Category: Uncategorized

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

“Yes, brilliant men are my weakness. My personal brand of catnip. My fatal flaw.”

There are two truths about Professor A as a reader: 1) I adore a misanthropic hero or heroine, and 2) bringing two unlikely people together makes for some of the best romance you can ever read. These two truths are found encapsulated in Emma Lee Jayne’s newest book, Heart Smart, a Work for It series book in the Smartypants Romance series. 

This book is equal parts workplace romance, hate-to-love romance, and opposites attract romance. As I was reading it, I thought that Jayne’s story feels an awful lot like a reverse My Fair Lady. How do you take a grumpy, quick to anger, “douche-canoe” of a brilliant researcher and professor and make him “look” worthy of a prestigious fellowship? You bring in an expert in the field of communication, an adjunct at the university where the “misanthropic” brilliant researcher works. When they meet, it is fireworks immediately, both as the researcher pushes back at the determined communications experiment and as the two quickly realize, they feel a spark of attraction between the two. This battle of wills lasts for much of Jayne’s story, and it creates the sparks on the page that engage you deeply into Holly and Max’s journey. 

Here are all the reasons that I adored Emma Lee Jayne’s Heart Smart:

1. When a difficult hero begins to show his humanity, it sparks my feelings. This is definitely true for Max in Heart Smart. Honestly, it takes much of the story for his kindness to be revealed, but when it happens, it causes you to feel more for Jayne’s characters. Max still retains his outer walls, but, as you find out, that is more about his “make-up” than his inability to be nice. You’ll need to read the story to understand this truth about this book. I also love Jayne’s characterization of him because he isn’t your average romantic hero. 
2. I am an adjunct just like Holly. And her challenges are my challenges in the world of academia, namely in its ability to take us seriously. What Jayne lays out in her story, the challenges of being a part-time, non-tenured professor, are true, and to see that revealed in Jayne’s story, made it feel like my story too. 
3. The constant push and pull of Max and Holly is the perfect foreplay for their eventual coupling. Be forewarned. This story is a slow-burn, but it is appropriate for Max and Holly’s story. If Jayne had rushed them into a physical relationship any earlier, I would have been disappointed. Jayne’s pacing for this story is perfect. 
4. There are these great moments of hilarity usually at the expense of Max. This creates pockets of relief from the difficulty of Max’s characterization. Jayne provides a perfect balance of strife and resolution as her story progresses. 
5. One of the most profound messages of this book has everything to do with food insufficiency for students and the achievement gap. Jayne doesn’t preach it; instead, she illustrates it beautifully through the course of Holly’s experience. What Jayne presents in this romance is true about those topics, and she offers a personal solution to the situation. However, this should be a discussion in our society that has bigger stakes than it currently does. I love that Jayne used her romance to highlight these issues for her readers. 
6. Holly’s heart is by far the best part of Emma Lee Jayne’s Heart Smart, hence its name. Through her example and her compassion for people and animals who society might deem as “broken,” we’re reminded that we are all a part of an ecology that is created for balance. As Holly loves on her pets and a grumpy hero such as Max, you recognize the power of “seeing” people beyond their appearances. That’s a powerful message in a world that is often too focused on our outer impression. 

Once again, the Smartypants Romance universe has added another star or galaxy or planet with Emma Lee Jayne’s Heart Smart. Between Street Smart and Heart Smart, we’re reminded that there is some “work” in a workplace romance, and these authors are challenging notions about women in the workplace, community ails, and societal trials. I couldn’t put Heart Smart down, and I imagine you won’t either. 

In love and romance, 

Professor A

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2

As I was reading Aly Stiles’s contribution to Penny Reid’s Smartypants Romance world, the words that oftentimes came to mind was “uproariously funny.” In the same vein as Max Monroe or Amy Daws or Meghan Quinn, Street Smart will leave you in stitches. I found myself laughing out loud on multiple occasions through Stiles’s wordplay and allusions. This story is so very tongue-in-cheek that you can’t help but fall in love with her characters, Marcos aka Mark-O aka Mark Oliver and Eva. This story has this sense of funny that feels necessary for the underlying story of her hero, a product of the foster system. While Stiles doesn’t divulge the gravity of Marcos’s past until much later in the story (she makes her readers work for those details just as her heroine, Eva, must), the foreplay of hilarity in her story acts as a salve to the sting of his truth. As the story progresses, Marcos must fight against making easy choices by adopting the lazy habits of wealthy businessmen in order to maintain his sense of integrity and ethics in the workforce. This isn’t a motif often explored in romance, and Stiles uses humor and romance to enlighten her readers to ethics in business, to a world where non-profit business should rule the world. 

I think that’s what I liked best about Street Smart. Stiles doesn’t try too hard to make you fall in love with Marcos and Eva; it just happens naturally because they are people who hold high levels of integrity, are intelligent, and beautiful. That Eva and Marcos fall for each other isn’t a surprise or problem to be solved in Street Smart. In fact, while this is a romance, the romance seems tangential to the story of ethical business. What I love the most about Aly Stiles’s Street Smart is that it’s exactly what this community of writers inspired by Penny Reid suggests…”smartypants romance.” This book will challenge your thinking while stealing your heart, and you’ll walk away knowing that the time spent reading Marcos and Eva’s workplace romance was well worth it. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

Title: Together
Author: Jennifer Van Wyk
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town Romance, Surprise Pregnancy

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I wake up feeling like complete shit. My head hurts like I’ve actually been hit by a truck, there’s no way I won’t have the beer shits today, and there’s gotta be cement blocks on my feet weighing me down. It was all fun and games last night — literally — but this morning, I’m having regrets.

But not about the girl.

That was fun.

Spending the evening with her, forgetting and laughing and drinking and eating. Drinking a little more. The darts and singing and dancing. Drinking.

I groan.

Too.

Much.

Drinking.

Then a groan that matches mine but is far more feminine sounds next to me and I… oh, shit.

I’m naked.

Birthday suit naked.

Surely we didn’t…

God, if there was ever a time to give me whiskey dick, please let it be last night.

I can’t believe I just prayed for God to give me a malfunctioning dick… or that I said dick in my prayers. Or that I’m even praying about drunk sex. All so I didn’t have drunk sex with her. Not that I wouldn’t want to have sex with her, but as drunk as we were? No. No way. I’m better than that. Not that much of an asshole. Right?

Now I’m lying here overthinking my prayer while naked in my bed with Sally — or Ashley, as it turns out her name really is when we confessed to each other that we aren’t Harry or Sally — who I hope we didn’t have sex with only because I’m still drunk the next morning.

Fuck… I’m a mess.

Though, oddly enough, guilt isn’t one of the feelings bubbling to the surface right now.

Regret that I don’t remember much of it does, though. I just remember her falling asleep to the point where neither Roy or I could wake her up when we arrived at my house and after a few moments of both of us freaking out, I realized she was fine, just an incredibly sound sleeper. If the snoring was anything to go by, anyway.

Then she woke up abruptly when we got into the house, looked at me with wide eyes that could have only meant one thing, and so I quickly directed her to the guest bathroom so she could throw up the plethora of liquor she had consumed.

When she emerged she looked at me and said, “I’m sure this may come as a total shock, but my name is Ashley, not Sally.”

I mock gasped then grinned, told her my name is Nikolas but I go by Nik and she grinned back, then groaned, then we sat on the couch.

And, apparently, ended up getting naked and into my bed at some point. That’s where things get fuzzy.

“Did we have sex?” Ashley asks in a quiet voice next to me.

I don’t even lift my head to look over at her when I respond, “No clue.”

She shifts a little bit and winces. “We definitely had sex.”

Enter the RELEASE GIVEAWAY for Together!

From the Ground Up is Jennifer’s first published novel, with the hopes of many more to come. Jennifer makes her home in rural Iowa with her high school sweetheart, three beautiful and amazing kids, one crazy Jack Russell terrier. This is where her love for all things reading, baking, and cooking happen. Jennifer’s family enjoys camping, boating, and spending time outside as much as possible. When she’s not writing or editing/proofreading manuscripts for the many talented authors she’s come to love, she’s sipping coffee or iced tea with her kindle in her lap or binging on Netflix.

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★  ★  ★ COMING SOON!  ★  ★  ★

WILD WIND, an all new sexy and irresistible Chaos novella from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley and 1001 Dark Nights, is coming in just four days and we have your first look! 

Fall in love with Jagger Black March 9th! 

Pre-order your copy today, exclusively on Amazon!

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

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/WildWindKA

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Ashley brings a new story in her Chaos series…

When he was sixteen years old, Jagger Black laid eyes on the girl who was his. At a cemetery. During her mother’s funeral.

For years, their lives cross, they feel the pull of their connection, but then they go their separate ways. 

But when Jagger sees that girl chasing someone down the street, he doesn’t think twice before he wades right in. And when he gets a full-on dose of the woman she’s become, he knows he finally has to decide if he’s all in or if it’s time to cut her loose.

She’s ready to be cut loose.

But Jagger is all in.

**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.**

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MAFIA BRIDE (The DiLustro Arrangement #1) by CD Reiss

Release Date: March 16th

Genre/Trope: Arranged Marriage/Mafia Romance

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56884152-mafia-bride

Blurb:

An epic mafia romance trilogy that sets a new bar for just how dark a hero can get, from NY Times Bestselling author CD Reiss.

Some girls dream of marrying a prince, but I never imagined I’d be sold to a king.

Santino DiLustro.

The king.

The monster.

The keeper of secrets.

When he forced me to marry him, I cried for love I’d never know.

When he locked me away, I cried for the freedom I lost forever.

Every other tear I’ve shed is for my soul, because I’m falling for the devil himself.

About the Author:

CD Reiss is a New York Times bestselling author. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn’t pick up she’s at the well hauling buckets.

Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master’s degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere but it did give her a big enough ego to write novels.

She’s frequently referred to as the Shakespeare of Smut which is flattering but hasn’t ever gotten her out of chopping that cord of wood.

If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.

To find out when her next book is coming out, sign up for her mailing list at cdreiss-dot-com.

Connect w/CD Reiss:

Website: http://www.cdreiss.com

NL Signup:

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Are you ready for more stories inspired by Sarina Bowen’s True North series? Check out the covers for the next three Busy Bean stories, coming from Rachel Blaufeld, L.B. Dunbar, and Teralyn Mitchell.

FRIENDZONED BY RACHEL BLAUFELD

Release Date: May 24, 2021

Purchase here:
Amazon: https://geni.us/FriendzonedAmazon
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All the links in one spot: https://shor.by/busy-bean
Add to Goodreads here: http://bit.ly/3anB3ZJ Series page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/busy-bean/
Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs

Blurb:

When Murphy Landon, the New York socialite, runs off to Vermont with her bruised reputation and stylish wardrobe in the trunk of a used car, it’s the first time in her life she’s dared to turn her back on her high-society parents. 

Used to grabbing a gourmet coffee whenever the urge strikes, Murphy finds herself on the other side of the counter, fumbling strangers’ orders…until a sinfully handsome thirty-three year old version of Ben Rooney from high school walks in.

The pair met years ago at a prestigious boarding school and became friends, but only behind closed doors. She’d been a spoiled brat, and he was a football player on scholarship. Ben tried to hide his crush on her, and Murphy set firm boundaries. After a prom night gone wrong, they’d gone their separate ways.

Now their circumstances are reversed. Ben is a successful surgeon. He’s come a long way from his parents’ humble maple syrup business. And Murphy is pouring his coffee? Is this a joke?

His first thought is that she should drive her gorgeous self right back to New York, where she can’t possibly break his heart. His second one is deep concern. His third thought is he wants a do-over of prom night. A very adult one… 

With plenty of secrets between them, copious pure maple syrup, Ben and Murphy are in for a wild and sticky ride.

STUDFINDER BY L.B. DUNBAR

Release Date: August 2, 2021

Pre-Order Links: COMING SOON!

All the links in one spot: https://shor.by/busy-bean
Add to Goodreads → http://bit.ly/3cspRh3
Series page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/busy-bean/
Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs

Who does that sexy silver fox think he is, sitting in her spot in the Busy Bean Cafe?

Over forty, with zero filter, Rita Kaplan loves her coffee, her hiking boots, and her law practice. Life hasn’t always been carefree, though, and Rita’s past holds the scars of poor decisions after deep loss. She survived, though, and no smirky silver fox is going to get in the way of her happiness. Even if he knows how to use his drill, screwdriver, and every other tool in his box to tempt her . . .

Former arson investigator Jake Drummond could add ex-con to his resume if he had one. Instead, he’s serving the final year of his sentence on probation. This involves mandatory AA meetings, hosted by a feisty local attorney, and working on a renovation project, supervised by the same annoyingly attractive whirlwind, who also believes she owns the exclusive rights to a comfy couch in his new favorite coffee shop. Soon she’s everywhere, including the few places she shouldn’t be–like in his bed and in his heart. 

Can opposites lower their walls and construct something everlasting . . . or will their connected past lead to demolition for two hearts in need of a rebuild.

DOUBLETALK BY TERALYN MITCHELL

Release Date: September 13, 2021

Pre-Order Links: COMING SOON!

All the links in one spot: https://shor.by/busy-bean
Add to Goodreads → http://bit.ly/2MFT3pU
Series page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/busy-bean/
Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs

Blurb

Basketball has always been his one love, until now . . .

Zeke Armstrong never imagined he’d be back in Vermont, but here he is, living in Colebury and trying to rehab an injury that could mean an early retirement from pro basketball. Running into his former classmate, Mallory Barrett, shouldn’t be a distraction. It shouldn’t mean anything, so why is he accidentally on purpose showing up at the coffee shop where the beautiful writer spends her time? 

Mallory Barrett has met a guy. Well, she hasn’t met him yet, except for on the dating app she almost refused to download. “Coby” sparks her interest and gets her jokes–and gives the romance-novel heroes she loves so much a full-court run for their money. When their first date doesn’t work out, she decides to give him another shot . . . just as a man she despises reenters her life. While her interest in the mystery man on the app grows, she clashes constantly with Zeke in real life. She can’t forgive him for humiliating her in high school, yet she can’t deny she’s drawn to him now. 

She’s somehow gone from confirmed bachelorette to the tie-breaker between two men.  Meanwhile, Zeke has a secret–one that will cost him the game if Mallory finds out . . .

★★NOW AVAILABLE IN KU★★⁣⁣ ⁣

“Okay, people, you do not want to miss Heart Smart by Emma Lee Jayne! It’s fun and flirty and the chemistry crackles. Warning, though! It will keep you up past your bedtime!” – New York Times bestselling author J. Kenner

From Smartypants Romance…Heart Smart, an all-new enemies to lovers contemporary romance from Emma Lee Jayne is now available in Kindle Unlimited!
★★Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!★★

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★★ BLURB ★★ ⁣⁣

Dr. Maximillian Ramsey has a problem ….

I’m a jerk. Everyone I know or have ever worked with agrees. “Misanthropic asshole” is the term I hear most often.

I don’t care what other people think as long as they leave me alone to focus on my research on soil microbiology. Plus, I walk with a cane thanks to a childhood accident. I have scars on my face. And if that isn’t enough to scare people off, my bad attitude and general grumpiness seal the deal. Which is just the way I like it.

Except, I’ve been short listed for one of the most prestigious academic fellowships around. To win it, I’ll have to give a series of speeches. On a stage. With an audience. While being filmed.

Yeah. None of that is going to happen.

Unfortunately, my boss has a plan. He brings in one of the communications lecturers to give me a “make over,” help me write the speeches, and manage my social media.

But the last thing I need is some nosy, bossy, gorgeous woman meddling in my life.

And Holly is the solution…

I’m a mere communications lecturer at a prestigious research university. I’m used to being outclassed and under-educated compared to the PhDs who surround me.

But I’m good at what I do. Brilliant, actually.

When Max’s boss (who happens to be my ex-husband) begs me to help transform this beast of a man into someone worthy of the fellowship, I have my work cut out for me.

It’ll take a lot of badgering, blatant manipulation, and some outright thievery to get Max to cooperate. All of which I handle with the enough professionalism and restraint that should earn me a fancy grant.

What I can’t handle is how unexpectedly attractive I find the stubborn and brilliant man. 

This is a battle of wills and wits, and neither is prepared to admit defeat …

‘Heart Smart’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #2 in the Work For It series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

★★NOW AVAILABLE IN KU★★⁣⁣ ⁣

“Aly Stiles delivers rom-com gold in Street Smart. Her witty banter and clever writing are beyond superb. I dare you not to snort-laugh with this one!” – Author Hazel James

From Smartypants Romance…Street Smart, an all-new workplace romantic comedy from Aly Stiles is now available in Kindle Unlimited!

★★Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!★★

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Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2WZD6wL

Audiobook: Coming soon!

★★ BLURB ★★ ⁣⁣

What could go wrong—four words MBA student Marcos Oliveira ignored when he accepted a prestigious internship at Reedweather Media, a subsidiary of the legendary Sandeke Telecom empire.  ⁣
What did go wrong? Everything.  ⁣
And when Marcos stumbles upon incriminating documents that signal corporate espionage against Sandeke’s son Martin, he suspects his strange intern wormhole has just exploded into chaos. When his alluring boss Eva draws him in to thwart the plot, he knows it.  ⁣
After spending their lives overcoming adversity, can Marcos and Eva handle this latest threat? Even more perilous might be their losing battle against forbidden attraction.  ⁣
His Ivy League education didn’t prepare him for spy games and illicit flames. Good thing he has the street smarts to work for it.   ⁣
‘Street Smart’ is a full-length workplace romantic comedy and can be read as a standalone. Book #1 in the Work For It series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe.⁣

THE WEDDING GAME by Meghan Quinn
Release Date: March 1st
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Montlake Publishing

Add to Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53817075-the-wedding-game

AVAILABLE NOW!!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited!!
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Blurb:
USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn’s latest bauble is the charming story of a crafting queen battling a jaded divorce lawyer on a wedding reality show.

Luna Wu is a veritable crafting genius—she can bedazzle and bead so hard her Etsy site is one of the hottest in the world. So it’s only natural that Luna would convince her brother and his husband-to-be to compete on The Wedding Game, a “do-it-yourself” TV show, for the title of Top DIY Wedding Expert.

As a jaded divorce lawyer, Alec Baxter scoffs at weddings and romance. But when his recently engaged brother begs him to participate in The Wedding Game, Alec grudgingly picks up a glue gun and prepares for some family bonding.

Both fierce competitors, Luna and Alec clash on national TV as harsh words and glitter fly with abandon. But as they bicker over color swatches and mood boards, they find themselves fighting something else: their growing mutual attraction. While Luna is torn between family loyalty and her own feelings, Alec wonders if he might have been wrong about love and marriage all along…

Excerpt:
“Are you ready?” Farrah says, coming from behind me and massaging my shoulders. I move my head side to side while we both hop up and down. “Did you do those finger exercises I told you about?”

I flex my fingers and nod. “Yup, all warmed up.”

“Do you have your game face on?” Farrah spins me around and grips my shoulders as I mean mug it at her. “Ooo, you’ve been practicing in the mirror. I can tell.”

“When I brush my teeth. I really feel like I’ve mastered the scowl.”

“Honey, you mastered the scowl years ago. Now you’re just coming into your own with it.” She holds up her hands, and I start boxing into them as we leap around the apartment. “Quick on your feet, quick on your feet.” Farrah swings her hand at me, and I duck. “Focus, hone your attention.”

“Focused.”

“Tell me, who’s going to kill it today?”

“I am.” I bob back and forth and then give Farrah a one-two punch to her hands.

“Who’s going to do anything necessary, even sit on someone’s face if you need to, in order to win today’s challenge?”

“I am. Show no mercy. My ass is coming for your face.”

Farrah pauses, winces. “I’m not sure I like that.”

“Just go with it.”

“Okay, Luna’s ass is coming for your face.” She shrugs. “Next week let’s work on your trash talk.”

“Might be necessary.”

Circling again, I box at Farrah’s hands, feeling light on my feet and ready for anything that comes my way. “You’re going to ignore all conversations from Mr. Snobby Shoes.”

“I don’t even know he exists.”

“Your eyes are on the prize. And what is that prize?”

“Giving Cohen and Declan the best wedding possible.”

“Exactly.” She lowers her palms. “Quick, flash me your hands.”

I lift my hands, and she inspects them carefully.

“You lotioned—good. Nails are clipped to a perfect length, and those fingers are stretched and strong. Rotate your wrists for me.” She lowers her ear to my wrists as I circle them around. “Perfect, no cracking, no tension.” She points to the ground. “Fast feet.”

My feet start bouncing up and down, like in those football movies, and I hold my hands at my hips, ready for the call . . .

“Draw!” Farrah shouts.

I pull my glue gun from my hip and point it at her. “You’ve been glued.”

Farrah claps her hands. “Reaction time was spot on. You’re ready.”

“Yeah?”

She nods. “You got this, girl. This competition is yours for the taking. And remember what we talked about: don’t focus on what you think will win . . .”

“Focus on what will bring Cohen and Declan joy.”

About the Author:
USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

Connect with Meghan:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor
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Website: http://authormeghanquinn.com
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Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LitE4x