Sunday, March 31, 2019

Stacking OUR Shelves ~ 3/31/19


Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.  Make sure to checkout her post with links to all the other participates.

Click covers for Goodreads links



For Review...






For review consideration...




Thanks go to...

Harlequin
Harper Voyager
Berkley

Bought at Apollycon...


Gifted...



Thank you Helena Hunting for you kind gifts and the honor to work with you at Apollycon 2019





For Review...


I Want You Back (Want You, #1)Fumbled (Playbook, #2)



Thanks go to...


Berkley



Preorders picked up at Apollycon...


The Deal (Off-Campus, #1)The Mistake (Off-Campus, #2)The Score (Off-Campus, #3)The Goal (Off-Campus, #4)

Soul in Darkness


That's what we added to our shelves this week! What do you think? What did you add to your stacks? Leave us a comment and link us up!


Saturday, March 30, 2019

Three For Me by Sofia Clarke ~ Review

Three For Me - A Reverse Harem RomanceSource: KindleUnlimited.

Three For Me by Sofia Clarke


After going through a terrible breakup, Bailey is convinced that no man will ever want her. When she makes a wish to find love, however, everything changes. She meets three smoking-hot guys who want to show her just how desirable she is. She has to decide...will she run away from their affection or go for everything she wants?

Warning: In this sweet, steamy romance novel, her heroes are totally obsessed and eager to please. Sometimes wishes really do come true. This is a standalone story with an HEA or HFN guaranteed!




I can't remember exactly where I came across this one, but I know it caught my eye because 1) it's reverse harem and 2) the warning in the description is what I wanted to read. So lucky for me that this book is exactly as described--a sweet, steamy romance with very devoted heroes. All of which I had a great time reading.

My personal favorite aspect of the novel was, of course, the harem: Riley, Stephen, and Felipe. They're all so kind and sweet and protective and make up the perfect harem. But another top notch aspect to them is that they know exactly what they want and don't act any differently. They thing Bailey is amazing--and tell her that from the start. And then they continue to tell her. They're so open and honest. And funny. I really enjoyed them.

Then there's Bailey who is a great character, but also made this story a step more than just an indulgent romantic read. She's very unsure of herself. Her self-esteem isn't the highest, and she has trouble trusting--both others and herself. She knows what she wants but needs to gain the courage to go for it. And so this is the story of her journey through all that. Where she meets these guys and they help her gain confidence and finally take what she wants for herself. By the end of the book, I really admired Bailey.

The romance was very much full of insta-love. Personally, I was here for it. Especially since between the insta-love and actual relationship development, there was time for Bailey and the guys to get to know each other. Things progressed in a pretty solid way--they started with strong feelings, but were friends before anything officially more. 

So the question now is: why not 5 stars? And I don't have much of an answer, because this book is what I wanted when I picked it up. It's exactly what it says it'll be. But it also didn't feel like a 5 star read to me. I liked it a lot but I didn't love it. I didn't feel super emotionally invested. It was a quick read that I had a good time reading and that was kind of that.

Overall, Three For Me is a light, fun RH romance. I'm glad I picked it up and would definitely recommend it if you're in the mood for something indulgent and sweet. 


3.5 stars - A sweet, fun RH story with super devoted heroes!

Friday, March 29, 2019

Heat (A Dark Kings Novel, #12) by Donna Grant ~ Review



Nikolai is a dragon shapeshifter who knows well the meaning of loss. Orphaned and raised to be a Dragon King, he never accepts defeat. Now, Nikolai prefers his solitude . . .until a beautiful, irresistible woman calls upon him for help—and Nikola’s whole word goes up in flames.

Ever since MI5 agent Esther woke to discover her mind taken over with magic, she feels like stranger to herself. She looks to a notorious dragon, one who has the power to help her find her memory. But as she and Nikolai come closer to discovering what really happened to her, a dangerous passion ignites between them. Can this lone Dragon King help the woman he’s grown to love to uncover the truth about her past—or will a deep and fiery danger tear them both apart?

 






I really like Nikolai.  His story is the perfect one for right before Ulrik's book.  Nikolai and Ulrik are/were friends.  Nikolai hasn't forgotten that.  He wants that back.

One of the things I LOVE about this series is how the world lends itself to so many stories.  The author has created such a dynamic world.  It holds Dragon Kings, Fae, Droids, and more.  It also has humans, most of which are clueless about what's really going on around them.  I love how a couple of characters can go from be mentioned in one book to center stage in the next.  The over arcing story continues as a couple figures out a small thing while deciding if they can't live without the other.  Such is the case for Nikolai and Esther.

Nikolai's power is in his drawings.  It's amazing that he can use that gift to discover truths.  It's what draws Esther to him.  She's lost a part of her life and it's driving her nuts.  She must know what happened.  They travel to London and go searching for that truth one drawing at a time.  What a different and interesting premise.

I love all the characters in this world.  Nikolai appeals to me a lot because he has some history with Ulrik.  Left as an orphan at a very young age, Nikolai was raised by Ulrik.  The pain and guilt he feels for what happened to Ulrik plagues him greatly.  I felt his pain...his guilt.  It was part of who he is and the author does a great job of bringing this Dragon King to life.

One aspect of this story was to show a different side to Ulrik.  I admit to not being a fan of the series "bad guy".  It's funny, though, how seeing a different side of a character can start to change your mind about him.  That's what happens here.  It made me dive right into Ulrik's book as soon as I finished Heat.

Esther is a strong and determined women.  She wants her memories back.  She wants to protect herself and she grows protective of Nikolai as well.  I love that she just finds a way.  I can't help but fall for Nikolai right along with her.  They are perfect for each other and I was certainly cheering for them.

As with all of the books in this series, there are some hot moments between this couple.  Donna Grant never disappoints to craft passion and heat between her characters.  Romance and passion make this one hard to resist. 

I was not disappointed by this book at all.  At book twelve in the series, I can see myself just continuing to enjoy these books for a long time yet.  I find it amazing when a series can hold my attention this long.  I love the Dragon Kings and I just want things to work out for them.  In the mean time, I'm completely smitten by these books.

Of course I will continue to the next book and hopefully a lot more beyond that.



                                 
An imaginative world that holds so many amazing stories, this book...this series will hold you in it's pages!

A Stuck In Books Giveaway




He returned to River Haven seeking sanctuary, but the past is determined to follow him.

In the wake of his estranged wife’s murder, widower Michael Forster returns to the Amish community he’d left as a teen. He wants a fresh start for himself and his daughter, Allie, away from those who still believe he’s guilty. In River Haven, a quieter life seems possible. If only Allie’s Amish schoolteacher, Catherine Brandt, was easier to ignore.

A problem solver by nature, Cathy can tell Allie’s withdrawn demeanor isn’t due to shyness. But getting through to Allie also means breaching her father’s hardened defenses. What starts as persistence soon grows into an attraction neither Cathy nor Michael saw coming. When the past suddenly threatens both his daughter and the woman he loves, Michael must risk everything to save them.


Available June 18, 2019 from HQN



Advanced Reader Copy

ARC only (no decorations)

US only



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Thursday, March 28, 2019

Swoon Thursday ~ 3/28/19


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.


Kulti“Trust me, I’ve wanted to punch you in the face a time or five.”

When the man you worshipped as a kid becomes your coach, it’s supposed to be the greatest thing in the world. Keywords: supposed to.

It didn't take a week for 27-year-old Sal Casillas to wonder what she'd seen in the international soccer icon - why she'd ever had his posters on her wall or ever envisioned marrying him and having super-playing soccer babies.

Sal had long ago gotten over the worst non-break-up in the history of imaginary relationships with a man who hadn't known she'd existed. So she isn't prepared for this version of Reiner Kulti who shows up to her team's season: a quiet, reclusive shadow of the explosive, passionate man he'd once been.


Swoon...


"Sal." Kulti stood right in front of me. "Nothing is going to happen. I won't let them do anything, understand?" 
My knees started to shake the same way they did when I was in front of a camera. Oh God, I was going to throw up. Sometime in the last two minutes I had started sweating. 
"Sal," the German's voice got even louder, more determined. His big hands landed on my shoulders. "No one is going to make you do anything that you don't want to do." He kneaded the muscle there, his voice a gentle reassuring cadence. "I promise."

I'm in a re-read MZ mood right now, so here I am falling in love with Kulti all over again. Yesterday it was Aidan Graves. I'm sure later it'll be Dallas, then Rip. My heart is happy.


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

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Waiting On Wednesday ~ 3/27/19


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!


Fantastic Beasts meets Assassin's Creed in this epic, gripping fantasy romance from debut author Maxym M. Martineau.

Exiled beast charmer Leena Edenfrell is in deep trouble. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts on the black market—an offense punishable by death—and now there's a price on her head. With the realm's most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes him an offer he can't refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.

If only it were that simple. Unbeknownst to Leena, the undying ones are bound by magic to complete their contracts, and Noc cannot risk his brotherhood of assassins...not even to save the woman he can no longer live without.



Available June 25, 2019 from Sourcebooks

Why am I waiting?  Magical beasts?  That definitely has my attention.  Besides I love the cover.  What about you?




Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle, #1)From the internationally bestselling authors of THE ILLUMINAE FILES comes an epic new science fiction adventure.
The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch…

A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm
A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates
A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy’s biggest chip on his shoulder
An alien warrior with anger management issues
A tomboy pilot who’s totally not into him, in case you were wondering

And Ty’s squad isn’t even his biggest problem—that’d be Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he’s just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler’s squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy.

They're not the heroes we deserve. They're just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.


Releases May 7th, 2019!

Why am I waiting? Because I am beyond excited for another Amie & Jay book! The Illuminae Files is one of my favorite series of all time, and this new series is sounding like it's going to be pretty awesome too. I'm so excited!!!!


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 26, 2019

Stuck In Books Featured Releases & Giveaway





From Sourcebooks...


 "Shapeshifting done right! ...This fast-paced romance is a must-read."--RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars for Hooked on a Phoenix

She didn't see this hot cop coming.

Dawn Forrest is ready for a big change. She's determined to put her criminal past behind her and only use her extraordinary psychic abilities for good from now on.

Luca Fierro is a Phoenix shifter and rookie cop with something to prove. The last person he should tangle with is a newly reformed bad girl, especially one as irresistible as Dawn. But he needs her help to find a missing child, and every minute counts. This case is going to put their skills to the test and force them to keep their sizzling attraction at bay...

Phoenix Brothers Series:
Hooked on a Phoenix (Book 1)
More Than a Phoenix (Book 2)
A Phoenix is Forever (Book 3)

Praise for Ashlyn Chase:
"This fantastic story will enliven your day and keep you smiling." --Night Owl Reviews TOP PICK, 4 1/2 Stars for Hooked on a Phoenix
"Hot and hilarious. This one is a must read."--Night Owl ReviewsTop Pick for Never Dare a Dragon
"What could be better than hot firefighters who shift into dragons and phoenixes?"--RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars for Never Dare a Dragon





From Harlequin...

Three women—two sisters and their aunt—and the cliff house on the northern California coast that served as a beacon to them all…

After the death of their mother, sisters Daisy and Beatriz Davenport found a home with their aunt Stella in the beautiful and welcoming town of Cape Sanctuary. They never knew all the dreams that Stella sacrificed to ensure they had everything they’d ever need. Now, with Daisy and Bea grown, it’s time for Stella to reveal the secret she’s been keeping from them—a secret that will change their family forever.

Bea thought she’d sown all her wild oats when she got pregnant far too young. The marriage that followed was rocky and not destined to last, but it gave Bea her wonderful, mature, now eleven-year-old daughter, Marisol. But just as she’s beginning to pursue a new love with an old friend, Bea’s ex-husband resurfaces and turns their lives completely upside down.

Then there’s Daisy—sensible, rational, financially prudent Daisy. She’s never taken a risk in her life—until she meets a man who makes her question everything she thought she knew about life, love and the power of taking chances.

In this heartwarming story, Stella, Bea and Daisy will discover that the path to true happiness is filled with twists and turns, but love always leads them back home.



From Forever...


Includes a bonus novella

Don't miss the third book in A.J. Pine's bestselling Crossroads Ranch series, featuring fan-favorite cowboy Walker Everett!

This cowboy's handsome, sexy, and definitely off limits . . .

Walker Everett spends his days at the Crossroads Ranch wrangling cattle-and steering clear of anything that would complicate his already too-complicated life. Until Violet Chastain, the ranch's newest employee, asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend for her parents' anniversary party. She's the most beautiful woman he's ever met and needs his help. How can he refuse?

Violet isn't about to fall for a brooding bad-boy cowboy, no matter how sizzling their chemistry. But she also never expected Walker to go along with the charade. Before long, he's charming her parents at their weekly dinners and kissing her way more than necessary. Spending so much time together tests the limits of their "just friends" relationship, but what happens when their game of pretend becomes all too real?

Includes the bonus story Rocky Mountain Cowboy by Sara Richardson!

"A fabulous storyteller who will keep you turning pages and wishing for just one more chapter at the end." --- Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author, on Second Chance Cowboy

"Cross my heart, this sexy, sweet romance gives a cowboy-at-heart lawyer a second chance at first love and readers a fantastic ride." --- New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan on Second Chance Cowboy




From Entangled...


Former quarterback Lance Quaid just inherited the most losing team in the NFL. He’s got only a few weeks until draft day to turn things around, and after firing more than half his staff, he can’t do it alone. Thankfully, his HR manager is more than capable, if only she’d stop focusing on “due diligence” and stop looking so sexy while she’s yelling at him.

Charlotte James has made a life out of following the rules. But nothing could have prepared her for Lance Quaid––he’s a human resources nightmare. The man is brash, has no filter, and, as her new boss, is constantly relying on her to cover his ass. Which is admittedly quite nice.

When Lance begs her to join him on a trip down the coast for his brother’s wedding so they can finalize details––on a strictly business basis––she agrees...after they fill out the necessary forms, of course. Away from the office, though, sparks start flying as the team starts coming together. But both of them know anything more than the weekend would be a colossally bad idea––after all, the extra paperwork would be a nightmare.







INT as long as you can accept an Amazon Gift Card



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