Romance book reviews. Reviews of books that make my heart race, have a beautiful love story, and a happy ending.

Romance book reviews. Reviews of books that make my heart race, have a beautiful love story, and a happy ending.

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SALES, NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — Week of July 7, 2015

SALES, NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — Week of July 7, 2015

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*** NEW 5 STAR FAVORITE ***

 

Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

SQUEEEEEE!!!! Omg!! I just finished reading this book and LOVE LOVE LOVED it so freaking much!!! My gosh, that last 10% was seriously loaded with feels!! This was honestly one of the BEST BOOKS I’ve read this year. The story was unlike any other I’ve read, the writing was AMAZING, and it kept me glued to the page. It was totally unconventional and gave such a UNIQUE perspective on finding your soul mate and one true love. I cried, I laughed, my heart felt like it was bursting with emotions. I LOVED IT!!! 5++ STARS!!! (Read my Review)

“I love you,” he says. “I don’t think I ever really stopped.” …
“And now?” I say…
“I still love you,” he says. “I’ve always loved you. I might never stop.”

It’s a complete standalone, and YES it’s absolutely worth the price!
Also, it was just released today so be sure to grab your copy!!

*** HIGHLIGHTS ***

 
*** LATEST NEW RELEASES ***

*** RECENT RECOMMENDATIONS & REVIEWS ***

*** THIS WEEK’S NEW RELEASES ***

 

Revived by Samantha Towle — New Release!!

This JUST went live and it can be read as a complete standalone!! The heroine is a single mom and the hero is a famous race car driver!!! — She got pregnant at a young age with the wrong man. In order to give her son the best life she could, she put herself through school and now, at age thirty, was working as a respected therapist. Meanwhile, he was at the top of his game as a famous race car driver until a nearly-fatal accident left him in need of a year of physical therapy. “Forced into therapy to get his life back, he finds himself in her office… Falling for his uptight therapist is not part of his plan. Having unethical feelings for her patient is not part of her plan. But what if the wrong person is the only person who is right?”

 

Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid— New Release!!

My new 5-STAR FAVORITE!!! Love love loved this book!!! (Read my Review)

At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life so she moves back to LA and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby’s guestroom. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.

Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?

In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?

Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she’s found him. <---- LOVE!!!  

Elude by Rachel Van Dyken — New Release!!

Romantic suspense fans, this is the latest standalone in the Eagle Elite series.
Twenty-Four hours before we were to be married–I offered to shoot her.
Ten hours before our wedding–I made a mockery of her dying wish.
Five hours before we were going to say our vows–I promised I’d never love her.
One hour before I said I do–I vowed I’d never shed a tear over her death.
But the minute we were pronounced man and wife–I knew.
I’d only use my gun to protect her. I’d give my life for hers.

 

Fighting Shadows by Aly Martinez — New Release!!

Fighter romance alert!! This is the second standalone in a series of interconnected standalones. The first one was Fighting Silence (Read my Review)
— I come from a family of fighters. That changed the day I saved the life of a woman I loved, but could never have. My brother hailed me as a hero, and my reward was a wheelchair. Paralyzed, my life became an inescapable nightmare. Until I met her… Now, I’m on the ropes during the toughest battles of my life. Fighting the shadows of our past. Fighting to reclaim my future. Fighting for her.

 

Easy Charm by Kristen Proby — New Release!!

This is the second standalone in a series, following Easy Love.

The heroine is a single mother of a young son. The hero has been a pro baseball player for more than ten years. But when he tears his rotator cuff and has to sit a season out, he retreats to the inn she runs to heal with only one goal in mind: to return to the game he loves. But he didn’t plan on being utterly charmed by a devastatingly beautiful woman and her baseball-loving son…

 

Toxic by Kim Karr — New Release!!

This is a “smoking hot” second chance romance standalone.

“He was the guy from the wrong side of the tracks who her parents would never have approved of. Their years apart have only made the sexy bad boy more irresistible than ever–and their reunion is explosive… When she asks him to help her salvage her family business, he agrees immediately, with only one condition–he wants her in his bed…”

 

Fighting To Breathe by Aurora Rose Reynolds — New Release!!

This is a second chance romance standalone! (Contemporary, NOT paranormal)

“For the past fifteen years, he’s believed the woman he loved with every ounce of his soul left him without so much as a backwards glance…Faced with the truth about the past, a newly discovered secret, these former lovers will learn that if they want to have any chance at the future they’d given up on all those years ago…”

 

Chasing River by KA Tucker — New Release!!

Romantic suspense fans!! This is the latest standalone in the Burying Water series!
After the hero saves the heroine’s life, he’s rattled because he has criminal associations… “He couldn’t let her die, but he also can’t be identified at the scene—so, he fled. But when she tracks him down, he quickly realizes how much he likes her, how wrong she is for him. And how dangerous it is to have her around. Pushing her away would be the smart move… Maybe it’s because he saved her life, but she finds herself chasing after him. She isn’t the kind of girl to chase after anyone. And he isn’t the kind of guy she’d want to catch…”

 

Manwhore + 1 by Katy Evans — New Release!!

Billionaire playboy fans, this is the sequel to Manwhore.

“He was an assignment. A story. A beautiful, difficult man I was supposed to uncover for a racy exposé. I intended to reveal him, his secrets, his lifestyle–not let him reveal me. But my head was overtaken by my heart and suddenly nothing could stop me from falling. I fell for him, and I fell hard… Now that the assignment is over, he wants something from me—something unexpected—and I want this wicked playboy’s heart…”

 

The Strongest Steel by Scarlett Cole — New Release!!

Tattooed hero alert!! This is a standalone. — “The scars that decorate her back are just one more reminder of things she’d rather forget… He has his own reasons for specializing in inking over scars. And there’s no way in hell he’s going to turn her away. Not when a swirling mix of tenderness and desire slams into him every time her sees her… Each tattooing session brings her closer and closer to him. But when cryptic messages start appearing on her phone, strange deliveries arrive at her door, she’s convinced that her ex-boyfriend has tracked her down…”

 

Ruin & Rule by Pepper Winters — New Release!!

Dark romance and biker fans, this is the first book in a new series!

“Her past, present, and future are as twisted as the lies she’s lived for the past eight years. Desperate to get the truth, she must turn to the one man who may also be her greatest enemy… He is the president of an MC. A heartless biker. He accepts no rules, obeys no one, and lives only to reap revenge on those who wronged him. And now he has stolen her, body and soul…”

 

Not You It’s Me by Julie Johnson — New Release!!

This is a new standalone romance!! It’s about “a girl who doesn’t believe in love… and the man who changes her mind.” — The heroine has been unlucky in love so far and while she’s on a date and the jumbotron kiss-cam lands on her and her date. Her date is to busy ignoring her to notice and so the hero steps in! He’s a wealthy, reformed bad boy who doesn’t date. But when the beautiful girl in the seat beside him becomes a courtside spectacle at the hands of her loser boyfriend, he can’t help but step in and save the day… “One kiss. Two strangers. No strings attached. The only problem is, he’s used to getting whatever he wants. And after kissing her once, he knows one thing… He wants more.”

 

Ricochet by Keri Lake — New Release!!

Dark romance fans, this sounds interesting!
“Three years ago, I had everything. A beautiful wife. A son. A reason for living. Until a ruthless task force, assembled under Mayor Michael Culling, ripped away everything I loved. They tried to kill me, too. I wish they had. Now I’m cursed by the memories of that night, and the words I whispered to my dying wife. A promise—to avenge the wrong… Michael Culling doesn’t know who I am. All he knows is that I’ve kidnapped his beautiful wife… An eye for an eye and Aubree Culling is the perfect pawn to destroy him. If she doesn’t destroy me first.”

 

Playing With Fire by Lexi Ryan — New Release!!

This appears to be a standalone! — “A woman with a secret past. A man determined to protect her. A dangerous passion that could cost them both everything.” …
— Dr. Phoenix Reid isn’t who she seems… “I thought one hot night with Max Hallowell was harmless. I never expected it would force me to face my past or bring back the man who swore he’d never let me go. Now Max wants to help me. Wants to save me. But if I let him, he’ll be destroyed. I can already smell the flames…”

 

Sweet The Sin by Claire Kent — New Release!!

A “deeply sensual two-part story of love, lust, and deception, a woman searching for the truth discovers that she’s sleeping with the enemy.”

“…Nearly twenty years later, Kelly finds herself in the arms of a seductive stranger—the very same man who may have ordered her father’s death. And even as she plays him, using hot sex as a means to revenge, Kelly is tormented by one question: Is she committing the ultimate betrayal? …”

 

Flawed Heart by Bella Jewel — New Release!!

This is a standalone second chance fighter romance. — “He was my first love and my first heartbreak… Then suddenly, he disappeared. Ten years and I didn’t see or hear from him. Then came the call I’d be praying for– he was back in town. Only the man I remembered is not him. This man is quiet, deadly, and so incredibly beautiful. He also doesn’t remember me. He looks into my eyes, and he sees nothing… So, I let him believe I’m just a girl that walked into his bar… I just let the secret go on and on. But all secrets have an end, don’t they?”

 

Always & Forever by Harper Bentley — New Release!!

This is the standalone sequel to Bigger Than The Sky (different couple).
“A year ago, my sweet and sexy firefighter boyfriend and I broke up over something extremely ridiculous. We’d been together since high school, but that was the end of that. Almost twelve years of that, mind you. The looks he gives me tell me he still wants me. Our latest encounter has me thinking he’s trying to win me back. But I’m not willing to give in so easily… He used to call me his Always and Forever. But the secrets he’s keeping might tear us apart for good.”

 

Twice In A Lifetime by Dorothy Garlock — New Release!!

Sunset, Missouri, 1954. As hope flourishes in postwar America, a young widow dares to dream of a second chance at a forever love… Clara Sinclair has learned to live one lonely day at a time. It was the only way she managed to survive her husband’s death in World War II and raise their young son alone. Drake McCoy lives for risk, speed, and putting his incredible drag racing skills to the test… until he meets Clara. Drawn in by her quiet strength and her beauty, Drake is tempted to become someone he never imagined-a family man.

 

The Scarlet Deep by Elizabeth Hunter — New Release!!

Paranormal fans, I’ve heard amazing things about this series (Elemental World)!
— …A poison spreads, sapping the life from humans and striking madness into immortals. Patrick Murphy, the immortal leader of Dublin, has been trying to stem the tide of Elixir washing into his territory, but nothing seems to stop the vampire drug. Anne O’Dea, his former lover, retreated from public life over one hundred years ago to help immortals in need, and to heal her own broken heart. When they are called to London to search for a traitor among allies, they must also come to terms with their past…

 

Taming Lily by Monica Murphy — New Release!!

This final standalone in the Fowler Sisters series about “three fiery and determined sisters with their own ideas about life and love.”
— “…someone is watching me. Following me. He’s gorgeous. Soon we’re talking, and against all my instincts, I reveal bits and pieces of myself to Max. It feels good, though I know he can’t be the man for me. These sudden feelings we share are way too complicated, too fraught, too intense… He’s the one I want to trust. But I’m not so sure I should. Maybe it’s worth the risk—what-ifs be damned.”

 

Swerve by Vicki Pettersson — New Release!!

Psychological thriller fans, this might be up your alley!

It’s high summer in the Mojave Desert, and Kristine Rush and her fiancé, Daniel, are en route from Las Vegas to California. But when Daniel is abducted from a desolate rest stop, Kristine is forced to choose: return home unharmed, but never to see her fiancé again, or plunge forward into the searing desert to find him… where a killer lies in wait. One road. One woman. One killer…

 

I Want You To Want Me by Erika Kelly — New Release!!

Rock star fans, this is the standalone sequel to You Really Got Me.
— His band is touring its debut album and great reviews are rolling in… She swore she’d never work in the music industry again, but being a minder for a rock star will earn her enough to pay off her mortgage… Though at first the two bang heads, the rocker and the farm girl soon grow close… But can a girl who craves the stability of life on a farm really make it work with a man whose life is spent on the road with his band?

 

In Deep by Brenda Rothert — New Release!!

This is the second standalone in the Lockhart Brother series following Deep Down.
— “I’ve got a secret. My secret stays safe until I meet her – the woman who simultaneously pisses me off and turns me on. She seems like a wallflower at first, but it turns out there’s a lot more to her than I realized. Despite her hidden strength, she has a vulnerability I can’t resist. As we open up to each other, I realize she’s starting to mean everything to me. She doesn’t feel the same way, but that won’t stop me from doing whatever it takes to keep her safe…”

 …

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Book Review — RUSH by Emma Scott

Book Review — RUSH by Emma Scott

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“You are the light in my darkness, Charlotte.”

What a beautiful, heart-warming story! I read this book in one sitting and loved it! It initially caught my eye because it sounded so different but had something I really love: a tortured, grouchy, reclusive hero. Don’t ask me why, but I love those! So, naturally I had to read this book!

The story is about this guy, Noah Lake, who used to be a professional and famous extreme sports athlete who was blinded and severely injured in a cliff diving accident. He’s been a daredevil since childhood and he’d turned his passion into a career — meshing extreme sports and journalism, doing every crazy thing in every remote corner of the earth, testing his limits to the max and living life to the fullest, until the horrific accident that left him and his life in pieces and robbed him of his dreams, his sight, and his reason to live. Although most people considered him lucky to have escaped with his life, he was left bitter and angry. With his life shattered and tired of the constant pity he was receiving,  he retreated away from his family and friends and shut himself away the world in his New York home until the heroine,  Charlotte Conroy, arrived to work for him as a live-in assistant. She was a prodigy musician who’d just suffered a staggering loss of her own and had lost her passion for playing music. Now in need of a place to live and a job, she agreed to come work for Noah. Although they got off to a rough start, they soon began to be drawn to each other. And as they slowly began to help each other heal, they also fell unexpectedly in love…

Now, I’ll admit right off the bat that I found the first few chapters to be a little slow, but once Charlotte and Noah actually met and began to live/work together, I was totally hooked and didn’t put the book down until I reached the end… While most of the story is told from Charlotte’s POV, we get a few key chapters from Noah’s POV too giving us  insight into what he was going through and feeling. I thought these chapters were especially well done and really made you understand his character deeply. It was really well balanced between showing us what Charlotte saw from the outside, then allowing us to see what he was going through on the inside.

“His rudeness, I realized, wasn’t directed at me, but at himself. Noah oozed self-loathing like a vapour, and I decided to show him that I could see beyond the cutting remarks and make a connection.”

“I hated to even think the word ‘tortured’ — it sounded so melodramatic — but that was the impression he gave. His body was meant for swimming in oceans and racing down ski slopes, not sitting hunched in darkened rooms.”

I really appreciated that Charlotte was a very strong heroine. Despite going through a lot herself, she remained quite strong and I really admired the way she stood up to Noah — especially in the beginning of the story when he was still (honestly) a total ass to her. But it was like, even though she was frustrated, she kind of understood him in a way and was determined to help him learn to live again. Underneath all the hate and anger that he showed the world was a really good man — kind, sweet, fun-loving, and I love the way she brought that part of him back.

I was immediately drawn to Noah’s character and really loved watching their relationship progress as he slowly began to warm up to Charlotte and come out of the angry shell he’d created around himself. There was a lot of dialogue and a lot of conversations with a lot of showing, not telling, that just really kept me connected to the story.

“Losing all that is bad enough. But I lost something else, something I craved and lived off of, almost as much as I did air and food and water.”

“What’s that?”

“The rush. The adrenaline. The thrill of walking the edge of life and death… I didn’t have a death wish, but I loved taunting it… Because only when you’re about to lose it all, do you realize how much you have.”

Towards the end of the story, there are two main events that I was honestly a fair bit frustrated with. I feel like, even though I understood why the characters chose to do that, it still bothered me. To be fair though, this is a very, very personal pet peeve that I’m not very tolerant of. I think most people would be fine with it so it’s the kind of thing I work hard to just look past. (PS: for any of you freaking out wondering what it is, I’ll just say it’s nothing horrible and it’s not cheating, it’s just personally annoying, but I don’t want to give spoilers).  I guess I just wish people would be smart enough to choose the right path without having to go down the wrong one first. BUT, I did love that he openly admitted to her later that he should have listened to her first, lol. He got brownie points for that.

The ending was incredibly heart-warming and I absolutely loved the special reveal that Noah made. Really made the whole thing that much more meaningful and beautiful.

“I held him, kissed him, afraid if I stopped touching him, he’d vanish in a puff of smoke. He kissed me back, hard, holding me harder, pressing me to him. His hands roamed my back as he kissed my lips, my cheeks, my eyes with desperate intensity before finding my mouth again. I tasted my salt tears, or maybe they were his, and then we couldn’t kiss anymore, but held on to each other as the crowd parted around us.”

This is a standalone romance with a fully resolved ending (and epilogue). It’s part of a series of standalones, each one about a different couple, but you can read any of the books alone or in any order you want. This was my first book by this author and it can absolutely be read alone.

RUSH was a unique and moving love story, and I loved following Noah and Charlotte’s together as they fell in love and helped to heal each other. Actually, I’d say if you loved the “feeling” of Me Before You (minus the ugly-crying, I promise this isn’t tragic), then you should definitely try this book!!

Rating: 4 stars! Standalone contemporary romance.

RUSH promo

SALES, NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — Week of June 30, 2015

SALES, NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — Week of June 30, 2015

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UPDATED LIST!! 😀 I have a whole bunch of awesome new releases, sales, and personal favorites listed here so there are lots of books to enjoy!! HAPPY READING!!

*** NEW 5 STAR FAVORITE ***

 

Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Read my Review)

SQUEEEEEE!!!! Omg!! I just finished reading this book and LOVE LOVE LOVED it so freaking much!!! My gosh, that last 10% was seriously loaded with feels!! This was honestly one of the BEST BOOKS I’ve read this year. The story was unlike any other I’ve read, the writing was AMAZING, and it kept me glued to the page. It was totally unconventional and gave such a UNIQUE perspective on finding your soul mate and one true love. I cried, I laughed, my heart felt like it was bursting with emotions. I LOVED IT!!! 5++ STARS!!!

“I love you,” he says. “I don’t think I ever really stopped.” …
“And now?” I say…
“I still love you,” he says. “I’ve always loved you. I might never stop.”

It’s a complete standalone, and YES it’s absolutely worth the price!
It will be released at midnight tonight so be sure to pre-order your copy!!

*** SPECIAL WEEKEND $0.99 SALES ***

 
WOW. WOW. WOW!!!!! Four of my most favorite books in the world by one of my favorite authors, Mia Sheridan, are on a special and RARE sale right now for a limited time!!! Please TRUST ME and get ALL these books if you are a fan of unique, breathtaking, heart-racing, EPIC love stories!!


Buy $0.99
Read Review

Buy $0.99
Read Review

Buy $0.99
Read Review

Buy $0.99
Read Review

 

  • Becoming Calder ($0.99) and Finding Eden ($0.99) by Mia Sheridan — These 2 books tell a complete story. They must be read together and are not related to any other books by this author. Guys, these are BREATHTAKING!!! Absolutely EPIC, unique, and unforgettable. Calder & Eden’s intense, passionate, forbidden love story captivated me and had my heart racing from the first word to the very last. 6 STARS!!!! — Click here for FAQs about the series. My two reviews: BC & FE.
  • Kyland by Mia Sheridan ($0.99)  — This is a complete standalone (not related to any other book by this author) and is a heart-wrenching, beautifully written story about hope, sacrifice, and the strength and endurance of true love. The story itself is incredibly unique and unlike any other I’ve read. This book kept my heart racing and I just couldn’t put it down!! 5 STARS! — Here’s my review.
  • Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan ($0.99)  — This is a complete standalone (not related to any other book by this author) and is one of those special books that literally everyone loves. Just look at the ratings! This is one of the most heartwarming stories I have ever read. Mia Sheridan’s ability to convey strong emotions and vivid imagery through her writing is absolutely captivating. This was a gorgeous tale of survival and the healing power of love. I strongly encourage everyone to read it and to meet one of the most wonderful book heroes ever — Archer Hale ♥ 5 STARS!! — Here’s my review.

*** NEW REVIEW ***

 

Rush by Emma Scott (Read my Review)

I just finished reading this beautiful new release!!
It caught my eye because it sounded so different. The hero used to be a pro extreme sports athlete who was blinded and severely injured in a cliff diving accident. With his life and dreams shattered, he was left bitter and angry and shut himself away the world until the heroine arrived to work for him as a live-in assistant. She was a prodigy musician who’d suffering her own loss as well but they began to help each other heal as they fell unexpectedly in love…

It was a really touching story!! The first few chapters were a little slow but once they officially met, I was hooked. If you loved the “feeling” of Me Before You (minus the ugly-crying), then definitely try this book!! I’m so glad I read it! It’s a complete standalone and here’s my review

*** NEW TOP RECOMMENDATION ***

 

Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley (My Review)

Bad boy biker alert!! I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! 5 STARS!! (Chaos series)

“Once upon a time, she believed in happy endings. Money, marriage, motherhood: everything came easy… Now a struggling, single mom and stranded by a flat tire pondering her mistakes, when a vaguely familiar knight rides to her rescue on a ton of horsepower… In high school, he was a bad boy loner who put her on a pedestal… Today, he’s a hard-bodied biker, and it’s clear she’s falling fast.”

HOLY FREAKING SQUEEEEE!!!! This is easily one of the best books Kristen Ashley has written! I loved every single word in every single scene. From the gorgeously heartfelt romance that made me swoon over and over again, to the thrilling cameos that will have any true KA fan jumping for joy, and the intensely badass showdowns, this was pure Alpha male romance perfection!! Be sure to grab a copy!

“I’m in love with your ex-wife,” he returned, no amusement in his voice… “I’ve loved her since high school, man. She means everything to me. You gotta drag her down, that’ll suck, but I’ll pick her back up. You gotta rip her apart, I’ll fuckin’ hate watchin’ it, but I’ll put her back together… But know this, in the end, it’s gonna be me and her.”

*** THIS WEEK’S NEW RELEASES ***

 

When You’re Back by Abbi Glines — New Release!!

Rosemary Beach series fans! This is the sequel to When I’m Gone.

“She was where my home would always be. It was time I took the next step and proved to her I was all in. Forever… A chance meeting has turned into a fairy-tale romance as she prepares to move in with him on his family ranch… but as her past begins to unravel, illuminating shocking truths that will forever change the lives of the happy couple…”

 

Hard To Let Go by Laura Kaye — New Release!!

Romantic suspense fans! This is the final standalone in the Hard Ink series.

Five dishonored soldiers. Former Special Forces. One last mission… Beckett Murda hates to dwell on the past. But his investigation into the ambush that killed half his Special Forces team and ended his Army career gives him little choice. Just when his team learns how powerful their enemies are, hard-ass Beckett encounters his biggest complication yet — a seductive, feisty Katherine Rixey.

 

Power Play by Tiffany Snow — New Release!!

Love triangle alert!! — She lives for her job. More precisely, she lives for her boss, Parker Andersen. She handles everything for Parker, even as she fantasizes about the one thing that isn’t in her job description: him… Detective Dean Ryker couldn’t be more different from Parker. While Parker wears expensive suits and drives a BMW, Ryker’s uniform is leather jackets and his ride of choice is a Harley. Now, she finds herself caught between two men: the one she’s always wanted — and the one who makes her feel wanted like never before…

 

About Last Night by Belle Aurora — New Release!!

A male escort/brother’s best friend romance!
— “He’s been an escort for most of his adult life. He’s so good at his job that he’s booked months in advance. An enquiring email from a potential client finds him intrigued about the shy, awkward woman. A back and forth is started and before he knows it, a friendship is formed. Time passes and he’s smitten. There’s only one problem… The client is his best friend’s little sister… She’s off limits. He knows better. Staying away from one another is easier said than done.”

 

Sweet Sinful Nights by Lauren Blakely — New Release!!

This is the first standalone in a new “passionate, suspenseful and sexy” new series!
— Ten years ago, he let the love of his life slip through his fingers. It’s his greatest regret. But when the gorgeous and captivating woman walks into his life unexpectedly, he’s determined to win her back. Whatever it takes, he won’t make the same mistake twice… But if these two fiery lovers are going to have a real second chance at this kind of intense, passionate, bone-deep love, he’ll have to give her his whole heart, and she’ll have to give up all the secrets from her messy past…

 

Protector For Hire by Tawna Fenske — New Release!!

Haunted by his time in Iraq, former soldier Patton goes off the grid, retreating deep into Montana’s untamed wilderness. Now, ten years into his self-imposed solitude, his brother tracks him down and asks for a favor. A woman is in danger, and she needs help…and he’s the only one who can protect her… Designer-loving city girls like her don’t belong in the wilderness. Unless, of course, they’re witnesses to a murder by their psycho drug-trafficking ex-husbands. Still, Janelle can’t help the immediate physical response she has to her sexy-as-sin protector…

 

Right Next Door by AJ Pryor — New Release!!

Her soon-to-be husband leaves, with nothing but a promise that one day he’ll return… Now, five years later, he’s kept that promise, but he’s already married. Crushed twice by the same man, she needs a distraction. As luck would have it, Damian Walker has just moved in next door. He’s rebuilt his own life after a drunk driver stole his career and his heart and he knows what it’s going to take to get her life back on track. But he’s not going to be anyone’s rebound. Until Addison knows what she’s looking for, neighbors are all they’ll ever be.

 

All It Takes by Sadie Munroe — New Release!!

A small-town girl with a painful past falls for a man who just got out of prison!
— All he wants is a chance to start over. He screwed up and he knows it, he’s going to have to live with the guilt for the rest of his life. But he’s stuck in this town until his parole ends, and no one wants anything to do with him. So he takes the only job he can, helping her haul stuff out of her mother’s house. Neither of them expects anything to happen between them…. But sometimes meeting the right person is all it takes.

 

Insider by Olivia Cunning — New Release!!

Rock star romance fans!!
She’s finally ready to rock… She’s on tour with the rock band to immerse herself in their world… He’s always ready to roll… Adrenaline junkie Logan Schmidt lives for the rush of playing his bass guitar before thousands of screaming fans. When he’s not performing onstage or in the bedroom, he’s looking for his next thrill in extreme sports. So why does a sweet, innocent journalist get his heart pumping and capture his full attention?

 

Searching For Always by Jennifer Probst — New Release!!

This is the latest standalone in the Searching For series!

She’s an expert in helping others de-stress, but when police officer Stone Petty — radiating masculinity and bad-boy attitude — is sent to her for mandatory lessons in cooling off when the job gets too hot, she vows to ignore his seductive glances and sexy grin. But there’s no halting their sizzling flirtation—a red-hot, high-speed chase that’s breaking all the limits…

 

Violent Things by Callie Hart — New Release!!

This is the first book in a sister series to the Blood & Roses series.

You’re never really out until you’re dead. That’s what the mob bosses, gunrunners and car thieves of Seattle will tell you, anyway… Mason Reeves is just looking for a way to take care of his sick sister. If he wants to give Millie the life she deserves, he’s going to have to earn it with his fists. And who better to teach him how to fight than the guy who took down the biggest gangster in Seattle?

 

Miss Match by Laurelin McGee — New Release!!

Laurelin Paige fans, this is written by her under the pen name Laurelin McGee!

Welcome to the sexy, crazy, wildly unpredictable world of modern matchmaking, where fixing up strangers is part of the job… He’s tall, handsome, rich, and successful. He knows exactly the kind of woman he’s looking for–and it’s the total opposite of her. Though smart and undeniably sexy, she is simply too headstrong for a man who’s used to being in charge…

 

Second Chance Summer by Jill Shalvis — New Release!!

This is the first standalone (second chance romance) in a new standalone series!
— Cedar Ridge, Colorado is the last place she wants to be. What has her concerned is Aidan Kincaid — firefighter, rescue worker, and heartbreaker. The Kincaid brothers are as rough and rugged [but] never has he regretted anything more than letting her walk out of his life ten years ago. What she needs more than anything are long hikes, slow dances, and sizzling kisses. But that can only happen if he can get her to give Cedar Ridge–and this bad boy–a second chance.

 

Breaking Stars by J. Sterling — New Release!!

A new Hollywood romance! She’s an actress, he’s a handsome small-town guy!
— An actress since she was fourteen, Paige Lockwood finds herself craving normalcy after a scandal rocks her world. So she leaves town without so much as a destination. But car trouble forces her to settle down in a small Southern town as she waits for repairs. There she meets the handsome, albeit standoffish, Tatum Montgomery, and both of their lives are forever altered as they learn that sometimes when you aren’t looking for love, it finds you anyway…

 

Red Nights by Shari Ryan — Recent Release!!

I missed this romantic suspense the other week but it sounds intriguing!

“I didn’t do it. Why would they think I did? Why would I want my twin brother dead? Why is everyone looking at me like I’m a criminal? Well, everyone except him… The charmingly beautiful stranger I met in the park at midnight—a totally legitimate place to meet the man of my dreams. Plus, he knows I’m innocent. Believing him is easy. So very easy. Maybe too easy?”

 

Once Upon A Cowboy by Maggie McGinnis — New Release!!

Cowboy alert!! This can be read as a standalone.

“She’s got dark secrets she can’t share, but when she travels to a ranch for a friend’s wedding, she’s enchanted by a cowboy whose deep blue eyes, dimpled smile, and rock-hard body make it tough to remember why she keeps running scared… His future might be uncertain, but he’s sure of one thing: He wants her by his side…”

 

Sins of the Innocent by Jamie McGuire — New Release!!

This is a YA paranormal romance novella spin-off/continuation of the Providence Series This story is about Eden, the daughter of the couple from that original series and she falls for the son of Lucifer. — Levi, the overconfident and charming half-human son of Lucifer takes nothing seriously. Not even when he finally meets the young woman who is destined to end his existence. A common bond is formed under the pressures they face from both sides, but their respective religious texts predict opposite outcomes. Either way, they must choose: war, death, or love.

 

On The Ropes by Cari Quinn — New Release!!

Fighter alert!! This is a standalone within a series (interconnected)
— He’s the newest hotshot fighter in New York City’s underground MMA scene. From the outside, he’s on top of the world. Winning all his matches, getting all the women he could ever want. The truth isn’t nearly so bright. The more he fights, the closer he gets to the people who ripped away the most precious thing in his life… She’s living a double life. A culinary student by day and a dancer by dark. Flirting with danger is the only thing that dulls the pain from her past. When she catches the eye of the wrong men, it’ll take the right one to save her…
 
 …

Read More  >
HUGE SIGNED GIVEAWAY — “STAGE DIVE” SERIES by Kylie Scott

HUGE SIGNED GIVEAWAY — “STAGE DIVE” SERIES by Kylie Scott

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Rock star fans, check out this HUGE GIVEAWAY!!! 😀

Just because she’s totally awesome, author Kylie Scott has offered to gift a signed set of the entire Stage Dive series (all 4 books: Lick, Play, Lead, & Deep) to one lucky winner from this giveaway!! It’s open internationally so everyone can enter too!! Super exciting and nice of her!

If you haven’t read these yet and you’re a fan of sexy, well-written rock star romances, then be sure to check out the eBooks too! I’ll link them all below …. and then scroll down to enter the GIVEAWAY!

Click covers for more info on each book.
They’re interconnected standalones (different couples).

*** SIGNED GIVEAWAY ***

Open Internationally. Void where prohibited by law. Must be over 18 to enter.
1 winner will a signed set of the Stage Dive series.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review — The Man I Love by Suanne Laqueur

Book Review — The Man I Love by Suanne Laqueur

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“She had my heart. I gave her my soul.”

WOW. WOW. WOW!

I was blown away by this book! It was a refreshingly unique story and the writing was exquisite. Vivid, powerful, and enthralling. The story was very slow-building, and meticulously detailed, but every single detail mattered. Everything was connected and had depth, but it didn’t follow any rules. Normally that would honestly be scary for me, but with the way that everything was portrayed, I felt like I understood where the characters were coming from. Their highs and lows, flaws and strengths, mistakes and triumphs all felt believable. The story felt real. It felt like I was living the story with them. I absolutely loved it!

Ever come across a book that you feel you just have to read? Where, from the moment you hear about it, it just calls to you? Well, that’s how I felt about this one. I had other reading plans in place and three books lined up to try next, but then I stumbled across this one and it just completely took over my mind. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, wondering about it. I had to read it. And I’m so incredibly glad I did.

The story is about a Erik, a college freshman, who falls in love with a beautiful dancer named Daisy. But “when a disturbed friend brings a gun into the theater, six lives are lost and she is left seriously injured, her professional dreams shattered. Traumatized by the experience, the lovers spiral into depression and drug use until a shocking act of betrayal destroys their relationship. To survive, he must leave school and disconnect from all he loves. He buries his heartbreak and puts the past behind. Or so he believes…

As he moves into adulthood, he comes to grips with his role in the shooting, and slowly heals the most wounded parts of his soul. But the unresolved grief for her continues to shape his dreams at night. Once those dreams were haunted by blood and gunfire. Now they are haunted by the refrain of a song and a single question: is leaving always the end of loving?

Spanning fifteen years, The Man I Love explores themes of love and sexuality, trauma and its long-lasting effects, the burden of unfinished business and the power of reconciliation. Through his experience we reflect on what it means to be a man, a son and a leader. A soul mate, a partner and a lover. What it means to live the truth of who you are and what you feel. What it means to fight for what you love.”

That blurb just grabbed my attention. I love stories that span several years (especially ones that are over the space of more than a decade) and in this story, we follow the characters from about 18-19 years old up until their 30’s. It’s quite an incredible journey.

But now… THE WRITING. Holy shit, guys. THE WRITING.

The writing was absolutely breathtaking. Elegant in it’s simplicity. Flawless. Entrancing. I’m really serious here. Every. Single. Sentence. Was. Beautiful. It had this smooth-flowing, addictive quality that drew me right into the story and begged me to turn the page. But at the same time, it was the kind of book I wanted to take my time with. This wasn’t a book you could rush. The story was very slow-building but the writing itself almost begged you to slow down and just absorb it word by word. And not only was it beautifully written, but it was clearly very well-thought-out with a lot of foreshadowing. Words and phrasing from the beginning would be echoed back later in the story in ways that would make my heart skip a beat.

While I do think it’s possible that some readers will find it too slow building, I personally think it was perfect for this story. In order to full deliver the emotional punch that I promise you comes later, it needed to build that connection from the ground up. This story wasn’t just about Erik and Daisy, it was about this incredible core group of friends — the dynamics of which would forever be changed on the day of the fateful shooting. But that love and that comraderie needed to be built in a way where you, as the reader, didn’t only know about it, but also felt it. It needed to be powerful. And my God, was it ever.

There are so many moments in this story that had a such deep and profound impact on my heart… The dancing. Them falling in love. Re-reading the quote in the hotel. The tattoos. We fucking own this. I love us. Human valium. The Purple Heart. The shaved head. The alpha male. The standing ovation. The thousand-yard stare. The lint… Gah. I have this whole long list in my notes of these powerful moments.  I laughed, I cried, I was overjoyed, and devastated. I felt the tragedy and I felt the triumph. I felt everything.

“The man I love all right,” Daisy said…
“I love you,” Erik said, laughing. He caught her hand, holding onto the connection a few more precious seconds…
“I love us,” she said, and kissed him.
“Us.”

This really isn’t a fairytale. It’s quite a realistic story with very flawed characters. The author isn’t afraid to tackle extremely difficult subjects. But I really was impressed with the way everything was portrayed. This is a book that ignores all the rules and makes it’s own. It’s absolutely not a “normal” contemporary romance. But for me, it delivered exactly what I craved: a unique story with beautiful writing and a strong portrayal of the kind of love that doesn’t let go even after the worst violence, the deepest betrayal, and the longest separation. It’s soul mate love. The kind that never ends.

There’s actually a sentence in the story that, for me, resonated so deeply. It’s just a simple one, but it hit home so hard. She says, “I hated not knowing where you were.” When you’re someone’s soul mate, the hurt matters, but at the end of the day, you need that person in your life. And if you don’t have them, they never leave your heart, and that sentence says it all.  “I hated not knowing where you were.” God. *sobs*

“Do you miss her?”
“Yes.”
“What do you miss?”
“I cannot find the peace I had when I was with her. When I was with her, my cells were happy. I miss looking in her eyes and everything else just disappearing… She was my soul mate and I miss her.”

Gah. I love that!

Now, I want to address the cheating that takes place in this story and why I was ok with it. As many of you know, it’s very rare for me to even consider reading anything with any kind of cheating. It’s a hard limit for me and it’s rare for me to either forgive the characters for it, or even want to read about it. When I read the line in the blurb saying “until a shocking act of betrayal destroys their relationship”, I immediately guessed cheating and became wary. On one hand, I was incredibly drawn to the story. On the other hand, that put me right off. So I went straight to the source and messaged the author privately about it. At the end of the day, no one wants someone who might hate their story to read it, so I trusted that she’d give me the most honest answer she could. And it was her answer that convinced me to give the book a shot.

Aestas: Ok — brutally honest question for you… cheating is usually a hard limit for me. But there have occasionally been (very rare) exceptions to my rules. Do you think honestly that there’s a chance this could still be something I’d like even taking the way I feel about cheating into consideration?

She took 4 minutes before answering, clearly thinking about it. And then said this:

Suanne (author): I think it could, yes. Because the tragedy of the storyline lies not only in Daisy’s decision (however impaired) but also Erik’s choice in how to deal with it. And it’s his evolution to turn around and face the issue which drives the story. It’s not formulaic or clichéd.

It was an honest answer and in the end she was right. My issue with cheating lies in the fact that I feel it completely undermines the characters’ love for each other. The thing that made me open to the idea of being more understanding in this case was the severe trauma they had gone through with the school shooting. I understand that PTSD changes people, and I understand that being young and trying to deal with it without professional help can lead a person down destructive paths. For me, it was more a question of trusting that in the book the author would not only explain the situation in a way that made me understand the characters, but also that she would handle the consequent healing (however long that process took) in a realistic manner. And I have to say that she was absolutely right. It wasn’t formulaic or clichéd. It felt very real. And as such, it allowed me to love this story — even the most painful parts.

For those of you who want more details…

Spoiler Inside Show

“Leaving isn’t always the end of loving.”

Regarding the ending, you should know it’s happy. I’ll come right out and say it because the blurb can be a little scary. This isn’t a tragic story. It’s incredibly painful and heartbreaking at times and deals with many serious themes. But ultimately, it’s uplifiting. The point really is that these characters were able to come through it all stronger, and were able to find each other again. This is their journey to get there.

I personally loved this story because it was exactly what I was looking for right now. To me, it was amazing. Breathtaking and refreshing. Completely unique. If you’re looking for a light-hearted, fast-paced thrill-ride, this isn’t it. If you want the kind of story that’ll work it’s way into your heart, make you loose sleep while you stay up reading, and make you truly feel the journey, this is it. It’s a deep story. It’s multi-layered. It’s slow building. But I promise you that everything happens for a reason. And I personally am so glad I decided to read it because this is now without a doubt one of my favorite books!

However, I will say that I felt like it needed more to it at the end. There is actually a second book currently available that tells Daisy’s side of the story (because this book is Erik’s story). But personally I didn’t find that I needed to know more about what had already happened — I felt like I actually understood that part well enough to be completely satisfied with it — but I wanted more from the end. It’s happy, but open ended. I have heard though that she’s planning to write a third book though so maybe we’ll get more then. Regardless, this is a complete story with a resolved ending and it can be read as a standalone.

As for rating, this easily had 5 star writing and a 5 star story. But I’m going with a 4.5 star rating overall because even though it had a resolved ending, after experiencing a decade of heartache with these characters, I needed more time focused on the happiness at the end to balance the whole story out. I was euphorically relieved that they’d found their way back to each other, but I wanted to see more of their future. If this book had had three more chapters and an epilogue, it would have been 5 stars all the way!

But I truly did love it and I feel the need to mention yet again how utterly beautiful the writing was!

“All I know is twelve years later, you’re still in my head and I don’t stop thinking about you. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

And lastly, I want to share a note from the author that was actually the final thing that made me drop everything to read this book. I’ve heard that this book was her debut novel. That blows my mind. If this were someone’s tenth book, I’d have been impressed. But the fact that this was her first book (!!) is a true testament to her natural writing talent. And what she describes is exactly what I’m always searching for:

A good story absorbs you into another world, where you meet characters so believable, you’re pissed off you can’t call them to have coffee. Or take them to bed.

You don’t want just another “contemporary romance.” You don’t want a genre. You want a story that mirrors your longing. You want to see the unspoken words in your heart on the page. You want to be touched and validated. You want to be swept up in a love that erases the universe and sets you at the center of a new galaxy. But you’re no fool… You want it to be believable.

I want that, too. I want to write passionate but thoughtful love stories. I made up my own genre: I call it emotionally intelligent romance.

Now come over here. I have a story for you.

WOW, right? That’s why I read this book.  It was absolutely breathtaking!! With it’s unique plotline and utterly exquisite writing, this is the kind of story you feel deep in your heart and that’ll stay with you long after you finish reading. I highly recommend it!

Rating: 4.5 stars! Contemporary Adult “emotionally intelligent” romance.

______________________________________

THE MAN I LOVE
(Erik’s side of the story. Can be read as a standalone)
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback

GIVE ME YOUR ANSWER TRUE
(Daisy’s side of the story. Parallel companion novel to The Man I Love)
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback

HERE TO STAY
(a true sequel to the story — a continuation)
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback

THE MAN I LOVE promo

SALES, NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — Week of June 23, 2015

SALES, NEW RELEASES, RECOMMENDATIONS, & PRE-ORDERS — Week of June 23, 2015

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Hey everyone!! Here is this week’s latest new list of books!! Happy reading 😀

*** HIGHLIGHTS ***

*** NEWEST REVIEW & RECOMMENDATION ***

*** MORE RECENT TOP FAVORITES *** These are highly recommended!!

*** NEW RELEASES *** These are all now live!!

*** TV & MOVIE SHOW NEWS ***

  • Check down below the new releases for 3 upcoming TV show/movie announcements!

*** EXCITING NEWS *** I was so honored to learn that the CEO of Goodreads wrote an article about “How to Work with Influencers to Drive Book Discovery” (read article) where he made a significant mention of my blog. Very exciting and again, such a great honor!!

“For romance authors, a great review from Aestas can rocket a book up the charts. Aestas reviewed The Life Intended on May 2, 2015, a good five months after the initial flurry of buzz around the title when it was published in December 2014. Nevertheless, Aestas Book Blog’s review drove… a 200x increase on the number of daily adds compared to the average during the previous month. It’s the kind of kickstart that can bring a book out of obscurity and into the limelight.” 

*** NEW REVIEW & RECOMMENDATION ***

 

The Man I Love by Suanne Laqueur (Read my Review)

WOW!!! I just finished this book and LOVED it!! The WRITING was truly exquisite! It was a very slow-building, detailed story, but one where EVERY detail matters. Everything was connected and had DEPTH. It was vivid and powerful and completely UNIQUE. It told a love story that spanned 10-15 years, but didn’t follow ANY rules. Normally that would be scary to me but the way that everything was portrayed made me really *get* where these characters came from. And I was honestly blown away by how much I FELT and how BEAUTIFULLY it was written. It’s like I lived the story with them. It just felt REAL. Highly recommended!

The story is about a college freshman who falls in love with a beautiful dancer. But “when a disturbed friend brings a gun into the theater, six lives are lost and she is left seriously injured, her professional dreams shattered. Traumatized by the experience, the lovers spiral into depression and drug use until a shocking act of betrayal destroys their relationship. To survive, he must leave school and disconnect from all he loves. He buries his heartbreak and puts the past behind. Or so he believes…

As he moves into adulthood, he comes to grips with his role in the shooting, and slowly heals the most wounded parts of his soul. But the unresolved grief for her continues to shape his dreams at night. Once those dreams were haunted by blood and gunfire. Now they are haunted by the refrain of a song and a single question: is leaving always the end of loving?

Spanning fifteen years, The Man I Love explores themes of love and sexuality, trauma and its long-lasting effects, the burden of unfinished business and the power of reconciliation. Through his experience we reflect on what it means to be a man, a son and a leader. A soul mate, a partner and a lover. What it means to live the truth of who you are and what you feel. What it means to fight for what you love.”

Note: this can be read as a standalone, but there’s also a second book available for readers who want more (it’s the girl’s POV) and it’s new. Here are both: #1 The Man I Love, #2 Give Me Your Answer True.

*** THIS WEEK’S NEW RELEASES ***

 

The Girl I Was Before by Ginger Scott — New Release!!

This is a new standalone in a series of highly-rated standalones! — “He wasn’t part of my plan. But I’m starting to think plans are overrated… He’s my fairytale. He’s perfectly imperfect. He’s poetry and life. He’s truth and heartbreak, all rolled up in a tall body with dark hair, broad shoulders and green eyes that lull me into submission. He’s the only guy I’ve ever really loved, and he thinks I’m a princess. I fell into him, and now I’m holding on… But sometimes life takes away our ability to choose. My only hope is that when it comes time to choose, I get it right… Welcome to my once upon a time and wish for happily ever after.”

 

More Than Water by Renee Ericson — New Release!!

I love the sound of this “opposites attract” romance!! It seems to be a standalone.
— She’s an art history major, dates musicians. He’s a chemical engineering major, can’t sing a tune. They’re not each other’s type. They’re coworkers. Then, one night leads to sex – sex between friends -which leads to an agreement. It all seems so simple—but nothing ever is… Many layers build a person’s facade. Look into the depths for what’s hidden within. It’s more than water. It’s a story—a living and breathing substance beyond the reflective surface.

 

Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway — New Release!!

This is a new YA romance/coming of age standalone! I just read a bunch of quotes from it and I love the writing! And the story really grabbed me too!! The hero and heroine were best friends and neighbors as kids until the hero’s father kidnapped him after school one day when he was just 7 years old. She was left behind, dealing with the loss of her best friend and suddenly extremely over-protective parents… And then, 10 years later, he’s found and comes home. — “He looked like a stranger, and then he met my glance, and it was like I had never stopped seeing him.”

 

Sloth: A Sinful Secrets Novel by Ella James — New Release!!

This huge 500 page book is an erotic romance/dark mystery…
— “She saves my life. She doesn’t even know it. We’ve never even seen each other. But she becomes mine… The anonymity is good. She doesn’t need to know me, but I need her kindness. We both live our lives: a letter here, a post card there. For three years, I escape my demons. And then one day I’m pulled back in. I’ve resigned myself to what I know is coming. Until the girl I’m spanking gives her safe word… And then the lie I’m living starts to unravel.”

 

STOP! by Alison G Bailey — New Release!!

“She has a plan—college, career, boyfriend, love, marriage, family. A predictable, normal life. She’s on track until an outside force causes her to crash and burn… Risher Stevenson is intelligent, caring, sweet, and the hottest boy she has ever laid eyes on. He fits perfectly into her original plan for a normal life. Everyone loves him… Benton Daniels is intelligent, caring, sweet, and the bravest boy she has ever met. He doesn’t fit into her life but gives it purpose and makes it extraordinary. Everyone hates him… One is bullied. One is tormented. All are judged. How will it stop?”

 

Wasted Lust by JA Huss — New Release!!

This is a romantic suspense standalone (spin-off of 321).
“She died the night she let him walk out on her for a life of crime. Her very essence was destroyed when they broke their promise to one another… He made his choice with her future in mind. He loved her enough to know that leaving her behind was the only way to keep her safe. But someone else understands the bond of love and he plans to use it to get justice. They will do anything to rewrite their past. He’s counting on that to bring them down.”

 

Fighting For Forever by JB Salsbury — New Release!!

Fighter alert!! This is the latest Fighting Series book!

“My life had direction. I had a mission, until the man I needed vanished and is presumed dead. It’s time to move on, give up the dream for revenge, and no one shows me that more than the fighter with eyes the color of the ocean. If anyone can teach me just how sweet life can be, it’s him… Fighting could kill us both, but if we win, forever is the prize. “

 

True Devotion by Liora Blake — New Release!!

Rock star alert!! This is the second “True” standalone following True North)
— She’s is a feisty blonde, and he’s the arrogant, sexy guitarist playing in her brother’s band. When they met for the first time, it went something like this: He hit on her, she shot him down, he made a lewd joke, she told him he was an idiot… In the two years since then, not much has changed. From the way he flirts shamelessly with any set of ovaries within a 100-mile radius, he knows the smartest thing she can do is keep an impenetrable wall between them. But sometimes the smart choice isn’t necessarily the right one…

 

Wicked Ride by Rebecca Zanetti — New Release!!

This is a PNR biker romantic suspense novel!!
— She’s a hard-fighting, heat-packing Seattle vice cop, and she’s not much interested in being protected. He’s a fresh import from Dublin, and he’s landed at the heart of a vicious motorcycle club that deals in guns, narcotics, and mayhem. He’s all male, all rough power—and all interference in her damn investigation. Maybe he’s one of the good guys. Maybe not. She knows an affair with an immortal like him would risk everything. No matter how delicious he looks…

 

On My Knees by J. Kenner — New Release!!

This is the second book in the Stark Trilogy (book #1: Say My Name)

Powerful, ambitious, and devastatingly sexy, Jackson Steele was unlike any other man I’d ever known. He went after what he wanted with his whole mind, body, and soul—and I was the woman in his sights. One touch and I surrendered, one night together and I was undone… We had secrets, dark pieces of our pasts, but in our passion we found salvation, and in each other’s arms we found release…

 

Up In Smoke by Tessa Bailey — New Release!!

Romantic suspense fans! This can be read as a standalone.
He’s supposed to be dead. Dishonorably discharged from the Navy SEALs, he’s spent the last two years working as a street enforcer for his cousin’s crime ring. Through a twist of fate, he’s now working undercover to bust criminals. But when a cute little arsonist joins the team-all combat boots, tiny jean shorts, and hot-pink hair, his notorious iron control slips. She hates authority but she’s forced to operate on the “right” side of the law [and] something behind the sexy ex-soldier’s eyes ignites desire that could get them both killed…”

 

Making Ends Meet by Anna Clifton — New Release!!

He’s a single dad, she’s the new nanny and this book is described as a “sweet, emotional, beautiful romance about a man whose life has been derailed and the unexpected woman who can help him get it back on track.”

She’s the only one who can reach his troubled daughter, who can bring some measure of peace to his home. But as she advances her mission to fix his life, a few things become clear: his ex-wife might not be the answer, and she just might be…

 

Shattered By You by Nashoda Rose — New Release!!

A friends-to-lovers ROCK STAR romance with dark elements. Part of the Tear Assunder series. — “He’s cocky, rude, a total man-whore. But the rock star has far more beneath the surface of his inked skin, and he’s determined to make me laugh again. He made me a “deal”, but really, it was blackmail. His terms were simple. Until his playful honesty [led] to something unexpected. Something strong enough to pull me from the eye of the storm. Because even though I escaped years of abuse, it didn’t mean I was free…”

 

Last First Kiss by Lia Riley — New Release!!

This is a second chance romance!

— Sawyer has always regretted letting the first girl he loved slip away. He won’t make the same mistake twice, but can he convince beautiful, wary Annie to trust her heart again when she’s been given every reason not to? And as a single kiss turns to so much more, can Annie give up her idea of perfect for a forever that’s blissfully real?

 

One To Chase by Tia Louise — New Release!!

This is a standalone erotic romance novel!
He doesn’t chase women. He doesn’t have to. But when the spirited and sexy blonde who left him wanting more shows up in his office looking for work, little things like the rules seem ready to be rewritten… She’s smart, ambitious, and back home in Chicago to care for her mother. A courtesy meeting with one of the top lawyers in the city should be a boost to her career… Until the polished green-eyed player turns out to be the same irresistible “random” she hooked up with at a friend’s wedding. Bonus: He’s the brother of her older brother’s new wife…

*** TV & MOVIE DEAL NEWS ***

 

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (Read my Review)

MOVIE DEAL NEWS!!! Squee!!! This book is one of my 5-star favorite books this year and it was optioned for film recently but it was just announced today that the deal was officially closed for the film to be produced by TriStar Pictures!!! I’m SO freaking excited for this to happen. This story is EPIC and breathtaking!! I can’t wait to see it on the big screen! I’ll post more updates as they come 🙂 And, if you haven’t read the book, it’s currently 30% OFF!! (Yes, it’s worth it!)
— “In love we find out who we want to be. In war we find out who we are.”

 

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

TV SHOW NEWS!! This popular YA series was just optioned for TV!! While I haven’t read it myself, I’ve heard several other readers tell me it’s one of their favorite series! And the author also said she will be a consulting producer!

“You can’t touch me,” I whisper. I’m lying, is what I don’t tell him. He can touch me, is what I’ll never tell him. But things happen when people touch me. Strange things. Bad things…”

 

Big Little Lies by Lianne Moriarty (Read my Review)

TV SHOW NEWS!!! I’m sooo excited!! This is another of my 5-star favorites and it’s being made into a TV Show on HBO next year! It’s a different genre than I usually read but it was FANTASTIC if you’re ever in the mood for something different. The story kept me guessing the whole way through it, with a huge reveal at the end that made me **GASP** out loud and an extremely satisfying ending!!

“A murder. A tragic accident…. Someone is dead. But who did what?”
 …

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