5 Smooches
Feb 09
Hail Mary by Lani Lynn Vale Release Blitz
Title: Hail Mary
Series: Hail Raisers #6
Author: Lani Lynn Vale
Genre: Romance Suspense
Release Date: February 9, 2018
Mary Persephone Hail
Mary—well-wished-for child.
Persephone—destruction.
Hail—well that speaks for itself.
Her name is painful to think about. Mary, his newfound daughter, isn’t a wished-for child. Persephone, though? Yeah, destruction is a fitting description. And Hail? Yeah, that’s just the final f-you.
The moment that her mother drops her off on his doorstep, Dante’s hell becomes complete.
Or so he thinks.
What can make life worse after losing one’s wife and kids, you ask? Here’s what: being given a baby that depends on him for her survival. Finding out that the baby’s mother is dying of brain cancer, and has a husband that he never knew about. A husband that Dante knows in the marrow of his bones is trying to kill her just as surely as the cancer eating her brain.
Dante’s a bad person. He’s done some not so nice things, and now he’s being punished for his misdeeds. Karma is finally catching up to him.
This child that he’s been stuck with is of his flesh and bone. This child is his salvation. This child is the final nail in the coffin of his wife and daughters’ too short lives.
He doesn’t want this child.
But this child will save him whether he wants her to or not.
With the help of a friend—yes, a woman friend—Dante finds his way back to life. But what he finds when he gets back isn’t the same life that he left behind. Turns out, he has to start living a new one. One where he’s suddenly having feelings for a friend that helped him get through some tough times, and loving a daughter that won’t let him quit.
“How do I articulate how amazing this story is?” – Cali Gals
“Thanks Lani for a couple so beautifully broken that it makes me want to wrapped them up and never let go.” – One Last Page Book Blog
“Another amazing read from Lani Lynn Vale. Again.” – Books After Fifty…
Click HERE for our 5 SMOOCHES review!
I’m a married mother of three. My kids are all under 8, so I can assure you that they are a handful. I’ve been with my paramedic husband now for ten years, and we’ve produced three offspring that are nothing like us. I live in the greatest state in the world, Texas.
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Feb 08
Hail Mary by Lani Lynn Vale Review
5 SMOOCHES!
SYNOPSIS:
Mary Persephone Hail
Mary—well-wished-for child.
Persephone—destruction.
Hail—well that speaks for itself.
Her name is painful to think about. Mary, his newfound daughter, isn’t a wished-for child. Persephone, though? Yeah, destruction is a fitting description. And Hail? Yeah, that’s just the final f-you.
The moment that her mother drops her off on his doorstep, Dante’s hell becomes complete.
Or so he thinks.
What can make life worse after losing one’s wife and kids, you ask? Here’s what: being given a baby that depends on him for her survival. Finding out that the baby’s mother is dying of brain cancer, and has a husband that he never knew about. A husband that Dante knows in the marrow of his bones is trying to kill her just as surely as the cancer eating her brain.
Dante’s a bad person. He’s done some not so nice things, and now he’s being punished for his misdeeds. Karma is finally catching up to him.
This child that he’s been stuck with is of his flesh and bone. This child is his salvation. This child is the final nail in the coffin of his wife and daughters’ too short lives.
He doesn’t want this child.
But this child will save him whether he wants her to or not.
With the help of a friend—yes, a woman friend—Dante finds his way back to life. But what he finds when he gets back isn’t the same life that he left behind. Turns out, he has to start living a new one. One where he’s suddenly having feelings for a friend that helped him get through some tough times, and loving a daughter that won’t let him quit.
REVIEW:
I’ve been anxious for Dante’s story from the moment Lani Lynn Vale introduced the Hails. I knew going into Hail Mary that Dante’s story was going to be a gut-wrencher. If the build-up wasn’t enough of a clue, the blurb was the tip off. I love a tortured, broken hero, and Dante is one of the most wounded heroes that Lani Lynn Vale has ever written. His story is difficult to take, no doubt about that, but this author’s love for this character shines through her words as she gives him healing, redemption and then finally salvation in the form of an unexpected, unanticipated sweet baby girl and a woman who makes his heart beat again.
One of the things that surprised me most about this book, especially considering the way Dante has behaved throughout the rest of this series not to mention the tone of the blurb, was how much hope I felt while reading this book. I honestly wasn’t expecting such a hopeful story. Healing from the kind of trauma that he went through was never going to be easy, but Vale did an amazing job not only bringing this character full-circle, but also redeeming him as well. This was hands down the most beautiful and emotional story that Vale has ever written. The slow burn romance between Dante and the heroine, while tenuous at times, was precisely what he needed, paced perfectly and rooted in a strong friendship that grew into true love.
This was an incredible story. Vale pulled out all the stops to give something truly special to her readers. She gave a difficult story new life with a beautiful romance, a suspenseful twist and a just enough of her unique sense of humor. I think this is some of Vale’s best work to date. Hail Mary by Lani Lynn Vale gets 5 smooches from me.
~ Danielle Palumbo
BUY NOW:
Feb 08
Keeping It by Rachel Robinson Review
4 Smooches
Synopsis
Tyler Holiday (Ta-hoe)
Tahoe. Badass. SEAL. Player. Powerful. Jerk. Available.
All words used to describe me for the past ten years. Wrapped up in the war, running and gunning constantly, has taken its toll on me. My next assignment is supposed to be a break, something to aid in taking the edge off; help open a new base in the miniscule, coastal, Florida town of Bronze Bay. A non-deployable position, I can work-out, decompress, and handle the mundane tasks of structuring a new SEAL command. Or, in other words, enjoy my free time with the tanned, toned, country women of the south.
Mission accepted.
Falling for a southern belle wasn’t supposed to happen. In fact, it’s more stressing than any challenge in my sordid past. Especially when she uttered the words, “I am a virgin.”
Someone cover me, I’m going in.
Caroline May
My first memory is in an airplane over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. My daddy sitting beside me and my heart full of joy. When I was sixteen, I made my first solo flight over those exact same waters. My daddy owns and operates the little airport in Bronze Bay, so my eyes have been skyward for as long as I can remember. Things like men and college, never appealed to me. My days are spent waitressing in my Mama’s diner, counting down the hours until I can head to the airport.
Then the SEALs came and changed everything. Big, brutal, jerks, forcing themselves into our little slice of paradise. Demanding use of our airport. One man in particular, aiming to take more than I’m ready to give. He is beautiful. Magnetic. Strong. Convincing. For the first time in my life, I’m flying in a different, exhilarating way. Keeping it isn’t going to be easy when merely looking at the man makes me think of four words.
Foxtrot. Uniform. Charlie. Kilo.
Bless my heart, I’m in trouble.
Review
Tahoe is looking forward to a chilled assignment compared to the guns and battles he is used to as a SEAL. Helping to organise a new command centre Tahoe hopes to de-stress with the beautiful women of Bronze Bay. He doesn’t expect to meet the beautiful and sweet….and virgin Caroline. Caroline is used to the small town life and doesn’t have much time for men. So when the SEALS arrive and start bossing and demanding she isn’t best pleased. But she can’t help but not notice one SEAL in particular- Tahoe. Now her simple life is about to be thrown off kilter by the hot, sexy, strong and powerful Tahoe. Will these two people from two very different lives be able to rise above it all and get their HEA?
“I want Tahoe in every single way a woman can possibly want a man. His kindness bleeds into his masculinity in a way that makes his whole package something close to perfection.”
This was a sweet romance- a slow burner that gradually builds the passion and chemistry between the two characters until you are at bursting point wanting them to come together. A mixture of love, sadness, plenty of angst and some drama thrown in made this an easy and enjoyable romance read; great for cuddling up and reading in the cold weather.
“There’s always a point in life, a moment that stands out as the one. The moment that changes things—forces you to realize that despite what you want, the world is giving you something else.”
Tahoe and Caroline were the perfect example of opposites attract. They complimented each other perfectly. Tahoe was hot, badass, confident navy SEAL but he also had this kind, gentle, sweet side to him when it came to Caroline. Caroline was a sweet young woman; she was easy to smile and loved her small town life. She was one of those people you know you would meet and couldn’t help but instantly like. And yet she was also a strong woman who was determined to be her own person no matter what!
“Found and lost. Love and loss. Promises and lies. Floating and falling. Forever and never.”
So even though this was a slow build romance I actually really enjoyed it. It kept us going right to the very end and the passion just kept building throughout- it was a refreshing change to a lot of insta love/sex stories out there. Even though the romance is a slow build there is plenty in the story to keep us entertained. I loved the banter between the characters, some real LOL moments. There are some low moments and some really frustrating, shout at your kindle moment. Overall this story just had a real believability to it; a story you could connect with and two main characters you can pretty much fall in love with! A epic epilogue to finish it off as well!
~Bethany
Buy It Now
Feb 08
The Second Chances Duet by Claire Contreras Cover Reveal
The Second Chances Duet by Claire Contreras
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Then There Was You
Publication Date: March 1st, 2018
Love and the right timing were two things I didn’t believe in.
Love is about walking to the edge of the cliff and taking the leap together.
Timing was never on our side.
My first mistake was hooking up with my best friend.
My second came years later, when we met again, and I fell for her.
My third was letting her go, because I had to. Because a love like this wasn’t built to withstand the winds coming in our direction.
Love and timing.
I didn’t believe in either.
Then there was you . . .
Pre-Order Today!
If you are an iBooks or Nook user, you can PREORDER Then There was You for release on February 27th! This title will not be available for purchase on iBooks or Nook after February 27th.
iBooks: https://apple.co/2C4Fzcm
Nook: http://bit.ly/2nPdMre
Releases on March 1st on Amazon and Free in KU! There will be no preorder for this title.
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2BNsV5C
My Way Back to You
Publication Date: March 15th, 2018
Synopsis to come March 1St
Pre-Order Today!
My Way Back to You for release on March 13th! This title will not be available for purchase on iBooks or Nook after March 13th.
iBooks: https://apple.co/2sfnlFl
Nook: http://bit.ly/2FVKRJs
Releases on March 15th on Amazon and Free in KU! Preorder on Amazon on March 1st!
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Ebsb7V
Meet Claire:
Claire Contreras is a New York Times Best Selling Author. Her books range from romantic suspense to contemporary romance and are currently translated in seven different languages.
She lives in Miami, Fl with her husband, two adorable boys, three bulldogs, and two stray cats that she refuses to admit are hers (even though they live on her porch, she named them, and continues to feed them). When she’s not writing, she’s usually lost in a book.
Connect with Claire:
Website: http://www.clairecontrerasbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CContrerasBooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Claricon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ClaireContreras/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ccontrerasbooks/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2BgzLQ0
Feb 07
Elite by Carrie Aarons Cover Reveal
Title: Elite
A Privileged Novel
A Privileged Novel
Author: Carrie Aarons
Genre: New Adult Romance
Cover Design: Sarah Hansen, Okay Creations
Cover Design: Sarah Hansen, Okay Creations
Release Date: February 18, 2018
Blurb
If you’re in, you’ll never have to ask. If you ask,
you’ll never be in.
you’ll never be in.
Eloise Mason knows what it’s like to live among the privileged. Seeking a
change from the upper crust society of Europe, she flies halfway across the
world for a semester abroad in the one place guaranteed to toss responsibility
out the window and provide some good, old-fashioned fun; college in The United
States.
Except nothing at the picturesque, Ivy-covered university in Vermont appears as
it seems. And after a mysterious invitation arrives on her doorstep, curiosity
wins over the need to turn her back on games meant for the rich and ruthless.
Secret societies, risky tasks, and an inner circle to rival the royals. But it
may just be one American boy who threatens to be the most dangerous endeavor of
all.
Colton Reiter defines the word idolized at Jade Mountain University. In fact,
he practically rules the roost from the three point line of the basketball
court. The college’s star point guard, he is a god and treated as such;
professional scouts at every game, teachers looking the other way when it comes
to grades, and girls falling into his lap at the snap of a finger. He wants for
nothing, or at least that’s what he wants everyone to believe.
But when he meets the sassy girl with the British accent who could care less
about his status, her very existence threatens to unveil the skeletons buried
deep in the back of his closet.
With stakes this high, and hearts on the line, can they turn their backs on
power and popularity before the ivory tower comes crashing down on their heads?
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Author Bio
Author of romance novels such as Red Card and the Captive Heart Duet, Carrie Aarons writes sexy, swoony and sarcastic characters who won’t get out of her head until she puts them down on a page.
Carrie has wanted to be an author since the first time she opened a book. She loves spinning tales that include dapper men, women with attitude, and the occasional hunky athlete.
When she isn’t in what her husband calls a “writing coma”, Carrie is freeing up her jam-packed DVR, starting her latest DIY project, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, who is more than happy to watch sports while his wife plots love stories.
Author Links
Feb 06
How The Light Gets In by L.H. Cosway Release Blast
We’re celebrating the release of A CRACK IN EVERYTHING by L.H. Cosway!
How The Light Gets In Goodreads
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2GfvMmO
iBooks: https://apple.co/2n9grg1
Nook: http://bit.ly/2n9RWyf
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2F9klMf
How the Light Gets in
He came back to me 16 minutes and 59 seconds into Beethoven’s Symphony no. 7.
We parted amid tragedy, so it seemed poetic. Dylan O’Dea, my childhood sweetheart, had once
meant everything to me. Now we were strangers, and honestly, after eleven years I never thought
I’d see him again.
I lived in the world of the average, of getting paid by the hour and budgeting to make ends meet. But
Dylan, he lived in the world of wealth and success. He’d achieved the great things I always suspected
he would. The dissatisfaction he’d felt as a teenager had obviously been an excellent motivator.
He started a business from scratch, pioneered a brand, and created perfumes adored by women
across the globe. I was just one of the people who’d been there before. Now he was living his best
life in the after.
And me, well, I’d been in a dark place for a while. Slowly but surely, I was letting the light back in, but there was something missing. I was an unfinished sentence with an ellipsis at the end. And maybe, if I was brave enough to take the chance, Dylan could be my happy ending.
How the Light Gets In is Book #2 and the concluding installment in L.H. Cosway’s Cracks duet.
Check out our 5 smooches review HERE.
DON’T MISS THE FIRST BOOK IN THIS DUET!!!
Title: A Crack In Everything (Cracks Duet)
Age Group: Adult
Release Date: January 30, 2018
A Crack In Everything Goodreads
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2DvxZc5
iBooks: https://apple.co/2BsghVg
Nook: http://bit.ly/2n7Od4k
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2Gd10ez
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2DvxZc5
iBooks: https://apple.co/2BsghVg
Nook: http://bit.ly/2n7Od4k
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2Gd10ez
A Crack in Everything
Life used to be simple.
I was a city girl with humble dreams. Then Dylan O’Dea broke into my flat, held me against the wall and told me to stay quiet.
It was like in the movies, where the universe zeros in on a single scene. I looked into his eyes and knew he was going to change me.
For Dylan, the sky was always falling. He showed me how our world is a contradiction of beauty and ugliness. How we choose to ignore the awful and gloss over it with the palatable. How you need just a tiny drop of something unsavoury to create every great scent.
Pretty deep for a pair of teenagers living in a block of council flats in inner city Dublin, right Probably. But we weren’t typical. We both had our obsessions. Mine was growing things, Dylan’s was scent. He taught me how to use my nose, and I introduced him to the magic of flowers.
I had no idea that one day he’d build an empire from what we started together. But before that, there was love and happiness, tragedy and epic heartbreak…
My name is Evelyn Flynn and I’m going to tell you about the crack in everything.
A Crack in Everything is Book #1 in L.H. Cosway’s Cracks duet.
About the author:
L.H. Cosway lives in Dublin, Ireland. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books. She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories. L.H. is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.
Social Media Links:FB: www.facebook.com/LHCosway
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LHCosway
Instagram: www.instagram.com/l.h.cosway
Website: www.lhcoswayauthor.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lhcosway13/
Feb 06
How The Light Gets In by LH Cosway Review
5 Smooches
Synopsis
He came back to me 16 minutes and 59 seconds into Beethoven’s Symphony no. 7.
We parted amid tragedy, so it seemed poetic. Dylan O’Dea, my childhood sweetheart, had once meant everything to me. Now we were strangers, and honestly, after eleven years I never thought I’d see him again.
I lived in the world of the average, of getting paid by the hour and budgeting to make ends meet. But Dylan, he lived in the world of wealth and success. He’d achieved the great things I always suspected he would. The dissatisfaction he’d felt as a teenager had obviously been an excellent motivator.
He started a business from scratch, pioneered a brand, and created perfumes adored by women across the globe. I was just one of the people who’d been there before. Now he was living his best life in the after.
And me, well, I’d been in a dark place for a while. Slowly but surely, I was letting the light back in, but there was something missing. I was an unfinished sentence with an ellipsis at the end. And maybe, if I was brave enough to take the chance, Dylan could be my happy ending.
How the Light Gets In is Book #2 and the concluding instalment in L.H. Cosway’s Cracks duet.
REVIEW
God, I liked the first book in this duet, but I freaking loved this one. So so much. Because of the character development. I just adored how the author had Dylan and Evelyn virtually switch roles. This time he was the day to her night. And man, a grown up Dylan was just so dang super swoony. I’ll never know how Evelyn managed to hold out on him so long this book. I couldn’t have done it. Thank you LH Cosway for always managing to make your books so incredibly original. The perfume aspects of this book were freaking awesome. I just never know what I am going to get with this author as far as story lines go. Will I be sitting in a cabaret watching a man dressed as a woman? Will I be traveling on a train with a circus? Or will I be in a boardroom in a business suit across from the man I love? I just never know. But what I do know is that I get incredible writing and even better stories that I haven’t read anywhere else.
5 Stars!
~Amie
BUY IT NOW
Feb 06
I’ve Got This Round by Mamrie Hart Review
5 Smooches
Synopsis
The Year of Yes for the millennial set: in I’ve Got This Round, actress, writer, and YouTube sensation Mamrie Hart returns with even more spirit, adventure, and heart as she decides to live life at full-tilt.
When Mamrie simultaneously enters her 30s and finds herself single for the first time since college, the world is suddenly full of possibilities. Emboldened by the cool confidence that comes with the end of one’s 20s plus the newfound independence of an attachment-free lifestyle, Mamrie commits herself to living life as fully as possible. She seeks out once-in-a-lifetime experiences (like meeting Dolly Parton), bucket-list goals (like visiting the Moulin Rouge), and madcap adventures (like going anchors-away on a Backstreet Boys cruise)–all while diving back into the dating world for the first time in a decade.
In I’ve Got This Round, readers will find the same shameless honesty and I’ll-try-anything-once spirit they loved in You Deserve a Drink. Mamrie doubles down on her strong female friendships, her willingness to engage in shenanigans, and her inimitable candor, taking the reader along for a wild and unforgettable journey through adulting.
Review
While I read lots of different types of books, I typically only review romance novels. But I had to make an exception for one of my favorite YouTubers and overall amazing personalities. As a fellow North Carolianian, I appreciate her southern flair. Mamrie Hart is a hilarious woman and that translated perfectly into her newest novel, I’ve Got This Round.
In this book, we are welcomed with stories from her travels, each one more funnier than the last but all together tell her clear picture of the person Mamrie is. I felt for her breakup, I laughed at her mischief, I drank with her over and over again and each moment felt but light but truthful.
This is a book I can honestly recommend to anyone, I promise you will laugh your ass off and be entertained with each and every page turn.
~miranda
Feb 06
Making Sense by Lila Rose Cover Reveal with Excerpt and Giveaway
Today we have the cover reveal for MAKING SENSE by Lila Rose! Check out this fantastic new romance and be sure to pre-order your copy today!
Title: Making Sense
Author: Lila Rose
Genre: Romance
Release Day: March 6th
About Making Sense:
Adalyn Sage.
I’m thirty-seven, a mother, a divorcee, and I’m ready to date again.
I need a man willing to love me for who I am, despite what size I am. Only finding such a guy is harder than it’s cracked up to be. Afterall, I’m a little clumsy and just a tad outspoken… that is unless I’m in front of a man so good-looking my panties melt. Then I become an absolute weirdo.
Case in point: Vice Salvatore. Stunning. Growly. And also my boss.
Thank God his a**hole attitude put my racing heart at ease and changed my lust to hate.
Nope. I don’t care for him. Won’t. I’ll continue to ignore my ladybits and stay strong.
At least for a while.
Pre-Order Your Copy:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | iBooks | Nook | Kobo
Exclusive Excerpt:
Dating was painful. My husband left us two years ago, and only recently, I’d gotten the courage to try dating again. Since the decision, I’d been on a few in the last couple of months, none of which had bloomed into something amazing. That was if something amazing still existed. I was convinced it wasn’t out there for me.
My latest failed example was a man named Ronald, an accountant who happened to be sitting across from me. When I arrived at the restaurant, he seemed nice. I thought for the barest of moments he could be the one willing to do the honors of removing my hymen. Because I was sure that sucker had grown over again.
Ronald certainly looked like he’d enjoy the task of re-breaking my hymen. I could tell by how his hand was in his pants shifting his erection around. At least, I thought it was an erection; it could also be a cucumber, and he wanted me to think he was huge.
I just wished he’d leave it alone.
Huh, and my friend Molly was worried about my table manners.
Although, did I really care that Ronald was a wanker—hee-hee—or he loved himself more than anything in life? No, at least, not then I didn’t. I also didn’t give two hoots Ronald had a huge wart on the side of his nose…. If only I could stop staring at it, then I really wouldn’t care.
“I’m sorry, Adalyn, I’ve been talking all about myself. Tell me, what is it you do for a living?” Ronald asked, shifting sideways in the booth to face me. What the heck? Did he just thrust his crotch up at me? At least his hand was out of his pants when he did it.
“Well, you see, I run my own jewelry store on eBay.”
He smiled. “That’s cute. Does it do well?”
Cute?
Seriously?
My items did extremely well, and they weren’t cute; they were wicked.
“Yes, they do. I’m gaining more customers each day.”
“Hmm. Is that all you do? Make crafty things?”
I had the urge to kick him in the teeth or knee him in the cucumber.
“No,” I gritted out. “Though, it will be once my business gets noticed more.”
“Right.” He smirked. The assmuncher.
Gone were the thoughts of him getting anywhere near my hoo-ha. The idiot could just shove his hand back down his pants and keep touching himself, because that was the only action he would be getting that night.
Still, the least I could do was get a meal out of him and maybe a nice conversation.
Okay, I was doomed.
“I also work part-time in an adult store.”
Of course, his eyes would light up at that.
He leaned in. “That’s very interesting. Do you get to try some products out, to, you know, let customers know what they’re like?” He smiled, and when he did, I saw a chunk of bread, from the breadsticks on the table, sitting in his teeth.
Internally groaning, I asked myself, What am I really doing here with him?
About the Author:
Lila was born in Brisbane Australia, her step-dad was in the Army which caused them to move around a lot. They finally settled in country Victoria, Australia. Being the youngest of four children she admits she was spoilt a bit. Even drove her mum crazy when she refused to eat meat at a young age.
Now, Lila lives with her husband and two children.
She started writing in 2013 and self-published the first of the Hawks MC: Ballarat Charter series- Holding Out. Since then, she has published seventeen other titles, which range from romantic comedy, erotica, YA, and paranormal.
