Monday, March 1, 2021

The Wedding Game {new release}

Hello my fellow readers,

Today the folks with Candy Kane PR asked me to share a promotional post for Meghan Quinn's brand new release, The Wedding Game!

Now you may recall that I read this book in February through the Amazon First Reads program. If you read my first weekly wrap up for Febraury, then you already know that I did enjoy the book. For the most part. With many books there are frequently little things here or there that might not vibe with the reader, and I had those moments. Okay fine, it was namely Thad who I had issues with.

Please enjoy this little promo piece that I have for you.

Thanks and happy reading,

Laura



THE WEDDING GAME by Meghan Quinn
Release Date: March 1st Genre: Contemporary Romance
Montlake Publishing


AVAILABLE NOW!! FREE in Kindle Unlimited!!

   

Blurb: 
USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn’s latest bauble is the charming story of a crafting queen battling a jaded divorce lawyer on a wedding reality show. 

Luna Wu is a veritable crafting genius—she can bedazzle and bead so hard her Etsy site is one of the hottest in the world. So it’s only natural that Luna would convince her brother and his husband-to-be to compete on The Wedding Game, a “do-it-yourself” TV show, for the title of Top DIY Wedding Expert. 

As a jaded divorce lawyer, Alec Baxter scoffs at weddings and romance. But when his recently engaged brother begs him to participate in The Wedding Game, Alec grudgingly picks up a glue gun and prepares for some family bonding. Both fierce competitors, Luna and Alec clash on national TV as harsh words and glitter fly with abandon. But as they bicker over color swatches and mood boards, they find themselves fighting something else: their growing mutual attraction. 

While Luna is torn between family loyalty and her own feelings, Alec wonders if he might have been wrong about love and marriage all along…   

    

Excerpt: 

“Are you ready?” Farrah says, coming from behind me and massaging my shoulders. I move my head side to side while we both hop up and down. “Did you do those finger exercises I told you about?” I flex my fingers and nod. “Yup, all warmed up.” 

“Do you have your game face on?” Farrah spins me around and grips my shoulders as I mean mug it at her. “Ooo, you’ve been practicing in the mirror. I can tell.” “When I brush my teeth. I really feel like I’ve mastered the scowl.” “Honey, you mastered the scowl years ago. Now you’re just coming into your own with it.” 

She holds up her hands, and I start boxing into them as we leap around the apartment. “Quick on your feet, quick on your feet.” Farrah swings her hand at me, and I duck. “Focus, hone your attention.” “Focused.” “Tell me, who’s going to kill it today?” “I am.” I bob back and forth and then give Farrah a one-two punch to her hands. “Who’s going to do anything necessary, even sit on someone’s face if you need to, in order to win today’s challenge?” “I am. Show no mercy. My ass is coming for your face.” Farrah pauses, winces. “I’m not sure I like that.” “Just go with it.” “Okay, Luna’s ass is coming for your face.” She shrugs. “Next week let’s work on your trash talk.” “Might be necessary.” 

Circling again, I box at Farrah’s hands, feeling light on my feet and ready for anything that comes my way. “You’re going to ignore all conversations from Mr. Snobby Shoes.” “I don’t even know he exists.” “Your eyes are on the prize. And what is that prize?” “Giving Cohen and Declan the best wedding possible.” “Exactly.” 

She lowers her palms. “Quick, flash me your hands.” I lift my hands, and she inspects them carefully. “You lotioned—good. Nails are clipped to a perfect length, and those fingers are stretched and strong. Rotate your wrists for me.” She lowers her ear to my wrists as I circle them around. “Perfect, no cracking, no tension.” She points to the ground. “Fast feet.” My feet start bouncing up and down, like in those football movies, and I hold my hands at my hips, ready for the call . . . “Draw!” Farrah shouts. I pull my glue gun from my hip and point it at her. “You’ve been glued.” Farrah claps her hands. “Reaction time was spot on. You’re ready.” “Yeah?” She nods. 

“You got this, girl. This competition is yours for the taking. And remember what we talked about: don’t focus on what you think will win . . .” “Focus on what will bring Cohen and Declan joy.”  

      

About the Author: USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

 

Connect with Meghan: 

Weekly Wrap Up

 


Why hello there March! Glad to see you. Please tell me your friend Spring isn't too far behind you. I'm sick of snow. I want warmer temperatures, and the snow to melt. I don't think it's asking too much. 

Last week was a ridiculous good week for reading. Seriously not my normal, and I do not expect to see it happen again. Here are my stats ⬇️:

              • 8 Books Read
              • 7 E-books
              • 5 E-Arcs
              • 1 Physical Book
              • 1,875 Pages Read
My average rating was 4.5 stars. Which is amazing. 

Not too shabby, am I right? 

Let's jump in and start talking about the books.

Friday, February 26, 2021

Rookie Move {a review}

Samantha Lind has released a brand new book called Rookie Move! Rookie Move is the 9th book in her Indianapolis Eagles hockey series. You already know I love a good hockey romance, so this book drew me in!

 

In this book we are following the relationship between Dylan and Hailey. These two are high school sweethearts, and both know that one day they will marry. They are completely on the same page. The only issue is that he's in Indiana, and she is in California.

If you are not familiar with the premise of Rookie Move, here is the teaser blurb for it.

Dylan

My future was all mapped out.
Graduate high school.
Get drafted.
Make a professional hockey team's roster.
Marry my high school sweetheart.

I had it all within my grasp;
Everything was falling into place.
Except for the distance,
And our conflicting schedules.

Hailey

My future was all mapped out.
Graduate high school.
Graduate Med-School.
Land my dream residency.
Marry my high school sweetheart.

My dream took me to the opposite coast, but my heart just wasn't in it anymore.

Could I find a new path to my goal and still find happiness?

Was thinking we could make this work another rookie move?

 

Time for my thoughts. 

(I will do my best to be spoiler free.)

Rookie Move was a sweet story, and I really liked how it flowed. I felt like I knew the characters, and could imagine the heartache that they were both dealing with due to the distance. Other than their relationship, what also grabbed my attention was the way Dylan was accepted into the Indianapolis Eagles team with little to no issue. From what I could "see" his teammates had no issue with this rookie, and a recently retired player took Dylan under his wing. I thought that was awesome. I love seeing teammates who are more like family than coworkers. The fact that Hailey was also immediately accepted by the WAGs was equally impressive. She didn't have to struggle through making these connections, and building the friendship, it just happened. I mean, yes, she put her foot in her mouth once or twice, but those moments were quickly over looked. 

Honestly, for me, it felt like something was missing in the story. 

I have read NUMEROUS hockey romance series, and and they all seem to follow the same path. We witness the relationship build, we see how the characters connect and fall in love, we meet their friends/family, there are minor issues that get worked through, and then there is the big conflict that happens, and we find ourselves wondering how they will fix this. It is at this point in the book where I am screaming (internally) at the characters, and wondering how they could screw this up! Once that is remedied, we get the reunion, and see them on their way to their HEA.

For me, Rookie Move was missing that. Yes, Dylan and Hailey are living thousands of miles apart. Yes they are both extremely busy with their work (him hockey, her school). But that's minor. Where is this moment that drives them apart, and we witness them coming back together? I needed that, and it wasn't there.

I liked that they were high school sweethearts, I really did. However Dylan and Hailey were almost too perfect. 

Now don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the story. I really did. I just wish it had everything I wanted. 

At the end of the day, as I reflect on the book, I decided to give it a 3/5. 

For those who have read the entire Indianapolis Eagles series, are all the books this way? I fully admit that I jumped into book 9 without having read any of the other books, so I'm not certain. I'm debating with myself about if I should go back and read the other 8 books. Part of me wants to.

Thank you for reading my review. If you've read Rookie Move, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading,


Congratulations Samantha Lind on your new release. Thank you to Wildfire Marketing and Samantha Lind for the advanced reader copy of Rookie Move. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. As you can see, mine was more middle of the road.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Make It Sweet {a review}

 



I just finished Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan, and I'm in love with Luc, Emma, Mamie, Sal, and Brommy. I also really want to visit the Rosemont, and stay there for a while. Especially if Luc is in the kitchen.

Why yes, I did pretty much pick this book because of the hockey player aspect. That being said though, it was so much more. So raw at times. Then there was the sarcasm and innuendo that had me staying put. Not to mention the heat between Emma and Luc.
Make It Sweet gave me everything I wanted. I felt like I was fully present for the story, and could feel the emotions.
I want more of these characters, and the Rosemont.
Oh and is there something going on between Anton and Sal? Because I'm feeling like there is. Although maybe I'm reading into things that aren't truly there.








Played by the Rockstar {new release}

 Congratulations Christina Hovland on your new release!

Friends, the folks at Wildfire Marketing Solutions wanted to share a bit about the author, as well as the book, so please keep  reading!

Also, let me know if this is a book that interests you! I have it on my kindle, and I cannot wait to dive in.

Happy Reading,
Laura

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