Saturday, March 31, 2018

Raining Romance Books Giveaway Hop






When Dee Moreno makes a deal with a demon—her heart in exchange for an escape from a disastrous home life—she finds the trade may have been more than she bargained for. And becoming “heartless” is only the beginning. What lies ahead is a nightmare far bigger, far more monstrous than anything she could have ever imagined.

With reality turned on its head, Dee has only a group of other deal-making teens to keep her grounded, including the charming but secretive James Lancer. And as something grows between them amid an otherworldy ordeal, Dee begins to wonder: Can she give someone her heart when it’s no longer hers to give?







Val has the Owlcrate Exclusive Cover to give away!







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A Stuck in Books Giveaway ~ Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray



Defy the Stars (Constellation, #1)She's a soldier -- Noemi Vidal is willing to risk anything to protect her planet, Genesis, including her own life. To their enemies on Earth, she's a rebel.

He's a machine -- Abandoned in space for years, utterly alone, Abel's advanced programming has begun to evolve. He wants only to protect his creator, and to be free. To the people of Genesis, he's an abomination.

Noemi and Abel are enemies in an interstellar war, forced by chance to work together as they embark on a daring journey through the stars. Their efforts would end the fighting for good, but they're not without sacrifice. The stakes are even higher than either of them first realized, and the more time they spend together, the more they're forced to question everything they'd been taught was true.

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Friday, March 30, 2018

Driving Whiskey Wild by Melissa Foster ~ Review





Narrator: Paul Woodson

Listening Time: 8 hours and 38 minutes

A captivating new sexy standalone romance by New York Timesbestselling author Melissa Foster.

Driving Whiskey Wild is a USA Today Bestseller

Special Forces veteran and Dark Knights Motorcycle Club member Bullet Whiskey lives to protect his family, their bar, and the residents of his small hometown. He’s rough, unapologetic, and haunted by a secret, painful past. He’s also a master at keeping people away, and when his sister hires gorgeous and sweet Finlay Wilson to help expand their biker bar, he knows just how to get rid of her.

After losing her boyfriend and her father, Finlay moves back to her hometown to be closer to the little family she has left. She needs her temporary job at Whiskey Bro’s to get her catering business off the ground, and she’s determined not to let the gruff, arrogant mountain of a man Bullet Whiskey scare her off.

Finlay is everything Bullet has never wanted. She’s afraid of his dog, afraid of motorcycles, and sweet enough to give him cavities, but as she weaves her way into the hearts of everyone around him, he’s powerless to resist her charms. Passion ignites, but trust doesn’t come easily, and when their pasts collide, Bullet finds out the true meaning of protecting those he loves.







I listened to the audio book on this one.  Paul Woodson, the narrator, has a deep sexy voice that I mostly enjoyed.  I am pretty picky about narrators.  They can make or break a book for me.  I would say that Paul does a really good male voice but struggles more with female voices.  I think the ideal situation would be for him to read the male parts and a female to read the female parts.  That would make a really good combination.  The problem I had was that all his females voices sounded the same and sometimes they sound...I don't know kinda childlike.  But it wasn't enough for me not to enjoy the book.  

As for the story itself, I haven't read the books prior to this one in the series.  This book can stand alone though you do meet Bear and Crystal from book two.  They are part of the Whiskey family and I liked them both.  We don't meet Truman and Gemma from book one, though.  I really liked the whole family aspect of this story.  They own a bar together and they look out for each other.  They are all part of each other's lives.  That was nice.

If you're reading this for the motorcycle club aspect of it, I'd pass on this one.  It's not a big part of the story.  Yeah, it's mentioned and church comes up once but it's really not the focus of the story.  Sure Bullet is the big tough motorcycle riding kinda guy.  He has that strong desire to protect everyone he cares about.  He's ex-military with some serious PSTD and that seems to define him more than the motorcycle club.  If anything, I'd say this was a military kinda book.  

Speaking of Bullet, I loved him.  He's the kind of guy that takes care of those he loves and feels too much guilt when he can't protect people.  He pulls people out of burning cars and tries to keep his family safe.  He forgets to let others help him and he remembers every buddy or even just met guy who died in the military around him.  I did really fall for him.

Finlay is nice.  Bullet calls her lollipop and I liked that.  She struggles to deal with the rough side of Bullet and has a fear of dogs and motorcycles.  That makes for some problems as Bullet has a dog that helps him with his PSTD.  She soon falls for Bullet's charms though and I did really like her.

There is a lot of heat in this story.  If you enjoy many and detailed hotness scenes, this book has that in spades. 

I wanted to like the story more than I did.  You see, things felt forced in a few places.  The characters acting just outside of their character.  Even the climax was just a little bit off.  Nothing bad, mind you, just off.  Maybe it was that things were just too sweet.  Too easily falling into place.  While I enjoyed it, it just lacked the strength of books I really love.  It's okay.  It was nice to listen to one day as I did my cores but I won't be listening to it again.  And I don't think I'll be reading books 1 and 2 or going on with the series.  It was just okay.  And let's be real.  I have too many books I really want to read to spend time on just okay.

You can decide for yourself and others have felt differently but this one is just okay for me. 






                                  

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Thursday, March 29, 2018

Swoon Thursday ~ 3/29/18


Who doesn't LOVE a good swoon?! We love them for sure! Check out our swoon below and then add to the fun.

Post anything that made you swoon, past or present read. Include the cover, blurb and links. Please no spoilers.

Obsidio (The Illuminae Files, #3)Kady, Ezra, Hanna, and Nik narrowly escaped with their lives from the attacks on Heimdall station and now find themselves crammed with 2,000 refugees on the container ship, Mao. With the jump station destroyed and their resources scarce, the only option is to return to Kerenza—but who knows what they'll find seven months after the invasion?

Meanwhile, Kady's cousin, Asha, survived the initial BeiTech assault and has joined Kerenza's ragtag underground resistance. When Rhys—an old flame from Asha's past—reappears on Kerenza, the two find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict.

With time running out, a final battle will be waged on land and in space, heroes will fall, and hearts will be broken.



Swoon...


"I was thinking," he murmurs. "There's a billion different versions of you out there, in a trillion different universes. And I still can't get over how lucky I am that, out of all those versions, you're the one that's mine."

This entire trilogy is such a gem. Honestly, a new all-time favorite for me. <3


That's our swoon this week! What about you? Leave us a comment & a link.

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Waiting On Wednesday ~ 3/28/18


This is our version of Waiting on Wednesday but with more cuddles, books we can't wait to cuddle for various reasons.

What are we waiting on this week?  THIS!


Mia Sosa returns with another fun, flirty romance in her critically-acclaimed Love on Cue series!

For Hollywood agent Julian Hart, representing his best friend—megastar Carter Williamson—means it’s nearly impossible to keep his personal life and career separate. To make matters worse, Carter’s younger sister has been starring in Julian’s wildest fantasies more often than he’d care to admit. He knows she’s off-limits, but when Ashley shows up on his doorstep, needing a place to crash… suddenly his greatest temptation is sleeping down the hall.

Free-spirited Ashley Williamson doesn’t do commitment. Jobs, apartments, men… why let herself be tied down? But she’s had a crush on her older brother’s best friend for years and she’s committed to making Julian want her, one towel-clad midnight encounter at a time. But just as things start heating up, their steamy flirtation is interrupted by Carter’s east coast wedding. Ashley has no desire to go home and face her reputation as the family disappointment. But living with—dare she say dating?—a successful, sexy film agent could give them something else to talk about.

Julian can’t believe he agreed to fake a relationship with the one woman he can never have. And it’s going to take more than a little willpower to remember it's all pretend. Or is it?


 
Okay, if you know we at all, then why I'm waiting isn't even at question.  I love pretending stories and this one is one.  So, yeah.  Nough said. 


That's what we're waiting on this week! What do you think? What are you waiting on? Leave us a comment and link us up!

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Stuck In Books Featured Releases & Giveaway



From Rick Riordan Presents...

Twelve-year-old Aru Shah has a tendency to stretch the truth in order to fit in at school. While her classmates are jetting off to family vacations in exotic locales, she'll be spending her autumn break at home, in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture, waiting for her mom to return from her latest archeological trip. Is it any wonder that Aru makes up stories about being royalty, traveling to Paris, and having a chauffeur?

One day, three schoolmates show up at Aru's doorstep to catch her in a lie. They don't believe her claim that the museum's Lamp of Bharata is cursed, and they dare Aru to prove it. Just a quick light, Aru thinks. Then she can get herself out of this mess and never ever fib again.

But lighting the lamp has dire consequences. She unwittingly frees the Sleeper, an ancient demon whose duty it is to awaken the God of Destruction. Her classmates and beloved mother are frozen in time, and it's up to Aru to save them.

The only way to stop the demon is to find the reincarnations of the five legendary Pandava brothers, protagonists of the Hindu epic poem, the Mahabharata, and journey through the Kingdom of Death. But how is one girl in Spider-Man pajamas supposed to do all that?




From Avon Romance...

Thrilling, witty, and oh-so-sexy, Lynsay Sands’ Argeneau novel brings together a beautiful Immortal and the man who is her destiny…

For someone who’s been around for over a hundred and forty years, immortal Elspeth Argeneau hasn’t done a whole lot of living. Now that she’s moved away from her controlling mother, she’s tracking down rogue vampires and enjoying some overdue freedom. A fling would be fun. A life mate can wait. Yet to Elspeth’s surprise, her landlady’s hot grandson checks both boxes.

Wyatt fell instantly in love with Elspeth four years ago. He’s stunned to run into her again, especially as she has no memory of him. Then again, there are a lot of things about Elspeth that don’t make sense, like the miraculous speed with which her wounds heal. And the chemistry that transforms every touch into an explosion of desire. But with mysterious “accidents” besieging Elspeth, the ex-Special Forces soldier appoints himself her bodyguard. But time is running out to uncover the truth about her enemies—and rediscover the man determined to love her for eternity.






“Wyatt?” she said, surprised at how breathless her voice was.

She was panting, Elspeth realized. The man hadn’t even touched her and she was panting like an overheated dog. . . or a horny one.

“I’m sorry,” Wyatt growled, and turned away to quickly search the room, and then spotting the bath towel over the towel rack, he grabbed it and turned back to offer it to her.

Elspeth reached for it, but froze when their hands touched. For a minute, they just remained like that, both silent and still as shockwaves rolled through them, and then Wyatt cleared his throat. His voice was husky as he said, “I know you’re not ready for a life mate, and I-“

That was as far as he got before Elspeth finished taking the towel from him, let it drop to the floor, and reached for him instead.


Return to New York Times Bestselling Author Lori Wilde’s beloved town of Cupid, Texas, where wedding fever is in the air . . . and two best friends discover that sometimes the perfect match is standing right in front of you . . .

Ember Alzate is a fantastic matchmaker with one big problem: she can’t find the perfect mate for herself! Alzate family legend says that when she kisses “the One” she’ll hear a mysterious humming in her head. Well, Ember’s kissed a lot of guys and she’s never heard a thing. Now, instead of searching for herself, she vows to find her best friend, Ranger Lockhart, a bride. It’s clear this smart, sexy man just needs to meet the right gal.

Ranger’s returned home to Cupid with marriage on his mind, but he’s not interested in the parade of women Ember pushes under his nose. His thoughts keep returning to his best friend—with her combustible combination of curves and sass. No one compares to Ember, but what’s it going to take to convince her she’s the woman for him?






Being bad never felt so good, in the third novel in Alisha Rai’s sexy Forbidden Hearts series!

Well-behaved women don’t lust after men who love to misbehave.

Heiress Evangeline Chandler knows how to keep a secret . . . like her life-long crush on the tattooed hottie who just happens to be her big brother’s friend. She’s a Chandler, after all, and Chandlers don’t hook up with the help. Then again, they also don’t disobey their fathers and quit their respectable jobs, so good-girl rules may no longer apply.

Gabriel Hunter hides the pain of his past behind a smile, but he can’t hide his sudden attraction to his friend’s sheltered little sister. Eve is far too sweet to accept anything less than forever and there’s no chance of a future between the son of a housekeeper and the town’s resident princess.

When a wedding party forces Eve and Gabe into tight quarters, keeping their hands off each other will be as hard as keeping their clothes on. The need that draws them together is stronger than the forces that should shove them apart . . . but their sparks may not survive the explosion when long-buried secrets are finally unearthed. 




From Harlequin...

Look for Hero's Return, the exciting new novel from B.J. Daniels, available from HQN books Mar 27, 2018. Pre-order your copy today!

The prodigal Cahill is back—and ready to confess

Tucker Cahill disappeared from Gilt Edge, Montana, hoping to escape a secret that has haunted him for nineteen years. Then, when a young woman’s remains are found in the creek near his family’s ranch, he has no choice but to face his demons. The truth that sent him running years ago could take away his freedom now.

Kate Rothschild came to town looking for vengeance—and Tucker Cahill. What she finds is a tortured and irresistible man who’s more than meets the eye. Caught up in the past, they are drawn deeper into a twisted game that’s not over yet. And the consequences could prove fatal for them both…





From Forever Romance...

This alpha athlete is about to meet his match...

Cameron Shaw knows exactly what he's doing when it comes to coaching high school boys on the football field, but caring for a six-year-old girl is a whole different ballgame. When a gorgeous, highly opinionated woman shows up with his niece in tow and claims he's Piper's new guardian, Cameron's first response is "hell no." But he can't abandon a little girl who just lost her mother....

Audrey Bennett wasn't planning to stick around town, but Piper's gruff, way-too-good-looking-for-his-own-ego uncle clearly needs help. The longer she stays-watching Cameron teach Piper to make pancakes and tie her sparkly pink shoelaces-the harder it is to leave. Especially when he stops arguing and gives Audrey the most toe-curling kiss of her life. But just as she thinks he might be the one, a secret he's been keeping threatens to tear apart their happy little family.





From St. Martin's Press...

In this next novel in the stunning romantic suspense Sons of Broad series from Tara Thomas comes a novel of deadly games and uninhibited passion. In the sultry streets of Charleston, one family, ruled by its powerful, take-no-prisoners sons, has risen to the top. But a ruthless serial killer is out to destroy them…and everyone they hold close…
Exclusive bonus material ONLY available in print edition!

Knox Benedict is known as the Saint. He’s the upstanding son of the Benedict family, the moral backbone, the one who sets his entire life by the world of rules and constraints he’s created for himself. But Knox Benedict has a secret. A secret that has unleashed the intense passion, the fierce hunger that lives deep within him. A secret he’d live and die for. But a deadly enemy of the Benedict’s is about to take Knox’s hidden life and fling it out into the open…and in the process, begin a dangerous game.

Bea was never supposed to be Knox Benedict’s wife. They were rivals, locked in a dead heat on opposite sides of a negotiation table, supposed to fight tooth and nail. Instead, she took one look at those smoldering Benedict eyes and knew there would be no loving anyone else. But when Bea’s investigation into Benedict industries leads to an attack that leaves her for dead, Bea knows she has to follow through with what she’s started – just as Knox knows he must keep his secret wife safe, even if it means sacrificing everything he knows.

As an enemy strikes closer and closer to Bea with every waking day, Bea and Knox must race to uncover the truth, before it’s too late.




From the brilliant imagination of Kerrelyn Sparks comes a bold new fantasy romance series in which passion and magic collide. Behold the Embraced…

Gwennore has a talent. An Elf able to track down the cause of an illness and heal it, she’s a valuable asset to her people. But when the kidnapping of a young girl thrusts Gwennore into the very heart of the realm of the dragons, she discovers not only a place of power and magic, but also a haunted land, plagued by an ancient curse that all but ensures extinction to the royal family. But when she meets the smoldering General Silas Dravenko, they strike a bargain—save the country from its cursed illness, and he will return the kidnapped girl. She’s been raised never to trust a dragon, but never did making a deal with the devil feel so good…

Silas has no way of curing the family he’s loyally served for years. But when a beautiful elf, long considered the enemy of the dragons, comes bursting into his world, Silas is awakened to passion and desire in a way he’s never felt before. But can he trust a sworn enemy to save the very existence he holds dear? And can their love survive those that threaten to tear them apart?






From Entangled Teen...


Fans of Vampire Diaries and Twilight will be thirsting for this latest vampire addiction…

My aunt has been kidnapped by vampires, and it’s up to me to save her. Only…I had no idea vampires existed. None. Nada. I’m more of a reader than a fighter, and even though I’d been wishing to escape my boring existence in the middle of nowhere, I’d give anything to have it back now if it meant my aunt was safe.

Then there’s the vampire Sebastian, who seems slightly nicer than most of the bloodsuckers I’ve run into so far. Yes, he’s the hottest being I’ve ever come across, but there’s no way I can trust him. He swears he’s helping me get answers, but there’s more to his story. Now I’m a key pawn in a raging vampire war, and I need to pick the right ally.

But my chances of surviving this war are slim at best, when the side I choose might be the one that wants me dead the most.









INT as long as you can accept a gift card.




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Teaser Tuesday ~ 3/27/18

This is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.



To participate you:
* Grab your current read
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!




Willow Haven’s content. Okay, that’s a lie, but she has been trying her damndest. Trouble is, it never sticks. Second oldest in a family her town was named after, she’s always felt the pressure. From the townspeople, from her sisters, but most of all from her daddy—the original Good Old Boy and Havenbrook’s reigning mayor. The only time she didn’t feel that stress had been those blissful months spent in the arms of the resident bad boy. The same one who broke her heart beyond repair when he left without a word.

Life hasn’t come easy for Finn Thomas. He’s had to claw and fight for everything he’s ever had—and truth be told, it hasn’t been much. He spent the first eighteen years of his life living so far from the wrong side of the tracks, he couldn’t even see them through his trailer window. The only thing that ever came easy for him and made his sorry ass happy was the one girl he loved with all his heart. And the one thing he had no choice but to leave behind.

When an opportunity arises to return to his tiny, southern hometown and open the first bar in a formerly dry county, he jumps at the chance. That won’t win him points with the mayor, who’s hell bent on making Finn’s life a nightmare for sullying his namesake. But too bad for Mayor Haven, Finn’s got his sights set on more than just the town, and this time he won’t be scared off quite so easily.




Teaser...

Jesus, was there anything worse than listening to her small talk, go on about some nonsense like they were two random strangers?  Like he didn't know the weight of her body on his own, didn't know the taste of her on his tongue, didn't recall the exact tenor of her moans?  He hated it, absolutely fucking hated it.
And he had no right to.  None at all.  (Kindle Location 343)
Not sure why this guy left Willow years ago but my feeling is it more noble than selfish.  So I'm definitely still reading and I love that he hates her being mad at him.


That's our teaser this week! You have one?  Leave us a comment.