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

rating_4_80

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.

cd_4

suspense_3

hero_4

hea_4

signoff_K_sm

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

Purchase on Amazon

Check out the fun Giveaway!

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.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads

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

rating_4_80

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.

cd_4

romance_4

suspense_4

hea_5

signoff_A_sm

Copy gifted from author in exchange for a fair review

Purchase on Amazon

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.

Facebook      Twitter

Review – Better With Sugar by Katrina Kirkpatrick

BWS Tour Ban

War veteran Ethan Quill’s horse doesn’t like people. And that’s okay because neither does he. Broken by their pasts and shunned by the community, they keep to themselves on Ethan’s rundown farm. And then along comes a brown-eyed baker who turns their world upside down.

Heiress by birth, optimist by heart, Elly Baptiste has left Manhattan behind and picked up her spatula in Cranefly, a quaint Adirondack town. She’s looking for love and finds the promise of something unexpectedly delicious with the local recluse. But how does a woman who’s running from life find happily ever with a man who’s hiding from it?

Elly knows sugar. Ethan knows war.
She knows sweet. He knows defeat.
When put to the test, can they prove that love and life really are better with sugar?

 

BWS

BFF K’s Review

rating_4_80

Better with Sugar is both heart warming and heart breaking. The story of Elly and Ethan is one that will stay with me for awhile. It is not just a tale of romance between two complex characters, it is a journey of discovery and self-acceptance for both of them as well. Some parts of the book were almost hard to read because you could feel the tug and pull and longing for happiness inside of both Elly and Ethan. But, those emotions make the Happily Ever After so much sweeter. This debut novel by Katrina Kirkpatrick is well written and full of wonderful dialogue and imagery. I also loved the colorful cast of supporting characters (I’m hopeful that Naomi and Noah will get their Happily Ever After in a coming book.) I highly recommend this enjoyable and moving tale of redemption, affirmation and love.

cd_4

angst_3

romance_4

hea_4

signoff_K_sm

Purchase on Amazon

Amazon US | Amazon UK

 goodreads

BWS teaser 8

Excerpt

The evocative creak of bedsprings jerked him into motion. He barely saw the floor in front of him as he moved through the apartment, his mind too busy imagining every curve on her body. The shape her mouth would take in pleasure.

He stopped in the doorway to the bedroom, her scent curled out like tiny fingers begging him into the space. But for a moment, he just stood.

The moon had already set, chased from the sky by a sunrise that wasn’t even yet discernible. It left the room a part of the night, only as well-lit as the stars were pale, but the white of her bedspread glowed like snow on a winter landscape. She had already disappeared under it, now just the vague outline of a body.

Her naked body.

Every cell in his body clenched tight.

Two dark pieces of cloth draped off the edge of the bed.

Her apron, his suit jacket.

There wouldn’t be any turning back after this.

Fear touched the back of his neck, driving a shiver down his spine. He’d none nothing the past few years but give everything up. Because if he hadn’t given it up—it would’ve been ripped from him anyway. And tonight was going to give him so much to lose.

Not just Elly, but himself.

Maybe she sensed his hesitation because she moved under the blanket, pulling it down just enough to reveal a ridiculous mass of hair and two round eyes that didn’t so much reflect the light as they did absorb it, feeding it into her creamy white skin until it seemed to glow. He meant to only go as close as the edge of the bed, but found himself pressing one knee on the mattress and leaning over her. Her eyes widened ever so slightly and the moment hung between them. This would be the end or the beginning.

About The Author

katrina

A love of language led Katrina Kirkpatrick to a degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Illinois, a love of her babies led her to the illustrious title of Stay-At-Home-Mommy, and a never-ending, lifelong delight of storytelling led her to pursue publication. She infuses love with laughter because love might make the world go round, but laughter lights up the scenery.

She has two daughters who call her Mommy Queen, two dogs, two cats, lots of chickens and a husband happy to call this chaos home. They reside in central Illinois.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

love 2

Review – Black Number Four by Kandi Steiner

Known as one of the youngest and most ambitious poker players in the country, Skyler Thorne has a reputation to uphold in Vegas this year. Her sole focus for spring semester is to perfect her game and get tournament ready – and have some fun with her sorority sisters, of course. Meeting a care-free pledge with incredible arms adds a whole new element of fun to her semester, but when a shocking discovery about his past surfaces, Skyler finds herself stuck in a game she wasn’t prepared to play.
Kip Jackson is on a mission from his father. His plan was to get in, have a little fun, and then get out – on to bigger and better things. A feisty girl with bright blue eyes wasn’t on his list of things to do, but she quickly moves her way up to the very top. When he realizes completing his dad’s mission means crushing her in the process, he must decide if his dreams are worth the risk – or if he even has the same dreams, at all.Two secrets. Two hearts. Two hands being played in one twisted game of deceit. When the cards are on the table, will anyone be left standing?The perfect poker face can only hide them for so long.

BFF K’s Review

rating_3.5

Kandi Steiner has written a roller coaster NA romance.  Skyler and Kip are college students with a lot on their plate. They are brought together by not-so-random circumstances, but their connection is genuine. Their story takes twists and turns that will leave you a little whiplashy. There’s a lot going on in the story. Through the first 50%, I thought there was TOO much going on. However, Steiner pulled the details together through the last 50%. I found myself rooting for Kip and Skyler. I wanted them to succeed as a couple and find a way to be together. The poker world/college students/fraternity and sorority settings are an interesting combo. But, that is also what makes the story unique. I enjoyed the read and I don’t think this will be the last Kandi Steiner story that you’ll find reviewed here!

romance_4

heroine_4

hea_4

signoff_K_sm

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

Excerpt

We get to my apartment around noon and I throw together a couple of turkey sandwiches for us. By the time we finish eating, we’re both exhausted – both from paddleboarding and from not sleeping last night.

“Why don’t we take a shower and watch a movie?” I suggest as Skyler yawns.

“I don’t have any clothes here besides the ones I have on now and they’re all sandy.”

“You can borrow a pair of boxers and a shirt of mine.”

Skyler chews her lip, unsure. “I don’t know, I’m pretty tired.”

“So am I,” I say, standing and pulling her up with me. “So maybe we watch a movie and maybe we take a nap. Don’t leave yet. I barely see you during the week and I know there’s not many weekends where you don’t have sorority stuff going on.”

“I actually have a sisterhood event tonight.”

“See?” I pull her wrist and lead her toward my bedroom, which really is just my bed separated by hanging curtains on a rack. I rummage through my clothes until I find a clean shirt and pair of boxers, tossing them to her and pointing to the bathroom. “Towels are above the toilet in the cabinet, shampoo and shit’s in there.”

She still seems unsure, so I pull her into me and move the fallen strands of hair from her face. “Come on. Just for a few hours. You’ll feel better once you shower and I know you’re tired. You’re not going to get any sleep if you go home to your sorority house.”

At that she sighs and nods. “You’re probably right about that.”

I smile and nudge her toward the bathroom again.

“Fine,” she says. “But just for a little while. And no trying to ambush me in the shower, either.”

I hold up my hands in surrender. “I promise. You can shower in peace.”

“Mmm hmm,” she says, suspicious, but she walks to the bathroom and closes the door behind her.

I smile and start straightening my bed, turning on the TV to find something for us to watch. I’m flipping through the channels when I hear the shower turn on and the smile leaves my face. Suddenly, I’m completely aware of Skyler’s naked body in the other room.

Shaking my head, I focus on finding something to watch, willing my own body to behave. After a few minutes, I realize I’ve flipped through the channels three times now without stopping or even recognizing what I was seeing on the screen. I bite my lip hard, cross my arms, and pace.

Don’t do it. Don’t make this more complicated than it is. She trusts you, she’s opening up to you – that’s what you need from her. Poker. Poker. Poker.

That’s all.

I pace more. Back and forth. Back and forth. Before I know what I’m doing, my knuckles are knocking softly on the bathroom door. I have no idea what I’m going to say or what the fuck I’m doing, but I can’t stop my hands. The door opens slightly on the third knock, as if it wasn’t completely closed, and through the slit, I see Skyler.

She’s standing there shocked, her mouth open slightly as the water continues to drip down her body, running in rivers down over her breasts and meeting between her thighs. I swallow hard, unsure of my decision. I have nothing to ask, no reason to be staring at her through this door – but Skyler doesn’t cover herself, she doesn’t scream, she doesn’t tell me to get out.

I open the door a little further, still wondering what the hell I’m doing. I consider asking if she needs anything else, if she found a towel, something – but we both know I didn’t come in here to give her a towel.

“I suck at keeping promises,” I admit, just above a whisper, and I wish I could tell her I’m not just talking about the promise to not interrupt her shower.

“And I suck at pretending like I don’t want you.”

Playlist

Latch
Hannah Trigwell & Nick Howard
Chapter 1: Ante Up
Scene: “Latching onto the transfer already?”
Hell Yeah
Midnight Red
Chapter 1: Ante Up
Scene:  “What do you say we make this party a little more interesting?”
Blank Space
Tyler Ward
Chapter 2: Lady Luck
Scene: “Passion can be a dangerous thing.”
Take U There
Jack U ft. Kiesza
Chapter 3: Ace
Scene: Ralph’s is packed when we arrive, which isn’t out of the ordinary for a Friday night.
Slow to Learn
Manchester Orchestra
Chapter 4: Deuces
Scene: I’ve been too damn distracted by how sexy she is when she’s schooling these tools.
Sledgehammer
Fifth Harmony
Chapter 5: Hot Table
Scene: There’s also the fact that I like being around him. I like it way more than I care to admit and that’s not good.
Heartbreaker
Jayme Dee
Chapter 5: Hot Table
Scene: He smiles and licks his lips, his eyes smoldering, which causes practically the entire chapter room to swoon.
Blame
Calvin Harris
Chapter 6: Nicely Played
Scene: But then I remember that I will hurt her, whether I want to or not. It will happen. It’s inevitable.
Shower
Becky G
Chapter 7: Two Can Play That Game
Scene: “How is it that you infuriate me yet turn me on at the same time?”
What Makes You Beautiful
Boyce Avenue
Chapter 8: Power Moves
Scene: “Hold me so I won’t float away?”
Try
Colbie Caillat
Chapter 9: Poker Face
Scene: “We’re just trying to help,” Ashlei says.
Life of the Party
Shawn Mendes
Chapter 10: Weakness
Scene: “I don’t care about what people think, Skyler. I know you do, but I don’t.
Break Free
Ariana Grande
Chapter 11: Angle Shooter
Scene: There isn’t another option in this game, no matter how badly I wish there was.
Lay Me Down (acoustic)
Sam Smith
Chapter 12: Blank
Scene: How was I supposed to know the kind of drug I was getting into?
Bumper Cars
Alex & Sierra
Chapter 13: Bluffing
Scene: I hate this. I hate this so, so much.
Here We Go Again
Mat Kearney
Chapter 14: Tilt
Scene: “You’re coming home with me tonight.”
Hideaway
Kiesza
Chapter 15: No Limit
Scene: I have no idea what I’m doing.
Same Sea
Lights
Chapter 16: Black Number Four
Scene: “I never thought studying could be so sexy,”
#GetItRight
Miley Cyrus
Chapter 16: Black Number Four
Scene: “You’re killing me, Sky,”
She Looks So Perfect
5 Seconds of Summer
Chapter 16: Black Number Four
Scene: “IT’S SPRING BREAK, BITCHES!”
Give Me Something
Alex & Siera
Chapter 16: Black Number Four
Scene: “Yeah, good luck with that game.
Surrender
Cash Cash
Chapter 17: Bad Beat
Scene: And the rest of the world can just deal with it.
Strip
Jessie J
Chapter 17: Bad Beat
Scene: “And what would make it perfect-perfect
Blame It On Me
Mapei
Chapter 17: Bad Beat
Scene: I can’t lose him.
Tenerife Sea
Ed Sheeran
Chapter 18: Rush
Scene: When we’re alone, that same electricity buzzes to life. The air feels tight, hot, charged.
All About You
Hilary Duff
Chapter 19: Game Changer
Scene: It’s crazy that a simple text can make my stomach flip like this, but it’s exactly what I needed.
Breathe Again
Sarah Bareilles
Chapter 19: Game Changer
Scene: I want him to fix it. To fix me.
It’s Not Over
Secondhand Serenade
Chapter 20: Downswing
Scene: “You don’t want to kiss me.” “Yes I do.”
Growing Up
Alex G
Chapter 21: Tell
Scene: As if I’m a glutton for punishment, I pull his oversized black t-shirt from my bag and slip it over my head, taking everything else off.
Pretending
Glee Cast
Chapter 22: Freezeout
Scene: For a moment she just stares at me, and I just stare at her. We don’t wave or nod or even really acknowledge that we’re both looking. We just look.
The Sun is Rising
Britt Nicole
Chapter 23: Game Over
Scene: And somewhere in those ocean blue eyes of his, I find what I’ve been searching for.
Stay With Me
Janxx
Chapter 23: Game Over
Scene: Love doesn’t care about the games we play.
Real Love
Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne
Chapter 24: Break Even
Scene: “I’m done leaving my life to chance. Black number four can suck it.”
Don’t Go Home Without Me
Lights
Epilogue: Heart
Scene: “I could get used to kisses like this.”

About The Author

Kandi Steiner is a Creative Writing and Advertising/Public Relations graduate from the University of Central Florida living in Tampa with her husband. Kandi works full time as a social media specialist, but also works part time as a Zumba fitness instructor and blackjack dealer. Kandi started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic (like most girls brought up on Disney movies).
When Kandi isn’t working or writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys beach days, movie marathons, live music, craft beer and sweet wine – not necessarily in that order.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Review and Excerpt – Always You by Stephanie Rose

AW banner

To Samantha Christensen, Lucas Hunter was always the guy—the sexy, smart and unattainable man she pined for throughout college. To Lucas, she was a treasured friend, a younger sister he felt the need to protect. She had a choice—to wait and hope, or to settle.

When they meet again years later, Lucas looks at Samantha and sees a woman he wants—even though she’s not free to take. As they renew their friendship he finds he’s falling hard, and can’t accept any less than all of her.

Samantha realizes there’s hope with Lucas. Will she finally have a chance to be happy with the man she’s always loved, or will obligations and insecurities stand in their way?

Can Samantha and Lucas convince each other that they belong together? That it was Always You?

Always You Cover

BFF K’s Review

rating_3.5

Always You is a sweet second chance romance! Always You is a wonderful story of finding love the 2nd time around.  Many parts of the story were predictable, but there were also a few twists that I didn’t really expect, but that added to the overall story. I enjoyed reading about Samantha’s school-girl-infatuation with Lucas in college. And, it was sweet and exciting to watch Lucas awaken to her feelings and fall in love with Samantha as an adult.

But, more than that, I liked the story of Samantha finding herself. I wish that there had been a more detailed back story to understand why Samantha’s self-esteem had taken such a beating. I just accepted that there were experiences in her past that damaged her self-worth and I enjoyed watching her reclaim her independence and the love of her life!

(And, there are few things sexier than a guy who is a good dad. Watching Lucas embrace Samantha’s daughter and become loyal and fiercely protective of both of them is absolutely swoon-worthy!)

steamy_3

romance_4

hero_4

hea_4

signoff_K_sm

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes And Noble

Excerpt

“Shit, Sam! Baby Girl, are you okay?”

God, please no. Calling me Baby Girl now was like sticking a knife directly into my already broken heart. Lucas lifted me off the ground to help me stand. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. I always loved when he did that, but now it hurt like hell. It was torturous, but I let myself feel him one last time. I wanted to remember the way he smelled, how his arms felt like home—but he wasn’t my home anymore, and it killed me to know that.

I pushed out of his hold and looked at his face. His beautiful face. His blue eyes were still glassy, but they were red now. I didn’t want to believe what I saw. I wanted to look at the unshed tears growing in Lucas’s eyes and think it meant he really loved me, and he would never ever hurt me.

I saw an empty cab coming up the block and raised my arm to hail it. I must’ve fallen hard as blood trickled down my wrist when I held my hand up. The cab slowed to a stop and I headed to the curb where it waited. I willed myself to stop crying at least until I got inside.

Lucas grabbed my arm again, shaking his head. “You can’t leave like this.” His voice was cracking. “I need you, I love you. You know me, Sam.”

I shook my head sadly. “No. No, I don’t.”

goodreads

About The Author

Stephanie author picStephanie lives in the Bronx, New York with her superhero-obsessed husband and son.

Her day job is marketing, but she always has a story in her head.

This lifelong New Yorker lives for Starbucks, book boyfriends, and 80s rock

After spending most of her youth watching soaps, Stephanie has an obsession with angsty drama and hot romance.

She’s excited to finally bring the characters she’s been dreaming about to life!

Goodreads |Facebook | Twitter | TSU

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AY Full cover

 

love 2

Review – Thirty Days to Win His Wife by Andrea Laurence

Even with a baby on the way, Amelia’s holding out for the perfect husband. Tyler has thirty days to prove he’s the one.

Best friends Tyler Dixon and Amelia Kennedy eloped to Vegas on a whim. But before they can deal with their quickie divorce, she confesses: she’s pregnant. Now there’s no way Tyler will agree to go their separate ways. He wants them to stay married, raise their child together, share a house—and a bed.

Yet Amelia has always dreamed of a perfect marriage…and she doesn’t think this self-made millionaire is lifetime material despite their friendship. She’s given him just one month to prove her wrong…

BFF K’s Review

rating_3.5

 

Thirty Days to Win His Wife is what I would consider a traditional romance novel. The premise is familiar (in a good way) – friends make a pact to marry at a certain point if they’re not married to another. However, there’s a twist or two. Amelia and Tyler have been friends for years and though they know one another and rely on one another, they’re never been intimate.

That all changes in a big way. They find themselves married and expecting a baby and Tyler makes it his mission to win Amelia over and convince her that they can love one another for a lifetime. The next 30 days bring a few sweet moments and butterflies as they explore a new side to their relationship. In the end, I wish there had been deeper character development. The book was a quick read, but probably a little too quick. I really wish there had been more!

romance_4

hea_4

signoff_K_sm

Buy Now on Amazon

About the Author

Andrea Laurence is an award winning contemporary author who has been a lover of books and writing stories since she learned to read. She always dreamed of seeing her work in print and is thrilled to be able to share her books with the world. A dedicated West Coast girl transplanted into the Deep South, she’s working on her own “happily ever after” with her boyfriend and five fur-babies. You can contact Andrea at her website: http://www.andrealaurence.com.

Review – Confess by Colleen Hoover

At age twenty-one, Auburn Reed has already lost everything important to her. In her fight to rebuild her shattered life, she has her goals in sight and there is no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a chance and puts her heart in control, only to discover that Owen is keeping a major secret from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

To save their relationship, all Owen needs to do is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin.

BFF A’s Review

rating_5_80

OMG! Colleen has a crazy magical way of making a story come alive. The way she makes the story, the characters, the interwoven artwork, all come together- you feel like you are actually there. The characters felt like my best friends, like I knew every thing about them, yet wanted to know so much more.

I instantly loved Auburn because she stands up for what she wants. Auburn has faced many challenges in her young life; my heart ached for her. However, she does not let that stop her. She does whatever she can and what she believes is right to overcome the barriers set in front of her. Owen is sweet, he is kind, he is passionate. He knows too many secrets from strangers and has secrets of his own. To balance all that is in his mind, he paints…and OMG, what an amazing artist he is. (Artist, Danny O’Connor created paintings specifically for this book.) When Auburn stumbles into his life, we find there is a secret Owen holds. Their relationship is sweet, playful and fun. I loved the way Owen treated and protected Auburn. I couldn’t wait for the secrets to all come out. I was on the edge of each page wanting, no yelling and screaming at Owen to just tell Auburn the truth.

So many emotions come through when reading this book. There were a few twists in the story I wasn’t expecting, a few characters are just mean and evil. This adds depth to the heartache, but it also gave me some anxiety. I’ve never wanted to reach in and punch a character in a book so badly, but there were times I wish I could have. Confess has heartache, hurt, pain, anger, frustration but most of all there is love, and in the end, Love is what comes shining through.

angst_4

cd_5

hea_5

hero_4

romance_5

tears_4

(Side note on the tears, that’s a guess. I’m not a crier so who the hell knows – for me- none…but the normal person, I’d say probably a 4.)

signoff_A_sm

Buy on Amazon

 

More About the Author:

Colleen Hoover’s love for writing began in 1985 when she was five years old. Her first story was titled “Mystery Bob” and was a huge hit with her mother, who was really good at faking interest.
Colleen continued to write short stories for friends and family until December of 2011, when she decided to write a long story she titled, “Slammed.” She self-published SLAMMED to Amazon in January, 2012 and it hit the NYT’s bestsellers list in May, 2012. She has since signed with Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, and now has six NYT’s bestsellers. Colleen prefers to be called a writer, as the term “author” still terrifies her and makes this feel like a job with expectations. She doesn’t work well under pressure and hopes writing will always remain fun and exciting.

You can follow Colleen on Instagram and Twitter @colleenhoover. You can also find her on her blog at www.colleenhoover.com where she holds a daily book-a-day giveaway, or on her very active Facebook page at www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover where she loves to give away more free stuff when her husband isn’t looking.

Colleen also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.

Review – New Release – The Design by R.S. Grey

Five minutes until the interview begins.

Fresh on the heels of her college graduation, Cameron Heart has landed an interview at a prestigious architecture firm.

Four minutes until the interview.

She knows she’s only there because the owner, Grayson Cole, is her older sister’s friend.

Three minutes. 

For the last seven years, Grayson has been the most intimidating man Cammie has ever had the pleasure, or displeasure, of being around.

Two Minutes. 

But the job opportunity is too good to pass up. So, Cammie will have to ignore the fact that Grayson is handsome enough to have his own national holiday. 

One. 

After all, she shouldn’t feel that way about her new boss. And, he will be her new boss.

…

“I’m not scared of you,” I said with a confident smile.

“Perhaps we should fix that, Ms. Heart. Close the door.”

BFF K’s Review

rating_4_80

Grayson Cole is devastatingly handsome (in my brain, he more or less looks like Henry Cavill.) He’s also kind of a controlling jerk. Cammie Heart is smart, sassy, determined and talented. She’s also been hopelessly in LOVE with Grayson since she was a wild teenager.

There are secrets. Lots. Of. Secrets.

There are games. Lots. Of. Games.

Watching Grayson and Cammie try to navigate a changing relationship is a fun ride. Cammie is tenacious. But, behind her assertive, get-what-she-wants, vibrato is a girl unsure of her place in the world. She wants to be independent and self-reliant, but realizes that she also desperately needs to be surrounded by the people she loves. Grayson has harbored a variety of feelings for Cammie over the years and it is interesting to see the relationship evolve.

I’ve read several books recently with incredibly strong and independent heroines. I found myself wishing Cammie would grow a little more spine. I also think that Grayson was a borderline-creeper in his attempts to help and care for her over the years. However, those things didn’t bother me enough that it detracted from the story. I still enjoyed the ride!

Overall, I loved The Design. And, it’s a GREAT follow-up to The Duet. There are silly parts and serious parts and parts that will make you cringe a little. (I LOVE Cammie’s internal dialogue.) Some of the parts are LOL-funny and the epilogue is the perfect bow on the package to wrap up the HEA!

funny_4

romance_4

hea_5

 

signoff_K_sm

Amazon

Excerpt

I paused just outside of the front doors and took a deep breath, trying to get my bearings. I was twenty minutes early for my interview. My outfit was still wrinkle-free. My pad-folio was filled with extra copies of my resume and reference letters, and I’d rehearsed every possible question that Grayson Cole would ask:
Greatest weakness? My inability to settle for anything less than what I deserve. I’m stubborn and persistent.
The honest answer? My inability to overcome my schoolgirl crush on you even though you’re a self-righteous ass.
I would NOT be giving him the honest answer.

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.

Facebook | Twitter | Website| Goodreads

Review – Collateral Damage by Elisabeth Grace

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000037_00030]

Now trending

Hollywood It Girl, Francesca Leon, has just landed the biggest role of her career…one that could clinch an Oscar nomination and open doors. If she’s going to move her career to the next level and work with top directors, she has to nail this part — and keep her sexy, but unreliable leading man from screwing everything up.

Team Calder

Bad boy Calder Fox is the son of Hollywood royalty and fresh out of rehab after his best friend’s death sent him on a downward spiral of drugs and alcohol. While his fans still love him and the paparazzi stalk him, he’s never taken life, or anything about his career, seriously. He may be charming and drop-dead gorgeous, but if he doesn’t stay sober, he could ruin Frankie’s future and expose her long-hidden family secret to the voracious media.

Behind the scenes

Things heat up during the filming of Collateral Damage and have the potential to become hotter, deeper, and much more real. But can Frankie trust Calder with her secret? Or is he doomed to sabotage his own happiness yet again?

BFF K’s Review

rating_4_80

Say “Hello” to my newest book boyfriend! You need to meet Calder Fox — Yumm-O! A reformed bad boy searching for his happiness and finding love along the way, the butterflies go crazy nearly every time he opens him mouth. Calder is a better man than he thinks he is. I would be super jealous of his girlfriend, but it is helpful that Frankie is a great character too. She’s warm and kind and incredibly sweet. I love the Hollywood setting and this book fed all my stalkerazzi/celeb fangirl tendancies! This is a wonderful romance, quick read, great character, feel good book, with a little bit of steam and a Happily Ever After! You’ll love Collateral Damage. Enjoy!

 

steamy_3

romance_4

hero_4

hea_3

signoff_K_sm

 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Giveaway

Elisabeth is giving away a $10 Amazon giftcard – you can enter on the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Newsletter

Be sure to sign up for Elisabeth Grace’s newsletter – she’s releasing a new chapter of BUILT TO LAST every two weeks, which will be available to newsletter subscribers only as she writes it!

Connect with Elisabeth Grace

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Google+ | Instagram

If you’re US based and you want to receive a text message when Elisabeth has a new book go LIVE, text ROMANCE to 313131!

Review – Floored by Melanie Harlow

Floord RB Banner

The new release of Floored has it all! Be sure to read through the end of this post!

Review, Excerpt, Links to reviews of the other books in the series AND a Giveaway!

Erin Upton is too embarrassed to tell the cops what she was really doing while her townhouse was burglarized, especially since the first officer on the scene is former nuisance next door Charlie Dwyer. Where’s the justice in the world when a neighborhood know-it-all grows up to be six-foot-three inches of solid muscle with gorgeous green eyes and a slow, sexy please-arrest-me-now-officer smile? It’s bad enough she’s wearing her robe and slippers—did he have to notice her fuzzy hand cuffs on the bathroom sink?

He’s arrogant as he ever was, which is fine by her—she’s too busy with her dance studio’s grand opening to make time for a man. But they keep crossing paths, and

when Charlie offers to help her put in new flooring at the studio one night, things go from hammering nails to hammering each other in a hurry. And about those hand cuffs…

They agree it’s a one-time thing. But when that becomes a two-time thing, then a three-time thing, Erin starts to wonder if maybe she and Charlie could be a life-time thing. Her best friends Mia and Coco found love in unexpected places. Is it finally her turn?

Goodreads

Buy it here:

Amazon

iBooks

BFF K’s Review

rating_4.5

There’s no doubt in my mind that Melanie Harlow saved the very best story for the end of the Frenched series! I absolutely adored the story of Erin and Charlie. It’s sweet and steamy. I loved Erin! When I started the book I felt like she was really the least known and understood of the Frenched series heroines. She had made appearances in the other books, but I didn’t feel like I really knew her.

I really loved getting inside Erin’s head. She was a great character with a good heart and wonderful intentions. And, she proved a worthy partner for new-comer Charlie. Swoon! Charlie is absolutely charming and endearing. Woooo – can he bring the steam with his dirty mouth and big ideas! One of my favorite parts was how Charlie teases Erin. He brings out a lighter side for her and it was fun to read.

AND – the epilogue was a bright bow on the wonderful present that has been the Frenched series!

steamy_5

romance_5

hero_4

heroine_4

hea_5

signoff_K_sm

Read BFF K’s Reviews for the Frenched Series

Frenched

Forked

Floored Excerpt

I waited under my covers the entire time the police were checking the house, about twenty minutes. I had the phone under there with me, and I called both Mia and Coco, but neither of them answered their phones. I left messages, telling them what happened and begging both of them to call me back. I would’ve called my mother, but she’d left this morning for a twelve-day religious pilgrimage to Spain. I should have gone with her, like she wanted me to. Now God is punishing me! He knows I have unholy thoughts about Brad Pitt (a married man!) and now I have to pay for it!

A knock sounded on my locked bedroom door, making me jump.

“Ma’am? We’ve checked the house. There’s no one here.” The officer’s voice was deep and reassuring. “When you’re ready, we’d like to speak with you. We’ll wait in the kitchen.”

I peeked out from the covers, eyeing the door suspiciously. “How do I know you’re really the police and not the intruder?”

“Well, you could open the door and take a look at me in uniform.”

“No way. Slide your badge under the door or something.” That’s what they did in the movies, right?

“Come on, Erin. Open the door.”

“No. And how do you know my name?”

“The police department has all kinds of useful information, like who lives where. Either that or I’m psychic.”

I made a face at the door. Did I know this guy? His voice was familiar somehow, but I couldn’t think of who it could be. “I’m not in the mood for jokes.”

“You never did have much of a sense of humor. Now come on out and see me in uniform. I think you’ll be impressed. The ladies usually are.”

My jaw dropped. Who on earth was this? Curiosity got the better of me, and I threw the covers off and jumped out of bed. In front of the door I paused for a second, my hand on the handle, thinking that if it was a scary hairy madman I’d be ready to give him a great big grand battement to the balls. Then I turned the handle and yanked it open.

Oh dear.

Oh dear.

The crazy thing was, he was so handsome I had the fleeting thought this whole burglary thing was a hoax and this “cop” was actually a stripper. For a second I just stared at him, half expecting him to rip open his shirt at the chest and start gyrating.

Confession: I really, really wished he would. (For a couple of reasons.)

But he didn’t.

“Have I changed that much, Red?”

It hit me. “Oh my God. Charlie Dwyer. You’re a cop?”

He smiled, and if he hadn’t been such a turd when we were younger, I might have melted right there at his feet. As it was, I could only shake my head in disbelief at this nightmare—not only had more than two thousand dollars’ worth of electronics been stolen from my townhouse while I was upstairs getting myself off, but here to protect me was the bully next door who’d kidnapped my hamster for ransom and held up my charity lemonade stand with a Taser. And he was drop-dead gorgeous! Where was the justice in the world?

 GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

About the Author

Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her lipstick red, and her history with the naughty bits left in. She lifts her glass to readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI.

Website:        http://www.melanieharlow.com/

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMelanieHarlow

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7095467.Melanie_Harlow?from_search=true

Twitter:           https://twitter.com/MelanieHarlow2