Book Release Blast for Forever Flames by Kaylene Winter (REVIEW)…..

 Fans of rockstar romances will find themselves drawn to this tale of second chances and a first love that now wants to be a last love.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Forever Flames by Kaylene Winter, along with my impressions of it, then add this fourth installment in the Charming Irish series to your bookshelf!

Twenty years. One unforgettable flame. Some love stories never burn out.

I never wanted fame.

All I ever needed was her.

Stevie Hayes set my world on fire from the moment we met.

First kiss. First love. First time. The girl next door who became my whole future.

Late-night rehearsals. Promises whispered in the dark. A fire so intense it felt eternal.

She believed in me when no one else did.

Then life pulled us apart.

Different paths. Different cities. A slow unraveling I never saw coming.

I thought letting her go would set her free.

Instead, it broke us.

Years later, tragedy brings us back together.

Older now. Scarred. Still burning for something we never stopped wanting.

Old wounds resurface. Hard truths come to light.

The spark? It never left.

We were never supposed to fall apart.

Now I’ll fight like hell to put us back together.

Forever Flames is a swoon-worthy, second-chance rockstar romance packed with emotional angst, soul-deep devotion, and the kind of once-in-a-lifetime love that never truly dies.

BUY THE BOOK here.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Rockstar romances are my catnip and this book definitely captured my attention while playing with my heartstrings.  It kept me glued to the pages, entertained by all the angst and ups and downs of two past loves reconnecting after tragedy.  From the sweetness of young love, to the heartbreak of letting go, to finding your way back to what's meant to be…. This story put me through the emotional wringer in another well crafted tale from Ms. Winter.

Padraig McGloughlin and Stevie Hayes met as children, next door neighbors who slowly became more over the years.  They were each other's firsts in every way before fate had them going their separate ways in pursuit of dreams.  Years later they find themselves once again within arm's length, navigating feelings of regret and uncertainty in a journey that was sometimes frustrating but always inevitable.  When it comes to heroes, Padraig showed himself to be a bit imperfect.  He's a man with a good heart who's quick to sacrifice his happiness for others.  At times too his words could be hurtful as his insecurities had him lashing out.  But these imperfections made him all the more real and his decision to finally fight for Stevie ultimately had me rooting for him.  Stevie too left me frustrated at times, her choices leaving me bewildered, but her struggles were all too human and it made their pairing even more emotional.

Readers looking for a story full of rollercoaster emotions will find this a perfectly imperfect romance, a tale of a second chance meant to be.  Along with a compelling main couple, there were glimpses of past characters as well as focusing a bit more on Liam (Padraig's twin brother), who will take the lead in the next installment in the Charming Irish series.  On a whole, this was a realistic romance with characters you could relate to in a journey to HEA that was full of bumps and bruises that will keep you glued to the pages.

My rating for this is a B.

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

AUTHOR INFO:

Kaylene Winter is an Amazon best-selling author of steamy, contemporary romance.

Each character-driven novel is filled with snappy dialogue, pop-culture references and enough steam to make you fan yourself. Kaylene weaves authenticity, emotion and angst into a turbulent rollercoaster ride of love, passion and soul-searing romance always ending with a delicious HEA.

Kaylene lives in Seattle with her amazing Irish husband and gorgeous Siberian Husky. She loves creating art of all kinds.

Keep up with Kaylene and subscribe to her newsletter HERE.

To learn more about Kaylene Winter & her books, visit HERE.

Connect with Kaylene HERE.

Book Release Boost for Finn by S.R. Grey……

 It's time to return to the rink with this fourth installment in the Breakaway series as a woman who thinks herself unworthy of love finds herself being chased by a very determined man.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Finn by S.R. Grey, then add this hockey-fueled romance to your bookshelf!

Finn

One wild night of unbridled passion, and now I want more. Yeah, I can’t stop thinking about Sammie Monroe. Only problem is, she won’t give me the time of day.
I don’t know why. We get along great, and hey, I’m a good-looking guy. Not to mention, I’m a professional hockey player for the Atlanta Thunder. None of that seems to matter to her, though.
But that night! How can she just dismiss something so amazing? Really, what is her deal?
She can at least be my friend, right?
***
Sammie
Finn Norath is the man of my dreams. He’s hot, sexy, and a star hockey player. Oh, and the night we spent together was perfection.
Too bad it has to end there.
My heart is screaming to give him a chance. But I can’t. I don’t deserve happiness. I’ve known that for a long time now. I have a dark secret, and if Finn knew, he wouldn’t want me anyway. No one would.
But now Finn wants to be “just friends.”
Ha! This should be interesting.

 

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  AMAZON (UK)

***PREVIOUS INSTALLMENTS IN THE BREAKAWAY SERIES***

HAYDEN (BOOK #1)  |  ARDEN (BOOK #2)  |  NILS (BOOK #3)

AUTHOR INFO:

S.R. Grey is a USA Today Bestselling Author of the Breakaway hockey series, Boys of Winter hockey books, and Men of Fall football novels. Other New Adult and Romantic Suspense works of hers include the Judge Me Not books, the Promises series, the Inevitability duology, A Harbour Falls Mystery trilogy, and the Laid Bare series of novellas.

When not writing Ms. Grey can be found reading, traveling, running, and cheering for her hometown sports teams. Sometimes all at the same time!

WEBSITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  FACEBOOK READER GROUP  |  NEWSLETTER  |  INSTAGRAM  |  TWITTER  |  BOOKBUB  |  AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Book Release Blitz for Beautifully Devoted by Michele Lenard…

 Friends become something much more in this contemporary m/m romance full of emotions and humor.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Beautifully Devoted by Michele Lenard, the second installment in the Front Range University series, then add this sweet and sensual sports-fueled tale to your bookshelf!

Forgetting to Knock Changed Everything.

Cam
When I was ten, I made a promise. One that I’m still honoring a decade later, even though it means hiding a part of myself from the most important person in my life.
My best friend, Jagger.
And truthfully, burying that part of me is a small price to pay if it means nothing comes between us. I’m Jagger’s rock, the one stable thing in his life, and I’ve held that role for so long it’s now central to who I am. Which is why, after he sees something he shouldn’t and gets an idea that he wants my help with, I’m faced with the biggest decision of my life.
Saying yes could break me, but saying no could break us. I guess there isn’t really a choice, is there?
Jagger
There I was, innocently letting myself into my teammate’s room to search for some protein powder, when I came across a different type of protein altogether.
I learned two things that day. Knock first, and straight guys might be missing out.
As usual when I have an epiphany, I turn to my best friend Cam for help, and learn another two things. Neither of us is as straight as I thought, and I’m not the only one who needs protecting. Hopefully I can be as strong for him as he’s been for me.

BUY here.

***START THE FRONT RANGE UNIVERSITY SERIES here***

AUTHOR INFO:

Hi! I'm Michele-or at least that's the name I write under-because my parents and my kids are not allowed to read my books. Ever. Though sports romance is my guilty pleasure, I like to dabble in all tropes, genres and genders. My books are set in my home state of Colorado, because to me the mountains are the only thing that can compete with a good book. My favorite food is Mexican, my favorite shoes are flip-flops, and my drink of choice is whiskey, the same as virtually every character I've ever written.

WEBSITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  INSTAGRAM  |  TIKTOK

Book Release Blast for Promise Me This by Karla Sorensen (REVIEW)……

  When childhood friends become something more, sparks will start flying in this contemporary romance of roommates becoming lovers.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Promise Me This by Karla Sorensen, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this third installment in the Wilder Family series to your bookshelf!

Imagine this: an author with a raging case of writer’s block finds an unexpected source of inspiration in her grumpy, gorgeous new roommate.  Sounds amazing, right?  Except that new roommate is my childhood best friend.  And Ian Wilder has been off-limits since I was five.It’s been over a decade since I’ve seen him, but when I return to my hometown after years away, Ian’s exactly the man I remembered.  The same guy who gave me his coat on a playground when we were kids and promised he’d take care of me forever.  I need a quiet place to work with this deadline looming.  I need a place where my daughter can unwind. Enter Ian with an offer I can’t refuse: his spare bedroom.

It’s an easy yes.  Except now the problem is I can’t stop thinking about him, and these thoughts? They’re wandering out of the friend zone.  I keep imagining very creative ways to rip off his clothes. And Ian starts giving me looks of his own, the kind that make my heart race.
One night, we cross a line we can’t uncross.  The lines have blurred, and our friendship is hanging by a thread.
Imagine this: a woman falling for her best friend.  And she has no idea if he feels the same.

BUY here.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Ian and Harlow have been in each other's lives since they were children, thick as thieves, with an unbreakable bond of care and support.  Once they graduated high school though, everything changed as life took them in opposite directions.  After ten years apart they end up back in their hometown where they can no longer ignore long-simmering feelings in a slow-burn journey to HEA.  It's a journey made even more heartfelt by the inclusion of her daughter, Sage, along with the rest of the Wilder family as their support for this family in the making is unwavering.

Ian is a bit of a grump, a bit stoic and serious, at least that's how the world sees him. When he's reunited with his childhood friend that softer side comes out again as he will do everything to help her succeed...especially by having her stay in his home to help fuel her writing.  Whereas Harlow's parents cause writer's block, he provides all sorts of naughty thoughts.  Add in his endearing interactions with Sage, the kind that makes your uterus hurt, and it's clear that Ian and Harlow were always meant to be.  Their relationship felt natural from the start, built slowly through tender moments that warmed my heart.  Before now, they'd always fought against the feelings simmering between them, but this time around they decided to take a chance and I was totally there for it!  Though I normally like my romance books a bit steamier, I still found much to enjoy about this sweet and heartwarming friends to lovers story!

My rating for this is a B+

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

AUTHOR INFO:

Karla Sorensen is an Amazon top 20 bestselling author who refuses to read or write anything without a happily ever after. When she's not devouring historical romance or avoiding the laundry, you can find her watching football (British AND American), HGTV or listening to Enneagram podcasts so she can psychoanalyze everyone in her life, in no particular order of importance. With a degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University, she made her living in senior healthcare prior to writing full-time. Karla lives in Michigan with her husband, two boys and a big, shaggy rescue dog named Bear.

Keep up with Karla Sorensen by subscribing to her newsletter HERE.

To learn more about Karla Sorensen & her books, visit HERE.

Book Release Blitz for The Lies About Forever by Claudia Burgoa (REVIEW)……

 A young man unlucky in love finds himself repeatedly in the middle of it in this emotional and bittersweet tale of second (and third and forth) chances that's told in two parts.  Book one in the series is releasing today with the second book in the duet releasing on May 6th.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of The Lies About Forever by Claudia Burgoa, along with my impressions of it, then add this first installment in the Impossibly Possible Duet to your bookshelf!

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Claudia Burgoa once again hits readers with an inspiring and gut-wrenching love story duet.

Lightning can strike the same place more than once.
The first time, it robbed me of my high school sweetheart.
Shattering our forever.
I was just sixteen.
Too young to understand the medical jargon that meant she was gone.
Too naïve to see that forever was nothing but a fairytale.
Now, years later, I meet Ameline.
I tried not to fall in love, but it was impossible.
She gathered all my broken pieces and put me back together.
I knew the only way to keep myself intact was never to love again. But I fell for the illusion of forever once more.
At least until I lost her.
Now I'm left questioning everything.
What does forever mean when it's built on a foundation of pain and loss?
How do you move on when lightning keeps targeting your heart?
Why bother believing in forever when tomorrow isn’t guaranteed?

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

PRE-ORDER LINKS FOR BOOK 2, THE TRUTH ABOUT US:  AMAZON  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO  |  BN  |  GOOGLE PLAY

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

When it comes to emotional rollercoaster rides, Ms. Burgoa has carved a definitive niche when it comes to romance reads requiring tissues.  Her latest release, the first half of a duet, laid the emotional foundation to a second chance romance that builds slowly over time alongside roadblocks getting in the way.  Knowing this book ends on a cliffhanger added an extra layer of foreboding that kept me constantly on edge and left me shaking with anticipation for the concluding book releasing very soon.

Ameline Lewis is the kind of heroine you're drawn to, the kind you want to protect as her younger years were emotionally messy due to her father's many remarriages...oftentimes to toxic women her own age.  It led to lots of loneliness and self-doubts, as well as forming a basis of unconditional support from her brother's roommate.  Over time, one sweet and tender moment at a time, these two emotionally bruised individuals start evolving from friends to lovers.  It's a journey just gaining traction here before reaching the gut-punch cliffhanger ending this installment.

Gabe Decker is someone readers have gotten glimpses of when visiting the Decker family throughout previous books.  I never felt a deep connection to him previously, but I found him incredibly endearing in this book.  His early loss was heartbreaking and it wasn't an easy recovery for him to be willing to put his heart on the line again.  His interactions with Ameline were sweet and supportive, moments both big and small acts, early on and were just what she needed to reach for her own dreams.  I also enjoyed their texting moments with banter that put a smile on my face and pulled me in even more to their powerful connection.

From start to finish this book pulled at my heartstrings and had me keeping tissues close by as I waited for the painful cliffhanger.  Leading up to that gut-punch, I adored the friends to something more connection between two immensely appealing characters. The Decker Family was a delightful support for one another with witty banter and heartfelt emotions.  Ms. Burgoa once again wove an emotionally engaging tale of love, loss, and recovery.  It's a raw journey readers are on though as seen by the painful cliffhanger now occupying thoughts until the conclusion releases next month.

My rating for this is an A.

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

AUTHOR INFO:

Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author.

She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breaths away. Her books are the perfect blend of steamy and heartfelt, filled with emotional characters and explosive chemistry. Her writing takes readers to new heights, providing a variety of tears, laughs, and shocking moments that leave fans on the edge of their seats.

She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, her youngest two children, and three fluffy dogs.

When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At nights, she likes to binge watch shows or movies with her equally geeky husband.

WEBSITE  |  NEWSLETTER  |  CONTACT

Book Release Blitz for Aflame by Talita Lawrence (REVIEW)…..

 It's a second chance at romance for former childhood friends in this fake relationship set amidst a backdrop of the rockstar world.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Aflame by Talita Lawrence, along with my impressions of it, then add this first installment in the Scarlet Love series to your bookshelf!

Aria

We used to be friends but drifted apart. Over the years, I’d drowned him out. Pity he was now a rock star whose face graced magazines worldwide.
But one day, he came knocking on my door, needing help. Unfortunately, it meant my heart was on the line a second time.
From ashes we rose, burning brightly once again. Hearts aflame, but in the end, it was just a game.
Austin
I found her as I was near drowning, and she threw me a lifeline. Fate brought Aria into my life again years after losing touch. I needed help cleaning up my tarnished image in the media, and she was perfect for the job of my pretend girlfriend with her beauty, wit, and charm. But most of all, she was about as interested in a relationship with me, as I was in one with her.
Slowly, she lit me up inside. Why was this fake relationship starting to feel like the most real thing I had in my life?

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY here.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Fans of second chance romances, of unrequited love, will find much to enjoy in this tale set amidst the rockstar world.  From moments of angst, to moments of heartbreak, readers see two characters who were always meant to be together finally find their HEA.

Austin and Aria were friends as children.  Aria was rather quiet but was a solid support to Austin, who she loved with all the love in her young heart.  Austin saw her only as his friend and instead went for the woman who'd become a longtime thorn in Aria's side.  In their years apart, she's gained confidence and is no longer blinded by the boy who's now become all man.  His life's changed too, with him becoming a famous rockstar.  There's one thing that has remained the same though...Geneva.  She's the young girl who took Austin out of Aria's life, while bullying her throughout their youth, and is now Austin's ex and bent on dragging his reputation through the mud.  While Geneva was once the impetus in pulling the friends apart, she's now the reason they end up back in each other's lives.  With Geneva talking badly about him, and with his reputation and career in tatters, he needs Aria to help him clean up his image by playing his new girlfriend.  Time spent together allows their friendship to return along with the underlying attraction that sparks to life in a rollercoaster ride of emotions and truths.

In a romance of second chances, I was happy to see Austin more than willing to put in the work (and grovel) to earn Aria's love.  I liked Aria's newfound confidence and her dealing with Austin with her eyes now wide open.  Theirs is a poignant journey, heartbreaking at times when looking back to their youth, with moments of steam now in their adulthood, as they try to find a future while moving on from the past.  Austin and Aria have a crackling connection that I enjoyed for its realism and the maturity that they gained over the years.  With its simple and sensual storyline there was much to like about the journey these two took, but there was an intrusion that frustrated me.  Geneva was very stereotypical and I almost booed and hissed whenever she came on the scene.  Despite her scenes being a distraction, I was still charmed by Austin and Aria and immensely satisfied by the time I reached The End.

My rating for this is a B.

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

AUTHOR INFO:

Talita Lawrence writes intense contemporary romance novels, taking imperfect characters and putting them on a trajectory to finding not only great love, but also themselves. While her boys and demanding cat (who secretly plots to rule the world) keep her on her toes, there is nothing she enjoys more than a glass of wine and a good book to unwind.

Her stories are fast-paced and passionate with a good dose of humor thrown in, and a happily ever after is always guaranteed. She lives by the saying that sometimes you have to get lost in order to find yourself, and what better way to do that, than to get lost inside the pages of a book...

Connect with Talita via social media and be the first to know about new releases and character-inspired edits.

TIKTOK  |  INSTAGRAM  |  AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Book Release Blast for Counted by Noelle Adams (REVIEW)…..

 Childhood friends become something more in this contemporary marriage of convenience dealing with the harsh realities of illness.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Counted by Noelle Adams, along with my impressions of it, then add this book to your shelves.

Their marriage will only last for three months.

Eve Carlyle has known Jude Gregory most of her life as the odd, brilliant, reclusive son of her father's billionaire client, but he's never been important to her. Not until he proposes marriage out of the blue. He's not in love with her, but he's dying. He has only three months left to live, and getting married is one of the final items on his bucket list.
She feels sorry for him, so she says yes. After all, it's only three months of her life, and it can be her final gift to him. They can get married, and she'll take care of him as he gets sicker. They can even consummate the marriage and act like husband and wife.
But she's not going to fall in love with him. Love was never part of their agreement. His final days are counted, and loving him would be her biggest mistake.

BUY AT AMAZON here.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

As a quadriplegic, I'm drawn to stories featuring less than perfect characters.  I'm drawn to the realities of their lives and the emotional high and lows that make up each day.  With this new release Ms. Adams has crafted a book that pulled me in and spat me out a time or two.  In presenting the harsh realities of life and death, she put me through the emotional wringer, leaving me teary-eyed and in the fetal position a time or two.

The premise of this book is simple as childhood friends, who are opposites in many ways, engage in a marriage of convenience after he's diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.  Encouraged by his mother's dying words, he's determined to work through his Bucket List, all with the support of his new wife by his side.

Jude and Eve are thrown together quickly and it took me a while to warm up to them, especially Jude.  He's studious and stoic, weighed down by the knowledge of the pain to come, so the care and warmth Eve brought to their pairing was much-needed and greatly appreciated.  Their time together was teeming with harsh realities and tears over their time together racing towards a conclusion.  Along with some moments of happiness and joy were moments depicting the ravages of cancer.  These scenes broke my heart and it made me admire Eve all the more for her standing by Jude.  From these emotional lows, to a few moments of smiles and affectionate interactions, this book was a rollercoaster ride of emotions.  Knowing there was a time limit on their pairing added extra weight to this story.  Though I knew what kind of conclusion was coming, I still kept hoping Ms. Adams would veer in a different direction.  That's not to say that the ending was disappointing...at least not for me.  It was an ending that pulled at my heartstrings, was realistic, and left me feeling at peace.  On a whole this was a quick read taking readers on an emotionally intense journey of living life to the fullest, embracing love in all its forms, while actually communicating what's in your heart.  It deals with the concept of religion and facing mortality head-on, it's bittersweet and poignant, and I'm still thinking about it long after reaching The End.

My rating for this is a B.

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

AUTHOR INFO:

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she reads any book she can get her hands on and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.

Keep up with Noelle and subscribe to her newsletter HERE.

To learn more about Noelle Adams & her books, visit HERE.

Connect with Noelle Adams HERE.

Book Cover Reveal for Promise Me This by Karla Sorensen…..

 When childhood friends become something more, sparks will be flying in and out of the bedroom in this contemporary romance of roommates becoming lovers.  Keep reading to get a tempting glimpse of Promise Me This by Karla Sorensen, then start counting down the days until this third installment in the Wilder Family series hits shelves on May 9th!

Imagine this: an author with a raging case of writer’s block finds an unexpected source of inspiration in her grumpy, gorgeous new roommate.  Sounds amazing, right?  Except that new roommate is my childhood best friend.  And Ian Wilder has been off-limits since I was five.

It’s been over a decade since I’ve seen him, but when I return to my hometown after years away, Ian’s exactly the man I remembered.  The same guy who gave me his coat on a playground when we were kids and promised he’d take care of me forever.  I need a quiet place to work with this deadline looming.  I need a place where my daughter can unwind. Enter Ian with an offer I can’t refuse: his spare bedroom.
It’s an easy yes.  Except now the problem is I can’t stop thinking about him, and these thoughts? They’re wandering out of the friend zone.  I keep imagining very creative ways to rip off his clothes. And Ian starts giving me looks of his own, the kind that make my heart race.
One night, we cross a line we can’t uncross.  The lines have blurred, and our friendship is hanging by a thread.
Imagine this: a woman falling for her best friend.  And she has no idea if he feels the same.

PRE-ORDER here.

AUTHOR INFO:

Karla Sorensen is an Amazon top 20 bestselling author who refuses to read or write anything without a happily ever after. When she's not devouring historical romance or avoiding the laundry, you can find her watching football (British AND American), HGTV or listening to Enneagram podcasts so she can psychoanalyze everyone in her life, in no particular order of importance. With a degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University, she made her living in senior healthcare prior to writing full-time. Karla lives in Michigan with her husband, two boys and a big, shaggy rescue dog named Bear.

Keep up with Karla Sorensen by subscribing to her newsletter HERE.

To learn more about Karla Sorensen & her books, visit HERE.