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Saturday, December 31, 2016

A Historical Christmas Eve Event Winners


There are many winners to announce but before we do so, we just wanted to take the time and say a SUPER BIG THANK YOU to each and every author that participated in the Historical Christmas Event. We loved each and every scene you all created and this event would be nothing without you. Thank you so very much. =)

Now, on to the winners!

Review: Bargaining for the Billionaire by JM Stewart


Bargaining for the Billionaire is the third book in the Seattle Bachelors series by JM Stewart and I couldn't wait to read this one. While this is the third in the series, each is a standalone story with interconnected characters. I couldn't wait to read this one as I love second chance romance stories, and Grayson and Madison definitely had more going on than we first saw. I really loved getting to see more of them here and have been enjoying this series a lot. 

Grayson Lockwood has it all, except the only woman he has ever really wanted. Unable to tell her about his past, she walked away from him three years ago. Having been hurt before, Madison isn't ready to give her heart away and keeps it on lock down. But with some help from her friends, she begins to chat with someone and things soon start to heat up. But when she finds out that it is really Grayson hiding behind his avatar, will he be able to open up and explain everything to have a second chance with Madison? Will she be able to give him another shot after everything they have been through? 

I liked Grayson and Madison. They definitely cared about one another and that had never changed. I loved that Grayson was so determined to win her back, and that he knew a lot of that was that he needed to open up to her. Their texts were what really hooked me, and I loved how he would give her little hints along the way. He was sweet and thoughtful, and I really adored his character. I will admit that there were a few times that Madison frustrated me, especially when she found out it was him. I understood that she had been hurt in the past, but I just didn't care for her reaction. After everything that Grayson had gone through and shown her through their texts, I really thought that she would have at least heard him out. 

But I really did love these two together, and their chemistry was amazing. Things were sexy and steamy between them. I really enjoyed the emotional connection they had though, and this one was definitely so much more than I had been expecting. Things weren't always easy for these two, but they deserved to find happiness together and I was really happy with how things ended up. I will definitely read more from JM Stewart in the future, and I recommend this series if you like contemporary romance stories with substance.

**Review Copy Provided by Publisher**

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Naughty New Year Event with Harper Kincaid


Born in California and raised in South Florida, Harper Kincaid has moved around like a gypsy with a bounty on her head ever since. All the while, longing to have the guts and follow-through to do what she really wanted: to write and become a published author. That wish has finally come true and she's tickled hot pink.

When not writing, she adores listening to indie, lo-fi, complaint rock played on vinyl, the theater, well-informed optimism, happy endings (both kinds), and making those close to her laugh 'til they snort. She is a self-admitted change junkie, loving new experiences and places, but has now happily settled in the cutest lil' town, Vienna, Virginia.

Friday, December 30, 2016

ARC Review: How Not to Let Go by Emily Foster


First let me just start off by saying that when I got this book for review, I had no idea that there was one before it. It was never stated that these characters already had a book out and I was led to believe that this was a complete standalone. I would not recommend reading this book if you haven't already read How Not to Fall. While you can understand this one easily enough, I had a very tough time connecting with the characters and I think I might have liked this one better had I read them in order. Unfortunately after reading what I did of How Not to Let Go, I doubt I will be reading the first. 

This story centers around Charles and Annie. Charles had been a doctor in her lab when she was an undergrad and the attraction led to a fling between them once she had graduated. But though things were intense, they were brief as Charles was broken and couldn't be with Annie. Annie knew she couldn't be around Charles and not have feelings for him, so she left. When they end up reuniting, things once again spark between them and they rekindle their friendship. But with the past Charles has, Annie and Charles must figure out if they can find a way to be together or if they should let go once and for all.

I will admit that I struggled a lot with the characters here and that was a lot of why I eventually threw in the towel. Charles was broken and damaged, coming from a very dysfunctional family. Annie was pretty bland as a character. There wasn't really anything to her, and she just felt so one dimensional. She spent so much time being heartbroken and boring, that I just couldn't bring myself to care about her. She also irritated me with her actions and thoughts a lot of the time, and I just never could connect with her and Charles. Some of the things that happened were just too over the top and ridiculous to me, and that really killed what little interest I might have still had in these two.

Overall, I only ended up reading about 35-40% if this book before I resorted to skimming. I wanted to see if I should stick with it, and unfortunately it looked like I didn't miss much. This isn't what I would really call romance, as much of this story was angsty and filled with more of a self-help/therapy sort of vibe. It was all about overcoming the past emotional damage and learning how to love rather than actually forming a relationship and connection. I just couldn't get into it and maybe that is due to me not already having a connection with these two.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N | iTunes | 


A Naughty New Year Event with Naima Simone


Naima Simone is the author of sizzling contemporary romance and romantic suspense featuring hot alpha men and kick-ass heroines who experience the first bites of desire, the dizzying heights of passion, and the tender, healing heat of love.

She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

ARC Review: Lady Claire Is All That by Maya Rodale


Maya Rodale is such a refreshing read. I really enjoyed and continue to enjoy her books. “Lady Claire is All That” is the third book in the “Keeping up with the Cavendishes’s” series. The Cavendishes’s are an American family. They have traveled with their brother to England when he learns that he has inherited a Dukedom. Because of their very “American” ways, they are instant outcasts. The previous two books focused on the second and youngest sisters, this one is about Claire the oldest. As can be expected of Rodale’s books, they are always funny, sweet and original. This book takes place simultaneously with the other three books. So many of the events from the previous books are taking place at the same time as Claire’s story.

Claire is a definite outcast. She is American and very proud of it. She has no desire to conform to the standards set forth by English society. Besides her American mannerisms, Claire is an intellectual. Nothing interests her more than math and this makes her an instant odd ball. Claire is torn between her own intellectual desires-writing papers on math and attending lectures and helping her siblings assimilate into their new environment.

Fox is licking his wounds when his fiancée tries to elope with an actor. Fox is Claire’s exact opposite. Where she loves to analyze different mathematical formulas he enjoys physical exertion. He likes to box and enjoys society. He enjoys training his beloved dog-Stella and has never wanted for female attention. When his “friend” makes a wager with him Fox can’t help but prove that he still has what it takes and he can still win at whatever he sets his mind to do. He wagers his friend that he can turn Claire into a popular lady in society. Fox has his work cut out for him because Claire has no interest in becoming popular.

I really enjoy Rodale’s story. Although I didn’t “love” this story it was still enjoyable to me and I was curious to see how Claire and Fox would find their way together. One of my little issues with this book is that I felt Fox and Claire didn’t fit. I think the author made an effort to show that they complimented each other but aside from the physical interactions I didn’t see them as a couple that was head over heels in love. Nonetheless I speed through this book and found it enjoyable-I have very high standards for Rodale. Next book is James-the brother’s story. I keep hoping he will finally find his happily-ever-after. This is a great and fun series and I encourage anyone to read it!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N | iTunes |


Naughty New Year Event with Katee Robert


New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her 2015 title, The Marriage Contract, was a RITA finalist, and RT Book Reviews named it 'a compulsively readable book with just the right amount of suspense and tension."  When not writing sexy contemporary and romantic suspense, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her children, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. 

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Wednesday, December 28, 2016

ARC Review: Until Ashlyn by Aurora Rose Reynolds


I have read every book in the original "Until" series and I generally liked the whole series.  I think this is the second or third book in the second generation of Maysons but this is my first book about the Mayson kids. I really wanted to like this book and I could have. Reynolds is one of the first authors that introduced me to the insta-love genre and made me love it. I have loved most of Reynolds' bossy, over the top, instantly in love men and their women. I thought this book would be a shoe in on my favorite list. I'm going to say this to any potential readers, if you haven't read any other books by Reynolds' this might actually be ok for you. I think if you have read other Reynolds' books, this might leave you feeling cheated.

As I was reading this book I got bits and pieces of deja vu here and there. The reason I kept getting the feeling I had been here before is because I have. This book seemed to me like Reynolds cut out pieces of her other books and pasted them all together in semi coherent order and called this something "new." I was extremely disappointed by what I felt like was just a total lack of effort by the author to create anything in the plot or characters that we have not seen almost verbatim in her other books.

To make a bad situation worse, Ashlyn really got on my nerves. Her attitude towards Dillon was all over the place and it was giving me whiplash...like in a bad way. And then Dillon...ok, this is a very slight spoiler so skip this next sentence if you don't want even a hint of the plot. Dillon was a virgin who happened to be able to bang like a porn star. UM WHAT? First of all, he was a fully grown man, I assume. Second, how are two members of the V club screwing each other porn hub style the first time out of the gate? I have no idea why of all the things Reynolds could have originated in this story, she chose that as the one unique aspect of this plot. I thought it was ridiculous twist and it just added to my overall annoyance with this book.

I read some other reviews of this book because I wanted to see what other people were saying. I saw a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews. I don't know guys, there might be something I'm missing.  But I'm really missing it because I can't see this being over 3 stars even if you've read no other books by this author. Good luck to you with this one.

**ARC provided by TRSoR Promotions**

Purchase: | Amazon | iTunes | Kobo |


ARC Review: Lessons in Letting Go by Jessica Peterson


Lessons in Letting Go is the third book in the Study Abroad series of standalones from Jessica Peterson. Each book is interconnected but can easily be read out of order. As I have enjoyed the previous books in the series, I was really looking forward to this one. Unfortunately it was my least favorite of the three and I had mixed feelings on the story. 

Rhys Maddox is a famous soccer star and Laura Bennet is a student spending a semester in Madrid. When they meet, Laura becomes a sort of good luck charm for Rhys, while she finds herself getting caught up in his lifestyle. But soon she realizes that though she wants him, she needs to take back her life, so she lets him go and sets out on her own. But is Rhys willing to let her go or will he finally let go of his ego in order to take a chance at something with Laura?

I have to admit that while I was looking forward to this one after the previous books, the characters were where I had the most issues with Lessons in Letting Go. I found it really hard to like Rhys, as he was just too much of a jerk at times and stuck on himself. He definitely needed to get his head on straight, and it just took too long for me to see any progress and at that point I had stopped caring. Laura was slightly better, but she seemed a bit too all over the place and wasn't easy for me to relate to. The communication between them was also a real problem for me, and I just wasn't feeling anything between them, despite wanting to. I felt so disconnected from these two, and because I didn't really care for either of them I just lost interest in their relationship. I think it might have helped had Rhys turned over a new leaf sooner here, but it was a bit too little too late for me to get into this one.

Overall, the characters really hurt how I viewed this book and that was the main thing that kept me from enjoying this book as much as I did previous books in the series. The writing was great as I have come to expect from Jessica Peterson, but I couldn't get over lack of communication and my dislike of the characters. I do think that Jessica Peterson is a talented author, and this won't be the last I read from her. While this one wasn't my favorite, I would recommend giving it a go if it sounds like something you might like or if you enjoyed the previous books in the series.

**ARC Provided by Author**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N | iTunes | 





Naughty New Year Event with Samanthe Beck


USA Today bestselling author Samanthe Beck lives in Malibu, California, with her long-suffering husband, their turbo-son, and a furry ninja named Kitty.

When not dreaming up fun, fan-your-cheeks sexy ways to get her characters to happily-ever-after, she searches for the perfect cabernet to pair with Ambien.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Review: Winning the Billionaire by JM Stewart


Winning the Billionaire is the second book in the Seattle Bachelors series from JM Stewart. Each book is a standalone story, but they are interconnected. You don't need to read them in order to understand anything though. I have to say I was really excited for this one as it is one of my favorite tropes, as Christina and Sebastian have known each other since they were kids and she is his best friend's sister. This was a really good story, and I am really looking forward to more in this series. 

Christina has loved Sebastian since they were kids, but she has never wanted to be just a notch in his bedpost. Sebastian is known for being a bachelor that doesn't do commitment. But after a night together, Sebastian is finally ready for more, as long as it is with Christina. But can he convince her that what they have is real and not just another fling for him? 

I have to say that I really loved the characters here. Christina is smart and so real and genuine. She was one of those characters that I felt like I could relate to, as she might have lived a privileged life but yet she was so down to earth. I wasn't so sure about Sebastian at the start, but I found myself warming up to him almost instantly. He might have lived his life never letting anyone in and keeping things casual, but you could easily see that he was trying to protect himself. These two were great together, and I loved seeing them connect emotionally as well as physically. They really had it all going for them, and it was obvious that they belonged together. 

They did each have their moments though, and it was frustrating at times to see them circling around one another. Even with the misunderstandings and angst though, I really did enjoy their story. The characters were likable and the story was interesting, keeping me turning pages from start to finish. I think that a lot of readers will really enjoy Tina and Baz's story, and I am looking forward to more from JM Stewart.

**Review Copy Provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N | iTunes





Naughty New Year Event with Sarah Castille


Sarah Castille is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Redemption Series, Sinner’s Tribe Motorcycle Club series, Legal Heat series, Ruin & Revenge series, and the Club Excelsior series. A recovering lawyer with a fondness for dirty-talking alpha males, she now is a full-time writer, who lives on Vancouver Island.

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Monday, December 26, 2016

ARC Review: Bad Boys After Dark: Dylan by Melissa Foster


Dylan's story is the second book in the Bad Boys After Dark series by Melissa Foster. Each book is connected, yet can standalone. These stories are also a part of Melissa's Love in Bloom series, which I highly recommend. I enjoyed Dylan and Tiffany's story from start to finish, and I couldn't get enough of these characters!

Dylan Bad is a sexy bar owner, used to coming to the rescue. He saves damsels in distress, but he never expects Tiffany Winters. As a sports agent, Tiffany is looking to be the best she can. She prides herself on being independent and not asking a man for help with anything. But one night together changes everything for them. Can they figure out a way to be together, or will they be too set in their ways to make things work?

I really loved both of these characters! Dylan was sexy and perfect. Tiffany was smart and driven. They were different, and yet they complimented each other perfectly. They were each very well developed characters, showing a lot of growth and change over the course of this story. I loved seeing them figure things out both as individuals and as a couple. Not to mention the chemistry between these two! They were super sexy and I couldn't get enough of the steam! 

I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every single book I have read from Melissa Foster. She never disappoints, and she always delivers stories that check every single box on my list of romance must haves! If you are looking for a great contemporary romance read, I highly recommend Bad Boys After Dark: Dylan or anything else that has her name on it. She is one of those authors that I automatically think of when it comes to great romance stories, and I hope she never quits writing.

**ARC Provided by Tasty Book Tours**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N | iTunes |