#ContemporaryRomance #Review ~ Delivered with a Kiss by Marie Harte @MHarte_Author ~ Veteran Movers, Book 4

Will one wrong move

Bring Erin love

With the right guy?

Smith Ramsey knows all about hard knocks. So, when his newest client gets dumped by her boyfriend, he gets her an apartment in his complex. He tries to steer clear of her, having enough troubles of his own. He's got estranged brothers to deal with on top of learning his mother wasn't his mother. But he can't forget pretty Erin Briggs. And soon he's addicted to more than her cookies...

Erin thought she'd been in love, but now independent and looking at life through clear eyes, she realizes what she felt for her ex in no way compares to what she's feeling for the tough ex-Marine who picked her up when she was down.

Actions speak louder than words. Smith's kindness and gentle core lay buried under old hurts. But can he forgive and forget the past to make a future with Erin? And is she making a mistake by trusting in love for the wrong man all over again?

ASIN: B081K72VG4
Publisher: No Box Books
Publication Date: November 19, 2019
Print Length: 344 pages
Purchase Link: Amazon
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My Review:

Delivered with a Kiss has a heroine who uproots her life for a man she thought she loved and a hero so down trodden I couldn't help but infuriated on his behalf. Erin moves all the way from Kansas to Washington based on an ultimatum issued from her boyfriend Cody. When she arrives, her entire life shatters on Cody's front lawn, and in front of Smith, the moving company employee. She doesn't expect any kindness or assistance from the burly, scowling Marine standing beside her but then he surprises her.

Smith Ramsey has had a helluva past few weeks and seeing a pretty woman on the verge of collapse tops it right off. While his upbringing wasn't anything to brag about, leaving her alone, defenseless, and with nowhere to live was not in his repertoire. Smith quickly jumps into action and secures Erin with housing in his apartment building and a part-time job assisting the landlady. Pretty soon the duo are dancing around each other while sparks fly and attraction begins to consume them.

There is a large amount of emotion the author poured into this book. Smith's childhood was awful and after returning from his time in the Marine Corp, his life, which he thought couldn't get any worse, actually does get worse. Much, much worse. He learns his mother isn't biologically his and he has brothers. A struggle to stay afloat, Smith hides his feelings from everyone until it just about breaks him. This book tests the bonds between family members and between a man and woman. There is a reason communication is the key to any relationship and there is a serious lack of it throughout a good portion of the book.

Please note Delivered with a Kiss is the first book I've had the chance to read in Marie Harte's Veteran Movers series. I typically read series books in order but wandered off the path for this one. I will be going back to the beginning and reading the rest of the series. That said, having never met the supporting characters from the first three books, I thought maybe I'd have a hard time figuring things out. That is not the case, as the author does a great job bringing the reader up-to-speed without taking away from the present events, couple, and situations. The supporting characters are unique in their own right and I enjoyed getting to know them along with Erin and Smith. I also love the way the author firmly lets the characters know that family isn't just those with the same blood pumping through their veins. Family is anyone you want it to include.

I was provided a copy of this book to read but the thoughts, opinions, and rating are my own.

My Rating:

Holiday #ContemporaryRomance #Review ~ The Christmas Sneak by Marie Harte @MHarte_Author ~ Hope's Turn Holidays, Book 2

Ex-NFL star Deacon Flashman had the perfect woman in the palm of his hands…and dropped the ball.

Considering Deacon's past performances, that isn’t news. An injury cut short his football career, and then he got taken for millions by a greedy ex-wife. But Deacon’s luck has changed. He’s got a great job, and he’s recently become an uncle again. With the holidays close, he’s getting a second chance. Nora Nielson, the woman who got away, is back. Now he needs to figure out a way to get into her good graces. A relationship with Nora is everything he wants…and everything that scares him. He feels for her what he never felt for anyone else, and he knows she’s got the power to hurt him. Or to bring him the happiness he’s always wanted.

ASIN: B082R7C42Q
Publisher: No Box Books
Publication date: December 13, 2019
Print length: 228 pages
Purchase Link: Amazon
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My Review:

The Christmas Sneak is a cute holiday romance that's not all wrapped up perfectly with a bow. Deacon Flashman and Nora Nielson are two characters with intense attraction to one another but deny it every step of the way. Deacon is gun shy when it comes to women because he's been burned in the past. Nora has issues with Deacon that both of them are going to have to work through. Their love/hate relationship produces some killer chemistry that neither want to acknowledge at first, but as they come together for the birth of a new family member, the denial is almost too much for them to bear. When the bickering stops and they actually talk to each other, wonderful things begin to take shape. 

The author produced two very likable, very flawed characters. Putting their vulnerabilities out in the open created realism, relatability, and a story readers will be able to appreciate and sink themselves into. I was engaged in the story from the beginning, even through some parts that made me cringe. No relationship is perfect and sometimes one person has a hard time talking to the other. It happens and has happened to me. Opening up to another person, no matter how much you know them, are comfortable with them, or want to get to know them, is difficult, in the best of scenarios. When both characters have issues (Deacon's is trust and Nora's is loneliness, and a bit of depression at where her life is currently versus where she thought it would be by her age), working through them is harder. 

I loved Deacon and Nora's story. Sometimes people don't see the spark, the circumstances aren't right, or life takes them in a different direction the first time. Other times, the spark is there burning bright, and one person is scared. The author did a wonderful job bringing Deacon and Nora back together and showing how second chances really can be magical.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Spicy Contemporary Romance Review: Bodywork (The Works, Book #1) by Marie Harte

 

First time’s the burn
He ran into her and her coffee and raced off with a burn and a snarl.

Second time’s a hitch
Being sexually attracted to Mr. Tall, Dark, and Rude hadn’t been on her agenda. She just wants him out of her massage clinic before he recognizes her or she jumps that sexy body. Not professional. Not at all.

Third time’s the charm
When Shelby Vanzant and Shane Collins meet again, the sparks fly. Shane has found his match in a sexy, intelligent woman he can’t stop thinking about. Shelby is scared, because she might grow to like this guy. The last guy she liked dumped her for someone hotter… She’s willing to take a chance–if her flamoboyant mother, Shane’s macho best friend, and his Casanova of a younger brother don’t screw things up. With fate on their side, they might have a shot at a love they’d stopped looking for.

Publication date : November 30, 2011
Print length : 258 pages
ASIN : B006GR3GPM

Purchase Link: Amazon

My Review:

Shane Collins is always late. One particular morning he's particularly late getting to work in order to meet a client. Calling on his best friend Mac, Shane finds himself in front of a coffee shop. In his haste, he runs into a woman, spilling her coffee all down the front of him. Blaming her, he grumbles off as his makes his way to Mac. Later the same day, the same rude man who spilled her coffee is lying face down on a table in her massage clinic. Shelby Vanzant can't believe her poor luck. Hopefully when the massage is over, he won't recognize her. That, of course, in not the case.

Sparks fly between Shelby and Shane but they've both been burned by past relationships. Shelby and Shane are still nursing broken hearts from each person's previous relationship and, despite the wishes of their family and friends, want to remain single - until they meet each other. They decide to try a friends-with-benefits arrangement in secrecy. What begins as no-strings attached quickly morphs into anything but. 

Bodywork is a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance with wonderful main characters and quirky side characters whose meddling may just mess up everything between Shelby and Shane. The book is a cute and fun read. The story and characters kept me engaged. The book contains role-playing along with steamy and vanilla sex. The author excelled in the character development of Shelby and Shane, also providing the set up for the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Contemporary#Romance #Review ~ Served Hot (Best Revenge #2) by Marie Harte @MarieHarte @EntangledPub

Print Length: 202 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Publication Date: November 13, 2017
Sold by: Macmillan
ASIN: B076PPXJ6W

Twelve years ago, geeky Dexter Black blackmailed Maya Werner into a prom date, and she was shocked when she had a good time. But for a strong-willed, hot-tempered artist who’s used to having the upper hand, that night has never sat well with her.

Fast forward to the present, where Maya indulges in weekly wine night with friends and ends up pledging to get revenge on Dex. Except the nerd she remembers has transformed into a hot, sexy Marine who has the audacity to blackmail her again.

Dex is back in town with one goal in mind: to win the girl of his dreams. His strategy? Keep her off balance enough until she melts into the passion between them. But when a misunderstanding stokes old hurts, Maya backs away, and Dex has to go with a contingency plan: pour on the charm until he gets what he wants—Maya, forever.

Maya and Dex have a complicated history. Back in high school, Dex blackmailed Maya to get her to go to prom with him. Which, of course, was a problem for Maya. Fast-forward 12 years later and Dex is back in town and Maya has never forgotten his manipulation. Except, Dex has always held a spot in Maya's heart, whether she admits it or not and Maya has been the only one for Dex. Now that he's back in Bend, it's time for them to stop avoiding each other. Let the games begin!

Served Hot is a steamy story filled with great characters and a lot of sex. The chemistry between Maya and Dex is off the charts, believable, and rolls between them in waves. Unfortunately, the past history rears its ugly head, mostly in the form of Selena Thorpe, and Maya jumps to incorrect conclusions. Dex and Maya's story is about lost love, redemption, and facing your past before you can live in the present, or look forward to the future. Maya has baggage and Served Hot forces her to face her past head-on. Emotional is an understatement about this book. 

All of the characters from book 1 are back. Ann and Riley are supportive of Maya but don't hesitate to call her out when necessary. Jack and Anson fulfill their roles, as necessary. All 6 characters are likable and written well. Another great story in the Best Revenge trilogy.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

**Story contains light BDSM

Contemporary #Romance #Review ~ Served Cold by Marie Harte @MHarte_Author @EntangledPub ~ Best Revenge, Book #1

Print Length: 202 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Publication Date: November 13, 2017
Sold by: Macmillan
ASIN: B076PBX5BP

Amazon

Ann Weaver knows getting ditched by Jack Bloom back in high school was for the best. He may have been her first, but she’s twenty-nine now and way over him. When a night out with friends—and a couple of glasses of wine—starts them all talking about regrets, Ann decides it’s time to confront the past. Luckily, hers has recently moved back to town, and he looks just as good as ever.

There’s something different about Jack, though. He’s funny, kind, and amazing in bed—but he’s also sweeter than she remembers. Soon Ann starts to forget she’s in it for revenge.

Jack is older and wiser now, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes for a chance at a future with very grown-up, gorgeous Ann. But once Jack learns about her motive for rekindling their romance, he has to decide if love can push through the lie.

Each book in the Best Revenge series is a STANDALONE story that can be enjoyed out of order.

Served Cold is the first book in a standalone three-book series about revenge by Marie Harte. Ann Weaver and Jack Bloom were a couple back in high school when a series of unfortunate events caused a break-up. Having both gone their separate ways, Ann stayed in Bend while Jack left. Now Jack's back though and Ann is still hurt by the events in their past. After a night with Maya and Riley, the trio decide it's time to exact revenge on Jack.

Jack's PhD is allowing him to be choosier about where he teaches and does research, so he has decided to move back to Bend. When he picks up his nephew from school, he's surprised to learn his teach is Ann Weaver, the one who got away. He remembers the incident in high school differently than Ann does and he's still trying to figure out why he wasn't good enough for her.

What ensues is a truly combustible reunion between Ann and Jack that has the reader rooting for them. At the same time, though, also wondering, if the pasts they each remember have scarred them so badly, why it took so long for them to talk about the truth. I know, I know - as my husband would tell me when I ask a question like that about something we are watching - if Ann and Jack discussed this earlier there would be no book (or movie or tv episode). 

The story was cute and I enjoyed Ann and Jack together. Maya and Riley are awesome best friends, and Ann is lucky to have them. Served Cold is the starting point for the trilogy and I love how the author weaved the stars of the other two books through this one. Not much, but enough to know who the couples will be and what happened in the past causing them to butt heads. 

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

**Story contains light BDSM