Friday, December 8, 2023

Spotlight of Technically Yours by Denise Williams


PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA

***********    
TECHNICALLY YOURS
DENISE WILLIAMS
************
ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF DACHE J. ROGERS | BERKLEY | ASSOCIATE PUBLICIST
*************
Science is sexy. If you’re in doubt, just ask fans of Ali Hazelwood, Helen Hoang, and Christina Lauren. 
 
And this fall, Denise Williams adds her signature voice to the mix with a STEM-focused romance featuring a diverse cast.
 
It’s been seven years since two programmers fell in love but chose their careers over their hearts. 
 
Now, they’re stuck working together and trying to keep things professional. (Cue the sexual tension.) 
 
You know Denise Williams from heart-fluttering romances like How to Fail at Flirting and The Fastest Way to Fall.  
 
This December, she gives fans another diverse, authentic rom-com about falling in love despite the risks, both emotionally and professionally.  
 
Williams is a master of writing memorable and strong heroines who know their worth and tackle issues readers are familiar with. 
 
This steamy, STEM-focused, second-chance, workplace romance is just the book you won’t want to miss this December.
 *************

December 5, 2023

Berkley Trade Paperback

*************

PRAISE FOR TECHNICALLY YOURS AND BOOKS BY DENISE WILLIAMS:

 

“If, like me, you love second chances, banter that snaps, and steam that fogs up your windows, do yourself a favor and put Technically Yours on your TBR. You’ll laugh, you’ll swoon, and you’ll root for Pearl and Cord’s happy ending."New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune

"
Technically Yours is technically flawless: a second chance romance, a workplace affair, and a love story that will keep you flipping pages until the very end. This book was such a joy to read!"Nisha Sharma, author of Dating Dr. Dil

"In Williams's scorching
Technically Yours, two old flames re-ignite a passion that defies algorithms. Cord's magnetic charisma, Pearl's breathless yearning....these two are a force to be reckoned with in both the boardroom and the bedroom! This irresistible second chance romance rewites the code on RomComs!"—Nikki Payne, author of Pride and Protest

"Williams uploads her best yet contemporary romance, full of complex characters, the highs and lows of being a Black woman in STEM, and plenty of steam. Recommend to readers who enjoyed Jasmine Guillory and Chloe Liese."
Library Journal (starred review)

“Realistic conflict along with searing emotion and flashbacks to Pearl and Cord's first go-round make for a uniquely terrific romance."
Booklist

“Cord is the kind of caring and supportive hero romance readers will adore.”
Publishers Weekly

"If, hypothetically, Denise Williams decided to establish an academy (let’s call it The University of DW) and offered courses on how to write pent-up sexual tension, steamy banter, and enemies to lovers, I would burst into the classroom and yell “TAKE MY MONEY!!” The writing is unmatched, the chemistry is on fire, and
Do You Take This Man has one of the steamiest, most addictive, most satisfyingly hard-earned happily-ever-after I’ve read in ages!"Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis

"Denise Williams has mastered the art of writing fun, sexy banter. Smart and witty, with the perfect amount of steam,
Do You Take This Man is a gift to romance readers."Farrah Rochon, USA Today bestselling author of The Dating Playbook

"Once again, Denise Williams masterfully blends humor and heart with the perfect amount of steam.
Do You Take This Man is full of authentic characters with relatable issues, hilarious wedding hijinks, and swoony sexy times. Lear earns a place on my list of favorite heroes, and Williams cements her spot on my list of favorite writers."Falon Ballard, author of Lease on Love
 
“This annoyance-to-lovers story is steamy like the most luxurious bubble bath! Readers are in for a beautiful ride watching the deliciously prickly RJ learn to let someone care for her body and soul. Denise Williams consistently crafts romances that are so sweetly real. Her voice shines—full-hearted and playful—through every scene.”
Rosie Danan, author of The Roommate

"Denise Williams delivers again with twice the banter, twice the heat, and the best enemies to lovers tension. A stellar romance!"Jane Igharo, author of The Sweetest Remedy

"Warm, fuzzy, and ridiculously cute, The Fastest Way to Fall is the perfect feel-good read. Britta is an absolute breath of fresh air, and Wes is everything I love in a romantic lead. It's been weeks since I read this book, and I still smile every time I think about it. If you're looking for a novel that feels like a hug, this is it!"Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Happy Place

“Williams brings the banter, heat, and swoons, while also giving us a character who learns that standing up for herself is as important--and terrifying--as allowing herself to fall in love. ”
Jen DeLuca, author of Well Traveled

"The warmth in Denise Williams's writing is unmistakable, as is her wit. She tackles difficult subjects, difficult emotions, with such empathy and thoughtfulness."
Olivia Dade, Author of Teach Me

**PRAISE TAKEN FROM THE BOOK'S AMAZON PAGE** 

************

ABOUT TECHNICALLY YOURS:

Pearl Harris has learned the hard way to be careful in work and in love. When she is appointed acting director of Our Code, a nonprofit aimed at inspiring high schoolers to code, she has a chance to make lasting change for the organization, but a scandal has put their reputation at risk. Further complicating matters, Pearl didn’t expect the one man she hasn’t stopped thinking about in seven years to be the newest member of her board of directors.

Cord Matthews fell for Pearl when they met in an elevator seven years ago. She’s just his type: smart, capable, and makes him laugh, but when she broke his heart, he decided love wasn't for him. After five years with no contact, their connection is immediate despite the many roadblocks in their way and Cord must consider breaking his ban on serious relationships. But going public with a romance between them might derail Pearl's career and the progress she’s made at OurCode. 

Pearl and Cord both are hesitant to trust their feelings and take a risk as they grow closer, but it becomes impossible to keep ignoring the electricity between them. Cord is a skilled programmer, but a workplace romance might spell disaster for both of them, and love isn’t easily debugged.

************

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

 

Denise Williams wrote her first book in the second grade.  
 
I Hate You and its sequel, I Still Hate You, featured a tough, funny heroine; a quirky hero; witty banter; and a dragon. 
 
Minus the dragons, these are still the books she likes to write. After penning those early works, she finished second grade and eventually earned a PhD in education, going on to work in higher education. 
 
After growing up a military brat around the world and across the country, Denise now lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with her husband, son, and two ornery shih-tzus who think they own the house.

**AUTHOR PHOTO AND INFORMATION TAKEN FROM THE BOOK'S AMAZON PAGE**

************


Book Blogger Hop - 12/8 -12/14/2023


Question of the Week:
 
Where do you like to read the most? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)
 
My Answer:

I love to read on my back porch, but that can only happen in warm weather.

Sooooo...I settle for my rocking chair.  :)








Book Blogger Hop - 12/8/2023

 


Question of the Week:
 
 Do you read multiple books at once? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)
 
My Answer:

I do not.

I can only read one book at a time.  :)







Friendly Fill-Ins - 12/8/2023


************
FRIENDLY FILL-INS:
 
1. Some of my favorite Christmas songs are ________ and ______________.

2. I like to watch ______________ every year at Christmastime.

3. I would call this the most _________ time of the year.

4. If I were on Santa's naughty list, it would probably be because _________.

  MY ANSWERS:
 
1.  Some of my favorite Christmas songs are I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas and Sleigh Ride. 
 
2.  I like to watch How The Grinch Stole Christmas every year at Christmastime. 
 
3.  I would call this the most cookie-making time of the year.
 
4.  If I were on Santa's naughty list, I would probably be because I haven't dusted lately.  LOL!!


Thursday, December 7, 2023

Spotlight of The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson


PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA

***********    
THE FAKE MATE
LANA FERGUSON
************
ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF KRISTIN CIPOLLA | PUBLICIST | BERKLEY | PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE.
 ************
This shifter romance is sure to have you howling from the very first page!  
************
December 5, 2023
Berkley Trade Paperback Original
************

ABOUT THE FAKE MATE:

Mackenzie Carter hasn’t had a successful date in months. 

Only a year out of residency, Mackenzie’s grandmother is obsessed with finding her the perfect mate—and it’s driving her insane.  

Out of options, it feels like a small thing to tell her grandmother that she’s met someone.  

That is, until she blurts out the name of the first man she sees and the last man she would ever date: Noah Taylor, the big bad wolf of Denver General.

Noah Taylor, interventional cardiologist, and all-around grump has spent his entire life hiding what he is. 

With outdated stigmas surrounding unmated alphas that have people wondering if they still howl at the moon, Noah has been careful to keep his designation under wraps. 

It’s worked for years, until an anonymous tip has everything coming to light. 

Noah is left with two options: come clean to the board and risk his career—or find himself a mate.  

The chatty, overly friendly ER doctor asking him to be her fake boyfriend on the same day he’s called to meet the board has to be kismet, right?

Mackenzie will keep her grandmother off her back, and Nate will get a chance to prove he can continue to work without a real mate—a mutually beneficial business transaction.

But when the fake-mate act turns into a very real friends-with-benefits arrangement, lines start to blur, and they quickly realize love is a whole different kind of animal.

************

PRAISE FOR THE FAKE MATE:

The Fake Mate delivers the best of my two favourite worlds: a grumpy dark-haired doctor who–literally–howls to the moon, and the high stakes fake dating conundrum he’s thrusted into. Make no mistake, Lana weaves fantastically the elements we love from a paranormal romance (namely, attractive shifters with extremely interesting drives), with the humour characteristic from the best contemporary rom-com you can get your hands on. This book is addictive, epically smutty and the breath of fresh air the romance genre didn’t know it needed.”—Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author

"This fun, steamy romance has interesting, well-drawn characters who happen to be shifters...Fans of fake relationships will appreciate Ferguson’s paranormal twist on the trope."
Library Journal

“What begins as a typical fake relationship story quickly slides into a delightfully endearing study of two people overcoming expectations.”
Publishers Weekly

“Charming. Funny. Primal. Ferguson’s paranormal romance manages to be sweet and spicy at the same time, with two likable leads who can’t ignore their wolfish urges...Readers will tear through this omegaverse novel.”—Booklist
 
 **PRAISE TAKEN FROM AUTHOR'S AMAZON PAGE**
************ 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lana Ferguson is a sex-positive nerd whose works never shy from spice or sass.
 
A faded Fabio book cover found its way into her hands at fifteen, and she’s never been the same since. 
 
When she isn’t writing, you can find her randomly singing show tunes, arguing over which Batman is superior, and subjecting her friends to the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings
 
Lana lives mostly in her own head but can sometimes be found chasing her corgi through the coppice of the great American outdoors.
 
Lana hopes to give the world all sorts of sexy stories between two dummies sharing a single brain cell—but until then: practice safe text, use commas.

**AUTHOR INFORMATION AND IMAGE TAKEN FROM AUTHOR'S AMAZON PAGE**

************

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

The Engagement Party by Darby Kane

No one wanted to go to the engagement party of a college friend who had been engaged numerous times.

When they arrived, one of the friends who was not one who had attended college with everyone, wanted to immediately leave.

The group had to park and get to the venue via a water taxi that can only move safely when the tide is out.

Would they make it to the island?  

They made it to the island, but would they make it back off the island?

The minute they arrived, everyone felt uneasy and then a car was found in the garage with a dead body in the trunk.

Not just any body….it was the body of one of their friends who did something awful years ago.  

Along with the body was a note that said: Time to tell the truth.  

That note referred to the disappearance and murder twelve years ago of their friend Emily.

Why did their friend want to have the engagement party on this remote, not easily accessed island?  

Who was really behind this invitation and what were they up to?

A tense read with the reader wondering who if any of these friends killed Emily twelve years ago and who killed the man in the trunk.  5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.



Tuesday, December 5, 2023

The Lost Gift to the Italian Island by Barbara Josselsohn

Does Giulia Sancino have the secret to how Tori and her daughter’s life have been playing out?

We go back-and-forth in time from Italy with Giulia during WWII to present day 2019 when secrets about Tori's family are revealed after seeing a wedding dress in a museum in Italy.

Could this dress designer really be Tori’s grandmother?

A beautiful story about family and Italy.
 
You will feel as though you are there on the island sharing the delicious food with Giulia and with Tori in present day with the characters struggling with their lives and the information they have found out.

You will fall in love with all the characters.

Ms. Josselsohn has written another heartwarming book that you won't want to end because you will want to stay in Italy with Giulia and find out all the secrets of why Giulia did what she did and why Tori never knew this famous seamstress was her grandmother.  5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Barbara Josselsohn is an award-winning journalist and novelist who loves crafting stories about strong protagonists facing a fork in the road. 
 
She is the author of five previous novels including The Lilac House, The Bluebell Girls, The Lily Garden, The Cranberry Inn, and The Last Dreamer. 
 
She has also written hundreds of articles and essays in major and
regional publications about family, home and relationships. She lives just north of New York City and enjoys escaping to the beach or the mountains whenever she can. Other than writing, her biggest passion is her family: her husband, her three kids, and her rescue pup, a mini-schnauzer named Albie. 
 
She is currently at work on Book 2 of her Sisters of War series, a follow-up to Secrets of the Italian Island.

https://www.barbarajosselsohn.com/
 
 
https://twitter.com/BarbaraJoss