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REVIEW – READY TO RUN (I DO, I DON’T #1) by Lauren Layne

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SYNOPSIS

The Bachelor meets The Runaway Bride in this addictive romance novel about a reality TV producer falling for her would-be star: a Montana heartthrob who wants nothing to do with the show.

Jordan Carpenter thinks she’s finally found the perfect candidate for Jilted, a new dating show about runaway grooms: Luke Elliott, a playboy firefighter who’s left not one but three brides at the altar. The only problem? Luke refuses to answer Jordan’s emails or return her calls. Which is how she ends up on a flight to Montana to recruit him in person. It’s not Manhattan but at least the locals in Lucky Hollow seem friendly . . . except for Luke, who’s more intense—and way hotter—than the slick womanizer Jordan expected.

Eager to put the past behind him, Luke has zero intention of following this gorgeous, fast-talking city girl back to New York. But before he can send her packing, Jordan’s everywhere: at his favorite bar, the county fair, even his exes’ book club. Annoyingly, everyone in Lucky Hollow seems to like her—and deep down, she’s starting to grow on him too. But the more he fights her constant pestering, the more Luke finds himself wishing that Jordan would kick off her high heels and make herself comfortable in his arms.

 

 

*****Patty’s Review*****

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

Her heart recognized him—her soul knew this man because somehow he’d wiggled inside her and occupied every corner of her that mattered.

 

 

The ”I DO, I DON’T” series is off to a very good start with READY TO RUN. Although I am not a fan of reality shows, especially “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette”, I found this story to be a fun, sweet, and sexy read. The Heroine is a “City Girl” with a big heart and the Hero is just downright sexy and charming with his “Country Boy” attitude. I loved the slow buildup to the romance between the main characters and enjoyed getting lost in the charm of small town living. This is the kind of storytelling that has kept me a loyal fan of Lauren Layne.

Jordan Carpenter is on her way to a small town in Montana in hopes of acquiring the leading man of a new reality show that her tv production company is hoping to launch. The show’s premise is similar to “The Bachelor”. The man who Jordan’s company has their sights on is Luke Elliott aka “the runaway groom”. Luke is the handsome firefighter who has become infamous on the internet for having left THREEbrides at the altar. The show is dying to get their hooks into him and they feel with him as the lead, their ratings will go through the roof. The plot of the show will be to finally get Luke to marry one lucky lady. The problem is, Luke wants nothing to do with this show and he is very private about his personal life. From the moment Jordan and Luke meet, it seems they can hardly manage to be civil towards each other. Luke’s standoffish attitude puts them at odds right from the start, but the entire town seems to fall in love with Jordan.

 

 

Jordan can’t help but be a little hurt by Luke’s demeanor towards her and she also can’t seem to fight the attraction she feels towards him. She’s also having a bit of internal conflict by even being in a small town and that’s because she isn’t a true City girl. Jordan comes from small town roots herself but heartbreak has kept her far from home and she has come to love her life in the big city because there are no reminders of things that bring her great sorrow. She ends up renting a house in Luke’s home town in hopes of being able to convince him to do the show.

Their paths cross often, partly because Jordan is determined to change Luke’s mind, but mostly because it would seem that many of Luke’s closest friends can see there’s incredible chemistry between the two and they’ve all decided to play match maker. Eventually, it will be impossible for Luke and Jordan to fight the attraction and things will get steamy and complicated between them since they both know that it’s only a matter of time before the big city calls Jordan back.

 

 

Will they be able to let each other go when Jordan must head back to her life in NYC? Or will Luke and Jordan find a way to their very own happily ever after?

READY TO RUN releases on August 22nd!!!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2uQaFFU
B&N: http://bit.ly/2gRa4wY
Google: http://bit.ly/2uPMpDX
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REVIEW – THE TIME IN BETWEEN (Magdalene, #3) by Kristen Ashley

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SYNOPSIS

After a painful loss, Cady Moreland is coming to Magdalene to start the next chapter of her life. A chapter that began eighteen years ago but had a heartbreaking ending. The time in between was full of family and friendship, but Cady could never get the man she fell in love with all those years ago out of her heart.

Coert Yeager has learned to live without the girl who entered his life right when she shouldn’t and exited delivering a crippling blow he never would have suspected. The time in between was full of failing to find what he was missing…and life-altering betrayal.

But when that girl shows up in Magdalene and buys the town’s beloved lighthouse, even if Coert wants to avoid her, he can’t. A fire in town sparks a different kind of flame that won’t be ignored.

 

As Cady and Coert question the actions of the two young adults they once were thrown into earth-shattering circumstances, can they learn from what came in between and find each other again?

 

*****Patty’s Review*****
*****4.5 STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}

Together we flew and together we drifted down to earth, to his bed, his room, this world, this life. Ending still with Coert and me. Yes, it was glorious.

 

 

Readers get ready to be swept away by another epic romance delivered in Kristen Ashley’s signature style. This woman knows how to create some of the best alpha males in the adult contemporary genre. The third installment of the ”Magdalene” series is a second chance romance between two amazing characters who have been separated for nearly two decades over unfortunate circumstances and complete miscommunication. I think KA fans are really going to enjoy this one. Her descriptive narrative enhances the reader’s enjoyment—you actually feel as if you’re living in the small town of Magdalene.

Cady and Coert’s love affair started back in Denver almost twenty years ago. Their attraction was instant and it didn’t take long before they were falling deeply in love with each other. Cady was on the outs with her parents and older brother because they didn’t approve of her life choices or the people she chose to call her friends. Cady has a full-time job at a local supermarket and she takes on as many hours as she can so that she can afford to put food on the table and pay the rent on her tiny studio apartment. At a party one of her best friends is throwing, she meets Coert and she’s instantly drawn to him even though she knows she probably should steer clear of him due to his association with the criminal element in town. But their chemistry is too strong to deny and even though the timing is definitely wrong for the couple, they try to hold on to faith that their love will be able to survive.

Coert has been keeping a huge secret from Cady and once she finally learns the truth, it sets a chain of events which leaves the couple devastated and sends them both down very different paths in life. For almost twenty years they lead separate lives and although it may seem that they have moved on, their hearts remained the same.

 

 

 

After so many years have gone by, Cady ends up being the newest citizen of Magdalene, when she buys the town’s lighthouse and the land that surrounds it. While she has a major project on her hands with the renovations on the Light House, the real reason she is in Magdalene is to see if there’s still a chance to rekindle what was lost with Coert. Coert is antagonistic and extremely hostile towards Cady during their initial interactions. She begins to question whether she made the right decision in moving to Magdalene.

As the story progresses, truths about the past are revealed and misconceptions are laid to rest. The couple attempt to give their relationship another try but will they be able to rekindle the spark from long ago or has time diminished what they once had?

THE TIME IN BETWEEN is currently available! Make sure you one-click!!

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REVIEW – FALLEN HEIR (The Royals, #4) by Erin Watt

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SYNOPSIS

These Royals will ruin you.

Easton Royal has it all: looks, money, intelligence. His goal in life is to have as much fun as possible. He never thinks about the consequences because he doesn’t have to.

Until Hartley Wright appears, shaking up his easy life. She’s the one girl who’s said no, despite being attracted to him. Easton can’t figure her out and that makes her all the more irresistible.

Hartley doesn’t want him. She says he needs to grow up.

She might be right.

Rivals. Rules. Regrets. For the first time in Easton’s life, wearing a Royal crown isn’t enough. He’s about to learn that the higher you start, the harder you fall.

 

*****Mel’s Review*****
4 Stars!

 

 

Easton Royal is an 18 yr. old senior at Astor Park Prep. He’s on the football team, popular, & insanely rich. He has it all. Looks, money, & brains. He’s all about having a good time. He’s known for being reckless, thoughtless, & making stupid, impulsive decisions, but is extremely loyal when it comes to family. His family is everything to him, but trouble seems to follow him & he often screws up. He lives life in the moment & doesn’t think much about consequences. He doesn’t really do girlfriends, & prefers hook-ups.

Easton meets a gorgeous girl a school named Hartley Wright. She’s a new student who catches him in a compromising position. She has him pegged right away as trouble & wants nothing to do with him. She makes it clear she isn’t interested & wants him to leave her alone, but Easton’s not one to back down from a challenge. He’s intrigued by Hartley & wants to know more about her. She’s the first girl that’s really held his interest, but the one girl he can’t have. He can tell she’s attracted to him but just can’t figure her out.

 

-“You want to see me without my shirt on. You know what? Let me give you a sneak peak. It’s awesome, by the way. You might want to close one eye to reduce the effect.”

 

Hartley is more of a loner. She thinks Easton is too much trouble & she doesn’t have time for that. He likes being the center of attention & she prefers being in the background. She just wants to get through her senior year & lay low. She thinks Easton is selfish & only does things that benefit himself. He’s arrogant & immature, but as she gets to know him better learns there’s more to him than what you see on the surface. Slowly he starts to grow on her, & they become closer.

Easton becomes a bit obsessed with Hartley, & cares about her. He wants her in his life any way he can have her, even if it’s just as friends. He offers her his friendship but wants more. Soon lines get blurred & their relationship gets complicated.

I’ve adored Easton from day one. The funny Royal with the huge heart. I was so happy to finally get his story. I can’t wait for his next book! Love these Royals!!!

REVIEW – MUSCLE MEMORY by Stylo Fantôme

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SYNOPSIS

Her lips, the way she feels, how she moves against me. Her voice when she laughs, her eyes when she cries. Her soul connected to mine, for better or for worse, for all eternity.

I don’t remember.

A blank face. Unrecognizable. The darkness and impenetrable fog, day after day after day. Who am I? And for that matter, who is she?

I can’t remember.

Two sides to the same coin – one wants to remember, and the other wants to stay forgotten. Which side will win? Can he trust his heart to bring him back to her? Or will she stay lost in the fog forever?

I might never remember.

warning: features adult themes

 

*****Dee’s Review*****

FIVE EXHILARATING STARS*****

In love we trust. What a beautiful and powerful phrase, and the heart of this entire story.

This is the story of a man who wakes up in the hospital with absolutely no memory of who he is. The only thing he knows is that he just woke up and is recovering from a nearly fatal accident. No name, no family, no identity. He tries every day to remember his past, the only pieces of information he has are based on his clothing, appearance and medical history, and those don’t give him much hope. What if he used to be a terrible man, maybe that’s why his brain doesn’t want to remember?

He’s adopted the name of Jon and with the help of his social worker and some kind people from the community he’s trying to rebuild a new life. He’s living his days selflessly, trying to do everything right but he knows something important is missing, his heart remembers something or someone.

 

 

One day while out in a restaurant he collides with the powerful feeling of a memory. Her eyes, the woman in front of him, he has no clue who she is, but he remembers vividly how she feels, how his body reacts to her, but nothing else.

Delaney lost the love of her life. Theirs was a toxic kind of love, filled with both good and bad things. A love that was more intense than drugs, and so dangerous that it almost killed them both. Now he is in front of her again, after she searched everywhere without success, he just appears in her life. And he appears so different and yet in her heart he feels the same.

What would you do if you were given a second chance? A clean slate at a new life? Could you forget about everything you left behind? The funny thing is that your mind can forget but, never the heart. The heart always remembers love, it’s simply Muscle Memory.

What an amazing story! Wow, Wow and Wow. This is the reason why I adore Stylo Fatôme’s books, and why she is one of my go-to authors. Because she never disappoints, not only is she a brilliant writer, but her creativity has no bounds. How I wish I could crawl up inside her brain; I bet it’s a fun, exhilarating and scary place. But it’s that creativity and innovation that brings us readers powerful and unique stories such as this one. Stories that make your heart raise and they become tattooed to your soul because you never forget them.

Jay/Jon and Delaney’s love story wasn’t always pretty, it was also dirty and chaotic at times, but to me it was perfect. Their love was fierce, inexplicably deep. It was everything, always and forever.

READ THIS BOOK! please, I beg you, it is sooooooo good.

REVIEW – UNDER HER by Samantha Towle

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SYNOPSIS

A steamy and hilarious standalone romance from New York Times best-selling author Samantha Towle…

I’m used to being in charge. In and out of the office.

So, when my parents go behind my back and hire a co-CEO to help me manage my family’s business, let’s just say, I don’t take it too well.

Especially not when the woman they’ve hired is the one girl who hated my guts in college. She thinks I’m an overprivileged, womanizing man-whore. I think she’s an uptight, stuck-up bitch.

And, now, she’s here, in my office, telling me how to run my company.

I don’t think so.

It doesn’t matter that she has legs that go on for days or that I keep imagining bending her over my desk and showing her just how bossy I can be.

I’ve worked my ass off and paid my dues to get to where I am, and she’s not taking it from me.

No freaking way.

Morgan Stickford is about to learn the hard way that Wilder Cross is the only boss around here.

 

*****Mel’s Review*****

4.5 All I Need Is Her Stars!

 

Wilder Cross has it all. He lives in a great place in Chicago, has wealth, is gorgeous, gets any woman he wants, & is about to take over the family business, Under Her Lingerie. His parents are retiring soon, & as an only child and the sole heir he’s set to take the reins, & claim his rightful place as CEO. He loves his job & has worked hard to get to where he’s at, so when his parents inform him they’ve hired a co-CEO to help him manage the business, he feels blindsided. They feel the male-female dynamic is one of the things that’s always made the company successful. They think he needs a woman’s perspective to help run the company. Not wanting to share, Wilder secretly plans to look for a way to get rid of his new partner, while pretending to go along with his parent’s wishes.

Wilder is shocked when he finds out his new co-CEO is Morgan Stickford, an uptight girl he knew in college. She hated him, but always intrigued him. She was always pretty, but now she’s all grown up & stunning. It’s been nine years since he last saw her, & he hopes she doesn’t still think the worst of him.

Morgan had a huge crush on Wilder back in college. He was an overprivileged player & a total man-whore. She hoped she could work with him & not have a reaction to him. She hated how she’d always wanted him.

 

 

-I’ve gotten really good at pretending. Pretending that I can’t stand Wilder Cross. Pretending that my heart doesn’t beat a little faster every time I see him.

-Why does the one woman who excites me this much have to be the one woman I can’t touch?

 

 

As Wilder & Morgan work together, they really enjoy each others company. She’s become all he can think about, & he’s obsessed with her. He wants her & feels tied up in knots since she came back into his life. He’s upset he can’t have the only woman he truly craves. When they finally give in to the passion between them they both quickly become addicted. Being together feels so natural, & soon she means everything to him.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a fun, flirty story about a guy who gets another chance with a woman from his past. He’s never settled down with one woman, but when he finds the one meant for him, he’s done for. As I was reading this book, I literally couldn’t put it down. It’s sexy, super hot, & has a beautiful love story. Another fabulous read by Samantha Towle.

 

 

-All of me is obsessed with her. My head and my heart. I’m crazy about her.

-Being with Morgan is like nothing I’ve ever felt before.

-For the first time in my life, I want something real. I want something with her.

-She’s become the center of my universe.

 

 

*****Patty’s Review*****

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

It’s like nothing will ever be enough with her. I’ll always want more. She’s become the center of my universe.

 

 

UNDER HER is a sexy ”Enemies to Lovers” romance written by the talented Samantha Towle. Over the years I’ve come to love many of her books and I find myself always anxiously awaiting her next novel. The story is told mainly in the Hero’s POV, but in the few chapters that take us back to the past, we get to hear the Heroine’s voice and it helps us understand where the animosity between them comes from.

Wilder Cross is a wealthy bachelor who is about to take on the role of CEO of his parent’s successful lingerie company called Under Her. He works hard and he plays hard. Wilder loves living the life of the eternal ladies man. He’s never been in a serious relationship and there hasn’t been a time where he was even tempted to make a commitment to one woman. The perfect bubble that he lives in is about to burst when his parents announce that they’ve hired someone to Co-CEO the company with him. It only gets worse when he finds out that his Co-CEO is none other than Morgan Stickford, the woman he went to Northwestern with who openly despised him.

Wilder was a typical horny frat boy back in the day and he unwittingly was also the cause of many a heartbreak suffered by poor Morgan. Thirteen years later it would seem that she hasn’t gotten over the past and the two butt heads whenever they are in the same room together. Even though she has become somewhat of a thorn in his side, Wilder has fallen in lust with Morgan. From the moment she walks into the boardroom Morgan has become Wilder’s obsession. She’s all that he can think about and he’s losing his game with the ladies because no other woman can get Morgan out of his mind. And the more time they spend together, Wilder realizes that he might just be attracted to Morgan for more than just her physical appearance. For the first time in his life he wants to spend more than one night with a woman and it’s nearly freaking Wilder out.

 

 

It took me a while to warm up to this story because I wasn’t crazy about Wilder. For almost the first half of the book, he seemed to be obsessed with his need to be “inside” of Morgan. I mean every other sentence he was describing how hard he was and it seemed to happen even if all Morgan did was breathe in his direction. But whenever we were brought back to their days at Northwestern and we get to experience the heartbreak that Morgan endured, I found myself wanting her to get the man she loved so much and hoped he would find out just how badly he had hurt her and would be able to make amends. When they finally give in to the passion that was building between them, well the story took off for me and I was unable to tear my eyes from my iPad. In no time at all, I was at the epilogue and wishing that the story could go on for just a little while longer.

UNDER HER is currently available and is worth a one-click as it’s on sale for 99 cents!

Amazon US: http://a.co/5kjkWWR
Amazon UK: http://amzn.eu/h5nLk0g

REVIEW – BEARD IN MIND (Winston Brothers #4) by Penny Reid

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SYNOPSIS

All’s fair in love and auto maintenance.

Beau Winston is the nicest, most accommodating guy in the world. Usually.
Handsome as the devil and twice as charismatic, Beau lives a charmed life as everyone’s favorite Winston Brother. But since his twin decided to leave town, and his other brother hired a stunning human-porcupine hybrid as a replacement mechanic for their auto shop, Beau Winston’s charmed life has gone to hell in a handbasket.

Shelly Sullivan is not nice and is never accommodating. Ever.
She mumbles to herself, but won’t respond when asked a question. She glares at everyone, especially babies. She won’t shake hands with or touch another person, but has no problems cuddling with a dog. And her damn parrot speaks only in curse words.

Beau wants her gone. He wants her out of his auto shop, out of Tennessee, and out of his life.

The only problem is, learning why this porcupine wears her coat of spikes opens a Pandora’s box of complexity—exquisite, tempting, heartbreaking complexity—and Beau Winston soon discovers being nice and accommodating might mean missing out on what matters most.

 

*****Dee’s Review*****

 

INFINITE STARS **************

“I want you to love me always. How can I make sure that happens?”
“You keep being you, that’s all you need to do.”

Raw and absolutely stunning. Beau and Shelly’s story was like nothing you’ve ever read from Penny Reid before. It was heartbreaking and hopeful, all at the same time. It is one of those unforgettable stories that will inspire and touch the hearts of all its readers.

 

 

Shelly Sullivan is the new mechanic Cletus has hired to fill in for Duane when he goes away on his trip around the world with Jess. Shelly is super-model gorgeous, smart, inventive and incredibly rude. Beau and Shelly started off on the wrong foot. Beau the one Winston brother that everyone likes is being constantly insulted and glared at by Shelly. Beau both dislikes and is attracted to the mean mechanic working at his shop. Quickly Beau realizes that there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to Shelly, and he is drawn to her and her complicated personality.

Shelly has as much beauty as she has issues. She moved from Chicago to Tennessee to work on herself. She wants to get better; she needs to confront her fears and issues head on in order to be able to live a healthy life. Beau Winston both scares and excites her; she admires his ability to be nice to everyone around him and she can’t stop thinking about him. Her plan is to confront him and tell him straight up what she wants from him.

 

 

 

Once Beau starts to get to know Shelly and the many layers of her complex personality, his attraction turns into something much deeper. When they are together, nothing else exists, the loud pains get quiet and all their troubles become invisible. But when reality creeps back in, it’s not easy to deal with. The beautiful thing about Penny Reid’s books is that love always conquers all, and Beau and Shelly’s journey to love is not only stunning and unique but truly inspiring.

In this book, Penny once again gives a voice to those who have flaws and shows us how the word beautiful, has so many different meanings and representations.

The Winston family is fiercely loving and supportive of each other. Heavy secrets will come to light but nothing can destroy or weaken the bond these siblings have for each other. Their most amazing characteristic is their ability to find the good and the humor in every situation.

Even though this story has a heavy subject, it is not without the staple Penny Reid humor and smart romance traits we all love in her writing. I really appreciate this author’s capability to bring us readers something unique every single time. The words in this story are bold and fearless, true to the heart and voices in which these characters wanted to tell their story, and the end result was something truly special and impossible to ever forget.

If you love beards, humor, unique characters and passionate romance, pick any book in this series. There’s definitely something for everyone.

 

*****Mel’s Review*****

4.5 Stars!

 

Beau Winston lives in Tennessee & comes from a family of seven kids. He has a twin & is very close with all his siblings. Beau is known in Green Valley as everyone’s favorite Winston brother. He’s kind, charismatic & has a heart of gold. He’d give anyone the shirt off his back, and is always helping those in need. He’s just a really good person. He’s also easy on the eyes. Women everywhere flock to the gorgeous, bearded hottie.

 

Beau owns and runs Winston Brothers Auto Shop with two of his brothers. One of them is planning to move soon, so they need a new mechanic. They hire someone without his input. Suddenly there’s a woman that looks like a supermodel working in their garage. She’s stunning on the outside, but when she opens her mouth Beau isn’t so impressed anymore. She’s rude to him & the customers. She’s bad for business, and he wants to be rid of her as soon as possible. She just isn’t a nice person. Everyone seems to like Beau Winston except this woman. Her name is Shelly Sullivan. She’s recently moved to Tennessee from Chicago. The longer Beau works with her, the more he feels he’s being tortured daily. She’s become a thorn in his side. This strange woman he keeps trying to avoid is getting under his skin. He hates how attracted he is to her. She’s become a constant distraction & it’s driving him crazy.

 

-Gorgeous didn’t come close to what this woman was.

-Even though I didn’t like the woman, meeting her eye still sent my wits straight out of my brain.

-The strange truth was, despite her oddness- and moodiness, and rudeness, and unpredictability- I liked the woman.

-I wanted to know her better.

 

 

As Shelly & Beau work together they bond over their separate personal issues. Beau takes the time to really get to know her, & learns there’s so much more to her than what’s on the surface. A connection forms & soon she’s invading his thoughts and dreams. He can’t quit thinking about her. Something beautiful grows between Shelly & Beau, and they quickly become essential to one another.

This was a touching story about two people who find their missing piece. The person they are meant to be with. It delivers a beautiful message & is extremely unique. I fell hard for Beauford Fitzgerald Winston! Put aside the fact I adore gingers, this man’s heart was breathtaking! If you love the Winston brothers like I do, omg… get ready to swoon hard over Beau Winston!

 

-I was seeing her now, the real her, this starving creature she kept locked up tight.

-I wanted her. Essential. Madness. Need. All consuming.

-“Where you are, that’s where I want to be.”

*****Patty’s Review*****

 

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

She wouldn’t be who she was now without her struggles. Life had shaped her, her fear had formed her, and I wouldn’t have her any differently.

 

 

The WINSTON BROTHERS series is fast becoming one of my favorites by Penny Reid. I never thought a bunch of oddball quirky characters would win my heart so easily, but all I can say is that I can’t get enough of these crazy and lovable bunch of characters. I love them so much that I would become an honorary Winston if it were even possible! These siblings are always there for each other and ready to lend a helping hand whenever necessary, and when they find that special someone, they become completely wrecked by love in the most amazing ways! I think Penny needs to create a new Winston brother just for me. BEARD IN MIND coincides with the same timeline as BEARD SCIENCE and although these books can be read as standalones, I highly recommend reading the previous books, if only so you get to experience the awesomeness of this series!!

Beau is considered to be the charismatic Winston twin and the most well-liked by all out of the entire group of siblings. He goes out of his way to say a kind word and to help his fellow town’s people out of a jam whenever necessary. Women fall all over themselves to get his attention and he could be the biggest player if he wanted but Beau is looking to find a special lady to settle down with. Seeing some of his brothers in blissful relationships has his heart yearning for the same type of connection for himself. Beau has never had problems charming the opposite sex but when Cleetus hires a stunningly beautiful mechanic with an abrasive attitude, he just may have met his match.

 

 

Shelly Sullivan is Quinn’s younger sister. For those of you who have read the Knitting in the City series, you will be quite familiar with Quinn ‘aka’ McHotPants. Shelly has left her home in Chicago and moved to Tennessee in hopes of getting the help she needs to manage her OCD. For the past couple of years, she has closed herself off from her family because her OCD became almost too much for her to handle and she didn’t want to subject her loved ones to her bizarre behavior. She is not able to initiate physical contact with anyone because she then gets plagued by an overwhelming fear that the person will be in danger. She would then resort to cutting herself to help relieve the anxiety. Since moving to Tennessee, she’s been seeing a therapist and has refrained from cutting for almost a year. When she and Beau first meet, her blunt dialogue and seemingly rude demeanor rubs him the wrong way and Beau is convinced that Cleetus needs to fire her. While he finds her attitude to be annoying his attraction to Shelly is overwhelming him and little does he know she is just as, if not more into him.

 

 

When Shelly tries to fight through her fears and anxiety to make a move on Beau, it’s awkward but hilarious as well. Beau then realizes that he may have been a little too quick in judging Shelly and he decides to give in to the crazy attraction that is between them. Beau with his huge heart is not scared off when he learns to the full extent how much Shelly’s OCD impacts her life and her ability to interact with others. He even goes to some of her sessions with her Psychologist and agrees to participate in some new aggressive form of therapy to help Shelly with her inability to initiate physical contact. Sharing something so personal and being intimate with each other as well, has feelings growing with intensity, but while Beau is more forthcoming, Shelly is closed off and reserved. This dredges up Beau’s deeply embedded insecurities which have him believing he’s not good enough to be loved.

Aside from the angsty and steamy bits between Beau and Shelly, there is a huge revelation that impacts the Winston’s and I felt that towards the end of the book it overshadowed the romance between the Hero and Heroine. The ending seemed to wrap up too quickly. Even though this is quite a lengthy novel, I still felt like Shelly’s OCD was a huge issue that the couple needed to find a way to cope with and I would have really enjoyed it if we could have gotten closure with her family.

BEARD IN MIND is currently available! Penny Reid fans are sure to enjoy it. For those of you who haven’t read anything by Penny, this is a series worth checking out.

iBooks: http://apple.co/2t6dEpG
Nook: http://bit.ly/2tpPDw9
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Google Play: http://bit.ly/2uzEKF9

REVIEW – DRUNK DIAL by Penelope Ward

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SYNOPSIS

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new, sexy standalone novel.

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Look up Landon Roderick, that boy from childhood whom I’d never been able to forget—even though he so easily forgot about me—and call him.

Then again, anything sounds like a good idea when you’ve had a little too much wine before bed, right? It was supposed to be just a quick, meaningless, prank call. Instead, I went off on him—unloading thirteen years of pent-up emotions.

I didn’t think he’d call me back.

I certainly could never have anticipated the weeks of sexually tense phone conversations that followed as I got to know the man he’d become.

Turned out, Landon had never really forgotten me, either. That special connection we had was still there. I opened up to him, but there were also things about me he didn’t know. And he had his own secrets.

Over the countless hours we talked on the phone, I wondered what would happen if we actually saw each other. One night, I did something impulsive again. Only this time, I went to the airport and booked a ticket to California. We were about to find out if one phone call could bring two lost souls together or if my drunk dial really was all just a big mistake.

A complete STANDALONE.

 

*****Mel’s Review*****

4 Stars!

 

Rana Saloomi is a beautiful, single 26 yr. old woman from Michigan. She enjoys her job as a belly dancer but doesn’t have much of a social life. One evening she gets brave after too much wine & makes an impulsive decision to look up her old childhood friend Landon Roderick. He’s the boy she could never forget. They were friends in junior high for about a year before she moved. She hadn’t seen him since she was 13, but as a kid, hanging out with him was what she lived for. She had a huge crush on him, & he meant everything to her. She still wondered about him often. Curious what he’s up to these days, she drunk dials him. Rana isn’t even sure Landon will remember her, but it turns out he hasn’t forgotten her either. She tells him off in her tipsy state and figures she’ll never hear from him again.

 

-“Will you drunk dial me again? I feel like I’m not done with your crazy.”

-“You’re good for my soul, Rana.”

 

Rana is shocked when Landon calls her back & they begin talking daily. They talk for weeks & the sexual tension continues to grow. The connection between them is still there. They share an intense mutual attraction & have both changed a lot over the years. Tomboy Rana now has an exotic look & Landon is tatted up, muscular, and looks like a bad boy rock star. They took different paths through the years, but now that they’ve reconnected they’re both crazy about each other. The only problem is Landon lives in California & Rana lives in Michigan. One spontaneous flight changes everything when they finally reunite face to face. Their greatest fantasy becomes reality, but will secrets from their past threaten the relationship their building, or will love conquer all?

I really enjoyed this second chance love story about two best friends who reunite years later & fall in love. Landon was absolutely delish!!!

 

 

-I’ve never wanted anyone like I want you.

-I craved him.

-Having his hands on me was quickly becoming my favorite thing.

 

 

*****Patty’s Review*****

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

He tasted like sugar and cigarettes, and all I wanted anymore in this life was to just keep doing this. I hadn’t realized exactly how starved I was, how badly I had needed the contact. But going from zero to Landon was like not eating for years only to be met with the most decadent of foods.

 

 

DRUNK DIAL is a sweet & sexy ”friends to lovers” romance filled with Penelope Ward’s signature brand of snarky humor. I predict that many a reader will be swooning over Ms. Ward’s latest charismatic Hero—Landon Roderick!

Rana Salome’s has faced many challenges in her life and at twenty-six, she never dreamed she’d be making a living as a belly dancer and sharing a tiny apartment with a deranged roommate, but somehow she perseveres. One night after having too many glasses of wine, she decides to google her long lost friend from her childhood and gathers enough liquid courage to call him. Landon Roderick and Rana were best friends back in Junior High. He used to write her cute and silly notes on a daily basis and thirteen years later, Rana still holds onto them. She reads them when times are tough and Rana’s in need of a “pick me up”. It only takes a few seconds for Landon to realize who Rana is and to say that he is tickled to be talking to his old buddy is quite the understatement. They seem to hit it off quickly and it’s as if no time has passed since they last spoke to each other.

Their texts turn flirtatious and after they exchange a few pics it only seems to intensify their attraction towards each other, although it would seem they always had feelings that went beyond friendship. The problem is, Landon lives in Southern California and Rana still lives back in Detroit. Trying to pursue a romance while living in different states proves to be challenging and when they eventually are reunited briefly when Rana comes to visit Landon, the distance feels beyond unbearable for the couple.

Both Landon and Rana have made some poor life decisions in the past and fear that it could negatively impact their relationship. They both realize that there’s no way they can move forward without being completely forthcoming with each other. As the story progresses we are left to wonder whether the couple will be able to leave the past behind them and will they continue to pursue a long distance relationship, or will they find a way to live in the same zip code?

Landon was a pretty amazing character. Penelope Ward has a true gift for creating some swoon-worthy heroes, but I wasn’t really crazy about the heroine. I honestly was wondering why Landon was so in love with her because I didn’t feel she was worthy of being put up on the pedestal that he placed her on.

DRUNK DIAL is currently available! Ladies, get ready to fall in love with Landon Roderick!!

Amazon ➜ http://amzn.to/2fXfzKn
iBooks ➜ http://apple.co/2tq7dRz
Nook ➜ http://bit.ly/2xeEH2H
Kobo ➜ http://bit.ly/2ihXnMD
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Paperback ➜ http://amzn.to/2uTAipm

REVIEW – THE FORBIDDEN by Jodi Ellen Malpas

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SYNOPSIS

A new story of dangerous temptations from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the This Man trilogy.

Annie has never experienced the ‘spark’ with a guy-that instant chemistry that renders you weak in the knees. That is, until a night out brings her face to face with the dangerously sexy and mysterious Jack. It’s not just a spark that ignites between them. It’s an explosion. Jack promises to consume Annie, and he fully delivers on that promise.

Overwhelmed by the intensity of their one night together, Annie slips out of their hotel room. She is certain that a man who’s had such a powerful impact on her must be dangerous. She has no idea that he belongs to another. That he’s forbidden.

 

*****Patty’s Review*****

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

I would never have put myself in this situation for anything less than powerful love. The kind that keeps you going. The kind that gives you breath and life. Jack’s my life. He’s my pulse. He’s everything.

 

 

Jodi Ellen Malpas has brought her “A game” back with THE FORBIDDEN. There is a reason why I have always called her my “Queen” and it’s because her characters tend to have an intense and near insane passion for each other—the kind of romance I can’t get enough of. When a story has my nerves completely frayed and it nearly drives me to drink to ease my anxiety, I know that I’ve got myself a five star read!! This book is not for the weak of heart and I strongly advise that you have a bottle of alcohol close by and a buddy to read along with you. You are going to need a friend to get you through this one! The warning at the beginning of the book is valid. This story is going to upset many who have certain triggers and tropes they avoid. Luckily for me, I am not one of those people. I fell 100% in love with this haunting and passionate story. Ms. Malpas has yet again created an Alpha that completely captured my heart!

Annie Ryan is an up and coming architect. She is blessed because she loves her career. It’s taken up all of her time and focus for many years. But it’s also why her personal life has been non-existent for what seems like an eternity. Annie is content with being single and having her career take importance over every other aspect of her life until she meets a sexy stranger one night while out with her friends at a bar. Annie has never felt the kind of white hot chemistry that zings through her body like it did when she met Jack. From the moment Annie and Jack meet there is a magnetic pull drawing them to each other. The attraction is overwhelming for Annie. She completely loses her ability to think rationally. They end up sharing one incredibly passionate night together filled with mind blowing sex. Before the sun even comes up, Annie rushes out of the hotel room flustered by the intense connection she feels for a complete stranger. Several days later that night is still running through her mind repeatedly. Annie wonders if she made a mistake rushing out of that hotel without leaving her number but it would appear that Jack was destined to be in her life as he turns out to be the contractor working on her newest project. They may have been fated to become lovers but their road to happiness is a dangerous one since it turns out Jack has a secret which makes their romance ”forbidden”.

 

 

 

From the moment Jack walks into Annie’s life, he had me under his spell. The man is incredibly sexy and alpha. He’s in the same league as Jesse and Miller as far as I am concerned. Once I learned his truth it didn’t affect my love for him in the least bit. All I wanted was for Jack and Annie to find their way to a “happily ever after”.

 

 

This book WRECKED me! I am not even exaggerating. There were so many intense moments throughout the story, I had to set the book down several times because I was plagued by severe anxiety. I was constantly worrying about what was going to happen next that would potentially tear these lovers apart for good. The unease I felt throughout the second half of the book nearly killed me. I’m lucky I had a true friend who got me through the rough parts.

 

 

I absolutely loved this story from beginning to end. I enjoyed getting lost in another all-consuming romance created by one of my most beloved authors! I hope that Jodi continues to write about couples whose love for each other borders on insanity.

 

THE FORBIDDEN is currently available. I highly recommend this to those who aren’t afraid of topics that are slightly taboo.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2l2apNG
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Google: http://bit.ly/2kcr6XH

 

 

 

 

*****Mel’s Review*****

4.5 I Can’t Fight My Heart Stars!

 

 

Annie Ryan is a gorgeous single 29 yr. old woman living in London. She’s just moved into a fabulous new place & life is good. She loves her job as an architect & owns her own firm. She’s ambitious and more invested in building her career than men. She’s content with her life the way it is. Her friends joke she’s immune to men, but she just thinks relationships are hard work & she hasn’t found anyone worth all the effort.

 

One evening while out with friends everything changes when Annie crosses paths with a sexy stranger. He’s the most handsome man she’s ever laid eyes on. She feels an intense connection she’s never experienced before. This feeling is new to her. It’s odd & thrilling and feels illicit. She feels an insane need for this man. She’s completely blindsided by her desire, & this is the first time she’s had this unexplainable spark with someone. She has a one night stand with her mystery man & has never been so thoroughly consumed. They spend the entire night exploring one another, & it’s the most amazing night of her life.

 

 

-For the first time- probably ever- a man has caught my attention.

-I don’t know what his game is, but I want to play. With him.

-My body is coming to life again. His lips. His touch. His voice. His face. His kisses.

-I know in my heart of hearts that Jack is my soul mate. He’s the missing piece of me.

 

 

Annie keeps having flashbacks of her incredible, spontaneous night with her delicious stranger. She can’t quit thinking about him. Then she unexpectedly runs into him again, & learns he’s forbidden. His name is Jack, & he can never be hers. That doesn’t stop her fantasizing about him or the way her body responds to him. Their chemistry is undeniable. Circumstances put them around one another & they have trouble controlling their feelings. Even if it’s wrong, they can’t walk away. It feels right & easy when they’re together. They can’t resist each other any longer. Lines get blurred as they become addicted. Deep down Annie feels Jack was meant to be hers, & when Jack is with Annie he’s truly happy. Everything else falls away & he just feels love.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s extremely controversial & full of angst, but it’s a beautiful love story about two soul mates who fight to be together. I adored Jack!

REVIEW – WISH YOU WERE HERE by Renee Carlino

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SYNOPSIS

Charlotte has spent her twenties adrift, floating from interest to interest, job to job, and guy to guy, searching for a spark but never quite finding it. All she knows is that she won’t discover it working as a waitress at a pies-and-fries joint in Los Angeles or living with her fun but aimless best friend in a tiny apartment in the Arts District.

Then Charlotte collides with Adam, a gorgeous and soulful painter who seems just as lost as she feels. Their instant connection turns into a midnight drink… and a whirlwind night of champagne, Chinese food, and the kind of conversation that only happens in romantic comedies. But the next morning, Adam gives Charlotte the cold shoulder, leaving her confused and hurt—and wondering if the few odd moments between them the night before were red flags in disguise.

Months later, Charlotte hasn’t been able to shake Adam, so she decides to find out what happened the morning after their magical night together. This fateful decision rewrites their wild love story, but what Charlotte doesn’t know yet is that the ending has already been written.

 

*****Patty’s Review*****

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

”I promise to love you forever. As long as there is love in this world, we will be a part of it.” 

 

Renee Carlino takes us on another emotionally charged and utterly heartbreaking journey in her latest novel, ”WISH YOU WERE HERE”. I get why so many people love this story and have cried their eyes out, but I felt a little let down because I didn’t have the same experience. My heart was definitely broken but I think the fact that I loved both men in this story prevented me from having the ugly cry. This book is about life and how precious it is, and that we all should make the most of it because we only get one–well that’s if you don’t believe in reincarnation. It’s also about love and how it comes in so many different forms and if you are lucky enough to experience it, then embrace it and give it your all.

Charlotte Martin is a young woman who is still so incredibly lost as she nears the end of her twenties. She lives in a rundown apartment with her childhood best friend and has a dead end job as a waitress in a local diner. Charlie has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has quickly lost interest in almost every career she has tried her hand at. She also has quite a few failed relationships in her past as well. Charlie is a relationship type of girl but she always seems to choose men who are emotionally unavailable. Deep down she’s not really ready to take life seriously, that is until she meets a gorgeous and charismatic stranger out on the street while on her way home from a night out with her bestie, Helen. Adam and Charlie hit it off almost instantly and their banter is easy and even a bit comical. He helps Charlie walk her inebriated friend back home and then somehow he convinces her to go and have a drink with him. She’s not the kind of girl who goes out in the middle of the night with a total stranger but something about Adam has her gravitating towards him. His company is intoxicating and she is curious to see where things go.

 

 

Somehow the two end up back at Adam’s loft where we learn that he’s an artist and he has some odd quirks. Adam seems to have bad memory retention and so he has post it notes all over his place that are filled with written reminders for him. While she never expected things to get too serious, Charlie and Adam share an amazing night filled with profound introspection and mind blowing sex. She’s knocked on her ass the next morning when Adam’s entire demeanor changes and he’s quite rude and standoffish towards her. Though they only shared one night together, her heart had already gotten attached to Adam and she’s overcome with sadness for nearly six months afterward.

After wallowing in self-pity for far too long, Charlie tries her hand at online dating. She ends up meeting another gorgeous, charming, and incredibly sweet man. Seth is a minor league baseball player who is on his way up to the major leagues. From the moment he walked into the story, my heart melted for him. I really loved this guy. So he may have fallen a little too fast for Charlie, but there was a lot of that insta-love going on in this story and it never bothered me in the slightest. I just really disliked how Charlie treated him at times. Honestly, I didn’t warm up to her until I was almost to the end of the book. While Charlie really likes Seth and they have incredible physical chemistry, she can’t help but compare her feelings for Seth to her feelings for Adam. Every day it seems things pop up that are constantly reminding her of Adam and she finally decides to find him and get the answers she needs to find closure. She will get answers but they aren’t what she ever would have expected.

Adam comes back into her life and while I admit, I was happy to have him back, I felt so bad for Seth. I wished that one of these men had been a self-absorbed douchebag so that I could pick one guy to root for but they were both amazing. I knew that it would be impossible for the Heroine to ride off into the sunset with the both men.

I really wished things transpired differently in this story but I understand why the author took us down the path she did. It was a journey the Heroine had to take to ultimately find the strength to make changes in her life and to stop living in a constant state of limbo. But I’m greedy and so that’s why I couldn’t rate this book a full five stars–I wanted to but I’m still a bit upset over how some things transpired in the story. Don’t get me wrong, I thought the writing was superb and I did like this book quite a bit!

I’m positive that readers are going to fall in love with this story and that it will haunt many! It’s definitely worth one-clicking! Renee Carlino has become an automatic must read author for me.

WISH YOU WERE HERE is currently available!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2vdGiYu
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Google Play: http://bit.ly/2q5AQ5T

*****Mel’s Review*****

-“As long as there is love in this world, we will be a part of it.”

 

 

Charlotte Martin is a 27 yr. old woman living in the arts district of downtown Los Angeles with her best friend Helen. She’s been through many career choices & is still finding herself. She’s currently working as a waitress at a cafe & hasn’t had any luck finding her Mr. Right.

One evening she randomly meets a man named Adam & the feeling is almost indescribable. She feels such a strong connection to this man & an intense need to know him. He’s funny & sweet, and his joy for life is contagious. He’s spontaneous & lives life in the moment. She’s completely enchanted by this gorgeous stranger and they end up spending one beautiful night together. She felt they shared something unique & rare she couldn’t explain, but the next day he acts rude and blows her off. She feels rejected and figures it’s not meant to be & moves on.

 

-He was spontaneous and fun. It excited me.

-I was in love with his spontaneity. I envied it.

 

 

Some time goes by, and Charlotte is still thinking about Adam & still hung up on him. She’s confused because he seemed so sincere & genuine. He made her feel special & she’s never felt so connected to anyone, but something was off about him. She sensed he was undergoing some sort of change in his life. Even though her experience with this man was a bit weird, she can’t get him out of her head. He messed with her self-confidence & made her question her judgment.

 

Months later Charlotte meets another man that helps take her mind off Adam. His name is Seth Taylor & he lives in San Diego. He is a really great guy & she enjoys spending time with him, but she still can’t fully move on from Adam. He’s a mystery & she realizes she fell for him. She decides to try & contact him to at least get some closure but finds out everything is much more complicated than she realized. She’s now left with the decision does she continue on with her new relationship with Seth or see if there is anything to salvage with Adam?

It’s hard to say much about this book and not have spoilers so I’ll just say it is deeply emotional. Be prepared to shed a few tears. The book has a lot of great messages. It is about love, self-worth, taking chances instead of living life on the sidelines, & soulmates. Some of us are lucky enough in this life to have more than one. This book has a bit of a love triangle & I adored both Adam & Seth.

 

REVIEW – THE WILD by K. Webster

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SYNOPSIS

I brought them to the wilderness because we couldn’t cope with our reality.
The plan was to make a new life that didn’t include heartache.
No people. No technology. No interference.
Just us.
A chance to piece together what was broken.
But the wilderness is untamed and harsh.
Brutal and unforgiving.
It doesn’t give a damn about your feelings.
Tragedy lives there too.
No escaping the truths that won’t let you go.
All you can do is survive where love, no matter how beastly, is the only thing you can truly count on.
Confusing. Wrong. Twisted. Beautiful. Sick.
Love is wild.
And we’re going to set it free.

WARNING:
The Wild is an extremely taboo story. Most will find that the themes in this book will make you incredibly uncomfortable or maybe even offend you. This book is only for the brave, the open-minded, and the ones who crave love in even the most dismal of situations. Extreme sexual themes and violence in certain scenes, which could trigger emotional distress, are found in this story. If you are sensitive to heavy taboo themes, then this story is not for you.
Seriously, you’ve been warned.
Don’t say I didn’t try.
You’re probably going to cringe many, many, many times.
Even if you’re on the fence, it’s probably not a good idea to proceed.
However, if you’re intrigued and fearless and kind of sort of trust me, then carry on. This book is for you.

 

 

*****Patty’s Review*****

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

Love, brilliant and deep and powerful, shines in his eyes. It burns me. Scalds me. Imprisons me. Suffocates me. But it also fills me. Fuels me. Frees me.

 

 

A couple of years ago, you wouldn’t catch me reading the kind of books that K. Webster writes. I was afraid of dark reads. But now I crave dark reads. I love this author and have come to expect that she will try and push her readers’ boundaries but she’ll spin things in a way that makes you feel less guilty for enjoying a story that to most will seem truly f’d up. I knew going into this, that when the author says the subject matter is extremely taboo, that she is not being overly dramatic. I had strong suspicions of what the storyline would be about and I was right. K. Webster delivers her signature panty melting smut and I did struggle with how I found myself pretty turned on throughout but then I recalled how so many of her other books turned out and I knew she would throw me a life line eventually that would make me feel a little less guilty about the effect this book had on me.

 

 

I’m not going to give away the story because I’m afraid of spoiling it for anyone who may want to read it. I will advise that you stay away from all the Facebook drama because I didn’t and that’s how the ending was spoiled for me. If you have hard limits about certain topics that you consider highly taboo, I strongly advise you to avoid this book. I know that it has offended many people in the reading community and I don’t want to waste time standing on my soap box preaching about freedom of speech. All I can say is that I am a huge fan of this author and I trust her, and I’ll read just about anything she writes. I hope that K. Webster continues to be brave and writes all the truly dark and f’d up stories that her devious mind comes up with.

 

 

The ebook version of THE WILD is available on K. Webster’s site for purchase.

http://www.authorkwebster.com/product/the-wild/