Contemporaries to covet in February – & giveaway!

Every month, I’m giving you the chance to win a $10 book gift certificate for yourself AND one of your favorite contemporary romance authors.

How? Easy. Just let me know which contemporary romance novel being published this month you’re looking forward to reading. You can even mention one of the ones I recommend below. I’ll choose one winner and send that person a gift certificate. I’ll also send a gift certificate to the author they mention in their comment, on their behalf.

Giveaway details are at the bottom of this post. But first, there are a couple of contemporary romance novels I’ve read advanced copies of and can totally recommend. They’re both really fun, funny and entertaining books, so I hope you get a chance to read them!

Time Out by Jill Shalvis

(Read an excerpt on Jill’s blog)

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Time OutNHL coach Mark Diego’s plan to spend his off-season volunteering in his hometown goes awry when he learns that not only is he coaching teenage girls, but that the program is coordinated by energetic (and five feet two inches of trouble) coordinator Rainey Saunders, his childhood friend–and the woman he could never stand to see dating any other guy…

When their tempers flare, Mark and Rainey discover their fireworks don’t just burn angry–they burn very, very, hot! But that’ll just sweeten the victory. Because Mark always plays to win. And with Rainey, he’s planning on playing very dirty too…

224 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Blaze
Publication date: 21 Feb 2012

My opinion:

4 out of 5 stars!

Not only is this novel super hot, but it has all of Jill Shalvis’s trademark snort-out-loud humor and gut-twisting emotion. I absolutely LOVE Jill Shalvis and am convinced she couldn’t write a bad book.

This is her first Blaze for a while, and it’s wonderful to see how much conflict and energy she can pack into even this shorter format.

Her Lucky Catch by Amie Denman

Her Lucky CatchRecently divorced kindergarten teacher Jazz Shepherd is starting a new life in the quaint lakeside town of Bluegill. After taking a summer job at the local marina to help make ends meet, she’s stunned when the chief of police enlists her help in solving a crime.

Money has been disappearing from the city coffers, and a trail leads from Bluegill’s mayor to Damien Cerberus, a rich boat owner—and possible killer. The police chief is short-staffed and in need of someone to keep tabs on the suspect. Jazz’s job at the marina puts her in the perfect position to help—and puts her in the path of Kurt Reynolds, the hottie who mans the fireboat.

When things with Kurt start heating up, how can Jazz keep her investigation undercover while enjoying time under the covers with her summer flame?

67,000 words
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication date: 27 Feb 2012

My opinion:

4 out of 5 stars!

Told in the first person by a heroine with a wonderfully quirky voice, this novel is a highly entertaining read. Amie Denman manages to keep it hot and exciting without being overly descriptive in sex scenes, making this a wonderful book for those of you who get uncomfortable reading about detailed sexual encounters.

Fans of Kristan Higgins will really enjoy Her Lucky Catch. I read it while traveling from Denmark to the Netherlands, and it had me laughing out loud instead of pissing myself with fear on the flight or throttling a conductor when my train home was delayed by an hour. Seriously, it takes a lot to keep me in a good mood through a journey like that, and Amie Denman accomplished it.

Giveaway!

Answer one of the questions in bold below. By “contemporary romance” I mean romance between human beings set in the present day. It can be romantic suspense, inspirational, erotic, category-length or whatever.

I’ll choose one winner on Tuesday February 7th. That person will get a $10 gift certificate to the online book retailer of their choice, AND I’ll send the same to the author they mention.

If the winner mentions more than one author, I’ll ask her to choose which one gets the gift certificate.

This is open internationally.

Questions:

What contemporary romance novel(s) are you looking forward to in February? Have you read anything by the authors I mentioned? Which of their books do you like best?

36 comments

  1. Greetings from Italy! I haven’t read many Jill Shalvis’ books, but I’m looking forward to read “Time Out”. I really liked Deirdre Martin’s last book from her New Your Blades series, so “Breakaway” is a must read for me (publ. date February 7th).

  2. I just finishing reading Jill Shalvis Animal Magnetism series so I’m looking forward to reading Time out. I’m looking forward to Deirdre Martin’s Breakaway this month.

  3. Oh my. I can’t resist a book about a hockey player. I’m a native Texan who came of age in the 90s–nobody understood my love of the fastest game on earth!
    So I’m pretty excited about her new Blaze, Time Out. And I’m hoping my library will be stocking her new Lucky Harbor releases on eBook!!!

  4. A few contemporary romances that I’m looking forward to in February include Breakaway by Deirdre Martin and Celebrity in Death by JD Robb. As for reading books by the authors you mentioned, I have read a couple by Jill Shalvis and my favourite so far would be Head Over Heels 🙂

  5. I have read a few Jill Shalvis books and enjoyed them. I really love Lisa Klayplas, Robyn Car, and Susan Wiggs. I have been hooked on contempories lately.

  6. i have read a few Jill Shalvis books and have enjoyed them, I have her Lucky Harbor books sitting in my TBR now and her Animal Magnetism ones too. I have not read anything by Amie Denman. I’m looking forward to several books next month – In Seconds by Brenda Novak , The Walled Flower by Lorraine Bennett and Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

  7. I have not read either author but have been wanting to read some of Jill Shalvis’ books, especially her Animal magnetism series.

    I am looking forward to FOREVER BUCKHORN by Lori Foster. I have been wanting to read some of her books and this on in particular since it is set in Kentucky and that is where I live.

  8. If Jill Shalvis writes it, I will absolutely buy it. She is one of my favorite authors and I am excited she is coming out with a new Blaze and would love to read it in Feb!

  9. That new Jill Shalvis story sounds fantastic.

    Why does everyone keep saying sports heroes aren’t popular?

  10. Both authors you recommended are new to me. Since I love Kristan Higgins’s books, I’m going to check out Amie Denman’s Her Lucky Catch.
    Other February contemporary romance books I’m looking forward to include Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb and Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas.

  11. I’ve been hearing great buzz for a book called Ride With Me by Ruthie Knox that is coming out from Loveswept mid-Feb. so I’ve got my eye on it.

    I’ve just started reading Jill Shalvis with her Lucky Harbor series and I’m loving it. Her books have a wonderful sense of humor.

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  13. I’m a fan of Jill’s books and the Wilder series is my favorite. I’m really looking forward to Lisa Marie Rice’s “Nightfire” and Jami Alden’s “Run From Fear.”

  14. I am really looking forward to Kristan Higgin’s new book, “Somebody to Love” but it’s not out until April. I love Jill Shalvis’ books for their humor, great characters and always believable and well done chemistry between the h/h. My favorite Shalvis book is “Aftershocks” — an oldie but still so good!

  15. The House on Butterfly Way by Elizabeth Bevarly sounds absolutely captivating.and I would enjoy this book greatly. I read Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis.

  16. I have not read either author but have been wanting to read some of Jill Shalvis’ book. It’s look interesting. I’m looking forward to Celebrity in Death by JD Robb.

  17. Hi Kat, me trying waving to you for this so wonderful opportunity to talk about the most anticipated contemporary novel would be Rainshadow road by Lisa kleypas . Really2 wish to read her newest book ASAP:)

  18. I’m always looking forward to a new book by Jill Shalvis! They’re my feel-good books. I think she nearly always delivers and I wish I had discovered her years earlier than I have.

  19. Louisa Edwards is one author that I am absolutely obsessed with, mostly because I enjoy how much she invests in the secondary characters in her novels and the role food plays in her books. Hot Under Pressure, the book she has coming out in March will be slightly different from her previous novels, because the couple is already married. However, I still can’t for Beck to have his HEA.

  20. Thanks to the commenter above for the Lisa Kleypas reminder–I love her work (both historicals and contemporaries!). Definitely pre-ordering too 🙂

    The book I”m looking forward to reading in Feb (though it’s out 1 March–that *just* counts, right?) is Kelly Hunter’s Trouble in a Pinstripe Suit (which was apparently released years ago overseas but not where I am right now in the US?). I lived in Australia for years and really enjoy Hunter’s descriptions of the place and her stories, which emphasize families and relationships and not just the hero/heroine’s interactions.

    1. I know what you mean. I love getting recommendations from other readers about what’s coming out since it would otherwise be a full-time job trying to keep track. 🙂

  21. I have read and reviewed both of the above books and realy enjoyed each of them. At times i ofund the ‘catch’ too funny and could just imagine things happening, hilarious! and a mystery to boot makes this a perfect catch. Looking forward to reading more of robyn carr’s virgin series. they never seem to end.

    Julie

  22. The book I am most looking forward to reading this month is Fatal Flaw by Marie Force. I have really enjoyed all the books I’ve read by this author, both the Fatal series and the McCarthys of Gansett Island series.

    Linda Henderson
    seriousreader at live dot com

  23. To be honest I haven’t read many contemporaries lately but Jill Shalvis has been one of my definite contemporary authors for a very long time!!

    catslady5(at)aol.com

  24. I love Lisa Kleypas, even for her contemporary genre. I can’t wait for her upcoming book Rainshadow Road. 😀
    I’ve never been read any author you mentioned. But I’d love to read Jill Shavis’ book. I’m aware of her books, because of the covers. ;D

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