5 Stars for The Fifteenth Minute by Sarina Bowen

Freshman Lianne Challice is known to millions of fans as Princess Vindi. But sometimes a silver screen sorceress just wants to hang up her wand, tell her manager to shove it, and become a normal college student. Too bad that’s harder than it looks.

She’s never lived a normal life. She hasn’t been to school since kindergarten. And getting close to anyone is just too risky — the last boy she kissed sold the story to a British tabloid.

But she can’t resist trying to get close to Daniel "DJ" Trevi, the hot, broody guy who spins tunes for hockey games in the arena. There's something haunting his dark eyes and she needs to know more.

DJ's genius is for expressing the mood of the crowd with a ten second song snippet. With just a click and a fade, he can spread hope, pathos or elation among six thousand screaming fans.

Too bad his college career is about to experience the same quick fade-out as one of his songs. He can't get close to Lianne, and he can't tell her why. And the fact that she seems to like him at all? Incredible.

Buy Links

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What I thought about The Fifteenth Minute

The Fifteenth Minute is the story of DJ, former hockey player turned sports arena deejay and Lianne, Bella's next door neighbor we met in The Shameless Hour the previous book in the series (no need to worry about reading order -- this series works very well as standalones).

Lianne is a successful actress taking a break from her career for college.  Even though she's been in the spotlight, she's been sheltered from having a normal relationship with a regular guy. But she knows she feels a spark with DJ.   

DJ feels the spark too. I love that it took some time for them to connect physically, and there's a terrific party scene where Lianne gets to know DJ's roommates and friends. The buildup to the big moment had a few bumps in the road and that just make everything between these two so much hotter.  

But DJ has a serious problem that could keep him from having a real relationship with Lianne.  What I love most about this series is that each story looks at a compelling issue in a way that is sensitive and considers multiple viewpoints. The Fifteen Hour has does a fabulous job of showing the impact of the accusation through DJ and how his world view has changed because of it.  I absolutely loved the conversations he had with his parents and brother about this issue. My heart broke a little for DJ in these scenes.   

Lianne and DJ are just perfect together.  He treats her just right, and Lianne is just so adorable as she gets to see another side of life outside of the acting world.  I loved these two together, their love of music was just awesome, and the smattering of characters from previous books in the series was just the right amount of spice for this installment. 

I can't say enough about this series. It's one of the best New Adult series around and if you haven't read it yet and like NA -- what are you waiting for?

5 big beautiful stars!   

ARC provided for review.

The Shameless Hour is on sale for 99 cents.

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Purchase the rest of the Ivy Years Series

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About the Author

 

Sarina Bowen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. She lives in Vermont's Green Mountains with her family, six chickens and too much ski gear and hockey equipment.

http://www.sarinabowen.com
 
https://twitter.com/SarinaBowen

https://www.facebook.com/authorsarinabowen?fref=ts

 

Release Day Launch with Excerpt & Giveaway: Life After Falling by Alyssa Rose Ivy

We are so excited to bring you the
Release Day Launch for Alyssa Rose Ivy's 

LIFE AFTER FALLING!

 

 LIFE AFTER FALLING is a
contemporary romance
that you don't want to miss! 

Grab your copy today!

About LIFE AFTER FALLING

One tangled cassette tape. Two tangled lives. 

Cassidy snaps. She quits her job and fiancé all in the same day and ends up on her parents’ doorstep. In the midst of everything she is determined to fix a broken cassette tape that she thinks holds the key to rediscovering happiness.

 On her quest to fix the tape she meets Leo, a guy as down on his luck as she is lost. What starts with curiosity leads to something resembling a relationship and maybe a chance at love.

Buy Links

Amazon ||  iBooks  ||  GooglePlay  ||Barnes & Noble ||  Kobo

Excerpt:

"Can I look?" I gestured to the movie collection he had piled next to the massive TV.

"Sure." He walked over to the kitchen counter and put down his keys, wallet, and phone. I liked that he put down his phone. It meant he was all there with me. I’d worked hard to break my own addiction to technology.

"Quite the collection." My eyes ran over the titles.

"I've picked up a few over the years."

"What's your favorite?" I kneeled down to see them better.

"You can't ask me that."

"Why not?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Because I don't have one favorite. Each category is different."

"But no overarching favorite?"

"Not for movies, but I do for music. Movies are like food while music is like women."

"Uh, do I want to know what that means?"

"Movies each have different purposes for me. Some make me laugh, some make me think. Some are entertainment. Like food. How can you compare a burger with a slice of cake? They serve different purposes.”

"Got it, but why is music like women?"

"Music has one purpose. To move someone. I can pick one favorite. The same goes for women. Who needs variety if you can find everything in just one?"

Words had never turned me on so much. "That's an interesting way to view things."

"It works."

I stood up. "But what if you never find one thing that has everything you need? Do you keep searching?”

 

 
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Alyssa Rose Ivy Bio:

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.        

Twitter | Author Goodreads | Pinterest | Website | LIFE AFTER FALLING Goodreads| Facebook

 

 

Kindle 99¢ Sale:Hiding in the Spotlight by Karen Booth

Hiding in the Spotlight

You were my first love. I hope you'll be my last love, too. 

Alex Halford’s rock-star husband, Glenn, steals away in the middle of the night, leaving her with their two boys, a mountain of debt, and one person to turn to—his lifelong friend and band mate, David Callahan. David helps Alex pick up the pieces of her shattered life, happy to have any time with the woman he’s loved for seventeen years. Every moment with her is ripe with opportunity, and every last idea running through his mind would destroy his brotherly bond with Glenn. 

Out from under Glenn’s thumb, Alex can see the person she was before marriage, finding feelings for David she thought she’d left behind in high school. A single kiss and the floodgates open, giving her new hopes of happiness. But when David and Glenn’s band has a chance to be back on top, David must convince Glenn to return. With every passing day, success comes closer, Glenn’s ego inflates, and David and Alex find it more difficult to hide. One misstep and the secret comes out, forcing David to choose between his life’s work and the woman he doesn’t want to leave behind.

99¢/99p for Kindle 10/14-16!

Amazon US www.amzn.com/dp/B0149IESKG
Amazon UK www.amzn.co.uk/dp/B0149IESKG

You can read my review here.

Review: '90s Playlist by Amy Jo Cousins, Audra North, Brighton Walsh, Jennifer Blackwood, Lorelie Brown & Rebecca Grace Allen

'90s Playlist
Amy Jo Cousins, Audra North, Brighton Walsh, Jennifer Blackwood, Lorelie Brown, Rebecca Grace Allen

Publication date: October 13th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Six stories of sex, love, and being young in the ‘90s, inspired by songs of the decade…

My Strongest Weakness by Brighton Walsh
It was supposed to be a one-time thing. No one would find out; no one would have to know. And then once turned into twice, and twice turned into several times a week, and now pierced, punk-loving, rebellious Tia Lanning is banging Mason Brooks, the big man on campus and Mr. All American. But banging him isn’t the problem. Falling for him is. Especially when he’s content to let her remain his dirty little secret.

Worthwhile by Audra North
Jill didn’t expect her semester in Leeds to start with getting dumped by her boyfriend. Especially since she only came to England to be with him. Two weeks in, all she wants to do is go home. Finding love with someone new is definitely not an option. But when she literally stumbles into grad student Stuart’s arms, her experience abroad becomes a lot more worthwhile.

Creep by Lorelie Brown
Roni lives for the raves in Oakland’s warehouse district. Dancing till dawn in white gloves under black lights breathes life into her soul. Nothing will get her kicked out of her underground world faster than turning over Skittles, her dealer. She refuses to provide info about the underage runaway to his big brother Tom. But Tom is going to find Skittles with or without Roni’s cooperation. But Tom is special. He’s rich, handsome and bold. Roni wishes she was special. And like the rave scene she loves, nothing lasts forever.

Smells Like Teen Spirit by Rebecca Grace Allen
Rory Stone’s days of grunge and poetry are behind her, her reality now in bags of Arabian brew, and counting the change in the tip jar. Can indie singer James Griffith rock her muse back into the present?

The Belle vs. the BDOC by Amy Jo Cousins
Shelby Summerfield is a gold star lesbian, even if she doesn’t look like one. Florence Truong is the only other dyke at Carlisle College in 1993 not wearing plaid flannel, and Shelby sets her sights on seduction. But instead of a delightful tumble in the sheets, Florence calls her out for being a straight girl. With seduction off the table, Shelby settles for revenge for her humiliation. But if all she wants is to show up her campus rival, how come Shelby can’t stop herself from saving Florence instead of annihilating her?

Little Red Thong by Jennifer Blackwood
Emily Jones is ready to embark on the most epic spring break trip of her college career with her bestie, twin brother, and her brother’s best friend, Chase. Chase has been in love with Emily since the eighth grade when she kicked his ass in laser tag. He’s not going to piss away his last chance to tell her how he feels. When the group decides to play a game of Spring Break BINGO that involves body shots, a red thong, and secret hookups, this is the perfect catalyst to get him out of the friend zone. But as things get heated, they have to decide if twenty years of friendship is worth putting in jeopardy because of a game, and what will happen when they hit dry land.

Buy Links

Amazon  ||   KOBO

What I thought about '90s Playlist

I love stories that are inspired by music so this anthology was just perfect for me. And it includes authors that I've read before and like/love and also some new authors that I'm happy to try out.

The stories are short and also entertaining. Not only is there a song from the 1990's that inspired the story, but there's also little reminders of the culture of those days included in each story, which I adored. Activities like raves and ecstacy use are not whitewashed and I loved that in Creep.  Hookups turning to something more is the theme of Brighton Walsh's My Strongest Weakness and Amy Jo Cousins contributes an interesting F/F story that makes me love her storytelling even more than I already do.  Audra North delivers on Worthwhile with a tale of love-lost and love-found while on a study abroad trip.  And Jennifer Blackwoods takes the best friends brother story to a different level with a game of Spring Break BINGO that makes shines a spotlight on the friend zone.

All the stories and fun, quick reads -- just perfect for when you are between books or just looking for something that isn't too intense or demanding on your time. 

I really enjoyed '90s Playlist, probably because I can relate to this time period. While each story was anchored by a song from that time period, there is a universal quality to the stories that was appealing to me. 

ARC provided for review.

About the Authors
 
Brighton Walsh:
Website: http://www.brightonwalsh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightonwalshwrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/writeasrain_
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6548902.Brighton_Walsh

Audra North:
Website: http://audranorth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AudraNorthAuthor?_rdr=p
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AudraNorth
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7377144.Audra_North

Lorelie Brown:
Website: http://loreliebrown.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorelie.brown?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LorelieBrown
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3226469.Lorelie_Brown

Rebecca Grace Allen:
Website: http://www.rebeccagraceallen.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccagraceallen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RGraceAllen
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8421545.Rebecca_Grace_Allen 

Amy Jo Cousins:
Website: http://amyjocousins.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoCousins
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AJCousins
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/259275.Amy_Jo_Cousins


Jennifer Blackwood: 
Website: http://www.jenniferblackwood.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenniferBlackwood
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jen_blackwood
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8532549.Jennifer_Blackwood

Review & Giveaway: A Friendly Engagement by Christine Warner

A Friendly Engagement by Christine Warner

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publication: June 23rd, 2015 by Entangled Publishing

What’s a little engagement between friends?

Omar Esterly is married to his job. But when Omar sets his sights on a potential, family-oriented client, his confirmed bachelorhood becomes a problem. Fortunately, his friend and employee, Devi Boss, has the perfect plan…

Okay, so it wasn't exactly Devi's plan to become her friend's fake fiancée. Lies aren't her style. However, Omar offers her a big, beautiful raise—enough to track down the missing father she's never known—and Devi reluctantly agrees to the whole engagement hoax…

This was supposed to be a no-strings-attached win-win for both Devi and Omar, but when they cross the line between friendship and…well, something more, Devi realizes she’s made a huge mistake that just might cost her both job and friend—falling for her fiancé. 

Purchase

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Entangled | All Romance eBooks

__________________________________________________

What I thought about A Friendly Engagement

A Friendly Engagement is a classic friend-to-lovers / fake engagement tale.  Omar and Devi work together and have a friendly relationship.  But when Omar thinks a more family-friendly persona will increase his chances to land a big deal, Devi becomes his significant other with a fake engagement.

Their feelings for each other build and when lust becomes involved, well, all bets are off and circumstances between them start to change.  

There isn't a whole of "new" to this plot, it's more a retelling of a classic. And of course, there's a bad guy, too. While the plot is a bit uneven and the pacing a bit slow, the characters are likable and there's a distinctive element of fun to their dialogue.  

A Friendly Engagement is an easy read with some heat, so if that's what you are looking for, this book might be for you. 

ARC provided for review.

__________________________________________________

About the Author

Christine Warner is living her dream in Michigan along with her family, three laptops (she might have a slight addiction, or maybe it’s a fear of one imploding from overuse) and a much loved assortment of furry friends.

Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing but no arithmetic.  A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities.  She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy heroines.

A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and her website at christine-warner.com.

Website | Street Team | Newsletter | Facebook
Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

__________________________________________________

Giveaway

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__________________________________________________

Review: Rock Addiction and Rock Courtship by Nalini Singh

Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss #1)

A bad boy wrapped in a sexy, muscled, grown-up package might be worth a little risk…

Molly Webster has always followed the rules. After an ugly scandal tore apart her childhood and made her the focus of the media’s harsh spotlight, she vowed to live an ordinary life. No fame. No impropriety. No pain. Then she meets Zachary Fox, a tattooed bad boy rocker with a voice like whiskey and sin, and a touch that could become an addiction.

A one-night stand with the hottest rock star on the planet, that’s all it was meant to be…

Fox promises scorching heat and dangerous pleasure, coaxing Molly to extend their one-night stand into a one-month fling. After that, he’ll be gone forever, his life never again intersecting with her own. Sex and sin and sensual indulgence, all with an expiration date. No ties, no regrets. Too late, Molly realizes it isn’t only her body that’s become addicted to Fox, but her heart…

Rock Addiction (Book One) Rock Kiss Series

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/WqA2rj

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1G9piir

Nook: http://bit.ly/1t5T7Zt

iTunes:  http://bit.ly/1ng9zE9

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1lPqB19


What I thought about Rock Addiction

This book takes off like a shot in the first pages, with Molly drooling over Fox, but thinking that nothing could ever come of it. There's too many obstacles in the way, and he'd be gone in a month. But then Fox is in the elevator with her, and the seduction begins.  

 

At first, Molly can't believe he's serious and thinks it's only a one night stand, but then he gets her to agree to more.  He's really quite persistent, both in bed and out, and I really loved the seductive quality of these scenes.  Nalini Singh has such an easy-going, smooth style of writing that puts the reader right into the story, and I felt all of Fox's charms as they heat up the sheets.

 

But Molly has some legitimate reasons to shy away from someone in the spotlight, and Fox has to do a lot of convincing.  It all comes down to trust in the end.

 

The band is a tight bunch of guys and I liked that, as well as the relationship between Molly and her sister, Thea, the band's publicist. 

So if you are looking for a super-seductive rock n roll love story, Rock Addiction might be for you!

Rock Courtship (Rock Kiss #1.5) 

What happens when the Gentleman of Rock decides to play dirty?

A drummer for the hottest rock band on the planet, David has a single, powerful weakness: Thea, the band's publicist and the woman who steals his breath away with her every move.

Only problem is, Thea doesn't date clients--or musicians. Emotionally scarred by a cheating ex, she's not about to risk her heart with a man who has groupies buzzing around him like flies. Even if his sexy smile ties her up in knots.

What she doesn't know is that David is a one-woman man...and he's madly in love with her. David's determined to prove he's worth the risk, and willing to court her, step by exquisite step. Thea's about to discover just how long and hard this handsome drummer can play.

Rock Courtship (Book 1.5) A Rock Kiss Novel:

• Amazon US: http://amzn.to/XXjjxG
• Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1G9pmhZ
  iBooks: http://bit.ly/1lzgNIi
• Nook: http://bit.ly/1COgaC6
• Kobo: http://bit.ly/1pEeCy6
  
  
  What I thought about Rock Courtship
  
  
  This novella sized story about David and Thea continues the story of the men in Schoolboy Choir.  Thea's had her heart broken and isn't in the market for a relationship, not to mention that David is a client.  But that doesn't deter David's heart from falling but the latest rejection has him thinking he might have to give her up.
  
  
  That's until Molly gives him some great advice on how to get through to her sister.  The story takes a really sweet turn her and I loved how these two characters start to open their lines of communication. 
  
  
  There isn't a lot of conflict in this story, it's charm is that it's sweet and romantic. And Nalini Singh's writing is lovely too.  
  
  
  Recommended. 
  
  
  This title was provided for review.
  
  
  
  
  
  Review and Buy links of the other books in the series:
  
  
  
  My Review
    
  Amazon US:  http://amzn.to/1BXhHWB
  Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1G9oslz
  iBooks:  http://bit.ly/1utQDee
  Nook: http://bit.ly/1KEyBIx
  Kobo: http://bit.ly/1APyqnU
  
  
  
  
  
  My Review
  
  Amazon US Amazon UK Nook iBooks Kobo
   
  
   
  NEW YORK TIMES AND USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series Nalini Singh usually writes about hot shapeshifters and dangerous angels. This time around, she decided to write about hot and wickedly tempting rock stars - and one sinfully sexy rugby god turned brilliant CEO. If you’re seeing a theme here, you’re not wrong.
  
  

  Nalini lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing. If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, whileAngels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. Also, don't forget to swing by the site to check out the special behind-the-scenes page for the Rock Kiss series, complete with photos of many of the locations used in the books.

  
  
  

  STALK HER:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads