Review: Not My Romeo by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Not My Romeo by Ilsa Madden-Mills
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This will be published on August 18, 2020.

 

I was expecting this to be more serious, but it is actually more of a rom-com.  I found myself laughing out loud fairly often at the situations and the banter between the main characters Elena and Jack.  Their very first meeting sets the stage for the comedy that ensues throughout the book.  Elena's best friend has set her up on a blind date on Valentine's Day, she is running late, and sits down with the only single man in the place.  She assumes that Jack is the person she is supposed to meet, and when he is charmed by her antics and the fact that she has no idea who he is, he doesn't correct her.  Sparks fly and they have a very nice evening.  Jack feels bad that he didn’t tell her who he was, but he does intend to make things right.  Unfortunately, the timing doesn’t work out and Elena finds out before he can explain. 

 

Both Elena and Jack have been betrayed by people they cared about, and Jack has a lot of baggage in his past that causes him to have major trust and commitment issues.  Elena is constantly trying to live up to everyone else's expectations and trying to fit into what the people in her small town think she should be doing.  Over the course of the book Elena has to decide if she really wants to go after her dreams of entering the fashion world to design lingerie while Jack has to figure out if he can heal from the past hurts he’s experienced and start to trust people again.  As an unlikely couple, they have to work together to see if they can make things work.

 

Just when you think this is going to be another insta-love story, it turns out not to be.  Jack and Elena are caught up in insta-lust for sure, and they can't deny that they are able to relax and be themselves when they are together.  They both have to grow as individuals as well as a couple before they can finally face their issues.  The whole time they are "dating", but they refuse to acknowledge that as they get to know each other.  This story takes place over time vs a few days which I really appreciate.  It gives the characters time to actually build a relationship that feels realistic instead of falling in love in a week and living happily ever after.

 

I really enjoyed this and I’m looking forward to more books in the series.  I hope we get books about some of the side characters.

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Cover Reveal: The Truest Thing by Samantha Young

   

      

She made him believe in the legend…

The Truest Thing, Book Four in the USA Today bestselling Hart's Boardwalk Series by Samantha Young, releases August 18, 2020!

 

Cover Artist: Hang Le

Nine years ago, Emery Saunders moved to Hartwell to start her life over as a bookstore owner. Her inability to trust people made it hard for her to find a place in the small community until Jessica Lawson moved to town and befriended the shy beauty.

But there was one person in Hartwell who tried to befriend Emery long before Jessica arrived…

Jack Devlin has his secrets. One of them is that he fell hard for Emery the moment she appeared in Hartwell. Another is that his father blackmailed him into covering up a dark family tragedy. It forced Jack to sever his relationships to protect the people he cared about. Yet, staying away from Emery has not been easy throughout the years and he hasn’t always succeeded. When Jack’s mixed signals hurt Emery once again, she puts him out of her heart for good.

Until the Devlin family secret is finally revealed, freeing Jack from his father’s machinations. What Jack wants more than anything is to repair his relationships, starting with Emery.

However, Emery isn’t ready to forgive and Jack’s not ready to give up.

And when the town’s latest scandal ties Jack and Emery together, Jack is not above using their new reality to prove to Emery once and for all that their love is worthy of the legend of Hart’s Boardwalk.

 

Pre-order Today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3etFUZF

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TheTruestThingSY

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3gzWsRB

Nook: https://bit.ly/2ZNXnI8

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2Boms2e

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3dnyPcf

      

About Samantha Young:

Samantha Young is a New York Times and #1 International bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. On Dublin Street was Samantha's first adult contemporary romance series and has sold in thirty countries. She has since published over thirteen romance titles including the New York Times Bestsellers Into the Deep, Hero, and her most recent contemporary romance Fight or Flight. When writing Adult Paranormal romance she writes under the pen name S. Young.

 

Connect with Samantha Young:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSamanthaYoung/

Website – http://authorsamanthayoung.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/authorsamanthayoung/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/AuthorSamYoung

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/samyoungauthor/

Email – authorsamanthayoung@gmail.com

Amazon - http://amzn.to/2H47kEP

Goodreads - http://bit.ly/2FWgYdn

Bookbub - http://bit.ly/2D241eO

Review: Rich Prick

Rich Prick by Tijan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

This is a standalone, but it is set in the Fallen Crest world.  If you've read [book:Crew|41519287] and [book:Crew Princess|46130620] you will recognize some of the side characters, but if you haven't this reads as a standalone.  Reading the other books gives you some of the backstory on some of the side characters, but it isn't necessary to keep up with the story, which I really appreciate in a standalone that takes place in an already established world with established characters.

This is kind of an opposites attract, insta-love, broken characters save each other kind of story.  The way Aspen and Blaise kind of collided and quickly fell for each wasn't really realistic and didn't work for me.  They didn't make sense as a couple, and they way their relationship started was a bit ridiculous.   As the book went on and their relationship developed in the second half of the book, I started to like them as a couple much more.  Both main characters have a ton of baggage to sift through in this book and that seems to draw them together like moths to a flame.  They are balms to each other's broken souls.  Much like Tijan's previous books there are alot of emotional discussions about what the characters are doing and how they choose to deal with those things. 

 That being said this book has alot of mature themes (sex, alcohol, violence).   

There is decent character development between the main characters, but I felt like Aspen dealing with her parents and Blaise dealing with his issues could have been flushed out a bit more.  For the most part this a fine addition to TIjan's New Adult selections.  Parts of it made me roll my eyes especially the voyeur scenes at the beginning, but I know I'm not alone there.  Aspen and Blaise really grew on me the longer I read this, and I'm glad we got to know more about them.  I'm looking forward to more books from this world.

View all my reviews

Blog Tour: Rich Prick by Tijan

“Blaise is the perfect rich prick to fall in love with! One of my fav reads in 2020!”

- Ilsa Madden-Mills, Wall Street Journal Bestselling author

Rich Prick, an all-new not-to-be-missed, opposites-attract standalone romance by New York Times bestselling author Tijan, is available now!

He walked into school on his first day and owned it.

I guess that’s what happens when you’re a prick, rich, and you’re best friends with the ruling school’s king.

Also didn’t hurt he’s drop dead gorgeous.

That’s all fine.

I mean, I have nothing to do with them.

I’m a loner, invisible, and that’s how I wanted it to be.

I was even proud of it, until I wasn’t.

Until I saw a girl kneel before him.

Until I couldn’t look away.

Until he caught me watching.

His name is Blaise Devroe. My name is Aspen Monson.

He only knew how to get, command, and demand attention.

I knew how to do everything but that.

And this is our story.

*Rich Prick is a full 100k standalone.

Download your copy today or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited! Amazon: https://amzn.to/30WxruH Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/richprick Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/30ttr4i

Add RICH PRICK to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2ArZt5G

To celebrate, Tijan is giving away a $50 Gift Card. Click here to enter → http://www.tijansbooks.com/rich-prick-giveaway.html

Excerpt:

I’d done my research. Zeke Allen’s cabin was set a good ten miles away from the nearest neighbors. I should’ve been in the clear to sneak onto their land, do a little freestyle camping, and listen to the party sounds like the loser I was. But noooo. I was about to get company. As I snuck out of my tent, and realized who it was, I almost crapped my pants. It was Blaise DeVroe, holding hands with Mara Daniels. As popular girls went, Mara Daniels was one of the nicer ones. She was on the dance team. Dark hair. Shorter, but athletic. The problem with Mara was that she was friends with the other popular girls. Some of them were nasty—hence the reason I wasn’t friends with them. Not that they’d tried to get to know me. Not that I even registered on their radar. But then again, that’s what I did. I didn’t engage. I didn’t attend. I was on the edge. I was the invisible girl, and here I was, being the invisible girl once more, but man… When I saw it was him, and then saw how his hand went from holding hers and guiding her to a tree to slipping around and grabbing her ass, something came over me. I couldn’t retreat back to my tent. I couldn’t even stay hidden behind a tree and just listen. I know, I know. This was all sorts of wrong, but Blaise was Blaise. He’d become the guy in my dreams, my weird schoolgirl fantasies. He was my high school crush. Everyone had one. If you didn’t, you’re even weirder than me, and that’s saying something. So when I started salivating over Blaise DeVroe, I kinda just let myself go. I mean, nothing was ever going to happen. Guys like him didn’t date girls like me. They didn’t even notice girls like me. I wasn’t crazy. That’d make me all sorts of delusional. I was a realist. I knew my place in life’s hierarchy. I was at the bottom. I was not the very bottom—because of my family—but socially, I was barely one rung up the ladder. Anyway, when Blaise started kissing Mara, when Mara knelt in front of him, when she opened his pants—I lost all train of thought. And, oh my God. My whole body was awash with sensations, and I was captivated. Captivated! Entranced. Mesmerized. I could not look away. Then I felt throbbing and a warm feeling between my legs, and it was game over. It was all I could do not to make a sound, because I wanted to. So bad. I wanted to moan. I wanted to touch myself, but I didn’t. I kept myself reined in, but watch? Oh yeah. I watched. I couldn’t not watch. I watched the whole thing. I loved the whole thing. And then at the end of it, I almost died.

About Tijan

Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and the Broken and Screwed Series among others. She is currently writing a new YA series along with so many more from north Minnesota where she lives with a man she couldn’t be without and an English Cocker she adores.

Connect with Tijan

Amazon: https://amzn.to/30oxe0f

Facebook:http://bit.ly/2vreAub

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Vx4DpD

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2PyLhwy

Reader Group: http://bit.ly/38bz8nQ Audiomen Group: https://bit.ly/3bFFKgB

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EcGBqB

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2T88ibY

Website: http://www.tijansbooks.com/

Release Blitz: Rich Prick by Tijan

“Full of angsty goodness and a bad boy hero who will steal your heart” —Elle Kennedy, New York Times bestselling author

Rich Prick, an all-new captivating, angst filled romance by New York Times bestselling author Tijan, is available now!

He walked into school on his first day and owned it. I guess that’s what happens when you’re a prick, rich, and you’re best friends with the ruling school’s king. Also didn’t hurt he’s drop dead gorgeous.

That’s all fine. I mean, I have nothing to do with them. I’m a loner, invisible, and that’s how I wanted it to be.

I was even proud of it, until I wasn’t.

Until I saw a girl kneel before him. Until I couldn’t look away. Until he caught me watching.

His name is Blaise Devroe. My name is Aspen Monson. He only knew how to get, command, and demand attention. I knew how to do everything but that. And this is our story.

*Rich Prick is a full 100k standalone.

Download your copy today or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited! Amazon: https://amzn.to/30WxruH Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/richprick Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/30ttr4i

Add RICH PRICK to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2ArZt5G

About Tijan

Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and the Broken and Screwed Series among others. She is currently writing a new YA series along with so many more from north Minnesota where she lives with a man she couldn’t be without and an English Cocker she adores.

Connect with Tijan

Amazon: https://amzn.to/30oxe0f Facebook:http://bit.ly/2vreAub Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Vx4DpD Instagram: http://bit.ly/2PyLhwy Reader Group: http://bit.ly/38bz8nQ Audiomen Group: https://bit.ly/3bFFKgB Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EcGBqB BookBub: http://bit.ly/2T88ibY Website: http://www.tijansbooks.com/

Release Blitz: Faked by Karla Sorensen

Title: Faked

Author: Karla Sorensen

Genre: Sports Romance

Release Date: June 16, 2020

Every action has a consequence, and Claire Ward knows it. And yet, even knowing that her decision to swap places with her identical twin sister, Lia, for a night could be disastrous, she still does it.

Why? 

Because it will give her an evening with the man she’s been crushing on for years, Lia’s best friend, Finn. 

Miss Straight A Student has thought through all the angles, and knows the risk is worth it. And everything would have been fine, if Finn had been the one to show up at her door. 

But it wasn’t. 

Bauer Davis— Finn’s half brother and his exact opposite in just about every definable category is the one waiting for her instead. A professional snowboarder, Bauer is covered in ink, full of attitude, and has a chip on his shoulder the size of Mt. Olympus. The kind of bad boy that Claire has never been attracted to before. 

Now the good girl is with the wrong brother for a night, and when the consequence is that they have to pretend to be together for an event, it’s nothing she could have predicted. But maybe, just maybe, what makes Bauer so bad, is exactly what Claire needs.

Well, let’s see ... I’m a wife and a mother. If the things that I write bring a smile to someone's face, then I've done my job. I am obsessed with Outlander (both the books and the show). I’m almost exclusively a romance reader, which means some people will never consider me a literary snob. If I could meet one historical figure, it would be Jane Austen. I received my Bachelors in Public Relations and worked in health care marketing before I had my babies. I hate Twitter. I do it, but I hate it. Also, if you want to get on my good side, bring me wine and I'll love you forever.

HOSTED BY:

Review: Faked by Karla Sorensen

Faked by Karla Sorensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This will be published on June 16, 2020.  

This follows Claire, the more reserved sister in a pair of identical twins.  When her sister Lia asks her to fill in at a charity benefit for her, Claire is hesitant, but she is the only one who can pretend to be her sister.  Claire is quite sure that Lia's best friend Finn, who happens to be her crush, will know that the twins swapped places.  It just so happens that Finn asks his own brother to step in for the night, and Bauer is not identical to Finn in any way.  Bauer is the black sheep of the Davis family, he's a snowboarder, he's got a bad boy rep, and he's kind of broody.  Claire wasn't expecting Bauer as her date, as a matter of fact, she wasn't expecting him at all.  

I really loved this.  It was a little insta-lovey, which is not usually my favorite trope, but I really loved Claire and Bauer.  I liked that we had broken characters that had to figure stuff out.  They had realistic issues, and while they weren't overly traumatic they were very relatable.  I liked the character development and the dialogue between characters..

I understand that there are more books about the Ward family (Claire and Lia's family), however I've not read any of those books yet.  This reads as a complete standalone in my opinion.  I love the fierce protectiveness of the Wards when it comes to Claire.  They just want what is best for her.

This is a feel good opposites attract romance, which I really needed.  Once I got into the story I had a hard time putting it down.  If you are looking for something without a lot of tension and conflict, and fun characters give this a read.

View all my reviews

Review: A Song Below by Bethany C. Morrow

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was fantastic!

It is a YA Fantasy mixed with a good amount of social commentary. I've had this ARC on my TBR for a while, it as it was just published at the beginning of June, but the timing could not have been more perfect given the the current social climate. Morrow weaves the social commentary elements beautifully into the fantasy and mythology elements. I also loved that she used lesser known types of fantasy beings. Words cannot express how wonderful the relationship between Tavia and Effie is. They always have each other's backs, and even though they aren't sisters by blood, they truly are family.

Siren's are not accepted in society because they can use their voices to compel someone to do what they want or appeal someone to do what someone else wants. Tavia lives in secret, and wants to get rid of her siren voice. She uses sign language instead of talking so she won't let her siren voice out by accident. People of color are already a minority where she lives, but she has a network of people with magic willing to help keep her secret. When a woman is murdered and suspected of being a siren, Tavia's world is turned upside down as her idol and favorite vlogger reveals that she too is a siren and won't be silenced.

Effie, has been plagued by blackouts and has seen watery mirages her entire life. No one will tell her why, and her mother passed away before she could tell her anything. Her grandmother refuses to tell her what is going on and explain some of the weird things that happen to Effie. Her only reprieve is the Renaissance Faire she performs at for 2 weeks every year as a mermaid, and her best friend and play-sister Tavia. Effie has gone to live with Tavia, and while they call each other play-sister, they truly are sisters. They always have each other's back and understand each other like sisters. As opening day of the Faire approaches, more strange things being happening to Effie and people begin suspecting that she is a real mermaid or even a siren. The reveal of what she really is was really good. I didn't expect it at all!

The character development in this is excellent. I loved that each of the girls had to develop on their own, as well as together. They never stopped needing each other, but they both had to make decisions on their own to find their place and their voices. Again, I can't say how much I loved this modern take on the mythology and how it was woven in with the commentary on several social justice issues.

I was provided and ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This book was published on June 2, 2020.  Thank you to Edelweiss and Tor Teen for providing me a copy to read and review.

View all my reviews

Cover Reveal: Rich Prick by Tijan

"Tijan is the queen. I’m always captivated ‘til the very end." ―Penelope Douglas, New York Times Bestselling Author

Rich Prick, an all-new unforgettable, opposites-attract romance by New York Times bestselling author Tijan, is releasing June 15th, and we have the irresistible cover!

Synopsis:

He walked into school on his first day and owned it. I guess that’s what happens when you’re a prick, rich, and you’re best friends with the ruling school’s king. Also didn’t hurt he’s drop dead gorgeous.

That’s all fine. I mean, I have nothing to do with them. I’m a loner, invisible, and that’s how I wanted it to be.

I was even proud of it, until I wasn’t.

Until I saw a girl kneel before him. Until I couldn’t look away. Until he caught me watching.

His name is Blaise Devroe. My name is Aspen Monson. He only knew how to get, command, and demand attention. I knew how to do everything but that. And this is our story.

*Rich Prick is a full 100k standalone.

Pre-order your copy today! Apple Books: https://apple.co/3dr5HSh Nook: https://bit.ly/2U0R4Ny Kobo: https://bit.ly/2ZXVRTX Rich Prick will be available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited on June 15th!

Add RICH PRICK to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2ArZt5G

To celebrate, Tijan is giving away a $50 gift card: https://bit.ly/2Y0azr4

About Tijan

Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and the Broken and Screwed Series among others. She is currently writing a new YA series along with so many more from north Minnesota where she lives with a man she couldn’t be without and an English Cocker she adores.

Connect with Tijan

Amazon: https://amzn.to/30oxe0f Facebook:http://bit.ly/2vreAub Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Vx4DpD Instagram: http://bit.ly/2PyLhwy Reader Group: http://bit.ly/38bz8nQ Audiomen Group: https://bit.ly/3bFFKgB Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EcGBqB BookBub: http://bit.ly/2T88ibY Website: http://www.tijansbooks.com/

Review: A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight

A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a slow moving mystery/thriller with several different plot lines. Things start to pick up around the 80% mark and everything quickly comes together in a way I didn't expect.

Things are not what they seem when defense attorney Lizzie gets a phone call from an old friend. Her former classmate and friend Zach has been arrested for assault and is suspected in the murder of his wife. Lizzie isn't sure she is the right lawyer for Zach given her conflict of interest and lack of defense experience. As she learns more about the case and start to get invested in the life of her old friend, she know she has to piece together what happened that night. Zach also has information on Lizzie that she doesn't want to be made public, so with that she takes the case and continues to work on it. Zach and his wife Amanda life a posh life, but things surrounding her murder don't add up. Testimony from their friends and colleagues paint a much different picture than the perfect picture frame photo of a life that everyone thinks Zach and Amanda have in Brooklyn. At the same time Lizzie's own personal life is spiraling out of control and is somehow linked to what happened to Amanda. The more Lizzie learns about Amanda, the more she learns that there are many players in this game and any one of them could have done it.

It is rare that I have no idea what is going on in a book. I had no idea where the plot was heading as far as who done it. This has a ton of twists and turns, and when the author started to reveal what was really going on, I had no idea what was going on. The end was excellent! I really thought all the revolving plots came together nicely. In the beginning I wasn't sure how it was all going ot come together but it did. I also liked the addition of the juror testimony and the investigation notes regarding what was happening with the cyber security breach at the school where all of the families children attend. Now if you haven't read the book yet, you are thinking, how does that come into play, and while I was reading it I thought the same thing. As things come to a close, all of those testimonies and updates to the school make alot more sense.

If you like domestic dramas with that lean more on the legal side, give this a go. I thought it was well written and had some really good twists and turns.

I was provided an ARC of this book via the publisher but opted to listen to the final version of the audiobook. The audio is very well narrated.

View all my reviews

Blog Tour: Stranger Ranger by Daisy Prescott

Add caption

Stranger Ranger, an all-new standalone contemporary romance from USA Today bestselling author Daisy Prescott, is now available in Kindle Unlimited!

New park ranger Daphne Baum is a reformed good girl. Breaking free from her overbearing family as soon as she turned eighteen, she’s been on her own ever since. The life of a park ranger, moving from park to park, suits her just fine. Though still a rule follower, she’s okay with a little sin in her life.

Every generation of Hill men has its black sheep. The general consensus among the family is that Odin Hill is the lucky bastard this go around. At seventeen, he blew out of town like an angry tornado only to return fifteen years later withdrawn and secretive. Living like a recluse in the hollows in the Smoky Mountains, he’s happy to keep to himself and is content to let locals believe he’s the town weirdo. Odin prefers the company of his pet pig to the nosy citizens of Green Valley.

When Daphne discovers Odin might be committing nefarious deeds on park land, she vows to find out the truth behind the handsome, yet chaotic, loner. Will the stranger help the ranger discover the difference between being good and doing the right thing? Or will they find themselves on opposite sides of love?

‘Stranger Ranger’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #2 in the Park Ranger series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Download your copy of Stranger Ranger TODAY!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/368n8SR

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/38fDgUf

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2RdgqHi

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2G9DccG

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/30Po5yN

Check out Happy Trail, book 1 in the Park Ranger series of standalones, FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2pN2x77

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/32EWbWa

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2qxnUK8

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2o8XOwd

Excerpt

By early afternoon, the crowd at the farmers’ market fades, leaving only stragglers, bargainers, and tourists sampling the charms of small town life. I’ve had enough people for the week I’m looking forward to the quiet of my own company. All the talking and friendly chatter exhaust me. You’d think vegetables would sell themselves given they’re pretty self-explanatory. Yet folks wanna hear a story about a carrot being grown from the guy who pulled it out of the dirt himself. So I play my part of the happy farmer at the stand. It’s my bad luck I’ve always been charming. Part of my DNA. My family has lived in the mountains surrounding Green Valley longer than anyone around here can remember. Before there was a National Park or even a Cades Cove, the Hills had established a homestead in the Smokies straddling Tennessee and North Carolina. Because our last name is Hill, some people like to joke we put the hill in hillbilly. Jethro Winston for example. He’s hysterical. Some people think they have a sense of humor when they’re just being mean-spirited. As my Nannie Ida always says, glass houses provide good views, but then again, so do mirrors. This is why I prefer the company of Patsy over most folks. She’s smart, a good listener, tidy, and doesn’t give a damn about my family and reputation. She has more class than a lot of the gossips and Sunday church-goers around here. After I consolidate the remaining produce into crates and load up the van, I fold the tables and collapse my tent. While I work, the face of the brunette ranger floats through my mind. She looked familiar but I didn’t recognize her name. It isn’t likely our paths have crossed. I don’t get out much and I’m not hanging around the bars or the visitor center in Cades Cove. Normally, one of my cousins covers the stand at the weekly farmers’ market and I can avoid the crowds. This is what happens when I let my guard down and am forced to engage with the public. I get iceberg and Bible quotes. I’ve never been a fan of either. Bothered I’m still thinking about her, I close and lock up the van. “Come on Patsy, let’s go for a walk.” She gives a happy snort and steps closer to where her leash hangs on the top rail of her pen. When the two of us stroll through town, folks stare. It’s worse when they insist on sharing a comment, tell the same old joke, and, in general, make a fuss. Honestly, I assume at this point people seeing the two of us together would be old news around here. Guess some folks don’t have enough going on in their lives that they need to make commentary about people minding their own damn business. I don’t understand what the big deal is about a man walking his pig. Patsy’s excellent on a leash. Doesn’t pull. Has never instigated fights with dogs. Hasn’t bit anyone. Doesn’t do her business in the middle of the sidewalk. In my mind, she’s much better mannered than any old hound dog. She’s pretty darn perfect in every conceivable way. Except the one time she trampled Mrs. MacClure’s flower bed. Even that was my fault for not paying closer attention to where we were walking. If I had to find fault with her, Patsy thinks she’s in charge. And she’s a little more than spoiled. I only have myself to blame. “Clarice, please tell me you see that man walking his pig.” A woman shouts to her friend and points from about three feet away. “I’m not invisible,” I tell her with a flat smile. “Oh dear.” Her companion rolls her eyes. “You’re a tall drink of cool water, aren’t you?” The question is rhetorical. Being compared to a refreshing beverage doesn’t require a response, so I remain quiet. Patsy tugs on her leash and releases a frustrated snort that we’ve stopped walking. “You two have a nice day, m‘kay.” I step off the sidewalk to pass them. I’d like to say their behavior is atypical. If I hear “You’re like the Jolly Green Giant. Only less green” one more time … For the record, I am not jolly. There must be something in the well water around here. We grow ‘em tall in Green Valley. Does a pig need to be walked on leash for health and exercise? No. I’m the only weirdo in all of Green Valley who likes to take my daily constitutional accompanied by a sow. Not even Cletus Winston is as much of an oddball as I am. And that’s saying something. He’s only interested in pigs and boar in terms of sausage. In my opinion, he’s missing out. If we were friends, or even friendly acquaintances, I might suggest we partner up. Truffle salami can be incredible. Or so I remember. I don’t eat pork anymore. Not since I’ve had Patsy. I’d be offended if she ate human body parts around me. Hogs will eat pretty much anything you give them. A few years ago a pig farmer went missing. Wife said he ran off with his mistress. Everyone believed her until his gold tooth turned up in the muck and mud of their hog pens. Macabre, but true. I don’t eat pork and Patsy doesn’t eat me. It’s an unspoken pact between us. Not that she’s some sort of demon pig crazed with bloodlust. Not at all. She’s the best pig in eastern Tennessee. Don’t need a blue ribbon from the state fair to make it true. This leisurely stroll around town is all part of my ruse. If someone sees us ambling someplace we don’t belong, they’ll leave us alone, which is the entire point. There’s freedom in being a weirdo. Folks keep their distance. Sure, there are the asinine comments, but for the most part they assume I’m dim-witted or crazy. Fine by me. With or without my porcine sidekick, I’ve always been different. I learned early on that people like to form and hold onto their own opinions. Pointless to try to change someone's mind. What they think of me is their problem, not mine.

About Daisy Prescott

Born and raised in San Diego, Daisy currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with her husband, their rescue dog, Mulder, and an imaginary house goat. When not writing about herself in the third person, Daisy can be found traveling, gardening, baking, or lost in a good book.

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Review: Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  This comes out on June 9, 2020.

It is no secret that Armentrout Jennifer L. (J. Lynn) is one of my favorite authors. This spin off to The Dark Elements trilogy is awesome and this sequel to Storm and Fury is packed with action, excitement, and emotion. We also have guest appearances by characters from The Dark Elements series, so if you need a Layla, Roth, and Bambi you will get that too. The main focus is on Trinity and Zayne as they navigate the bond bestowed upon them at the end of book 1 and the attraction they were developing before the bond. I always loved Zayne and I'm really happy that he and Trinity have found each other.

The plot is pretty straight forward, Zayne is now Trinity's protector and they have to work together to find the Harbinger and stop him from bringing on the apocalypse. They like each other but Warden Proctors are forbidden from romantic entanglements with their bonded Trueborn. So not only do they have to fight demons as they patrol Washington DC, they have to fight their feelings for each other. This naturally creates a lot of tension, especially when they are thwarted at every turn by the Harbinger. On top of all of that Trinity is struggling with her role in all of this. She is still grappling with events from the first book, and deals with her guilt and feelings by ignoring what happened with Misha. If you don't know what I'm talking about you need to read Storm & Fury. She pushes everyone away and makes a lot of impulsive decisions. This makes her appear really immature at times, as she lashes out and makes some rash decisions. You have to remember she's only 18, and given that she's got the weight of the world on her shoulders and feels like she's got to soldier on to save the world and the people she loves, I cut her some slack for the things she does and says when stressed. I love her banter with Zayne, both good natured and bad. Trinity learns alot about herself in this book and the rules that have governed her life to this point. She has to decide if she is going to let those rules and emotions hold her back or help her defeat her enemy.

Overall, I really enjoyed the plot and the characters. If you are a fan of Jen's writing and this series, I think you will really like where the story is headed. All I will leave you with is this...that ending! Jen really knows how to put her readers on the edge of their seats. I won't spoil anything, but just know that there were some unexpected events towards the end that will cause long time fans to have an emotional crisis. I usually hate cliffhangers, but this was a good one and I can't wait for the next installment! The book also closes in a good place so while the last few lines leave you with that "What just happened?" feeling, the book does close nicely leaving you with some decent closure.





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