Monday, April 30, 2018

Review: Pick Six

Pick Six Pick Six by Max Monroe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm out. That's it. I'm done. Max Monroe is ruining me. They have that crazy way of writing that just draws you in from the first page and doesn't let you go. Like, seriously. I feel like I'm vlogging right along with Six. I feel like I'm playing football right next to Sean and Quinn and Cam.

So, yeah. I fell in love with Quinn Bailey. I mean, who wouldn't love a man who starts singing Journey while on a train. A midnight train at that? Exactly. Everyone would love him.

Which brings us to Sean Phillips. How in the hell can Max Monroe give us another man who we will want just as fiercely--if not more so, than QB?

Easy. They give us: The Manwhore.

I'm a sucker for that manwhore. I love them so hard. I like watching them go from banging everything with a pulse to settling down, falling in love, and changing their ways. I LOVE that. I know, it's a silly trope, but is it really?! Don't we all want to snag the bad boy? And don't we all secretly want to bang the manwhore, just to see if all that experience pays off?

Just me?

Moving on. Sean and Six are freaking awesomesauce. Six is strong, takes no shit, and puts Sean in his place.
Sean is all bad boy, sexy, and a bad ass on that football field.

He's funny. And fun. And he's so taken with our Six Malone. So, so taken.

If you're still new to Max Monroe, this can't be a bad place to start. I'm loving The Mavericks!

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Sunday, April 29, 2018

Review: I Flipping Love You

I Flipping Love You I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Flipping Stars

**First of all, I WON A FREAKING PAPERBACK ARC!!! That is all. Continue to check out my review!

Wow! I can’t really put into words the way I feel after reading this book. I know Helena has an amazing ability to write heroes that I will fall for—no matter what. Honestly, she hasn’t written a man I haven’t wanted to drop to my knees for.

OH, is that too much? EH. You’ll be okay. But let’s get to Pierce and Rian (with an i).

You may remember Pierce from Hooking Up. He’s mentioned briefly since he’s Anarachy Amie’s brother. You know the lawyer brother? The one you kinda wanted to know more about, but you weren’t focused on that because you were too focused on Sexy Lexy?

Yeah, that Pierce. And OMG. Pierce. I don’t even have the mental capacity after that wild ride. He’s sweet, kind, caring, generous (in bed and out), and just amazing. As soon as I finished this, I messaged my best book girlfriend and RAVED about Pierce. I crazily explained how I just couldn’t handle how perfect this book was. The writing, the characters, the story. All of it is perfect. The back and forth, the push and pull, the lust and love. It’s. All. Perfect.

Absolutely Flipping Perfect.

Where do I go from here? Because I'm going to need more from this Shacking Up world and I'm gonna need it in a way that only Helena Hunting can deliver.

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Review: Use Me

Use Me Use Me by Kimberly Knight
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A new-to-me author. A new to me story.

I really enjoyed our couple. Rhys and Ashtyn are both in television--the news, not shows where acting is a thing.

Yet, they've never met. At least, not until they find themselves single and trying to drown their sorrows at the bottom of a bottle at the local bar.

And from that point on, our characters are sweet and cute and so much fun. They are perfect for each other.

The problem isn't within themselves. The problems are with other people. Both of their exes suck. Seriously suck. Hard core. Like, I wanted to punch them both in their stupid cheating faces.
And then there are some other crazy, twisted outside forces working against Rhys and Ash.

This is a low angst book. Not really insta-love, but they do move quickly. When you know, you know, right?!


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Thursday, April 26, 2018

Cover Reveal: Confessions_Julien by Ella Frank


Confessions: Julien, book two in the steamy contemporary MMM
Confessions Series from Ella Frank, is coming June 4th!

Confessions: Julien by Ella Frank
New Release Date: June 4th, 2018
Genre: Contemporary MMM Romance
Cover Design: Hang Le
Cover Photographer: Jules Godfrey Photography
Cover Model: Jack Dutton



Synopsis

People are complex.
Love a double-edged sword.
And when it comes to a broken heart, there are no rules, only time…

For the past eight years, Julien Thornton has been living with a secret. One that only a
handful of people know about.

To the outside world, he has it all.
A thriving career. A loving husband. And a face that the American public fell for by the
millions, on a reality show that inadvertently saved his life.

But behind the shine of celebrity, behind the easygoing nature, a crippling truth fills Julien
with pain and self-loathing. It’s a truth that he fights to overcome daily with the help of
his husband, Joel Priestley, and now their boyfriend, Robbie Bianchi.

But unlike Priest, Robbie doesn’t know what he’s helping Julien to fight. He doesn’t
know what Julien did all those years ago. And with the anniversary of his sister’s
death fast approaching, the time for explanations is running out.

And thus the question: will the princess be able to forgive the prick as the priest once
did?

Only time will tell.

Add to GoodReads: https://bit.ly/2HKj17D


Start the series with Confessions: Robbie today!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2HRBZcw

Add To Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EWp3Aq



About Ella
Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Temptation series, including
Try, Take, and Trust and is the co-author of the fan-favorite contemporary romance,
Sex Addict. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and
“enticingly sexy!”
Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart,
J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Phillips.
Connect with Ella:
Mailing List:  www.bit.ly/1hEYtgn


Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Promo: Laurelin Paige

ONE MORE TIME by Laurelin Paige
AVAILABLE NOW ONLY ON LAURELIN’S WEBSITE!

Ooops... she did it again.

Laurelin is super excited to share ONE MORE TIME with you early and exclusively through her WEBSITE! 
Available for purchase for ONE WEEK on all formats! 
On May 2nd, it will be available only in Kindle Unlimited.
🎬Get your ecopy HERE 🎬
→ 
https://laurl.in/OMT-LPweb
_____________________

Want a SNEAK PEEK? Read Chapter One here...
→ 
https://laurl.in/OMT-chapterone
#OneMoreTime #TannerFingJames #AvailableNowOnAllFormats #LimitedTime #GetYourCopyToday






One More Time by Laurelin Paige

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Designer: Letitia Hasser from RBA Designs
Narrated by Erin Mallon & Rupert Channing
Add to Goodreads: laurl.in/OMT-GR
AUDIO AVAILABLE NOW!






BLURB

Available in audio-first, a scorching, heart-tugging new standalone by New York Times
bestselling author Laurelin Paige!
Ten years ago, we were the toast of the town.
Tanner's acting career had just begun. He was hotter than the stage lights, and twice as
captivating. The gorgeous Australian A-lister was everyone's teenage dream. And he'd picked
me. Or so I thought, until he proved to be as false as everything else about Hollywood. Now I've
finally scored the perfect opportunity to star in a major film. The kicker? Tanner will be my co-
star. I don't know if I can do this one more time….
*
Right now, we're the talk of the town.
Jenna's even more beautiful than she was the last time we were together. And just like before, I
can't keep my hands off her. She still doesn't know the truth. The secret of what really happened
back then. Now I have the length of this shoot to convince her to rewrite our script. But if I have
her one more time, will once ever be enough? 

ONE MORE TIME  will be available for purchase on ebook on May 2nd!






CONNECT WITH LAURELIN PAIGE:
Twitter: @LaurelinPaige

Never miss an update! Subscribe to Laurelin’s mailing list:





Sunday, April 22, 2018

Review: Infraction

Infraction Infraction by Rachel Van Dyken
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, I couldn't leave this world that Rachel Van Dyken created. I wasn't ready. When I finished Fraternize I thought I would just go back to the other books I have on my tbr.

Well, I thought wrong. I couldn't even concentrate on those other books--trust me, I tried. I have commitments and obligations and none of those were fulfilled.

I caved.

I downloaded Infraction.

I got sucked in.

Let's be honest, I'm a sucker for a best friend's little sister romance. I'm a sucker for football. And after the way RVD blew me away with Emerson's story, I just had to see what she had in store for Kinsey.

Had. To.

And that leads us to now. To the fact that I sat down on my couch after a day with my sister, and picked up this book. This Infraction. This book by Rachel Van Dyken. This world of football and cheerleaders and characters that wouldn't let me go.

I sat down on my couch.

And never got back up.

Not to eat or take a bathroom break. I didn't grab a drink or let the dogs out or look at my children (I'm pretty sure they destroyed the house). I sat on my couch, kindle held firmly in my hand, and my eyes glued to the screen.

And now, a few hours later, I am frozen. I am shocked. I don't have the words (you know, except all the crap I'm spewing here). I wanted light and fun and rom-com. I wanted best friend's little sister and football and, did I mention, fun?!

And what do I have?

This weird wet stuff dripping from my eyeballs. I don't cry. I had zero desire to cry. But here I am, blubbering like a hot mess because RVD just ripped my content little heart out and fed it to me.

I told myself with the Fraternize that RVD had the power to flip the script on me. She had the power to do the unexpected and catch me off-guard. I should have prepared for this. I should have expected her to do something crazy this time around, too. But my silly, silly brain ignored the warning signs. It ignored the fact that she had pulled the rug out from under me once before and that she was more than capable of doing so again.

And who was I to think I was safe in getting some fun football action? Who was I to assume that best friend's little sister wouldn't leave me with tears? Who was I to believe in something like the unwritten rules of romance and love and tropes.

She fooled me once, shame on her. But damn, she fooled me twice. Totally shame on me.

But it was worth it. Every single laugh--because I laughed out loud on numerous occasions--every single tear, every single gasp and pause and bit of heartache was worth it. Because in the end, it was perfect.

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Saturday, April 21, 2018

Review: Fraternize

Fraternize Fraternize by Rachel Van Dyken
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've been wanting to read this since it came out. I have no idea why I haven't picked it up before now, but I stupidly waited and waited and waited. I blame a lack of Rachel Van Dyken knowledge. I blame my friends for not being pushier than they are. I blame myself for being too cheap to dig up the dough to buy this. I blame lots of things, but mostly I blame poor timing.

And that brings us to earlier this week, when I was perusing my KU options and stumbled across Fraternize. Again. Why it wasn't one of my first KU reads, I'll never know, but somehow I had forgotten this existed. Until I didn't. And as soon as I saw it, I rearranged my KU library and downloaded this bad boy. Or should I say boys?

This is the story of a lost love, a missing best friend, a high school crush, a first time, a first love.
This is the story of a new love, a new bet friend, a high school crush who is makes a reappearance, and a lost love.
This is the story of Emerson, Miller, and Ethan.

And this story, told from Emerson and Miller's POV isn't anything like I expected. It's one of those weird times where the author completely blindsided me. She got me good, I tell ya! I thought it was going to go one direction, but then it takes a sharp turn into HOLY MOLY WHAT JUST HAPPENED! Yeah, I didn't see it coming. One could say I was tricked. One could say I have become very comfortable in the romance formula and tropes. One could say, that as much as I wanted one thing to happen, I wasn't upset when the exact opposite happened.

So, what happened?

*singsongs* I'm not telllllllllllingg!
You're gonna have to read it for yourself. You need to take this journey.

I'm going on record and saying this is a top 2018 read for me. It's only April. This book is that good. And a large part of that is because I was caught unawares.

Silly me, getting comfy in my romance genre. That'll show me.

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Friday, April 20, 2018

Review: Cold

Cold Cold by Max Monroe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 2 in the Stone Cold Fox trilogy and I can't say anything beyond: Holy crap on a cracker, that ending! Wow!

"Give me your lips."
"Give me your tongue."
"Give me your pleasure."

Give me. Give me. Give me.
My brain wanted to defy him.
My heart wanted to give him everything.


If I get too into this, I'll be spoilery. And I've promised to not ruin this trilogy for anyone. That being said, you MUST READ STONE before reading Cold or you will be so lost and so confused and then you'll give it a bad rating and that would be sad because this is the PERFECT SECOND BOOK. No joke, there is progression, there is love and hate, there is sex and fighting, and so much more.

Levi and Ivy are, well, they are special. They are special in the way they can't resist each other no matter how hard they try. And after the crazy ending of the first book, you just know they are resisting each other.

It's gonna take some serious convincing to get these two back on speaking terms. Max Monroe finds a way to get them to the exact place they need to be. They know how to mend hearts and break them. They know how to leave us in suspense all while pushing us further into a story, into a town, and into the hearts of our characters.

You will feel things in this book. Those feelings are not limited to happiness, sadness, or anything in between. It's a ride you didn't realize you wanted to take until you are almost finished. And that's the same time you really, really don't want the ride to end.

But it does.

And until Fox releases in May, we'll be sitting in that weird spot between hanging off the edge and actually falling.

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Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Review: Broken Miles

Broken Miles Broken Miles by Claire Kingsley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What happens when you find yourself falling for someone?
What happens when that someone is the man you left four years ago?
What happens when that man is your ex-husband?

All of these questions are answered in Broken Miles. And trust me when I say it's a journey you want to take.

Roland is back in his home town trying to fix his family's business. His brother, Leo, called out of the blue and demanded he come back home, so he did.

Zoe works as the events coordinator at Salishan Cellars. After leaving her husband, she returned to her small hometown and found herself working for her ex-husband's family.

It's worked out perfectly because Roland never comes home. Never. Not in well over a year. So, why is he here now?

Well, rest assured, Roland has his reasons. He also knows he has some unresolved feelings toward his ex-wife. Everyone can see how he feels, but can he ever admit his love for her? Will she be able to find her way back to him or is the damage from the past too much to handle?

The Miles family is amazing. They are strong, they are centered, they are loving. They will do anything to protect and help those they love.

So, settle in with a nice glass of wine (or the cheap stuff, I don't care), grab a blanket and pillow, get comfy, and get acquainted with the Miles family. You're going to love them. Just freaking love them.

I'm waiting on you, Cooper. Your book is the one I want!

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Chat Review With... Angy: Maybe Someday


When I made a Facebook post the other day about rereading Maybe Someday, I asked if anyone wanted to buddy read it with me. Angy from Collector of Book Boyfriends joined me on this journey.
My rating: FIVE STARS

So, get ready to see the spoilery chat review of Maybe Someday.


Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance.
At twenty-two years old, Sydney has a great life: She's in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter's cheating on her--and she is left trying to decide what to do next.
Sydney becomes captivated by Ridge, her mysterious neighbor. She can't take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there's something about Sydney that Ridge can't ignore, either. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one...
Original music created for Maybe Someday by musician Griffin Peterson can be accessed through the website listed in the ebook and paperback.  



Angy (A): Hello Brandi!!!

Brandi (B): Hello Angy!

A: How is my fellow lover of Ridge?? 😍😍😍

B: Still swooning over Ridge! How are you doing?

A: Same... can’t get over him!!!  I remember when I first read Maybe Someday 4 years
ago and repeated it 4 times and this year, after CoHo started writing Maybe Now,
I’ve re-listened to it twice!! Ridge is addictive!!

B: OMG! Tell me about it. I didn't find Ridge until 2015, but I remember feeling that I
stumbled onto something magical the first time I read it. And as soon as I finished
that first reading I read it again. It's one of those books I read at least once a year.

A: It is a beautiful story, so real and heartbreaking!!

B: It is. I've never "met" more real characters than the characters in this book.
Ridge and Sydney, Bridgette, Warren, Maggie. They all feel like people I could know.

A: The best about these characters is that they were very well developed, not only
the main characters. My favorite one, aside from Ridge, obviously, is Warren!! I
loved him and hated him and loved him again!! He is so loyal!!!

B: They are very well developed, which is impressive for secondary characters.
They were such an important part of the story. I don't think Maybe Someday
would have been the same without Warren or Bridgette. And the prank war
that never ends!
A:

B:


A:


A: Even the pranks that weren’t pranks!!! Bridgette thinking Sydney was dead, then
Sydney thinking Ridge wasn’t deaf!!! LOL soooo funny!!!

B: YAAAASSSSS! I laughed so hard.
But for every moment I laughed, I also hurt. This book pulled so much emotion out
of me. I think that's why it remains one of my favorites.

A: Oh yes!! By the end I was crying my eyes out!!!

B: Same here. I laughed, I cried. I felt all the emotions that Ridge and Sydney felt.

A: And Maggie’s feelings too!!!

B: Awww, yes. Typically with books like this, I want to dislike the person standing
in the way of the main couple, but Maggie was never really the issue. She wasn't
in the way. Ridge was in his own way. And so I liked Maggie. And I felt her emotions
just as strongly as I did Ridge and Sydney's.

A: I like the way you see Maggie’s role in this book

B: Thank you. It's taken me several readings of this book to see it that way.

A: There was something that Maggie said that hit me harder this time, and it is because
of what I’ve read in Maybe Now: “I think my illness is the thing you love the most about
me.” WOW!!!
But I don’t think that is true, tho!

B: Yes, there have been some eye-opening moments after reading Maybe Now (I'm
not finished, but I'm working on it). In Maybe Now Maggie says she knew Ridge wasn't
in love with her based on a song he wrote and it's opening line. When you have that kind
of information, it puts Maybe Someday into a different perspective.

A: Exactly!!

B: And I agree with you. I think Ridge loved her the best way he knew how. And his
version of love meant protecting her at all costs. And she wanted more out of her life
than to be protected or to be a burden to anyone.

A: Exactly! Sadly, Maggie is a strong, independent woman trapped in a sick body 😢

B: You said that very well. And accurately. She is strong. She's just sick. 😞

A: And Ridge was not the right man for her!! I think what CoHo has in mind for her
future is awesome-no matter how uncertain it is.

B: I have no doubt CoHo will do something amazing for her.

A: Or not! Sometimes I fear Maggie will die in the middle of something amazing!! And
we are going to be left crying!!
At least we know Ridge and Sydney have a great future ahead!! I totally see them with
kids and a pet and everything hahhahah
(The pet being Warren LOL)


B: I don't know if I want to laugh or cry at your comments! I would be a blubbering mess
if Maggie died before completing that bucket list. Or finding true happiness. Something.
She needs more than this disease to define her.
Pet Warren. Yes. He's such a fun guy. And so instrumental in Ridge and Sydney's
relationship.
Speaking of instrumental.......
Can we talk music and writing?

A:


“Inhale, exhale. Beat, beat, pause. Contract, expand.”

B: That's how I felt through most of this book. Especially when Sydney and Ridge
were writing.

A: Their songs were so meaningful!!! But there was a moment when Sydney wanted
to hide all her feelings and she had a hard time writing the lyrics. But when she didn’t
care about hiding them, the lyrics few perfectly!!

B: My very favorite line from Ridge was in the beginning, before we knew anything about
him or Sydney. "I want to know how you're singing lyrics to my songs when I haven't
even added lyrics to them yet."

It was very telling for where this story was going to go. Well, in terms of music. Not in
terms of relationships.

A: maybe in terms of relationship too.... because Sydney was the lyrics Ridge didn't
know he needed in his life!!

B: Oh, that's perfect! I never thought of it like that!

A: hahaha you inspired me!! LOL
B:


A: OK I think we have given all the spoilers to anyone who hasn’t read this
masterpiece of romance literature. Should we wrap up mentioning the awesome
team Coho and Griffin Peterson make!!!!

B: Yes! That collaboration is probably my favoritest ever. I was listening to Griffin
Peterson. He's the reason I picked up this book for the sixth time!

A: Oh Griffin!! He has the smoothest voice ❤ And... he's my Ridge!! hahaha

B: He is sooo perfect. That voice has me all melty on the inside. And the lyrics are
such an integral part of the book and the story. The whole thing is a slice of perfection.
And I'd say he's my Ridge, but he's my Dean Holder. I blame CoHo for using him on
the cover of Losing Hope.

A: hahahah he could be two book boyfriends 😀 I mean, Jensen Ackles has been
my face (and body) of so many BBFs!! LOL



B: Jensen. Yes.

A: we love him so much!! hahaha

Ok my dear, I'm so happy you posted about re-reading Maybe Someday, and asking
for a buddy read!!! It's been the best to buddy love Ridge more and more!! ❤ And I
can't wait for our next buddy read ❤ It'll be awesome!!

B: Thank you for joining me! I was so afraid I'd be alone in my Ridge love fest. I look
forward to our future buddy reads as well! ❤

Until next time....

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


***Don't forget to check out Griffin Peterson here: Maybe Someday Soundtrack