Friday, August 6, 2021

Vegas Aces: The Quarterback {cover reveal}

 Traded Release Date: September 9


Get ready for another season with the Vegas Aces featuring Jack Dalton in a new series coming this fall!


The first time I met pro football’s hottest quarterback, we ended up horizontal just before the most embarrassing moment of my life.

The second time, I unleashed all my pent-up anger on him.

The third time was when the owner of the Vegas Aces introduced him as the newly traded player I’d be coaching for the next year. No…I’m not a football coach. I’ve been hired as his full-time behavior coach.

Now I have to live with my one-night stand, his fiancée, and their newborn while I attempt to help him make better decisions. On my first day, I’m already having moral dilemmas as I watch him chug orange Gatorade in the kitchen wearing nothing more than a towel. If I truly guide him to better choices, I might just find myself out of a job.

And this is one job I can’t afford to lose.

TRADED is the first book in the VEGAS ACES: THE QUARTERBACK series. This series must be read in order.

Pre-Order Your Copy Here!
Add to your Goodreads TBR List!

Tackled releases September 9


When compromising pictures of me with the pro football quarterback I’m behavior coaching hit the press, we need damage control. I’m probably going to lose my job since his fiancée’s father—the man who hired me—discovered the pictures as I woke to a cloudy memory of the night before.

My questions surrounding Jack’s relationship with his future bride grow more pressing by the day…especially when his eyes tackle me with all that heat. As he saves my job and I continue to coach him toward better decisions, I find myself falling for him. Maybe my purpose here is to open
his eyes to all his options.

But if he leaves his new boss’s daughter, the consequences could mean the end of both our careers.

TACKLED is the second book in the VEGAS ACES: THE QUARTERBACK series. This series must be read in order.

Pre-Order Your Copy Here!
Add to your Goodreads TBR List! 
 
Timeout releases September 23


As Jack’s wedding draws nearer, the cloud over him seems to darken as he goes through the motions. Instead of enjoying the bachelor party and rehearsal dinner, he needs a timeout from the woman he’s set to marry.

If he really walks down the aisle toward her, I can’t keep working with him. Not when I’m in love with him. My boss didn’t hire me to help this pro football quarterback make better decisions. He hired me to make sure Jack marries his daughter.

And as the day of the wedding dawns, my one job responsibility is one of the most morally conflicting things I’ve ever had to do.

TIMEOUT is the third book in the VEGAS ACES: THE QUARTERBACK series. This series must be read in order.

Pre-Order Your Copy Here!
Add to your Goodreads TBR List!
 
Turnover releases October 7


I’m in love with a man who is marrying somebody else. At least that’s what was supposed to happen when I was kicked out of the wedding last night by the bride’s father.

I find myself without a job, without a home, and without the pro football quarterback I’ve fallen for. The only thing left to do is head back to my parents’ place in Kansas as I give up every dream I’ve dared to have since I left it.

I’m just not sure I’m ready for the turnover.

TURNOVER is the fourth book in the VEGAS ACES: THE QUARTERBACK series. This series must be read in order.

Pre-Order Your Copy Here!
Add to your Goodreads List!
 
Touchdown releases October 23


As much as I’ve coached the pro football quarterback to believe he always has a choice, this time I’m the one backed into a corner.

My biggest fears have come true. I’m an adult living with my parents as I contemplate my future. I’ve given up everything to make the ultimate sacrifice, but at some point I need to put what happened behind me.

It’s time to imagine new dreams, create new goals, and cheer for touchdowns that aren’t scored by Jack Dalton.

Maybe then I can pick up the pieces I left behind.

TOUCHDOWN is the fifth book in the VEGAS ACES: THE QUARTERBACK series. This series must be read in order.

Pre-Order Your Copy Here!
Add to your Goodreads List!


Meet Lisa Suzanne


Lisa Suzanne is a romance author who resides in Arizona with her husband and two kids. 

She’s a former high school English teacher and college composition instructor. 

When she's not chasing her kids, she can be found working on her latest book or watching reruns of Friends.  


Connect with Lisa Suzanne


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Thursday, August 5, 2021

Live Again {a review}


 Happy Thursday my reader friends! I have a new-to-me author to share with you all. Devin Sloane has written a trilogy called Bridgewater. The first book in the series is called Live Again, and I loved it. Devin was gracious enough to provide me with an ARC of the book, and let me tell you, I will most definitely be picking up the next two! I'm hooked.

In Live Again we meet Rebecca, better known as Bex. She and Jack had met year ago at Walmart, and instantly hit it off. They were each others everything. Until the day came that Jack was diagnosed with cancer. It wasn't too long after his diagnosis that he passed. Bex was a widower, and her grief was strong. She struggled for a long time until her best friend Mara came to give some tough love. Mara, and her husband, helped Bex work through some of the grief, and at least continue on with her life. Seven years after Jack's death, Bex is contemplating selling her house and moving into something she can better manage with her fibromyalgia.  Mara and Zane suggest that she contact their friend Rhys. He's a contractor and he'll be able to do the work. When Rhys shows up at her house, Bex is immediately taken. Here is this stunning man, and for the first time in a long time, she feels something. But then the guilt and the grief come back, and she doesn't think she can go there. Rhys knows what Rebecca is going through. He's been in her position, but he's walking through it with kids. Slowly but surely, Rhys is helping Rebecca live again. But can he convince her that he could be her forever? Or will she shut down again?

When I read the teaser for Live Again, I was immediately drawn to it as the main characters are my age. That is so rare in romance books, or at least in the ones that I seem to gravitate towards. It was a nice change of pace. The setting of the book was fantastic. The storyline was captivating. And the characters were relatable. I can't lie though, Mara and Olivia stole the show for me a bit. Shared experiences and all that. Witnessing Rebecca's (Bex) journey through grieving, and trying to get back out there was emotional. She was going through the motions up until she wrote that bucket list. That started to draw her out. Then when Rhys entered her life, she had someone who understood her pain, her heartache, and her journey. What started as a friendship quickly became more than that. It was nice to see her getting attached to this family, and envisioning herself with them. Rhys is an amazing character as well. He's been through so much, helped his kids through grieving as well, and has been living his life to the best of his ability. He has a group that surrounds him, and supports him. He has a business that keeps him active. And he sees something in Rebecca that calls out to him. He knows that she is his endgame. Together they can be a family, and raise the kids together. Yes, there were times that I cried like a baby. It was primarily when the flashback scenes occurred. I could feel Rebecca's emotions, and my eyes couldn't help but leak. Then when Rhys shared his story, the tears fell even more so. This was such a touching love story, and I am so glad that I stumbled upon it on Instagram.

If you are looking for older main characters, who have a bit of life experience, and are trying to start again; then go download Live Again. I think you'll enjoy it. Just have the tissues ready.

Also, I cannot wait to read Breathe Again. It's Mara and Zane's story. Yes, they are already married, but from the brief pieces I was seeing in Live Again, their marriage is struggling. I cannot wait to see how they work through it all.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura




Forty-two year old Rebecca Cleaver has lost her fire. Actually, she lost it seven years ago, the moment she lost her husband Jack.

After his death, her grief, combined with deteriorating mental and physical health, led her to shrink her world down to dimensions that can only be described as pocket-sized.

Now, Rebecca is starting to wake up to the world around her, realizing she's been living little more than a half-life.

She decides to kick off her new life with a mini bucket list to get her up off her couch, a list that leads her to Rhys.

Rhys, the first man to light her fire since Jack, he thrills her and terrifies her in equal measure.

Rhys is just as enthralled with Rebecca, and keen to be an integral part of the changes she's making.

Unfortunately for Rhys, meeting a man is not on her bucket list.

Fortunately for Rebecca, he's good at editing.

The question that remains is whether Rebecca is willing to risk loving, and losing, again.



One Click now on Amazon, or read for free with Kindle Unlimited!

Add Live Again to your Goodreads TBR!



Where to find Devin


Boston Hawks News!


This morning, as I was writing my review for The Defender by Gina Azzi, I noticed a little something extra in the release packet from the PR company. There were THREE more books listed for the Boston Hawks series!

Do you see that?

↑↑↑↑↑



AHHH I'm so excited! I thought that The Heart Chaser (coming September 23) was going to be the final book. Thank goodness I'm wrong, because I do not want this series to end. I am loving these characters, and their stories.

The Trailblazer

November 11, 2021


When I was in high school, I imagined walking down the aisle into the waiting arms of Declan Yaeger. Thankfully, I moved past that delusional thinking by college.

Except today is my wedding day and the deep grey eyes piercing mine when I enter the church aren’t my fiancé’s…

Amazon | Goodreads


The Hustler

January 6, 2022


Meeting Theo Sims is a breath of fresh air. He’s an honest, down-to-earth, charismatic man who looks at me and not through me.

Except his name isn’t really Theo, it’s Eddie. He’s not really a teacher, but a professional hockey player. And like all the men who came before him, he played me for a fool.
Amazon | Goodreads



The Score Keeper

March 3, 2022


Years ago, Scott Reland was my peer, an equal. Now, he’s the owner of the Boston Hawks and way above my pay grade.

He isn't still keeping score, but I am.

Amazon | Goodreads




Are you as excited as I am? Tell me, if you've read The Boston Hawks series, which character couple has been your favorite?

The Defender {a review}


Friends, if you've been reading the Boston Hawks series by Gina Azzi, then chances are you've found yourself curious about James Ryan! Well it's time. It is time for his story to be told! The Defender is the fifth book in the Boston Hawks series, and trust me when I say to have the tissues on hand! I may have bawled like a baby a couple of times. Just putting that out there.

Oh how to recap this book without getting emotional...James Ryan has been playing for the Hawks for a while now, and these guys are his family. They supported him through the most difficult period of his life, and they've rallied around him as he learns how to be a single dad. The day his wife died was the worst day of his life, and a few years later he is still grieving. It's him and his kids against the world, and he fully believes he's not going to find love again. Or if he does, he will feel guilty because he loved his wife with everything he had. One night after a game, the team all heads out to their favorite bar. It is there that James sees Bella. He's never seen her before so she must be new. Leave it to Panda to make introductions. James recognizes something in Bella's face though. He sees the pain and heartache she is trying to mask because he too is trying to keep his mask in place. James is drawn to her, and at the end of the night these two find themselves talking. That then leads to a night together. When James awakes the next morning, Bella is no where to be found. Until a short period later when she shows up at his house. James didn't put two and two together when reading the information on the potential nanny. He just knows he needs someone he can trust with his kids while he's at work. When he answers the door and sees her standing there, he's shocked. She's shocked. And the two make the decision that should she accept this job, nothing will happen between them. It can't. She needs to focus on her healing, and on taking care of these two amazing kids.

This book my friends. THIS BOOK! I knew going in that this story would be emotional because I've "seen" little snippets of James's story being shared in the previous books. But that didn't prepare me for what was about to happen. While I briefly mentioned the fact that James is a widower, I didn't touch on what Bella has been through. I knew it had to be something pretty major considering that she has her therapist on speed dial, and the fact that she is running (literally and metaphorically). Trigger warning: There was divorce, there was abuse, there was the birth and death of Mason, her baby. And that my friends, is where I lost it. (and I feel the tears welling up as I type.) It's no wonder that Bella is running and that she has her therapist on stand by. This woman has been through so much, and that loss is still so fresh. The way her story was handled felt right. You could feel the pain, the heartache, and see her grieving. You could see how she longed for a family, and how she wanted to be a mom. Oh my heart. So when she and James started their friendship/companionship/relationship/what-have-you, it felt right. You could see these two bonding over the losses they've both experienced. You could see the compassion and the empathy that they have for each other.  While their story made me cry, I absolutely loved it. From the way things began, to how Bella cared for Mason and Milly, to the way James reacted about Mason, to the big dramatic moment, to the reconciliation, it was all so good. I think the only thing I would have liked more is if the other characters had more of an appearance in the book. Yes we saw James and Austin talking occasionally, and we saw Noah and Easton a little, but I guess I just expected a bit more. That is such a minor thing though that it doesn't even impact my opinion on the book. I loved it. I recommend it. 

After reading The Defender, I think James may have pushed Torsten out of my #1 spot. I loved Torsten's story, but James and Bella, they have pulled on my heartstrings, and I don't think their story can be topped from the Boston Hawks series.

If you enjoy hockey romance, single dad romances, nanny romances, and/or forced proximity, then I hope you'll give The Defender a read. Just remember to have the tissues on hand because oofta, you'll need them. Also, I hope you don't consider what I shared about Bella to be a spoiler. I fully believe that what she experienced could be triggering for some, and so I feel that it is important for readers to be prepared. Especially if that is something they've experienced as well. 

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura






As Boston's most eligible nanny, I'm nurturing, trustworthy, and professional. Until my one-night stand turns out to be my new boss.

Hawks defenseman James Ryan is Boston's most eligible single-dad. He's solemn, gorgeous, and an incredible father. But I'm drawn to him for other reasons.

James's eyes reflect the same grief and hurt I'm drowning in. His twins struggle with the same pain that once destroyed me. Living with the Ryan family and caring for James's twins are both a salve and a curse.

Soon, what made us click one summer night over whiskey is wreaking havoc on our commitment to remain professional. Our friendship blossoms into something more. Something searching, healing, and unbelievably complicated.

Falling in love with Milly and Mason Ryan is easy. Falling in love with their father is something I never saw coming.

If I give my heart to James, will he put it back together? Or will I end up more shattered than I already am?

***

The Defender is a deeply emotional, single dad romance, with sensitive subject matter.



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AUTHOR BIO



Gina Azzi writes emotional and captivating contemporary romance novels with heart-warming happily-ever-afters. She is the author of Second Chance Chicago Series, The Kane Brothers Series, Finding Love in Scotland Series, The College Pact Series, and Corner of Ocean and Bay. All of her books can be read as stand-alones. 

A Jersey girl at heart, Gina has spent her twenties traveling the world, living and working abroad, before settling down in Ontario, Canada with her husband and three children. She's a voracious reader, daydreamer, and coffee enthusiast who loves meeting new people. Say hey to her on social media or through www.ginaazzi.com.


AUTHOR LINKS

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

The Love Chirp {a review}

 


A new hockey romance series? Yes please! You know I'm going to be all over that! The Love Chirp is the first, full length, book in the Metros Hockey series by Crystal Perkins, and it is now available. If you are a fan of second chance romances, friends to lovers, and/or a little bit of forced proximity, then go download this book.

The NHL has added another team to the league, and they are headed to Seattle. The Metros are preparing to start their first season, and the arena is almost finished. Neal "Rock" Roquemore has been acquired by the team from New York, and he's not happy about it. How could his team give up on him? Why couldn't someone else have been chosen? Then when he sees what is happening with the arena in Seattle, he is quite vocal about his likes and dislikes. Well this causes the public to start talking, and soon there is a PR issue happening. Rock now has to go meet with the firm, who is handling the design and build, in order to save face. Shortly after arriving to the meeting, Rock is introduced to everyone. It is there that he sees Sarai and Rock finds out that she is the architect. Sarai is the one who he will need to work with to change the outcome of publics opinion on the building. This shouldn't be an issue, they've been friends since they were babies, and yes they were once in a relationship, so it's no big deal. But Sarai and Rock haven't truly given up on each other, they haven't moved on, and this could be what brings them back together.

Second Chance and Friends to Lovers are two of my favorite tropes to read. Add in the NHL aspect, and it is almost a sure fire winner. I'm automatically going to read it, and there is a very good chance that I'm going to fall hook, line, and sinker for the story/characters/setting. That was the case with The Love Chirp. I loved that Neal was brought back home due to the league expansion. I loved that he was vocal about his likes and dislikes of the new arena. I loved how he and Sarai were brought back together. I absolutely loved how passionate Sarai is about her work, and how she's gone after her dreams. I enjoyed reading their backstories, and seeing how close their families are.  I appreciated seeing familiar faces pop up from previous series. When Ryan and Chloe Griffin appeared I was so dang giddy. Then other names were thrown in, and it just brought me back to when I binge read the Griffin Brothers and Corrigan & Co series. I loved all of those books! Now seeing as this was the first full length book in the series, there were a lot of characters introduced.  But that is just setting up for future stories, and so I can appreciate that. It did make it a bit confusing at first, especially since 3 of the other characters were Sarai's brothers, and all their names start with the letter S. So I found myself re-reading occasionally to fully wrap my head around things. I will say that I didn't fully understand why Sarai was getting the hate (and threats) that she was. That seemed a bit excessive, but then it makes me think back to when the Minnesota Vikings were building their new stadium. They received a lot of flack for that, but I would certainly hope that the architects and designers were not being threatened in any shape or form. (I will say to this day I think it's an ugly design and I miss the Metrodome.) Back to the story though, that aspect was just a little unbelievable for me, and so that wasn't my favorite. Yes I can see how it brought the two back into each others lives, but it just seems like there could have been more drama/suspense/intrigue regarding it all. I really feel that the stadium design, and all the excess that was being put into the building, was pushed to the back of the story, and it was a forgotten plot line at times. It seemed as though the family/friends/neighbor storyline was getting more of the push. Which makes sense. Especially when the storyline about the moms was being discussed. My heart was hurting for Rock and Sarai.  Flash forward a bit, let's talk about the big dramatic moment! That I loved. Absolutely loved how it all played out. Yes, I was surprised for a moment, but it was the chance to see how these two would react and respond. And the grand gesture (if you will) that happened with it all, so good. Then with how it ended, just yes. Oh how I smiled. 

Crystal Perkins has intrigued me with yet another series, and I cannot wait to see how the Metros Hockey series progresses. I'm also hopeful to see other "familiar" faces pop up again.

If you are a fan of hockey romances, then make sure to add The Love Chirp to your TBR!

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura 

Neal "Rock" Roquemore earned his bad boy image with fights on the ice, and indifference to relationships off of it. When he's traded to the new hockey team in Seattle, he's not happy to be back in his hometown. He's even less happy when a recording of him criticizing elements of the new practice facility goes viral. Especially when he finds out the architect is the only woman he's ever loved...and walked away from.
 
Sarai Redlin watched the love of her teenage life walk away from her ten years ago, and she's never forgotten the pain he caused her. Now, when she's finally achieving her professional dream, Neal's back and ruining everything for her again. This time, she's older and wiser, and she's not going to fall for him again...and there's no way she's going to undo all her hard work just because he doesn't like it.
 
With the media and fans rallying against Sarai, Rock has no choice but to work out a compromise with her for the building design and amenities. A week on the island they both love might change everything for them again, but reality will eventually hit them hard once they're back in Seattle. Can their love survive this time, or will they have to learn to live apart once and for all?

Download your copy today!


Add The Love Chirp to your Goodreads HERE!

Don't forget to check out The Ice Prince, which is the prequel to the Metros Hockey series!






Meet Crystal Perkins


Crystal Perkins has always been a big reader, but she never thought she would write her own book, until she sat down in 2014 and did it. She's now published over 40 books, and has been featured in several anthologies as well.

She lived in Las Vegas for over a decade, where you could find her running author events and winning bookseller. After moving to ND for over a year, she’s back in Vegas again. When she's not reading a few hundred books a year or chasing after her grandson, you can find her watching hockey (Go Knights Go!) and trying to find the perfect shade of lipstick. A mac and cheese connoisseur, she travels the world looking for the perfect version, while attending book conventions and signings as a cover for her research. Poutine research is also conducted regularly on her trips.

Crystal loves hearing from her readers, so please feel free to send her an email, Facebook message, or Tweet! She's also on Instagram, where you can see her monthly reads!

 
Connect with Crystal


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