My Heart Still Beats by Helen Hardt-review tour

My Heart Still Beats by Helen Hardt-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 28, 2024

Some days I can almost see the person I used to be. See the version of myself that felt joy, even passion. But she’s gone…just out of reach.

Life moves on for everyone else, though, and as my best friend’s maid-of-honor, I have a bachelorette party to plan—in Jamaica, no less. And that means working side by side with the best man: Benjamin Black.

Billionaire. Workaholic. Ultimate bachelor. The perfect catch for any woman—unless she’s lost her sense of self.

Apparently my body hasn’t gotten the memo. Because from the second we meet, something begins stirring, warming my blood.

And when our hands touch, it’s a heady reminder that even if I feel numb, my heart still beats.

He’s nothing like I thought. Every moment with him unshackles a little more of my fears, cracks another layer of ice.

But I should be afraid—and so should he. Because the past never lets go so easily.

Trigger Warning: My Heart Still Beats is a dark, emotional romance with a happy ending. However, the story includes elements that might not be suitable for all readers. Sexual assault, physical assault, rape, child molestation, suicidal thoughts, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks, murder, and blood are shown in the novel. Readers who may be sensitive to these elements, please take note.

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REVIEW:Check the triggers on this one folks. For readers that have anxiety/depression, this is not a book I would recommend reading unless you have your person ready and available to you. That being said, Helen Hardt introduces a new book in My Heart Still Beats; a lengthy, intense emotional journey about self growth and forgiveness. In one word, traumatic.

There is much to unpack in this book. The story and plot really focus on people’s connections, how to heal and find those people in your life that are meant to be in it, to help you even when you don’t know what you need, when connection is more important than touch. The author is more than amazing in this book and the connections she draws with her characters, even more so with Ben. He is so different at the end of the book than when his journey first starts.

The plot to the story (while hard for me to read) was easy to keep up with, even if it was heartbreaking, the family ties, the lies, the grief and of course the end, where love begins to heal all wounds. My Heart Still Beats is raw and emotional. As a long time reader and fan of this author, this new standalone book is one that absolutely broke my heart, healed it, and gave me a little hope back to humanity all in one sitting.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

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#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt’s passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award-winning author of romantic fiction, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family. Helen loves to hear from readers.

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The Sound of Violet by Allen Wolf-Review & Giveaway

The Sound of Violet by Allen Wolf-Review & Giveaway

THE SOUND OF VIOLET
by Allen Wolf
Release Date: September 21, 2021
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

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Desperate to find his soulmate, Shawn goes on one awkward date after another until he encounters the alluring Violet. He starts dating her, but his autism keeps him from realizing that she’s actually a prostitute.

Shawn thinks he’s found a possible wife while Violet thinks she’s discovered her ticket to a brand new life. This hilarious and dramatic award-winning story takes all kinds of twists and turns and has been adapted into a major motion picture.

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REVIEW:THE SOUND OF VIOLET is a contemporary, adult, stand alone story focusing on twenty-four year old computer programmer Shawn Lambent, and prostitute Violet ‘Olivia’ Black.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Shawn and Violet) THE SOUND OF VIOLET focuses on one man’s desire for love and to be loved. Twenty-four year old, computer programmer Shawn Lambent, is a young man on the autism spectrum, who ‘sees’ sounds in color. Shawn Lambent develops apps for a dating website, and wishes to one day find his own happily ever after. Meeting Violet Black gives Shawn a hope for the future but Shawn is unaware of Violet’s lifestyle, a lifestyle of which she struggles to leave. As Shawn quickly falls for Violet Black not all is well in Violet’s life, and our heroine must battle the man in charge. What ensues is the building relationship between Shawn and Violet, and the potential fall-out as Violet’s life begins to spiral out of control.

Shawn Lambent wants to find love. Having lived with his aging and ailing grandmother most of his life, Shawn fears one day, living alone, and in this, actively searches for someone to love. As a high functioning young man with autism, Shawn struggles with some of the basic day to day life skills, skills that come easy for the average person. Violet Black is a victim who has found herself in a precarious situation. Struggling to get herself free, Violet knows that her life is no longer under her control. ‘Dating’ Shawn Lambent, Violet sees a way out of her life but getting out will be dangerous for everyone involved.

The relationship between Shawn and Violet is predicated on a series of lies. Shawn has no idea that he has fallen in love with a prostitute, and Violet is reluctant to reveal the truth believing she has found an easy mark.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and energetic, reflecting the overall feel of the story line message. We are introduced to Shawn’s grandmother, and his brother Colin, both desperate to protect our story line hero; Violet’s fellow prostitutes Aleesha and Natasha who are caught in a vicious cycle, their pimp Anton; as well as Shawn’s co-workers Tammy and Flynn, and their boss Jake.

THE SOUND OF VIOLET is labelled hilarious and dramatic but I struggled to find anything funny or ‘hilarious’ about the story line content. Allen Wolf addresses autism, discrimination, sexual trafficking, abuse, power and control, and in this the story line is dramatic and intense. There are also several references to religion and religious beliefs, sometimes quoting bible verses in times of stress. As the book has been adapted into a major motion picture, perhaps the tone of the ‘film version’ plays out differently than the book. The premise is imaginative and spirited but often reads like a movie script.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

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Allen Wolf is an award-winning novelist, filmmaker, and game creator. He is also the host of the popular Navigating Hollywood podcast.

His debut novel “The Sound of Violet” has won multiple accolades and is described as “Entertaining, well-paced, and highly visual” by Kirkus Reviews. It is now a major motion picture. (www.TheSoundOfViolet.com)

He has won 39 awards for his games that are available as books, including You’re Pulling My Leg! and You’re Pulling My Leg! Junior. They’ve brought smiles to hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

As a filmmaker, Allen wrote, directed, and produced “In My Sleep,” which was released worldwide, won multiple film festivals, and is available on iTunes and Amazon Prime. Hollywood Reporter raved, “In My Sleep never rests, a credit to the tight, psychologically astute pacing of filmmaker Wolf.”

Allen graduated from New York University’s film school. He married his Persian princess, and they are raising two kids together. He enjoys traveling around the world and hearing other people’s life stories. Allen also cherishes spending time with his family, eating chocolate, and visiting Disneyland.

Allen Wolf’s publisher (Morning Star Publishing) is graciously offering a signed,  paper copy of  THE SOUND OF VIOLET to ONE (1) lucky commenters 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.

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9. Giveaway open to USA only

10. Giveaway runs from September 20-24, 2021

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Thrust Under by Michelle A Valentine & Emily Snow-Review and Promotion

THRUST UNDER by Michelle A Valentine and Emily Snow-Review and Promotion

THRUST UNDER
by Michelle A Valentine & Emily Snow
Release Date: February 27, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance, stand alone

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 27, 2018

Gabriel Carter is the biggest, cockiest asshole I’ve ever met. He’s six-foot-three inches of ex-baseball player—sexy muscles and smoldering looks that turn my body into a traitorous mess.

Did I mention he’s also the reason business at my family’s hotel is quickly going down the drain?

I shouldn’t want him, but try explaining that to my body. Especially after he proposes a business deal to me that will be mutually rewarding—both financially and sexually.

Sleep with the enemy?

Nah, I’ll just marry the bastard instead.

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REVIEW: THRUST UNDER co-authored by Michelle A Valentine and Emily Snow is a stand alone, contemporary adult erotic, romance story line focusing on former professional baseball player and hotelier Gabriel Carter, and US soldier Maggie Kinsella.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Maggie and Gabriel) THRUST UNDER follows the building relationship between hotelier Gabriel Carter, and Maggie Kinsella, a US soldier returning home from her last deployment, and a woman whose family’s Hawaiian hotel is struggling to survive. Gabriel Carter’s reputation as a bad boy and manwh*re during his baseball playing days has followed our hero into the business world and his venture into owning a hotel. At the suggestion of his lawyer Gabriel is desperate to find a woman who is willing to play his fiancée and wife in order to present a unified front for his next financial transactions. Enter Maggie Kinsella, retired US soldier, and the woman with whom Gabriel will fall in love. What ensues are Gabriel’s offer to help Maggie’s parent’s business in exchange for Maggie accepting Gabriel’s proposal of marriage and a happily ever after.

Maggie’s parents small family owned hotel is in desperate need of remodelling and repairs but their finances are in ruins, and they are months if not weeks away from permanent closure. When the beautifully handsome but overly cocky Gabriel offers an independent and strong-willed Maggie a solution to her parent’s problems, Maggie must consider the ramifications of the secrets and lies she of which she is about to embark. When Maggie’s ex-boyfriend comes looking for a second chance, Gabriel sees red and misunderstands Maggie’s reactions to the man that had previously destroyed her heart.

The relationship between Maggie and Gabriel is one of immediate attraction until Maggie discovers Gabriel’s owns the successful hotel next door, a hotel owner Maggie blames for the imminent downfall of her parent’s Hawaiian resort. In the early stages of their relationship Maggie struggles with her attraction to our story line hero, an attraction that she continues to deny. The $ex scenes are erotic, seductive and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Maggie’s parents Lia and Henry Kinsella; Maggie’s ex-boyfriend Ryan; her best friend Lani; and Gabriel’s former teammate Killian Reynolds; and reporter Vivi Hamilton. There is a slight cross-over with Valentine’s Black Falcon Rock series, and the mention of Riff and ‘Ball Busting B*tch’.

The world building follows the frenemies to lovers relationship between Gabriel and Maggie; and the struggle for one family to make in the competitive world of high-end hotels.

THRUST UNDER is a sexy, sassy and flirty story line. The romance is captivating, hot and steamy; the characters are colorful, passionate and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

About Michelle A Valentine

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Michelle A. Valentine is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Rock the Heart. Wicked White is the first novel in her Wicked White romance series. She attended college as a drafting and design major, but her love of people soon persuaded her to join the nursing field. It wasn’t until after the birth of her son that she began her love affair with romance novels, and she hasn’t looked back since. When she’s not writing, she feeds her music addiction, dabbles in party planning, and expresses herself by working with arts and crafts. She currently lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, son, and two beloved dogs.

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About Emily Snow

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Emily Snow is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the DEVOURED series (October 2012, January 2013) and TIDAL (December 2012). She loves books, sexy bad boys, and really loud rock music, so naturally, she writes stories about all three.

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Midnight Valentine by J.T. Geissinger-Review Tour

MIDNIGHT VALENTINE by JT Geissinger-Review Tour

MIDNIGHT VALENTINE
by J. T. Geissinger
Release Date: February 6, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, stand alone, romance

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Add MIDNIGHT VALENTINE to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2AgFYv5

About the book: Release Date February 6 2018

True love never dies.

Megan and Cassidy were childhood sweethearts who thought they would be together forever. Fate had other plans. Soon after they were married, Cass’s life was tragically cut short. Still grieving her soul mate five years later, Megan moves to the small town of Seaside, Oregon, hoping to rebuild her life.

Her first night there, she meets the town recluse, Theo. Withdrawn, guarded, and mysteriously silent since a terrible accident left him scarred, Theo takes an instant and inexplicable dislike to Megan. But as their paths cross again and again, Megan becomes convinced there’s more to Theo than meets the eye. When she discovers the reason for his silence, his nightmares, and especially his pointed dislike, Megan becomes convinced of something far more astonishing.

Is a second chance at a once-in-a-lifetime love possible, or is a broken heart the cruelest kind of liar?

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REVIEW: MIDNIGHT VALENTINE by J. T. Geissinger is a stand alone, romance story of second chances; of coincidence and discord; of life and death; of love transcending space, time and the inevitable crazy of déjà vu-been there, done that, and you don’t know why.

Five years after the death of her beloved husband Cassidy, Megan Dunn moves from Phoenix Arizona in search of ‘their something more’. Hoping to reopen the old Victorian Buttercup Inn in Seaside Oregon, Megan will come face to face with her future and quite possibly her past in the guise of a dark, brooding and heartbreakingly broken contractor who knows more about Megan’s life than she could have ever imagined. Enter Theo Valentine, a scarred and selectively quiet man whose own life spiralled out of control five years earlier. What ensues is the back and forth, yin and yang between two people whose paths may have crossed in another life.

Megan Dunn does not understand why Theo Valentine took an instant dislike to her upon her arrival in Seaside Oregon. From outwards appearances Theo’s disdain and hatred of our story line heroine hides a growing attraction and curiosity that embodies one man’s interest and concern for a woman he has never met but knows everything about and more. While Megan desperately tries to get inside the head of the man with whom she is falling in love, Theo is unable to let go of the past insisting he is not worthy of second chances at life or love.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters whose love for our story line hero is balanced by his own hatred of what was and what has become.

MIDNIGHT VALENTINE is fantastically brilliant and intelligent story of the mind, body and spirit’s ability to hide and protect; to overcome the demons of the past. A tender, tragic and encouraging tale with a heartbreaking hero and sassy heroine who battle between head and heart in a fated dance meant to captivate the soul, and liberate the ghosts from the past. MIDNIGHT VALENTINE is a beautiful written and mesmorizing story of second chances, fate, coincidence and love.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Watch the trailer for MIDNIGHT VALENTINE: https://youtu.be/lsa1O9ytl9w

JT Geissinger PIcA former headhunter, J.T. Geissinger is the author of more than a dozen novels in contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense.

She is the recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and is a two-time finalist for the RITA® Award from the Romance Writers of America®. Her work has also finaled in the Booksellers’ Best, National Readers’ Choice, and Daphne du Maurier Awards.

Join her Facebook reader’s group, Geissinger’s Gang, to take part in weekly Wine Wednesday live chats and giveaways, find out more information about works in progress, have access to exclusive excerpts and contests, and get advance reader copies of her upcoming releases.
s Edge in June 2013, and Edge of Darkness in fall 2013. There are six books total planned for the series.

Connect with J.T.:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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