ARC Review: As I Am by Melissa Collins

I have become a fan of Melissa Collins over the last few years and I was really excited when I found out she had a new book coming out. I love her character driven stories, and As I Am was everything I have come to know and love from her. This contemporary M/M romance was sweet and sexy, and I really enjoyed it. 

Chase’s life didn’t go as planned, instead of graduating college and pursuing a career in business, he found himself a dropout tasked with raising his 17 year old brother. Needing to find a way to support them, he became a stripper. The last thing on his mind was love, until a bachelorette party came in and he met Noah. Noah had been betrayed and wasn’t looking for love either, but the minute they locked eyes they knew something between them was different. 

I liked these two a lot. They each had a lot they were dealing with, and I felt for both of them. They were great for one another and I really felt like their connection was genuine. I loved how Noah clicked with Chase’s little brother as well, it was really great to see them forming their own family. 

Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read and had everything I have come to know and love from Melissa Collins. I liked the characters and the story, and I think readers will enjoy this one as much as I did. If you are looking for a solid M/M contemporary romance, this is one you will want to check out!

**ARC Provided by Author**

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Blind Date with a Book Event with Tiffany Snow

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Tiffany Snow earned degrees in Education and History from the University of Missouri-Columbia, before launching a career in Information Technology. After over a decade in IT, she switched careers to what she always dreamed of doing - writing. Tiffany is the author of romantic suspense novels such as the Kathleen Turner Series, which includes No Turning Back, Turn to Me and Turning Point. Since she's drawn to character-driven books herself, that's what she loves to write, and the guy always gets his girl. She feeds her love of books with avid reading, yet she manages to spare time and considerable affection for trivia, eighties hair bands, the St. Louis Cardinals, and Elvis. She and her husband have two daughters and one dog.

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Blind Date with a Book Event with Rachel Van Dyken

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866! 

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Blind Date with a Book Event with Megan Hart

Megan Hart writes books. Some of them use a lot of bad words, but most of the other words are okay. She can't live without music, the internet, or the ocean, but she and soda have achieved an amicable uncoupling. She can't stand the feeling of corduroy or velvet, and modern art leaves her cold. She writes a little bit of everything from horror to romance, though she’s best known for writing erotic fiction that sometimes makes you cry. Find out more about her at meganhart.com, or if you really want to get crazy, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/megan_hart and Facebook at www.facebook.com/readinbed.

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Blind Date with a Book Event with Layla Hagen

I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later. I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world. And I drink coffee. Lots of it.

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Blind Date with a Book Event with Penny Reid

Penny Reid is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. When she’s not immersed in penning smart romances, Penny works in the biotech industry as a researcher. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

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ARC Review: The Maiden by Celia Aaron

The Maiden is the first book I have ever read by Celia Aaron, but as soon as I read the blurb for this series I knew I had to read it. I was drawn in right from the start and couldn’t put this book down! I am addicted, and I can’t wait for more!! 

I will warn readers that this book will definitely have some triggers for some, so please proceed with caution if that could apply to you. The Maiden is the first book in the Cloister series, and it does end with a cliffhanger. I think it is definitely worth the read though, and i’m already anxious for more. 

She was looking for answers when she joined the Cloister, but she had no idea just what all was hidden behind the facade they project. Now that she is in, she has been given a protector, Adam, one of the Prophet’s sons. But she soon realizes that while her protector is supposed to help guide and protect her from the evil in the world, the evil she actually needs protection from is inside The Cloister. She finds herself drawn to Adam, even though she knows she should stay away from him as much as possible. But if Adam finds out the real reason she is there, everything she has worked for could be for nothing. 

I loved the dynamic between Adam and Delilah. They were both drawn to one another, though they each knew that they shouldn’t be for so many reasons. They couldn’t help what they felt for one another though, and as the more they were around each other the more they began to realize that they had no choice in the matter and that it was dangerous and could be their undoing. The chemistry between them was off the charts, and I couldn’t get enough. While I knew deep down that I shouldn’t want them to be together, I was just like them and unable to fight it as I felt like they were supposed to be together. There was something about each of them that just worked with the other, and it was as if they were always supposed to find one another. 

I will say that there were some rough parts to get through, and that is where it could have some triggers for readers. There were so many things that happened with the maidens and I felt for them. I can’t even imagine being put through what they were, and it isn’t for the faint of heart. Delilah has such a strength to her that I cannot wait to see what happens next! The end of this book left me hungry for more and I cannot wait for the next in this series, The Prophet. I might have been new to Celia Aaron before this book, but I am a huge fan now and can’t wait to go back and read more from her. The Prophet and The Church can’t get here fast enough, The Maiden is a must read!

**ARC Provided by IndieSage PR**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

Blind Date with a Book Event with Stina Lindenblatt

Born in England, Stina loves to travel, and has lived in England, the US, Canada, and Finland. She spent a semester in graduate school living in central Finland, and a summer during her undergrad degree working in Helsinki. She has a Master’s of Science degree in exercise physiology and has worked with elite athletes. In her free time, Stina is a photographer, mother of three adorable kids, and devoted wife. She currently lives in Calgary, Canada.

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