Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE AmazonKindle Appfor your mobile device or pc
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 14, 2023
Breaking News: Rugby’s bad boy marries his best friend’s little sister If Renn Brewer would’ve asked me to marry him, I would’ve said no. Why? One, his reputation precedes him. His name is in the headlines at least once a month. Two, he’s not just my brother’s best friend. They’re teammates. And three, I’m in my self-care era. Unfortunately, a version of me equates self-care with bad choices. The cocktail in my hand—similar to the one that got me into this situation—is the prettiest shade of pink. It’s almost the same color as the giant rock on my left hand. And instead of discussing an annulment, I’m considering a 90-day marriage of convenience to the man I accidentally married in Las Vegas. Renn didn’t propose marriage. But he does deliver a proposal I might be unable to turn down.
••••
REVIEW:What do you get when you mix delicious booze and your brother’s best friend you ask? Marriage. That’s right, marriage. The Proposal is the perfect title for this little gem! Adriana Locke delivers another sports romance/fake marriage romance that is sure to spice things up for readers.
On her girls trip to Vegas, celebrating her 30th birthday, Blakely and her bestie Ella are in for more than a fun girls trip. Blakley’s brother Brock, who is on and off again with Ella, along with Renn, the biggest playboy of the century not only interrupt their trip, but cause the biggest oops to ever happen in Blakely’s life. Renn is hot, sure, but he is a ladies man, his reputation is already known by all, not to mention he is her brother’s best friend, no matter what that makes him wayyyyyyy off limits.
So what happens when she wakes up in bed with him, with a rock the size of the Chrysler building on her hand? All hell breaks loose that’s what. Renn and Blakley have known each other for years, they always felt a spark between them, but never acted on it, but booze has a way of bringing down walls and in this case; it did more than that.
Renn and Blakely were so much fun to read! I really enjoyed how much history they shared, but also how they had new things to learn about one another as well. More than anything I found myself giggling a lot while reading this, and I think that makes a read I will always want to come back to. I hope this is more than a standalone and we get to see not only more of these characters, but Ella’s and Brock’s story as well.
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Sarah
USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys dreamed up by other authors, she decided to create her own. She is the author of Tumble, the first novel in her Dogwood Lane series; the Exception series; the Gibson Brothers series; and the Landry Family series.
She resides in the Midwest with her husband, her sons, two dogs, two cats, and a bird. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather’s nice, and there’s always a piece of candy in her pocket. Besides cinnamon gummy bears, boxing, and random quotes, her next favorite thing is chatting with readers. She’d love to hear from you! Look for her atwww.adrianalocke.com.
Description: When someone asks you to spend your life with him, it shouldn’t come as a surprise–or happen in front of 45,000 people.
When freelance writer Nikole Paterson goes to a Dodgers game with her actor boyfriend, his man bun, and his bros, the last thing she expects is a scoreboard proposal. Saying no isn’t the hard part–they’ve only been dating for five months, and he can’t even spell her name correctly. The hard part is having to face a stadium full of disappointed fans…
At the game with his sister, Carlos Ibarra comes to Nik’s rescue and rushes her away from a camera crew. He’s even there for her when the video goes viral and Nik’s social media blows up–in a bad way. Nik knows that in the wilds of LA, a handsome doctor like Carlos can’t be looking for anything serious, so she embarks on an epic rebound with him, filled with food, fun, and fantastic sex. But when their glorified hookups start breaking the rules, one of them has to be smart enough to put on the brakes…
Review:
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory is a standalone novel. Having read and enjoyed Guillory’s debut novel, The Wedding Date, I looked forward to reading this book.
Nikole (Nik) Paterson, our heroine, is sitting at a Dodger baseball game with her boyfriend and his friends, when she sees herself on the huge scoreboard. When she looks down, her boyfriend of 5 months is proposing to her in front of the huge crowd, Nik is totally shocked, and speechless. She never expected this, and with the pressure of everyone watching, she does not accept the proposal, which then angers her boyfriend, and the media is now ready to crash in.
Carlos Ibarra and his sister are also at the game, and only two rows behind the shell shocked Nik. Knowing she is going to be bombarded, they come to her rescue pretending to be friends, and pull her away from the media to safety. Not having a ride, Carlos and Angela will take her to a bar, where Nik’s best friends were waiting for her, and they all talk about what happened, and get to know each other.
Carlos and Nik become fast friends, but both are not interested in any relationship. Nik is swearing off men (ok to be friends) and Carlos does not believe in true love or getting into a serious relationship. They have fun together as friends, but in a short time their attraction to each other will heat up; but they are both determined to enjoy the benefits without anything more. Each has their own baggage, as Nik knowing Carlos is a doctor, and her other relationship that failed was with a doctor who cheated on her; Carlos takes care of his family, and because of his father leaving them, he doesn’t believe in love.
This turns out to be a very nice, sweet, engaging romance between two very likable people. This is also a multicultural romance, with some great diverse secondary characters. Guillory does this so well. We have Nik, a beautiful black woman; Carlos is latino; his best friend is Korean and her best friends are gay or white. It was a fun group.
What follows is a difficult journey for both of them, with each falling in love with each other, but having to get past their own baggage. You will have to read the book to find out if they open their hearts to their true feelings and allow love to lead the way. The Proposal was a sweet fun read.
Reviewed by Barb
Copy provided by Publisher
Jasmine Guillory’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of THE PROPOSAL to ONE (1) 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.
Savagely sexy billionaire Sloane Michaels ruthlessly controls his life and everything in it. Even his sex partners are carefully negotiated plus-one arrangements, including his latest, the fiery bakery owner, Kat Thayne. But Sloane’s control is challenged when his mentor becomes seriously ill, and his need for Kat, his need to possess her at all costs, rivals only his single-minded goal of vengeance for the murder of his sister.
After surviving an attack six years ago, Kat Thayne escaped her fears in the protective world of her beloved bakery. Then Sloane Michaels storms into her life, making her feel beautiful, strong and sexy. Yet as Kat pushes her boundaries and uncovers a dangerous secret in her past, Sloane’s controlling side emerges. Worried that Sloane will possess her mind, body and soul, Kat fights to keep her hard won independence. But just as Sloane demands her complete surrender, she discovers he has a dark side that could destroy them both.
•••••••••••••••••
REVIEW: POSSESSION is the second installment in Jennifer Lyon’s contemporary romantic/erotic Plus One Chronicles series. Possession continues the story three days after The Proposition where Sloane proposes more than a plus-one relationship with Kat-he wants to help her overcome her fear and anxiety following an attack more than six years ago, that has left her with permanent injuries and PTSD. Trying to keep their relationship at the Plus One stage is difficult when the heart falls fast and hard.
Sloane Michaels is an ex-UFC fighter with a past haunted by the murder of his sister and the reality of his best friend’s illness. Hoping to keep his past a secret, Sloane fails miserably when he willingly reveals everything to Kat. Kat neither manipulates nor threatens Sloane, but her need to help and listen, tug at Sloane’s heart and soul. Their Plus One relationship becomes something more.
Throughout the series, Kat must face the trauma and truth about the attack that left her near death and without any memory of that time. Sloane’s ability to help her with the struggle will slowly reveal that it was more than a random attack, but one that was more personal than she could have imagined.
Once again, Jennifer Lyon pulls the reader into a storyline that will pique your curiosity and break your heart. The relationship between Kat and Sloane is hot, sexy and crossing the imaginary boundary of plus one into something more-something more like love?
Sloane is a man after my own heart-he is my new book boyfriend. Yes, I admit it. This is part of my 12 step program admitting he is my new fantasy lover. He is every woman’s dream; very sexy, very handsome and a protector above all else. He is a modern day warrior out to avenge his sister’s death; and he is a man falling in love with the woman who refuses to give up or give in. We learn more about Sloane’s history-his family and his friendships and, the pain and guilt that makes the man what he is today- and we are introduced to a few of his closest friends.
The Plus One Chronicles is an amazing new series by Jennifer Lyon. There is romance and love; betrayal and hate; heartbreak and sorrow. Combine it all with the talented writing of Jennifer Lyon and you have another wonderful series that is sure to top your favorite reads. The characters are real; you can feel their emotions and sympathize with their struggles. And if you haven’t met Sloane, let me introduce you to him inThe Proposition-book one!
Copy supplied by the author
Reviewed by Sandy
5 Ways to Tame a UFC Fighter Hero
Thank you so much for having me here today! Sloane is an ex-UFC fighter and one of my all-time favorite heroes to write about. Once he meets Kat in book one of The Plus One Chronicles, THE PROPOSITION, the goal that has driven him for over a decade—revenge—becomes entangled with his increasing need for her. Sloane is getting caught in the ever tightening trap of having to choose between the vengeance he’s sworn and the woman he craves. So now that you have a little background, I’d like to share with you 5 ways Kat is “taming” the UFC Fighter. 1) Sloane is seriously hot and extremely rich, so women fall all over him to do whatever he wants. All except for Kat. She makes it clear to Sloane that she will stand up to him: Time to establish her boundaries. “Sloane?” He looked down at her. “Yeah?” “Thank you. I’ll see the doctor.” She was grateful. Truly. He nodded. Then she added, “Now move your arm and get out of my space.” 2) When he makes you a proposition, turn him down. Make him work for it. In The Proposition, Sloane wants Kat to be his plus-one and in his bed. She tells him no. A fighter can’t resist a challenge: She kept her gaze on the scrupulously clean table beneath her hands. “You’re not used to being told no, are you?”
“I’ve grown accustomed to getting what I want.”
She heard him move nearer. Felt the fine hairs on her neck twitch. She knew he was close behind her, yet he didn’t touch her. Instead, he laid a thick, cream-colored business card on the table between her hands. SLAM Inc. Sloane Michaels, CEO was blazed across it. All the usual information. His hand vanished.
“You already have my private cell number in your phone. Here’s the rest of my contact info.”
His voice was so close to her back, she shivered. “Why are you pursuing me?”
“Because I want you.”
3) Put lavender steaks in your hair. Here’s a clip from POSSESSION of Sloane telling Kat what he noticed first about her:
“You hid. Withdrawing to protect yourself. When I first saw you, you were tucked behind a column.” “Then why did you see me?” All those polished women in pretty gowns and he’d honed in on her. It hadn’t made sense.
“The pink streaks in your hair.”
“Lavender.”
His full lips twitched. “Whatever, baby, those streaks scream, Look at me. This is who I am and if you don’t like it…
4) Make lemon cupcakes. Sloane loves Kat’s lemon cupcakes! “Careful there, champ, I know your weakness.” He lifted an eyebrow. “What’s that?” “Lemon cupcakes. I’m pretty sure I could get you to beg for a lemon cupcake.” Okay, she might be pushing her luck. “Cheater.” Wrapping his hand in her hair, he leaned in. “You know I’d do anything for your lemon cupcakes.” 5) Make him burn: “Not until I kiss you.” He brushed his mouth over hers, kissing his way to her ear. “And you burn for me like I’ve been burning for you. For three f*cking days.” And nights. Even while he trained, something that had been unheard of before Kat.
Kat and Sloane’s relationship begins in The Proposition, but in Possession, it burns hotter and grows deeper. I hope you’ll give The Proposition and Possession a try! Sloane and Kat get their happily-ever-after in the final, explosive book Obsession.
Jennifer Lyon grew up under the shadow of the Matterhorn at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. She attended Walt Disney elementary school and her very first playmate was her beloved dog, Duke, who was cast in the role of hero in all their adventures.
Clearly Jen was born to daydream. But it took her years to figure out how to turn her imagination into a career as an author. After marrying and becoming a full time mom to three sons, Jen launched her career with the award winning Samantha Shaw Mystery Series and other romantic mysteries under the name Jennifer Apodaca. Later, she took the name Jennifer Lyon, combined her love of witches, alpha males and sizzling romance into another award winning series, the Wing Slayer Hunters.
Jennifer has several new releases coming out this year. THE PROPOSITION, the first book in her new Plus One Chronicles was just released on February 24 and following later in the year will be Book Two: POSSESSION – Coming 5/28/13 and Book Three: OBSESSION – Coming 9/24/13.
Writing underJennifer Apodacashe will be releasing the first book in her Once A Marine series, titled THE BABY BARGAIN which will be out in March 2013 fromEntangled Publishingin theirIndulgence line.
Rich, sexy and volatile, Sloane Michaels has a dark agenda that keeps his heart on ice. His extreme wealth gives him the control he craves and his skills as an ex UFC fighter the tools he’ll need to extract his ultimate revenge. But when the woman he never believed he’d see again crosses his path, Sloane is caught between the vengeance he needs and a sexual conquest he craves.
Kat Thayne has been in survival mode for six years, hiding behind the sweet creations for her bakery. But when a random carjacking brings her face-to-face with her darkest fears and hottest fantasy, Kat is forced out of hiding and offered a dangerously passionate proposition. One she knows she isn’t strong enough to refuse.
POSSESSION (Plus One Chronicles #2) by Jennifer Lyon Release Date: May 23, 2013
Savagely sexy billionaire Sloane Michaels ruthlessly controls his life and everything in it. Even his sex partners are carefully negotiated plus-one arrangements, including his latest, the fiery bakery owner, Kat Thayne. But Sloane’s control is challenged when his mentor becomes seriously ill, and his need for Kat, his need to possess her at all costs, rivals only his single-minded goal of vengeance for the murder of his sister.
After surviving an attack six years ago, Kat Thayne escaped her fears in the protective world of her beloved bakery. Then Sloane Michaels storms into her life, making her feel beautiful, strong and sexy. Yet as Kat pushes her boundaries and uncovers a dangerous secret in her past, Sloane’s controlling side emerges. Worried that Sloane will possess her mind, body and soul, Kat fights to keep her hard won independence. But just as Sloane demands her complete surrender, she discovers he has a dark side that could destroy them both.
**Possession is an adult contemporary novel and is not intended for younger readers due to mature content.**
OBSESSION (Plus One Chronicles #3) by Jennifer Lyon Release Date: September 24, 2013
Sloane Michaels is obscenely rich, jaggedly handsome and obsessed with love and vengeance. But he can only have one, and it’s tearing him apart. The fiery baker who resurrected his heart or retribution for the twin sister who was his best friend his only family. But when Kat’s life is threatened, Sloane is forced to make a choice. Will he kill the one who murdered his sister or die to protect the woman he loves?
Kat Thayne can’t bear to watch the obsession for revenge destroy the man she adores. She knows she should run from him and never look back. But when she becomes a target for a stone cold killer, Kat has nowhere else to turn. She goes to Sloane for help, and in an instant she’s swept back into his world…and his bed. But as the fiery passion consumes them once again, and Sloane’s addiction to vengeance resurfaces, Kat is forced into the decision of a lifetime
