Review: Kiss The Stars by AL Jackson

March 10, 2020 by · Leave a Comment
KISS THE STARS
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: AL Jackson
Release Date: March 5, 2020

A Falling Stars STAND-ALONE NOVEL from NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author, A.L. Jackson…

A single mother.

An up-and-coming drummer with a sordid past.

Their paths never should have crossed.

But when a senseless crime rocks Mia West’s entire world, she agrees to spend the summer hiding out at her rock-star brother’s mansion in Savannah until the storm blows over.

What she never expected was the gorgeous, brooding drummer living in the guest house.

His darkness a lure.

His gaze a trap.

She knows better than to go after what will hurt her most.

Leif Godwin has two focuses in his life: his band, Carolina George, and seeking retribution for what was stolen from him.

Mia was never supposed to be a part of the equation.

Her eyes an appeal.

Her body a temptation.

Touching her is nothing but a sin.

But will loving her destroy them all . . .

You are the light I stopped believing existed.”

Whoa. I wasn’t expecting this book at all. It took me completely by surprise. In all honesty, rockstar romance isn’t really my thing any more. It’s just not the story I tend to gravitate towards. But being the huge fan of AL Jackson that I am, I decided to take a chance on this one, and I’m so glad I did. Because it wasn’t the typical rockstar romance at all. This story featured some of the characters from her other rockstar romance books which I haven’t had a chance to read yet, but fully intend to. Having said that, this is definitely easily enjoyed as a standalone and if you’re like me, you’ll have no problem being sucked right into this world.

There’s just something about a single mom meets reclusive rockstar that just sounds utterly delicious to me. And this certainly was that. Mainly because Leif is the furthest thing from the usual rockstar. He’s a talented drummer but he’s a recluse. He shies away from the limelight and all of the things that come with it. He’s hiding painful secrets from his past. But when Mia quite literally stumbles into his life, he can’t seem to stay away from her.

Mia is still reeling from the tragic and violent event in her past that has her in hiding on her famous rockstar brother’s estate. Leif is staying in the pool house as he’s working with her brother’s band. And even though he tells her that he’s bad at every turn, she can’t seem to stay away from him either.

There’s a lot more to this story than meets the eye at first. It’s full of twists and turns and a suspense that had me eagerly turning the pages long into the night. My one quibble is that the usual lyrical writing style that I enjoy with AL Jackson’s books just didn’t fit the genre of this one for me. It felt repetitive and a touch too purple prose in parts. There was a dark and gritty feeling to this book and I LOVED it. But the descriptive nature of the writing took a piece away from that for me.

Having said that, I still devoured this in one sitting. It was emotional and unexpected and full of twists I never saw coming. I loved the suspense element and the slightly grittier feel of the story.

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Review: The Sinful King by Claire Contreras

March 9, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

THE SINFUL KING
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Claire Contreras
Release Date: March 5, 2020

If you had any ties to Marbella, it was impossible for you not to have heard the stories about Prince Elias and his debauchery.

Every summer he arrived with his security detail and friends in tow and rented out a row of cottages near the water.

Cottages that belonged to my family.

Each of those summers, my parents sent me away – summer camp and later, boarding school. Anything to keep me away from the royals and their partying.

I hadn’t been home in years, but when I finally come back for the summer, I see that not much has changed. Like all the summers I’d been gone, Prince Elias is back, but this time with an incognito security detail and no friends.

This time, there is no partying, no noise, no crowds. No reason at all to even think he was there.
I’m given strict orders not to talk to him, not to even look in his direction, but he makes this an impossible task.

I may be doing everything in my power to stay away from him, but there is no one in the world who can say no to the future King of France.

AMAZON

You don’t curtsy to me,” he said into my ear.
“Are you not my King?”
“Are you not my world?”

If you’re looking for an utterly romantic and swoony royal romance chock full of heart and brimming with passion, look no further. The Sinful King was all of those things. I greedily devoured it in one sitting. It was just one of those sweet, steamy and feel-good type of romances that’s easy on the angst but with plenty of feels.

Say it, Addie.”
“Say what?” I was already finding it hard to breathe and we hadn’t even started doing anything.
“You want to get f*cked by your king.

Adeline and Prince Elias’s story is full of surprises and passion. It’s basically a fairytale for the modern day woman, and I couldn’t get enough of it.

Adeline has always lived on the skirts of the royal family. Her father is in the King’s cabinet but has always been vocal in his views on the monarchy and what they stand for. In one night for herself, Adeline meets a handsome stranger and shares a passionate night with him. Only to find out when she leaves that she just shared the night with the future king of France. Years later, she’s back, on the tail end of a personal scandal. The last thing she needs is more spotlight. She’s looking to get her party planning business more successful and stay out of the camera’s flashes. But that’s difficult to do when the prince of France has his eyes set on you.

Gosh this book was dreamy. I loved the two of them together. I loved Adeline’s sweet naivety and Eli’s quiet intensity. I loved their chemistry and the way they just set the pages on fire. This was just one of those wonderfully satisfying standalones that leaves you with a smile on your face.

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#DGRFave & Review: Runaway Road by Devney Perry

March 6, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

RUNAWAY ROAD
Series: Runaway #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Devney Perry
Release Date: March 6, 2020

Londyn McCormack didn’t have a typical childhood. She ran away from home at sixteen, escaping parents more interested in drugs than their daughter. She doesn’t have loving siblings or an adorable pet. Her only family is the five other runaway kids who shared her junkyard home.

Life pulled them all in separate directions, taking her to Boston. For a short time, she thought she’d found something permanent. But after a devastating divorce, she’s running away again, this time to find a lost friend.
She’s driving across the country in her convertible. As a teenager, the rusty car was her shelter. As an adult, it’s her ride to freedom.

Except one flat tire derails her trip. Her life collides with Brooks Cohen. They walked away from the first crash. The second might destroy them both.

AMAZON

There was something fresh about her. Maybe it was her outlook on life or her spirit. Maybe it was that she had gone through so much and she hadn’t become jaded or cynical. Londyn intrigued me. She stirred my blood.

My heart feels so full right now. This book. GUYS. I just can’t. A lighthearted, feel-good romance full of swoons and feels. I devoured this book in one sitting. I kid you not. I sat down, opened my kindle, blinked, and I was already at 80%.

The wind whipped through my hair as I sped along the highway.
Just me and my cherry-red Cadillac.
On a runaway road.

I don’t think there was one thing I didn’t love about this story. The sweet and swoony hero. The slightly damaged but not broken heroine. The charming small town setting. The wonderfully vivid secondary characters. And the romance! OMG the romance! It was one of those things that just sneaks up on you. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t angsty. It wasn’t quick and mighty. It was a beautiful slow burn full of emotion and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

Londyn McCormack thought she had everything she needed. A runaway teen that learned to survive on the streets, she married a rich husband and quickly lost herself. Now divorced, she yearns to move on and find herself. So she leaves her old life and her best friend behind to drive to California to find an old friend, but along the way things get complicated. A flat tire lands her in a sleepy small town where she meets a man that changes everything.

Brooks Cohen is one of the most swooniest heroes I’ve read in a long while. He’s sweet, caring, and patient. He’s everything that Londyn needs and nothing she thought she wanted. He’s unexpected but the chemistry between them is undeniable. They slowly get to know one another during casual dinners by the lake and it’s not long before they each weave their way into each other’s hearts.

I cannot gush enough about this story. I fell hard and fast for these characters and the premise of the series. A group of teen runaways that find themselves to happiness as adults? Yes, please and thank you! If you’re looking for an easy and light-hearted read that full of depth and emotion, this book is not to be missed.

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Excerpt & Review: Wicked As Sin by Shayla Black

March 6, 2020 by ·

WICKED AS SIN
Series: Wicked & Devoted #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance
Author: Shayla Black
Release Date: March 3, 2020

Pierce “One-Mile” Walker has always kept his heart under wraps and his head behind his sniper’s scope. Nothing about buttoned-up Brea Bell should appeal to him. But after a single glance at the pretty preacher’s daughter, he doesn’t care that his past is less than shiny, that he gets paid to end lives…or that she’s his teammate’s woman. He’ll do whatever it takes to steal her heart.

 

Brea has always been a dutiful daughter and a good girl…until she meets the dangerous warrior. He’s everything she shouldn’t want, especially after her best friend introduces her to his fellow operative as his girlfriend—to protect her from Pierce. But he’s a forbidden temptation she’s finding impossible to resist.

 

Then fate strikes, forcing Brea to beg Pierce to help solve a crisis. But his skills come at a price. When her innocent flirtations run headlong into his obsession, they cross the line into a passion so fiery she can’t say no. Soon, his past rears its head and a vendetta calls his name in a mission gone horribly wrong. Will he survive to fight his way back to the woman who claimed his soul?

AMAZON | iBOOKS | NOOK | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

Pre-order the stunning conclusion, Wicked Ever After!

Releasing April 7th

AMAZON | NOOK | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

What the devil was she doing here? Courting danger. Pierce Walker was more man than she could handle. She was likely to get herself in over her head.But Brea owed him her thanks. And, okay…she was dying to see him again.

What could five minutes alone with the man hurt?

Suddenly, the volume on the music dropped under a dull roar and heavy footfalls got louder as they headed her way. Then the door whipped open, and Pierce stood on the other side of the threshold, scowling.

He was covered in nothing but ink, body hair, and bulging muscle from the waist up. Well-washed jeans hung low on his hips. He dangled the neck of a half-empty beer in one hand. His bare feet were built like the rest of him—big and overwhelmingly masculine.

Brea sucked in a silent, shaking breath. “Hi.”

“Brea.” His scowl disappeared. “This is a surprise.”

How was it possible that his eyes had been on her a handful of seconds and she somehow felt naked?

“Sorry to drop by. I-I just wanted to thank you.” She held out the container to him.

He took the dish from her hands. “For what?”

As Pierce propped himself against the doorframe and stared, she nearly lost herself in his fathomless black eyes. She forced herself to blink, but her wayward gaze wandered down his body. A Marine crest tattoo covered his right pectoral. More dark ink enveloped both shoulders, emphasizing every ridge and swell of his sizable physique. Well-washed denim cupped the substantial bulge between his legs.

And she utterly forgot everything she’d planned to say.

“Brea?”

His deep voice jolted her. She jerked her gaze from places it didn’t belong and cleared her throat. “Um…helping me get to the hospital the day Daddy collapsed. And for bringing my car to me afterward. It was very kind of you.”

“No problem. How’s he doing now?”

“Recovering. His surgery went well. Since you thoughtfully left me your contact information in my console, I meant to come sooner to tell you how much I appreciated your help, but I’ve been taking care of him. I finally got a few minutes, so I-I brought you these cookies. Since I didn’t know what you liked, I baked a few different kinds…” She dropped her gaze to collect her thoughts and stop rambling, but her stare glued itself to him again, this time fixating on his ridiculously delineated twelve-pack abs. “But you don’t look like you eat many.”

He laughed. Pierce Walker was menacing when he scowled, but when he smiled he was stunning. Something wild and reckless quivered in her belly, urging her to put her hands on him, press herself against him, beg him to somehow stop this breathless, fluttery yearning she’d only ever felt with him.

“Because I don’t have anyone baking me cookies.” He peeled the lid off the top and peered down. “These look good.”

“I baked the chocolate chip without nuts. I didn’t know if you were allergic.”

“I’m not.”

“I also included checkerboard, cinnamon sugar, and gluten-free almond wafer.”

“Thank you.” He curled his fingers around her shoulder. They burned like a brand as he scooted her breathlessly close to his naked torso and locked the door behind them. “Why don’t you come in and let me get you something to drink?”

“I shouldn’t stay. I would never want to interrupt your…” Goodness, what had he been doing? It was a Friday night. Maybe he was getting ready to go out. Or heaven forbid, planning to stay in…with female company.

“Game of pool. You’re not interrupting. Stay. Like a lot of things, it’s a lot more fun when you’re not playing alone.” He winked.

His seemingly suggestive words sparked a reaction low in her belly. “I-I’ve never played.”

He raised a dark brow. “Ever?”

“Daddy isn’t much for games. My friends aren’t, either.”

“What about Cutter?”

She shrugged. “He’s never shown any interest.”

He sent her a stare that looked somewhere between stunned and dubious. “You sure? I’ve seen him play.”

That didn’t surprise Brea. Cutter had a whole life she barely knew about. “I’m sure he does, but not with me.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

Were they still talking about billiards? “Anyway, I won’t keep you…”

“Don’t go. One game.” He wrapped his arm around her middle and ushered her deeper into his house. “What do you say?”

She risked a glance up at him. “You’re sure I’m not in your way?”

“No. I’m thrilled as hell to have you here, pretty girl.”

That low, deep declaration of his did something to her insides. Heat crawled up her cheeks. She ran her tongue across her suddenly dry lips. “O-one game, then.”

After one look, I wanted you. But after one kiss, I knew I’d do anything to have you.”

I have been waiting for this moment all my life!!! OK, so maybe not my entire life. But it sure feels like it, dang it! Because Shayla Black has been tempting us with One-Mile and Brea’s story for too long and I’ve been chomping at the bit in my glee to get my grabby little hands on it. And the second this baby hit my kindle? I DEVOURED IT. I don’t think I even blinked. Or maybe I did blink. Once. And then I realized I was done. GAH.

She wanted to be his, even if it was for a night. Even if it was a sin. Even if she burned in hell for this desire. It couldn’t be any worse than twisting in agony without him.

Now I’ll be honest, usually the uber good girl heroine doesn’t do it for me. They tend to annoy me with their holier than thou everything. But Brea was my one exception to the rule. There’s just something so incredibly endearing to her sweet and innocent personality. She’s like this ray of sunshine that you can’t help but love. Or maybe it’s that perfect dynamic of One-Mile’s uber bad boy to her uber good girl? I dunno. But whatever it was, it worked, and I loved it.

If you’ve read Shayla’s Wicked or Devoted series than you’ve met these characters. And if you haven’t, you won’t have any problems diving right into this one. Brea is Cutter’s best friend from Devoted to Pleasure. I have to say, as much as I loved Cutter in his own book, I wanted to slap him here. His holier than thou attitude towards One-Mile drove me up the wall. He’s fiercly protective of Brea while Brea is inexplicably drawn to One-Mile. One-Mile thinks that she’s Cutter’s girlfriend, but that doesn’t stop his singleminded pursuit of her.

I want you to kiss me,” she whispered. “Now.”
He tensed. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
“Even though it’s wrong?”
“Yes.”
“Even though this could get out of control?”
“Yes.”
“Brea. Baby…” Desire darkened his expression. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

One-Mile is one of the most endearing misunderstood characters. He’s painted to be the cold and aloof bad boy, but is he really? He’s a trained operative and and lethal sniper, but there’s so much more to him than that. I loved seeing his fuzzy side come out when he’s around Brea. But there’s also this edgy appeal to him that you can’t deny. Their chemistry was absolutely incendiary! And the story completely addicting with plenty of suspense to really keep the reader on their toes. I loved it from cover to cover!

Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly eighty novels. For over twenty years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.

Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past eight years.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Connect with Shayla:

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· Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, Excerpts, Romantic Suspense · Tagged With: ,

Review: Crowne of Lies by CD Reiss

February 28, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

CROWNE OF LIES
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: CD Reiss
Release Date: February 28, 2020

Logan Crowne needs one year from Ella.

Twelve months living in his house, holding his hand, wearing his ring on her finger, and in exchange, she’ll get her father’s company in the divorce settlement.

They have one year to convince his skeptical parents that they’re happily in love, and he’s settled enough to run Crowne Industries.

Ella wants the company badly enough to live with a man who will never love her. She’ll sleep in his room and kiss him for show.

Her heart may melt whenever he’s around, and his touch may ignite a fire inside her, but surrender will break her heart.

She’s sure she can last a year without giving him her body.

She’s wrong.

AMAZON

Naughty was the wrong word for Logan. He was a completely and wonderfully debauched demon.

You know what I love about CD Reiss? The woman can write one heck of a sinfully sexy hero. I’m talking the cream of the crop here, people. A dirty talking god of a man. Logan Crowne was all of the things!

What’s in your head?”
“Getting my hand under your dress and finding out if you’re wet.”
“Logan,” I scolded in a hiss. “We just said—”
“We said no feelings.” He took me by the chin. “If I took you right now, f*cked you raw, gave you a dozen orgasms and came deep inside you, it would mean nothing to me.”
My panties were soaked through. “Me neither.”

I’ll give you a moment to compose yourself. Need a tissue? Some ice? All of the above. I’m telling you!!! The man damn near ruined me.

If you’re a fan of the marriage of convenience trope, this book is going to be your crack of choice.

What I love even more that Reiss’s dirty talking alpha males are her strong and sharp witted heroines. And boy did Ella check those boxes. She’s the polar opposite of proper and tightly wound Logan. She’s a free spirit, an artist, a woman that stands on her own two feet and will never let a man define her. But she’s also desperate to sustain her beloved father’s fashion label after his passing. She made a promise to him that is becoming increasingly difficult to keep with her step mother heading up the company. All she wants is enough money to buy the company outright, and the answer comes in the shape of an equally desperate Logan Crowne.

All Logan has known for years is work. Running himself thin has never been a problem, until his father ultimately gives him an ultimatum. His brother will run the company while Logan goes out there and lives his life. And when he finds happiness and a woman to settle down with, he’ll give him back the reins. Unfortunately Logan has no interest in love and happily ever afters like his parents’ marriage. So what’s a man to do? Pay a woman ten million dollars to marry him for a year. Ella challenges him at every turn. She’s nothing like what he needs, but he soon finds that she becomes everything he craves.

I loved the fiery chemistry between these characters. There’s just something so hot about a tightly wound man with a wicked tongue and a free spirited artist with sass and a nose ring. They’re polar opposites, but when they get together…FIREWORKS.

I gobbled this up in one sitting. I’ve become completely obsessed with this series. And the set up for the next book? I DIE!!! I need it!

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Review: Stolen Soulmate by Mary Catherine Gebhard

February 27, 2020 by · 2 Comments

STOLEN SOULMATE
Series: Crowne Point #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Mary Catherine Gebhard
Release Date: February 27, 2020

There’s a rule in Crowne Hall: never look a Crowne in the eyes.
It protects us more than them.
I broke it once, the night Grayson Crowne mistook me for his true love and stole my first kiss. I’ve regretted it every day since.
He hates me.
He torments me.
He won’t let me go, because that night he whispered a secret against my lips not meant for me. Grayson Crowne, heir to the Crowne empire and notorious playboy prince is… a virgin.
I signed a contract in my heart’s blood as much as ink: help him get back his love, repair what I broke. Give him my body, my soul, my heart, let him use all of me, so when the time comes to marry her, he won’t need me.
I shouldn’t need him.
But he’s my stolen soulmate, and I’m at his mercy.

Stolen Soulmate is the second book in the Crowne Pointuniverse. You do not need to have read Heartless Hero to read Stolen Soulmate, though it is recommended. It will enhance your reading experience as you will catch easter eggs and the timelines overlap.

AMAZON

When you look at a Crowne, they ruin your life. When you cross a Crowne…they make sure you wish you’d never been born.

*pats head to make sure I have any hair left*
*takes deep sigh*
*pats head again to double check*
*goes to pour self all of the alcohol*

OH MY GOD. NEVER has a book infuriated and fascinated me equally like this one did. It was angst to the OOOMPF degree. I have anxiety, heart burn, and the shakes all at once. GAH. Seriously. It’s a wonder my kindle survived the entirety of the story because I wanted to chuck it at the wall so many times. Almost as many times as I wanted to punch the hero in the baby maker. SO MANY TIMES. He was INFURIATING. And I loved him so much. What the hell is wrong with me? Wait! Don’t answer that. Rhetorical question, okay? GOD. But I digress here.

This was my first book by this author and DAMN. Am I kicking myself for not reading her sooner. If y’all know me or been following my reviews for a hot minute then you know I love me some angst. And this book? BROUGHT ALL OF THE ANGST. Oh my GAH. In my typical fashion of doing things back asswards, I read book two without having read book one. I’m sorry, OCD squad. It’s just how I roll. The good news is that I was able to get sucked into this world immediately. But I also ran to grab book one immediately after finishing this one and plan on rectifying my mistake ASAP.

His words were a jagged growl, and my heart pounded and ached from them. I was drunk, I was needy. He vibrated in my soul and clouded the air.

Now if you don’t like alphaholes that are thorny, broken, and cruel, back away from this book slowly. No seriously. Grayson Crowne will give you an aneurysm. But if you’re like me and salivate for the man with every mean thing he says because you know that deep down is a broken shell of man that uses his cruel facade to hide a vulnerable center? Welcome to your next addiction.

Grayson was one of those heroes that you just love to hate and hate to love. He was infuriating. He’s cold, callous, and downright vicious when he wants to be. He has the world at his feet but happiness has always been beyond his grasp. He lives for duty and his family legacy. What they say go, and a marriage of the right degree that solidifies his family’s presence even more has never been a question. Until a woman turns his word upside down. Story Hale is a servant in his family’s estate. It’s all she’s ever known. And when she accidentally stumbles into Grayson’s hands, she doesn’t realize what she’s in for. An agreement is born, a contract is signed, and everything is on the line, including her heart.

GUYS. This book. OMG! I can’t even. I read it in one sitting. Grayson made me absolutely livid in parts and broke my heart into a million pieces in others. His and Story’s romance is not sunshine and butterflies. It’s cruel, it’s painful, and it’s utterly addicting. It’s the train wreck that you can’t seem to look away from. You know it’s doomed, but you can’t tear yourself away. What kept me going was the small glimpses into the man Grayson really is. The one he hides behind his cold mask. The one I was ravenous for even the smallest piece of.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to rock myself in a dark corner somewhere until the next book in this series. Preferably with all of the wine. Because GAH. That is all.

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Review: Unforgiven by Jay Crownover

February 25, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

UNFORGIVEN
Series: Loveless, Texas #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Jay Crownover
Release Date: February 25, 2020

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series comes an irresistible and suspenseful romance between a tough Texas Ranger and his first love–a woman in danger who insists she doesn’t need his protection.

Hill Gamble is a model lawman: cool and collected, with a confident swagger to boot. Too bad all that Texas charm hasn’t gotten him anywhere in his personal life, especially since the only girl he ever loved has always been off-limits. But then Hill is assigned to investigate her father’s mysterious death, and he’s forced back to the town–and the woman–he left behind.

When Hill left Loveless, he broke Kody Lawton’s already battered heart. And now that he’s working on her father’s case, avoiding him is impossible. She can handle Hill and her unwanted feelings–until he puts his life on the line to protect her. Suddenly, Kody realizes that Hill could be taken away from her…for good.

Includes the bonus novella Cowboy to the Rescue by A.J. Pine!

AMAZON

It was my unfortunate luck that fate was determined to have love, death, and Kody Lawton pulling my strings for an eternity.

There is nothing more delicious than the sweet, sweet angst of unrequited love. And when that love is for your brother’s widow? I am SO HERE FOR IT.

The second Hill made his first appearance at the end of Justified, sparks flew. I’ve been practically salivating in my wait for his and Kody’s book. So the second this landed on my kindle, I jumped on it faster than you can say GIMME!

She always wanted space, and I was always running after her. It was like an adult game of tag, only I never managed to catch her.

Hill has been in love with Kody since they were teenagers. He was always the quiet reliable one to Kody’s fiery storm. Kody is the wild Lawton. She’s got sass for days and a wild streak that always keeps her on the skirt of trouble. Her entanglement with the local biker club and their prez is just one example. But Kody is also a broken soul. She lost the man she loved and she’s still trying to recover from all of it.

Loving him forced my icy heart to thaw. Losing him froze it right back up and shattered the brittle block of ice into a million pieces. I was certain I was never going to be warm.

And now the man that she least expects or wants to see is back to investigate her father’s murder and she’s forced to deal with all the feelings she thought she buried long ago.

I loved Hill’s quiet intensity and how he was this wall of reliability to Kody’s fire. He’s been in love with her since they were teens. But when she started dating his brother, he forced himself to back off. Kody knows that the blame she’s placed on Hill all these years is wrong, but she’s struggling. She’s struggling with her father’s death, even if he was a terrible father and a corrupt man. She’s struggling with her feelings for Hill. And she’s struggling with the threat against her family with the murderer still out there.

I fell so hard for Hill in this book. As much as I love me an alphahole, I love a good man, too. And Hill was as good as it gets. His love and protectiveness to Kody is incredible. My heart ached for him.

There’s so much that happened in this book that made for one page turner. There’s the suspense element with a couple of new characters that are introduced that I was immediately intrigued by. I’m slowly dying for Shot’s book and after the set up at the end of this book, I’m pretty sure I’ll die of anticipation. Hill and Kody’s romance was so incredibly satisfying. The mystery of Kody’s father murder continues while we get some of the puzzle pieces revealed and holy moly were those juicy! I can’t wait for the next book already!!

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Review: Not Your Shoe Size by Eve Dangerfield

February 19, 2020 by · 2 Comments

NOT YOUR SHOE SIZE
Series: Act Your Age #1.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Eve Dangerfield
Release Date: January 21, 2020

Kate McGrath knows the daddy situation has changed. For one thing her kink’s gone mainstream (what up, internet!) For another, her relationship with Ty, AKA Daddy, has growing pains. After years of protecting herself with faux-girliness, Kate finally feels like a woman. She wants Ty to treat her like a grown up (bedroom excluded, obviously), but emancipation is the first fantasy her daddy doesn’t seem able to fulfil…

Tyler Henderson is happy with things the way they are. And if they have to change, why can’t Kate marry him? That would be nice. And make him look like less of a dirty old man. He’ll fight to keep Middleton where she is, but he isn’t counting on a daddy rival, a man from Kate’s past who would be more than happy to take her off his hands…

Jealousy combines with mistaken identity to throw the status of one of Romancelandia’s top five D/LG couples (at least!) into turmoil. Ty and Kate need to find common ground, but love is a dangerous game, no matter what your age.

AMAZON

People weren’t nice, family wasn’t safe, home wasn’t a refuge, and love could twist until you felt like your partner was the biggest thing holding you back.

Confession time: I’m not a reader that gravitates towards books on additional books for a couple that’s already had a HEA. Why? Because I feel like every time I have, it always ruins the first book for me. Something happened that completely takes away from all the warm and fuzzies that I had with the first book and I end up hating myself a little in the end. So yeah. I don’t do it. Unless, Eve Dangerfield writes one. AND she writes it for one of my most beloved couples EVAH. Then I’m going to put on my big girl panties, suck it up, and take the plunge.

This was the perfect icing on the cake for this couple. It takes you through the struggles of their relationship and age gap after they’ve been together 5 years. It shows you the vulnerabilities that both Ty and Kate still continue to work through. It takes you into the true heart of them and I loved every second that I got to spend there. They’re still desperately in love and as kinky as ever, but they have broken pieces they’re trying to mend too. I don’t want to tell you too much so not to detract from the experience, but I will tell you that it was immensely satisfying and I especially loved the cheeky way it was all brought together. I see what you did there, Eve 🙂

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Review & Excerpt: Then You Happened by K. Bromberg

February 6, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

THEN YOU HAPPENED
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: K. Bromberg
Release Date: February 3, 2019

“Bromberg is the master of making hearts race and pulses pound.” -Jay Crownover, New York Times bestselling author

Then You Happened, an all-new small town stand-alone romance from New York Times bestselling author K. Bromberg, is available now!

 

Jack Sutton was the man I didn’t want to need.

His know-it-all attitude. His annoying suggestions. His outlook on life.

He was determined to help me while I had resolved to figure it out on my own.

But he taught me things I’d forgotten.

How to trust. How to believe in myself. Who I was.

The problem?

I went and fell in love with him.

—

Tatum Knox was the disaster I should have walked away from.

Her ruined reputation. Her failing business. Her chaotic life.

She hated me at first sight and yet intrigued me all at the same time.

I was only supposed to be there six months.

I was supposed to use that time to make amends for things I’d done wrong.

Instead I fell in love with her.

—

They say it’s better to have loved and lost, then not to have loved at all. Does that hold true when the love is based on a lie to begin with?

(THEN YOU HAPPENED is a STANDALONE enemies to lovers, small town romance. Full-length at one hundred and seven thousand words)

AMAZON | iBOOKS | NOOK | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

“Just face it, Knox. You’re head over heels in love with me.” Jack finally smiles, dimple winking and those eyes lighting up as he takes a step toward me, holding the scoop to his chest. “You can’t be near me because you want me, and you can’t talk to me because you get all flustered and tongue-tied.”“There is nothing about you I find attractive,” I lie.

He places the scoop in my hand but doesn’t let it go when I try to take it. “It’d be much easier and a whole lot less distracting if I could say the same of you.” He lets go of the scoop and dips the tip of his hat in an aw-shucks kind of way. “But I’m not one to lie.”

Our eyes hold across the short distance as his comment floats through the air and fades like the dust specks dancing in the sunlight.

“That won’t work, you know?” I say.

“What won’t?”

“You trying to charm me every time you want something. I know your kind, Jack Sutton, and I’m not impressed by them.”

“Is that so?” He shifts on his feet and adjusts his hat before re-crossing his arms over his chest. “And what kind is that?”

“A man who uses his good looks and smooth words to get his way with people. A man who turns on the charm to disguise it.”

His eyes darken and then narrow. “Just like you’re the woman who keeps living her privileged life . . . fiddling while Rome burns down around her?” he counters, making me want to scream that he knows nothing about me or how I live or what I’ve been through for the last year. A small part of me is shouting about how that was his point, but I tell the voice to shut up. “And if by good looks and smooth words, you’re implying I’m like Fletcher, I suggest you not infer that again.” That muscle in his jaw feathers in contempt.

“I’m not the woman you think I am.”

He twists his lips and stares at me in a way that feels like he is seeing right through me. It’s unnerving and unsettling, and I force myself not to look away because his silence is telling me that maybe he thinks I am.

I’m not sure why that bugs me. Why I want him to see me as someone different.

“I’m not even certain you know who that woman is either.”

There’s something about Jack Sutton that calls to me, and it’s so much more than learning how to trust again.

K. Bromberg is my happy place. She just is. And with every book she releases, she just solidifies that place more and more in my heart. Her stories hit me right in the feels and this one just rooted right in and made itself at home.
*happy sigh*

Tatum Knox. The unexpected woman I can’t seem to get enough of. I’ve definitely fucking fallen for her. And hell if that isn’t a hard one to swallow.

This is a heartfelt and highly emotional story of redemption, forgiveness, and moving on. It’s a wonderfully poignant romance with plenty of feels and all of the sizzle, and this reader couldn’t get enough.

Tatum Knox is one tough cookie. After giving up everything for a man once, she’s now learning how to pick up the pieces of the semblance of what her life once was. She’s tough, angry, and totally fierce. Trying to make ends meet living in a small town that hates her and holding on to her ranch that’s barely breaking even. She’s determined to make it work, and she won’t let anyone run her off, even when the town’s citizens are fully determined to do so. So when a gorgeous cowboy shows up on her doorstep promising to be her salvation as her branch manager, she promptly fires him before even hiring him.

Jack is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. He’s in the small town and on Tatum’s doorstep to pay a debt he promised to keep. So even when she snipes at him at every turn and the gossip about her is less than pleasant, he has enough reason to stay and work through it. But as he works through Tatum’s defenses, he begins to see a whole different side to the woman she first seems to be.

This was such a beautiful romance, y’all. It was full of heart and emotion. Both Tatum and Jack are slow to trust, yet they soon figure out that they fit each other’s broken pieces. Jack is everything I love in my heroes. He’s a little cocky, funny, and determined. When he sets his eyes on Tatum, he fights their connection HARD. But the connection between them is simply undeniable.

I adored this story. Simply adored it. I loved the two of them together. I loved their road to HEA even if it was filled with plenty of bumps along the way. There are some characters that I would have loved some more closure for, but alas, this book wouldn’t be as touching as it was if that was there. If you’re looking for a memorable and emotional read, you need this one in your life!

New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines, and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

A mom of three, she plots her novels in between school runs and soccer practices, more often than not with her laptop in tow.

Since publishing her first book in 2013, Kristy has sold over one million copies of her books across sixteen different countries and has landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists over twenty-five times. Her Driven trilogy (Driven, Fueled, and Crashed) is currently being adapted for film by Passionflix with the first movie slated to release in the summer of 2018.

She is currently working on her Everyday Heroes trilogy. This series consists of three complete standalone novels—Cuffed, Combust, and Cockpit (late spring 2018)—and is about three brothers who are emergency responders, the jobs that call to them, and the women who challenge them.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media or sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date on all her latest releases and sales: http://bit.ly/254MWtI

 

Connect with K. Bromberg

Website: http://www.kbromberg.com

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2QYIfBC

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2sVi7Qe

Instagram: http://bit.ly/36ywE2S

Amazon Author: http://amzn.to/204Qnfz

GoodReads: http://bit.ly/1koZIkL

Join her Reader Group: http://bit.ly/1PMUoG3

Stay up to date with K. Bromberg by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/254MWtI

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Jennifer & Lana’s Review: The Rules of Engagement by JT Geissinger

February 3, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romcom
Author: JT Geissinger
Release Date: January 28, 2020

Love is a battlefield for a quirky matchmaker and the cocky football star who hires her to find him a wife.

As the owner of Perfect Pairings matchmaking service, Maddie McRae earns her living helping others fall in love. And one thing the sweet Southern belle knows for sure is that the foundation of wedded bliss is built on similarities: opposites might attract, but they don’t stay together.

Enter Mason Spark.

Rude, arrogant, and notoriously allergic to monogamy, the hottest quarterback in the NFL is Maddie’s polar opposite. He’s also her new client. Her gorgeous, infuriating new client who’s paying her an outrageous sum of money to find him a wife. With his multi-million dollar contract on the line due to his behavior on and off the field, bad boy Mason is willing to pretend to settle down.

But when he starts to fall for the adorkable matchmaker who can’t stand him, the playboy finds himself in the game of his life to keep something he never thought he’d lose—his heart.

Eyes blazing, she says, “You know, before I met you, I hadn’t argued with anyone in fifteen years.”
“Doubtful. That tongue of yours is way too sharp to be outta practice.”

OH MY GOD. My face actually hurts from smiling so much. This was the most fun I’ve had reading a book in a while. It had the perfect amount of humor all wrapped around witty and fun banter, all anchored by a sizzling slow burn romance that I couldn’t get enough of.

My mistake was presenting lovely, intelligent, gracious single women who desired to meet equally lovely, intelligent, gracious single men. What Mason Spark needs is a lady gorilla.

J.T. Geissinger is an auto-read author for me. I don’t even bother reading the blurbs to her books because I already know I’m going to read them. But when I saw she’s coming out with something different from her usual, you know I had to read the blurb. And when I read the blurb to this, it gave me total Match Me If You Can vibes. And in case it’s not obvious, I loved Match Me If You Can. Yet this is not exactly the type of trope you find often. Now don’t get me wrong, this book totally stood out in its own unique right, and it hit every spot I never even knew I had.

It’s too bad the man has the personality of a chupacabra, because he’s actually very good-looking.

Mason is a football superstar, and a royal grump. I’m talking the king of grumps here. He’s a bit of a recluse and the only kind of woman he likes is a temporary one. But his agent is convinced that the only thing that would pull his terrible rep out of the pits of hell is a woman. Or a wife specifically. There’s just one problem, Mason has the temperament of a bear with a thorn in his paw. In comes Maddie, matchmaker extraordinaire. She’s a little prissy, a lot proper, with souther charm, a love of pink and mouth full of sass. The two of them set off instant fireworks, and so begins the best banter of all time.

Mason doesn’t believe in love where Maddie loves love. She’s determined to find Mason the perfect woman while he’s convinced she doesn’t exist. They snipe and snarl at each other at every step, and soon Maddie realizes that Mason doesn’t just need a matchmaker, he needs a dating coach. And off they go. You guys. These two had some of the funniest, cutest, and witty banter I’ve read in a while. The two of them set the pages on fire with their chemistry. And yet the slow burn sizzled so good, it actually made my ovaries hurt. True story.

Maddie is the perfect southern belle to Mason’s grump. GOD. He was so grumpy. I loved him. I loved her even more. Enter the most perfect secondary characters with Maddie’s aunt and Mason’s agent, and everything was just GAH. I couldn’t get enough of this story. Like I never wanted it to end. It was the cutest, quirkiest, sassiest, swooniest thing EVER. SO stinking good. If you’re looking for a lighthearted, witty, and feel-good romcom, this will hit every spot for you. TRUST ME.

JENNIFER’S REVIEW

This book is a super sweet read with a big dollop of sexual tension. It was sexual tension at first sight! It had me grinning through the whole thing, and I enjoyed every second of it.


Mason.

He is just so grumpy! And delicious! I love him! He’s got some PR issues, so his manager connects him with a matchmaker. He doesn’t want one, but he goes along with it. From the moment he meets Maddie, there are sparks and chemistry and delightful frustration. Mason has some anger management to deal with (along with basic dating etiquette), and Maddie is there to keep him in check and determined to find the right match for him, despite all of his outward emotional flaws.

Maddie.

She runs a matchmaking business and believes in true love. She’s got the sexy librarian look going on, but she is a tough pink cookie. Despite Maddie being the polar opposite of Mason, she still sees the good in him. She goes toe-to-toe with him in every verbal battle, and I loved her.

Mason and Maddie have both been hurt in the past in different ways (I appreciate that the author didn’t spend too much time on this), which makes them connect on a deeper level and need each other that much more.

It’s the perfect haters to lovers romance. The sweet sexual tension. The slow burn. I’m not usually a fan of slow burns, but this one had me hooked and I just couldn’t stop reading because of all the grinning.

I’ll read anything J.T. writes.

p.s. I didn’t care for the multiple points of view (match-making behind the scenes). It was cute, but it just wasn’t for me.

J.T. Geissinger is a bestselling author of emotionally charged romance and women’s fiction. Ranging from funny, feisty rom coms to intense, edgy suspense, her books have sold more than one million copies and been translated into several languages.

She is the recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and is a two-time finalist for the RITA® Award from the Romance Writers of America®. She has also been a finalist in the Booksellers’ Best, National Readers’ Choice, and Daphne du Maurier Awards.

Her first novel was published in 2012. Since then she’s written eighteen more novels. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drinking wine, surfing the internet, and daydreaming about all the things she’s going to be when she grows up. She lives near the beach in Los Angeles with her husband and deaf/demented rescue kitty, Ginger.

Connect with J.T. Geissinger

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | GoodReads | BookBub | Website

Join Geissinger’s Gang Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2Oj7iMg

Stay up to date by joining J.T.’s mailing list: http://bit.ly/39KRQol

 

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