Stories of loss, love and twelve boys who grew up to be great men all because a hero taught and showed them the rules of life. All three reviewers agree this is one fantastic anthology! ~ Slick, Guilty Pleasures
**Right now this boxed set is on sale for 99 cents and we are giving away 20 copies courtesy of the blog and author Virginia Nelson. Copies will be given out to commenters on the blog, on our Facebook page, on Instagram and Twitter. Please use #heartbreakersandheroes when you post on Instagram or Twitter so we can find your post and enter you to win.
Description:
Get your hands on TWELVE sexy HEARTBREAKERS AND HEROES, a brotherhood bound by their troubled youth. A tragedy reminds them of the mentor who taught them all the rules to become a man. But some of them haven’t been following the rules…
These TWELVE new novellas from USA Today bestsellers and your favorite contemporary authors are sure get your pulse racing and heart pounding.
HIDING WITH THE HEARTBREAKER by USA Today bestseller by Virginia Nelson
Rule: Protect the innocent.
Making people laugh for a living is easy, but when a beautiful stranger needs Aloysius Sutton’s help, he has to find a way to become Jude’s hero.
HOW TO UNBREAK A HEART by USA Today bestseller Jennie Marts
Rule: If you love her, don’t let her go.
Solitary cowboy, Trip Turner finally has a chance to correct the mistakes he made when he let the woman he loved walk out of his life twelve years ago. But now that Bre Wilson is back, will he be able to unbreak her heart?
SECOND CHANCE HERO by Michelle Major
Rule: A real man doesn’t build himself up by tearing someone else down.
Travis Jackson might not be the white knight Hailey Moore needs, but he’ll risk his future to win her heart.
HOMETOWN HEARTBREAKER by Heather Long
Rule: A real man always puts his best foot forward.
Zeke always planned to steal her heart, but she left him on base. It’s the bottom of the ninth, and Charity is up to bat. Can she tell her two-all stars the truth or will a foul end her best chance?
HERO IN DISGUISE by Sharla Lovelace
Rule: A real man doesn’t buy respect, he earns it.
Billionaire playboy Jake Jericho thinks he has it all, until one phone call reminds him otherwise. Can one week in disguise reform this trust fund playboy, or will his deception destroy the only real love he’s ever known?
HER HEARTBREAKER BOSS by Carmen Falcone
Rule: Never leave your woman unsatisfied.
Can Stefano and Roxie resist the heat flaring between them or will working together force them to face their rocky past and give them the happily ever after they deserve?
HOW TO BE A HEARTBREAKER by Codi Gary
Rule: A real man never kisses and tells.
When an A list actor returns to his hometown, old wounds and fresh gossip emerge… along with a second chance at love, if he’s brave enough to stick around.
REFORMING THE HEARTBREAKER by Christine Glover
Rule: A real man never breaks a woman’s heart.
Can Olympic mountain bike champion Ryder Bennett and his public relations rep Addison Carrington keep things professional between them this time around, or will they risk a sexy scandal for a chance at love?
HER UNWANTED HERO by Veronica Forand
Rule: A real man always helps someone in need… he may be the only one who does.
A disenchanted police officer must choose between keeping a woman’s affection or keeping her alive.
ONCE A HEARTBREAKER by T.J. Kline
Rule: A real man never lies, especially to a woman.
Ty Preston ran out on the woman he loved twelve years ago, but now he’s back to prove he’s a changed man. However, Rayne can’t risk getting her heart broken by the cowboy again.
MAKE MINE A HEARTBREAKER by Jodi Linton
Rule: A real man never falls for his friend’s sister… ever.
She’s about to change this playboy’s rule book.
TUTORING THE HEARTBREAKER TO LOVE by Hayson Manning
Rule: A real man never touches the hired help.
Can Savannah teach serial heartbreaker Walker to be domesticated in ten days and convince them that maybe they can have a shot at a ‘them’ or can Walker convince Savannah there can be a ‘them’ on his terms only?
Review copy provided for an honest review.
A delightful and fantastic collection of short stories with all types of heartbreakers and heroes and 
the women who fall head over heels for them, some stories are sentimental, some are crazy, some are a suspenseful, some are high energy, some are sensual and sexy, but one thing is for sure none of them would have happened if not for the man that taught these now men who were once troubled boys the lessons of life and love all while providing them with the perfect example of what a good man looks like and how one acts. Bless you John Stone! (PS, Don’t miss the special letter from John at the end of this collection!)
**Right now this boxed set is on sale for 99 cents and we are giving away 20 copies courtesy of the blog and author Virginia Nelson. Copies will be given out to commenters on the blog, on our Facebook page, on Instagram and Twitter. Please use #heartbreakersandheroes when you post on Instagram or Twitter so we can find your post and enter you to win.
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Hiding With the Heartbreaker by Virginia Nelson 4.5 stars (Reviewed by Slick)
Rule #1 Protect the Innocent
As a tribute to his mentor who is in a coma Aloysius James McAllister Sutton (Al) sets off to rescue and hid the sister of a friend, little does he know that Jude Cramer will make him see life in a whole other way.
While the circumstances of their meeting are a bit crazy, the trust and friendship they forged was priceless and the attraction noticeable from the start. I liked the fact that Al wanted to make Jude feel safe and comfortable and that Jude saw through the public persona Al had created for himself to see the real him.
There time together was as sweet as it was sexy and I loved that Al gave Jude the grand gesture she craved. My only problem with this story, I wanted to see more of them and I kind of wanted to know what Al did about his business partner, Carpenter. All in all though, I loved this one!
How to Unbreak a Heart by Jennie Marts 4 stars (Reviewed by Kitty Angel)
Rule#2 If you love her, don’t let her go.
I was really surprised with this novella. It was cute and interesting. It’s hard to get really deep into a story when it’s a Novella but, Jennie Marts did a wonderful job in getting us to know Trip and Bre, their life before and their life after the heartbreak. She brought the story full circle and showed us both sides of her characters …. The confused, untrusting side and the loving side.
Her Heartbreak Boss by Carmen Falcone 4.5 stars (Reviewed by Rosalie Belle)
Rule #3 – Never leave your woman unsatisfied.
Stefano and Roxie have known each other since they went to school together. After a very eventful night, that left both no longer virgins, the two were separated. Stefano was sent off to “camp” where he was supposed to become a better person. But neither forgot each other, and when Stefano buys the company that Roxie is head tour guide for, their worlds quickly collide again. With completely different views on how the company should be ran, the two try to find middle ground. Both trying to “keep it professional” travel to see a dear mentor to Stefano that is in a coma, all the while trying to iron out details of how Stefano is going to better the travel company that Roxie works for. While on this trip, the two begin to wonder if the past could collide and become the future, or if all should be better left alone. I loved this read. These two were meant for each other and I loved the way the author made this a real story. Happily ever after takes work; and these characters really had to work. Great read!
Her Unwanted Hero by Veronica Forand 4 stars (Reviewed by Kitty Angel)
Rule #4 A real man always helps someone in need…he may be the only one who does
Griffin Alexander and Trinity Estrada were an interesting couple and they have a story that will pull at your heart strings and will have you hoping that life doesn’t repeat itself for Griffen.
Griffins past brought him to where he is in life today; a police officer who needs to protect and serve under any circumstances. But, when it comes to domestic violence, he can’t help but try his damnest to get through to the parties involved, get them to face the truth and get out of the situation. Especially his Trinity. He has been secretly in love with this woman who works full time, goes to school and takes care of her family. He’s never seen a stronger more dependable woman in his life. After being called to her house on a domestic, he can’t help but try to get her away from her father and the life that she’s been hiding from everyone.
Tiffany cannot leave her mother no matter how bad her father’s drinking and violence is escalating. It’s up to her to care for her even though the Alzheimer’s has her believing that she is just her caretaker and not her daughter. She finally has Griffin’s attention but it’s not how she thought it would be. She’s had a crush on him forever, she’s had dreams of him finally seeing her as a woman and not just his waitress at the diner. She never wanted him to know about her problems. Now, he’s pushing her to face her realities and trying to get her to make decisions she doesn’t want to have to make.
It takes a few nights with Griffin and an incident that put everyone in danger to finally get her to see the light, to take Griffin up on his promises and move forward with her life and the man that she loves.
Veronica Forand did a wonderful job of bringing domestic violence and Alzheimer’s together. The story was sweet and romantic and the underlying story of John Stone and his influence on each of these men was beautifully told.
How To Be A Heartbreaker by Codi Gary 4.5 stars (Reviewed by Slick)
Rule #5 Never Kiss and Tell
This was a tale of a woman scorned facing down the man who took her virginity and then left town. Wow did the sparks fly between these two when they meet again and even more so when now famous Sebastian Valentine doesn’t recognize now doctor Ashlynn Marks.
In seemingly two very different places in their lives and with very different feelings about their small Idaho hometown, I wasn’t sure if these two were going to make it to their happily ever after. These two don’t get off to the best start but soon forge a distant and careful friendship that soon turns into more when Ashlynn decides that having Bash for a short time is better than none at all.
Two things I really enjoyed about this book was watching Bash realize how empty his “perfect” life in California was and figuring out that you can go home again and actually enjoy it. He had fences to mend and time and distance helped him put things into great perspective not to mention figuring out that one feisty doctor made him feel things he didn’t know were possible.
Ash and Bash’s chemistry was off the charts and even though Ash figured her heart would be broken again she just couldn’t stay away. I also loved that she was able to move past…well their past and in time accept everything about Bash and his career.
Funny yet sentimental and sexy it was easy to fall completely into this story.
Reforming the Heartbreaker by Christine Glover 4.5 stars (Reviewed by Kitty Angel)
Rule #6 A real man never breaks a woman’s heart
Ryder and Addison had me right from the beginning of this story. He was undeniably the most unselfish, devoted person that I have read about in a long time. Addison was a strong, capable woman that knew what she needed to do and just how to do it. But, getting across the finish line with their hearts in tact was going to be really tricky.
Ryder needs to protect his friend and his family even if it costs him his spot on the Olympic team. He refuses to tell the truth to the public. Addison is there to protect his reputation, helping him, as she did in the past, and he can’t get over how much she’s changed, how beautiful she is or how much her attitude has changed. As he gets the news about his mentor, John Stone, he knows that he has to return to Montana and see the man that made him the man he is today. And, he needs Addison to see that he always saw her in a different way that his friends did and that he was just buckling to peer pressure.
As for Addison … she has something to prove as well. Her father needs to see that she can run the business without him and making sure their top client is kept out of jail and the tabloid stories are disputed will go a long way to showing him this. The one thing that won’t make him happy is having an affair with Ryder … the man that used to refer to her as Fattie Addie and now can’t keep his eyes off of her. Yes, they had a past together and she honestly thought that he saw beyond her weight back then. Now, he sees the woman she became and there is no stopping the attraction or the feelings.
Christine Glover wrote a beautiful story and showed us just how much people can change. Ryder was not only sweet but a loving man who stood up for what he believed in and rode away the minute that he thought that he would be hurting those that he held dear. Addison knew what she needed to do no matter how far it pushed Ryder away from her. Together, they were conquering the world … apart they were lost. Thank god for happy endings and this one will surely have you smiling.
Once a Heartbreaker by T.J. Kline 4.5 stars (Reviewed by Slick)
Rule #7 A real man never lies, especially to a woman
Can two people find their way back after a lie tore them apart? In T.J. Kline’s Once A Heartbreaker retired rodeo star Ty Prescott finds out that getting Rayne McCoy to forgive him isn’t any easier than him trying to forget her. After a lucrative career as a rodeo star Ty returns to the only place he ever considered home, Saddle Creek, where he spent time at a ranch for trouble teens and met the love of his life.
Ty had his work cut out for him with Rayne who never quite got over the way he ended things with her even as she went on to marry and eventually divorce another man. As they reconnect, Ty realizes that why his intentions were good his actions caused so much damage to Rayne’s heart and he sets out to prove to her that not only is he sorry, but he wants what they should have had all along.
I felt sorry for Ty in some respects because I believe he had Rayne’s best interest at heart and the fact that she didn’t quite follow through with things the way he hoped she had she still managed to make her dreams come true despite her heartache. Rayne was a bit to bitter considering the length of time and the fact that she did indeed make something of her life, but it was easy to see that Ty still affected her despite her trying to resist. I liked that they were able to find their way back to one another, that the bond they both shared with the boy’s ranch owner, John gave them some common ground and a reason to hold on to those good times.
While unable to forget past mistakes, they had forgiveness and love and in the end that’s what they needed to move forward with their lives.
Make Mine a Heartbreaker by Jodi Linton 4.5 stars (Reviewed by Rosalie Belle)
Rule #8 Love should always be fun
Hannah, walking in and finding who she thought was “her one” with someone else, decides revenge is the absolute best medicine. Visiting a porn store to buy a blow up doll that has every intention to be sent to him, leads to a very odd sexual encounter with an old friend. Nate ends up in the same said porn store, on a dare, set out to buy a dildo. However, more than purchases happen for these two during this chance encounter. Pictures in the paper later of what looked like Hannah and Nate in a very compromising position, released during a bust with the Austin PD, led to a fake engagement scheme to keep Nate on the up and up long enough to get a lucrative contract he and his business partner buddy had been working on for awhile. Trying to talk Hannah into going along with the scheme is pure hilarity. The sweet preschool teacher, originally, wants nothing to do with Nate and his crazy ways. Eventually seeing that she could profit from the deal as well, the two seal the deal…with a scorching kiss in front of Hannah’s ex!! This book had its ups and downs throughout for these two, and definitely had me wishing that they would realize that they were meant for each other. But what kind of read would it be if the main characters were BAM, together? Definitely some good angst in this one!
Hometown Heartbreaker by Heather Long 4.5 stars (Reviewed by Slick & Kitty Angel)
Rule #9 A real man always puts his best foot forward
Slick’s review:
Heather Long had me with major league baseball player and then she threw me a curve ball with the plot, yet I was still very charmed with this story of a small town hero returning to help out with the town’s little league team and hoping to reconnect with the woman who broke his heart.
I was really struck with the way the excitement leapt of the page when Zeke Thompson was greeted by the kids that make up the Sherwood Point Charmings. While Zeke wasn’t too sure of how he was going to handle being home, but once he saw the kids and their love of the game he knew being back was the right thing to do. Yes, being around Charity Lane made it difficult for him to breathe but seeing her daughter, Andie, and realizing he was a hero to her softened that blow.
Zeke and Charity had history, a lot of history most of it good and even when she confessed she was pregnant with another man’s baby at 18 he still wanted to be a part of her life, a part of the baby’s life but Charity sent him away and while he still feels the hurt from that rejection he can’t deny that finding Charity unmarried doesn’t make his heart happy.
Even after 8 years apart, the attraction and the feelings between them were evident. Yes, there was tension and hurt but even that couldn’t stop the pull between these two people who were meant to be together.
Zeke could have been a jerk, he could have treated Charity and her daughter horribly but instead he chose the high road which just made me love him all the more. While I’m not a fan of Charity’s actions (in fact it is something I feel very strongly about) I also see that she felt she was doing the right thing and to be honest I don’t think she was in the best place or best frame of mind when she made her decisions. What I loved was that they didn’t let the bitterness divide them and they looked forward to what was possible in the future.
Sweet and endearing and filled with a sense of great things to come, I loved every minute of this story.
Kitty Angel’s review:
I was really impressed with Zeke. He was sweet and charming and unbelievably understanding and patient. You understood why he stayed away from his hometown and why he decided it was time to go back and face everyone … especially Charity and the life she built for herself without him. As he finds out the truth and accepts the curveball life threw him, he can easily take the pitch and take a walk. Instead, he hits one right out of the park.
Charity has something that she needs to live up to. She has to face her past, face her lies and now, face the one man that can either make or break her. She really didn’t think that he would show up and, now that he is here, she’s the one that has to step up to the plate, admit mistakes and try to explain why she did what she did.
I really enjoyed Hometown Heartbreaker. Yes, it’s baseball themed but that’s not the only reason why. Zeke and Andie really made this story enjoyable for me. Zeke, because of his humility, understanding and love. Andie because she was just adorable, funny and determined. I felt a little sorry for Charity having to face everything but, then again, she broke the one rule that they had between them, no lies. Sometimes the past comes back to bite you and the worst happens … then sometimes it comes back and gives you the one thing that you only dreamed about. Thank you, Heather Long, for making dreams come true, for giving us a hero that had everything we could look for in a man, a little girl who finally knows where she gets her talent from and for making baseball fun and sexy.
Hero In Disguise by Sharla Lovelace 4.5 stars (Reviewed by Rosalie Belle)
Rule # 10 A real man doesn’t buy respect. He earns it.
Jake Jericho comes from a very wealthy and powerful family. Being sent to Saddle Creek as a teen to become a better person, Jake met some of the best friends he would ever make in life but before that he also met one certain girl that stole his heart, Harper Haley. On a night he should be headed to Montana he instead asks his driver to take him somewhere to clear his head and after a night at his driver’s bar, they go to Harper’s coffee shop, where he finds out that the beautiful buildings he has been admiring, are about to be demolished, by none other than his own father. Harper’s coffee shop and apartment are in this very strip of buildings and he is forced to make a choice between his heart and his family. This read was probably one of my favorites. I loved that with this rule, Jake can’t “buy” Harper’s love, which led to him having to actually work hard to get something that meant so much to him, and in turn Harper as well. Being handed everything on a silver platter, doesn’t always equal happiness…but working hard for something you want, and being that hero that swoops in and saves the day, will!
Second Chance Hero by Michelle Major 4.5 stars (Reviewed by Kitty Angel)
Rule #11 A real man doesn’t built himself up by tearing others down
Wow. Travis Jackson started off being one hell of a d*ck. Hailey Moore started off being nothing but a soft-hearted, well-meaning woman. Then, Travis starts turning into the man that Hailey saw behind all the suits. Along the way, Hailey fell in love and Travis fought his feelings. Then again, getting to the happy ending is never an easy task.
John Stone taught Travis how to stand on his own two feet. But, he didn’t teach him how to say “no” to his father. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way of trying to get his father’s respect, he became him. Feared by his employees, a shark in business and a different woman warming his bed at his whim. It takes a woman standing up for him, seeing inside his soul, for him to realize that he became the one person he despised. How does he just change the plans he set in motion, how does he stand up to his father and how does he convince Hailey that she is all he needs in his life to make it complete?
Hailey sees the best in people. She’s trusting and kind and wears her heart on her sleeve. But, hearing of Travis’ plans and what it will do to her family back in Montana is killing her. She can’t keep the news from her father and, when she tells him, she’s on a flight back home scared that she is the one that caused his episode landing him in the hospital. Travis insists on going there with her, to explain himself to one of his grandfather’s oldest friends and, hopefully, get them to see that what he is doing is business only. What he finds is an amazing family that raised an amazing daughter and he found the real reason behind his grandfather founding the business and handing out 30 year contracts.
I loved how Travis went from arrogant to humble and how Hailey was able to get him to see that it was his choice to either change or be his father. Michelle Major did a wonderful job in moving this story along, in making us understand just where Hailey and Travis were coming from and where they were headed. She made me smile and made my heart happy as she gave us a happily-ever-after that was truly fitting to this story.
Tutoring the Heartbreaker to Love by Hayson Manning 4 stars (Reviewed by Rosalie Belle)
Rule #12 A real man doesn’t touch the hired help
In the final novella in the anthology, Walker comes to Montana to see his mentor, John, as he is in his coma. Funding out the one he let get away, Savvy, owns a restaurant, he immediately seeks her out. What he sees when he gets there clutches his heart; a woman trying to fulfill her dream, struggling on her own to run an entire restaurant, and finding one that isn’t doing so well, has him helping her out without even batting an eye. But strong willed Savvy wants no help and only agrees if she can pay Walker back every penny. Coming up with a plan, Walker creates a “deal” that could benefit both, but would put them co-habituating for two weeks. Can either put themselves back out there and simply walk away from each other? Or will one end up hurt again?
I really enjoyed watching Walker fall. Both characters were strong willed and watching them both fall, and hard, made this read even more enjoyable.
4.5 stars
Sounds like a great collection…thanks for sharing your thoughts Slick
love the review today