Contemporary Romance

#FuturisticFriday Review: Barking Up The Wrong Tree by Jenn McKinlay

Photo Credit: Berkley

This book was gifted to Traveling With T for Christmas by her brother.

Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Summary: New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay returns to Bluff Point, Maine, where one woman finds love with the help of an adorable golden retriever.

LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD.

Carly DeCusati returned home to Bluff Point, Maine, with her tail between her legs. But she’s determined to get her life back on track—and that means finding new homes for the elderly golden retriever and overly talkative parrot she inherited before her old life fell apart.

Enter physical therapist and hot one-night stand James Sinclair. James doesn’t care that Carly doesn’t do relationships. He is determined to win her heart, promising to help her with the pets if she’ll just give him the time of day.

Carly agrees to date the irresistible James, and, for the first time in years, she’s dreaming of a happily ever after. But James has secrets, and if he can’t open up to Carly, their future could go to the dogs… Continue reading →

The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery

the girls of mischief bay by susan mallery

Photo Credit: Harlequin Books

 

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

The Girls of Mischief Bay

Summary from Goodreads:

Nicole Lord wants to be a good wife, but there’s a difference between being supportive and supporting her husband, who quit his job to write a screenplay she’s never seen. He won’t even help take care of their son, leaving Nicole to run the house and work full-time at her Mischief Bay Pilates studio. Can she say enough is enough without losing the man she loves?

Sacrificing a personal life for her career is how Shannon Rigg rose to become vice president in her firm, but she wonders now whether she made the right choice. An exciting new relationship with a great guy convinces her that it might not be too late—until he drops a bombshell that has her questioning whether she can have it all. And if she can, does she want it?

Although Pam Eiland has a beautiful house and a husband she adores, she feels… restless. She wonders who a stay-at-home mom becomes after the kids are grown. Finding sexy new ways to surprise her husband brings the heat and the humor back to their marriage, but when unexpected change turns her life upside down, she’ll have to redefine herself. Again.

Through romance and heartbreak, laughter and tears, three very different women will discover that friends can become family, and that life is richer with sisters at your side.

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Waiting on You by Kristan Higgins

Waiting on You Kristan Higgins

Photo Credit: Harlequin

This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair review.

Waiting on You

Colleen O’Rourke, pretty, popular and quite the matchmaker. Collen has successfully set up many couples in the town of Manningsport, New York and is proud of her handy matchmaker work. However, Colleen is not looking to use her skills for herself. She’s a bartender at the bar her and twin brother, Connor, own, she’s got a group of friends, a half sister she adores, and plenty more going on in her life. Who needs love- especially when Colleen can find companionship when she craves it.

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Belles on Wheels- 2014 Gallery Bus Tour

 

Belles on Wheels

Photo Credit: BFB

 

So, back in February- TurnRow Books mentioned me in a tweet- with a link about Gallery Books Bus Tour featuring Indie Authors. “Color me curious” was my thought and I clicked the link- and was very happy to see a great event coming to TurnRow Books- my nearest indie bookstore. My only surprise was that this bus tour was not hitting at least one of the other indie bookstores in Mississippi. So, this is quite a feather in TurnRow Books cap (don’t you agree?!) I think it is!

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Four Friends by Robyn Carr (plus a giveaway)

Four Friends by Robyn Carr

Photo Credit: Harlequin Books

 

This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Four Friends by Robyn Carr

Gerri- she has her life together. 3 kids, adoring husband, Gerri has a job that fulfills her- she thinks life is pretty good. Until, the day she finds out about a secret that will shake her to the core- and cause her to look at her marriage without the rose-colored glasses.

Sonja- she believes in purification, that life is just better if you eat right, exercise, and feng-shui your life. When Sonja’s husband leaves her because he’s tired of living the New Age lifestyle with her (he wants to eat red meat and have a alcoholic drink), Sonja loses her faith in the things that have defined her life for the last several years.

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Giveaway: Close Pursuit by Cindy Dees

Close Pursuit by Cindy Dees giveaway

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Thanks to Harlequin Books, Traveling With T has another giveaway for you readers! This giveaway is for CLOSE PURSUIT by Cindy Dees and it’s for US/Canada only (sorry!) Scroll to the bottom of the page for the Rafflecopter link (but first check that synopsis out!) Continue reading →

So Tough To Tame by Victoria Dahl

so tough to tame

Photo Credit: Harlequin Books

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?

Summary from Goodreads.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Ahh.. So Tough To Tame is a book that is leaving me conflicted. When I was approved for an e-galley of So Tough To Tame, I had been on a lucky streak with romance books- The Sassy Belles trilogy, Sleigh Belles in the Snow, and A Seaside Christmas (all that I really enjoyed). So, I happily downloaded this book and set about to reading So Tough To Tame. Except, I didn’t quite connect with all the characters. There were a couple who were annoying me (the landlady being one of them!) But I kept on with the book. Then I set it aside for awhile. I picked it back up and was able to enjoy some of the story of Charlie and Walker.

Victoria Dahl is taking a tried and true storyline- secrets and attraction, throwing in 2 people who are damaged, and creating a story that does hit the mark for most romance storylines. Sexy, romance, secrets, good-looking characters- check, check, check, check! However, I can’t say I 100% enjoyed it. Maybe, cowboys aren’t my thing?

If you are looking for a romance to try and like a storyline that has secrets and complicated situations (and a cowboy!), then So Tough To Tame is probably right up your alley!

*This book was requested through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T

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Single By Saturday by Catherine Bybee (giveaway & excerpt)

Single by Sat blog tour graphic

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Traveling With T is a stop on the Single by Saturday by Catherine Bybee blog tour. This is a huge blog tour- with bloggers reviewing, posting excerpts, and chattering away about the latest book by Catherine Bybee. Plus, Catherine is having a super-fab giveaway (Kindle Fire, 1 set of signed books, a $20 Amazon gift card, and 2 sets of swag). Even more- this super-fab giveaway, this super-stupendous, made of awesome giveaway is international. Yes, folks, you read that word. INTERNATIONAL.

I’ll wait while you catch your breath from screaming and jumping for joy at that news……….

Check out the other stops on the blog tour by visiting here & show some love on Twitter by using the #SinglebySaturday hashtag!

Single by Sat Book Cover

Photo Credit: Provided by Author’s Publicist

SINGLE BY SATURDAY

The Weekday Bride Series, Book Four

Montlake Romance, Contemporary

January 07, 2014, First Edition

Paperback & Kindle

 

KAREN JONES:

The petite blonde married a Hollywood star, yet she’s the one who spends every day playing a part: The part of a happy wife. A year ago, she agreed to wed a famous actor to diffuse rumors about his personal life. Now, her divorce sits just around the corner, along with a five million dollar payout. However, as she prepares to exit her fake marriage gracefully, her drop-dead-gorgeous brother-in-law walks through the door… and into her heart.

 

ZACH GARDNER:

Dark-haired, blue-eyed hunk, Zach, crashes Michael and Karen’s fancy one-year anniversary party, determined to meet the wife his brother hid from their family. But sparks fly the moment he and Karen see each other. When the famous couple decides to visit the whole Gardner clan, Karen must keep Michael’s secret under wraps in front of his questioning relative… including Zach, the man who could be the real love of her life.

 

 

PRAISE FOR SINGLE BY SATURDAY

 

“The fourth outing in the Weekday Brides series captures readers’ hearts and keeps them glued to the pages until the fascinating finish. Romance lovers will feel the spark fly … almost instantaneously.”

 –RT BOOK REVIEWS, TOP PICK!, 4 ½ STARS

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥Excerpt for Single by Saturday by Catherine Bybee♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

This man was gorgeous, and if she were one to believe in instant attraction, her body responded to him with a fierceness she didn’t think possible. Maybe this was what the women gazing at Michael experienced that she did not. This wild thrill of discovery that led to possibilities only the big screen could fulfill.

Instead of letting her imagination get the best of her, Karen flattened a hand over her stomach and attempted to act unaffected. “Do I know you?”

The sex personified blue-eyed man stepped toward her. It took effort for her to hold her ground.

Sensing her unease, he held still, looked around the both of them as if noticing the caterers running about and guests arriving behind him, and said simply, “Zach Gardner.”

The smile on her face stayed. The name tickled at the edges of her consciousness. Memories flashed behind the veil of her mind until she narrowed her focus. “Michael’s brother?” she whispered.

Zach gave a small nod and swept his eyes down her frame. When his eyes met hers again, he masked whatever he’d been thinking, then he smiled and said, “And you’re the wife none of us have met.”

Not a lot shook Karen. She’d managed the role of Michael’s wife under the ever-present scrutiny of paparazzi, producers, actors, and fans . . . but the man standing in front of her did what no one else could. He made her question her decision to marry.

Links to Connect With Catherine Bybee

www.catherinebybee.com

catherinebybee@yahoo.com

catherinebybee.blogspot.com

twitter.com/catherinebybee

Catherine Bybee

Photo Credit: Provided by Author’s Publicist

BIO:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned novels Wife by Wednesday, Married by Monday, and Not Quite Dating. Bybee lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.  

Giveaway Information: Super fab giveaway- Kindle Fire, 1 set of signed Bride Books, 1 $20 Amazon Gift card, and 2 sets of swag. This giveaway is international and ends January 27th.

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

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Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson

 

 

unleashing mr darcy

Photo Credit: Harlequin

This book was sent to Traveling With T from Harlequin in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson

Elizabeth Scott is over rich and entitled men. In her job as a teacher at an exclusive private school, a rich and powerful man has set out to make her life miserable- and Elizabeth needs a break. One day, while showing her sweet dog at a dog show- she sees another rich and entitled man- a man that has a brusque and aloof air about him. A man that makes her pulse race. Elizabeth sees a Mr. Donovan Darcy- a good looking and rich man- and while attracted to the physical aspects, the personality leaves her a bit cold. After the dog show is over, Elizabeth knows she won’t see this man again- he has his own estate in England- and Elizabeth can quit thinking about his level of hotness that makes her pulse race.

Well….. maybe….

When Elizabeth is offered a temporary job grooming dogs for shows in England- she jumps at the chance. To leave behind the scandal in New York, to be with dogs that she loves, to have a clean slate. So Elizabeth says “au revoir” to New York and crosses the pond to London. To find out that her neighbor is Mr. Darcy. Upset at first, Elizabeth is not sure what to do. Slowly, though, she and Mr. Darcy begin to interact in a friendly way- they begin to learn bits and pieces about each other’s life- and an attraction, though neither wanted to admit, grows between them.

The romance between Elizabeth and Donovan Darcy is not a smooth one- especially when news of what happened in New York reaches England. Will Elizabeth throw away an opportunity at love, at finding herself- because she misjudged Donovan Darcy? Or will she see the man he is- behind the wealth and entitled life- the man that he truly is?

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

First, when an author writes about Mr. Darcy- certain expectations are naturally expected. Darcy is a man that is a “good-looking character”. Teri Wilson shows that in spades. Of course, the original Darcy also has certain rules of courtship to abide by- but in current time- not so much. So this Mr. Darcy is a bit more free to show his attraction- and Teri writes a Darcy who has romance, but is also more current in courting. Which is all good things!

Before I read Unleashing Mr. Darcy, I had read 2 or 3 fiction books that had a WWII theme. I was due for something light and enjoyable- and Teri Wilson provided it. The interactions between Darcy and Elizabeth were humorous at times- and while I had a basic idea of how this book would end- Teri did provide some twists to the story that I enjoyed.

If you like romance, read this. If chick lit is your cup of tea- read this. Needing a laugh and a story that you sink into and just enjoy? Read this.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy takes a beloved character and shows him as a dog lover. I mean what could be more cute than Mr. Darcy with a dog? Nothing!

 

 

 

 

*This book was sent to Traveling With T by a publicist at Harlequin in exchange for a fair and honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

 

 

 

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Giveaway: What The Bride Didn’t Know by Kelly Hunter

what the bride did not know fb

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Another giveaway! Harlequin Books is providing Traveling With T with another giveaway for a lucky commenter! Thanks Harlequin!

Summary from Goodreads:

 

Shh, it’s a secret!

Special ops expert Trig Sinclair is a man’s man, and that means he knows the cardinal rule of the bro code and no matter how dynamite Lena West is, as his best friend’s younger sister, she’s strictly off-limits!

But when a secret mission to Istanbul sees Lena and Trig pretending to be married (and sharing a bed!), he finds himself in a whole new world of sweet torture. But if Trig thinks playing the honor-bound hero is tough, it’s got nothing on how Lena feels when she discovers what her groom is really hiding.

 

 

Want to win? Comment for a chance! Giveaway is open to US/Canada- and runs from November 19th-26th. Winner will be notified November 27th! Please leave your email (you may use the AT and DOT).