Monday, May 31, 2021

BOOK REVIEW for "Dear Roomie (Rookie Rebels, #5)" by Kate Meader

Dear Roomie
(Rookie Rebels, #5)

by Kate Meader

Reid Durand isn't here to make friends.

Coming from a legacy of hockey greatness, he has games to win and things to prove. With his focus during his first season as a Chicago Rebel on his drive to succeed, every vice is off the table. No booze, no sugar, and definitely no women.

Kennedy Clark is the master of the side hustle.

She'll walk your dog, brew your espresso, and pick up your dry-cleaning, all while rocking it in Warrior pose. Standing still is impossible for her, because the moment she starts to slow down, it'll come rushing back in a torrent. The memories. The pain. The heartbreak.

Their meet-cute is more of a freeze-cute. Besides, they already know each other. He's the rude, entitled customer at her coffee shop, or what used to be her coffee shop since she just got fired—because of Mr. Extra Shot Americano himself.

Reid didn't intend to get Kennedy fired.
He didn't intend to rescue a dog after the poor thing ended up in the lake.
And he definitely didn't intend to acquire a new roommate.

A curvy, chatty, tempting roommate.

Now this perfect storm of events are about to wreak havoc on his neatly-ordered life.

Reid Durand isn't here to make friends, and he's certainly not here to lose his heart to a puppy, a team, or a chaos agent like Kennedy. But then we don't always get what we want ...

~ BOOK REVIEW for Dear Roomie ~

****(4) out of 5 Stars

This is the second book I've read in the last little while where the guy wants to put the brakes on anything physical developing between him and the female lead.  (Like that ever happens in real life!  LOL!)  But Reid has his reasons, which seem totally legit to him, at least at first.  But these two are just destined for one another, and their physical attraction cannot be denied, anymore than the emotional intimacy that they develop with one another.  

Of course, we already know from Foreplayer that Reid is a real good guy, not to mention a total marshmallow, even if he likes to pretend otherwise.  Learning more about him and why he acts the way he does, goes even farther towards making him a likeable character.  

Kennedy is very likeable, but also quite troubled.  Her issues are different than Reid's, but have the same net result of keeping everyone at arm's length.  The only personal she's allowed herself to get close to in ages is her step-grandmother Edie, and she even tries to keep her distance there.  

Luckily for both of them, Bucky not only brings them together, but cracks wide open both of their scared little hearts.  The poor abandoned pup not only finds his forever home, but helps his two favorite humans find theirs as well.  It's ultimately a very heart-warming story. 

I love all the secondary characters, from Bucky and Edie, to all of the Rebels we've met in prior volumes of the series.  I especially enjoyed getting to know Bastian, and really loved it when he stood up for Reid to their father.  I hope we get to read his story sometime in the future.  

Overall, this was another great additional to this very good series.  I can hardly wait for the next one: Rebel Yule starring Erick "Fish" Jorgenson.

I received a free eBook copy of this title from the author, 

and have willingly provided an honest review.

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

BLOG TOUR & BOOK REVIEW for "Heavy Petting (Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild, #2)" by Erin Nicholas

 

He's her best friend.
A reformed bad boy turned hot teacher.
And after one spur-of-the-moment Vegas wedding... her husband.

Heavy Petting, an all-new heartwarming and laugh-out-loud romantic comedy 
in the Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild series 
by New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas is available now!

He's her best friend.
A reformed bad boy turned hot teacher.
And after one spur-of-the-moment Vegas wedding... her husband.

Jordan Benoit and Fletcher Landry have been best friends since they were six. He's always been The Guy. When she needed picked up, cheered up, or lifted up--like literally, to see the stage at a concert--Fletcher was the guy.

So when her boyfriend dumps her--on national TV--Fletcher immediately gets on a plane and comes to her rescue.

And when she ends up in a Vegas wedding chapel and needs someone to say, "I do"...yep, Fletcher's the guy. Of course.

But being The Guy 24/7 is a lot. He just wants everyone to give him a freaking minute to get this marriage thing right. Including his sexy, sweet new wife who he's wanted for three years. Who is exasperatingly, temptingly all-in from minute one.

Jordan knows what she wants. A life in her hometown. A job with alpacas. And Fletcher. Not necessarily in that order.

They've said the vows. They'd told the world. They've told their grandmas. Forget taking things slow. Forget just heavy petting. Forget any chance of backing out when things get tough. They're going to have to go all the way, in every way.

After all, friends becoming lovers should be the easiest thing in the world. Right?

~ BOOK REVIEW for Heavy Petting ~

****(4) out of 5 Stars

What is it with these Landy boys and putting the brakes on a good thing?  (Okay, maybe that's not just a Landry trait.  But this book in particular sure reminds me of Mitch in that regard.  LOL!)  Granted, Fletcher didn't go to Las Vegas to marry Jordan, just to rescue her and bring her home.  But he has has known her for over twenty years and has been pining for her for a good three years now.  And as abrupt as her breakup from her prior boyfriend seems (especially as seen on TV), the pair actually broke up a couple weeks before, and had been growing apart for several months prior to that.  So it's not like they were just jumping head first into this marriage on a whim.  Okay, maybe it was a little impulsive.  But it was also what everyone else expected, even more than these two.  

Unfortunately, Fletcher lets one of his brothers get in his head and make everything weird between him and Jordan.  But she is just returning home, and needs to get settled in her new job and back with her family & friends.  And then they both get busy, mostly with the animal park, but also with other stuff.  And, you know... LIFE happens.  So they end up taking things slow, backing up a bit, trying to figure out each other out from a dating perspective, and such.  But at least there is some definite heavy petting going on to keep things hot.  

Speaking of the animal park, it is literally growing by leaps and bounds, with everyone seeming to have some input about what animals they are going to acquire next.  And apparently there are no plans to stop any time soon.  Which is awesome!  This book has a particular emphasis on the alpacas, who end up being great companions, as well as offering some particular assistance to a few new characters with some particular issues.  It's amazing, and so much better than goat (or even otter) yoga.

The secondary characters, of course, are delightful.  It is so fun to see so many prior characters from this and the related series make an appearance, not to mention the introduction of additional new people that we can only hope have a bigger part in a future story.  

I received a free eBook copy of this title from Social Butterfly PR, 
and have willingly provided an honest review.

Experience all the feels today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vck59s
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3avBEcu
Nook: https://bit.ly/3ngSdOv
Kobo: https://bit.ly/32Ev6UB
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3tHN2tm

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3ndlXvH

Excerpt

“I also think that I need to—”
“Marry me.”
“Date you.”
They spoke at the same time.
Then stared at each other.
“What?”
“What?”
They spoke simultaneously again.
“I was trying to give you some freaking space before I said anything.” He seemed very annoyed suddenly.
She leaned in, bracing her hand on the seat between them. “The last person I need space from is you, Fletcher. I mean, we’ve basically been dating for twenty years. If dating is about getting to know someone and figuring out how well you fit with them and figuring out if you want to spend the rest of your life with them…we’ve done that.”
He shook his head. “You have got to be one of the most exasperating people in my life.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Considering your twin brothers are Zeke and Zander, being one of the most exasperating people in your life is pretty huge.”
He shook his head. “Absolutely exasperating. To think I could’ve kissed you when we were standing next to a king-sized bed and you were only in your bra and panties and you would have been all in.”
Jordan felt her cheeks flush, but she grinned widely. “I really am a pain.”
“You really are.” His gaze dropped to her mouth.
Jordan felt a zing of excitement go through her. She really wanted him to kiss her.
“I think you dating me is a great idea,” he said after a moment.
Thank God.
“You’re sure you’re done dating other people? Having fun with all those girls? All the casual relationships?” she asked.
“If it means I get to be with you? Absolutely.”
Her stomach swooped, harder and faster than before. “This isn’t crazy?”
“It makes a hell of a lot more sense than anything else. Like you dating other men. Or either of us being with anyone else.”
“We’ve never talked about this before.”
“You’ve been taken,” he said simply.
Right. That was true. And Fletcher was too good of a guy to go after another man’s girl.
She still felt compelled to say, “It’s been three years since anything happened.”
“Again, because you’ve been taken.” His voice dropped. “Only because you’ve been taken, Jordan.”
Her heart skittered at that and she wet her lips. She thought about her next words carefully. Several seconds ticked by. Then she said simply, “Prove it.”
Fletcher reached out, wrapped his big hand around her wrist, and tugged her close. He cupped the back of her head and brought her in until they were nose to nose. “This changes everything,” he said. Almost as if it was a warning.
“I know.”
“I’m the last frog you’re ever going to kiss. So be sure you want it now.”
That was exactly what she’d wanted to hear without even realizing it.

About Erin Nicholas

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.
Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).

Connect with Erin
Website: http://bit.ly/2NkB2uF
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2tdTM8e
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2QLd1Pr
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3a3rnm4
Instagram: http://bit.ly/36NqV9y
Website: http://bit.ly/2FM3Doo
Stay up to date with Erin Nicholas by joining her mailing list:
http://bit.ly/38a5Fv5

#BoysOfTheBayouGoneWild #BoysOfTheBayou #ErinNicholas

Friday, May 21, 2021

FREE BOOK: "Best Fake Fiancé (Loveless Brothers, #2)" by Roxie Noir

 

★ ★ ★ HOT FREEBIE ALERT! ★ ★ ★


Faking it is easy.

Resisting her?

Impossible. 


Best Fake Fiance (Loveless Brothers, #2),

an all-new sexy and hilarious single dad romance from Roxie Noir,

is FREE for a limited time! 


Grab your FREE copy today! 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2H59gPQ

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3tV6zWy

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

Nook: https://bit.ly/3ePJYXl

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3yeRQcA

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2Qnp2NV


My life has room for exactly two women: my daughter Rusty and my best friend Charlotte — known to everyone as Charlie.


One is a feisty, tomboyish firecracker. The other is my seven-year-old. I can’t imagine life without either.


So when my ex springs a custody hearing on me, I find myself telling the judge that I’m engaged to Charlie.


The only problem? I’m not.


Time to fake an engagement.


Pretending we’re a couple will be no big deal.


We’ve been friends for years. We used to sneak cigarettes behind the bleachers. We turned cans of hairspray into flamethrowers. We got drunk on stolen malt liquor.


She’s beautiful, vivacious, spontaneous, and she loves my daughter to death. It’s the perfect answer: we fake it for a few months, then go back to our lives.


Until we touch, and sparks fly. Until I can’t take my eyes off her. Until I can’t stop thinking about what she’s got on under her coveralls.


It takes one kiss.


One touch.


One shared secret and suddenly, I’m not pretending anymore. I want her, I need her in ways I didn’t know I could.


But there’s a lifetime of friendship between us, and falling in love with Charlie could mean risking everything.


Best Fake Fiance is a standalone romantic comedy that will make you laugh, cry, and probably fan yourself with your kindle.


Click HERE to read my 5-STAR review of Best Fake Fiance!

Thursday, May 20, 2021

BOOK REVIEW for "Elementary Romantic Calculus (Chemistry Lessons, #6)" by Susannah Nix

 


Elementary Romantic Calculus
(Chemistry Lessons, #6)
by Susannah Nix
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: May 18, 2021

Mia has had her whole life mapped out since she was 18. She’s supposed to follow up her math PhD with a research postdoc, but her 20-year tenure plan takes a surprise deviation when she’s forced to settle for a temporary teaching job at a small-town university.

It’s not easy adapting to rural life when you’re an inveterate city girl, but Mia tries to make the best of it until she can get the heck out of Podunk—er, Crowder, Texas. Things finally start to look up after a run-in with some terrifying local wildlife sends her careening into the arms of a sexy goat farmer/cheesemaker.

Mia finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Josh’s gruff cowboy charms, especially after she learns what lies behind the thick walls he’s built around his heart. The deeper their connection grows, the more Crowder starts to feel like home.

But Mia can’t afford to stay. Not unless she’s willing to give up on her dream—or trade it in for a new one.

Elementary Romantic Calculus is a full-length standalone novel and the sixth book in the Chemistry Lessons series of contemporary romances featuring STEM heroines. Each book in the series focuses on a brand new couple with their own happily ever after and they can be read in any order.

~ BOOK REVIEW for Elementary Romantic Calculus ~

****(4) out of 5 Stars

This was a darling love story about an adorable couple, with lots of cute goats (with names of classic authors, no less!), and several other delightful sidekicks!  Although the main female character hails from New York and most recently comes from Los Angeles, this story is set almost exclusively in a small town in rural Texas.  

I love the meet-cute(s) between Mia and Josh, the first one, but especially the second.  It was definitely unique and memorable.  

Mia feels a bit awkward in any setting, but is definitely a fish-out-of-water here.  She's probably never even visited a small town before, let alone lived in one.  It is a totally new experience for her.  But luckily, she very early on makes a few wonderful friends who quickly make her feel at home.  More so even than her real family.

Josh is an absolute doll, and a dream of a boyfriend.  Other than some deep, dark secret that no one will share with Mia.  At least not for awhile.  Eventually, Josh himself tells her about it.  And it doesn't end up being all that bad, or at least it isn't something where he was a bad person.  

Of course, there has to be some conflict in the story to make it interesting.  And so both of them have their own breakdown of sorts at one point in the story.  Luckily, however, they both eventually come to their senses, and both realize what a special thing they have with one another.

This is another solid love story by author Susannah Nix!  I jumped into the Chemistry Lessons series at Book #3, and still haven't returned to read the first couple of volumes.  I am now glad of that fact, however, so that I have something to fall back on while waiting for the first entry in the forthcoming spin-off series from this author: "My Cone and Only (King Family, #1)."

I received a free eBook copy of this title from the author, 

and have willingly provided an honest review.


BUY LINKS:

AUTHOR BIO:


Susannah Nix is a RITA Award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance who lives in Texas with her husband, two ornery cats, and a flatulent pit bull. When she's not writing swoony, relatable romances, she enjoys reading, cooking, knitting, and watching British mysteries on TV.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susannahnix

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Susannah_Nix

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susannahnixauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/susannah_nix

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susannah-nix

Website: http://www.susannahnix.com


Wednesday, May 5, 2021

BOOK SALE on "Man Down (Rookie Rebels, #3)" by Kate Meader

 First time on sale! 
MAN DOWN (Rookie Rebels, #3),
a standalone sports romance from Kate Meader 
is 99¢ for this week only!

I’ve been texting the wife I lost, the woman I loved beyond measure... 
Now someone else has answered back.  



Gunnar Bond is broken.

Three years ago, he lived through the car crash that took his wife and twins away from him—though “lived” barely describes his current state. Giving up professional hockey, going off grid, and drinking himself into oblivion are his coping mechanisms. Another is texting his dead wife about his days without her. Therapeutic? Doubtful. Crazy? Definitely. But those messages into the ether are virtually the only thing stopping him from spiraling to even darker places.    

Until someone texts back...


Sadie Yates is losing it.

Suddenly guardian to a little sister she doesn’t know and a misbehaving hound she’d rather not know at all, she’s had to upend her (sort of) glamorous life in LA and move back to Chicago. The nanny has quit, the money’s running out, and her job is on the line. The last thing she needs is her sister’s hockey camp counselor, a judgmental Viking type, telling her she sucks at this parenting lark. Thank the goddess for her sweet, sensitive, and—fingers crossed—sexy text buddy who always knows the right thing to say. In the same city at last, they can finally see if their online chemistry is mirrored in real life. She just needs to set up a meeting …

A ruined man who claims to have used up all his love is surely a bad bet, but Sadie’s never been afraid of a challenge … even one that might shatter her heart into a million pieces.


àKindle: https://amzn.to/2QcKtyu
àNook: https://bit.ly/3xK6wjC
àApple Books: https://apple.co/2qlIwVU
àKobo: https://bit.ly/3uftsVL
àGoogle Play: https://bit.ly/2B9x3OG