Thursday, September 18, 2025

Bk Tour Book Spotlight The Champagne Crush by: Caroline O'Connell

The Champagne Crush
Caroline O’ Connell
(Les Femmes Series)
Publication date: September 16th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

For fans of The Paradise Problem, a slow-burn romance about a socialite in over her head in a high-stakes job promoting a new sparkling wine with a difficult boss who wants to see her fail—despite the electric sparks flying between them.

Catherine Reynolds has enjoyed a life of luxury, but her diplomat parents have cut her off financially, leaving her flat broke. She is determined to turn things around and gain her independence—so, when an old family friend offers her a lifeline as a PR consultant for his sparkling wine company, she jumps at the chance. But working with Chris McDermott, the company’s sexy, stubborn president, is anything but easy.

A purist at heart, Chris clashes with Catherine’s glitzy marketing flair; still, the chemistry between them is undeniable. As they travel from New York to Napa, Paris, and the Champagne region of France, their partnership blossoms amid high-stakes industry rivalries and a launch that could make or break them.

When sabotage threatens to shatter their dreams, Catherine must dig deep to prove her worth. With the dazzling unveiling of their new sparkling wine in Bordeaux in jeopardy, will she and Chris overcome the challenges of the past and present to secure their future—and find love in the process?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Also check out Caroline’s other book, Affordable Paris Hotels!
Your Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Trip to Paris is the must-have resource for travelers who want charm, comfort, and location—without the luxury hotel price tag.


Author Bio:

CAROLINE O’CONNELL has written five travel guides and numerous travel articles for magazines, newspapers, and websites. Her Romance In Paris guide has won widespread praise: “There is no better person to guide you through Paris than Caroline” — Peter Greenberg, the Travel Detective, radio host, and Travel Editor on CBS-TV. And Library Journal raved — “Reading this breezy but informative guide to Paris is like having a series of conversations with a well-traveled friend…”

Her debut novel, THE CHAMPAGNE CRUSH: A Romance Novel (Spark Press), is due out on September 16, 2025.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter


GIVEAWAY!

The Champagne Crush Blitz


Except 

Sightseeing in Paris 

(after work trip to Champagne)


As they walked out, Chris asked, “What’s on the agenda for this afternoon?”

Catherine’s eyes lit up. “Shopping, of course, though I’m on a tight budget. Mind if we stop at my favorite lingerie boutique?”

Chris draped his arm around her shoulders. “Far from it. Consider it my duty to assist in your choices—after you’ve modeled the contenders.”

“Sounds like an athletic event,” she said.

“Might very well be after you’re done.” Chris’s arm around her tightened as they found a nearby cab.

“What’s so special about this place?” he asked during their ride over to the Right Bank.

“Family tradition. My French grandma used to take me there. Herminie Cadolle is credited with inventing the bra in the late 1800s. She cut a corset in half and voilà.” Catherine made a cutting gesture across her chest. “Every garment was handmade, called sur mesure, to fit each woman’s body. Now much of their lingerie is ready to wear, prêt à porter.”

“Don’t they sell stuff like this in New York?”

She shook her head. “Not really. Cadolle is still run by Herminie’s descendants—same high standards, top silk and black French lace, quality craftsmanship.”

Ten minutes later, they walked into the boutique on Rue Cambon. A young saleslady welcomed them and directed Chris to a sitting area. Catherine perused ensembles hanging artfully on a partition while Chris was served coffee. Then the ladies got to work.

Catherine had a gift card from her French grandma; she hoped the amount would cover a matching bra and panty set and a silk cami. In her modeling days, she and Vanessa had worn camisoles as an undergarment for an extra layer to stay warm or as a sexy top under a fitted suit jacket, buttoned up partway with the lace peeking out.

The saleslady understood exactly what Catherine preferred and they had a good selection in Catherine’s small size. Catherine playfully dangled a few lacy nothings in front of Chris on her way to the dressing room. She’d never been to a lingerie store with a man waiting nearby. She found it incredibly sexy. As she tried on each delicate bra and panties set, she envisioned modeling them for him.

Catherine knew she was playing with fire and had some trepidation. Chris had made his intentions crystal clear. No holds barred while they were in Paris. After the trip, they’d go back to their agreement to wait until the launch.

She was intensely attracted to him. Her quandary: She had difficulty letting her guard down when it came to intimacy. She might freeze up. That could nix this love affair before it started. She liked him so much she was willing to take the gamble.


There’s something to this French stuff, Chris mused, while waiting on a velvet settee with a cup of strong coffee. The French didn’t hide their appreciation for sexy lingerie. He’d passed more boutiques displaying lacy bras and barely-there undies on the streets of Paris than in any other city. Of course, the woman who’d captured his interest was all in on this enticing game.

In a dressing room nearby, she was in the process of selecting an ensemble that he hoped to get her to model for him in private, post haste. Fortunately, their hotel was a few blocks away.

Catherine emerged with her purchases in a decorative gold bag and looked pleased with the results. This woman really does like to shop.

They got back to the hotel in record time. Chris suggested a stop at the Costes bar for a late-afternoon cocktail. He managed to find a dark corner where they could sit side by side in a secluded leather booth with no distractions. After ordering the house specialty—a pitcher of Caipirinha, sugar cane, liquor, and lime—Chris reached for Catherine’s hand.

I’m head over heels for this woman. He hoped she felt the same and it wasn’t a dalliance on her part.


Saturday, February 1, 2025

Review: Sugar Plum Poisoned by: Jenn McKinlay


Title: Sugar Plum Poisoned
Author: Jenn McKinlay
Publisher: Mass Market Paperback
Series: Cupcake Bakery Mystery #15
Format: paperback/ebook ( NetGalley) review

Description:

It's Christmastime, and this holiday season, things are heating up for the bakers at Fairy Tale Cupcakes, in the newest Cupcake Bakery Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay.

When up-and-coming singing sensation Shelby Vaughn arrives in town for two weeks of concert dates, she hires her old friend Angie and the rest of the bakery crew to supply cupcakes for the VIP guest lounge every night.

After overhearing Shelby in a heated argument with her manager, Mel is concerned, but she and the crew decide to make the best of their time working with the star. Just as the bakers fall into the rhythm of the job, Shelby's manager is found dead, clutching a bit of fabric from a Santa suit and a cupcake. With the bakery crew and Shelby's backup dancers all dressed in similar Santa costumes, it's impossible to say who is the killer. When all suspicions lead back to Shelby, Mel and Angie stand up for their friend, determined to prove her innocence before she's frosted for a crime she didn't commit.

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Angie and Mel who are getting ready for Christmas when Shelby Vaughn in town for two weeks to preform a Christmas concert. Mel is woried that Angie is gonna get so wrapped up in the music world again and forget those close to her.  When Shelby's manager winds up dead Mel decides to look into the death and find out what is going on around Shelby.

Shelby has had a hard time this month with her manager and being stuck doing songs others have done for Christmas instead of her own music.  As the heat gets on someone is making Shelby look more and more guilty. Did Shelby kill her manager or did someone else?

This was a great Christmas story that pulled you in and had you captivated to find out what really happened.  The ending was great and alot of fun!

Friday, January 31, 2025

Review: Death by Yule Log by: Lee Hollis


Title: Death by Yule Log
Author: Lee Hollis
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mystery #10.5
Format: e-book (Personal Purchase)

Description:


Christmases in coastal Maine can seem picture perfect—until murder ruins the scenery . . .

Haley Powell’s holidays aren’t off to a very merry start. Not only has her daughter brought Conner-an infuriatingly perfect new beau-home to Bar Harbor, but a local troublemaker has been found dead with traces of her signature Yule log cake on his body. As Conner becomes the prime suspect, Hayley must put aside her mixed feelings to identify the real killjoy.

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Hayley as she is getting ready for the holidays but not everything is working out the way Hayley wants it to.  First her son won't be there for the holidays due to weather, then her daughter has brought a boyfriend Connor home which Hayley has alot of trouble with.  When a local bad boy is found dead and all fingers point at Connor Hayley finds it difficult to solve the murder due to Connor being on the hook for the crime.

I love this series but felt Hayley was suffocating her daughter and her boyfriend.  Seemed a little out of character for what we know about Hayley.  Otherwise an overall great little mystery Hayley just needs to learn to let go of her children.