Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Teaser: The Relationship Pact by Adriana Locke

  

  THE RELATIONSHIP PACT by Adriana Locke Release Date: December 17th   

  Add to Goodreads: https://geni.us/6A5zx   

  Preorder: Amazon US: https://amzn.to/36HMIR2 

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/38Zya26 

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/35Qego8 Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3fkga3q   

  Sign up to receive an email when it's live: https://geni.us/AmazonAlert Or text the word Adriana to 21000 (US numbers only)    

      

  Blurb: How hard can it be? That was the question rolling around Larissa Mason’s mind just before she asked Hollis Hudson to be her fake boyfriend. It was only supposed to be for five minutes, after all. Granted, that was also before she felt his hand on the small of her back as he charmed the heck out of her family. She hadn’t heard his laugh yet either. And it was definitely before she saw the football god shirtless. Otherwise, she would’ve had an idea of just how hard some things could be. It turns out that pretending to be in love with a crazily handsome, somewhat enigmatic, and absolutely unforgettable tight end (that has an amazing tight end) is easy. Reminding herself that just because opposites attract doesn’t mean they’re forever is much harder. What they have isn’t love—it’s a relationship pact. Right?

   

  About the Author: USA Today and Washington Post bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather's nice and there's always a piece of candy in her pocket.

 

  Connect w/Adriana: Website: https://adrianalocke.com

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/booksbyadrianalocke 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authoralocke 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoradrianalocke 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8379774.Adriana_Locke 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ivy7xd 

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/adriana-locke</a Newsletter Signup: http://bit.ly/NewsletterAddy   

Monday, December 7, 2020

Review: Floored by Karla Sorensen

FlooredFloored by Karla Sorensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars 

I was provided and ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this! 

Why did I not know about a chip butty before reading this book? I'm from Pittsburgh, and for those of you who aren't familiar with the area, many different nationalities settled here after coming from Europe because of the work the rivers provided. A large part of the population here is of Irish descent, and I'm not sure if that is why we put french fries on everything, but we do. I'm not kidding, salads, sandwitches, everything! When Jude makes Lia a french fry sandwich on butter bread as comfort food, I felt like I should have been eating this delicacy my entire life because butter bread and french fries are two of my favorite things ever! I feel like I need to plan a trip to England for the food alone mentioned in this book.

OK now onto the actual book review...

Lia is on her semester abroad to study the Bronte sisters at Oxford. She is missing her family terribly when her twin Claire suggests she find a cute British boy to flirt with. Lia does just that when she comes face to face with Jude McAllister. He is a soccer/football pro and she has no idea who he is. As the little sister of a pro American Football star, she is no stranger to the pro athlete lifestyle back home, but she is clueless when it comes to British footballers. They get into a heated debate on which football is the better football and their attraction is instant. The are both OK with one night of fun to fill their lonely spirits, but when Lia finds herself pregnant a few weeks later they are both in for more than they bargained for.

Jude is at the precipice of his football career and it is weighing heavily on him. He is coming to grips with the fact that he isn't as young as he used to be, meaning that there are faster players who want his spot on the team. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders when Lia drops the baby bomb on him, which is yet another stress he doesn't need. Wanting his child not to deal with the same family drama he has dealt with, he and Lia settle into a comfortable arrangement with each other. They both have family stuff in their past that they aren't really willing to discuss or deal with, but as Lia's time in England nears it's end they both have to come to terms with how their relationship is going to work and if they have real feelings for each other. I don't want to spoing anything for you because the character development and them dealing with their issues was my favorite part of the book. I really loved how Karla paired these two characters and really made them examine parts of themselves that they really didn't want to. She made them deal with their problems with each other, their past, and their families in a very realistic way and I'm a huge fan. 



View all my reviews

Blog Tour: The Revenge Pact by Ila Madden-Mills

 

What happens when the king of football meets the queen of nothing?
Find out in The Revenge Pact, an all-new emotional and swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers standalone romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills!

River Tate is a god on campus.
The king of football.
A tattooed bad boy with gunmetal eyes that see right through you.
The only chink in his armor is her, the girl he pretends doesn’t exist, the forbidden one with the shy smile and lavender hair.

Anastasia Bailey is a nobody.
The queen of nothing.
An outsider with the face of an angel and a body made for sin.
The only chink in her armor is him, her boyfriend’s frat brother, the football player who hates her.

But when Anastasia’s life crashes down, River’s the one who sweeps in and picks up the pieces. Torn between loyalty, lies, and secrets, he battles the temptation to take everything from her when they make their revenge pact.

He can’t tell her no.
Because revenge (or love) is sweet, and once you get a taste, the craving never ends.

Download your copy or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/32SW1MS
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/RevengePact

Add The Revenge Pact to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/35CdX01

Excerpt

River

“Why is the elevator so slow?” she mutters.

“Tell me three things you’re grateful for,” I say.  

She does a double take. “Is this where I’m like your…pet project? Don’t feel sorry for me.”

Rainbow, sorry is the last thing I feel for you. 

I want you under me. 

Deep and hard.

“How are things with Donovan?” I ask.

Her throat bobs. “I-I can’t talk to you about him. I mean, yeah, um, it…doesn’t feel right, you know, to him.” 

Right. He’s her boyfriend and my frat brother.

The door opens and she slips out, her arm brushing against my chest. I follow, sucking down the electricity between us. 

She blows out a breath. “I know what this is, why you’re being nice to me—”

“Yeah? Tell me, because I can’t figure it out,” I snap, annoyed she won’t open up while the other side is pissed at myself for asking. “Trust me, I wish I didn’t…” I stop, my jaw clenching.

She stops at the door to class and faces me. “Your paper. I’m sorry I can’t help you, I really am. I love helping others, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for us…” She bites her lip, her gaze avoiding mine. “There’s something about you and me—” She halts and looks down at her feet. “Anyway, I know a few students who tutor athletes. Let me give you their names—”

“No one but you, Anastasia.” 

“What? Why?”

Instinct takes over and I back her against the wall, towering over her. I tilt her chin up, and she doesn’t speak or move, just breathing fast, as my hand slides around to her nape. A hum of heat goes through my body as my hands tangle in her hair. 

“River…what…” Pink rises on her cheeks as her lashes flutter.

Every time, I’m pushing a little more, the dark side of me winning. Monday. Her apartment. Now.

I could kiss her right now, but it’s wrong, immensely, and I’m being bad, so bad…

She gazes up at me, her eyes flaring, the gold around her pupils darkening. She swallows as goose bumps appear on her neck.

A primal sound builds in my throat. 

Anger. 

Frustration. 

Loyalty.

Dammit. I shouldn’t be this close, shouldn’t touch her—

“I’ll wait.” I grind my teeth and step back.

Her lips part, a small puff of air coming out. She looks at my mouth. “For what?”

The lethal side of me, the one itching to play this game no matter the consequences, tries to take over and speak the truth. I shove it down. 

You, I say in my head.

Leaving her there, I sweep past her and go to my seat. 

Five fucking rows back.

About Ilsa Madden-Mills
Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect with Ilsa
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nY2pxT
Instagram: http://bit.ly/35xfNfo
Stay up to day with Ilsa by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2ZWaTYh
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EESfM9
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2GaR6cn
Book+Main: http://bit.ly/2s4j9ci
Website: https://www.ilsamaddenmills.com


Join her Unicorn Girls Group on FB, the best way to keep up: http://bit.ly/37B6Nay
Sign up for phone alert for book releases (max of 4) Text ROMANCE to 21000

CHECK OUT THE OTHER STANDALONES IN THE SERIES!

Best-selling authors Ilsa Madden-Mills, Meghan Quinn and Adriana Locke,deliver three stand-alone romances about college football players finding true love while on the verge of losing everything.

THE ROMANTIC PACT by Meghan Quinn
Release Date: December 10th

Synopsis:
I haven't seen her in three years.

I haven't talked to her since the kiss.

So why am I on a plane, flying across the world to spend a week with her in Germany?

One word: Pops.

My life’s a mess.
My possible football career is hanging on by a thread.
I'm driving the roads of Germany in honor of Pops with the one girl I can never have.
And I’m sharing a bed with her, the girl I've measured everyone else up to, while desperately trying to not to touch her.

We made a pact growing up, never to get romantic with each other - never fall in love.

And I'm about to break that pact. For good.

PREORDER NOW:
https://amzn.to/2KcbLUU

Add to Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54451134-the-romantic-pact

THE RELATIONSHIP PACT by Adriana Locke
Release Date: December 17th

Synopsis
How hard can it be?

That was the question rolling around Larissa Mason’s mind just before she asked Hollis Hudson to be her fake boyfriend.

It was only supposed to be for five minutes, after all.

Granted, that was also before she felt his hand on the small of her back as he charmed the heck out of her family.

She hadn’t heard his laugh yet either.

And it was definitely before she saw the football god shirtless. Otherwise, she would’ve had an idea of just how hard some things could be.

It turns out that pretending to be in love with a crazily handsome, somewhat enigmatic, and absolutely unforgettable tight end (that has an amazing tight end) is easy.

Reminding herself that just because opposites attract doesn’t mean they’re forever is much harder.

What they have isn’t love—it’s a relationship pact. Right?

Preorder Now:
https://amzn.to/36HMIR2

Add to Goodreads:
https://geni.us/6A5zx

Sign up to receive an email when it's live:
https://geni.us/AmazonAlert
Or text the word Adriana to 21000 (US numbers only)

Friday, December 4, 2020

Review: The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton

The Devil and the Dark Water The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this via netgalley, however I opted to listen to the finished version of the audiobook. All opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, but this kind of fell flat for me. I think what didn't work was the length and repetitiveness of the book. The concept and mystery part was fine, it just took far too long to get to it. The information about the "devil" aka Old Tom was repeated several times throughout without revealing anything new, we are also reminding multiple times how cruel and violent the Governor General is to his wife. The pacing was very slow, and for a book over 400 pages (the audio is just over 17 hours) you need a fast paced, action packed story to keep you turning the pages. I didn't find that to be the case here. I think there were too many characters to keep track of, I think this was to keep you guessing as to who the culprit was, but I ultimately lost track of who was who other than Arent and Sara. I also quickly lost track of what was happening with the plot. Evelyn Hardcastle was a fairly long book but it kept me turning the pages to find out what was going on.

I will say that the reveal at the end was good. The concept of Old Tom and the Eighth Landten kept me interested and I kept reading to find out what was really going on. I will say Turton gives you just enough spooky events to keep you wondering if something paranormal is going on during this sea voyage and just enough information to make you speculate about what is really going on.

Overall, I think this had a very interesting concept, but for me it was far to long and slow paced for my taste. There seem to be fairly polarized reviews of this book, so take this review with a grain of salt. Many people loved this book, but I found it lacking the suspenseful feel I need to stay interested in a mystery.

View all my reviews

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Release Blitz: The Revenge Pact by Ilsa Madden-Mills

 

The Revenge Pact kicks off an all-new series, The Kings of Football, with an emotional and super-charged new adult standalone romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is available now!

River Tate is a god on campus.
The king of football.
A tattooed bad boy with gunmetal eyes that see right through you.
The only chink in his armor is her, the girl he pretends doesn’t exist, the forbidden one with the shy smile and lavender hair.

Anastasia Bailey is a nobody.
The queen of nothing.
An outsider with the face of an angel and a body made for sin.
The only chink in her armor is him, her boyfriend’s frat brother, the football player who hates her.

But when Anastasia’s life crashes down, River’s the one who sweeps in and picks up the pieces. Torn between loyalty, lies, and secrets, he battles the temptation to take everything from her when they make their revenge pact.

He can’t tell her no.
Because revenge (or love) is sweet, and once you get a taste, the craving never ends.

Download your copy today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/32SW1MS
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/RevengePact

Add The Revenge Pact to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/35CdX01

About Ilsa Madden-Mills
Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect with Ilsa
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nY2pxT
Instagram: http://bit.ly/35xfNfo
Stay up to day with Ilsa by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2ZWaTYh
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EESfM9
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2GaR6cn
Book+Main: http://bit.ly/2s4j9ci
Website: https://www.ilsamaddenmills.com
Join her Unicorn Girls Group on FB, the best way to keep up: http://bit.ly/37B6Nay
Sign up for phone alert for book releases (max of 4) Text ROMANCE to 21000

CHECK OUT THE OTHER STANDALONES IN THE SERIES!

Best-selling authors Ilsa Madden-Mills, Meghan Quinn and Adriana Locke,deliver three stand-alone romances about college football players finding true love while on the verge of losing everything.

THE ROMANTIC PACT by Meghan Quinn
Release Date: December 10th

Synopsis:
I haven't seen her in three years.

I haven't talked to her since the kiss.

So why am I on a plane, flying across the world to spend a week with her in Germany?

One word: Pops.

My life’s a mess.
My possible football career is hanging on by a thread.
I'm driving the roads of Germany in honor of Pops with the one girl I can never have.
And I’m sharing a bed with her, the girl I've measured everyone else up to, while desperately trying to not to touch her.

We made a pact growing up, never to get romantic with each other - never fall in love.

And I'm about to break that pact. For good.

PREORDER NOW:
https://amzn.to/2KcbLUU

Add to Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54451134-the-romantic-pact

THE RELATIONSHIP PACT by Adriana Locke
Release Date: December 17th

Synopsis
How hard can it be?

That was the question rolling around Larissa Mason’s mind just before she asked Hollis Hudson to be her fake boyfriend.

It was only supposed to be for five minutes, after all.

Granted, that was also before she felt his hand on the small of her back as he charmed the heck out of her family.

She hadn’t heard his laugh yet either.

And it was definitely before she saw the football god shirtless. Otherwise, she would’ve had an idea of just how hard some things could be.

It turns out that pretending to be in love with a crazily handsome, somewhat enigmatic, and absolutely unforgettable tight end (that has an amazing tight end) is easy.

Reminding herself that just because opposites attract doesn’t mean they’re forever is much harder.

What they have isn’t love—it’s a relationship pact. Right?

Preorder Now:
https://amzn.to/36HMIR2

Add to Goodreads:
https://geni.us/6A5zx

Sign up to receive an email when it's live:
https://geni.us/AmazonAlert
Or text the word Adriana to 21000 (US numbers only)

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Review: The Revenge Pact by Ilsa Madden-Mills

The Revenge Pact The Revenge Pact by Ilsa Madden-Mills
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fantastic!  I loved River an Ana.  He is the football superstar, frat president, comes from a wealthy family, and exudes the overall bad boy persona.  She wears quirky clothes, has lavender hair, has had an unconventional childhood, and works hard to be successful.  Ana also has a heart of gold and wants nothing but to become a lawyer so she can help those less fortunate than herself.  She and River have a contentious relationship, but she's dating his frat brother so he deals with her by avoiding her as much as possible.

River's life is spiraling out of control as the semester comes to a close.  His football career is on the line after a bad season, his grades aren't great, and he is distracted by some personal issues at home.  In a moment of weakness he asks Ana for help in a class they share so he doesn't fail the class.  In the meantime, Ana finds that her own future is not shaping up as she hoped.  As she and River finally discuss the issues between them, they grow closer together and when they finally decide to put themselves ahead of everyone else...let's just say its explosive.   The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife, but this is a slow burn that is worth waiting every second for. 

The character development in this was great.  We had so many good character arcs that were working around our two main characters.  River has great friends and roommates as does Ana.  I really loved how each of them had so much compassion for others.  I'm really looking forward to the remaining two books in the series.  This is the perfect read for this stressful time of year and I highly recommend it!

View all my reviews

Review: Her Top Dog by Katana Collins

Her Top Dog Her Top Dog by Katana Collins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a really a really cute, steamy novella.  

Love at first...soup...I mean sight is the name of the game between funny man Sam "Smurf" Murphy and executive producer and lawyer Nina Miller.  Nina was brought in to Silhouette Studios to help management stay out of lawsuits and cut shows that aren't doing well.  The Murphy's prank show does well in ratings, but could be cause for a lawsuit if they don't clean up their jokes which Nina has experience with firsthand.  When Sam comes to apologize for involving her in their show the tables are turned as neither of them can deny the attraction between them.  Both of them fall hard and fast for each other and the rest is history.

If you like apha dog romance stories, this is a fun one!  I'm really enjoying these novellas and can't wait to see what is in store for the other brothers.

View all my reviews