Tuesday, June 8, 2021

When You're Mine {a review}

 


When You're Mine by Layla Hagen is now available! This is the second book in the Gallaghers series, and the focus is on Dylan Gallagher and Mel Dawson.

If insta-love is your go to trope, then you're going to want to read this one. Dylan is a computer programmer, and he owns a business with his brother Ian. Dylan is extremely close with his family, and the business actually moved to New York so that Dylan and Ian could be closer to their sisters. One day at the gym, Dylan catches Mel before she faints. It turns out that Mel is Isabelle's personal trainer. Who is Isabelle? Dylan's sister of course! Isabelle warns Dylan to leave Mel alone as they want different things in relationships (him: now/casual; her: long term/marriage). Before Dylan leaves the gym that day, he leaves a note for Mel that contains his number. He isn't certain that he'll hear from her, but he's hopeful. Dylan can't get Mel off his mind, and it turns out it's the same situation for Mel. Dylan is constantly on her mind.  Dylan decides to sign up for personal training sessions, and has requested that Mel be his trainer. This way he can spend time with her. And thus begins the story of their romance.

Right from the meet cute I was all in. As soon as I read that, I said YES this is going to be a good one. And I was right. Naturally. I loved the initial meet, although why a personal trainer was trying a juice fast I'll never know. Loved how Isabelle was trying to put her foot down about her brother dating Mel. Loved how Dylan wanted only the best for Mel. Abso-freaking-lutely loved how the entire family surrounded Mel's dad with love and support during the ordeal with Elliott. Heck I wanted to smack Elliott. When Dylan brought home the puppy that he was giving Isabelle, my heart soared. Although to be honest I fully expected him to get one for himself, or rather go get a different one for his sister. The first boat scene had me laughing. The second boat scene had me swooning. I just loved it all. I want to go join the Gallagher family, or heck just befriend them. I need to be a part of that crew.

I am looking forward to Ian's story. It's the best friend's sibling trope, and I am freaking here for it. 

I hope you'll read When You're Mine. It was such a fun read, and I definitely recommend it.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura


Take New York by storm and steer clear of serious relationships. That's the plan. That's the goal.  It's easy too, now that my software company is making headlines. Nothing is getting in the way of that--not even my sexy personal trainer.  I don't care how sexy and intriguing she is.

Mel Dawson keeps talking me into doing things, like watching the sunset and slowing down to enjoy life.

When she trains me, and I watch her body, I'm constantly fantasizing about exploring every inch of it all night long, claiming her mouth every time she gives me a sassy reply. 

I don't even know who I am when I'm with her. I’m suddenly a completely different man. But, I like this version of myself better. Mel's smart, determined, and keeps me guessing. 

She's everything I need and want, but I've been burned before.  I'm used to taking chances in the boardroom, just not in my personal life.  How much am I willing to risk for a chance to make her mine?



Grab Your Copy Here:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Nook | Kobo | Apple | Audible | Audio


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Meet Layla Hagen

Welcome! My name is Layla Hagen and I am a Contemporary Romance author.

I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later. I write romantic stories and can't wait to share them with the world. And I drink coffee. Lots of it :-D

I am represented by Louise Fury (The Bent Agency)

Connect with Layla Hagen


Hosted By:

Thank you to Layla Hagen and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for providing me with an advanced reader copy of When You're Mine.





Back to Us {a review}


Back to Us by J.H. Croix is the fourth book in the Dare with Me series by J.H. Croix. In this latest book, we have a second chance romance, that is full of hate to love. It also features the brother's best friend trope, and it is set in a small town. So many good tropes in Back to Us!

Gabriel and Nora have had a friends with benefits relationship happening for quite some time. That is until Nora realized that she wanted a real relationship with Gabriel. He wasn't having it. And him shutting down any potential relationship turned their friendship icy. Nora was no longer speaking to him. That is until the day she goes to land her plane at a local airport. Her tire blows, and she dings one of the wings. Help is on the way. When Gabriel stepped out of the plane, Nora was not happy. She still had feelings for him, and right now she was just angry. From this point on, we witness them falling in love, them hurting each other again, the eventual reunion, and everything that happens in between.

Back to Us was such a good book. I loved that Nora works for her family's company, and is a pilot. I love how strong she is, and it seems like she has a great group to surround herself with. Both our heroine and hero have family issues that they need to work through, but part of me thinks Gabriel has more work to do than Nora. I love the setting of the book. I love the characters. I love the community feeling. I really love how everyone else could see that these two belonged together even when Gabriel and Nora couldn't. It wasn't always smooth sailing for these two, but when everything clicked together, it was fabulous.

If you like books that are set in Alaska, feature lovable characters, and always have an HEA, then go check out Back to Us by J.H. Croix.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura

Heartful {cover reveal}




Jacie Lennon has revealed the cover for Heartful!


Releasing July 29, 2021

Sometimes the heart isn't so easily repaired.

Dr. Simon Morrow has two things on his mind--his daughter and his job as a pediatric heart surgeon.


Certainly not love.


When he finds himself cornered into being on a dating show, he collides with his daughter's former assistant teacher.


Simon has no plans to fall for anyone, and he protects himself with his blunt and broody manner.


He doesn't need her perpetually sunny outlook on life.

But he finds himself wanting her in spite of it.

Alice Whitman won't let anything get her down.
Not the ex who cheated, not the move to Sunnyville, and not the fact that she hasn't landed the job of her dreams.


Is finding a head teacher position or love with a loyal man really that hard?


When she finds herself face-to-face with the one man who rubs her the wrong way on the reality dating show Blindly Ever After, she panics.


But he gives her an offer she can't refuse, so she packs her bags and moves into his house.


Then, against her better judgment, she finds herself letting him into her heart.

Jacie Lennon's Heartful is a steamy, angsty contemporary romance set in K. Bromberg's Everyday Heroes Worlds project.

Cover Designer: Cover Me Darling

Preorder today on Amazon!


Heartful is written in New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg's Everyday Heroes World, which is one of two KB Worlds projects that launched in August 2020. With over 100 authors, who were selected by and are working with K. Bromberg, these stories will be fan fiction at its finest—and sexiest. Devoted fans of the Driven and Everyday Heroes series will have the opportunity to revisit their favorite characters and settings. You can find out more about K. Bromberg and the KB Worlds at kbworlds.com.




Meet Jacie Lennon


Jacie Lennon is a stay-at-home mom whose guilty pleasure is writing romance. She lives with her husband, two kids and three ferocious animals that guard her house. Okay, they really just lay around and ask for treats a lot but she loves them all the same! When she isn't playing with her kids, reading books or writing, you can find her devouring an entire container of Oreo Thins in one day.

Connect with Jacie


Monday, June 7, 2021

King's Country {a review}


I did it again. I started a series that is already in progress, but I started with the latest release. WHO AM I? Thankfully the Oil Kings can be read as standalones, so I'm good there.

King's Country is the fourth book in the Oil Kings series by Marie Johnston.  In this book we follow Dawson King, and his neighbor Bristol Cartwright. The Kings and Cartwrights have been enemies for quite some time due to a land deal gone wrong. Or perceived as going wrong. Ever since that deal went through there has been little to no love between the families. With the exception of Sarah King (aka Dawson's mom), who was keeping her eye on Bristol. If Bristol needed help, Sarah was going to do whatever she could to help/protect her. That is until Sarah's life was taken. Fast forward quite a few years, and Bristol's dad is now gone, leaving just her to take care of the property, the cattle, and all of his bills. One night Bristol is out looking for one of her heifers, and a fall of the horse results in a broken leg for her. In comes Dawson. He finds Bristol in the fields, courtesy of Bristol's dog who ran for help, brings her to the hospital, and then brings her back to his house to heal. In the mean time, he helps take care of her property, and animals. And that is where the enemies start to shift towards lovers.

When I started reading King's Country, I knew nothing other than what the teaser told me. So as I was reading, I was quite surprised to learn little bits and pieces about this trust that Sarah had left to her kids. As the story progressed, I found myself getting a little upset with the King family. Then when that confrontation happened with the Grandma? EGADS. Oofta that was a lot. But then, towards the end of the book, when Sarah's letter was revealed, OH THE TEARS THAT FLOWED. My heart, oh my heart. Now I realize I've said very little about Bristol and Dawson's relationship, so let me fix that. Bristol is a misunderstood woman, and is extremely independent. She doesn't want any pity thrown her way, and struggles to accept help from those who offer. Add in the fact that a good majority of the town is against her because of her father's actions, and it's understandable why she keeps to herself. As Dawson and Bristol begin to talk, and he learns more about her, he realizes that he has misunderstood her, and his impression of her is wrong. It is after all this that their relationship really starts to blossom. And I love it. Then after the whole Grandma scene happens, and that drama/conflict is resolved, it is just all so good. While the story started off a bit slow for me, by the end I was all in, and wanting to go back to read the first three books in the series. Also, that little epilogue in the coffee shop that was setting up for book 5? Um, yes please! I NEED to read that one, like now. Seriously. That one is going to be explosive, I can just tell.

If you are a fan of small town romance, cowboys, independent heroines, enemies to lovers, or childhood friends to lovers, then you'll want to read King's Country.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura


Release Date: June 7, 2021


BLURB

I’ve been the wicked witch of King’s Creek since I was eight years old, from my angry red hair down to my ball-busting boots. With a mean drunk for a daddy who left nothing but insults and unpaid bills in his wake, was there ever any other fate? Now his passing has left me one bad turn from losing my land to the neighbors my family’s been feuding with for generations.

So of course it’s Dawson King who comes to my rescue in the middle of a snowstorm. But I don’t care how good he looks in a pair of Wranglers, or how much he spoils my horse, or how great of a cook he is. The Kings already have everything—money, looks, and charm. Dawson’s not getting my heart too.

***

I’m living my dream, I admit it. I took over the family ranch from my dad and grew it into the envy of Montana. I have the best views, the best employees, and the respect of the entire town. The only thing I don’t have is someone to share my dream with. So when my neighbor breaks her leg and nearly freezes to death, I all but kidnap her back to my place to recover.

We grew up less than a mile apart, but we couldn’t be in more different places now. Bristol’s had nothing but pride for so long, it’s hard to get close to her—and I want to get very close. I don’t care if the whole town loves me, I’m only interested in earning the love of one woman. But for a guy who’s got the world at his feet, Bristol’s heart might be out of my reach.

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU




EXCERPT

I curled my hand around hers. “I got what I wanted tonight.” I soothed the flash of hurt in her eyes with a kiss. “This isn’t quid pro quo. I’ve been wanting to hold you for so long. I’m fine. Just like this.”

“You’re fine?” She couldn’t sound like she believed me less.

“I have a lot of plans for us, Bristol. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a guy and you’re my sexy neighbor.”

“I didn’t see a King calling me that.”

“You’re hot as fuck. I’ll prove it as often as you want me to. But tonight, I’d like to stay here, like this.”

“We’re still dressed.”

I leaned up and pulled back the covers. She wiggled around until she was under them. I stood and waited. 

She had to be sure.

She pulled back the other side and my smile grew wide. Yes.

By the time I shut the light off in the living room and got back to the side of the bed, she’d tugged off her shirt and put my old one on and wriggled out of her pants. “There. That’s better.” She eyed my chest.  “Feel free to do the same.”

“Aw, honey, if I start taking stuff off, I don’t know if I’ll quit.” I dropped my pants. My shirt hung over the worst of my obnoxious erection.

I slid between the cool sheets until I was close enough to wrap her in my arms. “Night, Bristol.”
“Night, Dawson.”


ALSO AVAILABLE


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU




COMING SOON


Releasing August 16

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU




AUTHOR BIO

Marie Johnston writes paranormal and contemporary romance. She also works as a medical laboratory scientist and has worked as a public health microbiologist. Depending on the situation, she can be oddly unconcerned about germs or weirdly phobic. Marie’s been a volunteer EMT, a college instructor, a security guard, a phlebotomist, a hotel clerk, and a coffee pourer in a bingo hall. All fodder for a writer!! She has a husband, four kids, and even more cats.


AUTHOR LINKS





Thank you to Marie Johnston and Give Me Books PR for providing me with an advanced copy of King's Country.

Sunday, June 6, 2021

The Enemy Trap {a review}

 

Late last night I finished reading The Enemy Trap by Maren Moore, and I was completely taken by this book. If you know me, you know I love sports romance, especially hockey. Add in enemies to lovers, a fake relationship, and forced proximity, and I'm completely enthralled.

The Enemy Trap tells the story of Hayes and Sophia. They have known each other since they were in school, and honestly, Sophia had quite the crush back in the day. Now though, she wants nothing to do with the man. When Hayes returns to town to celebrate his goddaughter's 5th birthday, he runs into Sophia (she's the godmother), and you can just feel the tension and dislike radiating. It is at the party where Scott says they just need to get each other out of their system so they can all move on. Sophia scoffs at this suggestion. A few days later, Holly announces that she needs Sophia for a photoshoot. She already has the man lined up, but her model backed out at the last minute. Once on the boat, Sophia gets ready, and then Holly steps out so she can finish. Well a little bit of time goes on, and Sophia leaves the room. Turns out she is on the boat practically alone. The only other person aboard is the person she despises the most. Hayes Davis is on the boat. It is at this point where their lives are about to change forever.

I absolutely loved everything about this book. From the enemies to lovers, to the forced proximity, to the friends pushing them together, it was all just so good. They fought it for so long, but when they finally realized their feelings, that was what I was waiting for. Loved watching their relationship grow and develop. Loved how caring and compassionate Hayes was throughout the pregnancy. He was preparing himself for this major life change, and he was going to be ready. I was waiting for the moment of conflict to occur, and when it did I wasn't surprised by Sophia's reaction/response. When the plan Hayes had come up with was revealed, I was so giddy. Love how he did all that. There isn't one thing that I would change about this book. Not one thing. Absolutely loved the book, the characters, the setting, all of it. I cannot wait to read more books by Maren Moore.

If you're a fan of sports romance, fake relationships, enemies to lovers, and/or forced proximity, then go grab this book now. Just trust me on this.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,

Laura

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