October A to Z update

 

Here is my progress. New additions to the list are in orange!

A: Adventurous Love by Lea Coll

B: 

C: Change on the Fly by Maren Moore

D:

E:

F: Fallen Heirs by Laura Lee

G:

H: The Hacker by Anna Hackett

I:

J: Affliction by JL Stray

K:

L: Ruthless Kings by Laura Lee

M: Missing Maverick by Anna Brooks

N: The Nanny and the Hothead by Krista Sandor

O: Only One Regret by Natasha Madison

P:

Q:

R: Rebel Yule by Kate Meader

S: One Eye by KL Savage

T: Turnover by Lisa Suzanne

U: 

V: Violent Attraction by Jocelyne Soto

W: Wicked Liars by Laura Lee

X:

Y:

Z:

Change on the Fly by Maren Moore {a review}

 

I just read yet another hockey romance. I'm not saying I have an obsession, but I mean...

Change on the Fly is the brand new release from Maren Moore. Not only that, but it is also the puck drop for the Totally Pucked series! Reader friends, this book had me completely enamored. Plus it features one of my top 3 favorite tropes; best friend's sibling!

So what happens in the book? Well we have Reed who is a professional hockey player for the Chicago Avalanche, and we have Holland who is best friend's with Reed's sister. These two have know each other for YEARS, and Reed has always had Holland placed in the "friend" category. That is until the night he has to pick up his sister and Holland from a party. Something about that night had Reed seeing her differently. Fast forward to Reed receiving a life changing phone call where he must decide whether or not to become the guardian for his 3 year old nephew. Obviously he makes the choice to take Evan in, and one night he calls Holland in a panic. Evan is crying, struggling to sleep, and Reed doesn't know what to do. Holland to the rescue. The next day, Reed goes to Holland's house (well her Dad's) to attempt to fix the furnace. It's shot. There's no saving it. Which crushes Holland because a new furnace is not in the budget. It is then and there that Reed comes up with a plan that will benefit them both. He proposes that he will take care of the cost, and since she shot him down already about that generous offer, he then goes on to say that to pay him back, she can travel with him to take care of Evan while he is at practices and games. It only has to be for the away games. Done and done. All is going fine until one night at the hotel. It changes everything, and Holland doesn't want anyone to know. Not even Reed's sister. (aka her best friend)

Best friend's sibling + forced proximity = YES PLEASE!

First things first, I am LOVING all these hockey romances from Maren Moore. LOVING THEM! I am absolutely hooked, and my obsession is not waning. Not only does Change on the Fly feature one of my top 3 favorite tropes, it is also just a really good story. Now don't get me wrong, there are a few nitpicky things that I would have changed, but I'm just setting those aside for now. My heart went out to Reed when he had to call his father, and when his father shared the news that he did. Ugh. Heartstrings pulled. Then when Evan was introduced, and the entire situation that had Holland come over, again, those heartstrings were pulled. So good. I love how giving Reed is. Whether it is with his mom, his sister, his teammates, Holland, Holland's dad, or his nephew. He is a giver, and he doesn't want anyone to not be loved. I love how compassionate Holland is. I love how they both worry about how Emery is going to react to their relationship. How they both know how explosive she can be in certain situations. They truly think they are minimizing all of this. The texts regarding the octopus had me smiling. It may have pulled at those heartstrings a little bit too. I REALLY want to talk about the big dramatic moment that our couple had. You know what I'm talking about, that moment that drives them apart, and you're just waiting on the reunion to happen. You can probably figure out what that moment is, but don't go thinking it isn't a big thing, because it is. Feelings were hurt, and it wasn't handled the best. The reunion though, oh that was just so sweet. It made me happy. Of course then there was that situation with Briggs at the end that has me anticipating the next book! Oh I need it.

Reader friends, you should really go pick up Change on the Fly. It has it's sweet moments, it has it's steamy moments, it is just feels good. Also, it's a quick and easy read that features a professional hockey player, and our heroine is a book lover who is getting her masters so that she can be a librarian. So what's not to love?

Thank you for reading my thoughts on the book.

Laura

Imagine being in love with your best friend's brother.

Then.. keeping it a secret for years.

Ridiculously charming, a total player and a hockey super star... Reed Davidson has been the boy next door who's had my heart for as long as I can remember.

He was the ultimate bad boy, and I was just his sister’s shy best friend.

But when Reed's world is suddenly flipped upside down and he gets custody of his nephew, I'm the only one who can help.

I shouldn’t have agreed to come on the road with them, but Reed wasn’t cut out to be a single dad and I knew he needed help.

I tried to hide my feelings for him, but the two of us, the cutest kid on the planet, and a long hockey season were a recipe for disaster.

Reed was used to getting everything he ever wanted, and this time... He wanted me.

Only now, the stakes are higher and my heart is the one on the line.

#1ClickHere
Available in Kindle Unlimited

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Thank you to Maren Moore, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Change on the Fly.

The Nanny and the Hothead by Krista Sandor {a review}

The Nanny and the Hothead by Krista Sandor is now live! If opposites attract, or hate to love, are a couple of your favorite tropes to read then go pick this one up.

In Nanny and the Hothead, we find ourselves back in Colorado catching up with Charlotte. She was recently fired from the restaurant where she was working, and now she's working as a photographer's "assistant". Her dream though is to attend a two week course in London, and really begin her photography career. After meeting with her mentor, Charlotte is feeling defeated. Not only is she broke, but it's looking like this course is not going to happen. Enter the woman who is about to change her life by offering her a job as a nanny. She tells Charlotte to wear this necklace, and be at this location tonight. It is there that she will meet the person she will be working for. Who shows up at the location? Mitch. Aka her former boss at the restaurant, the one she threw a salad at. Aka the hothead. As the evening unfolds, it is revealed that Mitch is the person she's been matched with. He has a son who needs a nanny, as his life has just been flipped upside down after his mom died. Can these two enemies come together to do what's right for Mitch's son? Can Mitch come up with a book concept, and get the book written before his deadline? Will Charlotte find her spark, and ultimately end up at that course in London? What about a relationship?

When I first started reading The Nanny and the Hothead I was a bit worried. It started off quite slowly, and I almost set it aside. But once Mitch arrived to the bar where Charlotte was going to be, things picked up. The hate to love began. You could feel the tension between these two. As the story progressed, so much was revealed. We learned a lot about Mitch's past, and the reason why he has become this hothead. We learn about the pain and heartache. Same for Charlotte though. We learn about her issues with accepting help from others, and leaning on them when needed. She is so used to being on her own, that to be part of something else just seems odd. Together though these two are amazing. They are passionate, funny, and determined. They do what they need to do to get the job done. They also include Mitch's son as much as possible when it comes to Say Cheese, Louise. Everything that happened has changed our characters, and quite frankly for the better.

I loved the characters, the setting, and I really enjoyed the storyline. I look forward to seeing these two as side characters in the next book. I am also ready for the next book, as that was set up nicely.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts. I hope you'll give The Nanny and the Hothead a read. It really is a good story, and if you have KU, it is included in your subscription!

Laura

Charlotte Ames despises hotheads. You know the type. The growly, perma-scowling bully who blows his top at the slightest inconvenience. And her former boss, Top Chef Mitch Elliott, is the king of all hotheads.
 
How big of a jerk is he? Big enough to make her hurl a salad at the guy.

Those vegetables didn't ask to be strewn across the floor. But Mitch deserved it!
 
Is he devastatingly handsome when he loses his cool? Could his stormy blue eyes, flashing with passion, melt the panties right off a gal? That would be a yes. Still, she can't stand him. And she'd thought she'd seen the last of the culinary creep.
 
She was wrong.
 
On the cusp of eviction and with five bucks to her name, she needs a job.

Enter the exclusive Nanny Match Agency and an opportunity to make some real cash.
 
Sounds great, right? Wrong again!
 
The universe has one messed-up sense of humor. When she wakes up after a margarita bender and learns she's become the hothead's nanny, life goes topsy-turvy! But when the nanny dust settles, she sees another side of the man. A man who might be more than a hothead. A man who gazes at her with such intensity, she can barely keep from combusting.
 
Don't fall for the hotheaded chef.

Her head knows what to do. If only she could convince her heart.
 
Could this nanny match be the match that changes everything, or will it get too hot in the kitchen for the nanny and the hothead?

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Meet Krista Sandor

If there's one thing USA Today Bestselling Author Krista Sandor knows for sure, it's that romance saved her.

After she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2015, her world turned upside down.

During those difficult first days, her dear friend sent her a romance novel. That kind gesture provided the escape she needed and ignited her love of the genre.

 Inspired by the strong heroines and happily ever afters, Krista decided to write her own romance novels. Today, she is an MS warrior and living life to the fullest. When she's not writing, you can find her running 5Ks with her husband or chasing after her growing boys in Denver, Colorado.
 

Connect with Krista

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Thank you to Krista Sandor, and Grey's Promotions, for providing me with an advanced copy of The Nanny and the Hothead.

Missing Maverick by Anna Brooks {a review}

 

It's time! It's time for Missing Maverick by Anna Brooks! If you've been following me for a while now, you know that I have read the other two books in the Ryder Ranch series, and absolutely loved them.  You may also know that I have been WAITING for Maverick's story. He captured my attention back in Hoping for Hunter, and I just HAD TO KNOW everything.

In Missing Maverick, we have Maverick Ryder and Cricket McBride. These two were high school sweethearts, and Maverick was ready to propose. Then Cricket left to go to New York, and Maverick's heart was shattered. Fast forward 13 years, and Maverick is a dad of 2 girls, working with his family, and still grieving the relationship he lost. Then there's Cricket. She has been in New York, found a couple family members, buried a family member, got married, got divorced, and is returning home. She still loves Maverick, but she is positive that he will never forgive her. The day that Maverick walks into The Pig is the day that he and Cricket reunite. This does not go well, and has just brought back all the feelings from years ago. Now, can these two find a way back to each other? Or are they destined to stay apart? What about Cricket's ex-husband? Is he going to be an issue for them?

Missing Maverick did not disappoint. Yes there were a few things I would have preferred to be a bit different, but in the grand scheme of things, I am a happy camper. Maverick's backstory is interesting. Knowing how close he and Cricket were, to how he reacted after she left, to his daughters, to just who he became after Cricket left, and after his mom left. Those were two major events in his life. But Cricket has been through some stuff too. Yes she had her reason for leaving, but as we learn, she wasn't planning on staying away. Life just happened and delayed her return. Then there was her marriage, her divorce, and the whole situation she dealt with because of her ex. It was a lot. I suppose this is also where I should mention that there is a content warning regarding domestic violence. It is just mentioned, not re-enacted and there isn't graphic detail or anything like that. But if that is something you struggle to read about, know that it is part of Cricket's story. I love these characters. I love this setting. I want to visit there. I want to become friends with these fictional people. Just yes. There was a lot of drama in this book. There was a little suspense as well. And Mama Ryder makes an appearance after being gone for years. Let's just say I got choked up with that one. Oh the emotions. One more thing, Maverick was a bit of an ass in this book. Yes, I know, Cricket returning triggered emotions, but dang he was a grump.

Like I said, I loved this book. I love this series. It is of no surprise that I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I'm thinking it is Mack's story! But now I have to wait until July 2022. Excuse me while I go cry. (and pray that the release date is pushed up.)

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Missing Maverick. If you enjoy cowboy romances that are set in small towns then you need to read this entire series!

Laura

I was going to love her until my last breath, and she promised to do the same… but she lied.

Cricket McBride packed up without warning, ditching our small town and the life we were going to build together. She left me with tears in her eyes, a kiss on my cheek, and an empty heart that had done nothing but hardened over the years.

My life wasn’t what I thought it would be, but I’d long since accepted it for what it was. I was content with working on my family ranch and being the best father I could. And I was fine with that.

Or so I thought.

When Cricket returned, one look was all it took for me to admit I still cared, but it wasn’t until I saw the marks on her skin and the pain in her soul that I realized just how deep that love went. Because the same hands that held her tight also promised to protect her… and I never broke a promise.  

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Meet Anna Brooks

The first time Anna tried to read a romance novel, her hair caught on fire when she leaned over a candle to sneak a peek at her mom’s Harlequin. She thinks being hit on the head with a shirtless Fabio until the smoke cleared is what sparked the flame for her love of romance. 

Anna was born in Wisconsin, but currently lives in Texas with her husband and two boys. 

She writes sexy romance that always has a happy ending and loves bringing characters back for cameos. Less than six degrees of separation connects any of her novels. 

When she’s not writing or reading, she’s watching reruns of her favorite romcoms, talking to her dog and cat like they’re human, eating carbs, or practicing hand lettering. 

 

She loves to hear from readers and can be found on social media as @annabrooksauth everywhere.

Connect with Anna Brooks

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Thank you to Anna Brooks, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Missing Maverick.

The Final Period by Samantha Lind {a review}

 

The time has come my friends. The Final Period by Samantha Lind is the book that all Indianapolis Eagles fans have been more than likely dreading. Based on the title alone, you can probably determine that this is the FINAL book in the Indianapolis Eagles series.

I cannot even begin to recap The Final Period as it wasn't a story so much as a time that we can catch up with familiar faces, and meet a new one. So just know that going in.

Okay. It's no secret that I have only read one other book in this series (Rookie Move). And that book was decent, but not something I overly enjoyed. Still though when I saw that this book was coming out, I knew I wanted to read it. Yes it was nice to catch up. Yes I enjoyed the way the new series was set up. That had me curious, and I want to know more about Ryker! I want to know what happens next for him. Now for a bit of hard love...The Final Period was a bit confusing at times. There was so much time jumping (months at a time) that it was hard to follow along. Plus, at least for me, the story just didn't seem to flow very well. It felt broken and there was no real segue into the next chapter. I feel horrible saying that, but really it is what it is. That was my feeling about the novella, and I can't change my experience.  I did choose to give the book a 3.5 rating on Goodreads, because it had so much potential, and I enjoyed catching up.

Here's what I wish had happened. I wish that the setting was more of a party, a group vacation, or at an event where we had our friends all in one place. And in this setting we could hear about what they've been up to, and how their lives have changed (or are about to change). It could have shown the friendships, the relationships, how Ryker was brought into the fold, and how he was finding his role within the team. Then at the end, there could have been a few announcements made regarding the futures of various characters. That would then close the door on this series. But that's just what I wish had happened. Obviously Samantha Lind had to follow her own plans, and layout for the story. She knew how she wanted this final period to play out.

If you are a fan of the Indianapolis Eagles hockey series, then you should definitely read this book. It will give you the closure that you might want. If you haven't read any of the Eagles series, then hold off. Go read from the beginning, and then, and only then, read The Final Period.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on the book. I cannot wait for the San Francisco Shockwaves series to kick off with Ryker's story!

Laura

One final period to check in on the core group that has made up the Indianapolis Eagles crew you’ve fallen in love with. You’ll get some time with your favorite originals, their spouses, and kids…. As well as meet a new face or two.

 

While the time has come to say goodbye to the Eagles as we know them, some surprises are in store for one team member when the expansion draft sweeps into town, taking a member of the Eagles to the new San Francisco Shockwaves.  

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Meet Samantha Lind

Samantha Lind is a contemporary romance author. Having spent the first 27 years of her life in Alaska, she now calls Iowa home where she lives with her husband and two sons. 

She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, watching hockey (Go Knights Go!), and listening to country music.

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Thank you to Samantha Lind, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of The Final Period.