The Boy Upstairs by Amanda Shelley {a review}

 

Amanda Shelley's latest release, The Boy Upstairs, is NOW AVAILABLE! If you have fallen for the Fallon family, then you are not going to want to miss Derek's story! Also, I suppose I should mention that The Boy Upstairs is part of the All American Boys multi-author series. There are a variety of authors included, and so you should definitely check that out. You might just find some new favorites!

Derek has just started his own company, and has arrived in Bear Creek where he is working with a client. He has found an apartment, and his next door neighbor is quite loud. So needless to say, Derek is looking for a place to escape, and hopefully wherever he ends up, there is coffee available. It is after leaving his apartment that Derek meets Tessa. Tessa owns her own microbrewery, and is one busy lady. Yet there is something about Derek that keeps drawing her in, and these two find themselves having a lot of fun together on various outings. From the moment they met a friendship was formed, and shortly there after a summer fling was about to begin. Can these two keep it as just a fling, or is this going to turn into a full blown relationship?

As soon as Amanda Shelley mentioned Dani and Damien, I KNEW this book was about a Fallon sibling, and I was oh so giddy. I fell head over heals for Damien, and so I knew I would probably feel the same way about Derek. And I was right. There is just something about the Fallon family that draws you in. They feel like a family that you just want in your life. They are good people. Then there's Tessa. She just seems like a bad ass woman. She's a business owner. She is smart. She is hardworking. She is passionate. She is dedicated. She wears her heart on her sleeve. She's just an all around fantastic woman. So seeing these two together was just so good. The passion, the fun, the emotions, the memories being made, it all made for one heck of a summer. You can call it instalove, but really sometimes you just know you're in love with the person even if it seems quick.

If you're looking for a quick, easy read that has romance, and some steam, then go grab The Boy Upstairs. If you're not familiar with the Fallon family, and want to know them, go read Making the Call and Damien. You won't regret it. It sounds like Davis is going to have his story told soon, and I am looking forward to it.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura

I ran into Derek while trying to escape the neighbor from hell.⁣

Instantly, we hit it off. Since he’s only here for three months and the microbrewery leaves me little time for commitments, it’s the perfect setup for a fling.⁣

He’s adventurous, challenges me, and he just gets me from the inside out.⁣ 

𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳… 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘶𝘱𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘴?⁣ ⁣

One click now on Amazon!

Kindle | Paperback

Audible
US | UK | FR | DE

Audio is narrated by Conner Crais and Vanessa Edwin!

The Boy Upstairs is coming soon to iTunes!

Add The Boy Upstairs to your Goodreads TBR!

⁣More info about the All American Boy Series can be found on this page!

Making the Call | Damien

⁣Meet Amanda Shelley

Amanda Shelley writes romantic stories you can escape into. Some are steamy, others are sweet, but all have strong characters with a little bit of sass.

When not writing, Amanda enjoys time with her family, playing chauffeur, chef, and being an enthusiastic fan for her children. Keeping up with them keeps her alert and grounded in reality. She enjoys long car rides, chai lattes, and popping her SUV into four-wheel drive for adventures anywhere.

Amanda loves hearing from readers. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter, and follow her on social media. Join her reader's group: Amanda's Army of Readers, to stay up to date on her latest information. You can find everything you need to know on her website.

Where to find Amanda Shelley

Website | Reader's Group | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub | Newsletter

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Thank you to Amanda Shelley, and Literary Designs, for providing me with an advanced copy of The Boy Upstairs.

Wild Love by Rebecca Jenshak {a review}

Wild Love by Rebecca Jenshak is now available! Reader friends, this was my favorite of the Campus Nights series! SERIOUSLY! And no it isn't JUST because the book was primarily set in Minnesota. That was just a bonus.

If you've read the previous books in the Campus Nights series, then you are familiar with Johnny and Dakota. You also know that these two have been around each other for two years, and during that time Johnny (aka Maverick) has been flirting with Dakota. She just blows it off because Johnny isn't her type. Or so she has led herself to believe. Well now Johnny is headed to Minnesota to play for the Wildcats. He's leaving Valley U, and is going pro. Things are changing for the friends, and this is a major change for all of them. Dakota has been searching for an internship, but keeps coming up empty. Her plan now is to stay on campus and keep working at the Hall of Fame. Johnny ends up hearing about an internship with the Wildcats, and a plan is set in motion. Johnny and Dakota will go to Minnesota together, and it will be awesome. Neither is planning on starting a summer/internship fling, but that's what happens. Never mind the fact that a fling goes against the contract that Dakota signed. She's supposed to be steering clear of a relationship with a Wildcat. Now what?

Full disclosure: I teared up numerous times at the beginning of the book. It's the change that this book represents. This group of friends is having their lives altered as a few move away, a couple graduate, and the others move into a new apartment. It's a lot of change, and shows that our characters are growing up. Their college years are almost over. Then you add in everything that Dakota is dealing with regarding finding a paid internship, and worrying about finances, and dang if that isn't real life. I love how once they arrived in Minnesota, Johnny showed Dakota the real version of himself, and not the curated version he had on campus. The "real" Johnny is a lover, he is passionate, he is caring, he is protective, and he is a giver. He's just an amazing man who takes care of those he loves. As for Dakota, she is a strong independent woman who doesn't take help easily. She wants to do things on her own and not depend on others. She also loves her friends as though they are family, and being away from her girls for the summer is rough. When things start to heat up with Johnny, you can practically feel her pulling away, and wanting to run. Yet at the same time the curiosity is there. The passion is there. The desire is there. I love how their relationship played out. From friends to lovers with the help of forced proximity. Everything about their relationship just felt right. These two opposites work well together. 

I loved the characters. The setting was fantastic because Minnesota and hockey. The story was also wonderful. Everything about it made me happy, even through the tear filled eyes. I also love that this was essentially the set up for the Wildcats series. And oh how I am here for it. Also, I want to mention the rating that I put on Goodreads. I gave Wild Love five stars. FIVE STARS! If you know me, you know that I am extremely stingy with that rating, and the book has to meet a high expectation. Well, Wild Love did. It was just absolutely fabulous. So OBVIOUSLY I think you should go read it. Now you don't need to read the other books in the series, but it will help you understand the friendship that these characters have.

Thank you for reading my thoughts on Wild Love,
Laura

He's a wild ride I have no intention of riding.

Johnny Maverick is a lot of things.
Great hockey player
Loyal friend
Always up for a good time

And now, he's my new roommate.

It's only for a few weeks while I intern for the Wildcats - his new NHL team.

And there are some pros to living with my hot and ridiculous friend (or is that ridiculously hot?). He's fun and unexpectedly sweet, and he reminds me not to take myself too seriously.

I had no intention of breaking the one rule given to me on my first day on the job: no sleeping with the players.

And if I had, I never dreamed that player would be Johnny Maverick.

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

Amazon | Apple Books | Kobo | Nook | Google Play

Add Wild Love to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Rebecca

Rebecca is a new adult romance author, caffeine-addict, and lover of all sports. She's a Midwest girl at heart, but currently resides in Arizona.

Connect with Rebecca

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Twitter | BookBub

Thank you to Rebecca Jenshak, and Valentine PR, for providing me with an advanced copy of Wild Love.

October A to Z update

  

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

A: Adventurous Love by Lea Coll

B: Broken Playboy by Laura Lee

C: Change on the Fly by Maren Moore

D: Designing for a Royal by Tomi Tabb

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:

Vindictive Blood by Jocelyne Soto {cover reveal}

 

Jocelyne Soto has just revealed the cover for Vindictive Blood, and ooh is it gorgeous! If you've read the other two books in the Flor de Muertos series, then you're probably a bit familiar with Vindictive Blood. You probably already know that this is Camilla's story! And friends, based on the teaser, have you figured out who her love interest is going to be? I HAVE!

Vindictive Blood will be available on November 23!

Cover Design by Book and Moods PR

I had one job and one job only. 

Bring down the most notorious drug lord known to man. 

Dead or alive, that was it.

As I worked the case more and more, the lines started getting blurred. I made enemies where I wasn’t supposed to and friends in places that would get me killed. 

Then I met her, at a bar in Brooklyn of all places. She became the one thing in my life that was a constant, the one thing that made the dark hole I was in, as bright as could be. She was younger but that didn’t matter to either of us. I was starting to see a future with her. That is until I heard her cries of despair for her father. 

That man I’m supposed to take down? 

That man is the father of the woman I love. 

A federal agent falling for a kingpin's daughter never ends well. 

Pre-Order Your Copy on Amazon!
US | UK | CA | AU
or read for free in KU

Add to your Goodreads TBR List!

Meet Jocelyne Soto

Jocelyne Soto is a romance author  born and raised in California. 

She started her writing journey in 2015 and in 2019 she published her first book. She is an independent author who loves discovering new authors on Goodreads and Amazon. 

She comes from a big Mexican family, and with it comes a love for all things family and food.

Jocelyne has a love for her mom’s coffee and writing. In her free time, she can be found reading a romance novel off her iPad or somewhere in the black hole of YouTube.

Connect with Jocelyne Soto

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

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Designing for a Royal by Tomi Tabb {a review}

Designing for a Royal is the third book in the Unexpected Royals series by Tomi Tabb, but can technically be read as a standalone novel. While I say it can be read as a standalone, I really think it's best for you to start from the beginning. That way you know who Clara and David are, as well as Eddie and Amanda. There is history here that needs to be understood. So do what you want with that info. 

Clarissa Lee is a designer who has been struggling. That is until the day that Clara Little stepped into her shop, and changed Clarissa's life. All it took was her wearing some of the clothing Clarissa had created, and it was an instantaneous change. Flash forward a little bit, and Clarissa has been tapped for a major project. One night as she arrives home, things just begin to unravel. Not only did she get stuck in the rain, but now her door won't open. Oh and for added issues, the handle fell off the door. Patrick comes to the rescue, and it is revealed that he is her next door neighbor. Patrick doesn't share much about his "job" as that has been an issue in the past where women want him for his title. What he does reveal is that he loves to cook, and can be quite handy. He's also intelligent, a bit funny, and an overall great person. He and Clarissa become friends, and he has made it his mission to make sure she has a home cooked meal on the regular.  This friendship is slowly evolving into more. Can these friends become lovers? Also who is breaking into Clarissa's shops, and her apartment? Will she get these dresses completed in time?

Designing for a Royal was such a sweet romance. I have truly fallen for this series, and am so thankful that I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy. This book was so much more than just a romance novel. Yes, that was the primary focus, but not the sole focus. There was also the design aspect and how Clarissa found her inspiration. There was the family drama surrounding Clarissa and her parents. Add in the past relationship issues that both Clarissa and Patrick were dealing with, and how they overcame those. The big one though was everything surrounding Clara and David's wedding. From the initial consult with the dresses, to the time frame, to the stress, to the break-ins, to the thefts, to just all the chaos that it all caused. It was a lot, but at the same time it wasn't. Because Clarissa learned that she could lean on others. She could trust them with her designs, and let them use their talents to create these pieces. It also showed her friendship with her business partner, how that relationship grew, and eventually how her partner branched out. It was just all really good. The storyline flowed wonderfully, the characters are fabulous, and the setting cannot be beat.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If you've read the Modern Royals series by Aven Ellis, then you will absolutely enjoy the Unexpected Royals from Tomi Tabb. If you are a fan of sweet royal romances, then please check this series out. I think you'll enjoy the books.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,

Laura

A year ago, Clarissa Lee was an unknown, struggling London based fashion designer, until receiving a surprise phone call from the royal palace. Fast forward to the present where business is booming and she is creating the dress for the upcoming royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Leeds. Her work life is a fairy-tale.

Her personal life, however, is another story. After the scars of a past relationship, Clarissa closed her heart off to the world, afraid to trust again.

Patrick Nelson, the Earl of Renbrook, understands what it is like to be broken. It has been two years since his last relationship and his father’s untimely death. When his mother announces she has remarried, Patrick seeks to escape the family estate. A meeting in London with his childhood friend, the Duke of Leeds, provides the perfect excuse.

When Clarissa and Patrick unexpectedly meet, sparks fly. Together can they learn to conquer the past and that love may be in the cards for them after all?

Add Designing for a Royal to your Goodreads TBR!

Interested in purchasing a copy? Click here!