Release Day: Kristen Ashley's First Traditionally Published Book

Every time a Kristen Ashley book is released is a good day. Today, April 2 is the official release day for Own the Wind. It's the first book in the Chaos series and it's also the first book that is traditionally published. You may have seen all the buzz regarding her indie books and I'm not surprised - they are really, really good. I love the blurb for Own the Wind and can't wait to start reading it. I am curious to see how they will compare to her other books, particularly because this book will now have the benefit of being well-edited. As long as the way she tells a story is there, I'm all for it!

Happy Book Birthday!

Too hot to handle . . .

Tabitha Allen grew up in the thick of Chaos-the Chaos Motorcycle Club, that is. Her father is Chaos' leader, and the club has always had her back. But one rider was different from the start. When Tabby was running wild, Shy Cage was there. When tragedy tore her life apart, he helped her piece it back together. And now, Tabby's thinking about much more than friendship . . .

Tabby is everything Shy's ever wanted, but everything he thinks he can't have. She's beautiful, smart, and as his friend's daughter, untouchable. Shy never expected more than friendship, so when Tabby indicates she wants more-much more-he feels like the luckiest man alive. But even lucky men can crash and burn . . . 

Here's the cover for the next book in the Chaos series, Fire Inside. 

Best Love Stories

These are some of my favorite love stories. They made me cry, smile and fall in love. I know not every love story is going to be easy but that means they tend to be emotional and those are the kinds I enjoy best. In fact, I like for a love story to take work and go through good and bad times. I picked the ones that stayed with me long after.

The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred All I can say is keep plenty of tissues handy! It's a second chance story and these two are so tormented and desperately in need of a happily ever after.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers I don't read a lot of Christian fiction but this is one of those stories I wish everyone could read. It is dark at times and heart-wrenching. The hero is so patient and shows her what love is and how it can heal.

Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 3) by J.R. Ward It's book three of the vampire series so it's probably best if you read them in order. I cried reading this. Zsadist is probably one of the most tortured alpha hero I've ever encountered.

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons It's a forbidden love story and the couple's journey towards love is a long but unforgettable one. You'll have to read the sequel to find a happy ending though.

Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas One of my favorite romance by her. The woman faced domestic violence in a former relationship and the hero teaches her to love again. I love Hardy! He first makes an appearance in Sugar Daddy (the book before this one), although he's not a hero but it gives us a look into his life growing up.

  Annie's Song by Catherine Anderson Sometimes sad but mostly sweet. Alex is a wonderful hero and I love seeing him and Annie fall in love in a simple and touching way.

Paradise by Judith McNaught You can't really go wrong with a book by her and she writes some of the best second chance romances. Paradise is one of them.

Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips If you want a great romance with some humor then definitely try her books. Her characters are so much fun!

Review: Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas

I think I would like to live in a town like Friday Harbor because it's a small island full of magical and sweet things. There is everything from the picturesque sights, the waters, a bit of magic and a toy shop. Everything is quaint and welcoming. It's the perfect place to fall in love, the perfect place to heal the soul. That is exactly what Lucy and Sam find there. I liked the first book in this series, Christmas at Friday Harbor but I liked this book even better. Lucy has such a unique occupation and the way it's described throughout the story is stunning. It's more than art because there is a bit of magic involved. It was semi-believable and not intrusive on the story. The way the romance started out was a bit unconventional and I wasn't sure I would like it (Lucy's ex asks his friend to romance her) but their relationship worked out nicely. It's a tender romance in a beautiful town.

Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Friday Harbor #2

Lucy Marinn is a glass artist living in mystical, beautiful, Friday Harbor, Washington. She is stunned and blindsided by the most bitter kind of betrayal: her fiancé Kevin has left her. His new lover is Lucy’s own sister. Lucy's bitterness over being dumped is multiplied by the fact that she has constantly made the wrong choices in her romantic life. Facing the severe disapproval of Lucy's parents, Kevin asks his friend Sam Nolan, a local vineyard owner on San Juan Island, to "romance" Lucy and hopefully loosen her up and get her over her anger. Complications ensue when Sam and Lucy begin to fall in love, Kevin has second thoughts, and Lucy discovers that the new relationship in her life began under false pretenses. Questions about love, loyalty, old patterns, mistakes, and new beginnings are explored as Lucy learns that some things in life—even after being broken—can be made into something new and beautiful.

Review: My One and Only by Kristan Higgins

I think this was my second book by Kristan Higgins and My One and Only is one of my favorite contemporary romances. It's sweet, funny and entertaining, which sums up all of Higgins's books. I especially adored this one because of Harper and Nick. They had their chance at love, it didn't work and now in this story it's their second chance. I definitely wanted them to find their happily ever after. Harper seems so cynical when it comes to love, whereas Nick easily expresses his love. He needs her and lets her know it. He also gets her and that scares her. Despite their imperfections I did see them being right for each other and enjoyed their journey towards love. Expect fun moments and lots of cool characters.

My One and Only by Kristan Higgins

Genre: Contemporary Romance


Divorce attorney Harper James can't catch a break. Bad enough that she runs into her ex-hubby, Nick, at her sister's destination wedding, but now, by a cruel twist of fate, she's being forced to make a cross-country road trip with him. And her almost-fiancé back at home is not likely to be sympathetic.

 Harper can't help that Nick has come blazing back into her life in all of his frustratingly appealing, gorgeous architect glory. But in Nick's eyes, Harper's always been the one. If they can only get it right this time, forever might be waiting—just around the bend.

20 Free Romances

Check out these romances!


When We Touch (A Whiskey Creek Novella) by Brenda Novak
Jenna's Cowboy: A Novel (The Callahans of Texas) by Sharon Gillenwater
Heartfire (Search for Love) by Karen Rose Smith
Love in Bloom by Karen Rose Smith
Shades of Honor (Grayson Brothers) by Wendy Lindstrom


Cowboy Dad by Cathy Mcdavid 
Baby Bonanza (Silhouette Desire) by Maureen Child
Irresistible Forces (Kimani Romance) by Brenda Jackson
The Italian's Inexperienced Mistress by Lynne Graham
A Very Special Delivery by Linda Goodnight


Hired by the Cowboy by Donna Alward
The Inconvenient Duchess by Christine Merrill
In the Garden of Temptation by Cynthia Wicklum
In Too Deep (Hidden Cove Series) by Kathryn Shay
Double Dare by Rhona Nelson


A Dark Kiss of Rapture (Renegade Angels) by Sylvia Day
Kiss Me Deadly (Silhouette Nocturne) by Michele Hauf
The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne
Exotic Indulgence (Bandicoot Cove) by Vivian Arend
A Gentleman of Her Dreams (A Ladies of Distinction Novella) by Jen Turano