Title: The Hunted
Author: H.J. Bellus
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: Feb 22nd
Revenge. Blood. Lies. Hate.
The good guy is the bad guy and the bad guy is the good guy.
Or is that what they want you to believe?
In a city where crime is at an all time high and new mutilated bodies are showing up every day, who do you trust?
He’s the silent neighbor who vanishes at night and reappears when the morning news is reporting on the latest victim.
How do you know this?
You watch him through the curtains as his silent stalker. Everything about him is twisted, but you can’t get past his stare. It’s hypnotizing and the hardest pull you’ve ever experienced…you know it’s all wrong.
Then he walks through your front door covered in blood.
Who will you trust?
“You’ve been fucking that blond all American kid,” he adds.
“I haven’t fucked him.”
“Has he tasted you?”
I slowly nod, feeling ashamed.
“Like I said, you’ve been fucking around with him.”
I scramble to tell him everything and how he’s held this power over me. “It’s your face I see when I’m with him. It’s your face I see when I go to bed. It’s you who I want.” I clutch the sides of his face. “But you won’t give me all of you.”
“Van!” Stew yells, followed by a shit ton of ruckus out in the club.
He sets me down and is gone within seconds. My hands cover my thumping chest as I realize what just happened. My tongue darts out, licking up the little bit of his taste that he left behind on my swollen lips.
Glass crashes in the far off distance as I hear bones breaking and screams soon fill the air over the commotion. I remain frozen to the wall, paralyzed by what just happened. The violence outside doesn’t even rattle me because there’s nothing left to stir up. He’s taken all of me.
Shaking the nonsense from my head, I peek out the end of the hallway and see utter destruction and chaos filling the club and Van is right in the middle of it.
His shirt is ripped once again and this time all the way off as he tries to take down two large men who clearly pissed him off. He gains the upper hand as Stew joins him and helps usher the men to the door.
A few dancers huddled together join me in the dark hall.
“What happened?” I inquire.
“I don’t know. The men just started beating the shit out of each other.”
A petite blonde who is newer and I only know by her stage name Sweet Cheeks speaks up, “I think they may have been exchanging drugs…”
Honey interrupts her, “You saw nothing and will repeat nothing. It’s the only way to stay safe around here.”
Honey stares me down with disgust. “And this bitch deserves no fucking answers.”
I feel the need to defend myself but the venom streaming from her warns me it’s not worth the fucking fight. Pushing out my chest, I ignore her ass. I guarantee she knows exactly what just went down between Van and me. He doesn’t want a stripper whore, he wants me. That’s prize enough.
The front doors to the club slam shut, shattering some glass. When we peek around the corner, Stew and Van make their way back into the club and Van roars, “Closed for the night! Get the fuck out!”
Bodies scatter in every direction. The dancers ditch me to go get dressed–I guess you don’t have to tell them twice about going home early. The large digital clock on the wall reads ten thirty.
Holy shit, Stew is closing down four hours early. Something must be seriously wrong. My legs quake underneath me from the shit storm that just attacked my world. Once they steady up a bit, I walk out into the bar and spot Van down on his knees, examining a little baggy of white powder.
“Bay, head home. The lunch crew can clean up.” Stew’s slumped over on a stool with a whiskey in his hand.
“I can stay and help out.” My voice is feeble as my legs tremble.
“Get your ass home,” Stew grits out.
It’s with dread that I go for my purse and hoodie. Van doesn’t look up as he’s intent on whatever he’s studying. It’s a white powdery substance sprinkled across the floor. My body hungers to go to him, but I know whatever we just shared has been bottled back and locked tightly within him.
“I’ll be back.” I turn to see Van following me out of the club.
Focusing forward, my feet pound the pavement and I hear Van meeting me step for step. My hands fumble with the keys and finally unlock the door, flipping on the porch light quickly. I look back to see Van standing on the sidewalk and then he fades away into the darkness of the night going the opposite way to his place.
The Hunted was the first book that I have read by H. J. Bellus. I enjoyed this love story. It had the perfect combination of romance and red hot sex! The characters were the perfect balance for one another. Their relationship had me swooning, sighing, and falling in love right along with them. They were both dynamic in very different ways that worked well together. I absolutely loved this romance.
On the other hand, this is a dark gritty story that takes place in a violent part of the city. Van Hollis has just been released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He was set up and he’s gunning for the one responsible. The one responsible for his demise is none other than his identical twin brother, that happens to be a corrupt police officer. To top it off, women are being murdered and all the evidence points to Van. Van is determined to get his revenge on his brother and not end up back in prison. Now is not the time for relationships or love. Van can’t stay away from Basil, the sexy, innocent cocktail waitress. As their relationship blossoms, the danger for Basil and Van’s lives escalates.
Their world is spinning out of control. Girls are dying. Van is keeping secrets. And Basil is caught in the middle.
As I said the characters and the romance were wonderful. The problem is that although the characters were well developed in relationship to one another, they kind of fell short when placed within their dangerous world. There were not enough details, in depth revelations, and aha moments. The readers understood the intense hate between Van and his twin brother, but never got an in depth explanation as to why. The explanation given was not enough to give this story a credible base. I’m one of those people that is detail oriented, I want thorough explanations for every action and reaction. The family history seemed a bit abbreviated. The wrap up was quick. The overall plot to this book had potential of being so much more. The one thing I will say is that it had a good love story that kept me invested in the book.
I’m just a simple girl who loves the country life… oh yeah! & a good corn dog! Throw in a little Vanilla Ice, and shits bound to get crazy! Be brave…
The real hero of this story is dead. You should have met him. He was a beautiful man. The love of my life. I didn’t deserve him.
Now what’s left are the jagged edges of the person I am without him, and what I have to do to get by. This isn’t even a story about love. Not really. It’s a twisted tale of revenge and hate—a happily never after.
The only man in my life now is the one I have to kill.
I’m Savvy Raine.
I used to be a wife.
I used to be a mother.
Now I am the Revenger.
Abstract vintage background
Excerpt
There was very little chatter after the alarming phone call. Savvy looked at the clock. It was only five, but the extra help Tallow had enlisted acted like she was about to disintegrate. When they were finally done, they hung Savvy’s costume from a door, fully expecting her to drop trou in front of all the strangers.
She looked at the silver outfit meant to demean her and classify her as his, just like all his other favorites.
“Yeah, I’m not actually going to be wearing that.” She looked from one shocked person to the other.
Tallow recovered first. “But this is what he told you to wear!”
Savvy laughed hollowly. “Yeah, he can suck his own d*ck for all I care.”
The atmosphere changed. The others now realized Savvy didn’t think it was a huge honor to be a f*ckhole.
“That’s not acceptable. I’ll put you in it myself if I have to, but you’re leaving here in that outfit.” Tallow bravely gathered up the skirt and came into Savvy’s personal space. He obviously thought she was just a regular girl.
In an instant she’d lifted Tallow into the air by his neck. “I’m not wearing it.” She stared him down until he began to turn blue. Then she set him back on his feet.
Tallow was a quick learner and smoothed his fancy shirt. “Okay then, let me see what else we have.”
Michel’s Review
Looking for something different to read? The Revenger by Debra Anastasia is the perfect choice. It’s not the typical fictional story or a typical romance. In fact I would say it is not a romance novel at all. But it is a love story… a story about a mothers love. A mother’s greatest gift is nurturing, teaching, sacrificing, and loving unconditionally.
Without giving away spoilers, I will say that Savvy Raine is an extraordinary character. She is a hero, a villain,a teacher,a friend, and your worst enemy. Her motivating factor is her love for her family. She has lost her sense of self and is consumed by her need for vengeance. As the story unfolds Savvy Raine gives more than most people only hope to give.
The Revenger is an unusual story that is emotional and entertaining. I highly recommend this book.
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There are a lot of eyes in Debra Anastasia’s house in Maryland. First, her own creepy peepers are there, staring at her computer screen. She’s made two more sets of eyes with her body, and the kids they belong to are amazing. The poor husband is still looking at her after 17 years of marriage. At least he likes to laugh. Then the freaking dogs are looking at her—six eyeballs altogether, though the old dog is blind. And the cat watches her too, mostly while knocking stuff off the counter and doing that internal kitty laugh when Deb can’t catch the items fast enough.
In between taking care of everything those eyes involve, Debra creates pretend people in her head and paints them on the giant, beautiful canvas of your imagination. What an amazing job that is. The stories hit her hard while driving the minivan or shaving her legs, especially when there’s no paper and pen around. In all of the lies she writes hides her heart, so thank you for letting it play in your mind.
Debra is eternally grateful to Omnific Publishing, which has now published five of her books: two in the Seraphim Series and three in the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood Series, as well as her novella, Late Night with Andres. That one is special because 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research. (So go get it right now, please!)
You can find her at DebraAnastasia.com and on Twitter @Debra_Anastasia. But be prepared…
“Taken” is the specially packaged “primer” for ONE TO TAKE, coming Feb. 22. It contains key scenes, smoking-hot sexytimes, and everything you need to know to be ready to head back to Big Sky country. Due to strong sexual content and language, readers 18 and older, please.
Stuart Knight is an injured Marine turned angry cowboy.
Mariska Heron is a beautiful young artist with vivid dreams and a healing touch.
When the two cross paths, their chemistry is explosive, their attraction undeniable. But Stuart has one thing on his mind–returning to active duty.
He says he’s leaving. She walks away first. Still, neither of them can deny their hearts are taken.
****
Tracey’s Review
Stuart Knight and Mariska Heron have gone through a lot to get to where they are now. Having finally overcome the obstacles standing in their way, the life ahead of them should be smooth, problem-free, and nothing short of joyful. Life, though, doesn’t always go as planned, and getting to their happily ever after will prove more challenging than either of them could have imagined.
After getting the first part of Stuart’s and Mariska’s story in ONE TO LEAVE, I was excited to see this special couple get the future that seemed set in stone. Part of the beauty of meeting and falling in love with characters is seeing them down the road, finding out what’s gone on for them, and, hopefully, seeing them with the hoped-for resolution. But life is not so tidy, and so it is a nice change to see book characters deal with bumps in the road that, we hope, make them stronger in the end. And so it is with Stuart and Mariska. There is, of course, no shortage of happiness, of steamy times, of humor for them in ONE TO TAKE. But I was not expecting the things that they find themselves dealing with, and found myself crying right along with them as they experienced them.
I love that Tia Louise continues to imbue her stories with the mystical, the magical side of life, that the greater world never sees. Mariska is a special character, and it’s the mystical qualities that make up such a large part of who she is that make her so. These qualities, along with pure unfettered, unconditional love, are also what reaffirm her faith, when life and the unexpected take their toll.
For his part, Stuart is one of my favorite of Tia’s men. Oh, the things he’s dealt with. He’s found, through the love of family, a very special woman, and the place that calls to him, exactly who and where he needs to be. I thought that Tia did a great job of showing his further growth in this book, and, if possible, I love him even more.
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Seeing the rest of the gang from the series, Stuart’s family, even memories of Mariska’s Yaya, made this a very special read. ONE TO TAKE is an easy 4.5 stars for me, and I highly recommend both this book, and the series.
***ARC generously provided by the author for an honest review.***
Tia Louise is a former journalist, world-traveler, and collector of beautiful men (who inspire ALL of her stories… *wink*)—turned wife, mommy, and novelist.
It’s possible she has a slight truffle addiction. And she will never look at a family restroom the same way again.
*** Upper New Adult Spinoff Standalone to the USA Today Bestselling Novel, Under the Influence***
“Shhhh, Cassandra, it’s our little secret.”
Secrets are stubborn things when they refuse to remain hidden. They tear through your soul, clawing and lashing until the pain becomes so unbearable, you’re left no choice but to silently scream your agony. No one hears you, of course. You smile on the outside and drift through life as though your mind is at peace, but all the while, you remain your own tortured prisoner. Sealed inside the darkened, soundproof room of your conscience, deafening cries echo as you plead for someone to unlock the door and release you from your nightmares. And eventually, when no one comes, you find ways to cope. To dull the suffering the only way you know how.
But what happens when you’ve become so numb, when everything around you has become so blurred, that you begin to lose focus on the saving grace standing directly in front of you? When you’ve anesthetized yourself to the point of losing consciousness, forced to watch as his once solid image fades away, lost to your reach in the haze as it smothers you?
What do you do then?
You fight. You heal. Then you bring him back.
Well, my name is Cassie Cooper, and it’s time.
No more secrets.
This is my story.
***WARNING – The subject matter of this novel centers around the psychological effects due to sexual abuse experienced during childhood. For this reason, as well as sexual situations, language, and adult themes, suggested reading age is 17+.***
Only twenty-three years old, and I’m so goddamn tired.
I used to be so much stronger. I somehow kept the voices at bay, the memories locked away safely, contained within the confines of my mind. But with each passing day, I feel the glow of my once-luminous strength fading. Darkness encases me now, bowing the walls of protection I put into place years ago. My past is an ever-present nightmare, repeatedly tapping, slowly fracturing the window of my sanity.
I have no doubt that it’s only a matter of time before the glass finally breaks. Blackness will eventually seep through its cracks and deliver me from the safety of my façade into a reality that will destroy me.
My reality.
I’ve done my part. I’ve kept the secrets thrust upon me with dedicated believability. My portrayal of who I am has become a blurred, hazy version of the once very distinct Cassie Cooper.
I read an ungodly amount of trashy romance novels.
I’m the overtly sexual and foul-mouthed friend who will say anything to get a laugh.
And I have exactly zero fucks to give to what anyone else thinks about my actions.
But the reality, the actuality, is this:
I read obsessively to escape my own world. To live the dreams of others when, for so long, the reoccurrence of my nightmares has been my reality. I read to fall in love and find a happily ever after, even if it is purely imagined. With each story I read, I’m able to live and love vicariously through the characters in my books. It’s the only plausible way for me to survive.
I threw away my virginity at the age of thirteen just to prove something. And when I found that proof, that vindication I was looking for, I sought it every chance I could. Sex is about control for me. Nothing more. The act will never be about making love, like it is for the heroines in my books. I will never be granted the beauty of that gift.
I use humor as a form of avoidance. I draw upon laughter to block the pain. And I smile to mask the agony of the eight-year-old soul who weeps within me.
And the fucks . . . well, that’s not entirely accurate either.
I have given two to be exact: One to my best friend of seventeen years. She knows nothing of my past, and although she so willingly disclosed the horrors of hers, mine remains hidden for no other reason than to avoid the pity she would undoubtedly cast my way if I were to ever tell her. I don’t want her pity. I would sooner die than have her look at me in any other way than with pride.
The other died with the person to whom it was given. Anthony “Rat” Marchione. He was my one allowance of naïveté. The one person I actually wanted to touch me, to hold me, to love me. He was going to rescue me from my brokenness as though I were a character in one of my books. Young and senseless, I thought he was to be my eventual happily ever after, but tragically, he was murdered five years ago.
Black coldness waits in vain to leech the void where his once beautiful existence filled the pieces of my irrevocably shattered heart. Where he temporarily healed the hurt of the innocent child and quieted the voices that tormented her.
He’s gone now. I’ve accepted that. And in turn, I have relinquished all dreams associated with finding the light at the end of this miserable tunnel.
I will keep trudging through this life . . . this sentence handed to me for someone else’s crime, my payment shackled by secrets and weighted with lies. I will continue to do so with the same fraudulent smile on my lips and play the part of the strong heroine so convincingly, that even I believe it.
It’s only a matter of time before my fictional strength wears out—when I’m no longer hidden safely inside my protective blur—and I have to face the very real and lucid image of my past.
But until that time comes, I’ll do all I can do.
All I have ever done.
I will pretend.
Michel’s Review
I was quite surprised when L. B. Simmons announced the upcoming release of Out of Focus. After reading Under The Influence, I was under the impression it was a stand alone novel. Cassie Cooper was Spencer’s crazy BFF. She was wild, loose, and free spirited. The perfect supporting character in Spencer’s story. I never thought twice about her. But like most people, Cassie has a story. Her story is dark and unexpected.
Cassie has always had a secret to hide. A secret that has tormented her since she was a young girl. A secret that has molded her into the woman she is today. Most people look at Cassie as the life of the party. An easy lay. And she is all that but beneath the surface is a very frightened little girl that can’t face herself in the mirror.
When she joins Spencer in a Krav Maga self defense class, it ends up opening the door for her self awareness. Grady Bennett, the sexy instructor, sees beyond Cassie’s facade. He sees the little girl hiding behind the harlot. His main goal is to make Cassie smile for herself not for others. He wants her to see the dynamic woman she is beneath the facade. He wants that little girl that got imprisoned in Cassie’s mind to be set free.
Cassie has a hard road ahead of her. She wants to have a relationship with Grady but before she can do that she has to learn how to fall and let someone catch her. She has to learn to love the image she sees in the mirror. She has to let go of the past and run towards the future. She needs to be whole.
Cassie’s story is heartbreaking. She experienced horrific abuse as a child. The kind of abuse that no one ever really walks away from. With the support of Grady, she may be able to face her demons. But first she has to be ready to open the door and let them out.
L. B. Simmons wrote an emotional story about a very damaged women. It’s not pretty and it’s not an easy fix. She allowed Cassie to reach rock bottom before she could climb back up. Along the way she was lucky enough to find the kind of love that will always be there for her.
I highly recommend reading Out of Focus by L. B. Simmons
________________________________________________
L.B. Simmons is a graduate of Texas A&M University and
holds a degree in Biomedical Science.
She has been a practicing Chemist for the last 11 years. She lives with her husband and three
daughters in Texas and writes every chance she gets.
Happily Ever After isn’t a destination.
It’s a journey.
The FINAL book in the emotional USA Today bestselling Forever series.
CORABELLE
Most days, I’m fine. I’m married to a hunk. Seriously. He rides a motorcycle, works in a garage, then studies for college on the side. And makes my toes curl, well, you know how.
But a long time ago, when we were young, something really bad happened to us. Bad enough to break us up.
I thought marriage would make things right. And it’s been happy. But something’s missing. The one thing we always wanted, but lost.
And my best friend just got it.
JENNY
I know everybody envies my life. I’m a little wild. I hang with celebrities. I got married in the back of an ambulance by a rock star. And the baby girl who arrived at the end of that lights-and-siren ride is definitely a bundle of joy.
But my life isn’t as easy as it looks. With my husband about to hit big with his first album, and every two-bit floozy in the music industry hanging on him, I really need my best friends. I can’t get through this without them.
TINA
There is entirely too much misery in the world to manage the sparkly pink explosion that is Jenny and her baby. I’ve got so much on my hands already with my art mentor so close to the end. And Darion expecting our wedding to actually, well…happen.
I know the stories tell you that happily ever after is what comes when he pops the question and you say yes.
But life is really messy. And sometimes your horse-drawn pumpkin takes off at full gallop for a cliff.
That’s where I am. And that’s why I had to leave. Because before I can get to the big finish, I have something else I have to do. A bit of business I should have taken care of long ago, but I was only a teenager then.
I can only hope that by the time I get it done, I haven’t lost everyone I care about. Because when you’ve spent your whole life running, you forget that what really matters is your family.
FOREVER FAMILY can be read as a standalone novel, although it is best after learning the history of the girls in the other four books of the Forever series.
Michel’s Review
Wow! Forever Family was an epic ending to the Forever Series. The Forever Series looks at real life with an honest view. Deanna Roy allowed all of the characters to take the next step in their journey to complete fulfillment. She allowed them to stumble along the way, face their fears, evolve into stronger people, and fully appreciate all the gifts in life.
Forever Family should not be read as a stand alone romance. This book picks up where the fourth book left off. Three couples are moving forward in very different ways. Through it all their friendship makes them family.
Without giving away too many spoilers, I will say that this book felt real. The emotions that each of these women experienced hit very close to home. How they dealt with their lives was admirable, frustrating, and at times heartbreaking. They each had to come full circle to find their happiness.
The birth of a baby.
The heartbreak of losing parental visitation rights.
The fear of being a mother.
The fear of never being a mother.
Financial Issues.
A funeral for a friend.
Two weddings.
Facing those they left behind.
The courage of letting go of the past.
The courage to move forward in life.
Accepting the gift of life.
Forever Family was a beautiful ending to an epic series.
The fist three standalone novels in the USA Today bestselling Forever series is available in one volume!
“One of my favorite love stories, ever.” — Brittany and Biana Blab Books
“A love you wish everyone could experience.” — Book Drunk Blog
BOOK 1: FOREVER INNOCENT
A Top 100 Book on Amazon
“Our baby died on prom night, and nothing was ever the same again.”
Corabelle doesn’t feel like any of the other college girls. On what should have been one of the happiest nights of her life, she and her boyfriend Gavin watched a nurse disconnect the ventilator from their seven-day-old baby. During the funeral two days later, Gavin walked out and never returned.
Since then, her life has been a spiral of disasters. The only thing that has helped is her ability to black out whenever the pain gets too hard to bear, a habit that has become an addiction.
When Gavin shows up in her astronomy class four years later, he is hell-bent on getting her back, insisting she forgive him. Corabelle knows she can’t resist the touch that fills the empty ache that has haunted her since he left. But if he learns what she has done, if he follows the trail back through her past, her secrets will destroy their love completely. And once again, she’ll lose the only person who always believed she was innocent.
BOOK 2: FOREVER LOVED
“Delivered with sensitivity, brutal honesty, emotional scenes, and an everlasting hope that love can conquer all.” — Hesperia Loves Books
“Did I cry? Oh yeah, but not for the same reasons as before. Will this book stay on my shelf for years to come! You betcha!” — 2 Bookaholics
After four long years of separation, Gavin has finally reunited with his childhood love Corabelle. She’s forgiven him for leaving her during the funeral of their seven-day-old baby.
But a message from Rosa, a prostitute he met during their time apart, brings his life to a crashing halt. She claims Gavin has fathered a son. He doesn’t know if he can trust Rosa, or if his delicate reconciliation with Corabelle can withstand the shock if it is true.
Corabelle believes their future together is the right thing despite their past. But when she learns of this other child, the one thing she lost long ago and might never have again with Gavin, Corabelle’s faith that her life will ever follow her old dream is shattered. To make things right for Gavin and his son, she just might have to let go of the only person she always believed would be her forever love.
BOOK 3: FOREVER SHELTERED
“Hooked me from Chapter 1.” — Fire and Ice Book Reviews
“Put this on your TBR list and bump it to the top.” — Eat Sleep Read Blog
Tina would rather sew up her girl parts with dental floss than go on a second date with a man. She’s been dumped enough to know not to get attached.
But when Dr. Darion Marks comes into her art therapy room to ask a favor for a special patient, Tina recognizes the haunted look he buries beneath his stoic professionalism. So rather than be forced to ditch the handsome doctor after a single night, she decides not to date him at all.
So how exactly DO they end up half-naked in Surgical Suite B?
Dr. Darion has a lot to hide. His baby sister is the only family he has left, and he’s not leaving her treatment to some incompetent hack.
But now he’s breaking every hospital rule imaginable. He lied about his sister so he can manage her care, and now he’s banging the art therapy teacher between patient rounds like a fraternity boy at a keg party.
Nobody believes this can end well, but Dr. Darion and Tina have one thing going for them – a fierce passion for each other that just might solve all their problems.
THREE COMPLETE FULL-LENGTH NOVELS.
Catch up on the series for one discounted price.
There will be five books in the series.
Book Four, FOREVER BOUND, is now available.
Forever Bound: A Not Yet Rock Star
Forever Series – Book 4
By Deanna Roy
Synopsis
Jenny is a girlfriend-for-hire, the platonic kind.
While under contract with her movie director boyfriend, glamour has ruled. Designer gowns. Red-carpet premieres. And, of course, seeing her face in the tabloids.
She loves tabloids.
But her reign has come to an end. Her sugar daddy has fallen in love — with someone else. Her contract is over and tonight she has to end it publicly by making sure the paparazzi “catches” her with another man.
She just has to find the man.
Chance has been hitchhiking across the US, playing and singing for tips. This is the life he’s always imagined, and the farther he gets from his disastrous family in Tennessee, the better he feels.
An unexpected invitation to sing with an indie blues group at a movie premiere party gives him a sweet taste of fame. As a bonus, a beautiful girl with pink dreadlocks only has eyes for him.
But the collision between Jenny and Chance is more emotional and intense than either of them expected. When the scandal hits the news, Chance’s family finds him, pushing him to come home and face his demons.
The night has even more consequences for Jenny. She needs to find Chance, but nobody knows anything about him, not even his last name.
Her journey takes her across the country and into the disaster Chance is running from. But she can’t give up on him, because what neither of them realized is that sometimes a single night can be the beginning of forever.
–Full length standalone HEA.
–Includes characters from Forever Innocent and Forever Sheltered and even *surprise* — singer Dylan Wolf from JJ Knight’s Revenge and Blue Shoes series.
–May require tissues.
Happily Ever After isn’t a destination.
It’s a journey.
The FINAL book in the emotional USA Today bestselling Forever series.
CORABELLE
Most days, I’m fine. I’m married to a hunk. Seriously. He rides a motorcycle, works in a garage, then studies for college on the side. And makes my toes curl, well, you know how.
But a long time ago, when we were young, something really bad happened to us. Bad enough to break us up.
I thought marriage would make things right. And it’s been happy. But something’s missing. The one thing we always wanted, but lost.
And my best friend just got it.
JENNY
I know everybody envies my life. I’m a little wild. I hang with celebrities. I got married in the back of an ambulance by a rock star. And the baby girl who arrived at the end of that lights-and-siren ride is definitely a bundle of joy.
But my life isn’t as easy as it looks. With my husband about to hit big with his first album, and every two-bit floozy in the music industry hanging on him, I really need my best friends. I can’t get through this without them.
TINA
There is entirely too much misery in the world to manage the sparkly pink explosion that is Jenny and her baby. I’ve got so much on my hands already with my art mentor so close to the end. And Darion expecting our wedding to actually, well…happen.
I know the stories tell you that happily ever after is what comes when he pops the question and you say yes.
But life is really messy. And sometimes your horse-drawn pumpkin takes off at full gallop for a cliff.
That’s where I am. And that’s why I had to leave. Because before I can get to the big finish, I have something else I have to do. A bit of business I should have taken care of long ago, but I was only a teenager then.
I can only hope that by the time I get it done, I haven’t lost everyone I care about. Because when you’ve spent your whole life running, you forget that what really matters is your family.
FOREVER FAMILY can be read as a standalone novel, although it is best after learning the history of the girls in the other four books of the Forever series.
___________________________________________
Author Bio:
Deanna Roy is the USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction.
She is a passionate advocate for women who have lost babies. She has several books on the subject, including her bestseller FOREVER INNOCENT, a romance about a couple whose baby is taken off life support at seven days old.
She has run the website PregnancyLoss.Info for fifteen years, including many large spin-off support groups both online and in person.
Smooth. Sexy. Irresistible. Those qualities equal only one thing.Big. Freaking. Trouble.Brynne Calloway knows that anything that seems too good to be true usually is. Fenton Abbott and his cashmere voice, Adonis body, and a magnetism like no other clearly falls into that category. But what’s life without a little risk? It was supposed to be a rebound, an uncomplicated escape from reality. But nothing ever goes as planned. Fenton turns out to be so much more … in ways Brynne never sees coming.
The plane begins its ascent, the engines roaring to life. Fenton whips out a file from his briefcase and gives it a once-over. Again, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do and it’s killing me.I pull my Kindle out of my bag and try to become invested in a second-chance romance about a rock star, but it’s nearly impossible sitting next to him. Each time I become engrossed in the words, he moves and my senses are assaulted by his proximity. The third time this happens, I search the ebook for ‘cock’ and start reading a sex scene. I need some form of undoing and if that has to be done via fictional character, so be it.
The heroine is taking the hero into her mouth when a low rumble radiates beside me. Startled, I look up and see Fenton smirking.
“What?” I push the power button on my e-reader and place it on my lap. I realize the jet has leveled off and it’s quiet in the cabin. “What are you looking at me like that for?”
“Just wondering what you’re reading.”
“Why?”
“Because,” he says, his eyes darkening, “your entire posture changed. Your lips parted, your breathing became labored. I’m intrigued.”
“I don’t think you’d be interested in this.”
“Trust me—if it gets that kind of reaction out of you, I’m definitely interested.”
Dragging in a lungful of air, I remember Presley’s pep talk and decide I have nothing to lose.
I switch on the tablet and find the page. “She drew his cock into her mouth, stroking his shaft as she licked a pool of semen from the tip.” I glance over my shoulder and his eyes are wide. I wink. “A growl escaped his throat as she stroked his velvety length, running her tongue—”
“Enough.” He snatches the Kindle from my grasp and places it on his briefcase. “Fucking hell, Brynne. Do you want fucked right here?”
Tracey’s Review
“So have a little faith in the world, rudo. Have just a little faith that the current will take you wherever you’re supposed to go, that wherever it leads is where you’re supposed to be.”
Brynne Calloway is having a hard time believing that the Universe is not out to get her. The last year has been crazy, and not in a good way. So when her phone goes missing, she sees it as just one more thing, something else designed to make her lose her mind. But when Fenton Abbott (and some organic bananas) steps in to save the day, Brynne has no idea what she’s in for.
I’ll start by saying that I am a die-hard fan of Adriana Locke. Her books, always full of alpha men and the strong and sassy women that love them, never fail to win me over. I knew that WHEREVER IT LEADS would be great, because her reads always are, but I also knew to expect the ladies to own the spotlight here, which is a bit of a departure. Never one to let us down, Adriana has delivered a book that I just loved. Fenton is one heck of a hot, mysterious, and sexy man, but Brynne, along with best friend Presley, just steals the show. The two girls have an unbreakable bond, the sort of friendship that gets a girl through anything and makes the two stronger for having found each other. It’s so nice to see two female leads lifting each other up, no questions asked, yet being the voice of reason when the world gets a little crazy. And, I would argue, this relationship is just as important as the one between Brynne and Fenton, because, as events unfold, Brynne really needs her friend to be there for her, and Presley absolutely is.
Fenton, too, is different than any of Adriana’s other leading men. He’s got so much going on that is below the surface, and is sure that he’s not a forever kind of guy. He’s exactly what Brynne needs to take her mind off of the uncertainty that’s been her focus for the last year, and, in turn, to receive the emotion that he’s closed himself off from. His commitment to Brynne, and what’s important to her, is nothing short of swoon-worthy. Watching the relationship between the two of them evolve is sweet and uplifting.
“I just…I can’t wait to be your forever.”
“You already are.”
The story in WHEREVER IT LEADS grabbed be from the first page, and I did not stop reading until the end. I just couldn’t, because the story, both the developing relationship between Brynne and Fenton, and the sub-plot involving Brynne’s brother, was so compelling that I had to see what happened. When a book engages me this way, it’s an easy 5 stars for me, and I would definitely recommend this one. Add it to your TBR and enjoy.
***ARC generously provided for an honest review.***
Author Bio
USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.
She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather’s nice and there’s always a piece of candy in her pocket.
We loved each other in the moment between innocence and bitter truth.
We were the kids easily ignored, who grew into adults we hardly knew.
We weren’t meant to last forever. And we didn’t.
He ran away.
I tried to move on.
Yet I never stopped thinking about the boy who had fought to keep me alive in a world that would have swallowed me whole. He was the past that I buried, but never forgot.
Until the day I found him again, years after believing I had lost him forever.
And in cold, resentful eyes, I saw the heart of the man who had been everything when I had nothing at all. So I vowed to hold onto the second chance that was stolen from the children we had been.
Sometimes fate is ugly. Life can be twisted.
And who we are can be ruined by who we once were.
For two people who had survived so much, we would have to learn how to hold on before we were forced to let go.
“Maybe I should tell you a story. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that. You always liked when I made up dumb stuff to get you to smile.” I chuckled. “The more improbable the better, right? So let me think of something completely unrealistic.”
I sniffled, wiping my wet cheeks. I hadn’t realized I was crying.
“Once upon a time there was a sad, lonely boy who was actually a forgotten prince. No one knew that he was rich and powerful and had a family that was searching for him.” I smiled sadly, wishing, more than anything, that this particular story had been true.
“One day he met a girl who swore that she would help him get back home to the castle. They fell in love. The prince wanted her to come back to the castle with him so they could live there together. They fought dragons and defeated ogres. They ran from witches and swam through oceans. And finally they found the castle. The prince’s family welcomed him home and he married his princess. And they lived happily ever after.”
I rested my forehead on the back of his hand, hating how cold his skin was. “You always loved your fairytales,” I mused, wishing he had been able to find his.
The hand in mine stirred and I bolted upright. Yoss’s face was contorted in pain, his eyes fluttering.
I got to my feet and reached for the call button so I could alert the nurse that something was wrong.
Then he let out a breath and his eyes opened. They were clouded and confused as they darted around the room, taking everything in.
I was rooted to the spot, not moving. He frowned and then winced when he tried to sit up.
“Uh, you shouldn’t do that. Take it easy,” I instructed, my voice shaking.
Then the wild, green eyes found me. There was no immediate recognition and I felt the crushing weight of disappointment.
He doesn’t know who I am.
His eyes were cold. So cold. Dead. He groaned as he lifted his hand to his face, touching the bandaged skin.
“Let me call the nurse. Your doctor will want to see you now that you’re awake—”
“Where am I?” he asked, his voice rough and hard.
It was a voice I had heard a million times in my dreams.
A voice I never thought I’d hear again. Not in real life.
“You’re at Lupton Memorial Hospital. You were brought in last night.” I didn’t give him any more details. I wasn’t sure he was ready for all that. He had just gained consciousness after all.
“The hospital,” he repeated. He struggled to sit up and hissed in pain at the effort.
“Seriously, you should wait and let me call the nurse—”
His eyes flashed in my direction and the cloud of confusion lifted as he speared me with a look that I felt in my bones.
Recognition.
His eyes widened and his mouth parted in disbelief.
I wanted to say something—anything—but my tongue felt frozen behind my teeth.
Yoss shook his head and closed his eyes. He let out a noise that sounded a lot like a sob and my heart knew the sound of pain when it heard it.
When he opened his eyes again, they were wet. Long, dark lashes spikey with tears that refused to fall.
A hundred memories arched between us. A thousand words spoken softly in the dark.
A dozen promises never kept.
His lips curved upwards into the shadow of a smile that I remembered and loved so much.
“Imi,” he whispered.
I nodded, still otherwise paralyzed.
“Imi,” he said again, a tear traveled the length of his cheek and dripped off his chin.
“It’s me, Yoss,” I said finally, forcing myself to speak.
Our eyes met. They held.
They clung and they devastated.
Fifteen years had passed but none of that mattered.
In that instant we were kids again. Remembering a time when, to each other, we were everything.
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Michel’s Review
Spoiler Free Review
There are some novels that are in a class by themselves. One Day Soon by A. Meredith Walters is one of those books. It is by far one of the best novels I have ever read. It was more than a fictional story. It was more than an epic romance. It was a story that opened up the emotional vault and gave the readers a very real story. A story that was beautiful and brutal. A story where hope and hopelessness are just mere words that can change within a moments notice. A story that portrayed the true meaning of love and giving of the heart. It’s an ugly story that has a beautiful message. Love is hope and without hope life is just an empty vessel.
One Day Soon consumed me. I could not pull myself away from this story. While reading it I couldn’t breath and found myself drowning in tears. The emotional ups and downs, twists and turns, and moments of truth made this book more than a fictional story or epic romance. It was a thought provoking eye opener making me aware of some of the injustices of the world. When I finished this book it left an impression on my soul.
I have sat down several times and tried to write a review for One Day Soon. Each time I found I didn’t have the adequate words to do justice for this novel. I don’t want to give away spoilers because this is a book that every reader needs to experience on a personal level. This novel can appeal to readers of all genres and of all ages. Although it is brutally graphic, it is brutally honest. It gives the reader a very vivid picture of Yoss and Imi’s lives. It takes the reader on an emotional journey as these two teenagers try to survive their lives. As they journey through the different phases of life, neither one is untouched by their time together. It’s not about the heartbreak from a young immature relationship that leaves a multitude of regrets and what ifs. It’s about losing the other half of your soul because life reared it’s ugly head and shredded the map. Trying to get back on course and navigate through each crossroad to reach the final destination seems impossible because you feel hopelessly lost. When you finally reach the final destination, you find that you are not the same person that began the journey. The only thing that remained the same was the truth in their souls. This is Yoss and Imi’s story.
The story is written from Imogin Connor’s POV, past and present. Each passage is delivered with precision that draws the readers into Yoss and Imi’s lives. The reader gets to experience the cruel, turbulent life that they find themselves in during their teenage years. Their lives and means of survival become intertwined into more than just physical actions. They become dependent on one another on the deepest level. They are beginning to build their hopes and dreams around one another even though they are in a hopeless situation. One Day Soon takes on a whole new meaning for them, giving them hope until it doesn’t. One Day Soon becomes the very thing that tears them apart. One Day Soon takes on another whole new meaning in their present lives. One Day Soon is more than their hopes and dreams. It’s the defining moment in their lives.
As Yoss and Imi’s story begins to evolve the reader is introduced to a cast of characters that validate their lives. Each character adds a significant piece to their story .The good, the bad, and the in between, their place in Yoss and Imi’s lives helps mold them into the adults they are now. Each character leaves a mark on their souls.
As I finished this book the first thing I wanted to do was hug my teenagers and tell them that I SEE THEM, I LOVE THEM, and NEVER LOSE HOPE. I looked at world beyond my front door with a very different view. I won’t turn a blind eye on some of the injustices I see on street corners. I now see that it could easily be one of my children, their friends, or schoolmates in the same situation. My door will always be open for them.
A. Meredith Walters delivered a profound story of life, love, and hope. The love Imi and Yoss shared was beyond epic. Their journey was tough and A. Meredith Walters did not dilute it or sugarcoat it. She delivered an honest and vivid picture of their lives. She delivered a story that is beyond memorable. It is epic!
As I read over this review, I once again wanted to trash it and start over. I then realized I will never find the right words, the perfect description, or adequate thoughts to praise One Day Soon by A. Meredith Walters. I am not a writer, I am a reader that was lucky enough to experience this profound story.
Read One Day Soon by A. Meredith Walters.
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The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary and Paranormal romance including The Find You in the Dark and Bad Rep series as well as the upcoming stand alone romance, Reclaiming the Sand, and a dark new adult series for Gallery Books.
A. Meredith spent ten years as a counselor for at risk teens and children. First working at a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault program and then later a program for children with severe emotional and mental health issues. Her former clients and their stories continue to influence every aspect of her writing.
When not writing (or being tortured with all manner of beauty products at the hand of her very imaginative and extremely girly daughter), she is eating chocolate, watching reality television that could rot your brain and reading a smutty novel or two.
A. Meredith is represented by Michelle Johnson with the Inklings Literary Agency.
It’s been seven years since Daniel Finley left his hometown in Florida for the hustle and bustle of Chicago’s city life.
Since then, he’s worked hard for his position at the prestigious law firm Leighton & Associates, even when it’s caused distance and isolation from his family and friends. But that’s all about to change.
On his thirtieth birthday, he receives the one thing he never dared hope for. Something that was promised to him years earlier—a note. One simple sentence from the man he’s never been able to forget.
Six words will forever change the course of their lives.
Brantley Hayes has it all. Or so he thinks. When he first made the decision to take a job down in Florida, his family thought he was crazy. But, after years of living in the quiet beach town, he finally feels a sense of community. He’s surrounded himself with friends who are like family, has a job he loves, and owns a spectacular beachfront property that is his sanctuary.
Yet he still feels unfulfilled, as if a piece of the puzzle is missing, and he knows exactly which piece it is. On an impulse, he follows through with a promise he made years earlier. A promise to call home the one he sent away.
Nothing is as simple as it seems.
After years of separation, the former lovers are reunited, but Brantley wasn’t expecting to encounter the high walls now guarding Daniel’s heart.
Daniel may not be the same person he was when he left, but he knows that the first step to healing is the note in his hand.
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About Ella Frank
Ella Frank is the author of the #1 Bestselling Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust and is the co-author of the fan-favorite erotic serial, A Desperate Man. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”
Will Hawthorne has been running since the day his baby brother was killed.
He takes the jobs no one else wants, pitches in when he’s needed and never complains, all in an effort to win back the trust of his brothers at the Aces and Eights Motorcycle Club.
Then he catches sight of Molly Duncan across a crowded bar.
He’d grown up with her, known her when she had lopsided pigtails and buck teeth, and had watched uninterested as she’d caught the eye of their high school football star.
She’d also been his nurse on the worst night of his life.
He wants her and he gets her… and it’s better than he could have ever imagined.
But Molly isn’t interested in his life at the MC. She’s got her own life as a nurse and a single mom to her little girl.
As Molly and Will grow closer, Will is pulled in two different directions.
Life with the Aces or life with Molly and her daughter.
When he leaves Molly without a word, his decision is clear.
He knows immediately that it was the wrong one.
Unfortunately for Will, a strong woman like Molly doesn’t forgive easily.
Michel’s Review
Craving Molly by Nicole Jacquelyn was one of those surprise releases. As a die hard Aces MC fan, I try very hard to keep up with Nicole Jacquelyn’s releases. Imagine my surprise when I got a FB notification that Craving Molly had released. I was instantly on Amazon purchasing this book. Of course I had several review commitments that I had to do before I cracked this book. The wait was killing me because I wanted to dive into this book after what happened in Craving Trix. T
he Aces world had been tilted upside down. The tragedies they were dealt was devastating. The healing process was going to be hard for all of them. The one that took it the hardest was Will Hawthorne. Will Hawthorne is Grease and Callie’s oldest son. He felt responsible for the death of his younger brother. He felt like he brought the devastation to their front door. For the past few years he has been living with the guilt. While the others moved forward with life, he was stalled. The only thing he could commit to was the Aces MC club itself. He became one of their most employed soldiers. His only mission was to protect the club.
When he runs into Molly Duncan he finds his interest is once again engaged in something other than club business. Molly was the shy, untouchable girl from high school. She was the nurse that took care of him while he was in the hospital. Now she’s the woman he wants in his bed. He knows she’s different from the women he is used to. She’s never been around club life and he is okay with that. She’s something that he can have for himself, that is separate from his obligations. Something that isn’t a reminder of the horrific day that killed his younger brother.
Molly Duncan is different from the folks from the Aces MC. She has led a pretty sheltered life that was laced with her own personal tragedies. Her high school sweetheart and father of her daughter died unexpectedly when she was pregnant. Her young daughter is a special needs child. Her only focus is taking care of her daughter to the best of her ability. But when she runs into Will Hawthorne, she also realizes she is a woman with her own personal needs. The question is can she take a risk on fulfilling her needs? How is it going to affect her daughter? Will being a member of the Aces is another problem. Her father is their attorney and he has laid the law down where they are concerned.
Will and Molly start a beautiful friendship that becomes something more. He’s fallen in love with her and her daughter. When they try to blend their worlds it becomes clear that they might not mix. Rather than trying to make it work, Will does what he does best, he chooses the club.
Months later Molly’s world and Will’s world collide in a very violent and horrific way. This time Will is choosing Molly. He will protect her at any cost. This time around he is playing for keeps. But can he protect Molly and the Aces.
As the story unfolds it becomes clear that The Aces Sons Series is heading towards one explosive plot. Rather than each book having it’s own story that fits into the Aces world, the new series has an individual love story that is thrown into the fire of the Aces world. Each book is building up to an explosive ending. The ongoing plot is getting more treacherous and dangerous for all of the Aces.
Once again Nicole Jacquelyn wrote a compelling and passionate story. This time around she added something special. She gave the Aces a beautiful special little girl to take into their fold.
I loved Craving Molly!
I must say that this is not a stand alone book. It’s better to read the Aces MC series and the first book in the Aces Sons series. The characters, the club dynamics, and build up to this book are laid out as the series progresses.
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The Complete Aces MC Series
Over 400,000 words.
Four complete novels.
Four never before seen bonus scenes.
Four protective men.
Four strong women.
Four stories that will break your heart and then piece it back together again.
Craving Constellations- Dragon and Brenna Craving Redemption- Callie and Grease Craving Absolution- Casper and Farrah Craving Resurrection- Poet and Amy
Come meet the Aces MC, the loyal men who carry its banner and the women who love them.
Bellatrix White had loved Cameron Harrison for as long as she could remember. He was her best friend and her closest confidant, and she knew one day he’d be her forever.
Then he broke her heart.
After five years of complete silence between them, the motorcycle club they grew up in comes under attack, giving Cam the opportunity he needs to work his way back into Trix’s life.
Because while Trix was nursing her broken heart, Cam was realizing exactly what he’d given up.
They fall into a relationship easily, but when new tragedies mix with old memories, neither of the lovers are prepared for the fallout.
Will Hawthorne has been running since the day his baby brother was killed.
He takes the jobs no one else wants, pitches in when he’s needed and never complains, all in an effort to win back the trust of his brothers at the Aces and Eights Motorcycle Club.
Then he catches sight of Molly Duncan across a crowded bar.
He’d grown up with her, known her when she had lopsided pigtails and buck teeth, and had watched uninterested as she’d caught the eye of their high school football star.
She’d also been his nurse on the worst night of his life.
He wants her and he gets her… and it’s better than he could have ever imagined.
But Molly isn’t interested in his life at the MC. She’s got her own life as a nurse and a single mom to her little girl.
As Molly and Will grow closer, Will is pulled in two different directions.
Life with the Aces or life with Molly and her daughter.
When he leaves Molly without a word, his decision is clear.
He knows immediately that it was the wrong one.
Unfortunately for Will, a strong woman like Molly doesn’t forgive easily.
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About Nicole Jacquelyn
Nicole Jacquelyn is the mom of two little girls and a full time college student. She hasn’t watched television in well over a year, she still does things that drive her mother crazy, and she loves to read. At eight years old, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she told people she wanted to be a mom. When she was twelve her answer changed- to author. By the time she was eighteen, when people asked her what she wanted to do with her life, she told them she really wanted to be a writer- but the odds of that happening were so slim that she’d get her business degree “just to be safe”. Her dreams stayed constant. First she became a mom, then she went to college, and during her senior year- with one daughter in first grade and the other in preschool, she sat down and wrote a story.
From New York Times Bestselling Author, Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.
Sharing a summer house with a hot-as-hell roommate should be a dream come true, right?
Not when it’s Justin…the only person I’d ever loved…who now hates me.
When my grandmother died and left me half of the house on Aquidneck Island, there was a catch: the other half would go to the boy she helped raise.
The same boy who turned into the teenager whose heart I broke years ago.
The same teenager who’s now a man with a hard body and a hardass personality to match.
I hadn’t seen him in years, and now we’re living together because neither one of us is willing to give up the house.
The worst part? He didn’t come alone.
I’d soon realize there’s a thin line between love and hate. I could see through that smug smile. Beneath it all…the boy is still there. So is our connection.
The problem is…now that I can’t have Justin, I’ve never wanted him more.
Author’s note – RoomHate is a full-length standalone novel. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
Excerpt
His eyes darted to the side, and he noticed me standing there. We just stared at each other. It was ironic, but the only times I could ever feel the remnants of our old connection were in fleeting moments of silent eye contact. Sometimes moments of silence spoke the loudest.
I left him alone again, making my way back down the hall and into the restaurant to tend to the customers I’d been ignoring.
Things really started to get busy. Without Jade working tonight, we were short-staffed, and I was having a hard time keeping up with the orders. Sandy’s had indoor and outdoor seating. Normally, I would only be working one section, but tonight I was going back and forth between the two.
It was nice out, so I knew they would have Justin performing outside. I kept glancing over to the small stage to see if he was there. It was past eight, and he hadn’t made an appearance yet.
Sometime close to eight-thirty, I was in the middle of serving a large party of ten when I first heard it: the chilling sound of a soulful voice that was not familiar in the least. He gave no introduction. No warning. He just started to sing out the first few words, followed by the strum of his guitar. The song that Justin had chosen to start with was a cover of Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers.
The entire room soon quieted down, and all eyes were on the stunning blond male specimen with the spotlight shining down on him. Despite the fact that I was carrying a large round tray of dirty dishes, I couldn’t move. The vibration of his thick, smoky singing voice had completely paralyzed me, penetrating my body and soul.
Aside from the lone teardrop that fell the night he lost it on me during steak dinner, I hadn’t shed any more tears—until now. It was all too much. Hearing how different his voice sounded, how he’d trained it over the years, was a wake-up call as to how much I had missed. All of the hours of practice that must have gone into honing that beautiful voice, and I wasn’t there for any of it. The guilt, the emotions, the reality of a decade gone…everything started to pummel me at once. Not to mention the song—about a girl leaving. It probably had nothing to do with me, but in my mind, it sure as hell felt like it did.
Tracey’s Review
They were best friends, inseparable, sure that nothing would ever change. Until she ran away, and ended what they had. Now, ten years later, events bring them back into each others’ lives, but things have changed, and not for the better.
Penelope Ward cannot write a book that I do not love. I mean, really, I love every angsty, heart-rending, love-filled story, bar none, and ROOMHATE is no exception. From the moment that I began reading Amelia’s and Justin’s story, I could not put it down. I am a sucker for friends-to-enemies-to-lovers reads, and Penelope excels at writing just this kind of book.
The way that these two feel about each other is almost palpable. From the minute that they met, becoming fast friends, the growing, but unnamed, love that blossomed, replaced by the feelings of betrayal and anger, all of these feelings are so vivid, and it makes this story that much more engaging. I love seeing the way that Amelia and Justin react to each other, from the time that they were kids, and, of course, once they are reunited at ‘their’ beach house. They just have so much history, and seeing them unpack the feelings that they have kept buried over the course of a decade is very emotional.
Penelope can write one heck of a hot book boyfriend, and Justin has absolutely joined the ranks of my favorites. His dedication to Amelia, and, later, Bea, is nothing short of swoony and heartwarming, and I couldn’t love him more.
Penelope continues to write books that conjure up every emotion, and reel me in completely, and I happily give ROOMHATE 5 stars. It is one sexy and moving read, and I highly recommend adding it to your TBR.
***ARC generously provided for an honest review.***
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Penelope Ward is a USA Today Bestselling author.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers. She spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career.
Penelope lives for reading books in the new adult genre, coffee and hanging out with her friends and family on weekends.
She is the proud mother of a beautiful 10-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 8-year-old boy, both of whom are the lights of her life.
Penelope, her husband and kids reside in Rhode Island.
I’m just a simple girl who loves the country life… oh yeah! & a good corn dog! Throw in a little Vanilla Ice, and shits bound to get crazy! Be brave…
*** Upper New Adult Spinoff Standalone to the USA Today Bestselling Novel, Under the Influence***
He found me in blood and tears.
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Ella Frank is the author of the #1 Bestselling Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust and is the co-author of the fan-favorite erotic serial, A Desperate Man. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”
Saucy Southern Readers 