Happy Release + Review : One More Shot by Victoria Denault – Hometown Players Series – Book 1

Posted on 06/03/2015 by shellbellereads

One More Shot

Hometown Players Series – Book 1

By Victoria Denault

Synopsis

They say you only get one shot at making your dreams come true.

Jordan is determined to take two.

Drafted by the NHL at eighteen, Jordan Garrison was headed for fame, and there was only one person he wanted to share it with-Jessie Caplan. He was crazy in love with her, and had finally told her so. They shared an amazing night . . . and then everything fell apart.

Jessie tries not to think about the night she gave herself to Jordan-or how he broke her heart. She tries not to think about it, but she does. Especially now, when she’s staring into his sky-blue eyes for the first time in six years. After so much time and torment, she can’t tell if she loves him or hates him. But Jordan has learned enough to know a connection like theirs is rare. He was lucky to find Jessie once. No way will he lose her again.

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Michel’s Review

One More Shot is the debut novel by Victoria Denault. This New Adult book has everything that fans of this genre look for in a book. The overall theme has so many things that readers love in romance. There is the friends to lovers theme. The second chance romance theme. The sports romance theme. And finally the small town romance theme.

Victoria Denault did an excellent job creating the atmosphere for this book. The reader was quickly drawn into the small world of Silver Bay, Maine. A world where mostly everything revolves around hockey. The younger generation wants to escape the small town life any way that they can. For Jordan Garrison and his brothers, hockey is their ticket out. For the Jessie Caplan and her sisters, education is the only way out.

Jessie and Jordy have been best friends since the third grade. Their families are close. Both have had crushes on each other since they hit puberty. One high school party and a cheating boyfriend lead to opportunity that neither Jessie or Jordy expected. It leads to them finally professing their love for one another. It leads to the loss of Jessie’s virginity. This should be the most wonderful thing in their lives and it could be, but this new found love has very bad timing. Both Jessie and Jordy are at the point in their lives where they have to make choices about their future. Jessie has applied to various colleges for a physical therapy degree. She is hoping to get a full scholarship. Jordan is going into the NHL draft. He is hoping to be drafted by a good team. He wants Jessie to go with him once he finds out what team he will be playing for.

Miscommunications, interferring manipulative ex girlfriends, and tons of insecurities will rip these two apart before they can really develop a strong intimate relationship. It will cause their relationship to go from a loving relationship to hateful enemies. It will change their families relationships. It will define how they both live in the future. Six years later they finally have to face the music to their destructive demise.

Jessie and Jordan will have to face each other once again and put the past to rest. The funeral for Jessie’s grandmother in Silver Bay, Maine will set the next stage of their relationship in motion. They have both grown up. They are both different yet deep down still the same. They both still love each other with all their hearts. Can they get past the hurts and mistrust to build the future they were meant to have together.

I really enjoyed One More Shot by Victoria Denault. At times I felt that Jessie and Jordy behaved more like immature high school kids but in the end it made sense. That was how their relationship stalled and once they let go of that they were able to act their age. I loved the secondary characters and look forward to the next book in the series.

Add One More Shot to your summer reading list. It will not disappoint.

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Author Bio

Victoria Denault loves long walks on the beach, cinnamon dolce lattes and writing angst-filled romance. Before focusing exclusively on writing novels Victoria was a journalist, a stand-up comic and dabbled in acting. She has lived in many major cities across North America, spent her childhood summers in Maine and adult summers in Spain. She’s now happily settled in Los Angeles with her husband and their two chubby Chihuahuas.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + Review + Giveaway: Falling Hard by Helenkay Dimon- Bad Boys Undercover Series – Book 2

Posted on 05/29/2015 by shellbellereads

Falling Hard

Bad Boys Undercover – Book 2

By Helenkay Dimon

Synopsis

After a grueling assignment with the black ops force known as the Alliance, Weston Brown is craving downtime. Instead, he’s pulled into his deadliest operation, in the one place he never wanted to see again. No-nonsense and so damn hot, Lexi Turner lied to get him to her mountain clinic in Pakistan. But the threat is terrifyingly real.

Lexi has been asking too many questions, drawing the wrong kind of attention. As soon as she lays eyes on West, she can tell he’s quiet—yet tough—and has a rescue complex which will come in handy for going up against the world’s most ruthless gunrunners.

Cut off from the rest of the Alliance, Lexi and West navigate the brutal terrain and a primal sexual attraction. Sticking around has never been West’s way, but now he’ll use every resource to keep Lexi by his side, safe from a killer who leaves no loose ends behind.

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Excerpt

Breathing in, forcing the adrenaline buzzing through him to slow, West eased his grip on his gun.

The whole attack probably took less than two minutes, but it dragged in West’s head. He lived every second in slow motion. Always did.

Suddenly he was facing down the barrel of a nasty assault weapon. An AK-103 or something similarly problematic in the hands of someone aiming it at his head. To add to the fun, this one had a grenade launcher attached to it. Which was just fucking fabulous.

West’s gaze traveled over the shaking arms to the white-knuckle grip on the plastic. Then to her face. A brunette of the shockingly hot variety. Not that he cared about that on a job.

He didn’t like shooting women, but he would. He had. An enemy was an enemy, and he waited to see if that’s the tack the victim-turned-potential-attacker took.

“Two roads diverged.” She spit out the not-so-random sentence, and the dark energy spinning around the room eased.

“Well, damn,” West whispered, stunned to hear the code from her.

Josiah lowered his gun as he finished the agreed-upon signal. The one the doctor provided and insisted on, citing faulty short-term memory and a love or Robert Frost. “Sorry I could not travel both.”

She blew out a long breath as the stiffness across her shoulders eased. “Thank God you’re here.”

West tagged her as American but definitely not male, which made little sense under the circumstances. But she wasn’t firing at random, so he considered that a bit of good luck.

Still, a potential novice with a weapon was an invitation to get his nuts blown off, and he sure as hell didn’t agree to that when he signed Alliance’s employment contract. “Ma’am, I need to you put that gun down.”

She blinked a few times before her gaze went to her hands. It was as if she forgot she took it off the dead guy when he dropped it. “Why?”

West chalked the confusion up to the chaos of the last few minutes. Still, shock and bullets rarely mixed well. “I don’t want to be shot.”

Her chin came up as she nodded at him. “That makes two of us, so you lower your weapon first.”

Okay, chaos or not, her attempt to order him around was pretty fucking hot. Kind of brave, too. “No.”

Not dropping his guard, West took a second to study her. Long hair, half in and half out of a ponytail, huge whiskey brown eyes, and the sexiest pouty mouth he’d ever seen. He couldn’t make out her frame under the olive pants and oversized long-sleeve tee but he guessed curvy.

Not just pretty but lose-the-ability-to-spell sexy. Of course that could be the gun. Something about a woman holding a weapon turned him on, sick twist that he was.

“I’m not really giving you a choice,” he said, more to stall than anything else.

Josiah moved in, step by small step, as if not to scare or rattle her. Pretty soon two trained men would almost be on top of her, and then it was just a matter of time until one of them wrestled the weapon away from her.

And that’s how it would end because there was no way West was heading back home after this and listening to the shit he would get from Bravo if he let a hot brunette get the jump on him and take a shot. He had a badass shoot-anything reputation to uphold.

“At this distance I can blow your balls off,” she said,

looking ready to do just that.

Then again . . . “Okay, that’s a solid argument.”

Michel’s Review

Wow… what a great release for summer. Falling Hard by Helenkay Dimon is sizzling! This book is packed full of action, adventure, suspense, and romance. It can be read as a stand alone novel or in series order. I would highly recommend reading the previous books because this series is exciting.

Weston Brown swore he would never go back to Skardu, Pakistan after his stint over there in the Marines. He experienced one of the worst missions in his career. Now he is forced to go back on a voluntary mission to rescue a valuable asset. He is supposed to get in, obtain asset, get out, and debrief asset. It should be a simple mission. Nothing is simple when it comes to Skardu, Pakistan. The asset he is sent for is not what he expected. It is a woman. This woman is the assets daughter and has used his code for rescue.

Lexi Turner stumbled upon an illegal weapons ring while working in her father’s clinic in the mountains of Pakistan. She uses her father’s codes to contact US intelligence. Lexi has set a very deadly game in motion that could cost more than her life.

Weston and Lexi will be on the run and trying to get out of Skardu in one piece. There is a master plot with deadly actions in place. They need to find the mastermind behind this evil game before he makes his final move. The game has never been more dangerous.

Falling Hard will keep the reader on the edge of their seats. The non stop action and hair raising suspense will keep the readers glued to the pages. The romance is an added bonus that will make the readers swoon and become more invested in both of the characters.

Helenkay Dimon has once again wrote another thrilling book! Read Falling Hard.

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Bad Boys Undercover Series

Running Hot – Intro Novella

HelenKay Dimon kicks off her hot new romantic suspense series, Bad Boys Undercover, featuring the fierce men of Alliance— and the only women capable of taming their hearts

Camped out at a resort bar in Fiji, CIA operative Ward Bennett may look like he’s on vacation but he’s really deep undercover, hunting a dictator on the run. Ward may be on the job, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time for the sexy female bartender. That is, until she drugs him.

When Tasha Gregory discovers the hottie on the barstool isn’t who he pretends to be, her MI6 training kicks into gear, and she has no choice but to take him out. Problem is, Ward’s not an easy man to put down for long. More than once, his interference almost blows her surveillance operation—and her ability to keep her heart to herself.

As the situation heats up, these two must decide whether they can trust one another—and quick. Working together might just make everyone safer, but getting close enough for comfort … might just get them killed.

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Playing Dirty – Book 1

As an elite Alliance agent—the joint undercover operation of MI6, the British Secret Intelligence Service, and the CIA—Ford Decker lives for the adrenaline. But when he befriends sexy property manager Shay Alexander in hopes of finding her cousin, a known national security threat, Ford crosses the line, getting to know her better . . . in bed.

After being burned by her last relationship, Shay wants to take things slow. Yet she can’t keep her hands off the drop-dead gorgeous hottie who’s moved into her apartment building. So when Ford’s identity as an undercover agent is exposed, his betrayal cuts deep. Shay never wants to see him again, but Ford can’t let her go, not when her life is still in danger. He will sacrifice everything to protect her, then be prepared to walk away from the only woman he’s ever loved, even if it breaks him.

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Falling Hard – Book 2

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About Helenkay Dimon

HelenKay Dimon is a former divorce attorney turned full-time romance author. Odd transition, right? She has sold over thirty novels, novellas and shorts to numerous publishers, including Kensington, Harlequin and Penguin, Samhain, Carina Press, and HarperCollins. Her nationally bestselling and award-winning books have been showcased in numerous venues and her books have twice been named “Red-Hot Reads” and excerpted in Cosmopolitan magazine. But the best part of the job is never having to wear pantyhose.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

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Blog Tour + Review: Deep Down by Brenda Rather

Posted on 05/29/2015 by shellbellereads

Deep Down

by Brenda Rothert

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I’m
falling.

Faster.Further.Deeper.

Sometimes you fall so hard you can’t get back up. My closest companions now are
shame and loss. But a sliver of hope lies in the only person I have left in
this world – the one who’s growing inside me.

Survival becomes living again because of my child, and the town where I begin
anew. That’s where I meet the man who starts to melt the ice inside my heart.

As we get closer, reminders of my past become sharper. Clearer. To confront the
pain, I have to discover what’s deep down inside me. Is there enough left there
to become whole again, or am I too wounded to heal?

**Warning** This book has mature content that some readers may find troubling.
It is intended for readers 18 and up.

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Today I’d eaten lunch in a closed bathroom stall at school to avoid the stares. And instead I got to listen to Mandy Barton telling two other girls that she’d slept with Levi last night to comfort him over what his slutty girlfriend had done to him. They’d speculated about who the father of my child was, eventually deciding on Mr. Schultz, a teacher and coach at my school whom I’d never even spoken to. I was on the outskirts of our small city, walking past a rusted, abandoned factory, when a car slowed to a stop nearby. I turned to see a marked police car. A familiar sick taste rose in my throat. My dad was giving me a puzzled glance from a rolled down window, his elbow resting on the door. “Ivy, what are you doing out here? It’s the dead of winter and you’re miles from home.” “What are you doing here? Are you following me?” My icy tone was challenging. What was there to be afraid of now? He’d stolen the vulnerable, trusting part of me. He’d shown me that there was no one in my life I could count on. “I was on patrol and I saw you,” he said, glaring at me. “Get in the car and I’ll drive you home. We need to talk.” “Talk? Is that code?” I spat out bitterly. His face was a mix of contrition and anger. “Ivy. Let’s not do this. Get in the car.” “No.” “What’s this I hear about you being pregnant? Is it true?” A powerful wave of nausea swept through me. He didn’t deserve to know, and he certainly didn’t deserve to ask me about it.

Tracey’s Review

Having been warned beforehand that this book contains emotional triggers, I have to say that I was still unprepared for just what those might be. Brenda Rothert has managed to tackle a subject that is uncomfortable at best, unthinkable in actuality, with grace and sensitivity.

Ivy Gleason may well be one of the strongest heroines that I have ever had the opportunity to read. She has suffered loss of the greatest degree, and betrayal by those that should have only had her best interest at heart. The decisions that she makes are more mature and selfless than I could possibly imagine, given the circumstances that she’s endured. And the fact that she is able to love so openly and to trust again is nothing short of inspirational. Brenda’s ability to create a character that touched me so personally is a true testament to her craft.

And Reed, wonderful Reed. His love of Ivy, and his acceptance of her once he fully understands the truth of all that she has experienced, is the stuff that romantic heroes are made of. Their love story is gentle and takes time to mature, but is nonetheless sexy and heated.

Deep Down is the first in Brenda’s new Lockhart Brothers series, and I look forward to reading about all of the brothers. In the meantime, this is a 4.5-star emotional, heartbreaking, uplifting read, and I couldn’t recommend it any more highly.

*** ARC provided for an honest review ***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Brenda
Rothert lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three sons. She was a
daily print journalist for nine years, during which time she enjoyed writing a
wide range of stories. These
days Brenda writes New Adult Romance in the Contemporary and Dystopian genres.
She loves to hear from readers by email at bjrothert@sbcglobal.net.

Happy Release + Review : Under The Lights by Shannon Stacey – Boys of Fall Series – Book 1

Posted on 05/27/2015 by shellbellereads

Under The Lights

Boys of Fall Series- Book 1

By Shannon Stacey

Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Kowalski Family novels, a sweet, sexy new series about taking hits, making second chances, and finding love…

They were the golden boys of fall: Stewart Mills High School’s legendary championship winning football team. Fourteen years later, they’re back to relive their glory, save the team—and find themselves again…

Chase Sanders’s life has taken a lot of crazy turns lately. But returning to his hometown to help his old coach keep his high school football team afloat might be the craziest thing to happen to him yet. That is, until he starts falling for the last person he should—Coach’s gorgeous daughter…

Kelly McDonnell learned the hard way that cocky, charming men are nothing but trouble, so she knows Chase is bad news. Still, she can’t resist his smile—or the rest of him. But when his loyalty to her father conflicts with their growing attraction, any hope for a relationship might be blocked before it can even begin…

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Michel’s Review

Shannon Stacey has a new series out that blends the magic of small town romance she is well known for writing. In her new series Boys of Fall, she is featuring guys that played for the high school champion team fourteen years prior. They were legends in their home town. Like most small town youth, these guys moved on to bigger and better things after high school. They moved as far away as they could. Fourteen years later they are brought back home to help out their coach raise money so that the high school can keep their football team.

Chase Sanders was the running back for the champion Stuart Mills High School team. He is now in the construction business in New Jersey. His life is falling apart. His girlfriend has cheated on him and dumped him. His business partner has ran off with all his company’s money. He is losing jobs and his good reputation. He broke and broken.

One phone call gives him a reprieve from the disaster his life has become. He is summoned back to Stuart Mills to help raise money for the high school football team. His old coach was his mentor and gave him more in life than his family did. He would do anything to help him.

When he gets to Stuart Mills his life will change drastically. He forgot how small town life was. People were invested in one another for all the right reasons. Sure they may know each others business but it is still a far cry from city life.

Chase will once again get acquainted with his coaches daughter Kelly. Kelly has become a strong beautiful woman with a sense of integrity, compassion, and strength. He is attracted to her. He can only let the attraction go as far as a vacation affair. He has nothing to offer Kelly with his life being in shambles.

After reconnecting with his old football buddies, the town members, the high school ball players, his coach’s family, and Kelly; Chase will begin to see things in a different light. Kelly may be the new beginning he needs. Stuart Mills may be the place he can once again call home.

I enjoyed the first book in the Boys of Fall series. All of the characters and town members came to life. Shannon Stacey weaves magic in small town romance. I look forward to the next books in this series.

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Shannon Stacey married her Prince Charming in 1993 and is the proud mother of two incredible sons. She lives in New England, where her two favorite activities are trying to stay warm and writing stories of happily ever after. Her two cats refuse to curl up on her lap and keep it warm while she writes, but her Shih Tzu is never far away.

When she’s not writing, she’s indulging in her other passion—four wheeling! From May to November, the Stacey family spends their weekends on their ATVs, making loads of muddy laundry to keep Shannon busy when she’s not at her computer.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release: Back To You by Lauren Dane – Hurley Boys Series – Book 3

Posted on 05/27/2015 by shellbellereads

Back To You

Hurley Boys Series – Book 3

By Lauren Dane

Synopsis

What won’t he do for a second chance?

Former model Kelly Hurley has finally put the ashes of the past behind her. After a passionate but turbulent marriage to rock star Vaughan Hurley that ended in heartbreak and divorce, Kelly rebuilt her life in Portland, where she settled so their two young daughters could be close to their father. Just not so close Kelly couldn’t truly make her own way without interference from the man who shattered her heart. Now Kelly’s finally ready to move on, and she’s planning to marry another man.

But not if Vaughan has anything to say about it.

Vaughan knows he was a fool all those years ago. A young, selfish—and prideful—fool. Even as he buried himself in the fast, decadent rock-star lifestyle, he could never drown out the memory of Kelly’s beauty and love. Or the sweet, searing heat whenever they touched. For years, he’s had to deal with the pain of seeing her only because of their daughters, but it was never enough. Now Vaughan must prove that he’s the only man Kelly needs, before he loses her for good. And there’s only one way to do it…

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Michel’s Review

Back To You by Lauren Dane is the third book in the Hurley Boys series. It is a second chance romance. It is also a romance that shows the importance of family dynamics. It can be read as a stand alone novel or in series order.

Vaughan Hurley has been a spoiled rockstar until he gets a wake up call that makes him re evaluate his life and previous actions. His ex wife has announced that she is getting remarried after eight years of being single. Eight years ago he didn’t value the love and relationship he had with her. He always figured that she would always be around when he was finally ready to settle down. It was never a question of loving her. It was about his freedom and pursuit of his rock n roll career. Now he is singing a different tune and it may be too late.

When their oldest daughter is admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery, Vaughn is determined to be around for his daughters. He’s determined to be a better parent. He’s determined to be partner with Kelley where his daughters are concerned. He’s going to prove that he has grown up and changed. He’s ready to put his family first.

Vaughan will have to prove himself over and over before Kelley begins to trust him once again. After all she caught him cheating on her when she was pregnant with their second child. He let her take the blame for their failed marriage. He allowed his family to treat her badly for years. Through it all Kelley persevered. She put her daughters first. She gave them a stable home and dependable parent. She allowed them to have a relationship with Vaughan and his family without clouding her children’s judgement of them. She wants Vaughn to be more in their lives but is she willing to risk her heart once again?

Kelley and Vaughan will have a tough journey in front of them. They will have to learn to live together as a family. Vaughn will have to learn the skills of daily parenting. They will have to learn to communicate as lovers as well as parents.

I have to say I admired Kelley’s strength of character. She never once allowed Vaughn to walk all over her. She recognized her weaknesses and strengths. I admired how she was able to move past the terrible treatment she has endured from Vaughan’s family for years. She never allowed her personal feelings interfere with her childrens relationship with Vaughan’s family

Lauren Dane has a gift with expressing family dynamics in her books. She shows the importance of these relationships while adding a beautiful romance.

I would highly recommend reading Back To You by Lauren Dane.

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The Hurley Boys Series

She has complete control…and he’s determined to take it away

A librarian in the small town of Hood River, Natalie Clayton’s world is very nearly perfect. After a turbulent childhood and her once-wild ways, life is now under control. But trouble has a way of turning up unexpectedly—especially in the tall, charismatically sexy form of Paddy Hurley….

And Paddy is the kind of trouble that Natalie has a taste for.

Even after years of the rock-and-roll lifestyle, Paddy never forgot the two wickedly hot weeks he once shared with Natalie. Now he wants more…even if it means tempting Natalie and her iron-grip control. But there’s a fine line between well-behaved and misbehaved—and the only compromise is between the sheets!

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Broken Open – Book 2

Beyond passion. And beyond their control…

Five years ago, Tuesday Eastwood’s life collapsed and left her devastated. After an empty, nomadic existence, she’s finally pieced her life back together in the small Oregon town of Hood River. Now Tuesday has everything sorted out. Just so long as men are kept for sex, and only sex…

Then she met him.

Musician and rancher Ezra Hurley isn’t the man of Tuesday’s dreams. He’s a verboten fantasy—a man tortured by past addictions whose dark charisma and long, lean body promise delicious carnality. But this craving goes far beyond chemistry. It’s primal. It’s insatiable. And it won’t be satisfied until they’re both consumed, body and soul…

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Back To You – Book 3

What won’t he do for a second chance?

But not if Vaughan has anything to say about it.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

______________________

About Lauren Dane

Lauren Dane has been writing stories since she was able to use a pencil, and before that she used to tell them to people. Of course, she still talks nonstop, and through wonderful fate and good fortune, she’s now able to share what she writes with others. It’s a wonderful life!

The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + Review : Delivered Fast by Annabeth Albert – Portland Heat Series – Book 3

Posted on 05/26/2015 by shellbellereads

Delivered Fast

Portland Heat Series – Book 3

By Annabeth Albert

Synopsis

Portland, Oregon, aka Hotlandia, where the coffee shops, restaurants, and bakeries are ready to serve everything piping hot, fresh, and ready to go—like the hard-working, hard-bodied men behind the counters—with no reservations…
Sure, Chris O’Neal has problems. His restaurant is still co-owned by his ex. His flannel-and-tattoos style is making him accidentally trendy. He can’t remember the last time he went out and had fun. But he’s not lonely, he’s driven. And the hot bakery delivery boy is not his problem, no matter how sweet his buns.

Chris is old enough to know Lance Degrassi’s sculpted good looks and clever double entendres spell nothing but trouble. Lance is still in college—he should be hitting the clubs and the books, chasing guys his own age, not pursuing some gruff motorcycle-riding workaholic. Especially when he’ll be leaving for grad school in a few months. But Lance keeps hanging around, lending a hand, charming Chris to distraction. Maybe some steaming hot no-strings indulgence won’t hurt.

Then again, maybe it will…

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Tina’s Review

Judging a Book by it’s Cover:
I’m undecided on the cover. I’ve liked the torso shots from the previous installments to the series, so this unclothed close-up seems unnecessary to me. The synopsis was, honestly, not important to me, I was looking forward to reading Lance’s story.
Looking Deeper:
First Person POV from Chris’s perspective. Chris has been solo and celibate since breaking off a not-great relationship with his ex-, who also unfortunately is half-owner of the coffee shop he runs. Lance is a vibrant and intelligent young man, preparing to start graduate school in the fall after his current semester of college is over. Lance has his eye on Chris and although Chris is mutually attracted, he fights it because of their age difference and how it reminds him of the damaging relationship he had with Randy.
In many ways, Lance came off more mature than Chris, maybe because of the support network Lance had and/or the lack of for Chris. Both characters were well-written, but I think I liked Lance’s vitality over Chris’s curmudgeonly ways. The secondary characters were just enough to add a little fun to the mix. Dialogue was great, the interactions were good. Most felt natural and believable. The plot was good, but it felt a little thin, like something was missing. The previous stories seemed fuller, but always, the flow of writing was smooth as melting butter on a biscuit. The conflict was resolved in a great way, not rushed or belittled. I did predict the outcome, but that did not detract from the story and the conclusion was fantastic. I hope there will be more books in this series. Although this novella can easily stand on it’s own, Lance’s cousin Vic is mentioned often and has a cameo or two. He’s one part of BAKED FRESH’s couple, so I’d recommend starting the series from the beginning, because even Robby (SERVED HOT) is given a quick nod in here.

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The Portland Heat Series

Served Hot

Portland Heat Series – Book 1

Genre: GLBT, M/M, Gay

By Annabeth Albert

Synopsis

In Portland, Oregon, the only thing hotter than the coffee shops, restaurants, and bakeries are the hard-working men who serve it up—hot, fresh, and ready to go—with no reservations…

Robby is a self-employed barista with a busy coffee cart, a warm smile, and a major crush on one of his customers. David is a handsome finance director who works nearby, eats lunch by himself, and expects nothing but “the usual”—small vanilla latte—from the cute guy in the cart. But when David shows up for his first Portland Pride festival, Robby works up the nerve to take their slow-brewing relationship to the next level. David, however, is newly out and single, still grieving the loss of his longtime lover, and unsure if he’s ready to date again. Yet with every fresh latte, sweet exchange—and near hook-up—David and Robby go from simmering to steaming to piping hot. The question is: Will someone get burned?

First in the new Portland Heat series!

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Baked Fresh

Portland Heat Series – Book 2

By Annabeth Albert

Synopsis

From its famous coffee to the mouthwatering fare at its cafés, restaurants, and bakeries, Portland, Oregon, has a lot to whet the appetite, including the hard-working men who serve it all up—hot, fresh, and ready to go—with no reservations…

Vic Degrassi is a baker on the rise, and it’s all thanks to his rare ability to make—and keep—his New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s losing weight, giving up smoking, or graduating from culinary school, Vic goes after what he wants—and gets it. This year? He wants Robin Dawson, the sweet-hearted hottie who volunteers with him at the local homeless shelter. When he learns that Robin is suddenly single after being unceremoniously dumped, Vic is more than happy to offer a shoulder to cry on—or at least a fresh-baked pastry to bite into. But it’s been a long time since Vic’s gone on a date, and he’s nervous about risking his friendship with Robin. So when their flirtation turns into a steamy night together, Vic and Robin have to figure out if they’re friends with benefits or lovers in the making, and if Robin is ready for something more than just a rebound. There’s only one way to find out: turn up the heat…

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Delivered Fast

Portland Heat Series – Book 3

By Annabeth Albert

Synopsis

Then again, maybe it will…

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

________________________________________________

Author Bio:

Frequent tweeter, professional grammar nerd, and obsessive reader, Annabeth Albert is also a Pacific Northwest romance writer in a variety of subgenres.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Summer Reads… Down The Shore by T. Torrest

Posted on 05/24/2015 by shellbellereads

Down The Shore

By T. Torrest

Synopsis

DOWN THE SHORE
A rock-and-roll romantic comedy.

Livia Chadwick is a photographer by day and a self-proclaimed rock slut by night.
Her dating life is a lackluster parade of evasive jerks and
her boss is an unrelenting nightmare of a human being.
What else can a girl do but rent a beach house with her girlfriends
And blow off a little steam every weekend?
But hey, she’s from Jersey. Barhopping down the shore all season is sort of mandatory.
All is going according to plan… until she meets Jack.

Jack Tanner is a contractor-turned-musician in a small-town cover band
suddenly thrust into the limelight.
He’s already had enough of the rock-and-roll lifestyle, and groupies have never been his thing.
Then again… there’s a gorgeous brunette in the audience tonight, checking him out with the most incredible green eyes he’s ever seen.

She’s looking for a fling.
He’s looking for forever.

It’s gonna be one helluva summer.
Set in the summer of 1995, DOWN THE SHORE takes the reader on a tour through some of the Jersey shore’s hottest hot spots over one, sleepless, flannel-clad summer.
It’s a look back to a time when the music was groundbreaking, the rock clubs were king,
and bar bands ruled the world.

***Not recommended for anyone under the age of 18, and/or any readers who are slut-shamers, guido sympathizers, beach haters or anti-music. Other people who should walk away from this book immediately: Readers who have sticks up their butts about offensive language, those who don’t like detailed sex scenes in their stories, idiots who think “Jersey Shore” has anything to do with actual New Jerseyans, and anyone who can’t appreciate the mother-effing nineties.***

READ WHEN YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR:
Light, sexy, funny, romantic, and nostalgic.

Buy: Amazon / B & N

Michel’s Review

Down The Shore by T. Torrest is the perfect book to welcome in Summer. It is the perfect combination of beach parties, summer vacations, rock n roll, and romance. I absolutely enjoyed this book!

Liv Chadwick is not your typical heroine. She is in a class by herself. She knows what she wants and one of those things is not a permanent boyfriend. She is a self acclaimed rock star slut, not a groupie mind you, because she appreciates any rock n roll talent. She doesn’t want promises, she doesn’t want freebies, and she doesn’t want future hook ups. She loves music. She loves men. She loves sex. What 23 year old woman wouldn’t?

Liv and her friends have rented a house on the Jersey Shore for the summer. Although she relishes the summer beach party life, she is still a working girl. She’s at home during the week and on the beach on the weekends. Life couldn’t get much better.

But it does get better. She meets the hot upcoming rock star Jack Tanner. He has the same social group as she does. He is wickedly talented and wickedly hot. Liv has set her sights on her next rock star conquest.

Jack Tanner has other things in mind when he meets Liv. He’s tired of the casual hookups. He wants a real relationship even though he just got out of a bad one. His music is fun but not his real goal in life. He just wants to have a nice girlfriend that can enjoy his music, friends, and family. Now he has to convince Liv to go for it.

Jack and Liv come to an agreement. Ten dates before sex. This gives Jack a chance to show Liv who he is and what they can have. Liv is reluctant. By the end of ten dates she’s singing a new tune. She’s ready to be the girl Jack wants.

Life has a way of getting in the way. Before summer is over both Liv and Jack will be nursing broken hearts. Can they move on in their lives after they have had the summer that only happens once in a lifetime?

Liv and Jack a caught up in the current. Can they find the life raft that will save them both? Can they find that summer never really ends. They will have to swim through murky waters before they can come ashore. Once they are back on solid ground they will learn more about who they are and what they want.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!

Author Bio:

T. Torrest is a New Adult fiction writer from the U.S. She has written many books, but prays that only a handful of them will ever see the light of day. Her stories are geared toward readers of any age that know how to enjoy a good laugh and a dreamy romance.

Ms. Torrest was a child of the eighties, but has since traded in her Rubik’s cube for a laptop and her Catholic school uniform for a comfy pair of yoga pants. She likes pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. She’s not much into health food, but she does enjoy talking about herself in the third person.

A lifelong Jersey girl, she currently resides there with her husband and two sons.

She also LOVES to get friend requests on goodreads and facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/TTorres… and personal messages from readers via email ttorrest@optonline.net

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Review: Shadow Of Doubt by Tiffany Snow – The Tangled Ivy Trilogy – Book 2

Posted on 05/22/2015 by shellbellereads

Shadow of Doubt

The Tangled Ivy Trilogy – Book 2

By Tiffany Snow

Synopsis

Ivy Mason has it all: beauty, a plush apartment, a fancy car, and a debonair British spy boyfriend who pays all her bills. If only her boyfriend was in her life—and her bed—more than just sporadically.

Part of an underground British agency called the Shadow, Devon Clay knows that secrecy is what has kept him alive. Anyone he loves is a liability, and being involved with him puts the other person in grave danger. Yet Ivy is someone his heart can’t resist.

When an enemy from Devon’s past returns, the spy and his girlfriend are thrown headlong into an international conspiracy that puts everyone Ivy loves at risk. From the Missouri River bottoms to the brothels of Amsterdam, Ivy and Devon must outrun and outmaneuver the forces allied against them, and no one can be trusted.

Michel’s Review

If you are looking for an action packed, high suspense, international thriller, and sexy romance , take an adventure with The Tangled Ivy series by Tiffany Snow. This series makes James Bond look like a pre schooler on the international playground. The books must be read in order because it is an ongoing adventure where the stakes are high.

Shadow of Doubt opens where In His Shadow left off. It appears Ivy Mason is living the dream. She has a high end apartment, beautiful clothes, and one hot sophisticated spy boyfriend. The only problem is that the sophisticated spy boyfriend is MIA more than he is in her bed. She goes weeks and months without seeing or hearing from him. When he does show up their time is very fleeting. He refuses to give her more. She is beginning to feel used. She is feeling like a kept woman.

When one of Devon Clay’s enemies shows up in Ivy’s apartment the game has changed. Her life is in danger. She has no way to contact Devon. The only thing she can do is turn to her friend in the FBI for protection. But even the FBI can’t protect Ivy. The stakes are too high and there is more than one player after her. Her secret is out, she is a commodity because of what she carries around in her body. All the players in the game are ruthless. She needs Devon to protect her and destroy the enemies at bay. Devon may show up when it’s far too late.

Devon will be facing many choices. His career makes impossible for him to settle into any kind of relationship. He has powerful enemies that would use any person he loves as a bargaining chip. He is falling in love with Ivy but knows he has to let her go. When Ivy’s life is on the line Devon will have to choose between Ivy and his career. He will learn who his true enemies are. No one can be trusted.

Ivy and Devon will face international terrorists, mortal enemies, and danger beyond the norm. They will be running from more than one enemy. Each enemy has their own agenda.

This book ends on a major cliffhanger that will have the readers biting their nails.

I highly recommend The Tangled Ivy Series.

_____________________

The Tangled Ivy Series

In His Shadow

The Tangled Ivy Trilogy- Book 1

By Tiffany Snow

Synopsis

Ivy Mason is hiding—from her past, from herself, and from anyone who could love her. The only kind of love she’s ever known hurts, leaving scars on her body and soul. Now, her world may be boring and predictable, but that’s exactly what she wants. Until Devon Clay walks into her life.

A lonely man in a deadly profession, Devon works as an agent for an underground British agency known only as the Shadow. Nothing about him is safe or ordinary. The danger that consumes his life turns into an addiction Ivy can’t resist…even if it proves fatal.

As Ivy’s past begins to catch up with her, she wonders if love really is the twisted thing she’s always thought it was. Maybe it could be more with this man, who’s shown her that she doesn’t need to protect herself from everyone. Is what she feels for Devon worth the risk? He may save her heart or break it, if she manages to stay alive.

Shadow of Doubt

The Tangled Ivy Series – Book 2

By Tiffany Snow

Synopsis

______________________________________________

About Tiffany Snow

I love to stick with characters over a series of books when I read, which is the same way I write. My first series – THE KATHLEEN TURNER SERIES – includes five books, two companion novels, and features a love triangle. My new series, coming from Montlake Romance December 16, 2014, is the TANGLED IVY TRILOGY, beginning with IN HIS SHADOW.
As for me, I’ve been reading romance novels since I was way too young to read such things, have an unhealthy obsession for all things Doctor Who, prefer Pepsi to Coke and Absolut to both, think men who drink girly cocktails are wusses, have learned to never stop believing in my beloved St. Louis Cardinals, and can recite the entire scripts of When Harry Met Sally and Apollo 13. George Washington is cool, Bon Jovi still rocks the house, and Bruce Willis is the ultimate alpha-male hero. Most of all, romance never, ever gets old.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Review: Sincerely, Carter by Whitney G. (aka Whitney Garcia Williams)

Posted on 05/20/2015 by shellbellereads

Sincerely Carter

By Whitney G. ( aka Whitney Garcia Williams )

Synopsis

Just friends.
We’re just friends.
No, really. She’s just my best friend…

Arizona Turner has been my best friend since fourth grade, even when we “hated” each other. We’ve been there for one another through first kisses, first “times,” and we’ve been each other’s constant when good relationships turned bad. (We even went to colleges that were minutes away from each other…)

Throughout the years, and despite what anyone says, we’ve never crossed the line.

Never thought about it.
Never wanted to.

Until one night changed everything.
At least, it should’ve …

Just friends.
We’re just friends.
I’m only saying this until I figure out if she’s still “just” my best friend…

Buy: Amazon

Robin’s Review

***Review may include spoilers for those who have not read Sincerely, Carter.

Sincerely, Carter is my first novel written by Whitney Gracia Williams. I love stories written about friends who become lovers. I have heard many positive comments about Whitney G, so I decided to give Sincerely, Carter a try. The writing in this story is exceptional, and at times, quite humorous. I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions! Carter and Arizona are awesome characters. I enjoyed reading about their friendship as it evolved over the years. The chemistry between Carter and Ari is through the roof, especially when they first become lovers. Their relationship is sweet, sexy and hilarious.

I adored Sincerely, Carter until I reached the 75% mark. I understand readers need to see tension between Carter and Arizona so the story meets the criteria of a romance novel, but the amount of time they are separated at the end of the novel is entirely too much for me. I found this completely frustrating, especially when you couple their separation with an abrupt ending to the novel. I would have enjoyed more story about Carter and Ari at the end of the novel, or at the very minimum, an epilogue. Perhaps more story would have made me feel more tolerant about the length of time they were apart.

After some deliberation, I have decided to give Sincerely, Carter an overall 4-star rating, but I also feel the larger part of this novel deserves 4.5 to 5 stars. I understand every individual has unique opinions, and I am positive other readers will enjoy the entire story. I do recommend Sincerely, Carter, and I look forward to more stories from Whitney G!

Author Bio:

A self diagnosed candy addict, travel junkie, and hypochondriac, Whitney Gracia Williams LOVES to write about characters that make you laugh, cry, and want to (in the case of Selena Ross) reach through your Kindle and slap them.

She is the “imaginary bestselling” author of the Jilted Bride Series, Mid Life Love, Wasted Love, and Captain of My Soul.

When she’s not locked inside her room, feverishly typing away on her laptop, she can be found here:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Falling For His Best Friend by Katee Robert

Posted on 05/19/2015 by shellbellereads

Falling For His Best Friend

Out of Uniform Series – Book 2

By Katee Robert

Synopsis

Avery Yeung’s biological clock just went off early. Thanks to her family’s medical history, she’s running out of time to get knocked up. And the only guy within donating distance? Her overprotective—and irritatingly hot—best friend. So clearly she needs an anonymous donor…

Anonymous donor? Over Sheriff Drew Flannery’s dead body. While daddyhood will never be in the cards for a man with his past, Drew won’t let Avery shop for a “popsicle pop.” He’ll do what’s right for his best friend by doing his best friend. But only if they do it properly.

But there’s nothing “proper” about it. Between the bed, the kitchen counter, and against his squad car, Avery and Drew are having the hottest sex ever. They can’t get enough of it—or each other. And without knowing it, they’ve crossed the one line that could ruin their friendship forever…

See where it all began with book 1 of the Out of Uniform series, In Bed with Mr. Wrong.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Photo of sensual kissing young couple

Excerpt

He jumped, and then climbed to his feet when Avery did, and followed her to the plump older nurse. She smiled at them, making him wonder if she were someone’s grandmother—the kind who made cookies and read bedtime stories and…

What the hell was he even thinking?

As soon as they turned the corner from the waiting room, she handed him a small clear cup that had a sticker with his information on it. “You’ll put the specimen in here, please.”

The nurse opened a door. “You can leave the cup in the room when you’re done.” She smiled at Avery. “You’re welcome to go into the room with him, but we ask that you ensure there’s no saliva or other fluids involved so you don’t contaminate the specimen.”

Avery made a choked noise. “That’s so not going to be a problem.”

The nurse laughed and patted her shoulder. “I’ve heard that one before, honey. I’ll just leave you to it.”

He barely waited for her to disappear back around the corner before he turned to examine the room. It looked like an entire frat house’s stash of porn had exploded in there. “Isn’t this a little much for a few tests?”

She looked at him like he was an idiot. “How else are you going to get your engine running?

Besides, this isn’t about tests—though I’m sure they’ll run a few. You wanted to help me make a baby, so let’s make a baby. Now go get ‘em, Champ.”

Jesus Christ. She expected him to leave a specimen so the doctor could shoot it up her…

Apparently when they’d talked about making a baby, something had gotten lost in translation.

“You’re shitting me.”

“Nope.” She slid past him into the room and meandered around, stopping in front of the television and eyeing the collection of DVDs on the shelf next to it. “Oh, look, they have Busty Blondes #37. I seem to remember you having one of these videos back in high school.”

He grabbed her shoulders and tried to steer her away from the shelf. “Not interested.”

Truth was, his inspiration for self sessions had migrated toward pretty Asian women who looked a whole lot like the one standing in the room with him.

“If you’re not into the DVDs, they have magazines, too.” She poked one with her finger. “Though this one appears a bit crusty.”

“Christ, stop touching things. Do you know what men do in here?”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, Drew, that’s kind of the point. They come in here, watch or read whatever tickles their fancy, and then masturbate into that sanitary little cup right there.”

When she said ‘masturbate’ he thought his head might actually explode. “Avery—”

“Are you worried about hitting your mark? That is kind of a small cup. Want me to go find something bigger?”

God, she was killing him. It would have been so much more bearable if he thought she was kidding, but Avery was drop dead serious. It was a sign of her nervousness that she hadn’t cracked a joke since he got into her Jeep.

He couldn’t do it.

Tina’s Review

Judging a Book by it’s Cover: The colors and cover design attract the eye. The synopsis sounds like it will be a fun friends-to-lovers story with a healthy dose of trouble-making.
Looking Deeper:
Alternating third-person POV’s. Drew and Avery have been each others best friends since childhood; each being the other’s source of comfort, confidante, and solace. They learned the one another’s nuances and knew how to support the other in any given mood. But now, it seems things may be shifting in a different direction. She’s fast approaching 28, the age both her mother and sister were diagnosed with cancer and could not have children after, she’s in a race to get pregnant. Drew refuses to let his best friend go at it solo with some random baby daddy’s swimmers, so he volunteers for the job.
I’m guessing by the plot drops that Drew’s brother, Ryan, and Avery’s best friend, Bri, are the couple from book one. There’s enough of a background given on it to make me want to go back at a later time and read it. That said, this book can and does stand very well on it’s own. The characters are thoroughly enjoyable and completely likable. The dialogue is natural and interactions are believable. The plot is a whole lot of fun, while sprinkled with some highs and lows and the story line progressed smoothly at a perfect pace. The conflicts were resolved well in a timely manner as they arose. Predictability was virtually non-existent. The conclusion was good, but it felt cut short. The epilogue felt like a jump time jump, leaving the final conclusion a bit open ended; making you wonder about the pink or blue, a wedding, the crotchety grandparents, the heartsick sister… even still, I enjoyed the heck out of this one & would recommend the series to anyone who enjoys a bit of smart and sassy with their steamy, sexy.

About Katee Robert

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. She found romance novels at age twelve and it changed her life. When not writing sexy contemporary and speculative fiction romance novels, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her wee ones, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

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Category Archives: 4-Star

Happy Release + Review : One More Shot by Victoria Denault – Hometown Players Series – Book 1

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Blog Tour + Review: Deep Down by Brenda Rather

Happy Release + Review : Under The Lights by Shannon Stacey – Boys of Fall Series – Book 1

Happy Release: Back To You by Lauren Dane – Hurley Boys Series – Book 3

Happy Release + Review : Delivered Fast by Annabeth Albert – Portland Heat Series – Book 3

Summer Reads… Down The Shore by T. Torrest

Review: Shadow Of Doubt by Tiffany Snow – The Tangled Ivy Trilogy – Book 2

Review: Sincerely, Carter by Whitney G. (aka Whitney Garcia Williams)

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Falling For His Best Friend by Katee Robert

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