Thursday, June 25, 2020

RELEASE BLITZ -- Make Me Hate You by Kandi Steiner

"This is a return to the Kandi Steiner of 2016 who brought us Weightless and A Love Letter to Whiskey. Prepare for the burn." -- Author Sarah E. Green

Make Me Hate You, an angsty, emotional stand-alone romance from bestselling author, Kandi Steiner, is LIVE!

If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.
Every sip of air is shallow and burning, because in the arms of my best friend’s brother, I’m the closest I’ve ever been to sin.
His eyes flick to my lips, and I remember the first time I tasted him, seven years ago before I left this town and vowed never to return. His hands grip my waist, and I remember the pain when he rejected me, when my entire world crashed down at his command. His jaw clenches, and my senses come alive with one stinging reminder.
I’m not his to kiss, and he’s not mine.
I tried to stay away from Tyler Wagner, putting an entire country between us. But when his sister’s wedding brings us back to the same town, to the same house, I can’t avoid him, no matter how hard I try.
He’s always there, his dark eyes bewitching, luring me into their depths. The memory of us pulls me under like a rip current, and when he flashes that smile, I lose my breath, along with my will, unable to escape his grip and find the surface.
Now, hours before our plus ones arrive for the wedding, I’m in his arms, begging him to make me hate him, knowing he never could.
If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.
And I’ll take him down with me.
Make Me Hate You is a best friend's brother romance that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Pre-order today!

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2Xo2Gg1

Excerpt:
Seven miles and an hour later, and all the anxiety I’d felt the night before was completely gone.
At least, until I rounded the foyer into the kitchen and saw I wasn’t the only one up early on Sunday morning.
Tyler sat at the kitchen island, still in his navy blue sweat pants and simple white t-shirt, with one foot planted on the ground and the other hooked casually on the lower bar of his stool. His hair was an absolute disaster, the boyish waves sticking up this way and that. He had both hands wrapped around a mug of hot tea, his eyes focused on the iPad he had propped up in front of him, and BlueTooth headphones in his ears.
At first, he didn’t notice me, and I slowed my steps, standing silently at the entry of the kitchen and watching him. I’d done everything I could last night to avoid his gaze, to not look at him, and now that I had a stolen moment to observe, I found my chest tightening again, my mouth dry and sticky.
His brown eyes were hidden beneath bent brows, expression serious as he watched whatever was on the screen. Small lines creased the edges of his eyes — lines that weren’t there when we were kids. He’d grown into a man somehow, overnight, it seemed. Then again, it had been years.
I’d seen him on social media, watched from afar as his YouTube channel took off. I’d seen pictures of him on Instagram — traveling through Europe, hiking in Australia, swimming in hot pools in Iceland. I didn’t follow him, of course, but his profile was public, which allowed me to flip through picture after picture on the nights when I was a pathetic mess.
But, pictures and videos didn’t do justice to the actual man who sat studiously at that kitchen island.
He was something between the boy I used to love and the man I’d never know, familiar and unreachable all at once.
Tyler shook his head at something, letting out a frustrated sigh and kicking back the bar stool a little before taking a sip of his tea. His eyes flicked to me then, back to the screen, and then, he did a double take, this time fixing his gaze on me and leaving it there.
Something changed in his eyes when he looked at me, like a shadow passed over them and held him captive. I was dressed in jogger shorts and a modest tank top, but from the way he watched me, I might as well have been completely naked.
That’s what his gaze did to me, what it always had done.
It stripped me bare.

About Kandi:

Kandi Steiner is a bestselling author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tampa, FL. Best known for writing “emotional roller-coaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal. An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. She started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed it to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die-hard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs. When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys live music, traveling, anything heavy in carbs, beach days, movie marathons, craft beer, and sweet wine — not necessarily in that order.

Connect with Kandi: 
Mailing List: bit.ly/NewsletterKS 
Facebook: facebook.com/kandisteiner 
Facebook Reader Group: (Kandiland): https://www.facebook.com/groups/kandilandks 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kandisteiner 
Twitter: twitter.com/kandisteiner 
Pinterest: pinterest.com/kandicoffman 
Website: www.kandisteiner.com
Kandi Steiner may be coming to a city near you! 
Check out her “events” tab to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future: www.kandisteiner.com/events

Friday, June 5, 2020

RELEASE BLITZ AND REVIEW -- Silver Mayor (The Silver Foxes of Blue Ridge #3) by L.B. Dunbar

Release Date: June 4

Charlie Harrington is a respectable man. Mayor to his small, mountain town. Successful attorney. Dotting single father. After one mishap in the past, he avoids scandal. Making everyone happy is his goal. He’s nothing but content...and a bit boring. Then one morning, he finds a beautiful woman in his bedroom, and his world turns upside down. His good guy side suddenly wants to be a little bad.

Janessa Cruz has been both a have and a have-not. Ex-wife to someone famous, she’s now a single mother in hiding. She just wants to go unnoticed. Quietly starting over in her forties is the plan. Only she isn’t certain what she wants. When a misunderstanding brings her face-to-face with the sexy town mayor, she can’t seem to avoid him, and being a little reckless never felt so right. 

Another Harrington brother bites the dust, and he’s looking forward to getting all kinds of dirty.

Grab Your Copy Here:

BOOKISH STACY RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I really enjoyed this third book in The Silver Foxes of Blue Ridge series. This time, it's the Mayor's turn to find love! Single dad AND single mom? I love it! Charlie and Nessa had fantastic chemistry and I loved seeing some of my other Harrington faves. I've said it before--no one writes better mature romance than LB Dunbar!



Meet L.B. Dunbar
I’ve been accused of having an over-active imagination. To my benefit, this imagination has created over twenty novels, including the creation of a small-town world (Sensations Collection), rock star mayhem (Legendary Rock Star series), MMA chaos (Paradise Stories), rom-com for the over forty (The Sex Education of M.E.), and a suspenseful island for redemption (The Island Duet). My alter ego, elda lore, creates magical romance through mythological retellings (Modern Descendants). My life revolves around a deep love of reading about fairy tales, medieval knights, regency debauchery, and strong alpha males. I love a deep belly laugh, a strong hug, and an occasional margarita. My other loves include being mother to four grown children and wife to the one and only.

Connect with L.B. Dunbar


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Wednesday, June 3, 2020

RELEASE BLITZ AND REVIEW -- Asher (Ashes and Embers Series Book 6) by Carian Cole




Title: Asher
Series: Ashes & Embers #6
Author: Carian Cole
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 3, 2020



Blurb

I should have died.

I should have been forgotten.

But I didn’t, and I wasn’t.

Living the life most women only dream about, I was madly in love with my soulmate—Asher Valentine—amazing husband, loving father, and rock’s favorite kick-ass front man. A man who loved me every day, in every way, since we first met as teens. We were blessed with a beautiful daughter who was the light of our life. My all-female rock band was tearing up the charts.

Then tragedy struck, and I lost it all.

Now all I have is a stack of journals, an antique key, and a big black void where my memories should be.

Used to be.

And I have him—this man with wild hair, tattoos from head to toe, a soft voice, and an even softer touch that gives me butterflies. He’s clearly hopelessly in love with his wife.

I’m told that’s me.

But that wife is gone, and she took everything they once had, leaving me in her place.

A broken replacement. A new version that doesn’t quite fit.

I’m slowly falling in love with him, but will he ever truly love me? Or will he forever be in love with her, the phantom woman who haunts us both?



BOOKISH STACY RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
 
Wow. Like many of you, I have been waiting for what seems like forever for this book and let me tell you, it was worth every single moment of waiting.
This story was filled with heartbreaking fear and sadness, unwavering faith and hope, and so much deep feeling, you can feel it bleeding off the pages. I just loved it and don't have the words to do it justice.

"I love you twice. Now and forever."
When Asher and Ember say these words to each other, you can feel the honesty in them. These two will make you believe in destiny. They will make you believe in the power of true love. They will make you believe in forever.



Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






Playlist




Also Available


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






Author Bio

Carian Cole has a passion for the bad boys, those covered in tattoos, sexy smirks, ripped jeans, fast cars, motorcycles and of course, the sweet girls who try to tame them and win their hearts.

Born and raised a Jersey girl, Carian now resides in beautiful New Hampshire with her husband and their multitude of furry pets. She spends most of her time writing, reading, and vacuuming.


Author Links

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW -- Reckless Memories (The Wrecked Series #1) by Catherine Cowles

  RM - BT banner.jpg    
“Reader be warned: Catherine Cowles will steal your heart with this overflowing-with-feels second chance romance and you won’t ever want it back.”  - Karla Sorensen, author 
Reckless Memories, an all-new beautiful and heartwarming not-to-be-missed friends-to-lovers romance from Catherine Cowles is available now! 
 
  Reckless Memories Cover (1)
 
I loved him before I knew what the word meant. From skinned knees to first dates and everything in between. But he was never mine to love. I settled for friendship, even though I always wanted more.
That was before.
Before he ripped my world apart and didn’t bother sticking around to help me pick up the pieces. I knit every last shred back together all on my own. And I’ve all but forgotten his name.
Now, he’s back, and everything is torn apart once more. But he’s not the only one doing the tearing this time. And there might be no stopping the person who has it out for us both.
   
    RM - AN    
Download your copy today!  
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QDwvo9
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/recklessmemories  
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2QjXYw2  
Nook: http://bit.ly/39vwkUl  
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2QhJcpG  
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2FdqQzB 
Audible: https://adbl.co/3esutlC   
     

BOOKISH STACY RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A brand-new series from one of my favorite authors is always an exciting thing! Reckless Memories is book one of The Wrecked Series. If you've read Further to Fall, you'll recognize Ford but it's not necessary to read that prior to this one.

First of all, I'll admit, I was a little worried going into this one. Whenever there is a deceased spouse/significant other in a story, I always worry that the current love interest will somehow feel second best--like a consolation prize. I am very happy to say that this was NOT the case here AT ALL, so if you're like me and that's an issue for you, I feel like you will be very pleased with how the author handled this.  

This is a beautiful story of forgiveness, redemption, and following your heart. Ford and Bell were just perfection together. I loved watching them come into their feelings. They both had a lot of fear and regret to get through to make it to the other side of this story and it was not an easy road, but in the end, it was worth it. This second-chance romance was an emotional ride with a good dose of suspense. I was drawn in immediately and finished it in one day. I listened to the audiobook and Andi Arndt and Joe Arden did a phenomenal job with their narration. I just loved it and can't wait for the next one.

 
 



Excerpt: 

 
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I stood to pull it out. My brother’s name flashed on the screen, and I winced. My finger hovered for a count of three before I hit accept. “Hey, Hunter. What’s up?”
“You need to come home.” 
My blood turned to ice. “Dad?” My voice grew hoarse on the single word. Memories of the call I’d gotten from my hysterical mother, telling me that my father had suffered a stroke, flooded me. 
“He’s okay. The same. But I need you to help out at the bar.”
I eased back in the chair, my gut souring. “I can float the bar some money to hire more permanent help.” 
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Ford? This is your family’s legacy. The Catch has been run by a Hardy for generations. We don’t need your fancy Hollywood money, we need you. Or are you too good for your family now, too?”
I gripped the arm of my chair, the sleek metal frame biting into my palm. “You know that’s not why I left.”
Hunter blew out a long breath. “You were never going to be able to avoid this place forever. Mom and Dad miss you, and I can’t keep covering for your ass.”
“I see Mom and Dad plenty.” It was true. I regularly flew them out to LA or some other place they’d been dying to visit, but I hadn’t set foot on the island in years. Shit, it had been over a decade now, eleven years. At first, my parents hadn’t minded. They’d understood. And they’d gotten a kick out of seeing new and exciting places. But over the years, I’d seen the sadness, the disappointment. 
“They need their sons. Both of us. I’ve been trying to run the bar and my construction business at the same time, and I just can’t do it anymore. They’re both suffering. It’s time for you to step up.”
A vise tightened around my rib cage. “I can’t.”
Hunter was silent for a few moments. “If you don’t come home, we’re going to have to sell.”
His words seemed to slice at my chest. I hadn’t seen the bar in what felt like forever, but somehow, the idea of losing it, letting go of something else that felt like it was a part of me, was more than I could take. “Okay.”
“Okay?” There was shock in my brother’s voice. Maybe he’d expected me to tell them to sell, but I couldn’t. Because he was right. The Catch was our family’s legacy. I wasn’t going to let them down because I couldn’t deal with the ghosts of my past.
“Yeah, okay. I need a couple of days to close up shop here and get a manager in place at my LA bars. But I’ll be there soon.”
Hunter cleared his throat. “Thanks, man.” 
The words seemed to be dragged out of him. And didn’t that make me feel like an asshole? When had things gotten so strained with my brother that thanking me was akin to pulling teeth? “Thank you for all you’ve been doing. I’m sorry I haven’t been pulling my weight.” 
“You covered all the medical bills, that helped a lot.”
I heard the unspoken words, “but you haven’t been here.” God, I was a selfish prick. Sure, I’d spent a month in Seattle with my parents when my dad was in the hospital and then a rehab clinic, but as soon as they’d returned to the island, I’d run straight back to LA like the coward I was. I couldn’t pull that this time. I’d just have to hope that I could get the bar back on its feet quickly. 
“I won’t leave the hands-on stuff to you anymore, Hunt.” I’d get the pieces we needed in place before I came back to LA so there wasn’t such a heavy load on my brother’s shoulders.
“It’d be a nice change,” he grumbled. 
Shit. I had a lot to make up for with my brother. “I’ll see you in a few days.”
“In a few days.” 
Hunter hung up without a goodbye, and I let my phone clatter to my desk. A few days. Seventy-two hours to wrap up my life in LA. Four thousand, three hundred, and twenty minutes before I had to face a daily reminder of the cruelest truth. I’d killed the one person I should’ve protected above all others.  
   
 
About Catherine  
CC Author Photo med res (1)    
Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.
 
     
Connect with Catherine  
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IEQXSw  
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Lc4mU0  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/catherinecowles
 Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2RFY7Jv 
Instagram: http://bit.ly/31TE3rJ  
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2xdUZLn 
 BookBub: http://bit.ly/2J3dWWF  
Website: https://www.catherinecowles.com/  
Stay up to date with Catherine by joining her mail list: http://bit.ly/2JZE0DH
     

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

RELEASE BLITZ -- Reckless Memories (The Wrecked Series #1) by Catherine Cowles

RM - RB banner.jpg
"A story rich with both heartache and hope. Catherine Cowles writes characters that are real, relatable, and will have you rooting for their happily-ever-after with all your heart!" - Mia Sheridan, New York Times bestselling author
Reckless Memories, an all-new emotional, all-consuming, friends-to-lovers standalone from Catherine Cowles is out now!
Reckless Memories Cover (1).jpg
I loved him before I knew what the word meant. From skinned knees to first dates and everything in between. But he was never mine to love. I settled for friendship, even though I always wanted more.
That was before. Before he ripped my world apart and didn’t bother sticking around to help me pick up the pieces. I knit every last shred back together all on my own. And I’ve all but forgotten his name.
Now, he’s back, and everything is torn apart once more. But he’s not the only one doing the tearing this time. And there might be no stopping the person who has it out for us both.
RM - AN.jpg
Download your copy today!  
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QDwvo9  
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/recklessmemories
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2QjXYw2  
Nook: http://bit.ly/39vwkUl  
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2QhJcpG
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2FdqQzB


About Catherine
CC Author Photo med res (1).jpg
Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.
Connect with Catherine
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IEQXSw  
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Lc4mU0  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/catherinecowles  
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2RFY7Jv  
Instagram: http://bit.ly/31TE3rJ
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2xdUZLn  
BookBub: http://bit.ly/2J3dWWF  
Website: https://www.catherinecowles.com/  
Stay up to date with Catherine by joining her mail list: http://bit.ly/2JZE0DH

Friday, March 13, 2020

RELEASE BLITZ AND REVIEW -- Without You by Marley Valentine

Title: Without You
Author: Marley Valentine
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: March 13, 2020
Cover Design: PopKitty Design
Photographer: Wander Aguiar  
Models: Jacob Cooley & Luke Schaeffer
 
 
“Tragedy brought us together, but something stronger made me want to stay.”
Julian was the boy next door. My brother’s best friend, he fit with my family in ways I never could. While he and Rhett went on to play house, I left the only life I knew, desperate for a fresh start.
Until everything changed. 
Heartache came along, and the aftermath of my brother’s death was here to stay. I was now face to face with Julian more than I ever wanted to be. 
Being around him brought up all my insecurities, forced me to deal with hard truths, and conjured up feelings I had no business entertaining. He wasn’t the man I thought I knew. He was complex and layered, and inherently beautiful in all the ways I’d never noticed. 
Not on another person.
Not on another man.
Not until him.


BOOKISH STACY RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Holy wow. Trying to come up with words to describe my feelings for this book is not easy. SO. MANY. FEELINGS.

I was really worried about this one, y'all. Whenever there's a deceased spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend, I always worry that the current love will somehow be placed in the "consolation prize" category and I hate that. I'm super picky because I need to feel like the current couple is completely meant to be and I know that's not an easy thing for an author to make me feel.  Marley Valentine pulled this off in spades! I NEVER, not for one second, felt like Deacon was second best. And I completely believed that everything happened exactly as it was fated to happen because Deacon and Julian were destined to be together. So big, big kudos to the author for the way she portrayed that. Also, she needs to never stop writing M/M because she does that fabulously.

The story of Deacon and Julian put me through the ringer but left me with a happy heart.  These beautiful men fought through pain and dealt with all kinds of trauma, resentment and guilt to get through to the end of their story. It was real and raw and just a glorious thing to behold. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it. It's a journey you won't regret.
 
Marley Valentine comes from the future. Living in Sydney, Australia with her family. When she's not busy writing her own stories, she spends most of her time immersed in the words of her favourite authors.
 
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