PROMO: Sweet on You (425 Madison #13) by K.C. Enders

Contemporary Romance – 138 Pages

About the Book:

Lyla Dupree
She’s a bubbly, sugary sweet pastry chef. Living her best life in the Big Apple. Luxury apartment. Successful patisserie. Everything is great–better than great. It’s absolutely perfect.

Raleigh Jacobs
He’s grumbly and growly–and so very out of his element–working on a temporary assignment in NYC. He wants to do his job and get out. Back to the clean air in the mountains near Denver.

Throw them together.
Mix things up.
Turn up the heat and what you get is, quite simply, alarming.

After all, 425 Madison is the perfect place to fall in love.

Excerpt (on behalf of the author and Forever Write PR):

The door next to me swings open, and a giant of lean muscle, scruffy cheeks, and deep dark brown scowling eyes steps out into the hallway, startling me.

With a really unladylike gasp, I stumble backward until my back hits the doorjamb. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” I squeak. “You scared me. Welcome. Kent emailed me that he’d sublet his place for a couple of months, though he didn’t tell me anything about you. Not that he needed to, I mean, it’s none of my business, really. I’m Lyla Dupree, it’s lovely to meet you.” I thrust my hand out to shake, but he just stares, so I let it fall back to my side.

I’m rambling, and I can’t seem to stop. It’s my thing when I’m nervous, but my roommate Sasha tells me it comes off as bubbly and kind of sweet. From the look on this guy’s face, though, I wonder if she’s just been blowing sunshine up my butt because he looks pissed. And that just makes me even more nervous, so the bubbly word vomit continues.

“You picked an amazing place to live while you’re here in the city. Where are you from? Somewhere out west, maybe? I mean, not that I know. I already told you that, so it’s just a guess, but with the flannel and the beanie…” Dear Jesus, now would be a perfect time for me to shut up. “Anyway, I just finished testing a new recipe, I’m a chef. I don’t know if Kent mentioned that when you talked about the sublet, but he should have. I mean, I do pastries, and my roommate Sasha does more of the real food. Oh my God, she makes the best mac and cheese, truly she’s amazing. Kent said it was a good thing he had to leave for this temporary assignment in London. Something about gaining weight if he lived next to us for too much longer. I don’t know, though, I think something might have happened between him and Sasha, you know? They both kind of started acting funny and then the next thing I know he’s taking a job in England for a year. But, whatever. Do you like sweets? Cakes, cookies, pastries? Any food allergies I should know about?”

And, cue uncomfortable silence.

*As always, by clicking on the above cover it will bring you to the Amazon purchase page.

 

 

Review of Beaus and Arrows by Rashida T. Williams

“Subtlety. Was. Not. Working.” 

 

Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Romance

Length: 350 Pages

POV: Third Person

Description:

Emory hates his job—almost as much as he hates being called “Cupid.” Tasked with spreading love throughout the Earth realm, Emory wields his arrows with reckless abandon and matches couples based solely on their entertainment value. On the same day his impulsive behavior triggers an audit, he accidentally breaks the heart of his most dependable client, Blair.

Blair completely loses her ability to feel love and desire, and as her matchmaker, Emory expects her to be furious. Instead, she agrees to help him salvage his floundering career on one condition. He must find her the perfect man. Emory sets out on a frantic search for her soulmate, and Blair seems to find amusement in the diversion. But as the barrier surrounding Blair’s broken heart grows stronger, she is unable to connect with suitor after suitor, leaving Emory to console her after each failed match.

Emory and Blair’s unexpected bond turns into friendship, and soon Emory finds himself falling in love with the one woman who can’t love him back. In a race against time, Emory must mend Blair’s broken heart before her condition becomes irreversible…and before the audit committee banishes him for this grave error.

Jennifer’s Review:

*I received this book free from the author.*

Emory was a Cupid, but he didn’t believe in true love. He created matches that entertained him. Maybe he’d match them because they were both beautiful and he thought they’d make perfect babies. Or maybe just because they were both in the same place at the same time.

Blair was his only solo client. He’d matched her a few times, but never anything lasted. However, the last match he chose for her broke her heart. And with it broken Emory could no longer penetrate her heart with his arrows. Therefore, he was in trouble with his superiors.

“You’re the sexiest love god on the planet!”

Emory told Blair who he truly was. She even went to work with him, helping his other clients. They became close friends, with hilarious horseplay included. He’d hoped he could eventually cure her…instead, he fell in love with her. But her heart was still broken and she was unable to love him back. Or so he thought.

“Je t’aime.”

Beaus and Arrows is a heartwarming story about knowing when to let love go and when to give it everything you have. I enjoyed the imagination and detail. It took a subject everyone knows, Cupid, and turned it into something completely original. From the way Blair had to move between realms to how the Cupids did their jobs. It was half heartbreaking and half heartwarming. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

*Clicking on the book cover above will take you to the Amazon purchase page.

 

 

Bigham is back to reading and reviewing!

Good Evening,

I have had to take some time off from reviewing and taking on new reviews for some medical reasons. I am happy to say that I am doing better and able to start reading again. I have updated my reading list and will be taking on some new reviews.  All that I ask is please be a little patient with me as I get back into the swing of things. Thank you all for allowing us to read your wonderful words!

Big shout out to Jennifer as she has continued to keep this up and running while I was down. Love you forever Jen.

Mindy B.

Review of The Omega Rule (The Omega Force #1) by Sharilyn Skye

“I want to live with you, not die with you.” 

 

Genre: Omegaverse (with a twist), Dystopian

Length: 259 Pages

POV: Third Person

Description:

Some family feuds don’t die; they bleed so deep into the soil they grow roots.

This one is ripping the country apart, but only those embroiled in it know it’s being fought.

Half dead from her last estrus and desperate to save her homeland, Eve makes the difficult journey to the Capital of the New South in an attempt to court the only Alpha she thinks might be honorable. She offers him herself, her nest, and her submission if he allows her to get to know him first, gives her a semblance of choice, and at least listens to the plight of her people.

Only The Alpha isn’t much of a listener, and he neglects to read the document he signs out of frustration to get his hands on the exotic beauty in front of him. After taking Eve as his, he finds that holding an Omega who moves like smoke isn’t as easy as he thought.

Contract broken, Eve lies, steals, and takes what she needs to gain the strength needed to fight a war none of them can afford to lose. The Alpha may not know it, but the fate of the New South lies in her hands.

***The Omega Rule is a dystopian, m/f, HEA, Omegaverse novel and contains elements of dubious consent. If such material offends you, please do not purchase. 18 and Over. ***

Jennifer’s Review:

*I received this book free from the author.*

Eve is an Omega, but not a typical one. Her parent’s were Alphas and raised her with sophistication and education. However, there were some who only saw her as an Omega, and treated her as such. That was their mistake. She’s a fighter and more than that…she’s a leader.

Luke is an Alpha leader who had no clue what just landed in his home. He saw her as a feisty Omega. He didn’t realize his mistake until it was too late.

Eve needed a partner, not a master, for she too is a leader, and she will not let her people down. She’d die first.

I enjoyed watching Luke’s transition as he learned more about Eve. Especially once his mother makes an appearance and sets him straight.

“I know that you’re right. She’s perfect for you. Now go be perfect for her.”

The Omega Rule brought an entire new world to me. Everything from their society, to their biology, to the way they mate. It was all interesting and easily held my attention. I’m not sure it was something I would have chosen for myself to read, but Sharilyn has a creative mind, and I’m never disappointed. This one is no exception and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for The Omega Force.

*Clicking on the book cover above will take you to the Amazon purchase page.

 

 

Review of Miss Understanding (Miss #1) by Aubrey Bondurant

“Strawberry lip gloss is my kryptonite.” 

 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 344 Pages

POV: Alternating First Person

Description:

Liam Davenport is the most infuriating man I’ve ever known – and he’s my boss.

Worse, he’s undeniably sexy. At least until I’m subject to one of his trademark sighs of disapproval. I’m counting the days until I can walk away from this job. But first, I need to survive the trip from hell he’s dragged me on. One entire week with his arrogant smile and my unexpected naughty thoughts.

I might get fired.
He just might be worth it.

Kendall Tate is the most distracting woman I’ve ever met – and she’s my assistant.

She’s irritatingly clever, and much too nice for the likes of me. I need to remain professional, even if the smell of her strawberry lip gloss is my kryptonite. No matter how much I want her, Kendall is off limits.

Growing closer to her might be a mistake.
I might just take the risk.

Full Length Standalone book with no cliffhanger. First book of the “Miss Series”.

***Miss Understanding is for mature audiences due to steamy bedroom scenes that are in no way contained to just the bedroom.***

Jennifer’s Review:

*I received this book free from the author.*

Kendall can’t stand her boss. Yes, he’s nice on the eyes. Very nice. But nothing makes him happy. She could serve him the moon on a platter and he’d be disappointed it wasn’t blue enough. This is why she keeps a journal filled with hilarious ways he could suffer.

Liam worked hard to get where he is. He had a difficult childhood and doesn’t relish in returning to his hometown, but he’d do almost anything for his mother and sister, even if it means going to his father’s funeral.

How will he distract himself from the mad desire to fly back home? Bring his assistant and work non-stop. Sounded good in his head. In reality it will turn his entire world upside down. Can’t say that is a bad thing.

“What do you have to lose?” I instantly regretted my words when I saw the way her eyes narrowed.

“My heart, you stupid jerk.”

Kendall and Liam cross a line and no matter what they think once it’s crossed there is no going back. It’ll change everything. What happens when they get back to reality…now that’s when it gets even more interesting. Can’t run from a surprise.

Aubrey does it again with her new Miss Series. Miss Understanding is full of humorous turmoil, perfectly timed interfering siblings, failing willpowers, definite surprises, and sex so passionate it could burn the pages. What more could you want in a book? I know I’m looking forward to what else this series brings.

“There are many visions of you burned inside of my brain, but this one, with you naked, glistening from me making you come, with an oven mitt in your mouth, will be by far my favorite.”

 

*Clicking on the book cover above will take you to the Amazon purchase page.

 

 

PROMO: Almost Just Friends (Wildstone #4) by Jill Shalvis

Contemporary Romance – 384 Pages

About the Book:

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Wildstone with the touching story of finding your place in the world—and the people who make it home.

Piper Manning’s about as tough as they come, she’s had to be. She raised her siblings and they’ve thankfully flown the coop. All she has to do is finish fixing up the lake house her grandparents left her, sell it, and then she’s free.

When a massive storm hits, she runs into a tall, dark and brooding stranger, Camden Reid. There’s a spark there, one that shocks her. Surprising her further, her sister and brother return, each of them holding their own secrets. The smart move would be for Piper to ignore them all but Cam unleashes emotions deep inside of her that she can’t deny, making her yearn for something she doesn’t understand. And her siblings…well, they need each other.

Only when the secrets come out, it changes everything Piper thinks she knows about her family, herself…and Cam. Can she find a way to outrun the demons? The answer is closer than she thinks—just as the new life she craves may have already begun.

Excerpt:

The last time a woman had ordered Cam to strip had been a very different scene altogether, and it’d been a while. Generally speaking, he liked to be behind the wheel in most situations, but he’d never had any complaints about a woman driving in his bed. “Interesting bedside manner.”

“Okay,” she said. “How about strip, please.”

He laughed, and he realized that until tonight, it’d been a damn long time for that too. “Well, since you asked so nicely . . .” But still he hesitated.

“Trust me, I’ve seen it all before.”

He pulled off his shirt, wincing when the cotton stuck to the deepest slice across his chest.

Piper blinked, and for the first time all night, appeared short of words.

It was pretty damn cute, especially with the mud on her nose. “Thought you’ve seen it all before.” She bit her lower lip, eyes suddenly hooded, and he couldn’t resist teasing her. “So, how do I stack up?”

That got her, and she rolled her eyes. “Like you don’t know. Sit.”

The couch seemed too . . . personal, so he sat on her coffee table. She dropped to her knees at his side and doctored up first the cut on his left palm from where he’d nicked himself in his dad’s kitchen, and then the two slices on his left biceps, and then the biggest one across his chest, during which time he did his best to ignore the feel of her soft breath on his skin and failed.

When she’d finished, she looked down at his cargoes and saw the blood seeping through from his thigh. Rising to her feet, she stepped back, gesturing for him to lose the pants too.

“Seriously,” he said. “Doesn’t even have to be dinner. An appetizer would work.”

“If you’re real good, I’ll give you a sticker.”

“How about letting me look at your secret secret bucket list instead?”

Her eyes narrowed. “How about we stop talking now?”

“Wait.” He cocked his head. “Does this mean you also have a secret bucket list? And possibly a not-so- secret bucket list?”

She had hands on hips; a fresh, clean gauze in one hand, antibiotic ointment in the other, her expression dialed to Not Feeling Playful.

With a rough laugh, he stood and took the gauze and ointment from her. “I got this one, Doc.” And then he gestured for her to turn around.

She did with a smirk, and then spoke over her shoulder. “Didn’t peg you for the shy type.”

“Oh, I’m not shy.” He shoved his icy, muddy, wet cargoes to his thighs, and yeah, the cat had come within two inches of de-manning him. “Just didn’t want to have to fight you off.”

“Don’t worry,” she said. “I always get verbal consent first. And I bet you didn’t want me to see your tighty-whities.”

He gritted his teeth as he cleaned out the cut. Son of a bitch, that cat had gone deep. “They’re not tight and they’re not white.”

“Batman undies?”

“Commando,” he said, and that shut her up. When he’d finished and pulled his pants back up, he lifted his head and found her facing him. His brows went up. “See anything you like?”

Instead of answering, she blushed. And he grinned because, yeah. She’d definitely seen something she liked.

 

From Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis, published by William Morrow. Copyright © 2020 by Jill Shalvis. Reprinted courtesy of HarperCollinsPublishers https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062897800/almost-just-friends/

 

I don’t know about you, but after reading that excerpt…I’m thinking this could be one very interesting and HOT book! Happy reading!

*As always, by clicking on the above cover it will bring you to the Amazon purchase page.

 

 

Review of Ravena (The Eight #2) by Sharilyn Skye

“I can’t help but love her.” 

 

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Length: 320 Pages

POV: Alternating First Person

Description:

She is Unbreakable Glass.
She is Stronger than they know.
She has a plan.
She is Ravena.

In the land of lost magic and scarred souls, a land ruled by a cruel Queen with love for no one, Ravena was born. Her life did not start, in truth, until the day her best friend helped her kill the vicious mate forced upon her.

Surrounded by three tattered mates, she must find a way to bring them together and form some semblance of a family or face the Queen’s wrath and removal from the devil she knows. There are horrors in Talamh na Sithe that would kill for one of The Eight and she cannot allow that to happen.

She’s paid her dues.

Ravena knows there is a way through the storm of loss, betrayal, and pain for all of them, she just needs to find it because storms can’t last forever and if flowers can bloom in this blood-soaked land, so can love.

***Ravena is a stand-alone, Dark Romance/ Reverse Harem with various elements that some readers may find triggering. Although there is a HEA, there is no end that does not bring with it some amount of darkness. 18 and over.***

Jennifer’s Review:

*I received this book free from the author.*

Book one in the Eight series was Airmed and I would suggest reading it first. In it you learn a little about each of the eight girls and it brings a side to them you wouldn’t get otherwise.

Ravena wasn’t one of the lucky girls. She got sent to live with four brothers. The eldest wasn’t nice at all and that’s putting it mildly. He dominated the house with an iron fist and no one who lived within those walls escaped his wrath, not even his brothers, so when he dies of a ‘heart condition’ no one shed a tear.

Finn, Lochlann, and Rory had many years more than Ravena did of the pain that house held, but if she could put it behind her then so could they. One by one they realize the true meaning of love and family.

“I know she hates me. She is the first woman I ever slept with and she hates my guts. I can’t help but love her.”

Ravena is another intriguing book from Sharilyn Skye. It’s does have some intense sexual scenes, the ones from their memories regarding Rowan are not always consensual. But the ones that are….are a mixture of hot and sweet. There’s also betrayal, murder, and conspiracy. I cannot wait to see whose book is next.

Honestly, I’m torn between wanting to know about the eight and reading each of their books and seeing how they tie together with the Healer series. All I do know is that it’s going to be one hell of journey.

*Clicking on the book cover above will take you to the Amazon purchase page.