Wednesday, July 28, 2021

A Greene Family Summer Bash {a review}

Oh my word, I freaking love it when Piper Rayne creates these little short stories/novellas! There is something about catching up with the characters that always puts a smile on my face. Plus getting to see little tidbits planted for future books just has me anticipating the books even more.

If you have not read the previous Greene family books, I would suggest doing so before reading this novella. Is it 100% necessary, no, but it will give you the backstory needed.

In the Greene Family Summer Bash we are at Hank and Marla’s house preparing for this annual celebration. Life is quickly changing for the family. Marla has announced that she is running for Mayor, and Hank is as busy as ever with his business. Rylan is the only child who lives at home, and Marla is starting to wonder if she’s letting him out of chores and such a bit too easily. When the older kids begin to arrive, the guys head outside to help Hank with some lights, while the ladies are inside chatting. Soon enough the entire family is present, and the day of fun begins. As the story continues we “hear” from each of the characters, have little tidbits of information dropped, and eventually Ethel arrives with her sidekicks. You know wherever the trio goes, fun will be had.

I really enjoyed catching up with the Greenes. So many things that were shared in this novella have me looking forward to future books. The stage has been set for stories, and I am here for it. Also, getting to see Ethel, Dori, and Midge in action had me smiling big time. There is something about those ladies that I just love. They are a hoot. Where they go, shenanigans follow that is for darn sure. This family, and the community they live in, is just wonderful. Yes they have their issues, but that’s what makes them relatable. I wonder if a community like the one they live in really exists? Maybe it’s just that small town life. I’ll never know since I live in a larger city.

Obviously I recommend reading this novella/short story. How could I not? It’s Piper Rayne, and it’s the Greenes. I’m hooked on this family, and the authors. I think you would be too.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,

Laura

Catch up with the Greene family during their annual summer party.

There's sure to be surprise announcements and unexpected guests!

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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 A Greene Family Summer Bash.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Roping Melanie {a review}

Are you a fan of small town romances? How about romances that get their start in Las Vegas? Secret baby trope more your thing? Single parent? Then reader friends, you're going to want to read Roping Melanie by Melissa Ellen! This is the fifth book in the Billingsley series, but don't worry, you don't need to read them in order. All of the books can be read as standalones. So hooray for that.

As the book begins, we find Melanie in Las Vegas with her friends as they celebrate her 21st birthday. While celebrating, Melanie meets Nash. These two hit it off, and spend the rest of the night together. The next morning, Melanie leaves without a word. But she quickly learns that what happens in Vegas, doesn't always stay in Vegas. No, here it is weeks later, and Melanie discovers she's pregnant. She doesn't know anything about Nash, except that the night they had was amazing. Melanie does eventually google him, and learns that he is a professional bull rider. After a failed attempt to tell him about the pregnancy, Melanie pushes on. Six years later, everything is about to change. Nash just came into the bar she works at, and she's sure he didn't see her, but now Melanie is a nervous wreck. Not only is Nash at the bar she works at, but rumor has it he's here to put down roots.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I don't think I can scream that loud enough. From the very beginning of Roping Melanie, I was all in. I could not put the book down, and I had to see how everything worked out. The characters are great. The setting is fantastic. And then there's the storyline that sucked me in. When the moment of conflict happened, my heart shattered a bit. I was rooting for these two, and while I knew everything would work out, my heart just wasn't convinced. But as the pieces were put back together, I fell for these characters even more.

And yes, I'll say it now because I'm thinking it. Roping Melanie gave me Hallmark movie vibes. It's the way the story was laid out. I'm convinced of that. So obviously I recommend the book. I think you should read it, especially if you like cowboy romances, single parent romances, small town romances, and all that comes with them.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura

Single Mom? Nope. Not me. Ever.

I didn’t have a lot, but what I had I was proud of.

I was raised to keep my head down and work hard.

I followed the rules, rarely straying off the straight and narrow path.

That’s why when the opportunity to get wild and have a little fun presented itself, I jumped on it—or more like on him. The handsome cowboy from the bar.

It was one night in Vegas.

Afterward, all I had was the memory of his body pressed to mine and the hotel room key I swiped as I snuck out.

I never expected to see him again.

I definitely never imagined he’d show up in my small hometown seven years later, only to discover the daughter he never knew about.

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Meet Melissa

I'm an indie author that focuses on contemporary romance with a little bit of everything: humor, angst and sometimes suspense. A Reason To Stay, book one of the Blackwood Series, was my debut novel.

I grew up as a book worm, reading anything and everything and still try to read at least a book a week. I've always had an active imagination. Luckily, I now have time to put it to good use writing about characters that are constantly swarming around in my head.

I went from designing buildings to crafting stories. I'm a creative entrepreneur and coffee connoisseur.

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Aidan in a Kilt {a review}

Aidan in a Kilt by Anna Durand is now available! This is the second book in the Ballachulish Trilogy, and Aidan's story is a quick, fun read.

After witnessing how Lachlan found his happily ever after, Aidan decided he too was going to head to America to find his lady love. He was going to do things the same as Lachlan, and surely the same results would follow. Right? Shortly after arriving to the club, Aidan sees a beautiful red head. Moments later, Aidan is mistaken for a male dancer that the bachelorette party has hired. Aidan is about to go with it, until he fully understands what is happening. As all that is happening, Aidan manages to snag a few moments with Calli, the red head who caught his attention. She's managed to roll her ankle, and Aidan convinces her to have a drink with him so they can just talk. One thing leads to another, and there is instant attraction between the two. The lust is strong, and Aidan is convinced Calli is the woman for him. He's already decided that Calli will be his bride. Calli wants nothing to do with this plan. What happens next is Aidan being invited to the wedding reception, and then a trip to the UP of Michigan where Aidan does his best to get Calli to fall for him. Obviously more happens during that trip, but that's where I'll stop my little recap.

When I began Aidan's story, I wasn't certain what to think. Here we had Aidan who was trying to follow in Lachlan's steps, but at the same time he was also keeping some things close to his chest. There were secrets to be revealed. Plus it didn't seem as though Aidan was being genuine in his search. He was copying Lachlan almost to a T. Now don't take that to mean that I didn't enjoy the story, because I did. While I didn't have the connection to Aidan that I would have liked, I loved Calli. She was relatable for me. She too has her secrets, but those were being kept more so out of fear. Calli was doing what she could to live her life. I really enjoyed watching Aidan sweep her off her feet. I also enjoyed how Calli pushed back and had no issue putting Aidan in his place. You could feel the emotions between the two. You could feel the tension. Then there were the steamy moments, and dang they were steamy. When the big dramatic moment happened, I may have teared up a little bit. I"m a sap, what can I say. Then when it was time for the grand gesture, and final push toward the HEA, I was all in. These two characters held me captive, and I loved every moment of it. I cannot wait for Rory's story! Bless the woman that he falls for, because he is going to be a lot. I can just tell. His story is going to be a doozy.

Loved the story. Recommend the book. Heck, I recommend the trilogy. I do want to go read Wicked in a Kilt, which is Calli's version of the story. So I'll need to find time to do that.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura

Aidan MacTaggart is wickedly hot and on the hunt for a wife.

I've come to America with a mission and a plan--find the woman of my dreams by going to the same underground club where my older brother, Lachlan, met his wife. My plan might have some flaws. But they don't call me "Don Juan" MacTaggart for nothing. The lasses love me, and I know I can find my soul mate in Chicago.

Calli Douglas is everything I could want in a woman. She's bonnie, sexy, clever, and sweet. But she's also terrified of love and refuses to let me win her heart.

My solution? Follow her home to Michigan. Seduce her. And somehow, convince Calli to love me. We both have issues standing between us, but that will not stop me. Somehow, I will find my happy ending with the American lass who swears she can never love me.

Aidan in a Kilt is the second book in The Ballachulish Trilogy, a brand-new series based on the first three books in the bestselling Hot Scots series, reborn and retold from the heroes' perspectives. Aidan in a Kilt is coming soon in audio narrated by Will Watt.

Download today!

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Meet Anna

Anna Durand is a bestselling, multi-award-winning author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her books have earned bestseller status on every major retailer and wonderful reviews from readers around the world. But that's the boring spiel. Here are some really cool things you want to know about Anna!

Born on Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Anna grew up moving here, there, and everywhere thanks to her dad's job as an instructor pilot. She's lived in Texas (twice), Mississippi, California (twice), Michigan (twice), and Alaska--and now Ohio.

As for her writing, Anna has always made up stories in her head, but she didn't write them down until her teen years. Those first awful books went into the trash can a few years later, though she learned a lot from those stories. Eventually, she would pen her first romance novel, the paranormal romance Willpower, and she's never looked back since.

Want even more details about Anna? Get access to her extended bio when you subscribe to her newsletter and download the free bonus ebook, Hot Scots Confidential. You'll also get hot deleted scenes, character interviews, fun facts, and more including audio bonus chapters!

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Thank you to Anna Durand, and Grey's Promotions for providing me with an advanced copy of Aidan in a Kilt.

Love Next Door {a review}

Love Next Door is the brand new release by Helena Hunting! We are taking a break from the world of hockey, and we are headed to Pearl Lake. This small town romance is sure to capture your attention, and you just might see a few familiar names pop up.

If you’re wondering about the tropes for Love Next Door, well the main one is enemies to lovers, with opposite sides of the track as a good secondary (rich vs well, not). However, it could also be viewed as a slight second chance, or maybe more of a missed connection. When you read the book, come back and tell me your thoughts about it that one.

Dillon recently had her relationship end, and she is also out of a job when a sudden phone call has her returning to the one place she’d rather not go...home. Pearl Lake is your typical small town where everyone knows what is going on with everyone, and that is a huge part of why Dillon has stayed away. When Bee died, Dillon was also named the executor of the estate. Bee was her next door neighbor growing up, and she was like family. Bee helped to take care of Dillon, so it only seems natural that Dillon is now helping out with this. So returning home to help family is also the perfect chance to check in on the property. Donovan (Van) is Bee’s grandson, and he used to love spending time in Pearl Lake during the summers. It was a chance to escape from the city, and have a lot of fun all while spending time with Grammy Bee. Shortly after arriving to Pearl Lake, Van finds out some news from back home. Someone had taken $3 million dollars from his mother’s charity. And whoever took that money, has framed Van. Everyone thinks it’s best that Van stay in Pearl Lake until all this blows over. Oh, and in addition to all this, Van was fired from his job. So why not spend the summer in Pearl Lake, and work on fixing up Grammy Bee’s house. You can see where this is going, right? These two are destined to bump into each other. Did I mention that Van and Dillon have been talking through email? They have, and Van is under the assumption that Dillon is a guy. He’s in for quite the surprise. And Dillon, well she thinks she’s talked to Van on the phone before, and let's just say she isn’t fond of him based on what he’s been saying. Classic enemies to lovers!

It is no secret that I LOVE the books that Helena Hunting writes. I love her characters, the setting, and all of it. I think I’ve read just about all of her back titles with the exception of a few books from the Pucked series, and the books she has co-written. Yeah, I’m a bit obsessed. Sorry not sorry. I say that to say, this wasn’t my favorite. I mean it was still good, but I didn’t feel the connection to the characters or the setting. The world building wasn’t there for me, and that bummed me out. BUT, the story was good. The characters intrigued me on their own. I am really curious about Dillon’s brother, as that storyline captured my attention. I wanted to know what was going on, and how that all played out for him. Yes there were aspects of Dillon and Van’s story that had me curious, but not enough. I was curious who was framing Van. I was curious who Dillon had been speaking to regarding Bee’s property. I was curious about the summer kiss, from years prior, that Dillon spoke about. But that’s where it ended. Their actual relationship, well I didn’t feel it. It didn’t seem like the characters fit. Maybe it was me, and maybe I didn’t read this story at the right time.

Let’s talk about the rating. If you follow me on Goodreads, then you’ll know that it is listed as 3 stars, but in my review I say 3.5. And that’s where I feel it fits. It was a decent story, and the characters/romance had potential. It just fell a bit flat. So that’s that. Since this is listed as Lakeside #1, I will definitely be back to read the additional books in the series. Just because I didn’t feel it between Van and Dillon doesn’t mean that I won’t connect with future characters/storylines. Plus if Helena is writing it, I’m reading it.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura

When Dillion Stitch left her hometown, she had no intention of going back. But when her brother gets into trouble, Dillion reluctantly agrees to return home to take her place at the family business.

Being back in Pearl Lake after all these years feels familiar, but also brings a few surprises. She’s quick to notice that someone new has shown up at the cottage next door. Dillion gets more than an eyeful when she goes to check out the newcomer and meets Donovan “Van” Firestone—her beloved neighbor’s grandson—in all his unclothed glory.

Having gotten off to a rocky start, it’s not long before they begin bickering with each other all over town. All that back and forth inevitably sparks an undeniable attraction. But Dillion’s family has issues, Van’s family resents him, and neither Dillion nor Van feels truly at ease in the small town. For these Pearl Lake exiles, home isn’t just where the heart is—it’s where things get complicated.

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About Helena Hunting

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

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Thank you to Helena Hunting and Social Butterfly PR for providing me with an advanced copy of Love Next Door.

Southern Secrets {a review}

The time has come my reader friends! Natasha Madison’s latest addition to the Southern series is now available. Let me tell you, Southern Secrets is one you do not want to miss!

If you’ve read any of the books in the series, then you know that within this series you’ll get suspense, a little mystery, swoony moments, and a whole lotta steam. You’ll also feel like you’re family, and that these people are ones you want to know in real life. Oh wait, maybe that’s just me.

Southern Secrets is Amelia and Asher’s story. Asher arrived in town about six months ago. He was down to his last few dollars, and didn’t know what he was going to do. Until he met Ethan. Ethan offered him a job, and gave him a place to stay. Asher got right to work, showed he is dependable, and is willing to do what they throw at him. The moment he met Amelia (Ethan’s sister, Jacob’s daughter), Asher was done for. This woman fascinated him. He could not get her off his mind. Soon enough, these two became best friends. They were inseparable, and talked throughout the day. Amelia is burning the candle at both ends, and is determined to never rely on anyone. By day she works at the horse barns, but at night she heads to the bar that she bought from her Aunt Savannah. Amelia has plans for the place, and is looking forward to the day that this is her sole job. But she had plans once before, and then had the rug pulled out from under her feet. She is NOT going to let that happen again, and she most definitely is not going to give her heart to anyone. Asher and Amelia’s friendship is going great, until the day when the barns down. It is then that Amelia tells Asher that he can stay with her. After all, Asher had been living in that barn, and now he has nothing left. So he needs her support. He needs her friendship. But what if he also needs her? The day after the barn fire, Asher is at the scene with the guys. The fire marshall told them it was looking like arson, and they are looking for anything that is out of place. It is then that Asher spots something, and well the mystery is about to begin.

I LOVE the Southern series! I love the setting. I love the characters. I love the suspense. I just love it. So it’s of no surprise that I freaking loved Southern Secrets. Especially as Asher began sharing his past, the past he had kept secret for so long. It allowed us to see everything he has been through. And then, when that bombshell was dropped? EGADS! I was surprised, and I did not see that coming. Yet I’m glad it did. When Amelia revealed the secret that she had been keeping, that wasn’t as shocking, but at the same time it is since she never told anyone. I loved the connection that Asher and Amelia had. I loved how everyone else could see what was building between the two, yet they were blind to it all.

I’m bummed there is only one more book in the series, but all good things must come to an end. It will be interesting to see what Natasha Madison has up her sleeve for the next series. My hope is for another small town slash cowboy series, but time will tell. Whatever she releases, I know for certain I will thoroughly enjoy it.

Go pick up Southern Secrets and read Asher and Amelia’s story for yourself. Of course if you haven’t read the first 6 books in the series, then I recommend you do that!

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
Laura

Some secrets have a way of coming back and haunting us, no matter how much we try to bury them.

Amelia
Never make the same mistake twice is my motto.
After being left in the dust of an old pickup truck, I promised that I would take care of myself
and never trust another man with a sexy smirk and cowboy boots.
Then he showed up, and he’s everywhere I turn. He's at the barn, he's at the bar, and now, he's my roommate.
He makes me want things I shouldn’t

Asher
I grew up in foster care, and on my eighteenth birthday, I was set free.
I spent years coasting from town to town.
Staying wasn’t a part of my plan and neither was love, especially with someone off limits.
This was all supposed to be temporary.
I’m just hoping my secret doesn’t destroy the only family I’ve ever known.

Buried secrets are never buried for long.

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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 Southern Secrets.