Thursday, April 28, 2022

RELEASE BLITZ: SMART MOUTH by Emma Lee Jayne & Smartypants Romance

 

Smart Mouth, an all-new opposites attract romantic comedy from Emma Lee Jayne, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited! 

The rockstar

There are lots of assumptions people make about rockstars. Shallow. Player. Addict. The truth? I’m none of those. 

The even bigger truth…the only opinion I care about is her’s and she hates me. Her as in Gwen Matthews, my twin brother’s best friend, the unrequited love of my life. She thinks I’m a liar and a jerk which is why I pretend to be my brother when she needs help one night. 

Except Gwen is a genius. Literally. So it doesn’t take her long to figure out it’s me and not my brother, but maybe, just maybe, she’s willing to give me a second chance. Because maybe when she looks at me, she only sees a rockstar with her best friend’s face, but when I look at her, I see my other half. She centers me in a way that no rhythm or line of lyric ever could. 

The scientist

I have three priorities in life at the moment: finish my research, defend my dissertation, and get my Ph.D., so that I can actually figure out what I’m supposed to do with my life. Tom Mendoza won’t help me achieve any of those things. Yet I can’t help the sudden feeling that I’ve been completely wrong about him all this time. 

The day we first met when we were both teenagers, I saw a glimpse of a sweet, funny boy that felt very much like a kindred spirit; awkward and full of energy and dreams. But that guy seemed to disappear and in his place was this stereotypical stupidly hot rock star that did not make sense in my world. 

Being a scientist means being willing to admit when you’re wrong and reevaluating everything. I might not understand much about human behavior, but I can clearly see the tender underbelly that Tom protects. The subtle rituals he uses to stave off his anxiety. Yes, he’s ridiculously hot, but his soul just might be more beautiful than his face and I’m not sure what to do with that. 

Especially when I find out that he’s in love with me. 

'Smart Mouth' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #4 in the Work For It series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Grab your copy today!

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About Emma Lee Jayne

I write the kinds of books I want to read. Fast-paced books with lots of world-building, snarky heroines, and swoony heroes. I love story, pop culture, gossip, and baked goods. I’m a modern-day hippy and certified LEGO nerd.

I live in the Austin, Texas hill country, with my geeky husband and two extremely geeky kids. We have dogs, chickens, cats, and more LEGOs than should be allowed by law. Oh, and I stress bake. So if my characters talk about food a lot, that’s why.

Emma also writes as Rita award winning author Emily McKay.

Find Emma Lee Jayne online

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Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Review: Veil: A Hush Novel

Veil: A Hush Novel Veil: A Hush Novel by Dylan Farrow
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided a print and audio arc of this book via netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This picks up right were Hush, leaves off so I don't recommend reading this as a standalone.

Much like with the first book I felt that this had a really interesting concept with the magic system and the world, but I did feel that certain things were underdeveloped. I wanted more details and more development of certain aspects, but part of that is my own personal preference when it comes to SFF and books in general. I would have liked a better explanation of the magic system, the tellings were a really interesting concept as was "the book", but I'm still not sure how it all works. I also wanted more in the character development department. There were some inconsistencies with the relationships between characters and within the characters themselves.

I do think YA readers are very much going to enjoy this series. Overall this book has a decent plot, the magic was interesting as was the world. I did enjoy it overall but I felt like something was missing.

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Tuesday, April 26, 2022

RELEASE BLITZ: Always You by Samantha Young

 

 

Always You by Samantha Young is now live!

 

Arrochar Adair has loved her brother's ex-bodyguard and best friend, Mac Galbraith, for years. Once upon a time, she was too young for him, but now that she's a mature woman in her thirties, Arro can see no issue with their difference in age. Yet something deeper, a problem much more difficult to surmount, is keeping them apart.

Mac Galbraith remembers clearly the night Arro became everything to him, no longer just his best friend and boss's younger sister. However, having made many mistakes over the years, there is one mistake Mac is determined not to make: to believe that he is worthy of Arrochar Adair. Allowing them to grow closer during his daughter, Robyn's, return has proven his undoing. And when Arro forces the subject of their relationship, his response pushes her away. He just never meant for it to destroy them completely.

Devastated by Mac's final rejection, Arro is determined to move on without him in her life, though he seems intent on staying put. And when the Adair family face a new threat, one that may have ties to Mac's past, Arro can't seem to be rid of the man. In fact, Mac will do anything to protect her.

But with so much hurt between them, will Arro let Mac close enough to guard her from their enemy... before it's too late?

 

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo!

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Goodreads: https://bit.ly/31eXoaM

 

 

Meet Samantha

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She's been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries.

She resides in Scotland.

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Review: Always You by Samantha Young

Always You Always You by Samantha Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an arc via the author, all opinions are my own.

This is the much awaited story of Mac and Arro, but if you haven't read the previous books in the series this can be read as a standalone. The author does a great job filling you in on enough of the backstory of the other characters and details that you can start with this book if you want and go back and read the previous books if you choose. I do highly recommend reading them in order to get the fully backstory on who everyone else is and their stories.

Despite the 13 year age difference, Arro has been in love with Mac since she was a teenager. It started out as an innocent crush on her eldest brother's friend, then as she got older it turned into something more. Mac has always kept his distance out of respect for Lachlan, his best friend and Arro's brother, despite the fact that he feels the same about her. Mac also has some deep insecurities that are uncovered in the book that cause him to push her away. I won't spoil any of that here. I did really enjoy his character development throughout the book.

As with the other books in the series, this book has an element of suspense to it. After a devastating rejection, Mac and Arro' relationship is in a state of disrepair. When Arro begins to receive threatening notes at home and work, Mac has to step in to protect her at any cost. Arro doesn't want him anywhere near her. He is willing to work to regain her trust as he ensures her safety. Around the same time, Mac also receives word that events from his past may be resurfacing and he may be a target.

While I enjoyed the suspense aspect, I would have preferred that there were only one suspense plotline instead of two. They were both well written, but because they weren't related, I would have only preferred one over the other. They both served their purpose in the character development department. I really appreciated the dialogue in the book with regards to their relationship and trust between the two of them. There was alot of emotion in this book for sure.

I suspect the remaining two Adair brothers will get books to finish out the series, and I hope that Eredine gets her own story if she isn't paired with Arran or Brodan. There are hints are a budding relationship with Arran, but who knows what Samantha has in store for our reclusive, mysterious yoga instructor. I'm looking forward to whatever comes next in this series. I love this series and can't wait for more!

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Release Blitz: Right Number Wrong Girl by Emma Hart

 

She’s fallen for a Duke, but she can’t fess up.

Right Number Wrong Girl, an all-new, mistaken identity, laugh-out-loud, royal romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Emma Hart, is now available!

Taking a work call for my best friend in my undies? Check.
Filling in for her after an emergency and getting mistaken for her? Check.
Royally messing it all up until the hot duke-in-waiting I hate but can’t keep my hands off steps in to save me? Uh, check…

Yes, yes, that all sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Until you consider I now have to plan and execute an 80th birthday party for the Dowager Duchess of Devon, and I can’t organize my hairbrushes. The current duchess is the ultimate type A personality, determined to micromanage the entire thing.
I’m a type… XYZ . . . LMNOP . . . Maybe not even that.
When all my attempts go to hell in half a handbasket—I can’t even mess up properly—the only hope I have to pull this thing off is duke-in-waiting Hugo Edwards.
The dreamy, handsome, makes-my-heart-pitter-patter, arrogant tosspot Hugo Edwards.
He and his brother are the only people who know who I really am. The success of their grandmother’s party relies on us getting along long enough to make it happen—and me and Hugo keeping our hands off one another behind closed doors.
None of which is easy to achieve.
When my best friend shows up to take over from me, the fact that I’ve fallen for Hugo is the least of my worries…

Grab your copy today or read FREE on Kindle Unlimited!
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About Emma Hart
Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels and has been translated into several different languages.

She is a mother, wife, lover of wine, Pink Goddess, and valiant rescuer of wild baby hedgehogs. She lives in North Wales with her family, three cats, one very large dog, and an undetermined number of chickens and ducks.

She's known for her hilarious, sarcastic romantic comedies with wildly inappropriate grandparents, and has been dubbed "The RomCom Queen" by her readers.

Connect with Emma
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Saturday, April 23, 2022

Review: Book Smart by Amanda Pennington

Book Smart Book Smart by Amanda C. Pennington
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an arc via the author, all opinions are my own.

This was a really cute sweet romance.  If you are interested in a super steamy romance, this is not the book for you.  This is pretty clean.  There are mentions of sex, but there is only kissing from a physical romance standpoint.  If you like cleaner romances, give this one a chance.  This one is totally safe to read at work.

This follows Mel, a writing tutor at a local university who wants more from her life. She always aspired to be a writer.  She latches on to the idea of writing about about determining if love is timeless by finding out if dating advice from the 1950s is still relevant to day in the world of online dating apps.  She's been attracted to one of her best friends, Cam, a professor at the university, but she has a very specific idea of how love is supposed to look and feel like.  Cam has been in love with Mel for years, but something has always preventing him from saying something and now he is afraid of ruining their friendship.  When she gets this idea to use this list from the 1950s to launch her writing career and meet her own real life Mr. Darcy, he is not thrilled but he is willing to make sure she is safe when she goes out to meet strangers.  

Overall, this is a solid debut by Pennington.  I did feel that it was a bit on the long side and it was a bit too much of a slow burn romance for my tastes.  I thought the the idea of Mel following 1950s dating advice in the present day was a really unique idea for a romance.  I also really enjoy the friends to lovers trope.  I really enjoyed the friend dynamic between Mel, Cam and Ivy.  The trio had some really funny banter.  Both Cam and Mel were a bit too stubborn for their own good, which always prevents them from revealing their true feelings.  I really enjoyed Cam's backstory and would have loved a bit more about Ivy.  Hopefully the author writes a book about her next.

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Thursday, April 21, 2022

RELEASE BLITZ: IT TAKES A WOMAN by Piper Sheldon & Smartypants Romance

 

It Takes a Woman, an all new modern marriage of convenience romance from Piper Sheldon, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited!  

Just because she’s getting married doesn’t mean she’ll fall in love.

Unapologetic bombshell Gretchen LaRoe is happy to play matchmaker to everyone else content in knowing she once had true love. When the best friends of the Scorned Women’s Society take it upon themselves to interfere in Gretchen’s love life, they shouldn't be shocked to learn Gretchen already has a plan of her own. A jaw-dropping plan.

Part-time Green Valley resident and work-a-holic Vincent Debono has been living in a fog since the loss of his wife. With the birth of his great-niece he can’t shake the feeling that he’s ready for change. After a secret kiss with the unforgettable redhead who already plagued his thoughts, Vincent decides to leap into a new adventure.

These two have made a commitment to each other but won’t let their hearts get involved. How hard can it be?

‘It Takes a Woman’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #4 in the Scorned Women’s Society series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Grab your copy TODAY!

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About Piper Sheldon

Piper Sheldon writes Contemporary Romance and Paranormal Romance. Her books are a little funny, a lotta romantic, and with just a little twist of something more. She lives with her husband, toddler, and two needy dogs at home in the desert Southwest. She finds writing bios in the third person an extreme sport of awkwardness.

Find Piper Sheldon online

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RELEASE BLITZ: CHECKING YOU OUT by Ann Whynot & Smartypants Romance

 

Checking You Out, an all new second-chance small town romance from Ann Whynot, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited! 

Lois Washington is at the end of her rope. Struggling as a single mother in an apartment the size of a closet is not the New York City adventure she dreamed of in her starry-eyed youth. When her job goes on the chopping block, she is ready for a major life change. Joining her best friend in Tennessee to become the newest employee at the Green Valley Public Library isn't exactly where she thought life would take her, but she feels up for the challenge. Only this relocation comes with more than she bargained for.

Norman Grant has had a string of online dating disasters back in Florida. Dealing with chronic pain, he's concluded that finding a woman who is understanding about his war wounds just isn't in the cards. That is, until he becomes quite taken with the single mother who's also a new arrival in Green Valley. The catch? Things are not quite what they seem. 

When the past and present collide, Norman and Lois must face painful reminders from their youth. Now, at twenty-seven, Norman's about to find out just how deeply the wounds he left behind cut.

'Checking You Out’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #10 in the Green Valley Library series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Grab your copy TODAY!

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About Ann Whynot

Ann Whynot has been writing stories since she was five, and always dreamed of one day being a published author. She is a voracious reader and book collector, and used book stores are her kryptonite. She also is passionate about video games, crafting, baking, laughing, and travel.

She lives with her family, dog, and two cats on the Canadian east coast, and is inspired by both the forest and sea.

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Review: The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

The Golden Couple The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC via netgalley, however I did end up listening to the final published version of the audiobook. As always, all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this domestic thriller. It has some nice twists and turns to keep you guessing, and it doesn't have any graphic sex or violence. This alternates between the perspectives of Avery, the therapist with some unorthodox practices, and Marissa the wealthy socialite who wants to save her marriage. Avery has a 10 step therapy program, where each session has a specific goal. In order to achieve that goal for her clients, Avery becomes almost a Personal Investigator to learn as much as she can about her clients. In this case the Bishops, Marissa and Matthew, have alot of untold secrets between them and Avery inserts herself right in the middle of it all. As Avery works with the Bishops on their marital woes, she is dealing with an issue of her own. As the story unfolds we come to find that her clients and her personal issues may be connected, but Avery can't quite figure out how. I thought that all of the suspense and thriller elements were nicely woven together to make a cohesive story. There were plenty of red herrings to keep you on your toes wondering if that detail or character was something to remember for later.

I appreciated that there was a narrator for each of the POVs so you could tell if you were in Avery's perspective or Marissa's perspective. Both narrators did a good job distinguishing character voices in their chapters.

This is my second book by this author pair, and while I didn't love the other book this one has me wanting to pick up more by the duo. I found this audiobook hard to put down.

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Tuesday, April 19, 2022

BLOG TOUR: PARKS AND PROVOCATION by Juliette Cross & Smartypants Romance

 

Parks and Provocation, an all new enemies-to-lovers small town romance from Juliette Cross, is available now in Kindle Unlimited!

Lola Landry stares through the window of her locked car with the keys in the ignition and the radio blaring Beck’s “Loser.” While standing there and sweltering in the soupy Tennessee humidity, she wonders how her orderly life had crashed and burned so badly. Then her high school nemesis saunters up in all of his tall, strapping, fireman-to-the-rescue glory, slapping her with the humiliating proof that it can always get worse.

When the uber-confident Jedediah Lawson requests a date in return for popping her lock, a lightbulb goes off. Revenge is sweet. He would make the perfect victim—guest, that is—for her next podcast episode on Kiss and Tell. What shocks her is the casual way he not only agrees to the post-date interview on air, but ends up hijacking her audience and wooing them with his swoony, southern charm. Not even a low score on the date-o-meter can dissuade the man or keep her fans from demanding more of the charismatic Jed.

What’s worse, she secretly wants a second date with this man who is so different from his teenage self. His unwavering patience and dimpled smile erodes her will, until she breaks the Kiss and Tell rules by agreeing to a second…and a third date. It’s a disaster. Not the date. They’re wonderful. The disaster is that she is falling for a man she once dubbed Jockstrap Jed.

'Parks and Provocation' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #2 in the Green Valley Heroes series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Grab your copy TODAY!

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Audiobook: Coming Soon!

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Excerpt

“Fancy meeting you here,” he said when I finally reached him.

“Fancy that,” I sassed back.

I tried monumentally hard to force my eyes to behave, but they were currently mapping the extensive breadth of his chest without my permission. As a matter of fact, they’d found their newest obsession, tracking the descent of a drop of water that looped around his navel and froze midway down his happy trail.

“What brings you here, Cola?”

I jerked my gaze back to his mischievous grin, contemplating ways to torture my best friend.

I was also debating whether leaning forward and licking him would be inappropriate. “Um, learning fire safety?”

His bark of laughter and dimpled smile detonated somewhere inside my chest and melted my insides into warm goo. Which, of course, drew my attention to his beautiful mouth and the fact that he intended to kiss me with that mouth on our next date.

“Let me guess,” he finally said, amusement still prevalent in every word. “Marly?”

“So, I’ve been wondering if stretching her on a rack would be forgiven by local law enforcement. Do you think they’d give me a free pass, considering,” I waved my hand at him and the surrounding scene behind him, “all this?”

“By this, you mean dragging you to watch a dozen firemen strut around without their shirts on?”

“So y’all do know that half of Green Valley’s womenfolk are gawking at you from across the street, right? Only half of which are actual moms of the scouts? If that.”

He nodded and exhaled a sigh, but that wicked smile remained in place. “Chief McClure said it’s a local tradition, and the fine ladies of Green Valley also donate generously to our annual fundraiser, so we just do as we’re told.”

“Basically, this is a Magic Mike show, minus the actual lap dances, where you get your tips at a later time.”

He edged closer, my eyes betraying me once again to dip down along his beautiful body, realizing that delectable drop of water had slipped down into the holy land.

“I’ll give you a lap dance for free if you like, Lola.”

About Juliette Cross

JULIETTE is a multi-published author of paranormal and fantasy romance & the co-host of the podcast, Smart Women Read Romance. As a native of Louisiana, she lives in the heart of Cajun land with her husband, four kids, her labs, Kona and Jeaux, and kitty, Betty. When she isn’t working on her next project, she enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows with her husband and a glass (or two) of red wine.

Find Juliette Cross online

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Monday, April 18, 2022

Review: Spear by Nicola Griffith

Spear Spear by Nicola Griffith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was provided an audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own. The audiobook is narrated by the author, which in this case works really well. The writing is very poetic, and she is able to capture the cadence of her writing in the way I feel only she could. With a retelling or fantasy such as this she was also able to pronounce the names of the characters the way she envisioned.


I've always been fascinated by Arthurian lore, and I really enjoyed the unique take on this one. It keeps the heart of the Arthurian legend while putting a new spin on it. Our main character Peretur is female and is called by visions to be a knight in King Artos' court. She grew up in seclusion with her mother who kept them warded in a cave. When she comes of age, Per ventures off on her own as she knows she has a destiny to fulfil and evil to fight. In order to gain the trust of the King she must prove herself worthy. Peretur gathers used armour and a broken spear as she ventures out beyond her cave to win accolades, prove her worth and see what fate has in store for her. This has all of the elements a retelling needs: a quest, action, magic, and a love story.


If you are looking for a great retelling and a queer one at that, I highly recommend this. It is well researched and the writing is beautiful. This did start out a little slow for me, mainly because I'm not usually one who enjoys a more poetic writing style, but after a few chapters I settled in and really enjoyed the story.

This book comes out tomorrow April 19, 2022.  

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Review: Smart Mouth by Emma Lee Jayne

Smart Mouth Smart Mouth by Emma Lee Jayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC via the author, all opinions are my own.

This is the 4th book in the Work for It series but it can be read completely as a standalone.  There are mention of characters from [book:Heart Smart|56400137], but each novel is standalone.

I really enjoyed this.  We have the Popstar and the Microbiologist, they are basically opposites in every way but you can't help you you are attracted to.  Gwen is best friends with James, or she was growing up.  Tom is James' twin brother, and he's been in love with Gwen since they met at 15.  Gwen only knows what James has told her about Tom, and most of it is stemmed in resentment because he got the part in the boy band and James did not.  Gwen is also a scientist, she spends her day working in a lab and going through scientific protocols.  When it comes to people she is clueless.  When she is reunited with Tom and he wants to spend time with her, she  has a hard time accepting that he likes her.  As she gets to know the real Tom and not the scripted boy-band version she thinks she knows, she realizes that there is so much more to him that meets the eye and she isn't sure what to do about that.  

I really enjoyed Tom and Gwen.   They were both a bit of a mess when it comes to emotions and relationships.  There are alot of great discussion points in this book about living with ADHD, anxiety, dealing with change, etc.  I really loved that Tom had such a great support group, and Gwen had Max and Holly to set her on the right path about her feelings.  This had just the right mix of serious and comedy with a little spice mixed in.  

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Saturday, April 16, 2022

Review: Shadow Fallen by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Shadow Fallen Shadow Fallen by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I am a long time fan of Sherrilyn's, and I like many of her fans am extremely excited to see her writing again.  This is her first book in several years back in the Darkhuner/Dreamhunter world, and it centers on new characters that we haven't see before.  As the story progresses, old characters that long time fans are familiar with are introduced and play a part in the storyline.  As with all of the books in the Dreamhunter and Darkhunter, you can read this one as a standalone, but as many of the books and characters are so interconnected, I feel like I would have been a bit lost had I not read the previous books in the series.  This one does stand pretty well on it's own giving the reader enough information about who people are and enough background to figure out what is happening.  Ariel and Valteri's story ties nicely into the already established storyline that many of us have been reading for a very long time and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

This started out a bit slow for my taste, but as things developed and more characters were introduced things started to pick up around the half way mark.  I do feel that that narrator of the audiobook also contributed to the slower feeling.  While not a bad narrator, I feel like he was a tad monotone throughout the book and that led to the book feeling a bit slower than I prefer.

This particular installment in the series feels a bit more like historical fiction, whereas many of the other books in the series have a more urban fiction feel.  This book felt more like one of her Kinley MacGregor medieval romances, but I expect that has to do with it being more of an origin story for Ariel and Valteri and that we will see them again in future installments.  There is also quite the religious overtone present, as Valteri is constantly accused of being demon-spawn.  Ariel is an Arel, basically a type of angel, and she isn't the first Arel we've seen between The Chronicles of Nick, The Darkhunters, and the Dreamhunter books.  The war between good and evil has been brewing for quite sometime among the interconnected series and I expect our two main characters to resurface as it comes to pass as we get more books.

The worldbuilding wasn't overly complex as this was set in the real world with a few fantasy elements.  The "magic" system isn't overly complex in the series to begin with and this particular installment doesn't have the same mythological backing as some of the other books it is more centered around Christianity and the Norman-Saxon conflict.  

Overall, I think this is a good comeback for the author.  This book gave us valuable information about characters we've wanted to know about for years, and sets the stage for future books.  I'm excited that she's back and can't wait for future installments.

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Friday, April 15, 2022

Review: Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend by Penny Reid

Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend by Penny Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC via the author, all opinions are my own,

This book is nothing but 100% amazing. If you love Penny's work, you are going to love Byron and Winnie. This book is a little on the long side, but I did not mind one bit because once I started reading this I did not want to put it down.

Winnie is a middle school science teacher, who also makes STEM centered videos for social media on the side to get kids, girls specifically more interested in STEM fields. She is looking for a side hustle to help pay down her school loans and help her live a bit more comfortably. Byron on the other hand is ridiculously intelligent, is a best selling author, is wealthy, hates social media, and generally doesn't enjoy people. He and Winnie have been in the same social circle for years, but they aren't particularly friendly. Winnie doesn't particularly care for Byron for several reasons, so when he offers to help her with her social media following by recording various challenges with her she's a bit surprised. Turns out Byron needs her help with something too. As they spend more time together working on the challenges and generally getting to know each other as friends, things take a turn into romantic territory.

Normally I don't enjoy books with where miscommunication is a trope, however I will make a an exception here. Much of this book is about Byron and Winnie learning to communicate with each other. They get frustrated with each other as they learn to navigate each other, their likes and dislikes, their needs and feelings, what they each value and why. Winnie and Byron are similar in some aspects but they are opposites attract in others. If it weren't for their miscommunications and attempts to learn to communicate with each other this would not be the wonderful story that it is. They have both been hurt by people in the past, and it takes them both quite a long time to accept that they can trust someone else. From that perspective this is a bit of a slow burn romance. There are some steamy parts, you do have to be patient and wait for them to develop.

Much like with all of Penny's books, I love the care and research that she puts into each of her books! I particularly love that she put an emphasis on girls in STEM. I graduated with a degree in electrical engineering and I was one of only a handful of girls. I wish I had had a Chemistry Maven growing up. While the numbers are better than they were 20 years ago, girls are still underserved and underrepresented in STEM fields. I also really like that Penny is bringing awareness to neurodiverse characters in her books. With mental health getting more and more attention lately, it is also important that we also treat people who learn, process, or experience the world differently with kindness and respect. I this case Byron was always that weird guy who doesn't like people, when he was actually a very nice person who was easily overwhelmed when faced with lots of people he doesn't know. I really appreciate when authors bring awareness through characters and I feel Penny did a great job here.

Overall, I loved this! Winnie and Byron were perfect for each other.

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Thursday, April 14, 2022

RELEASE BLITZ: OOK SMART by Amanda Pennington & Smartypants Romance

 

Book Smart, an all new friends-to-lovers sweet romance by debut author Amanda Pennington, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited!

Melanie Hirsch is tired of watching life pass her by…

I’ve spent the last few years watching my dreams of a writing career and true love fade away, settling for a dead-end job and denying my feelings for my best friend – until I find a list of dating advice for single women to “find a husband” in the 1950s. I decide to experiment: try out the 1950s advice on my 21st-century dating pool and write about the results. If love is timeless, some of the dating advice still holds value. Maybe my experiment will launch my writing career. Maybe I’ll get over my best friend and meet someone new. Either way, I’m done watching from the sidelines.

Cameron Whitacre can’t wait forever…

I’ve spent the last few years in love with my best friend, hoping she’ll notice my friendly overtures have more than friendly intentions – but before I realize what’s happening, she declares me her wingman for a dating experiment. This idea could launch her writing career, so I’m trying to be supportive. But her experiment turns my life into a desperation-fueled dumpster fire. I need to show her how I feel without jeopardizing our friendship, all before she falls for someone else.

‘Book Smart’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #3 in the Work For It series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Grab your copy TODAY!

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About Amanda Pennington

Amanda Pennington lives outside Louisville, Kentucky with her husband in their fixer-upper house. When she’s not writing, Amanda loves traveling, running, and reading anything within reach. More information is available at www.amandacpennington.com.

Find Amanda online

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RELEASE BLITZ: NOT FOOLING ANYONE by Allie Winters & Smartypants Romance

 

Not Fooling Anyone, an all-new fake relationship college romance from Allie Winters, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited! 

The deal is simple—pretend to be Ethan’s girlfriend for a psych study and we each get a nice payday. Despite him being a dumb jock who willingly gets punched for fun at my dad’s boxing gym, I can handle it. I’ve mastered the art of keeping others at a distance. Especially after… Well, never mind that.

Except, I didn’t count on him not understanding the definition of boundaries. Suddenly, we’re having to fake being in love all over campus to keep up the ruse. And when he tries to slip under the barriers I’ve worked so hard to create? Yeah, that’s not happening. Even if it turns out he’s surprisingly understanding… and funny… and charming… and smarter than I ever would have given him credit for. Not to mention that muscled body from all that boxing…

No, that’s irrelevant. I may have misjudged him, but that doesn’t mean I’m interested. He has no idea what kind of baggage I’m carrying. A relationship is the last thing on my mind.

Even if I’m not fooling anyone.

‘Not Fooling Anyone’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #2 in the Lessons Learned series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Grab your copy TODAY!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3BAoNSR

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3p4H8lN

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3Hanco1

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Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3LUq2Rm

About Allie Winters

Allie is the author of the Suncoast University series, the Bishop Brothers series, and the Lessons Learned series. She lives in sunny Florida with her husband, daughter, and two cats. A librarian by day, she spends her nights writing happily ever afters. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and all things Disney.

Find Allie Winters online

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Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Review: Not Fooling Anyone by Allie Winters

Not Fooling Anyone Not Fooling Anyone by Allie Winters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC for review, all opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the Lessons Learned series, but it is a complete standalone.  Mia and Tyler are present in the book, but they are minor side characters and they are only briefly mentioned.  You don't need to read book 1 to read book 2, they can both be read independently.  The main focus of this book is on Lexie and Ethan.  

Lexie has not had an easy life, and in reading this emotional tale we get to know her and why she keeps to herself and pushes people away.  Getting to know her and seeing her character develop is a huge part of the book.  When Lexie initially meets Ethan, she misjudges him as a dumb boxer.  Turns out he's actually fairly intelligent and generally a good guy.  Ethan is training as a boxer at the same gym where her dad, a former pro-boxer works.  Knowing that Lexie is looking to earn extra cash, her dad sets her up with an offer from the gym's owner to put her future CPA skills to work and modernize his accounting.  It just so happens that Lexie and Ethan are also in the same psychology class.  Hard up for some extra cash Lexie signs up for a psych study, but it requires her to have a romantic partner.  She finds herself in a fake relationship with Ethan in order to earn the money.  Lexie is not really interesed in romance, boyfriends, or people in general.  She's been hurt by the people she's let into her life in the past, but Ethan is determined to break down her barriers and get to know her.  As they spend time together getting their fake relationship story straight and getting to know each other, they realize that they are becoming friends.  Lexie tends to shy away from talking about things, which leads to miscommunication and misunderstandings because she doesn't want to get hurt.  Ethan tries to give her space, but he does eventually encourage her to have the conversations she is avoiding and they do eventually get better at communicating.  

This is a more heavy and emotional novel for Smartypants Romance.  Much of what we see from their offerings tend to be a little lighter and comedic.  There are some humorous moments, but this deals with some heavy topics such as drug abuse, abandonment, and bullying.  Overally, I really enjoyed this!

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Release Blitz: Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend by Penny Reid

 

Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend, an all-new enemies to lovers romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Penny Reid, is now live!

Winnifred Gobaldi and Byron Visser are not best friends.

Yes, they’ve known each other for years, but they’re not even friendly. Winnie considers them more like casual, distant acquaintances who find each other barely tolerable, especially when he's being condescending (which is all the time).

The truth is, they have nothing in common. She’s a public school science teacher with stars in her eyes, and he’s a pretentious, joyless double PhD turned world-famous bestselling fiction author. She loves sharing her passion for promulgating women in STEM careers and building community via social media, and he eschews all socialization, virtual or otherwise. She’s looking for a side hustle to help pay down a mountain of student debt, and his financial portfolio is the stuff of fiduciary wet dreams. So why are they faking a #bestfriend relationship for millions of online spectators?

When a simple case of tit-for-tat trends between nonfriends leads to a wholly unexpected kind of pretend, nothing is simple. Sometimes, it takes a public audience to reveal the truth of private feelings, and rarely—very rarely—you should believe what you see online.

Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend is a full-length, complete standalone, adult contemporary romantic comedy.

Fall in love today!
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Meet Penny Reid
Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she writes kissing books. Penny is an obsessive knitter and manages the #OwnVoices-focused mentorship incubator / publishing imprint, Smartypants Romance. She lives in Seattle Washington with her husband, three kids, and dog named Hazel.

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