Today I am exciting to share my review, an excerpt, guest post and giveaway from Some Days, a standalone spicy romance in the Sometimes Love Happens Collection by J. L. Lora. Lora is the author of over twelve published novels, including two in Spanish. Her characters are real, flawed, and full of grit as they navigate life, love, and more.
Dutiful daughter, my brother’s keeper, civil servant, and protector of my city—that’s me, Officer Dahlia Wicker. I’m a master at switching hats, until an ambush in the line of duty forces a new title on me—gunshot victim. I wake up in the emergency room, scared to death, and staring into the face of an angel with soft-yet-firm hands and a smile that makes my heart tremble. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.
Title: Some Days
Author(s): J.L. Lora
Series: Sometimes Love Happens Standalones Collection #3
Also in this series: When You Break Girl Code
Published by Larimar Press on February 28, 2022
Pages: 369
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Source: Caffeinated PR
Format: eBook 
Purchase: Amazon|B&N|Kobo|ITunes
Rating: 
Series Rating:
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Dr. Weston Ellison’s promise to look after my little brother eases my anxiety. His hands on my skin remind me I haven’t been touched by a man in a long time. After my recovery, I can’t stop running into him and I’m forced to admit how often I think about his lips and how badly I want them on me.
We are way too different.
Weston comes from generational wealth, and I’m Baltimore humble. Desire opens the door to our relationship, but feelings break in and take us hostage.
When my brother is unjustly arrested, a spotlight blares on our differences. Our bond falls victim to prejudice, privilege, and racism. Are we strong enough to withstand these age-old threats, or will they destroy us for good?
Some Days by J. L. Lora is the third book in the Sometimes Love Happens Standalone Collection series. I never read the previous books, but had no issues following the story, as all the books work well as a standalone. I had a good time with this installment and plan to read the previous books soon.
The story introduces Officer Dahlia Wicker and Dr. Weston Ellison. At the beginning of the story, Dahlia got shot by a perp and Weston treated her GSW in the ER. Now, despite the circumstances, a spark of attraction flickered between them. However, Dahlia, feeling vulnerable after her recovery, wanted nothing to do with Weston. Fate, however, had different plans.
Some Days grabbed me from me from the start and kept me engaged to the end. The characters were great. However, I must admit, I had a hard time warming up to Dahlia. The lady had a humongous chip on her shoulder, which activates whenever she comes in contact with Weston. Frankly, I didn’t like her animosity towards him. However, the deeper into the story I went, my perception shifted. She works in a stressful environment and also lives in one. She has a lot on her plate, but she remained strong through it all.
Now, with Weston from the moment of his introduction, I knew I would like him. He was a wonderful character, and it was a joy getting to know him. He took his profession seriously and went above and beyond for his patients. His parents keep pressuring him to return home and start his own practice, but he has no interest in doing so.
I loved Dahlia and Weston as a couple. It took them awhile to become a couple. Dahlia, for one, didn’t make it easy with her acerbic attitude. But when she released the negative energy and apologized to Weston, then it all took off. Despite this, Dahlia was skittish and feared acknowledging her feelings. Then, in true Dahlia style, she tried to sabotage it all when her brother became a victim of racial profiling.
It was a pleasure interacting with the secondary characters. I enjoyed seeing the friendship Dahlia shared with her work partner, his wife, and sister-in-law. The support they showed each other warmed my heart. Lora touched on the issue of racial profiling. The incident caused a breakdown in Dahlia’s relationship with her family and Weston. However, loved how the situation was handled in end. The story also dealt with the issue of domestic violence.
Overall, Some Days was an engaging read. It has me eager to pick up the previous books in the series. Fans of contemporary romance should add this book to their reading list.
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GUEST POST
Two Hospital Dates with My Hero…Kinda
People always ask where I get the inspiration for my characters. While I don’t overtly plan to base my characters on anyone I know, they’re always a mixture of qualities I admire or find fascinating. My heroines, in particular, have a lot of the characteristics of the strong and kickass women in my circle of friends and family. This was the case for Dahlia, my heroine in Some Days.
Weston, my hero, is a sexy, flirty, and caring doctor. I had conceptualized him, but he was not fully fleshed out. I needed to find inspiration, but no one I knew–or watched on TV–was doing the job.
FATE STEPPED IN when I ended up in urgent care with a sinus infection.
A tall young doctor walked in with perfect hair and the prettiest eyes. He asked what had brought me there. I had to press my lips together so the “obviously you” wouldn’t fly out of my mouth.
I couldn’t see his whole face because he was wearing a mask, but the warm smile reflected in his gaze. He had the best bedside manners. He talked while staring into my eyes. I froze, and he had to ask me something twice.
He’s my Weston! That’s all I could think. I must confess that I considered dragging the appointment to spend more time with him and ask things I could use in my book. But the waiting room was full of people that needed him. And he had already given me so much–meds aside.
Fate stepped in again a few weeks ago when I pulled a muscle. Because guess who was my attending doctor? Yes, you got it!
And again, he was kind, charming, and a little funny. I had to bite my tongue not to call him Weston this time.
Read an Excerpt
I’m still chuckling as I walk through the door of the 24-hour coffee bar.
That is until my gaze collides with the tall man with the broad shoulders and a smile so beautiful and perfect it should be on Colgate Optimum White ads. It takes away my breath and my good mood.
Doctor Hottie from the ER.
“Dahlia.”
Ugh. “Stop calling me that,” I practically growl at him.
“But it’s your name.”
I sigh. “Call me Officer Wicker, Dr. Ellison.”
He nods, but his eyes still hold that teasing sparkle. “Dr. Ellis. I shortened it so it doesn’t sound so… pretentious. I hope you like that better.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.”
“Not when I file papers in court.”
“Why would you do that?” Nothing about this guy makes sense to me. “Never mind, I don’t care. Why are you here? Didn’t you hear this place got robbed around this time a couple of nights ago?”
He nods, toying with the apple in his hand. “I did hear that. But with you here, I know we are all safe.”
Jesus. I can only shake my head. Why does he insist on flirting with me?
The better question is how do you resist? That mouth…those lips are nothing if not crafted by God’s own hands.
“How’s your shoulder?” he asks.
It flexes like it’s responding to his voice.
“Fine,” I say.
“Have you done a follow-up?” He takes a step closer, and I take one back.
I do a full round flex for him. “It’s all healed and better than ever. I finished my physical therapy, and they declared it’s perfect.”
So, get off my damned back.
But his eyes are all over my body. All over the uniform that’s supposed to make me look like the epitome of authority, but under his gaze feels like a Cat Woman costume. But he doesn’t linger like the pervs do. No, this fucking weirdo stares back into my eyes and smiles, exposing those perfect TV doctor pearly whites. They’re probably veneers.
That’s why he smiles so much. He’s getting his money’s worth. And why is my body tingling like someone jabbed me with live wire.
“I have to go. I have the four a.m. shift,” he says, turning around and putting a twenty on the counter.
Thank God, he’s leaving. He’s nice and he saved my life, but I don’t want any more reminders of that night. It’s enough that it’s stayed with me, always popping up at the oddest moments in the day and making me wake up in cold sweats sometimes. I need to forget that night and this damned doctor. Even if he has those nice arms and that narrow waist and nice ass that doesn’t belong on a man with that face. Or a doctor.
He grabs his coffee and turns around again, his gaze pinning me on the spot. “It was great to see you again, Dahlia.”
I’m frozen for a second, not knowing what to say, fighting the warm wave settling in my belly.
“You too, doc,” I blurt out.
WTF.
I don’t know why I say it and hate myself because his smile shines brighter and deeper. And I get warmer lower in my body.
“You look really beautiful, as always.” He walks away, leaving me to stare after him with my insides roiling in a way I really don’t like.
Maybe he triggers memories of the night I got shot. It’s probably a panic attack manifesting.
© Some Days by J.L. Lora, Larimar Press 2022
Giveaway
About J.L. Lora
J. L. Lora is a Dominican-American author of contemporary and romantic suspense. Her stories explore the dark side of good characters—people living in the gray areas of life—playing the cards life has dealt them. Her stories manifest her love for badass alpha heroines and take-your-breath-away alpha men.
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