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The Right Player: A Sports Romance by bestselling author Kandi Steiner is now live!

Read my 5 ⭐️ review HERE.

From bestselling author Kandi Steiner comes a sexy, hilarious, opposites-attract sports romance set in the lively city of Chicago…

I have a three date rule — but it’s not what you think.

See, I’ve been told I’m the “good time girl,” not the one you take home to Mom. And

while that label stung at first, I’ve since embraced it — living the wild and

free life and sticking to a three date max. That’s just enough time to have

some fun and snuff out the possibility of catching feelings. And it’s been

working for me for years… 

Until Makoa Kumaka.

Sadly, he also has a three date rule — and it’s the exact

opposite of mine. From the second I meet him, all I can think about is

stripping down that six-foot-five Herculean hunk of a man. But like the

gentleman I wish he wasn’t, he’s making me wait.

The more time we spend together, the more I feel those pesky emotions creeping in.

I’m even tempted to trust him, but blame it on my past or my instincts, I can’t

shake the feeling that he’s hiding something… 

I’ve been playing the game forever, and no man has ever won my heart — which meant

they never had the power to break it.

But maybe I just hadn’t met the right player.

Maybe I’ll wish I never did.

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Excerpt

I burst through Gemma’s door at seven on the dot the next morning.

“We have a problem.”

Zach and Gemma were both in the kitchen, their hair a mess, sleep still in their eyes, Gemma mid-yawn while Zach hadn’t even poured the coffee grounds into the filter yet. He cocked a brow at Gemma, who managed a smile before leaning her hip against the kitchen counter and addressing me. “Well, good morning, Belle. Happy Saturday to you, too.”

“I know we agreed I couldn’t come over before ten on the weekends but this is an emergency,” I said, nudging Zach out of the way and taking over where he was in the coffee-making process. I’d barely slept, and if I didn’t get some caffeine in the next ten minutes, I’d become a monster. “Shoo.”

Zach chuckled, throwing his hands up and backing out of the kitchen.

“What’s the emergency?” Gemma asked, wrapping her arms around Zach’s waist when he joined her.

“He didn’t want to have sex with me.”

Their silence was my only answer, and I huffed, slamming the top of the coffee pot closed as I thrust the carafe under the faucet and turned it on. 

“I’m confused,” Gemma finally said.

“HE DIDN’T WANT TO HAVE SEX WITH ME,” I repeated. 

“Like, he’s not interested?”

“No, like, he had a thick, raging hard on threatening to break loose from his jeans but didn’t do anything about it.” I turned the faucet off with more aggression than necessary, slamming the carafe into place and flicking on the power switch. I crossed my arms and faced them when it started brewing. “He kissed me on the freaking cheek guys.”

Gemma chuckled, and Zach looked at her before he turned his confused expression on me. “That’s not an emergency. That’s not even a problem at all. That’s him being a gentleman.”

Gemma and I exchanged looks this time. “Please tell me you’re not on his side here.”

“I mean…” Gemma bit her lip, looking at her fiancé with a shrug. “That is kind of weird, nowadays anyway.”

Zach’s mouth popped open.

Gemma threw her hands up. “I mean, even we hooked up on our first date. Remember?”

Zach didn’t respond to that.

“Thank you,” I said, gesturing to Gemma before I let my hand fall to slap my thigh. “I mean, there we are, post-dinner and all talked out, and I’m running my hands all over his freaking tattoos. I start unbuttoning his shirt and he stops me.” I pause for dramatic effect. “The man stopped me from stripping him.”

“Maybe he’s really shy,” Gemma suggested.

“I don’t think that’s it. I mean, you saw him in the office. The man is confidence embodied.”

“True,” she agreed. “Oh, what if he’s into really freaky stuff? You know. Whips and chains, nipple clamps, all that. And he wants to ease you into it.”

I considered it, and I wasn’t mad at that possibility. “A Christian Gray, perhaps?”

“Could be! Did he have a room locked off that he wouldn’t let you go in?”

My shoulders sagged at that. “No, I saw his whole place. And the man brought everything he owns from California in maybe two-dozen boxes. I think he hired me because he lived like a college bachelor before now.” I shook my head. “I don’t think it’s because he’s so kinky he thinks he’ll scare me.”

“Maybe he just wants to get to know you before he has sex with you,” Zach said, deadpan, as if he couldn’t believe he even had to say that out loud.

I scoffed, crossing my arms again. “We talked all night. He knew me plenty well enough to bend me over his kitchen counter.” Then, all the blood drained from my face. “Oh my God, what if he has a micropenis?”

Gemma’s eyes shot open, and she covered her mouth. “No! You don’t honestly think?”

I shook my head, slumping against the counter once more. “Nah. I saw his bulge. No way was that a sock.” 

We stood in silence for a bit, thinking.

“Maybe he has a weird shaped dick. Or a mole or something,” Gemma said.

“He wouldn’t let me take off his shirt. Maybe it’s a third nipple,” I guessed.

Gemma lit up like I’d told her her hair looked pretty. “Oh, that wouldn’t be so bad!”

“Maybe it’s the three date rule.”

I blinked a few times before I turned to look at Zach, confused. “Three date rule?”

“Yeah. You know… he doesn’t want to have sex until the third date. It’s like the classic dating handbook rule number one.”

I looked at Gemma, who tilted her head to the side as she considered it. “That does make sense.”

“So, you’re saying I’m not going to get any until he takes me out on two more dates?” I groaned, pulling three coffee cups from the cabinet and topping them all off. I handed one to each of them before wrapping my hands around mine. “Who on Earth still does that?”

“Nice guys. Good guys. Guys who are interested in more than just getting in your pants.” Zach shook his head. “Belle, come on. This is a good thing.”

“Tell that to my throbbing clitoris, Zach.”

Gemma nearly spit out her coffee, and Zach chuckled, throwing up his free hand in surrender. “And on that note, I’m going to watch Sports Center.” He kissed Gemma’s cheek before turning to me. “Good luck with your emergency.”

I wiggled my fingers in a goodbye to him, and Gemma and I shared a knowing smile once he was gone.

 Meet Kandi

Kandi Steiner is a bestselling author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tampa, FL. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.

An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. She started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs.

When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys live music, traveling, anything heavy in carbs, beach days, movie marathons, craft beer and sweet wine — not necessarily in that order.

Connect with Kandi

Website:  www.kandisteiner.com

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I could love the monster or leave the man. 

Out of Love by Jewel E. Ann is now live! 

Read my 5+++ ⭐️ review HERE.

Conspiracies. Corruption. Serial killers.

You name it–I’m fascinated by it. My mom always blamed my overly curious and highly suspicious mind on my dad.

My incredibly overbearing dad.

Mr. No One Is Good Enough For My Daughter has been terrifying my dates since I turned fifteen.

College is my chance to be free from his control and date any guy I want.

I’m absolutely certain he would hate Slade Wylder–almost as certain as I am that I do too.

Since when have I shied away from trouble?

Slade fascinates me. He lives in a house I’m certain is haunted. His dog is trained as well as any guard I’ve ever seen. Rumor on campus is that he deals drugs. It would explain a lot.

But it doesn’t explain why he saves me from my darkest moment.

It doesn’t explain why I can’t stop thinking about him.

And the explanation I finally discover is far more dangerous than any rumor.

  Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

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Excerpt

Out of Love – Excerpt 

After their kissy-huggy greeting ended, they walked toward the house with Jericho in tow. I waited for him to glance back at me. He saw me. There was no way he passed me a few seconds earlier on the street and didn’t see me. Yet, he made no attempt to acknowledge me. 

Until … 

My boy Jerry stopped abruptly and turned like he caught whiff of my scent. All the warm fuzzies filled my chest. A dog gave me more feels than any man had given me in a long time. Maybe ever. 

Jericho liked me. Hell, maybe he loved me. 

He protected me. 

He smiled when he saw me—tongue out, tail in a low wag. I continued my way up the sidewalk, feigning surprise when he trotted toward me in spite of Slade barking his own command. 

“Hey, Jerry.” I squatted down to give him double the love Miss Sophisticated gave him … and I had a treat in my pocket because part of me anticipated—hoped for—a chance encounter. “Oh, buddy … I love you too.” I closed my eyes and turned my face side to side while he showered me with kisses.

Slade cleared his throat. 

I opened my eyes—noticing his friend must have gone inside. “Sorry.” I stood, sliding a treat into Jericho’s mouth along the way. “I know it’s hard for you to know he likes me more.” On a shrug, I bit my lips together to keep my shit-eating grin under control. 

“Inside,” he said to Jericho while looking at me. 

Jericho turned and headed to the back door. 

“If you have a job to do … Jerry can hang with me tonight. I’m alone this evening.” 

“Jericho. And he doesn’t need a babysitter.” 

“Maybe I do.” 

His brow tensed a fraction, contemplation settling into a slight frown for a few seconds, before he whistled and Jericho came running. “Send him home when your friends get back.” 

Why was the only word that sat on the tip of my idle tongue? Why protect me? 

“What are you going to do?” Okay, apparently “why” wasn’t the only word on the tip of my tongue after all. Six other words were in line first. 

“Does it matter?” 

Letting my gaze settle over his shoulder to the firehouse and images of Miss Sophisticated waiting for him, I lifted a single shoulder. “No. Just curious. Is she your girlfriend?” 

“Does it matter?” 

“I hate you.” I rolled my eyes. “Worst communication skills ever.” 

“Good. Hate me. I prefer it.” 

I recoiled. I didn’t really hate anyone. It wasn’t my personality to be hateful, vengeful, or hold grudges. Why did Slade Wylder want me to hate him? It was a joke. I hated his lack of sharing information. 

“If you’re selling her some shit that will ruin her life, may I suggest you rethink that? Not cool, Wylder.” 

“Noted.” 

Tipping my chin up, I gave him several tiny nods. “Okay then. I’ll take Jerry to my house and spoil him. Maybe he comes back to you … maybe he doesn’t.” 

Slade let his gaze slide down my body, a slow and easy trip. He didn’t do that when we met. Somewhere along the way, he decided it was okay. I wasn’t sure what reaction he desired from me. 

Maybe nothing. 

Maybe he did it out of pure selfish desire. 

“I’m only allowing this because I love Jerry.” 

Curious eyes met mine, slightly squinted. 

I smirked. “Stripping me with those eyes of yours.” 

Moments … 

I collected moments in my mind, my heart, my soul, like Aubrey collected rare coins—my mom dying, my dad spending a few years thoroughly drunk. Mostly bad moments—permanent scars. 

That moment I tucked into my memory forever as one of the first truly great moments.  

Wylder …

The corners of his mouth quirked into pure sin. If Satan was hot as fuck, his name would have been Slade Wylder, and I would have been in a whole helluva lot of trouble. 

Meet  Jewel E. Ann

Jewel is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today best selling author a with a quirky sense of humor. When she’s not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance. 

Connect with Jewel

Website: https://www.jeweleann.com

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“Catherine Cowles writes characters that are real, relatable, and will have you rooting for their happily-ever-after with all your heart!”
– Mia Sheridan, New York Times bestselling author

Perfect Wreckage, an all-new, breathtakingly beautiful small-town romance from Catherine Cowles is available now!

Read my 5 ⭐️ review HERE.

My past taught me to play it safe.
To stay far away from handsome men who promised it all.
My life was good without them. Stable, secure, predictable.

But one kiss showed me that I’d been playing it safe for far too long.
One night, and all I wanted was more of his wildfire.
One challenge and my carefully constructed walls tumbled down.

Amidst the rubble, I realized there was more to this man than I ever dreamed.
When everything fell apart, he showed me what it meant to stay.
How to truly live.

But some demons don’t stay buried.
The past can come knocking when you least expect.
And the life he’s showing me might be shorter than either of us expected…

Download your copy today!
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Excerpt:

I leaned against the tree at the edge of the beach, taking in the show. The woman seemed to be one with the water. Smooth strokes cut through the inlet’s subtle waves. They were both graceful and powerful, restrained and explosive. A juxtaposition so similar to the woman herself.

Kenna made her way towards the rocky shore. Climbing to her feet, rivulets of water traced paths down curves that even her full-coverage, black Speedo couldn’t disguise. She wrung out her hair, and the long, dark sheet sprang up in unexpected curls. They reminded me of that part of Kenna she liked to hide away from the world.

Her movements faltered, and then she swiped her towel up from the beach. “What are you doing here?”

I grinned, pushing off the tree trunk and striding towards her. “Caelyn told me this was a good spot for paddleboarding.”

Kenna mumbled something about her friend being a traitor. “I’m surprised you’re even up this early.”

I gave a little shrug. I had to be at a meeting at ten, so this was the only opportunity I’d have all day to be on the water. “Every day is different.”

“Must be nice to just flit around wherever the wind takes you.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I slid it out. A familiar number, one I wished like hell I could forget, flashed across my screen along with a text.

Hey, Crosby. Can we talk? It’s important.

My face went hard as ice seemed to slide through my veins. Alicia’s gamble hadn’t paid off, and now she was trying to get her second choice back on the line. Not in this lifetime.

A cold hand grazed my forearm, yet somehow, the touch seemed to heat my skin. “Are you okay?”

I gave my head a little shake, plastering on my signature carefree smile. “Just those damn telemarketers. They never give up.”

Kenna’s hand fell away, and she took a step back. “You can just tell me to mind my own business. You don’t have to lie.”

I instantly felt the loss of her heat, the faint buzz on my skin where she’d touched me. “Fair enough.” Kenna kept her gaze locked to mine as if daring me to tell her the truth. I took the coward’s way out and changed the subject. “I like these.” I reached out and took a strand of her hair in my fingers, releasing it and letting the curl bounce.

Pink tinged her cheeks. “I prefer it straight.”

My grin grew wider. “I don’t know, Brown Eyes, I think you should let it run wild.” And what I would give to see this woman free and untamed.

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.

Connect with Catherine
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Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Oh boy, are you ready for Laurelin Paige’s Man in Charge duet? If you want a nibble, if you want a sneak peek of the almighty Sebastian family, then you should read the prequel Man on Top. This prequel is everything you love about Laurelin Paige in bite-sized form.

Alpha-male hero who is gorgeous beyond description, $exually adept and proves it from the beginning.

A heroine who is coming into herself

A hero and heroine from opposites ends of the socio-economic spectrum

A hero and heroine who are a mystery to each other and the reader for much of the story yet have a chemistry that burns the page

A tantalizing meet-cute

Did I mention the chemistry?

Man on Top will whet your palate. You will absolutely one-click Man in Charge AND Man in Love quickly because it’s clear that there are fireworks coming in the future duet. On top of it, Man on Top is FREE. 

If you have never read Laurelin Paige, this is a perfect time to try out her books, and Man on Top gives you the perfect taste. If you love Laurelin Paige, well, she’s giving you more of what you love.

In love and romance, 

Professor A

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

“‘All the money in the world.’ Mom continued. ‘Perfectly decent parents. And what do you get but five grown men with issues.’”

The only way that I want to start this review is like this: I really like Crowne Rules. I thought Byron Crowne’s story would be “it” for me. Then, Logan Crowne’s story came along. I thought his story would be “it” for me, but now, after reading Crowne Rules, Dante Crowne is the king of the Crowne brothers (don’t tell him that as it will go to his head). I’m so used to writing these well-drawn reviews about CD Reiss’s books. Her books invite my brain to its literature-infused neural pathway, but there is something elemental about this book that makes me want to use the word “like” a whole bunch, so here goes. 

I like Dante Crowne. He’s layered and complex in a way that I didn’t expect. I thought this about Byron and Logan too, but you realize very quickly that Dante’s demons and his past add an edge to him that his brothers don’t have. As his control unravels, it’s one of the most glorious aspects of Reiss’s story. Dante is my favorite type of hero, so buttoned up and needing and seeking out control that you know he will be brought to his knees by the heroine. And that happens. It’s why I like him the most. 

I like Mandy or Dante’s Amanda or his amea. Towards the end of his story, Dante says to her, “You’re a provocation,” he growled. “Do you know that?” And there is so much truth to this statement. She is the provocation for his evolution. She is the provocation to his lack of control. She is the provocation to his life changes, and you can’t help but love her. Even more, Mandy is messy. Dante and Mandy are seemingly so different: he tells her that her feelings are too much, that she is unrestrained and willingly trusts her heart to anyone. In contrast, Dante’s feelings are hidden so deep that he doesn’t believe he feels anymore. When Mandy acts, Dante reacts, and it creates explosive chemistry that oozes off the page. Their dichotomy is the keen truth of their love: one completes the other, and it makes them better. 

I like the dichotomy of Dante and Mandy. There is a truth in this story about one’s love helping them become the best version of themselves. At the beginning of the story, this feels very true for Mandy, while it seems confused with Dante. Eventually in the story, you realize that as Dante helps Mandy become Couture Mandy, she is helping Dante become the best version of himself. It reminds you that being loved should allow you to be the best version of yourself. 

I like the Crowne stories. It’s interesting to me that the Crowne brothers, given their happily married parents and privilege, embrace denial. All three brothers, Dante included, lack the ability to see the truth of love. For some reason, it hit me hard in Crowne Rules. Dante’s epiphany doesn’t come until late in the story, and that moment feels big in the breadth of the Crowne stories. I like that all three brothers’ books feel messy, which is so unlike their actual characterizations. 

I like the emotional gravitas of Crowne Rules. Over and over again, Mandy and Dante strive against themselves. Mandy is always “fine” when she isn’t, and Dante denies the truth of his past. Until they recognize their truths, Reiss pulls you through the roller-coaster of their story, and you empathize with their strife. It’s like any of us who don’t want to self-actualize our lives; it’s painful and onerous. However, if we want to live abundantly (and Reiss’s epilogue shows an abundant life), we have to accept our truth and be willing to embrace vulnerability. We don’t have to be “fine;” we just have to choose to live. 

Additionally, as is the case with most of Reiss’s romances, always lurking in the shadows of the story are societal insights, lending a certain amount of gravity to the romantic parts of the story. In this book, statutory rape, obsessive paparazzi, and living in the closet are some of the societal issues. 

Exuding power and alpha-hole tendencies, Dante Crowne will steal your heart. CD Reiss has definitely saved the most interesting Crowne brother for last with Crowne Rules. Every turn of the page reminded me how much I “like” Reiss’s stories. In a world that is broken, she offers up broken people as the main characters of her stories and saves them through a provocative kind of love. If you love alpha-hole heroes and messy heroines, then you MUST grab Crowne Rules. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

If you have read Sarina Bowen’s Lies & Lullabies, book 1 of the Hush Note series, then you are already familiar with Jonah, Quinn, and Nixon, the members of Hush Note, the fictional band whose stories make up this series. In Devney Perry’s Rifts & Refrains, the second book of the series, it becomes clear that the message threaded through these stories is the idea that fame and fortune can never replace the need to be loved. Whether it’s Jonah or Quinn’s second chance romances, the focus of these books is the idea that we must love and be loved to live a fruitful and abundant life. And in a world where the title “influencer” is a new occupation and people are striving to achieve fame and fortune, it feels so very important. Add to that message the brilliance of a writer such as Devney Perry, and you are gifted a story such as Rifts & Refrains, the story of Quinn and Graham, her high school boyfriend. 

From the very first page, I could not put this book down. This is common for me when I’m reading anything from Devney Perry. I began it in the late afternoon and almost finished it in the early morning hours of the next day, but my eyes didn’t allow it, so I woke up after four hours of sleep to finish it. There is something captivating about Quinn and Graham’s chemistry even when they try to avoid it. And it made me realize that Perry’s superpower lies in her talent in writing chemistry between her characters. I’ve read romances aplenty where the chemistry feels a bit contrived. It tends to lose steam at times. In R&R, that never happens. Instead, it builds and builds so that when Graham and Quinn must make a difficult decision, you can’t help but feel their discouragement immensely. One of the reasons I didn’t want to put this story down is the driving force of their chemistry throughout the totality of their journey. Perry doesn’t make it easy for you or them. They don’t readily pick up where they left off as high school sweethearts. No. Perry makes them run an emotional gauntlet, and as a reader, you feel every moment of it. That’s the depth of Perry’s superpower and the reason I will read every book she writes. She carefully crafts chemistry in such a way that she invests me in her characters’ journey. This isn’t easy, but yet, she makes it seem so. 

Even more, Perry has the ability to create characters who, while fictional, seem so very real. In this story, Quinn is the superstar drummer of Hush Note. She should be larger than life, and Perry, in some ways, alludes to that. But she isn’t. Instead, Quinn’s sense of self and her place in her family is very, very real, and it makes seem minimized. I have no qualms about crying while reading a story. For me, that means that the writer has done their job, making a story so real that I empathize with their characters. Quinn’s story and her challenges were the moments where I found myself with tears running down my face. I understand her story even though I haven’t lived it. Perry’s ability to write a character that feels so much like a real person that I emotionally devote myself to her is the other reason I can never say “no” to a Perry romance. Graham’s characterization is no different. His hurt over Quinn’s life choices is visceral. You understand it even though Quinn’s choices make sense. In R&R, Perry allows the evolution of Quinn and Graham to be more fully realized in Graham’s character as he represents both her past and her future. This connects you to him more deeply, and you feel his pain more palpably as their future becomes endangered. 

Finally, I am certain that Devney Perry writes the BEST epilogues of any romance writer. Honestly. And the epilogue for Rifts & Refrains is no different. For me, the last three lines of this book are gloriously crafted, and they gave me goosebumps further illustrating that Perry is, in my mind, the Queen of the Epilogue.

Over and over again, I’m reminded of Devney Perry’s prowess at writing romance. Rifts & Refrains is an apt example of that.  It might be set in a different town, in a different setting, with different characters and story. However, her touch is found in her characters and their chemistry. She compels you to feel the pain and elation of her characters so that, when they find their happy ending, you want to shout to the rooftops a “congratulations” for their happily-ever-after. 

In love and romance, 

Professor A

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

There is this sound on TikTok that goes “I’ve been waiting for this…” and TikTokers far and wide begin dancing to this beat that is driving and edgy. In that aftermath of those words, some TikTokers even expose secrets to anyone who passes their TikTok page. As I finished Lexi Blake’s No Love Lost, that sound kept circling in my mind because, like these TikTokers, I was ready, no…panting, for No Love Lost, the last book (I think) of her Masters and Mercenaries off-shoot with The Lost Boys. There have been so many personalities and stories in this spin-off and its predecessor that, at times, you feel a little “lost,” so to speak. But make no mistake…for this reader, Kim Solomon and Beckett Kent, were not lost to me. I have been wanting their story because Blake set the stage for the most perfect second chance romance. 

Here’s the thing with these two. For one, Kim is my favorite type of heroine: she’s strong, independent, resilient, and she takes the crap thrown at her from the alpha-men in her life and she turns it into spun gold. What this does is tug at your heart. As Beck and Kim verbally spar with each other, and he throws emotional darts at her soul, your heart bleeds for her. You cannot help but become emotionally invested in a female character who does not deserve the treatment weighed upon her. Blake deftly makes her appealing to the reader while her power is lost to the other characters. In No Love Lost, Blake adds vulnerability to her character construction, and you become lost in Kim’s journey. In other stories in this series, you don’t truly know Kim’s secrets. In this book, Blake divulges them spectacularly, and it’s like a fireworks show. As her secret-knower, the reader becomes invested in this book, and you can’t help but read it to the very end because, quite frankly, Kim deserves a happy ending. Even more, Blake doesn’t make it easy for her readers to get there because Kim has been burned over and over again, so becoming vulnerable requires a mighty act to shed her Teflon armor. And for this reader, that psychological pilgrimage is painful and insightful and glorious. 

Add Beck’s journey to Kim’s story, and the emotions become heightened. There is more of the tension between these two that we’ve read in earlier stories, but this time, something productive occurs. I think that’s what I loved most. Beck recognizes his shortcomings and actually takes action in this book. After reading his apathy towards Kim in past stories, it was revelatory to read a story where his emotions could not be contained. It ingratiated you into their story because you wanted them both to recognize their deep, abiding love for each other. What I also loved about this story was the revelation of Kim’s sense of identity in Beck. She’s so very strong, but her sense of self is aligned with Beck’s belief in her. And that feels grounded in reality, not fiction. To see that spelled out in Blake’s story made it substantive. 

Add to that a compelling story. One of my favorite villains to hate needed to be dealt with. And Levi earns his comeuppance in No Love Lost. Mix in past characters, and this story is “old home” week to the max. Sprinkle in Blake’s brand of romantic suspense plus a big plot shift, and you’re lost in the pages of this book. There is a feeling of nostalgia that befalls you at the end of it, a mourning for the stories of The Lost Boys, but there is also a promise for more stories with new characters (and the return of old ones) in the Masters and Mercenaries universe. 

I am exceedingly THRILLED with No Love Lost. From an intentional, stalwart, tenacious heroine to a hero who finally figures himself out to a story that compels you forward towards its ending, this book will engage you, entertain you, and leave you wanting more. 

In love and romance, 

Professor A

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Layla Hagen’s One Beautiful Promise is a sweet romance grounded in Hagen’s Very Irresistible Bachelor’s series. Each book of this series has introduced us to one of the Winchester children (plus Hunter, their cousin). With four of them plus Hunter, there are stories to be told, and Hagen has done a fine job of crafting this series within her book universe. With this story, Hagen gives us Cole Winchester. Nicknamed “The Charmer,” everyone believes it will be a long time before Cole finds his soulmate. In fact, Cole takes pride in being a single man with no encumbrances. He is the Winchester most known to tease his cousin, brother, and sister for their journey into loving relationships. On a trip to Rome for business, he’s encouraged to meet Laney, a medical resident studying there for a time. And it is there where she captures his heart. 

At its core, One Beautiful Promise is a story about second chances. This isn’t the second chance trope that we’re used to reading. Instead, OBP is predominately Laney’s story as she must overcome her past in order to find a present and future with Cole. In it, Hagen shows her readers how to fall, how to embrace new opportunities through her characterization of Laney. We find that hiding behind work or anything else only presents a life with little meaning. Through the course of the story, we see her transformation, and that occurs because Cole shows her how to live an abundant life. Yes, Cole is a confirmed bachelor, proud of his meaningless hook-ups. However, as the story progresses, Cole’s character suggests that the right woman can turn any man into a “forever” kind of man. 

One Beautiful Promise is very sweet. It isn’t angsty, and it’s easy to see how Cole and Laney fall in love. For me, it’s my least favorite of the Winchester stories because it feels a little one-note at times. For all of his singleness, Cole falls pretty fast for Laney, and he never looks back. I would have liked to see him struggle with that a bit more. But this story is what Hagen does best: offering up romance that allows you to feel good all the way through it. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

MAN ON TOP (Man in Charge Duet #0.5) by Laurelin Paige
Release Date: September 29th

Add to Goodreads:
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MAN ON TOP, the prequel to the Man in Charge Duet by NYT Bestselling author Laurelin Paige is NOW AVAILABLE and COMPLETELY FREE!!

MAN ON TOP #0.5 AVAILABLE NOW AND FREE!!

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PREORDER MAN IN CHARGE #1

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Blurb:
It was Teyana’s idea to crash the Sebastian’s party. Once in a lifetime, and all that.

Which was why I snuck in, even after she got sick and bailed, though it isn’t really fun without her.

Until I end up on the rooftop with the most stupid-hot guy on the planet, and when he offers to take me home, I can’t imagine telling Teyana I turned him down.

So I’ll be Cinderella for the party, and a very wicked girl in the bedroom.

After that, I’ll disappear in the daylight, without even an exchange of names. I don’t belong in his world. One night is all we’ll get.

Unless, of course, fate has other plans…

Man on Top is the beginning of the Man in Charge Duet. It is also included in Man in Charge.

About the Author:
With millions of books sold worldwide, Laurelin Paige is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author. She is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however.

When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones or Letterkenny, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.

She is represented by Rebecca Friedman.

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“Dante is a Dominant male hero who steals your breath in all the right ways.” —Joey W. Hill

Crowne Rules, an all-new DELICIOUSLY Decadent forced proximity standalone from New York Times bestselling author C.D. Reiss is available now!

What happens when fire and ice are forced into close proximity?

With the paparazzi hot on her heels, Mandy Bettencourt is desperate for somewhere to hide, and her best friend has just the place.

It’s perfect. No Internet. No phone. A deep bathtub she’s soaking in when HE shows up.
Her best friend’s brother, Dante Crowne. Rich as a cardinal sin and handsome enough to piss off the devil. A man with a reputation for unforgettable bedroom games.

Mandy got an early taste of them in high school–for seven minutes in a closet. She can tell you, the rumors are all true.

Dante knows he’s got a reputation for a lot of things, including a love of solitude.
But there’s a beautiful socialite in his bathtub, and the memory of those seven minutes isn’t inspiring him to kick her out.
So he offers her a deal.
If she wants to stay, she has to work.
If she makes a mistake, she’s corrected with pink hand marks on her backside.

That’s the deal.
Beg for it or leave it.

He’s surprised when she gets on her knees, and he’s even more surprised when she likes the punishment.
The most shocking thing, though, is how much he’s starting to like her.

They can’t stay in paradise forever.
Los Angeles awaits.
But an old nemesis sets his sights on tearing them apart, and Dante may be the one left begging.

**Crowne Rules is a complete STANDALONE. You don’t have to read any of the Crowne Brothers books to pick this up, but you might want to once you’re done with Dante.**

Download your copy today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gpQTVf
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/CrowneRules

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About CD Reiss
CD Reiss is a New York Times bestseller. 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.

Connect with Christine
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