Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe - Tour & Giveaway

 Christmas at the Cupcake Café

Cupcake Café  # 2

By: Jenny Colgan

Releasing October 14^th, 2014

William Morrow

Blurb

Issy Randall, proud owner of The Cupcake Cafe, is in love and couldn’t be happier. Her new business is thriving and she is surrounded by close friends, even if her cupcake colleagues Pearl and Caroline don’t seem quite as upbeat about the upcoming season of snow and merriment. But when her boyfriend Austin is scouted for a possible move to New York, Issy is forced to face up to the prospect of a long-distance romance. And when the Christmas rush at the cafe - with its increased demand for her delectable creations - begins to take its toll, Issy has to decide what she holds most dear.

This December, Issy will have to rely on all her reserves of courage, good nature and cinnamon, to make sure everyone has a merry Christmas, one way or another. . .

Indulge yourself and your sweet-toothed friends with Jenny Colgan’s new novel, simply bursting with Christmas cupcake recipes and seasonal sugar-fuelled fun.

Buy Links

Amazon * B&N * iTunes * Kobo

Author Info

Jenny Colgan is the author of numerous bestselling novels, including Christmas at the Cupcake Café and The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris, which are also published by Sphere. Meet Me at the Cupcake Café won the 2012 Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance and was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller, as was Welcome to Rosie Hopkins’ Sweetshop of Dreams, which won the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2013. Jenny is married with three children and lives in London and France.

Author Links

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Winter Street - Review

Review by Darcie Czajkowski

Christmas is a time for the family to gather around a decorated tree, sing festive carols, and savor the magic of the season. But in the Quinn family, this year’s festivities don’t seem quite so idyllic.

Kelley Quinn, the leader of the clan and owner of Nantucket’s Winter Street Inn, learns that his wife, Mitzi, has been having a Christmas-time affair with the Inn’s Santa Claus. Stunned and confused, Kelley is counting on his children’s presence to get him through not only the Inn’s annual Christmas party but also through the holiday itself. The only problem is that each of his children can’t deliver for his or her own reason.

Kelley’s firstborn, Patrick, is the golden child. Everything in Patrick’s life has always gone according to plan and he has secured himself a lucrative position as a hedge fund manager. But crushing news that he’s being investigated by the SEC on suspicion of insider trader uproots his Christmas plans. Consequently, his wife, Jennifer, can’t stand the sight of him and takes their sons to visit her family for Christmas, leaving Patrick alone to think about his wayward choices.

Kevin is Kelley’s second son. Kevin has worked at a Nantucket bar ever since his good-for-nothing wife, Norah, took all of his money and left him with nothing but a divorce. Kevin swore off women after her, but that promise might be hard to uphold after learning that his secret girlfriend and the housekeeper at the Inn, Isabelle, is pregnant with his child. Sure, he’s in love with Isabelle, but should he propose even though the thought of a Norah-repeat terrifies him?

Kelley’s only girl is Ava. She loves her job teaching music at Nantucket’s elementary school and has found the perfect man in Nathanial Oscar. Well, maybe he’s not the perfect man because if he were, wouldn’t he have proposed a while ago? And why is he going home for Christmas where his recently-divorced ex-girlfriend will be front and center in his holiday plans? Should she instead be looking at the assistant principal, Scott, who has made his crush on Ava perfectly well-know?

Finally, there is Bart. Bart is Kelley’s youngest child, the only child Kelley has with Mitzi. Bart was a notorious screw-up with a proclivity for shirking responsibility and crashing cars without much remorse. This is Mitzi’s fault; she never did like rules. But Bart’s decision to join the Marines leaves the entire family in a constant state of worry, wondering when they will hear from Bart, because not hearing from him is not an option.

Then there is Margaret Quinn, nationally-known TV anchor and Kelley’s first wife. When they divorced, the kids moved to Nantucket with Kelley so they would grow up with at least one parent instead of a nanny. There is no doubt that Margaret loves her children, but her responsibilities at the station and her single-minded focus on her job meant that she hasn’t had a memorable Christmas with her family since Ava was a young girl.

All of these issues collide on December 25, bringing everyone together for the holidays.

Fans of Elin Hilderbrand will love this story as her trademark straightforward writing and realistic plotlines draw readers in. The characters are well-developed for the short length of this holiday read and present with relatable problems. The story reminds the reader that no matter what happens in one’s life, one can always go home. Problems don’t magically disappear around the holidays, but binding together with one’s loved ones can help to get through it. Hilderbrand delivers an enjoyable read, sure to warm your heart and remind you that family is forever in this upcoming holiday season.

Purchase the book at:

Amazon * Barnes&Noble 

About the Author:

Elin Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket with her husband and their three young children. She grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and traveled extensively before settling on Nantucket, which has been the setting for her five previous novels. Hilderbrand is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the graduate fiction workshop at the University of Iowa.

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Dispatches from the Dating Zone - Review & Giveaway

Review by Marlene Engel

Let’s face it, the dating scene leaves much to be desired.  But when you’re a thirty something, divorced mom with a little extra padding, desperate times call for desperate measures.  That’s why Fleur Summers decides to turn to her colorful family and friends for help.  Agreeing to be set up on blind dates, Fleur meets an array of interesting men.  From a human garbage disposal to a Danny DeVito clone, Fleur’s encounters give the term “date from hell” a new meaning.  But she’s determined to give this unconventional way of meeting a man a fair shot. 

Join Fleur on a hilarious adventure to (hopefully) meet Mr. Right.  No matter if you are happily married or looking for your own Mr. Right, you will enjoy this laugh out loud novel.  Full of zany characters and crazy shenanigans, Dispatches from the Dating Zone is a must read. 

Purchase this book at:

Amazon

About the Author:

Just like most writers, writing has been my passion for as long as I can remember. From short stories as a child to songs performed in school plays. One way or another I’ve always written.

However, my tale is not one of an overnight success but rather one of a slow burner! It wasn’t until I was a 25 years old and in the very early stages of pregnancy that I decided I might be good enough at writing to finally give into the little voice in my head, the one that had been telling me for years to put the book that I’d been mentally drafting, down on paper. I was a third of the way through when, unfortunately, life decided it had other ideas. Very much out of the blue and barely a few weeks after giving birth, I found myself facing the road ahead as a single mum and in the process of getting divorced. Needless to say, I didn’t write again for years.

Thankfully, after turning my life around and spurred on by my family and young son, I finally put pen to paper again and ‘Dispatches from the Dating Zone’ was born.

I’d love to say that when I’m not writing, I’m living the glamorous and over-the-top life of a W.A.G here in Cheshire…but in reality I’m pretty much your average 36 year old, one with too many wobbly bits and a penchant for white wine and chocolate.

Connect with the author at:

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KT Valentine is giving one lucky winner a signed copy of

Dispatches from the Dating Zone

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Romancing My Love - Review & Giveaway

Synopsis:

After months of caring for her terminally ill mother, Rebecca Rivera is left all alone in a world she doesn’t trust—but she’s determined not to let her mother’s death define her. Losing her job, having to pummel some jerk for being too handsy, and living in her car are just temporary setbacks to an otherwise solid plan in finding her footing. Full of pride and used to being in control of her life, she’s certain she can make it on her own. The last thing Rebecca needs is a man to fix her troubles—even if that man is strikingly handsome, wealthy, and charismatic Pierce Braden.

Pierce is a powerful real estate investor on the verge of a major acquisition. As the eldest of six siblings raised by a single mother, he’s spent his life protecting those he loves. He’s used to being in charge and making things right, and although he’d give his life for his family, he treats the women he dates as expendable—until he meets sexy and stubborn Rebecca Rivera, a woman who is as strong as she is vulnerable.

Passion ignites between them, and the two share their most intimate thoughts and desires. It doesn’t take long for Pierce to realize that Rebecca is as determined not to be saved as he is to find a way into her heart. As their love grows, Rebecca must face fears she didn’t even realize she had—and Pierce must learn the hard truth that sometimes less really is more. Is the power of true love enough for Rebecca and Pierce to learn to give up control and allow their hearts to take over?

***

ROMANCING MY LOVE is the newest addition to the BRADEN series by New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Melissa Foster. This contemporary romance series features alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They’re flawed, funny, passionate, and very relatable to readers who enjoy new adult romance, contemporary romance, and women’s fiction.

BUY LINKS

GOOGLE * KOBO * iTunes * Amazon.com * Amazon UK

Review by Marlene Engel

Pierce couldn’t take his eyes off of the feisty woman at the bar.  Not only was she beautiful, he could sense something in her eyes.  Something that made him want to know more about her.  Unlike most women who threw themselves at Pierce, Rebecca wanted nothing to do with him.  Yes, he was tall and movie star handsome, but grieving the recent loss of her mother and trying to get her life back on track were here priorities right now.  Her mother’s landlord had been kind enough to allow them to stay rent-free while her mom was sick, but being the independent woman that Rebecca was, she could not allow herself to continue taking handouts … even if that meant she had to live in her car.  She knew that, before she could romance the thought of a man in her life, she had to find a job and a place to live. 

But fate had other plans for Rebecca.  While at the Astral resort and casino interviewing for a job, she hears a familiar voice call her name.  She’d know that voice anywhere.  It’s the same one that’s been playing over in her head since the night she first heard it at the bar.  That sexy, manly voice belonged to none other than Pierce Braden.  Determined not to let this opportunity pass, he asked Rebecca to join him for a drink.  Only this time, she said yes! 

Will their friendship fail before it even gets off the ground when Pierce finds out that Rebecca’s been living out of her car?  And what will Rebecca think when she finds out that Pierce doesn’t just work at Astral resort and casino, he owns it? 

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Melissa Foster’s writing.  She has the hottest characters and best stories!  But what made this book a bit different, and made me love it that much more, is that she touched on some serious subjects such as illness, death and homelessness.  Don’t get me wrong, you are still going to swoon over the alpha in this story just like all of her other books, but I enjoyed how she incorporated such sensitive topics as well.  Kudos to her for making me cry one moment and blush another!  Another book that you must put at the top of your “to be read” pile!

About the Author:

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women's fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine. 

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on The Women's Nest, Fostering Success, or World Lit Cafe. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

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Stirring Up Trouble - Excerpt & Giveaway

Stirring Up Trouble

Pine Mountain #3

By: Kimberly Kincaid

Releasing October 7^th, 2014

Zebra / Kensington

Blurb

Sloane Russo's turned a decade of crazy jobs and whimsical travel into a career writing steamy novels set in exotic places. Trouble is, Sloane's flat broke now--and she can't channel sun-drenched beaches in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The only fast cash in town comes with some seriously distracting temptation: Gavin Carmichael, hot, handsome and oh-so-hard-headed.

Gavin isn't the impulsive Don Juan of Sloane's novels. He's raising his thirteen-year-old half-sister, and he's pretty sure he's supposed to act like he's never heard of fun. Sloane is way too sexy and irresponsible to be his idea of a good tutor for Bree, but the unpredictable anti-nanny may be irresistible as well. . .

Buy Links

Amazon * B&N * iTunes

Excerpt

A question poked at Gavin's conscience, getting increasingly louder until he finally gave it a voice. “Look…don’t take this the wrong way, but this is over three weeks’ worth of work. I’ve got to ask, how much help did you give Bree, exactly?”

Sloane made a less-than-dainty sound and rolled her eyes. “I already passed eighth-grade English, and I’m not exactly eager to do any of the writing on my own again. Bree busted her butt, I assure you.” She started to wad up the discarded pages at her feet, muttering a low oath as the ball got big enough to exceed her hand.

Okay, so that had come out more accusatory than he’d intended. He knelt to help her collect the crumpled pages. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you did it for her.”

“Sure you did. But like I said, you don’t have to worry. I helped her, but only as much as she’d let me. Once we got started, she really did most of it without even talking to me.”

Now there was something he could relate to. “Yeah, that sounds like her.” The ache in his bones migrated to include everything beneath his sternum, and Gavin let out a tired exhale. He reached for the last scrap of paper at the exact moment Sloane did. Unable to change his course of movement without making contact, his fingertips brushed against the top of her hand as she closed a fist over the page, and the sheer heat of her skin under his hand registered in a jolt.

“Whoops, sorry.” He withdrew his hand and looked up, only to discover his face about six inches from a pair of heart-shaped lips, parted in a look of surprise. “I didn’t mean to…” A quick gesture to her hand completed the sentence. Her skin was so soft, like a stretch of perfectly golden caramel, warm and sweet and utterly decadent.

For a hot, impulsive moment, he wondered if she tasted the way she looked.

“No biggie,” she murmured, not moving her eyes from his.

Up close in the soft lamp light, they looked even prettier, kind of a cross between a summer sky and gathering storm clouds, and the juxtaposition caught him square in the chest. His left knee pressed against her right thigh from when they’d both knelt down on the floorboards, and even through the wool and denim, heat coursed from her body in waves.

He meant to lean back, to correct the mistake of accidentally invading her space and just let her go. Gavin commanded himself to move, to say good night, and give her enough room to walk out the door.

But instead, he kissed her.

About the Author:

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she's not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as "The Pleather Bomber", she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a 2011 RWA Golden Heart® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love.

Her digital Line series is all about the hot cops and sexy chefs of Brentsville, New York. She is also the author of the Pine Mountain series, which follows small town singles as they find big-time love. Kimberly resides in Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Connect with the author at:

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Two sets of the first two Pine Mountain books:

Turn Up The Heat and Gimme Some Sugar

(US/Canada only)

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How to Un-Marry a Millionaire - Book Tour & Giveaway

RICKY HART wants to the get the hell out of small-town Arizona to escape the fate of generations of women in her family – a boring, nothing future.

Inspired by Basia Johnson, a penniless cook who married into the Johnson and Johnson fortune, Ricky sets in motion a plan to get inside a rich old man’s house. Once there, she will do the rest. She is twenty-two years old, blonde and unashamedly brazen.

And she is ready to make a deal with the Devil.

What she hasn’t counted on is seventy-year-old SANDFORD KEANE, the Arizona Copper King, a notorious sonofabitch with an agenda of his own, and a family with a long history of other ambitious wives.

One of them is SUZANNE NELSON-DRUMMOYNE-GRAFF-CARMEL, a serial marrier who has finally found love. Unfortunately it is not with her latest husband. At war with her mother-in-law, PHILIPPA, a legendary old viper and trophy wife of another era, Suzanne is thirty-seven and terrified that she is about to hit her “use-by” date.

From the richest enclaves of Connecticut and Manhattan to the wilds of the Arizona desert and New Mexico, the novel brings these women together on a raunchy, life-changing encounter that will make them question the roles they have chosen for themselves, and the high price they have all paid to live the pampered life of a rich man’s wife.

Purchase the book at:

Amazon * Barnes&Noble

About the Author: 

Billie Morton is a British screenplay writer and film maker who originally set out to make documentaries about tribal life. Along the way she took a detour to California where she spent many years filming the natives and their social customs.

How To Un-Marry a Millionaire is her first novel. It was inspired by meeting young – and not so young – women across the globe all busily performing a colourful array of mating dances.  Some were dancing as fast as they could. Others were looking to take a little time and add love to the dream. And some were grabbing the microphone at the nearest karaoke bar to belt out Tina Turner’s classic – What’s Love Got To Do With It? 

These were the ones she chose to write about from her new home in the rainforest of northern Australia. 

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Mating For Life - Review

Review by Marlene Engel

Former folk singer Helen’s feminist and anti-monogamist views have affected her three daughters.  The youngest, Liane, has met “The One” but has concerned herself with the “what ifs”.  What if their happiness disappears and takes the magic along with it?  She has allowed these concerns to affect their relationship and, in turn, steal their ability for happiness and magic.  Middle child, Ilsa, is on her second marriage and afraid that she’ll give in to temptation and be unfaithful.  Then there’s the oldest, Fiona.  She prides herself in having a stable marriage based on values, but her husband harbors a secret.  The life that she has become accustomed to is no longer.  She is determined to get back to that life, even if that means without her husband.

                                     

Despite Helen’s dislike of commitment, she falls in love with a man who holds traditional values of marriage.  She’s not sure if she can turn her back on her ways, but at the same time can’t bear the thought of losing him. 

This book follows the struggles and challenges that all four women face.  Together they help break down their walls and uncover their individual truths.  What they’re left with is the knowledge that no matter what life hands you, it’s our life experiences (both good and bad) that make us the people we are. 

An amazing debut about the power of female relationships.  Mating For Life will leave you feeling like you made four new friends.  Add this book to your TBR pile.  You will be happy that you did.

Purchase the book at:

Amazon * Barnes&Noble

About the Author:

I'm a National Magazine Award nominated writer and former magazine editor whose work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, National Post, Elle Canada, and many others. Mating for Life (Atria Books; Simon & Schuster Canada) is my first novel. When I'm not writing, I'm reading. (In fact, I never go anywhere without a book. Except maybe swimming.) Some of my favourite authors are Meg Wolitzer, Julia Glass, Alice Munro, John Irving, Lauren Groff, Margaret Atwood and James Salter. I live in Toronto with my husband and two children, where I teach writing, and am working on another novel.

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