Tag Archives: romance

The Spotlight is on Maggie Shayne – Forgotten, The Littlest Cowboy and Twilight Guardians @MaggieShayne

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I had these freebies by Maggie Shayne sitting on my Kindle. I am confused about Forgotten. I found it on Amazon under Forgotten Vows as a paperback and a cover I didn’t like as well as this. You can check it out for yourself on Amazon. I would love to know what you think because I think this one is fantastic. Though Goodreads has it as a Kindle cover, I couldn’t find a Kindle link.

Forgotten (Shattered Sisters, #2)

MY REVIEW

A serial killer brought them together…Joey rides a Harley, packs a cannon, has two nieces that are cute as a button and Ash, who wants Suzy Homemaker make an unlikely couple, so I found the characters added to the pacing and suspense that kept me flipping the pages.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

The Littlest Cowboy by Maggie Shayne was an Amazon freebie. How cute a cover is that? The Amazon cover is different,but I think this is sooooo darn cute. Check out Amazon and let me know which you like best.

The Littlest Cowboy (The Texas Brands #1)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Not a genre I read a lot of but, I couldn’t resist the cover and the manly family quickly draws me in with the humorous dialogue…smiles, giggles, sweetness…and everything happens quickly in this romance with a hint of danger…one for all and all for one.

“She isn’t a stray dog, Jessi…You can’t just decide to keep her.”

“i’ve already decided. Now all I have to do is convince her she belongs.”

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 stars

Twilight Guardians was another Amazon freebie.

Twilight Guardians (Wings in the Night: Reborn, #1)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The first half or so of the book had me thinking she was a moron, but she was a young naive girl in a hopeless situation with people pulling on her in many directions, and the last half of the book brought it to an action packed, enemies to friends conclusion of this part of her life…making me want to know more.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 stars
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Giveaway – Strange Love by T L Bradford @XpressoTours

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StrangeLove
T.L. Bradford
Publication date: April 18th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

Archer

The year began great for me.

Became the starting quarterback for an NFL team – check.
Secured a multi-million-dollar contract – check.
Moved to LA and lived the glamorous life – check.

What could possibly cause me any issues?
Oh yeah, one more thing. I’m gay.

I was outed a couple of years ago to my former team and my family, but it hasn’t been made public knowledge yet. Well, that is, until now. I’ll be known as the first LGBTQ+ active player in the league’s history. And if I stick to the conditions of my contract, it won’t be a problem. The thing is, I’m not really a guy known for playing by the rules.

Most people think of my personality as the three B’s: bold, brash, and blunt. My mouth has gotten me into more predicaments than I can count. Even my best friends have told me I’m stubborn as a mule and have the delicacy of a bull in a china shop. This presents a big problem for me because I have my eyes set on winning over the guy who stole my heart years ago, only he doesn’t know it yet.

Getting his attention is going to be challenging. It’s a good thing I’m tenacious.
Unfortunately, it’s not great timing and could get me into a whole mess of trouble.
Why does falling for a guy need to be anyone’s business but mine?

Kai

The past couple of years were a whirlwind of activity. My career took off after my guest shot appearance in Americana. I appeared in a few indie features and finally got a shot at my first major motion picture release. The work came as a great distraction from my personal life, which took a further nosedive after I found out the guy I was falling for had already fallen for someone else.

Why should I be surprised? He was another in a string of failed relationship attempts. I swore I wouldn’t get involved with anyone else, choosing to stay focused on my career instead. That is, until the force of nature known as Archer McMillan came storming into my life.

To be the pursued instead of the pursuer was not in the cards. To top it off, he’s everything I’m not. Yet, there’s something to be said for a guy who can make you laugh when it’s the last thing you want to be doing. I’ll admit he’s got a playful and determined spirit. Archer also has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I’ve ever known. Not the mention the cute way he… Hold on. What am I doing? We cannot be a thing. Nope. Not gonna happen. Ever. Right?

**

Follow Kai and Archer as they cross the lines as friends, partners-in-crime, and confidants, to discover a love beyond boundaries that needs no definition.

(StrangeLove is a funny, heartwarming, slow-burn love story. It contains a cast of fully developed characters that encounter romance, laughter, and life lessons. It contains adult language, mature themes, and is best enjoyed by those over the age of 18. It can be read as a standalone; however, if you would like to know the backstories of some characters, check out the prior books in the series.)

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Peculiarities

He takes the mustard bottle, shakes it up, and then squirts a blob onto the corn dog. He takes a long, leisurely bite.

“How’s the corn dog?”

“It’s pretty good. Do you want a bite?”

“Nah, I’m good. I’ll take some of your fries though.”

He pushes the bag over to me. I dig until I find the ones I want.

He says, “This is why we work. You like the mushy fries on the bottom, and I like the crisp ones. Therefore, no fry goes uneaten.” He pops a big chunky one into his mouth.

“Our quirks work well together.”

“What quirks?”

I stop to stare at him. “You have to admit you have some… peculiarities.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he says indignantly.

“Are you being serious? You have a ton of quirks.”

“I most certainly do not. Name one.”

“Let’s start with the entire hand sanitizer thing.”

“What’s wrong with that? Lots of people use sanitizer.”

“You keep it in your pocket, your car, on the set, the bottles are freakin’ everywhere. It’s amazing you haven’t dissolved your fingerprints yet with that stuff.”

“Fine. I have one quirk.”

I throw up my hands. “Hold on. I’m not done. What about not being able to have your food touch? Your plates have compartments in them.”

“That’s… a justifiable quirk.”

I squint at him. “Is it?”

“Yes.”

Lifting my fingers, I start counting off his issues. “You freak out around animals.”

“I already told you about that one.”

“You’re terrified of glitter.”

“They were tossing that stuff around at Gay Pride Fest, yet they never tell you how harmful it can be to your health.”

I huff. “Were you hospitalized?”

“Yes! It was embedded in my eye. I needed minor surgery to have it removed. That was my first and last Pride.”

I sit back and chuckle.

“I had a bad infection! What’s so damn funny?” he asks me.

“You! You’re so damn high strung, I can’t see how you function.”

“I’m not high strung!”

“Dude, you get anxiety over trying to open those plastic bags in the produce section.”

“It was that one time!”

I bend over, howling at how incredulous he is about his own behavior.

“Are you done?”

“This conversation will never be over.” I hold my stomach and laugh out loud.

Author Bio:

T.L. always hated math, so it was a good thing she had a way with words. Since she was a shy and quirky kid; words were her best friends. She would imagine entire worlds in her head and talk to herself endlessly. Her mother wondered if she was speaking with ghosts for a while.

Her older sister was a voracious reader of trashy romance novels and would pass them down to her after she had finished them. T.L. was the only 10-year-old kid sitting in class reading “The Stud” by Jackie Collins during reading time. Oddly enough, she never got called out on it.

As she grew older, her tastes evolved, but one thing held fast; her undying attachment to love stories. One day out of the blue, she decided to write the love stories she always wanted to read instead of searching for her story. Since then, writing has been a dream fulfilled for her and she could not be happier.

She enjoys writing about love, regardless of gender and is a proud supporter of the LGBTQ community.

T.L. calls the Pacific Northwest her home and enjoys the quiet rural life of her little oceanside home with her playful/crazy husband and their giant dog Noah.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub


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Giveaway – Under The Stars by Melissa Chambers @XpressoTours @MelChambersAuth

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Under the Stars
Melissa Chambers
(Destiny Dunes, #6)
Publication date: April 19th 2022
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Why is he making it so hard to hate him?

Chapman

There are few things I enjoy more than messing with Taylor Palmer. She’s such a priss with her tight, corporate skirts and her high heels. Someone’s got to bring her down to Earth.

She glares at me and parades her dates into my bar like she thinks it’ll bother me. She’s on the hunt for a husband, but she’s doing it all wrong. She’s never going to be into one of these nerds. She really wants a man like me, but I’m not on the market.

I can help her find a guy she can stomach. And if she decides to break her celibacy streak with me in the meantime, good for her…and me. But she better not get attached. She also needs to quit making me feel things I don’t understand.

Taylor

I’ll never forgive John Chapman for what he did to my best friend. I don’t care that she’s forgiven him, is close friends with him now, and even seems to be pushing me toward him. It’s because he and I are the last two single people in our friend group. All will be right in the world if he and I just connect. Forget it.

He fancies himself some kind of dating coach. He says he can find me the right guy. He certainly couldn’t do worse than I’ve been doing. I guess it won’t hurt to let him help.

The only problem is he won’t quit making his own moves on me, and they are working, impressively. I can’t fall for him. He’s made that crystal clear. But as we grow closer, I have to wonder if I’m chipping away at his cement walls, just a little bit.

Welcome to Destiny Dunes, where the only thing hotter than the Florida sun is the romance between this resort’s employees. Each book in this steamy series focuses on your favorite romance tropes. Once you enter the gates of Destiny Dunes, you’ll never want to leave!

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks

—

EXCERPT:

“You ready to do this?” he asks.

“Do what?”

“Take the picture.” He heads out of the store and I follow behind him.

“Right now?”

“No, next May. Yes, right now.”

“I thought maybe I’d have time to settle into the idea of me in a two-piece plastered all over the Internet.”

He leads us through the open-air mall, past some kids playing in the sprinklers while their parents sip coffee in wrought-iron chairs. “Are we doing this thing or not?”

“We are,” I say.

“Then either you trust me or you don’t.”

“I definitely don’t.”

He comes to a halt and faces me. “Turn around.”

“What? Why?”

“Just turn around.”

I huff, but I do it.

“Now fall backwards.”

I turn back around and face him. “You are crazy.”

“Don’t look at me. Look straight forward.”

I let out a sigh and then turn away from him again.

“Fall backwards.”

“And you’re going to catch me?” I ask in a very doubtful tone.

“Of course I’m gonna catch you. I’m not going to let you fall to the ground and bust your head open.”

“What happens if some pretty girl walks by and you turn your head right when I’m getting ready to fall?”

“I don’t need to look at some pretty girl. I’m looking at you . . . your ass to be specific.”

“See, right away I don’t trust you. My ass isn’t what’s going to fall backward first. It’s my shoulders.”

“I’m watching your whole body.”

Two girls sipping iced coffees pause, watching us. I smile at them and they smile back. “We’re gathering a crowd,” I say through clenched teeth.

“If you would just hurry up and get this over with, we wouldn’t garner so much attention.”

I imagine myself falling backwards and my stomach goes for a loop. “Are you sure you can catch me?”

“Are you kidding? Have you seen me?”

“I know, but I’m a big girl.”

“This is insulting, Taylor. I work out every day. Have you seen me without a shirt on?”

I try to remember if I have, but I’m pretty sure I only have dreamed of his bare chest. “All right, I concede that you can probably catch me.”

“Probably? Come on. Just fall backwards.”

“But why?”

“Because this will do wonders for our relationship. If you can trust me to prevent a brain injury, surely you can trust me with your dating profile.”

“Okay,” I say, fiddling with the bag.

“Give me that,” he says. I pass it back to him and hear it drop on the ground. “Hold your arms out so I can get my arms around you.”

The idea of his arms on my body sends a flock of butterflies through my chest. Now I’m more invested. Because as much as I need to not think about these things, I want to know what his touch feels like. I turn my head. “How far back are you?”

“I’m the perfect amount.”

There are several groups of people watching us now. I cover my eyes. “I can’t believe I’m going to do this.”

“Do you want me to count off?”

“No, I’m going to do it . . . unless you need to count off because you’re looking away or something.”

“He hasn’t looked away from you this whole time,” one of the iced coffee girls says.

“Really?” I ask her.

“Oh yeah,” the other one says. “He is laser-focused on you. I think you can trust him.”

I purse my lips. “If you only knew him you wouldn’t say that.”

“I’d like to get to know him,” her friend says, and then they giggle together.

“Taylor,” Chapman says, and the sound of my name coming from his mouth sends a quiver through my belly.

“Hmm?”

“I’ve got you,” he says, his voice steady and serious. I close my eyes, my stomach in knots. I let out a breath and I say, “Okay.”

I allow myself to fall, and just when I think I’ve made a huge mistake and I’m going to have a concussion or end up in the hospital, he catches me as those big, capable arms wrap around me.

The groups around us whoop with applause. He sets me up on my feet, and I turn around to face him. He’s smiling at me, genuinely—not one of those cocky smiles like he’s gotten something over on me or that he knows I’m dying for his hot body in my bed and he’s just tempting me with it, but a real smile like we’re friends. “You caught me,” I say, sounding more surprised than I should.

“Of course I caught you.”

Author Bio:

Melissa Chambers writes contemporary novels for young, new, and actual adults. A Nashville native, she spends her days working in the music industry and her nights tapping away at her keyboard. While she’s slightly obsessed with alt rock, she leaves the guitar playing to her husband and kid. She never misses a chance to play a tennis match, listen to an audiobook, or eat a bowl of ice cream. (Rocky road, please!) She has served as president for the Music City Romance Writers and is the author of the Love Along Hwy 30A series, the Before Forever series (YA), and Courting Carlyn (YA).

Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub / Amazon


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Review – Hidden Magic by Carmen Webster Buxton @CarmenWBuxton

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Hidden Magic

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Lord Garrick has an ambitious plan. On the surface, it sounds good, though it took a battle to bring him and Rickart face to face. Garrick wants Rickart to swear allegiance to him, the Lord of Cold Spring, bringing Esterby under his umbrella. I have a suspicious nature and see conspiracies around every corner…when it comes to novels. 🙂

Maura, Rickart’s sister, comes to Cold Spring to encourage Garrick to release Rickart and Garrick is smitten.

Magic had been banished under Garrick’s father’s rule and I won’t tell much about that because I want you to find out for yourself. I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.

The action is mild with many face to face conversations and I loved to watch the interactions. It is not so much manipulation as showing a person what could be.

Rickart is only eighteen. His father’s death made him the leader of Esterby. He puts his life on the line for his people, yet has a lot of life lessons to learn.

Gertie may be a peripheral character, but like Maura, I feel her importance. She is a pit bull and I love her.

“…Mother’s watching over her like a bitch with a one litter puppy.” I love that. I thought of the pitbull reference before I read that quote. It explains why Carmen Webster Buxton is a must read author for me and I love her stories so much. We seem to speak the same language.

As I learn more about Garrick, I love how Carmen Webster Buxton has written the story. Most of sword/sorcery fantasies I have read have brutal wars raging, blood and guts flying. Hidden Magic is more about characters coming together for the benefit of making a stronger unit.

Innocent romance.

Whether Carmen Webster Buxton meant to send a message or not, these characters made me feel good and have hope…that even in today’s real world, things change, circumstances change, rules change…nothing is written that can’t be rewritten.

Hidden Magic is not a series, the story is complete…unless you would like to prolong the ending by imagining what comes next for yourself.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Hidden Magic by Carmen Webster Buxton.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

AMAZON SYNOPSIS

The valley of the River Wystan is isolated from the rest of the world. Many years before it had been united under the Lord of Cold Spring, who had suppressed the practice of magic. But when he died, his son wasn’t strong enough to hold the other lords’ loyalty. Now Lord Garrick, the new Lord of Cold Spring, means to resume his grandfather’s role of overlord for the whole valley. Young Richart Tallengen, newly minted Lord of Esterby, tries to fight off Lord Garrick’s men, but he’s captured and carried to Cold Spring Castle. When his sister Maura comes to Cold Spring to see her brother, she catches Lord Garrick’s eye. Lord Garrick is as attracted by her courage and her brains as much as by her looks, but he is very surprised to discover that there is more to Maura than meets the eye. She has magical abilities, even though she doesn’t know it.

ABOUT CARMEN WEBSTER BUXTON

Carmen Webster Buxton

Carmen Webster Buxton spent her youth reading every book published by Ursula LeGuin, Robert Heinlein and Georgette Heyer. This combination of far-future worlds, alien cultures, and old-fashioned courting customs influenced her writing, especially in her ThreeCon series.

Carmen was born in Hawaii and experienced a peripatetic childhood, as her father was in the US Navy. Having raised two wonderful children, she now lives in Maryland with her husband Charlie, and a beagle named Cosmo. She writes science fiction (often including a romance, and mostly set in the far future), and the occasional fantasy.

Carmen has published many books:

WAKANREO SERIES
Alien Bonds
Alien Vows
Alien Skies

HAVEN SERIES
The Sixth Discipline
No Safe Haven

THREECON SERIES (can be read in any order)
The Nostalgia Gambit
Saronna’s Gift
Shades of Empire
Tribes
Worlds Apart

ALTERNATE HISTORY
King of Trees

YOUNG ADULT SCIENCE FICTION
Turnabout
Drifters

FANTASY
Where Magic Rules
Bag of Tricks
Hidden Magic

THE NAMELESS WORLD SAGA (coming in 2021)
The North Edge of Nowhere
Oaths and Promises

Carmen often blogs about ereaders, digital publishing, writing, and speculative fiction. Visit her blog to see what’s coming out next! To ask questions or to provide feedback on her books, send email to carmen.webster.buxton (at) gmail.com.

Website / Twitter / Facebook

MY CARMEN WEBSTER BUXTON REVIEWS

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Giveaway – First Comes Love by Rachael Brownell @xpressoTours

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First Comes Love
Rachael Brownell
Publication date: April 14th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

For lovers of second chances, small town romances, and happily ever afters…

Chloe

They say everyone has one true love, one person who was made just for them. A person they were meant to spend the rest of their life with. Who souls are intertwined.

For me, that person was Wyatt.

Our love was perfect. When we were together, nothing else mattered. Not college. Not our parents. Because our relationship wasn’t about anyone else.

We had big plans for our future together.

The thing about life… it doesn’t always go as planned.

It’s been five years since I’ve been home. Since I’ve laid eyes on the only man I’ll love in this lifetime.

And in a town this small, there’s no chance I’ll be able to avoid him for long. Or anyone else from my past.

Addison

From the moment I first laid eyes on Adam, I knew I was in trouble. There was a tension between us, chemistry I couldn’t deny. The way he was looking at me, as if he could see straight into my soul, sent my heart into overdrive.

After an hour together, I knew. He was the one. The one who would make me want to change everything. Who could make me believe in love again. In the idea of happily ever afters.

And he did.

His love and two tiny pink lines were about to change my entire life.

The thing about life… it doesn’t always go as planned.

I’ve been here before. It was the worst experience of my life and I’m not sure I’ll survive this time.

Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Flipping my light on, I lift my window and slide out onto the roof of the porch. Looking over the edge, my eyes meet Wyatt’s and realize how real his fear is. His eyes are wide, and his hands are shaking as he grips the sides of the ladder, his foot poised on the bottom rung.

“I’m right here. You can do this. I promise,” I say with confidence.

Nodding, Wyatt slowly climbs the ladder, his eyes never leaving mine. Once he’s safely on the roof, he scrambles through my window, sitting on the floor inside my window. Climbing in behind him, I find him panting heavily, a panic attack on the horizon.

Holding him in my arms until he calms down, I rub my hand up and down his back and kiss the top of his head. I’ve had one panic attack in my life, and it wasn’t pleasant. If I had known that this would send him spiraling into one, I never would have asked him to do it. I would have found another way.

“I’m sorry,” I say when his breathing finally returns to normal.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

“Um, yes there is. I pushed you to climb that ladder. If I had known—”

“It’s not something I’m proud of, but heights scare the shit out of me. They always have. I don’t know why but there was going to come a time I was going to have to face that fear, and tonight turned out to be the night. At least it was for a good reason,” he replies, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

“Oh yeah? I’m a good reason.”

“The best reason. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Chloe. You have to know that by now. I love you.”

And just like that, my world turned upside down. All it took were three little words.

He’d never said them before, but I knew how he felt. I felt the same. Falling in love with Wyatt had been easy. We’d been together for four months and I’d fallen for him a little more each day. It was the little things like the way he looked at me or how he showed me he cared.

Tonight, on the floor of my bedroom, I fell the rest of the way. I knew he was the one. We were meant to meet, to find each other. One night changed everything for both of us.

“I love you too,” I reply, pressing my lips to his.


Author Bio:

Rachael Brownell is an Amazon bestselling author of contemporary, New Adult, and YA romance.

She lives in Michigan with her husband, son, snuggly dog, and hateful cat. She moonlights as a bartender a few days a week (her excuse to get out of the house and socialize) and writes full time. She published her first novel in 2013 and since she’s released more than 30 additional titles.

Rachael writes all kinds of romance – dark, sexy, sweet. She started her career writing young-adult romance and as she matured, so did her characters and her writing. These days, Rachael writes steamy, new adult romance. Her favorite tropes to write are small-town and friends to lovers.

When she’s not hiding in her office, writing her next novel, you can find her hanging out with her family, watching her son play baseball, or running on the treadmill at the gym (though she skips more days than she goes).

Website / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Instagram / Pinterest / Newsletter


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Giveaway – Ethereal Bodies by Ali Lucia Sky @AliLuciaSky1 @XpressoTours

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Ethereal Bodies
Ali Lucia Sky
(The Powers That Be, #3)
Publication date: April 11th 2022
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance

What happens when a Maker falls in love and no amount of wishing will bring back his soulmate?

Lexa Penby has always been happy being the loyal friend. She knows her worth and forgiving the Maker, Tristan, for his many transgressions is a big ask. When it’s revealed that thanks to him and her best friend, Thea, her old life is over. She has to make the ultimate choice.

Meanwhile, the demon world has re-awakened and one mate is committing the most consummate betrayal.

Note: ETHEREAL BODIES is a New Adult book and for readers over the age of 18+ due to sexual content, substance abuse, references to sexual assault and profanity.

October 11, 2021 – The Dream Keepers
February 8, 2022 – Wishcraft
April 11, 2022 – Ethereal Bodies

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“I don’t even like y’all fuckers anymore,” Gwen harrumphs. “You’re annoying, Lex. I really hate that Mickey’s a better mean girl than me when she wants to be. She can’t do that. That’s my role. And I hate that Thea just walked in here and stole everyone away–except Megan, and let’s be honest, she’s the booby prize.” She slaps her hands on her lap and looks miserable. “I guess I’ll notify AAMU of my acceptance. My dad’s going to have a shitfit that we can’t get the application fee back from PUH. I’ll start looking at Gen-Ed courses tonight.”

She stands and stretches. “I hate you, you horrid fuck, Lexa. I really hope y’all are worth it. Now press them titties against mine!” She opens her arms. “Bring it in, Penby.”

I smirk and move in for a hug.

“Nothing feels better than girl tits against girl tits.” She snuggles in closer and presses her face against mine. “Well, I guess that isn’t true. But it is the best thing you can do with a girl with her clothes on.” Gwen murmurs in my ear wiggling to hug me tighter, pushing her knee between mine and her thigh into the juncture of my thighs. “You’re soft, Penby.”

“You’re a hair away from a sexual assault, Lapsley,” I say laughing. “But, thanks. The boobs are wasted on me. No one has touched them other than me and an occasional accidental grope from Michaela during her sleep, in a not sexy way.”

Gwen pulls back far enough for us to be nose to nose. “You really didn’t fuck that hot motherfucker?”

I shake my head. Gwen hugs me again and wiggles suggestively against me. “I will totally pity fuck you, Lex.”

I close my eyes tight and shake with laughter. Pulling away I hold up a hand, “No need, I’m good.”

Gwen grabs my hand. “It’s not a new thing for me. I’m good at it. Bi-wonderous even. I’m fucking aces at eating bitches out. Take off those leggings and let’s play doctor.” She pinches the fabric from the side of my hip and tugs them down.

“NO! Hard pass!” I laugh and turn away from her, moving to my dresser to pick up her keys then tossing them to her.

“Fine. I’ve got shit to do.” Gwen sighs. “I’m leaving the offer on the table. You are a hot piece of ass, and women need to help each other out. Especially friends. Pussy Power!”

I nod my head slowly and mouth the words ‘pussy power’ back at her. She holds up her hand for a fist bump and heads out.

Author Bio:

Ali Lucia Sky is the author of The Powers That Be series. She lives in Southern California with her husband and a house full of kitty cats and a yard full of crows.

She loves laughing, drinking good coffee, the smell of pizza, and supporting animal rescues.

When she isn’t writing or dreaming of new stories, she can be found planning her next vacation because traveling is LIFE.

If you encounter her in the wild, don’t be offended if she should run away. She’s timid with strangers, but can be plied with shiny things and pictures of your cat or dog.

She’s a weirdo like that.

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Giveaway – Savage City by L Penelope @leslyepenelope @XpressoTours

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Savage City
L. Penelope
(The Bliss Wars, #1)
Publication date: March 31st 2022
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

For Talia, death is only the beginning of survival…

When a tragic accident cuts my lonely life short, instead of heaven or hell, I’m stolen away to a terrifying city of warring shifter clans—the Nimali and the Fai. The Nimali mistake me for their missing princess. Her father, the dragon king, is identical to my own. But in this world, he dotes on me with the love and affection I always craved. And in a land with no tolerance for outsiders, feigning amnesia and impersonating shifter royalty may be the only way to survive.

For Ryin, falling in love is the worst kind of betrayal…

As a Fai warrior in captivity, I’m forced to serve my enemy even as I plot their destruction. The lost princess returned much changed, now the heat between us crackles irresistibly. While helping her heal using my magical talents, I begin to question what I thought I knew about the Nimali. She remains as forbidden as ever, but she also might be the key to freedom for me and my people.

Caught between two enemy factions balancing on the knife-blade of annihilation, our lies are the only thing keeping us alive, but they just might be our undoing.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

On top of the wall, silence reigns as the soldiers wait for word. We all stare toward the ground, anticipation a dark cloud suspended over us as sharp eyes scan the gloom for either a member of the scouting team that went out an hour ago or a Revoker, red eyes flashing and fangs covered in gristle and blood.

The first person who runs into view is tall and familiar and very much Nimali. His armor is blood spattered, but he appears uninjured. Others sigh audibly in relief, but my jaw tightens. Prince Shad. I wouldn’t have minded if he’d been grievously injured. My daimon silently chastises me for the unkindness, but I can’t help it. There are only two Nimali men who could have killed Dove, and he’s one of them. Until I’m certain it wasn’t him, I have to act like it was.

A bear and a lion are close behind him—part of the prince’s honor guard. The bear’s gait is hampered by a pronounced limp, though she still eats up the ground with long strides. Then my focus returns to the prince. He’s carrying something—someone—over his shoulder like a sack of beans. His bounding steps cross the distance easily, and then he’s at the rope ladder a soldier threw down. He climbs it with one arm while holding what I can see now is an injured woman.

Blood pours down her back from gashes that I’m sure were made by a Revoker’s claws. Her clothing is odd. A short, loose dress, oddly patterned and flimsy—I’ve never seen anything like it before, not on a Nimali or a Fai. Why anyone would go into No Man’s Land without battle armor is a mystery, but the woman is also barefoot. Begrudging respect bubbles up from my chest for the way the prince is able to negotiate the climb with that much dead weight, carried awkwardly. He could have shifted into his other form and flown up, but his own claws might have further injured her. And he is definitely treating her like something special.

The reason becomes clear when he finally gets to the top and one of the soldiers reaches out to help him with his burden. Prince Shad shakes his head and gently lays the woman down on her side, revealing her face.

I’m too far away to see at first, but when the soldiers in front of me gasp and immediately kneel, I get a glimpse. Princess Celena lies there, bloodied and battered. Her rich, chestnut skin is ashen, taking on an almost gray pallor. I’m frozen in place for a moment viewing her small form, her strange, tattered clothing, the odd way she’s braided her hair.

Then I’m shoved hard from behind, stumbling forward through the kneeling men and women.

“Where is the healer?” Prince Shad roars, but I’m already there, crouching down beside the princess. My daimon joins me seconds later, eager to fill me with its essence and lend me its healing power.

Celena’s back is ravaged, the wounds already bubbling with the poison from the Revoker’s talons. They look fresh, so it’s not too late to heal them if I’m quick about it. I hold out my hands and close my eyes, letting my daimon fully take over. Its energy flows through me, using my physical body as a conduit for its power.

Through my daimon, I sense the damage, the torn flesh and the toxins that have already entered her bloodstream. The healing energy pulls the poison out, a sticky black substance that leaks onto the stone of the wall. The flesh, layers of muscle and skin, is knit back together until there isn’t so much as a scar left. I silently thank my daimon and it retreats. Then I open my eyes.

Prince Shad is staring down at his sister. When the blue light of my power retreats, his dark eyes flick up to mine.

“I removed the poison,” I tell him.

“All of it?” I nod. His lips flatten into a grim line. “We’re taking her back to the Citadel. Come with me; the king will want to be sure.”

Author Bio:

L. Penelope has been writing since she could hold a pen and loves getting lost in the worlds in her head. She is an award-winning author of fantasy and paranormal romance. Equally left and right-brained, she studied filmmaking and computer science in college and sometimes dreams in HTML. After living on both coasts, she settled in Maryland with her husband and their furry dependents. Sign up for new release information and giveaways on her website: http://www.lpenelope.com.

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Review – Bag of Tricks by Carmen Webster Buxton @CarmenWBuxton

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.

Carmen Webster Buxton is a fabulous storyteller. The wonderful cover fits the story inside perfectly, seeing they spend a lot of time on the road, so to speak.

Bag of Tricks

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Bag of Tricks was so well written, with original twists and turns that, even though for most of the book it would be a three star review, I had to give it four. The characters came to life in the magical, fantastical world that Carmen Webster Buxton created and I was lost. Though I never felt an urgent need to read on with white knuckles, my curiousity would not let me put it down. Another plus, no series. You get the complete story!!!!!!

When I went to write the review, I found I forgot to take notes. I was swept along with Aveline and Zarek. These two characters took the spotlight and I so wanted a happy ever after for them. They are selfless, loyal, giving, willing to put their life on the line to do the right thing.

We have royal machinations going on, betrayals and danger. The story is written with a lightness, no in depth details, with wars and blood and guts everywhere. Even the tragic events are written for young adults and I love all the little nuggets of wisdom woven throughout the story.

I feel Carmen Webster Buxton is such a fantastic writer, that no genre is beyond her. I feel she would be a success no matter what story she wanted to tell. I highly recommend any of her work and I hope you give her books a shot. I feel you won’t regret it and may even find a new favorite author for your bookshelf.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Bag of Tricks by Carmen Webster Buxton.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Aveline is a trained magician, but Princess Inessa, the Heiress of Mazuria, hired her to pose as a lady-in-waiting, to protect her from court intrigues and literally sniff out lies. When a wicked duke tries to force Inessa into marriage, Aveline uses a spell to hide the princess. But even magic has limits, and when Aveline stumbles over Zarek, a man whose life has been cursed by more than one tragedy, she demands his help in getting the princess back to the capital. Zarek is on his own errand, and he’s suspicious of Aveline — magicians are feared — but he does help. As he and Aveline travel Mazuria in company with the princess and his wolf-dog Burden, they come to rely on each other and to respect each other’s skills. After Zarek leaves the two women in what he thinks is a safe refuge, he learns they’re in more danger than ever. So of course he and Burden go back to save them.

Now if only Aveline can bring herself to believe that Zarek wants to save her even more than he wants to save the princess — and admit to herself that what she feels for him goes way beyond gratitude.

ABOUT CARMEN WEBSTER BUXTON

Carmen Webster Buxton

Carmen Webster Buxton spent her youth reading every book published by Ursula LeGuin, Robert Heinlein and Georgette Heyer. This combination of far-future worlds, alien cultures, and old-fashioned courting customs influenced her writing, especially in her ThreeCon series.

Carmen was born in Hawaii and experienced a peripatetic childhood, as her father was in the US Navy. Having raised two wonderful children, she now lives in Maryland with her husband Charlie, and a beagle named Cosmo. She writes science fiction (often including a romance, and mostly set in the far future), and the occasional fantasy.

Carmen has published many books:

WAKANREO SERIES
Alien Bonds
Alien Vows
Alien Skies

HAVEN SERIES
The Sixth Discipline
No Safe Haven

THREECON SERIES (can be read in any order)
The Nostalgia Gambit
Saronna’s Gift
Shades of Empire
Tribes
Worlds Apart

ALTERNATE HISTORY
King of Trees

YOUNG ADULT SCIENCE FICTION
Turnabout
Drifters

FANTASY
Where Magic Rules
Bag of Tricks
Hidden Magic

THE NAMELESS WORLD SAGA (coming in 2021)
The North Edge of Nowhere
Oaths and Promises

Carmen often blogs about ereaders, digital publishing, writing, and speculative fiction. Visit her blog to see what’s coming out next! To ask questions or to provide feedback on her books, send email to carmen.webster.buxton (at) gmail.com.

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MY CARMEN WEBSTER BUXTON REVIEWS

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He’ll Prove Her Worthy – Deserving You By Amanda Siegrist @amanda_siegrist

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Deserving You (McCord Family #3)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I met Deja in Book II, Trust In Love and I am excited to hear her story and watch Emmet work his magic to win her over.

Deja was waiting, wishing for her sixteenth birthday so she could get the hell out of Dodge. She was sick of the shaming from her classmates. A knock on the door…and now we find ourselves HERE…with Sophie. I love how they meet. Two lost souls team up, never judging, always steadfast in their support for each other.

Sometimes I wonder why people even have kids, when they throw them away so easily. Yeah, this is a novel, but Amanda Siegrist makes her characters and situations read true.

Her brother, Dare, reenters her life. Now she has to two men that are giving her a headache. LOL Dare and Emmet. What’s a girl to do?

The McCord family’s interaction with Dare, especially Ethan’s, had me cracking up. I totally get Dare’s confusion, but seeing I know the family, it was no surprise to me. One for all and all for one.

Even though it was love at first sight, at least for Emmet, the romance was on a very slow burn. We not only get Deja’s story, but wrap on the loose ends of Sophie’s as well.

Want a sweet romance? Maybe a dash of danger? Hunkalicious men? Strong women? Look no further. This series has it all, and though I feel each story can stand alone, I highly recommend beginning at the beginning.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Deserving You by Amanda Siegrist.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

From USA Today bestselling author Amanda Siegrist comes a heartwarming series that will make you swoon…and maybe even shed a few tears.

She doesn’t think she’s worthy of his love. He’ll prove her wrong.

Emmett McCord has wanted Deja since the moment he met her, despite how she came into their lives. It didn’t take long for him, and the family, to forgive her and see just what kind of woman she is. Strong. Determined. Remorseful. Faithful to a fault. He wants to declare his feelings, but he knows she’ll resist him. He can’t risk losing her friendship. When her brother walks back into her life, causing her pain, he’s done keeping his feelings to himself. He wants her, and she’ll just have to get used to it.

The entire McCord Family Novel series: (Each book in this series can be read as a standalone.)

Protecting You (Book 1): Zane & Ava
Trust in Love (Book 2): Austin & Sophie
Deserving You (Book 3): Emmett & Deja
Always Kind of Love (Book 4): Ethan & Penelope
Finding You (Book 5): Gabe & Olivia

ABOUT AMANDA SIEGRIST

Amanda Siegrist

Love! Gimme some love and heaps of romance. I have a sappy heart that just loves two people meeting, going through the cycles of a relationship, and ultimately, falling in love. Give me a good book like that and I’m a happy camper:)

I write contemporary and romantic suspense, but I am partial to suspense. I just love a good mystery.

Besides writing, I love baking, crafts, and baseball…oh, and meeting new people. *smiles*

Website  /  Twitter  /  Facebook

MY AMANDA SIEGRIST REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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He’s All About The Fun – Trust In Love by Amanda Siegrist @amanda_siegrist

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Trust in Love (The McCord Family #2)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I am loving this family, but I wonder if I would have enjoyed the next couple of books more if I would have read something else in between. That being said, I am going to love to see Austin meet his match.

Sophie kept telling herself she wasn’t running from an old life, but to a new one. Her father had left her a rundown house, but it was hers. And, she moved in next door to Austin. With the house being in need of repair, he will find many excuses to visit.

Ava had been determined to find Austin’s love, seeing she had found hers. When she heard what happened when Austin introduced himself to Sophie, Ava thought…she’s the one. Ava is back to her old self, sorta, and I am loving this side of her. She is humorous and her witty dialogue has me smiling. Ava and Zane are so sweet and playful, in the honeymoon phase of their marriage.

Sophie is the creative type. I love her character, because she is so different from myself. She repurposes objects and sells them online. Because of her past, you might think Sophie would be a doormat, but not so. And a man who is honest? Is it possible? Will Austin wile his way into her life? Patience is the key, and persistence.

I do enjoy the push pull of new romance. When the right person comes your way, you can fight attraction all you want, but they will slowly break down your barriers.

The way to a McCord man’s heart is with pie…and Austin’s favorite is Grape Nut Pie. They are a tight family. When one hurts, they all hurt.

Shivers spread across my body when she killed the spider. OMG. I hate spiders.

The characters seem so real, even though they have many ‘things’ come their way. The story is predictable, except I did not see Deja coming.

I love how we have two stories really, Ava settling in and getting her groove back and Sophie, the star of the show…and an introduction to Deja. The smiles, outright laughter and a bit of fear, as a slow burning romance and danger played out, kept me reading.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Trust In Love by Amanda Siegrist.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

From USA Today bestselling author Amanda Siegrist comes a heartwarming series that will make you swoon…and maybe even shed a few tears.

He didn’t want to fall in love. And then he met her.

Austin McCord has always enjoyed women…to an extent. He’s all about the fun. Anything beyond that, not so much. Until he meets his neighbor, Sophie. He knows he can’t touch her. She has marriage written all over her. Except temptation overwhelms him every time he sees her beautiful, angelic face. It doesn’t matter. Because whenever he tries to take two steps toward her, she keeps taking three steps back. Someone hurt her, that’s obvious. For the first time, he’s thinking a happily ever after sounds nice. Now his only obstacle is convincing her of the same thing…and keeping her safe before her past tears her apart.

The entire McCord Family Novel series: (Each book in this series can be read as a standalone.)

Protecting You (Book 1): Zane & Ava
Trust in Love (Book 2): Austin & Sophie
Deserving You (Book 3): Emmett & Deja
Always Kind of Love (Book 4): Ethan & Penelope
Finding You (Book 5): Gabe & Olivia

ABOUT AMANDA SIEGRIST

Amanda Siegrist

Love! Gimme some love and heaps of romance. I have a sappy heart that just loves two people meeting, going through the cycles of a relationship, and ultimately, falling in love. Give me a good book like that and I’m a happy camper:)

I write contemporary and romantic suspense, but I am partial to suspense. I just love a good mystery.

Besides writing, I love baking, crafts, and baseball…oh, and meeting new people. *smiles*

Website  /  Twitter  /  Facebook

MY AMANDA SIEGRIST REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!