The Upside To Being Single by Emma Hart

Blurb:

If anyone asks, I knew better than to flash my boobs for Mardi Gras beads.

I still don’t know why I did it.
Maybe it was the dare from my two best friends.
Maybe it was the guys on the balcony saying they’d throw Fireball shots with the beads.
Or maybe it was the quiet guy in the corner of that same balcony with piercing gray eyes, wavy dark hair, and a smile so tempting I wanted to climb up there and lick it off his face.
Maybe it was because I never thought I’d see them again.
Not that it matters. Not today.
Because the hotel I manage was finally bought—and the guy who walks in and introduces himself as my new boss is Mr. Tall, Dark, and Silent.

There are many upsides to being single.
Your new boss knowing what your boobs look like?
Not one of them.

(THE UPSIDE TO BEING SINGLE is a standalone, romantic comedy from the author who brought you MISS FIX-IT and BEING BROOKE.)

Find on goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2GzEpZL

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2rTVjPz

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2DRoA2W

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2B42jN8
Nook: http://bit.ly/2xBTDYB
iBooks: http://apple.co/2gfZmkl
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2kJEV0A

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: February 2018.

I'll be honest, Emma Hart has been on my radar for a while now, I've one clicked book after book of her most recent releases, each filled with quirky, bright covers and fun, catchy names, and yet somewhere along the way, during a time where far too much overtime was logged and distractions seem to mount, they found their way to my To Be Read pile, instead of my What I'm Reading Now pile. The Upside To Being Single though... that cover, the opening line of the blurb, the fact that the author would be signing at an Author Event I'm co-hosting in mere months meant I had to dive right in and forsake job hunting (what I am doing right now should any family members ask).

I often wonder if there is important information I should be privy to before I dive into a new to me authors work, with little more than a handful of online conversations with the author herself and a fun blurb I switched on my kindle and got to work. Almost instantly I felt a connection to Melanie “Mellie” Rogers, I mean for starters my maiden name is Rogers so there's that, but after twenty years working in customer service, retail and hospitality that opening scene made me smile for all the right reasons. There's a saying that the customer is always right, let me tell you that you'll disagree with that statement quick smart after handling ridiculous requests, rude customers and silly complaints on  daily basis. It's not all bad though, in between the newest entries into the MOST BIZARRE CUSTOMER File each customer service manager complies mentally, there are days filled with happy customers and great friends. Add to the obvious connections, is my uncanny ability to do something stupid when I have an audience, if its not making bad decisions, it's falling over, slipping, stumbling or just being downright awkward. 

Mellie is without a doubt one of those heroines you want to know in real life, funny, real, self deprecating, she may have doubts about her ability to adult most of the time, but her skills, experience and personality is what makes her the perfect person to manage the aging complex she has devoted the last several years to. Her voice is both young and genuine and her often awkward moments only make her more endearing. 

“Because you are a spitfire. You’re so gentle but at the same time, you’re incredible, fierce.”

Jacob Creed is every bit of the Tall, Dark & Silent Mellie purports him to be, the dual POV added to my enjoyment, giving me the insight into his thoughts and actions, his initial thoughts of a more intimate nature are clear, but so is his enjoyment of the continued interactions. 

This book hit all the right marks for me to forget time and just revel in the sights and sounds of New Orleans. If I wasn't already desperate to travel to NOLA and experience Mardi Gras I would be adding it to my travel bucket list. A book filled with chemistry, exuding fun and frivolity, with a heroine who expunged all the reasons why dating and settling down was absolutely the wrong choice for her, to a hero who proves that finding someone who not only accepts your quirks but relishes them is the very best rebuttal to her argument. For an introduction to Emma Hart's writing The Upside To Being Single seemed to be the perfect choice, sexy, light and filled with laughs.

About Emma Hart:

Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels and has been translated into several different languages. She first put fingers to keys at the age of eighteen after her husband told her she read too much and should write her own.
Four years later, she's still figuring out what he meant when he said she 'read too much.'

She prides herself on writing smart smut that's filled with dry wit, snappy, sarcastic comebacks, but lots of heart... And sex. Sometimes, she kills people. (Disclaimer: In books. But if you bug her, she'll use your name for the victims.)

Connect with Emma on Facebook

One Shot (Chances #1) by BJ Harvey

Blurb:

Boy meets girl, boy wins girl, boy nails girl -- boy’s gone by morning.

I think for sure it must've been a dream because there’s no way a guy could look like that, touch me like that and be so in tune with me on every known level, and disappear, leaving me with nothing but a good story to tell my friends.

When he walks into my bar three months later, everything I thought I knew and what we’d had disappears in the blink of an eye and the blinding light of the three-carat diamond on his fiancée's hand.

It seems what I thought was a dream is now my most complicated reality, and I've got absolutely no idea how to fix it - or if I even want to.

Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2z83IOA

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2znYli8

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2jKqXLN

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2AjPyxZ
iBooks - http://apple.co/2AALHZn
B&N - http://bit.ly/2mlYzAf
Kobo - http://bit.ly/2yx2Qmc
Google - http://bit.ly/2ht6oip

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: November 2017.

Harvey has long been an author I enjoy, her books filled to the brim with soon worthy heroes, wise cracking strong heroines and equal amounts of laugh out loud funny mixed with fan your face steam, One Shot had that in equal measure but what truly stood out for me was the angst, and holy moly was this one angst filled story.

Prologues are a tricky mistress for me, when done well they leave me hungry for the story, they fuel my desire for the words and leave me desperate and insatiable, it's more than a want to continue reading, it's an urge, primal, a NEED to set aside any plans and dive into the world the author has created. 

“You completely and utterly intoxicate me. You just have to breathe and I’m reeled back in.”

Millen seems like the total package, charismatic, sexy, confident without being cocky, his dedication to proving to Kenzie that he wasn't just another guy after a quick romp truly endearing, I wanted to believe in him, in his lustful gaze and earnest words, I knew there had to be more to the story then what it seemed because I genuinely wanted to care for the suave and sexy Millen. 

“When we’re apart I’m broken. When we’re together I’m whole.”

Kenzie is the kind of heroine I expect from Harvey, string, independent, funny as f*ck, the no nonsense, grab the world by the balls kindle of woman most days I aspire to be. Kenzie could seemingly take on the world and still be standing at the end of it, and yet unlike other men, Millen make his home in her heart almost immediately. 

One Shot as the title suggests is a story about those moments in life that have the ability to shape and change us irrevocably, Harvey kept me on the edge of my seat as my emotions waged a war inside me, this story was irreverent and funny at times, and yet absolutely heartbreaking at other, showing the author's ability to change gears, I wanted to LOVE LOVE LOVE One Shot, while I enjoyed the authors departure from her usual style including the angsty overall feel of the story, the ending felt rushed for me, I wanted more from those final chapters after such a build up. For lovers of angst ridden romance this will no doubt be a hit, as always I enjoyed the authors ability to create a world I wanted to lose myself in for a few hours, unfortunately it wasn't my favourite of hers. 

About BJ Harvey:

BJ Harvey is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Bliss Series. She also regards herself as a smut peddler, suspense conjurer and a funny romance thinker upper.

An avid music fan, you will always find her singing some hit song badly but loving every minute of it. She’s a wife, a mom to two beautiful girls, and hails from what she considers as the best country in the world—New Zealand.

Connect with BJ on Facebook

Timeless: Andy's Mindsong by Barbara S. Stewart

Blurb:

Andy Stevens is back.
He’s returned to his island to come to terms with a lifetime of memories

Rock God Andy Stevens, lead singer for the band Traveler, has come to a crossroads in his life. He’s living his Golden Years and finds himself torn between the present and the past. One phone call leads him on a determined course to find the answers, and come to terms with his unsettled soul.

His heart leads him to a place where his restless soul is at home – his island - Eleuthera. He digs his toes in the sand, deep in his memories, and relives, remembers, and reconciles a life that brings him the answers to the ‘whys’ i that led to the choices he’s made over the years. Love, lost love, love renewed, family, illness, life, and death... his hope is to find peace. Soul searching, he sifts through all the good, sad, and bad in search of what he longs for.

Take a walk back in time with Andy – for the last time.

Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2vfURI8

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

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2tPZsl0

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: July 2017.

Some books stay with you long after you turn the last page, the characters become imprinted on your heart, their journey stays with you, allowing you to reminisce on their joys and sorrows as if they were a beloved friend. Rock and Roll Never Forgets is one such title, an epic love story spanning years between Andy and Bethy, through joy and heartache and everything in between, Stewart weaved a story that absolutely steals your heart.

Stewarts latest offering is Andy's swansong, deeply reflective, incredibly poignant and intensely personal, Timeless captures the sorrow of heartbreak and regret, and the joy of first loves, last loves, forever loves. Timeless reads as a memoir, a heartfelt reflection of every beautiful memory interlaced with the moments of regret over wasted time and bad decisions.

I was unprepared for the emotional response Stewart's words would elicit, unprepared for the feelings revisiting with Andy would produce, the overwhelming sense of finality that reading Timeless would bring, the absolutely beauty of this story, was the sense of closure it brought with it, the sated smile Stewart's words left on my face, often in life we tell ourselves it's the journey not the destination that's important, I humbly thank this author for so brilliantly reminding me of that once again.

"Each word, each laugh, each revelation made me fall deeper in love with her."

About Barbara S. Stewart:

I'm Barbara, I read. I write. I come from the northeast, born in Havre de Grace, MD, and grew up in Pennsylvania. In my teens we moved to the Space Coast area of Florida. Now I live in Middleburg, Florida (Jacksonville area) with my husband, Gene.

I've worked in the electronics industry, and most recently in healthcare. I give back by volunteering whenever I can, and in 2009, I received The American Cancer Society's HOPE Award for volunteerism.

The stories I write come from my heart. I'm never sure where they are going until I get there. Most often, a song begins to paint a picture that becomes a love story. Sprinkled through my stories are humor and sadness based on real life experiences shared with family and friends. I write with emotion, pulling from memories and events that made me who I am. My readers tell me they feel like they know the characters I share with them. I like to call my writing 'the sound-track of my life.'

A reviewer on Amazon recently said, "This isn't a romance, it's a love story." (readingmaven)

As a writer, I hope you continue this journey, travel with me, see what song inspires me next, and I hope that you see more growth with each page you turn.

I love to read; it's a gift that was shared with me by my mom - Alis. She introduced me to her favorites like Little Women, Christy, and the Nancy Drew books. Books are an escape, a journey into new and different places and I've been many places I never dreamed of. My favorite genre is romance. I to explore and support other authors who paint a picture through words that allow me to feel the story. Some of my favorites are Adriana Trigiani, Maggi Myers, and Nora Roberts.

Connect with Barbara on Facebook

Dear Life by Meghan Quinn

Blurb:





Four lives. Four stories. Four sets of letters. Four brave souls in need of guidance while facing life's greatest challenges.

The anonymously published Dear Life program is designed to help them step outside of their comfort zones, face their obstacles, and relinquish their demons...and prove their existence.

With their lives teetering between wanting more and losing it all, all four souls dive into the program as a New Year’s resolution, sending them on a crazy, life-altering journey.

Dear Life,

Please be kind.

Yours truly, Hollyn, Jace, Daisy, and Carter.






Find on Goodreads






Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2npJiv9
Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2npKnmK
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2ndenS9
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2iHbbhY
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2otlOVA






Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: March 2017.

“It’s easy to observe when you sit back and listen, if you truly listen to someone rather than preparing to respond to what they’re saying."

Hollyn, Jace, Carter and Daisy each have endured traumatic events, leading them to take part in the Dear Life Program hoping to find ways to move on from what haunts them, each are faced with challenges and set backs as they embark on their journey forward, originally I intended to tell you all about Dear Life, about the story Ms Quinn crafted, about the ways it moved me to tears, the ways it challenged me, and yet in the months that followed reading it I'm still no closer to getting those words down, I'm still a mass of emotions. What I can instead tell you is what I took from this book, the message that is engrained in my mind, scored on my heart, the mantra I chant over and over... PROVE YOUR EXISTENCE... instead of using my review as a protective shield, my armour against the world, I want to be open, raw and without filter, I want to challenge myself to live my truth and share what I still feel months later. Thank you Ms Quinn for challenging me, for urging me to do better, to be better, to prove my existence.

“Prove your existence. That’s your new motto to live by. What did you do today to prove your existence, what are you doing tomorrow to prove your existence in this world?”  

Dear Life,

We've had a rocky journey at times haven't we? You've tested me, pushed me, challenged me, you've made me question myself more times than I'd like to admit, to be honest you have made me feel worthless, your trials and tribulations have seen me deflated and crying on the floor unable to see past my grief and heartache as my body failed me time and time again.

Your constant attacks saw me battle eating disorders, anxiety attacks, depression and attempts on my life, you've also shown me soul awakening joy, sheer beauty and splendour. You've put people in my path that have left footprints on my heart and changed my very being. You've thrown me curve balls that pushed me to do better, to be better, to test my fortitude and my strength. You've made me ask myself time after time AM I ENOUGH? Your attacks on my health and body have made me question my worth as a woman, as a person, as someone who always believed themselves to be a good person.

Life, you're a tricky b*tch, you're sneaky, you know for every down there must also be an up, you have shown me sadness so that I can know joy. You have shown me anger so that I can know calm. You have shown me loss so that I can know appreciation. But mostly, you have continued to give me life, despite my taking you for granted.

Kristine.

About Meghan Quinn:

When I was in high school I occasionally read books but was consumed by other teenage things so I didn't take the time to appreciate a good book on a cloudy day, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch. It wasn't until I received a Kindle for Christmas one year that my world completely flipped upside down. When looking for books I came across the Contemporary Romance genre and was sold and I haven't turned back since.

You can either find my head buried in my Kindle, listening to inspiring heart ripping music or typing away on the computer twisting and turning the lives of my characters while driving my readers crazy with anticipation.


Connect with Meghan on Facebook

Con Man by T. Torrest

Blurb:

Lucas Taggart is the best con man in the business, so to speak.

A former-geek-turned-hottie, Luke is now an image consultant and life coach to the rich and privileged in New York City. His eight-week program is designed to transform ugly ducklings into swans by instilling some much-needed confidence, and hey, a makeover never hurts.

But when Ainsley Carrington signs up as a client, Luke's world is thrown into a tailspin. Ainsley doesn't need an image consultant; her image is already perfect just the way it is. Luke immediately finds himself grappling with his attraction to the introverted beauty as all his old insecurities come bubbling back to the surface.

Thankfully, his new friend Mia is around to help him see that maybe the only makeover needed is on himself. Soon enough, the coach becomes the player as lines get blurred and professionalism gets thrown out the window.

The thing is, Luke doesn't date his clients. Ever. But fighting his desire is proving more difficult than he ever imagined. Especially since the cocky and arrogant "confidence man" has just completely lost his cool.

***CON MAN is a romantic comedy novel intended for ages 18+ due to some offensive language and graphic sex/sexual situations.***

READ WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MOOD FOR: cocky, fun, dramatic, insightful, relatable.

Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:


Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2nZhQHX
Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2mH7HPS
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2n0FsdP
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2n0xYHY
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2nt8v7Q





Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: March 2017.


A few years ago I stumbled on Ms Torrest's Remember When series, my fate as a bonafide TTorrest fan was cemented in those first moments of discovering Chester and LayLay, since then I have devoured each of her new releases, savouring in a style that is intrinsically hers, discovering new characters to love and enjoying the little Easter eggs she leaves for her readers.


In T's latest release we meet Lucas (Luke) Taggart, the ultimate CON MAN, after graduating from gangly and awkward teen to universally hot ladies man, Luke has created a lucrative business, Swan Inc. doing the same for many of the young, wealthy elite, unconcerned with their reasons for change he beautifies his clients, one by one.


When Luke haphazardly runs into Mia, an unexpected relationship is born, part business and part friendship, the two navigate the city, learning each others quirks. Mia with her brash and gregarious personality, and Luke with his well schooled attitude, the two set about slowly ingraining themselves in the others lives.


When Luke meets his newest client Ainsley, he is unprepared for the instant reaction she inspires, for the first time in over a decade Luke is left speechless, as lust and admiration converge, he finds himself falling for his new client, the one thing he veiled to never do.


In typical Torrest fashion behind the witty dialogue and explosive chemistry is a sweeter and more poignant message. We're often told as children to not judge a book by a cover, Luke often blurs this old adage with advice and tasks that encourage his participants to present the best possible package to the world in order to achieve their desires. I'll be honest, I had moments of  being absolutely disgusted with the hero, his focus on losing weight and having the perfect body in order to conform to society's standards of beauty waged a war on my heart, there were times when I struggled to find anything about him agreeable, and yet there was still that niggling feeling that he deserved another chance, that despite those douche'y moments early on where I wanted to climb into the pages and sock him in the mouth, I knew I was best to reserve judgement.


In a light and fun story about beauty being in the eye of the beholder, of second chances at life and love, at recognising your worth, and empowering yourself to be the absolute best you you can be, Torrest reminded why I adore her words and her stories, with the throw backs to monuments and beloved characters and the introduction of new soon to be favourites, Con Man was an absolute joy to read, incredibly entertaining from start to finish.

About T Torrest:

T. Torrest is a fiction writer from the U.S. She has written many books, but prays that only a handful of them will ever see the light of day. Her stories are geared toward readers of any age that know how to enjoy a good laugh and a dreamy romance. 

Ms. Torrest was a child of the eighties, but has since traded in her Rubik's cube for a laptop and her Catholic school uniform for a comfy pair of yoga pants. She's a pop-culture junkie, a movie aficionado, and an enthusiast of talking about herself in the third person. A lifelong Jersey girl, she currently resides there with her husband and two sons.

She also really digs it when she hears from readers, and is known to use words like "dig" in a non-sarcastic way. You can find out more about her books at her website:  https://www.ttorrest.com/

She also LOVES to get friend requests on Goodreads and Facebook, and personal messages from readers via email: ttorrest@optonline.net

 

 

AUTHOR LINKS

 

Website: https://www.ttorrest.com/   

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TTorrest

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6885143.T_Torrest

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/T.-Torrest/e/B00AX1CQVM

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tinatorrest

Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/TTorrest-Author

Tempting Tanya (NSFW #3) by C.C. Wood

Blurb:

Jordan Hawke is the one temptation that Tanya Blake can't resist.

Two years ago, the cynical attorney wasn't interested in relationships. Tanya only wanted a fling with the sexy British lawyer. Then she made the mistake of falling in love with him. She was shattered when he left for a job in New York and decided she learned her lesson. Never again would she allow herself to be vulnerable.

She moved on and built an impenetrable wall around her wounded heart.

When Jordan returns to Dallas to take a position at the law firm where she works, he makes it clear that he wants to pick up where they left off. Tanya refuses, determined to protect herself from more pain.

But Jordan won't give up so easily. In fact, he plans to use whatever means necessary to draw Tanya back into his life and his bed. She's not the only one who made a mistake two years ago and he will do whatever it takes to make it right.

Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2lK3jxt
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2m9FLAK
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2luxvOx
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2mV9aym
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2mK0hLp

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: March 2017.

It's been quite a while since I could sink my teeth into the Not Safe For Work series, in saying that I was momentarily worried that I would forgot characters or some of the back history, but as always with Wood's writing I was instantly able to find my way, I was reacquainted with Lucy and Yancy and easily figured out where the girls were up to in their lives.

"For years, I'd held the conviction that love never lasted, that things would never work out. But what I really believed was that it would never happen for me."

Tanya is definitely the cynical one of the group, every day she watches once happy couples bitterly arguing over shared assets as their marriages dissolve, has left her feeling that relationships are not meant to last, after meeting and enjoying a short term tryst with the only man who could ever make her question  her resolve to stay free or romantic commitment and watching him walk away she is even more set in her ways to live the single life.

"For the first time since I met Jordan Hawke, I was seeing exactly what he was thinking and feeling. Nothing hidden. Nothing protected."

Jordan walked away from Tanya once over two years ago when his career took him in another direction, when Jordan's career brings him back Dallas, to the very law office Tanya works at, Jordan has his chance to see if the explosive chemistry he remembers is still there and if he can recreate it once again.

"She walked into the room and I knew that I had to learn everything I could about her. When I got to know her better, I knew Tanya was everything I could ever want in a partner."

There was something incredibly endearing about Tempting Tanya, in this story about adults overcoming their past hurts and very present fears, the author could of crafted a story with overly dramatic flair, with big angsty moments that screamed out for attention, and drew the reader away from her very sweet message about taking leaps and second chances, but instead crafted a strong, solid story, that was a joy to read, one that left my heart happy, that left a smile on my face. I often find myself questioning the overly dramatic actions of thirty somethings when too much angst in thrown in the mix, I find myself dissociating from the story, and losing that loved up feeling that usually envelops me when I'm enjoying a good book, with Tempting Tanya I never felt anything other than the emotions the author no doubt wanted to elicit, this sparkling addition to one of my much loved series left me smiling from ear to ear.

About C.C. Wood:

Born and raised in Texas, C.C. Wood writes saucy paranormal and contemporary romances featuring strong, sassy women and the men that love them. If you ever meet C.C. in person, keep in mind that many of her characters are based on people she knows, so anything you say or do is likely to end up in a book one day.

A self-professed hermit, C.C. loves to stay home, where she reads, writes, cooks, and watches TV. She can usually be found drinking coffee or wine as she spends time with her hubby, daughter, and two beagles.

Connect with C.C. on Facebook

Sweet Rivalry - 1001 Dark Nights by K.Bromberg

Release Date: 28th February 2017.

Blurb:

Ryder Rodgers had a plan.


He was going to stride into the conference room, do the required song and dance over the next five days, and win the biggest contract of his career. But when he walked in and heard the voice of one of his competitors, all his plans were shot to hell.


Harper Denton. She was always on top. In college. First in their class. Always using every advantage to edge him out to win the coveted positions. The only one who could beat him. His academic rival. More like a constant thorn in his side. And his ego’s.


When he heard her voice, he was brought back to years before. To the bitter taste of being second best. But the woman who meets his gaze is nothing like the drab wallflower he used to know. Hell no. She was all woman now: curves, confidence, and staggering sex appeal. And no doubt, still brilliant.


The fact that she’s gorgeous and bright won’t distract him. This time, Ryder’s determined to be the one on top. But not if Harper can help it.
Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2m1BXUt

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2lfIEh7

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2m1Frq5

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2lPxXDO

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: February 2017.

When the loving and protective Ryder Rodgers burst onto the scene in Sweet Cheeks there was something intriguing about him, he was at once the typical big brother protective to the enth degree and jovial and fun loving in the way only a big brother can be, but in Bromberg's new novella we see the sexy side of Mr Rodgers, a man who is confident and suave and downright dirty when he wants to be. He's grown out of his pretty boy high school stage into a mover and shaker in the world of capital works and consultancy.

Harper Denton was once a gangly, shy young girl, suffering from nervousness and the typical afflictions of any high school student until she went head to head with Ryder Rodgers, when under his cool gaze she found herself and was able to exhibit a cool, calm collectiveness that would benefit her in her future career. Shining brightly and climbing the ranks in a male dominated industry takes talent and perseverance, having a sister in law who is Project Manager in Capital Works and Construction I know all to well the kinds of misogynist attitudes you have to face, proving your worth is one thing, but constantly fighting patriarchy can be demoralising to say the least. When Harper rose to the top of the ranks she was ready to take on the world, until one decision left her floundering in a world she no longer knew, now armed with the ticket back into the world of corporate construction consultancy she'll let nothing or no one step in her way.

With a past behind them and a big ticket job on the line, Ryder and Harper will go head to head to see who is the best candidate for the job. They denied their connection all those years before as teenagers, but now their chemistry burns brighter and their connection tangible, only one person can win, but what they could stand to lose could be greater than anything they've ever competed for before.

Filled with the kind of chemistry that Bromberg has become known for, Ryder and Harper have that banter that draws you in instantly, everything about this short, sexy novella had me invested, making Sweet Rivalry impossible to put down, laugh out loud funny, devilishly sexy filled to the brim with the kind of magic I find in every one of Bromberg's releases. While I recommend reading Sweet Cheeks, Sweet Rivalry could absolutely be read as a stand alone, especially when your in the mood for something short and sweet.

About K. Bromberg:

New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines, and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

She’s a mixture of most of her female characters: sassy, intelligent, stubborn, reserved, outgoing, driven, emotional, strong, and wears her heart on her sleeve. All of which she displays daily with her husband and three children where they live in Southern California.

On a whim, K. Bromberg decided to try her hand at this writing thing. Since then she has written The Driven Series (Driven, Fueled, Crashed, Raced, Aced), the standalone Driven Novels (Slow Burn, Sweet Ache, Hard Beat, and Down Shift), and a novella (UnRaveled). She is currently finishing up Sweet Cheeks a standalone novel out November 14th.

Her plans for 2017 include a sports romance duet (2 books: The Player, The Catch) and the Everyday Heroes series (3 books: Cuffed, Combust, and Cockpit). She’s also writing a novella for the 1,001 Dark Night series that will be out in February 2017.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon Author | Driven Group

Singe (Guardian Protection #1) by Aly Martinez

Blurb:

She was my nightmare. Every time I closed my eyes, I watched her fall into that inferno. Over and over, I failed to save her.

I hadn’t been able to reach her, and the guilt only burned hotter over time. Four years later, I was the unreachable one.

Heroes aren’t always saints. Sometimes, we’re nothing more than jaded sinners driven by sleepless nights and hearts full of darkness.

And then I met her. She was a dreamer who managed to soothe my scars and heal my wounds.

But, as the flames closed in around us, I feared I wasn’t the right man to save her. That is until I realized she was the one woman I’d burn the world down to protect.

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Purchase Links:

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

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2kGm3PE

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

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2l29gCU
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2kC4kru

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: February 2017.

I discovered Aly Martinez with The Fall Up, I was utterly spellbound by her ability to draw in the reader, her talent absolutely captivated me, when news of Singe hit the interwebs I was intrigued, why every romance reader has a soft spot for strong alpha heroes, it was the somewhat eerie blurb that truly captured my attention.  

Four years ago Jude Levitt, was doing what he had always dreamt of and was working as a Cop, one night, long after he had finished his shift he received a phone call that would change his life, summoned to a disturbance, he found a home in flames, and an ethereal beauty who he knew he couldn't save, that night would alter more than just his life.

"My Butterfly was beautiful. Still a little broke. Still a little scared. But weren't we all."

Years after the fire that changed Jude's life, he finds himself the newest recruit for Guardian Protection, battling alpha males and their top dog mentality is nothing new, but finding his feet and proving himself is to be harder then he anticipated, when he meets Rhion Park, his world is set to shift once again.

"I shrank back, but he kept talking. In paragraphs. Horrible, heartbreaking paragraphs."

Martinez paints a picture so vivid that it plays through the mind like a movie reel, everything about her use of imagery sets the scene so effortlessly that you lose yourself in the world she creates. Her ability to weave magic that is both heartbreakingly raw and sweetly romantic ensured that Singe would stand out in my mind long after I turned the last page. Singe perfectly tells the story of two people recovering from a past that has shaped the way the inhabit the world, it has forced them to be more aware of their world, and in it's most extreme forced one to nurture the need to protect and for the other the need to hide behind closed doors, and yet in each they find something they both equally possessed but had forgotten they had, it was in those quiet moments when they were discovering each other that they found something that every romantic at heart desires, a reason to take that step forward, into someone else's light. Heartbreakingly beautiful, raw and real, this story is about second chances, letting go and moving on, and true to Martinez's talent, is one that will linger in my mind for a long time to come.

About Aly Martinez:

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five- including a set of twins. Currently living in South Carolina, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.

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P.I.T.A. by Brooke Blaine

Blurb:

As one of the most prestigious wedding coordinators in Los Angeles, Paige Iris Traynor-Ashcroft is known for being classy, elegant, and the orchestrator of many happily-ever-afters.

But in the words of Paige herself: “What a crock of shiitake.”

Known affectionately (or not) as P.I.T.A. to those closest to her, she’s never been one to buy into the whole monogamy thing for herself. Sure, her BFFs are getting picked off by Cupid one by one, but his arrows have nothing on her semiautomatic.

Richard “Dick” Dawson does his best to live up to his name. A long-time frenemy and manwhore extraordinaire, he thrives on pushing limits, pushing up skirts—and pushing every single one of Paige’s buttons. He’s the itch she can’t scratch, and doesn’t want to. Or does she?

What happens when blazing-hot rage turns to crazy, unexplainable lust? Surely not...love? Because that would just be a total P.I.T.A.

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Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2kPfFCb
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2kanIwA
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2karKEV
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2l0qIe8

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: February 2017.

Prior to the L.A. Liaison's series I had not been introduced to Brooke Blaine, and yet the quirky bright colours and bold title of the first book in the series instantly intrigued me. Throughout the previous two books in the series Paige Iris Traynor-Ashcroft aka P.I.T.A. struck me as a strong, business savvy, man eater, loyal to a fault to her friends but filled with contempt at the thought of true love and marriage, despite two of her bestfriends finding love. 

“I appreciate the strip show, but you can keep your clothes on and Channing your Tatum some other time.”

When the wedding planner who doesn't believe in marriage ends up in a battle of the wits with her arch nemesis Richard Dirty Dick Dawson sparks are sure to explode. Two former best friends that now seem to thrive on annoying the other creates the kind of animosity that breeds my favourite kind of chemistry. In between the battle for control, unbridled chemistry and I can't believe I want you this badly even though I don't want to lust, there was a sweet story about two old friends that were perfect for each other if they could just get out of their own way.

"That was how it always was with us—constantly trying to one-up each other, always fighting for dominance. It put things back on comfortable ground."

The third book in the series was just a quirky and fun as the previous two, with their witty banter and sizzling chemistry it has become an easy read favourite of mine, Brooke Blaine shows both her depth and comedic timing here, interspersed with humour and heat, was sweet moments that left the heart swelling in anticipation of what was to come. P.I.T.A. left me sated and yet anxious for the final part of this series.

"I want to be the goddamn reason you can’t wait to wake up in the morning. I want you to be unable to sleep if I’m not there with you at night. And I want to be the only fucking man that you let come near you when you’re moving those hips like you’re having sex on the dance floor."

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.

She is the author of Flash Point, a romantic suspense standalone, as well as the co-author of the erotic series, A Desperate Man, with Ella Frank. The latter has scarred her conservative southern family for life, bless their hearts. Licked, a romantic comedy, will be released November 11th, 2015 and is the first in the L.A. Liaisons series.

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 ten years.
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