Peace Love Books: June 2017

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Release Day Blitz: The Catch by K Bromberg

After an unexpected twist of fate, All-Star catcher Easton Wylder is left questioning the loyalty of everyone around him.

Even the woman who shares his bed, Scout Dalton.

But if Easton thought being uprooted to the last place he expected was the only challenge life had to throw at him, he was dead wrong.

With an ailing shoulder and his career in limbo, his decision to make an unexpected change leads him to question everything – Scout’s love, family loyalties, and whether he can conquer the one obstacle he’s never been able to overcome. The secret he’s never shared with anyone.

He may be a man pushed to his limits, but he’s hell-bent on proving his worth no matter the cost.

Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Paperback

Baseball has never been sexier in an all-new novel by New York Times Bestselling Author, K. Bromberg.

Easton Wylder is baseball royalty. The game is his life. His passion. His everything.

So, when an injury threatens to end Easton’s season early, the team calls in renowned physical therapist, Doc Dalton, to oversee his recovery. Except it’s not Doc who greets Easton for his first session, but rather, his daughter, Scout. She may be feisty, athletic, defiant, and gorgeous, but Easton is left questioning whether she has what it takes to help him.

Scout Dalton’s out to prove a female can handle the pressure of running the physical therapy regimen of an MLB club. And that proof comes in the form of getting phenom Easton Wylder back on the field. But getting him healthy means being hands-on.

And with a man as irresistible as Easton, being hands-on can only lead to one thing, trouble. Because the more she touches him, the more she wants him, and she can’t want him. Not when it’s her job to maintain the club’s best interest, in regards to whether he’s ready to play.

But when sparks fly and fine lines are crossed, can they withstand the heat, or is one of them bound to get burned?

AMAZON | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Paperback

About the Author

New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines, and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

A mom of three, she plots her novels in between school runs and soccer practices, more often than not with her laptop in tow.

Since publishing her first book in 2013, K. has sold over one million copies of her books and has landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists over twenty-five times.

In April, she’ll release The Player, the first in a two-book sports romance series (The Catch, book 2, will be released late June), with many more already outlined and ready to be written.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media or sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date on all her latest releases and sales HERE

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Waiting on Wednesday (186)

This is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where every Wednesday bloggers highlight a book that they are eagerly anticipating the release of!

After All

by Karina Halle

Release Date: July 3, 2017

Emmett Hill is the perfect gentleman.

At least that’s what his PR team wants the world to think.

Tall, handsome, and wickedly charming, Emmett is in the midst of a career comeback, having landed the role of a villain in a popular TV show. The only problem is, Emmett has come a long way from the “nice guy” characters he used to play and his old squeaky clean image is quickly being tarnished by bar fights, womanizing and bad boy behaviour. Considering he’s two years shy of forty, it’s an act he needs to drop. And fast.

Enter Alyssa Martin.

At twenty-eight, Alyssa is tired and ready for a change. Her job as office manager has grown stagnant and unfulfilling, while she’s become continuously frustrated with Vancouver’s lackluster dating scene, always searching for Mr. Right in a city of Mr. Wrongs.

When Emmett and Alyssa’s paths cross at a mutual friend’s wedding, their chemistry is off-the-charts hot, culminating in a steamy one-night stand.

What neither expected was for the media catch wind of their coupling – and run with it.

Now Emmett has to convince Alyssa to date him for the sake of his image. Her curvy, cute and “normal” persona is just the ticket to smoothing out his reputation, while Emmett provides Alyssa with the excitement and change her life has been lacking.

The only problem is, the two fight like cats and dogs outside of the bedroom.

And considering their arrangement is just for show, they shouldn’t be in the bedroom with each other anyway.

Right?

Try telling them that.

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

LOOK HOW PRETTY THAT COVER IS! And it's a new Karina Halle book! I normally don't like books with a huge age difference, but I've read them from Karina Halle before and she does it so well! And the main character is an actor! I cannot wait to see how the chemistry between Emmett and Alyssa turns out and to see how they deal with dating in the spotlight!

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Recent Releases | 6/27/17

There have been so many amazing books releasing lately and I wanted to share them! Some of these books I have read and loved while others are by authors I love and can't wait to read! Check out books and links below!!

Goodreads | Amazon

Review Tour + Giveaway: The Impossible Vastness of Us by Samantha Young

From New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young comes a story of friendship, identity, and acceptance that will break your heart—and make it whole again. Order your copy of THE IMPOSSIBLE VASTNESS OF US today!

About THE IMPOSSIBLE VASTNESS OF US

“I know how to watch my back. I’m the only one that ever has.”

India Maxwell hasn’t just moved across the country—she’s plummeted to the bottom rung of the social ladder. It’s taken years to cover the mess of her home life with a veneer of popularity. Now she’s living in one of Boston’s wealthiest neighborhoods with her mom’s fiancé and his daughter, Eloise. Thanks to her soon-to-be stepsister’s clique of friends, including Eloise’s gorgeous, arrogant boyfriend Finn, India feels like the one thing she hoped never to be seen as again: trash.

But India’s not alone in struggling to control the secrets of her past. Eloise and Finn, the school’s golden couple, aren’t all they seem to be. In fact, everyone’s life is infinitely more complex than it first appears. And as India grows closer to Finn and befriends Eloise, threatening the facades that hold them together, what’s left are truths that are brutal, beautiful, and big enough to change them forever…

Ever since I read On Dublin Street, Samantha Young has been one of my favorite authors. When I saw that she was writing a YA novel, I was definitely intrigued and couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

India Maxwell loves her place in high school as a popular girl with a solid group of close friends. But when her mom tells her she's met someone and moves them across the country from California to Boston, India is devastated. Starting from the bottom, India finds it hard to find her place at the prestigious high school so different from her old one. Having a soon-to-be stepsister, Eloise, who wants nothing to do with her doesn't help either, especially since Eloise's friends are none to welcoming either. Especially Finn, Eloise's boyfriend. But the more time India spends showing these people that she's not perfect or trying to be something she's not, the more India sees that Eloise and Finn may be just as broken as she is.

Starting out, I really enjoyed India's character and how she was determined to make a good life for herself at her new school, even though she was seen as far below those she was going to school with. I loved how she joined the school paper and threw herself into her extracurriculars. What I also loved, though, was how India was realistically affected by being an outcast. India didn't just brush it off and keep her head held high; India felt broken and beaten down when she was having a hard time making friends and connecting with Eloise's friends, especially Finn. I enjoyed the progression of India's relationship with both Eloise and Finn, and how things got better the more they communicated with one another.

I must say, based on the synopsis, I definitely guessed what was going on with Eloise and Finn's relationship. Aside from that, though, I was surprised by how emotional this book was, specifically with how Finn and India could connect over their pasts. The romance was very sweet, but I did feel like it was a little too much to fast and all of the sudden the word love was being thrown around. The timeline felt a little rushed at times, but I did enjoy these characters and all of the secrets they were all hiding. All of the characters were relatable and I enjoyed how they were all flawed in their own ways.

Overall, I enjoyed Samantha Young's dip into YA. I mostly enjoyed the characters and how broken and flawed they were. I think the romance was a little too much at times, but I enjoyed how hard it was for the romance to occur and how it was created around similar pasts and secrets these characters were trying so hard to find. If you want an emotional, realistic YA that is definitely more mature and relatable than a lot of YAs out there, you should definitely pick up this book.

Amazon US Hardcover | Amazon US eBook | Barnes & Noble | iBooks US

Amazon UK | Kobo UK | GooglePlay | iBooks UK | Kobo US

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Samantha Young’s THE IMPOSSIBLE VASTNESS OF US – Review & Excerpt Tour

June 19^th

BookWorm221 – Review & Excerpt

Clare's Mad About Books – Review & Excerpt

Joyful Shimmy – Review & Excerpt

Little Red's Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Naturally Nerdy Books – Review & Excerpt

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Book Boyfriends – Review & Excerpt

June 20^th

Beware Of The Reader – Review & Excerpt

Books For The Living – Review

Kindle and Me – Review & Excerpt

Melissa's Book Obsession – Review

Monday, June 26, 2017

Book Review: Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines

Until Friday Night (The Field Party #1)

By Abbi Glines

Release Date: August 25, 2015

Source: Book Outlet

Goodreads

To everyone who knows him, West Ashby has always been that guy: the cocky, popular, way-too-handsome-for-his-own-good football god who led Lawton High to the state championships. But while West may be Big Man on Campus on the outside, on the inside he’s battling the grief that comes with watching his father slowly die of cancer.

Two years ago, Maggie Carleton’s life fell apart when her father murdered her mother. And after she told the police what happened, she stopped speaking and hasn’t spoken since. Even the move to Lawton, Alabama, couldn’t draw Maggie back out. So she stayed quiet, keeping her sorrow and her fractured heart hidden away.

As West’s pain becomes too much to handle, he knows he needs to talk to someone about his father—so in the dark shadows of a post-game party, he opens up to the one girl who he knows won’t tell anyone else.

West expected that talking about his dad would bring some relief, or at least a flood of emotions he couldn’t control. But he never expected the quiet new girl to reply, to reveal a pain even deeper than his own—or for them to form a connection so strong that he couldn’t ever let her go…

This book has been on my shelf for a while now and I have no idea why it took me so long to read it! This cover just screams YA contemporary and since I love Abbi Glines, I knew that I had to read it.

West Ashby is seen as the golden boy, someone who will help their football team win games and lead them to the state championship. But no one knows what West is really going through at home and the pain he feels as he sees his dad deteriorating day after day. No one but Maggie Carleton. Two years ago, Maggie watched her father murder her mother and has not spoken since. Now, she's moved in with her Aunt and is attending a new high school with her football jock cousin. West feels his pain taking over his mind and needs someone to talk to. From the moment he meets Maggie, he knows she can understand everything consuming him and feels relief when he speaks to her. What West didn't expect, though, was for Maggie to confide in him as well and to develop feelings for a girl just as broken as he is.

Oh my gosh, I had no idea how emotional this book would be. I had no idea what it was going to be about going into this one, so I had no idea how broken and in pain our main characters would be. It was so hard watching both West and Maggie hurt, but that made it that much sweeter when they found solace in each other. I wasn't the biggest fan of how they met, but their relationship quickly took a deeper turn and they began to really depend on one another emotionally.

Aside from our main couple, what really made this book amazing was all of the side characters. I loved how protective Maggie's cousin was of her, but I also loved how his friends and fellow football players accepted her for who she was. Maggie grew closer to both West and his friends and I really enjoyed watching her really figure out who she was and how she was going to live with everything she had gone through.

I am so happy that I finally picked this book up and was able to go on the emotional roller coaster of this story. I already have book two on my shelves and can't wait to pick that one up soon and get back into the world of these characters!

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Book Review: On the Island by Tracy Garvis Graves

On the Island

By Tracy Garvis Graves

Release Date: August 16, 2012

Source: Own Copy

Goodreads

When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.

T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments -- instead of his friends.

Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter.

Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

My oh my, this book surprised me so much. With the age difference and the whole stranded-on-an-island premise, I was so skeptical going into this book. I FINALLY gave it a chance, though, and absolutely loved it.

After having cancer during his sophomore year of high school, TJ Callahan needs to catch up before next year. When thirty-year-old Anna Emerson is offered a glorious vacation on a tropical island and the only thing she has to do is privately tutor a 16-year-old student, she can't say no. Instead of the fabulous summer she thought was ahead of her, though, Anna and TJ find themselves stranded on a deserted island. Anna and TJ work together to survive, but what started out as days turns into months and the two are starting to lose hope of ever returning home. As more time passes, the two survive insurmountable odds and Anna starts to notice how TJ isn't so much a boy anymore, but rather has become a man who will do anything to help them survive.

Like I said, I was super skeptical going into this book. There is a 13 year age difference between our two main characters and I knew that there was a romance. To my surprise, this was such a slow burn romance and develops over a long period of time. On top of that, they both really do question if their age difference is okay and don't just ignore it. I was all in for their romance and loved when the two of were conflicted over their feelings for each other and started to notice each other romantically more and more.

What I also really appreciated about this novel was how realistic the survival story was. These two went through EVERYTHING and it was a challenge just to survive what was thrown their way. I've read some survival stories that were boring or unrealistic, but this was neither. I was kept on the edge of my seat with what these guys faced and I actually believed everything they did to try to survive. But I think that because a large portion of this book was about them surviving, when they finally did start to develop feelings for each other, I was all in. Nothing like romance to lighten up a serious situation!

If you can't tell, I absolutely adored this book and was all in for the romance. I think that this is perfect for any romance lover, and if you're skeptical about the age difference, don't worry at all! This book is so addicting and you'll find yourself flying through every page!

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Stacking the Shelves (249)

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where bloggers share what books they got throughout the week!

From Book Depository

Since I'm seeing Kandi in July, I wanted to get some more of her books to bring for her to sign. I've pre-ordered three others from her that I will pick up at the signing, but I got Weightless from Book Depository. I'm hoping to read this before meeting Kandi at the singing!

From Half Price Books Warehouse sale

The Half Price Books Warehouse sale was this weekend, so I went right when they opened on Friday (9am) and it was packed! Everything was $2 and all mass market paperbacks were 50 cents. I ended up spending 2 hours there and grabbing these 14 books for only $20! I am so excited to own them and can't believe I found some of these books! I mean, Slammed?!? He Will Be My Ruin!?! So excited to have all of these!

That's it for me! What did you all add to your shelves this week?

Friday, June 23, 2017

Book Review: Revenge by Lexi Blake

Revenge (Lawless #3)

By Lexi Blake

Release Date: June 20, 2017

Source: Publisher

Goodreads

Passion and danger collide in the latest contemporary romance featuring the Lawless siblings—from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.

When Drew Lawless discovers a fatal flaw in his plan to avenge his parents’ deaths, he turns to the one woman he'd promised he wouldn't touch. He offers her a deal, one that will bring her into his investigation, his life, and his bed.

Investigative reporter Shelby Gates never dreamed how twisted the case would become—or how fascinated she would be with Drew. Every day they spend together binds them. And every night brings her closer to realizing he might be the man for her.

As Drew's feelings for Shelby grow, so does the danger. From the streets of Dallas to Austin’s high-tech business world, Drew and Shelby play a game begun twenty years before—a game they will win, or die trying.

This series is so much fun and after seeing Drew and Shelby bicker in book two, I could not wait to get my hands on their story in Revenge.

Drew Lawless has given everything to protect his family after his parents were brutally murdered when they were young. When he discovered a secret that could destroy his siblings, he turns to the last women he should. Shelby has been digging into the Lawless murders and knows that she's close to finding something. So when Drew makes her a deal that could allow her to write a book about her findings, she knows she can't pass it up. But spending so much time with Drew has Shelby feeling things she should not be feeling for the nerdy, cold man. But Drew is also starting to feel things for the infuriating reporter and doesn't know if he can trust his heart with her and protect his family at the same time.

This book picks up right where book two leaves off, so make sure you've read the previous two books in this series. What I love so much about this series is that while it does have a hot romance, there is also so much suspense and mystery between the murder of the Lawless siblings' parents. Who was really behind the murder? Who could they really trust? That all comes to a closure in this book and I loved watching Drew, the leader of the family, finally discover what really happened all those years ago.

Since Shelby and Drew were hinted at in the previous book, I loved their banter and how much Shelby really challenged Drew. Drew was used to calling all the shots and never being denied, so it was fun watching Shelby put him in his place both romantically and with his life in general. Of course, they had hot, sizzling chemistry and their passion poured from the pages. I was a little bit disappointed with how things seemed to wrap up so quickly, specifically how we figured out what really happened and how the big climactic showdown went down. Other than that, though, this was such a satisfying conclusion to a suspenseful and passionate series!

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Book Review: Stand by AL Jackson

Stand (Bleeding Stars #6)

By AL Jackson

Release Date: May 22, 2017

Source: Author

Goodreads

Zachary Kennedy has never been known as a fighter, but he’ll never regret fighting for her…

I’m Zee Kennedy.
Quiet. Reserved. Predictable.
When my brother died, everyone thought I was just the good guy who stepped up to take his place in the band.

No one knew what I was hiding. The one thing I’ve been fighting for.

For seven years, I’ve never lost focus.

Not until one chance encounter with Alexis Kensington.

Now she’s become my greatest temptation.
I knew better than to touch her, but now that I’ve had a taste, I can’t get enough.
Her kiss becomes my air. Her body my salvation.

She needed a savior and somehow she became mine.

Taking her was a betrayal. But keeping her means risking everything.
One look at Alexis Kensington, and I know she’s worth the fight.
Will my past continue to keep me down or will I finally find the strength to pull myself up and Stand…

I have had my eye on this series for along time now, so when I was contacted if I wanted to review the newest release in the series, I didn't hesitate to say yes. I love my rockstar romances, so I couldn't wait to meet the men of Sunder!

After his brother died, Zee Kennedy did not hesitate to take his place and play the drums for Sunder in honor of his brother. He also promised to keep the band together and keep their family safe; he's always the protector. So when he finds Alexis Kensington in need of help, he doesn't hesitate to step in. And that one moment changes everything. Zee can't get Alexis or the feelings she stirs within him, feelings that have lain dormant for 7 years, out of his head. While Zee finds himself saving Alexis, he also finds himself being saved by her. But can his past allow someone as pure and life-altering as Alexis into his life?

Like I said, this was my first book in the Bleeding Stars series, even though it's the final book. While it can be read as a standalone, I definitely felt the closure with the other characters and really wished that I had read their stories before seeing them at this point. Despite that, I really enjoyed how close the bandmates were in this book and actually wished I got more of them playing together and being together. We did get to see them all together and got a concert, but I feel like I wanted to feel more of the music and like I was really there instead of seeing a snippet and then following a character who wasn't actually involved in the music making. Give me my rockstars in their elements!

Alexis and Zee's relationship was very emotional and hard from the beginning. They both had their demons and couldn't explain what they were feeling with each other. While I really enjoyed the rawness of Alexis and Zee's relationship, it got a bit flowery and over the top in moments. They fell hard very fast and were suddenly the only thing allowing them to breath and feeling whole and complete. It was all very emotional and they talked about those emotions quite a bit. I also loved the suspenseful moments, but near the end the suspense happened and was over pretty quickly and I wished it was more drawn out and realistic. Other than that, I enjoyed watching Zee struggle over his past and his present with Alexis and try to be a good guy while dealing with his demons.

While this was my first Bleeding Stars book, this is definitely not my last. I want to run out and grab the previous five books and gobble them up so that I can see how the amazing couples in this book met and fell in love.

Cover Reveal: Dear Bridget, I Want You by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

We are excited to bring you the next cover from New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Authors Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland.

DEAR BRIDGET, I WANT YOU is the next standalone Contemporary Romance Novel from this sensational duo releasing on September 18, 2017!

Model: Philip Van den Hoogenband – Chadwick Models Melbourne

Photographer: Brian Jamie

Cover designer: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs

Dear Bridget,

I’m writing this letter because it’s highly doubtful I’ll ever garner the courage to say this to your face.

So, here goes.

We’re totally wrong for each other. You’re the proper single mum with a good head on your shoulders. I’m just the carefree British doctor passing through town and temporarily living in your converted garage until I head back to England.

But here’s the thing… for some bloody reason, I can’t stop thinking about you in very inappropriate ways.

I want you.

The only reason I’m even admitting all of this to you right now is because I don’t believe it’s one-sided. I notice your eyes when you look at me, too. And as crass as I appear when we’re joking around about sex, my attraction to you is not a joke.

So, what’s the purpose of this note? I guess it’s a reminder that we’re adults, that sex is healthy and natural, and that you can find me just through the door past the kitchen. More specifically, it’s to let you know that I’m leaving said door cracked open from now on in case you’d like to visit me in the middle of the night sometime.

No questions asked.

Think about it.

Or don’t.

Whatever you choose.

It’s doubtful I’ll even end up sliding this letter under your door anyway.

--Simon

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PURCHASE LINKS:

iBooks exclusive ebook pre-order | Amazon paperback

**No Amazon ebook preorder. Will go live on Amazon on release day.

About the Author

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author of thirteen novels. With over a million books sold, her titles have placed on the New York Times Bestseller list fifteen times. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 12-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 10-year-old boy. Penelope, her husband, and kids reside in Rhode Island.

Connect with Penelope Ward Facebook Fan Group | Facebook | Website |Twitter | Instagram

Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times Bestselling author. With more than a million books sold, her titles have appeared in over fifty Bestseller lists and are currently translated in twelve languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.

Website | Facebook Fan Group | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Thursday, June 29, 2017

Release Day Blitz: The Catch by K Bromberg

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Waiting on Wednesday (186)

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Recent Releases | 6/27/17

Review Tour + Giveaway: The Impossible Vastness of Us by Samantha Young

Monday, June 26, 2017

Book Review: Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Book Review: On the Island by Tracy Garvis Graves

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Stacking the Shelves (249)

Friday, June 23, 2017

Book Review: Revenge by Lexi Blake

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Book Review: Stand by AL Jackson

Cover Reveal: Dear Bridget, I Want You by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

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