Review: Devil In Denim by Melanie Scott- Saints Series- Book 1

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Devil In Denim

Saints Series- Book 1

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By Melanie Scott

Synopsis

LIFE JUST THREW HER A CURVEBALL.

As the team-owner’s daughter, Maggie Jameson grew up in the New York Saints’ stadium—glove, cap, hot dogs, and all. Baseball’s in her blood, and she’s always dreamed of the day when she would lead the Saints to victory herself. That was before her dad had to sell the team to Alex Winters. The fast-talking, fiercely attractive businessman has a baseball pedigree that’s distinctly minor league. Maggie wants to hate him but his skills of seduction, however, are off the charts.

 

WILL LOVE BE A HOME RUN?

Alex could never have imagined how much this team means to Maggie. He needs her to help show the players that they’re still a family…even if he and Maggie are at the verge of exchanging blows. But her fiery determination and gorgeous looks prove irresistible to Alex. And much as he wants to relegate their relationship to the playing field—and get the Saints back in the game—Alex just can’t help himself: What he wants to win most is Maggie’s heart…in The Devil in Denim by Melanie Scott.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

4 star read

Tina’s Review

Maggie Jameson has been molded and shaped her entire life to live and love baseball. Her father, being the owner of a major league team, the New York Saints, raised her at the stadium. The team became her extended family. Fans had adopted her as the unofficial mascot, dubbing her “Saint Maggie”. She left NY only to attend college in Chicago to learn the ins and outs of owning and operating a MLB team so she could take over the Saints when he was ready to step down. Or so that was the plan before the devil and his minions arrived.
Alex Winters and his two best friend, Lucas and Malachi, lived and loved baseball in college. Alex was an outstanding catcher. But things can change in a single, horrific second, like when a bomb detonates during a game. Alex and his friends were heroes for diving into the wreckage, saving lives.
But their heroic acts came at a price.
Their days on the team were over, the damage they’d sustained was to much to return. Although they had branched out over the years since, they remained as close as ever & his friends backed him when he declared that he wanted to buy & save his favorite team from certain death.
“Plan for the worst, expect the unexpected.”
That was the motto that Alex, Lucas, and Mal now lived by and Alex knew that Maggie was going to be one the biggest “unexpected” of all. Especially with the owner’s vote coming up and a smarmy competitor looking to sabotage his bid.

For a debut novel, I am very pleased.
Maggie has finally graduated college and is ready to stand by her dad’s side as owner/CEO-in-waiting but her dreams are instantly crushed when the business meeting she attends blindsides her. Her dad just accepted a bid from Alex Winters to buy the team. Dear ol’ dad gave Maggie no warning or indication that he’d even WANTED to sell, so she’s left full of rage and hurt.
Alex has always loved the Saints and knew it was struggling, so in an effort to save the flailing team, be offers to buy it from Tom Jameson. He’s got to somehow convince Tom’s daughter that he’s the best chance the team has to survive and that he needs her help to make it happen. 
Add one disgruntled former employee with plenty of attitude and newly-gained money to burn and you’ve got a wonderful recipe for escalating conflicts.
Alex is a phenomenal character, I really couldn’t find a flaw in him at all. Maggie was well-written as well, but I think she needed to put her professional panties on and quit allowing her emotions overwhelm her over everything. The pity parties would only be tolerated for so long. The plot was solid, the concept was strong. I really liked all of the secondary characters, except Will Sutter. His character was portrayed beautifully as the extremely dislikable villan. The story flowed smoothly and was easy to read. The numerous conflicts escalated throughout the book and each time were met with a level-headed resolve. The final conflict was managed and conquered methodically and with precision. 
Well done, Melanie Scott!
The ending was a little loose, but with the next installment of the series, ANGEL IN ARMANI, due to release only four months from now, I imagine the story will pick up close to where this one left off. 
I look forward to finding out how this all continues!

Author Bio:

Melanie ScottMelanie Scott is an unrepentant bookworm. Luckily she grew up in a family that fed her a properly varied diet of books and these days is surrounded by people who are understanding of her story addiction. When not wrestling one of her own stories to the ground, she can generally be found reading someone else’s. Her other distractions include yarn, cat butlering, dark chocolate and fabric. She lives in Melbourne, Australia. To keep in touch, sign up for her newsletter at http://www.melanie-scott.net.

She also writes fantasy and urban fantasy as M.J. Scott To find out more about M.J’s books, check out her website or sign up for her newsletter at http://www.mjscott.net.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

devil in denim

Review: Jesus Freaks: Sins Of The Father by Andrea Randall- Jesus Freaks Series-Book 1- 5 Star Review

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Jesus Freaks: Sins Of The Father

By Andrea Randall

Genre: New Adult

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Synopsis

Kennedy Sawyer is the valedictorian of her upper middle class, liberal high school.

Roland Abbot is the charismatic, attractive televangelist from New Life Church with a dark past and an illegitimate child.

Ignoring the cautions of her mother and the confusion of her Ivy League-bound friends, Kennedy enrolls at the conservative Christian Carter University where her sights are set on Roland Abbot—her birth father.

Kennedy’s intentions are to learn more about her father than the Bible. However, roommates who are quick to evangelize to strangers, an RA who seems to be hiding something, and friends in the most unlikely places challenge everything she’s ever held as true in the raging battle of us vs. them.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

5 Star Read

Robin’s Review

Andrea Randall is stepping outside of the box with her new Jesus Freaks series. Jesus Freaks: Sins of the Father is completely different from anything I have ever read. My first thought was to classify this novel in the Christian fiction genre, but Randall confirmed that she considers her new series to be new adult. No matter the genre, she has taken a big risk in trying something different, and I absolutely applaud her!

Kennedy Sawyer is an incoming freshman at Carter University in Asheville. She is a liberal Episcopalian teenager from Connecticut who will be attending an extremely conservative, evangelical Christian university. Roland Abbot is the charismatic televangelist preacher from New Life Church, which sits on the edge of the Carter University campus. Roland is a superstar among evangelical preachers. And unbeknownst to anyone from Carter University, he is also Kennedy’s birth father. Although Kennedy could have had her pick of colleges, she chose to attend Carter University with hopes to learn more about Roland Abbot. Kennedy has done everything she can to prepare herself for what she knows will be a difficult transition; however, nothing can prepare her for what is to come during her freshman year.

As I began reading Jesus Freaks: Sins of the Father, I knew this novel was going to be different.  I think it is important to share with everyone who reads this review that I personally consider myself a Christian. I am familiar with many of the topics and issues that Kennedy faces when she arrives at Carter University.  It was apparent Andrea Randall researched extensively for this novel.  Her depth of knowledge, combined with her outstanding writing, has resulted in a fantastic novel, and I expect to see the same quality as the series progresses.  Our protagonist faces some bigger than life issues with this story.  Kennedy questions everything she understands about her own faith while navigating through her freshman year.  She questions her own upbringing. Why would her birth father decide to give up his parental rights?  She begins to see that things aren’t always black and white.  Kennedy also has a couple of boys that she is attracted to. And because she has been raised differently than most students at Carter University, she struggles with normal teenage issues in a different way than her fellow students.

It was not hard for me to become invested in this story.  Randall quickly engaged my interest.  I appreciated reading about her characters and how they each added to the story.  When I needed to take a break from reading, I looked forward to the moment that I could pick up my Kindle to continue.  If you are intrigued by Jesus Freaks: Sins of the Father, I encourage you to consider reading it. Andrea Randall has earned a 5-star rating from me for this beautifully written novel!

Author Bio:Andrea RandallWords are beautiful and powerful. The ammunition held in a single word is infinite.
I’ve been writing poetry since I was in first grade. Words have always mattered to me, and it’s fun to combine them into a multitude of masterpieces.

While I’ve written either Romance or General Fiction thus far, you’ll find something unique in each one of my books. I don’t own cookie cutters.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway : Assumption by Aurora Rose Reynolds- Underground Kings- Book 1

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Assumption

Underground Kings Series- Book 1

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By Aurora Rose Reynolds

Synopsis

as·sump·tion:

a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof

They say when you assume that you make an ass out of you and me. Kenton Mayson learned this lesson firsthand when he made assumptions about Autumn Freeman and the kind of woman she is based on what little information he had. What he finds out is she’s not only beautiful, but also smart, funny, a fighter, and exactly the kind of woman he wants to share his life with. Autumn made assumptions of her own about Kenton, and now he needs to prove her wrong in order to protect her and their future.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

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4 star read

Michel’s Review

Aurora Rose Reynolds has done it again! Another hot alpha Mayson that makes us swoon and temperatures rise.

We met Kenton Mayson in the previous Until series.  He is the cousin to the Mayson brothers of that series.  He is mysterious, dangerous, and a self made man.  His work as a bounty hunter and private investigator keeps him busy in the underground world.  He doesn’t have time for relationships or love.  When he sees his manwhore cousins finding good women, settling down, and raising families, he’s envious and wants that kind of life for himself.  When Autumn Freeman is placed in his home for protection it is very clear she is not that kind of woman.  She is a stripper and because of her profession she has loose morals.  ASSUMPTION!

Kenton is in for a real eye opener.  Autumn is more than a two bit stripper.  She is intelligent, funny, loving, and innocent.  She is everything he wants in a woman that he wants to spend his life with.  Because she is naive and innocent, he assumes that she will trust his words.  Again ASSUMPTION!  He will have to earn her trust, break through her walls, and show her what love really means.

Autumn has been around plenty of men. Most of these men are cheaters, liars, and untrustworthy.  She assumes Kenton is the same way once he makes some derogatory remarks about her chosen profession.  Assumption!

A life time of heartache and wounds keeps Autumn from opening up to Kenton.  She thinks he will see her past life as a reason to reject her.  Assumption!

These two have made a lot of assumptions about one another.  They are clearly attracted to one another but both are clinging to their assumptions.  Once they let go of those assumptions and open their hearts, they are going to find something much better than what they assumed happily ever after would be.

I loved this story.  Aurora’s writing and male characters remind me of Kristen Ashley’s men in all their alpha hotness.  Aurora has that same easy going manner that makes her stories flow with natural ease.  Her voice is fresh, fun, sexy, and entertaining.  Her male characters may be hot Alpha men, but her women outshine these boys.  They are the perfect blend of sweet and sassy, innocence and street smart, intelligent and naive, and they know how to put these Alpha men on their knees.  And like Kristen Ashley, her dialogue will have you laughing, crying, and swooning.  You will close this book with a big smile and a heart full of happiness.

I loved the new characters introduced into the Mayson world.  Jason stole my heart with his wit and geekiness.  Kai peeked my interest with his mysterious badness.  Sven has more in his pockets than a lot of cash.  I am so looking forward to what comes next in this series.

I highly recommend Assumption by Aurora Rose Reynolds.

**Note:  I don’t usually compare authors to one another.  But when I compared Aurora Rose Reynolds with Kristen Ashley, it was intended as a huge compliment.  She evokes the same kind of light hearted happiness while giving us an intense romance.  It is a gift to be able to pull that kind of magic through words alone.**

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The Until Series

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Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

About Aurora Rose Reynolds

aurora bioAurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who’s husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She’s married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it’s beauty.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

$ 50 Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MDk5NjRmMDM5ZDM4YTBjYWM0YzAyYzM0NGI2ODRhOjQ0Mw==/assumption cover

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Cover Reveal: Cartel by Lili Saint Germain-Cartel-Book 1

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Cartel

Cartel Seriea- Book 1

By Lili St. Germain

Release Date: February 1st, 2015

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Synopsis

The first full length Gypsy Brothers novel from the smash hit author Lili St Germain.

How much is a life worth?

I grew up in Colombia, the daughter of a wealthy drug lord. I lived a life of extravagance, until one day a drug run went horribly wrong and everything came crashing down around us.

I was given away. A payment for a debt. The Gypsy Brothers Motorcycle Club became my new owners, and I did everything I could to survive.

But falling in love with the man who owned me wasn’t part of the plan…

Pre- Order: Amazon/ ITunes

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Other Books by Lili Saint Germain

Gypsy Brothers

91hQX2xElSL._SL1500_Seven Sons – Free-Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

 

 

 

 

91pRbE6T7QL._SL1500_Six Brothers- Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

 

 

 

 

 

81kWKti++4L._SL1500_Five Miles- Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

 

 

 

 

81P5LUz5dRL._SL1500_Four Score- Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

 

 

 

 

81tGvBISBML._SL1500_Three Years- Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITune

 

 

 

 

2940045639811_p0_v1_s260x420Two Roads-  Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Coming September 23, 2014

 

 

 

2940045639828_p0_v1_s260x420One Love- Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Coming November 9, 2014

 

 

 

lili saint germain bioLili writes dark romance, suspense and paranormal stories. Her serial novel, Seven Sons, was released in early 2014, with the following books in the series to be released in quick succession. Lili quit corporate life to focus on writing and so far is loving every minute of it. Her other loves in life include her gorgeous husband and beautiful daughter, good coffee, Tarantino movies and spending hours on Pinterest.

She loves to read almost as much as she loves to write.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

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Review: Follow by @JA Huss- Social Media Series- Book 1

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SOCIAL MEDIA SERIES

Brand New Novella Series

ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

FOLLOW – BOOK 1

AUGUST 27, 2014

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By @JA Huss

Synopsis

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Review:

 

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@shellbellereads

@smutbookjunkie – Have you read the new series #Social Media -Book 1?#Followby#@JAHuss#FilthyTweets#SocialForeplay#SextingRomance# FiveFilthyStars


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@shellbellereads-What is it about?  Is it a romance involving social media?#HotGossip#HotRead#HotBook#SexyRead

 

Symbol-of-twitter-vectorcartoon-blue-bird@shellbellereads

@smutbookjunkieordinary girl,Grace Kinsella#FilthyBlueBird –queen of filthy tweets:fantasy subject@MovieStar@VaughnAsher#SexOnAStick

 

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@shellbellereads-so she is a twatter on twitter?#wordplayForeplay#GuaranteedSatisfactionIn140characters

 

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@smutbookjunkie#MovieStar@VaughnAsher never leaves a ladyunfulfilled.

#KinkyOrgasimsDelivered#SexWithMyStick#OscarWinningOrgasm

 

twitter-bird-2-300x300@smutbookjunkie

@shellbellereads-Tell us more.  Can #MovieStar@VaughnAsher deliver or is he full of hot shit?

#WantFilthyDetails#WantSatisfaction

 

 

Symbol-of-twitter-vectorcartoon-blue-bird@shellbellereads

@smutbookjunkieTropical Island, Grace Kinsella@FilthyBird,kinky MovieStar@VaughnAsher,accidental meeting,#TweetQueenExposed.

MovieStar@VaughnAsher#SexualDeviant,#Dom,Grace Kinsella@FilthyBird#UnwillingSub,#PrefersFantasyMan#GreatSex

 

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@smutbookjunkie

@shellbellereadsWhat! Fantasy Island sunk when Reality World crashed. Do we read #Like#book 2.

 

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@smutbookjunkie-Yes!

#Intense#Carnal#Mysterious#Hashtagging#BootyTaggingHasBegun#MustRead#Bk2#Like

Michel-@shellbellereads Review

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Follow by JA Huss is the first book in the Social Media series by JA Huss. Follow features Grace Kinsella , an ordinary girl, that lives for her dirty twitting. Her star fantasy man is Vaughn Asher. She has propositioned him, suggested kinky sex, and engaged in oral wordplay.

While on vacation in St.Thomas , she meets the real Vaughn Asher. He is nothing like her fantasy sex God. He is controlling, dominant, and demands a contract for sexual engagement with him. Although Grace is intrigued by some of his kinky requests, she cannot submit to him the way he wants her to. She is disillusioned. He is intrigued.

 

Grace leaves St. Thomas and her fantasties behind. She’s done with Vaughn Asher and her filthy tweets.

Vaughn Asher will Follow Grace no matter what. He is not done. He wants more than a filthy tweet. He wants Grace to submit. Vaughn Asher always gets what he wants. He wants Grace.

Will Grace block Vaughn or will she Like. We will find out in Like- book 2.

 

Author Bio:

JAJ. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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ARC Review: Keep Me Safe by Maya Banks- The Slow Burn Series-Book 1

Keep Me Safe

Keep Me Safe

The Slow Burn Series- Book 1

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By Maya Banks

Synopsis

A sizzling story of a woman who risks her life and her heart to find a wealthy man’s missing sister—the first novel in a sexy new romantic suspense series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Maya Banks

When Caleb Devereaux’s younger sister is kidnapped, this scion of a powerful and wealthy family turns to an unlikely source for help: a beautiful and sensitive woman with a gift for finding answers others cannot.

While Ramie can connect to victims and locate them by feeling their pain, her ability comes with a price. Every time she uses it, it costs her a piece of herself. Helping the infuriatingly attractive and impatient Caleb successfully find his sister nearly destroys her. Even though his sexual intensity draws her like a magnet, she needs to get as far away from him as she can.

Deeply remorseful for the pain he’s caused, Caleb is determined to make things right. But just when he thinks Ramie’s vanished forever, she reappears. She’s in trouble and she needs his help. Now, Caleb will do risk everything to protect her—including his heart. . . .

 Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

2 Stars

ARC provided by the Publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

Keep Me Safe by Maya Banks was not what I was hoping for or expecting from a writer of her caliber.

Keep Me Safe is book one in the new romantic suspense trilogy The Slow Burn Series. This series features a group of brothers running a security firm and trying to find their kidnapped sister. Caleb Devereaux is determined to bring psychic in to help their search.

Ramie has a gift that wears on her soul. Once Caleb tricks Ramie into finding his sister’s location their story begins. They are mutually attracted to one another but continually deny their feelings.

As the story unfolds it does not seem believable. Caleb has that Alpha Male attitude and when he meets Ramie he instantly wants to protect her. While Ramie wants to be strong her weaknesses have a way of taking over her personality.

Even though this book was written from duo POV I found it very repetitive. The dialogue continued revolving in circles and kept the story from progressing. I also found that quite a bit of the plot, the characters, and series basis was borrowed from Maya’s other series. The brothers were similar to KGI, the security firm again similar to KGI, fortified mansion similar to KGI, Caleb’s personality similar to Burn character, and the secondary characters had familiar traits as well. Her leading female character appeared much more wishy- washy than her other leading female characters. Both leading characters in this series seem to fall flat and their personalities did not jump off the pages. The story moved at a slow pace and I found myself speed reading it rather than absorbing it. The repetitive dialogue spoiled the book. As I closed this book I was grateful to be finished and found no desire to read the next two books in this series.

I think Maya’s publishers/editors did her a disservice by allowing this book to be published. They should of demanded rewrites and better pacing. It feels like the publisher was banking on Maya’s excellent reputation and ability to sell books.

I have read all of Maya Banks books and I have to honestly say that the last three published books were subpar. She is an excellent writer and always delivers a good book. I am very sad to write this review.

Author Bio:
&nbsp:maya banksMaya Banks lives in Texas with her husband, three children and assortment of pets. When she’s not writing, she can be found hunting, fishing or playing poker.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

 

Keep Me Safe

Review: Happenstance by Jamie McGuire- Happenstance Novella Series-Book 1

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Happenstance

Happenstance Novella Series- Book 1

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By Jamie McGuire

Synopsis

#1 New York Times Bestseller Jamie McGuire returns to self-publishing with this page-turning YA account of Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin “Alder” Alderman and Erin “Sonny” Masterson are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Easter isn’t–and they never let her forget it. Alder has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.

Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Easter’s feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Easter does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings … both for his future, and for her.

A shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, and Easter’s life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything she thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

5 Star Read

Robin’s Review

Jamie McGuire has returned to self-publishing with her young adult novella, Happenstance. The events of this story take place in the small Oklahoma town of Blackwell. There are three young ladies in the senior class at Blackwell High School named Erin, and they each just happen to share the same birthday. Erin Alderman (Alder) and Erin Masterson (Sonny) both come from quality families and are on the cheerleading squad at school. But our primary character of this story is Erin Easter (Easter).

The mother of Erin Easter is Gina. Gina Easter drinks to numb the anger and resentment she feels for becoming pregnant at a young age and missing out on her dreams. Gina is poor and has spent some time in jail over the years. She is a neglectful mother, but Erin also goes out of her way to avoid interacting with Gina. After school and on the weekends, Erin works at the local Dairy Queen. The only parental influence she has in her life is Frankie, her coworker at Dairy Queen.

The three Erins were close friends when they were young children, especially during kindergarten and first grade. But sometime during fifth grade, circumstances changed between the three friends. Erin Alderman and Erin Masterson began to verbally abuse Erin Easter. The bullying has progressed over the years to include many other students and is nearly constant. Name calling. Cruel rumors. Slander. Social exclusion. Not only does Erin Easter experience verbal bullying at school, but it continues when she is working at Dairy Queen.

Erin Easter has admired Weston Gates for many years, although he has dated Erin Alderman since eighth grade. Weston is part of the popular crowd, and he is a star athlete for Blackwell High School. He has always felt an overwhelming burden to live up to the expectations of his wealthy parents and friends. One day, Weston decides to defend Erin Easter when she is being bullied by his friends. And then, he defends her again. And again. Weston and Erin begin to hang out during the evenings. Soon, they realize they have more in common than they thought they did, and a very sweet relationship develops between the two of them. Weston is very supportive of Erin when karma strikes during the last few weeks of high school.

Jamie McGuire grabbed my attention quickly with her interesting characters and a topic that carries a relevant message for people of all ages. Her writing in this story is beautiful, simple and crisp. The pacing of this novella is ideal, giving it the feel of a full novel. I found Happenstance to be the perfect, relaxing read. I truly enjoyed this story and definitely recommend it!

Author Bio:

jamie McGuireJamie McGuire was born in Tulsa, OK. She attended the Northern Oklahoma College, the University of Central Oklahoma, and Autry Technology Center where she graduated with a degree in Radiography.

Jamie paved the way for the New Adult genre with international bestseller, Beautiful Disaster. Her follow-up novel Walking Disaster debuted at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. She has also written apocalyptic thriller Red Hill, a novella titled A Beautiful Wedding, and the Providence series, a young adult paranormal romance trilogy.

Jamie lives on a ranch just outside Enid, OK with husband Jeff and their three children. They share their 30 acres with cattle, six horses, three dogs, and Rooster the cat.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

happenstance

ARC Review: The Troublemaker Next Door and How To Handle a Heartbreaker by Marie Harte-The McCauley Brothers Series- Books 1 and 2

The Troublemaker Next Door

The Troublemaker Next Door

The McCauley Brothers Series- Book 1

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By Marie Harte

Synopsis

He can fix her sink, but can he wrench his way into her heart?

Flynn McCauley never thought he’d be so cliché as to fall for the girl next door. But when Maddie calls him over to help fix her faulty sink, he’s a goner. Too bad the fiercely independent interior designer wants nothing to do with him. Even worse, he’s forced to rely on the advice of his nosy brothers—and his five-year-old nephew!—to figure out how to make her give him a shot.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

5 Star Read

 

Michel’s Review

I have been reading books by Marie Harte for quite a few years . Marie has written several erotic contemporary romances, erotic paranormal romances, erotica, and erotic science fi romance. She has written for many different smaller publishers with an astounding success. She is one of the pioneers in the digital book industry. I remember back before ereaders were available, purchasing her books and reading on my computer. I was thrilled when the contemporary romance series , The McCauley Brothers was released by Sourcebooks (a large publisher). Hopefully more readers will read the fantastic books by Marie Harte.

I absolutely loved The Troublemaker Next Door. It was fun, snarky, steamy, and delivered a heartwarming romance.

Meet Flynn McCauley, the deliciously hot plumber. Flynn is your ordinary guy that likes to hang with his brothers, enjoy a few beers with the guys, and co- owns his own business with his best friend Brody . He is dedicated to his family. He loves being single and appreciates a sexy woman but has no intentions of settling down anytime soon.

While playing cards and drinking with the guys at his brother Mike’s house, he meets the new neighbors that rented the house next door owned by Flynn’s folks. The new neighbors knock on the door because they are having some plumbing issues. Seeing that these new neighbors are extremely beautiful and sexy, Flynn quickly volunteers to be the man to fix their problems. Three beautiful women and a plumbing issue, no problem!

While Flynn is finishing up, he hears ranting and shouting. Immediately he has to find out what is wrong. There he meets Maddie, one pissed off woman. It seems Maddie just had a run in with her boss because he tried to get her to have sex with him. It’s unfortunate that Flynn is a man at that moment. Maddie lights into him, berates him and his gender, and takes her anger out on him.

The next day Maddie is feeling a bit of guilt for chewing her new neighbor out and sets out to apologize. Things quickly take a turning point from there. To her great surprise the house is loaded with hot men. But the one man she is there to see is quite a sight. He has just woken up from a drunken stupor, in his underwear, and looking downright delicious.

Flynn and Maddie hit it off and are soon burning up the sheets. Neither wants a relationship or commitment. They make an arrangement to be “bumping” buddies. But the heart doesn’t always listen to the brain. No matter how many issues and insecurities it has. The heart always knows what is best.

Maddie will have to get over her commitment issues, her mistrust, and believe in herself. Flynn will have to show her how to do it.

The Troublemaker Next Door is sizzling hot. Flynn and Maddie will take you on a fun adventure. The McCauley brothers, friends, and roommates lend a fun hand in this romp and I am sure we will be seeing more of them in the upcoming books in The McCauley Brother series.

The ending, the hustling prank, and the carrots being dangled has me anticipating the next book.

I highly recommend The Troublemaker Next Door.

How To Handle A Heartbreaker

How To Handle a Heartbreaker

The McCauley Brothers Series- Book 2

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By Marie Harte

Synopsis

HE CAN’T GET HER OUT OF HIS HEAD
It’s lust at first sight when Brody Singer first lays eyes on Abby Dunn. The dark-haired beauty looks a lot like a woman he once knew, who died years ago. At first Brody fears his attraction is a holdover from that secret crush, but Abby’s definitely different. She’s a lot shyer, a lot sexier and, despite her attempts to dissuade his interest, absolutely mesmerizing.

SHE CAN’T GET HIM OUT OF HER BOOKS
Abby isn’t having it. She’s still trying to put her last disastrous relationship behind her and overcome the flaws her ex wouldn’t let her forget. But somehow Brody isn’t getting the hint. It doesn’t help that when writing her steamy novels, she keeps casting Brody as the hero.

Brody is more than happy to serve as her muse and eager to help make sure her “research” is authentic. But when their research turns into something real…will she choose her own happily ever after?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

5 Star Read

Michel’s Review

How To Handle A Heartbreaker by Marie Harte is the second book in the McCauley Brothers series. It was fantastic.

Warning readers, break out your fans, sit on a bucket of ice, and be ready for a very hot, steamy book.

Brody Singer is the blonde McCauley, the brother adopted by the McCauley family. He is Flynn’s best friend and dubbed the blonde twin. He is a jokester of the group and always has something up his sleeve. Whether it is cheating at cards or teaching Mike’s young son to be like him, he is always ready for a good laugh. But underneath all of his silliness is a wounded man with scars that run deep. His family life, before the McCauley’s came into his life, was horrific and abusive. He uses his humor to hide these emotional scars.

Abby Dunn is shy, introverted, and quiet kind of girl. She is an erotic romance writer. After a really bad relationship with an ex that made her feel depraved and dirty, she quickly learned to put her deepest desires on the page instead of experiencing them herself.

Abby and Brody are thrown together repeatedly. Their attraction for one another escalates. When Abby dons her Goddess of Love costume at a Halloween Party and partakes in some liquid courage, she finally opens the gate to all her pent up desires. Brody is there to help her unleash all that pent up passion. After all , he is a great guy to help her with research for her work.

These two quickly become involved in a purely analytical relationship. Abby needs to research the facts for her erotic romances and apply them to her characters. But as their research progresses they soon have new results to further investigate.

Abby and Brody are finding a deeper meaning to their research encounters. Abby is finding confidence and is owning her sexuality. She doesn’t need to hide behind a pen name. Brody is learning to share his issues with someone without hiding behind his humor.

Just when things are going great and both are learning to open up, accept themselves, and share their hearts, Brody’s past will come banging at the door with a vengeance.

Brody will have to meet his past head on. Abby will have to be secure enough to wait for Brody to battle his demons. Their research was not done in vain, it made them both stronger people with a bright and shiny future.

I loved Brody and Abby. Their relationship was fun, inspirational, and passionate. They played well together and had some great laughs. Their mutual trusts in one another led to some beautiful moments.

I can’t wait for the next McCauley Brothers book to release on October 7, 2014. I wonder what Marie Harte is going to stir up with Cameron McCauley and the sexy girl next door, Vanessa Campbell. I’m sure it is going to be a sizzling book.

 

ruining mr.perfectComing October 7, 2014

Ruining Mr. Perfect

McCauley Brothers Series- Book 3

by Marie Harte

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Preorder: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Author Bio:

Marie HarteCaffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

How To Handle A Heartbreaker

ARC Review: Lay It Down by Cara McKenna- Desert Dogs- Book 1

Lay It Down

Lay It Down

Desert Dogs – Book 1

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Cara McKenna

Synopsis

First in the exciting new Desert Dog series, starring hot and sexy bikers in the Southwest…

Backbreaking days, wild nights, and the hard hum of steel between your thighs…

That’s a life well lived, according to the Desert Dogs—four friends who call Fortuity, Nevada, their badlands home.

Vince Grossier is the self-crowned outlaw king around here. But when Fortuity’s slick new mayor invites a shady casino development to town, the invaders’ cutthroat takeover tactics quickly turn deadly. With police turning a suspiciously blind eye, it’s up to the locals to fight back, and Vince is on the front line. The pretty photographer hired by the developers might be the key to infiltrating the enemy. And a temptation too good to pass up.

Finally free of a controlling ex, Kim Paget’s not looking to be taken for a ride—not on the back of some tattooed roughneck’s bike and definitely not in his bed. But when she finds evidence that her bosses are rattlesnake-dangerous, Kim must entrust her safety to the man who threatens danger of a whole different kind.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Michel’s Review

*** 3.5 Stars ***

I was really excited when I received the ARC for Lay It Down by Cara McKenna. I have been reading her books for quite some time and she always delivers a fantastic story and red hot romance. I haven’t read a book from her that I didn’t like. She is diverse in plot, subjects, characters, and sensuality. I was very excited to see her starting a Motorcycle Club series. Lay It Down did not disappoint. The characters were fantastic, both the main characters and secondary characters. The plot was quite different than most MC books. She blended the plot, the MC world, and romance with finesse.

Lay It Down starts with a murder mystery. Vince starts investigating the murder of his long time friend, Deputy Alex Dunn. He meets Kim, a photographer for Sunnyside, the site of a future casino. She quickly becomes involved in helping Vince solve the mystery of his friend’s murder.

Vince and Kim are instantly attracted to one another even though they don’t have a single thing in common. The investigation opens the doors for them to get to know one another and explore their attraction. As the mystery unravels their relationship becomes more entangled.

I enjoyed the book but it took a little more concentration for me to get deeply involved in the story. But once I finished the book I was very satisfied with the overall story. Also I realized that because this is the first book in the series, it had to lay the ground work for the small town, other characters, and overall direction of this series. I am looking forward to the next book in the Desert Dogs series.

Author Bio:

cara mckennaCara McKenna writes contemporary romance and smart erotica, sometimes under the name Meg Maguire, and has sold more than thirty-five novels and novellas to Ellora’s Cave, Penguin, Harlequin Blaze, Samhain, and Signet Eclipse. She’s known for writing no-nonsense, working-class heroes with capable hands and lousy grammar. She was a 2010 Golden Heart finalist, and a two-time Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee. Cara writes full-time and lives in the Pacific Northwest with her own bearded hero.

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Lay It Down

Review: Finding Jordie by H.J. Harley

Finding Jordie

Finding Jordie

Jordan Spagnato Series-Book 1

By H.J. Harley

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Synopsis

A widow of eight years, Jordie is devoted to her daughter and knows how to protect her own heart… until Nathan Harper lends a hand when she’s punched by a drunkard being forcefully removed from her NYC East Village bar.

Nathan is fascinated by the sassy bar owner, who doesn’t recognize him from the Silver Screen and who appears more interested in conversation than sex.

But when shared words spark mutual passion, the menacing phone calls begin, and a stalker, who will stop at nothing to have Jordie, turns his crosshairs on Nathan.

THE JORDAN SPAGNATO SERIES, in order

Finding Jordie

Finding Nathan

Finding Rachel

Buy- Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

5 Star Read

Michel’s Review

Don’t you just love it when you stumble on a new author and good book?

While I was attending The Tennessee Valley Author Event , a very well known author pulled me aside. She said, “There is a book I want you to read. I want you to promise not to look at the cover. Just read the book. It’s very good.”

How could I not read this book? My curiosity was piqued.

When I opened this book, I tried very hard not to look at the cover. From the very first paragraph I was drawn into the book. I could not put this book down. This book has everything a reader looks for in a good book. The story is fast paced, loaded with humor, full of red-hot chemistry and sexual tension, romantic, and hair raising suspense. And as a bonus the author created delightful, quirky characters that wiggle their way into your heart the moment they are introduced.

When I finished this book I was very satisfied with the time I had invested in it. I was heading straight to Amazon to one click the second book in this series. Finding Jordie did not end on a cliffhanger that forced me to buy the next book. I just wanted more of these characters and more of their happily ever after story.

Jordie Spagnato is a strong woman. She is a business woman, tough bar owner, single mother, and widow. She keeps her friends close to heart and loves fiercely. She has learned to be tough when necessary, compassionate towards others, insightful to people’s needs, and gives her heart in full measures. She doesn’t let the past drag her down. She moves forward in life and makes the best of it. When she meets Nathan Harper her world she created for herself is tilted on it’s axis. Before she knows what has hit her, she is head over heels in love with the sexiest man she ever met. When she finds out that man is the hottest Hollywood star, it doesn’t change her opinion of him.

Nathan Harper is enthralled with Jordie Spagnato. She looks at him as a man and not a superstar. She treats him like she treats her friends and loved ones. How could he not fall in love with her?

Just as they are about to take the next step in their relationship a nasty stalker makes his presence known. The danger is just beginning. The suspense will escalate and keep you on the edge of your seat.

This book had every element I look for in a book. It is well written and fast paced. H.J. Harley is a new author that is going to make her mark in the romance world.

Read this book!

Author Bio:

 

H.J. HarleyI grew up in Bricktown New Jersey, less than an hour away from New York City. As a teenager and my early twenties, I loved hanging out in the glamor of NYC. I was a “City Brat” so it was pretty hard for me when I packed up all my crap and three cats in 2005, for a life changing road trip and moved to California. I travelled around the country until I met my other half in 2005.

After serving twelve years in the Air Force, the man of my dreams ended his military career and we moved to Georgia six years ago. Since then, we’ve settled down in Leesburg GA, and had our first child.

No place has ever come close to replacing the magic of New York City in my mind. So when I decided to try this romance writing gig out, naturally I set my first book, ‘Finding Jordie’ there.

I enjoy reading, and spending  time with my family. Reality shows are my guilty pleasure. I’m a sucker for romantic comedies and Robert Pattinson. I am a pro at goofing off, I talk with my hands, (I’m Italian!)  I drink way too much coffee, and get too little sleep. Oh, and I have a thing for Jackie-O sized sunglasses. I have four furry kids and most importantly, I have a beautiful daughter. I’m always striving to be the best Mom possible.

I’m very passionate about the things I love, that’s why I was outraged when they cancelled SMASH and Southland! It should be considered to be a small miracle if you ever get to see a serious or pic of me posing all nice and pretty…yeah, I’m not that girl. I’m a spontaneous goof and believe the best things in life come naturally. Yes, that includes random no make-up selfies during a 2:00a.m. writing marathon.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Finding Jordie