Sep 02

Off Limits by Lola Darling Review

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4.5 Smooches!

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Synopsis

I hate his cocky, overconfident smirk and the way every woman in the office drools over him. I hate the irresistible way he fills out his suit and his manwhore ways. I hate his tempting touch and the way he makes me want to break all the rules. His Clark Kent Glasses, his cheesy sense of humor, his animalistic desire to have me—on my desk, against the filing cabinet, spread out across the conference table.

I hate that he’s my number one competition and if we’re caught, I lose it all. And most of all, I hate that he’s off-limits and I just can’t stay away.

 

REVIEW

“This is the kind of case than can…point out who might be…Partner material, some day.”

Imagine you’re a workaholic young female attorney with your eyes set on becoming a partner in the firm you’ve given so many hours of your non-existent outside of work life to. Now picture your mentor, one of the partners who you think is grooming you for his position, pulls you off your current case and gives you a high-profile, career-building case to prove your mettle. Then imagine he drops a bomb on you by telling you that you’re going to be paired up on this case with, if the rumors are true, the office’s resident manwhore.

“You two are the most promising young litigators we have here…”

Max Davis is every bit the cocky, sexy, arrogant lawyer Chloe MacIntyre expected he would be based on his playboy reputation. Despite the office gossip, though, he is not working his way through the secretarial pool, one conquest at a time. His mentor has paired him up with Chloe on a career-making case, and he’s looking forward to it. He’s seen her in action, and he’s impressed. It doesn’t hurt that she’s gorgeous, confident, smart and sexy all wrapped up in her too-well-fitting pencil skirts and sky-high heels.

“…and just like that, I feel doom closing in on me.”

Their quirky and flirty self-made fitness mogul client demands their presence at her home, and under the guise of a working getaway, Max and Chloe get to know each other. Color Chloe surprised, though, when she discovers that there is more to Max than meets the eye, and well, the ear. Oh, the sparks are flying and these two are having a hard time not acting on it. Not only do they work well together, Chloe and Max have that whole easygoing banter thing totally going on.

“You know, I’m not who you think I am…”

Chloe is trying really hard to keep it professional and keep the effortlessly sexy Max at arm’s length. The thing is, this guy, this funny, charming, surprising guy that she’s just now seeing for the first time is not at all the guy she thought he was. And that unrelenting attraction simmering between them is becoming increasingly hard to ignore. In fact, Chloe can just barely hear the voice of reason in the back of her mind reminding her about the firm’s no fraternization policy anymore. What’s even more surprising to Chloe is that Max, while not at all hiding his attraction to her, has the same concerns as she does and is respectful of her boundaries. The sparking chemistry between them has practically taken on a life of its own, though, and it does not care that first little bit about the firm’s policies.

“Maybe next time we can talk about the case instead of spending the whole time in provocative banter.”

“That wasn’t provocative.” His grin sharpens. “You’ll know when I’m really provoking you.”

It isn’t long before they succumb to it, though. Just as they work well together everywhere else, Chloe and Max are well matched in the bedroom as well. It’s no surprise, though, that back in the real world of their office, Chloe buckles under the pressure. It takes some well-timed, life-changing, sage advice from a trusted source for her to see that not only is there more to life than the firm, but she should also be pursuing a full life outside of the office. It’s her lightbulb, ‘a-ha!’ moment. But is it too late? Has she driven Max away with her hot and cold behavior?

“…if the way this case went is any indication, you and I make quite a team, Max…”

This was my first book by Lola Darling, and I really loved it. Her writing style is quick-witted, fast paced and seriously sexy. Darling’s spin on the office romance was fresh, fun and smart. Off Limits gave me everything I love about romantic comedies in a smart and steamy package. Chloe and Max positively sizzled together, both in court and out and, boy, did they ever give fantastic banter! Lola Darling’s Off Limits gets 4.5 smooches from me!

~ Danielle Palumbo

BUY IT NOW

Sep 02

Turbulence by Whitney G. Review

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5 Smooches!

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Synopsis

Fuck me recklessly
Kiss me harder.
Take me again and again… 

He and I met under a cloud of clichés:
Boy meets girl. Boy charms girl. Boy fucks girl.
Our story was supposed to end right after the orgasms, right after we went our separate ways.

But then we saw each other again…
And neither of us could walk away.

Our rules were simple.
Our passion was scandalous.
Our hearts were supposed to be safe…

But when you find something so all-consuming—something so intoxicating and inescapable, you’ll risk everything you’ve ever had, even if you’re destined to crash and burn.

This is us.
This is our messed up love.
This is turbulence. 

 

REVIEW

I know!  We have all been waiting on this book for so long.  And let me tell you how happy I was when I saw that it was finally coming.  Seriously, though, I ‘d wait forever for a book from this author because they are just that good.  And Turbulence didn’t let me down.  It was amazing in all of the ways that I have come to expect from this author.

“You’ll regret this someday…”

“The only thing I regret is that I never got the chance to see your talkative-ass-mouth swallow something other than words.”

Oh, Jake, you are a man after my own heart.  You are very reminiscent of Andrew from Reasonable Doubt and I loved you for it.  You were moody, angry, detached, and damaged beyond anything I could imagine and I adored you.  I could have read an entire book just of your dialogue alone because it while it was crass and over the top, it was freaking hilarious!

I loved Gillian too in her own right.  She was looking for love in all the wrong places with Jake, but she still managed to win him over through her determination.

“You say that as if you really like me.”

“I really like your pussy,”

But seriously I could share funny one liners of Jake’s all day but the story itself was just strong.  I loved it and to tell the truth, I never saw either plot twist coming in this story.  The author kept me guessing at ever turn and distracted with some of the hottest sex I have ever read.  So, remained clueless until the twist was right upon me and that made for the best story.

I am so glad this author is back on the scene with this amazing book.  And if you haven’t checked out the novella she released before Turbulence, you must.  The Layover was sweet and cheeky good fun with a good mix of smoking hot sex!

~AmiE

 

BUY IT NOW

Sep 02

My Song For You by Stina Lindenblatt Excerpt Reveal

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My Song For You

by Stina Lindenblatt

Sept 6th, 2016

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At twenty-one, Jared Leigh had been prepared to give up the life of a touring musician to be a father after getting his girlfriend pregnant. When she told him that she’d gotten an abortion, Jared was devastated. Now at least he has the groupies to keep him company—until a blast from the past rocks his world.

Callie Talbert hasn’t seen her sister’s ex since high school. But after Callie bumps into Jared while she’s grocery shopping with four-year-old Logan, there’s a spark that wasn’t there before. Jared quickly realizes that her deaf “son” is the same age his own child would have been. When Jared demands to know more about Logan, Callie panics. There are things she just can’t tell him. Besides, Jared’s a bad-boy rocker, not a dependable father figure. He’ll move on to his next gig soon enough . . . right?

Trouble is, Jared refuses to be pushed away, and the more quality time he spends with Logan, the more he’s captivated by the woman Callie has become. When the truth is revealed, Jared only hopes that the three of them have what it takes to become a real family.

AMAZON

EXCERPT

Callie

I grabbed us some drinks, and Jared and I settled on the couch. I curled up at one end. He sat in the middle. At one point during the show, he lifted my feet onto his lap and removed my socks.

“What are you doing?” I asked, relieved I had at least bothered to redo my nail polish last night. Not that I’d expected anyone—least of all Jared—to see my red toenails.

“You worked twelve hours, so I bet your feet are sore.”

My feet. My shoulders. My entire body.

“So I’m going to massage them,” he explained.

“And I’m guessing you’re a pro at that?”

He smiled, and as usual his dimples almost did me in.

At his expert touch, my feet turned to liquid—not to mention a few other body parts. Each nerve fiber came alive, which said a lot after how dead my feet had been since midway through my shift. If Jared ever gave up playing the guitar and creating songs, he could make a great living giving foot massages, with me as his number one customer.

“Are your feet the only parts that are sore?” he asked, after finishing with my now very happy feet.

“Were sore. Past tense. You cured them.”

“Good to hear. Anywhere else?”

“My shoulders and back are sore,” I said without hesitation.

He spread his legs and patted the spot between them. This time I did hesitate. The nerves in my feet weren’t the only ones that had come alive. The nerves between my legs had ventured closer to happy land. Who knew what would happen if his magic fingers touched any more of me?

“I don’t bite,” he pointed out.

“Nice to know.” With a deep breath, which failed to do what I had aimed for, I moved between his legs.

His hands kneaded my shoulder muscles. I winced at his touch, but then let myself go as he continued working on them, releasing all the knots. The man was magic when it came to his hands.

I moaned. I couldn’t help it.

Jared’s hands stilled for a second. “You okay?”

“Oh, definitely.” My voice came out low and husky. Now that was unexpected.

Working with a game plan different from the one my brain had agreed to, my head moved to the side, exposing my neck. I closed my eyes.

Lips, warm and soft, hovered over the exposed skin, teasing me. I leaned back against his hard chest. I couldn’t remember the last time a guy had touched me this way. It felt good, better than I remembered.

His hands drifted up along my ribs, lightly tracing them. A shiver ran though me. I was dreaming this. I was so tired from work, I must have fallen asleep on the couch. Now I was dreaming that Jared was touching me in the way I longed for.

His hands cupped my breasts and his thumbs brushed against my nipples. My very happy, perky nipples. I groaned.

Best. Dream. Ever.

The lips moved to the shell of my ear. The tip of a tongue trailed along the outside. My panties grew damp with want.

My eyes still closed, I turned my head to taste those lips. Sadly, they were just part of my active imagination, but that was okay. A girl couldn’t be too fussy.

The kiss was a brief touch of the lips. Nothing more than a tease. Against my wishes, my eyes opened a crack.

Then they snapped open fully.

I scrambled off the couch, but in my haste to escape Jared—the real Jared, not the dream Jared—I tripped over his leg and landed on my ass. Nice.

Sep 02

Wide Open Spaces by Aurora Rose Reynolds Book Tour with Excerpt and Giveaway

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“Zach Watters has made a lot of mistakes in his life. But when he sees Shelby Calder looking more beautiful than ever standing outside her childhood home, he promises himself that letting her go won’t be a mistake he ever makes again.”

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Wide Open Spaces by Aurora Rose Reynolds is LIVE!

NOW AVAILABLE!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2bB0Ejm

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2brZOcH

iBooks: http://apple.co/2bRE1rI

Nook: http://bit.ly/2bwDc8e

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2c0MloI

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Blurb

That moment your life changes.

That moment that changes your life.

That moment you love someone more than you love yourself.

That was the moment we gave our son up for adoption and the moment I was left bare. A wide-open space that would forever be empty.

There are moments that define you as a person, moments that prove just how strong you are, moments you push yourself to keep going forward when all you really want to do is give up. It was in one of those moments when I reached out and found him waiting for me.

When Shelby Calder left home fifteen years ago, she never planned on returning to the Alaskan town she left behind. But after the death of her grandfather and a bitter divorce, she hopes going home will be a fresh start for her and her ten-year-old son.

Zach Watters has made a lot of mistakes in his life. But when he sees Shelby Calder, looking more beautiful than ever, standing outside her childhood home, he promises himself that letting her go won’t be a mistake he ever makes again.

Some things never change and love is one of them.

 

Check out our 4 smooches review HERE.

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Excerpt

“Then why did you marry her?” I ask, wondering if I’m really ready to go there with him, but it’s too late to change my mind. The question is out, and as much as I don’t want to know the answer, I need to know the answer.

“I wanted my kids to have what I didn’t. I believed that, with time, we could find a way to be happy.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this,” I say, changing my mind as nausea and jealousy turn my stomach.

“You loved your ex, baby. I know you did. I didn’t have that. I wanted it but never had it with her or anyone else since you.”

“Please stop.” Feeling tears burn the back of my eyes for him, I close them tight. Max and I were happy and in love in the beginning, and I hate knowing Zach never had that… the kids didn’t see or feel that.

“I wish my past didn’t hurt you so much. I’m sorry for hurting you the way I have. If I could take your pain away, I would.” He gathers me against him and tucks my head under his chin.

“As sad as it makes me, I wish you would have had that with her or someone else,” I say, and his arms tighten so much that my lungs compress.

“I don’t,” he growls.

“What?” I wheeze, and he loosens his grip just enough for me to take a breath.

“I don’t want to think about what would have happened if I had been with her or someone else when you came back. I don’t want to face that demon inside of me that knows what I would have done.”

“Zach—”

“I’ve been in love with you for almost eighteen years. I carried your missing pieces around inside me for that long, Shelby. I know it would have made me an asshole, but there is only one you. You’re the only place I’ve ever called home.” His voice is thick with emotion, and that wound inside of me fills up a little bit more. I hate his words, but a part of me is relieved he feels that way, that he feels so deeply for me.

“There’s been a wide open space inside me since we placed Samuel and I left you behind. But, from the moment I came back, it’s slowly been filling up.”

He goes quiet at my words. Several moments pass before he speaks again. “One day, that space will be full. I swear, with everything I have in me, I will make sure it’s overflowing and that you never feel empty again.”

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About the Author:

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Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who’s husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She’s married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it’s beauty.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

 

GIVEAWAY

$50 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sep 02

Wide Open Spaces by Aurora Rose Reynolds Review

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4 Smooches

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Synopsis

That moment your life changes.
That moment that changes your life.
That moment you love someone more than you love yourself.
That was the moment we gave our son up for adoption and the moment I was left bare. A wide-open space that would forever be empty.
There are moments that define you as a person, moments that prove just how strong you are, moments you push yourself to keep going forward when all you really want to do is give up. It was in one of those moments when I reached out and found him waiting for me.

When Shelby Calder left home fifteen years ago, she never planned on returning to the Alaskan town she left behind. But after the death of her grandfather and a bitter divorce, she hopes going home will be a fresh start for her and her ten-year-old son.

Zach Watters has made a lot of mistakes in his life. But when he sees Shelby Calder, looking more beautiful than ever, standing outside her childhood home, he promises himself that letting her go won’t be a mistake he ever makes again.

Some things never change and love is one of them.

Review

‘It takes one breath for me to realize who just stepped out of my grandparents’ house. One breath for every moment I spent with the man standing before me to flash through my head. Two seconds for me to feel my world come to a stop.’

Aurora Rose Reyonds gives good alpha. That is a simple fact at this point. There hasn’t been a series she has put out that I haven’t enjoyed.  While this was not my favorite book of hers I did still enjoy it an d was surprised by some of the hate I have seen for it out on Goodreads. Zach and Shelby are not perfect but I personally don’t want perfect heroes and heroines in my books. There were some mistakes made by both but one in particular by Zach that does at times make it hard to like him. But while he might not fully regret his decisions he does regret the pain they caused.

“Every day since you left, I’ve lived with the knowledge that I didn’t fight for us, that I didn’t try to find a way to make you want to stay, that I didn’t go and make you come home.”

Wide Open Spaces was an emotional journey that both pulled at my heart and had my belly aching from laughter. I would have personally loved a bit more drawn out drama and maybe some action but then again I am a sucker for a good shootout or kidnapping in my alpha insta love stories. Still Aurora’s writing does seem to grown which each story she pens and I am very excited for the storyline and characters of the third in this series.

~miranda

Sep 02

Locked by Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine Release Blitz

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Social Butterfly PR is proud to present the Release Blitz for the highly anticipated LOCKED by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine!

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Release Date: September 2nd

Series: PresLocke #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance M/M

 

Synopsis:

“ACE LOCKE JETS OFF TO SIN CITY WITH MYSTERY MAN”

Sorry, ladies—and fellas—Hollywood’s hottest action star, Ace Locke, is officially off the market!

The man on Locke’s arm has been identified as Dylan Prescott, the sexy new “it” model currently featured in the latest Calvin Klein ads. Sources tell TNZ the men met on the set of Locke’s upcoming action film Insurrection 2, and that “they only have eyes for each other.”

This is the first public gay relationship for Locke, who came out a year ago, and there has been much speculation on who would finally be the one to catch his eye.

According to multiple eyewitnesses, Locke whisked Prescott away on his private jet for a romantic weekend at Syn, the most exclusive hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. After pictures recently surfaced of the new couple, affectionately named PresLocke, it appears from the possessive way Locke keeps his new beau close that things are heating up.

The world is watching #PresLocke, and we’ll be sure to keep you up to date on this budding relationship!

Ace and Dylan’s story continues in Book Two of the Bestselling PresLocke Series.

© 2016 Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine

LOCKED_AMAZON cover

* * * * * * * * *

“Separately, Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine are must-read authors. Together, they create pure magic!”

~Erika Wilde, New York Times Bestselling Author

 

* * * * * * * * *

Add to Goodreads

 

LOCKED Teaser 2

 

Buy Links:

US http://amzn.to/2bWhUkH

Universal: myBook.to/PresLocke

 

About the Authors:

About Ella Frank:

Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”

A life-long fan of the romance genre, Ella writes contemporary and erotic fiction and lives with her husband in Portland, OR. You can reach her on the web at www.ellafrank.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ella.frank.author

Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.

***

Ella Frank Author Links

Ella Frank’s Newsletter – www.bit.ly/1hEYtgn

Ella Frank’s Bookbub – http://bit.ly/29d67dD

Website – www.ellafrank.com

Twitter – @EllaFrank2012

FB – www.facebook.com/ella.frank.31

FB Street Team – www.facebook.com/groups/TheBrellas/

Instagram – www.instagram.com/ellafrank1/

Email: admin@ellafrank.com

***

Amazon Buy Links

PresLocke Series

Aced – http://amzn.to/29zhJug

Sunset Cove Series

Finley – http://amzn.to/1MshEaY

Devil’s Kiss – http://amzn.to/29kMlAF

Temptation Series

Try – http://amzn.to/1SndAIf

Take – http://amzn.to/1q8fxz9

Trust – http://amzn.to/1q8fymN

The Exquisite Series

Exquisite – http://amzn.to/22Dnwpm

Entice – http://amzn.to/1q8fNOI

Edible – http://amzn.to/1UQ73ta

Masters Among Monsters

Alasdair – http://amzn.to/1q8fRhs

Isadora – http://amzn.to/1RGmELp

Standalones

Blind Obsession – http://amzn.to/1UQ7544

Veiled Innocence – http://amzn.to/21MqYYZ

Co-Authored Books

Sex Addict – http://amzn.to/29jXd0n

Anthologies

F*cking Awkward Anthology – http://amzn.to/29nCbP2

ABOUT BROOKE BLAINE

You could say Brooke Blaine was a book-a-holic from the time she knew how to read; she used to tell her mother that curling up with one at 4 a.m. before elementary school was her ‘quiet time.’ Not much has changed except for the espresso I.V. pump she now carries around and the size of her onesie pajamas.

Brooke is a USA Today Bestselling Author and enjoys writing sassy contemporary romance, whether in the form of comedy, suspense, or erotica. The latter has scarred her conservative Southern family for life, bless their hearts.

If you’d like to get in touch with her, she’s easy to find – just keep an ear out for the Rick Astley ringtone that’s dominated her cell phone for years.

You can connect with Brooke here:

★ http://www.brookeblaine.com/

★ Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrookeBlaine.Writer

★ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrookeBlaine1

★ Instagram: www.instagram.com/brookeblaine1/

★ Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1i2g15S

★ Brooke & Ella’s Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBrellas

If you’d like to be the FIRST to know about a new release, sale, giveaway, or upcoming signings & events, make sure to join Brooke’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/brxPkP

Purchase Links:

ACED (PresLocke Series Book One)

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/29EAa1a

Universal Link: myBook.to/Acedebook

LICKED (L.A. Liaisons Book 1)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1q4C7bJ

Amazon International: myBook.to/Licked

*Exclusively on Kindle Unlimited*

HOOKER (L.A. Liaisons Book 2)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1QKpkSA

Amazon International: myBook.to/Hooker

*Exclusively on Kindle Unlimited*

FLASH POINT

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1q4Cl2q

Amazon International: myBook.to/FP

*Exclusively on Kindle Unlimited*

SEX ADDICT

Amazon US: amzn.to/29bJDhl

Amazon International: myBook.to/SexAddictebook

*Exclusively on Kindle Unlimited*

F*CKING AWKWARD

Amazon US: amzn.to/299qA27

 

Enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card

Sep 02

Hotshot by Ahren Sanders Review Tour

Title: Hotshot

Author: Ahren Sanders

Release Date: August 29, 2016

Synopsis:

I don’t remember a time I didn’t love Crenshaw Bennett.

I tried to deny it, but my feelings grew deeper.

I thought he could never love me the way I love him.

I was wrong—outrageously, deliriously, and beautifully wrong.

One innocent kiss changes my life forever.

Suddenly, Shaw is mine.

Loyal, devoted, and the most loving man on this Earth.

Together, we create an explosion of fiery passion, devotion, and chemistry I never knew was possible.

All of my dreams are within reach, but I should have known it was too good to be true.

The past always catches up to you, and I’m left staring at my worst nightmare.

Faced with the unthinkable, I am forced to choose between the man I love and a past I cannot change.

Shaw’s fighting like hell to prove we can have it all, but can I find the strength to be the woman he needs?

 

Check out our 5 smooches review HERE

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31277586-hotshot

Purchase Hotshot:

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

B&N:

iBooks:

Kobo:

About the Author:

Ahren spent her formative years living in an active volcano. There her family made collectible lava art. She studied rock collecting at the Sorbonne in France. There she met the love of her life-her pet pig Sybil. She returned to the states and started writing. She is happily married to a guy who used to live under a bridge and she met while pole-dancing. They have one amazing daughter.

Now, meet the real me. I grew up in the south and consider myself a true “Southerner”. Most of the special locations mentioned in my books are reflections of my favorite places. Living on the Florida coast, my family spends a lot time at the beach which is where I usually can be found with a book in my hand. I started writing my Surrender Series, in the spring of 2013 and have received incredible support from the Indie community. Throughout this year, I have been privileged to meet some amazing people that I am thankful to have in my life.

Connect with Ahren:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ahrensanders

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ahrensanders

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1eejSKy

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ahren-sanders

Sign up for Ahren’s newsletter:

http://bit.ly/1RrWAR4

Sep 02

Hotshot by Ahren Sanders Review

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5 Smooches!

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Synopsis

I don’t remember a time I didn’t love Crenshaw Bennett.
I tried to deny it, but my feelings grew deeper.
I thought he could never love me the way I love him.

I was wrong—outrageously, deliriously, and beautifully wrong.

One innocent kiss changes my life forever.

Suddenly, Shaw is mine.
Loyal, devoted, and the most loving man on this Earth.
Together, we create an explosion of fiery passion, devotion, and chemistry I never knew was possible.

All of my dreams are within reach, but I should have known it was too good to be true.

The past always catches up to you, and I’m left staring at my worst nightmare.

Faced with the unthinkable, I am forced to choose between the man I love and a past I cannot change.

Shaw’s fighting like hell to prove we can have it all, but can I find the strength to be the woman he needs?

 

REVIEW

This was the first book I’ve read by Ahren Sanders, and I was totally taken by surprise by it. I’m not sure what exactly I was expecting when I read the Hotshot blurb after my blogger boss, Miranda, told me about this assignment. But I can tell you that I was absolutely not expecting to feel the level of emotion that I felt while reading this book. From white-hot, furious anger to gut-wrenching heartbreak, I felt every single emotion that this couple went through. Oh yes, Hotshot drew me in from the first page.

I was immediately thrown into Bizzy and Nick’s story, struck by the bond these two teens forged through something that was unfathomable and how brave and strong they were in the face of all that they were dealing with. It was during this time, when an awkward and ill young Bizzy meets Shaw, Nick’s older brother and, for her, it was love at first sight. The friendship that grew between Bizzy and Nick was special and rare, shaped through a shared experience that cannot be comprehended unless you’ve been there yourself. The – strictly platonic – love between the two of them was beautiful and genuine. She is drawn into the tight circle of the Bennett family, much as her family embraces them.

As if the cards that Bizzy was dealt weren’t bad enough, this young woman is targeted by a mean girl when she is finally well enough to return to school. Bizzy’s pain, humiliation and hurt radiated through the author’s words as she dealt with the never-ending episodes of this other girl’s cruelty. The bright spot in all of it was her friendship with Nick, the handsome high school star quarterback, who rallied behind her and forced her to live her life as a normal teen despite the torment that plagued her at every step. I truly loved how incredibly resilient Bizzy was. While not unscathed, she managed to come through the torture of her teens with the core of her kind, gentle and generous spirit still intact. She selflessly pursued a career that would make a difference in the lives of children waging the same battle that she had while also repeatedly taking her back to that time in her own life. While she loved all the Bennetts, the day she met Shaw, her life was changed, and on top of the all heartache she already carried, Bizzy had to accept that he’d never see her as more than a sister.

Shaw Bennett has been a protective and loving friend to Bizzy since the day he met her. Fast forward ten years to an unexpected and surprising moment of clarity for Shaw. All it took was one simple gesture for everything to snap into place for him. He finally sees what is right there in front of him, what his future could be and, to his credit, he doesn’t waste any time in his pursuit of it. Unfortunately, an easy happily-ever-after isn’t in the cards, and this is where Ahren Sanders plunges in the knife into her readers’ already twisting guts as the mistakes of Shaw’s past slither into the light. Shaw goes through a nightmare dealing with them, all the while clinging almost frantically to Bizzy, to their love and to their relationship. Bizzy, I had to hand it to her, she stayed strong in the face of what was absolutely her worst nightmare, and despite her heartbreak and anger, she tried desperately to not only understand but also to be there for him.

This relationship, had it not been rooted in so much history, would have been doomed. Neither of them could even imagine not having the other in their lives, and with the added knowledge now of how good they are together, a lifetime without the other seems impossible. This was love story positively gutted me with how beautiful yet painful it was. My heart physically ached for Bizzy and my head spun for Shaw. There were points while reading this book that I was just sick over the angsty emotion playing out on the pages. Just when I thought there couldn’t possibly be more for this couple, for Bizzy, to endure, Ahren Sanders twisted the knife in my gut and gave me more.

This was a such a great story. It was definitely hard to get through at some points, but it was so well written, so well developed and fleshed out, it was almost impossible for me to put it down. I had my Kindle in hand as I attempted to cook dinner while reading this book. I absolutely loved Ahren Sanders’ Hotshot, and it gets 5 smooches from me.

~ Danielle Palumbo

 

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Sep 02

Bad Apple by Lani Lynn Vale Release Blitz With Excerpt

Title: Bad Apple

Series: The Uncertain Saints MC

Author: Lani Lynn Vale

Genre: MC Romance

Release Date: September 1, 2016

Model: Alex Minsky

Photographer: FuriousFotog

The road to hell is paved with good intentions…

Apple “Core” Drew needs The Uncertain Saints MC like he needs air. He is barely making it through the day, and each one that goes by takes him closer and closer to hell. Literally, not figuratively.

He’s a half breath away from killing himself—maybe not by taking his own life, but he’s not against making someone else do it for him.

Then he meets her. One of his club member’s sister, and his whole outlook on life changes.

And not for the better.

Just as surely as he ruined his life, he ruins her life, too. One lapse in judgement on his part, and his one night of happiness turns into the worst nine months of his life.

Which he would’ve thought was damn near impossible with the things he’s done and seen.

She never saw it coming…

It was the beard. The beard made her do it.

That is a good excuse for having sex with a man she barely knows, isn’t it?

Yeah, who was she kidding? It wasn’t the beard. It was the way he looked so dejected and solemn. The sad look in his eyes pulls her in, and the way his rough hands touch her makes her stay.

All she wants to do is take that look out of his eyes, but the consequences to her actions only make things worse, not better.

One day is all she gets, and he’s not willing to give her more.

Until she dies, that is. Then it’s too late.

 Check out our 5 smooches review HERE.

 

“Your brother’s gonna kick my ass you know,” I said.

 

“Why?” she asked.

I snorted.

“A, because he doesn’t like me. Two because he doesn’t like me,” I explained seriously.

“My brother’s suspicious,” she amended. “And he doesn’t hate you. If he hated you, you’d be treated like my brother.”

“And how’s that?” I asked in confusion, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Like a common criminal,” she expounded. “Ridley keeps him under surveillance, and he doesn’t get to come around me, him, or any of the club members.”

“Hmm,” I started walking faster. “Interesting.”

She nodded.

“He’s not here,” she informed me.

“Okay,” I said, my eyes following the movement of her finger as she brought one manicured finger up to her mouth and bit lightly on the nail.

“Do I have to spell it out for you?” She lifted her brows, her finger still rubbing lightly across her bottom lip.

I rebalanced my weight on both feet as I readied myself for whatever was going to come out of her mouth next.

I wasn’t disappointed. It was quite shocking, to say the least.

“I want you to fuck me,” she said.

She didn’t lead up to it or anything, just blurted that shit out there.

Which might’ve been why I couldn’t think of anything to say to that.

“I’m…” I hesitated.

“You’re a pussy,” she said, brows raised.

My eyebrows lowered.

“That’s certainly not what I was going to say,” I informed her. “Which you would’ve known had you not interrupted me.”

“Most people finish their sentences in a timely manner,” she said stiffly.

She was getting pissed.

Interesting.

“Desperate much?” I asked her. “You have to proposition guys that don’t want you in an attempt to get what you want?”

Her mouth dropped open in affront.

“You’re shitting me right now, aren’t you?” she asked, hurt evident in her voice.

“Yes,” I said, contrite. “But you surprised me is all. And I’m not a pussy.”

“Well, what are you?” she asked primly.

“Honestly?” I asked.

She nodded.

“Yes.”

“I’m trying to get into a club that my father thinks’ll be good for my PTSD and anger management,” I answered. “And to do that, I need to not piss off the members; for example, your brother.”

Her mouth thinned.

“My brother’s already let you know that he doesn’t like you. What’s sleeping with his sister going to change?” she challenged.

I paused, unsure how to answer that.

“Well…” on one hand she was correct. He wasn’t going to hate me any less if I slept with his sister.

And I did find her attractive.

Extremely attractive.

She was gorgeous.

And I’m not talking in a girl next door kind of way. I’m talking about a ‘keep her locked down in baggy pants and a sweat shirt’ kind of way and still beat the men off with a stick.

She’d be hell on the heart, that was for sure.

Her long, black curly hair came to about mid back, and her porcelain white skin seemed almost luminescent under the light of the moon.

She had long legs that looked fucking superb in those tight jeans she had on, not to mention the black Jack Daniel’s t-shirt she was wearing, cut up in that fashion that women seemed to like now-a-days, was only accentuating her curves.

And what little denial I tried to hang on to by the tips of my fingers slipped away, leaving only one thing in my mind.

I couldn’t pass this opportunity up.

Not after I’d been lusting after the woman for so long, even though she didn’t know that.

“You really want this?” I asked her, crowding her so close that she started backing up out of reaction.

She licked her lips, and then nodded.

“Yes,” she said surely. “Or I wouldn’t have brought it up.”

“You know who I am?” he asked. “You’re not intoxicated and asking for things that you shouldn’t be asking for in this condition.”

 

She laughed in my face.

“Oh, honey. Now you’re just trying to think up an excuse to back out, aren’t you?” she glared.

I’m a married mother of three. My kids are all under 5, 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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Sep 02

Bad Apple by Lani Lynn Vale Review

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5 Smooches!

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Synopsis

Apple “Core” Drew needs The Uncertain Saints MC like he needs air. He is barely making it through the day, and each one that goes by takes him closer and closer to hell. Literally, not figuratively.

He’s a half breath away from killing himself—maybe not by taking his own life, but he’s not against making someone else do it for him.
Then he meets her. One of his club member’s sister, and his whole outlook on life changes.

And not for the better.

Just as surely as he ruined his life, he ruins her life, too. One lapse in judgement on his part, and his one night of happiness turns into the worst nine months of his life.

Which he would’ve thought was damn near impossible with the things he’s done and seen.

She never saw it coming…

It was the beard. The beard made her do it.

That is a good excuse for having sex with a man she barely knows, isn’t it?

Yeah, who was she kidding? It wasn’t the beard. It was the way he looked so dejected and solemn. The sad look in his eyes pulls her in, and the way his rough hands touch her makes her stay.

All she wants to do is take that look out of his eyes, but the consequences to her actions only make things worse, not better.
One day is all she gets, and he’s not willing to give her more.

Until she dies, that is. Then it’s too late.

 

Review

Bad Apple is the fourth addition to Lani Lynn Vale’s Uncertain Saints MC series. This series is a bit darker and grittier than fans are used to seeing from Vale, but she’s done a great job tackling the sensitive and difficult topics in this book while staying true to her unique writing style. Always well written, always full of surprises, steam and laughter, a Lani Lynn Vale novel is something I always look forward to.

Vale took on some hard subjects in this book, and she did them well. Apple “Core” Drew is a good guy battling some serious demons. He’s heavy with nearly crushing guilt, and he has a hard time accepting the love, happiness and pleasure that Kit brings to his life. He struggles with it and pushes her away before he finally reaches out for the help that he needs. It’s never easy for these badasses to admit a weakness, but Core does it. This type of situation isn’t always pretty, and it can be downright brutal sometimes, but Lani seemed to find just the right balance in telling this story and portraying these characters realistically and genuinely while still delivering everything that her fans have come to love about her writing, her characters and their stories.

Kit is the sister of Ridley, an Uncertain police officer and a member of the Uncertain Saints MC. Having no other family but each other and the Saints members, the two of them are very close. Kit has a medical condition, and Ridley’s taken steps to make sure that she’ll always have help if she needs it. She meets Core, and she’s smitten right away. Ridley isn’t necessarily on board with a Kit and Core pairing, though, so Core’s got some work to do there to sway his brother. With Kit, if it’s not one thing, then it’s another. Despite their best laid plans, though, neither Core nor Ridley could have been prepared for what lay ahead for Kit.

I really love this series, it’s so different from anything Vale’s done previously. I like that she’s taking on these tough subjects, and I think she’s doing a great job with them. In Bad Apple, she managed to soften the hard edges of Core’s story with her trademark sense of humor. Let’s be honest here, no Vale novel would be complete with it or those funny, quirky little quotes that kick off each chapter. Fans of Vale’s, like me, greatly anticipate that banter and the antics of her heroes and heroines, along with the steamy build-up of her romances, and it’s here in spades.

I love this series, I loved Core and Kit, and I can’t wait for more Uncertain Saints. Lani Lynn Vale’s Bad Apple get 5 smooches from me.

~ Danielle Palumbo

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