Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Getting Gold by Xavier Neal {cover reveal}

From best-selling author Xavier Neal comes the next book in the page-turning, laugh-out-loud, paranormal romance series you don't want to miss...

GETTING GOLD (The Draak Legacy #2) by Xavier Neal

Release Date: February 24th

Genre/Tropes: PNR/Rom Com PNR

Fate hates me.

How else would you explain getting fired, kidnapped, and nearly killed by elves - which shouldn't even exist - in less than twelve hours?

And the apology this magical force gives me for constantly ruining my life?

Mating me to an ancient dragon.

An ancient dragon whose suave ways have me constantly torn between wanting to kiss him and kick him right where the scales don't shine.

And to top it all off - because clearly that wasn't enough - we have to rescue some poor kidnapped flamingo like we're reenacting a James Bond movie.

FFS.

Any chance this is all some low-budget horror movie I don't remember being cast for?

No?

Well, all things considered, it'd be dumb not to at least ask.

Preorder Now!

Add Getting Gold to your Goodreads TBR!

New to the Draak Legacy? Start with Saving Silver!

About the Author

Xavier Neal is a best-selling romance author who enjoys hopping from sub genre to sub genre like a game of Hopscotch she can't resist.

In between writing, she loves to read (everything from romance to self improvement books), watch movies (old and new), eat too much Tex-Mex (her Chuy's t-shirt collection is out of control), and watch AHL hockey games LIVE (preferably against the glass whenever possible).

She currently resides happily in Texas with her bearded husband "Lumberjack" and their two fur babies.

Connect with Xavier

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Tuesday, February 15, 2022

The Player Hater by Sara Ney {a review}

Hello my fellow book lovers! Happy Tuesday. Oof it's been a few days since my last post. Completely not planned that way, it's just the way things have worked out. I'm back though, and today I want to fill you in on The Player Hater by Sara Ney.

The Player Hater is the first book in the new Accidentally in Love series, and it just released today! This first book in the series kicked it off wonderfully, and I am definitely anticipating The MRS Degree (which is book 2).

Okay how to recap this book. Juliet is tagging along on a weekend trip with her best friend Mia and her boyfriend Thad. She's not thrilled about it, especially since she isn't too keen on Thad. There is something about him that just doesn't sit well with Juliet. Maybe it's the fact that he's a professional football player. Anyways, they arrive at the destination, and Juliet finds out that she is sleeping in a camper. Not a luxury hotel like she was imagining. A CAMPER. Thad is taking them camping. WHAT? Oh but it gets better. You see, Juliet doesn't get this camper to herself. Oh no. Davis will be rooming with her. Davis happens to be Thad's best friend, and he was invited as well. Obviously these two get off on the wrong foot, and it's awkward. But this weekend has the potential to change everything. Or at least it will if Juliet lets her guard down. Could Juliet find her happily ever after at this weekend getaway? Could these two find common ground?

If you follow me on Goodreads, then you know my general thoughts on The Player Hater. You know that I said I struggled with Juliet in the beginning. There was something about her character that just rubbed me the wrong way. Add in her disdain for Thad, and I wasn't happy. She came across as judgmental and a bit high maintenance. Of maybe that was just my grasp on the character. You could also tell though that Juliet was struggling with her best friend's relationship. Call it jealousy, envy, or even desire, but there was definitely an undertone there. Once they arrived to the campground, my opinion still hadn't changed. It really wasn't until the boat scene, and then the campfire scene that I started to change my tune. It was in those moments that you could see Juliet's mask slipping. You could begin to see the woman who wanted a relationship. She wanted a partner in her corner. She wanted a happily ever after. It was after these two scenes that I found myself wanting to know more. I wanted to find out how Juliet and Davis were going to get to their happily ever after. I was starting to root for them. I will say that I immediately liked Davis. He came across as a down to earth guy who was easy to like.

I truly did end up enjoying The Player Hater. Rating wise I gave it 4 stars, and I am so glad I stuck with the book. Was the book perfect? No, but no book truly is. This book though had my curiosity. The storyline caught my attention. Juliet and Davis drew me in, and had me staying to the end.

Speaking of the end of the book...that set up for The Mrs Degree? OH MY WORD! Is it May 3 yet? Because I need to know how that story unfolds. Holy buckets.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on The Player Hater. If you happen to enjoy forced proximity stories, as well as extreme slow burns, then you need to go read The Player Hater. Just keep that slow burn aspect in the back of your mind.

Laura

Cover Design: Okay Creations

I would do anything for my best friend.

Well. Almost anything.

When she begs me to come on a weekend getaway so I can bond with her new boyfriend, I can’t say no—no matter how badly I want to. After all, who will keep an eye on the guy; he’s your stereotypical, professional football player (emphasis on PLAYER) and I don’t trust him with my friends heart.

Worse? He has the nerve to bring his single best friend Davis on the trip, too. Davis is too handsome, so funny and smart he can’t possibly be human. Grandma’s, babies and kittens all fall for his smile.

In fact, everyone adores but me **narrows eyes** What’s he hiding?

I refuse to fall for his act; at some point he’ll will drop the Good Guy act and show his true colors: he’s a player, too. He must be.

You know the saying: if he seems too good to be true, he probably is.

Grab Your Copy Here:

Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Nook

Meet Sara Ney

Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances.

Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced lattes, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.

Connect with Sara Ney

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Thank you to Sara Ney, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of The Player Hater.

Friday, February 11, 2022

Deking the Beauty by Crystal Perkins {cover reveal}

From author Crystal Perkins comes an all new fake relationship, older brother's best friend romance set in her Metros Hockey Series. Come find out what happens with Santo and Nita when Deking the Beauty releases on March 29, 2022.

Cover Designer: Kari March Designs

Santo

I'm the"beauty" of the Seattle Metros. The nice guy who always has a smile for the media and the fans. Until I have an "off day" at an event. Coupled with some on ice accidents, I go from fan favorite to pariah. To help my image, it's suggested I tone down my playboy ways and at least pretend to be in a serious relationship. Even if that fake relationship is with my best friend's little sister.

Nita

I've been in love with Santo since he was the boy next door when we were growing up. He's never seen me as more than his best friend's little sister, but now he needs my help. Being his girlfriend is all I've ever wanted, so a few months with him is like a dream come true. But, the dream turns into a nightmare when things become real between us, and he walks away.

With more than just the two of them to consider, can the Saint overcome his fears about relationships? And can Nita trust him to stay when she needs him the most?

Preorder your copy today!

Amazon | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo

Add Deking the Beauty to your Goodreads TBR!

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!
Crystal@crystalperkinsauthor.com

Connect with Crystal

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher {cover reveal}

Lauren Asher has revealed the cover for Terms and Conditions!

This is the second book in the Dreamland Billionaires series, and I am so excited for it to be released! Ahh, cannot wait to return to this setting, and catch back up with the characters.

Releasing on February 24, 2022

Cover Design: Mary, Books & Moods

Declan
I'm destined to become the next CEO of my family's media empire.

The only problem? My grandfather's inheritance clause.

Fulfilling his dying wish of getting married and having an heir seemed impossible until my assistant volunteers for the job.

Our marriage was supposed to be the perfect solution to my biggest problem.

But the more we act in love for the public, the more unsure I feel about our contract.

Caring about Iris was never part of the deal.

Especially not when breaking her heart is inevitable.

Iris
My plan to marry Declan was simple in theory.

Move in together. Throw a wedding. Have a baby.

We set rules to prevent any kind of issues.

Ones that were never meant to be broken, no matter how much Declan tempts me.

But what happens when our fake relationship bleeds into our real one?

Falling in love was never an option.

At least not for me.

Pre-order your copy today!

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Lauren

Plagued with an overactive imagination, Lauren spends her free time reading and writing. Her dream is to travel to all the places she writes about. She enjoys writing about flawed yet relatable characters you can't help loving. She likes sharing fast-paced stories with angst, steam, and the emotional spectrum.

Her extra-curricular activities include watching YouTube, binging old episodes of Parks and Rec, and searching Yelp for new restaurants before choosing her trusted favorite. She works best after her morning coffee and will never deny a nap.

Connect with Lauren

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

The Plan by Karla Sorensen {a review}

The Plan by Karla Sorensen is the age gap, falling for your bodyguard romance you didn't know you needed! It was so good, and I could not put it down.

In this book we have Lydia. She is a social media influencer, and her parents are also well known in the NFL. So she has a following from that as well. Lydia was recently in a car accident, and she's definitely feeling some social anxiety, and is just really uncertain. Enter Erik Wilder. Erik is a former professional football player who is currently working as a bodyguard. Lydia's dad approaches him about the potential of guarding her. Erik isn't so certain on this, but goes for it anyway. Lydia finally gets wind of what is happening, and she is LIVID. This isn't going to happen. Erik will not be her bodyguard. That is until Erik asks her to walk him out, and he convinces her to take his card. He knows this bombshell has just been dropped on her, and so he isn't surprised by her reaction. Fast forward a little bit, and after an early morning conversation with her dad, Lydia decides to go for it. She wasn't expecting to feel comfortable around him. She wasn't expecting it to be fun to push his buttons. She definitely wasn't expecting to fall for him.

I went into The Plan knowing what the description told me. I knew football was involved, and I love me a sports romance. So obviously I went into this book feeling good. When I discovered it was a grumpy-sunshine romance, that just made it even better.

I so enjoyed reading this book. I found myself really enjoying who Lydia is, and the passion she has for football. Not only that, but the fact that she is so willing to help others expand their social media presence just felt so good.

Now don't get me wrong, there were times that Erik annoyed me a bit. I don't fully understand why he was holding back his story. Especially since it seemed like he and Lydia were getting closer. So it would be natural to share that info. I understand he has been hurt in the past, but you can tell he is falling for her, so you think he'd be comfortable opening up.

Doesn't really matter though because these two characters roped me in, and had me unable to put the book down. I had to see how they achieved their HEA, and how Lydia's dad would handle it all. Plus I really wanted the scoop on Ian, and what the issue was between him and Erik.

Also, I freaking loved Erik's family. They just seem amazing. I'd love to have a series that just focuses on all the Wilder family finding their happily ever afters. Speaking of series, this one isn't tied to the Washington Wolves series, but it definitely could fit in there. Especially since Lydia's parents were the main characters of The Bombshell Effect, which is book 1 in the Washington Wolves series.

So dang good! Highly recommend. I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads. It maybe could be a 4.5, but right now I'm sticking with my solid 4. Whether you like age gap romances, sports romances, bodyguard romances, or the grumpy-sunshine trope, you need to go grab this new release! Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts. I greatly appreciate it.

Laura

Cover Designer: Najla Qamber Design
Photographer: Wander Aguiar
Interior Design: Champagne Book Design

Have you ever fake dated your bodyguard? I don't recommend it.

Especially if he's anything like Erik Wilder: former football player, world class know-it-all and unapologetic grump.

To be clear, I didn't want a bodyguard (hence the fake dating idea). Most days, I can’t figure out why he wants the job either. We drive each other insane, probably because we’re as opposite as two people can be.

He’s suspicious, never talks about his past and has the comfort skills of a cactus. I’m a happily ever after kinda girl who knows exactly what she wants out of life.

Erik’s words might say that the lines have to stay firm between us, but those dark eyes of his? They tell another story when he looks at me.

He’s just as stubborn as I am, but when our fake dating plan starts to feel a lot more real, it's only a matter of time before his professional walls come crashing down.

I just have to hope my heart doesn't get buried in the rubble.

Grab Your Copy Here!

Meet Karla Sorensen

Well, let’s see ... I’m a wife and a mother. If the things that I write bring a smile to someone's face, then I've done my job.

I am obsessed with Outlander (both the books and the show). I’m almost exclusively a romance reader, which means some people will never consider me a literary snob.

If I could meet one historical figure, it would be Jane Austen. I received my Bachelors in Public Relations and worked in health care marketing before I had my babies.

I hate Twitter. I do it, but I hate it. Also, if you want to get on my good side, bring me wine and I'll love you forever.

Connect with Karla Sorensen

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Thank you to Karla Sorenson, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of The Plan.