“This one pulled at all the right heartstrings.”-Aly Martinez, USA Today Bestselling Author

The Hardest Hit, an all-new emotional, single dad romance from A.S. Teague is available now!

My friends used to tell me ‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.’ Clearly they lied, because there was no way the chemistry I had with Mel could ever be left behind.

However, my children, her career, and nine hundred miles between us meant that for seven years, Melanie Holstein was the one who got away.

I was Aiden Shaw, first-round draft pick turned the best quarterback the league had ever seen. I worked hard to secure my position in football history while balancing life as a single dad. Through it all, my Vegas spitfire was never far from my mind.

And considering her best friend was now with my best friend, it was pure and utter torture.

When my career took a devastating turn, Mel was the first person at my side. I was broken and defeated, but that stubborn woman was determined to piece me back together.

I liked to pretend Mel and I were destined for greatness, but Lady Luck had never been on our side. And the tragedy that followed might have been the hardest hit of all.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2lDPGC8

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

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/32iNWiz

About A.S. Teague

A.S. Teague enjoys the warmth of South Carolina with her husband and two daughters. The stereotypes about peach cobbler and sweet tea are not overstated. After years in the medical field, she is now enjoying every minute of being a stay-at-home mom. She loves wine, the beach, wine on the beach, and crying at Disney movies. When she doesn’t have a book in her hand, she can be found pestering her husband with pictures of animals she wants to rescue, as well as debating whether to exercise or take a nap.

Connect with A.S. Teague

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

GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2Hh2Vl9

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2UexnQy

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Ur9c1e

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Euhdfk

Stay up to date by joining A.S. Teague’s mailing list today: http://bit.ly/2HcdeHb

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“The fact of the matter was, Aiden Shaw, had become my kryptonite.”

Enter A.S. Teague into my life about six months ago (I think) with The Hardest Route.  I’m a sucker for a good sports romance. Add in an unexpected baby, slow-burn romance, and cancer scare plus a hunky, adoring hero and I’m sold. Teague had me quickly with the first book in this series of standalones.

Several months later, she’s giving us The Hardest Hit, the story of Aidan Shaw and Melanie (Mel), the best friends of Brooke and Griffin, the main characters from The Hardest Route. Here’s the thing, though. I wasn’t sold on these two after reading that book. Yes, Mel is Brooke’s “second,” and Aidan will always have Griff’s back. But Aidan seemed immature and, at times, Mel seemed too bossy in that story. I wasn’t sure I would love this book as much as the first one. Boy, was I wrong. Mel and Aidan’s story is a heart-wrenching, slow burn of a tale about two people who don’t believe they are worthy of a deep abiding love but who actually find it in each other. Teague reminds us that we should look for love, find it, and hold on to it tightly with both hands no matter how much time passes.

“Every time I saw her, it was like it was the first time. She was the brightest spot in the room.”

From the outset, you should know that I loved this book more than The Hardest Route. With the first book, I loved Griff and Brooke, but I thought, at the time, that Teague convoluted their story with <spoiler alert> Brooke’s cancer scare. I thought she could have brought them together using their existing story. Again, my opinion only. As such, I thought it a bit contrived, and I gave it a 4-star review. I still loved it; I just thought the story could have been revised a bit more. 

This one, though, has my heart. This has everything to do with Teague’s development of Mel and Aidan. In the first book, Aidan seems supercilious. He seems out for a good time oftentimes at the expense of others. However, in The Hardest Hit, we find out that it is simply a facade, a protection against the deep rejection of his family. His humor is a tool to keep people at bay. In this book, we find out that he accidentally impregnates his ex-college girlfriend with twins. Even though Aidan knows from the start that Mel is the woman for him, she puts distance between them because she recognizes that Aidan needs to be a father first. 

Here is where the slow burn occurs. Teague fast-forwards the story seven long years later. Mel and Aidan have always existed in each other’s orbits, given their best friends are together. However, circumstances constantly complicate their ability to be together. Aidan makes promises he can’t keep, and he disappoints Mel because he chooses to lie to her about his reasons (his boys) and he keeps that portion of his life from her. This makes it difficult for the two of them to be together. Until tragedy strikes. Then, Mel finds a front and center spot in Aidan’s life. Through this tragedy, these two develop a relationship and eventually a future. But, again, tragedy strikes. Will they find their happily-ever-after? 

So, yes. This book grabbed me from the beginning. For one, there weren’t any contrived plot twists in this book as I felt there were in the last one. Reading Aidan and Mel struggle and fall in love with each other was the best part of this book. However, the emotional depth of these characters is the jewel in its crown. Aidan’s family has created scars on his soul, and he uses humor and affability to hide behind it. 

Mel’s past as a foster child makes it difficult for her to believe that people will stay in her life, and Aidan’s constant breaking of dates, unfortunately, highlights that brokenness in her. These two have broken parts, and for some of the story, they accidentally push on the bruises of those broken parts, making it difficult to be together. Once, they recognize the brokenness in each other, however, together they begin to heal. They find completeness. And this depth of love shines through the story. When Aidan finally lets go of his anger and disappointment in his family, incorporates Mel into his life, and begins moving forward, we see his abiding love for Mel, and it’s beautiful to read. Similarly, Mel’s support for Aidan and acceptance of him, of his innate soul, breeds a relationship that will make the reader jealous. Once these two let go of the past, this story soars off the page. 

“I didn’t deserve her. I didn’t deserve her loyalty or her devotion. And I sure as hell didn’t deserve her smiles and laughs. But I was a selfish bastard who had always felt inadequate, even when I’d been on top of the world. And I was going to take what she was willing to give me, whether I thought I was worthy of it or not.”

Add to all of this the ancillary characters from The Hardest Route, along with a few new ones (Griff, Brooke, Allie, Owen and Landon (Aidan’s sons), Quinn, Shane, Trav, and even the villain of the story, Shay). These characters are necessary to Mel and Aidan’s story. I’m hoping we will see a book with Quinn’s story and a certain red-headed sister. Without these characters, this story wouldn’t feel so well-rounded and developed. Each of them simply adds another layer to Teague’s masterpiece

Mel and Aidan do get their happy ending. It takes a majority of the book to get there, but there is beauty in the time it takes for them to find completeness in each other. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered through this story. And I think readers are missing out if they don’t read A.S. Teague’s The Hardest Hit. 

“It was there that I realized I finally knew what it felt like to have someone who was completely on my side. I squeezed her even tighter, determined that I wasn’t letting her go ever again.”

In love and romance, 

Professor A

Cancer sucks … and then you die.

Styx and Stones an all-new emotional, mature young adult romance from USA Today bestselling author Carmen Jenner is available now!

Check out my 4+ ⭐️ review HERE!

Alaska Stone is a walking wet dream.

My wet dream.

For years, I’ve watched her in the halls, wanted her, but she never knew I existed.

Not until she walked into my chemo session.

For me, it was love at first sight.

For her? It might take a little longer.

But hey, it’s not like we’re on a deadline or anything.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2L2KhjG

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

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2FgFw1i

Excerpt

“Come here,” Styx says, giving my arm a weak tug.

“Where?”

“Come lie with me.”

I laugh and shake my head. “I can’t. I’ll squash your lines.”

“They’re plastic; they’ll bounce back.” His face turns serious, and the desperation in his eyes claws at my resolve. “Get your sweet ass up here, Stones. I wanna hold my girl.”

It takes a little maneuvering with his central line and heart-rate monitor, and my IV, but eventually I settle in against his side and he wraps his good arm around me, holding me as tightly as his weak body will allow.

I wish we had the power to make time wait for us.

I’d make it wait forever, right here. I’d use up all of the seconds it’s stolen from me, from us, and the lifetime it’s going to steal from our future. If I had the ability, I’d hit pause right here, and I’d never let him go.

About Carmen

Carmen Jenner is a USA Today and international bestselling author.

A hardcore red lipstick addict and a romantic at heart, Carmen strives to give her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first … because what’s a happily ever after without a little torture?

Connect with Carmen

Amazon → http://amzn.to/1IjRUdg

Newsletter→https://www.subscribepage.com/carmenjenner

Website→http://www.carmenjenner.com/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/CarmenJennerAuthor/

Sugar Junkies (reader group) → http://bit.ly/2x3K4pP

Instagram →www.instagram.com/carmenjennerauthor/

Bookbub → https://www.bookbub.com/profile/carmen-jenner

Books + Main → https://bookandmainbites.com/users/2266

Pinterest →https://www.pinterest.com.au/carmenjenner/

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+

So, what constitutes a happy ending? I was just telling a friend of mine that the romance community forgives just about any sin of a romance couple as long as there is a semblance of a happy ending to end out a book, duet, trilogy, or series. It’s our final act of forgiveness. But what happens when the “happily ever after” isn’t what you expect? What happens if “happy” is framed in a different way than you might want? I call that provocative. And I think it’s the reason you should be reading Carmen Jenner’s newest book, Styx & Stones.

I need to state that I had not read the lead-up book to this one, Harley & Rose. What captured my attention and engaged me was the first line of the book’s blurb: “cancer sucks. And then you die.” How does one craft a story between two teenagers with cancer and create that obligatory “happy ending?” That was my question. Having not read Carmen Jenner before or the book prior to this one, I went in blind, not knowing what to expect. This is what I found:

*This book is more novella than a novel. It’s short at, I believe, 125 words. And you will gobble it down like a snack. Jenner keeps the reader engaged in this story of two teenagers who attend the same high school and find each other during chemo treatments. Styx is the hero. His cancer is back, and his prognosis isn’t good. Stones aka Alaska is new to cancer.  Styx has loved Alaska from afar, and cancer brings them together. With his past experience with cancer, he helps her navigate the trauma of cancer and chemotherapy, and they eventually fall in love. However, both feel their days are few. How can they love each other when they have an impending end? Herein lies the genius of this book.

*You need to prepare yourself for the ending of this story. Styx lays this book out in the “Prologue.” You need to know: he isn’t lying. Trust him. He’s a straight-shooter. He says what is unpopular, and he treats life as temporary. As such, Jenner is going to give you a happily-ever-forever that you don’t expect. Be ready to accept it because I think it’s an important one in the discussion of cancer and death.

*This book is really an ode to people who have suffered with or had loved ones who have been touched by the ravages of cancer. This book is really a romance of sorts with that disease. Jenner offers insight into this life because she needs us to know its temporality. And the idea that love can exist there. 

*I loved that Alaska and Styx’s first $ex is messy and uncomfortable. Neither is skilled. Jenner could have followed the pattern of others who have written YA/NA and crafted teens as skilled lovers. That isn’t the case here. However, Styx is a worthy student, and his love for Alaska makes him hungry for her. It was equal parts awkward and sweet. 

*Yes, these two are teenagers, but Jenner gives them old souls. Even when they act like teenagers, you recognize the depth of their souls and their love for each other. That’s the essence of this story: their abiding love for each other, crafted in a short time under intense circumstances, but deep nonetheless.

If you have ever walked this journey or walked with someone else, this book could be a trigger for you. But I’d love for everyone to read it because Carmen Jenner is playing with the “happily-ever-after” here in a genre that thrives on it. Ultimately, Jenner’s Styx and Stones reminds us all that tomorrow is not promised, so love deeply, and find your “forever” with someone, even when it might not be there tomorrow.

In love and romance,

Professor A

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+

An oft-quoted bible verse, 1 Corinthians 13 begins, “Love is patient; love is kind…” If you need to know anything about Elizabeth Hunter’s newest offering, Grit: A Love Story on 7th and Main, know that patience and kindness go a LONG way to the hero getting his happy ending with the heroine. It also doesn’t hurt that she’s physically attracted to him but denying her feelings. Simply put, Grit is a slow-burn romance of friends becoming lovers in a beautiful story of overcoming the odds. 

Melissa “Missy” and Cary have been friends for years. Missy is a widow whose husband, Calvin, dies tragically in a car accident. Left with a ranch in Oakville to tend and a baby to raise, as any strong woman does, she finds some inner strength, help from her family and friends, and she makes a determined effort to keep and make productive her family ranch. In the periphery, Cary offers help when she decides to take a portion of her ranch and turn them into citrus groves, as a way to find another dependable money stream. Cary is an expert in this area, and he provides her the counsel and friendship necessary to survive the impending years. 

Cary liked Missy before she married her husband, Calvin, but their timing simply didn’t work. Instead, he befriended her husband until his death. At that point, he offered Missy support, which eventually grew into strong feelings of attraction. As the story begins, both Missy and Cary are fighting their attraction, Missy more than Cary. Cary wants a future with her, but Missy is intent on staying the course. Her life is complicated with her daughter and the maintenance on the ranch. For much of the story, she doesn’t see where Cary fits into her life romantically even though she is attracted to him. Other outside influences also wreak havoc on their coupling. Much of the story asks the question: “can life-long friends find love together?” Even more, can a strong independent woman lay down her strength to live in the strength of a man again, especially after tragedy? These are the questions that Elizabeth Hunter answers beautifully in Grit. 

This was my first book by Elizabeth Hunter. When I began promoting her in my blog, on my Facebook page, and on my Instagram account, suddenly everyone expressed their love for her stories. With that as background, I dived into her story. When I finally surfaced at its ending, these were my general impressions:

1. Her style is quite beautiful. Her ability to create pictures of the characters and environment is strong. You can “see” what she is offering in her book, and you feel as though you are walking with the characters through their stories.
2. Hunter methodically builds the burn between Cary and Missy. There were times when I wanted to reach through the book and shake Missy. Her ability to keep Cary at arm’s length was supernatural. It was also frustrating at times. As a hero, Cary is everything you want in a man: strong, adept, caring, kind, and, above all, oh so patient. He sees Missy in her independence and fear. He recognizes that she has to control the situation until he gets her into bed. There, his strength is fortified in her willingness to submit to him. She recognizes his talent there and allows him to guide her. It’s this push and pull of their relationship that draws you through their story, especially when Missy’s stubbornness acts to derail the inroads of their coupling. Quite frankly, Cary is a godsend. 
3. I love that this romance is set in my home state of California. While I don’t live in the area where this is set, I am familiar with it, and I felt connected to the state’s character in the story. It felt like a little bit of me is in it. 
4. To off-set the tension of the romantic relationship, Hunter balances it with a community issue. For one, it allows Cary and Missy to act as a united front against the “bad” land developers. This helps develop their eventual partnership especially when Missy gets in the way of her self, almost torpedoing her burgeoning relationship with Cary. Offering this other storyline provides some balance to the romance.
5. There is another ancillary story here: living life after a spouse’s death and balancing the relationship with your former in-laws. Since Missy and Calvin had a daughter, Abby, Missy is left to raise her with her own set of values. However, this is complicated by Calvin’s parents as their values are contrary to Missy’s, so much so that Hunter develops this storyline throughout the book and allows the granddaughter to eventually be the voice of reason, finding a place of reconciliation for Missy and her in-laws. It also helps develop further love for Cary as a character since he is the voice of wisdom to Abby to help create this reconciliation of sorts for her mother and her grandparents. 

Even in the midst of burden and trauma, there is a gentleness to Hunter’s story-telling. Yes, her characters in Grit endure much to find their happily-ever-after, but the story is nuanced and easy. I’d have to say that she puts quite a bit of space in her story-telling. Why is that important you might ask? It would have been easy to place so many working components of a story into the romance and overwhelm your reader. Instead, what Hunter crafts for her readers in Grit is a story of finally acknowledging the need for love and its power in your life when you think your own strength and power is enough to get you through. Cary and Missy’s story is a quiet reminder that patience and kindness go a long way to finding the depth of love. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

GRIT, an all-new standalone, friends-to-lovers
romance in the 7th and Main series by Elizabeth
Hunter is NOW LIVE!

Download your copy Now!

Amazon – mybook.to/Grit7thandmain
Applebooks – https://apple.co/2YL5BMW
Kobo – http://bit.ly/302Tegw
Nook – http://bit.ly/2IZWNhA

GIVEAWAY

About Elizabeth
Hunter

Follow Elizabeth
Hunter

Cancer sucks … and then you die.

Styx and Stones an all-new emotional, mature young adult romance from USA Today bestselling author Carmen Jenner is available now!

Alaska Stone is a walking wet dream.

My wet dream.

For years, I’ve watched her in the halls, wanted her, but she never knew I existed.

Not until she walked into my chemo session.

For me, it was love at first sight.

For her? It might take a little longer.

But hey, it’s not like we’re on a deadline or anything.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2L2KhjG

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

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2FgFw1i

About Carmen

Carmen Jenner is a USA Today and international bestselling author.

A hardcore red lipstick addict and a romantic at heart, Carmen strives to give her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first … because what’s a happily ever after without a little torture?

Connect with Carmen

Amazon → http://amzn.to/1IjRUdg

Newsletter→https://www.subscribepage.com/carmenjenner

Website→http://www.carmenjenner.com/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/CarmenJennerAuthor/

Sugar Junkies (reader group) → http://bit.ly/2x3K4pP

Instagram →www.instagram.com/carmenjennerauthor/

Bookbub → https://www.bookbub.com/profile/carmen-jenner

Books + Main → https://bookandmainbites.com/users/2266

Pinterest →https://www.pinterest.com.au/carmenjenner/

✮ ✮ ✮ HOT SALE ALERT! ✮ ✮ ✮

Bad Boy Athlete: I dare you to…

Delaney Shaw: Who is this?

I Dare You, a heartfelt, sexy contemporary romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is ON SALE now for only 99¢ for a limited time only! 

Don’t miss this steal of a deal! Grab your copy today! 

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

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

The late night text is random, but “Bad Boy Athlete” sure seems to know who she is…

Delaney Shaw.

Good girl.

Lover of fluffy kitties and Star Wars.

Curious.

His dare? Spend one night in his bed–a night he promises will be unforgettable–and she can solve the mystery of who he is.

She knows she shouldn’t, but what else is she going to do with her boring Valentine’s Day? One sexy hook-up later, her mind is blown and the secret’s out.

Maverick Monroe.

The most talented football player in the country.

Just ask him.

Too bad for him Delaney’s sworn off dating athletes forever after her last heartbreak.

But Maverick wants more than one night and refuses to give up on winning Delaney’s heart. She isn’t one to be fazed by a set of broad shoulders.

Will the bad boy score the nerd girl or will the secrets they keep separate them forever?

The Aussie Next Door by Stefanie London

Release Date: August 27, 2019

Read my 4 1/2 ⭐️review HERE.

The Aussie Next Door, an all-new standalone romantic comedy by USA Today Bestselling author Stefanie London.

American Angie Donovan has never wanted much. When you grow up getting bounced from foster home to foster home, you learn not to become attached to anything, anyone, or any place. But it only took her two days to fall in love with Australia. With her visa clock ticking, surely she can fall in love with an Australian—and get hitched—in two months. Especially if he’s as hot and funny as her next-door neighbor…

Jace Walters has never wanted much––except a bathroom he didn’t have to share. The last cookie all to himself. And solitude. But when you grow up in a family of seven, you can kiss those things goodbye. He’s finally living alone and working on his syndicated comic strip in privacy. Sure, his American neighbor is distractingly sexy and annoyingly nosy, but she’ll be gone in a few months…

Except now she’s determined to find her perfect match by checking out every eligible male in the town, and her choices are even more distracting. So why does it suddenly feel like he—and his obnoxious tight-knit family, and even these two wayward dogs—could be exactly what she needs?

Download your copy today!

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

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

Nook: http://bit.ly/TheAussieNextDoorSLBN

Kobo: http://bit.ly/TheAussieNextDoorSLKobo

Apple Books: http://bit.ly/TheAussieNextDoorSLAB

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/TheAussieNextDoorSLGR

Excerpt:

Judging by the way Angie was talking to Elijah, smiling sweetly and toying with the end of her ponytail, she was definitely “vibing,” as Chloe put it. An ugly, foreign feeling surged up inside Jace that made him feel the exact same way as when he’d watched his brother flirting with her.

Turn around and walk away. It’s none of your damn business.

But before Jace fully thought through the consequences of his actions, he was crossing the road with Truffle leading the way. As soon as the little white dog caught sight of Angie, his tail started going a million miles a minute.

Stop. You’re not going to get involved. Don’t be a hypocrite. Other people in this town meddle and you hate it.

It was true. He came from a family of meddlers, and it drove him nuts. But maybe there was some meddling-specific chromosome that had been passed on from his parents without his knowledge, remaining dormant all this time and waiting for the right moment to strike.

“Jace.” Angie looked at him with wide eyes, almost like she was a kid with her hand stuck in the cookie jar.

“I was taking Truffle for a walk.” He raked a hand through his hair like he was totally relaxed and going about his day. The truth was, he had no bloody idea what he was doing. “How was yoga?”

“Awesome.” For some reason, Angie’s voice seemed an octave or two higher than normal. “Super great, actually. Excellent.”

Hmm. Three ways of saying the same thing. She did that whenever she was nervous.

“Are you into yoga?” Jace asked Elijah.

“Yeah, man. With all the firewood I have to chop for the pizza oven, my back gets real tight.”

Jace resisted the urge to roll his eyes. How did he manage to say shit like that without coming off like a total douchecanoe?

“But I could always use some tutoring.” Elijah shot Angie a flirty look, and her cheeks turned the prettiest shade of pink. “Any opportunity to expand my skills.”

“I’m sure Chloe could help with that,” Jace said stiffly.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Truffle sniffing around Elijah’s leg. He’d done the same thing to the coffee table earlier that morning—inspecting his target. Jace really should put a stop to it…

“I wasn’t talking about Chloe,” Elijah said, his eyes still trained on Angie.

Angie laughed and gingerly stuck her hand in the air. “I volunteer as tribute.”

Jace forgot the dog and stared at her hard. Was this one of those gray-area things he’d never understand, or did Angie really like this guy? He had no freaking clue.

Just then, Truffle jumped up on his hind legs, hooking his front paws around Elijah’s calf. His hips started to hinge back and forth, and Elijah glanced down, a what the hell do I do now expression on his face as he and Angie looked down at Sir Hump-a-Lot.

“What the hell?” Elijah stumbled back, and Truffle dropped down to the ground, looking mightily miffed that his sexy times were interrupted.

“Truffle!” Angie snort-laughed. “So inappropriate.”

“It’s a dominance thing,” Jace said to Elijah. “He tends to do that whenever he thinks he can overpower someone.”

Angie shot Jace a raised brow, but she squatted to give the dog a scratch behind the ears before he could figure out exactly what she was thinking. Was the comment too much? He’d blurted it out without thinking, and Elijah seemed off his game now.

About Stefanie:

USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance with humour, heat and heart. Also llamas.

Originally from Melbourne, Australia Stefanie now lives in Toronto, Canada with her wonderful husband. She loves to read, collect lipsticks, watch zombie movies, and drink coffee.

Her bestselling book, Pretend It’s Love, is a 2016 Romantic Book of the Year finalist with the Romance Writers of Australia.

Connect with Stefanie:

Sign up for Stefanie’s newsletter and get a copy of A Kiss in Kite Harbour: http://stefanie-london.com/

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Vo8JBv

Website: https://stefanie-london.com/

Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/2DYVVHb

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/StefanieLondonAuthor/

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2DYXBjX

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/StefanieLondon