This month marks the first anniversary of Entangled Publishing’s Bliss books line. To celebrate, they’ve asked fans to talk about why they enjoy Bliss books, and are also offering an awesome giveaway—a Blissfully Sweet Gift Basket.
Bliss titles offer uplifting, contemporary romances that focus on family, community, friendship—and of course, a HEA! I really enjoy them because they’re short and sweet, and are perfect for those times when I want a guaranteed happy ever after with a good dose of modern-day angst first. They focus more on the emotional relationship between characters (especially the hero and heroine, naturally!) than the physical. Because most of the romance is behind closed doors, they’re stories I know I can safely share with Mini Moe #2, which I really appreciate.
The first Bliss title I read was Robin Bielman’s Kissing the Maid of Honor, which was an absolutely adorable best-friend-of-the-older-brother and couple-with-a-history book that I practically read in a single sitting.
Official blurb:
Kissing her best friend’s brother never felt so right…
Sela Sullivan is resolved to be the best maid of honor ever, even if it means tolerating the best man. Insufferable, too-handsome Luke Watters is not only the guy who humiliated her at a kissing booth in high school, but he also happens to be her best friend’s older brother. Positive he’s the same arrogant jock, Sela vows to focus on her duties and steer clear of the frustrating—and frustratingly tempting—Luke.
As a world-renowned extreme-sports photographer, Luke is used to undertaking life-risking adventures. But risking his heart for the beautiful Sela Sullivan, who clearly still hates him for his rejection all those years ago? He didn’t see that coming. Sela inspires a passion he’s never known, and the more time they spend together, the more he craves her. But can he prove to the maid of honor he’s become a man of honor?
It was exactly the kind of book I needed to read in the middle of a chaotic spring! It had snark and sass, fun banter galore, and an oh-so-satisfying ending. The secondary characters were great too; I can’t wait to see which ones will be featured in the next installment of the Secret Wishes series.
My full Goodreads review can be found here.
Another great Bliss read was one of their three original releases from a year ago, Roxanne Snopek’s marriage-of-convenience story Three River Ranch.
Official blurb:
Needing a fresh start from her two-timing fiancé, Aurora McAllister answers a realtor’s ad for a guesthouse on the beautiful, serene Three River Ranch. She shows up at Three River tired, heartbroken, and with no one but her trusty labradoodle as a companion.
Cowboy Carson Granger has enough trouble in his life without adding a woman and her dog to the mix. There’s the untamed mustang he’s prepping to release into the wild, not to mention his father’s crazy will, which stipulates that if Carson wants to fully inherit Three River, he’ll need to find a bride. Carson wants nothing to do with love and especially not a marriage of convenience. But he soon realizes Rory, and everything she represents, might just be exactly what he needs.
Sometimes love arrives on your doorstep when you least expect it…
Poor, poor Carson Granger. Little did he know that his new roommate/assistant was not only expecting—she came with a pregnant Australian labradoodle (or, as Carson called her at one point, a “hoity-toity Australabra-poo thing”) as well! The poor guy didn’t have a chance.
The idea of the Mustang sanctuary was a unique one for me, and coupled with Rory’s work with therapy dogs really made for an interesting read. I’ve already picked up book two in the series, His Reluctant Rancher, featuring Carson’s rancher friend Zach and Rory’s city-girl best friend Desiree, and can’t wait to read it. Book three—Fake Fiancé, Real Revenge—features Carson’s long-absent twin brother Mitchell and was released earlier this month, and is also on my TBR list.
I’m just about to head for home plate in my latest Bliss read, The Practice Proposal by Tracy March, a couple-with-a-history/fake relationship story with a baseball theme. (Note: reading about fictional–and hot–baseball players is MUCH more entertaining than having to sit through actual baseball games, IMO. Especially when extra innings are involved.)
Official blurb:
Liza Sutherland isn’t looking for love. Not from a charity-auction date she didn’t even bid on and especially not with Nationals first baseman Cole Collins, the guy she obsessed over as an awkward teenager. She won’t get involved with a notorious player, no matter how attractive Cole is.
Cole Collins is up for contract renegotiation, but after too many late-night parties, he’ll need some positive publicity before he can make the roster. His agent, Frank, pitches Liza as the perfect prop…only Cole didn’t account for Liza no longer being just a teenager with a crush. She’s gorgeous and smart and he’s instantly hooked.
When Frank makes Liza a deal she can’t refuse—a bet she will fall in love with Cole or a cool half mil goes to charity—the game is on. But neither bet on the real feelings that surface. Could a fake fling turn into an official forever?
I am absolutely loving this one. The characters are fun, the baseball analogies are cute but not overdone, and the romance is very sweet. If I’m falling asleep at high school orientation today, it’s because I couldn’t put this one down! (Added bonus: it takes place in Baltimore, near where my brother and sister-in-law live with the Mini Macs. It’s always somehow more fun to read about places you’ve been, isn’t it?)
I also just got an ARC for the next book in the series, Tempted in the Tropics, which is coming out September 9 and features Liza’s best friend Paige. I’ll be reading that one soon, and can’t wait!
Humor is always something you can count on in Biss books too. Cindi Madsen’s Act Like You Love Me, which I read earlier this summer, had one of the funniest meet-cute (or in this case, meet-again-cute) scenes I’ve ever read. (And many references to Oscar Wilde, especially his iconic play The Importance of Being Earnest. The English major in me loved that part!) In Jenna Rutland’s Just for the Summer, the book title suggestions that cookbook author Dani got from the townspeople were just so bad they were good for a giggle or two.
If you’re looking for a feel-good read, you can’t go wrong with a book from this line. I picked up an even dozen more of them when they were on sale earlier this month, but even at their regular price of $2.99 they’re a deal.
Other celebrations this month include Bliss books’ contest on Pinterest and their upcoming Facebook parties on August 27 and 29 from 8 to 10 PM EST. Follow their #BlissBall tweets to get in on the fun!
And now, for the giveaway!
Entangled Publishing is giving away a “Blissfully Sweet Gift Basket” with goodies for your sweet tooth; ecopies of their first three releases: Three River Ranch by Roxanne Snopek, Lucky Break by Kelley Vitollo (AKA Nyrea Dawn), and Sugar Rush by Rachel Astor; and a $25 Amazon gift card. (If a winner is chosen from outside the US, their prize will be a $100 Amazon gift card and the first three ebook releases.)
Follow on Twitter: @RomanceIsBliss
on Facebook: Bliss, an Entangled Publishing Imprint
and on Pinterest: Entangled Publishing Bliss
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