Monday, July 11, 2022

Mid Year Freak Out {book tag}




We are somehow half way through 2022. I'm not liking how quickly this year is flying by, and I would greatly appreciate it if time would slow down. You know except for when I am excited for a book to be released, as then I want it immediately.

Since it is halfway through the year, that means it is time for the Mid Year Freak Out book tag. If you've been around any bookish social media, then chances are you're familiar with this tag. I know I've noticed content on bookstagram, booktube, and book blogs. I haven't noticed it going around booktok, but it very well could be. This is my third year participating in the book tag. Here are the links for my 2020 and 2021 answers, if you'd like to read.


Thank you for taking time to read my mid year freakout. I greatly appreciate it.
Laura



Now let's get to the Q&A part of the mid year freakout!

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Just a quick note...


Hi everyone!

It is summer break here in Minnesota, and that means my kids are home all day every day.

So what does that mean for "What Laura's Reading"? Well it means my posts will be few and far between. My focus will be on my kids, and so my time here will be limited.

Now don't think I won't be reading, because I will be! I will try my best to post on Instagram, which also shares to my Facebook. Of course if you really want to know what I'm reading, head to Goodreads!

I have a few review posts coming, as well as sharing my May recap. So stay tuned.

Happy Reading, and enjoy your summer!
Laura

 

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Mine to Have by Natasha Madison {a review}

Mine to Have is a small town, second chance romance from Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY bestselling author Natasha Madison. This first book in the Southern Wedding series will grab your attention, steal your heart, and have you falling for these characters. 

First things first, it should come as no surprise that I have been counting down the days until Harlow and Travis's story was available. We first met Harlow in the Southern series, and I was hoping we would witness her find her person. Well she did. It's just happening in a spin off series. Now Harlow's story does start with a prequel called Mine to Kiss. It is essentially the origin story for Harlow and Travis's relationship. That story alone was fantastic. Well until the ending. But that ending just lead to the anticipation of this book.

I'm not going to recap the book. What I will tell you is that Harlow kept her promise. She was there for what was supposed to be the best day of Travis's life. She put aside the heartache to support this man she once loved.

FIVE STARS

Harlow and Travis are simply amazing. After having read their prequel, I was highly anticipating this book, and it did not disappoint.


Add in the fact that we got to see Casey, Olivia, and the grandparents, and I was in heaven. I loved getting to go back home, reconnect with the familiar faces, and then watch as they guided Harlow through the pain, the heartache, the uncertainty, so that she could find happiness.
Travis also had his family there to encourage and support him. They helped him grieve the loss of the relationship he ended, and cheered him on as he found someone new. They were prepared to love and accept his new partner.
This second chance romance had me laughing, swooning, and tearing up. The romance was fantastic, and the steam was just what I’ve come to expect from Natasha Madison.

Loved every moment of this book, and cannot wait for the next in the series. Now I will say I am bummed because I don't think we'll see any more of the original crew, but rather it will be college roommates, and Travis's sisters as the future main characters. So this last little moment with the family was much needed. (and appreciated)
If you love small town romances, second chance romances, or if you fell hard for the characters in the Southern series, then you need to go grab Mine to Have immediately. Travis and Harlow will pull you in immediately. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my fan girl thoughts. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the book.

Happy Reading,
Laura




Are you ready for The Southern Wedding Series?
Things are supposed to go smoothly on your wedding day.
Aren't they?

 

Harlow

I promised him I would be there for the best day of his life.

Not thinking I wouldn’t be the one standing next to him.

But here I was attending the love of my life’s wedding day.

I smiled when I saw him and pushed back the tears that wanted to come out.

This was his day and I was going to fulfill my promise.


Travis

It was supposed to be the best day of my life.

But the second I got up, things started to fall apart.

The kitchen just caught on fire.

Flowers were from a funeral.

My bride-to-be just had an allergic reaction leaving by ambulance.

Oh and my ex-girlfriend just walked into the church.

They say you have to see the signs when they are right in front of you.

Maybe she was just mine to have.


Grab Your Copy Here!
Add to your Goodreads TBR and/or your BookBub wishlist!



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...

Connect with Natasha Madison



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Thank you to Natasha Madison, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Mine to Have.


Offside with #55 by Piper Rayne {a review}


Offside with #55 by Piper Rayne is officially available! This final book in the Hockey Hotties series will draw you in with the forbidden workplace romance, and intrigue you as you meet Kane's brother Lee. You see Lee has a book of his own coming at the end of 2022, so this was the perfect time to introduce him!

It's so hard when a series ends. Especially when it is one you are invested in, and find yourself craving more of the characters. Yet the time has come to say goodbye to the Florida Fury. So what better way than for Jana to take ownership of the team, and fight her attraction to the new head coach (aka Kane). You see these two have had a secret fling going on for a bit, but with these new roles at work, something needs to change.

Jana and Kane caught my attention a couple books ago, and my curiosity was piqued. Both of them come across as interesting characters, and I was interested in seeing how they were together as a couple.

Their story pulled me in as I love a good forbidden workplace romance. From the forced proximity to the friends with benefits relationship to ignoring what is right in front of them, this book held my attention. Now, was it my favorite out of the six? No, it wasn't. BUT it was definitely towards the top of the list.

This book was also a nice launching point for the football romance series that is coming at the end of the year. Lee has my attention, and I'm finding myself wondering how his story is going to go, and if I will fall for the characters in this new series.

Also that epilogue? Hit me right in the feelings. I actually found myself tearing up a bit. Ahh memories. 

I will say it here and now, I am crossing my fingers that we revisit the team, or another team within the league. I am also crossing all the things that we will finally get Tweety and Tedi's story. I need to know all the things about them. I just do.

The Hockey Hotties series has had it's ups and downs, but throughout it all, I have found myself warming to the characters, and falling for their stories.  I'm sad to see the series end, but I am also ready for football!

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts on this book, and the series in general. Go pick up a copy of Offside with 55, and get to know Jana and Kane. (and catch up with all the other couples)

Happy Reading,
Laura

  

The last thing any professional hockey player wants is to be the old man in the game. The guy who doesn't know when it's time to retire. Still, I can't bear the thought of leaving the game.

This past year I've reflected on all my regrets, and I told myself that once I retire it'll be the time to settle down and start a family. But this is where it gets tricky.

I think I've found her—my Mrs. Although she'll deny our connection to anyone who asks. We've been sleeping together casually and since I'm still playing hockey, I've let her get what she wants—me—whenever she wants.

After being told my career as a player is over, the owner of Florida Fury grants me a shot to stay in the game. A coaching position I didn't know I wanted until it was offered. The catch? He's also passing the family business down to his daughter.

Who's his daughter?

The woman who's been in and out of my bed for the past year. Which means the woman I intend to make my wife is now my new boss.


Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!


Coming soon to Audible!

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

 

 

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!

Connect with Piper Rayne:


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Thank you to Piper Rayne, and Valentine PR, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Offside with #55.

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Last Love by Xavier Neal {a review}


Last Love is a jaw-dropping, second chance romance from USA TODAY Bestselling Author Xavier Neal! This is book two in The Love Duet, so if you haven't read First Love, go do so!

Are you ready to find out how Ryder and Presley reunite? How they fall back in love? How they finally get their happily ever after? If so, then run to Amazon now, because this story is AMAZING. Xavier Neal has written another fabulous duet, and I could not put this book down.

I gave this book 4.5 Stars over on Goodreads, it was THAT good! Here is my mini review of the book. Remember, I can't really elaborate since this is a conclusion to an ongoing storyline.

Things that I loved:
  • Ryder and Presley finding their happiness
  • Ryder finding people who cared about him
  • Ryder had closure
  • Presley spoke up when it was time
  • Katherine
Honestly Katherine was a fantastic character, and having her as a friend was everything. She knew when to push, when to encourage, when to support. Yes her career guides her a bit on that, but I truly think it is just who she is as a (fictional) person. Plus she had some awesome one liners that had me laughing.

This conclusion to The Love Duet was everything. Our characters continued their journey, and still had moments that caused them to stumble. Yet they learned so much about the other as everything unfolded.

Since finishing Last Love, I have learned that Merrick and Jovi have a story as well! So I will need to read that to see how they came to be.

Thank you for taking time to check out my post. I greatly appreciate it. It is my hope that you'll check out Last Love by Xavier Neal, and fall for this second chance romance the way I did.

Happy Reading,
Laura





Ryder Collins wasn't always this determined.

This optimistic.

This devoted.

Once upon a time he was fractured.

Resentful.

Disgusted by his entire existence.

So, what happened?

He's finally given the opportunity to make things right with his soulmate.

Hopefully.

(This is the conclusion to The Love Duet)


One Click Now on Amazon!

Available on Kindle Unlimited




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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Thank you to Xavier Neal, and DS Promotions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Last Love.