Giveaway. Excerpt, and Review of Hot Winter Nights (Heartbreaker Bay, #6) by Jill Shalvis

Hot Winter Nights by Jill Shalvis

Who needs mistletoe?

Most people wouldn’t think of a bad Santa case as the perfect Christmas gift. Then again, Molly Malone, office manager at Hunt Investigations, isn’t most people, and she could really use a distraction from the fantasies she’s been having since spending the night with her very secret crush, Lucas Knight. Nothing happened, not that Lucas knows that—but Molly just wants to enjoy being a little naughty for once . . .

 Whiskey and pain meds for almost-healed bullet wounds don’t mix. Lucas needs to remember that next time he’s shot on the job, which may be sooner rather than later if Molly’s brother, Joe, finds out about them. Lucas can’t believe he’s drawing a blank on his (supposedly) passionate tryst with Molly, who’s the hottest, smartest, strongest woman he’s ever known. Strong enough to kick his butt if she discovers he’s been assigned to babysit her on her first case. And hot enough to melt his cold heart this Christmas.

It took Lucas Knight longer than it should have to realize he had a woman in his bed, but to be fair, he had a bitch of a hangover. Even worse than that, last night was a blur, prompting him to take quick stock. One, there was a bundle of sweet, soft curves against him. Two, his head was currently threatening to secede from the United States Of Lucas. And three, his side hurt like … well, like he’d been shot.

It’d been two weeks since he’d gotten caught in some crossfire on the job and he hadn’t yet been cleared for more than light duty – something he’d obviously managed to ignore last night given that he was palming a nice, warm, feminine ass.

Think, man.

Straining his brain, he remembered taking a pain med before going to O’Riley’s Pub to meet up with some friends. A client had been there, someone he’d recently helped save from a multi-million dollar corporate espionage. The guy had ordered shots to toast to Lucas and … shit. Knowing better than to mix pain meds and alcohol, he’d hesitated, but everyone had been waiting on him, glasses hoisted in the air. Thinking just one shot couldn’t hurt anything, he’d knocked back the drink.

Clearly, he’d been wrong and it’d been enough to mess him up big time, something he hadn’t been in years, not since his brother Josh had been killed. Shoving that away for another time – or never -- Lucas cracked open one eye, but when his retina was stabbed by a streak of sunlight glaring in through the window, he immediately slammed it shut it again. Taking a deep breath, he told himself to suck it up and opened both eyes this time, learning two additional facts.

He was naked and completely uncovered.

And the woman snugged up at his side was rolled up in his comforter like a burrito.

What. The. Hell.

Jill Shalvis

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website, www.jillshalvis.com, for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

You can connect with Jill at the following:

Her Website: http://jillshalvis.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillShalvis/

Twitter: @JillShalvis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillshalvis/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jillshalvis/

Tumblr: http://jillshalvis.tumblr.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22370.Jill_Shalvis?from_search=true

Title: Hot Winter Nights: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Heartbreaker Bay
Format: Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (September 25, 2018)
ISBN-10: 0062741837
ISBN-13: 978-0062741837
Author's Website: http://jillshalvis.com/
Notes: I received and eARC loan in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes used will need to be checked against the final version as ARCs are subject to change.


Two weeks ago Lucas Knight was shot on the job. He's doing better, but is still on painkillers. When he goes to the local bar and has a drink with a client he soon realizes mixing his meds with alcohol is a tremendous mistake. He doesn't remember a thing beyond having the drink, and wakes up to find himself in bed with the one person who has always been off limits to him--his best friend's little sister, Molly.

He is so dead.

Molly Malone and Lucas have always gotten along, and while there's always been chemistry between them neither has ever acted upon it. Molly's not looking for a relationship, but there's something about Lucas that makes her mind occasionally wander in that direction, if only for a night. When she accompanies him home after a late night at the bar, she can't help but tease him the next morning even though nothing really happened...

"I'm not going to rate your performance last night."

"That's not--" He paused, his eyes sharpened.  "Wait, what does that mean?"

"Nothing."

"So you're saying I did suck." 

She had to laugh. "Well, if you can't remember it, how good could it really have been, right?"

She is going to milk this one for all it's worth.

If you've never read a Jill Shalvis novel you are in for a real treat. Her stories are filled with plenty of  humor, lightheartedness. chemistry, sexy scenes, and characters you'll wish were real so you could befriend them. Her books always make me smile, and if you need a little pick-me-up, her stories tend to deliver. This is the sixth book of the Heartbreaker Bay series, but it can be read as a standalone. Be forewarned, however, her novels are a bit addictive, and it's hard to stop at just one.

I don't know where Ms. Shalvis gets her ideas, but this one was devilishly delicious. I devoured it in one sitting and it left me eagerly awaiting the next book. I couldn't help but like Molly, and sympathize with her desire to get out from beneath her brother's protective thumb and prove herself. She's smart, resourceful, and able to take care of herself despite her brother's beliefs to the contrary. I loved watching as Lucas really begins to see her for who she is--an excellent investigator. He stands fully behind her never doubting she is up for the challenge their undercover operations require. He doesn't try to takeover when she takes on a case against her brother's wishes. He just lets her know he's got her back if she needs it--and backup is something every good undercover investigator (whether male or female) needs. 

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. It was a fun, humorous, sexy, and highly enjoyable read. I adored Lucas, and the way he treated and handled Molly. The chemistry between these two was scorchingly hot. I loved how these two managed to knock down the barriers each had erected around their hearts, put their very different fears aside, and take a chance on love. As more and more stories are added to this series, you get the sense of a real community coming together. While the books don't build upon one another, if you read all them you'll see the bonds and connections between the characters begin to build and grow.  I rather enjoy that. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. I definitely recommend this one. 

Order of the Heartbreaker Bay series:

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Buy Hot Winter Nights at the following book retailers:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2OEgags
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