REVIEW – HOLD MY BREATH by Ginger Scott

December 2, 2016December 2, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

Fractions of seconds can do lots of damage. One decision can ruin lives. A blink can be tragic. And loving a Hollister…can hurt like hell.

I would know.

They say the average person can hold their breath under water for two full minutes when pushed to the extremes. Will Hollister has been holding his for years. The oldest of two elite swimming brothers, Will was always a dominant force in the water. But in life, he preferred to let his younger brother Evan be the one to shine.

Evan got the girl, and Will…he got to bury all of the secrets. A brother’s burden, the weight of it all nearly left him to drown.

The daughter of two Olympians, my path was set the day my fingertips first touched water. My future was as crystal clear as the lane I dominated in the pool—swim hard, win big, love a Hollister.

My life with Evan burned bright. He gave me arms to come home to, and a smile that fooled the world into believing everything was perfect. But it was Will who pushed me. Will…who really knew me.

And when all of the pieces fell, it was Will who started to pick them up.

In the end, the only thing that matters are those few precious seconds—and what we decide to do while we still have them in our grasp.

*****Patty’s Review*****

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

All of me is under his spell. I need Will Hollister, and whatever hurt I felt is nothing compared to the things his touch can do to me. I am numb. I am his.

I would have to categorize HOLD MY BREATH as a forbidden romance & friends to lovers story. Although after certain secrets are revealed, the “forbidden romance” aspect all but evaporates. I’ve read a few of Ginger Scott’s books and I can see a reoccurring theme in them. One of her main characters always experiences some sort of adversity and love is what ultimately heals them. The hero is beautiful and extremely broken. You can’t help but fall for this character. I found the heroine to be misguided with regards to her resentment towards the hero in the beginning of the story but once she opens her eyes to the truth I feel that she fully redeems herself.

Will Hollister has returned home after having fallen from grace for a while. He did survive something truly horrifying. He was on his family’s private airplane with his parents and younger brother when it crashed. Will was the only survivor. The extreme guilt and depression that seemed to consume him, had him turning to alcohol and even drugs for a means to escape. Unfortunately, since he was once an Olympic swimmer he is considered a celebrity and so his angst made for some scandalous tabloid fodder. But almost a year later, he has cleaned up his act and he’s come back home in hopes of trying out for the Olympics-bound U.S. swim team. There’s also the added bonus that the girl he’s always been in love with will also be training at the same camp that he will be at. Maddy Woodsen has been Will’s secret crush for years. When he finally had the courage to confess his feelings to her, his brother, Evan, beat him to it. Maddy and Evan ended up becoming a couple and Will was left with a broken heart.

Maddy has been mourning the death of her ex-boyfriend for over a year. The thought of Will coming back to her father’s training camp has her feeling mixed emotions. The irrational side of her blames him for surviving. She along with many others, view Will as the “bad” Hollister brother. But in reality that couldn’t be any farther from the truth. When she finally sees Will for the beautiful person he is, old feelings that she too, kept buried, come up to the surface, and maybe Maddy realizes that she picked the wrong Hollister brother back when they were all teenagers.

Their relationship develops rather quickly but Will fears that he will lose Maddy when she ultimately finds out about the secret he has been keeping from her. Will is practically a martyr. I often felt like this character had already gone through one of the biggest tragedies of his life, and to add to his suffering was just cruel and unusual punishment. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse for him, the author goes and adds a nice little cherry on top. That was one of the reasons why this became a four-star read. There was just too much suffering to be had for the Hero and I thought it was overkill to have such a lovable character go through more than his share of adversity. Although the author explains why she tortured our hero so much at the end of the book, I still wished that she could have cut that last gut-wrenching bit of the story out.

Can Will and Maddy’s relationship survive once his secret is revealed? When tragedy strikes again, can Will remain strong and not let the demons from the past send him on another downward spiral?

HOLD MY BREATH is currently available!! It’s definitely worth one-clicking. I mean did you see that book cover???

Amazon: https://amzn.com/B01MXFXWRP
iBooks: http://apple.co/2ehJysd
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2dxZZkQ
BN: http://bit.ly/2dl9THZ

REVIEW – FALL (Rock Solid #2) by Karina Bliss

December 1, 2016December 1, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

Keep Rage together at all costs…

Powerhouse PA Dimity Graham is off her game. Her career is everything to her and she never lets anything personal mess that up. So how can she explain getting busy between the sheets with Rage’s nice-guy drummer Seth Curran? She’s supposed to be keeping this band out of trouble, not getting into it.
But before she can put everything back where it belongs, Seth needs her help.

Faking a relationship seemed like a good idea that night, right before they fell into bed together. But standing on New Zealand soil, facing the people he disappointed to pursue his dream, Seth doubts he and Dimity will convince anyone they’re hot and crazy for each other. To his surprise, Dimity is working her magic on everyone and they’re all convinced this is the real deal. The problem is, he’s almost convinced, too.

*****Mel’s Review*****

4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)

We first met Dimity Graham in Rise as Rage’s rock star front man Zander Freeman’s PA. Dimity’s career is everything to her. She grew up with a lousy childhood, and has built a life where she is in control. She doesn’t need or lean on anyone, but her Rage family is extremely important to her. She’s gorgeous, vibrant, fierce, fearless, and doesn’t like to show emotion. Being vulnerable is for suckers, & she doesn’t let anyone close enough to hurt her. She lives in her boss’s mansion in LA & is watching over the band in Zander’s absence. Rage’s future is uncertain & in limbo since Zander had surgery, and they are waiting to see if his singing voice is repaired. In the meantime Dimity tries to keep the band out of trouble & works her usual magic.

Dimity feels a bit off her game with her best friend Zander gone. She agrees to head to New Zealand with Rage’s hot kiwi drummer Seth Curran. Seth is the poster child for a nice guy & has a heart of gold. He recently had his heart broken & is hurting. Dimity comes up with a plan to be his fake girlfriend & pretend to be in a relationship to win his ex back when they go to New Zealand. Her plan backfires when her & Seth have too much to drink one night and sleep together. Things are suddenly more complicated & she’s having trouble trying to ignore the intense physical attraction whenever he’s near.

Soon all the pretending starts to feel too real for Dimity. Seth is crazy about her, & quickly falling for her. Dimity doesn’t know what to do with this unwelcome tenderness she’s experiencing. She’s having unfamiliar feelings & it scares her to death. She isn’t used to putting her trust in anyone. She was raised without security & is terrified of getting her heart broken.

-Does she sense my heart aches whenever she enters the room.

-Her sweetness invaded him, pumping through his blood like a drug.

-This woman was gifted in so many ways- he wouldn’t let her give up on the softer emotions.

Seth is determined to be with Dimity. Soon Dimity realizes maybe he’s worth the risk. I loved this story so much & adored Seth! He was major swoon worthy & absolutely delicious. He is now my favorite rocker in this series. I hope we get a book for Moss next!

REVIEW – YOUR INESCAPABLE LOVE (The Bennett Family #4) by Layla Hagen

November 29, 2016November 29, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

A sizzling new friends-to-lover romance from a USA Today Bestselling Author. Each book in the Bennett family series is a full, standalone story.

Max Bennett was nine years old the first time he met Emilia. The two formed a tight friendship that lasted for years until she moved away. Now, years later, Max enjoys a successful career, and his brilliant business sense helped him take his family’s company to the next level. Max loves his life: carefree and fun. He has everything he wants, and has no intentions of settling down anytime soon (even though his family might have other ideas).

But when a chance encounter brings him face to face with Emilia, he starts questioning everything. The girl he last saw years ago has grown into a beautiful woman with sensual curves and a smile he can’t get out of his mind. Their chemistry is sizzling, and between old memories and new challenges, the two form a connection that is undeniable.

Emilia Campbell has a lot on her plate, taking care of her sick grandmother. Still, the twenty-eight year old physical therapist faces everything with a smile on her face and a positive attitude. The one area in her life where she’s not too optimistic is love. After practically being left at the altar, Emilia has sworn off men. Until the childhood friend she hero-worshiped and hasn’t quite forgotten, steps into her clinic. Max is every bit the troublemaker she remembers, only now he has a body to drool over, and a smile to melt her panties. Not that she intends to do the former, or let the latter happen.

They are both determined not to cross the boundaries of friendship. But as they spend more time together, their chemistry spirals out of control.

Can Emilia trust her childhood hero with the key to her heart and accept she might have found her one true love?

*****Dee’s Review*****

4.5 Dazzling Stars*****

(ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review

Beautiful and romantic best friends to lovers story brought to you by the talented pen of USA Today Bestselling author Layla Hagen. She’s ready to dazzle us again with more charm and passion, from another one of The Bennett brothers, and I personally couldn’t get enough.

Max Bennett knows about business; his killer instincts and smart logic have helped contribute tremendously to the success of the family business. Max is not all about business though, he loves spending time with his family and having fun, but love is not really on his radar.

When Max runs into his long, lost childhood best friend, Emilia Campbell he is so happy, but he never expected her to turn into such a beautiful and alluring woman, and having only, just a friendship with her will prove to be difficult.

Emilia can’t believe that the gorgeous guy in front of her is her best friend Max. Max Bennett and his family used to be such a big part of Emilia’s life growing up, always showing her love and support, and she had been devastated to lose them all after her grandmother and her grandfather had to move away.

Emilia and Max have tons to catch up on and he wastes no time inviting her out, but Emilia’s life is very complicated. Between having to care for her sick grandmother and working long hours as a physical therapist, she barely has time for anything else. Plus, Emilia’s body’s reaction to Max’s presence is turning out to be dangerous, because her heart is not ready to have those feelings again, after being broken by her ex.

Max and Emilia acknowledge that they have chemistry and attraction for each other, but they decide to just stay friends. Yeah right??? Who could resist a Bennett brother? No-one, that’s who…

Once these two get together the passion burns high. Max will caress with his hands every part of Emilia’s body and claim her whole heart with his charming and sweets ways. Max will discover that more than a best friend, she has been the girl that has owned his heart since he was only a boy.

This series is becoming one of my absolute favorites. I love the humor, the romance and the sweet nature of all these characters, that make it impossible not to smile like a fool as you read about their stories. Every book is about a different family member, each story unique but always giving the reader that same feeling of utter enjoyment.

A MUST READ!!!

My Inescapable Love music playlist:
*Belong (Aguelando Remix) by Axwell
*Sweet Emotion by The Kooks
*All I want is You By U2
*Bad Things by MGK
*Lucky by Jason Mraz

REVIEW – WORDS I COULDN’T SAY (Promise in Prose, #1) by Tessa Teevan

November 22, 2016November 22, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS

You know the old adage “if you love something, set it free?”
It’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.
The dumbest thing I’ve ever done.
I loved her. I lost her. Hell, I let her go. And then spent five miserable years without her.

To cope with the loss, I put pen to paper and wrote her a love story, knowing when she was ready she’d hear the words I couldn’t say all those years ago.

Turned out, not only would she hear them, but when Hollywood came calling, I made sure she got the lead role. After all, no one else could portray the character whom she’d inspired.
Now she’s within arms’ reach and finally, she’ll know the truth in my heart.

Because that other cliché, “Actions speak louder than words?”
I’m going to prove it.
My words may have brought Ava Banks back into my life; I have to be enough to make her stay.

*****Patty’s Review*****

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

He’d crept back into my heart and repossessed the place he’d never actually left, consuming me wholly as we’d been unable to do before. But there was still some small part of me that wondered if it was too good to be true.

For those of you who have read the Explosive series from the beginning, you will have met little Ava Banks when she was a mere toddler. The little niece of Lexi and Jace McAllister was quite a scene stealer. With every additional book, Ava never lost her sweet charm even as she got older. Now at the age of twenty-three, we get her story and it’s one that is beyond steamy and is very much made of the love we know mainly exists in fairy tales. This story has the Friends to Lovers, In Love With The Boy Next Door, and Second Chance Romance tropes. I have to just give a standing ovation to Tessa Teevan because she wrote one of the most sexiest scenes I have ever read in a book to date. I am referring to the office sex scene!! HAWT!!!!

Ava Banks and Tucker Manning have been the best of friends since they were conceived. Their mothers were best friends and neighbors. From childhood till senior year of High School their relationship was strictly platonic. That all changed on Prom Night when Ava finally realized she had feelings for Tucker that went way passed platonic. Ava makes her move and Tucker is immediately reciprocating her advances. Tucker admits that he’s been in love with her for quite some time and had been waiting for her to wake up. They spend the summer together and make plans to go off to college in California. Ava wants to become an actress and has been accepted to UCLA. Tucker has dreams of becoming a journalist and was accepted to USC. But one horrible tragic night changes their plans for the future and ends up separating the two for five years.

Five years later, Ava is living in California and is a professional actress. But time nor distance has caused her love to diminish in the least bit for Tucker. Ava has held on to her heartbreak all these years later. She’s never gotten involved with any man, nor has she had sex with anyone else because in her heart there is only one man for her—Tucker. One day she gets a call from her agent. A huge Hollywood movie director is filming a movie adaptation of a best-selling romance novel and he wants Ava for the leading actress role. The thing is, it’s to be filmed in her hometown in Ohio, a place she has avoided for the past several years because the pain from Tucker avoiding her had been too much for her to handle. What she doesn’t know is the novel was written for her by Tucker. It’s a spin on their story and it’s his grand gesture to get her to come back home and to him.

When Ava returns, she and Tucker run into each other almost immediately and there’s no denying the intense feelings and attraction are still very much alive between them. Soon they are taking their relationship to the physical level and what a coincidence, Tucker has also held on to his V-Card!!! As they spend more time together their feelings only intensify. But it’s not all smooth sailing for the happy couple. Tucker is plagued by the fear that Ava will leave him again and he knows he won’t survive it a second time. Ava seems to think that Tucker doesn’t want to try having a serious relationship because she abandoned him when he needed her the most.

Will they be able to get passed their insecurities and fight for the love that they were always destined to have? Now that Tucker has the freedom to leave his life in Ohio, will he follow Ava back to Hollywood or will she make Ohio her permanent home base?

WORDS I COULDN’T SAY is currently available and it can be read as a standalone.

Amazon – http://amzn.to/2g3vj9E

*****Mel’s Review*****

4 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)

Ava Banks is a 23 yr. woman from Cincinnati, Ohio. We first met Ava in Ignite as a toddler & she is the daughter of Jeremy & Sierra Banks. Ava grew up next door to the Manning family & was best friends with Tucker Manning since they were born. Their moms were best friends, and Tucker & Ava were inseparable. When they are 18 their relationship turns romantic & they realize their love for one another has grown and evolved.

Ava has dreamed of being an actress since she was little. She plans to attend college at UCLA & major in film. Tucker also plans to attend college in California, but something happens to derail his plans & their lives go in different directions. Suddenly Ava has to make a choice. Stay with Tucker, or leave him to follow her dreams. She leaves him behind to go become a star & doesn’t see him for the next five years.

Ava thought time would heal her heart, but no matter how much time passed, her heart still ached for the boy she left behind. She has become an actress, but remained lonely & forever missed her soul mate. Time & distance did nothing to diminish her feelings. She still longed for the boy she walked away from.

She wanted him back, so when she’s offered the dream role to star in a film in her hometown, she’s thrilled. She heads home hoping she can win back the love of her life & have a second chance with him. She decides she won’t give up without a fight.

Ava has no clue Tucker is responsible for her return to Cincinnati. He is behind it all & wrote a novel pouring his heart out to her. It’s his story that is being made into a film in Cincinnati. He’s never stopped loving Ava & still wants a future with her. Is there too much hurt between them, or can Tucker & Ava find their way back to each other?

-“I love you. I’ve always loved you. I will always love you.”

-“My heart was always with you. It always will be.”

-“This time, its forever.”

REVIEW – FRACTURES IN INK (Clipped Wings #3) by Helena Hunting

November 22, 2016November 22, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

Sometimes the things we shouldn’t want become exactly what we need…

Waitressing at a seedy strip club isn’t ideal, but it pays Sarah Adamson’s tuition. Her goal is to finish her master’s program and get a job that doesn’t involve tight skirts and groping hands. She doesn’t need distractions. Especially not the one that comes in the form of a hot-as-sin tattoo artist who works across the street from her apartment.

Kicked out at sixteen, and a high school dropout, Chris Zelter is familiar with wanting things he can’t have. His fractured life has never been easy. As the product of someone else’s bad decisions, he knows exactly what happens when the wrong person controls your marionette strings. Now an accomplished tattoo artist in a renowned studio in Chicago, Chris has it together.

Mostly.

Apart from his infatuation with Sarah. She’s way out of his league, and Chris knows it.
But he’s willing to be her bad decision. At least for now.

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

”I like that I can feel your heart.”
“It’s all yours, baby. All you have to do is want it enough to take it.”

This was totally not what I am used to reading by the fabulous Helena Hunting. I have only read her PUCKED series and it is one of my all-time-favorite Sports Rom/Coms. Fractures in Ink was very gritty and dealt with characters who came from poverty and who have at one time or another battled with drug addiction and some people with dangerous criminal backgrounds. There weren’t any laugh out loud moments but what it does have is one pretty amazing Hero, who would do anything to protect his loved ones. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this book by the time I finished it, but I can now confirm that Ms. Hunting has some mad writing skills!! By the time all of the action starts to pick up…I was definitely hooked and couldn’t wait to see how it all would end for Chris and Sarah. Although this is the third book in the Clipped Wings series, I was able to follow along, which means it could be read as a standalone, but I definitely want to find some time to read the first two books as well.

Chris Zelter is one of the tattoo artists at Inked Armor. He’s made a name for himself and is a genuinely really good guy. That’s saying a lot because he wasn’t raised under the best of circumstances. His father left him at a pretty young age and his mother was seriously lacking in the maternal skills. When she gets involved with a new man and has another child with him, poor Chris ends up being physically and mentally abused by his stepfather while his mother withdraws completely from the situation. Eventually, Chris is thrown out of the house when he gets a little older and is able to beat the crap out of his abuser, and for a time he’s forbidden from having any contact with his little sister, Ivy. A few years later he inserts himself back into his sister’s and mother’s lives and tries to help out whenever he can since his deadbeat stepdad never seems to have any money to pay for food and bills.

The one bright spot in his life is his girlfriend, Sarah, although Chris seems to think that he’s not good enough for her and that their days are numbered. She’s enrolled in the Master’s program at Northwestern and has almost a full scholarship to pay for her education. Unfortunately, she too has had a less than stellar parental figure in her life. Her mother is basically a high priced call-girl/mistress. She was never a good role model for Sarah and actually suggests that she work part-time in a Strip club to help pay back some of her student loans. Sarah does end up taking a waitressing job at a local Strip Club and she’s been able to steer clear of the private parties and stripper pole, but her boss has been blackmailing her and unfortunately he helped her out of a jam which has left her indebted to him. Sarah fears for what her boss will want as payment and she foolishly keeps her troubles from Chris since she believes he would choose to break up with her if he found out about the mess she managed to get herself into.

The two lovers really could benefit from taking some lessons in communication. Both keep their insecurities about their relationship to themselves and also neither wants to divulge anything about their current worries because of their fears of abandonment. I found myself getting a little more than annoyed with them but then again, if they were to just open up to one another, the conflict would have ended quickly and the book would have been a novella instead. I get that we needed the unnecessary drama! But when the action starts to kick into high gear you couldn’t tear me away from the book!

FRACTURES IN INK is currently available!!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2fLQnkW
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2b68yzb
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2bH1ugY
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2biix82
iBooks: http://apple.co/1swWcJ0
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2b8TKSg
Nook: http://bit.ly/2bsjqLD

REVIEW – MAJOR LOVE (Balls In Play #2) by Kate Stewart

November 21, 2016November 29, 20161 Comment

SYNOPSIS:

“I met her at an all-time low . . . the worst night of my life—a time I never wanted to remember.”

“It was a night I could never forget.”

“When it came to women, I swore I was done with wishful thinking. Ball and my coaching career were all that mattered.”

“I reminded him it wasn’t.”

“She was everything I was afraid of.”

“He was everything I’d ever wanted.”

“She was fire—an irresistible piece of southern heaven that I couldn’t stay away from.

“He was smoke that clouded me in every imaginable way.”

“And the sex . . .”

“Dear God, the sex . . .”

“I fell hard, and she gave me hell at every turn.”

“I made a promise I was hell bent on keeping.”

“And you kept it.”

“Hell yes I did.”

“Fuckin’ A.”

This is a SPORTS ROMANCE and can be read as a stand alone.

*****Patty’s Review*****

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

”I looked into that man’s eyes and I saw him, and he was beautiful, so beautiful I fell in love on the spot. I just knew that he was something special, that he was…”

“That night, he made me promise to give my heart to a man who deserved it. He told me to make him earn it, and before I promised him that, I swore I wouldn’t waste any more time with a man who didn’t love me the same.”

This is the sixth Kate Stewart book I’ve read, and that’s not including the seven I’ve read written under her other pen name, Angelica Chase. What I’ve come to learn about this woman is that she puts her blood, sweat, and tears into every novel she writes. She never does anything half-assed. This woman went through hell while writing MAJOR LOVEand it’s apparent that the end product is nothing short of a masterpiece because of her efforts. I have no doubt Kate can write a story from any genre she attempts to tackle. Unlike its predecessor, Major Love is packed with incredible angst and a beautiful but broken Hero who will steal your heart the moment he bares his soul to you early on in the story.

Andy Pracht is Rafe’s best friend that we met in ANYTHING BUT MINOR. He’s a great guy whose only mistake in life was giving his heart to the wrong woman. Kristin was a waitress who worked in Andy’s bar and the two had formed a very close relationship but all the while Kristin was pining for Rafe, who never gave her any indication that he reciprocated her feelings. Now some may think she wasn’t a bad person but I do believe she gave Andy little snippets of hope and for that, she’ll always be the bad guy to me. The story takes off very early on when at Rafe and Alice’s engagement party, Andy has drunk himself into a stupor. When he first meets April, he is standoffish because his heart is still pretty shattered and his trust in women is nonexistent. April however, finds herself instantly attracted to Andy and even a little intrigued too.

April Turner is Alice’s next door neighbor. She works as a 911 operator and has unselfishly put her life on hold while she helps her sister, whose husband was a police officer who was killed while on duty. April moved in with her sister to help take care of her two nephews. This didn’t sit well with April’s boyfriend of almost fifteen years and ultimately led to their breakup. April is also a little gun-shy when it comes to relationships with the opposite sex, just as Andy is. But what we come to learn early on is that these two couldn’t be more perfect for each other. They are each other’s true other half.

On the night of Alice and Rafe’s engagement party, Andy splits himself wide open for April and lets her in on the soul-shattering loss he carries silently in his heart. They have one of the most intense conversations two people could ever share. It leaves a lasting impact on April and even results in her falling for Andy. The only problem is that Andy ends up having no recollection of their night together when he wakes up the next morning. He was so beyond wasted that he blacked out most of what happened the night before. Since April and Andy are the maid of honor and best man, they end up having to spend quite a bit of time together and ultimately they are unable to fight the building attraction between them. I would rate the steam between these two – TEN PANTY MELTING STARS!!

But everything is not all hearts and flowers for our couple. April tries to protect her heart because she believes that Andy is still in love with Kristin and that she’ll never win his love. Andy has vowed that he will never be with a woman who doesn’t put him first in her heart and for some reason, he questions whether April can be that person. So the two spend a lot of time being clueless and even ridiculous but oh how it makes for some serious angst!!

Will Andy and April eventually get their act together??!! Well, you’re going to have to read this one to find out!

If you love a good Sports Romance that is laugh-out-loud hilarious, panty melting inducing and will leave you swooning like a love sick fool, then you really need to one-click this little gem!!

MAJOR LOVE is currently available!!

Amazon: http://bit.ly/majorlovekindle
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2fub8or
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2gcwNlu
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2fXs2JM

*****Dee’s Review*****

5 ++++ ~My Carolina Girl~ Stars*****

( ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review)
(BR with Mel & Patty)

I had a blast reading this book! Major Love was nothing but romance and fun, and I can see myself re-reading this book a million times more. Simply AMAZING!!!

Andy is Rafe’s best friend, we met him in the first book of this series. He is a retired baseball player, who loves to brew amazing beer, runs a very successful bar in Charleston and is in love with his best friend Kristina. The problem is, that Kristina is in love with Rafe and since he can’t reciprocate the love, and to avoid hurting Andy’s feelings, she decides to leave the city and move to Atlanta with her son, leaving Andy devastated.

Rafe and Alice are getting married and as their best friends, April is the maid of Honor and Andy is serving as the best man. On the night of the engagement party April and Andy meet, they are instantly attracted to each other, but both of them have been burned by love before, so their first meeting turns out to be both passionate and disastrous.

Andy can hardly contain himself around April. She’s funny, beautiful, voluptuous and her southern accent is so sexy to him, he feels like she’s dangerous to his health. April too is super attracted to Andy’s athletic good looks and ginger hair, he is also super sweet, and she just melts every time she’s around him.

These two start hanging out a lot in order to help Alice plan the wedding, and by the time the big event rolls around, Andy and April are done controlling themselves and just give into the passion that’s been brewing between them for months. The problem is, that Andy is moving away since he accepted the position of coach and April has promised not to settle for a guy again; she has a lot going on with her life and family, and can’t afford to lose her heart again.

Can Andy and April do the long distance thing, and keep the relationship casual? Or will they fall helplessly in love and once again sacrifice everything in the name of love?

Author Kate Stewart is a genius when it comes to writing rom-com. Her humor is so bright and sassy, causing big belly laughs as you read this book. Also, the woman can write sexy, and I mean hot, sizzling, passionate scenes, so you see, the perfect combination in a story.

When a book can make you giggly happy and melt your heart and every other part of your body, that’s a winner to me, and Major Love was that, a total hit!!!!

A book so wonderful I wish I could gift a copy to every single person on this planet, so they too, can feel the happiness I felt when I read this book.

Don’t wait any longer and pick up this amazing series today. Both books in this series are sports themed romances to perfection.

My Major Love music playlist:
*I was made For Loving You by Kina Grannis
*Wings by Birdy
*Save Room by John Legend
*At Last by Etta James
*Love On The Weekend by John Mayer

*****Mel’s Review*****
5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
(BR with Dee & Patty)

April Turner is a beautiful woman from Charlston, SC who is a 911 operator. She broke things off several months ago with her boyfriend after 15 years together. Now single, she wants it all next time she puts her heart on the line. She wants passion & to be #1 to the man she gives her heart to.

April attends an engagement party for her friends Rafe & Alice. She meets the best man Andrew Pracht. Andy is gorgeous & she enjoys flirting with him. After a few drinks he over shared a bit with April. It’s clear he’s suffering from a broken heart, but he’s raw, open & honest, and April kinda falls for him a little.

As maid of honor & best man, Andy & April help out with wedding preparations for Rafe & Alice. As they spend time together they really enjoy each other’s company. Andy doesn’t remember pouring his heart out to April & April longs for the sweet, open man who she connected with a few nights ago.

Andy is retired from playing minor league baseball for the Charlston Swampgators, & owns a bar where he brews his own beer. He recently fell for a woman who didn’t return his affections. He wanted to find his forever woman who had the type of heart he craved, but was now a little gun shy with women. He wanted to be in a relationship, but things never seemed to work out for him.

As April & Andy work together for their friends wedding they just click. They share an intense attraction & connection. They finally give in to their desire & are explosive together. The sex is incredibly & they love being together. Soon real feelings blindside them both & they have to decide what they are to one another. April has Andy’s attention, but decides she wants his heart. Will Andy take the leap & put his heart out there again?

-She was the epitome of everything I wanted in a woman.

-Her jokes, I got them. Her sarcasm, I adored it. Her sassy mouth, I kissed it every chance I got. Her moans, I would never stop working for. Her heart… well, I wanted it.

-Andy is the kind of man I’ve wanted my whole life.

-Andy had me, heart and soul.

I adored Andy in Anything But Minor & was desperate for more. Kate definitely delivers in Major Love. She did something I didn’t think was even possible & made me love him even more than my Rafe. Andy is such a beautiful soul. He’s a swoony, gentle, kind, loving, hot as hell man! Gorgeous inside & out. I fell hard for Brew Master Andy and his big heart! Loved this book so much! I need a book for a Rowdy next! :))

REVIEW – LIFE AS WE KNOW IT (Love Not Included #4) by J.D. Hollyfield

November 19, 2016November 19, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

**THIS BOOK CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE**

Life has not been easy for Penelope Summers. Specifically, the last month, when her high-profile boyfriend dumped her, her indecent exposure record surfaced, and her favorite thing in the world, tequila, failed her.

Good thing for Penelope, she has her best friend to pick her up, and take her on the vacation of a lifetime. A seven-day cruise that will change the direction of her downward spiral. But will that spiral shift in the direction Penelope needs? Or will it throw her into a bigger whirlwind of trouble?

With Reckless Abandon as her motto, tequila as her wingman, and a hot one-night stand as her much needed reward, will the tables finally turn for Penelope, or will life as she knows it continue to fail her?

Sometimes you just have to ride the wave of crazy to find out.

*****Patty’s Review*****

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

This story was filled with belly-aching laughs, sweetness, steam, and even suspense. I have to say it was not what I was expecting. Now after having read a book by J.D. Hollyfield, I can confirm that she has a flair for comedy. Her heroine had me laughing out loud numerous times throughout reading this story. I loved how she and her bestie were always up for crazy adventures and weren’t afraid to let loose every now and then. The romance aspect, although having the insta-love factor, was still packed with some swoon-worthy moments and delicious steam.

Penelope Summers finds herself on a cruise to the Bahamas with her bestie after having been unceremoniously dumped by her douche boyfriend. While on this cruise they meet a group of hotties who are there for an extended bachelor party. When Penny meets the best man Sam, the sparks are instantly flying. One thing leads to another and they end up having one wild night between the sheets. The next morning, Penny is rushing out of Sam’s suite in order to do the walk of shame. She’s never been the kind of girl to have a one night stand but doesn’t regret that time with Sam. Penny never expected to see Sam again, so she is nearly knocked on her butt when she walks into a meeting at work, two days later and comes face to face with her company’s new client—Sam Dresden.

Sam lets it be known that he is more than pleased to see Penny again and he makes quick work of requesting that she take the lead on his project and asks her boss to loan out her services for a while. Penny tries to keep things all business at first because she hasn’t had luck with men who come from wealth and believes that she would be nothing more than a temporary plaything to Sam. This only makes Sam more determined to win her heart. Soon enough she’s giving in to her attraction for him and these two are heating it up on the bed, couch, conference table, up against Sam’s office window…I think you can get the gist of it, these two are more than hot for each other.

But someone has it out for Penny and they won’t be satisfied until all her happiness is taken from her. Incriminating photos land in the hands of Sam and then later with Penny, which stirs up mistrust and hurt between the both of them. I pretty much had this all figured out quickly but didn’t expect all the action and suspense towards the end.

If you’re in need of some laughs with a healthy side of steam, then Life As We Know It is one to check out. I found the story to be entertaining and my only issue was the insta-love and how Sam’s vocabulary often sounded like that of a stuffy old man.

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT is currently available.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2eUie4S
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2eQ2Djd
iBooks: http://apple.co/2fJsz2j
Nook: http://bit.ly/2g7uGk6

REVIEW – MORE THAN FRIENDS (Friends #2) by Monica Murphy

November 18, 2016November 18, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

He’s not perfect, but he’s all I want…

I’m your average girl at your average high school, trying to figure out my place in life. After catching my now ex-boyfriend messing around with my now ex-best friend, I’ve made some big changes. No more band, no more backstabbing friends and no more boring old life. Now I have new friends, a new job and new interests.

But there’s a certain someone who’s interested in me, and I don’t get it. Jordan Tuttle could have anyone he wants. He’s the most popular boy in school. Rich, gorgeous, smart and the star quarterback, he’s perfect. Yet he acts like he wants no one else but…me.

So despite my fears and doubt, I let him get close. Probably too close. I discover that he’s not so perfect after all, but it doesn’t matter. I’m falling for him, even though he runs so hot and cold. I know someday he’s going to break my heart.

And I’m going to let him.

*****Mel’s Review*****

4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)

Amanda Winters is a 17 yr. old high school senior who recently made a lot of changes to her life. After catching her ex cheating, she started hanging out with a new group of friends. She quit the band, has a new job & has recently shared some amazing kisses with the most popular, hottest guy in school. Jordan Tuttle is the guy every girl wants. He’s rich, gorgeous, smart & the star quarterback. He’s a mystery to most. Never lets anyone too close & is mostly known for throwing killer parties & casual hookups.

When Jordan lets Mandy know he’s interested in something more with her, she questions his sincerity. He’s Jordan Tuttle & they live such different lives. He pursues her hard & she continues to resist. She thinks they aren’t a good match, & are just a bad idea. Jordan wants to be in her life & be with her. He’s had a crush on her for years & she challenges him & makes him smile. He could have anyone he wants, & he’s on a mission to make Mandy his girl. He’s a distraction she doesn’t need. She should be focused on school, her job, and her future, not Jordan Tuttle, but he’s slowly getting to her, & working his way into her heart. As they start to go public as a couple, Mandy has to face her own insecurities & go after what she wants.

-Commitment is a dirty word in my vocabulary. I never wanted it before. Yet I want it with Amanda.

-I’d give her every piece of me. All she has to do is say the word and I’m hers.

I really loved Jordan Tuttle!!! In the last book, he was more secretive & we didn’t know much about him. We learn more about his life & family and find out how crazy he is about Mandy. I loved how he acted like nobody existed but her. He was all in & totally swoony. Jordan decides he wants a relationship with Mandy & will do whatever it takes to convince her what they have is real and he won’t hurt her. At the same time, Mandy tries to show Jordan she’s someone he can count on & trust as well. I really enjoyed this story & love Tuttle & Mandy as a couple! :))

REVIEW – HEAT WAVE by Karina Halle

November 18, 2016November 18, 2016Leave a comment

SYNOPSIS:

They say when life closes one door, another one opens.
This door happens to lead to paradise.
And a man I can never, ever have.

~~~

Still grieving the loss of her sister who died two years ago, the last thing Veronica “Ronnie” Locke needed was to lose her job at one of Chicago’s finest restaurants and have to move back in with her parents. So when a window of opportunity opens for her – running a kitchen at a small Hawaiian hotel – she’d be crazy not to take it.

The only problem is, the man running the hotel drives her crazy:
Logan Shephard.
It doesn’t matter that he’s got dark brown eyes, a tall, muscular build that’s sculpted from daily surfing sessions, and a deep Australian accent that makes your toes curl.
What does matter is that he’s a grump.
Kind of an asshole, too.
And gets under Ronnie’s skin like no one else.

But the more time Ronnie spends on the island of Kauai, falling in love with the lush land and its carefree lifestyle, the closer she gets to Logan. And the closer she gets to Logan, the more she realizes she may have pegged him all wrong. Maybe it’s the hot, steamy jungles or the invigorating ocean air, but soon their relationship becomes utterly intoxicating.

There’s just one major catch.

The two of them together would incite a scandal neither Ronnie, nor her family, would ever recover from.

Forbidden, Illicit, off-limits – sometimes the heat is worth surrendering to, even if you get burned.

Note: this is a standalone novel, unrelated to any previous books. It does NOT contain cheating of any kind.

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****FOUR STARS*****
{ARC Provided by Author via Inkslinger PR}

The darkness and the doubt and the guilt are banished for this sweet moment. It’s just us, all of our flaws and imperfections exposed. It’s us and we’re in this together, stronger for it. I’m starting to think this man is my world. I’m starting to think he’ll never not be.

I have been dying to read and review a Karina Halle book since I started blogging last year and finally I’ve gotten my chance. I knew that Ms. Halle was a very talented writer because I’ve read the Artist Trilogy series and thought it was one of the most original and well-written stories I’ve come across. That series contained characters who were seriously flawed and guilty of some despicable acts but somehow Karina made you feel for them and ultimately root for their happily ever after. Heat Wave had some of those same elements. The main characters were truly flawed and I have to say I was a bit angry at one of them for almost the entire first half of the book. This is a tale of forbidden love and how it can be messy and challenging, but ultimately it can be freeing as well.

Veronica “Ronnie” Locke, is the youngest daughter of a Chicago politician. She has always lived in the shadows of her older, more beautiful, and utterly perfect sister, Juliet. Ronnie went through life feeling less than her sister, and her mothers constant ridiculing didn’t help the situation either. One night at a political fundraising party, Ronnie notices a handsome stranger. They end up chatting and just when they’re about to leave the party early together, Juliet enters the room and steals the man’s attention right out from under Ronnie’s nose. I was so upset at this point because I had a feeling this guy was going to be the Hero in the story and the fact that he just dropped Ronnie in a hot second for her older sister really had me furious!

Seven years later, Juliet was in a car accident that took her life, and Ronnie is being shipped off to her sister and brother-in-law’s Hotel & Resort in Kauai, Hawaii, to take the job as one of the chefs at their restaurant. Ronnie had some drama at her last place of employment which ended up putting her on the blacklist with most of the restaurants in Chicago. A change of scenery might be just what she needs. But the thought of seeing Logan Shepard again is leaving her with a mixed bag of feelings. Her sister once told her in confidence that Logan had been cheating on her. Ronnie has a tremendous amount of animosity towards Logan for the adultery, and even deeper than that, for choosing Juliet over her all those years ago. She also can’t deny that she still has held on to her feelings of deep attraction for him as well. This has her struggling with guilt for quite a while. I, on the other hand, thought she was the victim in this whole mess and that she had no reason to feel any guilt.

Logan and Ronnie’s reunion on Kauai is anything but pleasant. You can feel the heat from the animosity and dare I say, pent up attraction, burning from most of the chapters during the first half of the book. Ronnie tries to hold on to her anger but every time she’s in Logan’s presence she can’t deny how insanely attracted she still is to this sexy and often surly man. Being on one of the most romantic islands and having to spend a lot of time together will inevitably spark fireworks between our tumultuous couple, and let me just give praise to the author for writing some of the most highly erotic scenes that had me in need of a few cold showers!! Anger turns to scorching hot desire and soon the couple is faced with a huge dilemma. How to pursue something deeper when there is such taboo engulfing their coupling?

I was enthralled by this story and found the writing to be superb. My reason for not giving this a five-star rating was due to the fact that I still held a grudge towards Logan for being like everyone else in Ronnie’s life by being blinded by Juliet’s fake charm and beauty. Even though he does become beyond swoon worthy and he explains his poor judgment call in the beginning, I found that my heart was still a bit broken by his actions and I couldn’t completely forgive him. But that’s just indicative of how well this story is written. The author invoked really strong emotions from me and for that, I would give her five stars!!!

HEAT WAVE is currently available. I am sure that Karina Halle fans and those who may be first-time readers of hers, will find this one to be truly decadent and wildly entertaining.

AMAZON: http://bit.ly/HEATWAVE-KH-Kindle
Paperback: http://www.bit.ly/HEATWAVE-PB
iBooks: http://bit.ly/HEATWAVE-iTunes
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heat-…

REVIEW – MANAGED (VIP #2) by Kristen Callihan

November 17, 2016November 17, 20162 Comments

SYNOPSIS:

It started off as a battle of wits. Me: the ordinary girl with a big mouth against Him: the sexy bastard with a big…ego.

I thought I’d hit the jackpot when I was upgraded to first class on my flight to London.

That is until HE sat next to me. Gabriel Scott: handsome as sin, cold as ice. Nothing and no one gets to him. Ever. He’s a legend in his own right, the manager of the biggest rock band in the world, and an arrogant ass who looks down his nose at me.

I thought I’d give him hell for one, long flight. I didn’t expect to like him. I didn’t expect to want him. But the biggest surprise? He wants me too. Only in a way I didn’t see coming.

If I accept his proposal, I leave myself open to falling for the one man I can’t manage. But I’m tempted to say yes. Because the real man beneath those perfect suits and that cool façade just might be the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And I just might be the only one who can melt the ice around his heart.

Let the battle begin…

*****Patty’s Review*****

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

I didn’t have a home until she came into my life. She gave me one without hesitation as if she’s been waiting for me all this time, knowing I was meant to be hers. I touch her cheek just to remind myself she’s real.

Yet again I am left in awe of the writing talents of Kristen Callihan. I don’t think there has been a book that I’ve read of hers that I haven’t loved. MANAGED was one of my most highly anticipated books of 2016 because ever since Gabriel Scott was introduced in IDOL, I had been beyond fascinated with the man!! Firstly, he’s British, and most importantly he’s described as being David Gandy’s doppelganger…SAY NO MORE!!!! Ms. Callihan did not disappoint me with this one…if anything she far exceeded my expectations! I devoured this book and honestly I wished it could have gone on forever because I’m still not ready to let Gabriel go and don’t even get me started on Sophie!! I really loved that vivacious heroine!!

Sophie Darling is on a seven-hour flight bound for London where she has a job interview lined up. It seems as though lady luck has given her a break when her ticket is upgraded to the first class section. Things get even more interesting when she ends up being seated next to the most stunning gentleman she’s ever seen. But the man is a bit uptight and put out over the fact that she’s in the seat next to him when he specifically purchased the ticket for the adjacent seat so that he wouldn’t have to sit next to anyone. Sophie, being the saucy chick that she is, decides to have a bit of fun with her uptight travel companion. The flight is anything but boring for Gabriel and Sophie. It even gets a little steamy at one point when their seats are turned into a double bed and Scottie is in need of some cuddling to help ease his anxiety attack. Gabriel is not a fan of flying because of his panic attacks and somehow Sophie becomes attuned to his predicament and has the compelling need to soothe him.

During the flight, they find out that Sophie is actually interviewing for the job as social media photographer/director for Kill John. After having basically rubbed up on Gabriel during the flight, Sophie is just a tad bit mortified to find out that he is her potential employer, but that’s not even her biggest problem. Embarrassing moments aside, Sophie and Gabriel soon form a special bond that has the gang raising their eyebrows. Gabriel has always kept a cool and professional demeanor. Always keeping everyone at arm’s length and never letting anyone in. Now Sophie has done the impossible—she’s broken through his barriers and has completely captivated Gabriel.

They end up striking a very unconventional arrangement when Gabriel is desperate to get some sleep and it seems the only way he’s able to do so is when Sophie is cuddled up in his arms. So these two agree to shack up together — but only to cuddle!! I was literally about to BURST from the sexual frustration!!! I don’t know how these two managedsee what I did there?, to keep from ripping each other’s clothes off and going at it!!! But let me tell you, the delicious sexual tension is freaking all-consuming and I promise you that you will find it hard to put this book down!! I have to note that the panty sniffing scene in the bathroom had me just about melting in my own pool of desire!! HOLY FREAKING HOTNESS!!!!

I don’t want to say much more because this is a book to be enjoyed and savored! Take your time and bask in the awesomeness of this story! All I can say is that we have plenty in store for us in this series as there are more band members whose stories are waiting to be told!!

MANAGED is available now!! Don’t wait to one-click! I promise you will want to get your hands on it because there’s no way you won’t fall in love with Mr. Gabriel Scott!

AMAZON ➜ http://amzn.to/2dmProC
iBooks ➜ http://apple.co/2dMc86i
B&N ➜ http://bit.ly/2diWDly
KOBO ➜ http://bit.ly/2dyFHoS.
Paperback ➜ http://amzn.to/2fucFcr

Wrapped Up In Reading

Category: Uncategorized

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REVIEW – YOUR INESCAPABLE LOVE (The Bennett Family #4) by Layla Hagen

REVIEW – WORDS I COULDN’T SAY (Promise in Prose, #1) by Tessa Teevan

REVIEW – FRACTURES IN INK (Clipped Wings #3) by Helena Hunting

REVIEW – MAJOR LOVE (Balls In Play #2) by Kate Stewart

REVIEW – LIFE AS WE KNOW IT (Love Not Included #4) by J.D. Hollyfield

REVIEW – MORE THAN FRIENDS (Friends #2) by Monica Murphy

REVIEW – HEAT WAVE by Karina Halle

REVIEW – MANAGED (VIP #2) by Kristen Callihan

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