Category: General Blog Posts

It’s Monday (January 15, 2018)! What Are You Reading! #IMWAYR

Published on by Zoe2 Comments

 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? hosted by Kathryn at Bookdate is a weekly post to share what you’ve recently finished reading, what you’re currently reading, and what you plan on reading this upcoming week.

 

What I Read Last Week (ARCs ):

 

Title: The Pearl Sister (The Seven Sisters #4)

Author: Lucinda Riley

Immediate Thoughts: Poignant, heartwarming and incredible fascinating.

Rating: 10/10

Publication Date: January 23, 2017

 

 

 

What I Read Last Week (Author/Publisher Books):

 

Title: The Lullaby Girl (Angie Pallorino #2)

Author: Loreth Anne White

Immediate Thoughts: Impressive thriller with a little romance. Loved it.

Rating: 10/10

Publication Date: November 14, 2017

 

 

 

                   

 

 

What I Read Last Week (Off My TBR ):

 

Title: Trouble Next Door

Author: Stefanie London

Immediate Thoughts: Lighthearted, humorous, and flirty!

Rating: 9/10

Publication Date: November 13, 2017

Added to my TBR: January 1, 2018

  

Title: The Rule Book (The Rule Beakers #1)

Author: Jennifer Blackwood

Immediate Thoughts: Romantic, charming, and exceptionally funny!

Rating: 8/10

Publication Date: May 9, 2016

Added to my TBR: May 9, 2016

 

 

What I’m currently reading:

 


 

What I’m reading next:

 

                                

 

 

Current Stats:

# of NetGalley ARCs Read This Week: 1

# of Publisher/Author Books Read This Week: 3

# of Books Read off my Goodreads TBR This Week: 2

# of NetGalley ARCs Outstanding: 22

# of Publisher/Author Books Outstanding: 26

# of Books Still on my Goodreads TBR List: 893

 

Have you read any of my upcoming reads? What do you have coming up?

Happy Reading!

#BookReview Dreaming of Florence by T.A. Williams @TAWilliamsBooks @canelo_co

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment
#BookReview Dreaming of Florence by T.A. Williams @TAWilliamsBooks @canelo_co Title: Dreaming of Florence

Author: T.A. Williams

Published by: Canelo on Jan. 8, 2018

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction

Pages: 254

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: Canelo, NetGalley

Book Rating: 9/10

Fresh pasta, red wine, fine art… and love? Find enchantment this year in the magical city of Florence

When Debbie Waterson’s bicycle crashes into handsome doctor Pierluigi, she wonders if her luck has changed. Determinedly single after ending a long relationship, at last, a man worth bumping into!

Inspired to visit Florence, she soon runs headlong into that old foe: reality. But is Pierluigi the man of her dreams? Then there’s her booze obsessed boss, his forbidding secretary and her noisy inconsiderate neighbours. But could her luck be about to change? Will she find love after all?

Review:

Absorbing, enchanting and beautifully written!

Dreaming of Florence is a charming, romantic story about taking chances, overcoming challenges, developing new relationships, finding happiness, and falling in love.

The prose is light and incredibly atmospheric. The story is warm, engaging and full of tender moments, dramatic events, humorous hijinks, betrayals, acts of kindness, self-discovery, and friendship. And the characterization is spot on with a cast of characters that are fresh, endearing, and quirky, and a setting, the City of Lilies, that is a character itself with its Renaissance architecture, lush landscape, and must-see monuments. 

Overall, Dreaming of Florence is another sophisticated, sweet, entertaining tale by Williams that once again highlights his phenomenal ability to bring a city to life through his remarkable knowledge and passion for its food, culture, and history.

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

           

 

 

Thank you to T.A. Williams and Canelo for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.

 

About T.A. Williams

T.A. Williams lives in Devon with his Italian wife. He was born in England of a Scottish mother and Welsh father. After a degree in modern languages at Nottingham University, he lived and worked in Switzerland, France and Italy, before returning to run one of the best-known language schools in the UK. He’s taught Arab princes, Brazilian beauty queens and Italian billionaires. He speaks a number of languages and has travelled extensively. He has eaten snake, still-alive fish, and alligator. A Spanish dog, a Russian bug and a Korean parasite have done their best to eat him in return. His hobby is long-distance cycling, but his passion is writing.

Website | Goodreads

Beat The Backlist Challenge 2018 @BeatTheBacklist #BeatTheBacklist!

Published on by Zoe3 Comments

 

 

So as one of my goals this year is to reduce my TBR list and not only read all the wonderful ARCs I receive but some of those amazing books I’ve purchased over the past few years I have decided to join the 2018 Beat The Backlist Challenge hosted by Austine at novelknight.com

 

So here are some of the books I hope to get read this year:

 

 

(To see what I actually get read be be sure to come back and check out the bottom of this post!) 

 

GUIDELINES/RULES:

 
THE CHALLENGE WILL RUN FROM JANUARY 1, 2018 to DECEMBER 31, 2018.
 
BOOKS MUST BE RELEASED PRIOR TO 2018 TO COUNT FOR THIS CHALLENGE.
 
WHAT COUNTS AS A “BOOK” FOR THIS CHALLENGE?

Any novel, novella, graphic novel, manga, or anthology bind-up counts for this challenge. They can be in any format as well (print, eBook, audiobook, etc).

 
I STARTED A BOOK IN 2017 AND FINISHED IT IN 2018. DOES IT COUNT?

No. Only books started and finished in 2018 will count for this challenge but don’t let that stop you from finishing any books started prior to 2018! This is to make it fair for everyone participating.

 
DO RE-READS OF BACKLIST BOOKS COUNT?

Yes! As long as you started re-reading the book in 2018 it will count for the challenge. But remember, this challenge is about knocking books of your TBR so don’t forget about the books you haven’t read yet!

 

And it looks like I’m on Team: Book Bards!

 

 

Go Team Book Bards!

 

And now what I’ve read so far towards this challenge (updated regularly):

                    

 

Total Books Read: 3

#CoverReveal The Magic of Stars by Jackie Ladbury @JackieLadbury @rararesources #magicofstars

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment

 

 

Synopsis:

Sapphire Montrose always felt like a loser in the struggle of life, but when she becomes the airline manager of a run-down airline she starts to believe she is a winner – until she unwittingly propositions her new boss and all her hard work is undone.

In a moment of recklessness air stewardess, Sapphire Montrose throws caution and her dress to the wind by propositioning a handsome stranger in a hotel in Florence, only to find herself waking up alone and embarrassed in her hotel room.

Unfortunately for Sapphire, it turns out that her new boss, Marco Cavarelli, is the man she failed to seduce and she is now fighting for her job and her self-respect when he tells her there is no place in his revamped airline for an alcoholic woman with lascivious tendencies. To make matters worse she is increasingly attracted to him and he seems to be giving out the same vibes. Or is he simply testing her? One wrong move could be the end of her career. But what if he really is offering love – and is he worth the risk?

 

About the Author:

Jackie Ladbury was desperate to become a journalist when she left school but was ousted within minutes on the day of the exam at her local rag because she’d forgotten to bring a pen.

Short and sharp lesson learned.

Her budding writing career was not on hold for long, though, as Jackie found herself scribbling love stories of pilots and ‘hosties’ while she flew in aeroplanes of various shapes and sizes as a flight attendant herself.

Fast forward a good few years and, after being short-listed in a couple of prestigious romantic writing competitions, Jackie decided it was time to discard her stilettos, say goodbye to the skies and concentrate on writing romantic novels, where the only given is a guaranteed ‘happy ever after.’

 

For more information on Jackie Ladbury, visit her at the following:

Facebook – jackie.ladbury

Twitter – @JackieLadbury

The Write Romantics – thewriteromantics.com/

Website – jackieladbury.com/

 

Available Now

 

#BlogTour & #BookReview The Wright Secret by K.A. Linde @AuthorKALinde @InkSlingerPR

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment
#BlogTour & #BookReview The Wright Secret by K.A. Linde @AuthorKALinde @InkSlingerPR Title: The Wright Secret

Author: K.A. Linde

Series: Wright Series

Published by: K.A. Linde Inc. on Jan. 9, 2018

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 233

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: K.A. Linde, InkSlingerPR

Book Rating: 9/10

A new brother’s-best-friend stand alone romance by USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde…

I was just his best friend’s little sister.

But he was always more than that to me.

After twelve years of pining over Patrick’s easy smile, baby blues, and captivating charm, I decide to take matters into my own hands—and completely blow my chance.

Who knew a self-proclaimed manwhore would decide to be a gentleman the first time I’m naked in his bed? Definitely, not me. But when I land there again, neither of us has any intention of stopping.

There’s only one problem: nobody can know. Especially not my three older brothers. If they found out, all hell would break loose.

So I’m willing to keep our secret. Because I want him Wright here, right now.

Review:

Provocative, captivating, and wonderfully romantic!

The Wright Secret is a sultry, beguiling read that mixes the intelligent, hardworking Morgan who finds herself in a sticky situation with not only the man of her dreams but as the new CEO of the family business, and the effortlessly handsome, easy-going Patrick who finally discovers his best friend’s sister is more than he ever imagined.

The writing is witty and light. The supporting characters include all the charming and endearing gang we’ve come to love from the previous stories. And the plot is a wonderful combination of light drama, smoking chemistry, sexy innuendoes, and delicious heat.

As most people know, I’m a huge fan of Linde’s stories. And like all of her previous novels I’ve read, The Wright Secret keeps you engaged, makes you swoon, leaves you wanting more and does an exceptional job of showcasing why Linde is one of the most popular, successful authors of this genre.

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

✦ Amazon US ✦ iBooks ✦ B&N ✦ Kobo ✦ Google Play

 

 

Thank you to InkSlingerPR and K.A. Linde for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About K.A. Linde

K.A. Linde is the USA Today bestselling author of more than fifteen novels including the Avoiding series and the Record series. She has a Masters degree in political science from the University of Georgia, was the head campaign worker for the 2012 presidential campaign at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and served as the head coach of the Duke University dance team. She loves reading fantasy novels, geeking out over Star Wars, binge-watching Supernatural, and dancing in her spare time.

She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband and two super adorable puppies.

Website | Facebook | Amazon | Instagram | Bookbub

#CoverReveal The Beau & The Belle by R.S. Grey @AuthorRSGrey @InkSlingerPR

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment

I am so excited to reveal the stunning cover of R.S. Grey’s next release, THE BEAU & THE BELLE!

 

This romantic comedy releases February 1st.

 

 

Beau Fortier starred in most of my cringe-worthy teenage fantasies.

I met him when I was a junior in high school, a time that revolved exclusively around bad hair, failed forays into flirting, and scientific inquiries into which brand of toilet paper worked best for stuffing bras.

That is, until Beau moved into the small guest house just beyond my bedroom window.

A 24-year-old law student at Tulane, Beau was as mysterious to me as second base (both in baseball and in the bedroom). He was older. Intimidating. Hot. Boys my age had chicken legs and chubby cheeks. Beau had calloused hands and a jaw cut from steel. Our interactions were scarce—mostly involving slight stalking on my end—and yet deep down, I desperately hoped he saw me as more of a potential lover than a lovesick loser.

Turns out, I was fooling myself. My fragile ego learned that lesson the hard way.

Now, ten years later, we’re both back in New Orleans, and guess who suddenly can’t take his eyes off little ol’ me.

My old friend, Mr. Fortier.

But things have changed. I’m older now—poised and confident. My ego wears a bulletproof vest. The butterflies that once filled my stomach have all perished.

When I was a teenager, Beau warned me to guard my heart.

Let’s hope he knows how to guard his.

 

 

 

THE BEAU & THE BELLE releases February 1st 
PRE-ORDER for 0.99¢ starting January 29th!
Keep an eye on R.S. Grey’s Facebook page for the link!
 

 

 

About the Author:

 

R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of thirteen novels, including THE FOXE & THE HOUND. She lives in Texas with her husband and two dogs, and can be found reading, binge-watching reality TV, or practicing yoga! Visit her at rsgrey.com

Website | Twitter | Facebook | R.S. Grey’s Little Reds Facebook Group | Newsletter | Instagram

 

 

#BookReview Just Between Us by Rebecca Drake @AuthorRDrake @StMartinsPress #JustBetweenUs

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment
#BookReview Just Between Us by Rebecca Drake @AuthorRDrake @StMartinsPress #JustBetweenUs Title: Just Between Us

Author: Rebecca Drake

Published by: St. Martin's Press on Jan. 9, 2018

Genres: Mystery/Thriller

Pages: 374

Format: Paperback, ARC

Source: St. Martin's Press

Book Rating: 9/10

Alison, Julie, Sarah, Heather. Four friends living the suburban ideal. Their jobs are steady, their kids are healthy. They’re as beautiful as their houses. But each of them has a dirty little secret, and hidden behind the veneer of their perfect lives is a crime and a mystery that will consume them all. 

Everything starts to unravel when Alison spots a nasty bruise on Heather’s wrist. She shares her suspicions with Julie and Sarah, compelling all three to investigate what looks like an increasingly violent marriage. As mysterious injuries and erratic behavior mount, Heather can no longer deny the abuse, but she refuses to leave her husband. Desperate to save her, Alison and the others dread the phone call telling them that she’s been killed. But when that call finally comes, it’s not Heather who’s dead. In a moment they’ll come to regret, the women must decide what lengths they’ll go to in order to help a friend.

Just Between Us is a thrilling glimpse into the underbelly of suburbia, where not all neighbors can be trusted, and even the closest friends keep dangerous secrets. You never really know what goes on in another person’s mind, or in their marriage.

Review:

Riveting, sophisticated, and well crafted!

Just Between Us is a character-driven, domestic thriller that delves into the intricate and dynamic bonds between friends and reminds us that everything is not always as it seems and you never really know what goes on behind closed doors.

The writing is precise and taut. The characters are complex, secretive, troubled, and believable. And the plot, told from multiple perspectives, is bursting with suspense and tension as it quickly twists, turns, and unravels all the actions, motivations, personalities, and relationships within it.

Just Between Us at its core is a novel about friendship, secrets, manipulation, jealousy, obsession, abuse, and murder. It’s deliciously dark, intriguing, and a real page-turner you won’t want to miss.

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

                                          

 

 

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Rebecca Drake

REBECCA DRAKE is the author of the novels Don’t Be Afraid, The Next Killing, The Dead Place, which was an IMBA bestseller, and Only Ever You, as well as the short story “Loaded,” which was featured in Pittsburgh Noir. A graduate of Penn State University and former journalist, she is currently an instructor in Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction M.F.A. program. Rebecca lives in Pittsburgh, PA, with her husband and two children.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

It’s Monday (January 8, 2018)! What Are You Reading! #IMWAYR

Published on by Zoe4 Comments

 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? hosted by Kathryn at Bookdate is a weekly post to share what you’ve recently finished reading, what you’re currently reading, and what you plan on reading this upcoming week.

Happy New Year!

 

What I Read Last Week (ARCs ):

 

Title: Keep Her Safe

Author:  K. A. Tucker

Immediate Thoughts: A well written romantic suspense novel that reads like a police procedural with good mystery and heartfelt romance.

Rating: 8.5/10

Publication Date: January 23, 2017

 

 

Title: Just Between Us

Author: Rebecca Drake

Immediate Thoughts: A Suspenseful, character-driven novel that highlights the lengths to which people are willing to go to help their friends and reminds us that you only ever really know what people want you to know.

Rating: 8.5/10

Publication Date: January 9, 2018

 

 

What I Read Last Week (Off My TBR ):

 

Title: Wish You Were Mine

Author: Tara Sivec

Immediate Thoughts: Emotional friends-to-more romance that has plenty of touching moments, lots of introspection, and a little suspenseful.

Rating: 8/10

Added to my TBR: January 1, 2018

 

Title: Keeping Score (The Perfect Play #2)

Author: Sara Rider

Immediate Thoughts: An easy, enjoyable romance about learning to trust and overcoming obstacles.

Rating: 7.5/10

Added to my TBR: May 8, 2016

 

 

 

What I’m currently reading:

 

 

 

What I’m reading next:

 

                                

 

 

Current Stats:

# of NetGalley ARCs Read This Week: 1

# of Publisher/Author Books Read This Week: 1

# of Books Read off my Goodreads TBR This Week: 2

# of NetGalley ARCs Outstanding: 23

# of Publisher/Author Books Outstanding: 25

# of Books Still on my Goodreads TBR List: 900

 

Have you read any of my upcoming reads? What do you have coming up?

Happy Reading!

#BookReview #BlogTour The Captain’s Disgraced Lady by Catherine Tinley @CatherineTinley @rararesources

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment

#BookReview #BlogTour The Captain's Disgraced Lady by Catherine Tinley @CatherineTinley @rararesources

#BookReview #BlogTour The Captain’s Disgraced Lady by Catherine Tinley @CatherineTinley @rararesources Title: The Captain's Disgraced Lady

Author: Catherine Tinley

Published by: Harlequin Mills and Boon on Dec. 28, 2017

Genres: Historical Romance

Pages: 288

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: Rachel's Random Resources

Book Rating: 8/10

Who is Captain Harry Fanton?

When Juliana Milford first encounters Captain Harry Fanton, she finds him arrogant and rude. There’s no way she’ll fall for his dazzling smile! Her visit to Chadcombe House was always going to prompt questions over her scandalous family, so she’s touched when Harry defends her reputation. She’s discovering there’s more to Harry than she’d first thought…

A man so plagued by the demons of war, he’s sworn he’ll never marry, no matter how tempted…

Review:

Romantic, witty, and atmospheric!

The Captain’s Disgraced Lady is a lighthearted, regency romance that transports you back to 1850s London where Juliana, a fierce, independent young woman is determined to uncover all her mother’s secrets while resisting the charms of a roguishly handsome captain. And Harry, a witty, scarred soldier is struggling with the physical and psychological effects of combat both on and off the battlefield.

The prose is fluid and descriptive. The characters are multifaceted, wounded, and authentic. And the plot has a series of compelling subplots that unravel and intertwine to create an engaging story about life, loss, love, family, secrets, class distinction, friendship, war, and romance.

The Captain’s Disgraced Lady is the second book in The Chadcombe Marriages series, and if you love historical romance, this novel will not disappoint. It’s humorous, emotional, entertaining, and a perfect afternoon read.

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

    

 

 

Giveaway:

Win 2 x signed copies of The Captain’s Disgraced Lady (Open to UK only).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Thank you to Catherine Tinley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Catherine Tinley

Catherine Tinley writes witty, heartwarming Regency love stories. She has loved reading and writing since childhood, and has a particular fondness for love, romance, and happy endings. After a career encompassing speech and language therapy, NHS management, maternity campaigning and being President of a charity, she now works for Sure Start. She lives in Ireland with her husband, children, and dog.

Website | Facebook

 

#CoverReveal Baby Daddy by Kendall Ryan @KendallRyan1 @InkSlingerPR

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment

I am thrilled to bring you the cover for the brand new hot and hilarious standalone from New York Times bestseller Kendall Ryan.

(I can’t wait to read it. Just look at this cover! 😜)

 

BABY DADDY releases on February 27th!

 

 

 

A hot and hilarious new standalone from New York Times bestseller Kendall Ryan.

We met in a trapped elevator.

Emmett was on his way to work, sophisticated and handsome in his tailored suit and tie.

I was on my way to the sperm bank. Awkward, right?

At thirty-five, my life hadn’t taken the path I thought it would and I was tired of waiting—I wanted a baby. And I was ready to take matters into my own hands to make it happen.

After our ill-fated elevator encounter, Emmett insisted on taking me to dinner—he also insisted on something else—that I ditch my plan involving a turkey baster and let him do the job. He would be my baby daddy. He was a wealthy and powerful CEO with little interest in diapers or playdates. And since he didn’t want kids, I’d be on my own once his bun was in my oven, free to go my own way.

But once his baby was inside me, it was like a switch had been flipped, and I got a whole lot more than I ever bargained for.

This full-length standalone contains a hot, swoonworthy hero, lots of playful banter and some hot baby-making ! Enjoy.

 

PRE-ORDER NOW

Amazon | Amazon.UK | Amazon.CA | Amazon.AU | iBooks

 

 

About the Author:

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She’s a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she’s appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.

Visit her at: http://www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTREST | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB | NEWSLETTER