Saturday 31 March 2018

Release Blitz: A Little Spark.




Title: A Little Spark
Author: Amy K. McClung
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 31, 2018



Blurb

Sparks fly when sassy firefighter Jilli meets her match in Amy K. McClung’s enemies-to-lovers romance. 

When Sam and Jillian meet, the snark and sparks start to fly. Despite their intense attraction, words and actions are misunderstood, and miscommunication is rife. Will their stubbornness be their downfall or the start of something extraordinary?







Purchase Links

$1.99 (half price!) for a limited time

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU






Author Bio

Amy McClung was born in Nashville, TN. She is the second oldest of four girls and occasionally suffers from middle child syndrome. She met the love of her life online in August of 2004, on his birthday of all days, and married him in September 2005. Currently they have no human children only the room full of colorful robots that transform into vehicles and the large headed Pop Funko’s who represent their favorite characters. Collecting movies, shotglasses, Pop Funkos, and dust bunnies are some of her favorite pastimes. She began writing in September of 2011 and independently published her first YA novel called Cascades of Moonlight, Book one of the Parker Harris Series the following May. Her first book was a means of therapy for her as it enabled her to escape reality for a while during a difficult transition in her life.  


Author Links





Review: In Your Eyes

In Your Eyes In Your Eyes by J. Kenner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Your Eyes is the sixth book in J. Kenner’s Man of the Month series, and it’s another winner. I’ve been a fan of this series since book one, yet each additional book sucks me in ever deeper. I find myself desperately awaiting the release of the next book, counting down the days until it appears on my Kindle. Each time a new one appears, I devour it, starting the cycle all over again. They’re the perfect books to binge read, and I’m almost annoyed with myself for deciding to read them as they’re released as it is forcing a wait upon myself when all I want to do is consume them all at once. Nevertheless, the obsession is so strong that I continue the cycle of diving straight into each new release as soon as possible.

The Man of the Month series is a collection of interconnected romance stories, proving individual stories as a larger story plays out. Each novel features a favourite romance trope, ensuring there is something for everyone. The first book, Down on Me, provided us with the friends-to-lovers trope; the second book, Hold on Tight, provided us with the second chance romance; the third book, Need You Now, provided us with the brother’s best friend trope; the fourth book, Start Me Up, provided us with the one-night stand; the fifth book, Get It On, provided us with the secret baby trope. With book six, In Your Eyes, we’re given one of the most popular romance tropes out there – the bad boy billionaire.

Although each book is an individual story with a start and an end, I would recommend reading these books in order. To understand some of the details of the story in full, you need to understand how things came to be throughout the prior books. You’re certainly told, to ensure you have the basic facts to understand the story, but it is not the same as experiencing all that happened – for a bigger picture, read the series in order. Now that we’re half way through the series, there are a lot of nods to past events – plus, you start to notice when prior books were making nods towards the events that are now playing out. By no means am I saying you need to go back and read all the books, but I am saying you will appreciate this series much more if you read things in order.

With each book in this series you go in with certain expectations – you have an idea of how the trope plays out and you know who is to be the man of the month. Despite this, you’re interested in seeing how the little details play out – and for those following the series, you’re interested in seeing the additional elements added to the overall story. With this one, there were a few unique elements to make it stand out.

To begin, the bad boy billionaire wasn’t as bad as they often are in such stories. There are nods towards his past, but he’s very much a new man. Usually in these kinds of stories we have to deal with all his a-hole ways – but not here. It was refreshing not dealing with such an element. Another aspect that was different with this one was in relation to the way the man of the month element played out – usually we’re waiting until the end of the book to see the contest, but this time it occurs early on. It was a nice change to the way these stories have been playing out thus far, and I’m certainly interested in seeing more twists in the future books.

While I did enjoy In Your Eyes, I would not label it my favourite book in the series. There was set up for some really big scenes to play out with this one, yet I feel as though the action potential was not reached. I enjoyed the story, as I have all the books in the series, but I had been hoping for a wee bit more on the action front. It would have been enough to ensure I enjoyed this book even more than I did.

There is no doubt this was another wonderful addition to the series, ensuring my obsession stays strong. J. Kenner is such a tease in making us hold out on the stories we really want to see, giving us repeated glimpses at the characters we’re so attached to, and even though Turn Me On is not giving one of the big characters a story I am excited to see how things play out.

Bring on book seven.

Also, for fans of J. Kenner’s Stark books, there’s another nod to the series in this one. Just thought I’d let you all know.

View all my reviews

Review: Getaway Girl

Getaway Girl Getaway Girl by Tessa Bailey
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Tessa Bailey’s Getaway Girl is one of those books that really appealed to me, one I was more than willing to dive into. Unfortunately, it seems to fall into a category I’ve been facing far too often recently – despite all my interest, this one let me down. I’m starting to question whether it is me, whether I am going through an off period with my reading – and if such turns out to be the case, I really hope it ends soon.

With Getaway Girl, I went in expecting one thing only to receive something else entirely. I do not mind such surprises – in fact, I’m more than willing to embrace them – yet this one failed to win me over. The story failed to grab me in the way I had been hoping it would, and I failed to care for the characters.

If the truth is to be known, I struggled with this one. A lot. I was more than willing to skim, speed-reading in the hopes of reaching the good stuff. I can see where this book will appeal to others, but it failed to hit the right buttons for me.

View all my reviews

Friday 30 March 2018

Release Boost: His Brother's Fiancée.




Title: His Brother’s Fiancée
Author: Vivian Wood
Genre: New Adult/Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 27, 2018



Blurb

From Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestseller Vivian Wood comes a taboo tale of love, lust, and longing.

I loved her once, a long time ago.

Effie goddamn White, the raven-haired, pouty-lipped temptress.

Hell, I was f*cking obsessed with her. Her touch, her smell, her taste… I couldn’t get enough.

And she shattered my cold, hardened heart into a million pieces.

I’ll never let that happen again. Ever. I know better.

My brother Thorne waited in the wings. When I left, he pounced. Now I’m back, and Effie’s on Thorne’s arm, wearing Thorne’s ring.

But she’s looking at me. And when we are trapped together, she’s undressing me with those baby blue eyes. Touching me. Tormenting me.  

That thing that I said would never happen twice?

F*ck, she’s doing it to me again. And I love the way it feels, almost as much as she does...







Purchase Links

$2.99 for a limited time

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






Playlist







Author Bio


Vivian likes to write about troubled, deeply flawed alpha males and the fiery, kick-ass women who bring them to their knees.

Vivian's lasting motto in romance is a quote from a favorite song: "Soulmates never die."

Be sure to follow Vivian through her Vivian's Vixens mailing list or Facebook group to keep up with all the awesome giveaways, author videos, ARC opportunities, and more!


Author Links

FACEBOOK
PROFILE / GROUP / PAGE

Release Boost: Oscar.




Title: Oscar
Series: The Davenports #1
Author: SJ McCoy
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 27, 2018



Blurb

Oscar Davenport always wins. Always. He doesn’t come second, and he sure as hell doesn’t lose. He’s founded and sold three tech companies, netting him almost a billion dollars. He ran a hedge fund worth hundreds of billions—until he got bored. His latest project, Six, a nightclub in LA is another winner. It’s both a successful business and a playground full of playmates.

He’s never met an obstacle he couldn’t overcome or a woman he couldn’t have. Until now.

Grace Evans is the kind of girl you’d find curled up with a good book on a Saturday night—at least, usually. This Saturday night is different. This Saturday night she’s gotten all done up, in a dress she can barely breathe in and heels she can barely walk in. She had to. She had to venture into the lair of the enemy.

The enemy is Oscar Davenport, and his lair is his swanky nightclub. When she lays eyes on him, she’s ready to believe he’s the devil incarnate. His wicked smile, his beautiful eyes—everything about him is an invitation to sin. He moves with the grace and arrogance of a big cat about to pounce. Unfortunately, he’s moving straight toward her. He’s singled her out as his prey. He’s moving in for the kill.

Little does he know that she isn’t about to surrender; in fact, he’s in for the fight of his life.







Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS
GOOGLE PLAY





Excerpt

Once she was inside the elevator, she jabbed at the button again, this time trying to make the doors close. She really was shit out of luck this morning. Just as they began to slide together, a set of long, strong fingers slipped between them, and they slid open again. And there he was.
He stepped inside with a smile and a nod, then pressed to go to the eighteenth floor. Shit. That was her floor. He couldn’t go there.
“What do you need?”
She stared at him blankly. “Need?” Could he somehow see inside her mind, see all the months of a dry spell that had gone on way too long? Or could he see the images floating inside her head? Images of what the two of them could do if the elevator somehow got stuck.
The corners of his lips curved upward again. That just might be the sexiest smile she’d ever seen. “Which floor?”
“Oh!” Well, wasn’t she an idiot? Her mind raced. She couldn’t get off the elevator with him. He might think she was following him. “Seventeen.”
He hit the button, but before they started to move, the doors slid open again. Thank God for that!
Two men and two women came in and turned to face the doors, leaving Grace and the Big Cat alone in the silent space behind them. Grace gripped the tray with her two coffee cups and stared determinedly at the numbers above the door. She’d always suspected this was the world’s slowest elevator, but this morning’s ride confirmed it. Every second was torture. She could smell him—all citrus and man. She’d swear he was looking at her, but she refused to allow herself to sneak a peek. He’d catch her.
She tried looking down at the coffee cups, but that just made a strand of her hair fall across her face. She wrinkled her nose and tried to blow it away, then she froze. There were those long, strong fingers again. They brushed her cheek as they took the errant strand and tucked it behind her ear. If the heat had surged through her when he held the door open, then her blood was boiling in her veins right now. All the little hairs on the back of her neck stood up and sent shivers racing down her spine. Even her scalp tingled. She turned. How could she not?
Those big brown eyes were twinkling with amusement. “I hope I didn’t overstep? You looked uncomfortable.”
She shook her head mutely. What could she say, even if she could find the breath to speak?
The elevator stopped, and she silently begged the people in front of her not to get out. They couldn’t leave her alone in here with this guy—she would not be responsible for her actions. To her relief, they didn’t. Instead, two more got in, and that was quite a crowd. Everyone shuffled back a little. She had no clue how it happened, but somehow, she ended up face to face with Big Cat. She was in the corner, and he was right there in front of her, staring down into her eyes, that quirky little smile playing on his face again. She’d had a laugh with Spider the other night when one of the customers had tried hitting on her in the coffee shop. She’d told Spider that her sexual desires were dormant. Hell, had she been wrong about that. Standing here, face-to-face with this guy, she discovered that her sexual desires weren’t just active—oh, no, they were rampant. She was grateful for the tray of coffee she was gripping. It gave her hands something to do that kept them from reaching up to touch his face, maybe sinking into his hair or even sliding around his waist.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded rapidly, meeting his gaze briefly. Even she heard the gasp she made when he rested his hand on her hip. What was he doing? You didn’t just do that to a stranger in a crowded elevator.
“Are you sure?” He looked worried now. 
She looked down to where his hand rested on her hip. Except it wasn’t his hand—it was the purse the woman in front of her had slung over her shoulder. Grace couldn’t help it. She laughed. Wow, she needed to get laid. Okay, the guy was attractive, but he shouldn’t affect her this badly. “I’m fine, thanks. Have a great day.” She edged her way to the front and squeezed out through the doors before they had a chance to open fully on the seventeenth floor. She couldn’t help it. She had to look back before they closed. He’d made his way to the front, too. He met her gaze with a smile.
Bye, Big Cat. She bid him a sad farewell. At least, in the real world, the world where she’d never see him again. She had a feeling her imagination would be seeing a lot more of him in the nights to come.
She smiled back at him; there was no harm now. And he winked! The arrogant prick actually winked at her. She stood there staring as the doors slid shut, and then he was gone. 






Author Bio


I'm SJ, a coffee addict, lover of chocolate and drinker of good red wines. I'm a lost soul and a hopeless romantic. Reading and writing are necessary parts of who I am. Though perhaps not as necessary as coffee! I can drink coffee without writing, but I can't write without coffee.

I grew up loving romance novels, my first boyfriends were book boyfriends, but life intervened, as it tends to do, and I wandered down the paths of non fiction for many years. My life changed completely a couple of years ago and I returned to Romance to find my escape.

I write 'Sweet n Steamy' stories because to me there is enough angst and darkness in real life. My favorite romances are happy escapes with a focus on fun, friendships and happily-ever-afters, just like the ones I write.

These days I live in beautiful Montana, the last best place. If I'm not reading or writing, you'll find me just down the road in the park - Yellowstone. I have deer, eagles and the occasional bear for company, and I like it that way :0)


Author Links





Thursday 29 March 2018

Review: Bashful

Bashful Bashful by Lo Brynolf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bashful was a fun debut novel, one of those stories that sucks you in from the start until the end, leaving you turning pages at a rapid pace, unable to put the book down. There is no doubt I’ll be looking to read more Lo Brynolf in the future, as I’m interested in seeing what the author brings us next (and a small part of me hopes some of the future books will include side characters from this one).

There is no way to describe this book other than addictive – I was addicted to it from the very first chapter. I was sucked into the story by the possibilities, and the more I read the deeper I was sucked in. With great characters, a bit of humour, and plenty of angst and drama, this one has all you could hope for from a fun new adult romance. Honestly, I could spend a lot of time writing about how addictive this story was, but my words will not do the story justice.

The one thing I was disappointed by was the humour. I was of the belief this was to be a rom-com. Although there were a few chuckle worthy lines throughout this, I would not label it a rom-com. There were a couple of times where the book seemed to make an attempt to lean towards such a label, but those moments felt forced. It was much better when there were naturally funny lines thrown in, rather than the occasional forced attempt to make it amusing. Had I not been made to believe this was a rom-com, though, I probably wouldn’t have picked up on this quite as much.

Overall the story is fun, the characters are entertaining, and the romance is great, making for a fabulous debut book.

View all my reviews

Review: Worth Every Risk

Worth Every Risk Worth Every Risk by Terri E. Laine
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Worth Every Risk was a book that screamed for me to read it, grabbing my attention instantly. Childhood friends turned lovers and second chance romances always grab my attention, so the promise of two combined left me super excited. Unfortunately, this book was not what I had expected it to be.

Worth Every Risk was my first time reading the authors – both Terri E. Laine and A.M. Hargrove – and it is clear to see they work well writing together. However, despite how smoothly the writing flowed between the two of them, the story failed to grab my attention.

I didn’t much care for either of the main characters, there was nothing about them that begged for my attention. The relationship between the two of them also failed to hold my interest. I never really felt the emotion between the two of them, never really cared much about what happened. The aspect that did interest me, the side characters, was never really explained in the way I had hoped it would be. It felt as though a lot of the side characters belong to other books, it feels as though their stories have already been told elsewhere, and despite this being a standalone novel it felt as though we were expected to have that understanding of them already.

Sadly, I failed to connect with this one in the way I had hoped. I may give both authors another try in the future, but this book was not for me.

View all my reviews

Review: Like a Boss

Like a Boss Like a Boss by Lili Valente
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Like a Boss was my first time reading Lili Valente and Sylvia Pierce and I’ll certainly be reading more of both authors in the future. They work so well together, and I’m interested in seeing how they work alone – I’m sure the results will be just as wonderful.

I’ll be completely honest, I expected a standard office romance from Like a Boss. Fortunately, my misinterpretation was quickly put right. Sure, this is an office romance, but it also more. It is a brother’s best friend romance, too. It is an insight into the world as it currently is. It also has a lot of other unexpected goodies to be found throughout. Overall, this one offered so much more than the standard office romance I had been expecting to read – I adored it, and I was addicted.

I do feel as though there could have been a bit more depth behind the romance, though. I enjoyed watching the relationship between the two characters grow, I enjoyed watching the scenes that played out, but the warm and fuzzy feelings never quite reached the level I had been hoping for. I enjoyed them, but I would have enjoyed this book even more had the feels been kicked up a further notch.

As a whole, this was a lot of fun. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on the authors in the future.

View all my reviews

Release Blitz: Bashful.




Title: Bashful
Author: Lo Brynolf
Genre: New Adult Romantic Comedy
Release Date: March 29, 2018



Blurb

Callie Miller loves drama. As a theatre major, that’s a given.

It’s hard to date in the theatre department when all the guys are either taken or gay—like her best friend and longtime crush.

When Callie becomes the lead in the biggest production of the year, she realizes she has no time for love.

Until Sebastian “Bash” Moore reenters her life, stage left.

He left everything behind three years ago to chase his dreams. But his heart remained at home, tied to memories of a tiny blonde with a flair for the dramatics—on and off the stage.

Bash is determined to become her leading man, and he will do anything to get out of the friend-zone and win her love. Only, it might not be so easy.

Callie Miller might love drama, but she’s out to protect her heart…







Purchase Links

99c for a limited time

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






Author Bio


Lo Brynolf was born and raised in southeast Michigan. A lover of all things artistic, Lo grew up performing on stage and in choir and attended Eastern Michigan University to major in Theater Arts. She now resides in the same small town that she grew up in with her wonderful husband and three tiny humans.


Author Links




Release Blitz: Like A Boss.




Title: Like a Boss
Authors: Sylvia Pierce & Lili Valente
Genre: Sexy, Flirty, Dirty Office Romance
Release Date: March 29, 2018



Blurb

I’m one puff piece away from tearing up my journalism degree and hurling my laptop into the Hudson River. So when I smell a juicy story brewing at my brother’s Wall Street investment firm, I’ll do whatever it takes to get my scoop.

One clever disguise later, I’m deep undercover as the firm’s newest broker, simultaneously gathering intel and spouting off stock tips like a boss.

Go me, right?

Sure, it sounds good on paper, but there’s a catch: The actual boss.

Chief Executive Panty-melter Jack Holt is cocky. Infuriating. And one smoldering look has me ready to violate every rule in the employee handbook.

Thank God my assignment has an expiration date. Because falling for my brother’s best friend and business partner is a lose-lose proposition. Right?

***

In the market for a hot tip? Here’s one.

Don’t bang your best friend’s little sister. Especially when she’s an investigative journalist and your company is the target of her latest exposé.

Unfortunately I’ve got a hard-on for high-risk bets, and I’m more than eager to invest my considerable stock holdings in Ellie Seyfried’s… ahem… glorious assets.

Friends with fringe benefits is a sweet deal, but it’s not long before I’m falling harder than the post-bubble Nasdaq, hooked on Ellie’s sweet smile and determination to make the world a better place.

There’s only one problem…

When it comes to risking my money, I’ve mastered every trick in the book. But how the hell do I risk my heart?







Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS
GOOGLE PLAY



Also available in audio, narrated by 
Sebastian York & Andi Arndt

AUDIBLE / AUDIOBOOKS.COM
HOOPLA / LIBRO.FM





Sylvia Pierce

Romance author Sylvia Pierce loves writing about kick-ass, headstrong women and the gorgeous alpha guys who never see them coming. She believes that life should be a lot like her favorite books—smoking hot, with happy endings and lots of temptations, twists, and trouble along the way. She lives in New York City with a strong, sexy husband who appreciates her devious mind, loves making her laugh, and always keeps her guessing. Like the heroes in her stories, Sylvia’s man didn’t see her coming… but after nearly twenty years together, he’s finally figured out who’s boss!

Visit her online at SylviaPierceBooks.com, or follow along at:

Lili Valente has slept under the stars in Greece, eaten dinner at midnight with French men who couldn’t be trusted to keep their mouths on their food, and walked alone through Munich’s red light district after dark and lived to tell the tale. 

These days you can find her writing in a tent beside the sea, drinking coconut water and thinking delightfully dirty thoughts.





Release Blitz: Worth Every Risk.




Title: Worth Every Risk
A Wilde Players Series Standalone Spin-off Novel
Authors: Terri E. Laine & A.M. Hargrove
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 29, 2018



Blurb

USA Today Bestselling authors, Terri E. Laine and A.M. Hargrove are bringing a new sexy standalone contemporary romance novel, Worth Every Risk.

Andi

He was my best friend since we were little.
Even though he was off limits, as we grew up, he became my forever, my everything.
But I couldn’t let my selfish dreams hold him back. 
They say that if you love someone, you should let them go. 
I did. 
He became the world’s greatest soccer player.
Money.
Fame.
Beautiful women. 
He had it all. 
One thing I never expected was for him to walk back into my life again. 

Chase

She was perfect for me in every way. 
Once we kissed that first time, there was no turning back. 
But I made a mistake by letting her go. 
My need for her has only grown.
After three long years, I’ve decided to get her back.
Only I’m too late.
Someone has taken my place. 
I don’t know if I still love her or if I should hate her.
One thing is certain. 
She is and always has been mine.







Purchase Links

99c for a VERY limited time

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






Terri E. Laine

Terri E. Laine, USA Today bestselling author, left a lucrative career as a CPA to pursue her love for writing. Outside of her roles as a wife and mother of three, she’s always been a dreamer and as such became an avid reader at a young age.

Many years later, she got a crazy idea to write a novel and set out to try to publish it. With over a dozen titles published under various pen names, the rest is history. Her journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. She looks forward to many more memories to come.


You can find more about her books at www.terrielaine.com.



A.M. Hargrove

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, USA Today bestselling author, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So she made a quick decision to quit her job and reinvented herself as a Naughty and Nice Romance Author.

Reader, Writer, #WalterThePuppy Owner, Dark Chocolate Lover, Ice Cream Worshipper, Vodka Aficionado, Coffee Drinker, she believes coffee and ice cream should be added as part of the USDA food groups. Find out more at www.amhargrove.com