Guest Post with Author K. Bromberg and Giveaway

New York Times bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary romance novels that are sweet, emotional, a lot sexy, and a little bit real. She likes to write strong heroines and damaged heroes that readers love to hate but can’t help loving.

Since publishing her first book on a whim in 2013, Bromberg has sold over 1.5 million copies of her books across eighteen different countries and has repeatedly landed on the bestseller lists for the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal. Her Driven trilogy (Driven, Fueled, and Crashed) is currently being adapted for film by the streaming platform Passionflix, with Driven available now.

You can find out more about this mom of three on any of her social media accounts. The easiest way to stay up to date is to sign up for her newsletter (http://bit.ly/254MWtI) or text “KBromberg” to 77948 to receive text alerts when a new book is released.

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ARC Review: Worth the Risk by K. Bromberg

Normally when I finish a book, I immediately write my review, that way everything is fresh including my feelings. But with Worth the Risk by K. Bromberg, I found myself having to sit and think on it. I have been a fan of Bromberg’s since I first read Colton’s book, so naturally I couldn’t wait for this one as with everything she has released since. There was something different here though that I couldn’t quite put my finger on, but I think for me it was a character thing. While I liked this book, I didn’t love it. 

After messing up at work, Sidney finds herself heading back to her hometown to prove herself. If she helps save a failing magazine, she will earn a position at her dream job. While the magazine she is tasked with saving is one that doesn’t interest her at all, she comes up with an idea to run a hot dad contest. When one of the front runners of the contest turns out to be someone that she knows from when she was younger, she never expects for him to have quite the reaction he does. Grayson remembers Sidney and his ex is the perfect example of why he doesn’t want anything to do with women, let alone a woman like Sidney since they are just alike. But as the contest progresses, both Sidney and Grayson realize that neither are the same person they used to be. Can Grayson let go of his past and can Sidney embrace a different future than she originally planned for herself and risk it all for a chance at a love together? 

As I said before, a big problem for me was that I struggled with the characters. Grayson had been hurt by his ex, and at first glance Sidney had a lot of similarities to her. There were even times that it appeared she was proving it to him. However, Sidney was also very different than his ex and very different than the girl she once was, and it seemed that no matter what she did, Grayson refused to believe it. He was so frustrating and the constant push and pull with him was more than I could take. It got to the point that I was just over it and him and no matter the good moments that he had, I felt like he was just too immature and blinded by his past and bitterness. Sidney had moments where I really liked her, and she also had moments that I struggled with her as well as Grayson. I thought that she was sweet and kind, but she frustrated me with her actions quite a bit as well. These two had chemistry and a connection that felt real, yet there were too many hang-ups for them to ever seem to really get it right and It got to the point that I stopped caring and didn’t believe that they would last long term because of the back and forth. 

Overall, there were a lot of things that I liked here and as much as I struggled with the characters, this book did have a lot of really good parts. Grayson’s son made the book and I loved him so much. He definitely seemed to be the mature one here a lot of the time, and I think that goes to show just how much I felt like the adult characters needed some help. Luke was the highlight and I wish that Grayson and Sidney had been able to live up to that as well. I am still a huge fan of Bromberg’s and I definitely recommend her books. This one just wasn’t my favorite of hers, but it won’t stop me from picking up her future releases.

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: Combust by K. Bromberg

I am a huge fan of K. Bromberg's and Combust once again proved why she is an auto-buy author for me. I just loved this story and once I started, I couldn't stop reading. The characters were great and so was the story, and I think fans of hers as well as new readers are going to love this one! 

Combust is the second book in the Everyday Heroes series of standalones and this story features Grady Malone and Dylan McCoy. When Dylan finds her star boyfriend in bed with someone else, she wants nothing more than to get away from him. But her agent needs her to keep their breakup on the down-low and finish the album that they are under contract to make together before anyone finds out. Needing to get out of town, she heads to Sunnyville where her brother hooks her up with a roommate in the form of a sexy firefighter that she can't help but want. Each of them have their own reasons for wanting to keep things casual, but neither of them can stop what is happening between them, especially when a visitor shows up and changes everything.

I loved Grady and Dylan. Each one had their own scars and vulnerabilities due to things that they had faced, and they both needed each other. I felt for both of them, and I was glad that they found each other. Their connection went so far beyond just the attraction and chemistry that was there from the start with them, and I loved how each one was supportive and encouraging of the other. They were so good for one another, and I really felt like they were meant to be together. 

Overall, I loved this book and the cast of characters in this world that K. Bromberg has created. I can't wait to read more, and I know Bromberg won't disappoint. She is such a talented writer and is one that I always recommend to readers that enjoy contemporary romance. If you are a fan of hers, you will definitely want to check this one out and if you are new to her this is a great one to start with though you can't go wrong with anything that she has written!

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: The Catch by K. Bromberg

The Catch is the second book in K. Bromberg's The Player Duet. This book is not a standalone story and needs to be read in order as it continues Easton and Scout's story. After reading the first book in this series I couldn't wait to get more of these two. This book picks up right where the first one left off, and I think fans will enjoy the conclusion to Easton and Scout's story as much as I did. 

With an unexpected twist of fate, Easton Wylder doesn't know who to trust. Already struggling with an injury that could destroy his career, Easton has been battling his way back with the help of Scout Dalton. What started as Scout helping him rehab quickly turned into more, but now when everything has changed he finds himself questioning her loyalty as well as everyone he thought was in his corner. Can he get past all the obstacles thrown his way and figure out who is on his side? And what happens when he is forced to share a secret that could change everything for him once again? 

I loved these characters in the first book and that was true here as well. I really felt the connection and chemistry between them, and it just continued to strengthen here. There were so many things going on, and at times we didn't know everything that was happening or where everyone stood. Even while things were up in the air though, it was clear that Easton and Scout's feelings ran deep and true. I never questioned just how much each of them cared about one another. 

I will say that there were a few of the twists here that I felt were a little predictable, and I pretty much had things figured out ahead of time. That being said though, I still really enjoyed the story and the characters and was happy with how things were handled. I loved that Easton didn't let things just slide and that he stood up for himself and told those involved how he felt. I also really loved that when faced with finally admitting the truth to those he loved that he was also able to face it head on and share that with the world as well. He was inspiring and I loved the growth that he showed over the course of this book. I think fans of the first book will really enjoy this one as well, and if you haven't read The Player yet, you are definitely going to want to check it out before starting The Catch. K. Bromberg is a great story teller and Scout and Easton are definitely some of my favorites of hers to date. I can't wait to read more from her in the future.

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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ARC Review: The Player by K. Bromberg

I couldn't wait to get my hands on The Player by K. Bromberg. Not only do I love baseball romance stories, but K. Bromberg is one of my favorite authors. This book took a bit for me to get into for some reason, but once I did I really loved it! I will admit that the ending caught me by surprise though, and I need the next book! I have to see how this all plays out after the way things ended here!  

Scout Dalton and Easton Wylder both come from baseball royalty. Easton now plays for the team his father played for while Scout is now a physical therapist seeing high profile patients that once turned to her father. When a career threatening injury lands Easton in a position to need help, he expects Doc Dalton to show up not his daughter Scout. But Scout is determined to show the world of baseball that she is just as qualified at what she does. But the more time that Scout and Easton spend together, the more personal their relationship grows threatening to cause problems for both of their careers. 

I really liked these two. They had great banter and chemistry right from the start. I really enjoyed seeing them get to know one another, and really learn who each one was beyond what everyone else saw. These two understood each other in a way that others wouldn't be able to, and I really felt their connection was strong right from the start. I couldn't get enough of Scout and Easton together, and I I didn't want to leave their world once I was in it.

Overall, this was a great first installment to this series. I really liked the characters and I loved seeing the friendship between Easton and his teammates as much as I did seeing him with Scout. This book was a lot of fun to read and was everything I have come to love about K. Bromberg's books. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book to see what happens for Scout and Easton. I highly recommend checking this one out if you are a fan of K. Bromberg's, or if you love contemporary or sports romance stories. This one was so good and I will be anxiously waiting for The Catch.

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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ARC Review: Sweet Rivalry by K. Bromberg

I am such a fan of Kristy Bromberg's, and she has never disappointed me yet. Each new series and set of characters that she writes I find myself falling in love with, and that was definitely the case here. This is a standalone novella, though fans of Sweet Cheeks will recognize Ryder since he was introduced in that book. 

Ryder and Harper met in college and were rivals. They had a complicated relationship that was destroyed with a classroom competition. Harper moved forward and thirteen years go by before they meet up again. Harper and Ryder once again find themselves competing, though this time in a professional capacity. But will Harper find herself on top once again when Ryder is determined to be the one that comes out ahead this time around? 

The tension and heat between these two was fantastic! Their chemistry was clear right from the start and I couldn't get enough of them. The banter between them was entertaining and kept me captivated the entire way through. I really enjoyed reading this story and I definitely recommend this one! I am not usually a huge fan of novellas as I always want more, but Kristy did a great job here and this book was well worth the read! If you are looking for something quick and sexy with a great story, Sweet Rivalry is definitely worth checking out!

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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Feature: Sweet Rivalry by K. Bromberg

Ryder Rodgers had a plan.

He was going to stride into the conference room, do the required song and dance over the next five days, and win the biggest contract of his career. But when he walked in and heard the voice of one of his competitors, all his plans were shot to hell.

Harper Denton. She was always on top. In college. First in their class. Always using every advantage to edge him out to win the coveted positions. The only one who could beat him. His academic rival. More like a constant thorn in his side. And his ego’s.

When he heard her voice, he was brought back to years before. To the bitter taste of being second best. But the woman who meets his gaze is nothing like the drab wallflower he used to know. Hell no. She was all woman now: curves, confidence, and staggering sex appeal. And no doubt, still brilliant.

The fact that she’s gorgeous and bright won’t distract him. This time, Ryder’s determined to be the one on top. But not if Harper can help it.

Purchase: | Amazon |

ARC Review: Down Shift by K. Bromberg

The original Driven Series by K. Bromberg featuring Riley and Colton is one of my favorite series of all times.  I read the first three books twice.  I was a K. Bromberg fan from that time going forward.  I’ve read all of the other books in the Driven series so I feel like I grew up with the Hero of this book, Zander Donovan.  I’m trying to give you very thorough background on my history with this series and this author because it might make my review biased.  I may be giving this book a more generous rating than it actually deserves because of my love for this author and this series. OR, I might be undercutting this rating because I have such extreme high expectations of this series. Either way, it’s important that you be able to read the review in the context in which I wrote it.

You don’t need to have read any other books in this series to read this one so don’t be deterred by the fact that it is book #8.  If you have read other books in the series than you know that Zander has some extremely effedupness (new word alert!) in his past. Zander’s father was an abusive drug addict who killed his Mother while Zander was present.  Zander was later adopted by one of my favorite couples of all time, Riley and Colton Donovan. When this book kicks off, Zander has learned some things about his past that make him question his present. As a result, he starts self-destructing in a very agonizing fashion. Zander escapes to a pull town to pull his life together and runs (literally), smack dab into Getty Caster.

Getty is also trying to get a fresh start in a small town. Getty is escaping an abusive ex-spouse and a loveless family situation.  Getty is struggling to learn to assert herself and Zander gives her plenty of practice. Getty first has to learn to stand up to Zander’s rapidly changing moods (which were annoying) and then how to stand against her past.  Along the way, Getty and Zander learn to co-exist in the same house. 

Their initial attraction quickly evolves into something more.  Zander tries to resist because he just feels like he is too messed up for someone as good as Getty.  Getty tries (and fails) to protect her heart because she knows Zander is planning to return to his life in LA without her.  The connection between the couple is undeniable and well depicted. I loved how Getty monitored Zander’s fix it list and I loved how tender the two were towards one another. I believed Zander and Getty as a couple and I was rooting for them.

So why the three stars? It was the level of angst in this book.  The angst level was so extreme I almost couldn’t take it.  Zander is in constant emotional turmoil over the events of his past and whether he should “open the box” to his past. There are pages and pages of Zander reliving the same emotional issues over and over.  The same is true for Getty. It is angst on 10 about her past and her future and her feelings for Zander, just everything. Even worse is that the angst is internal to the characters.  That means that a lot of the book is about the characters internal dialogue instead of their communication with one another.  If angst is overdone, for a reader like me, it can feel like emotional torture. I love this author, I like the couple, the writing is good but I need the angst level reduced by 2/3. If that was the case, this book would probably be 5 stars for me.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Review: Aced by K. Bromberg

I have to confess. When I saw that there was going to be another book in this series, I felt nothing but skepticism. I've read and loved every book in this series but I almost passed on this one because I didn't want it to be one of those publisher driven filler books put out just to make an extra buck off of us. This was absolutely not that!

This book was absolutely necessary to the series and I almost don't have words to express how I felt about it. A lot of people kind of sneer at us romance readers. They lump us into a category of bored, sexually unfulfilled housewives who hide behind smut and fantasy. And hell, maybe that is some of us but our love for this book proves that there is so much more to us as readers. It also proves that the authors in this genre are not just popular because they tantalize us with smoking hot sex, they are authentically talented writers who can tap into the emotional nuances that make us human.

I wondered what Bromberg could do to return us to the lives of Colton and Rylee that would not feel like manufactured melodrama and angst. Don't underestimate this author, trust me when I tell you she found a way to get the job done. I never ever expected what happened that completely unraveled Colton and Rylee, of course they didn't either. The conflict was particularly compelling because it was a poignant commentary on the way women in this society are treated. I was angry and I was an emotional wreck. I was outraged by the unfairness and I was moved by Colton and Rylee as they struggled to cope and connect.

This book is about how the past doesn't stay in the past. Every single word and action has far reaching consequences for us and the present relies on our ability to work that stuff out. The triumph and defeat of the characters in this book is so well depicted, it is gut wrenching. And for those of us who are bored housewives or bored in whatever relationship and looking for a fantasy, this is a reminder that relationships are what we make them.

When you read this book, you are reminded that happily ever after does not mean perfectly ever after. You only get to hang on to the "happily" if you fight for it every single day because some seriously imperfect ish is a life guarantee.

I'm not going to say anything to spoil this reading experience for you. I'm just going to tell you that if you loved this series, this book is a necessary part of it. If you're afraid like I was, don't be. You will be happy you took this journey.

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ARC Review: Hard Beat by K. Bromberg

Hard Beat is the newest book in the Driven series from K. Bromberg. This book is a complete standalone though, so if you haven't read the previous ones you don't have to worry about starting here. While this book takes place in the Driven world, this story is about Rylee's brother Tanner who we have only seen a little of previously. I have to say though that I have been waiting for Tanner's story! I couldn't wait to really get to know him, and each book that I read from K. Bromberg just seems to get that much better. It is so hard for me to pick a favorite character of hers, because just when I think that no one can top my favorite she finds a way to prove me wrong! This is one of my absolute favorite group of characters ever though, and I really cannot recommend every book in this series enough! 

Foreign war correspondent Tanner Thomas is used to living for his work, but after losing his best friend he needs his job more than ever. Convincing his employers that he needs to get back to work, they set him up with a new photographer that tests him right from the start. Though Beaux Croslyn doesn't have a lot of experience, she is determined to do whatever it takes to make it. The attraction between them is instant, but they don't get off to the best start. But Beaux has secrets that she won't talk about and when they start to threaten everything, Tanner is will stop at nothing to find out the truth. But will Tanner's determination put them in even more danger than Beaux's secrets? 

These two were so hot together, and the heat between them was instant! From their very first interaction the sparks were flying, and I just knew that these this book was going to be one of the steamiest I have read! Tanner was struggling with losing his best friend, and I felt so bad for him. It was easy to see how close they had been and just how much he had cared about her. He was really lost and Beaux helped to give him a way to move forward with his life. These two might have had strong chemistry right from the start, but it took awhile for them to warm up to each other beyond just the attraction they felt. Beaux was feisty and determined, and I will admit that she wasn't my favorite right off. But the more I got to know about her and see, the more I started to like her. K. Bromberg is great at writing strong heroines that have so many sides to them, and Beaux Croslyn was definitely everything that I have come to know and love from her. I like that she could challenge Tanner and give just as good as she got, and I think that she was exactly what Tanner needed. 

Overall, this was another great book in the Driven world and I just love all these stories so much. K. Bromberg never disappoints, and I love that all the characters and stories are so different from one another. Though the characters are interconnected and you get to see familiar faces as the series continues, you really get so many different types of stories with each of these books. Tanner and Beaux's story was different than any of the rest of the books in the series considering their occupations and the situation they were in, and I loved it just as much as I have all the others. It was great to see Kristy deliver every bit of emotion and steam as she is known for, but to also see that she really can write anything she puts her mind to. Beaux and Tanner's story grabbed my attention right from the start, and I couldn't put it down. If you are a fan of Kristy's, you will love this book! But if you are new to her, this is a great place to start. I highly recommend this series, and I am really looking forward to whatever she writes in the future.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Sweet Ache by K. Bromberg

I absolutely love the Driven Series by K. Bromberg. I have really enjoyed getting to know each of Kristy's characters as the series continues, and honestly I have such a tough time picking favorites because they are all so fantastic in different ways. K. Bromberg has a way of writing such different and unique characters in each story, and yet making them fit perfectly in this amazing world she has created. I look forward to each new book knowing that I will see familiar faces, but that I will get a completely new and unique experience every time! I don't know if I can say that Sweet Ache is my favorite of this series, because that would be next to impossible with each of these books. But what I will say is that this book was equally as good if not better than the previous books, and Hawkin and Quinlan are definitely some of my all time favorite characters! 

Hawkin Play is the bad boy lead singer for a popular rockband. He might have success professionally, but he has spent his life with a less than stellar family. After his father died, his mother changed as did his twin brother Hunter. After taking the fall for Hunter's latest screw-up, Hawkin finds himself with the option of teaching a guest seminar at the local college or going to jail. When he meets his sexy TA, Hawkin makes a bet with a bandmate that he will get her into bed. But Quinlan doesn't make things easy on Hawkin and he finds himself having to work for it even though the attraction between them is mutual. But just when they finally start to get on the same page, Hawkin's brother returns and is determined to wreck things for Hawkin once again. 

I really loved these two characters! Hawkin was sexy and funny, and so charming that you can't help but fall for him. He was so adorable, and I really loved watching him try to win Quin over. He was also just enough of the bad boy to make him irresistible, but not a complete jerk. He was loyal to his family and his bandmates, and would do absolutely anything he could for those that he cared about. Quinlan was great as well. She didn't freak out over his fame or treat him special because of who he was, and that was a big deal to Hawke. He was used to women wanting him for bragging rights, but that stuff didn't matter to Quin, especially with Colton being her brother. I really enjoyed seeing her get to know Hawke, and she was so supportive and caring. She was also a ton of fun, and I loved how sassy she was. She wasn't afraid to admit that she liked sex and it was so refreshing to see a heroine that could have a good time without having to constantly talk about their feelings. She wasn't always second guessing herself and I liked that she was confidence. 

Overall, this was a great addition to this series and I highly recommend reading it! Though this book is a part of the Driven series, it is a standalone. I would recommend reading all of the books if possible though, as they are all great stories! K. Bromberg never disappoints, and she always delivers sexy stories that are as captivating as they are beautiful. She has definitely proven why she is a go to author for me, and you really cannot go wrong with any of her stories. I am already anxious to reread this book, and I can't wait for the next in the series. Hard Beat is the next book in this series, and I am so looking forward to getting to know Rylee's brother Tanner better!

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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