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

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Release Blitz with Giveaway: Promise to Defend by Diana Gardin


Title: PROMISE TO DEFEND 
Series: Rescue Ops Series Book 2
Author: Diana Gardin 
Publication date: September 12, 2017
Publisher: Forever Yours 




Synopsis

By saving her, he might just save himself...

I'm broken. I have been for seven years. Ever since my wife was murdered while I was deployed overseas. I was protecting our country, but I should have been protecting her. I haven't looked at another woman since--but then Olive Alexander crossed my path. She stirs up feelings I thought were long dead. So when her house is ransacked after she receives a threatening message, I know I have to step in and keep her safe. I failed my wife, but I won't fail Olive. Unfortunately, Olive isn't exactly ready to accept my help...

With her sexy-as-sin pencil skirts and sleek ponytails, Olive clearly doesn't let anything--or anyone--mess up her perfectly ordered life. But years spent working as a special ops soldier has taught me how to read people... and I know Olive is hiding something. When my covert mission for Night Eagle Security collides with Olive's past, I'll have to get her to open up--or risk losing her. And losing Olive is not an option. If she's in danger, I'll defend her...even if it costs me my life.

Buy the Book!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ty8lze
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2uSpzXF
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2tUs6mU
iBooks: http://apple.co/2tygPGw
Google: http://bit.ly/2tQsKlC




About the Author


Diana Gardin is a wife of one and a mom of two. Writing is her second full time job to that, and she loves it! Diana writes contemporary romance in the Young Adult and New Adult categories. She's also a former Elementary school teacher. She loves steak, sugar cookies, and Coke and hates working out.



Social Media Links

www.dianagardin.com

www.twitter.com/DianaLynnGardin

Add Promise to Defend to your shelf on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2tZXSzA
Follow Diana Gardin on BookBub: http://bit.ly/2qTz21J
Follow Diana Gardin on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2rltvT3



Giveaway

Enter to win 1 of 15 free ebook downloads of Promise to Defend! 

Monday, September 11, 2017

Review: Hate to Love You by Tijan


Title: Hate to Love You
Series: Standalone
Author: Tijan
Release date: August 28, 2017
Cliffhanger: No
Rating: 2 stars

Synopsis:

Rule #1: No hot guys.
It might sound ridiculous. I get it. It kind of is, but college was supposed to be my sanctuary. It was my place to start over. The rumors, the whispers, and the jealousy I endured through high school would all be gone.
No one would know me at college.

Rule #2: No drama.
I’d major in pre-law. I’d make a few loyal friends. Everything would be easy breezy. No one was going to use me or hurt me. I wouldn’t let them.

Rule #3: New year. New place. New me.
Right?
Wrong.
And all because of Shay Coleman.

Football captain and quarterback, he was the big guy on campus. The cocky guy in my political science class with a smirk. I hated him on sight . . .

. . . and he was about to break all my rules.


Review

Hate to Love You was my first read by Tijan, and while I would be willing to give another one a shot, I think this one just wasn't the best choice for me. My main grievance was the heroine. I tried to like her, I really did. But I struggled with her for pretty much the entire book. Her actions were so over the top and aggressive and she rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning.

I came off as a bitch, but trust me. There was a reason. I’d learned it was better to start swinging first than to get hit by someone else, metaphorically speaking.

It's one thing to be a strong woman who doesn't take abuse or crap from others. Who stands up for herself and speaks her mind. But it's another thing to go on the attack when no one has any ill will toward you. Or lash out immaturely when you're unable to handle your emotions. Kennedy had shields up a mile wide and high. Not only against Shay from the moment she set eyes on him, but other girls at Dulane who she deemed weren't worth her time. She calls herself a loner, but what she's really doing is prejudging everyone who comes in contact with her, and finding them wanting.

Shay Coleman was another Parker Stanson, my ex. That angry thought chased another one— fuck Parker and fuck Shay Coleman.

As the book wears on, she gives quite a few hints that she's been burned badly by her ex boyfriend in high school and mean girls who treated her like trash. And while that's unpleasant, and I felt for her, it just never excused the way she was behaving. I was waiting for some huge revelation regarding how her ex traumatized her, and when she finally told her tale, it was confusing more than anything. All it did was reinforce my opinion that she was behaving very immaturely. The scene where (view spoiler)

Kennedy kept reiterating how much she hated Shay. How much he hated her, how she didn't even like his personality. When clearly it was a flat out lie to herself in order to keep him at a distance. I know this is touted as a enemies to lovers book, but at no point did I feel as if either genuinely hated the other or were enemies. Shay would let her hurl insults at him, brush it off, and intentionally tease her to ruffle her feathers. It was obvious he was only biding his time until he could wear down her resistance. But...why? I wasn't quite sure. Any time he tried to show her kindness, she'd lash out and talk trash about him.

He was being a fucking decent human? Fuck him. I didn’t need his kindness or his concern. I didn’t need the moments when he’d show up to mess with me, or bring me coffee and ask me to sit in his Jeep with him. Those moments might’ve messed with another girl’s head, but not me. He was another Parker. I’d just forgotten for a brief second. I wouldn’t again.

I found the amount of conflicts to be OTT. Just one of them would have been more realistic and focused. The last one in particular was vaguely foreshadowed in between the main issues. But nothing happened until the last 15-18% and we are just bombarded with no time for a realistically drawn out climax and resolution. And speaking of last minute, I didn't think that Shay and Kennedy's serious getting to know one another chat should have happened 7% before the end of the story. Kennedy was extremely insecure about their relationship, and needing reassurance about him because she didn't even feel as if she knew him. When you have to ask your boyfriend, "Who are you?" that late in the game because your interactions have centered around lust, then there's a real problem.

Now, that being said, even though I listed a lot of frustration, one thing that stood out in a positive light was undoubtedly Shay Coleman. This hero was everything you could ask for and more. Which made me a little sad that he settled for this girl who couldn't seem to treat him with the respect he deserved. I gave this a two, because unfortunately it was just okay for me. The heroine and the romance were sadly lacking for me personally. But if you're a big NA sports romance fan, this could very well work out much better than it did for me. I urge you to give it a chance if it sounds like it's a good fit for you.


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Thursday, September 7, 2017

Blog Tour: Hate to Love You by Tijan

SBPRBanner-HTLY-BT

Hate to Love You, an all-new standalone from New York Times Bestseller Tijan is available NOW!

HATETOLOVEYOUFINALCOVER2

Hate to Love You by Tijan Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: August 28th

Rule #1: No hot guys.
It might sound ridiculous. I get it. It kind of is, but college was supposed to be my sanctuary. It was my place to start over. The rumors, the whispers, and the jealousy I endured through high school would all be gone.
No one would know me at college.
Rule #2: No drama.
I’d major in pre-law. I’d make a few loyal friends. Everything would be easy breezy. No one was going to use me or hurt me. I wouldn’t let them.
Rule #3: New year. New place. New me.
Right?
Wrong.
And all because of Shay Coleman.
Football captain and quarterback, he was the big guy on campus. The cocky guy in my political science class with a smirk. I hated him on sight . . .
. . . and he was about to break all my rules.

Excerpt:

I was almost grinning from delight as I shoved open the back door. If I hit him, hey, all was fair in the war we were fighting of who could piss each other off the best.

It didn’t.

He was leaning against the wall, the back of his head resting on the brick, and he looked over to smirk at me. “I want to see your room.”

I thrust my hand out. “I’ll take those notes.”

That smirk just widened. He patted his bag and pushed off from the wall. “They’re in my email. I need to get on a computer.” He patted my arm and moved past me, heading inside. “I can use yours.”

“Hey!” I followed him in.

He was looking up the stairs. “Sabrina said you were on the fourth floor. You saw my place. I want to see yours. It’s only fair.”

He wasn’t waiting for my go-ahead. He was already up and rounding second floor to third. He’d be at my floor before I could get there. “Stop! I am not okay with this.”

He was at the third-floor door. He glanced down with that same goddamn smirk. “Better tell me which room or I’m going to hang out in the hallway.”

“Why are you always smirking? Is it permanently attached to your face?”

“What room, Clarke?” He was at my hallway door.

Fucking hell. I gritted my teeth. “Wait. Just wait. My door automatically locks.”

He’d opened the door but let it shut. Waiting as I covered the last set of stairs, I refused to let him see me panting. I stood there, purposely holding my breath until he narrowed his eyes and cocked his head to the side. “Breathe, Clarke. You’re going to pass out.”

I almost burped out the small pocket of air I’d been holding. “I hate you so much.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He waved that off. “We get it. Eternal damnation in hell, the whole shebang. Whatever.” He nodded to the door. “Stop stalling. I want to see your room.”

I was picturing pitchforks and fire. Maybe that was the burning smell he mentioned. It was hell, and all the fire in there. I yanked the door, glaring as I did. “Was this Sabrina’s idea?”

“Nope. All mine.” He was right behind me. I could feel his breathing. “She refused to tell me your room number, said I had to call.”

My eyes widened at the thought of him coming up by himself, strolling down the hallway, and then knocking on my door. Good Lordy gracious. Too many would’ve seen him at my door. I would’ve been the talk of the dorm.

I shuddered, unlocked, and entered my room.

TIJAN-HTLY-AN KU

Read Today!

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2rwVniM


HTLY-Teaser2

About Tijan:

Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and the Broken and Screwed Series among others. She is currently writing a new YA series along with so many more from north Minnesota where she lives with a man she couldn’t be without and an English Cocker she adores. To find what to read next of hers, go to www.tijansbooks.com WALL STREET JOURNAL, NEW YORK TIMES, AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

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  Connect with Tijan:

Stay up to date with Tijan by signing up for her newsletter here: https://goo.gl/9GxnKU

Monday, September 4, 2017

Release Blitz with Excerpt and Giveaway: Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel

 
Hello Readers! Welcome to the Release Week Blitz for
Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel
presented by Entangled Teen!
Grab your copy today!
 
Congratulations Meg!
 
 
 


A simple but forgotten truth: Where harbingers of death appear, the morgues will soon be full.

Angie Dovage can tell there’s more to Reece Fernandez than just the tall, brooding athlete who has her classmates swooning, but she can’t imagine his presence signals a tragedy that will devastate her small town. When something supernatural tries to attack her, Angie is thrown into a battle between good and evil she never saw coming. Right in the center of it is Reece—and he’s not human. What's more, she knows something most don't. That the secrets her town holds could kill them all. But that’s only half as dangerous as falling in love with a harbinger of death.


Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel Publisher: Entangled Teen Publication Date: September 5, 2017

 
 
His soft voice clashes with the intensity of his gaze. “You’re adorable when you’re trying to be mad at me. You needn’t work so hard at it, though. We aren’t meant to be adversaries.”
“I, um…” My thoughts disband, leaving nothing for communication purposes. I’m adorable? Adorable has many definitions. I think my dog is adorable, for example. “That…wasn’t what I was going to ask you.”
He inclines his head. “Okay, then. Ask.”
But that “adorable” echoes through me, clinking around like a penny down a well. “What are we meant to be, then?”
His lips curls up at the corners. “That wasn’t your question, either.”
 
 
 
Meg Kassel is an author of paranormal and speculative books for young adults. A New Jersey native, Meg graduated from Parson's School of Design and worked as a graphic designer before becoming a writer. She now lives in Maine with her husband and daughter and is busy at work on her next novel. She is the 2016 RWA Golden Heart© winner in YA.

 
Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!
 
 
 

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Blog Tour: Elliot Redeemed by Scarlett Cole





ELLIOTT REDEEMED by Scarlett Cole 

A single mom and tortured musician find common ground in Scarlett Cole's REDEEMED, the second standalone romance about the band PRELOAD. Elliott “Pyro” Dawson has a past he's fought like hell to overcome and Kendalee Walker is at her wits end and homeless. Will Kendale provide the family Elliott has never had or will dangerous habits prove to strong? Readers will savor this dark, sexy rockstar romance.

We are excited to share with you the highly anticipated second installment of Scarlett Cole’s Preload series, ELLIOTT REDEEMED. Don't miss out on this smoking-hot rockstar romance! Follow along with the tour for excerpts, guest posts, reviews, and a chance to win a Preload Bundle!



Synopsis:

A single mom and tortured musician find common ground in Scarlett Cole's Elliott Redeemed, the second standalone romance about the band Preload.

Elliott “Pyro” Dawson burns up the lead guitar like a legend. But the nickname Pyro isn’t just a clever play on words. It’s much darker. A past he's fought like hell to overcome.

Grocery store cashier Kendalee Walker is at her wits end and homeless. She's watched her fourteen-year-old son, Daniel, go so far off the rails, he can no longer see the tracks.

When the two are brought together, attraction flares, but can Elliott find the family he never had with the sexy woman and her son, or will he fall back on dangerous habits?


Buy Now: Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N 




Enter to win a Preload Bundle!
(Signed paperback copies of JORDAN RECLAIMED & ELLIOTT REDEEMED + $10 Amazon Gift Card)












ELLIOTT REDEEMED Excerpt

Copyright © 2017 Scarlett Cole



He lay down on the bed and pulled her into his arms before tugging the bedding over the two of them. It was a little damp in places because of all their ice play, and he smiled at the reminder. “What I am into is finding out what the person I’m with wants to try. I’m into good old missionary on a Sunday morning when I’m hungover and just want to get off. I’m into sex in a field while hiking or on the deck of my cottage. Some days, I’m into trying a hundred different positions before getting off. I’m into cuffs and toys and exploring. I’m not into being called Sir, or hurting someone, or expecting submission. I just want to explore, and I want to find someone who wants to do that with me.”

“Hmm.”

“Hmm? What are you into?” he asked, kissing her forehead.

“It would appear to be you. I’m into you, Elliott. And missionary position. And outdoor sex. And a hundred positions. And I’d really like to figure out whether a reverse cowgirl is really a thing.”

Elliott barked out a laugh. “Reverse cowgirl?”

Kendalee chuckled. “Yeah. Like . . . your . . . you know . . . it doesn’t naturally bend that way, right?”

“Oh Lord, woman. It’s got quite the range of movement, but next up, we’re going reverse cowgirl.”

They lay in silence, and Elliott clicked off the light.

“Elliott?”

“Yeah, Lee.”

“Don’t make me fall in love with you. I’m not sure my heart is quite ready for it yet.”

His own heart skipped a beat at her declaration.

Because it meant she was thinking about it. About him, that way.

“Can’t help you with that one, honey. It’s probably the only thing I can’t do for you.”

Kendalee sighed against him, burrowing closer into his side. “Thought so.”

Elliott smiled as he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.



About Scarlett Cole




The tattoo across my right hip says it all really. A Life Less Ordinary. Inked by the amazingly talented Luke Wessman at the Wooster Street Social Club (a.k.a. New York Ink). Why is it important? Well, it sums up my view on life. That we should all aspire to live a life that is less boring, less predictable. Be bold, and do something amazing. I’ve made some crazy choices. I’ve been a car maker, a consultant, and even a senior executive at a large retailer running strategy. Born in England, spent time in the U.S. and Japan, before ending up in Canada were I met my own, personal hero – all six and a half feet of him. Both of us are scorpios! Yeah, I know! Should have checked the astrological signs earlier, but somehow it works for us. We have two amazing kids, who I either could never part with or could easily be convinced to sell on e-bay.

I’ve wanted to be a writer for a really long time. Check through my office cupboards or my computer and you’ll find half written stories and character descriptions everywhere. Now I'm getting the chance to follow that dream.

Connect with Scarlett: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter







Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Cover Re-Reveal: How We Deal With Gravity by Ginger Scott

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HOW WE DEAL WITH GRAVITY by Ginger Scott is getting a new look! Check it out!



How We Deal With Gravity by Ginger Scott
NA Contemporary Romance
Blurb:
When her son Max was diagnosed with autism, Avery Abbot’s life changed forever. Her husband left, and her own dreams became a distant fantasy—always second to fighting never-ending battles to make sure Max was given opportunity, love and respect. Finding someone to fight along her side wasn’t even on her list, and she’d come to terms with the fact that she could never be her own priority again.

But a familiar face walking into her life in the form of 25-year-old Mason Street had Avery’s heart waging a war within. Mason was a failure. When he left his hometown five years ago, he was never coming back—it was only a matter of time before his records hit the billboard charts. Women, booze and rock-n-roll—that was it for him. But it seemed fate had a different plan in mind, and with a dropped record contract, little money and nowhere to go, Mason turned to the only family that ever made him feel home—the Abbots.

Avery loved Mason silently for years—until he broke her heart…completely. But time and life have a funny way of changing people, and sometimes second chances are there for a reason. Could this one save them both?


About the Author:


Ginger Scott is an Amazon-bestselling and Goodreads Choice Award-nominated author of several young and new adult romances, including Waiting on the Sidelines, Going Long, Blindness, How We Deal With Gravity, This Is Falling, You and Everything After, The Girl I Was Before, Wild Reckless, Wicked Restless, In Your Dreams, The Hard Count, Hold My Breath, A Boy Like You and A Girl Like Me.

A sucker for a good romance, Ginger’s other passion is sports, and she often blends the two in her stories. (She’s also a sucker for a hot quarterback, catcher, pitcher, point guard…the list goes on.) Ginger has been writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and blogs for more than 15 years. She has told the stories of Olympians, politicians, actors, scientists, cowboys, criminals and towns. For more on her and her work, visit her website at http://www.littlemisswrite.com.

When she's not writing, the odds are high that she's somewhere near a baseball diamond, either watching her son field pop flies like Bryce Harper or cheering on her favorite baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ginger lives in Arizona and is married to her college sweetheart whom she met at ASU (fork 'em, Devils).

Social Media Links:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GingerScottAuthor
Twitter: @TheGingerScott
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/thegingerscott/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GingerScottAuthor
Google: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GingerScottAuthor/posts
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/GingerScott
Website: http://www.littlemisswrite.com

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Release Day Launch with Giveaway: The Time In Between by Kristen Ashley

   

"She was the one then and nothing changed in the time in between."

 

✮✮✮A story of past decisions gone awry, secrets that change directions, and emotional second chances, this gripping love story is what happens when two paths again collide. The final standalone title in New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley’s Magdalene Series, THE TIME IN BETWEEN is a rich, heartfelt love story available now!✮✮✮


Explore THE TIME IN BETWEEN and grab your copy today!

 

About THE TIME IN BETWEEN (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?


Grab your copy of THE TIME IN BETWEEN today!

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | GooglePlay


Add to your Goodreads

 

5% of the proceeds from the first week of sales of THE TIME IN BETWEEN release will be given to HALO Animal Rescue in Phoenix, a no-kill shelter. HALO stands for “helping animals live on” and is a shelter started by a mother/daughter team of committed animal advocates who have done a huge duty for animals in this area, and continue to do so with unwavering love, support and energy.For more information on HALO or to donate to the work they do, go to www.halorescue.org.

     

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

THE WILL SOARING



EXCERPT:

Present day…

I took in the mess of the large, circular room we were in and at first saw nothing but the mess—decaying furniture, a soot-covered stone fireplace, a kitchen that might have been put in in the forties but had not only not been touched the last nine years, it perhaps had not been touched the last nineteen (or more).

Then I saw more.

The extraordinarily carved railing to the sweeping wood staircase that ran the curved side of the house. The red brick walls. The plank wood floors.

“Once upon a time, long ago,” the realtor was suddenly talking wistfully, “someone loved this place. Put that love into building it. Put that love into keeping it. Nine years and more when no one really gave a whit, and still you can see it once had a lot of love.”

Oh yes.

You could see that.

“It’s got a basement, more like a big crawl space,” the agent declared, surprising me with his quick change in tone back to businesslike and informative. “The furnace is down there. You can get down there through a door in the floor. The furnace was put in a while back, and full disclosure, though an inspection will catch it, it probably needs to be replaced.”

Through his words I stared at the fireplace, which scoured would be magnificent, and I noticed it didn’t have a chimney as such, but the smoke probably went out a vent in the wall.

“This floor has a powder room under the stairs,” the realtor kept on. “You can look at it if you want, but if you wanna save yourself that, I’ll just tell you straight, it needs to be gutted.”

I decided to take his word for it and told him that.

He looked relieved when I did before he stated, “Place has a garage, two car. Not in good condition, but think you saw that. Still, it’s close to the house and there’s a covered walkway to that door over there.” He pointed at a door that was across from the door we’d walked in. “Means you might feel a chill but you won’t get wet, unless it’s raining sideways, which happens.”

With a breeze that plastered my jacket to me on a sunny, early spring day, I did not doubt that.

“Garage has a loft space above it, which could be renovated as a studio rental if you’ve a mind to do that sort of thing. As for the property itself, it also has a building where the generators are stowed,” the realtor carried on. “Hook up for a washer and dryer and good space in there. Lots of it for storage. Which is good because there’s not a lot of storage in here for tools and Christmas decorations and whatnot.”

I glanced around seeing he was right. There wasn’t even enough cabinetry to house the things a decent cook would need in her kitchen. Though there was room for them. In fact, if you fought back the gloom, there was quite a bit of room.

“And there’s a place outside, could call it a studio, could call it a mother-in-law house,” he shared. “Whatever, it’s got goodly space, two bedrooms, big kitchen. Could be renovated to be a guest house. Or like I said, a studio if you’re artsy. Or you could rent it out like a B and B. I’ll show you all of that after we have a look at the lighthouse.”

“Thanks,” I replied.

“Now, since I mentioned full disclosure, you have to know it all,” the realtor continued.

Slowly, my eyes went to him.

When they did, he launched in. “Like I said, it’s automated. And like I said, you won’t really have to concern yourself with the functionality of that unless the electricity goes out, but then the generators automatically kick in. There are two. But you’ll need to keep fuel on hand to keep them going in case a blackout lasts awhile. And just to say, this is coastal Maine. We get weather. Blackouts can last awhile.”

When I nodded to share I took that in, he kept going.

“And if you’re, say, away on vacation, you need to make sure someone is playing backup in such a case.”

“Okay,” I replied when he stopped talking, thinking this probably wasn’t a good thing since I knew no one in Maine (or not anyone who wanted to know me) and thus couldn’t call on anyone to do something like that.

I also didn’t hold high hopes I’d make friends and win people. I hadn’t had a lot of success in that in my life.

And last, although Patrick believed it completely, I held no hope that the reason I was out there was going to come to fruition.

That being me having a happy ending.

That being what Patrick thought would be my happy ending.

Which might mean I’d have someone, a certain someone, or actually two (at least), even though I knew I never would.
            


   


   

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.



   

Monday, August 28, 2017

Review: Fallen Heir by Erin Watt



Title: Fallen Heir
Series: The Royals
Author: Erin Watt
Release date: August 28, 2017
Cliffhanger: Yes
Rating: 2.5 stars


Synopsis:

These Royals will ruin you.

Easton Royal has it all: looks, money, intelligence. His goal in life is to have as much fun as possible. He never thinks about the consequences because he doesn’t have to.

Until Hartley Wright appears, shaking up his easy life. She’s the one girl who’s said no, despite being attracted to him. Easton can’t figure her out and that makes her all the more irresistible.

Hartley doesn’t want him. She says he needs to grow up.

She might be right.

Rivals. Rules. Regrets. For the first time in Easton’s life, wearing a Royal crown isn’t enough. He’s about to learn that the higher you start, the harder you fall.


LINKS:


FALLEN HEIR
♛ http://geni.us/FallenHeirAmazon 
♛ http://geni.us/FallenHeiriBooks
♛ http://geni.us/FallenHeirKobo
♛ http://geni.us/FallenHeirNook

BOOKS 1-3
PAPER PRINCESS: http://amzn.to/2wTryiD
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REVIEW

I wish that I could say that this book was another addictive, adrenaline filled experience like I've come to expect with The Royals. But unfortunately Fallen Heir and more specifically, Easton just wasn't what I was hoping for. For me, it was just okay. But don't let my thoughts and personal issues hold you back from giving this book a shot. Quite possibly, you will be happily ruined by these Royals as you have in the past.

If you've read the other books in the series, you already knew to expect Easton to be a hot mess. Anger, alcohol, drugs, illegal fighting, and a propensity for gambling make him the personification of high school bad boy. He's the one everyone is always chasing after, trying to help him clean up his messes. And yet, there was something about him that intrigued me.

There was a vulnerability there, often we'd see glimpses of the injured and hurting boy he was and you rooted for him to overcome all of the demons that had a hold of him. The way he opened up about their mother, the way he grew to love Ella as a sister and fell apart when she was gone. And that for me, was missing. I did not see anything in him except a spoiled, self-centered, and entitled kid. And it was just...annoying. I couldn't take much more of his immature antics to be frank.

Easton's was determined to make a total disaster of his life, and lay waste everyone around him as well. I could understand in some way that he's legitimately unable to deal with any type of responsibility or consequences because he was never taught. And there's another revelation about his behavior that was never resolved for him growing up. But quite honestly, I just wanted to shake him and wring his neck so many times. It was because of this that caused a disconnect with me in regards to him and Hartley. I felt ambivalent towards their relationship, in fact, I rooted for her to continue to keep him at a distance.

Hartley was too good for him, and she knew it. After having one of the worst introductions you could have with somebody, she knew he was ten kinds of trouble and refused to fall for his charms or status at school. This is something that probably attracted him even more, and he began a campaign to win her over. Even her friendship was not freely given, he had to work to be let in her life. And rightly so. Trusting Easton proved to be something she lived to regret.

As fans of the series know, the Royals lives are always riddled with extreme drama, and shocking events. And you can always count on a highly suspenseful cliffhanger to leave you gasping. Fallen Heir was no exception. I don't know what it was, but the drama aspect wasn't working for me this time around. Felicity's character was yet another female of the social climbing/psychotic/greedy/evil variety that is a staple in every book. I mean, we had Brooke, Dina, Jordan, now Felicity, and even Lauren. It's becoming too much of the same. I just felt as if the drama and the repetitious back and forth between Hartley and Easton were space fillers. The lack of empathy for him or angst towards their relationship was an issue for me. I didn't feel those things I should have.

What did I enjoy? The humorously snappy dialogue between Easton and his friends and family. As always, the authors were on point in that regard keeping me entertained. I loved Hartley, and felt as if she more than held her own against Easton's flirty charm and her corrupt father. She may have grown up in privilege, but she had a strong set of values and wasn't afraid to work hard in order to do what was right. The unpredictable events at the end took me completely by surprise. I have to admit that even though I wasn't the biggest fan of this particular addition to the series, I'm still curious to see how things will pan out. Relief from the monstrous cliffy comes in December with Cracked Kingdom, the conclusion to Easton's duo.


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