Thursday, June 25, 2020

New Release Review: Make Me Hate You by Kandi Steiner




"This is a return to the Kandi Steiner of 2016 who brought us Weightless and A Love Letter to Whiskey. Prepare for the burn." -- Author Sarah E. Green

Make Me Hate You, an angsty, emotional stand-alone romance from bestselling author Kandi Steiner is LIVE!

If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.

Every sip of air is shallow and burning, because in the arms of my best friend’s brother, I’m the closest I’ve ever been to sin.

His eyes flick to my lips, and I remember the first time I tasted him, seven years ago before I left this town and vowed never to return. His hands grip my waist, and I remember the pain when he rejected me, when my entire world crashed down at his command. His jaw clenches, and my senses come alive with one stinging reminder.

I’m not his to kiss, and he’s not mine.

I tried to stay away from Tyler Wagner, putting an entire country between us. But when his sister’s wedding brings us back to the same town, to the same house, I can’t avoid him, no matter how hard I try.

He’s always there, his dark eyes bewitching, luring me into their depths. The memory of us pulls me under like a rip current, and when he flashes that smile, I lose my breath, along with my will, unable to escape his grip and find the surface.

Now, hours before our plus ones arrive for the wedding, I’m in his arms, begging him to make me hate him, knowing he never could.

If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.

And I’ll take him down with me.

Make Me Hate You is a best friend's brother romance that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Download today or read free in Kindle Unlimited!
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2Xo2Gg1

My review: 5 stars!

So much angst! Make Me Hate You was so intense- there was so much passion and emotion.

"It's you who brings me pain. It's you who is killing me. It's you, and us," I added, motioning between us. "It's this thing that never was, but always is, that never will be and will never not be."

Like that quote right there- emotional perfection. I felt Tyler and Jasmine's pain. The story is told only from Jasmine's POV, but it's easy to feel Tyler's anguish and heartache too. Make Me Hate You was real and raw and a story I just couldn't put down.



Excerpt:

Seven miles and an hour later, and all the anxiety I’d felt the night before was completely gone.
At least, until I rounded the foyer into the kitchen and saw I wasn’t the only one up early on Sunday morning.

Tyler sat at the kitchen island, still in his navy blue sweat pants and simple white t-shirt, with one foot planted on the ground and the other hooked casually on the lower bar of his stool. His hair was an absolute disaster, the boyish waves sticking up this way and that. He had both hands wrapped around a mug of hot tea, his eyes focused on the iPad he had propped up in front of him, and BlueTooth headphones in his ears.

At first, he didn’t notice me, and I slowed my steps, standing silently at the entry of the kitchen and watching him. I’d done everything I could last night to avoid his gaze, to not look at him, and now that I had a stolen moment to observe, I found my chest tightening again, my mouth dry and sticky.
His brown eyes were hidden beneath bent brows, expression serious as he watched whatever was on the screen. Small lines creased the edges of his eyes — lines that weren’t there when we were kids.

He’d grown into a man somehow, overnight, it seemed. Then again, it had been years.

I’d seen him on social media, watched from afar as his YouTube channel took off. I’d seen pictures of him on Instagram — traveling through Europe, hiking in Australia, swimming in hot pools in Iceland. I didn’t follow him, of course, but his profile was public, which allowed me to flip through picture after picture on the nights when I was a pathetic mess.

But, pictures and videos didn’t do justice to the actual man who sat studiously at that kitchen island.
He was something between the boy I used to love and the man I’d never know, familiar and unreachable all at once.

Tyler shook his head at something, letting out a frustrated sigh and kicking back the bar stool a little before taking a sip of his tea. His eyes flicked to me then, back to the screen, and then, he did a double take, this time fixing his gaze on me and leaving it there.

Something changed in his eyes when he looked at me, like a shadow passed over them and held him captive. I was dressed in jogger shorts and a modest tank top, but from the way he watched me, I might as well have been completely naked.

That’s what his gaze did to me, what it always had done.

It stripped me bare.

About Kandi:


Kandi Steiner is a bestselling author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tampa, FL. Best known for writing “emotional roller-coaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal. 

An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. She started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed it to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die-hard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs. 

When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys live music, traveling, anything heavy in carbs, beach days, movie marathons, craft beer, and sweet wine — not necessarily in that order.

Connect with Kandi:
Mailing List: bit.ly/NewsletterKS

Facebook Reader Group: (Kandiland): https://www.facebook.com/groups/kandilandks

Kandi Steiner may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future:



Cover Reveal: The One For Me by Corinne Michaels


New York Times bestselling author Corinne Michaels brings a new sweet and endearing love story to life in the third STANDALONE in the Arrowood Brothers series.

The One For Me releases August 18, 2020!

Cover Design: Perfect Pear Creative 
Photographer: Brian Kaminski

Devney Maxwell has been my best friend since we were six years old, but she has no idea I’m in love with her.

Even when I’m on the road playing professional baseball, she’s my home—the only one I’ve ever known. But when I return to Sugarloaf to care for the family farm, I discover she’s trying to talk herself into a life with the wrong man … and I become desperate.

It only takes a single, perfect kiss to change everything.

I have six months to get it right with Devney—to convince her to leave this town and turn that kiss into forever.

I aim to do just that as I spend my days coaching her nephew’s baseball team, fixing up the farm, and loving her with all I have. Finally, it seems like our relationship is secure and we’ll find a way to make it work.

Then tragedy strikes ... changing her life forever. She’s needed here more than ever, but as for me—there’s no way I can stay.

I know she’s the one for me, but I might have to let her go ...

Pre-order today!

● AppleBooks ➜ https://geni.us/TOFMApple
● Barnes & Noble ➜ https://geni.us/TOFMNook
● Google Play  ➜ https://geni.us/TOFMGP
● Goodreads  ➜ https://geni.us/TOFMGR 


About Corinne:

Corinne Michaels is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller author. She’s an emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children. Corinne is happily married to the man of her dreams and is a former Navy wife. 

After spending months away from her husband while he was deployed, reading and writing was her escape from the loneliness. She enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak and finding a way to heal them through their struggles. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love.

Connect with Corinne:

Stay up to date with Corinne and sign up for her mailing list: https://bit.ly/2Nqiitt
To sign up for monthly text alerts: Text CMBOOKS TO 77948
*US only due to carrier restrictions*


Wednesday, June 24, 2020

COVER REVEAL: When the Time is Right by Aly Martinez and M. Mabie

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When the Time is Right, an all-new single dad contemporary romance standalone from USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez and M. Mabie is coming July 30th, and we have the irresistible cover!

Time is right ecover

Fate doesn’t always happen overnight.

Hudson Bradley is the cockiest, most stubborn, hard-headed man I’ve ever known. And for fifteen years, he’s been my brother's best friend.

But lately, what I’m feeling for him isn’t friendship at all.

Why is my heart racing every time his blue eyes lock on mine? Why does every word he rumbles in my ear make my body come alive? And worst of all, why did I bet him that I could find a woman he and his son would both love?

If I hadn’t given up on love altogether, Hudson would have been perfect for me. After all, he was there the day my world fell apart. He’s spent the last six years piecing me back together.

There are a million reasons why we could never work, but after a single kiss, I can’t remember any of them.

Now that the time is right, I have to make him mine—before I lose him forever.

WTTIR - PO

Pre-order your copy today, exclusively on Amazon!

Add WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3gYGYXu

Cover Designer: Kari March 
Photographer: Wander Aguiar


aly martinez profile picAbout Aly

Originally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her husband and four young children.

Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, mystery leggings, and olives. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.
She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.




Connect with Aly
Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2DEpPAh
Stay up to date with Aly by joining her mailing list today:

About M. Mabie
M. Mabie lives in Illinois with her husband. She writes everything from steamy romantic comedies to angst-filled, pull your hair out drama. She enjoys it all. With her unconventional love stories, she tries to embody "real-life romance."

She cares about politics, but will not discuss them in public. She uses the same fork at every meal, watches Wayne's World while cleaning, and lets her dog sleep on her head. She has always been a writer. In fact, she was born with a pen in her hand, which almost never happens. Almost.

M. Mabie usually doesn't speak in third-person. She promises.

Connect with M. Mabie
Stay up to date with M. Mabie by joining her mailing list: https://bit.ly/3dkTJcp

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

New Release Review: Hard Pass by Sara Ney

Hard Pass (Trophy Boyfriends #1)
by Sara Ney
Release Date: June 16, 2020

“Hard Pass.”
That’s what the last girl I slept with said when she got her first sober glimpse of me. She laughed, walked out of my penthouse—and I never saw her again. It doesn’t matter that I’m a rich, professional athlete; what mattered was my face.

Beauty might only be skin deep for some—but I know better.

“Pay Up.”
That’s what the last girl I spoke to said over the phone when I made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. Desperate to sell a set of rare baseball cards, she’s clever and entertaining. I’m instantly smitten, but nowhere ready to reveal myself. Thank god she has no idea who I am—or what I look like.

I’m a professional athlete--how hard can playing the love game be?


My review: 5 stars!I am all in on this series and can't wait for the next Trophy Boyfriends book. What a fun meet-cute Hard Pass began with! After getting drawn in immediately while reading by the pool, I finished Hard Pass before the day was over. Can I have a Noah please? What a refreshing hero- I'll admit to finding his insecurities endearing and charming. Ney did what she does so well- created well-developed characters with oh-so-clever dialog. Miranda is one of my favorite Ney heroines- she's sassy, determined and I loved her wit. I found both Noah and Miranda to be relatable and real- so refreshing!



New Release Review: The Dare by Elle Kennedy



THE DARE
by Elle Kennedy
Release Date: June 16, 2020

Get ready for another binge-worthy romance from New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy!

College was supposed to be my chance to get over my ugly-duckling complex and spread my wings. Instead, I wound up in a sorority full of mean girls. I already have a hard time fitting in, so when my Kappa Chi sisters issue the challenge, I can’t say no.
The dare: seduce the hottest new hockey player in the junior class.
Conor Edwards is a regular at Greek Row parties…and in Greek Row sorority beds. He’s the one you fall for before you learn that guys like him don’t give girls like me a second glance. Except Mr. Popular throws me for a loop—rather than laughing in my face, he does me a solid by letting me take him upstairs to pretend we’re getting busy. 
Even crazier, now he wants to keep pretending. Turns out Conor loves games, and he thinks it’s fun to pull the wool over my frenemies’ eyes. 
But resisting his easy charm and surfer-boy hotness is darn near impossible. Though I’m realizing there’s much more to Conor’s story than his fan club can see.
And the longer this silly ruse goes on, the greater the danger of it all blowing up in my face.

The Dare purchase links:

My review: 5 stars!
Holy swoon. If I could highlight the following quote 100X I would.

"I've been sitting here having filthy thoughts about you all night. Don't mistake my manners for indifference."

Conor Edwards is just about perfection. That charisma and personality- ah! I fell for him in one instant. I adore a pretend relationship story and nothing makes me giddier than watching real feelings (and a true friendship!) develop. Taylor was real and relatable and refreshing. I was so glad to see her confidence grow as the story went on. What a great ending to a fantastic series.

Other Links:

Briar U series: https://geni.us/BriarU
Elle’s Newsletter sign-up: http://geni.us/EKNL
Blogger Newsletter sign-up: http://geni.us/EKBlog 


Excerpt

“Why do you assume I’m the kind of girl a guy would pine over in the rain and sleet?”
“You kidding?” His silvery eyes sweep over me, lingering on various parts of my body before returning to meet my gaze. Everywhere he looked is now tingling like crazy. “Babe, you’ve got the kind of body that boys build in their heads under the sheets after dark.”
“Don’t do that,” I tell him, all humor draining from my voice as I start to turn away. “Don’t mock me. That’s not nice.”
“Taylor.”
I jerk when he takes my hand, keeping me in place so that we’re still facing each other. As my pulse kicks into overdrive, he presses my shaky hand against his chest. His body is warm, solid. His heart beats a quick, steady rhythm beneath my palm.
I’m touching Conor Edwards’ chest.
What the hell is happening right now? Never in my wildest dreams did I envision the Kappa Chi Spring Break Hangover party ending this way.
“I mean it.” His voice thickens. “I’ve been sitting here having filthy thoughts about you all night. Don’t mistake my manners for indifference.”
A reluctant smile pulls at the corners of my lips. “Manners, huh?” I’m not sure I believe him. Or that a porno clip in his mind starring me qualifies as a compliment. Although I guess it’s the thought that counts.
“My mother didn’t raise a scoundrel, but I can be downright improper if you’re into it.”
“And what passes for improper on the west coast?” I ask, noting the way his top lip twitches when he’s being cheeky.
“Well…” His entire demeanor shifts. Eyes narrow. Breathing slows. Conor licks his lips. “If I weren’t a gentleman, I might try something like pushing your hair behind your ear.” He skims his fingertips through my hair. Then down the column of my neck. Just a gentle whisper of skin-to-skin.
My neck erupts in excited little bumps and my breath catches in my throat.
“And dragging my finger across your shoulder.”
He does so, quickening my pulse. An ache builds inside me.
“And skimming along until—” He reaches my bra strap. I hadn’t realized it was exposed with my V-neck sweater hanging off my shoulder.
“Alright. Down, boy.” Regaining my wits, I remove his hand and adjust my sleeve. Jeez, this guy should come with a warning label. “I think I get it now.”
“You’re ridiculously attractive, Taylor.” This time when he speaks, I don’t doubt his sincerity, if perhaps his sanity. I suppose someone like him doesn’t get around so much by being picky. “Don’t spend any more time believing otherwise.”



Friday, June 12, 2020

Excerpt: The Dare by Elle Kennedy



THE DARE
by Elle Kennedy
Release Date: June 16, 2020

Get ready for another binge-worthy romance from New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy!

College was supposed to be my chance to get over my ugly-duckling complex and spread my wings. Instead, I wound up in a sorority full of mean girls. I already have a hard time fitting in, so when my Kappa Chi sisters issue the challenge, I can’t say no.
The dare: seduce the hottest new hockey player in the junior class.
Conor Edwards is a regular at Greek Row parties…and in Greek Row sorority beds. He’s the one you fall for before you learn that guys like him don’t give girls like me a second glance. Except Mr. Popular throws me for a loop—rather than laughing in my face, he does me a solid by letting me take him upstairs to pretend we’re getting busy. 
Even crazier, now he wants to keep pretending. Turns out Conor loves games, and he thinks it’s fun to pull the wool over my frenemies’ eyes. 
But resisting his easy charm and surfer-boy hotness is darn near impossible. Though I’m realizing there’s much more to Conor’s story than his fan club can see.
And the longer this silly ruse goes on, the greater the danger of it all blowing up in my face.

The Dare purchase links:


Other Links:

Briar U series: https://geni.us/BriarU
Elle’s Newsletter sign-up: http://geni.us/EKNL
Blogger Newsletter sign-up: http://geni.us/EKBlog 


Excerpt

“Thank you,” she breathes the moment we’re alone.

“No problem. Mind if I make myself comfortable?”

“Um, yeah. I mean, no. I don’t mind. Sit if you want. Or—wow, okay, you’re lying down.”

I grin at her visible nervousness. It’s cute. While I stretch out my six-foot-two frame amid the stuffed animals and decorative pillows on the bed, she remains the startled rabbit plastered against the door and breathing heavily.

“Gotta be honest,” I tell her, entwining my hands behind my head, “I’ve never seen a girl so unhappy to be locked in a bedroom with me.”

This has the desired effect of loosening her shoulders and even eliciting a shy smile. “I have no doubt.”

“I’m Conor, by the way.”

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I know.”

“What’s the eyeroll for?” I ask, playing wounded.

“No, sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it. Just, I know who you are. You’re, like, campus famous.”

The more I watch her, hands braced at her sides against the door, one knee bent, dirty-blonde hair a little messy and draped over one shoulder, I can’t help picturing myself holding her arms above her head while I explore her body with my mouth. She’s got very kissable skin.

“Taylor Marsh,” she blurts out, and I realize I don’t know how long we were silent until then.

I scoot to the far side of the bed and put a pillow beside me as a divider. “Come on. If we’re going to be in here awhile, let’s at least make friends.”

Taylor laughs out a breath and with it she releases a bit more tension. She’s got a nice smile. Bright, warm. It takes a bit more coaxing, however, to get her on the bed.

“This isn’t like a move,” she tells me, lining up stuffed animal guards to patrol the pillow wall between us. “I’m not some sort of weirdo who tricks men into getting in bed with her and then mauls them.”

“Sure.” I nod with mock seriousness. “But a little mauling would be okay.”

Thursday, June 11, 2020

New Release Review: The Change Up by Meghan Quinn

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THE CHANGE UP by Meghan Quinn

Release Date: June 11th
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3dCrXbU

AVAILABLE NOW!!!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited!


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BLURB:

BREAKING NEWS: The Bad Boy of Baseball, Maddox Paige, is totally and utterly whipped.

Okay, that might not be the headlines in the newspaper this morning, but it's the reality of my current situation.

It all started a month ago when I received a call from my best friend, Kinsley. She got a new job in Chicago and needed a place to stay. I've known the girl since I was five, what harm would it be to have her stay at my place for a while?

Ha! Total disaster.

Now instead of going out every night with my teammates, I'm couch surfing and sketching endless photos of my best friend . . . but that's the least of my concerns.

The disaster, you ask? I'm rapidly falling head over cleats in love with my best friend, my roommate, and my number one fan.

And she has no idea . . .

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My review: 5 stars!
I love that Meghan Quinn is such a big baseball fan- her baseball romances feel so accurate to the sport and her knowledge adds so much to the stories. All of that sports goodness mixed in with one of my favorite tropes- (best) friends to lovers added up to Quinn hitting this one out of the park. Watching Maddox, MLB's baddest boy ever, fall for environmentally conscious Kinsley was a blast. Although each of Quinn's recent baseball books can be read as standalones, it was fun to catch up with Cory and Jason and their girls. The Change Up was a perfect balance of swoony romance and laugh out loud humor. Here's hoping we get a story for teammate Lincoln soon!

M_Quinn_photo
About the Author:
USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.






Connect with Meghan:
Amazon: https://amzn




Tuesday, June 9, 2020

New Release Review: One Night Only by Lauren Blakely

     
One Night Only by Lauren Blakely 
Release Date: June 7th


Get ready for a delicious new After Dark novella featuring a strong, protective bodyguard and the beautiful, brilliant hotel heiress he protects…


ONE NIGHT ONLY IS NOW AVAILABLE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED AND AUDIBLE ESCAPE!
Audible Escape: https://amzn.to/2YcSdmH


     

LIVE IN AUDIBLE ESCAPE! One Night Only, an all-new sexy novella is performed by Emma Wilder, Joe Arden and Jacob Morgan, with a special appearance by Teddy Hamilton!

LISTEN TODAY! Audible Escape: https://amzn.to/2YcSdmH  

       

Blurb:
A delicious new After Dark novella featuring a strong, protective bodyguard and the beautiful, brilliant hotel heiress he protects…

I shouldn’t want my bodyguard the way I do. His job is to protect me. It’s not to fulfill all my filthy wishes.

And so I resist him, fighting the enticing pull of the strong, powerful man who watches over me.

Until the night we combust in my penthouse suite.

It won’t happen again, we say the next day.

Besides, my mission is singular — pull off the event of a lifetime — a one-night only concert with one of the world’s biggest rock stars.

A man my bodyguard happens to know.

And a good bodyguard knows all sorts of things about his client. Turns out he knows my secret desires, and he wants to make them come true. 

My review: 4.25 stars!
Oh my! Lauren Blakely's After Dark series has been scorching and One Night Only was a great addition to the series. The boss/bodyguard dynamic is a bit blurred because Ivy and Callum have developed such a great friendship during their time together and trust each other so much. It makes for some great chemistry and they are both so likable and great together. Loved this short and passionate read!
     



  


About the Author: A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that's sweet, sexy and witty. She also writes red-hot, ultra-steamy romance for her Lauren Blakely After Dark line. 

She'd love to give you a free book today! 

Check out her web site to grab your free read: https://laurenblakely.com/one-free-book 

     



  Connect w/Lauren
Website: laurenblakely.com