Happy Publishing Anniversary to Katy Regnery!!
In just one year she's published 12, yes 12, books and because I've 5 Starred nearly every single one of them, I thought it only fitting that we feature Katy and her couples here on my blog in honor of this awesome accomplishment.
If you haven't had the opportunity to read any of Katy's books yet, let me and some of my favorite fellow bloggers tell you why you should....ASAP!!
In just one year she's published 12, yes 12, books and because I've 5 Starred nearly every single one of them, I thought it only fitting that we feature Katy and her couples here on my blog in honor of this awesome accomplishment.
If you haven't had the opportunity to read any of Katy's books yet, let me and some of my favorite fellow bloggers tell you why you should....ASAP!!
Jenny & Sam
By Proxy (Heart of Montana #1)
Presented By: Summer Hagey at Read Tweet Repeat
Jenny is the prototypical small-town girl – a smart, funny and beautiful teacher with three very big, and very protective, brothers. She agrees to stand proxy for her best friend Ingrid who is stationed overseas, pregnant, and desperate to find a way to marry Kristian who is in Afghanistan. Even though Ing tells her the man who is going to stand in for Kristian is “hot”, she has no idea what she’s in for when Sam walks in the door.
Sam Kelley is the prototypical city-slicker – hot, charming, and getting on Jenny’s last nerve by being late for the proxy wedding vows. When Sam finally arrives, an hour too late to complete the vows, Jenny finds herself literally falling for him. When the pair are told they will not be able to speak the proxy vows until Monday, Sam agrees to follow Jenny to her hometown and spend the weekend. There the pair begin a weekend that is so damn sweet it will make your teeth hurt!!
I fell completely in love with Sam and Jenny. Their story, their banter, and their pure connection as a couple were amazingly written. Sam is incredibly adorable and Jenny is wonderfully sassy and together they make the perfect couple. Their story is by far one of the sweetest I've ever read.
Tess & Lucas
The Christmas Wish (Heart of Montana #2)
Presented By: Danielle Skinner, Avid Reader and Katy Fan
It sounds cliche, but I love determined heroes, ones that will do anything to win of the heart of the woman that they love. Lucas ignores all of the rumors and gossip and keeps right on pursuing Tess. He doesn't care about her past or how many lovers she's had, all he wants to do is love her. He doesn't see Tess, the girl who has slept with half of Gardiner, Montana. He sees her goodness that's buried deep down inside. When you love someone, you have to accept them, flaws and all. Tess, who is used to people judging her and being rude to her, is shocked that someone could actually care that much about her. Eventually her insecurities get the best of her and she has to overcome them to make the relationship work. That's the nasty thing about insecurity; it just keeps eating away at you until there's nothing left. You have to nip it in the bud as fast as you can.
Take all of that, throw in some humor, and the magic of Christmas and you'll have a heartwarming, romantic story that I was up until 5am re-reading.
Erik & Katrin
Midsummer Sweetheart (Heart of Montana #3)
Presented By: Kathy Arguelles at My Nook, Books n More
Presented By: Kathy Arguelles at My Nook, Books n More
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Read Full Review HERE
Read Full Review HERE
Midsummer Sweetheart is the love story of Erik Lindstrom and Katrin Svenson. Erik is the youngest brother of the Lindstrom family. He is one of my favorite of the brothers because he is protective and loving towards his family. Erik and his sister Jenny took care of their dying mother. This was a heartbreaking task but Erik cherished spending the last moments with his mother. But during this time his father was absent which destroyed Erik’s belief in love and made him protect his heart from ever being broken. I loved that we saw Erik’s vulnerable side and his journey in overcoming his fears. And to be honest my love for Erik also has something to do with Katy’s inspiration, actor Alexander Skarsgard. I love Alexander from True Blood so imagining him as Erik Lindstrom was an added treat.
Katrin Svenson is overcoming a bad breakup from her abusive ex-fiance. Katrin finally has had enough of being terrorized by her ex so she decides to move to a new town. As a favor Erik is asked to drive Katrin to her new home. Erik agrees before meeting Katrin because as a police officer it is in his nature to be protective. But the moment they meet there is an instant attraction. Katrin may be petite but she is strong and independent. I love that Katrin found the strength to overcome her breakup and not be a victim. Actress Carey Mulligan is perfect as Katrin. She's beautiful and with the sweet girl-next-door look.
Midsummer Sweetheart is one of my favorite books from Katy. Midsummer Sweetheart was another sweet romance in The Hearts of Montana series but this book showed Katy’s range as an author. There was suspense, drama and action that was a surprising departure from the first book, By Proxy. I was amazed by her creativity and I knew that this was just the beginning of seeing her true talent. 12 books to date stand as proof that Katy is here to stay.
Lars & Jane
See Jane Fall (Heart of Montana #4)
Presented By: Simona Elena at Sky’s Book Corner
Lars and Jane are definitely my favourite couple out of Katy’s Heart of Montana series. They have a certain magic surrounding them, if you ask me ;).
The way Jane and Lars meet at the airport is so funny and adorable at the same time, especially when Lars thought she was a teenager with her cardigan and cap. She is cute, has some curves, doesn’t use make-up and doesn’t own fancy and sexy clothes. Still, Lars is instantly drawn to her and especially her voice and green eyes.
Every single moment and scene between them was so special and unique and most importantly full of feelings and passion. They were falling for each other more and more after every second and their chemistry was amazing! They bonded on different levels and were able to talk about everything, even their past.
Lars and Jane really had to fight for their love, but it was clear that they belong together, such an adorable couple.
Meeting Miss Mystic (Heart of Montana #5)
Presented By: Dawn Foss, Avid Reader and Katy Fan
The Heart of Montana series is about the Lindstrom family, which is full of gorgeous men, and their beautiful sister. Paul is friends with the family, and has his heart broken by Jenny Lindstrom and can’t seem to get over her. His friend Maggie decides to help him out by creating an online profile for him on an internet dating site. WOWEE was he mad! Fast forward to later……Paul sees Holly’s picture, and then reads the e-mails that Maggie had sent and falls in love. They have so much in common, including their profession (educators), favorite vacation spot (Moosehead Lake, Maine), and favorite movie (The Princess Bride). They write, and talk on the phone, but when he wants to meet her she puts him off. He decides to take matters into his own hands and plans a trip. Holly panics….because she is really Zoe, and because of some terrible life events she looks very different and is very different emotionally. So SHE decides to take matters into her own hands, and off she goes to Montana! The rest of the story is the real love story – how Paul fell in love with Zoe while he was already in love with Holly. This book made me laugh…made me cry…made me angry…and delivered everything one would expect from a Katy Regnery book. Heart…heat…and a healthy dose of sweet romance.
Why I could relate to this book:
Online dating has become very popular in this very busy, very connected world. People are falling in love all over the cyber world. I’ve seen success stories, so I know that it CAN happen.
Many of us know how it feels to be the single friend in a mostly paired off group. You wonder why it is taking so long to find “The One”, and despair that you never will. This book gives you hope and encouragement. You never know where “The One” may be!
This book wasn’t just a love story….it was also a story of forgiveness….Zoe for herself, Paul for Zoe/Holly. Love CAN overcome huge obstacles if you can forgive.
Nil & Maggie
What Were You Expecting (Heart of Montana #6)
Presented By: Jaime Collins at For the Love of Books by Jaime
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In the final installment of the Heart of Montana series (sad face) we finally get to hear Nils and Maggie's story, which has been in the making for for years (or at least the last two books in the series).
I just knew that there was something more between Maggie and Nils than we ever knew, but never imagined it would be what it was.
There is so much more to Nils than we got to read about in the previous books and the secret heartbreak that he's holding onto is heartbreaking and just makes me want to cuddle him so hard.
The love that Maggie has for Nils is infinite. She's just been waiting for him to act on the feelings that she knows he has for her as well.
When life gives Nils no other option than to be with Maggie, the story takes a romantic yet heartbreaking turn as you watch Nils struggle to accept his feelings for Maggie while trying to get over his broken past. In the end, what they share is too strong to be denied.
Their tale was the perfect ending to a fantastic series.
In the final installment of the Heart of Montana series (sad face) we finally get to hear Nils and Maggie's story, which has been in the making for for years (or at least the last two books in the series).
I just knew that there was something more between Maggie and Nils than we ever knew, but never imagined it would be what it was.
There is so much more to Nils than we got to read about in the previous books and the secret heartbreak that he's holding onto is heartbreaking and just makes me want to cuddle him so hard.
The love that Maggie has for Nils is infinite. She's just been waiting for him to act on the feelings that she knows he has for her as well.
When life gives Nils no other option than to be with Maggie, the story takes a romantic yet heartbreaking turn as you watch Nils struggle to accept his feelings for Maggie while trying to get over his broken past. In the end, what they share is too strong to be denied. Their tale was the perfect ending to a fantastic series.
Playing for Love at Deep Haven (Enchanted Places #1)
Zach the child prodigy turned hard rock musician and Violet the once carefree poet turned conservative Greenwich novelist.
They say great things are born from pain and suffering. That is what happened to Zach and Violet. Zach chose to express himself by writing songs that screamed anger and pain. The feelings he felt towards himself for letting Violet go all those years ago. For Violet, she expressed her pain first through poetry by recalling "My Spot" but when that turned out unsuccessful, she turned to writing a novel. Both living somewhat successful lives but left feeling empty in the end.
Nine years later, fate offered them a second chance. Landing them both in New Haven. Zach with the determination to write something he was proud of and Violet to write the sequel to her novel in order to preserve the life she has. What they ended up finding instead was way more precious than a Rock Opera or novel; they found a second chance with each other.
Zach and Violet are one of the more endearing couples I have read. Katy has created many couples that you can’t help but fall in love with, but with Zach and Violet, she had created magic. Fate and second chances are all around us, we only have to take the time to recognize them. I am very glad that Zach and Violet did.
Asher & Savannah
The Vixen and the Vet
Presented By: Jaime Collins at For the Love of Books by Jaime
Read Full Review HERE
Read Full Review HERE
34 year-old Asher Lee is the town hero, turned recluse when he is injured in Afghanistan and suffers substantial injuries to his face and arm and returns to his hometown only to be shunned and forgotten. He's a bit of curmudgeon and frankly isn't very nice to Savannah when they first meet.
26 year-old Savannah is a reporter looking to revive a career ruined by the betrayal of someone she trusted with her heart. She's been offered an opportunity to write a human interest piece for a newspaper in Phoenix and hopes the piece will help her land a job in New York. She gets more than she bargains for when she meets Asher Lee.
I liked these two almost instantaneously, even with Asher's stubborn and angry attitude and Savannah's un-trusting and secretive demeanor. The way that Savannah healed Asher really struck a chord with me but the best part was that Asher was healing Savannah as well.
Mostly, I fell in love. I fell in love with this story of tragedy turned amazing love story, with a hero forgotten and dismissed by the very people he swore to defend and protect and with the woman who would show them all the error of their ways. I fell in love with love, and with hope, with honesty, and with forgiveness.
Jasmine & Robert
Four Weddings and a Fiasco: The Wedding Date
Presented By: Kathy Arguelles at My Nook, Books n More
Read Full Review HERE
The Wedding Date is a sweet story about young love and I loved every moment of this!
The Wedding Date is a stand-alone story that has characters from Lucy Kevin’s Four Weddings and a Fiasco series. I haven’t read this series but now I really want to. I’m so curious about the supporting characters stories. But The Wedding Date focuses on Jasmine and Robert who meet at the wedding of Jasmine’s half-sister. Right away sparks fly but both have insecurities. Jasmine is insecure because of her weight and how she has been treated in the past. Robert has made some bad choices and feels that he will always have to prove himself. I love Jasmine and Robert because they are characters everyone can relate with. Both are afraid to take chances because they don’t want to get hurt, and we can all identify with that fear.
The Wedding Date is a perfect story to add some romance to your day!
Barrett & Emily
Breaking Up With Barrett (The English Brothers #1)
Presented By: Jaime Collins at For the Love of Books by Jaime
Read Full Review HERE
Barrett English and Emily Edwards are my absolute favorite of Katy's characters so far!
I want to describe this as a friends to lovers book but that doesn't really cover it because Barrett and Emily have known each other since Emily was born and I'm not even sure if I could classify them as friends. Their family's friendship's go back generations. The English's are the wealthy, well-respected family and the Edwards, the help. For basically their whole lives, Emily and Barrett have harbored feelings for each other but neither have ever let on to anyone else that the feelings exist. Then one day, Barrett approaches Emily with a proposition. He will pay her $100 p/hour to play his fiance at business related events. She needs money for rent and bills so she can hardly turn it down. Plus it doesn't hurt that she'll get to spend time with him.
They quickly discover that playing the part of a happy couple is something they want to make real, but in an effort to hold onto Emily, Barrett makes a decision that he'll have to keep secret from her. Business and personal lines are crossed and secrets are revealed. Emily's maturity and level-head are what makes this story truly great but my favorite thing is that not once does Barrett worry about him and Emily being from "different worlds", in fact there is a moment where it's brought up and the way he deals with it almost brought me out of my chair, I was so impressed!
*picture me as an audience member on The Arsenio Hall show waiving my fist and whooping*
If you're looking for a story full of angst and drama, you'll need to look elsewhere. If you're looking for a true love story a lifetime in the making then pick this book up now!!!
Fitz & Daisy
Falling for Fitz (The English Brothers #2)
Presented By: Rachel Poole at Cullen House Books
About Fitz and Daisy:
“I don’t know how to be Fitz English without loving Daisy Edwards. I’ve belonged to you since I was twenty, Daisy. You’ve owned me every day since the last day I saw you.”
Daisy was only 17 when she and Fitz fell head over heels in love during a summer neither of them would ever forget. Despite their feelings, their love affair was destroyed by a tragedy and Daisy ordered Fitz (in no uncertain terms) to walk away and forget about her.
As if he could..
Nine years later, Daisy arrives back in Philadelphia and Fitz is determined to make the most of their second chance together. The passion they share is even stronger than it was back then but with a truckload of baggage and communication issues between then, can they finally have the HEA they’ve been waiting for?
Why I love them (and you will too!)
#1 They’re easy to relate to
Fitz is quietly passionate and rock solid dependable and I loved those things about him. Like most men, he prefers to show you how he feels through his actions rather than putting it into words. Daisy needs to hear those words and the lack of communication puts them in a bind I’m sure many couples would have experienced themselves.
Daisy doesn’t need to rely on any man for her happiness or to take care of her. She’s a spunky business woman who knows what (and who!) she wants and how to make it happen.
#2 Their story is the funniest and most emotional of the series so far
The incident with Daisy’s fake fiancee, anyone? ;) Classic! Oh, and trust me... you’ll have a giggle over them casting the the English Brothers movie.
I adored Fitz and Daisy for the way they loved each other wholeheartedly. They do have some serious issues to work through but somehow, they manage it with minimal angst. Their romance is even hotter than Barrett and Emily’s (I know, seriously?), raw, and intense.
What’s not to love?
Alex& Jessica
Anyone But Alex (The English Brothers #3)
Presented By: Summer Hagey at Read Tweet Repeat
Presented By: Summer Hagey at Read Tweet Repeat
I fell hard for both Jessica and Alex because of the tough exterior protecting their soft feelings towards one another. Jess does her best to convince herself she's perfectly fine spending her holiday away from home having "fun" with Alex. All while Alex has a hard time believing Jessica's return to his life is the reason he's feeling so damn good. It's quite the fun 'cat and mouse' game that I desperately hoped would end with the two safely tucked away in each others' arms.
Not only is Jessica perfect for Alex, she's the perfect friend too! She's fun, put together, smart, witty and dresses like Kate Middleton...an excellent mix of sassy and classy. When we see Jess struggle with Alex's past and how difficult it is to ignore the women who've given Alex his checkered past, it reminds us no one is immune from the hateful, vengeful words of jealousy.
Alex is the perfect "bad boy" who has lived his life taking a different woman to brunch every Sunday. However, after seeing his two brothers fall head over heels in love, he begins to think there's more to life than one night stands and booty calls. When Jessica waltzes back into his life unexpectedly we get to see Alex's transformation from "Man About Town" to "One Woman Man" which is both endearing and adorable.
Readers will love Jess and Alex because they are both flawed in their own ways, yet they fit perfectly together. You'll see two adults who met as children rekindle their affections for one another and you'll fall in love with them as easily as they fall in love with one another.Amazon
Katy Regnery, Amazon best-selling author, has always loved telling a good story, and credits her mother with making funny, heartwarming tales come alive throughout her childhood. A lifelong devotee of all romance writing, from Edwardian to present-day, it was just a matter of time before Katy tried her hand at writing a love story of her own.
As it turned out, one love story turned into a series of six Heart of Montana romances, following the love lives of the Yellowstone-based Lindstrom siblings. When Katy's fans asked her to turn up the heat, she cheerfully started her Enchanted Places series, which offered steamier romance to her readers. Katy was also proud to offer a stand-alone romance, The Vixen and the Vet, written as a benefit for Operation Mend, just in time for Fourth of July, 2014.
Katy lives in the relative wilds of northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, where her writing room looks out at the woods, and her husband, two young children, and two dogs create just enough cheerful chaos to remind her that the very best love stories of all are the messy and unexpected ones.
Katy hosts a #LunchtimeLiveWithKaty party every day from 12:00-1:00pm EST. on Facebook & Twitter.
When I decided to include an interview with this post, I decided that I didn't want to ask the same old, same old author questions and instead chose to go the steamier route. Check out Katy's awesome answers here and let's all keep an eye out for this book I requested in the last question. It sounds like a great story, right?
My husband is far more concerned with the business aspect of my career than the romances themselves! He's constantly asking me about my KDP numbers, if I'm keeping receipts for tax purposes, etc. It's probably for the best because, no, he doesn't read romance. He's read a few chapters of "By Proxy" and a few of "Playing for Love at Deep Haven" but asking him to read romance would be like asking me to read a long, boring biography of some obscure 18th century politician. A book like that can keep him up all night, and for me, it's a total snooze. As for whether or not he likes it that I write romance, I don't think he minds. He saw how aimless I was feeling before I started writing, and is really, really supportive of my career on many levels.
2. When you are writing a sex scene, are you embarrassed, turned on or are you thinking about it more clinically?
Oh, Jaime, you're wicked. Never embarrassed. Sometimes turned-on. Mostly, I'm trying to picture where everything goes, though, and keep the words flowing. I turn up the music really loud when I write sex scenes and try to maintain a certain amount of tunnel vision. I try to write them straight through without stopping to keep the energy and action seamless.
3. Does your husband inspire scenes or does writing scenes inspire you with your husband?
Naughty girl!! Inspire? Hmm. A better word is assist. He doesn't seem to mind when I interrupt him from whatever he's doing, drag him over to a couch, sit on the back of it, and make him stand between my legs to see if our parts line up height-wise...Of course I'm working, we're both clothed and I admit he looks a little disappointed when I sprint back to my study to finish the scene I'm writing! LOL!
4. Who has been your favorite character to write? Why?
I loved Asher from The Vixen and the Vet. He's got so much heart and strength. I loved Jasmine from The Wedding Date, because I loved writing a happily-ever-after for a curvy girl. Jane and Lars from See Jane Fall are also favorites - that was the first book I wrote where I really felt like I hit my groove. It was exhilarating. And Fitz English pulls at my heartstrings--he's so good and earnest and true. Stratton English may emerge as a favorite too.
5. What about the hardest character to write? Why?
The hardest? Hands down, Alex English. It took me four drafts to get Alex right and that has NEVER happened to me before. It turns out that redeeming a manslut is quite a bit of work. You want to be true to who he was, but make his transformation believable.
6. You've written 12 books (or at least published, probably written more) in the last 365 days. It's going to be hard to keep up that pace, right? Do you have a goal to write a certain amount of books or is it more like the characters and the stories are just coming at you so often and so quickly that you just can't help it?
All told, from September 2012 to the present, I've actually written 15 books. 12 of them were published, 1 was selected for the first RWA anthology. I had no number goal in mind when I started this journey. I constantly have stories in my head, and I'm compulsive about getting them down on paper. As for keeping up the pace? No, I don't intend to. Next year I'd like to publish two standalones and four books about The Winslow Brothers. That's only six. We'll see if that keeps me busy enough!!
7. When can we expect a story featuring a chubby heroine named Jaime who spends too much of her time falling in love with fictional characters so she cannot seem to find her own perfect hero? (PS. I'm very happily married but I just want a book about me already!!)
LOL!! I'll see what I can do. I managed the Barrett/Quinn mini mash-up per your request, so anything is possible!
Direct Link:
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