Book Review: Heartthrob by Robin Bielman

NOW AVAILABLE: MAY 7, 2019

I grew up around baseball, so I am a sucker for anything that has baseball has a central part. In this case, Finn Auprince is a megastar baseball player for a fictional team, and Chloe Conrad is hired to be his social media manager.

The camaraderie that grows between them is a delicious slow burn. I loved how the author built trust between the two. I also appreciated that their reactions to events were very natural. There wasn’t any of the melodrama that one often finds in romance novels. I loved Finn’s compassion and also that he wasn’t a total rogue or jerk (also commonly found in romance novels), just someone who was committed to the sport he loved.

One of my favorite aspects of the story, however, was somewhat of a throwaway in the overall plot – but it meant a lot to me. Chloe mentions that she was homeschooled because her dad was an umpire and she had to travel with him during the baseball season. Why was this important to me?

Because Chloe is perfectly normal.

Many of you know that I have homeschooled our son since he was in the fourth grade, and we’ve all heard the stereotypes and misnomers about homeschoolers: they’re socially awkward, they don’t have good people skills, they’re isolated, etc. While those may apply to some homeschoolers, they certainly don’t apply to most.

Chloe is the epitome of the homeschoolers that I am familiar with, and in some ways, she reminded me of my son. She’s outgoing, confident, knows how to deal with people, and has an open spirit about her. The schooling her dad gave her exposed her to so much more knowledge than a traditional school could have. We are doing the same thing.

Oh, and I especially loved that her dad used Brain Quest – we had those for every grade level. I remember standing in line for the Tower of Terror at Disneyland, reading Brain Quest cards to our son. By the time we finally got to the ride, we had quite the trivia competition going on with the people around us.

I love it when an author hits the nail on the head with something like that. It just makes the book that much better. There are two more Auprince brothers to be paired off, and I can’t wait to read their stories. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up to get the series started. My Goodreads review is below.

Heartthrob (American Royalty #1)Heartthrob by Robin Bielman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the story of Finn and Chloe! I appreciated that the author gave some thought into a unique way to bring them together. I also liked that it was realistic: not just the plot, but the characters as well. There wasn’t a lot of angsty back and forth; the doubts that each character had were real emotions that an actual person would feel in the same situation. I literally lol’d more than a few times. Oh, and it’s got baseball and goat yoga, so…yeah, fun times! I can’t wait to read the other Auprince brothers’ stories. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for some more thoughts on this sweet romance. This review was written based on a pre-release digital ARC.

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NEW RELEASE: Sweet Home Louisiana

NOW AVAILABLE! Here’s a reminder of why you need to go grab this book today!

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Sweet Home Louisiana, an all-new sexy, small town, second chance rom com from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas, is available now!

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Thanks to a drawn-up-while-drinking-moonshine partnership agreement, Madison Allain has to spend thirty days back on the bayou before she can sell her part of the family business.

And if the heat and humidity and freaking alligators of Louisiana aren’t enough to agitate the cool and in-control California girl, then Owen Landry, the equally hot guy who stole her heart twelve years ago, will sure do the trick.

Owen just has to remember three simple-ish rules: Do not fight with her. Do not fight *over* her. Do *not* kiss her. He can do this. He’s charming and friendly for a living after all. But this is Maddie. The only woman to ever shake up this laid-back bayou boy.

Besides, she’s not staying. No way. These people and this town make her crazy. She doesn’t want to be crazy. She definitely does *not* want to own a swamp boat tour company. She just wants to paint. In her quiet, beautiful, alligators-not-allowed, *air-conditioned* art studio.

As for that hot bayou boy? Well, he’s…amazing. But he belongs here in the South. And she definitely doesn’t. Even if her heart stays behind when she leaves.

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Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IeBN7M

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2FZZE7q

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/SweetHomeLA

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Start the series of standalones with My Best Friend’s Mardi Gras Wedding

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About Erin Nicholas

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters. Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books). ErinNicholas

Connect with Erin

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Website: https://erinnicholas.com

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Release Blitz: Better Than Me

Make sure you check out my review, because this is one you’ll want to pick up!

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“I couldn’t put the book down! I’m claiming Jonah as my own. He’s exactly what I want in a hero. You’ll swoon. You’ll grin. You’ll fall in love…”

— Kristen Proby, New York Times bestselling author

Better Than Me, an all-new steamy friends to lovers romance from USA Today bestselling author Kimberly Kincaid, is available now!

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Remington’s most notoriously single,

notoriously sexy surgeon

is about to fall for the one woman

he can’t have…

Did I mention that she’s

A) his best friend

B) immune to his panty-melting charm, and

C) sleeping on his couch for the next six weeks?

But Jonah’s not made for commitment,

and a good man is the one thing Natalie deserves.

Not someone who can only offer up

a couple of sizzling hot, no-strings-attached nights

of pure pleasure.

Unless that’s what she wants.

Because Jonah wants her. And with each

moment they spend working together—

living together—

the harder it is to resist temptation.

And even harder to resist the fall that

might break them both…

A steamy medical contemporary romance from USA Today best-selling author Kimberly Kincaid. Watch this cocky hero fall head over scalpel for his sweet and sexy BFF. Full-length standalone story with action in the emergency room and the bedroom, and a sweet-and-sexy happily ever after.

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Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HiMB3n

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Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2tWpwM2

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About Kimberly

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet and hot and edgy romantic suspense. When she’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a USA Today best-selling author and a 2016 and 2015 RWA RITA® finalist and 2014 Bookseller’s Best nominee who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. Kimberly resides in Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters. KimberlyKincaid.jpg

Connect with Kimberly

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2V66LBB

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https://kimberlykincaid.com

New Release: Heartthrob by Robin Bielman

Now available! Hop over to my review to see why I highly recommend this one!

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He likes a challenge…

Heartthrob, an all-new sexy and hilarious standalone from USA Today bestselling author Robin Bielman, is available now!

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Here’s the deal: I’m the best center fielder in the major leagues. I’m also the guy who cost his team the championship game and acted very unsportsmanlike. So, when the team hires a social media manager to repair the damage to my reputation, I don’t argue. But then I meet Chloe Conrad, and I suddenly understand what people mean when they say they have an instant connection to someone. Which means I’m in serious trouble. Chloe’s a smart, sexy distraction I can’t afford, but one date can’t hurt, right? Only she turns me down. And just like that, it’s game on.

She’s sworn off love…

Finn Auprince is the hottest player in the major leagues. Look up “It Factor” in the dictionary and there’s his handsome face. He’s also my biggest client and I don’t care how easy it is to talk to him or how fun it is to manage his social media accounts, I will not give in to his charms. Then one drunken night, I tell him about my curse: all my previous boyfriends have found their soul mates while dating me. One more heartbreak, and I’ll never recover. But Finn doesn’t believe in curses—he believes in me. Professionally and personally. He sets out to prove the universe isn’t against me, and that his one true love isn’t waiting around the next corner.

The problem is…can we play the game of love and both come out on top?

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Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2u5ZNRz

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2tYDQn7

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/Heartthrob

Nook: http://bit.ly/2ST678S

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2SVkxW9

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2VPvytT

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2BRULMH

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About Robin Bielman

Robin Bielman is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifteen novels. When not attached to her laptop, she loves to read, go to the beach, frequent coffee shops, and spend time with her husband and two sons. Her fondness for swoon-worthy heroes who flirt and stumble upon the girl they can’t live without jumpstarts most of her story ideas. She writes with a steady stream of caffeine nearby and the best dog on the planet, Harry, by her side. She also dreams of traveling to faraway places and loves to connect with readers. She dreams of traveling to faraway places and loves to connect with readers. Keep in touch at all of her social media spots! RobinBielman.jpg

Connect with Robin

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2HoeJSN

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2CggPAS

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2NUXRnI

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Stay up to date with Robin by joining her mailing list:

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Cover Reveal: A Love Like Nun Other



A Love Like Nun Other
by Angela Nicole

Series: Game Winner; Book 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance



Leo
She’s too good for me … pure and innocent.

Sophia
He shouldn’t want a woman like me.

Leo
I’ve had my share of women.

Sophia
I’m a virgin.

Leo
She makes me want to be a better man.

Sophia
He makes me want to be a bad girl.

When a sexy, soccer player falls in love with a former nun, will their very different pasts pull them apart?



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About the Author

Angela Nicole resides in Upstate NY with her husband, William. With two graduate degrees in both education and business, Angela spent the last 23 years working in higher education. Wondering what to do with all of the conversations that were going on in her heard, she put pen to paper and fingers to keyboard and wrote. 

Writing is quite a change but a change that she loves. As an avid reader, Angela fell in love with romance novels that feature alpha men with hearts of gold. If you love them as much as she does, check out her Mastered Hearts series. 

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New Release: Geeks Against Zombies



Geeks Against Zombies
by Alathia Paris Morgan

Amazon
US | UK | CA | AU

Genre: Apocalyptic / Dystopian



Sean just wanted to play video games and graduate. When his video game world came to life with zombies, he and his friends put all of their reflexes to good use by trying to stay alive.

Andi Jackson has always had a crush on Sean, but he’s never seen her as more than his little sister’s friend. Vowing that not even a gunshot wound can keep her from chasing down love, can she find a way past the zombies and into his arms?

Join the remaining survivors as they continue their fight Against Zombies in this exciting new installment.



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About the Author

Alathia Paris Morgan is a full-time writer. With the death of her brother in 2013, she decided life was too short to waste the ideas she was given. Since she’d always had stories floating around in her head, she took a shot at writing them down during a NANOWRIMO Camp. She realized quickly that her characters had more than one mystery to solve, which resulted in her Nova Ladies series with a crossover series Murders of the Zodiacs. Now, zombies have joined her world in the Against Zombies series.

With the support and love of her husband, Alathia continues to bring new worlds to life. Their three daughters and three dogs are more than enough to keep her busy when she is not putting words on the page or lost in her imagination. 

In her free time, she loves to read and enjoys quilting while watching TV shows.


Hosted by: RRR PROMOTION

Blog Tour: Love & Ghosts

Don’t know about you guys, but I think this one looks like one to definitely pick up!



Presents : Blog Tour

Love & Ghosts
by Carrie Pulkinen


Series: Crescent City Ghost Tours; Book One
Genre: Paranormal Romance



Love in the Big Easy shouldn’t be so hard.

Trying to add some excitement to her life, Emily Rollins accepts a dare to kiss a masked stranger at a charity ball. Fireworks ignite with that simple kiss, and she longs to learn more about the enchanting man. But Emily has lost so much of her heart already; succumbing to his charm is the last thing she needs.

Sean LeBlanc is a medium who runs the most popular haunted tour company in New Orleans. When Emily shows up on his ghost tour, with no idea he’s the mystery man from the ball, the long-buried emotions she unearthed in him are rekindled, and he’s convinced he can learn to love again. The problem is Emily doesn’t believe in the supernatural.

Just as Sean begins to open her mind to the existence of spirits and the possibility of love, a mysterious wooden box with a sinister power arrives on Emily’s doorstep, threatening her sanity and her life. If Sean can’t convince her ghosts are real, her disbelief will doom them both.





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About the Author

Carrie Pulkinen is a paranormal romance author who has always been fascinated with things that go bump in the night. Of course, when you grow up next door to a cemetery, the dead (and the undead) are hard to ignore. Pair that with her passion for writing and her love of a good happily-ever-after, and becoming a paranormal romance romance seems like the only logical career choice.

Before she decided to turn her love of the written word into a career, Carrie spent the first part of her professional life as a high school journalism and yearbook teacher. She loves good chocolate and bad pens, and in her free time, she likes to read, drink wine, and travel with her family.



Hosted by: RRR PROMOTION

Blog Tour: The East End

This book is different from anything I’ve read in a long time. Read more of my thoughts on it, and then pick it up when it releases on May 7!

Author Bio: Jason Allen grew up in a working-class home in the Hamptons, where he worked a variety of blue-collar jobs for wealthy estate owners. He writes fiction, poetry, and memoir, and is the author of the poetry collection A MEDITATION ON FIRE. He has an MFA from Pacific University and a PhD in literature and creative writing from Binghamton University, and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where he teaches writing. THE EAST END is his first novel.


Book Review: The East End

I was very excited to be invited to be a part of the blog tour for this book and I couldn’t wait to read it. I was not disappointed.

Right away, the reader gets the feeling of the socio-economic divide that is part of the tapestry of the area commonly known as the Hamptons. While there are people who live there year-around, it really “comes alive” in the summer when ultra-rich Manhattanites make their pilgrimage to the shores of Long Island for a few months of sun and fun.

It is ironic, then, that the characters in this novel actually feel quite dead; whether it is due to dead end jobs, or having to put up a front in one’s personal life, the main characters consistently find themselves at loose ends and without many prospects.

It was evident that the author was writing from experience (or at least personal knowledge) because his detail painted extremely vivid pictures. What was extremely illustrative, however, was how he was able to draw parallels between the characters. When faced with tragedy, they each come to some stark realizations.

The exploration of themes such as “money can’t buy love,” and “there’s no way out of a bad situation if you’re poor” are juxtaposed perfectly. Each character ultimately realizes that they DO have control over their situations, and it is very interesting to see the choices that each of them make.

I enjoyed this book immensely. It was deep and had an interesting plot. The characters were well-developed and their actions were realistic. I highly recommend this study of human nature. My Goodreads review is below.

The East EndThe East End by Jason Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This page-turner set in the Hamptons perfectly illustrates that adage that money can’t buy happiness and of how quickly lives can become intertwined due to a single incident. I thought that the perspectives of the characters and how each of them reacted to their situations was extremely well-done. The character studies were a fascinating juxtaposition of roles: in some cases, the people who usually felt powerless held the most power, while the people who usually controlled everything completely lost control. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for some deeper thoughts on the book. This review was written based on a pre-release digital ARC provided by NetGalley.

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Teaser: Beautiful Ever After

Reading this as an ARC….the duet is soooooo excellent!

Beautiful Ever After (Beautiful Illusions Duet #2) by Georgia Cates Release Date: May 7th

 

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44284160-beautiful-ever-after

   

PREORDER TODAY!! Amazon: https://amzn.to/2UuviPC B&N: http://bit.ly/2XvUtTQ Kobo: http://bit.ly/2UuuSsw Apple Books: https://apple.co/2Uw62c2

   

Blurb: Everything in my life has changed. This woman, my paid companion, has turned my world upside down … while making it right for the first time ever.

We were brought together by need. Hers was money. Mine was companionship. And sex.

Caitriona Louden gave me the girlfriend experience. All of it. And now she’s gone.

I’m not supposed to miss her. I’m not supposed to love her. But I do. Both.

Our contract expired, and she walked away. Now my world is falling apart without her in it. Because she is my everything.

A fairy-tale romance. It’s ours to have. And this woman I’ve come to love so dearly is my beautiful ever after.

   

About the Author: Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet.

When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. When she’s being domestic, she’s listening to her music and visualizing scenes for her current work in progress. Every story coming from her always has a song to inspire it.

   

Connect w/Georgia: Website: http://www.georgiacates.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgia.cates.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeorgiaCates Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgeorgiacates/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/georgiacates1/ Bookbub:https://www.bookbub.com/authors/georgia-cates

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