Running with Scissors by L.A. Witt ~ #bookreview #MM #rockstarromance @RiptideBooks

Running with Scissors

by L.A. Witt (Goodreads Author)

Eighteen months ago, drummer Jude Colburn made the biggest mistake of his life when he walked away from his band just as they were on the brink of success. Now, he’s got a second chance. The band’s bassist just quit, and Jude plays bass almost as well as he plays drums. The other band members aren’t thrilled, but they are desperate.

Running with Scissors needs him, but there’s one condition: no hooking up with bandmates. That’s what ruined things eighteen months ago, after all. Jude’s on board, but no one warned him about the drummer who replaced him. A.J. Palmer is shy and unassuming . . . until he hits the stage. He gets Jude’s attention from the first beat, and suddenly that “no hookups” rule isn’t so easy to follow.

Keeping secrets on a tour bus isn’t easy either, and it’s only a matter of time before the band catches on. When everything hits the fan, Jude has to choose: a second chance at the career he’s always regretted leaving, or a shot at the man of his dreams?

BUY: AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (CAN)

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Riptide Publishing via NetGalley

Genre: MM Rock star contemporary romance

Standalone
 

My Running With Scissors Review ... 

Rock star, MM and L.A. Witt.  Sign me up.  Once I saw the author and the synopsis I had to read this book. 

Jude had it all, then he had nothing.  His biggest regret was after some bad decisions, he walked away from his dream.  Now with a second chance, he vows not to make the same mistake, but he didn't consider the new drummer into the equation.

A.J. loves music, drumming and this band.  Even though he doesn't feel like he fully fits in to this tightly wound band.  After two relationship going south the band is on edge, but they need Jude to keep the band together.

Jude may have a second chance, but he's going to have to work extra hard to gain back what he lost.

Connor is the lead singer and Jude's ex.  You know that, there's going to be trouble with that combo. 

What I can't figure out is why the band only blames Jude when Connor was a douchey diva.

"I believe it.  But after you and Connor, and after Wyatt and Connor, I have to admit, I expected -" "You do realize Connor is the common denominator there, right?"

"I'm not the only one who relationships have fucked up the band."

This is quite the drama filled judgmental dysfunctional band, with not a lot of common sense but a shit loads of assumptions. Was their drama? Yes.  Was their chemistry?  Yes.  Was Jude done wrong?  A bit since it takes two to tango and I think he got a way worse punishment then he deserved.  Did I prefer Jude with Connor or AJ? Definitely AJ.

3.5 Running with scissors thumbs up!

. 5 

Lauren


 BUY: AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (CAN)

 

9 Ways to fall release blitz ~ #giveaway #anthology #release #sale

9 WAYS TO FALL (An Exclusive Collection of NINE Red-Hot Romances by bestselling authors, featuring Alpha Males, Fighters, Rock-Stars, Movie Stars, Sexy Bad Boys and more)

by Lexi Ryan, Kaylee Ryan, HJ Bellus, Cambria Hebert, Aly Martinez, Erin Noelle, Tessa Teevan, Ilsa Madden-Mills, and Tia Louise

What's unique about this anthology?  Well....most of these titles have NEVER been in an anthology and a few are very recent releases, not just first books in a series.  The authors really worked hard at making this collaboration ONE OF A KIND!

NOW AVAILABLE

ONLY $0.99

ONE-CLICK NOW - THIS 9-BOOK BUNDLE WILL BE GONE OCT. 1!!!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1JfDDOF

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1gUhVEF

iBooks: http://smarturl.it/9WiB

B&N: http://bit.ly/1J0oRdk

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1hKKdSZ

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1WCk6xx

Blurb

Head Back to School with NINE COMPLETE (Full-Length) Romances from New York Times, USA Today, and Bestselling authors NEVER BEFORE in ONE Boxed Set!!!

 

NINE new book boyfriends are all here to make you sigh, swoon, and switch panties as you head back to school (or kiss the kids and send them out the door! *wink*)

INCLUDING:

 

UNBREAK ME, by Lexi Ryan: Returning home to be a bridesmaid in her ex-fiancé's wedding to her sister, Maggie Thompson, a 21-year old college-dropout, hopes to salvage her long-tarnished reputation and strained relationship with her family. Instead, she finds herself caught in a web of secrets and deception between the man who once promised to fix her and the sexy ex-rocker who gives her permission to break.

 

LEVITATE by Kaylee Ryan: Just when you think you've got it all figured out, you realize your puzzle is unfinished. With one touch you find a piece you never thought you needed. The piece that makes you Levitate.

 

BLUE by HJ Bellus: Blue Williams shines no matter the circumstance, until one night changes her forever. The beauty is gone, and all she has left are nasty, ugly memories. The man who saved her has a story of his own, with 90 percent of his body scarred. What happens when the Beauty falls for the Beast?

 

TATTOO by Cambria Hebert: An undercover cop on vacation, a bank teller just doing her job, and a group of bank robbers waiving a gun around. Just when Brody and Taylor think they'll make it out a tattoo changes everything.

 

FIGHTING SILENCE by Aly Martinez: I spent my life dodging the punches reality threw at me. I had worthless parents and two brothers who depended on me. Meeting the love of my life at age thirteen was never part of my plan--neither was gradually going deaf at the age of twenty-one. They both happened anyway.

 

SPARK by Erin Noelle: Desperate to improve his younger brother's worsening condition, Crew Elliott and his family decide to turn to unconventional treatments and move to Colorado. It is there, in the search for medical marijuana, he finds beautiful, free-spirited Hudson Shavell--a girl who may not only hold the key to heal his brother, but to fix him as well.

 

COMBUST by Tessa Teevan: When Virgin Queen Andi Kane meets Cohen Wellington, she's sure he's The One... She's never been more wrong. Three years later, he's the man she never wants to see again, she's the one who got away, and this time, despite her protests, he's not letting her go without a fight.

 

VERY TWISTED THINGS by Ilsa Madden-Mills: He's a rock star with a past. She's the heiress who's lost everything. Welcome to Briarcrest Academy--Hollywood style--where sometimes the best things in life are VERY TWISTED THINGS.

 

ONE TO LOVE by Tia Louise: Fighting, tattoos, fame, love, LOSS... It's the one thing Kenny and Slayde have in common, until the night Fate throws them together and everything changes. It's a story about fighting, about falling in love; and it's about losing everything only to find it again in the least likely place.

 

GIVEAWAY

Signed Paperback from the following authors:  Lexi Ryan, Kaylee Ryan, HJ Bellus, Cambria Hebert, Aly Martinez, Erin Noelle, Tessa Teevan, Ilsa Madden-Mills, and Tia Louise

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

 

Share link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/09964f03729/ 

Chasing Happy by Ann Lee Miller ~ #bookreview #guestreview #romance #christianfiction

Chasing Happy

by Ann Lee Miller (Goodreads Author)

After an epic fail in the hetero world, Ash Jackson heads cross country to Arizona to figure out his bisexuality and make peace with himself and God.


Nashville Star Samma Templeton’s music career bankrolls her future husband’s political campaigns. But she throws up before every concert and feels relegated to an item on the senator’s calendar.


When Ash moves into Samma’s apartment building their childhood friendship resurrects, and Samma must choose between promoting a political agenda that will benefit millions or following her heart. Ash must face his inner demons for the girl who was his past and feels like his future.

ADD TO GOODREADS

BUY: AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (CAN)

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy from Author

Genre: Spiritual Romance

Standalone

RF's Chasing Happy Review ... 

The first thing that I really liked about this book is that even if you aren't into this particular topic, you are so engrossed in the book that you just have to keep reading! The author takes a sensitive topic and does a great job of exploring it from multiple sides and her characters comes to decisions that are real and hard to make. 

Ann Lee Miller has a beautiful way of crafting her story so that you feel like you are right there with the characters! You are rooting for them and get so frustrated when they don't do what you want!! I love the way that both characters in the book are struggling to live the life they "think" they should lead, instead of living the life that feels right to them.  They want to please other people, but it leaves them miserable.  It's easy to identify with the characters, as they're going through real life struggles that are more prominent in social media than ever. 

From the beginning of the book Ash has an advantage over Samma, because he knows who she is while she doesn't remember him.  He moves to be closer to his father, so that he can make peace with the past, when his father came out as being gay.  But he also moves into Samma's apartment building to be closer to her.  While working through his feeling towards his father, he also has to work through his feelings about Samma.  They both have many personal conflicts that they have to work through, before they can decide if they are right for each other.

Do yourself a favor and read this book! It has elements of a traditional young adult romance but with so much more.  The author writes with a Christian theme, but she doesn't make it seem like everything in your life will be easy if you are a Christian.  Her view is evident but not pushed upon you.  

Read it! You won't be disappointed and you may just do a little soul searching of your own.

5 Worth it Thumbs up!

 

RF

BUY: AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (CAN) 

Promised (One Night #1) by Jodi Ellen Malpas ~ #bookreview #audiobook #erotica #romance

Promised (One Night #1)

 

by Jodi Ellen Malpas (Goodreads Author)

 
Livy notices him the moment he walks into the coffee shop. He's heart-stoppingly stunning, with a blue-eyed gaze so piercing she's almost too distracted to take his order. When he walks out the door, she thinks she'll never see him again. Then she finds the note he left on his napkin . . . signed M.

All he wants is one night to worship her. No feelings, no commitment, nothing but pleasure. Every defense mechanism Livy has adopted during her solitary life is at risk of being obliterated by this confounding man. He's obnoxious but well-mannered. He's a gentleman but aloof. He's passionate but emotionless. Yet the fascination is so powerful, Livy can't deny him... or herself.

M awakens something in Livy, something deep and addictive that she never knew existed -- and that she fears only he can satisfy. But she senses that behind the fast cars, fancy suits, and posh apartment, he's aching inside. To have him, body and soul, she'll have to brave his dark secrets. Delving into his world and breaking down his defenses become her obsession - an obsession that could shatter her heart beyond repair..

BUY: AMAZON (US) | AUDIBLE | AMAZON (CAN) 

 

Source: Kindle & Audible

Genre: Adult Erotic Romance

Part 1 of 3

My One Night Promised Review ...

I first started off reading this book on my kindle, but the prologue confused me a bit for how the book was to unfold.  Which left me putting the book on hold as it didn't ensnare me in from the beginning.  Since I wanted to get books off my TBR and review list, I decided to try it in audio form instead.  I have to admit it completely changed the experience for it.

To start with, Edita Brychta the narrator was awesome and her voice and narration kept me engaged the whole way through.   It took awhile for the prologue to make sense, but once it did all the pieces started to come together and we were left with two broken souls just wanting and needing love.

Livy's a young woman who's controlled by her fear of her past.  She's comfortable in her very mundane life, where she takes care of her grandmother and goes to work.   One day at work, a mysterious man comes in and shakes her foundation, but with this man Livy is way out of her element.  

Miller, may not be happy with his life, but he does what he needs to do to survive, seeing Livy for the first time makes him want more.  However, he knows that he can't have her for more than one night.  For Miller, Livy was to be a one night escape, instead she turned his world around. 

Miller & Livy balanced each other out, even though Miller started as an arse but ended up endearing himself to me as the book went on.   Both had so many facets to them that it had me rooting for them to figure their shit out.

Their passion was strong and the main bond within this couple,  but the more layers that were taking off, the more feelings that were brought to the surface for this unlikely duo.

Just as we think this duo is going to find their happily ever after, secrets are revealed causing more hurt than good.  As they both try to wade through this new truth both of their pasts collide with the present, leaving us wanting more when we're left with a bit of a cliffhanger.

Can't wait to continue with this series and find out what happens with Livy and Miller and all their pasts and truths.

4 Passionate thumbs up! 

 

Lauren

BUY: AMAZON (US) | AUDIBLE | AMAZON (CAN)  

  

Places In Time by Cardeno C. ~ #bookreview #MM @CardenoC #timeiseternity

Places in Time (Time Is Eternity)

by Cardeno C. (Goodreads Author)

A relationship-challenged actor unexpectedly finds love in the arms of his childhood best friend.

“Sexiest Man Alive” and Golden Globe winning actor Ethan Baker lights up the screen but fizzles in his personal life. When his latest girlfriend breaks up with him, Ethan turns to his one “forever” person—Jude Harrison. But as Ethan makes the familiar drive to his best friend’s house, an unexpected detour and a bewildering passenger take him through places in time he’d long forgotten. Suddenly Ethan sees Jude’s actions over the years from a different perspective, but it’s his own reaction that’s the biggest surprise.

Word count: 15,659

ADD TO GOODREADS

BUY: AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (CAN)

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Author

Genre: MM Contemporary Romance 

From the Time is Eternity Series: 30 M/M stories from different authors

My Places In Time Review . . .

As usual with Cardeno C.  we get a sweet story about love filled with tons of heart.

In Places in time its like a modern day 'a Christmas carol' without being actually christmas.

Ethan finds himself freshly dumped again, which causes him to go to where he always goes when he needs comfort.  On his way to his best friend Jude's house,  he encounters a bit of an escape of reality with him being brought back in time to find out what he keeps missing but was glaringly obvious.

Even though Ethan's a bit vain and full of himself he didn't realize that he's always had love.  It just wasn't the kind he thought he would have, but quickly realizes that it's the kind of love that he deeply needs.

Jude has always loved Ethan but never knew how do truly show him, when it seemed Ethan only wanted to be friends.  So when he's finally given the gift of something he's always wanted, at first he's a bit skeptical but once he dives in, he goes all the way in.

This was such a cute friends to lovers / straight to gay story.  It was quick, adorable, and sweet with a quick dose of steam. 

3. 5  About time Thumbs up!

.  5

Lauren

 BUY: AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (CAN)

Treasured by Thursday by Catherine Bybee Blog Tour ~ #giveaway #bookreview #blogtour

TREASURED BY THURSDAY

The Weekday Brides Series, Book Seven

Montlake Romance, Contemporary

August 18, 2015, First Edition

Paperback & Kindle

The seventh and final tale in the dazzling, heartwarming, and pulse-racing Weekday Brides series.

Gabriella Masini: She’s a woman haunted by her past, with the scars to prove it. She believes that fairy tales are for other people. An elite matchmaker at Alliance, she’s great at crunching numbers, but something doesn’t add up with her latest prospective client: a billionaire bad boy with his own secrets. When Gabi refuses to be his temporary wife, Hunter forces her hand with an offer she can’t refuse. But marriage to a man like that could never last…or could it?

Hunter Blackwell: Only his bank account is bigger than his ruthless ability to obtain anything he wants. These days, he has a secret reason to settle down, at least for a while—and he thinks the sensual and sassy Gabi will fit the bill perfectly. But when their marriage of convenience becomes downright dangerous, Hunter must decide how far to take his vow to honor and protect Gabi forever.

Praise for Treasured by Thursday

“..an exquisitely written and complex story brimming with pride, passion, and pulse-pounding danger... Readers will gladly make time to savor this winning finale to a wonderful series.” –Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Bybee concludes her popular Weekday Brides series in a gratifying way with a passionate, troubled couple who may find a happy future if they can just survive and then learn to trust each other. A compelling and entertaining mix of sexy, complicated romance and menacing suspense.” –Kirkus Reviews

“The Weekday Brides never disappoint and this final installment is by far Bybee’s best work to date..” –RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick!

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B & N | BAM | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Giveaway: 1 $100 Amazon GC, Print Boxed Set of the Weekday Brides, 2 $20 Amazon Gift cards

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CATHERINE BYBEE

BIO:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Weekday Brides Series and the Not Quite Series. Bybee lives with her two teenage sons in Southern California.  

CONTACT LINKS:

www.catherinebybe.com

catherinebybee@yahoo.com

catherinebybee.blogspot.com

facebook.com/AuthorCatherineBybee

twitter.com/catherinebybee

pinterest.com/catherinebybee

instagram.com/catherinebybee 

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Part 7 in an ongoing series but could be read as a standalone

My Treasured by Thursday Review ... 



There's just something sweet and genuine about Catherine Bybee's writing.  Her stories are loaded full of heart and suspense.  They're not too heavy, and keep you captivated from start to finish. 

Treasured by Thursday is the last of this series, and I have to admit that I'm sad for it to end.  However, there is loads of potential for spin off series.   In Seduced by Sunday which was the sixth book of the series, we meet Gabi, whom is the sister of Valentino, Meg's husband.

In Seduced by Sunday, Gabi didn't have the best of luck when it came to love, which made her a bit gun shy to have any new relationships.

Hunter Blackwell needs a wife pronto, but when he asks a friend a favor, he's turned over to the women of Alliance.  Thinking he has it in the bag, he's quite surprised when Gabi turns him down to be an Alliance customer.

Not one to be told no, he turns to a bit of blackmail to get his way.  For Gabi, the every present peace keeper, she agrees to this plan.

"I am.  And please, if the masses begin to talk, remind everyone that I thought I loved a man who nearly killed me and I managed to survive.  Hunter needed a wife and I'm filling a role.  There are no emotions involved and no one is trying to end my life."

Famous last words for Gabi, because she too fell captive to love, while her life was in danger.
All the woman that work at Alliance seem to fall victim to love and near death experiences.  It must be something in the water for these ladies.   As Gabi barely survived her first marriage, now being blackmailed into her second one,  the last thing she expected was to fall for her husband. 

Super sweet story.  Super sweet series.

4 Who says you can't buy love thumbs up! 

  

Lauren

AMAZON | B & N | BAM | BOOK DEPOSITORY 

All quotes taken from pre-published eARC & may be altered or omitted in the final copy.

Sustained (The Legal Briefs #2) by Emma Chase ~ #bookreview @GalleryBooks #humor #romance #malePOV

Sustained (The Legal Briefs #2)

by Emma Chase (Goodreads Author)

A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight.

When you’re a defense attorney in Washington, DC, you see firsthand how hard life can be, and that sometimes the only way to survive is to be harder. I, Jake Becker, have a reputation for being cold, callous, and intimidating—and that suits me just fine. In fact, it’s necessary when I’m breaking down a witness on the stand.

Complications don’t work for me—I’m a “need-to-know” type of man. If you’re my client, tell me the basic facts. If you’re my date, stick to what will turn you on. I’m not a therapist or Prince Charming—and I don’t pretend to be.

Then Chelsea McQuaid and her six orphaned nieces and nephews came along and complicated the ever-loving hell out of my life. Now I'm going to Mommy & Me classes, One Direction concerts, the emergency room, and arguing cases in the principal's office.

Chelsea’s too sweet, too innocent, and too gorgeous for her own good. She tries to be tough, but she’s not. She needs someone to help her, defend her…and the kids.

And that — that, I know how to do.

ADD TO GOODREADS

BUY: AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (CAN)

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Gallery Books via NetGalley

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance 

POV: Male

Part 2 in an ongoing hilarious series

My Sustained Review ...  

Dear Emma Chase,

This book was exactly what I needed.  Lately I've been reading and liking them for the most part, but I didn't know I needed more until I read Sustained.  From the beginning of me starting this book, I was annoying my husband with me reading it out loud, so he too could enjoy the awesomeness of Emma Chase.  I will admit that did back fire on me sometimes throughout the day.  :) 

Jake Becker . . . , hmmm what I can say about him.  He's a loyal friend. He's a fierce lawyer.  He's also a bit of a man whore, with no desire to settle down. 

"You don't have to be an asshole."  I shrug.  "I don't have to be . . . it's just easier that way."

After a imposed hiatus from sex due to a near mishap, Jake starts to realize he wants more than just a quick lay, but he also doesn't want commitment.  He's game to start dating, but doesn't really know how. 

After running into a young boy, who has a chip on his shoulder, whom also reminds him of himself at that age.   He goes to talk to his mom.  Only to find out the real reason young Rory is so bitter.  Meeting Chelsea McQuaid changes him instantly.  But for a man who has never dated, why go after someone who is a new guardian of six children?  Easy, because Chelsea's gorgeous and everything he never realized he wanted or needed in his life.

Jake tries to keep to his old ways but between those six hilarious kids and Chelsea they get under Jake's tough skin.

"A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight."

Oh, how the mighty fall. 

"Do you want me?" . . .

"All the time.  I can't remember not wanting you anymore."

We all know that it was not going to be smooth sailing for one of Emma Chase's men and Jake is no exception to that.  He makes some doozy errors, but with nothing but good intent.   He tries to fight it but can't especially when the kids get involved.

"Don't worry about a thing.  They've awoken a sleeping giant.  And Jake is the scariest giant around."

Emma Chase is a genius at male POV's.  I love being in the head of all her men.  However, with Jake it's even more.  There is something so sweet and charming about this very loveable creature.  I loved it!  Everything about it.  Definite recommend for this book, this series and anything else by Emma Chase

4.5 Jake adoring Thumbs up! 

.  5

Lauren 

BUY: AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (CAN)

 

All quotes taken from pre-published eARC & may be altered or omitted in the final copy.