The paparazzi were on my ass 24/7 and I needed a bit of breathing room—an escape from the madness—before the media frenzy begins.
Sure, I could have gone to a secluded cabin in the woods—but I didn’t want to be bored out of my mind. I’d seen enough wide open spaces as a kid from Texas to last me a lifetime.
So instead, I let my agent hook me up with a modest house in the burbs where we didn’t think anyone would find me hiding in plain sight.
I’d have a roommate; but supposedly, she was going to give me space. Stay out of my way and respect my boundaries. According to my agent, I wouldn’t hear a peep from her.
Wrong. He was wrong about everything and now my life was never going to be the same.
Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced lattes, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.
Anna Harrington brings all the riveting intrigue, suspense and love readers have come to expect in book 5 of her Lords of the Armory series, A Remarkable Rogue, for a great read!
Quiet and solitary Captain Nathaniel Reed kept to himself cloaked in mystery and bound by his tragic past. Filled with pain he got through life but did not live it. Lady Sydney Rowland found solace in her escape from a painful past even while she isolated herself and kept her emotions well contained in an effort not to be hurt.
Both Nate and Sydney longed for love even as they cut themselves off from receiving it. This writer did a great job of conveying how well suited this couple were for each other in spite of their reluctance to take a chance with each other. Between their shared stubbornness and deadly secrets Nate and Sydney were their own worse enemies in an arena full of formidable ones. This pair's fears were ones that most readers would be able to relate to, both the real ones and the imagined ones, making this couple extremely interesting and accessible. Nate and Sydney's steamy attraction was unmistakable and often poignant adding another element to this pair being a good fit.
The overarching plot of Scepter's dark machinations to overthrow the English monarchy was done expertly and with no shortage of action and suspense. Ms. Harrington's storytelling shines in her Lords of the Armory series. Filled with memorable heroes and villains every installment in this series is well written and intriguing.
There are authors you follow and there are authors you love, Anna Harrington is an author to love. With a keen sense of history and an intuitive understanding of the human heart Ms. Harrington presents a combination impossible to resist to her readers. It cannot be emphasized enough that this writer is able to effortlessly bring history to her modern readers without compromising the integrity of the period she is depicting with current sensibilities. She portrays strong women even while showing the confines and trials of the time they lived in for realistic stories while still managing to display all the charm and tingles readers would expect from a romance. A Remarkable Rogue is just what every romance lover craves told in Anna Harrington's signature fabulous storytelling!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. * *While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*
Boyfriend Material, the second book in Ilsa Madden-Mills Hawthorne University series, is a romance that lets readers see that sometimes when bad things happen to good people they can rise to the top and get the happiness they deserve!
Eric Hansen, college hockey star and popular, on the surface it would seem that the world was at his feet and he had it all together, yet upon looking closer his standing was on fragile ground. This character vacillated as both the savior and the one needing saving as he walked that narrow margin teetering precariously from one side to the other. At first glance Eric's actions could often be construed as selfish and entitled but as readers were given a closer look at him there was so much more to Eric and his hero status solidified. Julia Lauren was an incredibly brave character. Her capacity to survive and see beyond her own problems was commendable, but it was her maturity in taking charge and understanding and not judging others struggles to the best of her ability that made her stand out.
Eric and Julia had a past that evolved into one of avoidance and secrets. While neither knew the personal burdens of the other or what made them make the decisions that put them where they were in the here and now their reconnection gave them a second chance at a missed opportunity with each other. Grappling with a tainted friendship and fighting their physical attraction this couple had a lot to overcome. Between Julia dealing with being a social pariah and crushing responsibilities and Eric giving up his dreams in a misconceived sense of duty to his family there was a lot to overcome both individually and as a couple for this pair. With a significant amount of self-sabotaging and an uphill battle with defeatism Eric and Julia's relationship was tested often for some heart wrenching moments. A great secondary cast rounded out this work.
Everyone has a story to tell and when characters are fortunate enough to have Ilsa Madden-Mills tell theirs readers can be assured of a work worthy of every hurdle her portrayals face and every laugh and tear that accompanies their journey. This author has the uncanny ability to tackle tough subjects even while allowing her audience to walk away feeling that they just experienced something special where good ultimately does overcome all in the end. Kindness and insight always manage to rise to the occasion in this writer's books making her stories that much better for it. Boyfriend Material shows that if any author could make you fall in love with a book it is Ilsa Madden-Mills!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
*While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*
I’m not sure how long I can ignore the undeniable spark between us.
Boyfriend Material, an all-new swoon-worthy new adult sports romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is available now!
#1 Amazon Bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers an all-new, enemies-to-lovers sports romance, a breathtaking tale of passion, heartbreak, and love…
Skyscraper cheekbones, lush lips, and magnetic topaz eyes.
I’m talking about Eric Hansen.
Rich prick.
Glorified hockey star.
Thinks he’s amazing.
The Golden Boy and I are well acquainted. In prep school he trampled on my heart then kept right on going.
Now, he’s living the high life with frat parties and puck bunnies at Hawthorne University. On the other hand, people barely notice me—unless I’m on stage taking my clothes off. I’m the nobody, surviving in the seedy part of town as I fight to keep my head above treacherous waters.
I’ve snubbed him for three years.
The avoidance game we’ve been playing was working—until he rescues me from a bad guy and claims he wants to help me more.
Hello. I don’t need a knight in shining armor. This girl saves herself.
Yet, I’m not sure how long I can ignore the undeniable spark between us. (It’s not even a spark; it’s a full-fledged, blazing fire.)
Can this hockey player prove he’s boyfriend material, or will our past get in the way?
This steamy romance is perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers or second-chances. Boyfriend Material is a new adult college romance.
Grab your copy today! FREE in Kindle Unlimited Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mD2FjK Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/boyfriendmaterialIMM
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About Ilsa Madden-Mills Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.
Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.
A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.
She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.
Connect with Ilsa Facebook: https://bit.ly/3trVP4K Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nY2pxT Instagram: http://bit.ly/35xfNfo Twitter: https://bit.ly/3xysQP1 Stay up to day with Ilsa by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2ZWaTYh Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EESfM9 Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2GaR6cni Website: https://www.ilsamaddenmills.com Join her Unicorn Girls Group on FB, the best way to keep up: http://bit.ly/37B6Nay Sign up for phone alert for book releases (max of 4) Text ROMANCE to 21000 *Text message rates apply*
Siobhan Davis takes on Easton and Bohdi Lancaster O’Donoghue’s sensitive coming of age years in Hold Me Close, book three in the All of Me series, for a compassionate and trying story. At a time in life with its fair share of angst under normal circumstances this author awakened past histories full of tragedy and secrets setting off an emotional powder keg. This was a touching update that did not hold back on the festering hurt and the repercussions of a past where Easton and Bodhi were innocent of but paid the price for the sins of their parents. With insight and astute observations this author led readers through volatile times and made everyone better for facing their truths and shared pain.
One of the amazing things about Siobhan Davis is that she keeps in touch with her characters with periodic check-ins. It is all too common when readers become attached to beloved characters that they are left in a perpetual limbo, left to their own imaginations to figure out how characters have moved on and evolved. Epilogues are great but often miss all the details that readers crave and make no doubt it keep them up many a night pondering the fates of portrayals they have grown to love. This is rarely the case with Ms. Davis and that shows not only her devotion to her portrayals but her readers. Still full of the unexpected twists readers have come to expect from this author, Hold Me Close is the next chapter not to be missed by Siobhan Davis!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.* *It is necessary to read the previous works in this series.*
The Devil You Know by Elizabeth O'Roark is now live!
There's a devil on my shoulder, and every Monday morning she announces herself. She's this delicious flame in my chest, a flurry of whispered suggestions in my ear. Suggestions I ignore...because every single one of them is about Ben Tate.
Ben—Stealer of Clients, Evicter of Homeless Women, Nemesis. Sitting across from me every damn Monday with his lovely, smug smile and his too-perfect teeth, the living symbol of everything I hate.
It's been my policy to avoid him, but when a case comes into the firm—one that could change his career and mine—I make an exception. It means weekends and evenings by his side. It means enduring his smirk and his smart mouth and never taking the bait.
Until the night Ben says "Beg"...and that devil on my shoulder decides to make a few demands of her own.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Elizabeth O'Roark spent many years as a medical writer before publishing her first novel in 2013. She holds bachelor's degrees in journalism and arts from the University of Texas, and a master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Notre Dame. She is the author of eight novels and recipient of the 2017 IBPA gold medal for romance. She lives in Washington DC with her three children.
Ben Tate was anything but the devil you know and proved it for a wonderful addition to Elizabeth O'Roark's Devil series!
To most hotshot lawyer Ben Tate seemed like a player with little to no remorse and out for himself. Charming and clever everything seemed to come easy to him except the one thing he wanted. Ben was a character who hid behind an exterior that kept him cut off even while he was very much involved. As his noble attributes were slowly revealed it was hard not to fall in love with him. Driven, talented and focused lawyer Gemma Charles found herself in a constant uphill battle to distinguish herself and to be treated as an equal in a male dominated field. With a past full of betrayals Gemma was a survivor who managed not only to not become jaded and cynical but to find ways to do good. Both Ben and Gemma were more alike than either bargained for.
This couple's give and take was a dizzy rush of fabulousness. Each time they entered a chapter there was chemistry to spare with a whole lot of past coloring the present. Ben and Gemma's dance around each other, even while succumbing to their attraction, was a real feat to carry off and Ms. O'Roark did so beautifully. So many of this pair's interactions were interpreted at face value by them instead of the deeper meaning this couple were trying to express, leaving both Ben and Gemma on a journey of discovery that moved this story well. The witty and heated exchanges in this relationship were fantastic, giving depth to this pair as well as a nice balance between casual and intense moments. Ben and Gemma's angst and longing was a clear shot to readers’ emotions and made for an absorbing and all encompassing read.
Elizabeth O'Roark is a writer who has always delivered great stories and continues to do so. Her knack for decoding the misunderstood in dynamic scenarios leaving trails of tears littered with laughs all destined for HEA's is a true talent. With an admirable ease she tackles some difficult walls put up by her portrayals and every one of her stories is as wonderful as the last one. Elizabeth O'Roark's The Devil You Know is one that readers will want to embrace and keep on their favorites list!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.* *This book can be read as a standalone.*
Kaylene Winter wrote her first Rock Star Romance novel at age 15 starring a fictionalized version of herself, her friends and their gorgeous rocker boyfriends.
After living her own rockstar life as a band manager, music promoter and mover and shaker in Seattle during the early 1990’s, Kaylene became a digital media legal strategist helping bring movies, television and music online.
Throughout her busy career, Kaylene lost herself in romance novels across all genres inspiring her to realize her life-long dream to write creatively.
In 2020, she published ENDLESS - Book 1 in the popular Less Than Zero series. She lives in Seattle with her amazing husband and Siberian Husky. She loves to travel and support charitable causes supporting arts and animals.
Emery Rose has been known to indulge in good red wine, strong coffee, and a healthy dose of sarcasm. When she’s not working on her latest project, you can find her binge-watching Netflix, trotting the globe in search of sunshine, or immersed in a good book. A former New Yorker, she currently resides in London with her two beautiful daughters.
When Wrecked Meets Ruined will break your heart even as you piece it back together with Emery Rose's compassionate writing for an amazing experience.
For all his outgoing charm Ridge McCallister carried as much pain as potential struggling with his dysfunction brought on by a tragic childhood. If one person understood Ridges inner demons it was Evie Bellamy who had more on her plate than she could handle but somehow she managed to muddle through the chaos and cruelty that bombarded her on a daily basis. Covered in emotional armor and surrounded by walls Ridge and Evie's desperation for kindness and love made their road to happiness a hard one even in moments where it seemed they might just let themselves accept each other's love. Their emotional scars often made their attempt to love feel like they were grasping at the unobtainable.
When two people come from similar experiences it can be bonding or a complete disaster, RIdge and Evie's experienced a combination of the two, driving this story with angst and a true love that would not die proving it was meant to be. From tragic to triumphant there was little that did not elicit real feelings from this pair and readers alike. As can be expected from Ms. Rose tears were plentiful as Ridge and Evie found their way through life and to each other. Their relationship one where timing played a significant part, always the right person at the wrong time except for small pockets of perfect opportunities.
Ms. Rose does not make love easy. She makes her characters fight for their love and in kind she finds a way for them to get their happily ever after. There are no perfect lives on her pages but she sees hope and gives it even as her portrayals darkest moments surround them. With insightful writing the scope of this author's emotions is as vast as they are deep. When Wrecked Met Ruined delivers a hard earned love for a beautiful story.
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
*While part of a series this work can be read as a stand-alone but for an overall enhanced reading experience reading the previous books in this series is recommended.
It is always fun to dig a little deeper into a stand out character and Louise Bay did just that in Mr. Notting Hill with Tristan's story.
Cyber genius and seemingly perpetual bachelor Tristan Dubrow was hard to pin down when it came to romance, that is until he literally crashed into feisty Parker Frazer. When a scheme to help Parker resulted in a fake marriage all bets were off. This pair was what happens when two eyes of a storm collide and their energy and attraction was insane. Each had emotional baggage that they avoided in their own ways and their attraction unlocked a Pandora's box of issues even while it gave them the opportunity to finally be free of their self imposed burdens. For all the great humorous moments in this work they were contrasted extremely well with generous doses of angst. A well devised suspense component and some undercover match making added to this story and served as a way to bring these two reluctant lovers their happy end game.
Louise Bay is so intuitive when it comes to her portrayals bringing genuine characters to her works that stand out with their versatility. There is always a nice mix of sensitivity played off of wit. This author excels in showing loyalty and camaraderie in her books. The depth of her works creates stories that are as endearing as they are captivating. Mr. Notting Hill concludes a great series on a high note and a fond farewell!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.* *While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone*
Katee Roberts takes well-established classic characters and makes them her own with fantastical twists and what ifs in Wicked Beauty, book three in her Dark Olympus series!
This story was full of suspense, intrigue and a whole lot of steam! Demolishing the status quo Ms. Roberts took the license that dealing with mythical characters affords and gave her audience a story that commanded her reader’s attention with her out of the box interpretations and modernization. The action scenes were off the rails and will keep readers on the edge of their seats! With well thought out character development every interaction was as interesting as it was spicy. From the start Wicked Beauty was impossible to put down.
At no point in this work was there a question of what there was to love about Achilles, Patroclus and Helen. Each character brought something to the table that amplified as a group. Achilles and Patroclus were friends and lovers that walked a fine line that both were careful to keep in place even though they both felt something was missing. Helen proved to be the perfect catalyst for change and when the three succumbed to their instinctive connection there was no doubt that they had reached the place they were meant to be.
Threesomes are not easy relationships to write without losing sight of someone along the way but Ms. Roberts managed to give all the characters involved equal status. This relationship's evolution was spectacular to watch and felt genuine even in its most emotionally confused stages. Compromises were in fact wins and the complicated dynamics of Achilles, Patroclus and Helen was done well as they went through the process of figuring out their roles to move forward as an intimate committed trio. While each person in the trio grappled with whether they could work as a relationship there was never any ambiguity as to the attraction they felt for each other in any capacity keeping a nice tension throughout this work. This writer was able to adeptly make smart alignments of her characters based on their strengths and weaknesses for a perfect trifecta.
Katee Roberts always explores interesting aspects of her characters taking them from their own comfort zones and testing their boundaries. With lively dialog and some heart racing physical encounters this book did not let up. Seeing strengths in all their forms is a great ability to have and Ms. Roberts makes all her portrayals formidable in their own way. Wicked Beauty is a book not to be missed!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. * *While part of a series this book can be read as a standalone.*
R.S. Grey delivers unrequited love, vague boundaries and histories that entwine in The Professor for a great read!
Gorgeous, cold and aloof Professor Jonathan Barclay was tortured and intimidating. His targeting of his student Emelia Mercier seemed arbitrary and cruel yet from the start this author instilled a lingering doubt that Jonathan was anything but how he appeared, setting the stage for an intense and complicated relationship. This author did a tremendous job of proving Jonathan's worth even while transforming some core personality traits that at first were unattractive to his advantage.
Emelia Mercier carried a past that haunted her yet drove her to reach her goals. Her sensitivity gave her a cautious and astute outlook on life that added to her love-hate relationship with Jonathan, preventing her from moving past him both personally and professionally. Emilia had a sophistication that was balanced well against her naivety and contributed beautifully to how her attraction to Jonathan evolved.
One of the things that stood out in this work was how Ms. Grey grew this couple's relationship as the character of Emelia matured. The back and forth dynamic of this pair gave this story a nice edge using underlying taboo and angst as a foundation. The emotions in this work were palpable and seductive to Jonathan, Emelia and readers alike, moving this story with a slow blistering heat and well-orchestrated interactions. This couple's attraction was made that much better with its battle between tentativeness and assertiveness.
R.S. Grey's writing overflows with feelings and depth. Her plots are three-dimensional with each layer building a story that shows that you can never take her portrayals at face value. Filled with interactions that are as interesting as they are meaningful, this author knows how to captivate her audience. A standout Jenerated Reviews read, The Professor will exceed your expectations and leave you wanting more of R.S. Grey's wonderful stories!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
Siobhan Davis' no filter take on the intrigue and evil machinations of the underworld of the Mafia will keep her readers on the edge of their seats in Vengeance of a Mafia Queen!
The darkness of Catarina Conti that arose from unimaginable pain and abuse is put to the test in Vengeance of a Mafia Queen as she was faced with the unexpected in the form of Massimo Greco. This pair's instant attraction and Catarina's emotional dilemma drove this story for an intense and often brutal journey to a happily ever after. Ms. Davis was able to balance out not only Catarina's humanity but allow her to believably rise to the top in a world traditionally dominated by men. This was one strong heroine!
Massimo Greco had the depraved and corrupt legacy of his family to overcome as he took on the mantle of Don. His progressive attitude toward women contrasted beautifully with his ingrained need to take care of women making it impossible not to swoon over him even at his instinctive overprotective best. Massimo was not the kind of portrayal to be happy taking on the role of second in command but surprisingly he was willing to share his power as an equal with a woman he respected.
One thing that has become apparent with this writer is her versatility. No matter the subject matter she is all in and delivers fantastic stories filled with her signature jaw dropping revelations guaranteed to keep her audience spellbound. Siobhan Davis shows her strength at not glossing over and bringing difficult subject matter to her readers with a direct yet sensitive approach. Vulnerability and strength go hand in hand with this author and you should never underestimate her portrayals! Vengeance of a Mafia Queen from the Queen of angsty plot twist Siobhan Davis, is a win win!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
*While this story can be read as a stand alone it is connected to the Mazzone Mafia series. Readers overall reading experience would be enhanced by reading the Mazzone Mafia series prior to reading Vengeance of a Mafia Queen.*
If you are looking for steamy out of the box crazy Shauna Mairead is your fix and she takes it to the very edge with sharp turns and amazing twist in Delectable Lies, the first book in her Kings of Killybegs series!
From the start this book took off for a wild ride. The unexpected soon became the expected as one revelation led to another and nothing was as it seemed. The pages were full of well-executed action that kept this work, for a good portion of it, cranked on high. This author played ambiguity like chess pieces insuring that readers would be guessing to the end and left with a lot of questions for Ms. Maired's next installment of her Kings of Killybegs.
This story centered on Saoirse, who had always led a life of uncertainty, moving regularly for almost the entirety of her life. It was the failure of her mother to be one step ahead of their past that threw Saoirse into a whole new world where she had to understand the dark agendas of the other players to survive. The Killybeg syndicate was a huge learning curve for Saoirse. With lots of misleading attractions and interactions it was all Saoirse or readers could do to keep up with the intrigue busting out of this work. Rohan and Liam, good guys, bad guys, either character could easily fit into those roles and their pursuit of Saoirse was as relentless as it was hot and heavy.
Shauna Mairead brings to her work plotting that is as sharp as it is irresistible. The saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer is a full on maybe in this story because from the start no one's status was assured thanks to the adept writing of this author. With a good sense of her characters this writer shared portrayals that were as interesting as they were memorable. Delectable Lies was the perfect rabbit hole to get caught up in, great read!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. * *This work ends on a cliffhanger.*
Emery Rose has been known to indulge in good red wine, strong coffee, and a healthy dose of sarcasm. When she’s not working on her latest project, you can find her binge-watching Netflix, trotting the globe in search of sunshine, or immersed in a good book. A former New Yorker, she currently resides in London with her two beautiful daughters.
BROKEN TIES (Rixon High #4) by L.A. Cotton Release Date: May 19th Genre/Tropes: Sports Romance/Childhood Friends to Lovers/Best Friend’s BrotherBook 4 of the Rixon High series (standalone)AVAILABLE NOW!!! Amazon US: amzn.to/3EQpNnjAmazon UK: amzn.to/39c3SLvApple: apple.co/3rWfzMXKobo: http://bit.ly/3MBebr7Nook: bit.ly/3MvVHYRAdd to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/BTrixonhigh4Blurb: From 𝘜𝘚𝘈 𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 and 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 bestselling author L A Cotton, comes a slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance. Angst... drama... friendship... and football. Will you survive senior year?Poppy Ford has been in love with her best friend forever.But she’s firmly in the friend zone and fears she may never get out. Aaron Bennet has been dreaming of a football scholarship forever.But he’s not the Rixon Raiders star player, and he never will be.While Aaron is focused on proving himself, Poppy is hoping he’ll finally wake up and see what’s right in front of him.He doesn’t want to lose his best friend.She doesn’t want to lose senior year to a boy who doesn’t want her.But fate has other ideas for them.And when hearts get broken and dreams get shattered, will their friendship be strong enough to survive?Or will the ties that bind them finally unravel?About the Author:Author of over thirty mature young adult and new adult novels, LA COTTON is happiest writing the kind of books she loves to read: addictive stories full of teenage angst, tension, twists and turns.Home is a small town in the middle of England where she currently juggles being a full-time writer with being a mother/referee to two little people. In her spare time (and when she’s not camped out in front of the laptop) you’ll most likely find LA immersed in a book, escaping the chaos that is life. Connect w/L.A. Cotton: Website: https://www.lacotton.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlacottonFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LACottonReadersGroupTwitter: https://twitter.com/authorlacottonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlacottonB+M: https://bookandmainbites.com/authorlacottonGoodreads: http://geni.us/T95LbkAmazon: https://amazon.com/author/lacottonBookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/l-a-cottonTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorlacottonNL Signup: lacotton.com/subscribe
Scarlett Cole is a writer who always stands out but when she shines she really shines and Love You Like That, book four in her Excess All Areas series, was blinding!
Alex King was so achingly hot the pages melted every time he took them over. Alex was complicated, progressive and one hell of a hero, you would want him by your side in your bed and most of all in possession of your heart. He stood out for not being perfect but for being kind, observant and being true to himself and advocating for those he cared about to be true to themselves. It is not often you find a hero so confident in himself that he gives his heroine the recognition and respect she deserves as an equal even while embracing the differences they have. This portrayal took a lot of abuse for being who he was and while painful at times it made him an exceptionally well adjusted person instead of a mess which was admirable all on its own.
Zoe, even while introverting and surrounding herself with substantial defenses to come to terms with her own hurdles, showed an incredible amount of bravery and strength. Bristly and off putting at times, once Zoe found her footing she was fierce, enlightening and a character that was as captivating as she was endearing. When Zoe realized that despite her ability to stand on her own, being capable of trusting and leaning on others while still maintaining her independence was not only empowering but freeing.
From the start it was apparent that Alex and Zoe were really well matched from their playful camaraderie, to their shared love of percussion, to their simmering physical attraction it was no surprise that they found their way to each other. Communication was so key in this pair's dynamic especially when juxtaposed against Zoe's fading ability to communicate by traditional means in the most basic way and Alex constantly battling to express his authentic self without abuse. As a couple they were true equals and partners who balanced each other by sharing the weight of their individual burdens. Alex and Zoe for all their success at being independent were two lonely people who spent a lot of their energy hiding their vulnerability and craving for, while resigning themselves to not finding, their person. This relationship blossomed when this pair opened themselves up to their potential not looking for the perfect person but the person perfect for them, someone who understood them on a whole other level and lifted them to their best place.
One of Scarlett Cole's strengths as a writer is she becomes her characters, meaning she does her research, finds out what makes her portrayals tick, so their triumphs, struggles and areas of expertise feel authentic. Sensitivity is always and foremost this author's goal when writing even when her characters do not experience kindness themselves, giving her readers stories filled with compassion not pity. Love You Like That, another Scarlett Cole story to fall in love with!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. * *While part of a series this book can be read as a standalone.*
Love is an inconvenience Anna Cavallaro doesn’t have time for.
By Virtue I Fall, the highly anticipated dark mafia standalone romance from USA Today bestselling author Cora Reilly is coming June 28th, and we have the first look at the jaw-dropping cover!
Love is an inconvenience Anna Cavallaro doesn’t have time for.
She only has one goal: to become a fashion designer. Chicago’s elite already copies her style religiously, not least because she’s the daughter of the city’s notorious mafia boss.
When she’s accepted at a world-famous fashion institute in Paris, her father’s condition is to take her bodyguard along.
Anna definitely wouldn’t mind a few weeks of no-strings-attached fun with her brooding protector.
Santino Bianchi became the Outfit’s enforcer because he liked the thrill of the hunt and kill.
Babysitting his capo’s daughter is an honorable assignment he can’t refuse. His thoughts about Anna? Not so honorable.
Santino’s ignored Anna’s persistent flirting for years. Now, far away from home boundaries begin to blur. But Santino doesn’t have any intention to be the reason for a failed engagement and the ensuing scandal.
A summer fling in Paris.
Only two things stand in Anna’s way.
Santino’s iron will.
And…her fiancé.
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3kNXlct
Cover Designed by: Hang Le Photography by: Michelle Lancaster Model: Chase Mattson
About Cora Cora Reilly is the author of the Born in Blood Mafia Series, The Camorra Chronicles and many other books, most of them featuring dangerously sexy bad boys. Before she found her passion in romance books, she was a traditionally published author of young adult literature. Cora lives in Germany with a cute but crazy Bearded Collie, as well as the cute but crazy man at her side. When she doesn't spend her days dreaming up sexy books, she plans her next travel adventure or cooks too spicy dishes from all over the world. Despite her law degree, Cora prefers to talk books to laws any day.
Connect with Cora Facebook: http://bit.ly/3qw1eUh Instagram: https://bit.ly/2Y4juYZ Amazon: https://amzn.to/3syxRCB Join her Facebook reader group Cora’s Flamingo Squad: http://bit.ly/3sAmt9s Stay up to date with Cora by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/39HESsi Website: https://corareilly.com