Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Review: Lessons in Gravity by Jessica Peterson


Earlier this week I reviewed Spanish Lessons, Book 1 in the Study Abroad series by Jessica Peterson. If you didn't see that review, spoiler alert! It's amazing and FREE on Amazon!

So I couldn't wait to dive into Book 2, Lessons in Gravity! Thankfully, we were on a very long road trip and the timing was perfect for me to read, read read!

Here's a summary from Amazon:

MADDIE LUCAS IS ONLY LOOKING FOR A ONE NIGHT STAND... While studying in Spain for her semester abroad, Maddie hopes to escape the drama surrounding her parents’ divorce—a divorce she may or may not have caused—while researching Spanish architecture for her thesis. And if she hooks up with hot Madrileños along the way? All the better. BUT HANDSOME SPANIARD JAVIER MONTOYA WANTS SO MUCH MORE. Guitarist Javier is ready to set aside his rock star ways and settle down for good with his gorgeous ex-girlfriend. But after a one night stand with sexy, passionate Maddie blossoms into genuine friendship, he begins to wonder if Maddie might be the forever girl he’s looking for. Too bad Maddie believes forever is more fiction than fairy tale. Can Javier prove to her that fairy tales exist? Or is Maddie right to think she doesn’t deserve happily ever after?


My review: 5 stars!
Jessica Peterson did it again! Just like the first book in the series, Lessons in Gravity is hot hot hot! We met Maddie in Spanish Lessons- she was Viv's best friend and had a crush on Rafa. And at the end of the book Maddie meets Rafa's uncle Javier, who isn't quite as old as the girls imagined he would be.

Javier is pretty much another dream guy, just like Rafa. Swoon! Although Maddie has the perfect guy in front of her (gorgeous, kind, funny, and a musician!), she's at a point in her life where she doesn't believe a man can make her happy. Poor Javi tries to show Maddie he can, but misunderstandings and terrible timing cause some problems for them. A background story in the book is about Maddie's upcoming thesis for her architecture degree. Peterson weaves some beautiful descriptions of historical art locations in Madrid that made me feel as though I was seeing the beautiful spots in person.

It looks like Book 3 will be Viv and Maddie's friend Laura's story. I am so anxious to read about Laura's romance with athlete Rhys!



Monday, July 25, 2016

Review: Spanish Lessons by Jessica Peterson


Last week I got an email from author Jessica Peterson asking if I'd like to review her book Lessons in Gravity, which is the second book in her Study Abroad series. After checking it out on Amazon, I was very interested, and noticed that book 1 in the series, Spanish Lessons, was free! I downloaded it and dove in right away.

If you haven't read Spanish Lessons, you MUST! Here's a summary from Amazon:

Vivian Bingley has big plans for her semester abroad in Spain… 

Along with her BFF Maddie, Vivian hopes to indulge her inner Art History nerd by visiting the best museums in the world. She also wants to tackle more practical concerns—like a less than stellar GPA in her major, Economics—with the help of a Spanish tutor. 

But falling for her studly Spanish tutor definitely isn’t one of them. 

Madrileño Rafa Montoya is the stuff study abroad dreams are made of: super studly and super smart. He also happens to be super into Vivian. With his wicked dancing skills and his passion for the arts, he tempts her to throw caution to the wind and live out her wildest dreams. 

Only problem? Maddie wants Rafa, too, and Vivian promised herself she’d never settle for second best again…not after a hookup-gone-awry last semester left her heartbroken. Is it best for Vivian to protect her heart at all costs? Or is letting Rafa in worth the risk? 


My review: 5 stars!
Hot hot hot! This book drew me in immediately and I devoured it in just one day. I never studied abroad myself, but after reading this, I wish I had taken the chance and done something like that! Even if I didn't get to meet a guy as swoony as Rafa, what an amazing adventure!

And Rafa is a dreamy book boyfriend.... not only gorgeous, he's kind, caring, loving, and a damn fine dancer! If you enjoy a bit of angst, you'll find some in here as Vivian fights her feelings because of her best friend's crush on Rafa. I found the details on Spanish culture and language so interesting and I was so ready to read the next book in the series. Stay tuned for my review of book 2!


Release Day- The Real Soccer Moms of Beaver County


THE REAL SOCCER MOMS OF BEAVER COUNTY
by USA TODAY Bestselling Author HJ Bellus, and Magan Vernon

"BALLS OUT!"

Genre: Romantic Comedy

— SYNOPSIS —Shit gets real when four long lost classmates reunite in their hometown and find themselves on the soccer field as moms.

Old tensions flare up as all the moms are forced to play nice in front of their kids, coaches, and other parents. But these moms are anything but nice. Cut-throat, vindictive, and spiteful color these ladies...

They’re not above chugging a bottle of wine to get through one more damn soccer tournament.

One thing they all have in common?

Nobody or no one screws with their kids! And when that happens the fur, bling, and bleach blonde hair flies.

Is Beaver Falls going to be able to handle the heat these “Soccer Moms” kick up?


— PURCHASE 

Sign up for the authors' newsletters and stay up-to-date on all their bookish news!
Magan Vernon  http://bit.ly/MaganVnewsletter





— MEET THE AUTHORS! —
Magan Vernon has been living off of reader tears since she wrote her first short story in 2004. She now spends her time killing off fictional characters, pretending to plot while she really just watches Netflix, and she tries to do this all while her two young children run amok around her Texas ranch.


HJ Bellus is a small town girl who loves the art of storytelling. When not making readers laugh or cry, she's a part-time livestock wrangler that can be found in the middle of Idaho, shot gunning a beer while listening to some Miranda Lambert on her Beats and rocking out in her boots.



Thursday, July 21, 2016

Excerpt Reveal: Something So Right by Natasha Madison




BLURB

Coming August 1, 2016


The moment everything changed didn’t happen in that cliché rockets-red-glare kind of way, it happened in the form of a waking nightmare. I caught my husband, my high-school sweetheart, the father of my children, balls deep in a sordid affair.
That was when I gave up on men and love. 
I didn’t count on the NHL’s golden boy, the beautiful, arrogant Cooper Stone turning my life and my hockey rink upside down.

My kids are why I wake up in the morning.

Hockey is what Cooper breathes for.

We’re from different worlds and places in our lives but when our hearts collided something so wrong and different turned into something so right.









Excerpt


We pull up to the house way after everyone’s bedtime. Allison was asleep even before we pulled out of Meghan’s driveway. It’s been a long time I’ve felt this content.
I look over at Cooper, who looks far away in his thoughts.
He’s been like that all evening.
Once we get home, he quickly takes Allison out of her seat. Luckily she changed into her pyjamas before we left Meghan’s.
“I got her, babe, get the bags.”
Matthew is continuing his ‘celebrating’ by staying over at his friend’s house. Usually I would say no, but like Cooper said, it’s like he just won the cup.
“Okay.”
By the time I get inside and sort through all the wet things, I sense him before I feel him wrap his hands around my waist.
“Babe, come outside with me.” Something in his voice makes my heart pound. My hands are getting clammy just walking outside with him.
We get to the hammock, and he sits down on it, making it like a swing. His feet are on the ground in front, and the back of the hammock against his back halfway. “Sit on me,” he demands.
“I can’t. I’m going to throw you over.” I stand there in front of him. He rubs his hands up and down the back of my legs, kissing my stomach. I’m still wearing my sundress from this afternoon.
“I won’t make you fall, I promise.”
I comb my fingers through his hair, looking down into his blue eyes. They’re like the key to his soul, always bright. Tonight they look clouded, like a storm is brewing.
“Okay,” I whisper and straddle his lap. I’m surprised we don’t topple over, but Cooper has his feet planted on the floor, so we aren’t going anywhere.
“Baby.” I look at him. “You’re scaring me.” I’m sure he can hear my heart beating in my chest.
“I’ve never felt like this.” He whispers, “I’ve had women, many women, but none were like you.” He kisses my chest right above my breast.
“Okay.” I twirl his hair through my fingers.
“When I looked over at you today and saw you sitting with James, my breath caught in my throat.”
“Honey.” I pull his hair so he looks up at me. “James and I, we are the past. Way, way in the past.”
“You made a life with him, you made a home with him, you have kids with him.” His voice trembles.
“I had all that, I made a home with him. I had kids with him. He threw that away. He tossed it aside.” I’m trying to calm my nerves. I’m scared that this is it. This will be the last time that I hold him. “Cooper.” He looks up at me, and I snap, my heart snaps. “No, you don’t get to decide this, you don’t get to toss me aside because you think you know what I want or need.” My heart is literally hurting. It’s aching. I blink away the tears that are forming in my eyes, continuing what I have to say. “If you don’t want me, just say it, but don’t you dare try to cop out of this giving yourself a clear conscience.” I drop my hands to my sides, looking into his eyes. I lean forward, kissing his eyes. “I’ve had many years with a man who not only looked through me, he passed by me, not stopping to look at me. But you, you see me.”I kiss his cheeks“I’ve had many years not smiling. Now I smile so much my cheeks hurt. I smile for no reason at all. I smile at you and because of you”I kiss his lips“I’ve had many years of little kisses, but none of them made my heart flutter like yours, none of them left me breathless because of them, none of them I longed for.” I can’t stop the one tear that has rolled down my face. “I want you, I want this”I point from him to me with my hand“I want this more than I care to admit”I put my forehead on his, our eyes watching each other“I want you to want me,” I whisper the last part, my heart hoping that he does pick me, that he picks us.
“I want you,” he says softly. “I want all of you. I want your mornings. I want your afternoons. I want your nights. I want your tomorrows, baby. I want it all. I was so scared you would want what you had, and not want what we have.”
I don’t say anything anymore. I just lean in, kissing his bottom lip, hoping he opens up for me, and he does. He opens so our tongues touch each other, and I know I’m home.
I want to get under his skin and it still wouldn’t be close enough. I fumble with his shirt, trying to rip it off his body. When my hands touch his chest, I make little traces of imaginary infinity signs all down his chest, hoping he feels it. He pulls down the tube part of my dress, bringing my bikini top with it. My nipples peak with the cold air on them. Cooper’s thumbs circle around my nipples, then he places his finger in the middle of my chest, making an infinity sign, all while looking into my eyes.
My need for him is all-consuming. He squeezes my breast, rubbing down to my ass. When both his hands cup my ass, he just palms it, pushing me more to him.
“Honey.” I’m stopped by his tongue invading my mouth. I’m invaded by his scent. His hand makes its way under my dress, moving my bikini bottoms to the side.
He enters me easily with two fingers, making me gasp. “Always ready for me, always.” With my head tossed back, he kisses down my neck with his tongue all the way to my nipple.
He takes it into his mouth, sucking deeply, sending shock waves all down to my core. “Honey, please.” I look down at him. “Be with me.”
He withdraws his fingers from me, then opens his shorts, freeing himself.
“Be with me, baby.” I lift myself till I’m positioned over him where I slowly slide all the way down, one inch at a time. I feel him stretching me open while he invades me.
I look into his eyes, hoping he sees what I feel. I move up and down again, all the while looking at him. He’s beautiful. He’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of, and he’s mine.
He picks me up by my hips, bringing me to the top of his dick before bringing me down again.
“Honey.”
He lifts his feet off the ground, making us swing back and forth, putting him deeper into me. It’s like we are on a swing, so I push back, making him go back, him pushing forward, both of us wanting to go deeper and deeper. I’m close, so close. I know he is too because I feel fuller.
“Honey, I want you with me.”
“Babe, I’m there.” He grabs both my shoulders, thrusting down on him where I come apart. I squeeze him, taking him with me. He is groaning out his release, all the while we look into each other’s eyes. His blue eyes are clearer than before, more at peace, more calm. He kisses me deeply while still in me, the aftershocks of my orgasm still squeezing him.
“Stay with me tonight?” I ask him.
“What about Allison?” he says, knowing that I never want to cross that line.
“It’s okay. We can set an alarm, wake up together. Say yes, please.”
“As long as I’m with you, it’s yes, it’s always yes.”



About Natasha Madison


When her nose isn't buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she's in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It's a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn't listen to her...



Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Review: Knot by M. Mabie

by M. Mabie

He knows everything. 
She has all the damn answers. 
I’ve always been a free spirit. It’s my nature. 
I crave control, but with her it’s far more. 
He’s a power hungry climber. 
Her wealth could buy and sell me. 
It’s too much pressure being the center of anyone’s focus. 
She underestimates my desire for her, my need to please just her. 
When he’s vulnerable, it’s hard to deny him. 
Her crooked smile cripples me. 
He hides his demons, but I’m no fool. 
She thinks not committing to anyone makes her more honest. She’s wrong. 
A man like him deserves someone who can offer that kind of love. 
She promises nothing, yet I feel like a king when she says my name. 
I never let anyone possess me like he did. Not before. Not after. 
My greatest regret was compromising. I should have never held back. 
Still, when we’re apart I’m not myself. 
I miss the days when she was just down the hall. 
He’s better off without me, and it hurts. 
The ugly truth is I need her more than she needs me. 
Our relationship was born out of lust and curiosity. 
The lies we told ourselves killed it. 
Together, we found Nirvana. 
We learned it was all a mirage. 
I ruined him. 
I broke her heart. 
I keep coming back. 
I can’t let her go. 

KNOT is a contemporary romance and a complete standalone. It is the first spin-off from the best-selling Wake Series. You do not need to read BAITSAIL, or ANCHOR to enjoy this book in its entirety, but if you love angst you'll enjoy them, too.

My review: 5 Super Angsty Stars
Knot was my first read of M. Mabie's.... and I was blown away. So much feeling, so much heartbreak, so much love, so much angst! And so very hot. I'm going to be rushing to read her others (Bait, Sail, and Anchor) because her writing was just amazing. I was intrigued by Nora's lifestyle, and felt a kinship with Reggie due to his anxiety, since I am a sufferer as well. This is a must read if you enjoy intense romances!

iTunes bit.ly/appleknot
Amazon http://amzn.to/2anwM9g
Amazon UK bit.ly/knotuk
Amazon CA bit.ly/knotca
Amazon AU bit.ly/knotau
Nook bit.ly/nookknot
Kobo bit.ly/koboknot




Teaser Blitz: Opposites Attract by Jessica Prince


Title: Opposites Attract
Series: The Locklaine Boys (Book 2)
Author: Jessica Prince
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Release Date: August 8


Delilah Northcutt has been described as weird, nerdy. But her favorite term is quirky. The eccentric flower shop owner definitely marches to the beat of her own drum. On the rebound from a cheating ex, she’s not looking to open her heart to someone else any time soon. On a whim, her best friend convinces her that one night with a stranger she’ll never see again is just what she needs to pull herself out of the funk she’s been living in.
Overly serious, workaholic Richard Locklaine was always described as the twin determined to do the right thing. Even if it was at the cost of his own well-being. But after years in a loveless, manipulative marriage, he’s finally free and ready to build a life of his choosing. And nowhere in that life is there room for another woman—unless it’s for just one night, of course.
They are complete opposites in every single way. But for some reason, fate has decided to force the two of them together. Despite the chemistry, they’re determined to fight the attraction growing between them. Besides, what could a florist with horrible taste in music and an attorney from Connecticut ever really have in common? Only one thing is certain. When they finally come together, it’s going to be epic.
***This is Book 2 in the Locklaine Boys series, a spin-off of Love Hate relationship. They are interconnected standalones.***
Special Pre-Order Price of 99¢


FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

Born and raised around Houston Texas, Jessica spent most of her life complaining about the heat, humidity, and all around pain in the ass weather. It was only as an adult that she quickly realized the cost of living in Houston made up for not being able to breathe when she stepped outside. That’s why God created central air, after all.
Jessica is the mother of a perfect little boy–she refuses to accept that he inherited her attitude and sarcastic nature no matter what her husband says.
In addition to being a wife and mom, she’s also a wino, a coffee addict, and an avid lover of all types of books–romances still being her all time favs. Her husband likes to claim that reading is her obsession but she just says it’s a passion…there’s a difference. Not that she’d expect a boy to understand.
Jessica has been writing since she was a little girl, but thankfully grew out of drawing her own pictures for her stories before ever publishing her first book. Because an artist she is not.
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Sunday, July 17, 2016

Review: Always My Girl by Samantha Chase

by Samantha Chase

Falling in love with your best friend? Easy. 
Telling them how you really feel? Impossible.
Quinn Shaughnessy believes there's a lot more to life than romance, and he always thought his best friend Anna agreed. But now she's coming out of her shell and dating...and Quinn starts seeing her in a very different light. 
Anna can tell Quinn anything, except the big secret she's been hiding for years-that she's fallen in love with him. Now Anna is determined to make a life for herself that doesn't include hopeless pining. But just as she's ready to move on, Quinn seems determined not to let go-and the way he's looking at her might be enough to finally change them from best friends to best everything.
My review: 3.5 stars
Last week I received a copy of Always My Girl for review and I tore through it! It was really cute and I found myself pulling for Anna! I could see why Quinn had always been the object of her affection- he was handsome, witty, and charming, although he often took advantage of Anna's friendship through the years. There were lots of super-sweet moments and even though the romance scenes were very fade-to-black, they were still quite satisfying. Full of enjoyable supporting characters, this stand-alone, although part of a series, was a fun and quick read. I will definitely be checking the other books in the Shaughnessy Brothers series.

via netgalley.com


Friday, July 15, 2016

In Deep by Callie Harper - Cover Reveal

InDeep_FrontCover
Cover Design: Sommer Stein / Perfect Pear
Release Date:  August 5, 2016
 
Synopsis
Chase is an Olympic swimmer going for gold. Focused, driven, intense. Emma is a blogger going for the scoop, and she has the perfect in. She’s gotten herself hired as his physical therapist. With all that intimate time together, the secrets from his past don’t stand a chance. And neither does she. Note: In Deep is a standalone hot, contemporary romance. It’s the first of four standalones in the “All In” series, which can be read in any order.
Goodreads
 http://bit.ly/29ISWox
Pre-Order Link
  13625102_276045849420208_472859578_n  
Giveaway
One of Five ARC's for In Deep
 
 
  13625223_276047189420074_1674755176_n  
About the Author
Callie Harper writes hot, fun, page-turning romances. She is powered by coffee, wickedly sexy bad boys, and all things funny, intentional or otherwise. Born on the East Coast where she learned the joys of fast-paced sarcastic banter, she and her family are now kickin’ it in the West Coast sunshine. On any given day there’s a good chance you’ll find Callie outdoors enjoying the gorgeous Bay Area, but if she’s indoors she’ll likely be reading, writing or eating, preferably all at once.
 
Connect with Callie
Newsletter signup: http://eepurl.com/bHtVnT
Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/1rax2i9
Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/1Pf5XjY
Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/1X7PHZY
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1WCrIlu
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Release Blitz: Anything But Minor by Kate Stewart

Teaser 2

Title: Anything But Minor
Author: Kate Stewart
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: July 15
Goodreads
Synopsis
“She’s a nerd.”
“Heyyyy!”
“Okay, she’s a flight instructor.”
“Better.”
“He’s a ballplayer.”
“The best that ever was.”
“Technically, you aren’t according to MLB stats.”
“See? Total nerd. She also has no filter.”
“He’s no southern gentlemen.”
“I had one last season to prove my worth.”
“I’d never seen a game.”
“He told me he was a player.”
“She told me she was a lesbian.”
“But you fell in love with me anyway.”
“Yeah, baby, I totally did.”


Playlist
https://play.spotify.com/user/authorkatestewart/playlist/2mkzgEAwaFcfs04sqtFr40

Buy Links

AMAZON * AMAZON UK * AMAZON CA

B&N * KOBO * iBOOKS

Anything But Minor Teaser 3

About the Author
Kate
A native of Dallas, Kate Stewart now resides in beautiful Charleston, S.C. She lives with her husband of 9 years, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie.
Kate moved to Charleston three weeks after her first visit, dropping her career of 8 years, and declaring the city her creative muse. Since the move in 2010, Kate has written and published four novels including Room 212, Never Me, Loving the White Liar, The Fall, The Mind and The Heart.
Kate writes messy, sexy, angst filled romance books with 'hard to get' happy endings because it's what she loves as a reader. She has a scary addiction to chocolate milk and a deep love for rap music specifically the genius known as Marshall Mathers.
In addition to her addiction to romance, Kate also lets her alter ego take over on occasion and writes erotic suspense under the pen Angelica Chase.


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Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Release Day Review: Anything But Minor by Kate Stewart

Anything But Minor by Kate Stewart

It's no secret that I have a thing for baseball players.... but I married a football player! Ha! The sport of baseball will always have a special place in my heart- I even have a State Championship ring from being keeping stats for the baseball team at my high school my senior year!

Kate Stewart was a new-to-me author, but I of course jumped at the chance to read an ARC of her sports romance novel Anything But Minor. I am so glad I did! It was delightful!

“She’s a nerd.”
“Heyyyy!”
“Okay, she’s a flight instructor.”
“Better.”
“He’s a ballplayer.”
“The best that ever was.”
“Technically, you aren’t according to MLB stats.”
“See? Total nerd. She also has no filter.”
“He’s no southern gentlemen.”
“I had one last season to prove my worth.”
“I’d never seen a game.”
“He told me he was a player.”
“She told me she was a lesbian.”
“But you fell in love with me anyway.”
“Yeah, baby, I totally did.”


My review: 5 Home Run Stars!

Anything But Minor is the story of Rafe, a minor league pitcher, and Alice, a new-to-town flight instructor. It's sexy, swoony and full of hilarious moments. Rafe is an amazing athlete, patiently (somewhat) biding his time to be pulled up to the majors. He's absolutely yummy to read about and his "No end, Alice" had me swooning every time. Alice is a hoot- super-smart, obsessed with Google and 80s music and movies. Together they were magic! This was a rom-com I just couldn't get enough of- Kate Stewart hit this one out of the park!