Book Review: Paperback Writers Anthology

You can read my Goodreads review below to get an overall feel for the book. I very much enjoyed all of the stories, but, I’m just going to quickly go over a few of my favorites.

The book really started off right. “Don’t Want to Leave Her Now” by Effie Kammenou was touching and heartfelt. The way the author wove the emotion of the song (“Something”) into the story was seamless. The concept of soul mates has always been fascinating to me, and it was explored beautifully in this story.

“Fidelity” by Morgan & Jennifer Locklear was another good one. I am a history buff, so the setting of the establishment of the Berlin Wall was especially interesting (I knew it would be so when I saw the date of the prologue). The dual meaning of the word fidelity, both as it relates to records and sound and faithfulness were intertwined to create the story of loss and hope.

Melanie Moreland is one of my favorite authors, and I was very excited to see that she was included in this anthology. Her “The Taste of You” read like one of her novels, and that made me very happy. I loved how she used the sensuousness of food to introduce the two main characters and special kudos to the hero’s name. Food is poetry and love for Chef Byron Lord; that’s just genius.

The other stories were just as good, but these three stood out to me. There is something for just about every taste in Paperback Writers. Even better, proceeds from the sales will benefit the World Literacy Foundation.

The Beatles, great authors, and contributing to a worthy cause. Go get your copy now!

Paperback Writers by Jennifer Locklear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a wonderful anthology that will make you feel “Glad All Over.” Each of the stories is based on a Beatles song. Some of the authors work lyrics and/or song titles into their stories and some use the lyrics of a song as a theme or the plot. When put “All Together Now,” the result is an extremely diverse and highly entertaining anthology. “Don’t Let Me Down,” please go to my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews to find out which stories I liked the most, then “Run For Your Life” to pick up your own copy! This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release digital ARC. “The End.”

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June 11, 2019June 11, 2019

Book Review: Covering All the Bases

If you’re a baseball lover (like I am) you’re constantly on the lookout for stories /romances that are interesting but that don’t sacrifice the details of the game for the plot.

Covering All the Bases by Jody Holford is a winner in this regard. It’s not entirely baseball heavy, but there is enough reference to the sport for the casual fan to enjoy. The chemistry between the lead characters is evident from the beginning and the secondary characters are fun too.

This is a great summer read for fans of the game.

Covering All the Bases by Jody Holford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this sports romance. Most books in this genre have a hero who is a stud sports dude who humbles himself to be with the woman who takes him down a peg or two. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But this story was different because Liam Cruz was a sweetheart from the very beginning. It was so nice to see a guy who was comfortable being a nice guy in spite of his sports stature. I liked the chemistry between Liam and Isla, and I really liked Talia – I hope there is a story for her coming up next. I also enjoyed the plot; I thought it was unique. And frankly, I’m a sucker for a baseball story. Since we are heading into the heart of baseball season, I’d definitely recommend the book. This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release digital ARC.

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June 11, 2019June 11, 2019

New Release: A Love Like Nun Other

A Love Like Nun Other

by Angela Nicole

AMAZON

Series: Game Winner; Book 1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

GOODREADS

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?

Follow the Author

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

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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June 11, 2019June 12, 2019

NEW RELEASE: Paperback Writers Anthology

This is to get you interested. Check back tomorrow for my stop on the blog tour AND my review of Paperback Writers!

An anthology of original stories inspired by the music of The Beatles.

Universal. Romantic. Experimental. Timeless. Emotional. Fearless.

Eleven short stories that all share a chord.

All proceeds will benefit the World Literacy Foundation, a global non-profit organization working to ensure that every young individual regardless of geographic location has the opportunity to acquire literacy and reading skills to reach their full potential.

Foreword by Sylvain Reynard.

Paperback writers featured:

Beck Anderson

Kris Babe

MJ Grace

Rumer Haven

Shari Ivey

Effie Kammenou

Jennifer Locklear

Morgan Locklear

Sydney Logan

Melanie Moreland

Susan K. Swords

Aubree Valentine

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Jennifer Locklear writes the “hauntingly emotional” Constellation series, which was selected as a Best Book of 2016 by Agents of Romance, Smokin’ Hot Reads Book Blog and AC Squared Book Blog. Her love stories are “equal parts wildly erotic and heartbreakingly angsty” (Agents of Romance). Follow Jennifer on BookBub to receive notices about her new releases and sales, and join her mailing list at locklearbooks.com for monthly newsletters. The second book of the Constellation series, CHAOS, was released on May 17, 2018. Jennifer lives in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. She married her high school sweetheart, Morgan, in 1995. She is the mother of two children, a son and daughter. Prior to publishing her first novel, she was a contributing reviewer for the Bookish Temptations book blog. She is also a founding moderator of Argyle Empire, an approved fan site for author New York Times and International Best Selling Author, Sylvain Reynard. Represented by Stephanie Phillips of SBR Media.

♦ ♦ ♦

June 10, 2019June 11, 2019

New Release: Missing in Action

Missing in Action

by K.L. Donn

Amazon

US | UK | CA | AU

Other Retailers

APPLE | KOBO | NOOK

Genre: Contemporary Military Romance

Series: Task Force 779; Book 1

GOODREADS

Ryder Morrison is a man of loyalty. To his country, his family, his team.

After joining the Navy, he was secretly recruited to Task Force 779, a specialized unit that infiltrates dangerous situations when no one else can – or will. As the communications expert, it’s his job to clear the way for a smooth mission. He knows where the enemy is hidden at all times and when his team can enter a zone safely.

When things go wrong and he’s captured, declared dead before a search can truly begin, Ryder knows that when he makes his way home, his life will be different … his way home, his life will be different … better. He’ll live for himself from now on, instead of following where duty takes him.

Enter his elusive neighbor …

A woman of mystery and fear.

Codie Ray is a woman filled with pain. Afraid of life and locked away.

She counts to soothe the anxiety. She watches her neighbor because he’s her only lifeline to the outside world. He’s a commitment she doesn’t have to worry will break her. Until the unthinkable happens and her solace is intruded upon. Ryder comes to the rescue and barges his way into her life, pushing past her barriers, causing Codie to rethink her reclusive lifestyle. Slowly being tormented with mind games from an unknown predator, she battles her better judgement and trusts Ryder to do what he does best … hunt down the perpetrator.

Their connection is instantaneous. Two broken people yearning to be loved but afraid to reach for it. Codie fears Ryder will leave when he discovers just how damaged she is. Ryder worries Codie will remain locked away in her mind, unable to break free.

A surprise mission brings both of their fears to life, and when the walls crumble, Ryder is Missing in Action while Codie is just … missing. Will they find each other again or will they disappear, existing only in a memory?

Photographer: Paul Henry Serres
Model: Simon – Instagram
Designer: Sensual Graphic Designs

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June 9, 2019June 9, 2019

Book Review: The Mummy Bloggers

This book is a must-read for anybody who has spent any time on social media (so, yeah, that means that everybody should read it).

The author does a fantastic job of creating characters that are easily recognizable. I especially liked how the three main characters were all linked in one way or another. It allowed for the plot to be woven seamlessly between the three, instead of just being three perspectives.

The plot itself was fun: the three women all write “Mummy Blogs” (it’s set in Australia). Elle is the Stylish Mumma, Abi is the Green Diva, and Leisel is the Working Mum. They have each been nominated in the “Best Parenting” category of the Blog-aahs Awards (clever name).

Where the author excels is in the “unmasking” of each of the mums, and how each is not exactly what they seem to be – or at least what they put out to their followers on social media. Liesel is the one who comes closest, but Elle and Abi both have lots to hide.

Abi was especially interesting because she typified the “angry feminist” type of person who is extremely hypocritical, shooting off about “white privilege” (and finding out the person she was complaining about wasn’t white) and capitalism from her iPhone.

Elle is the worst of them, though. I can’t even begin to tell you how awful she is, and the terrible things that she does. But because she is so evil, she is so much fun to hate. Honestly, she is the stereotypical woman you know has to be lying because nobody is that perfect.

Which brings me to the main point that I took away: social media is NOT real life. People lie. They stage events and act a part. And they get so wrapped up in “clicks” and “likes” and “followers” that they have forgotten how to be decent human beings.

And that, my friends, is the state we are in today.

This is a timely novel that delivers the above message with humor but in a very pointed manner. Very well done.

The Mummy Bloggers by Holly Wainwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of this book and thought that the writing was excellent. I liked how the characters were representative of the different people easily found on social media: the overwhelmed mom, the ‘appearances are perfect’ mom, and the crunchy granola mom. But the author did an excellent job of illustrating how there is always more to a story, and nobody can actually be categorized that easily. There were quite a few jaw-drop moments, including one near the end that had me yelling “NO WAY!” at my Kindle. For more insight into the stereotypical characters, visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to Legend Press (via NetGalley) for the opportunity to read a complimentary digital ARC of this book.

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June 3, 2019June 3, 2019

Cover Reveal: On the Rocks

On the Rocks by Kandi Steiner

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publishing date: June 13, 2019

Cover Designer: Kandi Steiner

Photographer: Lauren Perry of Perrywinkle

Noah Becker is nothing but trouble.

That’s what Mama told me when I was a kid, kicking his pew in church and giggling at the games we’d play. It’s what the town said when his father died and the Becker brothers went wild.

And it’s on repeat in my mind the day I walk into the whiskey distillery where he works to buy a wedding gift for my fiancé.

He’s trouble.

Dirty, sweaty, rude trouble.

No matter how many times I repeat it, I can’t escape Noah in our small Tennessee town. And the more I run into him, the more he infuriates me. Because he sees what no one else does.

He sees me—the real me.

The me I’m not sure I’m allowed to be.

I’m Ruby Grace Barnett, the mayor’s daughter. Soon to be a politician’s wife, just like Mama and Daddy always wanted. Soon to fulfill my family’s legacy, just like I always knew I would.

Until the boy everyone warned me about makes me question everything, like whether the wedding I’m planning is one I even want.

Everyone said Noah Becker was nothing but trouble.

If only I had listened.

A stand-alone, contemporary romance.

Coming June 13, 2019 to Amazon and Kindle Unlimited!

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2Keav1w

About Kandi:

Kandi Steiner is a bestselling author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tampa, FL. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.

An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. She started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a diehard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs.

When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys live music, traveling, anything heavy in carbs, beach days, movie marathons, craft beer, and sweet wine — not necessarily in that order.

Connect with Kandi:

Mailing List: bit.ly/NewsletterKS

Facebook: facebook.com/kandisteiner

Facebook Reader Group: (Kandiland): facebook.com/groups/kandischasers

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kandisteiner

Twitter: twitter.com/kandisteiner

Pinterest: pinterest.com/kandicoffman

Website: www.kandisteiner.com

Kandi Steiner may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future:

www.kandisteiner.com/events

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019

Cover Reveal: Kiss Me Not

What do you do when you’re the reigning kissing booth champion but the only person you want to kiss is your best friend’s brother?

Kiss Me Not, an all- new hilarious brother’s best friend standalone romance from New York Times bestselling author Emma Hart is coming August 27th and we have the fresh and fun cover!

Let me make this clear right here, right now: I, Halley Dawson, do not care that Preston Wright is kissing other women.

Not a lick. Not at all. Nuh-uh-freakin’-uh.

I do care that he’s doing it six feet away from me behind a gaudy velvet curtain—making him my competition in this year’s kissing contest.

Why do I care, you ask? Because I’ve had an unfortunate crush on the insufferable idiot since I was sixteen years old, but I also know it’s never going to happen.

He’s the Creek Falls bachelor to die for, and I’m the Creek Falls racoon lady who puts peanut butter sandwiches out for them every night.

I’m not going to let him break my four-year-long reign—no matter how many times he breaks the rules and slides the curtain across to do the one thing he’s not allowed to:

Kiss me.

Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2wq22jD

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2VZW8QH

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

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

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

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2XkZiA5

About Emma Hart

Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels and has been translated into several different languages. She is a mother, wife, lover of wine, Pink Goddess, and valiant rescuer of wild baby hedgehogs. Emma prides herself on her realistic, snarky smut, with comebacks that would make a PMS-ing teenage girl proud. Yes, really. She’s that sarcastic.

Connect with Emma

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaHartBooks/

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2Dr0atq

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2Dq42ez

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2EBbZNe

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2D91d3T

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmahartauthor/

Stay up to date with Emma by joining her mailing list: https://www.emmahart.org/newsletter

Website: https://www.emmahart.org/home

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019

Cover Reveal: Total Surrender

How far would you go to make the man that destroyed your family pay?

Total Surrender, an all-new standalone in a brand new series of contemporary fairy tales with dirty, sexy twists from New York Times bestselling author Erika Wilde is coming June 25th, and we have the steamy cover!

Maddux Wilder is a man consumed, a beast in a three-piece suit. Rich and powerful, he built his empire with one thought in mind: revenge.

After years of patience and planning, the wait is finally over. Tonight, Maddux will finally watch Theodore Cole’s kingdom crumble. At a lavish ball in the New York City castle the Wilder siblings call home, the man that killed their parents will atone for his sins.

If only he’d planned for her.

Arabella Cole is Theodore’s only child; his cherished and sheltered daughter. She’s an innocent, captivating beauty that would do anything to save her loving father, including sacrificing herself.

With her freedom gone, she must surrender to a man she hates. A man that makes her want things she shouldn’t. A man that awakens deep, forbidden desires.

But everyone knows that roses don’t bloom in darkness.

Enter Maddux Wilder, a man that doesn’t believe in fairy tales.

Can the beauty tame the beast or will revenge cost them both everything that matters most?

Pre-order your copy today!

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

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

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/30LgZeb

Get NOTIFIED when TOTAL SURRENDER goes LIVE!

Text Alert: https://mobile-text-alerts.com/subscribe/ERIKAWILDE

Mailing List Alert: https://erikawilde.com/subscribe

Join the PRIVATE Erika Wilde fan page: http://smarturl.it/ErikaWildeFanPage

Cover Designed by Steamy Designs

Photography by Wander Aguiar

Meet Erika Wilde

Erika Wilde is a New York Times Bestselling author. She is best known for her super sexy Marriage Diaries series and The Players Club series, and has also co-written the Dirty Sexy Series and the Book Boyfriend Series with Carly Phillips, her best friend and writing buddy for the past twenty years. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two daughters, and when she’s not writing you can find her exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. For more information on her upcoming releases, please visit her website at www.erikawilde.com and sign up for her mailing list for updates and news!

Connect with Erika:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2OLvHe9

Twitter: https://twitter.com/erikawilde1

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2Ply3lh

GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2MsZBqj Friend Erika on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2PkVyKZ

Visit her author page: http://bit.ly/2vVITpY

Join her reader group: http://bit.ly/2OLuIut

Stay up to date with Erika by joining her mailing list:http://bit.ly/2OJIsWE

https://www.erikawilde.com

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019

Blog Tour: Million Dollar Devil

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour. I have to say that this book looks pretty interesting, and I can’t wait to jump in!

Million Dollar Devil by Katy Evans

Release Date: May 28, 2019

Million Dollar Devil, a devilish contemporary romance where big-city sophistication meets carnal hunger from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Evans.

Heir apparent to her father’s company, Lizzy Banks needs a man. The perfect man. But when the rich “fundbabies” she usually rubs shoulders with prove impossible to hire, she takes a chance on a raw beast of a man salvaged from the wreckage of a bar brawl.

James Rowan earns a modest income as a YouTube daredevil, but he can’t refuse Lizzy’s million dollar deal. As she polishes his rough edges, creating a sophisticated gentleman fit for the highest circles of society, not only does she bring out the perfect man—it’s like she’s making the man of her dreams. How can she resist?

Though Lizzy loves seeing James in his clothes—and out of them—he isn’t the kind of man you bring home to Daddy. Her father’s disapproval and the pressure of the campaign have her eyeing the straight and narrow, but Lizzy’s finding it awfully hard to resist the devil on her shoulder…

A stand-alone, contemporary romance.

Download your copy today!

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

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

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

Excerpt:

He has a face that—until now—only existed in my dreams. Hard jaw, chiseled to perfection. Firm, plush, kissable lips. Sharp, pristine blue eyes that feel like lasers zeroing in on me. He catches my gaze, and the devil’s smile suddenly playing on his lips is worth a million bucks. That’s exactly how much it cost me. What this guy cost me. I would’ve paid so much more. It’s like he’s the only man in the room. Like he belongs here. Confidence oozes out of his every pore. Masculinity envelops him as perfectly as his custom black suit. He walks like he owns the place. My heart beats harder and harder for him. I can’t believe I got him to agree to this. Women are vying for his attention. His moves are smooth. Sophisticated. Elegant. “An autograph?” a young woman asks shyly. He takes the notepad and pen she extends and scribbles his name, his voice low and rough. “There you go.” Beneath all that polish is his raw masculine energy. The determination that brought him here. “James . . .” I halt him before we go any farther. “Whatever happens . . .” He looks at me. A thousand words lingering in his look. “I know.” But does he? I’ve fallen in love with my own creation. I polished a diamond, and now it’s flawless. Perfect. But it’s not mine to keep. He is not mine to keep. This elite world he’s about to join isn’t one he was born into. These fans only know him because of me. His place at the top? That’s not where I found him.

About Katy:

Katy Evans is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her debut REAL shot to the top of the bestselling lists in 2013 and since then 9 of her titles have been New York Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages across the world.

Connect with Katy:

Email: katyevansauthor@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorKatyEvans

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorkatyevans

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6997072.Katy_Evans

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkatyevans/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/katy-evans

Amazon Author: https://amzn.to/2rdox8A