Stroked Hard (Stroked #3) by Meghan Quinn

Blurb:

He’s hot. Like, stop breathing kind of hot with his killer body, vivid blue eyes, and constant five o’clock shadow.

Did I mention his body?

Watching Hollis Knightly, Olympic diving gold medalist, man-pony specialist—and cocky bastard—stand up on the diving platform in nothing but a small piece of Spandex? Yeah, I’m beguiled.
And easily seduced.

I want to keep things light but he won’t leave me alone. And hell, if he’s not wearing me thin.

What is supposed to be a simple summer fling with a very hot man, has now morphed into a f*cked-up mess of feelings, attachment, and dare I say it…love. But I don’t do relationships. And Hollis Knightly does.

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Purchase Links:

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

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2fOtphN
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2eTlj2T

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2dUCpk2
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2fjMA1S...
iBooks: http://apple.co/2eQuMZR
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2dPh3Qc

Kristine's Review:
Reviewed: November 2016.

You would think with two Olympic Gold medals under his belt and a body made for sin that Hollis Knightly would be far more arrogant and cocky, but buried under that bravado he often displays for Make Up Artist Melony is a man who has found the woman he wants to marry. From the very first glimpse he catches of Melony, he is smitten, despite numerous road blocks and push backs, Hollis refuses to halt his advances or give up.

Hollis rocks the old soul, suave gentleman vibe, at times he almost seems to good to be true, and much to my absolute reading pleasure, Hollis is every bit the kind of hero I long to cheer for in books and in life. Everything about him sang to my romantic heart, I absolutely longed for him to be seen as the man he was instead of the womanising playboy that Melony imagined him originally to be. I often find myself desperate to connect with heroine in my books, but more and more in Quinn's stories I find myself drawn to her heroes, with their charm, charisma goodness. In fact as much as I understood how Melony's past has impacted on her present and threatens to derail her future chances of happiness, I often found myself wanting to climb inside the pages and gently shake some sense into her, I wanted to shout....Hollis is jump for joy, kick your heels in the air amazing and you're going to miss out if you don't see that!!! It was for that reason I found myself rating Stroked Hard four instead of five like I originally was heading towards.

Bursting to the brim with Quinn's trademark silly, sexy snarky banter, Hollis and Melony's tale of love and lust and all that comes with it was the perfect read to drag me out of a pain killer induced haze (broken tail bones are not fun people!!) plenty of laughs, quirky humour and some serious sexiness that left me fanning my face meant Stroked Hard completed this series with aplomb.

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.

​I currently reside in beautiful Colorado Springs where the sun is always shining and there is a trail waiting to be hiked on every corner. I share a lovely and warm home with the love of my life and my five, four-legged children.

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LUCAS (A Preston Brothers Novel) by Jay McLean

Blurb:

In a sprint, every millisecond counts.
When you’re waiting for love, those milliseconds can feel like eons.

High school senior Lucas Preston has it all: star of the track team, a scholarship waiting for him, an apartment to himself and a revolving door of girlfriends. He also has an older sister, five younger brothers and a father who relies on him to make sure those brothers don’t kill each other.
His saving grace? Lois “Laney” Sanders, a girl he started to fall in like with when he was just eleven.
A girl who became his best friend, his confidant, his courage.

It took only sixteen clicks and eight seconds for Lucas to realize that his like for Laney had turned into love.
Eight life-changing seconds.
It’s also the exact length of time it took to lose her.

Find Lucas on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2f06Ntc

Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2e4wRyI

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2eTpjk5

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

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: October 2016.

I'll be honest, when Jay McLean first spoke of writing and releasing Lucas I was a tad worried, I adored the More series, all of it, each book made me fall a little more in love with the author's words, with the worlds she created, so much so More Than Enough found itself on my Platinum Lipstick - favourite of all time list and it's dedication would end up being inked on my skin, that kind of love is difficult to emulate, in fact I was scared that I wouldn't love Lucas the same way I had loved it's predecessors. The truth however is that I needn't worried, this story was a perfect combination of sweet romance and thrilling suspense and raw heartbreak.

"You're my best friend, Luke, and you're standing here right now on the side of a highway telling me I should hate you while driving to a store an hour away. For me!"

Lucas Preston and Lois (Laney) Sanders met as children and became firm friends, their young friendship saw more than most high school crushes , the setting of college dreams, the bond these two developed was raw and real in the best possible way, equal parts childhood naivety and adult reality, their relationship blossomed into something bigger and bolder along the way leaving them trying to navigate what it meant for them now. Granted from my words, you would be expecting a teenage friends to lovers romance much like I did, but Lucas was so much more than that, much like the relationship that developed between Lucas and Laney, this story was bigger and bolder than that, it left me gripping my kindle to my chest, swallowing down panic, desperately hoping something (yes I'm being deliberately vague here) to happen.

"And so without meaning to, without wanting to, I started to fall in like with a girl who would later become my best friend. My confidant. My courage... A girl who would later crush my heart and destroy me."

This is the point when I'd usually tell you about the story and the impact it had on me, I'd tell you all about how certain scenes left me reeling or made me feel exuberant and joyous but inside I'm going to beg to experience this book the way I did...blind. Know that Lucas is part YA/NA, part coming of age, part friends to lovers, all heart wrenching gloriousness that had me addicted, everything about McLean's latest work was impossible to put down. For fans of the More series, Lucas will delight and intrigue, it will easily fill the void left by a beloved series ending, for those new to the world of Jay McLean Lucas will easily enrapture leaving you wanting More. (See what I did there )  Allow McLean to steal your heart the way she did mine, with two characters who feel more like family as they take on adolescence and high school crushes, adult issues and everything in between, allow McLean to take you on a journey that you won't soon forget.

About Jay McLean:

Jay McLean is an international best-selling author and full-time reader, writer of New Adult Romance, and most of all, procrastinator. When she’s not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her two little boys, playing house and binge watching Netflix.
She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her hurt and make her feel.

Jay lives in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, in a forever half-done home where music is loud and laughter is louder.

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Keepsake (True North #3) by Sarina Bowen

Blurb:

There's a first time for everything.

Lark Wainwright used to be fearless. Her life was a series of adventures, each one more exhilarating than the last. But her recent overseas adventure was one too many. Now she’s home and in one piece. Mostly. But her nights are filled with terror.

When her best friend offers her a stay at the orchard in exchange for help at the farmers’ markets, Lark jumps at the chance to spend fall in Vermont. But her nightmares don’t stop. Desperate to keep her fragile state a secret, she relies on the most soft-spoken resident of the Shipley Farm to soothe her when her dreams prove too much.

Zachariah is a survivor, too. It’s been four years since he was tossed aside by the polygamist cult where he grew up. He’s found a peaceful existence on the Shipley’s farm, picking apples and fixing machinery. But getting thrown away by your own people at nineteen leaves a mark on a guy. He doesn’t always know what to make of a world where movie quotes are the primary means of communication. Before hitchhiking to Vermont, he’d never watched TV or spoken on the phone.

Actually, there are a lot of things he’s never done.

Zach and Lark slowly grow to trust one another. One night they become even closer than they’d planned. But Lark may still be too broken to trust anyone. When she pushes Zach away, he will have to prove to himself that he's good for much more than farm labor.

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Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2e3WTC2

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

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2eQXt7R

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2eIta5K

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: October 2016.

I've been a huge fan of Sarina Bowen's for a while now, her writing goes from strength to strength for me, the True North series has easily captured my heart, but Keepsake was something else entirely, it was special in the way that the author's words spoke directly to my heart, every moment had me lost in the story, eager for more and yet desperate to savour every little nuance. Keepsake was everything I look for in a book, the sweet and blissful interspersed with heartbreak made this the kind of book that will stay with me long after I turn the last page.

"Lying in a girls bed was not something I'd ever done before last week. Touching people didn't come easily to me. But Lark didn't have the same hang ups."

Zack intrigued me from the moment he was introduced in Bittersweet, he was quiet and reserved, funny and sweet, the ultimate hard worker, he was dedicated to his duties and in turn to the Shipley's. His upbringing in a religious cult formed the man he is in so many ways, but the last four years spent in Vermont also has a huge impact on his mental well being and character, now free  from the life he once knew, Zack has grown exponentially, letting people  in, loving the friends that have become his family, finally a part of the world around him, Zack is experiencing all kinds of things he never knew about and finding someone he wanted to pursue a romantic relationship with was something he expected until Lark came crashing back into his life.

"But lust isn't shameful, no matter what they used to tell you. Now's your chance to stick it to 'em. Name a desire. It doesn't even have to be realistic."

Lark was once the life of the party, she was fearless, ready to take on the world, any challenge she was game to tackle, until her work transfer to Guatemala ended with her being kidnapped from the busy street market and held captive. Returning to her normal life seemed impossible, crippled by guilt and shame over what transpired, nightmares that won't abate, and feeling like she's a burden on her parents, she jumps at the chance to spend some time in Vermont, picking apples and forgetting everything that happened that changed her from the fun loving girl she once was.

"You're so much more than a bad memory. I love you and even if my life is kind of a mess right now, I still want you in it."

When Lark and Zark meet again for the second time there was something there, like two souls recognising their mate, while they both seem okay on the outside, they are harbouring past hurts that have the ability to break them. When Lark's nightmares leave her screaming in her sleep, Zack is the one who provides comfort. It was in those quiet moments that Keepsake easily became one of my favourites of 2016. Their connection was tangible, their chemistry unmistakable, knowing that Zack offered comfort without expectation, seeing the light return to Lark's eyes only served to make Zack more endearing. Keepsake was more than just a story, more than just a romance novel, it was a beautiful combination of lust, heartbreak and happiness. For fans of this series, reconnecting with the Shipley's and Jude only made this story more special. Zack proved to be the kind of hero that I love, strong, sure, a man with a pure and good heart, everything about him made me smile, he came from a place that could of ruined him, but instead he found himself thriving, meeting Lark changed him again, and allowed him to push past his comfort zone and become a new version of an already good man who loved his lady wholeheartedly, without fear. Lark left me in awe of the woman she became, her tenacity and perseverance showed her strength. Keepsake filled with elegant prose, and heady romance left me sated and yet desperate for more, but what I truly loved was how this story beautifully captured the essence of true life, showcasing two people fighting for their chance at something good, happiness in all it's forms, showing that those with pasts that threaten to defeat them overcome anything. Keepsake imprinted itself on my heart, scoring itself on my soul, leaving me cheering for these two characters that felt so real. Beautifully written, Bowen ensured that this is a story I won't soon forget.

About Sarina Bowen:

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.

NEW IN 2016: Two New Series!

Sarina has begun 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.

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Tonic by Staci Hart

Blurb:

Joel Anderson doesn’t take anything seriously.

Not his relationships, which have been few and far between since his brutal divorce. Not the drama of working in a tattoo parlor, which seems to be around every corner. When things get him down, he smiles and cracks a joke. But he’s not the kind of man you cross, or you’ll find yourself at the wrong end of his fists.

Annika Belousov takes everything seriously.

Like her job as a reality television producer, given that she typically has something to prove. Or her love life, which is defined by a series of requirements — affluent, ambitious, accomplished, to name a few. Definitely her family, who worked their whole lives to afford her every opportunity, a sacrifice she doesn’t take lightly. When she’s tapped to produce a reality show at Joel’s shop, she doesn’t think twice, just goes in for the kill, as if there were any other way.

The second Annika walks into Joel’s shop, he makes it his mission to crack her open, but she’s not having it. He’s all wrong — too crass, too hairy, too un-serious. But it doesn’t take her long to find out there’s more to him than smirks and tattoos. And what she finds could put her career and his heart on the line.

Not that Joel cares. Because for the first time in a long time, he’s found his tonic.

Find Tonic on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

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

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

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

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2ewR2tt

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: October 2016.

There's something effortlessly cool about Tonic, in fact there's something effortlessly cool about the author Staci Hart too, fans of the Bad Habits series will remember Joel Anderson, his turn as Tricky's boss, mentor and friend in Last Call was both hilarious and endearing, the hulking piece of bearded man meat was the kind of secondary character I personally was hoping we would get more of. Hart's previous Bad Habits series and follow up stand alone Wasted Words cemented her an Author I follow, with eye catching, gorgeous covers and quirky, intriguing blurbs Tonic was sure to pique my interest. With Joel taking his place front and centre made me giddy with excitement, the man who affectionately tattooed his hand and fingers THIS and THAT was bound to be the kind of leading man I was sure to love.

“He didn’t shy away from my glare — which would level most men — instead, he met it with heat that burned through me like molten lava. Or indigestion.”

Annika Belousov has not only mastered the art of resting bitch face, but mastered the stone cold demeanor to match, as cold as ice, professionally a shark who can sniff out the proverbial blood in the water. She wasn't always the ice queen she is now, but a baptism of fire in her chosen career shaped her into a formidable task master, capable of deception and manipulation to rival the best. As Executive Producer on what will hopefully be the breakout hit of an over saturated reality television market focusing on Joel and his tattoo shop Tonic.

“Three steps and I was in his arms.
Two heartbeats and I looked into his eyes.
One breath and I kissed him.”

Everything about Joel and Annika is electric, volatile, all consuming... their chemistry, their passion, like a match waiting to be struck, the only certainty is once they come together they are sure to go up in flames. The back and forth, the banter, the push and pull of animal magnetism between them made Tonic was one fast paced ride. Two people desperate to keep their cards close to their chest with a hero who never takes anything too seriously and a heroine who never lets her guard down, and a cast comprised of old favorites and new friends, Hart crafted an addictive story that was impossible to put down. Equal parts funny, sexy and sweet made Tonic another winner for me.

About Staci Hart:

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life -- a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can't forget that. She's also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She's been a wife, though she's certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She's also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she's been drinking whiskey.

From roots in Houston to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she's not writing, she's reading, sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics.

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Beautiful (Beautiful Bastard #10) by Christina Lauren

Blurb:

Featuring the entire BEAUTIFUL series cast for one final hurrah!

A FREE-SPIRITED GIRL IN NEED OF A BREAK.
A MAN WEIGHED DOWN BY RESPONSIBILITY.
A ROAD TRIP VACATION WHERE ALL BETS ARE OFF.
OH, AND A LOT OF WINE.

After walking in on her boyfriend shagging another girl in their place, Pippa Bay Cox ditches London for the States to go on a drunken road trip with Ruby Miller and some of her Beautiful friends.

Scaling the career ladder is the default way to deal with heartbreak—and to just deal—for Jensen Bergstrom. Absolutely buried by his drive and workload, he rarely takes time for himself. But when his sister Hanna convinces him to join the gang on a two-week wine tour, he has a rare moment of cutting loose. Of course, it’s only once he’s committed that he realizes the strange girl he met briefly on the plane is coming along, too. She might be too much for him…or he might realize his life has become too small and needs her to make it bigger, crazier.

With this circle of friends there’s always something going on: from Chloe and Sara’s unexpected personality swaps to Will’s new domestic side to Bennett’s text message barrage and George’s own happily-ever-after. In short, their adventures in love, friendship, and hilarity are nothing short of Beautiful.


Find Beautiful on Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2drlBOW
Amazon PB: http://amzn.to/2dOfSSJ
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2dWV8Ll
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2doS4pL
iBooks: https://itun.es/au/Ar9bbb.l

About Christina Lauren:

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates/brain-twins Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced thirteen New York Times bestselling novels. Their books have been translated into 28+ languages. (Some of these books have kissing. Some of these books have A LOT of kissing.)

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