Stolen Kisses by Annie Rains

The irresistible Sawyer brothers of Blushing Bay, North Carolina, are back in this enchanting novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Forbidden Kisses and the Hero’s Welcome series.

Krista Nelson loves being a pediatric nurse. What she doesn’t love is her demanding boss and stressful workload. Fortunately, Krista knows she can count on a waterfront happy hour every Wednesday with her childhood best friend, Noah Sawyer, the one part of her life she never wants to change. But, like it or not, things are changing—because Krista can’t stop wondering what would happen if she grabbed Noah by the collar and kissed him like it was her job.

Bored of the superficial women he’s been dating, Noah’s putting his love life on hold so he can focus on his family’s high-end fishing business. Sure, there are moments when he’s tempted by Krista’s soft lips and killer smile—but her friendship is too important to Noah. How could he let himself jeopardize everything they share? The trouble is, if he doesn’t take the real risk of opening his heart, Noah might just let the perfect catch get away.

Book 2
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first book that I’ve read in this series, but I never felt that I was missing anything.

This is a story about two people who are still finding themselves.

Noah is now captain of a fishing boat and helps his family’s business by going out each day. He has a few older brothers who seem sure of their own paths, but Noah is a little unsure of his own. He feels that his family never really expected much from him and always expects him to up and fail.

Krista is a pediatric nurse with aspirations of becoming head nurse. She is also looking for someone to share her life with. Despite having grown up around Noah and his brothers, she has always had a platonic relationship. Seeing as how Krista knows what it’s like to spend time in the hospital as a child, she relates really well with her patients and their parents.

Krista and Noah decide to start a relationship and when things become heavy, it will be a choice that both characters have to make – will they stay and fight for their relationship or run and allow what could have been dwindle to friendship again?

I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.


Jordan – ☆☆☆☆
Stolen Kisses by Annie Rains is book #2 in the Blushing Bay series, but I read it as a standalone book and had no issues following the story. Although I definitely wouldn't be opposed to reading book#1, Forbidden Kisses, because I was thoroughly charmed by Noah and Krista's story!

Krista loves her job as pediatric nurse, but sometimes it can be rather stressful and demanding. Luckily, she has her Wednesday night happy hours with her childhood best friend, Noah Sawyer, to look forward to every week. Noah has been a constant in her life that she hopes will never change, but Krista can't help wondering what it would be like to kiss him. Noah is tired of dating a bunch of superficial women and has decided to focus on his family's fishing business. It's not like Noah hasn't ever thought about kissing Krista, but he can't stand the thought of ruining their friendship. Although, if he doesn't take the risk he may lose her.

I really liked Noah and Krista's characters, they just seemed so genuine and their chemistry read so perfectly on the pages! Stolen Kisses definitely snagged my attention and I look forward to seeing what happens next with the Sawyer brothers. This one was definitely a lovely read I'll be on the lookout for the rest of Annie Rains’ Blushing Bay series and any future books she writes. A solid 4-star read!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
I think at some point, we’ve all had a relationship like this. We have that friend who we’ve friend-zoned and can’t help but secretly want more. Normally we don’t risk the friendship for the sake of a ‘what-if’ but that could change, particularly if the guy is being even more of dunce than normal and that’s what happens in this story. Thankfully, Krista has the patience of Job and the heart of a steel magnolia.

Krista has been in love with Noah for years, but he’s always kept her firmly in friend territory. She’s been okay with that, until recently. The icing on the cake is when he brings a date to their weekly Wednesday night at the pub. Seeking to distance herself from seeing him date, she begins to avoid him and situations where he may be.

That doesn’t last long. Noah knows that Krista is upset with him because he brought that girl to their Wednesday night time and she’s resisting any attempts to make it up to her. Being the black sheep of the Sawyer clan, he’s used to being in the dog house, the underachiever.

He wants more with Krista and prays that she wants more with him. If only they can put the past behind them and focus on the future.

Also Available in the Blushing Bay Series

Book 1
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For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Forbidden Kisses Blog Tour.

Annie Rains is a USA Today bestselling author who writes small-town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and three children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.

Connect with Annie

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Stolen Kisses (Blushing Bay #2) by Annie Rains to read and review.

Forbidden Kisses by Annie Rains Blog Tour

The USA Today bestselling author of the Hero’s Welcome series introduces a trio of swoon-worthy North Carolina brothers fighting for love in this novel of sand, sea, and seduction.

For years, Jack Sawyer’s family has been running their upscale seafood business like a finely tuned machine. But every machine breaks down eventually, and suddenly Jack needs a new office manager, a new kayak launch, and a new lease on life. Then Grace Donner shows up again. She’s smart, motivated, and perfect for the manager position, but if she’s anything like her mom, she can’t be trusted. And Jack has never been able to trust himself around Grace.

Grace hasn’t seen her former stepbrothers since their parents’ messy divorce, but she never forgot them—especially Jack. She misses being part of the big rambunctious Sawyer clan, and if there’s an opportunity to set things right, she means to do it. But she can’t ignore Jack’s irresistibly kissable lips, or the searing way he looks at her when he thinks she’s not looking. Their chemistry is more explosive than ever. And if the Sawyers can forgive and forget, anything is possible.

Book 1
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Jack reached for a folded blanket beside the cooler and laid it down on the open floor of the boat. “I know it’s not the most comfortable surface for lying back, but I thought we could look at the stars. It’s a favorite pastime of fishermen, you know.”

“Oh yeah?”

He reached for her hand to help her lower to the floor. She held on to his tightly, surprised at how off balanced she felt. Then they lay back together, close enough that they touched. The soft hair on Jack’s arm resting against hers aroused her senses.

Were they really just going to look at the stars?

Yes, it was all very romantic, but so was doing other things under the stars. Things she’d been thinking about since stepping aboard.

Jack pointed up at the sky and started to speak. Grace was tired of talking, though. Tired of resisting what she wanted, and right now all she wanted was Jack.

Unable to help herself, uninhibited by the wine and the romantic environment, she rolled on top of him and crushed her mouth over his.

Judging by the stiff protrusion that met her inner thigh, he wanted her just as much.

“Well, hello there,” he said, smiling against her mouth.

“I’m sorry,” she said, even though she didn’t mean it.

His hand slid down her back and settled on her bottom, pulling her snug against him. “I’m not. I’d decided tonight was for romance only, but I can’t think of anything more romantic than making love to you on this boat.”

White-hot heat tore through her. She was so hot that maybe it was time to start stripping.

As if reading her mind, Jack tugged the hem of her shirt up on her back and then over her head. The rest of her clothes fell away in the wake of his needy hands until she was tipsy and naked on the floor of his pontoon boat—on a boat ride to nowhere in particular, except his body was promising to shoot her to the low-hanging full moon.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
A sweet romance of about coming to terms with the past and how, if you let it, it will destroy your future.

There is rift between the Sawyers and Donners that has been festering for years, ever since Grace's mother, Tammy, sold off their prized possession: their deceased mother's belongings. Since then, Grace has been persona non grata with the Sawyer family and in the town of Blushing Bay. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and some of the townspeople believe that very thing.

Too bad that Grace is as hardheaded as they come. Determined to do things her own way, and to support her mother, who is in declining health, she barrels full steam ahead to do what she can to survive. After losing her job because she should wouldn't sleep with her boss, she's willing to take any job she can get, even if it is with the Sawyers.

Jack can't believe Grace is in the same diner as he is. It’s been a long time since he's seen her, since their crush back in high school, before their world came crashing down. In his head, he knows that Grace was just as innocent as him and his brothers when the battle lines were drawn, and he knew she had no choice but to support her mother when the smoke cleared.

Fifteen years is a long time to hold a grudge, to live with the what ifs and what might have been. Setting aside the past is harder than it seems but if they can learn from the past, will it save their future?


Ruthie – ☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series and so has some world building to do – and gives us some hints of future pairings.

I really could not get to like Grace very much and her mother not at all. I tried to give Grace the benefit of the doubt given who brought her up, but it was difficult. Obviously, she had her moments and couldn't be blamed for her mother's behaviour when she was married to Jack's dad. That Jack allowed chemistry to overcome good sense was a bit of a mystery to me on occasion. However, he believes in second chances, and wants to test out that spark that existed even when they were teenagers.

It was a well written story, which had some good turns of humour and romance.

Annie Rains is a USA Today bestselling author who writes small-town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and three children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.

Connect with Annie

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Forbidden Kisses (Blushing Bay #1) by Annie Rains to read and review for this tour.

Welcome Home for Christmas by Annie Rains

The bestselling Hero’s Welcome series continues with a juicy Christmas romance, a short novel set in Seaside, North Carolina, where the bustling military base keeps this small town stocked with dedicated, lovable heroes.

Three-hundred-and-sixty-four days a year, Allison Carmichael doesn’t mind being single. It sure beats dating another loser, and it keeps her heart safe. Then there’s that three-hundred-and-sixty-fifth day: Christmas Eve, the traditional time her entire family gathers together—and gangs up on her, demanding to know when she’s going to get married. This year, she swears, is going be different. And that’s why, at a charity auction she’s throwing on-base, she buys herself a man.

Sergeant Troy Matthews insists that he’s not for sale. His time is, though, and he’s happy to donate it. Happier still when he learns the identity of the winning bidder: the redhead with the killer good looks and smart mouth who runs the veteran’s center. Allison needs Troy’s help to fool her family into believing they’re an item, and he’s all too happy to indulge her. But by the time Christmas Eve rolls around, their little charade is working a little too well... because Troy’s falling head over heels.

Book 4
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ARe  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Holiday romance

Allison is sweet, kind, but a major pushover. I have a difficult time connecting with characters who are strong in one aspect of their life, but noodles when it comes to family. Despite that, Allison's job is her life – she is dedicated and will stop at nothing to find ways to make Christmas the best for kids who, otherwise, would not have a Christmas.

Troy is a military police officer and he has doesn't usually like going to parties around the holidays. He has family who he doesn't normally see because he and his brother had a slight falling out. When he is "won" by Allison – he's somewhat hesitant, but understands her need to attend a holiday party with a date, but also sees an opportunity to get to know her better.

Overall, this was a super short, holiday read. It was sweet, but overall, there was not a lot of development of the main characters.

Annie Rains is a contemporary romance author who writes small-town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their country, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and three children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.

Connect with Annie

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Welcome Home for Christmas (Hero's Welcome #4) by Annie Rains to read and review.