Tag Archives: Lori Foster

THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP (Indiana Summers 2) by Lori Foster-review

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THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP (Indiana Summers 2) by Lori Foster-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 9, 2023

How did her love life become a community affair?

Since her divorce, Emily Lucretia—affectionately known as the flower lady to the people of Cemetery, Indiana—has been focused on her flower shop and taking care of her aging aunt and uncle. Her love life is hardly the centerpiece of her busy days.

Saul Culver, the town’s favorite bachelor and owner of the local barbecue joint, has been interested in Emily for a while. But as much as Emily knows about flowers, she can be a little oblivious to her own appeal. Saul is determined to show her just how special she is.

Saul isn’t the only one trying to get Emily out of her shell. Well-meaning locals have started tagging photos of Emily with #theflowerlady on social media—and now the entire town is involved in finding her Mr. Right. Saul won’t give up easily. He’s finally caught her attention, and he’s determined to convince Emily—and the town—that this is the real deal and not just some passing trend.

•••••••

REVIEW: THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP is the second instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult INDIANA SUMMERS romance series focusing on the people of Cemetery Indiana. This is thirty-nine year old, restaurant owner Saul Culver, and forty-one year old, divorcee and florist Emily Lucretia’s story line. THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from third person perspective THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-nine year old, The Pit Stop restaurant owner Saul Culver, and forty-one year old, divorcee and florist Emily Lucretia. Saul Culver is Cemetery Indiana’s most eligible bachelor but Saul has his sights set on florist Emily Lucretia. A slow seduction of Emily begins to involve a number of locals, and someone is posting Emily’s picture of the town’s social media account but Emily is batting between head and heart as her beloved uncle is injured in a fall, and her heart is lost to our story line hero.

Meanwhile, Emily’s employee Gentry McAdams is working above and beyond at Emily’s shop but Emily suspects someone has captured Gentry’s heart, a young woman who is currently working for the man Emily loves. Mila Nash is trying everything to grab Gentry’s attention but Gentry struggles with demons from the past.

The relationship between Emily and Saul is a friends to lovers; a slow building romance between two people who live and work in Cemetery Indiana, a small town of friendly residents who love and support their local citizens. Saul has lusted after Emily from afar but is determined to seduce the woman with whom he is falling in love. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters include Emily’s Aunt Mabel and Uncle Sullivan; Gentry and Mila; Pit Stop waiter Wheeler; Saul’s Godson Beck t-shirt shop owner Lawson Salder; town busybody Betty Cemetery, and Kathleen, who appears everywhere and anywhere.

THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP is a sweet story of family and friendships, love and happily ever afters. The premise is heartwarming -there is little to no conflict; the romance is tender; the characters are impassioned.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Dangerous One (Osborn Brothers 1) by Lori Foster-a review

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THE DANGEROUS ONE (Osborn Brothers 1) by Lori Foster-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play /

ABOUT THE BOOK:Release Date February 21, 2023

Being alone is what he wanted… All he needed was her.
Hunter Osborn left his family, his friends and his job as a park ranger after uncovering a disturbing crime scene. Haunted by nightmares and harrowing memories, Hunter relocated to an isolated property near Triple Creek, Colorado, where he lives alone and keeps his interactions with people to a minimum.

Still, Hunter can spot trouble from a mile away, and when he encounters Jodi Bentley, he knows she’s trouble of the most tempting kind—even more tempting when she moves into the run-down cabin next door. Jodi is tough as nails, sexy as hell—and clearly struggles with her own traumatic past. Hunter tries to keep his distance, but when Jodi’s life is threatened, he can’t help being drawn out of his own darkness and into hers.

•••••

REVIEW:THE DANGEROUS ONE is the first instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult OSBORN BROTHERS romantic suspense series-a spin off from the author’s MACKENZIES OF RIDGE TRAIL series. This is former US Park Ranger Hunter Osborn, and landscaper Jodi Bentley’s story line. Jodi Bentley was first introduced in the aforementioned series.

Told from third person perspective THE DANGEROUS ONE follows the building relationship between is former US Park Ranger Hunter Osborn, and landscaper Jodi Bentley. Jodi Bentley has purchased the property and rundown house next door to former US Park Ranger Hunter Osborn. Hunter needs his privacy; the quiet of living in the country, as he continues to struggle with a devastating search and rescue, months before. Jodi Bentley’s move to Ridge Trail is predicated on her ability to protect and defend. Jodi knows that her own protection is a matter of security and the well place surveillance of family and friends but Jodi never expected to be targeted for taking possession of an abandoned cabin. With the help of Hunter Osborn, Jodi reluctantly accepts the direction of her new life going forward until a message warns Jodi that all is not well, and her life may be forfeit with a secret discovery. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Jodi and Hunters, and the potential fall-out as Jodi finds herself hunted by a powerful man.

Jodi Bentley is a strong-willed, aggressive and determined heroine whose past life is dark, and has created the woman with whom Hunter will fall in love. Jodi had hoped for the peace and quiet of country living but from the outset Jodi discovers her ‘abrasive’ attitude has made a few enemies throughout the town. Hunter Osborn lives in seclusion, struggling in the wake of a heart breaking event. Meeting Jodi Bentley gives Hunter purpose, purpose that will pull together family and friends in an effort to save our heroine’s life.

The relationship between Hunter and Jodi begins as neighbors but Jodi’s first encounters with the locals finds our heroine battling with the misogynistic attitudes of the people in charge. Hunter is disheartened to discover someone has bought the place next door but is pulled into the aura that is Jodi Bentley. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are numerous and colorful. We are introduced to Hunter’s brother Memphis; businessmen Worth Linlow, and Russ King, Danny Giggs, and Remmy Gardner, as well as the cameo (via phone) of Reyes McKenzie and Kennedy Brooks (Stronger Than you Know), and Reyes’ father Parrish McKenzie. The requisite evil has many faces.

THE DANGEROUS ONE is a story of secrets and lies, power, control and manipulation, security, protection, acceptance and love. The premise is intriguing and enthralling; the characters are energetic and determined; the romance is seductive.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW by Lori Foster- review

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STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW (McKenzies of Ridge Trail 2) by Lori Foster-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 24, 2021

Their secrets run deep, but desire runs deeper…

Kennedy Brooks has spent years learning how to protect herself, and empowering other women to do the same. Still, there are some hazards that can’t be predicted. That includes Reyes McKenzie, who owns her local gym. Strong, capable, and watchful, he seems like the one man who might understand her past. For once, Kennedy is tempted to let her guard down—something she’s vowed never to do.

The moment petite, fiercely determined Kennedy walked into his gym, Reyes knew that she carried secrets. What he didn’t expect was that she could tell the same about him. When trouble tracks her down, she turns to Reyes, unleashing a maelstrom of protective instinct and mutual desire. But will her need for him end when the danger does, or will they take the ultimate risk—on each other?

•••••••

REVIEW: STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW is the second instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult MCKENZIES OF RIDGE TRAIL erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the McKenzie family. This is motivational speaker Kennedy Brooks, and gym owner Reyes McKenzie’s story line. STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading book one NO HOLDING BACK for back story and cohesion

WARNING: Due to the nature of the storyline premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several third person perspectives including Kennedy and Reyes, STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW follows in the wake of Kennedy coming home from her latest weekend speaking engagement to discover her apartment building on fire, and two men dressed in black looking for our story line heroine. A panicked call to Reyes McKenzie, finds Kennedy holed up with our story line hero, as he and his family begin an investigation into the who, how and why. When Kennedy reveals the truth about her past, and her friend in a similar situation, the McKenzie family take control, in an effort to protect the woman with whom Reyes is falling in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Reyes and Kennedy, and the potential fall-out as Kennedy’s past is determined to take back what doesn’t belong.

Reyes McKenzie has lusted after Kennedy since the first time they met but Reyes suspected that Kennedy was hiding a secret, a secret that when exposed would draw in the McKenzie clan, like no one else. The McKenzie family is a force unto themselves working behind the scenes, sometimes skirting the edge of the law, in an effort to save the young and vulnerable. Kennedy Brooks continues to struggle with demons from the past but uses her speaking engagements to warn others about the potential dangers that lurk around every corner.

The relationship between Kennedy and Reyes is one of immediate attraction but Reyes knows that Kennedy is in no position to engage in a sexual arrangement. Living together while the McKenzies work outside of the law, means up close and personal for our story line couple. The $ex scenes are passionate, intense and seductive.

We are introduced to the wonderful and impassioned McKenzie clan: father Parrish McKenzie, and his friend/assistant Bernard; Reyes’ brother Cade and his wife Sterling (No Holding Back 1); their sister Madison, police officer Crosby Albertson,and Kennedy’s friend Jodi Bentley. The requisite evil has many faces. Crosby and Madison’s story is next in WATCHING OVER YOU.

STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; of power and obsession, betrayal and vengeance. The character driven premise is strong and twisted; the romance is captivating and provocative; the characters are inspiring and spirited.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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All Fired Up (Road To Love #3) by Lori Foster-Review & Giveaway Tour

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All Fired Up (Road To Love #3) by Lori Foster-Review & Giveaway Tour

ALL FIRED UP
Road To Love #3
by Lori Foster
Release Date: November 19, 2019
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Amazon | Amazon.ca |Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Google | Chapters/Indigo |

He’s tantalizing trouble she can’t resist…

Charlotte Parrish has always wanted a certain kind of man: someone responsible, settled, boring. Bad boys need not apply. But when her car leaves her stranded and a mysterious stranger with brooding eyes and a protective streak comes to her rescue, she can’t deny how drawn she is to him. In town searching for family he’s never met, Mitch is everything she never thought she wanted—and suddenly everything she craves.

Finding his half brothers after all these years is more than Mitch Crews has allowed himself to wish for. Finding love never even crossed his mind…until he meets Charlotte. She’s sweet, warmhearted, sexier than she knows—and too damn good for an ex-con like him. But when his past comes back to haunt him, putting Charlotte—and the family he’s come to care for—in danger, Mitch isn’t playing by the rules. He’s already surrendered his heart, but now he’ll risk his life.

•••••••••

REVIEW:ALL FIRED UP is the third instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult ROAD TO LOVE erotic, romance series. This is twenty-nine year old Mitch Crews, and twenty-five year old Charlotte Parrish’s story line. ALL FIRED UP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Charlotte and Mitch ALL FIRED UP follows the building romance between is twenty-nine year old Mitch Crews, and twenty-five year old Charlotte Parrish. Mitch Crews is an ex-con whose been searching for the half-brothers Brodie and Jack, but a woman in trouble gave Mitch the opportunity to save a lady in distress bringing him face to face with the brothers he has never met. Enter Charlotte Parrish, Brodie and Jack’s foster sibling, and the woman with whom Mitch will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance between Mitch and Charlotte, and the potential fall-out when Mitch’s past comes seeking revenge.

Mitch Crews grew up in poverty with an drug addicted mother, whose boyfriend all but destroyed Mitch’s life that landed our hero in prison in an effort to protect the woman who should have protected Mitch Crews. Release from prison gave Mitch the opportunity to find the family he never knew including the woman that called to his heart. Charlotte Parrish was a member of the Crews family, not by blood, but by heart and soul. Working as Jack and Brodie’s office manager, Charlotte finds herself loved and protected by everyone including the brother they never knew.

The relationship between Charlotte and Mitch is one of immediate attraction but Mitch’s past is determined to destroy the people he loves. The death of his mother, and subsequent demolition of their house places Mitch in the crosshairs of a man who believes Mitch owes him his life. Determined to protect Charlotte, Mitch reluctantly allows his brothers to help with what has to be done. Charlotte knows Mitch is the man with whom she wants to spend the rest of her life but first the must take down and stop Mitch’s past from destroying them all. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Mitch’s half-brothers: Brodie and his wife Mary (Driven to Distraction), Jack and his wife Ronnie (Slow Ride); their mother Rosalyn, their father Elliott, and police officer Grant Colvin. The requisite evil has many faces.

ALL FIRED UP is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and revenge; a story of second chances for our story line hero, and a happily ever after for Charlotte and Mitch. The premise is engaging, suspenseful and entertaining; the characters are strong, energetic and protective; the romance is seductive and captivating. ALL FIRED UP is a wonderful and exciting addition to Foster’s ROAD TO LOVE series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Driven to Distraction
Slow Ride
All Fired Up

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

About Lori Foster:

Lori Foster is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author with books from a variety of publishers, including Berkley/Jove, Kensington, St. Martin’s, Harlequin and Silhouette. Lori has been a recipient of the prestigious RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Fantasy, and for Contemporary Romance. For more about Lori, visit her Web site at www.lorifoster.com.

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Sisters of Summer’s End (Summer Resort #2) by Lori Foster-a review

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SISTERS OF SUMMER’S END (Summer Resort #2) by Lori Foster-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 11, 2019

As the summer ends, friendship begins…When single mom Joy Lee abandoned her old life to take a job at a lakeside resort, she found something that her family’s wealth and influence could never buy: peace of mind. Not easy to come by for the once-burned divorce who keeps everyone at a distance. But when her new friend, Maris, dares her to take a chance with the drive-in’s charismatic new owner, everything changes for Joy and her young son. A difficult childhood has left Maris Kennedy with definite priorities. Her job running Summer’s End, the camp store and cafe, comes first. Always. Nothing could ever make her risk that hard-won security–especially not her free-spirited colleague. But the more she encourages Joy to open herself up to new experiences, the more Maris begins to wonder what she, too, might be missing. Learning how to trust will bring Joy and Maris together.

And soon they form a friendship that leaves them as close as sisters–and open to love where they least expect it…in Summer’s End.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: SISTERS OF SUMMER’S END is the second instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult SUMMER RESORT romance series focusing on the men and women who live and work at the lakeside resort Cooper’s Charm in Woodbine, Ohio. This is thirty year old, single mother and recreation director Joy Lee, and drive-in owner Royce Nakirk’s story line. SISTERS OF SUMMERS END can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. There is also a secondary romance developing between camp store owner Maris Kennedy, and handyman Daron Hardy.

Told from several third person perspectives including Royce and Joy SISTERS OF SUMMERS END follows the building relationship between single mother and recreation director Joy Lee, and drive-in owner Royce Nakirk, Six years earlier Joy Lee found herself pregnant and alone but hoping to make a new life she settled into Cooper’s Charm lakeside resort where she would become the recreational director and find a new family with the people for whom she worked and loved. Fast forward to present day wherein Joy will come face to face with the drive-in’s new owner Royce Nakirk that has her reconsidering her self-imposed life as a single mother. What ensues is the building friendship and relationship between Royce and Joy, and the potential fall-out as Joy’s past offers her a second chance- for a price.

Meanwhile camp store owner Maris Kennedy is oblivious to the attention of handyman Daron Hardy. Always serving the customers and the people with whom she lives and works, Maris is blind to Daron’s attention including the subtle flirtatious jibs and jibes.
The relationship between Joy and Royce is one of immediate attention but Joy tends to keep to herself as she is a single mother trying to make it on her own. Having been tossed aside by the father of her child, then her own parents, Joy struggles with opening her heart to another possible failed relationship. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied.

The secondary and colorful supporting characters include Cooper Cochran and his wife Phoenix Rose, as well as Phoenix’ sister Ridley (Cooper’s Charm #1), as well as Joy’s son Jack, and her parents Cara and Wallace Reed. The friendships and camaraderie between the employees at Cooper’s Charm is sweet, loving and protective.

SISTERS OF SUMMER’S END is a story of family, friendships, romance and love The premise is entertaining and endearing; the romance is tender; the characters are energetic and spirited. SISTERS OF SUMMERS END is the perfect beach read for a lazy summer afternoon.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one -COOPER’S CHARM

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Slow Ride (Road to Love #2) by Lori Foster-a review

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SLOW RIDE (Road to Love #2) by Lori Foster-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 12, 2019

You can’t put the brakes on love…

Ronnie Ashford needs a distraction. In the morning, she has to offer arrogant, conventional Jack Crews a job and convince him not to take it. She doesn’t need anyone’s help, thank you very much. But tonight is all about the tall, sexy stranger who just walked in the bar—and all the delicious trouble they could get into together. Too bad just as things are heating up between them, he whispers the three little words that destroy everything: “I’m Jack Crews.”

Jack is determined to connect with fiery Ronnie—in bed and out of it—but her terms are clear. If he takes the job, helping her acquire prized artifacts for her mysterious bosses, anything between them is strictly off-limits. Somehow he has to convince a woman who’s never felt like she belonged that she’s found her place—with him. And with the danger sparking hotter than the fire between them, it’s going to be one unforgettable trip

•••••••••••

REVIEW: SLOW RIDE is the second instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult ROAD TO LOVE erotic, romantic suspense series. This is acquisitions agent Ronnie Ashford, and Jack Crews’ story line. SLOW RIDE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Ronnie and Jack SLOW RIDE follows a similar premise to book one – ROAD TO LOVE-in that acquisitions agent Ronnie Ashford is sent to meet up with a man who will be her guardian and protector as she is tasked as the courier for the rare and odd. Enter Jack Crews, the man with whom Ronnie will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ronnie and Jack, and the potential fall-out as Ronnie is target by a unknown assailant who wants Ronnie for himself.

Ronnie Ashford acquires oddities –murderabilia, the macabre-items found, lost and procured for the collectors Drake and Drew Dolby, but several of Ronnie’s recent assignments find our heroine’s life precariously on the edge when she becomes the target of someone unknown. Jack Crews has quickly fallen for the woman that will call to his heart but everyone becomes suspect when numerous attempts on Ronnie’s life place both in danger. Mysterious strangers, messages and attacks push Ronnie to reconsider the people from her past.

The relationship between Ronnie and Jack is one of immediate attraction but Ronnie doesn’t do relationships fearing loss and rejection as happened long ago. Jack also struggles with memories of the past, of a father whose lifestyle affected the family he left behind. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Jack’s brother Brodie and his wife Mary; his mother Roz, and foster sisters Charlotte, as well as Drake and Drew Dolby, and a number of sellers hoping to make money from their odd collectibles.

SLOW RIDE is a story of family, friendship, obsession and love. The premise is engaging and intriguing; the romance is passionate and hot; the characters are eclectic, charismatic and intense. I did struggle with a couple of issues: the revelation and identity of the person responsible for the attacks against our story line heroine was disappointing –the disconnection between events and threats with no explanation-as was the quick conflict to the story line resolution.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

LORI FOSTER is a New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than 55 titles, beloved for her contemporary romance novels revolving around alpha males and the women they fall for. Lori has been a recipient of the prestigious RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Fantasy, and for Contemporary Romance. For more about Lori, visit her website at LoriFoster.com, or check out these online locations where she interacts with readers: Facebook.com/LoriFoster, Twitter.com/LoriLFoster, Goodreads and Pinterest.com/lorilfoster.

You can also sign up for her monthly newsletter at LoriFoster.com/Newsletter.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | PINTEREST | YOUTUBE

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Driven to Distraction (Road to Love #1) by Lori Foster-Review & Excerpt Tour

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DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION (Road to Love #1) by Lori Foster-Review & Excerpt Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play / Apple

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 19, 2018

When desire gets this hot, you’d better buckle up…

Mary Daniels doesn’t let anything get in the way of her job acquiring rare artifacts for her wealthy boss. But this particular obstacle—huge, hard-muscled, unashamedly masculine—is impossible to ignore. Stuck in a cramped car with Brodie Crews for hours en route to their new assignment, Mary feels her carefully crafted persona—and her trademark self-control—is slipping, and she won’t allow it.

Brodie can’t imagine what secret in Mary’s past has left her so buttoned-up, though he’d dearly love to find out. Maybe then she’d trust him enough to explore their explosive chemistry. But he needs this job, so he’ll play by her rules and bide his time…until an enemy determined to outwit them strikes and he needs to get close—in every way—to protect her. Otherwise they could lose much more than a precious collectible. They could lose it all.

••••••••••

REVIEW: DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION is the first instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult ROAD TO LOVE erotic, romance series. This is mechanic Brodie Crews, and acquisitions manager Mary Daniels’ story line.

Told from several third person perspectives including Brodie and Mary DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION follows the building romance and relationship between mechanic Brodie Crews, and acquisitions manager Mary Daniels. Mary Daniels works for eccentric billionaire Therman Ritter, a man who collects oddities and strange items that require his own private ‘courier service’ to ensure prompt and immediate delivery. Mary Daniels has been tasked with ensuring their delivery including a ride along with Therman’s new courier Brodie Crews. What ensues is Brodie and Mary’s developing relationship on the road, and the potential fall-out as the couple are targeted in a game of one-upmanship, when Therman’s collection is wanted by a competing collector.

Mary Daniels is a conventional woman; an uptight female whose clothing is more for armor than attracting attention. When our heroine is assigned to hire Brodie Crews, the attraction is immediate but Mary doesn’t mix business with pleasure, and everything about Brodie screams all kinds of trouble. Brodie Crews sees beneath Mary’s attempts to hide but protecting Mary will become his number one priority when the couple becomes fodder for some illegal collectors.

The relationship between Mary and Brodie begins as a business arrangement in which Mary struggles to accept Brodie’s gruff exterior and he-man attitude. Quick to judge, Mary battles her attraction to the man with whom she would fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic, language and text.

We are introduced to Brodie’s brother Jack Crews; their mother Rosalyn Crews; Jack and Brodie’s secretary Charlotte, as well as Brodie’s dog Howler, and Gina, a woman who is hoping for a chance with our story line hero; billionaire Therman Ritter, his PA Jolene, housekeeper Vera and chef Burl. The requisite evil has many faces.

DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION has a little bit of everything: mystery and intrigue; family and friendships; fun, romance, fighting and falling in love. The premise is engaging and inviting; the characters are spirited, animated and sassy; the romance is spicy and arousing. DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION is a playful, captivating and energetic story line.

Copy supplied for Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Mary had a hundred questions about him, but she didn’t want to chance stirring Brodie’s curiosity again.
Her past was strictly off limits.
The music, a mellow, country tune, drifted in the air. She was more of a rock-and-roll woman, but she appreciated the sight of Brodie moving ever-so-slightly with the music, his fingers tapping against the steering wheel.
If a boulder could be relaxed, she’d say he was just that. Yet, while his expression seemed peaceful, his shoulders stretched his dark T-shirt and his biceps bunched and flexed with each small adjustment.
How exactly did a man go about getting a body like that?
“Do you work out?”
Mouth kicking up in amusement, he glanced at her. That dark-eyed gaze flashed over her before he returned his attention to the road. “You realize that’s a pickup line, right?”
Oh Lord, his eyes were…well, amazing. And hot. If it wasn’t for the unfamiliar lick of heat that intense look caused, she might’ve been embarrassed. Instead, her reaction threw her off.
Oh, she had her fair share of male attention, but usually it left her indifferent.
Not so with Brodie Crews.
Her MO was to steer clear of interested, or interesting, men, but really, what harm would it cause to look? She’d see him during this ride, then not again for a while. For that reason, she’d looked her fill—without being obvious.
His profile fascinated her, the way those thick, dark lashes shadowed his eyes, the high bridge of his strong nose and the curve to his mouth. His dark, thick hair held a slight wave, and no matter how many times he tunneled his fingers through it, it fell forward over his brow. The growth of whiskers on his jaw made her curious to know how it would feel to her fingertips.
And her lips.
“I’m just wondering,” she said, trying to play it off as idle chitchat. “You’re muscular for a man who makes his living driving a car.”
“I also work on cars.” He slid her an intimate smile. “As you know.”
The reminder of her first sight of him sent another flush over her skin. Coolly, she replied, “Is that what you were doing? I got an entirely different impression.”
“Because of the way Gina groped me?”
He said it without an iota of shame, making her jaw loosen and her mouth fall open.
Obviously, she was out of her league.
Brodie chuckled. “If I hadn’t been struggling to stay upright, I’d have shaken her off sooner, but Gina can always sense weakness. She thought she’d sneak in there while my defenses were down.”
“Your defenses?”
“I’m not at my best after a night of drinking.”
“Then why did you do it?” Personally, she’d never seen the draw. She sometimes had wine on very special occasions, which were few and far between. Drink, drugs…they caused a loss of control, leaving you not only vulnerable, but oblivious to all that really mattered.
“I’ve turned her down more times than I can count.” Brodie’s mouth went sideways, then he scratched the top of his head. “She’s persistent, I’ll give her that.”
“Is she in love with you?”
“Ha! No, not even a little.” Laughing, he shook his head. “Gina likes me okay, but that’s it. Mostly she wants bragging rights to say she’s banged Jack and me, both.”
It took all Mary had not to drop her jaw again.

LORI FOSTER is a New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than 55 titles, beloved for her contemporary romance novels revolving around alpha males and the women they fall for. Lori has been a recipient of the prestigious RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Fantasy, and for Contemporary Romance. For more about Lori, visit her website at LoriFoster.com, or check out these online locations where she interacts with readers: Facebook.com/LoriFoster, Twitter.com/LoriLFoster, Goodreads and Pinterest.com/lorilfoster.

You can also sign up for her monthly newsletter at LoriFoster.com/Newsletter.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | PINTEREST | YOUTUBE

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Cooper’s Charm (Summer Resort #1) by Lori Foster-a review

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COOPER’S CHARM (Summer Resort #1) by Lori Foster-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 24, 2018

One summer, two sisters and a chance to start over…

Before the burglary that shattered her confidence, Phoenix Rose had a fiancé, a successful store and a busy, happy existence. After months spent adrift, she takes a job at the lakeside resort of Cooper’s Charm. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, friendly colleagues and a charismatic, widowed boss, Phoenix is slowly inching her way back into the world.

Visiting Cooper’s Charm to check up on her little sister, Ridley Rose impulsively agrees to fill in as housekeeper. Still reeling from an ego-bruising divorce, she finds satisfaction in a job well done—and in the attention of the resort’s handsome scuba instructor.

For Phoenix and Ridley, Cooper’s Charm is supposed to be merely temporary. But this detour may lead to the place they most need to be, where the future is as satisfying as it is surprising…

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REVIEW: COOPER’S CHARM is the first instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult SUMMER RESORT romance series. This is thirty-four year old, resort owner Cooper Cochran, and twenty-five year old, landscaper Phoenix Rose, as well as scuba instructor Baxter McNab and twenty eight year old Ridley Rose’s story lines.

Told from several third person perspectives COOPER’S CHARM follows the building relationships between is thirty-four year old, resort owner Cooper Cochran, and twenty-five year old, landscaper Phoenix Rose, as well as scuba instructor Baxter McNab and Phoenix’s twenty eight year old sister Ridley Rose. Phoenix Rose is trying to escape her brutal past, a past that has left our heroine a shell of her former self. A landscaper by trade, Phoenix is about to embark on a new career as the groundskeeper for Cooper’s Charm RV Park and Resort. Meeting her new boss Cooper Cochran stirred something in Phoenix, long thought denied, an immediate attraction to a man whose own past is mired in grief and loss. What ensues is the building relationship between Phoenix and Cooper, and the potential fall-out as someone is targeting Phoenix and the people at Cooper’s Charm.

Meanwhile, Phoenix’s sister Ridley Rose is struggling through issues of her own. Recently divorced, Ridley battles loneliness and loss but a decision to join her sister at Cooper’s Charm places Ridley on a path towards her future including a new job and a second chance for a happily ever after.

COOPER’S CHARM is a sweet and sexy story about two sassy sisters who will turn Cooper’s Charm upside down. Lori Foster pulls the reader into an engaging and delightful tale focusing on second chances, friendships, heartbreak and love. The premise is entertaining; the romances are passionate and steamy; the characters are colorful and fun. My only complaint is the identity of the person threatening Phoenix Rose-a questionable identity in the grand scheme of villains and dastardly schemes.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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