Sunday, July 31, 2016

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Rating: Three stars
Date published: May 17, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:
For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.
Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.
It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

Friday, July 29, 2016

Fantasy Friday: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare


Today I want to spotlight Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. I loved this series and I especially loved the characters and the humor. I'm pretty sure it's also the only series where I've been okay with a love triangle.

Synopsis:
In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.
The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them...
Buy it on Amazon: https://amzn.com/1481456024

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Cover Reveal: The Sexy One by Lauren Blakely

From the NYT Bestselling author of MISTER O,
rcomes a sexy new standalone romance…THE SEXY ONE!

Releasing October 17th, THE SEXY ONE will bring readers more of Simon, the hot single dad you met in MISTER O.

Check out this fantastic cover created by Helen Williams
 with photography by Perrywinkle Photography.

Pre-Order THE SEXY ONE now!

Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/2aceDNv

Add to your Goodreads TBR here:  http://bit.ly/2asaN4m

Sign up for Lauren’s newsletter to receive an alert when THE SEXY ONE is live on Kindle on release day at http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter/.


Blurb

Let me count the ways why falling into forbidden love is not my wisest move…
1. She works with me every single day.
Did I mention she's gorgeous, sweet, kind and smart?
2. She works in my home.
Playing with my five-year-old daughter. Teaching my little girl. Cooking for my princess. Which means…
3. She's the nanny.
And that makes her completely off-limits…But it doesn’t stop me from wanting her. All of her.

***

The other nannies in this city don't call him the Sexy One for nothing. My boss, the amazingly wonderful single father to the girl I take care of every day is ridiculously hot, like movie star levels with those arms, and those eyes, and that body. Not to mention, the way he dotes on his little girl melts me all over. But what really makes my knees weak are the times when his gaze lingers on me. In secret. When no one else is around.

I can't risk my job for a chance at something more…can I? But I don’t know how to resist him much longer either…

The audiobook will release the same day as the eBook on October 17th and will be narrated by Sebastian York and Andi Arndt!




About the Author

Since self-publishing her debut romance novel CAUGHT UP IN US three years ago, Lauren Blakely has sold more than 1 million books. She is known for her sexy contemporary romance style that's full of heat, heart and humor. A devout fan of cake and canines, Lauren has plotted entire novels while walking her four-legged friends. She lives in California with her family. With ten New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than fifty times. Her bestselling series include Sinful Nights, Seductive Nights, No Regrets, Caught Up in Love, and Fighting Fire as well as standalone romantic comedies like BIG ROCK and MISTER O, which were both instant New York Times Bestsellers. In the fall she'll release WELL HUNG, another romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter at laurenblakely.com/newsletter
Links:

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

The Sapphire Affair by Lauren Blakely

Rating: Three stars
Series: Jewel #1
Date published: July 12, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Bounty hunter Jake Harlowe knows how to track a criminal. So when a group of swindled shareholders hires him to trail their former CEO, Jake expects a quick trip to the Cayman Islands to close another case. Until a devastatingly beautiful woman gets in the way.
Steph Anderson is visiting the Caymans for a rock climbing and dive trip—or so she tells Jake. She’s really trying to find out whether or not her stepfather embezzled money from his company. The last thing Steph needs is the distraction of a sexy, charming man whose kisses drive her wild.
Soon, the pair discover they’re after the same target—and millions in jewels. While Jake can’t be certain Steph isn’t working for her stepfather, and Steph can’t be certain Jake isn’t after the diamonds for himself, they can agree the heat between them is intense, and neither can deny the passion for long.
But the morning after, Steph discovers that she just might have slept with the enemy, and now she’ll have to outwit him to get everything she needs…

Sunday, July 24, 2016

So Much More by Kim Holden

Rating: Three stars
Date published: March 29, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Love is strange. It comes out of nowhere. There’s no logic to it. It’s not methodical. It’s not scientific. It’s pure emotion and passion. And emotion and passion can be dangerous because they fuel love…and hate.
I’m now a reluctant connoisseur of both—an expert through immersion. I know them intimately.
When I fell in love with Miranda, it was swift and blind. She was the person I’d elevated to mythical status in my head, in my dreams.
Here’s the thing about dreams, they’re smoke.
They’re spun as thoughts until they become something we think we want. Something we think we need.
That was Miranda. She was smoke.
I thought I wanted her. I thought I needed her.
Over time reality crept in and slowly dissected and disemboweled my dreams like a predator, leaving behind a rotting carcass.
Reality can be a fierce bitch.
So can Miranda.
And I can be a fool...
who believes in dreams.
And people.
And love.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton

Rating: Three stars
Series: Hudson Valley #2
Date published: July 12, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton brings her trademark blend of funny and sexy to this second contemporary romance in the brand-new Hudson Valley series!
Manhattan’s It Girl, Natalie Grayson, has it all: she’s a hot exec at a leading advertising firm, known industry-wide for her challenging and edgy campaigns. She’s got a large circle of friends, a family that loves her dearly, and her dance card is always full with handsome eligible bachelors. What else could a modern gal-about-town wish for? The answer, of course, is...cheese.
Natalie’s favorite part of each week is spending Saturday morning at the Union Square Farmer’s Market, where she indulges her love of all things triple cream. Her favorite booth also indulges her love of all things handsome. Oscar Mendoza, owner of the Bailey Falls Creamery and purveyor of the finest artisanal cheeses the Hudson Valley has to offer, is tall, dark, mysterious, and a bit oblivious. Or so she thinks. But that doesn’t stop Natalie from fantasizing about the size of his, ahem, milk can.
Romance is churning, passion is burning, and something incredible is rising to the top. Could it be...love?

Friday, July 22, 2016

Fantasy Friday: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.
When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?
Daughter of Smoke and Bone is the first book in a trilogy. I loved the characters and the world Taylor created. I also love that this isn't just a romance novel. There's a big plot to this one, some of which involves otherworldly creatures. I don't think I have the words to properly describe Daughter of Smoke and Bone. It's just a win in my book.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Moonshot by Alessandra Torre

Rating: Three stars
Date published: July 4, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mystery

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Baseball isn’t supposed to be a game of life and death…
The summer that Chase Stern entered my life, I was seventeen. The daughter of a legend, the Yankees were my family, their stadium my home, their dugout my workplace. My focus was on the game. Chase... he started out as a distraction. A distraction with sex appeal poured into every inch of his six foot frame. A distraction who played like a god and partied like a devil.
I tried to stay away. I couldn’t.
Then, the team started losing.
Women started dying.
And everything in my world broke apart.

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Romance Reveal box - July 2016


While I was on vacation this week, my first ever Romance Reveal Book Box came! I found this one shortly after I subscribed to The Bookworm Box and I was surprised to find that both boxes offer the same things, but Romance Reveal is nearly $20 less (counting shipping). My total came out to be $31.90 for the box. For something you're going to subscribe to every month, that is a huge difference in price. Romance Reveal also offers two different choices for your monthly subscription - an individual signed book for $12.95 plus shipping or the box for $24.95 plus shipping. In the box are two signed books, book related swag, and a product sample. What's in the boxes varies for each person, which is a concept I for the most part enjoy but also dread, since there's always that one book you're going to want and there's a chance you won't be one of the ones to receive it.

Friday, July 15, 2016

Fantasy Friday: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Fantasy Friday is a day to spotlight any fantasy book and for my very first Fantasy Friday, I'd like to spotlight my very first Leigh Bardugo read.

Here's the blurb:
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...
A convict with a thirst for revenge.
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.
A runaway with a privileged past.
A spy known as the Wraith.
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.
Six of Crows completely blew me out of the water. I loved the description, but I didn't feel like it really prepared me for just how great it was going to be. The writing was fantastic and so was the world-building. The characters felt so real and I loved their interactions with each other. The plot is an interesting one; a love a good story of a heist and this is one of them. I think the one thing that surprised me the most was how little romance there was and wonderful that choice was. I actually like that there's only a hint of romance in the novel. It's refreshing and means more characters are focused on instead of just the two main ones. Six of Crows is a must read and I really can't wait for the next book in the series.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

One with You by Sylvia Day

Rating: Three stars
Series: Crossfire 5
Date published: April 5, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Gideon Cross. Falling in love with him was the easiest thing I've ever done. It happened instantly. Completely. Irrevocably.
Marrying him was a dream come true. Staying married to him is the fight of my life. Love transforms. Ours is both a refuge from the storm and the most violent of tempests. Two damaged souls entwined as one.
We have bared our deepest, ugliest secrets to one another. Gideon is the mirror that reflects all my flaws ... and all the beauty I couldn't see. He has given me everything. Now, I must prove I can be the rock, the shelter for him that he is for me. Together, we could stand against those who work so viciously to come between us.
But our greatest battle may lie within the very vows that give us strength. Committing to love was only the beginning. Fighting for it will either set us free ... or break us apart.
Heartbreakingly and seductively poignant, One with You is the breathlessly awaited finale to the Crossfire saga, the searing love story that has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Rating: Five stars
Date published: January 5, 2012
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.
Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.
Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Captivated by You by Sylvia Day

Rating: Four stars
Series: Crossfire 4
Date published: November 18, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Gideon calls me his angel, but he's the miracle in my life. My gorgeous, wounded warrior, so determined to slay my demons while refusing to face his own.
The vows we'd exchanged should have bound us tighter than blood and flesh. Instead they opened old wounds, exposed pain and insecurities, and lured bitter enemies out of the shadows. I felt him slipping from my grasp, my greatest fears becoming my reality, my love tested in ways I wasn't sure I was strong enough to bear.
At the brightest time in our lives, the darkness of his past encroached and threatened everything we'd worked so hard for. We faced a terrible choice: the familiar safety of the lives we'd had before each other or the fight for a future that suddenly seemed an impossible and hopeless dream...

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

The Bookworm Box reveal - June 2016 (with pictures)




I managed to get myself on the list for The Bookworm Box not too long ago and was so psyched when my June box came today! This subscription service is one of the more expensive ones out there - with shipping it came to $49.98 for me - but the proceeds go to charity, so it makes it a little more worth it if you're looking for a good deed.

Saturday, July 2, 2016

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

Rating: 5 stars
Date published: November 13, 2012
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:
I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.
Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.
Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.
Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.
The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.