Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Road to Ruin by Piper Davenport @piper_davenport @GiveMeBooksPR
Monday, October 23, 2023
Ignite My Heart by Kat Baxter @KatBaxter9 @GiveMeBooksPR
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Dr. Weston by LM Fox @GiveMeBooksPR
Genre: Contemporary Romance
“Well, well. If it isn’t the Broadie Weston. Renowned general surgeon and frequent winner of Richmond Magazine’s Annual Top Docs in Surgery award. I wouldn’t have thought you’d know the way here to the cafeteria. Did someone escort you here?” Jarod snickers.
“Ha ha. I come to the cafeteria.”
“Oh yeah? When’s the last time?”
I actually have to stop and think. But it isn’t because I think I’m too good to come here. It’s just more convenient to run in and grab a coffee or fix something off of the buffet in the doctors’ lounge before heading back to work. Not to mention, I skip a lot of meals in this line of work. “It was about six months ago when I missed lunch because a case ran long.”
“I’m just shitting with you, man. How’ve you been?”
It’s odd, really. Jarod Snow and I have worked together in our surgical practice alongside five other surgeons for years, but we don’t tend to see much of each other unless we’re in a meeting due to our overlapping surgical schedules. “I’m good. Just busy. Finished a scheduled hernia repair. I thought I had an hour before my next case. But the OR called. They have an ER case that’s pressing. Wanted to grab something before I head back in.”
“I don’t know how you do it, Broadie.” Jacob shakes his head.
“What? Your schedule is just as insane.”
“No. It’s not. I turn cases down when it gets too much. I’ve trained people not to come at me for more. But they know you’ll do whatever it takes.”
This statement has me pausing for a moment. He’s probably right. But it’s just the way I’ve always operated. Literally. I never want to keep anyone waiting, and in this line of work, time can be crucial.
“Hi, Dr. Weston,” a young brunette in navy blue scrubs greets from the other side of the salad bar.
Jarod snickers, reaching for a packet of salad dressing.
“Good afternoon,” I answer with a smile as I grab what appears to be a chicken salad sandwich wrapped in cellophane. I have no earthly idea what her name is
“Hell. I just got back from vacation with the family. I haven’t managed to get my mind back in work mode. I definitely wouldn’t be able to keep up with your pace.”
“Where’d you guys go?”
“Jamaica. It was amazing. But any island is that way for me. Sun, surf, and all the fresh seafood you can eat. I haven’t finished my first full day back, and I’m already trying to figure out how to get back there.” He chuckles.
We head to the refrigerator to grab water when I notice a striking blonde in a long white lab coat standing in line for the cashier. It’s as if I’m unable to turn away. Is she new to St. Luke’s? I’d undoubtedly remember meeting someone who looked like that.
She’s probably about five foot eight and has blonde hair pulled back in a loose bun. Her skin is fair and other than her glossy red lips, she doesn’t appear to be wearing a lot of makeup. She’s holding a plastic container and what seems to be a bottle of lemonade. Her face is expressionless as if she’s lost in thought.
“Who’s that?”
“Who?” Jarod answers, startling me. I hadn’t realized I’d asked it aloud. He follows the trajectory of my gaze. “Poppy?” His voice carries a tone of disbelief about it.
“Who?”
“Poppy. The pharmacist.”
“When did she start working here?” I reach into the glass case for a bottle of water as a chuckle rumbles behind me.
“Are you for real? Probably not long after you. She’s worked here at least eight or nine years.”
I stop dead in my tracks. “No.”
“Yes. Have you been working under a rock?” He shakes his head mockingly. “You’re ridiculous. You are so fixated on your work you’ve probably talked to her a dozen times and didn’t know it. Add to it, you usually have your head buried in your phone… or you’re talking shop to someone. You’ve probably been sitting right next to her in a meeting and didn’t pay any attention.”
Hell, am I that bad?
There’s no way I would’ve been in the same room with that woman and not noticed her. “I usually only get Frank or Marshall when I call the pharmacy. How could I have missed her all of these years? Maybe she only works the evening shift.”
“Yeah. Well, they consider you a pretty big deal around here. There’s probably a sign on the wall over the phone that says to send all of your calls directly to the big dogs.”
“Whatever. I’m not a bigger deal than anyone else.”
“Right.” He nearly chokes on his sip of water. “That’s why the administration is constantly putting on the heat to get you to take the Medical Director position.”
He’s not wrong. But I have worked hard to build a solid practice over the last ten years. I know the key to a successful career is compassion. Some of my partners could stand to go back to residency. A lot more is required of a surgeon than an expensive education and a God complex.
“Hi, Dr. Weston,” a giggly blonde dressed in white scrubs greets.
Unlike the previous nurse who said hello, this young woman’s nametag happens to be facing me. “Hi, Brittany.” Her giggles seem to intensify as I walk past her.
“If this is the way it’s going to be every time you come to the cafeteria, could you warn me before you go next time.”
“Shut up,” I chuckle. Looking ahead as we make our way to the checkout line, I notice a radiant smile overtake Poppy’s face in response to something the cashier has said. Jesus. She’s luminous. Unless she’s recently died her hair blonde, there’s not a doubt in my mind I’ve never seen her before. She outshines everyone else in the room.
It’s at this exact moment the beauty in question looks up at me, and our eyes connect. My breath catches in my throat as her deep blue irises seem to penetrate right through to my soul.
What the fuck is happening to me?
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
After the Climb: A River Rain Novel by Kristen Ashley #review @kristenashley68
The beginning of the binge-worthy, powerful, and heart-tugging saga from NYT bestseller Kristen Ashley.
They were the Three Amigos: Duncan Holloway, Imogen Swan and Corey Szabo. Two young boys with difficult lives at home banding together with a cool girl who didn’t mind mucking through the mud on their hikes.
They grew up to be Duncan Holloway, activist, CEO and face of the popular River Rain outdoor stores, Imogen Swan, award-winning actress and America’s sweetheart, and Corey Szabo, ruthless tech billionaire.
Rich and very famous, they would learn the devastating knowledge of how the selfish acts of one would affect all their lives.
And the lives of those they loved.
Start the River Rain series with After the Climb, the story of Duncan and Imogen navigating their way back to each other, decades after a fierce betrayal.
And introduce yourself to their families, who will have their stories told when River Rain continues.
Kristen Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of over ninety romance novels including the Rock Chick, Colorado Mountain, Dream Man, Chaos, Unfinished Hero, The ’Burg, Magdalene, Fantasyland, The Three, Ghost and Reincarnation, Moonlight and Motor Oil, Honey, Dream Team and River Rain series along with several standalone novels. She’s a hybrid author, publishing titles both independently and traditionally, her books have been translated in fourteen languages and she’s sold over five million books.
Kristen’s novel, Law Man, won the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for best Romantic Suspense. Her independently published title Hold On was nominated for RT Book Reviews best Independent Contemporary Romance and her traditionally published title Breathe was nominated for best Contemporary Romance. Kristen’s titles Motorcycle Man, The Will, Ride Steady (which won the Reader’s Choice award from Romance Reviews) and The Hookup all made the final rounds for Goodreads Choice Awards in the Romance category.
Kristen, born in Gary and raised in Brownsburg, Indiana, is a fourth-generation graduate of Purdue University. Since, she has lived in Denver, the West Country of England, and now she resides in Phoenix. She worked as a charity executive for eighteen years prior to beginning her independent publishing career. She currently writes full-time.
Although romance is her genre, the prevailing themes running through all of Kristen’s novels are friendship, family and a strong sisterhood. To this end, and as a way to thank her readers for their support, Kristen has created the Rock Chick Nation, a series of programs that are designed to give back to her readers and promote a strong female community.
The mission of the Rock Chick Nation is to live your best life, be true to your true self, recognize your beauty and take your sister’s back whether they’re friends and family or if they’re thousands of miles away and you don’t know who they are. The programs of the RC Nation include: Rock Chick Rendezvous, weekends Kristen organizes full of parties and get-togethers to bring the sisterhood together; Rock Chick Recharges, evenings Kristen arranges for women who have been nominated to receive a special night; and Rock Chick Rewards, an ongoing program that raises funds for nonprofit women’s organizations Kristen’s readers nominate. Kristen’s Rock Chick Rewards have donated nearly $200,000 to charity and this number continues to rise
Buy the book on Amazon
Follow her on Twitter: @KristenAshley68
Goodreads Page
Website http://www.kristenashley.net