LIVE – FAUXMANCE (Showmance, #2) by L.H. Cosway

We’re celebrating the release of Fauxmance by L.H. Cosway! Don’t forget to one-click today!

Title: Fauxmance
Age Group: Adult
Release Date: August 13, 2018
Book Description:
In this era of social media, we all pretend.
We pretend to be prettier, happier, more confident versions of ourselves, but not Ellen Grant. She takes it to a whole other level and pretends to be someone else entirely. Adopting the persona of a woman far more interesting is the only way she can break free of the socially awkward, romantically inept girl she really is.

And it’s all going swimmingly until she catches the eye of a man at her local coffee shop. Julian Fairchild has been noticing her for a while and he’s fascinated. Little does he know, the woman he thinks he’s obsessed with is a fake.

It’s not long before the jig is up, and Julian discovers Ellen’s true identity. However, he has a proposition. If she really wants to pretend, he can introduce her to a world where she can be anyone she wants. Ellen is intrigued by the prospect, and, blind to the nature of Julian’s profession as a male escort, closes her eyes and lets him lead the way.

Can Ellen keep her feelings in check while discovering a new world of thrills and excitement? And will Julian let it show that he isn’t entertaining Ellen purely out of the goodness of his heart?

Fauxmance is a standalone contemporary romance featuring characters first seen in L.H. Cosway’s Showmance.

About the author:

L.H. Cosway lives in Dublin, Ireland. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books. She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories. L.H. is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Social Media Links:FB: www.facebook.com/LHCosway
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LHCosway
Instagram: www.instagram.com/l.h.cosway
Website: www.lhcoswayauthor.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lhcosway13/

REVIEW – DR. STRANGE BEARD (Winston Brothers, #5) by Penny Reid

SYNOPSIS

Hunches, horse races, and heartbreak

Ten years after Simone Payton broke his heart, all Roscoe Winston wants is a doughnut. He’d also like to forget her entirely, but that’s never going to happen. Roscoe remembers everything—every look, every word, every single unrequited second—and the last thing he needs is another memory of Simone.

Unfortunately, after one chance encounter, Simone keeps popping up everywhere he happens to be . . .

Ten years after Roscoe Winston dropped out of her life, all Simone Payton wants is to exploit him. She’d also like some answers from her former best friend about why he ghosted her, but if she never gets those answers, that’s a-okay. Simone let go of the past a long time ago. Seriously, she has. She totally, totally has. She is definitely not still thinking about Roscoe. Nope. She’s more than happy to forget he exists.

But first, she needs just one teeny-tiny favor . . .

Dr. Strange Beard is a full-length romantic comedy novel, can be read as a stand-alone, and is the fifth book in the USA TODAY bestselling Winston Brothers series.

 

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****FOUR STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}

DR. STRANGE BEARD, the fifth and latest installment of the Winston Brothers series is Roscoe Winston’s story and it’s a friends-to-lovers/unrequited love romance. Roscoe is another quirky but utterly lovable character like his siblings. I was rooting for him to get his girl!!

 

 

Roscoe and Simone were the best of friends in High School, but Roscoe had always harbored a secret crush for Simone. One day he decides to confess his feelings for her but Simone doesn’t react the way that he had hoped she would. She rejects him based on her fear that moving to a romantic relationship could end up destroying the friendship. Roscoe is so heartbroken that he cuts off all ties with Simone.

It’s ten years later and Simone is back in town. She moved away and has a career with the FBI, but would come home on weekends to visit her parents. Roscoe always made sure to keep his distance from any place he might run the risk of bumping into Simone because even ten years later, he still hasn’t gotten over the heartbreak. But now Simone is back for the foreseeable future and Roscoe is forced to interact with her. What he doesn’t know is that she’s working undercover for the FBI and her mission involves the motorcycle gang, the Wraiths, that his father is a member of. She tries to rekindle the friendship with Roscoe in hopes of helping her with her FBI assignment, but there also might be some feelings she tried to deny that are bubbling to the surface.

 

 

Will Roscoe be able to open up to Simone once more? Or is the fear of rejection going to keep him closed off to the possibilities with her? What will become of these two when the real reason Simone has come home is revealed?

Here are my overall ratings

Hero: 4
Heroine: 4
Plot: 4
Angst: 4
Steam: 4
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 4

DR. STRANGE BEARD is currently available!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2KqqV41
iBooks: https://apple.co/2twGVeA
Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/DrStrangeBeard
Nook: https://bit.ly/2tJQl5F
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2yU5zdo
Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/y76ze2x4
Print: https://amzn.to/2LXgohE

BLOG TOUR – DR. STRANGE BEARD (Winston Brothers #5) by Penny Reid

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Dr. Strange Beard, an all-new standalone in the bestselling, romantic comedy Winston Brothers Series by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Penny Reid, is available NOW!

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Hunches, horse races, and heartbreak

Ten years after Simone Payton broke his heart, all Roscoe Winston wants is a doughnut. He’d also like to forget her entirely, but that’s never going to happen. Roscoe Winston remembers everything—every look, every word, every single unrequited second—and the last thing he needs is another memory of Simone.

Unfortunately, after one chance encounter, Simone keeps popping up everywhere he happens to be . . .

Ten years after Roscoe Winston dropped out of her life, all Simone Payton wants is to exploit him. She’d also like some answers from her former best friend about why he ghosted her, but if she never gets those answers, that’s a-okay. Simone let go of the past a long time ago. Seriously, she has. She totally, totally has. She is definitely not still thinking about Roscoe. Nope. She’s more than happy to forget he exists.

But first, she needs just one teeny-tiny favor . . .

Dr. Strange Beard is a full-length romantic comedy novel, can be read as a stand-alone, and is the fifth book in the USA TODAY bestselling Winston Brothers series.

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Download your copy today!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2KqqV41

iBooks: https://apple.co/2twGVeA

Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/DrStrangeBeard

Nook: https://bit.ly/2LwwIKa

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2yU5zdo

Google Play: https://tinyurl.com/y76ze2x4

Paperback: https://amzn.to/2LXgohE

Add to GoodReads: https://bit.ly/2KvoGwA

 

 

WRAPPED UP IN READING’s REVIEW OF DR. STRANGE BEARD

Excerpt:

“Simone, this is not one of our adventures from when we were kids. This is not finding Blithe Tanner’s cat. These men are murderers, drug dealers, thieves.”

“I know.” Boy oh boy, did I know. I didn’t want to be here anymore than he did. I was frightened. Yet allowing Roscoe to be taken on his own hadn’t been an option. “I can handle myself, and I can provide backup for you, if you need it.”

Roscoe gripped my shoulders. “Nothing can happen to you, do you understand?” His words were emphatic, his gaze disoriented, desolate, frantic. “If anything happens to you, I’ll . . .” He swallowed, apparently unable to finish the sentence.

My heart twisted to see him like this. I wished there were some way to show him what I could do, what I was capable of, so he would stop seeing me as a liability.

Well, why can’t you?

“Huh.”

Now there was a thought.

Stepping out of his grip, I walked backward to the other side of the room and took a deep breath. “Okay. Come at me.”

He blinked. “What?”

“I want you to come at me.”

“Simone,” he seethed.

“Come at me, bro.” I did that little movement with my fingers, my palm turned upwards. “Come at me or I’ll start singing again.”

“I’m not doing this.”

“Fine.”Frustrating. “I’ll come at you.”

He stood there, features set, looking raw.

Moving quickly forward, staying light on my feet, I faked right and then went left, hooking him behind the back of his leg, catching his arm to twist behind his back, and sending him to the ground—face-first—with a thud.

I winced as he grunted, my knee at the base of his spine, his arm restrained behind his back. “Sorry! But you wouldn’t listen to me.” Leaning forward, I whispered in his ear, “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

Roscoe’s back and shoulders rose and fell with an expansive breath, like he was about to respond, but in the next moment he’d spun his legs to the right, leveraged my knee on his back to throw me off-balance, and slipped his wrist from my hold.

In my defense, my grip had been lax as I was purposefully trying not to injure him.

The next thing I knew, Roscoe had me pinned to the ground, air knocked out of me, him hovering above, and my gun digging into my ribs beneath my shirt. He’d been careful to subdue my legs, likely so he wouldn’t end up with a bruised ballsack.

His stare more probing than angry—which I took as a good sign—he said, “I didn’t teach you that. Where’d you learn that?”

Even though I was still coughing, I smiled and rasped, “Since college, take judo.”

He nodded faintly, his eyes moving between mine, looking concerned. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

“No.” Endeavoring to catch my breath, I said, “I took it easy on you because I didn’t want to hurt you either, but I’m an asset, not a liability.”

“You’re definitely an asset.” Roscoe frowned, his gaze dropping to my mouth. “And a distraction,” he said, his voice rough.

“I’m a distraction?” I asked, my words still breathy.

I bucked, but he held me fast.

“Yes. . .” His stare turned inward. “You are most definitely a distraction.”

Even though I’d had plenty of time to recover and we’d been holding still for close to a minute, I was still breathing hard. This might have been because of my lingering irritation. Or, maybe it was because the length of Roscoe’s lean body was lying on mine. He held my hands on either side of my head, our faces even, his mouth just inches away.

Was it insane that I hoped he kissed me?

Yes?

No?

Let’s go with no.

He gave me his eyes again and I saw something there, a battle. He looked undecided, at war with himself, straining against something I couldn’t see.

“Roscoe?” I whispered.

Roscoe closed his eyes, and I thought he was going to let me go, but in the next second his lips descended, capturing my mouth in a tender kiss.

I moaned.

I kissed him back.

That’s what one does when Roscoe Winston kisses one. Moan and kiss. Repeat. Because not doing so would be a travesty.

His hold on my hands slacked, his fingers seeking and threading with mine. He settled his hips between my legs, his form relaxing. The weight of him was different now, warmer somehow. At least I felt warm. I also felt cherished as his tongue sought mine, again tenderly, stroking, causing my abdomen to twist and tighten into delicious knots.

He broke the kiss and a protest died on my lips as his mouth trailed down my jaw to the sensitive skin of my neck, sucking, licking, savoring me. What had felt warm and cherishing heated, and my hips tilted reflexively as he nibbled on my ear, cradling his rapidly growing erection.

We both gasped as his hips rocked in an answering yet inelegant movement. It felt perfect and essential in the moment.

“Oh God.” His hot breath spilled against my jaw, a ragged sigh. “What are we doing?”

“I don’t know, but don’t stop.”

Enter the Giveaway!

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Meet Penny Reid:

Penny Reid is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

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Connect with Penny:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD

Twitter: @ReidRomance

Mailing List: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/

www.pennyreid.ninja

COVER REVEAL – DEAR JANE by Kendall Ryan

WE ARE THRILLED TO BRING YOU THE COVER FOR DEAR JANE FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR KENDALL RYAN RELEASING OCTOBER 15TH!

 

 

 

 

I broke her heart ten years ago and left town.

She hates me, and rightly so. It doesn’t matter that the rest of the country loves me, that I’m a starting quarterback with a multimillion-dollar contract. Because when I look in the mirror, all I see is a failure who was too young—and too afraid—to fight for what I wanted.

But I’m not that guy anymore, and all I need is one shot to convince her.

***
He has no idea what happened after he left. And now I’m supposed to work alongside him like we don’t have this huge, messy history?

But I’m older now, wiser, and I won’t let anything stand in my way of doing a good job for this league. Not even one overpaid, arrogant player who thinks we’re going to kiss and make up.

News flash, buddy: I am over you.

 

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PRE-ORDER NOW

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A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She’s a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she’s appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.

Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras

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LIVE – NOT SO NICE GUY by R.S. Grey

R.S. Grey’s newest romantic comedy, NOT SO NICE GUY, is available TODAY! Get your hands on it now!

About NOT SO NICE GUY

“Oh my god. Who is that?”

I get asked this question a lot.

“Oh him?” I reply. “That’s just Ian.”

Just Ian is the biggest understatement of the century. Just the Mona Lisa. Just the Taj Mahal. Just Ian, with his boring ol’ washboard abs and dime-a-dozen dimpled smile.

Just Ian is…just my best friend.

We’re extremely close, stuck so deep inside a Jim-and-Pam-style friendzone everyone at work assumes we’re a couple—that is until one day, word spreads through the teacher’s lounge that he’s single. Fair game. Suddenly, it’s open season on Ian.

He should be reveling in all the newfound attention, but to our mutual surprise, the only attention he seems to want is mine.

He’s turning our formerly innocent nightly chats into X-rated phone calls. Our playful banter sports a new, dangerous edge.

I want to assume he’s playing a prank on me, just pushing my buttons like always—but when Ian lifts me onto the desk in my classroom and slides his hands up my skirt, he doesn’t leave a lot of room for confusion.

I’m a little scared of things going south, of losing my best friend because I can’t keep my hands to myself. So, I’m just going to back away and not return this earth-shattering kiss—oh who am I kidding?!

Goodbye Ian, ol’ buddy, ol’ pal!

Helloooo mister not so nice guy.

Add NOT SO NICE GUY to your Goodreads list here!

Get your hands on NOT SO NICE GUY now! https://amzn.to/2Kzj8QE

 

WRAPPED UP IN READING’s REVIEW OF NOT SO NICE GUY

About R.S. Grey

R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of thirteen novels, including THE FOXE & THE HOUND. She lives in Texas with her husband and two dogs, and can be found reading, binge-watching reality TV, or practicing yoga! Visit her at rsgrey.com

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REVIEW & EXCERPT BLITZ – IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME by Kylie Scott

 

 

 

“Addictive like all Kylie Scott books, you’ll swoon, laugh, ache, put your life on hold, and compulsively read until the wee hours of the night—only to reread the whole thing the next morning. Perfection!” – Katy Evans, New York Times bestselling author

Returning home for her father’s wedding was never going to be easy for Adele. If being sent away at eighteen hadn’t been bad enough, the mess she left behind when she made a pass at her dad’s business partner sure was.

Fifteen years older than her, Pete had been her crush for as long as she could remember. But she’d misread the situation—confusing friendliness for undying love. Awkward. Add her father to the misunderstanding, and Pete was left with a broken nose and a business on the edge of ruin. The man had to be just as glad as everyone else when she left town.

Seven years later, things are different. Adele is no longer a kid, but a fully grown adult more than capable of getting through the wedding and being polite. But all it takes is seeing him again to bring back those old feelings.

Sometimes first loves are the truest.

 

 

WRAPPED UP IN READING’s REVIEW OF IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME

AMAZON | AMAZON UK | AMAZON AU | iBooks | B&N | KOBO

 

 

 

 

 

It was meant to be a soft kiss. A chaste one, even.

The minute my lips touched his, however, everything changed. Callused hands grabbed the sides of my face and my mouth opened on a gasp. His tongue swept inside, taking me over. Holy hell. Shoes and purse hit the floor, forgotten. Nothing about this kiss was slow or easy. The man devoured me. Every ounce of emotion poured into that kiss, all of the anger and frustration between us. His tongue was teasing and tasting, driving me wild. Then he drew back to suck and nip at my bottom lip. One hand slid around the back of my neck, the other over my hip to grab at my ass. His hold was firm, a little rough even. He treated my body like it belonged to him and I wasn’t gentle either.

Apparently experience mattered. Because all I could do was try and keep up.

I held on tight to his open shirt, straining against him, trying to get closer. I’d have crawled inside the man if I could. Turned out that under certain circumstances, the taste of scotch worked for me in a big way. Against my hip, his cock hardened, digging into me. And oh my God, I’d done that to him. Me. How amazing! Meanwhile, my body felt liquid, core aching and empty. I needed him inside of me and it seemed like I’d already been waiting forever.

“Pete. Please.”

“Fuck,” he muttered, breath hot against my ear.

I fumbled at the remaining buttons on his shirt. My damn fingers didn’t seem to be working. Easier to just push the whole thing upward. Luckily, the man decided to help, tearing the shirt off over his head. More skin was good. And he was so hot and smooth, a thrill to the touch. The solid flesh of his pecs and the flat plane of his stomach.

He tore at the zipper on the back of my dress, dragging fabric down over my shoulders. A growl came from the back of his throat, a noise of frustration, impatience. I’m reasonably certain I heard the silk rip. I didn’t care. His hands and mouth seemed to cover every bit of skin revealed, touching and tasting me everywhere. The dress got stuck on my hips. Out of the way enough for now.

He didn’t even bother undoing my bra, simply peeling down one of the lace cups to free my flesh. My breast filled his hot palm as it took the weight. Fingers plumped me, his thumb flicking over my hard nipple. The sting of pain followed by the heat of his kiss made my head spin and my body ache. There was no room for thought as he fed me deep, wet kisses. Slowly, he took us to the floor. No time for anything else. Just the urgent need to have him inside me.

The hardness of the polished wood was cool against my back. My legs were spread, his body between them. And with his broad chest above me, his weight taken on one arm, he was all I could see. I swear even the insides of my thighs were wet, I was so ready. It would have been embarrassing with anybody else. But this man, he had to know, he had to understand. It had always been him.

“Pete, I need—”

“I know,” he said, voice harsh and low.

 

 

 

 

 

 

kyliescottimageKylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013 & 2014, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. You can learn more about Kylie from http://www.kylie-scott.com/

 

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BLOG TOUR – HIS TRUE QUEEN (Smoke & Mirrors #2) by Jodi Ellen Malpas

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His True Queen by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Series: Smoke & Mirrors Duology Book 2
Publication Date: August 7th, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance

His True Queen EBOOK

A beautiful, defiant princess.

A renowned, sinfully gorgeous Hollywood actor.

A love affair that is sure to rock the British Monarchy…and the world.

Their love affair began intensely and passionately. Princess Adeline and Josh Jameson knew any future together was impossible—her status as a princess and his standing as a Hollywood heartthrob dictated that. But the heights of pleasure they could take each other to were wildly unanticipated by them both.

Josh’s absolute disregard for Adeline’s status quickly drew her into his hedonistic world. And her perfectly worn mask and false façade captivated Josh to the point of obsession.

The boundaries became blurred. The physical became emotional. Their hearts became entwined.

But a cruel turn of events rips their worlds apart and Adeline is more bound than ever by the protocol and expectations her title commands. The army of royal advisors who guard the secrets and scandals of the Monarchy will go to unthinkable lengths to keep the smoke and mirrors in place…and Josh away from Adeline. She knows the power she possesses comes with agonizing sacrifices. Walking away from Josh devastates her…but it keeps him safe from the corrupt institution that has ruled her life.

Yet Josh refuses to lose the woman who has consumed him so completely, distorted his boundaries, and stripped him of all sensibility.

Will the power of the British Monarchy triumph? Or will Adeline and Josh’s fierce love for each other change the course of history?

HTQ-AN

Read Today!
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WRAPPED UP IN READING’s REVIEW OF HIS TRUE QUEEN

Read The Controversial Princess (Smoke & Mirrors Duology #1) Today!

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Excerpt:

“You’re lying to me.” Josh shouts. “You’re lying to yourself. You’re lying to every single person in this fuckin’ world.” He stomps forward, and I blindly stumble back, catching my foot on a stray branch. I lose my footing and fall to my arse in a pile of dry leaves.

I don’t yelp because it doesn’t hurt—I’m numb to everything except Josh—but I do curse to high heaven, further cementing Josh’s claim that I have a vulgar mouth. “God damn it.” With my palms splattered on the muddy ground behind me, my knees bent, I look up at the man looming over me. “This is all your fault.”

“I take full responsibility,” He says. “For everything.”

Everything? “Like what?”

“Your fall. My feelings.” Josh offers his hand, but I ignore it, getting myself to my feet and brushing myself down of dry leaves. “For your feelings,” he finishes softly.

My hands falter midway down my jodhpurs. “I do not have any feelings,” I grate, ignoring the unrelenting…feelings. The warmth, the disappearance of my woes, the heady sensations of want manifesting within me. Me. Him. The potent cocktail of chemistry we create, just being in each other’s presence. The woodland surrounding us is drenched in it. The atmosphere is thick.

I glance up when a few moments have passed, silent moments, and meet his eyes. The amber swirl of desire sparkles madly. My heart kicks. He licks his lips, and I follow the path of his tongue from one corner of his mouth to the other. “Stop,” I whisper, to who I don’t know. Him? Me?

My hands come up to my head, my fingertips pushing into my temples, as if I’m trying to force every reason why this can’t happen to the front of my mind. I look for my father’s words, but I find other words instead.

You will be ripped apart. Eddie will be ripped apart. Your father’s and brother’s memory with be tarnished.

But…I fell so madly in love with a man, and now I am being forced to disregard that. Can I? Should I?

I swivel on my boots and run. I can’t trust my head to talk reason, can’t promise I’ll even listen to my reason if I find it, so I’m depending on my legs to take me away as quickly as they can.

“No thumbs down,” he growls, snatching my wrist and yanking me to a stop, spinning me to face him. My face is grabbed with one brutal hand, and his mouth is quickly on mine. He’s gone low, way below the belt, and worse still, we both know it will work. My universe seems to align, positive and negative working together, our lips glued by an invisible, highly powerful force. Then I feel his tongue sweep through my mouth and explosions of the most calming kind erupt in my soul. My keen hands find his hair and force him closer, our kiss crazed and messy, but so utterly calming and immaculate. I let him guide my backward steps, I let him spin me away from him, and I let him thrust me up against a tree trunk.

The scratchiness of the bark on my forehead doesn’t faze me. I’m too blindsided by the reminder of what we share. Hips pushed into my arse, his wet mouth by my cheek, Josh holds me tightly. Possessively. Like he owns me. And I don’t care. He’s the only thing in this world I don’t mind controlling me.

He reaches to my hips and slowly draws my jodhpurs over my backside. His lazy approach could be mistaken for giving me time to deny him. It’s not. He’s merely prolonging my agony. I want him so badly, and he knows it. His hand on my arse. His mouth all over me.

Bringing my arms up to the tree, I rest my head on them to lessen the risk of grazing my head when he strikes me.

Thwack!

As is always the way when Josh tans my backside, I don’t cry out in pain, but rather moan my way through it, being carried to another world. A world where I am not me, but just his. And then his fingers are between my thighs and he’s massaging me gently, my flesh wet and ready for him. “Some things don’t change,” he whispers, biting at my cheek, circling his fingers, plunging them deeply, scissoring my swollen clitoris. “Thank God. Tell me you’ve missed me, Adeline.”

“I’ve missed you,” I say on demand, my pleasure making it more of a labored whisper than a sure proclamation, as my pulse races and my desire for him multiplies unstoppably. I start to roll my head, my knees becoming weak. And when I reach the pinnacle of pleasure, I feel like every shitty thing in this world pours from my body with my climax, my whole being relaxed for the first time in weeks. I’ve needed this so much. Needed him.

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About the Author:

Jodi Ellen Malpas wrote her debut series, The This Man Trilogy, in secret, worried about what people might think if they knew what her imagination was capable of. She was shocked herself. But she finally found the courage to unleash her creative streak and self-published THIS MAN – the first book of the This Man Trilogy – in October 2012. She took a chance on the story with a hero who soon became one of modern day fictions most prolific alpha male characters. Jesse Ward – also affectionately known as The Lord of The Manor, sparked incredible reactions from women across the globe and catapulted Jodi into the world of women’s fiction.

Jodi went on to self-publish the second book in the trilogy, Beneath This Man in Jan 2013, just before Grand Central Publishing, part of the Hachette Book Group, picked up the popular trilogy and the unknown Jodi. The third book of the trilogy, This Man Confessed, took Jodi to the top of the bestsellers lists, earning her the proud title of #1 New York Times Bestselling Author. This Man has since been voted one of the top romance novels of all time.

With so much love, enthusiasm and a thirst for her words from her readers, Jodi suddenly wasn’t afraid of her imagination anymore. She went on to write The One Night Trilogy with the delectable and mysterious Miller Hart, and stole the hearts of her readers once again. Her first stand-alone novel, THE PROTECTOR, released in September 2016 and has since been nominated for a Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. Jodi’s next stand-alone novel. THE FORBIDDEN, is set for release in August 2017.

All seven of her published novels have hit the New York Times best sellers list – as well as the Sunday Times list and various international best seller lists. Her work is now published in over 24 languages across the world.

Jodi was born and raised in the Midlands town of Northampton, England, where she lives with her two boys and a beagle. She is a self-professed daydreamer, a mojito addict, is famous for her obsession with Converse, and has a terrible weak spot for Alpha Males. Writing powerful love stories and creating addictive characters has become her passion – a passion she now shares with her devoted readers.

Connect with Jodi:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JodiEllenMalpas/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JodiEllenMalpas
YouTube: https://goo.gl/2kGLbt
Instagram: http://www.jodiellenmalpas.co.uk/instagram/
Website: http://www.jodiellenmalpas.co.uk/home/

REVIEW – IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME by Kylie Scott

SYNOPSIS

Returning home for her father’s wedding was never going to be easy for Adele. If being sent away at eighteen hadn’t been bad enough, the mess she left behind when she made a pass at her dad’s business partner sure was.

Fifteen years older than her, Pete had been her crush for as long as she could remember. But she’d misread the situation—confusing friendliness for undying love. Awkward. Add her father to the misunderstanding, and Pete had been left with a broken nose and a business on the edge of ruin. The man had to be just as glad as everyone else when she left town.

Seven years on, things are different. Adele is no longer a kid, but a fully grown adult more than capable of getting through the wedding and being polite. But all it takes is seeing him again to bring back all those old feelings.

Sometimes first loves are the truest.

 

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****4.25 STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}

He reached out, taking hold of my hand. Our fingers curled around each other out of pure instinct. It was like drawing lines in the sand by the shoreline; waves just kept washing them away. Only my messy heart couldn’t take any more hits.

 

 

There are several different tropes to be found in this story – forbidden romance, May/December romance, second chance romance, and even a bit of enemies to lovers! While I still have a hard time finding the beginning of Peter and Adele’s friendship to be believable, I can’t deny that I got totally lost in their story. I loved Adele but disliked more than liked the character of Peter, and yet I still hoped that the two would somehow end up together.

Adele finds herself in a most uncomfortable situation. Her father sent her away when she was eighteen. She got caught with her top off while in the company of one of her father’s employees, Peter, who happened to be fifteen years older than her. Peter ended up getting punched in the face but Adele was able to smooth things over between the two men when she admitted that she had been coming on to Peter and he was an innocent victim. That day she lost her best friend and was sent packing to her mom. Adele met Peter when she was sixteen and while it seemed that he thought of her as a kid sister, she had developed a huge crush on him. They spent a lot of time together and he would even bring her on some of his dates. Peter and Adele shared many meaningful conversations about his family and his strained relationship with his father, but he never would let a woman that he dated get that close to him. It pretty much appeared that he had deep feelings for Adele and that’s why she came on to him.

 

 

 

Now, eight years later, Adele returns to her Father’s home because he’s about to get married, but since there isn’t any room in his house, she is staying in Peter’s guest room. This is the last place she wants to be. They haven’t spoken in all the years she has been gone and when she left their friendship had been ruined. From the moment they see each other again, Peter is sullen, moody, and rude. He’s still holding on to the anger over what happened when she was eighteen. I think back then, he was into Adele but couldn’t act on his feelings because of her age and that her father was his boss, and when he sees that she’s grown into a beautiful woman at twenty-five, he’s even more attracted to her. But Adele is still off limits because he’s now business partners with her father.

 

 

Peter runs hot and cold for most of the story but things eventually heat up between the two. He’s never been able to have a committed relationship with a woman, and in the eight years that she’s been away, Adele has never had a relationship last for more than a few weeks. Is Adele going to be the woman who wins Peter’s heart? Or will they end up being just a summer fling?

Here are my overall ratings

Hero: 4
Heroine: 4.5
Plot: 4
Angst: 4.5
Steam: 4
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 4

IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME is currently available.

AMAZON: https://amzn.to/2L13jmj
AMAZON UK: https://amzn.to/2kuHPmA
AMAZON AU: https://amzn.to/2LyXq18
iBooks: https://apple.co/2GVwAfX
B&N: https://bit.ly/2ktQWUT
KOBO: https://bit.ly/2J7Bb3Q

REVIEW – NOT SO NICE GUY by R.S. Grey

SYNOPSIS

“Oh my god. Who that?”
I get asked this question a lot.
“Oh him?” I reply. “That’s just Ian.”

Just Ian is the biggest understatement of the century.
Just the Mona Lisa. Just the Taj Mahal. Just Ian, with his boring ol’ washboard abs and dime-a-dozen dimpled smile.

Just Ian is… just my best friend.

We’re extremely close, stuck so deep inside a Jim-and-Pam-style friendzone everyone at works assumes we’re a couple – that is until one day, word spreads through the teacher’s lounge that he’s single. Fair game. Suddenly, it’s open season on Ian.

He should be reveling in all the newfound attention, but to our mutual surprise, the only attention he seems to want is mine.

He’s turning our formerly innocent nightly chats into x-rated phone calls. Our playful banter sports a new, dangerous edge.

I want to assume he’s playing a prank on me, just pushing my buttons like always – but when Ian lifts me onto the desk in my classroom and slides his hands up my skirt, he doesn’t leave a lot of room for confusion.

I’m a little scared of things going south, of losing my best friend because I can’t keep my hands to myself. So, I’m just going to back away and not return this earth-shattering kiss – oh who am I kidding?!

Goodbye Ian, ol’ buddy, ol’ pal!

Helloooo mister not so nice guy.

 

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****FIVE STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}

For three years, we were best friends who were secretly in love with each other. Three years is a long time to subdue a crush.

 

 

NOT SO NICE GUY is a romantic comedy with the friends-to-lovers trope. It is filled with so many laugh out loud moments. I fell head over heels in love with Ian and Samantha’s story. These two were so perfect for each other but seemed utterly clueless to that fact. Waiting for them to finally get together was almost torturous.

Ian and Samantha have been the best of friends ever since they met their first day of teacher’s orientation at Oak Hill High School. They live minutes from each other and have weekly Netflix binge fests of the West Wing. Samantha is a total nerd with the funniest sense of humor but also beyond gorgeous as far as Ian is concerned. But she doesn’t see herself that way. She thinks Ian is absolute perfection and in the past, he’s always dated women who looked like supermodels. Never in her wildest dreams would she think that he had feelings for her. Sam has been secretly in love with Ian since the first day they met, and Ian has also been crushing on her. It’s hard to believe that neither had a clue what the other was feeling.

Ian starts to have an inkling that Sam is into him. He can tell by how she is affected by him whenever they are in close proximity. He decides to take things out of the friend zone with Sam, and since she’s afraid of change he knows he has to take things slow with her. But one day she lets it slip in the teacher’s lounge that she and Ian are not dating. Suddenly Ian and Sam are being pursued by the other teachers at the high school. Ian is not about to let another man take what is his so this forces him to ramp up his plans to stake his claim on Sam.

Sam is overwhelmed by Ian’s confessions to her and terrified that if they try to become romantically involved that she may end up losing her best friend. Will she put her fears aside and take a chance on love? Or will she continue to try and play it safe and wind up losing the friendship anyway?

Here are my overall ratings

Hero: 5
Heroine: 4.5
Plot: 5
Angst: 4
Steam: 4.5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5

NOT SO NICE GUY is currently available!

REVIEW – HIS TRUE QUEEN (Smoke & Mirrors, #2) by Jodi Ellen Malpas

SYNOPSIS

The breathtaking conclusion of the Smoke & Mirrors Duology.

A beautiful, defiant princess. A renowned, sinfully gorgeous Hollywood actor.

A love affair that is sure to rock the British Monarchy…and the world.

Their love affair began intensely and passionately. Princess Adeline and Josh Jameson knew any future together was impossible—her status as a princess and his standing as a Hollywood heartthrob dictated that. But the heights of pleasure they could take each other to were wildly unanticipated by them both. Josh’s absolute disregard for Adeline’s status quickly drew her into his hedonistic world. And her perfectly worn mask and false façade captivated Josh to the point of obsession. The boundaries became blurred. The physical became emotional. Their hearts became entwined.

But a cruel turn of events rips their worlds apart and Adeline is more bound than ever by the protocol and expectations her title commands. The army of royal advisors who guard the secrets and scandals of the Monarchy will go to unthinkable lengths to keep the smoke and mirrors in place…and Josh away from Adeline. She knows the power she possesses comes with agonizing sacrifices. Walking away from Josh devastates her…but it keeps him safe from the corrupt institution that has ruled her life.

Yet Josh refuses to lose the woman who has consumed him so completely, distorted his boundaries, and stripped him of all sensibility.

Will the power of the British Monarchy triumph? Or will their fierce love for each other change the course of history?

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****FOUR STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}

No one has ever looked at me the way Josh looks at me. Not with this much fire in their eyes. No one has taken so much time to really see me. Not like they want to devour me and box me up all at the same time. And no one has ever gone to such great lengths and taken such risks just to be with me.

 

 

In the conclusion of the ”Smoke & Mirrors” duet, tragedy and family secrets have thrust Adeline into a position she never wanted. She has become the Queen of England. Her duties as the new Ruler make a relationship with Josh impossible. She tries to sever ties to him, but Josh is determined to hang on to the woman he loves.

While Adeline struggles with her new title, it’s the matters of the heart that she’s having a harder time dealing with. She soon realizes that there is no way she can erase Josh from her life, but to be with him would be considered scandalous and so she tries to get Josh to agree to keep their relationship a secret. Josh is too stubborn and doesn’t want to hide his feelings for her and is not willing to be Adeline’s dirty little secret.

 

 

The two engage in one crazy rollercoaster of a romance. They burn hot one second and in the next, they’re engaging in knock down drag out fights. And seeing as they are high profile celebrities they don’t seem to know what the word discretion means. They took so many stupid risks to be with each other that it was amazing that they weren’t caught early on.

The cards are stacked against them. Not only do they have to deal with the traditional customs of the Monarchy, but there are people with their own agendas who are out to tear the couple apart. Will Josh and Adeline be able to beat the insurmountable odds?

It took me a while to warm up to the story, but once I got nearly halfway through, I found that I couldn’t put this book down. I had to find out how it all would turn out for Josh and Adeline.

Here are my overall ratings

Hero: 4
Heroine: 4
Plot: 4
Angst: 4
Steam: 5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 4

HIS TRUE QUEEN is currently available.

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2G2hwwM
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2I3wdkd
iBooks: https://goo.gl/wX2kEK
Nook: https://goo.gl/vo8W7F
Kobo: https://goo.gl/bH5LY4