I'm Participating!

Those who have been around the book community for a while are probably familiar with the Buzzword reading challenge that Books and Lala hosts.

If you are not familiar with it, this is a monthly challenge. Each month has a different prompt. That month's topic must appear in the title of a book. Need more of an explanation? I suggest watching Kayla's video.

For January, the prompt is the 5 w's: who, what, where, when, why, and (of course) how. So if one of those six words is in a book title for the month you're good to go!

I had planned on participated in 2021, but then changed my mind at the last moment. In 2022 though, I am in! I've looked at my ARCs to see if any of those fit for January. As of right now they don't. So I'm going to need to go digging through the books on my kindle to see what will fit the prompt. 

Are you participating this year? Have you participated in the past?

Laura

2021 Year in Review

 
It is time to say goodbye to 2021, and start looking forward to 2022! 

Who would have thought that, after almost 2 years, our world would still be dealing with this major event. The latest version recently visited my house, and it was an unwelcome guest. Thankfully we are bouncing back, and all returning to our usual selves.

In 2021 my kindle was very well used. Very few days went by where it wasn't utilized. For someone who used to question the need for an e-reader, I sure have changed my tune. Now I buy very few physical books, and instead opt for the e-book. Well that is unless it's an absolute favorite, then I HAVE to own a physical copy for my trophy shelf.

I have continued to utilize Goodreads to keep track of my quantity of books, my average rating, and also at the end of the year it lets me know how many pages I have read. One of the questions below is most read genre, and we all know what genre wins.

Let's answer these questions. I'm curious to see what has changed from 2020!

The first book that I read in 2021 was High Risk Rookie by Odette Stone. This was such an anticipated read, and I remember being surprised when it was released. I don't recall any promo for it leading up to release day, and oh how quickly I "ran" to Amazon to download it. 

My current read is The Hustler by Gina Azzi. It is the 8th book in her Boston Hawks hockey series, and it is a hidden identity book. I'm here for it. If you want to read it, it is coming out on January 6th.

At the time I am writing this, I have read 321 books. I am confident that I will at least finish The Hustler, and maybe just maybe I can fit in one more book. Time will tell.

As of today my page count is 54,498. That makes my average book length about 169 pages.

Oof that is down from 2020! In 2020 I had read over 80k pages and my average was closer to 250 per book. Oh well.

I have actually selected a favorite of 2021! I shared that info in my 12 days of Christmas book tag. So go see what book I selected.

I also have my favorite by the month too. Which was how the yearly favorite was chosen. Curious what titles made the list? Go read my Monthly Favorites of 2021 post.

In no particular order:

• Aven Ellis
  
• Natasha Madison
• April Canavan
• Samantha Lovelock
• Kristin Turnage
• Laura Lee

I read quite a few "new to me" authors in 2021! Some of these made their debut in 2021, others have been around for a smidgen longer. No matter what, I have found them, and I'm here to support them.

• Samantha Lovelock
• Kristin Turnage
• April Canavan
  
• Mary Morano
• Lisa Suzanne
• Anna Brooks
• Paula Dombrowiak
• Ellie Masters
• Gina Azzi
• Rebecca Jenshak

Do we even need to discuss this one? 🤣  It's romance.

Um, non-fiction, or really any other genre than romance. 

Oh I wrote an entire post about this! I do need to go back and add a couple to the list, that is for certain. Those two additions are Only One Mistake by Natasha Madison, and The O Zone by Kelly Jamieson. Oh my heart.

I LOVE BOOK SERIES!

That being said, I also answered this question on my 12 days of Christmas post. It was by a new to me author, and she is now an auto-buy author for me.

My reading goal is once again going to be 150 books.

Also, I've said it before (maybe not here, but elsewhere) I want to read The Lord of the Rings. They are sitting on my bookshelf just staring at me, and I feel like it's time. Plus then I can have a Peter Jackson movie marathon once I'm done. I freaking love those movies.

As for reading challenges...In 2022 I plan on participating in the A-Z title challenge, as well as the A-Z author challenge. I am also joining the Buzzword-athon that Books and LaLa hosts. Other challenges may pop up here and there, but I'm not even thinking about those right now.

In regards to my blog, I am still formulating those goals. One that I have set in stone is to have one non-review post go up per week. I may increase this as the weeks go on, but that is my one set in stone goal.

When it comes to social media, I am also still thinking on that. I do want to resume my Instagram, and find ways to grow that space while sharing the books I am reading. So I am currently thinking of how I can create content, and what the appropriate amount of posting is for me. I also am researching IG Reels, as I want to delve into that space. For Facebook, that is still where I share a lot of new release promo materials (cover reveals, teaser blasts, release day announcements), share my blog posts, and also the occasional meme/graphic. My plans for 2022 are to continue doing just that.

Let's talk my goals surrounding advanced reading copies. Because I have them. In 2021 I started off light and easy. Then suddenly April hit, and my calendar became overfilled. This continued through November. So in 2022, I am pulling back slightly. I am going to become a bit choosier about the books I receive, as well as the authors who I work with. There's a fine line there that I want to walk. Especially since I want to read more of what is already on my kindle. 

Tell me about how your reading went this year! Also, what are your bookish goals for 2022?

Happy Reading,

Laura

Eden by Xavier Neal {a review}

EDEN by Xavier Neal is now available! This book takes place in the village of Doctenn. If you're a fan of Xavier Neal's creations, then you may recognize that name from the Duched trilogy. Now don't worry, you do not need to read that prior to reading Eden. Eden is a complete standalone. So rest easy.

Prepare yourselves though. Eden is a dark, forbidden, taboo romance with hints of suspense. I should also mention that it is also a romance between three people. This book may push you past your comfort zones. Please keep that in mind if you choose to pick it up.

Note from the author:

This novel is not a "safe" read. It contains adult content (18+) including mature subjects, explicit language, and graphic/detailed sex scenes. Some readers may be triggered by scenes, topics, or language included in it. Some readers may view the choices as "non-romance" or worse. If you are a sensitive reader or expecting a traditional style romance, I suggest you rethink your choice to read this novel.

Eden grew up in Doctenn. Her mom was the nanny for the Lawson boys, and her dad also worked for the Lawsons family. Because her mom was the nanny, Eden spent time with Thatcher and Ian. As they grew up, they realized that they had a connection that could not be rivaled by anyone else. On the night they were going to take their relationship public, Eden had her heartbroken instead. This lead to her leaving Doctenn to pursue her education in the States. But you see things at the Lawson home were not all they appeared to be. This home was troubled. The father was not a kind man, and did not approve of many things. Getting Eden out of town was his priority, and he didn't care who he hurt in the process. She would ruin his boys. Now Eden is back due to a temporary job with the royal family. Thatcher and Ian are aware of this, and they are determined to get their trio back together. If only it were that simple. Forces are fighting against them. Who is behind it all? What will they do to put an end to this? Can Eden and her men get their happily ever after? Or is this destined to all go up in flames?

“Thee and thine, me and mine.”

If you know me, you know that taboo and forbidden reads are not my normal reads. Yet there was something about the description of Eden that drew me in. Now I do read dark romances on occasion. That being said, Eden was quite possibly the darkest that I have read.

I knew going in that this was a dark, forbidden/taboo romance. And it definitely lived up to that description. What I was not expecting was the mafia-esque moments that occurred. I'd love to expand upon that, but it would be a spoiler. I'm not going that route.

Ian and Thatcher did everything that they could to have Eden return to them. What happened after her return to Doctenn, and the Lawsons, was wild. There were multiple people involved, and it took time to learn the entirety of it all. It was as this was all unfolding that the darker elements began appearing. And when those moments came in, they were intense. Dang! Now this is where your boundaries may be pushed a little bit.

One thing to know about Thatcher and Ian, they are professional divers. They've earned many medals, and are well known in the diving community. That being said, their diving coach is an ass. He is rude, and clearly has learned his people skills from Mr Lawson. As in he has none. And he has his favorite target. That breaks my heart.

Speaking of Mr Lawson (as in their father), the things he has done are 100% unacceptable. I get it. He has money. He has power. He has influence. But DAMN!

Eden wasn’t my typical read, and it was occasionally a bit much for me, BUT I still enjoyed the overall story. Thatcher and Ian are willing to do everything and anything to protect the people they hold dearly.

If you are someone who can handle reading a darker taboo romance, give Eden a read.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura

Cover Design: Dana Leah

 

How far will they go to protect paradise...

From a very early age, I was warned to stay away from the Lawson brothers...

It didn't matter they weren't biological brothers or that one had been adopted on a guilt-driven whim. They considered one another family. They shared a bond like any other brothers would.

Except it ran much deeper.

Darker.

Dirtier.

They had all the power, money, and hunger capable of destroying anyone who stood in their way as they trained to become icons the world watched every four years bring home gold medals.

Little did anyone know, there was only one thing the legends worshipped more than their beloved sport.

Me.

*Eden is a forbidden, taboo, MMF, dark romance novel that includes several triggers.*

 

 

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About the Author

Xavier Neal is a best-selling romance author who enjoys hopping from sub genre to sub genre like a game of Hopscotch she can't resist.

In between writing, she loves to read (everything from romance to self improvement books), watch movies (old and new), eat too much Tex-Mex (her Chuy's t-shirt collection is out of control), and watch AHL hockey games LIVE (preferably against the glass whenever possible). 

She currently resides happily in Texas with her bearded husband "Lumberjack" and their two fur babies.

Connect with Xavier

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads | Twitter | Pinterest | TikTok | Spotify | Merch Shop

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Thank you to Xavier Neal, and Candi Kane PR, for providing me with a review copy of Eden.

Favorite Books of each Month {2021}

If you read my 12 days of Christmas post, then you know which book was declared my FAVORITE of 2021! Believe me when I say that was not an easy declaration to make, but I am sticking with that selection.

Throughout 2021 I kept a list in my planner for my monthly favorite. Some months were easier to choose than others, I will say that! Occasionally there were those months where a few books would stand out, but I would force myself to narrow it down to just the one.

So what books were my monthly favorites? Let's take a gander.

The Plan by Karla Sorensen {cover reveal}

Cover Design: Qamber Designs  Cover Photography: Wander Aguiar Cover Model: Andrew Biernat  

 

Release Date: February 9

Have you ever fake dated your bodyguard? I don't recommend it. 

 

Especially if he's anything like Erik Wilder: former football player, world class know-it-all and unapologetic grump. 

 

To be clear, I didn't want a bodyguard (hence the fake dating idea). Most days, I can’t figure out why he wants the job either. We drive each other insane, probably because we’re as opposite as two people can be. 

 

He’s suspicious, never talks about his past and has the comfort skills of a cactus. I’m a happily ever after kinda girl who knows exactly what she wants out of life. 

 

Erik’s words might say that the lines have to stay firm between us, but those dark eyes of his? They tell another story when he looks at me. 

 

He’s just as stubborn as I am, but when our fake dating plan starts to feel a lot more real, it's only a matter of time before his professional walls come crashing down.  

I just have to hope my heart doesn't get buried in the rubble.

Pre-Order Your Copy Here!

Add to your Goodreads TBR List! 

Meet Karla Sorensen

Well, let’s see ... I’m a wife and a mother. If the things that I write bring a smile to someone's face, then I've done my job.  

I am obsessed with Outlander (both the books and the show). I’m almost exclusively a romance reader, which means some people will never consider me a literary snob. 

If I could meet one historical figure, it would be Jane Austen. I received my Bachelors in Public Relations and worked in health care marketing before I had my babies. 

I hate Twitter. I do it, but I hate it. Also, if you want to get on my good side, bring me wine and I'll love you forever. 

Connect with Karla Sorensen

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | BookBub | Reader Group

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Off the Bench by Alley Ciz {a review}

 

Calling all U of J fans! Today is the day you have been waiting for. Off the Bench by Alley Ciz is NOW AVAILABLE! Run to Amazon and grab this book. It was SO GOOD.

Quinn has had her eyes on CK for quite a while now, but he pays her no attention. It's frustrating. No matter how much she flirts with him, he doesn't seem to be interested. It's even worse now that they both living in the same place with their friends. They see each other constantly. CK is only interested in friendship. Or is he? CK struggles with thoughts of his past that keep popping up in his mind. Once a nerd always a nerd, and the athletes are beyond his level. They could never be friends with him. Athletes always want something from him. Except with this group who has adopted him. They seem genuine. Yet that nagging voice keeps popping up that he isn't worthy of a relationship with them. Especially not with Quinn. He's doing a great job of keeping his distance. That is until he mentions a dating app that he's on. Suddenly Quinn is taking him under her wing, and has agreed to be his dating coach. Can this work out? Can she coach him through his awkward dating skills? Can he manage a relationship with someone? What about Quinn, can she handle seeing CK date someone else? Will she ever confess her feelings?

This was my first UofJ book, but dang if I'm not going back to read Kay and Mason's trilogy! Those two seem intense. Plus I am really enjoying this cast of characters. Then there's the fact that Savvy and Carter both made appearances. Carter's little side story has me curious as to when that book will be written. That is going to be explosive. Back to CK and Quinn though. This book is opposites attract. It's forced proximity. CK is absolutely adorkable! I want to know more about this video game he's creating too! I loved these two. Quinn is a strong, outspoken woman, who isn't afraid to go after what she wants. Obviously CK is a bit of an exception for that, until it's not. Quinn isn't going to let her mother's thoughts hold her back. She's getting her education, and not the MRS degree her mother thinks she should get. Throughout this book I loved seeing CK bloom. He was finding himself, and some of that was with Quinn's pushing of his boundaries. When the big dramatic moment happened, my heart sank a bit. These two had just found their way to each other, and now it was up in flames. But it was because of this that CK really stepped up. He trusted his friends, and followed his heart. Loved it. Absolutely loved it.

From the characters, to the setting, to the storyline, this book had my complete attention. I didn't want to set it down, but being sick doesn't always allow me to push through. Thankfully that virus is just about gone, so that helps.

If you are a fan of college romances that feature the opposites attract, friends to lovers, and/or forced proximity tropes, then please go grab this one. This could also be considered a sports romance too as Quinn is a very skilled cheerleader.

I want more of this setting, and the characters! Alley Ciz has created a very strong group of friends, and oh how I wish I could meet them all.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Off the Bench. I hope you'll consider giving this new release a read. If you have KU it is included with your subscription!

Laura

@UofJ411: What’s happening here?

#TheyDoSayOppositesAttract #WhereAreAllThePost-its

On a scale of one to ten, Quinn Thompson is a fifteen.

Gorgeous. Fiery. A cheerleader so far out of my league it’s embarrassing that I even fantasize about her.

I need to find a way to shut down the dirty thoughts she inspires before it’s too late.

If I don’t, this whole new life of mine is at risk.

Easier said than done when temptation lives right down the hall.

For such a smart guy, CK can be surprisingly clueless.

Sweet. Shy. The star of all my naughty nerd fantasies, but utterly blind to my flirtations. 

Giving in to his plea to be his love coach may seem drastic, but I’m desperate for the chance to come off the bench.

Too bad the friend zone was a hell of a lot safer for my heart.

READ NOW ON AMAZON!

Add Quinn & CK's story to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Alley

Alley Ciz is an internationally bestselling indie author of sassy heroines and the alpha men that fall on their knees for them. She is a romance junkie whose love for books turned into her telling the stories of the crazies who live in her head…even if they don’t know how to stay in their lane.

This Potterhead can typically be found in the wild wearing a funny T-shirt, connected to an IV drip of coffee, stuffing her face with pizza and tacos, chasing behind her 3 minis, all while her 95lb yellow lab—the best behaved child—watches on in amusement.

Where to find Alley

Facebook | Facebook Group | Goodreads | Newsletter | Instagram | Pinterest | Website | YouTube | Amazon | BookBub | TikTok

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Thank you to Alley Ciz, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with a review copy of Off the Bench.

Be back soon

 Happy Holidays all my fellow bookworms!

I'm going to be posting sporadically over the next two weeks. One it's winter break for my kids, and two, so far one kid has been hit with the virus. So obviously my attention will be focused there.

Enjoy your holiday season with family and friends. See you back here soon.

Laura

Notes on Love by Naaz Spencer {cover reveal}

Naaz Spencer has just revealed the cover for Notes on Love! This is the first book that Naaz has released, and it is sure to be a wonderful read. If not a bit emotional at times.  

This book contains topics that some may find triggering. These include discussion of  loss, grief, suicide, infertility, mature language and sexually explicit scenes.

Save the date for January 22 when you will get to meet Seth and Kiran!

Seth

 

Six months away, nursing heartbreak, and my father plucks a ray of sunshine from the sky and puts her in the office opposite mine.

Kiran Jafri is the one thing I hate - happy.

She’s an explosion of colour in one gorgeous package and I should stay away.

But Kiran’s warmth is all I’ve ever craved and avoiding her isn’t an option.

The more I learn about her, the more complicated it gets.

I’ll figure out a way to prove this is worth it.

Kiran

 

Moving to London is a fresh start.

New office. A personal assistant. And a stunning boss who is missing a heart in his chest.

Seth Sinclair is the office grump and fate seems to throw us together.

No matter how hard I try, I can’t stay away.

He’s something I want when I definitely shouldn’t.

It’s too complicated and I can’t trust myself not to mess up.

But Seth’s reminding me of one thing I thought I lost - hope.

Is it really possible for me to have it all?

Preorder Your Copy Here

Meet Naaz Spencer.

Naaz Spencer is the pen name of Zavi James.

Naaz Spencer spends most of her time rushing around a laboratory and trying to make people believe she has her life in order. After a near death experience, she decided to flex her fingers and take a stab at writing as that had always been her childhood dream. Now, she splits her time between experiments and fictional worlds and enjoys getting people to swoon and cry over her creations.

When she’s not writing and working, she can be found traveling across the world in a bid to find inspiration and unleashing her chaos on social media.

For more information about Naaz Spencer, visit:

https://linktr.ee/naazspencer

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Cocky Hotshot by Anne Marsh {a review}

Cocky Hotshot by Anne Marsh is the brand new addition to the Cocky Hero Club! The Cocky Hero Club is original works from various authors whose stories are inspired by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward's New York Times bestselling Cocky Bastard series.

Cocky Hotshot is a forced proximity, opposites attract, hate to love story. In the beginning we met Peony Bloom. She is a programmer who created a unique code that could calculate the probability of a couple staying together. From that code she started a business called The Odds of Us. She ran the business with her boyfriend Chris. They had planned a romantic getaway at a remote cabin in the Klamath moutains in California. As Peony was enroute, Chris called. He wasn't coming. He was ending their relationship. He had moved on. But the real kicker was that he was selling her company! In two days! Peony was on this mountain, and had to get back down. It is then that she notices smoke up the mountain. A fire. Shortly after that, while in a panic, she meets Bane Wilson. A hotshot firefighter who offers to guide her back down the mountain in exchange for her taking him to San Fransisco. The smoke is getting closer so they need to get a move on. These two are destined for a whirlwind romance, but can it survive when reality sets in?

When I read the description for Cocky Hotshot, I was immediately intrigued. A road trip and whirlwind romance with a hotshot firefighter who rescued you from the mountain? Um, yes please.While there was a romance and a road trip after being guided down the mountain, this just didn't feel like what I was being sold on based on the description.

What happened to Bane being a firefighter? Even if he was a firefighter, his crew would have known he was separated from the group. Yet it was no big deal that he just wandered off with this random woman. Since it took a few days for Peony and Bane to make it back down the mountain, how long was she hiking up to the remote cabin? How did she not realize she was so far away from her vehicle. She seems like a smart woman who would have researched the crap out of the location of this "romantic getaway". In regards to Peony's business, and former partner, um what? Can that even happen? My gut tells me no.

The steamy moments between Peony and Bane, were definitely steamy. That being said, I felt no connection, no spark, between them. Peony was high maintenance and annoying. Bane was at least a bit likable, and he definitely had the alpha-hole persona going. I did find myself curious about him though, especially since he was dodging questions regarding his job.

This hate to love, opposites attract, forced proximity story had so much potential. Yet at the end of the day, it was a miss for me. Were there parts that I enjoyed? Yeah, there were. I enjoyed their banter on the mountain. I enjoyed how Bane pushed her out of her comfort zones. On Goodreads I gave this book a rating of 2 stars.

Thank you for reading my thoughts on Cocky Hotshot.

Laura

What do you do when your cheating business partner/boyfriend (bad, bad idea) announces he’s selling your software company on Thursday to fund his new life with his other girlfriend?

You hurry back to stop him, of course. He’s not getting rich on my dime! Or that would be the plan, but I’m currently lost in the Klamath Mountains, access to my car cut off by a California wildfire, and there’s no way I make it back in time.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, so I come up with a backup plan: putting the six-plus feet of hot, sexy, mountain man who crash-lands at my feet to good use (no, no that).

Bane Wilson is a very cocky hotshot firefighter with a dirty attitude. He never shuts up and he always jumps in feet-first. We clash over life choices, the value of having a good plan, and who’s the boss of who, but it turns out we both sing loudly when no one’s listening, love junk food, and have really lousy exes.

We make a deal. He’ll be my guide down the trail, and I’ll be his chauffeur back to San Francisco. Traveling together disrupts all my carefully laid plans—and no matter how many times I tell myself I don’t even like this guy, the California wilderness isn’t the only thing on fire. Bane and I have serious chemistry. He’s not Mr. Forever. He’s just Mr. Fun. There’s no future for us and we’re supposed to part ways as soon as we reach San Francisco, exactly as I planned. We’ve both been scarred by our pasts and I don’t take chances. Turns out, I never should have let him into my car, let alone my life—or my heart

Cocky Hotshot is a road trip/forced proximity romantic comedy inspired by Cocky Bastard.

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE IN AUDIO

DECEMBER RELEASES

Visit the Cocky Hero Club Website

AUTHOR BIO

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Anne Marsh writes funny, sexy romantic comedies and paranormal romance.

AUTHOR LINKS

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

COCKY HERO CLUB

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK PAGE | FACEBOOK GROUP | MAILING LIST | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | AMAZON | AUDIBLE

Thank you to Anne Marsh, and Give Me Books PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of Cocky Hotshot.

The Joker by Ashley Munoz {cover reveal}

🖤🖤 𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗟 🖤🖤

The Joker is the third, and final, book in the Rake Forge trilogy from Ashley Munoz!

You will not want to miss this friends to lovers to enemies romance.

Save the date for January 28!

Kyle James cashed in my V card and then disappeared like I was the finishing act in a magic show.

I vowed to hate my best friend, turn the longing and secret obsession with him into toxic hate and maybe a poorly chosen tattoo.

But as the years passed, I let go of any notions I'd ever see him again...until he sauntered on campus my senior year as a new transfer student.

All of Rake Forge was obsessed with his inked skin and that darkness that seemed to seep out of every methodical step he took.

I wasn't.

I knew the boy underneath, and while I wanted to know where he'd been...I would never ask.

Until my dad needed a favor.

His team required a way in with my ex-best friend and his contacts.

I knew Kyle would see through it...but I went anyway.

Suddenly, my world, made of black and white was bleeding color...and he was at the center, daring me to trust him.

My heart, blind and foolish chose to not only trust but to love him too.

I really should have known better.

I was merely a way in for my father, and for the man, I loved...I was just a way out.

Pre-Order Here!

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Ashley Munoz

Ashley was born in Nebraska, but raised in Oregon where she lives with her four children and husband. If she's not helping her husband with DIY projects around the house, she's writing or sneaking off to a corner to read.

Author Links

FB Author Page | ReaderGroup | Instagram | BB | GR | AMZ Author Page | Newsletter Sign up | TikTok