Review: Call Me, Maybe by Ellie Cahill

Clementine Daly knows she’s the black sheep. Her wealthy, powerful family has watched her very closely since she almost got caught in an embarrassing scandal a few years ago. So when Clementine’s sent on a mission to live up to the Daly name, politely declining isn’t an option. Of course, the last thing she does before boarding the plane is to grab a stranger’s phone by mistake—leaving the hunky journalist with her phone. Soon his sexy voice is on the line, but he doesn’t know her real name, or her famous pedigree—which is just the way Clementine likes it.

Despite all the hassles, Justin Mueller is intrigued to realize that the beautiful brown-eyed girl he met at the airport is suddenly at his fingertips. They agree to exchange phones when they’re both back in town, but after a week of flirty texts and wonderfully intimate conversations, Justin doesn’t want to let her go. The only problem? It turns out that Clementine has been lying to him about, well, everything. Except for the one thing two people can’t fake, the only thing that matters: The heat between them is for real.

Kindle Edition, 217 pages

Expected publication: February 9th 2016 by Loveswept 

Genre: New Adult/Romance/Contemporary

Kristine's Thoughts:

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

This book started out strong with Clementine and Justin talking and texting with each others phones. I thought the dialogue between them was super cute and you could feel the attraction even though they had yet to spend time together in person. It was shaping up to be a really great read and I was in my happy place.

As I flipped each page I was anxious for the two of them to meet and when they finally did it was a little anti- climatic for me. The chemistry and "cuteness" that I loved about their phone conversations and texts seemed to disappear along with a bit of their personalities. Justin became a little boring and Clementine became a little annoying. I just couldn't relate to her and her second guessing and questioning everything. I preferred the anonymous flirting, texting and sexting over what actually occurred in the bedroom.

I didn't dislike the book but I think it lost some of its steam once the two of them met. There really wasn't anything that made it particularly memorable. It was a quick read and it provided me with a couple hours of what I like to do best. This was the second book by Ellie Cahill for me and although I preferred When Joss Met Matt, it certainly won't be my last.

About the Author

ELLIE CAHILL is a freelance writer and also writes books for young adults under Liz Czukas. She lives outside Milwaukee, WI with her husband, son and the world’s loudest cat.

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Review: Forever Summer (Summer #4) by CJ Duggan

You see there’s this boy.
He makes me smile, forces me to listen, serenades me out of tune and keeps me sane, all the while driving me insane. He's really talented like that. But for the first time in since, well, forever, things are about to change. The question is, how much am I willing to lose in order to potentially have it all?
Enter a world of sweltering Aussie summers, fabulously addictive characters and sweet intoxicating romance in C.J Duggan’s
FOREVER SUMMER
Adam and Ellie’s Story

Kindle Edition, 204 pages

Published December 29th 2015

Terri's Thoughts

Finally the last of the series is released!  This is the fourth full length novel or seventh in the series of the Summer series.  I read the entire series last summer and have been anxiously waiting for this one to release to end the series.  Then again, maybe there will be more but there has now been a story about all the key characters so I think this is the end.

It seems fitting to close the series with Adam and Ellie's story.  They have been present throughout the entire series, often offering us comic relief.  It was inevitable that these two would come together.

At first it took me a while to get back in to the series and I was thinking that perhaps after all these books the story had no spark left.  This was mainly due to the flashback scenes via Ellie's diary.  As soon as Ellie and Adam were face to face my fears subsided and I was along for the ride.

What I liked about their chemistry is that it was not riddled with as much obvious angst as some of the others.  Due to their existing relationship, the connection was based on a history of understanding and hijinx.  Yes there is still some of the angst you expect from Duggan but you also see the deep rooted friendship that starts it all.

Whenever a series comes to an end it is hard to say goodbye to the characters.  I will miss Onslow, the Onslow boys and endless stream of romance that has occurred.  I can only hope Duggan has some more small towns with hot boys to write about so that I can partake in the future.

About the Author

C.J Duggan is an Internationally Number One Best Selling Author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia. When she isn't writing books about swoony boys and 90's pop culture you will find her renovating her hundred-year-old Victorian homestead or annoying her local travel agent for a quote to escape the chaos. The Boys of Summer is Book One in her highly successful New Adult Romance Series.

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Review: Against the Wall by Jill Sorenson

Fans of Katie McGarry, Simone Elkeles, and Tammara Webber will love Against the Wall! As teenagers, they fell for each other despite the odds. But now that Eric and Meghan are all grown up, they’re reunited by fierce passion and dangerous secrets.
 
Eric Hernandez is the bad boy of every schoolgirl’s fantasies—and every mother’s nightmares. But after serving time for manslaughter, he’s ready to turn his life around. He just needs a chance to prove himself as a professional tattoo artist. The one thing that keeps him going is the memory of the innocent beauty he loved and left behind.

Meghan Young’s world isn’t as perfect as it looks. The preacher’s daughter is living a lie, especially now that Eric is back. Tougher, harder, and sexier than ever, he might be the only person she can trust. But there’s no telling what he’ll do to protect her if he learns the truth, and that’s a risk Meghan won’t let him take. And yet, back in the arms of the troubled boy with the artist’s soul, Meghan can’t help surrendering to the man he’s become.

Kindle Edition, 240 pages

Expected publication: February 2nd 2016 by Loveswept 

Genre: New Adult

Kristine's Thoughts:

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

This book was OK but I really felt like I was missing a part of the story. Meghan and Eric's history before he went to prison was very vague and I thought I was missing a piece of the puzzle. I had to go back and check because I thought that perhaps this was a sequel but no. It was hard to route for their forbidden love when I couldn't feel and didn't know the beginning of their story.

Eric was a hard character for me to like. He came across as an immature, horny teenager. I understand that he spent three years in prison but he came across as a young boy just discovering what his penis could do with no control over his hormones. It was not sexy on him at all. Meghan also came across as younger than she was and their relationship felt like it wasn't anything deeper than raging hormones on both parts.

I don't want it to sound like I hated the book because I didn't. I just think that there was a lack of emotion and feeling to the story that could have made it great. It was still entertaining but just didn't pull at my heart strings as much as I would have liked. For me, I  needed the story before the story in order to appreciate it fully.

About the Author

Jill Sorenson is the RITA-nominated author of more than a dozen novels, including the Aftershock series with HQN. She lives in the San Diego area with her husband and daughters.  

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Release Blast & Giveaway: Against the Wall by Jill Sorenson

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Review: Moving On (College of Charleston #3) by Kate L. Mary

After a year with her dying aunt, Bette knows what she wants from life.

1. Keep Aunt Missy’s House

Chris Pressley is the perfect roommate—uptight and damaged and hung up on his ex. And hot. Bette doesn’t date, but she definitely likes looking.

2. Get Her Dream Job

Chris just needs to get away from the happiest couple on campus: the sweet, shy girl he loves and his former best friend. Watching Bette rock her tattoos and her curves even as she builds her own business is an education. That’s probably why he can’t keep his mind off her…

3. Never Compromise

Bette isn’t interested in changing for anyone. But the heat rising between her and Chris won’t leave her the same…

ebook

Expected publication: February 16th 2016 by Lyrical Press

Terri's Thoughts

**I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Lyrical Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  The expected publication date is February 16th, 2016**

This is the third story in the College of Charleston series however it can be read as a stand alone.  It just so happens that I read the first in the series however not the second.  In this story it pucks up with Chris who was one of the key characters in the first installment.  Although not required, I did find it helpful that I read the first one as I was able to put some things in to context particularly when it came to his ex. 

I really liked Bette in this story.  She wasn't the typical girl you expect.  She had piercings and visible tattoo's and values that she held dear.  She was not what you would expect if you judged a book by it's cover which was the premise of the whole story.

The romance aspect of this story also worked for me.  Bette and Chris started out as friends and roommates.  You could see the evolution of the attraction as the story unfolded.  Sometimes the attraction is so instant that you are left wondering how it happened however in this story you had the pleasure of seeing it unfold.  I liked that.  I also really liked Chris'  mother, she was a little spitfire.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and I also enjoyed this one.  I think I will go back to read the middle story so I can complete the story.  I recommend reading the entire series however if you do not have time, this one will also suffice.

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.

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Release Blast & Giveaway: The Last Riders First Four Votes by Jamie Begley

Enter to Win a

Print Set of The Last Riders Books 1-4

THE LAST RIDERS: FIRST FOUR VOTES

Razer's Ride, Viper's Run, Knox's Stand & Shade's Fall

Jamie Begley

Released Feb 1st, 2016

Young Ink Press

The Last Riders are a Motorcycle Club created by eight ex Navy SEALS, that make no excuses for the life they have chosen to lead. These men fight hard and f**k harder. Get your first four votes from Razer, Viper, Knox and Shade. 

Razer’s Ride: Book One

Beth Cornett is the town good girl, so staying out of the way of the motorcycle club’s dangerous members was a no brainer. Unfortunately, she manages to catch the eye of Razer, who has every intention of tempting her to take him on despite her misgivings. When her worst fears are realized, she is left heartbroken, determined to forget her walk on the wild side. 

Razer was not going to change for any woman, not even Beth. Their lifestyles were too different; betrayed she ran. Realizing his mistake too late; she was not about to forgive and forget. It takes a killer intent on targeting Beth to bring her back to him and The Last Riders for protection. Razer may have learned his lesson, but this time, as long as she is at the club, she has to play by their rules.

Viper’s Run: Book Two

Winter Simmons received the surprise of her life when she discovered the man she had  been dating for the last two years was actually Viper, president of the Last Riders. A high school principal, Winter has no intention of ruining her reputation in the community to be with a man who betrayed her trust. Unforgiving, she turns her back on him, only to find that Viper is not the gentleman he portrayed. 

Determined to find his brother’s killer, Loker James kept his identity as President of The Last Riders a secret from Winter. When the truth comes out, he is determined to make her see the real man who can control not only a group of dangerous bikers, but a woman whose life is a rulebook. Unable to prevent herself from being drawn into the very club she despises, Winter is about to lose everything important to her, unless Viper can prove she’s more than a moonlight run.

Knox’s Stand: Book Three

Knox, a former Navy Seal, has been in several dangerous situations, but nothing compares to dealing with Diamond Richards. Framed for murder, he needs the passionless lawyer to prove his innocence. But when he no longer needs her help, he’s going to show her the passion she’s capable of and walk away a free man.

Diamond plans on earning her huge fee to prove Knox is innocent, but she had no idea the muscled biker could bring out the passion she kept hidden behind her designer clothes. Trying to find a murderer is easier than dealing with The Last Riders and Knox’s sexcapades. He’s going to find out there is one woman worth standing and fighting for, despite his desire for freedom.

Shade’s Fall: Book Four

Shade is everything Lily doesn't want in a man. He's rude, obnoxious and he's definitely not a cowboy. The tattooed enforcer for The Last Riders is a mystery Lily doesn't want to solve. He's too much for her to handle, especially with the nightmares from her past constantly threatening her sanity.

Lily is everything Shade wants in a woman. She's sweet, kind and submissive. When she discovers the truth about The Last Riders, it threatens to tear apart every relationship within the club. Her rebellion causes the predatory instincts to rise in the ex Navy SEAL sniper.

When The Last Riders are threatened by another motorcycle club just as determined to claim Lily, Shade is her only hope of surviving the approaching confrontation. Could their passion be Shade's downfall?

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"I was born in a small town in Kentucky. My family began poor, but worked their way to owning a restaurant. My mother was one of the best cooks I have ever known, and she instilled in all her children the value of hard work, and education.

Taking after my mother, I've always love to cook, and became pretty good if I do say so myself. I love to experiment and my unfortunate family has suffered through many. They now have learned to steer clear of those dishes. I absolutely love the holidays and my family puts up with my zany decorations.

For now, my days are spent writing, writing, and writing. I have two children who both graduated this year from college. My daughter does my book covers, and my son just tries not to blush when someone asks him about my books.

Currently I am writing five series of books- The Last Riders, The VIP Room, Predators MC, Biker Bitches, and The Dark Souls.

All my books are written for one purpose- the enjoyment others find in them, and the expectations of my fans that inspire me to give it my best.”

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Release Blast & Giveaway: His Pregnant Princess Bride by Catherine Mann

Two Exciting Giveaways to Enter Below!

HIS PREGNANT PRINCESS BRIDE

Bayou Billionaires #1

Catherine Mann

Releasing on February 1st, 2016 (Digital) 
and February 9th, 2016 (Print)

Harlequin Desire 

A princess and a Southern billionaire are expecting twins! Only from USA TODAY bestselling author Catherine Mann!

His focus is on his family's football dynasty. Louisiana billionaire Gervais Reynaud has no time for romance. But he can't say no to a tryst with Erika Mitras. True, she's a princess, but in no way prim…or proper. Their time together is unbelievable…and all too short.

When Erika said goodbye, she meant it. But now she must tell Gervais the truth. He's about to be a father…to royal twins. After leaving her overbearing family, Erika wants nothing from Gervais. But the tempting tycoon just may charm her into a future she desires all too much.

His dark eyes heated her with memories as he strode toward her. His long legs ate the ground in giant slices, his khakis and sports jacket declaring him in the middle of a work day. He stopped in front of her, his broad shoulders blocking the sun and casting his handsome face in shadows. But she didn’t have to see to know his jaw would be peppered with the stubble that seemed to grow in seconds after he shaved. Her fingers – her body – remembered the texture of that rasp well.
 
Her breath caught somewhere in her chest.
 
    He folded his arms over his chest, just under the Hurricanes logo stitched on the front of his jacket. 

“Welcome to the States, Erika. No one mentioned your intention to visit. I thought you don’t like sports.”
 
   “And yet, here I am.” And in need of privacy out of the bright Louisiana sun and the even brighter curious eyes of his team and staff. She needed space and courage to tell him why she’d made this unexpected journey across the Atlantic to this muggy bayou state. “This is not an official royal visit.”
 
“And you’re not in uniform.” His eyes glided over her wrap around dress.
 
    “I’m out of the service now.” About to return to school to be a nurse, the career field she’d hoped to pursue in the military but they would not allow her such an in-the-field  position, instead preferring to dress her up and trot her around as a figure-head translator. “I am here for a conference on homeopathic herbs and scents.” A part of her passion in the nursing field, and a totally made up excuse for being here today.
  
  “Are you here to share specially scented deodorant to my players? Because they could certainly use it.” His mouth tipped with a smile.
 
   “Are you interested in such a line?” Still jet-lagged from the transatlantic flight, she was ill-prepared to exchange pleasantries.
 
    “Is that why you are here? For business?”
 
   She could not just banter with him. She simply could not. “Please, can we go somewhere private to talk?”
 
   He searched her eyes with for a long moment before gesturing over his shoulder. “I’m in the middle of a meeting with sponsors. How about supper?”

“I am not here for seduction,” she stated bluntly.
  
  “Okay.” His eye brows shot upward. “I thought I asked you to join me for gumbo, not sex. But now that we’re talking about sex--”
 
   “We are not.” She cut him short. “Finish your meeting if you must, but I need to speak with you as soon as possible. Privately. Unless you want your personal business and mine overheard by all of your team straining to listen.”
 
    She definitely was not ready for them to hear she was pregnant with the heir to the Reynaud family dynasty.

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USA Today bestseller and RITA Award winning author Catherine Mann writes contemporary romance for Berkley, Harlequin, Sourcebooks and Tule. With over sixty books released in more than twenty countries, she has also celebrated six RITA finals, an RT Reviewer’s Award finalist, three Maggie Award of Excellence finals and a Bookseller’s Best win. Catherine and her flyboy husband live on the Florida coast where they brought up their 4 children – and still have 5 four-legged, furry “children” (aka pets). Catherine is an active volunteer with an animal rescue, serving on their Board of Directors and fostering over 200 puppies, ill dogs, and dogs with service/working potential.

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