Forbidden Kisses by Annie Rains Review

Forbidden Kisses
Blushing Bay #1

By: Annie Rains

Releasing April 11, 2017
Loveswept

Tour Host: Tasty Book Tours

Welcome to Forever by Annie Rains Review

Welcome to Forever
Hero’s Welcome #1

By: Annie Rains

Released December 1, 2015
Loveswept

Tour Host: Tasty Book Tours

Get WELCOME TO FOREVER for $0.99 for a Limited Time!

“Don’t miss this sparkling debut full of heart and emotion!” raves Lori Wilde. The Hero’s Welcome military romance series introduces a small coastal town where America’s best and brightest risk everything for love.

In Seaside, North Carolina, there are two kinds of people: Marines, and kids of Marines. Then there’s Kat Chandler. Recently hired as the principal of Seaside Elementary, Kat makes it her mission to turn the school into a place of peace and calm. That’s not going to be easy with hard-liner parents like Micah Peterson storming in, telling her how to do her job—and then kissing her with those gorgeous lips of his and turning her brain into mush.

As a Marine Sergeant and a single dad, Micah Peterson has just two priorities: doing his job better than anyone else, and getting the absolute best for his son, Ben. But when he meets Ben’s beautiful new principal, a different yearning shifts into focus. He wants her, sure, but he’s also moved by the connection Kat forges with her students. So after learning that she refuses to date Marines, Micah sets two more objectives: convincing Kat to give him a chance . . . and then holding on to her forever.

After losing her Fiancé in Afghanistan 2 years ago,  Kat Chandler was happy just to lose herself in her new job, as the principal for Seaside Elementary, but with a vice principal who was against her, and a vandalism starting on the first day of school, Kat was frustrated.  But the new grounds keeper sure made her smile.

Micah Peterson was the man of many hats! Marine, groundskeeper at Seaside Elementary, but first and foremost, he was Ben's dad! Ben was the pride of Micah's life, and with Ben having Cerebral Palsy, that certainly led to its only set of challenges. But Micah is determined for Ben to have a normal life, even if his mother decided her career in the miltary was more important than her son.

After a miscommunication between Micah and Kat over Ben, they begin to get close, that is until Kat finds out that Micah is a Marine!

I was thrilled to be reading another of Annie Rains books; She writes tear-jerker books that manages to feel your heart with love, and that is why she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. The authors writing is smooth and magical and the plot weaves it's was into subconscious, so much so, that you find yourself thinking about the story, weeks after you have read the books, and I have to say that Welcome to Forever is a prime example of that!

I absolutely loved all of the characters in the book and the relationship between Kat and Micah is magical and heartwarming, but I will admit, Ben totally stole my heart! He is such a brave little boy and such a inspiration.

Welcome to Forever is a beautiful story of second chance love and taking a risk! Which is why I give it 5 stars.

Don't miss this FREE short companion story to 

WELCOME TO FOREVER.

“Have you thought about that kiss?” she asked, as he leaned in close to fasten her seatbelt. She couldn’t control what was coming out of her mouth. “Because I have. A little.” She started laughing again. Val had warned her that she was a horrible drunk, and evidently, it was true.

“What have you thought about it?” he asked, his voice low and bristly. Her buckle snapped into place with a loud click. He could step back now, but he didn’t.

And she didn’t want him to. What was the point of being drunk if you couldn’t say and do what you wanted, and then apologize for it in the morning? No one blamed a drunk, they blamed the drink. “I thought that I liked it. The kiss. It was amazing.” She held her breath as he lingered in front of her, his hand still resting on the seat’s buckle.

“I thought the same thing.”

“You did?” She swallowed thickly, as her heart rode up her throat.

His brow lifted. “You sound surprised.”

“I’m out of practice.” She nibbled on her lower lip, drawing his gaze there. Then his gaze flicked back to her ring. Just the thought squashed the flutterings in her chest, leaving a deep ache that vibrated with the alcohol. “He’s been gone for two years,” she said.

Micah’s brows pinched together softly.

Explaining about John in her state wasn’t a good idea, though. She might start crying, which she didn’t do in front of others anymore, and right now all she wanted to do was forget everything but their kiss. That she wanted to remember. “You could kiss me again,” she said softly.

His smile deepened and, damn, he smelled good.

Leaning in closer to her ear, his hot breath melted her as he whispered, “Kat, you’ve had too much to drink. I’m taking you home now.”

Before she could process what he’d said, he stepped back and shut the Jeep’s door, the sound as offensive as if someone had crashed cymbals in her ears. A moment later, he reappeared on the driver’s side and cranked the engine, another sound that made her wince.

She closed her eyes, unsure of what to do with her drunken emotions.

“If I kiss you again, I want to be one hundred percent sure it’s what you want. Not because my almost ex is walking up and you want to help me out. Not because you’ve had too much to drink and want to escape.”

She suddenly felt very tired, as the Jeep Cherokee headed out of the parking lot. “So, you are going to kiss me again?” she asked. Before she could hear his answer, though, her eyes closed and the sounds of the road and his voice, and the blood thundering in her head, blurred together. She remembered their kiss, the feel of his stubble roughly brushing against her cheek, and the way he had smelled like pine and fudge brownies.

No, wait. His eyes reminded her of fudge brownies. He didn’t smell like them.

Her eyes fluttered open. Yeah, she was definitely going to regret tonight in the morning.

Annie Rains is a USA Today Bestselling contemporary romance author who writes small town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America's largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love.

When Annie isn't writing, she's spending time with her husband and 3 children, or reading a book by one of her three favorite authors.

Read the complete Hero's Welcome Series!

 

Welcome Home for Christmas by Annie Rains Review

Welcome Home for Christmas
A Hero's Welcome #4

By: Annie Rains

Releasing November 8, 2016
Loveswept

The bestselling Hero’s Welcomes series continues with a juicy Christmas romance set in Seaside, North Carolina, where a bustling military base keeps this small town stocked with dedicated, lovable heroes.

Three-hundred-and-sixty-four days a year, Allison Carmichael doesn’t mind being single. It sure beats dating another loser, and it keeps her heart safe. Then there’s that three-hundred-and-sixty-fifth day: Christmas Eve, the traditional time her entire family gathers together—and gangs up on her, demanding to know when she’s going to get married. This year, she swears, is going be different. And that’s why, at a charity auction she’s throwing on-base, she buys herself a man.​

Sergeant Troy Matthews insists that he’s not for sale. His time is, though, and he’s happy to donate it. Happier still when he learns the identity of the winning bidder: the redhead with the killer good looks and smart mouth who runs the veteran’s center. Allison needs Troy’s help to fool her family into believing they’re an item, and he’s all too happy to indulge her. But by the time Christmas Eve rolls around, their little charade is working a little too well . . . because Troy’s falling head over heels.

Allison Carmichael would quite literally do anything to keep her psychologist mother off of her back! Her mother had an opinion on every single man she had ever dated, and that didn't stop when Alison was single and enjoying her job at the Vets center, especially the upcoming military spouses function and auction!

But when she bid on Sgt Troy Matthew, it was purely to take to her parents holiday party! But when things started to heat up to more than just attraction, for both of them. Now all they have to do is suvive Allison's family party!!

I have absolutely loved this series!! And I cannot even begin to describe just how much I LOVED Welcome Home For Christmas!

I honestly am in awe of Annie Rains talent! She makes Every character in her books feel like life long friends. Which is exactly how Troy and Allison feel to me. I love the complex nature of both of their characters. With Troy's generous nature and Allison, whom doesn't seem to be able to trust her own judgement, when it comes to men. But I think I loved her Mom the best! Even if she is wrong.

The writing in Welcome Home For Christmas is truly exceptional! And plot kept me gripped from Allison and Troy's first meeting! And I haven't even touched on half of it, in this review. This whole series will be one I will always love, but this book I will always treasure!


I give Welcome Home For Christmas 5 stars!

 

Rafflecopter Giveaway (a gifted Ebook set of A Hero's Welcome series books 1-3 (WELCOME TO FOREVER, WELCOME HOME, COWBOY and WELCOMING THE BAD BOY))

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“So there’s one thing I now know about you. You’re a good liar.” Allison folded her arms at her chest.

“Good, maybe. But I value honesty. Sometimes lying to someone is for their own good, though. A little white lie never really hurt anyone. Here’s one for you,” he leaned in closer and lowered his voice, “I have absolutely no interest in dating you, either.”

Her cheeks flushed.

“And I don’t think you’re the most beautiful woman in this room, and the thought of taking you out does not appeal to me whatsoever.” He shook his head. “Nope, not one little bit.”

She smiled. “Now I know two things about you. You lie well and you’re a smooth talker. So, do you agree to my proposal?”

Troy could just say yes, but he was enjoying engaging her in a conversation. “You know, when I was kid, Christmas was always magical. I’d sit with the toy catalog and create this huge, mile-long list of the things I wanted. I never got so excited about a pencil and paper.”

“Did you get everything on the list?” she asked.

“Usually.”

“So your family had money?”

He nodded. His family practically owned the town he’d grown up in. He didn’t know what it felt like to want for something until his cousin Dale had died in 9-11, the deciding factor in him joining the military. “I figure the more money raised for those kids, the better their Christmas will be.”

“That’s my goal. I want this to be the best Christmas Mercy’s kids have ever had.”

“So, if I have to take you out . . .” He trailed off, smiling at her.

“We’re just going to talk. Have a meal or something together. No kissing, no handholding.”

Troy held up his hands. “I’m an honorable guy. I don’t force myself on women. Truth is, I usually have to fight them off.” He winked again.

“And you can’t act like that when you meet my mother.”

“Like what?” he asked.

“All flirty and charming. She’ll never believe that I’d fall for someone like that.”

He tried not to take offense because no matter what she was saying, she was attracted to him. He could see it in her dilated pupils and the way her chest rose just slightly under her racing pulse. “No? What kind of guy exactly would you fall for?”

Allison looked around the room. There was still a nice-sized crowd laughing and mingling. Christmas music filled the merry air. “I wouldn’t fall for any kind of guy right now. That’s why I’m pretending with you.

USA Today Bestselling Author, Annie Rains, is a contemporary romance author who writes small town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and 3 children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.