Release & Review – North of the Stars, Monica James

December 3, 2021 | Posted in Release Day Blitz, Review | By

 

North of the Stars 

Book 1: In Love and War 

Monica James

 

England is burning.

And the cause…men are too afraid to utter in nothing but a whisper.

The Northmen. 

My father is King Eanred. 

And me? 

I am Princess Emeline. 

My father wants to protect our kingdom against the ruthless Vikings who continue to raid England, so he has betrothed me to Aethelwulf, the son of King Egbert of Wessex—the most powerful realm in all of England. Without this union, Northumbria will fall, which is why I must submit. I must do this for my people. 

However, it is not in my nature to surrender. So when my father captures the most savage Viking known in our land, I do what no good, God-fearing Christian would do—I help him. 

His name…Skarth the Godless.

People fear what they don’t understand, but I will not allow that to control me. Fear makes us blind to the truth, and I refuse to cower because Skarth soon becomes my teacher—in all things. And when his rival, Ulf the Bloody, shatters my world, it becomes clear the lessons have only just begun.

My soul is tarnished. 

I am a sinner. 

Lord, hear my prayer…

North of the Stars

Monica James @authormonicajames

Series: In Love and War Book I

Genre: Viking Historical Romance 

Cover Model: Christopher Jensen @christopher88jensen 

Photographer: Michelle Lancaster @lanefotograf

Cover Designer: Sommer Stein—Perfect Pear Creative Covers 

 

Release date: December 1st 2021

 

 

Now LIVE: 

Kindle: https://tinyurl.com/rnsknweh

Nook: https://tinyurl.com/r5ycy7ct

Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/jstv54y6

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/u5hz6st8

Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/47kawkc3

BookBub: https://tinyurl.com/542mjt4z

UK

Kindle: https://tinyurl.com/ynmamtaa

Australia 

Kindle: https://tinyurl.com/nv8bp562

Canada

Kindle: https://tinyurl.com/36wn8py3

 

North of the Stars Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/an26e3kh

 

Sandra's Review

5 out of 5 stars

Vikings!!!
North of the Stars is the first novel in the In Love and War series by Monica James. I have read most of her books and this one is totally epic! I love Vikings but I don’t usually read historical romance but it’s Monica and I am obsessed with all of her words. She is as badass as her characters.
Princess Emeline was only twelve years old when she met him. She didn’t even know what she felt for him but it was different. She wanted to protect him even though she was just a girl in a world where they didn’t matter. She was only born to wed to save her kingdom when she became a woman. She knew it but she wouldn’t let any man own her. Not even him. Skarth the Godless. Most cowered in his presence but she didn’t. He was only a few years older but he was all man. She wanted him to teach her his ways. How to fight. How to win. How to never be afraid. Yes, he was a Viking, she a Saxon but they had a connection. One that only grew stronger over the years. One that was tested for they were torn apart for years. Torture to them both. Now, it was time for their revenge.
I really can’t get into the story without spoilers. I can say that this story is not a hearts and flowers love story. It’s raw, brutal, carnal, and dirty. It’s not an easy read but so worth it. Emeline is a complete badass. From a young age she is rebellious, smart, and cunning. Skarth knows this and that only builds the fire within for her. He is also a man who can be an arse. He can also make you swoon. Just trust Monica, okay? She knows exactly what she is doing and I love her for it. I need the second book like now.
Quotes:
“Break my body for it is nothing but a shell. But you’ll never break my heart, my spirit, for they belong to me.”
I will take this kingdom…and burn it to the fucking ground.
She hit me like a thunderstorm, and I’m still drowning in the rain.

 

Bio

Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.

When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life. 

She is a bestselling author in the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.

Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends. 

 

Stalk Me

Website: authormonicajames.com

Facebook: facebook.com/authormonicajames

Twitter: twitter.com/monicajames81

Goodreads: goodreads.com/MonicaJames

Instagram: instagram.com/authormonicajames

Pinterest: .pinterest.com/monicajames81

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2E3eCIw

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EWZSyS

Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2nUaRyi

 

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Blog Tour, Review & Excerpt – Change with Me, Kristen Proby

December 3, 2021 | Posted in Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review | By

Change with Me, an all new roommates to lovers, Hollywood romance from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby and 1,001 Dark Nights, is available now!

From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes an all new novella set in her beloved With Me In Seattle series…

Zane Cooper. Hollywood royalty. Fourth generation superstar. He knows what it is to be one of the biggest celebrities in the world. And how lonely that title truly is. When scandal hits, his career hangs in the balance, and Zane flees LA for Seattle, laying low with his newly married best friend. Things will eventually blow over, and he’ll have his life back soon enough.

Aubrey Stansfield arrives in Seattle excited to start a new job, and eager to settle into her new home. But when she arrives at her rental, Aubrey’s sure she’s imagining things because the uber sexy Zane Cooper is unpacking in her new bedroom. Thanks to a rental snafu, and unwilling to relocate on such short notice, Aubrey and Zane are thrust into being roommates.

Aubrey is about as average as a woman gets, so what could the megastar possibly see in her? She tells herself she’s not interested, despite their undeniable chemistry. But Zane is very persuasive, and soon Aubrey finds herself playing house with the most recognized man on the planet. Deep down, she knows it’s all a fantasy. He’ll head back to his posh lifestyle soon and leave her behind. No way could she fall in love with him.

But love doesn’t always follow the rules…

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Grab your copy today, exclusively on Amazon! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3xoGhO1 Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/ChangewMe

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3yozaqj

 

Sandra's Review

5 out of 5 stars

Change with Me is number seventeen point five in the With Me in Seattle series by Kristen Proby! I started reading the series back in 2016 and have read most of the books. I am working on the ones that got by me. It is one of my favorite all-time series. Zane was in Shine with Me as Sabrina’s best friend. He made me laugh and I started to fall even then.
 
Aubrey is new to Seattle and a teacher. Zane is laying low after a scandal hit Hollywood. They both found the perfect condo, the issue you ask, it’s the same condo. After same banter and a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors they decide to share. The down to earth first grade teacher and Hollywood royalty. Aubrey wasn’t starstuck by the man but she wasn’t blind either. He was hot but she soon realizes he is also sweet, caring, and doesn’t care about his status. And Zane loves that she sees him. The real him. And he sees her. She might think she is Plain Jane but she is gorgeous to him in every way. He is only in town for six months, can anything truly happen between these two roommates who just met?
 
I absolutely loved these two! They are so much fun and even though the book is short, there is lots of story! I laughed, flushed, swooned, and even cried! God, i hope this series never ends.
 
Quotes:
 
“I’m not in an episode of I Love Lucy,” he replies. “Wait. Maybe I am. This whole situation is ridiculous.”
 
“You’re hot, and you’re a grade-A kisser? I don’t think that’s fair. There should be a rule against that somewhere.”
I grin and kiss her forehead. “It takes two to make a good kiss.”
 
“There are plenty of things about you that make you special, Aubrey.”

 

Excerpt

“Who are you?” My heart jumps, and my stomach jolts as I spin and see a man walk out of the master bath. He’s tall. He’s frowning. And he looks familiar. “The question is, who are you?” Why did I leave my purse—and my mace—in the kitchen? “You’re in my condo,” he retorts. “No, you’re in my condo,” I reply and cross my arms over my chest, trying to look mean. “This is two-oh-three A. Mine. If you’re going to murder-death-kill me, I’m going to ask you to take today off and do it to someone else because I’ve had a long drive, and I need to get ready for my new job. Now, see yourself out.” Is that me, sounding all calm and collected? I’m never this calm. Or collected. Seattle is clearly good for me. “I hate to burst your bubble,” the stranger replies, “but I’m not leaving. I leased this place, and I’m moving in today.” “But.” I frown. “I leased this place. And I’m moving in today.” I stomp out of the bedroom and head straight for the kitchen, opening my bag to retrieve my phone. I also set my mace on the counter, just in case. “I can show you the lease.” “Same,” he replies. “Landlord fucked up.” I blink, open my mouth, then close it again. “What’s in here?” He opens my pink box and surveys the goods. “These cake donuts are my weakness.” Before my eyes, he grabs one and takes a big bite. “So now you’re stealing my house and my food?” “I didn’t steal anything,” he says with a full mouth. “Well, except the donut.” “You’re going to have to move,” I inform him. “I already paid for the first month and the security deposit.” “I paid six months in advance,” he says, swallows, and then smiles. Suddenly, I know exactly where I’ve seen him before. This is Zane Cooper. The actor. The celebrity. He must see the recognition in my eyes because his go ice-cold. “I can’t afford to find a new place,” I inform him. “It took me a month to find this one. And it’s perfect for me. It’s less than six blocks from the school I’ll be teaching at, so I can walk every day. And it’s furnished. Plus, it’s close to the water.” “Definitely perfect,” he agrees. “Oh my God, why are you here?” I demand and prop my hands on my hips. “You’re a gazillionaire. You could literally go anywhere. Why do you want my condo?” “I’m not a gazillionaire,” he says and crosses his arms over his chest. “I’m more of a trazillionaire.” “Pretty sure that’s the same thing. So, go build your own building and live in it.” “Nah.” He picks a piece of donut out of his teeth and shakes his head slowly. “I don’t think I will. I’ll stay here.” I blink at him and start to feel helpless. My savings is in this place. I don’t have enough left to rent anything else. And I don’t have time. I start work in just three days. Part of me wants to cry, but I’ll be damned if I let this hoity-toity movie star see me upset. So, I do the only thing I can think of. I prop my fist on the opposite hand in a challenge of rock, paper, scissors. “What are you doing?” he asks, raising one sexy eyebrow. “The adult thing,” I reply primly. “Best out of three wins?” He blinks twice, looks from my hands to my face and back again, then shrugs one muscular shoulder and assumes the position. “Fine,” he says. “I’m going to win—wait. What’s your name?” “Aubrey,” I say and lick my lips. “Aubrey Stansfield. And you’re Wyatt Earp.” His lips twitch into a half-smile. “I only played him on TV.” I chuckle and say, “Ready?” “Go,” he says, and we thump our fists three times. I land on scissors. He fists for rock. Damn it. “Let’s go again,” Zane says. One. Two. Three. I land on paper. He chooses rock again. I grin, and his blue eyes smile back. There’s a reason Zane Cooper is the hottest sex symbol in the world. Good God, I might combust just from standing next to him. All the more reason to get him out of my house. “Last one,” I say. “Go.” One. Two. Three. I land on paper again, assuming Zane only knows how to use rock. But he forms scissors. I breathe deeply and reach for my last damn donut. “That’s mine,” he says, and I whirl on him. “This is mine,” I reply hotly. “I stood in a bloody line in Portland for it, just this morning. I drove all the way here from Arizona. I’m tired. I’m a little scared. And now I have you in my house, and you won’t leave. Even better than that, you just stole it out from under me.” “I won it,” he reminds me. “Fair and square. The donut, that is.” I stop and frown at him. “Huh?” “I won the donut. In the rock-paper-scissors game.” “I was playing for the condo, Wyatt.” He barks out a laugh. “Not me. I want that donut.”

About Kristen Proby Kristen was born and raised in a small resort town in her beloved Montana. In her mid-twenties, she decided to stretch her wings and move to the Pacific Northwest, where she made her home for more than a dozen years. During that time, Kristen wrote many romance novels and joined organizations such as RWA and other small writing groups. She spent countless hours in workshops, and more mornings than she can count up before the dawn so she could write before going to work. She submitted many manuscripts to agents and editors alike, but was always told no. In the summer of 2012, the self-publishing scene was new and thriving, and Kristen had one goal: to publish just one book. It was something she longed to cross off of her bucket list.

Not only did she publish one book, she’s since published close to thirty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self-publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion Series.

Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two pugs and two cats.

Connect with Kristen Amazon: https://amzn.to/30FCBgR Facebook: https://bit.ly/3oQ7iIb Twitter: https://bit.ly/3nzrD4Y Instagram: https://bit.ly/3qWnOJh Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3cwozjE Bookbub: https://bit.ly/3xfm2Ek Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3oFYnJe Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3DDahd8

For More information about 1,001 Dark Nights, visit: Facebook: https://bit.ly/37fl0uT Instagram: https://bit.ly/2Y7uBQp Website: https://bit.ly/2AIIr3A Stay up to date on all 1,001 Dark Nights releases, join their mailing list today! https://bit.ly/2zgxaHu

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Release Day & Review – If Only in My Dreams, Carrie Aarons

December 3, 2021 | Posted in Release Day Blitz, Review | By

If Only in My Dreams by Carrie Aarons is now live!

‘Tis the season to … be freshly divorced at twenty-six and moving back into your parents’ house?

Because that’s my reality this Christmas. As if it isn’t bad enough that my entire hometown is buzzing with the news of my failed marriage, who is the first person I bump into at the grocery store? The guy who treated me like his personal booty call in high school just happens to be looking at spices while I’m trying to pick up cinnamon for my mother.

And get this; Porter Kelly, the broody, mysterious recluse who exposed his own secrets to the world by writing a book about his family years ago, is the one who acts like I wronged him. His rude remarks on aisle nine are the final straw as my exhausted unhappiness breaks, and I’m officially calling off the most wonderful time of the year.

Too bad it’s literally impossible for the woman whose parents own a railroad that specializes in Christmas train rides to ignore the holiday season. Because I’m back under their roof, it’s mandatory to work in the middle of the red and green merriment, Santa himself, and wait for it …

Porter serenading us with the greatest festive hits of all time. That’s right, apparently my teenage heartthrob turned nemesis not only works for my parents, but can strum a guitar like he’s trying to get every soccer mom on board pregnant. As we’re forced to spend more time together than ever, his past baggage and my marital rejection make their way to the surface, bonding us in ways neither of us knew possible.

I thought I was heartbroken about my ex-husband wanting to end our marriage, but that pain is nothing compared to what Porter could inflict. He seems like a changed man, one on the precipice of a new chapter, which is exactly where I find myself. Would it be crazy to think we could turn the page together?

Returning home was the only option I had. But as I come dangerously close to counting on the first man who broke my heart, I wonder if all of my future dreams are too good to be true.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
http://mybook.to/IfOnlyinMyDreams
     
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/OIiMDtbr

 

Sandra's Review

5 out of 5 stars

If Only in My Dreams is Carrie Aarons’s newest small-town romance with a twist of enemies-to-lovers and second-chance at Christmastime! I mean, come on, all of those things are amazing and delicious. 
Madison is recently divorced at twenty-six. She thought she found her happily ever-after in her husband but turns out he stopped loving her just one year into their marriage. He didn’t love her anymore. Now, six months later she was home and figuring out what was next. She was over it. She wanted to move on from his ex’s family and everything else that was part of the marriage. She just wanted to work and help her parents on the Polar Express, a train ride at Christmastime. What she didn’t expect was her ex-fling, the boy she loved years ago to be such an asshole to her. At every turn. He was the one who didn’t want her heart and now he is acting like she was the one who broke his…
Porter has always been a mysterious soul. He was a secret. He was a recluse in some ways. In others, he was an artist. He played for the Polar Express every year. He didn’t do relationships. He wasn’t really a player either. He just was sometimes an ass when he had to push people away. That was exactly what he did with her. Madison. He hated her. She made him want more. More he couldn’t give. She was now everywhere and he didn’t want to want her. Can he let her in? 
These two! The anger. The love. The banter. The heat. The tension. The laughs. The music. It was all there. They see each other like nobody else can and it is beautiful. I loved reading their growth as well. 
Quotes: 
Slowly, not even a kiss. It’s a whisper; a haunting. He’s unmoving and I’m just … testing.
 
Good lord, this woman will be my undoing. She always got me the most, always saw me when I didn’t even really want her to. Even now, all these years later, she’s taking an approach I can do nothing but respect and admire.
My God, it’s like he’s trying to get all the women in here pregnant. This isn’t a Christmas song, it’s porn in lyrical form.

Meet Carrie Aarons

Author of romance novels such as Fool Me Twice and Love at First Fight, Carrie Aarons writes books that are just as swoon-worthy as they are sarcastic. A former journalist, she prefers the love stories of her imagination, and the athleisure dress code, much better.

When she isn’t writing, Carrie is busy binging reality TV, having a love/hate relationship with cardio, and trying not to burn dinner. She’s a Jersey girl living in Texas with her husband, daughter, son, and Great Dane/Lab rescue.
 
Connect with Carrie
Website | www.authorcarrieaarons.com
Goodreads | https://goodreads.com/carrieaarons
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Facebook Group | https://bit.ly/2DDt1xX
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Twitter | https://twitter.com/authorcarriea
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Newsletter | https://bit.ly/authorCAnewsletter

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