Campus Craving Higher Learning Box Set -#spotlight & #bookreview

Campus Cravings

Welcome to Cathia University, where school is in session! Nine of today's hottest gay romance authors have crafted brand-new interrelated novellas celebrating everything wonderful about college, including sophisticated professors, sexy teaching assistants, ambitious grad students, and spirited undergraduates, all looking for the same thing: an A+ in true love. 

Annabeth Albert: Winning Bracket

Metrics and tournament brackets—who knew they were sexy? When competing dorm advisors Edwin and Ollie bet on a basketball tournament, neither expects he’s risking his heart. As the challenge becomes a hot bedroom battle to avoid real feelings, the two “frenemies” must change their definitions of losing to win a shot at lasting love. 

Cassandra Carr: The Eloquent Jock 

Hockey jock and English Lit major Brendan knows he’s gay, but hasn’t come out to anyone, fearing a possible backlash. Then he’s tapped to be a TA for a hot professor and feels an immediate connection. Now he must decide how much he’s willing to risk to score the ultimate goal. 

Dalton Diaz: Lesson Learned

Adam Warren is counting down the days until he can put “Professor” next to his name—and his disastrous past with Tyler Ford behind him. When a fluke puts Tyler in Adam’s class, the graduate assistant faces some hard choices while Tyler faces an uphill battle for a second chance at first love. 

Mia Downing: Switching Leads 

Coach John Graham needs a new assistant for Cathia U's equestrian team. The last person he expects to get the job walks into the barn and stops his heart. How is he supposed to focus on the team when his ex-lover—sexy horse trainer Finn Parker—wants back into his life…and into his bed? 

Whitley Gray: Artistic Endeavor 

When friends ask one-night stand connoisseur Michael Esteban to introduce shy virgin Cobey Miller to the joys of sex, Michael balks—lust is his thing, not teaching. But Cobey’s problem meeting men fuels Michael’s decision to help Cobey become a gay-sex-loving guy. It’ll all be fun and games—unless someone falls in love. 

Bianca Sommerland: Solid Education 

Gage Tackett comes off as a bad boy—detached and maybe a little dangerous. Definitely not Vet Sciences Professor Derek Paulson’s type. When Gage arrives at Derek’s veterinary clinic with a frostbitten stray dog, Derek realizes his most difficult student has a few things to teach him. Things he’s more than willing to learn. 

KyAnn Waters: Private Lessons 

Ryan Kane could lose his scholarship and his position on the pitch. Jake Finely offers to help. Only Ryan and Jake discover their private lessons have more to do with sex ed than Business Ethics. When a tenured professor offers Ryan an indecent proposal to make the grade, will he choose soccer or Jake? 

LA Witt: Did Somebody Order a Pizza? 

Paul Switzer has been miserable ever since his childhood love, Cory Bowman, chose a fraternity over him. When a pizza delivery to the frat house lands the exes face to face for the first time in eighteen months, the wound is reopened... and so are Paul's feelings for the only man he's ever loved. 

Sara York: The Dust Of Everyday Life 

Cole only has the courage to lust after the swim team from afar. When Seever asks to share a table at the packed coffee house where Cole is studying, he’s sure it’s a joke. But after one touch and one scorching kiss, Cole thinks the chance meet could lead to something with substance.

Buy Links:  Amazon / Smashwords

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Sizzling Pr

Genre: MM Contemporary Romance

Box Set

My Campus Craving Review ... 

First off this box set was LONG but good.  I was going to review each book within 

the series but it took me forever to read and I realized that this post would be too 

long so it is a summary review instead. There were some stories that were better 

than others.  There were some stories that were too short and some that were too 

long.  But they neat thing is that all of them were set in the same world that is 

Cathia University.  Which is a very liberal LGBT friendly university.

Because the setting is the same it was easy to get lost in the world.  Some stories 

were about the students.  Some were about the teachers.  Some were about both 

but in the end it was about love is love. 

The awesome thing about box sets is that you get to see some of your favorite 

authors which probably drew you into the box set to start with as well as you get to 

experience new authors that you haven't read before but now have a new list of 

authors to add to your TBR.  However, out of the set I think my favorite story was

Whitley Gray: Artistic Endeavor  which was sweet and grabbed at my heart strings. 

If you like the MM genre then this is a box set worth the read.  Some of my ratings 

per story rate from 2.5 to 4 so I will average my review to a 3.5 thumbs up!

. 5 

Lauren

  

My Book Boyfriend Monday - Westly Black

Yeah!  Two weeks in a row book boyfriend Mondays.  Fingers crossed we keep this trend I was getting lonely without so many boyfriends.  This week goes to the sexy misunderstood ... Westly Black from Temper For You by Genna Rulon

Even in Pieces of You Westly had already stolen part of my heart but in Temper For You he cemented my love by...

1. Being the orgasm master
2. Loving so wholeheartedly (well once he found his heart)
3. Being a master of words 

 Some of the examples of how Westly stole my heart :

All phrases and quotes from eARC of Temper For You by Genna Rulon Courtesy from Author

Temper for You (For You #3)

by Genna Rulon (Goodreads Author)

"Life is messy. Love is messier." -Catch and Release

Meg Adeio has led a life of isolation—not by choice, by necessity—until one act of heroism forces her out of seclusion. Despite a past shrouded in mystery, Meg is “adopted” by an eclectic group of friends that become the family she never had. Life was good for the first time in…ever.

Or it was until Westly Black reappeared on her doorstep. She knew he was the last man any woman should give her time to—only good for one thing—yet a temptation no woman could deny. Wes might make her life messy, but Meg’s eyes were wide open and she had it under control. At least she thought she did.

When past and present collide, loyalties are tested, forcing Meg to sacrifice her future to protect those she loves.

Temper For You is a gripping story of regret, deception, and redemption – filled with raw emotion, sarcastic wit, intrigue, and love’s propensity to forgive.


• Though Temper For You is a part of the For You Series, it can be read as a stand alone
• This story is appropriate for readers 18+

ADD TO GOODREADS
 

LINKS: AMAZON (Kindle) | My Review

Reforming the Rock Star by Christine Bell - #Bookreview

Title: Reforming the Rock Star (Head Over Heels, #2)
Author: Christine Bell
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 213 pages
Release Date: September 29, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-63375-080-7
Imprint: Indulgence

When Sydney Metcalf’s bestie asks her to cater her wedding, Syd can’t say no, even though the thought of going back to her hometown makes her break out in hives. She’s off to a great start until best man and rock god Lazlo Stone calls with a request for her to cater the bachelor party too. Petit fours adorned with rose petals, she can handle. A cake shaped like boobs for the sexiest guy in the universe? She’s not so sure. But this is the chance of a lifetime and she refuses to screw it up by being a prude…
When a sexy stripper dressed as a Plain Jane crashes the bachelor party, Laz is all about getting vertical and making some music with her. Too bad his stripper is really the caterer and the bride’s best friend. After a kiss between them blazes out of control, he can’t seem to stop thinking about sweet little Syd.
But everybody knows, rock and roll and love don’t mix…

ADD TO GOODREADS

BUY : AMAZON (Kindle)

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Entangled Indulgence 

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Part 2 in a series by different authors

My Reforming the Rock Star Review ...

 Ok, So here is the scoop. I got asked to review this book and I was all yeah!!! Rockstar then as I was reading it and I was like 'what am I reading why does it feel like I am missing something vital?'  So, I went on the hunt on Goodreads to find this book but I couldn't find it until it was under a different Christine Bell which confused me, then I went to the Entangled page and that Christine Bell was the same as the one on GR without this title under her so I was 'Ok, whatever'  about that but then, I couldn't find the first book.  After I read the book did I finally find out that book one was from a different author Ally Blake and the book was called Resisting the Musician.  I feel like this book would have been way better with reading this first book first. 

Now to the actual book.... Hmmm it was a very quick paced love story but not very memorable.  There was a rock star named Laz who was once burnt so in turn didn't want a relationship.  There was a chef who had no self value and a shitty past so she didn't think she deserved anything good.  Blah Blah! You get it.  But once they meet. Boom! They both a turn a new leaf and have a very quickly escalating can't live without you relationship. 

It had all the elements of insecurities, angst, friendship, doubt, passion and love but it was just a meh for me.  It was too quick paced and I didn't feel the connection or bond between characters not having read the first book.  

For me, it was sweet but meh! 

2.5 Meh Thumbs up!

. 5

Lauren

BUY : AMAZON (Kindle)

 

Cover Reveal - Here With Me by Heidi McLaughlin -#giveaway

Today we are revealing the cover of the novel HERE WITH ME by New York Times Bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin. The book will be released on Thursday, October 23rd.

 

Synopsis for HERE WITH ME:

Ryley Clarke has grown up with the military in her blood, with both parents serving their country. Ryley knows the risks of being married to the military. But when the unthinkable happens, and her future husband is killed in action, Ryley can barely survive... until Evan's twin brother, Nate, helps her pick up the pieces.

After serving on a special mission with the military for six years, Evan Archer returns home to find the unthinkable - the love of his life, Ryley Clarke - engaged to his brother, Nate.  With Nate on deployment, Evan needs to figure out what happened in his absence, and more importantly, how to win Ryley back from the man he once considered his best friend, but now thinks of as his rival.

 

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18948703-here-with-me

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

AUTHOR INFORMATION

 

BIO: Heidi is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets. During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting court-side during either daughter's basketball games.    


Author Links:
Website: http://heidimclaughlin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidiMcLaughlinAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiJoVT
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6568302.Heidi_McLaughlin  

 

This is Falling (Falling #1) by Ginger Scott - #bookreview

This is Falling (Falling #1)

by Ginger Scott (Goodreads Author)

First, I had to remember how to breathe. Then, I had to learn how to survive. Two years, three months and sixteen days had passed since I was the Rowe Stanton from before, since tragedy stole my youth and my heart went along with it.

When I left for college, I put a thousand miles between my future and my past. I’d made a choice—I was going to cross back to the other side, to live with the living. I just didn’t know how.

And then I met Nate Preeter.

An All-American baseball player, Nate wasn’t supposed to notice a ghost-of-a-girl like me. But he did. He shouldn’t want to know my name. But he did. And when he learned my secret and saw the scars it left behind, he was supposed to run. But he didn’t.

My heart was dead, and I was never supposed to belong to anyone. But Nate Preeter had me feeling, and he made me want to be his. He showed me everything I was missing.

And then he showed me how to fall.

*This is a standalone in a three-part series that will focus on different characters. Each book can be read on its own.

ADD TO GOODREADS

BUY : AMAZON (Kindle) 

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Ginger Scott via NetGalley

Genre: NA Contemporary

1st book in this series

My This is Falling Review ...

This is my first Ginger Scott book and it will not be my last. Let's start with my favorite part of this book ... Nate.  He was just fantastic from the very beginning. *Sigh*  This book was well written and had all the elements of a great book.  I was captured from the first moment until the end of this emotionally charged tale.

Rowe is existing not living.  She also has some baggage that is for sure, but she makes her first leap to recovery by moving away to college.  On her first night there she literally bumps into the one of the star baseball players who she is immediately smitten with but thinks he would only want to be friends with her.  Thinking she has nothing to lose, she jumps at the chance to make new friends.  The last thing she wants is a relationship.

Nate has his own baggage but his heart is huge so when he runs into Rowe he knows he needs to get to know her.  So, he does everything in his power to bring her out of her shell so she can give him a shot at something more.  The more Nate hangs out with Rowe the more she starts to blossom and open up.  With the help of her roommate Cass and his brother Ty, Rowe finally lets people in to her past.

And what a past it was. Yikes! I can't even imagine what it would be like in the aftermath of that tragedy.  To add onto this tragedy, Nate is put in the worst position that can potentially ruin everything.  Even though I understood where she was coming from and, I have never lived through what Rowe went through, but at times I got so frustrated with her when the truth behind what Nate was hiding came out.  Come on Nate is awesome and he was put into the shittiest situation with how to handle Rowe but she just couldn't let it go.  Argh!   Then finally she got her head out of her ass and started to move forward. Phew!!

This book was super sweet yet still filled with so much emotional angst that kept you reeled in to find out how it all plays out for this cute couple.  I can't wait to read more from Ginger Scott and this series to find out about Ty and Cass. 

4 Emotionally Driven Thumbs up!

Lauren

BUY : AMAZON (Kindle)  

 

What a Wallflower Wants by Maya Rodale - Excerpt Reveal

What a Wallflower Wants (Bad Boys & Wallflowers #3)

by Maya Rodale (Goodreads Author)

In the third novel in Maya Rodale's charming Wallflower series, London's Least Likely to Be Caught in a Compromising Position finds temptation in a devilishly handsome stranger . . .

Miss Prudence Merryweather Payton has a secret.

Everyone knows that she's the only graduate from her finishing school to remain unwed on her fourth season—but no one knows why. With her romantic illusions shattered after being compromised against her will, Prudence accepts a proposal even though her betrothed is not exactly a knight in shining armor. When he cowardly pushes her out of their stagecoach to divert a highwayman, she vows never to trust another man again.

John Roark, Viscount Castleton, is nobody's hero.

He's a blue-eyed charmer with a mysterious past and ambitious plans for his future—that do not include a wife. When he finds himself stranded at a country inn with a captivating young woman, a delicate dance of seduction ensues. He knows he should keep his distance. And he definitely shouldn't start falling in love with her.

When Prudence's dark past comes back to haunt her, John must protect her—even though he risks revealing his own secrets that could destroy his future.

Mini excerpt from What a Wallflower Wants

By Maya Rodale

Miss Prudence Merryweather and Viscount Castleton find themselves stranded at a country in...with secrets. There is only one thing to do: he asks her to dance.

“Just one dance…that is all,” Castleton said. “I promise I won’t get any ideas.”

Prudence gazed up at him. Too bad she couldn’t explain why she was so hesitant. She was wasting her life, letting this fear hold her back. There was a handsome man before her, who had shown her nothing but kindness, and all he wanted was a dance. The truth was: she yearned in her heart of hearts to dance with him.

“All right,” she said softly.

The last time she placed her hand in another man’s it was the beginning of the end.

They began to dance.

She did not, as she feared, forget the steps. Hours and hours of her life spent practicing them so when this moment came—waltzing in the arms of a handsome man—she could move in time to the music without counting to three and so she could look into smoldering gaze instead of at her feet.

Prue forced her breath to be even. In. Out. In. Out. She willed her heart to beat in a steady rhythm as she tried to reclaim power over her emotions and fears.

Castleton’s gaze settled on her face. She peered up at him. This time she really looked at him focusing on his mouth, which was firm, sensual and smiling encouragingly.

“Are you having fun yet?” Castleton asked her affectionately.

Her gaze flew up to his. Ah, those eyes. Knowing. Dark.

Excerpt Courtesy of Harper Collins

Purchase Here   

Release Day -Temper For You (For You #3) by Genna Rulon - #Excerpt & #bookreview

Temper For You

For You Series, book #3

By Genna Rulon

Synopsis:

"Life is messy. Love is messier." -Catch and Release

Meg Adeio has led a life of isolation—not by choice, by necessity—until one act of heroism forces her out of seclusion. Despite a past shrouded in mystery, Meg is “adopted” by an eclectic group of friends that become the family she never had. Life was good for the first time in…ever.

Or it was until Westly Black reappeared on her doorstep. She knew he was the last man any woman should give her time to—only good for one thing—yet a temptation no woman could deny. Wes might make her life messy, but Meg’s eyes were wide open and she had it under control. At least she thought she did.

When past and present collide, loyalties are tested, forcing Meg to sacrifice her future to protect those she loves.

Temper For You is a gripping story of regret, deception, and redemption – filled with raw emotion, sarcastic wit, intrigue, and love’s propensity to forgive.


• Though Temper For You is a part of the For You Series, it can be read as a stand alone
• This story is appropriate for readers 18+

Amazon:   www.amazon.com/Temper-You-Genna-Rulon-ebook/dp/B00NUIJTF6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1411522224&sr=1-1&keywords=temper+for+you

Goodreads:  www.goodreads.com/book/show/19305363-temper-for-you#other_reviews

 Excerpt 

 

     Son of a bitch!     

     I marched back to my house, dodging furniture and movers along the way, not stopping until I reached my home office where my cell phone and solitude were located.

     Son. Of. A. Bitch!

I swore if I ever saw her again I would either:  a) pretend I didn’t know her, or b) coax her into my bed.  Nothing in either plan dictated cursing at her; it was an inexcusable fumble.  Dammit!  The only good news was that my father wasn’t alive to hear me confess my crimes.  He would have ripped me a new one for talking to a lady that way, even if the description had been accurate—which unfortunately, it was not.  Therefore, I couldn’t even comfort myself with the knowledge that I simply verbalized the truth because Meg was a lot of things, but she was definitely not a bitch.

Meg…when she opened the door, it knocked the wind out of me.  I’d convinced myself—after she unceremoniously kicked me to the curb in the middle of the coffee shop—that my memories were idealized after nine months fantasizing about her.  Nope.  She was even more stunning than I remembered, and every part of me responded to the sight of her.  My brain stalled, deprived of oxygen, as all of the blood in my body detoured southward.  And while some parts appeared to be stupefied into complete stillness—such as my mouth, which seemed unable to form words—another part of me was rising to the occasion and begging for attention.  Yes, Little West was pointing due north.

About Genna Rulon:

Genna Rulon is a contemporary romance author with a passion for blending comedy, tragedy, suspense, and hope to create her “book babies.” 

During her 15 years in the corporate world, Genna—inspired by her love of reading—fantasized about penning her own stories.  Encouraged by her favorite authors, many of whom are indie writers and self-published, she committed to pursue her aspirations of writing her own novels.

Genna was born in California and raised on Long Island in New York, where she still resides, surrounded by the most amazing family and friends.  She’s married to a wonderful man who patiently tolerates her ramblings about whichever book she is currently working on—even feigning interest relatively convincingly!  Genna is blessed with two little boys who do their best to thwart mommy's writing time with their hilarious antics and charming extrapolations.

All of Genna’s books are brought to you courtesy of coffee and Disney Junior.

You can find Genna online at:   www.gennarulon.com

Or you can contact Genna through social media:

Twitter:        www.twitter.com/GennaRulon

Facebook:    www.facebook.com/genna.rulon.author

Goodreads:  www.goodreads.com/gennarulon 

For more breaking news, exclusive excerpts, and special contests, join Genna’s fan page on facebook:  www.facebook.com/groups/rulonsroadies

Genna would love to hear from you, and will personally respond to all messages!  You can contact her via email as follows:  genna@gennarulon.com

Be sure to join the mailing list for updates about future books, as well as giveaways, and other fun facts:  www.gennarulon.com/guestbook.php

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy from Author

Genre: Adult Contemporary

Part 3 in  a series

My Temper For You Review ...

It has felt like forever until we finally get to find out Meg's story and I am ecstatic that Westly Black is her man to be. *Squee*  I absolutely adore this series!!! It has such a great balance of humor, angst, suspense and love. 

Meg and Westly are attracted to one another but reality is pushing them apart until fate steps in and moves him next door.  What better way to find the elusive 'O' then with the sexy neighbor who only wants a no strings attached relationship.  

As Meg and Westly give into their sexual attraction unavoidable emotions start to get involved but come to a road block with Meg's secrets and Westly's ignorance when it comes to relationships.

Meg has a story and as the book goes on I have to admit there were times I wanted to shake her and tell her spill the beans and move on.  It took quite awhile for her truth to come to the forefront and when it did ...

As the shock wore off on the truth, that element of the story started to grow on me which took a bit but thank god for Westly Black.  If it wasn't for the beauty and awesomeness of Wes I would have lost my patience with Meg because she was trying me with her reluctance to be honest to everyone and open up.

Westly has is own baggage and low self value but one thing he is good at is, being a great lover and he did not disappoint but this relationship thing is new to him so it was quite a shock when his heartless heart came to life. 

With the help of Wes and the gang, Meg is able to move forward or so we think but in truth the key in her recovery is Thia and her genius unconventional ways that sets everything in motion to be as it should be.  Meg and Wes have their own journey's to be able to love one another completely and freely.  But this was not an easy for journey especially for Meg as she is forced to deal with her past and tragic aspects of her present reality. 

Cultural Conditioning is a difficult barrier for many to break through because it is hard to come to terms of what is your personal beliefs and what is the beliefs of others that are put onto you.  For Meg her past has conditioned her to believe a certain way that she can't see past what her family has made her feel or see.  Thankfully for love, friendship and family it is the key for Meg to move forward and be free of her past and be all that she can be.

There are so many aspects that I loved in this book, mainly Westly and Thia .  The story is made so much more with Huntleigh and Grifflo.  Individually the characters are good but together they are great.  I did love this story even though at times I wanted to throttle Meg and her secrets.  Genna Rulon has yet again delivered a great book.  I can't not wait to read more from this series and her spin off series.  

4 Tempering Thumbs up!

Lauren