Cover Reveal: Melting Wynter

The next book in the third season of the beloved 425 Madison Ave is nearly here! Check out the smexy cover for MELTING WYNTER by J Marie, a must-read office romance!

Weston Croix

Okay, so I might have a few playboy like tendencies. That tends to happen when you fall in love and don't end up with the happily ever after of your dreams. I built a wall around my heart and decided to have a little fun instead.

Now, I've found myself falling for the ice queen herself. Did I mention that she's also my editor-in-chief?

She's not interested in me or being an us, but when our best friends start dating, we can no longer escape our insecurities or the fire burning between us.

I guess I'm just going to have to turn up the heat and melt her heart.

Wynter Carlisle

I've got the perfect job, an apartment in NYC's elite 425 Madison high rise and life as I know is great.

If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that people are fickle and love isn't always permanent. I'm the only one I can always count on, well except for my best friend Addison.

I had a plan to protect my heart. That was, until Weston - the cocky columnist who works for me...in more ways than one.

Can we really break down our own barriers or will our destiny go up in flames? We're about to find out.

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

Pre-Order Melting Wynter toady!

Add to Goodreads!

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About J Marie

J Marie is a hopeless romantic with a serious Chipotle addiction.  When she isn’t searching for her next swoon-worthy book boyfriend, she’s writing him. Although she has West Virginia roots, she currently resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog, Sir Cooper Ryder.

Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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About the 425 Madison Series

Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Rounding out the summer with some hot city nights and coasting into fall with more cool characters at this famous high-rise, 425 Madison is returning for a third season!

With some familiar faces and some brand new residents - you'll be sure to find an author you love and a trope to ignite your taste buds after all 425 Madison IS the perfect place to fall in love!

We’ve got an amazing line of up must-read romance authors including, Lauren Helms, Allie York

J Marie, Kay Gordon, Marcie Shumway, Aubree Valentine, S.L. Sterling, and Fiona Tulle

Prepare for pages packed with new romances, characters, and tropes all from the same well-loved high-rise apartment building in NYC.

Season One and Two feature stories from some of your favorite romance authors: Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Allie York, Aubree Valentine, Kay Gordon, Lauren Helms, Sylvia Kane, Katy Ames, KC Enders, Marci Shumway, and C. Lesbirel. All these authors came together, each with a standalone romance for you to enjoy. Covering all of your favorite tropes each tale offers you something new, something different.

Make sure to follow the 425 Madison Avenue Facebook page for more on release dates, cover reveals, and author spotlights. For exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and news subscribe to our 425 Madison newsletter!

Facebook | Newsletter

Catch up on the first two seasons, available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited!

Cover Reveal: Better than the Book

Release 10.15.2020

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Celebrity Romance

Charity: https://nycchildrenstheater.org/about-nycct/

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/BttB_GR

Universal: http://mybook.to/BttB

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2LWFXRp

M.E. Carter and Andrea Johnston are romance writers who share a love of the written word. Combining their sense of humor, beliefs in love, and sarcasm, this writing duo has joined forces to create the Charitable Endeavors series. With the sole purpose of bringing laughter and love to their readers while tapping into their charitable hearts, a portion of the release proceeds will be donated to charity.

Better than the Book is the fourth book in the Charitable Endeavors Series by M.E. Carter and Andrea Johnston. Each story is somehow related to the indie book community and is guaranteed to be a contemporary romantic comedy and fade to gray (no gratuitous sexy times when we're donating to charity) PLUS a portion of each book’s release will be DONATED to charity!

We are so excited to share the next Charitable Endeavors release! As always, our goal is to bring a laugh out loud romantic comedy to you while designating a portion of the proceeds to charity. Better than the Book is a funny celebrity romance featuring Hunter and Celeste, two individuals with a passion for the stage. That's why we're thrilled to designate a portion of the release month ebook proceeds to New York City Children's Theater! New York Children's Theater reaches children through their communities and education with stage productions, interactive workshops, and in-school residencies. Their mission is to demonstrate that engaging young people in the arts has a positive impact on their cognitive, emotional and social development, and furthers a lifelong appreciation of the arts. You can learn more about their program here NYCCT - NYC Children's Theater.

Possible Social Media tags:

#betterthanthebook #charitableendeavors #romcom #forcharity #comingsoon #coverreveal #newrelease #readromance #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #romance #bibliophile #writersofinstagram #readersofinstagram #romancewriter #romancebooks #celebritycrush #celebrityromance #friendstolovers

Blurb:

New York is where dreams come true. Or at least that’s what I’ve been told.

Despite my love of planning, my dream of working on Broadway and meeting my

Hollywood superstar crush seem to be running into more brick walls than necessary.

Still, I could never have anticipated my crush on Hunter Stone was just one Ambien trip

from an unexpected reality.

Now, I find myself lost in his charms and enamored with his passion for acting. Beyond

his good looks and brooding reputation is a man who sends my heart racing and leaves

me wondering if fictional boyfriends are real.

***

Passion and drive have made all of my acting dreams a reality. All I’ve worked for is at

my fingertips, but I can’t seem to settle. In my life or on my future.

Meeting Celeste Pumper… Pumper-Something was never part of my plan. Her own

passion for the stage has reminded me of a life beyond the big screen and celebrity.

Holding her in my arms and staring into her eyes should frighten me but instead I feel

more solace than my lifestyle normally allows.

Our paths didn’t cross by happenstance. It was always meant to be. Sometimes truth is

better than fiction and our story is better than the book.

Goddess Fish Promotions Book Review: The Promise Kept

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Maggie Mae Gallagher will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Cybil Roe gave her heart away thirteen years ago only to have it wind up shattered. With painstaking determination, she has rebuilt her life into something to be proud of today. Yet all her future plans are upended when the only man she has ever loved returns to Echo Springs. Nor does it help that he seems bound and determined to draw her back into his life. Cybil vows to stay away from him, no matter what seeing him all the time does to her resolve.

Miles Keaton wiped the dust of his hometown off his shoes years ago, never expecting that life would lead him back to the place where he had begun. Coming home to Echo Springs, to Cybil, to start a new law practice and a new life is a risk he never thought he'd take. She hates him – with good reason. Years ago, he walked away when she needed him the most. But now is he back, and intends to argue the case of his life, one more important than any he has debated in a courtroom, because she is the one woman he cannot live without.

Can Miles convince Cybil to take a second chance on him, or will a secret she has kept all these years destroy any future they might have?

Read an Excerpt

Echo Springs had grown a bit throughout the years Cybil had lived there. There were new fast food restaurants offering burgers and tacos, and new shops along Main Street with an eye toward luring tourists. New homes and subdivisions had been built as the township expanded, and another bank had opened off Main Street. But there was also a persistent resistance to change here in Echo Springs. It took time for anything new to take hold, if it took hold at all.

It was part of the town’s charm that she had grown to love over the years.

Once upon a time, she’d hated how stagnant—and, at times, how archaic—this town could be, with its entrenched traditions and beliefs. Families had lived here for generations. The biggest source of revenue were the tourism dollars. Most of the businesses that had developed and thrived catered more to out of town guests just passing through than to yearlong residents—with exceptions of course, like Fitzgerald’s Grocery Store and the post office. Many of the festivals and events had been designed with the intent of skimming some of the tourists’ cash before they made it to their final vacation destinations at the ski resorts, or camping in one of the nearby national parks.

But Cybil no longer considered Echo Springs as a mere stopover in her life. It was home. She might want to visit all fifty states, tour Europe, stand on the Great Wall in China, and touch the sky at Machu Picchu, but this was the place where she would always return. Now, as she neared her thirty-first birthday, she saw her hometown as a steady comfort instead of a prison.

Wrapping her arms in front of her chest to ward off the cold, she trudged the short distance from her duplex to her yoga studio.

A bright yellow school bus rumbled down the street, making its rounds to pick up kids and ferry them to class. She loved the sounds of the world waking up: the birds chirping as they scouted their morning meals; a dog barking from behind a privacy fence she passed. Lights were on in the windows of the Victorian style homes as people started their day.

She yawned and muttered a curse under her breath. Today was going to be a long day. She had picked up an extra shift at Smitty’s last night, and had worked until one. Smitty’s Bar and Grill was one of the local hotspots for the over-twenty-one crowd. They had a thriving business, mainly because most people didn’t like to drink alone. The job paid well in tips, even though the occasional dumbass tried to cop a feel on occasion. After being a waitress at Smitty’s for almost a decade, Cybil knew how to handle men who figured it was their god given right to grab things that didn’t belong to them. She had attended high school with the current owner, Burke Smitt, who’d inherited the bar and grill from his uncle Tim a few years back when he’d passed. Burke was a good boss. They were friends and had even dated for a time, until they realized they were better friends than anything else.

If there was anything wrong with Echo Springs, it was the lack of available, eligible dating material. Hence her fantasy man, Pablo with the great hands. Rarely did anyone new move to Echo Springs. Not on purpose, at least—with the exception of her newest friend, Abby, who had recently moved here from New Jersey and wound up falling madly in love with the town’s sexy sheriff, Nate Barnes. Pure circumstance had brought Abby to their town, as her great-aunt, Evie Callier, had willed her big old Victorian house to Abby. Falling for her neighbor, the town sheriff, had been a stroke of luck.

Cybil was thrilled for Abby, really, she was, but it had been longer than she cared to admit since she’d gotten horizontal—or anything else—with a guy. Her girly bits felt sorely neglected and downright testy lately. It was probably because Cybil knew Abby was getting all the sex—nightly, judging by the satisfied glimmer that seemed to glow from her friend, stating quite clearly for all and sundry to see that she was enjoying every blessed minute with Sheriff Stud Muffin.

Cybil wasn’t jealous—at least, not very.

The tiny smattering of jealousy made her feel a wee bit bitchy, as well as a side heaping of self-pity that there was no one special in her life who looked at her the way the sheriff did Abby.

Cybil’s pity party, table for one, could be the reason why she had lost her effing mind and signed herself up for the hottest new dating website, Matchmakers.com, a week ago. She was bound and determined to find someone to date. She missed male companionship, and sex. Maybe she wouldn’t find the love of her life or a keeper, but it would be nice to get taken out to meal she didn’t have to buy herself. And perhaps, if she was really lucky, she might experience a few good orgasms that weren’t of the solo-expedition variety.

She wasn’t desperate, by any means, but there were times, like now, when she felt lonely. When she would love to have someone to lean on, and not have to worry about every blessed thing, all the damn time.

After week one, the dating app hadn’t produced any winners—not that she’d expected a crown prince when she’d made the decision to join after a night of wine and a pint of her favorite ice cream, but she had hoped to find at least one guy with a little substance whose profile picture didn’t resemble a mugshot. She might be crazy but she didn’t think finding a halfway decent guy who was appealing to the eyes, gainfully employed, not an asshole, and didn’t live with his mother should be on the same level as the quest for the Holy Grail.

Review: I have to say I decided to read this book based on the cover. How freaking cute is it?

Its a novel of second chances. I really like these types of stories, especially if they are done right. I was a little concerned at first because it felt like Miles had pined for Cybil for 13 years and that kind of thing usually is a deal breaker for me, but it worked here, especially since they didn't hop right into bed together as soon as they encountered each other. Though there was a point where I thought it was traveling down that highway.

There was a learning curve with both of them, but they had great chemistry. These two were definitely soulmates.

I really loved these characters and how very real they felt. If you are the type of person that loves a steamy novel, these two characters will definitely appeal.

The promise that Cybil made is a little contrived, and kind of expected as you learn about the couple's history through flashbacks and the conflict that results between her, Miles and his mom was a bit over the top.

The ending will have you chewing on your nails for the two of them even though you know that this is a romance and you will get a happily ever after.

I wish I could have read the first book in the series, just to get to know Cybil's friend Abby better.

This was a wonderful romantic read!

Rating: 5 flowers

About the Author:

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Maggie grew up listening to Cardinals baseball and reading anything she could get her hands on. She remembers her mother saying if only she would read the right type of books instead binging her way through the romance aisles at the bookstore, she’d have been a doctor. While Maggie never did get that doctorate, she graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with an M.A. in History.

Maggie is a bestselling and award-winning author published in multiple fiction genres. She also writes erotic romance under the name Anya Summers (http://www.anyasummers.com. A total geek at her core, when she is not writing, she adores attending the latest comic con or spending time with her family. She currently lives in the United States Midwest with her two furry felines.

Website: https://www.maggiemaegallagher.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagMaeGallagher
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magmaegallagher
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7846308.Maggie_Mae_Gallagher
Twitter: https://twitter.com/magmaegallagher?lang=en
Amazon Author Page US https://www.amazon.com/author/maggiegallagher
Amazon Author Page UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maggie-Mae-Gallagher/e/B00JG1IIVC/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maggie-mae-gallagher
Newsletter: https://www.maggiemaegallagher.com/newsletter/

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2UbMvQE
Nook: https://bit.ly/3dyNhyN
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3dHWzYE
iBooks: https://apple.co/2XwRPQI

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Forever Write PR Book Spotlight & Review: Unexpected Expectations

What started as a $10 raffle ticket, turned into a vacation in Vegas and a whole lot of expectations that neither of them saw coming. For Kevin and Lucy, it was just supposed to be a little fun but when they are served with a large dose of luck, everything suddenly becomes unexpected. Readers will fall in love with this rags to riches romance from Lauren Helms. The 425 Madison series is back with season three and Unexpected Expectations is now live!

Kevin

With everyone around me settling down, I’m happy to continue living my life single and carefree.

That is unless I can convince the concierge, Lucy Wilson at 425 Madison to finally take me up on that offer to go out on a date.

She’s beautiful, friendly, and her compassion for each and every one of the residents is admirable. Something tells me that she doesn’t see herself that way at all though.

This is why I’ve made it my mission to break her out of her overly cautious shell starting with a lucky penny and a $10 raffle ticket.

It was all supposed to be a little fun but when a large dose of lucky graces us, everything suddenly becomes unexpected.

Lucy

He thinks I don’t see him, but I do. Oh yes, I’ve been aware of the all too good looking Kevin Harper for quite some time now.

The thing is, I’m not sure that we have enough in common and I sure don’t have the free time for a social life between my job and school. Dating? That’s pretty far down on the list of things I’d like to check off - not by choice.

That is until Kevin convinces me that a little fun is good for the soul.

What started as a $10 raffle ticket turned into a vacation in Vegas and a whole lot of expectations that neither of us saw coming.

I always believed in fairy tales, but I wonder if what we have is too good to be true. I can only hope that it’s true what they say…

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

Read Unexpected Expectations toady!

Add to Goodreads!

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Excerpt

Copyright @ Lauren Helms 2020

My fingers brush the smooth copper coin reminding me that I have a second mission to complete. I pinch the coin between my fingers and walk toward the concierge desk. Just like I hoped she would, there stands one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. Standing around 5’4, the golden-haired beauty has curves in all the right places. She’s soft around the edges, but I can tell by the way her uniform fits her body that she’s got a sexy as fuck body underneath. Today, her thick locks are pulled low in the back, but her waves fall over her shoulder. I’d love to give that hair a yank in the throes of passion. Shit, I’d love to do a lot of things to this girl.

I’ve flirted with Lucy for a while now, and she’s one of my favorite parts of visiting the building. I’m not a shy man, and I enjoy a good romp between the sheets, but Lucy, I could tell right off the bat is the kinda girl you don’t have meaningless romps with. Nah. She’s a take-home-to-your-momma kind of girl.

My mom would love her.

Maybe, one of these days I’ll ask her out. Heck, I don’t even know if she has a boyfriend or not. It’s never stopped me from flirting, but flirting is harmless. The lady seems damn good at her job, maybe she is just that good at dealing with flirts like me every day.

I come to a stop in front of her, leaning my arm on the desk.

“Heya, Lucy. Seen any tangerine trees or marmalade skies lately?” The Beatles reference earns me a stunning smile.

“Hi Kevin, how are you today?”

I give her my sexiest smirk. “I’m better now that I’m seeing your gorgeous face.” My words hit their mark, and Lucy’s cheeks turn a sexy shade of pink.

“Okay, Mr. Charmer.” She giggles a bit. I always feel like an accomplished mother fucker when I get a girl to giggle. Especially a girl like Lucy, she’s not a giggler. Which is something I dig about her. Besides her looks, she seems to be whip-smart and down to Earth. Most likely, she doesn’t come from money, or why would she be working this gig? She has to deal with the rich and spoiled day in and day out, and she doesn’t lose her cool. I’ve seen her in action, and I’ve seen the way some of the residents treat her. I’ve had to bite my tongue a few times. As Jake has reminded me, this place is private property, I can be banned from the building.

I snap my finger, pretending to recall something important. “I actually have a gift for you.”

Two dainty eyebrows arch in surprise as I lift the penny between my thumb and forefinger.

“A penny?” Her tone is full of amusement.

“Yup. I found a penny outside the building. You know what they say, “If you find a penny, pick it up, if it’s heads, you’ll have good luck.” I smirk as I finish the saying. Pleased with the soft smile that plays at her kissable lips.

“You know, I’ve never told anyone this before…” She leans toward me and lowers her voice as if she doesn’t want anyone to hear. “When I see a penny on the ground, if I notice its tails up, I lean down and flip it over. Hopefully, I can help someone else find a little good luck.”

My heart slams against my chest. Her words nearly cause me to stumble. Who is this woman? She takes the time to flip over a penny just in case the next person who comes along can find a lucky penny? Why does hearing this nearly shatter my charming, nothing gets to me-exterior?

Why?

Because I do the exact same thing.

I clear my throat.

“Don’t worry, Lucy girl, your secret is safe with me.” I extend my hand toward her, and she holds out her hand. I carefully place the penny in her open palm and slowly drag my fingers across her bare hand. I’m expecting the sizzle from our touch, but I don’t miss Lucy’s reaction to our chemistry when I hear her tiny intake of breath.

She closes her hand around the lucky penny and pulls her fist in toward her chest, holding it to her heart.

---

But wait, there's more!!

Don’t miss Boyfriend Maintenance and Flawless Foundations, both by Lauren Helms, featured in the first two seasons!

Read Boyfriend Maintenance, Jake & Emmy’s story on Amazon today!

Read Flawless Foundations, Levi & Becca’s story on Amazon today!

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About Lauren Helms

Lauren Helms is a romance author her nerdy and flirty contemporary words. Lauren has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best--video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and write her first novel, Level Me Up. Several published novels later, Lauren, with her book bestie, also formed PR company, Forever Write PR, to help other authors promote their books.

Lauren lives in Indianapolis, Indiana sharing her love of books and video games with her own Gamer Boy husband and three little kid nerds who will hopefully grow up to share the love of things that united Lauren and her husband on their own happily ever after.

Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

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About the 425 Madison Series

Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Rounding out the summer with some hot city nights and coasting into fall with more cool characters at this famous high-rise, 425 Madison is returning for a third season!

With some familiar faces and some brand new residents - you'll be sure to find an author you love and a trope to ignite your taste buds after all 425 Madison IS the perfect place to fall in love!

We’ve got an amazing line of up must-read romance authors including, Lauren Helms, Allie York

J Marie, Kay Gordon, Marcie Shumway, Aubree Valentine, S.L. Sterling, and Fiona Tulle

Prepare for pages packed with new romances, characters, and tropes all from the same well-loved high-rise apartment building in NYC.

Season One and Two feature stories from some of your favorite romance authors: Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Allie York, Aubree Valentine, Kay Gordon, Lauren Helms, Sylvia Kane, Katy Ames, KC Enders, Marci Shumway, and C. Lesbirel. All these authors came together, each with a standalone romance for you to enjoy. Covering all of your favorite tropes each tale offers you something new, something different.

Make sure to follow the 425 Madison Avenue Facebook page for more on release dates, cover reveals, and author spotlights. For exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and news subscribe to our 425 Madison newsletter!

Facebook | Newsletter

Catch up on the first two seasons, available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited!

Review: What can I say about Unexpected Expectations? Its a really sweet, fast fun read. That's it in a nutshell.

I adored Lucy and Kevin and I loved all the Beatle-y references in regards to Lucy's name. Big Beatles fan here!!

They have a fabulous whirlwind romance that falters and then blossoms. 

A date, a raffle ticket, a trip to Vegas, a hasty marriage oh and a jackpot win!

What could go wrong there?

What could go right?

There is just so much fun and so much heart in this book.

The best parts are watching Kevin and Lucy fail and then try to find their way back to each other. 

The only issue I had with the book and it was a little hard to ignore was the use of a penny in a slot machine in Vegas.

Now I'm no hard gambler, but I've hit a few casinos and there isn't a one that takes change, especially pennies. Now I know the penny is significant in the story, (Read it, I won't give you any spoilers) but sadly that penny wouldn't have gone into any slot machine. Its not the nature of the casino.

But I'll forgive that, because the story was so sweet and full of the warm fuzzies. I highly recommend it, to all my romance reading pals.

Rating: 5 flowers

Book Review: Maid of Dishonor

Author: Heidi Rice
Title: Maid of Dishonor
Publisher: Harlequin Kiss
Publish Date: August 20, 2013
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: When she's very, very bad…...

Gina Carrington knows exactly how to have fun! But when she sleeps with her friend's brother, the off-limits Carter, she quickly discovers she's overstepped the mark.

...…life is so much more fun!

Years later, Gina sees Carter again to prepare for her friend's wedding, and she can't help but wonder what the harm would be in one more night…. He's available, gorgeous and behind that laid-back Southern charm there's a wild side even she can't tame! But Gina has secrets which she can't hide forever—will their chemistry be strong enough to keep Carter by her side when her secrets come to light?


Review:  My review for this book can be summed up in the word, ARGH!

I was having trouble finding a whole lot of good plot or substance in this story.

Gina is not the most likable heroine for a Harlequin imprint novel. She's flawed to a huge proportions, and the way we see her from the start doesn't make it easy to ever feel sympathetic to her.

Lets just say I didn't like this book. OK, I can almost say I hated this book and I don't usually say that, even if its a Danielle Steel novel.

Let me just explain why a 200 page book of fluff just didn't do it for me.

1. Gina is just not a heroine I warmed up to. She calls herself a tramp and at the onset, she pretty much lives up to that definition of herself. I've read a lot of books with "trampy" heroines. I cut my teeth on Jackie Collins. Gina is just MEH.

2. No relationship building between her and Carter AT ALL. Its basically just a sexfest, and if you like reading that kind of thing, maybe you'll like this one, but for me, it fell incredibly flat.

3. This is part of a series about a gaggle of female friends. Those friendships don't seem at all important, as again this book is mostly about Gina and Carter and there ongoing sexfest.

4. If sex is going to be the primary thing that moves the story along, it should make the reader tingly. Again, this book left me feeling MEH.

5. Going back to the beginning and Gina's genuine awfulness. The romance is based on her making her friends brother, CHEAT on his bride to be, 2 FREAKING WEEKS before the wedding. She also is a freaking cow to her friend, who happens to be Carter's sister who idolizes him, by telling  her about it.  I'm not good with the cheating trope at all. It may not have been marital cheating but when you are 2 weeks shy of a wedding that is just as good for me.

6. All the little details given to rationalize Gina's behavior.  How about she is a shitty person? Yes, she's trying to be better, but she was a shitty person.

Is that enough reasons? I could probably think of a few more.

I don't often give 1 flower reviews. I can usually find something redeeming about a book, with this one the only thing good about it is the pretty cover.

Rating: 1 flower

Goddess Fish Promotions Book Review: Morning Star

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

When four maidels join forces to turn an abandoned barn into an Amish marketplace, the unmarried women have community in mind. But their fledgling enterprise promises to reap surprising rewards for each in turn, including the gift of unexpected love . . .

For Regina Miller, the new Morning Star Marketplace is a chance to share her secret work with the world—without revealing herself. Old Order Amish forbid the creation of art without purpose, but without a husband, Regina has been free to explore the joy of painting in her attic. Yet when Gabe Flaud’s curiosity leads him to speculate that Regina herself is the painter, the full weight of their community’s judgement falls on her shoulders. When Gabe stands up to defend Regina, questioning the Order’s restrictions, he reveals his own guilty secret and is shunned along with her. Forced to turn to each other for companionship, the young couple must learn to balance their own needs with their deep faith … and a love that will show them all things are possible.

Read an Excerpt

Regina entered her bedroom, stepped onto her large wooden trunk, and then opened the short, narrow door in the wall so she could climb the wooden stairs to the attic.

What if nobody wants my paintings, or worse yet, ridicules them? And what if folks figure out that I’m the artist—and that I’ve been living a lie for years? Best to nip this in the bud before I have to tell any more whoppers and get caught in them.

And yet, as Regina stood in the center of her secret studio, something deep inside her longed to display the work that so satisfied her soul. Nearly every evening, after a day of staining furniture, she spent a few hours in her hideaway, painting nature scenes.

Regina needed to paint the way most folks needed to eat and breathe. Her schoolteacher had complimented her artwork when she’d been young—and her parents had allowed her to take a short watercolor class at Koenig’s Krafts when she’d entered rumspringa. Dat’s brother Clarence was a preacher, however, so he’d been adamant about Regina joining the church at an early age. She’d secured her salvation at seventeen by being baptized, but she’d forfeited her innermost soul: in the Morning Star district, members were forbidden to create art for art’s sake because it was considered worldly and it called attention to the artist.

Regina had obediently tucked her paints and brushes into her wooden trunk, but she’d felt the loss of her art acutely. After her parents had died when a train collided with the bus they were all riding home from a wedding, Regina had kept herself sane by taking up her paints again, setting up her easel in the attic—out of sight when anyone came to visit. At twenty-two, she’d been rather young to live alone on her family’s small acreage but moving in with Uncle Clarence, Aunt Clara, and their young daughters would’ve killed her spirit forever.

Bishop Jeremiah had taken her side and had dropped in on her often until she’d gotten a little older. Martin Flaud had hired her because her father had been one of his finest craftsmen—and because Regina had proven herself to be more meticulous at staining and finishing than any of his male employees. She’d survived the rough, lonely times by working hard at the factory, and by surrounding herself with the quilts and curtains Mamm had made and the furniture Dat had built for their cozy home.

And so the last ten years had passed . . .

Regina had willingly given up any chance for marriage—because she couldn’t reveal her sinful pastime to a husband.

Gazing at the nature paintings that surrounded her on that Sunday afternoon, Regina felt torn. Why had God given her a keen eye and the talent to render woodland scenes, flowers, and wild creatures on paper if He wouldn’t allow her to paint pictures of His creation openly and without guilt?

Review:  I've been interested in Amish culture for years. I'm amazed that any of them are still around because well, they may be peaceful, but they are hypocrites and Gabe actually points out at one point in the story.

Regina is a "old maid" and Gabe is sort of her boss. Both have secrets that get them in trouble with the church. For Regina its her love of painting which is too worldly, as is Gabe's love of music and playing the guitar.

I shake my head at these things as creating things that bring joy to others just can't be a sin. Gabe feels much the same as I do. I loved him. He was truly the perfect guy, totally questioning his faith and not following along blindly. I got him, because the Amish make very few changes. I could see how easy it would be for him to just walk away and start a new life.

Regina is more grounded. She knows what she stands to lose if she leaves. She's torn, because for her leaving the Amish would mean losing her friends.

The characters in this story were so well crafted. You had some that you absolutely loved and others you wanted to hit over the head with a cast iron skillet.  The maidels were wonderful and independent, though as we can see, this series is going to see all these older Amish gals finding love.

The romance that buds between Regina and Gabe is so sweet and perfect it may make your heart burst, especially the ending. It was absolute perfection.

This was a delightful light read that will leave you with warm fuzzy feelings.

Rating: 5 flowers

About the Author:

In 1983, Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. She wrote around 70 of those confession stories, and she’s sold more than 50 books to traditional or online publishers. A longtime resident of Missouri, she’s currently writing Amish romances set in imaginary Missouri towns for Kensington. She now lives in Omaha, NE with her husband of 40+ years and their Border collie, Vera.

Website http://www.charlottehubbard.com
Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1

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Order Print
Zebra Books
July 28, 2020
ISBN-13: 9781420145120
ISBN-10: 1420145126

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Goddess Fish Book Promotions Book Blast: Two Ink Minimum

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Michel Prince will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In book one of Permanent Hangover, all Finn Gardner wanted was a breath of fresh air when he stepped into the alley behind the Permanent Hangover Bar and Tattoo Parlor. At first sight, he’d thought it was just another homeless person to shoo away from the building. Instead, he found someone who needed help - his help. Having been given a second chance himself, Finn believes in paying it forward. The Hangover has taken more than one lost soul in over the years.

Bailey Parson needed to get away. She left her life in Chicago behind and escaped to St. Paul, but she never once thought far enough ahead to what her next step would be when she arrived there. To her, what she was running from was much more to worry about than some half-baked plan. After a month stuck on the streets, a new need arose, as the temperature started to drop - survival.

Given a chance by a stranger, Bailey works to find her way. Not only winning over customers and the staff with her smart wit and empathy, she wins over the standoffish tattoo artist. Keeping their relationship forward focused, Finn hoped to avoid both of their baggage. However, when Bailey’s past threatens to destroy everything they built together, Finn’s left with decisions to make.

Does he give up the beautiful curvy woman, the only one whose touch calms him? How much of his dark past would he need to unlock to save her? A past with the potential to destroy what they have together. More importantly, can the lovers turn the scars of the past into a design strong enough to see them through any challenge? Or, will the permanent ink leave them with open wounds and no chance of healing?

Read an Excerpt

“I wasn’t doing anything,” she said as she slipped the penny in her pocket.

The man turned to look behind him before taking a drink. In a tight black t-shirt, worn-in jeans and work boots, he stood a good six-three at least. From her crouched position, the tattooed man seemed massive. Although he was lean, his body had cuts from sinewy muscles.

“Didn’t think you were,” he replied in a deep baritone voice.

His jaw was outlined by a slight bit of scruff that could be a decent beard with a month or so to grow it out. Bailey swallowed hard and stuffed her hands in her pockets, fingering the penny she’d tucked there.

“Needed a break,” he replied. “I love the fall. When I come out in the summer I’m slammed with the humidity, you know?”

“Warm is good.”

“I guess. I like the brisk cool, but it could be because it gets so damn hot in there.”

The mention of warmth made Bailey wonder if the cover charge would be worth a few hours. She’d found the cheaper motels were further out of downtown, but the shelter was in the center. By the time she walked her way to a place she could afford, it would be morning and the Dorothy Day center would be open for a free breakfast.

“What’s that place like?”

“Loud tonight,” he replied. “You’ve never been?”

“No,” she shook her head a bit surprised he wasn’t catching on she was homeless.

“I’m Finn.” He extended his hand like she was a human being. The simple contact warmed her.

“Jane,” she said not wanting to let go of his warm hand, but knew she had to. “You a bartender?”

“Nah, they don’t really get breaks. I’m with the tattoo parlor.”

She finally paid attention to the sign on the back of the door that said Permanent Hangover. A whiskey bottle with two tattoo guns on either side reminded her of angel wings.

“What is this place?”

“Bar, club, whatever you want to call it with a few chairs for tattooing.” He cleared his throat. “So, Jane, I don’t suppose the last name is Doe?”

“Yes, are you psychic? Only I spell it the French way.”

“D-O-U-G-H,” he said, and she let out a laugh. “Jayne with a Y?”

About the Author:

USA Today Bestselling author, Michel Prince, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history and political science. Michel writes new adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have to wait their turn. She knows they’ll eventually find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel suppresses the voices in her head, she can be found cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She owes a huge thanks to her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up. Michel was awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press in 2013, the service award for her local RWA chapter Midwest Fiction Writers in 2013 and 2014, and Sweetest Romance at IRAE 2015.

She resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and dogs, Bolt and Sawyer.

http://www.MichelPrinceBooks.com
http://www.facebook.com/MichelPrinceBooks
http://www.Twitter.com/MichelPrince1
http://www.instagram.com/michelprincebooks

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Cover Reveal: Just Roommates

The second book in the third season of the beloved 425 Madison Ave is finally here! Check out the lovely cover for JUST ROOMMATES by Allie York, a must-read roommate romance!

 

 

Sara

I’m known around 425 Madison, and to my friends, as Crazy Sara. While they never use the nickname to my face, I know my reputation precedes me. That’s just fine with me, after all I’ve got everything I ever wanted. I have an apartment in the swankiest building in NYC, a different date every night, and the future is mine for the taking.

Okay so maybe only one thing is missing - the perfect roommate to keep me company.

Unfortunately, the roommate who wants me is not what I had in mind. And my best friend gave me one rule: Don’t sleep with her brother.

Zack

With an art degree in hand it only makes sense for me to move to NYC. Both of my sisters live here and my new niece. New York has an endless supply of muses for my art and models to entertain.

Things were just fine in my new life, until my sister gets tired of me crashing in her guest room and decides I’ll be the perfect roommate for her friend Crazy Sara. I’m on board with a change of scenery as long as the scenery is my sister’s gorgeous friend. But turns our Crazy Sara isn’t really as crazy as they all claim and she’s not really interested in me - or at least that’s what she claims.

That’s fine, two can play this game.

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

Pre-Order Just Roommates toady!

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Want to jump into 425 Madison Ave now?

Don’t miss Just Swipe Right and Just A Little More, both by Allie York, featured in the first two seasons!

Read Just Swipe Right, Murphy and Eliza’s story

Read Just A Little More, Derek and Pipper’s story

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About Allie York

Allie is a mom and dog groomer by day. At night she is posted at her laptop writing or reading in a cozy corner. She has a soft spot for gooey romance, over-creamed coffee, and anything cute and furry.

Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

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About the 425 Madison Series

Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Rounding out the summer with some hot city nights and coasting into fall with more cool characters at this famous high-rise, 425 Madison is returning for a third season!

With some familiar faces and some brand new residents - you'll be sure to find an author you love and a trope to ignite your taste buds after all 425 Madison IS the perfect place to fall in love!

We’ve got an amazing line of up must-read romance authors including, Lauren Helms, Allie York

J Marie, Kay Gordon, Marcie Shumway, Aubree Valentine, S.L. Sterling, and Fiona Tulle

Prepare for pages packed with new romances, characters, and tropes all from the same well-loved high-rise apartment building in NYC.

Season One and Two feature stories from some of your favorite romance authors: Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Allie York, Aubree Valentine, Kay Gordon, Lauren Helms, Sylvia Kane, Katy Ames, KC Enders, Marci Shumway, and C. Lesbirel. All these authors came together, each with a standalone romance for you to enjoy. Covering all of your favorite tropes each tale offers you something new, something different.

Make sure to follow the 425 Madison Avenue Facebook page for more on release dates, cover reveals, and author spotlights. For exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and news subscribe to our 425 Madison newsletter!

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Catch up on the first two seasons, available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited!

Book Review: The Law and Miss Mary

Author: Dorothy Clark
Title: The Law & Miss Mary
Publisher: Love Inspired Historical
Publish Date: Aug 11, 2009
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb:It's disgraceful how St. Louis's orphans are treated. And Mary Randolph plans to do something about it. She's lost her faith, but she still has compassion and a drive to help innocents in need. If she has to battle with by-the-book police captain Samuel Benton to protect them...well, she'll give him a00000000000000000000 challenge he'll never forget.

A poverty-stricken childhood left Sam hungry for the social acceptance now within his reach. All he has to do is follow through with the city fathers' plans. But Miss Randolph's feisty perseverance gives him second thoughts, reigniting his faith--and showing him how true love can fulfill all their dreams...

Review:  This was really a beautiful story. Its very unrealistic , but it was a wonderful story anyway. Mary and her brother are in St Louis because her brother has taken over a steam boat line.

It doesn't take long for Mary to get involved with the city's orphans who are being sent to jail and made to work for free, simply because they have the misfortune of being without parents. This causes her to have some issues with the city's police captain. He is currently courting the daughter of the city's mayor. She's very beautiful, but very shallow. It is very easy to hate her. Its also hard not to want to shake Sam, for even considering her as a wife. She's just a pretty arm decoration.

I loved Mary's determination to keep the children out of jail. Though this story took place during the time of orphan trains and an orphanage such as Mary's just wasn't the norm. Things were not good for orphans in this period of time in America, not that they are ever good.

This particular story was very "God" focused. Love Inspired novels are Christian fiction but the level of faith in each story is different. This one is definitely one of the more faith focused stories. God was always sending answers and people to Mary and Sam. It was a little bit much at times, but I loved Mary.

The other thing this story tried to drum down our throats was how you can be beautiful on the outside but be ugly on the inside. The big example her is Lavina,  the mayor's daughter. She was easy on the eyes, but her personality was sorely lacking. Mary is described as plain by her ex fiancee and the other "beautiful" people, but her personality makes her beautiful.

I totally enjoyed this book even though nothing could have happened.

Rating: 4 flowers

Book Review: The Menopause Support Group

Author: Heather Wardell
Title: The Menopause Support Group
Publish Date: June 30, 2020
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Three women, one menopause support group, and a whole lot of hot flashes.

Emily's perfect plan for becoming a mommy in her twenties has just been shattered by a cancer-removing hysterectomy, and her anger is all-consuming.

Michelle's been laser-focused on getting a promotion... until early menopause (at thirty-nine??) hit her hard last year. Now that she can't have a baby, she's obsessed with them. And also with getting that promotion.

Sixty-four-years-young Brenda takes care of everyone, whether they want her to or not. She's actually finished with menopause, but she's faking symptoms so she won't lose the group and the opportunities for "helping" others it provides. The three of them and their fellow group members work through career crises, marriage disasters, and the world's worst birthday celebration as they learn together what it means to be a woman in menopause and beyond.

Review:  Heather Wardell is one of my favorite authors, so when I had an opportunity to read her latest, I grabbed it.

Its three women going through "the change" at different parts of their life. Well one really isn't but that's part of her story. 

These women aren't always likable. especially Emily, who for me probably needed more than a menopause support group, she needed some hard therapy to deal with the life changing diagnosis.

Michelle is super career driven and at times her drive makes her seem almost not human, because she doesn't seem to want anything in her life other than her job.

It was super annoying Brenda that I felt the most for. She was a natural care-er at her own expense. She's the one that's trying to live vicariously through her children. She wants to micromanage and make everything perfect and comfortable for them even if they don't want it. I really wanted to hug her. I wouldn't have minded having her as an extra mom too, because she does spoiling well.

The things these women do in the course of the book will have you laughing, shaking your head and muttering, "OMG" quite a bit.

As always an enjoyable read by Heather Wardell. (Also, I now want to go to Canada's Wonderland, only they won't let us in!!)

Rating: 5 flowers

Book Review: A Summer In Sonoma

Author:  Robyn Carr
Title: A Summer In Sonoma
Publisher: Mira
Publish Date: June 29, 2010
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: They've been best friends since seventh grade. But this summer, on the threshold of thirty, four women are going to need each other more than ever.

Cassie has sworn off romance. Yet deep down, she's still looking for Mr. Forever. A long-haired biker doesn't figure into her plans, so where's the harm in touring the back roads of Sonoma on a Harley with Walt Arneson?

Julie married her high school sweetheart—who can get her pregnant with a mere glance—too young and now wonders how her life became all about leaky faucets and checkbook balances. Maybe love isn't enough to sustain the hottest couple in town.

Marty's firefighter husband has forgotten all about romance, and an old flame begins to look mighty tempting.

Beth, a doctor trapped in a body that's betrayed her yet again, is becoming a difficult patient and a secretive friend. Life can change in an instant…or a summer. And having friends to lean on can only up the chances of happily ever after.

Review:  A Summer In Sonoma is a story about the lives of four friends at different places in their lives.  At times I had a love/hate relationship with most of the characters in this book.  All four of them were hard to like at times. I think Beth is the only one that didn't do something that make me think she was a nasty piece of work.

Julie and Marty are both nagging wives at times. Julie got the award for woman who needed to be shaken to have some sense brought into her. She pretty much stayed that way throughout the whole book. I had a hard time liking her from the start because she was really the nagging wife. Granted she had a reason, but she really nagged hard without sharing any information with her husband. And dear lord she was a baby factory, and she liked it that way. Cue more shaking from me.

Let's not get me started on Marty. I absolutely hated her. Nothing she did made me like her any better. Her relationship is on the rocks and rightly so. And then she attempts to have a fling. GAH! I hated her with every fiber of my being. Not that her husband was great. He was thick in the head, but he was trying. She needed a club over the head.

Beth I liked, but she was the one with the most difficult to deal with troubles and she didn't want to share with anyone. I don't know how any one person could face what she did, mostly alone until a friend found out her situation.

Then there's Cassie. The book starts out with her and a big triggering moment. A near rape, but she is saved by a big burly biker. Not the kind of guy she wants to fall for, but she does eventually, because looks can be deceiving.

I think what these characters are the most would be real. The only thing that really puts them in that fantasy fictional realm is that in high school they were all, you guessed it, cheerleaders.

It was an enjoyable and often frustrating read. I'm just glad these ladies aren't in my life

Rating: 3 flowers

Forever Write PR Release Blast: Crash

Vivi has a pesky problem who goes by the name of Luke, but he thinks her bitter and combative mouth is just begging to be kissed. Find out if their hostility can be replaced by a single, scorching hot kiss in Evelyn Sola’s CRASH, the third book in The Clark Family series. Fans of hot, enemies to lovers reads will sink their teeth into this sexy, diverse romance.

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Vivi For the first time in my life, I’m with the family I choose. Living with my cousin, who happens to be a newlywed, is the best thing ever. There is one pesky downside, and his name is Lucas Clark. He’s a spoiled rich boy who was put on this Earth to torture me. He thinks he can intimidate me, keep me in my place, but I have news for him. No way is he man enough. And it’s annoying. Like, why do his eyes follow me everywhere? Why do I lose all self-control, seeking him out whenever we share the same space? I should be running in the opposite direction, right? His words are harsh, hostile. Until one night, the hostility is replaced by a kiss that almost set us on fire.

Luke She’s a tiny ball of energy. Every bitter and combative word out of her mouth is aimed at me. My family thinks I walk on water, so I could use any excuse to stay away from her. She’s nothing more than a man-hating shrew wrapped up in a beautiful package. Those dark eyes of hers? I see them everywhere. Her red lips? They beg to be kissed. And one night, I do. I finally get a taste, but it’s not enough. I want more.

She says she hates me. I’m used to getting what I want, and what I want is to prove to Vivi that hate is the last thing on her mind when it comes to me.

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Read the first two books in The Clark Family series today!

CRAVE - Sandra & Jacob’s story

CHERISH - Alexandra & Jason’s story

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About Evelyn Sola

A Boston native, wife, mother, and wine enthusiast. If she’s not writing, thinking about writing, you will find her with a book in her hands. While a new publisher, she’s been writing for years, and she will continue to write for many years to come.

Evelyn is obsessed with assertive and confident men who will stop at nothing to get their woman. Her stories are filled with love, passion, and humor.

She currently lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two daughters.

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