Blog Tour & Reviews – Beauty and the Baller, Ilsa Madden-Mills

April 1, 2022 | Posted in Blog Tour, Review | By

“In this un-put-downable romance, Madden-Mills skillfully balances the emotional with the physical to produce a love story that’s equal parts scorching and sweet.” —Publishers Weekly

Beauty and the Baller, an all-new emotional and steamy opposites attract, fake relationship standalone romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is available now!

An NFL quarterback turned small-town coach gets sacked by a Texas beauty queen in this swoony, passionate romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills.

Gorgeous, talented, and brilliant, NFL quarterback Ronan Smith has the world in his hands. But after losing his career and his fiancée in a car accident, he falls into a pit of grief and bad choices. When a mysterious girl shows up to his party, he feels drawn to her and makes her his…for one night.

Former beauty queen Nova Morgan is on a mission. Scantily clad as a princess from a galaxy far, far away, she sneaks into a high-profile party to capture the attention of her favorite quarterback. But her hopes crash after an awful one-night stand.

Fast-forward two years. Broke and desperate, Nova returns home to Blue Belle, Texas, where, by a cosmic twist of fate, her broody neighbor is none other than Ronan, the shiny new football coach everyone adores. But he has no idea who she is.

The booster club keeps shoving women at Ronan to keep him in town. His solution? He proposes fake dating to Nova. But things heat up for real under these Friday-night lights when he realizes she’s the one who slipped away.

Has this jaded beauty found her forever baller, or will his past keep them apart?

Fall in love today FREE in Kindle Unlimited! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CRMSE1 Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/BeautyBaller Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3CRmo5r

Add Beauty and the Baller to Goodreads→ https://bit.ly/3uhUb4F

 

Sandra's Review

5 out of 5 stars

Beauty and the Baller is Ilsa Madden-Mills’ latest epic romance. I have read most of Ilsa’s novels and this one is one of my favorites! The story. The characters. The fun. I was so close to finishing it in one day! I was seriously addicted.
 
Ronan lost everything a year ago. His career. His fiancée. He was in a black hole then he saw her. His Princess Leia. He had to save her and then he had to have her. It was the first time he saw the light in a year then she was gone when he woke up. That night changed him. She changed him and he didn’t even know her name or even remember most of her features. He wasn’t exactly sober but he was now. Two years later, he was in Blue Belle, Texas as a HS football coach who has been set on a pedestal he didn’t ask to be on…
 
Nova was home. Broke and taking care of her teenage sister, and she was in no mood for a party. Her neighbor, apparently the high school football coach was celebrating a win and his birthday. She didn’t care. She also didn’t care if she looked a hot mess. Then she sees him. Her one-night stand from two years ago. The one she both couldn’t forget and wanted to forget and apparently, he did. He didn’t even recognize her. The arrogant jerk. Fate was a total bitch.
 
Ronan and Nova’s twist of fate is epic, y’all. She knew it would be a bad idea to fake date him. He didn’t want entanglements. This wasn’t his home, it was a stepping stone and everyone knew it. It was why the whole town was trying to find him a woman to tie him down. Well, it wouldn’t be her even though she knew Ronan tying her down would be the best night of sex. Ever. Nope. She couldn’t go there until…
 
I can’t really get into the story anymore than that but I can say I absolutely loved this couple! The meet-cute. The banter. The connection. The heat. The passion for the game. The emotions. It was everything I expected and more. If you follow my reviews then you know I don’t read blurbs so all I knew was it had to do with a beauty and a football player. I am obsessed with the cover. I love Nova, she is a true badass. I love Ronan, he is an alpha with a romantic side. These two are fire! I also fell for the side characters too, Tuck is hilarious and the rest are too.
 
Quotes:
 
“You like to eavesdrop?”
“It’s a lesson all Southern women learn early.” She shrugs an elegant shoulder. “We don’t care if we get caught.”
 
“Come over to the dark side, Princess.”
 
“I love kissing you. Each time is different,” I murmur as our breaths mingle.
 
 
5 out of 5 stars

Beauty and the Baller is Ilsa Madden-Mills’ newest epic, second chance, fake relationship romance and I loved every second of it. It has heart, heat, humor, fun, sexiness, Star Wars, football, southern charm and a cast of relatable and loveable characters. Ronan is floored when his dream, a gorgeous blonde in a Princess Leia costume, crashes a football party. What’s a hero to do? Like Han Solo, save the Princess. Ronan might have been grief stricken and a little drunk, but his princess left a mark on his heart and soul. Nova jumps at the chance to get closer to The Ronan Smith. Dress up and pretend to know things about Star Wars? Check. Dance with sexy footballer? Check. Go back to his room and have the best night of your life? Check. It didn’t end the way Nova wanted, but she moved on, tried to forget about the hurt. Now she’s back in her hometown in Texas after her mother’s passing and the new football coach lives next door. To say she was shocked to find Ronan was the coach is a sever understatement. He’s still s gorgeous, but she has to ignore that. She hates him. He’s a jerkface. And apparently all the women in Blue Belle want him. Except her. Right? She needs to find a job, figure out how to raise her teenage sister. Ronan doesn’t remember her, but when he does it is on. He still feels a connection to the sexy blonde who ultimately saved him. What he needs it a fake girlfriend so all the crazy single women in town back off. He needs to keep things easy and light. He doesn’t expect to want to spend time with Nova. Want to know things about her. Her Secrets. What she wants out of life. He definitely did not expect to fall for her. But this town and the high school coaching job is just a stepping stone. Right? This can’t be his forever. Ronan doesn’t know what hit him until he almost loses it all. Will he be able to fight for his new life? Learn to live in the moment? Trust in fate? Wow! I have read a lot of books by Ilsa and this is by far one of my top two favorites. It has everything I love in a romance. A second chance, humor, sexiness, a fun, smart sexy hero with sexy hair, an independent, smart heroine. Secondary characters that could have their own stories and of course love. I laughed, cried, had to fan myself and wish there were going to be more Ronan and Nova. I honestly couldn’t love this story more! P.S. I love her clothes and shoes and his undying love for Star Wars!

About Ilsa Madden-Mills Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She’s addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect with Ilsa Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nY2pxT Instagram: http://bit.ly/35xfNfo Stay up to day with Ilsa by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2ZWaTYh Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EESfM9 Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2GaR6cn Book+Main: http://bit.ly/2s4j9ci Website: https://www.ilsamaddenmills.com Join her Unicorn Girls Group on FB, the best way to keep up: http://bit.ly/37B6Nay Sign up for phone alert for book releases (max of 4) Text ROMANCE to 21000 *Text message rates apply*

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Blog Tour – Love on the Lake, Helena Hunting

March 18, 2022 | Posted in Blog Tour, Review | By

Love on the Lake, a beautiful small town standalone romance filled with laughter and tears from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting, is live now!

Teagan Firestone has always been the dutiful daughter, especially since her mom died. But as her father finally begins to move on, it’s her turn to do the same. Her destination: Pearl Lake, a close-knit community with an entrepreneurial spirit and secrets of its own.

One of them is Aaron Saunders, who dropped out of college to work construction for Pearl Lake’s upper class. He’s a mystery and has a playboy reputation—that is, until he meets Teagan. Neither of them is looking for love, but in a town this small, it’s hard not to let your heart get involved.

As their romance heats up, Aaron’s elusive past comes to light and Teagan is there for him, bringing them even closer together. But when Teagan is forced to face her own demons, her inability to accept the support of friends and family threatens the life she’s worked so hard to build.

Can Aaron love her, even when she can’t love herself?

Fall in love today exclusively on Amazon or read FREE on Kindle Unlimited! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3sv3Rbd Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/LoveonLake Audio CD: https://amzn.to/3g870sK Paperback: https://amzn.to/3sn7Lmo

Add Love on the Lake to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3iU4rfi

 

Kara's Review

5 out of 5 stars

Love on the Lake is the second book in the Lakeside series by Helena Hunting. I love Helena and her books and I’m really loving this series. This is Teagan and Aaron’s story. Teagan is Van’s sister and she’s trying to find out what she wants to do with her life. What will make her happy. What she’s good at. Turns out, she’s good at a lot of things so she takes on multiple jobs to see where her heart is happy. Her first day in Pearl Lake, she sees Aaron again and he’s a total jerk to her. Then she sees how nice and flirty he is with everyone but her. She’s not deterred, everyone likes her so she’s going to find out what his problem is. Aaron has a reputation as a playboy, but that’s not really who he is and that lifestyle is over. He’s just working and trying to be. Until Teagan shows up. He knows she’s different and could complicate his life so he’s a total donkey to her (when he admits his donkey behavior was one of my favorite scenes!). When she finally calls him on his behavior he admits he’s attracted to her and wants her. One kiss sparks more and more. He can do this, he can try to have a relationship. He even wants to tell her something no one else in his life knows. Everything seems to be perfect until he notices changes in Teagan. She’s sleeping less, eating less and something just isn’t right. When he calls her on it, it doesn’t go over well. Teagan knows she’s working too hard and not sleeping enough but she’s making it work. Until she’s not. Teagan has choices to make. Things to do to heal herself. Aaron is going to be by her side for whatever she needs. It’s not going to be easy. It won’t happen overnight. But it will happen. I wasn’t prepared for the emotional roller coaster, but I loved it! Her anxiety gave me anxiety, but it was worth it. What she was going through isn’t unique and I loved the way it was handled. And Aaron, that poor man! He’s dealing with so much and Teagan just helps him and makes his life better. And of course, I love that he works with his shirt off and his hat on backward, that’s always a plus! Overall, I laughed, cried, was emotionally invested and looking forward to more in the series!

Excerpt

She crooks a finger, beckoning me closer. But there’s only six inches separating us. If I take a step forward, my boots will touch her toes. So I bend instead, until my ear is next to her lips, like I’m waiting for her to tell me a secret. For a moment I consider the fact that I’ve been up and down the stairs to the loft at least a dozen times. The only air circulation in here is from a portable fan, so I’ve been sweating and shirtless for several hours. I might not smell all that fresh. But that thought disappears when her fingertips drag along my collarbone and I feel the warmth of her breath at the edge of my jaw. “Aaron.” Her palm wraps around the back of my neck. So soft. So warm. I swallow and grind out, “I’m listening.” Her thumb finds that spot between my ear and my jaw, and she presses, gently at first and then more firmly. Her lips brush the shell of my ear, and she whispers, “Look at me.” I feel like a marionette, and she’s pulling all my strings. I turn my head toward her, and her lips brush across my cheek, sending a hot shiver down my spine, lighting me up like a pinball machine. Teagan Firestone is a dangerous woman. Sweet, beautiful, broken, and yet . . . bold and resilient. She’s a lethal combination, and it’s all compounded when those soft lips meet mine. I don’t even know what’s happening. Well, I know. I’m kissing her. Or she’s kissing me. She definitely started it. It’s like an explosion. Like an entire warehouse of firecrackers igniting at the same time. I groan into her mouth and wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her flush against me. Our tongues tangle, and her other hand grips my biceps, sliding up and over my shoulder. She knocks my hat off my head, and it drops to the floor behind me. And then both of her hands are in my hair, sliding through the damp strands, gripping at the crown, angling my head farther to the side. Deepening the kiss. Dragging it out.

About Helena Hunting

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Connect with Helena Instagram: http://bit.ly/2kN5wdZ Twitter: http://bit.ly/2mloUim Facebook: http://on.fb.me/Zt1xm5 Facebook Fan group: http://bit.ly/2kN5yCD Website: http://www.helenahunting.com/ Never miss an update! Subscribe to Helena’s mailing list: http://bit.ly/2MlRKq6

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Blog Tour & Review – Taste, Melanie Harlow

March 10, 2022 | Posted in Blog Tour, Review | By

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

 

Sandra's Review

5 out of 5 stars

Taste is the seventh book in the Cloverleigh Farms series and the second next-generation book by Melanie Harlow. You can read as standalone but I do recommend reading the series since it’s full of fun, swoon, family, friends, and sexiness. I knew this story was going to be so much from the glimpse of these two in Ignite. 
Gianni was a pain in Ellie’s ass and has been since they were five. He had many skills but at the top of the list were cooking and pushing Ellie’s buttons. He has perfected both. They were now working together at Abelard Vineyards, him as a chef and her as the sommelier. It’s only for six months but to her it is six months too long but to him it’s fun and a way to get under her skin. Another way of doing just that was to invite himself to a dinner party for a client who wanted Ellie for a wine pairing at their home. There was a storm coming and there was no way he wanted her to drive alone. 
Ellie didn’t wanted him there. He could never be a shadow in the black ground and this was her time to shine but he was right, a blizzard would suck to drive in. Later being snowed in. What she didn’t expect was seeing another side of him. A side she maybe didn’t want to see, she wanted to hate him but a blizzard bang was too tempting in a room with him. A bang is one thing but feelings was another and when later when a plus sign shows up, it is a whole new ballgame. Gianni isn’t the type of man to stay in one place and she doesn’t want his dreams to die so what now? 
These two are fire!! Ellie is a true badass. Gianni is a shameless flirt and I am here for it. Together, they know exactly how to push the other’s buttons and it is so much fun. It’s not only that though. I cried! They bring out sides to one another in that room and at-home. I can’t wait for the next book. I am loving the next generation just as much if not more than the first. 
P.S. Make sure to sign up for the bonus scene! 
Quotes: 
“Sex can ruin a friendship, you know.”
“Then it’s a good thing we’re not friends.”
“What’s the matter, Gianni? Too hot to handle?”
“We’ll never be boring.”

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

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Review Tour – The Assignment, Penelope Ward

March 4, 2022 | Posted in Blog Tour, Review | By

 

Title: The Assignment
Author: Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 28, 2022
BLURB

 

 

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.

 

Reasons why I should not be drawn to Troy Serrano.
Number one: He’s obnoxious.
Number two: He and I were enemies over a decade ago in high school.
Number three: He’s my friend’s ex-boyfriend.
I could go on and on, really.
When my boss gives me an unwanted assignment and tells me it involves spending time with the grandson of one of our residents—the grandson turns out to be Troy. He’s now as successful as he is undeniably handsome.
Lucky me. Four hours a week of having to deal with his insufferable personality and unsolicited advice.
The only consolation is getting to stare at his annoyingly gorgeous face in between our many arguments.
Eventually, though, we slowly warm to each other and our outings become something I actually look forward to.

 

What’s happening to me?

 

Apparently, I misunderstood the assignment, because it certainly didn’t include thinking about Troy when I close my eyes at night, imagining what it would be like with him—just once. All the while hating myself for fantasizing about a guy who’s all wrong for me. A guy whose car I keyed back in the day. (Long story, but he deserved it.)
That’s all this is—a fantasy.
Well, until that one night at the bar.
The night Troy and I run into each other, and all of our pent-up frustration comes barreling out.
Still, I refuse to accept that it means anything.
There’s no way the guy I’m supposed to hate is also the one I can’t live without.

 

 

 

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS
Limited time release price $3.99!
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
5 out of 5 stars

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!

5 out of 5 stars

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.”

 

AUTHOR BIO
Penelope
Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling
author of contemporary romance.
 
She grew up
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.
 
With over two
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.
AUTHOR LINKS
OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD

 

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS
GOOGLE PLAY / AUDIOBOOK

 

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Blog Tour, Excerpt & Review – Thick as Thieves, Lucy Lennox

March 4, 2022 | Posted in Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review | By

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

 

Kara's Review

5 out of 5 stars

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

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Blog Tour & Review – Always Meant to Be, Siobhan Davis

March 2, 2022 | Posted in Blog Tour, Review | By

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

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BSMlCu

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/Meanttobe

Add Always Meant to Be to Goodreads→ https://bit.ly/34DW0A7

 

Sandra's Review

5 out of 5 stars

Always Meant to Be is the newest Siobhan Davis masterpiece. I have been addicted to her books since Finding Kyler and I will never stop reading them. Ever. I love the uniqueness of her storylines. The angst. The twists. The love. The darkness even. I crave her words. Her writing is beautiful and once I start of her books I don’t want to be the book down. If you follow my reviews then you know I rarely read blurbs, teasers, or anything before I start a book from authors I have read. I knew nothing about this book going in…
Kendall is in a loveless marriage. A mother of three. Vander is stuck at home full of abuse. Kendall knew it was wrong to think about Vander in any other way then her son’s best friend. Vander feels a connection to West’s mother like he has never felt before. It is a powerful connection and has never been any less since they day they met. He hates the way her husband treats her. She deserves to be loved. To be desired. To be adored. To be treated like a queen. He wants to give her all of that and more…
I can’t really get into the story without spoilers but I can say that I absolutely loved, loved, loved this story. Obsessed from beginning to end. Age-gap books are my jam and this one is epic! It’s poetic, really. I ♥️ Vander. He is more than an eighteen-year-old crushing on his best friend’s mom. And Kendall is more than a woman wanting to a younger man. They are more than I even imagined when I discovered this was a reverse age-gap situation. Lol.
Overall… it fucking fantastic! It’s full of beauty, angst, twists, love, family, and some darkness. I swooned, cried, laughed, got angry, and cried some more. It’s an emotional roller coaster for sure. I wish I could forget it, and read it all over agin for the first time.
Quotes:
“He has never been worthy of you.”
“You’re all I see, Kendall. Even when I close my eyes.”
“Whenever you change your mind, I’ll be more than happy to act out my every fantasy with you.”

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

Subscribe to romance newsletter:http://smarturl.it/KennedyBoysList

Amazon Author Page:http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisAmazon

Website:http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisWebsite

Goodreads:http://smarturl.it/SiobhanGoodreads

Facebook page:http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisFacebook

Facebook group: https://smarturl.it/SiobhanSquad

Instagram: https://smarturl.it/SiobhanInstagram

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@siobhandavisauthor

BookBub:http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisBookbub

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Review Tour – The Summer Proposal, Vi Keeland

January 14, 2022 | Posted in Blog Tour, Review | By

 

Title: The Summer Proposal
Author: Vi Keeland
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 10, 2022

 

BLURB

 

The first time I met Max Yearwood was on a blind date.

 

Max was insanely gorgeous, funny, and our chemistry was off the charts. He also had the biggest dimples I’d ever laid eyes on.
Exactly what I needed after my breakup.

 

Or so I thought…

 

Until my real date arrived.
Turned out, Max wasn’t who I was there to meet. He only pretended to be until my real date showed up.
To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
Before he left, he slipped me a ticket to a hockey game a few blocks away, in case things didn’t work out on my actual date.
I tossed the ticket into my purse and went about trying to enjoy the man I was supposed to meet.
But my real blind date and I had no connection.
So on my way home, I decided to take a chance and stop by the game.
When I arrived, the seat next to me was empty.
Disappointed again, I decided to leave at the end of the period.
Just before the buzzer, one of the teams scored, and the entire arena went crazy.
A player’s face flashed up on the Jumbotron. He was wearing a helmet, but I froze when he smiled.
You guessed it: Dimples.
Apparently, my fake blind date hadn’t invited me to watch hockey with him, he’d invited me to watch him play.
And so began my adventure with Max Yearwood.
He was everything I needed at the time—fun, sexy, up for anything, and only around for a few months since he’d signed with a new team three-thousand miles away.
Max proposed we spend the summer helping me forget my ex. It sounded like a good plan. Things couldn’t get too serious when we had an expiration date. Right?
Though, you know what they say about the best-laid plans.

 

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS

The Summer Proposal is Vi Keeland’s newest standalone romance! This is one of my favorite books, if not my actual favorite from Vi. Max is everything we want in a hero. Sexy, funny, determined, smart, dedicated and a little dirty. Add in that he plays hockey and has to-die-for dimples and I was in love with him the second I met him. Sometimes a book just hits you at the right time and gives you want you need. A fun, summer romance between a confident hockey player who loves to have fun and a brilliant businesswoman who thinks too much. I felt every emotion while reading their story. I laughed, smiled, got hot and bothered, cried, laughed and cried some more. When Max pretends to be Georgia’s blind date, she has no idea that her life will be forever changed. He’s not just handsome as sin, he’s fun and nice and sweet. She needs to let loose and relax and he proposes they spend the summer just enjoying each other and doing things together that bring them joy. I was so invested in their love story that I didn’t even want to stop reading to sleep! Max’s feelings for Georgia were evident in everything he did and said and even though she struggled with every decision in her life, being with Max was easy and perfect. What if they could continue past the summer? Would Georgia be willing to put her heart on the line again? The more time Max spends with Georgia, the more he realizes she’s perfect for him. He wants to love and protect her but can he do both? I. Loved. These. Two. So. Much! Vi continues to amaze me by giving us new, fresh and exciting characters with big hearts, dirty mouths and real depth. Max is one of those men who we all wish were real and aren’t afraid to admit it. Sometimes fictional characters just burrow their way into you heart and Max and Georgia did that to me! I won’t be forgetting this story anytime soon and I’m extremely happy about that!

 

Sandra's Review

My first SIX stars book of 2022!! Holy. Fucking. Wow!

 

The Summer Proposal is Vi Keeland’s newest masterpiece. Perfection. An emotional ride full of twists, turns, laughter, flirt, and love, and letting go. I don’t want to spoil too much so I will try to make this fast.

 

Georgia’s love life was a complicated one. She didn’t even want to go on a blind date but it turned out to be an epic one. She felt the chemistry immediately, the man was downright hot, funny, flirty, and sweet. It was perfect until he walked in. Her real date. Fast-forward about an hour later and she ends up using the ticket to the hockey game her fake date left in her pocket. It was not something she would usually do. She was not spontaneous but fate was working overtime. He wasn’t a fan of the game, he was the one fans were rooting for. Max Yearwood, one of the hottest and most talented players in the NHL. This is the start of an unforgettable summer…

 

Max had his faults. Georgia had hers too. They knew them. They accepted them. Their lives were both going to change at summer’s end so they made the proposal of having the summer to be free. To have fun. To be spontaneous. To live. To just be. No strings attached fun. It was exactly what they needed until…

 

My name is Sandra and I am in love with a fictional character. Max is everything. I am obsessed. He is so fucking sweet, hilarious, shameless, protective, strong and knows exactly when to bring his alpha out. Swoon. I also have a crush on Georgia. She is confused but knows it. She is also sweet, witty, smart, and so fun when she lets go. Together, they are crazy fun.

 

Overall, it is my favorite Vi book! It made me laugh so hard, cry even harder, and swoon! Sometimes all in the same scene. It’s hard to put into words how much I loved it.

 

P.S. I know it wasn’t fast. If you follow my reviews you knew it wouldn’t be. Lol.

 

Quotes:

 

“Can you actually hula hoop?”

He winked. “Only naked. You wanna see?”

The smile on my face widened. “I’ll take your word for it.”

“Shame.”

 

“No strings attached, right?”

He winked. “The only string might be one I use to tie you up.”

 

He kissed me like we were the only two people in the world, even standing on a busy Manhattan street, like he had to kiss me, rather than wanted to.

 

 

AUTHOR BIO

 

Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles have appeared in over a hundred Bestseller lists and are currently translated in twenty-five languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.
AUTHOR LINKS
OTHER BOOKS BY VI

 

 

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Blog Tour, Review & Excerpt – Scared to Love, Siobhan Davis

December 31, 2021 | Posted in Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review | By

It can’t work.

She’s too broken.a

He’s too young.

Scared to Love, an all-new angst-filled dark mafia romance set from USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Siobhan Davis, is available now!

A new dark mafia friends-to-lovers romance from USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Siobhan Davis. Serena has felt trapped her entire life, living a lie because it was demanded of her. Years of torture at the hands of her sadistic husband have left her battered and bruised, but not defeated. She needs to stay strong for her children, and she’s determined to reset her future. The future she has all thanks to Alessandro. He saved her that fateful night when her husband died, and he continues to save her as she struggles to piece her life back together. Yet the closer they get, the more it terrifies her because no man has ever made her feel like this. It can’t work. She’s too broken. He’s too young. And she’ll never trust a made man again. Women never get under Alesso’s skin—until Serena. They share an intense connection that can’t be ignored, no matter how hard she tries to push him away. He knows she’s scared. He is too, but she’s worth the risk. Alesso vows to be patient, until danger resurfaces and now all bets are off. Serena needs to understand how much she means to him and he will do everything to protect her. The situation grows more tense as the DeLucas plot against Bennett Mazzone and the surviving mafia heirs. But Alesso will lay down his life before he lets Serena get hurt again. Now his walls are lowered, the gloves are off, and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Even if it means letting her go. This is a full-length 105k-word novel with NO cliff-hanger and an HEA, set in the Mazzone Mafia world. This is the third and final book in this series. For readers who enjoy friends-to-lovers, second chance, reverse age-gap, dark mafia romance. May contain triggers – please read the note at the start of the book.

Download your copy today! FREE in Kindle Unlimited Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mfzcwv Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/scaredtolove Add Scared to Love to Goodreads→ https://bit.ly/3FDI1bR Start the series with Condemned to Love→ http://mybook.to/condemnedtolove



Sandra's Review
5 out of 5 stars

Scared to Love is the third and final book in the Mazzone Mafia series by Siobhan Davis. Each book can be read as standalone but I HIGHLY recommend reading them in order since they all tie together. I love mafia and I love Siobhan so I am crazy about this series. It’s never boring with this family…

 

Serena’s life has been hell over the last twelve years. The only light in her life is her children. Her bastard of a husband tried to break her down daily and when he is killed she is relieved. It doesn’t mean she is safe, she is mafia after-all but she feels safer with her sister Sierra and her husband Ben. And him. Alessandro. A man who saved her once. A man who she trusts with her life. A man she could fall for if she wasn’t so broken. She believed he deserved a woman who wasn’t damaged and has a houseful of baggage. It really didn’t matter either way, she wasn’t ready and may never be for a man like him. What she doesn’t see is what he sees, a badass woman who could bring him to his knees and he wouldn’t even fight it…

 

But before he can prove it they first need to survive the unexpected. 

 

Holy twists, Batman! I absolutely love the way Siobhan’s mind works. The darkness. The twists. The angst. The chemistry. The connection. And the characters are truly badass in all the ways. I loved watching Serena’s journey and Alesso’s too. They both have scars inside and out. Together, I could feel their deep connection and I loved that Alesso is so swoony and doesn’t care who knows it. It was awesome to catch up with the rest of the family #FamilyGoals. I can’t wait for what Siobhan has planned for us next. 

 

Quotes: 

 

“You are so beautiful, Serena. Your legs are the stuff of dreams. Your body the ammunition for all my fantasies.”

 

“If you’re not my ally, you’re my enemy.”

 

“Fuck, he’s got it bad.” Leo jokes with Ben. 

“Fuck you. You are both every bit as whipped as I am.”

“Truth,” they say at the same time.

 

**I voluntarily reviewed this book after received an advanced copy. 

 

Excerpt  ALESSO  She slams to a halt, turning to face me. “I would never deliberately deceive you. That’s not who I am.” Fire underscores her tone, and I like hearing it.  “I didn’t mean it that way. I know who you are.”  The saddest expression washes over her features. “If that was true, you wouldn’t be standing here with me now. You wouldn’t be spending time with me each day. You would run a mile if you realized exactly who I am.”  I risk stepping a little closer. “I have known you long enough to know the kind of woman you are, Serena. I’d like to think you’ve known me long enough to know you could tell me anything, and it wouldn’t scare me away.” Reaching out slowly, I take her gloved hands in my bare ones. “I spend time with you because I enjoy it. I want to get to know you better. I want to support you as you deal with the things you need to deal with.”  “Why me? I’m too old. Too broken. I have kids. I come with so much baggage I’m completely weighted down with it. I—”  I can’t listen to her beat herself up any longer, so I place two fingers over her mouth, quietly shushing her as I prepare to negate each of her concerns. “One. You’re not too old, and I’m not too young. Age is just a number, and I refuse to allow stupid societal norms to dictate who I spend my time with or categorize the nature of that relationship. Two. Broken is subjective, and we all have our broken parts, but guess what?” I move my fingers from her lips to her cheeks, silently rejoicing when she doesn’t flinch or shy away. “Broken parts can be glued back together. Three, I adore your kids, and they are the cherry on top. And four, every single person in the world has some kind of baggage. It’s called life.”  Tears glisten in her eyes, spilling onto her cheeks. “You’re not real,” she whispers. “You can’t be.”  My heart aches for her because I see the mistrust and disbelief in her eyes. “I’m real, Rena.” Taking her hand, I slip it under my coat and over my shirt-covered chest, where my heart is currently jumping cartwheels in honor of her presence. “I’m as real as it gets.”  Copyright © Siobhan Davis 2021

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 Subscribe to romance newsletter:http://smarturl.it/KennedyBoysList Amazon Author Page:http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisAmazon Website:http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisWebsite Goodreads:http://smarturl.it/SiobhanGoodreads Facebook page:http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisFacebook Facebook group: https://smarturl.it/SiobhanSquad Instagram: https://smarturl.it/SiobhanInstagram TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@siobhandavisauthor BookBub:http://smarturl.it/SiobhanDavisBookbub

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Blog Tour, Excerpt & Reviews – It’s Complicated, Kindle Alexander

December 17, 2021 | Posted in Blog Tour, Review | By

Title: It’s Complicated
Author: Kindle Alexander
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: December 7, 2021
Cover Design: Reese Dante

 

“When looking for that love story that has all the feels and more, grab It’s Complicated. Every word is brilliantly-written and the myriad of emotions you’ll encounter will fill your soul like nothing else. 5++++++ stars all the way!” – emjaylovestoread

 

 

“No one gives us MM love stories like the very talented writing duo of Kindle Alexander and It’s Complicated lived up to all my expectations and so much more.” – Jackie Wright, Thelma and Louise Book Blog

 

 

“Whenever I pick up a book written by Kindle Alexander I know I am going to be reading a book that will draw many varied emotions from me; It’s Complicated was no exception. The characters have a great deal of depth and I fell hard for both Julian Cullen and Beckett St Clair.” – Erin Lewis, Thelma and Louise Book Blog

 

Nightclub manager Julian Cullen runs Reservations with impeccable precision and a deep sense of pride. But repressed memories from his abduction two years ago surface, leaving him struggling emotionally. Julian vows to reclaim his previous life but doesn’t factor in the biggest distraction of all: the handsome cowboy hanging around the club intent on gaining his attention.

 

Entrepreneur Beckett St. Clair built an industry-leading survivalist training company through hard work and dedication. The tough as nails outdoorsman can navigate any situation or so he thinks…When a chance encounter with a guarded night club manager leaves him tumbling head over heels into uncharted territory.
One man is lost to his past, the other dreams of a future.
Both men will soon find out love is never easy…it’s complicated.

 

5 out of 5 stars
It’s Complicated is the second book in the Reservations series by Kindle Alexander. You can read as standalone but I do recommend reading Reservations since that is where you meet Julian for the first time and get more of his background story. 

It has been two years since the attack and Julian was living his life now as Reservations’ manager. He never expected this life but after the abduction he couldn’t go back to his old life. He hasn’t even been with a man since that night, he was ready. He was never into relationships and with trust being his biggest issue he doesn’t see a future with another man in it. He life was all business. Then he walks into the club. A cowboy and he wants to dance. This three dances were one step closer but it isn’t enough. The Marlboro Man didn’t leave his thoughts though so when he sees him again he is smitten. 

Beckett wanted him the moment he laid eyes on Julian. He had fought for years over his attraction to men. It is why he went to Reservations, he wanted a safe place to meet men. The only man he sees is Julian so when the opportunity to get closer to him comes, he takes it. Julian isn’t happy about it but Beckett is no quitter. He wants to know the man. The man inside the confident yet reserved man. He wants to know who hurt him. He wants to protect him and help him heal. Can he prove to Julian he can trust him? 

These two are complete opposites but it works. I loved seeing them both grow. Julian has scars and Beckett wants to show him that they don’t take away his beauty. It’s within and he is worth it. 

Quotes: 

“You’re definitely persistent. Trust me, Marlboro Man, you don’t want to rope me. I’m not what you’re looking for. Go find yourself another stud to lasso.”

“Your face is so expressive, but I have no idea what you’re thinking,” Beckett said tenderly, running his fingers through Julian’s hair.

“I seriously don’t get that nickname. I don’t even smoke.”

5 out of 5 stars
It’s Complicated is the second book in the Reservations series by Kindle Alexander. You can read as standalone but I do recommend reading Reservations since that is where you meet Julian for the first time and get more of his background story. 

It has been two years since the attack and Julian was living his life now as Reservations’ manager. He never expected this life but after the abduction he couldn’t go back to his old life. He hasn’t even been with a man since that night, he was ready. He was never into relationships and with trust being his biggest issue he doesn’t see a future with another man in it. He life was all business. Then he walks into the club. A cowboy and he wants to dance. This three dances were one step closer but it isn’t enough. The Marlboro Man didn’t leave his thoughts though so when he sees him again he is smitten. 

Beckett wanted him the moment he laid eyes on Julian. He had fought for years over his attraction to men. It is why he went to Reservations, he wanted a safe place to meet men. The only man he sees is Julian so when the opportunity to get closer to him comes, he takes it. Julian isn’t happy about it but Beckett is no quitter. He wants to know the man. The man inside the confident yet reserved man. He wants to know who hurt him. He wants to protect him and help him heal. Can he prove to Julian he can trust him? 

These two are complete opposites but it works. I loved seeing them both grow. Julian has scars and Beckett wants to show him that they don’t take away his beauty. It’s within and he is worth it. 

Quotes: 

“You’re definitely persistent. Trust me, Marlboro Man, you don’t want to rope me. I’m not what you’re looking for. Go find yourself another stud to lasso.”

“Your face is so expressive, but I have no idea what you’re thinking,” Beckett said tenderly, running his fingers through Julian’s hair.

“I seriously don’t get that nickname. I don’t even smoke.”

 

“I’m being asked if table thirty-three can incorporate thirty-four into their party.”

Julian looked over to see a crowd of men gathered around the larger high-boy table. “No, give it some time. St. Clair’s a good customer. Get some barstools from the back, and let’s see if he arrives.”

“Hey, Julian. Have we heard from thirty-four? Is he coming in tonight?” Remington, another waiter, asked from about the midway point down the bar where he loaded his tray with cocktail glasses. “One of my guests wants to know.”

“Who wants to know?” Julian looked over to Remington’s section of tables as if a large red arrow would point him out.

“The older guy at table twenty-seven.”

Julian’s gaze locked on that table. All the men looked older, sophisticated, well put together, and handsome. Damn.

“Which one?” Julian asked.

“The older one,” Remington repeated, then turned with his tray full of drinks in his hand. “Is he coming tonight?”

So, the Marlboro Man had built a fan club involving more than just the club’s waiters and bartenders. Julian’s possessive side stood on guard. “We’re holding the table for him, but he’s late.”

Julian dug into the salad with his fork, stuffing a big bite into his mouth, and reached for the untouched glass of water nearby. He chomped out his frustration that the big, tall cowboy hat wearing mystery man was building some possible hookups.

Julian had watched as Beckett sat alone for hours at his table until some of the waiters were cut from their shifts and ended up joining the guy. Beckett had become a welcome patron in the club and his table a safe place for most of the guys who worked for Reservations to gather.

No, Julian hadn’t missed all the long lingering looks Beckett tossed his way. He liked the way Beckett watched him. Those intriguing brown eyes and that appealing gaze. Beckett was all man, every single inch of him. He knew that for a fact because he’d rubbed himself against all that masculinity when they’d danced.

An unexpected sensation had Julian dropping the fork in his hand to the plate, his gaze lowering to his trouser-covered cock. Holy hell, the way it plumped painfully against his zipper had his heart thumping wildly in his chest. The damn thing did, in fact, work. How long had it been since he’d grown hard? He couldn’t remember. Tears of happiness sprung to his eyes, making him fight to swallow the lump forming in his throat. Damn, it felt good.

How much had he had to drink? Regardless of his actions over the last few days, Julian had given up alcohol. Should he have been drinking this whole time?

“Boss, you good?” Ricco tapped the edge of the bar to gain Julian’s attention.

He paid the bartender no heed, not wanting to lose this moment. Julian had only had two cocktails over the last couple of hours. That meant he was practically sober, yet his cock was working again for the first time in a long while.

Under Ricco’s intense scrutiny, Julian’s cock deflated. He closed his eyes, bringing forth images of Beckett sitting alone at his table, rarely speaking to anyone. Every single time Beckett showed up or planned to leave for the night, his gaze sought out Julian. No matter how hard Julian fought the urge to turn Beckett’s way he eventually would turn, helpless to do anything but.

Beckett would smile and touch the brim of his hat. Fuck, what a sexy move. Beckett’s strong jaw and full lips, his dark tanned skin… Julian’s dick swelled at warp speed.

Hell yeah. Julian was helpless to stop the tear that built enough steam to trickle down his cheek. This had to mean he was healing, right?

“Julian. You good?”

He opened his eyes, prepared to share with Ricco exactly why he was great right now. His hand reached to wipe away the tear when the unique scent of outdoors, sunshine, and exotic spices hit his senses. Unmistakably Beckett. He looked over to see an expansive masculine chest and broad shoulders leaning into him as Beckett busted a move to avoid a collision with one of the busboys.

Julian lifted his gaze. Of course, he held all of Beckett’s undivided attention. They locked gazes for one, maybe two long seconds, before Ricco’s hand slapped down hard on the bar top, pulling Julian’s gaze toward Ricco.

“What?” He said the word with maybe three syllables of frustration.

Ricco showed zero cares about Julian’s obvious annoyance “Are. You. Goooda?”

“Mind your business. Concentrate on the job you’re being paid to do.” Julian motioned to the line of waiters standing at the bar, waiting for their drinks. But even that only held his attention for the briefest of moments before he happily lowered his gaze again to his dick. The damn thing was rigidly hard, straining against his form-hugging pants. Holy fuck. The relief was staggering.

Julian dropped his head between his shoulder blades, thanking the universe for this blessing.

“Mr. St. Clair, we were getting worried about you,” Ricco said.

“Call me Beckett.” The rich masculine timbre held hints of a deeply cultured southern accent, drawing Julian’s gaze to Beckett once again.

“A guy at one of Remington’s tables wants to buy your drinks tonight,” Ricco said to Beckett as he started to pour again. “He asked me to see if you’re interested when you came in.”

Julian’s head dropped forward; he couldn’t help his astonished stare. He got caught up in Beckett’s new look. Julian’s gaze narrowed to Beckett, admiring how he wore the hugely popular suit with the athletic cut. Beckett looked fashionable in a style that accented every one of his masculine curves and edges. He was clean-shaven with his hair styled and pushed back off his forehead. No cowboy hat to be found anywhere.

“Which table?” Beckett asked and turned toward the grouping of tables. His body angled to look where Remington pointed to a group of three men. Julian looked down the length of Beckett’s long body. He wasn’t wearing boots tonight or a tie. Instead, his collar was unbuttoned with a small amount of fur peaking from the opening. The look suited him. Julian’s fingers twitched to run over the man’s exposed skin. He’d bet Beckett had the same dark tan all the way down that expansive chest.

Beckett was mouthwateringly gorgeous in this new look. Who would have known the man could be even more handsome than Julian remembered?

Tonight, the man held an air of confidence that he didn’t usually have. Beckett lifted a hand to the men, grinned a sultry smile, and turned back to Ricco. “Buy his next round on me and tell him thank you, I’m flattered, but I’ve got my eye on someone else tonight.”

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Best Selling Author Kindle Alexander is an innovative writer, and a genre-crosser who writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and erotica in both the male/male and male/female genres. It’s always a surprise to see what’s coming next!
I live in the suburbs of Dallas where it’s true, the only thing bigger than an over active imagination, may be women’s hair!
Usually, I try for funny. Humor is a major part of my life – I love to laugh, and it seems to be the thing I do in most situations – regardless of the situation, but jokes are a tricky deal… I don’t want to offend anyone and jokes tend to offend. So instead I’m going to tell you about Kindle
I tragically lost my sixteen year old daughter to a drunk driver. She had just been at home, it was early in the night and I heard the accident happen. I’ll never forget that moment. The sirens were immediate and something inside me just knew. I left my house, drove straight to the accident on nothing more than instinct. I got to be there when my little girl died – weirdly, I consider that a true gift from above. She didn’t have to be alone.
That time in my life was terrible. It’s everything you think it would be times about a billion. I love that kid. I loved being her mother and I loved watching her grow into this incredibly beautiful person, both inside and out. She was such a gift to me. To have it all ripped away so suddenly broke me.
Her name was Kindle. Honest to goodness – it was her name and she died a few weeks before Amazon released their brand new Kindle ereader. She had no idea it was coming out and she would have finally gotten her name on something! Try finding a ruler with the name Kindle on it.. It never happened.
Through the course of that crippling event I was lucky enough to begin to write with a dear friend in the fan fiction world of Facebook. She got me through those dark days with her unwavering support and friendship. There wasn’t a time she wasn’t there for me. Sometimes together and sometimes by myself, we built a world where Kindle lives and stands for peace, love and harmony. It’s its own kind of support group. I know without question I wouldn’t be here today without her.

Find out more by visiting www.kindlealexander.com or email me at kindle@kindlealexander.com

 

 

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Blog Tour & Reviews – Come Again, Lauren Blakely

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

 

COME AGAIN by Lauren Blakely

Release Date: December 3rd

 

COME AGAIN is an ALL-NEW enemies-to lovers romance set in the Big Rock world! Don’t miss this intensely sexy and hilarious all-hero POV stand-alone!

Fall in love with a cocky, charming hero and the heroine who challenges his game!

 

AVAILABLE NOW!!!

✦ Amazon ➜ http://blkly.pub/AmazonComeAgain

✦ Apple ➜ http://blkly.pub/AppleComeAgain

✦ Nook ➜ https://blkly.pub/NookComeAgain

✦ Kobo ➜ http://blkly.pub/KoboComeAgain

✦ Google ➜ http://blkly.pub/GoogleComeAgain

 

✦ Audible ➜ http://blkly.pub/AudioComeAgain

He is back!!! Sebastian York narrates this hot tamale!

 

Sandra's Review

5 out of 5 stars

A masquerade night at The Lucky Spot. A dare. A bet. A kiss…
It was only an hour of time but these two leave a lasting impression and I have here for it. Easton is the perfect amount of cocky to Bellamy’s spitfire attitude. You could feel the chemistry from across the game room filled with beautiful and fun patrons in costumes. Easton is loving her challenging ways while she is loving his charming ways but will they end the night with a happy ending?
If a happy ending means she walks away only to see him again a few weeks later, unexpectedly. Then yes. And that is when the real games begin…
Games of flirty banter. Enemies in romance duels. There is even an assassination. These two are red-hot in their dirty games and I am here for it. Easton and Bellamy’s story is one of my all-time favorite love stories Lauren has ever written. It’s a page-turner that had me all in my feels. Bellamy is one of my favorite heroines. Ever. She is witty, smart, tough, flirty, and knows exactly what she wants. She kicks ass and takes names. And Easton may be cocky but oh, Lord is he charming, sexy, and swoony, and so funny. Together, they are explosive.
I can’t wait to read more about Easton’s friends and family. This New York is crew is so much fun, supportive, and creative. Oh, I can’t forget about Coco…she is the best. I want to be her when I grow up.
Quotes:
The woman talks like sex, looks like a dirty dream, and fires barbs like she’s in a dart championship.
“It’s not going to be a good fuck. It’s going to be the best ever,” I tell her.
“It better be. I cut my workout short for this,” she taunts.
“I go to Zumba because cardio keeps my brain sharp. And the brain is the most important sex organ.” She shakes her head in mock disgust. “I swear I taught you two better.”
5 out of 5 stars

Come Again is a new sexy, fun romance in the Big Rock world by the fabulous Lauren Blakely. It’s been a while since we’ve visited this world and I’m all about the new addition! Come Again is a tasty enemies to lovers romance that charmed my pants off! Easton is so cocky and smooth and sexy that even when I wanted to smack him upside his head I wanted to kiss it all better. He couldn’t have found a better match in Bellamy. She’s feisty, honest, smart, pretty and tells it like it is. Mostly she tells him exactly what she thinks, wants and what she deserves. Easton’s business is matchmaking, in person. Bellamy’s podcast is promoting online dating. They are on opposite sides but a fun bet has them willing to see if the other is right. Their attraction just fuels the animosity and all that pent up frustration sets the bedroom on fire! They met in person so he’s right, but they send fun and romantic emails online so she’s right. Can you be enemies and lovers? It’s casual and definitely not love. Right? Uh oh? What happens when you fall in love with the person who makes your blood boil? Everything! I love Easton and his charm and Bellamy and her bada** self. Come Again was fun to read and evoked all my emotions as Lauren Blakely always does. I’m also loving all these side characters, some we’ve met briefly and some are new! Looking forward to more from Easton and Bellamy’s friends and family!

 

Audio: Oh my! Sebastian has outdone himself on this one. Wowzas! I’ve missed hearing him on Lauren’s books and he’s back with a bang. Sexy, fun and irresistible! And of course Vanessa was fantastic, as always!

Add to Goodreads:

http://blkly.pub/GRComeAgain

 

Blurb:

There are three words most men can’t resist—I dare you.

So as you can see, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I had no choice when my buddies said “I bet you can’t get that brunette beauty to kiss you before the night ends.”

I proved them wrong, and oh how good it felt to be right when I swept the quick-tongued woman into my arms and kissed the breath out of her at the party.

But, I made a slight miscalculation.

Turns out she’s my brand new enemy.

And soon I’m locked in a fierce battle of wits with my sexy-as-sin nemesis. I’m determined to show the whole city that my company is offering the best new path to romance, and she’s dead-set on knocking me down. Publicly.

It’s the hottest game of one-upmanship I’ve ever played, punctuated by fiery kisses, dirty letters, and, after a heated argument, hate s-e-x.

You know what they say. Keep your enemies closer.

I keep her so damn close to my favorite body part.

 

Everything is fun and games…until I gamble something I can’t afford to lose.

My heart.

AVAILABLE NOW!!!

✦ Amazon ➜ http://blkly.pub/AmazonComeAgain

✦ Apple ➜ http://blkly.pub/AppleComeAgain

✦ Nook ➜ https://blkly.pub/NookComeAgain

✦ Kobo ➜ http://blkly.pub/KoboComeAgain

✦ Google ➜ http://blkly.pub/GoogleComeAgain

 

✦ Audible ➜http://blkly.pub/AudioComeAgain

He is back!!! Sebastian York narrates this hot tamale!

About Lauren Blakely:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible

Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s

sexy, sweet, and witty. She also writes USA Today bestselling LGBTQ romance.

 

With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York

Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, with

more than 55 titles on the USA Today Bestsellers list alone. She’s sold more than 4.5 million books. A Brown University graduate, Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

 

Connect w/Lauren:

Website: laurenblakely.com

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LaurenBlakely3

 

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