REVIEW: Tied by Carian Cole

 

Tied by Carian Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Description:

Tyler Grace was many things.
A myth. An outcast. A hero.
My prince.


My childhood and innocence were stolen when I was kidnapped at five years old. For eleven years I clung to my childhood fairytale books, waiting for the prince I hoped would someday save me and carry me off to a happily ever after.

I had no idea my savior would come in the form of a scarred recluse, covered in tattoos, who can't--or won't--speak a word.

But the moment our eyes met I knew he was the one. My prince.

Tyler Grace is haunted by his tragic past and he's sentenced himself to a lifetime of solitude in the woods. He's as lost in society as I am; scarred just as much on the inside as the outside. Just like me.

He saved my life that day he found me and killed my captor with his bare hands. I was warned to stay away from him. But I can't stop thinking about him. I ache to hear his voice and see him smile. And I want nothing more than to be the one to break through his walls.

I think he's the only one who can break through mine, too.

Together we can have love, happiness, and a closeness that once felt impossible to have. But can we overcome the horrible twisted past that ties us together?


** Tied can be read as a single book, and has a happy ending

WELCOME BACK and REVIEW: Seek by Amabel Daniels

Welcome back! 

So, it's been a hot minute since I've been on the blog. A lot has been going on, for me (and the world in general). I had a hard time getting back into reading for a while, and even when I did get back into reading I wasn't in the headspace to review anything. So I've spent the last couple of months just...existing, and reading anything and everything. There have been a few books that gave me such feels that I wanted to write a review but the reviews never materialized. And that's ok. I knew I wasn't there. 

So all of that scared me when I was offered a review copy of the book I'm going to talk about today. I love this author and her books, so I knew I'd end up liking the book (I have yet to find a book by her that I didn't like!)...so I knew that I'd like her book but I was also a little unsure if I was mentally ready to review something. But, I wouldn't know until I tried. 

So that brings me to this book. Seek (Project Xol #1) by Amabel Daniels. 

Ok, so first impressions...HAVE YOU SEEN THAT COVER!?!?!? 😍😍😍

I've read almost everything that Amabel Daniels has published, and I've enjoyed everything I've read (even the one that made me mentally live in nature *shudders*), so when she offered me an advanced copy of this book, I couldn't say no. 

So, the blurb: 

It’s been months since Cassidy Shaw has heard from her mother, Rosa, a world-renown scientist. When she does, it’s in the form of an urgent edict to retrieve a key. Arriving at Rosa’s apartment in Cincinnati, Cassidy encounters strangers. One man who seems determined to silence her. The other, could he be her savior?


Luke Dixon enters the fray, believing his neighbor is being attacked. Never one to ignore someone in distress, he’s then shocked to realize he’s the one needing rescue. Bound together through violence, Cassidy and Luke must come to trust each other as they embark on a search, armed only with the key and Rosa’s cryptic directions. It’s a journey with unexpected answers and decades-old research. A search with more questions…and a lethal enemy who returns when least expected.

I knew going into this book that it was going to heavily focus on the suspense part of the story, so I expected that. I was definitely pulled into the story and on the edge of my seat to find out what was going on with Rosa and who was after Luke and Cassidy. The action starts in chapter one and keeps going until the last page. Honestly, when I got to the last page, I thought something glitched with my kindle because it just ended. 

So, I knew that this was a series but I wasn't anticipating a cliffhanger. I mean, my bad...but OMG THAT CLIFF!!!!!!

I should have anticipated the cliffhanger because the further I got into the book, the more I wondered how the book would be wrapped up in the short time that was left in the book. I will say that the cliffhanger is great in the sense that it provides more time to build the relationship between Cassidy and Luke. I'm definitely intrigued by their relationship and would love to see how it builds and grows. 

I definitely recommend this book and I can't wait to find out what happens next!

REVIEW: Scandalous by LJ Shen

Scandalous by L.J. Shen
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Book Description: 

They call him The Mute for a reason.
Hard, cold and calculated, he rarely speaks.
When he does, it’s with disdain.
When he does, his words aren’t meant for me.
When he does, my stomach flips and my world tilts on its axis.
He is thirty-three.
I am eighteen.
He’s a single dad and my father’s business partner.
I’m just a kid to him and his enemy’s daughter.
He’s emotionally unavailable.
And I am…feeling. Feeling things I shouldn’t feel for him.
Trent Rexroth is going to break my heart. The writing isn’t just on the wall, it’s inked on my soul.
And yet, I can’t stay away.
A scandal is the last thing my family needs. But a scandal is what we’re going to give them.
And oh, what beautiful chaos it will be

REVIEW: Hide Your Crazy by Lani Lynn Vale

I’m kind of a lady, but definitely more of a weirdo. 

Hearing the woman at the table behind him say that to her friend should’ve turned Logan Gibbs off.

It doesn’t. In all honesty, it only makes him listen harder.

He’s had enough weird in his life to last a lifetime. The last thing his complicated life needs is a woman in it who has no clue what color you get when you mix yellow and blue together.

Yet, her obvious blonde moments aren’t enough to deter him. Nor is her lack of finger-painting skills.

I’m a cop, not a miracle worker. 

Hearing the man in the group behind her say that should’ve had Katy Roberts running away as fast as her feet would carry her. Katy’s father’s a cop, and it’s hard enough to live her life with Daddy trying to dictate her every move. She needs another cop in her life like she needs yet another thing to go wrong.

To add onto that, she can’t find a job, has no love life to speak of, and has to be the oldest known virgin in Kilgore, Texas.

Yet, when she sees his painting—a painting that resembles a piece of the male anatomy more than the lighthouse they were supposed to be painting—she knows that she has to give him a chance.

The very last thing the two of them expect is for her father and his boss to force them to marry after an eensy-weensy accident. An accident that, surprisingly, both of them want.

Amazon | Amazon AU | Amazon CA 

| Amazon UK | Apple | Nook | Kobo

NEW RELEASE: HeartThrob by Megan Vernon

Title: HeartThrob

Series: Heart Duet #1

Author: Magan Vernon

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: March 25, 2019

Blurb

He was just another dad at my daughter’s school.

Another very hot, former teen heartthrob dad.

One I couldn’t get involved with.   

Lennox Reign was the hottest teen star over fifteen years ago. Now, he's staring me daggers across the principal's office.

Not my fault my daughter got in trouble the first day of school and I seem to have 'bad mom' stamped on my forehead.

But now not only do I have to see Lennox and his very grown-up body now at school drop off, but we're working together on the school bake sale.

If he could just stop being a brooding heartbreaker for like two seconds.

He says he wants to keep the past in the past and move forward with his life, but the closer we get and the more I uncover, the more I can't help falling for the former actor.

The one who I know could easily break me.

And he will.

***

HeartThrob is told from the Female POV

ADD TO GOODREADS

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Ok, so I goofed. Do you know me? Do you know of my loathing for cliffhangers?! Well...when I found this book, I immediately knew I had to read it. I saw there was a book 2, that it was a "duet" but I either didn't read the blurb of book 2 very closely or there wasn't much to it yet because I'd convinced myself that it was more of a companion book as opposed to an actual continuation (I know, shame on me. But whatever gets you through the night *hehe* if you don't recognize that line, just wait)

The first time I read the blurb for this book I thought of Luke Perry. This was before his death, before his stroke...but it made me think of him, his teen heartthrob image and him being my first actor/character crush...my first "book boyfriend" if you will, before I even knew what that was (my first crush ever goes to Donnie Wahlberg, but I digress)...

One of the things that drew me to this book was the fact that it made me think of Luke Perry. I mean, isn't that the dream? You grow up, just so happen to meet your teen heartthrob crush and he falls in love with normal ole' you? So I knew I had to read this. 

I'll admit, even tho Lennox had blonde hair, and when it was mentioned that he had blond hair, I kind of pictured him as a Paul Walker-esque, the predominant visual I had in my head was Dylan McKay. I just couldn't help it. 

I was entranced by this book. I want to say I couldn't put it down, but that's not entirely true. It's not that it didn't hold my attention, but there were a couple of points when something was going to happen, and I just KNEW what it was and it gave me anxiety and embarrassment for the characters and I just needed a break. At one point, I was reading before bed and KNEW what was going to happen on the next page and I literally put my kindle down and fell asleep because I just couldn't handle going on at that moment. (yeah, this is why I don't really do books with a lot of angst 😟😬🙈)

I loved the slow build of this book. I loved how Rachel and Lennox met. I loved how she kept putting her foot in her mouth and their battle of emails. It was all just perfect. I loved that their daughters were friends and that Rachel was determined to get over the weirdness and dislike for their kids. I loved that the friendship grew and yet, Rachel still couldn't stop putting her foot in her mouth around Lennox. 

Even though I loathe cliffhangers, I'm dying/looking forward to the next book. There were things hinted at in this book about Lennox's past and you got a little info, but I can't wait to read more. I can't wait to find out everything. 

I did see the blow up coming. I had a couple of theories going, but the actual thing that happened...that was my main theory and I KNEW it was coming. I didn't expect the exact fall out but I was pretty proud of myself that I called it. 

Overall, I'd definitely recommend this book. 

Excerpt

“Well, accidents happen, Mr. Reign. You weren’t the only one called out of work, and I’m sure the girls both learned their lesson.” I forced a smile, hoping he’d drop the hard-ass look.

No such luck.

I glanced at the principal out of the corner of my eye, hoping she’d have something to say. But before she could even open her mouth, the guy spoke again.

“Yes, we can hope this doesn’t happen again. Make sure your daughter knows that.”

I whipped my head around. “Excuse me? You think my daughter, out of the blue, on her first day, decided ‘Hey, let’s try and unclog a toilet and flood the bathroom!’”

He smirked, the only crack in his exterior. “Never happened before with my daughter and she’s been going here since preschool.”

This guy had some nerve.

“Yeah, well, people change. Not everyone can solve kids’ problems in twenty minutes with a laugh track.” The words flew out of my lips before I could take them back.

I really needed to learn how to use a filter.

“You really just used a sitcom line?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Well, you are Lennox Reign, aren’t you? Former poster boy, even with your own milk mustache campaign? I’m sure you raised enough hell as a teen star,” I spat.

He shook his head, blowing a breath of air out of his nose as he muttered, “Un-fucking-believable.”

Finally, the principal walked around her desk, putting her hands out. “Okay, I think that’s enough. Both of your daughters have been given a warning, and we will make sure this doesn’t happen again. Okay? No need for language.”

“You’re right, Ambro. Sorry for getting out of hand,” Lennox said, offering her a smile but not even glancing in my direction.

Ass.

Author Bio

Magan Vernon has been living off of reader tears since she wrote her first short story in 2004. She now spends her time killing off fictional characters, pretending to plot while she really just watches Netflix, and she tries to do this all while her two young children run amok around her Texas ranch. Find her online at www.maganvernon.com

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GOODREADS

NEW RELEASE: The Real Deal by Lauren Blakely!

   

Sometimes you need to find a boyfriend-for-hire in the most unusual of places...

What do you get when you mix a bad boy with a heart of gold and a smart & sassy heroine with a desperate need for a fake relationship? THE REAL DEAL, a brand new, standalone romantic comedy from #1 New York Times bestseller Lauren Blakely! Get a copy of your next favorite feel good rom-com now!

   

✮✮✮THE REAL DEAL is here! Grab your copy today! ✮✮✮

April Hamilton wants you to know she hasn’t been on GigsForHire since that time she sold her futon after college. She doesn’t even spend that much time online. And even if she did, she would not be looking up personal ads. But going home alone for her family's summer reunion is an invitation for every single relative to butt into her personal life. She simply can’t handle another blind date with the butcher, the baker or the candlestick maker from her hometown. So when she finds the GigsforHire ad for a boyfriend-for-hire, she’s ready to pay to play.

Heading Home and Need a Buffer? I’m the REAL DEAL. Theo Banks has been running from the past for years. He’s this close to finally settling all his debts, and one more job as a boyfriend-for-hire will do the trick. He’s no gigolo. Please. He’s something of an actor, and he knows how to slip into any role, including pretending to be April’s new beau -- the bad boy with the heart of gold.

Even if it means sleeping in close quarters in that tiny little bed in her parents’ inn. Even if it means spinning tales of a romance that starts to feel all too true. What neither one of them counts on is that amid the egg toss, the arm wrestling, and a fierce game of Lawn Twister that has them tangled up together, they might be feeling the real deal.

She only wanted to show her family once and for all that she had no need to settle down.

He didn’t expect to have the time of his life at her parent’s home.

They didn’t plan on loving every single second of the game.

But can a masterful game of pretend result in true love?

GET YOU SOME by Lani Lynn Vale!!!!

Title: Get You Some

Series: The Simple Man Series

Author: Lani Lynn Vale

Genre: Romance Suspense

Release Date: June 7, 2018 Photographer: FuriousFotog Cover Model: Chase Ketron Cover Design: Cover Me Darling

You want some?

She snarls those words at him with barely concealed hostility the moment he arrives at her window to ask for her license and registration.

After a few choice words, he lets her go with not one ticket, but three.

Next time she should check the attitude at the door and realize that he’s a cop, and just doing his job.

Come get some.

Fast forward a week, and he’s still unable to think about anything else but her and her bad attitude—oh, and those sexy lips, angry eyes, and her promise to make his life hell.

Knowing he should stay away, he takes a step back and tries not to think about anything that has to do with those long legs, and that mouth that could be used for much better things than spewing venom. Then she makes a mistake.

At an interview, she rattles off a random number to use as a reference for a job that she desperately needs, and that number just happens to be Johnny’s. 

She’ll regret being so rude, and one day she’ll think twice when she decides to throw attitude toward a man like him.

Vowing to make her life hell, he decides to have a little fun.

Never get enough.

What he doesn’t expect is to fall for her.

The more Johnny learns about June, the deeper he digs his hole. Soon, he doesn’t know which way is up, and he’s just fine with that.

Over time, he learns that not everyone bothers to dig past her prickly demeanor and get to the woman that lives deeper.

When one too many citizens of Hostel, Texas tries to back her against the wall, he’s had enough.

After all, you don’t mess with what’s his.

The Right Stud by Ilsa Madden-Mills & Tia Louise!

Title: The Right Stud

Authors: Ilsa Madden-Mills & Tia Louise

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: June 4, 2018

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills and USA Today bestselling author Tia Louise are back with an all-new romantic comedy filled with Southern sass and steamy scenes that will have you laughing out loud and fanning yourself. Pour the sweet tea and get ready…

“The best way to get over your sh**ty ex-fiancé is to get under a shiny new stud…”

As soon as Mr. Tall, Blond, and Handsome walks into that bar, I know he’s the hook-up I need to get over stupid Cheater Kyle.

A few stolen kisses in a dark hallway, and I’m pretty sure we’re headed for a home run—until he disappears without a trace.

Whatever. Men are all snakes in the grass, and I don’t need a new one anyway.

I resolve to forget about his perfect lips (and chest of steel) and instead focus on turning my Granny’s old beach house into a profitable B&B.

What I don’t expect is for him to show up the next day in my kitchen!

You see, my sexy mystery man is none other than Jax Roland, the drop-dead gorgeous home improvement star of The Right Stud, and he’s got an offer I can’t refuse.

With a suitcase in one hand and a hammer in the other, he wants to move in and renovate my old house while he films his new show.

But my roommate has secrets, and they threaten to rip our blossoming friendship—and possible love—apart.

When push comes to shove, is Jax really The Right Stud or is he just another nail in the coffin of love?

ADD TO GOODREADS

The Boyfriend Experience by JA Huss

Title: The Boyfriend Experience

Series: Jordan's Game #3

Author: JA Huss

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance

Release Date: May 30, 2018

From NYT Bestselling Author, JA Huss, comes a new sexy standalone in the Jordan's Game series.

I NEED A BOYFRIEND… and I need one now…

WANTED

One bad-ass man with boyfriend experience.

Must be willing to fight dirty and work weekends, nights, and overtime.

Bad attitude a must. Bonus points if you’re hot, athletic, and sporting tattoos.

When I asked Jordan Wells for a Boyfriend Experience game I didn’t expect to get stuck with billionaire real-estate agent, Lawton Ayers. He doesn’t exactly fit the job description.

WANTED

One professional woman with business experience.

Must be willing to build a future together.

Successful entrepreneur a must. Bonus points if you’re a crazy local legend.

When Jordan Wells offered up Oaklee Ryan a last-minute business partner to seal a deal I’ve been working on for years, I didn’t expect beautiful, sexy, and multi-orgasmic to be on her list of qualifications.

But that’s what I got. And she’s perfect just the way she is.

Too bad she doesn’t want me to be HER boyfriend. Because she bought me for someone else…

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!! Law & Beard by Lani Lynn Vale

Today we have the cover reveal for LAW & BEARD by Lani Lynn Vale! Check it out and grab your copy today!

 

Title: LAW & BEARD 

Series: The Dixie Warden Rejects 

Author: Lani Lynn Vale 

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Release Day: March 8th

 

Winnie thinks she has the perfect life.

Two beautiful, healthy children. A police officer husband. A job that she loves. Oh, and let’s not forget that she’s a nationally ranked marathon runner.

Fast forward six months, and her perfect life has imploded.

Winnie finds herself in a completely new world, and this new world is a brutal bitch.

In this new life of hers, her husband is gone. He realizes, at the worst possible time, that he’s no longer in love with her. He’s in love with her best friend. So he leaves, and doesn’t look back.

Her sixteen-year-old daughter is in trouble with the law, and she’s barely making ends meet thanks to losing the job that was keeping her and her tiny family afloat.

Then, the last thing that could make it all bearable, her running, is ripped out from under her, too. Thanks to a spinal stroke that leaves her unable to walk, let alone run, she’s having to relearn how to do the simplest of tasks—such as putting on her own pants.

She’s at the lowest of lows, and the last thing she wants is a sexy, bearded, motorcycle riding alpha to tell her how to live her life.

But Steel Cross never asks her what she wants.

***

The moment Steel Cross sees Winnie’s daughter steal some shoes for her younger brother, he knows he’s in trouble.

He’s a sucker for misunderstood teens. After all, he was once one himself.

He knows he can’t just walk away, and the moment he sees that troubled teen’s mother, he doesn’t just know it, he feels it. Down to the very bottom of his soul.

With his share of hard knocks, he knows that he shouldn’t step in and make his move on a fellow police officer’s ex. There’s a code, after all, yet he just can’t seem to help himself.

He’s done being the good guy. Sometimes he just wants to be bad.

And Winnie makes him realize that being bad is still kind of good. As long as you’re with the right person.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

iBooks | Nook | Kobo

Check out the rest of The Dixie Warden Rejects Series

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!! THE ROAD TO YOU by Melissa Toppen!

THE ROAD TO YOU IS NOW LIVE! The Road to You is finally here and available for FREE on Kindle Unlimited! Life is full of choices- of chances- of moments. Chances we regret not taking. Choices we wish we could change. And then there are the moments that define us. Kam was my choice… The one who stole my heart instantly. Kane was my chance… The one who set me ablaze with just one look. They were my moment… Two brothers that both owned a part of me. Two brothers that I loved in different ways for different reasons. One brother shattered my heart. The other put it back together. Both changed me forever. The Road to You is a standalone contemporary romance.