Review: A Week In New York by Louise Bay- The Empire State Trilogy- Book 1

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A Week In New York

The Empire State Trilogy

Installment #1

By Louise Bay

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Synopsis

Anna Kirby is sick of dating. She’s tired of heartbreak. Despite being smart, sexy, and funny, she’s a magnet for men who don’t deserve her.

A week’s vacation in New York is the ultimate distraction from her most recent break-up, as well as a great place to meet a stranger and have some summer fun. But to protect her still-bruised heart, fun comes with rules. There will be no sharing stories, no swapping numbers, and no real names. Just one night of uncomplicated fun.

Super-successful serial seducer Ethan Scott has some rules of his own. He doesn’t date, he doesn’t stay the night, and he doesn’t make any promises.

It should be a match made in heaven. But rules are made to be broken.

 A Week in New York is the first in a series of three novellas.

Buy: Amazon

Synopsis

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Book 2 Coming December 2, 2014 

5 star

Tracey’s Review

Anna Kirby has had it with romance. She’s had her fill of creeps, of guys that make her fall for them and then break her heart. So, on holiday in New York, she’s ready to just go with the flow, to enjoy herself with no expectations, and no strings.

Ethan Scott has rules. A whole list of them. But when he meets Anna Kirby, he’s ready to toss them all right out of the window. Because she has rules of her own, and, just like that, things are changing for the both of them.

A WEEK IN NEW YORK is the first in a three-part series by Louise Bay. I loved everything about this story, from Louise’s trademark quirky characters to the snappy banter to the unabashed attraction and enjoyment with which Anna and Ethan approach their week. Neither one is prepared for the intensity that they feel the more time that they spend together. The fact that they even continue to spend time together has thrown them for a loop, especially Ethan, and he’s wondering what the heck has happened to his rules. When it comes time for their week together to end, it’s harder than they think to say goodbye and move on.

I started and finished this story in one day. The bad part? I have to wait until December for Part Two, AUTUMN IN LONDON, and it is killing me. I just cannot wait to find out what will happen when Ethan and Anna find themselves in the same place as each other again, and look forward to more sexy chemistry and game changing developments in the story the way that only Louise can write it. Five super-sexy stars!

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 ~Twitter ~Goodreads

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ARC Review: Heat Of The Moment by Robin Kaye

heat of the moment

Heat Of The Moment

By Robin Kaye

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Synopsis

Cameron O’Leary, a 4th generation firefighter turned arson investigator, thinks he’s the luckiest man in the world—after a year of sickness in the family, everyone’s finally on the mend, and his life can go back to its even keel. But even though Cameron has moved to Boston to be there for his family, some sort of live-in nurse is still necessary, given the demands of his job.

Erin Crosby is financing her master’s thesis in social work by acting as a home health care nurse. Working for Cameron seems like the perfect gig—low key, plenty of time to work on her thesis, and the patient is lovely. She might never have lived with a man before—she’s never found anyone she cared about that much, had barely even considered it—but Cameron is easy to live with, and an easy friendship blooms between them.

But it gets harder and harder for Cameron to keep his hands off of his charming employee—and for Erin to remember that she hasn’t really moved into Cameron’s life.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

4 star

Tracey’s Review

Welcoming Erin Crosby into his home is proving tougher than Cam O’Leary expected. Because, from the minute that she first showed up at his door to take care of his daughter, Janie, Cam hasn’t stopped thinking about Erin, and all the different ways that he’d like to get to know her. Unfortunately for him, none of them fit into the roles of employer and employee.

Erin hasn’t had a lot of success with men, always finding ways to make short work of relationships, because, in her experience, men never stick around anyway. Focusing on taking care of Janie is turning out to be a tricker task than she’d anticipated, because she wasn’t counting on Janie’s oh-so-sexy dad, Cam. Keeping things strictly professional just got a lot harder.

HEAT OF THE MOMENT is a sexy little novella, and enjoyable, too. The awareness between Erin and Cam fairly jumps off the page, as they navigate their growing desire for each other while doing their best to avoid it. Janie’s health is pretty much all that Cam has focused on for the past couple of years, so when Erin shows up and begins making him feel things that he hasn’t in a very long while, he’s adamant that they will keep things professional. Of course, the best laid plans, and all that…

This book gets a thumbs-up from me. The attraction between Cam and Erin is immediate, and sets the tone for the entire read. The addition of a quirky and entertaining cast of supporting characters makes the story seem more real, like this could be our own family, friends, self, we’re reading about. Robin Kaye has written an entertaining and steamy story filled with imminently likeable people, and I enjoyed every minute of it. If things happened fairly quickly, well, hey, wouldn’t it be nice if real life worked that way? I look forward to reading more by Robin, and would love to see a story featuring Cam’s brothers, Adam and Butch.

Author Bio:

Robin KayeRobin Kaye was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge next door to her Sicilian grandparents. Living with an extended family that’s a cross between Gilligan’s Island and The Sopranos, minus the desert isle and illegal activities, explains both her comedic timing and the cast of quirky characters in her books.

 

She’s lived in half a dozen states from Idaho to Florida, but the romance of Brooklyn has never left her heart. She currently resides in Maryland with her husband, three children, two dogs, and a three-legged cat with attitude.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads 

heat of the moment

Review: Stars In Their Eyes by Lauren Blakely-Wrapped Up In Love-Book 2


Stars in Their Eyes

Amazon US ** iBooks ** B&N

 

 

About STARS IN THEIR EYES:

WARNING: The hero in this book is not an asshole. He is hot, charming, smart, funny, ripped, gorgeous, respectful and completely panty-melting. Please proceed.

A sexy and swoony new adult romance…

Celebrity photographer and college senior Jess Leighton desperately needs to crash the wedding of the year. Snapping just one pic of the A-list Hollywood couple tying the knot will pay her way through grad school. But with security tighter than the bride-to-be’s corset, she’ll need more than her camera and smarts, she’ll need help from her biggest rival–hot, British, motorcycle-riding William Harrigan, whose sexy accent can melt the panties off any woman. He’s the last person Jess should trust, but he’s her only ticket in.

William Harrigan wants one thing – to stay in L.A. past college graduation. With a student visa set to expire, the clock is ticking. When he lands a gig that pairs him with the beautiful blond spitfire Jess, he’s scored his best shot at living out the American dream. Winning her trust would be a whole lot easier, however, if he didn’t have ulterior motives…

But there’s no faking the intense attraction between them. Try as they might to resist each other, soon sparks are flying, as they devise a plan to sneak into the ceremony. But when Jess’ new celebrity client raises the stakes, she starts to smell blackmail, and soon she and Will are chasing down cheating directors, staking out clandestine trysts, and making fake IDs, all while sneaking scene-stealing kisses and hot nights together.

The audience loves a happy ending, but in a town where everyone’s acting and no one’s playing by the rules, can Jess and William find their own ever after in time?

**Stars in Their Eyes is the start of the sexy, swoony and scandalous new adult series Wrapped Up in Love, which is a spin-off of the NYT and USA Today Bestselling Caught Up in Love series. You don’t need to have read Caught Up in Love to follow this new series, but you’ll likely enjoy those books!**

5 star

Tracey’s Review

Los Angeles. Land of sun, fun, and stars. There are celebrities everywhee you look, and Jess Leighton can’t get enough of them. As a member of the paparrazi, she’s always angling to be the first on the scene, getting the pictures of the rich and famous that everyone wants to see.

William Harrigan may have been born in the UK, but there’s nowhere he’d rather be than in sunny L.A. Unfortunately for him, time’s running out, and his time in the Golden State may soon be at an end.

Jess will do whatever it takes to be the top celebrity photographer. After all, med school isn’t cheap, and good pictures pay well. When William shows up working for Jess’ boss, she figures that it’s always better to keep prospective enemies close, and begins spending time with him.

Firstly, William. Oh, my goodness, Hot British Guy. Swoon-worthy doesn’t even begin to cover it. He’s the brother of Matthew Harrigan, first introduced to us as Jane Black’s love interest in FAR TOO TEMPTING. Well, like Matthew before him, William is sex on a stick. The man is British, for goodness’ sake, and he speaks five languages. Let me tell you, if I get a Hot British Guy speaking sexy Italian to me while in the throes of passion, game over. And Jess, against her better judgment, begins to feel exactly the same way. Matthew is not only sexy, he’s nice. And snarky and smart, and just fun to be around. For a woman as controlled as Jess is, he’s just what she needs to let loose a bit, and feel free to be herself.

I really admire that Lauren addresses important topics in this book. In a place like L.A., where appearance is everything and looks make or break the person, dealing with personal demons that hinge on control is so timely. And trying to guess which celebrities Lauren is sending up makes for some fun guesswork while reading.

STARS IN OUR EYES joins the ranks of favorites, but it’s sort of like picking a favorite child. This one shines, but you really have to read all of Lauren’s books to see just how special they all are. Five swoony, sexy, romantic stars.

 

Author PhotoAbout Lauren Blakely:

Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in FAR TOO TEMPTING, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. Her novels include Caught Up In Us, Pretending He’s Mine, Playing With Her Heart, and Trophy Husband. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney.

Website** Facebook** Twitter** Goodreads ** STARS IN THEIR EYES Goodreads

 

Review: The Protector by J. Evans-The Arrangement- Part 1

The protector

 

The Protector

The Arrangement World- Serial- Part 1

By J. Evans (aka Jessie Evans)

Synopsis

A New Story by J. Evans from the world of H.M. WARD’S THE ARRANGEMENT via KINDLE WORLDS.

**This book features appearances by Sean Ferro**

She’ll never be able to go home again…

Aidan Blake’s years in the Marines prepared him for a career as a private detective. They didn’t prepare him to hunt down the woman he sheltered from bullies back in high school. But Sean Ferro needs beautiful Astor Greer’s help to save his fiancee’s life and what Ferro wants, Ferro gets.

But soon it becomes clear Ferro isn’t the only one hunting the sexy, self-assured woman Aidan’s high school crush has become and that Aidan’s feelings for Astor are far from a thing of the past. Now Aidan will have to make a choice–honor his promise to a dangerous man or risk everything to protect the woman he was meant to love.

This novella can be read as a stand alone story even if not familiar with H.M. Ward’s bestselling serial.

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5 star

Tracey’s Review

Astor Greer’s world changes in an instant. Someone is looking for her, and they’re willing to do pretty much anything to get to her. Forced to run from life as she knew it, Astor leaves the safety of home and family, looking over her shoulder for unknown pursuers. When Aidan Blake, Astor’s high school crush, shows up, she isn’t sure whether he is friend or enemy. Aidan, hired by infamous businessman Sean Ferro to find Astor, can’t fight the feelings that he’s harbored for her for seven long years, and pursuer becomes protector.

Now, if another author said that they were writing a companion novella to H.M. Ward’s THE ARRANGEMENT series, I might read it. But, when J. Evans writes something, well, there’s no question, I’m on it. And, as usual, she does not disappoint. This short little story was as hot, sexy, and action-packed as I’ve come to expect from J. Evans, and I loved every bit of it, from the opening scene to the very last word in the epilogue. Whether you’ve previously read H.M. Ward or not, I’m telling you to grab this jewel and get reading; you will not be disappointed.

Author Bio
About Jessie Evans writing as J. Evans

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessie Evans, gave up a career as an international woman of mystery to write the sexy, contemporary Southern romances she loves to read.

She’s married to the man of her dreams, and together they’re raising a few adorable, mischievous children in a cottage in the jungle. She grew up in rural Arkansas, spending summers running wild, being chewed by chiggers, and now appreciates her home in a chigger-free part of the world even more.

When she’s not writing, Jessie enjoys playing her dulcimer (badly), sewing the worlds ugliest quilts to give to her friends, going for bike rides with her house full of boys, and drifting in and out on the waves, feeling thankful for sun, surf, and lovely people to share them with.

Connect with Jessie Evans

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter

The protector

Release Day Blitz: One Night With Her by Lauren Blakely-Prequel Novella in Seductive Nights Series

One Night With her for Aug 13 reveal

One Night With Her

Prequel Novella in Seductive Nights Series

By Lauren Blakely

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Synopsis

ONE NIGHT WITH HER is the prequel novella to NIGHTS WITH HIM in the Seductive Nights series. It’s available for free across retailers to give readers a taste of the night Jack and Michelle meet and their sexy, sensual chemistry. Their story continues in the full-length novel, NIGHTS WITH HIM, releasing November 11th. ONE NIGHT WITH HER will also be included in the eBook of NIGHTS WITH HIM for readers who want to get the full storyline, from first meeting on through the novel, in one spot.

First names only for one night of pleasure…

He’s only at the hotel to close a business deal. Then he sees her, and his agenda for the evening shifts—woo her, win her, and make sure she never forgets who gave her the most exquisite pleasure she’s ever had. Jack Sullivan, sex toy mogul, a billionaire, and one of New York City’s most eligible bachelors is captivated by the brilliant and beautiful Michelle Milo.

From her witty mouth to her sinful body, she’s his perfect fantasy. But there’s more than the undeniable chemistry; they both might be exactly what the other needs.

As soon as he has her between the sheets, he knows one night with her will never be enough.

The trouble is, he’s about to run into her tomorrow…in the last place he expects.

NOTE: This novella is a free prequel to the full-length standalone novel NIGHTS WITH HIM. It will also be included in the ebook of NIGHTS WITH HIM, so you can read it first as a free download or read it as part of the novel. Enjoy!

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Kobo / Google Play

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5 star

Tracey’s Review

Jack Sullivan may be the king of an empire devoted to pleasure, but he has what his sister calls ‘issues with intimacy.’ Unable to move on after the death of his fiancee, he has finally promised to see a professional and come to grips with his loss.

Michelle Milo still hasn’t gotten over her 10-year unrequited love for her friend Clay Nichols. Tired of missing something that wasn’t hers to begin with, she’s ready to put the past behind her and get on with her life.

Hot, hot, hot! If a book could spontaneously combust from all of the sexiness, this would be the one.
Lauren Blakely never disappoints in the delivery of a hot and steamy read, and ONE NIGHT WITH HER is no exception. Revisiting some old friends, as well as some new faces, this was a great introduction to Jack Sullivan, sure to become another favorite Blakely Boy. He is over-the-top hot and sexy, and reading his exchanges with Michelle Milo had me fanning myself.

Lauren has written the perfect prequel novella to NIGHTS WITH HIM, and I cannot WAIT until we can see more of these two in NIGHTS WITH HIM.

Nights With Him Cover for Aug 13 reveal

Nights With Him

Seductive Nights Series- Book 1

Release Date: November 11, 2014

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By Lauren Blakely

Synopsis

A sensual, sexy, standalone romance novel in the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Seductive Nights Series by Lauren Blakely…

Jack Sullivan is a Sex Toy Mogul.

An extremely eligible bachelor in New York, he’s the full package, right down to his full package. Hell, this man could be the model for one of the toys his company, Joy Delivered, peddles. Instead, he’s the powerful and successful CEO and he’s got commitment issues a mile-long after the tragic way his relationship with his fiancée ended.

He’s looking for a way to erase the pain and that arrives in the form of Michelle Milo. From her pencil skirts to her high heels, she’s his perfect fantasy, especially since she has no idea who he is the night they meet at a hotel bar. He doesn’t have a clue either that she’s the brilliant psychologist his sister has arranged for him to see to help him get over his past. She’s simply the stunning woman he takes to bed that night and delivers many Os of joy too.

His touch helps her forget that other man.

When he shows up at her office door the next day, there’s no way in hell she’s going to treat him after they’ve slept together. Jack isn’t willing to let go of the first woman he’s felt anything for in years so he proposes a deal – share her nights with him for thirty days. At the end of one month of exquisite pleasure, they walk away, having helped each other move on from their haunted pasts.

But soon, all those nights threaten to turn into days as the lines between lust and matters of the heart start to blur. Can two people so terribly afraid of love truly fall head over heels?

**NIGHTS WITH HIM is a standalone full-length novel in the bestselling SEDUCTIVE NIGHTS series following the love affair of a new couple.**

Pre-Order: Amazon / Kobo / ITunes

About Lauren Blakely:

Author PhotoLauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in FAR TOO TEMPTING, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. Her novels include Caught Up In Us, Pretending He’s Mine, Playing With Her Heart, and Trophy Husband. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | NIGHTS WITH HIM Goodreads | Lauren Blakely Goodreads

One Night With her for Aug 13 reveal

Release Day Blitz: Three And Out by Meghan Quinn- Love and Sports Series- Book 3

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Title: Three and Out 

Love and Sports Series- Book 3

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Author: Meghan Quinn

Synopsis

Piper was dead to him.

The minute she walked out the door on Mason, he was done.

D.O.N.E.

Now, three months later, he’s still trying to act like he doesn’t care. Like his heart hasn’t been torn into shreds and obliterated beyond recognition.

But it’s not working.

He’s broken and beyond repair.

Then Piper goes missing.

Mason tries to show the world he doesn’t care, but his world is flipped upside down.

A vulnerable Mason finds help in an unexpected place and it’s an offer he can’t refuse.

The knot that has been gripping Mason’s heart slowly starts to unravel and he’s starting to look into his future…

Three and Out runs through the lives of Mason and his friends while they struggle to find love and keep it in their hectic, crazy, drama twisted lives.

Not everyone is meant to be and not everyone who you think should be together, will end up together in the final installment of the Love and Sports series.

Buy: Amazon

 

 

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Excerpt:

“Woah, careful there.”

“Damn, wet floor. Like mopping is going to make it any better looking.”

Jax’s ears perked up at hearing a familiar voice. He lifted them both up so they were standing. The woman was brushing off her navy blue, hip-hugging skirt, so he couldn’t tell who it was, but when she looked up, Jax instantly knew why he recognized the woman’s voice.

“Brooke?”

Her eyes widened, and then recognition fell over her features.

“Jax. Wow, never thought I would ever cross paths with you again. How’s it going?”

“Alright, and yourself?”

As Brooke talked about her new clothing line and her little apartment in downtown Denver, Jax took her all in. Her hair was short now, just below chin length, and styled to frame her face. Her body was the same rocking figure he remembered from when he met her at the bar, that awkward night his boys and Jake Taylor all hung out before a pre-season game, and for some reason, her eyes were brighter than he remembered, as if she was breathing a new life.

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4 star

Tracey’s Review

Mason is done with love. He’s had his heart broken, and he’s not about to go through THAT again, so he does what any self-respecting pro football star would do: he’s leaving a trail of conquests a mile long, while having the time of his life, or so he’d like to believe.

THREE AND OUT is the final book in the Love and Sports series by Meghan Quinn. And, while it is largely Mason’s and Piper’s book, it is really an ensemble story, like the others in the series. Jax and Brooke, Ryker and Hannah, Jesse and Ashlin are all featured as well, as Meghan brings the series full-circle and gives everyone the ending that they need. Even Lexi and Jake make an appearance, and it’s nice to see the crazy kids from the first book, still happily together several years down the line.

I enjoyed this book a lot. Meghan has written characters that are so nuts that you can’t help but love them, with all their quirks, insecurities, and issues. The dialogue made me laugh out loud, and I am just a little bit in love with every one of the obnoxious guys in this book. I feel like the writing, which was not bad, but more immature in the first book, has vastly improved, and is much more polished and readable. I would very much recommend this read, as much for the zany cast of characters as the storyline that rounds out the series in a very satisfying way.

 

Have a look at Book 1 and 2 of the Love and Sports series.

pFair CatchFair Catch (Love and Sports, #1)

Training, playing ball and studying is Lexi’s life and it never seems to bother her until her friend, Parker Hill, points out to her that sweat pants on a Friday night while watching sappy romance movies isn’t really living up her last year in college. Lexi didn’t see the need to party since she didn’t know what the hell she was doing with her life after college but her friends wouldn’t take no for an answer. Little did she know going to the first party of the season was going to flip her world upside down.

Jake Taylor, starting quarterback for Cal U and campus heart throb spent his entire college career, partying, getting drunk and winning football games but it is all finally catching up to him. He is ready to throw in the towel of his partying days when he decides to have one more last fling. That is when he runs into the one person that could turn his life inside out.

Lexi wants nothing to do with Jake and his partying ways but after one bet gone wrong , she finds herself on a date with the annoyingly obnoxious, egotistical heart throb. Even though she wants nothing to do with him, she finds herself gravitating toward him and giving into his charm. They fall hard and fast for each other as they find love, comfort and a home. They live in their own littler world where nothing matters besides the love they share for each other.

But love isn’t enough for Lexi when she is trying to find her way after college. She slowly sinks into Jake’s shadow and finds herself clawing out of the Jake sized hole she buried herself in so she can find who she is, who she wants to be and what her future holds for her.

Fair Catch is a true love story that goes through the trials and tribulations of Jake and Lexi’s insecurities, jealousies, short comings and strong personalities. Love is one hell of a strong bond but sometimes, it’s not strong enough. Follow Jake and Lexi as they try to hold on to the love they share while they try to find themselves and find out what life is after graduation.

 

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

 

3 star

Lexi Knox is the golden girl at Cal U. Captain of the softball team, she’s smart, beautiful, and a fantastic athlete. She’s also sure that she doesn’t want anything to do with Jake Taylor, quarterback of the Cal U football team, and jerk with a capital ‘J’. But Jake wants Lexi, and he’s willing to do his best to persuade her that he’s a changed man.

FAIR CATCH is the first book in the Love and Sports series by Meghan Quinn. Reading this book was like watching a tennis match. The interactions between Jake and Lexi were so back-and-forth that it was sometimes hard to keep up with the way that they kept changing their minds about their relationship. Luke has a well-earned reputation as a manwhore, having slept with practically then entire women’s athletics department at the university, so he’s got his work cut out for him to convince Lexi that he’s done with all of that, and ready to be a one-woman guy. And Lexi has all sorts of family drama, and has a hard time showing her real self to Jake, opting instead to throw in the towel with little convincing reason. This is New Adult, though, so I could forgive a lot of this, if not actually appreciate it. The supporting characters, especially Parker and Margo, made this a much more enjoyable read for me.

FAIR CATCH is the first book in a trilogy, and, since I like Meghan’s writing style, I will continue to read the series, and look forward to seeing the characters grow and mature in the subsequent installments.
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Double Coverage (Love and Sports, #2)

91iQKAE8-9L._SL1500_Unfortunate inconvenience, that is the way Piper describes her encounter with Mason Dashel. From the minute the alpha male interrupts her morning after hangover on the airplane, she can’t stand to be near the egotistical maniac with a booming voice and annoying sex appeal. But to her misfortune she finds herself not only having to spend time with him at their best friends’ wedding but she also can’t seem to shake the infuriating man in her everyday life.

Psychotic Una-bomber with the constant mensies is the way Mason describes his flying companion, Piper Shores. After a horrific break up with his now ex, Brooke, he finds himself being engulfed by the temperamental red head that just so happens to be the maid of honor to one of his best friends, Lexi. Even though she grates on his every nerve, he can’t help but want a piece of her.

The two are like oil and water, a science experiment ready to explode any second but they can’t help but be drawn to each other. The only problem is… there are other people they are involved with who not only prevent Mason and Piper from being together, but interrupt any chance they have at making a relationship work.

Goodreads // Amazon

 

About Meghan Quinn:

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When I was in high school I occasionally read books but was consumed by other teenage things so I didn’t take the time to appreciate a good book on a cloudy day, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch, besides “The Notebook” I made time to read the heartbreaking novel.

It wasn’t until I received a Kindle for Christmas one year that my world completely flipped upside down. When looking for books, I came across the Contemporary Romance genre and was sold and I haven’t turned back since.

You can either find my head buried in my Kindle, listening to inspiring heart ripping music or typing away on the computer twisting and turning the lives of my characters while driving my readers crazy with anticipation.

I am currently residing in beautiful Colorado Springs where the sun is always shining and there is a trail waiting to be hiked on every corner. I share a lovely and warm home with the love of my life and my five, four-legged children.

Website // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads

 

 

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ARC Review: Sweet Harmony by Luann McLane- The Cricket Creek Series- Book 7

sweet harmony

Sweet Harmony 

The Cricket Creek Series- Book 7

By Luann McLane

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Synopsis

Cricket Creek, Kentucky, is no Nashville—it’s a sweet, small town outside the big-city limelight. But here, two headstrong country music stars will need to rely on their Southern roots and explosive chemistry to top the charts together.

 

When Cat Carson drops her record label and signs with an independent label based in Cricket Creek, it’s a huge upset in the music world. But the residents of Cricket Creek are thrilled to have a real country music star in their midst. Everyone except Jeff Greenfield, that is—a local rising star himself, who’s been asked to record a duet with the stunning beauty.

 

Jeff grew up on a farm, but his smooth, soulful country style is starting to get him noticed outside Cricket Creek. And while a duet with Cat Carson could send his career skyrocketing, he doesn’t want to lose touch with his roots—or lose his head. Because sparks are flying every time he and Cat hit the studio. And it’s more than a little distracting….

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

4 star

Tracey’s Review

When Cat Carson, a country star phenomenon with a Top 40 fan base leaves her big time label to relocate to a small town in Kentucky to find herself, she has no idea of how her life is about to change. Jeff Greenfield, wants nothing but to sing, to make a name for himself as a performer of traditional country songs. While he can appreciate the talent in a singer like Cat, he thinks that she’s better suited to pop radio stations than to the Grand Ole Opry. But Fate, in the form of the owner of their mutual record label, steps in, forcing them to put aside their differences and work together.

Sweet Harmony by LuAnn McLane is more than your typical opposites attracting sort of love story. Cat and Jeff are both strong characters who know what they want, at least professionally. They are both determined to make the kind of music that they want, the type that will define them as more than just one-hit wonders or Top 40 fan favorites. And that refusal to back down, to be other than they feel called to be, is what sparks the interest between the two of them as well, and draws them to each other. Their chemistry, combined with strong supporting characters like Maria, Pete, and Snake, are what make it such a fun read, along with the sense of community that comes from a small town full of people that know and love each other.

This is the seventh book in the Cricket Creek series, and while it is the first one that I’ve had the pleasure of reading, it will not be the last. I look forward to reading the previous books and to spending more time in Cricket Creek, Kentucky.

Author Bio:

luann mclaneBecoming an avid reader at a young age, McLane soon knew she wanted to be a writer. Encouragement from teachers led to creative writing classes on both the high school and college level. In the mid 1980’s she became a staff reporter and wrote human-interest stories for several local newspapers and at one point had her own award-winning column in The Kenton County Recorder. Fiction, though, was what she really longed to write. She joined an eclectic literary group called Night Writers and met romance novelist Nicole Jordan who invited her to join Romance Writers of America. With a handful of women, they founded the Ohio Valley RWA chapter that is now a huge national chapter.

Four children and a traveling husband, however, curtailed McLane’s writing career until a now-or-never mid-life crisis made her overcome her fear of computers and jump back into the crazy business of romance writing and she hasn’t looked back.

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ARC Review: Carolina Blues by Virginia Kantra- Dare Island Series-Book 4

Carolina Blues

Carolina Blues

The Dare Island Series-Book 4

By Virginia Kantra

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Synopsis:

Jack Rossi is Dare Island’s new police chief. The laid-back North Carolina community is just what he needs to recover from a rocky marriage and a big-city police department. He’s learned his lesson: no more high-profile women or high-pressure jobs. The last thing he wants is an unconventional alt girl rocking his world.

Grad student Lauren Patterson made headlines when she kept a bank robbery from going bad. She’s fled to Dare Island to clear her head and focus on writing her story. However, sexy Jack Rossi is a distraction that’s too hot to ignore, and it’s igniting an affair too combustible to resist—or quit.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

4 star

Tracey’s Review

Jack Rossi, Philadelphia born and bred, is a cop and military veteran. Reeling from the ultimate betrayal, Jack has relocated to Dare Island, NC, trading a high profile professional life in his hometown for one where his duties revolve more around making sure that vacationers abide by traffic laws and finding out what is making the noise under Dora Abrams’ house. Lauren Patterson is a grad student and bestselling author. She’s come to Dare Island to try and find the inspiration to write the follow-up to her bestselling book Hostage Girl, and to escape the pressure of living a life under the magnifying glass of the public eye. And, while these two people have, at first glance, very little in common, it isn’t long before they find that they may be just exactly what the other needs.

I really enjoyed this book. I have to admit that I had no real idea of what to expect beforehand, having never read any of the previous books in the Dare Island series. What a pleasure to learn that Virginia Kantra writes such a great story, one that truly engaged me from the first page. The setting, the characters, the relationships, all of these things together made Carolina Blues a winner for me. Jack is jaded and just a little bitter, but not so closed off that he can’t recognize that Lauren’s openness and free spirit make him feel things that he thought he’d never feel again. And Lauren, although she talks a good game, is in need of some of the therapeutic wisdom that she so freely dispenses, and Jack is able to meet that need in every possible way.

I am a big fan of books that are not only sexy, but that bring a fresh take on things, and tell a story that makes me want to be a part of it. The community of Dare Island, and all its residents and their stories, make Carolina Blue, and the rest of this series, one that I would not only read, but would absolutely recommend.

Author Bio:

Virginai KantraNew York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra has written over twenty books of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. Her deeply emotional stories have won numerous writing awards, including Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award and two National Readers’ Choice Awards. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of three kids, she is a firm believer in the strength of family, the importance of storytelling, and the power of love.

Her favorite thing to make for dinner? Reservations.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Carolina Blues

Release Day Blitz + 5-Star Review: My So-Called Death by Stacey Jay

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Stacey Jay’s MY SO-CALLED DEATH is being re-released today and it’s teh first time it’s available in a digital format! If you love light, fun, YA with just the right balance of romance and mystery, you have got to get your hands on it! Stacey Jay is also releasing a freebie prequel today, CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE ZOMBIE QUEEN.

 

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About MY SO-CALLED DEATH

Just because you don’t have a pulse doesn’t mean you can’t be perky.

One second, freshman Karen Vera’s on top of the most fabulous cheer pyramid ever. The next, she’s lying on the pavement with seriously unflattering cranial damage. Freakishly alive without a pulse, Karen learns that she’s a genetically undead zombie.

Suddenly, Karen’s non-life is an epic disaster. She’s forced to attend a boarding school for the “death-challenged,” her roommate is a hateful wannabe-Goth weirdo, and she’s chowing down on animal brains every day to prevent rot (um, ew?). Even worse, someone is attacking students and harvesting their brains for a forbidden dark ritual. And it might be the hottest guy at DEAD High, the one who makes Karen’s non-beating heart flutter!

Armed with a perky smile and killer fashion sense, it’s up to Karen to track down the brain snatcher and save her fellow students from certain zombie death.

A light romantic mystery filled with gross-out humor and plenty of brains perfect for fans of Ally Carter, Robin Benway, and C.L. Stone.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble (to come) | iBooks | Kobo

5 star

Tracey’s Review

When I heard that My So-Called Death by Stacey Jay was being re-released, it was a no-brainer (ha!) that I was going to have to read it. Stacey has written some of my favorite YA books, and, although this one is aimed at the younger end of the YA age group, it is still completely engaging.

Karen Vera, the heroine of this story, is a pert and sassy cheerleader, who, to put it politely, is Death-challenged, which means that she has a genetic mutation that prevents her from dying. But, when your entire school sees you tumble from the top of a cheer formation to your death, what is there to do but roll with the changes? Karen is whisked off to DEAD High School, so that she may better learn what it means to live as a member of the dead.

I have to admit that zombies are not usually on my list of paranormal creatures that I want to read about. All that blood and death and brain-eating, you know. But the characters in this book are not your typical zombies. Stacey has taken the stereotype and completely changed it, writing a story that is campy and fun, and, given the subject matter, pretty darned enjoyable. I found myself laughing out loud at the intros to each chapter. Entries from books like, ‘Total Health for the Death-Challenged, 5th Edition’ and ‘Zombie Poets Through the Ages, 2nd Edition’ were witty and entertaining. The mystery that pairs Karen and her boy zombie crush Gavin ties everything together nicely, making this a story that YA readers will very much enjoy, and, coupled with the snarky banter and typical teen angst, makes for a fast and enjoyable read.

Excerpt from MY SO-CALLED DEATH

“Respecting your new room mate is essential. Now that you are one of the Undead, you could conceivably live for hundreds of years. The relationships you begin now will be the friendships that carry you through the millennium. Remember that, and conduct yourselves accordingly.”

–DEAD High Dorm Handbook for Incoming Students

“Wanted: White noise machine, will pay any price. Would be awesome if it had one of those aromatherapy things too. My roommate snores and smells! Pleaz help! Am exhausted and nasally tormented!”

–Note on Girls’ Dorm bulletin board

“Clarice sucks butt.”

–Bathroom stall, girls’ second floor bathroom

“What are you doing? Is that a cheerleader on my wall?” The shriek from the doorway made me scream and then burst out laughing.

I always laugh when I’m scared. I probably would have laughed as I was falling off the cheer pyramid if there had been time. Admittedly weird, but my friends back in my human life thought it was funny that I giggled all the way through horror movies.

“What are you laughing at? That has to come down.” The girl in the door glared at the United Cheerleader Association calendar I’d hung on my side of the room and threw her sweater on the floor. Her greasy, shoulder length black hair twitched angrily around her shoulders and her heavily lined gray eyes narrowed as if she’d just spotted a maggot on her arm.

Maggots are a zombie’s only natural predator—aside from angry mobs of humans or supernatural slayer types. Principal Samedi had already warned me to watch out for flies that love to lay their eggs in Undead flesh because, once they get started, maggot infestations can be almost impossible to get under control.

Ugh. Maggot infestation. If there was a grosser combination of words in the English language I couldn’t think of it.

The thought made me laugh again. I was in a laugh or cry situation. I had to giggle or I was going to lose what was left of my sense of humor.

“Ohmygod, what is wrong with you?” the girl asked, wrinkling her upper lip.

Guess she didn’t share my human friends’ appreciation for ill-timed chortling.

View the full excerpt here!

ConfessionOfATeenageZombieQueen_1600x2400 About CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE ZOMBIE QUEEN

All in all, it was a good day to die. If there really is such a thing.

You hear characters in movies say things like that sometimes, but does anyone really believe the words “good” and “die” belong in the same sentence?

Still, it could have been worse. It could have been a dark and spooky night instead of a beautiful Georgia evening in late October, with a light wind whipping across the Peachtree High football field, making zombies seem like the last thing anyone needed to worry about…

One second, freshman Karen Vera’s on top of the most fabulous cheer pyramid ever. The next, she’s lying on the pavement with seriously unflattering cranial damage. Freakishly alive without a pulse, Karen learns that she’s a genetically undead zombie.

Enjoy this prequel to the “welcome horror spoof” (Booklist) MY SO-CALLED DEATH, a paranormal romantic mystery perfect for fans of Ally Carter and C.L. Stone.

Grab CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE ZOMBIE QUEEN for FREE

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

About Stacey Jay

Stacey Jay is a recovering workaholic (or at least working hard at recovering) with two small children, and a passion for playing pretend for a living. She’s been a full time mom-writer since 2005 and can’t think of anything she’d rather be doing. Her former careers include theatre performer, professional dancer, poorly paid C-movie actress, bartender, waiter, math tutor, and yoga instructor.

In her very limited spare time, Stacey enjoys cooking elaborate dinners and eating them very slowly, dressing up in costumes with her sons, and drinking wine with her husband. She loves to hear from readers and personally answers every single email she receives.

Connect with Stacey Jay

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter

Release Day Blitz + 6 Star Reviews: Becoming Calder and Finding Eden by Mia Sheridan- Sign of Love Series- Inspired by Aquarius- Book 1 and Book 2

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Becoming Calder

Book 1

Sign Of Love Series- Inspired by Aquarius

By Mia Sheridan

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Synopsis

There is a place in modern day America with no electricity, no plumbing, and no modern conveniences. In this place, there is no room for dreams, no space for self-expression, and no tolerance for ambition.

In this place, there is a boy with the body of a god and the heart of a warrior. He is strong and faithful and serves his family honorably. But he dares to dream of more.

In this place, there is a girl with the face of an angel and a heart full of courage. To her family, she is the vision of obedient perfection. But she dares to want that which she has been told can never be hers.

Becoming Calder is the story of good versus evil, fear versus bravery, and the truth that the light of love has always found its way into even the darkest of places . . . From the beginning of time, to the end of the world.

THIS IS THE FIRST PART IN A TWO-PART SIGN OF LOVE SERIES INSPIRED BY AQUARIUS. THE SECOND PART, FINDING EDEN, RELEASES SIMULTANEOUSLY. New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and graphic sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

Buy: Amazon 

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Finding Eden

Book 2

Sign of Love Series- Inspired by Aquarius

By Mia Sheridan

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Synopsis

Finding Eden is the continuation, and conclusion, to Becoming Calder.

When the world as you know it has ended, when all that you love has been washed away, where do you find strength?

When the new world you’ve stepped into is as isolating as the last, when your heart is broken, and your future is unclear, where do you find hope?

Finding Eden is a story of strength, discovery, forgiveness, and undying love. It is about believing in your destiny and following the path that leads to peace.

THIS IS THE SECOND PART, AND CONCLUSION, IN A TWO-PART SIGN OF LOVE SERIES INSPIRED BY AQUARIUS (BECOMING CALDER SHOULD BE READ FIRST). New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and graphic sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

Buy: Amazon 

6 star

2014 Favorite

Tracey’s Review

When I was given the chance to read BECOMING CALDER and FINDING EDEN by Mia Sheridan, I was excited. I mean, first off, it’s Mia Sheridan, and, secondly, the synopses for these books drew me in from the very beginning. I was intrigued, and couldn’t wait to find out more about Calder Raynes and Eden Everson, and Acadia, the community that they lived in. And, so, lucky enough to have these books in my hands, I began. And once I did, I just could not put them down. I could not stop for anything. Because I was captivated, completely won over, in every way possible.

Calder Raynes has lived at Acadia his entire life, surrounded by family and friends. From the moment of Eden’s arrival, the two are drawn to each other, and over the years, their relationship changes from friendship to desire to love, even as Eden’s eighteenth birthday, her appointed wedding day to Hector, grows ever closer.

Eden Everson was brought as a child to Acadia, a community set apart from society in anticipation of the end of the world. Remembering only snippets of her earlier life, she has been groomed since her arrival to be the bride of Hector, Acadia’s dynamic leader, and to help lead their people to Elysium, the promised land. But Hector never figured on Eden finding a real and forbidden love within Acadia.

Eden’s and Calder’s love story unfolds beautifully in BECOMING CALDER, but as in all epic love stories, tragedy accompanies joy, and events transpire that force Eden and Calder apart. As FINDING EDEN begins, we know that Eden has survived the events of the first book, but are left, along with Eden, to mourn the loss of her love and accompany her as she learns to live in society, to make a place for herself in the world outside Acadia.

“It was true what I’d once said about the stars—some things are seen more clearly in light…and some things are seen more clearly in darkness. Because  somewhere in the dark of the night, Calder pulled me close to him and we agreed in ways both spoken and unspoken that the world was ugly and broken and love was ridiculously dangerous and absurdly unsafe…and that we would love anyway. We would keep our fierce and tender hearts open. It felt foolish and ridiculous and right. It felt like the bravest thing in the whole world.”

BECOMING CALDER and FINDING EDEN are two of the best books that I have had the pleasure of reading. It is impossible not to fall in love with these characters, to rejoice in their love, and mourn their losses. I was so emotionally invested in Eden and Calder and their stories that I couldn’t stop thinking of them long after I’d finished the books. Although I wanted to enjoy these books at a leisurely pace, and just soak up the story, I could not help but speed through them, because I just could not wait to see what happened next.

If we’re lucky, we come across a handful of books that really resonate for us. They are beautifully crafted, ripe with wonderful plot, dialogue, and characters that, during the course of the story, prove themselves to be so much more. I can honestly say that BECOMING CALDER and FINDING EDEN are all of this and more for me. Mia Sheridan, by the blessing that is her creativity, birthed Calder, this beautiful, strong, loving man, and Eden, Calder’s Morning Glory, a girl that refused to give up in the face of enormous obstacles, and allowed us to be part of it. I savored these books, soaked in every part of them, wanting to reach the culmination, but yet not wanting it to end. And then I had to sit with the story for a few days, to revisit and replay every bit of it: Calder, Xander, Eden, and the entire experience that was Acadia, and what came after. Only then could I sit down and share my thoughts, that BECOMING CALDER and FINDING EDEN are absolutely two of my favorite books, not just of this year, but ever. And to let everyone know that 6+ stars doesn’t seem like enough for these books, this beautiful and touching story, with characters that evoked emotion upon emotion. Thank you, Mia, for sharing this truly beautiful story of overcoming life’s obstacles and belief in the power of love with us, and for bringing such a beautiful love story to life.

Individual Goodread Review links:

Becoming Calder-

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/920258280?book_show_action=false

Finding Eden

 

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1034919949?book_show_action=false

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Author Bio

Mia SheridanMia Sheridan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. Her passion is weaving true love stories about people destined to be together. Mia lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband. They have four children here on earth and one in heaven.

 

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

 

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