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.

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Coming January 2022

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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.

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

New Hockey Romance Book Cover!

Maren Moore has just revealed the cover for Sincerely, the Puck Bunny! This is the second book in the Totally Pucked series, and this time, Briggs is having his story told.

Is it December 17 yet?

Cover by: TRC Designs by Cat

Photography by: Wander Aguiar Photography/Wander Book Club

Spoiler alert…

Briggs Wilson, the NHL’s most notorious bad boy isn’t actually who everyone thinks he is.

He’s kind, compassionate, loyal.

And plot twist?

The best baby daddy ever.

Yep, you read that right.

One night.. One mind blowing night that ended with me having a baby with someone I barely knew.

We had a plan.

Co-parent, raise our son and put him first. Always.

Too bad I never considered actually falling for my charming baby daddy.

Even better?

He wanted our family, more than anything.

The problem?

I have a secret.

One that could destroy everything.

Sincerely,

The Puck Bunny

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My Sister's Flirty Friend by Piper Rayne {a review}

Piper Rayne has just released My Sister's Flirty Friend! That's right, the FOURTH book in the Greene Family series is ready to be read. It is featuring one of my favorite tropes, best friend's sibling. I just adore this trope, and I adore the Greene family, so this is just a win in my book.

My Sister's Flirty Friend is the story between Jed and Molly. Molly happens to be best friends with Nikki (aka Jed's sister), and so there is a unspoken rule about not getting involved with a Greene. That being said, Jed and Molly have always flirted with each other. It's never gone past that though. That is until Jed finds out he's a dad. Then he goes seeking her out, and a secret relationship is formed. Meanwhile Molly is just trying to finish up her college degree, and she just found out that the child she was working with is moving, and therefore leaving the program. Now Molly has to find another child to work with to earn her speech language pathology degree. Not to mention, Ethel, Dory, and Midge have taken an interest in her love life. It's the last thing she wants, but here the trio is. Can her and Jed return to just being friends? Will she graduate? What about Jed's relationship with his daughter? 

I have been loving the single parent trope lately. Add in that this one is a surprise, and Jed didn't even know about his daughter, I was even more intrigued. At the beginning of this book, Jed came across rather unfavorably in my mind. The things he was saying to Molly just didn't sit right with me. It wasn't okay. Not at all. Honestly, that almost had me setting the book to the side. But I stuck with it because of the fact that I knew Jed was hurting, he was angry, he just had his world knocked upside down, and also, he learned this behavior from his dad. Then there was how he treated his daughter when they returned to Alaska. It came across as him not wanting anything to do with her, and that just broke my heart. I loved when the Greene's started calling him out on it. Then when Ethel stepped in, and brought in Molly for assistance, I knew this story was about to shift. Molly taught Jed a lot regarding parenting, and about helping his daughter feel at home with him. This interaction between the two showed the potential for them as a couple. 

I love this family. I love the setting. The storyline was good. Jed and Molly made their relationship work, and walked away with a happily ever after. They became a little family.

Because of my love for this family (and the setting), I suggest you read the entire Greene Family series. No, Jed's wasn't my favorite, but it was still good. And maybe you won't view Jed the same way I did.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on My Sister's Flirty Friend.

Laura

I broke the cardinal rule and slept with my sister’s best friend.

 

Granted, I’d just found out that I was now a single father to a three-year-old little girl and was low on willpower.

 

It should also be noted that there’s been sexual tension between us for years. There’s no way it would be a surprise if anyone in our small town found out. That is if we were telling people, which we’re not.

 

We’re in agreement to keep our affair a secret, especially since neither one of us do relationships. 

 

You’ve probably figured it out already, but things didn’t go as planned.   

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Meet Piper Rayne

Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write “heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle” about families, whether that be blood or found. 

They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they're married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they're both chauffeurs to their kids. 

Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!

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Thank you to Piper Rayne, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of My Sister's Flirty Friend.

Shooting Star in the Rain by Nola Marie {a review}

Shooting Star in the Rain by Nola Marie is NOW AVAILABLE! This is the third book in the Sons of Sin series, and this time we are finding out how Jake and Cara find their happily ever after. Friends, it is an emotional journey for them, and Cara has a lot of trauma from a previous relationship.

Now that I briefly mentioned trauma, I do want to say that this story has a content warning for a situation that Cara went through back in Chicago (which we learned a little about in Bed of Nails). That situation continues to affect her life to this day, and as a result she has PTSD. Which is understandable. Nothing is overshared, but I just wanted to put it out there. If you need more information before reading, please reach out to me and I will fill you in on the specifics.

As we learned at the end of Bed of Nails, Sons of Sin is headed on tour! Jake is rejoining the band and is need of someone to watch his daughter while he does his job. Enter Cara, Dane's little sister. She volunteered to take care of Lyra. Cara was looking for an escape anyway, so she thinks she can handle the job. Plus she promised to continue to meet with her therapist through virtual meetings. Dane still wasn't sold. Jake though was all in. He has been in love with Cara for YEARS, and he's hoping to finally let her know. Especially since his plans to do so were interrupted years ago by Peyton. Jake is hesitant though because he doesn't want to betray his best friend, or cause issues with the band. Things are going okay, and they are slowly setting into a routine. Yes, Cara is struggling with her anxiety (and occasional flashbacks), but she's trying her best. Things are starting to make a turn until a person from her past makes a reappearance. At the same time, Jake is also getting a blast from the past. Neither are welcomed, and could affect their future. Can they make it through? Can Cara trust her heart to Jake? Will she ever tell anyone what happened back in Chicago? What do these people want from her and Jake?

This story was SO GOOD! At the end of Bed of Nails I knew that 1) I needed Jake and Cara's story immediately, 2) it was going to be INTENSE, and 3) I was going to fall hard for this couple (and Lyra). Of course I was correct on all three accounts. I was not expecting Cara's story to hit so hard though. That woman has been through a lot in her life. From the loss of her mother, to the situation in Chicago, and now to the events in Paris, it's a lot. Jake has been through some stuff though too. Nothing to the extent that Cara has, but that doesn't diminish his past in any way shape or form. What he went through with Peyton has been rough. The secret he's been keeping has been rough. But he wouldn't change it for the world. He loves his daughter. One thing that I really loved about their story was Jake's support. He was showing Cara through action, and telling her through his words, how he would be there for her. And more importantly how he would love her through it all. The situation that occurred in Paris brought tears to my eyes. I wasn't fully expecting it to happen, so when it all began my heart was in my throat and the tears were welling up. As things intensified, I was wondering just how this was all going to conclude. Not only that but what was the motive? The ending of that though was so freaking good. It was the conclusion that I wanted, and it was a good fit for the characters. Not related to the Paris situation, but still related to the over all story, I laughed so hard when Dane busted into the room and caught an eye full. Then with what was revealed a little later it just made me laugh even more so. So obviously the book isn't all seriousness, there are a few comedic moments as well.

I absolutely adored the characters (main plus sides), and am finding myself even more curious about Ryder and Maddox. The setting in this book was intriguing, as I can't say I've really read many stories where the rockstars are on tour. The story captivated me, and I loved learning about Jake and Cara (and also witnessing Dane's reaction to their relationship).

Highly suggest you give Shooting Star in the Rain, and really all of books in the Sons of Sin series. If rockstar romances are your preferred sub-genre, then go grab these now! Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read these for free with their membership!

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on the book. I appreciate you taking time to read my thoughts.

Laura

What do you do when your heart wants the one that got away?  What do you do when she comes back broken? Can you love her scars and all?

~Jake~

The day I decided to finally lay out my feelings for the girl of my dreams was the day life threw me a curve.

In order to do what I knew in my heart was right, I had to give up my dreams of making it big with my band.

And my dream of her.

Since i got my daughter out of it, I’m not sorry.

But now a second curveball has just come, courtesy of the band I had to leave.

They’re making the big time now and they need me back.

I’m heading on tour with them, my guitar, my daughter...and her.

A second chance to win the girl of my dreams? Maybe. 

But this time around we both have a lot of baggage.

~Cara~

I’m broken. I know it.

My brother knows it.

The band knows it.

Every day I go through the motions, more so I don’t worry the people who care about me than because I’m actually getting better.

Honestly, I don’t deserve to heal. 

It was one impulsive decision.

A desire to help my brother and the band I see as brothers.

I’d go along on their tour and play nanny for the most adorable little girl I’ve ever seen.

The band would get one of their founding members back.

A win for everyone.

Until Jake learns more about me than I ever wanted anyone to know.

And I learn more about him than I could’ve imagined.

When life separates two souls, leaving them beaten and bloody, can love forge them into something stronger? When the storms of their past threaten, can their love remain as bright as a shooting star in the rain?

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Angel & Josie

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Dane & Cami

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About the Author

Nola Marie has been writing her entire life but has authored nine books in the last year, four of which are published as her steamy mafia romance series, The Men of River City. Currently she is working on her Sons of Sin series which promises to be just as bold and exciting.

She also holds a bachelors degree in IT Management and an MBA in Leadership and Strategy. 

She has spent her entire life in Louisiana, and absolutely loves everything about it from the crawfish to the swamps. She has a hard-working, completely devoted husband that encourages her to do what makes her happy, three smart, kind, intelligent children that are her best friends, and an assortment of pets. 

When not spending time with her family, she reads, writes, listens to music, doing amateur graphic design, and plays video games.

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Thank you to Nola Marie for providing me with an advanced copy of Shooting Star in the Rain.

 

An Irresistible Chance by Kim Loraine {a review}

An Irresistible Chance is the kick off to Kim Loraine's latest series the Irresistible Langstons, and it is officially available! So let's head back to Montana to find out what's going on with Hawk Langston, and his daughter Carly. Rumor has it, Hawk is going to need a nanny, and Lark & Travis Ryker have the perfect candidate!

Oh where to begin with my recap?!? Daisy has recently broken up with the man she was dating, and she's out of a job as well. So when her friend Lark tells her about a nanny job in Montana, she's jumping at the chance to be near her friend again.  On her way to Montana, Daisy stops at a hotel for the night. It is there that she meets a handsome cowboy, who she spends a little time with in the elevator, and ends up asking him to kiss her. Best kiss ever. Flash forward a little bit, and she meets the man she will be working for. It's the handsome cowboy. Nerves arise, and she's tempted to flee. That is until she meets Carly. She'll put aside her issues for that little girl who has just stolen her heart. But can the relationship between Daisy and Hawk remain professional? Will hearts be broken or will there be a happily ever after in her future?

As soon as I read the small teaser at the end of Wild Mistake, I KNEW I would enjoy this book. Hawk and Daisy did not disappoint one bit, and I could not put down my kindle. I was fully immersed in their world, and had to know what happened next for the duo. Add in Carly, and I was just a goner. That little girl is something else. Now I can't lie, I would have loved for their big dramatic moment to be a little grander, but it was fine. It was more like a mole hill than a mountain, but that's okay. Still issues were worked out. Tension was released, Happiness was found. Trust was built. And these two found love. (oh come on, you know these books end in HEAs, so don't pretend to be surprised! 😉)

I loved the book, and like I said I could not put it down. The Langston family has captured my attention, and I cannot wait to revisit them. Before we can do that though, we have to reconnect with the folks at Wilde Horse Ranch. Sounds like Maverick has a proposition for the vet.

If you've read the Rykers or the Wildes, then the Langstons is just the next step. All of these families know each other, and are often helping each other out. So it only makes sense that they appear in each others books. Let's go to Montana and hang out at these ranches.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on An Irresistible Chance. If you too are a fan of cowboy romances set in small towns, then please go read this one. I think you'll enjoy it. I know I did.

Laura

Cover Designer: TE Black
Photographer: Wander Aguiar
Model: Andrew Biernat

Don't sleep with the nanny.

That should be a simple rule to follow, but some things are easier said than done.

Especially when the nanny I hire to take care of my wild child daughter turns out to be the one I can't forget. 

The woman I shared a red-hot anonymous kiss with a few weeks ago when we were trapped in an elevator? Yeah, seems she's one and the same--sweet, sexy, irresistible Daisy.

When she shows up in town, fresh-faced and ready to care for my kid, it hits me like a kick from a stubborn mare. I'm in way over my head.

I've been fantasizing about seeing my elevator woman again. And now I'm seeing her every damn day at the breakfast table, or at the playground with my adorable daughter.

Daisy is exactly what my little girl needs. 

But every day I spend with Daisy makes me want her more, only I can't have her. 

I won't risk breaking the unbreakable rule to take a chance at love.

Until the night I do.

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Meet Kim Loraine

Kim Loraine was raised a Navy brat but spent most of her life growing up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. A proper Washingtonian, she's addicted to coffee, doesn't let a little rain ruin her day, and thinks the sun is a gift from God. When not chasing her three little minions around, Kim spends her time writing, reading, and binge watching Doctor Who.

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Thank you to Kim Loraine, and Valentine PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of An Irresistible Chance.