Read-Love-Blog

Book Promotion & Review

Holding On To Forever by Siobhan Davis and S.B. Alexander…Review

HOF - BT banner.jpg

Secretly dating Coach Parker’s daughter was never part of the plan. Neither was becoming her dealer…

Holding on to Forever, an all-new edgy, new adult romance from USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis and S.B. Alexander is available now!

HoldingontoForever_ecover NEW SPELLING

ADAM

Returning to my drug-dealing past wasn’t on the agenda when I accepted the full ride to play ball at Cypress U. But Mom lost her job. And my sister’s medical bills are mounting. So, I’ve no choice but to change the playbook.

When Emily walks into my life, like a fallen goddess with the ultimate power to destroy me, I know I’m screwed. I should steer clear, but I’m the one supplying her poison of choice. Falling for her is a complication I don’t need, but the more she’s around, the harder it gets to walk away. She needs me, and I crave her more than the sport I love.

Now, it’s all on the line. Including the NFL career that’s tantalizingly close.

The stakes are high, but family means everything, so I’ll take my chances.

EMILY

It’s only a problem if it’s out of control. And I have it in hand.

Except a certain a-hole discovers I’m using again, and he threatens to rat me out to my folks. Mom’s president of Cypress U, and Dad’s the illustrious football coach. Appearances mean everything to them, and I’m a continuous disappointment.

They told me I’d be out on my ass if I fell off the wagon, so keeping it a secret is my number one priority.

Until the super-hot all-star QB takes more than a passing interest in me. Adam gets me, in a way no guy ever has, filling my head with ideas of forever—and now, I want more.

Dating my dealer is a recipe for disaster, especially when it’s forbidden, but I can’t help myself.

Because I’ve fallen too deep.

And the hole is too large to crawl out of.

HOF - AN

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZY6gLR

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/HoldingForever

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2N8BdKx

Watch the Trailer: https://smarturl.it/HoldingOntoForeverTR

HoldingontoForever_Teaser1.png

Excerpt:

I’m half-tempted to call Donnie to make sure he gave me the correct address when headlights brighten the narrow alleyway.

The SUV is crawling toward me, and my nerves are jacked. I shouldn’t be doing this. I should find a decent part-time job to pay for my sister’s medical expenses, but I see no other way. We have to get her vest fixed or buy a new one. Selling drugs is the only way to make some quick cash. Besides, I’m good at it. I sold dope and pills for years, and I’d never been arrested. I always had my pulse on the neighborhoods, and I knew where cops loitered at night.

You’ve been out too long. Things might have changed, and you’re in a new state.

I push my inner thoughts aside. None of that matters. I’m always alert. I always know what’s around me, and as Mom tells me, I’m perceptive as hell. I have to be. Taking care of Mom and Phoebe—especially Phoebe—I have to be alert to her sounds, her breathing, and her emotions.

Thinking of my sister sends pain slicing through my chest. I can’t let anything happen to her. She spent two days in the hospital, where the doctor pumped her with antibiotics, until she started feeling better.

The SUV pulls to a stop, and a short stocky guy gets out of the front passenger seat brandishing a gun. The driver, a taller man than his compadre, follows.

I lift my hands as if a cop is arresting me. “I’m unarmed.”

Aiming the gun at my head, he stalks toward me. His dark eyes are hard, his mission resolute. “Move and you’re dead.” His deep voice is lethal.

An all too familiar wave washes over me, and I’m tempted to back out of this stupid idea to sell drugs and run before he pulls the trigger. I’m not any good dead to Mom and Phoebe. But I know his words are just a scare tactic while he frisks me.

I stand statue-still while the second dude, sporting a thin beard and no mustache, pats my sides, my lower back, down my legs, and straight down to my ankles. He sticks one finger in the air. “All clear.”

The stocky dude lowers his gun, and, inwardly, I grin. The goon didn’t find the blade in my boot. I’m not about to use it though. But I don’t walk into situations like these unarmed. Still, I make a mental note of the type of men I’m dealing with.

A tall man climbs out of the back seat. He’s sporting baggy jeans and a New York Yankees ball cap, and the gold bling around his neck probably weighs ten pounds as it glints off the dim light on the side of the car repair shop.

It’s all I can do not to roll my eyes. Donnie doesn’t show off like this dude. Donnie’s motto is blend in with the crowd. Standing out only draws attention.

“You must be Wrangler. I’m Ray Diaz.” Ray struts over to the metal garage door. “You understand I have to be careful.” He punches a code in on the keypad tacked to the frame of the door. Within a second, it opens.

I tuck my hands in my jean pockets. “I’m well aware of the industry.”

A deep chuckle erupts from Ray. “I heard. Donnie told me you were a cocky punk too.”

It’s my turn to laugh. “When I need to be.”

 

It’s been a few days since I finished this book and I really wanted to wrap my head around it and get my thoughts together.

The synopsis of this book grabbed my attention and knowing that Siobhan Davis was one of the two authors, I had high expectations of this being executed very well.
This book hits on a few subjects that may be tough for some to handle (drug addiction, rape, abuse).  Siobhan has always been able to handle tough subjects in her book by keeping it real but also doing it respectfully.  However, in this book I felt that the drug aspect came across as a bit surreal or more on the lighter side of addiction/drug use.  By no means will this hurt most people’s reading of the book but for me, what I anticipated and what I got, did hurt the story for me.
Emily has a drug problem.  She turned to drugs when she didn’t get the support from her parents when a terrible incident happened when she was 15.  She’s been to rehab but was never able to truly kick the drugs.  Both her parents are fairly absent in her life, but her father does try more than her mother.
My issue with Emily and her drug “addiction” is this:  Emily has no problems staying off the drugs during the week and only taking them on weekends.  For me, that’s a user and not an addict (yet).  You do see her dependence kick in when life starts to get tough for her and her demons start to haunt – that is when the addiction kicks in. I won’t go into details but there’s more to her story than just the drugs and it is quite an intense story.
Adam is the star quarterback at their university but has a sister with cystic fibrosis and his mom struggles to pay the bills with a mediocre job (father left leaving mom to find a job to support them).  He’s helped out in the past with selling drugs to keep money coming in and comes to a point where he has to again.
Now here’s my issue I have with him selling: he’s the star quarterback!!  Even though he’s not selling on campus, he’s selling at raves and places where college students attend – they’re going to know who he is and that news will travel fast in college. Again, there’s more to Adam than just that but I won’t give away the good stuff.
Outside of all that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  I felt most of the actions and nuisances of these characters were true to life and handled certain situations well.  Now there a few things that are slightly exaggerated or fabricated but that’s needed to make the story entertaining.
These book flowed well and it was very hard to tell that two people wrote this book.  There were times that chapters moved a bit too far ahead in the timeline and sort of made you stop quickly and realize we’ve jumped to a new day or so many days ahead.  I understand the need for this to keep the timeline of things realistic and also prevent from adding filler and elongating the book, but at times it hurt the flow.
Overall, it was a good read.  It kept me captivated and the characters were likeable.  It’s a nice intro into what you can get from these two authors and the subjects they delve into.

 

About Siobhan

USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis writes emotionally intense young adult and new adult romantic fiction with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She is the author of the international bestselling Kennedy Boys, Saven, and True Calling series’.

Siobhan’s family will tell you she’s a little bit obsessive when it comes to reading and writing, and they aren’t wrong. She can rarely be found without her trusty Kindle, a paperback book, or her laptop somewhere close at hand.

Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.

She resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.

sd author photo version 2

Connect with Siobhan

Subscribe to romance newsletter: http://smarturl.it/KennedyBoysList

Amazon Author Page: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisAmazon

Author website: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisWebsite

Goodreads profile: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanGoodreads

Facebook page: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisFacebook

Twitter profile: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisTwitter

Author Blog: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisBlog

BookBub Author Page: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisBookbub

About S.B.

I’m Susan Alexander, and you’ll find my books under S.B. Alexander. I’m an independent author with close to 20 titles to date. I write young adult and new adult romances that span the sub-categories of coming of age, sports, paranormal, suspense, and military fiction. My stories are emotional, angsty, and character driven.

In between writing, I spend time with my soul mate of 21 years who got a bad deal in life. Four years ago he was diagnosed with ALS. It’s a horrible disease, but we both have been making the best of life, laughing, smiling, and doing what we can together.

But writing is a great outlet for me to take my mind to another place. Plus, I have a great network of family, friends, fans, and so much more. I truly have an angel on my shoulder. My mantra is make the best of life because it’s too darn short.

I love to hear from readers and fans. Drop me a line by filling out the contact form on my website or you can email me at susan@sbalexander.com or stalk me on social media.

Connect with S.B.

Facebook: http://bit.ly/33zTiGU

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2KL1LP8

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Z4jGFF

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Z8vN4B

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2H602CY

http://sbalexander.com

1 Comment »

Review…Revenge (Red Ledger 7-9) by Meredith Wild

Revenge: The Red Ledger Series (Vol 3)

by Meredith Wild 
Release Date: 3rd September
Genre: Suspense/thriller
 

The Red Ledger, a binge-worthy suspense/thriller series with Wild’s
signature erotic twist

Thrilling, suspenseful and heart-stopping!” ~NYT Bestseller Alessandra Torre


A seamlessly woven story of renewed love, faith restored, and redefining oneself without a past for perspective.” ~Angel Payne, USA Today Bestselling Author


Synopsis

This could be our last chance…

Time is running out to right this wrong. With Tristan gone, everything is out of place. My family is fractured. My freedom is in question. Our future has never been more perilous. The only way back together is to find the man who’s set us on this path. The mastermind. The heartless architect of a plan so elaborate and diabolical, even Tristan couldn’t look the other way.

We’ve come too far to turn back now. We’ve lost too much to give up this fight.

But in our quest for justice, Tristan’s heart seems set on revenge. When it comes to a mission, he’s always focused. Always ready. This is different. His thirst for Simon’s demise threatens to cloud the instincts that have kept us alive all this time. And this could be our last chance…

Get Your Copy of the Third and Final Book in the Series!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ELm7Ie
Print: https://amzn.to/2R23Yam
Nook: http://bit.ly/2Jdp0jC
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2OGdMKg
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2OF7vP0
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2R7CU9z
Goodreads: bit.ly/GR_Revenge


Revenge (Parts 7 thru 9) are definitely more plot and suspense building than action but it’s just as gripping as the rest of the story.

We see Tristan and Isabel go from Boston to Paris, France back to Washington, D.C. in these three parts. They are slowly piecing together bits and pieces of information they are given. And each time when they think they are finally getting somewhere, there is another twist throw into the mix.

As much as I wanted more action, I truly enjoyed the intensity of this plot. I was completely drawn into all the ins and outs of who was in the Company, who was behind everything along with how they were able to have their hands into so many things and get away with so much.

I won’t say much more. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and really, really hope there is more to come (that ending truly left it open for more).

Bravo, Meredith. This series will definitely pull romance lovers over to romantic suspense.


Not met Tristan & Isabel yet?


 Volume One is Available FREE for a limited time only:

Reborn: The Red Ledger (books 1-3 bundle) 


Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JiXjVJ
Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/2pDXJxi
Nook: http://bit.ly/2FdXmDx
iBooks: https://apple.co/2oEC4EN
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2F9aUAd
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2FboKlv
 

Meet The Author
 
Meredith Wild is a #1 New York TimesUSA Today, and international bestselling author. After publishing her debut novel Hardwired in September 2013, Wild used her ten years of experience as a tech entrepreneur to push the boundaries of her “self-published” status, becoming stocked in brick-and-mortar bookstore chains nationwide and forging relationships with the major retailers.
In 2014, Wild founded her own imprint, Waterhouse Press, under which she hit No. 1 on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists. She has been featured on CBS This Morning, The Today Show, the New York TimesThe Hollywood ReporterPublishers Weekly, and The Examiner. Her foreign rights have been sold in over 20 languages.
Living on Florida’s Gulf Coast with her husband and three children, she refers to herself as a techie, whiskey appreciator, and shameless sun worshipper. Find out more about what projects she’s working on next at www.meredithwild.com.
Social Media Links

Facebook: www.facebook.com/meredithwild

Twitter: www.twitter.com/wildmeredith

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/meredithwild

Instagram: www.instagram.com/meredithwild

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/wildmeredith

 

 

 

 

1 Comment »

Styx & Stones by Carmen Jenner….Review & Excerpt

Styx_Stones_Carmen_Jenner_Blog_Tour.jpg

Cancer sucks … and then you die.

Styx and Stones an all-new emotional, mature young adult romance from USA Today bestselling author Carmen Jenner is available now!

Styx_Stones_Carmen_Jenner_AMAZON

Alaska Stone is a walking wet dream.

My wet dream.

For years, I’ve watched her in the halls, wanted her, but she never knew I existed.

Not until she walked into my chemo session.

For me, it was love at first sight.

For her? It might take a little longer.

But hey, it’s not like we’re on a deadline or anything.

Styx_Stones_Carmen_Jenner_Out_Now.jpg

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2L2KhjG

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/StyxStones

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2FgFw1i

Styx_Stones_Carmen_Jenner_Fell_It_Tease.jpg

Excerpt

“Come here,” Styx says, giving my arm a weak tug.

“Where?”

“Come lie with me.”

I laugh and shake my head. “I can’t. I’ll squash your lines.”

“They’re plastic; they’ll bounce back.” His face turns serious, and the desperation in his eyes claws at my resolve. “Get your sweet ass up here, Stones. I wanna hold my girl.”

It takes a little maneuvering with his central line and heart-rate monitor, and my IV, but eventually I settle in against his side and he wraps his good arm around me, holding me as tightly as his weak body will allow.

I wish we had the power to make time wait for us.

I’d make it wait forever, right here. I’d use up all of the seconds it’s stolen from me, from us, and the lifetime it’s going to steal from our future. If I had the ability, I’d hit pause right here, and I’d never let him go.

 

WOW!!!  I knew going into this book my heart would be wrecked.  But you can’t ever prepare yourself for the magnitude of it when Carmen Jenner writes the story.

Styx & Stones will not be a read for everyone.  And Carmen lets readers know that before you start the story, So heed her warning.  And if you are brave enough, grab some tissues and a bottle of wine and prepare for an onslaught of emotions.

This book is written from both Styx and Stones POV and is just really drives home the nature of this book.  They are two opposites and attend the same high school but never talked to each other.

Styx has stage 3 cancer.  He beat it once but as with most childhood cancers, there’s always a probability of cancer returning.  He has this great sense of humor towards cancer that’ll make you laugh.

Stones has stage 2 cancer.  Her migraines led to her diagnosis but it’s what she finds in chemo treatment that shocks her the most.  Styx.  He’s the last person she ever expected to see, let alone get close to.

The journey Carmen takes us on is one riddled with emotion.  It’s raw, real and brutally honest.  But what you also feel is a true friendship turn to romance bloom in the face of it all.

There has only been one other book that brought me to tears that were streaming down my face.  This is book number two to do that.

While I had tears streaming down my face, I had a huge smile too.  This book was so much.  It was beautifully written and it’ll be a book I remember for a very long time.

About Carmen

 

Carmen Jenner is a USA Today and international bestselling author.

A hardcore red lipstick addict and a romantic at heart, Carmen strives to give her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first … because what’s a happily ever after without a little torture?

 

Author_Photo

Connect with Carmen

Amazon → http://amzn.to/1IjRUdg

Newsletter→https://www.subscribepage.com/carmenjenner

Website→http://www.carmenjenner.com/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/CarmenJennerAuthor/

Sugar Junkies (reader group) → http://bit.ly/2x3K4pP

Instagram →www.instagram.com/carmenjennerauthor/

Bookbub → https://www.bookbub.com/profile/carmen-jenner

Books + Main → https://bookandmainbites.com/users/2266

Pinterest →https://www.pinterest.com.au/carmenjenner/

1 Comment »

Abandon by Rachel Van Dyken….Excerpt

We are beyond excited to be sharing this release from Rachel Van Dyken with you today by participating in the blog tour. ABANDON is part of her Seaside Pictures series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. It just went live! Check out the buy links and book trailer from the title below. Click here to grab your copy now.

 

Purchase your copy of ABANDON today!

Amazon US

Amazon Universal: mybook.to/AbandonRVD

About ABANDON:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken comes a new story in her Seaside Pictures series…

It’s not every day you’re slapped on stage by two different women you’ve been dating for the last year.

I know what you’re thinking. What sort of ballsy woman gets on stage and slaps a rockstar? Does nobody have self-control anymore? It may have been the talk of the Grammy’s.

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention that. I, Ty Cuban, was taken down by two psychotic women in front of the entire world. Lucky for us the audience thought it was part of the breakup song my band and I had just finished performing. I was thirty-three, hardly ready to settle down.

Except now it’s getting forced on me. Seaside, Oregon. My band mates were more than happy to settle down, dig their roots into the sand, and start popping out kids. Meanwhile I was still enjoying life.

Until now. Until my forced hiatus teaching freaking guitar lessons at the local studio for the next two months. Part of my punishment, do something for the community while I think deep thoughts about all my life choices.

Sixty days of hell.

It doesn’t help that the other volunteer is a past flame that literally looks at me as if I’ve sold my soul to the devil. She has the voice of an angel and looks to kill—I would know, because she looks ready to kill me every second of every day. I broke her heart when we were on tour together a decade ago.

I’m ready to put the past behind us. She’s ready to run me over with her car then stand on top of it and strum her guitar with glee.

Sixty days. I can do anything for sixty days. Including making the sexy Von Abigail fall for me all over again. This time for good.

Damn, maybe there’s something in the water.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

 

Add ABANDON to your Goodreads TBR here!

Purchase your copy of ABANDON today!

Amazon US

Amazon Universal: mybook.to/AbandonRVD

BOOK TRAILER

 

Call it the science of breakups. 

Nothing worked. 

Not drugs. 

Not alcohol. 

Not music. 

Not space. 

Not even time. Because the memories were always there, and it was incredible how easy it was for your brain to conjure up smells, tastes, and feelings. 

And since both Abigail’s and my career had erupted at the same time? Everything related to music was also tethered to her. 

I put a pillow over my head and yelled into it. 

She was desperate. But I felt like a weak piece of shit for letting her stay with me. I hated those guys: the ones that just wanted one morsel of the girl that got away and were willing to do anything, even exchange their dicks, for a pussy. Just so they could have one last look, taste, fill, call it whatever you wanted. I hated those guys. 

They sucked. 

The last thing I needed was to become that guy. Because I knew if she hurt me again, I would literally have nothing left. 

And it was a terrifying thought, to say the least. 

I put the pillow back behind my head and turned to my side, touching the wall with my fingertips like the biggest loser on the planet. I wondered how many inches separated the space between us. If I pressed my ear to the wall, would I hear her crying because of the storm? Or was she just dreaming about stabbing me in my sleep? 

It was a toss-up. I mean, it always had been with us. 

The thunder cracked again, scaring the shit out of me as I jumped out of bed and shut the guest bedroom window. 

This was ridiculous. 

At least I wouldn’t have to see her at the music camp since Drew had gone to bat for me. I was headed to Trevor’s studio to help with his music students. He was so thankful that he could have more time with the kids and his new fiancée that I actually felt relief that I was finally helping and not making a mess of things. 

It hadn’t always been that way. 

You knew there was something terrifyingly wrong when Drew, the f-up of the group, told you to put your big boy pants on. 

Thunder cracked again. 

Yeah, I was getting zero sleep tonight. 

I grabbed my guitar on my way out to the living room, then snatched up one of my sharp number-two pencils from my satchel, along with my old, ratty, blue music notebook and sat on the couch. The front cover of the journal was almost completely torn off and had stickers from places I’d visited covering it. No matter how many times I tried to buy a new one, I still kept this one and just stapled more pages into it. Maybe it was stupid, but it was a comfort to me. 

The room was dark. 

Silent.
Just the way I liked it. 

I loved the power behind the drums, but there was something so intimate about playing the acoustic—just me, my Gibson Les Paul, and my voice. 

I strummed a few chords, switched to G, and kept strumming as my mind decided to torture me by way of memories. 

So many damn memories. 

 

 


About RACHEL VAN DYKEN:

Rachel Van Dyken is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. When she’s not writing about hot hunks for her Regency romance or New Adult fiction books, Rachel is dreaming up new hunks. (The more hunks, the merrier!) While Rachel writes a lot, she also makes sure she enjoys the finer things in life—like The Bachelor and strong coffee.

Rachel lives in Idaho with her husband, son, and two boxers.

 

Connect With Her:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter | Bookbub

1 Comment »

Already Gone by Kristen Proby & K.L. Grayson…Review

AG - BT banner.jpg

Already Gone by Kristen Proby and K.L. Grayson

Release Date: August 27, 2019

ecover AG.jpg

Already Gone, an all-new standalone contemporary romance by New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby and USA Today bestselling author K.L. Grayson

Falling in love is easy…

New Hope, South Carolina is my home. It’s where I grew up, got into trouble, and fell in love for the first time. Scarlett Kincaid was more than the girl next door, she was my best friend, until she decided that small town life wasn’t for her. One minute she was here, and the next she was gone.

The girl I used to fish with down at the creek is now the biggest name in country music. She headlines world tours, has won four Grammys, and I haven’t seen her since. Until today when she sped through town in her fancy car. One look at her big brown eyes was all it took to stir up a whole slew of emotions. Emotions I’d long ago buried and sure as hell don’t have time for.

It’s the aftermath that’s hard…

There are two things in my life that matter. My music, and my dad. Twelve years ago, I packed a bag and chased my dream. Leaving New Hope and escaping the gossip mill was the easiest decision I ever made. I never planned to return, but my father needs me, and he always comes first. So, I did what I had to do. I cut my tour short and came home, despite having a sister who hates me, and a community that doesn’t trust me.

And then there’s Tucker Andrews.

When he propped an arm on the roof of my car, pulled down his sunglasses and flashed his police badge, I nearly swallowed my tongue. Gone is the lanky boy who used to throw rocks at me and pull my pigtails. Tucker is now a six-foot package of brawny, sexy man wrapped in more muscle than I have hit singles. Did I mention he’s a cop and a single dad?

My goal was to help Dad, and get back to my life. But what am I supposed to do when the life that used to strangle me suddenly fits like a glove, and makes me dream of things I never thought I’d have? What happens when the boy I walked away from years ago becomes one of the most important people in my life? I don’t have room for a man much less love.

Right?

Because it’s impossible to hold onto someone who’s already gone.

AG FB AN 1.jpg

Download your copy today!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2YXGs20

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/AlreadyGoneKLGKP

Apple Books: http://bit.ly/KLKPAGAB

Nook: http://bit.ly/AGKLGKPK

Kobo: http://bit.ly/AGKLGKPKobo

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/AGKLGKPGR

Already Gone Landing Page: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/already-gone

Blog Tour Teaser .jpg
Excerpt:

New Hope, South Carolina.

Population 6,129.

I know every soul represented in that number. Not a single one of them drives the shiny red Mercedes that just went speeding by.

Seventy-five in a forty-five.

I flick on my lights and press on the gas, sending my cruiser flying past the city limit sign and the godawful billboard that sits directly behind it; the one declaring New Hope home to country music superstar, Scarlett Kincaid.

It wouldn’t be a big deal if this were actually her home. It’s not. Scarlett may have been born here, but her fancy boots haven’t landed on this soil in over a decade.

All it took was one call from a hotshot music executive to send her packing before the ink was dry on her high school diploma. Scarlett flew from this town fast enough to leave our heads spinning. Before any of us could process what had happened, little Scarlett Kincaid—the same girl who used to build forts with me in my living room while my mama made us mac ‘n’ cheese—had a hit single sitting at number one on the Billboard charts.

She went from homecoming queen and most likely to marry a rich spouse in our senior yearbook, to the queen of country music.

The country loves her. Hell, the whole world loves her.

New Hope…not so much. And it’s high time that fucking sign comes down.

But first, I have to deal with this speed demon in the sexy red car.

I sound the sirens, and the car pulls to the side of the road and waits while I walk to the driver’s side window. It’s still up, the heavy tint preventing me from seeing inside. With a hand on my holster—because you never know what you’re going to walk up on—I knock on the window.

The dark glass lowers.

My first thought: this woman is absolutely gorgeous. Long, dark hair. Pouty lips. And a tiny pink dress. Her eyes are covered by oversized aviators, but I’m sure they’re as pretty as the rest of her.

My second thought: what crazy excuse is she going to come up with to try and get out of this ticket? It never ceases to amaze me the things women are willing to do to keep from getting into trouble. I’ve been offered everything from a blowjob to a pay-off to marriage.

“Do you know why I pulled you over today, ma’am?”

“Tucker?” The woman smiles, then pushes her sunglasses to the top of her head. And that’s when I see the brown eyes I’ve spent more than a decade trying to forget. “Tucker Andrews, is that you?”

I step back and square my shoulders. “You can call me Officer Andrews. Do you know why I pulled you over today, ma’am?”

“Tucker.” The woman laughs and shakes her head. “It’s me, Scarlett.”

At the mention of her name, I’m met with an onslaught of flashbacks. Running hand and hand through the neighborhood with her, laughing and playing, only to have her ignore me the second we got to school. The popular crowd versus the nerds who desperately tried to fit in. She the former, me the latter, and the pain it caused every time she acted as though she didn’t know my name. For years, I pretended it didn’t bother me because I knew that when I got home, Scarlett would meet me at the fence, and the awkwardness from the day would dissipate as though it never happened.

But it did. Day after day after day. I was a glutton for punishment. There was nothing in the world I loved more than Scarlett Kincaid, and it didn’t matter how badly she hurt me, I was always willing to forgive her.

Her smile and laugh might’ve gotten to me in middle school and high school, but I refuse to let it affect me now.

“I know who you are.”

Her smile falters.

I am a sucker for small town romance. I love the nuisances that come with small towns and how everyone is very close knit.

Already Gone is a second chance, enemies to lovers romance from two authors but you wouldn’t know that as their writing compliments one another very well.

I really wanted to love this book more than I did. At the beginning, I loved how things started out. I enjoyed the interactions between Tucker and his daughter, Chloe; seeing Scarlett connect to Chloe was very sweet.

I felt that things were a bit rushed between Tucker and Chloe. I wanted more from them. I wanted to see Scarlett grovel a little more for just up and leaving. I get that she flew her dad to concerts but she never really kept in contact with her family so I totally get where her sister is coming from. A small town community means everyone is extremely tight and leaving like that hurts, ALOT.

Overall, while I did enjoy the interactions between the characters and the writing was amazing, I was left wanting more. For me, it was just an ok read.

About Kristen:

Kristen was born and raised in a small resort town in her beloved Montana. In her mid-twenties, she decided to stretch her wings and move to the Pacific Northwest, where she made her home for more than a dozen years.

During that time, Kristen wrote many romance novels and joined organizations such as RWA and other small writing groups. She spent countless hours in workshops, and more mornings than she can count up before the dawn so she could write before going to work. She submitted many manuscripts to agents and editors alike, but was always told no. In the summer of 2012, the self-publishing scene was new and thriving, and Kristen had one goal: to publish just one book. It was something she longed to cross off of her bucket list.

Not only did she publish one book, she’s since published close to thirty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion Series.

Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two pugs and two cats.

Connect with Kristen:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooksByKristenProby/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Handbagjunkie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenproby/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kristen-proby
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2kBRdpj
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2BD4vfq
Pinterest: @handbagjunkie
Website: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/kristenproby/newsletter-sign-up

About K.L. Grayson

K.L. Grayson resides in a small town outside of St. Louis, MO. She is entertained

daily by her extraordinary husband, who will forever inspire every good quality she

writes in a man. Her entire life rests in the palms of six dirty little hands, and when the

day is over and those pint-sized cherubs have been washed and tucked into bed, you can find her typing away furiously on her computer. She has a love for alpha-males,

brownies, reading, tattoos, sunglasses, and happy endings…and not particularly in that

order.

Connect with K.L. Grayson

Facebook: http://bit.ly/KLGraysonFB

Instagram: http://bit.ly/KLGraysonIG

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/KLGraysonPin

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/KLGraysonBB

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2MVYFfe

Twitter: http://bit.ly/KLGraysonTW

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/KLGraysonGR

Website: www.klgrayson.com

No Comments »

Kiss Me Not by Emma Hart….Review

KMN-BANNER-LIVE

What do you do when you’re the reigning kissing booth champion but the only person you want to kiss is your best friend’s brother?

Kiss Me Not, an all-new hilarious brother’s best friend romance from New York Times bestselling author Emma Hart is available now!

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000035_00027]

Let me make this clear right here, right now: I, Halley Dawson, do not care that Preston Wright is kissing other women.

Not a lick. Not at all. Nuh-uh-freakin’-uh.

I do care that he’s doing it six feet away from me behind a gaudy velvet curtain—making him my competition in this year’s kissing contest.

Why do I care, you ask? Because I’ve had an unfortunate crush on the insufferable idiot since I was sixteen years old, but I also know it’s never going to happen.

He’s the Creek Falls bachelor to die for, and I’m the Creek Falls racoon lady who puts peanut butter sandwiches out for them every night.

I’m not going to let him break my four-year-long reign—no matter how many times he breaks the rules and slides the curtain across to do the one thing he’s not allowed to:

Kiss me.

kmn-1

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2wq22jD

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2VZW8QH

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/KissMeNot

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

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

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2XkZiA5

Excerpt:

“I never answered your question.”

“What question?” I darted my eyes to the side.

“Just now. You asked me if I wanted to kiss you.”

I did, didn’t I? Right. “Oh,” was all I said.

Slowly, he moved his hand to my chin and gently lifted it. Still, I didn’t look at him, keeping my eyes firmly trained on the front of the tent, even though I was facing him.

“Halley.”

“Yeah?”

“I want to kiss you.”

My eyes darted to his.

“I thought that’d do it.” His lips twitched, and he lowered his head until I had to fight the urge to close my eyes in anticipation of the kiss that was coming.

I swallowed, my lips parting.

Preston moved closer.

And he kissed my cheek.

I jerked out of whatever trance I’d just been in. “What the hell?”

He jumped off the stage, grinning. “I guess we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to break the stalemate, won’t we?”

“Oh, hell no!” I jumped off, stalking him to his side of the stage. “You just stood there in front of me and told me you want to kiss me, then kiss my cheek? The hell was that?”

His eyebrows shot up, amusement flashing in his eyes. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you wanted to kiss me, too.”

“Irrelevant,” I shot back. “But you’re a special kind of asshole to tell a girl you wanna kiss her and then not do it.” I turned around, then stopped. “You know what? When I beat you tomorrow, you can kiss my ass.”

“You’re way too mad about this.”

“I’m not mad!” My voice raised a few octaves. “I couldn’t care if you want to kiss me or not. I most certainly don’t want to kiss you.”

“Why are you shouting at me?”

“I’m not—” I was shouting at him. “Whatever,” I said in a normal voice. “Make sure you take that money to the bank. Tell Tish I sent you.”

I left him on his side of the curtain and went to get my purse. He could get fucked. After all that where I think I was so damn nervous I broke a sweat, he didn’t even kiss me.

I wasn’t lying with what I said.

He could kiss my ass.

I’d even wear my good panties and bend over for him.

 

I know when I go into an Emma Hart book, I am going to get a lot of laughs and Kiss Me not does not let readers down in the comedy.

Halley and Preston’s story happens over a few days during the annual fair in their area. I loved watching these two banter during and after the kissing booth each day. Halley can be quite the bitch with her antics but Preston has no problem pushing right back at her. And there’s a reason behind the easiness of these two but you have to read the book to find out why.

Emma does a nice job on introducing Halley’s two best friends into the mix also as they will be the stars in their books to follow this one. Reagan and Ava are just as snarky and witty with their banter yet the three of them somehow balance one another out.

I enjoyed this book even though the sarcasm did get to be a bit too much at times and even bordered on the bitchiness. The story line was fun and cute and made the overall vibe enjoyable.

I am looking forward to the next book in this series!

 

About Emma Hart

Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels and has been translated into several different languages.

She is a mother, wife, lover of wine, Pink Goddess, and valiant rescuer of wild baby hedgehogs.

Emma prides herself on her realistic, snarky smut, with comebacks that would make a PMS-ing teenage girl proud.

Yes, really. She’s that sarcastic.

EmmaHart

Connect with Emma

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2KVY9Lz

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2Dr0atq

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2Dq42ez

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2EBbZNe

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2D91d3T

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2MCaPsI

Stay up to date with Emma by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2NtAbca

Website: https://www.emmahart.org/home

1 Comment »

Don’t Say A Word by Amber Lynn Natusch….ARC Review

Don’t Say a Word (Hometown Antihero #2)
by Amber Lynn Natusch
Publisher: Tor Teen
Release Date: September 17th, 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller

Synopsis:

Kylene Danners’s ex-FBI agent father is in prison for murder and she’s hell-bent
on getting him out. But trying to investigate in the small town where a defensive
lineman is a hero no matter who he tries to kill and the girl who gets him locked up
is public enemy number one is dangerous. Dark secrets are everywhere in
Jasperville—the kind Ky can’t walk away from.
When rookie FBI agent Cedric Dawson returns to town to finish an open
investigation, he goes undercover at her high school—as her ex. Determined to
keep her from interfering, Dawson’s plan backfires after Ky gets an anonymous
call about missing girls officially labeled as runaways—runaways that didn’t really
run away at all.
Because dead girls can’t run.
And they don’t say a word.

 

BOOK LINKS:

Goodreads

 Amazon

 B&N

 Indigo

Bookdepository

Google Books

Kobo

ALN never ceases to amaze me with her ability to keep me stuck in the pages from start to finish.

This book MUST be read after Dare You to Lie as it starts off exactly where that book ended. Plus, there is an underlying plot that continues on through this series and while Natusch does a great job of rehashing that information quickly without too much backstory, it’s still best read in order.

Kylene and Garrett are both recovering from their almost deadly demise as the hands of Donovan. Kylene can’t escape the hatred her fellow classmates have for her, even if she was almost killed. If anything, they hate her even more for hurting their football team.

While Kylene is juggling the typical high school drama, she is trying to find who DA is and how he’s behind all the secrets and coverups in her hometown. She’s brought down the drug prescription ring but she’s fallen upon a new problem – prostitution. With this new development, Agent Dawson isn’t leaving town any time soon and now they really have to play the role of their lives to find any answers.

There is a lot going on in this story but ALN does a great job of blending and moving each piece smoothly into the overall plot line. Ky is a high school student and ALN reminds her readers of that with the typical high school banter amongst her peers. But she doesn’t get too cheesy with everything and interjects the perfect amount of humor and whit into the story line. Natusch truly knows how to provide the right amount of suspense, with a hint of romance and humor mixed in.

ALN delivers the twists and turns into this story as the right moments and keeps readers on their toes. The list of culprits is pretty large and while I saw a few things happen before they did, I had not expected the big twists and turns in this story. I was excitedly surprised by certain scenes and loved how this story line panned out.

I am anxious to know that there is possibly more to this series with that ending and cannot wait to see what ALN brings us next.

 


AMBER LYNN NATUSCH is the author of the bestselling Caged series for adults.
She was born and raised in Winnipeg, and is still deeply attached to her Canadian
roots. She loves to dance and practice Muay Thai―but spends most of her time
running a chiropractic practice with her husband, raising two young children, and
attempting to write when she can lock herself in the bathroom for ten minutes of
peace. Dare You to Lie is her debut YA novel with Tor Teen.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website: https://amberlynnnatusch.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5399219.Amber_Lynn_Natusch

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmberLNatusch

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allthingsnatusch/

GIVEAWAY

Prize: Win a physical copy of Don’t Say a Word arc (US/CAN Only)
Starts: August 23rd 2019
Ends: August 31st 2019
a Rafflecopter giveaway

2 Comments »

Twisted Betrayal by Siobhan Davis….Review

TB - BT banner.jpg

In the power struggle between two elite groups, one feisty girl will bring them to their knees…

Twisted Betrayal, the next story in the dark, bully romance Rydeville High Elite Series from USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis is available now!

TwistedBetrayal_ecover

He thinks he’s broken me. That I’m finally under his complete control. But I’m biding my time, gathering intel, making plans, and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. So, when an unexpected savior appears—offering me a way out—I grasp it with both hands.

But the man I love refuses to let me go, and he’s hell-bent on protecting me at all costs.

Except he’s far too late.

Kaiden’s betrayal fuels the anger flowing through my veins, and now our roles are reversed—I’m the hunter, and he’s my prey. I enjoy torturing him, lying to him, and letting him believe in false truths that were never our reality.

Until the stakes are raised, and I’m forced into playing their game again. Only this time, it’s not just my life hanging in the balance.

I thought he’d done his worst. That he didn’t have the power to hurt me anymore.

But I was wrong.

His depravity knows no bounds, and now, he’s taken everything from me.

This time, it means war, and I’m taking no prisoners.

TB - AN

Download your copy or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2J9PPa9

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TwistedBetrayalSD

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2XqbtQ7

TB_Teaser6.png

Start the series with Cruel Intentions!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WHTYti

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/CruelIntentions

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2KF0Rof

Add to GoodReads: https://smarturl.it/CruelIntentionsGR

Pre-Order Sweet Retribution!

Releasing October 11th

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Z9Qdy2

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/SweetRetributionSD

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

Excerpt:

He shoots me a shit-eating grin Jackson would be proud of as he locks the door and stalks toward me. “What the fuck does it look like?”

“Like you’re crazy as shit and have a death wish,” I say, backing away from him.

His eyes are thick with lust, his body cloaked in anger, and he wears it proudly like body armor.

I scramble around desks as I avoid capture. All the while he advances. Like this menacing form hell-bent on punishing me.

Liquid lust races through me, and my core pulses with a desperate need.

I love it when he’s like this.

Looking at me like he wants to fuck me so hard I’ll bleed.

My body purrs in anticipation as my back slams against a solid obstacle.

I know I’m sick and twisted, but I think that’s why we’re so well matched.

He wants to punish me, and I want to be punished.

After finishing Cruel Intentions, I waited with bated breath for Twisted Betrayal. Not only did Siobhan give me what I wanted, she delivered even more on this story line.

I truly have no idea what to say or where to start this review. Siobhan is an amazing story-teller. She has this niche to deliver a well-rounded and thought-out story with so many twists and turns that keeps you on the edge the whole time. Her stories have a lot going on in them but that is what makes them so easy to get sucked into and never want to leave.

I had thought that I come to know everything that Siobhan could throw our way, but she has once again left me in a state of shock. But I should know better by now – Siobhan will always push her readers and keep them on their toes. And let me clarify that by saying Siobhan will deliver a shock not for the sheer value of it but because it fits the characters and what would be appropriate to fit that scene. You know something is to come and you think you know what bomb will be dropped, but that is where Siobhan executes the twists so well.

Ok – So I just realized I have not said a word about this book. LOL Sorry – I am just in awe of her writing and how well developed her stories and characters are.

This book does pick up right after Cruel Intentions. Abby has been drugged and she has no idea where she is and who took her. And well, in true Siobhan form, shit takes off from there and we are taken on an exhilarating journey riddled with discoveries to questions we had from book one but more questions are added in.

Abby, Kai, Drew and the rest of the cast (yes, cast because this truly feels like it could be a movie or a kick-ass TV series) are dead set on figuring out what their fathers are all about and what they each have planned. And just when they think they have an understanding, things only get more deeper and more depraved.

This book is addictive. That is all I can say. It is not for the faint of heart because some of the scenes are quite graphic but holy hell, are they jaw-dropping. The suspense is evident and keeps you right in the thick of everything. I have no idea what Siobhan will throw our way anymore with this story.

And that cliffhanger – OMG!!! I have chills, legit goosebumps all over my body. I also have this “HELL YES” feeling because I can only imagine what Siobhan is gong to bring next. I am so excited for Sweet Retribution.

About Siobhan

USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis writes emotionally intense young adult and new adult romantic fiction with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She is the author of the international bestselling Kennedy Boys, Saven, and True Calling series’.

Siobhan’s family will tell you she’s a little bit obsessive when it comes to reading and writing, and they aren’t wrong. She can rarely be found without her trusty Kindle, a paperback book, or her laptop somewhere close at hand.

Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.

She resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.

sd author photo version 2

Connect with Siobhan

Subscribe to romance newsletter: http://smarturl.it/KennedyBoysList

Amazon Author Page: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisAmazon

Author website: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisWebsite

Goodreads profile: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanGoodreads

Facebook page: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisFacebook

Twitter profile: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisTwitter

Author Blog: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisBlog

BookBub Author Page: http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisBookbub

1 Comment »

Defying Gravity by K.K. Allen…Review

Defying Gravity - BT banner

Their greatest risk was the one they never took …

Defying Gravity, an all-new emotional sports romance from USA Today bestselling author K.K. Allen is available now!

DefyingGravity_Amazon

It was an accidental spring fling three years ago—one week spent in the mountains of Big Sur and no one was the wiser. Ignore the fact that Tobias James was my neighbor and my best friend’s older brother. Or that upon our return his hoop dreams were waiting for him, robbing us of any potential future we could have shared.

Now, I’m fulfilling my own dreams in L.A. and my biggest dream of all is about to come true. The last thing I expected was for my past and my present to collide.

Not now. Not here. Not him.

But he struts back into my life like he never even left. Unfortunately, I’ll never forget what happened after he did.

The ball is in my court, but Tobias isn’t below stealing—my power, my resolve, my heart… When he wants a second chance to reignite our connection, my answer is simple. We can’t.

Not unless we defy the rules our dreams were built on and risk everything.

Defying Gravity - AN

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SxkXDg

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/DefyingGravityKK

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

Download the FREE prequel, Falling from Gravity, today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LYORiC

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/FallingfromGravity

Excerpt:

“Where can we find the best view in Los Angeles?”

I had to think about that one. Every trail I’d hiked in the area ended with a gorgeous view, but I didn’t think a hike was what he’d had in mind. That gave me an idea. “Griffith Observatory has some nice views. Not sure how parking is this time of night.” I was still thinking. “Or there’s always Canyon Lake Drive.”

The look he gave me next wrapped a string around my heart and tugged gently. “Somewhere you haven’t been with a dude.”

Forcing back my smile, I grabbed his phone. “Drive. I’ll program the directions so I can enjoy the ride.”

I tried to ignore the pleased look on his face when I blushed at his request, but it was almost impossible to ignore him when I handed back his phone and my fingers accidentally brushed his. Our eyes connected on a beat, the electricity so charged between us that I felt the vibration throughout my body.

We rode the rest of the way in silence, like we both knew the conversation to come was a big one. Besides that, neither of us was a fan of small talk. Maybe that was why we’d always gotten along so well. We preferred hours of comfortable silence to awkward conversation. It made each moment we were together meaningful.

“Almost there,” he said once we were on Western Canyon Drive. “Where should I park?”

“You’ll keep going up the hill. Park on West Observatory Road. You’ll see the line of cars. I usually find a spot up close, but—” I made a face as I looked around his truck. “My car is three times smaller than this.” I grinned at him. “You might want to park about a half mile away.”

He chuckled. I didn’t understand why until he continued driving past where I recommended and almost reached the top of the hill, when he slowed. Just then, like fucking magic, a large truck was pulling out of a parallel parking spot, leaving it vacant.

“You are kidding me.”

He laughed again and parked with ease. Growing up in Malibu didn’t give us many opportunities for parallel parking, but I was certain he’d had his fair share of chances to get it right in Chicago.

I hopped out of the truck just as he made it to my side. “So impatient to hang out with me.”

I rolled my eyes. “Keep dreaming, James.”

He rolled his head back, grinning. “You realize there are women out there dreaming about a night just like this, right?”

I hoped he could feel the heat of my glare. “You don’t say.”

His lips pressed together like he was biting back a smile, then he took my hand in his and tugged me forward. “Let’s move. We have to make it before sunset.”

This time, silence didn’t fill our gaps. It dissipated with the first view we encountered before ever reaching the observatory.

“Wow.” I tugged away from him and walked to the balcony of the outlook.

As I stared out over trees and rock mountains, I had an epiphany. Taking Tobias here conveyed an unspoken promise that I’d never shared the same space with another man. I hadn’t even questioned the intimacy of what that meant, because it felt natural, just like everything with Tobias, even when the world was trying to pull us apart.

My choice had always been Tobias, even when he wasn’t around for me to choose. My heart still belonged to him.

A breeze whooshed by, tossing my hair. I breathed into the wind as it continued to beat against me, like the week hadn’t been enough for me to endure. And then strong arms wrapped around me from behind as my insides softened to putty. It had been only a week of knowing Tobias was back in town to stay, and I already knew I was in trouble.

Neither of us dared a word as he held me there, the hills of LA a beautiful sight before us, but it was his touch, his breath, his nearness that stole my focus. We’d never even made it to the observatory, but I knew what his mission was in wanting to take me somewhere with a view.

It was reminiscent of the one we’d shared in Big Sur, and I couldn’t ignore the rush of those memories that surfaced in the moment.

We stood in silence for a long time while Tobias held all of me—physically, emotionally, and metaphorically. His presence grounded me in a way that only my soul could feel. He owned me. All it took was the admission, and for the first time in a very long time, I felt at peace.

Once upon a time, Tobias had called me his moon. His rock. His strength. The one he reached for when the waters got rough. As risky as it was to admit it, I still wanted that to be true.

“Should we keep going?”

I knew Tobias was referring to the observatory, but my response was to a different interpretation of the question.

“Yes.”

 

I have to applaud K.K Allen for once again making me feel so much more than I anticipated.

Defying Gravity may be considered a sports romance but it’s definitely so much more than that. It is a journey of true love and soul mates.

Tobias and Amelia’s story is one I won’t soon forget. They both face their own obstacles and through it all, try to stay one another’s lives until one of them refuses to allow the other’s dreams to be ruined.

I can’t tell you how much I love this book. Tobias and Amelia grow so much in this book – both individually and together. I love how Allen told this story and allowed it to be so character driven.

One of the many amazing things about this is how relatable this book and these characters are. They are flawed, they are human and they feel so real. I went through a gamut of emotions with this book but the overall feeling I kept having was hope.

I highly recommend this book to anyone. You will devour it and love these two characters so much. And if you want a brief glimpse of them and a prequel to this book (it doesn’t need to be read in order to enjoy this one), read Falling From Gravity and see why I feel in love with Tobias and Amelia and their story.

Meet K.K. Allen

K.K. Allen is a USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author and interdisciplinary arts and sciences graduate from the University of Washington who writes heartfelt contemporary romance stories that are as real as they are inspiring. K.K. is a Hawaiian girl who was raised in Seattle, and currently resides in central Florida. She works full time as a digital producer for a leading online educational institution and is the mother to a ridiculously handsome little dude who owns her heart.

K.K.’s publishing journey began in June 2014 with the YA Contemporary Fantasy trilogy, The Summer Solstice. In 2016, K.K. published her first Contemporary Romance, Up in the Treehouse, which went on to win the Romantic Times 2016 Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best New Adult Book of the Year. With K.K.’s love for inspirational and coming-of-age stories involving heartfelt narratives and honest emotions, you can be assured to always be surprised by what K.K. releases next.

Connect with K.K. Allen

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IcBh8V

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KKAllen_Author

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kkallen_author/

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2KNgUkz

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2X9wbm5

Website: http://www.kk-allen.com/

Stay up to date with K.K. by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2J4ixcq

1 Comment »

Million Dollar Marriage by Katy Evans…Review

MDM - BT banner.jpg

Million Dollar Marriage by Katy Evans

Release Date: July 23, 2019

COVER.jpg

Million Dollar Marriage, an all-new standalone contemporary romance by Katy Evans.

If someone had bet Nell a million dollars that she would be saying “I do” to a complete stranger on national television, she’d have called them crazy, but with her crushing student loan payments sending her deep into the red, she’s out of options. This should be nothing more than a business transaction—until she sets eyes on her groom, and everything changes.

The game is on the instant Luke spots Penelope “Nell” Carpenter. He’s out for the money, yes, but getting a little dirty with Nell doesn’t sound too bad either. Everyone knows he’s not the marrying kind, so it’s a good thing it’s just for show. God knows he’s the worst guy his pretty wife should pick for real.

They have nothing in common, but if they want the grand prize, they’ll have to beat out eight other couples. Proving that total opposites attract should be easy enough…as long as they don’t fall in love in the process.

MDM - AN FB.jpg

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2GSkbNv

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/MillionDollarMarriage

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2WTkFfm

Blog Tour-3.jpg

Excerpt:

I’m going to lose my lunch.

It’s the live finale the entire country has been waiting for. The arena is packed to the gills with reporters, cameras pointed at us. Flashbulbs go off, and my future seems to flash through my eyes with them.

Everything depends on what will happen in the next hour. We could give our answer in a split second, but not now. I know the announcer will drag things out to the point of sheer madness. Recaps of poignant moments from the season, interviews with contestants, performances by “special celebrity guests” who are also fans of the show.

It’s all meant to build up to the moment of truth. Every one of the people in this arena, every one of the thirteen million people watching at home—they’re all waiting on the edge of their seats with the same question.

Will they . . . or won’t they?

I wish to god we could just give our answer and be done.

He’s so close, but he might as well be a million miles away. Our fingers entwined, he waves at the crowd cheering our names. His hand isn’t the least bit clammy. I manage a peek at him, his chiseled features, his relaxed smile, and my throat catches.

No wonder the world is in love with him. No wonder he’s been the fan favorite since week one.

This is it. The end. Or . . .

I look over at him and say, “Luke . . . I’m not . . .”

He shakes his head almost imperceptibly. “It’s okay,” he murmurs, his fingers stroking my palm. “Breathe, Penny. Just breathe.”

So I do. But air is not the only thing I need to make me okay right now.

We’ve been through so much, more than most couples will go through in entire lifetimes.

And now we’re about to make the decision that will shape our future.

To think, seven months ago, I didn’t even know Luke Cross. Three months ago, I despised him. But somewhere along the line, things changed.

Somewhere along this crazy little adventure we’ve been having, played out on television for the entire world to see, I did what I told myself I’d never do.

I don’t even know how it happened, but as I look back, it seems so inevitable. Like I couldn’t have stopped it, even if I’d tried.

But just because it was meant to happen doesn’t mean it will last forever . . .

 

Million Dollar Marriage is Katy’s second book in her Million Dollar series but can definitely be read as a complete stand-alone. And let me tell you, you want to read this one!

I was completely immersed into this book from start to finish. I don’t know if part of that reason is because that I was watching a reality TV show (something I never, ever do) when I started reading this or if it was just how easily I could picture everything happening.

I do not watch reality TV shows. I find them borrowing, hard to follow and truly and could just care less. LOL But that’s me. However, Katy made this idea come to life in her book and I absolutely loved it. I loved the whole premise and I truly enjoyed how it was plotted out.

I will say nothing more about the plot. Just know that Katy truly brings the idea of reality TV to life in this book and made me want to watch this show – if it were real.

Nell and Luke were perfect. I loved that they stayed true to themselves but also brought the strong characteristics out in one another. The banter and interactions were so real and honest that it just made the book all more exciting.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. There were a few things that bothered me and made them slightly unbelievable, which is why I rated it 4 stars and not 5. However, it was not enough to make me not love the story and the characters.

About Katy:

Katy Evans is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her debut REAL shot to the top of the bestselling lists in 2013 and since then 9 of her titles have been New York Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages across the world.

Connect with Katy:

Email: katyevansauthor@gmail.com

Facebook: http://bit.ly/KatyEvansFB

Twitter: http://bit.ly/KatyEvansTW

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/KatyEvansGR

Instagram: http://bit.ly/KatyEvansIG

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/KatyEvansBB

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KpY9nR

Website: http://www.katyevans.net/

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/KatyEvansNews

1 Comment »

Beautifully Damaged by Laura Pavlov…Blog Tour with Review

Today we have an exciting blog tour from BEAUTIFULLY DAMAGED by Laura Pavlov! Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!

Title: Beautifully Damaged

Author: Laura Pavlov

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

About Beautifully Damaged:

Peyton Kroft was his forever, until the unthinkable happened. Walking away all those years ago had been the right thing to do. But, a decade later, he was ready to put the past behind him. Moving to San Francisco and hiring his first love, the city’s top designer, was a good place to start. Seeing her again stirred up feelings he thought he’d long buried. He wanted her. Just one taste of those sweet lips. The girl like a light leading him home. She’d found a way back in somewhere she could never stay. And, the worst part—he liked her there.

~~~

Jackson Vance broke her heart. He took half of it with him on his way out of town. Picking up the pieces hadn’t been easy, but more than nine years later, Peyton is living her best life. Coming face to face with her first love is not on the agenda. Emerald green eyes that see straight to her soul. Jackson Vance is beautiful, broken, and everything she’s ever wanted. He’s not a forever guy—but when their lips touch, it feels like forever. History has a way of repeating itself. The past still hovers like a dark cloud. But every dark cloud has a silver-lining.

 

Grab Your Copy Today!

About Laura Pavlov:

Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to a couple crazy yorkies. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after.

 

Connect with Laura:

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter

 

Enter Laura’s Giveaway Today:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

1 Comment »