Category: Uncategorized

UNBREAKABLE by Georgia Coffman

Featuring Taylor now top publicist at CJJ New York office (Catherine’s now promoted, old assistant Taylor)

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Blurb:

She was never mine to keep.

I fell for her in college when she was my best friend’s girl. One night, I risked it all and told her how I felt. That I wanted to be more than simply her friend Aiden. The stars aligned, and I thought she would be mine forever.

But in the end, she didn’t choose me, so I left it all behind to start over in New York City.

I never thought I’d see Sage again. That is, until eight years later.

To my complete shock, Sage shows up to my company’s meeting as our publicist’s new assistant.

And she’s… single.

But she says she wants to keep things between us professional. Polite. Courteous. As if our history can keep us from combusting.

The more time we spend together, the more we’re forced to face our past. A past that could push us apart once and for all.

Can two broken people like us ultimately share a love that’s unbreakable?

About the Author:

Georgia Coffman is a romance author with a Master’s in Professional Writing. She loves books, the TV show Friends, and online shopping. When she’s not reading, writing, or daydreaming, she and her husband enjoy working out, traveling, and playing with their two pups. Georgia loves to connect on social media or through email, so feel free to reach out with any questions, your fave book recommendations, or even a funny joke!

Connect with Georgia:

Website: http://www.georgiacoffman.com/

Facebook:www.facebook.com/ghcoffman

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2274938956095355/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ghcoffman

Bookbub: Georgia Coffman Books

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Amazon: amazon.com/author/georgiacoffman

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

M.E. Carter’s Weights of Wrath is the fourth book of the Cipher Office series under the Smartypants Romance world. This book is M.E. Carter’s third book. Like the first two books, this book is set in an exclusive gym called Weight Expectations. In book one, we met Carlos and Rian; in book two, we met Abel and Elliott, all characters who either frequent as customers or work at the gym. Prior to Weights of Wrath, we’ve met Carter’s hero, Joey. He’s a bit of a player and a pretty happy-go-lucky kind of fellow. He is also great friends with Abel. In book 2, we find out that he receives a text that tells him he might be a father. In Weights of Wrath, Carter introduces us to Joey’s baby mama, Rosalind aka Cherise, a stripper who engages in a one-night stand that ends in a surprise baby and Abel’s cousin. I think one of the things I’ve struggled with in Cutie and the Beast (the second book – Abel and Elliott) and this newest one is missing chemistry between her heroes and heroines. What happens is the greater motif or message of the story causes the romance to become tangential. On a scale of 5, the steam level is 1.5 to 2.0. Even then, the characters talk about their $ex life as a mediocre experience meant to sate the fire of their hormones. It’s so strange to read a romance that characterizes bedroom experiences in that manner. 

Even more, Rosalind has an issue with being likable. If you’ve had children, you can easily commiserate with her. This book is really about the idea of parenthood and motherhood. Carter spends much of this book reminding us that Joey and Rosalind feel ill-equipped to care for a child. Rosalind’s experience is more poignant because she’s initially the antithesis of motherhood. However, as the story progresses and Rosalind experiences wisdom from both Elliott and Dinah, the caregiver team of Weight Expectations, the ultimate message about motherhood is divulged: what’s ever right for your child is “right.” It’s a good message, one that new moms should hear as they encounter the experiences of other mothers. However, in the scope of a romance, it overwhelms Joey and Rosalind’s journey. There is a mediocrity inherent to Weights of Wrath where nothing feels emotionally driven or empowering; it’s simply a tale about the struggles of becoming first-time parents when you’ve met each other through a one-night stand. This is probably realistic, but I think readers want a bit more fiction with their realism, and I’m not sure that M.E. Carter has done it here. As a hero, Joey is sweet and compassionate, if not a bit of a puppy dog, always happy, always amenable. It pairs well with Rosalind who is a firecracker with a bent towards pessimism. It is pure opposites attract without the delicious emotional tension of that trope. 

Let me be clear: I didn’t put this book down, but it didn’t engage me in the way that I’ve come to expect with the Smartypants Romance books. M.E. Carter’s Weights of Wrath will aptly show you the challenges of becoming a mother, but its romance needs a bit more heft to it. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

THE PATRON (Broken Slipper Trilogy #1) by Vivian Wood

A billionaire. A ballerina. A forbidden passion that spills off the pages…

 

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Preorder The Dancer #2!

Coming May 13th

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Preorder The Embrace #3!

Coming July 19th

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Blurb:

Ballet takes everything from you.

All your sweat, all your tears, all your dedication, all your time.

There are no drunken nights, no drugs, no boyfriends, no distractions whatsoever.

But everyone has a dirty little secret…

Working as a stripper at Club Ecstasy at night is my dark indiscretion.

Sexy, mysterious billionaire Calum shows up as a patron at my club. He’s drawn to my provocative innocence, not realizing that I am also a ballerina in his dance company. When I dance for him, he feels something stir in his cold, dead heart.

After Calum finds out my little deception, he should turn me in. After all, ballet requires sacrifice.

But to my surprise, he makes me an offer I can’t refuse.

And now I am staring into his dark blue eyes as I dance for him privately. Trying desperately to remember rule number one of being an exotic dancer.

Don’t fall for your customers.

About the Author:

Vivian likes to write about troubled, deeply flawed alpha males and the fiery, kick-ass women who bring them to their knees.

Vivian’s lasting motto in romance is a quote from a favorite song: “Soulmates never die.”

 

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DELIVERANCE by Kimberly Knight

Featuring Catherine and Jackson

 

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Blurb:

Erin

Deliverance.

“The action of being rescued or set free.”

I never thought I would need to be rescued or set free from anything in my life, but that all changed when I took a taxi home after a night out with my friends.

But the taxi didn’t take me home. It took me to a warehouse filled with women in cages, and I found out that I was the newest captive. I was told I was lucky. I wasn’t lucky. This was my karma for flirting with the bouncer at the nightclub when I had a boyfriend waiting for me at home.

 

Ricardo

Savior.

“A person who saves someone or something (especially a country or cause) from danger, and who is regarded with the veneration of a religious figure.”

I was a Navy SEAL, trained to save people. After I was medically discharged, my uncle tricked me and got me involved with the wrong family in New York City when I needed a job. Right away, the king made sure I watched him kill a soldier for falling in love with one of his girls, which meant I couldn’t act on my feelings when I fell in love with Erin. But I knew she sparked my interest at the club for a reason. I needed to save her.

Except, year after year, we were living in a nightmare of sex, lies, and murders because the only way out was to make the king fall, and I knew I had to wait for the perfect moment in time.

Or we would both be dead.

Warning: this book contains subject matter that is not appropriate for minors. Please note this novel contains profanity, explicit sexual situations, and alcohol consumption.

 

About the Author:

Kimberly Knight is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives in the mountains near a lake in California with her loving husband, who is a great research assistant, and daughter, who keeps Kimberly on her toes. Kimberly writes in a variety of genres including romantic suspense, contemporary romance, erotic romance, and paranormal romance. Her books will make you laugh, cry, swoon, and fall in love before she throws you curve balls you never see coming.

When Kimberly isn’t writing, you can find her watching her favorite reality TV shows, binge-watching true crime documentaries, and going to San Francisco Giants games. She’s also a two-time desmoid tumor/cancer fighter, which has made her stronger and an inspiration to her fans.

 

Connect with Kimberly:

Website: https://authorkimberlyknight.com

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Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

If you took Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights and added in some scintillating steam, you will find Skye Warren’s Private Property, the first book of her Rochester trilogy. This story follows Jane Mendoza, an orphan and product of the foster system, who comes to Maine to become a nanny for Paige, the niece of Beau Rochester, a billionaire. Jane feels instantly drawn to Mr. Rochester even though his personality is difficult. He’s gruff, rude, and disdainful towards Jane. Additionally, Jane’s initial experiences with Paige are difficult. As time progresses, though, Jane feels drawn to Beau Rochester, their chemistry clear from the early pages of Private Property, but Mr. Rochester warns her of his secrets. Before the end of this book, it becomes clear that there is more afoot at Rochester’s estate. Be prepared because Warren leaves you with a big cliffhanger at the end of this book, preparing you for more to come in the second book of the trilogy, Strict Confidence. 

Now, you should know that my go-to read for years (this means I did an annual read of it) is Jane Eyre. There is something scintillating about Jane overcoming the odds set against her from her past and the triumph of her love affair with Rochester in the face of his secrets. It’s brooding and dark and ominous as you read it, and Skye Warren’s Private Property is no different. She continues on in her wheelhouse with his book, placing us in the realm of dark romance even though I’ve read darker romance from her than you’ll find in this book. But then again, this is the first book of the trilogy and, if Beau Rochester is to be believed, he has much in store for Jane Mendoza. This means there are promises to be kept in the next two books. 

What I see Warren doing in this book, however, is placing her oftentimes over-the-top dark romance in our world. Throughout the story, Warren uses the characterizations of Jane and Beau to elaborate on ideas about wealth parity and the deficiencies of the foster system for POC. Sprinkled through her story are facts about these ideas. I both loved and struggled with this story choice. I found that these moments interrupted Jane and Rochester’s progression. However, as romance seeks to become more socially mindful, it’s understandable about Warren’s intent. I simply think it might have been done in a more fluid way. 

Additionally, Private Property feels introductory. In many ways, it follows the early parts of the Jane Eyre story with obvious differences. However, I didn’t feel a big emotional connection to this couple yet, and I think this book is meant to introduce us to the characters and the beginning aspects of the story. If you’re looking for an emotional attachment to these characters, I don’t think you’ll find it yet. 

Is there a huge promise of a titillating story in future books? Absolutely. C’mon…this is Skye Warren. There are shades of it in Private Property. Yet, there is still much to uncover and I’m hoping that, as more of the story is revealed, I will fall deeper into the rabbit hole of Skye Warren’s delicious romance. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

RECONCILED by Evan Grace

Featuring Catherine and Jackson

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Blurb:

He destroyed me.

He destroyed us.

Fast forward, and we’re both back to where it all began. This town isn’t big enough for both of us. Unfortunately, my brother, Lance, is getting married and launching a new wine. Family first, even with the chance that I could run into the man who obliterated my heart ten years ago.

I knew I was going to run into him. That’s just how my luck goes. However, I didn’t expect my meeting with my brother’s PR rep to be none other than the man himself. Ranger Brooks, the breaker of my heart. He’s also the man who still owns it. Regardless of the hurt and the pain he’s caused, I’ll never stop loving him. That doesn’t mean we’re good for one another. I need to keep my distance and keep our interactions strictly professional.

Ranger, however, has other plans. He’s apologetic and sincere. He wants to try again, but that’s not a part of my plan. I’m only here for four weeks. Then I’m jetting back to my life in Atlanta. Regardless of the pain he caused, I want us to be able to put the past behind us.

Just when I think that the fences are mended, there’s a threat to the vineyard and to me. How can I resist the only man I’ve ever loved when danger is lurking? How do I protect my heart and not hand it to him on a silver platter when his arms are the only place I feel safe. Can Ranger save me in more ways than one?

About the Author:

A Midwesterner and a readaholic most of her life. One day an idea came into her head and a writing career was born. She’s a sucker for happily ever afters and loves creating fictional worlds that others can get lost in. She loves putting her characters through the ringer, but loves when they get to that satisfying, swoony ending.

When the voices in her head give it a rest, which isn’t often, she can always be found with her e-reader in her hand. Some of her favorites include Aurora Rose Reynolds, (the queen) Kristen Ashley, Kaylee Ryan, Natasha Madison, and Harper Sloan. Evan finds a lot of her inspiration in music, movies, TV shows, and life.

She’s a wife to Jim and a mom to Ethan and (the real) Evan, a weightlifter, a home healthcare scheduler, and a full-time writer. How does she do it? She’ll never tell.

Connect with Evan:

Website: www.authorevangrace.com

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“Catherine Cowles’s storytelling is perfection.”
—Grahame Claire, USA Today bestselling author

Beautifully Broken Redemption, an all new touching and beautiful standalone romance from bestselling author Catherine Cowles is coming November 9th and we have the amazing cover!

She’s hiding secrets.

For Anna, keeping her deepest scars hidden from the world has always been a necessity—from the bruises of her childhood to the mistake that nearly cost her everything. To keep herself safe, she must keep everyone around her at a distance—especially the man who has tempted her since the moment they met.

His demons are taunting him.

Mason has done his best to bury the past by achieving more than he ever thought possible. But even with all of his success, his life feels empty.

When tragedy strikes, Anna is left fighting to protect the only family she has left. And Mason will do anything to keep her and her loved ones safe—even if that means the ring of wedding bells.

But as a new spark ignites between them, someone is watching.

And they’ll do whatever it takes to snuff out that light for good.

Pre-order your copy today!
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Cover Designer: Hang Le

About Catherine
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.

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Our love was born from the embers, and together we would go up in flames.

From The Embers, an all-new standalone catastrophic romance from USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez is releasing April 28th, and we have the gorgeous cover!

In the aftermath of tragedy, it’s strange the things you remember.
The deafening boom as the house exploded.
The paralyzing fear as I searched for my wife.
The blinding smoke burning my eyes as I carried her out.

But carved into my soul for the rest of my days would be the earth-shattering realization that the woman in my arms wasn’t my wife.

Bree and I were the only survivors—not that either of us were truly living after that night. As a single dad with nowhere else to go, I moved into her guest house. And somehow, through the guilt and grief, we forged an unlikely team.

It took years, but I watched the gradual return of her smile—slow and life-altering.
The two of us could sit outside for hours, talking about nothing, and it filled the massive hole in my chest with new life.

I may have carried her out of that fire, but the truth was, Bree saved me.

As we healed, the secrets and lies of the past smoldered in the ashes, threatening to ignite again.

Our love was born from the embers, and together we would go up in flames.

Pre-order your copy today for only $2.99, exclusively on Amazon!
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Cover Designer: Hang Le

About Aly Martinez

Originally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her husband and four young children.
Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, mystery leggings, and olives. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.
She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.

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The One That I Want, an all-new opposites attract contemporary romance from Piper Sheldon, is available now in Kindle Unlimited!  

Read my review here.

There is no such thing as luck.

Roxy Kincaid isn’t a biker chick anymore. She’s made herself more than Jethro Winston’s castoff, and she’s never going back to her old life with the Iron Wraiths. But one summer night, a charming stranger threatens to sweep Roxy off her feet. Ignoring fate and their instant attraction, she has to get back to her real life in Green Valley. He couldn’t be the one that she wants when he’s exactly the thing that could ruin everything. If only she could stop thinking about him.

Luck is everything.

Sanders Olsson is going to fix his mistakes. He’s determined to show his best friend he’s a reliable business partner not the distracted flake he’s been lately. But he has to listen when the universe brings him a sign in the form of a guarded beauty he can’t keep his eyes off. Their instant connection is almost magical but she leaves without giving him even a last name. When fate gives Sanders a second chance in life and love, he sets out for Green Valley without a backward glance.

Their summer lovin’ happened so fast but what will it take to make it last?

‘The One That I Want’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #3 in the Scorned Women’s Society series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe. 

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My Bare Lady

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The Treble With Men

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Excerpt

“Watch it,” I mumbled as I was steadied by strong hands on my shoulders. Then I remembered to be nice and tried to scoot to the side.

The arms held me gently in place. When I looked up, glaring pointedly, he dropped them. It was Mr. Eye Contact from across the room. A little thrill tickled the back of my knees. He was damn fine this close up. Not my taste, but definitely a certain appeal. Like, if I wanted to know someone with a yacht to “summer on,” he’d be my type.

His eyes were startlingly blue. His hair was this dark shade of blond, thick waves swept back with lighter tips that looked as though it had been bleached naturally by the sun. A smile quirked his mouth and my focus moved there. He had soft crinkles around the corners of his eyes and a natural tan that spoke of time outside.

He said something with the tilt of his head and a soft smile on his lips. I blinked away, wondering if my mouth had been hanging open catching flies as I took him in.

“What?” I yelled and pointed to my ear. The band had just started back up.

His smile grew to expose that two front teeth protruded just a little. It was a disarmingly charming flaw, like a puppy with just one floppy ear. His gaze moved over the exposed skin of my neck and shoulders under my tank top, seemingly studying the tattoos.

I wasn’t knocking my edgy looks, but I typically didn’t attract men who could have been plucked straight from an Ivy League fraternity mixer. At least the collar of his black button-up wasn’t popped. And he wore nice sneakers and jeans, not boat shoes and pink shorts. Okay, so he wasn’t preppy per se, but squeaky? Like he’d hurt my teeth to take a bite out of. He didn’t even have a beard, for crying out loud. Not to box this guy in, but guys like this did not go for girls like me. Then again, sometimes there were the guys who liked to “slum it” with the easy small-town girls from Green Valley.

Mr. Eye Contact leaned closer. He smelled like a shower after a hard workout. It was like the cleansing smell of a spring morning after working all night at the Dragon Bar. My jaw was clenched tight, thinking about taking a bite out of him again.

“Dance?” he asked. His voice had a rich and deep timbre that sent a tiny shudder down my spine.

His confidence was sexy without being overwhelming. He tucked his hands deep into his pockets and waited patiently as I took him in, studying him head to toe. There was no pressure in his question. I suspected if I said no, he’d walk away without another word. I told myself I wanted to dance alone but suddenly I wasn’t so sure. Wouldn’t it be nice to have hands on me? Wouldn’t it be an escape to just be a woman dancing with a man to good music?

Shocking myself, I realized I was interested. So I felt a zing for this man? It didn’t mean anything. It meant that my warning system wasn’t going off. It meant that I was a person who wanted to dance. It didn’t have to mean anything.

He extended his hand. I bit my lip. I was here to celebrate my hard work. It was one night before an early flight home tomorrow.

“What the hell?” I said unheard in the club.

I slid my hand into his. His hand was not the buttery-soft warmth of an Ivy Leaguer. His hand was calloused and hot. What might it feel like to have those rough palms gripping the tender skin of my hips?

He pulled me only long enough to let me pass, then he let me lead the way to the floor. As I made my way to the other dancers, I felt his gaze on my backside like the vibration of a motorcycle. I risked a glance over my shoulder. His focus returned to mine as he licked his bottom lip.

“Lord, help me,” I mumbled to myself.

Good thing it was just one night and just one dance. This guy would be way too easy to fall for. But what could one dance with a stranger hurt?

About Piper Sheldon

Piper Sheldon writes Contemporary Romance and Paranormal Romance. Her books are a little funny, a lotta romantic, and with just a little twist of something more. She lives with her husband, toddler, and two needy dogs at home in the desert Southwest. She finds writing bios in the third person an extreme sport of awkwardness.

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Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2

I have been slowly making my way through Kristen Ashley’s booklist. After listening/reading about 8 to 10 of her books in the past couple of months, I’ve noted something easily from her books: alpha-male heroes are her crack and their heroines are guileless, compassionate, and independent. Usually through some type of self-introspection or “finding themselves,” her heroines show their heroes and the surrounding community a woman with a backbone, but a heart of gold. Over and over again, these heroes and heroines play out in Ashley’s stories. 

In Ashley’s newest book, Wild Wind, a 1001 Dark Nights novella, grounded in Kristen Ashley’s CHAOS universe, there is still this same truth in this book’s hero and heroine. Jagger Black, the son of Graham Black, is a self-possessed alpha-male, a brother in the Chaos MC. He is as masculine as they come. He meets his match at the age of sixteen when he spies a younger girl across a cemetery while visiting his father’s grave. As their eyes meet, they know that they are cosmically connected. However, it takes about ten years for these two to finally acknowledge their connection, and they move forward in their journey towards discovering if their connection is real and meant for forever. Where Ashley deviates from her usual in this newest book is in her characterization of her heroine. Archie is incredibly independent and compassionate, but there is a strength and a self-possession in her that I don’t often find in Ashley’s other heroines. In Wild Wind, Archie can see a pain and question in Jagger that he has yet to accept and answer. Ashley’s other heroines usually struggle to know themselves, and in being loved by her heroes, they come to know themselves better. That isn’t the case with Archie; instead, she becomes the impetus for Jagger’s acknowledgement of his own emotional pain. It’s exciting to read Kristen Ashley mix this up. 

Now, I know that I’ve probably missed the true genius of this story as I have yet to read the other books in Ashley’s CHAOS world. As I was reading Wild Wind, I knew that I was missing out on the depth of connection to that series. However, where the gravity lies in Wild Wind is in its interrogation of death and grief. Yes, it’s easy to find yourself wrapped up in Kristen Ashley’s ability to create steamy, $exy moments between her hero and heroines, and Jagger and Archie light up the pages of this book. They simply can’t keep their hands off of each other. And just as she does in her other books, once Archie and Jagger are together…they are together, never to be separated again, which alleviates any anxiety you might have about a possible separation. Instead, what Kristen Ashley does beautifully in this story is to show the various ways that people process and acknowledge theirt grief. In various characters, specifically Jagger and Archie, we see ways in which its productive to move on with life, while acknowledging and accepting the loss, to ways in which grief is supressed and eventually volatile. This motif seems timely as we surpass half a million deaths due to COVID. This means that any one of us could have lost a family member or friend in death, and we might be dealing in grief. For Ashley to use this space to help her readers understand the significance of grief and our need to find productive ways to process death is thoughtful and necessary. 

There is much to love about Kristen Ashley’s Wild Wind, a story that challenges your thinking about death and dying. Had I known that a simple MC romance with a hunky hero and funky heroine would steal my heart in equal measure, I might have scoffed. Kristen Ashley just reminds us again and again why her brand of romance makes us fall in love with the possessive, masculine hero and the kindred soul of his heroine, believing that, even when life brings us down, her romance will pull us up. 

In love and romance, 

Professor A