Thursday, January 6, 2022

Ruin by Caitlyn Dare {cover reveal}

 

RUIN by Caitlyn Dare is coming February 3!

Ruin is the first full length book in the Red Ridge Sinners series, and it is all about River! If you read the Savage Falls Sinners series, then you may recall meeting her when she first moved to town. You may also remember her and Jax getting close before things went south. I remember it, and I CANNOT wait to dive into Ruin.

Also, similar to Sadie's series, RUIN is a full length dark enemies-to-lovers/bully romance. This is a why choose novel, meaning the main character has more than one love interest. It is book one in the series. It will end with a cliffhanger.

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My whole life I’ve been treated like some innocent naïve girl. Shielded from the dark and dangerous world my big brother inhabits.

But not any longer.

Now, Savage Falls is my home, the Sinners MC, my family. I’m the new club princess, a burden I neither want nor need.

Because I’m not as innocent as they all think.

Not by a long shot.

Not when I spend most of my days dreaming of them. Club prospect Jax Pitman, my best friend’s older brother Diesel Walker, and the Red Ridge Chapter’s newest bad boy Zach Stone.

One of them broke my heart.

One refuses to fix it.

And one of them is slowly bringing me back to life.

But together…

Together, they might just ruin me.


 

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Meet

Two angsty romance lovers writing dark heroes and the feisty girls who bring them to their knees.

   

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Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Sincerely the Puck Bunny by Maren Moore {a review}


Sincerely the Puck Bunny is the second book in the Totally Pucked series from author Maren Moore! We met Briggs in Change on the Fly, and well he didn't leave such a favorable first impression. But don't fret my friends, that is going to change in Sincerely the Puck Bunny.

Briggs Wilson has had a tough few year. From family drama to off ice antics, he's been through the ringer. Not helping matters is this anonymous blogger called The Puck Bunny. She keeps posting about his life, and he's had it. When news comes out that Beau Wilson is going to be a dad, Briggs has had it. His agent arranges a quick trip out of town for him to just relax. When he arrives at the B&B, he is bowled over by a woman. Literally. She runs into him as she walks in the building with enough force to knock him down. That woman would be Maddison Thorne. Needless to say Maddison makes quite the impression on Briggs. From that point a weekend tryst is had with the couple not seeing each other again. Heck they never even shared last names, or any contact info. But Maddison did know who Briggs was, so she had a little unfair advantage. Flash forward nine months later...Maddison is getting closer to her due date. She still thinks about Briggs from time to time, but he's made his thoughts known regarding her and the pregnancy. Briggs wants nothing to do with her. Or at least that's what she was told. It isn't until she runs into Briggs that she finds out otherwise. Can these two reconnect and have a relationship? Or would it be best to just coparent their daughter? When will she tell Briggs that she's the writer behind The Puck Bunny blog? How will he respond?

OH THIS BOOK!

Now I'll be honest, the accidental pregnancy trope isn't my favorite. Will I still read it? Oh absolutely I will!  That being said, I don't go searching for books that fit the trope. 

I wasn't certain what to think about Briggs at first, or at least not after having read Change on the Fly. I had this image in my head, and it wasn't flattering. 
How everything transpired with Maddison though, that kept my attention. I found myself wondering how their relationship was going to work out, AND when her secret was going to be revealed. Once it was, how would Briggs handle that? How would they overcome that to achieve their HEA?

I was so glad when Maddison found herself a few girlfriends to talk things through with. Those women took her under their wings, and made sure that Maddison knew they were there for HER. Yes they were friends with Briggs too, but they were focusing on her. Then there's the teammates of Briggs. Oh those men. They just grabbed my heart. Especially with how much they loved Olive. 

I was proud of Briggs when he met with his Mom. He was taking steps forward all while laying down boundaries. Much respect to him. I would have loved a follow up on what happened next in the relationship with his parents after that entire scene was over. Especially with the words Maddison spoke. Oh to be a fly on the wall after they left.

When the reveal finally happened, I was expecting a bit more. To me it was a bit tame. Yes I know it doesn't need to be explosive. It doesn't need to be over the top in dramatics. But with the way it was built up, and how much Briggs detests that blog, it was underwhelming. I guess I just had this scene built into my head, and it didn't match what came out. So that is why I say it wasn't what I wanted. I will say that I appreciate how they communicated, and how their relationship bounced back from the secret. 

Maren Moore knows what she's doing, and took me through the paces with our couple. It was so good. Also, this story has me curious about Graham! Which is perfect since his story is rumored to be next in the series!

You need to go read Sincerely the Puck Bunny! You won't regret it.
Laura




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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Where to find Maren Moore

Facebook | Reader Group | Instagram | Goodreads |Amazon


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Thank you to Maren Moore, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Sincerely the Puck Bunny.

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

The O Zone by Kelly Jamieson {a review}

The O Zone, by Kelly Jamieson, is the first book in the Bears Hockey II series. If you are looking for a romance that features a hockey player dating the team owner's daughter, then this one is for you.

Oh but reader friends, this is not simply a dating the owner's daughter story. Oh no. This book takes it to another level. Emerie Ross is doing everything she can to take care of her little sister. That includes living with her stepfather who clearly does not have her best interests in mind. Otherwise he wouldn't be pushing her into a relationship she doesn't want. Emerie does have a secret though, and that is the fact that during the day, she is a busker. Her stepfather would be livid if he found out. He would think she's an embarrassment, and that doesn't sit well with him. Enter Owen Cooke. He's rides the subway on a regular basis (to and from the arena), and is captivated by this one busker that always seems to be around. Her music reaches him, and he always stops to listen. Of course he notices how beautiful she is as well. After a few encounters, Emerie works up the nerve to ask him to coffee. It is at this coffee date that the two end up in a fake relationship! Oh, but it gets better. That night when Owen walks into the party with Emerie, he is immediately noticed (and called out) by Emerie's stepfather. Aka the owner of the Bears. Emerie is shocked also, as she thought Owen was a business man. She didn't realize they had a connection. Now do they carry on with this charade, or let it go? Will the faux relationship affect Owen's career? What happens when this fake relationship turns into something real?


(trigger/content warnings for emotional abuse, mention of substance abuse, and death.)

Looking at the story as a whole, I really enjoyed what Kelly Jamieson created.

These two flawed people found their way to each other, created this relationship, only for their past hurts to come back and haunt them. Watching them each work through their issues to understand the why, and also for reaching out to others for a sounding wall was so dang relatable. That part of the story really grabbed a hold of me.

It's probably not a good idea for me to love anyone. Because they're not going to love me back. Like Vince. Or they'll leave me. Like my dad. My Mom. Cat. Well she didn't leave me, but...same thing.

The way this relationship started (the meet cute and how that first date occurred) wasn't my favorite. Yes them spotting each other in the subway station was intriguing. Yes the first moment of communication sparked curiosity, and had me cheering Emerie on for making the first move. But the scene that happened next, was just odd.

Still though, putting that scene aside, I truly enjoyed the book, and would recommend The O Zone to other hockey romance readers.

"Hockey will end. Family and love are all we really have."

This was my first book that I've read by Kelly Jamieson, but if all her other books are this style, I'm in. Hand them over. I'm reading them. The fact that The O Zone wasn't just a light and easy read, grabbed me. I liked that this had a bit more hard hitting elements to it. But also, there are lines like this from Hellsy that had me laughing out loud.

"Let me pour you a tall glass of get the fuck over it. And here's a straw so you can suck it up."
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts. I hope you'll give The O Zone a read. It was such a good story.

Laura 


Cover Design: Dar Albert @ Wicked Smart Designs

He's on the defense against love but scoring in the O zone is so much fun…

Owen Cook

I have one goal: To be the best hockey player I can be. I’m not going to waste the opportunity I have. All my focus is on hockey. I avoid distractions like women and relationships during the hockey season, but when a quirky subway busker asks me out on a fake date, somehow I’m intrigued enough to accept.

Emerie Ross

I gave up my music dreams to look after my half-sister. I don’t want her to feel as alone and neglected as I did after our mother died. But my ex-boyfriend is still trying to win me back and now my stepfather is helping him. Gah! I’d rather drink bleach than marry Roman Moretti. If they think I’m involved with someone else, maybe they’ll give up on that idea. All I need is a man…a date for a party.

Owen

When Emerie introduces me to her wicked stepfather (ha) I realize I’ve made a huge mistake. He’s my boss—the man who owns the team I play for. And he’s not happy to see me with Emerie. Can you say career ending move?

Emerie

Oops. I hate hockey. How was I supposed to know who Owen is? How are we going to keep Vince from trading him away? How am I going to make sure I stay happily un-married? We’re going to have to keep up this pretense even if it means me going to hockey games. Ugh. Even if it means disrupting Owen’s rigid routines. Even if it means everything gets a lot more complicated…

Add The O Zone to your Goodreads TBR!


About Kelly Jamieson

Perrywinkle Photography


Kelly Jamieson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 40 romance novels and novellas.

Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex”, “sweet and satisfying” and “blisteringly sexy”. She likes black coffee, white wine and high heels…and of course cheering on her Winnipeg Jets during hockey season!

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Thank you to Kelly Jamieson, and Elle Woods PR, for providing me with an advanced review copy of The O Zone.

A to Z Author Challenge


Yesterday I posted about the A to Z TITLE challenge, and today I am sharing that I am joining the A to Z AUTHOR challenge. Yes, I am treating them as two separate events.


With how much I read on a yearly basis, I'm thinking 2022 will have a few rounds happening. So, let's kick off the A to Z author challenge.

Only One Mistake by Natasha Madison {a review}


If you are a fan of the Only One series by Natasha Madison, then you need to run to your favorite retailer, and grab a copy of Only One Mistake right this minute. Michael and Jillian are amazing, and if you're anything like me, you're going to fall hard for these two.

Natasha Madison got me again. I was not expecting to fall so hard for Michael Horton, but it happened. Only One Mistake also reaffirmed my love of Something So Irresistible.

The last year has been difficult for Michael. His coach and he have been having issues, and all that came to a head recently. Which resulted in Michael contacting his agent to request a trade. Where is he headed? The Dallas Oilers of course! It is here that he will get to be on the same team as Cooper Grant, who is one of his cousins. The night he arrives in town, he decides to head out to grab a bite to eat. Shortly after arriving, a woman approaches his table. She asks if his name is Zander, because that is who she is supposed to be meeting for a blind date. Michael lets her know she has the wrong guy, and off she goes to wait. Jillian has been stood up! She is about to leave the restaurant when Michael approaches her this time, and asks her to join him. After the meal, and conversation, the two are about to go their opposite ways. That is until Michael gets this thought in his head, and he realizes he needs to be the one to take her home. For safety purposes. Obviously. He manages to convince Jillian, and they arrive at her place. From there one thing leads to another, and a steamy night is had together. Jillian gets Michael's number and promises to call. A little time passes, and Jillian attempts to call, but another woman answers. She tries back another day, and the number is disconnected. Apparently this potential relationship wasn't going to happen. When Jillian discovers she's pregnant, from that night with Michael, she's excited but crushed. Guess she'll be a single mom. That is until months later Michael appears at the school she teaches at. Can they reconnect? Can they have a future together? Why didn't Michael contact her? What is happening?

From their initial meet cute at the restaurant, to their steamy night together, to the phone calls that never went through, to everything that kept them apart, only to be reunited because Cooper and Erika could't pick up the kids, I fell so hard for Michael and Jillian. These two stumbled into each other's lives by pure chance, and missed out on almost 5 months together because of life events. When Jillian and Michael did reconnect, and he realized she was pregnant, I wasn't certain what was going to happen next. I certainly did not expect for Michael to go home and call his Dad (Max)! Then that entire conversation that occurred? Oh the vulnerability on Michael's part. He needed his parents, and these two wonderful people would move heaven and earth for their kids. (as well as those important to them.) Oh how this scene had the tears flowing.

When Max and Allison arrived to town, I knew things were about to get even more interesting. If you've read any of the stories that feature the OGs of Natasha's hockey series, then you know how those characters are! So when Max and Allison rolled into town WITH Matthew Grant in tow, I had to laugh. Every moment that happened at Michael's condo had me laughing. Allison was full of one liners. Max and Matthew were equally as chirpy. It was FANTASTIC. Then when Jillian arrived? Oh the emotions flowed again. Especially with how she was quickly pulled into the fold. She was a Horton now. Maybe not in name, but it doesn't matter. She and baby were family. And a Horton takes care of what is theirs.

Then there's Julia, Jillian's protective twin sister. She is an amazing side character with many witty comebacks. When she is paired up with Alex Horton, it was even better. Those two sisters were fantastic together. I look forward to seeing more of that in the future. Julia better be a staple character in Alex's book! 

"They are making out on the couch."
"Looks hot and heavy. Should I break it up?"
"She's already pregnant. He can't do more damage than that."

Oh, oh, oh, I almost forgot....When Jillian and Julia found out that Max Horton is Michael's dad? The tears started falling again. I'm not saying anything more than that. You'll have to read the book to find out that connection.

Absolutely loved Jillian and Michael's story. It managed to squeak another book out of first place, and earned the title of my December favorite. This next generation of Grants, Stones, Hortons is just going to keep pulling at my heartstrings. I am completely here for it. There may only be two books left in the Only One series, but oh how I hope Natasha just creates another spin off. Hey I can dream!

Thank you Matthew Grant for continuing to be who you are. 🤣  You wonderful, caring caveman. Also seeing Michael exhibit similar traits as the other men in this family was golden.

Oh, and Natasha Madison...That little line at the end of the first epilogue? ARE YOU TRYING TO TORTURE ME WITH THAT? Oh the tie-in.

 

"It was only a little mistake."
"Nah. It was something so irresistible."

If you've read the Something SO series, then you might know that book title she threw in there. Ahh, my heart.

Only One Mistake was a 5 star read for me. There was not one question in my head about it. Oh this book. This series! Highly recommend.

Thank you for reading my thoughts on Only One Mistake. I hope you choose to read the book, and fall for the characters like I have.

Laura
Cover Design: Jay Aheer


Michael Horton

Being traded after fighting with your coach on air isn’t exactly a good look.

With one mistake under my belt, I knew I needed to focus on the game, and nothing else.

But everything changed when I went to pick up my nieces and came face to face with my very pregnant one-night stand from six months ago.

Jillian

Two pink lines changed all my plans.

So did the guy I had a one-night stand with, a man who made me laugh and smile, a guy who I called to share my unexpected news with only to find out his number was no longer in service.

Once more let down by the opposite sex I figured I was doing this on my own.

Then one day I was staring into the eyes of the man I hated, the father of my baby.

All it took is only one mistake to change everything.


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Meet Natasha Madison 


When her nose isn't buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she's in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It's a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn't listen to her...

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Thank you to Natasha Madison, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Only One Mistake.

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