Tag: Series

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NEW RELEASE: Playing the Shortstop



Presents : New Release

Playing the Shortstop
by Trish Williford

 AMAZON

Series: A Fangirl Novel; Book 3
Genre: Sports Romance



Losing two roommates within a year isn’t exactly what Lexi Murray had in mind. While her friends are finding their happily ever afters, she feels stuck watching on the side lines. Not being able to afford a condo alone in Baltimore on a teacher’s salary, Lexi is on the hunt for her next roommate. Little did she expect for the vacancy to be filled by the Shortstop for the Baltimore Blue Birds.

Single father and professional baseball player Jace Jackson only has room in heart for one girl; his fourteen year old daughter. He has decided to sacrifice his dating life to dedicate his non-baseball time to his child only. It has been easy, that is until he agrees to be a gorgeous woman’s roommate, against better judgement.

Lexi and Jace both know sharing a condo will come with its challenges, one of which is their mutual attraction to one another. Since both aren’t looking for love, they agree on one rule:

Sex. No feelings. Just fun.

Something so simple shouldn’t be so difficult.



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BOOK REVIEW: Scozzari by Jaimie Roberts

Every once in awhile there is a book that leaves me fairly confused. Sometimes the plot is good, but the characters are unlikable; sometimes the characters are great but the plot is horrible.

One of my biggest pet peeves is authors who do not fact check or do their research when writing their stories. Don’t get me wrong, I truly admire anyone who can write a novel. However, with Google literally at the fingertips of most people, there is no excuse for having factually inaccurate plot points or settings in a book. Really, it should be an amazing thing; theoretically, a person who has never left the US could write an accurate novel set in Paris. It won’t have the same reality of someone who knows the city personally, but it is possible.

That’s what makes something like Scozzari so frustrating. At the heart of the novel, there is a good story: tattooed bad-boy and love of his life meet again after being separated for a few years. Will they or won’t they? It’s a good plot line, with a subplot involving an obviously unstable admirer and a female lead who has serious baggage to worry about. It should be a great novel.

But it takes place in Virginia, in the suburbs of DC. And the descriptions of the area are completely inaccurate. (I should know; I live near there and am in the area 5 days a week). The descriptions of college are not anything like any college in the US; they’re closer to a small high school, with the attention on the comings and goings of people and bells ringing for classes. So help me, I’m a stickler for accuracy.

There are also a lot of phrases that are clearly British references. The author tries to brush this away by saying that a character has a parent that is British, but that’s kind of ridiculous. A 19-year-old like Jez would not pick up British terms. It’s inconsistent.

That’s another point in this story: the characters often seem like they have experiences that make them much older than late teens. It’s not that teenagers can’t experience bad stuff and become adults before they should. But very often in this book, I just felt like there were inconsistencies in the characters.

End result, I liked the bones of the plot, and there was enough to keep me reading, but faulty facts and locations/institutions annoy me and take me out of the story. And don’t get me started on the thinly-veiled Hannibal Lechter reference to pigs.

Still, decent enough to give it a recommend. See my Goodreads review immediately following.

Scozzari (Deviant, #3)

Scozzari by Jaimie Roberts
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have definite mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, it’s a likable story: tattooed, womanizing, bad-boy fighter is reunited with his childhood love…will they or won’t they re-kindle the romance? Throw in some past and current baggage that cause problems and it has a decent plot. The issue I have with the book is that it seems to be written by someone who does not live in the United States. There are several British terms used (bonnet for the hood of a car, snogging for kissing, etc.) even though the characters are American and live in Virginia. The writing is stilted, and it is fairly obvious that the author does not have a clear idea as to how American colleges work; the references seem more in the lines of a high school instead of a college. In addition, the amount of character background makes it seem like the characters should be much older than they are. Their experiences do not seem to fit 18 and 19-year-olds…more like early-20s. And it could have used an editor because there was a lot of exposition that could have been cut. It took too long to get to the heart of things. I’m giving it three stars for the plot itself and for some interesting characters. This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release copy.



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BOOK REVIEW: Going Rogue (SAS Rogue Unit #1)

I’ve recently decided to not be so closed minded about my reading habits, and have started reading books in new genres, or at least sub-genres of what I usually read.

In this case, I decided to give a military romance a try. As I mention in my Goodreads review, the few I have tried to read before have had heroes that are truly suffering at home and trying to find their way in a changed world with the help of the woman who pieces them back together. I found those to be okay, but formulaic.

Going Rogue struck me as different. Yes, the hero is damaged due to losing his unit in Afghanistan, but he goes back as a favor to one of the member’s father. So, he returns because of his sense of duty to his fallen mate.

You can get the whole synopsis from other blurbs.

I liked the way the tension between Grant and Lilly grew and morphed. I liked how the action made me feel like I was watching an episode of “The Unit” or scenes from a good military movie. I always like when I can read a story and picture actors playing the parts. That’s a fun part of reading that doesn’t happen in every book.

All in all, I really liked the book in general. AND, it’s the first in a series; I could get used to reading about Grant and his cohorts going on covert missions…and getting the girl!

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NEW RELEASE: Van by Melanie Moreland

This is one of my favorite series, ever, and you do not want to miss my review for it. This time, it’s personal.




Presents : New Release

Van by Melanie Moreland


Series: Vested Interest; Book 5
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Friends to Lovers



Vince Morrison, known to most people as Van.

Good with his hands, be it crafting a piece of wood, playing his guitar, or pleasing a lover — he excels at them all.

Friendly, flirty, and talented, he’s cool under pressure, and hot everywhere else.

But he keeps his heart closed, even as his interest and emotions are tested.

Olivia Rourke works alongside him at BAM.

Talented, private, and intriguing, she touches something inside him he can’t deny.

He wants to know her. In every possible way.

He wants her to know him. 

Her past tells her to stay clear. Van is everything that she wants, and exactly what she cannot have. She has someone else to think of who is more important.

Can either of them risk their hearts?


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Caught in the Rain
Steel-Toed and Sexy as hell

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About the Author

New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-seven-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.

While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and she also enjoys traveling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.

Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet). She’s learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.

Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at flavia@bookcaseagency.com


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BOOK REVIEW: Van by Melanie Moreland

I’m going to start this one with a disclaimer: I’m going to discuss an event that may give away part of the plot towards the end of this review. I usually don’t like giving things away but I feel strongly about addressing it. So, look for the disclaimer.

I’ve only been writing this blog for a few months, and I’m continually trying to keep up on all of the ARCs I read. In between those, I try and catch up and write reviews of books I have read in the past, especially if they are a part of a series. This is one of those books that fit into both categories.

Van by Melanie Moreland is the fifth in her Vested Interest series. You can read my review of Bentley (the first one – I’ll get to reviewing the others someday). This one follows the same pattern as the others: a partner/member of BAM finds the woman of his dreams. It sounds simplistic, but it isn’t. I always look forward to these books. Ms. Moreland has a particular talent for creating real characters who you want to get to know.

Van is the carpenter/foreman/master of all things construction for BAM; Olivia is the designer. They each have baggage that keeps them apart, but you know it is inevitable. As I have mentioned before, you know it’s going to happen, it’s the WAY it happens that is the fun part.

I love that the characters are always real (although, I can’t say I know anyone exactly like the boys of BAM, but I sure would like to). And I particularly like the female characters in Ms. Moreland’s books, because they are strong, yet vulnerable, and they aren’t afraid to let their men help them when necessary.

The conflict in this story is especially good, as the character who causes it is even more despicable than usual. The description of the person and their actions (trying not to give anything away) made me wish I could punch the person myself, and it’s rare that I have that much of a reaction to a character.

I highly recommend this book, as well as the rest of the series. This is one of my favorite series, and it’s an excellent addition.

Now I am going to discuss that other part I mentioned at the beginning. So if you don’t want to know a plot point, stop reading NOW!

What really made me love this book is how the author addresses adoption, especially waiting/older child adoption. It is one of the only times that I have been 100% completely able to relate to something in a romance book.

We adopted our son when he had just turned four. Everyone we spoke to going through the same agency wanted babies, but for various reasons, we did not. We went through the lengthy and emotional process, gained our approval, and started receiving the “waiting child” bulletins from the agency.

We had only been looking for about a month when the picture of a little chubby-cheeked boy showed up. Both my husband and I looked at the picture and seemed to instantly know that he should be our son. We went through the next process of requesting and being matched, which was all more complicated since it was international.

The day we were matched is etched in our minds, just like Van describes. We could not wait to travel to Ethiopia to meet him and bring him home. The challenges mentioned in the book sounded so familiar. The emotions described by Van were our emotions. The instant knowledge as to which child to help…it’s all real.

It’s been 10 years this June, but reading Van’s account brought it all back like it was yesterday. I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate the thought and time that the author put into writing these sections. The children who are waiting are the ones who need the most love, and I loved that she wrote Van and Olivia as people who understood that.

Anyway, that’s my personal relation to the book, and the reason that I love it most out of the five in the series.

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BOOK REVIEW: Missed: Rafael and Lisa (Cliffside Bay #6)

This is one of my favorite authors, and I am so happy when I see a new release of hers. I recently reviewed the third book in her Blue Mountain series. This time we are back in California for book six in her Cliffside Bay series.

(You can read my review of the first book in the series, Traded: Brody and Kara. I still have to catch up on my reviews of the four in between. I’ll get to them on this blog when I can get my hands on Hermione’s Time Turner. But they can all be found on Goodreads!)

ANYWAY, this latest book introduces us to a new pack of alpha males, the Wolves. Now that the last of the Dogs has been successfully paired off, the focus switches to a group of characters who have been secondary in previous books.

This is a talent of the author. I love how she is able to weave the characters lives together like a real community. And I especially like how she does so in this book, because it gives me twice the reason to be happy to head back to Cliffside Bay.

Rafael, Kara’s bodyguard, has been enamored of Lisa, Maggie’s NYC friend. Even though they each think that they are too different for each other, circumstances allow for them to get to know each other better and (of course) finally realize what everyone else has been able to see for a while.

I have to throw in that Lisa’s mom is one of the most despicable characters I have ever “met.” I had an almost visceral reaction to her, which is strange because I was fortunate enough to have the complete opposite of her for a mom. But man, is Lisa’s mom vile.

I will also say that I felt that the conflict that brings Lisa and Rafael together seemed like it was an effort to be timely, but it took me out of the story, especially when Lisa refers to it later during an interview. I appreciate that characters and situations need to be real, and that is one of Ms. Thompson’s strengths. Her characters are people I would love to know in real life.

But I also like to read small town romances to take myself out of the everyday noise that is sometimes otherwise difficult to escape. So, when something shows up in one of my “escapes” it’s jarring.

That being said, I still love the series and cannot wait to read how the rest of the Wolves complete their pack. My Goodreads review follows.

Missed: Rafael and Lisa (Cliffside Bay Book 6)Missed: Rafael and Lisa by Tess Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The latest in Tess Thompson’s Cliffside Bay series takes the series in a new direction. Now that all of the Dogs are happily paired up, it’s time for us to meet the Wolves. First up is Rafael, the bodyguard hired to protect the Mullen family. He has a thing for Lisa, Maggie’s friend from NYC. The author puts them in a situation that you know is going to make sparks fly. I like how the author manages to keep the familiar characters around, even having a sort of “guest starring” moment with characters from another series, but still allows the main characters to have their time. The switch of focus from Dogs to Wolves is seamless, and you can already tell that this is going to be another series that you can’t wait to revisit because it’s like catching up with old friends. If I had to say anything negative about this book (and I really don’t want to), it would be that there was just a little bit too much “reality” in the plot. I understand that characters cannot live in a vacuum, but sometimes I like to escape and not think about real-life issues when I read, especially in romances. But that’s getting nitpicky because the author handles it tastefully. This is one of my favorite series, and I am excited that there is a whole new set of characters to get to know. 4.5 stars for this one. This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release copy.

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NEW RELEASE: Delivered by Eva Charles


Presents : New Release

Delivered
by Eva Charles

Amazon
US | UK | CA | AU

Series: The Devil’s Duet; Book 2
Genre: Dark Romance / Romantic Suspense



Gabrielle Duval belongs to me.
I’ve made sure of that.

Now it’s time to eliminate the man who kept us apart.
My father.
The devil himself.

His reign of terror ends here.
On my terms.


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About the Author

A confirmed city-girl, Eva moved to rural Western Massachusetts in 2014. She found herself living in the woods with no job, no friends (unless you count the turkey, deer, and coyote roaming the backyard), and no children underfoot, wondering what on earth she had been thinking. But as it turned out, it was the perfect setting to take all those yarns spinning in her head and weave them into steamy love stories.

A romantic at heart, Eva looks forward to date night all week. The perfect evening includes well-crafted cocktails, a fabulous perfume, Cherry Garcia ice cream, and her husband, of course. If you add good friends, live jazz, and impossible shoes, she will follow you anywhere.

Eva holds a BA from Boston College, and a JD from a Washington College of Law. She spent a career working in domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and civil rights. Aspects of this work often find their way into her books.

When she’s not writing sexy stories, trying to squeeze information out of her tight-lipped sons, or playing with the two cutest dogs you’ve ever seen, Eva’s creating chapters in her own love story.


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NEW RELEASE: The Pawn and The Knight by Skye Warren

Two books for one low price! As always, don’t miss my review on these 2/3 of a trilogy.

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The Pawn and the Knight, a must read new boxed set from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren is available now!

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A ruthless billionaire determined to get revenge.

A woman with more to lose than her virginity.

And a sensual game that will break them both.

Gabriel Miller has thirty days to do anything he wants with her body. He can enjoy every inch of her, but he can never let himself fall for her. No matter how sweetly she surrenders.

Author’s Note: THE PAWN AND THE KNIGHT is an exclusive duet including two USA Today bestsellers in the scorching hot Endgame series.

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Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EEzK8E

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

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About Skye Warren

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance such as the Endgame trilogy. Her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat. SKyeWarren.jpg

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BOOK REVIEW: The Pawn and The Knight by Skye Warren

Yes, I’ve been reading a lot of romances across many sub-genres …I guess that’s just the mood I’ve been in lately. But this one kind of stretches across suspense, and a little bit of psychological thriller.

These first two books of a trilogy are steamy and a little haunting. Avery grew up privileged and had everything set in place for her future until her father ruined it all. With nowhere else to turn, she makes a deal with disreputable figures Damon Scott and (by extension) Gabriel Miller.

What follows is the unraveling of half-truths and lies, family secrets, and…oh yeah…a whole lot of highly sensual tension. Gabriel and Avery maneuver each other (and are themselves moved) like chess pieces – which, honestly is the whole point, right down to the titles of the books. But the plotting is done masterfully, as I felt that even as a reader I was being manipulated just like they were (and that wasn’t a bad thing).

Avery is also very interested in mythology, and the author deftly weaves those themes into her novel, particularly the stories of the Minotaur and Helen of Troy.

I know I am forgetting to mention what else I liked about the books, but really, just go see for yourself. And pick up the third one while you are at it, so you aren’t left on a cliffhanger like I was! My Goodreads review follows.

The Pawn and the KnightThe Pawn and the Knight by Skye Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t even know where to start with this pair of books. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The base premise has been done before (auctioning virginity for money save the family home), but this story is so much more than that. Gabriel Miller is the type of character I love to find in a book. He is enigmatic, dangerous, and sensual. Avery is naïve but smart, which automatically makes her better than many other heroines in this type of novel. I particularly liked the references to mythology throughout the two books. The influence of chess in the story was fascinating to me. Not only does Avery realize that everything that happens to her is like a chess game, but the secrets and lies that are unraveled also move the larger story like a chess game. My only disappointment was that it was only two books of a trilogy, and I was left hanging (of course, I went and got the third so I can see how it all ends). This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release copy.

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BOOK REVIEW: Turning the Tide by Phoebe Alexander

If you have read any of my reviews, you know that I am not a fan of coming into the middle of a series, so I love it when I find an author who can write a story that reads well as a stand-alone, but has enough detail that I want to find the previous books. This is one of those cases.

“Turning the Tide” is actually the fifth book in the Eastern Shore Swingers series. It focuses on Luke, an ENT doctor with an absolute shrew of a wife, and Connie, a recent transplant from California. Connie is the sister of Casey (who I gather might be the focus of an earlier story). They meet at “The Factory,” a club for alternative lifestyles.

But this book is much more than another BDSM/swinger novel. Sure there are scenes (and they’re pretty hot) and the romance grows as the two find their way to acknowledge their true natures. But there is also a great subplot involving Luke’s wife that builds throughout the story, culminating in some pretty awesome scenes.

Ultimately the story belongs to Luke and Connie, and it is absolutely fantastic that they are older (40s and 50s). It’s about time that somebody acknowledged and wrote about something other than doe eyed 20 year olds being shocked at a new lifestyle. I loved that these were two mature people who had been around the block and were ready to embrace their new lifestyle. More of this please!

I will definitely be going back and reading the first four in this series, and I look forward to any future books from this author as well. My Goodreads review is below.

Turning the Tide (Eastern Shore Swingers Book 5)Turning the Tide by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really, really enjoyed this book. The romance between two older people who have seen a lot of life was a very refreshing break from the usual 20-something year-olds who pledge undying love in romances. Both Luke and Connie knew what they wanted and didn’t stand for games. The suspense part of the plot was well thought out and gave depth to Luke’s decisions. The man was certainly justified in his actions – it’s been a while since I found a character as loathsome as his wife. I especially liked how the author didn’t rely on the draw of the lifestyle to determine the arc of the story. The scenes of the lifestyle were interwoven seamlessly with the suspense plot, and I appreciated that the author presented the characters as normal, every-day people instead of focusing on the darker side like many other novels. This was the fifth in a series, but the first one that I have read. I liked the style of writing and the characters enough to go find the first four in the series. I definitely recommend this book. This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release copy.

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