Read-Love-Blog

Book Promotion & Review

Mar 1

Family Is Forever by S.C. Stephens…Blog Tour & Review

by Courtney

We are thrilled to be bringing you FAMILY IS FOREVER, the conclusion to S.C. Stephens’s Conversion series. Lovers of paranormal romance won’t want to miss this one–be sure to grab your copy today!

 

About FAMILY IS FOREVER

Julian Adams would give anything to rewind the last few months. His sister has been forever altered, a man he distrusts is now a permanent part of his family, and the woman of his dreams no longer remembers him. The only thing left for Julian to do is start over.

Nika Adams is finally content with her life. She’s forever bound to her soulmate, and helping him with a project that has given him purpose. But just when it seems peace is on the horizon, an unintended consequence of Hunter’s work arises, and everyone must pull together to find a way to keep the family safe … forever.

Add FAMILY IS FOREVER to your Goodreads shelf here!

 

 

Grab your copy of FAMILY IS FOREVER today!

Amazon / iBooks / B&N / Kobo

 

Read an excerpt from FAMILY IS FOREVER now!

Arianna had relaxed quite a bit during our conversation. Her demeanor was casual as she played with the strap of her shoe. Her laugh came naturally. It was easy to pretend that we were still together as we sat there talking. Our arms were even touching. It sent a jolt of electricity down my spine to feel my skin against hers again. It felt like we were finally shifting, finally moving in the right direction. It was everything I’d hoped tonight would be.
After a brief pause in talking about our summer plans, Arianna pursed her lips and said, “Why have we never been friends before now? We’re in the same grade, and we must have had classes together before…but I don’t recall ever seeing you before a couple of months ago.”
I sighed, not sure how to answer that. “I don’t know… We must have just kept missing each other. But I’m so glad that’s not the case anymore. You…there’s just something about you. You’re kind, warm, accepting. You see past people’s faults, to the person they are underneath. You’re patient, forgiving, and open to things that are a little…different. But you don’t take crap from anyone either, and you stand up for what you believe in. You’re just…amazing.”
Her expression was blank. “You saw all that, sitting across the room from me?”
I peeked up at her with a small smile that I couldn’t hide. “I see you, Arianna. I see the real you.” Straightening, I met her eye and held her gaze. “And I really like what I see.”
Arianna held her breath as we stared at each other. Her heart rate spiked, and I momentarily felt bad that I could hear it. She’d probably be embarrassed if she knew I could. But then her eyes drifted to my lips, and I really didn’t care that I had a slight advantage. All I cared about was whether she wanted me to kiss her right now. Was she ready to see me as more?
I leaned in, tentative and unsure. Maybe I was misinterpreting this. Maybe, because I wanted it so badly, I was seeing something that wasn’t there. My heart was thumping in my chest so loudly, Nika probably thought I was doing something much more strenuous than just sitting on a bed, staring at Arianna, and waiting for our second first kiss to happen.

 

 

Family Is Forever is the conclusion on this series from Stephens. I did not read the first 3 books in this series and wasn’t too confused when I started on book four, since it’s sort of “spin-off” and the last 3 books are about Nika and Julian. The other characters from previous books are in these, but there isn’t any confusion and Stephens does a great job of summarizing who everyone is and how they are all related.

As with the previous two books, the story is about Julian and Nika and their struggles in their world. Nika is now a full fledge vampire and is sired to her boyfriend, Hunter. We also get snippets from Hunter’s POV and they struggles he faces along with Nika.

Julian is having a hard time handling all the new changes going on. He lost the love his life, Arianna, because her mind was wiped clean, so it’s as though they are starting all over again. Arianna remembers nothing about Julian or Nika so it’s a rough go. Julian also lost his sister when she became a full fledge vampire and the special bond that they shared was severed. He wants to help out more in the family and not be left on the sidelines because he isn’t old enough or whatever excuse their father seems to come up with.

Nika is happy being a full fledge vampire. But her father is a tad overprotective, so Nika struggles with her bond to Hunter because of the restriction her father puts on them. While Hunter adheres to everything, Nika definitely pushes them.

While Julian and Nika are dealing with their own personal struggles, the family has to deal with outside issues that are trying to end the life of all vampires. I was definitely intrigued by this enemy and curious to see how everything panned out.

Overall, it was great ending to the series. There is a lot of action and suspense. While I felt parts could have been more condensed, I still enjoyed the majority of the book. The secondary characters played key roles in this book and helped keep the story line interesting. If you are a fan of PNR, I highly recommend his series.

 

 

 

Don’t miss the other books in the Conversion series!

Conversion / Bloodlines / ‘Til Death / The Next Generation / The Beast Within / Family is Forever

 

About S.C. STEPHENS

S.C. Stephens is a bestselling author who enjoys spending every free moment she has creating stories that are packed with emotion and heavy on romance.

Her debut novel, Thoughtless, an angst-filled love triangle charged with insurmountable passion and the unforgettable Kellan Kyle, took the literary world by storm. Amazed and surprised by the response to the release of Thoughtless in 2009, more stories were quick to follow. Stephens has been writing nonstop ever since.

In addition to writing, Stephens enjoys spending lazy afternoons in the sun reading fabulous novels, loading up her iPod with writer’s block reducing music, heading out the movies and spending quality time with her friends and family. She currently resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her two equally beautiful children.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads

Blog Tour Book Tour Fantasy Four Loves March 2018 New Releases New Reviews Paranormal Paranormal Romance Romance

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Feb 28

Regret by Max Henry…Release Blitz with review

by Read-Love-Blog

Release Date: February 28, 2018

Cover Design: Max Effect

Image Credit: MR. BIG Photography

Model: Marko Vukotic

 

Synopsis

 

Four simple rules when you’re a woman in denial:

1. Don’t stalk your father’s best friend online.
2. Don’t talk to him via Messenger.
3. Definitely don’t go to his house.
4. And whatever you do, don’t tell him you’re still in love.

I’ve never been one for doing what I’m told.

 

Goodreads

 

 

 

Purchase Links

Barnes & Noble ~ http://bit.ly/2EL1yva

iBooks ~ https://apple.co/2okNf5k

Kobo ~ http://bit.ly/2Cb4akd

 

 

Available Now

 

 

Desire (Twisted Hearts Duet-Book 1)

 

Amazon US ~ http://amzn.to/2DvvxCH

Amazon UK ~ http://amzn.to/2DGdZXJ

Amazon CA ~ http://amzn.to/2F5OU5s

Amazon AU ~ http://amzn.to/2n6gyrL

 

Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b1257f8d270/?

 

I am so happy that I was able to read the second book in this series and let me tell you- A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!! The first book Max Henry wrote, Desire, was good but Regret is amazing! Seriously, I devoured this book in two days. That being said it is a series but I do think that you could possibly read it as a standalone since you will get the idea that Belle is not supposed to be with her dad’s best friend, Zeus. I know, I know, dad’s best friend? Don’t worry because while he is older than Belle, he is also younger than John (Belle’s dad).

Now let me get to the nitty gritty of it- Zeus-ummmm hello- a man down on luck but trying so hard to better himself. The way he loves Belle, ugh, just put butterflies in my stomach! He is such a great book boyfriend ladies. I love him even more in Regret.  It is a forbidden romance that neither one of them are quite sure they want to get tangled up in again. Plus, Belle has been gone for three years in another country. Things have changed but the love they have for each other is so hard to deny! It is as if Max Henry gave her all in this book and it shows. She writes, “It’s everything; how our love is viewed and persecuted by those who don’t understand it, the struggles we face, the adversity. He is the serpent, and I am the dove”. That right there ladies and gentlemen explains what this book is about and it is such a great read!

 

About the Author

 

For as long as she can remember, Max has always had a love of the macabre and thought provoking side to life.

Which probably stands to reason why each of her books takes the reader on an emotional journey that not only promises twists, turns, and suspense, but a heart-wrenching journey where her motto holds true:

Love never comes easy.

When she’s not lost in an alternate world – fuelled by coffee and the odd sneaky bowl of chocolate (preferably M&Ms) – she spends her days as a wife to a dedicated husband, mother to two rambunctious boys, and an obsessive petrolhead enjoying the muscle on display at the local car shows.

 

Connect with Max

 

Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/2DF3e4m

Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2zV7bPQ

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2ls61Hq

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2CgFerO

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2ltdJ3U

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2zTX0v6

BookBub Author Page: http://bit.ly/2EmbhnJ

 

Contemporary Romance Giveaway New Adult New Releases New Reviews Romance

1 Comment »
Feb 26

Cross Creek Series by Kimberly Kincaid…Review and Excerpt tour

by Read-Love-Blog

 

 

From USA Today bestselling author Kimberly Kincaid comes CROSSING PROMISES, the third standalone title in the Cross Creek series, releasing March 5th! A series filled with rugged, salt of the earth heroes who happen to be brothers, and strong family dynamics. Each standalone novel is filled with heart, humor, and heat. Order your copies of the Cross Creek series today!

 

 

For Owen Cross, the only thing that matters more than family is farming. As the oldest Cross brother, the land is his legacy, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make Cross Creek a success—including hiring local widow Cate McAllister to manage the bookkeeping tasks that are growing in his office like weeds. Cate’s as pragmatic as she is pretty, and she rattles his hard-fought composure at every turn.

Cate had known a lot of things about her husband before he died three years ago in a car accident, but how much debt he’d gotten them into wasn’t one of them. She needs her job at Cross Creek, even if her boss is both gruff and gorgeous. But Owen’s a family man, through and through, and the last thing Cate is interested in is anything—or anyone—with strings attached.

As Owen and Cate join forces to right the farm, they discover there’s more to the other than the surfaces shows, and that passion can be found in unexpected places. Can Cate heal from the loss of one family to gain the love of her life? Or will the past prove too much for the promise of the future?

 

 

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * iBooks * Kobo

 

 

 

 

Excerpt Reveal

Cate dragged a hand through her hair, her gaze moving over the boxes in disbelief. “Let me see if I’ve got this right. You don’t do any of your bookkeeping online. At all?”

“We do. Just not a lot of it,” he amended. The Cross men lived to work the land, not the ledgers. Sure, their current system was a little time consuming, but it wasn’t totally ineffective. Cross Creek had been running on it for decades. “We have software right here on the computer.” He paused to pull up the program they used for much of their bookkeeping before adding, “It’s just that none of us are great at using it.”

“So I see,” Cate said after a quick perusal over his shoulder.

Irritation splashed through Owen’s chest. “Our books aren’t that bad.”

The parting of her lips said she was primed and ready to take him to the mat on that count, and damn it, he really didn’t have time to argue with her. “Look, I know it’s going to take some work to get things running smoothly in here.”

“It’s going to take a lot more than that,” she murmured with a shake of her head, and just like that, Owen’s patience redlined.

“Can you do it, or should I find someone else?”

Once again, his words came out gruffer than planned. But before he could even think of cooking up an apology, Cate’s arms had snapped across the front of her sweater dress to form a don’t-mess-with-me knot that was far, far more of a turn-on than it had a right to be.

“That’s what you hired me for, isn’t it? To manage your books effectively?”

“Yes,” Owen answered carefully, still caught between the desire to be annoyed, the desire to apologize, and, well, just plain desire.

“Well, then. Since I have my work cut out for me with a chainsaw, I suppose I should get to it,” Cate said.

After a quick internal debate, Owen nodded. Brash or not, he needed her. More than he cared to admit. “Okay, then.”

She answered by way of pushing up her sleeves and sliding an elastic from her wrist to secure her hair in a knot at the crown of her head. Even with the more casual edge, the powder-blue dress still hugged her curves, her calves flexing and releasing as she moved from one stack of boxes to the next in her heels, and he cleared his throat.

“Just so you know, we’re pretty casual around here. You don’t have to look nice.”

Cate’s cheeks flushed a shade of pink that, while highly pretty, didn’t bode well for him in the mending-fences department. “Good to know,” she said, and holy hell, why did his mouth refuse to cooperate with his brain around this woman?

“Not that you don’t look, uh. Fine like that. All I meant was, you don’t have to get dressed up. Jeans are okay.”

She stared down at the toes of her shiny black shoes, but only for a split second before meeting his stare with her own. “Got it, Casanova. Is that all?”

For just a heartbeat, Owen was tempted to say no, to dig deep into his Neanderthal brain for the right words to tell her she actually looked fucking beautiful. To surrender to the hot demands coming from both his chest and his cock, and cross the room to impulsively kiss her sexy, sassy mouth.

But this was Cate McAllister. His buddy Brian’s widow. He shouldn’t think she was pretty. He shouldn’t wonder if the skin on her shoulders bore the same provocative dusting of freckles as the neck she’d just put on display. And he damn sure shouldn’t be turned on like floodlights at the fire in her eyes that he’d never quite seen before, but seemed to somehow fit her perfectly.

So, he simply said, “Yes. That’s all,” and walked out of the room.

The one word that comes to mind is enduring when I have to explain what I thought about this book. Cate McAllister is not only living with the horrible loss of her husband and daughter but also is struggling in life in general. This girl simply cannot get a win! Cate is not someone screaming “Save Me” and she is certainly not looking for sympathy or even pity. As a mom and wife, this is something I could not imagine and my heart literally went out to Cate. I have to say this is why I love Kimberly Kincaid’s writing so much- she gives you a touch of slap in your face reality and it’s not always the glamorous parts of life in her books.

Owen Cross lives and breathes his family’s farm. He is so focused on the success of this farm that he has yet to find love like his other brothers. Don’t worry because Cate finds her way into his life slowly. This is when things heat up my friends! I mean come on how can you not love a hot guy in a flannel taking care on a farm! Their romance is not fast paced and at times I questioned if Cate would be the one to capture Owen’s heart. It is nice to see a romance written as it would naturally progress in “real life”.

At first, Cate was a little bit of a struggle for me to like. I hate to say it but it might be that she cooked away her problems instead of speaking about them. Silly yes but true. I had pictured Owen with someone who was bold “in your face” type in the previous books as well. After reading more of Owen,  I realized that Owen would never like the “in your face” type. He would never relate or even like a girl who was a type A personality. They truly balanced each other out. You know that couple in books where they are the put together couple with wise words of advice? Cate and Owen are that couple.

Without giving away the ending, this is a story full of love, family and sometimes sorrow….really a rollercoaster ride of emotions. It can be read as a standalone but it makes for a better read if you read the previous two.

 

And don’t miss the first two standalone titles in the Cross Creek series, CROSSING HEARTS and CROSSING THE LINE!

 

 

Hunter Cross has no regrets. Having left his football prospects behind the day he graduated high school, he’s happy to carry out his legacy on his family’s farm in the foothills of the Shenandoah. But when a shoulder injury puts him face-to-face with the high school sweetheart who abandoned town—and him—twelve years ago, Hunter’s simple life gets a lot more complicated.

Emerson Montgomery has secrets. Refusing to divulge why she left her job as a hotshot physical therapist for a pro football team, she struggles to readjust to life in the hometown she left behind. The more time she spends with Hunter, the more Emerson finds herself wanting to trust him with the diagnosis of MS that has turned her world upside down.

But revealing secrets comes with a price. Can Hunter and Emerson rekindle their past love? Or will the realities of the present—and the trust that goes with them—burn that bridge for good?

 

AMAZON

 

 

Cocky farmer Eli Cross plays twice as hard as he works. When his latest stunt drums up a heap of negative PR for the family farm, he grudgingly agrees to play host to an ambitious New York City photographer. Her feature on Cross Creek could be just the ticket to show the country what the Cross brothers do best…which is more problem than solution for Eli.

Scarlett Edwards-Stewart has photographed everything from end zones to war zones. She’s confident she can ace this one little story to help her best friend’s failing magazine. At least, she would be if her super-sexy host wasn’t so tight lipped. But the more Scarlett works with Eli, the more she discovers that he’s not who he seems. Can his secret bring them closer together? Or will it be the very thing that tears them apart?

 

AMAZON

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Cross Creek Series Tour

February 26

Read-Love-Blog-Review
What is That Book About-Excerpt

February 27

Reading in Pajamas-Review
All Things Dark and Dirty-Excerpt

February 28

Always a Happy Ever After-Review
Thoughts of a Blonde-Excerpt

March 1

Irishdaisylovesromance-Review
The Fairest of All Book Reviews-Excerpt

March 2

Just the Write Stuff-Excerpt
I Love Romance-Review

March 3

Tangents and Tissues-Excerpt
What Do We Want Book Reviews & More-Review
1 Chick and her Kindle-Review

March 4

KDRBCK-Review
Books According to Abby-Excerpt
Bad Boys and Bedtime Stories Book Blog-Review

March 5

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews-Review
Jax’s Book Magic-Excerpt

March 6

Nicole’s Book Musings-Excerpt
Oh My Growing TBR-Excerpt

March 7

The Heathers’ Blog-Review
Becky on Books-Review

March 8

Melena’s Reviews-Review
Read Your Writes Book Reviews-Excerpt

March 9

One-Click Chocolate Chick-Review
Kari’s Book Reviews & Revelations-Review

March 10

KatyaRath-Review
Reese’s Reviews-Excerpt

March 11

Two Book Pushers-Excerpt

March 12

Only One More Page-Review
My Book Filled Life-Review

March 13

Fire and Ice Book Reviews-Review
The Power of 3 Readers-Review

March 14

Shannon’s Book Blog-Review
Book Loving Pixies-Review
The Romance Reviews-Review
Blushing Babes Are Up All Night-Review

March 15

Star-Crossed Book Blog-Review
Sascha Darlington-Review
Bookgasms Book Blog-Review
Hannah’s Words-Review

March 16

G & T’s Indie Café-Excerpt
TBR Book Blog-Review
Teatime and Books-Excerpt

 

 

About Kimberly Kincaid:

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a USA Today best-selling author and a 2015 RWA RITA® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. Kimberly resides in Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

 

 

 

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Instagram

 

Contemporary Romance Excerpt Giveaway New Releases New Reviews Romance Trailer

2 Comments »
Feb 26

Secret Lucidity by E.K. Blair….Release Day Blitz & Review

by Courtney

 

Title: Secret Lucidity
Author: E.K. Blair
Genre: Student/Teacher Forbidden Romance
Release Date: February 26, 2018
Blurb
This wasn’t
supposed to happen.
But it did.
This wasn’t
supposed to be my life.
But it was.
I was just a typical
girl, living a typical life. Nothing was out of the ordinary until tragedy
threw me into a turnstile I couldn’t see my way out of. That was, until him.
I never could’ve
imagined my heart falling the way it did. Hard, fast, and with unbounding beauty.
The only problem?
He was off limits.
Forbidden.
But he became my
everything, and I became his, so we risked it all. It was only a matter of time
until I realized that our risk came with unimaginable consequences.
My name is Camellia
Hale and his is David Andrews, and this is our love story.

 

Purchase Links
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS
AUDIBLE
 

I feel like I am hitting some sort of book slump because I keep finding myself in the minority on books where everyone else is loving them. It’s sort of frustrating because I feel like I am missing something. LOL But it is what it is.

Secret Lucidity was a good book. I enjoyed it. But I wasn’t “wow’d” by it like other readers. It was another right down the middle enjoyable read. Secret Lucidity was a slow burn romance for me. I was hoping to get more angst but I still didn’t mind the overall story. It’s a forbidden student/teacher romance and I just felt that there wasn’t a huge build up for that drama.

Cam is going through a very traumatic moment in her life when David comes in to her life. She never expected him or for things to go the way they did. I did like how Ms. Blair had the romance between Cam and David move forward and play out. I will say that I personally felt that in the beginning it almost felt like she relied on David because he filled the role the one person she just lost. However, it felt natural for them and nothing felt forced after things became open between the two of them.

There were certain moments where things was glazed over too. I understand that certain parts are import to the overall story, but if you aren’t going to clarify certain parts in a scene, then don’t mention them at all because it sort of leaves things open and the whole story doesn’t feel complete.

The secondary characters were definitely a needed part of this story. They helped add the drama to the situation and kept the story interesting. Cam’s mother was a piece of work but I felt her actions were glazed over the most and wanted a bit more from that aspect.

Overall, I did enjoy the story. I did want more angst and drama added in the overall story because it just felt like slow burn romance with some bits of angst here and there.

Teaser Video
Author Bio
New York Times, USA Today, and International bestselling author, E.K.
Blair, takes her readers on an emotional roller coaster with her books. Blair
tends to drift towards love stories that are deeply layered with emotional
angst. Give her a character and she will dig into their core to find what lies
beneath.


Aside from writing, E.K. Blair finds pleasure in music, drinking her Starbucks
in peace and spending time with her friends and family. She’s a thinker, an artist,
a wife, a mom, and everything in between.

 

Author Links
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
BOOKBUB

February 2018 Forbidden New Adult New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Romance Taboo Three Loves

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Feb 24

Forbidden Lyrics by Jodie Larson…Blog Tour with Review

by Read-Love-Blog

We are thrilled to be bringing you Jodie Larson’s FORBIDDEN LYRICS, the third standalone in her Lightning Strikes rockstar series. Fans of contemporary romance are not going to want to miss this one–be sure to grab your copy today!

 

About FORBIDDEN LYRICS

Falling in love with your best friend’s sister is never a good idea. Getting caught kissing her, that’s even worse.

I watched Lizzie Donovan grow up – from pigtails and scraped knees to pouty lips and lush curves.

It wasn’t until one night nine years ago in the front seat of her car, with her lips on mine, that I realized what I was feeling was far more than friendship.

Of course, I felt her brother’s wicked left hook shortly after.

One promise was all it took to push her away.

Not anymore.

This is my chance.

I have three months to convince her that she’s the song in my heart and we’re more than just forbidden lyrics.

Add FORBIDDEN LYRICS to your Goodreads shelf here!

 

Grab your copy of FORBIDDEN LYRICS on Amazon today!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2CtBWNl
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2CuuO3j
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2CvV8db
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2CuQOee

 

 

Read an excerpt from FORBIDDEN LYRICS

 

The house lights dim, leaving the whole place practically in darkness. A hush falls over the crowd as if the lack of light was in control of their voices. Pretty sure we’re the only table that knows what’s about to happen.

The steady beat of a drum, counting out a punishing rhythm break through the silence. A bass guitar joins in, followed closely by two more guitars. It’s a pattern I’ve heard all my life. Each instrument getting its turn to take the spotlight before coming together as a whole.

A spotlight cuts through the darkness and every girl in the room loses their mind before rushing the stage. Flashes from cell phones compete against the swirling lights illuminating the dance floor. The four of them stand there, perfectly comfortable in their surroundings, taking command of the area. Kade winds at the girls in front while Myles struts his stuff along the right side of the stage. You can barely see Pax’s head above the drum set, but every once in a while, you sneak a glimpse of his smile.

But that’s not what I’m focusing on. No, I’m drawn to the one standing off to the side, keeping a constant rhythm and not drawing as much attention to himself. Damn. If I thought Breck looked good sitting on a bar stool, he looks a million times better with a spotlight shining directly on him.

 

“Oh, hello Jodie Larson!” is exactly what I said while ready this book. As a first-time reader of her books, I am hooked!!!  Forbidden Lyrics is the third book in the Lighting Strikes series and I have already downloaded the first two! I have got to know more about these characters! I did get a great understanding of the other bandmates so Forbidden Lyrics can be a read as a standalone.

I loved, loved, loved the hot tension between Brecken and Lizzie! I love that he has had a thing for her for years. I mean any romance that is forbidden is so fun to read. Larson did a great job at hooking me into their forbidden romance right from the start. I could see the love Brecken had for Lizzie from the start of this one and could not wait to see him get his girl. The sneaking around and the passion between them was so fun to read as well! As a bonus, I adore that Myles is Lizzie’s big brother because he is someone I would be afraid to tell I loved his band member.

Anyone wanting a romance book with some fun and sneaky around that is written to capture your attention, needs this book! Seriously this is a great series to start when all our good shows are not on T.V.! I cannot wait to read them!!

 

Don’t miss the other LIGHTNING STRIKES books!

 

SERENADING THE SHADOWS

No one should have their life planned out at the age of three. Yet that’s exactly what happened to Adrienne Carmichael. Paving the way as the “piano prodigy” was all her parents wanted…Only she didn’t.

All she wished for was to be normal, to be a regular teenager and everything that came with it—including the decisions that would shape her life.

Wish granted.

Ten years later, scarred and broken, she knows that being alone isn’t everything she imagined. The piano is finally everything, except nobody will ever hear her play again.

All that changes when a sexy-as-sin rock god blows into her life. Tall and tattooed with jet-black hair and a dangerous bad boy smile…he’s every girl’s fantasy.

To her, he’s a distraction, yet Kade Evans is everything she shouldn’t want.

Instinct tells her to run, but she can’t get him out of her mind.

But may, just maybe he can be the one to pull her from the shadows before the darkness swallows her…for good.

GOODREADS / AMAZON

 

NOTES OF THE PAST

I love women.

And it’s easy to see why. Being the lead guitarist for the country’s hottest band, Lightning Strikes, has them practically jumping into my bed and walking out the door just as quick. Which is perfect for me. Emotions complicate things, and I don’t do complicated.

Not anymore.

Sure, I was in love once, and it was great. Then it was gone. That’s when I vowed never again. Life is better without empty, broken promises.

After five years of hard work, sacrifices, and determination, everything I’ve ever wanted is in my grasp: a successful career, touring city after city and being accountable to no one.

Then she starts appearing in the crowds. The girl I once loved, and who walked away.

Only, Tatum Mitchell wasn’t just any girl; she was my girl.

Will she be the wedge that drives the last part of my heart away, or will she break down the walls I’ve built. We’re connected through the lyrics of our heart and the notes of our past, but is that enough?

GOODREADS / AMAZON

 

 

About JODIE LARSON

Jodie Larson is a wife and mother to four beautiful girls, making their home in northern Minnesota along the shore of Lake Superior. When she isn’t running around to various activities or working her regular job, you can find her sitting in her favorite spot reading her new favorite book or camped out somewhere quiet trying to write her next manuscript. She’s addicted to reading (just ask her kids or husband) and loves talking books even more so with her friends. She’s also a lover of all things romance and happily ever afters, whether in movies or in books, as shown in her extensive collection of both.

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Feb 23

Nobody Does It Better by Lexi Blake…..Blog Tour & Review

by Courtney

 

 

 

 

A spy who specializes in seduction

Kayla Summers was an elite CIA double agent, working inside China’s deadly MSS. Now, she works for McKay-Taggart London, but the Agency isn’t quite done with her. Spy master Ezra Fain needs her help on a mission that would send her into Hollywood’s glamorous and dangerous party scene. Intrigued by the mission and the movie star hunk she will be shadowing, she eagerly agrees. When she finds herself in his bed, she realizes she’s not only risking her life, but her heart.

A leading man who doesn’t do romance

Joshua Hunt is a legend of the silver screen. As Hollywood’s highest paid actor, he’s the man everyone wants to be, or be with, but something is missing. After being betrayed more than once, the only romance Josh believes in anymore is on the pages of his scripts. He keeps his relationships transactional, and that’s how he likes it, until he meets his new bodyguard. She was supposed to keep him safe, and satisfied when necessary, but now he’s realizing he may never be able to get enough of her.

An ending neither could have expected

Protecting Joshua started off as a mission, until it suddenly felt like her calling. When the true reason the CIA wanted her for this assignment is revealed, Kayla will have to choose between serving her country or saving the love of her life.

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“Kayla?”

Her eyes came up, a flash of recognition there. “Yes?”

“Are you going to sign the contract or do you have more questions?”

She picked up the pen sitting on top of the contracts that would bind the two of them together for the next six months. They would reevaluate the relationship at that point in time, but for the next six months, she was his. His bodyguard. His submissive.

Bought and properly paid for. He would take care of her and she would give him what he needed.

She signed with a flourish and sat back, a gleam of curiosity in her eyes.

He was curious, too, and there was zero reason to not satisfy their curiosity. Hard and soft limits had been gone over. They would find their communication style as they went along. But first she should understand that he was in control.

“Come sit on my lap.”

She didn’t hesitate. She stood and turned, shifting so she could maneuver her way onto his lap.

Her weight came down on him and he wrapped an arm around her waist. Damn but she made him feel big. He’d seen her take out a man twice her size, but sitting here in his lap she felt small and vulnerable, and fuck but that did it for him.

He slid a hand along her knee, letting himself indulge in the silky-smooth feel of her skin against his palm. “Did you do as I asked?”

He was well aware his voice had gone husky, deeper than normal.

“Yes, Joshua.” She squirmed the tiniest bit, as though trying to find a comfortable position. It might be difficult for her because she was sitting right on his cock, and it was harder and thicker than he could ever remember it being.

“How can I trust you?” This was all part of the game he loved. Here he could let go and play out the darker of his impulses—to control, to take, to possess.

See. Want. Have.

“You’ll have to check,” she replied. “Though shouldn’t we go inside?”

He reached out and picked up his cell with his free hand, pushing one number and connecting to the security room. He put them on speaker. She needed to understand what she was up against in order for the game to be fair. “Landon?”

“This is Burke,” the deep voice replied. “Shane’s on patrol. What can I do for you?”

“Burke, I would like to fuck my submissive on the third-floor balcony. Is anyone watching us? Can you see any cameras pointed our way?”

A low, masculine chuckle came across the line. “No, Mr. Hunt. And given the angle relative to the beach, you should enjoy your evening without worry. The only peepers I would worry about would be your next-door neighbor, and Jared is out for the night.”

“I wouldn’t care if he wasn’t. Keep up the good work.” He hung up and his hand tightened. “I would prefer when we’re playing that you don’t question me like that. I know where I want to fuck you. I know when I want to fuck you, and I’m in charge. If I want you in the middle of a crowded freeway, your only response is a yes or a no. Not to question me.”

She seemed to relax back against him, as though she was giving up the struggle and choosing to submit. “Yes, Joshua. Yes, I understand, and yes to the sex. Please.”

He liked the breathy please and loved how she squirmed. Still, he wasn’t absolutely sure she’d obeyed him, and he was a man who required proof. He slid his hand up her thigh. “Spread your legs for me.”

Her knees fell apart, and he could feel the heat from her core. He slipped a hand up until he made contact with her softest skin. No panties. Nothing but wet heat waiting for him, and it was obvious the play had cranked her up, too. His free hand eased one button on her shirt free, and then another and another until he could move in like a soldier conquering territory. No bra. Her breasts were like the rest of her. Soft and delicate. One nipple rolled against his palm, hardening then and there.

“I can see you’ve been an obedient sub,” he said, his mouth against her ear. “You need to stay that way or there will be punishment. I’m not a sadist, Kayla. I truly don’t get off on your pain, but I will give it to you if you need it. I am a disciplinarian. I gain satisfaction from your obedience. In exchange, I’ll show you how good it can be to obey me.”

 

 

 

I can’t believe this is the last book in this series – Yes, I know it’s book 15 but damnit I love this series so much. However, I am so excited that we have spinoff series coming about the lost boys and I am soooo looking forward to that.

So I had a hard time rating this book – I kept flipping between 3 and 4, so my overall is 3.5 but I leaned more towards 4 because I only had one issue and I didn’t feel that is bad enough to push the book to a 3.

Nobody Does It Better is Kayla’s book. She’s the last of crew and has spent the majority of her years as a double agent with MSS. She’s lived her life playing a role so her new assignment is nothing new to her – submissive bodyguard to one Hollywood’s biggest stars. Oh yea……

Josh Hunt has a wicked and dark past that he has tried to leave behind him. It’s left him bitter about love. But he has come to realize that the world of BDSM is his calling and one thing he can always rely on. And he now finds himself in need of someone to not only become his submissive but also be able to keep things strict and professional and be his bodyguard.

Lexi does sexy and suspenseful like no one else. She has this perfect mix of intensity with both the BDSM elements and the suspense/action going on. You find yourself get sucked into the story and just breezing through the pages needing to know what happens next. It’s that intensity that she just rocks at.

I may not have loved this one as much as others – there was ALOT going on that it was hard to keep track – but I still really enjoyed it. This may have been the last in the series, but she did a great job of transitioning us to the spin off series The Lost Boys. So as sad as I am to have to say goodbye to this series, she has me eager to start the next one.

 

 

 

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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Feb 22

Gods and Monsters by Saffron A. Kent…Release Day Blitz & Review

by Courtney

 

Title: Gods & Monsters
Author: Saffron A. Kent
Genre: Contemporary/New Adult Romance
Release Date: February 22, 2018


Blurb
He was
an artist. She was his muse.To everyone in town, Abel Adams was the devil’s spawn, a boy who never should
have been born. A monster.To twelve year-old Evie Hart, he was just a boy with golden hair, soft t-shirts
and a camera. A boy who loved taking her picture and sneaking her chocolates
before dinner. A boy who made her feel special.Despite her family’s warnings, she loved him in secret for six years. They met
in empty classrooms and kissed in darkened church closets. Until they couldn’t.Until the time came to choose between love and family, and Evie chose Abel.Because their love was worth the risk. Their love was the stuff of legend.But the thing about legends is that they are cautionary tales. They are made of
choices and mistakes. And for Abel and Evie, the artist and the muse, those
mistakes come in the form of lights, camera, sex.

NOTE: This is NOT a paranormal or a priest romance.

 

Gods & Monsters Links
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2.5 Stars
It’s rare, if not possibly a first, that we’ve posted a review where the rating wasn’t 3 stars or higher.  But I chose to share my review because while I find myself warring between a 2 or 3 star review, I still want fellow readers to see where I struggled to enjoy this book where others loved it. And even though this book didn’t wow me, I want others to still give this book a read.

I requested to review this book because I not only saw all the raving about it, but I also read great reviews about this author in particular. Gods and Monsters is the first book I have read from Saffron and to be honest, for all the amazing reviews about her, I was let down with this book.

I am right down the middle for this book. And because I had such high hopes, this book just deflated even more for me. I am definitely in the minority on this one and I am fine with that. This is just my opinion and how I was left feeling after reading this book. A three star rating in my opinion is still a decent book to read. But I will be honest, I struggled rating this one – so I settled for an overall rating of 2.5 stars.

The first part of this book started off brilliantly and I could see why people rated this book so high. Hell, after the first part, I was rating this book a 5 star read. I loved the story line, loved the characters and how everything was coming together.

The second part totally killed the vibes I was feeling in the first half and left me wanting more. No, more isn’t the right word. It left me a bit dry despite all the damn sex going on. I found myself stopping a lot while reading the second half and truly not giving a shit how this ended, I really didn’t. However, I pushed forward and did finish the book.

While I did not care for how the story played itself out, that’s not the reason for my rating. I won’t rate a book because I didn’t like that the author went a different route than what I wanted. My rating is because the book lost it’s mojo and excitement for me. I no longer felt vested in the characters and no longer cared what happened to them. And for me that just took the book from 5 stars to somewhere between 2 and 3 stars.

Overall, I did enjoy this author’s writing style and will give her other books a look. This book wasn’t my fave but I’d still urge anyone to give it a go.  Many others enjoyed this book,I sadly wasn’t one if them.  I am hoping that Sky and Duke are given their own book and that I will read.

 
Purchase Links
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Author Bio
Writer
of bad romances. Aspiring Lana Del Rey of the Book World. Saffron is a big believer in love (obviously). She believes in happily ever
after, the butterflies and the tingling. But she also believes in edgy, rough
and gutsy kind of love. She believes in pushing the boundaries, darker
(sometimes morally ambiguous) emotions and imperfections.The kind of love she writes about is flawed just like her characters. And she
hopes by the end of it, you’ll come to root for them just as much as she does.
Because love, no matter where it comes from, is always pure and beautiful.She is represented by Meire Dias of Bookcase Agency

 

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Feb 22

Heart Stronger by Rachel Blaufeld…Blog Tour & Review

by Courtney

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“So exquisitely titillating, full of hope and second chances, and so honest, this is Rachel Blaufeld’s best and swooniest romance yet! I LOVED it!”

– Katy Evans, New York Times Bestselling Author

Heart Stronger, an all-new emotional romance from Rachel Blaufeld is available now!

HeartStronger Full

“Sometimes, I feel like I’m watching a movie . . . that it’s not really me, Claire Richards, getting this second chance at life.”

“Open your eyes, it’s you, and I’m damn glad it’s with me.” ~ Aiken

Single mom and college professor Claire Richards only wanted a few hours of me time to soak in her tub, read a book, and drink wine.

But tragedy struck, and Claire found herself with a lot more me time than she bargained for.

Three years later, Claire is still mourning her losses when Aiken Fordham—who looks young enough to be one of her college students—moves in next door.

Forcing Claire to face her fears, Aiken almost forgets his reason for moving to Small Town, Pennsylvania. Falling for the sexy, smart, and strong professor next door was never in the plan.

But now it is . . . until their future intersects with their pasts.

Excerpt

The downpour stopped just as I did, soaked in rain and sweat. Rolling my neck, I took in my house. It was cute. Too cute for a single dude, but it was all fixed up, and I wasn’t in the mood for a renovation project.

I bent over to stretch, touching my toes, and before I could stand up, Smitty was at my feet, tail wagging, tongue lolling, begging to be petted.

“Smitty!” Claire came running out her front door, dark hair tied up in a messy bun, wearing tight black pants and a fitted green blouse. No shoes. She stopped in front of me, and I noticed her pink toes and tanned feet.

“Smitty, bad boy! You can’t leave the house.” She grabbed his collar and tugged him to her side.

“S’okay.” Wetness seeped into my eyes, and I swatted it away, making the burn worse. Squinting and blinking, I remained focused on the woman in front of me, and all woman she was. There wasn’t one girlish thing about my neighbor, and no—before you think it—I didn’t have mommy issues.

I had lean-muscular-legs and pouty-lips issues, both of which Claire had in earnest. Not to mention, I had a separate thing for independence after growing up around all these farming wives, who basically did all the heavy lifting for none of the credit. Then there was my dad, unable to move on, the epitome of lost.

“Don’t say that. He can’t be running out of the house.” Her breath was short at this point; she was almost panting. “He’s all I have.” It was a whisper of a sentence, but I heard it. Fuck it, I felt it. I got pain. Hated anyone else having to experience it.

She was eaten up with pain, but kept her head up—I could tell. I wanted to crack her veneers, let the pain ooze out, and see her smile in earnest.

Deep shit for a young guy, but I’d grown up fast. Like in the last forty-eight hours.

“I put my hand out to feel if it was still raining, and he bolted as soon as he saw you,” she continued to explain.

“Like I said, I’m cool with Smitty, but I get it. He can’t be escaping.”

“Thanks for understanding.” She stood, prim and proper, her gaze heavy on the concrete, clearly avoiding any direct eye contact.

“You okay, Claire? I’m sorry about last night.”

“I’m fine.” She turned back toward her house.

“Claire, listen, we got off to a bad start. Can we start over? Aiken Fordham, nice to meet you.” I held my hand out, flexing my bicep, waiting for her to return the favor.

“Claire Richards.” She took my hand, her smaller, dainty, and way smoother hand slipping into mine.

“Ugh. What do you want, Aiken? Look at you, shirtless, dripping from running in the rain.” Her hand whipped out of mine and began whisking up and down in the air, motioning at my very naked torso. “What could you possibly want from me? If you need an egg or a stick of butter, pop next door. Otherwise, let me be. I need to get out of here and beg Mary to give me a class full of students, probably not much older than you.” She alternated between eyeing me and her disobedient dog.

“You’re a beautiful woman, Claire,” I called, running up behind her. “And I’m a warm-blooded man, who’ll probably never have a need for a stick of butter. I’m a big boy. I know how to find a grocery store. All by myself too.”

She flung open her door and motioned Smitty inside. He stood at the screen door, staring us down with sad doggie eyes.

“Is there something wrong with getting to know my neighbor? I don’t know anyone here. Maybe you could be neighborly? Or are you so closed off you can’t do that? Because if so, that’s a damn shame,” I said through gritted teeth. Admittedly, I was more frustrated than I should have been. I was a man who desperately wanted the broken woman in front of me.

HeartStronger-ANv1

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Anyone who has been following my reviews over the year, knows that I love Rachel and her work. She’s always stood out to me with her unique characters and amazing story lines.

Heart Stronger is an emotional romance about a divorced professor, Claire and her new next door neighbor, Aiken. Many have been calling this a second chance romance and honestly, I personally do not see it as that. For me, a second chance romance is when the main characters are finding a second chance to be together again when it didn’t work out before and that’s not the case here. These two do not know each other til they become neighbors.

Claire not only had to survive through a divorce, but while she was coming to grips on that, she loses her daughter in a horrific incident. Since then, she has buried herself in her work and hasn’t truly lived her life since the day her daughter died. Aiken moves to the are in hopes of finding his mother, who left him and father. He came looking for closure but what he found was hot neighbor that he just couldn’t walk away from.

Rachel has this way with her writing where I find myself so enraptured by them and cheering them on. Aiken won my heart over immediately. I love that nothing Claire did would deter him from continuing to persue her. He saw more than what she showed everyone. Claire is one tough cookie. She is deadest in her ways and just truly believes because she was selfish one night and lost her daughter, that she no longer deserves any sort of love. I love how everything unfolds along with the mystery behind Aiken’s quest to find his mother.

Rachel delivers another fantastic story with great characters that will stay with us. While this book is a standalone, she does end it with a cliffhanger about Claire’s best friend, Mary. So I will be anxiously awaiting for that book next.

 

 

 

HeeartStronger-Teaser2

About Rachel:

RachelBRachel Blaufeld is a bestselling author of Romantic Suspense, New Adult, Coming-of-Age Romance, and Sports Romance. A recent poll of her readers described her as insightful, generous, articulate, and spunky. Originally a social worker, Rachel creates broken yet redeeming characters. She’s been known to turn up the angst like cranking up the heat in the dead of winter.

A devout coffee drinker and doughnut eater, Rachel spends way too many hours in local coffee shops, downing the aforementioned goodies while she plots her ideas. Her tales may all come with a side of angst and naughtiness, but end as lusciously as her treats.

As a side note, Blaufeld, also a long-time blogger and an advocate of woman-run anything, is fearless about sharing her opinion. She captured the ears of stay-at-home and working moms on her blog, BacknGrooveMom, chronicling her adventures in parenting tweens and running a business, often at the same time. To her, work/life/family balance is an urban legend, but she does her best.

Rachel has also blogged for The Huffington Post and Modern Mom. Most recently, her insights can be found in USA TODAY, where she shares conversations at “In Bed with a Romance Author” and reading recommendations over at “Happy Ever After.”

Rachel lives around the corner from her childhood home in Pennsylvania with her family and two beagles. Her obsessions include running, coffee, basketball, icing-filled doughnuts, antiheroes, and mighty fine epilogues.

When she isn’t writing, she can be found courtside, tweeting about hoops as her son plays, or walking around the house wearing earplugs while her other son, the drummer, bangs away.

Connect with Rachel:

Facebook I Twitter I Instagram I Reader Group I Website

Stay up to date with Rachel by joining her mailing list today!

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Feb 22

Eulogy by Rachel Van Dyken…Blog Tour & Review

by Courtney

SBPRBANNER-Eulogy-BT (1).jpg

Eulogy by Rachel Van Dyken
Publication Date: February 20th, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Eulogy_eBook_HiRes

All is lost.

All.
I don’t recognize myself in the mirror anymore.
My thoughts are filled with hatred and dripping with rage.
I’ve lost my soul.
She took it to the depths of Hell with her and haunts me with images of what could have been.
Sixty lives are mine to take.
Sixty lives stand in the way of my vengeance.
Sixty lives plus one more.
Mine.
When the last drop of blood falls — mine will be spilled.
Only one person stands in the way.
She doesn’t realize I’ll kill her too.
I don’t own a heart.
And even if I did — I wouldn’t fall prey to its lies again.
I am Chase Abandonato.
Heir to a legacy of betrayal.
And I will kill them all.
Even if it means pointing the gun at myself.
A life for a life.
A soul for a soul.

Now I lay me down to sleep… I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Blood in. No out.

Eulogy-AN

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Excerpt:

BLOOD. BLOOD. BLOOD.
It covered my hands.
It surged through my heart.
It dripped from my fingertips onto the concrete floor.
Trapped.
Broken.
Finished.
Hungry.
Insanity scratched its way into my psyche as I eyed the door and waited. One heartbeat, two heartbeats, three…
It opened.
I fired two rounds, and acrid smoke filled the air.
I thought I knew what love was. I was a fucking idiot. Every single bone in my body shuddered with rage, with the need to rip something apart, someone, anyone —all of them. My friends. My brothers. I brought the war to our house, and they would finish me because of it.
I’d thought I loved her.
Our love had been a lie.
Her betrayal my only truth.
And now?
Now, I finally knew what love was. I’d seen it, smelled it, tasted it.
And lost it.
I’d fucking lost it.
They would pay. They would all pay.
For taking her.
For turning her against me.
For making me believe that blood was everything, only after mine was spilled.

Eulogy-Teaser6

 

 

After I finished Enrage, Rachel left me wanting and begging for this book to come out immediately. I needed to know if Chase would ever get his HEA.

My heart hurt for Chase. This man not only lost his wife, Mil, but she betrayed the family. I wasn’t sure how Rachel was going to pull this off because Mil is major player in this series and she’s gone now. And Chase is now out for revenge and not the man we once knew and loved. He is man without a soul and to see the darkness take over his light, it just broke my heart.

Luciana (Luc) steps in when the families need a new lawyer. Only because this job will help her family, she takes it without any research on the families or what she’s about to step into. Luc surprised me – she may be totally clueless to the mafia lifestyle but she is her own person. She is quiet and kind but knows how to hold her own when it comes to these mafia peeps, especially Chase.

Luc finds herself having to stay at Chase’s place because the majority of everything she needs is at his house. So while she is doing what she is hired to do, she also has to deal with Chase and he constant battering of wanting to shoot her every time he sees her. But she never once backs down from him. In her own way, she takes care of him and brings the light slowly back into his life. I don’t want to say much more other than these two together were so much more than I expected.

Eulogy was more than I anticipated and blew my expectations away. Rachel delivers an action-pack and emotional story. And like I have to come to expect, she throws another unexpected twist that has left me going “OMFG!!!”

Another remarkable installment in Rachel’s Eagle Elite series. I truly never want this series to end. Bring on the next book!!!!

 

 

Meet the Author:

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Connect with the Author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelVanDyken
Website: http://rachelvandykenauthor.com
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/RVDNewsletter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachvd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachVD
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2cNVwL9
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/RVDGR
Rachel’s Rockin’ Readers: http://bit.ly/RachelsRockinReaders

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Feb 18

Elite by Carrie Aarons…Release Day Blitz & Review

by Courtney

 

Title: Elite
A Privileged Novel
Author: Carrie Aarons
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: February 18, 2018
Blurb
If you’re in, you’ll never have to ask. If you ask,
you’ll never be in.Eloise Mason knows what it’s like to live among the privileged. Seeking a
change from the upper crust society of Europe, she flies halfway across the
world for a semester abroad in the one place guaranteed to toss responsibility
out the window and provide some good, old-fashioned fun; college in The United
States.

Except nothing at the picturesque, Ivy-covered university in Vermont appears as
it seems. And after a mysterious invitation arrives on her doorstep, curiosity
wins over the need to turn her back on games meant for the rich and ruthless.

Secret societies, risky tasks, and an inner circle to rival the royals. But it
may just be one American boy who threatens to be the most dangerous endeavor of
all.

Colton Reiter defines the word idolized at Jade Mountain University. In fact,
he practically rules the roost from the three point line of the basketball
court. The college’s star point guard, he is a god and treated as such;
professional scouts at every game, teachers looking the other way when it comes
to grades, and girls falling into his lap at the snap of a finger. He wants for
nothing, or at least that’s what he wants everyone to believe.

But when he meets the sassy girl with the British accent who could care less
about his status, her very existence threatens to unveil the skeletons buried
deep in the back of his closet.

With stakes this high, and hearts on the line, can they turn their backs on
power and popularity before the ivory tower comes crashing down on their heads?

 

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Elite is Eloise’s book from Privileged. You don’t need to read Privileged in order to understand anything in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it’s characters.

Carrie hooked me on her writing with Privileged so it was a no brainer for me to want to read this one. Eloise is visiting states during her spring semester of college (or university to her) because she needs a break from the stressful course she’s been taking the last year or so. Eloise is also visiting the states because she’s always wanted to experience the culture, especially since her best friend, Nora is from the states.

This is a great college romance story that has the right amount of suspense added in. While I did love the problems that were set forth before Eloise and Colton, I wish Carrie would given us a bit more with those areas. I felt they were sort of breezed over and dealt with too quickly, which my reasoning for a 4 star review and not 5 stars.

I loved watching Eloise and Colton’s relationship blossom over time, even though they were both smitten with the other early on. Carrie did a great job of letting this play out naturally and adding in the suspenseful parts well. Everything flowed nicely and moved along at the right pace.

Overall, I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters. Colton and Eloise were mature with how they handled things and their relationship was hot!!

I am looking forward to more stories from other characters within these stories.

 

 

Also Available

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AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

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Privileged is the first book by Carrie Aarons that I have read. I was pretty excited going into this book and I was definitely not let down in any way.

Nora finds herself being thrown into a new world. A world that is a complete 180 of what she is used to. A world of wealth, privilege and spoiled little shits. A world Nora wants to hide from, but unfortunately can’t.

Asher has set his sites on Nora. He is the golden boy of their school’s academy and is determined to follow in his family’s footsteps. He also has chosen Nora to be his pawn in his game of revenge.

Nora loved when she was lost in the crowd and people kept their distance from her. Now Asher is making her the center of his world and she’s unsure of what to feel or how to act.

“The one thing I know for sure about Asher Frederick is that he is no good. And I also know that if I let him, he could be the one boy who would really be able to ruin me.”

I love how this entire story plays out. Nora and Asher have some great chemistry and I love that it is slow building. Carrie does a great job of moving everything at this perfect pace where it all makes sense. My only gripe and what brought it down from 5 to 4 stars is that I like for my stories to have a little bit more substance, drama, angst, and emotion added in. I felt at times it was lacking and wanted to see a bit more tension thrown in.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Carrie did a great job of keeping the British dialect very true and honest, giving the story more life and realism to it. I look forward to reading more from her, hopefully more from the secondary characters.

Author Bio

 

Author of romance novels such as Red Card and the Captive Heart Duet, Carrie Aarons writes sexy, swoony and sarcastic characters who won’t get out of her head until she puts them down on a page.
Carrie has wanted to be an author since the first time she opened a book. She loves spinning tales that include dapper men, women with attitude, and the occasional hunky athlete.
When she isn’t in what her husband calls a “writing coma”, Carrie is freeing up her jam-packed DVR, starting her latest DIY project, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, who is more than happy to watch sports while his wife plots love stories.
Author Links
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GOODREADS

 

Coming of Age Contemporary Romance February 2017 Four Loves New Adult New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Romance

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Feb 13

You Will Be Mine by Natasha Madison…Blog Tour & Review

by Courtney

We are so excited to be sharing the release of #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Natasha Preston’s YOU WILL BE MINE. Young Adult and thriller fans won’t want to miss this one–be sure to grab your copy today!

 

About YOU WILL BE MINE

Love turns deadly in a new, heart-pounding thriller from Natasha Preston, author of the runaway bestsellers The Cellar and The Cabin.

ROSES ARE RED

VIOLETS ARE BLUE

WATCH YOUR BACK

I’M COMING FOR YOU

Lylah and her friends can’t wait to spend a night out together. Partying is the perfect way to let loose from the stress of life and school, and Lylah hopes that hitting the dance floor with Chase, her best friend, will bring them closer together. She’s been crushing on him since they met. If only he thought of her the same way…

The girls are touching up their makeup and the guys are sliding on their coats when the doorbell rings. No one is there. An envelope sits on the doormat. It’s an anonymous note addressed to their friend Sonny. A secret admirer? Maybe. They all laugh it off.

Except Sonny never comes home. And a new note arrives:

YOUR TURN

Add YOU WILL BE MINE to your Goodreads shelf here!

 

Get your copy of YOU WILL BE MINE today!

Amazon / iBooks / B&N / Kobo

 

Read an excerpt from YOU WILL BE MINE now!

I breathe in deep through my nose and out through my mouth—an exercise my therapist taught me when I started to feel like I was going to fall apart. I can slowly feel myself start to relax when the doorbell rings.

Sighing, I get up. My housemates must’ve forgotten their keys or be carrying too many bags to unlock the door.

I glance through the window, but no one is there.

Another doorbell ditch?

My blood runs cold as I open the door.

An envelope is sitting on our mat. The world turns mute as the blood rushes to my ears. Bending down, I scoop up the envelope. It’s addressed to Isaac. And it looks like exactly the one that came for Sonny.

No…

I turn it over and pull out the note. My hands are shaking as I read:

YOUR TURN

“Isaac!” rips from my throat.

“What?” he calls from his room down the hall. My voice is trapped in my throat as I look up and down the street. There are still a few folks leaving flowers, looking at the makeshift memorial in front of our house. Did one of them do this? Did one of them see who left the note? I feel so exposed. Vulnerable.

I draw back inside and shut the door, trembling.

Isaac’s footsteps thud from his bedroom into the foyer. “Lylah, what?” His face falls and his eyes widen as he sees what’s in my hand. “Is that another note?”

Nodding, I hand it to him.

“Jesus,” he whispers. “Who was it addressed to?”

I look up at him, my vision blurring with tears. “You.”

 

 

You Will Be Mine is a YA thriller/suspense that revolves around a group of college kids living together.

As you will be able to tell, I am torn on how to write this review. While I did enjoy the book, I wasn’t overly excited with everything going on. And once again, it’s because I struggle with connecting to the characters. The storyline itself is interesting but the lack of character development hurt the story overall for me.

As I said the storyline was interesting; Lylah and her friends start receiving anonymous letters that are addressed to a particular person. When each person starts winding up dead, things start pointing to one person. While I was able to easily figure out who the murderer was, it was still interesting to watch the mystery play out.

Natasha does a good job of throwing in different aspects and people’s reactions to things to keep the “suspects” list open to so many. I have to say that the mannerisms in which the friends die is quite gruesome and that will leave the reader doubting a lot of their suspects.

I do enjoy Natasha’s writing. She always keeps the story itself gripping and entertaining. I may only rate her books 3 stars, but I do enjoy reading them and will continue to do so.

Overall, it was a good read for me. If you enjoy a good mystery and suspense thriller (and don’t hate that you will possibly figure out the killer) this book will be for you. Just don’t expect a lot of depth into the characters.

 

 

About NATASHA PRESTON

UK native Natasha Preston grew up in small villages and towns. She discovered her love of writing when she stumbled across an amateur writing site and uploaded her first story and hasn’t looked back since.

She enjoys writing contemporary romance, gritty Young Adult thrillers and, of course, the occasional serial killer.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Wattpad

Blog Tour Book Tour Coming of Age Excerpt February 2018 New Adult New Releases New Reviews Romance Romantic Suspense Three Loves Young Adult

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