A MONSTER LIKE ME by Pamela Sparkman

Heart of Darkness series #2

HELLO STRANGER by Lisa Kleypas

The Ravenels series #4

THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT by Emma Scott

Companion to the Full Tilt series

PLAYING FOR KEEPS by Jill Shalvis

Heartbreaker Bay series #7

UNWRITTEN by Jen Frederick

Woodlands series #5

Cross My Heart by L.H. Cosway

Hearts series #5.75

MOONSHADOW by Thea Harrison

Moonshadow series #1

Friday, June 30, 2017

Release Blitz with Review: The Catch by K. Bromberg

      After an unexpected twist of fate, All-Star catcher Easton Wylder is left questioning the loyalty of everyone around him. Even the woman who shares his bed, Scout Dalton. But if Easton thought being uprooted to the last place he expected was the only challenge life had to throw at him, he was dead wrong. With an ailing shoulder and his career in limbo, his decision to make an unexpected change leads him to question everything – Scout’s love, family loyalties, and whether he can conquer the one obstacle he’s never been able to overcome. The secret he’s never shared with anyone. He may be a man pushed to his limits, but he’s hell-bent on proving his worth no matter the cost.  

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    Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00074]Baseball has never been sexier in an all-new novel by New York Times Bestselling Author, K. Bromberg. Easton Wylder is baseball royalty. The game is his life. His passion. His everything. So, when an injury threatens to end Easton’s season early, the team calls in renowned physical therapist, Doc Dalton, to oversee his recovery. Except it’s not Doc who greets Easton for his first session, but rather, his daughter, Scout. She may be feisty, athletic, defiant, and gorgeous, but Easton is left questioning whether she has what it takes to help him. Scout Dalton’s out to prove a female can handle the pressure of running the physical therapy regimen of an MLB club. And that proof comes in the form of getting phenom Easton Wylder back on the field. But getting him healthy means being hands-on. And with a man as irresistible as Easton, being hands-on can only lead to one thing, trouble. Because the more she touches him, the more she wants him, and she can’t want him. Not when it’s her job to maintain the club’s best interest, in regards to whether he’s ready to play. But when sparks fly and fine lines are crossed, can they withstand the heat, or is one of them bound to get burned?

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   HeadShot ColorNew York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines, and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love. A mom of three, she plots her novels in between school runs and soccer practices, more often than not with her laptop in tow. Since publishing her first book in 2013, K. has sold over one million copies of her books and has landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists over twenty-five times. In April, she’ll release The Player, the first in a two-book sports romance series (The Catch, book 2, will be released late June), with many more already outlined and ready to be written. She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media or sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date on all her latest releases and sales HERE Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon Author | Driven Group


Review






The Catch resumes the series right where the cliffhanger left off in The Player . Scout is stuck in an impossible position-torn between family obligation and an the man who means everything to her. Easton's career, her job security, and her father's lifelong dream all hang in the balance with one choice. With no time to debate or weigh the pros and cons, she did what she thought was best for everyone involved. And everything around her promptly started to crumble.

After finally healing from his injury, Easton was eager to step back into the game he loved so much. But nothing went at all as he had anticipated and he was left feeling lost, angry, and betrayed. He had no idea who he could trust, and for a while there, I wasn't sure myself. There was a mysterious quality to this book that I really enjoyed. Always left guessing over characters' intentions and whether they were hiding something. And make no mistake, there were plenty of secrets to be found. One a little too predictable, and others took me by surprise.

I did get frustrated with Easton in this installment. While a lot of his anger and frustration was completely warranted, I didn't particularly like that he was using Scout as his personal whipping boy. He came off as sulky and self-centered, not caring at all about what she was going through. He said some mean and nasty things to her, even after realizing that she had always only had his best interests at heart. When she put her own important life goals on the line in order to do what she thought was best for him. Luckily, he snapped out of his selfish behavior, and got his priorities straight.

“I love you.” And right there— three simple fucking words and I’m a dead man. A total goner to this woman who is a mess of contradictions and who unexpectedly stole my heart along the way.

Scout was a great heroine. Her loyalty to her father, and her determination to make his dreams a reality were really touching. She was willing to do whatever it took for him to be happy and at peace, even at the expense of her own happiness. But she also knew how to stand her ground against him, and speak her mind when he was being unfair to her. I also loved seeing how supportive she was of Easton when a certain truth came out about him that he had never trusted with anyone else. When that one secret was revealed, it was kind of like a key puzzle piece clicking into place. Several elements of the plot that had been foreshadowed very subtly became crystal clear. And it was really very heartbreaking what he had been dealing with for so long, all alone.

“I want to drown in you tonight, Scout. I want to forget the world, forget what’s going to happen tomorrow, and drown in everything about you, starting now.

The hero's treatment of the heroine wasn't my favorite and it wasn't just one isolated incident. So that did alter my rating because it started to grate on my nerves that he was treating her so unfairly. After she put everything she'd been working towards for so long on the line for him.

I can't get into the plot too much more, because of the twists involved. But overall, it was a decent conclusion to the duet. This couple had some really sweet and steamy moments, and I will say, there was never a dull moment. They had so much opposition against them, but they weathered everything together and came out the other end much stronger.

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Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Review: Raw Need by Cherrie Lynn



RAW NEED by Cherrie Lynn
SMP Swerve
Publication Date: June 27, 2017
Rating: 2 stars


Synopsis:

Zane Larson has done everything he set out to do: conquered past demons, saved lives through his music, and toured the world as the frontman for one of the most popular rock bands in the world. This life—and an escape through music—was supposed to be everything he’s ever wanted, but after meeting Rowan, Zane’s no longer sure…

Soon after her husband’s death, Rowan Dugas learned she was pregnant. With grief and uncertainty her only companions, Rowan was only able to find an escape through music; specifically Zane Larson’s hypnotic voice. But after meeting the sexy lead singer of her favorite band, Rowan can hardly believe he’s interested in her. But Zane also has a painful connection to her unborn child - Zane's brother is responsible for her husband's death.

Torn between the only family she has left, and a life with Zane unlike anything she’s dared to dream about, Rowan’s decision will change her fate forever. Raw Need from New York Times bestselling author Cherrie Lynn is a heart wrenching, emotionally intense story that will leave readers breathless.


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Review

It really pains me to have to rate this two stars. I loved Raw Deal so incredibly much, and couldn't wait to read Mike's brother Zane's book. Let's face it, it would have been so easy to get the first book wrong. Savannah's brother died during a fight with Mike, so falling in love with him is hard to wrap your mind around. They met at his funeral. And a friendship formed, evolving into a relationship over three months time. Sounds pretty unlikely, doesn't it? But honest to God, Cherrie Lynn made it work for me. It was handled delicately and the writing was filled with beauty. Unfortunately, I didn't end up feeling the same about this couple.

Zane is Mike's rockstar brother, and was introduced to Rowan in the previous book. Zane just happens to be her favorite music artist, and his songs have always been a source of comfort and inspiration.

He was her favorite singer. Ever. The music he made with his band, August on Fire, had gotten her through some of the worst times of her life, and by an insane stroke of fate, they’d become friends. But that stroke of fate had begun with her husband’s death.

After their first meeting at one of his concerts, they've kept in touch, and there was an unmistakable attraction on his part. But knowing that she is a very recent widow who is also pregnant on top of that, he knew that pursuing her wasn't in the cards at that time.

My first problem with the plot was the speed in which he asked her out. Their first dinner date occured four months after the love of her life passed away, and she went because Zane is her idol. Not because she was past her grieving, or was simply attracted to him as a man. No, because she was starstruck over his persona and spending time with him was like a fangirl's dream come true. To me, it didn't feel like she even saw him as an individual. And honestly, it made me feel uncomfortable to see a pregnant woman who is still very much recovering from the loss of her husband, lusting after her favorite celebrity.

I think it would have been so much better for multiple reasons if the author had pushed the story forward in time to give the heroine a chance to heal and get her head straight. As it was written, Rowan swings dizzily from indecision, to guilt, to longing. And back again. One minute she was giving Zane a small bit of encouragement, the next pushing him away in guilt. Her mixed feelings lasted far into the book, until I started to get whiplash with her decision making process. And when you think about it, that makes sense, because she started things with him way too early. How could she know what she wanted or what she should want? Maybe that's my problem for not wanting to read that kind of conflict. I wanted something that felt authentic between them, and it only ever felt stiff and forced.

I’m in my cocoon, and you can’t tear me out no matter how badly you want to.

Zane was actually a fantastic guy for the most part. He tried to be the support system for Rowan that she didn't have from anyone else. Her late husband's family tried to be there for her, but all they managed to do was stifle her in concern, and crowd her into doing things she wasn't comfortable with. With him, she had someone who just listened and comforted. Someone who understood the type of pain she was trying to work through. Zane had his own dark past with his mother that still affected him to this day. His music was his one escape and very cathartic for him, and that's probably why she connected so easily with his songs. She recognized the emotion of the songs in herself.

It was him. It was the juxtaposition of security and danger. The way he looked at her, the way he knew her when he shouldn’t. He made her feel like everything was fine when nothing was fine. Calm in the middle of crazy. Right in the middle of so much wrong.

Her meddling family was an added conflict causing tension between them. On one hand, I could understand them being protective of her and the only link left to Tommy after he passed. On the other, Savannah and Mike particularly was being a bit hypocritical in trying to tell them that they should stay away from each other. Considering they were in a very similar situation when they fell in love, how did they have any room to judge?

There were some sweet parts mixed in, but as a whole, I just didn't feel this couple as I should have. And two particular actions by the heroine after a string of indecision on her part was kind of the last straw for me. It was incredibly frustrating.

This second book in the Larson Brothers series missed the mark for me for the most part, but I'm still very intrigued to read Damien's book Raw Heat in September. He's always been the most enigmatic and intense brother of the bunch, and I'd be interested to see who he ends up with.


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Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Release Blitz: Raw Need by Cherrie Lynn




RAW NEED by Cherrie Lynn
SMP Swerve
Publication Date: June 27, 2017
ISBN: 9781250126375; Price: $3.99





Synopsis:

Zane Larson has done everything he set out to do: conquered past demons, saved lives through his music, and toured the world as the frontman for one of the most popular rock bands in the world. This life—and an escape through music—was supposed to be everything he’s ever wanted, but after meeting Rowan, Zane’s no longer sure…

Soon after her husband’s death, Rowan Dugas learned she was pregnant. With grief and uncertainty her only companions, Rowan was only able to find an escape through music; specifically Zane Larson’s hypnotic voice. But after meeting the sexy lead singer of her favorite band, Rowan can hardly believe he’s interested in her. But Zane also has a painful connection to her unborn child - Zane's brother is responsible for her husband's death.

Torn between the only family she has left, and a life with Zane unlike anything she’s dared to dream about, Rowan’s decision will change her fate forever. Raw Need from New York Times bestselling author Cherrie Lynn is a heart wrenching, emotionally intense story that will leave readers breathless.


Excerpt

Zane took her hand and helped her from the car after opening her door. He’d done that all night, and while she hadn’t needed it, she found she loved it. He didn’t let her go even as they strolled up the walkway to her front door, pausing on her front porch. She missed the warmth of his hand immediately when she had to dig her keys from her purse.

Except for hugs from family and friends, it had been a while since anyone touched her. Until tonight.

It had been much longer since anyone had awoken the kind of feelings she was experiencing right now, the zinging along her nerve endings, the weakness in the fronts of her thighs that she suspected had nothing to do with emotion and everything to do with him.

It’s okay, she thought, desperate to keep her eyes down on her task of digging in her purse though her keys were right there in sight, glinting under her porch light. He’s my fucking celebrity crush, of course I’m going to respond. It doesn’t mean anything.

“I want to kiss you,” he said, and she sucked in a breath and looked up at him in astonishment, keys forgotten. He was so close, so beautiful, something that could have formed from the surrounding shadows to steal her heart away. “But I won’t.” Even as reason coupled with disappointment flooded her, her involuntary reaction was to wet her lips. She could swear he noticed the response; his eyes darkened. “Unless you want me to.”

She did. God help her, she did. But . . . “It can’t mean anything,” she whispered.

“It doesn’t have to.”

She could do that, right? Just a kiss. A onetime, once-in-a-lifetime kiss. Maybe she was wrong and the chemistry wouldn’t be there. She would know it once and for all, no wondering “what if” after he went back home, no staying up nights imagining what he tasted like, knowing she’d had her chance to find out and refused it. “Okay,” she said, but since she figured he could barely hear her trembling voice, she nodded as well.

He stepped in. Rowan nearly jumped when the tips of his fingers tilted her chin up to receive him; he touched her nowhere else. At least not until he leaned forward, nestling his nose next to hers as his lips caught hers gently, sweetly. A shiver worked along her spine, raising the hair at her nape.

So much for no chemistry.

She wanted to open, to invite him deeper, but even as his fingertips slid toward her ear until he cupped her jaw in his palm, he only teased at her lips with his own. A touch, a brush. The sweetness of their shared dessert a ghost on his breath, he didn’t quest for any sort of entry, so careful not to do so that something broke in her weakly thudding heart, flooding her with heat.

Oh, fuck.

“His other hand grasped the doorframe beside her head; his beard tickled her delicate skin. Rowan’s hands ached to crawl up his body, but she clenched them tightly at her sides against the need, her nails biting crescent moons into her palms. This, just this. It was all she had to give right now.

Zane pulled away only slightly, his warm breath soft against her tingling lips. He’d barely touched her, barely even given her that taste of him. She wanted more, longed to drag him to her and take it, but when he stepped back, she had to let him. The tip of his thumb traced the line of her jaw all the way to her chin as he drew his hand away.




Author Bio

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cherrie Lynn has been a CPS caseworker and a juvenile probation officer, but now writes contemporary and paranormal romance on the steamy side, including Raw Deal. She's also an unabashed rock music enthusiast, and is fond of hitting the road with her husband to catch their favorite bands live. Cherrie lives in East Texas.


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Friday, June 23, 2017

Cover Reveal: The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross

   

With gorgeous description and detailed rendering of a world where not everything and everyone are what they seem, Rebecca Ross weaves an intricate tale of revenge, loyalty, and, ultimately, self-discovery. Don’t miss the beautiful cover for Rebecca Ross’s debut young adult fantasy, THE QUEEN’S RISING, and pre-order your copy today!

   

THE QUEEN’S RISING Synopsis:

When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.
Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.
With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

 

THE QUEEN’S RISING Pre-Order Links:

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  Rebecca Ross Bio: Rebecca Ross received her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Georgia. In the past, she has worked at a Colorado dude ranch, as a school librarian, and as a live-time captionist for a college. She resides in Northeast Georgia with her husband and her dog. THE QUEEN’S RISING is her debut novel. Visit her on the web at www.rebeccarossauthor.com or on Twitter @_RebeccaRoss.          

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Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Cover Reveal: The Time In Between by Kristen Ashley

   

From New York Times Bestselling author Kristen Ashley, comes the third and final book in her The Magdalene series—THE TIME IN BETWEEN—releasing August 29, 2017! Don’t miss the beautiful cover below, and pre-order your copy today!

   

About THE TIME IN BETWEEN (The Magdalene Series #3):

After a painful loss, Cady Moreland is coming to Magdalene to start the next chapter of her life. A chapter that began eighteen years ago but had a heartbreaking ending. The time in between was full of family and friendship, but Cady could never get the man she fell in love with all those years ago out of her heart.

Coert Yeager has learned to live without the girl who entered his life right when she shouldn’t and exited delivering a crippling blow he never would have suspected. The time in between was full of failing to find what he was missing…and life-altering betrayal.

But when that girl shows up in Magdalene and buys the town’s beloved lighthouse, even if Coert wants to avoid her, he can’t. A fire in town sparks a different kind of flame that won’t be ignored.

As Cady and Coert question the actions of the two young adults they once were thrown into earth-shattering circumstances, can they learn from what came in between and find each other again?

     

Preorder your copy of THE TIME IN BETWEEN today!

 

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And don’t miss the first titles in the The Magdalene Series!

THE WILL

SOARING

    About Kristen Ashley: Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA and nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorize and she hadn't taken her first breath!). Her mother said they took Kristen away, put her Mom back in her room, her mother looked out the window, and Gary was on fire (Dr. King had been assassinated four days before). Kristen's Mom remembered thinking it was the end of the world. Quite the dramatic beginning. Nothing's changed. Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana and has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus, she's blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her family was (is) loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. They all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched). Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up. And as she keeps growing, it keeps getting better.
 

Review: Stay by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy




Title: Stay
Series: WAGs #2 (Wives and Girlfriends)
Author: Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
Release date: June 20, 2017
Cliffhanger: No
Rating: 4 stars




Synopsis:

Can you fall in love with someone you've never even met?


Hailey Taylor Emery has a hunch that her favorite client at Fetch—an anonymous virtual assistant service—is actually hockey star Matt Eriksson.

Although it's against the rules for her to check his file, she's 95% sure she spends at least part of each day texting with her lifelong crush and catering to his every need. Still nursing a wounded heart thanks to her recent breakup, Hailey is perfectly content with some harmless online flirting... until she has to meet her client. Face to face. Cue: utter panic.

Matt Eriksson is no stranger to heartbreak. He's still not over the destruction of his marriage, and it sucks to be the only guy on the team who knows the truth—that hockey and long-term relationships are a toxic mix. He barely sees his kids, and dealing with his ex makes him feel insane. The only person in his life who seems to understand is someone who won't show her pretty face.

But it's nothing that a pair of fourth row hockey seats can't fix. Hailey can't resist the offer. Matt can't resist Hailey. Good thing he doesn't have to. Fire up the kiss cam!

Warning: Contains rabid hockey fans, misunderstood dick pics, hockey players at the opera and exploding ovaries.

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REVIEW

This book was just what I needed after the intense fantasy book I had just finished. It was just pure sexy, light and frothy fun. To be honest, since reading Good Boy, I wasn't especially excited about reading Matt's book. In fact, I could barely remember who he was. But it didn't take long for me to this was a special guy with a lot to offer.

The single dad trope is hot right now, but it's not one that particularly draws me. However, Matt's love and devotion to his twin daughters would melt even the most cynical reader's heart. But on top of that, he's just an all-around good guy. Instead of the typical athlete manwhore, what we have here is a man who isn't the slightest bit interested in partying and getting laid on a nightly basis. He's not egotistical, arrogant, or vain. And wow, was that ever refreshing.

Matt is nursing a lot of guilt over the dissolution of his marriage. His ex-wife and mother of his daughters never lets him forget that he was a failure as a husband. Not for a second. Constant time on the road away from his family was a big factor that caused the erosion of their happiness. So the last thing he is interested in is looking for a serious relationship with someone new. It's better off for everyone if he's single, because as far as he's concerned, he would only end up disappointing her. Being alone is a price he grudgingly accepts in order to play hockey and live his dream.

Hailey and her ex-husband are co-owners of the assistance service Fetch. Unlike Matt, she has a very amicable post divorce relationship with her former spouse. They were best friends first, and that's what they remained. At first I thought it was extremely odd and awkward for them to continue to run a business together and see each other on a daily basis. And yes, it might have been a little uncomfortable at times. But overall, it was admirable to see how they could handle themselves with maturity and class. They just realized that their love was not of the romantic or passionate kind and moved forward.

Jackson and I were pals forever. Then we were a couple . One day in high school he kissed me instead of hugging me goodbye . And that was that.

Hailey is highly inexperienced when it comes to men. As in...she's never been with anyone except her ex-husband. So when her athlete crush Matt Eriksson starts using Fetch, their messages online were the perfect safe buffer to ease her into putting herself out there. In their IMs, she can banter with the best of them and hold her own. But get her face to face and it was a whole other story with him. It took her a little while to ease into a comfortable spot with him in order for her to be herself. But I loved how understanding and sweet he was about her nervousness. He made it his goal to not only make her feel comfortable, but confident.

The poor girl needs to get her mojo back, and I’ve decided I’m the man for the job. Just call me Matt the Mojo Maker.

Matt and Hailey had a very straightforward, low drama relationship and I really enjoyed that. His real conflict was in letting go of his guilt and finding a way to balance his career and personal life. There was some minor conflict with both of their exes, but nothing unpleasant or frustrating. As their romance blossomed, she got to meet the WAGs, Matt's teammates, and spent time with his adorable daughters. The story was so charming, and to be honest, much sexier than I had anticipated for some reason. Matt came out of nowhere and cranked up the heat on Hailey like you wouldn't believe.

This fantastic author team really impressed me with the first in the series, but I think this is my new favorite of the two. If you haven't started them yet, don't hesitate! After the hint at the end about who's in line for the next book, I'm more than a little intrigued and ready to sign on for more.

All I know is that I love every second I spend with Matt. He’s so… real. Warm and gorgeous and funny and how the hell did I ever get so lucky?


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