Sasha Says: June 2021

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

New Release Review: You Loved Me Once by Corinne Micheals

I'm losing myself trying to save everyone else...

You Loved Me Once by Corinne Michaels is now live!

From New York Times Bestselling author Corinne Michaels comes a heartbreakingly beautiful standalone story about letting love in.

I'm losing myself trying to save everyone else...

As a doctor, I walk a dangerously delicate balance of being compassionate but not overly invested. The same is true in my personal life--love is a luxury I can't afford.

It isn't until Dr. Westin Grant breaks down all my walls and offers me a future, I find myself wondering if I'm brave enough to risk my heart.

When who I was and who I've tried to become collide during my clinical trial, the fate of one patient changes everything.

In a single moment, everything I've worked for is jeopardized. My integrity, my career, and even my relationship with Westin.

He loved me once, I just hope he can love me always ...

Download today on Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/33Ab2U4

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3hhIhDu

Nook: https://bit.ly/3uEU4zG

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3himzzf

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3hjAjdg

Audible: https://adbl.co/3iNACxI

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3oje5cR

My review: 5 stars!

WOW! I listened to the audiobook for You Loved Me Once and I cannot gush enough about how fantastic it was. Julia Whelan did an amazing job with her narration. The book is more than romance, although the heroine is involved with someone. The focus is more on her career and challenging situation that come up when her personal and professional life collide. I am definitely going to go back and re-listen soon- it was just that good.

Meet Corinne

Corinne Michaels is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of romance novels. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love, and she enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak before finding a way to heal them through their struggles.

Corinne is a former Navy wife and happily married to the man of her dreams. She began her writing career after spending months away from her husband while he was deployed--reading and writing were her escapes from the loneliness. Corinne now lives in Virginia with her husband and is the emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children.

Connect with Corinne

Website: http://corinnemichaels.com

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2N1H2Gb

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NVZmhv

Facebook: https://bit.ly/1iwLh6y

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/corinnemichaelsbooks/

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2L1Vzo6

Twitter: https://bit.ly/2Jcp29z

Bookbub: https://bit.ly/2yc6rss

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2m7MkEL

Book+Main: https://bit.ly/2EibEEn

CMBOOKS TO 77948

audiobook purchased by me using Audible membership

Thursday, June 24, 2021

New Release Review: Say Yes by Kandi Steiner

Say Yes by Kandi Steiner is now live!

Two strangers.
Two words.
One unforgettable summer...

When you're an artist, everything has to be perfect.

Or so I thought, until my professor told me my perfection was boring and unoriginal. Studying abroad in Florence has taught me one thing: I know nothing when it comes to what makes art truly beautiful.

So, with my professor's words in my ear, I step outside one evening and decide to say yes to any and everything I'm faced with until the sun rises.

Of course, I didn't expect him to show up.

Liam Benson, the broody, sexy, tortured artist from my class who I can't stand. He's got a sour outlook on the world and an ego so big no one could properly stroke it to his satisfaction.

When he finds out what I'm doing, he hijacks my "yes" night.
And after just twelve hours with him, I'm desperate for more.

But Liam is running from more than I could ever understand, and with his heart guarded and mind made up about life, I don't stand a chance.

I convince myself that we can keep it casual.
But walking away from him at the end of the summer is as impossible as painting outside the lines.

I used to think when you're an artist, everything has to be perfect.

Turns out everything has to be painful, and messy, and fleeting.

If only I'd known that before I fell under Liam Benson's spell.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vNv35O

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/SayYesKS

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2Rfxxeh

My review: 4.5 stars

Since I'm a 90s grad, I was excited to read Kandi Steiner's newest emotional romance set in an art program in Italy in the 90s. Both our hero and heroine had challenges in their lives- Liam's was an event in his past and Harley's challenge was related to a condition she was born with. Exploring Italy through Harley's eyes was delightful (I'd love to go there myself!) and I so enjoyed her relationship with her roommate Angela. Although the romance had a touch of angst, there were also light comical moments that brought a smile to my face. What a great summer read!

Meet Kandi

Kandi Steiner is a bestselling author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tampa, FL. Best known for writing "emotional rollercoaster" stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance -- in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you're a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she's your gal.

An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women's Studies. She started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her "freedom of press." She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs.

When Kandi isn't writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys live music, traveling, anything heavy in carbs, beach days, movie marathons, craft beer and sweet wine -- not necessarily in that order.

Connect with Kandi

Website: www.kandisteiner.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7319216.Kandi_Steiner

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kandi-Steiner/e/B00JDJOINE

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kandilandks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandisteiner/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KandiSteiner

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kandi-steiner

Book+Main: https://bit.ly/39u1KLs

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Audiobook Review: Say You Want Me by Corinne Michaels

Say You Want Me

by Corinne Michaels

narrated by Sophie Eastlake and Zachary Webber

My review: 5 stars!

I originally read Say You Want Me back when it was released in 2016 and loved it- small town romances are my jam. I just finished the audiobook and it made the story even BETTER than I remembered. Sophie Eastlake and Zachary Webber were so good and believable in their performances. This story has a poignant and emotional element to it, but in true romance fashion, our hero Wyatt and heroine Angie do get their happily ever after. I listened at 1.3x, as I typically do, and found that narration speed to be perfectly conversational.

New Release Review: The Perfect Catch by Meghan Quinn

THE PERFECT CATCH by Meghan Quinn

Release Date: June 10th

Genre: Contemporary Romance

✓ Forbidden Romance

✓ Workplace Romance

✓ Slow Burn with an EXTREMELY hot end

✓ Baseball player with all the ALPHA swoon

✓ Addictive page turner with a twist at the end

Add To Goodreads:

https://bit.ly/3ezdalb

AVAILABLE NOW!!! FREE IN KU!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3wgsRUg

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3fzuWUw

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3u0uvb5

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3v3hGh

Universal Link: mybook.to/ThePerfectCatch

Audio Link: https://amzn.to/3fW0XHZ

Blurb:

"Kiss me. Just this once . . . please Walker."

Those whispered words were my undoing . . .

As the most hated player in baseball, I had two options: either clean up my image or pack my bags. Being traded wasn't an option which only meant one thing, I had to become compliant.

That's how I found myself sharing a small bistro table with Kate Chapman, the Chicago Bobbies newest PR Manager. Devastatingly beautiful, vastly intelligent, and incredibly cunning, she knows exactly how to handle my grumpy demeanor.

It was supposed to be simple. Book some PR events, show up, smile for the camera, and be done. But one massive mistake on my end sends me into the trenches with Kate, forcing me to open up to her.

Innocent glances turn into cordial encounters.

Secret touches turn into tempting invitations.

And dangerous nights alone turn into consuming desperation.

I’ve never wanted a woman as much as I want her. And I know she wants me, but there’s a no fraternizing with the players rule. Neither of us can afford to lose our jobs, but we also can't seem to keep our hands off each other either.

My review: 4.5 stars!

Meghan Quinn and I are both big baseball fans, and her baseball romance novels are in the drop-everything-and-read category for me. Walker is the most alpha out of all her baseball guys so far, and I'm HERE FOR IT. Walker's a bit of a grump, and our heroine Kate is totally sunshine and their forbidden workplace romance has mega chemistry. The five second game? Swoon. Quinn knows her baseball and it makes for such a fantastic reading experience.

EXCERPT:

I slip on my clothes, going for a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved Henley. I push the sleeves up, still heated from the shower. I leave my hat in my locker, opting for a quick swab of styling pomade through my hair. I couldn’t care less what I look like, but Coach always likes us to be somewhat presentable after a game in case we run into any press.

Hungry and ready for my bed, I head out of the locker room and am making my way toward the players’ exit when a throat clears behind me. I glance over my shoulder to find Kate Chapman standing against the wall, her purse draped over her shoulder and a beautiful smile gracing her delicately freckled face.

She quickly gives me a once-over and says, “It was the socks.”

I can’t help it, I let out a low chuckle while slowly shaking my head and turning toward her. Hands in my pockets, I say, “It wasn’t the socks.”

Her mouth drops open in disbelief as she approaches me. “It was so the socks.” She points her finger at me.

“Don’t even deny it.”

“It was all my practice.”

“Yeah, practice with me. Just admit it, Rockwell, you had fun last night, the socks were a good luck charm, and you played your ass off tonight.”

I don’t believe in superstitions, which is unheard of when it comes to a baseball player, but I’ve never geared my play around being a habitual player, either. Instead, I do what feels right. So, believing in socks having a special power and helping me gather some hits tonight—nah, not real. But I will say this—having my socks up reminded me why I was behind that plate. It reminded me of being small again and taking joy in the little things.

Was it the socks? Maybe.

Was it the thought of the girl standing in front of me?

Maybe a little more.

“It wasn’t the socks.”

Her head falls back as she groans. “You’re so stubborn.” She makes eye contact with me again. “Do you realize that?”

“Yeah.” I rock on my heels, trying not to stare at her too much.

Just picture me pitching to you.

When I said that would be too distracting, I meant it. With her softly curled hair and her gorgeous smile that doesn’t seem to ever falter—unless I’m a total d$&k and walk out on her—she’s caught my eye.

She’s starting to imprint herself on my brain.

She’s starting to make me feel shit I shouldn’t be feeling.

“Well, I’m—”

“What are you doing right now?” I ask out of the blue, surprising myself, and her.

“Uh, I was going to give you a hard time and then go home?” she says with a hint of question at the end.

I nod at her. “Hungry?”

She eyes me suspiciously. “Starving.”

“Want to get some food?”

She chews on her bottom lip, thinking about her answer, and I know it’s not in a joking around way, but more so she’s afraid. Afraid of me, possibly. Afraid for her job, most likely.

So, I add, “You know, to discuss business.”

It’s against team policy to fraternize with the players. I know that, she knows that, but, for the life of me, after seeing that infectious joy on her face, I had to ask her. I had to try to spend more time with her.

“Well, if it’s business . . .” She smiles brightly and then nods behind her. “Follow me.”

About the Author:

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

Connect with Meghan:

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7360513.Meghan_Quinn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormeghanquinn/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn

Website: http://authormeghanquinn.com

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/meghan-quinn

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LitE4x

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authormeghanquinn

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

New Release Review: 608 Alpha Ave. by Adriana Locke

We are so excited to announce the release of Adriana Locke's new novella, 608 Alpha Ave. This is a total standalone story about a grumpy, small-town mechanic and a pocket-full-of-sunshine heroine that gets under his skin.

Basically—read this now!

Even better is that the novella (did we mention that it's a standalone?) is available in Kindle Unlimited.

Things heat up (and take an unexpected turn) when a self-proclaimed romantic requests the help of a broody small-town mechanic.

Grayson Blake is a jackass.
There’s no other way to put it.
He comes into Fireside every day and orders a beer. It’s nearly impossible to get him to have a conversation while he drinks it. Smiles—or anything remotely close to it—are even more rare.
Despite his cantankerous personality, he’s so freaking gorgeous. His thick black hair, broad shoulders, and the tattoos that mark his calloused skin draw me in like a magnet. I don’t even care that he’s ten years older than me. I’m here for the age gap. And his broody, bad-boy persona is entirely more attractive than it should be.
I have a thing for the rough-around-the-edges mechanic. And I’ve heard through the grapevine that he has a thing for me too. But getting him to admit it will be as easy as catching lightning in a bottle.

Buy Now for $2.99 or Read Free in Kindle Unlimited.

Want more?

“I don't get it,” I mutter.

My hand stills against the countertop, a white bar rag clutched firmly in my grasp.

Natalia Barlow leans across the end of the bar, putting her a$$ and the top of her thong on full display for the table of bikers behind her. An unlit cigarette is perched between her cherry-red lips, threatening to topple to the floor as she catches me looking and smirks.

I roll my eyes and turn my back to her.

“I don’t get it,” I say again, louder this time.

My gaze fixes on the man—the only man—occupying a barstool on this side of the restaurant. Grayson Blake. Black hair, scruffy beard, tall, and oh-so muscular with tattoos etched into his tanned skin. Word has it that he has flames inked on his right hip, and when he moves, they dance as if they’re alive.

I’ve mentally filed that away because it’s something I’ll (sadly) never know for myself. Guys like Grayson Blake? They go for women like Natalia. Vixens. Women who give as good as they get. Women who understand them or, at the very least, the games they play.

I’m not one of those women. It will be both my personal and professional downfall.

Grayson lifts his beer bottle, and as if it pains him to do it, he slides his gaze to mine.

I swallow. Hard.

It doesn’t matter that I’ve worked at Fireside Bar and Grill for two years or that I’ve spent countless hours behind this very bar while Grayson sits on the other side, I can’t think straight when he looks at me. I also can’t look away. It’s quite the predicament.

“It just perplexes me,” I say, sinking my gaze into the steely depths of Grayson’s eyes. My voice isn’t quite as confident as it was a few seconds ago. It’ll come back around, though. It just takes a moment to get my bearings.

Grayson’s features are void of humor. Or emotion. Or curiosity. He watches me as if I’m a toddler and he’s in charge of making sure I don’t choke on a peanut or small coin.

I bite my lip. “I just … Natalia …” I shrug, my voice fading into the rock music playing overhead.

Grayson’s thick, engine grease-stained fingers grip the bottle. “Am I supposed to ask?”

The grit of his tone washes against my skin, leaving a flurry of goose bumps in its wake. It’s this way every time he talks to me. And whenever he talks to Corbin, the bartender who’s training me in the art of bartending so I don’t have to just waitress anymore. Come to think of it, I also have the same physical reaction to him when I’m in the Cherry Street Market Grocery Store buying bagels and I hear him talking from an aisle over.

Who am I kidding? I react this way every time I’m in Grayson’s proximity. Hell, I shivered in my flip-flops when I caught wind of his cologne outside of Pearl’s Pawnshop and Liquor Store last week.

“Are you supposed to ask what?” I ask him.

“About whatever you keep jawing about other there—about Natalia, I reckon.”

“Well, since you asked—”

“I didn’t.” He smiles a lopsided, amused smile that makes me wonder if he’s smiling with me or at me. “I asked if I was supposed to ask. I didn’t ask.”

I narrow my gaze. “You know what, Grayson Blake? You’re an a$$hole.”

He brings the beer bottle to his lips, hiding a satisfied grin, and pulls his gaze back to the hockey game on the television in the corner.

Pick this one up now!

My review: 5 stars!

Grumpy/sunshine has become one of my favorite tropes, and I loved Grayson (the grumpy mechanic) and Haley's (the spunky, sweet bartender) pairing. This was a quick and fun read that had some scorching chemistry! I am new to the Cherry Falls world, and I found that 608 Alpha Ave can absolutely stand on its own.

Follow the author, Adriana Locke, on Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads, or join her Facebook group by clicking here.

New Release Review: That Promise (That Boy #7) by Jillian Dodd

That Promise (That Boy #7)

By Jillian Dodd

Release Date: June 8, 2021

What happens to childhood promises when you grow up?

Growing up, Devaney Diamond and Chase Mackenzie promised to go to college together. But it’s been two years since the summer that changed everything between them, and their friendship hasn’t recovered.

Now, Dani is faced with all the challenges of her freshman year of college—navigating rush week, making new friends, and living on her own—which is both exhilarating and intimidating. In high school, Dani was homecoming queen and head cheerleader. She should be able to handle the pressure, but college has been more overwhelming than she expected.

Chase, on the other hand, is living the dream. It’s his senior year of high school, his football team is hoping to go undefeated, and he’s being heavily recruited.

When Dani returns home for a weekend, she realizes why college feels so overwhelming—she doesn’t have Chase to share it with. In hopes of salvaging their friendship, she repeats an old tradition—sneaking over to his room with pizza after his game. But instead of fixing their friendship, they end up sleeping together.

Chase is thrilled that Dani is back in his life, but being friends with benefits when feelings are involved is more complicated than Chase imagined.

Will Chase and Dani work through their feelings for one another, or will their childhood promise be shattered when Chase announces what college he will commit to?

My review: 5 stars!

I absolutely could not wait for That Promise after the ending of That Summer and I was not disappointed! That Promise was just what I hoped it would be and left me with a big smile on my face. Jillian Dodd writes such authentic relationships and this took me right back to the end of high school and beginning of college- and Rush Week! Getting to see Chase and Dani grow and mature in their relationship and friendship was fantastic. I cannot wait for the next book- That Forever.