Thursday, May 19, 2016

Too Hot to Handle by Tessa Bailey - Review and Excerpt Tour

TOO HOT TO HANDLE - Tour banner

From New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey comes the first novel in her hot, new Romancing the Clarksons Series.

 

When Rita Clarkson’s Suburban takes its last breath on a New Mexico roadside, rescue roars up on a Harley in the form of smooth-talking honkey tonk owner, Jasper Ellis, a man as mysterious as he is charming. Rita’s cross-country journey to New York City–with her three estranged siblings in tow–is only beginning, but now that Jasper has found Rita, his plans do not include her leaving.

TOO HOT TO HANDLE - cover

Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~

 GooglePlay ~ GoodReads


Author: Tessa Bailey
Publication Date:  17 May 2016
Publisher: Forever (Hachette)
Series:  Romancing the Clarksons, book 1
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Age Recommendation: 18 and up
Rating: 4 Stars
~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

When rescue looks like a whole lot of trouble . . .

The road trip was definitely a bad idea. Having already flambéed her culinary career beyond recognition, Rita Clarkson is now stranded in God-Knows-Where, New Mexico, with a busted-ass car and her three temperamental siblings, who she hasn’t seen in years. When rescue shows up—six-feet-plus of hot, charming sex on a motorcycle—Rita’s pretty certain she’s gone from the frying pan right into the fire . . .

Jasper Ellis has a bad boy reputation in this town, and he loathes it. The moment he sees Rita, though, Jasper knows he’s about to be sorely tempted. There’s something real between them. Something raw. And Jasper has only a few days to show Rita that he isn’t just for tonight—he’s forever.


My Review:

Tessa Bailey has done it again.  She's created a story that is fun, sexy, sweet, snarky, moving, and full of heart.

When your world is falling down around you, when you have no idea where you are going, what you want, who you want to be, what do you do, what would you do?  If you are Rita Clarkson you run but you don't run on your own and you don't run with out a plan.  Rita Clarkson is questioning everything she ever believed to be true about herself.  Are the dreams she has believed she wanted her entire life the dreams she truly wants?  Is she a failure or is she a success?  All she knows for sure...she feels like a failure.  In a last attempt to save herself from the hell she's in while watching her mothers restaurant literally go down in flames around her she takes her mother's 'last words' to heart and with the support of her siblings (who aren't always known to be the most supportive) she hits the road for New York and a chilly dip for a polar bear plunge.

First I would like to say that I love the family dynamic of the Clarkson's.  Their mother Miriam while not without her faults (but we can't really beat her up for them now can we?) seems like she would have been an amazing woman.  Full of life and passion.  She may not have always been the most attentive mother but it is clear that she passed on that passion to her children in various ways.  I also love the siblings, they remind me so much of my own sisters and brother.  The fact that we are off doing our own things, living our own life, not really the best communicators, but the minute one of us calls we'll he there.  Rita is the pillar of the siblings.  Always doing what SHE believes is what is expected, always looking for ways to bring her family together even though she has failed again and again.  Belmont, the mysterious broody man who you'll never fully know but who will be by your side helping to hold you up the minute you need him.  Aaron, the driven one, with the vulnerability and sweetness that he tries hard to hide from the world.  Peggy, the spitfire who lives life to the fullest and by her own rules but who is missing a piece that will make her complete.  Those are your Clarkson's and I fell in love with them the minute I met them.  As if that wasn't enough we also get Jasper!!!

Jasper is the town bad boy that doesn't want to be the town bad boy!  He led a wild life in his younger years and is now finding that the town won't let him move past those party days and prove that he is more than just a cold drink and a night of 'fun'.   Jasper knows that he wants more out of life, for his life but he can't leave his past behind (better yet no one will let him leave his past behind) and when he 'stumbles' upon a broken down Suburban on a lonely stretch of New Mexico highway he knows that the change he has wanted most is standing in front of him but does he dare let her in to see who he used to be.  If she knows his past can she ever trust his future and how can he ever keep her around long enough to prove his worth?

  I loved watching Jasper and Rita develop through this book both as a couple and individually.  'Watching' them find acceptance, trust, faith, and love.  I adored the clever quips and sly planning of Jasper.   The siblings are both entertaining and curiosity inducing. I need more of them, I want to know them, to know their stories.  I can already tell that I am going to be horribly sad to say goodbye to the Clarkson's when the time comes.  That right there is one of the reasons I LOVE Tessa Bailey books, she writes her characters as an extension of the reader. You can identify with her characters, you want to know her characters to have them in your circle of family and friends.  They have a realness to them that isn't always found in books. Yes, they are dirty talking guys (and occasionally girls), bad ass heroines and gentle alpha males.  They can be snarky, they can be full of themselves, they can be little shits at time but one thing they always are is full of heart and soul.  Tessa's books will make you swoon, sweat, and most importantly feel love coming off the pages.  I can see her heart in every book she writes, she gives us a little piece of herself and I cherish that and thank her for it.  I always know that when I pick up a Tessa Bailey book I am about to fall in love and it is going to stay with me forever.

I can't wait to Meet the rest of the Clarkson's, I know each story is just going to dig a little more into my soul and I am so ready for it.  If you love contemporary romance reads this is a must read.  Come on an Meet the Clarkson's, they will fast become some of your most favorite friends!


~ HAPPY READING ~ 




TOO HOT TO HANDLE - Tour Teaser 2     


Excerpt:



He dipped down until they were nose to nose, saw the rush of thought going on behind her eyes. It was pretty damn breathtaking up close. “Mind cluing me in as to what’s going on in there?” 

“If—if—we need to stay overnight—” 

“You will.” 

“—then I might see you at the bar.” She wedged a hand between them and separated their bodies. “I’d rather see someone’s worst than their best. Saves time.” 

Jasper heard the tow truck pulling into the garage parking lot and cursed. Not even remotely confident that his first attempt at polite conversation with an available woman had been successful, Jasper walked her backward until they were hidden behind a rusted pay phone. She’d broken away from his touch, so he was careful to respect that. He dropped his mouth to an inch above hers and said, low, “I didn’t get near enough time with you, Rita. If you don’t show up tonight, don’t be surprised if I come looking.” He laid his palms against the warm building, above her head, watched her gaze dip to his stomach. His lap. “And if I have to come looking, I’ll be twice as determined to get that kiss.” 

Her head came up. “W-what kiss?” 

Jasper lowered his mouth until their lips brushed. He listened to her breath accelerate, watched her wet her lips. “The one I want to give you right now.” He allowed himself to linger another few seconds, then, with the effort of ten oxen, Jasper stepped back. “Tonight, beautiful.” 

On his way to his bike, Jasper tipped his hat at Rita’s gaping siblings.

 
TOO HOT TO HANDLE - Tour Teaser 1





Tessa Bailey - headshot Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days. Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention. She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of eight years and four-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.   

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads            



Tessa Bailey’s TOO HOT TO HANDLE – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:
May 19th
A Literary Perusal – Review & Excerpt
Book Angel Booktopia – Review & Excerpt
Bookaholics Reading Haven – Review & Excerpt
Booklovers For Life – Guest Post
CherryRed's Reads – Review & Excerpt
Krista's Dust Jacket – Review & Excerpt
Lit. 4 Ladies – Excerpt
Reads All the Books – Review & Excerpt
Romance Playlist – Review & Excerpt
SBB Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Shayna Renee's Spicy Reads – Review & Excerpt
Sultry, Steamy Reading – Review & Excerpt
The Book Cellar – Review & Excerpt
The Book Disciple – Review & Excerpt
The BookWhisperer – Review & Excerpt
The Bookworms Obsession Blog – Review & Excerpt
The Lusty Literate – Review & Excerpt
The Reading Cafe – Review & Excerpt
Total Book Geek – Review & Excerpt
Vi3tbabe – Review & Excerpt
May 20th
Book Lovin' Mamas – Review & Excerpt
Hot Pressed Books – Review & Excerpt
JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC – Review & Excerpt
She Hearts Books – Review & Excerpt
The Book Bellas – Review & Excerpt
May 21st
A Brit and a Yank – Excerpt
A Fortress of Books – Guest Post
Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt
Book Lit Love – Review & Excerpt
Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous – Review & Excerpt
I Love Romance – Review & Excerpt
Kick Back & Review – Review & Excerpt
Kris & Vik Book Therapy Cafe – Review & Excerpt
Liz's Reading Life – Excerpt
Shannon's Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
The Book Sirens – Review & Excerpt
Wicked Babes Blog Reviews – Review & Excerpt
May 22nd
Aly's Miscellany – Guest Post
Evermore Books – Excerpt
Kimmy Loves to Read – Review & Excerpt
Renee Entress's Blog – Review & Excerpt
The Fairest of All Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
May 23rd
Best Book Boyfriends – Review & Excerpt
Book Reader Chronicles – Review & Excerpt
Books 2 Blog – Excerpt
Books by Migs – Review & Excerpt
Bridget's Book Bungalow – Review & Excerpt
Four Chicks Flipping Pages – Review & Excerpt
My Book Filled Life – Review & Excerpt
Nice Ladies, Naughty Books – Review & Excerpt
Novel Addiction – Review & Excerpt
Obsessive Reading Disorder – Review & Excerpt
Oh My Growing TBR – Review & Excerpt
Romanticamente Fantasy Sito – Review & Excerpt
Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Southern Belle Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Stephanie's Sexy Reads – Review & Excerpt
May 24th
Alpha Book Club – Excerpt
bi n i b i n i – Review & Excerpt
Books Over Sleep – Excerpt
BooksPieAndCoffee – Review & Excerpt
G & T's Indie Café – Excerpt
Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Jax's Book Magic – Review & Excerpt
KatyaRath – Review & Excerpt
kimberlyfaye reads – Review & Excerpt
Miss Riki – Review & Excerpt
My Girlfriends Couch – Review & Excerpt
My YA NA Book Obsession – Review & Excerpt
Okie Dreams Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Once Upon a Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Short and Sassy Book Blurbs – Review & Excerpt
Talking Books Blog – Review & Excerpt
The Eater of Books! – Excerpt
The Phantom Paragrapher – Review & Excerpt
The Readdicts – Review & Excerpt
Toot's Book Reviews – Excerpt
True Story Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
WickedGoodReads – 2 Reviews & Excerpt
InkSlinger PR - blogger banner

1 comment: