REVIEW: HAPPENSTANCE by JAMIE McGUIRE

Title: Happenstance

Author: Jamie McGuire

Publisher: Jamie McGuire LLC (May 9, 2014)

Print Length: 100 pages

Source: Author
Rating: 4.5 stars

GoodReads  |  Amazon | iTunes | Smashwords

#1 New York Times Bestseller Jamie McGuire returns to self-publishing with this page-turning YA account of Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Erin Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin A. and Erin M. are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Erin Easter isn't--and they never let her forget it. Erin A. has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade. 

Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Erin Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Erin does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her. 

But when a shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, Erin's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything Erin thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.

 My Review

  
I have a confession: I was a popular girl in school. Very, very popular (but nice, I promise). Despite the popularity, though, I wasn't especially happy, and I don't look at those years as the glory days. My point in all this is: when I read YA, I don't tend to find myself identifying with the popular girls, but the girls on the outside. Characters such as Erin Easter.

With Erin Easter, Jamie McGuire created a poignant, heart-wrenching portrayal of loneliness and
bravery in the face of unrelenting bullying. I was amazed by her strong spirit. She is a girl who's only
hoping to keep her head down, to survive long enough to get out. I wish I could push Happenstance in the hands of those who face bullying and neglect on a daily basis. To show them that they are not alone, and they are worthy of love, respect and kindness.

Weston. He's that boy you see in a lot of YA books and movies: popular, but nice. Weston's girlfriend is one of the Erins, and yes, that's such a bummer but not unexpected. It's easy to quickly see that Weston is better than he's allowing himself to be. I wanted Weston to stand up for Erin, to take a stand. To be Erin's hero. Knowing how difficult that is, I wasn't surprised by the time it took, but endeared by his courage. To stand up to everyone you know takes guts, and that is another aspect I loved about Happenstance, having the courage to stand up and do what's right.

The thing is, Erin doesn't need a hero. She only wants out. Maybe through Erin, Weston can find the strength to be the person he wants to be. Maybe they can save each other...

But then. Then Happenstance takes a huge turn. The synopsis mentions a tragedy, and yes, that tragedy definitely shakes up Erin and Weston's world. But that's not all! There were a couple of small, passing hints that more was in store for Erin Easter. When the twist plays out, everything changes, spinning Erin's life completely around, and setting us up for a very interesting series indeed. I cannot wait to see how the Erin's story plays out. You can bet I will be there every step of the way.

About the author

New York Times best selling author Jamie McGuire has penned the Providence series and contemporary romance Beautiful Disaster. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and three children. She is an RT(R), a graduate of Autry and Oklahoma Northern College, and a full time writer.

 Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

{REVIEW} TANYA by REBECCA ROGERS-MAHER

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Promised Land Books
Publication Date: 4/30/14
Format: eARC
Pages: 88
Source: Author
Rating: 5 stars

Tanya—a recovering alcoholic—meets Jack at a roadside stop on the way to her sister’s wedding. Hoping to drown her sorrows in the company of a stranger, she brings him back to her motel room.

The next day, shaken by the intensity of the experience, Tanya joins her sister’s bridal party at an upscale mountain lodge. There, she meets the groom’s family for the first time, including his brother, Jack—just home from the Peace Corps and reeling from his night with the bold, beautiful woman he thought he’d never see again.

Both at a crossroads in their lives, Tanya and Jack collide for one explosive weekend. Will they choose the safety of past regrets, or will they be brave enough to embrace the present—together?

If you ever wanted to know what became of The Bridge's Henry and Christa (and how could you not?) this is the story for you. If you were curious about Christa's troubled sister Tanya, this is a must-read. If you want another beautifully-written story from Rebecca Rogers-Maher that will completely consume you, you will want to read Tanya.

In The Bridge, Rebecca Rogers-Maher created an insightful, painful, and enlightening look at depression and suicide. In Tanya, we have one lead who is a recovering alcoholic. Every day Tanya must make the choice not to drink. Sometimes, though, the dark places inside her require fulfillment, which often results in dirty, anonymous sex. One such encounter results in a one night stand with her sister's soon-to-be brother-in-law, Jack. Jack was portrayed as vibrant and happy in The Bridge, and we quickly learn that Henry's perception of Jack is not quite how Jack sees himself. He feels a lot of guilt over his brother's  struggles with depression. He also feels anxiety over the direction of his life. Over the course of a few days, this quiet, loving, smitten man and the woman who finds herself too dark, too dangerous, uncover each other, and possibly find exactly what they need.

If you're a "well-adjusted", healthy person, you might not understand those who are self-destructive, how deep the inner turmoil roots and drive to do things that aren't reasonable or healthy from the outside looking in. Tanya is a character who will challenge readers. She is not a nice girl, easy to like like her sister. She has harsh edges, she's smart, and she can be selfish. She's two years sober, and still struggling with guilt and regret. She is a character who reminded me that all heroines- all women -are not sweet, easy to love, or even likeable. As women, we are often taught to smile, even when we don't feel like it. To fake the niceties that make others comfortable. Never let anyone know you're unhappy. For some reason, maybe because she is not inherently sweet and soft, Tanya reminded me that it is okay to simply be. Even if you have the sharper edges or aren't quick with a smile, there is still another out there who will love you exactly as you are. The dark secrets don't scare them away, the hard-won smiles mean even more. Jack was that man for Tanya. He seems like the quintessential rich boy do-gooder. A man constantly in motion, always searching. Jack, though not as bleak as his brother Henry, is just as introspective, questioning, insightful. While Tanya assumes her darkness will scare Jack away, he loves what she gives him. She stills him.

Rogers-Maher offers a thorough story of a recovering addict, and I'm continually amazed how she can create such fulfilling, deeply-driven, insightful stories with so few pages. Of course, I would love more- her writing is gorgeous- but I never felt cheated or that the story is lacking. Tanya was a rewarding experience. Surprisingly, I think I cried more with this story than The Bridge. Tanya spoke to the parts of me that struggle. Jack's acceptance and love, his need for her, reaffirmed my belief that we all need love. Tanya reminded me that we all have a story to tell.

Favorite Quotes

  She doesn't want to know why I'm here. She doesn't want to know who I am, or what I want to do with my life, or why there is so much waste and excess and emptiness in the country I though was my home, or how infuriatingly helpless I feel, or why after two years in Guyana, I'm pretty sure I won't ever belong anywhere. What this woman wants is a quick tryst with a stranger in a roadside motel room.
  And despite all good sense and caution, I want to give her that. I want to take it, for myself, too. I want to obliterate from my brain every particle of restlessness and doubt.


  I don't know who I was before this. I don't know what will be left of me when it's done. I am a single atom dying to be split in two. Begging to be obliterated by her, to obliterate everything around me.


  It's love that's slicing into me, I know that. There's no stopping it even if I wanted to. I'm walking right into its clean blade with my eyes open. 
  I kiss her.
  I know there is something wrong. Many things wrong. She won't talk about it with me, not yet. Not now.
  Now, she is asking for something else. She wants what I gave to her that first night--escape, a lightning rod to pour her pain into.
  It's something I can give freely. That I want to give.
  She pours that feeling into me and makes me alive, too. Electrified. I would do anything she asked.

Purchase Links

Amazon  |  B&N  |  iTunes

 

 

 

 

About the author  

Rebecca Rogers Maher writes bold contemporary romance novels with strong, flawed heroines. She’s a Vassar graduate, a former community organizer and Brooklyn public school teacher, and a mother to two insanely sweet boys. She believes messed-up ladies deserve happy endings too, as well as lots of hot sex with genuinely kind men. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her hot, kind husband and their children.

RT Book Reviews describes Rebecca’s writing as “beautiful, heart-wrenching, and heart-warming,” Library Journal calls it “dark, electrically charged…gut-wrenching…” and Dear Author says it “resonate(s) with depth.” In a ridiculously embarrassing article, New York Daily News called her novels “steamy.”

 

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads

 

REVIEW: HER BEST LAID PLANS by CARA MCKENNA

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Cosmo Read Hot Reads from Harlequin
Publication Date: 4/15/14
Format: eARC
Pages: 85
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5 stars

Experience Ireland—the dramatic beauty, the warm hospitality...and the smoking-hot local guys!

Imagine nursing a pint in a cozy, authentic country pub, far from Cork City’s busy pulse. Getting here took you a plane, bus, taxi, and...erm, bicycle. But just as you’re resigning yourself to drinking beside gray-haired farmers, you see him—a man with the looks and charm to soothe any heartbroken girl.

He’s your bartender. Your really, really gorgeous bartender.

For American Jamie Webb—recently dumped and housesitting for two weeks—Connor Kelleher is like a six-course feast after a 23-year starvation diet. But it’s gotta be casual. She’s just begun re-routing her life after an extended, man-related detour. Still, a sexy romp (or twenty!) with Sexy McBartender?

But what about when Jamie's best-laid plans for no future plans with any man begin to change?

Cara McKenna. I've been fairly shouty with praise for this author since I read Unbound last year.(How the hell that book hasn't won every award is beyond me) She creates strong, smart and sensitive heroines and the most interesting array of men. McKenna has made me fall ass-over-teakettle in love with an alcoholic, reclusive Scot with a wicked sexy rope fetish, an agoraphobic Parisian gigolo, a construction worker/boxer with a penchant for rough role-playing, an orderly in a psychiatric facility with a sexual intensity strong enough to melt, and most recently, a prison inmate with a dark gaze and a knack for filthy, romantic letters. So. How does a seemingly "normal" (whatever that means) Irish bartender fit in here? Connor Kelleher fits in quite nicely. It doesn't matter how simple or complex the character is, McKenna constructs men and women who are accessible and engaging.You know them completely. Brilliant.

My initial thoughts on Her Best Laid Plans: Vacation Fling. Ireland. Bartender. Forearms. Sexing. Guinness. By the way, if I came across a review that described a book with these words, my one-click trigger finger would be all over that.

I went into Her Best Laid Plans with a sense of excitement and anxiety. Excitement because... MCKENNA. IRELAND. GUINNESS. SEXING. Anxiety because: VACATION FLING. I mean, I just knew I was going to believe in this couple, despite the fact it's a whirlwind romance that's not meant to go beyond a short space in time. Jamie is from Boston, Connor's home is Ireland. They both are determined to get their lives in order, in their respective homes. So yeah, I believed in Jamie and Connor, that they should be together. And yet, I also believed that the both should go after their dreams, even if those dreams leave them on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Jamie's given up far too much for a man before, she needs to follow her own dreams. I didn't want her to compromise again, but I did want her to stay with Connor. So why can't Connor follow Jamie, right? Well, he can, but he also has a life in Ireland and plans of his own. Ugh. My heart ached for them. What will become of my the star-crossed couple? I'll never tell, but I will say that I believe things worked out exactly as they should.

Wow. I just packed a whole shed-load of feels into this review of a novella less than one hundred pages, more than many reviews I write for full-length novels. Another testament to the power of McKenna. Length doesn't matter, neither does the premise, the level of twistiness, or kink. Every time I open a Cara McKenna book, it's like opening a treasure box.

Favorite Quotes

  Jamie watched as the new guy poured someone’s pint a few feet to her left. Holy shit. Were forearms an accepted fetish object? Because his were perfect.


  "I love your voice," she murmured.
  "You want to hear me?” Even that question was doing the job, like liquor snaking through her.    
  "Yeah."
  "Sweet or dirty?” he asked.
  "Whatever you’re thinking.”
   He obeyed without hesitation. “I’m thinking I can’t remember ever wanting someone so badly. Being this hard. Wanting so badly to taste a woman. Taste you. Make you come. Make you ready—make you wet, and...what’s the word?” He bit her softly. “Lush,” he concluded.


  He was so many lovers in one—worshipping, needy, selfish, rough, tender, sensual, playful. A dozen flavors of male in a single body. Anything she could wish for...
  "Take me," she muttered.
  [...]She could almost detect some message in this sex, as though his body were telling her, Before you fly home, I’m going to be every last thing a man can be for a woman. And she’d remember each of those men with a fondness that broke her heart.

Purchase Links

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  iBooks

 

 

About the author

Cara McKenna writes smart erotica—sexy stories with depth. A little dark, a little funny, always emotional. She also writes red-hot romance under the name Meg Maguire. Her wonderful publishers are Ellora's Cave, Harlequin Blaze, Loose-Id, Penguin / Intermix, and Samhain. She loves writing sexy, character-driven stories about strong-willed men and women who keep each other on their toes, and bring one another to their knees.

Cara was a 2010 Golden Heart finalist, a 2012 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award nominee, and a 2012 Golden Leaf finalist.

Cara is represented by Laura Bradford, of the Bradford Literary Agency.

Before becoming a purveyor of red-hot romance and smart erotica, Cara was a record store bitch, a lousy barista, a decent designer, and an overly enthusiastic penguin handler.

Cara now writes full-time and lives north of Boston with her bearded husband. When she's not trapped in her own head she can usually be found in the kitchen, the coffee shop, or jogging around the nearest duck-filled pond. She is a very proud member of the Romance Writers of America® and her local New England Chapter.

Website  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads

SEXY SATURDAYS: UNRAVELED BOX SET by SARAH CASTILLE AND LAUREN HAWKEYE

Sexy Saturdays with Andrea and Autumn is a weekly meme created to spread the word about spicy reads.



Participating blogs:
The Autumn Review
The Bookish Babe

Series: Anthology
Genre: Erotic Romance
Publisher: Unraveled Group
Publication Date: 11/4/13
Format: eARC
Source: Author
Rating: 4 stars

YIELD TO ME by Sarah Castille
An ambitious MMA fighter struggles to resist her attraction to the dangerously sexy fight coach who awakens in her secret erotic desires that could destroy her fighting career.


THREE LITTLE WORDS by Lauren Hawkeye
Two years ago serious law student broke wild child Adele Cavanaugh’s heart. Now, just as Adele is struggling to rebuild her life after the night where everything went wrong, Mal is thrown back into her life... and she meets Dorian Marshall, the sexy Australian lead singer of Three Little Words, a bad boy with a soft spot for her. Mal and Dorian are roommates and friends.... but how can Adele choose just one when they both help to ease her pain?

**This review is only for Yield to Me and Three Little Words**

YIELD TO ME by Sarah Castille

I've read two of Castille's books, one of which (Against the Ropes) was set in the world of MMA. Yield to Me is set in that world, but, the heroine is a fighter, which I thought was cool. The story centers on the relationship between Marcy and Jax, her trainer.

Yield to Me was a story that dealt with Marcy's conflicting feelings of her desire to submit, with the necessity to resisting the submission as a fighter. There's the angst of a relationship between coach and partner. But ultimately, it was a story of acceptance. I really liked Yield to Me.

Favorite Quote:

  Kiss me. Kiss me. Kiss me.
  As if he had heard her unspoken demand, he dropped his head and brushed his lips over hers.
  Fire streaked through Marcy's body with such intensity she forgot to breathe, burning its way straight to her core. She blinked and then Jax was gone.


THREE LITTLE WORDS by Lauren Hawkeye

I am a huge lover of Lauren Hawkeye's books. Her Wicked Gladiators was the very first erotic romance I reviewed for Sexy Saturdays back in 2012, and I have to say, that book is still a favorite of mine.

In Three Little Words, I found a story unlike any of the books I've read of Hawkeye's, and her alter ego Lauren Jameson. Though I had no real expectations of Three Little Words (I didn't even read the blurb), I was taken by surprise by the tone and the story.

This was a really bittersweet, but ultimately happy story. True to Hawkeye form, it was very sexy, as well. The characters were a bit heartbreaking, their story tugged at my heart, and the romance had me raising a brow. I really, really enjoyed Three Little Words.

Favorite Quote:

  But even though she tasted the same, the kiss felt different. We'd had plenty of heat between us before, but this kiss...
  This kiss was a volcanic eruption, the lust like lava, exploding outward, not caring where it landed or who it burned.

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

 

 

About the author

Recovering lawyer, karate practitioner, and caffeine addict, Sarah Castille worked and traveled abroad before trading her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home near the Canadian Rockies. Her steamy, contemporary romantic tales feature blazingly hot alpha heroes tormented or tattooed for your reading pleasure.

 

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads  |  Newsletter  |  Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lauren Hawkeye/ Lauren Jameson is a writer, yoga newbie, knitting aficionado and animal lover who lives in the shadows of the great Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada. She's older than she looks--really--and younger than she feels--most of the time--and she loves to explore the journeys that take women through life in her stories. Hawkeye's stories include erotic historical, steamy paranormal, and hot contemporary. Make sure to check out her work as Lauren Jameson, where her erotic romances take a walk on the wild side.

 

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads

 

 

 

RELEASE DAY EVENT: DREW + FABLE FOREVER by MONICA MURPHY

I'm very excited to be taking part in the Drew + Fable Forever Release Day Event.

This event is hosted by Inkslinger PR.

 

 

 

Series: Drew + Fable #3.5

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Bantam

Publication Date: 1/14/14

Format: eARC

Source: Publisher

Rating: 5 stars

 

Monica Murphy returns with her most beloved characters, Drew and Fable, in this eBook original 40,000-word novella that brings her bestselling New Adult series full circle.

Fantasy. How I ended up with NFL player Drew Callahan, the guy every woman wants, is beyond my wildest dreams. All I know is that once he chose me as his one and only, I sure wasn’t looking back. I had past wounds and he showed patience and concern—even taking responsibility for my messed-up kid brother. Now, once again, he’s found a way to blow my mind: an exotic wedding and honeymoon miles and miles away from home. What else could a girl ever ask for?

Reality. Now the honeymoon’s over. Drew’s football schedule takes him on the road constantly, while I need to stay put and look after my brother until he finishes high school—because God knows our sorry excuse for a mother won’t. I know Drew loves me with all his heart, and I’ll always be over the moon about him. This just isn’t how I imagined our life as newlyweds . . . dealing with the distance, missing him all the time. But we’ve gone through hard times before. We can get through this, too, right? We’re Drew and Fable, together forever. At least I hope so. . . .

 

The Short of It....

Drew + Fable Forever was perfection. Simple as that.

I'm not going to tease or bore you with what may/may not occur in this story. Big things happen. Amazing things happen. Every single moment was gorgeous.

I don't need to describe how reading it made me feel, other than to say I read this with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes the entire time. I am thrilled Murphy wrote this novella. I am happy that we got more time with Drew and Fable. I am thrilled and honored to have read it.

Monica Murphy has stated that she wrote Drew + Fable Forever for her fans. As a "Thank You", a love letter. As a fan who considers Drew + Fable to be a favorite, I take that love letter to heart. And I say "Thank You" to Monica Murphy. Thank you for the experiences.  Thank you for writing for creating this broken boy and the girl who was strong enough to stand beside him, to help him battle the darkness. Thank you for writing a story that stands apart from all the rest. Thank you for Marshmallow. Thank you for Drew + Fable.

 

 

 

Favorite Quotes:

  "And then I want to wander off for a bit and let you do whatever you want, secretly hoping that you'll send me a text that says 'marshmallow'. Though if you don't, that's okay, because I'll send you one instead." He offers up a crooked smile and the sight of it cracks my heart wide open, overflowing with so much pure love for him I want to cry. "Because we made a deal. Whenever we see or hear that word, the other comes running. I'll always be the one to rescue you, Fable. You never have to worry about that."
 

EXCERPT

“We should check out Ocean Avenue tomorrow,” Drew whispers close to my ear, amusement tingeing his deep voice.

“What? Are you serious?” Even though I’ve come to terms with being here, it doesn’t mean I want to linger and make it a serious vacation. Besides, Drew needs to get back home so he can resume practice.

“Well yeah, remember the spot where we kissed?” His eyes are warm as they search my face, filled with so much love I feel my heart swell.

“Yes,” I whisper achingly. “Of course I remember.”

“I want to go back there.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his index finger lingering on my skin. “I want to kiss you again in that little alley and remember how wet we were from the rain. How nervous I was. I was scared you might reject me.”

I’d felt the same way. We’d dealt with much of the same feelings and fears and hadn’t even known it.

“I want to take you to that store where you got the dress that just about killed me and buy you whatever you want,” he continues, his fingers drifting across my jaw. My eyes flutter closed as memories rush back at me. “I want to sit outside the dressing room and have you come out to show me every single thing you’re trying on.”

That he remembers all the little details sends a thrill of pleasure spiraling to the very depths of my soul.

“And then I want to wander off for a bit and let you do whatever you want, secretly hoping that you’ll send me a text that says marshmallow. Though if you don’t that’s okay because I’ll send you one instead.” He offers up a crooked smile and the sight of it cracks my heart wide open, overflowing with so much pure love for him I want to cry. “Because we made a deal. Whenever we see or hear that word, the other comes running. I’ll always be the one to rescue you, Fable. You never have to worry about that.”

 

Drew + Fable Series

         

(covers lead to GoodReads page)

My Reviews

One Week Girlfriend  |  Second Chance Boyfriend  |  Three Broken Promises

Purchase Drew + Fable Forever (only $0.99!)

Amazon  |   Barnes & Noble  |  iTunes  |  Amazon CAN  |  Amazon UK

About the author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.

 

 

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads  |  Amazon

 

 

REVIEW ~ LEGAL AFFAIRS: OBJECTION by SAWYER BENNETT

Series: Legal Affairs #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Big Dog Books
Publication Date: 1/10/14
Format: eARC
Source: Author
Rating: 4 stars

One year ago, I graduated from law school and embarked on a career as a purveyor of high priced legal shenanigans.

Six months ago, my boyfriend dumped me when I thought he might be proposing.

Two weeks ago, I got drunk and joined a secret sex club.

Two days ago, I had a torrid one-night stand with a stranger.
Today? Well, today I’m contemplating having an affair with my boss.

Matt Connover is all kinds of forbidden temptation wrapped up in a deliciously wicked package, and he’s made it clear… he’s only interested in sex.

My name is McKayla Dawson but everyone calls me Mac. I work at the powerhouse firm of Connover & Crown, LLP, where the law has never felt so hot.

But between you and me, I’m afraid my heart won’t survive these Legal Affairs.

Legal Affairs is a serial romance with a whole lot of hot and a little bit of funny. It has six volumes that will be released every two weeks, the first one, entitled Objection, on January 10, 2014.

Legal Affairs – Objection – releasing January 10, 2014
Legal Affairs – Stipulation – releasing January 24, 2014
Legal Affairs – Violation – releasing February 7, 2014
Legal Affairs – Mitigation – releasing February 21, 2014
Legal Affairs – Reparation – releasing March 7, 2014
Legal Affairs – Affirmation – releasing March 21, 2014

First Impression ....Sawyer Bennett writing a sexy and fun serial about a young lawyer? Yes, and thank you.

The Story... McKayla needs a release. She gets it, courtesy of an exclusive group promising safe and uncomplicated sexual encounters. A risk-free one-night stand. But.... the anonymity is no more when Mac's fling turns out to be her new boss, Matt. Matt has serious doubts about their working together. Mac wants to let it go. Can the two leave their night of wicked passion behind?

The Characters ...Objection is told strictly through Mac's point-if-view, and she is such a fun lead character. She was serious about her job, but also snarky and a bit lighthearted. She's not bitchy or mean, but she definitely stands up for herself when needed.

As for the other characters, they Mac's best friend Macy was fun and a little crazy. Her former boss/co-worker was a complete witch and the perfect antagonist. Matt was serious and sexy, and very intriguing. I always liked and gave him the benefit of a doubt, even when he should be pissing me off.

The Writing ....I always enjoy Bennett's writing, so I expected to enjoy this. What I truly adored about Objection is the fun and slightly snarky tone. Objection is very different from Bennett's previous books, and you can just tell that she had an absolute blast creating these Mac and her crazy fun story.

Could I Put Objection Down? ....You know, I really couldn't. I started it with the intention of reading the first chapter. But, although I kept telling myself "one more chapter", and before I knew it, I was finished. Granted, it's short, but still, I did not put it down.

In the End ... Objection was fun, fast, and sexy. I love the approach Bennett has taken with her Legal Affairs series, and can't wait for more.


Favorite Quotes:

  I'm frozen in place. I have no clue what to do.
  Yes, I have hormones, pheromones, and even just good old, run-of-the-mill moans stuck in the back of my throat, which are on the verge of busting loose. My mind whirls...what did Matt mean by that statement?
  Do I slap him or jump him?


  My heart is on the verge of exploding in my chest, and only two things fill my mind.
  First, please, please, please kiss me, Matt.
  Second, please, please, please don't let me have a heart attack before he does.

Purchase Objection

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

About the Author
USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Connect with Sawyer:

Sawyer Bennett | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

SEXY SATURDAYS WITH ANDREA AND AUTUMN: THE VALENTINE'S ARRANGEMENT by KELSIE LEVERICH

Sexy Saturdays with Andrea and Autumn is a weekly meme created to spread the word about spicy reads. 

Participating blogs:

The Autumn Review

The Bookish Babe

 

**If you would like to participate, let us know and we will happily add you on.**

Series: Hard Feelings #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Intermix
Publication Date: 12/31/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 194
Source: Publisher
Rating:  4 stars

Tattoo artist Ronnie Clark is counting the days until Valentine’s Day is over. Ronnie doesn’t do romance. She doesn’t do flowers or dates, and she sure as hell doesn’t do love—not anymore.  Love leads to heartbreak, and she’s vowed never to let herself get hurt again.

Sergeant First Class Kale Emerson is home on his midtour leave from Iraq, but he only has one thing on his mind—returning to his soldiers to finish leading their mission. He’s dedicated to his men and to his country, and he’s not interested in getting wrapped up in a distracting relationship…but casual sex, that’s a different story. From the moment he sees Ronnie, he wants her. And he agrees to her terms: no romance, no fluff—just passion.

But as their sexual chemistry ignites, the lines of their arrangement get blurry, and Ronnie starts to push Kale away. And when Kale realizes he’s found his match in this gorgeous razor-tongued woman who is hell-bent against love, winning her heart could be the toughest battle he has ever fought.

  

First Impression ....I love a good novella. And I wish I had that chick's eyebrows.

The Story... Home on leave, Kale Emerson wants a tattoo to honor his fallen comrades. Well, he gets that tattoo, alright, created by the badass bombshell Ronnie Clark. Kale wants to make a connection with Ronnie while he's home, Ronnie is interested but intent on avoiding commitment. A short-term arrangement-no feelings involved-is what they set out to experience, but will the fire keep burning when their time is up?

The Characters ... The Valentine's Arrangement only had two characters with significant presence. Ronnie was completely rude, abrupt, and a little vicious. I loved that. I can see how a lot of readers might not connect with or enjoy her, but I did, a lot. She was hard core, a true badass who was quick to hand out a verbal beat down if the notion struck. Ronnie had her reasons for the tough exterior, but even if she hadn't, I still would have liked her.

Kale Emerson was perfect. A dedicated soldier who's job means everything to him, Kale has never been in love or had a significant relationship. I liked that the author allowed him to be a decidedly commitment-free guy without making him a jerk. Kale doesn't dick women around or recklessly break hearts. He just is who he is.

The two characters together were sexy and practically combustible. Ronnie is a compulsive ball-buster, but instead of being annoyed or intimidated, Kale gets off on it. Her fiery temperament amuses him. And turns him on. I liked seeing these two go into their situation believing they can control their feelings, but quickly realizing logic will not trump love.

The Writing .... was really good. I appreciate dual point-of-view in my romances, allowing me to know both characters thoughts and motivations, which reduces my book rage moments significantly.

Novellas are so hard to get just right. We need enough detail to form a strong connection, but too much can drag it down. Leverich found the perfect balance in my opinion.

The only nit-picky item for me was the "bad guy" who comes looking for trouble with Kale and Ronnie. Maybe I'm naive, but I just didn't get why he went through so much effort. But, he was arrogant and stupid, so it probably does make sense. Stupid dudes...I'll never understand them.

The Heat ... The Valentine's Arrangement was sexy, but not consumed in the only in physical act. That's not to say that Ronnie and Kale didn't get down. They did, and they did it well. But the chemistry and anticipation between them was just as hot. The foreplay, the intense build-up, was so hot and totally worth the wait.

Could I Put The Valentine's Arrangement Down? ... Throughout the first half, yeah, I could. I was really enjoying it, but not overwhelmed. The second half, specifically the last twenty-five percent, really grabbed me hard. With Kale pushing Ronnie for me as he was heading back to Iraq, and what happens next, I was definitely consumed. I basically sat in the middle of Red Lobster and ignored my family so I could finish. Any story that can make me miss out on Garlic-Cheddar Biscuits is worth a read.

In the End ... The Valentine's Arrangement was a very good novella. I would recommend it to fans of very well-developed novellas, such as Laura Kaye's Hearts in Darkness.


Favorite Quotes:

  She turned around, her impassive expression turning irritated. "All right, soldier, you just gonna stand there and waste my time or do you want to get some ink?"
  Kale put his head down and smirked as he started after her. He couldn't help liking her bad attitude. It was refreshing. She was feisty and quite possibly going to be a huge pain in the ass, but it turned him on. Oh, yes, this was going to be fun.   ~eARC, 6%


  She froze, letting every nerve ending fire to life as Kale's fingers traced over the lines of her tattoo. The softness of his touch was so light, so careful, it was if she was feeling the light pressure of a needle pressing ink into her skin. It was like he was tattooing her body all over again with the tip of his finger, and the feeling was addictive. She wanted more, and she wanted it everywhere.   ~eARC, 53%

 

 

 

The Hard Feelings Series

     

 

 

 

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About the author
Kelsie Leverich grew up in the small town of St. Joseph Illinois before getting married and following her husband from one Army post to another. After eight years, they finally settled down in Avon, Indiana with two adorable knuckleheads that are better known as her kids. Kelsie's life revolves around her family (to include two dogs and a cat) and most of the time, actually all of the time, it’s a crazy mess—but that’s the way she loves it! When Kelsie’s not writing, you can usually find her snuggling on the couch with her kids and a good book or out on the lake with family and friends. Kelsie is not a morning person, has a soft spot for animals, loves musicals, hates seafood, and thinks laundry is the source of all evil.


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HOLIDAY REVIEWS: CROSS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS and A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: A.T. Publishing
Publication Date: 11/1/13
Format: Paperback
Pages: 162
Source: Author/no obligation to reveiw
Rating: 3.5 stars

***Cross Country Christmas is proud to be a part of The 12 NA's of Christmas ***
12 New Adult Novellas. 12 Best Selling Authors. November 2013.

With the holiday season upon her, Jamie Foster is once again stressed about making her yearly visit back home to Woodfalls, still single. Fate intervenes in the form of Grant Johnson, a boy she grew up with, who catches the same flight while returning home from a business trip.

When a malfunction sends their plane crashing down on the runway upon takeoff, Jamie and Grant decide to rent a car and make the nine-hundred-mile drive home together. Ironically for them, anything that can go wrong does as they face one hysterical hurdle after another.

Christmas may finally bring Jamie the gift of love she has always wanted if she and Grant can manage to overcome a few obstacles along the way. Ho-ho-ho!

 

 

Cross Country Christmas was a fun Christmas novella, full of disastrous traveling adventures, the reuniting of two old friends, and a sweet, slow-building romance.

 

It's been a while since I've read a book of King's, I'd forgotten how humorous and snarky her heroines can be. Jamie was no exception, and I loved how flustered and aggravated she was when she ran into Grant after years away from Woodfalls. Grant is the guy Jamie has been hung up on for, well, forever, but had lost her chance. Grant was a real sweetie, and I loved how his calm and dry humor balanced against Jamie. Grant is definitely a guy who's been sold short in Jamie's mind, and it was fun to see her get to know him all over again and realize how great he is.

 

Cross Country Christmas was a very sweet and very funny holiday novella.

 

 

Favorite Quote:

 

  Despite my bug phobia, it didn't escape my notice that Grant was wearing nothing but boxer briefs that left little to the imagination. It was at that moment that I remembered I had neglected to put on pajamas before I fell asleep. My eyes met Grant's as he came to two obvious conclusions at once. One--I wasn't being attacked by some mass murderer, and two--I was standing in the middle of the room stark naked with the exception of my Care Bears socks.

 

 

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About the author

USA Today Bestselling author Tiffany King is a lifelong reading fanatic who is now living her dream as a writer, weaving Young Adult and New Adult romance tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iphone and ipad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, zombies and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.



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Series: Chaos #2.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Forever Yours
Publication Date: 12/5/13
Format: Kindle
Source: Purchase
Rating: 4.5  stars

Curl up with this heartwarming Christmas collection!

Jill Shalvis, Dream a Little Dream: Melissa has kept every man at a safe distance-especially firefighter Ian, a sexy friend with sexy benefits. But Ian secretly longs for more. Luckily, 'tis the season for giving love a chance . . .

Kristen Ashley, Every Year: Holidays don't come easy for Shy and his brother, Landon. But with the magic of Christmas, along with a little help from Tabby and her family, the Cage brothers are about to get the gift of a lifetime . . .

Hope Ramsay, Silent Night: Down on her luck and evicted from her apartment, single mother Maryanne hopes to start over in Last Chance. When the snow begins to fall, it looks like her baby might literally spend Christmas Eve in a manger. And Maryanne might celebrate the holiday with a handsome stranger.

Molly Cannon, Have Yourself a Messy Little Christmas: Lincoln is a bachelor who's set in his ways-until a professional organizer dressed up as Mrs. Claus changes his life, one tip at a time. . . 

Marilyn Pappano, A Family for Christmas: War widow Ilena doesn't mind spending Christmas alone. But when a new doctor blows into town with the winter wind, will she get her secret Christmas wish?

Plus: Excerpts from upcoming novels!

This review only includes Every Year, by Kristen Ashley 

Kristen Ashley, Every Year: Holidays don't come easy for Shy and his brother, Landon. But with the magic of Christmas, along with a little help from Tabby and her family, the Cage brothers are about to get the gift of a lifetime . . .

 I bought A Christmas to Remember for one reason only, Kristen Ashley. Though, I'm sure the other stories are great and do intend to read them at some point. But seriously, there was no way I was missing out on a Chaos Christmas story.

If you've read Own the Wind, you will recognize just how meaningful the title Every Year is. It's a promise from Shy to Tabby - one his father gave to his mother. But it is also a promise from Tabby to Shy, as well as his brother Landon. A promise that brought tears to my eyes more times than should be possible in such a short story.

As always, Kristen Ashley delivers laughter among the tears. The tiny Allens, Rider and Cutter are mini badasses at the ages of six and four. Tack is as sage and awesome as ever. Landon Parker has been pulled into the Allen fold, and Rush is a full-fledged badass I can't wait to know better. And the women, Tyra and Tabby are treasured and loved. They are the perfect counterparts to their men.

Every Year was another beautiful story from the unbeatable Kristen Ashley.

 

 

Favorite Quotes:

  "Why're you sad, Tabby?" he whispered.
  "I'm not, honey," I whispered back.
  He pushed closer to both Shy and me, his face now confused.
  "But you're cryin'," he told me.
  I curved an arm around my baby bro and explained, "Sometimes, something so beautiful happens, you can't process it and it builds up inside so big, you can't do anything but cry."
  "I hope that never happens to me," he replied.
  "And I hope it happens to you all the time," I returned.  
 

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About Kristen Ashley
Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

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REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY: A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING by JAMIE MCGUIRE

Series: Beautiful #2.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Atria
Publication Date: 12/10/13
Format: ARC
Pages: 160
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 stars

You know that Abby Abernathy unexpectedly became Mrs. Maddox. But what do you really know?

Why did Abby pop the question?
What secrets were shared before the ceremony?
Where did they spend their wedding night?
Who else knew about it . . . and didn’t tell?

Everything about Abby and Travis’s elopement was top-secret . . . until now. Fans of Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster will get all of their questions answered in this whirlwind tale of the wedding day (and night!)—and as with all good stories, this one will definitely have been worth the wait.

"When a Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever."  

I love novellas, particularly when they center around an event in a story or series that I still had questions about. A Beautiful Wedding is such a novella. I went in knowing the outcome, but the beauty in this was the details and the thoughtful manner in which McGuire explored the wedding between Travis and Abby.

One of the aspects of A Beautiful Disaster that I embraced was the character growth. Travis and Abby did not have their lives in order. But who does at their age? I can speak from experience when it comes to young love. And I can speak from experience of falling in love, and not quite knowing how to be a grown up. You learn. It may take months or it may take years. Even flawed characters, and people, deserve love. And if you can find a person who will love you regardless, you hold on for dear life and you try to become a better person, every single day. That is what I take away from Travis and Abbi's love story.

Travis and Abbi fought. They laughed. They fought. They cried. But in the end they loved. Fiercely. They grew, together. Travis recognized that he couldn't live his life fighting and f*cking. Abby recognized that her indecisiveness hurt those around her.  A Beautiful Wedding, while essentially the story of their quickie wedding, was also an acknowledgement to all they'd gone through. Just how fulfilling an all-encompassing and powerful love can be.

A Beautiful Wedding was an insightful and happy story. I'm very happy that I took the time to fall in love with Travis and Abby all over again.


Favorite Quote:

  Sensible or not, it felt good to be loved so much, and I decided right then and there I would stop apologizing for it. There were worse things than finding your soul mate too early in life, and what was too early anyway?   ~pg. 13

The Beautiful Series

   

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Giveaway

I have an extra copy of A Beautiful Wedding to give away!

Must be 18 years of age to enter. US Only (sorry!).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author

Jamie McGuire is the New York Times bestselling author of five other novels: Walking Disaster, Beautiful Disaster, Providence, Requiem, and Eden. She and her husband, Jeff, live with their children just outside Enid, Oklahoma, with three dogs, six horses, and a cat named Rooster.

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