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Showing posts with label Laugh Out Loud. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laugh Out Loud. Show all posts

Saturday, 30 June 2018

Let's Get Textual & I Wanna Text You Up by Teagan Hunter


Blurb:

A wrong number is supposed to be just that—a wrong number.

Delete. Done.

Do not continue to text. Do not flirt.

A wrong number shouldn’t be the first person on your mind in the morning, or the last at night…and you’re definitely not supposed to talk them into buying a baby goat.

Because that would be weird.

When Zach Hastings and I get into a wrong-number mix-up, we don’t follow the rules. We keep texting and flirting, because he’s wicked funny and perfectly nerdy and a wonderful distraction.

I’m not looking for love, and Zach definitely had the wrong number.

But maybe…

Maybe he’s the right guy.

Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Kxnk4i
Amazon PB: https://amzn.to/2tNnhdu
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2Knk4g1
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2lHwjVF
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2Kvpwta

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: June 2018.

HOLY MOLY!! Seriously, where did this book come from, I'll be honest here and say Teagan Hunter is a new to me author, I was scrolling through a book recommendation thread in a book group on Facebook looking for authors and titles similar to the likes of Mariana Zapata, Sally Thorne, Christina Lauren, Alice Clayton, Helen Hoang, books that had that illusive spark we all seek. Something funny, a little zany, with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, with a depth that draws the reader in almost immediately...you know the unicorn of ROM COM world. I stumbled upon a post absolutely RAVING about Teagan Hunter, as soon as I read the duet titles I ran (figuratively of course, we all know I don't run... anywhere...ever) and #1clicked those badboys like it was a fire sale on lipstick.

I mean seriously....LET'S GET TEXTUAL... I love me so wordy jokes, they're so punny.... (I'll be here all week, try the chicken) any who I'm getting distracted, the point it, the titles alone drew me in, before I had seen the cover or read a blurb, and you want to know the best part? The first chapter absolutely sold me, witty dialogue, a meet cute I could go gaga over, this book played like a movie through mind, I was and in truth, still am absolutely smitten by Hunter's words. 

Delia, is newly single - despite it being a very amicable break up, she's still feeling the loss of something that was comforting if nothing else. Caleb wasn't her meant to be, there were no fireworks, no desperation to be near each other, no deep and meaningful conversations, it was a surface level relationship that was easy and fun, until it wasn't anymore. Not looking to jump back into the dating game, her focus is classes, hanging out with her bestie and roommate Zoe, and that's about it. When she receives a text from an unknown number she doesn't think much of it, chalking it up to her brother losing his phone yet again. As the texts continue she realises there's been a mix up of epic proportions. 

Enter Zack, when his roommate flubs the number of a business contact, he ends up sending a text to Delia. instead of an oops sorry wrong number, what follows is a steady stream of messages that both Delia and Zack enjoy far more than they could have anticipated. 


“You’re a cool dude.”

“A cool dude, huh? That’s what you call your best friend, or a guy you’ve stuck in the friend zone, not someone you keep kissing. Are you trying to friend-zone me, Delia?”


Let's Get Textual was fun, and light, and I found myself giggling while stopped at lights in traffic while my audio played, those two plus hours spent commuting to and from work suddenly felt too quick. I didn't want to leave my car, often finding myself squirrelling away extra moments to read one more chapter before heading into work, or home from my driveway. 

“Will you go on a second date with me?”

“We’re still in the middle of our first date, Zach. You can’t just ask me that out of the blue.”

“I already did, and I refuse to take it back.”

“What if I don’t like you by the end of this date?” I volley back.

“You honestly think that’s possible?” His dimples poke through his smile, and I know right then I’m going to say yes. “Say yes, Delia. Be wild. Do something crazy and fun.”

Zack is deliciously nerdy, and Delia, well she's got this take no sh*t vibe without the resting bitch face which I adored. It was their quirkiness that I loved, the back and forth, the push and pull that I found so enthralling, it was cute, and fun, and sweet, and sexy and so damn funny that it was absolutely impossible to put down, and that baby goat...don't even get me started on him...do yourself a favour a #1click Let's Get Textual now.


Blurb:

ROOMMATE WANTED
Chicks or dudes welcome!

Looking for a new roomie? I have a place for you! Like your music loud? I own headphones. Enjoy having late-night guests over? Again, headphones. Want someone to help pay the bills? Do the dishes? Take out the trash? You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours (metaphorically, of course).

Check us out, getting along already.

Must be able to pay first and last month's rent up front.
Must be okay with Breakfast & Beats.
No dogs.
No trying to sleep with me.
Two bedrooms. One bathroom.
$350/month plus electricity.

If interested, email ineedarobin@gmail.com.
P.S. Wiener pics sent directly to my grandmother. Don't do that crap to her.

This book does feature characters from Let's Get Textual but can be read as a standalone as the book does not follow the same timeline.

Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2IE5MBA
Amazon PB: https://amzn.to/2IF59Yz
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2KkVc8r
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2KmYfwI
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2yVCWNL

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: June 2018.

After the glorious high that was Let's Get Textual I had HIGH expectations, I mean come on... a baby goat... (trust me you'll understand when you read it) knowing I was diving into Zoe's story... well that had me positively giddy! Zoe as a supporting character in LGT was hilarious, but as the heroine she had a depth I didn't expect. When her bestie and roommate Delia moves out she needs to find a new roomie. In typical Zoe fashion her help ad is quirky and hilarious. 

Her search yields only one true candidate and it's the last person she could of expected, or wanted to be in such close proximity to. For the sake of keeping this review spoiler free I'm going to call the hero Mr C. These two are no strangers to one another, although they were never what you would call friends, they've spent sometime together while in college. Those surface level friendships we all have in life, deeper than an acquaintance but not someone you'd necessarily call to spend time with. Only lately Zoe has found her attention drifting to Mr C more than she expected.

“Where you’re from? That’s not you. Your dreams, your goals, those aspirations you hold so dear to your heart? Those are you. The rest of it only defines you as much as you let it.”

To the outside world Mr C seems to have his life together, talented, genuinely nice, everything he does he gives 100% too, but beneath the bright smile is a past that haunts him. Mr C is in need of a new place to stay, a place that is clean and quiet, with a roommate that won't ask too many questions or force him to open up and share anything real about himself.


"You know that's when I really started noticing you too. I mean, you were always this kind of force to be reckoned with, but it wasn't until Delia went though all that sh*t and you were there for her that I realized how great you really were."

When Zoe and Mr C collide, it's earth shattering for both of them, neither have ever sought anything more than surface level attachment, Zoe too scared to put her heart on the line, and Mr C to scared to open his life to prying and judgemental eyes. 

I Wanna Text You Up was fun, and flirty, with the witty banter I expected, and the kind of chemistry that burns up the page, but it also had a depth that sung to my heart, willing me to feel these characters intrinsically. Where Let's Get Textual was all about taking a leap, a chance on someone new, I Wanna Text You Up, was all about being willing to open yourself up to someone else, and having enough faith that what others saw there was enough to make them want to stay, it's the subtle messages that stay with me long after I turn the last page. This duet was wickedly fun, super sweet, quirky dialogue that made it utterly impossible not to be invested in the characters story. An absolute must read.




About Teagan Hunter:


I’m a Missouri-raised gal, but currently live in North Carolina with my US Marine husband and 8-year-old Miniature Pinscher. I spend my days begging him for a cat, and I survive off coffee, pizza, and sarcasm. When I’m not writing, you can find me binge-watching various TV shows, especially Supernatural and One Tree Hill. I like cold weather, buy more paperbacks than I’ll ever read, and I never say no to brownies.

Connect with Teagan on Facebook








Monday, 11 June 2018

The Varlet and the Voyeur (Rugby #4) by Penny Reid and LH Cosway


Blurb:

He kept his salacious secret for years. But soon, everyone is going to be reading about it in their morning paper…


THE VARLET (and the VOYEUR)
William Moore is a long way from home. A farm boy from Oklahoma, he’s now the most well-respected member of the Irish rugby team. But appearances are often deceptive, and Will isn’t the clean-cut, all-American good-guy everyone imagines him to be. He’s got a secret, one that will tarnish his reputation forever.

THE VOYEUR (and the VARLET)
Josey Kavanagh is a self-proclaimed mess, but she’s finally getting her shi…uh, act together. She’s set her sights on becoming a veterinarian, but there’s one teeny tiny road bump. Her living arrangements are coming to an abrupt end, leaving Josey homeless and in need of a job to pay her way through college.

THE PLAN
What he needs is a companion to keep him on the right path.
What she needs is an apartment with free rent.
Will is convinced Josey will make the perfect companion, since she’s brutally honest and basically ‘just one of the guys.’ Josey is convinced she can ensure Will doesn’t succumb to his voyeuristic proclivities by keeping a scrupulous eye on him.
Except, what happens when the varlet is tempted by the voyeur, and vice-versa?!
Perchance something very, very volatile. And vexing.

The Varlet and the Voyeur is a full-length romantic comedy novel, can be read as a standalone, and is the 4th (and last) book in the USA TODAY bestselling Rugby Series

Find on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon PB: https://amzn.to/2Mky3QN

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2HMHfu1

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2HLC11e

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2t0Z5nw



Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: June 2018.

It's not often til you revisit old friends in your most beloved books that you realise how much you needed to revisit the authors work. After a week filled with great book after great book I needed something I would love just as much. When I picked up The Varlet and the Voyeur I was quietly confident I wouldn't be disappointed. Individually Penny Reid and LH Cosway have written some of my favourite titles, together they've created books I've adored. With the fourth and final instalment in the Rugby series landing on my kindle I was ready to be swept away.

Josey Kavanagh is the very definition of hot mess, she's honest to a fault, has absolutely no filter and is absolutely living in the present with little to no thought of the future. Happy to be a home body and spending the majority of her free time with her eclectic parents, she's blind sighted by the news of her parents wanting to sell her childhood home pushing her to move out and forge her own path. Hurt and still very much in shock Josey has no plan and no idea what she's going to do.


"She wasn't crazy, she was kind. She wasn't nutty, she was naïve, trusting. There was absolutely nothing wrong with Josey, and I silently promised I'd never let Bryan - or anyone else - plant seeds of doubt about her again."


William Moore has done his best to live as private a life as possible despite being his chosen profession, he's been the consummate professional, a good friend to those around him, albeit stoic in his interactions with others. When the media grabs hold of a scandal of an intimate nature his once carefully constructed persona is blown apart. With vultures at every turn vying for blood he's thrust into a spotlight he never craved.


"She'd eradicated the emptiness, but she'd made the space bigger, fuller, brighter than before. Her leaving would create too large of a chasm, one that I'd feel both acutely ad chronically."


Josey needs somewhere to live, Will needs someone who will hold him accountable and not be afraid to ask him direct questions, it seems like a perfect arrangement right? In the land of romance we know it's going to be anything but smooth sailing for these two.


The beauty of these two slightly quirky characters is in the vulnerability and honesty that laces all of their interactions. In a world full of deceit and make believe being open and earnest can be a revolutionary act. The way Josey and Will exist around one another means so much because they operate without judgement. It's their connection from tentative to all encompassing that I found so thrilling. I wanted them to be each others safe haven, I wanted Josey to know Will's kinks and love him not in spite of it, but because it was part of who he is, and I wanted Will to see this young woman who was too loud, too quirky, too awkward for so may others and worship her because it's what made her, her. It's what we all crave after all, a genuine connection, an unshakeable bond, a person who is our common sense, our mischief, our best day, our sounding board. Someone who knows our hopes, our dreams, our fears and encourages and supports us through all of it. Someone who knows all of our best qualities and our worst ones as well. It's being vulnerable with someone knowing they will safeguard your heart. It was this connection that had my heart swelling and skipping a beat because having that connection with someone regardless of whether it's in the form of a friend, soul mate or lover is without a doubt one of the greatest gifts we can receive.

"Unfortunately, a tear had already formed inside me. And where there was a tear, pain was inevitable."

The Varlet and the Voyeur had the same humour I've come to expect from Reid and Cosway, it was sexy and fun in equal measure ticking all the boxes for this romance reader, and yet it had this depth that I wasn't quite ready for, with moments of unyielding beauty, an exquisite rawness that stole my breath. The vulnerability on the pages that had me so utterly invested in the characters that I found this story impossible to put down. I adored every moment of this story, I fell hopelessly in love with Josey and Will, with the way Reid and Cosway breathed life into them so they jumped off the page and straight into my heart. Full of frivolity and fun, and laced with so much emotion that I'm not sure to forget these two anytime soon.

"I wasn't falling in love with Josey because I was already in love with her."



About Penny Reid:


Penny Reid is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

Connect with Penny on Facebook


About LH Cosway:


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.

Connect with Lorraine on Facebook




Sunday, 20 August 2017

Commitment by KM Golland - Exclusive Excerpt & Review

 

Release Date: 21 August 2018.

Blurb:

Natasha Jones loves her life, her husband and their two young sons. She works hard both at home and as an Events Supervisor at City Towers. But when a relationship with her work colleague unexpectedly progresses, Tash begins to question whether or not her marriage has passed its ‘Use by’ date.

Dean Jones is a numbers man but has no idea that his number could be up where his marriage is concerned. Never one to really speak his mind, he has always opted to just go with the flow in order to keep his wife happy.

Passion, intimacy, and communication have taken a backseat to demanding careers, a mortgage and family life, and it’s not until Tash and Dean stand to lose everything they have built together that the spark between them begins to flicker again.

And boy does it flicker ...
and ignite ...
and nearly burn the entire neighbourhood down!

Can Tash and Dean keep this newly lit flame alive and save their marriage? Or will temptation make the commitment seem too much to bear?

GPI Exclusive Excerpt:

I didn’t want to be disappointed with how our anniversary had panned out, but I was. It had just been another normal day, except that we had sex. Not sexytimes. Just sex. Plain old boring sex that nearly put me to sleep.
After dinner when he’d suggested we watch “Captain America” instead of “Love Actually”, my desire for anything intimate had long passed, and all I’d wanted was to just go to bed and read because, nowadays, the pages in my books gave me more sexual gratification than the man who slept beside me.
It was sad but true.
When he’d mentioned ‘looking for my cat’, ‘my cat’ had figuratively hissed in warning. I hadn’t wanted to play hush-the-kids-are-asleep robotic, shitty sex, even though I’d given in out of guilt in the end and played it. It was disheartening, really, having sex with my husband because I felt guilty for not having it with him. Sex shouldn’t be like that when you love someone. It should be exciting, rewarding … enjoyable. It shouldn’t be an obligation or a score settler. But that was exactly what it had become where I was concerned. And I hated that.
Sighing, the mere thought of feeling that way pained me. I loved Dean wholeheartedly and I always would. He just didn’t push the buttons on my body that I wanted him to press. And I wasn’t sure at what point in our marriage that had changed or why, nor was I sure if it were his fault or mine. Because, although small, my porthole sized libido still existed. I wanted sex. I just wanted something different. Something new. Something surprising.
I wanted something a little less predictable.
Unfortunately, Dean was as predictable as a clock. Rhythmic. Formulaic. He liked routine. Did that make him boring? Yeah, kinda. Yet I couldn’t deny that his consistency was comforting, because he was also dependable and reliable — a double-edged sword with a bittersweet slice.
Lying in bed and staring at the ceiling, I wondered if ‘comfortable’ was what a marriage should be above all else, if ease and the absence of irregularity really were the key to sustaining longevity within a partnership.
“God, I hope not,” I said quietly to myself. That notion didn’t sit well with me at all, but maybe that notion was the answer and my expectations of spontaneity were unreasonable. Maybe I was just greedy.


Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2uV3trV
Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2uVjrm5
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2x2PEFc
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2x2UZwa

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: 2017

There's a point in every wedding ceremony, when saying one's vows that we utter promises to one another, we promise to love each other, in sickness and in health, richer or poorer, we promise to forsake all others, we essentially promise to choose each other, every day, every month, every year of our forever's.

When standing there in front of a priest/officiant, in front of our families and friends it seems so very simple, because for most of us, we chose this person that moment of our first date, first kiss, first intimate moment, we chose them when they got down on one knee or in my case passed me a ring box while overlooking Saddleback Mountain, we chose to spend our remaining days building a life with our partner. As sure as I am that we are so very sure of our vows on that day, I also know that more often than not we find ourselves questioning our choices, our commitment at some point in our marriages. Be it five years, ten years or twenty years, most of us will feel stifled by that tricky bitch complacency, that honeymoon phase we fondly remember seems so long ago, jobs, children, pets, household chores have taken precedent, we forget about who we once were before the dreaded C word, and often we find our once bright and vibrant relationship...stagnant. Getting dressed up for date night is a thing of a past, sexy lingerie sits long forgotten in the back of the draw, the I love you's  still fall quickly from our lips but now out of routine.

Commitment tells the story of Tash and Dean, their story is heady and romantic, over a decade together, a lifetime, two beautiful sons, surrounded by good family and friends, their marriage seems solid,  they say I love you freely, easily, they share a connection that only comes from many years together, even after all the years that have passed Dean still see's the beautiful sexy woman he married, Tash still see's the handsome man who once stole her breath, but she also see's the man who can't for the life of him hang his keys on the hook near the door, and he see's the woman who falls asleep far too quickly and leaves him to jerk off in the dark.

I'll be honest, in true KM Golland style I was expecting a funny, sexy romp with Commitment, a story purely about bringing the sexy back, what I found instead was a poignant tale of two people who truly love each other but aren't quite sure what they are missing that their friends seem to have. That old saying that you can't see the wood for the tree's resonated so deeply for me here, I've had those moments, I've felt unsure in my marriage, I've felt like everyone else must be in on some secret I wasn't privy to, I've felt under appreciated, invisible, like a flatmate instead of a lover or a spouse, I've lost that spark and wondered if marriage is truly supposed to last forever, in truth I still do at times, I had moments reading Tash's thoughts sure that Golland had somehow hijacked my brain and scooped out my most secret thoughts.
It was confronting, and so very real that I found myself sitting in my bathroom quietly crying, because finally I could give voice to these thoughts swirling in my mind, but more than that for once I felt a little less alone.


There's so much beauty in Golland's words, there's a honesty in this story, there's a rawness that is so very confronting, it makes you think, but more importantly, it makes you feel. Mixed in between sassy banter, uproariously funny exchanges, swoon worthy romance and scintillatingly sexy hijinks is a story that needs to be told. I've often regarded author's like Taylor Jenkins Reid as the creator of life lessons instead of a writer, after finishing Commitment, KM Golland has cemented her place as the teacher of truths, the creator of life lessons, a writer of real life.



About KM Golland:


“I'm an author. I am married. I am a mother of two adorable little people. I'm a bookworm, craftworm, movieworm, and sportsworm. I'm also a self-confessed shop-aholic, tea-aholic, car-aholic, and choc-aholic.” Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, K.M. Golland studied law and worked as a conveyancer before putting her career on hold to raise her children. She then traded her legal work for her love of writing and found her dream career.

Connect with KM Golland on Facebook





Sunday, 23 April 2017

Game Ender (Game #4) by BJ Harvey




Blurb:

From USA Today bestselling author BJ Harvey comes the fourth and final book in the Game series and this time it's the reformed playboy and the single mom.

***

"You have chlamydia."

Three words no man wants to hear.

I've always been liberal with my appreciation of the female form, a firm believer in the 'try before you buy' principle, but living life to the fullest obviously didn't end well for me considering the unexpected—and very unwelcome—consequence of my free and easy past.

After living through the horrendous experience that was informing my recent sexual partners of my acquired 'condition,’ I made a vow to myself – and a bet with my best friend—that the next woman I sleep with will be the ‘one.’

What I will learn is that even when something happens and the games come to an end, there's always the chance of something—or someone—crashing in and changing everything.

So this is my story. It may start with a venereal disease, but I promise you, I’m determined to get my happy ending.


Find on Goodreads



Purchase Links:




Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: April 2017.

There are several sayings when it comes to things coming to a close....you should always go out with a bang, or save the best for last, after rereading the last book in the Game series I'm even more sure that Harvey heeded these old adages. As I sit here and reflect on the feelings Game Ender evoked, the sense of quiet contemplation, of heady excitement, that rush of love blossoming organically, slowly, the giddy feeling of seeing someone you already know for the very first time, of seeing the parts of them you previously missed and discovering them with wonder and excitement.

Thomas has always had a pretty liberal view when it comes to sex, as long as both parties are consenting adults who are enjoying themselves why not indulge, he'd thought his interactions were not only consensual, but safe, until obviously he wasn't, when Thomas discovers he had contracted an STI, he realises he needs to stop indulging in the one nights and start looking for the forever.

“I want the first time to be the best first kiss in the history of first kisses. One that brands her, burns into her soul and ruins her for all future kisses from anyone but me.”  

Amy has always been self sufficient, when life throws obstacles in her path she finds a way to jump over it, or get around it, she refuses to cry poor me syndrome or wallow in self pity. When Amy finds herself with some unexpected news, like always, she charges onward.

As Thomas and Amy development an unlikely friendship, forged through shared experience, they begin to truly see each other for the first time, more than just passing physical attraction, these two start to truly understand what it means to experience that once in a lifetime bonds they see their friends living and begin to realise it could be possible for them to.

“Us girls have our moments of crazy, the measure of a man is how well he copes with them.”  

With the quintessential wit and sass that I've come to expect from Harvey, with sexy hijinks and hilariously funny moments, everything about Game Ender was a joy to read. What I truly enjoyed most about the final instalment in this series was how real this story felt, how despite it being a work of fiction there were moments that were raw and genuine and so darn real. This story felt more adult, having that sense of angst I crave from contemporary romance, without feeling too young or too much, their issues were age appropriate, their dilemma's expected and ultimately what resulted was a story that just felt good to immerse myself in and forget about my own troubles for a little while.


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




Tuesday, 28 March 2017

Good Boy (WAGs #1) by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy








Blurb:



Hosting her brother’s wedding for an MVP guest list is the challenge of Jess Canning’s life. Already the family screw-up, she can’t afford to fail. And nobody (nobody!) can learn of the colossal mistake she made with the best man during a weak moment last spring. It was wrong, and there will not be a repeat. Absolutely not. Even if he is the sexiest thing on two legs.

Blake Riley sees the wedding as fate’s gift to him. Jess is the maid of honor and he’s the best man? Let the games begin. So what if he’s facing a little (fine, a lot) of resistance? He just needs to convince the stubborn blonde that he’s really a good boy with a bad rap. Luckily, every professional hockey player knows that you’ve got to make an effort if you want to score.

But Jess has more pressing issues to deal with than sexy-times with a giant man-child. Such as: Will the ceremony start on time, even though someone got grandma drunk? Does glitter ever belong at a wedding? And is it wrong to murder the best man?

Caution: May cause accidental aspiration of tea or coffee. Do not read in a public place where loud laughter is inappropriate. Contains hot but hilarious hockey players, puppy cuddling and a snarky pair of underwear.










Find on Goodreads


























Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2o4HgUt
Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2nuIPcT
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2nckVQU
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2npshBD
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2mKQ6GC
iBooks: http://geni.us/gbibooks
Kobo: http://geni.us/gbkobo
B&N: http://geni.us/gbnook










Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: March 2017.

When Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy first released their co-written work HIM I was instantly enamoured, it quickly rose to one of my favourite books of the year and with the subsequent release of US, they became one of my all time favourite duets. I was already a fan of Kennedy but with HIM's release I found myself downloading Bowen's back catalogue and devouring them at will. In US we were introduced to Blake Riley, the loveable larrikin with a huge heart and incidentally a huge *ahem*. Blake's loud and gregarious nature there was something inherently good about him. Something warm and nurturing, something that incited loyalty, there was a sense that there may be more to the big lug than met the eye.


“She’s staring at me like she wants to rip off my clothes. Or just rip something. I’m not quite sure which.”  


Jess Canning is loved by her family, there's no doubt of that, and yet her constant jumping from one career to the next has left her feeling on the outs, crushed by the wave of guilt for once again not following through on a career plan her parents have helped fund leaves her questioning her next steps. As she finishes the final touches on her first and last party planning venture for none other than her brothers wedding she should be prepared for any eventuality, including steering clear of the best man Blake Riley. Riley is every mistake she's ever made, he's bad decisions and reckless abandon rolled into a delicious package.


“That dude is a lot like a big, drooly dog. Doesn’t matter if he just met you, he wants to lick your face and hump your leg”


Blake Riley can't deny his attraction to Jess Canning, nor does he want to, she doesn't want a serious relationship, that's fine, neither does he, Jess doesn't want to revisit their little sex-capade, that's fine, he'll convince her otherwise. For every argument Jess puts forward, Blake can find a reason to refute her decision, Blake is after all a man with a plan and he'll stop at nothing to convince Jess to give him a shot even if it's only for a mutually beneficial somethin' somethin'.


“We’re friends?”
“Are we?”
I smirk at her. “Would you rather I said ‘former lovers? Or maybe soon-to-be-lovers-again?”
She smirks back. “In your dreams.”
“F*ck, yes. Absolutely in my dreams. The wet kind.” I reach over and cover her knee with my palm. “How about we make those dreams a reality”  


Filled with moments of absolutely hilarity, Good Boy felt much lighter than the Duet that spurned it's release, Bowen and Kennedy cement their ability to create the type of banter that effortlessly draws you in, whether it be the sizzling chemistry between Blake and Jess, or the bro-code worthy banter between Blake and his team mates, there was seldom a moment that was not engaging. I found myself desperate for more of this story and yet desolate at the idea of finishing it and being left bereft without their presence. Everything about the story had me invested, every scintillating sexy moment of back and forth between Blake and Jess, every moment of growing doubt over what they are to each other, every sweet moment of side glances and knowing smiles, every moment of growing lust and animal attraction only cemented Good Boy as a new favourite. With a whole new series to read and love on the way, Bowen and Kennedy have easily become one of my top writing duo's.


“He just laughs, that deep, boisterous laugh that seems to come from the centre of his soul, because Blake doesn’t do anything half-assed. He laughs the way he lives his life—loud and fierce and without inhibition. He f*cks that way, too.”  




























About Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy:







Sarina Bowen is the USA Today bestselling author of steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction. She lives in the wilds of New England.

She is the author of The Ivy Years, an award-winning series set amid the hockey team at an elite Connecticut college. Also, the The Gravity series.

With Elle Kennedy, Sarina is the author of the RITA award winning HIM, and its sequel, US, as well as the WAGs novels.

Sarina also has a new Vermont contemporary romance series, True North. She's also unrolled new hockey novels from Penguin Berkley including Rookie Move.

Sarina enjoys skiing, espresso drinks and the occasional margarita. She lives with her family, eight chickens and more ski gear and hockey equipment than seems necessary.






A New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.

Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!







Monday, 27 March 2017

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
 





Tuesday, 28 February 2017

#1 Crush by T. Gephart



Blurb:

#1 Crush

Tia Monroe was smart, sassy and successful. Sure, she could get a little crazy at times—life around Tia was never boring—but that was part of her appeal. And while she didn’t see herself as ‘classically beautiful’, she had no shortage of options in the boyfriend department. She just hadn’t found one who held her interest.

Until she laid eyes on Eric Larsson, and then it was lust at first sight.

He packed the perfect mix of smoldering sexy and unapologetic cool into his blond-haired, blue-eyed, ridiculously hot six-foot-four frame. One smile from him was enough to twist her insides, making her girlie bits tingle in the most delicious way. But it wasn’t just his looks, he was smart and funny—charming in the most a-dork-able way.

The only problem was . . . Tia had never actually met him.

Eric Larsson was one of Hollywood’s hottest movie stars, rising to the top of his game and leaving a trail of disintegrated panties in his wake. Tia’s were no exception—but she wasn’t delusional. Love, marriage and happily-ever-after were not part of her fantasy; she just wanted to meet him. Just one time. One time. Confident that just seeing him in the flesh would get him out of her system.

So, with her resolve steeled, Tia set off on a quest to make it happen while avoiding her mug shot being splayed across the five o’clock news.

The journey no doubt will make for one hell of a story.

Find on Goodreads



Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2m3lwqW
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2krOfof
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2mlzViF
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2jZh7Di
Amazon PB:
http://amzn.to/2kM7jOt

B&N: http://bit.ly/2kDhqEx
Kobo:
http://bit.ly/2kX7whV

iBooks: http://apple.co/1tvo2pk



Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: February 2017.


Before I tell you all about #1 Crush I feel the need to tell you a little known story, in year seven (the first year of high school for the non-Aussie's) I discovered David Duchovny, today's generation would know him as Hank from Californication, but back then DD or my future husband as I affectionately referred to him was Fox Mulder, he was half of the lead cast of The X Files and my God was he swoony... he was determined and single minded, he was searching for the truth and he was sexy AF! I adored him, his posters adorned my walls, his pictures covered my school diary and folder, I played the MATCH game with our names more times than I could count, hell myself and two of my friends probably could of started writing erotica with the crazy stories we came up with featuring our mutual love. Even now through his sexual addiction scandal and everything in between he still floats my boat if you know what I mean... you see we've all been there at one point. Or at least after showing you my crazy, I hope we've all been there, crushed on a singer or actor or someone we'd never have the slightest chance with, I mean sure David might have been my first, but through five live concerts for The Script I still try to convince everyone around me that there's a HUGE chance the lead singer Danny will see me in the crowd and fall madly in love with me, I mean sure it hasn't happened yet, but considering last time I touched his arm so we're getting closer, I have to hope for lucky number six.

"Not any crush either. Eric Larsson was my number one."


Now that I've thoroughly embarrassed myself, I can tell you about what you came here for, in #1 Crush Tia Monroe has a thoroughly indecent and unholy crush...obsession...lets just stick with crush on Hollywood A Lister Eric Larrson. He's well and truly out of her league in the sense that they run in two different worlds, that's not to say that Tia isn't a pretty rockin' lady, she's self sufficient, independent and under no false assumptions that she would meet and run off into the sunset with the object of her affection. Tia has been able to earn a decent living as a columnist for a New York paper and she's content, she's happy with where she is and has no real reason to complain.


"Think about it. I meet him, I see what an asshole he is and I move on with my life. Simple. Because we both know he’s going to be a disappointment.” Boom. Cured. It was brilliant."



Tia hatches a plan to meet her #1 Crush, with the goal to find out that he's a Hollywood jerk and finally get over her obsession over a night of heavy drinking with her bestie, I mean despite all the craziness involved what could possibly go wrong?? In true Gephart style what ensues is a wacky, wild ride as one woman gets everything she ever dreamt of. The author referred to #1 Crush as ridiculous and crazy, and I'll be honest, it is, it's so ridiculous that I found myself laughing my arse off, it's so crazy that it could almost actually happen, and it was so damn sexy that I found myself fanning my face as reality and one girls wild imagination collided in the best possible way. Instead of rolling my eyes or shaking my head, I was giddy for more, because while David and I were never meant to be, maybe there's a chance that the Tia's of this world might just have a chance with the Eric's and after all isn't that why we read romance in the first place?

"He’d stopped being my crush a while ago, and now he was my forever."



T. Gephart showed a new breadth to her talent with this release, while her previous books have had a comedic vibe, #1 Crush cemented her ability to write pure comedy, with a delicious sexy twist. Funny, engaging and impossible to put down this book left me giddy and overjoyed in a way very few have.



About T. Gephart:





T Gephart is an indie author from Melbourne, Australia.

T's approach to life has been somewhat unconventional. Rather than going to University, she jumped on a plane to Los Angeles, USA in search of adventure. While this first trip left her somewhat underwhelmed and largely depleted of funds it fueled her appetite for travel and life experience.

With a rather eclectic resume, which reads more like the fiction she writes than an actual employment history, T struggled to find her niche in the world.

While on a subsequent trip the United States in 1999, T met and married her husband. Their whirlwind courtship and interesting impromptu convenience store wedding set the tone for their life together, which is anything but ordinary. They have lived in Louisiana, Guam and Australia and have travelled extensively throughout the US. T has two beautiful young children and one four legged child, Woodley the wonder dog.

An avid reader, T became increasingly frustrated by the lack of strong female characters in the books she was reading. She wanted to read about a woman she could identify with, someone strong, independent and confident who didn't lack femininity. Out of this need, she decided to pen her first book, A Twist of Fate. She enjoyed the process so much that when it was over she couldn't let it go.

T loves to travel, laugh and surround herself with colourful characters. This inevitably spills into her writing and makes for an interesting journey - she is well and truly enjoying the ride!

Based on her life experiences, T has plenty of material for her books and has a wealth of ideas to keep you all enthralled.

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