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Review – Rocked By Love

08 Wednesday Mar 2023

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Rocked By Love

The Bradens & Montgomerys

by Melissa Foster

Releasing March 8, 2023

World Literary Press

Blurb:

What happens when a rock star with no plans of settling down finds out he has a teenage daughter, his manager is embezzling from him, and the woman he’s hired to design his tour wardrobe is breathing fire? Come along for the snarky, emotional, and insanely sexy ride as Jillian and Johnny get caught up in a storm that just might be bigger than both of them.

Jillian Braden’s quick, creative thinking and fierce determination have helped her singlehandedly build a fashion empire. She doesn’t mince words and demands respect, but beneath all that armor, she carries the Braden curse of a soft heart. But that soft heart isn’t looking to start a family and doesn’t know the first thing about mollycoddling. When famed rock star Johnny Bad hires her to design his tour wardrobe and then postpones it at the last minute for the third time, she’s had enough. Jillian is determined to set him straight, but she isn’t at all prepared for what she finds or for the type of help Johnny Bad really needs.

Scorching heat, laugh-out-loud humor, and an abundance of swoon-worthy moments make this sexy new standalone romance by New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melissa Foster unputdownable. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and happily ever afters guaranteed to leave you breathlessly in love with the fiercely loyal and wickedly naughty characters in the Love in Bloom series. All Love in Bloom books are written to stand alone or be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right in and enjoy the ride!

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25317330-rocked-by-love-a-braden-bad-boys-after-dark-crossover-novel

Goodreads series link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/151180-the-bradens-montgomerys-pleasant-hill—oak-falls

Buy Links:

KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/RL_Kindle

APPLE: http://smarturl.it/RL_Apple

NOOK: http://smarturl.it/RL_Nook

KOBO: http://smarturl.it/RL_Kobo 

GPLAY: http://smarturl.it/RL_GPlay

PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/RL_Pb

SPECIAL EDITION: https://melissafoster.com/books/rocked-by-love-special/

Also available in audio narrated by Aiden Snow and Savannah Peachwood 

AUDIBLE:  https://smarturl.it/RLa_Audible

AMAZON: https://smarturl.it/RLa_Amazon

APPLE: https://smarturl.it/RLa_AppleBooks

*****

Excerpt:

Read Sneak Peek here, https://melissafoster.com/rocked-by-love-sneak-peek/

*****

Review:

Next to Tru Blue, I think this was my favorite Melissa Foster book. Johnny is just all around awesome – he makes mistakes, but he has such a huge heart and really wants to be the best person he can be. He’s had a lot thrown at him all at once, but he steps up and does what needs to be done …. including taking on the sexy little spitfire yelling at him about cancelling a meeting yet again. With patience, understanding, and persistence, he’ll prove he’s in it for the long haul.

I’ve read a decent number of Foster’s books, but this is only the second of the Braden books so while I’ve met Jilly before it wasn’t all that much. She turned out to be just a spunky as I’d expected her to be, tho. She owns her sexuality, her smarts, and her spirit, giving Johnny both attitude and assistance in spades. She’s not going to let him get away with anything, but she also recognizes what we do – that he’s a genuinely good guy that’s doing the best he can. Together they can get through just about anything that life throws at them and I’m here for every minute of it.

I gotta say that the blurb doesn’t lie – Rocked By Love is full to the brim with humor, heat, and heart. Foster really hit it out the park with this one, delivering well-developed characters that seem so real and a story that is guaranteed to touch your heart. (And Johnny’s dirty mouth definitely doesn’t hurt!)

~part of a series but can be read as a stand alone – although there’s a lot of characters that were introduced in other books, enough info was given that I mostly figured out what’s going on~

*****

Author Info:

Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

Website:  http://www.melissafoster.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Melissa_Foster

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster

Newsletter: http://melissafoster.com/newsletter/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-foster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissafoster_author/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissafoster_author

*****

Series Links:

EMBRACING HER HEART (Book 1)
KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/EHH_Kindle
APPLE: http://apple.co/2vDGJbO
KOBO: http://smarturl.it/EHH_Kobo
NOOK: http://smarturl.it/EHH_Nook
GPLAY: http://bit.ly/2gLs8IZ
PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/EHH_Pb
Also in Audio book (narrated by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York)
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/EHH_Amazon
Apple: http://smarturl.it/EHH_iBooks
Audible: http://smarturl.it/EHH_Audible

ANYTHING FOR LOVE (Book 2)
KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/AFL_Kindle
APPLE: http://apple.co/2wkOgQ2
KOBO: http://smarturl.it/AFL_Kobo
NOOK: http://smarturl.it/AFL_Nook
GPLAY: http://bit.ly/2gr852M
PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/AFL_Pb
Also in Audio book (narrated by Ava Erickson and Zachary Webber)
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/AFL_aa
Apple: http://smarturl.it/AFL_aib
Audible: http://smarturl.it/AFL_aud

TRAILS OF LOVE (Book 3) 
KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/TOL_Ki
APPLE: https://apple.co/2FU6RoA
KOBO: http://smarturl.it/TOL_Ko
NOOK: http://smarturl.it/tol_n 
GPLAY: http://bit.ly/2HPyRKF
PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/TOL__Pb
Also in Audio book (narrated by Virginia Rose and Aaron Shedlock)
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/TOLa_Amazon
Apple: http://smarturl.it/TOLa_Apple
Audible: http://smarturl.it/TOL_Audible

WILD, CRAZY HEARTS (Book 4)
KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/WCH_Kindle 
APPLE: http://smarturl.it/WCH_iBooks 
KOBO: http://smarturl.it/WCH_Kobo 
NOOK: http://smarturl.it/WCH_Nook 
GPLAY: http://smarturl.it/WCH_GPlay 
PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/WCH_Pb 
Also in Audio Book (narrated by Savannah Peachwood and Brian Pallino)
Amazon: https://smarturl.it/WCHa_Amazon 
Apple: https://smarturl.it/WCHa_Apple 
Audible: https://smarturl.it/WCHa_Audible

MAKING YOU MINE (Book 5) 
KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/MYM_Kindle
APPLE: http://smarturl.it/MYM_Apple
KOBO: http://smarturl.it/MYM_Kobo
NOOK: http://smarturl.it/MYM_Nook
GPLAY: http://smarturl.it/MYM_GPlay
PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/MYM_Pb
Also in Audio book (narrated by Andi Arndt and Jason Clarke)
Amazon – https://smarturl.it/MYMa_Amazon
Apple – https://smarturl.it/MYMa_Apple
Audible – https://smarturl.it/MYMa_Audible

SEARCHING FOR LOVE (Book 6)
KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/SFL_Kindle
APPLE: http://smarturl.it/SFL_Apple
NOOK: http://smarturl.it/SFL_Nook
KOBO: http://smarturl.it/SFL_Kobo 
GPLAY: http://smarturl.it/SFL_GPlay
PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/SFL_Pb
Also in audio book (narrated by Brian Pallino and Savannah Peachwood)
AMAZON: https://smarturl.it/SFLa_Amazon
APPLE: https://smarturl.it/SFLa_Apple
AUDIBLE:  https://smarturl.it/SFLa_Audible

HOT FOR LOVE (Book 7) 
KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/HFL_Kindle
APPLE: http://smarturl.it/HFL_Apple
NOOK: http://smarturl.it/HFL_Nook
KOBO: http://smarturl.it/HFL_Kobo
GPLAY: http://smarturl.it/HFL_GPlay
PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/HFL_Pb
Also in audio book (narrated by Savannah Peachwood and Aiden Snow)
AMAZON: https://smarturl.it/HFLa_Amazon
APPLE: https://smarturl.it/HFLa_Apple
AUDIBLE: https://smarturl.it/HFLa_Audible

SWEET, SEXY HEART (Book 8) 
KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/SSH_Kindle
APPLE: http://smarturl.it/SSH_Apple
NOOK: http://smarturl.it/SSH_Nook
KOBO: http://smarturl.it/SSH_Kobo
GPLAY: http://smarturl.it/SSH_GPlay
PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/SSH_Pb
Also in audio book (narrated by Tim Paige and Meg Sylvan)
AMAZON: https://smarturl.it/SSHa_Amazon
APPLE: https://smarturl.it/SSHa_Apple
AUDIBLE:  https://smarturl.it/SSHa_Audible

THEN CAME LOVE (Book 9)
KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/TCL_Kindle
APPLE: http://smarturl.it/TCL_Apple
NOOK: http://smarturl.it/TCL_Nook
KOBO: http://smarturl.it/TCL_Kobo
GPLAY: http://smarturl.it/TCL_GP
PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/TCL_Pb
Also in audio book (narrated by Aiden Snow and Meg Sylvan)
AMAZON: https://smarturl.it/TCLa_Amazon
APPLE: https://smarturl.it/TCLa_Apple
AUDIBLE:  https://smarturl.it/TCLa_Audible

Pre-order today! 
FALLING FOR MR. BAD (Book 11) 
Kindle: https://lnk.to/FFMB_Kindle
Apple: https://lnk.to/FFMB_Apple
Nook: https://lnk.to/FFMB_Nook
Kobo: https://lnk.to/FFMB_Kobo
GPlay: https://lnk.to/FFMB_GPlay
*Paperback and Audio coming soon

~

Review – Matchmaking a Roommate

03 Friday Mar 2023

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Matchmaking a Roommate

Highland Hills series

by Angela Casella & Denise Grover Swank

Blurb:

He’s her next makeover project. She’s his next mistake.

Ivy

I’m Ivy Anders, popular romance novelist and small-town success story. Or so they say. I tell myself I’m only back in my hometown because my father had a heart attack, but that’s not the full story.

I can’t go home. And the longer I stay, the less I want to. I’m drawn in by my part-time job at Ziggy brewery, which I took to research for my next book, and by the mystery of Lou, my father’s stuffy lodger, a temporary transplant from New York.

Normally, I wouldn’t look twice at someone like Lou. He’s a rules guy, and I’ve never met a rule I didn’t want to break just for the fun of it. But it’s obvious he needs an intervention to avoid becoming an old man at thirty-four, and I am going to make that happen.

Lou

I came to Highland Hills to hide. It’s not every day a man loses his professional integrity, his fiancée, and his pet fish all in the same week.

The last thing I want is for smoking hot Ivy Anders to get it into her head that I should be her project. But she has, and it’s hard as hell to say no to her. Believe me, I’ve tried.

The more time we spend together, the more I realize that I have another problem on my hands: Ivy’s everything I’m not—young and wild and free—and she’s all I can think about.

*****

Review:

I’ll be honest, I expected Ivy to get on my nerves. There’s something about “party girls who have commitment issues” that usually comes off more as flighty and annoying, but Ivy was actually fun. She had a sense of adventure and a penchant for poking her nose in where it doesn’t belong (mostly to have an excuse to not look at her own troubles). She’s a good foil for Lou’s more serious demeanor and tendency to be a little too responsible. As their relationship develops and turns into something more, they blend together well. Ivy’s issues because of her childhood and the way she was treated by her mother were definitely going to prove to be a stumbling block but it’s done in a way that left me very satisfied.

With quirky humor, steamy (and sometimes surprising) sexy time, and a very Ivy & Lou HEA, Matchmaking a Roommate finishes the Highland Hills on a high note … with just enough of a hint to tease us about what comes next.

(Part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone.)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review – Cannon

28 Tuesday Feb 2023

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Cannon

Pittsburgh Titans series

by Sawyer Bennett

Blurb:

Cannon West left his hockey playing days behind to care for his dying wife but has since found success on the other side of the bench. Now, as the youngest head coach in league history, he’s hoping to lead the Pittsburgh Titans to a winning season. The last thing he’s looking for is a relationship, but life sometimes takes us in another direction.

The Pittsburgh Titans are still working to move on from the tragic plane crash that forever changed the landscape of their organization. Having lost my wife, I know all about grief and the guilt of survival which makes me uniquely equipped to take this team to the next level. From the very first time I stepped inside the Titans’ arena, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.

New to town, I’m still establishing my routine, but I have the most important aspect under control—the coffee shop where I stop on my way to the arena every morning. A strong cup of java and the gorgeous manager who I can’t help but chat up is quickly becoming my favorite way to start the day. But no matter how much I enjoy the blush that stains Ava Cavanaugh’s cheeks with my admittedly awkward attempt at flirting, I know it will never be more than brazen banter with a new friend. My job consumes almost all my time, and I know firsthand what that level of commitment can do to a relationship.

That doesn’t mean I’m not open to some fun. My career comes first, but Ava understands my boundaries. The only problem is that once I give into her temptation, the rules I set for myself become blurred, and my mixed signals hurt Ava—the one thing I promised I wouldn’t do. I’ve put myself in what seems to be an untenable situation, but I’ve faced those before. Now I need to find the strength to move past my fears, or risk losing my second chance at love with the woman who has stolen my heart.

All books in the Pittsburgh Titans series can be read as standalones. See the entire series here: https://sawyerbennett.com/bookstore/the-pittsburgh-titans-series/

Download Cannon: A Pittsburgh Titans Novel
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jIoTiV
Nook: https://bit.ly/3xvyLER
Apple: https://apple.co/3uHwGnB
Google: https://bit.ly/3Ef1O0U
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3JEJNdq
Print: https://amzn.to/3mB5h1U 

Buy the digital and signed paperback direct from Sawyer Bennett: https://bit.ly/STORE_Cannon
(Digital files will be delivered via BookFunnel and sent to the device of your choosing)

*****

Review:

Ava moved to Pittsburgh because of a man and unfortunately it didn’t take long for her to realize what a mistake he was. But she’s making the best of her situation, working to get herself back on her feet. And, sure, a little distraction in the morning thanks to the hottie that comes in every day for coffee doesn’t hurt. Especially once she realizes that maybe it’s a little more than flirting … When a simple date turns out to be more life changing than she expects, Ava has to decide how she’s going to move forward.

Returning readers get a glimpse of what really happened in Cannon’s marriage and how it impacts his views on his job & relationships. It’s caused him to be concerned about how those things can work together and so he makes sure that he’s up front about how much he can give to Ava. It’s pretty obvious that Cannon is all talk tho and pretty much only fooling himself. He’s quickly falling for her and it’s just a matter of time before he figures it out. Readers know there’s going to be at least a few bumps before he gets there – best to just settle in and see how long it takes him to get his act together 🙂

I appreciated how supportive Cannon is to Ava, really listening to her and abiding by her wishes. He’s there for her, willing to help in any way he can, but recognizing her need to handle things herself. He brings to the rest of his life the same skills that make him an amazing head coach and while may have a bit of a blind spot when it comes to himself, he definitely knows how to be there for others.

Bennett has always delivered delightfully steam, funny, and sweet reads and Cannon is no different. While I would have liked to have seen more of their flirtation at the coffee shop, and things move pretty quickly once Cannon makes a move, I enjoyed getting to know him and Ava better. I look forward to seeing what she has in store next for our beloved Titans.

(Part of a series and while probably more enjoyable if read in order all of them can be read as a standalone – I’ve missed one or two and it’s been OK.)

*****

Author Info:

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

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

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

Connect with Sawyer:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_FB  
Reader group: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_NEP  
TikTok: https://bit.ly/Sawyer_TOK      
Instagram: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_IG
Website: www.sawyerbennett.com
Newsletter: http://sawyerbennett.com/signup
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_GR

*****

Review – The Backup Plan

21 Saturday Jan 2023

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The Backup Plan

Sunrise Cove #3

by Jill Shalvis

Blurb:

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Sunrise Cove with a heartwarming tale of three people who are bought together when they’re bequeathed an old Wild West inn that has the potential to pull their lives apart, but instead turns into the gift of a lifetime.

When Alice receives a call about an unexpected windfall, she’s stunned to learn the gift is a falling-apart-at-the-seams old Wild West B&B she once considered home–and she’s inherited it along with two strangers. Except they weren’t always strangers. Once upon a time, they were friends. One is her ex-BFF Lauren. The other is Knox, the only guy to ever break her heart, all while never even knowing she existed.

It turns out their lives are unknowingly entangled because they once separately helped the same woman without expecting anything in return. Years later, Alice, Lauren, and Knox are broken in their own way, with their own history–and secrets– causing them to start out on the wrong foot with each other. But according to the will, they must renovate and be partners in the inn for one year or else lose their inheritance.

Stuck together, they make a list of rules to keep the peace–rules that end up doing the opposite, but by some miracle they find what they didn’t even know they were looking for–acceptance, true friendship, and in a case (or two!), true love.

~

Review:

Shalvis’s newest may be more women’s fiction than romance, but it definitely doesn’t scrimp on the feels. Alice is back in her hometown to reluctantly face her past, including her former best friend and her high school crush. For a woman who is quite good at running away from difficult situations, the next few weeks stuck together in the same house is guaranteed to be difficult. Luckily, Knox is amazingly centered and calm, able to handle Lauren’s self-doubt & scattered moments as well as Alice’s prickliness so that they manage to renovate Eleanor’s house … and something more.

Drama, love, healing, and friendship all mix together with a liberal dash of humor to delightfully entertain readers, as these three find their HEA in a meandering and satisfying way. There’s guilt, hurt feelings, and misunderstandings, but also a chance to finally make peace with themselves and each other.

(Part of a series but only in that it is set in the same community.)

Review – Just Say When

09 Monday Jan 2023

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Just Say When

by Aimee Nicole Walker

Blurb:

Someone wants Police Chief Emilio Mendoza dead. And if his unknown assailant doesn’t kill him, pining for Sheriff Abraham Beecham just might.

Abe and Lio’s thirty-year journey has taken them from heated rivals to best friends with countless labels and pit stops along the way. Romance is the only avenue left unexplored but not from lack of love or desire.

Abe pushes people away before they can get too close, and Lio doesn’t engage in situations he can’t control. They’ve reached an impasse, and neither are willing to risk their friendship until fate intervenes, forcing them to reassess their priorities.

But when an unhinged enemy targets Lio, will their gamble be too little too late, or will their love truly conquer all?

Just Say When is a standalone romantic suspense novel within the author’s Savannah universe. This book contains mature content and is attended for adults.

Universal Link

Add to Goodreads

*****

Excerpt:

“Alex clearly doesn’t get his sportsmanship from his father,” Abe quipped.

“Kiss my ass, Beecham,” I said softly in deference to the kids around us.

Abe leaned in until his hot breath ghosted over my ear. “Gladly.”

I turned my head and looked at my best friend. His expression held a carnal promise that made me swallow hard. If I gave him the word, Abe would take me home, yank down my pants, and bury his face between my ass cheeks. I could practically feel his hot breath against my quivering pucker. His tongue would swirl and tease the rim before pushing in. Lust gripped my balls and squeezed. God, I wanted him so bad.

“Now I really need to hear this story,” Russ quipped, jerking me back to reality and saving me from breaking my own heart. I blinked away the fantasy, and Abe’s lips curled into a proud, wolfish smile. Unaware of the tension arcing between Abe and me, Russ continued chatting. “I knew you and Beecham went way back, Lio, but it sounds like there’s more to it than I realized.”Few people knew the full story because I was stingy when it came to Abe. Our relationship had been fueled by variations of hate and love for three decades, but there had never been a right time to explore whether those feelings could develop into something more profound. My heart wanted to say until now, but my brain knew better than to get my hopes up. Abe and I had both drawn lines in the sand, and neither showed signs of relenting.

*****

Review:

There’s a few complaints that this one really doesn’t stand on its own but I didn’t have any issues. Yes, we start the book with the main characters on the bring of moving from friends to a romantic relationship but the main block to their HEA still needs to be resolved – Abe’s issues with abandonment. His mom left him as a kid at the mercy of his abusive father, his grandmother died, and now he’s afraid that anyone he loves will also leave him. Lio knows all about Abe’s issues and is willing to wait for him, but he needs him to be open to addressing it before he will take their relationship any further. It’ll take some time and patience but Lio knows their future is worth it. I enjoyed how Abe & Lio worked their way to the new aspect of their relationship. It felt like they were willing to make sure that it was on a solid footing. But then someone puts that future in peril.

**potential minor spoilers ahead**

My understanding is that Walker is great at crafting a good mystery and I can see it. I didn’t guess where things were going until she revealed the threat. I do have to agree with some reviewers that the motive is potentially problematic and while I feel for what the main characters went through, given the who and why, I would have liked more compassion given to the person and their reasons. But if this is any indication of the kind of suspense element brought by the author I’m open to more.

I’ll admit I’m a pretty vanilla kinda girl and while I enjoy a spicier read, it’s not something I would be comfortable with in my own life so I tend to be a bit … unsure of how these scenes come across for others. To me, Wilson delivered the heat & then some, and I’m not really seeing anyone else complain, so if steamy and explicit m/m scenes are your jam, then read away!

A satisfying blend of tension, eroticism, and affection, Lio and Abe’s story was a good introduction to a new to me author and has me interested in what else she has to offer 🙂

*****

Author Info:

Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titles—wife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day.

I’d love to hear from you.

You can reach me at:
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/aimee-nicole-walker
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AimeeNWalker
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/aimeenicole.walker
Instagram – http://instagram.com/aimeenicolewalker
Blog – AimeeNicoleWalker.blogspot.com

Want to be the first to know about my book releases and have access to extra content? You can sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/dlhPYj

My favorite place to hang out and chat with my readers is my Facebook group. Would you like to be a member of Aimee’s Dye Hards? We’d love to have you! Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AimeesDyeHards/

Connect with Aimee:
https://linktr.ee/AimeeNicoleWalker

*****

Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of About Last Night, Aimee is giving away a $10 Amazon Voucher and an e-copy of Just Say When!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cc0f2a57609/

*****

Review – Cinderella and the Duke

02 Monday Jan 2023

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Cinderella and the Duke

by Lydia Drake

Publisher: Entangled: Amara (December 27, 2022)

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages

Blurb:

Miss Julia Beaumont has exactly one night to find herself a husband…

The Weatherford Ball is the last chance Julia Beaumont has to escape the clutches of her horrid stepmother. Any potential husband will do–rich, poor, even a reasonably well-groomed walrus. But all of Julia’s matrimonial chances are completely obliterated…thanks to the actions of an infuriating and utterly rakish duke.

Gregory Carter, Duke of Ashworth, would never risk his cherished bachelorhood by flirting with marriage-starved debutantes. But one look at the luscious and refreshingly clever Julia, and he simply can’t resist a stolen kiss–scandal be damned. Then just as things start getting deliciously interesting, the lady flees…leaving only a slipper behind.

And it must have been one dandy of a kiss. Because now Julia has proposed to him. After all, the lady needs a husband, and this roguish duke will certainly do. It’s simply a matter of making him the perfect scandalous offer…

*****

Author Info:

Lydia Drake is a reader of all things romance and a drinker of all the tea. A New Jersey resident, her favorite activities include taking the train to New York City, scouring used bookstores, spending time with her family, and wrangling her hyperactive cockapoo puppy. She loves talking romance with her fans.

*****

Review:

I admire Julia’s gumption – when a chance encounter with one of Society’s most sought after rakes means that she’s lost out on her chance to make a match for herself, she does what any self-respecting spinster with a brain and a lot of courage would do. She proposes to the man.

Gregory is not in the market for a wife. Ever. But faced with a business proposition from one of the first ladies to catch his attention in quite a long time, he’s not going to let a good thing go.

Which leads to a lot of fun for readers – these two are delightful together, with more than enough wit and sass, plus a good deal of humor and sizzle. Their interactions are both entertaining and at times frustrating as they let their insecurities and assumptions lead them away from what they truly want out of their relationship. Forever.

Drake’s newest reminds me once again how much I love historical romances. It includes a rake to reform, a marriage of convenience, and an attraction that they just can’t ignore, all wrapped up in a enjoyable (and winding) trek to a HEA. I’m definitely looking forward to what comes next from this author.

~

Review – You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows

27 Tuesday Dec 2022

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USA Today Bestselling Author, Piper Rayne, begins the Kingsmen Football Stars series with an enemies-to-lovers, second chance story set in the world of professional football.

You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows

Kingsmen Football Stars series

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

Lee f’ing Burrows

The Kingsmen’s star quarterback.

Legendary throwing arm.

Six-pack abs.

Kissable lips.

Oh, but don’t forget, he’s also a lying, heartless egomaniac who broke my heart in college.

It took me years to build myself back up after his deceit, and now I have the dream opportunity to prove myself working as a sports therapist for a professional team.

The hurdle? Or mountain to be more accurate…

The job is with the San Francisco Kingsmen.

Back when I was a naïve college girl, I felt lucky that he even noticed me. Now eight years later, he’d be lucky if I gave him the time of day.

Which I won’t. Not ever.

Some people don’t deserve a second chance and Lee Burrows is one of them.

Now if someone could only tell him that because he’s hell-bent on scoring the winning touchdown and won’t accept that it’s game over for us.

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JmQMry

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3yRZIlc

Nook: https://bit.ly/36e1CSF

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3rKKIDl

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3sKRdFv

Audiobook: https://books2read.com/yhyclb
Narrated by Callie Dalton & Joe Arden

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/36ckTDS

*****

Review:

Second chance romances can go either way for me and I feel like Rayne made some good choices here. Shayna definitely has her reasons for holding on to old hurts – Lee did her pretty bad. (I haven’t read the prequel and, while it can be read without it, a good many reviews say that it helps with adding extra dimension to their relationship.) She’s not going to let him keep her from accepting her dream job though, she’ll just have to be strong and ignore him. Which is easier said than done when he’s intent on apologizing for his mistake.

Lee never forgot Shayna so having her walk into his world again is his chance to get her to forgive him … and maybe something more. It soon becomes obvious she’s not going to be won over easily but he’s not giving up. He just has to be patient and prove he deserves a second chance.

The first part of the story is the resolution of their past hurts. It’s handled well and I feel like Lee redeems himself nicely. I’m with Shayna, those kinds of broken hearts take a lot to get over, but his sincerity is easy to feel. So their struggle soon moves from their history to their present circumstances, which forbids any fraternization between Kingsmen players and staff. And we all know how that’s going to go 🙂 I will say that while the intent may have been to show that Lee has embraced his privilege, he instead reads as very naive. He’s the leader of his team, wealthy, and in the public eye. How he didn’t see the way things would go from the beginning, like Shayna told him it would more than once … instead it just has him come across as unworldly and inexperienced. He may feel like his position has power but Shayna knows the truth. So then the question becomes what happens next.

I enjoyed getting to know Lee & Shayna and seeing how they resolve their issues. I also really liked meeting their friends and I’m anxiously waiting to see what Rayne has in store for them. Brady is quite the character and I’m hoping his new nanny can keep him on his toes!

*****

Author Info:

Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write “heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle” about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they’re married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they’re both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!

Connect with Piper Rayne

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PiperRaynesUnicorns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpiperrayne/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PiperRayneRocks

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorpiperrayne

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/piper-rayne

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorpiperrayne/_created/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PiperRayne?ref=shop_sugg

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/PiperRayne

~

Review – Double Dog Dare

12 Monday Dec 2022

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Double Dog Dare

Milwaukee Growlers #2

by Tracy Solheim

They say he who dares wins…

Luke Kessler is known for his daring play on the field and his carefully scripted life off it. The Growlers’ wide receiver has a strict rule of dating one carefully chosen woman per season, then letting her down gently. After all, his game is football, not love. That is until his dopey mutt falls for a French bulldog owned by a hot mess of a woman whose sassy mouth and mind-blowing curves have him fumbling his best laid plans.

After a humiliating concert performance played out in front of the world on social media, cellist Summer Pearson has sworn off a career in music. Forever. She’s hiding out with her grandparents in Milwaukee, licking her wounds and preparing for a predictable, if not boring, law career. The last person she needs challenging her life choices is a sexy, dog-rescuing jock who loves his grandma as much as he loves a good dare.

Especially when that same guy is dating her perfect cousin.

This fun, flirty sports romance delivers a happily ever after that will have you laughing, crying, sighing, and cheering in the endzone. One-click it now for doggy hijinks, senior citizens bent on shenanigans, sexy ax-throwing, locker room bromance, steamy private cello performances, and all the feels as two people discover they are worthy of love.

Double Dog Dare is book 2 in the Milwaukee Growlers Football series but can be read as a standalone with no cliffhangers.

Solheim gives readers a wonderful set of secondary characters, a satisfying romance, and a couple that you can truly root for. And while Luke’s view on relationships may seem a bit misogynistic, he actually is very upfront about it, only getting involved with like-minded people. Everyone is aware of the situation and is in agreement of what it is and what it isn’t. Then he meets summer ,,, and realizes maybe he wants something else after all.

(I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about the fact that Luke was dating Summer’s cousin first, cheating in any shape or form is definitely a firm no for me, but it actually resolved itself in a satisfying way.)

Summer is struggling with her confidence after a disastrous viral performance, unsure if she can ever play again and what that means for her future. Meeting Luke quickly upends her life and has her rethinking things. And while he may feel that he’s not relationship material, he quickly proves that wrong, showing himself to be so amazingly supportive as she works through her issues with performing again.

The assorted friends and family bring additional moments of humor and emotion throughout the story, adding depth and feels to an already delightful story. I’m very much hoping to see more in this series going forward.

Review – Be Your Everything

30 Wednesday Nov 2022

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Be Your Everything

The D’Angelos

by Catherine Bybee

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes a romance about childhood friends who marry in Vegas and embark on a wild ride to find their happily ever after.

With two protective older brothers and a traditional Catholic Italian mother, it’s surprising that Chloe D’Angelo can manage a date without someone in the family naysaying her romantic choice. And Dante Mancuso…oh, no. Her brother’s best friend is not a dating-app right swipe.

But when they are left unsupervised on a late night in Vegas, all of that changes. Add in a Vegas wedding chapel and a couple of “I dos” and Chloe wakes up with a ring on her finger and a hangover. Dating Dante was always a secret desire, but marriage? The rift that this news would cause in her family has both of them keeping their nuptials to themselves as they scramble to undo their Vegas mistake.

Dante knew the rules: Chloe was off-limits. Only, he can’t stop once his mind starts to believe she might be his forever. Just as their attraction deepens, Chloe flees to Bali, desperate to clear her head.

All Dante has to do is keep her brothers from killing him and convince Chloe that they are meant for each other. But first, Dante has to find her.

I’m a huge fan of the best friend of a sibling plotline and Bybee’s newest is a treat. Chloe has had a crush on her brothers’ best friend, Dante, for ages. And unbeknownst to her, he’s felt the same. A wild weekend in Vegas finds them married to each other … and then the fun begins – ignore their attraction, find a way to get out of their vows, and keep it all from their friends & family. 

While they handled a lot of this in a less than, well, mature way, I definitely enjoyed the two of them together. There’s plenty of heat and sass, leading to entertaining interactions and quite a few sizzling moments. Dante is a little bit alpha and, once he decides that he doesn’t want out of his relationship with Chloe, he shows himself to be quite the charmer and a good partner. She, on the other hand, doesn’t handle things quite as well but she’s written in a way that I found myself caught up in everything and engaged in them finding a HEA.

Review – Coming Home

29 Tuesday Nov 2022

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Coming Home

A Woodland Park Firefighters Romance

by Shelley Shepard Gray

When an army vet becomes a firefighter in small-town Colorado, the flames of an old love reignite in this sweet romance by bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray

In Woodland Park, a small town nestled in the foothills of Pikes Peak, Anderson Kelly and Chelsea Davis were once the high school “it” couple—the star quarterback and the valedictorian. They broke up when Anderson joined the army and one poor decision at a fraternity party changed Chelsea’s life. Now, she works long shifts in a senior center to support her nine-year-old son, Jack.

After multiple tours in Afghanistan, Anderson has changed, too—physically scarred but mentally strong—and he decides to move back to Woodland Park. Anderson and Chelsea steer clear of each other to avoid reopening old wounds, until they are forced to reconnect through the senior center. They soon discover that the love they once shared never completely vanished. But it will take a fire, a dangerous collision, and the love of one little boy to help Anderson and Chelsea see that the future they’ve always yearned for is in sight…

The first in a new series, Coming Home is a sweet story about letting go of the past and moving into the future. 

Chelsea and Anderson were high school sweethearts but their relationship ended messily. Years later they find themselves living in the same small town, which means they can only go so long without running into each other. And once they do, it’s obvious that things between them aren’t over. 

Shelley Shepard Gray delivers a slow build love story, giving readers a chance to get to know the characters as they get to know each other all over again and maybe find something amazing together. It’s a heartfelt, quick-read, and a great beginning to a new series.