The Reading Cafe 7th Anniversary Celebration-Today’s Price Package with Alexandrea Weis

The Reading Cafe 7th Anniversary Celebration -Today’s Prize Package with Alexandrea Weis

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

Please be aware some of the books offered may be ARC copies from the publisher which may or may not have gone through final edits or final cover copy

Alexandrea Weis is graciously offering 2 giveaway packages: signed copies of Death by the River and the Blackwell Series Prequel, Blackwell ( US only ); ebook copies of the Magnus Blackwell Series, including Blackwell, Damned, and Bound (international) for today’s giveaway

ONE (1) commenter will receive signed copies of Death by the River and the Blackwell Series Prequel, Blackwell ( US only ); 1 commenter will receive ebook copies of the Magnus Blackwell Series, including Blackwell, Damned, and Bound(international) from Alexandrea Weis

Connect with Alexandrea Weis : Goodreads / Website/ Facebook/ Twitter

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. Please LIKE and FOLLOW Alexandrea Weis on FACEBOOK.

5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click ‘on’ NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

9. Giveaway for paper copies US only: ebook copies INTERNATIONAL

10. Giveaway runs until February 20-28, 2019

Share

Romancing His Rival by Jennifer Shirk – a Review

Romancing His Rival by Jennifer Shirk – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes / Google Play / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Hopeless romantic Elena Mason doesn’t often hate people, but she hates her ex-fiancé’s insufferable best man, Lucas Albright III. She just knows Lucas is the one who talked her ex out of getting married—so Lucas is clearly the cause of all her problems. 

And now she’s expected to work with him? Oh, heck no.

Lucas Albright wants nothing more than to make partner at his advertising firm, and he knows he works best alone. But then Elena ends up as his partner on an account that could win him a promotion. He had a great reason to end her engagement, not that she’d ever believe him. Still, he’s willing to try working as a team. 

Unfortunately, his new “partner” wants him dead.

Elena knows she’s going to have to give in and work with her nemesis, though nobody said it had to be easy for him. But what happens when fighting starts feeling a whole lot like falling in love? 

 

 

Review;

I’m finding that I’m becoming quite the Jennifer Shirk fan.  Once again she didn’t disappoint me with Romancing his Rival.  This story was full of humour, sexy flirting and just general fun between Lucas and Elena.  I really enjoyed getting to know these two characters and watch them slowly fall in love with each other.  I do have to say that at first I wasn’t sure about Lucas given the little I knew about him from Elena’s point of view.  However, I quickly learned that he wasn’t all that bad and not the bad guy that Elena was painting him out to be.  Actually he was trying to save Elena from impending heartbreak without coming right out and letting her know her fiancé is basically a cad.  Being best friend’s with Elena’s ex fiancé kind of put Lucas between a rock and a hard place because he didn’t want to hurt either of them, but at the same time felt he should do something to warn her.  I’m glad he did in the end because I felt that Lucas and Elena were much more suited to each other.  They got one another on a level no one else did and their chemistry just clicked from the get go.  They had a certain vibe that just jumped off the pages and kept you  coming back for more wanting to see how their adventure would end.

 Again Ms. Shirk kept the story moving at a fairly good pace but never once did that affect Elena and Lucas’ adventure.  They were able to tell their individual stories so that we are able to see where both are coming from when it comes to relationships and HEA’s.  Throughout the story we also get to see why it’s important for Elena to have the HEA she’s always dreamed about, albeit to me was a little far fetched but I was able to see why she needed things to happen according to her plan.  I could also see why having Lucas come into her life at this exact moment and stir things up for her would cause her some anxiety and confusion, but it’s also the starting point for the fun and games that ensue between Elena and Lucas as they try and meander through a working relationship all the while trying to deny the growing friendship and feelings they are developing towards each other.  I found it rather funny that everyone else around them could see this but they couldn’t.  Of course the two of them have to take the scenic route so to speak in finding their way to each other but that’s also part of the fun and adventure between this cute couple.  The epilogue was sweet and charming and shows just how much Elena changes from when we first meet her to where she and Lucas are now in their relationship.  I really liked his proposal, but I liked it even more that Elena decided to create something special just for them when she finally said yes. 

If you haven’t had the chance to read anything by Jennifer Shirk my question is what are you waiting for?  She’s got a way of drawing you into her stories and keeping you there till the very end and does that once again with Romancing his Rival.  It’s a fast paced read but filled with fun, flirty dialogue, and two characters who run away with their story keeping you engaged till the last line. 

Until next time, happy reading everyone!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

Share

Devil’s Daughter by Lisa Kleypas – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Devil’s Daughter by Lisa Kleypas – Review & Giveaway

 

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes / Google Play / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Although beautiful young widow Phoebe, Lady Clare, has never met West Ravenel, she knows one thing for certain: he’s a mean, rotten bully. Back in boarding school, he made her late husband’s life a misery, and she’ll never forgive him for it. But when Phoebe attends a family wedding, she encounters a dashing and impossibly charming stranger who sends a fire-and-ice jolt of attraction through her. And then he introduces himself…as none other than West Ravenel.

West is a man with a tarnished past. No apologies, no excuses. However, from the moment he meets Phoebe, West is consumed by irresistible desire…not to mention the bitter awareness that a woman like her is far out of his reach. What West doesn’t bargain on is that Phoebe is no straitlaced aristocratic lady. She’s the daughter of a strong-willed wallflower who long ago eloped with Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent—the most devilishly wicked rake in England.

Before long, Phoebe sets out to seduce the man who has awakened her fiery nature and shown her unimaginable pleasure. Will their overwhelming passion be enough to overcome the obstacles of the past?

Only the devil’s daughter knows…

 

Review:

Devil’s Daughter by Lisa Kleypas is the 5th book in her The Ravenels series. I have not read the previous 4 books in this series, but this book did read well as a standalone.  However, this is my first book by Lisa Kleypas, and I absolutely adored Devil’s Daughter.  I will be going back to read the earlier books, and start reading more of Ms. Kleypas.

We meet Phoebe (Lady Clare), our heroine, at the start, as she prepares to go with her entire family to the Ravenel estate to attend a wedding, she does not look forward to meeting West Ravenel. Phoebe remembers all too well the stories about West that he is a bully, having been told so by her now deceased husband, Henry.  She is determined to avoid him at all costs.  It has been a few years since, Henry died, and with two young sons, Phoebe knows she needs to consider marrying again, and looks to her husband’s cousin (Edward), who helps run the estate.  But Sebastian, her father, insists that Edward is not worthy of her, and he is concerned about her land, and how it is fallen on hard times.

West Ravenel, our hero, lives at home at his family’s estate, and takes an active interest in the land.  West has led a tarnished reckless life, with his reputation following him.  He seems settled helping his brother run the estate, but feels he can never become involved in any permanent relationship with a woman, especially since he cannot trust himself.  But then he meets the beautiful Phoebe. When Phoebe meets a handsome stranger, who she immediately feels that attraction; but to her shock, she learn he is the infamous West Ravenel.  

At dinner, she is forced to sit next to West, and despite his attempt to find another spot, since he sees her discomfort, Phoebe tells him to sit and not make a fuss.  In a short time, she will learn that he is not the boy who tortured her husband years before, and is an intelligent, kind man who will go out of his way to help her look at her finances and teach her how to fix her land.  He warns her about the person running the land for her, and she needs to have someone else look at the records.

Slowly, Phoebe begins to become closer to West, and soon they are both falling hard for each other.  The chemistry between them was sparkling hot; but Phoebe also sees how West thinks little of himself, feeling unworthy of someone like her.

What follows is a wonderful sweet story, as Phoebe after watching West with her two sons, and how sweet and caring he is with her, that he is the man for her.  She also knows that despite his feelings for her, he is determined to for her to find a man worthy of her.  When West comes to visit her estate, at her request, to help look over the finances, and make recommendations to fix her lands, they both act on their lustful feelings.  Phoebe will need to find a way to convince West that he is worthy of her.  But will she be able to get through to West?

This is my first novel by Lisa Kleypas, as I do not read a lot of historical romances, though I do read a few favorites.  I have to say I loved her writing.  So many times when reading this story, I broke into a smile at some of the humorous banter between West and Phoebe, as well as the fun West had with the two boys.  

Devil’s Daughter was a wonderful heartwarming story, a fantastic couple, and fabulous secondary characters.  I loved both Phoebe and West. I loved how Sebastian stepped up to help them.  I will be reading more of Lisa Kleypas going forward.  I suggest you read this book, and Lisa Kleypas.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas graduated from Wellesley College with a political science degree. She’s a RITA award-winning author of both historical romance and contemporary women’s fiction. She lives in Washington State with her husband Gregory and their two children.

Connect with Lisa

Website:    Facebook:   Twitter:    Instagram:    Goodreads

 

 

Lisa Kleypas publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of DEVIL’S DAUGHTER to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE Lisa Kleypas on Facebook

4. Please LIKE The Reading Cafe on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE The Reading Cafe on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from February 20-25, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share

The Reading Cafe 7th Anniversary Celebration-Today’s Price Package

The Reading Cafe 7th Anniversary Celebration -Today’s Prize Package

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

Please be aware some of the books offered may be ARC copies from the publisher which may or may not have gone through final edits or final cover copy

The Reading Cafe is offering a 3 paper/print book prize package for today’s giveaway

ONE (1) commenter will receive all 3 books from The Reading Café

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click ‘on’ NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs until February 19-28, 2019

Share

Passion and Ink (Sweetest Taboo #2) by Naima Simone-a review

PASSION AND INK (Sweetest Taboo #2) by Naima Simone-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 18, 2019

Blackballed from my job.

Moved back to my hometown with my tail between my legs and family issues crushing my back.

Slinging drinks in a dive bar.

Yes, the past year has been hell. So when a man who’s temptation wrapped in golden skin and sin offers me one night of no-holds barred, dirty sex, I’m all in. I deserve it.

But now those few unforgettable hours have me facing blackmail from my own father: He’ll pay for my mom’s medical bills, but only if I never again touch the man who has quickly become my obsession.

Because the man? My obsession?

He’s my stepbrother

•••••••••

REVIEW: PASSION AND INK is the second instalment in Naima Simone’s contemporary, adult SWEETEST TABOO erotic romance series. This is twenty-seven year old,tattoo artist Jude Gordon, and twenty-six year old, waitress /accountant Cypress Winters. PASSION AND INK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jude and Cypress) PASSION AND INK follows the forbidden or ‘taboo’ relationship between step-siblings twenty-seven year, tattoo artist Jude Gordon, and twenty – six year old, waitress / accountant Cypress Winters. Tattoo artist Jude Gordon struggles with his direction in life; an ex-girlfriend who won’t let go; and the secrets and memories he is must keep to himself. Meeting the beautiful waitress who calls herself Ro, is the perfect foil for a man who battles between in the here and now. But a family dinner reveals Jude’s one-night stand is none-other than the step-sister he hasn’t seen for close to ten years, a woman who now consumes his fantasies and dreams. Enter Cypress ‘Ro’ Winters-Keller, and the woman with whom Jude will fall in love. What ensues is the building but secret relationship between Cypress and Jude, and the potential fall-out as Cypress and Jude’s time together comes with an unexpected expiry date.

Cypress Winters left California amid a work place controversy, and her mother’s inability to thrive on her own. Returning to Chicago meant starting over but never did she think she would have to face the man who all but destroyed her family and her mother’s life. Jude Gordon struggles with memories of the past, a time long ago where a thirteen year old boy became the adult to his mother’s spiral out of control. A gifted tattoo artist, our hero finds himself in direct competition with his more ‘successful ‘ brother Knox.

The relationship between Jude and Cypress is a step-sibling, taboo romance. Cypress’ father makes our heroine an offer she is unable to refuse but in doing so, places her relationship with Jude towards a path with only heart break but no future. The $ex scenes are passionate, vibrant and intense.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Cypress’ broken mother Brenda Keller, her father Dan Keller, and Jude’s mother Katherine.We are reintroduced to Jude’s brother and fellow tattoo artist Knox Gordon (Sin and Ink #1), and his girlfriend Eden, as well as several fellow tattoo artists at Hard Knox Ink, and Jude’s ex-girlfriend Annalise.

The world building continues to focus on the forbidden, the relationships deemed taboo by society but relationships where two people find love and their happily ever after.

PASSION AND INK is a story of family, betrayal, loss and love. The premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are broken, determined and lost.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one SIN AND INK

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella – a Review

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes / Google Play / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Fixie Farr has always lived by her father’s motto: “Family first.” But since her dad passed away, leaving his charming housewares store in the hands of his wife and children, Fixie spends all her time picking up the slack from her siblings instead of striking out on her own. The way Fixie sees it, if she doesn’t take care of her father’s legacy, who will? It’s simply not in her nature to say no to people.

So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, Fixie not only agrees—she ends up saving it from certain disaster. Turns out the computer’s owner is an investment manager. To thank Fixie for her quick thinking, Sebastian scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve and attaches his business card. But Fixie laughs it off—she’d never actually claim an IOU from a stranger. Would she?

Then Fixie’s childhood crush, Ryan, comes back into her life and his lack of a profession pushes all of Fixie’s buttons. She wants nothing for herself—but she’d love Seb to give Ryan a job. And Seb agrees, until the tables are turned once more and a new series of IOUs between Seb and Fixie—from small favors to life-changing moments—ensues. Soon Fixie, Ms. Fixit for everyone else, is torn between her family and the life she really wants. Does she have the courage to take a stand? Will she finally grab the life, and love, she really wants?

 

 

Review:

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella is a standalone novel.  We meet our heroine Fixie Farr at the start, as she is always picking up on things her siblings miss or do wrong; hence her nickname Fixie.  The Farr family runs a local store that caters to their clientele with various items in demand.  The story focuses on Fixie, especially, when her mother decides to go to Europe for a few months, leaving Fixie and her siblings alone to run the business.  Everything begins to fall apart, as Fixie cannot even control her own life, let alone stand up to her family, who are ruining things with their inept ideas.

This story did have potential being family oriented, but from the start I had mixed feelings. We can start with Fixie), as she tries to prevent her brother and sister from implementing their ideas, and alienating their customers.   Then her brother’s friend (Ryan) returns to town, and Fixie has always had a crush on him since her childhood; she continues to gush all over him, being delusional into thinking they had a future, especially when he was here a year ago and she slept with him; but he went back to California leaving her hurt.  Now she does it again, allowing herself to think they had a future; she also goes to bat for him to get a job, which in a short time after he is fired, and she learns some truths about him; it took her awhile for her to open her eyes and see what a creep he really was.  

In the meantime, she met a guy at the coffee shop, and happened to save his important laptop and he gave her a voucher  “I owed you one”.  A friendship builds between Seb and Fixie, but she is too dense to see that he is a good one, not the douche bag Ryan.  I did like Fixie, but at times she was annoying, especially in the first half of the book. 

I thought other then Fixie,  the secondary characters, her sister, her brother, her uncle, and Ryan were totally unlikable.  Seb was nice, but between her fixation with Ryan and his involvement with another girl held back their romance, until later when they finally made it work.

In last quarter of the book, Fixie became stronger, with her self- confidence improving, standing up to her family to put her foot down on their inept shenanigans.   I did like when Fixie finally stood up to Ryan once and for all.  It was nice to see Fixie bring her brother and sister together to work in harmony to help get the store back on track.

I Owe You One was a good storyline.  However, I feel that having characters you like (with the exception of villains or a bad person),  allows you to enjoy the story; in this case, many of the characters were just not likable.  I do enjoy reading Sophie Kinsella, though this was a good read, it was not one was not one of her best.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Share

The Reading Cafe 7th Anniversary Celebration-Today’s Prize Package from Jennifer Estep

The Reading Cafe 7th Anniversary Celebration -Today’s Prize Package from Jennifer Estep

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

Please be aware some of the books offered may be ARC copies from the publisher which may or may not have gone through final edits or final cover copy

Jennifer Estep is graciously offering THREE (3) paper/print copies of KILL THE QUEEN for today’s giveaway

THREE (3) commenters will receive a print copy of KILL THE QUEEN by Jennifer Estep

Connect with Jennifer Estep: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. Please LIKE and FOLLOW Jennifer Estep on FACEBOOK

5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click ‘on’ NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

9. Giveaway open to USA only

10. Giveaway runs until February 18-28, 2019

Share

The Reading Cafe 7th Anniversary Celebration-Today’s Prize Package from Katie Reus

The Reading Cafe 7th Anniversary Celebration -Today’s Prize Package from Katie Reus

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

Please be aware some of the books offered may be ARC copies from the publisher which may or may not have gone through final edits or final cover copy

Katie Reus is graciously offering a signed, print copy of GUARDIAN OF DARKNESS and a signed, print copy of HUNTING DANGER for today’s giveaway

ONE (1) commenter will receive both signed books from Katie Reus

Connect with Katie Reus: Facebook | Blog| Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Website

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. Please LIKE and FOLLOW Katie Reus on FACEBOOK.

5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click ‘on’ NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

9. Giveaway open to USA only

10. Giveaway runs until February 18-28, 2019

Share