Thursday, May 30, 2019

TLC Book Tours Book Review: Realm


About Realm


• Paperback: 383 pages
• Publisher: Vesuvian Books (May 14, 2019)

When her homeland is conquered by the mighty Alexander the Great, Roxana—the daughter of a mere chieftain—is torn from her simple life and thrown into a world of war and intrigue.

Terrified, the sixteen-year-old girl of renowned beauty is brought before the greatest ruler the world has ever known. Her life is in his hands; her future his to decide.

Without formal education or noble blood, Roxana is chosen by the Greek conqueror to be his bride. Soon she comes to know profound happiness and unyielding desire in her warrior’s arms.

However, being the king’s consort comes at a heavy price. To survive her husband’s treacherous kingdom, she must endure continuous warfare, deadly plots, jealous rivals, victory-hungry generals, and the stigma of being a barbarian. Persian blood will keep her from claiming the grandest title of all—queen—but her reign will seal the fate of an empire.

History tells his story. This is hers.

Social Media

Please use the hashtag #realm and tag @tlcbookours, @vesuvianmedia, and @alexandreaweis.



Purchase Links



Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Review:   I was drawn to this book because I love historical fiction. This is cross between fiction and historical romance.

Roxana is  strong woman of her time, perhaps too strong as you read it because she really does act a bit modern, not wanting marriage and wanting to do more manly things.

I don't know much about Alexander the Great, so this was a learning experience for me while reading. Its based on a true events but still a work of fiction and for me it was one that you couldn't put down

I really loved Roxana and her relationship with Alexander which was exceedingly complex.

Rating: 4 flowers




Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, CRRN, ONC, PhD, is a multi award-winning author of twenty-five novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured animals. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans. Weis writes paranormal, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, and romance.

Connect with Weis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Give Me More Books Release Blitz The Perfect Recipe




Title: The Perfect Recipe
Series: Cooper's Cove #1
Authors: Lily Prescott & Rose Everhart
Genre: Clean Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 29, 2019



Blurb

One property. 
Two potential owners.
And a battle they never expected to fight for— their hearts.

Even as a child, Ava Kelly dreamed of owning her own bakery, and with the help of her uncle and best friend, she made it happen. Then the store front next door becomes available, and the opportunity arises to expand her business—except there’s one giant problem.

After former Air Force pilot Maxwell ‘Max’ Ellis lost his leg during the war, he opened his own MMA gym in Cooper’s Cove, GA to channel his grief and anger. When the store next to him comes up for rent, he discovers his chance to grow the business and help other men like himself. Unfortunately there’s one tiny problem: Ava, and the fact that he’s falling for her.

When her dangerous ex returns to town and disaster strikes, will they be able to overcome the threat and find the perfect recipe for love?






Purchase Links

99c for a limited time

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited




Review: I'm kind of in love with so many things about this book, the cover topping my list because OMG so pretty!!

I am a sucker for small town stories and Cooper's Cove is really a great setting. I devour books like this all the time. Also, Ava is a baker, to me that = perfect heroine. She's also really a nice lady. I wasn't sure what to make of Max at first. He seemed like every ex-military hero I've read about, down to his disability. He comes across as arrogant and really hard to like at first, though Ava was just as stubborn when it comes to the the expansion of her business.

What I really loved was how they both changed in their feelings for one another and how it built nicely into love. From the beginning, Max sets to protect her, even when he has no real reason to. She was just a thorn in his side.

The two of them really start to be perfect for each other. There's attraction. There's a commonality in wanting to succeed in their businesses. Both are ambitious, but both are also caring.

Max proved himself when things started happening at the bakery too. Then Ava stepping up to learn more about his PTSD.

These were two made for each other characters. I had my reservations at first, but by the end, they both won me over.

This was a fantastic read and a great start to a series. I hope Ava's friend Eliza is the next book. (fingers crossed)

Rating: 4 flowers



Lily Prescott

Lily Prescott has been an avid reader since childhood and could always be found with a book in her hand. These days, when she isn’t reading, she spends her time writing clean contemporary romance with swoon-worthy heroes and strong heroines. Residing in South Carolina, you can almost always find her snuggled up with her fur baby, Penny, or hanging out in Starbucks with an ice cold chai tea latte in hand. 




Rose Everhart

Rose Everhart has been a daydreamer since an early age. Throughout her teenage years, she used her imagination to come up with vivid stories to keep herself entertained on rainy days. Now, she writes sweet, contemporary and young adult romance to share with the world. She lives in Northern Mississippi, and in her free time, she prefers to hike, fish, and camp. You can find her at various campsites all over the US during the year, relaxing under a tree with her laptop open to capture the perfect love story.



Tuesday, May 28, 2019

TLC Book Tours Book Review: Queen Bee

About Queen Bee


• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (May 28, 2019)

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of New York Timesbestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank’s Carolina Lowcountry in this evocative tale that returns at long last to her beloved Sullivan’s Island.

Beekeeper Holly McNee Kensen quietly lives in a world of her own on Sullivan’s Island, tending her hives and working at the local island library. Holly calls her mother The Queen Bee because she’s a demanding hulk of a woman. Her mother, a devoted hypochondriac, might be unaware that she’s quite ill but that doesn’t stop her from tormenting Holly. To escape the drama, Holly’s sister Leslie married and moved away, wanting little to do with island life. Holly’s escape is to submerge herself in the lives of the two young boys next door and their widowed father, Archie.

Her world is upended when the more flamboyant Leslie returns and both sisters, polar opposites, fixate on what’s happening in their neighbor’s home. Is Archie really in love with that awful ice queen of a woman? If Archie marries her, what will become of his little boys? Restless Leslie is desperate for validation after her imploded marriage, squandering her favors on any and all takers. Their mother ups her game in an uproarious and theatrical downward spiral. Scandalized Holly is talking to her honey bees a mile a minute, as though they’ll give her a solution to all the chaos. Maybe they will.

Queen Bee is a classic Lowcountry Tale—warm, wise and hilarious, it roars with humanity and a dropperful of whodunit added for good measure by an unseen hand. In her twentieth novel, Dorothea Benton Frank brings us back to her beloved island with an unforgettable story where the Lowcountry magic of the natural world collides with the beat of the human heart.

Social Media

Please use the hashtag #queenbee and tag @tlcbooktours, @williammorrowbooks, and @dorotheabentonfrank.

Purchase Links


HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Review:  It isn't summer for me if I don't have a Dorothea Benton Frank novel to read. I always enjoy my trips to the low country. I always feel like I'm visiting old friends when I read her books. They are the best way to spend a few days in the summer.

The characters in this one will warm you heart, make you laugh, make you want to choke them and just love them.

I hypochondriac mother, 2 sisters, a widower and his children.

What more can you ask for?

And what more can make for a book that will have you laughing and crying along the way?

This was definitely a winner in my book.

Rating : 5 flowers

About Dorothea Benton Frank


New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank was born and raised on Sullivans Island, South Carolina. She resides in the New York area with her husband.

Find her on the web at www.dotfrank.com, or like her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Hot Tree Promotions Book Review: Finding Your Way
















Title: Finding Your Way


Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: May 25, 2019

Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing

Cover Designer: Claire Smith

 Add to TBR

 Available now! 


All other links: books2read.com/findingyourway






With a touch of paranormal interference, a lost love seems to be working to help Perry and Manny find their happy ever after, while hinting that some things may not be as they seem.



Two years after the death of the first woman to hold his heart, Manny meets a woman who fires his desire to love again, but to do so, must he say goodbye the ghost of his first love?



Perry’s social anxiety causes her to isolate herself from everyone, including the man she’s inexplicably drawn to. As desperately as she wants to break free from her self-imposed prison, she can’t overcome her own insecurities.



Manny is determined to prove to Perry she is worthy of love. And just when he thinks he has succeeded, he’s forced to keep a difficult promise that will forever impact their lives. 



Can a little divine intervention from Manny’s first love help Perry and Manny find their way to a happily ever after?





 Available now! 










Finding Your Way is a very sweet love story, between Perry and Manny. Perry's a writer with serious anxiety issues and Manny, is...well Manny. He's getting over the loss of his girlfriend to heart failure. They were planning to marry.  

Perry is the first woman he's felt anything for since her death and that's going on 3 years.

It is an awkward courtship to say the least, but it is absolutely hard not to love Perry. Manny for the most part comes off as a bit too good to be true. He's a little too perfect, doing everything right for Perry, without many missteps. Not that their relationship wasn't without any missteps, because lord knows there were a few.

Then there is the touch of the paranormal in the ghost of Manny's first love Connie.  I loved the "real" specter of Connie, helping them along. Her presence at times takes a normal romance and makes it more unique without being too ghosty. (If that makes any sense)

 Perry really needs those ghostly visits of Connie's, especially after a plot twist that will have your jaw drop to the floor. Her actions after that made me want to shake her just a little bit. I understand her anxiety. I've suffered with it myself but there were times when I wondered if she were really doing enough for herself and she definitely wasn't letting anyone that cared about her help her along the way. She was in a state of isolated anxiety, which truly couldn't be any help to her physical well being.

Again, all through it, Manny is just super perfect. I would have loved to see a chink in his armor of goodness. They fall in love, and like in all romance novels, I couldn't really find a reason for it, except physical attraction. I really wanted their relationship to feel a bit more "human"

There HEA was sweet and all was well with the super nasty plot twist too. This was definitely an enjoyable read, and very different from your average romance novel.

Rating: 4 flowers










FREE!

May 23rd - 27th













Amy McClung was born in Nashville, TN. She is the second oldest of four girls and occasionally suffers from middle-child syndrome. She met the love of her life online in August of 2004, on his birthday of all days, and married him in September 2005.

Currently they have no human children, only the room full of colorful robots that transform into vehicles and the large headed Pop Funkos who represent their favorite characters. Collecting movies, shot glasses, Pop Funkos, and dust bunnies are some of her favorite pastimes.

Amy began writing in September of 2011 and independently published her first YA novel, Cascades of Moonlight, Book one of the Parker Harris series the following May. Her first book was a means of therapy for her, enabling her to escape reality for a while during a difficult transition in her life.






 Submissions





Friday, May 24, 2019

Book Review: I Saw Him Standing There

Author: Holly Kerr
Title: I Saw Him Standing There
Publish Date: May 20, 2019
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb:This stowaway sets sail for love!

Small-time con artist Siggy needs to get out of town fast. When she’s offered tickets on the legendary Oceanic Aphrodite cruise, Siggy jumps at the chance. A week on a luxury cruise ship, with a suitcase full of clothes and all expenses paid? Yes, please! The only catch is that she has to pretend to be someone else. No problem. Siggy has no intention of getting close enough anyone to discover her secrets. But this is the Oceanic Aphrodite and love is in the air. When Siggy sees assistant cruise director Will taking tickets, Cupid’s arrow hits the target. Luckily, Will’s too busy smiling at her to check out her fake passport because he’ll toss Siggy off the ship if he finds out about the scam. Onboard, dolphins and cameras and runaway ferrets bring Siggy and Will together. The more time they spend together, the more Siggy wants to tell him the truth. Cupid’s arrow has struck deep but is it worth it for Siggy to stop running?




 Review:Siggy has gotten herself into quite a mess. She's a small time con artist that was a former rich girl fleeing from her boss. A borrowed car and another rich girl who thinks she's an Uber driver, land her on a "Love Boat" style cruise ship. So with someone else's identity, she gets to go "cruisin"

Siggy reminded me a little bit of Stephanie Plum at the beginning of the story. She had a little bit of that zaniness that I loved in the early books from that series.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading. I thought maybe she'd be a harder character, but no, Siggy was fun and sweet and really a good girl turned bad, but trying to be good.

The romance with Will isn't really the point of the story, though their relationship is part of it. Its more Siggy finding her way back to herself. I also loved that her hobby was photography and she loved taking pictures as much as I do.

As the cruise goes on she befriends some other shipmates and finds people that know Petra and who know her from her former life (as the rich girl). She also finds herself liking Will, the cruise director more and more and she knows she has to come clean.

This story is sweet and funny. A clean story with a hint of romance a little bit of humor. I loved it and can't wait to read more by Holly!

Rating: 5 flowers




Book Review: Smoke In Her Eyes



Smoke In Her Eyes by Anna Belfrage

Publication Date: March 15, 2019

Timelight Press

eBook & Paperback; 352 Pages

Series: The Wanderer, Book Two

Genre: Romance/Erotica/Paranormal

Synopsis:


Six months ago, Helle Madsen would have described herself as normal. Now she no longer knows if that terms applies, not after her entire life has been turned upside down by the reappearance of not one, but two, men from her very, very distant past.

Helle Madsen never believed in mumbo-jumbo stuff like reincarnation—until she came face to face with Jason Morris, a man who purportedly had spent fifty lives looking for her. Coping with being reunited with the lover from her ancient past was one thing. Having Sam Woolf, her vindictive nemesis from that same ancient past join the party was a bit too much. Suddenly, Helle finds herself the reluctant heroine of a far-flung, time-transcending epic story, one in which pain and loss seem to play a very big part.

This time round, Jason and Helle are determined to make it to the happily ever after. Unfortunately, Sam Woolf will stop at nothing to crush them. That ride into the golden sunset seems awfully far away at times…


Review: I have to say, Anna Belfrage is a favorite author of mine. If I see she has a new book, I'm reading it.  Seriously, go out and read the Graham saga...especially if you like Outlander.

Smoke In Her Eyes is the second book in The Wanderer series. I recommend with Anna's series that you read them in order, because of continuity, also because they are so darn good you'll want to.

This book had reincarnation front and center and it reminded me of another favorite author of mine, M.J. Rose. I love the idea of lovers going across the ages to find one another until they get it right. Oh it has a little of the Time slip going on too, for those of you that loved The Graham saga. (And I did)

Its a little darker than her other books, but that's fine with me too. I like to change things up in my reading and all that matters is the quality of the story is there, and it is here in spades.

If you are looking for a new series to obsess over. This is definitely one you should try.

Rating: 5 flowers


About the Author
Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with three absorbing interests: history and writing.

Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England. (Medieval knight was also high on Anna’s list of potential professions. Yet another disappointment…)

With Jason and Helle, Anna has stepped out of her historical comfort zone and has loved doing so.

Find out more about Anna by visiting her website, www.annabelfrage.com, You can also connect with Anna on Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Goodreads.


Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, April 30
Feature at Broken Teepee

Wednesday, May 1
Feature at What Is That Book About

Monday, May 6
Review & Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Wednesday, May 8
Interview at The Book Connection

Thursday, May 9
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Monday, May 13
Review at Bri's Book Nook

Tuesday, May 14
Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Friday, May 17
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Saturday, May 18
Feature at The Lit Bitch

Monday, May 20
Review at Bookish

Thursday, May 23
Feature at Just One More Chapter

Monday, May 27
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time

Tuesday, May 28
Review & Interview at Passages to the Past

Friday, May 31
Feature at Coffee and Ink
Review at CelticLady's Reviews


Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we will be giving away two copies of Smoke In Her Eyes by Anna Belfrage! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on May 31st. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Smoke in Her Eyes


Thursday, May 23, 2019

Forever Write PR Book Review: Love Under Construction

RELEASE TOUR for Love Under Construction by Aubree Valentine


Olivia Pierce is fighting to stay above water and the boy next door, the thorn in her side, won’t leave her alone. Jameson Phoenix only wants to protector, but it’s hard to do when she hates him. Things start to shift after a kiss that should have never happened, and now they find themselves questioning everything. The sixth book in the beloved 425 Madison Avenue, is now live. Read Love Under Construction by Aubree Valentine today!

Only on Amazon + Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited




About Love Under Construction





Jameson
She hates me.
I can’t say I blame her, in fact, I thought it was best this way.
That was until I realized just how much I really cared for her.
Now all I want to do is protect her.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way.

Olivia
I hate him.
He's always been a thorn in my side.
When my life is flipped upside down, and I'm fighting to stay above water, things between us shift, and
I begin to question everything I thought I knew about the boy next door.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I never should have kissed him. It was only a matter of time.

After all, 425 Madison Avenue is the perfect place to fall in love.



*Each story is completely standalone.


Excerpt
Copyright @ 2019 Aubree Valentine

With my mood dampening and all the lovebirds pairing off, I can’t think of a better excuse to get out of
here. Clapping Jake on the back, I say my goodbyes and thank the guys for letting me hang with
them tonight before taking my sullen ass back to my apartment.

It takes all of my restraint, not to check on Liv when I get back on the fifth floor. It would be so easy to
knock on her door and tell her that I’m in love with her. That I’ve loved her for a long time. In my mind,
I know it’s no use. My heart doesn’t want to listen.

I pause outside her door and touch a hand to the cold surface like it will somehow connect me to the
woman inside.

“Whoa. Dude. What are you doing?” I hear the elevator ding, and Harley’s voice startles me.

“Nothing,” I shake my head and step back.

“Yeah, nothing,” he steps up beside me and shoves me toward our apartment. “Let’s go before you do
something stupid.”

I huff. “Like telling her, I love her?”

“Jesus Christ, how much have you had to drink?” He questions.

“Not enough. That’s for sure.”

Harley opens the apartment door, ushering me inside. “I’m going to disagree with you. Drinking isn’t
going to solve anything either.”

“Harley, it was six beers. I’m hardly drunk. Just delusional.”

“You might be right, there.” He grabs two bottles of water from the fridge and tosses me one.
“When are you going to give up on her, man? Haven’t you had enough rejection?”

“Would you give up on the woman you love?”

Harley looks at me as if I’ve grown two heads. “If she treated me like shit? Pushed me away and said I made her miserable? Uh, yeah. I did; remember?”

I wince. He’s right. And I’m an asshole friend for bringing it up. “Shelia is nothing like Olivia.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. But a man has got to know when to cut his losses. Trust me.”

“It’ll be better when I finish this job and get the hell away from here. Though I feel bad leaving you without a roommate.”






Review:  Book 6 in 425 Madison already! I just adore this series! Each book is something totally different and totally unexpected.

This is a frenemiess to lovers book and oh is it a great one. Jameson is the one that seems to have more than friendly feelings first, he's always been very protective of her. I love that! Olivia keeps him at arms length, though I can't understand why.

Then things happen and suddenly they are more than friends. This is where I had a little bit of a problem with this book. Olivia and Jameson get together as a result of her father's illness and death. I shook my head, because granted I was 40 when I lost my dad, and 44 when my mom passed having sex was the last thing on my mind in the first hours of grief.

I loved Jameson the best of the two characters because he really was looking out for her. Everything he did, he did out of caring. I'm not 100% sure where Olivia's feelings came from until they finally become a couple.

I have to admit I got teary-eyed reading this, especially as its only been a few months since my mother's passing. So reading about hospice and stuff like that brings everything front and center again.

This was a quick very emotional read and a great addition to this series.

Rating: 5 flowers





Author Info:

Aubree Valentine is a wife, mom and avid reader. Her love of books goes far behind weaving her own stories to tell. She realized her dream of becoming a published author by the time she was in high school and knew she'd stop at nothing to make that happen. When she's not writing, she can be found chasing after her twins or her dogs, curled up with a good
book or still working with some of her favorite authors.





About the 425 Madison Series




Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Nine delicious romances set in
fast-paced & sexy NYC just waiting for you to read.

The series features stories from some of your favorite romance authors: Leigh Lennon, MK Moore,
Allie York, Aubree Valentine, Kay Gordon, Lauren Helms, Sylvia Kane, Katy Ames, and C. Lesbirel.

Join these authors as they come together, each with a standalone romance for you to enjoy.

Featuring some of readers' favorite tropes: second-chance romance, best friends sibling romance to a
good ol' enemies to lovers romance. We've got you covered with a sports romance, a fake relationship
and even an ugly duckling or two. Don't forget a brother's best friend and falling for your soul mate.
Maybe a little love triangle as well. Each tale offers you something new, something different. After all,
425

For more information, visit the series website ➝ www.425madisonseries.com

Follow the series on Facebook ➝ https://www.facebook.com/425MadisonSeries

Did you miss the first five books in the series? You can read them here:


The next book in the series is coming soon! Add it to your Goodreads shelf today!

Back for More by Sylvia Kane
A Brother's Best Friend Romance
Release: 6/6/19



This release event is brought to you by Forever Write PR - Forever your source for all your writing
needs. https://www.facebook.com/ForeverWritePR/

 
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