Monday, August 29, 2016

Review: Last Kiss of Summer by Marina Adair

by Marina Adair

Kennedy Sinclair never dreamed she'd own a pie shop and an orchard in a small town like Destiny Bay. But nestled between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean, it's the perfect place to cross something off her "Life's short so eat the icing first" list and start her life over from scratch. Her shop, Sweetie Pies, is famous for its hot, flaky apple turnovers and sinfully delicious deep dish pie. For Kennedy though, nothing is more enticing than the tall, strapping slice of temptation who keeps coming back for more.


Luke Callahan is determined to make his hard cider business a success. With his beloved father's cider recipe and the opportunity of a lifetime in his grasp, he'll stop at nothing to get this deal done. There's just one catch: he needs Kennedy's apples. At first, he thinks it'll be as easy as pie to charm those apples right off her trees. But Kennedy isn't falling for his tender charms or his wicked ways. When the negotiations start heating up, so do the feelings they have for each other. And it takes just one kiss to seal the deal . . .

My review: 3.5 Stars

I'm a sucker for a small-town romance, so I jumped on the chance to read this. I loved that Kennedy left a cheating boyfriend behind to start fresh in a quaint town running an established pie show. I was instantly drawn to Luke- witty banter is my love language, so he was an instant like for me. I also liked that their romance was not insta-love, but some of the secrets Luke was keeping from Kennedy were off-putting for me. I found I was nearing the end of the book wondering if things would be wrapped up in time. Honesty is a big thing for me, so I had a hard time with that part of the story. I did like how the story ends and will be watching out for future books in the Destiny Bay series.

from netgalley.com

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Review: Run to You (Risking it All #1) by Rachel Lacey

by Rachel Lacey

ONE LITTLE LIE. A WHOLE LOTTA TROUBLE.

Moments after meeting the most gorgeous guy ever, Gabby Winters promptly gets stung by a zillion yellowjackets and falls-not gracefully-into a stream. Yup, Ethan Hunter is trouble with a capital "hot," and Gabby definitely needs to keep her distance. Except in the small town of Haven, there's nowhere to hide from Ethan's sexy, infectious grin . . . and all the residents are conspiring against her.

At the center of the town's matchmaking is Ethan's grandmother, who's convinced their relationship is a done deal. Rather than break her heart, Gabby and Ethan find themselves cornered into pretending to be falling in love. The problem: there's serious sizzling attraction between them. And if this charade continues, they won't fool just the entire town - they might fool themselves too . . .

My review:
4 stars!

Rachel Lacey was a new author to me, but I am so glad I discovered her! While doing research for this review, I realized she release a prequel novella to Run With You called Rock With You (just 99 cents!) so as soon as I finish this post, I'll be dashing off to one-click Rock With You and dive into it!

Although this doesn't actually fall in the sports romance category, which is one of my favorite types, it does have an olympic swimmer in Ethan! I adored Ethan- he was super sweet, loyal, and caring. I loved his relationship with his childhood friends, Ryan and Mark, who were his partners in an extreme sports business called Off-the-Grid Adventures. Also special was Ethan's relationship with Dixie, his grandmother.

Gabby reminded me a bit of myself, so timid and a bit closed off. A work-from-home video game developer, she was taking some time to hide away in the small town to re-set her life after a bad relationship. The difference between Ethan and Gabby led to a really interesting pairing, and I enjoyed seeing them want more from each other as they pretended to be a couple for the benefit of Dixie, Ethan's ailing grandmother. Fake relationships are a trope I tend to enjoy, especially the journey of it turning into more. Run to You certainly fit the bill, and the small town characters also drew me in. It looks like this series will continue, with books focusing on Ryan and Mark. I'm looking forward to reading more from Rachel Lacey!



from net galley.com



Friday, August 26, 2016

Cover Reveal for Samantha Towle's Unsuitable

Unsuitable by Samantha Towle
Release Date: October 1, 2016

Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author, Samantha Towle, comes a new sexy, romantic suspense standalone novel...

Daisy Smith has spent eighteen months of her life paying for a crime she didn’t commit. Now out of prison, she has only one focus—to get back custody of her younger brother, Jesse, who is deep in the foster care system. Desperate to rebuild her life and show the system that she is responsible enough to care for Jesse, she takes on the only job available to her—working as a maid at the Matis Estate.

On day one of her new job, Daisy meets Kastor Matis, the only son of the owners and her new boss. An enigmatic, handsome Greek god of a man, Kas is closed off, cold, and…well, kind of a bastard.

The more time Daisy spends around Kas, she starts to see there might be more to him than just his cold, bastard ways. He may actually have a heart beating in that frozen chest of his.

But Kas has secrets, too. Secrets that he’s determined to keep.

Secrets make Daisy curious.

And you know what curiosity can do…



Cover Designed By: Najla Qamber Designs


About the Author

New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and international bestselling author Samantha Towle began her first novel in 2008 while on maternity leave. She completed the manuscript five months later and hasn't stopped writing since. 

She has written contemporary romances, THE STORM SERIES, THE REVVED SERIES, TROUBLE, WHEN I WAS YOURS and THE ENDING I WANT.

She has also written paranormal romances, THE BRINGER and the ALEXANDRA JONES SERIES, all penned to tunes of The Killers, Kings of Leon, Adele, The Doors, Oasis, Fleetwood Mac, and more of her favourite musicians. 

A native of Hull and a graduate of Salford University, she lives with her husband, Craig, in East Yorkshire with their son and daughter.




Samantha Towle
New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author.

Monday, August 22, 2016

Review: Bossman by Vi Keeland

 Bossman by Vi Keeland

The first time I met Chase Parker, I didn't exactly make a good impression.

I was hiding in the bathroom hallway of a restaurant, leaving a message for my best friend to save me from my awful date.

He overheard and told me I was a bitch, then proceeded to offer me some dating advice.

So I told him to mind his own damn business―his own tall, gorgeous, full-of-himself damn business―and went back to my miserable date.

When he walked by my table, he smirked, and I watched his arrogant, sexy ass walk back to his date.

I couldn't help but sneak hidden glances at the condescending jerk on the other side of the room. Of course, he caught me on more than one occasion, and winked.

When the gorgeous stranger and his equally hot date suddenly appeared at our table, I thought he was going to rat me out.

But instead, he pretended we knew each other and joined us―telling elaborate, embarrassing stories about our fake childhood.

My date suddenly went from boring to bizarrely exciting.

When it was over and we parted ways, I thought about him more than I would ever admit, even though I knew I'd never see him again.

I mean, what were the chances I'd run into him again in a city with eight million people?Then again...

What were the chances a month later he'd wind up being my new sexy boss?

My review: 5 stars!
Oh, this book! It's simply amazing. I'm a fan of witty banter, and Bossman is full of witty banter! It's fun, light-hearted, but deals with some seriousness as well. Both Chase and Reese are fabulous, believable characters and you'll be in for a wild ride with more hijinks like their crazy first meeting. I absolutely tore through this book, staying up way too late one night (morning!) to finish reading it. You'll absolutely LOVE the ending! This is definitely on my Top Favorites of 2016 list.



Thursday, August 18, 2016

Review: Kidecals


Recently, Kidecals reached out and offered to send me a set of their labels to try out. I chose the Value Set Combo, which includes the following:

Value Set $36 = 84 labels
12 thin 3" x 1.5" labels
12 thin 2" x 1" labels 
24 thin 1" x .5" labels 
12 round 2" labels 
24 round 1" labels
The best part? The color possibilities are endless! You choose the background color, and the font color, and can even have different colors for the thin and round labels in the same set. Too cool! They also have sets with cute graphics, but since I have an older child, I did hers without.
They are waterproof, laundry, microwave, and dish washer safe, and BPA free. I love having multiple sizes in the same set!
Kidecals also offers free shipping on all orders, and is offering a code to use for 15% off- summersavings


Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Review: Full Tilt by Emma Scott

by Emma Scott

"I would love you forever, if I only had the chance..."

Kacey Dawson has always lived life on the edge--impulsively, sometimes recklessly. And now, as lead guitarist for a hot up-and-coming band, she is poised at the brink of fame and fortune. But she is torn between wanting to be a serious musician, and the demons that lure her down the glittering, but alcohol-soaked path of rock stardom. A wrecked concert in Las Vegas threatens to ruin her career entirely. She wakes up with the hangover from hell and no memory of the night before, or how she ended up on her limo driver’s couch...

Jonah Fletcher is running out of time. He knows his situation is hopeless, and he's vowed to make the most of the handful of months he has left to him. His plans include seeing the opening of his glass installation at a prestigious art gallery…they do not include falling in love with a wild, tempestuous rock musician who wound up passed out on his couch. 

Jonah sees that Kacey is on a path to self-destruction. He lets her crash with him for a few days to dry out and get her head on straight. But neither of them expected the deep connection they felt, or how that connection could grow so fast from friendship into something more. Something deep and pure and life-changing…something as fragile as glass, that they both know will shatter in the end no matter how hard they try to hold on to it.

Full Tilt is a story about what it means to love with your whole heart, to sacrifice, to experience terrible grief and soaring joy. To live life with all its beauty, and all its pain, and in the end to be able to smile through tears and know you wouldn’t have changed a thing.

***

***FIRST BOOK IN A TWO PART DUET***
All In (Full Tilt #2) forthcoming...
#nocliffhanger #nocancer #tearjerker


My review: 5 Stars!
I kept hearing great things about this book, but for some reason I waited a bit to read it. Maybe Jonah's "hopeless" situation? At any rate, I am SO GLAD I finally read this book! It was amazing, it was powerful, it moved me deeply.

I adored Kacey. Her backstory was sad, darn her un-feeling parents! But I loved that she went out on her own, found a true friend, and dove into a career that she was passionate about. It was everything she dreamed of- but it still didn't make her feel whole and she wasn't sure what was missing or what to do about it. Jonah randomly came into her life at just the right time and had such an effect on her! I was enthralled with their relationship and seeing it grow and change. This was a book that I hated to put down- but life and two kids called, so I reluctantly had to. I picked it back up as soon as I could, devouring pages in between bowling frames. :-)  I can absolutely whole-heartedly recommend this book and cannot wait for part 2.


from netgalley.com


Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Blog Tour and Review: Opposites Attract by Jessica Prince


Title: Opposites Attract
Series: The Locklaine Boys (Book 2)
Author: Jessica Prince
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy


Delilah Northcutt has been described as weird, nerdy. But her favorite term is quirky. The eccentric flower shop owner definitely marches to the beat of her own drum. On the rebound from a cheating ex, she’s not looking to open her heart to someone else any time soon. On a whim, her best friend convinces her that one night with a stranger she’ll never see again is just what she needs to pull herself out of the funk she’s been living in.
Overly serious, workaholic Richard Locklaine was always described as the twin determined to do the right thing. Even if it was at the cost of his own well-being. But after years in a loveless, manipulative marriage, he’s finally free and ready to build a life of his choosing. And nowhere in that life is there room for another woman—unless it’s for just one night, of course.
They are complete opposites in every single way. But for some reason, fate has decided to force the two of them together. Despite the chemistry, they’re determined to fight the attraction growing between them. Besides, what could a florist with horrible taste in music and an attorney from Connecticut ever really have in common? Only one thing is certain. When they finally come together, it’s going to be epic.
***This is Book 2 in the Locklaine Boys series, a spin-off of Love Hate Relationship. They are interconnected standalones.***


My review: 4.5 stars! This was such a fun book! Jessica Prince was a new author for me, and now that I've read this one, I will be going back and reading the first book in the series (they are interconnected standalones.) Her characters are so witty- even the dog, Slim Shady is hilarious! Delilah was refreshing- so independent and feisty and I was absolutely rooting for her throughout the whole book. The more I got to know Richard, the more I liked him and hoped that Delilah would succeed in breaking down his walls. And Devon! What an awesome best friend! I found this book delightful and read it in one day- it flowed so well and was so cute, I just couldn't put it down!


What the hell was I doing?
As I scanned the dimly lit club, packed full of gyrating bodies that reeked of cheap cologne and too much perfume, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was actually stuck in the seventh circle of hell. Sweat was running into cracks and crevices I didn’t want to think about, and my eyes itched something fierce.
“Stop that!” my best friend Devon reached over and smacked my hand away from my eye.
“Will you quit hitting me?”
“Then quit digging at your eyeballs like you’re trying to pop them out!” she snapped before picking the shot glass up off the table and slamming the tequila down like a seasoned pro.
“I can’t help it,” I whined. “These contacts are driving me crazy! I don’t understand why I couldn’t have just worn my glasses.”
Devon braced her hands on the table and focused on me. “Because,” she spoke firmly, despite the copious amounts of booze we’d been ingesting for the past hours. “The goal for tonight is sinfully sexy, not adorably quirky.”
“But—” I began to argue, only to have her continue like I hadn’t said anything.
“And while there are men out there who can appreciate the day-to-day Delilah in all her cute glory, the purpose of tonight is to find a hot, well-hung man to clean your pipes and get your mind off that stupid bastard with hours and hours of meaningless sex. And the sad fact is, one-night stands just don’t go for adorable.”
My nose scrunched up at her remark. “Sweet Jesus, Devon. I’ll give you twenty bucks to stop referring to my lady bits as pipes. Every time you say it, I feel like I should call a plumber or something.” I reached over and snatched a shot glass off the table and downed it.
She hummed, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Maybe you should. Lord knows your douche-bag ex wasn’t giving it to you good enough.”
“That’s not tr—” I began to argue, only to have her shoot me a look that said, “Keep lying to me. I dare you.” “Okay, so it’s true,” I finally relented.
Devon nodded satisfactorily. “That’s why I posted all over social media that he suffered from ED.”
My eyes went wide, my mouth hanging open. “You didn’t!”
“Sure the hell did!” she shouted proudly. “And I regret nothing. That shit-for-brains deserves so much worse for what he did to you. Now,” she pushed another shot glass in front of me, “drink up like a good little girl, and let’s find you a man you won’t have to ask, ‘Is it in yet?’”


FREE on Kindle Unlimited!


Born and raised around Houston Texas, Jessica spent most of her life complaining about the heat, humidity, and all around pain in the ass weather. It was only as an adult that she quickly realized the cost of living in Houston made up for not being able to breathe when she stepped outside. That’s why God created central air, after all.
Jessica is the mother of a perfect little boy–she refuses to accept that he inherited her attitude and sarcastic nature no matter what her husband says.
In addition to being a wife and mom, she’s also a wino, a coffee addict, and an avid lover of all types of books–romances still being her all time favs. Her husband likes to claim that reading is her obsession but she just says it’s a passion…there’s a difference. Not that she’d expect a boy to understand.
Jessica has been writing since she was a little girl, but thankfully grew out of drawing her own pictures for her stories before ever publishing her first book. Because an artist she is not.
Sign up for Jessica’s Newsletter





Monday, August 15, 2016

Cover Reveal: Why Lie? by Carey Heywood



Title: Why Lie?
Author: Carey Heywood
Release Date: Sept 12, 2016
Add on Goodreads

Why Lie?
People here think they know me.
They assume things about me because of the way I dress and my tattoos.
I am so much more.
I thought you saw that.
So, I let you in.
You made it easy to fall for you.
Turns out I was the only one falling.
I hope you're happy.
No, that's a lie and you're better than I am at telling those.


New York Times & USA Today bestselling author with 13 books out and many more to come. She was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. Ever the mild-manner citizen, Carey spend her days working in the world of finance, and at night, she retreats into the lives of her fictional characters.
Supporting her all the way are her husband, three sometimes-adorable children, their nine-pound attack Yorkie and their needy Ninja cat.



Friday, August 12, 2016

Book Tour: Undisputed by A.S. Teague



UNDISPUTED by A.S. Teague

Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance
Release Date: August 1, 2016



— SYNOPSIS —


I live a life most could only dream of. Parties, women, fame—what more could I want?

As the undisputed MMA light heavyweight champ, I’ve faced the world’s toughest men. But, with a single glance, I knew that the five-foot-five redhead with a smart mouth and innocent eyes would be my hardest opponent yet.

Sidney O’Neil isn’t my type. While I spend my nights out drinking at the trendiest clubs in town, she spends hers taking care of her sick nephew. She lives for those she loves, and I only love myself. She is nothing I thought I wanted, yet she’s somehow become the one thing I need.

But what happens when the world is tipped on end and I’m no longer who she needs?

How do I convince her that we’re worth the fight when all she knows is defeat?

I’ve never lost a match, and I refuse to start now.

But, sometimes, the toughest fight of your life is outside the cage.


My review:
When this book began, I wasn't sure that there was any way that Breccan was going to win me over. What a jerk! But everything changed for me when he met Sidney and her nephew Conner. Underneath that rough exterior, he turned out to be an amazing guy with a huge heart! This book had me hooked from the beginning, and I read it all in one day because I just couldn't put it down. Prepare to be emotionally affected, not only by how Conner and his illness affect and change Breccan, but also how Breccan is there for Sidney and how their romance develops over the course of the book. This is absolutely a must-read, and when I found out that this was a debut novel for A.S. Teague, I couldn't believe it! She is such a talented author!


— PURCHASE —
KINDLE US | KINDLE UK






— EXCERPT 


I’m nervous about what I’m going to say. I’m not sure how she’ll react or if she will even believe me. Afraid I’ll chicken out, though, so I start talking.
“I’m sorry.” The words were surprisingly hard to get out. Apologizing is not something I’ve done often, and I’m not even sure I know how to do it properly.
Sidney raises her eyebrows and presses her lips together. I study her face for any indication of what she’s thinking and notice that her eyes are pink and puffy, like she’s been crying.
The guilt I’ve recently begun experiencing returns. I’m sure I’m the reason for her tears, and the thought of her crying because of me kills. I cup her jaw in my hand before lightly rubbing her cheek with my thumb.
Her eyelids flutter shut and she sighs while tilting her face into my palm. Her reaction gives me the fuel I need to keep going. I pull my hand away, but I’m not ready to stop touching her, so I grab her hand.
“I’m an asshole, Sid. I’ve always been a selfish prick. I’ve never had anyone care about me though, so I’ve always had to be the one to care about me the most. I’m used to doing what I want, getting what I want, and taking what I want. I don’t know how to care about others.” I scrub my palm over my thigh.
“That’s not true, Breccan. I’ve seen you—”
I cut her off with a shake of my head. “I’m a virgin, Sidney,” I say solemnly.
A short burst of laughter escapes her mouth, and she shakes her head. “Yeah, right, Breccan. Do I have ‘dumbass’ stamped on my forehead?” She laughs again.
I rush to explain myself. “Well, I mean, not a virgin virgin. I’m a relationship virgin. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing here. Hell, I had more finesse the first time I had sex than I do with this whole boyfriend thing.”
Her eyes widen at the word boyfriend, but she only says, “Oh.” Then she takes her hand from mine and brings her thumb to her mouth to chew on the nail.
Disappointed at the loss of contact with her skin, I pull her hand out of her mouth and lace my fingers through hers once again. “After you left, I went to my favorite club.” I purposely leave the part about destroying my kitchen out. “I couldn’t even get out of the car, Sidney. I sat there staring at the people dying to get inside and all I could think about was that I was dying to get out of that life. I don’t want to go to the clubs anymore. I’m tired of that shit. I just want to be with you. Here. On this couch. Eating fucking sushi if that’s what you want.”
I grimace, and she giggles.
It’s the fucking truth. Sitting in my car outside of Raw, all I could think about was how desperately I wanted to feel Sidney’s lips on mine and have her scent in my nose. I would have gladly choked down a pound of that crap if it meant I could go back and undo our fight and what I’d said.
“I’m sorry I freaked out when you called yourself my girlfriend.”
Her face falls.
I use my free hand to tip her chin up before I confess, “I don’t know how to do this. I have nothing to compare this to.” I use my hand to gesture between us. “But I can tell you that I want you. I want to hear you laugh. I want to make you smile. I want to hold you when you cry.” I run my thumb across her cheek. “I can tell you that I need you. I need your mouth on mine, your hair in my hands, your skin under my fingertips” Taking a chance, I lean in and place a light kiss on her lips.
She doesn’t pull away, so I continue speaking.
“I can tell you that no one else makes me laugh the way you do. No one else makes me feel stronger than you do. I miss you all the fucking time, Sid. Every minute of the day that I’m not with you, I’m dying to see you. My phone dings and I hope it’s you. When it’s not, I’m always so fucking bummed.” Lifting my shoulders in a shrug, I admit, “I’ve never felt this way about another person before, and I’m fumbling around like a kid trying to cop his first feel in the dark. I didn’t realize until tonight that I want you to be my girlfriend. I want to do all the cheesy couple things that people do—with you. And, Sidney, I’m really sorry I didn’t remember you from the club. I don’t know how I could have possibly forgotten you. But it’s not because you are forgettable. Because, ever since you fell down your fucking stairs, I haven’t been able to get you out of my head. And I don’t want to.” I blow out a breath when I finish and glance away from her penetrating gaze.



— ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A.S. TEAGUE —
A.S. Teague enjoys the warmth of South Carolina with her husband and two daughters. The stereotypes about peach cobbler and sweet tea are not overstated. After years in the medical field, she is now enjoying every minute of being a stay-at-home mom. She loves wine, the beach, wine on the beach, and crying at Disney movies. When she doesn’t have a book in her hand, she can be found pestering her husband with pictures of animals she wants to rescue, as well as debating whether to exercise or take a nap.
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

— GIVEAWAY 
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Wednesday, August 10, 2016

COVER REVEAL: The Retrieval Duet By Aly Martinez



ONE STORY. TWO COUPLES.

The Retrieval Duet by Aly Martinez is a two part series releasing September 2016.

 RETRIEVAL releases on September 13th and will bring readers the first part of this emotional second chance romance.  

TRANSFER (Part Two) will release on September 27th!

Check out these beautiful covers &
Pre-order The Retrieval Duet TODAY!
You will not be disappointed.


Retrieval (Part One):

Transfer (Part Two)





Blurb

I proposed on our first date.
She laughed and told me I was insane. Less than a day later, she said yes.
It was a whirlwind, but we were happy…
Until we got greedy and wanted a family.

It was a life I couldn’t give her, not for lack of trying. Fertility just wasn’t on our side. We sought out doctors and treatments. Spent money we didn’t have. Lied to our families. Smiled for our friends. Put on a brave face for a world that didn’t understand.
Finally, we were successful…
Until we were forced to bury our son.

We were left broken, battered, and destroyed.
They say love is in the details, but it was the details that ruined us.

This is the story of how I took back what had always been mine.
The retrieval of my wife and our family.

Release Date: September 13th
Add to your TBR here: http://bit.ly/2aUVrn0





Blurb

I fell in love with a man who didn’t exist.

What started out as romance ended in hell.
His words turned to razor blades.
His kisses converted to fists.
His embrace became my cage.
His body transformed into a weapon, stealing parts of me until ultimately….
I broke.

I hated him.
My sole job in life became to protect our daughter.

I wasn’t sure I’d ever escape the prison he’d skillfully crafted from my fears.
Until the day our savior arrived.

This is the story of how I escaped the man who thought he owned me.
The transfer of my life and my family.

Release Date:  September 27th
Add to your TBR here: http://bit.ly/2aGPeOB



Meet Aly Martinez

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in South Carolina, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.

After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. Five books later, she shows no signs of slowing. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.


 STALK HER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads