Wednesday, March 31, 2021

RELEASE BLITZ & BOOK REVIEW for "Back in the Burbs" by Tracy Wolff and Avery Flynn


Back in the Burbs
by Tracy Wolff & Avery Flynn
 from Entangled: Amara
(an imprint of Entangled Publishing)
Publication date: March 30, 2021

Two powerhouse authors bring you a hilarious tale of one woman’s journey to find herself again.

Ever have one of those days where life just plain sucks? Welcome to my last three months—ever since I caught my can’t-be-soon-enough ex-husband cheating with his paralegal. I’m thirty-five years old, and I’ve lost my NYC apartment, my job, my money, and frankly, my dignity.

But the final heartache in the suck sandwich of my life? My great-aunt Maggie died. The only family member who’s ever gotten me.

Even after death, though, she’s helping me get back up. She’s willed me the keys to a house in the burbs, of all places, and dared me to grab life by the family jewels. Well, I’ve got the vise grips already in hand (my ex should take note) and I’m ready to fight for my life again.

Too bad that bravado only lasts as long as it takes to drive into Huckleberry Hills. And see the house.

There are forty-seven separate HOA violations, and I feel them all in my bones. Honestly, I’m surprised no one’s “accidentally” torched the house yet. I want to, and I’ve only been standing in front of it for five minutes. But then my hot, grumpy neighbor tells me to mow the lawn first and I’m just...done. Done with men too sexy for their own good and done with anyone telling me what to do.

First rule of surviving the burbs? There is nothing that YouTube and a glass of wine can’t conquer.

~ BOOK REVIEW for Back in the Burbs ~

****(3) out of 5 

This is a pretty good story about finding love the second time around.  As someone who divorced and remarried in her thirties, many of the situations here stuck a chord with me.  And as someone who recently moved into an HOA neighborhood, I can definitely commiserate with Mallory.

I was truly appalled at how everyone in her life  with the exception of great-aunt Maggie  treated Mallory!  And even more depressing was how she just let them do so.  I wanted to go smack some sense into her!  True, she did progress throughout the story toward being a normal human being with some semblance of self-love and self-preservation, but it was definitely painful to watch.  

And just when you start to think that she has achieved some sense of normalcy... well, not to give anything away, but she goes from being a doormat to acting like a spoiled brat.  Once again, I found myself wanting to smack her upside the head.

Nick, in contrast, starts out as a grumpy guy, not very supportive or even tolerant of Mallory (or seemingly much else).  However, as his personality begins to be revealed more, we learn that he is actually something of a nice guy in disguise.  The transition was rather abrupt, and I wondered if we were seeing a dual personality or evil twin situation.

In fact, much of the book did feel as though the characters were at odds with themselves, let alone each other.  Probably due to this, the actual romance between the two characters seemed to fall rather flat.  But in between all of the stops and starts, there were a lot of moments of fun and friendship, not to mention some hot love scenes.  

Despite the overall sense of gloom and doom, and dealing some very serious mental health and abuse issues, this was a fairly good read; one that would be especially appropriate for a lazy spring evening or summer afternoon.

I received a free eBook copy of this title from Entangled Publishing via NetGalley, 

and have willingly provided an honest review.


Monday, March 22, 2021

BOOK REVIEW for "Mad About Ewe (Common Threads, #1)" by Susannah Nix


Mad About Ewe
(Common Threads, #1)
by Susannah Nix

Dawn Botstein is doing just fine after her divorce, thank you very much.

She’s got her yarn store to run, her house to herself for the first time in her life, and no use for men anymore. That is until the hottie silver fox who walks into her store turns out to be her old high school crush—the guy who rejected her 30 years ago.

No way is she going to lose her head over him this time, no matter how well he wears that salt-and-pepper lumberjack beard. Okay, so he’s the opposite of her ex in every way, and his attention gives her a thrill she thought she’d never feel again. She’s not risking her heart again.

Mike Pilota is having a mid-life crisis.

Only instead of buying a red sports car he can’t afford and dressing like a 25-year-old who’s time-traveled from the 1990s, he quit his job after his second divorce to move closer to his recently widowed mother.

He didn’t expect to run into Dawn again, but as soon as he lays eyes on her he’s utterly smitten. So he sets out to make up for past mistakes and prove he can be the kind of man she deserves.

But is it too late for second chances? Or will these two lonely hearts find a way back to each other?

Mad About Ewe is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. It is Book #1 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City world, Penny Reid book universe. 

~ BOOK REVIEW for Mad About Ewe ~

****(4) out of 5 

This is a delightful later-in-life second-chance romance about a darling couple who seem to totally deserve each other in the best possible way.  (As someone currently in their 50's, who started over in the dating world in her 30's after a divorce, I was very much able to relate to many aspects of this tale)  

Dawn and Mike were friends in high school, but  despite feelings on both sides that may have led to more  they were never anything else to each other, mostly due to the fact that she was a nerd and he was, well, a jock... and an idiot.  

Fast forward thirty years, and both have sort of been through the ringer where relationships are concerned.  But they realize that there is still a spark there between them, and decide to see where it goes.  More than anything, they really underestimate the other person and at the same time undervalue themselves.  

I thought Dawn was the idiot this time around, when she wouldn't share with Mike why she was pushing him away.  But he was the absolute epitome of the perfect (book) boyfriend, staying by her side, helping her even when she didn't want or think she needed it, and mostly just being a good friend first.  Because of circumstances being what they were, these two were really able to get to know one another quite well before jumping into much.

In addition to the two main players, the story contained a slew of side characters who were a total joy to hear about.  As well as one or two that I just wanted to punch in the face.  But overall, most of the supporting cast were great.  Many appearances seemed like cameos of people who may very well appear in other volumes of the series, world and universe wherein this book is set.  I'd be interested to find out if that is true, should I foray into any of those other stories.

I was really glad to learn that their big fight didn't lead to either of them doing anything very stupid, as so often happens in situations like these.  Dawn and Mike were absolutely adorable together, and I was glad they got the opportunity to prove that to themselves and to each other, and to work toward their very own happily-ever-after.

Now available on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited:

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3ockxRN

Sunday, March 14, 2021

BOOK REVIEW for "The Warrior King (Inferno Rising, #3)" by Abigail Owen


The Warrior King 
(Inferno Rising, #3)
by Abigail Owen

Meira Amon is the most reserved of the phoenixes, finding computers easier to deal with than people and their messy emotions. But she wants revenge against the Rotting King Pytheios for the murder of her parents just as much as her sisters. Offering herself as a queen for their ally, dragon shifter King Gorgon of the Black Clan, only makes sense.

Just one problem…

Samael Veles worked his lowborn ass off to become the fiercest warrior of the Black Clan. He has pledged his life to protect his king at all costs. Yet somehow, in the middle of war, he took one look at a woman in a reflection and gave up his heart. When that woman turns out to be the phoenix promised to mate his king and help bring peace to their kind, he has no choice but to accept it.

Until her fire unexpectedly destroys the king after they’ve wed. Now Samael must choose between his loyalty to his clan and protecting the queen who might be his mate from his people’s wrath, one of which will unlock a destiny no one could have ever imagined…

Amazon   ~   Goodreads

~ BOOK REVIEW for The Warrior King ~

****(4) out of 5 

This third book in the Inferno Rising series picks right up where the prior volume left off.  The allied dragon rebel clans continue to face off over the bogus High King and his various lackeys.  But things seem to keep going from bad to worse for our little band of do-gooders.  

Hoping to help turn the tide of war in their favor, Meira offers herself as mate to the ally King Gorgon.  Although a good guy in nearly every regard, he is not, however, her fated mate, so I really do not understand how she can think a union with him would result in anything other than his death.  In point of fact, after their wedding ceremony, when it is time to seal the deal, Meira ends up killing the king with her phoenix fire.  Except that somehow it isn't Gorgon.  Of course, hardly anyone believes her, and she must escape from her own people while she tries to find the real king and discover what is going on.  

Luckily, she has Samael to help her with this monumental task.  Although he spends just as much time fighting off his attraction to Meira as he does protecting her, which doesn't leave a whole lot of time for sleuthing.  They manage, with the help of her magic and some exceptional friends, to explore quite a bit though, and do learn, if not all, at least quite a bit of what is happening around them and in the world at large, in the larger struggle against the forces of evil arrayed against them.  

That these two do not immediately realize that they are fated mates, or at least as the story goes along, is just absurd to me.  He sees her through a mirror when she is eavesdropping via her magic, something that no one else has ever been able to do.  And he is able to touch her when she is using her phoenix fire, without his being burned to a crisp like her erstwhile (fake) husband.  

And both of them are willing to give up the love that they share in order to further the cause of their group, not to mention avoid betraying the love of their mentor and friend.  But Gorgon discovers their betrayal, too late to do much about it, but soon enough to forgive them even that.

There were some significant sacrifices made in this tale; ones that had meaningful emotional and strategic importance in the story overall and specifically to the main characters and their closest allies.  I believe there is one more book in the series, which I can't wait to read.  I just hope that they are able to avenge some of their losses.

I received a free eBook copy of this title from Entangled Publishing via NetGalley, 

and have willingly provided an honest review.



See my reviews of the first two books in the Inferno Rising series:

The Rogue King 
 The Blood King



Or check out the author's related Fire's Edge series!

Saturday, March 13, 2021

BOOK BLITZ for "Private Property (Rochester Trilogy, #1)" by Skye Warren

Private Property
by Skye Warren
(Rochester Trilogy, #1)

Publication date: March 9th, 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

“This. Book. The characters. You will fall in love with them, and you will devour this book so quickly, you’ll end up wanting to read it all over again. I loved it!” – New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy

When I signed up for the nanny agency, I didn’t expect a remote mansion on a windswept isle. Or a brooding billionaire who resents his new role. His brother’s death means he’s now in charge of a moody seven year old girl. She’s lashing out at the world, but I can handle her. I have to. I need the money to finish my college degree. As long as I can avoid the boss who alternately mocks me and coaxes me to reveal my darkest secrets.

“An incredible five star read! Skye Warren delivers an unconventional, yet utterly explosive romance in Private Property.” – USA Today bestselling author Jenika Snow

PRIVATE PROPERTY is a full-length contemporary novel from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren about secrets and redemption. It’s the first book in the emotional Rochester trilogy.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

EXCERPT:

“Who are you?”

“Nobody. Absolutely fucking nobody.”

I glare at him. “Don’t mock me.”

He smiles. “I created a company. I didn’t really give a flying shit about shipping, but I saw there was an opening. It’s basically an Uber for commercial purposes. I didn’t care; just wanted the money. And I made it. That’s the dream, isn’t it? Make billions. Show the cheerleader back in high school that she missed out by not sucking my dick.”

“You’re disgusting.”

“If you think every man who tries to get rich doesn’t think about that, you’re fooling yourself. And I’m sure more than one man has imagined you that way.”

“I was no cheerleader.”

“No, but every boy who saw those lips thought the same thing that I do. You probably scurried through the high school halls, your books pressed to your chest to try to hide the fact that you were becoming a woman, but they could tell anyway, couldn’t they?”

I shift to stand up, but he’s somehow already in front of me. He looks down at me from above. I can’t see his expression. The firelight draws him in deep charcoal. My heart beats faster. I should be afraid of the way he’s standing over me, afraid of the way he’s blocking my only exit. Other men have done this. Other men have hurt me. I don’t want him to hurt me, but I want him to touch me. It’s a strange sensation. Something about hearing him say the word woman in relation to my body. I’m not a woman, not really. I’m something before that. A bud all tight and green and white, only the faintest hint of pink at the tip. That’s me. And he’s the heat from the sun, drawing me open. I look up at him, waiting to see what he’ll do next.

And what he does is run a finger across my jaw.

I shiver in the warm room.

It’s such a soft touch. A cannonball across the boundaries of what’s allowed between an employer and his employee, between the man of the house and the nanny. I hold my breath, waiting for him to tell me what to do. That seems like the real reward of this man, the upside of dealing with his meanness, that he will tell me what to do. Not like Noah, who looks and looks and looks. He wants me, but he doesn’t know any more than I do.

Mr. Rochester touches lightly along my shoulder. He reaches down to pick up my two hands, palms up. They look dark and gruesome in the firelight. The bleeding stopped after my shower, but the scabs look ugly. “These must hurt,” he murmurs.

“I don’t feel them,” I whisper. All I can feel is his hands holding mine from beneath.

“Because you’re hurting. Isn’t that right? You’re beyond hurting. You’re numb with it.”

That’s what I told him earlier. When you’re grieving like that, you can’t feel physical pain the same way. And it’s true. For years I’ve lived in this ice-cold space. He’s the only person who makes me feel anything. I want more of it even as I shrink away.

He lets my hands drop to my lap and walks out of the room.

 

Author Bio:

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance. Her books have sold over one million copies. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat.

 

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Newsletter


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Sunday, March 7, 2021

RELEASE BLITZ & BOOK REVIEW for "Bad Boy Billionaire (Cocky Hero Club)" by Amie Knight

 



Title: Bad Boy Billionaire
A Cocky Hero Club Novel
Author: Amie Knight
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 7, 2021

Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward are excited to bring you 
the Cocky Hero Club: original works from various authors
 inspired by Keeland and Ward's New York Times bestselling
Cocky Bastard series.

BLURB

Dear Ida,

Never in a million years did I think I’d turn to an advice column for help, but I’m stuck. Moving to New York is my dream come true, but the big city is a tough place to navigate for a small-town, southern girl like me. Luckily, fate sent me my very own knight in shining armor.

Only Whitaker Aldrich didn’t ride in on his white steed to save me. He picked me up on his Harley Davidson, wearing a leather jacket and sporting a cocky smirk that doesn’t bode well for my man free diet. He screams one-night stand.

But there’s so much more to him than that bad boy billionaire persona. He's thoughtful and kind and his six-year-old son is his entire world.

That twinkle in his brilliant green eyes makes me weak in the knees and I’m terrified that I won’t be able to protect my already bruised heart. I should probably say no when he asks me to be his nanny, right?

Yeah, getting involved with Whit would be a huge mistake.
I should definitely say no. Maybe... Possibly?
Help!

Yours truly,
The Billionaire's Babysitter

Bad Boy Billionaire is a billionaire / single-dad / friends-to-lovers romance inspired by Stuck-Up Suit by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward.

~ BOOK REVIEW for Bad Boy Billionaire ~

****(4) out of 5 

The blurb for this book totally threw me off.  I kept waiting for Grace to write to an advice column for help, or something to that effect anyway.  But it never actually happened.  What did happen, however, was a delightful tale about two people meant for each other, with nothing much else but fate on their side.  In a city as large as New York, that these two kept running into each other had to mean something.  Some of it was contrived by their friends and family, but just as often it seemed to be totally random.  Their meet-cute was adorable, as was their second, and third, and fourth.  LOL!  And despite both of their reservations, for various reasons, about getting involved, they were just so darn good together.  Luckily, they were able to actually spend time getting to know one another, and becoming true friends, before they decided to step up their relationship to something more.  Most of the book features them doubting their love and worrying about their situation, but it is all relatively low-key without any real outside influences.  That does rather change toward the end, which leads to some minor conflicts, but luckily nothing earth-shattering or extremely negative.  All of which leads eventually to a wonderful happily-ever-after for these delightful characters.

I received a free eBook copy of this title from Give Me Books Promotions, 

and have willingly provided an honest review.




PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited



MARCH RELEASES



AUTHOR BIO


Amie Knight has been a reader for as long as she could remember and a romance lover since she could get her hands on her momma's books. A dedicated wife and mother with a love of music and makeup, you will never see her leave the house without her eyebrows and eyelashes done just right. When she isn't reading and writing you can catch her jamming out in the car with her two kids to 90's R&B, Country and Showtunes. Amie draws inspiration from her childhood in Columbia, South Carolina and can't imagine living anywhere other than the South.


COCKY HERO CLUB


Friday, March 5, 2021

BOOK BLITZ for "Text Me On Tuesday: All is Fair in Love and Texting… (An Accidentally in Love Story, #1)" by Whitney Dineen & Melanie Summers

Text Me On Tuesday: All is Fair in Love and Texting…
(An Accidentally in Love Story, #1)
by Whitney Dineen & Melanie Summers
Publication date: 
March 5th, 2021
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

All is fair in love and texting…

When Aimee Tompkins loaded up her old catering van and pulled into Manhattan, she had her sights set on becoming one of the best (and most lucrative) caterers to ever serve crudités and creampuffs in the Big Apple. But after a year of leaving fliers all over town, she’s not only running out of money, she’s running low on hope. So when she lands a gig at a big architecture firm, Aimee’s certain her luck is about to change.

Noel Fitzwilliam is pitching the most important project of his life—the type architects dream of. Everything has to go right, so when he finds the new caterer naked in his office bathroom right before the meeting, he’s torn between thrilled and extremely irritated. He doesn’t have time for romance, no matter how incredible she looks without her clothes on.

A mix-up means Aimee is accidentally given his cell number instead of his assistant’s. So when she starts texting Noel about how much she hates him, he decides to have a little fun with her. The last thing he expects is for her to turn his world upside-down. But that’s exactly what happens as the pair start sharing their deepest secrets and their greatest fears, and Noel discovers he can share so much more over the phone than he can in person. But what will happen when she finds out who he really is?

It’s a case of opposites attract, even when they repel…

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

Walking through the clear glass doors of Fitzwilliam and Associates is very impressive. Sleek furniture primarily in black leather and chrome adorn the lobby and the walls are painted a grey so light it almost looks silver. The paintings on the walls are modern splashes of color that probably cost more than I make in a year, not that that’s much.

I look out the window at the Brooklyn Bridge and am momentarily paralyzed as a wall of amazement hits me. This is the big time, Aimée, don’t screw it up.

A tall brunette in a pencil skirt so tight it looks painted on, pulls me out of my trance by asking, “Who smells?”

I’m about to covertly sniff my armpit, when she clarifies, “Who dared to where perfume today?”

Byron looks at her, and says, “Cindy, that’s my bad. I forgot to tell Aimée here that WL Senior is severely allergic to scents.” Turning to me, he says, “Do you have anything else you can wear? After we get you washed up that is.”

“I…I don’t,” I stutter, horrified to have made such a bad first impression. I always used to keep extra clothes in my catering van upstate, but I haven’t exactly had a run on business since I’ve been here.

“Oh, for God sakes,” Cindy sneers. “I have an extra pair of slacks in my office if you can find her a shirt.”

I’m pretty sure Cindy is at least six inches taller than I am and probably two sizes smaller. I’m guessing I couldn’t decompose to her size until I’d been dead for a year. There is no way I can wear her pants.

“Go get them,” Byron tells her. “Meet me in the boss’s office. She can shower in there.”

I’m suddenly whisked away to some inner sanctum while leaving Teisha in charge of the food. I could die of mortification.

“Mr. Fitzwilliam will be out for the next hour, so you can use his private bathroom to see to things.” He waves his hand in front of me like he’s either casting a spell or trying to read my aura. Then he hurries out of the room.

The office is so elegant and so unlike the lobby, I take a minute to walk around and look at the bookshelf and the desk. I even sit on a loveseat across from the desk for about thirty seconds. Everything looks antique and awfully expensive. I’m half tempted to lay down and roll on the Oriental rug to see if it’s as soft as it looks.

I cannot imagine being this important. I only hope the short bald man—because the boss is always short and bald for some reason—who calls this office his own, appreciates how good he has it.

When I open the door to the bathroom, I let out an audible gasp. The shower is as big as my entire bathroom and it looks out onto the East River. Getting naked in here is going to make me feel like I’m on display for the world to see.

I hurriedly pick up my phone and text Teisha.

Me: Are you okay?

Teisha: I’ve got everything under control. Don’t worry about a thing.

Me: Are you wearing any perfume?

Teisha: Nope.

Me: Okay, I’ll be out as soon as I can. You would not believe the office I’m in!

Teisha: Pretty flashy, huh?

Me: You could say that.

I slowly start to take my clothes off while hoping that Byron finds a fat woman’s pants for me to put on. Once I’m in the shower, I scrub myself as quickly as I can. The soap is an old-fashioned bar of Ivory and I run it all over my body before giving myself a good rinse.

I’m about to step out of the shower when I hear. “For the love of God, Byron, leave me alone. I’m in a hurry.”

The voice is right outside the bathroom door! Holy crap, did I lock the door? I step out of the shower in hopes of making sure no one can get in. As soon as my wet foot hits the shiny marble floor I slip and slide across the room like I’m starring in Frozen on Ice. Let it Go!!!

As luck would have it, that’s the exact moment the door opens, and I fall into the arms of the most devastatingly handsome man it has ever been my pleasure to lay eyes on— thick dark hair that looks like not even one strand would dare to stray from where he wants it, moss-green eyes with flecks of gold and coffee-colored rims, and—oh, wow—a chiseled manly man jawline peppered with two-day stubble. I gawk up at him with sheer disbelief. I’m so blinded by his gorgeousness; I’m temporarily rendered mute.

With his arms around me, he calls over his shoulder, “Byron, you left one of your desperate strays in my en suite.”

Two things. One, his British accent is so dreamy, it almost makes me want to swoon even though he just tossed out one of the worst insults anyone has thrown my way. And two, he smells so damn good, I want to rub myself all over his neck. Then of course there’s the other thing. I’m naked.

Author Bio:

Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order.

Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.

She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.

Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2017.

Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.

Finalist RONE Awards, 2016.

Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017.

Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017

Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017

Author links
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

--

Melanie Summers also writes steamy romance as MJ Summers.

Melanie made a name for herself with her debut novel, Break in Two, a contemporary romance that cracked the Top 10 Paid on Amazon in both the UK and Canada, and the top 50 Paid in the USA. Her highly acclaimed Full Hearts Series was picked up by both Piatkus Entice (a division of Hachette UK) and HarperCollins Canada. Her first three books have been translated into Czech and Slovak by EuroMedia. Since 2013, she has written and published three novellas, and eight novels (of which seven have been published). She has sold over a quarter of a million books around the globe.

In her previous life (i.e. before having children), Melanie got her Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta, then went on to work in the soul-sucking customer service industry for a large cellular network provider that shall remain nameless (unless you write her personally - then she'll dish). On her days off, she took courses and studied to become a Chartered Mediator. That designation landed her a job at the R.C.M.P. as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator for 'K' Division. Having had enough of mediating arguments between gun-toting police officers, she decided it was much safer to have children so she could continue her study of conflict in a weapon-free environment (and one which doesn't require makeup and/or nylons).

Melanie resides in Edmonton with her husband, three young children, and their adorable but neurotic one-eyed dog. When she's not writing novels, Melanie loves reading (obviously), snuggling up on the couch with her family for movie night (which would not be complete without lots of popcorn and milkshakes), and long walks in the woods near her house. She also spends a lot more time thinking about doing yoga than actually doing yoga, which is why most of her photos are taken 'from above'. She also loves shutting down restaurants with her girlfriends. Well, not literally shutting them down, like calling the health inspector or something--more like just staying until they turn the lights off.

She is represented by Suzanne Brandreth of The Cooke Agency International.

Author links
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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