Susi Reviews Three Christmases by Kat & Stone Bastion @KatBastion @StoneBastion

Susi Reviews

Three Christmases by Kat & Stone Bastion 

As the holiday season approaches in this fourth book in the No Weddings Series, Cade Michaelson strives to be better at balancing work and love, and Hannah Martin’s growing ability to trust is put to the test.

Lust and friendship brought us together, but with the increasing demands of my two businesses, Hannah’s thriving bakery, and our successful event-planning company, stability becomes my focus.

Then a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity takes me to the West Coast, and everything goes into a tailspin.

Laughter, love, and excitement fill our lives, but Cade refuses to settle into the wonderful bliss we’ve found—he wants spectacular fireworks and an unshakable foundation. Driven like no one I’ve ever met, Cade insists a dream job across the country will be better for our future together, but I worry about whether we can survive the present apart.

When intimate time diminishes…and lives get more hectic…

Will a little bit of faith be all that it takes? Or will the sacrifice to get there be too great?

 

My Review

First of all, I want to start with this, “The No Weddings Series has to be one of my top favorite series this year!”   Hannah and Cade are up there in my favorite couples category too.   This series has made me smile, laugh, worry, swoon and smile again and again.  Reading this last book in the series was bittersweet for me.  I had my own idea of how I wanted this spectacular series to end but Kat and Stone’s idea was better.  And, I truly loved it.

The story of Cade and Hannah is one that I admire.  Throughout these four books, their relationship has developed, intensified and thrived.  This last book presents new challenges for the couple.  Of course, these challenges are what makes these characters so real.  Life isn’t always perfect.  Obstacles once again blur their future.  Hannah deals with meeting her father and Cade deals with a promising business opportunity.  Both of their lives become more complicated but their love, even with this new long distance hurdle remains strong.

Just like in the other three books, the sisters and their party planning business remain part of their lives.  In this book, three unique Christmas parties are in the works.  I have enjoyed the party planning since it has brought so many entertaining moments to this series.

This book is written in both Hannah and Cade’s point of view, so getting inside each of their minds has been a sweet treat.  Their sexy banter along with Cade’s ….. sexy as fuck, well you know, use of condiments  (And, if you don’t, get to it! Read this series NOW!) continues making this another 5 star read.  Be prepared for funny moments too.  Dressing rooms and closets can be quite interesting.

It was wonderful to read and witness how this couple grew from that first party when Hannah was just the “Ice Queen and Cade was a player.

“Last New Year’s. I’d been a player who’d had girls’ numbers on a sticky note list, a damaged man who’d buried himself into business and accomplishment just to be able to wake up each morning.  This New Year’s approached, and I’d become a changed man, all because of one Ice Queen baker who’d melted my heart.”

Well, I am not going to give away the ending but I have to tell you, It is soooo good!  Cade never ceases to amaze me and is indeed an amazing planner. Swoon…

“Why’d you toss out your rule?”

Rolling halfway onto her, I gave her a lazy smile. “You are the exception to every rule.”

Cade’s sisters are awesome.  I would love to read more about them in the future.

Three Christmases is a 5 star read!

Congrats again to this dynamic writing duo on a marvelous series!

I can’t wait to read the novella, For Valentine’s.

---

 

 

 

Follow Kat Bastion & Stone Bastion 

Read Kat’s official website:  www.katbastion.com

Read Kat’s blog page: www.talktotheshoe.com

Latest project: No Weddings Series

I’m thrilled to be co-authoring with Stone Bastion, my husband, in a contemporary romance series!

No Weddings (9/8/14)
One Funeral (9/29/14)
Two Bar Mitzvahs (10/20/14)
Three Christmases (11/17/14)
…plus a steamy nightcap novella
For Valentine’s (1/5/14)

I’m fortunate to have won several awards for my paranormal romance writing in the first novel of the Highland Legends Series. The first two books are now available on Amazon:

Forged in Dreams and Magick
Bound by Wish and Mistletoe (a novella)

Slated for release in Winter 2014/2015:
~ Born of Mist and Legend
~ Found in Flame and Moonlight

Please also visit the Charity Support and Awareness page on both my blog and website, outlining how a portion of the proceeds of all of my books will go to charities that fight against human trafficking.

 

 

Blogiversary Giveaway – Three Christmases- Signed Paperback by Kat & Stone Bastion @KatBastion @StoneBastion

 

Giveaway – Signed Paperback of Three Christmases by Kat & Stone Bastion

1.  One lucky winner will win a signed paperback of Three Christmases by Kat & Stone Bastion.

2.  Leave a comment on this post. Who is your favorite romance author?  Share the post too.

3.  The winner will be selected via random.org on Tuesday 12/16 and will be notified via email.  No purchase necessary to participate. (US giveaway)

4.  Good Luck!

Thank you Kat and Stone for being part of my blogiversary!  ~Susi

 

As the holiday season approaches in this fourth book in the No Weddings Series, Cade Michaelson strives to be better at balancing work and love, and Hannah Martin’s growing ability to trust is put to the test.

Lust and friendship brought us together, but with the increasing demands of my two businesses, Hannah’s thriving bakery, and our successful event-planning company, stability becomes my focus.

Then a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity takes me to the West Coast, and everything goes into a tailspin.

Laughter, love, and excitement fill our lives, but Cade refuses to settle into the wonderful bliss we’ve found—he wants spectacular fireworks and an unshakable foundation. Driven like no one I’ve ever met, Cade insists a dream job across the country will be better for our future together, but I worry about whether we can survive the present apart.

When intimate time diminishes…and lives get more hectic…

Will a little bit of faith be all that it takes? Or will the sacrifice to get there be too great?

 

 

Follow Kat Bastion & Stone Bastion 

Read Kat’s official website:  www.katbastion.com

Read Kat’s blog page: www.talktotheshoe.com

Latest project: No Weddings Series

I’m thrilled to be co-authoring with Stone Bastion, my husband, in a contemporary romance series!

No Weddings (9/8/14)
One Funeral (9/29/14)
Two Bar Mitzvahs (10/20/14)
Three Christmases (11/17/14)
…plus a steamy nightcap novella
For Valentine’s (1/5/14)

I’m fortunate to have won several awards for my paranormal romance writing in the first novel of the Highland Legends Series. The first two books are now available on Amazon:

Forged in Dreams and Magick
Bound by Wish and Mistletoe (a novella)

Slated for release in Winter 2014/2015:
~ Born of Mist and Legend
~ Found in Flame and Moonlight

Please also visit the Charity Support and Awareness page on both my blog and website, outlining how a portion of the proceeds of all of my books will go to charities that fight against human trafficking.

Release Day Launch & Giveaway – Three Christmases by Kat & Stone Bastion @KatBastion @StoneBastion @No_Weddings

Happy Release Day to The Bastions!

The No Weddings Series is a must read series!  You will laugh, smile, get teary eyed and swoon. ~Susi
Today is the release day launch for THREE CHRISTMASES, the fourth book in Kat and Stone Bastion’s No Weddings series.

I’m so excited about this book!

Check out the exclusive excerpt and be sure to enter the giveaway!

Stay tuned for my review of Three Christmases later in the week.

Exclusive Excerpt:

“Where are you?” Cade asked.

“Your room.” After the gallery exhibit ended, I needed to be near him. But surrounded by his stuff was the closest I could get. Thank God Mase hadn’t asked when I’d shown up at their doorstep, he’d only given me an understanding look.

Cade insisted he felt better only moments ago. Then he refused to talk about his condition.

The phone was pressed to my ear, its glow, his existence, the only light in the darkness. I closed my eyes and turned slightly, pressing my nose into the pillow, inhaling deeply. Cade’s scent mixed with my heartache for him filled me with an incomparable longing. With effort, I could almost imagine him here wrapped around me. Almost.

“Where in my room?”

“Your bed.”

“I’m liking this bedtime story.” His voice deepened, turning gruff.

His primal tone sizzled an erotic charge through me and my breath caught. Then I grinned, my melancholy shattering. He did that to me. Turned me inside out on a word, a phrase, the sexy loaded undercurrent of his voice.

On a shaky exhale, I tightened my hand on the phone. The electronic tie to him was hot on my skin. He was right there with me, and at the same time, so far away. “Wish you were here. Miss you like crazy.”

“Me too, Maestro. Like you wouldn’t believe.”

“Really?” Did I voice that? My doubt about his side versus mine? “Does it hurt? Because mine does. I used to think that the good-bye was the hardest part. It’s not. Not by a long shot.”

“No,” he agreed. “It’s every moment you’re dying to share in person.”

I nodded. “The drop-ins and unexpected surprises. All the times I don’t think I’m going to see you, and then, there you are, my sexy-as-fuck dream standing in my doorway.”

A low chuckle sounded out. “Did you just call me sexy as fuck?”

My cheeks began to cramp with my huge smile. Just having him on the line was like thousand-dollar-an-hour therapy. “Maybe.”

“No, I’m definitely sure I heard it. Say it again.”

I swallowed hard and said in a low rumble, “Sexy as fuck.”

His heavy exhale sounded over the phone. “Damn, I miss you. Three more days. I will be there by Thursday night. Count on it.”

Confused about his early midweek arrival, I furrowed my brow. Then it hit me. Thursday was December 11th, my birthday. Even though I’d completely forgotten, he’d remembered. “You better. If you don’t, the rest of the CDs you abandoned here are gonna get it.”

He barked out a laugh. “What are you going to do? Take my favorites hostage?”

Alone in the dark, I narrowed my eyes, even though he couldn’t see. “Oh, no. I’m going to put your entire collection into a random shuffle.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Try me, sexy boy. If you don’t get here on time, as promised, all this longing I feel for you will reach a breaking point. Girl needs an outlet. I’m thinking the CDs are a great start.”

He groaned. Then laughed. “Do your worst. If I am even a minute late. I’ll take my licks like a man.”

The thought of punishing him sent my mind guttering. Clearly I’d been exposed to him too long. “Oh, and how do you do it like a man?” My lips spit out the uncensored question before I could stop them.

His low growl vibrated in my ear. “Those are licks I’ll be giving you, Maestro. That’s how I do it like a man. Has it been so long that you don’t remember? I think you need intensive reeducation.”

His playfulness warmed my heart. Sparked the naughty girl inside of me to life. His naughty girl. “Maybe I do.”

He dragged his words out. “Slow, unbelievably slow. To make sure you’re paying attention.”

On a hard swallow, I buried my face into his pillow and took another deep breath. “Oh, you have my attention.”

“Teeth, dragged across skin.”

A shudder ran through me. “I like…”

“I know you do.” He paused. “Kiss after kiss, soft, teasing…”

“You’re teasing me now…”

Three Christmases Synopsis:

As the holiday season approaches in this fourth book in the No Weddings Series, Cade Michaelson strives to be better at balancing work and love, and Hannah Martin’s growing ability to trust is put to the test.

Lust and friendship brought us together, but with the increasing demands of my two businesses, Hannah’s thriving bakery, and our successful event-planning company, stability becomes my focus.

Then a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity takes me to the West Coast, and everything goes into a tailspin.

Laughter, love, and excitement fill our lives, but Cade refuses to settle into the wonderful bliss we’ve found—he wants spectacular fireworks and an unshakable foundation. Driven like no one I’ve ever met, Cade insists a dream job across the country will be better for our future together, but I worry about whether we can survive the present apart.

When intimate time diminishes…and lives get more hectic…

Will a little bit of faith be all that it takes? Or will the sacrifice to get there be too great?

 

 

 

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Goodreads

No Weddings:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Goodreads

One Funeral:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Goodreads

Two Bar Mitzvahs:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Goodreads

For Valentine’s: Coming January 5^th

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

 

About the Authors:

Award-winning and bestselling romance author Kat Bastion has teamed up with her husband Stone Bastion to create the new contemporary romance series No Weddings.

A few factoids about the writing team…

Kat enjoys her chocolate rich and dark, her music edgy and soul-filling, and her vacations exotic with toes dug into the sand. And she’s wildly, madly, deeply in love with Stone.

Stone likes pounding the trails on a mountain bike, vibrating the sound system with rock music, and down time spent on a stand up paddleboard. And he loves Kat wildly, madly, deeply…and then some.

Together, they’re having a blast bringing fun-filled romantic stories to life and hope you’ll join them in the exciting adventure.

Kat’s first published work, Utterly Loved, was a twentieth anniversary gift of love poems to Stone that they decided to share with the world to benefit charity. Net proceeds from Utterly Loved, and a portion of net proceeds from all their books, go toward charities involved in the fight against human trafficking.

Kat and Stone live amid the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Visit their blog at http://www.talktotheshoe.com, website at http://www.katbastion.com, and their Twitter accounts at https://twitter.com/KatBastion and https://twitter.com/StoneBastion for more information.

Keep informed about new releases by joining their Email Subscription list.

Blog | Twitter | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads

Enter Kat and Stone’s Giveaway!!

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4 COVERS REVEALED ~ EXCERPT ~ GIVEAWAY – The No Weddings Series by @KatBastion and @StoneBastion

COVER REVEAL – THE NO WEDDINGS SERIES

By Kat and Stone Bastion

Here it is!  I am thrilled to finally get to post this.  This is one series I am looking forward to reading. Four Covers – Wow!  Aren’t they gorgeous?

Title: No Wedding Series Author: Kat Bastion with Stone Bastion Genre: Contemporary Romance Cover designer: Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations Photographer: Mandy Hollis Photography Models: Steven Preston and Brittany Brescia   About No Weddings (Release Date Sep 8): Award-winning author Kat Bastion teams with her husband, Stone Bastion, in this first book in the No Weddings Series about Cade Michaelson, a successful man with his sights set on a new venture in business, and Hannah Martin, the woman who makes it personal. I think I have my act together as a successful bar owner, my master’s degree within reach, and a list of no-strings-attached women warming my bed. Turns out, I don’t. Hannah believes she has safeguarded her wounded heart by shunning men and focusing on her new baking business. The thing is, she hasn’t. When my three sisters and I start a new event-planning business with Hannah as our baker, I have no idea how my life is about to change. As Hannah and I work closely together, the attraction between us becomes irresistible. And complicated. I’ve promised my sisters I wouldn’t mix business with pleasure. But I’ve never been one to follow the rules.

Add on Goodreads

  About One Funeral (Release Date Sep 29): The stakes climb higher in this second book in the No Weddings Series for Hannah Martin, a woman restrained by her past, and Cade Michaelson, the man who could help set her free. I’m drawn to Cade as he charms his way into more of my life and offers me something I truly haven’t ever had: a friend. Yet his humor, patience, and drop-dead sexiness take my breath away, and I know my heart is at risk. I want to move forward but am terrified I can’t. Cade seems to have it together from his own devastating heartache. His subtle actions, however, suggest a different story. And even though he says he wants more, I wonder if he’s able to trust in our developing relationship. As we navigate through our tangled feelings, we vow to take it slow. Yet no matter how careful we try to be, things between us intensify—and there’s nothing we can do, or want to do, to stop it. But the biggest question remains: Is chemistry enough to move beyond the past and toward a future together?

Add on Goodreads

  About Two Bar Mitzvahs (Release Date Oct 20): Summer heats up in this third book in the No Weddings Series, where Cade Michaelson strives to balance his and Hannah Martin’s new relationship with the growing demands of his financial success. Waiting for Hannah has been the best and worst kind of torture. Now I can claim her as mine. We believe we’re done with the past and can move forward together. Hannah grows stronger than ever as she trusts in me—trusts in us. And when obstacles appear, she shows a surprising fierceness that rivals my own. However, all is not perfect in paradise. Things get chaotic while I try to juggle multiple businesses, an ex from hell, and a girlfriend I’d do anything to keep. And in the middle of the whirlwind, I recklessly think I can handle everything. But when all the madness is over, will I have everything I want—will I still have Hannah?

Add on Goodreads

About Three Christmases (Release Date Nov 17): As the holiday season approaches in this fourth book in the No Weddings Series, Cade Michaelson strives to be better at balancing work and love, and Hannah Martin’s growing ability to trust is put to the test. Lust and friendship brought us together, but with the increasing demands of my two businesses, Hannah’s thriving bakery, and our successful event-planning company, stability becomes my focus. Then a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity takes me to the West Coast, and everything goes into a tailspin. Laughter, love, and excitement fill our lives, but Cade refuses to settle into the wonderful bliss we’ve found—he wants spectacular fireworks and an unshakable foundation. Driven like no one I’ve ever met, Cade insists a dream job across the country will be better for our future together, but I worry about whether we can survive the present apart. When intimate time diminishes…and lives get more hectic… Will a little bit of faith be all that it takes? Or will the sacrifice to get there be too great?

Add on Goodreads

  Exclusive Excerpt: Thank you for reading and sharing the first exclusive excerpt of No Weddings, where Cade and Hannah experience a heated moment…   When we reached her door, she slammed into it, and with my hand attached to her death grip, I crashed into her. Breaking free of her hold, I tempered my impact by shooting my arms up onto the doorframe. She stilled, her key halfway into the lock. We were pressed against each other in a compromising position, and it struck us both. I dropped my head down, resting my head against the windowpane, unable to move—only able to breathe. And her delicate scent wafted up. Tropical. Enticing. I closed my eyes, fighting the urge to stay. And losing. She swallowed. I heard it. I felt her turn around and drop the platter to her side as it brushed my hip. I opened my eyes to find hers closed as she pressed her soft body up against me. She inhaled deeply, and her body shuddered. “Cade, I…” She opened her greenish eyes with those little flecks of gold in them. Uncertainty washed across her expression. I exhaled but didn’t move. This was so off-limits. But the fact that I couldn’t have her suddenly made me want her all the more. “Fuck.” I pulled away. Shook my head. Cold air flooded between us, breaking the spell we’d both fallen under when we hadn’t been paying attention. Hannah looked surprised, like she couldn’t believe I’d rejected her like that. “I can’t, Hannah.” She nodded furiously, like she agreed. But I could tell as her expression hardened and she turned to slide the key into the lock with a shaking hand that she struggled with her emotions. I put my hands on her shoulders, stopping her from pushing in through the now-open door. “Hannah, it’s not you. Trust me, it’s not. I’m…” Fighting my attraction had been difficult enough. Knowing she also felt the pull made our working together dangerous. I needed her help to keep our dealings purely professional. Her voice trembled. “You want me? You feel it too? I…” Ah, fuck. Hearing her repeat my thoughts made this excruciating. Figures. The first girl who challenged my mind, in addition to physically attracting me, would be the one I couldn’t pursue. Damned “no doing the help” rule. I exhaled, counting to five. “Yeah, but I…we…can’t. Not only would it be a really bad idea, based on past experience, I promised my sisters. It’s as good as a sworn blood oath.” I ground out the words, shocked I could form coherent sentences with my blood flooding much farther south from my brain cells. I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms while I eased back, putting a good couple of feet between us. In desperation, I vowed to maintain said safe minimum distance at all times. Slowly, she turned to face me again. Confident, proud, a woman now in charge of herself, body and mind, Hannah nodded. “I promise too. No matter our attraction, we keep it strictly business.” I blew out a fast breath through tight lips. “Good. With you and me both working on that, it’ll be a lot easier.” A slow smile crept onto her face, a devilish gleam sparking in her eyes. “Oh? You mean if I didn’t play along, things could get difficult for you?” My face fell. She wouldn’t. Would she? She placed a palm on my chest, smiling sweetly. “It’s okay, Cade. I promise not to tease you…too much.”

 

About the Authors: Award-winning and bestselling romance author Kat Bastion has teamed up with her husband Stone Bastion to create the new contemporary romance series No Weddings. A few factoids about the writing team… Kat enjoys her chocolate rich and dark, her music edgy and soul-filling, and her vacations exotic with toes dug into the sand. And she’s wildly, madly, deeply in love with Stone. Stone likes pounding the trails on a mountain bike, vibrating the sound system with rock music, and down time spent on a stand up paddleboard. And he loves Kat wildly, madly, deeply…and then some. Together, they’re having a blast bringing fun-filled romantic stories to life and hope you’ll join them in the exciting adventure. Kat’s first published work, Utterly Loved, was a twentieth anniversary gift of love poems to Stone that they decided to share with the world to benefit charity. Net proceeds from Utterly Loved, and a portion of net proceeds from all their books, go toward charities involved in the fight against human trafficking.

Kat and Stone live amid the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Visit their blog at www.talktotheshoe.com, website at www.katbastion.com, and their Twitter accounts at https://twitter.com/KatBastion and https://twitter.com/StoneBastion for more information.

 

Twitter | Stone’s Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Enter the Giveaway:

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