Review – Sweet Sinful Nights by Lauren Blakely

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We bring you the Release Week Blitz for SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS by Lauren Blakely, the first full-length novel from her Erotic Romance Series, Sinful Nights! Lauren Blakely is well known for writing sexy, heartfelt and humorous contemporary romance as well as deeply emotional new adult stories –one commonality in all her books is the scorching hot sexy times. And SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS is absolutely no different! Brent and Shannon’s story is sexy and will keep you on the edge of your seat squirming and asking for more! This new series is a new erotic romance series, Sinful Nights, written in the high-heat, high-stakes, high-glamour style of the Seductive Nights series that readers know and love, but heading in a new direction with a new family that’s full of drama, checkered pasts and dangerous life-and-death secrets. Check out Lauren’s message below to hear more from her!

 

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A sexy, suspenseful new romance novel from Lauren Blakely, author of the New York Times Bestselling Seductive Nights series….

She was the one who got away…

Ten years ago, Brent Nichols let the love of his life slip through his fingers. It’s his greatest regret, especially since she’s all but disappeared. But when the gorgeous and captivating woman walks into his life unexpectedly, he’s determined to win her back. Whatever it takes, he won’t make the same mistake twice.

Easier said than done…

Shannon Paige has hardened her heart to the man she was once engaged to be married to. After the way he left, and after the hell she’s been through with her checkered family, there’s no way she’s letting him into her life again. The problem is, the second she sees him, he’s more handsome and charming than before. And she’s torn between wanting to fight with him and wanting to sleep with him – maybe both. Soon they fall into each other’s arms, consumed with a desire that burns through the years.

But if these two fiery lovers are going to have a real second chance at this kind of intense, passionate, bone-deep love, he’ll have to give her his whole heart, and she’ll have to give up all the secrets from her messy past.

And that messy past is about to spill over into her carefully constructed present…

SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS is book one in SINFUL NIGHTS, a four-book series. Each book will follow a new couple.

BFF K’s Review

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Sweet Sinful Nights is a great kick-off to another outstanding series by Lauren Blakely. This is a terrific, second chance romance. The backdrop of Sin City adds a glamorous and exciting element to the book. Brent and Shannon have spent 10-years apart after their careers and stubbornness drove them apart. When their respective business ventures bring them back together in Las Vegas, the sparks begin to fly! They’re each negotiating the waters of a new relationship but one with a familiar person, determining what has changed and what remains the same.

I enjoyed reading about Brent and Shannon’s past and trying to decide how/when/if they would give into their desire, connection and shared history to create a new relationship and a future together. There is also a side-story about Shannon’s family that is really interesting and adds another page-turning element to their story.

I’m already looking forward to the next books in this series!

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***An ARC of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Add SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS to Goodreads here!

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Excerpt

She turned to look at him, and neither one of them said a word. Her green eyes were dark and intense. Her lips were so close. The inches between them were swallowed whole by the connection that crackled between them. She seemed to sway closer, and he moved in, seizing the moment.
He lifted his hand to her hair, still sleek in its twist, different from the shade she’d had when he knew her, but beautiful just the same. A strand had fallen loose, chestnut brown and curled. He touched it, ran his finger across the single lock. Time melted away as he leaned into the familiar crook of her neck. The craving for her ran so damn deep it lived inside his bones.
He inhaled her, that honey scent, a new smell that in an instant marked her.
“Shan,” he whispered, rough and gravelly, filled with so much want for her, which had built over the years, grown higher, spread further, formed roots. Inhabited him. He was desperate to have her in his arms again, to smother her in kisses that erased all the years.
“Brent,” she whispered, his name sounding like sugar on her tongue.
He buried his face in her neck, layering kisses on her soft skin. “Where have you been?” he asked, though it was entirely rhetorical. She hadn’t been with him. He hadn’t been with her. That was the answer.
“Where were you?” she countered softly.
He lifted his face and looked her in the eyes as he brushed the back of his fingers along her cheek. “Thinking of you,” he said.
He didn’t know how he’d gone from breaking two glasses to finding her falling into his arms. But that was where they were. He cupped her cheeks in his hands. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he rasped out, and then he crushed her mouth. He consumed her lips. He kissed her hard, and greedily, and the world around him turned black and small. It faded into a speck of nothingness because there was room for nothing else in his world but her.

Message from Lauren

Dear Readers:

I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you! Many of you have been patiently waiting for SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS, the story of Brent Nichols and the woman he loves. Many of you already know Brent since he’s the younger brother of Clay Nichols, from NIGHT AFTER NIGHT….The good news is this-SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS is Book One in a new erotic romance series, Sinful Nights, written in the high-heat, high-stakes, high-glamour style of the Seductive Nights series that readers know and love, but heading in a new direction with a new family that’s full of drama, checkered pasts and dangerous life-and-death secrets.

SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS kicks off this new series with a fiery, passionate, and suspenseful story of two lovers reuniting after ten years. Each book in this series follow a new couple and will be set against the backdrop of sin, money, sex, greed, passion and love in the city of Las Vegas. Brent’s love interest is Shannon Paige, and she has three brothers. Yep, you guessed it – each of her brothers will be getting a book! And while each book in the Sinful Nights series follows a new couple, get ready for a storyline that will carry across the entire series — a story of danger, risk and high-stakes suspense.

 

Q&A about the Sinful Nights series:

Does this take place after the events in the Seductive Nights series?

A: Yes. This story begins one year after the final Seductive Nights book.

Can I read this if I haven’t read the Seductive Nights series?

A: Yes! You won’t miss a beat if you start with SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS. That’s why it’s Book One!

Brent is Clay’s brother. Does this mean Clay will be in SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS?

A: Why yes! He will indeed appear in a handful of scenes!

Is this series similar to the Seductive Nights series?

A: Absolutely. The hero in book one is a Nichols man! Nichols men are known for being dirty, passionate and fiercely loyal! You can also expect scorching hot sex scenes, dirty talk, high-class and glamorous settings, and passionate love. Have I mentioned the heat :)?

And be sure to watch for the next titles in the Sinful Nights series!

SINFUL NIGHTS series on Goodreads

SINFUL DESIRE – Sept 29

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SINFUL DESIRE on Goodreads

SINFUL LONGING on Goodreads– Jan 2016

SINFUL LOVE on Goodreads – March 2016

 

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Author PhotoAbout Lauren Blakely:

Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in her novel, FAR TOO TEMPTING, shethinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. She loves hearing from readers! Her bestselling series include Caught Up in Love, Seductive Nights, No Regrets and Fighting Fire. She recently released Forbidden Nights, a standalone novel in her New York Times Bestselling Seductive Nights series that became an instant New York Times Bestseller. Her next book is 21 Stolen Kisses, a new adult romance filled with angst and romantic tension, releasing in May. This summer she’ll release Consumed by You, her next title in her NYT Bestselling Fighting Fire series about sexy firemen and the women they love, and Sweet Sinful Nights, the first book in her new series Sinful Nights. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, text BLAKELY + your email address to 678-249-3375 (please use the actual + sign).

 

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** SWEET SINFUL NIGHTS Goodreads ** Lauren Blakely Goodreads

Sinfully Sweet Summer Giveaway!

What would make your summer sinfully sweet? A new iPad Mini to catch up on all of your summer reading or a mini vacation?

Lauren is so thrilled that you are spending part of your summer with Brent and Shannon that she decided, as a special thank you, to give one lucky reader an iPad Mini or a gift certificate to their favorite hotel chain ($250 value).

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Review – The Allure of Julian Lefray by R.S. Grey

From: JosephineKeller@LLDesigns.com

To: LilyNBlack@gmail.com

Subject: Justin Timberlake Nudes!Lily, you predictable perv. I knew you’d open this email faster if I tempted you with a glimpse of JT’s “PP”. Well, put your pants back on and grab some bubbly because I have much better news to share.

I GOT A JOB!

As of tomorrow, I’ll be the new executive assistant at Lorena Lefray Designs. I am SO excited, but there’s one itty bitty problem: I won’t be Lorena’s assistant. I’ll be working for her older brother, Julian.

I know what you’re thinking- “But Jo, what’s the problem?”

Google him. Now. He’s the man in the fitted navy suit whose face reminds you that there’s hope yet for this cruel, ugly world. Keep scrolling…Do you see those dimples? Yup. That’s the Julian Lefray I will be reporting to tomorrow morning.

Lord, help us all…

XO,

Jo

Buy Link

Amazon

BFF K’s Review

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This book is R.S. Grey doing what she does best, delivering a sweet romantic comedy with fun characters and story lines that is laugh out loud funny! The Allure of Julian Lefray is a quick read that is packed full of fun and romance. You’ll find yourself under the Allure of Julian just as quickly as Josephine. The setting of the book – New York fashion – is fun and fresh. Jo is a fantastic character, I loved getting to see her struggles and successes. Julian is a certifiable hottie with the smarts, charisma and sweetness to make him irresistible.

It’s easy to see why Jo and Julian fall for one another and watching them struggle to keep one another at arms length is a fun ride. But, watching them find one another is even better. The characters are really well developed and there is a supporting cast that I absolutely LOVED! In fact, I’m hoping-hoping-hoping that Lily and Dean will get their own book!

Did I mention it’s FUNNY? Just two phrases for you: sex dungeon and old-people-orgy.

OMG, I’m wiping away more tears, just thinking about it. So. Good.

One-Click this one TODAY, you’ll be so happy you did!

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An ARC of this book was received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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About the Author

I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way, I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things… everyday.

I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors include Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I’m a comedy geek and love all things “funny”. Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.

Review – Remind Me by Ann Marie Walker and Amy K Rogers

Have you met Hudson Chase?
(If the answer to this question is no, fix that immediately!)
REMIND ME
Chasing Fire #1
Ann Marie Walker & Amy K. Rogers
Released  April 21st, 2015
Berkley Intermix
 

First in a tantalizing new trilogy about reigniting a forbidden desire from long ago…As heiress to a media empire Alessandra Sinclair was raised to put family obligations first. But everything changes the night her first love walks back into her life and turns her whole world upside down. Haunted by the memories of a secret romance with a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, she can’t seem to get Hudson Chase out of her mind. Once again torn between two worlds, Allie must decide how much she’s willing to risk to have the love she’s always longed for.Ten years is a long time to wait, but billionaire Hudson Chase didn’t become CEO of one of the country’s fastest growing companies by giving up on what he wants. Now that he’s got Allie in his sights again, he’s determined to make her regret breaking his heart. And this time, he’s going to make damn sure he’s not so easy to forget. Includes a preview of Release Me book two of the Chasing Fire trilogy.

BFF K’s Review

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Get ready! This book is one wild ride! I would definitely recommend Remind Me for anyone who loves Fifty Shades or the Crossfire Series. But, I will admit this book left me thinking, “Gideon who?” And, I’m now an official #HudsonChaser!

Young love ended too soon is rekindled and explodes in the most amazing way! A boy from the wrong side of the tracks, turned billionaire (Yeah, I know, just go with it! Suspend reality, the story is GOOD!) finds the one that got away. She’s the heiress to a media fortune who turned her back on the bad boy after a heated summer romance. Ten years later, the connection between Hudson and Allie is an explosion of pent-up emotions and unfulfilled fantasies.

The story is electric and the chemistry between Allie and Hudson is off the charts. This is one of the steamiest reads I’ve encountered in quite awhile. I could see similarities between Hudson Chase, Christian Grey and Gideon Cross. At the same time, the story felt new and different. AND, I liked Hudson better than Gideon – there’s baggage in Hudson’s life, but not nearly as much as Gideon and Eva! The relationship between Hudson and Allie is based on a shared history and while there are lots of sparks, it’s no insta-love. AND, Remind Me also has several really smarmy villains – ya gotta love that!

I am normally not a fan of cheating and I will warn you, this book contains a LOT of cheating. But, I found it didn’t really bother me. I believed it to be integral to the storyline and while not excusable, it made sense in the context of the characters and the story.

Get yourself a glass of wine. (Or a whole bottle, we don’t judge.) Find a quiet corner and consider a cold shower. This is one steamy page turner you don’t want to miss! Release Me, Book #2 in the series releases July 21 and you’ll want to be ready. I already am!

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WARNING:

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An ARC of this book was received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
 
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EXCERPT

Allie reached for her lemon drop martini, her second of the night, and licked a bit of sugar from the rim. The tangy beverages were going down much too smoothly. If she didn’t get some food in her stomach, she’d be paying the price come morning. The last thing she needed was to roll into work with a hangover. “We should order.”
Harper took a generous sip of something called a Strawberry Blonde and grabbed a menu off the marble tabletop. She flipped through the small leather binder, bypassing the extensive wine list in favor of colorful drinks with elaborate descriptions. “Oh!” Her eyes grew wide. “How about a Sucker Punch?
“I meant something more along the lines of dinner, but what the hell.”
Harper craned her neck, searching for the waiter she’d been flirting with all night. She startled when he was suddenly at her side.
“Can I bring you ladies another round?” he asked. Allie had to admit he was a bit of a doll. Big brown eyes with lashes that wouldn’t quit, dark hair a little longer than most, and a smile to make you forget what you were going to order. At least that was the effect he seemed to be having on Harper.
Allie came to her rescue. “Two Sucker Punches, please.” As soon as he was out of earshot she jumped on the chance to tease her tongue-tied friend. “Harper Hayes, speechless. Never thought I’d see the day.”
“Oh, shut up,” Harper grumbled. Her cheeks were rosy pink as she reached for her glass. “He just caught me off guard, that’s all. They should tell him not to sneak up on people like that.” She finished off the rest of her cocktail and plucked the strawberry garnish from the edge of the glass. Allie could almost see the wheels turning as Harper regained her composure. “I’m going to give him my number,” she announced.
The waiter returned a few minutes later with two oversize hurricane glasses on his tray. The size alone assured Allie the drinks would live up to their name, but when she tried a sip she knew she was in trouble. The fruity concoction was far too delicious considering the pleasant buzz she was already feeling. She stirred the drink with her straw, watching in awe as Harper jotted her number on a napkin and slipped it into the waiter’s hand. Allie shook her head. She could never be as daring as Harper. Then again, she’d had a pretty daring afternoon.
Images filtered through her mind. Hudson’s body pinning hers against the mirror . . . his warm breath fanning out across her neck . . . his fingers teasing and taunting before sending her spiraling over the edge . . .
“So what’s the real scoop with you and Mr. Hottie from the party?” Harper asked as if reading her wayward thoughts.
Allie tried to hide her blush behind her glass, needing a moment to regroup before once again denying any interest in the man who’d brought her to orgasm during her lunch hour. In a dressing room. At Macy’s. Dear lord. She tipped the glass higher, practically gulping her cocktail.
“He seems like a man who knows his way around a bedroom and would be more than happy to give you a tour.”
Allie choked on her drink.
Harper sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh my God, you slept with him.” It was a statement, not a question, and one Allie knew there was no point in denying. The proof was all over her face, not to mention spilled half way down her blouse.
She wiped her chin with the back of her hand. “A little louder, Harper. I don’t think the valet heard you.”
“Sorry. It’s just . . . I don’t know, you’ve always been so reserved. You’re not exactly the type to get down and dirty with someone you just met.”
“We didn’t just meet.”
#MarkYourCalendars
Though thousands of miles apart, Ann Marie Walker and Amy K. Rogers are in constant contact, plotting story lines
and chatting about their love of alpha males, lemon drop martinis and British supermodel, David Gandy. You can find them on twitter as @AnnMarie_Walker and @Amy_KRogers. 
 
 
Amy K. Rogers
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Ann Marie Walker
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Review – Wicked White by Michelle Valentine

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After his mother dies, rock star Ace White—lead singer of the red-hot band Wicked White—is done with the celebrity game. The phony people, the meaningless one-night stands: he doesn’t want any of it anymore. Quitting in the middle of a sold-out tour, Ace sets out to find some place—any place—where he can be alone.

Aspiring singer Iris Easton’s life has never been easy. First, her mother walked out on her when she was a kid. Now she’s buried in debt, weeks after losing her beloved grandmother. When a mysterious and sexy new guy moves in next door, Iris can’t help but be drawn to his soulful gaze. She can tell there’s something from his past haunting him—something he’s not telling her.

Just as Ace starts falling for Iris, the media go on a worldwide hunt to find the missing rocker. Will true love conquer all, or will the truth be the very thing that tears the couple apart?

BFF K’s Review

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I liked Wicked White (the book not the band.) 🙂 Ace White is a likeable hero. There is enough back-story provided that I felt I understood the motivations and decisions of his character. In so many ways, he and Iris were a matching set of wonderfully damaged hearts that came together to mend one another. Iris Easton is a likeable character as well. She’s smart, unassuming and hard working. It’s easy to hope she gets her happily ever after.

Wicked White is a quick read, but sometimes it felt too quick. I’m OK with insta-love and I can totally buy into it. But, there seemed to be a little bit of an essential spark missing here. I wish more time passed during the story. Days and weeks, just didn’t seem like enough time to develop such monumental feelings. I also would have liked some more dialogue and deep conversations to develop the relationship.

The book was interesting and engaging enough that I read the entire book and cared about the outcome. I was happy when Ace and Iris were together and felt the angst when they were apart. I read to the conclusion of the story hoping that they would find their way to one another. I recommend this story for anyone looking for a Rockstar with the heart of a poet, who falls for the hardworking ingenue.

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 An ARC of this book was received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Buy Wicked White Here

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ABOUT MICHELLE A. VALENTINE

Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of erotic and New Adult romance. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos, and sexy musicians inspired her erotic BLACK FALCON series.

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Review – Searching for Beautiful by Jennifer Probst

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The highly anticipated third novel in the Searching For series from Jennifer Probst, “one of the most exciting breakout novelists” (USA Today), featuring a runaway bride and the man who wants to be more than just her best friend…

Genevieve MacKenzie has her life completely under control. About to wed the charming Chief doctor at the local hospital, she’s an up-and-coming surgeon with everything she could ever want. Until an escape through the church window on the day of her wedding sends her life into a tailspin…and flings her right into her best friend’s arms.

When Wolfe catches his best friend falling out a window on her wedding day, he doesn’t ask questions. He whisks her away, determined to watch over her and discover the truth behind her desperate escape. But when his feelings turn more than platonic, he realizes he may risk his most important relationship in order to protect his damaged heart, and the woman he loves.

Can Genevieve and Wolfe’s friendship turn into something deeper—or is it already too late for true love?

BFF K’s Review

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When I read the synopsis for this book, I immediately thought, “this is my kind of read!” Runaway bride, hot tattooed best-friend-turned-lover, this has all the makings for my favorite kind of book. And, I wasn’t wrong. Searching for Beautiful is my kind of story. But, this is not your typical runaway bride story. What caught me off guard was the depth of the story. I wasn’t expecting the emotional journeys of personal growth and discovery. Both Gen and Wolfe have pasts that they’re working to reconcile.

Jen is an incredible heroine. She’s left David, and what looked to be a perfect relationship, at the alter. But, the mess left behind is way more personal and intimate than an uneaten wedding cake. As she begins to put the pieces back together with the help of Wolfe, the entire relationship between these besties begins to evolve.

Wolfe is a total alpha male (my favorite kind) with an inherent instinct to protect. And, Gen is his to protect, first as a friend, but soon as something more. However, Wolfe carries a basket load of issues from his past. And, as they’re slowly revealed, your heart will break and you will love him as fiercely as Gen does.

Searching for Beautiful is a deeply pleasing story of love, self-discovery, independence, trust and hope. Though it is the 3rd book in the Searching For Series, it can be read as a standalone. (Which is proven, as I haven’t yet read the first two in the series. YET!) I’ve read other Jennifer Probst books in the past and really enjoyed them. Searching for Beautiful is another reminder for me to put this author on my go-to list!

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*An ARC of this book was received in exchange for an honest review.

 

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Jennifer Probst

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.
She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon’s Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

LINKS:

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Review – Game of Love by Ara Grigorian

Game of Love is set in the high-stakes world of professional tennis where fortune and fame can be decided by a single point.

Gemma Lennon has spent nearly all of her 21 years focused on one thing: Winning a Grand Slam. After a disastrous and very public scandal and subsequent loss at the Australian Open, Gemma is now laser-focused on winning the French Open. Nothing and no one will derail her shot at winning – until a heated chance encounter with brilliant and sexy Andre Reyes threatens to throw her off her game.

Breaking her own rules, Gemma begins a whirlwind romance with Andre who shows her that love and a life off the court might be the real prize. With him, she learns to trust and love… at precisely the worst time in her career. The pressure from her home country, fans, and even the Prime Minister to be the first British woman to win in nearly four decades weighs heavily.

As Wimbledon begins, fabricated and sensationalized news about them spreads, fueling the paparazzi, and hurting her performance. Now, she must reconsider everything, because in the high-stakes game of love, anyone can be the enemy within… even lovers and even friends.

In the Game of Love, winner takes all.

BFF K’s Review

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Fast-paced, sports-based romance, Game of Love was a WINNER! I enjoyed this book with a toe in two separate worlds – the highest level of professional tennis and the highest level of technology/systems consulting; and you may not guess which is more competitive. But, I loved that each of the main characters had their own backgrounds, issues and identities. And, the characters were written in a way that was smart and honest.

Gemma and Andre were complex characters. I was engaged and drawn to them, wanting to learn more about both of them – their pasts and futures. There was also an interesting cast of supporting characters that each played a role in developing the plot and advancing the storylines. There is some suspense, stalker, cloak-and-dagger stuff that adds other elements to the story.

As I read the book, I could picture the details playing like a movie and I enjoyed conjuring the images of scene after scene set to uncover new information about these characters. There are good, coming-of-age, working through your past-issues, understanding-your-place-in-the-world, elements to this book.

I’m a fairly slow reader and I banged through Game of Love in just about 24 hours, so it’s a quick read that will keep you flipping the pages and cheering for victories – large and small!

*An ARC of this book was received in exchange for an honest review.

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*An ARC of this book was received in exchange for an honest review.

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About the Author

Armenian by heritage, born in Iran, lived in Barcelona, and escaped New York until he found his home in Los Angeles, Ara’s first eleven years were both busy and confusing. The fruit salad of languages would slow down his genetically encoded need to tell stories. Until then, an alter ego would be required…

He received an engineering degree from California State University Northridge and earned his MBA from the University of Southern California. Today, he is a technology executive in the entertainment industry. True to the Hollywood life, Ara wrote for a children’s television pilot that could have made him rich (but didn’t) and nearly sold a video game to a major publisher (who closed shop days later).

But something was amiss until his wife read him the riot act. “Will you stop talking about wanting to be a writer and just do it?” So with her support (and mandate), and their two boys serving as his muse, he wrote stories.

Fascinated by the human species, Ara writes about choices, relationships, and second chances. Always a sucker for a hopeful ending, he writes contemporary romance stories. He is an alumnus of both the Santa Barbara Writers Conference and Southern California Writers’ Conference (where he also serves as a workshop leader). Ara is an active member of the Romance Writers of America and its Los Angeles chapter.

Ara is represented by Stacey Donaghy.

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Review – Sweet Girl by Rachel Hollis

Max Jennings is in a bad mood. It’s not anything you did; it’s just that secrets from her past make it her natural state of being. But she’s not going to talk about it or share her feelings, so don’t bother asking.

Max’s bad mood means that very few people actually truly understand her or know that her secret dream is to be a pastry chef. When a rare opportunity to work for world-famous Avis Phillips presents itself, Max jumps at the chance. Avis and her staff aren’t stingy with the tough love, so Max spends every spare minute practicing her craft. As she bakes brownies and custards, cookies and galettes, she builds an unlikely friendship with a man she once loathed and finds herself falling into something she’s spent the last six years avoiding. Will she let her painful past stand in the way, or will she muster the strength to forgive herself and realize her full potential?

BFF K’s Review

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Sweet Girl by Rachel Hollis is…well…sweet! I was pulled into this book by the heroine, Max. She’s smart and sassy, but the chip on her shoulder is of epic proportions! She’s callused, but in a way that feels forced for self-protection; and not in fact, the genuine state of being for her character. It takes many chapters, but little by little, the layers are peeled away from Max and you realize that she is working through some serious emotions and events in her life.

Enter Bennett Taylor. Max doesn’t like him. She shouldn’t like him. He complicates her life. Though he also makes it infinitely better. Can he coax her out of the shell of herself she’s been living in for years? The push and pull of their relationship is deliciously fulfilling. Though I have to say, I think that Bennett is an absolute saint for putting up with some of Max’s attitude. There were a couple of times I wanted to shake her and tell her to wake up and get her head out of the oven. But, it was wonderful to see her evolution. And, Taylor’s patience and devotion make him absolutely swoon worthy.

Laced throughout the book is a great cast of supporting characters. Max’s family, roommates, and co-workers make the book really well rounded. They bring the story to life in a way that makes you want to be a part of their circle. There’s one other character I would be remiss without mentioning….THE FOOD! Max is a pastry chef and her creations sound absolutely out of this world! I have a sweet tooth anyway, but working my way through Sweet Girl had me craving cupcakes and brownies and cheesecakes and incredible dishes that sound too good to be true!

I hate to admit this…..but I haven’t read Party Girl yet. Party Girl is Hollis’s first novel that centers around Landon and Brody. It has shot to the top of my TBR list. I think I would have had even greater insight into Max and Taylor if I had read that first. But, I certainly didn’t feel like there were any gaping holes in the story without reading Party Girl first.

The book is strong on romance, witty and engaging. If you’re looking for a good character-driven, story of self-discovery and self-acceptance; with a helping of hot, furniture-building, sensitive, patient, sexy hero on the side….Sweet Girl is definitely for you!

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An ARC of this book was received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Sweet Girl

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I loved meeting Rachel Hollis at the 2015 Austin Bookfest! She’s absolutely adorable and as sweet as she looks! <3

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About the Author

I am Rachel Hollis. A wife, a mother, a Southern Girl, an LA Woman, and for all intents and purposes Party Planner Extraordinaire! I LOVE parties… I love everything about them. I love the food, the wine, having friends and family and people from all walks of life together in one well-decorated space! I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like a good party… and if there are people out there who don’t, maybe that’s just because you haven’t been to one of mine!

I grew up in a big loud Okie family. Daddy was a Pentecostal minister and Mama was the church pianist… and PS, I know the words to all the old-timey hymns in case you want to break into three-part harmony later. I moved to Los Angeles to go to college and promptly met a boy named David who was as handsome as he was funny. First I made that boy my best friend, and then I made him my husband. 10 years later we have three equally handsome/hilarious little boys named Jackson, Sawyer, and Ford. We live in LA where we spend our time doing super cool/sexy things like going to soccer practice and hitting up any restaurant where kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Other fancy info about Rachel…
Rachel Hollis is the founder of Los Angeles-based event planning firm, Chic Events. In 2009, she was named by Inc. Magazine as one of the “Top 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30.” She has designed and produced fabulous parties for many of Hollywood’s elite, including Bradley Cooper, Al Gore, Rashida Jones, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ivanka Trump, Jaime King, and Cuba Gooding Jr. (just to name a few). Most recently, she planned the nuptials of actress Sara Rue’s wedding, which garnered national coverage in magazines such as People and US Weekly.

Rachel is the entertainment contributor for Traditional Home Magazine, and a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. In addition, she is a lifestyle expert for The Talk, EXTRA, The Nate Berkus Show, Steve Harvey, Home & Family, KTLA Morning News, Good Day LA, Fox 5, Better TV and a regular contributor on PopSugar TV and Celebrations.com. She has been featured in People, InStyle, OK!, Entertainment Weekly, Entrepreneur, Grace Ormand and the TV shows “Jilted”, “I Do, Over” on We Network, “The Traveler’s Guide to Life” on the Travel Channel and “Self Made.”

Review – Heat by Penny Reid – Elements of Chemistry Series

HeatBlitz

Heat
by Penny Reid
Hypothesis #2
Publication Date: April 30, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Humor, Romance

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Elements of Chemistry: HEAT is part 2 of a 3 part series (65k word novel) and ends in a cliffhanger.

**Blurb contains spoilers if you haven’t read Elements of Chemistry: ATTRACTION**

Four days left.
Private beach (…and boat).
Not so invisible girl.
And maybe less of a jerk-faced bully than originally thought.
What’s the worst (or the best) that could happen?

Kaitlyn is finding life outside of the science cabinet of obscurity to be quite illuminating …and so are her pants.

When things heat up between Kaitlyn Parker and Martin—previously known as the jerk-faced bully—Sandeke, she places her trust in the one person she never thought capable of earning it, let alone keeping it safe. Fortunately or unfortunately for Kaitlyn, where she gives her trust she can’t help but also give her heart.

But how will the world beyond the sanctuary of their new found connection react to their relationship? Soon senators, chinless billionaires, and elements beyond Martin and Kaitlyn’s control want to weigh in on the young couple’s future.

Navigating the chaotic inferno of new love might be more than Kaitlyn bargained for, and much, much more than her trust—or her heart—can handle.

BFF K’s Review

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HEAT is an incredible continuation of Kaitlyn and Martin’s story. It picks right up where Attraction left off. We get to see the relationship of Kaitlyn and Martin continue to grow as they learn more and more about one another. Their relationship takes on a physical aspect that will practically burn up your ereader! The book is true to its name….This one brings the HEAT! But, even the steamy scenes are a reflection of who they are as characters.

The character development is fantastic! And, through it all, the book is written with a level of maturity and intelligence sometimes lacking in romance novels. It’s smart and quirky and an absolute delight to read!

I really can’t rave enough about how great this series is! The only problem is waiting until the next one releases! AND – be warned – Heat ends with a MAJOR CLIFFHANGER! I still think that you should still read it immediately, don’t wait to devour the goodness!

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About Penny Reid

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SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).

By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.

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Review – The Photographer Trilogy Box Set by Sarah Robinson

He takes a picture of every woman he kills.
She takes nothing from anyone.

Kate Jackson is a woman haunted by her past with no direction in life, and surviving only on her close relationship with her sister, Annie. Until she meets charming lawyer, Derrick Kane. Despite having a painful past of his own, he gives Kate everything she could have ever wanted in a lover.

Just when she thinks she might have found the key to learning how to live again, maybe even how to love, The Photographer rips it all away from her with one click of his camera.

Somehow she survived, determined to rise above the trauma life has dealt her. Yet, she doesn’t get away that easy, The Photographer isn’t done with her yet.

The infamous serial killer begins dropping menacing hints at every turn.

Reminding Kate that he owns her. That he broke her body.

The small, quiet life that Kate had built for herself with Derrick is over. Pulverized by the twisted workings of the notorious serial killer and the agony of being betrayed by the one man she had trusted her heart to. Trust had never come easily to her, yet she had given it to Derrick. And he destroyed her with it.

Kate is a fighter and refusing to allow a sadistic killer to take everything from her yet again, she delves into the police investigation targeting The Photographer and finally revealing his true identity. Kate is fighting for justice while fighting to reclaim the man she loves, and somehow learn to trust him again.

But when an innocent life is on the line, the cost of justice could be more than love can afford. Kate quickly learns that finding the face behind the mask, doesn’t make you safe.

Monsters are only uglier in the light of day.

BFF A Review

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The Photographer Triology by Sarah Robinson has so many different elements to it. Sarah does a great job of including all of this into a series that keeps you guessing until the end. Frist, there is the relationship Kate Jackson and Derrick Kane share. They meet in a coffee shop and sparks instantly ignite. They share love, romance, and build trust for each other. There is also a special bond between Kate and her sister, Annie. The bond is special and unique, all they have is each other. I really connected to their relationship- where either sister would do anything to keep the other safe. Throughout the series there is also the mystery and suspense of trying to figure out who The Photographer is. Why is he after Kate? Who else has he hurt? What will it take to stop him? The mystery kept me turning page after page until all is revealed. As the story and series comes to an end and mysteries are solved, (no cliffhanger at the end) there is a sense of accomplishment as you understand the all of the obstacles Kate has overcome.

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Copy gifted from author in exchange for a fair review

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About the Author

Sarah Robinson is a Top 10 Bestselling Barnes & Noble and Amazon Bestseller in Romance and Crime Thriller. She is the author of the contemporary Rockstar romance series Sand & Clay, as well as the very popular romantic suspense trilogy, The Photographer Trilogy.

In regards to future publications, she is with the Seymour Literary Agency and has recently been contracted by Loveswept, a Random House Penguin imprint, to begin a new contemporary romance series in late 2015 called Kavanagh Legends, which follows Irish alpha male brothers in the MMA fighting world.

Her writing often concentrates on the complexity of love in emotions, combining psychological complexities and human flaws to create very real characters that readers can relate with. Her work focuses on redemption and forgiveness, learning to build on what has been broken. Her characters are often in conflicting situations, leaving the reader to decide what is right and what is wrong. She uses her stories to hold a mirror up to the reader and ask them to see things they never knew, or had forgotten, about themselves.

Sarah Robinson is a native of the Washington, DC area and has both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in criminal psychology. She is newly married to a local police officer, Justin, who is just as much of an animal rescue enthusiasts as she is. Together, they own a zoo of rescues, as well as volunteering and fostering for multiple animal shelters.

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Review – Broken Juliet by Leisa Rayven

Some loves never let you go…
Cassie swore she’d never forgive Ethan for breaking her heart when they were in acting school years ago. He was her one great love, and when he refused to love her back, a part of her died forever…or so she thought. Now she and Ethan are sharing a Broadway stage, and he’s determined to win her back. Finally he’s able to say all the things she needed to hear years ago…but can she believe him? Has he really changed, and what makes this time different from all his other broken promises?
The answer lies somewhere in the past, and now the truth will come to light. Will Cassie rediscover what it’s like to be trusting and open again–the way she was before Ethan? Or is it too late for these star-crossed lovers?
Don’t miss this mesmerizing final chapter in the Bad Romeo duet, the unforgettable love story that captured the hearts of over two million fans online.

BFF K’s Review

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Broken Juliet is the absolutely sparkling conclusion to the story of Cassie and Ethan. I’m nearly at a loss for words to describe how much I love this series and how truly wonderful these books are. Parts are laugh out loud funny, parts make you want to sob in sadness or frustration. There is angst, romance and plenty of steam. Cassie and Ethan are phenomenal characters. Their dialogue is impeccably written and the story fresh and inventive. The words are lyrical, carefully crafted, and flow in a way that makes you pause thinking, “those sentences were absolutely perfect.”

Leisa Rayven uses a combination of flashbacks and modern day scenes to build the story of Cassie and Ethan and their tumultuous relationship. But, through all of drama, you see how Cassie and Ethan are desperately and completely meant for one another. It takes years (and some hard core therapy) for each to understand and accept themselves and the monumental feelings they possess for one another. The end result is worth every bit of emotion and speaks so honestly about who the characters are and what they want and need from one another.

Broken Juliet has caused a book hang-over of epic proportions. I’m certain I will spend hours re-reading all the highlighted bits and pieces to re-capture just a few of the emotions this book can stir. There are a few books and series that are on my “always recommend” list. Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet have shot toward the top of that list and I will be telling everyone I know that this series can’t be missed!

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*An ARC of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.

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Favorite Quotes

“The way he says my name is like a groan of frustration and a sigh of relief. A promise. An apology. A prayer.”
“Time is a fickle whore. Whenever you want it to pass slowly, it speeds up, and whenever you’re full of nervous impatience it crawls like a sloth on sedatives.”
“I have full-blown emotional vertigo. I’m completely turned around. Upside down and inside out.”
“From the moment I met you, it was only ever going to be you.”
“All the while he whispers to me about regrets, apologies, love, future.”

Dream Casting

I don’t do this very often, but I can see Ethan and Cassie so clearly in my mind….So here they are!

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About the Author

Writing has always been a passion for Leisa, and even though she originally intended to be an actress, it wasn’t long into her time at drama school that she began writing plays.

Those plays were bad. Very bad. Well, her friends thought they were good, but that’s because they were always cast in them and any opportunity to be on stage was met with an obnoxious amount of enthusiasm.

Since then, she’s honed her craft, and several of her plays have been produced and toured throughout Australia.

These days, playwriting has given way to fiction writing, and her debut novel, BAD ROMEO, will be available in a worldwide release through Macmillan Publishing in December 2014. The sequel, BROKEN JULIET, will be available in April 2015.

Leisa lives in Australia with her husband, two little boys, three judgemental cats, and a kangaroo named Howard. (*NB: Howard may or may not be her imaginary marsupial friend. Everyone should have one.*)