Release Review : Good Boy (WAGs, #1) by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy @SarinaBowen @ellekennedy @ninabocci

Good Boy

WAGs, #1
by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Release Date:
January 31st, 2017

Genres:

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eARC received in exchange of honest review

Synopsis:

Hosting her brother’s wedding for an MVP guest list is the challenge of Jess Canning’s life. Already the family screw-up, she can’t afford to fail. And nobody (nobody!) can learn of the colossal mistake she made with the best man during a weak moment last spring. It was wrong, and there will not be a repeat. Absolutely not. Even if he is the sexiest thing on two legs. 

Blake Riley sees the wedding as fate’s gift to him. Jess is the maid of honor and he’s the best man? Let the games begin. So what if he’s facing a little (fine, a lot) of resistance? He just needs to convince the stubborn blonde that he’s really a good boy with a bad rap. Luckily, every professional hockey player knows that you’ve got to make an effort if you want to score. 

But Jess has more pressing issues to deal with than sexy-times with a giant man-child. Such as: Will the ceremony start on time, even though someone got grandma drunk? Does glitter ever belong at a wedding? And is it wrong to murder the best man? 

Caution: May cause accidental aspiration of tea or coffee. Do not read in a public place where loud laughter is inappropriate. Contains hot but hilarious hockey players, puppy cuddling and a snarky pair of underwear.

Purchase Links:

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WAGs Series on Goodreads:

Review:

The WAGs Series if off to a great start! I read Sarina Bowen's and Elle Kennedy's books, but it was my first time reading a book by the Bowen/Kennedy duo. This series is a spin-off from their Him Series, which follows Jamie and Wes. I did not get a chance to read that series yet, but after meeting these two fantastic characters I will absolutely remedy to that as soon as possible. My book sisters told me that Jess Canning and Blake Riley were introduced in the Him Series. Even if I did not read that series, I had no problem finding my connection with these characters. It was a fun and charming reading escape that left me with a huge smile on my face. 

Jess Canning is stressed. She’s planning her brother’s wedding and absolutely everything must go as planned. There is only one problem ... Blake Riley. He’s the best man and he’s all kinds of delicious trouble. Jess knows she should stay away from him, but when her next career choice brings her to Toronto she knows he will be closer than ever. Blake Riley is enjoying every single moment of the verbal foreplay and intense chemistry that he shares with Jess. She's stubborn, fierce and he's absolutely crazy about her. Will Blake be the next hockey player to fall hard and fast?

Jess and Blake were a fun, sexy and interesting couple to follow. Their banter was crazy hilarious and their intense chemistry was explosive! Blake made me laugh on many occasions and I loved the way he fell hard for Jess. He was burned in the past and it took him time to accept what he was feeling for Jess. I also loved how he was always there for her through her difficult times. Jess changed career paths many times and she’s stressed about what her family will think of her next career choice. Blake gave her the support she needed when she started nursing school and that brought them closer together. He was there for her and that meant the world to her. 

I loved the supporting cast of characters that the authors created for this series. Connecting with the other characters in the story is always important to me. I loved each scene that featured Jamie, Wes, Jess and Blake. OMG!! These four characters are simply irresistible! These are the kind of characters I loved to cheer for. They make my bookworm heart burst with love and joy. I really had an awesome reading escape and I’m very excited for the next installment that will be released later this year. If you have never read anything by these authors, I highly recommend this new series. 

Rating:

I give, Good Boy, by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy, 4 sexy, fun, swoony, delightful stars!

About Sarina Bowen:

Sarina Bowen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. She lives in Vermont's Green Mountains with her family, six chickens and too much ski gear and hockey equipment. 

In 2016, Sarina became a Rita Award winner! The Romance Writers of America honored HIM by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy with Best Contemporary Romance, Mid-Length.

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About Elle Kennedy:

A New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager. 

Elle writes romantic suspense and erotic contemporary romance for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

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Cover Reveal & #Giveaway : This is Me, Baby (War & Peace, #5) by K. Webster @KristiWebster @indiesage

This is Me, Baby

War & Peace, #5
by K. Webster

Release Date:
February 9th, 2017

Genres:
Adult
Dark Romance

Cover Reveal Hosted by:
IndieSagePR


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Synopsis:

***This is the fifth book in the series. First four books must be read first in order to understand this story line.***

The game was over and they stole the victory away from ME. Cheating. Lies. Corruption. Death. This pawn never stood a chance. But then he came for ME. He plucked ME from my nightmare and kept me safe. 

My heart was in tatters and my soul was lost. Until the beast in ME woke up. She was hungry and furious and didn’t play by the rules of their game. We were a vicious team. And we changed the game altogether. I took what was theirs because they took what was mine. ME against them. 

That is…until I had someone else with ME. Someone who vowed to fight alongside ME until the very end. I don’t want the love he has for ME. But the beast in ME still craves to take everything she deserves. He should run far away from ME. Instead, he runs straight for ME. 

This is ME, baby and I am going to ruin them all. 

***Warning*** This is Me, Baby is a dark romance. Strong sexual themes and violence, which could trigger emotional distress, are found in this story. If you are sensitive to dark themes, then this story is not for you. 

War & Peace Series on Goodreads:

Review of This Is War, Baby HERE
Review of This Isn't Over, Baby HERE
Review of This Isn't Me, Baby HERE

Purchase Links:

This is War, Baby #1

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/20ebfBd 
 Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1PnXRVS 
 B&N: http://bit.ly/1S74h1x 
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1QKvzaQ 
 iBooks: https://itun.es/us/MlvEab.l

This is Love, Baby #2

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1RQzkw0 
 Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/21XQY97 
B&N: http://bit.ly/1pf0jbE 
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Lcfzjh 
iBooks: https://itun.es/us/JAAcbb.l  

This Isn't Over, Baby #3

 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2aHjcwb 
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2auD1eA 
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2b7QBFO 
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2b0SceT

This Isn't You, Baby #4 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2dhPI8Z 
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2e4LiFd 
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2dQwrOY 
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2epJFoO 
B&N: http://bit.ly/2dcWHVG 
iBooks: http://apple.co/2dQENHf 
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2e4KbW1 

Teasers:

Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

K Webster is the author of dozens of romance books in many different genres including contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance. When not spending time with her husband of twelve years and two adorable children, she’s active on social media connecting with her readers. 

Her other passions besides writing include reading and graphic design. K can always be found in front of her computer chasing her next idea and taking action. She looks forward to the day when she will see one of her titles on the big screen.

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Book Review : Lila (Boyle Heights, #1) by Elizabeth Reyes @AuthorElizabeth

Lila

Boyle Heights, #1
by Elizabeth Reyes

Release Date:
January 25th, 2017

Genre:
Contemporary Romance

Cover Designed by:
Amanda Simpson of
Pixel Mischief Design

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Source:
Author

eARC received in exchange of honest review

Synopsis:

When two unlikely paths cross . . . compatibility seems improbable.  

Adrift in a foul-mouthed world of ass kicking to survive life on the tough streets of Boyle Heights, Lila is anything but a refined girlie girl. Fighting tooth and nail for those she loves has left her with a chip on her shoulder as big as the gloves on her fists.   

After years of being surrounded by glamorous glitzy women, Sonny didn't even realize how much he's yearned for someone of real substance. So, when he meets the unapologetic, sexy-as-hell Lila, her in-your-face candor awakens something in him he's never felt before.  

Despite Lila's suspicions about Sonny's intentions, the two begin a seemingly innocent, yet deliciously dangerous, online flirtation as his business keeps him away a lot.  

The more their rapidly growing connection intensifies, the more Lila feels Sonny is too perfect to be true. But when she's blindsided by the truth about who Sonny really is . . . 

Compatibility suddenly feels impossible.  

Purchase Links:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N
iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

Lindy's Thoughts:

I have been so excited to begin the Boyle Heights Series.  I got to read a teaser at the end of a previous book by Elizabeth Reyes.  The teaser reeled me in and hooked me, which left me dying for more! I have had the pleasure of reading every single book Ms. Reyes has written, and there have been a lot!  Her stories never fail to make me obsess.  I obsess over the characters, their friends, families, and acquaintances, and the challenges and hardships they each uniquely face. 

The biggest reason being that Ms. Reyes weaves her writing spell on me, leaving me caring about her characters, relating to them in different ways, and feeling like I am a part of their group.  In the 5th Street Series, I felt like I was a part of their elite boxing club, and best friends with all of the boxers and their wives.   In the Moreno and Fate books, I felt like I was part of the Moreno clan and their tight-knit group of friends.     Reading a book by Ms. Reyes is the difference between reading a book you love, but being an outside observer of the characters and plot, versus the characters taking on a life of their own, and feeling like you are a part of their world.  It takes a rare and gifted writer to be able to accomplish this!

Lila is the first book in the Boyle Heights Series.  It is a spin-off of the 5th Street Series.  You don't have to have read 5th Street to follow along with Lila's story.  Ms. Reyes uses some of the 5th Street characters as acquaintances and new friends to the Boyle Heights characters.  Also,  the 5th street gym is one of the settings where various scenes from the story take place.

Lila and her younger sister, Allison grew up in the foster care system.  Being the older sister, Lila has always been very protective, and felt responsible for Ali.  Unfortunately, her quick temper has gotten her in to hot water quite a few times.    Lila is working at 5th street as an assistant youth trainer.  She shares an apartment in the Boyle Heights projects with her good friend Stacia, and Ali.  Finances are tough though, as she pays for all of her and Ali's living expenses, her sister's college tuition, and shares her car with Ali.  The most important thing in Lila's life is Ali.  

So, when Gio, an elite boxer from 5th Street, offers her a chance at professional woman's boxing, with the possibility of becoming a fitness model, (her dream career,) she takes it.  Lila has reservations about boxing, because her mother died in the ring, but she wants to give Ali a better life, and Gio assures her that she's too fast and talented to get seriously injured.

When Lila and Stacia attend a music concert, she meets a gorgeous, charming, and sweet guy.  Even though she's sworn off relationships for quite a while, "Sonny" tempts her and makes her feel more than she ever thought possible.   Unfortunately, Sonny is not being completely forthright about his identity.  He likes Lila immensely, but doesn't want to tell her who he is, until he trusts her completely.  He wants to make sure she likes him for himself, and not for any superficial or opportunistic reason.

Lila and Sonny's story was a page-turner!  It was passionate, exciting, unpredictable, and had just the right amount of suspense.  Lila and Sonny's characters were both very endearing, while at the same time realistic.  I could relate to Lila's role as protective older sister.  Her short temper made her interesting, and so real.  I also loved her independence, determination, inner-strength, and hard work ethic.  I loved the way that Sonny brought out a softer, more vulnerable and feminine side to her as well.  

Sonny was more even tempered, but when it came to Lila he could be very jealous.  He was such a gentleman with her, and took their romance at the pace that she needed.  Sonny was a real charmer.  His charisma, and sex appeal oozed right off the pages.  He made my heart pitter-patter, and the butterflies in my stomach dance!      

Rating:

Lila was an excellent start to the Boyle Heights Series.  We learn enough about Lila's younger sister, Ali, to be highly invested in her character as well.  Ali's story will be the second book in the Boyle Heights Series, and I am very excited to learn more about the seemingly meek and passive Ali, as she has now shown us that she is very spirited, and has a lot of Lila's traits in her!  I give, Lila, by Elizabeth Reyes, 5 Magnetic, Passionate, Pulse-Pounding, Romantic Stars!  Fans of Ms. Reyes 5th Street and Moreno/Fate books will be very happy with her new series!!!

Mikki's Review:

A new series by Elizabeth Reyes? Yes, please!! 

I have been waiting for Lila to be released since the moment the author announced that she was writing a new series.  My favorite series from Elizabeth Reyes is her 5th Street Series. Passionate and protective alpha males boxers fall hard for fun, confident and lovable heroines. I have been missing them since I turned the last page of Felix's book and I was happy dancing when I learned that their world would collide with the Boyle Heights Series.

This first installment features a female boxer and I am so happy with the way Elizabeth Reyes wrote Lila's characters. She's a fierce heroine who makes her presence felt wherever she goes. You don't want to mess with her or any person that is dear to her heart. Her intensity is remarkable and I was cheering for her from the beginning of the story. 


The hero, Sonny, brought a smile to my face. OMG!! Major swoon feast happening in this book!! Not only do my papasotes from 5th Street bless us with their presence, we even get to fall in love and swoon over Sonny. I loved the way he was mesmerized with Lila. She's a breath of fresh air in his life and I could feel how hard he fell for her. Like any other couple, Lila and Sonny had some obstacles to overcome. It broke my heart when that ''All hell is going to break loose'' moment arrived. OMG!! I wanted to hide under a table. When Lila gets furious?!?! Ay mama!! Get out of the way!!!

Lila and Sonny's chemistry was instant and it kept on growing with each scene that they shared. Their love story was passionate, hot, intense and a roller coaster ride of emotions. I read this book in one sitting because I simply could not put it down! Elizabeth Reyes always creates the best reading escape for her readers. Her characters are incredibly addictive and she always leaves you wanting more! Her writing style will captivate you from the first page to the last! 

I love how this author always intertwines her series. This story was packed with secrets and twists that I did not expect. The biggest of all coming at the end of the book. That ending left me at the edge of my seat!! I absolutely cannot wait to find out what will happen with the characters that were introduced in Lila's story. My bookworm heart is happy and I am irrevocably in love with this new series. If you have not read anything by Elizabeth Reyes, you are seriously missing out! 

Rating:

I give, Lila, by Elizabeth Reyes, 5 amazing, page-turning, steamy, passionate stars!

About the Author:

"I write because I must. It’s not a choice or a pastime, it’s an unyielding calling and my passion." 

USA Today Bestselling Author, Elizabeth Reyes continues to answer to her calling on a daily basis. Since releasing her debut novel Forever Mine (Moreno Brothers #1) in 2010 she has now published 24 full length novels total and fast at work on the next. The excitement her Moreno Brothers, 5th Street, and Fate series have garnered has far exceeded her wildest dreams. It is with as much excitement that she'll continue to put out books related to these series as well as introduce brand new ones very soon. 

Stay tuned for more exciting news about what's in store for 2017! 

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Release Day Blitz : Pieces of Heaven (Heaven & Hell, #2) by Natasha Madison @natashamauthor @ardentprose

Pieces of Heaven

Heaven & Hell, #2
by Natasha Madison

Release Date:
January 30th, 2017

Genre:
Contemporary
Romance

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Synopsis:

I didn’t want this life. 

But sometimes you’re forced to make the best of the crappy hand you’ve been dealt. I wanted to teach my daughter that. No matter what happens you face your problems head-on. 

Never cower. Never give up. 

Then someone took her and I had to put my faith in a system that had failed me, and my hope in a man I didn’t know. 

Serve. Honor. Protect, are the only things I’ve ever cared about until her case was dropped on my desk. As we searched for her missing daughter, the last woman I thought I’d fall in love with became my reason for living. 

Then the world came crashing down around us. 

One secret would change everything, but I had one more hand to be dealt. And if I played my cards right, maybe, just maybe we’d get our piece of heaven.

Purchase Links:
Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Heaven & Hell Series:

Review of Hell and Back HERE

Excerpt:

Chapter Eleven 
Marissa 

The bells over the door ring every single time someone walks in. I’ve been on edge ever since I got in this morning. Lucky for me it’s been non-stop people coming in, so my mind hasn’t been able to wander to Lori. 

Now that it has been quiet and I’m filling the salt and pepper shakers, my mind wanders. It wanders to my baby girl, who is somewhere out there begging to come home. The sound of her voice plays in my head on repeat. My hands start to shake, so I close my eyes and sit down on a chair before my knees buckle. 

I blink away the tears threatening to fall over, my heart starting to beat so fast I hear the echoes in my ears. A plate of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and gravy is shoved in front of me. Phyllis’s eyes greet me when I look up. 

“Eat that and then go home. You are done for the day. You’ve been here for fourteen hours.” I look over at the clock hanging behind the counter that reads 8 p.m., realizing she’s right. 

“I’m just going to finish filling the shakers then I’ll take off.” I know she’s about to argue with me when the bell over the door rings again, making us both look up. 

His eyes find me right away. My heart that was starting to calm down is now speeding up. I focus on my meal, cutting a piece of meatloaf and dipping it in the gravy before popping it into my mouth. I try to ignore the heat of his stare, try to think of anything but him and that naked woman from last night. His girlfriend. I was so stupid to think that he would actually want me. I’m a used up stripper whose daughter ran away from home. I’m the opposite of what he wants or needs. 

The chair in front of me is filled with his big frame. The scent of his aftershave, of cologne lingers around us. Musky, rich, and woodsy. It’s the smell that has seeped its way into my memory along with the way his lips felt on mine. The way that I just fit, like I was made for him. I blink away the memory, looking up at him. 

“All the seats in this place are open and you sit in front of me?” I ask him before scooping up more food. I didn’t notice how hungry I was till I started eating. 

“You didn’t text me back.” His voice is hard, his muscles tight, his jaw ticking. 

I take out my phone. “Oh, I put the do not disturb on under your name. Maybe that’s why.” 

My phone is snapped out of my hand in a blink of an eye. “What the fuck?” I see him touching the screen angrily and turning it off. 

“You know you’re doing that for nothing since I can turn it on again?” I finish off my whole plate, making my stomach hurt since it’s the first thing I’ve eaten since last night. 

“What if I had information on Lori?” Bulls-eye, hit straight through my heart. He must see the color drain from my face as I realize that I fucked up. I’m not going to admit it to him, though. 

“I don’t have Jackson’s number blocked, and he would have called me.” I shrug my shoulders, picking up my plate to bring it to the gray bussing bin. 

Walking over, I wipe down the table right when Phyllis comes out from the kitchen. “There you are! I have your order ready. It’s being boxed up. Did you want dessert with that?” 

His eyes never leave mine. “No, that’s okay. Thanks, Phyllis.” 

I grab my phone from him, putting it in the front pocket of my waitress pouch. “I’m taking off. My feet are killing me. See you tomorrow, Phyllis.” 

I don’t wait for her to say anything to me before I walk out the door to my car. Turning it on, I drive home, determined not to give Mick another minute of my thoughts. Just one problem with that plan, though. No one mentioned to my head that I wasn’t thinking about him because his eyes flash in my mind, the hard lines around them. The sorrow that is buried there, the sadness that he thinks no one sees but is there, if you look long enough. 

I make my way into my apartment, taking my shoes off my throbbing feet at the door. 

Walking into the kitchen, I take out the tips from my pocket and count them out. Three hundred and seventeen dollars. Two hundred of that is going to that damn debt that I’m still paying off. I can’t fucking wait till it’s over. I walk over to Lori’s room like I do every single night, turning on the light to see if maybe something has been misplaced or moved. 

I’ve put scotch tape on the drawers to alert me if they’ve been opened, but it’s still intact. I’ve labeled her clothes hanging in the closet by number, and I count them, seeing that none have been taken either. 

The bed is exactly how she left it. I crawl into her bed and grab her pillow, breathing in her scent. Tears run down my face, seeping into the pillow. This has become my nightly routine. I sleep here so I’m closer to her. I lie in this bed, talking to her. Telling her about my day, praying that she calls me again. I tell her stories about when she was small, about the day they placed her in my arms. The tears never stop. It’s like an endless river. 

The soft knock at the door has me raising my head. Walking slowly to the door, I look through the peephole and see that Mick is in the hallway. His hands are braced against the doorframe, his head hanging down. 

I place my forehead on the door, take a deep breath in, and open the door. His eyes land right on mine. The tears continue to roll down my cheeks, right off my chin on their way to the floor. He brings his thumb up to my chin, catching them. “Marissa,” he whispers, and it’s all I can do before I collapse into his arms, sobbing. Begging. Pleading with him to bring her back to me. 

He picks me up and carries me inside. Sitting on the couch with me curled into a ball in his lap, my tears soak his shirt. I’m so exhausted from the fear, stress, and worry. I’m just too tired to move. 

“I’m a good mom,” I whisper to him. “I was tough on her only because I wanted better for her. Wanted her out of this life. Wanted her to be something.” My hand lies on his chest, the beat of his heart pounding against my palm. 

“I know, baby, I know.” 

I don’t say anything more. I just continue to soak up the feeling of his heart beating as it calms me. My eyes droop, and the exhaustion drags me under. 

I don’t move from this position all night. I wake the next morning with the same heart beating against my hand.

Teasers:

About the Author:

When her nose isn't buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she's in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It's a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn't listen to her...

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