Category Archives: Contemp. Romance

Coming of Age, Contemp. Romance, Fantasy, M/M, Paranormal, Review, Suspense, Thriller, YA

#Review – The End of August, Part One by Rue Volley

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The End of August: Part One by [Rue Volley]

Heartstopper meets Stranger Things!

It’s 1985.
Everyone is wearing a Swatch Watch and carrying a Trapper Keeper.
Goonies, Back to the Future, and The Breakfast Club are killing it at the theaters.
Super Mario Brothers is a lifestyle.
Posters of Duran Duran and Madonna are on every bedroom wall.
But for fifteen-year-old, August East, the biggest news is the move his family made to the odd little town of Whynot, Ohio, a cute boy named Keller West, and, of course, that whole murder thing.
*This is a DUAL POV*

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

“I’ve seen this movie and it turns out bad. Like really bad.” There’s a haunted house and all the makings of a classic horror movie! Ok, so it’s not a movie but I LOVE that this is set in 1985 with none of the tech-y stuff teens have now. This is a great YA, coming of age book with a spooky backdrop. People are always hiding things, wearing masks, and things are no different with the team of teens in this story. Each character is struggling or working through something. August is new to Whynot and has a bit of a difficult past but gets befriended immediately by the spooky Evie (OMG, she’s a ghosthunter!). Very soon after, he has quite a few friends that just need to see the house he is moving into. Why? Because it is a funeral home, complete with the cremation burner! There are some spooky, and not so spooky but still very scary, things (emotionally and physically) happening to the group. I do need to add that MM romance isn’t really a go to for me, but this just worked. There are very real feelings happening that will keep you hooked to the story. August and Keller, they are falling in love, or at least falling in like, with each other. The rest of the characters really round the story out and help put some perception into what and how the boys and others are feeling. The only con to the book is that since this is told in a dual POV, there are several chapters that basically repeat themselves so that you can get the thoughts and feelings of both characters that happened within the same conversation/scene. Those parts were a little redundant for me. However, the storyline is great and there is much more to come. The cliffhanger has made me immediately want to dive right into Part Two because, I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!

Rue Volley

Connect with Rue:

Website: http://www.ruevolley.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruevolley/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rue-volley

Twitter: @RueVolley

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Rue-Volley-146299465525490/?fref=ts

Contemp. Romance

#WOTR23 #SeriesStarter – At Her Service, Book 1 of RYD Service by Michel Prince

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At Her Service by Michel Prince

Harrison Cordell knows the new ride app, RYD, created for those who work at AYS Protection, is a test from his boss. One that might bring him a huge promotion if he can woo the right kind of client.

When Mackenzie Turner’s delicate fingers tap on her phone, the line between client and lover will be tested.

Kenzie Turner is gutting out a boss from hell. Learning from one of the top CFOs in the country. When she’s asked to test out the new RYD app, she never thinks she’ll be picked up by a man she can only want, but never have.

There must be a way to get around the no-touch client rule; only she may need more than his touch when an outside threat puts her life in danger.

Will Harrison give Kenzie the ride of her life? Or will they stall out before they even leave the curb?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this book.

Michel was telling me over and over how much I would love Harry AKA Harrison and she was so right.  Harrison and his friends are retired service men who are providing bodyguard/Uber type rides to people who are wealth.  He is sent, begrudgingly, to a party of the rich and wealthy to make connections.  While there he sees a beautiful assistant to a wealthy woman.  He shots his shot to maybe make a connection with both ladies.

Kenzie works for the worst person on the planet to put it nicely.  Her boss is pretty much the devil in nice designer clothing.  She forced Kenzie to jump when she snaps and forced her to tolerate the gross sexual harassments by her son Teague.

When Kenzie is told to “give them a try” I don’t think her boss expected her to give Harrison THAT kinda ride…snickers.  Harrison and Kenzie are struggling to fight this attraction when Kenzie becomes an official client, and they aren’t supposed to “mingle” …well mingle they did folks and the mingling was delicious reads.  Wink wink.

We soon have some issues with Harrison, Kenzie, and both of their jobs plus a very delusional family with lots of weird “social norms”.

I liked the story and look forward to more from the series.  The guys we met in the story have me say HEEEEY fellas…….

USA Today Bestselling author, Michel Prince, graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes young adult, new adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

“Ms Prince writing is like summer breeze caressing your body, slow and sultry.”-Amazon review of First and Ten.

“Michel Prince is a wonderful author with a real talent for writing.”-Amazon Review of Triple B Baking Co.

“Prince explores in her novels is interracial romance and friendships. Prince pokes fun at stereotypes, but never allows stereotypes to guide her plot. The focus is on creating two strong, independent characters who can stand on their own, but complement each other as a couple.”- Amazon Review of Silly Girl

“One Last Sunset is a well written story by the awesome Michel Prince that left me wanting to learn more about the rest of the Long family.”- Amazon Review for One Last Sunset.

“I could not put it down, and will definitely be looking for more from this Author.”-Amazon Review of Silly Girl.

With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at her son’s games in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel has been awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press in 2013, the service award for her local RWA chapter Midwest Fiction Writers 2013, 2014, won 2015 Sweetest Romance from IREA for Chrysalis, a 2022 finalist for the Minnesota Book Awards for The Amalgam and was a PAN member of RWA. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and new puppy.

Contemp. Romance, Review, Suspense, Thriller

#Review – Resolute Justice by Leslie Marshman

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Resolute Justice by [Leslie Marshman]

Will a stand-up sheriff toss the rule book in order to deliver justice?

Between hunting human traffickers and solving her father’s murder, Sheriff Cassie Reed’s hands are full. So, despite her attraction to Tyler Bishop, finding his runaway missing niece isn’t a priority. Besides, the charming PI’s penchant for bending rules exasperates the by-the-book cop. But when a leak in her department brings Cassie under suspicion, joining forces with the tantalizing rebel is her only option.

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Team MEAT AND BEER!

Small town with big problems…The book starts out with quite the punch. We get to see how Tyler’s tale weaves himself into the small town of Resolute. While Tyler starts the hunt for his missing niece, he and Sheriff Cassie bump heads. The Sheriff has a lot on her plate and Tyler comes walking into town wanting her to break the rules. Um, NOPE! Not our Sheriff Cassie. While she is stubborn and headstrong, she starts to struggle thinking with her head instead of her heart. There are quite a few bumps in the road when the Texas Rangers pop in and throw a stick in their operation. Cassie and Tyler, who are opposites in ever way possible, work together to find these missing girls and put the bad guys to bed.

The story was very well written and while we all know that these two are going to end up together, it was fun watching these two grow on each other. Their banter back and forth made for some lightheartedness during some really crazy times in the book. I rooted for Cassie and Tyler the entire time and was not disappointed with the outcome. However, I am team MEAT AND BEER! Read it and you will know what I mean, LOL!

An image posted by the author.

Award-winning suspense author Leslie Marshman is (finally) putting her psychology degree to good use, getting inside the heads of her characters and figuring out what makes them tick. She writes novels that feature kick-ass heroines, the heroes who love them, and the bad guys who fear them.

Leslie called Denver home until she married a Texan without reading the fine print. Now she lives halfway between Houston and Galveston and has learned to embrace the humidity. Her household includes two miniature poodles named Harley and Davidson, and a three-legged box turtle named Stumpy. If she’s not at her computer making things up, you’ll probably find her camping at a lake, a fishing pole in one hand and a book in the other.

Contemp. Romance

#NewRelease – Long Shot, Lauderdale Knights book 3 by Kat Mizera

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Long Shot (Lauderdale Knights Book 3) by [Kat Mizera]

Welcome to Fort Lauderdale… where the days are hot and the Knights are hotter.

Jace:
I never expected to make it up to the big leagues. But now that I’m here, I’m never going back down. I will out-work, out-train, outdo every other guy on the Knights if that’s what it takes. Not even a shark attack will get in my way… but the sexy surfer chick who rescues me just might.

Tawny:
Losing my soulmate taught me that life is short. And I’m going to spend the rest of mine becoming one of the top surfers in the world. I refuse to be distracted by some hotshot hockey player who is my polar opposite. No matter how good it is between us. Deep down I don’t want to lose this thing we have going, but one wrong move and he just might pull me under.

Goodreads

USA Today Bestselling author Kat Mizera is a South Florida native. Born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of wanderlust, she’s called Los Angeles, Long Island, upstate New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Atlanta home. She’s never been able to pick which locale is her favorite, but if pressed, she’d probably choose the west coast.

Kat’s a typical PTA mom with a wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max). When she’s not writing, she’s either scrapbooking or indulging in her second love (after writing) – traveling. Greece is one of her favorite places in the world. She loves that Athens is a big city with a small-town feel. The food, beaches and culture keep her going back as often as possible. She hopes to retire there one day so she can spend her days writing books on the beach.

As you can guess from her series, the Las Vegas Sidewinders, Kat loves hockey. She is also a freelance hockey writer, covering her favorite team, the Florida Panthers, and any other teams that have an interesting story. The rest of the time, she writes novels: sexy, romantic fiction that she hopes makes you as happy as it makes her. There’s something enticing about hockey players and romance…

Contemp. Romance

#NewRelease – Stay Over, Kincaid Brothers book 1 by Kaylee Ryan

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Stay Over (Kincaid Brothers Book 1) by [Kaylee Ryan]

Brooks

Overhearing my cousin’s best friend confessing that she’s never been satisfied wasn’t my fault… but offering to help her change that definitely was. Her brother is a friend of mine, and while this has a bad idea written all over it, it doesn’t stop us from becoming friends… with benefits.

Palmer is gorgeous, off-limits, and stubborn as hell. For the first time, I’m the one left wanting more.

I’m tired of watching her walk away. I’m ready for her to stay.

Palmer

I never dreamed having my crush overhear my most embarrassing confession would land me in his bed… or that I would want to stay there.

But our secret relationship has rules. No strings. No expectations. No feelings. What’s that saying about rules? Oh yeah, they’re meant to be broken.

But when it comes to Brooks, I’m afraid if I’m not the one to walk away, it won’t be just the rules broken.

Goodreads

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylee Ryan has been crowned the Queen of Swoon by her readers. With nearly fifty romance books under her belt, she’s known for penning happily ever afters with heart. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand or hanging out with her family where she resides in her home state of Ohio.

Audio Book, Contemp. Romance, Mystery, Police

#WOTR23 #Police #Mystery #PartofaSeries – Deadly Secrets (New York State Trooper Series Book 3) by Jen Talty, narration by Kate Udall

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Deadly Secrets (New York State Trooper Series Book 3) by [Jen Talty]

” After staring down the wrong end of a gun, not once, but twice, all Patty Harmon had wanted was to have a little fun. She’d spent most her life taking care of everyone else but herself. And while she had a plan for her life, she hadn’t yet started to live her life. So, when the aloof, distant, and emotionally unavailable New York State Trooper Reese McGinn takes an interest in her, she’s all in…for the moment. When the moment is over, they go their separate ways and Patty can get back to her life plan. But once again, that plan is interrupted when Patty finds herself pregnant. She’ll let Reese back in for the sake of the child, but can she keep Reese from stealing her heart?

New York State Trooper Reese McGinn has been haunted by his late mothers confession and the secret she still took to her grave. For the last seven years, he’s done nothing but move from job to job and town to town, vowing to never put down roots. But when his summer fling with Patty Harmon ends with a child on the way, he decides that its time to forget the past. Only the past doesn’t want to forge him and a deadly secret rises from the grave, threatening to take away everything he thought he thought he never wanted.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this audiobook.

I was looking for a new something something to read and grabbed this book from a new to me author.  The blub got my attention annnnd it came on audio.  Double win!!

The story is about Patty.  She is a town local and always does the RIGHT thing.  But for once in her life, she decided to not be the “Good Girl” but a “Naughty Girl” and have a fling with the town Playboy, Reese.  Of course, Patty falls hard for Mr. Tall Dark and BADGED!!!

Reese has a lot of skeletons in his closet.  IT’S so full he sure as hell can’t close it with out ramming up to the door and jamming it shut.  He meets Patty and is all in for a few one-night stands when all of a sudden, he realized he kinnnnnda likes her.  SO of course, he must run for the hills.  When Mr Reese puts in for a transfer he gets a call of a man with a gun in Patty’s office!!  911 To the rescue!!!

Patty is not having a great day.  The guy she is falling for breaks it off, she is pregnant with said mans baby annnnd now a dude has a gun ….in her face…..This is definitely going to be  baaaad day.

Reese and Patty survive the office drama and have to “Talk”.  Patty and Reese both need to open up but both are scared outta their minds.   Patty because she knows he isn’t the settle down kind and Reese is being ruled by his past.   When Reese makes some decisions to help his soon to be child and hopefully the woman he will spend his life with, more drama ensues.  *GASP* Who is trying to kill him, Patty, and of course ruin his new life plans.

I enjoyed the story but a few times I wanted to shake both Patty and Reese because ….STUBBORN….

I did like the twist at the end of who the bad guy was.  I didn’t see all whole twist ending coming but the parts I didn’t see had me going “Oh snap!”

The narration was done well and I enjoyed Kate’s voice for all of the characters in the story.

Jen Talty is the USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Paranormal Romance. In the fall of 2020, her short story was selected and featured in a 1001 Dark Nights Anthology. She is currently contracted to write in the With Me in Seattle series by Kristen Proby with Lady Boss Press, as well as Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha and Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors.

Regardless of the genre, her goal is to take you on a ride that will leave you floating under the sun with warmth in your heart. She writes stories about broken heroes and heroines who aren’t necessarily looking for romance, but in the end, they find the kind of love books are written about :).

She first started writing while carting her kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. Her first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 she helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where she ran the technical side of the business through 2016.

Jen is currently enjoying the next phase of her life…the empty nester! She and her husband reside in Jupiter, Florida.

Grab a glass of vino, kick back, relax, and let the romance roll in…

Contemp. Romance, Free Download, Part of a Series

#BookPromo #Freebie Very Irresistible Playboy: A Romantic Comedy (Billionaire Bachelors Book 1) by Lila Monroe

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Fall in love with this sizzling fake-date romantic comedy, overflowing with flirty banter and spice – from USA Today bestselling author, Lila Monroe!

Sexy bachelor Max Carlisle is heir to a media empire, tabloid catnip, and… wants to hire me to be his fake fiancee?!

I know what it takes to keep a billionaire in line, but signing up for seven days in close quarters with this Very Irresistible Playboy is just asking for trouble. The kind of thrilling, reckless trouble I could use a little more of since my career is currently ass-backwards in a mud bath with six shih-tzus (don’t ask).

So do I:

a) Take the job, and bicker wildly every step of the way?

b) Embark on a mad-cap treasure hunt to claim his billion-dollar inheritance?

c) Try my hardest not to fall head-over-heels in love with him and wind up having the best sex of my life?

d) All of the above?

Something tells me I’m about to be way out of my league… and under the most handsome, infuriating man I’ve ever met. But with a fortune on the line, can we beat out his crazy relatives to win the prize? And will our fake relationship be game over at the finish line?

Find out in the new romantic comedy, perfect for fans of Ali Hazlewood, Sophie Kinsella, Jasmine Guillory, Christina Lauren, and Tessa Bailey!

BILLIONAIRE BACHELORS SERIES:

1 Very Irresistible Playboy

2 Hot Stuff

3 Wild Card

4 Man Candy

5 Mr. Casanova

6 Best Man

7 Maverick Mogul

8 Renegade Roomie

9 Baller Boss

10 One-Week Wingman

11 Charming CEO

Age Gap, Contemp. Romance, Review

#WOTR22 #Review – Not Playing Fair by A.J. Renee

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Not Playing Fair

BEWARE: Cabin pressure may affect arousal.

Magdalena “Maggie” Perez Rivera

I don’t chase men… not even sexy papi chulos who pop into my life with their charming smiles. I should certainly avoid older ones who turn out to be my best friend’s beloved Uncle Connor. The last thing I need is another protective man in my life, even if I’m craving him.

Connor Hughes

My trip to Orlando is for an interview and to enjoy a short visit with my niece. That’s it. The tempting Latina is the furthest thing I need in my happily single life. To my surprise, the vixen slips under my skin and becomes a permanent fixture in my daily thoughts.

Deciding whether to test our undeniable chemistry may be the least of our worries, because life doesn’t always play a fair hand.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

When the chemistry is so intense between people, things are bound to explode! This is a funny story full of passion, love, and of course some conflict. When these two meet, neither are ready for what’s next. The banter between them is hilarious and they certainly didn’t expect to see each other again, let alone expected that Connor was Maggie’s best friend’s uncle. OOPS!!! It is hot and steamy at times but there is a lot of the bumbling around acting like idiots’ moments too. There were a lot of times that I laughed out loud because I could see myself and/or my fiancé being in the same situation but then you have a lot of the awwww moments that capture your heart. This is a fun, lighthearted read that will keep you completely engrossed from start to finish. When things feel too good to make an exit strategy, decisions have to be made to walk away or jump in with both feet. This is an absolute must read!

AJ Renee

Contemp. Romance, Ugly Cry

#WOTR22 #TwinsieforthedayPam #UglyCry – Time Stamps by KL Kreig

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Time Stamps by [KL Kreig]

Time stamps.

Our life is marked by them. Significant milestones to the seemingly mundane. All of them have a place. A purpose. Moments and chapters stacking on each other, building scars and memories. Creating stories that are only ours to tell.

But those stamps are finite, pre-determined. And eventually our allotment runs out.

From the first moment Roth laid eyes on Laurel, he was done for. She is sarcastic and clumsy and the most whimsically alluring creature he has ever met. And as he sat across the table from her in a café on their first date, he fell head over heels in love. He couldn’t imagine his life without her. Their romance is a whirlwind. Their love deep and unrivaled.

But life doesn’t often follow our pre-scripted playbook, and after ten short years together Laurel receives devastating, life-altering news that will change everything.

Time Stamps is a heartwarming and heartbreaking epic love story about life, hope and loss. Told in the past through Laurel’s eyes and the present through Roth’s, you will embark on a beautiful, intimate journey into a couple’s lives where ultimately what matters most is not only how we live each day, but the memories we leave behind.

Goodreads

Review by Pam James

K.L. Kreig 5*****
Time Stamps
Lots of Tissues Needed
This book tore me up! My heart hurts. This may have triggers for some people. I sobbed. I had to keep stopping, because I was crying so hard. I lost my beautiful step daughter to cancer. It’s a beautiful story. From a New Fan… Pam James

Follow me on TikTok: @klkreig_author

I’m just a regular ol’ Midwest girl who likes Game of Thrones and am obsessed with Modern Family and The Goldbergs. I run, I eat, I run, I eat. It’s a vicous cycle. I love carbs, but there’s love-hate relationship with my ass and thighs. Mostly hate. I like a good cocktail (oh hell…who am I kidding? I love any cocktail). I’m a huge creature of habit, but I’ll tell you I’m flexible. I read every single day and if I don’t get a chance…watch the hell out, I’m a raving bitch. My iPad and me: BFFs. I’m direct and I make no apologies for it. I swear too much. I love alternative music and in my next life I want to be a bad-ass female rocker. I hate, hate, hate spiders, telemarketers, liver, acne, winter and loose hairs that fall down my shirt (don’t ask, it’s a thing).

Contemp. Romance, Romantic Comedy

#WOTR22 #CoverReveal #Comedy #RomanticComedy – Ask Me to Stay by H. D’Agostino

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Title: Ask Me To Stay
Author: H. D’Agostino
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Cover Design: Pink Ink Designs
Release Date: August 2, 2022
The Bradshaws have owned a beach house down the coast from ours for as long as I can remember. Every summer since I was six, we’ve vacationed there.
Russell, their youngest son, was my best friend growing up. He taught me how to spit and punch like a boy. He gave me my first beer and first kiss, which was terrible by the way. We spent many days and nights commiserating together about how our parents knew nothing and were so uncool.
Casey Bradshaw, Russ’s older brother, was everything I thought I wanted in a boyfriend. He was cool, mature, and very hot. Each summer I tried and failed, to get him to notice me as more than Russ’s friend and the girl from down the beach. The last summer I was there, he broke my heart.
It’s been six years, and my best friend Aimee has decided we need a vacation. The last thing I expected was to be back at the beach. Sometimes we don’t realize what we need has been right under our nose all along, and sometimes it takes a little push and some alcohol to admit we were wrong.
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Heather D’Agostino is an avid reader turned Bestselling Author of the Contemporary Romance Series The Broken Series, The Shattered Series, The Second Chances Series, The Cook Brothers Series, and Romantic Suspense series The Witness Series.
 
She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics.
 
She currently lives in Central New York with her husband, two children, dog, and two cats. When she’s not writing she can usually be found at the track, soccer field, or one of the many other places that she plays ‘Supermom’