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!
(FREE in Kindle Unlimited)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2j7MCK1
Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/TeamPlayerAnthology

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

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.

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 people’s 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/

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
YouTube: http://bit.ly/2gsAGkp
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

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

Blog Tour + Review: So Over You by Kate Meader

December 5, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

SO OVER YOU
Chicago Rebels series, Book 2
Kate Meader
Pocket Star EBooks
December 4, 2017
$5.99
ISBN: 978150116856

Three estranged sisters struggle to sustain their late father’s failing hockey franchise in Kate Meader’s SO OVER YOU, Book 2 in the new sizzling Chicago Rebels series. Middle sister Isobel is at a crossroads in her personal and professional lives. But both are about to get a significant boost with the addition of a domineering Russian powerhouse to the Rebels…

Isobel Chase knows hockey. She played NCAA, won silver at the Games, and made it thirty-seven minutes into the new National Women’s Hockey League before an injury sidelined her dreams. Those who can’t, coach, and a position as a skating consultant to her late father’s hockey franchise, the Chicago Rebels, seems like a perfect fit. Until she’s assigned her first job: the man who skated into her heart as a teen and relieved her of her pesky virginity. These days, left-winger Vadim Petrov is known as the Czar of Pleasure, a magnet for puck bunnies and the tabloids alike. But back then…let’s just say his inability to sink the puck left Isobel frustratingly scoreless.

Vadim has a first name that means “ruler,” and it doesn’t stop at his birth certificate. He dominates on the ice, the practice rink, and in the backseat of a limo. But a knee injury has produced a bad year, and bad years in the NHL don’t go unrewarded. His penance? To be traded to a troubled team where his personal coach is Isobel Chase, the woman who drove him wild years ago when they were hormonal teens. But apparently, the feeling was not entirely mutual.

About the author:

Kate Meader was raised on romance. An Irish girl, she started with Catherine Cookson and Jilly Cooper novels and spiced it up with some Mills & Boon. Now based in Chicago, she writes romances of her own, where sexy contemporary alpha heroes and strong heroines match each other quip for quip. When not immersed in tales of brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, Kate lives on the web at katemeader.com.

Giveaway:
Kate Meader will be giving away a $25 Amazon gift card during release week.
To enter, please go here!

Excerpt

He leaned in again, smelling of fame, privilege, and raw sex appeal. Discomfort at his proximity edged out the hormonal sparks dancing through her body.

“Does Moretti know that we have history? That you are the last person I wish to work with?”

Before she could respond, someone squealed, “Vadim!” A blond, skinny, buxom someone, who now wrapped herself around Vadim in a very possessive manner. “You said you’d be back with a dwinkie!”

A dwinkie?

Drawing back, Vadim circled the squealer’s waist and pulled her into his hard body. “Kotyonok, I did not mean to be so long.” He dropped a kiss on her lips, needing to bend considerably because she was just so darn petite! Not like big-boned Isobel, who could have eaten this chick and her five supermodel Playmates for a midmorning snack. A group of them stood off to the side, clearly waiting for the signal to start the orgy. And Vadim clearly wanted to give it, except he had to deal with the annoying six-foot fly in the sex ointment.

Why did the lumberjack hotties always go for twigs instead of branches? Did it make them feel more virile to screw a pocket-sized Barbie?

Yep, feeling like a schlub.

But he didn’t need to know that. All he needed to know was that she had the power to return him to competitive ice. This was her best shot at making a difference and getting the Rebels to a coveted play-off spot. Vadim Petrov and his butt-hurt feelings would not stand in her way.

“Do you need to talk about it, Russian?”

She infused as much derision into the question as possible, so that the idea of “talking about it” made him sound a touch less than manly. Big, bad, brick-house Russians didn’t need to talk about the women who done them wrong.

“There is nothing to talk about,” he uttered in that voice that used to send Siberian shivers down her back. Now? Nothing more than a Muscovian flurry.

“Excellent!” Superscary cheerful face. “Regular practice is tomorrow at ten, so I’ll see you on the ice at 9 a.m. Don’t be late.”

Pretty happy with her exit line, she walked away.

Far too easy.

A brute hand curled around hers and pulled her to the other side of the bar, out of the sight line of most of the VIP room. She found her back against a wall—literally and figuratively—as 230 pounds of Slavic muscle loomed over her.

He still held her hand.

If she weren’t so annoyed, she’d think it was kind of nice.

She yanked it away. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“Who am I?” he boomed, and she prayed it was rhetorical. Unfortunately, no. “I am Vadim Petrov. Leading goal scorer for my first two years in the NHL. Winner of both the Kontinental and the Gagarin Cups. A man not to be trifled with. And you are, who, exactly? The daughter of a hockey great who was not so great when it came to running a team. The woman who can no longer play yet thinks she can offer ‘tips’ to me. To me! You may have pedigree, Isobel, but there is nothing I can learn from you.”

This arrogant, douchewaffle piece of shit!

percy-klein

Kate Meader is an author that has been on my radar for quite a while. I actually own the second book in her firefighter romance series, Playing With Fire (which I will definitely be reading in the future). So when I had the opportunity to review the second book in her Chicago Rebels series, So Over You, which is a hockey romance series, I didn’t hesitate.

Something you should know about me is that hockey romances are probably one of my favorite romance sub-genres EVER and this mainly has to do with the fact that my brother played for his entire childhood into college so I grew up in ice rinks. Then, when I found out the romance involved a brooding Russian hockey player, a heroine who used to be professional hockey player herself, and that it was a second chance romance, I was hooked before I even began reading.

Hockey runs through Isobel Chase’s veins and why wouldn’t it when your father was a famous hockey player, the owner of a hockey team, and spent your entire childhood training you to become the next best thing in the hockey world. Her dreams of being a professional female hockey player had come true until it all came crashing down. Now, years later, Isobel has turned to coaching and ever since she and her sisters inherited their father’s hockey team, the Chicago Rebels, she has set her sights on becoming a coach for that very team. The only things standing in her way is the fact that she is a woman in a male-dominated sport and she co-owns the team which would look bad if she just made herself coach given the scrutiny she and her sisters have already gotten. Oh, and the man she gave her virginity to years ago, Vadim Petrov, who just so happens to be her first client and who also wants nothing to do with her.

Vadim Petrov has just been traded to the Chicago Rebels, a team that has consistently struggled over the years. On top of now playing for this less than ideal team, Vadim must also be personally coached by the woman he wants nothing to do with given how their relationship ended years ago (badly as you can imagine). But Vadim doesn’t have a choice because Isobel is determined to make this personal coaching assignment beneficial for both of them, so that he can recover from his injury and she has the chance to become a full-time coach for the Rebels based purely on her work ethic and not because she is a co-owner of the team. This professional relationship not only starts off with them butting heads but when their feelings for one another come to the surface again, things begin to heat up on and off the ice.

I said I was hooked before I even began reading this book but those feelings never strayed because I absolutely LOVED this book. It combined so many things that I love. The two main ones are hockey and the fact that Vadim and Isobel hated each other int he beginning and butted heads with one another which lead to some wonderful, sexual tension-filled loves scenes. They challenged each other at almost every turn and that passion for the game also translated towards how they felt towards each other. I also cannot express enough how much I LOVED that Isobel was a professional hockey player because um, you never see that in a sports romance especially focused on hockey. Oh, and as someone who is tall, I really appreciated that Isobel was six feet tall because it is another element you don’t usually see in romance, at least that is what I have found.

While Isobel and Vadim’s relationship was the focal point in this novel, Kate Meader did an amazing job allowing the reader to also fall in love with the cast of secondary characters. Isobel’s sisters and their relationship together was great to see as they continue to learn how to get along since, Violet, the youngest Chase sister, only came into their lives a few months ago. I personally enjoyed the foreshadowing of the relationships to come like Violet and her relationship with a certain Scottish hockey player. The secondary characters and the interactions we got to see really helped you delve deeper into this fabulous world of hockey.

All I have to say is that if you are a fan of hockey romances, you NEED to not only pick up this book but also this entire series.

5 stars

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

Blog Tour + Review: Holiday Wishes by Jill Shalvis

November 22, 2017November 26, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

Holiday Wishes (a Heartbreaker Bay novella)
by Jill Shalvis
Publication Date: November 7, 2017

It’s Christmastime again in Heartbreaker Bay!

When Sean O’Riley shows up at the Hartford Bed & Breakfast for his older brother’s bachelor weekend, he’s just hoping to make it through the weekend. What he’s not expecting is to come face to face with the woman he lost his virginity to a decade ago—a woman he’s never really forgotten.

The last time Lotti Hartford saw Sean, she told him she loved him while he said nothing. Now, ten years later, she’s just looking for a good time. For once, she wants to be the wild and free one, and Sean – the good time guy – is the perfect candidate.

But as the weekend continues, Sean realizes that after a lifetime of being the hook-up king, he’s ready to find happily-ever-after, and he wants it with Lotti. But will she open her heart to him again? As Christmas sweeps through the little B&B, he can only hope love and magic are in the air.

BUY LINKS for HOLIDAY WISHES
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2yorIgs
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2f8P15h
iBooks: http://apple.co/2f8MeJo
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2xuInAO
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2wwcV64

ABOUT JILL SHALVIS

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website, www.jillshalvis.com, for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect with Jill
Website: http://jillshalvis.com/
Facebook: @JillShalvis
Twitter: @JillShalvis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillshalvis/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jillshalvis/
Tumblr: http://jillshalvis.tumblr.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22370.Jill_Shalvis?from_search=true

Excerpt

At the empathetic tone in Sean’s voice, Lotti’s heart and stomach and head all clenched in unison. “What do you mean you can’t give me what I want?” she asked. “All you have to do is walk away.”

“Tried that already,” he said. “And it was the biggest mistake of my life.” He brought her hand up to his mouth and met her gaze over their entwined hands.

He was looking at her like . . . well, she wasn’t sure what was going on in his head, but her thoughts were racing along with her pulse.

“You’re incredible, Lotti. I hope you know that.” Very slowly, clearly giving her time to object, he pulled her into him.

Her breath caught at the connection and his eyes heated in response as he slid a hand up her spine and then back down again, pressing her in tight to him from chest to thighs and everywhere in between. His nose was cold at the crook of her neck, but his breath was warm against her skin. She felt his lips press against the sensitive spot just behind her ear and she shivered. “You’re trembling,” he said, his voice low. “Are you cold?”

“No,” she whispered. Try the opposite of cold . . .

“Nervous?”

“No.” Not even close. The way his mouth moved across her skin was making her warm all over. Not that she could articulate that with his body pressed to hers and his fingers dancing over her skin. She was literally quivering as the memories of what it felt like to be touched by him washed over her, as if no time at all had gone by.

Yes, she’d let him think that their time together had sucked for her. But it hadn’t. Not even close. That long-ago night he’d evoked feelings and a hunger in her that she’d never forgotten. “I’ve just had a long day,” she said.

“I know. I’m going to make it better.” He pressed a kiss at the juncture of her jaw and ear before he made his way to her lips for a slow, hot kiss, his mouth both familiar and yet somehow brand-new. She was so far gone that when he pulled back she protested with a moan, but he held her tight, staring down at her with heated eyes. “Just checking,” he murmured.

“Checking what?”

“That you want this as badly as I do.”

Ah, Heartbreaker Bay how I have missed you. Even though it’s only been about a month since my last read in this series, I was so excited to get back into this world. And it is Christmastime at the Bay, which makes it that much better since Christmas is my FAVORITE time of the year. Who wouldn’t want to fall in love during Christmastime? Or, fall in love again, perhaps.

Sean O’Riley and the gang have traveled to Napa Valley for Pru and Finn’s (Sean’s older brother) bachelor/bachelorette celebration at a bed and breakfast. Wine tours, spa treatments, and so much more are in store for them and Sean is in charge of making sure it all goes smoothly as part of his best man responsibilities. The only thing he didn’t anticipate is to run into Lotti Hartford who just so happens to run the bed and breakfast they are staying at. Nothing like seeing the girl who gave her virginity to you in high school after ten years of silence to get the festivities started, right?

This was such a cute novella and a great addition to the series but it wasn’t my absolute favorite of the bunch. It took me over halfway through the book to really get into Sean and Lotti as a couple. When they meet for the first time again, I didn’t really feel the connection. I think this might have to do with the fact that Sean never stood out to me in the other books, not in the same way that Rory and Max did who was the couple in the other novella in the series, One Snowy Night. Sean and Lotti were definitely cute together in the beginning, but it wasn’t until a certain moment happens that my heart kind of caught up and really became invested.

Overall, I enjoyed Holiday Wishes despite the hesitations I had in the beginning. It was a sweet, with a touch of sexy mixed in, holiday romance that I would recommend if you are looking for a quick read this upcoming holiday season.

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

Blog Tour + Review: Spider by Ilsa Madden-Mills

November 22, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills comes a new standalone romance about a flawed hero and the woman he can’t forget.

Spider, a sexy and forbidden new standalone, is available NOW!

Title: Spider
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Publication Date: November 13th, 2017

From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills comes a new standalone romance about a flawed hero and the woman he can’t forget.

“She crossed my path and changed my whole direction.”

He calls himself Spider.

I just knew him as the sinfully gorgeous guy with eyes of fire that fate sat next to me on the airplane.

I didn’t know who he really was…British rock star…my stepbrother.

He kissed me because he thought we’d never see each other again. We would.

Everyone warned me about him.

They told me he was ruthless and cold and screwed up.

They said he’d leave me with a hole in my heart.

Maybe I should have listened.

Maybe I should have built up a fortress to keep him out.

But I crumbled instead.

They say an unbreakable thread connects those who are destined to meet. If that’s true, then the moment he sat next to me, we were bound together forever.

He just had to figure it out before it’s too late…

Excerpt

How can one human man be so hot?

Spider sits on my toilet, shirtless, while I dab at his swollen eye. I’m doing my best to keep my eyes averted from the ink on his body, the way his tattoos swirl underneath his jeans, the way his chest is carved from stone.

Of course, I’m the stupid person who suggested he remove his shirt so I could see if he has any bruising on his chest. A cracked or broken rib can cause a lot of pain, and I want to be thorough, that’s all—I swear to baby Jesus.

He grinned at my request and whipped it off—which is the reason I’m now a mess.

There’s hardly any room to breathe with him in my small bathroom.
I wipe at the spot of blood on his cheek as he watches me stoically, never taking his eyes off me, tracking my every movement.

“This will look worse tomorrow,” I murmur, just to ease the tension. I stand between his spread legs, acutely aware of his fresh scent, his pure magnetism. My hands shake and I have to focus to push an image of me straddling him, both of us naked, out of my head. I want to run my tongue over the tattoo on his neck. I want to bite him like an animal while he—

Good grief, Rose, stop the fantasy!

“You’d make a good nurse,” he says softly, his long black lashes fluttering softly against his chiseled cheekbones.

“Doctor of Psychology,” I correct him.

“Your dream?”

“Yes.” Although right now I’m dreaming of him…
“I know that feeling. That’s how music is to me.” His golden-brown eyes watch me as I reach over to the medicine cabinet for more antiseptic and antibacterial cream, my chest perilously close to his face. I swear my nipples are reaching for him.

“Why psychology?”

I nod, pretending like I’m not all discombobulated. “My granny mainly. She loved to read people—literally. She ran a little palm-reading business out of her home before she died. All the old ladies of the neighborhood would come to see her. She’d make them coffee and they’d just…talk. She’d tell them what they needed to hear while I sat on the floor next to her and listened. There wasn’t any magic involved of course.” I laugh. “But…she was incredibly intuitive. She just got people. If someone twitched or looked left or right while they were talking, she’d have a reason for it and she’d tell me all about it after they left.”

“I think I would have loved your granny.” He curls an arm around me, tugging me close until my chest is a hair’s breadth away from his face. I recall our epic kiss on the plane. I feel the pressure of his taut thighs and my breath quickens as desire unfurls inside me.

A hum warms my blood. I want him—desperately.

And it’s entirely foolish.

He’s my stepbrother.

He doesn’t call girls back.

“Why does it seem like I’ve known you forever?” I ask, feeling myself gravitating closer.

He thinks about it, pushing a piece of hair out of my eyes. Cupping my nape, he pulls me in tighter until our noses meet. The back of his hand caresses my cheek and the heat from his touch burns, yet there’s a tautness in the roped muscles of his arms, as if he’s holding himself in check.

“Because I am you,” he says softly. “We’re so much alike, it’s staggering.” He pauses and stares deep into my eyes.

I nod. I can’t think. He’s so close to me, his eyes burning into mine.
He closes his eyes and exhales. “I want you, Rose. You’re intoxicating.”

I suck in a sharp breath, our lips inches apart.

Is he going to kiss me? I want him to.

His eyes open after the silence has gone on too long, a smirk forming around his mouth. “You scared of me, Rose?”

Never.

“I’m scared you’ll rip my heart out.”

He stares at the LOST tattoo on his hand. “I probably will.”

Read Today!
(Free in Kindle Unlimited)
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2hnxZ4D
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2zxoMkQ
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2zEz940
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2ytQVWq
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2zcQDni

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap.

She’s addicted to dystopian books and all things fantasy, including unicorns and sword-wielding females. Other fascinations include frothy coffee beverages, dark chocolate, Instagram, Ian Somerhalder (seriously hot), astronomy (she’s a Gemini), and tattoos.

She has a degree in English and a Master’s in Education.

When she’s not pecking away on her computer, she shops for cool magnets and paints old furniture.

Connect with Ilsa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorilsamaddenmills/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ilsamaddenmills
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2k6L96J
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2jjRzlD
Website: http://www.ilsamaddenmills.com/

The minute I saw the words “British rockstar” and then “my stepbrother” right after that in the synopsis, I knew that I NEEDED to read Spider. Funny how the last time I had this reaction after just reading the synopsis was for another rockstar romance Good Lies by Charlotte West. Coincidence? Maybe. Either way, Spider did not disappoint one bit.

Rose and Spider met for the first time when Rose was only eleven years old. It wasn’t your usual meeting though. It happened in the parking lot behind a Quickie Mart after Rose had spent the previous night outside on her own after escaping her trailer home and her mother’s boyfriend’s nightly visit to her bedroom. After witnessing Spider buy drugs from a dealer, the two had a conversation that, though short, changed Rose’s life forever. That day, Rose and Spider’s lives became entwined, invisibly tethered to one another until it was time for them to meet again. Who knew that the next time they would meet each other, they would begin as strangers sitting next to one another on a plane only to find out at the end of the journey that they are not strangers but… step-siblings? Huh?

Spider reminded me of Good Lies a few times while I was reading it because Rose and Good Lies‘s heroine had similar childhoods in that they experienced hardship and tragedy early on in their lives. I enjoyed seeing those similarities especially when Spider began to bring out all the feels the same way that Good Lies did.

There is a lot that goes on in this book and with these events comes a whirlwind of emotion. It was fun to see Rose and Spider buttheads with one another in the beginning especially when Spider was turning on his charms. Their connection quickly became more than just flirting. It was almost like their souls were connecting on some level. That obviously had something to do with their history and also to do with the fact that they are very similar people. Obstacles are put in their way which in some way separates them but in the end, they find their way back to one another yet again.

I wish I could gush about the part that literally had me gasping for air because it was so emotional and important but then I would spoil things and this book should NOT be spoiled. If you like rockstar romances that have a ton of heart and emotion woven into it in addition to having a rockstar hero whose ego rears its head sometimes, then you should absolutely pick up Spider!

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

Review: Rock Solid by Carly Phillips & Erika Wilde

November 14, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

Rock Solid
Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde
Book Boyfriend Series Book 4
Release Date Nov. 14, 2017

Connor Prescott doesn’t do one night stands (yes, ladies, he’s an anomaly) so when he meets a beautiful woman during a snowed-in night at the airport who wants to forget her heartache, he makes an exception. Their night together is incendiary, and by morning Connor wants more . . . except his sexy stranger is gone. He’s pretty sure he’ll never see her again, until three and a half years later she finds him, and changes his entire world with three little words … You’re a daddy.

Amazon Kindle B&N Nook Kobo iBooks Google Play

About the Authors:

Carly Phillips

After a successful fifteen-year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.

Website Mailing List Goodreads Amazon Facebook Twitter

Erika Wilde

Erika Wilde (aka Janelle Denison (http://www.janelledenison.com/)) is the USA Today bestselling author of over 50 contemporary romances for multiple print publishers.

So, why the new pen name?

As Janelle Denison, I’ve always written sexy books, but lately, my writing has taken on more erotic elements that I wanted to keep separate for readers because not everyone likes their reading material on the spicier, kinkier side of romance. However, please be assured that even as Erika Wilde, you will still get an emotionally layered story with characters you’ll care about and fall in love with. That is always my goal, whether I’m writing straight contemporary romances, or more erotically charged stories.

Currently, I’m working on The Marriage Diaries and making sure that Dean and Jillian enjoy exploring the more erotic side to their marriage. The series will be on-going, with no foreseeable ending as of right now, for as long as readers want to be voyeurs to Dean and Jillian’s sizzling new relationship.

I’m also planning a spin-off series in the future, featuring the hot military men that work security for Dean at Noble and Associates. Sign up to receive my newsletter for updates and news!

Website Mailing List Goodreads Amazon Facebook Twitter

Where do I even begin?? Rock Solid is part of the Book Boyfriend series, and that series title is so on point right now because Connor Prescott holds the #1 spot on my list of book boyfriends and I don’t see him getting knocked off from there anytime soon. Add in Connor finding out he is a baby daddy and then his reaction is to seriously step up to the plate. Um… hi, I am pretty sure I just died from swooning so hard. Oh, and don’t even get me started on that cover.

Connor Prescott spots Katie while waiting for his flight in the Denver airport. Intrigued by the gorgeous blonde, he is extremely thankful when their flight is cancelled due to the incoming snowstorm, as it gives him the opportunity to find out who she is. Katie, on the other hand, is not having the best day as it is Valentine’s Day and she has just found out that her boyfriend, that she has traveled to see, has been cheating on her. I guess you could say the highlight to her absolutely shitty day is when Connor approaches her while eating dinner at one of the restaurants in the airport terminal. Long story short, the two spend the night together, Katie leaves before Connor wakes up the next morning leaving him with no way of finding her again, and, as a result of that night, Katie becomes pregnant.

Fast forward three years, Katie now has a three year old daughter named Val, and as luck would have it the universe has decided that it is time for Connor Prescott to come back into her life and for her to therefore tell him that he has a daughter.

Oh my god, this book. It is hands down my favorite in the series. I honestly loved every part of this book even the length, which for the rest of the books in this series were just a bit on the short side for me. I loved the flashback in the beginning, detailing how Connor and Katie met and the night they shared together. I loved how Katie found out who Connor was, I won’t spoil it, but it was such a unique way to have them “reconnect” and felt totally natural. I loved how Connor immediately stepped up when he found out about Val. I LOVE Connor in general but I won’t go into too much detail about that. Ok, one thing: Connor isn’t a one night stand kind of guy. Um, is he like a magical unicorn, or something. I LOVED Connor’s relationship with his daughter as well as his relationship when he is with both Katie and Val. Val was adorable and I am so glad that she was a part of the storyline as much as she was. I LOVED that kitchen scene (You will know what I’m talking about when you get to it, trust me 😉). Ugh, I honestly could keep going but you need to actually read this book instead of spending all your time reading my babbling thoughts on it.

Seriously, PICK UP THIS BOOK.
Then, pick up the rest of the series.
You won’t be disappointed.

P.S. Thank you Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde for writing this amazing book.
Oh, and Happy Release Day!!

book blog · book review · books · reading · romance

Review: One Snowy Night by Jill Shalvis

October 30, 2017October 30, 2017 rosiereads6132 Comments

One Snowy Night (Heartbreaker Bay #2.5)
by Jill Shalvis
Publication Date: November 8, 2016
Source: Library E-Book

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Heartbreaker Bay with a fun and festive holiday novella!

It’s Christmas Eve and Rory Andrews is desperate to get home to the family she hasn’t seen in years. Problem is, her only ride to Lake Tahoe comes in the form of the annoyingly handsome Max Stranton, and his big, goofy, lovable dog Carl.

Hours stuck in a truck with the dead sexy Max sounds like a fate worse than death (not), but Rory’s out of options. She’s had a crush on Max since high school and she knows he’s attracted to her, too. But they have history… and Max is the only one who knows why it went south.

They’ve done a good job of ignoring their chemistry so far, but a long road trip in a massive blizzard might be just what they need to face their past… and one steamy, snowy night is all it takes to bring Max and Rory together at last.

(A standalone Heartbreaker Bay novella)

We are back in the world of The Heartbreaker Bay series, taking a look at another lovable pair who find their happily-ever-after. Plus, it takes place on Christmas Eve so this story is even more romantic; at least in my eyes since Christmas time is my favorite time of the year.

Rory Andrews is the snarky, strong-minded employee of Willa, whose story takes place in The Problem with Mistletoe and who owns the South Bark Mutt Shop located in the courtyard of the Pacific Pier Building. Rory has not had the easiest life and after a horrible high school experience, she decides to drop out, leave town after her junior year, and go to San Francisco to start her life over. Now, at 23, Rory has her GED and has been working for Willa, who took her under her wing, for the last three years at her pet shop. Rory has made something of her life but she still feels regrets towards how she has left things with her family back in Lake Tahoe. Rory wants to make amends with them since she left home and never looked back at 17, so she promises that this time she will be home for Christmas. Rory just has a few problems; one, she does not have a ride up to Lake Tahoe and two, she is not particularly in the holiday spirit.

Rory’s attitude towards this whole trip home takes another plunge when she finds out who has offered to drive her up to Lake Tahoe (with a little encouragement from Willa, of course). Enter Max Stranton, who is part of Archer Hunt’s investigation team and who also has a history with Rory. Max and Rory actually went to high school together. Add to that, Rory had a crush on Max but that time of her life wasn’t the greatest so you can only imagine how things unfolded. Fast forward to now, and the two have been essentially dancing around each other with Rory trying very hard to ignore the attraction that is quite obviously between them. Add in a long car ride on the night of Christmas Eve with an impending snowstorm and you know this is going to be very interesting.

“Fate or Karma or whatever was in charge of such things was a cruel master, having her first crush of all people, the one guy on the entire planet who made her feel like that young, neglected, bullied, unwanted teen all over again, be the only smart ride home tonight.”

I have read this entire series completely out of order, which is totally fine, so I actually read The Trouble with Mistletoe before this. Now that might make no sense since this novella comes after that book which would mean that I am in fact reading it in order but my introduction to this series was the third book, Accidentally on Purpose, so I have been out of order in some aspect. Anyway, I got a glimpse of Rory and Max in The Trouble with Mistletoe and I was intrigued by their very first interaction with another that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on their story.

I was not disappointed in the least. With Rory trying to keep her distance, throwing her snark at Max whenever she got the chance and Max giving it right back while trying to figure out why Rory has such a problem with him, I was highly entertained. Add in the palpable attraction between the two of them and this novella just flew by. While the bickering was so much fun to read and definitely kept the novella light and fun, there were also some more emotional moments. You learn more about Rory and Max’s history when they were in high school along with the struggles Rory faced when she first got to San Francisco that lead her to Willa and the life she has now. The balance of these two elements is what allowed me to really get invested into Max and Rory’s story even though this is only a novella.

One Snowy Day has only made my love for this series that much stronger. It was a perfect addition to the series and gave me all the feels especially with it taking place on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. I honestly can’t get enough!

Go read this series!!

book blog · book review · books · reading · romance

Review: Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis

October 30, 2017October 30, 2017 rosiereads6132 Comments

Accidentally on Purpose (Heartbreaker Bay #3)
Author: Jill Shalvis
Publication Date: January 24th, 2017
Source: Mass Market Paperback

There’s no such thing as a little in love…

Elle Wheaten’s priorities: friends, career, and kick-ass shoes. Then there’s the muscular wall of stubbornness that’s security expert Archer Hunt—who comes before everything else. No point in telling Mr. “Feels-Free Zone” that, though. Elle will just see other men until she gets over Archer . . . which should only take a lifetime . . .

There’s no such thing as a little in lust…

Archer’s wanted the best for Elle ever since he sacrificed his law-enforcement career to save her. But now that she’s earned happiness and success, Archer just wants Elle 24/7. Their chemistry could start the next San Francisco Earthquake, and Archer doesn’t want to be responsible for the damage. The alternative? Watch her go out with guys who aren’t him . . .

There is such a thing as…

As far as Archer’s concerned, nobody is good enough for Elle. But when he sets out to prove it by sabotaging her dates, she gets mad—and things get hot as hell. Now Archer has a new mission: prove to Elle that her perfect man has been here all along…

PSA: The Heartbreaker Bay series is one of my favorite series of the year and Jill Shalvis is a new favorite author of mine so don’t be surprised if you see more reviews on this blog in the very near future.

You know those books, the ones you finish reading that are SO good that you just want to automatically turn back to the beginning and read it all over again? Yeah, this is one of those books for me. I will go as far to say that this book has made it onto my all-time favorite books list. FYI: My ability to articulate how much I love this book might be a bit difficult but just know that I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK.

Elle Wheaton is a badass, plain and simple. She is the building manager of the Pacific Pier Building which is the perfect job for her because one, she loves to be in control of everything and two, she loves to be able to boss others around. The only person she is not able to boss around is Archer Hunt, the owner of Hunt Investigations on the second floor of the building which acts as the building’s security. To say that these two have a history is an understatement. Also, the synopsis is not lying when it says that their chemistry could start the next San Francisco Earthquake because that is 100% true.

Elle and Archer’s history begins way before they both began working in the Pacific Pier Building. Their first meeting and the events surrounding it is very significant and holds a lot of weight towards how their relationship is like in the present. The fact that they have this history before we see Elle as the put-together, kickass manager is one of my favorite aspects of this book because it just magnifies the feelings they have for one another so much more.

His hand caught her, long fingers wrapping around her elbow and causing all sorts of unwelcome sensations as he pulled her back around.
“What?” she asked.
“Waiting for my apology.”
“Sure,” she said agreeably. “When hell freezes over.” She lifted her chin, grateful for her four-inch heels so that she could almost, kind of, not quite look him in the eyes.
“I’m in charge of this building, Archer, which means I’m in charge of everything that happens in it. I’m also in charge of everyone who works for this building.”
He cocked his head, looking amused again.
“You want to be the boss of me, Elle?” he asked softly.
“I am the boss of you.”

Pushing each other’s buttons is an art and those around Elle and Archer would have to be blind not to see the serious sparks that come about when they come up against one another. I’m not surprised that Elle butts head with Archer though because he is a true alpha; commands attention, intimidating, always in control, and gorgeous as f***. The build-up to when these two finally kissed was so intense, I seriously thought my book was going to burst into flames when it happened.

In addition to Elle and Archer’s story, I was also introduced to the adorable cast of characters that I have deemed the Heartbreaker Bay gang. Elle and Archer are surrounded by the best batch of friends they could ever ask for and as a reader, you fall in love with them almost instantly. This gang of secondary characters is such an essential part of these novels. They all have their unique personalities and add such a wonderful element to the book that without them, Accidentally on Purpose would be an entirely different book.

This book has so much more to it in addition to the explosive, hotter-than-hell romance and band of wonderful friends. There are laughs, some action, and a ton of heart-squeezing, all-the-feels moments. Honestly, I could not recommend this book more.

You MUST read it!!

blog tour · book blog · book review · books · excerpt · promo · reading · release blast · romance

Blog Tour + Review: Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis

September 29, 2017September 29, 2017 rosiereads613Leave a comment

CHASING CHRISTMAS EVE
Heartbreaker Bay #4
Jill Shalvis

Meet cute…

Run for the hills—temporarily. That’s Colbie Albright’s plan when she flees New York for San Francisco. Wrangling her crazy family by day and writing a bestselling YA fantasy series by night has taken its toll. In short, Colbie’s so over it that she’s under it. She’s also under the waters of a historic San Francisco fountain within an hour of arrival. Fortunately, the guy who fishes Colbie out has her looking forward to Christmas among strangers. But she’s pretty sure Spencer Baldwin won’t be a stranger for long.

Make merry…

Spence’s commitment to hiding from the Ghosts of Relationships Past means he doesn’t have to worry about the powerful—okay, crazy hot—chemistry he’s got with Colbie. Just because she can laugh at anything, especially herself… just because she’s gorgeous and a great listener…just because she “gets” Spence immediately doesn’t mean he won’t be able to let Colbie go. Does it?

…and hope for a miracle.

Now the clock’s ticking for Colbie and Spence: Two weeks to cut loose. Two weeks to fall hard. Two weeks to figure out how to make this Christmas last a lifetime.

Add to Goodreads

ABOUT JILL SHALVIS

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website,www.jillshalvis.com, for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Excerpt

At the unexpected sight of Spence, Colbie startled hard. How was it that he was the one who needed glasses and yet she’d not seen him standing against the window? “No, I don’t kill a lot of people,” she said cautiously because she was wearing only a towel in front of a strange man. “But I’m happy to make an exception.”

He laughed, a rough rumble that was more than a little contagious but she controlled herself because, hello, she was once again dripping wet before the man who seemed to make her knees forget to hold her up.

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said and pushed off the wall to come close.

She froze, but he held up his hands like, I come in peace, and crouched at her feet to scoop up the clothes she hadn’t realized she’d dropped.

Leggings, a long forgiving tee, and the peach silk bra-and-panty set that hadn’t gotten so much as a blink from the TSA guy.

But it got one out of Spence. He also swallowed hard as she snatched them back from him.

“Hold on,” he said and caught her arm, pulling it toward him to look at her bleeding elbow.

“Sit,” he said and gently pushed her down to a weight bench. He vanished into the bathroom and came back out with a first aid kit.

It took him less than two minutes to clean and bandage the scrape. Then, easily balanced at her side on the balls of his feet, he did the same for both her knees, which she hadn’t noticed were also scraped up.

“You must’ve hit the brick coping as you fell in the fountain,” he said and let his thumb slide over the skin just above one bandaged knee.

She shivered, and not from the cold either. “Not going to kiss it better?” she heard herself ask before biting her tongue for running away with her good sense.

She’d raised her younger twin brothers. Scrappy, roughhouse wild animals, the both of them, so there’d been plenty of injuries she’d kissed over the years.

But no one had ever kissed hers. Not surprising, since most of her injuries tended to be on the inside, where they didn’t show. Still, she was horrified she’d said anything at all. “I didn’t mean—”

She broke off, frozen like a deer in the headlights as Spence slowly lowered his head, brushing his lips over the Band-Aid on her elbow, then her knees. When he lifted his head, he pushed his glasses higher on his nose, those whiskey eyes warm and amused behind his lenses. “Better?”

Shockingly better. Since she didn’t quite trust her voice at the moment, she gave a jerky nod and took her clothes back into the bathroom. She shut the door and then leaned against it, letting out a slow, deliberate breath. Holy cow, she was out of her league. He was somehow both cute and hot, and those glasses . . .

After reading this, I can safely say that hot, geeky, glasses-wearing heroes are my jam and will forever be my jam. I don’t know what it is about the geeky cute guy or, in Spencer Baldwin’s case the sexy nerdy guy, but they just make me both squeal and swoon. If you haven’t guessed it yet, I very much enjoyed Chasing Christmas Eve and it is mainly to do with the fact that Spencer Baldwin is my new favorite hero.

Colbie Albright’s first time in San Francisco after running away for a well-deserved vacation from her life did not start off like she thought it would. I don’t think getting knocked into a fountain by a dog was on her list of things to do while visiting but it did have its benefits seeing as the man who helped her out of the fountain is Spencer Baldwin, the resident sexy tech geek. Her three-week vacation starts looking up as she and Spencer go from just strangers to oh so much more.

I have already made it abundantly clear how much I loved Spencer in this book, but overall, I thought this book was ADORABLE. It was so great to step back into the world of Heartbreaker Bay after falling head over heels for it in Elle and Asher’s book, Accidentally on Purpose. While I did swoon over Spencer, I also enjoyed Colbie, especially with the fact that she was a best-selling YA fantasy author because it is not a profession I have come across for a heroine to have and I was beyond excited about it. Even though I wasn’t able to connect with Colbie as a character as much as I thought I would, I loved when she held her ground against Jackson and spoke her mind about what she needed to her family. Oh, and her alternative swear words were just so freaking cute. It was a quirky element to the book that I enjoyed and also brought an air of realness to Spencer and Colbie’s relationship.

Chasing Christmas Eve is adorably cute but also has its sexy moments hence the reason why I love Spencer Baldwin so much. The only part that didn’t vibe with me was the epilogue but only because it felt rushed. Ending aside, this book was a wonderful addition to the series and I can’t wait to read more!

The Hopeless Romantic Bookworm

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

Tag: #review

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:

Blog Tour + Review: So Over You by Kate Meader

Review: Rock Solid by Carly Phillips & Erika Wilde

Rock Solid
Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde
Book Boyfriend Series Book 4
Release Date Nov. 14, 2017

Review: One Snowy Night by Jill Shalvis

Review: Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis

PSA: The Heartbreaker Bay series is one of my favorite series of the year and Jill Shalvis is a new favorite author of mine so don’t be surprised if you see more reviews on this blog in the very near future.

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:

Excerpt

From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills comes a new standalone romance about a flawed hero and the woman he can’t forget.

Spider, a sexy and forbidden new standalone, is available NOW!

Excerpt

About the Author

Connect with Ilsa

Rock Solid Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde Book Boyfriend Series Book 4 Release Date Nov. 14, 2017

PSA: The Heartbreaker Bay series is one of my favorite series of the year and Jill Shalvis is a new favorite author of mine so don’t be surprised if you see more reviews on this blog in the very near future.

Excerpt

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

Rock Solid
Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde
Book Boyfriend Series Book 4
Release Date Nov. 14, 2017