Release Day Review: Blowback (The Monsters Within Duet #2) by Monica James

BLOWBACK: The Monsters Within Duet: Book Two
Genre: Dark Romance
Cover Model: Andrew England @andrewengland88
Photographer: James Rupapara @jamesrupapara
Cover Designer: Sommer Stein—Perfect Pear Creative Covers

BLOWBACK

Book Two  

This was supposed to be simple. Vengeance was mine. But I should know by now that nothing in life is easy.

My endgame has changed all because I met someone who wishes I was dead. 

Yet her hatred is the only thing saving her from The Big Bad. My lies protect her, so the harder she hates, the safer she is.

The thing about love and hate—it skates a very thin line. I need to stay away. 

It’s better for everyone if I do. But fighting this is like fighting nature.

Our paths crossed for a reason, and my Tiger isn’t fooled. Once the smoke clears, she will see every player, including me. I don’t deserve a second chance. 

But I want one…because I want her. The question is, what happens when the truth is finally revealed?

With the end in sight, I can promise you there will be nothing but violence and mayhem. Oh yes, blood will be shed.

Release date: May 7^th

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What I thought about Blowback

4.5 stars

The previous book in this series ended in a big cliffhanger, and it was a bit of a disappointment that this one had a slow start, but once it got going, the story took off.  Revenge is always dark and never goes well, and this is no exception. It's full of twists and turns and doesn't skimp on the violent aspects of this story.

Bull and Tiger are made for each other and theirs is not a traditional sort of love. These characters and what they are going through kept me in the story and turning the pages. They aren't your ordinary hero and heroine, but a product of their dark environment where everyone is suspicious and vicious and usually not exactly who they say they are.  their passion stands out and I loved that about these characters.

Make no mistake -- this is a dark story of revenge and romance that doesn't go smoothly in any stretch of the imagination. If you read the first book in this series, you know that. but there is some redemption here, the kind you find in a well written dark romance.  There's a lot of gray area between the lines and the moral compass needs some calibration,  if ykwim.  All of it comes to a conclusion that left me thinking about these characters long after I finished reading.

Overall, a dark and twisty tale for fans of dark romance

An ARC was provided. This is my honest review. 

Bio

Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.

When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. 

She draws her inspiration from life. 

She is a bestselling author in the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.

Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.

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Release Day Review & Excerpt: 5 Stars for Stone Princess (Tin Gypsy #3) by Devney Perry

 

 

STONE PRINCESS

Release Date: May 5th, 2020

Presley Marks has just become a cliché: the jilted bride. Wearing a white dress, standing in front of her friends and family, she announces that her fiancé—according to his text—has forgotten about the wedding.

Humiliated and angry, she hides from the world in the mundane routine of her life. Working at the Clifton Forge Garage isn’t glamorous, but it’s safe from the spotlight.

At least it was, until Shaw Valance comes to town.

The notorious Hollywood actor is starring in a movie based on the town’s infamous murder. When he’s not on set, Shaw hovers at the garage, watching as they build his custom motorcycle and irritating her with his handsome smile. He was supposed to leave once filming wrapped and go back to his fancy life, not buy the house next door.

But Shaw might regret that purchase once Presley’s ex-fiancé returns, bringing with him a war between old rivals that could burn both their houses down.

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Purchase Details: www.devneyperry.com/books/stone-princess

 

EXCERPT

My realtor would have earned a higher commission if she had mentioned that the woman who lived next door was Presley Marks. “Isn’t this a surprise?”
“Is it?” Presley asked, frowning as I descended my steps and crossed the lawn, meeting her in her driveway. She raised a dark blond eyebrow. “Because it sort of feels like stalking.”
I chuckled. “I swear I had no idea you lived next door.”
But what a bonus. I wouldn’t have to make excuses to stop by the garage to see her. She could tear that insurance waiver to shreds. Presley had to know I didn’t give a damn about that bike they were building for me.
“You bought this house?”
“Yeah.” I reached for the grocery bags she had in her hands. “Here, let me help.”
She twisted away. “I’ve got them.”
“Come on.” I stepped forward and she took a step back. Wait, did she really think I was stalking her? “I’m just trying to help. I mean, I’ll probably start writing down your daily schedule so I can make sure our paths cross at least once a day. But that’s normal, right? For stalkers?”
“Are you being funny?”
My smile flattened. “I guess not.”

What I thought about Stone Princess

In this third book in the Tin Gypsy series, a movie crew arrives in Clifton Forge to setup for a movie about Amina's murder. While the town might be abuzz because of the actors and actresses in their little town, the gang at the garage aren't quite so happy about having their family business dragged onto film.  Lucky for them, the movie crew didn't approach Dash and the employees of the garage, that is until actor Shaw Valance decides he wants an insider's view of what goes on there.

Presley Marks' heart is still healing after being left at the altar by Jeremiah, her fiance and rival Warrior MC member.  She's tired of the town's pity and just wants to do her job at the garage.  The cancellation of her wedding brings up all sorts of feelings about her past relationship with Draven Slater, one of the casualties during the murder investigation that the movie crew is now dredging up again.  The reader gets to learn a whole lot more about Presley's background and how she came to be in Clifton Forge, including a twin sister she hasn't seen in years.

When Shaw Valance comes to town, he checks out the garage and is floored by everything about Presley. He wants her. She doesn't trust him at first, but gradually softens toward him until they decide on enjoying each other until he has to leave when the movie shoot is over.

Both Shaw and Presley develop some real feelings for each other, especially Shaw who falls hard for her, and I mean hard!  I absolutely loved how their relationship grew slowly and deliberately, building a whole lot of trust along the way.  They are so hot together!  But Shaw isn't staying and Presley must protect her heart from being crushed again.

The last part of this book is so so good with some surprises along the way and a very satisfying conclusion to Shaw and Presley's story that I absolutely adored!  Stone Princess might just be my favorite so far in this series.  I loved their relationship journey. I also like when an author keeps other characters in the story involved, like Dash, Draven, Genevieve and Isaiah, Lou and Emmett. They all have a bit to play in this story.

Another wonderful installment in this series.  

An ARC was provided. This is my honest review. 

 

About the Author

Devney is a USA Today bestselling author. Born and raised in Montana, she loves writing books set in her treasured home state. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her husband and two sons. Writing one book, let alone many, was not something she ever expected to do. But now that she’s discovered her true passion for writing romance, she has no plans to ever stop. Devney loves hearing from readers!

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5 Stars for The Ingredients of You and Me (Hopeless Romantics #3) by Nina Bocci

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of the “heartwarming and refreshingly sweet” (Lauren Layne, New York Times bestselling author) On the Corner of Love and Hate comes a sizzling and sweet small-town love story that follows a bakery store owner who decides to take her chances on a truly hopeless romantic.

After selling her successful bakery back in New York, Parker Powell decides to visit her best friend Charlotte in Hope Lake, Pennsylvania, to figure out her next steps. As she acquaints herself with the people in town, she begins to wonder why she ever loved city life in the first place. Between the Golden Girls (a.k.a. the senior citizen women who hold court), the response from the town to her sweet treats, and Nick Arthur, the ever-charming local owner of a landscaping business she spent time with during her last visit, Parker finds a community of cheerleaders who encourage her to get her baking mojo back.

At first, everything is great—she collaborates with the Golden Girls to put new twists on traditional confections, and thanks to Nick’s advice, she quickly learns the stark differences between big city and small-town business practices. Although Nick has become her friend and confidant, Parker’s determined to keep things platonic—especially since his girlfriend isn’t a fan of their friendship. But just when things fall into place so they can finally be together, Parker’s dream bakery is threatened by a major corporation who wants to take her down using the very bit of advice that Nick gave her.

With a recipe for disaster looming, Parker must cook up a new scheme, figuring out how to keep the business—and man—she’s come to love before she loses it all.

Perfect for fans of Amy E. Reichert and Jenny Colgan, The Ingredients of You and Me is a scrumptious romantic comedy that lets you have your cake and eat it too.

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What I thought about 

The Ingredients of You and Me

In this third installment of the Hopeless Romantics series, Nina Bocci returns to the fictional town of Hope Lake for more small town shenanigans, love and a bit of heartache.

Parker Powell has sold her NYC Delicious and Vicious bakery to a major player in anticipation of a less stressful lifestyle and more time for her new relationship with Nick from Hope Lake who she's been seeing on the sly.  

When Nick breaks it off by ghosting her before she even has a chance to tell him her good news, Parker is hesitant to return to Hope Lake and run the risk of running into Nick there. But she needs the quiet of the small town and with the thought that no one knows about her and Nick, she returns to Hope Lake, hoping to find her next big venture.

Of course she runs into Nick with some help from the Golden Girls, the town busybodies. They are headed up by the in-your-business Mancini, who happens to know all about Parker's history with Nick.  All the Golden Girls love Nick -- he's their go-to guy and just all around nice guy.

But along with seeing Nick again, Parker also gets to hear about his new girlfriend who no one seems to be crazy about.

With help from the Golden Girls, Parker comes up with ideas for a new business that has everyone excited.  And she even gets help from her ex and now friend, Nick, who's a small business owner himself.  If only that pesky girlfriend no one likes could go away...

I really liked this story.  It's not your typical romance since Nick is with someone else for a good part of the story and I found that to be a fresh approach to this romance. It's clear to everyone but Nick that his current girlfriend is too controlling and the sparks with Parker are more likely to turn into fireworks if they would only give them a chance.

I absolutely adored the storyline with the Golden Girls, their recipes and how they really take Parker into their group.  Without meddling too much, they see that Parker and Nick are made for each other, and they are going to do whatever they can to make it happen. 

Even though Nick's communication skills (or lack of them) bugged the heck out of me, I loved him and Parker together. Parker's love for the Golden Girls warmed my heart and reminded me why I love small town romance -- it's not just about the hero and heroine, it's about the whole town coming together to celebrate the relationships that grow in their town, and there's nothing better than that.

I gobbled this book down in a few days and absolutely loved it.  If you like small town romance, this series is a must. 

An ARC was provided by the publisher.  This is my honest review.

About Nina

Nina Bocci is a USA Today bestselling novelist that loves reading and writing about swoony, relatable heroes and smart, witty heroines. If it's set in a small town, even better. If you're looking for the shiniest lipgloss, poke her on Twitter or Facebook to ask! 

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Blog Tour Review & Excerpt: The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick

 

 THE SECRETS OF LOVE STORY BRIDGE
Author: Phaedra Patrick
ISBN: 9780778309789
Publication Date: April 28, 2020
Publisher: Park Row Books

 Book Summary:

Fredrik Backman meets The Cactus in THE SECRETS OF LOVE STORY BRIDGE (Park Row Books; April 28, 2020; $25.99 US/$32.50 CAN), in which a cynical single father has a surprise encounter on the famous love lock bridge, sparking a journey of self-discovery that may lead him to a second chance at love.

Single father Mitchell Fisher hates all things romance. He enjoys his job removing padlocks fastened to the famous "love lock" bridges of Upchester city. Only his young daughter, Poppy, knows that behind his disciplined veneer, Mitchell grieves the loss of her mother, Anita.

One fateful day, working on the bridge, Mitchell courageously rescues a woman who falls into the river. He’s surprised to feel a connection to her, but the woman disappears before he learns her name. To Mitchell’s shock, a video of the rescue goes viral, hailing him as "The Hero on the Bridge." He’s soon notified by the mysterious woman’s sister, Liza, that she has been missing for over a year. However, the only clue to where the woman could have gone is the engraved padlock she left on the bridge.

Mitchell finds himself swept up in Liza’s quest to find her lost sister. Along the way, with help from a sparkling cast of characters, Mitchell’s heart gradually unlocks, and he discovers new beginnings can be found in the unlikeliest places... 

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Powell’s

Except

The Lilac Envelope

The night before

As he did often, over the past three years, Mitchell Fisher wrote a letter he would never send.

He sat up in bed at midnight and kicked off his sheets. Even though all the internal doors in his apartment were open, the sticky July heat still felt like a shroud clinging to his body. His nine-year-old daughter Poppy thrashed restlessly in her sleep, in the bedroom opposite.

Mitchell turned on his bedside lamp, squinting against the yellow light, and took out a pad of Basildon Bond notepaper from underneath his bed. He always used a fountain pen to write—old-fashioned he supposed, but he was a man who valued things that were well-constructed and long-lasting.

Mitchell tapped the pen against his bottom lip. He knew what he wanted to say, but by the time his words of sorrow and regret travelled from his brain to his fingertips, they were only fragments of what he longed to express.

As he started to write, the sound of the metal nib scratching against paper helped him block out the city street noise that hummed below his apartment.

Dearest Anita

Another letter from me. Everything here is fine, ticking along. Poppy is doing well. The school holidays start soon and I thought she’d be more excited. It’s probably because you’re not here to enjoy them with us.

I’ve taken two weeks off work to spend with her, and have a full itinerary planned for us—badminton, tennis, library visits, cooking, walking, the park, swimming, museums, cooking, a tour of the city bridges, and more. It will keep us busy. Keep our minds off you.

You’ll be amazed how much she’s grown, must be almost your height by now. I tell her how proud I am of her, but it always means more coming from you. 
  Mitchell paused, resting his hand against the pad of paper. He had to tell her how he felt.  
Every time I look at our daughter, I think of you. I wish I could hold you again, and tell you I’m truly sorry.

Yours, always

Mitchell x  
He read his words, always dissatisfied with them, never able to convey the magnitude of grief and guilt he felt. After folding the piece of paper once, he sealed it into a crisp, cream envelope, then squeezed it into the almost-full drawer of his nightstand, amongst all the other letters he’d written. His eyes fell upon the slim lilac envelope he kept on top, the one addressed to him from Anita, that he’d not yet been able to bring himself to open.

Taking that envelope out, he held it under his nose and inhaled. There was still a slight scent of her on the paper, he thought, of violet soap. His finger followed the angle of the gummed flap and then stopped. He closed his eyes and willed himself to open the letter, but his fingernails dented crescents into the paper.

Once more, he placed it back into his drawer.

Mitchell lay down and hugged himself, imagining Anita’s arms were wrapped around him. But, when he closed his eyes, the words from all the letters weighed down upon him like a bulldozer. As he turned and tried to sleep, he pulled the pillow over his head to force them away. 

 

What I thought about
THE SECRETS OF LOVE STORY BRIDGE

This is my first book from this author, and I was totally hooked with the book description.  I love stories that deal with finding yourself and learning to overcome the big obstacles that life throws at you, and The Secrets of Love Story Bridge seemed to be the kind of story I was looking for in a world that is full of pandemic stress.

Michell lost his wife Anita and is grieving for her.  Mitch deals with his grief by sticking to a rigid schedule and protecting his heart by closing himself off emotionally.  He spends his days cutting love locks from bridges to protect their structural integrity. What a job to have -- to face these love offerings everyday -- as he griefs for his wife. When he tries to save a woman from jumping off the bridge after placing a lock there, his life changes because of his actions to save her.  There's a mystery here when it is revealed the woman who jumped off the bridge has been missing for some time. 

Mitch is joined on his journey by his nine year daughter Poppy, who provides much relief with her young humor. It's Poppy's music teacher Liza who brings more clues to the mysterious bridge jumper mystery. I liked that there was this mystery to help Mitch move on from his grief.

I loved the tone of this story. It's on the feel-good side considering the subject matter, and Mitch does learn quite a bit through his emotional journey.  There's a really lovely part of this story that has to do with letter writing that I absolutely loved because the power of putting your words down on paper is so important in this electronic world.  

Overall, I really enjoyed this story.  It's emotional, has great characters and relationships between them and shows the lovely progression of Mitch's jouney out of grieving, and it was his journey that was the best part of the story.  I wouldn't call this a page-turner, but I was engaged and needed to know how it was all going to turn out for the characters.

An ARC was provided by the publisher. This is my honest review.

 

Author Bio

 

Phaedra Patrick is the author of The Library of Lost and Found, Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone and The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, which has been published in over twenty countries around the world. She studied art and marketing, and has worked as a stained-glass artist, film festival organizer and communications manager. An award-winning short story writer, she now writes full-time. She lives in Saddleworth, UK, with her husband and son.

 Social Links:
Author Website

Twitter: @PhaedraPatrick

Instagram: @PhaedraPatrick

Facebook: @PhaedraPatrick

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Blog Tour Review: Rafe (An Arizona Vengeance Novella) by Sawyer Bennett

We are beyond excited to celebrate this release from Sawyer Bennett with you today by participating in the blog tour! 

RAFE is part of her Arizona Vengeance series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. Check out an excerpt and book trailer from the title below.  

Click here to grab your copy now.

 

Purchase your copy of RAFE today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

 

 

About RAFE:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett comes a new story in her Arizona Vengeance series… 

I was living my dream until one phone call changed everything. 

As the second line center for the Arizona Vengeance, my mind has been on one thing—helping my team bring home a championship. But that all changed when I found out my dad had cancer and only months to live. In that moment, nothing mattered more than getting home to North Carolina to be by his side. That meant asking for the unthinkable—a trade to the Carolina Cold Fury. 

Now I’m home and when I’m not on the ice with my new team, I’m helping care for my dad. And in the midst of my grief, I find comfort from the one person I never expected. 

Calliope Ramirez stole my heart at a very young age. The beautiful, smart, headstrong girl next door, she was my first… everything. She has never forgiven me for leaving her, believing that I chose hockey over a future together. 

What she doesn’t understand is that every decision I made was for her, and I’ve never given up hope that one day we’d be together again. Watching my dad slip away is a harsh reminder of how short life can be, and having Calliope by my side makes me realize I was a damn fool before. That changes starting right now. 

Calliope Ramirez is mine and I’m not going to waste the second chance that I’ve been given. 

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**   

Add RAFE to your Goodreads TBR here!

Purchase your copy of RAFE today!

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What I thought about Rafe

In this novella, Rafe a former member of the Arizona Vengeance.has to deal with some real-life situations. His father is seriously ill, and he returns home to North Carolina, courtesy of a trade to the Carolina Cold Fury team. Readers of the Arizona Vengeance series met Rafe during the transaction and now get to see Rafe in his new environment.

As if dealing with his dying father and all the emotions that come with that situation, he is also facd with dealing the girl her left behind when he became a professional hockey player. Callie has a heart of gold and she's the one who's there for Rafe's parents, and for Rafe too.

Their time together during Rafe's father's illness bring them together and remind them of what they had before Rafe blew it all to hell. He's got to be the one to put the pieces of their life together back in place, but it's going to take some time to convince Callie he's not going to hurt her again.

I really do like the 1001 Dark Nights series. It's a great way to experience new authors. Rafe is a sweet tale of second chances, both between Rafe and his father and between Rafe and Callie. I really liked that about this story. It captures so many of the emotions that have to do with parents and leaving our younger selves behind. While the subject matter is a bit sad, there is also much hope there with Rafe being able to right a wrong he did years ago, even if it was with the best intentions.

If you are looking for a sports related romance that deals with the good that sometimes comes out of a terrible situation, you just might like Rafe.

This is my honest review. An ARC was provided.

BOOK TRAILER

 

“Each time I read a new book in this series, I have a new favourite, they just keep getting better and better. This was an entertaining read that I thoroughly enjoyed.” ~ Erin, MI Bookshelf

"Is it weird that I want to give this book a standing ovation? It was just...so perfectly done. So beautifully written and so emotionally fulfilling. It was absolutely everything I was hoping for and my heart is overflowing with feels." ~ Shelly, Bookgasms Book Blog

"This series is by far eclipsing any other I have read by this author. This is the story of Dax and Regan. Brother's best friend, friends to lovers, hockey romance, and just a great read about two people who deserve to be happy together. " ~ Suzi, Obsessive Reading Disorder

“The writing was observantly insightful and sneakily emotive. . . . The storylines were briskly paced, well plotted, written with my favorite dual POV, and kept me continually entertained with a pleasantly engaging romance while also tickling my curiosity as I waited for the looming threat to arise.”—Books and Bindings

“Add together an incredibly sexy story and a swoon-worthy hero with the intensity of a hockey player and you have an absolute winner. Sawyer Bennett has long been an instant one-click author for me, and Erik’s story is a fantastic addition to the Arizona Vengeance series.”—Stacey Lynn, author of Knocked Up

“Forbidden fruit always tastes better! With the kick off of a new hockey series, Sawyer Bennett introduces us to the Arizona Vengeance team and brings us Bishop’s story. The characters are quick to grab attention, and keep us entertained throughout.”—Thoughts of a Blonde

 

---

 

About SAWYER BENNETT:

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released multiple books, many of which have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers.

From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone. Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active daughter, as well as full-time servant to her adorably naughty dogs. 

She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or even better, both. Sawyer also writes general and women’s fiction under the pen name S. Bennett and sweet romance under the name Juliette Poe.    

Connect With Her:  

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