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Loving Ben Cooper by CC Monroe Review

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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 ❤

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Lost in the Shadows by Tracie Douglas

arc review 1blurblostintheshadowsDIZZY IS LOST

Lost in his own grief, Damien Reynolds hides the man he is behind a mask of jokes and laughter. He’s spent years fooling everyone, including himself, hiding the pain he struggles through every day. Now, Dizzy finds himself assigned to the hardest case Cole Securities has ever taken on. He’s wearing a new kind of mask, one that leaves him questioning the goodness of humankind and the world he lives in.

Surviving this mission is the last thing on his mind. Until the night he’s faced with a difficult choice: To save her or not…

PENNY CAPTIVATES HIM

Sold by her family to a group of criminals, Penelope Lopez finds herself lost into a world so dark, very few survive. She must find the strength within herself to endure her new life, but as it is once again tossed into the winds of fate, Penny decides enough is enough and vows to fight. Even if it means losing her life.

But fate has a different plan for her, one in the shape of an imposing man, who casts a shadow about her. A man who, at first sight, decides he can’t ignore the fire in her eyes and makes a vow of his own: To protect her at all costs…

Will Dizzy let her into his heart, allowing her to show him there is still good left in this world? Or will the danger swirling around them be a power even love can’t overcome?

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authortraciedouglasSurviving on caffeine most days, Tracie Douglas lives in Southern California with her husband, two children, two dogs and one really fat cat. She spends her days chasing children and fur babies, all while maintaining the illusion of sanity.

Her nights are spent toiling away at the keyboard, creating a world filled with hot men and strong women. She loves to read and write all types of book but tends to lean on the darker side of the spectrum. She’s pretty handy with a crochet hook too.

Tracie loves to hear from her readers!
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HOLY CRAP!! HOW HAVE I NOT HEARD OF THIS SERIES?! Lost in the Shadows is the third book in the Lost Series, and I was lucky enough to receive an ARC. I don’t know WHAT I was expecting when I started this book, but I am absolutely captivated by Tracie Douglas and her amazing writing skill, and the story she was able to weave. Reading the first two books in the series probably would have been helpful (getting on that ASAP) but it wasn’t necessary for me. There’s enough background, without giving too much away, for this to be read as a standalone.

This book released today (April 9th) and HOLY CRAP is it good! Not just good but INCREDIBLE. If you’re looking for a dark romance, you need this book. Dizzy, or Damien, left me absolutely heartbroken in his resolute determination that he was too broken for Penny. Dizzy is on a dark mission, one that took nine months to complete, that left him even worse than when he started. He is fragmented emotionally, and tries to deny his immediate reaction to Penny(spoiler: his reaction is mine). Even before he comes to terms with Penny, and her role in his life, he doesn’t want anyone to touch her or look at her.

Penelope, or Penny, was sold by her stepfather to sex traffickers. Due to her virginity, she reaches a higher price. This leads her to meeting the beautifully broken Damien. But, he’s undercover so she believes she’s just been sold to her owner, and she’s not sure what to make of it. When she learns the truth of who Damien is, she vows to make him let her in past his walls, and see they could be wonderful together. She wants to heal him, but she stands by his side giving him the strength to do that.

They heal each other, and it is so wonderful and amazing that I am trying not to cry. This is a dark romance, which I think is obvious with the theme of the book. It is suspenseful, thrilling, and has plot twists GALORE. I was halfway through the book thinking it was almost over, since Damien decided to go all alpha on Penny, when I realized HOLY CRAP THERES MORE.

I’m saying holy crap a lot… but that was my literal reaction to about half of what transpired in this book. I absolutely ADORED this novel, and will be going back to read the others in the series, if only because that epilogue was great and I need more.

Tracie, you’ve got me talking in run on sentences. How dare you. In my humble opinion, this is so much more than 5 stars, it should be 10. I love it. I love Tracie. BRB, I’m going to go stalk her on social media.

GO GET THIS BOOK!! Did I mention the series is free on Kindle Unlimited?
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5star

…But you can’t Hide

I received a copy of Run, Hide, Break & Chase, in exchange for honest reviews. Here’s my second one…

blurbhideIt was inevitable that Julia would run into Holden Saunders again. The one person she dreaded seeing and wanted to see the most.

He was still as gorgeous as the first time they had met. Muscular, tall, with his golden brown eyes that said more than what he spoke. They’re opposites in so many ways. He was closed off, and so utterly irritating the last time she was around him. He was rude and bossy but the one man she had been dreaming about for the last year.

Now that she’s back in Lakefield, Julia is getting to know the real Holden. He’s resorting to blackmail, physical dominance and isn’t listening to her protests. He’s the one that tempts her with his vulgar mouth and makes her body sing like no other man.

She can’t decide whether to punch him or kiss him. Maybe both.

They’re up against stalkers, the media, and a lot of bizarre circumstances as she makes a decision about her music career.

But he’s making his intent crystal clear: he’ll protect her, possess her, and make her beg.

Everyone hides something. Julia should know. She’s been trying to hide from her past for the last year. But this troublesome, mischievous man, may not let her hide any longer.

**Full-length standalone romance. 70,000+ words. No cheating, or cliffhangers with a Happily Ever After! Suggested 18+.

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author

Jennifer Vester is a romance author whose ambition is to entertain readers with off-beat female characters and the over-the-top alpha men that love them.

Her books revolve around romantic suspense with a little something for every reader. Always an HEA….(but look out for those twists!) It’s romance suspense after all.

The Lakefield series deals with some very serious subjects at times.

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review
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Julia and Holden were freaking hilarious. I’ve only read one other book from Jennifer Vester, but I honestly had no idea what to expect going into Hide. After finishing Run, I was excited to see how Julia and Holden got together, I just wasn’t expecting it to be a year after Run took place. But Julia needed that time to pretend to heal after everything that went down the year before. I say pretend, because I think she was just ignoring what had happened, not really dealing with it.

When Julia and Holden first met it was instant attraction, mixed with some fire and ice. Julia was all over the place hot, and Holden was literally known as Mr. Ice. Julia continues to believe they just wouldn’t work together, which is part of the reason it takes her a year to come back to Lakefield. What she wasn’t expecting, was to see the human side of Holden. The side that freaks out over her safety. The side that laughs and jokes with her. The side that is totally caveman. The side that is soft and gentle, with only her.

Julia didn’t stand a freaking chance.

One of the things I love about this book and the previous, is the humor infused within every page. Even in the times that are scary, the characters keep it from becoming too heavy. I love Julia’s constant references to having Holden admitted, and Holden flustering the heck out of Julia. These two were explosive in the best way.

Usually, I sympathize heavily with the heroine that has to deal with the alpha male-cause feminism. But in this case, I feel soooo bad for Holden. Julia would drive me to the insane asylum. But it was so funny! And Holden’s parents? I love them. (I’m hoping I see more of them in the next two books…)

My advice? Hop, skip and jump your way over to amazon to pick up this book! Join the Lakefield craziness!

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4star

I think everybody looks forward to the Summer

blurbSensual woman kissing her handsome husbandWhen Natalie Quimby started working as a third grade teacher she vowed to shed her socialite skin for good. And things were going great.

Enter tall, dark and handsome August Huffman. He’s everything Natalie wants in a man. There’s just one problem, he’s the father of one of her students.

Will Natalie finally find love, or is she doomed to repeat past mistakes?

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author

ellejefferson

I’ve been reading as long as I’ve been walking, though I never done the two together (I’m rather clumsy). With the birth of my second son I became a stay-at-home mom and found when the little one took a nap I had a WHOLE hour to myself.

I wanted nothing more than to escape for that hour and thus a love for writing was born.

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Holy fireworks, batman. This book has a single parent, ex-baby mama drama, and a hot daddy with an accent. Not just an accent, but an Irish/Scottish lilt, and if that doesn’t make you hot, I don’t know what will.

Natalie is a teacher who has a student, Thomas, that has been acting out. She schedules a meeting with Thomas’ parents, which is where she meets Mr. Tall-Dark and Handsome with an accent, August. August shows up late to the meeting, is a big ol’ Mr. Grumpy-pants, so returns later to apologize. These two have the instant connection, the instant love, they have to wait until Natalie is no longer Thomas’ teacher before they can get together.

The problem? Baby-mama is a grade A… well, you know. She causes major issues for this couple, because Natalie has a past. A past she has worked hard to move on from. She is a new person, who’s trying to make it work with a super hot dad.

I loved many things about this book. I loved the texting, I loved the drunk/hungover scenes, I loved the realness Elle Jefferson added into the insta-love factor, and I loved August’s unwillingness to give up. And when they get together, finally, it’s like fireworks and explosions and BOOM! I wish there was an epilogue (because, hello, I need more!) and I don’t know how old the characters are. Age is not important, but I don’t like trying to guess ages or do math to figure it out. I suck at math.

Elle’s contribution to the Happily Ever Alpha series was FAB! Thank you Elle!

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4star

TEASER TIME!

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Defile, a Contemporary, Rockstar Romance from Jessica Prince is coming May 3rd.

SYNOPSIS:

Declan Forrester is arrogant, selfish, and insanely sexy.
He was the very first boy I ever loved.
Then fame and fortune turned
him into a man I no longer recognized. I tried to give him
everything he needed, and in return…
he broke my heart
Now he’s back, and he wants to make things right.
What started as love turned to hate. I told myself I’d
never fall for him again, but he’s determined to
prove me wrong.
He wants to win me.
He wants to own me.
He wants to defile me.
And if I’m not careful…
I just might let him

**The Civil Corruption series is a series of interconnected, standalone, rockstar romances.**
Meet Declan in Corrupt

Back to Her by Dani Wyatt Review

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38598834Going to prison and taking the fall was my gift to Mia. How was I to know her father would disappear with her and I would lose her forever? After serving my five years I’m finally out, but bars or no bars, I’m still in hell.

I never believed in miracles until today. Because I’ve found her. All plush softness, sorrowful eyes and lips that call to be kissed. She’s right here in the same place I’d met her all those years ago when she was too young. Before I could touch her.

There is no force on heaven or earth that will take her from me again. No force that will keep my hands off her now. I will take her. I will do as I please with her because she is mine. Now and forever. God help us both.

Author’s Note: Take five years waiting for her to be legal. Then another five locked up in prison and you’ve got one powder keg of alpha naughtiness waiting to explode. This love at the speed of light novella will warm your heart and your nether regions. All you expect…safe, smutty, swoony and happily ever after.

author

From the bio of Dani Wyatt on Goodreads: 
Since I was a little girl, I’ve made up stories. I would lay in my bed at night and before I knew what a trope was, I would make up these trope filled stories. Boy sees girl, boys falls for girl, boy saves girl….happily ever after. As I got older, the stories turned steamier and more intricate, but the basics never changed.

Now, my books are still full of romance but the naughty bits are naughtier, my hero’s are obsessed alpha types and my heroines are quirky, real women who come in all shapes and sizes.

So, sit back, banish the real world and get lost in some over the top romance with a heaping helping of hot. xoxoxo

Amazon:
Dani Wyatt used to feel bad about having such dirty thoughts. Luckily, one day she decided to starting writing them down. Her uber alpha heros have a wicked possessive streak and an insatiable libido. Her heroines are intelligent, quirky and worry about having too much muffin top. With her books, you can count on a heaping helping of HOT and always a happily ever after.

When she’s not writing (which is not often) she is probably laughing about some irony (like A-1 Steak Sauce is vegan), riding her horse, wondering why The Walking Dead can’t have a new episode every night, or looking cross-eyed at some piece of technology sent to ruin her day.

Friend her on Facebook here.

review

3-stars

I’ve read quite a few Dani Wyatt books, and I’ve always loved her OTT Alphas, but Walker just didn’t do it for me like some of Dani’s other alphas. The book started out strong, but eventually Walker and Mia just bothered me.

First, I don’t know what the heck Walker did to make money. When he first got out of prison he said he still had a lot of money, but that he needed more. But then later he doesn’t have enough money to help Mia and her Nana? And then there’s Mia, who has been kept inside her whole life by her father and no longer wants to be trapped hoping a man could take care of her. Admirable, but the first thing she does is lie to Walker and meet with a creep. A creep she didn’t like before her father disappeared with her. There was also a lot of unexplained things in the book, and it made parts of it feel rushed. Then there seemed to be unnecessary drama, that was resolved very quickly.

I still gave this book three stars because Dani always delivers on at least two things: the quality of writing, and super steamy love scenes. While the flow of the novel wasn’t my favorite, I can’t complain about her style of writing. While Walker wasn’t my favorite alpha that Dani has created, he is still Over The Top and completely in love with Mia. He knows what he wants, and waiting ten years to get it doesn’t stop him.

This is a short, insta-love story available free on Kindle Unlimited. Goodreads.

St. Patrick’s Day Reads

Looking for a short, St. Paddy’s day romance? Look no further!

Alexa Riley — Charmed

39005020Every day Charlie goes to sketch a beautiful building that’s been under construction. She’s drawn to it for some reason, and it makes her paints come alive. On the day the painting is to be finished, the St. Patrick’s Day parade is in town. But a run-in between her tray of paints and a big grouchy beast in a suit has her fleeing for safety.

Warren has never wanted someone the way he wants her. One chance encounter has got him searching every inch of the city for her. She can hide, but not for long. He’ll make her his, no matter what.

Warning: This St. Patrick’s Day quickie is adorably fun and over the top. Grab your shamrocks and cozy up with this sweet treat.

Goodreads Rating: 4.16 Stars
Amazon Rating: 4.6 Stars
Release date: March 12, 2018 (HAPPY RELEASE DAY ALEXA!!)

Add to your TBR!

Mia Ford — Second Chance on St. Patrick’s Day

39023633He seduced me, used me, and broke my heart.
And now…
He’s back!
My brain says ‘no.’
But my heart screams ‘yes.’
Who wins amongst the two is a different story altogether!
Well, let’s just say, Conner McGee is a HARD man to forget.
I had no idea that a one night stand would lead to this.
Our lives are full of lies, secrets, and seduction.
He stole my heart long before I found the truth.
Maybe I did not see it coming.
Maybe that’s why it hurts so bad.
Maybe that’s why they say timing and love never go together.

Goodreads Rating: 4.56 Stars
Amazon Rating: 4.7 Stars
Release Date: March 5, 2018

Add it to your TBR!

Juliana Conners — Sold on St. Patrick’s Day

34598845I’m plucking her Shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day.

Jade is 19 years old, with curves more luscious than the rolling green hills of Ireland.
I guess it’s the luck of the Irish that I get to claim her as my own.
But that’s because she was unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
While she was studying in Ireland, she may have witnessed my dad—a notorious Irish gangster—commit a crime.
He sends me to Boston to find out what she knows and deal with it if necessary.

The job is supposed to be easy:
Get in, get out, move on— everything I’m used to doing without a hitch.

The set-up makes this job even easier and it comes with a perk:
She’ll willingly sell herself to me at an auction, without knowing why I’m there.
I’ll purchase her body— and win her trust— at any price.

Dominating her is a treat as sweet as sin.
When I find out she’s a virgin, that’s the cherry on top.
A cherry I get to pop!

But this job is about to have a major f*cking hitch.
Both of us enjoy what I do to break her spirit and earn her trust, a little more than we should.

After I buy her body, will she steal my heart?

*Sold on St. Patrick’s Day is a standalone romance novella with no cliffhanger and no cheating. It features a dominant billionaire bad boy alpha male, a feisty BBW and a HEA. This story is a super steamy treat sure to set your Kindle on fire. For a limited time this edition comes with three bonus books, which include the entire Bradford Brothers Military/ Secret Baby Bad Boy Series: Jensen, Harlow and Ramsey.

Goodreads Rating: 3.65 Stars
Amazon Rating: 4.3 Stars
Release Date: March 13, 2017

Add it to your TBR!

Chance Carter — First Time Lucky

38917948Ladies, take it from me, if you have any sense, do not fall for an Irish guy.
Especially a fiery-tempered, muscular, tattooed, bad boy who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks without a father.
That’s Shane.

My Shane.
At least, I hope he becomes mine.

When we were in high school I know he liked me. He was going to ask me to prom. We were destined to be together.
And then everything went wrong.
This town was never kind to outsiders, and an Irish fighter like Shane never stood a chance against the creeps who run things around here.
They weren’t about to let him make off with me.

So they almost killed him.

They dropped him at a bus station with a one-way ticket across the country, and I thought I’d never see him again.
Now he’s back, and there’s going to be trouble. Three years in the military has turned him into a dangerous weapon. And he’s going to unleash on St. Patrick’s Day and reclaim the woman he was always supposed to have.

The woman who’s heart has always been his.
The woman who saved her first time for him.
Me.

Goodreads Rating: 4.39 Stars
Amazon Rating: 4.8 Stars
Release Date: March 2, 2018

Add it to your TBR!

Lucky Charm: A St. Patrick’s Day Irish Billionaire Fake Fiance Romance by Eva Luxe

39209389She needs a fake fiance and I’m just the guy to play the part. 

I moved from Ireland to New York City to pursue a career in acting.
My family has a lot of money, but I want to make it on my own.
One day I’m at Starbucks, minding my own business, studying for an audition.
Suddenly a beautiful, curvy stranger heads straight to my table.
Her ex cheated on her with her best friend, she says.
And they’ve both just entered the coffee shop!
Please pretend to be my boyfriend so I don’t seem so pathetic, she asks.
Well, I’m an actor, aren’t I?
So, how can I resist the pleading request from those pretty hazel eyes that match her name?
I’ll do her one better – I pretend to be her fiance.
Soon, we’re caught in a game of one up-manship with her snotty ex friend.
Like all my acting gigs, I play this one very well.
It turns out that Hazel brings me luck – and I do the same for her.
But this is all just pretend, right?
We’re not really going to get married on St. Patrick’s Day like we keep telling everyone, are we?

Maybe I’m playing the role a bit too well, because I find myself believing it’s real.

Lucky Charm is a full length standalone novel with no cheating and no cliffhangers, but with a very happy St. Patrick’s Day and ever after, and a whole bunch of Irish flavored steam.

Goodreads rating: 3.97 Stars
Amazon Rating: 4.7 Stars
Release Date: March 12th, 2018.

Add it to your TBR!

My Goodreads Shelf

 

Let me know what your favorite St. Patrick’s Day Read is!

 

 

COVER REVEAL!! UNTIL MORE BY S. VAN HORNE

 

 

Until More by: S. Van Horne
An Until and More Series Crossover
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Cover Design: SK Designs


At twenty-two, Crystal Kopas didn’t know where her life was heading. Ghost writing romance stories for well-known authors isn’t an easy thing to do, especially when she couldn’t forget the one man who rocked her world. After moving to Hawaii, she thought she was finally getting her life on track. That is—until he showed up.

At twenty-five, Detective Vigo Conti decided it was time to take a vacation with his baby sister. After a grueling case that took everything out of him, he packed up Maddison and hit the beaches of Hawaii, praying to get his mind off the one woman who seemed to steal his heart when she disappeared after only one night together. He was finally starting to relax and enjoy his time with Mads uninterrupted. That is—until he sees her.

Without warning, disaster strikes and Conti vows he will do everything to get his family back. Because sometimes finding that special BOOM makes one cross lines never imagined.

Will Conti be able to save his family before it is too late?

Follow the link below to view a trailer for Until More!

https://video214.com/play/3vtOezUtyg0rgBjiAohh7Q/s/dark

S. Van Horne was born and raised in the small town of Belton, Missouri, which is a part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. She’s from a very large family and is the oldest of six. Growing up, she didn’t have the easiest life. She learned quickly that family means everything, even if it’s the type that you get to pick for yourself.

She met the love of her life at the early age of twenty and was married just after nine months of meeting him. Shortly after marriage, her husband rejoined the U.S. Navy and they moved from Kansas City and started their journey together. Currently they have two amazing children, a boy and a girl, and are still enjoying the Navy life.

She spends her days being a wife, mom, reading books, writing her latest novel, watching her beloved Kansas City Chiefs or Kansas City Royals, watching movies, hanging out with family and friends and having girls’ day at least once a month.

FACEBOOK   TWITTER   INSTAGRAM   AMAZON   WEBSITE  NEWSLETTER

 

 

 

The cover reveal’s for the Happily Ever Alpha Kindle Words Crossover are coming out today!! How excited are you?? And which one are you looking forward to most??

 

Who Doesn’t Love Big Crazy Families?

In anticipation for the Kindle World’s Until crossover series (also known as the “Happily Ever Alpha Kindle World”), based on Aurora Rose Reynolds’ Until Him/Her series, I’ve gone and read some of the authors crossing over. It’s releasing in April 2018 and I am so excited, because I seriously love the whole Mayson crew. (And Until Harmony comes out March 6th, look for my review after it’s released!)

The first author I picked up was Brynne Asher, and the Carpino series, because Byrnne’s novel, Until Avery, will be a crossover with this series. And Ms. Asher, I NEED MORE! It was a short series, only three books, but there were so many people that could have had a story, and the family is just so crazy, that I cannot wait until Avery releases. I need more Carpino’s in my life.

The first novel is Overflow, starring Gabby Carpino and Jude Ortiz.

BeFunky Design

Gabby is an interior decorator, not designer don’t mess it up, with a huge, crazy Italian family. After decorating her friend’s laundry room, the FBI and ATF come barging in, hand cuff her, and pat her down. Jude Ortiz is the FBI agent that pat her down, and then barges his way into her life when she could be in even more danger. Jude, with his police get up, ability to put Gabby in a Jude coma with his kisses, and his bossy-ness, not-so-slowly moves into Gabby’s life and home, protecting her and going out of his mind with worry. Because as much as Gabby likes Jude’s bossy behavior, she still gets her way when she wants to.

This book started out slow. So slow, I was seriously worried if I would be able to finish it. I loved Gabby and Jude almost from the beginning, but because Gabby is an interior decorator, it seemed the first chapter was dedicated to just the laundry room Gabby had designed. Gabby’s eye for detail certainly made her job a profitable one, but the paragraphs dedicated to just how a room looked, were not for me. I bullied through, and I am so glad that I did. Gabby and Jude’s love story is one that I don’t think I will ever be able to get over. It has the perfect amount of struggle and darkness, and tons of comedy to keep it light, and fun.

After giving Overflow 4 stars, I moved onto Beautiful Life.

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This story had some more darker themes to it. Leigh, who is Gabby’s best friend since they were 8, has an abusive ex-husband, whom she left because she got pregnant and he beat her. She miscarried. Tony Carpino, who is Gabby’s cousin, who’s always had a thing for Leigh but waited too long, slowly moves in so he can get his chance to be with her. Leigh, who is still struggling with the four years she spent with her husband, and still coming to terms with how to be Leigh again, tries to ignore her feelings for Tony. Gabby was in a Jude Coma, Leigh had Tony Torture. Little touches, gentle caresses, that Tony gave Leigh to show her that he was not Preston, he would never be Preston, and he was going to wait until she was ready. He pushed, just enough for Leigh.

This book was a little darker in it’s nature. Leigh’s life was a hard one, but Brynne makes expertly navigates the emotional trauma Leigh suffered, and Tony’s struggle to be with Leigh, help her move forward with her life and not be stuck living in her mental prison, but also end up happy with her. The one thing that bothered me, that bothers me about all books that have an extreme emotional and physical trauma, is that everyone says their fine and they don’t need to see a therapist. Like going to therapy is a bad thing. Therapy is not bad! And I’d love to see more authors writing a more accepting view of therapy.

But I think that’s more my personal issue than an actual issue with the book. I have never been the victim of physical abuse so I don’t know how it feels to be abused by someone, and I can’t tell if this accurately portrays that. I do know, that it was believable.

My one question: for all that Gabby and her friends complained about Preston being an asshole, and never seeing Leigh, how could they not know that he was being abusive?! It seemed pretty obvious to me.

Still 4 out of 5 stars!

The last of the series is my favorite installment, Athica Lane.

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This is the story that, start to finish, kept me smiling and laughing. Paige Carpino meets Cam Montgomery after literally bumping into him at a burger store. After they’re both a mean to each they’re both mean to each other, they go their separate ways thinking they will never see each other again. But, Paige is watching his kids while her sister Sophia is on her anniversary vacation. While Cam would love to never see her again, and vice-versa, Cam’s kids quickly fall in love with her. Cam and Paige struggle with some crazy events, and Cam struggles with his ex-wife Bekki with an i (please read this novel so you can understand that reference), and the damage she did to him when she left him with two kids.

The third installment of the Carpinos includes two crazy families, a lot of psychos, and some more darker themes. This is probably the craziest of the three books when it comes to struggles, but it is also my favorite. I was engaged from beginning to end, constantly waiting for the next part, the next crazy antic that would happen. My favorite part? There’s something that Paige wants that Cam can’t give her, and she sticks with it. She agrees there’s things she has to do, to stay safe; she agrees there’s things she has to do for the kids, and will do everything she can to protect them; but she will not give up her dreams. And she doesn’t force Cam.

I do love a strong heroine.

This book? 5 stars. Hands down.

You’re going to go down in the books as a first class donkey face with a pile of shit on your head.” – Jen Montgomery

Quotes like the one above are what made me laugh out loud, literally. Brynne’s writing is amazing. And she truly brings the Carpino family to life. I cannot wait to continue reading more of Brynne’s work.