Showing posts with label Ashley Munoz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ashley Munoz. Show all posts

Monday, April 24, 2023

What I Read Last Week

Happy Monday! 

Last week went by in a flash. Honestly my nose was in my kindle for the majority of it. Or at least it seems that way. Also, I can say with confidence that my minor reading slump is officially over. HOORAY!


Why do I say that? Well I read 8 books last week. Four of them were read in 2 days. I know. Trust me. I know. I also ignored all daytime responsibilities, okay after dinner responsibilities as well, to accomplish that. I regret nothing.

What did you read last week? Any standouts? Any duds? Have you read any of the books I've mentioned below?

Hope you have a great reading week!
Laura

Friday, March 24, 2023

6 Baseball Romance Recommendations

Two years ago I wrote a similar post to this. In that Baseball Romance Series recommendations post I listed 4 series that I thought all baseball romance lovers would enjoy. I stand by those recommendations to this day. I loved all of those books, and still think of them fondly. Heck I still recommend them to people who are looking for baseball romances!

So here we are in 2023 and I'm back with new recommendations. These titles have come out in the last 18 months or so. They all captured my attention for various reasons, and I think you should read them.

Since spring training is currently in full force it is the perfect time to grab a baseball romance, and immerse yourself into the world of baseball. Which books do I suggest? Let's head to the field and find out.


Vegas Heat by Lisa Suzanne


This series should come as no surprise. I've read the first four books, and am eagerly awaiting the fifth to arrive on my kindle. This first season of the Vegas Heat follows Cooper and Gabby. They met at a blackjack table in Vegas on Gabby's 21st birthday. Gabby had no clue who Cooper was, all she knew was that she was instantly attracted to him. It was only later that she found out that 1) there is a 12 year age gap, 2) he's moving to Vegas for his job, and much much later she found out that 3) he's her dad's best friend. Naturally they are keeping this relationship quiet because Troy does not want his daughter with a baseball player, nor does he want her dating someone THAT much older than she is. Yet the attraction is strong, and these two cannot stay away from each other. Should you choose to pick up this series, I actually suggest waiting until April 13 or at least pretty close to that. Why April 13? That is the day that Hardball, book 5, releases. If you wait until then, you don't have to really subject yourself to the cliffhangers, as you'll have all the books available to you.

The Wrong Pitch by Brittany Taylor

This college romance from Brittany Taylor was SO GOOD! I loved the meet-cute, I loved the hate-to-love, then there was the brother's best friend trope as well, and I was just hooked. The Wrong Pitch just released today, and if you'd like to read my full review you can do so here.


The Third Baseman by Lulu Moore

Full disclosure...this book isn't out yet. It comes out on March 29, and I read an advanced copy of the book. My review can be read in this blog post. I'll be honest and say that I had mixed feelings with The Third Baseman. I enjoyed many aspects of it, but there were others I didn't enjoy as much. Part of that I attribute to the fact that this was my introduction to the author, and the content of this book really carried over to previous titles. So why should you read it if I had mixed feelings? The obvious answer is that everyone experiences books differently, and my feelings won't be yours. Alternately it's a good second chance romance. It's set 14 years after the heartbreak, and the storyline bounced between modern day and the past. It was interesting to see how the characters have changed, and in some ways how they've remained the same.


Fake Love by Jocelyne Soto

This book was a bit of an emotional roller coaster. From the drug issues, to his mom’s health issues, to being traded, to meeting Jen, to coming up with this fake relationship plan, to everything that happened next, I was hooked. Jocelyne Soto created a wonderful story. While Maddox wasn’t always my cup of tea, in the end I came around to him. This book was emotional, it was steamy, and I could not put it down.


Wild Card by Ashley Munoz

This college sports romance was a doozy! There's drama, suspense, and of course a romance. Mallory is a school journalist, and she just got the tip of a lifetime. Talk about being in the right place at the right time! Only this potential story is going to cause some issues. Decker happens to be on the baseball team, and while he knows a bit about this card game he doesn't know the full story. He's also not keen on Mallory digging into it. Yet they work together. The connection these two had was impressive, even with them trying to deny it. Should you read Wild Card, be prepared for slow burn. Although I will say it is worth it. I absolutely loved Wild Card from start to finish. Loved the book. Loved the characters. 


Caught Looking by Aven Ellis

It's no secret that I am a major fan of Aven's storytelling, as well as her characters. There is just something about the way she brings these people to life that has me wanting to befriend them. Chase and Meghan were no different. I was drawn to them, and just wanted to stay with them for as long as possible. This may have started as a fake relationship, but it quickly morphed into something real. Yet things were not going smoothly. There were issues to be discussed, to be worked through, and trust to be built. Caught Looking is the FOURTH book in the DC Soaring Eagles series, and while you can read them out of order, I think it gives the best effect to start at the beginning.


So tell me, have you read any of these titles? If you did, how did you rate them? If you haven't, do you think you'll pick them up? What are some of your favorite baseball romances? Give me some recommendations!

Happy Reading,
Laura




Please note:

I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program.

Purchases made through links above allow me to earn a small commission.

Thank you!

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

The Wrong Boy by Ashley Munoz {a review}

The Wrong Boy, a swoon-worthy small-town second-chance romance set in The All American Boy Series from bestselling author Ashley Munoz, is live now!

Imagine owning a little B&B in your small town, and it's in dire need of renovation. But the only general contractor in town is your ex. What do you do? Besides go to different towns and try to get quotes from those companies. If that fails, then what? Can you set your feelings aside, and go hire this person who destroyed you? Well that's what Tilly is dealing with. All while still not being over the relationship. Even though it's been years.

This little small town romance had my curiosity. 

Right from the beginning I found myself wondering what went down between Tilly and Oaks. It had been 5 years, but the heartache was still strong for both of them. 

I loved getting to see them bicker, and trying to resist the pull that they clearly had toward each other. The road back to forever wasn't a simple one. It was filled with pain, longing, anger, frustration, and love. It was so worth it to see these two find that happily ever after.

I do find myself curious about the inn. What is the history there? What happened in the space we don't talk about? I don't have closure on that, and my mind is whirling. (Plus what happened to Grandma and Mom?)

Even without the closure on that storyline, I fully enjoyed the book and seeing Oaks and Tilly get their second chance together.

The Wrong Boy was a great read. It is a novella, so it doesn't take overly long to read. But what Ashley Munoz puts in that space is wonderful. I love the characters she creates, and the worlds that she builds.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. I highly recommend picking up this new release, as well as checking out other books in the All American Boy series.

Happy Reading,
Laura


He was the wrong boy for me then and he’d be the wrong boy for the job now.

Having a bed and breakfast with just one communal bathroom wasn’t working, and it was past time to bite the bullet and upgrade the inn.


There was just one small problem: In the small town of Deacon, Texas, there was only one contractor.

Yep, just one: Jonathan Oaks.

But it didn’t matter how skilled he was at building things when all I knew about him was how good at breaking my heart he was.

Five years could put a lot into perspective, but it wasn’t enough time to make me forget that he was the wrong boy for me then and he’d be the wrong boy for the job now.

I should have known better.

Jonathan Oaks wasn’t about to lose the chance to renovate my inn, or to rub in my face that he’d been right about us all along.

Grab your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Add to your Goodreads TBR!


Meet Ashley Munoz

Ashley resides in the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her four children and her husband. She loves coffee, reading fantasy, and writing about people who kiss and cuss.

Connect with Ashley




Thank you to Ashley Munoz, and Social Butterfly PR, for providing me with an advanced review copy of The Wrong Boy.

Friday, January 28, 2022

The Joker by Ashley Munoz {a review}

 

The Joker by Ashley Munoz is now available! This is the third, and final, book in the Rake Forge University series and it will demand your attention. You do not want to miss out on this frenemies to lovers mafia romance.

Ooh, what a story!

If you've read the previous two books in the series, then you know that Kyle has been working with his Uncle Scotty for a while now. You also know that it felt a bit suspicious, and you just had this feeling that he was up to no good. Well, The Joker fills us in on what exactly Kyle has done, and what the plan for the future is.

As the story starts, Kyle and Rylie are finishing up their senior year of high school. They are having fun, doing all the usual things, and have created a plan for the summer. Yet in the back of Rylie's mind, she knows that Kyle is hiding something, and it isn't sitting right with her. Still though she continues on, and they move forward with their original plan. One thing to note is that Rylie has been in love with Kyle for as long as she can remember. Deep down she knows he is her person, but she assumes he doesn't feel the same. Flash forward to shortly before college starts. Kyle appears at Rylie's house one night, and they spend a steamy night together. When Rylie's parents arrive home the next morning, Kyle leaves. But he doesn't just leave her house, he leaves the country! We see Rylie continue on with her college plans. We see her grieve the relationship. We see her grieve a loss. We see her working at an establishment that is known for having the local mafia families in attendance. Then we also see her visiting her dad. So basically she's moving on with her life to the best of her ability. Then one day, Kyle's back. Except she doesn't fully realize it's him at first. Yet she feels the connection, the draw. As for Kyle, he immediately knows that it's Rylie. He'd know her anywhere. From here on out, things pick up speed, and it is a wild ride.

I honestly wasn't sure how invested I was going to be in Rylie and Kyle's story. We had only seen small glimpses of them in the previous two stories, so I didn't "know" them. Yet here I am having recently finished the story, and I absolutely loved their story!

From their pact for the summer before college, to the heartache, to the reunion, to all the drama, it was just fantastic.

The storyline with Rylie's dad? OH MY WORD. Dang. I mean I kind of saw that coming, but at the same time I didn't see it at that level. So that was something.

If you've read the previous two books in the Rake Forge University series, then you need to read Kyle and Rylie's story to see how everything plays out.

I gave The Joker 4.5 stars on Goodreads. Seriously so dang good, and the amount of action was amazing. Ashley Munoz did a fabulous job with this book, and really the entire series. Kudos.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on The Joker. Please go read this book! Then come talk to me about it.

Laura

Cover Design: Amanda Simpson @ Pixel Mischief Designs

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.



Add to your Goodreads TBR!



New to Rake Forge University? Start from the beginning:






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.

Connect with Ashley






Hosted by:


Thank you to Ashley Munoz, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of The Joker.

Friday, December 17, 2021

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.



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

Friday, November 5, 2021

King of Hearts by Ashley Munoz {a review}


King of Hearts, book 2 in the Rake Forge University series by Ashley Munoz is LIVE! Do not miss this arranged marriage romance! Just a heads up, it is recommended that you read Wild Card before reading King of Hearts. So please keep that in mind.

We originally met Taylor and Juan in Wild Card. Taylor is Mallory's sister, and Juan just happens to be Mallory's best friend. They all attended college together at Rake Forge University. Since Mallory, Decker, and Juan all graduated, things have changed. Taylor has changed, and her life is about to change in a major way on her 21st birthday. She needs to find a way to stop what is supposed to happen, while also protecting her baby. Because yes, she's pregnant. And alone. Then there is Juan. He graduated from Rake Forge, signed a contract with a local team, and when his connections were figured out, that contract was gone. So what now? Can he pursue his dreams, or is he destined to be pulled into the family business? What's going on with Taylor? Can he save her?

I went into King of Hearts thinking, oh this will be a cute little college, opposites attract, best friends sibling, sports romance. HAHAHAHAHAHA. NO. NO that is not what this is. What this book is though, is amazing. Yes, it is opposites attract. Yes it is falling for your best friend's sibling. It is also an arranged marriage (not between Taylor and Juan). It is also a mafia romance. And our main characters? Their family businesses are not what you'd expect. Turns out they both have a little darkness in their past. One thing I want to say before I gush about the book. I did not like the Juan the asshole aspect of the storyline. Yes, it helped fill the hate to love trope, but that just didn't seem to fit the Juan we had met in Wild Card. Honestly though, that was the only thing I didn't like. I loved how protective Juan was. I loved how he jumped back into the thing he didn't want in order to change what was planned. I loved how strong Taylor was. How determined she was. She too was protective. Then with how these two finally came together? Fabulous. Oh, and that big showdown? WHAT?!? FANTASTIC.  There is so much more that I want to say, but I don't want to ruin anything either.

I obviously loved the characters.

I also enjoyed the setting. Then there was that storyline that took me completely by surprise. I'm head over heels for that. I am now eagerly anticipating The Joker, because I need more of these characters. It will be interesting to see Mal, Decker, Taylor, and Juan as the side characters in that book, and to find out how they are involved in it all.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on King of Hearts. You need to read this book. You just need to. I can't say any more than that. Read King of Hearts, and then find me so we can talk.

Laura


Failing out of college wasn’t on my dream board.

Neither was getting knocked up.

Just the same, here I am, ready to start another year at Rake Forge University, pregnant and currently homeless.

And it looks like I’m not the only one who’s returned.

Juan Hernandez, my sister’s best friend, saunters through campus with that granite jaw and those raven strands of hair kissing his brow, his whiskey eyes searing everyone to ash.

I’ve avoided him for months, but the second he sees me, the jig is up.

The first thing he does is steal my lips in a ravishing kiss.

A punishment.

The second thing he does is rescue me from sleeping in my car.

A lesson.

Living with him will never work, not with how brash his words are, how hot his constant stare, or how he touches me.

His fingers brand my skin as if he owns me, and on some level, I know he wants to.

What he doesn’t know is that I belong to another man…and come my twenty-first birthday, I’ll return to him whether I want to or not.



Add King of Hearts to your Goodreads TBR!






Grab Wild Card, Book 1 in the Rake Forge University series today!


Coming January 2022


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.

Connect with Ashley





Hosted by:


Thank you to Ashley Munoz, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of King of Hearts.

Monday, October 4, 2021

King of Hearts COVER REVEAL!!

 

🖤🖤 𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗟 🖤🖤

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗼𝘇 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟮 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀! 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲!


Failing out of college wasn’t on my dream board.

Neither was getting knocked up.

Just the same, here I am, ready to start another year at Rake Forge University, pregnant and currently homeless.

And it looks like I’m not the only one who’s returned.

Juan Hernandez, my sister’s best friend, saunters through campus with that granite jaw and those raven strands of hair kissing his brow, his whiskey eyes searing everyone to ash.

I’ve avoided him for months, but the second he sees me, the jig is up.

The first thing he does is steal my lips in a ravishing kiss.

A punishment.

The second thing he does is rescue me from sleeping in my car.

A lesson.

Living with him will never work, not with how brash his words are, how hot his constant stare is, or how he touches me.

His fingers brand my skin as if he owns me, and on some level, I know he wants to.

What he doesn’t know is that I belong to another man…and come my twenty-first birthday, I’ll return to him whether I want to or not.


Pre-order now on AMAZON UNIVERSAL!

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.

Connect with Ashley

Thursday, August 12, 2021

Wild Card {a review}

Wild Card by Ashley Munoz is now available! This new adult sports romance will capture your attention. You'll find yourself wondering what is happening, how all this can occur without any questions, and you'll also witness two people fall in love.

In Wild Card we meet Mallory Shaw. She is a journalist at the college, and is working on a major story. Until her advisor scraps it last minute. Now she needs to find a new topic. And this new topic all but falls in her hand. When out with her friends, she overhears a conversation, which sparks curiosity. Then when she gets home, Mallory discovers that her stepsister has a card for this game. Mallory manages to attend the party, in place of her sister who has become ill, and it is at this party that she meets "Ethan". Except it isn't truly Ethan, it is Decker James filling in for him. Only Mallory doesn't know that. After all she's pretending to be her sister, so there's that. Things happen, Mallory begins to work this story, and she also sets up an arrangement with Decker. Can Mallory bring this game to light? Or will she be shut down before anything can happen? Also, can she ignore her attraction to Decker? Especially since his goal is to get close to her sister. Then there is the rivalry between Decker and Ethan. What's going on there? I could go on and on.

This book had my attention from the beginning. When Mallory's initial story was scrapped, it made me wonder what her advisor had against her. That character came across as an ass who was on a power trip. Then when Mallory heard what she did at the restaurant, that piqued my interest as well. What was the baseball team planning with this card game? And why were they discussing it in a public setting vs at their house? I was definitely drawn to Mallory and Decker. The connection they had was impressive, even with them trying to deny it. Should you read Wild Card, be prepared for slow burn. Although I will say it is worth it. Loved when Decker brought Mallory back to his home town, and introduced her to the family. That was revealing a part of himself that I don't think Decker had planned on showing. It was him being vulnerable, and hoping that Mallory would accept him through it all. As the story progressed, I found myself becoming curious about what was happening with Mallory's dad. What was his roll in all this? And when things were revealed? OH MY WORD. Did not see that coming. I absolutely loved Wild Card from start to finish. Yes there were times that I wanted to knock some sense into Mallory and Decker. These two just needed to talk openly, and without holding back, yet they couldn't. That was a bit frustrating. I will say that Decker's grand gesture made me oh so happy. He didn't need to do what he did, but I am so glad that he did. Then it was Mallory's turn, and oh my heart, yes. Just yes.

Loved the book. Loved the characters. Fantastic setting. Definitely want to go back and revisit it all. I am looking forward to reading King of Hearts when it releases in November.

If you enjoy romantic suspense, sports romance, slow burn, and the college setting, then I highly recommend picking up Wild Card. I think you'll enjoy it.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura



 


This was it…I could see it in my editor’s eyes.

This was the last straw. One more misstep and I was going to lose my coveted internship.

I decided right there in my room, lime-flavored tortilla chips in hand, that I would do whatever it took to write the story of the century.

And I had my target in sight—the undefeated Devil’s baseball team. They were RFU royalty, and completely untouchable.

Their parties were impossible to get into unless you were handpicked, and I was not.

Even still, I had a solid plan.

I would not get caught, definitely not seduced, and absolutely wouldn’t die. That is until I was stopped and rendered totally speechless by a pair of mossy eyes.

He lured me in, close enough to feel the press of his mouth against my skin and the heat of his hands on my body. Undoubtedly, I was a sheep headed straight for the slaughter, which only proved true when he called my bluff.

With him holding all the cards for my future success, and in order to salvage what remained of my dream, I did the only thing I could.

I made a deal with a devil.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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


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Thank you to Ashley Munoz, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Wild Card.