Monday, October 31, 2016

New release from Meghan Quinn tomorrow and SALE!!!!!!!!!!




#3 in Meghan Quinn's amazing series is out tomorrow AND if you preorder you get it for only $1.99 AND the first two books in the series are on sale as well-links below!











 
You've got to read Hollis and Melony's story-they are hilarious!

 

 
 
Don't forget the rest of this Gold Medal Team:
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STROKED #99cents










STROKED LONG #99cents
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2bMRByM
 
 
 
 
 

STROKED HARD $1.99!
Nook: to come!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, October 28, 2016

Cover Reveal for Melanie Harlow's latest!!!!!

Preorder: 
SIGN UP HERE to be notified when After We Fall is LIVE on amazon! http://bit.ly/1HY7Z75


Synopsis: 


Jack Valentini isn’t my type. 

Sexy, brooding cowboys are fine in the movies, but in real life, I prefer a suit and tie. Proper manners. A close shave. 

Jack might be gorgeous, but he’s also scruffy, rugged, and rude. He wants nothing to do with a “rich city girl” like me, and he isn’t afraid to say so. 

But I’ve got a PR job to do for his family’s farm, so he’s stuck with me and I’m stuck with him. His glares. His moods. His tight jeans. His muscles. 

His huge, hard muscles.

Pretty soon there’s a whole different kind of tension between us, the kind that has me misbehaving in barns, trees, and pickup trucks. I’ve never done anything so out of character—but it feels too good to stop.

And the more I learn about the grieving ex-Army sergeant, the better I understand him. Losing his wife left him broken and bitter and blaming himself. He doesn’t think he deserves a second chance at happiness. 

But he’s wrong.

I don’t need to be his first love. If only he’d let me be his last.

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2dNmu7h
 
 


Thursday, October 27, 2016

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

 

Summary from Amazon:

Monsieur Perdu can prescribe the perfect book for a broken heart. But can he fix his own?
 
Monsieur Perdu calls himself a literary apothecary. From his floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life. Using his intuitive feel for the exact book a reader needs, Perdu mends broken hearts and souls. The only person he can't seem to heal through literature is himself; he's still haunted by heartbreak after his great love disappeared. She left him with only a letter, which he has never opened.

After Perdu is finally tempted to read the letter, he hauls anchor and departs on a mission to the south of France, hoping to make peace with his loss and discover the end of the story. Joined by a bestselling but blocked author and a lovelorn Italian chef, Perdu travels along the country’s rivers, dispensing his wisdom and his books, showing that the literary world can take the human soul on a journey to heal itself.

Internationally bestselling and filled with warmth and adventure, The Little Paris Bookshop is a love letter to books, meant for anyone who believes in the power of stories to shape people's lives.
https://fredthethread.wordpress.com/source

 

My Thoughts:

     I read the description for this book and immediately wanted to read it; a literary apothecary? Amazing idea!  The first several chapters were wonderful and I found myself underlining many passages. “With all due respect, what you read is more important in the long term that the man you marry, ma chere, Madame.”  J
   Monsieur Perdu is said to have transperception; he can discern from a single conversation exactly what a soul lacks and then can prescribe the exact right book to help heal this ailment.  He helped heal hundreds of people suffering from loneliness, fear, and grief…except for himself.  This is the story of how Perdu healed and once again learn to love.
     This is a story of deep grief and loss but also of hope and love of people, life and of course, books!  I loved the concept of the floating book pharmacy and the writing is very good but other than enjoying these ideas and a few funny moments this book was just okay to me.  I think maybe if you both in a place of grief and a lover of books you would enjoy this much more.  Not that I didn’t get something out of this story but I did not feel a deep connection to any of the characters.  2/5
Has anyone else read this one? How did you feel about the book overall?
 
http://editingeverything.com/blog/2015/09/24/bookquote-the-little-paris-bookshop/source
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, October 25, 2016

FREEBIE ALERT!!!!!!!!!


Some Sort of Happy (Book 1 in the Happy Crazy Love series) by Melanie Harlow is FREE for a limited time!!! One of my favorite series but one of the best authors I've discovered over the last few years!

Blurb:


Skylar Nixon. She’s even more beautiful than I remember. Ten years ago she was an impossible dream, and now she’s right here in front of me, offering everything I ever wanted.

But happiness never lasts, not for someone like me.

I have to protect us both.

****

Sebastian Pryce. He’s the most complicated, frustrating, beautiful man I’ve ever met, and my body craves his with a hunger I’ve never known.

My heart is his completely.

Why won’t he let me in?




"This book was wittysexy, and heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Easily one of my top reads of this year5 fantastic stars for SOME SORT OF HAPPY!" -- Book Lovers Obsession
 
 
FREEBIE ALERT! 
Some Sort of Happy by Melanie Harlow is FREE for a limited time only! 
Grab this must read STANDALONE today! 

 
 

Monday, October 24, 2016

The Good, the Bad, and the Guacamole by Rebecca Adler

 
 

Summary from Amazon:

     Tourists are pouring into the town of Broken Boot for the annual Homestead Days Music Festival. Opening the celebration at Two Boots dance hall is smooth-talking country singer Jeff Clark, the ex-boyfriend of Josie’s best friend, Patti Perez. When the charming Clark woos Patti onstage in an attempt to rekindle some sparks with his old flame, Josie fears her friend will end up as just one more notch on the singer’s guitar strap.

     To impress her editor at the Broken Boot Bugle, Josie and her Chihuahua, Lenny, pursue the singer to Patti’s house, hoping for an interview. Instead, they discover Clark facedown in a bowl of guacamole with a bloodied guitar at his side. With Patti suddenly a murder suspect, Josie must use her reporter skills to find out who had a chip on their shoulder—before the killer double dips....
 

My Thoughts:

     Josie Callahan is back in the small west Texas town she grew up in after a bad breakup.  She is waiting tables at her family’s restaurant, Milagro, and also working part time at Broken Boot, Texas’ only newspaper.  To help drum up business now that things are slow around the restaurant and bar Josie’s aunt & uncle are putting on a singer/songwriter’s contest during the local Homestead Days.  They’ve also invited so up and coming Texas artists to come perform at night.  One of these bands has a lead singer who is very popular with the ladies and just so happens to be Josie’s best friend’s ex.
     When Patti, Josie’s bf, gets together to catch up with her ex and ends up letting him crash on her couch-he turns up dead!?!?! Of course, Patti is suspect number one and of course, Josie must investigate to help free her friend.  Using her journalist job to not only write a great story but to also help further the investigation, Josie embarks on an interesting ride through small town life to find out what really happened.
     This is the second installment in Adler’s Taste of Texas Mystery series but the first that I have personally read.  I think that missing the first book may be why, but I did find the first chapter or two a bit choppy and without good flow.  I was a bit confused with some of the characters (it took 2 pages for me to figure out Lenny is a dog?!) but after those initial bumps I really enjoyed this light, cozy mystery.
     I found the characters fun, kooky and amusing especially Senora Mari/Abuela.  Josie is a great main character with plenty of spunk, smarts, and independence.  I really enjoyed her relationships with her parents and the nosy characters around her small town.  I also enjoyed the small town atmosphere and completely understood the relationships there as I am a small town girl myself.
     Overall, once I got past the first few chapters and figured out the who’s and what’s, this was an enjoyable cozy mystery.  I would recommend this to any reader who is looking for a new cozy mystery series!
4/5 stars
 
 

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

 
Summary from Amazon:
    One Sunday afternoon in Southern California, Bert Cousins shows up at Franny Keating’s christening party uninvited. Before evening falls, he has kissed Franny’s mother, Beverly—thus setting in motion the dissolution of their marriages and the joining of two families.
     Spanning five decades, Commonwealth explores how this chance encounter reverberates through the lives of the four parents and six children involved. Spending summers together in Virginia, the Keating and Cousins children forge a lasting bond that is based on a shared disillusionment with their parents and the strange and genuine affection that grows up between them.
     When, in her twenties, Franny begins an affair with the legendary author Leon Posen and tells him about her family, the story of her siblings is no longer hers to control. Their childhood becomes the basis for his wildly successful book, ultimately forcing them to come to terms with their losses, their guilt, and the deeply loyal connection they feel for one another.
     Told with equal measures of humor and heartbreak, Commonwealth is a meditation on inspiration, interpretation, and the ownership of stories. It is a brilliant and tender tale of the far-reaching ties of love and responsibility that bind us together.

 
My Thoughts:

     How can one little decision, one tiny thing, change the lives of so many people? One person showing up to a party, uninvited but welcome, shouldn’t cause that big of a problem, should it?
     Commonwealth isn’t a big drama filled soap opera about how a family was torn apart but it still draws you into the lives of the Keatings’ and the Cousins’.  Jumping back and forth between decades showing how divorce and blended families worked or didn’t the real story is told about how no one is ever really the same again. 
     At first, I was afraid that I would not be able to keep all the characters straight as the book starts out thrusting you right into a party with a lot of guests and stories.  This wasn’t the case though.  As you were reading Commonwealth you immediately become concerned for how this will all unfold after the disastrous christening party, especially the children.  The lives of the Keating and Cousins children are drastically altered and they all take very different paths.
     This is the first book by Ann Patchett that I have read and I must say that she is a very gifted writer.  She manages to pull you in without over dramatizing everything and without overly flower-y prose.  Honestly, most of the characters in this book are not great people and while I did not like them (except for Franny) and did care about what happened to them and hoped they found happiness. 

4/5 stars


Author's site: http://www.annpatchett.com/about/

Monday, October 17, 2016

New Additions to the Pile!


     So I realize that it has been quite awhile (July??!!) since I did one of these posts.  It hasn't been because I didn't buy any books, trust me! I have gotten so many great opportunities to review books and personally been so busy that I just haven't gotten around to doing a post like this one.
     If you see that pile above you'll know that there have been several new-to-me book purchases made around my house!  Half Price Books had a GIGANTIC sale at a nearby expo center back in August-nothing over $2! WOO HOO! I couldn't pass that up so I spent three hours with my head bent digging through tables of books.  The daughter and I ended up with stiff necks and over 35 books plus several movies.  'Twas a great day! :)

Here are just some of my recent purchases:





In The Woods by Tana French: heard this a great series so very excited to start it.

















No Safe House by Linwood Barclay: one of my favorite writers
















Original Sin by PD James: I read and loved Death Comes to Pemberley so I want to read more by this writer















The Tailor of Panama by John le Carre: I really enjoyed The Night Manager so again, interested in reading more












The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury:  I enjoyed The DaVinci Code and am very interested in religion and history so this sounded good.














Suspicious by Nora Roberts: I enjoy a good romantic suspense but usually only by Nora Roberts.  I picked up several of her books at the sale.







The Postmistress by Sarah Blake: historical fiction has been a new genre for me over the last year or so and I am finding all kinds of great stuff to read













Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll: I keep hearing how great this book is-we'll see!









   
 
Like I said, this is only a small sampling of all the new goodies I have purchased but this post would be waaaaayyy too long if I put them all on here.  I will (hopefully) be able to review some for the blog to share more of them with everyone. Have a great week!






     I am currently reading Commonwealth by Anne Patchett for the newly started Modern Mrs. Darcy's Book Club-click the link if you are interested in joining as it should be a lot of fun!


Thursday, October 13, 2016

Roman Crazy by Alice Clayton & Nina Bocci

Summary from Amazon:


     Avery Bardot steps off the plane in Rome, looking for a fresh start. She's left behind a soon-to-be ex-husband in Boston and plans to spend the summer with her best friend Daisy, licking her wounds--and perhaps a gelato or two. But when her American-expat friend throws her a welcome party on her first night, Avery's thrown for a loop when she sees a man she never thought she'd see again: Italian architect Marcello Bianchi.

     Marcello was the man--the one who got away. And now her past is colliding with her present, a present where she should be mourning the loss of her marriage and--hey, that fettuccine is delicious! And so is Marcello...

     Slipping easily into the good life of summertime in Rome, Avery spends her days exploring a city that makes art historians swoon, and her nights swooning over her unexpected what was old is new again romance. It's heady, it's fevered, it's wanton, and it's crazy. But could this really be her new life? Or is it just a temporary reprieve before returning to the land of twin-set cardigans and crustless sandwiches?

     A celebration of great friendship, passionate romance, and wonderful food, Roman Crazy is a lighthearted story of second chances and living life to the fullest.

 
https://warhawkevault.wordpress.com/2016/09/08/arc-review-roman-crazy-by-nina-bocci-alice-clayton/

My Thoughts:


   

     I have always wanted to go to Italy; the history, the art, the food! Reading this book made me feel like I was actually there-smelling, tasting, touching all the beauty of Rome.  I finished this book with an even bigger yearning to go to this beautiful area and experience it for myself! These two writers wrote about the city so very well that I felt as if I was right there myself-truly wonderful.
     The story itself is filled with funny, loving and endearing characters and I felt their joy and pain as well.  Avery has gone through so much and given up so much that I was rooting for her right from the beginning.  Her story is real and authentic. 
     Marcello is the love she left behind to live the life she thought she was supposed to live, never realizing that she wasn’t truly happy nor was she being true to herself.  Once that life fell apart, she realized she had to start over and that meant going back to her old self in order to find out who she was really meant to be.  Finding Marcello again was a shock to Avery and getting to know him again makes her think about what she wants out of her life and also what she is never willingly to give up again, herself.  Avery’s story is real and authentic. 
     This is a truly great story about finding love again but not just with a partner in life but within yourself!
4.5/5 stars

 

Monday, October 10, 2016

Pucked Under by Helena Hunting




 Summary from Amazon:


Randy Ballistic and Lily LeBlanc are head-over-heels, bed-breakingly, screaming orgasmically in love. But even they have their challenges, mostly outside of the bedroom.

With the off-season coming to a close and the boys gearing up for training camp, one more weekend of fun is the perfect way to welcome the new season.

The entire crew piles into vehicles and drives to Alex and Violet’s Chicago cottage for a few days of relaxation―and hopefully a chance for Randy to shake the anxiety that’s been plaguing him.

Accidental wardrobe malfunctions, typical Violet inspired overshares, and a whole lot of private time round out the perfect weekend getaway.

But the moment they return to the city all of Randy’s angst resurfaces with the arrival…

 

My Thoughts:


     Randy and Lily are in a really great place in their relationship and their lives as a whole.  Randy is about to start his second season with Chicago’s NHL team, Lily’s getting a lot of new clients in her coaching/teaching at the skating rink and they are happily living together with all of their best friends close by .  One last fun filled weekend at the lake with all their best pals seems like the perfect way to end the off season.  Everything is great but with the new season looming on the horizon, Randy is feeling a bit clinging and worried about how their relationship will weather the storm of being apart. 

     To make things even more intense Randy Sr. decides this would be a great time to crash at his son’s house…again.  Randy and Lily come home from their great weekend to find a mess in the house and a drunk, dead-beat dad on the couch, passed out.  Tensions are high and with Senior’s foulmouthed opinions being flung at him, Randy is unsure of how he can be all that Lily needs him to be…can he still keep his career and be happy?

     First of all, I love this series.  The characters are crazy, wild and foulmouthed but they are real and Ms. Hunting gives them real problems and anxieties that we all deal with in life and relationships.  Secondly, Randy and Lily are my faves! Tough, feisty, sweet and insecure this couple is so much fun to read about.  They aren’t as crazy as Violet and Alex but for some reason they hold a special place with me.

     I was so glad to hear that Randy and Lily would be back with their own book! I had no idea what would be going on with them as they seemed to be in a perfect place in their lives but of course, nothing is perfect.  Randy struggles so hard trying to not be his dad and make his same mistakes that he doesn’t realize that he is nothing like him; they may look a lot alike but that’s where it ends.  Lily is so heartbroken to see him struggle with this but she is also scared that she will lose him because he fears hurting her so very much.  Their fears and worries are very real and relatable-you will fall for and root for this couple all over again!

4.5/5 stars
 
 
*I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
SBPR-PU-RB.jpg

Pucked Under by Helena Hunting Series: Pucked 4.5 Release Date: October 10, 2016 Genre: Contemporary Romance


pucked under hh.jpg

Synopsis:

Randy Ballistic and Lily LeBlanc are head-over-heels, bed-breakingly, screaming orgasmically in love. But even they have their challenges, mostly outside of the bedroom.
With the off-season coming to a close and the boys gearing up for training camp, one more weekend of fun is the perfect way to welcome the new season.
The entire crew piles into vehicles and drives to Alex and Violet’s Chicago cottage for a few days of relaxation―and hopefully a chance for Randy to shake the anxiety that’s been plaguing him.
Accidental wardrobe malfunctions, typical Violet inspired overshares, and a whole lot of private time round out the perfect weekend getaway.
But the moment they return to the city all of Randy’s angst resurfaces with the arrival of a surprise houseguest.
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2dlmoQK
14572078_1444952298867469_1828105342_o.jpg

Buy Links: Amazon Paperback US: http://amzn.to/2cxrBpY Amazon Paperback UK: http://amzn.to/2d4O7pu Audible: http://amzn.to/2dlmfww iBooks: http://apple.co/2ddG9Jq B&N Paperback: http://bit.ly/2cKZeUX

 
Just added: Amazon Kindle link: Amazon: http://amzn.to/2d79Xq5
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About the Author:

NYT and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.
Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Facebook Fan group / Website Never miss an update! Subscribe to Helena's mailing list: https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/f4p1t7
 
 
*stay tuned: later today my review will be up!



Thursday, October 6, 2016

Home by Harlan Coben


Summary from Amazon:


     A decade ago, kidnappers grabbed two boys from wealthy families and demanded ransom, then went silent. No trace of the boys ever surfaced. For ten years their families have been left with nothing but painful memories and a quiet desperation for the day that has finally, miraculously arrived: Myron Bolitar and his friend Win believe they have located one of the boys, now a teenager. Where has he been for ten years, and what does he know about the day, more than half a life ago, when he was taken? And most critically: What can he tell Myron and Win about the fate of his missing friend?

 

My Thoughts:


     Yay! I was so excited when I heard several months ago that not only did Harlan Coben have a new book coming out but also that he was going back to his Myron Bolitar series…I may have done a happy dance! 

     The gang is all here: Myron? Check. Win? Check. Esperanza? Big Cyndi? Check. Zorra? Check. Even Mickey, Ema, and Spoon? Check, check and check!  This was definitely going to be one of those books that I couldn’t wait to read but I also never wanted to start because well, then it would be over! L

     Oh where to start? I haven’t yet reviewed one of Mr. Coben’s books on this blog mainly because I have LOVED them all.  I am afraid that my reviews of his books will boring bordering on gushing because I enjoy his work so much!

     Myron and Win haven’t seen or spoken to each other in over a year.  Myron isn’t really concerned about Win’s wellbeing because well, it is Win.  He just misses his best friend! Win has been in hiding but once he gets an anonymous email claiming to know the whereabouts of his missing cousin and his friend, he finally contacts Myron for help.  Win tried investigating on his own but things didn’t go well…. three people dead and one of the missing boys frightened and running…oopsy!

     What follows, in true Coben fashion, is an investigation steeped in twists and turns but also laughter, tears and tension that will keep you guessing until the last chapters.  Myron and Win still have their great sense of humor but also their amazing sense of humanity and I, for one, am so glad to have them back!

5/5 stars

 


I was so fortunate to (FINALLY!) get to meet Harlan Coben at one of his Home tour stops.  Watermark Books in Wichita, Kansas, hosted a small Q & A with him during the week of release and then he signed books.  Mr. Coben spoke about his writing and creating process which was very interesting and he is so funny! It was a great experience and I am so glad my fabulous hubby took me!

 
Author's website: http://www.harlancoben.com/

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

STROKED HARD will be here soon! Check out this teaser and don't forget to add STROKED HARD to your tbr!


STROKED HARD
Scheduled to release: November 1, 2016

Sports Romance
Cover Designed by: Indie Solutions by Murphy Rae


He’s hot. Like, stop breathing kind of hot with his killer body, vivid blue eyes, and constant five o’clock shadow.

Did I mention his body?

Watching Hollis Knightly, Olympic diving gold medalist, man-pony specialist—and cocky bastard—stand up on the diving platform in nothing but a small piece of Spandex? Yeah, I’m beguiled.
And easily seduced.

I want to keep things light but he won’t leave me alone. And hell, if he’s not wearing me thin.

What is supposed to be a simple summer fling with a very hot man, has now morphed into a f*cked-up mess of feelings, attachment, and dare I say it…love. But I don’t do relationships. And Hollis Knightly does.





NOW AVAILABLE!

STROKED by Meghan Quinn
Released: July 19, 2016
Cover Designer: Murphy Rae

BLURB:
Reese King: Olympic medalist, underwear model, Greek god.

His body is chiseled from rock, sculpted by the weight room, and refined by water.

On a daily basis his skin is completely bare for everyone to see, tan and defined, only covered up by a minuscule piece of spandex. There is no denying his sex appeal.

I hate to admit it, but I’m head over heels infatuated with him.

There is one HUGE problem though. His achingly gorgeous abs, inked up arm, and cocky swagger belong to my boss, the high-profile, reality star bitch from hell and certified heinous human being, Bellini Chambers.

What I think is going to be an easy job assisting a glorified wench turns into a cluster f*ck of epic proportions.



STROKED LONG by Meghan Quinn
Scheduled to release: September 20, 2016

Sports Romance
Cover Designed by: Indie Solutions by Murphy Rae
BLURB:
From his dirty-blond hair and breathtaking smile, to the abs from heaven and the irresistible V in his waistline, everything about Bodi Olympic-gold-medalist Banks screams hot piece of @$$.

Yet there’s more.

Dark shadows lurk behind his soulful, serious eyes.

I’m enamored. He’s captured me.

How can running an art foundation with Bodi Banks turns into a slow-burning, epic romance, even though he tries to push me away at every chance? How can I stay away from a broken, routine-driven man whose soul cries to be forgiven for a crime only he believes he committed? Or is that a lie?

**STROKED LONG can be read as a stand alone.


About the Author:

Born in New York and raised in Southern California, Meghan has grown into a sassy, peanut butter eating, blonde haired swearing, animal hoarding lady. She is known to bust out and dance if "It's Raining Men" starts beating through the air and heaven forbid you get a margarita in her, protect your legs because they may be humped.

Once she started commuting for an hour and twenty minutes every day to work for three years, she began to have conversations play in her head, real life, deep male voices and dainty lady coos kind of conversations. Perturbed and confused, she decided to either see a therapist about the hot and steamy voices running through her head or start writing them down. She decided to go with the cheaper option and started writing... enter her first novel, Caught Looking.

Now you can find the spicy, most definitely on the border of lunacy, kind of crazy lady residing in Colorado with the love of her life and her five, furry four legged children, hiking a trail or hiding behind shelves at grocery stores, wondering what kind of lube the nervous stranger will bring home to his wife. Oh and she loves a good boob squeeze!


Find me on Goodreads: