Loving Ben Cooper by CC Monroe Review

arc review 1blurblovingbencooperSadie

Christ is my redeemer, the drive behind my moral compass, he leads me down every road—the righteous road. My heart full of love, my body pure and untouched, my words clean, my body modest. I do all things because I believe in my Christian faith and I believe that my life has been planned out for me. I will meet the perfect man of God, one who will give me a family and a wholesome life. There is no room for anything less, no room for speed bumps or road blocks. Except for the one man who threw a wrench in my spinning tire. The one man who made me question my faith and what true faith really is. Ben Cooper—my very own sinner.

Ben

Each blow to the face feels glorious, I crave the pain of each punch from my back alley opponent. The high I get from each fight that I antagonize is the same high I get when I strum my guitar and hit the high notes in the microphone. That rush is just like the pain I feel with the blows I take. Violence is my decadence and music is my redemption. I love beautiful women, the taste of whiskey on my tongue, and the smell of tobacco on my breath. I’m a man with no morals and no plan to my madness. I’m a man with only the promise of the day I’m in. Until I find the most beautiful melody, dressed in full clothes and a cross around her neck. Sadie McCallister—my very own saint.

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authorcc monroe

Author CC Monroe is from the hottest city in the world, Phoenix, Arizona. She spends her days working in fashion and her nights with her face in her laptop telling the stories of the voices in her mind. She left Arizona a few years back and now lives in the beautiful snow state of Utah, where she married her true love!

When she isn’t writing or working, she is making people laugh with her mad sense of humor and tip of the tongue one liners.

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First, you may be wondering why I used pictures of Brendan Urie from Panic! At the Disco for my graphics. Easy: It’s Brendan Urie. Also, CC has said Brendan was her inspiration for Ben Cooper, and This is Gospel is used in the book, so why not use the ultra expressive Brendan for my pics? (Also, I’m still going through my middle school/emo phase and love all things P!ATD).

Rock star books are so hard for me, mostly because of the drug use that usually comes with them. Drugs make me uber uncomfortable, both in real life, and when I’m reading about them. Even weed. But I love the broken sinner Ben Cooper. He is struggling, even though he thinks he’s doing just fine. Even though he’s not looking for anything serious, Sadie McCallister crashes into his life with her faith, trying to accept Ben for who he is, even though Ben can’t accept himself. 

Sadie is the total and complete opposite of Ben. The saint to his sinner. She goes to church and Bible study, is saving herself for marriage, and believes God will guide her through all things. In two short days she meets Ben and falls in love with him. She tries to accept his life, his drugs, his belief that there is no God, and tries to make the relationship work. She tries to help him in all things, without losing herself in the process.

One of my favorite things about Sadie is that she gives up a lot to be with Ben when he needs her. She tries to be everything he needs to help him with recovery. But when push comes to shove, she refuses to back down from her beliefs. She tries to learn as much about him and why he feels he needs the drugs as she can. But when Ben messes up, which he inevitably does, one too many times, she keeps her promise to him, but realizes shes too close to losing herself, and straightens her spine. Ben knows his words aren’t working anymore. He knows he needs to get better, but he also knows he’s put too much in the hands of Sadie, and not enough on himself.

Another one of my favorite things is that the common theme in the book is that Ben cannot change unless he wants to change for himself. Neither Sadie nor Ben want to change the other. Sadie wants to help Ben, but he needs to want it. When it’s clear Ben doesn’t want it as much as Sadie believed, she’s done. Ben starts to want to heal for himself. I love the positive view of the use of therapy, group therapy, and meditation, instead of the “I’m not sick, I don’t need it” attitude. There are so many things about Loving Ben Cooper that made me fall in love with both the saint and the sinner, but you’ll just have to get the book for yourself to fall in love with them.

Thank you CC! Your words are amazing ❤

lovingbencooper25star

Fortuity by Rochelle Paige Review

arc review 1blurbfortuityThe only kinds of luck I knew were bad and worse…until my life hung in the balance. I finally caught a break in the form of a second chance.
I vowed not to let it go to waste.
To make a difference.

But I didn’t start really living until I met him.
Dillon Montgomery.
My complete opposite—except for our matching tortured souls.

I couldn’t resist him for long.
How could I when his smallest touch made my heart race?
When it felt like we were destined to be together.

But sometimes luck and sorrow are intertwined…

Fortuity is the first book in the Fortuity Duet.

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authorrochellepaigeRochelle Paige is the Amazon bestselling author of more than twenty books. She absolutely adores reading and her friends growing up used to tease her when she trailed after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. She loves stories with alpha males, sassy heroines, hot sex and happily ever afters. She is a bit of a genre hopper in both her reading and her writing. So far she’s written books in several romance sub-genres including new adult, contemporary, paranormal and romantic suspense.

She is the mother of two wonderful sons who inspired her to chase her dream of being an author. She wants them to learn from her that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it.

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HOLY CRAP Y’ALL!! This book is so crazy good. Although I can’t wait for the next one, and initially wanted to throw a Veruca Salt sized tantrum about not having the ending, it really does need to be in two books. So, while I want to be Veruca, I will patiently (or impatiently) wait for Serenity (May 8th) to arrive.

Faith is one of the strongest female characters I have read in a while. Scratch that, she’s just one of the strongest characters I’ve read. After her mom died, she is put into the system, bouncing around from house to house, looking for her place in life. She is looking to survive the present, not really looking to the future. When she gets sick in one of those houses, her life changes. Just as she’s about to lose all faith, lose all hope, she receives a miracle.

Dillon is suffering from loss, but isn’t handling it in a healthy way. He has turned to gambling to help him cope. His parents, at a loss for how to help him, ask Faith to bring him with her to her volunteering. His mother has ulterior motives, though, since she’s been trying to get Dillon and Faith to meet for months. When they do finally meet, they both feel the pull towards each other.

If you’ve read Push the Envelope (which, if you haven’t, you’re seriously missing out) then Dillon might remind you a bit of Drake. He pushes Faith, while trying not to scare her away. The moment he met Faith, even though she was mad at him, he knows what he wants, the same way Drake did, after realizing that Alexa was single. Since I loved Drake, I really loved Dillon. I loved that he tried to make everyday special for Faith. I love that he loves to surprise her. I love that Faith takes a risk on him, even though she’s working hard on her own goals. I love that they both support each other, support the other ones goals, and want them to succeed instead of giving something up to spend more time with each other. I basically love everything about this book.

Rochelle Paige continues to amaze me with her ability to draw me in with every book she writes. Her ability to form characters that are love-able, even when you want to shake them, makes me feel as if I’m watching a movie instead of reading a book (wait- can I start a petition going for this?) Rochelle, if I say I love you enough can I get the next book? KIDDING!

…maybe

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5star

Serenity Cover Reveal!!!

Serenity, the conclusion to the emotional and romantic Fortuity Duet by Rochelle Paige, is coming May 8th!

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Title: Serenity

Series: Fortuity Duet, Book #2

Author: Rochelle Paige

Genre: New Adult Romance

Release Date: May 8, 2018

Cover Designer: LJ Anderson, Mayhem Cover Creations

Photographer: Sara Eirew Photography

Models: Daniel Rengering and Pamela Tremblay Mcallen

I’d lived a privileged life, in the lap of luxury and surrounded by family. It had felt like I was on top of the world…until tragedy struck.

My sense of loss felt bottomless, and I struggled with it every single day. Finding my path back into the light seemed impossible.

But then I met Faith—she was smart, sexy, and out of my league even though she didn’t have a penny to her name. We grew up in different worlds, but somehow we fit perfectly together.

Except neither of us had counted on learning that our connection was more profound than we knew.

Preorder the Duet Today!

Serenity

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Nook: https://bit.ly/2HoLBLB

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Sign up here to get notified as soon as The Fortuity Duet goes LIVE on Amazon:

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rochelle Paige is the Amazon bestselling author of more than twenty books. She absolutely adores reading and her friends growing up used to tease her when she trailed after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. She loves stories with alpha males, sassy heroines, hot sex and happily ever afters. She is a bit of a genre hopper in both her reading and her writing. So far she’s written books in several romance sub-genres including new adult, contemporary, paranormal and romantic suspense.

She is the mother of two wonderful sons who inspired her to chase her dream of being an author. She wants them to learn from her that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it.

RochellePaige.jpg

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ rochellepaigeauthor/

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1436132763270558/

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/ RochellePaige1 | @RochellePaige1

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ rochellepaigeauthor/ | @rochellepaigeauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ author/show/7328358.Rochelle_ Paige

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/ Rochelle-Paige/e/B00HEWGCFY

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/ profile/rochelle-paige

 

CRAZY SALE!!

crazymaybe

CRAZY MAYBE
by A.D. Justice

99c SALE!!!
for a limited time only

 

99c SALE!!! Crazy Maybe by A.D. Justice is only 99c for a limited time!!!

“Crazy Maybe completely captivated me from the first page to the last.” ~ A.M. Madden

“extremely original, fast paced, well written, emotional, and sexy!! This book that will take you to places you never thought you would go.” ~ Books and Beyond Fifty Shades

“Crazy Maybe is one of the best books I have read this year!” ~ Goodreads reviewer

US: https://amzn.to/2JQ0pRG
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Sometimes love isn’t enough.  Sometimes it’s all you need.

Strong. Smart. Independent. When I was younger, I never would’ve used those words to describe myself. But I’m no longer that scared little girl, all alone in the world. My friends are the only family I have now.

From the second Luke Woods steps foot in the gym where I work, I feel his presence. Tall. Handsome. Ripped. When our eyes meet, the hunger I see in them is for more than his place in the professional boxing ring.

We can’t deny the electric tension between us. But the day I inherited the family business, the living, breathing past re-emerges to threaten all I held dear…including Luke.

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Truck Stop Tempest by Krissy Daniels

arc review 1blurbtruckstoptempestMy stay in Whisper Springs was supposed to be temporary. A slight detour on my flight to freedom.
Then Tito Moretti stormed into town.
He was everything I wished I could be. Everything I’d been taught to fear.
Confident. Fearsome. Untouchable.

I wasn’t supposed to make friends. I never meant to fall in love.
When Tito learned the truth, would he break me,
Or help me break free?

Tuuli Holt was off limits
Young. Naïve. Pure.
I had no right wanting the blue-eyed bunny.
But damn, that little beast stormed into my life, and scattered my demons.

She had her share of secrets, but they were nothing compared to my sins.
Tuuli said my past didn’t matter.
I wanted to believe her, but when my crimes were exposed, would she bolt?

I should’ve stayed away, set her free.
We could never work.
Church girls didn’t fall in love with executioners.

GoodreadsAmazonTruck Stop TangoTruck Stop Tryst

author

krissy.jpgKrissy is a full time writer, avid reader, and lover of dark and dirty romance.
Growing up surrounded by the great outdoors, her childhood was full of adventure that fueled an overactive imagination and ignited a passion for storytelling. Whether it be dolls, or running free through the wooded areas surrounding her home, playtime always included a tormented villain, a damsel in distress and a larger than life hero.
After relentless encouragement from friends and family, she finally put the characters in her head to pen and paper. The only thing she loves more than curling up with a steamy romance novel, is cozying up to her desk and writing her own sexy adventures to share with others.

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reviewtruckstop2

OK FIRST THIS BOOK IS LIVE EARLY. Which means you should go one click the hell out of that button. This book is that good. After reading this, I went and bought Truck Stop Tango (which is free) and then bought Truck Stop Tryst as well. I’ve read all three books and can say, with full authority, Tito is mine. I don’t care what you say, he is mine.

Now that the ugly is out of the way…

I didn’t know when I read this that it was a continuation of two other books. It didn’t hinder my ability to read and enjoy this book thoroughly. It can be read as a standalone, but it’s probably better to read the book third. After reading the first two books, things made more sense (which means I need to do a re-read). Tito is broken, damaged, by the life he was dealt. He believes he is unlovable, and that he can’t love. When he meets Tuuli, he is drawn to her, but he tries to stay away.

Tuuli has her own secrets. Secrets that could ruin everything she built, everything she was trying to get away from. She is drawn to Tito, but her secrets, her past, and Tito’s feelings that he can’t do forever stop her from jumping in head first into Tito.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, for both of them, they are drawn to each other in inexplicable ways. Spoiler: they end up together.

One of my favorite things about this book (and ultimately about the series) is that each couple has something special, something just for them. Tango and Slade have dancing, Tucker and Aida have singing. Tito and Tuuli have “Tell me something I don’t know about you,. Something big.” Each moment, each secret revealed, results in a kiss. And they ultimately end up healing each other, giving each other the strength they need to heal.

I love, love, love Tito, and his journey to heal. Tuuli pulls him back from the souls that torture his heart. And Tito gives Tuuli the peace to move on from the secrets holding her back. Basically, I love everything about this book. And this series. I need epilogues, and novels of these three like 10 years in the future. I’m obsessed with this family. Because these couples, and those they bring into it, are family.

truckstop35star

On the Edge by Dr. Rebecca Sharp Review!

arc review 1blurbontheedgeFrom International Amazon Bestselling Author, Dr. Rebecca Sharp, comes the new standalone in the Winter Games series.

Emmett
Do. Not. Touch. 
Alice Ryder came with more warning signs than a museum exhibit.
Under twenty-one. Best friend’s baby sister. Heart-broken.
I was only supposed to keep an eye on her and keep my hands to myself.
But her sunshine sucked me in.
Why did she have to want me? Why did she have to want me to save her?
I wasn’t her savior. I wasn’t the prince in her fairytale.
I was only the asshole in shining armor.

Ally
For some, heartbreak becomes a habit.
Losing so much had taught me that it’s easier to just give up the things you care about before they are taken.
Because you can’t lose what you don’t have.
I gave up the warmth of the sun and sand hoping that the cold, snowy mountains of Colorado would be able to numb whatever feelings I had left and bury the pieces of my heart under the frost.
And then I met Emmett Jameson – the King of the Mountainand my brother’s best friend.
He was cold and controlling – treating me like the child that I wasn’t.
He was everything that promised to break what was left of me.
And I needed him for it.
My shattered heart would be safe wanting someone like him.
Then again, heartbreak was my bad habit.

Goodreads — AmazonBook 1

authordrrebecca**Healing Heartaches One Alpha at a Time**
I’m a dentist by day and author by night!
Dr. Rebecca Sharp is an International Amazon Best-selling author of contemporary romance. By day, she is also a doctor living in Pennsylvania with her husband. Growing up, she always loved a good love story and let’s face it, when you include a romance novel on your 8th grade summer reading list just to see if the teacher would notice (she didn’t!), she was bound to give writing one of her own a go. She also enjoys traveling with her husband, snowboarding, and cooking.

Looking for more? 😉

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reviewontheedge

Holy broken, Batman. This is one story that gutted me. Not only do you have an alpha who immediately connects with the heroine, but they’re both so messed up they become enemies.

So yes, this is an enemies to lovers romance. But it’s not hate at first sight.

Emmett, the King of the Mountain, is best friends with Ally’s brother, Chance. She’s so far off limits in his mind, it’s not funny. Not only can he not chance(heh) his relationship with Chance, aka Pride, he doesn’t do long term. He’s the ultimate player, drowning himself in women, booze, and drugs to forget Ally and everything he thinks he doesn’t deserve. As much as he wants to stay away from Ally, though, he can’t. He’s obsessed, wanting to keep her away from every man and anything that could possibly hurt her, and that includes himself.

Ally is hurting too. Her boyfriend, her soulmate, was in an accident and died, so she moves away from sunny Florida, back to Aspen with her older twin siblings, Chance and Channing. She’s hurting, trying not to feel anything. Her reaction to Emmett is not what she wants nor needs while she’s trying to heal. These two cannot help their reactions to each other, but they cut each other down for months, trying to hurt the other, to remind themselves not to cross the line they so desperately want to cross.

But holy hell, Ally is stubborn. When she decides to hell with the consequences, she wants Emmett, she does whatever she can to prove to him, to prove to those around her, they can be together. At the end, it’s up to Emmett to decide to forgive himself, to heal himself, so he can be with Ally. When they finally get together it’s freaking EXPLOSIVE.

AND I LOVE IT. My heart aches for these two, for the pain they both carried while they tried to live half a life. Rebecca brought these characters to life, through pain and heat ache, but also through alpha possessiveness and sheer determination to help heal another person, and to heal yourself. I loved everything about this book, and was captivated from the very first page, the first line. I needed to see this happily ever after.

I need an epilogue!

ontheedge25star

Intuitive Series by BJ Bentley Review

 

intuitivebannerblurbintuitive1aSabrina Rhodes is a small town psychic with a knack for choosing the wrong men. You’d think being psychic would give Sabrina a leg up in the dating game, but that’s just not her luck.

After one particularly bad date, Sabrina’s crush, Sheriff Drake Hayes, comes to her rescue. So, when Sabrina’s not talking to ghosts in her kitchen or playing peasant to her feline overlords, Petal and Duchess, can she finally find ‘the one’ in Drake Hayes?

This short novella is a light, quick, feel-good read. It’s also what I’d call a palate cleanser- what you’d want to read in between all those dark romances or while nursing a book hangover.

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intuitive2 Caty

I’m an art teacher in need of a second job. I find exactly what I need, but don’t want, working part time for Stonewall Construction. This job is going to be dull, but it’s going to pay for the art supplies I need in order to showcase my talent. I just need to keep it long enough.

Archer

I’ve got a reputation for being a serial dater and a flirt. That’s okay; I know who I am. Being one half of the team that owns Stonewall Construction keeps me out of (most) trouble. Until that pixie-faced firecracker blows into my world.

These two develop a rivalry that tests their sanity. Constantly trying to one-up each other, they’ve declared war. But office pranks soon turn to stolen kisses.

This is a ~20,000 word novella with a HEA.

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intuitive3Mia Potter is an introverted bookworm who harbors sexy fantasies starring her dream man, Mitch Hayes. Unfortunately, they’re just friends. What Mia doesn’t know is that Mitch has always wanted more.

He’s just been biding his time. And things are about to change.

This rom-com short story is the conclusion to the Intuitive series and includes a bonus epilogue!

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author29136192_175603263078789_8700093008424468480_nFrom her Amazon: I’m a psychic medium, romance author, and cat mom. I shamelessly based my character, Sabrina Rhodes, on myself (write what you know, and all that.) Weaknesses include alpha males and badass babes.
The Intuitive series is a collection of rom-com novellas, and I’m also working on a full-length dark romance novel.
I’m very active on social media, so feel free to stalk me! (Please stalk me, this is a cry for attention.)
Follow me!

—  Facebook — Twitter —  Instagram —  Website — Amazon—  BookBub  —review

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I put all my reviews in one place because these are shorties; I can only write so much before I give away the whole plot.

Do you need something to get you through to the next book? Something to make you smile and laugh until you have to pick up the next soul-stealer? Have you cried your eyes out about a book and now need something short and sweet to cheer you up? Well look no further. These three short “palate cleansers” are definitely the books for you. These three books follow three friends and them falling in love with three brothers.

Handcuffs and Coffee is the story of Sabrina Rhodes, a small time medium, full time cat mom. She is used to people not believing that she has a gift. She meets the sheriff when her neighbor’s house has a small fire, and he is immediately suspicious out by her and her “gift”. Hey, cut him some slack, he’s a cop. Drake Hayes, a.k.a. Sheriff Hunka Hunka Hanky Panky, likes to surprise Sabrina, which she hates, but I’m pretty sure that’s why he does it. There was no drama with this love, which was exactly why I needed it and loved it from the first page. Sabrina and Cat’s friendship was pure gold, and Sabrina’s interactions with those around her were comical. I had a smile on my face through the entire short story. My complaint? This is only in Sabrina’s POV and I’d LOVE to have Drake’s POV.

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Masonry and Margaritas is the story of Cat, Sabrina’s best friend, and Asher, Drake’s brother. Cat is an aspiring artist, who teaches classes and works at Asher and Mitch’s construction company. Asher immediately takes to Cat, and loves to piss her off, but mostly because Cat dishes it back. Cat thinks Asher is hot, but that he’s also a jerk, which is fair. What starts out as a simple prank war, turns into margaritas and drunken hookups, and Asher, a.k.a. Anal Wart, claiming that they were gonna happen so get over it (*alphas! swoon*) Cat and Asher’s story was so much fun to read, because who doesn’t love a good prank war? And Asher does everything possible to get Cat to be with him. It doesn’t take a whole lot, because it is a fluff, short novel, but it was still good to see the chase.

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I think Temptation and Tea was my favorite installment. Shy, sweet, emptath Mia is hiding her temptress behind a woman who is bogged down with excess emotions. She has admired Mitch from afar, but was always too shy to do anything about it. Mitch realizes right away that she’s shy, so he starts out their relationship as friends. For six monthsBut once these two get together it is hot, hot, hot! I loved every bit of this novel from Mitch’s obsession with all things Marvel, never DC, and Mia’s sweet demeanor and her love of books. I really loved this fluffy romantic comedy. Plus there’s an extra sweet epilogue at the back of the book, that shows you the lives of these three couples. It’s like a double epilogue for all three books. Double epilogue!

These three books were exactly what I needed to get me through to the next dark/emotional romance. Oh and these books are free on Kindle Unlimited.

4star

 

Pucked by Helena Hunting Review

blurbpuckedWith a famous NHL player for a step-brother, Violet Hall is well acquainted with the playboy reputation many hockey stars come with. She’s smart enough to steer clear of those hot, well-built boys with unparalleled stamina. That is until she meets the legendary team captain—Alex Waters.

Violet isn’t interested in his pretty, beat-up face, or his rock-hard six-pack abs. But when Alex inadvertently obliterates Violet’s previous misapprehension regarding the inferior intellect of hockey players, he becomes more than just a hot body with a face to match.

In what can only be considered a complete lapse in judgment, Violet finds out just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants. But what starts out as a one-night stand, quickly turns into something more. Post-night of orgasmic magic, Alex starts to call, and text, and e-mail and send extravagant—and quirky—gifts, making him difficult to ignore, and even more difficult not to like.

The problem is, the media portrays Alex as a total player, and Violet doesn’t want to be part of the game.

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authorhelenahunting

NTY and USA Today Bestselling author of The PUCKED Series, Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. Helena writes everything from contemporary romance to romance comedy, sports romance and angsty new adult romance.
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

WebsiteGoodreadsAmazonFacebookBeaver’s Den

reviewpucked

Y’all. This book. THIS BOOK. I love sports books, ones that really get into the game and the hardships that come with dating a professional player (obviously I have lots of experience with this *hair flip*) (Ok I really have no experience with sports players, professional or otherwise): the tabloids, the pressure of endorsements, traveling without your S/O. Add in some humor along with it? I am in heaven.

Helena Hunting had me laughing almost from the very first page. Violet Hall is absolutely ridiculous in the best ways. What could come off as an awkward, weird, or shy girl is actually an awkward, weird, confident, girl. She owns her weirdness. And Alex Waters definitely loves that weirdness.

I am a huge hockey fan (LET’S GO DEVILS!) so I was pretty much bound to love this novel anyway. Alex is shy, so not a ladies man, but then he can be possessive and aggressive and I LOVED it. I loved his unwillingness to let Violet go, despite Violet’s step-brother being his teammate, despite Violet being not sure about what to do with him, and ultimately his groveling. I loved that he constantly made sure Violet was on board with what was going on physically (consent is so sexy), and I loved their weird little inside jokes.

The sexy scenes were awesome, the laughs were big, and Alex’s screw up was huge. His groveling was EPIC. And this book deserves every bit of the 5 stars I’m giving it. If you need a laugh, go get this book. You won’t regret it.

Oh, and by the way, Violet’s mom is AWESOME! And Alex’s dad is freaking great. Ok I’m done.

pucked25star

~Cover Reveal~ Keeping 6 by Freya Barker

How did I miss this?!?!
Title: Keeping 6
Series: La Plata County FBI Rock Point Series #1
Author: Freya Barker
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: May 2, 2018
Cover Design: Rebel, Edit & Design

 

Bookstore owner Kerry Emerson finally seems to be back in control of her life. Her failure of a marriage firmly in her rearview mirror and her recent business expansion a success, she is in charge of her own future. One that is looking better than ever. 

 

The sight of the tall man, with the familiar salt and pepper goatee pushing open the door of her store, sets her hair on end. He doesn’t exactly bring good memories.
FBI Special Agent in Charge, Damian Gomez, is just looking for a decent cup of coffee when he walks into the small store offering books and brew. The pretty, feisty woman behind the counter is an unexpected surprise. Not at all unpleasant, especially since her finger that used to hold a wedding ring is now bare.
Her wild hair, boho style and silvery grey eyes suddenly hold a lot of promise. But when his office is pulled into an international investigation into the trafficking of rare books and manuscripts, the straight-laced SAC realizes he has to keep his distance from the woman who might well be involved.
Easier said than done, since fate seems determined to throw them together.
Damian

“You?”

My head whips around at the sound of a woman’s voice.

It’s been a long-ass morning already with meetings I would’ve loved to have avoided. Since being put in charge of the Durango field office, it seems I spend more time in meetings than working in the field. I swear each week there are new task forces put together, and I can barely keep up. I stepped out of the office for a much-needed break to find that the coffee shop around the corner had a sign plastered on the door stating they were closed due to a family emergency. Desperate for my caffeine fix, I kept walking and bumped into Kerry’s Korner: Books & Brew. Something about the name is familiar. I push the door, which opens with the ring of a bell, when I hear her voice. 

She’s pretty. The woman behind the counter looks like a seventies flower child, with wild, dirty blonde hair, some kind of flowy top leaving her collarbones and a goodly amount of cleavage exposed, and a pixie face. Something about her is familiar, and it appears she knows me, too. Fuck if I can’t place her. 

“Got me at a disadvantage, sweets,” I tell her with a shrug.

“You’re FBI,” she says, propping her hands on her nicely rounded hips. “I remember you.”

I look at her a little closer. Not a hardship, there’s a lot to check out. Those pale gray eyes trigger a memory. “You’re Kimeo’s girl,” I say, remembering the case a few years ago when I first saw her for the briefest of moments. A case long since put to rest, but not before this woman was snatched and roughed up before we got to her. We’d been called in by Gus Flemming, a friend of mine who owns an investigation and security company in Cedar Tree. Kimeo, the wife of one of Gus’s guys, found herself in the middle of shady land deals and this woman, her best friend, had been kidnapped to ensure her silence. I may not have remembered her name until I saw her standing behind the counter of Kerry’s Korner, but I sure as hell remember her. I also remember the wedding ring on her finger, which is why I didn’t bother looking twice at the time. 

The hands resting on her hips no longer sport that wedding ring, just a large knuckle ring on the middle finger of her left hand as a sort of fuck you to the world. I bet she flips that bird easily, judging by the attitude she throws off. I like it.

“Kerry,” she says, almost as a challenge. 

“Right. You look better now,” I tell her, making her snort loudly.

“No shit. I’d just been used as a punching bag when you found me and shoved me into the back of a van without a word.” Yup, most definitely a challenge. She doesn’t like me much, I deduct from the slightly distasteful look on her face.

“Was a little preoccupied with my investigation. Sorry if I didn’t take the time to make nice.” Fuck me, I sound like a dick. Something about her attitude grates on me, especially when she rolls her eyes dramatically before placing her hands on the counter in front of her and leaning over. 

“Damian. Right?” She doesn’t wait for my confirmation before she continues, “Well, Damian, what brings you to my bookstore?”

“Coffee. Straight up,” I tell her without blinking. She turns her back without a word and starts fiddling with the expensive-looking machine on the sideboard, and I take the opportunity to check out her backside. “Double shot?” she asks over her shoulder, catching me ogling. 

“Good guess.” I smile at her, which only earns me another eye roll. Attitude in spades, this one. As much as it irritates me, it somehow turns me on, too. 

She’s late thirties, maybe forty, if I had to venture a guess from the lines around her eyes. She obviously laughs a lot—something I wouldn’t mind hearing. I have a feeling with that slightly raspy voice of hers, her laugh will sound even sexier. She’s not wearing a stitch of makeup from what I can tell and seems totally at ease in her skin. Not usually the kind of woman I find myself drawn to, but this one has an appeal all her own. Most women I end up with are well put together: stacked, sweet, and sultry. Just the way I like them. This one, though? This one is like the fucking girl next door. Fresh-faced, with a hippy vibe, barely enough tit to fill my hands, but an ass that should be framed, it’s that lush. Always considered myself a boob man, until I just got an eyeful of her backside. 

While she doctors the elaborate coffee machine, I take the time to check out her shop. An older building, it has an old-fashioned facade with shallow bay windows, displaying an assortment of books, framing the door. Old wood floors that have been left bare to the wear and tear of foot traffic, resulting in a well-worn look more suited to an old saloon. Rows of rugged bookcases, jutting out from the back wall, with chalkboard display signs indicating the different genres. The counter is on one side in front of the window and on the opposite side, in front of the second bay window, is a small seating arrangement with an old, brown leather couch and two club chairs around a small, round coffee table. On the counter is a large, round, glass cake stand with pastries. 

“Here you go. Anything else with that? A pastry to sweeten you up a bit or perhaps a book on appropriate social behavior? I have both.” I can’t stop the smirk tugging at my mouth. This one’s a handful, for sure. Too much of one. I pull out my wallet and slap a couple of dollar bills on the counter. 
“Nah,” I drawl. “Not the kind of sweet I’m looking for, and as for the book, I’ll just wait until you get done with it. You’re probably due for a reread.” I snag my coffee off the counter, and with a wink, I saunter out the door, leaving her standing with her mouth hanging open and fire shooting from those pretty gray eyes.

Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; with characters who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills, and some hot, sizzling sex in their lives.

A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya has not slowed down.


She continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

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The Hardest Fall by Ella Maise Review

arc review 1blurbthehardestfallThe first time you meet someone, you make eye contact. You smile, say hello. Should be simple, if you’re anyone but me. The first time I met Dylan Reed, I found myself making eye contact with a different part of his body. You see, I’m very good at being shy, not to mention extremely well-versed in rambling nonsense and, unfortunately, rather highly skilled at making a fool of myself in front of a guy I’m attracted to.

At the time, I knew nothing about him and thought none of what I said would matter since I’d never speak to him again. Turns out, I was very wrong. He was the star wide receiver of the football team, one of the few players expected to make it into the NFL, and I ended up seeing him all over campus.
I might have also propositioned him, run away from him, attacked him with a cooking utensil…and…uh, maybe I shouldn’t tell you all of it. It’s pretty normal stuff, things you’d expect…from me. Eventually, the time came when I couldn’t hide anymore—not that he’d have let me even if I tried.
Before now, he never knew I was secretly watching him. Now that we see each other every day, he knows when I have a hard time looking away. It doesn’t help that I’m not the most subtle person in the world either.

He smiles at me and tells me he finds me fascinating because of my quirks. I can’t even tell him that I think my heart beats differently whenever he’s around.

He thinks we’re going to be best friends. I think I have a big thing for him, and the more I get to know him, the more I don’t care that I’m not allowed to be his friend, let alone fall for him.

The thing is, that’s exactly what I’m doing—what we’re doing, I think.

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authorProcessed with VSCO with x1 presetWriting has become my world and I can’t imagine myself doing anything other than giving life to new characters and new stories. You know how some things simply makes your heart burst with happiness? A really good book, a puppy, hugging someone you’ve been missing like crazy? That’s what writing does to me. And all the hard work, all the sleepless nights, all the anxiety…everything is worth it at the end. And I’m hoping that reading my books will leave you with that same happy feeling.

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review
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I. Love. Dylan. He’s mine and you can’t have him. Not even if your name is Zoe. I’ve claimed him. He is the sweetest guy, nowhere near a player like the usual jock trope. He is an admittedly “one woman” guy. The SWEETEST guy. He plays football, wide receiver, and is destined to be in the NFL. Although he meets Zoe twice before, things haven’t lined up for them to get together. At the beginning of his senior year, things finally seem to line up for these two… maybe.

Zoe is awkward as hell. She is awesome, but can’t seem to keep her mouth shut when she’s in the same room as Dylan. Two awkward and completely embarrassing encounters later, and Zoe sees Dylan again. And she’s just as completely ridiculous as you would hope from her. And it doesn’t stop there. Due to some circumstances neither one was expecting, they end up living together.

I have to admit, although I loved Zoe and Dylan, I almost didn’t finish reading. I was going to PM the author and ask for some spoilers or something so I could keep reading because I really did love them. There were just some issues I had with the book, but because of plot twists and part of the suspense of the book, I can’t really talk about which issues I had with it. (This book releases on the 20th so when ya read it please message me on Facebook so we can talk as you read.)

I gave this book 5 stars, because even though I wanted to put it down, I couldn’t. I was so completely and totally invested in everything that had to do with these two. From the very first page, their very first encounter, I was hooked. I’ve never read anything from Elle Maise before, but I’m currently stalking her now. Because I’m gonna need more.

Basically, this book was funny, awkward, cringe inducing, plot twist central and it was SO good. So go get it. Add it to your TBR. You’ll love it.

the hardest fall 2.jpg5star