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Book Promotion & Review

Jun 2

Forbidden Promises by Katee Robert…Release Blitz & Review

by Courtney

Celebrate the Release of FORBIDDEN PROMISES!
Some lines should never be crossed . . . not even for love.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert delivers the next book in her sizzling O’Malleys family series, hailed as “The Godfather meets Romeo & Juliet.” FORBIDDEN PROMISES features Sloan O’Malley and her mysterious new next-door neighbor, Jude MacNamara.

Add FORBIDDEN PROMISES to your TBR pile on Goodreads! Then keep reading to get an EXCLUSIVE (and totally hawt!) sneak peek at FORBIDDEN PROMISES. Also, be sure to enter the giveaway for an O’Malley heroes candle set + a $30 Amazon gift card. Three (3) runner-up winners will get their choice of an eBook from Katee’s backlist.

Title: Forbidden Promises
Author: Katee Robert
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 30, 2017
Publisher: Grand Central/Forever
Series: The O’Malleys
Page Count: 336 pages
Format: Digitial and Print
ASIN: B01KT7YSJM
ISBN-13: 9781455597031

Synopsis:

Some lines should never be crossed . . . not even for love.

Sloan O’Malley just left her entire world behind-her family, her wealth, and even her real name. For the first time in her life, she’s free. She can live the “normal” life she’s always wanted. A life without fear. But there’s nothing safe about her intensely sexy next-door neighbor.

Jude MacNamara has no room for innocence in his life. Only revenge. Still, he’s never been able to walk away from the forbidden, and Sloan-who is every inch of pure, mouthwatering temptation-has forbidden written all over her. Only after it’s way too late does he discover the real danger: claiming Sloan as his puts a target on her back. To protect her, Jude is willing risk everything . . . and to hell with the consequences.

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Enter to win an O’Malley heroes candle set + a $30 Amazon gift card. Three (3) runner-up winners will get their choice of an eBook from Katee’s backlist.

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Forbidden Promises is the fourth book in The O’Malley’s series. While this book can technically be read as a stand-a-lone, there are a lot of continuing plot from the previous 3 books that continue into this one, it might be hard for some to connect all the dots and line the families together. I can’t say it takes away from this book’s sole plot, but it may slow down your reading overall trying to put things together.

This book is probably my least favorite so far in the series. I rated it at 4 because the book was intense and the overall drama and mystery continued on, but I felt there was more of a focus on the sexual relationship between Jude and Sloan that was necessary. Don’t get me wrong – I enjoy some great sex scenes, but I just felt that overpowered that plot of the book and this series.

Sloan is the mousy and obedient one of the O’Malley’s. She finally had enough of her family’s business that she left without anyone knowing where she was headed. She found herself living across the country and next door to Jude – a man who seems to want to be left alone.

Jude – I am not even sure where to start with him. He leaves me confused and with some contradictions. He doesn’t get himself involved with other people because his job forces him to leave immediately after everything is done – he doesn’t set roots anywhere. So when Sloan makes him take notice more than he ever has in anyone, that leaves him feeling out of sorts. With that being said – as rugged and dominating as he comes across, I had a hard time believing his actions were real. Near the end, they became more believable, but in the beginning it was difficult.

My only gripe was the relationship between Sloan and Jude – it just seemed too forced. I like that Katee did address the whole first relationship part and Sloan trying to decipher is it love or lust – that did help things. But again, it just didn’t seem believable the whole time.

I have to say that the redeeming parts of this book are the action and drama in this book. It’s what I have come to love and expect from this series. The O’Malley’s are involved in the Boston Mafia along with the Sheridan’s and their shared enemy – Dimitri. There’s a lot of suspense and action and I absolutely love it. And the overall plot just keeps getting better!!!

As you can tell, I didn’t really tell you much about this book itself or how things transpire. This is one of those books where you really can’t say one thing without giving the good stuff away. So it’s best just left unsaid and let the reader find out everything for themselves.

Overall, it’s a different take on how the other books played out, but it’s still good. I have my own issues with it which may not bother others. It’s a good read.

Forbidden Promises Excerpt
Copyright © 2017 Katee Robert

“I won’t hurt you, Sloan. I promise.”
There was no logical reason for her to trust him, but he’d been careful with her up to this point. Perhaps he’d be careful with her with what came next. She nodded mutely, watching as he rolled on a condom that he’d retrieved from his pocket. Her body hummed in anticipation and trepidation, but she didn’t let it show as he moved back to join her on the bed.
Jude palmed her between her legs, his big fingers exploring her. It didn’t seem possible that he could spark pleasure with a few specific touches, but it didn’t take much to have her relaxing, letting him once again take the lead. He kissed her neck. “Feels good, huh?”
“Well, I—oh.” Her eyes went wide when he pushed a second finger into her. It stretched her, the feeling not entirely pleasant at first, but he merely waited, pulsing the slightest bit, until pleasure took hold once more. She clutched his shoulders. “Kiss me again. Please.”
“You don’t have to ask twice.” He took her mouth like he owned it—like he owned every part of her. Jude slid between her legs, his body rubbing deliciously against hers. His hard length slid through her wetness, creating a friction that sparked a tide of desire deep inside her. Again? I couldn’t possibly…
He nipped her bottom lip and then soothed the slight ache with his tongue. “Ready?”
There was no mistaking his meaning. She nodded. Despite the earlier orgasm and how good it felt to have him moving against her, she was so incredibly empty. Instinct had her hooking a leg around his hips and arching up to meet him, needing more, so much more.
Jude reached between them, and then he was at her entrance. He kissed her, tongue twining with hers as he pushed into her, just a single inch. It was too much and not enough and she couldn’t help but thrash, pinned in place by his big body, overwhelmed by her helplessness and what he was doing to her. “Jude, I—”
“Shh. I’ve got you.” He rolled, taking her with him. One second she was on her back, finding it hard to breathe, and the next she was straddling him where he sat with his back against the headboard.
Sloan looked down, daunted by the sheer size of him. “I don’t know if this is going to work. You’re too big.”
He laughed, deep and full-throated, the sound rolling through her like the tide. “You can take every inch of me, sunshine. I promise you that.”

Praise for The O’Malleys Series

“It can be hard to make a ruthless assassin into a sympathetic character, but Robert handles the task with ease. She also deftly shows Sloan’s transformation from a pampered and protected naïf to a strong woman with a backbone of pure steel. A tension-filled plot full of deceit, betrayal, and sizzling love scenes will make it impossible for readers to set the book down.”—Publishers Weekly on FORBIDDEN PROMISES

“You will finish it in one sitting and die after you’re done because the next book isn’t out yet. This was one sexy ride!”—Reviewer Top Pick, Night Owl Reviews on FORBIDDEN PROMISES

“Two story lines end up converging into one explosive finale at the end. A great read from the talented Robert!” —RT Book Reviews

“Katee Robert’s has created a fictional underworld of such veracity, that one almost expects the characters to turn up on the front-page news. It never feels over the top or implausible; the author writes extremely well-crafted stories… The romance between Cillian and Olivia is very beautiful, tender and real.”—Fresh Fiction on AN INDECENT PROPOSAL

“Will keep you turning pages.”—RT Book Reviews on THE WEDDING PACT

“If you like angsty reads, this book is right up your wheelhouse.”—Heroes & Heartbreakers on THE WEDDING PACT

“Dark, dirty, and dead sexy.”—Tiffany Reisz, bestselling author of The Original Sinners series, on THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT

Other Books in The O’Malleys Series

THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT
THE WEDDING PACT
AN INDECENT PROPOSAL
UNDERCOVER ATTRACTION (Coming soon!)

About Katee Robert

 

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her 2015 title, The Marriage Contract, was a RITA finalist, and RT Book Reviews named it ‘a compulsively readable book with just the right amount of suspense and tension.” When not writing sexy contemporary and romantic suspense, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her children, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.
Connect with Katee at: Website | Facebook | Twitter| GoodReads | Instagram

Contemporary Romance Excerpt Four Loves Giveaway June 2017 New Releases New Reviews Romance Romantic Suspense Suspense

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Jun 1

My Best Friend’s Ex by Meghan Quinn…Release Day Blitz & Review

by Courtney



MY BEST FRIEND’S EX by Meghan Quinn is live! ONE-CLICK now!

 

MY BEST FRIEND’S EX
New Adult STANDALONE Romantic Comedy

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2qpQxZ4
UK: http://amzn.to/2r2ubLG
CA: http://amzn.to/2rMfc9O

AU: http://amzn.to/2saZWAP

When I found an eviction notice taped on my apartment door, I had two options: find a comfortable cardboard box to call home, or move in with Tucker Jameson.
Seeing that cardboard makes me feel itchy, I chose the latter. Which shouldn’t be that big of a deal since Tucker is one of my good friends. And because he’s still pining after his ex-girlfriend and I’m trying to finish my nursing degree, there is nothing to worry about in the romance department, making my last semester an easy one to conquer.
Boy, was I wrong.
Rules are set, dinners are made, conversations are had, and a shirtless, swoony roommate walks around in nothing but a pair of black briefs, ruining me for every other man.
Before I know it, I turn into a panting, lust-filled woman begging for Tucker to kiss me, touch me, and show me exactly what is hiding under those briefs.
But with great orgasms, comes great consequences.
Tucker might be my friend and roommate but he’s also my best friend’s ex-boyfriend, making him completely off-limits. At least that’s what my brain is telling me, my heart is speaking an entirely different language.

 

 

 

 

 

I was so looking forward to Tucker’s book and Meghan did not disappoint me at all. I enjoyed this book so much more than Co-Wrecker.

Tucker is still reeling from losing Sadie and their baby. He’s threw himself into his work and every day is like Groundhog Day for him – work, go home, sleep, wake up, go to work. Sounds really exciting.

Emma is Sadie’s best friend and was a close friend to Tucker when he was with Sadie. After they split ways, Emma never really saw or spoke to Tucker since then. She is trying to finish her last year of nursing school and is in he last semester when she and her roommate are evicted from their place. She has one week to find another place or be homeless.

Yea, you see where this is going. For one odd night, Tucker happens to go out and drown out his sorrows at a bar, he runs into Emma. She later on becomes his roommate, a roommate with rules and boundaries – mostly all established from Tucker. And that’s where the real fun begins!!!

I loved watching these two infuse themselves into each other lives without realizing it. They were friends before so it’s a natural thing for them to fall into a natural routine and get alone easily, even some flirting. But there’s a huge elephant between them and that also happens to be one of the rules – no talking about Sadie.

I have to point out that I love how Meghan played out this scenario. There was no rush, no stripping of clothes, jumping each other bones and Tucker forgetting all about his problems. He knows that if he wants more with Emma, he needs to get himself in the right frame of mind. And I love that he think he does, and in certain ways he does, he just doesn’t realize that he’s sort of covering up the problem too and not fully dealing with it head on. And Emma – I love that she doesn’t just let him get away with teasing her and thinking it’s cool – she lets it be known what she wants.

I have to say that this book is the complete opposite when it comes to maturity of the characters from Co-Wrecker. Co-Wrecker was definitely more juvenile while this book held a lot more maturity from everyone. Granted, Tucker’s one friend Racer was the jokester of the group, he wasn’t childish in his actions – just a typical male goofball.

Loved this book – Tucker and Emma’s story was so much more than I anticipated and I really enjoyed reading the mix up between humor and the serious side in this book. A great blend of everything to make a great story!

Oh and, I am praying that Racer gets a book in the future. HINT! HINT! LOL

 

 

 

 

About the Author:

 

Born in New York and raised in Southern California, Meghan has grown into a sassy, peanut butter eating, blonde haired swearing, animal hoarding lady. She is known to bust out and dance if “It’s Raining Men” starts beating through the air and heaven forbid you get a margarita in her, protect your legs because they may be humped.
Once she started commuting for an hour and twenty minutes every day to work for three years, she began to have conversations play in her head, real life, deep male voices and dainty lady coos kind of conversations. Perturbed and confused, she decided to either see a therapist about the hot and steamy voices running through her head or start writing them down. She decided to go with the cheaper option and started writing… enter her first novel, Caught Looking.
Now you can find the spicy, most definitely on the border of lunacy, kind of crazy lady residing in Colorado with the love of her life and her five, furry four legged children, hiking a trail or hiding behind shelves at grocery stores, wondering what kind of lube the nervous stranger will bring home to his wife. Oh and she loves a good boob squeeze!
Find me on Goodreads:

Contemporary Romance Five Loves humor June 2017 New Releases New Reviews Release Day Event Romance Romantic Comedy

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May 26

Cheater’s Regret by Rachel Van Dyken….Blog Tour & Review

by Courtney

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Cheater’s Regret, an all-new sexy standalone from #1 New York Times Bestseller Rachel Van Dyken is available now on Amazon & Free in Kindle Unlimited!!

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Cheater’s Regret by Rachel Van Dyken
Release Date: May 23rd

Genre: Contemporary Romance

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken returns with a smoking-hot story about the satisfaction of plotting revenge on your ex—until he turns your world upside down again.

Austin Rogers’s dreams of domestic bliss involved watching Netflix and eating hot dogs with the love of her life. But then he cheated on her. And dumped her—as if the whole thing was her fault. To maintain her pride and restore her sanity, she decides to get revenge. It feels immensely satisfying to plot her ex’s downfall—but so does kissing him.

Thatch Holloway, a plastic surgeon straight out of residency, knows he ruined the best thing that ever happened to him. But not all cheaters are created equal. He got himself into this messed-up situation—true—but he has his reasons for what happened, and he’d do it all again to protect Austin.

He’s not over her. And she’s not over him.

Austin wants closure, but since Thatch refuses to give it to her, she takes matters into her own hands. She needs to write a human-interest piece for her MBA, so she demands the full plastic-surgery experience. Sparks fly as they’re forced to work together. But Thatch isn’t afraid to play dirty in return. And he’s still hiding something—something that has the power to destroy not only Austin but their second chance at finding forever…

So I hate to admit this but I did not read the first book in this series, which is so unlike me because I am HUGE RVD fan. But I saw more than enough “meh” reviews on it that I was not enticed enough to read it – the blurb didn’t even really snag me either. But I wanted to read this book because the blurb did catch my eye and now even with the “meh” reviews of the first one, I am still going to go back and read that one.

Anway – Cheater’s Regret is the perfect title for this book. And I will stop you right there for those who hate cheating in books. Get your knickers out of your ass and read this one. It’s going to nothing like you expect and really – he cheats one time and it’s a kiss. Yes, cheating is cheating but quick being judgmental and read this book – otherwise you are missing out on quick the hilarious book.

I must confess, in the beginning of the book, Austin slightly annoyed me with her antics and whininess. Her actions and the way she talked some times, seemed somewhat juvenile until I got more into the book and realized, that’s only a small part of her. And really – she just had her heart crushed and never dealt with the feelings she was having – so it all started to make sense to me.

Thatch – can I have him?? LOL I am not into the man bun thing in anyway but the way Rachel wrote this character, yea – the man bun is totally hot on Thatch. No complaints here. I didn’t agree with how he handled things but as I learned more about him and all the baggage that he was trying to keep locked away, it made sense. Still don’t agree with it, but understood him more.

I have to say that Rachel did a nice job on the transition from a revenge story of getting even to a revenge story of I’m going to show what you lost. However, sparks fly on both ends when they are working together daily and both can’t deny what drew them together in the first place and kept them together. But the one secret that Thatch is keeping from not just Austin, but everyone else is bound to come out and the repercussions are what keeps him from sharing it with anyone.

Rachel wrote a great romance story with the perfect amount of humor and drama added in to keep things lively. I loved the interactions between everyone – it was a well rounded book. And the ending was the perfect cherry on top!

Excerpt:

“You want to do this right now?” He was still whispering as he slowly extended his large perfect surgeon’s hands out to the spider, and suddenly, I realized how this would end.

The spider would bite him.

Thatch’s bite would get infected.

And he wouldn’t be able to do his job.

Or pay off his student loans.

Leaving him in debt.

On the street.

Naked.

Dead.

Thatch was going to die.

“Wait!” I slowly lowered my body to the floor. Fear pounded in my ears as I held out my hands and Charlie lumbered onto my palms. It tickled. It would be nice if I weren’t so terrified of spiders.

Shaking, I walked over to the bucket and gently set him inside, this time, right side up so Thatch could transport him later. Just as I pulled my hands away, something sharp dug into my skin.

“Mother fu—”

Thatch grabbed me just before I collapsed against the floor, hands shaking and pain searing through my right thumb.

Before I knew what was happening, Thatch was carrying me over to the couch. Soft pillows met my back as he grabbed my thumb and held it close to his face.

“Am I going to die?” I whimpered. “Because the Discovery Channel [PS1] said tarantula bites feel like bee stings—they’re liars from the pit of hell!”

Thatch narrowed his eyes at the puffy red mark and then slowly dropped my hand to my side. “You’ll live.”

“Well, that’s encouraging. Don’t I at least get a sticker? A sucker? For saving your life?”

“You?” He chuckled and joined me on the couch. “Saved my life by getting bit by a tarantula?”

“Keep up!” Talking was at least distracting me from the throbbing pain. At least it had dulled a bit, though the fact that I had spider venom in my hand made me cringe. “If it bit you, you wouldn’t be able to do your job.”

He seemed thoughtful. “You mean I’d finally get a vacation where I’m allowed to sleep for longer than three hours?”

“Well, when you put it that way,” I grumbled, and tried to cross my arm, then hissed as pain exploded down my hand.

He grabbed it again. “At least the venom is weak, it’s really just the puncture wound from the spider’s fangs that causes the swelling.”

“Well, that’s disappointing on so many levels. I save your life and I don’t even get to turn into Spider-Man.”

“Tough luck, maybe next time.” He winked.

It was nice.

Sitting with him on the couch.

My legs on his lap.

My eyes focused on his mouth.

Abort! Abort!

I quickly looked away but not fast enough—he caught me staring where I shouldn’t have been staring, and I felt like a complete loser for still lusting after him the way I was.

What was it about Thatch?

Other than everything?

He was brilliant. Hardworking. Gorgeous. And he fought spiders on behalf of a girl he’d dumped.

Damn it.

“This leads nowhere,” he said in a hollow voice. “You understand that, right?”

It was like he’d just handed me the world’s happiest balloon and then popped it with a giant needle.

I was utterly defeated and deflated.

Even though I knew going into this there was no hope of us getting back together, I’d officially turned into that sad, pathetic clinger.

I’d always made fun of “those girls.”

And now “that girl” stared back at me in my own stupid mirror.

I let out a long sigh and nodded slowly. “This is strictly business, Thatch. You know how important this class is to me, how important getting my MBA is to me.”

He looked away, his jaw clenched. “Parents still MIA for the most part?”

I nodded.

“And the reelection, I imagine your dad wants you to join his mayoral campaign again?”

A sick feeling grew in the pit of my stomach.

To my parents, I was a trophy. Something shiny and pretty they could trot out to gain votes from families who appreciated their having taken time out of their busy lives to sire a child.

Granted, I knew my parents loved me.

They just loved me in their own way—the only way they knew how.

“I have to graduate,” I stressed again. “The job market’s fierce out there, and an MBA will help with that. The sooner I graduate, the sooner I can start my own life away from all of this.” I lifted my hands into the air.

This just happened to be a mansion.

A huge mansion.

With three interconnected swimming pools.

A tennis court.

Two movie rooms.

And a bowling alley.

I think I’d prefer anything but this. If I could choose to live in a dump with my parents and we’d be a family or I could have a mansion and scarcely see them.

I’d choose the dump every time.

“I’ll do my best to help you.” He lifted my legs off his lap. “But first, we ride.”

I blushed. I couldn’t help it.

“You can’t do that anymore,” he whispered, his blue eyes piercing. “You can’t blush when I say things like that.”

“Sorry.”

He muttered a curse and walked away. I could have sworn he adjusted himself near the door, but I was too busy hiding behind the couch to fully commit to ogling him.

“Where’s your bike?” he called over his shoulder before turning around.

“In the garage. It’s kind of dark now, though, let’s ride tomorrow after work.” I totally said it without stuttering or blushing.

“Fine.” He looked exhausted.

“Don’t forget the spider.” I pointed at the bucket. “And don’t let it loose in nature. We can’t have that bastard procreating with another, smaller spider and creating zombie spider babies that take over the world.”

He just stared at me like I’d lost my mind.

And then shook his head as a smile played across his face. “You’re entertaining, I’ll give you that.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you.”

“It was meant to be one.”

We froze, both of us smiling at each other.

“Sleep,” I whispered. “You’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”

“Yup.” He gripped the bucket in one hand; the muscles in his forearm flexed. “Take some ibuprofen and ice the spider bite. If you feel any muscle weakness or tightness in your chest, let me know and I’ll prescribe you something.”

“Ah, the power of the pen.”

He rolled his eyes and waved with his free hand. “See you tomorrow morning at eight, Austin.” He hesitated in the doorway. “Be sure to wear something work-appropriate.”

“Oh, so you want me to wear a bike uniform?”

He flipped me off and quietly shut the door against my laughter.

CheatersRegret-AN

Now Available on Amazon & Free in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2r621AS

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/31MHqf

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/6IjjiJ

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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!

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Connect with the Author:

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

Website: http://rachelvandykenauthor.com

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/RVDNewsletter

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachVD

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Rachel’s Rockin’ Readers: http://bit.ly/RachelsRockinReaders

Blog Tour Book Tour Contemporary Romance Excerpt Four Loves May 2017 New Releases New Reviews Romance

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May 26

Burn Before Reading by Sara Wolf…Review Tour

by Courtney




And a wolf meets his match.


A girl meets a wolf.




Beatrix Cruz – Bee for short – has exactly one goal; kick her dad’s severe depression in the ass. She’s got a foolproof plan;


1. Get into the elite high school Lakecrest Preparatory on a scholarship


2. Study like crazy


3. Graduate into NYU and become a shrink


Nothing can stand in her way – not even Lakecrest’s rich, hot, and notorious Blackthorn brothers. Not Fitz Blackthorn, with his flirting and his elite computer hacking, not Burn Blackthorn, with his intimidating height and emotionless face, and certainly not sinfully handsome Wolf Blackthorn, who hands out ‘red cards’ to students who displease him, and expels the ones who keep doing it.


But when Bee stands up for a student, she pisses off Wolf, and he’s suddenly itching to pull her scholarship from underneath her. To keep it, Bee strikes a deal with the devil – father Blackthorn himself; spy on Mr. Blackthorn’s sons, become friends with them, and learn their secrets in exchange for staying at Lakecrest.


Betraying the Blackthorn brothers’ trust is supposed to be easy.


Becoming friends with the Blackthorn boys makes it hard.


And falling in love with Wolf makes it impossible.

 

 

You know me, paper-and-pen. You know I absolutely despise people who have it easy. And the Blackthorns had it so easy. They were rich. They were gorgeous. And everyone liked them. They lived charmed lives.
Or so I thought at the time.
Anyway, it wasn’t the fact everyone stared at them constantly and would stare at them for the rest of eternity until they left the room that pissed me off. It was the fact they never seemed to care about the attention.
There was Bernard, or Burn, for short. Taller than his brothers by at least a head, he was the oldest of three – a senior. His green eyes were always heavy-lidded, like he was perpetually on the verge of falling asleep, though he had the same dark, thick lashes as his brothers and high cheekbones. I knew he was on the Varsity basketball team, and was the whole reason Lakecrest went to states for four years. He didn’t talk much, but he didn’t need to. With his height and width, he was more than a little intimidating. Some people called him ‘the bear’, half-jokingly, half-terrified. Now that I think about it, he was definitely most of the reason people gave the Blackthorn brothers such a wide berth, physically speaking. 
The second brother was Fitzwilliam – Fitz, to everyone outside his family. Aside from the fact their mother was clearly on a big Victorian England trip when she named her sons, he was the most likable. And by ‘likable’ I mean he deigned to acknowledge people. Sometimes. If they were pretty enough for his tastes. He grinned more than the other two brothers. Once, he even winked at a girl, and the poor thing dropped her textbooks on her foot and she limped for a whole week straight with a dumbstruck smile on her face. The teachers and staff at Lakecrest were just as susceptible to his charms – he had a way with a smile and a compliment that got even Mr. Nomsky, the grizzled old English teacher, to soften up. Fitz was part of the computer science club, though I’d heard from the other members he never attended a single after-school meeting.
Fitz had wavy hair like golden lace, neatly slicked-back, and the same green eyes as Burn, but with a friendlier edge to them. He was the only one with freckles on his nose, and he wore his uniform like it was a casual toga – his tie-half loose and his jacket slung over his shoulders. He was the baby of the three, and it showed in the way he never took anything seriously. I had three classes with him, since he was a sophomore, too, and not once did I see him pick up his pencil or try to read the textbook. And strangely enough, the teachers never harped on him to do it, either. I chalked it up to the general unfairness of wealth until I saw his test results; nothing lower than 98% on every single test. And here I was, busting my ass from the time I got home from school till midnight just to make an 80% in one of the most strict, college-oriented curriculums in the country. Needless to say, I hated him. Still do, actually, but back then I hated him without knowing him.
And finally, we came to the grand emperor of all evil – Wolfgang himself. He didn’t always walk in-between the other two, but he seemed to like to, as if they were his personal gargoyles instead of his brothers. Taller than Fitz, but a hair’s shorter than Burn, Wolfgang – or Wolf for short, because of course there’s always a ‘for short’ with them – walked like a sidewinder moves in sand; utter silence and perfect poise. I think that’s what intimidated most people – that he looked like he could never be ruffled, or upset, or tilted off-balance, not even by a passing tornado. There was something unshakeable about the way he held his head, his broad shoulders. It scared people. Well, maybe it was also the fact it looked like he hated everything. Where his brothers’ eyes were green, Wolf’s were brown-green, hazel if you really wanna get all gushy and poetic with something like Satan’s eye color. Regardless, Wolf’s eyes burned. They burned with a deep poison I can only describe as utter contempt. His gaze was always sharp, and started to hurt a bit if you maintained eye contact with him for too long. It was a small mercy his hair was as dark a black and shaggy as it was – it got in his eyes a lot, and put a buffer between the world and his acid-fire. Unlike Fitz, he wore his uniform perfectly pressed, though he always kept several silver rings on different fingers, and it was no secret he played with them, turning them around his skin in idle moments, or even when he walked. The middle brother, Wolf was a junior, and the rumors were already swirling he was poised to go to an Ivy League. He was on the Varsity swimming team, and nothing else.
Burn was the quiet one, Fitz was the flirty one, and Wolf was the nasty one. Everyone knew that.
And as they approached Eric and I, I realized from Eric’s stare and the way he started trembling harder that they were the ones who sent him the post-it. I grabbed it from his fingers and waved it as the Blackthorn brothers came close.
“So you’re the ones who gave Eric this weird, ineffective paper stop-sign, huh?” I asked. Wolf spun a ring on his finger and pointed his volcanic glare at me.
“This doesn’t involve you, scholarshipper. I suggest you keep your nose out of this.” He snarled.
Burn, obviously used to Wolf’s usual venom, closed his eyes and leaned on the lockers like he was taking a casual nap. Fitz turned to the hallway railing and watched the clouds go by, as if he was bored by it all. Scholarshipper. Of course he’d use the fact I’m the only one on scholarship to this school against me. Everyone else had mommies and daddies who could pay for such a prestigious place. I took a deep breath.
“And I suggest you go back to Hot Topic and give them their entire juvenile angst section you’ve clearly gobbled up and repurposed as a personality.”
Burn cracked an eye open. Fitz turned his head over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised. Wolf narrowed his long-lashed eyes to slits. Eric probably peed himself.
“Who do you think you are?” Wolf asked. The way he said it, dark and low and serrated like a knife, made me realize for a split-second why Eric might’ve pissed his pants. Beneath all that rich-boy angst, Wolf had an anger in him, a genuine, awful fire. Burn might’ve been the brawn behind the Blackthorns, and Fitz the affability, but Wolf was the fear.
“I’m just a scholarshipper,” I said brightly to counter his darkness. “Minding her own business.”
“You clearly aren’t,” Fitz chimed in with sweet smile, voice like cool honey compared to Wolf’s ragged one. “This is none of your business.”
“You’re right. One sec.” I held up the post-it and ripped it in half, letting the paper flutter to the floor. I’ve always been one for dramatics. And for a fair fight. Eric versus all three of the Blackthorns wasn’t fair by any definition in the solar system. I smiled at Fitz. “Now it’s my business.”

 

 

Sara Wolf is a twenty-something author who adores baking, screaming at her cats, and screaming at herself while she types hilarious things. When she was a kid, she was too busy eating dirt to write her first terrible book. Twenty years later, she picked up a keyboard and started mashing her fists on it and created the monster known as the Lovely Vicious series. She lives in San Diego with two cats, a crippling-yet-refreshing sense of self-doubt, and not enough fruit tarts ever.

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May 25

Nudes by Sarah Robinson…Review Tour

by Courtney

 

NUDES: A Hollywood romance standalone from bestselling author Sarah Robinson!

ONLY $0.99!

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Blurb

Ben Lawson is making a comeback…

After a few tabloid headlines, they think they know me. They don’t know a damn thing.  As CEO of a movie production company, I’ll show them who I really am when we hit it big at the box office. My ex thought her smear tactics would ruin me, but I’m unbreakable. Rising from the debris, I swore I’d never let a woman distract me like that again. But then, my leading actress walked on the set and changed everything.

Seductive, sexy, and unapologetic, Aria Rose could break me. I wanted to help her, protect her…love her. Instead, I destroyed her.

Aria Rose is baring it all….

I knew better.  I knew not to trust another Hollywood heartthrob with a reputation like his. He was my boss and became my ruin. I should have stayed far away from him. Ben Lawson promised me the world.  He even promised me his heart.

But he destroyed everything–my heart, my career, us.

WOW!! This book was so much more than I expected. This book is so much more than the cover. The underlying message Sarah sends is one we all need to be reminded of daily. We are more than what you see. Words hurt – stand up for one another instead of shaming each other.

I can’t express how much I truly loved this book. Not just the message behind the story, but the story itself. Sarah wrote two very strong characters who fell for each other immediately. And let me tell you, insta-love stories are a hard sell for me. If the story is not written the correct way, I won’t even finish the book. But that definitely is not the case with Nudes.

I won’t go into the details of this because it’s a story you want to experience first hand. Aria is an upcoming actress with her first leading roll. She won’t allow anything to happen that will make it seem like she didn’t earn the lead roll all on her own accord. She’s focused on her craft and doesn’t want anyone or anything getting in her way. She’s got a great family behind her and even some awesome friends in this business helping her move up in the world.

Ben is trying to make a comeback after his ugly divorce. He refuses to date another actress or any other woman distract him in this business. But when he meets Aria, nothing can stop him from going after her. No matter what he tells himself or what she says – the chemistry can’t be denied. And after a “free agents” weekend, it only seems as though they have added more fuel to the flames burning between them. But it’s not easy to keep things a secret in Hollywood – everyone is out for themselves and they don’t care who takes the fall, as long as they come out on top.

I couldn’t put this book down once I started reading it. I devoured this book within hours. Sarah tells a very compelling and real story that you can so easily believe would happen in Hollywood (even if hasn’t already). I loved these characters strength and how they were so resilient, when many would run and hide, lick their wounds. And the message behind it all – so powerful and I love how Sarah delivered it.

If you don’t have this book on your TBR list, you definitely need to. This is a book you don’t want to be left out on.

Excerpt

“Aria?” A deep voice cut through the crisp nighttime air.

She turned to see Ben approaching her, the shadows from the upper deck of the yacht moving across his face as he came closer. “Oh. Hi, Mr. Lawson.”

“Please, like I said, call me Ben,” he reiterated, leaning against the railing next to her.

“Right. Ben. Sorry, the last exec wasn’t quite so…”

His lips curved into a smile. “So, what?”

She wasn’t sure what to say, because her honest answer was sexy. That didn’t seem like the best thing to a man who now funded and controlled her film. “Approachable?”

Ben laughed—a deep chuckle that she felt vibrate through her bones. “I hope that’s a good thing.”

“It definitely is,” she assured him, placing a hand on his arm. The moment she touched him, she pulled back, immediately embarrassed.

He. Is. My. Boss. Get it together, Aria.

He didn’t chide her, or look uncomfortable, which she took as a good sign.

Aria returned to her original position beside him, and they stared out at the darkened water lapping the sides of all the boats docked around.

“Want to hear something funny?” Aria finally broke the silence, but kept her voice low. So low, he had to lean in to hear her.

“Tell me.”

“My parents met in this very marina. She was a caterer and he was a deckhand—still teenagers. Barely old enough to know who they were, let alone what they wanted out of life. Still, they knew what love was when they stumbled upon it, and they knew enough to never let go.” Aria’s heart beat a little faster, warming at the memories.

“Wow. Are they still together?”

Aria nodded. “Barely spent a day apart since. My mother is actually my manager, and she works insanely hard for me, but my father always comes first. He’s the love of her life.”

“Love like that is special. Rare.”

“Is it?” Aria tilted her head to the side. “I’m not sure it’s as rare as it is a choice, a commitment, and the strength to follow through each and every day. There were times they could have given up—maybe lived an easier life with someone else—but they made a decision that this was the love they wanted, this was the life they wanted, and in that choice comes a confidence, a happiness, that most people deny themselves.”

Ben was quiet for a minute. Finally, he inhaled loudly, then blew it out in one long breath. “That’s really beautiful, Aria. Hits a bit close to home, I have to admit.”

“I’m sorry.” Aria frowned, turning to face him and just leaving one elbow on the railing. “I didn’t mean—”

He shook his head. “No, it’s fine. I just finished going through a divorce about six months ago, though we’d separated the year before that. I think you’re right—love is a choice. Making love work is a choice. And yet…if it’s not with the right person, then it’s the wrong choice.”

“Soul mates.” Aria raised one brow. “You believe in that?”

Ben stared at her for a moment…a long moment. The kind of moment that made her shift her weight from one leg to the other, her skin heating under his gaze. “Yes. I believe in soul mates.”

She tilted her chin up ever so slightly, going for lightheartedness. “Well, we all have our flaws. You couldn’t be entirely perfect.”

Ben laughed again. “Believing in soul mates is a flaw?”

“Buying what you’re selling is definitely a flaw. You’re a movie producer, so you sell fantasy to the world.”

“I think we can have the fantasy.” His eyes danced, but his smile was gone. “Don’t you want the fantasy?”

Aria turned back to the ocean, looking out at the waves. This was too much, too real, too soon with a man she barely knew. A man who was pretty much her boss. “Who wouldn’t want the fantasy?” she said dismissively. “Some would say I’m already living it.”

“That’s certainly true. Everyone on this yacht, everyone in this city…Hollywood. It’s all a fantasy of some sort.” Something in his tone sounded so…sad? A small ache pulled at her heart, and she felt like they’d opened the door to something different. Something different than studio exec and actress. Something more than strangers who just met today.

Her humanity connected to his, and they were just two people standing on a boat wishing it could float them away from their picture-perfect lives.

“Do you know why I love Scarlet’s Letters?” she said softly, her voice barely above the whistle of the wind around them.

He stepped closer, his elbow pressed against hers on the railing now. “Why?”

“It’s something I can be proud of. A story I’m proud to tell. The strength of a woman in wartime, a French woman saving innocent people during the Holocaust…a woman picking her truth over a man, over love. Have you read the script?”

Ben nodded. “I have. Two years ago, when it was making the rounds. It’s powerful, and from what I’ve seen, you do an amazing job in it.”

“Thank you. When I first saw this script—or rather, read the book it’s based on—I knew I had to play this part. No matter what I had to give up. This was mine.”

She’d never connected to anything more than she had this script. It was empowering, and taught courage in the toughest of circumstances. It was a tiny snapshot of a much larger scale event, showing the decisions and atrocities suffered at such a human, personal level. It was a woman denying her own privilege and luxury to help fellow humans who didn’t have that reach.

“The way you talk about it…I’m jealous,” Ben admitted.

That got Aria’s attention, and she turned to face him. “Jealous? Of what?”

He pushed off the railing, looking up at the stars before settling on her gaze. “Passion. Excitement. Purpose. You know what you want. You know who you are and what your goals are.”

“And you don’t?” He had to be nearly thirty, if not over. Striking and fresh faced, but his features still said experience. Aria was only in her twenties, but at times she felt decades older.

Ben shook his head. “I thought I did. I built a life. Got married. Worked my way up in Maguire Industries. Everything was mapped out. Everything was…easy.”

The ache from earlier was back, the sadness in his voice. Aria placed her hand on his forearm, a comforting gesture. Partly for him, but mostly for her. She needed a physical connection when they were connecting on so much more.

“What happened?” she pried, squeezing his arm ever so slightly.

Ben looked down at her hand, his eyes lingering. He didn’t move or pull away, and when he lifted his head to face her again, there was a need in his eyes that made her insides heat. “The woman I trusted with all my secrets? She sold them to the highest bidder the moment I wasn’t able to be a stepping stone for her career.”

Aria didn’t reply, sensing there was more.

“She used every connection she had to get me blacklisted. Took everything. Now Maguire Industries acquired Shepherd Films, expecting me to fail. Pushing me out.”

“Not many would call being the CEO of a film studio a demotion,” Aria pointed out.

“When you’re used to being the landscaper, it’s hard to become the rose.”

Aria laughed, letting go of his arm. “First, soul mates. Now, roses. You’re a poetic man, Ben Lawson. A true romantic.”

Suddenly, his fingers intertwined with hers, pulling her to him. Pressing her body to his, chest to chest, heartbeat to heartbeat. His eyes never left hers, and she watched him wrestle with something…doubt, uncertainty. As if he didn’t know why he’d just hugged her to him, but then need. Pure need darkened his eyes as something deeper pushed the rest away.

Her breath was lost as she concentrated on standing, her knees already threatening to buckle. She’d taken every second of the journey with him, and now she wanted more. Something about the way he smelled ignited every nerve ending in her body. The way he held her, one arm wrapped around her back, was so secure, so comfortable, so protective, so intimately. No one had ever held her like that in her entire life.

She didn’t want him to let go.

He was fire. She wanted to leap into his flames.

“And what are you, Aria Rose?” Ben’s fingers tipped her chin upward, her eyes finding his. “Who are you?”

The words rumbled in his chest, vibrating against him as he spoke. There was a genuineness to it that terrified her, unnerved her, and completely overwhelmed her. Their souls were laid bare and he was asking for more.

A perfect stranger. A moment of truth. An absolute mistake.

She couldn’t do it. Her walls shot up and she let go of him, fear coursing through her. “I’m an actress, Mr. Lawson. Just an actress.”

And just so much more.

About the Author

 

Sarah Robinson is a native of the Washington, DC area and has both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in clinical and forensic psychology. She is married to a wonderful man who is just as much of an animal rescue enthusiast as she is. Together, they own a zoo of rescues, as well as volunteering and fostering for multiple animal shelters.

Stalk Her:  Website | Facebook | Author Group | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Pinterest | Instagram | Tumblr

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May 24

The Stand by A.L. Jackson…..Arc Review

by Courtney

 STAND is now live!

A Bleeding Stars Stand-Alone Novel

Don’t miss out on the unforgettable romance readers are raving about!

DOWNLOAD NOW

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“6 Devastatingly Beautiful and Brilliant Bleeding Stars but Worth the Whole Constellation.

I felt every burn…every blaze…every beautiful and brilliant word…I FELT IT ALL. ”

~Karen, Bookalicious Babes Blog

From NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author A.L. Jackson comes the next seductive, unforgettable Bleeding Stars Stand-Alone Novel…
Zachary Kennedy has never been known as a fighter, but he’ll never regret fighting for her…
I’m Zee Kennedy.
Quiet. Reserved. Predictable.
When my brother died, everyone thought I was just the good guy who stepped up to take his place in the band.
No one knew what I was hiding. The one thing I’ve been fighting for.
For seven years, I’ve never lost focus.
Not until one chance encounter with Alexis Kensington.
Now she’s become my greatest temptation.
I knew better than to touch her, but now that I’ve had a taste, I can’t get enough.
Her kiss becomes my air. Her body my salvation.
She needed a savior and somehow she became mine.
Taking her was a betrayal. But keeping her means risking everything.
One look at Alexis Kensington, and I know she’s worth the fight.
Will my past continue to keep me down or will I finally find the strength to pull myself up and Stand
 
This is Amy at her finest and best yet!! This book wrecked me completely. Emotions everywhere and kept me on edge the whole time. WOW!! The best book to end one hell of an amazing series.

I have been waiting to read Zee’s book for quite some time and Amy gave us more than what I had anticipated. Zee stepped up to take his brother’s place as Sunder’s drummer when he passed away seven years ago. The men of Sunder took him in like he always belonged but Zee always kept himself tucked away in the shadows, keeping the bang together. Zee has carried the pain of losing his brother with him for all these years and he’s also kept one of the biggest secrets from everyone, til one girl threatens it all.

Alexis – I love her. She is one the most delicate yet strong heroines I have read in awhile. She too is like Zee, selfless in her giving and always looking out for others in her life. Zee become Alexis’ protector and she becomes Zee’s angel, his light. As much as he knows he can’t have her, he can’t stay away from her.

” ‘Fall with me,’ I whispsered.

He leaned down, lips just brushing mine, and Zachary Kennedy murmured his truth.

‘I already jumped.’ “

Amy wrote one of the most heart-breaking and beautiful stories with these two. Everything they go through, it crushed me. My heart hurt for them both. I was a bawling mess the last 40% of this book. The buildup and the crescendo of this story just pulverized me and had me reeling me with some many emotions. Zee and Alexis’ love story is one that will stay with me for quite some time.

“No fear. Just life.”

This quote is one that I will never forget (and more than likely will be tattooed on some part of my body at some point). It rings throughout this book and trust me when I say, it will become a quote that will stick with you.

So if you have not realized, this series is amazing. And if you have not read any of these books yet, you need to NOW!! And you can read this one as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading them in order. You won’t feel confused reading out of order, but you will feel the story so much deeper when reading them in order.

Amy’s writing is like no other. I feel her words. I become so entranced by the story, I never want it to end. These characters – they have become family to me. They feel real to me. These men and their wives and kids have a special place in my heart.

This series is what got me hooked on rockstar romances. I actually cried when the book was over – it was like saying goodbye to my family. I started this series in the middle and I immediately got swept up in it’s chaos and beauty. This series is one of my top faves and is my top rockstar romance. I am sad to see the journey of Sunder come to an end but it was worth every damn word I read. And will gladly re-read again and again.

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A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.
Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, as well as the newest BLEEDING STARS novels. Watch for the next installment STAND, coming Spring 2017.
If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.
Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson – Sign up to receive her newsletter http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson or text “aljackson” to 24587 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.
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May 23

Sexy Stranger by Kendall Ryan…..Release Day Blitz & Review

by Courtney

 

 

From New York Times Bestselling Author Kendall Ryan comes a sexy and sizzling, enemies-to-lovers romp with bite.

He’s rude. Arrogant. And too hot to handle.

And she’s stranded with him for an entire week.

He knows the sexy stranger doesn’t belong in his small town, but he’s determined to keep her there. The second she opens her smart mouth, he wants to swap a whole lot more than insults with her.

She’s got a secret. But he’s got his own agenda.

 

Buckle up.

 

“A steamy and red-hot enemies-to-lovers romance like I’ve never read before!” – Beneath the Covers Book Blog

“It was FREAKING FANTASTIC! Sexy, charming, and full of witty banter, I couldn’t get enough of Luke and Charlotte!” – Shayna Renee’s Spicy Reads

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

I know when I read anything by Kendall Ryan, I know what I am getting myself into and I love that. She is my go-to for a quick, sweet and sexy read about insta-love. And most people know that I am not a huge fan of the insta-love. But Kendall just has a way writing these stories, that I just devour them and enjoy the characters insta-love fest.

Sexy Stranger is a cute love story about two total strangers who are complete opposites falling hard for one another in a very short yet hot time frame. Charlotte is all about starting over and moving forward with her life. When she finds herself stranded in a small town in Texas, she is forced to stay there longer than anticipated and also wanting to learn more about a certain local. They may not start off on the right foot, but they most certainly know how to stay off their feet together after a little time together.

I love how Kendall writes these fast-paced insta-love connections. She doesn’t beat around the bush with mundane details; she gives it to us the way we want – hot and fast! And yet she still somehow gives the story a little oomph to keep things interesting and entertaining.

There isn’t s story that I have not enjoyed by Kendall. She is my summer reading go-to author. If you are looking for a short, quick yet sweet and sexy read, look no further than this (and the rest of her books).

 

 

 

 

 

Kendall Ryan author picA New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 2 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine. She lives in Texas with her husband and two sons.

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

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May 19

The Wright Boss by K.A. Linde…Review

by Courtney

 

TWBoss iBooksA new stand alone office romance from USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde…

I’ve always had one rule:

Don’t mix business and pleasure.

But then Landon Wright comes home to his family’s construction company with a broken back and a beaten heart and ends up as my new sexy boss. As the office gets heated, I’m thinking about throwing the rulebook out the window.

If only there weren’t a million reasons this could never work.

We may have shared a single perfect kiss, but I can’t let our intense connection cloud my judgment. Not with everything I’ve worked for on the line.

Dating your boss is so very, very wrong…even if he feels so Wright.

 

 

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I am just throwing it out there that I will be in the minority on this book. And I believe it’s more of a “it’s me, not you” thing. So please take my review for what it is – just my opinion.

I read the first book in this series and wasn’t really wow’d by it but thought it was ok. I wanted to read this book because Landon’s story felt like it was going to be more intense and angst-filled. But I felt a bit letdown with how everything played out.

Landon and Heidi have known each other for a very long time. Landon dated Heidi’s best friend back in high school. They were mutual friends. Fast forward many years later, Landon is in a miserable marriage and yet he can’t fight the attraction he feels toward Heidi. Heidi feels it too but refuses to be that woman until she knew he was truly leaving his wife.

There is one issue that prevents them from being together publicly – he’s her boss now. So they have to not only tiptoe around his family but they can’t be seen together in public either. And then add in that his wife refuses to sign the divorce papers. Sounds exciting – but it felt like it all dragged out way too long with very little excitement happening.

Again, this is where it’s more of this book just wasn’t for me or just bad timing. I felt myself skimming, ALOT. I got bored with their interactions and them learning more about each other. And that is not good. I felt nothing for either of these characters, which sucks. I sped through the last half of this book, knowing how things would end, but hoping to maybe come across something more exciting. To my dismay, that did not happen.

As I said, I am in minority on this book. I just couldn’t connect to any of the characters, nor get behind their story. I wanted more – hell, I was hoping Miranda (Landon’s crazy wife) would have caused more of scene than she did to at least spice things up. But no dice.

I’m not trying to bash the book because it is written well.  It just wasn’t for me and/or bad timing too.  If you enjoy a nice contemporary romance with not alot of angst and drama, this is a good read for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KylaK.A. Linde is the USA Today bestselling author of more than fifteen novels including the Avoiding series and the Record series. She has a Masters degree in political science from the University of Georgia, was the head campaign worker for the 2012 presidential campaign at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and served as the head coach of the Duke University dance team. She loves reading fantasy novels, geeking out over Star Wars, binge-watching Supernatural, and dancing in her spare time.

She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband and two super adorable puppies.

WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM

Contemporary Romance May 2017 New Releases New Reviews Romance Three Loves

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May 16

Lethal Lies by Rebecca Zanetti….Release Blitz & Review

by Courtney

Title: LETHAL LIES

Author: Rebecca Zanetti

Series: Blood Brothers, #2

On Sale: May 16, 2017

Publisher: Forever

Trade Paperback: $14.99 USD

eBook: $5.99 USD

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2omXm7v 

“4 1/2 stars! Top pick! This is a true thriller that will keep readers frantically flipping the pages as death and danger come at the protagonists from several directions.  Zanetti’s brilliance at storytelling is on full display…When it comes to high-octane thrillers, they don’t get better than Zanetti!” —RT Book Reviews on LETHAL LIES

“Zanetti’s stories are always woven with vivid detail and a breakneck pace. As a reader, there’s really no time to draw a peaceful breath until the story ends. Lethal Lies is another winner.” –Heroes & Heartbreakers on LETHAL LIES

“Zanetti balances the adventure and menace of Zara and Ryker’s lives with a relatable romance. The result is a story that’s sexy and emotional, and filled with a rich look at love in all its forms.” —The Washington Post on DEADLY SILENCE

“Budget your time, readers, because this is one that’s hard to put down.” — Heroes & Heartbreakers on DEADLY SILENCE

A deadly secret can’t stay buried forever . . .

Revenge. It’s the only thing that will help Anya Best sleep at night. The serial killer who murdered her sister is on the loose, and Anya will stop at nothing to put him behind bars—even use herself as bait to lure him out of hiding. But she can’t do this alone.

Private investigator Heath Jones’s job is to bring bastards to justice. This time it’s personal. He knew the Copper Killer’s latest victim so when her sister asks for his help, he’s all in. But when Anya uses the media to taunt the killer, she exposes Heath’s identity, putting them both in jeopardy. Now, secrets buried long ago are coming to light and the forces determined to destroy him are watching Heath’s every move, waiting to exact their own revenge. And they’ll use anything and anyone to get to Heath.

Lethal Lies is Book Two in the Blood Brother’s series and is Heath’s book. Even though each book is one brother’s story, they must all be read in order as their whole story overall throughout all the books. And you just get a better understanding of their backgrounds in each book.

Heath is one of three brothers that were genetically enhanced by a crazy mad scientists when they were younger and then placed in a group home where they were studied and tormented. During that time, these three became very close and vowed to always protect one another. They have since then escaped and created an agency that helps those less fortunate. All the while, they are trying to find answers about their past and stay hidden from the those who created them.

I really do not want to go into too much detail about this story and how it all plays out. Heath finds himself helping Anya, a professor of criminal psychology, when she becomes the target of the Copper Killer. When Anya’s sister is taken by the crazed killer, she places herself as bait and also puts Heath in the lime light. So yea – that causes a lot of problems all around.

Now that Anya has thrown this huge target on their heads, shit gets crazy. Not only do they have to deal with the Copper Killer, they also have to deal with the two nutjobs from the brother’s past hunting them down. It’s all woven together perfectly and gives us this crazy rush of a ride. And yes, all in between that, there is some hot ass romance firing up between Anya and Heath. I love how these don’t deny it and act on it at the right time.

And that is all you are getting from me. I read a few of the other reviews and felt like that gave away too much of the story and pretty much summed up the whole thing in a few short paragraphs and I do not want to do that. I hate taking away the excitement and suspense from the book because I know laid out exactly what happens and ruin everything.

Rebecca writes very exciting and thrilling stories and I feel that everyone should experience that intensity firsthand without much knowledge of what goes down and how things happen. Lethal Lies keeps up the fast-paced, action pack story that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time and also gives you that hot romance to keep things steamy.

If you have not done so yet, read Deadly Silence and then come back to this one and read it right away!! I can’t wait for book three: Twisted Truths, which I am assuming is Denver’s story!!!

EXCERPT

She swallowed and met his gaze. “All right. Let me get this straight. We’re going undercover to flush out a killer who’s obsessed with me, and you’re offering to play at being my man for real with no strings or future?” She hoisted the bag onto her shoulder. “That’s some ego. Are you that good in bed?”

“Yes.” And that was definite interest in her eyes.

She clicked her tongue. “I’ll keep your offer in mind.”

“You do that.” He maintained a low and calm voice. “While you’re considering, let’s look at the situation. You have publicly made me your fiancé in order to draw out a killer, which means I have to act as such. Any halfway intelligent law enforcement officer or private investigator would keep his redheaded fiancée very close after the stunt you just pulled. If you’re not with me, the killer is going to be very suspicious.”

She stilled, expressions crossing her face rapidly. “That’s a good point,” she said slowly.

Yeah. Sometimes reality helped him out a little. Plus, the killer had a hard-on for her, and he must already have plans to take her at some point. She’d just upped the timeline. “In addition, you need protection around the clock now, and I’m willing to provide that. So while you’re keeping my offer in mind, we’ll be staying in the same hotel room or same apartment.” He made sure he had her full attention. “While we plan the wedding, of course.”

Her challenging smile thrilled something inside him. “That’s fair.”

He stepped back to give her some space. “Good. Are you ready?”

“Yes.” She looked around the room. “I do have to ask. What if I didn’t agree with you about your keeping secrets from me? Considering people shoot at you, and I’m going to be at your side, it seems fair that you tell me who these people are.” She cocked her head to the side and focused back on him.

“I have more immediate concerns than being fair,” he said smoothly. “You brought me into this mess.”

A frown drew down her eyebrows. “Listen. I want an answer about you.”

“I just gave you one.” At her mulish expression, he searched for better words that wouldn’t end in an argument.

Suddenly, the door blew wide open and bounced loudly off the table. “Anya!” he yelled, jumping for her.

BUY THE BOOK HERE

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

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2oi3Wxb

Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/2pa5BZM

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2oEpc1b

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IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2oPnaNG

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2pa5XQ2

Target: http://bit.ly/2qe5r1a



**Pick up the print edition for exclusive bonus content!**

THE BLOOD BROTHERS SERIES

DEADLY SILENCE, #1

LETHAL LIES, #2

TWISTED TRUTHS, #3

Series Page on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2dcQsPD 



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over twenty-five romantic suspense, dark paranormal, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestseller lists. She has received a Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review for Wicked Edge, Romantic Times Reviewer Choice Nominations for Forgotten Sins and Sweet Revenge, and RT Top Picks for several of her novels.  She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family.  She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out.

Author Website: http://bit.ly/2dh9aFd

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May 8

Good Lies by Charlotte West…. Release & Review Blitz

by Courtney

Good Lies: A Wild Minds Novel by Charlotte West

Date of Publication: May 8, 2017

Blurb

“If Warren Price was gasoline, I’d be a lit match.”

Addison Wanks, rock ‘n’ roll’s favorite daughter, is good at keeping secrets.

Secret One

She’s responsible for the long-standing feud between her father’s band, Wanks and Janks, and younger band Wild Minds. She may or may not have let Wild Minds’ sexy bad-boy lead singer Warren defile her backstage at a concert.

Okay, she totally did.

Secret Two

She’s supposed to be attending college but instead skips town to follow Wild Minds on their European tour. Addy adores Warren Price.

Secret Three

Europe doesn’t go so well. Her sexy lead singer turned out to be king of a**holes. He’s arrogant, demanding and controlling. Addy loathes Warren Price.

Oh, well.

Secret Four

A few years later, Addy is planning to attend her father’s farewell tour when she hears the news—Wild Minds is back in the good graces of Wanks and Janks. The two bands will be headlining together. This is going to make avoiding Warren difficult. Especially since it seems Warren doesn’t want to be ignored. He also doesn’t want a divorce. That’s right, Addy is married to the Wild Minds front man.

Sh. Don’t tell anyone.

What will happen when all Addy’s secrets are revealed?

Available From

Amazon (Kindle)
 Amazon (UK)
 Amazon (AU)
 Amazon (CAN)
 Kobo
 iBooks

Good Lies is Charlotte West’s debut and while I can’t say she knocked it out of the park, she’s definitely an author that I will read again. It was a good read, but not one that will stick with me forever. And I say that because I finished this book only 2 days ago and I don’t remember exactly how the book ends and remember snippets of the book, so while I know I enjoyed the book while reading it, it obviously didn’t leave any lasting impressions on me.

I love a good rock’n’roll romance read. This one is definitely more light on the drama and the angst and that works for this book. Charlotte wrote some interesting characters and definitely has a great line up for future books. I enjoyed how everything played out and nothing felt out character for anyone. And Charlotte can write some sexy scenes too!

As a debut author, I think Charlotte will do very well as her writing develops. She has a really good foundation to work from and will get a good fan base in the “soft” rock’n’roll romance.

Like I said previously, I enjoyed the book, but when it’s only been two days since I finished it and I can’t remember the ending, that just says to me that the book was good, but not a 5 star read for me. Others will feel differently and that is ok. I just need more meat in my books for them to have a lasting impression. Will I read another of Charlotte’s books, most definitely.

Let me say that a 3 star review is not bad at all. It says that I liked what I read and will read other books from this author. It was a refreshing read and very quick to read. It’s a good start for someone who wants a little bit of angst and some good steamy scenes.

I am looking forward to the next two books as I do know who they are about and want to read their stories.

About Charlotte West

Charlotte West writes romance about strong heroines and the sexy alpha males who love them. She lives in Washington state with her husband and very large dog (think miniature pony size). She spends way too much money on books, and way too much time reading. When she’s not reading, she’s feeding her reality television addiction, eating chocolate, or traveling. She’s been known to consume her weight in Girl Scout cookies.

She has a degree in Science and a Master’s in Education, neither of which she is currently using but is still paying for. Occasionally, she moonlights as a YA author.

Find Charlotte West Online

Website Mailing List Goodreads Facebook Twitter

Teaser

Putting my head down, I decided to follow Ash. After all, Warren had said, “Get out,” to everybody. I was only respecting his wishes. That was nice of me. Considerate. I’d even collect my bags at a later time. Scratch that. I’d just buy all-new stuff. I’d use Billy’s card. He’d like that. Daisy could go shopping with me.

My arm grazed Warren’s. Heat pricked along my side at the contact. He stayed as still as a statue, his body taut and tense. He was going to let me pass. Thank you very much. I was almost home free. Until his hand shot out and wrapped around my upper arm, his grip tight enough to halt me but not tight enough to hurt me. I could feel the warmth from his palm through my damp sweatshirt, burning me, branding me.

“Not you,” he said, his voice hardening.

I shuffled back into the bunks, forcing him to let go. His stare went to my heaving chest. It felt as if the temperature had skyrocketed a thousand degrees.

Warren advanced. His nostrils flared and his septum piercing, a thin silver band, flashed in the low light.

I stepped back until I was pressed against a sliver of wall. Dammit, why’d they have to make these spaces so tight? Warren kept coming until he was flush against my front. I fisted his shirt. To push him away or bring him closer, I didn’t know. Then his fingers were in my belt loops, pressing me into him. I could feel his desire for me, his hardness against my stomach.

“Warren…” I started.

He closed his eyes. “Fuck, I’ve dreamt about you saying my name. Say it again,” he demanded. Always so bossy.

“Warren,” I said again, this time more firmly.

He didn’t understand my tone or he chose to ignore it. Probably the latter. His head lowered and then his lips crashed against mine. He cupped the nape of my neck and begged entrance into my mouth with his tongue.

Something inside of me broke free. A need so fierce it bulldozed all my common sense, all my reasons against this, everything I’d kept tightly reined in for the last few years. I yielded to him. His mouth tasted like whiskey and chocolate, two of my favorite things. Warren groaned and it was like a tiny earthquake inside of me, the vibration snaking down to my belly and igniting desire between my legs. As if he sensed it, his kiss became hotter, wetter, more demanding.

Somehow, my hands found their way under his thin t-shirt, caressing his abs. Cool air hit my stomach and then the tops of my breasts. Warren was stripping me. He broke the kiss for one second to whip my sweatshirt and t-shirt over my head. Then he was back on me, his tongue in my mouth, his body shifting down and up, forcing my legs to wrap around his waist to keep balance.

He rubbed against my core. I made a guttural sound. His lips withdrew and then plastered to my neck. Oh, God, he still knew my sweet spot, right behind my ear he licked and whispered, “I knew you’d come back to me. I knew it.”

What? A cold sensation crept along my spine. Warren didn’t notice. He sucked the thin skin on my collarbone. I almost forgot what he’d just said but then he opened his big fat mouth again. “Are you sorry for what you did? Leaving me in Rome?” He kissed a wet trail down to the top of my breast. “You want me back, don’t you? Jesus, I should make you beg but I don’t think I’m going to last.”

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May 7

Groupie by Susan Daugherty…Blog Tour with Review

by Read-Love-Blog

 

Today is our stop for the Groupie blog tour! We are so excited to host Groupie and Susan Daugherty! Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!

 

About Groupie:

Moving to a new city isn’t the magic fix Lexie Travis hoped it would be. Sure, she put some mileage between herself and her feuding parents, her miserable dating history, and the memories of a life-altering injury. However, she still feels like a former shadow of herself, hiding behind her diminished confidence and her thorough disbelief in true love.

Everything changes when Lexie’s best (and only) friend drags her to a country music concert. Lexie loves country music, but she loathes the top-selling heartthrob who sold out the arena. Jack Morgan became a sensation with a string of degrading, shallow songs that she can’t stand.

A startling trauma lands Jack in the hospital, and Lexie is the physical therapist assigned to the VIP treatment of the very man she despises.

Jack is drawn to the one woman who appears resistant to his charms and who loves to check his ego every chance she gets, yet gives him the honesty he needs. She’s the opposite of his usual groupies. He can only continue his tour if he receives rehab on the road, and Lexie is the lone person Jack trusts for the job.

Reluctantly, she agrees to take the journey on his luxury coach, joining the wild cast of characters on his crew. Yes, she was given many incentives to take the assignment, but the reason she wants to ignore is the dangerous one. Jackson Morgan is growing on her.

At every turn, another challenge pushes her away from him.

Stepping onto the tour bus is the domino that starts a chain reaction in their lives and challenges them both to change. Could they learn to believe in love and happily ever after?

*Please note: Groupie is Volume One in a two-part series

Get Your Copy Today:

Amazon

Groupie by Susan Daugherty was such a sweet romance story to read. Yes, I could see some parts coming but in a way don’t you read a book hoping it will play out like you want? What was great about Groupie was that I could tell Susan Daugherty really enjoyed writing Lexie and Jackson. That is always a wonderful thing because there is an abundance of emotion in the story.

After an accident at Jackson’s concert leaves him injured and in need of a physical therapist, Lexie finds herself thrown into his world. Not only is she not a fan of Jackson’s but also not a fan of his groupies. However, Lexie is determined not to let Jackson get to her even through he is a hot country singer. Travelling with him on his tour so she can continue his PT, Lexie starts to find herself falling for him.

Jackson is hard to figure out at first. Does he like Lexie or is he toying with her like all his groupies? It is actually fun to read how he reacts to Lexie because she does not care for his music and is not a fan of him at all. Jackson, I liked, hated, liked, then loved. I really was on the roller coaster of feelings with Lexie.

This is an easy read and slow paced but a great first book with a cliffhanger that got me! I cannot wait to read the next book!

About Susan Daugherty:

Susan Daugherty is a freelance writer, and by some happy coincidence, also a licensed Physical Therapist and an APTA Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist. She is the author of the 2016 novel Groupie as well as its sequel, Muse. Her essay The Cycle of Inspiration was published in PT InMotion in April 2013. She is a member of Romance Writers of America. Raised in Kentucky, she now resides in Knoxville, Tennessee where she lives with her husband and two children.

Connect with Susan:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Join my email list!

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Follow the Blog Tour:

April 24th          

Booknerd1107   Review

Under the Cover Book Lovers     Review

The Phantom Paragrapher          Review

Love Between The Sheets            Review

April 25th          

Ramblings From This Chick         Review

The Silver Dagger Scriptorium    Excerpt

Books,Dreams,Life          Excerpt

April 26th          

Book Sniffers Anonymous           Excerpt

Sweet & spicy reads       Review

Jordan’s Romance Reviews         Review

April 27th          

kdrbck  Review

Mama She’s Crazy about Books Review

Hello Beautiful Book Blog            Excerpt

April 28th          

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews  Review

The Lovely Books            Review

Best Book Boyfriends     Review

Zili in the Sky     Review

April 29th          

What Is That Book About            Excerpt

Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess           Review

Reflections Of A Book Geek        Review

April 30th          

Hike2Forty and beyond Excerpt

Crystal’s BookWorld       Review

Southern Vixens Book Obsessions           Excerpt

May 1st              

The book slayer               Review

Simply Infatuated           Playlist

a geordielass honest blog on reviews      Review

May 2nd            

My Favorite Things         Review

All Is Read          Excerpt

Book Haven Book Blog  Review

May 3rd             

Bitches N Books               Excerpt

My Slanted Bookish Ramblings  Review

Quesarasera Book Blog                Review

May 4th             

Adventures in Writing    Excerpt

Book Briefs         Review

 Short and Sassy Book Blurbs      Review

May 5th             

Sweet Reading  Review

Jax’s Book Magic             Excerpt

Angel Reads       Review

The Ordinary Housewife Book Blog         Review

My Girlfriend’s Couch    Review

May 6th             

Tania’s Book Blog            Review

Aisha Reads Books          Review

AC Squared Book Blog   Excerpt

I’m A Sweet And Sassy Book Whore        Review

Read-Love-Blog Review

May 7th             

Cutting Muse Blog Review          Review

Dog-Eared Daydreams   Review

Jeri’s Book Attic               Review

G & T’s Indie Café            Excerpt

 

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