Tuesday, March 31, 2020

REVIEW: The Redemption by Nikki Sloane


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“I excelled at many things, but the one thing I hadn’t mastered was losing with grace.” Macalister Hale
The Redemption, book four in the Filthy Rich Americans Saga, by USA Today bestselling author, Nikki Sloane, is LIVE!

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OUR REVIEW:

I had no idea this book was coming so what a sinful treat to be able to revisit the Hales, especially the Hale I found so despicable in the initial series: Macalister. I didn't know what to expect but I love a good redemption story and so I jumped right in. Surprising to absolutely no one, Nikki Sloane grabbed my attention and I was immediately hooked into this story of Macalister and a surprising ally: Sophia Alby. This unlikely duo were completely addicting to read--I could not tear myself from the pages (and luckily for me, this pandemic has me with lots of time to fill).

Sophia's seeming confidence and Macalister's arrogance just sparked on the page. The more time they spent together, the more she softened him which meant the more I cheered on their romance. I had my doubts that Macalister could be redeemed so to see him go from a menace to a likeable control freak was a nice surprise. I mean really...who'd think that this guy could grow so much that you'd actually be hoping that he'd come out on top?!!! Anyway, his redemption story arc was well executed and I loved that Sophia was really the maestro in charge of it. Sophia was also a nice surprise. In previous novels, she seemed way more shallow and devious. This novel really fleshed her out and made her someone you wanted to know more and to see only good things for her. Additionally,  I super enjoyed that they both tried to resist what was going on (sort of) but that Nikki Sloane made it impossible for them to not give in to the chemistry--together they were HOT.

I went from surprise that this novel even existed to complete absorption to now where I'm hoping that Nikki Sloane's writing with a swiftness so that the next Hale arrives soon to my kindle.

SYNOPSIS:

Once, the name Macalister Hale was uttered in the boardroom with respect. Now, it’s whispered in disgrace at cocktail parties hosted by Boston’s elite.
Scandal nearly destroyed me, but the one thing larger than my infamy is my bank account, and I’ve learned money can solve anything.
Well—almost anything.
Sophia Alby’s preferred currency is secrets and the way she trades information puts Wall Street to shame.
This girl charges into my life and claims a partnership can restore my reputation. My downfall was swift, but with her, my climb to redemption will be greater.
Our arrangement is professional. Appropriate. It has to be, because she’s half my age. But it doesn’t stop me from wanting . . .
To move on. To control and indulge in her. To hear the name Macalister Hale echo in her breathy moans.
But I can’t. Giving in to temptation led to my undoing before, and I won’t survive it a second time.
To the rest of the world I’m the villain, but to her? I’ll be the hero.
The Redemption is book four in the Filthy Rich Americans Saga and is Macalister Hale's story.


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Download your copy today!
Amazon Universal – http://mybook.to/theredemption

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About Nikki:
USA Today bestselling author Nikki Sloane landed in graphic design after her careers as a waitress, a screenwriter, and a ballroom dance instructor fell through. For eight years she worked for a design firm in that extremely tall, black, and tiered building in Chicago that went through an unfortunate name change during her time there.
Now she lives in Kentucky, is married and has two sons. She is a three-time Romance Writers of America RITA© Finalist, a Passionate Plume winner, a HOLT Medallion finalist, and couldn't be any happier that people enjoy reading her sexy words.

Connect with Nikki:
Stay up to date with Nikki by joining her mailing list: https://www.nikkisloane.com/newsletter

Sunday, March 29, 2020

REVIEW: The Infinite Onion by Alice Archer



The Infinite Onion by Alice Archer

Publisher:

Shine Even If

Release Date:

March 31, 2020

Length (Print & Ebook):

Print: 388 pages

Subgenre:

Contemporary gay romance

Pre-order now:

OUR REVIEW:

An author I follow and respect has been raving about Alice Archer for a while now so when I had the to opportunity to read her latest novel, The Infinite Onion, I didn't hesitate to read it. I'm so glad I did. This novel is the sort of absorbing meditation on loss, hurt, grief, nature, and love that took me away from my current worries and left me hoping and content by the end of my reading.

From the synopsis you can see that one character, Grant, finds himself in the unenviable position of no job and no home and a whole lot time to consider what he'll do next. Oliver, the other main character in this novel, has every comfort imaginable but isn't really living a life that would allow him to reach its fullest potential. In the unlikeliest way, they find each other and lots of interesting things happen that make me love these two sometimes disgruntled, sometimes snarky and prickly men. Let's dig into them a little bit more, shall we?

Grant was at times a petulant frustrating mess but the more I got to know him, the more I appreciated his journey. His love of nature, his ease with the kids, his desire to help and provide a space for people to figure things out were just some of the things that I found to be endearing. Many people in his position might not have taken on the challenges that Oliver provided and really dig into them, but he did and it just made his ending so so so good.  And Oliver? Oliver was a quirky, sometimes controlling, somewhat privileged mess who had so many more layers than I initially suspected. His journey was equally interesting and enjoyable to read. His artistry made me want to make my own art (too bad my talent leveled out at 1st grade) and deep dive into all the artsy things I have. His huge heart and desire to help those around him made him a perfect match for Grant. These two and their antagonistic natures were such a treat to read.

Needless to say, you can count me in as a new fan of Alice Archer. I'm eager to read her debut novel and am crossing my fingers that one day she'll write a short update on Grant and Oliver because I can't seem to stop thinking about them!


Book synopsis:

The truth is harder to hide when someone sharp starts poking around.
Grant Eastbrook hit the ground crawling after his wife kicked him out. Six months later, in Seattle without a job or a place to live, he escapes to the woods of nearby Vashon Island to consider his options. When he’s found sleeping outdoors by a cheerful man who seems bent on irritating him to death, Grant’s plans to resuscitate his life take a peculiar turn.
Oliver Rossi knows how to keep his fears at bay. He’s had years of practice. As a local eccentric and artist, he works from his funky home in the deep woods, where he thinks he has everything he needs. Then he rescues an angry man from a rainy ditch and discovers a present worth fighting the past for.
Amid the buzz of high summer, unwelcome attraction blooms on a playing field of barbs, defenses, and secrets.

Praise for The Infinite Onion:

I loved this book! - Christa Désir, Award-Winning Author
There are writers whose prose is so vivid and so emotionally resonant, that you might briefly forget you’re reading a work of fiction, and while Alice Archer has already proven that her hand is as elegant as it is masterful, her newest novel continues to show real insight into the human soul. - Natasha is a Book Junkie
The Infinite Onion was a powerful and relevant story which touched our hearts immensely. - Totally Booked Blog
I loved this book! This is a brilliant story. So fulfilling. I laughed and cried. I kept sneaking away to read another chapter. I loved the atmosphere and artistry of the characters and the setting. This is exactly the sort of romance novel I look for. The Infinite Onion is the real deal--deep and deeply satisfying. - Kelly Jensen, Award-Winning Author

Teaser Excerpt:

GRANT
Grocery bags thumping against my calves, I’d trudged half a mile down Southwest Bank Road before I got a ride from the young guy, who took me all the way to Mitch’s driveway.
“Best of luck,” he said before he drove off.
Finally. Silence.
Well, not exactly silence. Birds twittered. A breeze sang through the hemlock and pine trees. My feet crunched on the gravel.
It was a long driveway.
My shoulders hurt from all the hauling. I prayed the cabin had a bathtub. A soak and a meal would go a long way toward rebooting my brain. I’d spend what remained of the afternoon in contemplation of my situation. If my crap cell phone could pick up a signal, and if I had enough credit left on my pay-as-you-go phone plan, I’d start a job search. I didn’t expect it to take long to find a new job. All I required was The Zone and enough money to keep my ass out of a homeless shelter. On the other hand, I was a thirty-eight-year-old underachiever who’d been suspended from a menial job and then quit, so maybe the ship of employability had sailed without me.

About Alice Archer:

Alice has questions. Lots of questions. Scheming to put fictional characters through the muck so they can get to a better place helps her heal and find answers. She shares her stories with the hope that others might find some healing too. For decades, Alice has messed about with words professionally, as an editor and writing coach. She also travels a bunch. Her home base is Eugene, Oregon.
Connect with Alice:

Giveaway:

Join us to celebrate the release of THE INFINITE ONION by Alice Archer with this special giveaway. 3 prizes: 1 e-copy of critically acclaimed EVERYDAY HISTORY; 1 e-copy of THE INFINITE ONION; 1 grand prize of a paperback copy of THE INFINITE ONION.
Must be 18 to enter and win. Physical prizes mailed only with the USA; international winners will receive e-copy.

Saturday, March 28, 2020

REVIEW: White Oleander by Janet Fitch

OUR REVIEW:

I don't know how to start writing about this book right now so let me start with some random rambling thoughts.

It's heartbreaking.
It gets inside of you.
The fog of melancholy swirls and settles around you as you read it.
It's beautifully written, lyrical.
It's haunting.
Sad.
Funny.
Observant.
It felt like looking in a mirror at times.

I had to put it down and walk away only to pick it right back up again.

These characters are so real to me.
They're in me.
They're me.

The abandonment.
Fear.
Loneliness.

The mothers. FUCK ME...the mothers. As a mother, this novel terrified me. It made me realize how powerful a mother is.

And the men? Almost a constant source of disappointment.

Thank you Elliot Wake, Jaime, Allen, and Jennifer for being a part of this with me. And Court, always you for supporting my off calendar reads.

ETA: I read this many years ago and forgot to post my review. Enjoy.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/2sITxSn

SYNOPSIS: The unforgettable story of a young woman's odyssey through a series of Los Angeles foster homes on her journey to redemption.
Astrid is the only child of a single mother, Ingrid, a brilliant, obsessed poet who wields her luminous beauty to intimidate and manipulate men. Astrid worships her mother and cherishes their private world full of ritual and mystery - but their idyll is shattered when Astrid's mother falls apart over a lover. Deranged by rejection, Ingrid murders the man, and is sentenced to life in prison. White Oleander is the unforgettable story of Astrid's journey through a series of foster homes and her efforts to find a place for herself in impossible circumstances. Each home is its own universe, with a new set of laws and lessons to be learned. With determination and humor, Astrid confronts the challenges of loneliness and poverty, and strives to learn who a motherless child in an indifferent world can become. Oprah Winfrey enjoyed this gripping first novel so much that she not only made it her book club pick, she asked if she could narrate the audio release.

Friday, March 20, 2020

COVER REVEAL: Harvest of Sighs by Sierra Simone

 

  HARVEST OF SIGHS (Thornchapel #3) by Sierra Simone 
Release Date: May 1st 
Designer: Hang Le 
Image: Vania Stoyanova 
Models: Shacori Valentine & Keira Leilani     

  PRE-ORDER TODAY! 
Amazon Universal: mybook.to/harvestofsighs 
Apple Books: sierrasim.one/applesighs 
  
    

  Blurb: The genius and the sunshine girl. As children, we fought bitterly and often, bickering every chance we got. But then we grew up. Then we came back. Delphine Dansey carries her heart on the outside of her body; she’s looking for love and chasing dreams. She’s spoiled and selfish, the kind of beautiful that’s made for money and fame. But somehow she’s ended up in my keeping: a pretty submissive I can’t seem to resist, a lover who obsesses and tempts me. I thought I’d locked my heart away a long time ago, along with all my other weaknesses. But some doors won't stay closed, no matter how hard I fight to keep them shut. She unravels me, just like our friends are unraveling, just like Thornchapel itself is unraveling. All year long, we’ve been sowing lust and jealousy and pain, heedless of the consequences. But a harvest is inevitable, and so now we must reap our sorrows. And our sighs. *Harvest of Sighs is Book Three in the Thornchapel series.*  

     
About the Author: Sierra Simone is a USA Today Bestselling former librarian (who spent too much time reading romance novels at the information desk.) She lives with her husband and family in Kansas City.

 

  Connect w/Sierra Simone: 
Goodreads : http://bit.ly/1oo9WEh 

Subscribe to Sierra's newsletter: sierrasim.one/getmyemails  

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

REVIEW: Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas

Paradise in Aruba quickly gets gruesome in this ripped-from-the-headlines thriller (Kirkus Reviews); with a twist that defies the imagination.

It's Spring Break of senior year. Anna, her boyfriend Tate, her best friend Elise, and a few other close friends are off to a debaucherous trip to Aruba that promises to be the time of their lives.

But when Elise is found brutally murdered, Anna finds herself trapped in a country not her own, fighting against vile and contemptuous accusations. As Anna sets out to find her friend's killer, she discovers harsh revelations about her friendships, the slippery nature of truth, and the ache of young love.

Awaiting the judge's decree, it becomes clear to Anna that everyone around her thinks she is not only guilty, but also dangerous. And when the whole story comes out, reality is more shocking than anyone could ever imagine...
 



Two of my absolute favorite people on twitter (and off), Elliot Wake and Dahlia Adler , loved Dangerous Girls and I've learned that when these two love a book resistance is futile. So with a teeny tiny opening in my reading schedule, I buddied up with two of my friends (Hi Jennifer and Allen) to read it. The original plan was to read a few chapters at a time and share our thoughts...this plan worked for the first 5 chapters. I tried, I swear I really did TRY, to stop reading at the designated spot but I could NOT help but read 'just one more chapter' (which turned into all of the chapters). 

Honestly, I wasn't expecting to like this novel as much as I did. As a high school teacher, I don't read many YA books for pleasure because I basically live in a YA novel daily and it's nice to escape into the adult world when I read. This book (as well as Unteachable) showed me once again why this is a dumb rule on my part. Seriously. I need to get over my resistance to YA novels. Maybe it's because this was what I think they call "mature" YA, or more likely, because the writing was the perfect combination of intrigue and characterization and the pacing of the plot and dialogue were exactly right, I found myself completely unable to put this novel down. 

Another surprise was the "ripped from the headlines" plot; I don't often like these types of novels because they rarely live up to the hype. This one did. I felt like I was inside of the story at all times--the confusion, horror, sadness, anger and hopelessness that Anna feels are what I felt. As she was trying to figure out what could possible happen next, I was too. 

The way the story was structured--flashbacks mixed intermixed with the trial, transcripts of television shows and text messages, and the mind numbing walls of the cell forcing memories and reflection to float up like dead fish in a stagnant pond--all worked to keep me submerged in this story. At various points I felt heartbroken, outraged, and violent...and then stunned. Mouth open, heart racing, eye brows raised to the ceiling, incredulously laughing stunned. I sat in my bed at 3 AM with the glow of my Kindle and no one to talk to...thank god Dahlia and Leah were awake to talk me down; there was no way I was sleeping until I could commiserate with someone about the state of my brain. 

In case it's not evident, I loved this book. Anna and Elise's relationship was ridiculously spot on--their intimacy, their jealously, their love and support of each other was a lyrical poem to girlfriends everywhere. The way that Anna and Tate came together and Anna + Tate + Elise created their own little world and all of the things that happened because of that seemed so realistically captured, in many ways. And the secondary characters?  I loved them, I hated them, and I loved to hate some of them. All of their interactions and observations were masterfully woven into the fabric of this story.  

Dangerous Girls held me in its thrall and I cannot wait to carve out time to read Dangerous Boys

ETA: I wrote this review FIVE! years ago and neglected to post it. Enjoy?


SYNOPSIS:
Paradise in Aruba quickly gets gruesome in this “ripped-from-the-headlines thriller (Kirkus Reviews)” with a twist that defies the imagination.

It’s Spring Break of senior year. Anna, her boyfriend Tate, her best friend Elise, and a few other close friends are off to a debaucherous trip to Aruba that promises to be the time of their lives.

But when Elise is found brutally murdered, Anna finds herself trapped in a country not her own, fighting against vile and contemptuous accusations. As Anna sets out to find her friend’s killer, she discovers harsh revelations about her friendships, the slippery nature of truth, and the ache of young love.

Awaiting the judge’s decree, it becomes clear to Anna that everyone around her thinks she is not only guilty, but also dangerous. And when the whole story comes out, reality is more shocking than anyone could ever imagine...


Saturday, March 14, 2020

REVIEW: Creole King by Meghan March


Creole Kingpin Release Day Blitz/Blog Tour Collateral
Release Date: March 10, 2020


OUR REVIEW:

Isn't is so much fun that I'm reading Creole King, which is set in New Orleans, while sleeping in New Orleans waiting for the end of the Mardi Gras season? It is. Truly. I love when my actual life and reading life collide and that happens a lot in Meghan March romances...at least when they're set in the place I've called home (Nola), as Magnolia and Moses's story is. So let's get to it, shall we? These two, Moses and Magnolia, are a mess--a lovable mess. They have a history, that we're still figuring out and they're trying to navigate, which makes them stressful and fun and all sorts of angsty. She's fiery and fierce and hanging on to her independence with every thing she has. He's bossy and arrogant, aggressive, and wants Magnolia more than anything. As you can imagine, their coming together is one magnificent clash after another. To add more tension to their story...because it's Meghan March so of course there must be more tension...throw in some secrets, murder, and uncertainties and we have the makings of a fun and fabulous new series. 

As per usual, MM leaves us hanging onto the edge of a to be continued and so we shall see what, exactly, Moses and Magnolia are destined to get into next before they find their HEA. 

Side note--if you're an avid reader of Meghan March novels, you're going to recognize some characters from previous novels--an added bonus for all who love her New Orleans characters (and some NYC ones too!).


New York Times bestselling author Meghan March goes back to New Orleans and the world of Lachlan Mount with a dangerous and bold new anti-hero. 


The thing about ghosts is they’re supposed to stay dead. 
That’s exactly what I am, but I can’t stay away from Magnolia Marie Maison for one more day, let alone another year.
We’ve already got fifteen of those between us.
As it stands, she’ll want to kill me as soon as she lays eyes on me. And knowing her, she’s completely up to the task.
But I’m a man on a mission, and I’ve got everything riding on this.
So, here I come, Magnolia. This ghost is ready for whatever you got.
After all, there’s only one way I want this to end—’til death do us part.

 

Creole Kingpin is the first book in the Magnolia Duet. Magnolia’s story concludes in Madam Temptress releasing April 14, 2020. 




Add to your Goodreads TBR:

Where to buy:
https://meghanmarch.com/creole-kingpin






About the author:

Making the jump from corporate lawyer to romance author was a leap of faith that New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Meghan March will never regret. With over thirty titles published, she has sold millions of books in nearly a dozen languages to fellow romance-lovers around the world. A nomad at heart, she can currently be found in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, living her happily ever after with her real-life alpha hero.

Sign up for Meghan's newsletter and receive exclusive content that she saves for her subscribers: http://meghanmarch.com/subscribe
To get the inside scoop on a daily basis, search Meghan March's Runaway Readers on Facebook and join the fun!

Thursday, March 12, 2020

REVIEW: The Rich Boy by Kylie Scott

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Rich Boy was witty, exciting and had the most intense slow burn romance I’ve read in a long time. ” —Audrey Carlan, #1 New York Times bestselling author
The Rich Boy, an all-new “do not miss” swoon-worthy standalone with off-the-charts chemistry from New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott, is available now!

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OUR REVIEW:

The Rich Boy has given me the HUGEST book hangover I've had in the longest time. I've tried to pick up several different books and none of them can grab my attention. All I want to do is slip back into Alice and Beck's world --I truly wish I could read it for the first time all over again--it was that kind of book.

I loved how the premise of this novel was such a fantasy (I mean, who in this life is lucky enough to get swept off of her feet from a sucky waitress job by a bazillionare who is quite wonderful?!) and I was so there for every second of it. From the first few days of working together to the day Alice realized who Beck really was, I loved their everything. Their conversations, their taking it slow, their sweetness and humor? It was exactly the novel I needed.

Alice was so level headed and I really admired how she handled everything that came her way. If I could have an ounce of her poise on a daily basis, I'd be happy. I loved how she seemed to have an interior monologue that was snarky and normal while her outward dialogue was measured and completely appropriate for each scene. I loved her body positivity. I loved how honest and forthright she was, even when it could've made her vulnerable. And I loved how she refused to back down or allow others to demean her and how she basically expected those around her to do better and be better, when they weren't.

Alice was just what Beck needed and I loved Beck for her. He was charming and sweet and his pet names for her made me all gooey inside. His family was a hot mess and I appreciated how he did his best to make sure they treated Alice the way they should. And even when things got messed up and I found myself disappointed, Beck managed to grovel and charm and work his magic to get them to the HEA I was thrilled to see.

I hated to see this one end and am selfishly hoping Kylie Scott decides to write more about this family. I loved the mix of fairy tale and realism in The Rich Boy and I can't wait to read it all over again.

I’m the type of girl who’s given up on fairy tales. So when Beck – the hot new busboy at work – starts flirting with me, I know better than to get my hopes up. Happily ever afters aren’t for the average. I learned that the hard way.
But how can I be expected to resist a man who can quote Austen, loves making me laugh, and seems to be everything hot and good in this world?
Only there’s so much more to him than that.
Billionaire playboy? Check. Troubled soul? Check. The owner of my heart, the man I’ve moved halfway across the country to be with, who’s laying the world at my feet in order to convince me to never leave? Check. Check. Check.
But nobody does complicated like the one percent.
This is not your everyday rags-to-riches, knight-in-shining armor whisking the poor girl off her feet kind of story. No, this is much messier.
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Download your copy today!
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2sv6LlG

Excerpt
“You haven’t told me your story,” he says once we’re seated in a booth and have ordered.
“I finished my degree and realized it was basically good for nothing and there were next to no jobs available anyway. Or at least nothing that appealed. Teachers and librarians are fighting for every scrap of funding they can get while newspapers are folding. The publishing industry is going through serious cutbacks. Majoring in English Lit may have been a mistake.” I shrug. Truth is, I got stuck for various reasons. But this explanation is easier to swallow. “Figured if I was going to wind up serving then I’d like to do it somewhere I can walk along the beach now and then, without getting stuck in traffic for hours.”
He nods. “Makes sense.”
“I thought so. I’ll figure out what I want to do with my life eventually.”
“No rush. Good that you can take the time and space to figure things out for yourself without anyone pressuring you.”
“Just the student loans hanging over my head,” I say.
His answering smile is brief and small. “Grow up around here?”
“Close enough, San Bernardino,” I say. “What about you?”
“No, I’m half a country away from home and intend to keep it that way. Though maybe half a country away is still too close. I hear Iceland’s nice this time of year.”
I raise my brows in question.
“Family.” He shrugs. “What can you do?”
The waitress delivers our food, filling up the table with Beck’s order of half of the breakfast menu. Without hesitation, he proceeds to devour it all. If I ate that much, my ass wouldn’t fit in the seat.
“Want some?” He offers me a forkful of pancake, dripping with syrup. “It’s good.”
“I’m fine with my burger. Thanks.” And I’m curious as heck about his family, but pressing him further wouldn’t be polite. Dammit.
“So what are my future wife’s favorite hobbies and or interests?”
“Hmm.” I stick a fry in my mouth and chew, thinking it over. “Reading, films, music…the usual. You?”
“Lots of things.”
“Such as?”
“I don’t know…hiking, rock climbing. Stuff like that.”
“So basically I like to sit still and you’re all about being busy and athletic. We have nothing in common.”
“No. Wait. I can change,” he jokes. “Give me another chance.”
“You shouldn’t have to change.” I swirl another fry in some ketchup. “I’m sure you’re perfectly fine just as you are.”

About Kylie
Author-Kylie-Scott.jpg
Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013, 2014 & 2018, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.

Connect with Kylie
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XujcZh Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2GngiQq Facebook: http://bit.ly/2OiXx3I Twitter: http://bit.ly/391pjJM Instagram: http://bit.ly/2EUrx11 Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Imusk3 Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2S7cc32 Book+Main Bites: http://bit.ly/2ETz5RQ Stay up to date with Kylie by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2TOOivT Website: https://kyliescott.com/

Monday, March 9, 2020

REVIEW: Addicted For Now by Krista and Becca Ritchie

REVIEW: 
If you have NOT read the other two books in this series STOP right now and do NOT read further. 

This series is addictive--as a matter of fact, I'm plotting ways to barricade myself in my room and hide from all responsibilities while I marathon read the other books in this series. (If only, right?!!--stupid real world puts a major halt to all of my fun.) So, what makes this so good? 

Well, Lily and Lo are now coping with his return from rehab and her coping with her addiction. It's painful and engrossing all at the same time. You feel so proud of Lo and how far he's come at the same time you feel anxious for Lily and her struggle to keep moving in a positive direction--it was definitely a read that I felt the ups and downs. The struggle for Lily was so real--so in the moment, and I suppose, if I think about it, this really felt like her book. We witness her successes and fumbles and worries...and her pride in her sisters and Lo. 

In the midst of both Lily and Lo struggling to cope with their new reality, a whole new MAJOR problem crops up and it adds additional strain on everyone and everything. It also sheds some light on secondary characters --some I loved more (Rose, Conner, Daisy, Ryke, Allison) and some I loved to hate (Lily's mom, Sebastion, and others who shall remain unnamed), and I am still struggling with how I feel about Jonathan Hale. <--- am I supposed to? Because I have some serious dislike for him and yet, I appreciate some of the things he does...so major conflicted feelings about him right now.

A few other things--if you're looking for a quick and twisty plot, I'd say this might not be for you--I loved it because it took me through their emotional states and took the time to explore how and what Lily and Lo felt and while it definitely does have plot twists, the novel feels more focused on the emotional impact of the post-rehab/ post-CF stuff that involves Lily and Lo.

I am eager to tackle the next books in this series and hope to do this soon. In the meantime...

Happy reading, y'all. 

ETA: This is another old review that was left in our drafts folder. We hope you enjoy!

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/2QkpSYX

SYNOPSIS:

He's addicted to booze. She's addicted to sex...staying sober is only half the battle.

No. More. Sex.

Those are the three words Lily Calloway fears the most. But Loren Hale is determined to be with Lily without enabling her dangerous compulsions. With their new living situation--sleeping in the same bed, for real, together--Lily has new battles. Like not jumping Lo's bones every night. Not being consumed by sex and his body.

Loren plans to stay sober, to right all of his wrongs. So when someone threatens to expose Lily's secret to her family and the public, he promises that he'll do anything to protect her. But with old enemies surfacing, Lo has more at stake than his sobriety.

They will torment Lily until Lo breaks.

And his worst fear isn't relapsing. He hears the end. He sees it. The one thing that could change everything. Just three words.

No. More. Us. 


New Favorite: The Rich Boy by Kylie Scott

The Rich Boy - RB banner.jpg
“Rich Boy takes you on a literal ride! Funny. Angsty. It's a definite recommendation from me! –Tijan, New York Times bestselling author
The Rich Boy, an all-new slow-burn standalone with white-hot chemistry and witty banter from New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott, is out now!
TheRichBoy EBOOK
I’m the type of girl who’s given up on fairy tales. So when Beck – the hot new busboy at work – starts flirting with me, I know better than to get my hopes up. Happily ever afters aren’t for the average. I learned that the hard way.
But how can I be expected to resist a man who can quote Austen, loves making me laugh, and seems to be everything hot and good in this world?
Only there’s so much more to him than that.
Billionaire playboy? Check. Troubled soul? Check. The owner of my heart, the man I’ve moved halfway across the country to be with, who’s laying the world at my feet in order to convince me to never leave? Check. Check. Check.
But nobody does complicated like the one percent.
This is not your everyday rags-to-riches, knight-in-shining armor whisking the poor girl off her feet kind of story. No, this is much messier.
The Rich Boy - AN.jpg
Download your copy today! Amazon: https://amzn.to/2O54ogZ AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2O3wB80 Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/RichBoy Nook: http://bit.ly/38Igu7K Kobo: http://bit.ly/3aLkJBe Google Play: http://bit.ly/3aJlVVX
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2sv6LlG
About Kylie
Author-Kylie-Scott
Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013, 2014 & 2018, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.
Connect with Kylie Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XujcZh Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2GngiQq Facebook: http://bit.ly/2OiXx3I Twitter: http://bit.ly/391pjJM Instagram: http://bit.ly/2EUrx11 Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Imusk3 Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2S7cc32 Book+Main Bites: http://bit.ly/2ETz5RQ Stay up to date with Kylie by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2TOOivT Website: https://kyliescott.com/

Saturday, March 7, 2020

REVIEW: The Guy in the Middle by Kate Stewart


The Guy in the Middle by Kate Stewart is LIVE! Check out this jaw-dropping excerpt! Don't forget to one-click yours today!



Contemporary Romance
Stand Alone
Designed by QDesign

PURCHASE HERE!!!

𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲-⁣ https://www.instagram.com/p/B9FIiUliq4-/?igshid=5dag9h7ejzme

OUR REVIEW:

Court and I have been waiting to get out hands on this since we read the novella in the Team Player 2 anthology. Lance and Harper left us hanging and dying to know how in the heck they were going to make everything work. If you read the novella like we did, you should know that the first 3rd of The Guy in the Middle is that novella and if it's still fresh, you might jump right to where the novella left off. I reread most of the novella just to recapture all the feels I had and put me in that headspace and so when I got to the part that picked up with the new chapters I was all in once again and just living for what these two were going to do. In the midst of their love story they'd made a mess of things and there were all sorts of hurt hearts and other things to overcome and the journey to get them to their HEA was tough, man. Kate Stewart put these two characters THROUGH IT and did not let up until the very last moment and as much as I loved the angsty bits, the epilogue was what really made this all come together. The epilogue, y'all, was just what you didn't know you wanted and needed until you read it and it just was such a satisfying end to this entire series. 

As sad as I am to see these characters go, I'm very interested in what Kate Stewart is doing next. She's done a little bit of everything and it's been a fun reading journey with her characters.


Blurb:
I was born to play and bred to win.

My priorities were instilled in me early on—family and football. Those ideals led me to TGU and a coach whose ironclad principles mirrored my own.

With one last college season to play, my goal was singular—get drafted. By realizing my NFL dream, I could save my family, our ranch, and the only home I’d ever known.

Two birds, one ball.

Playing hard was my only option, but there’s always a wild card.

For all of my planning and hard work, I never anticipated falling for the coach's daughter. Harper was a fair catch, but who knew loving her could be the one play to throw my career before it started or that the weight of our secret would change the game.

*This is book #3 of The Underdogs Series, but you can read as a stand-alone. *Formerly published in Team Player 2 but is now a 107k full length novel with an extended epilogue.EXCERPT:
Harper

“I’ve missed you, you know? More than you can imagine.”

“Can’t imagine it at all,” he says, picking through a book he’s not reading.

“Can I help you two?” One of the store sales associates asks, and I shake my head and smile. When she takes her leave, I look over to Lance who stands fuming on the other side of a table filled with loose items. We’re in a mismatch shop full of mostly cheap junk, and I can’t imagine him finding anything for his mother here.

“Lance, I have missed you. Horribly.”

“Could have fooled me.”

I can only take so much. Irritated, I lift a designer coffee mug from the table.

“You like this for your mom?”

“No.”

“How about this?”

“Nope.” He’s not even looking at what’s in my hands.

“You sure? It’s a hide purse. Cute for a rancher’s wife, don’t you think?” This gets his attention, and stormy eyes lift to mine.

“Would you buy that for you?”

I look it over and shake my head. “Not really my style.”

“Bet it’s not.”

I can feel my ears reddening. Fuming, I eye a box on the shelf, snatch it and shove it into his chest. “How about this giant fucking purple dildo and matching anal plug!? Think mom will like that?”

He looks up completely unaffected, “Nope.”

“I don’t think we’re in the right place,” Tossing the box down, I stalk out of the cluttered shop and into the department store next to it. He’s hot on my heels.

“Got that fucking right.”

I turn back to see he’s spoiling for a fight and release a stressed breath. Fighting with him is the last thing I want to do. “Look, lets, just…” I search around and pull a sweater from the closest rack. “How about this? Simple, elegant.”

“You think Mom’s simple, huh? I’ll give her your regards.”

“That’s it.” I hook the sweater back on to the rack and close the space between us, forcing his eyes to mine. “God, you’re still a brute, aren’t you? You haven’t changed a bit. Still pig-headed as hell.”

“Pig-headed?” He opens his mouth in mock shock and covers his chest with his hand. “How dare you.”

I’m in between fight or flight, but I’ve been dodging this long enough. My heart can’t take more confrontation. I missed him too much. His eyes flare with satisfaction at my irritation. “Misery loves company, right, Lance?”

“Never said I was miserable.”

“You don’t have to. Did you come to New York just to torture me?”

“Maybe.”

“Rub it in on what I’m missing out on?”

A voice sounds from next to us. “Is there something I can help you find today?”

We both turn to the woman with lasers in our eyes, and she swallows. I clear my throat. “We’re fine. Thank you.”

Lance winks at the woman, his eyes scanning her form. “Maybe you can help me?”

“You son of a bitch,” I hiss, before walking away from the table. His voice rings out next to me as I rip through a rack of scarves.

“Good to know you care, Priss, gotta admit, it’s surprising.”

I reel on him. “Don’t you dare! Leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I had to make a clean break. I had just lost everyone that mattered to me. I was losing my mind.”

“I got pissed for one day, and you went off the grid.”

“And you let me go because you knew no matter how much we wanted it to work, it couldn’t. You have no idea what I went through!”

“What you went through? Do you know I spent six months ranting to an Uber driver named Dave because everyone on my team hated me when the truth came out?” He stomps after me as I pull sweater after sweater off the rack. “Troy jumped ship after he got drafted. I had no one but Tony and those fights.”

I turn to him with twenty sweaters in my arms. “Jenner? When did y’all get so tight?”

“When shit got tough, and my fucking girlfriend bailed!” He glares down at me, his breaths coming out fast.

“Guys, we’re going to need you to take this outside.” A woman whom I assume is the store manager approaches us cautiously.

I look around the store and see all eyes are on us, especially the women sizing him up. “He’s available ladies,” I snap, laying the sweaters on a nearby table, “I’m willing to bet he comes really cheap.” He’s on my heels as I push through the glass of the department store.

“Oh, was I supposed to wait for you? Must have missed that memo. That’s it, you must want a saint. That’s why you didn’t stay.”

“I was twenty years old and alienated from a place I didn’t want to be anyway.”

“Good to know.”

“That’s not the way I meant it. And you know damn well until you, I was only there to appease my Dad, who I barely speak to now.”

“I’m sorry about that, I am, but that’s on him. And what in the hell are you talking about ‘alienated’?”

“Forget it.” I pull on my gloves as heavy snow starts to come down. “I think we’ve concluded our tour for today.”

He glances around the sidewalk. “Well, no need to show me more, I hate this fucking place!”

“And why is that? Not enough free-range chickens?!”

His eyes flare. “You digging on the ranch now, Priss? I saw a fucking rat the size of a cat on my run this morning!”

“Probably has better manners than you, shit head.”

“Pulling out the big guns now, huh? There’s that backbone. I was wondering where it went.”

“Go home, Lance, you hate it here. And you obviously hate me.”

“Just the opposite. It’s impossible, and believe me, I’m trying!”

“Well, I hope you succeed! Thanks for stopping by, Mary Poppins. Best Christmas ever! Make sure to bulldoze the nativity scene on your way out!”

“Fuck this.” He throws his hands up and eyes me warily before turning and walking away.

“Merry Christmas to you, too!”


About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author and Texas native, Kate Stewart, lives in North Carolina with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. She pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance, as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense. Kate's title, Drive, was named one of the best romances of 2017 by The New York Daily News and Huffington Post. Drive was also a finalist in the Goodreads Choice awards for best contemporary romance of 2017. Her works have been featured in USA TODAY, BuzzFeed, and translated in five languages.

Kate is a lover of all things '80s and '90s, especially John Hughes films and rap. She dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity, and on occasion, does very well at whiskey.

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