Summer reading: All of Me

All of Me

Jennifer Bernard

I’ll admit: I’m a convert. From firemen to baseball players, I’ll follow Jennifer Barnard with her new series, and thankfully she doesn’t disappoint.

Book 1 in this new series features the minor leagues, but the story lives up to major potential. Caleb Hart is a first-rate pitcher who’s lost his mojo. Inspiration comes in the form of Sadie Merritt, who after a bad break-up with a nasty ex, only wants to focus on work and definitely stay away from boys, especially hunky bad boys.

What brings Bernard’s stories to life are the relatable and likeable characters. We get into the psyche of Hart, and he’s a good guy:

“Caleb nodded, and handed him the ball. It felt like handing over a piece of his heart.”

For Sadie, staying away doesn’t come too easy when her job throws her together with Caleb for a PR campaign to “Save the Slugs,” and reform the image of the partying baseball team, Kilby Catfish.

“The last thing she wanted was to run into that ballplayer again. That half-naked hunk of a ballplayer. Annoyingly, he hadn’t even smelled bad, despite his sweaty state. He’d smelled like sun-heated flesh and oiled leather. He’d radiated furious energy, a kind of restless power, as if he wanted to shake up the world and put it back the way he wanted.”

Bernard takes readers on an emotional whirlwind as fast as Caleb’s 90 mph fastball. In a scene toward the end – no spoilers – I went from out-loud giggling to tears like that *snaps fingers*. It doesn’t matter that we know it’ll all work out. It’s the process that’s magical.

All of Me sets up the Love Between the Bases series. Next up, I’m hoping to find out more about her best friend Donna and player Mike. But you know how these authors are; she may make us wait a while for that story!

For more information, visit Jen’s webpage.

Until next time,

Louisa Bacio

http://www.Facebook.com/LouisaBacio

http://www.Twitter.com/LouisaBacio

I Can’t Believe I Read the Whole Thing

Welcome to the Summer Lovin’ Hop! To me, summer and love has to mean summer reading. You know, those lazy days on the beach or by the pool with all the time in the world?

What? You’re an adult now? With, you know, responsibilities? Yeah, I know the feeling, but guess what? A magical book, one that hooks you … makes it feel like it’s Summer Lovin’ all over again!

                                         

The lusty Jennifer Bernard kept me up to all hours of the night this week. Well, not in person … but with her latest Bachelor Firemen novel, Four Weddings and a Fireman.

Since I started reading the series, there was one “too-cool” fireman who caught my reading eye. Let’s say I have a thing for muscles – brawn. That’s Vader. Bernard paid of in major ways, in Four Weddings and a Fireman, not only is Vader hot, he’s the full package, ahem, with a package.

Once I reached a certain spot in the book, I couldn’t stop. I had to see what happened, and that led to 3:30 a.m. *sigh* But, the lack of sleep was worth every word. Fortunately, with the children on a “summer schedule,” I could drop the youngest off at camp and return home for a little nap.

Bernard’s kind of tricky, though. All the while I read this book, I kept wondering: “When is Fred’s story?” Lucky me! The Night Belongs to Firemen releases Sept. 30 – not too long a wait, and by then the kids will be back at school!

Thanks for stopping by. I’ll be giving away a $5 gift card to Amazon, and see below for the BIG goodies.

Grand Prizes

1 $75 Amazon Gift Card 

1 $25 Starbucks Gift Card (Donated by Sue Lyndon)

1 $25 Amazon (or B&N) Gift Card (Donated by Denisea Kampe)

To enter the Grand Prize Giveaway, readers only need to fill out the Rafflecopter box and press enter! (One entry per person!) But keep hopping! Every blog has their own giveaway. The Grand Prize winners will be chosen on Tuesday, June 24 using Random.org!

To see all the stops on the hop, visit www.hopswithheart.blogspot.com or use the Linky!

Tell me: What book last kept you up late? Please leave a comment and valid email address to be entered into the contest. The winner will be chosen on June 25.

Here's a new read from me!

Dry Heat

Louisa Bacio

In Palm Springs for a conference, James expects little more than long meetings, hot days and lonely nights. He’s prepared to get through the boredom one day at a time—right up until the moment he runs into Sofia, a former flame he’s never been able to forget. Hot to rekindle the physical side of their relationship and enthusiastically okay with some no-strings-attached sex, Sofia joins James during his off time—in his hotel room, between meetings, for sexy dinners and even on the sky tram. With every illicit whisper and each delicious encounter hotter than the last, James finds himself wishing this business trip would never end.

An EC for Men erotica story from Ellora’s Cave

Available via Ellora’s Cave, ARe, Amazon and other eRetailers.

Until next time!

Louisa Bacio

http://www.Facebook.com/LouisaBacio

http://www.Twitter.com/LouisaBacio

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get Your Jammies On!

Cue the siren! Today—Friday, Sept. 20—is the last day to make hotel reservations for the OCC/RWA Birthday Bash. The festivities start on Friday, Oct. 11 with Make-Your-Own Mask and a Write-In, but the major parties take place on Saturday, Oct. 12. (Pure coincidence, btw, that also happens to be my birthday!)

The morning speaker is the amazing best-selling author Victoria Dahl, and in the afternoon we’ll have Heather Bennett from Decadent Publishing.

On Saturday night, don’t forget to pack your pajamas – cute, sexy, comfortable – the style is totally up to you. We’ve got an amazing assortment of authors hosting “Pajama Parties” where they’ll share a little bit of their expertise.

Here’s the line-up (in alphabetical order … times need to be set):

Skylar Kade & Jennifer Bernard         "Put on Your Big Girl Panties"

Linda Carroll-Bradd                            "Writing to Publisher Calls for Submission"

Elena Dillon                                        “Self-Publishing” 

Tara Lain                                             “Putting the Mmm in Marketing”

Deb Mullins                                        “Creating Conflict from Character”

Louella Nelson                                    “Scene Design”

Nikki Prince                                        “Interracial and Multicultural Romance”

Beth Yarnall                                        “Point of View”

Attendees do not have to stay the night. The cut-off for lunch reservations is Monday, Sept. 30, but for planning … sooner = better.

To register and for more information, please visit the Orange County Chapter of RWA.

Tossing confetti!

Hope to see you there …

Louisa Bacio

http://www.facebook.com/louisabacio

http://www.twitter.com/louisabacio