Susan's Review of Bayside Heat by Melissa Foster

Bayside is bring the HEAT in this sexy, fun and
oh-so romantic friends-to-lovers romance!

BAYSIDE HEAT

Bayside Summers #3

Melissa Foster

Releasing Aug 8, 2018

World Literary Press

Drake Savage has always done the right thing, especially where beautiful and fiercely determined Serena Mallery is concerned—even when it means keeping his feelings for her to himself. Serena has always wanted more than what their small town of Wellfleet, Massachusetts has to offer, and Drake’s roots are so deeply entrenched in the Cape, it’s all he can do to watch her pack up her life and move away.

Serena has always had big dreams. As a teenager she dreamed of becoming an interior designer and marrying smart, musically inclined, sexy-as-sin Drake Savage. Now she’s finally landed a killer job with a top interior design firm, but though she has spent the last four years working side by side with Drake, he’s never made a move. Four years is long enough for her to accept reality, and her new job in Boston is the perfect way to move on.

A weak moment leads to sizzling, sensual kisses, opening a door through which they’ve both been aching to walk. But Serena’s determined not to give up her shot at the career she’s always dreamed of, and Drake has loved her for too many years to stand in her way. With true love at their fingertips and a world of unstoppable passion igniting between them, can the two star-crossed lovers find their way to their happily ever after?

Don't miss the other Bayside Summers titles

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

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Thirty-one year old Serena Mallery has watched her friends find successful, fulfilling careers and fall in love in the past few years. Serena has been attracted to Drake Savage since she was a teenager. Drake has decided that he and Serena are friends-no more, no less. Serena realizes that she needs to move off Cape to find romantic and professional happiness and accepts a position with an interior design firm in Boston.

Serena’s decision to move to Boston is the catalyst in this passionate friends to lover’s romance. Drake is blindsided by Serena’s news. He thought she would continue to work at the resort, help him with his music stores and take interior design jobs from time to time. Serena’s moving to Boston has rocked Drake’s comfortable world. At first, I thought that Drake was a broody, self- centered guy. The honest, thoughtful back and forth banter between Drake, Rick and Dean changed my mind. I realized that Drake was a complex, caring man. Drake had to acknowledge the depth of his feelings for Serena. I never doubted that Drake loved Serena with all of his heart as he did not want Serena to choose between him and her dreams.

In Bayside Heat, Melissa Foster tackles several important relationship issues—honestly, trust and believing in yourself. Serena and Drake have a great working relationship; they understand each other, Drake relies on Serena’s organizational skills and trusts her trusts her design sense. The couple faces a few challenges when their long distance relationship heats up. Commuting, work obligations and personal promises test the couple.

I loved reconnecting with the Bayside couples and Violet. Violet’s unfiltered remarks are hysterical and spot on. Her character adds a lot of humor and honesty to the storyline. The friendships between Drake and Serena and their friends is so important in this series. The Bayside characters support, laugh and listen to each other. I adored the scene when Drake cruised to Boston with Matt, Mira, Hagen, Dean Emery, Rick and Desiree and picked Serena up at the Seaport dock.

Bayside Heat is a heartfelt, sensuous, romantic novel. Melissa Foster creates a friends to lover’s story with a twist. Both characters grow during the story. Drake acknowledges his feelings for Serena and trusts Serena with his heart. Serena learns to stand up for herself professionally and figures out her path to balance her professional and romantic desires.

Bayside Heat is one of my favorite novels of 2018. And the epilogue? Perfect – it’s full of love, happiness and romance!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the author

Bayside Desires By Melissa Foster

Fall in love at Bayside, where sandy beaches, good friends, 

and true love come together in the sweet small towns of Cape Cod.

BAYSIDE DESIRES

Bayside Summers #1

Melissa Foster

Releasing May 9, 2017

World Literary Press

As the co-owner of Bayside Resorts, Rick Savage has a fabulous job working with his best friends and brother, and a thriving business in Washington, DC, which he’ll be returning to at the end of the summer. Spending time with his family is great, but being back on Cape Cod has unearthed painful memories. When sweet, smart, and overly cautious Desiree Cleary moves in next door, Rick is drawn to the sexy preschool teacher, and she just might prove to be the perfect distraction.

Running an art gallery was not in preschool teacher Desiree Cleary’s plans, but after being tricked into coming to her impetuous, unreliable mother’s aid, she’s stuck spending the summer with the badass half sister she barely knows and a misbehaving dog. If that’s not frustrating enough, she can’t escape the sparks igniting with her strikingly handsome and pushy neighbor, Rick, who makes all her warning bells go off.

Passion ignites as Desiree and Rick spend long summer nights sharing heartfelt confessions and steamy kisses. For the first time in years Rick is enjoying life again instead of hiding behind mounds of work miles away from his family. Desiree has touched him in a way that makes him want to slow down. Only slowing down means dealing with his demons, and he isn’t sure who he’ll be when he comes out the other side.

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

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Bayside Desires is a fast-paced love at first sight romance set in the Cape Cod community of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Melissa Foster writes a passionate, sexy romance featuring Rick Savage and Desiree Cleary. Their story touches upon issues of abandonment, tragic loss and the importance of family and friends.

While jet skiing on Cape Cod Bay with his brother and friend, Rick notices a very attractive woman standing at the end of the jetty. He is so focused on her that he fishtails his jet ski and sprays water all over her. Realizing that this wasn’t the best way to meet someone, Rick introduces himself to Desiree and apologizes profusely. Rick admits that he was rushing because he wanted to meet Desiree before she left the beach. While shamelessly flirting with Desire, he notices that her phone had gotten wet. As he is drying off her phone he asks Desiree for permission to add his number in her contact list -- just in case Desiree wants to call him. I really loved the self- confident, hardworking character of Rick and how he realized that his attraction towards Desiree was special from the moment they met.

Desiree is a preschool teacher in Virginia who received a desperate email from her estranged mother, Lizza. It alludes to Lizza’s health and requests that Desiree come to her family’s summer home in Wellfleet. When Desiree arrives at the cottage, she quickly realizes that her mother has misled her about the visit. Lizza is about to leave the Cape because she needs a mental health break; leaving the responsibilities of her art gallery and a huge renovation project on the summer home in Desire’s lap. To complicate matters, Violet, Desiree’s sister who she hasn’t seen in years arrives on the scene. I loved the back and forth banter and the heartfelt conversations between the sisters.

The attraction between Rick and Desiree sizzled off the pages. Realizing that Rick needs to return to his business in Washington, DC and with Desiree’s teaching job in Virginia beginning in September, the couple opts for a short summer romance. I loved that Rick romanced Desiree Cape Cod style; they ate at local restaurants, shared bonfires on the beach with his family and friends and spent the night on a blanket looking at the stars. He really cared for her and listened to what she needed.

One of my favorite scenes takes place when Rick takes Desiree on a moonlight cruise on his family’s sailboat. This exquisitely written chapter is a turning point in Bayside Desires. With the simple act of stepping into the deck of the sailboat, Rick has reconciled with his past feelings and opened his heart fully to Desiree and his family. Bayside Desires has all the feels; a sizzling summer romance, fun, witty dialogue, family connections and a fabulous setting on Cape Cod Bay. I laughed and cried with these characters during their journey. The novel’s conclusion was fabulous and I loved the element of magic that was smoothly woven throughout the novel—it made me smile! Can’t wait for the next book in this new series!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Edited by Brian McGee
Book provided by Tasty Tours

Oh shit. Rick Savage beached his craft, threw his life vest onto the sand, and ran after the woman he’d soaked. He’d been so captivated by the curvaceous blonde that when she’d started to leave, his first instinct had been to stop her. He’d clearly lost his mind. He knew better than to come that close to the jetty or to fishtail near people.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, jogging over as she stepped off the rocks and onto the beach. She turned, mouth gaping, strands of wet hair stuck to her cheeks, forehead, and shoulders. The most beautiful green eyes stared back at him in shock and horror. He felt like a total ass.

“I’m sorry. I saw you watching me, and—” There was absolutely no excuse for what he’d done, so he went with the truth, no matter how bad it sounded. “I wanted to meet you before you took off.”

“I wasn’t watching you.” Her eyes darted around them, as if someone else might hear her lying. He cocked a brow. “Okay, maybe I was for a second. But you were stalking me.” She swiped at her sundress, which clung to her incredibly sexy body like a second skin. He tried not to leer, but damn…

Forcing his eyes up, he said, “I wasn’t stalking you—” Her deadpan stare stopped him from telling his own lie. “Okay, fine,” he said with a laugh. “I was. You caught me. I’m sorry.”

“Does this usually work for you? Drenching unsuspecting women?” she said with a hint of annoyance, and a smile, as she shook the water from her arms. “Not that I’m an expert on being hit on, but it doesn’t seem like the best way to go about it.” 

“I’m sure you get hit on all the time, but this wasn’t planned. It was a stupid mistake. It’s actually illegal to go that fast near the jetty, so you can have me arrested if you’d like. I wasn’t thinking. I was—”

She arched a brow, a slight smirk playing across her beautiful face as she tossed his mannerism right back at him. He felt himself smiling. Man, this woman was as sweet as she was spunky. “What can I say? If you weren’t so hot…” 

“So, it’s my fault?” She rolled her eyes. “You really do kind of suck at picking up women.” The caveman in him grunted, and he squared his shoulders. “I don’t suck at it. I’m actually really good at it. A pro. A master. A champion.”

She laughed. “Sorry, but…” She waved at her wet clothes. “Evidence proves otherwise.” 

And I’m about to prove that evidence wrong. “Let me buy you a sweatshirt and something warm to drink at Mac’s so you don’t freeze.” Mac’s was a walk-up restaurant by the Wellfleet Pier, a five-minute drive by car. Less by Jet Ski. Her eyes rolled over his face, as if she were considering it. He’d never had anything close to a poker face, which meant she saw his remorse and his attraction. At six two, two thirty, he was a big dude, and he kept in prime shape with running and water sports. He was used to women ogling him and practically doing cartwheels to get his attention. She drew in a deep breath, her eyes dropping to his bare chest, and she bit her plump lower lip. “Sexy” didn’t begin to describe the dichotomy of sweet and sultry this woman possessed. But she wasn’t doing cartwheels. In fact, those hungry eyes shifted away from him.

“It’s okay,” she said. “I was getting ready to leave anyway.” She was blowing him off? There was no way he was letting her leave without doing something to make up for this debacle. Okay, maybe he also wanted to strip away those wet clothes and warm her up. But that was beside the point. “Are you staying at a cottage on the beach? I can give you a ride on my Jet Ski.” 

“As tempting as that sounds, since I’ve never been on one, I have my car.” She pointed to the parking lot with the hand that held her phone, and her smile faded. “Oh, shoot. My phone got wet.” 

“I can take care of that.” He took it from her and wiped it on his shorts. She watched his hands, his biceps, his pecs, his shorts, with laser focus. His fish wasn’t off the line yet. “It should be okay now. Want me to put my number in your contacts? In case you change your mind about that drink?” 

That brought a curious smile. He noticed the cutest dimple beside her mouth when she smiled. “Does that usually work?” “No idea. I haven’t had to use that line before.” 

He stepped closer, unable to resist brushing a lock of hair that was stuck to her cheek away from her face so he could see her better. Their eyes connected, and the temperature spiked. She must have felt it, too, because she was licking her lips like a hungry tigress. In the next breath, her eyes darted nervously around the beach. Christ, now she looked sweet and innocent. How did she do that in the blink of an eye? 

Rick was only at the Cape for a few more weeks, working on renovations at the resort before returning to his real life, and design-build business, in Washington, DC. The thoughts running through his mind were not sweet and innocent. He should let his apology ride, get on his Jet Ski, and drive away. But she had his rapt attention, and he was unable to walk away. 

“You don’t have to use my number,” he said. “But you never know. Maybe when you’re lying in bed tonight, unable to stop thinking about me, you’ll wish you had it.” Her cheeks flushed, and those sparkling green eyes moved over his face and down his chest again, lingering long enough to send a stroke of heat to his core. 

“Why not?” she said, surprising the hell out of him. “Go ahead and put your number in my phone…?” “Rick.” 

He entered his contact information and handed it back, curling his fingers over hers and holding them for a beat. Her eyes flicked up, dark and alluring. 

“I’m Desiree,” she said a little breathlessly. 

Oh yeah, you feel it, too.

Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis- Audio Version

Rumor Has It
by Jill Shalvis

Audio Version

Ryan looked at her for a long moment.

There was a lot in his gaze.

Affection. A touching amount of concern.

And then, wariness.

Just then, Kate felt a change in her force field.

She didn't have to turn around to know who had come

up behind her and now stood at her back. It was utterly

unnecessary because her happy nipples told her exactly who it was.

She couldn't speak. Not when she realized that she was standing

between the only two men she'd ever slept with.

  

Jill Shalvis reading is always a pleasure. Romance. Sweet,

unpredictable, classic romance. Comedy. Great family and

friends. The towns and characters are so real.

This story is Book 4 in the Animal Magnetism series.

The town, Sunshine, Idaho.

Ryan has recently left the military. Not because he

wanted to. He has been a service member all his adult life.

Ryan is struggling to settle into civilian life.

So he came back to his home town, Sunshine. With no intention of staying.

Ryan just wanted to recover from the military.

Kate has never been out of the state. And she has no intention of leaving.

She is brilliant and a world class multi tasker. She has a younger brother and sister.

Kate is raising them. Raising them, along with their father.

 Life has been a struggle for him.

So Kate has kept things running and the kids taken care of.

Kate has the opportunity of a lifetime. And its about to expire.

In order to answer that opportunity, she has to leave Sunshine.

They are terrific characters with real problems. Just like we all have.

And they fall in love. But how do you work around big problems,

once in a lifetime opportunities, migraines and super heroes??
Anything can happen in Sunshine.

Karen White does the narration in Rumor Has It. She also did

Then Came You by Jill Shalvis. In fact, that was what made me

click ''buy''. Karen does a terrific job with the humor and the

hot & sexy scenes as well.

If you have ever thought you might like to try an audio book,

this might be the one for you. Its about 9 1/2 hours long. And as

of right now, it is on sale.

Its a wonderful story. Full of romance and some laughs.

I enjoyed it very much. And would highly recommend it.

 Review by Lisa Hutson