New release: Play Me by Kimberley Kincaid
This is my stop during the book blitz for the box set Mischief Under the Mistletoe. I am going to focus on Kimberly Kincaid contribution, Play Me. However, it would be remiss of me not to let you know that Mischief Under the Mistletoe includes 19 short stories by 19 different authors. The stories are adult romance books varying from sweet to super steamy. The box set will be on sale for only $0.99, that’s 19 stories for only $0.99, which is a bargain guaranteed to raise your spirits and get you swinging to that holiday vibe well ahead of the Christmas holidays. The fact that the stories are short means you can dip into them whenever you get a free moment, whether it's baking, waiting for the school Christmas carols rehearsal to end or grabbing a quick coffee in the midst of holiday spending frenzy. Here in Australia, of course, you can also nip out to the beach and luxuriate in sun and stories. I advise you poor folk up north to stay indoors and grab a chair close to the fire.I haven't read Kimberley Kincaid's books before, and I am so glad I have had the chance to review one. It's been one of those occasions when you finish a book by a new (to you) author and think, 'That was fabulous!' and then promptly hit the internet to find out what kind of backlist she has available.Sophie Drayton has run away from the family nightmare that is the music industry. She is studying to become a librarian and working part-time in an all-night diner to pay her bills, which is where she first sees Emilio Barrett, doodling in a journal of some kind. Sophie has certainly seen enough of the wild life to know that Emilio is bad news, and she is determined that this time around her head – and not her heart or her hormones – will rule her decisions. But somehow she can't seem to keep the sexy stripper from invading her thoughts. Perhaps that's because Emilio has a mind of his own, and he has decided Kimberley's the one for him. Now he just has to convince that his part-time job is just that; a job to keep him earning enough money to look after himself and his mum and siblings until he can get his chosen career as a musician off the ground. But when he figures out Sophie's connection to the music industry, he stalls on telling her about his dreams and desires. She seems to hate the business. Will Sophie's past come back to haunt them, or will Emilio prove that a bad boy can be also be a good man?This was a thoroughly enjoyable romance touching on important contemporary issues as well as sizzling between the sheets. The characters were well rounded. Sophie's passion for books made her come alive. Emilio's smouldering Latino looks and his comfort inside his own skin made him a good foil for Sophie's cerebral approach. I also found the way Kimberley Kincaid explored the issue of family and how it moulds us very interesting. Sophie's family is wealthy but damaged. Emilio's family has always struggled and yet they are bonded in a way that Sophie envies. Emilio is afraid Sophie will think he is trying to abuse her connections if she finds out about his hopes and dreams to be a musician. When things go pear-shaped – as was inevitable with both of them keeping secrets – both of them believe their worst fears have come true. How do they manage to work through their fears and find the courage to reach out to one another? You'll have to read Play Me to find out!Heat rating:Mischief under the Mistletoe: sweet to sexyPlay Me: hot!
More about Mischief Under the Mistletoe:This box set contains is composed of nineteen contemporary romance novellas about holiday hotties just waiting to be unwrapped! The stories are written by a range of NY Times, USA Today, Amazon Bestselling, and Award Winning Authors. This anthology won't last long. Grab it while it's HOT!Mischief Under the MistletoeBy Kristin Miller, Claudy Conn, Melanie James, Mindy Klasky, Holly S. Roberts, Stephanie Rowe, Diane Rinella, Kate Angell , Kimberly Kincaid, J.D. Tyler, Robin Covington, Suzanne Ferrell, Kathy Ivan, Selena Laurence, Jennie Marts, Teri Riggs, Jennifer Theriot, M.J. Fredrick and Deb JulienneNote:This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 17 till 23 November, you can view the complete blitz schedule on the website of Lola’s Blog Tours. I was provided with a free advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.