excerpt · review

Review & Excerpt: International Player by Louise Bay

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The Cover: International Player‘s cover is beautiful and very eye catching but I wish it showed the cover model’s face. 

Basics: International Player was released on April 30th 2019 and is 298 pages long. Genre wise International Player belongs to contemporary romance and standalone romance. 

Description: Being labelled a player never stopped me from being successful with women. Until I met Truly Harbury. Truly was the first girl who ever turned me down. The first female friend I ever had. And she might just be the first woman I ever fall in love with.

When an emergency means she needs my help running her family’s charity, I’m happy to introduce her to the glitz and glamour of the London business world—taking her to dinners, coaching her through speeches, zipping up the sexy evening gown I helped her pick out.

The more time we spend together, the more I want to convince her I’m not a man to avoid, that we’re not as unsuited as she believes. She sees herself as the book-reading, science-loving introvert while I’m the dangerous, outgoing, charmer. She thinks I love parties and people whereas she prefers pajamas and a takeaway.

What she doesn’t realize is that I like everything about her–the way her smile lights up a room, how her curves light up my imagination, and especially the way her lips taste when coated with tequila. She’s the first woman I ever fell in love with. I just need to know if she could ever love me too. **International Player is a complete standalone contemporary romance**
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Overall thoughts: International Player was a great contemporary romance read with a fun friends to lovers focus. I tend to enjoy the friends to lovers trope more in contemporary romance books because it adds so means so much more when the two characters end up together. Great characters, intense chemistry that keeps you enthralled with the story and overall a great romance read! 

Couple Chemistry Rating: 5/5 Shells
5 shells

Excerpt: In, two, three, out, two. Shit. I tried again. In, two, three, out, two, three. It wasn’t helping. My heart was hammering against my chest, my palms were sweaty, and images of hundreds and hundreds of faces staring at me flashed into my head.

I ignored the knock on my office door. I was too concerned about what was happening to me. Was it possible to have a heart attack at twenty-eight?

“Truly,” a familiar, male voice called.

I couldn’t look up. Couldn’t even open my eyes. Warm hands covered my knees and body heat radiated in front of me. “Are you okay? Take a breath.” What was Noah doing here?

I nodded, still counting my breath. As if he was familiar with the technique, he began counting along with me. “Out, two, three. In, two, three. Out, two, three.”

His voice was calming. The counting hadn’t worked when I’d done it alone, but hearing him counting too helped me settle into a rhythm.

Eventually, his hands slid from my knees, and I sat up and opened my eyes, right into his.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his brow furrowed. I was such an idiot. A mess. And this was why Noah and I had only ever been friends. He was used to seeing me in no makeup with a smear of kung pao chicken on my face. And now I was panicking about a meeting that he would think nothing of. Yes, Noah only ever saw me at my absolute worst.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. I didn’t want him to see me like this.

“Do you want some water?” He stood and poured me a glass of sparkling water from the bottle on my desk.

“Thanks.” I took a sip and sat back in my chair.

“I came to talk to you. Apologize if I seemed harsh last night. I’m sorry if I made this worse, Truly.”

I cleared my throat. “I’m fine. Just a little . . .” I watched as he slid into the chair opposite my desk, his long legs unfurling in front of him. “I just have a lot to do.”

He nodded, steepling his fingers. “And I’m here to help.”

My Rating: 5/5 Shells
5 shells
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Buy International Player:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WjVNcr
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2QdJdwn
Paperback: https://amzn.to/2PmIK5M
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2KU3RMh

About the Author: USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes sexy, contemporary romance novels – the kind she likes to read. Her books include the novels Faithful (not currently on sale as undergoing maintenance!), HopefulThe Empire State Series, The Royals Series, The Nights Series (both series of standalone books each following different characters) and the standalone Gentleman series.

Ruined by romantic mini-series of the eighties, Louise loves all things romantic. There’s not enough of it in real life so she disappears into the fictional worlds in books and films. Louise loves the rain, The West Wing, London, days when she doesn’t have to wear make-up, being on her own, being with friends, elephants and champagne. She loves to hear from readers so get in touch!

Follow Louise:
Website: https://louisebay.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/authorlouisebay
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/louisesbay
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiseSbay
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2VSsbDb
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8056592.Louise_Bay
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/louise-bay

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release blitz · review

Release Blitz & Review: Meet Cute by Helena Hunting

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The Cover: The Meet Cute cover is bright, very eye catching and I adore it. Yellow is such a happy color and I think it’s a great book cover that I definitely want my shelf soon! 

Basics: Meet Cute was released on April 9th 2019 and is 384 pages long. Genre wise Meet Cute belongs to contemporary romance. 

Description: Talk about an embarrassing introduction. On her first day of law school, Kailyn ran – quite literally – into the actor she crushed on as a teenager, ending with him sprawled on top of her. Mortified to discover the Daxton Hughes was also a student in her class, her embarrassment over their meet-cute quickly turned into a friendship she never expected. Of course, she never saw his betrayal coming either…

Now, eight years later, Dax is in her office asking for legal advice. Despite her anger, Kailyn can’t help feeling sorry for the devastated man who just became sole guardian to his thirteen-year-old sister. But when her boss gets wind of Kailyn’s new celebrity client, there’s even more at stake than Dax’s custody issues: if she gets Dax to work at their firm, she’ll be promoted to partner.

The more time Kailyn spends with Dax and his sister, the more she starts to feel like a family, and the more she realizes the chemistry they had all those years ago is as fresh as ever. But will they be able to forgive the mistakes of the past, or will one betrayal lead to another?
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Overall thoughts: Meet Cute was such a fun and lovely romance book! I thought it was quirky and interesting with that side of ‘oh my gosh this situation is SO awkward but I can’t put this book down!’ I loved it! Helena Hunting is laugh out loud funny and her writing is something I find very relatable. 

Dax and Kailyn were a great couple to fall in love with and root for. They had a bumpy road and I really enjoyed reading how they overcame those bumps. I also find their rivalry super entertaining, how they constantly wanted to win and be better over the other is just so relatable. I think everyone at some point in their lives has someone like that, maybe they don’t fall in love with that person but still…that concept of Dax and Kailyn’s relationship really intrigued me. Not to mention their chemistry leaped off the pages!

Meet Cute will definitely one of my favorite contemporary romance books of the year and Helena Hunting should be very proud, this book knocked it out of the park! 

My Rating: 5/5 Shells
5 shells

Buy Meet Cute:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WUeB1K
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2KmR7B1

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About the Author:
Helena Hunting is the author of The USA Today and NYT bestselling PUCKED Series. She lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes everything from romantic sports comedy to new adult angst.

Follow Helena:
Website: http://helenahunting.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HelenaHunting
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helena.hunting69/
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2KmR7B1

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excerpt

Excerpt Reveal: Windy City Dragon by Genevieve Jack

Windy City Dragon, an all-new Standalone Paranormal Romance by Genevieve Jack is releasing April 23rd!
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Synopsis: For decades he’s fought to be human…

It’s been a long time since Tobias spread his wings. The exiled dragon prince has worked hard to blend into the human world and practice his love for healing as a pediatric cardiologist. But when magic proves the only way to save a beloved child, he’s tempted to reengage with his past.

She awakens the monster within. As a vampire-human hybrid, Sabrina is used to being different from the rest of her community. But all vampires need to feed. The night she chooses Tobias as her next meal, everything changes. He’s far more than he seems, and if she doesn’t protect his secret, it could cost him his life.

It takes a monster to know a monster. One kiss thrusts Tobias into the dark underground world of Chicago’s vampires, where his dragon nature is his only hope of protecting Sabrina. But Sabrina knows the only way to keep him safe is to push him away.

Pre-order your copy Today!
Applebooks – http://smarturl.it/WCDApple

Nook – http://smarturl.it/WCDNook
Kobo – http://smarturl.it/WCDKobo
Amazon – http://smarturl.it/WCDKindle

Grab The Dragon of New Orleans!
Amazon – http://smarturl.it/DragonKindle
AppleBooks – http://smarturl.it/DragonApple
Kobo – http://smarturl.it/DragonKobo
Google Play – http://smarturl.it/DragonGooglePlay
Nook – http://smarturl.it/DragonNook
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Excerpt: “Nothing rattles you, does it?” she said softly. “Nothing raises your blood pressure. Sometimes I wonder if you are a robot. Do you have a beating heart, Tobias, or are you made of chips and wires?”

“I am not a robot,” Tobias said firmly. His pulse quickened. Could she feel that? He had no control over it or his growing erection. He needed to get out of this stairwell. “Sabrina, this is—”

Without warning, her lips slammed into his. The kiss was hard, searching. He didn’t have the strength to stop her even if he’d wanted to. Something primal and urgent caused his hand to tangle in her hair and his tongue to sweep into her mouth. By the Mountain, she tasted good. He forgot where he was, forgot who he was. All too soon, she planted both hands on his chest and pushed him away.

“Not a robot.” She panted, breathless.

About the Author: USA Today bestselling author Genevieve Jack writes wild, witty, and wicked-hot paranormal romance and fantasy. Coffee and wine are her biofuel, the love lives of witches, shifters, and vampires her favorite topic of conversation. She harbors a passion for old cemeteries and ghost tours, thanks to her years attending a high school rumored to be haunted. Although originally from the Midwest, she adores the beaches of the southeast, where she spends her days with her laptop and one lazy dog. 

Follow Genevieve Jack:
Website – https://www.genevievejack.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGenevieveJack/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/Genevieve_Jack
Amazon – https://amzn.to/2Vza5oI
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/genevieve-jack
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6477522.Genevieve_Jack

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release blitz · review

Release Blitz & Review: Before We Fell by Stacey Lynn

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The Cover: I think the cover for Before We Fell is just effortlessly beautiful and very, very romantic. A perfect cover for a great contemporary romance book. 

Basics: Before We Fell was released on April 9th 2019 and is a contemporary standalone romance. 

Description: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The horror that rocked my small town last winter also brought Noah Wilkes into my life. The first almost broke all of us, but the second changed everything.

He stomped into my classroom all angry scowls and rudeness, the big-shot lawyer who was always too good for this small town. But the moment his smile softened toward his niece, it was me that melted.

The heartbreak that brought him back also brought me closer to him, to the man he hides from the world behind his swagger and aggression. The man I couldn’t help but fall for. But life has a way of throwing a curveball when you least expect it, and this one could cost me everything–even him. Turned out, our fates were written in the sky before we ever met—before we fell.

Overall thoughts: Stacey Lynn is the Queen of pulling all my heartstrings! Before We Fell is a sweet contemporary romance about two people coming together after a heartbreaking situation. This type of story about two people connecting after tragedy really is just one of my favorite love stories and Lynn writes a brilliant one. 

Simple and effortless Before We Fell is a great contemporary romance read. 

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My Rating: 5/5 Shells
5 shells

Buy Before We Fell:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HICJ2W
Amazon Universal: mybook.to/BeforeWeFell
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2FoCqYE
Nook:http://bit.ly/2FwSxoc
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2UahMok
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2FhBZAi

Stacey Lynn Author Photo
About the Author:
 When Stacey Lynn isn’t conquering mountains of laundry and fighting a war against dust bunnies and cracker crumbs, you can find her playing with her children, curled up on the couch with a good book, or behind closed doors, imagining the next adventures she’ll soon write.

She lives off her daily pot of coffee, can only write with a bowlful of Skittles nearby, and has been in love with romance novels since before she could drive herself to the library. Stacey Lynn lives with her husband and children in North Carolina.

Follow Stacey:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/staceylynnbooks
Twitter: @staceylynnbooks
Instagram: www.instagram.staceylynn.author

Website: http://www.staceylynnbooks.com
Stay up to date on Stacey’s latest news! Subscribe to her Newsletter today! http://www.staceylynnbooks.com/contact

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release blitz

Release Blitz: My Best Friend’s Mardi Gras Wedding by Erin Nicholas

My Best Friend’s Mardi Gras Wedding, an all-new sexy standalone in the Boys of the Bayou series from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas, is available now!
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Blurb: Josh Landry is one of the hottest bartenders in New Orleans. He’s shown many a female tourist that things are definitely big and easy down here. And he’s now been celibate for a year. Because he finally met her. Yes, her. The One.

But, after nothing more than a hot goodnight kiss and a promise to meet up again next year if they’re both still interested, she went home to Iowa. It’s been a long year. But now it’s Mardi Gras again and he’s ready for his happily ever after. If she shows up.

***

Oh, she shows up. For her best friend’s wedding. But Tori is a terrible bridesmaid because all she can think about is her knight-in-shining-Mardi-Gras-beads from last year. Well, and because she accidentally lays a hot kiss on her BFF. Aka, the groom.

Unfortunately, no one believes that it was a case of mistaken identity. So, now she has to convince everyone she has no intention of ruining the wedding. She’s going to need a crazy-about-her boyfriend ASAP. Even if he’s just faking it.

Well there’s only one other person she knows in Louisiana…Josh is all in. In fact, he’s thrilled. And he’s not faking anything. But the groom isn’t faking his sudden case of cold feet either. And now Tori might have a choice to make.

Download your copy today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2UBLtPk

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2VkWIZ4
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/MardiGrasErin
Nook: http://bit.ly/2WRqc1M
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2YTnZoj
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2TXbuo0
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2WWEVIT

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

ErinNicholas
About the Author:
 
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.

Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).

Connect with Erin:
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Ghek4N

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2BqNKSU
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2WSZxlR
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2GAUZeb
Website: https://erinnicholas.com
Stay up to date with Erin by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2Gj56oC

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blog tour · excerpt

Blog Tour & Excerpt: Gone For You by Jennifer Van Wyk

Gone For You, an all-new small town, second chance romance from Jennifer Van Wyk, is available now!
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Blurb: I didn’t expect you. Certainly wasn’t looking for a relationship. But, my heart is drawn to you and I can’t stop the way it’s beating, demanding more. This distance between us should have been enough to stop me. It wasn’t, though. Not even knowing you’re my brother’s best friend could have stopped me from wanting more with you.

The universe has other plans, though. You say that you’ll stop at nothing to make me yours. But, our pasts have a way of sneaking up on us. I hope I’m strong enough to withstand the hurt. Because my heart… it’s gone for you. Gone for You is a standalone brother’s best friend, sweet and sizzling romance.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CA27EO

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/GoneForYou
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2U642eu

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2MU8ZRf

Pre-order the second standalone in the All For You Series, Falling for You today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XUVsyh

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/FallingYou
GFY - AN IG.jpgExcerpt: It’s getting late and the crowd has shrunk in size considerably, including almost everyone that I saw hanging out with the birthday party. But not Liv. Still, even though the crowd is small, they all cheer when I toss a bottle Rex’s way and he lets it drop almost to the floor before bending at the knees to catch it. He stands back up, swoops his arm in the air, releases his grip on the bottle and snatches it again quickly.

Everyone laughs and claps at his theatrics, a few catcalls are hollered from the back area by the pool table. Even though we’ve been at it off and on all night, they still can’t get enough.

He winks at a pretty girl with chin-length, straight brown hair and she blushes as he raises the vodka bottle high in the air while he’s pouring the liquor into the glass, topping it off with a splash of cranberry juice and wedge of lime.

I don’t even know if she ordered it but he gives it to her anyway and she lifts it to her lips. He leans over the bar, whispering something in her ear. She smiles over the rim of the glass and touches his shoulder flirtatiously. I shake my head, knowing exactly who he’ll be spending his night with.

Speaking of…

My skin prickles, a tingle runs up and down my spine. I don’t need to scan the crowd to know where she is. I move to the end of the bar where she’s sitting now, talking with a friend while pretending not to watch me.

The ‘trio of boobs’, as Liv so eloquently named them, sidles up next to her and orders another round of shots. Of course they’re still here. “Can we get some Slut Juice?” This time it’s a different woman ordering than before.

Liv coughs and I look at her out of the corner of my eye. She bites the corner of her bottom lip and I can tell she’s trying not to laugh.

“Comin’ right up,” I tell them, knocking my knuckles on the wood. The girls giggle and I hear Liv mumble something about them already having enough slut juice. I’m glad my back is turned when she says it so no one sees how hard I’m working to keep a straight face.

Behind me, I hear the same high-pitched voice from earlier paired with cackling laughter when the girl who first approached me earlier tonight says something about my ass and how she hopes I’m going to cash in on that flaming orgy.

“You’re awful,” one of them replies.

“What? Like you weren’t thinking it?”

“Maybe we can get ‘em both to join us.”

I glance at Liv just in time to see her rolling her eyes.

Drinks mixed, I fill their shots and push them in their direction.

“We’re going to get you to join us sooner or later,” the first one purrs.

“Babe?” I hear Liv call out. Scrunching my eyebrows, I look at her to see who she’s talking to. But her focus is on me.

One of the girls huffs beside me when Liv reaches out and lays her hand on my hand that’s resting on the bar.

“Eth? Did you hear me?”

Eth? “Huh?”

She looks at the girls and sighs like she’s really put out. “When he’s working, he’s so focused on making his customers happy. It’s one of the things I love most about him. Though, I have to admit, it kind of sucks when you don’t even hear what your girlfriend is saying.” She offers them a sweet smile while trailing a finger over my hand. Liv turns and looks at me adoringly and sighs. Places her chin in the palm of her hand not touching me. “But just look at him. Could you stay upset with that face? Isn’t he gorgeous?”

One of the girls starts agreeing while one elbows her in the side. They spin around, hair flying behind them as they stomp away.

“You probably just cost me a tip,” I tease.

“Oh please. You should be thanking me.”

It doesn’t go unnoticed that her long, slender fingers are still resting on my hand. The bright pink polish on her fingernails is a stark contrast against my skin and something about it is so completely sexy. I’m also very aware that I haven’t moved my hand either. In fact, if anything, I’m inching it closer to her.

“Thanking you, huh?”

“Uh huh. I probably just saved you from about four STD’s.”

“From who? The…”

“Trio of boobs. Yes. I mean, seriously, who orders slut juice when it’s obvious it’s basically their blood type.”

I bark out a laugh and turn my body so I’m fully facing her. I notice her friend beside us is watching our exchange like we’re the most entertaining thing she’s seen all night. She’s looks to be about ready to pull out a bag of popcorn and settle in for a good show.

“I’m so grateful that you felt the need to step in, pretend to be my girlfriend so they’d back off. I mean, one can only handle receiving so many orgy invitations in one night.”

She lifts a shoulder and I feel her hand flex over mine. “Well, yeah. I’m generous like that.”

I lower my voice and inch closer still. “So it was all for my benefit, huh?”

Liv rubs her lips together and glances down at our hands that are almost linked together now. “Mm hmm. Your benefit only.”

“No other reason to get those girls away from me?”

“You did seem awfully uncomfortable and I assumed you were being nice because it’s kind of your job.”

I lean on the bar so I’m close enough to say into her ear, “You know what I think?”

She shakes her head slightly and I can smell the faint coconut fragrance of her shampoo waft through my senses. I want to thread my fingers through her hair, bury my nose in it, wrap it around my hand while I tip her head back and taste the long column of her neck.

I flip my hand over beneath hers and curl a finger so the tip teases the palm of her hand. I’m hoping for a shiver in response and smile when I receive it.

“I think you were jealous.”

JenniferVanWykLogo
About the Author:
 
From the Ground Up was Jennifer’s first published novel and now that she was bitten by the writing bug, has no intention of ever stopping. Jennifer makes her home in small town Iowa with her high school sweetheart, three beautiful, hilarious and amazing kids, one crazy Jack Russell terrier. This is where her love for all things reading, baking, and cooking happen. Jennifer’s family enjoys camping, boating, and spending time outside as much as possible. You’ll be her best friend if you can make her laugh and follow up with asking her what to read next. When she’s not writing, you can find her cheering the loudest at her kids’ sporting events (read as: embarrassing them), sipping coffee or iced tea out of a mason jar with her Kindle in her lap or binging on Netflix.

Connect with Jennifer:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2vZV2Ic

FB: https://www.facebook.com/jennifervanwykauthor/
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IG: https://www.instagram.com/jenvanwyk/
Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JennifersJavaGirls/
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2foP8dK
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-van-wyk
Book + Main: https://bookandmainbites.com/users/295

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