Review: A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: A Curse so Dark and Lonely

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Series: A Curse so Dark and Lonely #1

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Retelling

Published: January 29, 2019

Source: Hardcover

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

Blurb

Fall in love, break the curse.

Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she's pulled into a magical world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

About The Author

Brigid Kemmerer is the author of dark, contemporary Young Adult romances like MORE THAN WE CAN TELL and LETTERS TO THE LOST (Bloomsbury), as well as paranormal YA novels like THE ELEMENTAL SERIES and THICKER THAN WATER (Kensington). Her next book will be her first foray into YA Fantasy, with A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY, available January 2019 wherever books are sold. Brigid lives in the Baltimore area with her husband and four sons.

Review

Quotes

“I am always surprised to discover that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light.” 

“Rhen,” she calls after me.
I pause in the doorway and face her. 
“I’m not going to fall in love with you,” she says.
Her words are not a surprise. I sigh. 
“You won’t be the first.” 

“We all make mistakes.  And she’s not innocent! She sought you out because of who you are.” Her jaw is clenched. “I hope she does come here. I hope she comes to this room. Because I don’t care what I have to do. I’m going to end her.”

“I do not understand how she can fill me with such hope and fear simultaneously. I pull her hand to my chest and lean in to her, until we share breath. My lips brush across hers. 
It is barely a kiss, but she is somehow closer to me, her body a pool of warmth against mine. 
I want so desperately to turn it into more, to see where this blossoming attraction will lead.” 

I just want to say that this book got 5/5 stars from me just because of the last few chapters because I read something I haven't read before and it was epically awesome. The rest of the book was 5 stars as well but those chapters took it off the charts for me. This was a fantastic read for me with a brave heroine, a beast I couldn't help but love instantly, and a royal guard that was perfectly loyal. Everything about this book was magical it seemed like it was well thought out and my favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling. It was an original and refreshing tale that was it's own story as well as a retelling. I was enchanted by the story that I could not put it down.  

As Harper is pulled into a magical palace all she wants to do is go back home to tend to her dying mother and make sure that her brother is okay. She didn't just want to be in the castle all the time, she did want to explore and most importantly run away. She developed a lot, in the beginning she was headstrong and set in her ways but when she finds out more about Rhen's story and his kingdom she wants to help. Because of all she learns about this new land she finds herself helping and caring for the people and making friends. She wanted to feed them and give them shelter. I loved her! She didn't let her cerebral palsy get her down and damn whoever thought less of her because of it, she can do everything others can and sometimes better.

One of the things I loved about this book was that I found myself saying the same things Harper says things that would make me laugh out loud.

'Maybe the cold has frozen my brain cells. "I'm not- did you say wedding?"'

 "Jake said you two had to 'do something real quick' and then we'd be going home. Hilarious. Then he shows up with three dozen people with critical injuries."  

Rhen, I fell for him right away, his story really got to me early on and as I learned all about him I couldn't help but to love him more. He was arrogant and self absorbed in the beginning but he had a lot of character development. He sacrificed everything till the very end, I just wanted someone to help him because he was so tormented. When he met Harper as she makes her entrance with a bang, she's not like any other girl he's met. She is unyielding to his charms and determined to get her way but he has to keep trying to break the curse as she is his only hope.

"I've tried everything I can think of to break this curse. I would undo it if I could. I promise you."

"I don't know what I can do to her, but I won't stand by and watch it. I can't."

"Never offer blindly, my lady. Not for your family. Not even for yourself. Certainly not for me." 

Grey was such a wonderful character, so loyal and dedicated. He followed every orders without a second thought. A great guard for Rhen and a friend to Harper. And his weaponry expertise at it's finest.

'He turns my wrist and puts the hilt against the center of my chest, the point level with his own. "See? Now you have some defense when an opponent grabs you. If you were lucky, you could pull me right into your blade." Grey
"Can I do that right now?" Harper
"Perhaps another time." Grey

Lilith the villain, I hate her so much, she has caused so much suffering. She is a scorned woman who wanted herself a royal and when things didn't go her way she showed her true colors, and she's the worst.
This book is filled with action from the beginning, un-put-down-able. It has everything you want in retellings and then some. I loved that it was told with dual perspectives. The twist in the end I kind of knew it would happen and it made me excited for the next book. It's going to be so good. I am Brigid's new fan and I'll read anything she writes! 

Cover Reveal and Excerpt: Catching Sin by J. Saman

Today we have the cover reveal for J. Saman’s Catching Sin! We are so excited about this gorgeous cover—check it out and be sure to pre-order your copy today!

Title: Catching Sin

Author: J. Saman

Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Suspense

Release Day: July 15^th

About Catching Sin:

Maddox must be willing to risk his life if he wants to save mine.   I was under the devil’s thumb with no end in sight. A play thing. A toy. A treasure easily forgotten. Until Maddox Sinclair stepped into my club and made me promises even my tattered heart couldn’t refuse. Sexy, arrogant, strong and brave, he fears no one and fights for everyone. I should know better than to trust him. Half the time we want to rip each other’s clothes off. The other half we’re at each other’s necks. But my devil isn’t easily thwarted. He started this game with a master plan–one that makes me his ultimate pawn. Deals have been made. Lives are at stake. And when he finally comes for me, there is no escape.

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Exclusive Excerpt:

No touching. No flirting. No taking her clothes off and dancing for me—though that’s still at the top of my fantasy chart. I wish I could say that now that she’s wearing professional clothing and is out of club makeup, she’s become ugly or unappealing. That now that we’re less adversarial and more professionally friendly, she’s become boring. She’s none of those things. It’s all just added layers I’m dying to peel back and explore. Then she decided to wear this fucking dress. I swear, she did it on purpose just to mess with me. This girl is a punch to the gut. A visceral reaction. Someone you feel and see. It’s what made me watch her that first night at the club. It’s what had me staring at her as I left and made me approach her in the supermarket. It’s what had me mindlessly letting her dance and grind against me when I knew better. Even now, with her as my employee and Conti silently lurking, hidden in the shadows, I can’t find it in me to regret it. Who are you, Isabel? Are you lost and in need of finding? Or are you the wolf, masquerading as a sheep? “We’re going to a meeting,” is my only reply as I type on my phone. Her eyes are trained straight ahead, as if she’s afraid to so much as glance out the window. She lets out a nervous giggle. She doesn’t laugh very often, at least not genuinely. This odd sound coming from her lips is no exception. “Oh. So you’re finally trusting me with those?” Not even a little, but I didn’t want her hanging around the office so douchey McMorgan could get his slimy, nepotistic, intern rich-boy hands on her. Morgan Fair Senior has been with Turner Hotels forever, long before Jake’s dad died and left him the company. He’s not a bad guy, all things considered. He really runs the operations for the company, even though my title is now COO. I hate that side of things, which is why I think Jake promoted me. Just to piss me off. I like technology. I like security. I like surveillance. And I most definitely like the dirtiness that comes with running all that for hotels and casinos. I think that’s why Morgan Fair Senior and I still get along as well as we do. But his kid can suck it. Especially if he’s trying to make babies with my assistant. “We’ll see how it goes,” I tell her, my eyes still locked on my phone. “Since we’re talking about it, did you dance for Morgan Fair Junior Dick when he came into the club?” Isabel shifts away from me, looking out the window, but I swear I catch a hint of a smirk before she does. “Would it bother you if I said yes?” Like a motherfucker. “Why would it bother me?” “Why did you ask?” Because I’m insanely jealous. Duh. I shrug indifferently as I finish up the email I’m not really paying attention to, then tuck my phone back in my pocket. “Just wondering if I’m going to have to kill him and ruin my relationship with his father, is all. It’s not good for business to have your interns see your employees naked.” “You saw me naked.” “Mostly naked,” I correct with a raised eyebrow. “And I’m not an intern. I’m the boss.” She makes some kind of snorting sound, crossing her legs at the knee and shifting once more in her seat. Every freaking time she does that, I’m assaulted with a blast of her scent. It’s sweet and floral and spicy and so goddamn good, my stupid dick perks up with every inhale. Not only that, the insanely short hem of her dress hikes up as if to say, yes, my legs are delicious. Would you like a bite of my inner thigh? “That’s worse, you realize.” “Probably.”

 

About the Author:

J. Saman loves all types of novels, but finds herself always going back to writing/reading romances. She's addicted to Diet Coke and sour candy, and swears way too much. She's an admitted lover of picking at old wounds, second chance romances, love triangles and the perfect amount of angst . She writes smart, strong women and sexy alpha (slightly nerdy) men who have a softer side.

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Blog Tour Giveaway and Interview: Lunar Court by Aileen Erin

Lunar Court
Aileen Erin
(Alpha Girl #8)
Published by: Ink Monster LLC
Publication date: June 11th 2019
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

From USA Today Bestselling Author Aileen Erin

Chris is the guy Cosette always wanted.

Fun. Funny. Lighthearted and sweet. Chris always manages to find beauty and laughter, even when fighting a chapel full of demons. He’s exactly what she needs. Except he’s a werewolf and she’s a member of the Lunar Court — the only fey court that holds sway over the werewolves. Even on his best day, Chris isn’t strong enough to last a few hours in the Lunar Court without becoming a slave. No matter how much Cosette’s heart wants him, she knows she has to let him go.

But when Chris goes missing, Cosette realizes how much she has to lose if the worst happens. Except her mother — the Queen of the Lunar Court — won’t let her go after Chris. Being forced to stay at court is dangerous for Cosette. Assassins keep coming after her, and unless she accepts a mate, it’s only a matter of time before one of them kills her.

Cosette is the girl Chris has always dreamed of.

Chris sees through the tough facade to the girl exhausted from a lifetime of fighting off assassins and court politics. She needs a true friend, someone who she can be herself around, and craves solitude. The same solitude that Chris craves. But he knows he’ll never be enough to survive in her world. So, when Eli — a mysterious archon — requests his help, he figures why not? The guy might be a little shady, but he needs every distraction he can get.

But when Eli says that Cosette’s in trouble, Chris is more than ready to play by Eli’s rules. At least until Eli takes him to the Court of Gales. Chris knows he’s about to play a very dangerous game. Bargaining with the fey is something only a desperate person would do. But what wouldn’t Chris give up to save Cosette’s life?

“These books go by so very quickly, with the pacing making me think I just started reading. I could gobble up a dozen of these novels!” – Carrie Reads a Lot

“Aileen Erin: You did a great job as usual and I’m so excited for Invocation and Lunar Court.” – Lenniland

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Interview

1    Please tell us the inspiration for this series and this book

a.     The series was inspired by my love for the paranormal. I’ve always loved stories about vampires, werewolves, and witches. After Twilight, there were so many books about vampires, and I saw a need for more about werewolves. So, I started writing what turned into Becoming Alpha. I love to listen to my readers, and so many of them were emailing and messaging me to write a book about Chris and Cosette. And when I finally saw an opportunity to get them together, I decided to take it.

2    How do you figure out character traits?

a.     Part of figuring out a character’s traits is about figuring out their backstory. Once I know what got them from birth to where the story is, I can imagine what they’d be like—how their past would change and mold them. After that, it’s just letting my imagination run wild. I love to use giant post-its and markers and let my mind flow.

      How do you name your characters?

a.     Very, very difficultly. It takes me a while to name them. I usually try out a number of names before I find the right one, and sometimes I just give up and make them up!

     How do you plot your books, do you have a specific timeline or does the story unravel as you write?

a.     I love to use Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat. He has a Beat Sheet in there—13 key plot points that break down story in a very easy to digest way. After that, he breaks it down again with 40 note cards. This gives me enough of an outline to start writing. I always end up deviating from it a little bit, but I pause to edit after the second act to make sure that everything is lining up well before writing the third act.

5   Who is your favorite character in this series?

a.     I’m partial to Tessa, but for some reason, after writing this book, Van is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

    Who is the most fun character to write in this series?

a.     Eli. He’s so much fun and totally unpredictable. I’m really loving seeing more of him popping into the books.

    Who are your favorite authors? And please recommend some books similar to your own.

a.     I love Patricia Briggs (which is the most similar to mine from this list), Sarah J Maas, Terry Goodkind, Maria V Snyder, and Anne Bishop.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer a few questions!

Author Bio:
Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd–from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.

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Release Blitz, Teasers: The One Real Regret by Janet Nissenson

Title: The One Real Regret (Batchelor #3) 

Author: Janet Nissenson 

Genre:Contemporary Romance 

Release Date: June 11, 2019 

Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC. 

Max Wainwright’s life has been filled with difficult choices, dating back to his rough upbringing in England, a life he left long ago. But as tough as some of those choices have been, he has never regretted making a single one of them – with the exception of the one he made several years ago during a business trip to Seattle. Walking away from the only woman he’s ever really cared about continues to be the biggest regret of his life – the only regret.

Jill Parrish was young, naïve, and impressionable when she first met and fell head over heels in love with the handsome, enigmatic Max Wainwright. She innocently believed their passionate affair would last forever, and that she had met the love of her life. But when he left her without a backwards glance, her heart and spirit were irrevocably broken, and she feared she would never be whole again.

When Max and Jill meet again by chance, she’s finally managed to move on, and is even contemplating an engagement to another man. Will Max find a way to overcome his deep-seated emotional issues and finally claim the only woman he’s ever loved? Or will he risk losing Jill forever, and regretting it for the rest of his life?

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Janet is a lifelong resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, and currently resides on the northern California coast with her husband Steve and Golden Retriever Max. She worked for more than two decades in the financial services industry before turning her focus to producing running events. She is a former long-distance runner, current avid yoga practitioner, is addicted to Pinterest, likes to travel and read. She has been writing for more than three decades but Serendipity was her first official release in December 2013. There are a total of six full-length books planned in the Inevitable series, along with the upcoming “spin-off” Splendor trilogy.

Release Day, Excerpt, Giveaway: Sweet Adventure by Tamie Dearen

Title: Sweet Adventures

Author: Tamie Dearen

Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance

Cover Designer: Najla Qamber Designs

Publication Date: June 13, 2019

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

Blurb: 

Will Katie jump into the shark-infested waters for a second chance at love?

Katie Carson is afraid of everything. Spiders. Sharks. And especially love… thanks to her ex-fiancé. That's why her immediate attraction to the reckless Gary Lassiter scares her to death. Sure, he looks like Superman and he saved her from a giant arachnid, but he's an adrenaline junkie.

Gary Lassiter owes his life to his best friend, Steven. But his loyalty is tested when he meets Steven's PA, Katie. Though Steven and Katie are probably a better-suited match, Gary wants Katie for himself. He sees a lot of spunk behind her overtly timid façade, and he’s determined to bring it out in the open.

When the three spend a week at Indigo Bay, Katie starts to fall for Gary, even stepping outside her comfort zone. It’s all fun and games until her adventure brings her to a moment of life or death. Thrown into the nightmares of her past, she’s convinced they can’t have a future together. Will Gary get past her defenses?

This is the sixth book in the Indigo Bay Second Chance Romance series. All books have been written as standalones, so feel free to dive in anywhere!

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Excerpt:

Chapter One

Katie screamed, jumping up so fast her desk chair crashed to the floor behind her. The spider on her desk was gargantuan—approximately the size of Godzilla—covered with spiky brown hairs. She could tell by the menacing look in each of its ten million beady eyes it was preparing to leap at her and inflict a lethal bite.

Maybe it already bit me!

She checked her arms for signs of puncture wounds.

“Is something wrong?”

The deep voice startled her, and she whipped around, stumbling on the overturned chair. The room tilted and a sledge hammer impacted the back of her head. She looked up from the floor, stars swirling in front of the face that bent over her. Thick brows furrowed over crystal blue eyes.

I know that face—it’s Superman!

Pain thudded in her skull, forcing her eyelids closed. 

“Are you okay?”

“Just hit my head,” she mumbled.

Her eyes came open as gentle hands lifted under her shoulders. The blue-eyed hero was kneeling beside her, so close she caught a whiff of his enticing scent, a combination of minty clean and a dash of masculine aftershave. Curling her legs to the side, she sat up and groaned, raising her hand to the back of her head.

“Let me see,” he said.

Her face was pressed against his clean black t-shirt, as his fingers parted her hair to probe the tender scalp on the back of her head. She inhaled deeply, enjoying the intoxicating smell.

“It’s not bleeding,” Superman announced. “Good thing you have this padded rug under your desk. The tile would’ve split it open.”

As her hero uprighted her chair, she couldn’t help noticing how his back muscles flexed and bulged, pressing against the thin cotton.

That’s strange… I’ve never wished I was a t-shirt before.

Stretching to his full-height, something over six feet, he turned to face her and bestowed a slow smile that sent warmth furling in her belly. Damp tendrils on his forehead suggested he’d been in the shower moments earlier.

Had he come from the company gym? She only interacted with a few of Gherring, Inc.’s employees, the ones who came to the board room to meet with Steven Gherring, her boss. She’d certainly never met this guy before. No way she could forget Superman.

He rubbed his hand across the stubble of dark beard on his square jaw, and she imagined her fingers doing the same, tracing the sharp angle, relishing the masculine feel of the soft bristles on her sensitive skin.

His eyes sparkled as if he somehow read her thoughts, and blood rushed up her neck to highlight her embarrassment.

As if it wasn’t humiliating enough to meet Superman when I’m sprawled on the floor.

“I’ll help you up,” he said.

She placed her palms in his outstretched hands. Big mistake! Charged like an ongoing static shock, his touch sucked the air from her lungs in a whoosh. Before she could escape his electrifying grasp, his large hands folded over hers. With what seemed to be little effort, he hefted her up and eased her into the chair. Then he sat back on the edge of her desk, folding his arms.

The spider!

“Stand up! Get off the desk!” she yelped.

At her cry, he jolted to his feet and whipped around, staring at it as though it might explode at any moment. “What’s wrong with the desk?”

She aimed a wobbly finger at the desktop, the last place she’d seen the spider, who’d now retreated into some unseen place. No doubt, his plan was to hide away, waiting patiently until she’d forgotten about him, only to spring out and clamp his jaws on her skin.

“There’s a spider.”

He glanced at the desktop, empty except for her laptop, the dark wood pristine as always, not a scrap of paper marring the gleaming surface. “Where?”

“He’s hiding now. Probably went underneath or in a drawer, but he was humongous.” She stretched her arms as wide as they would go.

“That big, huh?” The corners of his mouth twitched.

“He was huge. And poisonous. A brown recluse.” She put enough certainty in her voice to properly warn him, though she hoped her hero was brave enough to slay the skulking beast.

“Venomous.” He sank to his knees, peering under her desk. “Spiders are venomous, not poisonous.”

“Either way, I hate them.”

“It wasn’t a brown recluse, though.”

“How do you know? Do you see him?”

“Not yet, but I know we don’t have brown recluse spiders in New York City. It gets too cold here.”

Too her horror, half his body disappeared under her desk, deep into the spider’s lair. “Don’t go in there.”

A muffled chuckle sounded, before he backed out and stood, miraculously unmarked, brushing his fingers on his jeans. “I knocked a little spider web down. That should take care of it.” His hand swept toward the desk, as if all were clear.

“No, thanks. I’ll just do my work over here until the exterminators come.” Katie stood, crept toward her laptop and snatched it, retreating back to her chair, well away from the spider’s domain. Then the monster emerged, charging across the rug. “There he is!” she yelled, on her feet and scrambling away. “Get him before he makes it to the bookshelves!”

With amazing calm, her hero stepped on the spider. Relief flooded Katie’s system, knowing she wouldn’t have to be on guard for his reappearance. Superman bent down and examined the conquered foe.

“You’re that afraid of a tiny little spider?” He cocked his head at her, fingers shoving through his damp locks, pushing them into adorable disarray.

She shrugged. “He looked bigger on the desk.”

He coughed behind his hand, but it sounded suspiciously like a laugh. “Now that we’ve ended this horrible arachnid infestation, I’m here to see Steven.”

Katie snapped into her role, Guardian of the CEO.

“I’m sorry. Do you have an appointment, Mr. …?” She left the question hanging.

“Lassiter. Gary Lassiter. And no, I don’t have an appointment, but—”

“I’m afraid Mr. Gherring won’t be able to see you without an appointment. His schedule is quite full. Let’s see when we can fit you in.” She opened her laptop and pulled up his schedule, with no real intention of making an appointment. Steven Gherring had given strict instructions not to schedule any appointments he didn’t initiate himself. One of Gherring’s subordinates would no doubt handle this man, clearly an intruder, even if he did look like Superman and valiantly slayed large spiders.

“I think Steven will want to talk to me. We’re partners in a business deal.”

“If you aren’t willing to follow protocol, Mr. Lassiter, you may find your business deal canceled.”

“I’ll take my chances.” With an arrogant grin, Gary edged toward the entrance to Gherring’s private office, an ornately carved wood door.

In a flash, Katie was on her feet, racing for the door. With the element of surprise on her side, she reached it first, barring the entrance with her body. Her chin lifted in dogged determination as she glared up at the invader, who towered over her by at least six inches.

“No one goes through this door without an appointment.”

His devastating blue eyes crinkled at the corners as he retrieved his cell phone and held up his index finger. “One moment, please.”

He tapped once on his screen and held the phone to his ear. “Hi… I’m here… No, I can’t… Because your very attractive pit bull is guarding the door, baring her teeth at me.”

Katie heard her boss’ laughter from the phone in Gary’s hand just before the door opened behind her.

She barely kept her jaw from dropping. This interloper had Steven Gherring’s personal cell number?

“I tried to tell you.” Gary shook his head.

Her face radiated heat. But for the recent spider web, she might’ve crawled under her desk to hide. Instead, she aimed a glare at her boss. “You made an appointment with this man and didn’t bother to tell me?”

“An oversight on my part, Ms. Carson. It won’t happen again.”

His lips curved into the trademark, billion-dollar smile that left most women swooning. Katie, however, was impervious to his charms. Not because he was thirteen years older—he certainly didn’t look it—but because she’d sworn off men two years ago. All men. Including handsome billionaires, like her boss.

And hunky spider-killers who’re too smug for their own good.

“It was nice to meet you, Ms. Carson,” said Gary, apparently unaware of the poison darts her eyes sent his way. “I hope you don’t encounter any more giant arachnids.”

“Thank you for disposing of that one,” she mumbled, more irritated than grateful.

He followed Steven inside the door, but turned to his head to toss over his shoulder, “Just thought you might want to know, I noticed a bunch of empty spider eggs in that web.”

The door clicked closed behind him, but the sound was drowned out by the bass drum her heart pounded in her ear.

About the Author

Tamie Dearen lives in Texas with her very romantic husband—her own personal romance hero. She’s been involved in creative writing since elementary school, though her degrees are in the science fields—Chemistry and a D.D.S. But a more recent master’s degree in higher education sparked her writing bug again. And with a zany and wonderful bunch of family and friends, there’s no end of inspiration for her stories. Contact her on her website at TamieDearen.com.

Author Links:

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O'Connor Brothers by A.S. Kelly Release Kit and Giveaway

Ian
A.S. Kelly
(O’Connor Brothers, #1)
Publication date: February 15th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

A year ago, she begged me to stay.
A year later, it’s my turn to beg her not to go.
My obsession. My downfall.
I tried to resist, to keep her at a distance.
I tried to save myself.
But no one will be saved here, not even a selfish bastard like me.
My life has always been about sport and family, including my stupid brothers. Until that night, the night I made the worst decision of my life. And I’m still paying the price for it.
We both are.
But the time has come to take back control of the situation, to risk it all, to convince her to let me in, because she can’t be anything other than mine.

I am Ian O’Connor, and I’m about to accept this challenge: to try and hold on to the only woman I’ll ever be able to love.
And even if I already know how this badly written romance is going to end, I won’t back away. This time, I’m going all the way. Because I only want her.
And I have no intention of losing her.

I’m an O’Connor, and the O’Connors never lose.

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--
Ryan
A.S. Kelly
(O’Connor Brothers, #2)
Publication date: May 20th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

I’ve gone back: back to the place where it all started, where somebody else had the final say.
I did it out of love for my family.
I’m trying to rebuild my life, to stay standing, even though my legs hurt like hell. I’m concentrating on myself, on my career.
I’m ready to tear everything apart to try and keep it all together. To hate without feeling guilty for it, because hating others is the only way I know how to keep myself - the person I am - going; and I was doing it.
I was strong. I was untouchable. I was invincible.
Actually, I was deluded.
I didn’t consider everything. I didn’t consider her: the only woman I really want to hate, but who gives me hope. A woman who turns your world upside-down, who entwines herself into your life even if she can only stay until tomorrow.
I’m not looking for tomorrow: I want a future. But I don’t believe in that anymore.
And I can’t turn back, not even for her.
My name is Ryan O’Connor, and I’m about to make a huge mistake. I’m about to let her believe in me, to take a chance. But she’d be betting on the wrong man. I’ve never been the right one. And she’ll be left accepting her bitter defeat.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

IAN EXCERPT:

“Tell me that everything’s okay,” he says seriously. “Tell me that this time no one’s going to run away or regret this or lose their mind over it.”
I look at him and smile. “None of those things are going to happen.”
He exhales and caresses my face with his hand.
“Riley Murray, you’re breathtaking, you know that?”
My heart swells in my chest.
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
He laughs, rolling onto his back and bringing me with him. I lie down and stretch out alongside him, resting my head on his chest. I caress his pecs, his shoulders and his arms. I hear him sigh every time I change the movement.
“Do you want to know what I really like?”
He turns his head to look at me better. I raise my gaze and let myself be taken in by the warmth in his eyes.
“This. You and me.”
He exhales deeply as if he had been holding his breath this whole time.
“I’m begging you, please don’t leave me in the middle of the night.”
And in this moment, with his eyes as sweet and melancholy as I’ve ever seen, Ian O’Connor takes my heart and I know he’ll never give it back.

Author Bio:
A.S. Kelly was born in Italy but lives in Ireland with her husband, their two children and a cat named Oscar.
Bookworm, English Literature lover, music passionate, coffee drinker, she lives in a small village in the North of Dublin, where she looks for inspiration for her new stories.

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Review: Kickin' It by Rachel Van Dyken

Rachel Van Dyken is my favorite author for contemporary romance! She's an auto buy author for me because every book that I've read from her has been absolutely amazing, she never disappoints no matter what genre she writes. I have a bunch of reviews here of her books! She has a style of writing that makes the story feel real, like a friend telling you a story or like you're in the story yourself. She makes you feel for the characters and it's like you're part of the world and that's how all of her books feel.

I am super excited to share this review!

Title: Kicking It

Author: Rachel Van Dyken

Series: Red Card Book 2

Publishing Date: June 11, 2019

Genre: Contemporary, Sports Romance

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

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Blurb

Love breaks the offside rule in New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken’s irresistibly sexy Red Card romance.

Successful, high-profile sports agent Matt Kingston thinks he can handle anything. Then soccer player Parker Speedman shows up at his door. She is young and gorgeous, has natural talent, and is looking for a team. She’s also a hothead with a punchy past who floored her last coach on live TV. Despite his misgivings, Matt agrees to be both her agent and her coach. Professional common sense says she’s off-limits. But what can he say about the raw attraction between them?

Parker plays soccer with her heart and soul. But after the events of the last year, she’s shaken. She’s already seen what a powerful man can do to a female athlete’s career. And her beloved dream is in the hands of a sexy, gorgeous man with the uncanny ability to slip past her defenses…and into her heart.

Now Matt and Parker are about to learn that when it comes to love, the only way to win is by breaking every rule they know. And by playing nice. Real nice.

About The Author

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor. 

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and, adorable son. She loves to hear from readers!

Links: Facebook I Website I Email I Instagram I Twitter

Review

Warning!

*I want to point out that this book deals with a sensitive subject which is sexual assault, that is a trigger warning that I should let you know before anyone reads this book. 

I really enjoyed this book. As all of Rachel's books have the same feel, this one was no exception. As this book deals with a strong subject, I think it was done very well and respectful to the feelings of a person that was abused. As it was not the focus point of the story, I'm very grateful for the fact that there other aspects to the story. Parker is a soccer player in search for an agent, and her best friend's brother is the one that she wants. As her past seems to haunt and taunt her we see that Parker is a strong woman and doesn't let other people's actions define her. She had a horrible traumatic experience that changed her into a shell of a person that she was but she persevered through the dark times and chased her dreams not letting anything stop her. I admired her bravery for standing up for what she believed in, and even though she knew she would be judged she needed to be an example for others in hopes that what happened to her didn't happen to anyone else.

I really appreciate how the story was written, even though it was a serious subject that needs to be talked about, it wasn't something that defined Parker or her future. She was trying to forget her bad memories, instead she's trying to move on with her life in hopes of making her dreams come true. I loved her passion for soccer, how she trained until she was sore and couldn't feel her legs. I could tell she really loved the sport but her talent could only get her so far. Ever since Parker punched her coach on national television her career took a nosedive, she needs Matt's help as an agent to get her on the right team. And Matt did something he doesn't ever do, he coaches her, so if she can survive his torture (I mean coaching) she can ace any teams tryout. 

Another aspect that I love from Rachel is the way she writes humor in her books, it seems so natural and seamless. It always makes me laugh out loud. The story was fast paced and perfect length for me, straight to the point without any filler scenes. I was engaged in the story, I cared for the characters, and a bit of hilarity sprinkled in, it's the recipe for a great book. This is the first book I've read from this series and I loved the characters so I can't wait to read more about them. 

Release Day Blitz- Sweet Whispers by Jeanette Lewis

Title: Sweet Whispers

Author: Jeanette Lewis

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Editor: Elidryn Productions

Cover Designer: Najla Qamber Design

Publication Date: June 6^th, 2019

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s Reviews & PR

                           

Blurb:

As the executor of her grandfather’s estate, Melanie Bowers is returning to Indigo Bay for the first time in years. Her goal is to be in and out before anyone in town knows she’s there – especially Penn, the high school sweetheart who broke her heart by joining the military and leaving her alone, with no promise for their future together. Penn Westover was anxious to complete his tour of duty, then spend the rest of his life with Melanie. But his dream shattered when she married someone else. He reluctantly moved on with his life, but he never forgot. When Melanie and Penn reconnect in Indigo Bay and realize they’re both single again, their chemistry comes roaring back. The sparks are still there, but can they move beyond their painful memories and forgive, or are they better off leaving the past alone?

Buy Link:

Universal: Universal

Romance with Heart! Jeanette Lewis is a bestselling sweet romance author who specializes in writing character-driven stories with heart. Jeanette’s writing is known for her strong characters, depth, and detail, as well as plenty of sweet, swoony kissing scenes. Dreaming up stories has always been one of Jeanette’s favorite things. Other favorites include family, friends, crisp Autumn days, having adventures, and frozen gummy bears.

Author Links:

Website

Goodreads

Amazon

Twitter

Facebook

Buy Link:

Universal