Monthly Archives: January 2020

Forever Strong (True Heroes #6) by Piper J. Drake-Review & Giveaway

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Forever Strong (True Heroes #6) by Piper J. Drake-Review and Giveaway

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 28, 2020

On the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, not all is paradise in this high-stakes, action-packed romantic suspense.

He’ll risk his life for her . . . but will he risk his heart?

Jiang Ying Yue assumed her kidnapping was random, that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. After all, who would want to harm her? But then her rescuer—a charismatic former soldier who takes her breath away—uncovers a traitor in her father’s organization. Now, Ying Yue realizes that she’s become a pawn in a dangerous game, and her kidnapper won’t be satisfied until she disappears for good.

Zu Anyanwu’s work with Search and Protect and his canine partner Buck have always been his first priority . . . until he’s tasked with keeping Ying Yue safe. To him, the brave and resilient investment expert is more than just another client. But with danger closing in, Zu can’t let his emotions get in the way of the most important job he’s ever had—protecting the woman he loves.

••••••••••

REVIEW: FOREVER STRONG is the sixth instalment in Piper J. Drake’s contemporary, adult TRUE HEROES romantic, military suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for the Search and Protect team, a Special Ops team of mercenaries for hire location in the Hawaiian Islands. This is K9 handler, and Search and Protect Owner and Agent Azubuike ‘Zu’ Anyanwu (and Buck), and specialist in international tax law Jiang Ying Yue’s story line. FOREVER STRONG can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Zu and Ying Yue) FOREVER STRONG follows in the aftermath of a search and rescue mission where the Search and Protect team find our heroine, an unexpected prisoner, but a woman who is not willing to play victim for very long. As the daughter of a prominent Singapore businessman, Ying Yue believes she has a target on her back but a return to her father finds Ying Yue facing a possible traitor in her father’s company. Refusing to release Ying Yue into her father’s custody, Zu Anyanwu, takes responsibility for the safety and protection of our story line heroine. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Zu and Ying Yue, and the potential fall-out as Ying Yue remains a target of some very powerful men, with possible connections to a human trafficking ring.

Ying Yue refuses to be a victim but someone is determined to take control of our heroine placing the Search and Protect Team in the direct line of fire. On the run to secure her safety, Ying Yue and Zu will call in reinforcements including the K9 specialists from Hope’s Crossing Kennels.

The relationship between Ying Yue and Zu is one of immediate attraction but Zu knows to get involved with a client could place both of them in danger if Zu gets distracted. Ying Yue is drawn to our hero, a hero who reluctantly accepts that there may be something between our couple, something that he is willing to explore. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Agents Raul Sa and his dog Taz, Arin Siri and her dog King, and communication specialist Pau; Kenny, a man with his ear to the ground about the illegal goings on in the Hawaiian Islands; officer Kokua; Ying Yue’s father Jiang Li Weis, and his numerous security personnel; as well as the cameo appearances of David Cruz, Alex Rojas and Brandon Forte, whom we met earlier in the series through Hope’s Crossing Kennels. The requisite evil has many faces.

FOREVER STRONG is a story of betrayal and vengeance; of power and control; of acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is engaging and inviting; the characters are spirited and strong; the romance is seductive. Piper J Drake pens a fascinating series of romantic suspense.

Reading Order and previous reviews

Extreme Honor
Ultimate Courage
Absolute Trust
Total Bravery
Fierce Justice/a>

Copy supplied by Netgalley

reviewed by Sandy

 

Piper J DrakePiper J. Drake is a bestselling author of romantic suspense and edgy contemporary romance, a frequent flyer, and day job road warrior. She is often distracted by dogs, cupcakes, and random shenanigans.Connect with Piper at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google + | GoodReads | Youtube

Piper J. Drake’s publisher(Forever /Hachette) is graciously offering  a paper copy of FOREVER STRONG to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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9. Giveaway runs from January 25-30, 2020

 

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The Last Mystic (Singularity #4) by Susan Kaye Quinn-a review

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THE LAST MYSTIC (Singularity #4) by Susan Kaye Quinn-a review

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 7, 2020

What if you knew there was life after death?
Eli is back from the dead… and determined to stop the powerful ascenders who blasted him out to the void. But in the three days he was gone, the world moved on. The girl he loves is determined to build an army of augmented humans to fight the ascenders—with herself as the next Offering. The ascenders are lining up in a death cult based on the charismatic ascender Eli accidentally released from storage—and all the restraints that have kept the ascender world in balance are now off. Everyone is rushing to be the first to bring a Second Singularity—to reach the numinous world from which Eli just returned—regardless of the cost. And the chaos and bloodshed of the first Singularity show just how high that cost can be. How can he stop the world from hurtling off the cliff when he’s the one who proved there’s something to reach, if only you could learn how to fly?

••••••••••

REVIEW: THE LAST MYSTIC is the fourth and final instalment in Susan Kaye Quinn’s young adult SINGULARITY sci-fi/ dystopian series focusing on the merging of mind, body and soul with the technology of the future.

BACKGROUND: The ‘Singularity’ resulted in most of the world’s population transforming themselves into a hybrid known as the Ascended-part man/part machine but the few remaining humans become what is known as the Legacy-the true descendants of humankind. The Singularity series looks at the struggle between the Ascended and everyone else.

Told from first person perspective (Elijah Brighton) THE LAST MYSTIC continues to focus on the war between the Ascended and the Legacy. It has been prophesied that the world is approaching a second singularity whereby all of the human population will become the Ascended but Eli Brighton, once dead, but now resurrected, is the face of the resistance, a resistance that will soon discover the second singularity has already begun, with the help of Eli himself. As Eli continues to bridge between the living and the dead, the resistance is targeted by the ascenders, time and again.

Eli Brighton has the power of life and death, resurrection and renewal. With his ability to resurrect the dead, Eli’s friends realize that they are at the outset of a new world order.

THE LAST MYSTIC and the SINGULARITY series focuses on the mind, body, and soul: a spiritual storyline that questions the existence of God, and life after death; and if there is something beyond the here and now, where is it, and who will be in charge?. The ascended believe they no longer have a soul, a belief that will be questioned every time Eli enters the ‘fugue’ but Eli’s own death, resurrection and self-actualization becomes the benchmark by which everyone measures their own experience.

Susan Kaye Quinn pulls the reader into a fantastic world of speculative fiction using supernatural, paranormal, science, and futuristic concepts. A world of robotics and AI fused with the human mind allows for the possibility of immortality but at the cost of one’s soul. THE LAST MYSTIC is a fascinating and mesmerizing look at the possibility of the impossible.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Legacy Human
The Duality Bridge
The Illusory Prophet
The Last Mystic

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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About an Earl by Diana Lloyd – a Review

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About an Earl by Diana Lloyd – a Review

 

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Description:
An outsider at her first English ball, Jewel is fascinated with the beautiful dresses and the lovely dancing, but she’s vowed to save the Earl of Winchcombe from her cousin’s marriage trap. When she first glimpses the handsome lord, her heart beats faster. As they plan to thwart her cousin’s machinations, she discovers a kindred spirit in Oliver—even if he’s a peer and she’s a lowly colonist. Caught kissing the earl, the ball ends in disaster and Jewel’s displeased uncle whisks her away to Scotland..

Lord Scar, as the ton calls Oliver, would rather be anywhere than at a godforsaken masquerade ball and when he learns from the free-spirited colonist about the nefarious marriage plan, he grudgingly accepts her help. Jewel intrigues him and sets his heart racing. Yet, when the ball is over and the mask is off—Oliver curses the scar that will send her screaming away.

When her uncle banishes her, Oliver comes to her rescue by offering Jewel his hand in marriage. She agrees, despite his disfigurement. But what’s a beastly lord like him to do with such a beautiful wife—especially when he discovers she’s delightfully saucy?

Each book in the What Happens in the Ballroom series is STANDALONE:
* How to Train Your Baron
* About an Earl

 

 

Review:

What was meant as a benign offering of appreciation, a stolen (given?) kiss with Juliana, a Bostonian colonist, is now the impetus for a betrothal?  An archaic tradition to be sure, and the would-be Earl of Winchcombe, Oliver Chalford, does not budge under duress.  Until word of a nefarious plot to declare Oliver a lunatic, causing him to relinquish his seat in the House of Lords, pushes him to consider a feigned engagement to keep appearances.  About an Earl, a What Happens in the Ballroom novel, is yet another awesome offering by author, Diana Lloyd.  I am always swept up by the lovely storytelling and savor each character.

A story of opportunistic, conniving mamas vying to wed off their daughters to the highest rank of nobility, by fair means or foul, so long as their own indiscretions remain buried.  Altruistic Jewel was trying to right her family’s wrong by alerting Oliver to their scheme.  No good deed goes unpunished and our heroes will find themselves inextricably entangled.  Oliver and Jewel are collaborating to achieve individual goals, but they’re quite different individuals.  While she longs to be heard, he’s maintained an unmatched anonymity.  As soon as you read Oliver and Jewel ‘s exchanges, you will feel their connection.  Two souls trying to find their place.  I recommend they start with each other 😉

Once Oliver stepped up and pushed back, accusations of madness, “Lunacy, witchcraft, and consorting with the devil” intensified.  Midnight strolls and a bird for a pet are just too scandalous, it would appear.  With gossip spreading in Society, just enough merit as to be believed, Oliver’s rightful place as Earl grows more precarious.  Is Jewel starting to regret her honorable act for all the trouble  befalling her?

Misunderstandings aplenty, borne of insecurity, lead to the swooniest explanations and declarations.  About an Earl was great!  Ms. Lloyd tells a love story with intrigue, a wonderfully supportive cast, a ready humor, and so much more to keep you enchanted.  An excerpt of the next novel, Last Lord Standing, has me extending a chair so that I may observe more closely.  To be so lucky!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Making You Mine by Melissa Foster-Review & Giveaway Tour

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Making You Mine by Melissa Foster-Review & Giveaway Tour

 

 

Amazon.com /Amazon.co.uk /Barnes and Noble/ KOBO /iBooks /GPlay /Paperback

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 22, 2020

Discover the magic of New York Times bestseller Melissa Foster’s writing and see why millions of readers have fallen in love with the fiercely loyal and sassily sexy characters in the Love in Bloom big-family romance collection. Love in Bloom novels are written to stand alone or may be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right into this fun, sexy romance featuring Graham Braden’s business partner, Knox Bentley!

In MAKING YOU MINE…
Knox Bentley never liked the pomp and circumstance that came with being wealthy. He’d distanced himself from his pretentious family and their fortune as a young adult and found his own path to success. But even with the world at his fingertips, he realizes something is missing, and after a long stay overseas, he finally knows exactly what it is. His no-strings-attached hookups with Aubrey Stewart, an exquisite and stubbornly independent blonde, are no longer enough for him. They connect on every level, but Aubrey is a fierce businesswoman with a new movie channel on the horizon and no time for much else. She is the deal he can’t close, the precious jewel even his billions can’t buy. Now that he’s back in the States, he’s determined to show her that what they have goes beyond the bedroom and finally make her his.

••••••••

REVIEW:MAKING YOU MINE is the fifth instalment in Melissa Foster’s contemporary, adult The Bradens and Montgomerys: Pleasant Hill-Oak Falls erotic, romance series. This is wealthy business owner Knox Bentley, and business woman Aubrey Stewart’s story line MAKING YOU MINE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines and series is revealed where necessary. THE BRADENS AND MONTGOMERY: Pleasnt Hill-Oak Falls series is a spin off from several of the author’s other ongoing series.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Knox and Aubrey) MAKING YOU MINE follows the building romance and relationship between ‘friends with benefits’ wealthy business owner Knox Bentley, and business woman Aubrey Stewart. Aubrey Stewart is all about the success of the Ladies Who Write, an enterprise she co-owns with best friends Presley Cabot and Libby Warren, but sacrificing love is the least of her worries. Business owner Knox Bentley is hoping for something more from his two year, no strings attached / friends with benefits relationship with Aubrey Stewart, a relationship in which Aubrey refuses to see beyond the convenience of $ex. A trip to scout out a location for an upcoming movie, finds Aubrey and Knox stranded in a snow storm, battling their attraction, of which Aubrey struggles to accept or deny. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Aubrey and Knox, and the potential fall-out as Knox’s need to fix everything and everyone backfires for the two of the people he loves the most.

Aubrey Stewart doesn’t do relationship but her two year ‘affair’ with Knox Bentley is just that-a monogamous relationship with a man who is the personification of the perfect man. A week together ‘scouting’ the location at the Monroe House, finds our couple taking their no strings attached relationship to the next level, a level that turns into something more. Knox Bentley wants it all: the happy family, wife, children and more but the woman that calls to his heart refuses to accept their relationship beyond the present. Know has an ‘in’ with the owners of Monroe House, an ‘in’ that pushes the boundaries for our leading couple.

The relationship between Aubrey and Knox is a friends with benefits relationship wherein our couple find themselves together at numerous events. Aubrey is determined to remain single in an effort to focus on the business and her friends, but heart wins the battle when Knox offers Audrey something more. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including many of the author’s characters from previous instalments and cross-over series. We are introduced to Knox’s family: brother Landon, and sister Paige, as well as their parents Griffin and Elizabeth Bentley ; chef Leon and his wife Joyce; Aubrey’s brothers Troy and Joe, and their parents Hammond and Debra; and Aubrey’s best friends Presley Cabot ,Libby Warren, and Charlotte Sterling.

MAKING YOU MINE is a story of determination and acceptance; family and friendships; romance and love. The premise is stirring ; the romance is sensual and spicy; the characters are energetic and strong but I read several chapters before I was able to warm up to Aubrey Stewart –her attitude about relationships was distracting and detracted from my overall enjoyment.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Embracing Her Heart
Anything for Love
Trails of Love
Wild Crazy Hearts

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

More Bradens & Montgomerys: Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls 
EMBRACING HER HEART
Embracing Her Heart (The Montgomerys Book 1) by [Foster, Melissa]
Leaving New York City and returning to her hometown to teach a screenplay writing class seems like just the break Grace Montgomery needs. Until her sisters wake her at four thirty in the morning to watch the hottest guys in town train wild horses and she realizes that escaping her sisters’ drama-filled lives was a lot easier from hundreds of miles away. To make matters worse, she spots the one man she never wanted to see again—ruggedly handsome Reed Cross.
Reed was one of Michigan’s leading historical preservation experts, but on the heels of catching his girlfriend in bed with his business partner, his uncle suffers a heart attack. Reed cuts all ties and returns home to Oak Falls to run his uncle’s business. A chance encounter with Grace, his first love, brings back memories he’s spent years trying to escape.
Grace is bound and determined not to fall under Reed’s spell again—and Reed wants more than another taste of the woman he’s never forgotten. When a midnight party brings them together, passion ignites and old wounds are opened. Grace sets down the ground rules for the next three weeks. No touching, no kissing, and if she has it her way, no breathing, because every breath he takes steals her ability to think. But Reed has other ideas…
Available to buy from …
ANYTHING FOR LOVE
Embracing Her Heart (The Montgomerys Book 1) by [Foster, Melissa]
After Charlotte Sterling loses her last family member, she moves to Sterling House, her family’s Colorado mountain inn, to live a solitary life. As an erotic romance writer, her days and nights are filled with passion and intrigue-even if only fictional. She loves her busy, quiet lifestyle, and she learned early on that real men can’t live up to the fictional heroes she creates-until ruggedly handsome Beau Braden arrives to do some work at the inn and, for the first time in forever, she’s intrigued by a real man.

 

Beau lost his first love years ago, and he’s never let go of his guilt over her death. As he nears the anniversary of his loss, he is on the cusp of becoming the star of a home-renovation reality show. Escaping the painful memories of his past to work at the defunct old inn is just the promise of solitude he needs to clear his head before diving in to the all-too-public career. But he didn’t count on being attracted to the whimsical, adorably sexy innkeeper.
Neither Charlotte nor Beau is looking for an attachment or a fling. But the more they learn about each other, the closer they become. Romantic evenings lead to intimate conversations, and neither can deny their deep connection or the passion it sparks. They’ve never fully healed on their own, but together maybe anything is possible.
The Bradens & Montgomerys are part of Melissa’s Love in Bloom big-family romance collection. All Love in Bloom novels are written to stand alone and may also be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right into this fun, sexy romance.
Available to buy from …

/ KOBO / iBooks / GPlay / Paperback

TRAILS OF LOVE

When Graham Braden travels to Oak Falls, Virginia to attend the wedding of his buddy Reed Cross to Grace Montgomery, he sticks around to help with renovations to Reed’s new theater. The last thing he expects is to be asked to assess and possibly invest in Grace’s sister Morgyn’s business endeavor. Graham is a careful, keen businessman, and Morgyn is impulsive, disorganized, and more interested in the energy flow in her eclectic retail shop than in the accuracy of her records. While Graham isn’t ready to open his pockets to the sassy, sexy business owner, he may be ready to open his heart.
WILD CRAZY HEARTS

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 12, 2019.

Brindle Montgomery and Trace Jericho have been close friends forever and on-again off-again lovers for years. As rebellious as they are stubborn, they’re both perfectly happy with their no-strings-attached hookups. But when Brindle returns from a trip to Paris with a baby bump, it sends Trace’s wild, crazy heart into a frenzy–and Brindle is left wondering if she’s made the biggest mistake of her life.

**
The Bradens & Montgomerys are part of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Melissa Foster’s Love in Bloom big-family romance collection. Love in Bloom novels feature alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They’re flawed, funny, passionate, and relatable to readers who enjoy contemporary romance and women’s fiction. These novels are written to stand alone or may be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right into this fun, sexy romance.

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Amazon.com  /  Amazon.co.uk /   Barnes and Noble   /  KOBO  /   iBooks   / GPlay    /Paperback

 

SEARCHING FOR LOVE – Releasing June 29th!
Embracing Her Heart (The Montgomerys Book 1) by [Foster, Melissa]

Knox Bentley never liked the pomp and circumstance that came with being wealthy. He’d distanced himself from his pretentious family and their fortune as a young adult and found his own path to success. But even with the world at his fingertips, he realizes something is missing, and after a long stay overseas, he finally knows exactly what it is. His no-strings-attached hookups with Aubrey Stewart, an exquisite and stubbornly independent blonde, are no longer enough for him. They connect on every level, but Aubrey is a fierce businesswoman with a new movie channel on the horizon and no time for much else. She is the deal he can’t close, the precious jewel even his billions can’t buy. Now that he’s back in the States, he’s determined to show her that what they have goes beyond the bedroom and finally make her his.

Available to pre-order from …

 

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Todaybestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance and new adult romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex relatable issues.Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa enjoys chatting with readers and book clubs. Send her an email invitation to your next event!

Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.
Find Melissa on the following sites….
NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider
NOW FOR THE AUTHOR’S GIVEAWAY !!
Win a Wild, Crazy Hearts ebook
Two Winners
Ending on Sunday 9th February at 11.59pm EST
Open Worldwide
 
Enter Below & Good Luck !!
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Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis – Review & Giveaway

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Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Piper Manning’s about as tough as they come, she’s had to be. She raised her siblings and they’ve thankfully flown the coop. All she has to do is finish fixing up the lake house her grandparents left her, sell it, and then she’s free.

When a massive storm hits, she runs into a tall, dark and brooding stranger, Camden Reid. There’s a spark there, one that shocks her. Surprising her further, her sister and brother return, each of them holding their own secrets. The smart move would be for Piper to ignore them all but Cam unleashes emotions deep inside of her that she can’t deny, making her yearn for something she doesn’t understand. And her siblings…well, they need each other.

Only when the secrets come out, it changes everything Piper thinks she knows about her family, herself…and Cam. Can she find a way to outrun the demons? The answer is closer than she thinks—just as the new life she craves may have already begun.

 

 

Review:

Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis is the 4th book in her Wildstone series.  Once again, I love reading Jill Shalvis’s books, as she is one of the best at romances. Almost Just Friends is about a family that has become broken, with secrets and heartache trying to heal and mend.

We meet Piper Manning, our heroine, as she is always on the run, especially working as an EMT, as well as helping her older neighbor who needs to be checked daily, and organizing her own life.  Piper has taken care of her younger brother and sister for many years, after their parents were killed, and now they have gone their own way. Piper intends to fix up the house in her spare time, sell it, divide the money and be free to go away to get her dream degree to become a Physician’s Assistant.  Best laid plans do not always work out, as in a short time her brother, Gavin and sister, Winnie both return home; bringing their own secrets that will change Piper’s plans.

Camden Reid, our hero, is on leave from the Coast Guard and returns home to check on his father.  When a storm hits, Camden discovers Piper trying to get to his father’s house to make sure he is ok.  In a short time, the attraction between Piper and Cam sizzles, and they both will discover that they have a lot in common; both devoting their time in taking care of others, not looking at their own lives.  They both have their own issues, such as Cam’s guilt over his brother’s death and Piper’s determination to continue to be a ‘fixer’ for her family.

What follows is a heartwarming story about family, tragedy, romance and finding a way to get past the complications for each of them.  Secrets will be revealed that will change the course of their lives.  Piper was a wonderful heroine, who was not only strong, independent, but also unable to let go of her trying to do everything for her siblings and others, not allowing herself to find a happy ever after.   Cam too had his grief over his brother’s death, but he knew Piper was meant for him; and he was willing to change his life to be together; will he be able to convince Piper to open her heart to their own happiness? 

As always with Jill Shalvis,  this story was so well written, with a great couple and wonderful secondary characters.  Almost Just Friends was a wonderful sweet heartwarming story about family, love and happiness.  If you enjoy small town romances, great couples, heartfelt stories, then you need to read this series.  If you have not read Jill Shalvis, what are you waiting for?    

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

“I was very clear,” she said when the alcohol burn cleared her throat, eyeing the whole group, most of whom were also first responders and worked with her at the station or hospital in one form or another. “We weren’t going to mention my birthday, much less sing to me about it. Twice.”
Not a single one of them looked guilty. “To Piper,” Ryland said, and everyone raised a glass. “For gathering and keeping all us misfits together and sane.”
“To Piper,” everyone cheered, then, thankfully, conversations started up all around her so that she was finally no longer the center of attention. Everyone was well versed in her ways, which meant they got that while she was touched that they cared, she didn’t want any more attention. Easily accepting that, they were happy to enjoy the night and leave her alone.
“So, did that hurt?” Jenna asked, amused.
“What?”
“Being loved?”
In tune to the sounds of the bar around them—someone singing off-key to “Sweet Home Alabama,” rambunctious laughter from a nearby table, the clink of pool balls—Piper rolled her eyes.
“You know one day those eyeballs are going to fall right out of your head, right?”
Ignoring this, Piper went back to what she’d been doing before being so rudely interrupted by all the love. Making a list. She was big on bullet journaling. She’d had to be. Making notes and lists had saved her life more than once. And yes, she knew she could do it all on a notes app on her phone instead, but her brain wasn’t wired that way. Nope, she had to do everything the hard way and write that shit down by hand like in the Dark Ages. She flipped through some of her pages: Calendars, Grocery Lists, Future Baby Names (even though she didn’t plan on having babies), Passwords (okay, password, singular, since she always used the same one—CookiesAreLife123!).
And then there were some random entries:Life Rules
• Occasionally maybe make an effort to look nice.
• Don’t cut your own bangs no matter how sad you are.
• Never ever, EVER, under any circumstances fall in love.She also had a bucket list of wishes. Oh, and a secret secret bucket list of wishes . . .
Yeah, she clearly needed help. Or a little pill.
“New journal?” Jenna asked.
“Maybe.” Piper’s vices were simple. Basically, she was an office supply ho—a never-ending source of amusement to Jenna, because Piper was also a bit of a hot mess when it came to organization and neatness. Her purse, her car, her office, and also her kitchen always looked like a a disaster had just hit. But her journals . . . those were pristine.
“How many journals have you started and either lost or misplaced since I’ve known you—a million?”
Piper didn’t answer this on the grounds that she might incriminate herself.
Jenna pulled out the pack of stickers that were tucked into the journal. They were cute little thought bubbles with reminders like doc appointment, empty dishwasher, and caffeinate.
“I feel like stickers are cheating,” Jenna said.
“Bite your tongue, woman. Stickers are everything.” So were pens. And cute paper clips. And sticky notes . . .
“Come on. There’re far more important things than stickers.”
“Like?” Piper asked.
“Like food.”
“Okay, you’ve got me there.”
“And sex,” Jenna said. “And that should go above food, actually.”
“I’m going to take your word on that since it’s been a while.”
“Well, whose fault is that?” Jenna leaned in, trying to get a peek. “What’s today’s entry?”
“A list for figuring out what’s next on fixing up the property.” Piper and her siblings had inherited from their grandparents a house and some cottages on Rainbow Lake. “It still needs a lot of work. I’m in way over my head.”
“I know.” Jenna’s smile faded. “I hate that you’re going to sell and move away from Wildstone.”
Wildstone, California, was Piper’s hometown. Sort of. She’d moved here at age thirteen with her two younger siblings, Gavin and Winnie, to be raised by their grandparents. But in the end, Piper had done all the raising. It’d taken forever, but now, finally, her brother and sister were off living their own lives.
And hers could finally start.From Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis, published by William Morrow. Copyright © 2020 by Jill Shalvis. Reprinted courtesy of HarperCollinsPublishers https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062897800/almost-just-friends/


 

 

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/
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Jill Shalvis’s publisher is  offering a paper copy of Almost Just Friends to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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

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6. Giveaway is open US only

9. Giveaway runs from January 23 – 27, 2020

 

 

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Inappropriate by Vi Keeland-Review Tour

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Inappropriate by Vi Keeland-Review Tour

 

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: January 20, 2020

Terminated for inappropriate behavior.

I couldn’t believe the letter in my hands.

Nine years. Nine damn years I’d worked my butt off for one of the largest companies in America, and I was fired with a form letter when I returned home from a week in Aruba.

All because of a video taken when I was on vacation with my friends—a private video made on my private time. Or so I thought…

Pissed off, I cracked open a bottle of wine and wrote my own letter to the gazillionaire CEO telling him what I thought of his company and its practices.

I didn’t think he’d actually respond.

I certainly never thought I’d suddenly become pen pals with the rich jerk.

Eventually, he realized I’d been wronged and made sure I got my job back.

Only…it wasn’t the only thing Grant Lexington wanted to do for me.

But there was no way I was getting involved with my boss’s boss’s boss. Even if he was ridiculously gorgeous, confident, and charming.

It would be completely wrong, inappropriate even.

Sort of like the video that got me into trouble to begin with.

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

But sometimes it’s twice as fun.

••••••••

REVIEW: INAPPROPRIATE by Vi Keeland is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, erotic romance storyline focusing on newscaster Ireland Saint James, and businessman Grant Lexington.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be a trigger for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Grant and Ireland) using present day and memories from the past (Grant) INAPPROPRIATE follows the office romance between newscaster Ireland Saint James, and businessman Grant Lexington. Ireland Saint James returned from a destination bachelorette party to discover she had been terminated for violating an immorality clause on her employment contract. Drunk and heart broken, our heroine will email her boss telling him exactly what she thinks of his company policy. Enter businessman Grant Lexington, and the man with whom Ireland will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Grant and Ireland, and the potential fall-out as a surprise announcement sends Grant reeling, and away from the woman with whom he had fallen in love.

Grant Lexington loved Ireland Saint James’ spunk; her tenacity to say what she wanted to say without worrying about what others were going to think. Giving Ireland a second chance meant pulling said ‘spunky’ woman back into his life, a life of which he never expected to find happiness or love. Ireland Saint James is good at her job, but an overzealous employee, and technically her boss, reported her immorality resulting in dismissal and more but back at work, Ireland would discover that her reluctance to ‘date’ Grant Lexington is matched by his determination to get to know our heroine better.

The relationship between Grant and Ireland is a forbidden boss/employee but technically there is no policy addressing their concerns. Grant and Ireland’s early years are heartbreaking and sad but Grant’s past has shaped his present, and it is his future of which Ireland struggles the most. Hoping to take things slow, our couple will find themselves one another’s plus one at numerous events, events that will bring our couple closer together. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Ireland’s roommate and best friend Mia, and her fiancé Christian; Ireland’s immediate supervisor Harold Bickman; Grant’s sister Kate Benton, and their grandparents; as well as his PA Millie, and Lily, a young girl from Grant’s past.

INAPPROPRIATE is a story of family, friendship, heartbreak and love. A story of loss, mental health, acceptance and moving on. The premise is engaging, emotional and powerful; the characters are energetic, captivating, broken and lost; the romance is fun, flirty, sexy and hot.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn’t change for the world. She is an attorney and a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today Best Selling author. Over the last three years, ten of her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestseller lists and three on the New York Times Bestseller lists.

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Hero’s Haven (Dark Protectors #11) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

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HERO’S HAVEN (Dark Protectors #11) by Rebecca Zanetti- a review

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 21, 2020

He’s her darkest fantasy. . .

After years of struggling, Haven Daly has finally accepted that she’s nuttier than a fruitcake. Why else would she see visions of a beautiful but tormented male every night . . . and actually believe she can talk to him, even feel his touch? But thanks to those dream journeys, she can paint images nobody else on earth can duplicate. In each brush stroke, she captures the blatant masculinity and raw desire in his eyes that promise he’s coming for her…and soon.

She’s the light that keeps him going. . .

Quade Kayrs has already suffered a lifetime of pain and torture. Completely isolated, he kept his sanity thanks to one beautiful female, a vision with kind emerald eyes. In the end, her soft voice led him out of hell. Now, naked and alone, he’s in a strange world that bears little resemblance to the one he left behind. All he knows is Haven. All he wants is Haven. His final mission? To protect her from the evil hunting them both—whether she likes it or not .

•••••••••

REVIEW: HERO’S HAVEN is the eleventh instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s adult DARK PROTECTORS paranormal/ fantasy romance series. This is vampire-demon hybrid, and one of the Seven Quade Kayrs, and artist Haven Daly’s story line. HERO’S HAVEN can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion , especially this particular arc of the series focusing on the group known as the Seven.

SOME BACKGROUND: A thousand years earlier, a number of immortal warriors went through a ritual that, if they survived, hardened their bodies against attack, a ritual meant to create a group of Seven known as The Shield. The Shield was created to protect the world from an evil race of vampires known as the Kurjans, their sect group known as the Cysts, and ultimately a rogue warrior once considered a friend- Ulric-a male of immense power. To protect the human race, Ulric was captured, and along with two of the Seven, was encapsulated in one of three spheres for all eternity. As the warriors search for the ‘Keys’ to perform the ritual, the ‘Lock’ must be protected in order to take down the evil that is hoping to take over the world.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Quade and Haven) HERO’S HAVEN focuses on Haven Daly, and her ability to journey to other worlds in her sleep but one world in particular finds Haven rescuing a man she has come to know through her fantasies and paintings. With Quade’s rescue and return to the Earth realm, the Seven have to wonder if Ulric’s return is inevitable or if there is a way to keep Ulric trapped in the world to which he was sent. As Quade navigates the unfamiliarity of the modern world, Haven’s obsession and compulsion to paint reveals the people, places and worlds of everyone involved. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Haven and Quade, and the potential fall-out as more than one person/being has targeted Haven for who she is, and what she can do.

Haven Daly has no idea about her heritage, a heritage that makes her the focus of the supernatural and humans alike. Believing she suffered with mental disabilities Haven has always struggled with a direction in life. Having been abandoned as a baby, and raised by religious zealots, Haven’s earlier years have been fraught with torture and abuse. Discovering the who and what of her DNA, Haven’s independence and need to run will be curtailed by a man who knows Haven is his intended mate. Quade Kayrs hasn’t seen his brothers in hundreds of years, and with his return to Earth, Quade discovers that all is not well in the war with the Kurjans and Cysts. Now that most, if not all, of the bubbles meant to house the Seven have ruptured or failed, the possibility of Ulric’s return finds Quade battling to protect the woman with whom he has fallen in love, or entering the dreamworlds to destroy Ulric’s life.

The relationship between Quade and Haven begins long before our couple have met. Haven’s need and compulsion to paint and dream pulls Quade into Haven’s life, and eventually back to the world and family where it all began. Haven is a strong, independent woman who has had to live on her own for a very long time, and Quade’s need to ‘protect’ and ‘control’ pushes all of Haven’s buttons. But Quade’s refusal to claim Haven as his mate finds another potential suitor desperate to claim Haven as his own. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Realm King Dage Kayrs and his mate Emma; Logan and Mercy, Ronan and Faith, Benjamin Reese, Adare O’Cearbhaill and Grace, Hope Kayrs-Kylwood and her besties Libby and Paxton; Ivar Kjeidsen and Promise Williams; Dayne, leader of the Kurjan nation, and his brother Terre; as well as Haven’s mother Allison, and cougar shifter Pierce.

HERO’S HAVEN is a story of family and betrayal; vengeance and war; discovery and revelations. The premise is fast paced, engaging and intriguing; the characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is fated and seductive. The back and forth banter between Haven and Quade is humorous and fun, as Quade struggles to navigate the new world, and his addiction to mint flavored toothpaste.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Fated
Claimed
Tempted
Hunted
Consumed
Provoked
Twisted
Shadowed
Tamed
Marked
Teased
Tricked
Tangled
Talen
Vampire’s Faith
Demon’s Mercy
Vengeance
Alpha’s Promise

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes contemporary romances, dark paranormal romances, and romantic suspense novels.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day—or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

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Marriage on Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne-Dual Review and Tour

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Marriage on Madison Avenue (Central Park Pact #3) by Lauren Layne-Dual Review & tour

 

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

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne, comes the final installment of the Central Park Pact series, a heartfelt and laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that’s perfect for fans of Sally Thorne and Christina Lauren.

Can guys and girls ever be just friends? According to Audrey Tate and Clarke West, absolutely. After all, they’ve been best friends since childhood without a single romantic entanglement. Clarke is the charming playboy Audrey can always count on, and he knows that the ever-loyal Audrey will never not play along with his strategy for dodging his matchmaking mother—announcing he’s already engaged…to Audrey.

But what starts out as a playful game between two best friends turns into something infinitely more complicated, as just-for-show kisses begin to stir up forbidden feelings. As the faux wedding date looms closer, Audrey and Clarke realize that they can never go back to the way things were, but deep down, do they really want to?

••••••••••

Sandy’s Review MARRIAGE ON MADISON AVENUE is the third and final instalment in Lauren Layne’s contemporary, adult CENTRAL PARK PACT sweet romance series focusing on three friends: Naomi Powell, Audrey Tate and Claire Hayes-three woman who would discover there were all in a relationship with the same man. This is thirty-one year old, businessman Clarke West, and twenty-nine year old, social media influencer Audrey Tate’s story line. MARRIAGE ON MADISON AVENUE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading book one, PASSION ON PARK AVENUE, for back story and history.

SOME BACKGROUND: Approximately 18 months earlier, Claire Hayes, newly widowed discovered that her husband of seven years had been having numerous affairs including affairs with the two women who would become her best friends. The Central Park Pact was an agreement to never let one another fall for a womanizer like the man with whom they had all fallen in love.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Clarke and Audrey) MARRIAGE ON MADISON AVENUE follows the childhood, best friends to lovers, fake fiancé relationship between thirty-one year old, businessman Clarke West, and twenty-nine year old, social media influencer Audrey Tate. Audrey Tate considers herself a loser at love, and social media appears to agree calling her cursed when it comes to men and love. As her best friends begin to fall in love, Audrey becomes the odd woman out until Clarke West offers a deal that would likely stop his mother from trying to set him up with a woman from his past-a fake engagement to quiet the haters but an engagement that quickly spirals out of control. What ensues is the fall-out of a relationship that is threatened by jealousy and the inability to see the forest for the trees.

Audrey Tate and Clarke West both consider themselves non-marriage material, and continue to reiterate the belief at every opportunity but as the ‘fake’ engagement begins to take on a life of its own, our couple struggle between head and heart preferring to ignore the obvious when it is obvious to everyone else.

The relationship between Audrey and Clarke is a best friends to lovers/fake engagement that finds our couple doing what couples have done from the beginning of time but Audrey refuses to acknowledge the elephant in the room believing herself cursed to never marry or fall in love. Clarke struggles with a failed relationship from the past, a relationship that is hoping for something more. The $ex scenes are all implied and fade to black.

All of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting roles: Naomi and Oliver (Passion on Park Avenue), Claire and Scott (Love on Lexington Avenue), as well as the introduction of Clarke’s mother and father Linda and Alton West; and his ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Milsap.

MARRIAGE ON MADISON AVENUE is a story of jealousy, controlling parents, past mistakes, and moving forward in life. The premise is entertaining; the characters are energetic; the romance struggles in the face of secrets and lies, and in this I did not feel the connection between our story line couple, and I struggled to like our story line heroine.

From the outset Audrey is quick to dismiss any action that resembles a loving relationship but it is her friendship with Clarke that is battling to survive. From my perspective, Audrey is immature and self-centred, and all she cares about is her social media image, but again, it is her image that forced our couple to take drastic steps in an effort to fend off trolls and commenters. Clarke’s mother Linda is desperate to reunite Clarke with the woman from his past but Clarke only sees Audrey, a woman who is unable to see beyond the immediate gratification of social media. MARRIAGE ON MADISON AVENUE is a frustrating read but the author has done her work if she can get an emotional response, one way or another.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Passion on Park Avenue
Love on Lexington Avenue
Marriage on Madison Avenue

Barb’s Review:
Marriage on Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne is the 3rd book in her Central Park Pact series. This is the final book in this wonderful trilogy focusing on three heroines of this series, who became friends after the death of the cheating husband/boyfriend; the concept of these fabulous friends helping and supporting each other was great.

Audrey Tate is the third heroine, and we knew whom her “perfect love” would be.  We got to know Audrey and her best friend, Clarke West from the start of this series; as they have been friends since they were kids.  Clarke has always been a playboy, and loves hanging around with Audrey.  When Audrey starts getting bad publicity from her popular Instagram account, she and Clarke devise a plan to pretend they are engaged. When Clarke’s mom becomes involved, and brings in Clarke’s ex-girlfriend, things begins to change. At first, they have fun playing the fake engagement, and in a short time, they begin to feel things and see each other in a different light. As the wedding date looms closer, with their feelings escalated, will they cancel or go through the wedding?

What follows is a fun, delightful, flirty romance between two people that have been together for many years, and could never see what was right in front of them.  It was a lot of fun to see Audrey go through all the steps of a wedding; party, tastings, wedding planner, bridesmaid gowns, and having her two best friends help her (Naomi and Claire); knowing that the wedding plans will eventually be cancelled.  But best laid plans do not always work out. I really did like Audrey and Clarke together and rooted hard for them to open their eyes. 

I adored the fantastic friendship between Naomi, Claire and Audrey, with each of them going out of their way to be supportive and help them find the right man and just being there for each other.

The story was very well written by Lauren Layne, with the fantastic concept of these women who did not know each other in the beginning but became the best of friends; and Layne also has created some wonderful secondary characters.  Marriage on Madison Avenue was a fun, sweet, passionate finale with another fabulous couple, and the enjoyment of spending time with the previous books couples.  This was a fantastic and delightful series, which you should not miss.     

 

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Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen romantic comedies.

A former e-commerce and web marketing manager from Seattle, Lauren relocated to New York City in 2011 to pursue a full-time writing career.

She lives in midtown Manhattan with her high-school sweetheart, where she writes smart romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush. In LL’s ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.

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