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ONE MORE ROUND (The COCKTAIL SERIES) by ALICE CLAYTON

 

 

About the Book:

 

Reunite with Simon and Caroline from the New York Times best-selling Wallbanger in this fun and flirty novella!

Simon and Caroline have it all. A gorgeous restored Victorian house in Sausalito, flourishing careers, an eternal spark for each other, and a cat with more attitude than is legal in the state of California.

So what’s plaguing the couple of the century? They’ve got everything anyone could wish for, except…a family.

After several close calls, Simon and Caroline are coming to terms with the idea that being parents might not be in the cards for them. They’ve been married several years, and they’re realizing it may just be the two of them, forever. Which is okay, right?

Caroline’s career has taken an intriguing turn, Simon is working more than ever, they’re fresh from a trip across the pond to see their besties Jillian and Benjamin – things are falling into place, without a baby rattle.

But just when you think your life is set, the universe gives you a…twist.

Come back in for one more round with Simon and Caroline.

 

My Review:

(An advanced copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.)

I was SO excited to hear that Alice Clayton was releasing another story in the Cocktail series! Wallbanger was one the of the first books I read after FSOG and I have a special place in my heart for Alice Clayton. Simon and Caroline (and Clive the cat!) are back but you do not need to have read the previous books in this series to enjoy this novella.

This is a sexy, funny and surprisingly emotional story. Simon and Caroline have a perfect relationship yet are struggling with pregnancy issues. Even with the all witty banter and steamy times, their struggles make this more that just your usual romantic comedy, and add a layer of authenticity to their relationship.

I also listened to the audiobook and loved it. The fabulous CJ Bloom narrates and the story is an easy audiobook to finish in a just a few hours.

I enjoyed this lovely and smart romantic novella, and hope that Alice Clayton comes back for more soon! If you’re a fan of the Cocktail series, then you will enjoy this trip back with some of your favorite characters.

 

 

 

The Cocktail Series Reading Order:

 

REVIEW + GUEST POST & GIVEAWAY: ROMAN CRAZY by ALICE CLAYTON and NINA BOCCI

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Synopsis:

Avery Bardot steps off the plane in Rome, looking for a fresh start. She’s left behind a soon-to-be ex-husband in Boston and plans to spend the summer with her best friend Daisy, licking her wounds—and perhaps a gelato or two. But when her American-expat friend throws her a welcome party on her first night, Avery’s thrown for a loop when she sees a man she never thought she’d see again: Italian architect Marcello Bianchi.

Marcello was the man—the one who got away. And now her past is colliding with her present, a present where she should be mourning the loss of her marriage and—hey, that fettuccine is delicious! And so is Marcello…

Slipping easily into the good life of summertime in Rome, Avery spends her days exploring a city that makes art historians swoon, and her nights swooning over her unexpected what was old is new again romance. It’s heady, it’s fevered, it’s wanton, and it’s crazy. But could this really be her new life? Or is it just a temporary reprieve before returning to the land of twin-set cardigans and crustless sandwiches?

A celebration of great friendship, passionate romance, and wonderful food, Roman Crazy is a lighthearted story of second chances and living life to the fullest.

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My Review:

“Tell me what happened nine years ago, when you left to go back home and forget all about Barcelona. And me.”

SIGH! A smart, modern, contemporary romance that was pure pleasure from beginning to end! Avery is newly arrived in Rome, reeling from a disastrous marriage where she’s actually felt stifled and trapped for some time. Avery reconnects in Rome with an old friend AND with an old flame. Her boyfriend from a summer abroad in Europe is also in Rome. Marcelo has never forgotten Avery, and and has always wondered why she left Europe that summer so suddenly so many years before.

Avery has always played by others’ rules: she married because it was the right thing to do, led a certain life because it was emptied of her, but here in Rome, with her friend Daisy, she is really free for the first time in her life to be her own woman. And Marcello still finds her beautiful and sexy and talented and they begin a gorgeous romance set against the stunning beauty of Italy.

“For the first time in a very long time, I felt treasured.”

Fans of second-chance romance will devour this love story and revel in the stunning European settings! And who could resist falling in love against the incredibly exciting backdrop of Rome? This book is pure magic. There is just the right amount of drama and I adored the intelligent and supportive secondary characters. Kudos to Nina Bocci for a fabulous debut book! And remember, it is never too late to start something new or make a chance in your life. Just go for it!

(ARC provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.)

 

 

Guest Post from Nina Bocci

What do you love most about Italy?

God, where do I start? The food, the people, the art, culture, history, smell, energy. I can go on and on. I’ve been lucky enough to travel there many times in my life. It doesn’t hurt that I’m 100% Italian too LOL

What was your inspiration to set Roman Crazy in Italy?

When we talked about the book, we had toyed with a few different locations but Italy stood out as the best spot for this particular story. I had just returned from a trip to Rome and it was so fresh and vivid that I think I practically salivated over the chance to set a novel there.

What were your top 3 favorite things about doing the research for Roman Crazy?

Revisiting Italy. I mean, we used Google Maps at one point while we were on the phone and I talked Alice through a particular scene because I wanted her to know exactly what path Avery and Marcello were walking. I may have gone a bit overboard but. . . it worked. Alice is now convinced more than ever that #TheCaptainHookers need to head to Rome in 2017. Also, for clarification #TheCaptainHookers are myself, Alice and our fantastically fabulous BFFs Christina Lauren

Who is your inspiration for Avery and Marcello?

We went around and around on this. Avery is very close to Elizabeth Olsen. Gorgeous, blond, smart as a whip and pulls of snarky well. Marcello was a tough one. Why is it always that the guys are so hard? (I set myself up for that one)
We did find a beautifully stunning Italian model named Simone Bredariol who really fits the bill well. It helps that he’s Italian 😉

Thank you, Nina! Make sure to leave a comment below on your favorite place you’ve ever visited, OR what place you’d most live to visit for a chance to win a paperback copy of ROMAN CRAZY! U.S only, giveaway closes Tuesday night September 12, 2016. Good luck!

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MAI TAI’D UP (COCKTAIL #4) by ALICE CLAYTON

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Synopsis:

Looking for the perfect mix of smart, sexy, and sassy? Mai Tai’d Up continues New York Times bestselling author Alice Clayton’s Cocktail series, which began with Wallbanger and continued with Rusty Nailed and Screwdrivered.

The gossip mill in the seaside community of Monterey is churning about Chloe Patterson, the newcomer who is starting a sanctuary for rescued pit bulls. It’s rumored that she’s a former beauty queen (true) who ditched her fiancé the morning of their wedding (also true). And that while she’s not looking for a new man, the good-looking local veterinarian has his eye on her. Absolutely, positively true.

When Lucas Campbell isn’t at the family veterinary clinic, he’s paddle boarding in Monterey Bay. Recently single, he’s definitely not in the market for a new relationship, but he still can’t resist taking a second, third, and fourth look at the recent arrival of Miss Golden State.

Neither Lucas nor Chloe has any interest in being tied down. Being tied up, however—now there’s a thought. But are a few Mai Tais, a moonlit night, and the music of Frank Sinatra enough to allow them both to forget their past? Let’s hope Ol’ Blue Eyes knows what he’s doing.

Mix one part tiki, one part kinky, and a splash of old black magic matchmaking, and it’s time to be . . . Mai Tai’d Up.

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My Review:

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Crying!! From laughter. This book would make a great movie!

Alice Clayton writes funny. sexy, adult romantic comedies. There’s plenty of steam and always just the right amount of emotional tension to deliver a good, light, satisfying read.

Mai Tai’d Up is the story of Chloe and Lucas. This is a standalone and although Chloe was mentioned in Screwdrivered, you do not need to read the previous books! You can dive right in, and you will enjoy the story.

Chloe is a “runaway bride” and realizes that she was not in love with her fiancee. Much to the horror of her very proper family, she picks up and moves away to begin a whole new chapter in her life. Her passion is reuse animals and she opens a rescue center for pit bulls. And that brings her to the handsome veterinarian in town, Lucas.

The two begin a flirtation and and Chloe really begins to fall for Lucas. I mean, who wouldn’t? A sexy vet? Hello! I loved their scenes together, and their relationship was a slow-build. There is one thing that Lucas can’t stand, and when he finds out about Chloe’s almost-trip to the altar, things blow up.

I absolutely loved how independent and feisty Chloe was. She is no wallflower! She’s smart and no pushover. Often heroines can be kind of a door mat but not Chloe. And there are plenty of really funny moments in this book to go along with the swoon-y romance. Overall I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a fresh, fun and breezy read. Alice Clayton really knows how to deliver a well-written, well-paced story. Oh, and this is a great book for dog lovers!

Favorite quote:

Here’s the thing about an enormous penis. They don’t just live in romance novels …
“Pardon me?” he finally said, his hands frozen on my hips, his lips halfway down my neck.
“Sorry. Actually, not sorry. Actually, congratulations.” I pointed down. “This is kind of amazing.”
He threw his head back and laughed out loud.

(*ARC provided by the publisher with thanks.)

Buy the Book:

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RUSTY NAILED (COCKTAIL #2) by ALICE CLAYTON

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Synopis

In this sequel to Wallbanger, the second book in the Cocktail series, fan favorites Caroline and Simon negotiate the rollercoaster of their new relationship while house-sitting in San Francisco.

Playing house was never so much fun—or so confusing. With her boss on her honeymoon, Caroline’s working crazy long hours to keep the interior design company running—especially since she’s also the lead designer for the renovation of a gorgeous old hotel on Sausalito. So with her hotshot photographer boyfriend gallivanting all over the world for his job, she and Simon are heavy-duty into “absence makes the heart grow fonder” mode. Neither has any complaints about the great reunion sex, though! Then Simon decides he’s tired of so much travelling, and he’s suddenly home more. A lot more. And wanting Caroline home more, too. Though their friends’ romantic lives provide plenty of welcome distraction, eventually Caroline and Simon have to sort their relationship out. Neither wants “out of sight, out of mind,” but can they create their own happy mid-ground cliché?

USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton delivers another delicious, frothy cocktail of a book, shaking up her characters, stirring in laugh-out-loud humor, and serving sizzling romance straight up!

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Ellen’s Review:

What an adult, sexy and witty story!

Alice Clayton writes very realistic and humorous banter between Simon and Caroline and I laughed out loud through many parts of this book. An added plus is the incredible chemistry between these two and the sexy times are absolutely hot and very satisfying! This story is about real-life, Simon and Caroline have real-world professions and work hard just like lots of outer couples to make their passionate relationship work. Jobs, friends, family, and yes, even all-seeing Clive all intervene into their blissful existence.

I loved the way Simon and Caroline’s relationship grows in this book. They learn more about each other and their witty banter is funny and realistic. Caroline has to make some tough decisions in this book but all is done with good grace and humor. There is no over-the-top drama or contrived situations. But Simon is absolutely still gorgeous, sexy, romantic and swoon-wrothy and can still sweep Caroline off her feet.

I also loved all of the supporting characters, and Simon and Caroline’s friends play a major role in Rusty Nailed. I can’t wait to read more about them in upcoming books in this series. Rusty Nailed is everything you expect from Alice Clayton: intelligent, witty dialogue; steamy chemistry; and true love and caring not only between Simon and Caroline, but between all of their friends. I can’t wait for Screwdrivered!

(ARC provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.)

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Only $2.99

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Redhead Plays Her Hand (Redhead #3) by Alice Clayton

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Summary:

The third sexy novel in USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton’s playful and erotic Redhead series continues the sizzling romance between actress Grace Sheridan and Hollywood’s hottest leading man Jack Hamilton.

Grace has landed the lead in a new TV series—but when the director asks her to lose fifteen pounds, she goes public with her weight struggles and suddenly develops a huge fan club who support her right to have curves. But between that and the public’s continuing fascination with her “are they or aren’t they” relationship with Jack, Grace begins to wonder if anyone’s really interested in her because of her upcoming TV series, or if it’s all speculation about the size of her ass and her bedroom partner.

Meanwhile, Jack is voted the Sexiest Man Alive and becomes a little too enamored with the party-hard lifestyle. Grace vows to give him the space he needs to find himself, but then he begins to spiral down from lovable Brit to Hollywood brat. People are talking, but are Jack and Grace? Her career is on the rise, and his continues into the stratosphere, but will she be able to catch him if he falls? Will they ever be able to just be a couple who can hold hands when they walk down the street?

My Review:

I loved this book! Alice Clayton writes with the perfect mix of wit, tenderness and hot romance. Grace is sort of an Every Woman, navigating the shark-infested waters of Hollywood as she pursues her lifelong dream of acting. She is insecure, she is very funny and she is very passionate. Jack is also very witty and totally HOT and is very much in love with the much-older Grace.

The “dark forces” of stardom and fame start to pull Jack and Grace apart. Her star is on the rise, as he falls in with the wrong crowd and succumbs to the pressures of life in Hollywood. I could not put this book down, and absolutely loved Alice Clayton’s writing, filled with wit, warmth and SUPER steamy sex scenes! This book is funny, well-written and fast-paced. I highly recommend this series. I loved the ending but I don’t want to say goodbye to Jack and Grace!

(ARC provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.)

4 and half stars

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About the Author

Alice Clayton
Alice Clayton is a novelist with an unholy love for her KitchenAid mixer. Making her home in St Louis, she enjoys gardening but not weeding, baking but not cleaning up afterwards, and is trying desperately to get her long time boyfriend to make her an honest woman. Hi sweetie!!

After working for years in the cosmetics industry as a makeup artist, esthetician, and national educator for a major cosmetics company, Alice picked up a pen (read laptop) for the first time at 33 to begin a new career, writer. Combining her love of storytelling with a sense of silly, she was shocked and awed to be nominated for a Goodreads Author award in 2010 for her debut novels, The Redhead Series.

Alice has penned three novels, The Unidentified Redhead,The Redhead Revealed, and coming soon in November 2012, Wallbanger. She thinks you should purchase them immediately. She’s not kidding, not even a little bit. Everyone needs some comedic erotica in their lives. She is hard at work on the third book in The Redhead Series, set to release in Spring of 2013, continuing the saucy and sexual escapades of everyone’s favorite couple, Jack and Grace.

Additionally, Alice loves spending time with her besties on Not Your Mother’s Podcast, make sure you check them out at notyourmotherspodcast.com or over on iTunes. 3 women rushing towards their forties still acting like teenagers. A saucy little mix of sex, love, relationships, pop cultural, celebrity gossip and All Things Jake Ryan.

Alice enjoys pickles, Bloody Mary’s, 8 hours of sleep, and a good pounding.

Finally Alice would also like all her readers and listeners to help her convince Mt. Alice that the only other thing that would make her truly happy is finally bringing home a Bernese Mountain Dog. She is totally serious. And done talking about herself in the third person…

Links:

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Website

Giveaway

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5 Signed Sets of the Redhead Series & Tiffany “Schmaltz” Necklace

GIVEAWAY: Announcing Alice Clayton’s New Cocktail Series!!

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Pre-order Rusty Nailed and Screwdrivered (Mai Tai’d coming soon!)
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Visit Alice Clayton’s website here

To celebrate, Gallery Books will provide a lucky reader with the complete set of the Redhead series (The Unidentified Redhead, The Redhead Revealed and The Redhead Plays Her Hand) in paperback! (US/Canada only)

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