Throwback Thursday -Featuring Samantha Chase's I'll Be There!

Throwback Thursday

I am so happy to share this review of I'll Be There from December 11,2015. Samantha Chase is one of my go to authors and I looking forward to reading a new Montgomery book soon!

Zach and Gabby's story is my favorite Samantha Chase novel--read my review and you'll see why!

5 Stars! 
★★★★★

Happy Reading,
Susan

'Oh my God. What happened to you?"

Those were the first words Gabriella uttered when she stepped into Zach's home the next day. He was covered in sweat and his hand was bleeding, and she noticed a harried-looking woman wearing scrubs scurrying around collecting things.

Zach glared at her and then at the woman in scrubs. "Good riddance!" he yelled as she walked out the door. It slammed behind her but Zach's eyes were instantly back on Gabriella's. "What the hell are you doing here?"

She kept her back to him for two reasons-one, she needed a moment to compose herself. In all the years she had worked for Zach, Gabriella had never seen him look like this--ragged, almost dirty. Defeated. And two, she was waiting him out to see how long it was going to take for him to start throwing his weight around in an attempt to make her leave.

She had the patience of a saint and nothing else to do today. The ball was in his court.
Her confidence was boosted by the mere fact that they had played this game dozens of times of times in the office, and she was always able to outwit him. Zach hated silence just as much as he hated when people didn't do exactly what he wanted when he wanted.

She'd missed this. And him. 

Zach Montgomery was severely injured in a mountain climbing fall. Zach has returned home to recuperate and is refusing help from his family. He's fired dozens of home health aides and his company Montgomery Enterprises is suffering because he is unable to return to work. William Montgomery has a two-fold plan for his nephew which should get Zach back to work and walking down the aisle. Walking down the aisle? Yes! William Montgomery is a wealthy businessman who dabbles as the family matchmaker.

I'll Be There is the sixth book in Samantha Chase's Montgomery series. The characters and their journey set this book apart from the books in the series. I'll Be There examines what happens when a driven businessman and athlete is severely injured in a sports- related accident. Zach's journey takes him from denial, recovery and finally acceptance as he comes to terms with the fact that he almost died. The author offers a realistic portrayal of a bitter, independent man who doesn't want assistance from anyone until he accepts his situation and chooses recovery over self -pity.

The characters of Zach and Gabriella are multi-faceted and they are very different from the other characters in the series. Although the couple is attracted to each other, their path to romance has several surprising detours. Zach is a perfectionist, he's headstrong and very independent. He is a successful businessman and he loves the challenge of extreme sports in his spare time. Gabriella Martine is a no nonsense type of person. She's Zach's assistant and Gabriella "gets" him. She has worked with Zach and understands him better than most of his family members. Faced with losing his position in his company or accepting Gabriella's help, Zach chooses to work with Gabby. Samantha Chase has created a great heroine. Gabriella's past and her family life are brought to light during the story and it's important for the reader to understand how Gabriella's past has influenced her and plays a part in her choices.

Kudos to Samantha Chase for writing a well-paced look at the emotional and physical issues after a life threatening accident. Loved the mutual attraction between the characters and how it simmered slowly at the beginning of the novel. I'll Be There is a fabulous story of a determined man and the woman who loves him and has strength enough for both of them. I read this book in one day as I was invested in the characters and their story. And I am hoping to read another Montgomery book soon!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Review edited by Brian McGee - Thanks Brian!
ARC provided by Sourcebooks.

Susan's Review of Carson by Melissa Foster

CARSON

Bad Boys After Dark #3

Melissa Foster

Releasing July 11, 2017

World Literary Press

Second chances really do exist…

As the founder of a multimillion-dollar international security business, Carson Bad exposes secrets for a living. He knows better than to forge relationships built on them. But for years he did just that with his best friend, and secret lover, Tawny Bishop. She brought a sense of calm and understanding to his life–in and out of the bedroom. Until one fateful night when a knock at the door changed everything.

Tawny is no longer a naive college student. She’s a sought-after perfumer living in Paris. She has plenty of resources at her fingertips, and lots of lonely nights to think about the only man she’s ever loved–the one she ran away from all those years ago. She needs to move forward with her life, but how can she when Carson still owns her heart?

Maybe showing up in the middle of the night unannounced isn’t the best route to unraveling the past and figuring out her future, but Tawny has played it safe for ten long years, and it’s only made her long for the man she never should have walked away from. Now she’s back in Carson’s life, and he’s determined not to make the same mistake twice. If only he knew what that mistake was…


Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.com/tours-master/carson-melissa-foster

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.

Enter here!

With her heart in her throat, she lifted her gaze, and lost her breath at the sight of the strikingly handsome man who had once been her lover and best friend standing a few feet away with his brother, Brett. She’d met Brett once when he’d come to visit Carson at college.

Her attention moved swiftly back to Carson, and she was unable to look away. His white dress shirt was rolled up to his elbows, revealing muscular forearms, and tucked into perfectly tailored dark slacks. He was broader now, tall, and sturdy.

A big, beautiful man with the classic good looks of a 1950s movie star. He raked a hand through his short hair, laughing at something Brett must have said. His familiar laughter made her knees weak. Please look over.

No. Don’t. Her heart might explode.

Wait. Yes, look over.

Oh God.

What was she doing? She was a professional, educated woman. She should not be weak-kneed over the sight of a man. But apparently her body didn’t get the memo, because her pulse skyrocketed, and she could barely breathe. She gripped the handle of her suitcase tighter, using it for balance. Carson turned, his chiseled features softened by the hint of a five-o’clock shadow. Their eyes connected, and his brows knitted, his jaw tensed.

Disappointment clutched her. Didn’t he recognize her? Or did he? Was he angry? She should walk away, but she was pinned in place by his riveting gaze.

Ten years ago, Tawny Bishop and Carson Bad were best friends, study partners and secret lovers in college. They shared a deep personal connection for two years until Tawny abruptly ended their relationship. Tawny has travelled to New York City from Paris to see if the bond between them still exists.
“She’d convinced herself that their relationship was unforgettable, one of a kind. Maybe even true love. If the spark was still there, and she hadn’t blown it out of proportion after all these years, then maybe they had a chance for something real after all. And what if she couldn’t tell how strong the spark was? What if there was no spark? Thinking there was no spark and believing it were two different things. Oh God! She was too confused. How could she move forward with her life unless she knew exactly where they stood?” 

This paragraph drew me into the story. I related to Tawny and I imagined how I would feel if I had such deep feelings for someone and what would happen if the feelings were not returned. Tawny needed to move forward and finding Carson was the first step in her journey.
Melissa Foster’s Carson is a sensuous, emotional and oh so romantic novel which takes place over a five -night, four -day period. The timeframe piece was very important in this second chance romance as there was a finite time for Tawny and Carson to acknowledge and resolve their feelings. I loved that author chose to have the very dominant character of Carson acquiesce and let Tawny set the pace during her visit. Carson  loves Tawny deeply-she is the only one for him. He understands that Tawny needs to acknowledge the depth and sincerity of her feelings for him and grieve for her father. The author’s descriptive voice is enriched by infusing the senses of smell and touch throughout the novel. Loved it when Tawny became aware of a familiar scent outside the hotel building—she didn’t sense that Carson was nearby, she recognized his scent. The sense of touch is conveyed in the couple’s passionate sexual relationship.

Carson is an engaging novel that perfectly blends the elements of friendship, desire and love. The multifaceted characters and their stories captivated me and I finished the book in one day. Melissa Foster is known for her sexy, bad boy heroes. Carson is no exception. I loved the well-defined character of Tawny and her honest desire to reconnect with her true love. And the epilogue was perfect—just perfect!

Carson is a must read for ALL contemporary romance readers.

5 Stars!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC Provided by Tasty Tours

Susan's review of Katharine Ashe's The Pirate and I

The Pirate & I (A Novella)

Book 2.5 in the Devil’s Duke Series

Years ago, Miss Esme Astell fell hopelessly in love with Charles Brittle, an unassuming and highly respectable London bookmaker.
Then he disappeared without a word.
The last thing Esme ever dreamed was to meet Charlie again —
In a dark alleyway —
In a drenching rain —
In a chase with the police —
In Scotland.

Can she resist falling again, this time for the dangerous scoundrel he’s become?

"Good evening, Esme.”
Lips framed in whiskers barely moved as the words came from them like a husky growl. His beautiful eyes were two hard, cool pieces of flint.
‘I need your nose.”

Imagine looking towards your bedroom window and finding a handsome man from your past staring at you?
A man whom you were secretly in love with?
And he’s asking for your nose?


Katharine Ashe’s The Pirate and I is a fast-pace, suspenseful novella. Set in Scotland, the story is a continuation of the author’s The Devil’s Duke Series.

Esme Astell has worked at a perfume shop on Gracechurch Street in London for five years. Her efforts had increased the sales of the shop but, her employer would not increase her wages. One of her London clients appreciates Esme’s sensory abilities and arranges for her to attend a meeting of the Society of Perfumers, in Scotland. Esme spent a good portion of her savings to travel to Scotland in hopes that she would be offered an apprenticeship at an elite Paris perfume shop.

Esme encounters a criminal on her way home from the meeting. She is stunned to discover that the criminal is Charlie Brittle, who worked at the printing shop across from the perfume shop in London. Esme had been secretly in love with him for years and was devastated when Charlie disappeared from London and was presumed dead.

Charlie needs Esme to help him find a dog. He needs the dog in exchange for his freedom. Charlie has a plan to leave Scotland for America and he is determined to have his freedom. Ms. Ashe always sets the mood with her descriptive writing, and The Pirate & I is enhanced by the way she adds the sense of smell throughout the novel. I could imagine drinking black tea and eating oven fresh bread at the Hart and Rose pub with Charlie and Esme and smelling the perfume, candlewax and fabrics at the ball.

Katharine Ashe does a superb job balancing the romance and intrigue in this story. The romance between the couple is enchanting and the author’s lush, descriptive, sensual voice shines when the couple makes love. Charlie cherishes Esme and his feelings are conveyed in both his actions and words. Esme recognizes that Charlie has changed. She asks about his scars and burns and accepts Charlie as the man he has become, not the man she knew two years ago. The secondary characters of Pate and Rory added to the underlying feeling of suspense the author created throughout the novel. The conclusion had several surprising plot twists which surprised and delighted me!

Katharine Ashe’s novellas read as full length novels—the characters are well developed and there are several intricate plotlines. This is the perfect weekend read –especially for those of us who are looking forward to reading The Duke!

5 Stars!

★★★★★

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
ARC provided by the publisher

❤ MEET KATHARINE ❤

Katharine Ashe is the USA Today bestselling author of the acclaimed Devil’s Duke series, and eighteen other historical romances that reviewers call “intensely lush” and “sensationally intelligent.”  She is a two-time finalist for the prestigious RITA® Award of the Romance Writers of America — in 2014 for How to Marry a Highlander and in 2015 for My Lady, My Lord — and a three-time nominee in the Reviewers’ Choice Awards, including winner for Best Historical Romantic Adventure in 2012, and her novel How to Be a Proper Lady was an Amazon Editors’ Choice for the Ten Best Romances of the Year.  Her books have been recommended by Woman’s World Magazine, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, All About Romance, Booklist, Library Journal, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many others, and translated into languages around the world. 

Katharine lives in the wonderfully warm Southeast with her husband, son, dog, and a garden she likes to call romantic rather than unkempt.  A professor of European history and pop culture, she writes fiction because she thinks modern readers deserve grand adventures and breathtaking sensuality too.  Her favorite thing is to meet readers in person, but she loves connecting with readers by mail and email and on social media too!

Follow Katharine at:

❤ Website ❤

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