Category Archives: 4-Star

ARC Review: Cowgirl Crazy by Becky McGraw

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Synopsis 

Twyla Taylor is one frustrated cowgirl. She’s not winning at barrel racing or in love. She’s spent ten years nursing a crush on her brother’s best friend, Ryan Easter, who thinks of her as no more than his little sister. When Twyla catches Ryan with yet another no-good buckle bunny, and calls him out, he tells her to get a life, and that is exactly what she decides to do. One that does not include a buckle-bunny-chasing cowboy with a bad attitude, or an overbearing older brother.Ryan Easter is one frustrated cowboy. He’s winning every night at bronc riding, and has a different woman in every city. Mostly so he can keep his best friend’s fiery little sister, and his desire for her, at bay. Since she grew those proud little breasts of hers, and mile-long legs, Ryan has had to fight his attraction to her. If her brother knew what he was thinking, he would kill Ryan, if her daddy didn’t first. Ryan valued the surrogate family the Taylor’s provided him with too much to ever go there with their youngest member.

His diversion techniques work like a charm, until one night he pushes her too far, and Twyla takes off. Ryan knows he has to find her quickly and apologize, or face his best friend’s wrath. He finds Twyla in Dallas and decides she’s definitely gone cowgirl crazy. He barely recognizes her, because his barrel-racing tomboy is wearing makeup that looks like it was put on with a putty knife and she’s working at a bar which borders on a cowgirl strip club. When she isn’t serving shots off of her stomach, she’s shaking her round ass for any man with a dollar to shove into the waistband of her barely-there shorts.

Twyla refuses to leave with him, and Ryan knows he better make his final arrangements, or come up with another way to convince her and fast.

4 star read

 Tracey’s Review
What do you do when the man you’ve loved for almost your whole life doesn’t feel the same? When he treats you like a little sister and tries to run your life? Well, if you’re Twyla Renee Taylor, you pack up your horse and you leave town, determined to make it on your own. And, if you’re Ryan Easter, said man, you pick right up and go after the girl, because she can’t possibly make it on her own.

‘Cowgirl Crazy’ is the second book in ‘The Cowboy Way series,’ and is full of Becky McGraw’s signature details. All of the characters are very nicely developed, with big personalities. Twyla and Ryan are great; watching them interact while their story evolves is as entertaining as it is sexy. Because, along with all the heat and chemistry, there is also a lot of humor, another trademark of Becky’s writing. Seeing Twyla and Ryan bring out the best in each other makes for a sweet and romantic read. As well, the supporting characters, especially Twyla’s brother Zack and her friend Heather, really help make the story that much more interesting.

Although relatively new to her books, I have become a fan of Becky. There’s not much sexier than a hot cowboys, and she writes great stories full of them. ‘Cowgirl Crazy’ is no exception, and I very much recommend it. I look forward to reading Zack’s story, ‘Too Hot To Trot,’ in the near future.

Also in this series Just Shoot Me – Book One 
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About Becky Mcgraw
Becky McGraw is a married mother of three adult children, and a Southern girl by birth and the grace of God, ya’ll. She resides in South Texas with her husband and dog Abby.
 
A jack of many trades in her life, Becky has been an optician, a beautician, a legal secretary, a senior project manager for an aviation management consulting firm, which took her all over the United States, a real estate broker, and now a graphic artist, web designer and writer.  She knows just enough about a variety of topics to make herdangerous, and her romance novels interesting and varied. Being a graphic artist is a good thing for her too, because she creates her own cover art, along with writing the novels.
 
Becky has been an avid reader of romance novels since she was a teenager, and has been known to read up to four novels of that genre a week, much to the dismay of her husband, and the delight of e-book sellers. 
She has been writing fictional short stories and novels for fun, as well as technical copy for her jobs for many years. She was a member of the Writer’s Guild on AOL, as well as a founding member and treasurer of the first online chapter of the Romance Writers of America, From the Heart Romance Writers. Currently, she is a  AN member of RWA and a general member of FTHRW.

You can find Amazon Bestselling Author Becky McGraw at: 
 
 

Review: Hopeful by Louise Bay

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Hopeful cover

 

Expected publication: July 15th 2014

Hopeful Synopsis

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***Not suitable for younger readers due to sexual content and language.***

Guys like Joel Wentworth weren’t supposed to fall in love with girls like me. He could have had his pick of the girls on campus, but somehow the laws of nature were defied and we fell crazy in love.

For a short time, I thought it would be for infinity.

On July 10, 2006, immediately after graduation, Joel left for New York. And, despite him wanting me to go with him, I’d refused, unwilling to disappoint my parents and risk the judgment of my friends. I hadn’t seen him again. Never even spoke to him.

I’ve spent the last eight years working hard to put my career front and center in my life, dodging any personal complications. I have a strict no-dating policy. I’ve managed to piece together a reality that works for me.

Until now.

Now, Joel’s coming back to London.

And I need to get over him before he gets over here.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

 

 

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5 Star ReadTracey’s Review 

Ava Elliot has a pretty good life. A law student at university, she’s smart and studious, and has a tightly-knit group of friends that are like family. Joel Wentworth is the whole package. Not only intelligent, he is handsome, nice, and funny. Girls love him and guys want to be like him. Ava would never have thought that they had anything in common, let alone that they could fall in love with each other.

‘Hopeful’ is one of those ‘happy accident’ books for me, one that I knew absolutely nothing about, but which I enjoyed completely. Louise Bay has written a very well-crafted story, full of characters that I would absolutely love to spend time with. I loved watching Ava and Joel get to know each other. Louise really took the time to show their relationship developing, so that it seemed much more realistic when thy realized their feelings for each other had grown from friendship to love. And the passion was definitely there, too. Their growing attraction to each other was palpable, so that by the time that they acted on it, it was inevitable, and not only sweet, but very steamy, as well.

‘Hopeful’ was not all sunshine and happy times. Some of the best stories are those that involve a hefty dose of angst, and that is definitely present here. It allowed, I think, for further character development, especially Ava’s, which was necessary for the book to end the way that it did. I am looking forward to reading more from Louise, and really hope that Jules and Adam get their own books. A definite 4.5 – 5 star read.

Author Bio:

 

I write sexy, romantic, contemporary romance novels: the kind I like to read.

 

Ideas for my first novel started to filter into my imagination when my reading coincided with a re-encounter with an old love and soon after I began what became ‘Faithful’, my first novel, published in April 2014.

 

Ruined by romantic mini-series of the seventies and eighties, I love all things romantic. There’s not enough of it in real life so I’ll settle for books and films.

I love the rain, the West Wing, London, days when you don’t have to wear make-up, being alone, being with friends, elephants and champagne.

Website ~ Facebook ~Goodreads

Hopeful Cover

 

 

Review: Flirting With Forever by Kim Boykin

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Flirting With Forever

By Kim Boykin

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Synopsis

Forty-year-old Tara Jordan’s first book, The Perfect Marriage in 30 Days, is at the top of the bestseller lists, and her publisher wants her on a book tour ASAP. Tara’s about to live her dream only there’s one problem. Her husband of 15 years has just walked out, leaving Tara on the brink of financial ruin with no choice but to promote a self-help book about marriage when hers is secretly in ruins.

Enter publicist Jake Randall, 30, who’s had it with hand holding newbie authors channeling their inner divas on their first book tours, until he meets Tara. Their instant attraction blossoms quickly into love. Tara thinks she has achieved her dreams and earned her license to thrive until her husband, Jim returns determined to win her back.

Buy: Amazon 

4 star read

Tracey’s Review

 

 

Tara Jordan should be happy. After all, her best-selling book on how to have the perfect marriage is a hit, and her dream of being a successful author has finally come true. But her public persona is a far cry from true life. Her husband of many years, embarrassed by her book and jealous of her success, has left and taken all their money.

Left with no choice but to go on tour to promote both her marriage book and her suddenly successful romance novels, Tara is left in the capable and very attractive hands of Jake Randall, promoter extraordinaire. And, did I mention that he’s hot? Like, swoon-worthy, over-the-top sexy? And as attracted to Tara as she is to him. The only problem? He’s ten years younger than she is.

I really enjoyed Flirting With Forever. Kim Boykin wrote a sweet sexy story of a woman that is finally coming into her own, and the man that is more than happy to help her get there. The banter and vibe between Tara and Jake is lovely, and I couldn’t put the book down, because I was just that invested in their story. Combined with wonderful secondary characters, this is a read that I would recommend without hesitation. I really look forward to the next installment in Kim’s Island Bliss series.

Author Bio:

Kim boykinKim Boykin was raised in her South Carolina home with two girly sisters and great parents. She had a happy, boring childhood, which sucks if you’re a writer because you have to create your own crazy. PLUS after you’re published and you’re being interviewed, it’s very appealing when the author actually lived in Crazy Town or somewhere in the general vicinity.

Almost everything she learned about writing, she learned from her grandpa, an oral storyteller, who was a master teacher of pacing and sensory detail. He held court under an old mimosa tree on the family farm, and people used to come from all around to hear him tell stories about growing up in rural Georgia and share his unique take on the world.

As a stay-at-home mom, Kim started writing, grabbing snip-its of time in the car rider line or on the bleachers at swim practice. After her kids left the nest, she started submitting her work, sold her first novel at 53, and has been writing like crazy ever since.

Thanks to the lessons she learned under that mimosa tree, her books are well reviewed and, according to RT Book Reviews, feel like they’re being told across a kitchen table. She is the author of The Wisdom of Hair from Berkley, Steal Me, Cowboy and Sweet Home Carolina from Tule, and Palmetto Moon, also from Berkley 8/5/14. While her heart is always in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, she lives in Charlotte and has a heart for hairstylist, librarians, and book junkies like herself.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

flirting with forever

Release Day Launch + Review: The Hazards of Sex on the Beach

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We are so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Alyssa Rose Ivy’s THE HAZARDS OF SEX ON THE BEACH! THE HAZARDS OF SEX ON THE BEACH is a contemporary romance and is a part of Alyssa Rose Ivy’s Hazards Series.It is priced at just $.99 right now. This will last for a limited time only to celebrate the release! This book, y’all. Holy cow.

 

The Hazards of Sex on the Beach Cover

 Amazon | Nook | Itunes | Kobo | Google Play

Synopsis

One broken heart, one drink too many, one steamy night in the sand…

No one warns you about the dangers of drinking with a broken heart. At least no one warned me. I never imagined I’d fall for a musician, especially not one like Chase, but then again I never expected to have my heart broken into a million pieces by the frat guy I thought was the love of my life.

Sometimes it’s the rash decisions, like hooking up in the sand, that lead you to the best places—the kinds of places where it’s possible to let yourself fall in love again.

 Excerpt

He took a strand of my hair and studied it. “Is this your natural color?”

“Yes.”

He dropped the strand. “I’ve never dated a girl with blonde hair.”

“Well, you’re not dating me.”

He gently brushed his fingers down my bare arm. “No, but I want to kiss you.”

“Then kiss me.” I was used to pushy guys. The kind that knew what they wanted and took it.

“Okay.” He smiled before leaning in.

The kiss was hesitant at first, the kind of kiss that gets your whole body excited because you know there’s more to come. I waited—hoping he’d take it further. His hand slid just under the hem of my shirt, brushing against my skin. The touch was light, but it was still enough to get a response out of me. I moaned.

That must have been what he was waiting for. He deepened the kiss, pushing into my mouth with such force I was taken by surprise. I kissed him back, enjoying the sweet taste of his mouth, and the way his hand slowly inched its way up my stomach. Blazer moved from zero to sixty. I didn’t mind it. I moved onto his lap, welcoming the arm he put around me to pull me closer. I wrapped my arms around his neck.

His hand moved higher, cupping my breast over my bra. I was drunk and hot, and so turned on I was going to lose it.

That’s when the door to the roof opened. The loud laughter of a group of girls pulled me half out of my lustful stupor.

“Want to go for a walk?” His question was asking something else entirely. I knew that when I answered with an enthusiastic yes.

Blazer held my hand as we made our way through the crowds. I looked briefly for Gabriella, but I didn’t see her. The normal Cara would have called her to tell her I was leaving with a random guy—but was Blazer random? We had chatted for hours already.

Before I could worry about it long, we were walking along the dark and nearly vacant beach. It was January on the South Carolina coast, and the crowds were months away.

“You never told me your name.” He said it as a statement as he led me further away from the party.

“Cara.”

“Hi, Cara. I’m Chase.”

I smiled. “Isn’t it a little late for introductions?” I stopped and turned toward the ocean.

“It’s never too late.” He drew something on my arm with his finger. The sensation felt good. I closed my eyes.

“You look so gorgeous. The moonlight, that look on your face.”

I opened my eyes and his face was inches from mine. “If you’ve never dated a blonde, does that mean you’ve never had sex with one?”

“Why? Are you looking to change that?” His eyes were lidded.

“I’d like to.” I slipped a finger into the waistband of his jeans.

“Should we go back to my hotel room, or do you have one?” He looked down. “I’m going to be honest here. I haven’t done this before.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re a virgin.” That would be just my luck.

He laughed. “No. Not saying that at all. I just don’t generally hook up with girls I’ve just met.”

“At least you know my name.”

“I do know your name, don’t I, Cara?”

Something happened to me when he said my name. I needed him. I reached up again, wrapping my arms around him. I crushed my lips into his.

We came up for air only after ending up horizontal on the sand. He laughed. “Or we can just pick things up right here.”

4 star read

 Tracey’s Review

When Cara and Chase met, there may have been some alcohol involved. Okay, a lot of alcohol. And maybe Cara was still trying to get over a cheating ex that had broken her heart. Because, why else would she get frisky with a guy that she didn’t know, hooking up and then running, without even telling him her last name or phone number? After all, she figured, she’d never see Chase again. If only life was that simple…

Alyssa Rose Ivy has done an entertaining job of taking this scenario and writing a story that shows how a chance encounter can turn into something much more. As the relationship between Cara and Chase grows and evolves, so do their characters. Cara finds strengths and interests that she didn’t know she had, and both she and Chance find that the right relationship allows each person to grow and shine, rather than conform to someone else’s idea of who they should be. I always enjoy Alyssa’s writing, both the stories and the characters. Besides Cara and Chase, all of the supporting cast had great personalities, and I found myself laughing out loud at the interactions between Cara and her friends. I look forward so the next book in the series (Alyssa, if you’re reading this, I’m hoping that Jade or Kyle will be next!).

Alyssa Rose Ivy- Author PhotoAlyssa Rose Ivy Bio:

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

Twitter | Author Goodreads | Pinterest | Website | THE HAZARDS OF SEX ON THE BEACH Goodreads | Facebook

 

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Review: The Other Side of Someday by Carey Heywood

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the other side of someday

The Other Side of Someday

Carolina Days ~ Book 1

Carey Heywood

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Synopsis

Falling in love?

 

Courtney Grayson has been there, done that.

 

Men, who needs them? Love wasn’t everything she thought it would be. This time around, she’s doing things differently. She hasn’t sworn off men for good; she just isn’t interested in settling. Trusting someone with her heart again? Someday, but not today.

Falling in love?

Sorry, Clay Bradshaw is not the guy for you.

He’s never been in love and he doesn’t see it happening. Hooking up can be fun, but more often than not, women are a distraction he doesn’t need. He’s a busy man, and doesn’t have time to date, let alone fall in love. Will someone ever change that? There’s always a chance, someday.

Life doesn’t always go as planned, and love may find them both on the other side of someday.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

5 Star Read

Michel’s Review

I loved The Other Side of Someday by Carey Heywood. It was a realistic love story most of us ordinary people experience. She showed how very real, ordinary people can have the fairytale forever love. It is all a matter of seeing the beauty of finding that one person that makes your beat to a new pace. Finding a person worthy of building a life with. A partner that will love you through the ups and downs, no matter what. I have to commend Carey for reminding us how important love is in our lives.

Courtney Grayson is having the worst day of her life. That day starts out with her fretting that she forgot to turn off the stove. The day spirals out of control from that point. She gets fired from her job, she has a flat tire in the pouring down rain, and when she goes to pay for the tire, her bank has rejected the card transaction. An act of kindness from the older mechanic that repaired her tire will send her on her way with aa better outlook. She feels like this act of kindness is the turning point in her day, that is, until she arrives home. She finds her fiancé of eight years in bed with another woman. Her day has gone from the worst day to the most devastating day of her life.

That devastating day and the one act of kindness will set Courtney Grayson on a new path in life. The path she was destined to take. A path that will teach her about herself and her deepest desires.  A path that will lead her to Clay Bradshaw.

She will find her inner strength, open her eyes to new possibilities, grow as an individual, and find the inner confidence she never knew she had. She will find a love that will respect her individuality, cherish her for who she is, and love her no matter what.

Clay Bradshaw is your ordinary average Joe. Sure he’s one of the sexiest men that Courtney has ever met. But sexy guys are a dime a dozen. What makes Clay special is that he is an ordinary guy, has an ordinary job, comes from a loving middle class family, and values all those precious things in his life.

Clay has never been in love or had a steady relationship. Once he gets to know Courtney he knows that she is the girl for him. He understands that she needs to heal from her past relationship. She needs to find herself again. He will be patient, bide his time, and show her that she can always depend on him. He will show her how much he values her as an individual. He will show her how important she is. He will give her his heart.

Courtney and Clay’s relationship is a slow and beautiful build. We see this couple go from flirty attraction to friendship. Their friendship moves onto dating. From dating to becoming a couple. Once they become a couple they build a beautiful life together.

The Other Side of Someday is a story that we all want to experience. I highly recommend this book.

Author Bio:

 

Carey HeywoodNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author with six books out and many more to come. She was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. Ever the mild-mannered citizen, Carey spends her days working in the world of finance, and at night, she retreats into the lives of her fictional characters. Supporting her all the way are her husband, three sometimes-adorable children, and their nine-pound attack Yorkie.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

the other side of someday

 

Review: In Your Corner by Sarah Castille – Redemption Series -Book 2

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In Your Corner

 In Your Corner by Sarah Castille

Redemption Series ~ Book 2

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Synopsis

A Publishers Weekly Best Summer Book 2014

“You have to go. I won’t be able to control myself. I’ve wanted you so bad for so long and after I’ve been in the cage…I can’t think straight.” He gives a guttural groan and his fist clenches on my hip.

Primitive. Primal. His need speaks to me. I tighten my grip on his neck and rock up to kiss him. He takes over. His kiss is hard and demanding.

“Mine.” His voice is raw, savage and for a moment I truly believe he may lose control.

He rules in the ring

Two years ago, Jake and Amanda were going hot and heavy. But when Jake wanted more, Amanda walked away. Jake immersed himself in mixed martial arts, living life on the edge. But that didn’t dull the pain of Amanda’s rejection-until a chance encounter throws them together.

A high-powered lawyer, Amanda was a no-strings-attached kind of girl. But two years after her breakup with Jake, she still hasn’t found anyone who gets her heart pumping the way he did. And then he shows up in her boardroom, hot as sin and needing help…

But can he rule her heart?

Jake is darker, sexier, and impossible to resist. As their chemistry builds, Amanda’s not sure if she can stay in control, or if she’s finally willing to let him claim her body and soul.

Redemption Series:

Against the Ropes

In Your Corner

Full Contact (forthcoming April 2015)

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

4 star read

Michel’s Review

In Your Corner is the second book in the Redemption series. Sarah Castille came back fighting with this addition in the Redemption series.

I had trouble with the first book in the series and did not give it a good review. This bothered me because I have read other books by this author that were good. I wanted to give this series another try because I just felt like the author deserved it. I can say, she won this match with a knock out! Kudo’s to Sarah Castille for proving this series was worth the fight.

As I said, this book came back fighting and won the round. Jake and Amanda had a past relationship that ended badly in the first book of this series. Amanda did quite a number on Jake and left the readers hating her guts. Jake was such a great guy, it was hard to understand why Amanda did what she did.

In Your Corner gives the readers more insight to Jake and Amanda’s previous relationship. We get a better understanding of Amanda once we know her history. She had an ugly family background, trust issues, emotional immaturity, and she was looking for love (the wrong kind) in all the wrong places. When she was showed the right kind of love and affection from Jake she just didn’t know how to accept it. She couldn’t handle the real thing. So rather than try to learn to accept all she was offered, all she deserved, she reacted the only way she knew how, she messed up their relationship.

Jake is a good man. He takes his life in stride. He takes on more burdens than he should, adds tons of stress to his life. One of those things is Amanda. When she walks back into his life, the intensity of his feelings cannot be denied.

There is a lot of healing and learning before these two can move forward. Once Amanda learns to let go of her heart and Jake learns to love Amanda the way she needs to be loved, their relationship sizzles. The sizzling sexual chemistry, the hot alpha and sexy bombshell burn up the sheets.

This book was a really good read. It went beyond my expectations. The characters grabbed my heart and held my interest. The secondary characters and their contributions to the story made this book even better. I am happy that I gave this series another chance.

Author Bio:

sarah castilleNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Sarah Castille, writes contemporary erotic romance and romantic suspense featuring blazingly hot alpha males and the women who tame them. A recovering lawyer and caffeine addict, she worked and travelled abroad before trading in her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home in shadow of the Rocky Mountains.

Sarah loves to connect with readers. Sign up for her newsletter to hear about new releases:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

In Your Corner

Review: Come To Me Softly by A. L. Jackson- Closer To You Series- Book 2

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Come To Softly

By A. L. Jackson

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Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling author of Come to Me Quietly comes a scorching new adult romance in the Closer to You series.

A second chance at life…

A second chance at love…

Jared Holt never thought he deserved either—until he found both in the arms of Aly Moore. Aly has loved Jared for as long as she can remember, and she’s more than ready for the future they’re making together. But Jared can’t help remembering his own family. And he’ll never forgive himself for what happened to them. How can he allow himself the very happiness he once destroyed?

To live a life worthy of Aly, Jared knows he has to stop running and finally put his past to rest. But when he decides to face his demons head on, he encounters more than he bargained for: a dangerous mix of jealousy, lies, and dishonest intentions. When those intentions threaten Aly, Jared loses all control, giving into the rage that earned him his bad boy reputation years before. And he’ll fight to protect her no matter what it costs…even if he destroys himself in the process.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

 

4 star read

Michel’s Review

Come To Me Softly is the sequel to Come To Me Quietly by A. L. Jackson. Come To Me Softly picks up where Come To Me Quietly left off. In fact it picks up the morning after.  This is not a stand alone novel.  Come To Me Quietly must be read first.

Jared is still broken but has come to accept that he is important in Aly’s life. Although he still does not feel worthy of Aly’s love, he is willing to accept it and try to build a relationship that can help him move on from the past.

As these two build their relationship, the reader gets to see the importance of their connected pasts, how much they mean to each other, and learning how to love. It is learning to face your mistakes, learning to forgive yourself, learning to forgive others, and opening your heart to all possibilities.

Author Bio:

 

A. L. JacksonA.L. Jackson first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

come to me softly

 

This book is a beautiful emotional journey. Jared and Aly will find peace, but best of all, they find their happily ever after.

A. L. Jackson is a powerful writer. The reader experiences every word on the page. The characters, the emotions, and their story come across as very real. Another book well done, another conclusion very satisfying.

Review: Cracks In The Armor by Helena Hunting – Clipped Wings Series-Book 2.5

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cracksin armor

Cracks In The Armor

By Helena Hunting

Synopsis

Chris, a sexy tattoo artist, tries to win the heart of Sarah, a grad student with little interest in him, in this second e-short and follow-up to Helena Hunting’s gripping love story, Clipped Wings—“twisted, dark, incredibly erotic…a love story like no other” (USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton).

Part owner of the Chicago tattoo shop Inked Armor, Chris Zelter is a talented artist who decorates skin with gorgeous designs. He might look the part of the typical jacked-up, inked-up bad-boy, but underneath is a fiercely loyal, complicated man. Kicked out at sixteen, Chris has had to fend for himself for the last twelve years, making his Inked Armor crew as much family as they are business partners. For him, it’s enough—until he meets Sarah Adamson.

A grad student waitressing at the local strip club, Sarah is used to propositions and crude comments. The job is a means to an end—finish her MBA, pay off the tuition loans, and get a good job. Then she won’t have to rely on anyone to take care of her. So when brawny, tatted up Chris begins hanging out at the club, she rebuffs his advances. At first. But Chris isn’t like her usual clientele: despite his hard exterior, he’s almost…sweet.

Sometimes, the people with the roughest edges have the biggest hearts.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

4 star readMichel’s Review

Cracks In The Armor by Helena Hunting is a novella in the Clipped Wings series. The main characters are Chris and Sarah. We met both of these characters in the previous Clipped Wings books that featured Hayden and Tenley. Cracks In The Armor is the prequel to Chris and Sarah’s upcoming full length novel.

 

We get an insight into what drives these characters. We get to know them a little better. We get a better understanding of why Chris is against commitments and relationships. We get to see him acting upon his attraction to Sarah and setting his sights on the pursuit. This attraction between the two has been building throughout the series.

 

Sarah keeps turning Chris down. No matter how hard he chases, she still says no. We get to see what her reasoning and fears are. We get to say the moment she takes a chance and says yes.

 

This couple has a long way to go. I can’t wait for their full length novel. Cracks In The Armor gives us a taste of what’s to come in the next book in the Clipped Wings series. It gives the reader’s a chance to become invested in the characters. We see their individuality and their compatibility.

 

Helena Hunting has her very own writing style that I immensely enjoy. Rather than create drama, angst, long drawn out plots with quick happily ever after endings, she gives us characters that experience real life. We see their daily ups and downs, their full personalities, their interactions with those around them, and we get to experience their emotional journey. The Clipped Wings series is one not to miss.

 The Clipped Wings Series ~ ALL 4 STAR RATINGS ~

CLIPPED WING SERIES

 

 

 

 0.5 Cupcakes and Ink

1. Clipped Wings

1.5 Between The Cracks

2. Inked Armor

2.5 Cracks In Armor

Author Bio:

HELENA HUNTINGHelena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s putting her English degree to good use by writing popular fiction. She is the author of Clipped Wings, her debut novel, and Inked Armor.

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cracksin armor

 

 

Review: A Wedding At The Blue Moon Cafe by Cate Masters

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a wedding at the blue moon cafe

A Wedding At The Blue Moon Cafe

By Cate Masters

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Synopsis

Never look back. Clarissa Hartman left her miserable life behind the day she graduated high school, the same day she turned 18. Driving for days, the road led her to Marfa, Texas. Right away, she knew she’d found home. Seven years later, she’s found her place in life plus the one thing she never expected to find: love. Dylan Wall’s everything she ran away from. So why can’t she stay away from him?

Never give up. Dylan Wall is at the top of his game. His PR firm’s sought out by brand name companies, but he’s so busy spinning everyone else’s reps, he doesn’t realize his personal life’s taken a downhill turn. Deep down, he knows that somewhere, the perfect someone is waiting for him. The woman who’ll accept him for who he is – if he’s ever able to reveal it. When he lands in Marfa for his best friend’s wedding, Clarissa’s sharp tongue puts everything in a different perspective. She draws out a side of himself hidden away for too long. She’s everything he wants, in the wrong package. So why does she feel like home?

In Marfa, appearances are deceptive. Discovering the truth beneath the surface is the first step toward finding yourself, and joy.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

4 star read

Kristyn’s Review

Clarissa is a tatted up waitress/ artist. She is beautiful but damaged by her brother’s death and her parents refusal to accept her the way she is. She wants a guy to love and to accept her the way she is. But so far she hasn’t had much luck.

Dylan is a guy in search of the picture perfect life. Which to him includes success, money and all the women he wants. When he see’s how love transformed his friend he can’t help but be skeptical. He hasn’t even felt that way for a woman and doesn’t want to be tied down. He views marriage as a shackle that signifies the end of life. But something about Marfa changes him slowly but in the most meaningful way.

Dylan was such a douche at the beginning of this book. He was so hard to like. He was such a frat boy as Clarissa called him. But he was redeemed by the end. His transition almost seemed a little too quick and easy but I’ll let you decide that when you read it. Clarissa was an artistic free spirit. She was likeable and a strong personality. They make an unlikely pair but the writer makes it work. This book is for the HEA lovers who like to see the hard to catch guys, tamed.

Author Bio:

cate mastersCate Masters has made beautiful central Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart. Most days, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com, and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.
In 2010, the Pearl S. Buck Foundation awarded her short story first place. In 2005, Pennwriters awarded her second place in its annual Short Story contest. Her novels, novellas and short fiction have been published by Decadent Publishing, Lyrical Press, Book Strand, The Wild Rose Press, Eternal Press, Whiskey Creek Press, Wild Child Publishing/ Freya’s Bower. Her flash and short stories are published with The Battered Suitcase, A Long Story Short, Dark Sky Magazine, Cezanne’s Carrot, The Harrow, Flesh from Ashes, Quality Women’s Fiction, Phase, and The Writer’s online edition. Her freelance articles have appeared in The Sentinel, Carlisle.

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a wedding at the blue moon cafe

Serial Review: The Love Trials Vol. 1 – Vol. 3

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the love trials vol.1

Synopsis for Part One

New hot, sexy and suspenseful serial from the New York Times Bestselling Author of The Ex Games and The Private Club. The Love Trials is a three part contemporary romance serial.

She thought she knew what was between the sheets, but she really had no idea.

I thought I knew what I was getting into when I received the invitation from the lovers academy. I thought I was going for love. I had no idea that the lovers academy cared more about what happened between the sheets than it did a meeting of the minds and souls.

This isn’t your regular love story. My Prince Charming didn’t ride up on a white horse and come and save me. In fact, he warned me to stay away from him. Of course, I didn’t listen. Why would I? There’s something so exciting about going after someone you shouldn’t have.

However, I never thought it would be like this. I’ve never felt so conflicted in my life. No one told me that being bad could feel so good. No one told me that when the big bad wolf tells you to run away and hide, you should listen.

If I’d only known just how far from charming my prince was, I would have ignored the invitation.

Readers of this serial should be prepared for a wild sexy ride. They should also be above 18 years of age due to sexy situations.

4 star read

* 4 Stars for the complete Love Trials Serial*

Michel’s Review

The Love Trials serial by J. S. Cooper is an addition to the ongoing story introduced in the The Ex Games serial and The Private Club serial. The dynamic characters, their stories of deceit, lust, and wrong doing will have the readers intrigued. The Love Trials is the story of Nancy and Jaxon. We met Nancy in The Private Club and her place in the series surprised us all. Now we get to see what Nancy does now that she has found her place in the intriguing world J. S. Cooper has created.

*4 Stars * for The Love Trial Serial

Individual Ratings for each volume below:

the love trials vol.1The Love Trials Vol. 1

4.5 Stars…..

Another great serial romance by J. S. Cooper

Were you addicted to The Ex Games serial and The Private Club serial by J. S. Cooper? I know I was. I just couldn’t get enough. As both series ended there were characters that I wanted to know more about. I wanted them to have their own story. I was curious on how their lives would turn out. One of those characters was Nancy.

Nancy turned out to be a complete surprise in The Private Club series. Her connections with the owners of the Private Club were much deeper than the readers anticipated. She became a major player in this ongoing saga. The Love Trials is her story.

Nancy has been in love with an older man for years. He was her teacher and mentor. She truly thought they were to be destined soulmates. Once she became an adult and a legal age, she decided she was going to go after her dream. After a lengthy research, she finds her former teacher is now teaching at the Lovers’ Academy. It is not your ordinary school. It is a school that teaches women the art of seduction and the power of sex.

Nancy enrolled and was accepted into the Lovers’ Academy. She sees this as her opportunity to reunite with her beloved Hunter. She knows that once she gets there, they will be able to pursue a relationship without the boundaries of society, family, and friends. They can be together now that she is legal. They can have the forever love they were destined to have.

Things didn’t turn out exactly as Nancy planned once she arrived at the Lovers’ Academy. Hunter didn’t regconize or acknowledge her. She was assigned a different teacher. The actual curriculum of the Lovers’ Academy is quite different from her expectations. It is not lectures, demonstrations, and book reading. It is hands on. She will learn the art of love making with her new instructor in a very personal manner. Is she up to it? If it will land her Hunter, she will go the mile.

Her instructor has her heart racing, her desire escalating, and her complete attention. He is strong, sexy, knowledgeable, and mysterious. He has the right kind of curriculum to have Nancy striving to be a star student.

As the lessons begin, Nancy will discover secrets about herself she never thought she had. She will start falling into her instructor, Jaxon’s web, and will find that Hunter may not be what she thought he was. In fact, it appears Hunter has an agenda of his own that might not be good for Nancy. We won’t know until The Love Trials Vol. 2.

What is Hunter’s agenda?

Why has Jaxon chosen Nancy as his student?

Are there secrets lying beneath the surface at the Lovers’ Academy?

What is Nancy’s next assignment?

J. S. Cooper has delivered another sensual, intriguing, suspenseful new serial. It is the spin off of The Ex Games and The Private Club. It is starting out just as thrilling. I can’t wait to read more.

I would give this story a five star rating for the plot, characters, story flow, and pacing. Five stars for entertainment value, I could not put it down. The only thing that kept The Love Trials Vol. 1 from being a five star rating is that there were several editing errors in the 48 pages. As a reader and reviewer I expect better editing.

Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

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the love trials vol. 2The Love Trials Vol. 2

5 Stars!

The Love Trials 2 by J. S. Cooper picks up right were the Love Trials 1 left off. Nancy confronts Jaxon about the disturbing conversation she has overheard. His explanations leave her reeling with all kinds of confusion. Despite her inner instincts to cut her losses and run far away from the Love Academy she choses to stick it out. After all there is a mystery to solve, facts to be found, feelings to be explored, choices over which man to chose, and a profound need for self preservation.

The longer she remains at the Lovers Academy, more questions begin to build a fragile reason to hang on to her original motivations for attending the Lovers Academy in the first place. She has learned that Jaxon and his father have a vendetta against her newly found father, Brandon. The more she learns, the more she questions her newfound relationship with her father and her place in the family unit. She also begins to question her feelings about Hunter. The more she learns, the more twisted it becomes. Hunter is not all she thought he was. He also has an agenda.

Jaxon, on the other hand is not playing his hand completely. On one hand he seems to care about her as a person and as a student. On the hand, he also has a vendetta that could very well destroy her and her family. The only thing that makes him different from Hunter and his father is his honesty about his involvement. She knows he is involved but not the whole story. She has to make a choice on whether to trust him or cut her losses.

Just as things start surfacing, new questions lead the story down another path. It ends with a startling cliffhanger that has your jaw on the floor! I cannot wait for The Love Trials 3.

J. S. Cooper has mastered the art of writing a serial romance. She creates intrigue, mystery, and hair raising scenes. She adds red hot sexual tension loaded with passion. She creates a line up of dynamic characters and brings characters from the former Ex Games & Private Club into play. It is like reading an ongoing saga that features different characters in each serial but blends the former serial with a perfect balance in their world.

I must say the editing and flow of the story was perfection.

Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

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the love trials3The Love Trials Vol. 3

* 3 Stars *

The Love Trials has reached it’s conclusion. Secrets have been revealed, the final hand has been played, a murder has been solved, players have switched sides, and road to vengeance has been traveled.

Everything that happened in the final episode of this serial surprised me. At times I felt like the story was rushed and some scenes didn’t have enough “meat” to make them work in the story. At other times I found scenes that had too much “meat” , that made it feel like the words were just fillers. The ending was good and the characters found their HEA, however again it was too rushed.

The overall series was good but I do think the final episode was the weakest contribution. I felt the story was rushed, a times the character motivations did not seem realistic, and I found quite a few editing errors. The Love Trials serial is a good contribution to the overall story that has played out in The Ex Games serial and Private Club serial. I would recommend all three serial’s because J. S. Cooper has created some fascinating characters in a world that is beyond our imagination.

Buy Link: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

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Author Bio:

J. S. CooperJ. S. Cooper is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is a true romantic that is in love with love. The J. S. stands for Jaimie Suzi. She just thought J. S. sounded cooler! J. S. was born in London, England and moved to the States at age 17. She studied history in college and then went to law school and then decided to follow her writing dreams. J. S. writes ‘New Adult’ contemporary romance books because that is what she also loves to read.

Available Books: The Last Boyfriend, The Last Husband, Before Lucky, The Other Side of Love, Zane & Lucky’s First Christmas, Crazy Beautiful Love, Scarred, and Healed.

Upcoming books: Finding My Prince Charming, If Only Once (The Martelli Brothers), Everlasting Sin, The Rebel Next Door and Hot Prof.

Please join J. S. Cooper on her facebook page if you enjoy her books here: https://www.facebook.com/J.S.Cooperauthor. If you wish to get in contact, please email her at Jscooperauthor@gmail.com.

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