Interested in a three way? You might be after reading this book.  In Perfectly Powerless, book one of the War at Waversea series, Abigail Cole brings to life three very interesting and complex characters.  It's not often that I get to read three perspectives in a romance but this one really shines light on Rhys, Clayton and Harper, three completely fascinating characters - each with their own burdens that affect their choices.
 
In Perfectly Powerless, we are brought into the world of Waversea College - where Rhys Waversea is king, where Clayton, a scholarship student, refuses to bow before him, and where Harper, who was deafened in an accident, is just trying to have a normal college experience.  Someone should have told her to pick a different school because there is nothing normal about Waversea.  Rhys, who could be seen as the villain of the piece if the story were that simple, is one pissed off individual.  He has his reasons for being the way he is - which is a - insert expletive here.  When Harper refuses his advances and inadvertently picks Clayton over Rhys - at least in Rhys' mind - Rhys is determined to destroy her.  And if messing with Clayton - the only other person who doesn't cower from him -  is a byproduct of that, all the better.  But soon Harper finds herself attracted to both guys and isn't sure what to do about it. The three move in a strange dance throughout the story which makes for a book you can't put down.  

​Perfectly Powerless is part bully romance, part college romance, part soapy drama - and I can't wait to read more from the series.  Cole writes each character in an intimate way. She brings the reader into her world and soon we are living and breathing her characters, even the twisted ones.  We desperately feel for them and crave what they crave, and we're just as wrapped up in their drama as they are.  I can't wait to read the sequel to this story - I find myself not yet ready to abandon the world of Waversea.  Perfectly Powerless is live now so you can download it and start off your New Year right.  

Thank you to the author and to Bed and Books PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Top Shelf Romance has pulled together some of the best romance writers and put together a book filled with several happily ever afters, and I couldn't be happier.  Not only do all the proceeds of this anthology go to The Live A Thousand Lives charity, but the stories, from names you've actually heard of, are really good.  It's a feel good book, and each story will make you want to get further acquainted with its author.  Some of the stories are short - little snippets of love where you catch just a glimpse of the characters. Others are longer and go more in depth. There's no wrong answer here and each one holds its charms.  If you don't have very long to read, pick one of the shorter stories. If you're ready to curl up and settle in, they've got plenty of those to choose from as well.  I also liked how there were meet cutes and flirtations, but also some where the romance was between say, a married couple or old acquaintances.  I really can't say enough good things about this collection and encourage you to go out and download yours today.

Thank you to Top Shelf Romance and to Candi Kane PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Now I'm going to go buy it! I mean...It's for charity!

​  

​ NOW LIVE!!!
100% of the profits from this anthology will be given to the Live A Thousand Lives charity. 
The I Have Lived and I Have Loved Collection is NOW AVAILABLE!! 

Grab this charity romance collection of 17 love stories TODAY!! 

AVAILABLE NOW!  
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KjP554
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3qPTDRB
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2W93bc7
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Nook: https://bit.ly/2Kn9gip

These best selling romance authors have graciously donated all new stories for this collection:
Willow Winters, K.A. Linde, Skye Warren, Carrie Ann Ryan , Author Nikki Ash, Jennifer Bene, Marni Mann, Melanie Harlow & Corinne Michaels, Amelia Wilde, Livia Grant, Tia Louise, Jenna Hartley, Aleatha Romig, Dylan Allen, Nana Malone, Harloe Rae and J.D. Hollyfield!
100% of the profits from this anthology will be given to the Live A Thousand Lives charity. 

Live A Thousand Lives is a nonprofit dedicated to making audiobooks more accessible to individuals with low to no mobility. To that end, Live A Thousand Lives provides audio players preloaded with classic stories to individuals in hospitals, care centers and nursing facilities.

For every ONE Romance Audio player purchased (loaded with 17 romance novels!), Live A Thousand Lives is able to donate TWO Classic Fiction audio players. These simple-function, easy-to-use players help open a world of books to readers with physical disabilities that prevent them from enjoying traditional books. Your love of books could help bring audiobooks to TWO book lovers with low mobility or physical handicap that keeps them from enjoying traditional books.

Check out www.liveathousandlives.com to learn more about their story, mission and inspiration.
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Sometimes, despite being seriously attracted to someone, you let things get in the way - jealousy, preconceived notions, pride and hurt feelings - they can all stop you from getting your HEA.  In Behind the Wheel, book 2 in the Hearts and Horsepower series by A.K. Evans, we get another "rocky start" romance where you don't immediately see how the two characters are going to end up together.  I like the enemies to lovers trope and it's used well here, between Knox and Avery.  Although it's book 2 in the series, you could probably pick it up as a standalone because most everything relevant that happened in book 1 is explained again - but I always like to read a book series in order, especially where they are interconnected and we meet the characters early on.  

Knox first sees Avery at the race track - and she's one of the racers which he finds seriously hot (don't we all - a chick race car driver is badass). Before he can introduce himself, he sees that she is with Ricky, the owner of a rival shop.  He assumes that they are an item and backs off.  Then, when he finds out that Avery is about to start working at LT Motorsports, leaving the rival shop for theirs, Knox just assumes that she's up to no good.  He's not completely off base in his suspicions - the racing world is very competitive, and LT Motorsports is at the top of their game.  It would make sense for Ricky to send Avery to gather information and report back to him.  The thing is, Avery isn't a spy.  Knox treats her like crap basically - even though the chemistry between them is undeniable and he still wants her.  He's angry at her and angry at himself for wanting her, and the first few weeks are volatile between the two of them.  By the time Knox starts to realize that maybe he was mistaken about Avery, Avery wants nothing to do with him.  Is it too late for Knox to mend fences and befriend her - and maybe become more?

I read this book right after I finished the first one and the changeover was seamless.  Knox is a bit of a - insert expletive here - but since there is dual perspective, we can see why he is acting the way he is. It's also fun to see him change his mind.  The romance is a slow burn - different from book one where Logan and Kendall couldn't keep their hands off each other.  But I thought the anticipation was well worth it.  Avery is tough as nails but she's still a woman, and is relatable.  I really liked reading their back and forth.   Behind the Wheel, out today, is a great addition to the Hearts and Horsepower series and I can't wait to read the others.

Thank you to the author and Give Me Books PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. ​

Look at this cover. Ladies, if you can scroll past this cover without buying this book...you're stronger than I am.  Okay, so I was brought in by those eyes. But what kept me reading was the great story, held together by captivating characters.
This Much Is True, a standalone romance which releases today, was my first book by Tia Louise, and she did not disappoint.  It takes place in a realistic 2020, right during the first main shutdown caused by COVID-19, which makes for a really interesting story in the "new normal".  I have not yet read a romance published this year that actually mentions Corona - most authors choose to ignore it, or write it out of their worlds, since a lot of romances are used for escapism.  I actually agree with this approach. Who wants to read about the pandemic and worry about germs in a "kissing book"?  But I have to say that the way Louise incorporates it seamlessly into her world (our world) is really well done and after my initial scrunched nose reaction - I was more than okay with it.

Our story begins with JR getting released early from prison because of - strangely enough - the virus.  I'm not familiar if this actually happened in the US where prisoners were released to avoid overcrowding, and because catching the virus would be a violation of their civil rights.  In any case, JR is released early and sets his sights on home, where his young son is, and where he wants to confront the person responsible for his prison sentence.  It's a 36 hour drive and he recruits his brother Scout to go with him.  JR picks up a car that he bought online.  What he doesn't expect is - 6 hours into his trip - finding an accidental stowaway.  Hope passed out drunk in the backseat of the car - not her finest moment.  She has recently lost her business because of the pandemic and is broke and was having a well earned pity party where the only guest was an entire bottle of wine. After she is discovered, she is talked into staying with Scout and JR to help them drive on their trip.  Now we have the perfect ingredients for a road trip story, made all the more interesting because of the pandemic, and because the characters are so multilayered.  

I love a good road trip story and I find that the romance between Hope and JR - which starts to sizzle despite JR's surliness and downright rudeness - is really well written.  These characters have such intriguing pasts and the conversations had in the car (mostly between Hope and the very likeable Scout - with JR listening despite himself) are so connective.  They connect the characters to each other, but they connect the reader to them as well.  There is more to this book than just a romance built out of close proximity, with fun side characters thrown in.  I felt so much as I went along with them for their journey, and even when they got to the end of the road, I wanted to keep reading.  That to me is the mark of a good book - wanting to read past the end.  So pick up this book for the cover - sure - but stay for the incredible story.  

Thank you to the author and Give Me Books PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

Christmas romances are probably my favourite things to read and watch, and - with the current obsession with Hallmark holiday movies - it appears as though I'm not the only one who loves them.  They're sweet, sappy, easy to get through and there are so many good ones to choose from.  When I had the opportunity (thank you to the author and Give Me Books PR) to read an advanced copy of Not Your Average Vixen, in exchange for an honest review, I leapt higher than your average reindeer. I was so excited and was really hoping I wouldn't be let down.  I have never read anything by Krista Sandor - but now, she's got me hooked! I loved this book - the characters, the premise, the snowy mountain scenery - it was a perfect Christmas read.
Bridget Dasher is down on her luck - with pretty much everything in her life facing challenges. But her relationship with her younger sister Lori is solid and is the best part of her life.  Lori is having a Christmas wedding and Bridget is determined for it to go off without a hitch. She's planned everything perfectly - the only thing she didn't plan for was Soren, the grumpy, down-on-love best man who seems determined to ruin the wedding!  Well, not if Bridget has anything to say about it. Bridget will do anything to give Lori her perfect wedding, even if it means having to deal with Soren herself.  There's just one little problem - Bridget just might be - a little - okay, a lot - attracted to Soren, and that may throw a wrench in both of their plans.
This book was so great. It had moments of fun perfectly mixed with emotional moments.  I was immediately pulled in, and couldn't wait to see what happened.  Based on the premise, I thought I'd be annoyed with Soren - but I fell for him so hard. I could understand where he was coming from and why he did the things he did.  And waiting to see if he would find redemption for his bad attitude was part of the fun.  The romance between Bridget and Soren was anticipated with each turn of the page - they matched each other perfectly and their moments of butting heads filled me with glee - which is exactly what you would hope for from a Christmas Rom-Com. If you are looking to get yourself the perfect gift this holiday season (and with the way 2020 has gone - who isn't?) download this book. You won't regret it.    

Male athletes tend to be fun to read about, especially when they play for professional teams.  They are often treated like gods by fans, and especially by girls.  So when they finally meet their match, ie: their love interest, it makes for a good read.  I was excited to pick up Sarah Stevens' newest book, Breakthrough, precisely for this reason.  Breakthrough is book one in her Nashville Notes series - yes, ladies, there will be other hockey players we get to read about.

In Breakthrough we meet Mandy, a young single mom and sports trainer who is looking to return to Nashville after living in Boston for several years.  Mandy is looking to start fresh.  She is estranged from her daughter's father and she wants to be with her grandmother, who is the only family she has left.  Mandy meets Parker, the sexy (and doesn't he just know it) playboy goalie of the Nashville Notes.  Parker is used to women falling for him with the littlest effort - a butt wiggle here, a sexy smirk there.  When Mandy doesn't seem to be affected by him at all, suddenly she's all he can think about. And isn't that always the way?  But there are a lot of obstacles in their path.  Mandy has had bad luck with men, and in particular, male athletes and she's not looking to start anything with Parker.  He is awfully attractive though. Then, when Mandy's ex starts causing trouble, and an unknown threat starts targeting them,  Mandy and Parker need to decide if they should fight to be together or if their feelings are better left buried.  

This book was a good romance and it was fun to read.  Although I did find it took me a bit to like Parker.  He was just so overconfident and arrogant.  I definitely took to Mandy right away and was really hoping that she would get her happy ending.  I liked the added drama of the person threatening them - I thought it added to the plot and made what could have been a simple romance far more exciting.  If you like sports romances with plenty of drama, I really think you'll like this book, which promises to be a good start to a new series. Thank you to Give Me Books PR and to the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

There’s something so satisfying about two characters that absolutely hate each other, and seeing those feelings change over time.  I will never get tired of the enemies to lovers trope.  Or opposites attract. Or roommates. Throw in the college sports romance element and I am all in.  This book took a lot of familiar themes and added sweetness and heart and fun, which made up for a great read.

In Heart Stopper, by Michelle Hercules, we meet Troy and Charlie. Their first impressions of each other are awful. When they are forced to live together after Charlie’s house suffers a small fire and she has nowhere else to go, they start to realize that maybe there is more to each of them than meets the eye.  Maybe a jock and a nerd can find common ground.  It might take awhile, and there will be pranks and revenge plots along the way, but we can still hope that they will get there in the end.  It was certainly fun to see them bump heads, and the banter was great.

I really liked getting to know these characters.  They each had so much more to them, especially Troy.  I loved learning about him and I fell for him right along with Charlie.  I also enjoyed the side characters in the book, like Charlie’s brother and Troy’s sister.  I look forward to reading more about them in future books.  Heart Stopper seemed like it was going to be a familiar Jock vs Nerd story, but it was a lot deeper and I very much enjoyed it.  It’s out now, so pick up your copy today - and enjoy that sexy cover - I certainly did.
Thank you to the author and to Give Me Books Promotions for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

If you’re looking for an emotional ride, where your heart feels so much within the span of a few pages, then this is the book for you.  Control the Burn is the start of a new series by A.K. Evans, called Hearts and Horsepower.  It does have some characters that some readers may be familiar with from her other work (she is a new author to me so I wasn’t) but you can still totally read this book as a standalone.  I was instantly drawn into Evans’ emotional world and felt deeply for her characters right off the bat.

In Control the Burn, Kendall meets Logan at his birthday celebration and the sparks between them are intense.  She goes home with him - something completely out of character for her - and they share an incredible, passionate night.  She gives him her phone number and he promises to call, and she believes that what they shared was special to both of them.  Only, Logan doesn’t call.  And we feel everything that Kendall is feeling so powerfully.  Evans captures the feelings of hurt, and loss of self worth and the sting of rejection so perfectly.  It takes a few weeks, but finally, Kendall feels she has to move on. Only, that’s when Logan comes back into the picture.  There were circumstances that stopped him from calling and now he wants a second chance.  Can Kendall put herself out there again or is she too afraid to get hurt?  And if she does give Logan another chance, will the spark between them ignite to the point where she can no longer control the burn? Is she destined to get hurt again, or is Logan worth the risk?

I felt so much with this book, and I loved that.  I was rooting for both characters at the same time - so much so that sometimes I was at odds with myself.  The only thing negative I can say is that all the car talk was a bit lost on me.  But if you’re into that sort of thing, you’ll love it.  It definitely leant a dose of realism to the book.  I was definitely happy to have been introduced to A.K. Evans and I can’t wait to stalk her and find her other work.  Not in a creepy way, mind you. In a Logan way ;) Control the Burn is out now. Thank you to the author and to Give Me Books Promotions for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

For those of you who like those sweet Hallmark Christmas movies, this is the book for you.  And that’s a good thing - because we can’t get enough of those cute holiday stories.  In Mistletoe Mistake, the first in the Greetings from Avondale series, Amali Rose shows humour and heart.  It’s a very quick read and it’s fun - this book will definitely get you into the holiday spirit. 


Holly hates Christmas and has since she was a kid.  Her birthday is on Christmas Day and she always felt that she got the short end of the stick.  While housesitting for her brother close to the holidays, Holly finds an unexpected roommate in Nick, her brother’s best friend, and Holly’s longtime crush.  Yes, Holly has always liked Nick but she’s always been too shy, and too afraid of her brother’s reaction, to tell him how she feels.  Nick is really happy to be sharing a house with Holly, because - you guessed it - he has feelings for her too.  It’s a delightful Christmas miracle. Nick decides that not only is he finally going to make his move with Holly, but he’s going to do his best to get her into the Christmas spirit.


Seeing two fun characters that have a shared past finally come together is really great.  Rose leads us through their emotional journey with funny and cute scenes.  She also introduces side characters that we will most likely see in later books - I always enjoy when an author works to set up further stories.  I really enjoyed this Christmas story and I know you will too.  Mistletoe Mistake releases December 3. Thank you to the author and to Give Me Books PR for giving me an advanced copy, in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished Axel, the first in Penny Dee’s new Men of Mirror Lake Mountain series, which officially releases today, December 3.  I set my Kindle aside about ten minutes ago, and I still can’t wipe the goofy grin off my face.  This wintery, Thanksgiving holiday romance, is sexy, sultry, and sweet. It is a trifecta of goodness.  I don’t even care if that term sounds made up.  Trust me, if you want steamy but heartwarming romance in your life, set at a rapid pace, then one-click this baby - download it today.

In Axel, we are thrown right into the action. Axel - yeah, the sexy dude on the cover - has overheard a plan to kidnap an heiress who is staying on his mountain the night before her wedding.  Lauren Carmichael doesn’t know the masked man who sneaks into her room in the middle of the night, but for some reason, she trusts that he isn’t there to hurt her.  She leaves with him and they return to his secluded mountain cabin.  Without his mask, Axel is tempting - and suddenly, Lauren isn’t thinking so much about her impending wedding - she’s thinking about what it would be like to…well…let’s just say that the chemistry between Axel and Lauren is fiery.  When a storm forces Lauren to stay with him for longer then intended, it becomes hard to deny what they are both feeling.  Will Lauren listen to her body and her heart and choose a life with her mountain man? Or will her fiancé - who is looking for her by the way - get in the way? And what secrets does Axel have that have caused him to become a recluse on his mountain? Are they enough to tear Lauren and Axel apart?

This book starts off steamy, it’s steamy in the middle…oh and…well I won’t spoil it for you, but make sure you have a fan close by.  But the sexy times were not the only reason this was such a good read.  Axel is such a great character and the back and forth that he and Lauren have is to die for.  This book is short and a quick read - but you still get SO into the story.  Not many authors can pull me in quickly, and have me rooting for characters this fast - and Penny Dee was there.  I can’t wait to read the others in this series because I really like her style.  I know you will too.

​Thank you to the author and to Give Me Books Promotions for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.