New Release & Reviews – Sweet, Adriana Locke
March 14, 2022 | Posted in New Release, Review | By Two Book Pushers
Title: Sweet
Author: Adriana Locke
Cover Designer: Kari March
Release Date: February 28, 2022
Buy link: https://geni.us/SweetLocke
TROPES: single dad, workplace romance, grumpy hero, age gap, forced proximity
Synopsis:
USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke delivers a “fresh and fun!” romance between a grumpy single dad and his beautiful, spunky employee—the one he can’t have.
Chemistry is not love.
That’s what my boss, the grumpy single dad with brilliant green eyes, says anyway.
I have my V-card. He’s ten years older than me. I work for him.
Nate Hughes has a million reasons why a relationship between us would never work. Honestly? It’s all a farce.
He can’t deny our connection. His soft smiles, brief touches, and protective behaviors come too easily. And when I need a place to stay? He can’t stop himself from offering me a room—though I’d prefer his bed. After all, there are sparks—delicious, sizzling sparks—when we’re together.
Our forced proximity brings things to a head. Our shared experiences and traumas draw us closer. Our undeniable attraction has us toeing the line between friends and lovers—whether Nate likes it or not.
He’s right—chemistry is not love. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t fall in love with him … even if he can’t love me back.
Excerpt:
#2:
“Do you want me to pay rent or help with groceries? We really didn’t go over any of that,” she says, licking her lips.
My gaze settles on her finger approaching the pudding container again. “You’re a college student with a part-time job. You don’t have any money.”
“That’s true.” She smiles smugly before lifting her eyes to mine. “I’m sure we could come up with something.”
She trails her finger around the walls of the plastic before bringing it to her lips again. With her hand poised in front of her face, she smiles at me.
Nope. Not letting that happen.
I clamp her wrist with my hand and suspend it in midair. Her eyes go wide, her breath halting in her throat as she waits for my reaction.
Her skin is warm in my palm. Her wrist is so small, so delicate, that I ease my grip so I don’t accidentally hurt her.
I’m not sure why I touched her, but it’s either because I’m sleep-deprived and it’s late or I want to teach her a lesson. Or maybe I just want to see her reaction.
I stare at her as deeply as I can. She holds her breath as she considers—hopes? fears?—what I’m going to do.
I twist her wrist and bring her hand to my face. A smirk settles on my lips as her entire body stills.
Then with the most deliberate move I’ve ever made, I bring her finger to my mouth.
My heart thunders in my chest as my self-restraint shatters into a million pieces.
I suck her finger between my lips. She gasps, her body shaking in response. I run my tongue around the pudding before biting lightly against her skin as I remove her digit from my mouth.
Every muscle in my body tightens. My blood heats to a dangerous degree. My hand trembles as I hold her hand in mine and try desperately not to tug her whole body into me.
Her chest heaves. She forces a swallow as she leans back against the counter. Her breath is loud and quick, breaking the silence of the room.
“Shit,” she says, a mixture of a plea and a promise.
I just look at her and smile. “Is that what you wanted?”
She swallows again.
I release her wrist from my palm. Then I lean in until we’re only inches apart—until I’m so close that I can smell the sweetness of her breath—and grin.
“That’s the only time my mouth will get anywhere near you.” I turn toward the doorway, ignoring the protest of every cell in my body. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Sweet is the sixth book in the Landry series by Adriana Locke. This is Nate and Paige’s story and I’ve been looking forward to it since I knew they were going to get together. Nate is Dominic’s brother and Paige is Hollis’s sister (Hollis is one of my favorite characters of Adriana’s!!) Paige works for Nate and they have always had chemistry and their flirt game is strong. Nate is running a business, working part-time for Landry security and raising his son. He doesn’t have time for flings. He wants forever. Paige is young, having fun, trying to get her college degree. She wants Nate, but she only wants temporary. They both have pasts that made them who they are and they weren’t easy to overcome. Nate already knows that once he touches Paige, it’s game over for him. Paige isn’t so sure. She’s so used to being in relationships that she knows won’t last long, but Nate is not that guy. She wants to run from her feelings and from him. Nate just has to prove to her that she can’t outrun love and show her that he will always find her and bring her back. Oh, Nate. I love you! You are grumpy and sexy and funny. Loyal, protective, fierce and such a good dad. Paige is stronger than she things for surviving her childhood. She has a loving family now and of course, Hollis, her brother. I just love him so much! Paige’s brothers are getting books so I’m hopeful that means more Hollis. 🙂
Sweet is the sixth and I believe final book in the Landry Family series by Adriana Locke. Each book follows a different couple so you can read them as standalones but I highly recommend reading the series since it is fantastic. Even though Nate is not a Landry he is part of the family being Dominic’s brother.
Nate is a single dad to seven-year-old, Ryder. He is also a bar owner and a part-timer at Landry Security. His life is full taking care of his son and his bar. He didn’t think he was missing out on anything until she walked in eight months ago and turned his world upside down with her sass and flirt. He loves their friendship and they way they flirt, at work where things can’t cross the line. But now, with Paige needing a place to stay changes everything…
Paige’s beginnings were not easy. Her life now is a work-in-progress. Hence, her eviction. She needs a place to stay and she has always felt safe with her boss, Nate. They have a fun friendship. Does she want him? Hell yes. Does she want a forever? No, she runs away from it. Nate does want a forever kind of love so they can’t go further than their flirty banter. It would be too heartbreaking in the end for all three involved so it is what it is until it isn’t…
I ♥️ Nate Hughes! I♥️ Paige! I ♥️ Ryder! These three are amazing. Their lives have not been easy. Their childhoods were heartbreaking and I love that they found each other. I adore them. And I can’t wait for the Carmichaels! These men are hilarious form what we get a glimpse of through Paige.
Quotes:
“I think you like it when I fuck with you.” I bite my bottom lip. “Don’t you, Nate?”
His grin isn’t friendly or amused. It’s sinful.
Maddox: Your dumb-as-shit brother was doing God knows what and broke it.
Me: Dude, that’s YOUR brother. You share his DNA. Not me.
Maddox: You know what? I resent you using your adoption status to your advantage in times like these.
“Ugh. It was an accident, Dad.”
Paige stands at the edge of the mess and grins. “Yeah, Dad.”
I smirk. “Doesn’t have the same effect as Daddy.”
“I will never call you that seriously,” she says, laughing.
Blog Tour & Review – Taste, Melanie Harlow
March 10, 2022 | Posted in Blog Tour, Review | By Two Book Pushers
TASTE, an all-new sexy, stranded enemies-to lovers rom com from USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melanie Harlow is live now!
The last person on earth I want to be stranded with is Gianni Lupo.
But thanks to the blizzard of the century, I’m trapped in a roadside motel room with that cocky bastard for two straight days.
With one small bed.
Some women might thank Mother Nature for delivering a polar vortex that maroons them with six feet of solid muscle, those deep blue eyes, that sexy grin–but not me. I’ve known Gianni Lupo all my life, and he’s never brought me anything but bad luck and trouble.
So when the tension between us explodes with enough fiery heat to melt my icy defenses, I should have known what the disastrous end result would be–
A big fat plus sign.
After the snow melts, I’m left with more than just memories of the night we spent keeping each other warm. And he might be a rising star on the culinary scene, but he’s got no idea how to handle this bun in the oven.
He says he wants to do the right thing, but I’m not about to spend the rest of my life feeling like someone settled for me.
But just when I think I’ve got Gianni Lupo all figured out, he gives me a taste of the man he could be, of the family we could become, of the way he could love me if I let him.
I’m terrified of falling for him.
But one taste might be all it takes.
Grab your copy exclusively on Amazon or read FREE on Kindle Unlimited today! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JIXsRM Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TasteMH Paperback: https://harlow.pub/Taste-pb Audio: Coming Soon
Excerpt
I sat at the foot of the bed and dialed Winnie’s number. She picked up immediately. “Ellie?” “Hey.” “Thank God! You guys okay?” “We’re fine.” I watched Gianni unwrap a candy bar and lean back against the headboard. “We found a motel with a vacancy.” “You mean you’re staying in a motel room together?” she asked, loud enough for Gianni to overhear. “Yeah. And there’s only one bed.” She laughed. “How’s that going?” “Fine.” “You guys are getting along?” Gianni made a lewd gesture involving his fist, his tongue, and his inner cheek. I gave him the finger. “As well you’d expect.” “I can’t wait to hear about it.” “We’re going to try to get out of here as soon as we can in the morning. I’ll let you know when we’re on the road.” “Sounds good.” She laughed again. “Sleep tight.” “Oh. We will.” I eyed the length of the bed. “We have no choice.” After ending the call, I opened the Truth or Drink app on my phone and picked up my wine. “Ready to play?” “Hit me.” I scrolled through the options. “Do you want to play normal mode, party mode, or dirty mode? Gianni looked at me like I was crazy. “Duh.” I sighed and reached for my wine. “Okay, fine. I feel like I’m going to regret this, but dirty it is.” “Can I take my pants off?” “No. What’s your age range for a one night-stand?” “Hmm.” Gianni thought for a moment. “Please say at least eighteen.” “No teenagers. I’ll say twenty to forty-five.” “Forty-five? Really?” He shrugged. “I think mature women are hot. But I can’t go near fifty because that’s my mom’s age and then it would be weird.” “Right.” “So what about you? Same question.” “I’d have to say . . . thirty to forty.” He looked offended. “Why thirty? You’re only twenty-three.” And so was he, which was why I’d said it. “I know, but I think older men are just better in bed.” (I’d actually never been with anyone over twenty-eight.) “In what way?” “Just . . . more patient. More knowledgeable. More generous. Guys in their twenties think they’re all that just because they have younger bodies, especially if they’re—you know—well-endowed. But it’s not just the size of the boat. It’s definitely the motion of the ocean.” He harrumphed. “You’ve been in the wrong boats.”Add Taste to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3sWbzNO
About Melanie Harlow
USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she’s not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Ted Lasso, Schitt’s Creek, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.
Melanie is the author of the BELLAMY CREEK series, the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, and the FRENCHED series. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.
Connect with Melanie
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2RPwr51 Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NPkYKs Bookbub: http://bit.ly/36kL7yB Instagram: http://bit.ly/2NW3UtA Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2sVOz55 Facebook Reader Group: https://bit.ly/3mYzBBo Stay up to date with new releases and sign up for Melanie’s mailing list: http://bit.ly/2P7MATT Website: www.melanieharlow.com
New Release & Reviews – Stone, Sawyer Bennett
March 10, 2022 | Posted in New Release, Review | By Two Book Pushers
Stone (Pittsburgh Titans, Book 2)
Sawyer Bennett
Release Date: March 1, 2022
Synopsis:
Minor league player Stone Dumelin lost his younger brother when the Titans’ team plane went down. He never expected the phone call that followed.
After a shoulder injury put my NHL career on ice, I resigned myself to the fact I’d never see my way out of the minor league again. As my career faded, my estranged brother’s star shot into orbit as the first line left winger for the Pittsburgh Titans. But when the team’s plane crashed returning home one night, his light was snuffed out, and I was given the opportunity of a lifetime.
Now I’m in Pittsburgh, playing for the Titans, and face-to-face with my dead brother’s ghost at every turn. His locker, his legacy, his persistent and annoyingly gorgeous attorney who won’t stop contacting me about his estate, even though I’ve demanded she leave me alone.
Harlow Alston would be extremely appealing if she wasn’t so aggravating. Only…that’s a complete lie. She pushes all the right buttons for me, and as much as I want her to quit pestering me about Brooks’s estate, I find myself intrigued by the fiery redhead who can’t take no for an answer. And the more I learn about Harlow, the more I find she might be the key to understanding who Brooks really was, and who I want to be.
I’ve got a second shot at a career I thought I’d lost and the opportunity to build something real with Harlow, but can I find strength to move forward or will my past dictate my future?
Download Stone (Pittsburgh Titans, Book #2):
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Buy direct from Sawyer Bennett: https://bit.ly/Store_Stone
Get the audio (narrated by Jason Clarke and Ava Erickson)
Audible | Amazon | Apple
Stone is the second book in the Pittsburgh Titans series by Sawyer Bennett. I’m still recovering from Baden, but I’m loving this series! It’s emotional, sexy and even a little fun. Stone lost his brother, Brooks, in the plane crash that killed most of the team. Now he has an opportunity to come up from the minors and take a starting position with the Titans. He’s angry, upset and misses his brother, but he says yes. Now he’s in his brother’s city, playing for his brother’s team and getting messages from his brother’s lawyer, Harlow. But she’s not just his lawyer, she was his friend. Stone realizes she’s gotten under his skin and she may be the key to learning more about his brother. The more time he spends with her, the more he likes her. The more he learns about his brother, the more he learns about himself. All of a sudden he’s playing the best hockey of his life, falling for the sexy redhead and trying to leave his past behind him. But is that even possible? Can Stone forget and move on? Oh man! This story! It was an emotional roller coaster and I loved every minute of it! Stone is heartbroken, but hopeful. Harlow can’t help but feel for her friend’s brother. Getting to know each other helped them both heal. They had great chemistry and we keep learning more from the rest of the team. Looking forward to more books in the series!
Audio: I had the pleasure of listening to Jason Clarke and Ava Erickson as Stone and Harlow. I love Jason and Ava together and they were really fantastic, as always.
About the Author:
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.
A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.
If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).
Connect with Sawyer:
✦ Facebook: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_FB
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New Release & Review – Make Me Your Villain, Lani Lynn Vale
March 10, 2022 | Posted in Cover Reveal | By Two Book Pushers
Make Me Your Villain
Battle Crows MC, Book 2
Lani Lynn Vale
Release Date: March 8, 2022
About the Book
Flaws—he has them.
Laws? He breaks them.
Dues? He’s paid them.
Scars? He bares them proudly.
Lessons? He’s learned them.
Problems? He has one.
Her name is Iris, and she’s the one thing in his life that he can’t control.
Purchase Links
✦ Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BGYb1G
✦ Apple: https://apple.co/2X8l3Ie
✦ Nook: https://bit.ly/34joizK
✦ Kobo: https://bit.ly/3GdDBaL
✦ Audio: COMING SOON
Add to your TBR: https://bit.ly/3aD6uzM
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Make Me Your Villain is the second book in the Battle Crows MC series. I loved Haggard’s story and meeting his brothers, so I’ve been looking forward to getting to know more about Shine. He’s the perfect mix of sweet and alpha. Iris is fun, independent and outgoing. They have an instant connection when they meet and I loved that about their relationship. They just knew it was going to be something special. Shine is a hard working man, but he doesn’t want to tell Iris what he and his MC really do. Iris also has some family baggage that she can’t get away from, a crazy ex who’s stalking her and parents who are total jerks. But together they are happy and their relationship is easy, sexy and fun. They are both hard workers, love to eat and know how to laugh at themselves. I loved learning more about Shine’s brothers and can’t wait for all of their stories. I’m a huge fan of Lani and I have read almost fifty of her books, but this one was just missing something. It felt a little rushed and didn’t get me in the feels like they usually do. I did love Shine and Iris and thought they were great characters! And I’m definitely reading the rest of the series!
New Release Blitz, Review, Excerpt & *Giveaway* – The Real Baxter, Lane Hayes
March 8, 2022 | Posted in New Release, Review | By Two Book Pushers
Title: The Real Baxter
Series: The Baxter Chronicles
Author: Lane Hayes
Publisher: Lane Hayes
Release Date: March 4, 2022
Heat Level: 4 – Lots of Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 99K
Genre: Romance, Bisexual, Bodyguard, Fake Boyfriend, Humor, Hurt and Comfort
Add to Goodreads
Synopsis
The silver-fox and the faux bodyguard…
Sebastian
Who’s the true hero behind the Hollywood heartthrob, crime-fighting, adventure-seeking international man of mystery? Me. I’m the real Baxter.
Well, I wear the suit and let the action play out onscreen. You want to know the secret of my success? Sell the story you want to tell. Even if you have to bend the truth a little.
Okay…a lot.
Trust me, no one will notice. Except Trent, who seems to notice everything. And for some reason, I like that. I like him. I’m just not sure what to do about it.
Trent
Look, I’m not exactly killing it. I’m a typical struggling actor-slash-waiter, hoping for a break. And boom…in walks Sebastian Rourke. He’s a cutthroat, wickedly charming silver fox, a Hollywood legend in the making. No joke. You’ve got to sell a piece of your soul to get in this man’s orbit. Or fake a British accent, then take a job playing bodyguard to fool the press. As one does.
I know I should take advantage of the very strange situation I find myself in, but I’m not sure I’m cut out for it. However, I’m willing to take a chance, ’cause I want the real Seb.
Even though it might cost me everything.
The Real Baxter is a MM age-gap, bisexual romance featuring the man who has everything and the actor who’s willing to show him what’s real.
Excerpt
“Home sweet home, eh?”
Seb gathered his suit coat and his takeout bag with a strained smile. “Something like that.”
“Hey, for what it’s worth, I didn’t mean to offend you earlier. Under different circumstances, I might go for a guy like you.”
His snort-laugh oozed sarcasm. “Wow, I’m flattered.”
I shrugged, aware that I should probably stop talking. Of course, I couldn’t do it. “You’re real. I get that. It’s just that…observationally speaking, real you and real me don’t mix. We got nothin’ in common.”
Seb unfastened his seat belt and whirled to face me. I couldn’t read him in the shadows. It would have been nice to know if he was amused or irked…or both. “Okay, first of all, ‘observationally speaking’ is a terrible way to begin any sentence and second—and most important, you know nothing about ‘real me.’ ”
I held my hands up in surrender. “You’re right. I had no idea you were the rich, old dude in the ‘Who’s your type?’ scenario.”
“I never said I was, but now that you think I am…you suddenly want to date me, eh?”
“Date you?” I scratched my temple as if mulling over the idea. “No way. But I’d totally do you.”
Seb froze with his hand on the door lever, threw his head back, and guffawed.
He literally had the best laugh I’d ever heard—contagious, hearty, and kind of wicked. It bounced merrily off the old car’s interior, making everything feel shiny and new. Including me. I couldn’t help smiling.
I tried to think of something clever and somewhat humorous to keep his attention for another minute or two, but I got sidetracked, staring at his stubbled jaw, full lips, and the deep crinkles at the corners of his eyes. For a half a beat, I wished he were someone else—less in demand, less wealthy, less connected.
Crazy, I know. This was why I didn’t go for sophisticated types. I didn’t stand a chance with a guy like Seb.
And on that dose of reality…I inclined my head with a meaningful grunt as he composed himself.
“You have no idea how tempting that sounds. Thanks for the ride. Thanks for tonight. It was…exactly what I needed.”
“Happy to be of service.”
He pulled at the handle—once, twice… “The door is stuck.”
“It does that sometimes. You just have to wiggle the handle.”
Seb tried again. “No, it’s definitely stuck.”
I unfastened my seat belt and leaned across him. Bad move. I breathed in the scent of his cologne and felt scorched by his body heat.
And of course, the door didn’t budge. I turned off the engine and held a finger up, signaling a bright idea on the horizon.
“Hang on. We’ll do this the old-fashioned way.” I hopped out of the car and used my key to manually unlock the passenger side door with a flourish. “Ta-da!”
He unfolded his long legs, somehow managing to look like an A-list celebrity sliding from the back seat of a limo at a red-carpet event. He slung his suit coat over the crook of his arm, grabbed his to-go bag, and stepped aside.
“Thank you.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you. So, thanks for taking me to pick up my wheels, thanks for drinks and the burger, and thanks for not laughing at my impromptu Baxter audition.”
Seb grinned. “You’re welcome. It was…fun.”
I nodded, shoving my hands into my pockets awkwardly before angling my head toward the house. “You really rattle around in that place by yourself?”
“Yeah. My kids are here a lot. I have Oliver tomorrow and…” He squinted as if looking for something or someone in the dark. “I have friends.”
“You do?” I teased.
He made a funny face. “One or two. I think.”
We smiled as if sharing a joke. But the punchline was a silent acknowledgment of temporary camaraderie. We weren’t friends or coworkers. He probably wouldn’t remember my name next week.
However, right this very moment, we had a connection. Maybe it was akin to making friends with your seatmate on a long flight, but it was something.
I held on to it fiercely, marking the ticking seconds to the soundtrack of chirping crickets and the rustle of leaves in the late summer evening breeze. I studied the sharp planes of his cheekbones, softened by the laugh lines at the corners of his eyes. I noted the hint of gray in his close-shaven beard when he licked his bottom lip and—
Oh, fuck.
Yeah, time to go.
“I should, uh…” I hiked my thumb behind me, then rested my hand on the open door. I was about to close it when I spotted his milkshake. “Do you want your shake?”
“Um…” Seb switched the to-go bag to his left hand and stepped toward me. “I think it’s gone.”
I pulled it from the cupholder and turned to find him closer than expected. As in…we stood grungy boot to Italian loafer.
I shook the cup. “Might be a little something in there.”
“No, I’m done. I can throw it away in the house. I don’t want to leave trash in your car.”
I scoffed. “Dude, have you seen my car?”
Seb chuckled…and I joined in.
When his laughter faded, we were back to staring at each other. Only now, it wasn’t awkward. It was…something completely different. A little unsteady and unsure, but somehow promising.
I didn’t move. I didn’t sidle past him with an absent good-bye or a bro high five. I didn’t try to draw him into more conversation. I didn’t want to break the spell…as if I had any power over what was happening.
And something was definitely happening. Maybe because it was so unexpected, it took me a few extra seconds to define it.
Lust. Hunger. Need.
He wanted me.
Purchase at Amazon
The Real Baxter is the first book in The Baxter Chronicles by Lane Hayes. It’s a sexy age-gap, fake romance story and I loved it! I’ve loved Sebastian since I met him in Starting From Zero. There was something about him that screamed, sexy, successful man with an emotional past. He didn’t get where he is by being nice and soft. But as soon as he meets Trent, who fakes a not so great English accent to get him to notice him, he knows his life is going to change. He’s not sure what’s going to happen, but he knows he wants Trent. Again and again. Trent’s an actor still trying to get his big break. He’s not going to lose the chance to meet The Sebastian Rourke. It may not go as planned, but he gets an offer he can’t refuse. Fake bodyguard. How hard can it be. Turns out the hard part is staying away from the older, sexy silver fox. Fake bodyguard turns into fake boyfriend and then it’s all real. But can it work between the hopeful actor from Philly and the Hollywood studio owner? I loved Trent and Seb! Trent is so funny, sexy and real with his accent and his parents (Italian mom for the win!). He’s insightful, intelligent and just wants to do something meaningful. Seb is running his studio, being a dad and doesn’t know what to do with his growing feelings for Trent. I thought they were perfect for each other. Opposites who had more in common than they thought. I love all the secondary characters and seeing Charlie, Gray, Justin and the rest of the crew again! Looking forward to more in the series.
Meet the Author
Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions and/or were winners in the 2016, 2017, 2018-2019, 2020-2021 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.
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Giveaway
Review Tour – The Assignment, Penelope Ward
March 4, 2022 | Posted in Blog Tour, Review | By Two Book Pushers
The Assignment by Penelope Ward is a fun, sexy, emotional ride and I loved every second of it. Aspyn and Troy hated each other in high school. He cheated on her friend and she took joy in getting back at him. Now, years later they are forced to spend time together. Aspyn works at the retirement home where Troy’s grandfather lives and she needs to make sure Troy plays by the rules. She didn’t expect to actually start to like him. Troy isn’t happy about Aspyn having to follow him around, but he loves teasing her. And then he starts to like her and can’t stop thinking about her. She still hates him and it becomes important to him that he changes her mind. They both have a past that keeps getting in the way of their future. Could they actually be falling for each other? Can they recognize their fears before their love story has a changes to really start? Oh boy! I couldn’t love Troy more! Yes, he’s a tad cocky, but he’s so funny and really genuine and doesn’t lie to Aspyn. He’s also stupid hot, thoughtful and endearing. Aspyn is living with her own guilt and demons, but she’s strong, independent and fun when she starts to loosen up. This story is one of my favorites from Penelope! Overall, I laughed out loud, swooned and even cried!
The Assignment is Penelope Ward’s newest addictive standalone. I always know when I open one of her books, I won’t want to put it down. That was one-hundred percent true with Aspyn and Troy’s love story. I was hooked from beginning to end.
Aspyn loved her job as the activities director at Horizons, a care home for seniors. She enjoyed fields trips, singalongs, and art classes. What wasn’t in her job description was babysitting the visitors while they took their family out but that was exactly what she was assigned to do in a rare case. She enjoyed her time with Mr. Serrano, she really did but apparently his grandson had an issue with bringing his grandfather back on time or even signing him out. She should had known this assignment was going to be trouble and when she saw him, she knew she in deep. Troy Serrano. Her nemesis from high school. A boy too handsome for his own good. A boy who broke her best friend’s heart. A boy she tried to poison with a donut their senior year. She was so screwed… because now, he was a man who was too hot for his own good, and too cocky as well.
Troy didn’t expect to see her. The girl who hated him in high school. The girl who keyed his car. She was certainly not a girl anymore. She was a woman who wore Goofy scrubs who made his heart beat faster. She was hot and cold with him during their outings but he lived for her laugh. He wanted to prove to her he wasn’t the same guy from high school. He could be trusted. He wanted her sure but that was more important. She was different. He was only in town for a few months so why not become friends then move on? Nothing to lose, right?
Damn, this book is so fucking good! I do love a good enemies-to-lovers story and this one was more than I expected. I, not only fell in love with Aspyn and Troy but also the supporting characters. They are not just in the background. They are important to the story and made it even better. I laughed so hard, teared up a few times, and definitely swooned and got hot and bothered.
P.S. I feel for Aspyn. We are the same eating lifestyle. Blah…lol.
Quotes:
“I’m old, but I’m not blind, kid. You like staring at her ass more than I like McDonald’s ice cream and Sinatra.”
“I can take whatever you’ve got, Serrano,” she said, her eyes glinting.
“Will you ride me? I ain’t too proud to beg.”
Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling
author of contemporary romance.
in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a
television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son,
and beautiful daughter with autism.
million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author
of over twenty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen
languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS
GOOGLE PLAY / AUDIOBOOK
Blog Tour, Excerpt & Review – Thick as Thieves, Lucy Lennox
March 4, 2022 | Posted in Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review | By Two Book Pushers
Thick as Thieves, an all-new must-read mm romantic comedy from USA Today bestselling author Lucy Lennox is available now!
Julian: I’ve been in love with my best friend since forever. Okay, fine. Like, kindergarten. It started out platonic, obviously, but then became… nope. Still platonic. The problem is that Parker Ellis has been straight since forever. And that makes it difficult to convince him the two of us are meant to be together. And now there’s no point. All is lost. He’s gone and gotten engaged to his high-school sweetheart which means I have to grin and bear it while pretending to be the happy, supportive best man while he prepares to commit his life to a woman I can’t even fault. She’s great. We’ve all been friends forever. I know he’ll be happy with Erin, just not… just not as happy as he could be with me.
Parker: I’ll admit. Sometimes I press the easy button. Like when Julian Thick had offered me half his sandwich back in grade school after noticing I didn’t have any food. Or when I’d needed a date to homecoming in tenth grade and Erin told me she was it. Or when I’d used the one thing that came easy to me, skiing, to get my college tuition paid for. Or when Erin had showed back up in my life six months ago and told it was time to marry and start a family… But for the first time in my life I’m facing something that’s not at all easy. It’s my wedding weekend and I’ve just been left at the altar. Not only that, but when my best friend whisks me away to drown my sorrows in a snowy cabin in Aster Valley, I accidentally discover Julian’s been keeping secrets. Big secrets. The kind of secrets that lead to hot experimental kisses in front of a blazing fire, tenative physical exploration in a way I’d never imagined before, and the kind of intimate, true confessions I’d never even dreamed of between me and the one person who’s always been my true home. But after twenty-plus years of thinking of Jules as my friend without benefits, is it truly possible to change who we are to each other? There’s no easy button this time, but I’m willing to do the work. I only wonder if Julian is ready to trust I really mean it.
Fall in love today! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CsFZs5 Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/ThickasThiev
Add Thick as Thieves to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3CAv13H
Thick as Thieves is the fourth book in the Aster Valley series by Lucy Lennox. I can’t even express how much I love this series and every one is my new favorite. They just keep getting better and better. We have known Julian for a while and oh man, I knew his story was going to be good. He’s been in love with his best friend, who is straight, for most of his life. He’s been his person and he’s about to lose him. Parker wasn’t ready for what happened, but it was for the best. Now he can see what he’s been missing for years. Julian is not only his best friend, who he loves, he’s also the love of his life. But he’s been straight (ish) his whole life. Now he just has to convince Julian that he wants to be with him in every way. Julian can’t believe Parker loves him and wants to be with him. He thinks it’s too big a decision to make on the fly, but he knows Parker and he trusts him. Is it possible for Julian to get everything he’s ever wanted? I love these two so much! They are so funny and serious and silly. The best of friends who become lovers. It was emotional and sexy and so much fun! I was literally laughing out loud for most of the book. I loved seeing all my favorites from Aster Valley and meeting new people. Oh, and the surprise character? I yelled when I heard his name! I can’t wait for his story too!
Excerpt
PROLOGUE Julian It wasn’t the first time Parker had snuck into my house in the middle of the night, but it was the worst. He was already crying, and his clothes were covered in dirt. I’d left the bathroom light on by accident, and when the sound of the window woke me up, there was enough light for me to make out the smudges on his sweatshirt and debris in his hair. Parker Ellis was awkward at the age of fourteen—tall and scrawny, all elbows and knees—but he was my awkward. “C’mere,” I croaked, opening the covers so he could get warm. I was still half-asleep. Normally, I would have been annoyed at getting my bed dirty, but I could tell how upset he was. As soon as he dove beneath the covers, I dropped the comforter and pulled him in close. He smelled like the cold night air and the dry leaves he’d probably had to wade through to get to my window. “What happened? What’d they do?” Parker’s parents were assholes. They’d been assholes the entire time I’d known him, but it hadn’t been until the last two years of elementary school that he’d started sneaking over to my house when things got really bad. In the beginning, it had been loud parties lasting late into the night. But then his dad had gotten a job with lots of travel. There was less partying, but there was also more neglect. Parker’s mom had gone out with friends instead of having people over. She’d forget to get groceries or feed him dinner. Once my parents had figured out what was happening, they’d given him an open invitation to come to our house for meals anytime. They also knew he spent the night often, but since they had a “no sleepovers on school nights” policy, they simply looked the other way when he snuck in on a weeknight. This had been going on for years, but lately, it had gotten worse. Now that we were in middle school, his parents felt like Parker was old enough to be left home alone overnight, sometimes for weeks at a time. His mom had gotten jealous of his dad’s travel and had insisted on joining him on his trips, leaving Parker on his own in a big empty house with no food and no one to help him with his homework or take him to and from after-school activities. Watching Parker’s parents treat him like shit was the first time I’d realized even a kid from a family with plenty of money could suffer from hunger and neglect. It wasn’t quite enough for anyone to call Child Protective Services and risk putting him in the system, since he was surrounded by families like ours who would take him in and make sure he had what he needed, but it still sucked. “I hate them,” he growled, snuggling in closer to me for warmth. His skin was cold and prickly with goose bumps. “I hate them so fucking much.” We had an important math test tomorrow, and Parker had been over earlier that afternoon so my sister, Hazel, could help both of us with our review homework. He’d walked home right after dinner the way he usually did when he came home with me after school. “What happened?” I asked again. I rubbed his back through his sweatshirt, trying to help him get warm. Hot tears landed on my neck, and his fingers gripped the thin cotton of my T-shirt. “My key didn’t work. I had to crawl around in the bushes to find that rock thing where we keep a hidden one, but that didn’t work either.” He sniffed and took a breath. “So I waited for Mom to get home, but she never came. And then I walked down to the gas station to use their phone to call her. She said she…” His hand clenched tighter, accidentally catching one of the few hairs on my chest. “She changed the locks because she didn’t trust the house cleaners. But she forgot to tell me, and then… and then she left to go to Chicago with a friend at the last minute. She said not to break a window or I’d have to pay for it. But my English homework is in there, and all my clothes, and…” I was so angry, I wanted to punch something. Parker didn’t have any money. We were fourteen. Every dollar he made trying to mow people’s lawns in summer and shovel snow in winter was spent on buying himself food or other things his parents neglected to provide for him, despite all the money they had. “Did you talk to your dad?” He shook his head. “How can he help? He’s in Florida at a conference. I’m just so embarrassed. I’m sorry for coming over again. I tried to sleep on the chair on the front porch, but it’s too cold without a blanket.” I pulled his face out of my neck and held him by the cheeks. “You listen to me, Parker Ellis,” I hissed. “You never, ever need to sleep outside when I have a warm, safe place for you here. Okay? Don’t you dare think you have to stay there alone when you can stay with me. My parents love you. They wouldn’t want you to stay there by yourself, even if you had a key.” He sniffed again. “Yeah, I know. Okay.” I grumbled about his asshole parents while he nestled back against my shoulder. “I like staying with you,” Parker admitted softly a few minutes later. “Everything’s better when I’m with you.”
Meet Lucy Lennox Lucy Lennox is finally putting good use to that English Lit degree earned way back in the 1900s. She stays up way too late each night reading M/M romance because she is a sucker for a good story.
Connect with Lucy Facebook: https://bit.ly/3ABkjcV Instagram: https://bit.ly/3s472GI Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2VEtw4W Website: http://www.lucylennox.com Stay up to date with Lucy by joining her mailing list: https://bit.ly/3fSX6e7
New Release – Sink or Swim, Annabeth Albert
March 2, 2022 | Posted in New Release, Review | By Two Book Pushers
Winning and losing are subject to sexy interpretation…
Navy chief Calder Euler loves to win big. His latest score? A remote mountain cabin. Checking it out is supposed to be a quick trip, but Calder’s luck abruptly turns when a freak injury and a freakier snowstorm leave him stranded.
Oh, and the cabin isn’t empty. A silver fox caring for two young girls claims that the property is his, but Calder’s paperwork says otherwise.
Felix Sigurd is on a losing streak, and his ex-husband risking the cabin in a reckless bet is only the latest in a series of misfortunes. He’ll tolerate the handsome stranger for a couple nights–even care for his injuries—but that’s it.
Calder doesn’t know a damn thing about kids, but making pancakes for Felix’s girls is a surprising delight. Trapped in the cabin, the four of them slip easily into the rhythms of a family. But when the ice melts, they’ll have to decide if a future together is in the cards.
Sink or Swim is the second book in the Shore Leave series by Annabeth Albert. I am really enjoying this series and I was thrilled when I found out Calder was next! Calder and Felix meet in the funniest way. A cabin in the woods where Calder plans to spend time and Felix and his nieces decide to visit for the weekend. Strangers stranded in a snow storm. Calder and Felix don’t get off on the right foot, but as the weekend goes on, they actually start to have fun. Then when it’s over they realize they want to see each other again. Calder is on shore on base and wants to get back on a sub. Felix has to work and take care of the girls. But they seem to find the time. The more Calder talks to Felix, the more his thoughts about his future change. He wants what his brother and best friend have. Can he convince Felix to take a chance on him? I loved these two! They are sexy and sweet and I love the way Calder is with the girls. Swoon! Hoping there’s more in the series!
Blog Tour & Review – Always Meant to Be, Siobhan Davis
March 2, 2022 | Posted in Blog Tour, Review | By Two Book Pushers
Always Meant to Be, an all-new emotional and forbidden stand-alone romance from USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Siobhan Davis is available now!
He’s my eighteen-year-old son’s best friend, and I’m old enough to know better.
My marriage is falling apart, and Vander’s home life is tragic.
Yet, his broken parts speak to mine, and amid all the chaos, a true connection is formed.
The only peace I find is in those stolen moments when we share our darkest secrets and our deepest desires.
This thing between us has disaster written all over it.
But I’m powerless to resist the magnetic pull that draws us closer and closer.
Until lines are crossed, boundaries are broken, and everything I thought I knew about myself is undone.
This reverse age-gap romance contains mature scenes, dark themes, and situations that may push your boundaries. Reader caution is advised.
Fall in love today!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
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About Siobhan
Siobhan Davis is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Amazon Top 10 bestselling romance author. Siobhan writes emotionally intense stories with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She has sold over 1.5 million books and her titles are translated into several languages.
Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.
She lives in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.
Connect with Siobhan
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Release Blitz, Reviews & Excerpt – Scored, Lili Valente
March 1, 2022 | Posted in Release Day Blitz, Review | By Two Book Pushers
Scored is the first book in the V-Card Diaries Novel by the fantastic Lili Valente. I’m a huge fan of Lili’s and I know when I pick up or listen to one of her books I’m going to be entertained from start to end. Scored is a brother’s best friend romcom that had me laughing out loud and totally swooning over Ian. Evie has known Ian since she was a little girl and always had a crush on him, but now they are older and she needs his help. It’s time to get rid of her v-card and Ian is just the man for the job. Who cares if her brother would kill them if he found out. But they just don’t care. It’s more than just lust. And it’s pretty clear neither of them just want one night. I had the pleasure of listening to Lili and Jason Clarke narrate this great story and I love them together! They are both sexy, sweet and fun and they brought their A game to Ian and Evie!
