My Favorite Things Event with Terri E. Laine

Terri E. Laine, USA Today bestselling author, left a lucrative career as a CPA to pursue her love for writing. Outside of her roles as a wife and mother of three, she’s always been a dreamer and as such became an avid reader at a young age.

Many years later, she got a crazy idea to write a novel and set out to try to publish it. With over a dozen titles published under various pen names, the rest is history. Her journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. She looks forward to many more memories to come.

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ARC Review: One Wrong Choice by A.M. Hargrove & Terri E. Laine

I have loved the Cruel & Beautiful series from the start, and One Wrong Choice was on my list of most anticipated books this year! A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine make a fantastic writing team, and I figured this one was going to be yet another favorite of mine from this duo. Unfortunately, this book wasn't what I had been expecting at all. I have been trying to put into words for days how I feel about this one, but the only word I have been able to come up with is frustrating. Don't get me wrong, I think a lot of readers are going to love this one. But for me, there was a lot about this story and the characters that didn't work. 

Jenna's life is what anyone would think of as perfect. She is about to marry a handsome and rich man that cares about her and that her family approves of. But when Jenna met Brandon, everything he changed. Kenneth's opposite in every way, Brandon is tattooed and works as a mechanic, the kind of guy her mother would never accept. But as Kenneth is away a lot on business, the friendship between Brandon and Jenna grows, leaving her town with what choice is really the right one and which is actually the wrong choice that could ruin everything. 

Having read the previous books in the series, I was expecting to see the confident and sometimes feisty Jenna that I have come to know and love. Unfortunately that girl was nowhere to be found here. It really truly felt like she was someone entirely different here, completely hung up on what her mother thought she should do and refusing to think for herself. Her character here came off as weak, wishy washy and a complete flake at times. I wanted to shake her and tell her to stand up to her mother, and it got to be so frustrating throughout this story. Brandon was a character I loved and was rooting for from the start. I really felt bad for him, and honestly I thought he deserved so much better. We don't control who we fall in love with, and yet at times he let Jenna walk all over him and pull him back in every time he tried to break free. He was a great guy, worth of being truly happy and my heart ached for him at times. I did think that Jenna and Brandon's connection and chemistry were strong and easy to see, but the fact that she kept stringing him along all the while refusing to be with him because of circumstances left me with a bad taste in my mouth even though ultimately I wanted them together. 

Overall, I really feel like this book was so different from what I had been expecting. While I did expect some angst and the fact that Jenna was engaged to Kenneth, I really thought that the chemistry and connection she had with Brandon would have things quickly turning around for them so that they could face the world together. I knew taking on her mother and going against her wishes wouldn't be easy, but I really didn't expect the fact that Jenna would just kind of roll over and have the attitude about it all she did. Brandon truly deserved better, and this just didn't feel like it fit with this series or what I have come to know about these characters. I do still love A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine, but this wasn't the book I had been hoping for if I am truly honest. This series is fantastic, but sadly this book was my least favorite and had me disappointed in how they ended this series since this is the last book. It was great to see familiar faces here though, and I definitely recommend reading the previous books. I think that this is one worth reading if you are a fan of the series, and that there will be a lot of readers that love this one. For me though it just didn't live up to what I have come to know, love and expect from these two authors.

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: A Beautiful Sin by A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine

I couldn't wait to get my hands on A Beautiful Sin by A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine. Not only am I a huge fan of them as individuals and a writing team, but I LOVE forbidden romance stories. They are one of my guilty pleasures and who wouldn't be intrigued by a story about a hot priest! I enjoyed this one and I am already anxious for the next book from these two. 

Canaan has known since he was a boy that he wanted to marry the church. He loved God and was determined to dedicate his life to becoming a priest and serving Him. He never struggled with that until Haven. Never before has he touched or kissed another, but he finds himself drawn to Haven in a way that he has never felt before.

I liked Canaan and Haven, but I had a bit of a tough time relating to them. I could feel their attraction for one another and I did think that they were forming a connection. But things progressed pretty slowly here, and I felt like by the time we saw anything really happen the book was over. It felt rushed and as though these two had circled around one another for most of the book just to be thrown together at the end. As much as I was rooting for them to be together despite it all, there were times I just wasn't really feeling it between them. I think part of that was that things seemed too easy despite how difficult things actually should have been with Haven's feelings early on and their circumstances. Things might have moved slowly overall, but there wasn't a lot that really caused problems for them and that just didn't feel realistic. 

I also felt like the story was a bit predictable towards the end. I guessed what was going to happen and I wasn't entirely on board with it. Things got repetitive and I found myself bored at times, wishing that things would pick up and make progress. Don't get me wrong I still enjoyed the story, I just felt like the second half was a bit too slow and lost some of the momentum from the first half of the story. I struggled a bit with what to rate this one, and I would say it is somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. I did like it though, and I think that A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine make a great team. I have enjoyed everything that I have read from them, and this was no exception. I am looking forward to seeing what else they write in the future.

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: Chasing Butterflies by Terri E. Laine

Chasing Butterflies is the first solo novel from Terri E. Laine. I have absolutely loved her co-authored novels with A.M. Hargrove, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this standalone new adult story from Terri. While there were things I really liked about this story, I did have some things that didn't work as well for me here as with her co-authored books. 

Kelley Moore has had a rough home life but has managed to survive. Known for being a player both on and off the football field, everything changes when he meets Lenora Wells. Lenora will do whatever it takes to escape small town life after being forced to play the role her parents demand. When Lenora and Kelley meet their connection is instant, but just as these two are starting something Kelley's life once again uproots him making his dreams for the future seem even further away. Four years go by and once again their lives collide, but can they find a way to let go of the past and move forward or will there be too much damage between them to get over? 

I felt for both Kelley and Lenora here. They each had a lot they were dealing with, and though they were completely different things you could see the toll it took on each of them. Things hadn't been easy for them, and you could see how they connected right away here. They had a ton of chemistry and the sparks were definitely flying between them. That being said though, it felt like much of this story they spent apart and it was hard for me to ever fully buy into their relationship because of that. I wanted to see more of them together and figuring things out, and I just didn't feel like we got that here. Things felt rushed, and I would have liked for things to have happened a bit more naturally than they did.

The other thing that I had some issues with was the writing itself. While Terri E. Laine definitely has talent, there were times that this story felt a bit choppy. It lost some of my interest because of that, and at times was hard to get into though I wanted to see how it would all play out. I have to say though that I really liked the secondary characters and I really hope that we get some of their stories as well. I think that this story had a lot of potential and could have been really great. As a debut solo novel from her, this one was good and I think she will continue to get better as she writes more. I would recommend that she get some good beta readers or editors though who can help her on a few of these issues, as I think that would help her iron out some of these things ahead of time in the future. I know this won't be the last I read from her, and I think that this book is worth reading. If you are a fan of NA stories and this sounds like one you might like, I recommend giving it a shot.

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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Feature: Chasing Butterflies by Terri E. Laine

USA Today Bestselling Author, Terri E. Laine brings a new standalone New Adult Romance novel, Chasing Butterflies, about second chances on and off the field.

One night … one kiss … one touch … will change everything.

Kelley Moore’s tragic home life should make him a survivor. But when he’s uprooted yet again, his plans for a better future seem impossible. Being a player on and off the football field is all he knows, until Lenora Wells. The beautiful town princess makes him feel and want things he never thought he could have…

Lenora will do anything to get out of her town, even if it means dating the wrong guy. There’s one problem: she can’t stop thinking about the gorgeous, complicated boy with the unusual eyes who gives her butterflies and makes her question her choices.

When their lives collide, the world shifts and not in their favor. Four years later, the sins of their past can never be taken back and forgiveness won’t come easy.

College is a different game, a second chance for something better.

She’s not the girl he remembers and he’s the one boy she can never forget.

He’s made a name for himself as the star quarterback -- the golden boy who can do no wrong. But he’s only interested in being her hero.

Despite everything, she can’t deny he still makes her heart flutter; and she’s got him chasing butterflies.

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RFTC I've Got a Secret Event with Author A.M. Hargrove and Terrie E. Laine

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, USA Today bestselling author, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So she made a quick decision to quit her job and reinvented herself as a Naughty and Nice Romance Author.

Annie fancies herself all of the following: Reader, Writer, Dark Chocolate Lover, Ice Cream Worshipper, Coffee Drinker (swears the coffee, chocolate, and ice cream should be added as part of the USDA food groups), Lover of Grey Goose (and an extra dirty martini), #WalterThePuppy Lover, and if you're ever around her for more than five minutes, you'll find out she's a non-stop talker. Other than loving writing about romance, she loves hanging out with her family and binge watching TV with her husband. You can find out more about her books at http://www.amhargrove.com.

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Terri E. Laine, USA Today bestselling author, left a lucrative career as a CPA to pursue her love for writing. Outside of her roles as a wife and mother of three, she’s always been a dreamer and as such became an avid reader at a young age.

In her early years, she and her best friend would tell each other stories over the phone when they were bored. They called them their "soap operas" and generally revolved around whatever boy they liked at the time.

Many years later, she got a crazy idea to write a novel and set out to try to publish it. With over a dozen titles published under various pen names, the rest is history. Her journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. She looks forward to many more memories to come.

You can find more about her books at www.terrielaine.com.

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ARC Review: A Mess of a Man by A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine

I pretty much started begging for a Ben story the minute I finished Cruel & Beautiful by A.M Hargrove and Terri E. Laine. I fell in love with his character in that book and I needed more of him! While A Mess of a Man can be read as a standalone, I highly suggest reading C&B first since there is so much about that book that will be spoiled here if you don't. It isn't necessary, but I think to fully appreciate Ben and this book that it is best read in order. So if you haven't read C&B yet, I would suggest you probably stop reading this review and beware of spoilers from that story here. 

After losing his best friend and the closest thing he had to a brother, Ben is determined to not let anyone get too close to him. He built a wall and refuses to let anyone tear it down. He is a player and when things start getting to serious, he knows that it is time to move on. So when he meets Sam Calhoun and is instantly drawn to her, he knows he should stay far away. But Ben can't get Sam off his mind. Sam was hurt and betrayed by the man she thought was her future. But meeting Ben in the produce section of the grocery store was a meet cute she couldn't forget. Just as Ben couldn't stop thinking of her, Sam finds her feelings for Ben growing as well. But their lives get in the way of their growing relationship, and soon both of them are wondering if they can find a way to get through all the obstacles that threaten to stand in their way.

I absolutely loved Ben in C&B. He was one of those guys that you are just drawn to and can't help but love. Ben had a lot of issues here, and I felt so much reading this book. He had been through a lot and was clearly struggling. While a lot of people questioned why he would feel so strongly about his friend, I understood completely. Having seen him and Drew in C&B it was so obvious that while they weren't soul mates in a romantic sense, they were in every other. They were like brothers and their bond was one that even death couldn't break. So that loss absolutely devastated Ben and that is something that wasn't easy to overcome. I loved that Sam was able to get him to really start to live in a way he hadn't since losing Drew. While he hadn't died along with Drew, he was just going through the emotions. Sam was the spark that brought him back to life and made it so that he could move on with his life like Drew would have wanted. Sam was smart and strong, and I really liked her. She was going through her own issues as well and was so determined to guard her heart. Ben got under her skin though, and I really loved seeing them together. Ben is just so charming that it is impossible not to love him. Sam and Ben had such strong chemistry, and you could feel the attraction between them right from the start. But I thought that their connection went so much deeper than that, and what they had was really special.

Overall, I really loved this book! I loved C&B, and I didn't think that it was possible to top the emotions that I felt while reading that story. I have to say that while this book was a different type of journey than C&B was, it was every bit as emotional of a read for me. Ben was going through so much and I felt so emotionally invested in him that my heart ached so much for him. I just wanted to reach into the pages and hug him. A.M Hargrove and Terri E. Laine make a fantastic writing team, and they continue to prove just how deep and powerful their words are to readers. A Mess of a Man was everything I had hoped it would be and more! I honestly cannot recommend these books enough, and I hope that they never stop writing together! I am already anxious for more from them, and I need Jenna's story next!

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: Cruel and Beautiful by A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine

I honestly have so few words to really describe what I am feeling after finishing Cruel and Beautiful by A.M. Hargrove and Terri E. Laine. This book was everything. It was every emotion possible, and it was one of the best (if not the best!) book I have read all year. I am not much of a crier when it comes to books or movies, but this book had me in tears. I felt so emotionally connected to this book and the characters and I could not put it down. Even as I was trying to read through the tears I just couldn't stop. Knowing that this book was based on a true story added a whole other layer to my feelings here, and I honestly can't even begin to describe what going through something similar in real life must have been like. While I am a fan of A.M. Hargrove (seriously LOVE her!), I am new to Terri E. Laine. I thought that they did a wonderful job of meshing their styles and writing a cohesive and solid story here. I can't wait to read more from each of these authors, and I really hope that we get more novels from them writing as a team. 

While I would normally summarize the story, I feel like I can't really do that here. Even the smallest detail could spoil the story, and trust me you do not want that to happen. I actually hadn't even read the blurb before starting this book. I have a friend that had read this book and she told me that she needed me to read this so that she could talk to someone about it. So I just dove right in, not really having any idea what to expect. Honestly had I read the blurb or really paid attention to the cover, I never would have been able to guess the emotional journey I was in for. But this book made me feel and think, and while it was absolutely gut wrenching at times it was also full of love. It was sexy, fun and extremely emotional, but while this book was heartbreaking and sad it was at its core about unconditional love. This book was so accurately described with the title because while it is cruel, it is also one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. 

I loved the characters here. They were great and so easy to fall in love with. Not only were the main characters fantastic, but I really liked all the secondary characters as well. Each character played such a pivotal role in the whole story that without a single one of them the entire story would have been different. I feel like it is important to let the reader know that this book does switch between the past and the present, giving the reader glimpses of how everything started and the long journey to where this book ended. While this book wasn't always easy, it was worth the read and is one that I will be thinking about for a long time to come. I know that I will read this book again, even knowing what I am in for. It is one that I will recommend to everyone who asks what they should be reading. If you haven't picked this book up yet, you absolutely should. It isn't often that I will just blanketly recommend a book to anyone who reads without specifying which genre the readers should be a fan of, but I really believe that this story has it all and will be one that any romance fan can appreciate.

**ARC Provided by Authors**

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