Blog Tour + Review: Runaway Groom by Lauren Layne

February 8, 2018February 8, 2018 rosiereads613Leave a comment

RUNAWAY GROOM

I Do, I Don’t – Book 2

Lauren Layne

Releasing Jan 30, 2018

Loveswept

For one charming playboy, getting cast on a Bachelor-esque reality TV show is the shock of a lifetime—until he finds love where he least expects it. And now the chase is on!

Gage Barrett’s reputation as a ladies’ man has been greatly exaggerated, but none of that matters after a drunken bet lands him on Jilted, a reality TV show that matches runaway grooms with wannabe brides. Now he’s stuck at a Hawaiian resort with nineteen women competing to drag him back to the altar—and one contestant who’s even more miserable than he is. Gage has no idea how feisty, independent Ellie Wright wound up in the cast, but it’s obvious she hates his guts. And if there’s one thing Gage likes, it’s a challenge. . . .
Ellie can’t believe she let her best friend talk her into exchanging her dignity for a glorified bikini contest. Still, she could use the exposure—her business is struggling—and she’ll probably be one of the first to get eliminated anyway. But Gage isn’t the shallow jerk Ellie anticipated—and he’s in no rush to send her home. As stolen kisses turn into secret trysts, she finds herself losing track of what’s real and what’s for the camera. With the wedding finale looming, this runaway groom is tempting Ellie to start believing in storybook endings.

NOW AVAILABLE!

Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of romantic comedies.
She lives in New York City with her husband.

A former e-commerce and web marketing manager from Seattle, Lauren relocated to New York City in 2011 to pursue a full-time writing career. She signed with her agent in
2012, and her first book was published in summer of 2013. Since then, she’s
written over two dozen books, hitting the USA TODAY, New York
Times, iBooks, and Amazon bestseller lists.

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I discovered Lauren Layne last year and it was one of the best reading discoveries of the year. I picked up Walk of Shame on a whim and it ended up being one of my top favorite books of the 2017. So, when I got the opportunity to review Runaway Groom, which takes place on a Bachelor-esque reality dating show, I didn’t hesitate for a second.

Gage Barrett, after losing a bet with his friend, is the next runaway groom to find love on Jilted. Twenty women will be vying for his attention in the hopes that at the end of the show one of them will be able to get him to say “I do” and become his wife. While Gage definitely fits the label of runaway groom, having left two women at the altar already, this is absolutely THE LAST THING that he wants to be doing right now. Except, that starts to change when one of the women doesn’t have hearts in her eyes when she looks at him and it seems like she would rather be anywhere else than stuck on a Hawaiian resort.

“I can’t hide the grin. Ellie really doesn’t like me. Nor does she want to be here. It’s… refreshing.”

I loved that both Gage and Ellie were against being on Jilted. It flipped the script a little and brought some originality to the story which I really appreciated. But it was the banter between Gage and Ellie that stole the show for me. Ellie’s resistance to Gage at the beginning and the flirty jabs they would throw at one another were hilariously entertaining. The sparks were there from the start but it was the friendship that grew between them over the course of the show that elevated their relationship that much more for me.

“Just once, I want someone I care about to look at the crapshoot that is my life, to take in the Jilted contract and the Killboy movie shoots and the never-ending tabloid rumours and say, ‘yeah, that stuff sucks, but Gage is worth it’. I want to be worth it. Just once.”

Gage was such a sweetheart! Yes, he has this reputation as a ladies’ man being this famous actor and all, but Gage as a person is more than just a pretty face. Despite his charms and cocky remarks, a past heartbreak still haunts him. But as his feelings grow for Ellie, Gage hopes that she will be able to look past his Hollywood status and all the glamour that comes with it. I was rooting for him the entire time even when Ellie was being a little reluctant. Ellie’s resistance and wariness was warranted at first but over time it got to be a little old. Ellie is a strong-minded, independent woman who stays true to herself on the show, using any opportunity to get exposure for her business but I think at a certain point it was working against especially once her feelings for Gage became more and more apparent.

“I’m real, Ellie.”
“You’re Hollywood.”
“You’re right. Which equates to no brain, no substance, and I just bleed air, right?”

The direction of how the story unfolds was also something I really enjoyed because it was not what I had anticipated. We got see a good portion of the filming of Jilted and the behind-the-scenes antics with the girls which was so much fun. There was a nice mix of cattiness and craziness from the other contestants in regards to the lengths they would go to get Gage’s attention. But the second half of the book took an interesting turn, breaking up a little of the predictability for me which lead to a wonderful ending.

Overall, Runaway Groom was a ton of fun and everything I was hoping for from a Lauren Layne book. If you like The Bachelor or any shows like that, then you will love this book!

blog tour · book blog · book review · books · reading · romance

Blog Tour + Review: Midnight Blue by LJ Shen

January 24, 2018January 31, 2018 rosiereads6131 Comment

Midnight Blue, an all-new sexy standalone from LJ Shen is available NOW!

Midnight Blue
Author: LJ Shen
Release Date: January 18th

It should have been easy.

I needed the money. He needed a babysitter to keep him from snorting himself to death.

I was cherry-picked especially for him. Responsible. Optimistic. Warm. Innocent.

The worst part is that I should have known better.

Alex Winslow. British rock star. Serial heartbreaker. Casanova with whiskey eyes.

“Don’t get near the devil in a leather jacket. He’ll chew you up and spit you out.”

Sounds familiar? That’s because it was a headline in a tabloid the second time he got arrested.

Guess what? I didn’t listen.

I signed the contract.

World tour. Three months. Four Continents. One hundred shows.

My name is Indigo Bellamy, and I sold my soul to a tattooed god.

Problem was, my soul wasn’t enough for Alex Winslow. He ended up taking my body, too.

Then he took my heart.

Then he took my all.

Excerpt:

Nat’s words came back and haunted me like a bad haircut from the eighties. An irrational need to check the goods took over me. It wasn’t like he minded. According to the rumors, his dick had seen more cameras than Kendall Jenner. Slowly—so painfully slowly—my eyes drifted down his sinewy body. I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Whatever I had in mind, though, didn’t come close to the real thing. Thick, long but not atrocious. With thin veins running through its length.

“Nice view?” he groaned, tucking his junk back into his briefs. His profile was glorious. Strong jaw, pouty lips, eyes like sex…

My eyes snapped up when I realized he was talking to me. “I wasn’t…”

“Looking? Yes, you were. Next time take a picture. It lasts longer.” He rolled his zipper upward and flushed the toilet with the toe of his boot. He turned around and squirted soap into his palm, washing his hands almost violently—rubbing between each finger and scratching his knuckles like he wanted to shed his own skin. When he was done, he looked around for a towel.

I cleared my throat, scrambling to regain my wits. “Longer than the glimpse or longer than your performance?”

Casually—so unbearably casually—he wiped his wet hands over my purple dress. I gasped, moving sideways. It looked like he was about to open the door and get out, but before I had the chance to yell at him for using me as a human towel, he slammed me against the wall, bracing both his arms above my head and pinning me to my spot. I let out a shriek of surprise at the sudden proximity.

Alex Winslow is touching me. Willingly, my surprisingly pitiful brain squealed.

Heat rolled off his body, making my back arch and my breath catch in my throat.

“Let’s make one thing clear—I could fuck you to a point of numbness without even breaking a sweat if I wanted to. Now, careful, New Girl. If you don’t keep your distance from me, I think I just might.”

Read Today!

(Free in Kindle Unlimited)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2FNBCMg

Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/MidnightBlue

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2lIShL2

About LJ Shen:

L.J. Shen is an International #1 best-selling author of Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels. She lives in Northern California with her husband, young son and chubby cat.

Before she’d settled down, L.J. (who thinks referring to herself in the third person is really silly, by the way) traveled the world, and collected friends from all across the globe. Friends who’d be happy to report that she is a rubbish companion, always forgets peoples’ birthdays and never sends Christmas cards.

She enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time with her family and friends, reading, HBO, Netflix and internet-stalking Stephen James. She reads between three to five books a week and firmly believes Crocs shoes and mullets should be outlawed.

Connect with LJ Shen:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorljshen/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lj_shen
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorljshen/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorljshen/

Stay up to date with LJ Shen by signing up for her mailing list:
http://bit.ly/2umcYPg
http://www.authorljshen.com/

So, this is the first book I have ever read by LJ Shen, but I can firmly say that it will definitely not be my last. Book Twins Reviews, after finding out I was an LJ Shen virgin lol, told me that if I liked my romance books with a little edge to them that I was going to love LJ Shen and they were absolutely right!

Indigo Bellamy, whose name I am SO in love with it is not even funny, has no idea what she is in for when she is offered what she believes to be a job as a personal assistant. Instead, she is offered the job of being the sober companion to Alex Winslow, the sexy and unpredictable British rockstar that every girl in the world wants to get her hands on, who is a recovering drug addict. Though it seems like an impossible task given what is being said about the rock god, but Indie signs on anyway as the money will solve all of the issues she and her family are dealing with. All she has to do now is survive Alex Winslow and whatever he throws at her.

Boy, did this book have some edge to it. The sexual tension and angst between Alex and Indie is so palpable that it radiates off the page, or screen in my case, and it seems to only get stronger as the story went on. Alex Winslow is a piece of work, plain and simple. He is infuriating, rude, and crass but Indie deals with him SO well. She doesn’t take any of his crap, standing up to him from the moment they meet and always ready with a response to throw back in his smug yet gorgeous face. Their relationship starts out as one full of fire but soon, as Indie spends more time with Alex, she is able to see there is much more to him than being a broken, angry rockstar.

Not only did the immense amount of sexual tension and angst blow me away and rile me up all at the same time, but the fact that LJ Shen was able to write those moments and emit those feelings is incredible. Her writing got to me; it was amazing and beautiful and raw and emotional. There were times where I had to step back and just re-read a passage over and over because it hit me right in the gut. Indie and Alex’s relationship is SO much to handle sometimes because there are just so many emotions surging between the two of them when they are together but I loved every minute of it.

I have only read a few rockstar romances but Midnight Blue is definitely getting added to my favorites. all I can say is that if you like rockstar romances, read this book.

book blog · book review · books · reading · romance

Review: Tempt Me by Carly Phillips

January 24, 2018January 23, 2018 rosiereads6131 Comment

Tempt Me (Bodyguard Bad Boys #2)
Author: Carly Phillips
Source: E-ARC
Publication Date: January 16, 2018

Bodyguard Bad Boys… Sexy, hot and oh so protective!

Burned by an ex with a wandering eye, Austin Rhodes has sworn off women. His sole focus is his young daughter – and despite his good intentions, the little girl’s live-in nanny. He hired Mia Atwood to care for his child but he finds himself lusting after her instead. Keeping his distance isn’t easy but he’s determined to be a gentleman. Until Mia’s past comes back to haunt her and she’s in need of Austin’s brand of protection. Suddenly she’s his in every sense of the word — and he’ll do whatever it takes to shield the woman who tempts him beyond reason.

Tempt Me is the second book in the Bodyguard Bad Boys series. While the first book, Rock Me, was definitely a good introduction into the series, it didn’t exactly wow me. I was actually a little skeptical to continue on with this series, which is not like me at all since Carly Phillips is an auto buy author, but I am so glad I did because Tempt Me was an adorable addition to the series.

One of the things that drew me to this book was the fact that it is a single dad/nanny romance. There is just something about this type of romance that I love, probably because there is a forbidden element involved in regards to whether or not they will cross that line of employer/employee. Of course, we already know the answer to that question lol.

Austin Rhodes has had his sights on his daughter Bailey’s nanny, Mia Atwood, since she started working for them three months ago. The feeling is mutual on Mia’s end as well but she is determined not to become the cliched nanny who sleeps with her boss. But it can be pretty difficult when your boss is a sexy single dad who will do anything for his daughter and who also happens to be a bodyguard. Protective instincts are brought to a whole other level and Mia experiences it firsthand when problems arise and her past comes back to haunt her.

Despite its short length, the pacing in Tempt Me was done very well. When certain events unfolded throughout the book they did not feel like they were happening too soon which can happen when reading books that are on the shorter side. You are really able to see the struggle that both Austin and Mia face as they decide whether or not they should forget their professional relationship and give into the attraction that is between them. It is not easy as there is a child involved in this decision and Mia’s dream to have a family of her own one day does not match up with what Austin wants especially after what happened between him and his ex-wife.

Overall, this was a cute yet steamy romance with a single dad that would make any women swoon as he protects his daughter as well as the women who slowly makes her way into his heart. The twists and turns that happened added an air of suspense to the story that I not only didn’t see coming but very much enjoyed. If you are a fan of single dad/nanny romances, then Tempt Me will not disappoint.

blog tour · book blog · book review · books · reading · romance · YA

Blog Tour: Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

January 23, 2018January 23, 2018 rosiereads6131 Comment

Let’s Talk About Love
Claire Kann
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: January 23rd 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Alice had her whole summer planned. Non-stop all-you-can-eat buffets while marathoning her favorite TV shows (best friends totally included) with the smallest dash of adulting–working at the library to pay her share of the rent. The only thing missing from her perfect plan? Her girlfriend (who ended things when Alice confessed she’s asexual). Alice is done with dating–no thank you, do not pass go, stick a fork in her, done.

But then Alice meets Takumi and she can’t stop thinking about him or the rom com-grade romance feels she did not ask for (uncertainty, butterflies, and swoons, oh my!).

When her blissful summer takes an unexpected turn, and Takumi becomes her knight with a shiny library employee badge (close enough), Alice has to decide if she’s willing to risk their friendship for a love that might not be reciprocated—or understood.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Author Bio:

Claire Kann hails from the glorious Bay Area where the weather is regrettably not nearly as temperate as it used to be. She has a BA in English/Creative Writing from Sonoma State University, works for a nonprofit that you may have heard of where she daydreams like she’s paid to do it. LET’S TALK ABOUT LOVE is her debut novel.

Website / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!

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Have you ever started reading a book and within the first few chapters gotten a warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of your stomach? This feeling could mean many different things in the world of reading but for me, it signaled right off the bat that I was going to love this book no matter what lay ahead in the story. This may sound super cliche, but you should always trust your gut feelings, because I was right and enjoyed reading every minute of Alice Whitley’s story and her journey to finding love.

Not only did I have an immediate reaction when first reading this book but, this book is also the most diverse read I have read in a while. Alice Whitley is a sophomore in college who, within the first few pages of the book, gets dumped by her girlfriend Margot who also happens to be her roommate. This moment is not only devastating for Alice but also extremely awkward. The reason why Margot broke up with Alice is because, after Margot accuses her of never being able to desire her sexually, Alice admits to Margot that she is asexual. Not only is Alice asexual but she is also a women of color as well as bisexual. The amount of representation found in Alice alone was not only surprising but also completely refreshing. It is one of the reasons why I enjoyed this book so much.

While I am unable to connect with Alice in regards to her sexuality and ethnicity, it was her personality that sometimes made me feel like we were long lost friends. Her Cutie Code, which helps her assess how attractive she finds someone aesthetically, is a variation of what I have done with my friends since high school. While the reasoning behind my “code” is because, as my friends put it, I’m a little boy crazy (and still am), it was this similarity that allowed me to understand and relate to Alice even if our sexualities are different. In addition to that, Alice’s love of binge-watching TV shows and how she used that to sometimes cope with what was going on in the world around her is another reason why I related to her so strongly because I am literally the exact same way. Seriously, when she talks about wanting to lose herself in the fifth season of Supernatural and “pass out once her serotonin levels overloaded on the cutie patootie badass with the biggest heart named Dean Winchester”, I have never related so much to a character in my entire life. Oh, and the fact that she is working at a library over the summer and I currently work at a library just sealed the deal even more.

Ok, enough about my fangirling over Alice and how much we are alike. As was mentioned above, this book is about Alice’s journey to finding love as well as herself. After the breakup with Margot, you see Alice struggle to understand why sex is so important when it comes to love as if it is a requirement for someone to be able to say that they love someone.

“Love shouldn’t hinge solely on exposing your physical body to another person. Love was intangible. Universal. It was whatever someone wanted it to be and should be respected as such. For Alice, it was staying up late and talking about nothing and everything and anything because you don’t want to sleep–you’d miss them too much. It was catching yourself smiling at them because wow, how does this person exist?? before they caught you. It was the intimacy of shared secrets. The comfort of unconditional acceptance. It was a confidence in knowing no matter what happened that person would always be there for you.”

That is my favorite passage in the whole book. The words said above are so simple and I have probably either heard or said them at least a few times in my life but seeing them printed just made them so much more profound that I am pretty sure I had a mini epiphany while I was reading it. Anyone can relate to these words regardless of what their sexuality is and that speaks so much to how wonderful this book is.

Let’s Talk About Love has so much more that I could gush about but we would be here forever, trust me. All I can say is that you should read this book. It is a diverse read with a super relatable main character, extremely loyal side characters, and an adorable romance. I can’t believe this is Claire Kann’s debut novel, but I can’t wait to see what she has in store next.

blog tour · book blog · book review · books · excerpt · reading · romance

Blog Tour + Review: That Girl by Kate Kerrigan

January 16, 2018January 26, 2018 rosiereads6131 Comment

THAT GIRL
by Kate Kerrigan
Publication Date: January 1, 2018

You can escape a place. But you can’t escape yourself.

Hanna flees the scene of a terrible crime in her native Sligo. If she can just vanish, re-invent herself under a new name, perhaps the police won’t catch up with her. London seems the perfect place to disappear.

Lara has always loved Matthew and imagined a happy married life in Dublin. Then comes the bombshell – Matthew says he wants to join the priesthood. Humiliated and broken-hearted, Lara heads to the most godless place she can find, King’s Road, Chelsea.

Matthew’s twin sister, Noreen, could not be more different from her brother. She does love fiance John, but she also craves sex, parties and fun. Swinging London has it all, but without John, Noreen is about to get way out of her depth.

All three girls find themselves working for Bobby Chevron – one of London’s most feared gangland bosses – and it’s not long before their new lives start to unravel.

Links to Buy:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2kJHqN3
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2kg4gwo
iBooks: http://apple.co/2Bvc9FJ

Add to Goodreads

About Kate Kerrigan

Kerrigan_Kate

Kate Kerrigan lives in County Mayo, Eire, with her husband and children. Her novels include Recipes for a Perfect Marriage, shortlisted for the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award and Ellis Island, which was a TV Book Club Summer Read.

Contact Info:
Twitter: @katekerrigan
Facebook: @KateKerriganAuthor
Website: www.katekerrigan.org

Excerpt

A year passed and Hanna turned from thirteen to fourteen. She became more independent and began to speak her own mind. She was glad that her mother had Dorian to focus on, instead of just her, and she came to trust him. While she knew her stepfather would never be a replacement for the father she so deeply loved, Hanna grew fond of him as time went by. Dorian Black loved her mother, there was no doubt about that, and he made her happy. Hanna also understood that he had been kind and generous regarding her as well. As the nuns pointed out to her in school, ‘It’s not every man would take on another man’s child.’

Dorian never patronised her, or talked to her like she was a poor child, as so many people did since her father died. He treated her as an equal, and she liked that. Dorian allowed her to call him by his first name. When she first did it, her mother tutted, insisting she call him father to show him proper respect. But Dorian had been on Hanna’s side. ‘Don’t push the child, Margaret,’ he said. ‘I am not her natural father. There is no reason she should look on me as such. Hanna is old enough to make up her own mind about the role I play in her life.’

Margaret became worried that Hanna was moving away from her, that she was losing her. Dorian was as wise and reassuring as ever. ‘Hanna is becoming a fine young woman,’ he told her. ‘She is not your little girl any more, Margaret. Sooner or later you’ll have to accept that she’s an adult.’

Margaret pursed her lips and remained silent on the subject. Hanna could tell she didn’t like it but it was important that her mother understood she wasn’t a child any more. Dorian was right, she was becoming a ‘young woman’ and her mother just had to get used to it. United in that understanding, a bond grew between stepfather and stepdaughter that felt to Hanna like friendship, or maybe even love.

Then, as Dorian and Margaret Black were coming up to their second wedding anniversary, Margaret came down with a nasty bout of flu. At first it seemed not to be serious but then her symptoms worsened with lethargy and headaches. Weeks passed and Margaret remained bedridden. With little appetite and no energy to lift herself from the bed, it appeared that there was something more serious underlying the illness. Hanna was worried and asked Dorian if there was anything more they could do. He reassured her that her mother’s recovery was just around the corner.

‘It’s only a virus,’ he promised.

But Hanna could see that despite all the tinctures and medicine Dorian was administering, Margaret seemed to get worse. One afternoon, when her mother was barely able to open her eyes and smile at her when she came in from school, Hanna asked Dorian if it would be better to move her mother to a hospital. Dorian looked at her, stricken, but also a little annoyed.

‘I know you are worried, and so am I. But she is my wife, Hanna. Nobody can look after her as well as I can. Please,’ he said, his eyes were wide and pleading, ‘trust me. Let me do this. For you. For both of us.’

Hanna could see that this was hard for Dorian. He loved her mother too. Dorian wanted her mother back as much as she did.

So she sat at Margaret’s bedside each evening and prayed for her to wake up. Dorian kept reassuring her that her mother would get better soon. But she was constantly asleep, and seemed to be fading away before Hanna’s eyes.

Every few days she asked, ‘Is there anything I can do?’

‘Just be a good girl,’ Dorian said, ‘and leave your mother to the experts.’ He kissed her forehead, sent her to school each day and told her that everything was going to be all right. Soon her mother would be better and they would be a happy family again.

percy-klein

Other than the gorgeous cover that drew me in from the moment I saw it, I did not know what to expect from That Girl. Then, I read the first three chapters and had to take a small break because all mind kept saying over and over again was “What did I just read?” and “Wow, did that really just happen?”. From there, I was hooked and could not wait to see what else lay ahead.

That Girl centers around three women from Ireland who, each for different reasons, travel to London during the 1960s for a fresh start. Hanna, who becomes Annie Austen, has fled after a terrible crime has been committed, holding tight to her new identity in order to forget her past. Lara comes to London to also escape and start over after her boyfriend, Matthew declares he wants to become a priest stating that even though he loves her, he loves God more. Noreen, Matthew’s twin sister and Lara’s best friend, gets tired of her boring predictable life. Her future is set for her to marry her fiance John and then take over her family’s pub but Noreen wants more she follows Lara to see what Swinging London has to offer.

I honestly don’t know where to start. This book has a little bit of everything to it. It has romance, amazing female friendship, self-discovery, suspense, and much more. While you have the three main characters who all come to live together in London, each of their individual storylines introduces you to a large cast of side characters as well. As the story unfolds you get engrossed into this world, following each of the girl’s on their journeys as Hanna/Annie makes herself a new life, Lara follows her passion in fashion, and Noreen sets out to find the exciting life and independence she didn’t have back in Ireland. And with the backdrop being London in the 1960s, it was just so much fun to just immerse myself and travel back in time. I became just as intrigued about the time period as I did with the story.

The only issue I had while reading this book was the switching of perspectives that happened within the story, sometimes without any indication of who it switched to. In the beginning, you knew who’s perspective you were reading from but as the story goes on and more characters are introduced and the plot becomes much more intricate, it became rather difficult to determine who was speaking from time to time.

Overall, this was such a surprising read and I am so happy I got to read it. Kate Kerrigan did such an amazing job pulling me in from the very beginning and transporting me back to Swinging London. I fell in love with each of the characters until at one point I thought they were real people. If you are looking for a character-driven book with a little bit of everything, then check this book out.

4 stars

blog tour · book blog · book review · books · reading · romance

Blog Tour + Review: Hot Shot by Karina Halle

January 11, 2018January 11, 2018 rosiereads6131 Comment

Hot Shot by Karina Halle
Release Date: January 9th, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Hang Le

Delilah Gordon has a secret.

She’s been in love with her best friend and the boy next door, Fox Nelson, since she was six years old.

And while most of her friends and family know about her unrequited crush, the one person who remains oblivious is Fox himself. To Delilah, it’s better this way. She’d rather pretend that they’re just friends, even though her feelings for the moody rugged mountain man are anything but tame.

Fox Nelson has a secret too.

As a wildland firefighter or “hot shot,” Fox parachutes into danger every day he’s on the job, risking all to fight wildfires that threaten ranches, forests and thousands of lives. But while Fox’s job is only for the brave, inside he feels anything but. The more he grapples with his raging demons, the more he realizes Delilah is the only one who can put out the flames.

As the two friends grow closer – and more intimate – than ever before, the more complicated their relationship becomes.

And Delilah has one more secret to reveal.

A secret that will change both their lives…forever.

Read Today!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2BCI9qf
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2ji45QJ
iBooks: http://apple.co/2nvRmym
Nook: http://bit.ly/2ipmM3T
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ir12os
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2j1no0t

Start this series of sexy standalone, today!

Wild Card
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2fG5PnV
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2fGzpcM
iBooks: http://apple.co/2vgLICr
Nook: http://bit.ly/2vc6zHg
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2hicmWm

Maverick:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2zR0zTA
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2AurxDC
iBooks: http://apple.co/2ntkHJL
Nook: http://bit.ly/2iqLrVU
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ksZfDL

Excerpt:

It’s dark now and quiet except for the crickets. In the distance, the town of North Ridge glows, the lights giving way to the dark mountain ranges behind it and beyond that, a clear, starry sky.
I immediately feel better but it’s not enough. I need to walk, to get my head on straight, to get my heart to stop caving in.
I head down the slope to the barn. It’s second nature to want to come here during hard times. Growing up, if anyone in the house was fighting—and it was usually Shane and Fox—this was where you’d find them afterwards, licking their wounds.
Right now the barn is empty, all the horses are either in their paddocks or the pastures. I glance up at the hayloft and contemplate going up there when I hear footsteps behind me.
I immediately stiffen. It’s funny how you can feel someone’s specific presence without seeing them.
“What’s wrong with you?” Fox asks gruffly from behind me. Typical. Even if he’s concerned, sometimes he comes across like it annoys him to be concerned.
I take in a deep breath and turn around. “I don’t know,” I say, my voice measured. “Just felt a bit nauseous.”
He studies my face intently, so intently that I look away, my eyes drifting over the empty stalls. “I thought maybe I’d pissed you off somehow,” he says.
Is he baiting me?
I meet his eyes. “Why would you think that?”
“You could barely look at me during dinner,” he says, taking a step toward me until he’s a foot away. “Was it something I did? Is this about Conan?”
He’s so damn earnest in that last question that I have to laugh. I fold my arms across my chest. “No, Fox. This isn’t about your squirrel. It’s not about anything. I’m just…tired.”
I can tell he doesn’t believe me and the intensity has changed in his eyes. They’ve become more focused on me, like he’s seeing me for the first time and nothing else around us matters.
“I like this,” he says, his voice sounding thick. He takes a strand of my hair between his fingers and runs them down. “Your hair is so long. You should wear it down more often.”
I roll my eyes and hope I’m not blushing. “You guys are all the same. A girl wears her hair down and puts on some makeup and suddenly you realize that she’s actually hot. It’s like She’s All That come to life.”
Oh shit. I probably shouldn’t have said that last bit out loud since it’s a whole bunch of assumptions and I’m not one to flatter myself like that.
But he just grins. One of those cheeky, warm smiles that makes his eyes crinkle at the corners, the dimples appear in his scruff. He doesn’t smile like that very often and every time he does for me, it makes me feel…invincible.
“Del, I’ve always thought you were hot,” he says, still smiling. No awkwardness or hesitation. He just comes out and says it.
And now I am blushing. “Yeah right.”
“What?” he asks, tucking my hair behind my ear and—hell—his touch causes warm shivers to wash down my back. “It’s true. I mean, look at you.”
Don’t read into it. Don’t read into it.
“Do you remember that birthday party where we played spin the bottle?” I ask him, my voice sounding broken.
He nods. “Kind of.” But he doesn’t remove his hand, keeps playing with my hair.
I don’t know why I’m feeling brave all of a sudden but I am. “Well you spun the bottle and it stopped right at me. No mistake about it. And you got up and said it was stupid and left. Fox, we were good friends and you acted like kissing me was the worst thing on earth.”
His dark brows knit together but his eyes stay warm. “You remember that?”
“Fox. I’m a woman. I’m always going to remember when a boy rejects me, especially my best friend and especially at a young age.”
“But we were young. And I was pretty stupid back then.”
“You thought I was gross.”
He lets out a soft laugh. “I can promise you I did not think you were gross.” His hand then leaves my hair and trails down my arm to my hand. Sometimes Fox holds it and I know I shouldn’t think anything of it but every time he does I wonder if he realizes what it does to me. Then again, I’m starting to think he’s oblivious to absolutely everything.
“I didn’t kiss you,” he goes on, “not because I didn’t want to. I did.” He swallows, shrugs. “I just didn’t want our first kiss to be from spin the bottle.”
Hold up…what?
“What do you mean? Our first kiss?” I repeat, my pulse quickening.
“I don’t know, Del. Back then, I kind of assumed that we would end up together at some point. You know all through high school I had just been waiting to make my move and ask you out. At least figure out if you liked me or not. But then you started going out with that guy with the big ears, what was his name, Ryan McGee? And that’s when I realized that it was probably all in my head. You were just a friend. A sister, even. And I was just a brother to you.”
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
This is way too much to process.
Fox thought we’d end up together.
He actually liked me back in high school!
“You look shocked,” he says, raising a brow. “I thought it was pretty obvious.”
“Obvious?” I blurt out. “No. No it wasn’t.”
He lets go of my hand and shrugs with one shoulder. “It’s funny how life goes, isn’t it? It was probably for the best anyway. Could you have imagined us dating? Being a couple.”
Yes, fucking yes.

Meet Karina:
Karina Halle is a former travel writer and music journalist and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of The Pact, Love, in English, The Artists Trilogy, Dirty Angels and over 20 other wild and romantic reads. She lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband and her rescue pup, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails and devours a lot of books.

Halle is represented by the Root Literary and is both self-published and published by Simon & Schuster and Hachette in North America and in the UK.

Connect with Karina:
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http://authorkarinahalle.com

So, I have a confession to make. I have actually read Karina Halle before. It was only until I started reading Hot Shot that I realized I had started reading Maverick, the second book in this series, but I put it down during the craziness that was this past semester of my grad school program. Details in the prologue of Hot Shot jogged my memory and it completely changed how I went into reading this book. I remember Delilah and Fox vaguely from Maverick and all I can remember is the overwhelming feeling of sexual tension. Expectations were formed from the jogging of my memory, and unfortunately the book did not entirely live up to what I had built up in my head.

Don’t get me wrong, this book is super emotional and full of angst. I surmised that purely from the prologue that reveals a terrible event that occurred in Fox’s life when he was just five years old. I instantly knew what lie ahead would possibly require a box of tissues. The trauma that Fox faces when he loses his mother and the blame that he puts on himself impacts who he is as a person for the rest of his life. He becomes broken inside, drawing in on himself and withdrawing from his friends and family around him at times. But, there is one person who has always been his light amongst the darkness that surrounds him and that is Delilah, his best friend since they were six.

Only Delilah has been harboring a secret for the last 27 years of their friendship, one that everyone around her has clued in on actually, that she has been in love with Fox all her life. I connected with Delilah almost instantly as she describes what it is like to go through life loving her best friend who she is pretty sure doesn’t love her back. She continues to be in Fox’s life even though certain things and moments between them hurt her immensely because she loves him so intensely. One of them being her concern for Fox’s wellbeing when he leaves for his job as a “hot shot”, or wildland firefighter risking his life every time trying to put out fires that break out in Canada and the US.

Delilah’s ability to hide her feelings towards Fox start to waver and soon their friendship turns intimate. This part of the story when Fox and Delilah start to become physical with one another was where I disconnected from the story at first. It just felt wrong how Fox essentially turned to Delilah for those intimate moments to help ease whatever pain he was going through while Delilah started feeling hopeful that this could be the beginning of them finally moving in the direction of being more than friends. I recognize that Fox has been in a lot of pain almost all his life but his actions and specifically his reaction after they are first together to just go back to being friends or instead become fuck buddies felt selfish and did not paint him in a good light for me.

As I have said, there are a lot of emotions that arise throughout this book which made it a bit difficult after I finished it to suss out how I truly felt about it. After a little time though I realized that while I loved Delilah, Fox was a whole different story. It took more than halfway through the book for me to start actually liking Fox. For the first half of the book, he started to annoy me because of how he was around Delilah. It honestly got to the point where Fox was going to have to not only prove to Delilah of his feelings towards her but he also had to prove something to me too as the reader which sounds ridiculous when you think about it.

But, I am happy to say that prove himself he did lol. The last 20% of the book really made up for most of what happened in the beginning half. The obstacles and demons that Fox had to overcome were, and Delilah finally got to hear the words she has been wanting to hear from Fox all her life. Overall, the ending was adorable and heartfelt and funny with the Nelson crew all around them. And, while I have finished either of the other books, I will say that the epilogue not only allowed us to see how happy Fox and Delilah are but also how the rest of the characters ended up which I believe for those who have read the rest of the books would very much enjoy.

Ok, that was a bit of a rant. Hot Shot may not have lived up to my expectations but Fox and Delilah’s love story did warm my heart in the end even if it took them a quite bit of time to get there. I will say that I am super excited to read the other two books, especially Maverick’s story as him and Riley are seem like a bundle of sexy fun lol.

blog tour · book blog · book review · books · reading · YA

Blog Tour: You Won’t Know I’m Gone by Kristen Orlando

January 8, 2018February 3, 2018 rosiereads6134 Comments

**Disclaimer: If you have not read the first book, You Don’t Know My Name, then you will be spoiled if you read on. **

You Won’t Know I’m Gone
Kristen Orlando
(The Black Angel Chronicles #2)
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: January 16th 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Thriller, Young Adult

Reagan has to prove herself to an elite group of special agents—and avenge her mother’s death—in the second book in the Black Angel Chronicles from the author of You Don’t Know My Name.

Going rogue in an effort to rescue her kidnapped parents has cost Reagan Hillis her automatic ticket to the Training Academy. But becoming a Black Angel is the only way Reagan will be able to exact revenge on her mother’s merciless killer, Santino Torres.

When Reagan is given a chance to prove that she’s worthy of training to be a Black Angel, she also gets the first chance she’s ever had to be her true self. No aliases. No disguises.

But when her friend Luke joins her at the Black Angels training compound, Reagan finds herself once again torn between the person she was and the person she wants to be. Reagan has to prove that she’s as good as her parents trained her to be, because she’ll never find Torres without the Black Angels’ help.

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Author Bio:

Writing is one of the great loves of Kristen Orlando’s life and she has been lucky enough to make it her living, first as a television producer, then as a marketer and now as a novelist. Kristen graduated with a B.A. in English literature from Kenyon College. She lives in Columbus, Ohio with the other great love of her life, Michael. You Don’t Know My Name is her debut novel.

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BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE
January 8th
–Movies, Shows, & Books >> Excerpt
–Character Madness and Musings >> Interview
–What Is That Book About >> Excerpt
–Married To Books Reviews and Blog >> Review
–The Hopeless Romantic Bookworm >> Review

January 9th
–CBY Book Club >> Excerpt
–It’s a Book Life >> Review
–Bookworm for Kids >> Review
–Smada’s Book Smack >> Review

January 10th
–Rainy Days and Pajamas >> Excerpt
–The Avid Reader >> Guest post
–Butterfly-o-Meter Books >> Interview
–FANNA >> Review

January 11th
–A Dream Within A Dream >> Excerpt
–Novels & Necklaces >> Review
–Book Stacks Amber >> Interview
–Reading With Erin >> Review
–The Candid Cover >> Review
–Bibliobibuli YA >> Guest post

January 12th
–BookCrushin >> Guest post
–Gizmos Reviews >> Review
–The Heart of a Book Blogger >> Review
–Book-Keeping >> Review

You Won’t Know I’m Gone picks up right where the first book left off with the aftermath of the Colombia mission that resulted in the death of Reagan’s mother at the hands of Santino Torres. Reagan’s automatic entry into the training academy to become a Black Angel is revoked because her actions on the mission and instead she must attend the Qualifiers to prove she still has what it takes to be a Black Angel. Passing the Qualifiers is Reagan’s only chance to track down and kill Torres in order to avenge her mother’s death. Qualifiers become even more interesting when Luke is selected, causing Reagan to confront her feelings about him while battling with not only grief but also the hunger for revenge against Torres.

While you definitely get a closer look into the inner-workings of the Black Angels as Reagan and her friends make their way through the Qualifiers, Reagan’s mental state and how she deals with the array of emotions that she experiences since witnessing her mother being killed is a huge part of this book. There are times when things get super emotional as Reagan feels it is her fault her mother is dead because of her actions. It also takes a bit of a dark turn as we read Reagan’s ever-growing need to kill Torres and how once that is done things will be better. Reagan was such a strong character in the first book but the aftermath of Colombia has left her in pieces, struggling to stay some version of sane to those around her.

Luckily, Reagan has friends at her side to help her overcome the loss she has experienced and regain the strength she once had during Qualifiers. The introduction of Anusha and Cam were wonderful additions as they remained loyal and supportive to Reagan the entire time. They may have all been competing for spots to get into training academy but from the very beginning Anusha and Cam made it clear that they weren’t there purely as competition. Anusha has such a fierce loyalty towards Reagan, standing up for her during the Qualifiers against other competitors and Cam is an adorable geek with some serious hacking skills that come in handy. On top of that, they are both characters of color which made me super happy to see some diversity being represented in this book.

Besides Anusha and Cam, there is another person that plays a very important role in Regan’s life, even if she thought she would never see him again after Colombia. Ah, Luke. Luke. Luke. Luke. Reagan’s relationship with Luke was one of my favorite parts of the first book so I was itching to see what would happen to them in this one. They are no longer in the comfort of their lives in New Albany. They have lived through a tragedy together and Reagan, in particular, now has a hard time focusing on her goal and need for revenge because Luke has come into her world of the Black Angels. There were some sweet moments between these two as well as some emotional and angsty ones. The ending left things up in the air on where their relationship stands so I am interested to see what happens next between them.

As this is the sequel, and I honestly believe you will enjoy this series much more going in as blind as you can, it is hard to talk about the plot without spoiling anything. Yes, Torres is still at large and lurking in the shadows but that is really all you need to to know. What I will tell you is, just like the first book, the last 50 pages of this book are full of action and left me once again on the edge of my seat. I honestly can’t wait to see how the next book will continue with this story

If you read the first book and you enjoyed it, I highly recommend you continue on with the sequel. It has the same amount of intrigue and action as the first, leaving you wondering and waiting for the next book in the series.

book blog · book review · books · reading · YA

You Don’t Know My Name by Kristen Orlando

January 8, 2018January 7, 2018 rosiereads6131 Comment

You Don’t Know My Name (The Black Angel Chronicles #1)
by Kristen Orlando
Publication Date: January 10th, 2017
Source: Own Copy

Fighter. Faker. Student. Spy.

Seventeen-year-old Reagan Elizabeth Hillis is used to changing identities overnight, lying to every friend she’s ever had, and pushing away anyone who gets too close. Trained in mortal combat and weaponry her entire life, Reagan is expected to follow in her parents’ footsteps and join the ranks of the most powerful top-secret agency in the world, the Black Angels. Falling in love with the boy next door was never part of the plan.

Now Reagan must decide: Will she use her incredible talents and lead the dangerous life she was born into, or throw it all away to follow her heart and embrace the normal life she’s always wanted? And does she even have a choice?

I have had my eye on this book ever since it was published last year. I mean who doesn’t love a good spy thriller? And, with a cover like that I knew I had to read it. It has taken me almost an entire year to make that happen, but I am so glad I finally got around to it.

Reagan Hillis’s life has always been different from those her own age ever since her parents informed her what their jobs really were when she was 10 years old. Since then, her last name has never been Hillis, just another elaborate cover story as she tries to grow up and live her life. Though, training to be a spy for one of the most elite spy agencies in the world is probably not what one would think of in regards to extracurricular activities. Reagan’s destiny is to become a Black Angel just like her parents and carry on the legacy. The only thing that might deter that is a glimpse of what life would be like just being a normal teenager who who has control over how their future will look.

Reagan and her family’s latest placement in New Albany, Ohio is different that the other placements. For one, the friends that Reagan has made, that she specifically targeted so that she could maintain a low profile while surviving high school, have become the closest friends she has ever had. She knows her cover story back to front of course, that she is Reagan Macmillan, but for the first time she feels like she can let herself, Reagan Hillis, shine through a little bit. This is mostly due to a certain someone, who made ME swoon, who happens to be her next door neighbor. As they say there is always a boy (lol), but Luke Weixel is THE boy next door. His relationship with Reagan, just as friends even though everyone around them knows they should be together (you know how it is lol), is so wonderful and adorable and probably one of my favorite things about this book.

Ok, aside from the swoony potential high school romance, I loved having Reagan as the narrator and getting inside her head. Being a teenage is hard enough especially when college is on the horizon but when you have been brought up training to be a spy which entails learning to shoot a gun and kill a man a number of different ways, life gets much more complicated. Reagan is SUCH a strong character, there is no denying that, but it was her vulnerabilities and the doubts she had about her life and whether or not she wanted to continue with the plan of her becoming a Black Angel that was not only relatable but also super interesting. This struggle between meeting the expectations set by her parents of becoming a Black Angel or going off the college and essentially starting a relationship with Luke were so palpable. The writing during these moments was so engaging that I honestly felt the magnitude and depth of what Reagan was feeling when I was reading.

While there was definitely action in this book, about two-thirds of the way through, there were also a lot of emotional moments too. I was always try to anticipatewhen the plot would turn more towards the spy thriller aspect even from the very beginning. But the fact that it doesn’t happen right away and that you really get a glimpse into Reagan’s life and how she juggles being a high school senior with her friends while also getting up early to train and doing target practice after school is what really allows you to connect with Reagan and the emotions and feelings she has throughout the book. Her feelings towards Luke continue to grow and she begins to imagine what life would be like if she chose him and the life that went with it, becoming a normal college student. But, the weight of what her future is meant to be starts to be too much, and her relationship with her parents starts to become strained as they fail to see her struggle and continue to push her towards her destiny. She is Reagan Hillis after all, the one every other Black Angel legacy is told about during their training, the example of what they should strive to be.

I have babbled on about this book so much but I can’t forget the action as it is what makes this book a spy thriller. While the unraveling of this part of the plot was a bit predictable to me, it more than made up for it in the last 50 pages of this book. Edge of your seat action that comes to such a precipice that when I finished this book I has a mini book hangover. The ending was a culmination of so many feelings for me leaving me wondering where things are going to go in the sequel.

Overall, if you couldn’t already guess, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the sequel. (More Reagan and Luke time please!) If you like spy thrillers, you should definitely pick this up. I would describe it as the more adult but still YA version of the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter (if that makes sense lol).

book blog · book review · books · reading · romance

Review: The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

January 4, 2018September 26, 2018 rosiereads613Leave a comment

The Trouble with Mistletoe (Heartbreaker Bay #2)
by Jill Shalvis
Publication: September 27, 2016
Source: Own Copy

If she has her way …

Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even remember her …

He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking.

Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen the drop-dead-gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him …

Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice …

Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school: he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but can she trust him not to break her heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish—and let the mistletoe do its work …

Surprise, surprise, it’s another review for another book by Jill Shalvis lol. If you didn’t already know this, I am currently obsessed with her Heartbreaker Bay series. I obviously can’t get enough and The Trouble with Mistletoe was a WONDERFUL addition to the series.

Willa Davis is the owner of the South Bark Mutt Shop, located in the courtyard of the Pacific Pier Building. Willa and I are kindred spirits, because the one thing she loves just as much as the animals she takes care of, is Christmas. It is Christmas time in San Francisco and she has decked out her entire store in decorations. Everything seems to be going great until early one morning Keane Winters pops up at her store’s door, looking for help. The same Keane Winters who, in high school stood her up at the Sadie Hawkins dance and now doesn’t seem to remember her at all.

Keane is not having the easiest time when he shows up at Willa’s store. His great-aunt has left her cat for him to take care of and Petunia, or P.I.T.A. short for “pain in the ass”, the nickname he has given her, is making his life hell. While his situation is not ideal, meeting Willa, as a result, definitely makes it a little better. Except, he doesn’t know why she is so irritated when she sees him every time he drops Petunia off at South Bark.

Willa and Keane. Ugh, their relationship is equal parts adorable and super freaking steamy. I loved that Willa was snippy and a smartass towards Keane in the beginning even though his reactions and responses really showed that he wasn’t going anywhere when Willa tries to keep her distance. Keane was a wonderful mix of rugged and sweet with his own quirks like his fear of heights even though he works on flipping housed for a living. He gets major points in my book for his persistence and understanding as well as his ability to dirty up any conversation. 😉

Overall, this is my second favorite book in the series and it has fueled my need to read every book even more. If you like second chance romances with cute banter, some definite steam, and amazing side characters, then pick up The Trouble with Mistletoe.

**Oh, also, I HIGHLY recommend watching the movie adaptation made by Passionflix. Definitely, check that out if you want a spot on adaptation and to see Willa and Keane come to life.

anthology · blog tour · book blog · book review · books · reading · romance · sports romance

Blog Tour + Review: Team Player: A Christmas Anthology

December 22, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

Eleven authors. Eleven Novellas. This is one thick . . . book.

Christmas just became a whole lot merrier…

TEAM PLAYER, A Christmas Anthology featuring titles by LJ Shen, Kennedy Ryan, Adriana Locke, Mandi Beck, Emma Scott, Charleigh Rose, Ella Fox, Sara Ney, Meghan Quinn, Kate Stewart and Rochelle Paige is available NOW!

Publication Date: December 14th, 2017
Genre: Contemporary/Sports Romance

Hot jocks. We love them all.

Sexy baseball players. Intense footballers. Sweaty MMA fighters, and sizzling hockey hotties. Score!

The good news? Eleven bestselling authors have gathered to give you a set of stories focused on the men we love most—sports heroes. We bet you’ll love this thick…book.

The bad news? The men in these novellas don’t actually exist.

*This anthology does not contain calories, just eleven original, never-before-seen stories by the following authors: Adriana Locke, Mandi Beck, Charleigh Rose, Kennedy Ryan, LJ Shen, Meghan Quinn, Rochelle Paige, Ella Fox, Kate Stewart, Emma Scott, and Sara Ney. We aren’t responsible for melted devices.

Read Today!
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Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2j7MCK1
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So, this is the first time I have ever reviewed an anthology before and it just so happens to be the longest anthology I have ever seen. But, I couldn’t pass up the chance since it is an anthology of all sports romance novellas AND they take place during Christmas time. Two of my favorite things 😄.

There are eleven stories, which means if I provided a review for all of them this blog post would go on FOREVER, so I am going to pick out a few stories I really liked and review those just so you get a taste. Overall, I really enjoyed this anthology even if it was MASSIVE and would say that any sports romance lover should pick it up. The novellas are wonderful and it gave me a chance to discover new authors as well.

Out of Formation by Elle Fox

This is a football novella that involves a cheerleader and the newest head coach of a college football team. I absolutely LOVED the older man/younger woman element to the story especially since the two main characters, Elena and Colin have a history. The story flashes back so you get to see their relationship from earlier on which I really liked as some events happen that have shaken up their connection to one another. My only complaint is that I wish we saw more of the sport in the story since this is a sports romance anthology. But, the epilogue gave me all the feels making this one of my favorites out of the whole bunch. Elle Fox is also a new author for me and after reading this, I will definitely be checking more of her books out.

Yard Sale by Charleigh Rose

I am no stranger to Charleigh Rose (I loved Stepdaddy Savage!), so when I saw she was one of the authors in this anthology I was excited to read her novella. It is a snowboarding novella which is a sports romance that I have not read about before and it only further confirmed that I will continue to read Charleigh Rose’s books. Cam and Mollie meet one night at a bar during the summer and the sparks fly immediately. After a steamy one-night stand, the two part ways until they come face to face with one another five months later. The reconnection isn’t as wonderful as Mollie has a secret she has been keeping from Cam since their night together. This was another one of my favorites because of the chemistry that Cam and Mollie had from the very beginning and the adorable ending that also gave me all the feels. I also loved the change-up in the sport that was featured in this novella. I am so used to reading about hockey or football so it was nice to see the hero who was a medal-winning snowboarder.

Sin Bin by Mandi Beck

Mandi Beck is another new-to-me author and her hockey novella was not only super steamy but also sweet and so much fun to read. It features an older man/ younger woman which I have already mentioned is something I love so that only added to my enjoyment of this novella. Jason and Stella meet when Jason, an NHL hockey player, decides to visit his alma mater and he spots Stella, a talented softball player at the school. Let’s just say that Jason set his sights on Stella and would do another to have her. Though he is older, Stella had no problem reciprocating those feelings and the two share a rather hot moment in the penalty box. I highly recommend this one for those who love hockey sports romances as well as strong, independent female main characters.

Switch Hitter by Sara Ney

Sara Ney has been on my radar for quite a long time, I own the first book in her How to Date a Douchebag series, so I was excited to finally be able to read something by her and boy, did she write one entertaining novella. This is a baseball novella involving Amelia whose twin sister pleads for her to pretend to be her on a date she made with a baseball player, Dash, at their college because she overbooked for the evening lol. Talk about an interesting premise. I don’t think I have read anything like this and it was so much fun. It’s told in dual POV so you also get Dash’s, or Dante’s perspective and it is so funny to read when he notices things about Lucy aka Amelia that were different from when they went out previously. Dante is also Latino and oh so sexy but also respectful that my heart didn’t know what to do with itself. Oh, and don’t get me started about when he and Amelia talk to each other in Spanish *swoon*. Baseball sports romances are not something I usually read because baseball is not my favorite sport, but boy did I really like this one.

Meet the authors:

LJ Shen

L.J. Shen is an International #1 best-selling author of Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels. She lives in Northern California with her husband, young son and chubby cat.

Connect with LJ Shen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorljshen/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lj_shen
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorljshen/

Stay up to date with LJ Shen by signing up for her mailing list:
http://bit.ly/2umcYPg
http://www.authorljshen.com/

Kennedy Ryan:

Kennedy Ryan is a Southern girl gone Southern California. A Top 100 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy writes romance about remarkable women who find a way to thrive even in tough times, the love they find, and the men who cherish them.

She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine, Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Georgia families living with Autism, Kennedy has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other outlets as a voice for families living with autism.

Connect with Kennedy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KennedyRyanAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kennedyrwrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennedyryan1/
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KennedyRyanAuthor
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Amazon: http://amzn.to/2x0qCtC
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kennedy-ryan
Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/681604768593989/

http://kennedyryanwrites.com

Adriana Locke:

A contemporary romance author running on coffee and sticky kisses from my rowdy four little boys.

From Indiana, I’m a true Mid-Westerner. Life, for me, is about family, faith, and food. When I’m not running my kiddos around or having a lunch date of fajitas with my husband (and high school sweetheart), you can find me outside. I love a good sunny day almost as much as I love candy, random quotes, and steamy bad boys in fantastic books.

I’m on nearly every social media platform. Please find me on the ones you frequent – I love chatting with readers.

Connect with Adriana

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoradrianalocke
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authoralocke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoradrianalocke/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/adriana-locke
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8379774.Adriana_Locke
Amazon Alerts: http://adrianalocke.com/release-day-notifications/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authoradrianalo/

http://adrianalocke.com

Mandi Beck:

Mandi Beck has been an avid reader all of her life. A deep love for books always had her jotting down little stories on napkins, notebooks, and her hand. As an adult she was further submerged into the book world through book clubs and the epicness of social media. It was then that she graduated to writing her stories on her phone and then finally on a proper computer.

A nursing student, mother to two rambunctious and somewhat rotten boys, and stepmom to two great girls away at college, she shares her time with her husband in Chicago where she was born and raised. Mandi is a diehard hockey fan and blames the Blackhawks when her deadlines are not met.

Connect with Mandi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormandibeck
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authormandibeck
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authormandi/
Newsletter: https://www.authormandibeck.com/newsletter

https://www.authormandibeck.com

Emma Scott:

I write romances with flawed characters, characters with artistic hearts: builders, poets, and writers of various makes and models. I love to write book lovers; those who have found refuge, companionship, and escape in books, much as we do in real life. I like realism, honesty, authenticity in storytelling. I love to write about enduring love, soul-deep love, in as real a setting as I can make, but with big smooshy HEAs. I believe in diversity, open-mindedness, and inclusion. I like sweetness mixed with steam, love conquering all, and above all, hope. Love always wins.

Connect with Emma

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaScottwrites/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10405165.Emma_Scott
Blog: http://emmascottblog.blogspot.com

Charleigh Rose:

We are a duo of an international best-selling author and a blogger who teamed up to write the taboo, thought-provoking stories we want our audience to have–without filters.

Both Charleigh and Rose are committed to giving you witty, sexy, intelligent novels that will leave you wanting more.

Connect with Charleigh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charleighroseprose/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15569269.Charleigh_Rose?from_search=true

Ella Fox:

When she’s not writing, Ella indulges the gypsy in her blood and travels the country. Ella loves reading, movies, music, buying make-up, reading Tmz, Twitter and pedicures… not necessarily in that order. She has a wild sense of humor and loves to laugh. Her favorite thing in the world is hanging out with her family and watching comedy movies.

Connect with Ella

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllaFoxAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorellafox

http://www.authorellafox.com

Sara Ney:

Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced latte’s, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.

Connect with Sara

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraneyauthor/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2Ay8lT2
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraneyauthor/
GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2g32hJO
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/saraneyauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaraNey

http://authorsaraney.com

Meghan Quinn:

A BLONDE AT HEART

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!

Connect with Meghan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormeghanquinn/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2_j4HJ91yQLxZ0EC4p2PEA
YouTube: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn

Website: http://authormeghanquinn.com

Kate Stewart:

Kate Stewart lives in Charleston, S.C. with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. A native of Dallas, Kate moved to Charleston three weeks after her first visit, dropping her career of 8 years, and declaring it her creative muse. Kate pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense because it’s what she loves as a reader. A lover of all things ’80s and ’90s, especially John Hughes films and rap, she dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity only and does a horrible job of playing the ukulele. Aside from running a mile without collapsing, traveling is the only other must on her bucket list. On occasion, she does very well at vodka.

Connect with Kate

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkatestewart/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorklstewart

http://www.katestewartwrites.com

Rochelle Paige:

Rochelle Paige is the Amazon bestselling author of nineteen 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.

Connect with Rochelle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rochellepaigeauthor/
Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1436132763270558/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2n6RkMX

http://www.rochellepaige.com/home

The Hopeless Romantic Bookworm

"The world was hers for the reading" -Betty Smith

Category: book review

Blog Tour + Review: Runaway Groom by Lauren Layne

Blog Tour + Review: Midnight Blue by LJ Shen

Midnight Blue, an all-new sexy standalone from LJ Shen is available NOW!

Review: Tempt Me by Carly Phillips

Blog Tour: Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Blog Tour + Review: That Girl by Kate Kerrigan

THAT GIRL
by Kate Kerrigan
Publication Date: January 1, 2018

Add to Goodreads

About Kate Kerrigan

Excerpt

Blog Tour + Review: Hot Shot by Karina Halle

Blog Tour: You Won’t Know I’m Gone by Kristen Orlando

You Don’t Know My Name by Kristen Orlando

Review: The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

Blog Tour + Review: Team Player: A Christmas Anthology

Eleven authors. Eleven Novellas. This is one thick . . . book.

Christmas just became a whole lot merrier…

TEAM PLAYER, A Christmas Anthology featuring titles by LJ Shen, Kennedy Ryan, Adriana Locke, Mandi Beck, Emma Scott, Charleigh Rose, Ella Fox, Sara Ney, Meghan Quinn, Kate Stewart and Rochelle Paige is available NOW!

Publication Date: December 14th, 2017
Genre: Contemporary/Sports Romance

Meet the authors:

Midnight Blue, an all-new sexy standalone from LJ Shen is available NOW!

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

THAT GIRL by Kate Kerrigan Publication Date: January 1, 2018

About Kate Kerrigan

Excerpt

Eleven authors. Eleven Novellas. This is one thick . . . book.

Christmas just became a whole lot merrier… TEAM PLAYER, A Christmas Anthology featuring titles by LJ Shen, Kennedy Ryan, Adriana Locke, Mandi Beck, Emma Scott, Charleigh Rose, Ella Fox, Sara Ney, Meghan Quinn, Kate Stewart and Rochelle Paige is available NOW!

Publication Date: December 14th, 2017 Genre: Contemporary/Sports Romance

Meet the authors:

THAT GIRL
by Kate Kerrigan
Publication Date: January 1, 2018

Christmas just became a whole lot merrier…

TEAM PLAYER, A Christmas Anthology featuring titles by LJ Shen, Kennedy Ryan, Adriana Locke, Mandi Beck, Emma Scott, Charleigh Rose, Ella Fox, Sara Ney, Meghan Quinn, Kate Stewart and Rochelle Paige is available NOW!

Publication Date: December 14th, 2017
Genre: Contemporary/Sports Romance