REVIEW: One Hot Italian Summer by Karina Halle

A writer looking for inspiration in Tuscany. 

One hot Italian single dad. 

This summer is going to be a scorcher.

One Hot Italian Summer by New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author, Karina Halle is now live! 

After the death of her best friend and writing partner, Grace Harper is struggling both with grief, and with her next novel, the first one she’ll have to write alone.

Fortunately, her new powerhouse agent, the formidable Jana Lee, has a solution for her. She can stay at her villa in Tuscany for a month, soak in the sunshine, relax, and find her confidence again. After all, Jana has a lot riding on Grace’s next book, and the last thing she wants is for her reputation as a “super-agent” to be tarnished.

At first the villa is a dream come true for Grace – that is until Claudio Romano shows up one day with his ten-year old son, Vanni, in tow. Turns out, this is Claudio’s house, and Claudio happens to be her agent’s ex-husband from long ago. Thanks to their annual father and son bonding trip being cancelled, Claudio and Vanni are here to stay.

So is Grace.

With the three of them sharing the same house, Grace’s writing plans are thrown out the window. But even if she’s not pounding the keyboard, she’s still finding beauty and inspiration... in none other than Claudio. He's unlike any man Grace has met before. He’s smart, charming, and wickedly sexy, plus a great father to Vanni. He’d be the perfect summer fling – if only he wasn’t completely off-limits.

But as the hot Italian summer wears on, Grace and Claudio are destined to succumb to the heat, no matter how hard they try to resist each other. One steamy encounter with Claudio could affect Grace’s chances of starting her career over.

Or he could be exactly what she needs.

OUR REVIEW:

If One Hot Italian Summer isn't the perfect summer read, I don't know what is. This novel is so swoony and lush that you can't help but feel completely fulfilled and satisfied when you put it down. 

The love story of Grace and Claudio begins with one hell of a meet cute and it just is filled with smiles from that point on. Karina Halle writes Claudio as someone who is the epitome of heart, strength, vulnerability, and hot Italian man. SIDE NOTE: If I weren't married and we weren't in the midst of a global pandemic annnnd I had all the time and money in the world, I'd be jumping on the next plane to Italy to find my own Claudio. GAH. He was that wonderful. And with Grace? Well, a writer writing about a writer couldn't be more perfect. She captures the anxiety of trying to produce under a deadline when your muse isn't showing up...and then the blur of time that passes when she does and you're words are practically shooting out of your fingers. Grace was complex with her grief and her fear and her kindness and quiet but strong spirit--I really liked how she was written. I felt her grief and anxiety and I felt like I understood her fear and when she let herself let it all go? The wooosh of happy emotions were such a great payoff.

In addition to being a love story of Grace and Claudio, it was a love story of Italy. I've never wanted to visit a country more than I do now. I felt like I could feel the hot air, smell the roses and citrus, taste the pasta and wine, and see the world in shades of vibrant colors all because of Karina Halle. I swear one day she just needs to write a travel guide because she always makes me fall in love with the settings she writes about. 

A final random note, am I the only one picturing Karina Halle and her cutie poo husband as these characters? Not in a creepy way but in a tribute to how much they love each other. I could totally see Karina in her beautiful dresses and her husband concocting a delicious cocktail for her with Italy as their backdrop. If you don't believe me just go peep on her Instagram and you'll get it, I promise.

I'll end as I started: this really is a fantastic, sexy, swoony romance. It's the perfect summer escape--so grab a cocktail and prepare to fall in love.

  Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

   Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2X37Gpy

Amazon WW: http://mybook.to/OHIS

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/OHItalianSgr

Meet Karina

Karina Halle is a former travel writer, music journalist & screenwriter, and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author of over 55 bestselling novels, ranging from horror and suspense to contemporary romance. She lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband, and her adopted pitbull Bruce, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails and devours a lot of books.

Halle is represented by the Root Literary Agency and is both self-published and published by Simon & Schuster, Hachette & Montlake. Her work has been translated and published in 20 languages. 

Hit her up on Instagram at @authorHalle, on Twitter at @MetalBlonde and on Facebook. You can also visit www.authorkarinahalle.com and sign up for the newsletter for news, excerpts, previews, private book signing sales and more.

Connect with Karina

Website: https://authorkarinahalle.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4785031.Karina_Halle

Amazon: https://amzn.to/31HMztJ

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/912577838806567/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetalBlonde

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/karina-halle

REVIEW: Flock by Kate Stewart

FLOCK, book one in The Ravenhood Duet from best-selling author, Kate Stewart, is 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄! Get ready for a sinfully 𝐇𝐎𝐓, 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐓𝐘, 𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋, and 𝐓𝗪𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 love story filled with suspense, a little action, and 𝐀𝐋𝐋. 𝐎𝐅. 𝐓𝐇𝐄. 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐒! ⁣⁣

FLOCK (The Ravenhood Duet, book 1) by Kate Stewart

Cover designed by: OkayCreations

Add to your GOODREADS TBR:

𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤- (The Ravenhood #1)-https://bit.ly/3dwgXN8⁣⁣
𝐄𝐱𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐬- (The Ravenhood Book #2)-https://bit.ly/2XUONVC⁣⁣

OUR REVIEW:

Shel: OHMYGODTHATENDING. 
OMG.

Court: There is not a better gif to describe that ending, for real.

Shel: I need book two RIGHT NOW, KATE STEWART. I thought I was ready for what was coming and now I'm just desperate to find out what the hell is going to happen next. GAHHHH.

Shel: LOL.
This novel was so much fun to read. I'll be honest--the prologue felt a little too abstract and prosaic to me, like it was trying really hard but I put that aside (because prologues can be hit or miss with me) and within pages of the first chapter I was posting on Instagram that I wouldn't sleep until I was finished. I was completely hooked by all of the hints dropped, the dynamic between Dom, Sean, Cecelia and the rest of the crew, and all the mystery that surrounded these characters.

Court: There was so much mystery! I finally just started texting Shel begging for information because for some reason I hit my head and thought she might give me some, which was a negative...we all knew that...but the writing definitely only gave us a teeny bit of information at a time. It was perfect because I was right in there with Cecelia though...falling in love, and wondering what was too good to be true right there with her. Kate Stewart created a huge secret world that I am still thinking about. Shelley told me it would slay, and it did not disappoint.

Shel: We promised that we'd make this a spoiler free review, so no spoilers...not even a hint. I'll just say that this novel is one of those rare duets that has my complete attention and will have me counting down the days until I get to the next book. Court: Thankfully we do not have to wait long...because NEXT WEEK Y'ALL! But, still .... 100% agree...this is a great story, and the mystery and build up doesn't disappoint either. I am always impressed with the thought involved when a story is weaved so well, and I cannot wait for more.

Shel: If you're a fan of Kate Stewart and a steamy hot (HOT!!!!) read that will leave you dying for the second book and what happens next, THIS IS YOUR NOVEL!!! Grab it. Court: YES! It is hot and sexy, and now one of my favorites of this year!

𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2X0r5ra

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2P5eQoM

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/39xwKtY

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2Eni1pL

Blurb:
Can you keep a secret?

I grew up sick.

Let me clarify.

I grew up believing that real love stories include a martyr or demand great sacrifice to be worthy.

Because of that, I believed it, because I made myself believe it, and I bred the most masochistic of romantic hearts, which resulted in my illness.

 When I lived this story, my own twisted fairy tale, it was unbeknownst to me at the time because I was young and naïve. I gave into temptation and fed the beating beast, which grew thirstier with every slash, every strike, every blow.

Triple Falls wasn’t at all what it seemed, nor were the men that swept me under their wing. But in order to keep them, I had to be in on their secrets.

Secrets that cost us everything to keep.

That’s the novelty of fiction versus reality. You can’t re-live your own love story, because by the time you’ve realized you’re living it, it’s over. At least that was the case for me and the men I trusted my foolish heart to.

Looking back, I’m convinced I willed my story into existence due to my illness.

And all were punished.⁣⁣

---

Release Event Sign ups: https://forms.gle/sd8bEXebZowV1X3P7
Join Kate's Asskickers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/katesasskickers/
The Ravenhood Duet Spotify Playlist: https://spoti.fi/38Y1FiU
Kate's Newsletter-Get a FREE book!: https://www.katestewartwrites.com/contact-me.html

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.

Website Facebook Group Facebook Author Page Newsletter signup Twitter Instagram

NOW AVAILABLE: Inked in Lies by Giana Darling

Inked in Lies, an edgy, ultra sexy standalone MC romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Giana Darling, is available now!

He moved in next door. Handsome as sin, older in a way that meant forbidden. He had tattoos on his hands and wickedness tucked in his grin. I was a goner as a girl to a man they called Casanova for a reason. He would never love me, at least not the way I needed him to. I tried to move on. But I couldn’t turn my back on him or The Fallen MC. So when they needed me most, I offered the only thing of value I could use to help them. My body. And when helping them meant putting my life on the line, Nova had to decide just how much he was willing to do to get me out alive.

Download your copy today! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hX8O5Y Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/InkedinLies

Add INKED IN LIES to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2MGWpG1

About Giana Giana Darling is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Top 40 Amazon bestselling Canadian romance author who specializes in the taboo and angsty side of love and romance. She currently lives in beautiful British Columbia where she spends time riding on the back of her man’s bike, baking pies, and reading snuggled up with her cat Persephone.

Connect with Giana Website: gianadarling.com Facebook: http://bit.ly/2tKhTKO Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2CFNVsK Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2J5Evtq Amazon: https://amzn.to/2E5LPRW Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2lI2UNn Instagram: http://bit.ly/2eNG8Bp Twitter: http://bit.ly/2uXVF84 Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/b0qnPr

REVIEW: Play It Safe by Kristen Ashley

OUR REVIEW:

So here's the deal, I'm about to start a new semester and I knew I wanted to read a book that would have a strong heroine and give me that 'never say die' oomph that I always need to get me in the right mindset to take over the world (or in this case, the school year). Who better to do that for me than Kristen Ashley?!

As usual, Kristen Ashley didn't fail me. She gave me Ivey--a young woman who begins to find her way only to have her journey be forced into a huge and time consuming detour. Ivey was so easy to love and admire in her strength and loyalty and her ability to love so deeply and passionately despite all of the crap that she deals with (through really no fault of her own). She's the kind of woman anyone would want in their life--as a friend or a spouse. 

Kristen Ashley also gave us one of the best cowboys I've read in ages. Gray Cody is an interesting version of the 'alpha male'. He possesses many of the qualities you've probably come to love in KA's heroes but in someways he seems to be a kinder, gentler version. Don't get me wrong--he can be a badass to end all badasses but he's so controlled and calm and easy going. I loved him with Ivey.

I got exactly what I was looking for when I picked up Play It Safe--badass characters, funny situations and witty banter, great friendships, idiot bad guys, and an example of what love could be when you pair a cowboy and an ex-pool hustler. Thanks, Kristen Ashley, for helping me start my year off right!

BUY IT: http://amzn.to/2aFkn2v

SYNOPSIS:

No connections. Play it safe. These were the rules Ivey lived her life by.

Until she hit Mustang, Colorado, a perfectly imperfect town where the citizens were welcoming and one of them included the tall, beautiful, macho man rancher cowboy, Grayson Cody.

On the run for a decade, Ivey knew she was supposed to play it safe. But she was tired of being on the run. She wanted a normal. She wanted real. She wanted a home.

And she wanted Grayson Cody.

And Grayson Cody wanted Ivey.

No one who looked at them couldn’t see they belonged together. There was one man in this world for Ivey and one woman in this world for Grayson Cody.

So they fell in love.

But just as quickly as they fell together, they were betrayed and torn apart. Separated for years, Ivey was certain her life would not include her rancher cowboy. Until the town of Mustang reached out to her when Gray was in trouble. Even though she thought he broke her heart, she charged in to help. Then Gray and Ivey discovered they were betrayed and, not only that, Gray had an enemy who would stop at nothing to defeat him.

REVIEW: Engagement and Espionage by Penny Reid

 

Engagement and Espionage, an all-new quirky and swoon-worthy romantic comedy featuring fan favorites Jenn and Cletus Winston from New York Times bestselling author Penny Reid is available now!

OUR REVIEW:

It's been a rough couple of months for some of us, hasn't it? I know for my household it's been a roller coaster of life events so when I come across a novel that can sweep me away from all of my worries, it's only right that I share that with everyone, right? Right.

Engagement and Espionage was the perfect escape from all the craziness of the outside world. I mean who better than Cletus and Jenn to completely amuse and distract us all with their own craziness? And let me remind you, where there is Cletus, there is craziness. I loved every second of it. I only thought I loved the first book with Cletus and Jenn but this book ....being in his head...*chef's kiss* it was perfect. He's one of my all time favorite characters; I love everything about him--his quirks, his machinations and manipulations, and his complete adoration and respect for Jenn are just a few of the reasons why I love him. And Jenn and the way she loves? I love her heart. I love how she loves and cares of all of the people in her orbit. 

Separately they are fun; together they're nearly impossible to stop reading. Their longing for each other and the constant interruptions, the way this novel shows us how they began to align their lives after the fell in love, how their families fit into it all, and of course, the various mysterious happenings had my complete attention until I reached the last two words: "The End". I swear I tried to slow down my reading of this novel but I was completely powerless to the charm of Cletus and Jenn.

This novel just felt like the humorous cozy mystery I didn't even know I needed in my life. The cast of characters and their trademark reactions to each other had me smiling and starved for more. Luckily for me, this is book one of four. I can't wait to see what these guys get up to and into next.

Jennifer Sylvester made her deal with the devil . . . and now they’re engaged!

But all is not well in Green Valley. A chicken choker is on the loose, 61 dead birds most "fowl" need plucking, and no time remains for Jennifer and her devilish fiancé. Desperate to find a spare moment together, Jenn and Cletus’s attempts to reconnect are thwarted by one seemingly coincidental disaster after another. It’s not long before Cletus and Jenn see a pattern emerge and the truth becomes clear.

Sabotage!

Will an undercover mission unmask the culprit? Or are these love-birds totally plucked?

'Engagement and Espionage' is the first book in the Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries series, is a full-length cozy mystery, and is a spin-off of Penny Reid's Winston Brothers series. This novel is best read after 'Beard Science,' Winston Brothers #3.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3auZzqI Apple Books: https://apple.co/33ONMAK Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/engagementespionage Nook: https://bit.ly/3dvV8hf Kobo: https://bit.ly/2wxWreY Google Play: https://bit.ly/3aqIT3h

Add ENGAGEMENT AND ESPIONAGE to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2UoVpea

Excerpt:

“Don’t stop.” She reached for my belt again, this time completely undoing it, the button of my pants, and my zipper at world-record speed. Her phone buzzed. Then it chimed. Then it buzzed and chimed two more times. Then it rang again. Reba. Cursing, Jenn pulled the phone from her pocket, once again her face illuminated, murderous rage in her eyes. Her finger moved to the power off button. She blinked, hesitating. Her eyes widened, her body stiffened, and she gasped. “Cletus!” Something about her tone, like she was horrified, and maybe a little afraid, cut through the heavy haze of lust inertia, and my hands stilled. Shaking myself, it took me a few moments to realize she was showing me the phone screen, and another few to bring the content of the text messages into focus. Momma: Jennifer Anne Sylvester, pick up your phone. If you’re with Cletus, I need his help. Please. Momma: ALL THE CHICKENS AND ROOSTERS ARE DEAD! PICK UP YOUR DAMN PHONE! Momma: I’m calling you in a second, pick up the phone. Mr. Badcock’s chickens are dead. All of them. I got here and he’s running around, deranged, yelling about his dead chickens! I called the police and they’re on their way. Please, please, please pick up the phone! At some point, I must’ve taken the phone from Jenn and stepped away, because I glanced up upon reading the messages for the third time, finding the phone in my hand and Jenn fixing her skirt. “This is nuts.” Her big eyes searched mine imploringly. “Who could have done this?” I shook my head, having not yet managed to fully shift head gears—you know, from that head to the one on my neck—and my gaze dropped to the wet patch on the front of her dress just visible in the swath of light. My erection throbbed. So we’re . . . not having sex? “Why? Why would they do it? And WHO?” She snatched her phone back, her tone bewildered, distracted, and distraught. She was distraught because of the dead chickens, like any normal person would be. I was distraught also, but my distress had nothing to do with farm animals. “We have to go.” Jenn grabbed my hand and began walking toward the direction of the hall. Meanwhile, it took me until her hand found the door handle to realize my zipper and belt were still undone. “This is crazy.” She paused as I zipped up, her tone halting and distracted. “Poor Mr. Badcock. And those poor chickens.” A sound of distress escaped her throat. “This is terrible.” It was terrible. And I was going to hell. Because all I could think was, Talk about a cock block.

Meet Penny Reid: Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

Connect with Penny:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/ Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD Twitter: @ReidRomance Mailing List: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/ www.pennyreid.ninja