Exes with Benefits by Nicole Williams @nwilliamsbooks

Exes with Benefits

by Nicole Williams 

Published September 18, 2017

*ARC received directly from the author 

in exchange for an honest review*

Blurb via Goodreads:

***He wants a second chance. I want a divorce. To get what I want, I’ll have to give him what he does.***
     From New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, Nicole Williams:
     The only benefit I want from my ex is a divorce. 
     We got married for all the wrong reasons. The one thing we got right was our separation. I should have known better than to think I could bet on forever with a guy like Canaan Ford. Everything about him screamed impermanent, from his wild eyes to his restless soul. 
     When I left him and the small town I’d spent my whole life in, I swore I’d never go back. Never only turned out to be five years. Canaan claims he’s changed, but he hasn’t—same knowing smile, same rough demeanor, same body crafted from sin and sinew. And yet, something is different. He thinks this is his chance for redemption. My disagreement comes in the form of divorce papers dropped in his lap. He refuses to sign them. Unless . . .
     He wants a month to prove himself to me—that’s his offer. One month to make me fall in love with him again and if I don’t, he’ll sign the papers. As much as I want to say no, I agree. I can suffer my ex for a short amount of time if that’s what it takes to be free of him once and for all. I fell for him once; I won’t make that same mistake twice. 
     He says we’re not over. I say we were over before we got started. Only one of us can be right, and I can’t let it be him. 

Grab Your Copy

Amazon

B&N

About The Author

I'm a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I'm still writing because I love it. I write romance because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. 

Nicole loves hearing from her readers.

Connect with Nicole:  Facebook    Goodreads     Twitter     Blog.  

My Review

Ahh! What a perfect read! It was reminiscent of the movie Sweet Home Alabama. I adored that movie and I adored this book just as much, if not more!

Welcome back home, the home she left when things just didn't go the way they should've. Married too young, with a husband who lost his way... She left, ran away, only to come back later when her grandmother passes away to find the boy she married has grown and matured into one hell of man.

I couldn't put this book down!!!!!

I've loved everything that Nicole Williams has published but this one definitely ran up towards the top of my favorites list for her work. It was such an emotional read. A story I wanted to keep reading on and on just to see what happens in their life after the story ended. Canaan and Maggie are precious. Yes, they had a rough start but, lord, he's trying his best to make amends and right all his wrongs. She's tough but absolutely in denial through most of the book. I wanted to reach in and smack her on more than one occasion.

Great characters, emotional plot, twists that I loved. Romance for an age group that I just can't find often enough! I loved it!

Overall, huge 5 stars. Nicole Williams continues to show me why she's one of my favorites!
Cover: 5 Stars (woah...)
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars
Climax: 4.5 Stars
Ending: 5 Stars!

ARC Review: Theirs to Take (Blasphemy #3) by @LauraKayeAuthor

Theirs to Take

Blasphemy #3

by Laura Kaye

Published Sept 26, 2017

**ARC received directly from the author 

in exchange for an honest review**

Blurb via Goodreads:

She’s the fantasy they’ve always wanted to share… 

Best friends Jonathan Allen and Cruz Ramos share almost everything—a history in the Navy, their sailboat building and restoration business, and the desire to dominate a woman together, which they do at Baltimore’s exclusive club, Blasphemy. Now if they could find someone who wants to play for keeps… 

All Hartley Farren has in the world is the charter sailing business she inherited from her beloved father. So when a storm damages her boat, she throws herself on the mercy of business acquaintances to do the repairs—stat. She never expected to find herself desiring the sexy, hard-bodied builders, but being around Jonathan and Cruz reminds Hartley of how much she longs for connection. If only she could decide which man she wants to pursue more… 

As their attraction flashes hot, Jonathan and Cruz determine to have Hartley for their own. But the men’s erotic world is new and overwhelming, and Hartley’s unsure if she could really submit to being both of theirs to take…forever. 

Grab Your Copy

Amazon

B&N

About the Author

Laura Kaye is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary and erotic romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink, Raven Riders, Blasphemy, Heroes, and Hearts of the Anemoi series. Laura's hot, heartfelt stories are all about the universal desire for a place to belong. Laura grew up amidst family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with storytelling and the supernatural. Laura also writes historical fiction as Laura Kamoie, and lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Join Laura Kaye's Newsletter - smarturl.it/subscribeLauraKaye - to Receive:

*New release alerts *News about contests and giveaways *Sneak peeks and teasers *Early cover reveals *The most up-to-date book news and new releases *Book signings and appearances *Online events for readers *Upcoming sales

Connect with Laura:    Website     Facebook     Twitter      Instagram 

My Review

Phew.... *Fans Face* Laura Kaye did it again with the next installment in the Blasphemy series. Holy hotness.... squared... or cubed if you include Hartley into the mix. I was a bit intimidated to be honest with ya when I picked up this one. It's been a while since I'd read a good threesome book but this one definitely didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed the other two books in the series but this one has been, by far, my favorite in the series. 

Hartley is the female lead that we all would wish for. She's independent, strong, and no where near the whiny female found in a lot of books these days. She's... normal. I feel like I could go to this town and walk up to her, start a conversation, and then beg her for the inside edition to the relationship between her and the sexy duo that is Jonathan and Cruz. 

The sex... woah.... Again... *fans face* 

I love this series because I love the idea of these guys being part owners in the club, Blasphemy. It's an underground world that is foreign for my country girl, Louisiana small-town self. I love to be immersed in this world. 

Overall, great read. If you've enjoyed the other two books in this series, you won't be disappointed with this one. You even get to see a few of the other characters. 

Overall, 5 Stars

Cover: 3.5 Stars

Characters: 5 Stars

Plot: 4 Stars

Climax: 4 Stars

Ending: 5 Stars 

Review: Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel @MegKassel

Black Bird of the Gallows
by Meg Kassel
YA Paranormal Romance
Released September 5, 2017
by Entangled Teen

Blurb via Goodreads:

A simple but forgotten truth: Where harbingers of death appear, the morgues will soon be full.

Angie Dovage can tell there’s more to Reece Fernandez than just the tall, brooding athlete who has her classmates swooning, but she can’t imagine his presence signals a tragedy that will devastate her small town. When something supernatural tries to attack her, Angie is thrown into a battle between good and evil she never saw coming. Right in the center of it is Reece—and he’s not human. 

What's more, she knows something most don't. That the secrets her town holds could kill them all. But that’s only half as dangerous as falling in love with a harbinger of death.

Grab Your Copy

Amazon

B&N

About the Author

Meg Kassel is an author of paranormal and speculative books for young adults. A New Jersey native, Meg graduated from Parson's School of Design and worked as a graphic designer before embracing her true passion, writing. She now lives in a log house in the Maine woods with her family, and is busy at work on her next novel. A fan of ’80s cartoons, original Netflix series, daydreaming, and ancient mythology, Meg has always been fascinated and inspired by the fantastic, the creepy, and the futuristic. When she’s not writing, Meg is reading, hanging out with her husband and daughter, hiding her peanut butter cups, or walking her rescue mutt, Luna. She is a two-time finalist and the 2016 YA winner of the RWA Golden Heart© contest. Her debut novel, Black Bird of the Gallows, releases fall of 2017.

Connect with Meg:  Website   Facebook     Twitter    Instagram  

  

My Review

I have to give the utmost props to Meg Kassel for this debut novel. I had to go back and double check that I had read that right... that this is her debut novel. It absolutely blew me away. 

Kassel has a beautiful way about her story. The words breeze by on the pages, so easy to read and become engulfed in. I couldn't put it down. 

Not only were the characters some of my favorite that I've read lately, they stuck with me long after I finished this novel. The mythological aspect of the plot transported me to this world that I didn't know existed and I wanted more of. 

Beautifully crafted, completely transfixing.... I couldn't put this one down. I'll be buying a few paperback or hardcover copies for my student's library in my classroom. I have several students in mind that I know will absolutely love this novel. 

The ease with which I was sucked into this novel reminded me of the first time I read Shelly Crane's Significance Series, JL Armentrout's Lux Series, and Amy Bartol's Premonition Series. 

I can't say enough about how much I loved this novel. 

Overall, huge 5 stars (Amazing Debut!) 

Cover: BEAUTIFUL! 5 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars <-- I LOVED the world building - the Harbingers, the Beekeepers, the Other characters... Amazing creativity
Climax: ACK! I was petrified! 5 Stars
Ending: 5 Stars! Thank goodness that this one ended on a high note! I was so worried that I went through the entire novel only to be sad by the ending but it lived up to my expectations! 

ARC Review: Dark Swan (Otherworld Assassin #3) by Gena Showalter

Dark Swan

The Otherword Assassin #2.5

by Gena Showalter

*ARC received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Blurb via Goodreads:

The Alien Huntress series is back with fan favorite AIR agent Dallas Gutierrez from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling paranormal romance author Gena Showalter, who doesn’t disappoint with this sizzling hot alpha hero.

Lilica Swan isn’t quite human or otherworlder; she is the best—and worst—of both.

She is willing to do whatever proves necessary to save her sister from the seductive and deadly Alien Investigation and Removal agent, Dallas Gutierrez, even bonding her lifeforce to his by effectively marrying him. But the bond will fade without consummation. Can Dallas resist his insatiable desire for the powerful beauty? Or will she lead to his ultimate downfall?

About the Author

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in paranormal and contemporary romances, as well as young adult novels. Her series include White Rabbit Chronicles, Angels of the Dark, Otherworld Assassins, Lords of the Underworld, Alien Huntress and Intertwined.

Her novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Seventeen Magazine, and have been translated all over the world. The critics have called her books "sizzling page-turners" and "utterly spellbinding stories", while Showalter herself has been called “a star on the rise”. 

Connect with Gena:   Facebook    Twitter     Goodreads     Website 

Grab Your Copy

Amazon

B&N

My Review

I was hesitant to start Dark Swan because it's been so long since I've read the others books in the Otherworld Assassin series. I'm so glad I jumped right back to it. It was so easy to just fall right back into the world that Gena created in this series. The characters are so magnetic, aggressive but charming in this... gritty sort of way. Lilica (such an awesome name) is such a well crafted, head strong character. You want her to conquer the world. Save her sister who has lost her way. She and her sisters lived one hell of a life... if you can even call it a living. Lab rats basically. Enter Dallas... sigh worthy, gritty, sexy Dallas. He lived a hellish life as well. They make an add pairing but you can't seem to get enough of them when Lilica accidentally bonds them together.

Steamy, sexy, gritty, heart-stopping.... I couldn't get enough.

I was sad that this wasn't a long, full length novel. Being a 2.5, these were two characters that I would've read a 500 page novel on just because I couldn't seem to get enough of them.

Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars
Cover Rating: 3 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars - Plenty of ups, downs, highs & lows. You cheer & you rail for and at the characters.
Climax: 5 Stars! Crazy how the power was there all along.
Ending: 5 Stars (I was so sad that it was wrapping up and ending. Pretty sure I pouted aloud as I read the last few pages.)

ARC Review: Can't Let Go (Original Heartbreakers) by Gena Showalter

Can't Let Go

The Original Heartbreakers #5

by Gena Showalter

*ARC received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Blurb via Goodreads:

With trust issues a mile long, Ryanne Wade has sworn off men.  Then Jude Laurent walks into her bar and all bets are off.  The former Army Ranger has suffered unimaginably, first being maimed in battle then losing his wife and daughters to a drunk driver. Making the brooding widower smile is priority one. Resisting him? Impossible.

To Jude, Ryanne is off limits. And yet the beautiful bartender who serves alcohol to potential motorists tempts him like no other. When a rival bar threatens her livelihood, and her life, he can’t turn away.  She triggers something in him he thought long buried, and he’s determined to protect her, whatever the cost.

As their already scorching attraction continues to heat, the damaged soldier knows he must let go of his past to hold on to his future...or risk losing the second chance he desperately needs.

About the Author

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in paranormal and contemporary romances, as well as young adult novels. Her series include White Rabbit Chronicles, Angels of the Dark, Otherworld Assassins, Lords of the Underworld, Alien Huntress and Intertwined.

Her novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Seventeen Magazine, and have been translated all over the world. The critics have called her books "sizzling page-turners" and "utterly spellbinding stories", while Showalter herself has been called “a star on the rise”. 

Connect with Gena:   Facebook    Twitter     Goodreads     Website 

Grab Your Copy When It Hits Shelves

Amazon

B&N

My Review

Gena Showalter knocked it out of the emotional ballpark with Can't Let Go! It has been, by far, my favorite of the Original Heartbreakers Series. Jude is the most addictive male role to date in the series (at least for me he was!) and I adored Ryanne's spunk, independent, take no crap attitude. It's hard to find lead female characters that do not annoy me at least once throughout a novel. Ryanne's constant sexual banter back and forth with Jude was absolute perfection. She was the one flame that was able to melt the ice surrounding his tattered heart. They had amazing chemistry that basically slid right off of the pages. 

The plot is fast paced with never a dull-moment. The entire cast in this series are so well-crafted that I feel like I could jump in my car, drive to this Strawberry lovin' small town, and pop in Ryanne's bar for a drink with these folks. I live in a small town but this world that Gena Showalter has crafted makes me green with envy! Everyone is so close but not of the nosey variety (mostly anyways ha). 

One of my favorite Jude moments: "Every day, in a thousand different ways, you undo me, love. You're my world." Take a moment... swoon.... Who knew Jude, the ice-cold, stone hearted, bitter soldier could rock my literary world with words? He's amazing. 

Overall, huge 5 Star read for me. Loved it! I can't wait for Brock & Lyndie's story!!!!!


Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars - Plenty of ups, downs, highs & lows. You cheer & you rail for and at the characters.
Climax: 5 Stars!
Ending: 5 Stars <-- LOVED the epilogue!

ARC Review: Can't Hardly Breathe by Gena Showalter (The Original Heartbreakers Series)

Can't Hardly Breathe

The Original Heartbreakers #4

by Gena Showalter

*ARC received directly from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Blurb via Goodreads:

Bullied in high school, Dorothea Mathis's past is full of memories she'd rather forget. But there's one she can't seem to shake—her long-standing crush on former army ranger Daniel Porter. Now that the sexy bad boy has started using her inn as his personal playground, she should kick him out…but his every heated glance makes her want to join him instead.  

Daniel returned to Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, to care for his ailing father and burn off a little steam with no strings attached. Though he craves curvy Dorothea night and day, he's as marred by his past as she is by hers. The more he desires her, the more he fears losing her.  

But every sizzling encounter leaves him desperate for more, and soon Daniel must make a choice: take a chance on love or walk away forever.

About the Author

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in paranormal and contemporary romances, as well as young adult novels. Her series include White Rabbit Chronicles, Angels of the Dark, Otherworld Assassins, Lords of the Underworld, Alien Huntress and Intertwined.

Her novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Seventeen Magazine, and have been translated all over the world. The critics have called her books "sizzling page-turners" and "utterly spellbinding stories", while Showalter herself has been called “a star on the rise”. 

Connect with Gena:   Facebook    Twitter     Goodreads     Website 

Grab Your Copy When It Hits Shelves

Amazon

B&N

My Review

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC Paperback copy of Can't Hardly Breathe from Gena Showalter. I've read each book in The Original Heartbreakers Series and loved them all so far. I was hoping that I would love this one but I always get a little worried when series move past three books.

I absolutely had no reason to be worried. Gena Showalter continued with this series in the best way possible. Her amazingly crafted characters were solid, emotional, relatable, broken but healing, and unforgettable. The lead female character, Dorothea (Thea), is learning to love herself after being bullied most of her life, cheated on by her ex-husband, and losing the baby she had just found out was growing inside of her. Our absolutely drool-worthy hunk of a broken war hero, Daniel Porter, is the perfect blend of masculine prowess, heart of gold, good intentioned, and natural born protector.

Dorothea knocks his socks off with her raincoat sans nothing else attempt at seduction which sets our plot in a heady, lust-filled, twisting and turning tornado which kept me glued to the pages. I didn't want the story to end. I was sad there wasn't an epilogue but absolutely thrilled with the tiny glimpse at the next couple to be featured in the Original Heartbreakers Series. I can't wait for their story!

Overall, epic story of two seeming broken souls who have to overcome their own fears and insecurities to finally be able to look towards the future and stop looking back. Huge 5 stars for me.

Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars - Plenty of ups, downs, highs & lows. You cheer & you rail for and at the characters.
Climax: 5 Stars!
Ending: 5 Stars <-- Would've LOVED an epilogue.

Happy New Release! Runaway Girl by Anne Eliot

Runaway Girl

(Runaway Rockstar Series #1)

by Anne Eliot

Blurb:

Robin Love's father has been missing in action for over a year. A true proud army brat at almost eighteen, Robin already knows how to be strong and how to be her brother’s only family. Above all, she knows to pretend everything will be fine. Only, things aren’t fine. Robin discovered that her brother will get dumped in foster care when she leaves for college. So, she’s convinced him to run away with her instead.

They’ve vowed to stay together at all costs. Even if it means stealing food out of hotels, sleeping in the car, and lying about everything. Even if it means working as a secret nanny for a jerk rock star who only cares about his band. And even if it means trusting strangers while she formulates her plan. She never expects her lies to lead them to true friends and a real home. Nor does she expect to be attracted to the boss she's growing to hate, all because he refuses to act like the honorable and 'good father' she misses desperately.

But secrets like a runaway girl and a baby hiding with a famous band can’t be kept secret for long. Robin is also not the only one telling lies. When an accidental kiss—a kiss that never should have happened—threatens Robin’s ability to keep her brother, Robin will do anything to correct her mistakes. But this time, to save her brother, the cost might be her heart.

Buy It Today On Amazon!

About the Author:

Anne Eliot writes middle grade and young adult fiction full time. She's a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), Romance Writers of America (RWA), and Pikes Peak Writers. Anne lives in Denver, Colorado, USA. Anne's favorite thing to write about is a first kiss. She loves to hear from readers. For more information, please visit her website.

Connect with Anne:

Website

Twitter

Goodreads

Facebook

My Review:

I LOVED this book. Robin is the girl that we all wish we could be should we ever be in a situation where we have to take care of our younger sibling. She's strong & determined to do the best she can for her little brother until her dad comes back. He's MIA.

I adored the plot of this story and didn't want the book to end. Granted, it ends on a slight cliffhanger so we're all patiently going to wait on Anne to finish her magic on the second book in the series.

The guys in the bad are truly awesomeness made over. You have your good boy, the bad boy, the sweet one.... The inside look into a rockstar's life behind the scenes sets such a great stage for this overall story's awesomeness.

I read this book in nearly one sitting because it was one I couldn't put down. The Runaway Girl ran away with my heart! I wanted to cheer for Robin & Royce as well as the others in the book!

Overall, huge 5 star review for me! I couldn't get enough and I can't wait until the next book! Eeeeep! <3 Robin & Royce.

Woah! I'm Back! Sort of....

**Waves**

Hi Everyone!!!!

I've been noticeably absent for.... a while... years.... too long.

What happened??

Well, I decided my family needed to come first so I changed my entire professional field! Gasp! It wasn't easy. It wasn't an easy decision. I made it happen so I could spend more time with my family and be more involved in my son's education.

I swapped from the Medical Staff Continuing Medical Education Coordinator to (drumroll please.....) Middle School Math Teacher. Bam. For the last two years I've been attempting to navigate the insane world of Middle School Mathematics. I've taught two years of 6th and 7th grade math for one of the rural PreK through 8th grade schools in my parish. It's been tough... The word "tough" doesn't even touch how hard it actually has been. That first year was a beast. Rawr! Beast. But I survived. I need a t-shirt that says, "I survived teaching my first year of middle school."

So now I'm entering my third year and things are looking up. I've got a great routine going. I've got my classroom procedures basically nailed down. I'm learning day by day how to navigate the 31 IEPs and 504s in my classroom. I'm learning how to help 7th graders who read at a 3rd grade level. I'm struggling to come to grips with the (stupid) state mandates that our school is forced to deal with.

Overall, I love my kids. My kids are the bomb! I'm sooooooo happy that I made this life-changing decision. Granted, I've never worked so hard in my entire life, BUT I'm at home more. No late night meetings at the hospital. No hour commute (one way) to work. I'm with my son (technically, he's right down the hall in the elementary building). Yes, I cried a few times in my first year because of frustration <that's an entirely different book-long post for another time>, but I survived. My life is better because of this life-altering change.

I have much to learn but overall, I'm LOVING it.

I'm hoping to spend more time blogging in the upcoming year. Some things may include school discussions and my usual mommy-dom rant or story. Bare with me. I love you guys! Xoxoxoxoxox

~Kayla