Reviews

Friday, October 15, 2021

RELEASE BLITZ: Summer at the Ranch by Taylor Jade




Title: Summer at the Ranch
Author: Taylor Jade
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 15, 2021


BLURB

Catalina’s world has just been flipped upside down.

At least, that’s how it feels to her.

Instead of spending the summer on the beach, getting a tan, and shopping with her best friend before starting college in the fall, she’s just been told she’s spending it on a ranch.

In the middle of a one-horse town.

She thinks things might look up because there’s a sinfully hot guy with a sexy southern drawl and killer good looks at the ranch.

But of course, they don’t. Xavier and Catalina can’t stand each other.

Catalina is one hundred percent sure that this is going to be the worst summer of her life.







PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited





EXCERPT

“Hi,” I squeaked, my cheeks becoming even redder. I was still trying to get over the shock of how breathtakingly handsome this guy was.

He grinned, and my heart skipped a beat. Oh, boy; I was in so much trouble with him.

“See something you like?” he asked cockily.

Oh, jeez. Lord, please help me.

I scoffed. “No.” But I didn’t think my voice was strong enough because he only rolled his eyes, his grin widening.

“Right. I’ll pretend you weren’t just checking me out.”

I glared at him, now slightly peeved which toned down some of the attraction I was feeling towards him. “I didn’t see anything I liked,” I snapped at him. He arched an eyebrow at me, his smile falling from his face. I shoved my hands into the pockets of my hoodie so he wouldn’t see them beginning to tremble. He was intimidating when he wasn’t smiling and flirting.

“I'm sorry,” I blurted. That eyebrow stayed arched as he grabbed the handle of one of my suitcases, his eyes never leaving my face. “I shouldn’t have been rude. I had a horrible day yesterday, and today has proven to be no better.”

He looked shocked that I had actually apologized, which made me frown. I knew I kind of looked like a snobby, rich kid, but that didn’t mean I acted like one. Besides, if his mom actually knew mine, then he probably knew the money my parents had. I couldn’t really blame him if he made that kind of assumption about me. Most people did.

“Hey,” he shrugged, “it’s no problem.” I reached down to grab my carry-on, but he quickly took it from me, shouldering it. “I’ll take care of these for you,” he told me, that smile back on his face that made my heart flutter. “Don’t want you having an even worse day,” he teased, lightening the mood. It even brought a smile to my face.

“I don't mean to sound stupid or anything,” I began, making him look over his shoulder at me as we walked towards the exit, “but my mom told me I was staying at her friend’s place, but I wasn’t told much else.”

He laughed. “My mom figured something like this was going to happen.” I relaxed a little. “You are staying with your mom's friend – my mom – so you'll also be staying with me.”

I stumbled a little, my eyes wide in disbelief.

I was going to need a lot of help to get through this summer living with a boy as sinfully gorgeous as Xavier.






AUTHOR BIO


Taylor Jade
SWEET, HEARTFELT ROMANCE

At 14 she published her first novel and then got wrapped up in the drama of life. Taylor Jade, twenty years old and already pursuing her dreams. Starting when she turned twelve Taylor wrote numerous stories for personal pleasure and school, always excelling when it came to essays. Writing is one of her many favorite hobbies where she can be herself and escape into another world, where there are no rules, as you make up your own.

After finishing her senior year, receiving an award for being the most passionate in her class for English, she decided it was time to publish again.

Living in Florida since the day she was born, Taylor hates the intense heat but loves chilly Florida winters.

Work, college, jet skiing, and water skiing are other hobbies that take up her busy schedule, amongst the writing.

Taylor began her writing career on a website called Wattpad. It went from reading numerous stories to posting her own. After finishing her second book she decided it was time to publish after all the reviews she got.

Now in 2021, she has published her first series that takes place in a town just like the one she lives in!


AUTHOR LINKS




RELEASE BLITZ: Virgin Cowboy by Kat Baxter




Title: Virgin Cowboy
A Husky Virgin Hero/Curvy Girl Romance
A Whiskey Run Cowboys
Love Curves Series Standalone
Author: Kat Baxter
Genre: Sexy Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Release Date: October 15, 2021


BLURB

Can this runaway mail order bride find forever with the husky cowboy who saves her?

Josie

What kind of woman answers an ad for a mail-order bride and then backs out of the deal?

A desperate one. Like me.

My dad just died, leaving me alone in the world. I'm penniless and orphaned, trying to find the twin I never knew I had. The only clue I have to her identity and my own past is the name of a small town in Tennessee.

Which is precisely why I answered the mail-order bride advertisement. I intended to hold up my end of the bargain. But as soon as I meet him, I know I can’t go through with it. And that’s when I meet Chase, my real life hero.

Chase

What kind of man steals another's bride?

When I saw Josie trying to escape the grasp of the town creep, I had to step in and help. I’m no one’s hero, but the guy is three times her age and as mean as they come. There’s no way I’m letting her go home with him. Paying him off to get her out of the contract is the easy part.

The hard part? She insists on finding a way to pay me back. So I offer her a job on my ranch, just to keep her close. She's curvy, tempting, and way out of my league. But I'm falling hard and fast.

I don’t want her gratitude. I want her.







PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






AUTHOR BIO


Kat Baxter writes fast-paced, sweet & STEAMY romantic comedies. Readers have dubbed her books “laugh-out-loud funny,” “hot enough to melt your kindle,” and “The Queen of Adorkable.” She lives in Texas with her family and a menagerie of animals. Kat is the pseudonym for a bestselling historical romance author.

Connect with Kat online.


AUTHOR LINKS




RELEASE BLITZ: One Eye by K.L. Savage




Title: One Eye
Series: Ruthless Kings MC: Atlantic City #3
Author: K.L. Savage
Genre: Dark Romantic Suspense/Organized Crime
Release Date: October 15, 2021


BLURB

I had her and I lost her.
That’s what pain and fear does to someone; they make someone run.
And Alicia ran far...
Taking my heart with her.

We agreed we both had things to work on, but to be honest, I didn’t know how to improve.
She did.
She fought for us. She got stronger. She did what she said.
I lied.

The truth is... I’m not the man she needs me to be.
And I don’t know how to be it.
I’m hideous. I’m a monster. My face is abnormal.
Who could love a man with one eye?
Who could love a man that’s... bad on the inside?
I’m a rotten soul.

But she turns this rotten soul into something more.
She gives me hope.
Until she dares to move on from me.
And then all hell breaks loose.
Make no mistake, she’s mine.
And she’s about to learn what happens when someone pisses off a beast.
They become the monster they were born to be.

But just as I have her, someone from her past comes looking for something that no longer exists.
Wedding bells ring in the distance.
And they aren’t mine.
No one marries her, but me.

I, object.







PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






ALSO AVAILABLE


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






AUTHOR BIO


K.L. Savage decided they were tired of looking for the kind of books they wanted to read. They had an itch that needed to be scratched, and as every girl knows, nothing scratches better than an alpha.

They write about gritty, alpha males, sometimes their dark sides, and the women they love.

If you have the same itch, their alpha males should fix that.


AUTHOR LINKS




RELEASE BLITZ: Until Melissa by AJ Alexander




Title: Until Melissa
A Happily Ever Alpha World Novel
Author: AJ Alexander
Publisher: Boom Factory Publishing, LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 15, 2021


BLURB

The last thing Melissa needed in her life was another man telling her what to do.
However, Dane Clayton, her loan officer and resident pain in the ass, is standing in the way of her owning the coffee shop of her dreams.

Much to Melissa's dismay, sparks fly every time they see each other, leaving her wondering if being attracted to the one man that gets under her skin is more trouble than what it's worth.

The moment Dane laid eyes on Melissa Reid, he knew she was meant to be his.
Too bad for him, she hates his guts.
But his desire to claim her as his own becomes harder to resist every day.

When Melissa shows up in his office needing his help, Dane decides now is his chance to make her his own.

Using any means necessary.

What began as a game of cat and mouse quickly turns into more than either of them expected. But when someone objects to Dane's decisions, will their passion be extinguished before it even gets started?

Until Melissa is part of the Aurora Rose Reynolds's Happily Ever Alpha World. If you loved Until June, then you will want to read Until Melissa.







PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






AUTHOR BIO

AJ Alexander is a wannabe psychologist and author of steamy (borderline erotic) contemporary romances with happily ever afters that must be earned by her characters. She lives in the angst capital of the world, Seattle Washington with her own personal knight in shining camouflage and her two beautiful girls.

You can always find AJ with a cherry coke and twizzlers at hand while writing, watching the latest Asian drama on Netflix, or enveloped in a pile of fur babies and children.


AUTHOR LINKS







ABOUT BOOM FACTORY PUBLISHING


Aurora Rose Reynolds and her husband, Sedaka Reynolds, created Boom Factory Publishing to use their experiences to expand and promote upcoming and existing indie authors. 

With over five years in the industry, and millions of books sold worldwide, we know what it takes to become a successful author and we will use this knowledge to take our authors to the next level. 

“As a successful hybrid author in this ever evolving industry, I know that you’re only as successful as the team that is promoting you!” – Aurora Rose Reynolds


BOOM FACTORY LINKS





GIVEAWAY



RELEASE TOUR: When You Were Mine by Mila Nicks

Six years ago, Dylan Turner walked out of Penelope Spark's life and she never thought she'd see him again, but now he's back. Could a secret from the past destroy their second chance at love? Fall for this hard-working hottie in When You Mine by Mila Nicks, a Reunited Lovers Romance, the next book in the Blue Collar Romance Series.

Read Now!

From Mila Nicks comes a second chance romance packed with charm, heart, and a swoon worthy happily ever after. When bad boy Dylan Turner walked out of Penelope Spark’s life six years ago, she was convinced she’d never see him again. Now a single mom to her daughter, Tabitha, and the owner of a small candle shop, Penelope looks forward to a stable life without heartbreak. That was before Dylan Turner showed up in Oak Bend like a relic from the past. Even worse? He’s rented the apartment next-door. A few years older and more mature but still with a bad boy edge, Dylan is a firefighter just trying to figure out what he wants in life. Could that be a second chance with Penelope? But there is one minor problem. Penelope has a secret that’s six years in the making. One that might destroy their relationship for good. If they’re meant to be together, they’ll need to come to terms with the past and learn to trust each other again. Is it possible their first love is their forever love? Welcome to Oak Bend where blue-collar hotties work hard and love even harder, especially when it comes to landing their happily ever after.

Add to Goodreads!

Excerpt

Copyright 2021 Mila Nicks

“Just like old times,” he said, plopping a baseball hat over my head. He led the way onto the field with the diamond marking, dugout, and bleachers in the distance. None of it had changed; it was exactly like it was when we were in high school. I didn’t object as he put on a catcher’s mitt and offered me a baseball bat. He tossed the baseball up into the air and caught it without his eyes on it. I gave a disbelieving laugh and shook my head side to side. He was so utterly hopeless. “Still the cockiest player on the field,” I muttered. “Isn’t that why you liked me so much?” My eyes narrowed. “You realize you just proved my point, right? Didn’t they use to call you Heavy Hitter for a reason?” He laughed, moving closer. So close he could’ve kissed me if he wanted. “Remember your nickname? Think it started with Ball and ended with Buster?” “Someone has to keep your huge ego in check.” “You were always good at the job,” he said with another husky laugh. He backed away and motioned for me to get in position. “Go on. You’re up to bat, Spark. Time to hit a home run.” “We both know I’m the worst baseball player known to man.” “But you look so dang cute in the hat and wiggling your booty like you do when you go to swing.” He was being bold flirting like that, but then again, I liked it. “Only wish you could be in my jersey again. I liked when you used to wear it.” I stood still for a second, the bat limp in my grasp as nostalgia hit me. “Me too.” We let the confession hang in the air for another second before moving on. He cleared his throat and winded up. I shook out my shoulders and bent my knees, booty out just the way that distracted him. Our eyes met in an intense stare off, his stormy grays connecting with my deep browns. “Ready?” “Been ready.” He held in a laugh as he pitched the ball in my direction. I swung and missed—and swore under my breath. For as crap a player as I was, I was also competitive as hell. I hated to lose. Something Dylan knew and loved about me. My grip tightened on the bat and I demanded he pitch again. The second time I swung harder and sent the ball hurtling into foul territory. No beats were missed as I told him to pitch a third time. He followed instruction and threw the ball at me. A tenacious growl left me when I swung, prompting a laugh out of him, making my heart beat in pride. The ball soared across the field. I kicked off my wedge sandals and split into a fast sprint, moving faster than even I expected. I’d always been a runner, on the girls’ track team during our high school days, faster than a gazelle they used to say. Dylan was fast after me. As I dashed barefoot across the wet grass of the baseball field, he tracked me down like a lion on the hunt. We were both laughing, the melodic carefree sound ringing in the otherwise quiet night air. Inches before he could tag me, I jumped onto home plate with triumphant arms in the air. He caught up a split second after, plucking me off my feet. I squealed as he swept me up into his arms and he spun us around in dizzying circles. My arms slid around his neck into what felt like the most natural position in the world, eyes squeezed shut, head thrown back in laughter.

About Mila Nicks

Mila Nicks is a romance author on a mission to pen entertaining love stories featuring women of color. From the time she was a small girl with crayons and an overactive imagination, she’s had a passion for storytelling. In addition to serving ten years in the United States Air Force, she has received her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. When she isn’t busy tapping away at her keyboard, you can find her binge-watching her favorite TV shows, daydreaming about her next vacation across the globe, or spending quality time with her spunky pet Chihuahua, Zayden.

Follow: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | Website | Newsletter

About The Blue Collar Romance Series

Escape to Oak Bend where blue-collar hotties work hard and love even harder. From broody carpenters to sexy electricians, these eight standalones are packed with small town feels, heat, and heartwarming happily ever afters. Enjoy your favorite tropes written by an amazing group of authors: Jaymee Jacobs, Alexa Rivers, Evelyn Sola, Kate Carley, Tracy Broemmer, Mila Nicks, Claire Wilder, and Moni Boyce. Fall head over heels for swoon-worthy book boyfriends who aren’t afraid of a little hard work for that happily ever after.

This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR

Thursday, October 14, 2021

RELEASE BLITZ: Read Between the Stars by Natalie Parker




Title: Read Between the Stars
Author: Natalie Parker
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 14, 2021


BLURB

Ben
They say love can happen again after loss.
I’ve seen it, and I’ve heard of it, yet it still seems like a myth to me.
Maybe because I’ve never opened myself to it
But now after a friend has pulled me out of the dark void, I’m seeing signs and feelings I thought were long dead are awakening.
And I’m feeling them for Kasey.
So many things about her set her far apart from all the rest but it’s her strength I love most about her. That and her little girl, Luna.
She deals with her own struggles like a champ but do I want to add the complication of loving a widower to her life?
While I’m skeptical at first, with each passing day, the more I believe that there’s nothing she can’t do.

Kasey
Men sure have a way of making me regret trusting them.
Besides, I have enough to deal with being a single mother while battling my own demons.
So it’s just me and my daughter. It’s better that way. She’s my best buddy and she’s enough.
Would I like her to have a father and maybe even someone to love me too?
Definitely.
So I go on dates, hoping one will lead to someday meeting my daughter, but none of them have proven themselves worth the risk of shaking the foundation of the stable lifestyle I’ve built for her.
But I’m faced with an unexpected challenge when I start to fall for a guy that’s already been introduced to her. A great guy, with a past of his own.
Can he rebuild his broken soul and see me and Luna as his future?
I want to believe he can.







PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited





EXCERPT

Ben

I jolt awake in the middle of the night and my mind automatically goes into rationalization mode, having been through this a thousand times. It wasn’t real, it was the… dream. Except I didn’t have the dream. I suppose I could have had it and woke up from it with the same panic, but I don’t remember it like I usually do. I look around the dark room, trying to refamiliarize myself with the here and now. There’s a faint amount of moonlight gracing the floor by the window, and I can hear the vague sound of windchimes in the summer breeze outside. I’m in a bed that feels comforting, and when I look to my right, I find Kasey on her side with her back to me. Her wide-necked t-shirt is pulled down enough that it’s showing some bare shoulder. I sit there, taking in her sleeping form, quiet and peaceful. I keep my eyes trained on her while I wait for the urge to bolt out of here to settle over me. It doesn’t. This isn’t Jamie that I’m sleeping next to, and somehow, it’s okay , I realize, as my mind reconciles the situation with my life. It’s more than okay, it’s right . Kasey’s here, living and breathing right in front of me. She makes me feel things I didn’t think were mine to feel again , and one of those things is safe. So much so that I want her closer - now. I scooch over to her in the bed so that my front is flush with her back and drape an arm over her. I place a kiss to the exposed skin of her shoulder, and while she doesn’t say anything or open her eyes, I feel her fingers lace with mine and it’s perfect. It’s as if even in sleep, she understands that nothing needs to be said in this moment. We feel good and safe with each other, and that’s all that matters. Did I plan it? No. Did I want it? I did. Was it the right thing to do? Maybe, maybe not. I don’t know. Is she the right thing to want? Is it right for her to want me? Is a grumpy widower afraid of his own past what she needs right now? No, probably not. I have no right to make that decision for her though. Despite her struggles, she’s a grown, smart, and lucid woman. I still want it. But how long do I want it for? How much of myself am I willing to give? Right now, I can’t see it being as much as she deserves. I shift my thoughts from the near-to-distant future to the here and now. What do I want right now? I want her back in this bed with me. I want to lay with her for hours without saying a word.






AUTHOR BIO

Natalie Parker resides in the Seattle area with her husband and two rugrats, but is originally a Michigan girl.
She always enjoyed writing and noticed she had a knack for it while earning her Psychology degree and has always been an avid reader, but never thought of becoming an author until one day there seemed to be a story to tell.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, reading, reading to her kids, drinking coffee, reading, occasional yardwork, reading, listening to music, reading and writing.
Stay tuned for more to come for your favorite characters of the Turn it Up series!



COVER REVEAL: A Sweet Christmas by Nicole Richard




Title: A Sweet Christmas
A Sweet Confections Novella
Author: Nicole Richard
Genre: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Cover Design: More Than Words Graphic Design
Release Date: November 4, 2021


BLURB

Sweet Confections bakeshop owner, Thea Sheldon, hasn’t had the best of luck when it comes to the opposite sex. Over the years, she’s realized that they just don’t make them like they used to—or at least how they’re portrayed in the movies.

That all changes when a handsome, smooth‑talking stranger walks into her bakery, determined not to show up empty‑handed for Thanksgiving, when Thea catches his eye, challenging everything she thought she knew.

Benjamin Sweet had nothing to prove and everything to gain. He’s the type of man women dream of. All it took was one look from the beautiful bakery owner to know he wasn’t the only one who experienced that unexplainable shift.

Looking for love was neither Thea’s nor Ben’s focus. But a casual encounter over red velvet cupcakes has the two taking that leap, only to find out just how sweet being in love can really be. Or can it?







GET THE PAPERBACK NOW!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU





EXCERPT

“Excuse me, miss,” a deep voice called, followed by knocking rather harshly on the glass door.
I pointed to the sign. “I’m sorry, but we’re closed.”
“Please,” he begged.
I hesitated, but the despair in his crystal-blue eyes had me giving in and unlocking the door.
“Thank you,” he sighed heavily and pulled his wallet from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. Bypassing me, he headed straight toward Julia. “I’ll just take some cupcakes.”
Another eye roll.
“I’m sorry, but we don’t sell cupcakes here,” Jules repeated.
“Well, give me a dozen of something—anything, as long as I don’t leave here empty‑handed, please.”
The desperation in his voice had me shuffling over to the counter and checking what was left in the display case. Only a handful of cakes, a couple of pumpkin and apple pies remained.
That was it.
“How many people do you plan on serving?” I asked, thinking if we had anything else in the back that we could offer him.
He shifted to face me, cocked a brow, and stared a few seconds longer than necessary. He wet his lips and glanced over at the bakery case before looking back at me. “That depends.”
“And what would that be?” My face felt hot from his piercing gaze.
“Would you be interested in joining me?”
“Excuse me?” I choked out, unaccustomed to such forwardness.
Averting my gaze to Julia—her expression screaming at me to say yes, to live on the edge for once. I regained my composure and smiled professionally, then looked back to the man.
“Thank you for the invitation, but I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.”
“That’s too bad.” His voice was as smooth as silk and he leveled, “You’re sure?”
I stood in disbelief and a little bit of awe. How could I not, when all I could concentrate on was the strange fluttering sensation in my stomach.
“Yes, I’m sure,” I confirmed, making myself very clear. I pressed my lips into a tight smile.
“Some other time,” he said as if it were a promise, then tore his gaze from mine and looked at Jules. “I’ll take all the pumpkin cakes you have left.”
“Certainly, I’ll get those boxed up for you.”
The man slid his credit card across the counter before turning back to me. “Are you the manager?”
“I’m the owner. Thea Sheldon.” I offered my hand, still feeling slightly off‑kilter.
He secured his hand around mine and I took into account his nice firm grip.
My sights lingered on our joined hands as I took in the faint smell of his cologne and the unexpected tingles bubbling through me. I shouldn’t be feeling this way. Not after a break‑up. What I should have been doing was help Jules box up those cakes and send him on his way.
“Thea Sheldon,” he replied in that silky voice. I looked up. The blue around his already dark pupils were a few shades lighter. Almost like a tropical ocean scene.
My cheeks heated and before I made a complete fool of myself, I squared my shoulders and gave him my best corporate voice. “And you are?”
“Benjamin Sweet. It’s very nice to meet you, Thea Sheldon.” He pronounced my name delicately, and not that I’d admit it outright, but I liked it. A lot. “Is Thea short for—”
“No.” I shook my head. “Just, plain Thea.”
“I would have to disagree. There couldn’t be anything remotely just or plain about you.”
The cocky eyebrow curl and matching smirk begged me to say otherwise. Crossing my arms over my chest, I quickly uncrossed them, recognizing my mistake when his eyes deviated downward. I shifted my weight from one foot to the next, trying to rid the dueling awkward and fascinated feeling wedging its way between us.
I had never met someone as intense and strikingly handsome as Benjamin Sweet. Someone who had eyes so blue they sparkled. Hair that looked so soft I wanted to slowly comb my fingers through, and his scruff was a perfect mess.
Benjamin was your typical cover model handsome, but suits weren’t my thing. A man dressed in a simple pair of dark blue jeans and a nice button down was what normally caught my eye. So, to have him standing there, wearing some fancy designer label shouldn’t have had me questioning my taste—but I was.
“That’ll be seventy‑five dollars, please,” Julia interrupted, and I couldn’t have been more grateful for her impeccable timing.
Benjamin signed the slip, put his credit card back in his wallet, and gripped the handles to the Sweet Confections bag, but not before he gave me a thorough once-over. The little tingles raced full force, urging my gaze away from him.
“Thank you, again.” He lifted the bag and started for the front door.
Following not too close behind, I clenched the key in my hand, more than ready to have this man as far away from me as geographically possible. For reasons I couldn’t make sense of.
I unlocked the door and held it open.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Thea. And if all goes well” —he lifted the bag again— “I’m sure I’ll be back.”
“Likewise. Enjoy.” I gripped the side of the door, slowly closing it as he walked away. The second the lock clicked, Jules lay right into me.
“What the hell was that?” Her brows shot up, and I shrugged, still trying to calm my racing pulse.
“It looked like he was two seconds away from shoving your skirt up and taking you right up against this display case.” She laughed. “Too bad you’re not wearing a skirt.”






AUTHOR BIO


A hopeless romantic at heart, Nicole pens sexy and sweet heroes with a side of cocky, and the strong independent women who can handle them.
When Nicole isn’t writing you can find her either working at her day job, reading or lost in her pasture with her four‑legged kids—her mind off somewhere dreaming up new stories.


AUTHOR LINKS