Rules are made to be Ignored (The Rules Series #2) by Mylissa Demeyere

 

 

 

I’ve sworn off men. For good! Finding your boyfriend cheating on you will crush even the most romantic of hearts.

Never again will Shelley allow herself to believe in happily-ever-afters that don't exist. At least, not for her. The only guy she is willing to let into her heart is Ben, her adorable eleven-year-old nephew, who just moved into town with his dad.

Adrian has finally landed the job of his dreams. His new dreams, that is. He gave up on his real dreams eleven years ago. For the last decade, he has struggled to raise his son on his own after his girlfriend split, leaving him to figure out parenthood on his own.

When Shelley offers to help out with Ben, Adrian finds himself leaning on her in ways he thought he never needed. And it’s awakening something inside him that he thought was gone forever.

Will Shelley and Adrian continue to hide behind their fixed excuses, or will they conquer the obstacles that stand between them and take what could be theirs?

 * Amazon * Goodreads * 

Yay for book number two in this series!!  This is a fun one, friends.  It's the kind of relationship that has the potential for some cringes as Shelley's sister has a kid with the guy she is crushing on.  Awkward, right?  Nothing like falling in love with your sister's ex.  Fortunately it didn't come off too weird and Adrian and Shelley are both great characters.  It was easy to like them and easy to root for them.

This story is told in alternating first person perspectives.  I liked seeing things from both Shelley and Adrian's points of view.  One other thing I really liked is that Shelly and Adrian didn't have some great big misunderstanding that tore them apart.  They both faced a challenge that they had to work through but they did it with relatively little drama on their parts.  I like when characters face things together.  Their love for Ben was big, obvious and I loved how it drove their decision making in the best of ways.

It was fun to see characters from the previous book, giving a feeling of community and family to this book.  Don't worry, you don't have to read the previous book to love this book but you might have a more vested interest in the secondary characters if you do.  This book is on Kindle Unlimited if you have that.

Content:  kissing

Enjoy the following excerpt! 

 

SHELLEY

 

“It’s okay, Shell.” He calmed me down. His voice sounded in my ear, so close. Looking up, my eyes landed on his lips. Right in front of me. I got up on my knees, facing him. “It’s only a shirt.” My hand stilled, right on his chest. The heat of his body blazed through the fabric of his shirt, causing my insides to melt in a pool of hot, dark chocolate. Staring up into a similarly colored pair of eyes didn’t do much good for my unbalanced state.

“Shell.” Adrian’s voice dropped low, and I started to tremble, affected by the nearness of him. My hand clasped the fabric of his shirt, hoping to ground myself in the moment and also keep myself from toppling over. Adrian’s muscles tightened under my touch, and it was nearly my undoing. He reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “What are we doing here?” he whispered, his breath fanning over my face.

My eyes closed, and I released the breath I’d been holding. “I don’t know.” I opened my eyes and forced them up, passing Adrian’s tempting lips to his eyes. The same burning desire I felt reflected in his gaze.

“I don’t either,” Adrian whispered. His hand moved to my cheek and lingered there. I leaned in, soaking up the warmth of his gentle touch.

 

 

Mylissa Demeyere was born in Belgium, and resides in the beautiful city of Ghent. She lives in a somewhat organized home with her four beautiful children and the love of her life. If she isn’t working, she’s writing, exercising, reading, or enjoying time with her kids, who are growing up way too fast.

Connect with Mylissa online:

Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B07DNSN3Z1/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1?redirectedFromKindleDbs=true

Website: http://www.mylissademeyere.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MylissaDemeyereAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylissademeyere/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MylissaDemeyere

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mylissademeyere/

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54954584-rules-are-made-to-be-ignored

Follow Mylissa on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18117920.Mylissa_Demeyere

Follow Mylissa on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mylissa-demeyere

The Captain's Christmas Promise (Griffin Force) by Julie Coulter Bellon

 

 

A Christmas they won't forget . . .

After spending every waking moment hunting the world’s most wanted terrorist, Colt Mitchell and Brenna Wilson decide to take a break and go home for the Christmas holidays. The minute they touch down on Canadian soil, however, they are pulled into an international conspiracy that would leave the son of a Kuwaiti diplomat dead. Colt and Brenna finally locate the target, but a contract killer is hot on their trail. Retreating to the Canadian wilderness to keep everyone safe, they'll need all their skills---and maybe a Christmas miracle---to make it out alive.

* Amazon * Goodreads * 

I've been so excited to read this story!  Colt and Brenna's story begins in The Captain (Griffin Force #2) and this story follows after that.  I don't think you have to read the main story first but I can guarantee you will be happier if you do.  I loved reconnecting with these characters here.  Colt and Brenna are awesome.

This story is novella length but it sure packs a punch!  It's not your typical Christmas story because, well, Colt and Brenna aren't typical people with ordinary jobs.  I loved the tension and danger as well as the sweeter moments with family.  It was balanced well and over before I knew it.  I just love Julie Coulter Bellon's military suspense books.  They are my favorite. 

Content:  some violence, peril, kissing 

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

 

The Duke Meets His Match by Karen Tuft + Win This Book!

 

 

 

At thirty years of age, Susan Jennings has long been considered a spinster. Exceptionally intelligent, she has little tolerance for London and the dreaded Season—if that’s how one is expected to find love, it’s not for her. But when an invitation arrives that cannot be ignored, Susan leaves her comfortable life in the country and enters the fashion and frivolity she most despises. She quickly discovers, however, that there is more to loathe in London—and his name is George Kendall.

George, Duke of Aylesham, has learned to keep his distance from cloying females chasing the title of duchess. Susan Jennings, however, proves an entirely different challenge—a woman who has pushed him to the limit of his patience with their every encounter. But their simmering hostility is disrupted by a thoughtless slip-up: to avoid a marriage of political strategy, George claims he is already betrothed. And when pressed for the name of the lucky woman, only one name comes to mind: Susan’s. Their forced betrothal proves advantageous, but when their verbal sparring must change in order to be convincing, the line between fact and fiction becomes blurred by something neither expected: love.

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book * 

People don't always make the best first impressions and this is especially true for Susan and George.  They have an awful first meeting and their second isn't much better.  It was really fun to watch these two shift their opinions as they got to know each other better.  The shifting relationship between George and Susan felt natural and believable.  They had to work through misunderstandings and they had to learn how to communicate.  I loved when they presented a united front.  

I also loved when Susan got her Cinderella moment- a new wardrobe, haircut and styling along with some words that built her up.  It was one of my favorite moments in the book.

This was a fun book.  I really enjoyed it and ended it feeling satisfied and happy.

Content:  kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Snowed in at Silver Lake by Stephanie Fowers

 

Getting snowed in with a stranger is dangerous—especially for her heart.

Gracie Turner just broke up with her fiancé before Christmas, so after a severe snowstorm causes her car to skid off the road into the deadly waters of Silver Lake, she can’t help falling for her rugged, handsome rescuer. There’s only one problem. He’s a fugitive running from the law.

Barron Hart has a plan to bring his brother’s killers to justice, and it does not involve Gracie. But when the snowy winds batter the backwoods cabin he’s using as his hideout, he has no choice but to wait out the storm with the Sheriff’s daughter. Against her will. Although, if he’s being honest with himself, she’s the one holding his heart captive.

After their first explosive encounter, nothing will warm Gracie up… or stop the sparks flying between them. There are too many secrets keeping them apart. Barron is further dismayed when Gracie uncovers his tragic past. She has the faith to help him heal, but he’s not ready to give up his revenge. Will the mysteries that brought them together, now have the power to tear them apart?

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

How many times can Gracie fall into a frozen lake?  Many times.  And who saves her?  Every. Single. Time.?  Barron.  Yeah, he's that kind of guy.

The build up in both plot and between characters was good.  I could feel the tension mounting.  I love when a love story gives me a bit of suspense to liven things up and this one was exactly right and balanced fantastically.  

I liked Gracie but I LOVED Barron and his dog too. This book moves along at a great pace and I read through it quickly.  It was a fun one!  

Content:  Christian Fiction (talk of God, praying etc.), kissing, mild peril, mild violence

This book is available on KU.

Ming's Christmas Wishes by Susan L. Gong, Masahiro Tateishi (Illustrations)

 

Ming wishes for three things at Christmas. First, to sing in the school Christmas choir. Second, to have a Christmas tree like the one in the department store window. And third, to feel she belongs somewhere.

As a daughter of immigrants in 1930s California, Ming is often treated differently than other children at school. She’s pointedly not invited to sing in the Christmas choir. At home, when Ming lobbies her parents for a Christmas tree, her mother scolds her for trying to be American. Ming doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere: she’s not quite American enough at school, not quite Chinese enough at home.

Seeing his daughter’s unhappiness, Pop takes her into the mountains to visit a wise old friend. Always happy for an adventure with her kind father, Ming hopes to persuade Pop to bring home a mountain pine to be their Christmas tree. But he has something else in mind, something that will help Ming draw strength from nature, from their Chinese heritage, and from deep and enduring family ties.

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

What a sweet book.  I really loved the message of this story and the illustrations.  Ming's Pop takes the time to show Ming the places, the people and the purpose of her heritage instead of just telling her.  Ming is trying to find herself in a new country and it isn't easy to fit in and merge/keep traditions.  I can only imagine how difficult that would be.  Pop is a gentle, kind soul and I really loved him.

I loved learning a little more about the Chinese culture and especially what the pine tree represents.  The faces of the characters in the illustrations were my favorite.  They really told the whole story with their expressions.  

This is a beautiful story to add to my Christmas book collection.  

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Montana Wedding (Blackwell Sisters, 5) by Cari Lynn Webb + $50 Giveaway!

Montana Wedding

(The Blackwell Sisters #5)

By Cari Lynn Webb

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages

December 1, 2020 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Can a fake date

Become the real deal?

Triplet Georgie Harrison will do anything to keep her family—including her newfound Blackwell relatives—from worrying about her. Which is exactly why she’s enlisted way-too-charming rodeo cowboy Zach Evans to be her fake boyfriend for her sister’s Montana ranch wedding. The problem is that Georgie’s not just tempted to fall for her own ruse…she’s also falling hard for the roguish cowboy she can never have.

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

The Blackwell Sisters
Book 1: Montana Welcome by Melinda Curtis
Book 2: Montana Wishes by Amy Vastine
Book 3: Montana Dreams by Anna J. Stewart
Book 4: Montana Match by Carol Ross
Book 5: Montana Wedding by Cari Lynn Webb

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Target | Book Depository | Harlequin

Apple Books | Google | Kobo | BAM | IndieBound | Walmart

This is book five in this series and in full disclosure, I haven't read any of the other books.  Coming into a series on the last book probably wasn't the best idea.  While the author did a good job of giving me some background, I had a hard time with all the characters.  They would be familiar to me if I had read previous books but unfortunately, there were so many names and faces I didn't know.  I had a hard time connecting emotionally to characters and events because of that.  Obviously, I am going to highly recommend that you read this series in order.  Having said that, I could sense the strong family bonds.  These authors have built quite the family unit with the Blackwells.  (I did read the original Return of the Blackwell Brothers series and really enjoyed it.  This series is a spin off, continuation of that series.)

Zach and Georgie are about as opposite as two characters can get.  They come from different worlds and have very different goals in life.  It was interesting to watch them circle around to similar places.  Zach has always wanted what the Blackwell family has.  Being with them is like a dream come true for him.  I think I connected the most with him and his life struggle, his desires and his dreams.  He was easy to like.  Georgie is a tougher nut and I didn't always understand her but I loved how kind she was to everyone, even when she struggled.

There were so many things happening in this story!  The winter/Christmas setting lends itself to lots of fun family Christmas traditions and troublesome weather.  There is the return of an estranged father, the birth of babies and the reconnecting of sisters.  It was easy to get wrapped up in the holiday feel with the idyllic setting and warm family bonds.  This is a great book to read during this month of December.

Content:  kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Cari Lynn Webb lives in South Carolina with her husband, daughters and assorted four-legged family members. She's been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparent's 70 year marriage and her parent's marriage of over 50 years. She knows love isn't always sweet and perfect, it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers. Visit her at her website.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card and a Christmas goodie bag to include holiday books, an ornament and candy (US only)

Ends December 11, 2020
a Rafflecopter giveaway

    On Tour with Prism Book Tours