BLOG TOUR: Dough You Love Me? by Stacy Travis & Smartypants Romance

 

Dough You Love Me?, an all-new second chance small-town romance from Stacy Travis, is now available in Kindle Unlimited!

First rule when returning to your hometown after storming out of sight: don’t fall for the guy who broke your heart.

Julia Browne should know better than to kiss where she bakes. She’s built a bread empire in California, and only plans to stay in Green Valley long enough to sell the family house.

She certainly won’t spend any more time with Shane Meadows than she has to…and she will not let him draw her in with his soft blue eyes or level her with his handsome smirk of a grin. 

The last thing she wants is a temporary gig at Donner Bakery, baking sourdough side-by-side with Shane and clashing with his ego. And he thinks the sassy baker should take her fancy bread and go back where she came from.

But that’s before they take a series of wrong turns on a road trip to look at wheat, leaving them stranded for the night. Out on the open road, neither of them can escape the sizzling attraction and old feelings that feel a lot more real this time around.

But life is complicated, and Julia’s life in California might derail their second chance at love. Will they wake up and smell the sourdough?

They say you should leave the past in the past, but what if it’s the winning recipe for love?

‘Dough You Love Me?’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #2 in the Donner Bakery series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

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Excerpt

My eyes traveled to one of the musicians who stood out from the others, not just because he was tall and lean with a dark shock of hair hanging over his forehead. He sat playing the French horn, a gleaming gorgeous pretzel of brass with a bell at one end.

The sound was a love language that spoke directly to my heart. 

But an intricately curved, soulful symphony instrument at a country music jam session full of Tennessee local boys . . . WTF?

I didn’t have to be a country music aficionado to know that one of these things was not like the others. 

Every other instrument came from the string family—banjo, guitar, fiddle. An older man with a gray beard stood behind Cletus playing the bass, plucking the strings, and nodding along with the music.

The faces in the room started looking more familiar. Maybe I’d known some of them once. Maybe I wasn’t such a stranger. Not that it mattered, since I had no plans of sticking around afterward to chat. I felt worn out from the funeral and the travel. 

But . . . that horn . . . 

My eyes remained riveted to the instrument and the man playing it. I’d been to a couple of orchestra performances with a full brass section. Those were the types of places people normally found a French horn—with musicians wearing tuxedos and following a conductor. 

This man and his instrument stuck out like a glossy gemstone in a sea of wicker and cardboard. And yet, oddly, it worked. He pursed his lips and blew out notes that had no business sounding so beautiful.

Nodding and stomping one foot, he picked up the rhythm of the other instruments and made his accompaniment sound like it belonged there. 

He kept one hand in the bell-shaped end of the horn and used his other hand to draw out a melodic sound. From the first note, he had me willing to follow him down whatever path he took. For the first time since I’d arrived in town—hell, for the first time in months—I felt a glimmer of happiness. Double-chocolate cupcake happiness.

I wanted to hear more, and at the same time, I knew exactly what I would hear. Something in his beautiful aching call sounded familiar, as though I’d been hearing it my whole life. 

But that was impossible. 

I hadn’t been in town in years. Even if I’d heard this man play before, it had to have been so long ago that surely the sounds wouldn’t be familiar now. 

The music called, and I answered by freeing myself of the funereal black jacket I wore over a white tank top and getting comfortable leaning against the wall. As a spectator, I had  license to gaze at him for as long as I wanted. 

My senses scrambled and competed for which one should win out—the sight of him, the sound of his music, or the touch I felt from him halfway across a crowded room. 

Taking a couple steps closer, I cautiously took in the whole of the man playing the gleaming horn. He looked about my age, early thirties, and the strong cut of his jaw and short beard made things happen to my lady parts that hadn’t happened in a very long time. 

He wore a dark brown corduroy sport coat over a fine-checked plaid flannel shirt and dark blue jeans. His eyes were a pale blue, like an illusion of shallow water that actually runs deep enough to be dangerous. Soulful. Like repositories of hurt or art or knowledge. 

Almost as though he could feel the heat of my stare, his eyes fastened to mine and didn’t let go. 

So I did the only logical thing a person could do when faced with a sexy, soulful stranger’s lingering gaze. 

I ran from the room.

About Stacy Travis

Stacy Travis writes charming, spicy romance about bookish, sassy women and the hot alphas who fall for them. 

Writing makes her infinitely happy, but that might be the coffee talking.  

She's worked as a journalist, camp counselor, TV writer, SAT tutor, corporate finance researcher, education technology editor, and non-fiction author. When she's not on a deadline, she's in running shoes complaining that all roads seem to go uphill. Or on the couch with a margarita. Or fangirling at a soccer game. 

She's never met a dog she didn't want to hug. And if you have no plans for Thanksgiving, she'll probably invite you to dinner. 

Stacy lives in Los Angeles with her very tall sons and a poorly-trained rescue dog who hoards socks. And she's serious about the Thanksgiving thing.

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Review: The Vinyl Frontier by Lola West

The Vinyl Frontier by Lola West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, as always all opinions are my own.  This is the 4th book set in same world as the other books in the Lessons Learned series; however, it is a complete standalone.  It does features characters from the other books in the larger Universe, but you don't need to read them prior to diving in here.  I do recommend the other books in the series as well as the Hypothesis series by Penny Reid which introduced us to the university setting.

This was such a sweet opposites attract college romance.  It does have some steamy bits but for the most part it is pretty slow burn and on the tame side.  We have preppy and perfectly poised Zach who is trying to live up to the expectations of his senator father, but it is all an act.  Zach is miserable and lost on the inside.  Then there is Molly, she lives her life out loud despite being deaf.  She knows who she is and what she wants despite it being "unconventional" for her.  She is an aspiring and talented drummer, and she isn't going to let being deaf define her worth or stop her from achieving her dreams.  Zach on the other hand is always playing the part so his father doesn't get upset, until he meets Molly.  Molly  makes him want to let loose and be the person no one gets to see.

I really loved this.  I attended RIT which Molly mentions in the book and I grew up with a neighbor who  was deaf.   I don't sign very well anymore, but I have the utmost respect for the deaf and deaf culture.  Because RIT houses the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, interpreters, note takers, and other accommodations were common place in our classes and Rochester has a very large deaf community because of the university.  Much like anyone else with a disability or impairment, deaf people aren't any less because they can't hear, they just do things a little differently and they are some of the best people you will ever have the pleasure of getting to know.    That being said I really enjoyed the character development in this book.  Both Molly and Zach go through a self worth and self discovery journey as they navigate their budding romance.  They both have preconceived notions of how things are supposed to work in the world, but as they spend time together they realize that life is messy and things don't fit in neat boxes all the time.

I thought Molly and Zach had great banter as they learned to communicate with each other.  I especially liked the pop culture references to some of my favorite movie quotes.  It made my nerd heart happy!

This is my first book by the author, but it certainly won't be my last!

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Review: Letter Late Than Never by Lauren Connolly

Letter Late Than Never by Lauren Connolly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided both a print and audio arc of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own.

As with all of the Smartypants Romance novels this reads as a standalone.  The other books in the Green Valley Heroes series are amazing and you should read them, but you can read them in any order you like.  

This follows Gwen, the local mail person after a run in with her high school crush, local EMT Sebastian.  They both liked each other back then but it never went anywhere.  Now after reuniting, they can't deny that there is still something between them.  There's only one problem, Sebastian has been engaged to his long time sweetheart so he's off the market, or is he?  Both of them are ready to take next steps in their lives, but they both have things that are holding them back.  With some fun adventures and baby steps they are able to find their adventurous spirit and courage to face what comes next.  

This was super fun, and I loved getting to know Gwen and Sebastian, they were really fun characters.  I don't want to spoil anything but the dynamics between Sebastian, his fiancé, and Gwen was kind of strange and not my favorite trope.  I think it was executed well, and it was important to the character arcs, but not my favorite type of storyline.  It didn't quite seem believable in the small town where everyone knows everyone's business, the author kind of did address that which added to the humor of it all.  This had good character development and banter, and was pretty steamy.  

I really enjoyed this.  The narrators did a great job brining Gwen and Sebastian to life.  They really brought the emotion and humor off of the page.  I'll never be able to look at glitter the same again.

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Review: Can't Fight It by Allie Winters

Can't Fight It by Allie Winters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided both a print and audio arc of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own.  This is book 3 of the Lessons Learned series but it is a complete standalone.  The other books in the series are great too, I recommend them as well, but you don't need to read them in order.

This was adorable!  I loved the college setting and the main characters were socially awkward and unsure of themselves, but they had great banter once they started to get to know each other.  This follows Tessa and Austin, who happen to be neighbors and unknowingly acquainted through mutual friends.  Tessa is a psychology major working on a study, and she is of course surprised when Austin shows up as a participant. She finds Austin intimidating because he rides a motorcycle and he's a bigger guy who looks like he can throw down in a fight.  Tessa lived through traumatic experience in her past that we learn about in the book and explains some of her anxiety and insecurities as we get to know her better.  Austin on the other hand has his own insecurities and as Tessa gets to know him better turns out to be a genuinely nice guy.  As the study progresses and they spend more time together inside and outside of the lab, they help each other deal with some of their anxieties and insecurities.  They also uncover a budding attraction 

This had really good character development and decent steam.  Tessa is a bit on the naïve side and she really comes along way with her inner insecurity.  The same goes for Austin, he is a bit more sure of himself, but when it comes to Tessa not so much.  I think they were a great support system for each other, and I really enjoyed getting to know them.  

I enjoyed the narration, both of the narrators did a good job brining emotion into the story.  

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RELEASE BLITZ: CAN'T FIGHT IT by Allie Winters & Smartypants Romance

 

Can’t Fight It, an all-new friends to lovers college romance from Allie Winters, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited! 

Mousy bookworm. Psychology nerd. The kind of girl who constantly sticks her foot in her mouth.

The last thing I am is the type to attract the intimidating, motorcycle-riding guy in the apartment next door. Especially when that mouth of mine gets me in trouble and he overhears me talk smack about him…

So no one’s more surprised than me when he shows up as a participant in the psych study I’m running on campus. Or when he generously offers me some much-needed self-defense lessons. Or when we grow closer than I thought possible. It turns out some people aren’t at all what they seem at first glance. They can actually be everything you never knew you wanted in a man.

The thing is, Austin Langford is so far out of my league, it’s laughable. Muscled boxers don’t go for nobodies like me. I need to forget about this one-sided attraction.

Even when it feels like I can’t fight it.

‘Can’t Fight It’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #3 in the Lessons Learned series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

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Audible: Coming Soon

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About Allie Winters

Allie is the author of the Suncoast University series, the Bishop Brothers series, and the Lessons Learned series. She lives in sunny Florida with her husband, daughter, and two cats. A librarian by day, she spends her nights writing happily ever afters. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and all things Disney.

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RELEASE BLITZ: THE VINYL FRONTIER by Lola West & Smartypants Romance

 

The Vinyl Frontier, an all-new opposites attract college romance from USA Today bestselling author Lola West, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited! 

What happens when an uptight preppy frat boy sets his sights on a punk rock princess? #superherolevelchaos

Zack Worthington’s life is a carefully curated performance. Controlled by his politician father, he stands on his mark and recites his lines. There’s no room for deviation, no time for comic books and no patience for obscure Trekkie facts. He’s all business, polished to a shine–the sparkling jewel in his father’s crown.

Then one night, Zack lays eyes on a girl he can’t unsee…

Open minded, self-sufficient, Deaf drummer, Molly Mills is working hard to find her rhythm in a competitive college music program. She’s driven to prove herself to nearly everyone, even while living off of packaged noodles and thrift-store clothing.

Watching her alone on the dance floor, punky, free and wild, Zack told himself that opposites attract was totally not a real thing. But a couple days later when he realizes he’s the teaching assistant in her research methodologies class, he can’t ignore his instincts. He has to know her.

Only Molly isn’t interested in his platitudes and superficial chit-chat.

Suddenly, all bets are off because this buttoned up, rule-following rich guy actually wants to be more than meets the eye…

‘The Vinyl Frontier’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #4 in the Lessons Learned series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Grab your copy TODAY!

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About Lola West

Lola West writes short, sweet, smart, silly, sexy romance. With a PhD in women’s studies and a flair for the dramatic, Lola likes to keep it real.  Her loves are cotton candy, astronomy, kitten heels and small-town hunks. Lola’s heroes make you swoon and her heroines talk back. Also, she believes that consent is always sexy, even in books.

You can learn more about Lola by visiting lolawestromance.com and find a FREE READ or  you can find her hanging out all over the internet.

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Review: Beyond the Thistles by Samantha Young

Beyond the Thistles by Samantha Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Valentine PR, all opinions are my own.

This is a a new spinoff series to the Adair Family series. This reads as a standalone, however we are first introducted to Walker and Sloane in Only You. If you want to get to know Brodan, Monroe, and the rest of the Adair family I highly recommend checking out the books in that series.

This follows Walker and Sloane, and if you have read Only You it is no surprise that they are the next couple featured in Young's romance set at Ardnoch Estate and the charming Scottish Highlands. Walker has been friends and bodyguard to Brodan Adair for many years, so when Brodan settles back at home Walker takes a position at the exclusive members only estate as part of the security team. Sloane has recently relocated to Scotland, but no one knows why except the new hospitality manager. Sloane is bubbly and vibrant as well as a talented home baker. She is the exact opposite of the broody bodyguard. There is no denying the chemistry between the two of them, but they both have secrets that are keeping them apart. When Sloane's past comes to Ardnoch, Walker steps in to make sure she and her daughter are protected. As they spend more time together the lines between professional and personal feelings begin to blur and they both will have to face the demons from their past.

I really loved Walker and Sloane. Sloane didn't let her trauma impact her ability to live her life. She was terrified and always trying to keep her child safe, but she was always fighting. Walker was a little bit of a caveman, but as Callie Sloane's daughter says he's like a Mento hard on the outside and soft on the inside. I loved that comparison! We learn Sloane's backstory fairly early on, but Walker's takes quite a while to reveal itself. Both of their stories are heartbreaking. I thought their character and relationship development was done really well.

If you are a fan of the Adair Family series this is a must read. It has a good level of spice and a nice suspense element to add to the romance. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. I think I know who the next couple is going to be and I'm curious to see where their story takes us.

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