Sweet Dreams - Stacey Keith

Sweet Dreams

In a little town in the heart of Texas, the same old story can turn into happily ever after . . .
On any given day, Maggie Roby has cake batter on her sleeve, flour where the blush supposedly goes, and sore feet from standing since dawn. For her sister’s wedding day, she’s added a side of heartache. Maggie’s failed marriage taught her that love is a lie and commitment a mistake, and it was an expensive lesson. But with her bakery thriving and her life simplified to work, family, and knitting for her pug, Maggie thinks she's bought some peace. Until Jake Sutton walks in and she realizes she isn't safe from desire at all . . .

Jake has model-perfect looks and about a billion dollars to throw around, but Maggie also sees the same never-say-die grit she prizes in herself. The attraction between them is hotter than her oven in July. But when Jake decides to restore the old Art Deco movie theatre right around the corner from her bakery, she worries that temptation is a little too close for comfort. And the added ingredient of a man from her past only complicates the mix. This time nothing less than true love will do. If she can learn to listen to her heart, she just may be able to have her cake and eat it too. 

My Review

This is quite a nice story about two damaged people. Maggie has been damaged by her broken marriage and cheating husband. She no longer believes in happily ever after or that love can last. Jake was raised by an abusive and alcoholic mother and has spent his life trying to protect himself from every being poor again. He has also actively avoided love and affection and tries to be alone.

Once Maggie and Jake meet, they find that they are drawn to one another and can't resist the pull that they experience towards each other. There is a little bit here that I have a bit of an issue with. Jake keeps telling Maggie what she is going to do. Being an 'alpha male' is one thing, but being controlling (to the point of sending her dresses that she can wear on their date) is quite another and not a particularly attractive trait at that.

Overall I enjoyed the story. I did feel that it felt a little rushed in parts. The bones of the story were here, but things happened quite quickly on an emotional level and it made it slightly difficult to believe that they could both overcome their issues quite so easily. I do think that Maggie really deserved someone a little more understanding and less damaged, he disappeared on more than one occasion and she ran to him. Perhaps she should have been less of a doormat. It was an enjoyable read though and I liked the idea of the story and the characters. 

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5 Fathers Blog Tour

Five Fathers
Kate Morgan
Publication date: March 23rd 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Sin or piety.
Those are the two things I’m choosing between when I walk up those stone steps and into the church. Heaven or hell. Pain or pleasure. But sometimes, pleasure brings more hurt than pain.
I’ve learned my lesson the hard way and that’s why I’m doing this, giving up everything I know and love for a whole new life. A life dedicated to something, someone, other than myself.
The thing is, sometimes fate has other ideas.
Out of all the churches in town, I picked this one. This building with its vaulted ceilings and stained glass and all its secrets.
This building that houses them.
My five worst sins.
My five most awesome pleasures.

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Excerpt

"Mrs. Carroll," Hawke says, setting me down suddenly and grabbing the edges of my shirt.  He jerks it back into place and covers up all my bits.

"Father Dell used to ... set a box outside this door to collect donations for the homeless," the woman said, staring, not at the giant man in the body armor and guns, but at me.  Me!

I try to move, but Hawke tightens his grip, the muscles in his arm bulging and tensing like steel.  I can hardly even breathe. But having that big, solid form behind me is... exhilarating. Hawke smells like leather and musk and man.

"Yes, well, that's an excellent idea," he grumbles as I stand there like the typical mob-daughter that I am.  Here is a person, unconnected to all of this shit, and I'm not screaming or calling out for help. Because back home, all that would do is get the old woman killed.

At least, that's what my father would do.

"We'll ... look into that," he continues, reaching past me with a big hand, and slamming the door closed in the old woman's face.

"Your cover is fucked," I breathe, but Hawke just grunts and lets go of me before putting his hands on my shoulders and turning me around to face him.  His eyes bore into mine as I swallow past the lump in my throat. I look up, up, up at him and wonder if this is the moment where it all ends. "So, are you going to kill me now?"

"Kill you?" Hawke asks with a long exhale.  "Not exactly."

He steps back and gives me a look, propping his hands on his hips.

"Not ... exactly?" I choke out as our gazes meet and a hot thrill takes over my body.

"You have two choices here, Natalia: let us take you to the nunnery ... or stay here."

"And if you do go to the nunnery," Arsen says, grinning maniacally, "you best be careful.  We have agents there, too. And they'll be watching."

"Agents?" I ask as Hawke looks me straight in the face.

"If you stay here, you also have two choices," Hawke continues.  "Wait us out until we finish what we came here to do ... or let me teach you."

"Teach ... me?" I ask as Hawke sucks in a breath.

"Dude, are you serious?" Colt asks, storming over to us and looking between me and Hawke like he's crazy.  "Just let her go, man!"

"I can't let her go!' Hawke roars, and my skin erupts in goose bumps.  "I can't let her go now."

"She doesn't know anything," Colt says, sounding exasperated.  "Let her walk, man."

"She knows enough," Hawke responds with a sigh.  "And she's his daughter. I ... can't let her go."  He stares at me, and I imagine that in a different scenario, hearing those words--I can't let her go--would be a breathtaking experience.

"So ... my choices are go to the nunnery or ... you really are going to kill me?"

"You can stay here until we're finished with our mission.  And then we'll let you go. But, if you stay, consider signing on with us. After that life you've led, you'd be a perfect candidate."

"This is ridiculous!" Colt shouts, throwing up his hands and pacing a short, wild rut in the floor.  "You can't hire her."

"She's perfect," Arsen says, slinking up behind Hawke and taking a seat on the edge of the table.  "With all the shit she must know."

"I'm willing to hire you to be a part of my team," Hawke says, "but you'll have to be willing to work."

"Work for ... what?" I ask and he gives me a tight smile.

"If you joined our team, your life would change forever.  I'll give you a rundown, and if you think you're up for it ... we'd love to have you."

"Hear that?" Arsen smirks.  "We'd love to have you."

Blinking at the group of men in front of me, I have a bad, bad feeling about this.

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