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Review: My One Night by Carrie Ann Ryan
My One Night
Carrie Ann Ryan
On My Own Series, Book 1
Elise Hoover never expected this. She didn’t want to go to another party, but when her friend pulls her in, she somehow finds herself hiding in a corner with…him.
Dillon Connolly.
The smirking, so-called good guy with the shadows in his eyes. A single glance, a sweet smile, and she lets herself have one night of giving in.
Only she has to promise herself not to fall in love. No matter the cost.
Review: The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis
The Forever Girl
Jill Shalvis
The Wildstone Series, Book 6
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis does it once again with a heartfelt story of family, forgiveness, and secrets that have the power to change the course of more than one life.
When Maze returns to Wildstone for the wedding of her estranged bff and the sister of her heart, it’s also a reunion of a once ragtag team of teenagers who had only each other until a tragedy tore them apart and scattered them wide.
Now as adults together again in the lake house, there are secrets and resentments mixed up in all the amazing childhood memories. Unexpectedly, they instantly fall back into their roles: Maze their reckless leader, Cat the den mother, Heather the beloved baby sister, and Walker, a man of mystery.
Life has changed all four of them in immeasurable ways. Maze and Cat must decide if they can rebuild their friendship, and Maze discovers her long-held attraction to Walker hasn’t faded with the years but has only grown stronger.
4 Stars
A deep emotional story that will have several characters finding their way into our hearts.
A family with a lot of love to give opens their home to three foster children. With the help of their own children, they show 3 lost souls what a loving family is and that didn’t have to be of their blood. One year together changed their lives. Then a tragedy struck which separated them. A family they were but their strings were getting thin. They have lived life, stayed in touch yet years later when their rock calls them home for her wedding, they come, some reluctantly. Opening old wounds and a new chapter for four somewhat lost and a bit broken people.
Cat- the rock and mother hen is about to get married and wants her family, all of her family with her. Maze- the one with a trail of chaos following behind. Walker- always has and will always be their mystery man. Heather- the youngest and their beloved has a few secrets in tow. Maybe they all have a few or more secrets or self hurting guilt they are carrying. They are bonded in ways few will understand. Yet are at times a mystery to each other.
Jill Shalvis delivers the emotions like a punch in the gut. The Forever Girl is a story of friendship, love and loss. A story of challenging oneself, learning to forgive yourself and learning to trust your heart in love. A family that made themselves a family. Through the course of this complex and emotional story four people found a piece of themselves that was missing. Learned it was ok to break down and asking for help is not a burden. Love is worth fighting for, worth working for. Grab some tissues and your drink of choice, settle in for an amazing, hit you in the heart story within the pages of The Forever Girl.
Review: Shameless With HIm by Carrie Ann Ryan
Shameless With Him
Carrie Ann Ryan
Less Than Series, Book 3
Paperback, 250 pages
Published March 24th 2020 by Carrie Ann Ryan
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan completes a sexy contemporary series with an unrequited crush on the bad boy next door.
Caleb Carr might have once been ready for commitment, but when the unexpected slams into him with the force of a two-ton truck, he knows he has to run away from anything that might be important. Zoey might well be his final temptation, but to keep her whole, he’ll walk away.
Zoey Wager has loved Caleb since they were eight. And has had her heart broken from afar repeatedly ever since. It doesn’t help that every time she sees him—even when she’s running away halfway across the world—he’s with another woman. She’s watched him fall in lust her entire life. Now, she’s ready to watch him fall in love. With her.
4 Stars
This is one of those books that you were rooting for the couple from the get go even though it takes the many years to even find a way to start something that could be more. Zoey and Caleb have known each other practically their entire lives, Ms. Ryan starts the story with moments from the past that bring us forward to the feelings of the future. I loved that through different times and places in their lives they found each other just when they seem to need to.
Zoey and Caleb are both genuinely good hearted and wonderful people yet each of them has their own issues that hold themselves back more than anything else. I love that they seemed to pick up where they left off each time they met. Their friendship was genuine and that made their attraction even more so. These two took a bit to find their way and every bit of rooting for them page after page was well worth it when we came to the end.
Shameless With Him is the story of a lifetime crush that finally finds love in the end. I love how Carrie Ann Ryan intertwines the Carr’s and the Montgomery’s. It’s always good to visit with characters we read about in the past as they impact the current tale we are wrapped up in. . Just like the Montgomery’s and Carr’s would say, Family.
Review: Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis
Almost Just Friends
Jill Shalvis
Wildstone Series, Book 4
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Wildstone with the touching story of finding your place in the world—and the people who make it home.
Piper Manning’s about as tough as they come, she’s had to be. She raised her siblings and they’ve thankfully flown the coop. All she has to do is finish fixing up the lake house her grandparents left her, sell it, and then she’s free.
When a massive storm hits, she runs into a tall, dark and brooding stranger, Camden Reid. There’s a spark there, one that shocks her. Surprising her further, her sister and brother return, each of them holding their own secrets. The smart move would be for Piper to ignore them all but Cam unleashes emotions deep inside of her that she can’t deny, making her yearn for something she doesn’t understand. And her siblings…well, they need each other.
Only when the secrets come out, it changes everything Piper thinks she knows about her family, herself…and Cam. Can she find a way to outrun the demons? The answer is closer than she thinks—just as the new life she craves may have already begun.
4.5 Stars
Almost Just Friends is almost too real. Heart and home, trust and sacrifice, hurt and healing wrapped in a tale family and love.
Piper thinks she got herself on the right track. She has a game plan, lots of lists and more than enough will to accomplish the goals she sets. Piper is as fierce and tenacious as they come. Growing up fast, caring for her siblings and trying to make the best of what they had, has given Piper a hard edge, but the woman has a heart like no other. She is not a stranger to sacrifice, and she would sacrifice over and over again for those she loves.
In blows a storm that lights a spark with a stranger, carrying her siblings home and a bucket full of secrets to make Piper’s head spin. Just wanting a new life became something altogether different than what she want. But needed more than she knew. With a handsome Cam knocking on her romance door, her siblings and their respective secrets eating at her, Piper’s new life hands already began.
Almost Just Friends is all about family, those born to you and those you choose to bring in. Hot messes and all. Life is not always easy but those around you make it a lot better. Ms. Shalvis twisted wit and humor with emotion and life’s choices that make people people discover who they are and whom they want to be. Piper and Cam captivate reader with the depth at which they will go and of just who they are. A story you truly don’t want to miss.
ARC Review: Breaking Without You by Carrie Ann Ryan
Breaking Without You
Carrie Ann Ryan
Fractured Connections Series, Book 1
From NYT bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan, comes a brand new series where second chances don’t come often, and overcoming an unexpected loss means breaking everything you knew.
I fell for Cameron Connolly at the wrong time. And when he left, I thought my life was over. But then, after the worst happened, I truly understood what that phrase meant. Now, he’s not ready for a second chance, and I’m not offering one. Though given that our families have been forced together after losing one of our own, I know there’s no turning back. Not this time. Not again. Not when it comes to Cameron.
~~
I never wanted to hurt Violet Knight, but there were reasons I had to leave all those years ago—not that she’d believe me if I told her what they were. I not only left her, I also left my foster brothers. Honestly, I didn’t want to come back to Denver to help run my father’s failing brewery. But when it comes to my brothers, I know I’ll find a way to make it work. Perhaps I’ll even earn Violet’s forgiveness and face the connection we both thought long forgotten in the process. Because I wanted her then, but now I know I need her. I just hope she needs me.
4 Stars
Breaking Without You is the emotional and deep beginning to a brand new series, Fractured Connections by Carrie Ann Ryan.
Violet Knight is living through one of the hardest events of her life. Losing her best friend has left Violet with many unanswered questions and feeling empty and numb. For the second time in her life, Violet feels as if she’s broken. On the day of the funeral she (literally) runs into the man that caused her first heartbreak. Seeing Cameron caused a flood of emotions she was unprepared for, and hits her like a bomb. Now how to pick up the pieces and move on……..
Cameron Connolly has a past that most people never to want to think about let alone imagine. He had an addict for her mother, was moved around to foster homes being separated from his brother until a wonderful couple not only open their house but their hearts changing the lives of not just one but young men’s lives. Giving them a family made deeper than blood, made on love. Cameron’s loyalty and dedication to family caused him to make s decision that intern hurt many people he loves. Now back in Denver, Cameron takes tries to fix the fractures that have cracked his life.
Cameron is amazing. Hands down. He made choices that cost him, but in reality they also show the kind of man his is. He tries so hard to rebuild the relationships that have suffered. Cameron never lost his love for Violet and that makes me smile. He’s a dedicated, loyal and so compassionate. Violet is so strong and doesn’t even realize it. Her would keeps throwing curveballs at her and she keeps getting up and going. Even though at times it may not seem like that. Heartache is just as bad as any physical pain and we see Violet going through it all. Cameron and Violet never lost their love for each other but the heart is finicky when it gets broken. Communication is always the key, and at times the keys got lost for Cameron and Violet. Their chemistry was amazing and passion was heart touching. They just had to find their way back home to each other.
Breaking Without You is unlike anything Ms. Ryan has given her readers. There is so much emotion throughout the book it’s so hard not to get lost in all the feelings. Loss is a touchy subject to begin with, then add in all the unanswered questions, the raw emotions and the guilt. That’s a emotional bomb just waiting to go off. Violet loses her best friend to suicide which puts her in a state of unknown, and I must applaud Ms. Ryan for her elegance and grace on handling the subject. The roller coaster of emotions, the bouncing between being fine and being at the end of the string. Ms.Ryan hit the nail on the head so to speak, with the beautiful way she delivers Violet grief.
Breaking Without You, the first book of the Fractured Connections series is everything I have to love for Ms. Ryan and more. Grab some tissue ladies, you just might be needing it for this one.
ARC Review: Ashes to Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan
Ashes To Ink
Carrie Ann Ryan
1001 Dark Nights
Montgomery Ink Colorado Springs, Book 2.5
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan comes a new story in her Montgomery Ink series…
Back in Denver, Abby lost everything she ever loved, except for her daughter, the one memory she has left of the man she loved and lost. Now, she’s moved next to the Montgomerys in Colorado Springs, leaving her past behind to start her new life.
One step at a time.
Ryan is the newest tattoo artist at Montgomery Ink Too and knows the others are curious about his secrets. But he’s not ready to tell them. Not yet. That is…until he meets Abby.
Abby and Ryan thought they had their own paths, ones that had nothing to do with one another. Then…they took a chance.
On each other.
One night at a time.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
4 Stars
A sweet and quick read packed with emotion and a bit of drama.
Abby lost the love of her life as their family was beginning. Her heart was breaking and mending all at the same time. The Montgomery’s help give Abby the push she needed to pick up and start living again. True living not just for her daughter. Abby opens Teas’d in Colorado Springs and her personality and passion begin to blossom. Abby is so sweet and caring. While she may appear a bit mousy at the surface, girl has got some spunk behind her. Abby is that loyal friend you know you can count on.
Ryan is one of those men whose looks don’t define their personality. Tattooed and bearded, a bit burly and built by a god. Yet Ryan is attentive, gentle and giving. The man even likes peppermint tea and is talented in more than his art. Lol. Ryan is the best of men but sadly he waits knowingly the black cloud of his life is bound to show and spoil the good in his life.
I very much enjoyed Abby and Ryan’s story. Both Ryan and Abby are trying to overcome and move on. Different sides of the same coin. Hurt and loss can be eased with time, patients and being surrounded by people who are genuine and true. Abby and Ryan find more than passion and chemistry through their attraction. They each other a piece of mind that didn’t have or understand. Their fiery passion created something worth wanting, worth taking the time for. A quick read that gives all the feels!!
Cover Reveal: Fighting the Fire by Laura Kaye
From New York Times bestselling author Laura Kaye, comes the next standalone title in her Warrior Fight Club series, FIGHTING THE FIRE. Check out Laura’s note below and the beautiful cover! Then join the Warrior Fight Club world today!
A note from Laura Kaye:
I love enemies-to-lovers stories because they’re so much fun to write and absolutely delicious to read! And Sean Riddick and Dani England from my upcoming Fighting the Fire are absolutely incendiary together! They’re both bad asses in their own right—both veterans, both fighters, both stubborn as hell. And boy does this cover art capture them so well—the intensity, the passion, the push and pull. Gah, I hope you love it as much as I do!
If you haven’t started my wounded Warrior Fight Club series yet, you can jump in anywhere because they’re all sexy standalone romances! So start at the beginning with Fighting for Everything or grab the about-to-release Fighting for What’s His. And here’s where you reserve your copy of Sean and Dani’s hot, hot story:
PRE-ORDER on Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
Add to your Goodreads
Coming in ebook, paperback, and audiobook
About FIGHTING THE FIRE (Warrior Fight Club #3, 10/16/18):
The more they fight, the more desire consumes them…
There’s only one thing firefighter Sean Riddick doesn’t like about Warrior Fight Club, and that’s Daniela England, the sexiest, snarkiest, most irritating woman he’s ever known. But MMA training keeps the Navy vet grounded, so Sean’s not about to give it up, no matter how many times he goes toe to toe with Dani—or how bad he wants to take her to the mats.
A former Army nurse and the widow of a fallen soldier, Dani is done with the military and with military men. Fight club is the only thing that eases her nightmares, which means she has to put up with Riddick. He might be sex on a stick, but he’s infuriating and everything she’s vowed to avoid.
But when an accident throws Sean and Dani together, all that fight bursts into a night of red-hot passion. Now they’re addicted to the heat and must decide if the one person they’ve most resisted might be exactly what they’ve both been looking for.
PRE-ORDER on Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
Add to your Goodreads
Check out the whole Warrior Fight Club Series:
Fighting for Everything – Available now!
Fighting for What’s His – August 7, 2018 – Preorder!
Fighting the Fire – October 16, 2018
Worth Fighting For – March 12, 2019
About Laura Kaye:
Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty-five books in contemporary and erotic romance and romantic suspense, including the Blasphemy, Hard Ink, and Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. Laura also writes historical fiction as the NYT bestselling author, Laura Kamoie. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
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Beg For It by Megan Hart
Beg For It
Megan Hart
Date of Publication: June 14, 2016
He’s gonna have to beg for itÖ
Corinne was young once. She did everythingógirls, boys, drugs, toysóand did it in high funky fashion. Reese wasn’t her first lover, but he was the first to submit to her. For a while they had something special, but it ended badly.
She’s a little older now. And the wealthy businessman who just bought the company she works for bears little resemblance to that boy. He’s commanding, domineering, and seems hell-bent on pushing her past her limits.
In a flash of anger, she falls back into their old patternóand Reese falls right in with her. Before she knows it, she’s testing him. Then tasting him. But she can’t afford to get involved again. Her life is complicated enough without throwing in a slew of kink.
Now if only Reese would stop making her feel like the goddess she used to beÖand showing her who’s been the boss all along. ThenÖand now.
Warning: Contains thousand-dollar, custom-tailored business suits, fuzzy green boots, goth eyeliner, and fishnet sleeves. We’ll let you discover who wears what.
Available From
About Megan Hart
Megan Hart has written in almost every genre of romantic fiction, including historical, contemporary, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, futuristic, fantasy and perhaps most notably, erotic. She also writes non-erotic fantasy and science fiction, as well as continuing to occasionally dabble in horror.
Find Megan Hart Online
ARC: At Last by Melissa Schroeder
At Last
Melissa Schroeder
The Fitzpatricks, Book 1
A woman who gets under his skin.
Aeden Fitzpatrick has been annoyed by his sister’s best friend for as long as he could remember. She is snooty and a know it all, and he just doesn’t like her that much. Of course, it doesn’t keep him from fantasizing about her, or getting irrationally angry because she dates so many men. That all changes the night of his sister’s wedding. One night and he is hooked. But Wendy has obligations so he will just have to wait.
She never expected love.
Wendy has always assumed she would never fall in love. She had made sure to date the kind of men who knew the score. Her childhood had proven to her that she was unloveable and she refused to take that from a man. Aeden changes all of that in one long, amazing night. Now, six months later, she’s not sure what will happen, but she knows she’s in love.
A fan obsessed.
Wendy returns to find out she is a local celebrity but she could care less. All she wants is to return to work and figure out what is going on with Aeden. Their courtship isn’t without it’s bumps in the road. Their chemistry in bed doesn’t help deal with their conflicting personalities. But when an obsessed fan starts to stalk Wendy, Aeden realizes that he doesn’t want to live without her in his life. When the stalking turns sinister, the lovers must fight for everything they hold dear…including their lives
4.5 Stars
Wendy is snarky and sassy. A woman who gives a bit of her heart in everything she does. However her dysfunctional upbringing has left her view of relationships hollow. As an honorary member of the Fitzpatrick’s, Wendy learned what having a real family is like.
Aeden is cocky and all alpha. A man who daily puts his life on the line to others safe. He too has an different view when it comes to relationships. He’s devoted to his friends and family.
Aeden and Wendy have been building a long burning tension for years. At her best friends wedding it becomes known she’s leaving for six months. In a moment of real life, prior thoughts and opinions were changed in the blink of an eye. One night left a never ending memory, gracing each other’s thoughts daily.
Wendy and Aeden are the definition of two people that were meant to be together. Her independence and his cockiness have created a sexual tension that is explosive. Their interactions with each other bring out the best of both of their personalities. Aeden and Wendy are both strong characters with charisma and depth. They complement each other in the best ways.
Melissa Schroeder’s AT LAST is sassy and sexy. The Fitzpatricks are going to give the Santinis competition.
ARC Review: A Santini’s Heart by Melissa Schroeder
A Santini’s Heart
Melissa Schroeder
Santini Series, book
Harmless Publishing
August 30, 2016
Carlos Santini has seen the worst of war first hand. After leaving the Marines, he decided to open a therapy ranch. If he can’t fight anymore, he wants to help those who have served and who are still serving. Everything is fantastic, but for one little issue, his assistant, Tia Mendoza. The woman is bossy, sarcastic, and so hot he can barely keep his thoughts straight around her.
Tia loves the work she does with Carlos. She thrives helping other veterans like her brother. Of course, working for a man like Carlos isn’t easy. He has a hot temper and he is so sexy when he loses it. She can’t help but test him, until the day she pushes him too far.
Carlos knows from that first kiss that Tia is the woman for him. But, before they can have that Santini HEA, they find the ranch they both love in danger from some very bad men. As the threats grow deadly, Carlos realizes that before he can claim his woman, he will have to do everything in his power to save not only the ranch they both love, but also Tia’s life
5 Stars
Carlos Santini has been to hell and back. A retired Marine suffering from PTSD, mad at the world and everything in, found some peace and solace at an equine therapy ranch. With hard work, The companionship the horses gave and the sheer determination of proving his ball busting trainer wrong, Carlos found a way to not be so mad at the world and joy life again. Even if he’s bossy and grumpy.
Tia Mendoza has to be one of my favorite female characters that Melissa has written. She’s hard and sassy. She takes no crap and will just dish it out 10 times harder than you can. Tia is also giving, caring and independent. Losing her brother has been very hard on Tia, causing this fiery woman to lose some of her sass. Fighting an attraction while fighting depression has this ball busting woman on edge.
There is nothing like watching the moment when a Santini realizes they have falling in love. Big, hard, alpha men who put their lives on the line, stumble when their heart skips a beat and stop in their tracks almost dumbfounded. Carlos is no different than his brothers or cousins when it comes to Tia. These two tangle each other up like no other. They also have the ability to help heal each other in ways no other could. Their cheeky banter and snarkiness add to the inevitable that they’re trying to avoid. Their chemistry and attraction is off the charts sexy and hot. It also contains a deep emotional healing that you feel coming from the pages. What better way to heal than with the love of a Santini!
A Santini’s Heart is an emotional ride leaving you breathless for a cowboy!
Coffee Books Life 