Category: After Hours

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Book Review: Nailed Down by Chelle Bliss & Eden Butler

 

 


Nailed Down 

by Chelle Bliss & Eden Butler
 

Release Date: 20th March
 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 
 

Buy the Book 
 

Amazon→ http://amzn.to/2sBII3O
iBooks→ https://apple.co/2ByK8PE
Nook→ http://bit.ly/2HlieXO
Kobo→ http://bit.ly/2o1Wc45
Amazon UK→ http://amzn.to/2C3hbMK
Amazon CA→ http://amzn.to/2HmY4fZ
Amazon AU→ http://amzn.to/2Cr1Px2
 

Goodreads TBR→ chellebliss.com/nd-tbr

#naileddown
 

 

Buy the Paperback & get the ebook FREE >>>>>> http://amzn.to/2C3dwye


Synopsis
 


Kit Carlyle isn’t just some woman. Beautiful? Yep. Seductive? Damn straight. She’s also my best friend and my co-worker. But, hell, I’m a guy with a pulse. Every once in a while, I take a look and think filthy things about her that maybe I shouldn’t.

 

But when her cousin dies and leaves her with a long as hell and sexy bucket list, Kit turns to me for a helping hand. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a woman in need. Besides, I’m damn sure not about to let another man steal away my girl, occupy her bed, or fill my shoes.

But as the stakes get higher and the items become hotter, I’ll have to face the toughest challenge of all: admitting I want more than Kit’s friendship.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Kiel was slick, always had some woman on the side because he was a good-looking dude and he could talk a preacher into a porno subscription.

 

I winked at her, and I decided just then to wink at her as much as I could. The effect made my gut flutter like a virgin groom getting a lap dance at his bachelor party.

 

My Review:

 

Sizzle and snap! Nailed Down was an amusing and cleverly written slow burn adult romance that was a fun and sexy read while also managing to have little actual sex in it, but once they finally hit the sheets – wowza… the linens were scorched beyond repair! I adored this original and entertaining story as much as it enjoyed the quirky cast of characters. I smirked, snorted, and sighed my way through this sweet and steamy tale.


Meet the Authors

Chelle Bliss
 

USA Today bestselling author Chelle Bliss currently lives in a small town near the Gulf of Mexico. She’s a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, and coffee fiend. She’s written over ten books and has two series available. She loves spending her free time with her boyfriend, 2 cats, and her hamster.

Before becoming a writer, Chelle taught high school history for over ten years. She holds a master’s degree in Instructional Technology and a bachelor’s in History. Although history is her first love, writing has become her dream job and she can’t imagine doing anything else.
WEBSITE – FACEBOOK – NEWSLETTER – TWITTER – INSTAGRAM

 


Eden Butler
 

Eden Butler is an editor and writer of Fantasy, Mystery and Contemporary Romance novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum.
When she’s not writing or wondering about her possibly Jack Sparrowesque ancestor, Eden patiently waits for her Hogwarts letter, edits, reads and spends way too much time watching rugby, Doctor Who and New Orleans Saints football.
She is currently living under teenage rule alongside her husband in southeast Louisiana.    Please send help.

WEBSITE – FACEBOOK – NEWSLETTER – TWITTER – INSTAGRAM

 

Subscribe to Eden’s newsletter http://eepurl.com/VXQXD for giveaways, sneak peeks and various goodies that might just give you a chuckle.

 

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Book Review: Showing Up (THE GEG SERIES #4) by Jacquelyn Ayres

Book: Showing Up

THE GEG SERIES

Author: Jacquelyn Ayres

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

 #ShowingUpTour




GOODREADS



Synopsis:

Julie McEvoy has been mourning the loss of her mother most of her life. Only . . . her mother isn’t dead. She’s not missing. She’s not even far away. She’s just not there the way a mother should be.

Having enough of the passive-aggressive loop their relationship has been on, Julie cuts ties completely with Cynthia. It shouldn’t matter; Cynthia’s never really there for her anyhow. She doesn’t need her mother anymore.

Except—she does.

Cynthia McEvoy has been keeping secrets for over thirty years. She’s not proud of it, but it has helped her to become the strong, independent woman she is today. The same strong woman who is now trying to pick up and glue back the pieces of the relationships she’s either destroyed along the way or never allowed any nourishment for. 

Hopefully, it’s not too late.

Sometimes you have to go back to the beginning to understand how behaviors start, why they continue for so long, and where to begin the healing process.

 


 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Nothing puts your ass in check quicker than realizing you’re turning into your mother.

 

I’m Australian, yet no one is ever sure if I am or if I’m English, so I’m intriguing. My man-card is platinum, dude.

 

I know. I’m really proud of you . . . learning English like that. Has it been harder to understand with Dumbass being your native tongue?

 

Believe me, darling, when I tell you that man needs absolutely no help in that department. I’m half surprised his willy hasn’t fallen off yet.

 

Everyone has a spirit animal, ours is the sloth…

 

I’m at an age in my life where I’d rather start off with a promising ‘hello’ kiss than worrying about a ‘goodnight’ kiss for the entire date.

My Review:

 

I smirked and giggle-snorted my way through this irreverently humorous and cheeky tale that was overflowing with quirky and sassy characters, f-bombs, family drama, and heart-squeezing and swoon-worthy romance. Sigh.   I adore Jacquelyn Ayres naughty wit and imagine she would be a top shelf friend and good fun to be around, rain or shine. Deftly written from multiple points of view, the snark was well-honed, the banter was spicy, the nursery rhymes were naughty, the quips were cleverly pitched, and the inner musings were insightfully observant and tugged at the heart. I was highly impatient and needled with curiosity to uncover the treasure trove of Cynthia’s thirty-year-old secrets the wily author periodically taunted me with… I had a feeling her history was going to be a heart ripper, and the creative and ingenious Ms. Ayres did not disappoint. Don’t you dare tell me we’ve run out of GEGs, so who is next Ms. Ayres? Dare I suggest a clever cougar addition to Maddie’s practice who just happens to be named DJ? Hmm?
Meet the Author: 

      I am a domestic engineer (born and raised in New Jersey) whose sole responsibility is guiding three young, impressionable kids into becoming phenomenal adults. This challenging yet rewarding work requires a lot of love (coffee), patience (wine), and determination (periodic exorcisms). And so far—I’m nailing it! I used to work all of this magic from the beautiful state of New Hampshire but am now blessing North Carolina with my brand of harmless crazy. You’re welcome, North Carolina.
      Before becoming a domestic goddess (not really), I spent over a decade working in the medical field, where I wore more hats than the queen.
      I have loved the written word and the great escape it provides since I was a little girl. When I wasn’t reading about people and the places they lived, I created my own characters and adventures. Finally, I started putting a pen to paper and allowing my characters to come to life.

When I don’t have a pen in hand, you can often find me laughing at the conversations my characters are having in my head.

Social Links
Facebook        Twitter          Goodreads  

 

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES (All on Sale!)

Under Contract – 99c
Universal Link: books2read.com/u/3kjLGb
In The Mix – 99c

Universal Link: books2read.com/u/bW8wG3
Crossing The Line – 1.99
Universal Link: books2read.com/u/mZEvp3
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Book Review: No Ordinary Love (Sweetbriar Cove #6) by Melody Grace

Title: No Ordinary Love
Series: Sweetbriar Cove #6
Author: Melody Grace
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 12, 2018
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Blurb
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For journalist Eliza Bennett, summers in Sweetbriar  Cove were her happiest childhood memories. Now that she’s been unceremoniously fired, she hopes the small town will work its magic again and help get her life back on track. She definitely isn’t looking for a distraction like the handsome stranger she meets on her way into town… especially when she discovers he might be the man behind her recent misfortunes.

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Cal Prescott is in Sweetbriar Cove adjusting to (or escaping from) his new role as head of the family company. He’s always prided himself on his cool logic, but reckoning with the outspoken spitfire, Eliza, is making him forget his responsibilities – and why falling in love would be such a bad idea.

The sparks between them are red-hot, and soon, their passion is heating up the summer nights. But can Eliza and Cal find a way through their differences – or will this opposites-attract romance burn out before it even begins?

Find out in the latest swoon-worthy Sweetbriar Cove romance from New York Times bestselling author, Melody Grace!

The Sweetbriar Cove Series of standalone romances:


#1 Meant to Be
#2 All for You
#3 The Only One
#4 I’m Yours
#5 Holiday Kisses
#6 No Ordinary Love

#7 Wildest Dreams (July 2018)

 

Purchase Links
.
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Available at other retailers soon.

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

 

“Maybe he’s been hit by a bus,” she said, still watching her silent phone. “Maybe he ran out of the gala after me, got hit by a bus, and has been in traction all week, unable to call?” She exhaled with a rueful smile. “Wow, you know things are really bad when the best-case scenario involves a gruesome accident.”

My Review:

 

Cal and Eliza started off with bad blood between them, as in her mind; he was the cause of her recent unemployment. Yet they seemed to have a spark, although it was often one of annoyance, but a spark nonetheless. They had one of the most awkward first dates imaginable, which was only improved by hours of vomiting due to a mutual bout of food poisoning that occurred during the date. I always enjoy returning to this series and becoming reacquainted with the previously featured couples and new friends. I enjoy Ms. Grace’s humor, quirky yet endearingly flawed characters, and engaging storylines. This entertaining series has been easy to follow with each installment being an interconnected yet stand-alone volume.

Also Available
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GOOGLE PLAY

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AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Author Bio

NYT bestselling author, a SoCal transplant, and sexy romance junkie 😉 I never say no to ice-cream…
Author Links
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Book Review: Fatal Chaos by Marie Force

Fatal Chaos

by Marie Force

 

 

First the calm. Then the storm…

Escaping DC during the dog days of summer is one of the smartest moves Washington metro police lieutenant Samantha Holland ever made. Beach walks aren’t quite as romantic with the Secret Service in tow, but Sam and her husband, Vice President Nick Cappuano, cherish the chance to recharge and reconnect—especially with a scandal swirling around the administration.

No sooner are they back home than a fatal drive-by shooting sets the city on edge. The teenage victim is barely older than Sam and Nick’s son, Scotty. As more deaths follow, Sam and her team play beat the clock to stop the ruthless killers. With Nick facing his greatest challenge—one that could drastically change all their lives and even end Sam’s career—will the mounting pressure deepen or damage their bond?

My Rating:

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

I think you can only get an annulment before the marriage is consummated. Since we’ve consummated ours about six thousand times, I’d say you’re screwed in more ways than one.

 

There’s my nonfelon wife. I’m so glad I’m not going to have to visit you in prison, although I bet the conjugal visits would’ve been hot.

 

“She should’ve been spanked more as a child,” Celia said, teasing. Sam laughed. “They couldn’t catch me to spank me.”

 

“Mom! Language!” “I’ll put fifty in the swear jar.” “That swear jar is going to put me through college… Better make it a hundred bucks… I have a feeling this is gonna be a long day.”

 

“Stop making excuses for them,” Scotty said. “They’re unseemly. And yes, that’s one of our vocabulary words this week. My parents are unseemly. See? I can even use it in a sentence.” Sam and Nick rocked with laughter… Scotty folded his arms and shook his head. “You guys suck at this.” To Celia, he said, “Is there a class or something they can take before they totally mess me up?”

My Review:

 

Fatal Chaos was my perfect read with a good cross-section of suspense, sizzle, clever humor, a sexy and supportive loving couple, compelling and likable characters, a well-crafted and unpredictable storyline, and excellent writing. It was superb from start to finish, even if one of the main characters was a politician – but this is how you know you are reading fiction since he wasn’t a self-serving and egotistical weasel. I adored the snappy dialogue, and highly amusing verbal sparring and irreverent bickering Sam engaged in with her husband, partner, son, and father. They each held their own and gave as good as they got. There were multiple storylines going at once, all were actively engaging, busy, and highly interesting.   The random and vexing crime spree was heartbreaking yet realistic, relevant, and one I could not have solved. I love when that happens!

 

About the Author

 Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, including the indie-published Gansett Island Series and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books. In addition, she is the author of the Butler, Vermont Series, the Green Mountain Series and the erotic romance Quantum Series. In 2019, her new historical Gilded series from Kensington Books will debut with Duchess By Deception. 

All together, her books have sold 6.5 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list many times. She is also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, a Speigel bestseller in Germany, a frequent speaker and publishing workshop presenter as well as a publisher through her Jack’s House Publishing romance imprint. She is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award for romance fiction. 

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.
Join Marie’s mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter @marieforce and on Instagram. Join one of Marie’s many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.
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Book Review:  Sounds and Spirits (Hemlock Creek #2) by Josie Kerr

 Sounds and Spirits
Hemlock Creek #2
by Josie Kerr

Add on Goodreads

 Amazon

 

Forty-eight-year-old Liddie Hopewell doesn’t quite know what to do with herself after her husband passes away after a long illness. When one of her beloved uncles encourages her to come back to Hemlock Creek, she heads home, with her daughter and granddaughter in tow.

Tobias Harper moved back to north Georgia after three decades in Nashville, hoping to recharge and regroup. A successful musician and songwriter, Tobias is searching for inspiration but a vindictive ex-wife and the ghost of his overbearing father seem to be all he’s finding.

High school sweethearts more than three decades before, Liddie and Tobias have a chance meeting at the local tavern. A second unexpected encounter leads to answers of long-unresolved questions. Will Liddie and Tobias be able to rebuild the relationship they once had, or will the burden of the past prove to be too much for their newly-rekindled love affair to bear?

 

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I don’t know how you didn’t go crazy, Mimi. What did you guys do for fun? Chase goats? Make cheese?

 

I had myself a little Steel Magnolias come-undone, complete with finding the flower arrangement she sent and running it over with my car… Backed over it three times and then put it back in the reception area. That was not my finest moment. She just made me so damn mad… She just had the unmitigated gall to be twenty years younger, fifty pounds lighter, and about five inches taller.

 

Marty raised his eyebrows so high they shifted his toupee back on his head,

 

And for the record, the biggest thing about Tobias is his heart and his kindness, but, honey, everything is physically proportional, and that, my dear, is mighty fine.

 

My Review:

 

Book two in the series provides more delightfully amusing, eye-popping, sheet-scorching, and heart-squeezing excellence from the smooth and clever wordsmith known as Josie Kerr. I couldn’t read fast enough to get to the mysterious secret that had been deeply buried for thirty years, I thought I knew what it was, but I was wrong. Multiple tropes and genres were tapped for this well-crafted tale as it was part second-chance adult romance and part family drama with small-town complications, clever humor, and southern flavoring. It was a quick, entertaining, and spicy read that kept me smirking. I mourned finishing and yearned for more.   Write faster Ms. Kerr; you have provoked an addiction that you are now required to feed.

 

 

Josie Kerr  

Website

Twitter
authorjosiekerr

Goodreads


Josie Kerr is a transplanted West Texan living on the edge of semi-profoundly rural Georgia, a.k.a. the southernmost edge of the northernmost county in Metro Atlanta.

She has an M.Ed. in Secondary English Education but discovered that she hated high school more the second time than she did the first, so she decided to meld her love of technology with her education background and became an Instructional Designer. When not writing articles about how to fire someone without getting sued or why you should really not apply for jobs using your SexxyStud99@aol.com email address, she writes steamy romance novels that feature grown-up Heroes and Heroines.

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Book Review: Whiskey and Serendipity (Hemlock Creek Volume 1) by Josie Kerr

Whiskey and Serendipity 

(Hemlock Creek Volume 1) 

by Josie Kerr

Goodreads

Amazon

Nothing is going right for Kate Fahey, a forty-two-year-old risk analyst, on her last-minute business trip to Ireland. From one screwup to another, the trip has the potential to be an unmitigated disaster. The handsome Southern gentleman she meets on the flight provides a welcome distraction from her very bad day, but in her rush to a get to a meeting, she leaves the plane before she can turn her flirtation into something more.

Forty-five, fresh from a divorce and recently unemployed, Cal Harper decides to go on what should have been a delayed honeymoon to Ireland alone. Cal only wants the comfort found at the bottom of a bottle. Even hungover after a trans-Atlantic flight, he knows it was a mistake not to make future plans with the beautiful woman who sat next to him the entire time.
When the luck of the Irish brings the two strangers back together, they throw caution to the wind and agree to a wild, holiday fling. Will their short time together be enough? Or will they be forced to go back to their separate lives when they return to the US?
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My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

His deep voice reminded her of a really good bourbon—a little raspy, but ultimately smooth and languid.

 

Oh, don’t call me Mr. Harper. That’s my ol’ man, and I haven’t pissed you off enough to warrant that sort of bone-deep ugliness.

 

Babe, if this is your version of fast, going slow just might kill me…

 

Yeah, you’re right—this is a lotta look. It’s like . . . a granny’s house, but only if that granny was obsessed with both Gunsmoke and Miami Vice.

 

You know, when I met Nolan, Bridget promised she’d never try to fix me up with either of his brothers because you both needed hand trucks to haul around your emotional baggage. But you know what? … I’ll take you, baggage and all.”

 

Hold on, darlin’. Give me a chance to get the blood directed to my brain again.

 

My Review:

 

They met on a long plane ride and enjoyed each other’s company as they crossed the Atlantic, but despite the immediate attraction, somehow they didn’t exchange information, but then they just so happened to meet up again while attending the same conference in the same Irish hotel. Fate – maybe, serendipity – obviously, outstanding Irish luck – most certainly!   I adored this book start to finish! Josie Kerr has a wily sense of humor and is a master storyteller as she quickly sucked me into a captivating Cal Harper/Kat Fahey vortex with her cleverly amusing writing style, alluring and quirky characters, and enticing and engaging storylines. Even the cranky characters were appealing and/or intriguing. And sizzle and snap – this couple threw sparks and scorched the ceiling as well as the sheets. This series has proven to be addictive as the other stories are already beckoning to me. I greedily want all Ms. Kerr’s lovely and witty words; I need to know all there is to know about each of them. Thankfully I already have the second book ready for perusal.

 

 

Whiskey and Serendipity can also be found as part of the Tempting Luck Anthology


In this 21 book boxed set, from New York Times, USA Today, and other bestselling authors, find out just how lucky you can be with just one click. You’ll be packing your bags and hoping Ireland will have just that sexy sort of magic you’ve been looking for.

Goodreads

Amazon

 


Josie Kerr   

Website

Twitter
authorjosiekerr

Goodreads

Amazon

Josie Kerr is a transplanted West Texan living on the edge of semi-profoundly rural Georgia, a.k.a. the southernmost edge of the northernmost county in Metro Atlanta.

She has an M.Ed. in Secondary English Education but discovered that she hated high school more the second time than she did the first, so she decided to meld her love of technology with her education background and became an Instructional Designer. When not writing articles about how to fire someone without getting sued or why you should really not apply for jobs using your SexxyStud99@aol.com email address, she writes steamy romance novels that feature grown-up Heroes and Heroines.

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Book Review: Marriage of Inconvenience by Penny Reid

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Marriage of Inconvenience, an all new romantic comedy standalone in the USA Today bestselling, Knitting in the City Series by Penny Reid, is LIVE!

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There are three things you need to know about Kat Tanner (aka Kathleen Tyson. . . and yes, she is *that* Kathleen Tyson): 1) She’s determined to make good decisions, 2) She must get married ASAP, and 3) She knows how to knit.

Being a billionaire heiress isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, it sucks. Determined to live a quiet life, Kat Tanner changed her identity years ago and eschewed her family’s legacy. But now, Kat’s silver spoon past has finally caught up with her, and so have her youthful mistakes. To avoid imminent disaster, she must marry immediately; it is essential that the person she chooses have no romantic feelings for her whatsoever and be completely trustworthy.

Fortunately, she knows exactly who to ask. Dan O’Malley checks all the boxes: single, romantically indifferent to her, completely trustworthy. Sure, she might have a wee little crush on Dan the Security Man, but with clear rules, expectations, and a legally binding contract, Kat is certain she can make it through this debacle with her sanity—and heart—all in one piece.

Except, what happens when Dan O’Malley isn’t as indifferent—or as trustworthy—as she thought?

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Read Today!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2GjPbU1

Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/MarriageofInconvenience

iBooks: https://apple.co/2FjtjGW

Nook: http://bit.ly/2yycreU

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2zRl42J

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2neqv6k

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

They have this turkey sub with stuffing and cranberry sauce. It’s like Thanksgiving in a sandwich, but without the additional seasoning of my drunk uncle Zip’s politics, or my sister Cathy’s failed attempts at pumpkin pie. The woman never met a recipe she didn’t want to ruin by making it vegan. What the fuck is almond milk? They don’t call it ‘nut juice’ but that’s exactly what it is.

 

My stomach colluded with my heart to switch places because—if my brain could be trusted—it looked like he was giving me the sexy eyes.

 

He doesn’t scare me. He’s older than both of us, but he looks like the sort that still trips over his umbilical cord, you know? Needs everything spelled out with alphabet soup, doesn’t get the picture unless it’s finger-painted.

 

Her tone was so salty, it made me thirsty.

 

I stared at Dan, my lips parting in wonder. He’d just used some variation of the F-word as a noun, verb, adverb, and adjective all in one sentence. I didn’t know whether to be mortified or impressed.

 

I frowned, my mood shifting suddenly because, who would name their dog Bark Wahlberg? Only the funniest, cleverest, most amazing man in the world, that’s who.

 

He’ll be back. He’s like my mailman… He always comes back and brings bad news.

 

My Review:

 

I loved every word of this cleverly written and highly amusing book. Over five hundred pages of delightfully arranged words and I would covet five hundred more of the same. I adored this smart, quirky, and enticing group of characters and could never tire of reading of their antics, shenanigans, and perilous adventures.   The cheese-loving heiress Kat was advised to quickly find herself married to prevent her sinister and nefarious cousin (AKA Tiny Satan) from gaining control of her treasure chest of assets and family’s business empire by appointing himself as her guardian and having her committed. Enter Dan the sexy security man – foul-mouthed, expletive-spewing, creative cussing, bawdy talking Dan; who was excellence personified and my new BBF.   Written from my favorite dual POV, this book was complete perfection. Humor, a sweet romance, danger, an original and well-crafted plot, and top-notch writing – all in one place. There was nothing more I could have asked for. I treasure and idolize the Divine Penny Reid whose prose had me Googling the Five Knuckle Shuffle. I am always excited about learning new things 😉

Meet Penny Reid:

Penny Reid is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. When she’s not immersed in penning smart romances, Penny works in the biotech industry as a researcher. She’s also a full-time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

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Connect with Penny:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD

Twitter: @ReidRomance

Newsletter: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/

www.pennyreid.ninja

 

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Book Review: Love Broken by J.D. Hollyfield

Title: Love Broken
Author: J.D. Hollyfield
Genre: RomCom/Contemporary
Release Date: February 26, 2018

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My name is Katie Beller, but the world, as of late, knows me as Bailey Swan, the love guru behind my bestselling book.

Want the shortened version? Here it is: 

Love was stupid.

A fake. A farce

Love was broken. 

Women everywhere were eating up my advice and fighting back against fake love. My book started a relationship revolution. And I stood by my story. 

Until I met Charlie Bates.

When I throw all my own rules and advice out the window after a week-long rendezvous, I start to wonder just how real my words were. Maybe love might be just a little more complicated than I thought. 

Maybe I’m the one who’s love broken.
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My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I don’t have a great literary background story for you on how my book hit the big time, or any “awe” love story that pushed me to write it. To be honest, I’m a bartender at a local hole in the wall in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and I just get to hear and see a lot of shit.

 

What I didn’t expect was a cult-like following of women to read my book of words and start a hateration on dead-beat men.

 

I don’t dance. Mainly because I don’t know how to, so this game of who can make who jealous more, quickly starts blowing up in my face, since I look like I’m having a seizure over trying to get hot and heavy on the dance floor.

 

My love got so messy, it should have come with a cleaning kit. To say it was a bit turbulent at times was an understatement.

 

My Review:

 

No matter how carefully I shop, I often come home with a new carton of eggs only to later notice an obvious fissure in one of them.   Love Broken was my twelfth J.D. Hollyfield read, and my least favorite of the otherwise crack-free dozen.   I started off with a smirk and high expectations, anticipating writing up another 5-Star review for the crafty author I had previously experienced to be cleverly amusing, but my smile and projected rating started to slip, bounced a bit, then plummeted with a grimace for an uncomfortably long stretch while I actively sighed, before finally resuming to a habitable level again shortly before I ran out of pages and optimism.

My chief source of consternation was my lack of appreciation for the irritable main character of Katie, and all the brooding, conflict, and angst she mired herself with. I had adored previous readings of Ms. Hollyfield’s amusing work and had aspirations of liking this one as well, so I expended a considerable amount of energy while endeavoring to find some admirable traits in the cowardly Katie.   However, other than her witty snark and euphoric sexual chemistry with the cut, buff, and swoon-worthy character of Charlie/Chase, I found Katie rather tedious and exasperating; the annoyingly cranky and immature type of personality I actively avoid in real life.   Katie was bitterly insecure, bitingly bitchy, irresponsible, and tiresomely stubborn. I couldn’t fathom why the besotted Charlie/Chase would bother with her, other than the explosive sensual gymnastics they performed. Sizzle and snap! They scorched the sheets!

Don’t get me wrong. Love Broken was not a bad book, just not as balanced or engagingly entertaining as I have come to expect from the talented wordsmith. Despite the periodic sparkles of clever humor, I read with a darkening sense of personal disappointment that blossomed into dire discontent, which then morphed into disenchantment and near despair, but I ended on a higher note of relief with the desirable destination of a satisfying HEA conclusion. Could I have possibly added more d-words to that sentence?

 

Creative designer, mother, wife, writer, part-time superhero…

J.D. Hollyfield is a creative designer by day and superhero by night. When she’s not trying to save the world one happy ending at a time, she enjoys the snuggles of her family and three doxies. With her love for romance, and head full of book boyfriends, she was inspired to test her creative abilities and bring her own story to life.

J.D. Hollyfield lives in the Midwest, and is currently at work on blowing the minds of readers, with the additions of her new books and series, along with her charm, humor and HEA’s.
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Book Review, Giveaway : Misadventures of a College Girl by Lauren Rowe

Misadventures of a College Girl

 

by Lauren Rowe

 

Goodreads

 


#MisadventuresofaCollegeGirl
 

 


***MISADVENTURES ARE STANDALONE ROMANCES THAT CAN BE READ IN ANY ORDER***

Synopsis
 

Straitlaced freshman Zooey Cartwright has arrived at UCLA determined to have a heck of a lot more fun in college than she did in high school. What’s the first item on Zooey’s agenda before classes start in two days? Losing her pesky V card. She’s definitely not looking for a boyfriend, so where can Zooey find the right guy to do the deed and move along without a backward glance? 

At a party thrown by a bunch of football players, of course. Enter Tyler Caldwell. A beast on the field and off, cocky as heck, and often wearing T-shirts with sayings like “God’s Gift to Womankind,” Tyler is most definitely not boyfriend material. After a make-out session with Tyler leaves Zooey entirely unsatisfied, she is determined never to see him again. But her schedule lands her in not one but two of his classes, and it doesn’t take long before Tyler and Zooey have reached an arrangement for Tyler to teach Zooey exactly what she wants to know―and a whole lot more she never bargained for. Can Zooey surrender her body to this bad boy without giving him her heart, too?


Buy the Book

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2slNcLu
BN.com: http://bit.ly/2gcAExG
iBooks: http://apple.co/2tuH2Jg
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2uoXYx2
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2turXam

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

If you really want to be traumatized, then consider this: Why the hell isn’t Pooh wearing pants? He’s a bear who lives in a house and sleeps in a bed. He drinks tea out of a cup. And yet he wears no pants with his polo shirt? I mean, is Pooh fully anthropomorphized or not? Because, if he is, then he’s a ‘public lewdness’ charge waiting to happen.

 

Gosh, when the universe works this hard to put two ridiculously good-looking people together, it’d be downright arrogant of them not to have sex, don’t you think?

 

I saw you two walking through South Campus the other day holding hands. You looked good together. Like Beauty and the… Beauty.

 

My Review:

 

Written from the first person POV of a virginal female college freshman, this delightfully entertaining book was a breezy, naughty, and fun read. This Misadventure was jam-packed with clever humor, salacious sizzle, enticing characters, and a sweet romance that wasn’t supposed to happen as it was not part of the project plan or on the syllabus.   I adored the characters and thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Rowe’s witty, amusing, and engaging storylines. I fell hard and fast for this cute couple.

 


Meet the Author

Lauren Rowe is the pen name of the USA Today, Amazon #1, and international #1 best-selling author of The Club Series and more. She’s a performer, audiobook narrator, award-winning songwriter and media host/personality who decided to unleash her alter ego to write The Club Series to ensure she didn’t hold back or self-censor in writing the story. Lauren Rowe lives in San Diego, California where she lives with her family, sings with her band, hosts a show, and writes at all hours of the night. 

Find out more about The Club Series and Lauren Rowe’s other books at www.LaurenRoweBooks.com.   Facebook       Instagram

Find all books in the Misadventures Series here:

The Misadventures Series 

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Book Review: Bare (The Vault Series Raw #2) by C.A. Harms

Bare Raw 2 eBook

BARE

The Vault Series – Raw #2

by CA Harms

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | AMAZON AU | AMAZON CA

BRYNN
He was my weakness.
The one desire I fought the hardest, but craved the most.
There was an unexplainable pull whenever I was near him.
I was addicted to him. I was crazed by his touch. I longed for his kiss.
Until he broke me…
He was cold and callus.
What we shared was nothing but meaningless acts.
A facade. I was a ploy in his game of control.
I had no choice but to move forward.
I had to forget the impact he had on me.
More importantly, I had to forget him.
Only that was easier said than done…
Each night when I closed my eyes,
I’d hear the kind words he’d whisper, I’d feel his gentle caress as he held me close.
But the dreams always ended the same.
I would see him walking away, without looking back.
ALEC
She tested my limits from the start. 
The more I fought the attraction, the more intense it became.
She defied every rule I set for myself and challenged my need for control.
She made me want the things I had denied myself for too long,
so I did the worst possible thing.
 
I broke her heart. 
What should have been my way out only left me feeling bare.
My desire to have her magnified.
It was time to pick up the shattered pieces of my life and face the harsh reality of my choices.
But my biggest fear of all was that with Brynn, it was now too late to go back…
 
ADD TO GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/2owsGTK

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

He’s a menace…. Just last weak he told Brianna that her hair looked like milk chocolate, and the Friday before that he told Draya that her eyes looked like emeralds and he wanted to get lost in their beauty… He’s an eleven-year-old boy that thinks he’s a man. All Casanova-like, spilling his cheesy lines to one girl after the next.

 

Yep, they also have the perfect heel, so the next time you see that creep you can stomp on his toes hard, and twist. Make him squeal like the dirty little pig he is.

 

I can’t get them out of my head… They’re always there in the front of my mind playing over and over… Like a repeating scene in a damn movie that you can’t pause and never ends.

 

Holy Christmas… Santa exploded with greatness in here.

  

My Review:

 

Although both installments featured active storylines and were super steamy and packed with angsty drama; with a longer and more romantic storyline spiked with cleverly amusing humor, more relaxed characters, and a sharp uptick of sweet and steamy wooing, I enjoyed Book #2 Bare considerably more than I had Book #1 Raw. I remain a bit conflicted with the main character of Alec, he was a total ass in the first book and although still an ass, he gradually improved throughout this book, until he really screwed the pooch, again… But I admired how he sincerely tried to win over the lovely Brynn by remembering things she liked (like kissing her forehead), and being so sweetly attentive and trying so hard to please her before he was apparently re-struck with the stupid stick.

Bare is the sequel to Raw! 
ADD TO GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/2Cm06NW
Bare Teaser 1

 .

EXCERPT

I redirect my gaze to my brother only this time I push back. “You wanna hit me, hit me.” I lean in closer to him, ensuring he reads the determination in my eyes. “If you want to yell and fucking scream then do it, but know one thing, you will be moving out of my way so that I can get to her. Because not you or anyone else for that matter is gonna to keep me from her.”

“Noone but Mandy that is,” he adds just before releasing his hold on me.

“I told you it wasn’t like that.”

“You were with her all day,” he adds. “Yet you never felt the need to tell anyone about the plans I’m sure you’ve had for days to meet her. If that’s not guilt for doing something you knew you shouldn’t then I don’t know what is.”

We stand there, head to head in the small space near the entry door to the room. Aric glaring at me as if at any moment he would attack, and at that point I wasn’t so sure I would stop him. I felt defeated because he was right, I fucked up.

“Alec,” the sound of Brynn’s voice causes both of us to move toward her, as I quickly survey the damage. No longer did her stomach show the evidence of our child and the reality of what had taken place while I was unreachable hit me.

Bare2
Bare3
Young couple having sex. Woman and man in bed.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
C.A. Harms is like any other addicted reader. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. She hasn’t always been a lover of Romance and had once been addicted to a good Mystery. Just recently she has taken on a new liking and now is a full-blown Romance novel addict.
She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. You will always find her with her kindle or paperback in hand as it is her favorite pass time.
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