Book Release Blitz for Sir, Yes Sir by L. L. Ash (GIVEAWAY)……

A man left bruised by war finds healing in a forbidden place when his best friend offers him a place to stay...and time with his sweet and enticing daughter.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Sir, Yes Sir by L. L. Ash, then add this emotionally intense tale to your bookshelf.  In honor of this older man/younger woman romance make sure to visit the link below for the chance to win a $25 Amazon GC along with some awesome goodies too!

Ashton

One single moment changed everything. After receiving life-altering injuries on my last operation, I was forced to retire early. What was I if not a Raider and a Marine? When my brother in arms Tommy (Gun) Blair offered his home up to me to finish my recovery, I snatched up the opportunity with both hands because I had nowhere else to go. Amidst all my calculations, however, I realized that I’d missed one significant detail. Freya, Tommy’s daughter. She’d been a kid last time I’d seen her. She was definitely NOT a kid anymore. Living up to her namesake, the daughter of my best friend was beautiful, sweet, and deadly. If Tommy knew the kinds of things running through my head, he’d kill me in my sleep with a rusty spoon. Didn’t matter though. The woman was temptation embodied, and despite all my training, discipline and control, she was the one weakness that I just couldn’t give up.
Freya
I’d never met a man like him. Ashton was solid, confident, rigid, and bold. He also had the body of a god. No joke. But I was just the kid of his best friend. Seeing a man as powerful as him bow to the agony of injuries and PTSD…it broke my heart. It also proved that he wasn’t just a fighting machine. When he started working at Dad’s dealership with us, I started to get to know the man instead of the legend, and I loved what I found. Good with his hands, and loyal to a fault, I fell so deep in love with him it’s almost disgusting. Too bad he was my father’s best friend and would never love me back.

EXCERPT:

“Sorry,” Freya said from...yep, the kitchen. “Mom’s been into that stuff ever since I can remember. She thinks that good thoughts and crystals can heal just about everything.”
“You don’t buy it?” I asked her.
She just blinked at me.
“She once tried healing my broken arm with obsidian and selenite. It took me two hours to convince my mom that a couple of pretty rocks weren’t going to reset my bones.” I whistled.
“How old were you?”
“Eight. Eight and a half, I think.”
Holy shit.
“Where was Tommy? Your dad, I mean.”
“Working. In Afghanistan, I think. He’d been gone for months before it happened. Mom always got super sucked into that stuff when he was away for a while.”
“I’m sorry, kid,” I told her, which made her bristle.
“I’m not a kid, you know that, don’t you, Ashton?”
Oh, I fucking knew it. I remembered the feel of her very grown-up breasts pressing against my chest while I was having a full on mental breakdown in the employee bathroom at work.
She’d never brought it up though. After Tommy had led me away, Freya never mentioned the incident again. Maybe she just wanted to forget the traumatizing moment, and I could respect that. I’d taken full advantage of her sympathetic and loving heart, and I knew it.
But I digress.
I didn't remember things being so bad. Tommy had mentioned that he’d needed to leave the Marines to be with his wife and daughter, but he’d never mentioned how bad it had evidently gotten. Had Freya been dealing with being the grown-up in the house ever since she was a kid? Maybe our pasts were more similar than I ever realized.
“You look like you’re thinking too hard,” Freya said as she dipped to look into the fridge for something.
Damn, that ass...
“I’m afraid that maybe your head will explode or something,” she mused.
I barked a rusty laugh, just as she stood and graced me with a grin over her shoulder. “You’re insane,” was the only comeback I had, because maybe she was right.
I was thinking way too hard about her and that peachy ass when I should’ve been focused on other things. “Is Tommy still at the dealership?”
She nodded, then slid over a beer to me.
“You know him. Workaholic.”
Yes, I did, but I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why. He had such an amazing life to come home to, why would he choose work over this?
I grunted instead of answering, but took the beer happily.
“So?” she asked after a minute. “You took the day to go to the base. How’d it go?”
I didn’t fucking answer. I didn’t want to.
Funny though, as it turned out, I didn’t need to.
“Oh...Ash...” she moaned, sadness and sympathy coloring her cheeks.
“Guess my nickname Citizen really matches now,” I grunted out, thinking it would be funny, but my voice cracked like a prepubescent boy, showing my emotions.
Freya came right around the counter and took me into her arms, beer and all where she squeezed me harder than anybody had ever hugged me before.
“You’ll be ok,” she muffled a whisper with her face in the crook of my neck and shoulder. “You’ve got us, and we’ll be your team.”
An unwelcome tear started slipping out of my eye, and I quickly tried sucking it back up before she could notice. But funny that, tears don’t suck back up like snot.
When she let me go, Freya looked into my face and lifted her hand, sweeping the trail of that singular tear away.
“You’ve got us,” she said, looking me right in the eyes. “If you need a wingman, I’m your girl. I’ll help get you laid and help you find a place when you’re ready. I’ll even watch sports with you, even though I hate everything other than hockey and MMA.”
I snorted a laugh, which made her sad lips turn into a small smile.
“I appreciate that,” I told her, pressing my palm to her cheek now. “But I’m ok. I don’t need a wingman. I can get laid all by myself. As for sports, what other real sports are there other than hockey and MMA?”
She snorted a laugh, legit making snot burst out of her nose, which made her cheeks flame with embarrassment.
I laughed too while she hurried away to the bathroom to get away from me. That girl was too much.
And fucking everything.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY AT AMAZON here.

AUTHOR INFO:

L.L. Ash is a Washington-born writer who has traveled and lived across the western coast of the US. Ash has been writing fiction since she was a pre-teen, and while her writing has improved since then, her love for literature has not changed.
Oftentimes you can find Ash reading an indie romance or enjoying a historical fiction. Dabbling in culinary arts and music, Ash has been an artist for decades but found her true love and passion in romances.

WEBSITE  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK  |  INSTAGRAM

**********GIVEAWAY**********

VISIT here FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN A $25 AMAZON GC, ALONG WITH A SLEW OF OTHER GOODIES!  GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO ALL.  ENDS ON 4/29.

Book Cover Reveal for Servicemen of Blossom Springs Series by PJ Fiala…….

 Coming in 2024 is a gorgeous new series from PJ Fiala!  Readers will have reasons to rejoice with these suspenseful, small town romances featuring wounded warriors looking to start over.  Keep reading to get a tempting glimpse of these covers, then start counting down the days until the Servicemen of Blossom Springs series by PJ Fiala hits bookshelves!

Blossom Springs became their sanctuary from the ravages of war. Love became their salvation.

USAT author PJ Fiala, brings you steamy, small-town romantic suspense stories, where outside forces threaten to ruin the peace and tranquility Blossom Springs was built on.

Three former military friends find their equilibrium when they change their lives and move to Blossom Springs. As these protectors find ways to heal themselves, they also meet the women who will challenge them in ways they never dreamed.

STEAMY NIGHTS

He's convinced he's discovered an ideal paradise.
She's certain she's found her new beginning...
Together, they must fight to keep their new dreams alive.
Sid Hoffman has suffered from PTSD since his time in Afghanistan. Inner peace has escaped him for years. Attending a bachelor party in Blossom Springs is a true awakening for him. Buying a garage and spending his days working with his hands has brought him more tranquility than he ever imagined.
Grace Murphy left an abusive relationship to follow her dream of owning short-term rentals. She's self-sufficient and ready to prove she has what it takes to build a thriving business and healthy life.
When outsiders roll into town and threaten their sanctuary, Sid and Grace join forces and fight to keep Blossom Springs the sanctuary they know it can be. Falling in love is the last thing these opposites were prepared for.

PRE-ORDER here.

SULTRY NIGHTS

He's finally free of his demons and is ready to start over by helping others. She's clawing her way back from a situation she never dreamed she’d be in. They must learn to fight together to rebuild their lives.
Through hard work and financial freedom, Quinn Kurtz has found a way to keep his PTSD at bay. He’s vowed to help fellow veterans combat their own demons by hiring them to work for his construction company.
Hanna Valentine was betrayed by a man she trusted and left with nothing. She gathered up her shattered pride and moved on to a cute little bungalow, where she is determined to recapture everything that was taken from her—one wall at a time, and all on her own.
Quinn and Hanna have no idea that their pasts are about to collide. The only way to keep from losing everything all over again is to trust each other. But, can a former warrior and a distrustful woman learn to fight their common enemy together, or will her inability to trust force them to go it alone?

PRE-ORDER here.

SEDUCTIVE NIGHTS

He’s navigating his way through his PTSD and has found a way to thrive.
She’s learning to harness her rage before it destroys everything important to her. Together they must channel their anger and distrust towards good.
Jace Marriott learned that owning his bar and keeping his mind busy are the secrets to preventing PTSD from ruining his life. Now that he’s found a sense of calm, outside forces threaten to steal it away from him.
Margo Price suffered an unimaginable loss, before being brought to her knees by an epic betrayal. Throwing herself into her real estate business is the only way she can move forward. Until she’s confronted by the one person who can destroy her new found peace of mind.
Jace and Margo meet and the attraction between them burns as bright and hot as a flame. Will they end up being burned, or will their Seductive Nights together be enough to combat the evil forces set out to destroy them.

PRE-ORDER here.

AUTHOR INFO:

USA Today Best Selling Author, PJ Fiala, has independently published multiple romance novels over the years. Focusing primarily on romantic suspense, she weaves a little bit of reality with a little bit of make-believe to create stories with heat, heart and all the feels. PJ lives in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area but travels to destinations unknown via motorcycle. Spending time with her grandmother Ruth, in Kentucky has helped to mold PJ into a person who enjoys life on the farm as well as life in the burbs. But it was romance novels that took her to places she’d only dreamed of and solidified her love of all things romance and swoony. Her family keeps her feet on the ground when her mind travels too far from home, delivering both a reality check and a nudge to keep it real.

  WEBSITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  PINTEREST  |  TIKTOK  |  YOUTUBE  |  GOODREADS  |  BOOKBUB  |  AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Book Release Blast for One More Chance by Stina Lindenblatt (REVIEW)…..

 Readers will find themselves invested in this story from the very first page, captivated by the rollercoaster ride of emotions as war changes people.  Being brought back together gives two bruised souls another chance at HEA...if they can just save one another from the past first.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of One More Chance by Stina Lindenblatt, along with my impressions of it, then add this first installment in the Carson Brothers series to your bookshelf!

Ten years ago, he was my brother’s best friend.

The man I sent letters to while they were deployed.
The man I fell in love with.
But then my world crashed around me.
I stopped sending him letters.
A secret flickered to life.
My brother died from PTSD.
And I stayed away from my hometown, too broken to return.
Until a hit and run has me rushing back.
Now, Lucas needs my help.
He needs me to be his wife.
He’s gotten himself into trouble, and someone wants to take him down.
I might be the only person who can save him.
Or I might be the one person who tears him apart…

BUY here.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Readers looking for an engaging story, with a heartwarming romance set in a small town, get all that and more with this series starter that ticked many boxes for me.  The storyline was one full of twists and turns, turns that were both suspenseful and romantic, turns that brought a tear to my eye while putting a smile on my face.  In this story of second chances readers will find themselves captivated from the first page to the last, cheering this couple on as they find their way back to each other after years of emotional pain.

Lucas Carson and Simone Hensley were once in love, tightly bound together before her brother Aiden and he were deployed to Afghanistan and everything turned bad for the young couple.  War is hell at times and it left Lucas and Aiden with PTSD...seemingly leading to Aiden's suicide and years of Lucas and Simone not talking.  Her returning home to care for her injured grandmother though leads to her reuniting with Lucas at a time when he needs her help most...when he's been framed for a crime he didn't commit. Just as he needs her to convey an image of a responsible family man, she needs him for the same to get her online business off the ground which leads to a fake relationship that slowly turns oh so real once again.  Theirs is a bumpy journey to HEA, one that has them addressing their painful pasts in an attempt to move forward.  The issues dealt with here are realistic and a big part of today's culture.  The fallout from these issues was heartbreaking, led to years of loneliness, and I hurt alongside this couple as they talked through their pasts to find healing.  The mystery surrounding the crime Lucas is accused of is intriguing, the guilty party well-disguised, and the REAL reason behind it surprisingly connected to the past in a storyline that kept me frantically turning the pages.

On a whole this was an immensely satisfying series starter with a very likable main couple who get put through the wringer to reach their HEA.  The mystery and suspense was fresh and well-crafted with a nicely balanced romance that was sweet and sensual. The secondary characters were also strong with delightful and supportive banter between the brothers.  Those looking for a well-rounded read will definitely want to add this one to their bookshelf while waiting to see where life takes these brothers next!

My rating for this is an A.

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Born in Brighton England, USA Today bestselling author Stina Lindenblatt has lived in a number of countries, including England, the US, Finland, and Canada. This would explain her mixed up accent. She has a kinesiology degree and a MSc in sports biological sciences. In addition to writing fiction, she loves photography, and currently lives in Calgary, Canada, with her husband and three kids.

Book Tour for Guarded by the Marshal by Kennedy L. Mitchell (REVIEW)…..

 A woman with a painful past trying to start over finds the past unwilling to let her go in this suspenseful tale with unexpected romance.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Guarded by the Marshal by Kennedy L. Mitchell, along with getting my impressions of this book, then add this first installment in the In Clear Sight series to your bookshelf!

I will stop at nothing to protect her.

The moment she takes the stand I’m lost, drowning in the details of her story escaping an infamous cult’s compound. Every part of me screams to keep her safe from the men eager to kill her for testifying.
When I'm the next US marshal assigned to her protection detail, I know it’s a mistake to make it personal. But taking her to my hometown is my best bet of keeping her safe until the trial is over.
Forced together day and night, her innocence begs me to show her just how good the right touch can be. Every stolen kiss is forbidden, putting my heart in danger for when she has to leave.
Each glance and unspoken word between us is a risk we shouldn't take.
Fantasies of us together become my only thoughts.
She's becoming my biggest weakness.
I knew better than to let my guard down.
Because the men she escaped from won’t stop until they have her back.

BUY here.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

From the moment I picked up this book I was on the edge of my seat in a story of action and suspense with a romance that was both supportive but also healing for two people bruised by their pasts.  Touching on issues seen in today's world readers will be captivated by the realism, hurting right alongside this couple as they fight to stay alive while fighting for their fragile love.  With each turn of the page readers will find much about this story that's familiar but there's much too that was satisfying in a gripping series starter that leaves you ready for more.

Rachel Smith is a heroine you're drawn to from the very start, a heroine with a tough upbringing who rolled the dice on love but found hell on earth instead as the unwilling victim of a cult.  Ready to reclaim her life she's set to testify against the cult's leader which puts her in constant danger that her assigned US Marshal, Max, must keep her safe from.  Throughout their time together their forced proximity yields unrelenting sexual tension that eventually takes a more emotionally engaging turn.  Rachel had an air of naïveté to her which has Max taking his time with her in sweet yet sensual encounters.  Despite her lack of worldliness there's a strong backbone to Rachel with her determination to testify, a need to keep other women safe that had me admiring her and cheering her on every step of the way.

Max Williams is a man full of flaws, a man who doesn't think he's worthy of happiness or anything good as he's weighed down by the bagge of PTSD, past alcoholism, and the emotional strains of divorce.  He's just going through the motions of life when readers first meet him, but the moment he meets Rachel is the moment he starts to fully come back to life.  He's drawn to her immediately with a gentle and protective side quickly emerging, one that has him putting everything on the line to keep her safe from the cult members.  Max is an intriguing hero, a bit rough at times but he's truly sweet and caring in his dealings with Rachel, taking the time she needs to reclaim her life.

On a whole this was a fast-paced read with a romance that brought out the best in both Rachel and Max.  Their time together made them stronger, showed them the power of love, and how worthy they both are for a HEA.  Their scenes were both gentle and tender, realistic in their thoughts and feelings.  The suspenseful twists and turns of this tale kept me further on edge, kept me frantically turning the pages to see what was going to happen next.  I also enjoyed the glimpses we got of fellow Marshals, Trapper and Shade, who have me counting down the days until they take center stage in this promising start to a new series.

My rating for this is a B.

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Kennedy lives in Dallas with her husband, son, and 80lb Goldendoodle who still believes he’s a lap dog. A bookworm at heart, Kennedy loves to snuggle up in bed or by the campfire with an unputdownable book. She began writing two years ago with Falling for the Chance and has no plans of stopping. Her novels are witty, action-packed, and offer enough steam for a great facial. If you like strong heroines and sexy, tattooed men who can’t keep their hands off them, then this author is the one for you.

Book Release Blast for Baden by Sawyer Bennett (REVIEW)……

From tragedy comes love for two people dealing with loss and their emotional scars in this engaging series starter set in the hockey world.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Badenby Sawyer Bennett, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this first installment in the Pittsburgh Titans series to your bookshelf too!

After suffering a horrific injury that threatens to end his career, Baden Oulett is about to learn that sometimes a fresh start is just what the doctor ordered.

I worked my whole life to achieve one goal—play professional hockey. As part of the defending Cup champion Arizona Vengeance, I was living my dream until one split second decision destroyed it all. Instead of lacing up my skates and hitting the ice, I’ve spent my days in rehab and physical therapy just so I could walk again. When a coaching opportunity with the Pittsburgh Titans is presented to me, I find myself with a career I had never considered but which allows me to continue being part of the sport that I love.
While my injuries are physical, the same can’t be said for the woman I rescued. Suffering from wounds that can’t be seen, Sophie Winters has withdrawn from the world in fear and guilt. I didn’t know Sophie before that fateful night and have only met her once since, but I refuse to let her face her demons alone. Determined to be a friend, I support Sophie in the only way I know how…by simply being there.
Through our shared trauma, Sophie and I begin to find peace within one another. As we grow closer, what started as friendship becomes more intimate until our broken pieces become one. But can a love born of anguish endure, or will the pain of our past prove too much to overcome?

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO  |  GOOGLE PLAY

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

From the ashes of tragedy comes this inspirational and heartwarming romance of two bruised souls finding a connection through the healing power of friendship and love.  Picking up after the events that played out throughout the Arizona Vengeance series comes this series starter that pulled at my heartstrings from the first page to the last and has me excited for where things will go in the future.

At the start of this story Baden Oulett's still dealing with his grief over the loss of his friend in a fiery plane crash that decimated the Pittsburgh Titans hockey team as well as deciding on his own future path after a life-altering injury he sustained in defense of a woman being assaulted.  Until now, Baden's been focused on his recovery, doing all he can to get the use of his legs back while contemplating whether he can ever really play again.  When he's offered a coaching job with the Titans it forces him into finally making a decision about his future, a decision that once again brings him face to face with a woman who needs his help...the woman he saved from harm once before, but who needs help once again.  Baden's an amazing hero!  The glimpses readers have gotten of him since the incident that changed his life have shown a man of grit and determination, a man with a big heart who's never regretted doing what was right despite the changes it forced on his life.  He's been in a bit of a standstill though, not wanting to give up his chance to play again, but wanting to be realistic too.  The offer to coach comes at just the right time, giving him the push he needs to start over while reintroducing him to the woman whose life changed his.  What he finds is a woman needing a friend, a woman who's been hiding from the world.  Together they form a friendship, one that shows him to be infinitely patient, loving, and supportive.  As they spend more and more time together their friendship evolves into something even stronger, a love that was transforming for both of them and that warmed my heart.

Sophie Winters is an unforgettable heroine, one who's been through a lot but is still a survivor when readers see her again.  The trauma of that day though lingers still as she's practically a hermit, dealing with PTSD and anxiety all on her own.  Baden's reappearance is just what she never knew she needed, with it being the push she needs to more fully deal with her own emotional scars.  Seeing their instant connection, the ease of their rapport, warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face.  In her comfort zone, Sophie is a witty and funny heroine, and I was cheering her on with each baby step she took forward.  Together, she and Baden are an imperfectly perfect pair, one whose connection encompasses both the body and soul.  Their romance was powerful to see evolve, inspiring to witness, and a feel-good narrative that made for a wonderful series starter.

Ms. Bennett has crafted yet another epic romance set in the hockey world.  From the sadness and tears of the tragedy seen in the Arizona Vengeance series comes this uplifting tale of friends becoming lovers, two people who were there for each other's worst moments who are now starting over together.  This series starter brings back some familiar faces, which gives readers a feeling of family.  Along with some fan favorites, Ms. Bennett slowly introduces a whole new cast of characters who become pieces to the puzzle that is the patched-together Pittsburgh Titans hockey team.  On a whole they're a compelling cast of characters who I look forward to seeing more of in the talented hands of Ms. Bennett.

My rating for this is an A.

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter HERE.

FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM  |  GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE  |  WEBSITE  |  BOOKBUB  |  READER GROUP

Book Release Blitz for Guarding Shadows by Aly Stiles & Hazel James (REVIEW).....

 Set in the world of the Save Me series comes this emotionally intense romance between a rockstar and a wounded warrior who doesn't know where his place in the world is...but maybe his heart will answer that question for him.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Guarding Shadows by Aly Stiles & Hazel James, along with my impressions of this fifth addition to the series, which will have you wanting to add it to your bookshelf!

An emotional rockstar and military romance that can be read as a standalone.

Her demon stalks her.

His demons haunt the shadows of his head.

Internet star turned rocker Quinn Wylder never asked to be famous. So when she starts receiving disturbing messages while on tour with her new band, her reluctant dream quickly becomes a nightmare.

Army veteran Tanner Clarke never asked to be medically retired. But when an injury and PTSD diagnosis force him out of service, he’s left lost and alone in a civilian world that doesn’t seem to have a place for him.

It was the perfect solution: the compassionate angel who needs security hiring the haunted warrior trained to protect. But the biggest battle they face may be one they never saw coming—guarding a body is nothing compared to protecting a heart.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY AT AMAZON here.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

From the moment I picked up this book I was immediately swept up in an emotionally intense tale depicting the painful process of soldiers returning home, their lack of support and their feelings of being lost and alone in a country that forgets about them once their uniforms come off.  Add in a sassy and strong-willed songstress in need of protection and you end up with a suspenseful tale of opposites attracting, a tale full of heart and soul.

Tanner Clarke served his country with honor and dignity, put his life on the line for love of country, but his return home after being medically discharged has been anything but rewarding.  Having no support from his family, and having PTSD, has left him feeling isolated without a job and on the verge of being homeless.  I ached for Tanner and where he is at the start of this story as he's dejected and feeling at the end of his rope with nowhere to turn.  It's at this darkest moment that an angel comes into his life in the form of singer Quinn Wylder, a woman he met when he was in the military and who now offers him a home and a job.  It's a connection that changes both of their lives irrevocably, a connection that also pulled at my heartstrings in a tale of healing and support.  With a story that was realistically depicted, and sometimes hard to read, readers get to see that the return to civilian life isn't easy and without support it becomes heartbreaking.  Tanner's family is awful, never listening to him and blaming him for his PTSD.  There were times I wanted to smack them in fact, as his pain radiated off him in waves, and as he expressed some very dark thoughts at the start of the story. The lack of support from those who should've been the most supportive made me appreciate Quinn all the more.  She quickly became the lone light in his dark world, gave him unconditional support as he again put his life on the line for another to keep her safe from a stalker.  Tanner's a delicious hero, despite all his baggage.  At his core he's a caretaker, a man of honor who wears the creed of to protect and serve like a second skin.  He's a bit dark and gloomy, but when you're in need of protection, he's just what you need.  He's been drawn to Quinn since he last met her, but doesn't feel comfortable mixing business and pleasure since becoming her bodyguard.  You can't stop fate though and it's not long before their slow-burn romance gains strength.  Through heartfelt talks and their unwavering belief in each other, their connection grew as it warmed my heart.

Quinn Wylder is a wonderful heroine, one full of light with a kind heart, and she's just what Tanner's been missing since he returned home in a tale of opposites attracting. She loves music but hates being in the spotlight, especially with stalkers now crawling out of the woodwork as her band gains more notoriety.  Through their time together she gives Tanner the support that's been missing from his life and in turn he helps her believe more strongly in herself as her band gets more famous.  She also gives him moments of laughter that diminish the darkness in this empowering romance of starting over.

This is a powerful read, a gritty one too with flashes of much-appreciated humor, that pulled at my heartstrings from the first page to the last.  Tanner and Quinn are a wonderful couple whose slow-burn romance kept me glued to the pages in a tale of opposites attracting that had me rooting for these two every step of the way.  Their romance was immensely satisfying too as sweet and sensual moments were nicely balanced with the suspense of Quinn's stalker.  Quinn's bandmates were a nice addition too, providing a few moments of laughter along the way, and I'd love to see more of them in the future.  Once I turned the final page I felt happy seeing two people clearly meant to be find each other in a tale of unconditional support and healing and I definitely recommend it to readers looking for an epic love story!

My rating for this is an A.

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

ALY STILES can be found here:  FACEBOOK  |  INSTAGRAM  |  NEWSLETTER

HAZEL JAMES can be found here:  FACEBOOK  |  INSTAGRAM  |  WEBSITE

Book Tour for Damien, Forever by Tempest Phan (REVIEW).......

 Opposites find their longtime friendship slowly becoming something more in an emotionally intense tale that has two close knit friends fighting an attraction while dealing with the weight of life and their painful pasts.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Damien, Forever by Tempest Phan, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this first installment in An Art of Sinners series to your bookshelf too!

An angsty, friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance with a dash of new adult and a twist of rockstar.

Damien

She's everyone's favorite princess. Gorgeous girl next door. Homecoming queen. But to me, she'll always be so much more. The light in my dark, my best friend, my everything. But there's one thing she can't ever be. And that's 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚. Because I'll make damn sure to keep my filthy hands off her. Even if it kills me.

Bella

He's the boy of broken whispers. The one dripping ink. The one sowing fear. But to me, he'll always be so much more. The music in my soul, my best friend, my everything. And pretty soon, he'll be between my sheets, too. Because what baby girl wants, she 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙨. Just watch.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

PRE-ORDER LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  AMAZON (CA)

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

From the moment I picked up this book I was captivated!  From its soul-searing romance of friends to lovers, to dealing with issues of mental illness and abuse, this is a book that packs quite an emotional wallop.  From the first page to the last readers will find themselves on an unending rollercoaster ride of emotions that will sadden you, while making you smile, before steaming up the pages through interludes involving the heart and soul.

Damien and Bella have had a connection since they were children, becoming inseparable as both experienced losses at an early age that had them finding support by each other's side.  It's a connection that's as vital as breathing and is based on love...a love that slowly and steadily turns more physical which ultimately complicates things between them.  Their romance definitely put me through the wringer, pulled at my heartstrings through every speed bump thrown their way.  For every moment of joy between them, I also witnessed pain through poor decisions and low self-esteem, before differences in their social standings also threw wrenches into their HEA.  Theirs is clearly a HEA meant to be though and it's a hard-fought journey to get there.  At times both of them frustrated me with their decisions, by letting other people's judgements weigh on them, by denying what was so obvious between them, that I occasionally wanted to throw my kindle against the wall.  Despite those moments of frustration I found a romance that I was utterly enthralled by and which had me rooting for them every step of the way.

Damien Mortenson is seen as the town bad boy, the sexy but poor boy from the other side of the tracks whose mother worked for Bella's family and which was the start of the foundation to their lifetime connection.  Damien's a tortured soul due to his sister's death, his mother's mental illness, and his father's abandonment that harkens to his own battle with PTSD.  Music and Bella are the only bright spots in the darkness of his world, a world that is realistically depicted and had me aching for all that he had to deal with.  He's a young man with a caring heart and a protective nature but sees himself as a loser and unworthy of being anything more than a friend to Bella despite their obvious soul deep love.  Listening to the negativity led to an even more painful journey to HEA, moments where Damien loses himself in the darkness, and it hurt my heart when reading these sections.  These moments left me wanting to hug him non-stop!

There's more to Bella Davenport than just a pretty face, a dutiful daughter from a family of wealth.  She's a young woman with a big heart, devoted to and protective of the boy from the wrong side of town.  She's the only one who sees the real boy behind the piercings and tats, drawn to his pain in hopes of helping ease it.  Early on she seems to be a bit meek, but as the story progressed she became stronger and more self-assertive in what she really wanted which led to moments of heartache and frustration.  In spite of that she was always there for Damien, proof of her commitment to him despite all his attempts to push her away.  He wanted her to have a life, but there was no life without him in it.  Through actions both big and small she set out to show him that truth throughout their very rocky road to HEA.

From the very start readers will find this couple unforgettable and be fully captivated by the ups and downs of their friends to lovers romance.  Readers will be pulled into their lives early on, get caught up in all the bright joys and dark moments in their difficult journey to HEA.  They're a formidable pair, made stronger and yet more vulnerable by the love between them and I was on edge watching them navigate the highs and lows of their lives.  Alongside this enthralling main couple were a colorful cast of secondary characters who I hope to see more of in the future.  Lukas Stone, a rich boy lawyer with a love of art who's driven to help those less fortunate than he, is the first one to leave a big impression on me as the facade we see of him early on definitely changes throughout the story.  He became someone of real substance towards the end, someone carrying the weight of familial disappointments and pain, and I hope he finds his own HEA soon.  Damien's bandmates also intrigued me through their colorful looks and loud natures that belie their softer sides.  Their journey to stardom was a rough one, realistic in its hardships as well as the vices that are experienced once fame arrives.  I applaud Ms. Phan for the realism she brought to her story, the gritty and raw emotions depicted.  This was an epic romance, not always easy to read but well worth all the tears and frustrations along the way.  With this being the first installment in An Art of Sinners series readers will be left longingly counting down the days until we revisit this emotionally intense world!

My rating for this is an A.

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Tempest Phan loves ink, words, leather pants, and emo (#SorryNotSorry). She lives in a grey, rainy region with her own real-life tattooed bad boy lawyer, their littles, and a pup. Good news is that all the terrible weather means more time for book boyfriends and writing about broken heroes and indomitable heroines. (By the way, she’s never met a bar of dark chocolate that she hasn’t fallen head-over-Loubs for).  Visit her WEBSITE to discover more about them and their books.

Book Spotlight on Wolf Rebel by Paige Tyler (GIVEAWAY)

It’s a sensual and suspenseful paranormal romance between a woman dealing with PTSD who finds herself drawn to the Navy SEAL assigned to be her new partner who’s dealing with issues of his own.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Wolf Rebel by Paige Tyler, then start counting down the days until this book hits shelves on November 26th.  In honor of this tenth installment in the SWAT series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a set of the first nine books in this series too!

She let him get away

SWAT werewolf Rachel Bennett is hounded by nightmares after a vicious attack left her with PTSD. Not knowing who or what she can trust anymore, she’s relieved to be assigned to a high-profile protective detail. Diving into work might be the distraction she needs, until she notices the mysterious hunk who seems to follow her wherever she goes—and recognizes him.

Now he needs her help...

After he’s badly injured, former Navy SEAL Knox Lawson seeks out Rachel when he realizes he’s turning into a werewolf. He’d once been part of the group hunting her kind, but he knew he had to quit when he found Rachel in his crosshairs. Now he desperately needs her help.

Rachel isn’t sure she trusts Knox, but having him around keeps the nightmares—and the monster creating them—away. Knox might not know much about being a werewolf, but there’s no doubt he’ll do everything in his power to win her trust and keep her safe.

EXCERPT:

She leaned against the balcony railing to do a little stargazing from the second-floor deck when two scents that were becoming overwhelmingly familiar hit her. It was the same combination of scents she’d picked up this morning at the compound.

But this time it wasn’t some slight trace carried on the breeze. Instead, it was thick and heavy, like whoever the scents belonged to had been standing on the balcony mere seconds ago. It struck her then that this was the first time she’d attributed the smell to a person. Before now, she hadn’t been quite sure.

Hand tightening on her mug, she swept the street below her apartment with her gaze, taking in every car parked on the curb and row of buildings on the other side of the street, following the smell with her nose. It was strongest in that direction and she inhaled deeply. The scents were richer and fuller than she’d sensed before. And they definitely belonged to a man. Of that she was sure. The scents possessed a subtle hint of something so tantalizing that Rachel found her eyes going slightly unfocused as she fixated on it. She’d never smelled anything so…perfect.

Suddenly, she caught sight of movement across the street, buried in the shadows of the alley that ran alongside the organic food store. She turned all her attention in that direction, her eyes shifting so she could see better. That’s when she saw a man’s silhouette in the darkness.

As if sensing her gaze on him, the man retreated farther into the alley, and while she couldn’t see him, she could tell he was still there somewhere.

Setting her cup on the small table in between the two chairs, Rachel gripped the balcony railing and vaulted over it to the ground below. Her bare feet hit the sidewalk hard, but she ignored the discomfort and took off running across the street, chasing after the shadow.

The rocks and stray pieces of glass in the alley dug into her feet, but she refused to let that slow her as she ran as hard as she could. For a werewolf like her, that was pretty damn fast. But the man ahead of her was fast, too—too fast to be a normal human.

Crap, she was chasing another werewolf. She almost stumbled to a halt at the realization, shocked she hadn’t recognized the unique scent until now. How was it possible she hadn’t known it for what it was? Maybe because it had changed since she’d first smelled it all those weeks ago. The werewolf part of the scent seemed new.

Growling, she picked up speed, her body partially shifting as she ran faster, refusing to let the man ahead of her get away. It took a while to corner him, but when her prey turned down a dead-end alley, she knew she had him.

He didn’t stop running until he reached the brick wall at the end of the alley. Then he stood there and stared at it as if trying to figure out how to go through it. Dark-haired, he was tall with broad shoulders and sleek muscles filling out the T-shirt he wore. He looked left and right, breathing hard as he searched for an escape route.

“You’re not getting out of this alley,” Rachel told him, not even trying to disguise the anger in her voice. This guy had been stalking her for weeks. He was lucky she didn’t rip him to shreds first and ask questions later. “Not until you tell me who the hell you are and what you want with me.”

Squaring his shoulders as if resigned to his fate, he slowly turned to face her. His hair was short on the sides and longer on the top, and his face carried a few days’ worth of scruff that emphasized his square jaw, making him look dangerous and even more attractive than he probably had a right to. His eyes were a deep, rich chocolate brown, piercing but somehow soft at the same time.

She was well on her way to getting lost in those eyes when she suddenly realized she recognized him. He was the hunter she’d let get away. A hunter who was a werewolf.

PRE-ORDER LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO  |  INDIEBOUND  |  BaM  |  WALMART

AUTHOR INFO:

Paige Tyler is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of action-packed romantic suspense, romantic thrillers, and paranormal romance. Paige writes books about hunky alpha males and the kick-butt heroines they fall in love with. She lives with her very own military hero (a.k.a. her husband) and their adorable dog on the beautiful Florida coast.

Visit Ms. Tyler’s website HERE.

**********GIVEAWAY**********

a Rafflecopter giveaway