New Release + Release Blitz: The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

Posted on 12/30/2019 by cafemamanc7

🔥🔥 NEW RELEASE 🔥🔥

THE WIVES by Tarryn Fisher is LIVE!!!

“You’ll have whiplash until the very end.”—New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover

New York Times bestselling author Tarryn Fisher delivers a pulse-pounding, fast-paced suspense novel that will leave you breathless. A thriller you won’t be able to put down!

Thursday’s husband, Seth, has two other wives. She’s never met them, and she doesn’t know anything about them. She agreed to this unusual arrangement because she’s so crazy about him.

But one day, she finds something. Something that tells a very different—and horrifying—story about the man she married.

What follows is one of the most twisted, shocking thrillers you’ll ever read.

You’ll have to grab a copy to find out why.

START READING TODAY!

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheWives-Apple

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Nook: http://bit.ly/TheWives-Nook

Tarryn Fisher is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of nine novels. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, she immigrated to America with her parents at the age of thirteen. She spent the next eighteen years in South Florida, where she earned her degree in Psychology. A sun hater, she currently makes her home in Seattle, Washington, with her children, husband and psychotic husky. Tarryn writers about villains and loves connecting with her readers on Instagram (@TarrynFisher, 61.9k followers). Visit her at TarrynFisher.com for more information, or check out her fashion blog at GuiseOfTheVillain.com. Tarryn is a Slytherin.

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New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt + 4.5 Star Review: Gilded Lily by Staci Hart

Posted on 12/13/2019 by cafemamanc7

The wait is over! Gilded Lily, the second standalone in Staci Hart’s Bennet Brothers Series, is LIVE! Trust me when I say you do NOT want to miss this one! Lila & Kash are everything. Grab your copy today on Amazon or snag this beauty in Kindle Unlimited today!

They say there’s no such thing as perfect. But I’ve built my life to perfection—the perfect boyfriend, the perfect apartment, the perfect career planning celebrity weddings. My job—my only job—is to make sure every event is absolutely and completely perfect. What’s not perfect? Kash Bennet. And I wish I didn’t find that so appealing. I could have told you every perfectly imperfect thing about the gardener at Longbourne. Like his hair, lush and black and far too long. Or his nose, the flat bridge of a Greek god, bent a little like it’s been broken. Or his size. Beastly. Roped and corded with muscles, gleaming with sweat and peppered with dirt. There’s no escaping him, not if I’m going to use his family’s flower shop for my events. But nothing is what it seems. And in the span of a heartbeat, my perfect life is turned inside out. They say the best way to get over somebody is to get under somebody new. When Kash offers his services to the cause, it sounds like the perfect plan. What’s not part of the plan? Falling in love with the gardener. But they were right—there’s no such thing as perfect. And I’m the fool who finds out the hard way.

A SPADE’S A SPADE

KASH

Heaven existed within the walls of our greenhouse.

The shuck of my shovel against the iron wheelbarrow was the second hand on my day. Rich soil mounded on my spade, and I transferred it into the bed of Black-eyed Susans, turning it to feed the sleepy dirt already gathered at the flowers’ feet. I caught sight of the snowy top of my father’s head between stalks of amber amaranth down the row where he knelt, hands in the earth. He hummed along with the music playing from the portable speaker on our work cart, and with another shuck, I drove my shovel back into the wheelbarrow. It was peaceful and familiar, the rhythm of our day, the slanting sun, the humid air and smell of flowers. I’d worked in my family’s greenhouse during high school—as had all my siblings—but where they made their way into the world, I hung back, content to hang back at Longbourne with Dad, unable to leave Mom without anyone to fuss over. And if there was one thing Mrs. Bennet required from life, it was someone to fuss over. I found myself smiling at the thought. She’d see us all married off—in fact, she played the matchmaker like it was her full time job—but I had to wonder what she’d do with herself once we were all gone. Press us for grandchildren and divert her attention to them, if the rest of the Bennet brood was lucky. The crack of the swinging metal door against the wall wiped that smile off my face. I shot up from my task with a hard look, appalled and accusing, prepared to smite whoever had disturbed our sanctuary. Lila Parker blew in like a gale, heels clicking like hammers against the cement floor. At the sight of her, my fury abated, replaced by a curious wonder and the incremental slowing of time that always accompanied her entrance. She was a study in white, pristine and stern in a pantsuit that belonged in some fancy lady’s luncheon, not a greenhouse. Her legs were ten miles long in those white pants, the matching jacket cut low. A sliver of silken nude fabric was the only thing to mar the line of her cleavage, which my eyes followed before climbing up her lily-white skin, up the long column of her neck, to the set of her uncompromising little jaw. God, she was pretty when she was mad. Shame she had a boyfriend. I’d known Lila since high school, the notorious rule follower and teacher’s pet, thumbing her nose at the trouble the rest of us got in and refusing invitations to parties in favor of SAT prep. Her sister, Ivy, worked here then and stuck around like I had, and though Lila’d had every opportunity to join the gang, she’d happily declined. She’d ignored me then, and she ignored me now, outside of storming into our flower shop to get onto us—or me specifically—for whatever wedding we had, were, or would provide flowers for. As a high-profile wedding planner, I supposed that was her right. The only bearable thing about it was the chance to give her just a little hell, simply because I knew she could take it and I could take whatever she gave back. As she approached, her lips set in a firm line, red as blood against the milk of her skin. The bridge of her nose was short, though long enough to look down at everyone from her high horse—or high heels, as it were—but her eyes always struck me beyond all else, cool and gray as a winter’s afternoon, tight with suspicion, hard with the bite of demand. Incongruent to the impeccable, pallid shades of snow was her hair, a shining crimson too bright for all that ivory. It was as perfectly right as it was utterly unnatural, the only indicator that she ran on hot coals and gasoline, just waiting for a match to strike so she could ignite. Just as she had once a week—typically in my direction—since she’d started using Longbourne’s flowers for her events. That red hair bounced with every click of her heels as she rounded the corner of the aisle and marched toward me, her eyes narrowing another tick when they met mine. Tess, our lead florist, followed with an apologetic look on her face. My lips tilted higher on one side. And with a shield of calm, unaffected charm in place, I leaned on the handle of my shovel, ready to catch whatever Lila threw at me. “Coral,” she snapped as she approached. “You were supposed to give me coral chrysanthemums for the Berkshire wedding, and you sent pink.” She stopped a few feet in front of me, crossing her arms. I offered an easy smile. “I cut those flowers myself, picked the best stock from our Gigi mums, just like you asked.” “Then why were they the wrong color? Do you have any idea the tantrum Johanna Berkshire threw over those flowers? She tried to get me fired.” A chuckle through my nose. “Sounds like she needs to get some real problems.” She eyed me as she drew a breath to fuel her furnace. “For years, my sister has begged me to bring Longbourne business, and I refused for exactly this reason. If it hadn’t been for all your recent press, I never would have put my ass on the line. But if I say coral, I expect coral. Not pink. Not fuchsia. Not goddamn watermelon or flamingo or anything but coral.” “Sorry, Ms. Parker,” I answered lazily. “Won’t happen again.” “You’re damn right it won’t.” “How about we issue the Berkshires a partial refund for the trouble?” Suspicion sparked in her gaze. “I’m sure that would help.” “Then consider it done.” Those cool eyes narrowed even more. “I need someone to come to a venue in Midtown to measure for arbors and garlands. They’ve requested an archway, and one of you needs to come take the measurements.” Dad cast me a glance that said not it. The way Tess glared at the back of Lila’s head, I figured she’d just as soon claw her in the back with a hand rake than help her measure anything. Lila’s sister Ivy—who was a florist at Longbourne—was entirely too pregnant to measure anything but her uterus, and Wendy, our newest addition, just wasn’t experienced enough. My brother Luke might have done it, but something told me I wanted to be the one to handle Lila Parker. “Sure. When and where?” “Tomorrow, if you can manage it. I can meet you at three, 49th and 5th. I’m going to need an archway long enough for the wedding party to stand inside, and the arbor will need a special design built in the shape of a triangle. It’s at the—” She paused, lips flattening. “Shouldn’t you be taking notes?” I tapped my temple. “Got it all right here.” Color rose in her cheeks as she drew a slow breath through her nose. “I really think you should write it down.” “What, don’t trust me?” “I don’t know what instills more faith—that you can’t tell the difference between shades of pink or that your shirt says Can You Dig It? on the front.” I glanced down at my chest, flicking at a streak of dirt like I gave a shit what she thought. “Listen, Priss. I’ll be where you say, when you say, ready and at your service.” A pause while she stared me down, seeming to weigh her options. “All right, Filthy. Can you at least wear a clean shirt? This venue books for two-hundred-thousand per event, and I don’t want to have to get you in through the service entrance.” “Deal,” I said, extending a hand in challenge. It was as filthy like she’d said, with crescents of dirt under my nails and enough soil in the creases of my palms to grow zucchinis. Her eyes dropped to my hand, and for a moment, I was positive she’d refuse. But somewhere in that pretty little head of hers existed some form of manners and a healthy helping of pride, so she slipped that spotless, manicured hand into my dirty, callused one. It was soft and warm, though her fingers were strong, gripping my hand and pumping it once, firm and definitive, before taking it back. Instantly, I felt guilty for daring her—her skin was spoiled with streaks and flecks of dirt. To her credit, she didn’t even dust it off. Instead, she held up her chin and gave me a quietly confrontational glare. “I’ll give Ivy the exact address. At least I know she’ll write it down.” “Whatever you have to do,” I said, returning my forearm to the handle of the shovel, not missing the flick of her eyes to my shoulders and the cross of my arms. “Tomorrow, then. Don’t be late.” She tugged tugged the hem of her jacket, straightening it to match the yardstick that was her spine, and once again I lamented taking her hand. A scuff of dirt now sullied the very edge of that white tailored coat. Before I could apologize, she turned on her heel to walk away. What she didn’t realize—the cat had taken up post directly behind her. The moment stretched as she tilted in a successful attempt to avoid impaling Brutus with her heel, and when that heel came down, it caught in the seam of concrete. Her long legs twisted, arms shooting out for balance but finding none. Fast, but not fast enough, I moved for her, the shovel hitting the ground with a clang as that pristine white ass of hers landed flat in the Black-eyed Susans and that fresh coat of soil I’d just laid down. Brutus took a seat next to Tess’s feet, curling his tail around himself and watching Lila with what I swore was a wry smile. My urge to laugh was so intense, it caught in my chest, frozen by the sheer outrage on her face and utter hysteria of the sight of her, so clean and white against the browns and greens and golds of the flowerbed. A slow heave of her chest as she breathed fire. The pink of her cheeks flaring to red. The gray of her eyes igniting into a cruel shade of blue, illuminated by the inferno of her thoughts. I stepped up, unable to school my face as I extended a hand, this time to help her up. But she scowled, slapping my hand away. “I’ve got it,” she shot, planting her palms in the dirt to push herself up. As I backed out of the way, I watched her swipe at her ass, too furious to realize she’d only smudged the dirt around. Tess removed her hands from her mouth, unable to right her face any better than I had. “Here, let me help you—” “I said, I’ve got it.” Lila’s voice was deadly calm, and at the sound, Tess pinned her lips between her teeth and stepped out of the way. “Tomorrow,” Lila snapped at me over her shoulder, smoothing the shining waves of her hair, which remained undisturbed by her tumble. “See you then,” I answered with a nod. And then I watched that dirty ass stride proudly out the door. The second it swung closed, laughter bubbled out of Tess, and at the sound, there was no containing my own. Even Dad joined in, shoulders shaking gently. “Oh, the poor Susans,” Tess said, swiping at a tear. “Look, her ass print is still there,” she squeaked before succumbing to another bout of laughter. “The look on her face,” I said with the shake of my head. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody so mad. Not even you, Tess.” “And that’s saying something,” she added, resting her palm on her belly like she’d just done a hundred sit-ups. “God, if Ivy and Lila didn’t look like twins, I’d never believe they were related.” “I didn’t remember her being this…” I started. “Bitchy?” “I was gonna say bossy, but okay.” Tess sighed. “She wasn’t kidding about sticking her neck out. She’s handling this huge celebrity wedding on her own, and her senior is a total asshole, breathing down her neck and micromanaging her at every turn. Addison is constantly looking for reasons to throw Lila under the bus, and if we screw up, Addison will blame Lila. But even though she’s a pain, the business is good for us. Archer Events handles the biggest weddings in the city, and that’s putting us in the spotlight. We’ve just gotta deal with all the stress that comes with doing weddings.” “Like bridezillas and entitled wedding planners?” I asked. “Exactly.” Tess sighed. “Although, I don’t know what we’re going to do with Lila when Ivy is on maternity leave and isn’t here to manage her. Today was bad enough, and Ivy was just at a doctor’s appointment.” Dad dusted off his hands. “If she got past you, Tess, I fear for us all.” “I tried to tell her it wasn’t your fault,” Tess said, her eyes full of apology. “Those flowers went through three florists before it got to the wedding—which I told her—but she stormed right past me to yell at you about it.” I shrugged. “Don’t worry about me, Tess—I can handle her.” At the disbelieving quirk of her mouth, I added, “I mean it. She can get as mad as she wants and I won’t get riled. I’ll hold the bucket so she can dump all her rage into it, and when she’s empty of it, I’ll get whatever done that she needs done. Trust me when I promise you this—Lila Parker cannot get to me.” At that, Tess laughed. “Famous last words.” And oh, if I’d only known how right she was.

Tracey’s Review

I have a confession to make up front…I have never read a book by Staci Hart before. Why, I couldn’t tell you, because I sure loved the heck out of GILDED LILY, the second book in her Bennet Brothers series. I wasn’t sure that this book was going to work for me, because, at first meeting, Lila was not my most favorite character. Driven, totally Type A, and not particularly nice, Lily has worked hard to secure her place as event planner to the A-list. But as I got to see more of her, and especially after spending more time with Kash, a whole other side of Lila emerges, and it’s like the sun coming out. Kash, the master gardener, nurtures and cares for her in a way that previous lovers have not, and the Lila that emerges is lovely in every way. Kash. Kash Bennet is the real deal of book boyfriends, y’all. He is the most literally down-to-earth of the Bennets, being so like his father, and his earthiness, his easiness about himself and with others, make him an ‘0h, my gosh, yes’ kind of hero. And, although it doesn’t seem like it to start, he is just what Lila needs, and, surprisingly, she is perfect for him, as well. GILDED LILY is an easy 4.5 star read for me, and one that I happily recommend. It is witty, sensual, and heartwarming, and should be on the book stacks of romance readers everywhere. Now, for the rest of the Bennets… ❤️

Want more Bennet Brother goodness?

Grab Coming Up Roses, the first stand alone in the Bennett Brothers series, available now on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited!

Everyone hates parts of their job. Maybe it’s the paperwork. Maybe it’s the day-to-day grind. Maybe it’s that client who never knows what they want, or the guy who always cooks fish in the microwave. But not me. I love every corner of the Longbourne Flower Shop, every flower, every petal, every stem. I love the greenhouse, and I love Mrs. Bennet, my boss. I love creating, and I love being a florist. I don’t hate anything at all. Except for Luke Bennet. The Bennet brothers have come home to help their mom save the flower shop, and Luke is at the helm. His smile tells a tale of lust, loose and easy. He moves with the grace of a predator, feral and wild. A thing unbridled, without rules or constraint. When he comes home to save Longbourne, I almost can’t be mad at him. Almost. He doesn’t remember that night I’ll never forget. That kiss, touched with whiskey and fire. It branded me like a red-hot iron. But it meant nothing to him. Everyone hates part of their job, and I hate Luke Bennet. Because if I don’t, I’ll fall in love with him.

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life — a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can’t forget that. She’s also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She’s been a wife, though she’s certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She’s also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she’s been drinking whiskey. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics.

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New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt + 4.5 Star Review: Crime and Periodicals by Nora Everly

Posted on 11/15/2019 by cafemamanc7

Crime and Periodicals, an all-new sweet and swoony romance from Nora Everly, is available now!

In Green Valley, Tennessee everybody knows everybody, but nobody knows Sabrina Logan.

Sabrina has been hiding in plain sight for years. Living her life inside of books, dutifully helping her family, and hoping no one will notice her. So far? Mission accomplished!

Yet when sexy—and distrustful—sheriff, Wyatt Monroe returns to town with his daughters, he definitely notices the quiet librarian everyone else overlooks. The single dad can’t seem to shake thoughts of shy Sabrina. Without quite understanding the impulse, Wyatt makes his mission finding her again, so he can . . . well, he’ll just have to reckon with that later.

What Wyatt discovers is a woman who trusts too easily, but who’s afraid to live. Trust doesn’t come easily to Wyatt. But living? That’s never been a problem.

And he’d sure like to show her how.

‘Crime and Periodicals’ is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#2 in the Green Valley Library series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Download your copy today or available in Kindle Unlimited!

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Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2kxGGhZ

Excerpt

“Wow, he can dance,” I observed.

I gasped when Wyatt’s hand on my waist slid up my side then up the underside of my arm to take my hand from his shoulder and link our fingers together. It was just like in Dirty Dancing, except I was facing him instead of away like in the movie. His grin grew a little bit wicked right before he used both of my hands to turn me. His front was now at my back with our arms crossed in front of us.

I felt his warm, hard body behind mine and I felt…way too much. Tingles covered every square inch of me. The air felt different against my skin; I was burning up.

His chin dipped low to rest on my shoulder. “Are you okay?” he whispered into my ear. His breath ruffled the hair against my neck, and I shivered.

“Yes,” I whispered. Then I nodded in case he didn’t hear me. I felt his stubbled jaw graze the side of my face and I began to experience heretofore unknown feelings. My perception of what was possible for my life shifted. My brain had disengaged, and I floated along on pure sensation.

We rocked side to side like that—closer than I’d ever been to anyone in my life. His chest rose and fell against my back as his arms tightened around me and he sighed against my hair. The last of my conscious thoughts dissolved and I succumbed to pure feeling. His body moving against mine became my world. His hands in mine kept me tethered, lest I float away on this cloud of sensation that was gradually becoming overwhelming.

I had never felt anything like this. I never even thought feelings like this were possible in real life. In romance novels, sure. But to feel such contentment laced with giddiness right now was something I had not expected. Before I could succumb to the spreading tingles and dwindling brain power and embarrass myself, he raised our arms up high and twirled me around and around underneath them. I giggled and squealed. Apparently, I was that girl—a squealy, laughing, girly girl. But maybe we were all that girl in the right circumstance.

He was right. I did not need to know how to slow dance when I was with him. We danced close; so close his knee was between my legs. I delighted at the feel of his soft, warm skin when he placed one of my hands on the back of his neck. He moved his free hand low on my waist, hooking his thumb in my belt loop to guide me in slow, small circles over our spot on the dance floor, then back and forth using his hands to push me out and pull me back into his body. He coaxed me where I needed to go. I felt weightless and graceful.

The whole bar and everyone in it disappeared until it was just us dancing together, bathed in the moonlight filtering in through the high windows, and the little lights—so much like stars—illuminating the dance floor with their tiny rays. As the song ended, he spun me out and then back up against his body to dip me low with his arm wrapped tight around my waist. He grinned down at me with those gorgeous lips and beautiful chocolate brown eyes and I—I would never forget this moment—not ever.

Tracey’s Review

Once in a while a book comes along that just makes you feel like a million bucks, from first to last. I opened CRIME AND PERIODICALS by author Nora Everly, and I couldn’t stop smiling to save my life. Nora is a new to me author, writing as part of the Smartypants Romance line, but this will not be the last of her books that I read.

Sabrina Logan just absolutely stole my heart. Nerd at heart, shy, she’s the least assuming sexy librarian that I’ve ever read. Her family (well, and her books, of course) are her world, and she would do anything for them. She is the star of every scene that she’s in, and I would absolutely love to see more of her in books to come. Major character crush going on here.

Wyatt Monroe, well, y’all, he is the perfect match for Sabrina. You might not think so, being that he’s a manly man, well-known and well-liked, and supremely sure of himself. But he and Sabrina mesh so well that it’s just magic watching their coupledom unfold.

Nora has written a book that is a great fit for the Pennyverse (that’s Penny Reid, if you don’t know), quirky, cute, romantic, and absolutely tug-at-the heartstrings perfect. I obviously cannot say enough good things about CRIME AND PERIODICALS. From main characters that I adore, secondary characters that steal the show (Harry and Ruby, I’m looking at you), and a small town setting that feels like home, this book is a winner all around. Smartypants, you have another winner on your hands! ❤️

About Nora Everly

Nora Everly is a lifelong bookworm. She started reading the good stuff once she grew tall enough to sneak the romance novels off the top of her mother’s bookshelf and it has been non-stop ever since.

Once upon a time she was a substitute teacher and an educational assistant. Now she’s a writer and stay at home mom to two small humans and one fat cat.

Nora lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family and her overactive imagination.

Connect with Nora Everly

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Website: https://www.noraeverly.com/

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New Release, Excerpt and 2019 Favorite- 5+ Star Review… Landon & Shay: Part One by Brittainy C. Cherry – The Landon & Shay Duet

Posted on 11/04/2019 by shellbellereads

You know what they say…

All’s fair in the game of love and war—especially the heartbreaks.

Landon & Shay: Part One, an all-new second chance romance by Brittainy C. Cherry, is available now!

Shay Gable hated my guts, and I hated hers, too.

We went out of our way to avoid one another at all times. When she came my direction, I went the other. When we locked eyes, she’d turn and walk away.

All of that changed the day I was presented with a challenge. It started out as a stupid bet: make Shay fall in love with me before I fell in love with her first.

That was an easy bet for me to win.

I didn’t love, I hardly liked.

Yet slowly the game started to shift. Shay made me crave things I never knew I wanted like love, happiness, and her.

The closer we grew, the more she challenged my darkness, and the parts I kept locked away.

The hurts.

The pains.

The truth.

The game between us became too real, our feelings intermixed, and the risks of hurting one another grew higher.

But you know what they say…

All’s fair in the game of love and war—especially the heartbreaks.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

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

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/LandonShay1

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2khPhFv

Pre-order the emotional conclusion, Landon and Shay: Part Two, releasing on December 4th!

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

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/landonshay2

Be notified FIRST when Landon & Shay: Part Two goes live: http://bit.ly/2oK1voU

Excerpt

Landon

Spin Seven was a mixture of spin the bottle and seven minutes in heaven. When it was my turn, I reached out to the bottle with no concern about whether or not it would land exactly where I wanted it to go. At fourteen years old, I’d learned how to perfect my spin-seven skills in order to kiss the girl I wanted.

Though, this time, I knew there wasn’t going to be a lot of kissing going on. More like yelling.

The bottle spun and spun, around and around. Shay’s eyes stayed glued to the glass beer bottle. The moment it started to slow down, I watched her lips part as she quietly muttered, “No, no, no,” before it stopped directly in front of her.

The circle began oohing and aahing at the idea that the two sworn enemies were on their way to the closet together for seven minutes straight. They were all here for that show, and I knew the moment we stepped into that closet, the door would be surrounded with people whispering and pressing their ear against it from the outside, trying to catch a snippet of what was going on behind closed doors.

I stood from the circle and gestured toward Shay. “Please,” I offered. “Chickens first.”

She grimaced, her thick, full eyebrows lowering a hair before she pushed herself up from the floor and headed toward the closet in haste. We both stepped inside and stood nose to nose.

“Okay, friends, you know the rules,” Eric said, grabbing the handle of the door. “Seven minutes in heaven—or, in your case, hell. Have fun!” He slammed the door shut, and the moment it happened, Shay whined with irritation.

“I can’t believe I’m locked in here with you for seven minutes. I could think of a million things I’d rather be doing,” she grumbled, probably with a pout.

“Like what?”

“Oh, I don’t know…watching paint dry.”

“Well, since we’re here, we should probably spend our time wisely,” I joked, moving to unbuckle my jeans, knowing it would bother her. I wished I could see the annoyance on her face. I loved when I got under her skin enough to make her nostrils flare.

“Oh my gosh, remove that idea from your mind, Landon, and stop messing with your belt, because there’s no way in hell I’m touching you.”

“I’ve thought about it before,” I said, my voice low and tame.

“Thought about what?”

“Kissing you.”

She huffed sarcastically. “I’m sure that’s not true.”

“You’re right, it’s not.”

“I know.”

It was true, though. It’d happened once—and only once—after Lance’s funeral. I had spent a lot of weeks being out of it, using alcohol to cope with the shitstorm raging inside my head, and I was a bit unstable. If my friends hadn’t been looking out for me, I would’ve probably gone overboard. I remembered walking into school one day and seeing Shay standing there at her locker with a few of her friends. She was laughing and tossing her head back in such a genuine way, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

I kept thinking about how she’d held me weeks prior and stayed with me during the lowest point of my life. She had been there—my enemy—taking care of my scars. And as I’d stared at her in the hallway, I’d thought about thanking her—walking over to her, parting my lips, and giving her my gratitude. I wasn’t used to people doing shit for me with no hope of anything in return, and Shay had done it without any expectations.

I remembered looking at her eyes, and then moving down to her slender nose, and then her cheeks, then those juicy lips.

I wondered how those lips would taste if I used mine against them to thank her. I wondered if she tasted like the candy she was always popping into her mouth. I wondered if she dripped of the angelic sin I always claimed her to be. I wondered for a split second…considered it for a blink in time…and then she slammed her locker, walked away, and I sobered up.

Still, I had considered it.

We both went quiet for a few moments before I cleared my throat again. I didn’t like silence. Silence and I didn’t get along too well. “Just one kiss, Chick. I can keep it a secret.”

“You keep secrets the same way you keep girls. AKA, you don’t—other than Monica.”

“Monica’s not mine.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that she thinks you’re hers.”

I smirked a little. “You jealous of her?”

“Jealous of her having to deal with a guy like you? Never in my life.”

“Whatever you say, Chick.”

“I wish you’d stop calling me Chick,” she snapped. “I hate it.”

“You want a new nickname, sweet cheeks? I can give you a new nickname, sweet cheeks.”

She shivered in disgust. Good. There was nothing I enjoyed more than getting on her nerves. “Not that either.”

“I’ll keep working on it.”

“Or you could just call me by my name.”

“Nah, Shay’s too ugly a name to leave my lips.”

“I hate you.”

“I hate you more.”

“Yeah, but I hate you the most.”

I snickered. “You really think you can get a guy like me to fall in love with you?”

“Yes. I’m positive, actually. People are the easiest to read, and that includes you.”

“You can’t read me, Shay.”

“I can, like an open book.”

“Okay.” I reached into my pocket, pulled out my cell phone, and turned on the flashlight, lighting up the small space. “Read me.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You sure you want me to do this? Reading people is kind of my gift, and you might not like what I have to say.”

“I never like what you have to say, so this time shouldn’t be any different. Go for it.”

She rolled her shoulders back and stretched out her arms as if she was about to deadlift me. “Okay. You’re fake, Landon.”

That was it? That was the big reveal? “What the hell do you mean I’m fake?”

“I mean exactly that. You. Are. Fake. F-A-K-E. Fake. There is nothing real about you. You’re a walking lie.”

I laughed. No joke, I actually laughed out loud, which didn’t happen often for me. It was a deep-rooted, belly laugh.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I questioned. “Everything about me is real. I’m the realist damn person you’ll come across in our town.”

“No,” she disagreed with a shake of her head. “You are the fakest. You’re even faker than the new boobs Carly Patrick got for her eighteenth birthday.”

“What?!” I breathed out, stunned by her words. “I’m not fake, Shay.”

“It’s not a big deal, Landon.” She shrugged her shoulders and went to picking at her nails. “People seem to love your fakeness.”

“I’m not fake,” I argued again, my blood boiling at this point. “Plus, I’ve seen Carly’s boobs up close and personal. Those are straight in-your-face, nips-don’t-flick fake. There is no way in this world I’m more fake than those silicone watermelons. I’m a lot of shitty things, but fake isn’t one of them.”

“Okay then, can you answer a question for me?”

“Anything.”

“How many people know you’re sad?”

“The hell kind of question is that?” I barked.

“A very straightforward one,” she replied. She seemed so cool, calm, and collected—one of the many things I despised about her. It was as if her life was always so solid. I wished for that kind of stable structure, and seeing that she had it annoyed the living hell out of me.

“How long have you been sad, Landon?”

I glanced at my watch. “About a solid three minutes now, because being trapped inside this closet with you is complete hell.”

“Aren’t you the one who wanted to come in here with me?”

“Bad call. A lapse in judgment. I forgot how annoying you are.”

She smiled. She freaking smiled at me, pleased by my annoyance. “Are you going to answer me about your sadness?”

“Are you going to suck my dick?” I replied.

“Do you always do that?” she asked, tilting her head to the left as she studied my expressions. She was doing that thing she did—reading me. Taking note of my movements and the tightness of my jaw, taking in every inch of me.

Don’t let her read your pages, Landon. She couldn’t have even handled my prologue.

All my walls were up, and I wasn’t going to let her knock them down.

“Do what?” I questioned.

“Use sarcasm to shield your hurting.”

“There’s nothing hurting here. Look at this life. I have money, badass parties, and girls throwing themselves at me—why would I have anything to hurt about?”

“Maybe because money, girls, and parties don’t make a person happy. I see how miserable you are in your eyes.”

I grimaced and whisper-hissed, “You don’t know shit about me, Shay.”

“Then how am I able to get under your skin so easily? If that wasn’t true, if you weren’t sad, why would my saying that bother you so much?”

“You don’t,” I calmly replied.

She did.

She was pushing me, making me uncomfortable with the fact that she did seem able to see the parts of me no one else could. Anger was building in my chest, and I needed to defuse it before it became too big.

“Maybe it’s best if we shut up for the rest of the time,” I told her.

“For the second time in my life, I agree with you.”

Shay sat down on the floor of the closet, and I did the same, leaning back against some coats that were hanging. How did seven minutes feel like seventy? Was time moving at all? This was hell.

Then came the silence. The silence that brought out heavy thoughts. Shay could read my mind somehow, and so, when the silence became too much, I cleared my throat and tried to make small talk in hopes of shutting my own brain up. “A chicken and Satan walk into a closet—stop me if you’ve heard this one.”

She laughed a little.

It was quiet and low, and dammit, I’d never heard Shay laugh at anything I’d ever said before, so that was new. What was also new was the small part of me that enjoyed hearing her sound.

“Landon?” she whispered.

“Yeah?”

“Just shut up, all right?”

Yeah, okay.

“One more minute, you horny hatebirds!” Eric called out.

We both stood, and I took a step closer toward her. “I get you not wanting to kiss. That’s intimate and personal, but if you want, this is your last chance to touch my cock while no one’s looking. I won’t stop you.”

“No thanks. I’m allergic to peanuts,” she said so effortlessly and loudly, causing the crowd on the other side of the door to burst into laughter.

Shay smirked again, feeling proud of her little dig at me. That beautiful, annoying smirk I loved to hate.

Shay: 1

Landon: 0

I wasn’t worried, though. The game was just getting started. She might’ve scored one point, but I wasn’t going to let it happen again. We were playing on my field, and Shay didn’t know what she was up against.

_________________________________

Michel’s Review

***2019 Favorite***

I get so excited every time Brittainy C. Cherry releases a new book. I know I am in for a reading experience that will play on all of my emotions while being thoroughly entertained. Brittainy takes her readers along on the life journey of all her characters. Her characters become our friends, our family, and a part of our hearts. As readers we identify with all aspects of their lives including the struggles, failures, and victories. We celebrate their growth as individuals. Most of all we celebrate their ability to love unconditionally and accept it without reservation.

Readers met Landon and Shay in Brittainy’s previous novel, Eleanor & Grey. They were the devoted friends and family that always offered their support, strength, wisdom, and unconditional friendship. They were both very strong people who could weather any storm. Never in a million years could I have predicted what was going to be unleashed in their story!

Landon was the life of the party, the one to always bring a sense of joy, and light heartedness. Beneath the surface he’s anything but lighthearted. He suffers from severe depression which goes beyond circumstantial causes. It’s an inherited genetic disorder that needs more than wild parties, wild sexcapades, and recreational drugs can provide. Although his best friend Grey sees some of his pain, he doesn’t know how deep it runs and is deflected by Landon’s ability to hide his pain. There is one person who sees the darkness that lurks beneath the surface. He hates that she can see his demons, he hates that she can see him. He doesn’t want her to see that part of him but at the same time that part of him needs her to help him through the darkness. Shay is the only person who sees his pain. She sees Satan lurking beneath his sexy good looks and irresistible charm. His darkness is desperately reaching out for her even though he despises that need.

Shay has a gift of seeing people for who they are beneath the surface. She has trained herself to look beyond what the world sees. The amazing thing about her gift is her ability to be empathetic, compassionate, patient, kind, and loving. She leaves judgement out of the equation. Landon is the one person she hates because of how careless he is with other people’s feelings, how he uses girls like a revolving door, and how dismissive he is to those who try to help him. She purposely steers clear of him until the day she sees his undeniable pain at his darkest moment. She can’t turn her back on him when he is hurting so badly. She can’t allow him to push her away. Landon isn’t easy and he can push harder because it is easier than reaching out. She’s going to keep pulling him in until he can no longer push back.

Landon & Shay: Part One is only the beginning of this difficult life journey. Somehow I know they are both going to be okay because I saw glimpses of it in Eleanor & Grey. What Brittainy has in store for these two characters is going to take them to hell and back. Without a doubt they are both going to survive the in between and come out stronger people. Together they are going to learn to embrace every side of the human spirit and validate every emotion and feeling they have. They are going to learn to deal with their darkness and reach for the light. They are going to learn the real definition of love and hope. They are going to learn to use these emotions as their coping mechanisms.

In a sense I can’t wait to see what comes next for Landon & Shay but I am preparing myself to experience all aspects of human emotions. Brittainy C. Cherry can take her readers on a beautiful journey no matter what is in store because she has a gift of showing the beauty of the human spirit. That is what makes a great love story!

_________________________________

About Brittainy

Author Brittainy C. Cherry is an Amazon #1 bestselling author.

She has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelor Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing.

Her novels have been published in 18+ countries around the world. Brittainy lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin with her fur babies.

Connect with Brittainy

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https://bcherrybooks.com

New Release + Release Blitz + 5+ Star Review: The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

Posted on 10/28/2019 by cafemamanc7

“A dazzling, thought-provoking, layered romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat. One of the best books of 2019.”

— L.J. Shen, USA Today bestselling author

The Kingmaker, the first in the all-new powerful and emotional All The King’s Men Duet, from RITA ® Award-winning author Kennedy Ryan, is available now!

Enter the $50 Gift Card Release Giveaway: http://bit.ly/TKMRelGiveaway

Power. Passion. Betrayal.

Kennedy Ryan delivers the epic first installment of the All the King’s Men Duet.

Raised to rule, bred to lead and weaned on a diet of ruthless ambition.

In a world of haves and have nots, my family has it all, and I want nothing to do with it.

My path takes me far from home and paints me as the black sheep. At odds with my father, I’m determined to build my own empire. I have rules, but Lennix Hunter is the exception to every one of them. From the moment we meet, something sparks between us. But my family stole from hers and my father is the man she hates most. I lied to have her, and will do anything to keep her. Though she tries to hate me, too, the inexorable pull between us will not be denied.

And neither will I.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

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

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/KingmakerKR

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Tracey’s Review

We are the sky and the sea, and the horizon is where our hearts meet. Every part of that world is made by and from and for just us two.

Read. Devoured. Inhaled. This book set a path straight to my heart, and is holding it hostage. Kennedy Ryan has a way of crafting words, of breathing life into characters, that make them so real, so important. There doesn’t seem to be any topic that she can’t write in such a way as to transfix and transport the reader into the story, and she has outdone herself with this one.

I was hooked from the very first page of THE KINGMAKER. Lennix and Maxim will make you believe in soul mates, two people drawn together, against all odds. They are a couple that shouldn’t work, but hope and love overcome, as they do.

And, yes, their story is unfinished here, but these two are strong, stronger than distance, stronger than passing time, stronger than the forces that want to keep them apart. I can’t wait to see what Kennedy has in store for them, because it is going to be epic.

Pre-order the stunning conclusion, The Rebel King!

Releasing November 17th

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

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TheRebelKing

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2NxEcL9

Be notified FIRST when The Rebel King goes live: http://bit.ly/2oRuDhf

Get notified when The Kingmaker is available on Audio: http://bit.ly/kingmakeraudio

About Kennedy

A RITA® Award Winner and Top 25 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy Ryan writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Her heroes respect, cherish and lose their minds for the women who capture their hearts.

She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine, Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Atlanta families living with Autism, she has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for families living with autism.

Connect with Kennedy

Never Miss A Release! Follow Kennedy on BookBub: http://bit.ly/2HcRuee

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New Release + Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Down Too Deep by J. Daniels

Posted on 10/08/2019 by cafemamanc7

Two single
parents and three adorable kids are about to have a summer they’ll never forget
in this sexy, heartwarming new novel of the New York Times bestselling
series.

Following the sudden death of his wife, Nathan Bell spent
nearly two years burying himself in work and neglecting his biggest
responsibility: his daughter. Overcome with guilt, he wants to connect with
little Marley, but he doesn’t know how to do it alone. And then Jenna Savage
throws him a lifeline.

A single mom of twins, Jenna is more than capable of taking
care of Nathan’s adorable two-year-old and wants to help Nathan however she
can. As the days go by and her attraction to Nathan grows, she can’t help
wondering what might happen if they became a family for real. And the closer
everyone becomes, the more right it feels.

Falling in love forces Nathan to face his biggest fear, and
when hearts — both big and little — are on the line, the only thing scarier
than needing Jenna and her kids so much is losing them all.

AVAILABLE NOW

Amazon | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo

Tracey’s Review

Oh, my gosh, I freaking loved this book! I forget sometimes how J. Daniels absolutely sucks me right the heck in with her books, and, man, I was ALL in for Jenna’s and Nathan’s story. I mean, everything, just EVERYTHING, about this book. I see a book hangover in my future…

It’s hard not to sound repetitive, but, man, I am SO in love with Nathan Bell. My heart just hurt for this man that was so mired in his own grief that he had never been able to look beyond it to connect with his daughter, Marley. When Jenna Savage shows up, she is just the lifeline he’s been missing. Jenna hasn’t had it particularly easy herself, but the circle that she casts is pure light, and Marley and Nathan can’t help but be drawn into it. It’s not long before these two are changing each other in all the best ways.

J. Daniels always writes the perfect mix of angst, steam, and pure unadulterated love, and DOWN TOO DEEP showcases this very well. I was drawn into the story, into the family and friend circle, into the intensity, from the very start, and I did not want to stop reading until the very end. This is what makes a book a 5 star read for me, and DOWN TOO DEEP is not only that, but one of my favorite books of this year.

Nate, Jenna, and their beautiful family will stay with me for a very long time, and I can’t wait to go back and catch up with the earlier books. DOWN TOO DEEP is one for the TBR, reader friends, and I guarantee, it will not disappoint. Make sure to get this one, and enjoy. ❤️

About the Author

J. Daniels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Alabama Summer, Dirty Deeds and Sweet Addiction series.

Best known for her sexy, small-town romances, her debut novel, Sweet Addiction, was first published in 2014 and went on to become an international bestseller. Since then, she has published more than ten novels, including the Dirty Deeds series with Forever Romance.

Daniels grew up in Baltimore and currently lives in Maryland with her husband and two kids. A former full-time Radiologic Technologist, she began writing romance after college and quickly discovered a passion for it. You’ll still catch her in scrubs every now and then, but most of her time is spent writing these days—a career she is eternally grateful for.

Always an avid reader, Daniels enjoys books of all kinds, but favors Romance (of course) and Fantasy. She loves hiking, traveling, going to the mountains for the weekend, and spending time with her family.

To receive an email when she releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! http://bit.ly/jdaniels_newsletter

NEXT RELEASE: All We Want, book six in the sexy and hilariously charming Alabama Summer series. Now LIVE!

She loves meeting and interacting with her readers. Visit her website to see where you can find her! www.authorjdaniels.com

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Release Blitz + Review: Closer by Kylie Scott – A Stage Dive Novella

Posted on 09/24/2019 by shellbellereads

We are beyond excited to be sharing this release from Kylie Scott with you today! CLOSER is part of her Stage Dive series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. It just went live today! Check out an excerpt and book trailer from the title below. Click here to grab your copy now.

Purchase your copy of CLOSER today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

About CLOSER:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kylie Scott comes a new story in her Stage Dive series…

When a stalker gets too close to plus-size model Mae Cooper, it’s time to hire some muscle.

Enter former military man turned executive protection officer Ziggy Thayer. Having spent years guarding billionaires, royalty, and rock n roll greats, he’s seen it all. From lavish parties through to every kind of excess.

There’s no reason some Instagram stylista should throw him off his game. Even if she does have the most dangerous curves he’s ever seen…

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Add CLOSER to your Goodreads TBR here!

Purchase your copy of CLOSER today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Excerpt:

I’d had bodyguards before. But only for events like fashion week or a big shoot. Just for a limited amount of time. My contract with Ziggy, however, was open ended, dependent on the heart in the box situation. Once he’d grilled me about what the police were doing (investigating my entire life), my routine (I don’t really have one. It’s consumed by work), and my calendar for the next few days (I’d freed up time to finish unpacking and then back to work on my lingerie line), he drove me to the gym. There was one I used a couple of times in the apartment building, but I generally do better with some active encouragement and guidance.

Guess Ziggy approved of my Land Rover because he gave it another one of those almost-smiles. I, however, continued to receive the full professional cold front face. This was definitely going to take some getting used to.

“Who’s your shadow?” asked Kwana, my awesome trainer.

I paused mid-lunge, my breath coming hard and fast. “My bodyguard, Ziggy. You like him?”

“He’s pretty. Don’t stop, keep moving.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“You don’t usually have one of them around. Have you been getting hassled or something?”

Kwana stood with her arms crossed, all lean muscles beneath brown skin. Since we were in an open area at the end of the main part of the gym, Ziggy waited over by the wall, just out of earshot. He stood with his arms loose at his side, his gaze constantly wandering a circuit from me—around the room, over to the exits, and back again. Always on alert.

“More a precaution than anything,” I said.

No matter how much I liked Kwana, no one outside my inner circle needed to know about the incident. The fewer people who found out about the gross cow heart and knife the better.

There’d been no further news from the police. Though it was never likely they’d track down a suspect and charge that person the next day.

Case closed, hooray!

BOOK TRAILER

REVIEW QUOTES FOR KYLIE SCOTT’S NOVELS:

“Both light-hearted and deeply passionate, this book was pure rocker perfection.” ― Natasha is a Book Junkie

“Yep, this is one of those. My perfect book. Everything at just the right pace, the right time, the right intensity.” ― Maryse’s Book Blog

“This was absolutely fantastic, I loved it so much! … The plot was original and unique and the characters lovable.” ― Read More Sleep Less

“This was one wild ride that will have you laughing out loud!” ― Miss Petite Brunette Book Blog

“Packed with adrenaline, suspense and red-hot chemistry, this is certainly one to be devoured in a single sitting.” ― Vilma Iris

Michel’s Review

It’s always a delight to read anything written by Kylie Scott. It is an extra bonus when her latest novella is set in the Stage Dive world and we get to re-visit some of our favorite rockers and yes that includes the one of a kind percussionists that doles out dating advice while parenting his puppy. Alas, the Stage Dive members are not the stars of this novella but one of their security team agents, Ziggy Thayer, has been hired to protect their neighbor, plus size super- model Mae Cooper. While Ziggy is all kinds of hot and can rock a suit, he is also good at his job. He’s her to protect Mae.

Mae has a stalker who has been sending bloody gifts that are raising all kinds of warning flags. The stalker has escalated from threatening letters to threatening gifts. Ziggy believes this is only the beginning and wants to find the person behind the threats. Although He loves protecting Mae but would rather put his hands on her a different way. She has won his heart with her down to earth personality and great sense of humor. Why anyone would want to hurt this beautiful soul is beyond him but he knows there are all kinds of crazies in the world. It’s his job to neutralize the crazy.

Mae and Ziggy are dancing around what they really want to do with each other. When the threat is finally eliminated… watch out because these two are going to bring down the house.

Once again Kylie Scott wrote a delightful novella and created fun-loving, likable characters that make the Stage Dive world even more delightful. She added her special blend of snarky humor and sarcasm while also maintaining a sexy romance. I loved it!

Closer is a fun, fast paced novella that will keep the reader fully engaged and entertained.

_____________________

About KYLIE SCOTT:

Kylie Scott is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013 & 2014, 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 Her:

New Release & 5+ Star Review… 2019 Favorite: Where The Blame Lies by Mia Sheridan

Posted on 09/16/2019 by shellbellereads

Where The Blame Lies

By Mia Sheridan

Buy:

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2LyWX0Z
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2miICvr
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2kAnEaU
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2lUm7fO
Amazon FR: https://amzn.to/2kMtkOP
Paperback: https://amzn.to/31iMEmW

*****

Blurb:

Abducted.
Terrorized.
Imprisoned.

At nineteen-years-old, college student Josie Stratton was kidnapped by a madman and held shackled for ten months in an abandoned warehouse before she finally escaped her hellish prison.

Eight years later, when the body of a young woman is found chained in the basement of a vacant house, Cincinnati Police Detective Zach Copeland is instantly reminded of the crime committed against Josie Stratton. Zach was just a rookie on the perimeter of that case, but he’s never forgotten the traumatized woman with the haunted eyes.

As more information emerges, the crimes take on an even more sinister similarity. But Josie’s attacker died by suicide. Does the city have a copycat on its hands? A killer who picked up where the original perpetrator left off? Or are they facing something far more insidious?

Josie has spent the last eight years attempting to get her life back on track, but now there’s a very real chance she could be the unknown suspect’s next target. As Zach vows to keep her safe, and Josie finds herself responding to him in a way she hasn’t responded to any man in almost a decade, the investigation takes on an even more complex edge of danger.

As past and present collide, Josie and Zach are thrust toward a shocking and chilling truth. A revelation that threatens not only Josie’s life, but everything she’s been fighting so desperately to reclaim.

Michel’s Review

*** 2019 Favorite ***

Mia Sheridan’s latest release, Where The Blame Lies, is by far one of her best books she has written. That is saying a lot because this woman can write a book. In this particular book she stepped out of her comfort zone with contemporary romance and wrote a Romantic Suspense / Thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. I read this book in one sitting and was glued to the pages. She kept the readers guessing and when she gave the big revelation of who it was, there were still so many questions as to the why’s and motive. Mia was meticulous with the plot, the timing, the characters, and the revelations. Everything gelled perfectly in this book. What I liked most is the strength of survival and the will to move beyond being a victim. Mia gave Josie power even though she was broken.

I am not going to say anything more because this is a book each reader needs to experience for themselves. It is a page turner!

Read Where The Blame Lies by Mia Sheridan!

________________________________________

About Mia Sheridan:

Mia Sheridan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. Her passion is weaving true love stories about people destined to be together. Mia lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband. They have four children here on earth and one in heaven. Mia can be found online at http://www.miasheridan.com or http://www.facebook.com/miasheridanauthor.

New Release…2019 Favorite… 5+ Star Review- Wild Tendy by Toni Aleo – IceCats Series – Book 2

Posted on 08/30/2019 by shellbellereads

Nico has goals…and she’s number one on his list.
Wild Tendy by Toni Aleo is available now!

Amazon — https://amzn.to/2kbukvL
Universal — mybook.to/WildTendy
Apple — https://apple.co/2LXpayQ
Nook — http://bit.ly/2NXZaWE
Kobo — http://bit.ly/2LncF0c

Nico Merryweather loves women—all women. Sure, they’re sexy and fun. But “Player” is an easy reputation to hide behind, a way to keep the good times rolling and reality at bay. He’s loud, he’s cocky, he says exactly what he’s thinking, and people just laugh it off because they think they know him. But Nico makes sure no one is close enough to know the truth. With a new season starting, he is ready to play the game he can control. They’ll all be watching Nico, the goalie, but they’ll never know the man behind the mask who is just trying to breathe. He hasn’t ever wanted anyone close enough to him to see the truth, until Aviva rams herself into his ass. Literally.

Aviva Pearce’s life is a collection of bad days all wrapped up without a bow. If it can go wrong, it will. All she wants is to run her business, take care of her sister, and keep her head above water. But with a father who is out to ruin her like he has himself and debt trying to drown her, it’s hard to stay afloat. Aviva isn’t the type to waste time dwelling on her misfortunes or to give up, though. She’s got too much fight in her. And she definitely doesn’t have time to waste on the wildly sexy, rich, showboating goaltender everyone wants. She’s got goals.

What she doesn’t know is that Nico has goals of his own.

And she’s number one on his list.

Cover Designer: Lori Jackson Design
Cover Photography: FuriousFotog

Michel’s Review

2019 Favorite

Wild Tendy by Toni Aleo is the second book in the IceCats Series. This new series is a spin off of the Assassins Series and The Bellevue Bullies Series. Like the Assassins series, Toni touches her reader’s hearts by tackling emotional, physical, and social issues that are prominent in today’s society. The reader can easily connect with the characters and embrace them completely . Wild Tendy is by far my favorite book she has written.

Most people think Nico Merryweather is a wild one. He’s a notable player with the ladies and has gained quite the reputation. He is also one of the best goalies in the NHL and has magic gloves. His fans excuse his bad behavior and the ladies encourage it. Nico Merryweather is not as simple or as easy going as most people think he is. His antics are a mask to hide the real Nico, the complex Nico, the Nico with extreme issues. He hides behind his goalie mask and his beautiful looks. His true friends don’t even know all of the man behind the mask. The man who wants something more out of life than casual hookups. The man who wants someone to accept him for who he is. He sees a therapist on a regular basis and is working on his issues. He’s a work in progress.

Aviva Pearce is a young woman down on her luck. She has been raising her younger teenage sister for over nine years. She’s desperately trying to hold onto the family sub shop while trying to get ahead. She’s still paying off her mother’s medical bills and trying to keep her druggie father from stealing what they have. When she plows into the car in front of her because she was distracted by life problems, things change. The hot guy she hit is loaded and trying to score with her. She thinks he wants a hook up until she realizes this guy really wants to get to know her. She had no idea he was the superstar Goalie for the IceCats or the most desirable man in South Carolina. It doesn’t matter, she doesn’t have time for a hook up much less a relationship. She has her little sister to deal with, a demanding business, and growing medical bills. The women in their family have a genetic curse and she’s determined to save her sister from it.

Life is hard but both Aviva and Nico have the strength to face all of it’s challenges. They just have to be willing to share their secrets and accept their realities.

I absolutely loved this book because both characters were vulnerable to things they couldn’t change but had the strength to live with it. I loved how they shared their challenging lives through their hearts rather than their heads. It was truly a beautiful story that will inspire so many people.

I saw Toni Aleo at the Naughty In Nashville book signing and had to give her a big thank you and hug for writing this book. This book showcased the true meaning of love and the inspiration to never lose hope!

About the Author:

My name is Toni Aleo and I’m a total dork.
I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.
I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!
When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughter’s dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and reading the latest romance novel.
I have a slight Disney and Harry Potter obsession, I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, I might have been a Disney Princess in a past life… probably Belle.
… and did I mention I love hockey?

Connect with Toni!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonialeo1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToniAleo1
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/toni_aleo/
Intagram: https://instagram.com/tonialeo1/
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2yGqqR6

Release Blitz & 5+ Star Review: Wild Tendy by Toni Aleo -IceCats Series – Book 2

Posted on 08/27/2019 by shellbellereads

Nico has goals…and she’s number one on his list.
Wild Tendy by Toni Aleo is available now!

Amazon — https://amzn.to/2kbukvL
Universal — mybook.to/WildTendy
Apple — https://apple.co/2LXpayQ
Nook — http://bit.ly/2NXZaWE
Kobo — http://bit.ly/2LncF0c

What she doesn’t know is that Nico has goals of his own.

And she’s number one on his list.

Cover Designer: Lori Jackson Design
Cover Photography: FuriousFotog

Michel’s Review

Life is hard but both Aviva and Nico have the strength to face all of it’s challenges. They just have to be willing to share their secrets and accept their realities.

About the Author:

Connect with Toni!

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: 2019 Favorite

New Release + Release Blitz: The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

THE WIVES by Tarryn Fisher is LIVE!!!

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The wait is over! Gilded Lily, the second standalone in Staci Hart’s Bennet Brothers Series, is LIVE! Trust me when I say you do NOT want to miss this one! Lila & Kash are everything. Grab your copy today on Amazon or snag this beauty in Kindle Unlimited today!

A SPADE’S A SPADE

KASH

Want more Bennet Brother goodness?

Grab Coming Up Roses, the first stand alone in the Bennett Brothers series, available now on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited!

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New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt + 4.5 Star Review: Crime and Periodicals by Nora Everly

Crime and Periodicals, an all-new sweet and swoony romance from Nora Everly, is available now!

New Release, Excerpt and 2019 Favorite- 5+ Star Review… Landon & Shay: Part One by Brittainy C. Cherry – The Landon & Shay Duet

You know what they say…

All’s fair in the game of love and war—especially the heartbreaks.

Landon & Shay: Part One, an all-new second chance romance by Brittainy C. Cherry, is available now!

New Release + Release Blitz + 5+ Star Review: The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

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— L.J. Shen, USA Today bestselling author

The Kingmaker, the first in the all-new powerful and emotional All The King’s Men Duet, from RITA ® Award-winning author Kennedy Ryan, is available now!

New Release + Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Down Too Deep by J. Daniels

Release Blitz + Review: Closer by Kylie Scott – A Stage Dive Novella

We are beyond excited to be sharing this release from Kylie Scott with you today! CLOSER is part of her Stage Dive series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. It just went live today! Check out an excerpt and book trailer from the title below. Click here to grab your copy now.

Purchase your copy of CLOSER today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

About CLOSER:

Purchase your copy of CLOSER today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Excerpt:

BOOK TRAILER

REVIEW QUOTES FOR KYLIE SCOTT’S NOVELS:

About KYLIE SCOTT:

New Release & 5+ Star Review… 2019 Favorite: Where The Blame Lies by Mia Sheridan

New Release…2019 Favorite… 5+ Star Review- Wild Tendy by Toni Aleo – IceCats Series – Book 2

Release Blitz & 5+ Star Review: Wild Tendy by Toni Aleo -IceCats Series – Book 2

THE WIVES by Tarryn Fisher is LIVE!!!

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The wait is over! Gilded Lily, the second standalone in Staci Hart’s Bennet Brothers Series, is LIVE! Trust me when I say you do NOT want to miss this one! Lila & Kash are everything. Grab your copy today on Amazon or snag this beauty in Kindle Unlimited today!

A SPADE’S A SPADE

KASH

Want more Bennet Brother goodness?

Grab Coming Up Roses, the first stand alone in the Bennett Brothers series, available now on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Website | Newsletter

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Crime and Periodicals, an all-new sweet and swoony romance from Nora Everly, is available now!

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You know what they say…

All’s fair in the game of love and war—especially the heartbreaks.

Landon & Shay: Part One, an all-new second chance romance by Brittainy C. Cherry, is available now!

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Like this:

“A dazzling, thought-provoking, layered romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat. One of the best books of 2019.”

— L.J. Shen, USA Today bestselling author

The Kingmaker, the first in the all-new powerful and emotional All The King’s Men Duet, from RITA ® Award-winning author Kennedy Ryan, is available now!

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We are beyond excited to be sharing this release from Kylie Scott with you today! CLOSER is part of her Stage Dive series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. It just went live today! Check out an excerpt and book trailer from the title below. Click here to grab your copy now.

Purchase your copy of CLOSER today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

About CLOSER:

Purchase your copy of CLOSER today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Excerpt:

BOOK TRAILER

REVIEW QUOTES FOR KYLIE SCOTT’S NOVELS:

About KYLIE SCOTT:

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