isn't my favorite book from Kristan Higgins, but it really is a funny read. Honor Holland has just turned 35 and on her birthday is told she needs to get on it if she ever wants to have babies. I laughed out loud many times as Honor had conversations with her eggs about men and babies. Following the engagement of her lifelong crush to her best friend (really?!?!), she decides to try the find her own Mr. Perfect before it is too late to have babies. 

Tom Barlow and Honor are set up and honestly, Tom was pretty horrible to her on their first meeting, which made me laugh since he needed to marry someone to stay in the country as his work visa wasn't being renewed. Tom wants to stay in the area for his almost stepson Charlie, even though Charlie pretty much ignores him at every turn. Luckily, Tom and Honor do give each other another shot and their chemistry grew the more time they spent together. I'll be honest, most of the love scenes in this book are behind closed doors. I wasn't expecting that, and kept wanting more as I read. I really liked Tom and Honor as a couple and enjoyed watching them grow closer as the story progressed. 

I love the banter between all the Holland siblings. I loved watching Jack squirm each time his sisters would talk about their sex lives. Seriously had me cracking up each and every time. I do wish Honor was stronger than she came across in much of the book. I just didn't buy her continuing to be nice to her ex-best friend Dana after what she did to Honor. Yes when she initially found out Dana and Brogan were engaged she had a cat fight in a bar, but she really held off way too long in telling Dana off in my opinion.

I'm ready to see what will happen with Jack in the next Blue Heron book. We've really only seen glimpses of him in the first 2 books, so I'm intrigued by him and can't wait to learn more about him and meet the woman of his dreams.

Friday, November 01, 2013

Miracle Holiday Hop

Beginning on 11/1 is the first Holiday Hop of the season, promoting Emily March and her new release, Miracle Road, continuation of her Eternity Spring series.I'm excited to be a part of the first Holiday Hop for Random House! Random House will be responsible for all of the rafflecopter prizes including: 10 Print copy Giveaways of Emily's book - Miracle Road 5 Net Galley copies of Heating Up the Holidays Loveswept Anthology 5 Net Galley copies of Isn't She Lovely by Lauren Layne and one Grand Prize - a complete print set of Eternity Springs Rafflecopter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Links: