Category: Uncategorized

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

You have no idea. Really, you have no idea. Corinne Michaels has mentioned several times in her Facebook group, in newsletters, and elsewhere that her characters’ stories for her newest book, Could Have Been Us, came from out of nowhere, that they surprised her. And guess what? She isn’t lying. I had no idea. Honestly,  I figured Could Have Been Us was the brother’s best friend unrequited story. On the surface, that is what it appears to be. But it isn’t. It really, really isn’t. Here’s the thing. I want to talk about Jack and Stella and the beauty of their story. I would love to divulge details, but to do so would be to spoil one of my favorite reads in April. Seriously. So let me give you some promises:

1. I can promise that you will cry with this book. Well, maybe not everyone, but those of you who are tenderhearted. 
2. There is no question that Jack and Stella are together in this book. It’s a romance, not women’s fiction, so there is a happy ending. Here’s the promise: when Jack and Stella are finally together, that’s it. Game over. 
3. There is a bigger story in Could Have Been Us than Jack and Stella. That’s all I’m saying. 
4. In the first book of Michaels’s Willow Creek Valley series, Return to Us, we met one or two of Grayson’s siblings, but we meet them all in this story. This means you’ll get subtle previews of upcoming attractions.
5. There is so much beauty in this story about sacrifice and resiliency. To not read Could Have Been Us would be to shortchange yourself. Again, this is one of my top April reads. 

I had no idea that I would pick up this book and not want to put it down. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve had that feeling, and Corinne Michaels’s Could Have Been Us surprises, delights, and takes you through an emotional journey grounded in a big love. Michaels has written a GORGEOUS story that will steal a piece of your soul, so buyer beware. If you haven’t downloaded it to your Kindle or other reading device, you are missing out, and I suggest you download it today. You won’t sleep until the very last page.

In love and romance,

Professor A

Overall Grade: 4.5 ⭐️

To humanize a “player” is one of the best tropes in romancelandia. Bar none. Take the hero who “gets around” and turn him into a puppy dog for love, and you’ve found the romance catnip for many a romance reader (this one included). In her contribution to the Moo U world, Kat Mizera has done that well. Her story, Overtime, tells the story of the second half of the Graham twins, Patrick “Trick.” If you’ve read any of the Moo U stories, then you know Sir Graham, Patrick to you, is $exually promiscuous. In Jami Davenport’s Gametime which follows Patrick’s twin brother, Paxton, one would say that Patrick is $exually prolific given his penchant for multiple partners in the bedroom. To take that type of character and turn him into a dreamy, swoony hero for a virgin, no less, is difficult, and yet, Mizera has written Patrick so well that, by the book’s end, you don’t even recognize him. It is that which lends its power to the genius of Overtime. 

This story follows Patrick in his third year. Already drafted to the Sidewinders in Vegas, Patrick is pressured by his father to “turn pro” after his current year. However, Patrick wants his college degree, and he’s unsure if he should stay another year or become a pro. Add to that a condition for playing hockey from his coach: get your grades above a B or you’ll be benched. Knowing that Patrick struggles with the focus of school, his twin, Paxton, finds him a tutor. 

Ellie is a nineteen-year old graduate student, having already completed two undergraduate programs. Her mother is pressuring this genius to go to medical school, but Ellie knows that isn’t a good fit for her. However, her existing graduate program is unappealing the longer she’s enrolled in it. One night, trying to “act her age,” she’s enticed to a party at the hockey house where she catches the eye of Patrick. She doesn’t know who he is, but these two are instantly drawn to each other. When the cops raid the hockey house, given that Ellie is underage, Patrick helps her escape, and they are separated. When Paxton introduces the tutor to Patrick the next day, it turns out to be Ellie. 

From their meeting, these two are kindred, with parents whose expectations are too high for their children. The initial issue with Patrick and Ellie is her innocence. Yet, as they grow to know each other, Ellie realizes she wants Patrick to teach her everything he knows. Even more, Ellie becomes the grounding force in Patrick’s life. The problem, though, is Patrick may be leaving in four months. Is a relationship between these two even possible? Will Patrick ask Ellie to go with him to Vegas, or is she set to have her heart broken?

While I struggled with Jami Davenport’s Gametime, Paxton’s story, I found myself “all in” to Patrick’s journey. Mizera finds a way to make this man-ho loveable. She writes traits into him that readers haven’t seen in earlier stories. Ellie, Mizera’s heroine, is insightful, mature, and straightforward. She is perfectly suited to Patrick who needs a heroine who isn’t with him for his fame, prestige, and future. She sees to the heart of Patrick, and she’s intelligent in her response to him. As their story progresses, complications arise, and Ellie makes choices that belie her age. Yet, Mizera is careful in allowing Ellie to sit in that while she and Patrick figure out their happy ending. 

If I had any criticism, it would be that the story can sometimes feel repetitive as Patrick and Ellie vacillate in their feelings over the future. There were moments when I thought we didn’t need to be reminded so much of their plight. With that said, though, Mizera does deliver them out of their issues, and the solution is appropriate for their situation. 

After reading Kat Mizera’s Overtime, you will end the book wanting even more of Patrick and Ellie. Again, there is nothing better than the journey of a hero who realizes he can actually be more than he thought, especially when he finds the love of his life. 

In love and romance, 

Professor A

Bad Crush by Rebecca Jenshak is now live!

Reasons not to crush on Adam:
He’s my best friend’s brother.
He’s my neighbor.
He’s the captain of the hockey team.
He’s a serial monogamist who’s sworn off dating.

Reasons not to fake date Adam:
See above.
He has no idea I actually like him—like really like him.

But do I listen to any of those really great reasons? Of course not.
Now, thanks to my amazing and convincing acting skills, one fake date ends with him being my fake fiancé (oops!).
My bad crush has gotten me in way over my head.

  Download today!
Amazon: https://smarturl.it/2ck82e
Apple Books: http://bit.ly/BadCrushbook
Nook: http://bit.ly/BadCrushbookNook
Kobo: http://bit.ly/BadCrushbookKobo
Google Play: http://bit.ly/BadCrushbookGP

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/BadCrushGoodreads

Meet Rebecca

Rebecca is a new adult romance author, sports lover, and caffeine addict. When she isn’t writing, you can find her hanging with family and friends or with her nose buried in a book.

Connect with Rebecca
Website | www.rebeccajenshak.com
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LIFT 4 Autism Auction!

Bidding is open NOW!

Find the auction here>> charityauction.bid/LIFT4Autism2021

Bidding closes Friday, April 30 at 5:00 pm EST.

The online auction features signed paperbacks, hardcovers, full series sets, out-of-print covers, foreign editions, personal virtual chats with some of your favorites, passes to booksh events . . . and MORE, all donated by authors, publishers, bloggers, voice actors, and readers. Just people who wanted to be a part of something to help autism families.

★And if you don’t win your bid or want to bid, you can STILL be involved!

1. Make a tax-deductible “no amount is too big or too small” donation to our Scholarship Fund:  http://bit.ly/2LFV1q9

2. Buy LIFT Gear like t-shirts, mugs, sweatshirts, mugs, etc… (Proceeds to LIFT Scholarship Fund) https://tinyurl.com/Lift2021store/

3. Do a #LIFTStack! 

A new way for Grammers to give back!

For the first time, we are hosting our autism #stackforacause! Spell out LIFT with book spines, and for every #LIFTStack, LIFT co-chairs, Kennedy Ryan and Ginger Scott, will donate $1 each to the LIFT Scholarship Fund. That’s $2 per stack. Make sure to #LIFTStack so your spines will be counted!

Now more than ever, we as a global community are uniting, even as we navigate through a global pandemic. The organizers of LIFT 4 Autism, authors Ginger Scott and Kennedy Ryan, along with KultureCity, this year’s charitable partner, wanted to respond to the real needs of autism families during what continues to be an incredibly challenging time. Kulture City will direct proceeds from the 2021 auction to autism families struggling from COVID-19.

★ Here’s some FAQs about the auction and the bidding process that may prove helpful★

http://lift4autism.com/auctionfaq/

Mafia King, an all new 1,001 Dark Nights standalone novella in the Mafia Royals Series from New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken is available now!

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken comes a new story in her Mafia Royals series…

One of the first rules they give you when you’re undercover—never fall for the enemy.
I didn’t just fall for the enemy.
I became what I was supposed to hate.
What’s worse: I fell in love with one.
I live a double life, and both sides know it’s only a matter of time before I’m forced to choose.
Rebirth through mafia blood.
Or death at the hands of the very government I swore to protect.
I have one more job before my time’s up.
I just wish it was anything but babysitting a mafia princess who’s half my size but knows how to pack such a brutal punch I worry about my ability to have children.
Tin’s small but terrifying.
And I’m her new bodyguard while we all go on a much-needed vacation.
I just have to stick to the plan.
And remember rule number one.
And stop kissing her.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Start reading today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/37ABten
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/MafiaKingRVD

Add Mafia King to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3ujkrvn

About Rachel Van Dyken
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, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Connect with Rachel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelVanDyken
Website: http://rachelvandykenauthor.com
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For More information about 1001 Dark Nights Visit
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Smolder by Emma Renshaw is now live!

One night changed an entire town.

And it wrecked my life.

It was built with secrets. Secrets I kept from nearly everyone. Things no one would expect from the sweet, smiling girl with a flower shop. Besides my family, there wasn’t a person in this town that knew what I’d been hiding. I’d kept it locked away safely since the fire.

I never expected to be faced with my shame, to have my darkness exposed in the light of day. I never thought Colt, the man who invaded too many of my thoughts, would be the one to bring it crashing down. He asked too many questions and saw straight through me, down to my soul. He unravelled me with one smoldering look. That’s all it took for my carefully guarded world to begin to crumble.

When everything begins spinning into chaos, Colt promises to be there. I want to believe him. I want to get lost in his strong embrace, but I know I don’t deserve him. And he deserves more than all my fractured pieces.

I should have known all along that keeping secrets would burn down my entire world.

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3nDHIU6

Apple Books: http://apple.co/2MZd4Ic

Nook: http://bit.ly/3qjxg61

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2XCKPko

Google Play: Coming Soon!

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3pULRW1

Meet Emma

Emma loves to write, just don’t ask her to write about herself. If she isn’t writing, you can find her lost in a book or trying to get her doggo to take a selfie with her. He usually refuses. At the end of the day, you can find Emma at the closest Mexican restaurant eating queso and sipping on a margarita. She lives in Texas with her husband and dog.

Connect with Emma

Website: http://bit.ly/emrenweb

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17880006.Emma_Renshaw

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2J2P5kf

Facebook: bit.ly/emrenfb

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/emmarenshawbooks/

Instagram: http://bit.ly/emreninsta

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authoremmaren

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/emrenBB

Could Have Been Us by Corinne Michaels is now live!  

New York Times Bestselling author Corinne Michaels returns to the Willow Creek Valley Series in this stunning small town, brother’s best friend romance.

Fifteen years ago, I fell for Jack O’Donnell.

I was just a girl, but I knew my brother’s best friend was the only man I’d ever love.

On my eighteenth birthday, when I asked him to kiss me, I never imagined it would change my life so completely.

I gave Jack everything that night.

In order to move on, we had to go our separate ways and pretend like nothing happened… as though it wasn’t the greatest moment of my life.

But even that wasn’t as heartbreaking as the secret we were forced to keep.

I’ve tried not to think about how much I still love him. How I long to be back in his strong arms or the way his hazel eyes make my heart race.

Until he kisses me again. And this time there’s no turning back. This time I know what it means.

We belong together and there’s no use denying it any longer.

But our feelings aren’t the only thing that won’t stay buried, our past resurfaces and threatens to destroy our second chance at happiness.

When our love is tested once again, will we be strong enough to stand together?

 Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Google Play, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/31Dbik5

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3m6rFPz

Nook: https://bit.ly/3rzg4tv

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3u2caLg

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3wfxsXG

Audible: https://adbl.co/3xdvUOd

Narrated by: Ava Erickson & Jason Clarke

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3ub54UE

Meet Corinne

Corinne Michaels is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of romance novels. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love, and she enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak before finding a way to heal them through their struggles.

Corinne is a former Navy wife and happily married to the man of her dreams. She began her writing career after spending months away from her husband while he was deployed–reading and writing were her escapes from the loneliness. Corinne now lives in Virginia with her husband and is the emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children.

Connect with Corinne

Website: http://corinnemichaels.com

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2N1H2Gb

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NVZmhv

Facebook: https://bit.ly/1iwLh6y

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/corinnemichaelsbooks/

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2L1Vzo6

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Bookbub: https://bit.ly/2yc6rss

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Book+Main: https://bit.ly/2EibEEn

CMBOOKS TO 77948

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Okay, so I received an ARC for an honest review of Adriana Locke’s Reckless. I hate writing that phrase, and you’ll rarely see me write it into my reviews because…I don’t think it matters to say that. Anyways, I received this ARC kind of late, and I was worried that I wouldn’t finish it in time for its release day, but ever since meeting Hollis in Locke’s The Relationship Pact, I’ve become fairly obsessed with the Mason family. On finishing that book, I went back and read Holt and Blaire’s story which led me to Coy and Bellamy’s story, and honestly, I thought I’d like Boone’s story, but I had fallen in love with Coy and Bells so it seemed like jumping that high bar would be impossible. Except….except that it wasn’t. 

To borrow from Boone Michael Mason…”Boone is my top Mason brother.” Seriously. There was an inkling, though, that I was going to fall in love with Boone because, as you read him in Hollis and Coy’s stories, there is a way about Boone. Yes, he’s erstwhile and seemingly impetuous, but there is a measure that Boone connects with people that the other Mason brothers can’t top. Adriana Locke’s Reckless takes the space to show the real Boone, the one who is offered in  shades in earlier Mason family stories, and it’s glorious when Boone comes into the full realization of himself in this book. In fact, it’s the true joy of Reckless. Even more, it comes at the guidance of  my favorite character of the Mason family, his mother Siggy. As a side note: I love how Locke has drawn Siggy in the Mason family stories. While she is the wizened mother, she is also cool, hip, insightful, and she cares deeply for her children and their significant others. 

Now, back to my initial comment at the beginning of this review, I didn’t think that I would finish this book before its release date, but in true Locke form, it was IMPOSSIBLE to put it down. And let me tell you, my weekends are no longer bastions of freedom. Therefore, I had to sneak little reads here and there when I really wanted to sit and inhale Boone and his heroine, Jaxi. I will say that the beginning felt a bit slow; however, there is a moment early on when  it’s too hard to put their story down. If you’ve spent any time with the Masons, then you know that their family unit is a melange of smarta$$ery, compassion, and love. All of these traits conspire to bring you some of Locke’s best stories, in my opinion. 

Even more, Jaxi’s characterization does not pale in comparison to Boone. As he is working through understanding himself, Jaxi is doing the same. They just happen to do it together. There is so much I would love to say about her story, but to do so would divulge the secrets of this romance. I refuse to spoil this book for anyone. 

On a final note, I will say that I adore the way in which Adriana Locke feeds angst and seriousness to her readers. I’ve found that those feelings tinge her stories, but never overpower them. Instead, they create the right amount of tension to keep her readers (readers like me) engrossed in her books. That seems to be Locke’s superpower, and you see it illustrated well in Reckless. 

I’d like to say that Boone will maintain his spot at the top of the Mason Brothers list, but as we see in his own story as his brothers move up and down his list, I think Oliver and Wade Mason may give him a run for the top spot. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

This reviewer has taken a front seat on the ride that is the Moo U Hockey series in Sarina Bowen’s Heart Eyes Press’s (whew that was a mouthful) World of True North. Revisiting the newest generation of Burlington University’s hockey team makes for some great reading and some serious swooning. Gametime by Jami Davenport finally introduces us to Paxton Graham, one half of the Graham twins. In earlier Moo U stories, I’ll be honest…I thought the Graham twins, Paxton and Patrick, were, for lack of a better word, man-hos. And we find out quickly that, at least Patrick is. However, Davenport allows us entry into Paxton’s story where we find out that he has had an unrequited crush on his best girl-friend, Naomi, since freshman year. Unfortunately, Naomi has only had eyes for Pax’s twin, Patrick. 

Well, Gametime begins with the biggest misunderstanding. After a night of some serious drinking, Naomi mistakes Paxton for Patrick, and they sleep together. In the morning, all is revealed, and Naomi and Paxton struggle to regain the nature of their friendship as Paxton develops deeper feelings while Naomi’s eyes are opened. This is the foundation of Paxton and Naomi’s journey. Now, add to that journey two fathers whose expectations for their children muddy the issues between Paxton and Naomi. Add to that a strained relationship between twin brothers as Paxton is encouraged to step out of his brother’s shadow. There are lots of plot threads with this story that hit on ideas about unrealistic parental expectations, realizing one’s full potential, and staying true to yourself when others expect more from you. 

And all of those messages are worthy ones. As Paxton and Naomi wrestle with all of these issues, you can see the depth of love between these two. What Davenport has done well with Gametime is show two young adults living their best lives together. There is definitely chemistry between Naomi and Paxton. Even more, I like Paxton as a foil to his brother, Patrick. It’s fun to read about characters, who have been ancillary in other stories, gain their own space, and as we have seen in other Moo U books, Paxton has been an encouragement to his teammates and, in many ways, empathic and cerebral. Honestly, of the two brothers thus far, I would align myself with Paxton any day. 

Now, the difficulty of Gametime is Naomi. I hate to say it because I adore heroines, especially when they are drawn well. In my opinion, Naomi is difficult to like. This comes in the shadow of Kaitlyn who was not a female character I could support, but her characterization in another Moo U book allows for the reader to move past her nastiness in a former story. This isn’t the case for Naomi, though. For much of Gametime, Naomi’s choices and actions are inconsistent with her growing adoration of Paxton. Yes, I know that she lives with the actions of her own father which cause her to have some self-esteem issues, but until the very end when she makes a grand gesture (one that will make the reader smile), I actually don’t want her with Paxton. I think he’s too good for her. Therein lies the issues with Gametime for me. There is a lot of inconsistency with character development, and the heroine, Naomi, isn’t the most impressive heroine I’ve read in romance. 

Thankfully, as I mentioned above, it’s the end of Gametime that pulls it all together. Even more, if you’ve invested in time or money in the Moo U world, then you will want to read Paxton’s story. The Graham twins have played significant parts in the stories of the other hockey players. To miss out on Paxton’s story is to miss out on a big part of the Moo U world. 

In love and romance, 

Professor A