Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Book Release Blast for Show Off by Lani Lynn Vale (REVIEW)……
Childhood trauma, painful secrets, and edge of your seat suspense all rear their ugly heads in this emotional and engaging contemporary romance. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Show Off by Lani Lynn Vale, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this third installment in the Welcome To the Circus series to your bookshelf too!
Seventy shades of messed up.
That was what she’d been told about herself for nearly her entire life.From a young age, she knew what it was like to be hated. To be loathed so much by a person that they literally resented the air you breathed.
For her entire childhood, she fought to live, despite her father’s constant effort to make her life a living hell.
Her sisters and brother have no clue what kind of closet psychopath their father really was, and she’ll die before she ruins their picture-perfect view of him.
Why? Because she’s already broken. There’s no fixing this kind of damaged. But there’s no reason everyone else needs to suffer, too.
***
From the moment Hannibal Peters laid eyes on Hades Singh, he knew she was the one. That was why he ran.
That was why, when he saw her suffering, he couldn’t stay away.
FIND AT GOODREADS here.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
From a child's perspective the circus is seen as a place of joy and wonder. But in the hands of Ms. Vale the circus world becomes a dark and emotionally painful place, particularly for a young woman whose family is entrenched in this world. It becomes a place of long-held secrets with Ms. Vale reintroducing readers to Hades Singh, sharing her heartbreaking history and giving greater insight into what makes her truly tick. The previous book showed her to be a prickly, angry, and hurtful person that made her difficult to like but here she redeems herself in reader's eyes, showing where that pain comes from in a story that brought tears to my eyes at times.
Hades' truth is revealed in this book and it had me completely sympathetic towards her, feeling her pain right alongside her, and rooting for her to find even a little bit of happiness after all the pain of her childhood. She finds more than just a bit of happiness though with Hannibal Allan Peters, an ex-military man who owns a security agency and who agrees to help Hades find her sister's stalker. From the moment they meet, Hannibal shows himself to be just the kind of man Hades needs, the man to fix all of her broken pieces to fit into her life perfectly. Hannibal has some pain of his own but from the start it becomes all about Hades for him, becoming her unconditional savior in a romantic journey that was sweet and sensual with a pace that pulled me in completely. Ms. Vale depicted Hades' struggles with a deep understanding that made me feel an even deeper connection to her. It made me appreciate Hannibal's unwavering support as she was finally able to give voice and be seen after a lifetime of hiding her true self behind the pain. Hannibal and Hades were pure perfection in another unforgettable tale from an author who knows just what readers want...though they might not always know it! And with all the truths revealed here, the future of this series promises to be rocky with more romance and tears on the horizon!
My rating for this is an A.
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Book Blitz for How it All Began by Fiona West (GIVEAWAY)……
Trust is like car keys: easy to lose and hard to get anywhere without it…
Evan only intended to strike up a casual conversation with the stunning blonde with Goldie Hawn looks–now he finds himself trying to cross paths with her on campus every chance he gets. But his water polo teammate appears to have damaged his chances with Farrah before he could even ask her out.Farrah’s been out with players from the water polo team before–and it’s always ended in tears. The handsome medical student who wants to help her get revenge says he’s not like them…but there’s only one way to know for sure.
Will a trip to his hometown seal the deal or prove this player’s all washed up?
EXCERPT:
“You’re going all the way home for a birthday party?”
He gave a big shrug. “I go home most Sundays, anyway. Makes my mom happy. It’s not that far. An hour, give or take. Less, the way I drive.”
Farrah crossed her arms over her belly, even as the sweetness of his comment about his mom landed in her chest. “I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re a fast driver, given the speed at which you seem to enter relationships.”
“Now, now, Miss Eastman, don’t think those kinds of thoughts about me. My intentions are pure. I’d have you back before curfew.” He leaned forward again, glancing toward the windows where Jefferson watched their interactions. “And best of all, I’d like to offer you something you can’t get on your own.”
“And what’s that?”
“Revenge,” he said somberly.
Farrah sat back, her eyes wide. “Revenge? On whom?”
He indicated toward the windows where Jefferson and their teammates were standing, and
she felt herself go cold all over. “I don’t give a burnt brownie what he wants.”
“I thought you might say that. So I should probably let you know that our mutual
acquaintance over there dared me to ask you out.” Evan leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Now, that didn’t seem like much of a challenge, so I’m guessing he was hoping to embarrass you somehow, and I don’t appreciate that much.”
She nodded slowly. She took a sip of her drink, then let out an enormous sigh. “We went on a few dates, Jefferson and me.”
“Yes, I saw you arguing.”
“I think everybody did,” she said, reddening. “He’s the reason I’m done with water polo players. One of several reasons.”
“Except me, right?”
She pressed her lips together briefly before tipping her head back and forth. “That remains to be seen. It’s a new rule, and I’d hate to break it before I even try it out.”
“Now, now, Miss Eastman, don’t think those kinds of thoughts about me. My intentions are pure. I’d have you back before curfew.” He leaned forward again, glancing toward the windows where Jefferson watched their interactions. “And best of all, I’d like to offer you something you can’t get on your own.”
“And what’s that?”
“Revenge,” he said somberly.
Farrah sat back, her eyes wide. “Revenge? On whom?”
He indicated toward the windows where Jefferson and their teammates were standing, and
she felt herself go cold all over. “I don’t give a burnt brownie what he wants.”
“I thought you might say that. So I should probably let you know that our mutual
acquaintance over there dared me to ask you out.” Evan leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Now, that didn’t seem like much of a challenge, so I’m guessing he was hoping to embarrass you somehow, and I don’t appreciate that much.”
She nodded slowly. She took a sip of her drink, then let out an enormous sigh. “We went on a few dates, Jefferson and me.”
“Yes, I saw you arguing.”
“I think everybody did,” she said, reddening. “He’s the reason I’m done with water polo players. One of several reasons.”
“Except me, right?”
She pressed her lips together briefly before tipping her head back and forth. “That remains to be seen. It’s a new rule, and I’d hate to break it before I even try it out.”
FIND AT GOODREADS here.
AUTHOR INFO:
Fiona West lives in the Pacific Northwest. Writing romance is her favorite thing, followed closely by reading, knitting and drinking tea while looking out the window. When she’s not doing those things, she’s spending time with her husband and two kids. Her debut novel, The Ex-Princess, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was named one of their Best Books of 2019. The first book in her contemporary romance series, Could Be Something Good, also received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.
**********GIVEAWAY**********
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Book Tour for King of the Mountain by Aiden Ainslie (GIVEAWAY)……
A man whose entire livelihood depends on keeping the truth about his sexuality a secret finds an attraction to a young artist putting his entire future in jeopardy in this contemporary m/m romance. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of King of the Mountain by Aiden Ainslie, along with the author's thoughts on the reasons behind this genre's growing popularity, then learn even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour. In honor of this first installment in the Love At Lake Clyde series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC too!
TSP: Why do you think that the m/m genre is gaining in popularity?
AA: There are at least four key reasons: eBooks, the internet, evolving norms around sexual orientation and gender equality.
Some readers might be old enough to remember the days when school books had to be carefully covered in brown paper to protect them so they could be passed on from one cohort to another. If anyone wanted to read a “naughty” bodice ripper, they also gave it a brown paper cover. That way friends or family would be dissuaded from asking, “What on earth are you reading?”
With the advent of eBooks, it is so much easier to read what you want and do so privately. Only when you are squashed into economy class on a plane do you have to worry that your seat neighbor might peer over and look at what you are reading on your Kindle or other electronic devices. For the most part, eBooks have given us the freedom and privacy to read what we want without fear of judgment. That’s huge. It has allowed us to delve into topics that we might previously have felt a little embarrassed about.
The internet and social media have allowed us to find and engage people who share our interests. Any hobby or activity is more fun if you can share experiences and recommendations with others. But can you picture sitting with your aunt Muriel over a cup of tea and crumpets and discussing how much you are enjoying the explicit sex scenes in the MM Romance you are reading? I don’t think so. Yet you can have that discussion with virtual friends in cyberspace where you can choose exactly how much of yourself you want to share. Hence, social media have given authors of many genres a huge boost – everything from books on growing orchids or military history to shape-shifting MPREGs and conventional MM Romance.
Did I just say conventional MM Romance? Wow, who would have thought a few short decades ago that MM anything is conventional? There is obviously still a disheartening amount of discrimination against gays and other members of the LGBTQ+ community in the United States and abroad. But attitudes have changed significantly and hence, gay romance is coming out of the shadows and clawing its way into the mainstream. Recent movies like “Bros” and the Amazon Prime release, “Red White and Royal Blue” help to further normalize gay romance.
Finally, when I first started getting into MM Romance, I was surprised that the majority of readers of this genre were female. That puzzled me till I read the book, “Man, Oh Man! Writing Quality MM Fiction” by John Lanyon. The author explains that women like the gender equality of MM Romance. For centuries, love stories like Pride and Prejudice (which I think is a wonderful book) had set roles for men and women. Invariably, women were portrayed as “the weaker sex”. All they could do was use their wit and wiles to coax a man into showing them affection. And of course, ultimately, it was always the man who dominated in the bedroom.
With MM Romance that automatic gender inequality is eradicated. There can still be huge differences between the MCs. Differences in status, in wealth, in education, age, social background, etc. Those differences are essential for building tension and a good story. But, in terms of gender, the protagonists start out on an equal footing and more often than not end up in a partnership of equals. This equality resonates with modern readers and is far better aligned with our current worldview than the stereotypical bodice ripper set in the 18th century.
The genre will keep evolving, and I am grateful to live in a time and place where MM Romance is coming into its own. I hope you enjoy reading about my main characters as much as I enjoyed writing about them.
CLIFFORD
After years of hard work and training, I finally have the chance of fulfilling my lifelong dream of winning the Tour de France. Nothing can be allowed to distract me from this mission, especially not Gabe O’Reilly, the adorable art student from San Francisco.But he looks so vulnerable – all alone in France.
I would be failing in my patriotic duty to a fellow American if I didn’t take care of him, wouldn’t I? And what possible harm could come from spending twenty-four hours with him on the shores of the Mediterranean? I deserve that little break, don’t I?
GABE
I have never seen a human specimen as perfect as Clifford Du Frey. During our fleeting encounter in Paris, I saw a man who was funny, caring, and tender – so very different from the way the media portray him. He is everything I could ever dream of in a boyfriend.
But in what universe will an international sports superstar pay any serious attention to me?
Do not get involved, my brain yells; you can only get hurt again. But my heart is thrumming to a different tune.
EXCERPT:
GABE
Cliff stood in the shallows. His pale skin gave him the quality of a Michelangelo marble statue. His body had magnificent, classical proportions. Every muscle was clearly defined as though chiseled in stone and smoothed to perfection under the loving hand of a master sculptor. I wondered if he realized just how beautiful he was. And I still found it hard to believe that he was giving me the gift of his time.
He watched me as I strode toward him and, when I shook the water out of my hair, he warned, “Don’t you dare splash me. I like to get in slowly.”
“I won’t splash you,” I said as I stopped in front of him. His eyes were unbelievable. The aquamarine of the water reflected off his blue eyes. I had the sensation of looking into a kaleidoscope of colors yet to be invented. I placed my hands on his shoulders and kissed him on both cheeks.
He was startled but did not back away. “What was that for?” he asked.
“We’ve not had a chance to greet each other yet – the French way. The way you taught me. And,” I continued, “to say I’m sorry.”
I gave him my sweetest smile. “Sorry for wha....”
He didn’t get to finish the sentence because I folded one leg behind him and, in the most basic of wrestling moves, tipped him backward into the water.
The look on his face was priceless, and I burst out laughing when his head emerged, spluttering and cursing.
He reached out a hand and said, “You can at least help me up.”
I took hold of his hand and found myself yanked off my feet with Cliff dunking my head underwater. I shook myself free and rose from the waves to see Cliff making a run for the beach. I lurched after him, tackled him, and dragged him back into the water. He laughed and spluttered till he gained his footing and rounded on me, grabbing my waist, the most ticklish part of my body. He held me tight with one arm curved around my chest while his free hand tickled my hip bone without mercy. I giggled and squirmed helplessly in his arms.
We horsed around in the water like a couple of drunken teenagers. Drunk on sunshine, drunk on life, drunk on L... I didn’t dare to complete the thought. Who was I to think a man like Clifford du Frey would fall in love with me?
Cliff stood in the shallows. His pale skin gave him the quality of a Michelangelo marble statue. His body had magnificent, classical proportions. Every muscle was clearly defined as though chiseled in stone and smoothed to perfection under the loving hand of a master sculptor. I wondered if he realized just how beautiful he was. And I still found it hard to believe that he was giving me the gift of his time.
He watched me as I strode toward him and, when I shook the water out of my hair, he warned, “Don’t you dare splash me. I like to get in slowly.”
“I won’t splash you,” I said as I stopped in front of him. His eyes were unbelievable. The aquamarine of the water reflected off his blue eyes. I had the sensation of looking into a kaleidoscope of colors yet to be invented. I placed my hands on his shoulders and kissed him on both cheeks.
He was startled but did not back away. “What was that for?” he asked.
“We’ve not had a chance to greet each other yet – the French way. The way you taught me. And,” I continued, “to say I’m sorry.”
I gave him my sweetest smile. “Sorry for wha....”
He didn’t get to finish the sentence because I folded one leg behind him and, in the most basic of wrestling moves, tipped him backward into the water.
The look on his face was priceless, and I burst out laughing when his head emerged, spluttering and cursing.
He reached out a hand and said, “You can at least help me up.”
I took hold of his hand and found myself yanked off my feet with Cliff dunking my head underwater. I shook myself free and rose from the waves to see Cliff making a run for the beach. I lurched after him, tackled him, and dragged him back into the water. He laughed and spluttered till he gained his footing and rounded on me, grabbing my waist, the most ticklish part of my body. He held me tight with one arm curved around my chest while his free hand tickled my hip bone without mercy. I giggled and squirmed helplessly in his arms.
We horsed around in the water like a couple of drunken teenagers. Drunk on sunshine, drunk on life, drunk on L... I didn’t dare to complete the thought. Who was I to think a man like Clifford du Frey would fall in love with me?
FIND AT GOODREADS here.
AUTHOR INFO:
Aiden Ainslie lives in the Diablo foothills, east of San Francisco. He grew up in various small towns and loves to draw on that small-town feel for his romances: the sense of community but also the petty grievances, intrigue and rivalries. “An author has to draw on personal experience to create authentic stories.”
According to Aiden, setting and mood are critical parts of a romantic story, hence he is always taking pictures of romantic settings to be used in future novels. Check them out on his website HERE.
When Aiden is not writing or listening to audiobooks, he likes to cycle and hike. During those solitary pursuits, he dreams up the characters and plots for his MM Romance novels. He also enjoys zipping around town on his motor scooter, drinking coffee at the local coffee shops, and watching people to get inspiration for his writing.
According to Aiden, setting and mood are critical parts of a romantic story, hence he is always taking pictures of romantic settings to be used in future novels. Check them out on his website HERE.
When Aiden is not writing or listening to audiobooks, he likes to cycle and hike. During those solitary pursuits, he dreams up the characters and plots for his MM Romance novels. He also enjoys zipping around town on his motor scooter, drinking coffee at the local coffee shops, and watching people to get inspiration for his writing.
**********GIVEAWAY**********
Friday, October 20, 2023
Book Release Blitz for Fractured Hearts by D.M. Earl (REVIEW)……
The Grimm Wolves are back in this seventh installment of the gritty and pulse pounding story of a woman hiding out from danger and the MC biker hiding his pain behind his laughter. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Fractured Hearts by D.M. Earl, along with my impressions of it, then add this gripping thrill-ride to your bookshelf!
DINGO
Laughter is the best medicine. I make sure to always deliver the fun and crazy while hiding my pain behind it. It's who I am and what I do. I also work my butt off for the Grimm Wolves MC brothers, trying to prove myself as more than just a prospect. But even the toughest of the tough need to let loose every now and then. I know that more than anyone after the world of hurt I've experienced.
CELEE
A chance encounter in a chat room just may be the saving grace I've needed all along. My father's enemies are closing in, and my time just might be running out. Thank God!
Dingo and his brothers will do anything to keep me safe--even if it means going up against the most vile of criminals around. But the more Dingo tries to protect me, the more I know he's hurting too.
Can two fractured hearts find a way to heal together?
CELEE
A chance encounter in a chat room just may be the saving grace I've needed all along. My father's enemies are closing in, and my time just might be running out. Thank God!
Dingo and his brothers will do anything to keep me safe--even if it means going up against the most vile of criminals around. But the more Dingo tries to protect me, the more I know he's hurting too.
Can two fractured hearts find a way to heal together?
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
D. M. Earl continues to be the star of my literary lists with her captivating characters and gritty storylines that all combine to make epic reads that readers are drawn to from start to finish. Ms. Earl's latest romance is yet another winner in a long line of unforgettable tales that keep you on the edge of your seat, where secrets and people's pasts leave HEAs uncertain.
This story reintroduces readers to Frank aka Dingo, the prospect who's a funnyman to the world despite lots of painful baggage he carries around without a word. Picking up where the previous book ended, he's given a mission to bring Celestine De Luca aka Celee back home and it's a mission that changes not only his life irrevocably, but the lives of many Club members seen throughout the MC world crafted by Ms. Earl. Celee's a woman being torn apart by having a foot in two different worlds, that of the De Luca Crime Family as well as the white supremacist group, the Thunder Club Knuckle Brotherhood. She's now a woman with a target on her back for all she knows and for the small lies she's had to tell. A cross country trip back home though allows Dingo and Celee to grow their burgeoning attraction in a heartbreaking, gritty, and suspenseful journey. Because of their mutually painful pasts, pasts that brought a tear to my eye, neither thought they'd ever have a family. But with each turn of the page they realize that family is what you make of it. With her past racing ever closer though, with the secrets and lies getting ready to explode in Club member's faces, she just might have realized the truth about love and HEA too late.
Dingo and Celee are a compelling couple with pasts that broke my heart while reading their backstories. Neither thought themselves worthy of family or love, so it was immensely empowering to see them embrace the support of their found family, support that is needed now more than ever as lives are on the line due to the danger surrounding her. I loved seeing so many characters and couples from previous books and found my heart warmed by the unwavering support they promised to Celee in a journey full of heart pounding action and twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Overall this is a raw and gritty book that doesn't pull any punches. In between these moments though is a romance that is sizzling yet intimate, one that builds slowly but strongly to weather all the danger befalling them. From start to finish readers will be captivated, begging this author to write faster as the wait between books is becoming more and more painful!
My rating for this is an A.
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
USA Today Bestselling author, D. M. Earl creates authentic and genuine characters while spinning stories that feel so real and relatable that the readers plunge deep within the plot, begging for more. Complete with drama, angst, romance, and passion, the stories jump off the page.
When Earl, an avid reader since childhood, isn't at her keyboard pouring her heart into her work, you'll find her in Northwest Indiana snuggling up to her husband, the love of her life, with her seven fur babies nearby. Her other passions include gardening and shockingly cruising around town on the back of her 2004 Harley. She's a woman of many talents and interests.
Earl appreciates each and every reader who has ever given her a chance--and hopes to connect on social media with all of her readers.
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Book Release Blitz for Octavius’s Oath by V. F. Mason (REVIEW)……
It's a dark read for readers from the very first page in this compelling romance where the line between good and evil is constantly blurring. Keep reading to get my impressions of Octavius’s Oath by V. F. Mason, then add this third installment in the Four Dark Horsemen series to your bookshelf!
Power. Money. Status.
Whatever I have, I earned with blood and the vicious scar on my cheek can attest to that. No one dares to go against me.And if someone tries?
I punish and destroy them.
I’m a monster born in agony and pain with no redeeming qualities.
A hunter who seeks to catch his prey to torture him for all the atrocities committed by him. My prey thinks he tricked me a long time ago by faking his death.
He didn’t.
There is one absolute law all monsters follow:
In order to catch your prey, you need to have a perfect decoy.
And what better decoy than the one person my prey craves the most. Her.
A beauty who seeks answers to her horrible past, and unfortunately for her...I hold all the keys to it. I should stay away from her.
Instead, I marry her and trap her in the beast’s castle with no way of escaping, claiming her as mine.
After all...
Life is unbearable. And so am I.
BUY AT AMAZON here.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Having read books from V. F. Mason's rockstar series I had some idea of what to expect here, but what I found was so much more. I found a world full of dichotomies where good and evil mesh together in a blurring of characters and their purposes. It's a riveting read that keeps you on the edge, hoping for answers to be revealed, while discovering an unexpected and unconventional romance between two bold characters. It's an emotional read at times too, discovering the backstories of both Octavius and Isla, and they experienced a lot of loss throughout the years that has left its mark on them both inside and out.
It's this emotional baggage that fuels these two as they're both out for revenge. She's on the hunt for a serial killer while he's determined to make a certain man pay for all he's done to Octavius in journeys that ultimately end up crossing paths when Octavius binds Isla to him in an intense romance that I was glued to. Isla's a strong and determined heroine, one who's making dangerous mistakes in her blind determination to catch a serial killer. A change in her living situation and job should've been a good fresh start, but there was no counting on Octavius showing up and changing everything for her. Octavius is larger than life, a rich and powerful man who got everything through his own blood, sweat, and tears. His world is full of extravagance, sensuality, and unrelenting feelings of suspense as danger is just around the corner in a game he's been playing for years but that seems to be coming to an end. At first he plans to use Isla to find his revenge, but it's not long before an attraction arises in a romance full of complications....and dangerous secrets ready to be revealed.
Though I haven't read the previous books in this series I found myself quickly consumed by this dark, raw, and unconventional romance. The characters were unforgettable in a connection that brought out a vast array of feelings in me as I sped my way through each gripping chapter. The world building was hypnotic and my heart was left pounding as I waited for the other shoe to drop with the revealing of secrets that will change lives irrevocably. Readers looking for something unique, something full of suspense and sensuality, need look no further than this raw and gripping dark romance!
My rating for this is an A.
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
V.F.Mason always loved reading books and had quite a few fights with her momma over the genre she liked (romance, duh!) She studied filmmaking and thought that would feed her desire for stories, but that didn’t happen. Finally, when she was tired of all those voices in her head, she sat down and wrote a book. It was a huge decision to make and she thanks her friends and family for supporting her in it. When she is not writing, she can be found with her friends doing all sorts of crazy things or reading recent romance books that were written by her favorite authors.
To find out about V.F. Mason’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter HERE.
For more information on V.F. Mason and her books visit HERE.
Connect with V.F. Mason HERE.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Book Release Blitz for Sangria by Heidi McLaughlin (REVIEW)…….
Fans of opposites attracting, romances set in the music world and full of heart and soul, will be drawn to this tale and devouring it in a few hours. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Sangria by Heidi McLaughlin, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this first installment in the Nashville Nights series to your bookshelf!
Under the bright lights of Nashville, Levi Austin is a country music superstar whose life is rocked by the tragic death of his former wife, leaving him to raise their two daughters. Now faced with having to tell his girls, and making the hard decision about where they’ll live, Levi packs his bags and rushes off to Los Angeles—the last place he wants to be, but the one place where no one will recognize him.
Zara Phillips loves two things: her husband Van, and the band she created with her brother, Reverend Sister. To her, her life is perfect until she discovers that her high school sweetheart husband is cheating on her. The paparazzi are relentless, forcing a devastated and heartbroken Zara to stay hidden until the record label demands she shoot a video for the band's new single, driving her out of seclusion.Two people collide from opposite worlds. Neither knowing who the other is, yet both intrigued by one another. When Levi spills hot coffee on Zara, everything changes. He’s focused on his daughters, trying to do what’s best for them while Zara is determined to get away from everyone and everything in Los Angeles.
When Levi offers her sanctuary at his home in Nashville, Zara jumps at the opportunity to disappear...with the hopes that Levi comes with her. What transpires next are the lives of two very different people finding their path along a very bumpy and unforgiving road, who are tested by their loved ones, the media and one ex that doesn’t want to go away quietly.
EXCERPT:
Our lives, Van’s and mine, are intertwined in so many ways. From the time he joined my silly little garage band to the day we took our friendship to the next level. Everything we did, we did as a team with people around us and now those people depend on us. Reverend Sister isn’t Van’s or mine, it’s ours and only works together if we’re in it together and right now I don’t want to be anywhere near him.
By the time the tears start to fall, and I mean really fall, I’m halfway home, and my phone is ringing with Van calling. The alerts are going off like crazy because the paparazzi are relentless and insist on snapping pictures of people. And when they put them online they add the most ridiculous headlines, except these, are spot on and tell people about my impending breakdown. It’s coming. I can feel the gut-wrenching ache, my heart being ripped out of my chest and every muscle and bone in my body in pain. The takeover is slow and almost alien-like. I can feel it in my toes, moving its way up my legs. It’ll take some time for my brain to really figure it out. For the light bulb to go off that my marriage is over.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
From start to finish this is a book that captivates with a storyline that ticks many boxes for me. The characters are realistic and appealing, dealing with issues that are emotional and relatable. Set in the music world, it sees a rockstar and a country crooner make beautiful music together, despite a few differences that are worked through as readers make their way through a bumpy journey to HEA.
Levi Austin is a country star dealing with the death of his wife while trying to be the best dad he can be. Deciding that change can be helpful, when nobody knows your name, he moves the remnants of his family to the West Coast. A stop for coffee changes everything though, introducing him to the rockstar dealing with her own heartbreak courtesy of a cheating spouse. He may wear denim while she wears leather, his music has a bit of twang while hers has a pounding beat, but despite their differences their mutual heartache brings them together in a burgeoning romance that has them dealing with their past as well as a possible future when an ex comes back to cause bumps in their road to HEA. Levi's a caring dad whose relationships with his daughters are realistic while pulling at my heartstrings. He's hard working with an aw shucks attitude that's utterly charming. He's everything you want in a cowboy and he quickly found himself claiming Zara.
Zara Phillips is at the top of the world...or so she thought. With a few pictures, and a painful truth coming out, Zara finds herself running from the paparazzi and unsure who to trust when those closest to her betray her. Looking for some peace of mind, and a place to hide, soon leads to a cowboy with a cup of coffee and an offer to stay at his Nashville farm. It's an invitation that leads to far more than she expected in a slow burn romance with much appreciated moments of steam. Zara's a heroine you feel sympathy for as she gets put through the emotional wringer by those who should've supported her most. She's resilient though and never let those determined to wreck her HEA win. I also enjoyed her burgeoning connection to Levi's daughters in a storyline that all should follow when becoming a new addition to a family with kids. She works to be a part of their lives, let them decide where she fits best, and their empowering journey warmed my heart. Overall, Zara was an emotionally strong heroine with a big, supportive heart. She was put through a lot throughout the story, but came out the other side all the stronger because of it.
This was a slow-burn romance of opposites attracting with a steady pace of warm and loving moments balanced with steamy interludes. The main couple were likable and pure perfection. Despite being opposites in many ways, I was still rooting for them wholeheartedly to give into what fate kept pointing them towards. Along with characters to root for there were also villains, ones from within Zara’s circle and ones she thought would never betray her. She WAS betrayed though, and with each turn of the page I found myself booing those characters who hurt her most. Of the remaining secondary characters, I adored Barbara and her love and support for Levi's daughters, and for Levi himself. Zara's brother, Darian, was another compelling character who got caught up in all the turmoil that befell her. I found myself drawn to him the first time I saw him and look forward to coming back to the Nashville Nights series with him taking center stage!
My rating for this is an A.
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi's first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018, and is now available on DVD & Digital.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi's first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018, and is now available on DVD & Digital.
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Monday, October 16, 2023
Book Blast for The Highland Heir by Allison B. Hanson (GIVEAWAY)……
An arranged marriage leads to serious complications, and unexpected feelings for a friend, in this historical romance of friends forging a surprising path to HEA. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of The Highland Heir by Allison B. Hanson, along with learning even more about this standalone story by visiting the other sites hosting this tour. In honor of this historical tale of friends slowly becoming more, make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 Amazon GC as well as a prize pack for US readers too!
Kieran has spent his life living in the shadow of his late older brother. Brody had been the heir his father had loved and wanted, while Kieran was born to a woman his father despised for her betrayal. Kieran has only ever felt the bond of family with his best friend, Ella.
Ella knew one day Kieran would be called on to do his duty to his clan and marry for an alliance. But she never expected his engagement would suddenly force her to see him in such a different way. They’d known each other all their lives, but aside from one exploratory kiss, she had never been attracted to him as a woman is to a man. Until now.
As the time comes for Kieran to marry, he realizes he has feelings he shouldn’t have for the lass who’s been by his side all his life.
When the marriage contract is breached, Kieran hopes it means freedom for them to be together, but instead, it leads to war and a secret that will change their lives forever.
EXCERPT:
Ella wasn’t worried there was a raid, but she knew his claim that everything was fine was not true. Something was wrong with her best friend. Kieran was beyond upset.
Being friends since they were old enough to walk meant she knew him better than anyone, and right then she could tell he was as frantic as a wounded animal.
Wiping her hands on her apron, she hurried away and followed him outside, where he leaned over, pulling in deep breaths of warm July air.
If Ella was forced to guess, she’d say this had to do with the laird. For only the laird could upset Kieran in this manner. The laird never found an end to the list of grievances he held against his son for doing nothing more than existing.
Rolfe Sinclair was a fair laird to his clan, but didn’t often extend that same courtesy to his second-born son.
Kieran was too old to cry as he had when they’d been younger, but she could tell it was serious all the same.
“What has happened?” she asked, reaching out to rest her hand on the hard muscle of hisshoulder.
He remained in his position, bent at the waist with his hands braced on his knees, breathing as if he’d just run a great distance.
“I’m to be married,” he managed while heaving in gusts of air.
She gasped and gripped his shoulder harder.
“How soon?” she asked.
BUY AT AMAZON here.
AUTHOR INFO:
One very early morning, Allison B. Hanson woke up with a conversation going on in her head. It wasn’t so much a dream as being forced awake by her imagination. Unable to go back to sleep, she gave in, went to the computer, and began writing. Years later it still hasn’t stopped.
Allison’s historical romances are filled with kilted heroes. She lives near Hershey, Pennsylvania, and enjoys candy immensely, as well as long motorcycle rides, running and reading.
**********GIVEAWAY**********
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