Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Blog Tour + Review: Constant Craving by Tamara Lush


Constant Craving
by Tamara Lush
Release Date: November 1, 2017
Source: Blog Tour
Justine is shocked when her first love appears at her newspaper, offering to bail it out of bankruptcy. She’s even more shocked when Rafael makes a proposition: spend the next month together, allowing him to do anything he desires with her, and her newspaper gets everything it needs.

But is Rafael only back in Justine’s life to show her what she’s missed all these years? Or is he out for revenge? Justine isn’t sure, but Rafael is still devastatingly sexy — and she knows that his touch, his kisses, his body, leaves her powerless.

She knows that opening their hearts and giving their bodies to each other a second time may destroy them forever…especially when the pain of the past and difficult choices for the future collide.
 


I was on the school newspaper in high school and loved the few journalism classes that I took in college. Whenever I see a book about a journalist, I immediately want to add it on my TBR. When I saw that this book was about a woman trying to save the paper that her family has owned for over a hundred years, I couldn't wait to pick it up. 

Justine will do anything to save her paper, so when her ex shows up with the offer to give her the funding she needs, Justine knows she can't say no. The only condition? They have to spend a month together. Justine and Rafael had an intense relationship years ago in college, but it only ended in hurt and heartbreak. Years later, their chemistry is as incredible as ever, but can they get involved without drudging up the past that's been hurting them both for years? 

When I started this book, I was so excited for the story. I love second chance romances and I really enjoyed Justine's character when we met her. She was so passionate about journalism and her paper and she would do anything to save it. The story went a little downhill for me, though, when Rafael came into the story. There was nothing wrong with him, I just felt like he wasn't all that believable as a character. He was Cuban and would throw in Spanish phrases into his speech, but other than that he sounded complete American with no accent or broken English whatsoever. And then I was confused on what kind of man he was supposed to be. At times he was the hard, bad-boy businessman, but other times he was the emotional, loving latin-lover kind of man. I just couldn't connect with him because he didn't seem constant or believable enough. I wish we had much more of his back story instead of parts of it brought up, only to quickly move on to something else. 

While the story was engaging enough, I felt like the ending was super predictable and I knew how the story was going to unfold halfway through the book. I did enjoy the flashbacks that let us know more about what happened to the couple in their past, but their present feelings for each other were so off and on and it seemed just random at times. I don't know, I guess I was expecting more from this one than what I ended up getting. 

Overall, this one lacked in the main hero and originality in the story. I really wanted to love this story, but I wasn't emotionally invested in the relationship and the characters would miraculously "realized" things about each other, which wasn't all that believable. This wasn't a bad story, I just wasn't as connected to it as I wanted to be. 




Monday, October 30, 2017

Cover Reveal: On the Way to You by Kandi Steiner

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On the Way to You, an emotional new standalone from Kandi Steiner is coming November 16th!

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On the Way to You by Kandi Steiner
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publishing Date: November 16th, 2017
Photographer: Lauren Watson Perry with Perrywinkle Photography



What makes you happy?

That was the question Emery Reed asked me the day we met, and I couldn’t give him a single answer. I could have said my dog, or my books, or yoga — but I just stared.

And then, I got in his car.

It was crazy to take a road trip with a stranger, but after years of standing still, he was my one-way ticket to a new life, and I wasn’t going to miss it.

We shared the same space, the same car, the same hotel room — and still, we were strangers.

One day we’d be laughing, the next, we wouldn’t speak. Emery was surrounded by impenetrable walls, but I wanted in.

Discovering his journal changed everything.

I read his thoughts, words not meant for anyone’s eyes, and the more I learned about him, the harder I fell. It turned out nothing made Emery Reed happy, and I wanted to change that.

I earned his trust by violating his privacy, and as wrong as it was, it worked — until one entry revealed a darkness I never knew existed, a timer I never knew was ticking.

Suddenly, what made me happy was saving Emery from himself. I just didn’t know if I could.

Add to GoodReads: bit.ly/OtWtYGR

About the Author

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Kandi Steiner is a Creative Writing and Advertising/Public Relations graduate from the University of Central Florida living in Tampa. Kandi works full time as a social media specialist, but also works part time as a Zumba fitness instructor and blackjack dealer. Kandi started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic (like most girls brought up on Disney movies). When Kandi isn’t working or writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys beach days, movie marathons, live music, craft beer and sweet wine – not necessarily in that order.

Connect with the Author

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fV1FZW
Twitter: @KandiSteiner
Sign up for Kandi’s Newsletter here: https://goo.gl/TLsut8

Blog Tour: A Little Too Late by Staci Hart

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"A Little Too Late came right on time. Five stars!"-Brittainy C. Cherry, Amazon #1 Bestselling Author

A Little Too Late, an all-new romantic standalone from Staci Hart is available NOW!

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A Little Too Late by Staci Hart

Publishing Date: October 24th, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
I wasn't supposed to fall in love with the nanny.

When my wife left, she took the illusion of happiness with her, and I've been caught in a free fall ever since. For nine long months, I've been fighting to figure out how to be a single dad, how to be alone.

For nine long months, I've been failing.

When Hannah walked through the door, I took my first breath since I'd found myself on my own. She slipped into our lives effortlessly, showing me what I've been missing all these years. Because Hannah made me smile when I thought I'd packed the notion of happiness away with my wedding album.

She was only supposed to be the nanny, but she's so much more.

The day my wife left should have been the worst day of my life, but it wasn't. It was when Hannah walked away, taking my heart with her.

CHARLIE
The next morning, I was up and in my office before anyone was awake, attacking my work with newfound enthusiasm and a plan in mind. Because I wanted to feel like I’d felt the night before in the kitchen again, and there was only one way to get that back.
Today, I would take a few breaks and be present. Today, I would change, work be damned. Today would mark the first real attempt. Because change wouldn’t happen on its own. I had to make it happen. And to make it happen, I would have to put boundaries in place, starting with my weekends.
I checked the clock around eleven that morning and closed my laptop, pushing away from my desk and heading up the stairs in search of my children.
When I rounded the corner into the kitchen, I found them sitting at the table with their lunches. And when they saw me, their smiles validated my grand plans with unwavering certainty.
“Hey, guys,” I said, smiling back as I walked over to them, ruffling Sammy’s hair when I passed him.
“Hi, Daddy,” he said.
Maven’s mouth was full, so she just waved, and Hannah smiled at me from the island where she was setting up a spread for sandwiches.
I snagged a grape off Maven’s plate and popped it into my mouth. She handed me another, which I accepted.
“Thanks, pumpkin.”
“Are you done working?” Sammy asked hopefully.
“’Fraid not, bud. But I thought I’d come have lunch with you. Is that okay?”
“Yeah! Want a Nilla Wafer?”
“Psh, obviously. And I thought we could play for a little bit before I have to get back to work. What do you say?”
He nodded, grinning. “We can play trucks! You be the bulldozer and I’ll be the tractor and Maven can be the monster truck and Hannah can be the ambulance because she helps people.”
“Perfect,” I said on a chuckle.
A burst of color caught my eye. A vase on the windowsill behind the table held a spray of red and orange tulips.
“Those are beautiful,” I said, gesturing to them. “Where did they come from?”
“Oh, I picked them up this morning,” Hannah said with that ever-present smile.
“Feeling homesick?”
“Always a little. But I love having fresh flowers in the house, something bright and delicate and alive. Well, maybe not alive anymore, but it feels alive, doesn’t it?”
“It does,” I said as I moved to her side.
“Can I make you a sandwich?” Hannah asked.
“Nah, I think I can manage, thanks. How’s it going this morning?”
“It’s good. We went to the park this morning.”
“I rode my bike!” Sammy crowed.
“Did you? No bumps or scrapes?”
“Nope!”
“I’m impressed. Maybe next time I can come too,” I said, hoping it was something I could deliver as I reached into the bread bag for a stack.
Hannah turned to the cupboard, returning with a plate for me.
“Thank you.”
She was still smiling, standing at my side, assembling her sandwich. It was so mundane, something completely and utterly boring, but like the weirdo that I was, I found myself watching her hands as she folded cold cuts. We worked around each other—not that it was complicated, but there was a sort of rhythm between us, a natural pace wherein I used what she wasn’t and finished just as she needed what I had. I wasn’t sure why I noticed it, but I did, and I appreciated the simple synchronicity of the moment, a breath where things were easy.
I passed her the mustard as she handed me the ham. “So, I was thinking …” I paused.
“Oh, were you?” She glanced over at me with a hint of mirth at the corners of her lips.
“I know. I almost sprained something.”
Hannah laughed gently.
“If it’s okay, I think I’d like to try to handle bedtime tonight.”
“Of course it’s okay; they’re your children.” That time, her laughter was sweet.
“Do you … would you … do you think you could maybe …”
She shifted to face me, her eyes full of encouragement.
“Would you mind … helping me?”
Hannah nodded, her smile opening up. “That’s what I’m here for. Just let me know what you’d like me to do.”
I smiled back. “I’m sorry. I know it sounds stupid. I just … I haven’t done this much on my own, but I’d like to start.”
Her eyes softened, caught by slanting light, lighting up with sunshine. “There’s nothing to be afraid of,” she said simply.
I didn’t speak.
“There’s no right or wrong, and they don’t care about anything other than you being there. It’s simple enough; you only have to try.”
“Is it really that easy?”
“It really is. You’ll see.” She reached for my arm and gave it a squeeze that wasn’t meant to be anything but friendly but held something more, something in the pressure in her fingertips and the depths of her eyes.
It was something I did my very best to ignore. But I felt the heat of those fingertips long after they were gone, even as we sat across the table from each other eating lunch, the tulips in the vase behind her bowing their long heads as the sunlight illuminated them, exposing what was hidden within their petals.

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Read Today!
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2iZfozn

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About the Author

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life -- a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can't forget that. She's also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She's been a wife, though she's certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She's also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she's been drinking whiskey. From roots in Houston to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she's not writing, she's reading, sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics. 

Connect with Staci

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Pre-Order Blitz: The Fortunate Ones by RS Grey

THE FORTUNATE ONES by R.S. Grey releases November 1st and you can now preorder your copy for just .99c before the price goes up on release day! Find out more about THE FORTUNATE ONES below and preorder your copy today!


About THE FORTUNATE ONES

At Twin Oaks Country Club, there are the fortunate ones, and then there are the rest of us: the waiters, the caddies, the valets, and in my case, the cabana girls. Most days, I’m poolside in a pleated skirt, dishing out margaritas to tycoons and titans. It’s not exactly my dream job, but it does come with one perk…

James Ashwood.

He’s my silver lining in a custom black suit.

Besides being a legacy member at the club, he’s a tech mogul and Austin’s most eligible bachelor. Oh, and those dimples? Yeah, they make my stomach dip too.

On good days, I catch his sleek Porsche winding down the tree-lined drive. On better days, I steal a glimpse of his handsome profile as we pass in the hall. And on the absolute best day, I find him alone at the bar, looking for company.

“Come have a seat.”

Those four little words set me down a path I never could have imagined. Private planes, penthouse suites, and temptations around every corner make it impossible to keep my distance. His world feels decadent and wild—but overindulgence comes with a cost. Every kiss comes with strings. Every erotic encounter is a promise I’m not ready to keep.

When I pump the brakes, he hits the gas. James doesn’t want to go slow—he wants a commitment.

And the thing about the fortunate ones?

They’re used to getting what they want.

Add THE FORTUNATE ONES to your Goodreads list here!


About R.S. Grey

R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of thirteen novels, including THE FOXE & THE HOUND. She lives in Texas with her husband and two dogs, and can be found reading, binge-watching reality TV, or practicing yoga! Visit her at rsgrey.com

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Stacking the Shelves (264)

 

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

From Thriftbooks

I got two books from Thriftbooks and they are both ones that have amazing reviews on Goodreads and Instagram. I haven't read a book from Harper Sloan yet, so I can't wait to get to these! 


From Half Price Books

I went to Half Price Books while I dropped off my car for an oil change (it's literally the next building over from the dealership) and they had so many good books! I got Split for only $7 and I couldn't believe it was there! I've heard amazing things. I've also really wanted to read something from Jennifer Probst and this one was only $1! This was definitely a successful trip!


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

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Cover Reveal: Bad Habit by Charleigh Rose


Title: Bad Habit
Author: Charleigh Rose
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: Coming Soon



BRIAR

I was infatuated with Asher Kelley the moment he came tumbling through my brother’s window five years ago. 
Even bruised and bloodied, he was the most beautiful boy I'd ever seen. 
We couldn't ever be together.
I was too young, and he was too untouchable. 
He was too troubled, and I was too naïve. 
But the heart is rebellious, and mine decided it didn’t care about any of those things. 
As I got older, harmless flirting turned to stolen moments in dark corners. 
Until one day, he was gone without a trace.
Now, two years later, he’s back. 
Callous and cruel. 
He’s my brother’s best friend. My parents’ worst nightmare.
I should hate him. 
But like a Bad Habit, I can’t quit him.
ASHER

I was drawn to Briar Vale from the first time she looked up at me with stars in her big, blue eyes. 
She was just a kid, nothing but elbows and knees, but she was the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen. 
We could never be together.
I was too old and she was too off limits. 
She was too good and I was too fucked up.
Eventually, the temptation became too much to resist. 
I risked everything for a kiss and she betrayed me. 
Two years have passed and I’m forced to see her again, but now she's all grown up. 
She’s my best friend’s baby sister. My downfall. 
I hate her for what she did. 
But she's always been my drug of choice.









HOSTED BY:

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Book Review: It Ain't Me, Babe by Tillie Cole

It Ain't Me, Babe (Hades Hangmen #1)
by Tillie Cole
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Source: Amazon
Sinning never felt so good… A fortuitous encounter. A meeting that should never have happened. 

Many years ago, two children from completely different worlds forged a connection, a fateful connection, an unbreakable bond that would change their lives forever… 

Salome knows only one way to live—under Prophet David’s rule. In the commune she calls home, Salome knows nothing of life beyond her strict faith, nor of life beyond the Fence—the fence that cages her, keeps her trapped in an endless cycle of misery. A life she believes she is destined to always lead, until a horrific event sets her free. 

Fleeing the absolute safety of all she has ever known, Salome is thrust into the world outside, a frightening world full of uncertainty and sin; into the protective arms of a person she believed she would never see again. 

River ‘Styx’ Nash knows one thing for certain in life—he was born and bred to wear a cut. Raised in a turbulent world of sex, Harleys, and drugs, Styx, unexpectedly has the heavy burden of the Hades Hangmen gavel thrust upon him, and all at the ripe old age of twenty-six—much to his rivals’ delight. 

Haunted by a crushing speech impediment, Styx quickly learns to deal with his haters. Powerful fists, an iron jaw and the skillful use of his treasured German blade has earned him a fearsome reputation as a man not to be messed with in the shadowy world of outlaw MC’s. A reputation that successfully keeps most people far, far away. 

Styx has one rule in life—never let anyone get too close. It’s a plan that he has stuck to for years, that is, until a young woman is found injured on his lot… a woman who looks uncannily familiar, a woman who clearly does not belong in his world, yet a woman he feels reluctant to let go…


Going into this book, I had no idea that the heroine would be from a cult and fall in love with the president of a Motorcycle Club. I had heard so many people rave about this series and I loved the one book I've read by Tillie Cole, so I was definitely excited to finally pick this book up!

Years ago, a boy and a girl met and never forgot one another. Through the trials and tribulations of their lives, they always sought solace in the memory of one another. Today, Salome has finally been pushed to the edge and escapes the terrifying cult that has been her life. Dying and lost, Salome stumbles upon a group of men who embody everything she's been taught is evil. River "Styx" Nash is the Hangmen Mute and may seem intimidating to all those who mess with his club, but he still has not gotten over the girl with the wolf eyes he met so many years ago. When those eyes appear in a girl who is broken and bloodied, Styx can't believe it. Styx thought he would never let anyone close enough to affect him, but Salome brings out a protective side of him that may never want to let her go. 

Oh man, this book had me OBSESSED and, by the end, I found myself utterly in love with this story. While we still got the rough bad boy bikers, there was so much under Styx's character when Mae (Salome) came back into his life. I really loved how Styx had a stutter and how he had to try so hard to still seem intimidating while dealing with the disappointment in times where he really wanted to use his voice but just couldn't. And when he realized how strong his feelings for Mae were, it was so heartbreaking watching his internal struggle and how he was trying to cope with depending on another person and really opening up to them. 

I don't know why, but I am fascinated by books about people who were or are in cults, so I absolutely loved Mae's character and how she was trying to escape the cult that she had grown up in. Mae was such a sheltered, innocent character because she has literally been locked away all of her life. Even though she was very naive about the outside world, she was still so strong and didn't let Styx get away with things when he messed up or didn't treat her right. She really found her place in the club, not only with Styx but also with some of the other members. I really enjoyed her journey and growth as a woman in this book. 

When I got to the end, that really solidified my love for this book. So many intense things happened that I was not expecting and now I'm DYING to read more books in this series. These characters were all so unique and I already miss them after finishing Mae and Styx's story. If you love MC romances, this is definitely a staple of that genre and a must read!



Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Release Day Blitz: A Little Too Late by Staci Hart

 

A Little Too Late, an all-new romantic standalone from Staci Hart is LIVE!

A Little Too Late by Staci Hart
Publishing Date:  October 24th, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance

I wasn't supposed to fall in love with the nanny. 
When my wife left, she took the illusion of happiness with her, and I've been caught in a free fall ever since. For nine long months, I've been fighting to figure out how to be a single dad, how to be alone.
 For nine long months, I've been failing.
 When Hannah walked through the door, I took my first breath since I'd found myself on my own. She slipped into our lives effortlessly, showing me what I've been missing all these years. Because Hannah made me smile when I thought I'd packed the notion of happiness away with my wedding album. 
She was only supposed to be the nanny, but she's so much more. 
The day my wife left should have been the worst day of my life, but it wasn't. It was when Hannah walked away, taking my heart with her.

Read Today!

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



About the Author

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life -- a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can't forget that. She's also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She's been a wife, though she's certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She's also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she's been drinking whiskey. 
From roots in Houston to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she's not writing, she's reading, sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics.

Connect with Staci



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