Blog Tour w/Review: Handle with Care

I loved the previous book in this series (Making Up), and while I still have to go back and read the previous ones, Handle With Care is another book that can be read as a standalone. The author does a fantastic job of covering the necessary information from earlier books while keeping the plot at hand moving along.

Lincoln prefers to be working with non-profits and charities far away from his toxic family. Wren has been hired to handle the most toxic member of Lincoln’s family (his younger brother Armstrong – ADF is a real problem). When Lincoln is forced home due to his father’s death, Wren winds up having to wrangle him as well. You know from the beginning where this is going to end up, but neither Wren nor Lincoln does, and that’s the fun of the story.

One thing this author does exceptionally well is showing the reader how the characters feelings gradually change over time through subtle hints. For example, Lincoln complains about (and generally ignores) Wren’s incessant texts and calendar reminders…until one day he receives one and realizes he needs to check the text in case it is something important. He doesn’t even acknowledge the significance of his shift in attitude.

Along with the slowly growing romance, there are a few family secrets (from both Wren’s and Lincoln’s families) that create some friction and add some unique twists. They also add some depth to the character motivations, and there were more than a few moments where my notes in the book showed surprise at an incident in the book. Handle with Care is a great story with interesting characters. I highly recommend picking it up for a fun read.

Handle With CareHandle With Care by Helena Hunting
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In book five of the “Shacking Up” series, we have Lincoln and Wren. He is a reluctant temporary CEO; she is a media-handler for the company (well, more for his wayward brother). Sparks fly, but family secrets and other twists get in the way. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Handle with Care. I liked the interplay between the characters and thought that the plot was realistic. For more thoughts on this entertaining book, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for a complimentary, pre-release digital ARC of the book.

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Books-On-Tour: Her Rough Ride

I am traditionally not a reader of MC romances, but I am always looking to broaden my genre base and read new things. I am so delighted that I took a chance with Her Rough Ride because it was an excellent read.

Right from the prologue, the story pulled me in. The mythology stories that Sebastian told at the beginning were an interesting way to introduce the main characters and laid the groundwork for the soul-searching that both Maya and Sebastian/Slade engage in throughout the book.

The details the MC life were fascinating. I know next to nothing about it, but everything the author describes seems very real. So, either she has first-hand knowledge, or she did a helluva job with her research!

I thought that both characters were complex, which added to the depth of the story. At one point, Maya observes that people respond to events in a variety of ways, which means that there is no right or wrong way to react. The insight she has was eye-opening on a personal level.

I particularly liked how the author let the tension build between Maya and Slade. I also appreciated how Slade thought that he held all of the cards when, in reality, he was missing vital pieces of the story – just as Maya was; this made their relationship more tenuous than either of them knew. But when they finally got together? Holy hotness, was it steamy and oh, so good.

I also thought that the “suspense” side of the story was well done. I look forward to future books to see what happens between the RDs and the Forsaken (and I hope that the RDs do something with the MC in Texas as well).

One of the best things about this book is that it can be read as a standalone because the author did a terrific job of filling in the details from the first book without losing the thread of the plot in this book. That is sometimes a challenge in later entries of a series.

I do wish that the tattoos on the cover had been accurate to the character – I think that would have been an excellent tease for those points in the story. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed Her Rough Ride, and I definitely will be looking for the next in the series.

Her Rough Ride (Red Dragon MC Series, #2)Her Rough Ride by Heather Van Fleet
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in the Red Dragon MC series does NOT disappoint. More in-depth than the average MC story, you will get caught up in the relationship between Maya and Sebastian/Slade while trying to figure out the motives of Pops and other MCs. The author does a fantastic job of balancing the suspense and the romance. You can also read this book as a standalone – but it will make you want to go back and read the first one if you do! For more thoughts on Her Rough Ride, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for a complimentary, pre-release digital ARC of the book.

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AUTHOR BIO
Heather Van Fleet is a stay-at-home-mom turned book boyfriend connoisseur. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, a mom to three girls, and in her spare time you can find her with her head buried in her Kindle, guzzling down copious amounts of coffee.

Heather graduated from Black Hawk College in 2003 and currently writes New Adult and Adult Contemporary Romance.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

My name was Sebastian. But now they call me Slade. I’ve reinvented myself, become a man, been sworn into the Red Dragon MC. I’ve got tattooed and ripped to hell, I’ve cut my hair and my face now bears the scars of all the fights I’ve seen. The last thing I need is to face her again…

It’s been eight years since Maya ran away from the club. Sweet, beautiful Maya. My first love.

Why do I have to ride halfway across the country to pick her up? Because the club is at war, she’s the niece of our President and I’m the only brother who can be trusted to protecther.

She broke my heart, but I still want her. Do I ever. This woman is my goddess. She’s also my curse.

I need to focus on getting her home. But as soon as our eyes lock, she’s looking at me all kinds of ways. Like I’m the sexiest, most perfect stranger she’s ever seen.

And then I realise, I look completely different to the boy she once knew and she doesn’t even recognise me. I could tell her who I am. Or I could have a little fun with her first…

This sexy second novel in the Red Dragon MC series can also be read as a standalone. Fans of Kristen Ashley, Joanna Wylde and Madeline Sheehan will love the heart-stopping tension. Guaranteed HEA, no cliffhangers and no cheating.

Blog Tour: The Way Back to Me



The Way Back to Me by Anne Mercier

AMAZON
US | UK | CA | AU

Series: The Way; Book 1
Genre: New Adult / College Romance

GOODREADS


My life was charmed. I had the best friends ever. We were known as the Fab Five and our futures were planned out.

In a flash, everything was taken from me. I don’t know how to live without them. I don’t want to.

I’m broken.

When I get to college, I see him.

Cameron Stone. Mr. Football. Mr. Popular. He’s definitely hot, but on the inside he’s vile. He made my childhood a living nightmare. I don’t know why he hates me or why he’s suddenly being so nice to me. All the sweet talk in the world won’t work. I know better.

So, why am I listening?

Note: This is a second edition with major revisions. The book does end on a cliffhanger with the second book (The Way With You – also revised) due out late October.






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Blog Tour w/Review: Kiss Me Not by Emma Hart

I have been a fan of Emma Hart for quite a while, and I was very excited to see this new release. The cover grabbed my attention (I love the style), but the story was even better.

I especially liked the setting of the kissing booth. It conveyed small-town romance, but also served as a unique way for Preston and Halley to realize their feelings for each other. That’s not to say that it happens immediately, because the two of them are stubborn – even though everyone around them knows it, they deny the attraction.

Their verbal sparring throughout the book was entertaining and added to the tension that was growing between the two of them. I thought that the focus on kissing would feel overdone after a while, but the author did a fantastic job differentiating the different types of kisses (and there were a lot of different types, thanks to the kissing booth). The descriptions of a couple, however, really allowed the reader to understand the characters’ point of view – especially Halley’s.

There were so many fun aspects to the story. My particular favorite involved Halley’s love for animals (no spoilers – you have to read it to understand). But I could see myself doing what she did. The fuzzy creatures were indirectly responsible for one of the best apology scenes I have ever read.

As far as “grand gestures” go, Preston wins in both the apology and romantic categories. But, what made them both special was that he was willing to take advice from Halley’s friends along the way (instead of being a usual guy who tried to do things on his own). I appreciated the depth that came with him being able to listen and understand a problem.

Kiss Me Not is the first in a new series (although a character from a previous novel does show up) and I cannot wait to see what is in store for Halley’s friends. Hopefully, we also get a little more of Halley and Preston along the way as well.

Kiss Me Not (Kiss Me, #1)Kiss Me Not by Emma Hart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You do not want to miss the latest from Emma Hart! From the unique setting at the county fair to the quirkiness of both Halley and Preston, this book is a winner. I love how the author manages to create characters who are thoroughly real – their idiosyncrasies add to their attraction. I also liked how the whole book was a slow burn, both for the characters and the reader, which made the inevitable that much sweeter. For more thoughts on this 5-star book, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. This review was written based on a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of the book.

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Books On Tour: The Golden Oldies Guesthouse

Sometimes amid all of the psychological thrillers and romances, I come across a diamond of a read. One that is pure entertainment, with settings and characters I want to get to know better. The Golden Oldies Guesthouse is that kind of book.

Simon and Tess Sparrow are in their golden years, but while on vacation in Cornwall, they impulsively buy an old house with thoughts of renting out rooms to vacationers. That simple set up leads to the introduction of a multitude of characters, from the residents of the village to the guests who eventually come to stay at The Sparrows’ Nest (a very clever name).

There were several times that I felt like I was reading an episode of “Doc Martin” (one of my favorite shows), especially when there were scenes involving the townfolk. The author created characters that one might find in a small town anywhere, complete with amusing quirks and complicated relationships.

I especially liked how each of the guests had their reasons for wanting to spend long periods in an isolated area. I could relate to several of them. Sometimes, it is enough to get away from it all and focus on oneself. If you can do so in a picturesque area with gorgeous views of the ocean, all the better.

I also appreciated how the author moved the plot along. Instead of belaboring points, or drawing out incidents, there were often events mentioned in passing as the action continued. This was excellent because backstory was filled in without losing the main thread

I had not read the first book that these characters appeared in, but I found that I didn’t need to because the author did an excellent job of filling in gaps. This book can absolutely be read as a standalone – but I will be going back and finding the first one 😊

If you want to take a nice vacation to Cornwall, I highly recommend grabbing The Golden Oldies Guesthouse “dreckly.” You will definitely enjoy your visit!

The Golden Oldies Guesthouse: The perfect feel good novel about second chances!The Golden Oldies Guesthouse: The perfect feel good novel about second chances! by Dee MacDonald
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I got into this book right from the very beginning. I loved that the main characters (Simon and Tess) were older and trying to find their “second life.” There seriously are not enough books with that theme – there is life after 40 (and even 50)! I liked how the story was in three parts: the first was the set-up, part two was the introduction of the renters and the third dealt with all of the relationships and events at The Sparrows’ Nest. It was like reading a play in three acts with delightful characters and amusing, but realistic events. For a more in-depth review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of the book.

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AMZ: https://geni.us/B07V6N839XSocial Apple Books: https://tinyurl.com/y4pzy5sk Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/y2d6m6kx Googleplay: https://tinyurl.com/yxs4djt8

From the bestselling author of The Runaway Wife and The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane, this is a completely uplifting page-turner about embracing new friendships, finding love and making each day count. Perfect for fans of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village.

Dee wrote her very first book – at around seven years of age! This was a love story which she duly illustrated before sewing all the pages together up one side. Writing was what she ‘was good at’ in school and she won several essay competitions, but then life got in the way and she didn’t pick up a pen again until after retirement.

Dee left Scotland and headed for London at the beginning of the swinging sixties. After typing her way round the West End she became an air stewardess on long haul routes with BA (then BOAC) for eight years. After that she did market research at Heathrow for both the government statistics and for BA, she became a sales rep., and was the receptionist at the Thames Television Studios in Teddington when they had the franchise.

She then ran a small B&B for ten years in Cornwall, where she lives with her husband. Dee has one son and two grandsons who live locally.

You can find Dee on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeeMacDonald/
and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DMacDonaldAuth

Blog Tour: Severance



Title: Severance
Author: N.N. Britt

Available in KU!

Genre: New Adult Romance / Coming of Age


Severance Playlist


They say first love doesn’t last. Alana’s ends on the night her boyfriend Dakota dies in a deadly shooting at a Portland club.

In an attempt to look for ways to deal with her grief, Alana reaches out to Dakota’s older brother Mikah, who’s struggling with moving on himself.

Both damaged beyond repair, neither Alana or Mikah know how to cope with their loss. What’s worse, they have zero idea how to handle the unexpected feelings they start developing for each other.

Trigger warning: themes of gun violence, depression, PTSD. Reader discretion advised.





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Books On Tour: Silent Night by Geraldine Hogan

A good crime thriller should give the reader the feeling that they are solving the crime right along with the police. There should be ties between characters, and conflict that impacts the effectiveness of the officers/detectives (because that is true to real life). Clues should only come to light as characters discover them, but it’s okay to give the readers a few red herrings along the way to keep them off balance.

Given these parameters, I am pleased to say that Silent Night by Geraldine Hogan qualifies as a terrific crime thriller!

I will admit, the beginning was very slow, and I did sometimes feel like there was too much exposition. But I quickly realized that the author was setting a complete and detailed scene for the reader because once the action picked up, it was vital to have the information from the beginning.

As always, you will not find any significant plot points or spoilers here. I will say that I got the definite feeling that the author either was personally familiar with law enforcement or did a bang-up job researching because she hit the nail on the head with her descriptions of both methods and relationships between members of the squad, as well as investigative techniques.

Every reviewer has their pet peeves, and this is one of mine. I get frustrated at crime novels that don’t get those aspects correct; it ruins the book for me. Not the case here.

I also particularly enjoyed the way the author crafted the plot. There were times that I thought, “Oh, it must be this” (not revealing anything here, sorry) or “Aha, I thought so!” I love it when I am right sometimes and wrong others. Being kept off-balance keeps me engaged. There is little that is more annoying than a predictable crime thriller. Again, you won’t find that problem here; instead, you will find twists and surprises throughout the book.

Silent Night is the first in the new Detective Iris Locke series, and it is a stellar read. Just make sure that you have time to devote to this one because reading carefully is a must. If you skim, you will miss important information. I do hope that future books move a little bit faster, now that we have been introduced to many of the characters (or have we?), but I will be looking forward to the next in the series.  

SILENT NIGHT 

About the author
Geraldine Hogan was born in Ireland. She gained an Honors Degree in English Literature and Psychology from Dublin City University and a Postgraduate Degree in Training and Management from University College, Galway. She is an Irish award-winning and bestselling author of four contemporary fiction novels under the pen name Faith Hogan.
Silent Night is her first crime novel, her second is due out in December 2019.
She is currently working on her next novel. She lives in the west of Ireland with her husband, four children, and a very busy Labrador named Penny. She’s a writer, reader, enthusiastic dog walker, and reluctant jogger – except of course when it is raining!

You can find out more about Geraldine here:
www.Facebook/GeraldineHoganAuthor.com
Twitter @gerhogan 
https://www.instagram.com/faithhoganauthor/
Silent Night (Detective Iris Locke, #1)Silent Night by Geraldine Hogan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many crime thrillers claim to be “absolutely gripping,” but sometimes don’t live up to the hype. I’m happy to say that Silent Night by Geraldine Hogan does live up to the phrase. There is a lot to wade through at the beginning, but once the characters and setting are established, the action takes off. The reader is taken on quite a ride through the twists and turns of the murder investigation. I thought the author did a great job of keeping the action taut because it kept me hooked to the end. For more thoughts on what was so right about this five-star read, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of this book.

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Blog Tour w/Review: Beauty and the Bayou

Time for another visit to Autre, Louisiana, and I could not be happier!

This has fast become one of my favorite series. The setting is intriguing, the characters are realistic and likable, and the interactions are honest and humorous.

In Beauty in the Bayou, we get Sawyer and Juliet. Readers of the first two books (particularly Sweet Home Louisiana) will remember Juliet as the sister of Chase, the frat boy who stole an airboat and crashed into the dock.

I particularly liked how Maddie, Josh, and Owen (who met her in the last book) seemed to have already sensed that she would be perfect for Sawyer. This kind of intuition about family is one of the things that make the Landry clan so appealing.

My notes in the book consist of “love this moment,” and “this is a great scene,” so I won’t bore you with the details. You can read it yourself and find your favorites. But there are a few things that I would like to highlight.

I love how the author’s heroes always surprise both the women they fall for and, in turn, the reader. So often, heroes can be one-dimensional. They are brooding, or cold, or a playboy until they meet “the one.”

Ms. Nicholas’ heroes are multi-dimensional. Just as Josh surprised Tori in My Best Friend’s Mardi Gras Wedding, Sawyer surprises Juliet when he offers to braid her hair to keep it out of the way. There is no big announcement about it; it’s just a matter-of-fact part of his character. And, honestly, it makes him that much more attractive.

I liked the way Chase’s development paralleled Sawyer’s. It illustrated how much a loving, supportive family could influence a person’s path. That’s an important point, especially in today’s day and age.

But my favorite moment came near the end when Cooper stated that everyone needed someone to balance them out. Not only did that make Juliet realize her total feelings for Sawyer, but it was also an excellent commentary on relationships in general. People often talk about a “perfect match” when it really should be a “perfect complement.”

There are other character observations that give Ms. Nicholas’ books added depth, such as when Sawyer realizes that he both loves and hates the bayou; that can apply to anything that is important in one’s life, I think.

My only complaint was that a plot point towards the end involving Gus seemed to be very rushed. The build-up made the issue seem vital, and then it was over in a sentence. I would have liked to have seen that in more detail because it could have been a “big moment.” But that’s being nitpicky. I still loved everything else about this book.

As each member of the Landry family has met their match, I get a little bit sadder, because I am afraid that the author will run out of people surrounding this fantastic group. I’m hoping she keeps finding ways to revisit them.

Beauty and the Bayou (Boys of the Bayou, #3)Beauty and the Bayou by Erin Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am always excited to revisit the Landry family in Autre. They are currently my favorite group of recurring characters across the many series I read. This time out, it’s Sawyer who meets his match in the form of Juliet. You can read the synopsis for the plot line. Personally, I really appreciated how Juliet and Sawyer understood each other. They didn’t try to fix each other, they just “were” with each other. I did feel like the end was a little rushed, but that’s a minor point. I will read anything with these characters, and I can’t wait for Kennedy’s story. This review was written based on a complimentary, pre-release digital ARC of the book.

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Blog Tour: Finally in Focus by Naomi Springthorp


Finally in Focus by Naomi Springthorp


Genre: Contemporary Romance


I’ve never taken any risks or left anything to chance.

I do what’s expected of me. Make the safe choice. Go with the sensible option.

Kade is none of those things. He’s a crush from my past. I should leave him with my high school memories.

I’ve wanted him since senior ditch day. His artistic passion glows from his eyes. His hands are masculine, yet exude creativity. He’s burned into my head even though I haven’t said a word to him in a decade.

I’m surprised by the electricity in his touch when I bump into him.

Is he what I need?

There’s nothing logical about love.








Blog Tour w/Review: Dare Me Tonight

The premise of this book is a familiar trope (accidental pregnancy), but what sets it apart is the complicated family connections that in turn complicate the relationship between Sienna and Ethan.

As I mention in my Goodreads review (see below), someone who has read the other books involving the Dare and Knight families will no doubt find this entry to be intriguing.

Even though I haven’t read any of the others, I did find a few things interesting. I liked that Sienna had a childhood past that made her more vulnerable than the average person. I thought that added to the “opposites attract” aspect because Ethan was such a strong character. Not to say that Sienna was weak in any way, she certainly knew how to tell off her brothers (which I thoroughly enjoyed).

The connections were both a blessing and a curse to this book. On the one hand, they were intricate and gave a lot of depth to the story. On the other, it made understanding the impact of events a little more challenging to follow. And it’s nitpicky but naming two characters so similarly (Sierra and Sienna) was very confusing.

All in all, the book seemed not to know what it wanted to be. Was it a “losing virginity,” an “opposites attract,” “accidental pregnancy,” “rival families”…there were several genres that would fit. The result is that it all felt a bit muddled at times.

I don’t mean to repeat myself, but someone familiar with the families and backstories would enjoy this; I thought it was just okay.  

Dare Me Tonight (The Knight Brothers, #3)Dare Me Tonight by Carly Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The latest installment of the “Knight Brothers” series focuses on Ethan Knight and Sienna Dare. Fans of the series who have read the past books will probably enjoy this book. Not having read any of the others, I felt a little bit lost. The book itself is essentially a standalone, but there were a lot of references and relationships that I was unclear on; knowing those backgrounds would have made the book more enjoyable. As it was, however, it was a fairly typical “one-night stand turns into accidental pregnancy.” A decent read, but nothing earth-shattering. This review was written based on a complimentary, pre-release digital ARC of the book.

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