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

by Courtney

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:

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

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Starts: August 23rd 2019
Ends: August 31st 2019
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Release Day Blitz & Review….Wild Steamy Hook-up by Piper Rayne

by Courtney

He’s the quiet brooding guy who’s
owned my heart since I was sixteen but has refused to claim it.

I’m the naïve woman who believes
that someday our time will come.

I just didn’t realize that someday
would include waking up in Vegas with a raging hangover and a ring on my
finger.

If we believed in fate, maybe one
of us would’ve trusted that something more powerful than ourselves interceded
because our love is one of tangled vines. As twisted and frayed as they’ve
become over the years, they’ve never broken.

An annulment seemed like the easy
way out. We should’ve known it wouldn’t be fate that intervened, but our
Italian Mamas. They can deliver Oscar-worthy performances when heaping on the
guilt.

We thought it’d be easyHe’s the quiet brooding guy who’s
owned my heart since I was sixteen but has refused to claim it.

I’m the naïve woman who believes
that someday our time will come.

I just didn’t realize that someday
would include waking up in Vegas with a raging hangover and a ring on my
finger.

An annulment seemed like the easy
way out. We should’ve known it wouldn’t be fate that intervened, but our
Italian Mamas. They can deliver Oscar-worthy performances when heaping on the
guilt.

We thought it’d be easy to pretend
to be a happily married couple in front of our families for three months and
then say we gave it our best shot and go our separate ways.

But nothing is easy when it comes
to Dominic Mancini and me. Nothing. to pretend
to be a happily married couple in front of our families for three months and
then say we gave it our best shot and go our separate ways.

But nothing is easy when it comes
to Dominic Mancini and me. Nothing.

Buy Here:

Wild Steamy Hook-Up is the third in the White Collar Brother series and is Dom and Val’s story. You can easily read this as a standalone but you do get snippets of these two in the previous books that lead up to their book.

I was surprisingly surprised at how much I liked Dom and his soft side towards Val. I had not expected him to be so open in his attraction to her. Aside from his obsession with wanting to financially secure in his life and that being a priority in his life, the man has no problems with letting Val know how attracted he is to her. However, he also doesn’t allow him to get closer to her than the physical.

Val has been in with Dom for quite some time. She has him on this pedestal but also realizes that they are not meant for forever. But she has also never let her true feelings be known to him. She keeps a lot to herself and really needs to get out of her head.

The assumptions and miscommunications are a HUGE hinderance in these two getting their shit together sooner. At their age and how easily these two do get alone, communication is truly easy for them, except when expressing their feelings towards each other. At times, this did get frustrating but it also made for an entertaining read.

Wild Steamy Hook-Up is an enjoyable read and one I liked more than I expected. I am keeping my eyes peeled for Blanca’s book – I want to see her give her three brothers coronaries with her antics. LOL

Piper Rayne, or Piper and Rayne, whichever you prefer because we’re not one author, we’re two. Yep, you get two USA Today Bestselling authors for the price of one. Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have “Heartwarming Humor With a Side of Sizzle” (okay…you caught us, that’s our tagline). A little about us… We both have kindle’s full of one-clickable books. We’re both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We’re both chauffeurs to our kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh, and we hope you do, too.

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Release Day Blitz & Review….That Forever Girl by Meghan Quinn

by Courtney

RELEASE BLITZ

Title: That Forever Girl

Author: Meghan Quinn

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: August 27, 2019

BLURB

USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn’s second book in the Getting Lucky series brings heart, humor, and heat back to Port Snow.

There are two little words every small-town man dreads:

She’s back.

Harper Sanders, the girl who was supposed to be my forever, has returned to Port Snow, Maine, for good—and she’s bringing back memories of our shared past.

We once had a bright future together, but when tragedy struck, I threw it all away and pushed her out of my life. People in our small town think I’m cursed, but I know better. I did it all to myself.

And now she’s creating a life of her own in the place where we first fell in love. I can’t fight my feelings for her—or the strong attraction that keeps pulling us together. But after all this time, can she forgive the past and fall in love with me all over again?

Everyone hopes to find that forever girl…I just hope I haven’t lost mine for good.

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42600605-that-second-chance?ac=1&from_search=true

UNIVERSAL PURCHASE LINK: mybook.to/ThatForeverGirl

⭐⭐⭐FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!!!!! ⭐⭐⭐

EXCERPT:

There is no way in hell she’s here.

My family isn’t that cruel. Right?

From my car, I try to gauge the number of bodies in my parents’ house through the windows. Ugh, I can’t see shit.

She can’t possibly be at family dinner. My family loves Harper, but they wouldn’t invite her, not after I called my mom the other day, telling her to put her matchmaking skills to rest. She just chuckled but reassured me she knew what she was doing. Whatever the hell that means.

I was very adamant about leaving Harper alone. The Knightlys can be too much at times, and I’m sure we’re the last thing she needs right when she’s trying to settle back into town.

Resigning myself to the inevitable, I retrieve my keys from the ignition and make my way to the front door. Hand on the doorknob, I take a deep breath and walk into the house I grew up in. The warm walls and carefully hung family pictures greet me first, followed by my family’s raucous laughter emanating from the back of the house.

I remove my shoes and hang my suit jacket on the coat hanger by the front door before cautiously making my way down the long hallway to the connected kitchen and large dining room. Ren, Griffin’s girlfriend, is the first to spot me. She gives me a small smile and a little wave. The rest of the family is scattered around the kitchen as usual, getting in my parents’ way as they try to finish up the dinner prep.

Griffin sees me next. “Ah, you finally decided to join us.” He checks his watch. “I think that was eight minutes in the car. Who had eight minutes?”

Reid raises his hand and hops off the counter, grabbing a bowl from the center of the table and pocketing the wad of cash inside. “I know him too well.” Reid pats me on the back and slips me a one-dollar bill. “Here, this is for you. Thanks for taking eight minutes to prepare yourself to come in the house. Daddy is going to buy a new pair of jeans.” He pats his pockets.

Ignoring everyone and their stupid bet, I pop the fridge door open and grab a water. Reid joins me, sticking his head in the fridge so I’m forced to look at him. “Aren’t you going to ask?”

“Ask what?” I grit out.

“If she’s here. I know that’s why you were hanging out in your car, debating if you should come in or not.”

My skin prickles, and I brace myself for the answer as I shut the fridge door. “Is she here?” I hiss.

Slowly, Reid smiles and nods. “Yup, she’s in the bathroom.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I angrily squeeze my water bottle, nearly popping the top off. “Why? Why is she here?”

Reid shrugs. “I don’t know, maybe because she wants to be here.”

“Who invited her? Was it Mom?” I don’t wait for an answer. Instead, I walk over to the culprit, who’s hovering over the stove, stirring a huge pot of chili.

“Oh, hey, sweetie. Cornbread is in the oven, honey is in the crock, and I also got tortilla chips because I know how much you like crumbling them in your chili.”

“Mom, why did you invite her? I told you to leave her alone, to leave usalone.”

“What are you talking about?” My mom looks me up and down and then goes back to the chili.

“Harper. I asked you not to invite Harper.”

The bathroom door opens, and Jen pops out, rubbing her hands together. “Did he come in yet?” Her eyes light up as she spots me. “What time was it?”

“Eight minutes. Reid won.”

Disappointed, she snaps her fingers. “Damn, I for sure thought I was going to win.”

Confused, I turn back to my mom. “Harper isn’t here?”

“No, of course not. I wouldn’t invite her so early. She needs time to settle. What made you think she was here?”

I whip around to find Reid leaning against the kitchen wall, arms crossed and with a giant grin on his face. I point at him. “You better run, because I’m going to fucking kill you.”

Like a bolt of lightning, he takes off, and I chase after him, nothing but pure murder on my mind.

That Forever Girl is the second book in Quinn’s Getting Lucky series and can easily be read as a standalone.

I have mixed feelings on this one. While I loved the message that Meghan brings us in the book, I was not too attached to the characters. I did not feel any real empathy or passion from either one and not feeling that connection to them really hurt the overall vibe on the book.

Harper and Rogan were high school sweethearts and were engaged when Rogan tore them apart. Rogan moved back to Port Snow while Harper chose to move around, trying to patch her broken heart. She finds herself back seven years later and that attraction is still just as strong between them. However, neither wants to face the other.

The story is told from both their POVs and does flip back and forth between past and present. There were times that I felt things were a bit too drawn out for past scenes but it was the mystery behind the breakup that drove this story. It is also the catalyst into making Rogan grow up and mature into the man he is now.

You truly need to read this story to see how Meghan has everything play out. Rogan is most definitely a dick the majority of the book – no way around that. Harper comes across somewhat as this damsel, but she is anything but that. She is very strong, but she’s a quiet storm – don’t under estimate her. While I felt like the Knightly family would have had meddled in this breakup way before now, they still do their own meddling once Harper is back in town.

I enjoyed the banter amongst the brothers and the typical ribbing that goes on. Another part that hurt in feeling a connection was I had a hard time seeing the close knit that Harper had to the family (felt Jen or Griffin would’ve contacted Harper immediately or before now) but when she returns it’s as if she’s been in contact with them the whole time.

Overall, while I enjoyed the message that Meghan conveys in this story, everything else was just ok for me. It might be have been just bad timing on my part because I always love Meghan’s books but this one fell short for me. But I am definitely in the minority on this one and would still tell others to give it a go.

AUTHOR BIO:

USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

AUTHOR LINKS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7360513.Meghan_Quinn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormeghanquinn/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn
Website: http://authormeghanquinn.com/

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Twisted Betrayal by Siobhan Davis….Review

by Courtney

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!

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.

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

Start the series with Cruel Intentions!

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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.

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

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Release Day Blitz & Review….The Last Post by Renee Carlino

by Courtney

In this evocative and poignant novel from the USA TODAY bestselling author Renee Carlino of Blind Kiss and Wish You Were Here, a young widow in the midst of grieving her late husband through Facebook posts learns to heal and fall in love again.

“See you on the other side.”

Laya Marston’s husband, Cameron, a daredevil enthusiast, always said this before heading off on his next adventure. He was the complete opposite of her, ready and willing to dive off a cliff-face, or parachute across a canyon—and Laya loved him for it. But she was different: pragmatic, regimented, devoted to her career and to supporting Cameron from the sidelines of his death-defying feats.

Opposites attract, right?

But when Cameron dies suddenly and tragically, all the stages of grief go out the window. Laya becomes lost in denial, living in the delusion that Cameron will come back to her. She begins posting on his Facebook page, reminiscing about their life together, and imagining new adventures for the two of them.

Micah Evans, a young and handsome architect at Laya’s father’s firm, is also stuck––paralyzed by the banal details of his career, his friendships, and his love life. He doesn’t know what he’s looking for, only that there is someone out there who can bring energy and spirit to the humdrum of his life.

When Micah discovers Laya’s tragic and bizarre Facebook posts, he’s determined to show Laya her life is still worth living. Leaving her anonymous gifts and notes, trying to recreate the sense of adventure she once shared with her late husband, Micah finds a new passion watching Laya come out of the darkness. And Laya finds a new joy in the experiences Micah has created for her.

But for Laya, letting another man in still feels like a betrayal to her late husband. Even though Micah may be everything she could wish for, she wonders if she deserves to find happiness again.

Written with Renée Carlino’s signature “tender and satisfying” (Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Maybe in Another Life) prose, this warm and compassionate novel shows us how powerful the courage to love and live again truly is.

AVAILABLE NOW

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The Last Post is a story about grief and mourning the loss of a loved one and eventually finding yourself again. I know it is being marketed as a contemporary romance but the romance aspect is touched on very lightly and was definitely not a big thing, at least for me.

I was definitely confused as to what the author was trying to convey with this book. I had a really hard time seeing the romantic connection between Micha and Laya. They are both sort of just floating through life but very vulnerable in their emotions.

Laya is a grieving widow who’s lost sight of who she is and where to go in life. Micah has found himself stuck in his life and no longer finds the joy in his job or his personal life – he’s at a standstill.

While we see both Laya and Micah go through life and their trials and tribulations, something felt like it was missing. I did not see the connection with these two. I had a really hard time with particular scenes and some of the characters’ actions. A lot of it felt all one dimensional and thrown together as certain just happened without any reason behind them.

I felt that this book could have been so much more than it was. I did enjoy seeing how Laya was able to go through her grieving process and finally understand it all. However, it was when Micah entered her life and how things progressed, where I struggled with the purpose of his character and where the connection is. I didn’t understand his mishap as nothing truly happened, just that all of sudden he stopped caring about everything.

I will be honest and say Micah came across as more of a character that represents a person who comes into your life for a purpose at the particular moment, but isn’t meant to stay forever. I feel that Micah was Laya’s catalyst in moving on from her husband’s sudden death and helping her see that she’s still alive and has more to give in this life.

Then there was Micah’s twin sister, Melissa. She seemed to play a much bigger part than I anticipated and that was just weird for me. I am assuming the author was trying to portray the close bond that twins have but it missed the mark. There was too much of her personal drama added in that I felt came across as just filler and not truly a part of the story being told.

Overall, Renee’s writing is always strong and tells a good story. But I think this particular book missed the mark for me. It was just ok for me; a right down the middle read.

Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of contemporary women’s novels and new adult fiction. Her books have been featured in national publications, including USA TODAY, Huffington Post, Latina magazine, and Publisher’s Weekly. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate.

Learn more at www.reneecarlino.com

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Release Day Blitz & Review…The Candle Palace by Devney Perry

by Courtney

Sometimes a single flame can
ignite a love that lasts a lifetime.

Milo Phillips knows the meaning of pain. Suffering through
the most intense physical agony of his life, he’s confined to a hospital bed to
bear it alone. More than once, he wishes he’d died in the explosion that melted
and mangled his skin. Darkness consumes him, snuffing all the joy in his life
and leaving an empty hole in its place.
But one day, a flicker of light sneaks into his hospital
room, driving away some of the hopelessness. For the first time in months, pain
isn’t all he feels.

The flicker’s name is Sara Foster, his new nurse. Milo just
hopes that Sara can see past his scars. Because underneath, his heart has begun
beating again just for her.

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So I am really late to the party (6 books late to be exact), but The Candle Palace is the first book I read in the Jamison Valley series and I want to know why NO-ONE ever recommended this series to me?? OMG – I need to go read the rest now.

You definitely do not read any of the other books in this series to read The Candle Palace. Honestly, had I not known it was part of a series, I would have assumed it was a standalone or possibly the start of a series.

I love how Devney started this book and how she brought it full circle by the end. I read this book in one day, at work. Yes, at work. That just tells you how glued to these pages I was. Milo and Sara are two characters that I just adore and wish we could get more of.

If you want to see why everyone is raving about Devney and her ability to write amazing characters with stories that will speak to your heart, read this book. I want to gobble up all her books now in this series and just live in Jamison Valley with her characters.

Devney
is the USA Today bestselling author of the Jamison Valley
series. She lives in Montana with her husband and two children. After working
in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls
and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her kids. She loves
reading and, after consuming hundreds of books, decided to share her own
stories. Devney loves hearing from readers! Connect with
her on social media.

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Release Day Blitz & Review…Truly Mine by Kennedy Fox

by Courtney

This is a friends-to-lovers roommate romance filled with drama, suspense, and, of course, plenty of angsty slow burn goodness you’ve come to expect in a Kennedy Fox book!

Truly Mine, Book 1

The night we met in the dimly lit bar, she looked like a brunette bombshell, and I wanted to learn her deepest secrets. With sun-kissed skin and soulful bedroom eyes, she was pure temptation, and I was mesmerized.

As one drink led to two, I craved more of her playful banter and taunting lips. Resisting her wasn’t an option, and we quickly became a desperate mess of tangled limbs and hot kisses. She tasted like the sweetest sin, and I was no saint.

Once we caught our breaths, and it became obvious that meeting her wasn’t a coincidence, everything changed. Now I must deny her at all costs.

Friends. It’s all we can ever be.

After years of lying to myself and keeping her at a distance, I want to pull her close. Sophie’s on my mind more than ever as my instincts to protect her take over. Regardless of my attempts to help, she pushes me away and makes it clear she doesn’t need me.

I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, to show her I’m the good guy, but one night takes a tragic turn for the worse when her boyfriend and I start throwing punches.

And ends when I’m arrested for his murder.

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Kennedy Fox truly knows how to give you a great slow-burn romance story. Truly mine is a true testament to how they write beautiful love stories that pull at your heartstrings.

Mason and Sophie have quite the entertaining story for how they finally come together after years of when they first met. But it’s not a smooth story either.

I love how natural things happen in this book. Nothing is done hastily and the eventual get-together between Sophie and Mason is organic and real. But how they eventually get together as a couple is rifled with some monumental moments and heartbreaking realizations.

I am not going to into any details because this duo has written a story that you need to read without any notions of what is to come. I love that it’s told from both their POV’s so we get a well-rounded story. We get to see the continuation of Hunter and Lennon’s love story and get the tension-filled yet hilarious banter between Liam and Maddie.

Truly Mine ends on a dramatic cliffhanger but we don’t have to wait too long to see how things end for Mason and Sophie in Truly Yours. I love these duets!!

Truly Yours, Book 2

Releasing: September 10th

I knew within moments of meeting Mason Holt that he would change my life forever.
I just didn’t realize how much.
As my world spirals out of control, he continues to stay by my side, protecting and taking care of me.
Being just friends is all he’s been able to offer, that is until both of our lives are threatened. Now that our relationship is blossoming into something more, I can’t be what he needs even if I wished I could.
Bad timing strikes again.
When I think we can finally be together, someone threatens to tear us apart. I’m not the same girl Mason met three years ago, but I’m determined to fight for what I’ve always wanted…him.
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Meet Kennedy Fox:

Brooke Cumberland and Lyra Parish are a duo of romance authors who teamed up under the USA Today pseudonym, Kennedy Fox. They share a love of Hallmark movies & overpriced coffee. When they aren’t bonding over romantic comedies, they like to brainstorm new book ideas. One day, they decided to collaborate under a pseudonym and have some fun creating new characters that’ll make you blush and your heart melt. If you enjoy romance stories with sexy, tattooed alpha males and smart, quirky, independent women, then a Kennedy Fox book is for you! They’re looking forward to bringing you many more stories to fall in love with!

Keep up with all their social media platforms for updates & info!

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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August 2019 Contemporary Romance Duet Four Loves New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Romance

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Sonata by Skye Warren…Review

by Courtney

“Swoon-worthy, forbidden, and sexy…”

– Claire Contreras, New York Times bestselling author

Sonata, the highly anticipated conclusion in the North Security Series from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren, is available now!

Who is Samantha Brooks without her violin? Fear lives in the silent spaces. Love does, too. There’s a battle being waged in her heart, and Liam North is determined to win. He’ll use every weapon in his arsenal. His body. His heart. Except the spotlight puts her in the crosshairs of dangerous men.

Samantha fights to compose her own ending, even as the final notes rise to a heartbreaking crescendo.

SONATA is the third and final book in the explosive trilogy with Samantha Brooks and Liam North. It should be read after OVERTURE and CONCERTO.

Wow. I never thought I would say this about a Skye Warren book, but I feel like I was gipped. Sonata is the final book in the trilogy and well, it was a let down for me. And that really sucks.

I have been so pulled into this series with the suspense, the relationship between Samantha and Liam – all of it and I was so excited to get answers to so much – who is Samantha’s dad and why does he want her killed? Will Liam finally get his head out his ass and truly love Samantha like he knows he wants? Will they find out how deep these secrets run?

The only thing we got was Liam getting his head out his ass and professing his love, but a little all too quickly and out of nowhere. I mean, it gave me whiplash on how quickly he changes his tune. As for everything else – shit just gets wrapped up without knowing anything. WTF?!?

This book missed the mark completely for me. It took me way too long to read and then when I got to the end, I was left with this feeling of confusion and WTF did I just read? This is not typical of Skye Warren.

The writing was fantastic, which doesn’t surprise me – it’s Skye Warren! But this book felt like a novella to keep us excited for the finale and then she wrapped it all up within the last 10%. So disappointed and it guts me to say that.

Yea – nothing like the first two books and that is just heartbreaking for me.

Download your copy today!

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

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2XyeI7Y

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

Nook: http://bit.ly/2WM33lG

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ZlSP8u

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2WF1f9e

Start the trilogy today with OVERTURE:

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

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

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

Nook: http://bit.ly/2su8Bj5

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

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

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

Continue with the trilogy with CONCERTO

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

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

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

Nook: http://bit.ly/2V0BIqT

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2Wp15ms

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

About Skye Warren

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance such as the Endgame trilogy. Her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat.

Connect with Skye

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2DEpMn9

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Stay up to date with Skye Warren by signing up for her mailing list:

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Website: http://www.skyewarren.com

August 2019 New Releases New Reviews Romance Romantic Suspense Suspense Trilogy

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Release Day Blitz….This Is Wild by Natasha Madison

by Courtney

Viktor
My parents told me I skated before I walked. When I was eighteen I was drafted
into the N.H.L third overall, playing in Los Angeles—the city of dreams. What
more could I ask for? I played hard, but eventually, I partied even harder.
Five years later I was traded a week after I entered rehab. There was no time
for anything except my health and making sure I’d come out on top. I had to be
better. There wasn’t another option.

One of the rules of recovery was
‘don’t fall in love’ and I made it a top priority. She was off limits in every
single way.

Until it was too late

Zoe
When you grow up surrounded by hockey players you know one thing for sure, I
was never going to settle down with one. Heck, I didn’t even know what icing
was. I was too busy climbing the corporate ladder, becoming one of the most
successful realtors in New York City. I wasn’t interested in dating or anything
that got in my way.

First, he was my client and then
he became my friend.

One night, one decision, one act
can derail everything.

When push comes to shove, I’m
only certain that, This is Wild.

AVAILABLE NOW

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK |

Amazon AU | Apple Books | Nook

When her nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers
flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the kitchen creating gourmet meals.
You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or
possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her
characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…

Contemporary Romance July 2019 New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Romance Sports Standalone

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Storm & Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout….Review

by Courtney

SYNOPSIS:

From the #1 New York Times, USA TODAY and internationally bestselling author of the fantastical Dark Elements and the Lux series comes a new novel set in a world of gargoyle protectors, rising demons and one girl with an explosive secret.

Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shape-shifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers.

When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once demons breach the compound and Trinity’s secret comes to light. To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne. But all bets are off as a supernatural war is unleashed…

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

I now completely and utterly understand why JLA fans love her fantasy series so much. I have read Jennifer’s books before, but they were her books in her contemporary romance genre (loved those). And for anyone that knows me, this is so backwards for me. I am a huge fantasy/paranormal junkie so the fact that I have not read of JLA’s fantasy books yet, is a shocking revelation (I will just blame reviewing for my blog that has me reading more romance than fantasy/paranormal in recent years. lol).

Anywho – Storm and Fury is the start of another series for her; a spinoff of another series (The Dark Elements, I believe) but you cannot tell that at all. This truly felt like the start a whole new series with new characters (for me and anyone else that has not read the other series).

I could not believe this book was over 500 pages!! I had the actual physical copy of this book and not an ebook so it was so much easier to see the fullness of this story, but I blasted through it in 3 days like it was nothing. I could not put this book down at all. I loved the characters, the plot, the intricacies that go into building an epic series – ALL OF IT!!

Storm and Fury is about Trinity and her purpose. However, there are many other important roles and underlying elements that explain who Trinity is. She’s is to be protected at all costs due to her uniqueness. However, very few know of what she is til the community they reside in is attacked.

“Nothing is impossible,” I reminded him. “I’m living proof of that.”

Jennifer weaves a beautiful story full of secrets that leads to the build up of what is come in future books. There was only one gripe I had, which prevented this from getting 5 stars ( view on goodreads review as my reason contains a possible spoiler to some). The characters were great, both main and secondary. I have to say that Peanut is probably one of my favorite secondary characters – you’ll understand when you read.

Overall, I really did enjoy this book and I am really looking forward to what Jennifer brings us next. This book does end well with the nice leeway into the next book, but not a cliffhanger that will upset people. She ties things off nicely with things that happen in this book, but keeps them open for more to come.

Connect with Jennifer

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Fantasy Four Loves New Reviews Paranormal Young Adult

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Defying Gravity by K.K. Allen…Review

by Courtney

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!

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.

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

Blog Tour Contemporary Romance Excerpt Five Loves July 2019 New Adult New Releases New Reviews Romance Standalone

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Read-Love-Blog

Book Promotion & Review

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

Synopsis:

BOOK LINKS:

AUTHOR LINKS

GIVEAWAY

Release Day Blitz & Review….Wild Steamy Hook-up by Piper Rayne

Release Day Blitz & Review….That Forever Girl by Meghan Quinn

Twisted Betrayal by Siobhan Davis….Review

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!

Release Day Blitz & Review….The Last Post by Renee Carlino

AVAILABLE NOW

AMAZON | B&N | APPLE BOOKS | KOBO | Simon&Schuster

Release Day Blitz & Review…The Candle Palace by Devney Perry

Release Day Blitz & Review…Truly Mine by Kennedy Fox

Truly Mine, Book 1

Sonata by Skye Warren…Review

“Swoon-worthy, forbidden, and sexy…”

– Claire Contreras, New York Times bestselling author

Sonata, the highly anticipated conclusion in the North Security Series from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren, is available now!

Release Day Blitz….This Is Wild by Natasha Madison

Storm & Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout….Review

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Connect with Jennifer

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Defying Gravity by K.K. Allen…Review

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!