The Dancer and the Rockstar Drummer in the Belly Dance world

Dance with Me by DeAnna Cameron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This shorter length contemporary romance is the second in the California Belly Dance series. I liked it a lot. The characters were quite believable, the history of their craft as well as the performance were equally important to both of them.
The heroine Melanie wants to join a belly-dancing troupe but is afraid to fail. The hero Taz is a drummer with the belly-dancing troupe, and one of the judges in the auditions. He offers to help Melanie in return for her help with his interfering sister. I also loved that when Melanie is caught unaware, and is convinced to dance for Taz in a non-audition setting - she absolutely nails it. His music is just as important as her dancing, just love it.
His historical Hollywood moderne house is amazing. I loved that the vintage belly dancing movies of Samial Gamal were a huge part of the story, in fact featuring strongly in their dates.
I received a complimentary copy from Reading Alley in return for an honest review. I want to read the first novella in the California Belly Dance series, and look forward to reading more in this series.

I liked Puppy Love

Puppy Love by Melissa Shaw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This short story is a stand-alone, contemporary romance. I liked it. The main characters fall in love quite quickly, bonding over the purchase of a dog, even though Melanie is engaged to someone else. I felt that the puppy running away and finding his way home, twice, was perhaps handled too lightly. I know in our house if the dog gets out, it's a major deal until puppy is home. But this story was really sweet, in that the puppy managed to get his new owner Melanie to fall in love with his old owner, Liam.
I received a complimentary copy from the author, and look forward to reading more of her work.

Then He Kissed Me gets four stars

Then He Kissed Me by Maria Geraci
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Then He Kissed me is the second book in the Whispering Bay series. I liked this longer format contemporary romance a lot. The lead couple, Nate and Lauren, had gone to high school together, and meet again after two really awful failed dates at the same restaurant. Lauren is divorced and has an amazingly nice relationship with her ex. I loved that Lauren ran a vintage clothing shop, and designed retro inspired maternity clothes. Fun!
And Nate is the local doctor, whose brusk bedside manner is softened by Lauren's advice, to just give someone five minutes of silence, and they will tell you what is really bugging them. Words to live by, honey.
I received a complimentary copy in return for an honest review. I liked this series well enough that I am going to look up the others in this series.

Four and a Half Stars for The Player Next Door

The Player Next Door by Kathy Lyons
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I loved this short format romance between a basketball star and the ditzy girl next door. Tori is actually a religion and philosophy professor rehabbing her house. Mike is the basketball star next door, housesitting while he rehabs his shoulder. Mike talks her into a summer fling.
I loved these two characters. Tori is ditzy, ON PURPOSE! Mike is superstitious in a sports star kind of way. Fun fun fun.
I wish it were a series because I want to know more about the wonderful secondary characters. Cole, the teammate who never smiles, I want to know more. I bought this book after reading a sample and getting hooked.

Four stars out of the Amazon TBR freebie pile

Tattoo Thief by Heidi Joy Tretheway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is book one of the Tattoo Thief series. I liked this book a lot. This is a romance between a small town journalist moved to New York, and a rock star. Our heroine, Beryl, has taken a new job which quickly evolves to house sitting for the rock star Gavin.
It is written in the first person, which only becomes awkward when we get the hero's point of view, told from the heroine's voice. Since Beryl is a journalist, it made perfect sense to me that she googled her client, not stalker-ish at all.
But the fascinating hook, if you will, was that the couple didn't meet in person until the book was almost over. They meet, and fell in love, via email and text.
I discovered this book out of my pile of Amazon freebies, after a mention in a book blog I follow, thanks Aestas Book Blog! I look forward to reading more of this series.

Both editions of Mistress of Pleasure are Keepers.

Mistress of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This historical romance is the first book in the School of Gallantry series. It is the second edition. SO of course I had to go get the first edition and compare. I liked the first edition a lot. Would I like the second?
Both are historical romance. The hero is a duke. Our heroine is the daughter of a courtesan. I love that the heroine is kind of straight laced and is slightly embarrased by her grandmother. Very much like having a hippy grandmother now I suppose.
Second edition - I like it as well. It has spicier sex scenes, And a new subplot involving her grandfather, yes the one with the courtesan grandmother. Therefore more backstory. And I am always a fan of that.
But I liked the first one. Not better, just different.
The first edition was as explicit and probably as long as was typical then. The second edition is published by the author, so clearly she wanted these additions. And I love that the author got to finish her story.

Both editions win! I am going to keep both, labeled original and revised.

I got a complimentary copy from NetGalley, in return for an honest review.

My Imaginary Ex is a fun, quick read.

My Imaginary Ex by Mina V. Esguerra
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of the three novellas in Perfect Boyfriends: A Chic Manila collection. This is an interesting take on the Friends-to-Lovers theme. It is set in the Philippines. I liked that.
I liked the plot twist. The hero, Zac, had asked Jasmine to pretend to be his ex-girlfriend. And they both had used this bit of pretend history to their advantage throughout several years. Then Zac decides to get married. His real ex-girlfriends recruit his imaginary ex-girlfriend to persuade Zac not to marry. That puts Jasmine in a perfect quandary. What is real?
This is a really cute, fun, short read. I liked it a lot. I received a copy in an online giveaway.

Goodreads Review of The CEO Buys In

The CEO Buys In by Nancy Herkness
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This long format romance is book one in the Wager of Hearts series. I like the premise of the series. Three members of the exclusive club have recently been dumped. They each feel that true love is never going to happen to them, and they must bet something priceless to them, that they will find someone to love them for themselves. The first to fall, is Nathan, the CEO.
He falls for the temp, Chloe, who gets promoted to the executive suite during a company wide flu episode. I felt the pacing of this romance was a bit uneven. They fell in love quite quickly, and then it seemed that it took a long time to get to the Happy Ever After.
I think this series has a lot of potential. And I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Summer In New York's His Love is a Keeper.

His Love by Jennifer Gracen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This short romance is the third in the Summer in New York series, which directly follows the Christmas in New York series. Jennifer Gracen's novella in the Christmas in New York series All I Want for Christmas, is a story about Sean and Cassandra. His Love is about Gavin McKinnon, Sean's brother. Our heroine is Toni, who rooms for the summer with Gavin's sister Anna.
Yes, this is a summer fling. But what happens when the fling is more? How do you know, for sure?
I loved how the families, both Toni's and Gavin's, get involved. Such fun. Such real life.
I got a complimentary copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I look forward to the rest of the series, Summer in New York. And I also look forward to more of the McKinnon family from Jennifer Gracen. Gavin's sister Anna need a Happy Ever after.

Three and a half stars for International Bad Boy #1

No Rest for the Wicked by Katherine Garbera
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Three and a Half Stars for No Rest for the Wicked. It is the first in the loosely connected by theme series International Bad Boys. I liked this book. It was interesting to see what makes a daredevil tick.
The hero, Sebastian has survivor's guilt form a road racing accident that killed his best friend. The heroine, Celeste, has survivor's guilt from a car accident as well, but she deals with it, or not, by becoming a therapist specializing in teenagers.
It was sweet how these two came together, definite meet cute involving his parents. I liked that she immediately decided not to be a therapist for him, she wanted to date him MUCH more.
I received a copy in return for an honest review. I look forward to reading the rest of this International Bad Boys series.

Four stars for Confessions of a Paris Party Girl

Confessions of a Paris Party Girl by Vicki Lesage
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in Vicki LeSage's humorous memoir collection "Confessions". I liked this book a lot. I accidentally read the series out of order, and they stand alone quite well.
I loved the compare and contrast of living in Paris from a American in Paris, building a life in Paris.
I liked hearing when her Missouri roots would pop up, even after living in Paris for years. The wedding differences were fun to read. Having to get a new birth certificate, every time a difference French government department needed it, was hilarious.
I received a complimentary copy from the author in return for an honest review. I do look forward to reading more of Vicki's Confessions.

The marine and the klutz

Sleeping with the Boss by Marissa Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Anderson Brothers series. The hero, Will is the middle Anderson brother. The heroine, Claire is the temp in the office. Will is the security expert, brought in to find the suspected corporate security risk. Of course our Claire is chief suspect. The fact that she is a klutz and commits "Claire-isms" when she meets will, to the extent she splits her skirt and he gives her his jacket.
I really like these characters, I actually bought the next in the series, and I cannot wait to read about the third Anderson brother. I got this book as a freebie.

The control freak, the artist and the dog

Neighbors with Benefits by Marissa Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Anderson Brothers series. The hero, Michael is the oldest Anderson brother. The heroine, Mia is the housesitter from next door, who really dislikes the bedroom noise from our hero's apartment. They actually meet when our artist heroine seats off the fire alarm and simultaneously tries to flood the bathroom. And our control freak Michael is dog sitting, of all things. Michael is so not a dog person, and of course Mia is.
I really like these characters, I liked the first book in this series, and cannot wait to read about the third Anderson brother. I actually bought this book.

To Love A Texas Cowboy Goodreads review

To Love a Texas Cowboy by Julie Benson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This sweet contemporary western romance is Wishing, Texas, book 1. I liked it a lot.
The small town of Wishing, Texas has a wishing well and the legend is you must make a wish for someone else. I liked that a lot. The hero Ty is a rancher who is financial guardian for orphaned six-year-old neighbor Ella. Her artist aunt Cassie has to relocate from New York City to look after Ella, and take over the bed-and-breakfast to boot. As her sister was the cook and hotel person, poor Cassie has a steep learning curve. Fortunately neighbor Ty can cook.
I got a complimentary copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I look forward to reading the rest of this series about four college friends.

Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer gets four stars

Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer by Vicki Lesage
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the third book in Vicki LeSage's humorous memoir collection "Confessions". I liked this book a lot.
I loved the compare and contrast of living in Paris from a American in Paris, married to a Frenchman. Raising a family is always an adventure, I loved seeing the similarities - all babies are " one poop-and-spit-up machine." I was stunned when they moved into a spacious new urban apartment - 53 square meters (570sf) for more than my house payment! Wow! Urban living! "This was livin' large in Paris."
I liked hearing when her Missouri roots would pop up, even after living in Paris for years. Even though she and her husband had been married and together for years, having kids at Christmas found some cultural differences between them. The scene when she wants to leave cookies out for Santa and her husband has NO CLUE! Hilarious!
I received a complimentary copy from the author in return for an honest review. I do look forward to reading more of Vicki's Confessions.

The Sheikh's Reluctant Bride (Green-Eyed Sheikhs #1)

The Sheikh's Reluctant Bride by Yasmin Porter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a short format romance, the first in the Green-Eyed Sheikhs series. I liked this book. It has a lot of potential.
I was disappointed in the character development. I felt like the middle of the story needed more character development and less action. I wanted to know more about these characters, more back story, more why are they getting together.
I do look forward to reading the rest of the series. I received a complimentary copy in return for an honest review.

Caught in Us Cover Reveal and Giveaway

~~SUMMARY~~

Dani Cohen knows Damon is trouble the second he walks in during senior year. He has bad boy written all over him. . .from his arrogant smirk to his perfectly toned abs. He is arrogant, intense, and rebellious. Dani has her future all planned out. She’s not the type to fall for a bad boy, no matter how panty-melting his grin is or how shamelessly he flirts, but something about Damon draws her in, awakening a desire she’s never felt. Slowly, she uncovers the secrets Damon hides: underneath his arrogance lies a tortured soul, his flirting smile masks despair. Damon arrives in Dani’s life against his will. Carrying the scars of a dark past and facing an uncertain future, he knows he should stay away from her, but can’t. Her innocence consumes him, as does the desire to indulge in the passion igniting deep inside her. An all-consuming bond blooms into a reckless love. But when mistakes from the past threaten their already fragile future, can their love survive?

A steamy and emotional full-length, standalone love story from the USA Today Bestselling author of Withering Hope.

Publication date: August 3rd 2015

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance 

This is the third book in the Lost Series, but it is a standalone since it tells the story of a different couple. 

~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~

My name is Layla Hagen and I am a New Adult Contemporary Romance author.

I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later.

I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world.

And I drink coffee. Lots of it, in case the photo didn’t make it obvious enough

~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~

Layla's Website

 GOODREADS       FACEBOOK     TWITTER


~~BUY LINKS - PREVIOUS BOOKS~~

1. Lost series:
Lost (FREE prequel novella to Lost in Us):

Amazon US ; B&N ; Apple ; Kobo

Lost in Us (James and Serena’s story):

 Amazon US ; B&N ; Apple ; Kobo

Found in Us (Jessica and Parker’s story):

Amazon US ; B&N ; Apple ; Kobo

 2. Standalone full-length romance: USA Today Bestseller Withering Hope

 Amazon US ; B&N ; Apple ;Kobo

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The CEO - a lovely and loving romance

The CEO by Victoria Purman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a lovely and loving romance, one of Tule Publishing's Holiday Books series, and book number two in the Millionaire Malones, about the three Malone brothers. The first Millionaire Malone was one of the Hot Aussie Nights series. This one is definitely worth of the Hot Aussie Nights title as well.
The oldest Malone brother, Callum, is divorced from our heroine's sister. Our heroine has been in love with Callum since before her sister had married him. She has treated him with disdain, he mentally dubbed her Ava the Terrible. But when they meet again, a year after the divorce, major sparks fly. He decides to see if he can get to her, and he does, but not in the way he expected. And the ick factor of the hero being her sister's ex is handled really well.
I loved the first novella in the Millionaire Malones and I look forward to reading the next, about the third Malone brother. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Goodreads review for His Kiss

His Kiss by Jolyse Barnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This short romance is the second in the Summer in New York series, which directly follows the Christmas in New York series. Jolyse Barnett's novella in the Christmas in New York series A Light in the Window, is a story about Jade and Ben. His Kiss is about Jeremy, Jade's brother, who was a secondary character in A Light in the Window.
Both our hero Jeremy, and our heroine, Elizabeth are in the Adirondacks for work, he as a writer, she as a small business owner. Fortunately all Jade's friends, from Christmas in New York, show up for Jade and Ben's wedding and Jeremy and Elizabeth meet, as well as we get to meet all of them again. And it turns out Jeremy's ex is involved with Elizabeth's brother. A lovely small town romance in upstate New York.
I got a complimentary copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I look forward to the rest of the series, Summer in New York.

His Touch by Patty Blount gets four stars

His Touch by Patty Blount
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first in the Summer in New York series, and directly follows the Christmas in New York series. Patty Blount's novella in the Christmas in New York series Goodness and Light, which has a new title--A Match Made at Christmas, is a story about Elana and Lucas. His Touch is about Kara, Elana's sister, who was a fairly important secondary character in A Match Made at Christmas. I am so happy to finally have Kara's story.
Kara is a typically overworked single mom. She meets Reid, several times, always at the most awkward or inauspicious time. She finally decides that someone, her mom in heaven, keeps throwing him underfoot. So she ought to pay attention. Reid falls in love with Kara's daughter almost as quickly as he does Kara. But of course true love cannot go smoothly and Kara's ex shows up and Reid's issues get in the way. Fortunately all Kara's friends, from Christmas in New York, show up and we get to meet all of them again.
I got a complimentary copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I look forward to the rest of the series, Summer in New York.

Another five stars!!! A Promise of Forever is a Keeper!

A Promise of Forever by Marilyn Pappano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Promise of Forever is the fourth Tall Grass Novel. It is a lovely, slow paced romance, solidly rooted in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the small towns of the Tall Grass prairie, with the addition of a fictional Army base. I loved this book - yes wow, two five star reviews in a row, for two totally different kinds of romances.
Our heroine, Avi, is career military, and is home on four week's leave, before going back to the Army in Georgia. Our hero, Ben is a doctor, whose slightly estranged mom is best friends with Avi's parents. Ben and Avi both know she will be leaving after four weeks, and think they can have a fling with no regrets. They fall in love quickly, but both have careers that have been the most important thing, to each. To Avi, "all I ever wanted to be was a soldier." To Ben, his work and his family - sister, nieces and nephews, and mom, are the most important things in his world.
As a Tulsan for most of my life, I can verify that the setting for this romance is very true to life. I loved that the hero, Ben, lived in downtown and walked to baseball games. But for Ben "It wasn't where they went, what they ate, or what they did that made the time together important. It was her." He knew this, in his heart. But his stubborn Okie head just could not force himself to believe it.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review. This romance also has several scenes that foreshadow the next book(s) in the series. I look forward to reading other books in this series, especially Lucy and Joe's story.