Review: The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simon

The golden skies, the translucent twilight, the white nights, all hold the promise of youth, of love, of eternal renewal. The war has not yet touched this city of fallen grandeur, or the lives of two sisters, Tatiana and Dasha Metanova, who share a single room in a cramped apartment with their brother and parents. Their world is turned upside down when Hitler's armies attack Russia and begin their unstoppable blitz to Leningrad.

Yet there is light in the darkness. Tatiana meets Alexander, a brave young officer in the Red Army. Strong and self-confident, yet guarding a mysterious and troubled past, he is drawn to Tatiana—and she to him. Starvation, desperation, and fear soon grip their city during the terrible winter of the merciless German siege. Tatiana and Alexander's impossible love threatens to tear the Metanova family apart and expose the dangerous secret Alexander so carefully protects—a secret as devastating as the war itself—as the lovers are swept up in the brutal tides that will change the world and their lives forever.

Paperback, 810 pages

Published September 8th 2009 by William Morrow Paperbacks              

Terri's Thoughts

I am a little late to the party in reading this book.  It has remained on my to be read shelf for years even 

though others have told me I have to read it.  I finally decided to listen to the audio book to experience 

what so many others have raved about.

There is not much that I can say that has not already been said I am sure.  Too be honest, having literally

just completing it, I have too many emotions to try to filter through them all.  This book has touched on

everything I look for in a novel which means it has left me utterly devastated.

First there is a love story that is doomed from the start.  The connection between Tatiana and Alexander

was so deep you could feel it.  Then add to that complexity of war and the hardships of Russia during

this period.  Simon weaves a story so complex that it left me breathless.  The closing chapter is currently

still haunting me.  I will not regurgitate the plot as I think this is a story that must be entered without

any preconceived ideas or expectations.  That is how I went in and I was not disappointed.

If I am to get a little bit critical, I do feel that there were aspects of the story that did not seem to fit in to

the theme of the rest of the novel.  I am trying not to give away any spoilers however this was the sex

that was described in the story.  To keep with the theme, in my opinion, some details should have been

left to the readers imagination and not spelled out as it was.  I found this part of the story long and drawn

out and not really necessary, the amount of detail that is.

That aside, I still have to admit that this book is most likely on my top 5 of all time stories I have read. I

can't believe it has taken me this long to experience it.  It has made me curious about Russia and it has

now been added to my list of places to visit.

If I had to sum this up in one word it would be....sigh....haunting.  A must read for any fan of historical

fiction.

About the Author

Paullina Simons was born in Leningrad, USSR, in 1963. At the age of ten her family immigrated to the United States. Growing up in Russia Paullina dreamt of someday becoming a writer. Her dream was put on hold as she learned English and overcame the shock of a new culture.

After graduating from university and after various jobs including working as a financial journalist and as a translator Paullina wrote her first novel Tully. Through word of mouth that book was welcomed by readers all over the world.

She continued with more novels, including Red Leaves, Eleven Hours, The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to Holy Cross (also known as Tatiana and Alexander), The Summer Garden and The Girl in Times Square (also known as Lily). Many of Paullina's novels have reached international bestseller lists

Website

Twitter

          

Review: To Have and To Hold by Lauren Layne

USA TODAY bestselling author Lauren Layne is the “queen of witty dialogue and sexy scenes” (Rachel Van Dyken)! Now, Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles, her sizzling brand new contemporary romance series about three ambitious wedding planners who can make any bride’s dream come true... but their own.

Discovering her fiance is an international con man just moments before they exchange vows devastates celebrity wedding planner Brooke Baldwin's business—and breaks her heart. Now a pariah in Los Angeles, she seeks a fresh start in New York City and thinks she’s found it with her first bridal client, a sweet—if slightly spoiled—hotel heiress. Then she meets the uptight businessman who’s holding the purse strings.

Seth Tyler wishes he could write a blank check and be done with his sister Maya's fancy-pants wedding. Unfortunately, micromanaging the event is his only chance at proving Maya’s fiance is a liar. Standing directly in his way is the stunning blonde wedding planner whose practiced smiles and sassy comebacks both irritate and arouse him. He needs Brooke’s help. But can he persuade a wedding planner on a comeback mission to unplan a wedding? And more importantly, how will he convince her that the wedding she should be planning... is theirs?

Kindle Edition, 384 pages

Published July 26th 2016 by Pocket Books 

Series: The Wedding Belles #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Kristine's Thoughts:

It's no secret that I am a fan of pretty much everything that Lauren Layne writes. I can't tell you how excited I am that she has a brand new series for me to look forward to. To Have and To Hold is the first book in The Wedding Belles series about a group of wedding planners in New York City.

I loved the characters in this book. Every single one of the "Belles" were awesome and I can't wait for each of them to get their own book and story. The friendship and interactions between this group of women left me smiling on more than one occasion. Brooke and Seth had me in their corner from the very first page. The attraction between the two was undeniable and the chemistry was dripping off the pages. I enjoyed every minute from the initial denial to the inevitable between the sheets action.

The story flowed so smoothly that it did not feel like it was 384 pages long. I was able to get through it quickly and easily. I think it is because Layne writes with the perfect amount of humour, heat and a whole lot of relateable experiences. Her characters had typical flaws and spoke with the same kind of wit and slang that made it feel like they were sitting in your living room. In other words, she made the characters believable and likeable.

Lauren Layne continues to be a romance author who's books I will automatically read without reading the synopsis or knowing anything about the books. She has proven to me that she can fill my romance needs and deliver above average books in the genre. I can't wait to return to New York City and "The Wedding Belles."

About the Author

Lauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author of more than a dozen contemporary romance novels.

Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. A year after moving from Seattle to NYC to pursue a writing career, she had a fabulous agent and multiple New York publishing deals. 

Lauren currently lives in Manhattan with her husband and plus-sized Pomeranian. When not writing, you'll likely find her running (rarely), reading (sometimes), or at happy hour (often).

Connect with Lauren

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Cover Reveal: The Ball Games by Andie M. Long

Click Here to read it on Amazon!

Blurb:

MEET THE TURNERS in the hilarious Ball Games Series. The First Four novellas now available in one sexy fabulous bundle. BALLS: Camille Turner meets ex-tormenter Dylan Ball again, only now he’s grown up and HOT. SNOW BALLS: Tyler Turner gets his eviction notice. It’s son versus mum Dora, but while he’s at war will he ever notice he has an admirer? NEW BALLS PLEASE: Feeling ignored Dora goes on holiday to learn tennis. While she’s there partner Tim turns Alpha. At the same time, a guilty Dora reads one of her self-help books about becoming a devoted Housewife. What’s going to happen when they reuinite? BALLS FORE: A blast from past returns to upset Beth and her carefully ordered life. JINGLE BALLS (Book Five) out 2nd December!

Read A Few Excerpts From Andie...

It’s not every day a chocolate penis is wanged in your face. ‘Mum. Stop it, you’re in a children’s play centre,’ yells my best mate, Camille. Her shouting only has more people turning towards us. ‘Oh, Camille. How do you think all those children were made? If it wasn’t for willies, there wouldn’t be anyone in your business.’ ‘Talking about business, leave Beth alone.’ ‘But she’s an expert.’ ‘Not with penises I’m not.’ I sigh. ‘But chocolate, yes. Cam, go make us a drink so I can have a proper conversation with your mum.’ *** Sighing, I follow Dylan through the bank. I can’t help noticing that for an arsehole, his bottom is rather nice. Tight and firm. He swings round. 'Are you checking out my bum?' 'No.' I go to flip my hair but meet nothing as it's in the damn ponytail. 'Sorry, my mistake,' Dylan raises his hands in mock surrender. ‘That’s just how it looked. You know, in the reflection there.' He points to a glass cabinet. I look and see our reflections. Fuck. 'It's a kink in the glass or something. Makes it look weird.' I fold my arms around myself. Dylan tilts his head as he looks at me. 'Kink, hey? Hmm.’ *** What the fuck does she read? I called in sick again. It's now late Tuesday morning and I've spent hours pouring over these books. Billionaires. Cowboys. Rock Stars. I've also been through the shelves. Dora already had a couple of the books I've bought her. One thing they all have in common? What I have seen termed as an Alpha Male. Basically, you start off treating the woman like absolute shit, but it's okay because you have issues. It's not personal, it's becaus e you're an orphan. In these books, every one of them is an orphan. Could the authors not be fucking bothered to write parents and family in? Fuck those few thousand words and complications. Road accident for Ma and Pa. Job done. Well, I'm not an orphan but my mum died a few years ago, so that's something I can work with. I'll develop some kind of issue with it, to make myself angry.

Meet The Author...

Andie M. Long is author of The Alpha series which includes Amazon Number One Erotic Thriller The Alphabet Game; Co-writer of the Amazon Number One Erotic Romance/Adult fiction bestseller The Bunk Up with DH Sidebottom and The Ball Games series, amongst others. She lives in Sheffield with her son and long suffering partner. When not being partner, mother, employee or writer she can usually be found on Facebook or walking her whippet, Bella. Andie will be signing in Liverpool and Newcastle 2017 and York 2018. FOLLOW ANDIE:   Andie’s Reader Hangout: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1462270007406687/ (not a street team, just a place to hang and have fun).   Mailing List: (get a free ebook of Alphabet Wedding and Quickies on sign-up): http://eepurl.com/-mm-9 EMAIL: contact@andiemlongwriter.com WEBSITE: www.andiemlongwriter.com FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/andiemlongwriter TWITTER: @andiemichelle BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/andie-m-long INSTAGRAM: andiemlongwriter (meet Barbie Andie!) AMAZON: Follow to get info of new releases: http://viewauthor.at/andiemlongamazonpage PINTEREST: https://uk.pinterest.com/andiemlong GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6895418.Andie_M_Long

Hosted By

Visit Us Here!

Review: Perfect Paige by Ines Saint

When three sisters arrive in Spinning Hills, Ohio, home of the third most haunted street in the state, they’re looking for solace and support as they clear out the ghosts of their own pasts. But what they find is something a whole lot sweeter . . .
Paige Galloway has built her life around one principle—being the perfect mom. When the FBI busts into the PTA meeting Paige is about to host in order to arrest her husband, she’s mortified. Fleeing to Spinning Hills, her grandmother’s hometown, Paige is determined reclaim her title as the mom with the most. That becomes much harder when her husband files for divorce . . . and she learns he’s a lying cheater. Being the perfect mom now means she has to save her ex-husband from himself. But when the agent in charge of the investigation—the man who witnessed her total humiliation—moves in next door, Paige is surprised to find herself drawn to the Fed with the suspicious frown and surprisingly sexy smile . . .

After Alex Hooke’s tough-as-nails childhood, Paige’s way of life seems shallow—at least until he gets to know her. Paige is as stubborn and smart as he is, and while his job is to find evidence against her ex-husband, he’s more tempted to investigate the attraction simmering between them. With help from Paige’s nosy family, and his own curious relatives, Alex may still get his man—but what he really wants is the woman who introduced him to love

ebook, 320 pages

Expected publication: November 8th 2016 by Lyrical Shine

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!  the expected publication is November 8th, 2016.

This story takes place in the same town as the Spinning Hills series however is not linked to the series.  For those that have read the series, you will recognize some of the characters as I did.  For those who haven't, it doesn't matter as it in no way impacts this story.

I'm trying to find the perfect way to describe this romance however I seem to be lacking in the vocabulary department today.  I guess I would say it was nice but that word can be taken the wrong way.  By nice I mean that the way that Paige and Alex' relationship evolved was in a nice, somewhat refreshing way.  I liked the midnight chats on the porch and how they became allies without really being aware of it.

It was also nice how both characters grew throughout the story.  Paige from the person who was perfect on the exterior & trying to keep up with the Joneses, to a person who spoke her mind and did things with meaning.  Alex, who was joyless (according to one character) to someone who discovered the rewards of mentoring others and letting people in.  It was clear that from the beginning that these two would be drawn to each other.

The real highlight of the story for me was the town and its folks.  Paiges grandmother and her side kicks were a hoot.  These were the ones I recognized from the one book I have read in the other series.  I could certainly read more with them in it!

Overall a solid read that delivers on expectations.

About the Author

(From her Goodreads profile)

A little bit about me: I was born in Zaragoza, Spain, though my parents are from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, I've moved more than twenty times. I went to school in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico and I'm bilingual and bicultural. I've spent the last thirteen years raising my fun, inspiring boys while working from home. My greatest joys are spending time with family and close friends and coming up with characters and interesting situations.

Website

Twitter

     

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Revenge River by Lindsay Cross

Click Here to read it on Amazon!

Blurb:

Merc: His name is Merc. He has no past. No future. Only a thirst for revenge against the traitor who betrayed his team and his country – Agent Jack Mankel. When he’s handed a mission to rescue a sitting US senator’s daughter from the traitor’s clutches, Merc jumps at his chance for vengeance, never dreaming the girl he rescued could be his downfall… Nightshade: She walks in the night. She is a shadow. An operative so elite even the president doesn’t know of her existence. Her whole life, she’s lived to serve, raised in the black-ops team her father, Jack Mankel, created. Then her whole world is turned upside down when she learns the sister she once thought dead is really alive; and to save her, Nightshade will have to take on the hardest mission of her life… Merc knows he doesn’t deserve her. Nightshade knows she can’t have him. But a connection so powerful neither of them can resist draws them closer, even as a betrayal so deep threatens to destroy their very existence.

Read An Excerpt From Lindsay...

“So, what you're saying is, I cannot move freely about my own house? That my father lied and he really is going to keep me here?” “If your father is as smart as I think he is, he will.” That was the only way their team could guarantee her protection and safety. No matter how heavily secured the estate remained, until J was brought down, Caroline Cotter’s life was at risk. “So then why even bother rescuing me if you were just going to make me exchange one prison for another?” Merc snorted. “I would hardly call this a prison.” “And what would you know about prisons?” Without thinking, his feet carried him across the room, not stopping until his shins bumped into the couch cushion. “I know a lot more than you do, princess. Trust me, your father’s only doing what's necessary to keep you safe. The minute you step out the door, you could be targeted. He has snipers that could kill you from over a thousand yards away, and no matter how hard I try, I won't be able to predict that or stop the bullet.” “I’ll be trapped here for the rest of my life, then? What kind of life is that?” “The kind where you stay alive and breathing,” Merc countered. Her nostrils flared, her knuckles turning white as she squeezed the couch. “I refuse to live my life ruled by fear.” “I'm not asking you to live like this forever, just until we capture him.” Merc tried to reason with her. Surely she could see his logic, couldn’t she? “And what if that's a year from now? Two years? Never?” Caroline lifted her chin and Merc’s admiration of her spirit rose. She had an unrelenting thread of strength running through every word. She argued with logic and passion, not tears and emotion. And although it made no damn sense whatsoever, he found himself agreeing with her. There is no way in hell Merc would let anyone tell him where he could and could not go, or keep him locked up indoors for the rest of his life. Just the thought chafed him, so he could only imagine how it made Caroline feel, especially after being held captive. “I’m sorry, but I can’t take the chance that he will get to you again.” He refused to allow her to be injured or captured again, not under his watch. “Besides, it won’t be that long. We’ll find him or he’ll come here to finish what he started.” Which meant cleaning up his tracks and the only guarantee for that would be killing Caroline. “He won’t stop. Believe me, I know from personal experience.” She plucked at a small loose thread on the back of the leather couch. “How exactly do you know my – my father’s enemy? I thought he worked for Cotter.” Merc’s lips twisted into a cruel snare of a smile, more of self-depreciation than anything else. “Once upon a time, I was young and stupid and I believed all the bullshit J fed me. He’d saved me when I wasn’t much older than a teenager. At the time, I thought it was because he was a good man, but later on, I found out it was because he’d seen me in action as a solider. He valued my skills and wanted to use me.” “So before him, you worked for the CIA?” Merc never told anyone about his lack of memory, not even his TF-S teammates, but there was something about the girl standing in front of him that made him want to tell her. “I don't remember anything before waking up in a hospital with J telling me he’d barely saved my life. He told me I was a foot soldier, but I never found my records. Who knows, I could've been black ops before then – a mercenary, an assassin – or I could have been some CIA recruit injured in battle, something I might not ever know.” Normally he’d feel that pang of self-loathing for letting J get away, but this time, looking into Caroline’s eyes, he had zero regrets for choosing her life over his past. “What you're saying is basically your entire life has been some sort of training and work as a soldier. Haven't you ever been curious about the outside world? Didn't you want to know what it was like to have a normal life?” Her probing question caught him off guard. “I wouldn't know how.” At her look of chagrin, he found himself frantically searching for an explanation. A normal person would probably want to do things like he'd seen on TV – go to the movies, go out to eat, come home, take out the trash, mow his one-acre lot in a suburb where everyone else’s house looked exactly the same. It was a life he'd never had and never wanted. “I know you can’t understand this, having grown up in a normal home, but I don't know how to be anything else other than a soldier.” She blinked then looked away for a moment. “You think this is normal?” When she looked back, her face was tinged with dark shadows. “I've been locked in a bubble my entire life, hidden from everyone else, from the public, from being normal. I’ve never been allowed the freedom to do what I please. I’ve never even... kissed a man. How pathetic is that?” Merc's heart lurched in his chest, and despite his better judgment, he went around the couch to stand directly in front of her. Her soft, perfect skin called out to him. He cupped her chin, tilting her head back. “You've been trapped as much as I have.” As if his thumb had a mind of its own, he rubbed back and forth, tracing her cheek. When she leaned into his touch, warmth blossomed in his chest. “I've always wondered what it would be like. Is it like on TV when the guy kisses the girl and she lifts her foot back?” Her blunt honesty rocked him to his core. He didn't know. How could he? His soldier’s life hadn’t exactly been riddled with free time. As far back as he could remember, he'd never been with a woman. What would it be like? For the first time he could remember, Merc wanted to know and he wanted to find out with Caroline. He lowered his head to hover an inch above hers, captivated by her spicy sent. “Do you want to find out?”

Meet The Author...

Lindsay Cross is the award-winning author of the Men of Mercy series. She is the fun loving mom of two beautiful daughters and one precocious Great Dane. Lindsay is happily married to the man of her dreams – a soldier and veteran. During one of her husband’s deployments from home, writing became her escape and motivation. An avid reader since childhood, reading and writing is in her blood. After years of reading, she discovered her true passion – writing. Her alpha military men are damaged, drop-dead gorgeous and determined to win the heart of the woman of their dreams

Facebook

Facebook Author Page

Twitter

Goodreads

[promosimple id="a7f3"]

Hosted By

Visit Us Here!

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Dog Tags for Christmas by Lindsay McKenna, J.M. Madden & Becky McGraw

Click Here to read it on Amazon!

Blurb:

Men and women in the armed forces are often away from home, family and their beloved pets for the holidays. But this year, three service members will be home for Christmas in heartwarming military homecoming stories by New York Times Bestselling Authors Lindsay McKenna, KaLyn Cooper and J.M. Madden. Snowflake’s Gift by Lindsay McKenna Two veterans—one human,one canine—have returned to Montana to recover from the traumas of war. FormerArmy Ranger Nick Conway depended on his WMD dog Snowflake to help him navigateIEDs on the battlefield. Now he needs his best friend to help him cope with hisPTSD and acclimate to civilian life. When he meets Holly McGuire and agrees to help her deliver meals to the elderly, her inner light calls to him, but his demons hold him back from giving in to his attraction. But Snowflake takes an immediate shine to the kindhearted Holly—and he has never led Nick down the wrong path. SEAL's Christmas Dream by J.M. Madden When Veterinarian Willow James' office is broken into, it's natural that she turn to her soul mate, former Navy SEAL K9 handler Joe Flynn, to track down the culprits. The trail leads to a notorious Pit-Bull fighting ring. It may take a Christmas miracle and a helpful nudge from an old partner to get everyone home safely.

 

Noel's Puppy Power by KaLyn Cooper Tanner Hill is better at communicating with animals than women. That might be why he hasn’t had a second date in over two years. He’s also been extremely busy with his kennel that has become the premier training facility, specializing in supplying dogs to veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Then again, there is this psychologist he can’t get out of his head, or his heart. Dr. Bailey Conrad would never allow the loss of half her right leg to an IED in Iraq to stop her. Every day at the VA hospital, she sees patients who have lost so much more to the war effort. It’s her goal in life to help as many vets as possible to find a 'new normal', because she knows firsthand, it’s the internal scars that can be the most difficult to heal. Short excerpt from SEAL's Lost Dream by JM Madden- “Hey, babe,” she smiled. “The dogs are outside. Why don’t you grab a shower while we finish up here?” Instead, he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his broad chest and watched them. “I can’t take part in this, but it still feeds my soul.” Crossing the room, he knelt down in front of her and leaned in for a kiss. Raven noticed her father and began to beat her fist excitedly, but she didn’t release Willow’s breast. She was still too hungry. Their little family unit was amazing, and every day brought new experiences and milestones. Willow let their little bubble of shared happiness sink into her bones. She would remember this day.

Meet The Author...

JM Madden- NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author J.M. Madden writes compelling romances between ‘combat modified’ military men and the women who love them. J.M. (the J stands for Jennifer, not Jim as she’s been asked MANY times!) loves any and all good love stories, most particularly her own. She has two beautiful children and a husband who always keeps her on her toes. J.M. was a Deputy Sheriff in Ohio for nine years, until hubby moved the clan to Kentucky. When not chasing the family around, she’s at the computer, reading and writing, perfecting her craft. She occasionally takes breaks to feed her animal horde and is trying to control her office-supply addiction, but both tasks are uphill battles. Happily, she is writing full-time and always has several projects in the works. She also dearly loves to hear from readers! So, drop her a line. She’ll respond. ✔My Facebook LIKE Page- https://www.facebook.com/jmmaddenauthor/ ✔Follow me on Twitter-- @authorjmmadden ✔Sign up for my Newsletter if you haven’t already- http://jmmadden.com/newsletter/ ✔Give my Amazon page a FOLLOW-- http://www.amazon.com/J.M.-Madden/e/B004HLNZCI/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1461624632&sr=8-2-ent ✔Follow me on Instagram-- https://www.instagram.com/authorjmmadden/

Lindsay McKenna- Lindsay McKenna lives her life as a risk taker, and it shines through the books she loves to write: romance, adventure and suspense. She started writing at age thirteen and continues to hone her writing skills to this day. She sold her first romance novel in 1981. The rest is history. Because she went into the military, this experience became the backbone of her writing—she is credited with writing the first military romance novel (Captive of Fate, 1983, Silhouette Special Edition) and has created a thriving sub-genre within the romance field! As a New York Times Best Selling author, she has sold 23 million books and in 32 foreign languages in her career thus far. Her many experiences in the U.S. Navy are backdrop for her understanding of the military in general, and also her very successful Morgan’s Mercenaries, which is an ongoing series in Silhouette to this day! Forty-five books strong! Lindsay has gone Indie in 2015 and has created a new family saga on par with Morgan’s Mercenaries It is known as the DELOS SERIES. There will be paperback and eBooks created under Blue Turtle Publishing, her company for her fans. Readers who love Morgan and his family are bound to fall in love with the Culver family. Delos is romantic suspense, which Lindsay is well known for. It took her five years to create and bring DELOS to her readers. It was worth the wait, but we’ll let you decide that. Lindsay loves to hear from her readers and loves to know what they’d like to see her write next. Stay up with the latest on the Delos Series here. Please visit her Web site at www.lindsaymckenna.com. And be sure to sign up for her free quarterly newsletter. It contains exclusive content found nowhere else on the Net. Plus, giveaways and other surprises, to her loyal and faithful subscribers! Website- http://lindsaymckenna.com FB- https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLindsayMcKenna/?fref=ts Twitter- https://twitter.com/lindsaymckenna Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/55481.Lindsay_McKenna?from_search=true  

KaLyn Cooper- KaLyn Cooper’s romances blend fact and fiction with blazing heat and heart-pounding suspense. Twenty-two years as a military wife has shown KaLyn the world, and thirty years in PR taught her that fact can be stranger than fiction. She leaves it up to the reader to separate truth from imagination. She, her husband, and bird dog live in Eastern Tennessee on a micro-plantation filled with gardens, cattle, and quail. When she’s not writing, she’s at the shooting range or paddling on the river. Website- http://www.kalyncooper.com/home.html FB- https://www.facebook.com/kalyn.cooper.52 Twitter- https://twitter.com/kalyncooperbook Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7920863.KaLyn_Cooper?from_search=true  

Buy Links for Dog Tags for Christmas- Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Tags-Christmas-Lindsay-McKenna-ebook/dp/B01IFBO5DS/ B&N- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dog-tags-for-christmas-jm-madden/1124385081;jsessionid=C8AA946926761B30A9969746DD36C535.prodny_store01-atgap06?ean=2940157155254 Kobo- https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/dog-tags-for-christmas iTunes- https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dog-tags-for-christmas/id1080216309?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

[promosimple id="a7e9"] 

Hosted By

Visit Us Here!

Cover Reveal: To Save Him by Jade C. Jamison

Click Here to read it on Amazon!

Blurb:

From bestselling author Jade C. Jamison comes a standalone contemporary romance that takes a fresh look at the May-December relationship... She said she would do anything to save him...but will it cause her to lose herself? What if she was wrong? What if Brandon Abbott is not who he says he is? Kimberly Cooper’s emotional compass has been off since her bitter divorce and the death of her oldest son, so when young soldier Brandon shows up at her door, she invites him to be part of her family’s life. He says he was friends with her deceased son… But things don’t seem to add up. And then, when she becomes sexually attracted to him, all bets are off. When her heart trumps her brain, will she know if she was wrong or will she learn the truth after it’s too late?

Here's An Excerpt From Lisa...

There was a sadness about Brandon that touched my heart. I could sense that he had so much more to say, but the words couldn’t find a way out. Maybe he needed time, but there was also a chance that those words would be forever buried inside him. “Brandon, I haven’t been a Christian woman since the day I learned of my son’s death, but it wouldn’t be very Christian or civil of me to turn you away after dark.” I took a deep breath and saw him mustering up an argument, but I began speaking again before he could protest. “Ordinarily, I’d have a guest stay in the extra bedroom, but—if you’d be okay with it—I’d imagine Gabriel would like to have you stay in his room. It’s…been unoccupied for a very long time.” There was a long pause until JR clamored, “Please?” Brandon’s struggle was evident in his eyes but he said, “That’s very kind of you. I’d…appreciate it more than you know.” His soul had spoken to me that night. It was the night I fell in love with Brandon Abbott.

 

Meet The Author...

For years, Jade C. Jamison tried really hard to write what she thought was more “literary” fiction, but she found herself compelled to write what you read by her today—sometimes gritty, raw, realistic stories and other times humorous, light tales—but most of the stories she writes revolve around relationships and characters finding their way through life. While she doesn’t confine herself to just one genre, nor is there a nice neat label for what she writes, most of her work could be called erotic romance. She lives in Colorado with her husband and four children.

Connect with Jade online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JadeCJamison Twitter: https://twitter.com/JadeCJamison Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4876604.Jade_C_Jamison Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jadecjamison/ Google+: https://plus.google.com/+JadeCJamison/posts/9aUE8LAV6DF Instagram: http://instagram.com/jadecjamison Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/jadecjamison

Hosted By

Visit Us Here!

Review: The Other Sister by Dianne Dixon

One sister has everything. Her twin hates her for it.

Would life be better without Ali? Probably. At least then people might think about Morgan. Ali's always gotten everything -- she doesn't even realize how much Morgan resents her.

Ali also doesn't realize that when she shuts Morgan out entirely, she will unleash a chain of events that show just how dangerous the underside of love really is. As their lives spin toward something neither one of them can control, a terrifying crime reveals how those who know us best can destroy us...or save us.

Kindle Edition, 400 pages

Expected publication: November 1st 2016 by Sourcebooks Landmark 

Genre: Fiction

Kristine's Thoughts:

** I received an advanced readers copy from Sourcebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**

This book was suffering a bit of an identity crisis to me. I couldn't decide if it was a suspense, family drama, love story or thriller. At first, this was part of the appeal and kept me turning the pages. In fact, I was flying through them. As the story progressed I could see that it wasn't getting any clearer and I started to find it somewhat frustrating. There were just too many sub plots for my liking and by the time I was done I wasn't quite sure what I read.

As a twin myself I was most interested in Ali and Morgan and their dynamic. To say that it was disturbing and dysfunctional would be putting it mildly. I really disliked Morgan but if I am being honest, neither one of them were very likeable. They were nasty and hateful to each other and there was a jealousy that I couldn't even begin to understand. In fact, I would be hard pressed to find a character in this book that I could say was likeable.

I thought that the writing was fine but it was the story that wasn't that exceptional. It had its entertainment value but didn't deliver anything extraordinary that I will remember a few books from now. In the end I guess I would classify it as a family drama and a journey of personal growth with a side of lies, deceit and mystery??

About the Author

Dianne Dixon (winner of the Humanitas Prize for Excellence in Screenwriting and double Emmy nominee) regularly received glowing reviews for her work in television: “Her characters dance off the page.” (Jane Hewland/Sky Television, UK) “An enormously gifted writer.” (LaVerne McKinnon/CBS Television) “Her knowledge of storytelling is both clear and articulate.” (Nate Hopper/Sony Pictures).  

Connect with Dianne

Website/Twitter/Goodreads 

Book Blitz: You & Me by Lisa Shelby

Click Here to read it on Amazon!

Blurb:

Jonathan Kelly had planned for a week of fun with the boys before heading back to Afghanistan. He never expected to fall in love. Naturally beautiful, and funny, Emily wasn’t like any woman he had ever known. She brought a smile to the face of everyone that met her. To Jonathan, she was perfect. Pure light. He knew the day he met her that he had met the only woman he would ever love. Emily Jacobs wasn’t prepared for Jonathan to walk into her life. She wasn’t ready to have this man rock her to her core when nearly every other man in her past had been such a disappointment. The instant connection she felt with this handsome, kind Marine was unlike anything she had ever experienced. Emily wants nothing more than to give herself to him, but can she get past the barrier that could keep them apart? She has a secret so big that she’s sure it will shatter everything they have together; this rare connection that they’ve forged in just one short week. So Emily is left with one of the biggest decisions of her life. Trust him or walk away?

Here's An Excerpt From Lisa...

After I finish my rant his face slowly breaks out into that beautiful smile of his, dimples and all. He then shakes his head and his face grows serious when he

states,“ First, I do want to make one thing clear. We are exclusive. When we agreed that it would be you and me for a week, we may have said no expectations but that did mean there would be nobody else for either of us this week.”

He says this while pointing back and forth between us.

”JUST. YOU. AND. ME.” As he finishes his statement he puts his forearm on the table, leans toward me, lifts one eyebrow and looks me dead in the eye as if to dare me to disagree with him. I simply nod my understanding

“Second, you are too cute when you’re jealous.” The smile and dimples that light his face say just how pleased he is with himself. And... enter blush. “I am not jealous, it ’s just basic girl-code. She broke it and her tip will reflect it, ” I say matter-of-factly as I pretend to look over the menu so I don’t have to look at him. “Gracie,” he demands in the lowest, sexiest voice I have ever heard. He waits in silence until I look at him.

“I only see you. Since the first moment I laid my eyes on yours in Ole's, it has only been you.” The passion and intensity of his words flip me inside out and I’m so glad he can’t feel my internal quivering.

“Okay,” I barely get out on a whisper.

“Good, I’m glad we’re on the same page...”

Meet The Author...

Lisa Shelby is a contemporary romance author who calls the Pacific Northwest home where

she resides with her husband, their son and two dogs. Reading has been an obsession and writing has been a secret passion of hers. It was that passion that led her on the journey to write a book for her husband. What began as a gift turned into an inspiration of love, and with the encouragement of family and friends the desire to share that love with everyone.

Connect with Lisa online:

Official Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Hosted By

Visit Us Here!

Review: Letting Go by Kate L Mary

Some people like a little chaos. Not Sarah. Growing up in a house of humiliating filth means she has three crystal-clear goals:

1. Get through college, however she can.
2. Keep her four-year-old sister away from her mom’s hoarding.
3. Never, never let disorder take over her life.

Of course, studying, working, and taking care of a toddler mean Sarah has no time for fun. Until she meets Zac.

He’s sweet, he’s funny, they have compatible plans for the zombie apocalypse. But Sarah can’t let him in. It’s not just his three drooly, sloppy dogs—with him in her life, the pristine future she’s working for would be shredded before you can say Down, boy!

Sometimes falling in love is really all about letting go.

ebook, 304 pages

Expected publication: November 8th 2016 by Lyrical Shine

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!  The expected publication date is November 8th, 2016.

I am no stranger to Kate L Mary's work.  Having read two of her College of Charleston series and really enjoying them, I was looking forward to reading another one of her stories.  I was not disappointed.  I was also pleasantly surprised that although this story is not pegged as part of the College of Charleston series, many of the characters from it made appearance.  Don't worry if you have not read it as these characters are secondary and you do not feel like you are missing anything.

Many aspects of this story captured me and I will start with my favorite and that is Zac.  Seriously he is too good to be true.  Attractive in a geeky sort of way (my type) with a personality that will make knights look like bad guys.  Did I mention that he has three dogs, at least one of which was a golden retriever (I think).  It was like this story was written just for me.  Any female who does not fall instantly in love with this guy would have something wrong with him.  the way he supported Sarah through all of her baggage is simply swoon worthy.

I also enjoyed the fact that Sarah's issues were real.  Many times the baggage in stories is all perceived however Sarah was dealing with raising her sister at twenty-two and a mother who had a serious hoarding issue.  These are not easy problems to handle for someone so young.  It added a layer of depth to what is essentially a romance.

Although some of the solutions presented in the story seemed a little too easy and convenient to the plot, I really could not see another way around it without impacting the story in a different direction.  I found myself really enjoying this and look forward to reading more work by Kate L Mary

About the Author

Award-winning author of WHEN WE WERE HUMAN and the Amazon best-selling BROKEN WORLD series, Kate L. Mary writes everything from post-apocalyptic tales of the undead to new adult contemporary romance. A mother of four and an Air Force wife, her days are divided between keeping her household in order and creating new worlds for readers to get lost in.

Website

Twitter

Review: Keep Coming Back to Love by Christa Maurice

A love song in the making...He was her high school sweetheart, the man Candy once dreamed of sharing her life with. But Ty was also a rock star on the rise with a flock of pretty groupies lining up to share his bed. So what makes Ty think that now that he's ready to settle down, Candy will be his one and only? These days the single mom is older and wiser. Still, Candy can't help but feel a stir of something at his hot pursuit....

Ty knows he's got a lot to prove when it comes to winning Candy back. But his rambling, rocker lifestyle has also shown him that she's a woman worth fighting for. No one has ever come close to captivating him the way she did from the first day they met, a sweet-faced young beauty who brought out his every protective instinct. That's why when Candy's family is in crisis, he's willing to risk everything for the woman he's never stopped loving....

Paperback

Expected publication: November 8th 2016 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Kensington via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!  The expected publication date is November 8th, 2016.

This book is part 6 of the Drawn to the Rhythm series.  It can be read as a stand alone as although I had read book four, I did not realize it until after I finished this book.  I recognized none of the characters.

I sadly had a lot of issues with this book that impacted my enjoyment.  Some were with the plot and others more to do with the structure/editing and marketing.

I will start with the plot.  I had a hard time rooting for Candy and Ty because as a couple, the two had zero chemistry.  This story take place over almost twenty years and the two characters were yearning for each other the entire time based on a high school romance.  If the romance had lasted in to adulthood before they broke up, perhaps I would get it. There really was no substance to build upon. 

Ty was jealous and possessive from day one and little happened throughout the story to change that.  He started selfish and in my opinion finished that way also.  While candy was a strong character, she had a habit of falling in to good fortune that was a little too often to be believable.  I also couldn't keep up with the cast of secondary characters, there were simply too many of them.  As previously mentioned, I had read one of the previous stories and didn't even know it.

Now I am going to get in to some constructive criticism about the editing/marketing of this book.  It is important to note that I read a galley and things could be different in the final publication.

Two points bothered me.

1.  The book synopsis suggests a couple who have a history and yet are still attracted to each other.  This is a little misrepresenting.  The story actually takes the reader through the young high school relationship, to the break-up and what comes after spanning over almost 20 years.  The mention of Candy as a single mom in the synopsis?  I was reading this on kindle and that doesn't happen until 73% in.  I think the synopsis needs to better represent the story as right now it is a little misleading.

2.  Since this story spans over many years I wish the change in years would be better highlighted throughout the story.  There was never an indication of time passing by until you read a reference saying for example it had been two years since they saw each other last, yet they were face to face in the previous paragraph.  If there was some way to mark the time, I think the story would have flowed better for me.

As you can tell, I had a little bit of a tough time with this story.  For me I just didn't like the characters enough to invest in.

About the Author

Born in Northeast Ohio, Christa has lived on four different continents (including both sides of Asia)and traveled extensively. She has an extremely elaborate fantasy life and has been known to forget that the bands she made up don't exist to the extent that she has shopped for their albums on iTunes.

Website

Book Blitz: On the Black Horse by Monica Corwin

Click Here to read it for 99 Pennies!

Blurb:

When a Sun God makes a prophecy, it’s best to heed the warning. Katherine stands on the edge of ruin. With Ragnarok in full swing and her friends off finding their own lives she can’t find a purpose in her existence. When Baldir, their missing Sun God, kidnaps Katherine and entreats her to care for his friend, a wounded hellhound, Katherine makes a selfish choice for the first time in her life. Arwan never expected to meet a God, let alone fight a group of them to begin the Apocalypse. After the battle between Bianca, the Horseman of Conquest, and Hel, the Goddess of the Underworld, Arwan, escapes home to the Welsh coast intent to die on his own land. With Hel dead, the Horseman believe they’ve stalled Ragnarok. But Baldir has a dream that ignites the Horseman to take out the remaining hounds loyal to Hel, which includes the incapacitated Arwan. Can Katherine go against her friends to save a man she promised to protect? Even if Arwan could end the Horseman for good?  

Here are a few excerpts from the author...

 

“I know, but she was willing to take care of you. Even knowing what you are.”

Guilt began a slow slide into his belly. “She knew?”

Baldir leveled him with a look. “Yes, I told her and she decided to help anyway. How did you think I convinced her to stay?”

“Which one is she? I know she’s not Conquest as I met her face to face. I wasn’t there for the first fight so I didn’t see them all then. I know Cloris’s face too. Is she War or is she Famine?”

Baldir bit his lip. “She is famine.”

***

Katherine shut her eyes and tried to calm the quake in her stomach. Victor was changed by the machinations of a Fairy King. Somehow she doubted Arwan and Victor's situations were similar. “So what, my choice is to help him… even if he probably helped bring down Tyr, or if he would have killed Bianca? Oh, my God." The pieces clicked together in her mind. "That’s why he’s hurt isn’t it, from Bianca and Hel's fight in the underworld.”

Baldir hung his head. “Yes, but he wouldn’t kill anyone unless they harmed him first. Apart from you, he is one of the gentlest souls alive.”

Katherine scowled at him and crossed her arms under her chest trying to hug herself into calm. This wasn’t fair. She agreed to help before knowing the details. Baldir should have divulged Arwan's identity from the start. If she saved him, in the future he might be pitted against her. Or, worse, her friends.

***

Baldir nodded and marched to the door. A man on a mission. With a hand on the knob he stopped and whispered. “Don’t kill my friend.”

She rolled her eyes. “I won’t hurt him. Go. And hurry back. The faster this is done, the faster I can leave.”

Stuck in random cabin on the coast, of what she assumed was Wales, with an injured hellhound Katherine figured her life was at a tipping point. She sank in the chair and stared at the dancing flames. There were worse situations. Death came to mind... or marriage.

   

Meet The Author...

Monica Corwin is an outspoken writer who attempts to make romance accessible to everyone no matter their preferences. As a new Northern Ohioian Monica enjoys snow drifts, three seasons of weather, and disliking Michigan. When not writing Monica spends time with her daughter and her ever growing collection of tomes about King Arthur.    

 

 

 

Hosted By

Visit Us Here!

Review: Lizzie's Christmas Escape by Christie Barlow

Every Christmas Lizzie promises herself that things will change and she will leap into the new year a new woman. And yet here she is again, at the beginning of December and nothing is different. Her girls have grown up and left home, her husband Henry is slumped in front of the TV and she is alone in the kitchen, seeking refuge in the cooking sherry and talking to her Gary Barlow calendar. She’s also been very diverted by handsome new neighbour Marcus and she knows she shouldn’t be …

So when best friend Ann suggests a weekend away in the country, Lizzie jumps at the chance. Will this Christmas escape give Lizzie some much needed perspective and allow her to mend her marriage? Or will Marcus prove to be too much of a distraction? 

Kindle Edition, 348 pages

Published October 21st 2016 by Bookouture 

Genre: Women's Fiction

Kristine's Thoughts:

** I received an advanced readers copy from Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**

The cover of this book advertised "A sparkling, feel good Christmas romance" so I was excited to curl up with my first holiday book of the season. Who doesn't like a feel good Christmas romance? Early reviews were also very positive which enhanced my expectations of this book.

I have to say that I must be the exception to the rule because I didn't feel like there was anything sparkly or feel good about this story. Even the title was a little misleading. Lizzie's Christmas escape did not happen until the second half of the book and was only a small part of the story. I kept waiting for all the funny bits that other reviewers talked about and they never came. Were we reading the same book?

This book was about adultery, making excuses and feeling sorry for yourself. I cringed on so many occasions and I found Lizzie to be extremely hard to like. There were times when I wanted to reach my hand through the book and knock some sense into her. The only thing that rang true with the marketing is that the Christmas season did happen to occur within the pages of this book. It was more of a women's fiction than anything. In my opinion it didn't even come close to chic lit or a feel good holiday romance.

I probably would have enjoyed the book if it were not packaged as a Christmas story. It was too depressing and filled with way too much drama and bad choices to be sparkly or to feel anything but sadness. Take out Christmas, sparkly, feel good and get rid of reviews that say it was even remotely funny and there would be a fairly decent (yet depressing) story of Lizzie's mid life struggle after her children leave the nest.

Unfortunately because of the cover and synopsis I was expecting one thing but got something completely different and because of that it did impact my rating of the book.

About the Author

Christie Barlow the author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother decided to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. She is just a Mum who wrote a book to prove to her children whatever you want to do in life go for it. The book she wrote to prove a point is now an Amazon #1 bestseller in the UK and USA.  

Connect with Christie

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads