RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Hot for the Jerk (The Single Moms of San Camanez: The Vino Vixens Book #1) by Whitley Cox

Title: Hot for Jerk

Series: The Single Moms of San Camanez: The Vino Vixens Book #1

Author: Whitley Cox

Genre: Small Town/Single Dad Romance

Tropes: Forced Proximity; Fish out of Water; Military; Little mermaid redition; whodunnit; suspense, brotherhood

Release Date: June 7, 2025 

One bed, two enemies, and three bottles of wine. What could go wrong?

Welcome to San Camanez, a humble, peaceful little island in the Puget Sound and home to the Vino Vixens. Four cousins—and single moms—who run a vineyard, love the wine they sell, raise their kids together, and still hold out hope that not all men are the like ones they married. This is Raina’s story …

Jagger
Raina Aaronson is my nemesis. The Poison Ivy to my Batman, the Fem-Bot to my Austin Powers. Wherever she is, so is a guaranteed bad time. So when the two of us wind up stranded, unable to get home, with just one bed left at the Inn, the only reasonable thing to do to pass the time is get drunk.

Raina
Jagger McEvoy can sleep in the woodshed for all I care. That bearded nuisance is the contaminated cork in my merlot. The black rot on my grapes. However, when the power goes out at the B&B, he goes all out helping the guests, making sure they’re safe, warm and comfortable—taking his shirt off in the process.
Wait, so this man isn’t the irritating, self-serving asshat I thought he was? He actually cares? And not just for me, but for my son as well.
Because when danger comes knocking on my door, threatening the safety and peace I’ve so carefully curated for my family, Jagger might be the only person able to stop it.
Unless I screw things up first.

I had been hoping Jagger would get his turn at being in the hot seat for romance after meeting him in the series based on his brothers, and this didn't disappoint. I loved the antagonistic interactions he has with Raina, because it's so easy for everyone with working eyeballs and a microgram of intuition to see how much they're actually into each other but choose to be all snarky and sarcastic when they have to interact. Which is often since they live in a small town lol. 

 

“I really don’t know how to describe this book except to say it was brilliant. The humor is great but it also an emotional read at times. Well developed plot and fantastic characters.” – Karen ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Review

“I think Jagger is my favorite of the McEvoy brothers! I loved him in every book of the Brew Brothers of San Camanez series, and I couldn’t wait for his story. The rivals to lovers energy between him and Raina was well written. There were also some taboo and dark themes, which I would recommend this book if you’re looking to dip your toes into dark romance! This falls into the contemporary romance category, but it’s a good starter. I can’t wait to read more about the Vino Vixens!” – Morgan Robinson ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Review

“Jagger is so hot he sizzles! He sizzles even hotter with Raina. Defending her, keeping her and Marco safe, stepping in when the going gets tough...nothing hotter than your man standing up for you. Getting stranded together was the best thing to ever happen.” – Vicku McGikus ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Review

“Hot for the Jerk is a crossover book set on the island of San Camanez. Jagger is the last of the McEvoy Brew Brothers and Raina the 1st of the Vino Vixen cousins to butt heads and fight their way to love and a HEA. A brilliantly written romance that combines a multitude of tropes but is totally unique. I loved everything about it, from the dialogue to the sparks and tension, the heartwarming and thoughtful actions and the family interactions. The kiddos are the absolute best! There's also a touch of darkness with Raina's horrible and traumatic past rearing its ugly head which takes a truly heroic effort to overcome. You do not have to have read the previous books to love the story, but you most certainly will want to once you meet this amazing bunch of people. A page-turner and keeper to be sure and I can't wait to find out what's next!” – Silk1509 ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Bookbub Review

“I could not put down Hot for the Jerk! I'm usually reading two or three books at the same time but I needed to know how Raina and Jagger's story ended. I'm not always a fan of "enemies to lovers" but their history really fit and seemed realistic. The story progressed at a great rate and I truly loved it and the characters. I'm ready to read the next book in the series!” – Rebecca Salinas ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Review

The next morning was unkind in every sense of the word. Not only did it come too soon, but it greeted me with the mother of all hangovers. I hadn’t been in this rough of shape in a long time.

I also woke up on the bed with a glaring and extremely tired-looking Raina staring at me. “I thought you were going to sleep on the floor,” she said, way too fucking loud for my brain.

I winced. “I fell asleep by accident. I’m sorry.”

Groaning, she rolled over onto her back and pressed the heels of her hands into her eye sockets. “Are you dead?”

“Yes.”

“Me too.”

I grunted in acknowledgment.

“Breakfast is served between seven-thirty and nine-thirty. What time is it?”

“You have a phone too,” I said, reaching for my phone from the nightstand anyway. “Oh, fuck.” I meant to spring out of bed like a limber baby gazelle, but it was more of a roll—like a walrus coming out of anesthesia after getting his wisdom tusks removed—and landed on my face on the floor. “It’s nine-fifteen.”

“Seriously?” She had a modicum more pep in her step than I did as she slung her body off the bed and toward the door. “Are you coming?”

“Aren’t you going to get dressed first?”

Glancing down her body, she then gave me a face. “Why? I’m not naked. I don’t care who sees me in my pajamas.”

Nodding, I used the bed to help haul myself up and joined her. “Good point.”

With concrete in every one of my steps, I followed her out of the door and down the hallway with its wainscoted walls, and dark-blue and gold houndstooth wallpaper, then the stairs, where voices and the clink and clatter of utensils sounded more like church bells in my brain.

But once the aroma of fresh coffee and bacon floated up my nostrils, I was no longer considering burning the entire house to the ground.

“Good morning,” Lenora greeted us, coming out of the kitchen through the white swinging door with the diamond-shaped window in the center. She carried a tray heaped with flaky pastries. “I’m pleased to see you’re both still alive.”

“Barely,” I murmured, going to the coffee carafe on the console table along the far wall and pouring myself a cup. Just like the interior of the house—with its shabby-chic, beachy décor—the bowls, mugs, and plates, were all beach-grass-themed stoneware—white and with a spray of tawny seagrass on the sides. I glanced at Raina and grunted to ask if she wanted one too. She nodded, because her mouth was already full of pastry.

A Canadian West Coast baby born and raised, Whitley is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they have two beautiful daughters and a fluffy dog. She spends her days making food that gets thrown on the floor, vacuuming Cheerios out from under the couch and making sure that the dog food doesn't end up in the air conditioner. But when nap time comes, and it's not quite wine o'clock, Whitley sits down, avoids the pile of laundry on the couch, and writes.

A lover of all things decadent; wine, cheese, chocolate and spicy erotic romance, Whitley brings the humorous side of sex, the ridiculous side of relationships and the suspense of everyday life into her stories. With single dads, firefighters, Navy SEALs, mommy wars, body issues, threesomes, bondage and role-playing, Whitley’s books have all the funny and fabulously filthy words you could hope for.

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RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Pitch for Me by Swati M.H.

Title: Pitch for Me

Series: Haircuts and Heartthrobs Series

Author: Swati M.H.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Single Mom; Single Dad; Baseball Romance; Blended Family; He Falls First

Release Date: May 1, 2025

Cover Design: Cover Me Darling

Illustrations: Anna Noel Books

I had a one-night stand with a gorgeous stranger, believing I’d never see him again. Except who did he turn out to be? Troy Winters, starting pitcher for the MLB and the hottest single dad to grace the planet.

What’s worse, he’s now my son’s new baseball coach.

In my defense, Troy and I had agreed to exchange fake names and occupations that fateful night in a seedy Colorado bar. One perfect night of no strings and a quick escape from my busy single mom life. . . Right?

Fast forward to a re-meet-cute that had me diving under a chair, an injury that sidelined him for a year, and now Troy is coaching my son’s team while he recovers.

His smoldering golden-hued gaze makes one thing clear: he’s not letting me disappear again.

But after a highly publicized divorce from a narcissistic pro-golfer, I’m done with the spotlight and athletes. No matter how cute their rear end looks in a uniform.

Yet Troy is relentless. Between his bond with my boy, his tenderness for his daughter, and our scorching chemistry, my walls are crumbling.

So I offer a compromise: a friends-with-benefits situation while he recovers. Once he returns to the MLB, we’ll go back to being just friends.

Simple enough, right?

Except, the more time I spend wrapped in his arms, the less simple everything becomes.

Now, with the MLB calling him back, I have a choice to make: stick to our deal and protect my heart or risk everything for the spotlight I’d vowed to avoid.

Once again, Swati M.H. hit another one out the park (see what I did there?)

Loved this book from start to finish! I do enjoy a good single parent story, and the fact that both Troy and Sarina are single parents? Yes please! I loved the connection and chemistry between these two parents, Troy's actions to show and prove to Sarina what she and her son have come to mean to both himself and his daughter was a mix of sweet and swoony. Of course there's plenty of hilarious banter between Sarina and Troy, and I loved the parent-child relationship they had with both their own respective offspring as well as the child of the other adult. I liked that Sarina was willing to give Troy a chance, given his current career and the fact that her ex is also a professional asshat....I mean athlete.

I turn toward the sound before I think better of it, and there he is–-Mr. Troy Winters, no longer wearing a brace and in all his gorgeously gorgeous glory. He’s wearing a tan henley that stretches across his shoulders like it’s holding on for dear life.

What is he doing here?

I mean, obviously, I know what he’s doing here, but why was I not alerted by someone that he was coming? Why was I not alerted that he’d become a client of ours?

Why do I smell planned deceit here from my best friend and my sister?

Troy’s gaze catches mine, holding momentarily, before mine disconnects and lands on an adorable little girl at his side, holding his hand. Her cherub cheeks seem naturally pink, and while her eyes are the same color as her father’s, her hair has various shades of auburn, copper, and maroon.

I’m just about to speak—though I have no idea what I’m about to say; I was just going to let my mouth take the lead—when I see Dad’s eyes spark, and he zeroes in on Troy like a heat-seeking missile.

“Well, hello, handsome,” he practically purrs, walking toward Troy and his daughter. “You look vaguely familiar. Are you one of my daughters’ clients?”

“Dad,” I manage, feeling my cheeks heat. “This is Troy Winters, the pitcher for the Blazers. He’s also Rome’s temporary assistant baseball coach while he recovers from his surgery.”

Dad extends his multi-ringed hand in Troy’s direction, as if he’s expecting Troy to bow and press a kiss. “Suraj Arora.” He eyes Troy's arms appreciatively. “My boyfriend Emanuel is a huge fan of the Blazers.” My dad bends to greet the little girl, now scooting behind Troy’s leg. I don’t blame her; I’m planning another escape underneath one of the tables myself. “And who is this little darling?”

And that’s when my heart thuds against my chest once again. Troy kneels down to his daughter’s level and signs to her.

Signs!

My hands tingle with muscle memory and suddenly, I feel like I’m ten again, signing jokes to my mother while sitting next to her on the sofa.

“Can you tell him what your name is?” Troy’s fingers move with precision, and I find myself walking toward them before I even realize I’m doing it.

The little girl watches me approach and something about her tugs at my chest, begging for me to be near her—perhaps it’s her shy and angelic face, or perhaps it’s her vibrant eyes that speak louder than any spoken words could.

I drop to my knees, my hands moving on their own. “Hi,” I sign, my hands recalling how to speak fluidly, despite not doing so on a daily basis anymore.

Swati MH is a Texas raised contemporary romance author living in the Bay Area with her very own book husband and two beautiful daughters. When she's not writing stories full of humor, heart, and heartbreak, she's likely thinking about doing so . . . preferably while holding a glass of wine.

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