Monday 30 November 2015

Blueberry Boys by Vanessa North ~ #bookreview #MMromance #releaseday

http://amzn.to/1PpqczP
Blueberry Boys

by

Connor Graham is a city boy—a celebrated fashion photographer in New York. When his uncle’s death drags him back to the family blueberry farm, all he wants to do is sell it as quickly as he can. Until he meets his uncle’s tenant farmer.

Jed Jones, shy and stammering, devout and dedicated, has always yearned for land of his own and a man to share it with. Kept in the closet by his church, family, and disastrous first love, he longs to be accepted for who he is. But now, with his farm and his future in Connor’s careless hands, he stands to lose even the little he has.

Neither man expects the connection between them. Jed sees Connor—appreciates his art and passion like no one else in this godforsaken town ever has. Connor hears Jed—looks past his stutter to listen to the man inside. The time they share is idyllic, but with the farm sale pending, even their sanctuary is a source of tension. As work, family, and their town’s old-fashioned attitudes pull them apart, they must find a way to reconcile commitments to their careers and to each other.



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25932542-blueberry-boys?ac=1&from_search=1





Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Riptide Publishing via NetGalley
Genre: MM Adult Contemporary Romance
Standalone

My Blueberry Boys Review . . .

I simply adore Vanessa North!  Every book I have read so far has been heartfelt and sweet while at the same time dealing with real issues. 

Connor Graham is now a city boy who's forced to come back to where he came from when his uncle dies.  The last place he wants to be is there, but he has to deal with the farm that it;s now left to him and his brother.  With this farm, comes the tenant farmer Jed Jones.  Jed is a sweet stammering man whom is forced to be living in conflict due to the inner turmoil of faith and self.  He knows he's gay, but his faith and family believe differently causing tons of conflict within himself. 

"Oh for heaven's sake, Dad, it's not a lifestyle it's an orientation, an identity,"

Finally meeting up with Connor Graham the local gay legend, he starts to realize that he wants more.  He's lived in sin by lying to himself and others, but wanting Connor helps him be a bit more brave. 

Connor has his own issues from the past, but there is something right about Jed.  Connor doesn't see the stuttering or his flaws, all he sees is a beautiful man.  With mutual feelings they can't stop the attraction but they know it can't go anywhere.  


It started off as a fling, but they both needed each other so much more.  But how can it work with Connor needing the city and Jed needing to farm.  One will have to compromise to make it work, but it's not always that easy.  

Even if they don't work out, Jed is determined to be true to himself and his family.  However, there is a long way to go to make that right, since so many are conditioned by beliefs to truly understand the truth of the reality. 

"I don't know if I can make it not hurt, honey.  I want to, but that was hurtful shit."

At first his family has a hard time, but with the help of a new minister and his faith, Jed's able to make head way and be more comfortable with his own truth.  Now, all he has to do is find a way to make it work with Connor. 

These two break my heart until they finally come up with a great compromise and are both able to deal with their own inner angst to gain their HEA.   It was sweet and heartfelt.  I absolutely loved Jed and Connor together.  They were perfect for one another.   Sweet MM read. 

4 There's always a solution thumbs up!

thumbs upthumbs upthumbs upthumbs up 

Lauren







Saturday 28 November 2015

Cover Reveal for J.L. Berg's REMEMBERING EVERLY

Forever Romance and J.L. Berg invite readers to join them for a Facebook party on December 9 from 7 – 10 PM EST to celebrate FORGETTING AUGUST, on sale December 1.  In addition to fun guests and giveaways, there will be a great discussion about the book as J.L. Berg takes fan questions. RSVP here<https://www.facebook.com/events/1638191816444435/>.


FORGETTING AUGUST by J.L. Berg (December 1, 2015; Forever E-Book; Lost & Found: Book #1)
She can forgive, but can she forget?
Some days, Everly still thinks she sees him. In the food court at the mall, or in a car speeding past as the light changes. It only lasts a second, but when it happens, she slips back to a time when she was ruled-and nearly ruined-by August Kincaid. And it doesn't matter that she's moved on, that she's about to marry another man. In those moments the only thing she can do to regain control is take a deep breath and remind herself that August can't hurt her-because he's in a coma. Except that he's not anymore.

August is awake. With no memories, he sets out to solve the mystery of his lost life. He unearths a photograph of a beautiful redhead named Everly and knows instinctively that she's the key. But when he finds her, the August she describes is more monster than man.

Tortured by the thought of having hurt her, August wants only to become the man Everly deserves. As the new August emerges, Everly glimpses the person she first fell in love with. But can she trust that this August is real? When the final secret of their shared past is revealed, one of them will make a choice that changes their future forever . . .

Buy the book!
 
Forgetting August
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Forgetting-August-Lost-Found-J-L-ebook/dp/B016JC0U6Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1448396033&sr=1-1&keywords=forgetting+august
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forgetting-august-jl-berg/1122458188?ean=9781455536719
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/forgetting-august/id1048805301?mt=11
GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/J_L_Berg_Forgetting_August?id=ocm2CgAAQBAJ&hl=en
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/forgetting-august
BAM: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Forgetting-August/Berg-JL/Q577413239?id=6455253951433

August and Everly’s story continues in a breathtaking sequel, REMEMBERING EVERLY, on sale March 1:

After a stunning cliffhanger ending in Forgetting August, USA Today bestselling author J.L. Berg delivers the happily ever after that fans have been waiting for in the sequel, REMEMBERING EVERLY.
He's forgotten his past, but it hasn't forgotten him. After losing two years of his life trapped in a coma, August Kincaid will do anything to win back the love of his life. But his past threatens to destroy his second chance at happiness, it's Everly who is in danger of paying for his crimes.
 
Pre-Order Today! 
 
 
 
 



About the author:
Author J.L. Berg is a California native living in the South.  She is the author of the self-pubbed Ready series, which has sold over 100,000 copies.  Married to her high school sweetheart. She and her husband have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she's not writing, you can find her with her nose stuck in a romance book, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate.

J.L. Berg
USA Today Bestselling Romance Author
Website: www.jlberg.com<http://www.jlberg.com/>
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorjlberg<http://www.facebook.com/authorjlberg>
Twitter: @authorjlberg
Goodreads:  www.goodreads.com/authorjlberg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday 27 November 2015

Raze & Reap by Tillie Cole (Scarred Souls 1 & 2) ~ #bookreview #darkromance


http://amzn.to/1Ndzh8a
Raze (Scarred Souls #1)

by

To take back life, one must first face death...

One man stripped of his freedom, his morals...his life.

Conditioned in captivity to maim, to kill and to slaughter, prisoner 818 becomes an unremorseful, unrivaled and unstoppable fighter in the ring. Violence is all he knows. Death and brutality are the masters of his fate.

After years of incarceration in an underground hell, only one thought occupies his mind: revenge...bloody, slow and violent revenge.

Revenge on the man who lied.

Revenge on the man who wronged him.

Revenge on the man who condemned him and turned him into this: a rage-fueled killing machine. A monster void of humanity; a monster filled with hate.

And no one will stand in the way of getting what he wants.

One woman stripped of her freedom, her morals...her life.

Kisa Volkova is the only daughter of Kirill ‘The Silencer’ Volkov, head of the infamous ‘Triad’ bosses of New York's Russian Bratva. Her life is protected. In reality, it’s a virtual prison. Her father’s savage treatment of his rivals and his lucrative and coveted underground gambling ring—The Dungeon—ensures too many enemies lurk at their door.

She dreams to be set free.

Kisa has known only cruelty and loss in her short life. As manager of her father’s death match enterprise, only grief and pain fill her days. Her mafia boss father, in her world, rules absolute. And her fiancé, Alik Durov, is no better; the Dungeon’s five-time champion, a stone-cold killer, the treasured son of her father’s best friend, and her very own—and much resented—personal guard. Unrivaled in both strength and social standing, Alik controls every facet of Kisa’s life, dominates her every move; keeps her subdued and dead inside...then one night changes everything.

While working for her church—the only reprieve in her constant surveillance—Kisa stumbles across a tattooed, scarred, but stunningly beautiful homeless man on the streets. Something about him stirs feelings deep within her; familiar yet impossibly forbidden desires. He doesn’t talk. Doesn’t communicate with anyone. He’s a man beyond saving, and a man she must quickly forget...for both their sakes.

But when weeks later, out of the blue and to her complete surprise, he’s announced as the replacement fighter in The Dungeon, Kisa knows she’s in a whole lot of trouble. He’s built, ripped and lethally unforgiving to his opponents, leaving fear in his wake and the look of death in his eyes.

Kisa becomes obsessed with him. Yearns for him. Craves his touch. Needs to possess this mysterious man...this man they call Raze.

Dark Contemporary Romance. Contains explicit sexual situations, excessive violence, disturbingly sensitive and taboo subjects, offensive language and mature topics. Recommended for age 18 years and up.



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23262621-raze?from_search=true&search_version=service
 





Source: Kindle
Genre: Dark Contemporary Mafia Romance
Part 1 of an ongoing series 


 

My Reap Review . . . 

I've been a bit of a funk lately with reading and thankfully this book ensnared me from beginning to end.  Kisa Volkova has always known who her soulmate was but he was taken from her young.  This loss caused her to make poor choices, but dutiful ones.  Now that she knows she's missing her other half, she ends up being engaged to a huge asshole ,Alik Durov.  She knows what she has with Alik.  It isn't healthy, but she's fulfilling her role.  Until 818 appears. 

"I've seen too many bad things with these eyes.  This, I will feel in my heart."

818 knows two things.  1) to kill to survive and 2) revenge.  After most of his life in the dungeon, 818 finally has a chance to escape and get his revenge.  

"Ignore it.  Control your anger.  Kill first, live later.  Then get the girl."

The minute Kisa meets 818, she's drawn to him.  She's doesn't know why, but she can't seem to stay away.  Now the problem is, she's still with Alik?  However, once she finds out who 818 is, she now has to decide between her duty or her heart. 

"He will have you, Kisa.  You saw his soul, yet you didn't recognize his face.  And he knew you, even when his memories were not there.  You are his light, his guide back to this life."

Did I love this book? YES!!! It was dark but heartwarming.  818 is so damaged and broken, but his heart is so pure.  His struggles to find himself are heartfelt and raw.  But the true beauty in this book is the bond between Kisa and 818.  It knows no end.  It's strong and real. 

"Nothing will ever happen to her, sir.  She's my everything . . . she's the reason I live . . . breath . . . exist.  She's my entire world.  There's no safer place for her than being beside me."

This book is so much darker than Tillie's Sweet Home series, but the heart is still there.  In this book, the beauty is in the darkness.  I loved it and recommend it. Now, I can't wait for more. 

4. 5 Beauty in the darkness thumbs up! 

thumbs upthumbs upthumbs upthumbs up . 5 

Lauren 











http://amzn.to/1Q3mI4w
 Reap (Scarred Souls #2)


by

Raised as a prototype for the Georgian Bratva's obedience drug, 221 fails to think, act, or live for himself; he's his master's perfectly-crafted killing puppet. Standing at six-foot-six, weighing two-hundred-and-fifty pounds, and unrivaled in to-the-death combat, 221 successfully secures business for the Georgian Mafiya Boss of NYC, who rules the dark world of the criminal underground. Until his enemies capture him.

Talia Tolstaia dreams to break from the heavy clutches of Bratva life. She dreams of another life--away from the stifling leash of her Russian Bratva Boss father and from the brutality of her work at The Dungeon, her criminal family's underground death-match enterprise. But when she stumbles upon her family's captive who is more monster than man, she starts to see the man underneath. A powerful, beautiful, damaged man whose heart calls to hers. But sacrifices must be made--blood for blood...life for life...souls for scarred souls...



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25732126-reap



Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of St. Martins Press via NetGalley
Genre: Dark Contemporary Mafia Romance
Part 2 of an ongoing series


My Reap Review . . .

This is NOT a standalone.  You need to have read Raze first to get the whole story.  This book continues immediately after Raze and it has multiple POVs.  It is from Luka, and as well as his sister, Talia and 221/ Zaal.   At the beginning, I was hoping for a miracle and 362 would reappear.  Sadly that didn't happen but 221 is a close second in many different ways.

"Because . . . you are . . . for me."

Luka is still having issues re-adjusting to being free, plus he has a driving need to avenge his friend's death.  221, like 818 knows to kill but that's all he knows because he's been drugged to the point that he acts on command and doesn't remember anything from his past.  All he knows is to obey his master and kill.

Avenging 362, causes Luka to find 221.  Now knowing the whole picture he will do anything to not only avenge, but save 221.   Since their lives are even more interconnected than they originally realized, Luka drops 221 off at the beach house with his sister Talia.

All Talia wanted was a break from her life, but when 221 gets thrown into the mix,  everything changes for her.  As one to not always fall in line with orders, of course she will land on this path where she has to choose between her heart or her family.


Immediately, Talia is drawn to 221 but knows he's the enemy.  But knowing and understanding are two different things, especially when the vulnerability of 221 breaks your heart.

For the first time 221 who is now Zaal, wants more but can't immediately except that he's free.  Not only is he free, but he's a huge past that he has to come to terms with.  Both Luka and Zaal have to come to terms with their pasts so they can find the balance between past and present.

Gah! Zaal's past and his struggles break my heart.  His poor scarred soul has so much to learn but with the help of Talia, he can find love for the first time.  At the same time, these two have the opportunity to bridge the past, and heal the present, so they can have a future together.

"You are  . . . for me.  No other male.  Just me. And me . . . for you.  This is my 'I love you.'  These are my words from my scarred soul.  They are not borrowed words, but words from my full heart, and my heart only."

 These poor broken men, who have huge hearts.  The capacity to love for them is hard, but is the only thing that can heal them and propel them forward.  Again another book, where the light shines within the darkness causing beauty to blossom where we least expect it.  Thankfully Reap was another great addition to this series, where I couldn't put it down. I loved it from beginning to end. I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!!! And I can't wait for more.

5 Light within the dark thumbs up!

thumbs upthumbs upthumbs upthumbs upthumbs up

Lauren








Thursday 26 November 2015

Holiday Sale & #Giveaway by Cardeno C. #homeseries #mm #ebooksale November 26 to December 2/15

“Home” for the Holidays by Cardeno C.

I love the holiday season – cool weather, glowing fires, hot beverages, and most of all, enjoying time with friends and family. To celebrate this season, I’m offering the box set of all seven of my Home eBooks for a sale price of $9.99. The special offer will begin on Thanksgiving, November 26 and expire on December 2nd.

The Home Collection: finding love brings you home. 7 full-length, free-standing, feel good, gay romance novels. 
Amazon buy link: http://amzn.to/1MAxMRn
All Romance ebooks buy link: http://bit.ly/1KQHMp8
B&N buy link: http://bit.ly/1GxHctR
Kobo buy link: http://bit.ly/1DLeRnK


Where He Ends & I Begin: For best friends Jake & Nate the question isn't how they ended up in bed together but how they stay there.
Walk With Me: Serious, responsible Seth longs for sexy, outspoken Eli but must decide if he's willing to veer from his safe life-plan.
The One Who Saves Me: Boyfriends come & go but best friends are forever has always been Andrew & Caleb's mantra. Can they be both?
Love at First Sight: David must find the courage to share himself & Jonathan must find the strength to tell the truth.
Home Again: Two men whose love has never faltered relive their most treasured moments in order to secure their future.
Just What the Truth Is: If Ben wants to find love with Micah, he'll have to own up to the truth of who he is.
He Completes Me: Aaron has waited years for a man who can share his heart and he insists it's party boy Zach.

I wish you happy reading this holiday season and all year long!
CC
Rafflecopter giveaway of one Home Collection ebook box set:

 
AUTHOR LINKS
Website: www.cardenoc.com
Blog: (Shared Blog) http://caferisque.blogspot.com/

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Vegas Love by Jillian Dodd Book Tour ~ #giveaway # bookreview #excerpt

vegas love book ktour.jpg

vegas love it's live.jpg
Meet Ashlyn & Cash in VEGAS LOVE!
Jillian Dodd's newest SEXY contemporary romance releasing November 24th!

NOW AVAILABLE!

vegas love new cover.jpg

Blurb

Hollywood actress, Ashlyn Roberts, just had the worst week of her life. Her ex released a sex tape of them and just when she was convinced her current boyfriend was a keeper for standing by her side, he breaks up with her at a friend’s wedding. She’s planning to drown her sorrows in booze when she meets a sexy stranger as she’s leaving the wedding and they end up in Vegas, married.

Cash Crawford is offered a dream job working with his brother as a junior talent agent. He’ll put his shiny new law degree to good use and make a bunch of money in the process. His first task is simple: Keep Ashlyn Roberts out of trouble and don’t sleep with her.
Which might be kind of tough, since they definitely consummated their Vegas wedding.

Will this one night stand end in the quickie divorce they promised each other? Or will they realize they got lucky in love?

vegas love teaser 1.jpg 


Excerpt
She pulls me into a limo. “Where are we going?” I ask. Not that I care. At this point, I’d go just about anywhere with this girl. She’s amazing. And I don’t just mean the sex—which was practically mind-blowing. She’s gorgeous and funny as shit.
“Vegas.”
“I’m surprised you’d want to go there after—” She grabs my lips in her fingertips and shuts them, giving me fish lips.
“Rule number one,” she says. “No talking about the past. Other than I’m going to say that the last two times I’ve been in Vegas have been big disappointments. Give me a minute. I need to make a call.”
“Who are you calling?”
“Carter Crawford. He doesn’t know it yet, but we’re going to borrow his plane. I happen to know he’s not leaving here until tomorrow afternoon. Do you know him?”
“The best man?” I ask. I consider telling her that I know Carter quite well, since he’s my brother, but I don’t. She wants a no-names-kind-of night. Which is funny considering everyone knows the actress Ashlyn Roberts, who’s well-known for her blockbuster movie roles, red carpet antics, and bubbly personality.
“After the breakup with Luke and before I started dating Zach, Carter took me to Vegas,” she says, causing me to tense up. Just the thought of her fucking anyone other than me—particularly my brother—threatens to rip me apart. How can I possibly feel so crazy jealous over her already? It was just sex. Wasn’t it? “I thought our trip would be romantic with a whole lot of hot and sweaty, you know, but nothing happened between us. His brother, Cade, is my agent, and he was just trying to cheer me up.”
I breathe easier, then let my lips graze down her neck. “If hot, sweaty, romantic Vegas is what you want, Hotass. It’s what you’ll get.”
“I need a wig though.”
“Why?”
“So no one recognizes me, silly. I have a fake ID. Sometimes, I just want to go out without it being a scene. Tonight is one of those nights.”
“I bet we can find you a wig in Vegas.”
“Ha, you’re right,” she says as I pull her on my lap and kiss her again.
We fuck on the plane.
Twice.
Drink some more.
When we land in Vegas, we go directly to a store where she sends me in to buy a wig.
“What kind?” I ask.
“Long and blond.”
“Hot,” I say.
“While you do that, I’ll get us set up in a hotel.”
When I get back in the town car, she tells the driver which hotel to take us to.
“I’ve never stayed here before,” she says, pulling on the wig. “You go get the key, okay? I told them your name was Harry Tripping and not to ask for ID.”
“That’s funny.”
We ride the elevator to one of the upper floors and enter a sprawling suite. “Very nice. You have good taste.”
“Only the best for our wild one-night stand.”
A butler appears out of nowhere. “Anything you need?”
“Nothing he can’t give me,” she says, pulling on my tie and giving me a naughty grin.
I send the butler away then lead her over to the windows. “Look at this view.”
“Ohmigawd! Look! The Bellagio fountains are starting!” She leans against the glass and looks down. “Wow. This is kinda trippy.”
I push my hips into her ass, somehow ready for round—hell, I lost count. Two times at the wedding, a blow job in the limo, joined the mile high club twice, so round—six. Doesn’t matter though, my Johnson is raring to go. I wrap my arms around her waist, kiss her neck, and finger her while she watches the fountains rise. She reaches back and slides her hand down my pants.
“You’re hard again,” she says, seemingly surprised.
“You turn me on,” I whisper.
“Do me right here. I feel like I should say your name—but this is a still a no-names-kind-of night, right?”
“That’s what you wanted. I’m still calling you Hotass because, you”—I lift her skirt, slide off her panties, and slap her naked butt—“have a very hot ass.”
“Oh!” she says when I spank her. She guides me into her and as I start thrusting, she bends over more—putting her arms out and her hands flat against the glass.
“This is like a fantasy,” she says, moving against me in time with the fountains. “Do you think when they do the big finale you can come?”
“I’d rather make you come.”
“Spank me again, then.”
I pull back, but not out, giving myself just enough space to smack her ass before plunging deep inside her.
“Oh, god! Do it harder! Oh, fuck, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes!”
And just before the fountains stop, she collapses against the window.

vegas love love teaser 3.jpg

Author Information
jillian bio.jpg
Jillian Dodd grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She has drank from a keg in a cornfield, attended the University of Nebraska, got to pass her candle, and did have a boy ask her to marry him in a bar. She met her own prince in college, and they have two amazing children, a Maltese named Sugar Bear, and two Labrador puppies named Camber Lacy and Cali Lucy. She is the author of the That Boy Trilogy and The Keatyn Chronicles Series.


GIVEAWAY
$100 Amazon Gift Card
Signed Paperback of Vegas Love (2 Winners)



Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Author and TRSOR
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Standalone


My Vegas Love Review . . .

Lately my personal life has been stressful and my reading life has been lack luster, so I didn't have any expectations in regards to this story.  In the end I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.  It was a bit predictable but it was still sweet and charming. 


Ashlyn Roberts is a known star but has bad luck when it comes to her love life.  She so desperately wants to be loved, that she chooses the wrong man over and over again. 

Cash Crawford isn't afraid of commitment but he won't give up having fun as well.  After being single for a bit and a new job, he comes home where he meets a drunk actress. 

This encounter was supposed to be a one night, no strings attached thing, but ends up being a quicky Vegas wedding instead.  Fate is on these two sides and lo and behold, Cash's new job is babysitting Ashlyn on her job. He's supposed to keep her on the straight and narrow.  He plans to do that and so much more.  

  Ashlyn and Cash immediately fall Vegas love for each other but want more after. However, that isn't always easy, especially for these two.  Because this is a celebrity romance, we are loaded with a bunch of drama where it comes to their lives.

~ I'm a dyslexic lover. I can't decide if I love him or hate him.~

Sure it was cute and charming but it also had some elements that never win me over.  Like the dreaded martyr moments when one gives up on their happiness for the other. Blah blah blah. (insert eye roll here). And as well as the endearment Hotass.  This is one of those names that people will either love or hate.  I get why it appeared and the reason for it, but it was hard to swallow at times. 

Take those elements away, then it was a cute, charming yet predictable love story.  I feel with all the other characters in this book, there is loads of potential for more.  Fingers crossed this book turns into a series. 


3. 5 Sweet and Charming Thumbs up! 

thumbs upthumbs upthumbs up . 5

Lauren