Sunday, June 30, 2019

5 stars for Deadlock (Hacker World #1) by Cherrie Lynn




Discover New York Times bestselling author Cherrie Lynn’s Deadlock, featuring a team of elite military hackers who will do whatever it takes to protect their country and the women who enter their dark and dangerous world.


Ex–Air Force hacker Jace Adams is the best at what he does. There isn’t a system he can’t infiltrate or a country his team can’t topple. But when he finds Lena Morris, the woman he hates most in the world, on his doorstep, the last thing he wants to do is help her. Or is it really Lena?

Lindsey Morris can’t believe her twin sister, Lena, is missing, with only a cryptic text to find the man Lena once betrayed. But as easy as Jace is to look at, getting him to agree to help her find her sister is a lot harder. He refuses to put his team at risk, until they find out the enemy they’re facing may be one they have in common…

As Lindsey and Jace race against the clock to save her sister, their shaky truce begins to morph into a fire they can't control. But their lack of trust might be exactly what gets them killed.


AVAILABLE NOW

AMAZONUK | AMAZONAU | APPLE | B&N  | KOBO





What I thought about Deadlock


When Lindsey's twin sister Lena misses her parent's anniversary party, Lindsey knows something is wrong and a strange text from her sister directing her to a particular address is all she has to figure out what happened to Lena.

After stopping at Lena's trashed apartment and meeting one of Lena's colleagues, the mysterious Griffin, all Lindsey has left is to check out the address Lena left her with. Turns out Lindsey does know the occupant -- a former college classmate who Lena ruined with a hacking dare.

Jace isn't happy to see the face at his door, thinking it's Lena, the woman who got him kicked out of MIT and ruined his life. But he learns that Lena had a twin, and Lindsey is also adept at writing code and hacking. He doesn't quite trust her, especially after what Lena did to him, but as they really have few leads on Lena's abduction, they are forced to work together, especially after Lindsey demands to be part of whatever Jace comes up with.

It turns out that Jace is part of an elite, undercover hacking group with ties to the military. The rest of the team is just as suspicious of Lindsey because of Lena, which keeps Jace at arms length. But a visit with Lindsey's parents and all the time they've spent together has them moving from a place of distrust to one that has a whole lot more heat and skin as Jace and Lindsey fall into bed together.

But with Jace still not trusting her, Lindsey decides to take matters into her own hands and Jace and the team must save her from a very bad situation.

I'm a big fan of Cherrie Lynn's writing, having found her books years ago and I absolutely loved Deadlock! I couldn't put this down and by the time things really heat up between Jace and Lindsey, I was hooked on this series! I can't wait for more.

The pace of Deadlock was really terrific and carried me to the final pages which I probably have to re-read because I was in such a hurry to see what happens that I probably missed a bunch of details, but that's all good. That's what I want in a romantic suspense story -- lots of suspense and tension and a good dose of alpha males who know how to get the job done!

I've read a few hacker series and Deadlock does a great job with cyber security lingo and the technical aspects are well researched. Being in the coding/security business myself, it's always one of my yardsticks when evaluating the technical aspects and Cherrie Lynn does a great job of it.

Overall, an intriguing and entertaining start to this series. Loved it!

An ARC was provided for review.



‡‡‡

About Cherrie Lynn

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cherrie Lynn has been a CPS caseworker and a juvenile probation officer, but now that she has come to her senses, she writes contemporary and paranormal romance on the steamy side. It's *much* more fun. She's also an unabashed rock music enthusiast, and loves letting her passion for romance and metal collide on the page.

When she's not writing, you can find her reading, listening to music or playing with her favorite gadget of the moment. She's also fond of hitting the road with her husband to catch their favorite bands live.

Cherrie lives in East Texas with said husband and their two kids, all of whom are the source of much merriment, mischief and mayhem. You can visit her at http://www.cherrielynn.com or at the various social networking sites. She loves hearing from readers!

Facebook: /cherrielynnauthor
Twitter: /cherrielynn
Instagram: /cherrielynnauthor
Snapchat: cherrielynn75

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Review & Release Blitz: Manipulate (Deliver #6) by Pam Godwin


MANIPULATE is now available!
MANIPULATE is book 6 in the
DELIVER Series Dark Romance


Anti-heroes - Sex Trafficking - Cartel


Amazon | Other Retailers | Goodreads

Tula Gomez is in the most ruthless prison in Latin America.

She only drove to Mexico to help her sister. She did nothing wrong. But her quiet life changed in an instant.

To survive the violent, cartel-controlled prison where men blend with women, she pledges her loyalty to the notorious leader in exchange for the one thing she needs most. Protection.

When she agrees to seduce the suspicious new inmates, Martin Lockwood and Ricky Saldivar, she doesn’t expect to enjoy it. Sure, they’re gorgeous, irresistibly alpha, and insanely talented with their hands and mouths. But they’re the enemy. She can’t fall for them.

Torn between her cartel loyalties and two men who want her as deeply as they want each other, she questions who is manipulating whom. Her search for answers leads to a passionate ménage, a soul-crushing secret, and an impossible choice.


DELIVER SERIES

Each book is a different couple. No cliffhangers. Must be read in order.


What I thought about Manipulate

The dark romance series from Pam Godwin returns with Manipulate, the story of Ricky and Martin's attempt to take down the La Rocha Cartel and their child sex trafficking ring. As two of the former sex slaves known as the Freedom Fighters, they get themselves thrown in to Jaulaso, the most violent prison in Mexico.

The story doesn't start with Ricky and Martin though. Petula Gomez gets a cryptic call from her sister in Mexico with a plea for help, and she leaves Arizona on what she thinks is a day trip. Arrested and thrown into Jaulaso, she's tortured until she's taken under the wing of an older man at the prison who happens to be the head of the cartel.

Things are very bleak for Petula until Ricky and Martin show up reminding her of the USA and making her long for physical closeness. They find solace in each other, and over their time together secrets are revealed that could kill them all. It's the love between them that may save them.

This series is very dark and the charm is that the characters find redemption for their sins and someone to love along the way. There are plenty of villains in Manipulate and I thought it is the darkest so far in this series. I actually had moments where I wondered if I could finish because the tension and fear was so pronounced that I had a to take a break. Be warned that the prison life depicted in Manipulate does not sugar coat any aspect. It's a tough read content-wise and the love story between Ricky, Martin and Tula doesn't quite make up for the darkness.

Manipulate is very heavy on violence and sex, some loving and most of it not so much. The writing is excellent and the story well-crafted, but the subject matter is very hard to take in Manipulate, at least it was for me. Your mileage may vary, as they say. It's a story that will definitely poke at my brain for a few days so I'm giving this four stars with a trigger warning for sexual violence.

An ARC was provided for review. 

DELIVER, Book 1: FREE on all retailers

His name was Joshua Carter. Now it’s whatever she wants it to be. She is a Deliverer. She lures young men and delivers them to be sold. She delivers the strikes that enforce their obedience. She delivers the sexual training that determines their purchase price. As long as she delivers, the arrangement that protects her family will hold. Delivering is all she knows. The one thing she can’t deliver is a captive from slavery. Until him. And her stubborn slave thinks he can deliver her…from herself.

VANQUISH, Book 2

Her life is like a prison cell. A self-made, to-hell-with-the-free-world existence that locks from the inside. Stop judging. Her agoraphobia doesn’t define her. It simply keeps her safe. He belongs in a prison cell. The 6x8, make-me-your-bitch variety that locks from the outside. But he’s free. To hunt. To take. To break. And he just found a sexy new toy. Capturing her is the easy part. Her fucked-up mind, however, makes him question everything he does next. But he’s a determined bastard. If all goes his way, this will hurt like hell.

DISCLAIM, Book 3


 Camila was seventeen when Van Quiso kidnapped her. Ten years after her escape, the shackles refuse to release her. Not while there are still slave traders preying on her city. She will stop at nothing to end them. Even if that means becoming a slave again. Returning to chains is her worst fear—and only option. They won’t know who she is or what she intends to do. She’s prepared for every complication. Except him. The one who decimated her sixteen-year-old heart. Matias is charming, gorgeous, and dangerously seductive. He’s also untrustworthy and enshrouded in secrets. After years of no contact, he finds her—on her knees, wrists bound, in the clutches of her enemy. Will he sabotage her mission by needlessly saving her? Or will he keep her in chains and never let her go?

DEVASTATE, Book 4


“What is the price you’re willing to pay?” “Money isn’t an issue.” “I’m not talking about money.” Tate is on the hunt to find his best friend’s sister. Eleven years ago, Lucia Dias was abducted. Presumed dead. He never met her, so why does he care? Some might call his efforts noble, but his motivation is more perverse, bordering on obsession. When he follows a chilling lead to Venezuela’s Kidnap Alley, what he finds is neither a corpse nor a captive. Amid poisonous lies and crippling depravity, the price of love is devastation. And he pays. With his body, his blood, and her life.

TAKE, Book 5

He’s a notorious crime lord, a kidnapper, and an artist. Scarification is his outlet, and he just captured a new canvas. Kate refuses to surrender beneath his blade or the cruelty in his beautiful eyes. But she’s drawn to the man inside the monster. A man who makes her ache with his touch. Who owns her with his kiss. A man who worships her as deeply as he hurts her. She can run, but there’s no escape from a bond carved in scars.

 

DELIVER #1: Narrated by Teddy Hamilton (Josh) and Abby Crayden (Liv)
VANQUISH #2: Narrated by Ryan West (Van) and Jo Raylan (Amber)
DISCLAIM #3: Narrated by Christian Fox (Matias) and Emma Wilder (Camila)
DEVASTATE #4: Narrated by J.F. Harding (Tate) and Tracy Marks (Lucia)
TAKE #5: Soren Gray (Tiago) and Kate Genevieve (Kate) - coming July 23
Books 6-9 TBA

Pam Godwin

 
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Pam Godwin, lives in the Midwest with her husband, their two children, and a foulmouthed parrot. When she ran away, she traveled fourteen countries across five continents, attended three universities, and married the vocalist of her favorite rock band.
.
Java, tobacco, and dark romance novels are her favorite indulgences, and might be considered more unhealthy than her aversion to sleeping, eating meat, and dolls with blinking eyes. 

Books by Pam Godwin

Friday, June 28, 2019

Review Tour: 5 Stars for Justified (Loveless, Texas #1) by Jay Crownover

We are so excited to
celebrate the release of

JUSTIFIED by Jay Crownover
by being part of the blog tour today!

JUSTIFIED is part of the new
Loveless, Texas series
and it is available now!
Links to purchase your copy can be found below.
 

JUSTIFIED by Jay Crownover

Loveless, Texas #1 | Available Now

------------

Purchase your copy of JUSTIFIED today!

Amazon | Nook | Apple Books | Kobo

 

About JUSTIFIED:

The New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series delivers a romance about a rugged Texas sheriff who must protect the woman who was once his sworn enemy...
 


Case Lawton comes from a family of criminals. So as the sheriff of Loveless, Texas, he's determined to do everything by the book--until he's called to Aspen Barlow's office after a so-called break-in. The last thing he wants to do is help the woman who cost him custody of his son. But Aspen isn't the heartless lawyer Case remembers, and he starts to question his long-held grudge... 

Aspen is scared for her life, and Case is her last hope for protection. But to get him on her side, she'll have to reveal the painful truth from all those years ago. Now, as they work together to track down a dangerous criminal, Case and Aspen learn to trust each other. And as the threats escalate, it becomes clear there's a thin line between love and hate... because there's nothing Case wouldn't do to keep her safe.

  
Excerpt
This is a terrible idea. I can’t stay here.” I wished there was more force behind my voice, more sound, but all I could get out was a squeak of protest.

Between arguing with David, answering a million questions about the shooting, and even more from the hospital staff to determine whether my head had been damaged further, what little voice I had was shot. It had been a long, arduous morning. The shock from being shot at was still buzzing underneath my skin, but it was now secondary to the utter disbelief that the place Case believed I would be safest was under his roof.

When he told me he was placing me in protective police custody and taking me to a safe house, never in a million years would I have guessed he meant his house. I was wondering if maybe he was the one who hurt his head when he took me to the ground.

“What about Hayes? Someone shot at me today. You took a bullet for me this morning. You can’t put your son in the line of fire. I won’t allow it.” All of the things I wanted to do to emphasize my point, I couldn’t. There was no crossing my arms over my chest thanks to my jacked-up elbow. There was no stomping my foot in aggravation thanks to the soft splint holding my ankle in one position. There would be no yelling, since my voice could barely be heard, so all I was left with was a glare. Unfortunately, Case ignored my dirty look and continued to usher me inside the house.

His morning had been even longer than mine, and he looked as haggard as I felt. After making sure I was secured inside the hospital with an armed guard, he’d had to deal with the crime scene and the slew of reporters who showed up on the scene. Since a shooting in a high traffic and very public place like the hospital was bound to make national news, Case mentioned it was more than likely the Texas Rangers were going to get called in to help investigate. He didn’t sound thrilled at the prospect, he also didn’t seem too concerned by the fact he was shot. He still had a red stain and a hole in his tan uniform shirt from where the bullet, which was meant for me, skimmed his shoulder. The wound required ten stitches and now was dressed in a stark white bandage much like the one wrapped around my injured hand.

We were quite a pair.


 

What I thought about Justified

When Case Lawton is torn when he has to investigate a break in at attorney Aspen Barlow's office. Aspen was the lawyer that he thinks screwed him out of child custody in his divorce, and Case is holding a grudge the size of Texas against her. 

Aspen Barlow remembers Case from their high school days when he was the one to protect her against the name-callers.  But when she returns to Loveless, Case is involved in a bitter divorce and he doesn't really remember her.  Then she gets to represent his ex-wife in the divorce, making for some real tension between these two.

But Case is an honorable man and a professional so he tries not to let the past cloud his judgement when it comes to Aspen, especially when the perpetrator ups the ante by becoming an arsonist. It all becomes fairly tense as it's clear someone is out to kill Aspen.

There's a good bit of tension going on with the attempted murder investigation, and there's a lot of sexual tension between Case and Aspen as they find out they aren't quite the person they thought.  I loved that about this book.  The suspense goes from start to finish in this story and kept me on the edge of my seat.  Jay Crownover's romantic suspense gets better with each new tale of treachery against a backdrop of steamy emotions. 

Justified is a tale of suspense and forgiveness that grabbed me on the first pages and kept me turning them to the very end. It also left me needing Kody's (Case's sister) story.  Really enjoyed this one.

An ARC was provided for review.

Purchase your copy of JUSTIFIED today!

Amazon | Nook | Apple Books | Kobo


About JAY CROWNOVER

Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, The Point Series, Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.  




Connect with her:  

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Reader Group 


Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Release Day Blast : Deadlock (Hacker World #1) by Cherrie Lynn



Discover New York Times bestselling author Cherrie Lynn’s Deadlock, featuring a team of elite military hackers who will do whatever it takes to protect their country and the women who enter their dark and dangerous world.
Ex–Air Force hacker Jace Adams is the best at what he does. There isn’t a system he can’t infiltrate or a country his team can’t topple. But when he finds Lena Morris, the woman he hates most in the world, on his doorstep, the last thing he wants to do is help her. Or is it really Lena?
Lindsey Morris can’t believe her twin sister, Lena, is missing, with only a cryptic text to find the man Lena once betrayed. But as easy as Jace is to look at, getting him to agree to help her find her sister is a lot harder. He refuses to put his team at risk, until they find out the enemy they’re facing may be one they have in common…
As Lindsey and Jace race against the clock to save her sister, their shaky truce begins to morph into a fire they can't control. But their lack of trust might be exactly what gets them killed.

AVAILABLE NOW

AMAZONUK | AMAZONAU | APPLE | B&N  | KOBO





About Cherrie Lynn



New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cherrie Lynn has been a CPS caseworker and a juvenile probation officer, but now that she has come to her senses, she writes contemporary and paranormal romance on the steamy side. It's *much* more fun. She's also an unabashed rock music enthusiast, and loves letting her passion for romance and metal collide on the page.

When she's not writing, you can find her reading, listening to music or playing with her favorite gadget of the moment. She's also fond of hitting the road with her husband to catch their favorite bands live.

Cherrie lives in East Texas with said husband and their two kids, all of whom are the source of much merriment, mischief and mayhem. You can visit her at http://www.cherrielynn.com or at the various social networking sites. She loves hearing from readers!

Facebook: /cherrielynnauthor
Twitter: /cherrielynn
Instagram: /cherrielynnauthor
Snapchat: cherrielynn75

Release Day Blitz: Justified (Loveless, Texas #1) by Jay Crownover

We are so excited to celebrate the release of JUSTIFIED by Jay Crownover with you today! JUSTIFIED is part of the new Loveless, Texas series and it is available now!

Links to purchase your copy can be found below.

 

Join Jay's Reader Group for Exclusive News!

JUSTIFIED by Jay Crownover

Loveless, Texas #1 | Available Now

------------

Purchase your copy of JUSTIFIED today!

Amazon | Nook | Apple Books | Kobo

 

About JUSTIFIED:

The New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series delivers a romance about a rugged Texas sheriff who must protect the woman who was once his sworn enemy... 

Case Lawton comes from a family of criminals. So as the sheriff of Loveless, Texas, he's determined to do everything by the book--until he's called to Aspen Barlow's office after a so-called break-in. The last thing he wants to do is help the woman who cost him custody of his son. But Aspen isn't the heartless lawyer Case remembers, and he starts to question his long-held grudge...

Aspen is scared for her life, and Case is her last hope for protection. But to get him on her side, she'll have to reveal the painful truth from all those years ago. Now, as they work together to track down a dangerous criminal, Case and Aspen learn to trust each other. And as the threats escalate, it becomes clear there's a thin line between love and hate... because there's nothing Case wouldn't do to keep her safe.

Add JUSTIFIED to your Goodreads TBR here!

 

Purchase your copy of JUSTIFIED today!

Amazon | Nook | Apple Books | Kobo





About JAY CROWNOVER

Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, The Point Series, Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.  




Connect with her:  

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Reader Group 




 

Monday, June 24, 2019

ARC Review:Superfan (Brooklyn #3) by Sarina Bowen


Coming June 25! Preorder at: Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Nook

Sometimes lady luck shakes your hand, and sometimes she smacks your face. Sometimes she does both on the same day.

Three years ago I met the most amazing girl in the world. We were both down on our luck. Then I got that call—the one that tells you to get your buns on a plane to go meet your destiny.

But the girl was left behind. I didn’t have her phone number, and she didn’t know my real name.

While I became a professional hockey player, she became a superstar, with platinum records and legions of fans. And a slick, music producer boyfriend who treated her badly.

But fate wasn’t done with us yet. When Delilah turns up at a hockey game, I can’t resist making contact. The internet swoons when I ask her out on a date.

She might not remember me. But her jerkface ex does. He’ll do anything to keep us apart.

Good thing athletes never give up. This time I’m playing to win.


 
Preorder Links


What I thought about Superfan 

Silas Kelly met the beautiful and talented Delilah Sparks before he started playing for the Brooklyn Bruisers, but he hasn't forgotten her.  When the opportunity to see her again presents itself, he can only hope she'll forgive him for standing her up years ago.

Delilah is a rising singer/ songwriter who got mixed up with a bad deal, bad manager, and bad boyfriend all wrapped up in one. She's broken it off with him, and when Silas suddenly shows up in her life, she remembers how he made her feel. It doesn't take them long to pick up where they left off, even though their circumstances and situations are very different from when they met. They really are just perfect for each other from the minute they share the page together.

There's a bit of suspense when situations from Silas' and Delilah's past collide and threaten their joint happiness. They have a few hurdles to get through before they can make it to the final pages of the story and their happily ever after.

This is a sweet second chance romance -- Silas and Delilah couldn't be much better with each other and they truly deserve another chance, which comes about in quite a cute and humorous fashion.  There's a heaping helping of characters from other books in this series and their significant others which I always love in a series and I'll admit I just had to go and re-read Bountiful again just because of one adorable scene.

Superfan can absolutely be read standalone, but I definitely recommend this entire series. While some of the conflict was predictable, it was overshadowed by the romantic elements of the story because Silas and Delilah are just so cute together! Another winner in this series!

An ARC was provided for review.



About Sarina

Sarina Bowen is the RITA® Award winning author of over two dozen contemporary and LGTB romance novels. She most recently hit the USA Today bestseller's list in February, with Brooklynaire. Formerly a derivatives trader on Wall Street, Sarina holds a BA in economics from Yale University.

Sarina Bowen is a New Englander whose Vermont ancestors cut timber and farmed the north country since the 1760s. Sarina is grateful for the invention of indoor plumbing and wi-fi during the intervening 250 years. On a few wooded acres, she lives with her husband, two boys, and an ungodly amount of ski and hockey gear.

Sarina's books are published in a dozen languages on four continents. In 2016, The Romance Writers of America honored HIM by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy with a RITA award for Best Contemporary Romance, Mid-Length.

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Review: Breaking the Plan (Mill Street #1) by Jessica Calla


Oliver Stoneridge loves order and plans, especially when they’re laid out on a perfectly formatted spreadsheet. But when his girlfriend, Violet, dumps him, Oliver’s strategy for the future slips away. Desperate to win her back, he begs Taryn, his archenemy and Violet’s beauty queen roommate, for help. Taryn’s gorgeous, thinks he’s a nerd, and wouldn’t know a plan from a prom dress, but Oliver soon finds himself tangled in her web of sexy. Suddenly, Ollie’s falling for Taryn and losing track of everything he thought he wanted.

Taryn Markos knows that agreeing to help Ollie win back her best friend is a dumb idea. Not only because he’s all wrong for Violet but because the more time she spends with him, the more confused she gets. Who knew Nerdilicious himself could challenge her with a single look, even from underneath those unruly eyebrows in dire need of a tweeze? How could she have known that he would accept her and defend her when she needed it the most? Taryn’s hated Oliver for three years. Why does the sight of him now make her come alive?

As things heat up between the frenemies, sparks begin to fly. But Ollie and Taryn know their love-hate flirtationship has to stop—before someone ends up with a broken heart.



 
 
 
 What I thought about Breaking the Plan
 
Ollie has his life planned out with his girlfriend Vi. They are going to graduate, move to Cambridge while he goes to law school, graduate, get a job in NYC... he's got it all mapped out until Vi breaks up with him before she takes off on a trip to Austria.

Turning to Vi's roommate, Taryn, Ollie begs her to help him get Vi back. Only one problem -- as they spend time together, they both find friendship and more. Both Ollie and Vi don't want to hurt Vi, and they know it's wrong, but they eventually give in to their physical attraction only to find there's something much deeper between them.

I did like the light tone of the this story, and Ollie was sort of cute most of the time (except when his drinking got in the way). Taryn was a more complex character, and endearingly likable, even though she's falling for her roommate's ex. They were "on a break" after all.

I liked this story but the uneven pacing did have me taking longer than usual to finish. It does deal with a sensitive issue of falling for a friend's ex, which can be painful, and there's plenty of that to go around between Vi, Taryn and Ollie.

Overall, I thought this was a good start to the series, and I'm interested in reading more set in this world.
 
An ARC was provided for review. 
 
 
 
 


Jessica Calla is a New Adult and Contemporary romance author who moonlights during the day as an attorney. If she's not writing, lawyering, or parenting, you'll most likely find her at the movies, scrolling through her Twitter feed, or gulping down various forms of caffeine (sometimes all three at once).

Jessica is a member of Romance Writers of America and the New Jersey Romance Writers (New Jersey's local chapter of the RWA). She's volunteered as a mentor in the PitchWars contest for unpublished works, and loves helping out the writing community any way she can. A Jersey girl through and through, Jessica resides in the central part of the state with her husband, two sons, and dog.

Friday, June 21, 2019

Blog Tour & 5 Star Review: The Lemon Sisters (Wildstone #3) by Jill Shalvis

blog tour banner-2.jpg


The Lemon Sisters by Jill Shalvis
Release Date: June 18, 2019
LemonSisters cover.jpeg
The Lemon Sisters, an all-new standalone contemporary romance by Jill Shalvis.

When Brooke’s older sister, Mindy, shows up at her door with her three kids in tow, she barely recognizes her sibling who looks like she’s on the verge of a total breakdown. While adventurous, wanderlust Brooke was always the problem child, eager to slip free of Wildstone and its small-town constraints, Mindy was the golden child, who never had a hair out of place or a GPA below 4.0. The Mindy that arrives at Brooke’s apartment however, is a far cry from the ever-perfect doctor’s wife.

Brooke’s further stunned when Mindy asks to trade places with her for a few days so she can pick up her pieces and put herself back together. What Mindy doesn’t realize is that Brooke is just as broken. Her sister needs her though, so Brooke takes the kids and returns to Wildstone.

But how does one go home after seven years away and what feels like a lifetime of secrets? It doesn’t take long for Brooke to come face-to-face with her past, in the form of one tall, dark, sexy mistake. But Garrett’s no longer interested, or so he says. Only his words don’t match his actions, leaving Brooke feeling things she long ago shoved deep.

The sisters begin to wonder if the childhood taunts were true, are they lemons in life? In love? True or not, they know one thing—you can’t run far enough to outpace your demons. And when long-dead secrets surface, they’ll have to overcome their differences and learn that sometimes the one person who can help you the most is the one you never thought to ask.

TLS - AN.jpg

Download your copy today!
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2ULl9Pw
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2TkD1zb



Blog Tour Teaser.jpg

Excerpt

“Okay,” she said. “Time for me to go to bed.”

            “Or you’re running,” he said. “Again.”

            She closed her eyes and told herself to ignore the soft taunt. No matter what they’d been – or hadn’t been – to each other, she wasn’t looking for love with anyone, and certainly not a wash and repeat with the one man who could destroy her. It wasn’t as if she’d been a monk. She’d dated, but she hadn’t let anyone in. Not ever. Even Cole had complained about the brick walls she’d encased her emotions in.

            And he was right. She could get involved to a point, but she always pulled back.

            “You don’t have to run from me, you know,” Garrett said. “There’s no reason for there to be anything but honesty between us.”

            Yes, there was... “Maybe I’m just not feeling it.”

            Another soft laugh. “Okay.”

            “Hey,” she said and poked a finger in his pec. His hard, ungiving, sexy pec. “If I was feeling it, you’d know.”

            “Yeah? How?” he challenged.

            “I’d be …flirty. I certainly wouldn’t be thinking of all of your faults.”

            He grinned. How like a man to not be worried about his faults.

            “So what are these so-called faults?” he asked, curious. Still not concerned.

            “Well, for starters, you’re wearing black knit boxers with bananas on them.”

            This made him laugh outright. “Someone sent me a subscription box. They come once a month. Last month’s pair had cocks all over them.”

            “Like … chickens, or…?”

            He was still smiling. “If you’re curious, I’ll be happy to wear them tomorrow and give you a peek.”

            “Whatever,” she said. “And the fact that some woman sent you a subscription to undies is another reason I’m not feeling it. You’ve stayed friends with every single person you’ve ever met.”

            “And that’s a fault?”

            She shrugged. Of course it wasn’t a fault. It was the opposite of a fault. “Well, except for me, of course.”

            “Because you don’t answer phone calls, texts, emails…” He tilted his head. “Tell me something.”

            Oh boy. “What?”

            “Why did you and your last boyfriend break up? That Cole guy.”

            “I told you, he’s my boss.”

            “But you’re sleeping together,” he said, his eyes holding hers prisoner. “Or you were.”

            “How do you know that?”

            He smiled grimly. “You just told me.”

            Dammit. She crossed her arms over her chest. “We’re not together if that’s what you’re asking.”

            “Why?”

            “Why what?” she asked.

            “Why aren’t you together?” he pressed.

            “Because I don’t like him like that.”

            Did his eyes warm very slightly, or was that her imagination? “Because you’re just not feeling it?” he asked mockily, using her words.

            She rolled her eyes. “You think you’re funny. How about we talk about you. Tell me about the girlfriend you said you don’t have. The one who called you the other day for a hookup.”

            “It wasn’t a hookup. She dumped me.”

            She snorted. “Right. You expected me to believe a guy who looks like you do, and is funny and smart like you are, got dumped?”

            “Actually, I expect you to believe whatever I tell you.” He shifted close until they were knee to knee. “Because I’ve never lied to you, Brooke. Never will.”



What I thought about The Lemon Sisters

Poor Mindy. She's been dealing with kids and household and holding down a job and she's feeling frazzled and neglected. She shows up at her sister Brooke's apartment and begs her to take the kids home to Wildstone while she has a mini vacation. It's clear she needs it.

Brooke has a whole truckload of baggage going on in her life at the moment -- well, really the last seven years of avoidance, maybe it's time to face her fears and right her wrongs and make a few or more apologies. So she agrees to take care of Mindy's children while she goes back to her childhood home and the man she ran away from.

Brooke and Garrett's story... oh my, this one brought tears to my eyes (you know, good book tears) and it takes most of the book for them to sort out their situation. This might be called a women's fiction novel, but Jill Shalvis does not skimp on the longing and desire of two people who clearly love and care about each other, but have so many emotions to sort out before they can move forward. I really, really liked this story.

The relationship between Brooke and Mindy also brings some drama, with mistakes and sins of omission just to keep it interesting. Mindy is a bit high strung and I found I liked Brooke's parts a touch more, but the sister drama really added something to this story.

And the men. I liked Garrett. His reactions to the situation were complex and understandable and yet he spoke his mind quite well once he had some time to think about it. And Mindy's husband Linc was just a sweetheart. I might have a little crush on him.

This is a wonderful story of forgiveness, love and moving on with emotions I think people can relate to on some level. I loved the uniqueness of the way the story is told and this book has stayed with me for days after finishing it. I really love this entire Wildstone series for these reasons.




 
About Jill:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s sexy contemporary and award-winning books wherever romances are sold and click on the blog button above for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.
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