Category: Four Loves

Checkmate: This Is Reckless by Kennedy Fox….

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Title: Checkmate: This is Reckless

Series: Checkmate Duet Series #1

Author: Kennedy Fox

Genre: Friends to Lovers Romance

Release Date: February 28

Goodreads Synopsis

Introducing book 1 in the new Checkmate Duet Series from a secret duo of romance authors under the USA Today bestselling pseudonym, Kennedy Fox!

This friends to lovers romance will have you swooning and laughing from the first to the last page! Are you ready to play the game?

Drew Fisher is the type of guy every girl wants.

Noble police officer by day, charming prince by night.

He has no idea the effect he has on women, especially me—his little sister’s best friend.

I’m the blonde Southern belle who lives up to the cliché, except I have my own quirks. I’m smart as a whip, can change my own oil, and recite The Pledge of Allegiance backward, but he doesn’t see that girl.

It’d be easier to forget him if he wasn’t my roommate and if the first thing I saw in the morning wasn’t his shirtless body covered in tattoos. I’ve crushed on him since the day we met, but he’s made it perfectly clear where we stand. Just friends.

I know I need to move on and accept that his feelings will never be mutual, but every day he smiles at me, I’m left dreaming of what if.

He has girl issues, and I’ve got a crush I can’t deny.

We’re friends, but I want more.

One drunken hookup leaves us with much more than a platonic friendship. Pretending it never happened proves to be more difficult than anticipated.

A crazy ex-girlfriend, a dangerous war of stolen glances, and passionate kisses leads to the most reckless battle yet. I won’t be a pawn in his game, but I’ll play by his rules if it will show him I’m the one worth breaking them for.

Checkmate, Prince Charming.

*Recommend for ages 18+ due to sexual content and adult language.*

**This is book 1 of 2 in the Checkmate Duet Series–a friends to lovers romance. Highly recommended to read the Checkmate Duet, This is War and This is Love first, but not necessary. This can read as a standalone duet.**

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4.5 Stars

I was so excited when I heard that Courtney and Drew were finally getting their book!! Yes, I love Courtney (I mean the name alone has me loving her – HA!) but her whole character is awesome. And Drew, that man needs some serious ass kicking and there is no one better to do it than Courtney.

Courtney has been crushing on Drew since the day she met him. And she’s never really been secretive about it, Drew is just an idiot. Really, he’s just blinded by the sheer ignorance of Mia Fucking Montgomery. She makes him stupid. They say love is blind and that is so true for Drew when it comes Mia and her evil ways. He can’t see Courtney, his best friend, roommate and obvious soulmate.

Anyway, Courtney has now been roommates with Drew for over a year and has really gotten to know him even more. They are best friends through and through. Neither will ever do anything to jeopardize their friendship. But on the night of Travis and Viola’s wedding, they take it a step further, with the help of my little friend called alcohol.

I loved watching these two and their antics. Courtney definitely tells anyone straight up how it is. But when she is unsure of how Drew feels, you see a more vulnerable side to her. Drew doesn’t want things between them to feel like a rebound. He wants to make sure what he is feeling is real and true.

Overall, I really enjoyed their story. We get to see snippets of Travis and Viola plus we learn more about Drew and Courtney. We meet her family (I would love to see a spinoff series about her brothers -HINT HINT!). However, the one issue I have is the ending. I get that Mia is a lunatic and I knew she would try and mess up Courtney and Drew’s new relationship, I just don’t care for what happens at the end, that’s my only gripe.

My reasoning behind the 4 star rating (it’s 4.5 to me) is because the book didn’t have that excitement level that I was expecting, like the very first in this WHOLE series. It was predictable, which isn’t bad but that took away some of the excitement for me.

I am looking forward to the next book and seeing what happens next between Court, Drew and Mia Fucking Montgomery.

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Buy Links

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AMAZON * B&N * KOBO * iBOOKS

Giveaway

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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About the Author

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A secret duo of romance authors team up under the USA Today Bestselling pseudonym, Kennedy Fox who share a love of You’ve Got Mail and The Holiday. When they aren’t bonding over romantic comedies, they like to brainstorm new book ideas. One day, they decided to collaborate together under a pseudonym and have some fun creating new characters that’ll make your lady bits tingle and your heart melt. If you enjoy romance stories with sexy, tattooed alpha males and smart, independent women, then a Kennedy Fox book is for you!

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Newsletter

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Other Books By Kennedy Fox

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The Truth About Lennon….Release Day Event & Review

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Today is the release day blitz for The Truth About Lennon by K.L. Grayson! We have a fantastic celebration for you, so check it out and grab your copy today!!

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About THE TRUTH ABOUT LENNON:

Lennon Barrick-St. James is making headlines as New York City’s hottest new socialite. Only she isn’t new at all. One well-intentioned night gone wrong has landed the daughter of the vice presidential candidate Christopher St. James on the front pages of every newspaper and magazine in the country.

Forced by her father to stay out of the limelight, Lennon flees to the quiet town of Haven, Texas, where she vows to lie low and avoid men. Well, except for the sexy biker she just ran off the road–she definitely won’t be avoiding him.

Noah Cunningham

Already has a girl in his life, and he sure as hell doesn’t need another. Especially the beautiful and sinfully sweet angel that just descended upon the quiet little town he calls home.

The only problem is that the more time he spends with Lennon, the more he wants to be with her. And that’s just not going to work for Noah. He’s already been burned once and he’s not so sure he’s ready to go down that road again.

Noah has spent the last five years putting his life back together after secrets and lies ripped it apart. So what will happen when he learns the Truth about Lennon.

Get Your Copy Today:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes | Goodreads

 

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My Review:

The Truth About Lennon is the newest work from one of my favorite up and coming authors. K.L. Grayson.  This story is sexy sweet with tons of emotion and plenty of heat.  I loved it.

One of my fave scenarios is a big city girl looking to outrun her past and start fresh in a small town.  There’s something about a person looking to discover who they are and starting anew that really draws me in.  That’s exactly where Lennon is in her life, and after finally learning her whole truth, I don’t blame her one bit.  She deserved happiness and a measure of peace in her life.  Luckily she chose Heaven, Texas, for her new start because she will find all of that and more.  Enter Noah.  What starts out as a bit of a rocky start, ends up quickly becoming an attraction neither one will be able to deny. But when the attraction turns from just physical to something much deeper, Noah will have to make one hell of an important choice and after being severely burned in the past, and he isn’t sure he’s ready for that leap of faith….yet.  Of course we all know when it comes to matters of the heart, the heart always wins in the end.

I loved Lennon and Noah’s journey and the road they travel on.  They both have pretty messy pasts and they both have reason to be weary of letting someone behind their defenses. Luckily they realize the connection and attraction they feel isn’t something they should ignore and they quickly turn up the heat…and boy oh boy, did they turn up the heat!  Talk about some seriously sexy moments.  All in all this is a couple I really enjoyed and, while I won’t spoil anything for you, I can guarantee they get the ending I was dreaming of!

Thank you, Ms. Grayson, for a phenomenal story!

Four Loves

 

Exclusive Excerpt:

Later that night, I’m crawling into bed, my sketch pad in hand, when my phone rings. Brenna’s name flashes across the screen.

Shit.

I don’t want to answer, because I already know we’ll end up in another fight. And I’m sick of fighting. I push the button to ignore the call.

I’ve enjoyed my short time here in Heaven, and it isn’t necessarily because of Nova and Noah—although they play a big part. But I’ve enjoyed the quieter life. I’ve enjoyed exploring the little shops in town, getting to know the friendly locals, and seeing the potential all around me. I’m doing what I want when I want without having to answer to anyone. No publicist watching my every move, and no looking over my shoulder everywhere I go, wondering if the paparazzi are hiding around the corner, just waiting for me to screw something up. And I haven’t screwed anything up. I’ve made some mighty fine decisions—both business and personal—since I’ve been here, if I do say so myself.

My phone vibrates again, but this time when I look down, I smile.

Noah: How is your night going?

Me: Better now that I’m talking to you.

I snuggle into my covers, waiting for him to respond.

Noah: I was going to call, but I didn’t want to wake you up.

Me: I’m in bed, but you didn’t wake me up.

Noah: Now we’re getting somewhere. Bed, huh? What are you wearing?

I can’t help it, I grin.

Me: Am I supposed to be wearing something?

Noah: Fuuuuuuck

Me: I can think of a few ways for you to come warm me up ; )

A few seconds later, my phone rings, and I pull it to my ear. “Hello?”

Noah growls. “You’re killing me.”

The sound of his voice is enough to send my body into overdrive. “In the best possible way though, right?” Because you’re killing me, too.

“You have no idea.”

I hear the sheets rustling, and I know he’s in bed. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to be there next to him.

“I think I have an idea.”

“Are you really naked?”

“Do you want me to be?”

“Damn,” he mumbles. “I would kill to be over there right now. You know that, don’t you? You know that if I didn’t have Nova here, I’d be there in a heartbeat.”

“I know.” My heart melts at his sweet words.

“I haven’t been inside of you in days.” His voice is low and raspy, his drawl much more prominent, something that happens when he’s turned on.

“Soon.”

“Really?” he admonishes. “Because I’m beginning to think it’ll never happen again.”

I chuckle. “You miss my body that much, huh?”

He’s silent for a few beats, and then he takes a deep breath and blows me away with his words.

“It’s more than your body, Lennon. It’s your scent and the way it wraps itself around me. It’s the way your eyes sparkle when you smile and the sound of your laughter throughout my house. And how you are with my daughter. You’re amazing with her. You’re gentle and kind and loving and… it’s everything. It’s you. I miss you.”

“Noah?”

“What?”

“Unlock your door.”

I end the call, and two seconds later, I’m hauling ass out the front door in my pajamas. When I hit the bottom step of his porch and find Noah half-naked in front of his open door, wearing nothing but a pair of low-slung sweats, I nearly lose my breath. I’m not sure if it’s the tattoos crawling up his arms, or the way he’s hanging on to the top of the door frame—it could even be his warm, brown eyes, which are eating me from top to bottom—but he looks different.

“What took you so long?” His slow, sexy grin pulls me in, and I walk straight into his open arms.

I pull my bottom lip between my teeth and smile. “I had to put clothes on.”

In an instant, Noah scoops me up, kicks the door shut, and is moving down his hall.

“Why the hell would you do something like that?”

 

 

 

About KL Grayson:

Kirby

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 KL Grayson:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/KL-Grayson/1403900879892076?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorklgrayson

IG: @booksbyklgrayson

 

Enter KL’s giveaway:
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Keeping Her Wet by M. Robinson….Blog Tour & Review

BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY
KEEPING HER WET
USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR M. ROBINSON
RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 7TH
COVER MODEL: JOSEPH CANNATA
COVER DESIGNER: THE FINAL WRAP
A Novella from USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR M. ROBINSON just
in time to spice up your Valentines Day!
Ten couples.
Twenty characters.
Ten chapters.
A collection of ten hot scenes from all ten of M. Robinson’s
standalone books. Each couple will have a chapter dedicated to them. New and
never read before.
Sebastian and Ysabelle- The VIP Trilogy
Mika and The Madam- The VIP Trilogy
Devon and Brooke- Tempting Bad
James and Gianna- Two Sides Gianna
Lucas and Alex- Complicate Me (The Good Ol’ Boys)
Jacob and Lily- Forbid Me (The Good Ol’ Boys)
Dylan and Aubrey- Undo Me (The Good Ol’ Boys)
Austin and Briggs- Crave Me (The Good Ol’ Boys)
Martinez and Lexi- El Diablo
Creed and Mia- Road to Nowhere & Ends Here
*Note: You do not have to read the books above to read
Keeping Her Wet!


 
ONE-CLICK FOR $.99 

AMAZON / NOOK / KOBO / I-TUNES

3.5 Stars

Keeping Her Wet is a very steamy novella. You don’t need to have read any of her other books to read this. But knowing who her characters are does help more.

I love that each chapter is a different couple from each of her books. So you are able to skip around to particular chapters if you want to read about a certain couple. And they are all very quick reads.

These scenes are hot, steamy and sexy. While I enjoyed most of them, I did find the overall vibe to be the same and certain chapters I felt myself skimming. But overall, I did enjoy reading about each couple.

If you are looking for something to add some heat to your reading around Valentine’s day or any other day, definitely grab this book. You won’t be disappointed.

YSABELLE & SEBASTIAN-VIP/MVP
My tongue was in her mouth,
shutting her the hell up before she got the last word out. Making her savor the
taste of herself all over my lips and tongue. I grabbed onto the back of her
neck, pulling her closer to me. Placing her exactly where I wanted her.
Completely underneath me.
She licked and sucked on my tongue,
panting, moaning, and scratching at me to keep going.
I
didn’t.
Instead, I abruptly grabbed a
fistful of her hair, causing her to yelp from the sudden intrusion on her
scalp. “Let’s go,” I demanded in a much harsher tone, not wanting to have my
way with her just yet.



I had other plans that involved her being in a string bikini, completely
at my mercy. 

 

 ALL FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED
VIP / The Madam / MVP
Tempting Bad
Two Sides Gianna
Complicate Me / Forbid Me / Undo Me / Crave Me
El Diablo
Road to Nowhere
Ends Here (Road to Nowhere Book 2)

 

USA Today Bestselling Author of The Good Ol’ Boys Standalone
Series, The VIP Trilogy, Tempting Bad, and Two Sides.
M. Robinson loves to read. She favors anything that has
angst, romance, triangles, cheating, love, and of course sex! She has been
reading since the Babysitters Club and R.L. Stein. 
She was born in New Jersey but was raised in Tampa FL.
She is married to an amazing man who she loves to pieces.
They have two German Shepherd mixes, a Wheaten Terrier and a Tabby cat. 
CONNECT WITH M. ROBINSON
 
WEBSITE  / FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER / 
VIP READER GROUP /AMAZON / GOODREADS
$25 AMAZON GIFT CARD / $15 ITUNES GIFT CARD / SIGNED KEEPING HER WET PAPERBACK

Retreat by Jay Crownover…..Revie

Every once in a while, you need to get away from it all.

I was a woman on the edge, shaken and shattered after a breakup that felt like it tore my entire world apart.  My best friend, sick of watching me drown in misery and melancholy, harassed me until I agreed to go with her on a week-long wilderness retreat.
She promised days spent bonding and getting in touch with our inner bad-asses. It was supposed to be all about the two of us roughing it and making do with the bare minimum. She assured me we were going to be pushed to our limits in ways that were unimaginable. Neither one of us could have ever guessed just how right she was.
Nowhere in the glossy brochure did it say anything about the fact I was going to have to battle the insufferable but deliciously rugged and sexy trail guide instead of the elements. The brochure also forgot to mention the part that warned when you left civilization behind, there was no place to pack your inhibitions and fears.
I was told that I would be facing a week where the only thing I should expect was the unexpected. However, no one mentioned that I was going to have to fight for my life…and my heart as soon as I ventured into the unknown.  I was a pro at hiding from my feelings but when it came time to face a real threat, one that could change everything, I learned I was more of a no surrender, no retreat kind of girl.
Retreat is a standalone novel, the first in the Getaway series which centers on the hardheaded and brokenhearted Warner brothers and the women that dare to love them.
These boys are very good at putting the wild in wilderness.

Retreat is different from Jay’s other books due to type of characters and their location, however, you can still tell this is Jay Crownover because of her amazing writing.

I will be honest and say that had this not been written by Jay, I probably would not have made any attempt to read this book. It’s a country read – not my normal read. But it’s Jay Fucking Crownover writing it, so I’d be an idiot to not give a try. And let me tell you, I absolutely enjoyed this story and all the characters we meet.

Leo is a city girl who wants to escape from her pain and hurt. She’s sassy and fiery and wants to move on. So what better way than to do something totally nontraditional and go on a wilderness exploration! Except she’s not expecting anyone like Cyrus.

Cyrus (Cy) has returned to his father’s ranch. He’s the oldest of three boys and holds the family together. And he himself has gone through a divorce and just doesn’t want anything to do with falling in love ever again.

The dynamics between Leo and Cy are amazing. These two definitely butt heads on more than one occasion. They couldn’t be more opposite if they tried, but it’s what pulls them together. These two banter like you wouldn’t believe and it’s what keeps this book interesting. I enjoyed the second half of this book much more than the first half, but that’s because there was more scene and character building in the first half.

And that’s all you’re getting form me. I am not going to pick apart and divulge the book to you and give away anything. There are some steamy and sex times mixed in with some funny times. It’s all-around great read.

I really enjoyed this “non-typical” Crownover book. It’s a great start to a new series that I think many fans will love and will also gain Jay new fans.

Now bring on the next book!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Jay Crownover is the International and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, and The Point and Breaking Point Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road. Feel free to email me at: JayCrownover@gmail.com

 

Ex-Con by Katana Collins….Series Review

 

 

 

Description:

Worse than bad. Hotter than hot. These are the bad boys of the Harrison Street Crew, and they answer to no one. They take what they want. And what they want is you.

Ex-convict Shane McGill is as rugged and wild as they come. Bad to the bone and back on the streets, he’ll do anything and say anything to survive. Even if that something means joining the one car club he had worked so hard to avoid. But there’s one person out there who can match him toe-to-toe…the hot mechanic pin-up doll of a woman with the body of a goddess and tomboy attitude would even give him a chance.

My Review:

Ex-Con is the newest work from author Katana Collins and is broke up into three scorching, high octane parts. I was lucky enough to get all three at at the same time so I breezed right through them all and I loved every second!

From the very first chapter I was hooked on this story.  Shane is the perfect anti-hero wrapped up in a sexy package with a hidden soft side I just adored. I was pulling for him for the very beginning to get his life together while keeping things on the straight and narrow.  Of course that would prove a difficult task from the word go.  I also loved Charlie; the sexy mechanic Shane ends up working with in her shop.  She is a total bad ass without being too hard edged.  She reminded me a bit of Angelina Jolie’s character in the movie Gone in 60 Seconds but with better hair lol!  Together the attraction between them is instant and intense.  Total off the charts heat factor!

This collection as a whole has so much to sink your teeth into… a crew of less than savory guys, illegal street racing, a psycho ex, tons of heat, ups and downs, two unforgettable main characters, and a fresh and exciting story line all well written and guaranteed to keep you glued to each page!

Thank you, Ms. Collins, for a fantastic trio of stories.  I loved every second of Shane and Charlie’s story! If you haven’t picked up a Katana Collins book, you really must.

Four-and-a-Half Loves

 

 

 

Part 1:

Ex-Con Part 1:

Worse than bad. Hotter than hot. These are the bad boys of the Harrison Street Crew, and they answer to no one. They take what they want. And what they want is you.

Volume One of a three-part volume by Katana Collins.

Ex-convict Shane McGill is as rugged and wild as they come. Bad to the bone and back on the streets, he’ll do anything and say anything to survive. Even if that something means joining the one car club he had worked so hard to avoid. But there’s one person out there who can match him toe-to-toe…the hot mechanic pin-up doll of a woman with the body of a goddess and tomboy attitude would even give him a chance.

 

Book Links:

Amazon  |  Goodreads

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ex-con-katana-collins/1125495394

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/ex-con-part-1/id1176387018

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/ex-con-part-1

 

Part 2:

 

Ex-Con Part 2:

Worse than bad. Hotter than hot. These are the bad boys of the Harrison Street Crew, and they answer to no one. They take what they want. And what they want is you.

Volume Two of a three-part volume by Katana Collins.

Charlize “Charlie” Wakeman fixes cars and doesn’t suffer fools. But when the hot as hell ex-convict Shane McGill enters her mechanic shop, she can’t resist one wild night with him. It was just meant to be a fling…the wildest, most thrilling fling of her life. But Shane’s too ruthless, too bad to ignore, and Charlie can’t stop herself from coming back for more.

Book Links:

Amazon  |  Goodreads

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ex-con-katana-collins/1125495385

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/ex-con-part-2/id1176215427

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/ex-con-part-2

 

Part 3:

 

Ex-Con Part 3:

Worse than bad. Hotter than hot. These are the bad boys of the Harrison Street Crew, and they answer to no one. They take what they want. And what they want is you.

Volume Three of a three-part volume by Katana Collins.

Shane McGill learned one thing from prison—if you get a second chance, don’t screw it up. Shane doesn’t regret a single second of his life once he’s found Charlie. She’s the happiest, hottest, most important thing to happen to him. But as tensions rise in the Harrison Street Crew, his relationship with Charlie takes on a new level of heat, and danger…

Book Links:

Amazon  |  Goodreads

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ex-con-katana-collins/1125495376

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/ex-con-part-3/id1176384694

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/ex-con-part-3

 

 

 

 

Author Bio

KATANA COLLINS is lucky enough to love her day job almost as much as she loves writing. She splits her time evenly between photographing boudoir and newborn portraits and writing steamy romances in a variety of genres — paranormal, contemporary, new adult and suspense.

She bounces between living in New York and Portland, Maine, with an ever-growing brood of rescue animals: a kind of mean cat, a very mellow chihuahua, and a very not mellow lab puppy… oh yeah, there’s a husband somewhere in that mix, too. She can usually be found hunched over her laptop in a cafe, guzzling gallons of coffee, and wearing fabulous (albeit sometimes impractical) shoes.

 

Author Links

Website: www.katanacollins.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KatanaCollins

Twitter: twitter.com/katanacollins

 

 

Ex-Con Part 3 by Katana Collins….Release Day Event



Your wait is now over! 
The conclusion of EX-CON by Katana Collins 
is now available! 

Ex-Con: Part 3
(The Harrison Street Crew)
by Katana Collins
 
Blurb:
Worse than bad. Hotter than hot. These are the bad boys of the Harrison Street Crew, and they answer to no one. They take what they want. And what they want is you.
Volume Three of a three-part volume

Shane McGill learned one thing from prison—if you get a second chance, don’t screw it up. Shane doesn’t regret a single second of his life once he’s found Charlie. She’s the happiest, hottest, most important thing to happen to him. But as tensions rise in the Harrison Street Crew, his relationship with Charlie takes on a new level of heat, and danger…

 

Available for purchase at
Kindle    Nook   iBooks    Kobo
Make sure to grab Parts I and II
Add to your TBR List on Goodreads
Kindle    Nook   iBooks    Kobo
EX-CON: Part 2
Add to your TBR List on Goodreads
Kindle    Nook   iBooks    Kobo
EX-CON: Part 3
Add to your TBR List on Goodreads
Kindle    Nook   iBooks    Kobo
Don’t forget to pre-order Book 2 in the 
HARRISON STREET CREW SERIES
 
OUTLAW
 
Available to pre-order at
 
Kindle  Nook  iTunes  Kobo
About The Author

Katana Collins is lucky enough to love her day job almost as much as she loves writing. She splits her time evenly between photographing boudoir and newborn portraits and writing steamy romances in a variety of genres — paranormal, contemporary, new adult and suspense.She lives in Portland, Maine, with an ever-growing brood of rescue animals: a kind of mean cat, a very mellow chihuahua, and a very not mellow lab puppy… oh yeah, there’s a husband somewhere in that mix, too. She can usually be found hunched over her laptop in a cafe, guzzling gallons of coffee, and wearing fabulous (albeit sometimes impractical) shoes.

You can find Katana at

 

 

Presented By

Love Story by Lauren Layne….Release Day Blitz & Review

Over the course of one wild road trip, 
feuding childhood sweethearts get a second chance at love.
LOVE STORY
a Love Unexpectedly novel
Lauren Layne
Releasing February 14th, 2017
Loveswept

Over the course of one wild road trip, feuding childhood sweethearts get a second chance at love in this charming rom-com—a standalone novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Blurred Lines and Good Girl.

When Lucy Hawkins receives a job offer in San Francisco, she can’t wait to spread her wings and leave her small Virginia hometown behind. Her close-knit family supports her as best they can, by handing over the keys to a station wagon that’s seen better days. The catch? The cross-country trip comes with a traveling companion: her older brother’s best friend, aka the guy who took Lucy’s virginity hours before breaking her heart.

After spending the past four years and every last dime caring for his sick father, Reece Sullivan will do just about anything to break free of the painful memories—even if it means a two-week road trip with the one girl who’s ever made it past his carefully guarded exterior. But after long days of bickering in the car turn into steamy nights in secluded motel rooms, Reece learns that, when it comes to Lucy, their story is far from over. And this time, they just might have a shot at a happy ending.

Although listed as a title in the Love Unexpectedly Series, all books in the series stand alone.

 

Exclusive Excerpt

“Spock, we’re giving you Horny!” my mom blurts out, apparently fed up with my denseness.

Her utterance is too much for my siblings to handle and they both burst out laughing, retreating into the kitchen to rejoin the party where there’s wine.

Oh what I wouldn’t give for wine right now.

“I, um . . . you’re giving me the car?” I ask.

“Because yours broke down,” my dad explains, walking forward to thump Horny’s dented hood.

“And this one’s . . . not broken down?” I ask skeptically.

Look, it’s not that I’m not grateful. My parents are trying to give me a car, I appreciate the sweetness of the gesture, it’s just . . .

Here’s the thing about Horny: he barely got us three kids through high school. I mean, Horny is the car that sputtered and shook making it the 3.2 miles to Jefferson High, no matter who was behind the wheel.

I’m even going to come all the way clean here and say that early on in my freshmen year, I was embarrassed showing up in Horny. Then I realized I was lucky to have a car at all, and well . . . I dunno, I guess Horny became a part of us Hawkins kids’ charm, because the station wagon was practically an institution from Craig’s high school reign all the way through Brandi’s.

But poor Horny quit working years ago. Much to Brandi’s chagrin, he gave up the ghost a mere two months before her high school graduation, and I spent the last bit of her senior year being picked up by my parents.

“He’s going to take you to California,” Dad says, giving the car another thump.

“Really?” I step forward and run a tentative finger along the familiar panel. He’s had a bath, so at least that’s something. “Because last I knew, he wouldn’t even make it out of the garage.”

“Yeah, well, we neglected him for a while, but he’s right as rain now,” Dad says, puffing out his chest as though Horny’s a fourth child.

“Like, as in he actually starts?”

“Purrs like a kitten,” my mom says with an emphatic nod, even though I know she doesn’t even like cats. “We didn’t believe it, but we took him to church on Sunday and there were no issues.”

I literally bite my tongue to keep from pointing out that this is hardly a feat. Sacred Presbyterian is 0.8 miles away from the house.

“You took Horny into a shop?” I ask, starting to warm to the idea of having a car again. I’m a little touched, actually. Money is tight for my parents. Dad’s a PE teacher, and Mom gives a mean winery tour, but the gig’s never paid much.

“Not exactly, it was more of a bartering situation,” Mom says.

“Yeah?” I say, going around to the driver’s seat, already giddy with the prospect of telling Oscar I’ll be able to come see him in Miami after all, even if I won’t exactly be riding in style.

“Reece agreed to fix him up.”

I’m lowering myself into the car as my dad says this, but I reverse so quickly I hit my head. My skull doesn’t even register the pain, because I’m too busy registering the hurt in my heart at the familiar name. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Reece,” my mom says, giving me a bemused look. “He’s always been handy with cars.”

“He fixed up the car in exchange for what?”

And then I feel—I actually feel—the air change around me as the side door to the garage opens, and a new presence sucks all the air out of the space.

I don’t turn around. I don’t move. But I feel his eyes on me. Over me.

“Reece is headed out to California too,” my oblivious mother chatters on. “It worked out perfectly actually. Now you two can ride together, and your dad and I don’t have to worry about you alone in the middle of nowhere with a twenty-something-year-old car.

They think the car is going to be the problem here? It’s not the car that’s toxic to me. It’s him.

Reece Sullivan. My brother’s best friend. My parents’ “other son.”

Slowly I force myself to turn, and even though I’m prepped, the force of that ice-blue gaze still does something dangerous to me.

He winks, quick and cocky, and I suck in a breath, and I have to wonder . . .

I wonder if my parents would feel differently about their little plan if they knew that their makeshift mechanic is the same guy that popped my cherry six years earlier under their very roof.

And then broke my heart twenty-four hours later.

 

 

Love Story is very close to almost a hate story. This isn’t your typical brother’s best friend romance either. I really liked how LL wrote this story.

 “We’re more than our mistakes.”

Lucy and Reece were pretty close growing up even though he was her brother’s best friend. And yes, they tried to become more but he crushed her heart by cheating on her before she left for college and they’ve hated each other since then.

I like that this story is pretty much written in the present but does flash back to memories of them at certain ages and what they went through – shows their bond of friendship and how things crossed over to more.

“We may hate each other, but we’re a part of each other. Moth to flame.” 

What I really loved about this story was the mystery to their love story – what tore these two apart to begin with. Reece and Lucy see things so differently as to what happened. And they do talk about it, but they aren’t exactly truthful with each other. This road trip forces these two to face the issues they’ve been running from but because they are both stubborn and prefer to assume than communicate with words, things don’t exactly get worked out. But they do give each other some great workouts in the hotels and motels they stay at!!

Lucy is very head strong and drive woman. Reece has been dealt a lot of crap going up and sort of has this “don’t plan ahead” thought process. It’s not that he lives in the moment, but more that he doesn’t think too far into the future. He allows past people’s actions dictate what his future should be instead of making it his own, which does piss me off. He sees Lucy’s drive as her trying to get away instead of it as her trying to show him who he can be.

“My heart’s had barbed wire around it for a good six years now, and there’s absolutely zero chance that the person to slip beneath my protective walls is going to be the one who caused those walls to go up in the first place.”

I really enjoyed LL’s view on dating the brother’s best friend – it wasn’t forbidden. There was no huge issue there. This was a second chance at fixing what they got wrong the first time. I love LL’s writing style and her characters always make me laugh and feel real.

Love Story is another great standalone book in her Love Unexpectedly series!!

 

 

 

Lauren
Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen
romantic comedies.
 
A former
e-commerce and web marketing manager from Seattle, Lauren relocated to New York
City in 2011 to pursue a full-time writing career.
 
She lives
in midtown Manhattan with her high-school sweetheart, where she writes smart
romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush. In
LL’s ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry
a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books. 
 

 

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Tempt Me by J. Kenner….ARC Review

 

Synopsis:

Sometimes passion has a price …

When sexy Stark Security Chief Ryan Hunter whisks his girlfriend Jamie Archer away for a passionate, romance-filled weekend so he can finally pop the question, he’s certain that the answer will be an enthusiastic yes. So when Jamie tries to avoid the conversation, hiding her fears of commitment and change under a blanket of wild sensuality and decadent playtime in bed, Ryan in more determined than ever to convince Jamie that they belong together.

Knowing there’s no halfway with this woman, Ryan gives her an ultimatum – marry him or walk away.  Now Jamie is forced to face her deepest insecurities or risk destroying the best thing in her life. And it will take all of her strength, and all of Ryan’s love, to keep her right where she belongs…

 

Review:

Tempt Me is the newest work from author J. Kenner and is also the first Blue Box special of 2017 from 1,001 Dark nights.  I adore Ms. Kenner’s writing and can always count on a sexy, swoon-worthy read with dynamic characters and a fantastic story line and Tempt Me was yet another prime example of that!

Ok, so here’s the thing.  I, personally, am a total over thinker, especially when it comes to big life events.  Needless to say, I could totally relate to Jamie and her reservations in this book.  Yes, Ryan is amazing and a total catch in sooooo many ways and I love him but poor Jamie is having a whole lot of reservations when it comes to marrying him.  That, of course, leads to a whole lot of emotion and gave me so many feels while I was reading.  There was a whole chapter where I had an actual pain in my chest and was so worried for these two.  I desperately wanted them to have their happy ever after and loved their road to getting there.  I have to say, the ending of this book is hands down one of my faves ever and one I know will stay with me for a really long time.  It was so amazing!

Beyond the high emotion there is so much heat and so many deliciously sexy moments added in and I freaking loved it.  *fans self*

Whether you’re already a fan of Ms. Kenner like I am or you’ve just found her, I know you will love Tempt Me as much as I did!

Five Loves

Book Links:

1,001 Dark Nights: http://www.1001darknights.com/blue-box-specials/j-kenner-tempt-me/

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

B&N: http://bit.ly/2l8e7pC

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

iBooks: http://apple.co/2kDlAJK

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2l0QIEh

 

 

 

About the author: 

Julie Kenner (aka J. Kenner and J.K. Beck) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over forty novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations,” J.K. writes a range of stories including super sexy romances, paranormal romance, chick lit suspense and paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, is in development as a feature film with 1492 Pictures.

Her most recent trilogy of erotic romances, The Stark Trilogy (as J. Kenner), reached as high as #2 on the New York Times list and is published in over twenty countries.

J.K. lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and several cats.

Visit J. Kenner’s website and follow her on:

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Good Boy by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy….Review

GOOD BOY GR LINK

Hosting her brother’s wedding for an MVP guest list is the challenge of Jess Canning’s life. Already the family screw-up, she can’t afford to fail. And nobody (nobody!) can learn of the colossal mistake she made with the best man during a weak moment last spring. It was wrong, and there will not be a repeat. Absolutely not. Even if he is the sexiest thing on two legs.

Blake Riley sees the wedding as fate’s gift to him. Jess is the maid of honor and he’s the best man? Let the games begin. So what if he’s facing a little (fine, a lot) of resistance? He just needs to convince the stubborn blonde that he’s really a good boy with a bad rap. Luckily, every professional hockey player knows that you’ve got to make an effort if you want to score.

But Jess has more pressing issues to deal with than sexy-times with a giant man-child. Such as: Will the ceremony start on time, even though someone got grandma drunk? Does glitter ever belong at a wedding? And is it wrong to murder the best man?

Caution: May cause accidental aspiration of tea or coffee. Do not read in a public place where loud laughter is inappropriate. Contains hot but hilarious hockey players, puppy cuddling and a snarky pair of underwear

http://amzn.to/2jyN2KF

My Review:

Good Boy is the newest work from the writing team of Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen.   I knew from the cover and synopsis alone I was going to love this book and, oh boy, I was not disappointed!

From the very beginning, Blake stole my heart.  His fun witted, sexy banter with Jess was off the charts fun and I loved him.  He’s like a big kid in a way an it was beyond endearing to me.  He’s quirky and loyal and kind and sexy and I couldn’t get enough.  Jess was also a really lovable character with a great head on her shoulders and, even though it takes her some time to find her path in life, is one determined cookie.

Together the fun banter and sexual tension was off the charts hot and I ate it up with a spoon!  I knew Jess would be worn down by Blake’s signature brand of flirting (I mean I don’t think anyone could hold out on him!) and when she was, man it was smoking hot.

If you’re looking for a fun, sexy read, this is definitely a must read for you! Thank you Ms. Kennedy and Ms. Bowen for a fab read!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

 

 

Please include Stay as well! Release date: mid-June!

 

STAY GR LINK

http://geni.us/staygr
http://geni.us/SBEKlanding

Tequila and Tailgates by Andrea Johnston….Release Day Blitz & Review

Title: Tequila & Tailgates
Series: Country Road #2
Author: Andrea Johnston
Release Date: Jan 27, 2017
 
Four years ago, I took the biggest risk
of my life and it blew up in my face. I learned my lesson – love sucks.
Now self-preservation and protecting
my heart have become second nature. But Jameson Strauss… he’s my weakness.
Give me the occasional shot of
tequila, a game of Truth or Dare, and I’ll do almost anything for that man.
*
Four years ago, I didn’t follow
my heart. I let the one girl that consumed my soul walk away without a fight.
Now I go through the motions never
truly living. But, the day Ashton Sullivan needed me was the day my world changed for the
better.
Tequila, truths, and the occasional
dare are all I need to show her how good we can be.
Sometimes the truth is in the
dare.
 
  

Special price of $.99
through release weekend

 

Tequila and Tailgates is the second book in Andrea’s Country Road series and it can be read as a standalone.  However, we do have updates on the couple from the first book so if you want to know about their story, go back and read Whiskey and Honey first, then come read this one.

“Truth or Dare”

I enjoyed this sweet and sassy story.  Jameson and Ashton have grown up beside one another.  He’s her brother’s best friend.  Yes, I know this cliché is starting to run its course, but I liked Andrea’s take on it.  Neither have really pined after the other one throughout the years.  It’s just that one night that changed everything between them.

They’ve kept their distance as much as possible and have learned to deal with one another when they’re together since they do have the same circle of friends.  But now due to a freak accident, Ashton finds herself having to live with Jameson until her house is repaired.  And then they add something in their new roommate status…..

” ‘One Rule.’

‘Fine, what?’

‘Monogamy.  No sleeping with others.  If you meet someone and want to hook up, you tell me first and this ends.’

‘Deal. But, I have one too.’

‘Oookkkaayyy,’ I reply.

‘Don’t fall in love with me, Sunshine.’

Planting a quick kiss on my lips, he laughs and turns toward the stove.

Jameson may be joking, but it is also likely a little too late.”

Jameson and Ashton are quite a pair together.  They both are fighting the same battle towards each other but never realizing the other is having the same issues.  They have some work to do in the communications department and they both know it.  They just refuse to truly accept what they are feeling, not only to themselves but to one another.

Andrea writes quite the funny and sassy story between these two.  There are no short of jabs and witty come backs in this book.  It’s funny how two people who are so compatible are completely blind to it themselves.  Andrea brings everything full circle in the end and I feel she pulled it all together in a nice pace.  Nothing was rushed and everything fell into place.

Great follow up to the first book.  I am looking forward to Owen and Landon’s books!!!

 

 

We spent the entire weekend at the
lake eating, drinking, and swimming. It’s a tradition that we maintain to this day. On the
final night of the weekend, Jameson and I were the last two awake by the fire. I think together
we managed to consume an entire bottle of tequila. And, as it often is, the alcohol was a sort of
truth serum for us.
We started a game of Truth or Dare,
which never quite mustered a dare. Until the end. Truths varied from cheating on history tests to
sneaking in after curfew and even first crushes. I admitted to my fear of small children and
Jameson admitted his fear of a woman dressed in head-to-toe leopard. We laughed and we
cried. Tears from laughter, not sadness.
Then he asked me the final truth or
dare as I took my last shot and handed him the bottle.
“Truth or Dare,
Ash?”
 
“Hmmm. Well,
considering we’ve just demolished a bottle of tequila, neither seems like a good idea.
I’m likely to break a leg or make an ass of myself.”
 
“I’d go with the
ass part. I don’t think either of us wants a lecture from Piper if we have to go to the
hospital.” 
 
“Ain’t that the
truth. Okay then. Truth it is. Hit me.”
 
“Do you ever think about
kissing me?”
 
Seconds that feel like minutes
pass between us. Something glimmers in his eyes as he asks me. Screw it, I can always blame
the tequila.
 
“Yes.” 
 
His breath hitches and a sinister
smile takes over my face. Two can play this game.
 
“Your turn, J. Truth or
Dare?”
 
He stands and finishes the
tequila straight from the bottle and takes the three steps necessary to stand in front of me. He
bends so that his hands rest on the arms of my chair and leans in. I can smell the tequila on his
breath mixing with mine. My own breath hitches.
 
“Dare,
Sunshine.” 
 
“I hate that
name.”
 
“I
know.”
 
Our words are
whispers.
 
“I dare you to kiss
me.”
 
 
Andrea Johnston spent her childhood
with her nose in a book and a pen to paper. An avid people watcher, her mind is full of stories
that yearn to be told.  A fan of angsty romance with a happy ending, super sexy erotica
and a good mystery, Andrea can always be found with her Kindle nearby fully charged.
Andrea lives in Idaho with her family
and two dogs.  When she isn’t spending time with her partner in crime aka her
husband, she can be found binge watching all things Bravo and enjoying a cocktail. Nothing
makes her happier than the laughter of her children, a good book, her feet in the water, and
cocktail in hand all at the same time.
   

The Room Mate by Kendall Ryan….Blog Tour & Review

 

RMbanner

 

room-mate_amazonThe last time I saw my best friend’s younger brother, he was a geek wearing braces. But when Cannon shows up to crash in my spare room, I get a swift reality check.

Now twenty-four, he’s broad shouldered and masculine, and so sinfully sexy, I want to climb him like the jungle gyms we used to enjoy. At six-foot-something with lean muscles hiding under his T-shirt, a deep sexy voice, and full lips that pull into a smirk when he studies me, he’s pure temptation.

Fresh out of a messy breakup, he doesn’t want any entanglements. But I can resist, right?

I’m holding strong until the third night of our new arrangement when we get drunk and he confesses his biggest secret of all: he’s cursed when it comes to sex. Apparently he’s a god in bed, and women instantly fall in love with him.

I’m calling bullshit. In fact, I’m going to prove him wrong, and if I rack up a few much-needed orgasms in the process, all the better.

There’s no way I’m going to fall in love with Cannon. But once we start…I realize betting against him may have been the biggest mistake of my life.

 

the room mate available now (1)

 

Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kendall Ryan is my go-to for quick, no-drama, romantic reads.  And she never fails.

The Room Mate is sexy, comical and cute book that starts Kendall’s 2017 out with bang – both literally and figuratively.  HA!

Paige and Cannon grew up together.  Cannon is the little brother of Allie, Paige’s BFF.   Paige always saw him as her nerdy little brother, til the day she shows up on her doorstep.  He’s not 24 and going through his residency for medical school.  And yea, he looks like a walking billboard.

Paige keeps telling herself that she’s doing her best friend a favor by allowing her brother to crash at her place for two months after he was evicted from his old place due to former flame causing some major issues.

Everything will be fine.  These two are grown adults.  They can handle the attraction and not act upon it.  But wait – that’s not really the problem.  They both could use some non-commitment sex.  Everyone woman Cannon sleeps with seems to fall in insta-love with him.  And well Paige needs to get in game.  Plus she wants to prove that to Cannon that his actions in the sack won’t make her fall in love with him.

Kendall is always able to write some great characters.  They are always relatable in some way.  And their interactions with one another are always so natural and at times quick funny.  Kendall’s writing is always on-point and keeps the book moving at a great pace.  I never want to put her books down once I start them.

Another great hit to add to her already humungous pile of great achievements.

 

 

 

 

the room mate chemistry 2

 

 

kendall-ryan-headshot-1-picA New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She’s a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she’s appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.

Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras

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