We are so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch of Rachel Harris’ THE FINE ART OF PRETENDING! THE FINE ART OF PRETENDING is the first book in Rachel’s The Fine Art of Pretending Series published by Spencer Hill Contemporary.

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According to the guys at Fairfield Academy, there are two types of girls: the kind you hook up with, and the kind you’re friends with. Seventeen-year-old Alyssa Reed is the second type. And she hates it. With just one year left to change her rank, she devises a plan to become the first type by homecoming, and she sets her sights on the perfect date—Justin Carter, Fairfield Academy’s biggest hottie and most notorious player.

With 57 days until the dance, Aly launches Operation Sex Appeal and sheds her tomboy image. The only thing left is for Justin actually to notice her.

Enter best friend Brandon Taylor, the school’s second biggest hottie, and now Aly’s pretend boyfriend. With his help, elevating from “funny friend” to “tempting vixen” is only a matter of time. But when everything goes according to plan, the inevitable “break up” leaves their friendship in shambles, and Aly and Brandon with feelings they can’t explain. And the fake couple discovers pretending can sometimes cost you the one thing you never expected to want.

An exhale of breath leaves Brandon’s lips, almost like a laugh, and he scoots closer to me on the blanket. I twist my legs under myself, sitting tall as I face him. He cups my chin and tilts it toward him, drowning me in the now dark-green depths of his eyes, the cologne I gave him for his birthday filling my head. It’s woodsy and yummy and I always loved how it smelled on the store testers, but on Brandon, it’s even sexier. My eyes flutter closed, and I inhale again, this time slowly. Goose bumps prickle my arms, and my head gets fuzzy.

Brandon slides his hand down the column of my neck and brings the other up, threading his fingers through the hair at my nape. His breath fans across my cheek, and everything south of my bellybutton squeezes tight.

When his mouth first meets mine, it’s hesitant, questioning. But as I move my lips with his, he quickly grows bolder, coaxing them apart.

Desire, pure and raw, electrifies my veins as his tongue sweeps my mouth. A whimpering sound springs from my chest, and instinctively, I wrap my arms around his neck, tugging him closer. Needing more. My teeth graze his full bottom lip, and I pull it, sucking on it gently.

He moans and knots his fingers in my hair, and a thrill dances down my back.

Brandon is an amazing kisser, just as I knew he would be. I have no control over my body’s reactions. I lose myself in his lips, his tongue, and his strong arms, forgetting time and space and even my surroundings—until Gabi’s snicker brings reality crashing around us, reminding me we have an audience.

And that I’m kissing Brandon.

We break apart, out of breath, and stare into each other’s eyes.

That was unexpected.    

Award-winning and Bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls next door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing. An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, and LOVES talking with readers.  

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Author: Rachel Harris

Gere: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comdey

Books currently in the series: 3

This series gets a whopping:

The Love & Games series consists of 3 stand alone books with super sweet and sexy couples down in Magnolia Springs, New Orleans! Each book can be a stand alone, so no worries if you read them out of order…I sure did!

Curious why Rachel chose to write about Magnolia Springs, New Orleans?

“I have a confession to make. I’m in love with small towns.

I know what you’re thinking, that’s not exactly an earth-shattering confession, but see, teen Rachel would’ve denied that truth to the grave. She wanted to live in big cities and take over the entertainment industry…Fast-forward a few years, young Rachel has landed a highly coveted internship at an entertainment program in the city of her dreams. She’s grateful, of course, and loving the experience…but something just didn’t fit.

I missed the slower pace. I missed the crazy, random festivals. I missed the superstition, the feeling of connection. Heck, I even missed a bit of the nosey gossip. Not so much for the fascinating (read: private) information, but the underlying truth that neighbors care and are watching out for you. Even, perhaps, when you’d rather they didn’t.

So, when it came time to sit down and write my first adult romance, TASTE THE HEAT, setting wasn’t even a question—it would be a small town, in particular, Magnolia Springs, a fictional small town on the outskirts of New Orleans where I grew up.

New Orleans, or Nawlins as I call it, is about family. It’s about laughter and memories and fun. We’re equally passionate about our Saints and our seafood, and we love our superstitions. We consider it completely acceptable to beg and fight over cheap plastic beads, but will then turn around and offer a neighbor a place to live for a year while they rebuild their home after the flood. There’s a heart, a determination, and a deep faith there that I haven’t found anywhere else in the world.

I believe this is true of most small towns.

People look out for their own. They tease as hard as they love. They have town secrets and mysteries, and goodness gracious, do they have gossip. But when it comes to choosing the best place to raise your children, it’s no surprise many people choose to “go back home.”

That’s the secret ingredient in small town romance. The people and the unique bonds between them. For me, TASTE THE HEAT is more than a love story between two people. It’s a love story to tightly woven communities and the deep loving family connections that are so vital to any small town.

That’s why I love small town romance. What about you?” ~Rachel Harris

Title: Taste the Heat (Book 1 of the Love & Games series)

“Rachel writes in a manner that drags the reader in, whether they like it or not, and makes them a part of the story. She manages to mix steamy (behind closed doors) romance with light humor that keeps you biting your lip and hoping that door has a window!” ~Becca

Title: Seven Day Fiancé (Book 2 in the Love & Games series)

“Seven Day Fiance is a super sweet and yet a teeennyy bit steamy! The things that Rachel Harris manages to put into your mind while the characters stay behind closed doors is incredible! I was very quickly sucked into Cane and Angelle’s story of a Cajun Princess and a sexy playboy with a bad reputation.” ~Becca

Title: Accidentally Married on Purpose (Book 3 in the Love & Games series)

“OMG I love Sherry…even if she is a blasphemous chick that hates country music! She said, and I quote, “Any man more interested in the health of her investment portfolio than the size of her rack had to be good people!” Sherry is a girl after my own heart!” ~Becca

Title: Taste the Heat

Author: Rachel Harris

Series: Love & Games

Published by: Entangled: Bliss

Date published: July 8, 2013

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comdey

Book Length: 194 pages

Steam Rating: Sweet/Steamy

Main Characters: Colby Robicheaux & Jason Landry

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“Rachel writes in a manner that drags the reader in, whether they like it or not, and makes them a part of the story. She manages to mix steamy (behind closed doors) romance with light humor that keeps you biting your lip and hoping that door has a window!” ~Becca

Taste the Heat is another “falling for my brother’s best friend” book, however Rachel Harris manages to do it in a way that makes me want more! 

This is the third book written by Rachel Harris that I have read (I may have kind of read this series in reverse…oopsy?) and I have to say that I believe she has spoiled me! Rachel writes in a manner that drags the reader in, whether they like it or not, and makes them a part of the story. She manages to mix steamy (behind closed doors) romance with light humor that keeps you biting your lip and hoping that door has a window! I can honestly say, from the bottom of my Southern heart, this series has become my absolute favorite and I can’t recommend it enough!

In Taste the Heat, Colby, a big time chef in Las Vega, has to return home to help out her family restaurant. She has avoided home with a passion due to some not so great things in the past, but now she is forced to face her “demons”. I loved the family aspect to this book (Heck the whole series!),even though the very last thing that Colby wants is to be back home, she is willing to do whatever it takes for her family. When Colby runs into her brother’s sexy as sin best friend, things start to get H.O.T!

Jason Landry *SIGH* faint, swoon, a case of the vapors….whatever word you want to use…well it probably fits! This man is sex on a stick and dreamy! He is a firefighter, a awesome father and an over all good ol’ southern boy! Jason knows that his wife was his one true love and could never imagine finding love again….letting someone else that close is just too much. So when his best friends sexy little sister offers up a summer fling with no strings attached….it seems like the perfect solution!

I ADORE little Emma, Jason’s 11 year old daughter. She is a little firecracker! She sees that dad is unhappy and is willing to do pretty much anything to help him move on. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he seems to be interested in the most awesome Chef ever…and Emma’s idol!  Emma is quite the little match maker and knows that Colby can’t say no to her easily, so she goes out of her way to invite Colby to family functions and tries to make sure that she feels like a member of the family. 

Watching Colby bond with Emma while trying not to get too close to the widowed Jason is a tear jerker if I’ve ever read one. This book is an epic love story! While Jason and Colby aren’t looking for love it was definitely looking for them! The chemistry between these two is electric and you just know this is bound to be an amazing relationship! No spoilers here…but let me just say…AWWWWEEEE that ending was precious, yet again a Rachel Harris book left me bawling my eyes out…in a totally good way!

Check out the other books in the series

Award-winning and best-selling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls next door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing.

An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, and LOVES talking with readers.

Website     Facebook     Twitter     Tumblr     GoodReads     Instagram

Be sure to comment below to let us know your favorite parts and as always show us some love and SHARE,  SHARE, SHARE!

Title: Seven Day Fiancé

Author: Rachel Harris

Series: Love & Games

Published by: Entangled: Bliss

Date published: Oct. 14, 2013

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comdey

Book Length: 211 pages

Steam Rating: Sweet/Steamy

Main Characters: Cane Robicheaux & Angelle Prejean

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“Seven Day Fiance is a super sweet and yet a teeennyy bit steamy! The things that Rachel Harris manages to put into your mind while the characters stay behind closed doors is incredible! I was very quickly sucked into Cane and Angelle’s story of a Cajun Princess and a sexy playboy with a bad reputation.” ~Becca

Well, I may quite possibly have read these books in one whacked out order…but they did not change how amazing they are! Luckily, each of the 3 Love & Games books can be read as a stand alone

Seven Day Fiance is a super sweet and yet a teeennyy bit steamy! The things that Rachel Harris manages to put into your mind while the characters stay behind closed doors is incredible! I was very quickly sucked into Cane and Angelle’s story of a Cajun Princess and a sexy playboy with a bad reputation. When these two are pushed together by some pretty interesting circumstances (Mmmm, I may never view a Santa hat the same way again!), a romance like no other blooms and all hell breaks loose!

I think what I loved most about this story was the glances into their pasts. Both Cane and Angelle are scarred from past experiences and it was wonderful to watch them come out of their “shell” and share their deepest moments with one another. Rachel Harris managed to show readers that no one has a perfect past but that doesn’t mean you have to let it make you a different person than you want to be. While the best friend’s hot brother fantasy has been done before, Rachel Harris made it unique, fun and an all out wonderful romance!

Alright, enough rambling…what about the characters? Let’s start with Cane, he is the sexy, tattooed bartended/business owner playboy. He has had an itch to scratch when it comes to the beautiful red head for months, but she just won’t give him the time of day. While Cane is all of those things, he also has a side that he keeps to himself, a side that most people will never know about! Angelle is a sweet, loyal, clumsy, cajun girl that is determined to ignore her attraction for her best friend’s brother and NOT become just another notch on his bedpost.

Angelle has quite a few secrets of her own, one of which is pretty freaking major! I still can’t believe she waited that long to tell him!! Anyways, no spoilers I know!

Somehow over the course of 7 days (duh…title!) that Cane and Angelle spend together they manage to find a deeper connection to one another than they ever thought possible. Angelle finds that there is more to the playboy than meets the eye and Cane finds that Angelle makes him want to forget about his past and take a chance. The chemistry between these two is unforgettable! Just wow! For a closed door romance there is quite a bit of STEAM to be had! I often found myself blushing while reading this book…and that is definitely saying something! This was a total SWOON ROMANCE for me! 

This book has amazing characters, steamy romance that flows PERFECTLY, a story line that draws you in and won’t let go, and an ending that will have you in tears! Trust me when I say that if you are looking for a book that will make you grin like an idiot while blushing and hoping no one is reading over your shoulder…this is definitely the book for you!

Check out the other books in the series

Award-winning and best-selling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls next door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing.

An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, and LOVES talking with readers.

Website     Facebook     Twitter     Tumblr     GoodReads     Instagram

Be sure to comment below to let us know your favorite parts and as always show us some love and SHARE,  SHARE, SHARE!

Title: Accidentally Married on Purpose

Author: Rachel Harris

Series: Love & Games

Published by: Entangled: Bliss

Date published: July 14, 2014

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comdey

Book Length: 209 pages

Steam Rating: Sweet

Main Characters: Sherry Robicheaux and Tyler Blue

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“OMG I love Sherry…even if she is a blasphemous chick that hates country music! She said, and I quote, “Any man more interested in the health of her investment portfolio than the size of her rack had to be good people!” Sherry is a girl after my own heart!” ~Becca

Sherry Robicheaux loves men. She loves love. And she loves an adventure. So when she meets a mysterious man while working backstage at a country music concert in Vegas, she’s all about what’s happened in Vegas staying there.

Country music superstar Tyler Blue just wants a weekend of anonymity…though there’s something about the spunky waitress with the streaks of purple hair that tempts him like no other. Until the next morning, when they both wake up with fuzzy memories…and rings on their fingers.

Convincing Sherry to maintain the ruse for his public image isn’t the hardest part—it’s reminding himself that their time spent playing husband and wife in her small town of Magnolia Springs can’t last. Tyler’s first love will always be music—and the road is no place for a sweet downhome girl.

The SHAME! I am reading a book about a blasphemous chick that doesn’t like country music?!? What is the world coming to lol

At least it’s a dual POV! Oh my gosh, how I adore a book that I get to read both sides of the story. In my opinion it just makes things so much more relatable.

When I first started this book, I honestly did not realize it was part of a series. I’m a little disappointed in myself on my research here…if I had done it a little better, I may have realized, before I hit 50%, that I have read book 1 in the Love & Games series! OMG I adored this book! If I had known there were more out there…I would have read them a LONG, LONG time ago! Oh well, now I get to go back and read book two! lol

So let’s talk story line for a minute. Tyler Blue is the sexiest man on Earth and a country music star. Sherry Robicheaux is a caterer looking for one last fling before starting her new, more responsible, life. After a night of alcohol fueled fun and some closed-door passion that neither can remember they both find themselves in a Vegas hotel room…with a veil and matching wedding rings!

With neither Tyler nor Sherry looking to be married they quickly work out a plan on how to fix their “problem”. Little does Sherry know that the man she is now married to is a bit more famous than she originally thought! Once Tyler’s true identity comes out and Sherry figures out she is now Mrs. “Sexiest Man on Earth” they come up with a new and more elaborate plan that can shed them both in a favorable light.

That is about as much story line as I can tell you without adding in spoilers! So let’s move on to the characters and their chemistry!

OMG I love Sherry…even if she is a blasphemous chick that hates country music! She said, and I quote, “Any man more interested in the health of her investment portfolio than the size of her rack had to be good people!” Sherry is a girl after my own heart! She holds nothing back, I’m pretty sure that she is quite like me in that the filter between her brain and her mouth is broken! She is hilarious, passionate, spunky, and has an absolute heart of gold.

Thanks to Sherry, I would like to announce that I now have a new favorite word: “oopsident”!

Tyler, well let’s just say that Tyler is a total hottie! He is the lead singer in a big time country music band, plays a guitar, and is apparently in love with the post-it note! There are so many moments that he steps up and shows that he is a true southern gentleman, even if the media does paint him as a playboy! He is always there for a heartbroken Sherry and finds cute ways to get around her rules.

How about chemistry? Was it there? As you know, this is an Entangled Bliss series, which means that all sex happens behind closed doors. While I did miss having those scenes, Rachel Harris manages to add in enough steamy romantic scenes that I honestly didn’t mind. There are some of the sweetest scenes I have ever read in this book! I can’t get over how attached I am to these characters! Their chemistry was there from the first time their eyes locked and it never dulled!

There was a nice steady build up to the relationship, which made the book flow well and made me want to keep reading. Tyler and Sherry slowly learn more and more about one another and their friendship is immense. The connection that they build during their month together is so strong that I can’t believe they ever doubted how the other felt!

I really loved it when Tyler got to meet Sherry’s crazy family! BTW this was the point that I realized I had read book 1! I believe that a series of books that manages to touch on what is happening with past characters without letting them take over the current romance is amazing! After finishing this book, I can honestly say that I adore this series and will be reading/reviewing books one and two very soon! 

While I’m not sure where Rachel is going next with her books, I know that, after reading, I would love to read story about Charlie! He seems like a really dynamic character that could lead to an awesome story!

So, in a nutshell, if you are on the look out for a sweet, romantic series of books, I can’t think of a better series to read. Rachel Harris has a way of writing that draws me in and makes me feel like a part of the story. Her stories flow perfectly (throughout the book and the series), her characters are lovable and addictive, and there is enough chemistry and build up that you forget about the lack of sex and focus on the love story!

What are you waiting for? Go grab these books and get started already!

Check out the other books in the series

Award-winning and best-selling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls next door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing.

An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, and LOVES talking with readers.

Website     Facebook     Twitter     Tumblr     GoodReads     Instagram

I am most definitely the driver! I plot my books out completely before I even begin. That’s not to say I don’t change certain things as I go, or allow room for surprises, but I’m way too much of a control freak to just let it happen

Definitely Sherry! She is a blast and she knows how to throw the ultimate party. Just look at the King of Abs Bachelor of Auction in Seven Day Fiance! As for which character I hope doesn’t attend, I’d have to go with Tammy Paxton for now, the gossipy journalist from Accidentally Married on Purpose. But I do think she should get her own story one day, so that may change

From opposite the long table of food, the brunette gave him a blatant once over as he came to a stop in front of her, twirling a strand of purple hair around her fingertip. When she reached his lucky belt buckle, her sinful lips twitched.

“If the words, ‘Come here often,’ leave your mouth, I swear I’ll laugh you straight back to roadie-ville.” Her words were harsh, but the smile that sprang free was playful, and Tyler found himself mesmerized by the familiar twang of her southern voice.

So much so that he’d almost missed what she said.

“Roadie-ville?”

“Sorry, do you prefer techie?” Her cute nose wrinkled as she stuck her hands in her back jeans pocket. “I heard someone else say that earlier, but I swear that sounds like a computer nerd.” She looked him up and down again, this time her gaze lingering around his hips. Slightly south of the belt buckle. Hot damn. “I think roadie fits you better. Sounds sexier.”

Tyler scratched the side of his jaw. Was she messing with him? He’d heard a hell of a lot of come-ons since making it to Nashville and had been propositioned in every way possible. But this was a first. The woman stared back, smiling that damn seductive smile, and he realized she honestly had no clue who he was. For some reason, he was in no hurry to correct that just yet.

He couldn’t recall the last time he’d gone anywhere without being recognized, much less his own concert. But since the room was swarming with crew, Tyler could understand the confusion…if she weren’t a hardcore fan, and clearly, this woman wasn’t. Tyler swiped a hand over his mouth, hiding a smile.

“Sugar, you can call me anything you like,” he drawled, laying it on thick even to his own ears. Her pretty lips parted, and he grinned. “And what can I call you?”

Her smile twisted into a smirk. “Who said you could call me at all?”

He laughed, shocked again, and for the first time in a long time, speechless.

She winked. “I’m Sherry.” When she said her name, she looked right into his eyes as if he should remember it, and he had no doubt that he would. The confidence pouring off her was sexy as hell. “And…you are?”

“Tyler,” he replied, glad she’d gone with just her first name so he could do the same. The rest of the world simply referred to Tyler as Blue, the front man for the band bearing his last name. Even so, he stood back and waited for a sign of recognition.

It never came.

When it became obvious she really had no clue who he was, nor would she guess any time soon, Tyler felt a knot of tension release between his shoulder blades.

“So, Sherry, you planning to watch tonight’s show?”

She pulled a face. “I’m not much for country, other than the line dances. All those songs about trucks and trains and whiskey and dogs, though that last one I can forgive.” Her smile softened and Tyler moved closer, wanting to be nearer the genuine warmth of it. “No offense to your boss or anything,” she added with a slight grimace. “I heard he’s pretty hot…even if he is the man-whore of country music.”

A shocked laugh burst from his lips. “Excuse me?”

She waved her comment away, as if she hadn’t just insulted him to his face—which, he guessed, she hadn’t really. At least not on purpose. “Just a theory I have. I’m sure he’s a perfectly adequate boss.”

Now, Tyler laughed for real. “Yeah, he’s…adequate.” Shaking his head, he propped his hip on the table. This was the most fun he’d had with a woman in months—and they both still had their clothes on. 

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