Tuesday, July 21, 2020

5 Stars for Quarter Miles (Runaway #3) by Devney Perry

 
 QUARTER MILES
Runaway Series
Release Date: August 25th, 2020
Cover Design: Sarah Hansen, OkayCreations
Purchase Details: www.devneyperry.com/books/quarter-miles

Katherine Gates has been in love with Cash Greer since the moment he saved her life from a runaway goat. According to Cash, she’s the little sister he never had, the greatest roommate in the world and his favorite coworker. They’re friends—best friends.

In the dark days of her youth, it was her friendships that kept her alive and made life in a junkyard worth living. So she’s learned to shove her feelings for Cash down deep, even if that means ignoring eyes that shine brighter than the Montana summer sun and the smile that illuminates the snowiest winter day.

Except with every passing year, the denial takes its toll on her wounded heart until one day Katherine decides to take an impulsive road trip to the Oregon coast. Alone. That is, until Cash cons his way into the passenger seat.

The farther they travel, the harder it is to pretend. And when she confesses her feelings, she learns that Cash has some secrets of his own. Secrets that will either bond them together.

Or rip them apart.


 

 What I thought about Quarter Miles

What starts out as a simple road trip, turns into something much more significant in this latest in the Runaway series.  I love the premise -- childhood runaways turn their lives around and reconnect as adults through the delivery of a restored classic Cadillac that used to be their home.  
Quarter Miles is Katherine's story.  She's been living a good life in Montana working at a family-run resort.  The Greer family took Kat in like one of their own and that's complicating things -- she's in love with Cash Greer, and he doesn't know it.  He just thinks they are best friends, until he jumps into the car and joins Kat on her road trip.

I read a lot of romance and this is a familiar story, but Devney Perry really changes things up and puts quite a bit of tension between Kat and Cash.  He is clueless about his own feelings toward Kat, and is clueless that she's in love with him, so it takes some time for Cash to catch up to what is going on.  I just love how this all transpires -- especially after they've crossed the line into the bedroom that they hadn't crossed in all the years they've lived together.
There's so much emotion as Kat reveals her story to Cash.  Cash has a secret of his own that he's been keeping and just when things seem to be getting cleared up, it's that secret that blows everything up. And it's a doozy. 

Cash and Kat are great together. I just loved them. They aren't perfect. They are flawed, make mistakes, and have to work together to bring their relationship to what it could be.
I loved the introduction of the next runaway from the group, Aria, and I can't wait to hear what will happen to her as she takes the classic car on it's next leg of the trip. The Gallaway was another great addition to this story and I was intrigued by the owner and Aria's boss and loved the scenes between him and Cash. 
Overall, I've been really loving this series.  It changes up the "road-trip" story quite well, and anticipation is building for the last few stories from the runaways. Cash and Katherine's story is a perfect addition to an already awesome series.
An ARC was provided. This is my honest review.
 

Check out the
Books in the Runaway Series




Gemma Lane built an empire. Not a small feat, considering her home as a teenager was a makeshift tent in a California junkyard. She’s dedicated her life to turning pennies into millions. She has power, fortune and prestige.
And she’s leaving it all behind.

Gemma is headed across the country in her best friend’s Cadillac when a detour in Montana reunites her with old acquaintances and a man who hasn’t changed. Easton Greer challenges her every word and tests her every limit because he doesn’t believe she’s really abandoned her riches. She ignores his snide remarks and muttered censure—until the day she’s ready to return to the wild highway, and Easton taunts her to stay.

She’ll prove to him she’s not just running back to her wealthy life, that she’s more than her money. She’ll unlock her guarded heart and hope that this time around, he’ll treasure the key.
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Release Day Review: The Devil's Crown Part One by Monica James

 The Devil’s Crown-Part One
Series: All the Pretty Things Trilogy Spin-Off
Genre: Dark Romance
Cover Model: Philippe Leblond @philippe_leblond
Photographer: Ren Saliba @rensaliba
Cover Designer: Sommer Stein—Perfect Pear Creative Covers
Release date: July 21st 

I was feared.
Respected.
Worshiped.

But all of that changed when the impossible happened—I fell in love. Only those feelings weren’t reciprocated, because who could love a monster like me?

My empire crumbled. People died. I went from being a victorious leader to lurking in the shadows, planning revenge on my half-brother who now reigns in my place.

An orphanage is where I find sanctuary, but when she walks into my world and evokes a yearning I thought long dead, my demons are awakened and want what they can’t have—her. Sooner or later, I knew I’d need to feed the darkness inside me.

Mayhem, power, and control course through my veins. I will use them to regain my crown, my throne, and then claim her, despite what solemn vows she might’ve made.

I will break them…and her. 

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What I thought about The Devil's Crown

If you've read All The Pretty Things Trilogy, you're going to want to get your hands on The Devil's Crown. This is Alexsei Popov's story after he's fallen from favor among the other criminals. To make matters worse, it's his half brother who is in charge now, and these two brothers are out to get each other any way they can.

There's plenty of action as Alexsei works to regain his territory and position. Some of his old business partners come along to help as he works toward bringing down  his brother Serg and their mother. 

Complicating matters are a few females. First, there's little Irina from the orphanage who is just so adorable. Then there's the women in Aleksei's life, one who will betray his trust and another who will fill the hole in his heart. Keeping his new love safe proves to be as challenging as it is to regain his kingdom.  There's plenty of heat in The Devil's Crown (and some very questionable behavior in the orphanage, *fans self*) but it's all part of the roller coaster ride Monica James has crafted. It's perfect for fans of dark romance.

This is definitely a dark romance, no doubt about it. The subject matter is hard core.If you like your romance dark, you'll probably get sucked into Devil's Crown.  You do not need to read All The Pretty Things Trilogy, but it would probably help explain Willow and Saint's relationship with Alexsei.

Overall, I loved reading Aleksei Popov's story.  He was such an interesting character in the All The Pretty Things Trilogy and I'm glad he got his own book. I loved the changes he's gone through and I'm waiting not-so-patiently for Part 2! While there were some over-the-top aspects of Devil's Crown, it has everything I want in a dark romance.

An ARC was provided. This is my honest review.

 

 About the Author

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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Thursday, July 16, 2020

Cover Reveal: THE REALITY OF EVERYTHING (Flight & Glory #5) by Rebecca Yarros

   
THE REALITY OF EVERYTHING (Flight & Glory #5)
by Rebecca Yarros
Release Date: August 24th
  
PREORDER TODAY!
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 Blurb: 

 Two years after the man she loved was killed in Afghanistan, Morgan Bartley is trying to put the pieces of her life back together. The reno on her dilapidated beach house in the Outer Banks might be just the distraction she needs to keep her debilitating anxiety attacks at bay and begin to heal her heart...if she can ignore the ridiculously handsome guy next door. 

At twenty-eight, single-dad Jackson Montgomery’s life revolves around his five-year-old daughter and his job as a search-and-rescue pilot for the coast guard. He’s no stranger to saving a damsel in distress, and though his gorgeous new neighbor is clearly in distress, she’s no damsel. She’s stubborn as hell with walls a mile thick, and the dog tags hanging from her rearview mirror give him a pretty good clue as to why. 

It doesn’t matter that their attraction is undeniable—she swore she’d never fall for another pilot, let alone a military man. There are some wounds time can’t heal, and some fears too consuming to conquer. 

She’s a barely breathing heartbreak on the edge of recovery.

He’s a crash waiting to happen.

Together they could have it all...if they can endure the coming storm.


About the Author


Rebecca is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of over fifteen novels, and is always ready to bring on the emotions. She's also the recipient of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence for Eyes Turned Skyward from her Flight and Glory series. 

She loves military heroes and has been blissfully married to hers for eighteen years. She’s the mother of six children, ranging from kindergarten to law school, and is currently surviving the teenage years with two of her four hockey-playing sons. 

When she’s not writing, you can find her at the hockey rink or sneaking in some guitar time. She lives in Colorado with her family, their stubborn English bulldog, and a feisty chinchilla. Having fostered then adopted their youngest daughter, Rebecca is passionate about helping children in the foster system through her nonprofit, One October.          

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Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Cover Reveal: Into The Blue By Robin Huber

Today we are sharing an exciting cover reveal for INTO THE BLUE by Robin Huber! This is a romantic suspense title will be releasing August 18, 2020. 

Check out Robin's facebook page for a chance to win an ARC and gift card!


 PRE-ORDER IT NOW


Into the Blue by Robin Huber

A Romantic Suspense | Coming August 18, 2020
Add it to Goodreads
Even in paradise, danger lurks…

When Makayla Evans discovers that her employer — a pharmaceutical trailblazer — is dabbling in Dark Pharma, she barely has time to process the information before her conventional life is ripped away. In one breath she's standing in her New York office; in the next, she's waking up in the middle of a Central American desert. With no way to escape or call for help, she realizes a terrifying truth. She has vanished… without a trace.

For former Marine Kellan James, working private security on Costa Rica's La Isla Azul — The Blue Island — is a dream job. But his peace is disrupted when an old friend calls with a nearly impossible task: track down a woman kidnapped by a dangerous drug cartel. When Kellan finally finds Makayla, she's in bad shape, but she's alive. Now he just has to keep her that way…

Finding refuge on a remote island with a kind, handsome Marine is not how Makayla expected her nightmare to end. As the days turn to months, Makayla and Kellan develop an unbreakable bond, falling in love with the island, and with each other. But they can't hide forever. Because even in paradise, danger lurks…

PRE-ORDER IT NOW

 

GIVEAWAY

Go to Robin's Facebook page to enter to win the cover reveal giveaway for an ARC of INTO THE BLUE and a $10 Gift Card!

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

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

 
Robin has been dreaming up book boyfriends since before she ever had one. A career, a husband and three kids later, she’s still hopelessly addicted to love stories that make her swoon. Robin is an extroverted introvert with an unhealthy dependency on her horoscope and a knack for plotting emotionally charged romance novels on her way to work, where she spends her days as a hospital director. She loves the ocean, thunderstorms, coffee, wine and Tim Riggins. She hates turtlenecks, chunky jewelry, kitchen gadgets and high heels, though she begrudgingly wears them often. She also has an aversion to extreme cold, which is why after a four year stint in the Northeast, she returned home to Florida where she’s living happily ever after.  

FIND ROBIN HUBER:


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Tuesday, July 14, 2020

5 Stars for What You Wish For by Katherine Center


From Katherine Center, the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away comes a stunning new novel full of heart and hope.

Samantha Casey loves everything about her job as an elementary school librarian on the sunny, historic island of Galveston, Texas—the goofy kids, the stately Victorian building, the butterfly garden. But when the school suddenly loses its beloved principal, it turns out his replacement will be none other than Duncan Carpenter—a former, unrequited crush of Sam’s from many years before.

When Duncan shows up as her new boss, though, he’s nothing like the sweet teacher she once swooned over. He’s become stiff, and humorless, and obsessed with school safety. Now, with Duncan determined to destroy everything Sam loves about her school in the name of security—and turn it into nothing short of a prison—Sam has to stand up for everyone she cares about before the school that’s become her home is gone for good.



Buy Links


What I thought about What You Wish For

The synopsis covers the story quite well, so I'm not going to recap it in the review.  This is a quiet story that is more women's fiction than contemporary romance, although it does have some romantic elements as Sam and Duncon navigate their lives and everythig that happens to them.

This is a story of Sam and Duncan's search for joy.  If that sounds basic, well it is, but often those basic emotions aren't all that easy to come by.  Both Sam and Duncan have had situations that have changed and defined them, and really left them adrift in a sea of lonliness.  It's up to them to find their way back, with the help of some very good friends.  That was one of the best parts of this book -- how friends helped each other at those critical moments.  

There aren't a lot of surprises in this as it is really about these characters and their personal growth, but that was okay by me as Katherine Center does a good job of telling this story in a way that keeps you glued to the pages.  I read this in about a day, and I couldn't put it down until I knew how it was all going to work out (or not- no spoilers !) for Sam and Duncan.  

The secondary characters of Max and Babette and her family, Duncan's family, and Sam's friends were a treat in this book.  I loved how they all came together, even when Duncan was at his worst. There was such a commitment to the students at the school and its values were an integral part to the story. It made me feel good to know they wanted to save something good.  And Clay was totally adorable and a super likable part of this story.

And that's What You Wish For -- it's a feel good tale that has a message for everyone about what it takes to find your joy, even when it seems impossible.  I absolutely loved this message and for that reason, the ease of getting caught up in the story and some extremely likable characters, I'm giving What You Wish For 5 stars.  It's a quiet story, but impactful.  This is my second book from this author and I will be looking for more.

An ARC was provided for review.



About the Author

Katherine Center is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of How to Walk Away, as well as the upcoming novel, Things You Save in a Fire (August 13, 2019). She’s also written five other bittersweet comic novels about love and family, including The Bright Side of Disaster, The Lost Husband,and Happiness for Beginners. The Lost Husband is currently in production as a feature film starring Josh Duhamel and Leslie Bibb. Katherine’s work has appeared in Redbook, InStyle, People, USA Today, Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, Real Simple, Southern Living, InTouch, the Dallas Morning News, and the Houston Chronicle, and many others. 

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Monday, July 13, 2020

Release Day Review & Giveaway: Beautiful Criminal (Omerta Law #1) by M.N. Forgy

🔥🔥 HOT NEW RELEASE🔥🔥
Beautiful Criminal by M.N. Forgy
is LIVE!

𝘐𝘧 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳.

ABOUT THE BOOK

As the son of the infamous boss of the DeAngelo family, I have merciless duties expected of me. The public labels me a monster, a man without a soul, and one hated by many.

They’re not wrong, and I’m not sorry for it.

When my father orders me to marry a longtime enemy’s daughter to settle a score between our families, she did what any smart woman with a beating heart would do.

She ran.

So, I found her.

She tries to negotiate for her freedom, but despite being inexplicably drawn to the deviant woman, I refuse her pitiful bribes with pleasure.

I still have a job to do, and I’ll make her tell me her family’s secrets, turning a treacherous situation into a game of hatred.

A code of silence will be broken.

Lines will be crossed.

I’ll promise her freedom to get the answers I need, but I’ll burn this city to the ground before I let her go.

★ Start Reading Today!! ★

iBooks| Amazon | Nook | Kobo
Add to Goodreads

 
The author is giving away a
$25 Amazon Gift Card and a signed paperback on her Facebook page.

Stop by to enter: https://bit.ly/MNForgyFB

What I thought about
Beautiful Criminal

Beautiful Criminal begins with a murder and a burial.  Kieran and Romeo DeAngelo are indoctrinated in their family business at an early age as they are forced to participate in a crime.  Kieran is positioned to take over for his father but Romeo wants nothing to do with it.

But the DeAngelo's aren't the only crime family around. Leona Bravada has been named head-of-the-family but she doesn't want it. She waits for her missing father to return home and resume his family business.  When the DeAngelo's threaten war with the Bravada family, there's one solution -- that's a marriage between the two incoming  heads of the two families.

Leona knows Kieran and she's reluctantly attracted to him, but she knows his reputation and wants nothing to do with a marriage to him. So she runs to a place where she feels safe and it doesn't take long for Kieran to find her. It doesn't take long for her to fall for him and him for her.

There aren't any big surprises in Beautiful Criminal. I did find that Leona has some pretty good size claws and that came in handy when dealing with Kieran at the contentious start of their relationship.  When they are both betrayed by someone close to them, they come together in solidarity and I will say I was left with wondering how their plan would work out in the future.

This book sets up quite a bit in this world, and the story ends with many opportunities for future books in the series. As far as dark romance goes, Beautiful Criminal is a quick read with the usual crime family activities. I did like how Kieran became softer when he was taking care of Leona. I will say I hope there is more about Leona's grandmother as she was the most interesting character of all to me. 

So, my overall impression is this is a series with potential.  While most of this first book sets up this world,  I'm left with wondering how Kieran and Leona will navigate their decisions.

An ARC was provided.  This is my honest review.

M.N. Forgy is a soccer mom by day and a saucy writer by night. She started writing at a young age but never took it seriously until years later, as a stay-at-home mom, she opened her laptop and started writing again. As a role model for her children, she felt she couldn't live with the "what if" anymore and finally took a chance on her character's story. So, with her glass of wine in hand and a stray Barbie sharing her seat, she continues to create and please her fans.
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Review: Hott, Hotter, Hottest (Hott Springs Eternal #5) by Serena Bell

  Real bodyguard. Fake boyfriend. Unexpected benefits. Trouble guaranteed. Tucker: Autumn Sato is a happiness influencer. And I’m…well, let...