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REVIEW: The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

“A dazzling, thought-provoking, layered romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat. One of the best books of 2019.”

— L.J. Shen, USA Today bestselling author

The Kingmaker, the first in the all-new powerful and emotional All The King’s Men Duet, from RITA ® Award-winning author Kennedy Ryan, is available now!

KINGMAKER_FINAL

Power. Passion. Betrayal.

Kennedy Ryan delivers the epic first installment of the All the King’s Men Duet.

Raised to rule, bred to lead and weaned on a diet of ruthless ambition.

In a world of haves and have nots, my family has it all, and I want nothing to do with it.

My path takes me far from home and paints me as the black sheep. At odds with my father, I’m determined to build my own empire. I have rules, but Lennix Hunter is the exception to every one of them. From the moment we meet, something sparks between us. But my family stole from hers and my father is the man she hates most. I lied to have her, and will do anything to keep her. Though she tries to hate me, too, the inexorable pull between us will not be denied.

And neither will I.

THE KINGMAKER LIVE JW

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NeWRLx

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/KingmakerKR

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2o7sNbZ

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/PowerBook1

THE KINGMAKER AN SIERRA QUOTE

My Review

Kennedy Ryan’s writing, once again, captures the human experience and paints it in all of its necessary colors, in her newest release, The Kingmaker, examining the idea as well as proving that the world is not solely black and white…that there’s an in-between where life is messy, difficult, but also rewarding, and it’s that area between where decisions are both provoked and promoted, depending on one’s role in society and the gains or losses that can be accrued.

Timing seems to always be an issue when the hero and heroine, Maxim Cade and Lennix Hunter, cross paths, because of the positions that they both are in due to their backgrounds, familial obligations, as well as their perceptions of the world; the reality of their lives is not easily overcome regardless of how much they want it to  be, partly due to the extenuating circumstances that seem to divide them no matter how much they don’t want them to. But what’s also made abundantly clear is that while each situation doesn’t allow them to fully examine/explore the intense feelings they have for each other, the connection these two share is a living and breathing part of both of them, which is why it remains steadfast, why it still grows and expands with every interaction/connection, making what they have very much a risk worth taking…if only it was that easy and only their decision.

Both characters want to evoke change, to be someone who changes the world and the people around them for the better; that’s what continually drives them, pushing themselves every step of the way for the good of mankind. And while their methods and even their financial situations differ greatly, when Lennix and Maxim’s personality is stripped bare to only the most essential traits that they have, it’s clear that they complement each other extremely well, indicating just how natural a relationship between them would be if their circumstances were different.

The diversity of the subjects explored as well as the depth of Kennedy Ryan’s authentic characters allow readers to gain insight into matters of importance – those of the heart, the mind, the soul, and the body. And while, there will always be a learning curve when it comes to understanding people’s actions and rationalizing why people do what they do, the fact that Ryan elicits those necessary conversations, serving as a mouthpiece for social injustices and the need for diversity in all areas and aspects of life. Through her chosen medium of books, she explores those social topics that urgently require action and begins the process through her writing for her readers to understand the process of acquiring the necessary knowledge for change.

Her stories are character-driven in a way that no two couples are alike; each hero and heroine are their own people; there’s nothing cookie cutter about them. They are uniquely them in every sense of the word and that’s why it’s so easy to be captivated by Ryan’s books…she seems to have the pulse on what matters…on what needs to be explored and discussed so that readers understand the magnitude of these situations and feel resolved to bring focus to ways to solve these issues instead of creating new ones due to apathy and prejudice. 

The Kingmaker explores the idea of passionate pursuits, both in life and in love, and through her characters’ drive, perseverance, and intelligence, Kennedy Ryan truly captures the human spirit and what can occur as long as obstacles can be overcome and life can be lived on their terms and no one else’s.

I’m dying to get my hands on book 2!!

5+ Poison Apples 

Pre-order the stunning conclusion, The Rebel King!

Releasing November 17th

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2W630xF

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TheRebelKing

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2W69Umr

Be notified FIRST when The Rebel King goes live: http://bit.ly/2oRuDhf

Get notified when The Kingmaker is available on Audio: http://bit.ly/kingmakeraudio

About Kennedy

A RITA® Award Winner and Top 25 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy Ryan writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Her heroes respect, cherish and lose their minds for the women who capture their hearts.

She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine, Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Atlanta families living with Autism, she has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for families living with autism.

KR W Bckg VertiConnect with Kennedy

Never Miss A Release! Follow Kennedy on BookBub: http://bit.ly/2HcRuee

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Website: http://kennedyryanwrites.com

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DUAL COVER REVEAL: BAD REPUTATION DUET by Krista and Becca Ritchie

BAD REPUTATION DUET by Krista & Becca Ritchie
Whatever It Takes Release Date: January 21st
Wherever You Are Release Date: January 28th
Genre: New Adult Romance

Blurb

I HAVE A BAD REPUTATION.

Call me what you want: Bad Boy Next Door. Trouble. That Kid Who Can’t Do Anything Right.

When Willow moves into my neighborhood, nothing should have happened. She’s geeky. Shy. A true wallflower.

Willow is a good girl.
Too good for me.

And how the hell was I supposed to know that she’s related to Loren Hale—yeah, that douchebag celebrity that lives on my street. The same guy I’ve been pranking by spray painting vulgar words on his mailbox and worse. Much worse.

Don’t ask me why I do the things I do.
Don’t ask me why it had to be her.

I’m cursed. Simple as that. But here’s the thing about people who are cursed—they break everything they touch.

And yet. . .I still want to touch her.

Whatever It Takes is the first book in the Bad Reputation Duet and can be read and enjoyed without reading any of Krista & Becca’s other novels.

PREORDER WHATEVER IT TAKES (Book #1)

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2nQ9BiE
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2n7m1T3
B&N: https://bit.ly/2mVGnPm

Add to Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47161456-whatever-it-takes

Blurb

Willow & Garrison’s story continues in Wherever You Are. More information to come.

Add to Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47161466-wherever-you-are

PREORDER WHEREVER YOU ARE (Book #2)
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2nPb7l8
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2nQeTKW
B&N: https://bit.ly/2nWzLju

About the Authors

Krista & Becca Ritchie are New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors and identical twins—one a science nerd, the other a comic book geek—but with their shared passion for writing, they combined their mental powers as kids and have never stopped telling stories. Now in their twenties, they write about other twenty-somethings navigating through life, college, and romance. They love superheroes, flawed characters, and soul mate love.

Connect w/Krista & Becca

Website: http://kbritchie.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KBRitchie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KBRitchie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbmritchie/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7056935.Krista_Ritchie
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Zu4plH
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/krista-ritchie
Newsletter Signup: http://kbritchie.com/newsletter.html

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RELEASE BLITZ: SHADOWS by Kristen Proby

Shadows - RB banner

“Gripping, unique, and just enough scary to make you jump when you hear a loud noise–Shadows is the perfect blend of paranormal and contemporary romance!” — Rachel Van Dyken, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Shadows, an all-new chilling and must read paranormal romance from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby, is available now!

Shadows AMAZON

I am never alone. Not even when I am alone.

I see the unquiet dead, the souls that wander through the French Quarter.

They can’t move on, and I can’t stop seeing them.

I wear malachite for protection, and I control what I let in. It’s the only way to stay sane. Everything changes the day Cassian Winslow joins my ghost walking tour and knocks my world off its axis with green eyes the color of the stone around my neck.

An unspeakable evil is loose in New Orleans, taking young women and leaving a bloodbath in his wake. More shadows lurking for me. More unhappy dead. There might be a way to stop it.

Open myself up to Cassian.

If I do, it could spell his death.

But if I don’t, it’s mine.

Shadows - AN

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZLVNmx

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2l9jw1y

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/Shadows

Nook: http://bit.ly/2kjVr87

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2m17Eix

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/31JzfUA

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2lErqQk

Shadows Teaser 2

About Kristen Proby

Kristen was born and raised in a small resort town in her beloved Montana. In her mid-twenties, she decided to stretch her wings and move to the Pacific Northwest, where she made her home for more than a dozen years.

During that time, Kristen wrote many romance novels and joined organizations such as RWA and other small writing groups. She spent countless hours in workshops, and more mornings than she can count up before the dawn so she could write before going to work. She submitted many manuscripts to agents and editors alike, but was always told no. In the summer of 2012, the self-publishing scene was new and thriving, and Kristen had one goal: to publish just one book. It was something she longed to cross off of her bucket list.

Not only did she publish one book, she’s since published close to thirty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion Series.

Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two pugs and two cats.

Connect with Kristen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooksByKristenProby/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Handbagjunkie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenproby/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kristen-proby
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Website: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/kristenproby/newsletter-sign-up

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RELEASE BLITZ: Stud Muffin by Jiffy Kate

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It’s hard to get revenge without getting a rap sheet.

Stud Muffin, an all-new friends-to-lovers standalone romance from Jiffy Kate, is available now!

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After Tempest Cassidy walks in on her husband banging her high school nemesis, her whole world gets turned upside down. She goes from being known as the Duchess of Muffins to the town crazy. Her new MO: revenge. Eventually, Tempest grows weary being arrested. Yet what choice does she have? If she’s not angry, then she’s simply . . . sad.

Just as she decides to get her life back on track, in walks Cage Erickson, the new bouncer at the local strip club. He’s scary-handsome and the polar opposite of her ex. She’s attracted to him, but she’s not looking for a rebound. He’s attracted to her, but he’s not looking for a serious relationship. So, they agree to be friends.

But when lines get blurred in the friend zone, will they both get burned? Or will it be a TKO?

‘Stud Muffin’ is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#2 in the Donner Bakery series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Copy of DB02-LIVE

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/35TdNQh

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2lWf2eJ

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/StudMuffin

Nook: http://bit.ly/2m1a1lk

Kobo: Coming Soon!

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2kkIo6o

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2khZoKt

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2m25z5P

About Jiffy Kate

Jiffy Kate is the joint pen name for Jiff Simpson and Jenny Kate Altman. They’re co-writing besties who share a brain. They also share a love of cute boys, stiff drinks, and fun times.

Together, they’ve written over twenty stories. Their first published book, Finding Focus, was released in November 2015. Since then, they’ve continued to write what they know–southern settings full of swoony heroes and strong heroines.

Connect with Jiffy Kate

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2kkDmqx

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2ki0mq5

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2lGyhsz

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2kkDkPr

Website: http://www.jiffykate.com/

Connect with Smartypants Romance

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2kvDnb4

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Amazon: https://amzn.to/2lGdIMQ

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2kwKsYK

Website: https://smartypantsromance.com/

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RELEASE BLITZ: GYPSY KING by Devney Perry

GYPSY KING

Tin Gypsy #1

By Devney Perry

Release Date: October 29


The former Tin Gypsy motorcycle club has everyone in Clifton Forge, Montana convinced they’ve locked their clubhouse doors and ripped off their patches. Everyone but Bryce Ryan. There’s more happening at the club’s garage than muscle car restorations and Harley rebuilds. Her instincts are screaming there’s a story—one she’s going to tell.

As the new owner of the small town’s newspaper, Bryce is hungry for more than birth announcements and obituaries. When a woman is brutally killed and all signs point to the Tin Gypsies, Bryce is determined to expose the club and their leader, Kingston “Dash” Slater, as murderers.

Bryce bests Dash match after match, disappointed her rugged and handsome opponent turns out to be an underwhelming adversary. Secrets are exposed. Truths defeat lies. Bryce is poised to win this battle in a landslide.

Then Dash breaks all the rules and tips the scales.

One kiss, and she’s fighting to save more than just her story. She’s fighting to save her heart from the Gypsy King.

Amazon: https://geni.us/OJrjJqo

Apple: https://geni.us/lNxYz

Nook: https://geni.us/YkLih

Kobo: https://geni.us/THXK

Audible: https://geni.us/lB4mEJ

My Review

Regardless of how buried Kingston ‘Dash’ Slate worked to put the Tin Gypsies Motorcycle Club’s nefarious past behind him and his brothers, including suspending all illegal activity and going 100% legit, the sins of the father…the sins of the past always have a way of being dug up, especially when Bryce Ryan, new owner of Clifton Forge’s small town newspaper, hopes to dig up front page news and is hellbent on exposing the truth regardless of how deep she needs to go or the numerous encounters she’s forced to have with a certain ex-Tin Gypsies President who doesn’t want her sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong.

Needless to say, there’s nothing friendly about Dash and Bryce’s initial encounters, which makes sense since given what Dash’s father is up against and just how good Bryce is at her job. The way that Perry writes the progression of Dash and Bryce’s relationship works well because it’s clear they are on opposite sides when it comes to what Bryce wants to expose, but the more she proves herself to be a formidable foe, the more Dash wants to know everything about her.

Bryce is definitely a ball buster, and the fact that she one-ups Dash, on numerous occasions, only make her more attractive to him, meaning that he’ll keep playing her games and going head-to-head with her because her feistiness, her sharp wit, and her intelligence makes her his picture match. Dash is quite the contradictory character – his past very much made him the man he is today and even though he’s now on the right side of the law, that doesn’t negate all that he and his Tin Gypsies’ brothers have done. I felt a bevy of different feelings for him at various parts of the book, but, ultimately, I could appreciate the work he’s done to follow a path much different than the one he once did.

One aspect of Devney Perry’s stories that I’ve always appreciated is the role her secondary characters add to and play in the plot as well as how they also show themselves to be deserving of their own stories.

The story line has a little bit of everything romance lovers enjoy: suspense, drama, mystery, any sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. The murder mystery definitely becomes the main focus for both Dash and Bryce and that quest puts them on the same team, even if they have different reasons for wanting to seek out the truth. After everything played out the way they did, there were still a few questions left unanswered that I wanted more insight on, but I’m hoping as the series continues, that readers will become privy to that information and feel like it was resolved in the best way possible.

4.5 Poison Apples

About the Author

Devney is a USA Today bestselling author. Born and raised in Montana, she loves writing books set in her treasured home state. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her husband and two sons. Writing one book, let alone many, was not something she ever expected to do. But now that she’s discovered her true passion for writing romance, she has no plans to ever stop. Devney loves hearing from readers! Connect with her on social media.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devneyperrybooks/

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2N1u9xz

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

Website: https://devneyperry.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/devneyperry

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15854913.Devney_Perry

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/devneyperry/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/devney-perry

 

 

 



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RELEASE BLITZ: If You Say So by Lani Lynn Vale

IF YOU SAY SO

KPD Motorcycle Patrol Book 6

By Lani Lynn Vale

Release Date: October 29

Gabriel Luca Maldonado, III and Francesca Leandra Solomon were meant to be. They were so in love that everybody prayed for what they had.

Everything was glorious. They would get married, have children and live a perfect life. She would be a doctor in the emergency room once she finished her doctorate, and he would be a badass Navy SEAL and save people for a living.

But then Luca is deployed across the world, and per military regulations, Frankie isn’t allowed to follow.

They’ve overcome a lot in their short relationship, and they can overcome this, too. Two years was a piece of cake. She’d finish her schooling and wait for him. And when he finally returned home, they would marry.

But two months into Luca’s deployment, the unthinkable happens, and Frankie is left alone and heartbroken, knowing that she’ll have to face the rest of life without Luca at her side.

***

Fast forward two years, and Frankie is exactly where her fiancé’s father left her, in a pit of despair that she has no hope of ever finding her way out of.

She lives life one second at a time, depressed and alone, hoping tomorrow won’t hurt like today.

She finds a job, moves, and hopes that the nightmares won’t swallow her whole.

But just as she thinks that she’s getting better, one of her nightmares walks through the doors of her ER, and that nightmare has a name.

Gabriel Luca Maldonado, III. In the flesh.

Also healthy and whole, and definitely no longer missing.

Sadly, it only takes her a half a second to realize that the man that left her isn’t the same man that returned.

The old one wanted her. The new one? Well, he’s definitely not interested anymore.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Xzoy9L

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2Xzpsy1

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2xC68FU

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2G6B0mB

Apple Books: https://apple.co/32ceoKD

Nook: https://bit.ly/2NKx6WT

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2xBJk99

My Review 

If You Say So has quite the intriguing premise and the way Vale lays out the plot line based on how the main characters handle their two year separation, deal with the aftermath of the hero’s deployment, and move on from the feelings of loss, sorrow and emptiness that seem to influence every aspect of their lives. And as much as they appeared to be made for each other, the other half of one another’s soul, the factors that keep them apart almost seem to be insurmountable, so much so that the lack of memories and the lack of truly remembering who they were together threatens to unravel what little sanity and hope they’re both hanging on to by a thread.

Frankie and Luca’s book is very much character-driven but not in the way most would think and while I won’t elaborate because the way Vale plotted the story speaks for itself, what’s revealed and how things play out could very much happen given the incorrect information that led to the circumstances the hero and heroine find themselves in.

I will say, though, that even though I had no issues with the pacing of the plot, I did feel the added drama detracted from the focus of Frankie and Luca finding their way back to each other. These two had already battled so much that I didn’t understand why they had to face more.

Overall, though, I really enjoyed If You Say So. I’m a huge fan of Lani Lynn Vale’s writing and she creates such amazing characters that I just can’t help but want every single of them to get their own story!

3.5/4 Poison Apples 

About the Author

Lani Lynn Vale is a USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, two cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple also meaning over twenty) chickens.

When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading.

Lani is married with three children and lives in the Great State of Texas.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | BookBub

 

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RELEASE BOOST AND GIVEAWAY: ROCK STAR ROMANCE ULTIMATE

ROCK STAR ROMANCE ULTIMATE

Release Date: October 24, 2019

Genre: Rock Star Romance

ROCK STAR Romance Giveaway

(Chance to win a $150 Amazon gift card)
https://promosimple.com/ps/f08c/rock-star-romance-ultimate-giveaway

DON’T FORGET!

All of the digital proceeds from both volumes of the anthology will go to the North Texas Food Bank.

AVAILABLE NOW!

Volume 1

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2oTij0t
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/31CgDFK
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/35W8CPp
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/31AZkEX

Volume 2

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2PaM1J2
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2W6BD6u
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2W6F7pm
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/35ZSZGv

Add Volume #1 to Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48258301-rock-star-romance-ultimate

Add Volume #2 to Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48258460-rock-star-romance-ultimate

Blurb

The Rock Star Romance Ultimate is an exclusive collection of rock star romances by New York Times, USA Today, and other bestselling rock star romance authors. Each volume has over a thousand pages. All of the digital proceeds from both volumes of the anthology will go to the North Texas Food Bank.

There are collectible paperbacks available with this exclusive collection. Like the digital copies, they will be available for a limited time only. If you want a beautifully formatted, autograph-ready collectible copy for your bookshelf, or one to gift to a rock star romance loving friend, get it while you can.

Available in this collection for a limited time only are:

VOLUME 1

Insider by Olivia Cunning
Gone for You by Jayne Frost
Million Dollar Musician by RB Hilliard
Just a Tease by Crystal Kaswell
Irresistible Refrain by Michelle Mankin
Enticing Interlude by Michelle Mankin
Savor You by Emily Snow
Hard Rock Promise by Athena Wright

VOLUME 2

Music of the Heart by Katie Ashley
Dirty Like Me by Jaine Diamond
Manaconda by Taryn Elliott and Cari Quinn
Memphis Black by MJ Fields
Rock My Heart by Crystal Kaswell
The Right Man by Michelle Mankin
Rock the Heart by Michelle Valentine

AVAILABLE NOW!

Volume 1

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2oTij0t
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/31CgDFK
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/35W8CPp
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/31AZkEX

Volume 2

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2PaM1J2
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2W6BD6u
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2W6F7pm
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/35ZSZGv

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BLOG TOUR REVIEW AND EXCERPT: Happy Trail by Daisy Prescott

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“Happy Trail was a feel good, funny and heartwarming adventure with the usual Daisy Prescott charm..”

— T. Gephart, USA Today bestselling author

Happy Trail, an all-new opposites attract standalone romance from USA Today bestselling author Daisy Prescott, is available now!

20190718_GVPR01_Happy Trail_Prescott_KDP_FINAL

A man of few words, Ranger Jay Daniels values the calm, quiet solitude of the Great Smoky Mountains. Never quite fitting in with either side of his family, he prefers the company of birds and trees to people.

Yeah, he’d most definitely prefer a bird—any bird, any bird at all, take a vulture for instance—to the human-tornado hybrid that just blew onto his peaceful stretch of the Appalachian Trail.

The path of true love never has run smooth for Olive Perry. After getting dumped and promptly abandoned in the middle of her multi-month hike, Olive swears off men. Determined to finish the long trek by herself, she doesn’t need a prince—or broody and taciturn ranger—to save her.

Yet, when an early snowstorm threatens the mountains, and Ranger Daniels is charged with getting hikers to safety, that includes hot-tempered Olive Perry. Snowed in and forced to share an abandoned cabin, can Olive’s heated intensity melt Jay’s cool reserve?

And if so, will this happy trail lead to true love? Or will their time together be just another bump in the road?

‘Happy Trail’ is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Park Ranger series.

DP-HT-available1

Download today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2jXmYvE

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2lB3BJv

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/HappyTrail

Nook: http://bit.ly/2m0VeXN

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2lEAwww

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2jXnfPc

Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/2ku05Al

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2kwOTmm

My Review

The main characters of Happy Trail, book one in the Park Rangers series, couldn’t be more different, not only in terms of the kind of lives they lead but also when it comes to their personalties and the situations they find themselves in when it comes to their respective family’s expectations.

Ranger Jay Daniels prefers silence over noise, nature over city life, solitude over chaos. He keeps to himself and revels in the quiet beauty of the Appalachian Trail and the peacefulness it provides him and the hikers who venture out on its trails.

Olive Perry has to be one of the most unlucky in love women around…case-in-point, the predicament she has to contend with, on her own, when her now ex-boyfriend ditches her on their hike, forcing her to venture on her own in an environment that’s unfamiliar, which is only compounded by the snow storm that forces her to bunk down with the intriguing but illusive park ranger.

I love a good slow burn romance…the build-up, the tension, and the attraction makes for great reading and pushes readers forward as quickly as possible, so they can witness when these two finally give into their chemistry and their feelings for one another that seemed to be present since their first interaction. Jay and Olive’s back and forth made for some humorous scenes and the fact that as soon as Olive was done with men, she would find someone who both frustrates her and makes her heart beat faster seems to be the kind of luck she has.

Amidst the pages of Happy Trail, readers will find societal issues explored that will definitely resonate with them; Jay’s struggle to truly fit in due to his mixed ethnicity and the pressure Olive feels when it comes to finding a man who her family approves of are two topics that many readers understand and perhaps even know firsthand those exact complications of life, and while I would have liked them to be fleshed out just a bit more, I love the fact that they’re addressed in the first place.

Any chance I get to return to Green Valley is one trip I’ll gladly take over and over again, and I’m so glad that SmartyPants Romance allows readers a plethora of those opportunities with the new series created in the Pennyverse. And, I’m excited to see which park ranger is up next and what kind of situation he finds himself in, both in nature and their personal lives as well.

4 Poison Apples

Excerpt

“Can we drop the pretense of not being trapped on the wrong side of the fence with whatever bloodthirsty beast is making such a sound?” I squint into the distance, hoping narrowing my eyes will give me super strength vision.

It doesn’t. I step behind Ranger Daniels for protection.

“What are you doing?” He twists his neck to look down at me.

“Hiding. I believe you took an oath to protect and serve.”

“Pfft. You’re confusing me with a police officer. I’m here to engage, educate, and empower.” He moves so he’s beside me.

“You carry a gun, don’t you?”

“Sometimes. Do you see a holster now?”

I scan his hips and shake my head, allowing my eyes to linger on the tight fit of his uniform pants over his strong thighs and the thick belt at his narrow waist. Ranger Daniels is packing heat, but not of the pistol variety.

Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

A distinct braying reaches my ears.

“Is that a donkey?” I tip my head.

“What would a donkey be doing up here? Makes no sense.”

“Ask him. Or her.” I point at the gray beast moving toward us. “I’m a city girl, but I’m pretty sure that’s an ass.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Jay removes his hat.

Maybe he plans to shoo away our attacker with it?

The gray form ambles toward us, letting out a loud bray and revealing large teeth.

“Should we be worried?” I’m standing behind Jay again.

“About a donkey? They’re mostly docile. He’s probably just curious.” Shifting his attention forward, he addresses our new friend. “Hey there. Where’d you come from?”

The donkey halts.

“See? He’s fine. Probably thinks we’re bringing treats.”

“And what will he do when he realizes we’re showing up to his house empty-handed?” I’m half mocking. In my world, not bringing a hostess gift is an unthinkable breach of etiquette. I have no idea about the social decorum for equines.

“Let’s go.” Jay encourages me forward with a sweep of his hat.

We take several steps and the donkey does the same without breaking eye contact, like we’re about to duel. There’s definitely a challenge, a mild threat in the eyes of our new foe.

“Should we slowly retreat to the fence?” I whisper at Jay’s back.

“Nah, we’re fine.”

“Maybe he’s a guard donkey.” I slide a glance over my shoulder toward safety. We’re a dozen or so yards away, but it isn’t too late to make a quick escape.

Jay’s eyes meet mine. “You know guard donkeys aren’t a thing.”

“I’m a stranger in a strange land—anything’s possible.” I wait until he faces forward to stick my tongue out at him.

He’s shaking his head and clearly not paying attention to me anymore as he stomps across the squishy field.

Left with no choice, I follow after him.

My boot slips in the mud, or donkey poop—it’s impossible to tell the difference. I squawk and flail my arms as I tumble forward in an awkward motion resembling the mating dance of an emu.

The donkey’s ears prick up before flattening against his head.

“Uh oh,” I murmur as I straighten up.

“It’s fine,” Jay says for the dozenth time.

Only he’s wrong.

About Daisy Prescott

Born and raised in San Diego, Daisy currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with her husband, their rescue dog, Mulder, and an imaginary house goat. When not writing about herself in the third person, Daisy can be found traveling, gardening, baking, or lost in a good book.

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BLOG TOUR REVIEW AND EXCERPT: Love in Due Time by L.B. Dunbar

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Love in Due Time, an all-new second chance romantic comedy from L.B. Dunbar is available now!

20190718_GVL01_Love in Due Time_Dunbar_KDP_FINAL

Naomi Winters will be forty—soon-ish—and she’s only been with one man. One night. One time. Long ago. She believes everything happens for a reason, and the universe spoke about Nathan Ryder.

Nathan Ryder isn’t the same man who hightailed his bike out of Green Valley eighteen years ago. As a rule breaker, women are one area he acts a fool. Case in point…the local librarian. He can’t get a read on her, but she’s one risk he’s willing to take. Again.

What do an eccentric librarian and a sexy silver biker have in common? More than you think.

The due date on their love might not be expired after all.

‘Love in Due Time’ is a full-length, contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Green Valley Library series.

Copy of GVL01-LIVE

Download your copy today!

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My Review

Any chance I get to head back to Green Valley, I’m all for, and the fact that I get to meet some of its other residents with several mentions of the Winston family in the midst of the storyline is an added bonus.

I’m no stranger to L.B. Dunbar’s writing, so I was excited to hear that she was a part of the PennyVerse and then when I read the blurb and the ages of the hero and heroine, I knew there was no other author for Love in Due Time.

Imagine how much your fine would be for a library book that was 18 years overdue. How about the loneliness that you would feel when the person you thought could be your everything, even after one night, left without a word, and comes back 18 years later wanting the chance that he couldn’t take back then due to extenuating circumstances? While this comparison may not make any sense to most, Naomi Winters equates her life according to these two ideas as a Green Valley librarian and as an almost 40 year old woman who gave herself fully to a man she didn’t know well but is still hoping for his return. 

I’m all about a silver fox biker, and while Nathan Ryder has made a litany of bad decisions, when he reconnects with Naomi, he makes it his mission to prove himself to her and even though she’s not the girl he remembers from all those years ago and is quite a bit more closed off and afraid, there’s something about her that still calls to him even after all this time, and despite her hesitances, a past he needs to make amends for, two daughters he needs to do right by, and a previous mistakes that threatens the very relationship he desperately wants, Nathan proves the kind of man he is and why, even though their chance for love is long overdue, it’s worth the risk.

I love how unique L.B. Dunbar made her female lead; Naomi’s eccentricities are endearing and while other townspeople don’t understand her or judge her based on some of her beliefs, she’s worthy of everything her heart desires and more. The Naomi Nathan knew and the one he reacquaints himself with may not be identical, but the connection he felt to her 18 years ago is still present, even if Naomi’s not as carefree or rebellious as she used to be. 

I really enjoyed Love in Due Time; there’s a great connection to the Winston family and their matriarch; the bond that Naomi shared with Bethany was a driving force of good in her life amidst the mistreatment of her by her parents. And, Nathan’s purpose in being back in Green Valley and what he hopes to build with Naomi makes him the perfect silver fox biker for his perfectly amazing librarian.

4 Poison Apples

Excerpt

“Naomi?” My hands cover her shoulders, holding her steady.

“This is all my fault.” Her eyes widen, the widest I’ve ever seen. Panic fills them.

“What do you mean?”

“I … I can’t believe this happened again.” Her hands come to my chest, and she gently pushes at me. “You have to get out of here.”

“What?” My brows pinch at the harsh tone.

“You need to go. I can’t be near you.” Her voice struggles to stay level.

Ouch. That stings a little.

“Why?” I take one step back under the force of her hands.

“I can’t be around you. This can’t happen.”

“Lady, what are you talking about?” My voice roughens.

“Bad things always happen after I’m with you.”

I stiffen, straightening to my full height. My arms cross and I glare down at her. Saying such a thing is just downright mean. Her head shakes as her fingers curl along the open edges of my work jacket. Suddenly, I feel like she’s tugging me to her instead of pressing me away.

What the …

“When I’m with you, something happens. Something bad.” Her breath catches. “Because we kissed, the library is closing.”

I stare at her. She can’t be serious, but I see the hysteria in her eyes, like a rabid, trapped animal. She actually believes what she says.

“Well, we didn’t kiss,” I remind her, my tone stern and condescending. “I kissed you, remember? And you didn’t kiss me back, so I don’t think it counts.”

She glares up at me, her fingers still gripping my open jacket. Her shoulders fall, her head lowers, and it’s as if I can visibly see her relax, like water cascading down a building, washing over her.

Exhale. Settle.

Exhale. Calm.

“I didn’t kiss you back?” she questions and then her head pops up again. She nearly shrieks with the hesitant realization. Commence inhaling, like she’s winding up again. Full steam ahead.

“I didn’t kiss you back,” she repeats, her excitement growing. Another exaggerated inhale.

“I didn’t kiss you back!” Now, she’s just downright gloating, and the engine’s ready to blow.

“You don’t have to sound so pleased,” I murmur. I glance up and notice Mrs. MacIntyre watching us through the window of the librarian’s office behind the check-out counter. Her eyes narrow and I’m certain we’re making too much noise for her liking.

“I … I’m so relieved,” Naomi admits, her head falling forward, her fingers loosening on my jacket. Then her face turns up again. Her lids lift, slow and lazy. Her mouth curls in sweet relief, and she pulls herself up on her toes by the open edge of my jacket and does the damnedest thing. She kisses me.

About L.B. Dunbar

L.B. Dunbar loves the sweeter things in life: cookies, Coca-Cola, and romance. Her reading journey began with a deep love of fairy tales, medieval knights, Regency debauchery, and alpha males. She loves a deep belly laugh and a strong hug. Occasionally, she has the energy of a Jack Russell terrier. Accused—yes, that’s the correct word—of having an overactive imagination, to her benefit, such an imagination works well. Author of over two dozen novels, she’s created sweet, small town worlds; rock star mayhem; MMA chaos; sexy rom-coms for the over 40; and intrigue on an island of redemption. In addition, she is earning a title as the “myth and legend lady” for her modernizations of mythology as elda lore. Her other duties in life include mother to four children and wife to the one and only.

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COVER REVEAL: Insatiable by Melanie Harlow

Insatiable - CR banner

After all those years of being just friends, suddenly we’re insatiable.

Insatiable, an all-new irresistible friends to lovers romance from USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow is coming November 11th and we have the gorgeous cover!

Insatiable AMAZON

I didn’t mean to see him naked–it was an accident.

It had to be, right?

Because Noah McCormick and I have never been anything more than friends. In all the years I’ve known him, he’s never once laid a finger on me. And even though he was a cute lifeguard at 16 and a hotter-than-hell sheriff’s deputy at 34, he’s always been that protective guy I could trust to keep his hands to himself. I never wanted to mess with that.

Until I walked in on him getting out of the shower and saw his hard, muscular body totally bare and dripping wet. At that moment I never wanted to mess with anything so badly in my entire life.

I should have covered my eyes. Said I was sorry. At the very least, I could have handed him a towel.

After all, I was only in town for a few days, and he was just doing me a favor by escorting me to my sister’s wedding. It wasn’t a real date.

But I didn’t apologize. And he didn’t cover up.

(Talk about a hot mess.)

After all those years of being just friends, suddenly we’re insatiable.

He’s made it clear he’s not interested in romance. Which is fine with me because

I’ve got a plane ticket back to my real life at the end of the week.

It’s all in fun…or is it?

Insatiable - PO

Pre-order your copy of Instatiable today!

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Cover designed by Hang Le

Photographer: Regina Wamba

Insatiable - Teaser 8 PO

About Melanie

Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she’s not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like VEEP, Game of Thrones, Succession, and Homeland. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.

Melanie is the author of the ONE & ONLY series, the AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, the FRENCHED series, and the sexy historical SPEAK EASY duet, set in the 1920s. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.

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