#SoontoDrop My Most Anticipated Releases of the Week

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Of the many books being published this week these six books are the ones that I am most excited to read or to share my reviews with you.

Make sure to check back throughout the week in order to see my reviews and other book news.

Don’t forget to comment on any post throughout the week in order to enter to win any eBook from your own TBR ($5.99 Limit). Each comment is an entry, so make sure to comment multiple times.

AVAILABLE NOW!

My musings…

This book was so good!  It runs along the same lines of the Royals series by Erin Watt, and it has all the elements of angsty goodness. An absolute must read.

Full review to come later today!

Synopsis:

In a world of wealth and power, the rules of love and war are nothing as they seem.

Nora Randolph never wanted a life of luxury. But when her mother falls in love with the heir to the British throne, their small-town lives are uprooted and every little girl’s fantasy becomes her reality. All too quickly, she learns the dangers of running in circles with the world’s elite, especially when she attracts the attention of Winston Academy’s resident golden boy.

Asher Frederick has known nothing but favor and fortune. The son of London’s most influential family, his future has been written in stone since infancy. But a tragic childhood loss redirects his course, and revenge has been boiling in his blood for years. When innocent and unaware Nora lands in his path, it’s as if the universe hands him the ammunition to finally drag his enemy through the mud.

But as his plan for vengeance gets more twisted, so do his feelings for Nora. And as her immersion into the upper crust dives deeper, she struggles to keep the secret she’s been guarding for eighteen years.

Heavy lies the crown, and when the ultimate betrayal blindsides her, will either of them survive the consequences that come crashing down on their heads?

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Get your copy today for only $0.99 (release day price)!

Amazon US ♦ Amazon UK ♦ Amazon CA ♦ Amazon AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

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#NewReleases for the Week of July 23, 2017

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The following list indicates the top romance books being released this week. Check out my #soontodrop post to see which books being released this week I am most excited about sharing with you.

Make sure you head over to my Facebook page for your chance to win an e-book copy of one of the many new releases being published this week! Also, don’t forget to comment on any post throughout the week in order to enter to win an ebook from your own TBR ($5.99 Limit). Each comment is an entry, so make sure to comment multiple times.

  • 7/23 – Privileged – Carrie Aarons
  • 7/24 – Love Sick – HJ Bellus
  • 7/24 – All I Need – Callie Harper
  • 7/25 – All or Nothing At All – Jennifer Probst
  • 7/25 – The Difference Between Us – Rachel Higginson
  • 7/25 – Exploited – A. Meredith Walters
  • 7/25 – When I Need You – Lorelei James
  • 7/25 – Well Built – Carly Phillips & Erika Wilde
  • 7/25 – Until You Loved Me – Brenda Novak
  • 7/25 – Fatal Threat – Marie Force
  • 7/25 – Fall – Eden Butler
  • 7/25 – Cross Check – Kelly Jamieson
  • 7/25 – Say No More – Liliana Hart
  • 7/25 – Eye Candy – Jessica Lemmon
  • 7/25 – Misconduct – Samantha Kane
  • 7/25 – Ripple Effect – Kerri Lake
  • 7/26 – Mom Fail – Various Authors
  • 7/27 – Big Shot – Kim Karr
  • 7/27 – The Brightest Sunset (The Brightest Sunset #2) – Aly Martinez
  • 7/27 – Naughty, Dirty, Cocky – Whitney G.
  • 7/27 – Star Struck – Laurelin Paige
  • 7/27 – A Little Bit Like Love – Brooke Blaine
  • 7/27 – Beard Up – Lani Lynn Vale
  • 7/27 – Illicit – M.N. Forgy
  • 7/28 – Alex in Wonderland – Max Monroe
  • 7/28 – Hot Bachelor – Katie McCoy

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#ReleaseBlitz “Privileged” by Carrie Aarons

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Title: Privileged
Author: Carrie Aarons
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: July 23, 2017

 My musings…

4 Gossip Girl Worthy CROWNS

Carrie Aarons brings romance to the world of powerful royals, taking readers on ride of corruption and revenge.

Privileged follows Asher, UK royalty, and Nora, the US native who is becoming royal by marriage.  Already out of place in the new land of the wealthy and powerful, she unknowingly walks into a web of deceit and lies. The man behind the deception, Asher, plans to use Nora as a pawn in his game.  Although Asher has dishonorable intentions, his motivations for doing so are understandable as he has lived under his father’s reign for years. For most of the book, readers will hate his cockiness and abrasive demeanor, but as the novel progresses, readers get to see the real Asher as he falls in love with Nora.  The man he becomes is amazing. I love the independence he earns, and how he walks away from everything.

Nora is a heroine who, although gets caught up in the tangle web weaved by Asher, stays distanced from the privileged world she has been thrown into.  Very mature for her age, she balances her true self with the new world she must now play in.  Readers will love that she keeps a sense of who she is and doesn’t succumb to the glitz and glamour of royal society.

A majority of the novel focuses on Asher setting up his revenge while balancing his emotions for Nora, and while this part is entertaining, I really love the moments when Asher and Nora are together and alone.  This is where readers get the romance and where they start to really like the characters.  The swoon factor really comes into play when the falling action and resolution of the story occur, and by the time the final page is here, they are solidly in the pro-Asher category.  SWOON!

Lovers of Cruel Intentions or Gossip Girl, this is the novel for you.  It has the revenge, the power and wealth, and all the romance you could want. I really enjoyed this new world she created, and I wouldn’t mind a return visit.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review. Continue Reading →

#CoverReveal Modern Fairytales by Katy Regnery

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New York Times bestselling author Katy Regnery has given her modern fairytale collection a whole new look! They’re so gorgeous…go take a peek!

Available now (coming to KU on Aug 1):

~ THE VIXEN AND THE VET (Beauty & the Beast)
~ NEVER LET YOU GO (Hansel & Gretel)
~ GINGER’S HEART (Little Red Riding Hood)
~ DARK SEXY KNIGHT (Camelot)
~ DON’T SPEAK (The Little Mermaid) – Only 99¢ until July 30!

Coming in December 2017:

~ SHEAR HEAVEN (Rapunzel)

Coming in 2018:

~ FRAGMENTS OF ASH (Cinderella)
~ SWAN SONG (The Ugly Duckling)

Amazon US ♦ iBooks ♦ Nook ♦ Kobo

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#ChapterReveal “Something So Perfect” by Natasha Madison

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Something So Perfect

by Natasha Madison

Coming July 31st

Synopsis:

Matthew 

Drafted first round pick when I was seventeen, playing first line at eighteen, branded NHL’s bad boy at nineteen. At twenty-three I was cut from the team and living back home with my parents. A knock on the door brought an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. All I had to do was prove I learned from my mistakes, so no way would I fall for a chick with a pouty mouth even if I wanted to spend all day devouring it.

Karrie 

When my father gave me a job, I had no idea it would be to babysit some washed up NHL player. He wanted me to be his chaperone, his overpaid babysitter. I thought it was a joke. Then I met him, Matthew Grant. I wasn’t prepared for this particular bad boy. He’s not only hot but he’s arrogant and kinda sweet in a ‘you make me crazy’ kind of way. 
Basically now that he’s finished screwing up his life, he’s decided to turn mine upside down.

She’s the first thing I’ve ever wanted more than hockey.

He’s the guy I know I should stay away from.


But what if this thing that started out so wrong turns into something so perfect?

Pre-order exclusively via iBooks

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#ReleaseBlitz & #Review “Swink” by Adriana Locke

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Title: Swink
Series: Landry Family #5
Author: Adriana Locke
Genre: A Standalone Bad Boy / Good Girl Romance
Release Date: July 21, 2017

 My musings…

4.5 Opposites Attract CROWNS

Adriana Locke has done it again. Cam and Dom are just another couple in the long line of Landry Family Series books who have stolen my heart.

Dominic is the perfect alpha hero.  Although he knows that he isn’t the perfect fit, by society’s view, for Cam, he cannot stay away from her.  He is drawn to the real Cam, and when he is with her, readers get to see the real Dom underneath the fighter.  Readers get to see how kind, protective, and loving he is.  This is a man with an incredible work ethic, and he does whatever is required of him to take care of himself and those he loves.  Above everything, though, Dom is solely focused on protecting Cam from his perceived dirty world, and while this begins the conflict between the two, it is completely endearing for his character.

Cam or “Swink,” as he family calls her, has spent her entire life under the watchful eye of her brothers.  Although, Dom may have started as an act of rebellion, he becomes so much more.  Through the story, the readers get to see that, like the rest of her siblings, Cam has a large heart.  Yes, she may be a socialite and wealthy, but she is incredibly down-to-earth.  She has a huge heart, and she works hard for the people she loves.  Readers are also going to love that she takes a stand against her brothers, fighting for the relationship she wants.

The conflict that runs throughout the novel stems from Dom’s perception and his insecurities about being on the wrong side of the tracks and not good enough for Cam Landry. Readers will absolutely want him to see himself the way they and Cam see him.  He needs to see that he is more than his past, more than his family, and more than a second-class citizen.  Just like Cam, readers yearn for him to see all the good parts of himself because he is worthy of love, and Cam should be rewarded for fighting for their relationship.

As always, the Landry family is fantastic. I say it all the time, but I love this family and their whole dynamic.  I hope that my children will be this close, and that there is a sense of comradery and  support among them.  I hope we come together and celebrate successes and mourn failures as unit.  They are hands-down my favorite fictional family of all times.

Swink is fantastic, the writing is superb, the romance is sweet, and Adriana Locke delivers a romance that is perfection.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review. Continue Reading →

#BlogTour “Trust” by Kylie Scott

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TRUST by Kylie Scott

Genre – Mature YA

Release Date: July 18, 2017

 My musings…

5 Perfect YA CROWNS

YA books are a hard sell for me. I don’t generally read them, but when Kylie Scott writes a YA book you read it, and Trust doesn’t disappoint.

I absolutely love these characters. John’s character is a tad more rebellious and damaged than Edie, but his evolution as a character is great. His decision to make changes, to be better for himself is wonderful because he drives this decision. Edie is everything I hope for my daughter to be. Yes, she has insecurities about her body, but who doesn’t. She is so much more than that. She is incredibly brave and confident in all other aspects of who she is. She looks for solid and real relationships, and surrounds herself with good people. I love that she has her own personality and embraces what she enjoys. She is truly a heroine who could teach teenage girls how to focus on things that matter in life, and they need that.

This story will ensnare readers from the opening pages. Kylie Scott tosses us right into the action, and while we see the fall out from the event, most of the story focuses on these two making changes and finding solace in each other. What will keep readers enticed is the relationship between John and Edie. It isn’t the steaminess of a romance, because it is YA, but there is a real connection that is established between these two. By the end of the book, Ms. Scott brings the story full circle, and this event really serves to showcase the full evolution of the characters.

As a mom, this is a story I would want my daughters to read for many reasons. There are topics of relationships, friendships, moving on from the past, changing for the better. Yes, there is alcohol and drugs, but this is a part of high school. It isn’t abused, and the author accurately represents how it plays into the life of not all but a lot of teens. As a teacher, I think this novel also has a lot to offer to class discussions: bullying, drugs, friendships, etc.

Trust is simply phenomenal. It integrates important YA topics with romance that will draw readers to pick it up. There is value to these characters and their story, making it much more than pure entertainment.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

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#BlogTour “Stubborn as a Mule” by Juliette Poe

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STUBBORN AS A MULE

The Sex and Sweet Tea Series

by Juliette Poe

Release Day – July 20

 My musings…

4 Sweet CROWNS

My second trip to Whynot was just as sweet and endearing as the first one. Juliette Poe has really nailed the small town, slow burn romance, and I’m in love with the town and people as much as each of the romances.

Stubborn as a Mule focuses on Lowe and Melly. Lowe, the local, and Melly, the NY transplant, have been at odds since she has bought the family home. Their antagonistic behavior not only puts them in the direct path to each other but also serves as the impetus for their budding attraction. The more time they spend together, the more fun they have. With each passing day, she sees there is more to Lowe than the prankster, and he gets to see that she is more than home flipper.

Melly and Lowe’s romance is very sweet. They spend a lot of time together and learn about each other. It is low on steam and not rife with sexual tension, but it is such a fun and light story that it isn’t missed.

The pacing of the story is steady, not too slow or fast. The slow burn romance matches the lackadaisical aura of the town. In addition, Melly’s best friend adds great comic relief, and he also serves to reveal aspects of Lowe and Melly’s characters that were hiding behind their antagonism. While the conflict is not a huge surprise, I did enjoy how Juliette Poe wraps it up and brings these two to their HEA.

The story, just like the previous one, has the perfect balance of fun and romance. Readers will fall in love with the town as much as the inhabitants. Everything about it is absolutely charming.

P.S. I love the nod to the Wicked Horse, my favorite series of Sawyer Bennett’s.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review. Continue Reading →

#ExcerptReveal “The Beauty of Us” by Kristen Proby

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From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes a sexy, new standalone contemporary romance in her Fusion Series, THE BEAUTY OF US, releasing August 22, 2017! Check out the chapter below and get to know Trevor and Riley!

About THE BEAUTY OF US:

New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby delivers another sizzling novel in her delectable and sexy Fusion series.

Riley Gibson is over the moon at the prospect of having her restaurant, Seduction, on the Best Bites TV network. This could be the big break she’s been waiting for. But the idea of having an in-house show on a regular basis is a whole other matter. Their lives would be turned upside down, and convincing Mia, her best friend and head chef of Seduction, that having cameras in her kitchen every day is a good idea is daunting. Still, Riley knows it’s an opportunity she can’t afford to pass on. And when she meets Trevor Cooper, the show’s executive producer, she’s stunned by their intense chemistry.

Trevor’s sole intention is to persuade Riley to allow Best Bites TV to do a show on her restaurant. But when he walks into Riley’s office, he stops dead in his tracks. The professional, aloof woman on the phone is incredibly beautiful and funny. But can he convince her that he’s interested in Riley for himself? Or is he using the undeniable pull between them to persuade her to agree to his offer?

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Pre-order your copy today!

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

 

And Don’t Miss the First Three Novels in the Fusion Series, LISTEN TO ME, CLOSE TO YOU, and BLUSH FOR ME!

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#CoverReveal “Drunk Dial” by Penelope Ward

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We are excited to bring you the upcoming standalone from New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Penelope Ward.

DRUNK DIAL will release on AUGUST 21!

Synopsis:

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

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Look up Landon Roderick, that boy from childhood whom I’d never been able to forget—even though he so easily forgot about me—and call him.

Then again, anything sounds like a good idea when you’ve had a little too much wine before bed, right? It was supposed to be just a quick, meaningless, prank call. Instead, I went off on him—unloading thirteen years of pent-up emotions.

I didn’t think he’d call me back.

I certainly could never have anticipated the weeks of sexually tense phone conversations that followed as I got to know the man he’d become.

Turned out, Landon had never really forgotten me, either. That special connection we had was still there. I opened up to him, but there were also things about me he didn’t know. And he had his own secrets.

Over the countless hours we talked on the phone, I wondered what would happen if we actually saw each other. One night, I did something impulsive again. Only this time, I went to the airport and booked a ticket to California. We were about to find out if one phone call could bring two lost souls together or if my drunk dial really was all just a big mistake.

A complete STANDALONE.

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(No Amazon e-book preorder. Will go live on/around release day.) Continue Reading →

#ReleaseBlitz “Hard Love” by Joanne Schwehm

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Title: Hard Love
Author: Joanne Schwehm
Genre: Contemporary Romance Standalone

Release Date: July 18, 2017

My musings…

4 Romantic CROWNS

Hard Love by Joanne Schwehm is my first introduction to this author, and I have to say I adored the old-school romance feel of the whole story.

Noah Winston is really the perfect hero.  Even though he comes from troubled parents, he is incredibly well adjusted. He takes care of the heroine, but not in a controlling way.  He is a gentleman to the core, and he uses his immense wealth to make her happy. Noah also has lines for days, and they read authentically.  I swear this man made me swoon a million times over the course of this book.

Margo, who also comes from wealth, is venturing out from under the safety net of her parents’s fortune to make a name for herself by doing something she is passionate about. She is fiercely protective over those she loves, and seeing her come to the defense of her favorite people only wins major points for this heroine in the eyes of readers. She is more guarded with Noah over a specific interaction that occurred between them  in the past, and while some readers may find her inability to move on from it frustrating, others will be okay with it because it is human nature to hold onto things that have hurt us or embarrassed us.  This attribute made her relatable and likable.

There are not a lot of bumps in the road of love for Noah and Margo, but there are two aspects of their story that I really love. The first is the chemistry the author creates between them.  This is not an overly steamy novel, a lot of fade to black or just hints as to what happens, but I didn’t need it. Their love and their relationship is enough. The romance and the connection kept me reading because I got enough intimacy outside of the bedroom that I didn’t need more in it.  The other part of their story that I love is the idea of compromising. The idea that when you love someone, you are willing to change and evolve together to create a future that fits you both. It really spoke to real-world romance versus the often-romanticized version we read.

I really enjoyed this novel from Ms. Schwehm, and I am looking forward to her next book. I am kind of hoping some of Noah’s friends will make an appearance again.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review. Continue Reading →

#ReleaseBlitz “Stubborn as a Mule” by Juliette Poe

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STUBBORN AS A MULE

The Sex and Sweet Tea Series

by Juliette Poe

Release Day – July 20

Synopsis:

Down in Whynot, NC, there are three things that hold true: 1) life moves just a little bit slower, 2) family means everything, and 3) you don’t mess with history.

When his family decides to sell a home that’s been part of their history for over a century, Lowe Mancinkus is madder than a hornet. To add insult to injury, the woman who purchased it is some fancy pants, city girl looking to fix it up and sell it off. Doesn’t matter that she’s sexy as hell or that just being near her gets his blood racing like never before. That home belongs to his family, or at least it did until she came to town.

Well that just won’t do, now will it?

From the moment that she laid eyes on the historical home in rural North Carolina, Melinda Rothschild knew Mainer House was something special. The perfect escape from life in New York City, Melinda signed the papers and set to work restoring the house to its natural beauty. That is until an angry Lowe showed up on her doorstep one day. With a scowl on his handsome, chiseled face. And a shotgun in his strong, muscular arms.

Is it getting hot in here?

Melinda’s about to get a lesson on life in the south, but Lowe is about to learn a lesson of his own – this city girl doesn’t back down from a fight.

 Get your copy today!

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo

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#ReleaseBlitz “Unconventional” Isabel Love

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Title: Unconventional

Author: Isabel Love

Genre: Erotic Romance

Release Date: July 20, 2017

Synopsis: 

Happily ever after—what a joke! I tried that once and ended up divorced.

Now, I only want one thing from men.

Charlie Nelson is good at giving me that one thing. Really, really good.

 

So good, in fact, I discovered a new side of myself.

I never knew I liked to watch until I saw his talented hands touching someone else.

I never knew I liked to be watched until I felt his searing gaze on me.

 

Maybe happily ever after isn’t always a white picket fence, wedding bells, and 2.5 kids.

Maybe it’s something a bit more…unconventional.

*Warning: Contains dirty talk, piercings and hot threesomes.

Intended for readers over 18 years of age.

 Add to Goodreads

Get your copy of Unconventional today!

Amazon US ♦ Amazon UK ♦ Amazon CA ♦ Amazon AU

B&N ♦ Kobo ♦ iBooks

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#CoverReveal “Hard Wood” by Lauren Blakely

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HARD WOOD is coming October 23, 2017! A standalone romance told from the male Point-of-View, HARD WOOD is the final hot and hilarious book in the Big Rock series. Pre-order your copy today! Kindle users—stay tuned for the preorder right before release! And don’t miss the hot, new cover below!

Cover Design by Helen Williams with Photography by Wander Aguiar Photography

About HARD WOOD:

Women often say a good man is hard to find. And a hard man is even better.

That’s why I’m quite a catch— good, hard, loaded, and wait for it…I’m ready to settle down too. But the woman I want to pitch my tent with is precisely the one I need to stay far away from.

After that fantastic night with Mia Summers, I’m ready to give her many more. But there’s a hitch in my plans — she just hired my company. If there’s one thing I’m committed to, it’s running a squeaky clean adventure tour business. One of the iron-clad rules?

Don’t screw your customers.

I can follow my own guidelines. After all, it’s only a week-long trip with Mia and her employees over the trails and down the hills I guide them on. I can obey the rules—even if it’s hard in the woods.

I’m about to give myself a badge of honor when the storm of the century hits, sending everyone else running for cover, but us—my biggest temptation and me, alone for a long weekend. You don’t screw the client, especially when you’re already in love with her . . .

But what’s a guy to do when she’s so hard to resist?

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PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

✦ iBooks ✦ Barnes & Noble ✦ Kobo ✦ Google Play ✦ Amazon

✦ Kindle Preorder alert (via Lauren’s newsletter)  

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#ReleaseBlitz “The Scottish Bride” by Marquita Valentine

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The Scottish Bride

By Marquita Valentine

Publication Date: July 11th, 2017

Genre: Contemporary Romance

ScottishBride Amazon

Synopsis:

Tired of waiting for her older brother’s best friend to come to his senses, Cadence Romanov travels to New York City in order to bring Maddox home. But seeing him again opens up raw wounds of abandonment. Refusing to be easily led by him again, she runs away to Holland Springs, but not before leaving him a note as to where she’s going. This time, it’s all up to him to win her back.

After one reckless night ends in tragedy, Scottish rugby player Maddox Stewart turned his back on his former life, leaving everything behind, including Cadence… until she tracks him down and demands answers. As soon as Maddox sees her, he knows that nothing has changed between them and there’s nothing he won’t do to have her again. Forced to confront his demons, Maddox must find a way to forgive himself and win back his wife.

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Get your copy today for only $.099 (limited time)!

Amazon US ♦ Amazon UK ♦ iBooks ♦ Nook ♦ Kobo

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#ReleaseBlitz & #MBreview “Fractured Love” by Ella James

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EJFracturedLoveLIVE
Welcome to the Release of

 My musings…

4 FRACTURED CROWNS

Fractured Love is another romantic tale of two people who have limits placed on their relationship, preventing them from being together during the time period they originally meet.  It is filled with love, heartbreak, and reconciliation, all the makings of a good romance.

Landon is such a broken young man when readers meet him, and yet he has this strength beneath the surface to help him endure. As a young man, we see how being abandoned has changed him, and we get to see how being with Evie brings him a calm and a sense of home.  Ella James also rewards readers as we get to see what has become of him as an adut, and he really does become a good man.

Evie is a little naive and innocent when we meet her.  Meeting Landon is what makes her, for the first time, choose to “break the rules,” so to speak. She is then placed in an incredible predicament, and she tries to make the best choice for herself and all those involved.  Only later, will she have to pay the price for what occurred in her past. Readers, though, will forgive her for what she has done because of her age and the situation she was thrust into.

My absolute favorite part of this story is when they are younger.  Ella James begins their story in the present and then flashbacks back to their youth.  Here is where we really get to see and learn about Landon and Evie.  We get to see how they struggle to repress their feelings, and how, at the end of the day, they are just too drawn to each other.  We get to see the pain and the struggle they endure after their discovery, and it is heartbreaking because their love seems so pure and real during these years. When the author brings us back to the present, Evie and Landon are rekindling their relationship, and while I enjoyed them as adults, for me, they lost some of the magic that existed when they were younger.  They finally have to deal with their past and how it will affect their future, but I just wanted more of that magic I felt for the first half of the book.  I did, however, enjoy the pacing of the story and the development of the conflict. They are adults when dealing with the fallout, and I appreciate that. I also enjoy that she gives them peace, not just in their relationship but in all aspects of their lives by the end of the novel.

The Off-Limits series is such a unique idea. I love how all of these stories deal with characters who shouldn’t, in society’s eyes, be together, and that they are kept apart by these proclamations.  Yet, Ella James finds a way to make them work, for these characters to find a way, even if it is years later, to make it together, which really is the essence of true romance.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.  Continue Reading →

#BlogTour “The Darkest Sunrise” by Aly Martinez

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Welcome to our blog tour stop for The Darkest Sunrise by Aly Martinez. It is the first book in a contemporary romance duet, and is it available to read for FREE on KindleUnlimited.

 

Be sure to follow Aly’s newsletter for exclusive news about the duet.

 My musings…

5+ Words Hurt CROWNS

Aly Martinez completely blew me away with the first book in The Darkest Sunrise Duet. The pain and heartbreak of the characters is raw and painful to witness, but she found a way to infuse beauty into the darkest aspects of their story, throwing glimpses of light and hope for a better future.

Charlie and Porter have a past filled with cataclysmic events, and while neither is the same, they have both suffered immensely as a result.  As expected, these tragedies have affected who they are and how they live.  But when they encounter each other, they recognize the darkness within each other. This recognition of the sameness within themselves serves as the catalyst for their relationship, and the way the author depicts their sadness and loss is poignant and real.  The readers can feel their pain and empathize with them.

The chemistry and the connection between these two characters is potent. They are drawn to each other and find peace and comfort in each others arms, and this is more than they ever could have hoped for. While there are some steamy scenes between these two, it is not at the forefront of this story.  Living in the dark while trying to find the light is what drives this prose, and it is absolutely enough the sustain the romance.

The pacing of this story is brilliant. Because it is a duet, readers should already be aware the author is going to leave the them with a cliff hanger, but the break in the story is at a natural pause and will only serve to leave readers dying to get their hands on the next one. The author uses book one to flush out the characters, showing the depth of their sadness and despair. She also uses book one to highlight how these characters are attempting to heal and move forward. Through her words, readers to get to witness true and unselfish love, and while it is tragic at times, there is beauty in it as well.

Aly Martinez has created something beautiful with The Darkest Sunrise. It is brilliant, filled with emotions that many experience but are unable to express, and she has given a voice not only to those who have similar experiences to the characters, but has also given them a sliver of light in the darkness.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

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#BlogTour “Beautiful Mistake” by Vi Keeland

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Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland

AVAILABLE NOW!

 My musings…

4.5 Musical Crowns

Beautiful Mistake has a different tone than most of Vi Keeland’s novels, and yet it is still just as riveting, conveying another fantastic romantic encounter between two complex and engaging characters.

Caine West has had a hard past, leaving him with a guilt that was weighed heavily on him. This obviously affects his perception of himself and how he interacts with others. It is clear, quickly, through his dealings with others and, more specifically, Rachel, that he isn’t as selfish as he thinks. Watching him come to terms with his past and how it affects his future is a heavier aspect of the story, but I enjoyed this change of pace.

Rachel also has a difficult past, and yet she has chosen to move on to a brighter future, taking that one moment and turning into a positive. She does hide aspects of her past in order to progress forward, and she has many emotional moments as a result of her temper, but she recognizes it and embraces that part of who she is.  Her understanding of who she is as well as her ability to accept and move on from her tragic past makes her an incredibly strong heroine.

The tone and topics addressed in Beautiful Mistake are of a more serious nature, but Vi Keeland doesn’t just toss readers into it. She entices readers with some comedic moments and the sexual tension between Cain and Rachel. When the more serious aspects of the story begin to be intertwined with the romance, it is done in a way that only enhances the connection between the two characters. The resolution to the story does happen quickly, and, although it didn’t need to be a long drawn out apology, the quick jump from apology to lust is abrupt. This, however, doesn’t detract from the story, and the resolution is absolute perfection, a blending of the past and future.

With Beautiful Mistake, Vi Keeland exemplifies her ability to write more than just rom-com, light-hearted stories. She can tackle and angst and serious issues that are just as entertaining and endearing.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review. Continue Reading →

#NewReleasae “The Unrequited” by Saffron A. Kent

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Title: The Unrequited

Author: Saffron A. Kent

Genre: Contemporary/Erotic Romance

Release Date: July 13, 2017

Synopsis:

Layla Robinson is not crazy. She is suffering from unrequited love. But it’s time to move on. No more stalking, no more obsessive calling.

What she needs is a distraction. The blue-eyed guy she keeps seeing around campus could be a great one—only he is the new poetry professor—the married poetry professor.

Thomas Abrams is a stereotypical artist—rude, arrogant, and broody—but his glares and taunts don’t scare Layla. She might be bad at poetry, but she is good at reading between the lines. Beneath his prickly façade, Thomas is lonely, and Layla wants to know why. Obsessively.

Sometimes you do get what you want. Sometimes you end up in the storage room of a bar with your professor and you kiss him. Sometimes he kisses you back like the world is ending and he will never get to kiss you again. He kisses you until you forget the years of unrequited love; you forget all the rules, and you dare to reach for something that is not yours.

NOTE: Please be aware that this book deals with sensitive topics like cheating and death. 18+ Only.

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Get your copy of The Unrequited today!

Amazon US ♦ Amazon UK ♦ Amazon CA ♦ Amazon AU 

Check out Saffron’s website – it has been updated and specifically made for THE UNREQUITED. Visit here

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#Sale “Nova” by Rebecca Yarros

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We’re so excited to be sharing this sale with you today! NOVA, the second standalone in Rebecca Yarros’s Renegades series, is on sale for $0.99 on all retailers for a limited time only. Hurry up and get it now!

About NOVA:

He’s got one shot to make it right…

He’s Landon Rhodes.

The Renegade they call Nova.

Sinfully gorgeous, broody, tatted-up, professional snowboarder.

They say a girl broke him once—

That’s why he’s so reckless, so driven, so careless with his conquests.

But I’m that girl.

They can call me his curse all they want.

He and I both know the truth—

He’s the one who destroyed me,

And I’m too smart to let that happen again.

5 CROWN REVIEW

Get NOVA now for just $0.99!

AMAZON / iBOOKS / B&N / KOBO

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