REVIEW: "Miracle on 5th Avenue" by Sarah Morgan (Contemporary Romance)

MIRACLE ON 5TH AVENUE by Sarah Morgan
	Publisher: HQN Books Genre: Contemporary Romance Publication Date: November 29th 2016 Series: From Manhattan With Love, #3 Standalone: Yes
Categories:
Romantic Comedy, Creatives in Love, Enemies to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Foodie, Heavy Subjects (death), Strong Heroine, Stuck With You
Other Books in the Series
#0.5 #1 #2 #4
Description from Publisher:
It will take a Christmas miracle for two very different souls to find each other in this perfectly festive fairy tale of New York! Hopeless romantic Eva Jordan loves everything about Christmas. She might be spending the holidays alone this year, but when she's given an opportunity to house-sit a spectacular penthouse on Fifth Avenue, she leaps at the chance. What better place to celebrate than in snow-kissed Manhattan? What she didn't expect was to find the penthouse still occupied by its gorgeous—and mysterious—owner. Bestselling crime writer Lucas Blade is having the nightmare before Christmas. With a deadline and the anniversary of his wife's death looming, he's isolated himself in his penthouse with only his grief for company. He wants no interruptions, no decorations and he certainly doesn't appreciate being distracted by his beautiful, bubbly new housekeeper. But when the blizzard of the century leaves Eva snowbound in his apartment, Lucas starts to open up to the magic she brings…This Christmas, is Lucas finally ready to trust that happily-ever-afters do exist?
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
This was fantastic and just so freaking cute. A bit predictable but in that way that makes you giddy with anticipation and smile when the sweetness happens. The movie While You Were Sleeping, one of my Top 5 favorites, is Eva's favorite as well and this book definitely had that vibe. These characters are rich and warm, even Lucas when he doesn't want to be, and there is definitely the hint of holiday magic in the air. I adored Eva & Lucas's love story and the way that it developed fairly slowly, in such a way that you believe in them despite the shortness of their relationship. Their banter is both funny and sweet, and the way they obviously feel comfortable together makes the fact that they have met their match jumps off the page. Their jobs and passions, as well as their backstories, are woven in nicely and really rounds them out, making them not just an adorable couple but two solid characters. The overall lack of melodrama and Eva's blunt honesty and lack of cowardice was refreshing and made me really appreciate her depth. And this surprised me with the steam! The covered made me think closed door romance bordering on chick lit, but there was definitely enough heat here to melt a snowman or two!
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my 100% own.

About the Author: Sarah Morgan
USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes contemporary romance and her trademark humour and sensuality have gained her fans across the globe. She has been nominated 4 times for the prestigious RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America and has won the award twice. Sarah lives near London, England, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors.

RELEASE BLITZ: "Color Me Crazy" by Carol Pavliska (Contemporary Romance)

COLOR ME CRAZY by Carol Pavliska
	Publisher: Entangled Publishing Genre: Contemporary Romance Publication Date: May 26th 2015
Description from Publisher:
Never fall for a rockstar… Julian Wheaton views the world through a kaleidoscope of synesthesia, seeing the colors of every sound he hears. His life as an iconic rock guitarist was a stressful psychedelic trip that nearly destroyed him. Now he’s abandoned the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle for the peaceful sanctity of his recording studio, but when fiery Cleo Compton comes to work for him, she brings chaos with her. Cleo Compton has had her flings with rockstars—and it’s left her wary and bruised. Julian may have those sexy bedroom eyes and drool-worthy tattoos, but Cleo is determined to keep things strictly professional—until Julian turns out to be every dream she’s ever chased. When he risks it all to hit the road with a band again, Cleo fears he’ll return as the one thing she can no longer abide—a rockstar.
Excerpt
“Oh. Well, you looked better last night,” she said. “Of course, you know what they say. The girls all get prettier at closing time.” Was she really insinuating that last night’s advances— and she had made advances—were the result of dim lighting? And worse, was she really quoting a Mickey Gilley song? The slow burn of irritation spread through him. The woman literally made him see red. He didn’t usually respond so foolishly to what might only be good-natured ribbing, but he was inexplicably rattled, as if he were a monkey in a cage that had been given a good jiggle. Wanting to get rid of the smirk tugging at the left corner of Cleo’s upper lip, Julian gave her a quick and intentional once-over. “That’s most de nitely true,” he replied. “At closing time, guys make overtures they often regret the next morning.” The hint of a smirk disappeared, and the other eyebrow rose to match the rst. Then they both dived down to form a vicious scowl. She looked like a teakettle just before it whistled. Slamming the door behind her, she said, “At closing time, some people become desperate gropers.” Her eyes dusted over him. “And yet somehow they manage to appear even more pathetic the next morning by showing up stubbly and wearing a girl’s shirt.” “This is not a girl’s shirt. This is my Sex Pistols shirt.” “Well, the cap sleeves look cute on you.” She smiled sweetly. What the hell were cap sleeves? Unable to resist, he glanced at his shoulders. The sleeves did look a bit funny. “Told you so, Juli,” Addie said, with the singsong smugness she’d used throughout their childhood. Perfect timing with the fucking nickname. Because cap sleeves were not quite emasculating enough. “Juli. Good grief, that’s it,” Cleo said. “Sorry. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember your name. I just knew it was something effeminate.” “It’s Julian Wheaton, and there’s nothing effeminate about me,” he growled, standing taller and trying to look... well...as manly as possible in a girl’s shirt. The redhead glanced at his sleeves and cleared her throat. The corner of Addie’s mouth curled up, causing a dimple to appear out of nowhere. This situation was annoying as hell and hadn’t gone at all according to his plan, which had been to whip off his sunglasses and cook Lava Locks with a smoldering stare, even though nobody wearing a stained T-shirt and some sort of horrible men’s trunks deserved one. In no part of his plan was he supposed to be wearing women’s clothing while suffering the scrutiny of an unimpressed, pint-size bundle of bravado. He lifted his eyes toward hers and did what he did best: a perfected sexy glance, followed by a boyish gaze through the lashes. Her full bottom lip jutted out in annoyance, which pleased him immensely. He looked lower, in order to make the obligatory pause at the breasts. Okay, more than a pause. White T-shirt. No bra. Very nice.

About the Author: Carol Pavliska
Carol Pavliska began her writing career as a family humor columnist and blogger, a pursuit she abandoned when her children grew old enough to realize they were being exploited. To save them from further embarrassment, she turned to writing fiction. Her debut novel is a steamy contemporary romance so, unfortunately, the children are still embarrassed. Carol and her husband, both diehard Red Hot Chili Peppers fans, raise their vegan brood of mortified offspring on a cattle ranch in south Texas. No lie.

REVIEW: "The Two-Night One-Night Stand" by Ryan Ringbloom (New Adult, Romance)

THE TWO-NIGHT ONE-NIGHT STAND by Ryan Ringbloom
	Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance Publication Date: September 29th 2016
Categories:
Nerd Romance, Nice Guy, Borrowed Time, Playing Doctor, Second Chances, Stuck With You, Laugh-Out-Loud Funny
Other Books by Ryan Ringbloom
Description from Publisher:
A girl. A guy. And a talking peen. Holly Martin isn't the type to have a one-night stand. But a crushing break up, a sexy blind date, and a few shots of Fireball is about to change all that. Matthew Daniels is an introverted PA who claims he’s too busy to date. But that doesn’t stop his older brothers from encouraging him to let loose and get out there, because as they put it - the right girl won’t just walk up to you. But what if she does? Is it possible for a one-night stand that happens twice, to actually become more? Could two nights of reckless debauchery actually lead to true love? Or is this just another case of a whisky induced disaster? This Romantic Comedy is sure to have you laughing, cringing, rolling your eyes, shouting at the pages and looking for a shot glass of your own.
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
That was such a blast!! I laughed hard enough out loud that I feared I would wake someone up (Yup, I stayed up LATE reading this one! I couldn't put it down!). This was funny and sexy and just a heck of a lot of fun! I adored Matthew from first read and he just got better from there. He was that adorable, socially awkward, dorky nice guy that is exactly my type. He's genuine (despite the mistaken identity that happens in this, ha), thoughtful, and one of those hot guys who doesn't know just how hot he is. Holly was also great, a bit neurotic and clumsy, and just very every-woman in a very fun and familiar way. And the Peen? Hysterical! Not at all juvenile as you may expect from a book that gives the guy's genitals a voice, but silly fun all the same. This was a quick, light-hearted, and fast-paced read that I loved!
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my 100% own.

About the Author: Ryan Ringbloom
Hi, I’m Ryan Ringbloom, a Jersey girl who doesn’t write Alphas. I couldn’t if I tried. Social Media stresses me the frick out, yet I can’t seem to walk away from it. I love to binge watch TV. I think cats are awesome. I’m obsessed with coffee and Fireball. But never together. My road rage is ridiculous. And if there is ever a zombie apocalypse, I won’t even try to run. I will let the first one I see eat my brain and get it over with.