Happy Book Release Day to Piper Rayne!Second Shot with #76 is officially available. This is the 5th book in the Hockey Hotties series, and if second chance romances are your jam, go grab this one.
After reading Sneaking Around With #34 I was really curious about Cory and Ande's past. I had not read Tropical Hat Trick, so I didn't know what happened that week. Now though I at least have a general idea, and I will be going back to read that novella.
Witnessing these two go through everything they did to get to their happily ever after was an interesting ride. Especially that situation with York. Everything with York did not sit well with me, and she was definitely the villain in my mind.
I loved the connection that Ande and Cory had. How after that time together on the vacation, they both couldn't stop thinking about the other. Then reconnecting in Florida was just so good!
Piper Rayne has created a wonderful hockey romance series, and I am loving all the characters. I am looking forward to Offside with #55 when that releases! It is my hope that Piper Rayne continues writing hockey romance. Whether that's with the Fury or another team I just want more!
Hockey romance + second chance romance + a villain you'll love to hate = one fabulous read!
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Second Shot with #76. I do hope you'll go pick up a copy.
Laura
My mom always said you don't get a second shot at making a first impression. I've remembered that my entire career. Especially since I'm one of the few black men who play professional hockey.
I'm calculated and respectful in the way I speak to my coaches, the owners, and the media. I've never taken a risk... until her.
I could blame it on the fact that for once I pushed away the pressure of my career for the ocean waves, the sand, and good times with my new teammates. But those are excuses because the minute I saw her at the airport, something lit up inside me and the best week of my life was spent with her in my bed.
After our week in paradise, we said goodbye, exchanged phone numbers and both assumed that unless one of us was flying through the other's city on the opposite side of the country, our vacation fling was over.
Then one night after practice I see her. She's here. In my city. Telling me she moved here for a job. If that's not fate tell me what is.
I've never wanted a second shot more than I do this time, but she's determined to leave what we were on the island we left behind.
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!
Broken Boys Crave Chaos, by JB Heller, is book four in a sexy, new adult romance series that can be read in order or as standalones. If you love books with strong, independent, female leads and swoon-worthy, cinnamon roll heroes that know how to please their partners, then you should definitely one-click Kass and Ariel's story today.
I have read all the books in the Broken Boys (formerly Moments) series, and have been eagerly anticipating Kass as a main character. Seeing how he was as a side character, and the nerdiness that he exhibits, had me falling. Whoever he was going to be paired with was going to need to be strong, be able to hold their ground, and willing to fight for their relationship.
In Broken Boys Crave Chaos we have Kass who is willing to just remain single. He doesn't need a partner in his life right now, so it's not an issue. Now if he could just get his career in order, that would be great. Flash forward a bit to when Kass is at his condo, and he watches a woman kick ass in the lobby. Ariel is a bounty hunter, and she just caught her man. Of course her actions also ignited a spark in Kass, and he had to know who this woman is! Turns out this is the same woman who had commented about his appearance earlier when he had been at lunch with Chance. After a conversation with his friends, it is discovered that Trick knows exactly who this woman is, and sets up a plan for Kass to run into her. That encounter at the gym, plus the events that happened right after lead to a conversation. In that conversation, Kass was placed firmly in the friend zone. He's going to do what he can to get out of it, and turn this friendship into a true relationship.
Let's start with my rating...I gave Broken Boys Crave Chaos 3.5 stars over on Goodreads. I loved the meet cute. Loved the premise of the story. Love the characters. This book had potential. That being said, it wasn't my favorite of the series. It was still a good read, it just missed the mark a bit.
Ariel is a strong, badass woman who takes no crap from anyone. She also goes after what she wants. She's confident in who she is, and she doesn't want a relationship. She's perfectly content with how things have been going. The way she loves her family, and the heartache of the past, have her keeping her circle tight, and outsiders do not get in easily. Ariel is a fantastic partner for Kass.
If you're not familiar with Kass, he is you quintessential cinnamon roll hero. He's sweet, he's loving, he's passionate, he has alpha tendencies, and he'll have you falling in no time. Kass is a writer. He could easily take advantage of his family's business, and go that route, but he wants to write. Now if the paper he works for would just give him the chance. Earlier I mentioned about his nerdiness. He is extremely intelligent, and he also happens to enjoy the "nerdy/geeky" fandoms. Which those don't always appeal to the masses, but he is who he is.
While I loved certain parts of the story, something was missing. Or at least from my perspective.
Part of me feels that Ariel and Kass wanting different things, relationship wise, steered the book in an unexpected way. And perhaps it wasn't fully flushed out. We had this budding relationship that went from introduction to steamy to the emergency brake being pulled.
In the beginning I wasn't rooting for them. Not at all. I could not see these two getting together for a happily ever after. For me there just wasn't the believability that these two would make it. And that's all on me, not on the author. Did that opinion change through the course of the book? Slightly. I never found myself getting emotionally invested. Which if you know me, that isn't how it usually is. Usually the characters draw me in, hold me hostage with their story, and I am 100% invested. That didn't happen with Kass and Ariel.
When it came to the moment of conflict, it was decent. Not over the top, and it didn't blow me out the water. I understand the reasoning behind it all of it. Really though that conflict was just fear based. It was getting in the characters head, and them needing to work out their issues.
Part of me wishes that Kass and Ariel's careers had intertwined a bit more. I know they briefly did, but then that storyline disappeared, and nothing (but jealousy) came from it. I think that if Kass had been doing more of an investigative type story on Ariel's family business, it would be have been more intriguing. Plus then it could have brought in the forced proximity trope. Also it may have added the element of suspense. Not knowing what was going to happen as she "hunted" for these people, and the how each take down would go. But that's just me, and what I wish had happened.
Still though the story was decent. We briefly were able to catch up with former characters. I do wish we had seen more of Chance and Carter, or even more of Scout, but it is what it is. Mase was in it plenty. Quite honestly this was a launching point for the new Hunter Sisters series that is coming sometime in 2022. That is really the only reason that I can see Ariel and Kass being together. I know. I know.
Don't get me wrong, I did like the story. I loved the characters. Separately. I loved the bounty hunter aspect. Putting it all together just missed for me. Do I still think you should read it? Absolutely. What is the saying..."No two persons ever read the same book". (Edmund Wilson) So just because this is how I felt about the book, doesn't mean you will feel that way.
A 3.5 star rating, is still a pretty fabulous rating if I do say so myself. I mean on my rating chart I say "I enjoyed this book, but it was missing something, or didn't give me what I wanted." I stand by that.
Go give Broken Boys Crave Chaos a read for yourself, and let me know your thoughts. I bet we will differ. Which is awesome. Because that leads to conversation, and understanding the other readers perspective.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts. I greatly appreciate it.
Laura
Cover Design: Tall Story Designs Photographer: Miguelanxo
Is there anything worse than the friend zone? I think not...
I'd just given up on relationships when a pocket-sized Lara Croft came storming into my lobby and knocked me on my ass.
We're opposites in nearly every way, but there's something about her that calls to the most primal parts of me.
Problem is, she's planted me firmly in the friend zone. At first, I thought I could deal with it. However, the better I get to know the badass bounty hunter, the more certain I am that friendship can go screw itself...
JB Heller is an average Aussie housewife and Momma in her early 30's with a wicked sexy imagination. She's also the owner of a randy Eclectus parrot with boundary issues.
These days she writes mostly contemporary romance and romantic comedies, drawing inspiration from her everyday life.
Monday to Friday you can find JB glued to her laptop weaving words or trolling Pinterest for her next potential muse. Come the weekend, it's family time. (And of course lots of reading and Netflix binges.)
If you know me, then you know that a little over a year ago I read a book called Blood and Bone. It is a rockstar romance that reads more along the lines of Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with a little Daisy Jones & the Six mixed in. We learn about Jack's life, and relationships, through an interview he is doing with Erin. I absolutely adored that book. Then when I heard Breath to Bear was being released and it was also about Jack and Erin, I had to read it. That book was also fantastic. Which brings me to today. Today Paula Dombrowiak has released Bonds We Break. Bonds We Break is Mia's story. If you've read the previous two books in the series, then you know how Mia's story ends. Bonds We Break takes us through her time with Mogo, fills us in on what happened with Cash and Jack, and answers a lot of questions. We also learn more about her final moments.
Having already known how Mia's story ends, I was a bit hesitant to go into Bonds We Break. Yet I felt the need to know what happened between Mia and Cash, as well as more about the relationship between Mia and Jack. I knew it was going to be intense. I knew it was going to be dramatic. I knew it was going to be a bit emotional. Paula Dombrowiak did not disappoint in her storytelling.
Throughout the story I found myself fully captivated by everything that happened. I have a better understanding of who Mia Stone was, and the impact that she had on those around her. Not just Jack and Cash, but those who she worked with during her writing career.
Mia was a creative woman who was passionate about music. She loved with everything she had. While she thought she would ruin everyone, it was actually quite the opposite. She left a mark on everyone she met. All of whom would remember her for years to come.
As for her relationship with Cash, while it was meant to be, it was also doomed from the start. There was love, friendship, and desire there, but trust was missing. In a way it was as though a true respect was also missing. I wonder if that doesn't come back to Mia thinking she'd ruin everyone.
Nothing new was really shed about Mia and Jack's relationship, but what I am now curious about is Wade and Adam. Part of me wants their origin story, and to see how that time at Berkeley affected their relationship. Of course I am also anticipating Cash's story so that I can see things from his perspective when it comes to Mia, Jack, and the band.
Mia was fortunate to find love twice in her life. These relationships were all encompassing. They were intense. They were passionate. They were life altering. One was similar to an addiction, the other had the potential for forever. Life events affected both of them, and that lead to their demise. Of course Mia also had her love of music, and that truly was her lifeline. It was her blessing. It was her passion. Music was her outlet for all the pent up anger, frustration, heartache, and love.
Books like Bonds We Break can be a bit difficult to read. Especially knowing how the story ends, and not getting to see this person grow into something more. Into the person they had the potential to become.
This book was absolutely wonderful. Paula's storytelling drew me in, and had me craving more of the characters. I cannot wait to see how she tells Cash's story in Bound to Burn. Based on the blurb on her website, it is sounding like a character from Breath to Bear is going to be a love interest. Bring it on!
I gave Bonds We Break 4 stars over on Goodreads. The storytelling is fantastic, the characters draw you in, and the entire book is so filled with passion.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on the book. If you enjoyed Seven Husbands or Daisy Jones, I highly suggest you pick up the entire Blood and Bone series from Paula Dombrowiak.
Caitlyn Dare has just revealed the cover for Rule! Rule is the third book in the Red Ridge Sinners series that is telling River's story. I cannot wait to find out what happens next!
If you don't know, RULE 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 three in the series.
Save the date for April 28, as that is when the book is releasing.
The truth is out—I’m in love with three Sinners.
Zach, Jax, and Diesel might want to make me theirs but there’s still too many secrets between us, ones that could ruin everything.
Ones that could break us.
They might rule my body.
Own my heart.
But ultimately, they have the power to break me.
Only it isn’t our future we have to worry about, because the past is about to catch up with us. And when it does…
Caitlyn Dare is a Top 50 Amazon bestselling author of dark romance.
She writes angsty, gritty stories about alphaholes you’ll love to hate and the feisty girls who bring them to their knees.
Her bestselling series include: Savage Falls Sinners MC, a dark high school reverse harem romance; and Rebels at Sterling Prep, a dark bully high school romance.
To learn more about Caitlyn Dare & her books, visit here!
Only One Forever is the story that the fandom has been eagerly anticipating. The story of Dylan Stone and Alex Horton has been building for a while now, and everything is about to be laid out on the line. Hearts are going to bared, emotions are going to be elevated, and this has the potential to blow up the family. This book is a slow burn. It is best friends to lovers. It could be considered a forbidden romance due to the family connection. Ultimately though it is a story of soul mates. These two found their other half early on, and it's time to set the stage for a forever type of love.
FIVE STARS! Five glorious stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How to talk about this book....
If you did not read This Is Forever, then you may not be familiar with Dylan Stone. Actually back in that book, his last name wasn't Stone. In This Is Forever, Dylan was a young child who loved hockey, but didn't have the best financial situation. He and his mom were struggling to pay the bills, but Caroline was doing everything she could for her child. It was when she met Justin Stone that everything changed. Caroline's relationship with Justin is what has us here today. Why do I tell you that? It's important to the story. It explains why Only One Forever could be considered a forbidden romance.
Alex Horton is the daughter of Max and Allison. Their love story is told in Something So Irresistible. Alex has always been one to push the boundaries, but she's also struggled with finding where she fits in. It took her moving to Dallas, and starting to work for Wilson, to begin to feel settled. She was getting into a groove, and feeling confident in her abilities. I honestly love Alex. She is open. She's not afraid to speak up. She's sarcastic. She's funny as all get out. Alex also wears her heart on her sleeve.
Then there is Dylan. He's currently playing hockey up in Montreal, but lately something's been off. He can't quite put his finger on it. All he knows is that he is missing his best friend, Alex. A quick trip to visit her in Dallas is just what he needs. The fact that the annual family vacation is about to happen is just a bonus. While Dylan is in Dallas, he also takes the opportunity to meet with Nico. Better known as the owner of the Dallas Oilers. Dylan is putting feelers out there about maybe not resigning with Montreal, so it just makes sense. Dylan is an amazing character as well. He is a person you can trust. He is a safe spot to land. He knows what it is like to go without, and he would so anything for anyone.
Since I've read ALL the books in Natasha Madison's multiple hockey series, I know how these stories always go down. Only One Forever was familiar, with just that twist of difference to it. Witnessing the interactions that Alex and Dylan have had over the course of other stories has shown how deep of a connection they have. Yes, it could be contributed to a family bond, but it's different. They are each other's person. They are each other's confidant. They can tell each other anything. They are there for each other in the good times, the emotional times, and any other time they are needed. They truly are two halves of a whole finding each other. I love it.
I wasn't expecting this book to be a slow burn. Yet it makes sense. How do you tell your best friend, and sort of cousin, that you are in love with them? How do you lay all that out there? What if they don't reciprocate? No matter how they respond, how do you tell the family?
When feelings were finally revealed, that breath I was holding did not release. I was waiting for the implosion from the guys. I knew that at least one of them would not take the news well. And honestly, the person who didn't react well, surprised me. My heart was starting to shatter. Fast forward just a little bit, and the words that were spoken after all of that, grabbed hold of my heart, and had me loving this entire family even more. Words of truth were spoken. Words of love. Words of affirmation. Words that not only build up Dylan and Alex, but also just speak for who the Grant/Stone/Horton/etc family is. Now of course before those positive words were spoken, there was a lot of dialogue that had tears falling. Our characters were so vulnerable. They just wanted their love recognized, and accepted by those they hold most dear.
This love story between Alex and Dylan wasn't the only storyline happening though. There was a storyline going that tied very closely to Dylan's childhood. Alex was introduced to this character through her work at Wilson's hockey camp. When Maddox was dropped off for camp, and Natasha Madison described everything, my mind flew to Dylan and Caroline. While the stories are comparable on multiple levels, Maddox's story hit me much harder. Which once you read it, you'll understand. I also had a gut feeling of what would happen next, and I am so glad that my gut was correct. Of course getting to that point was not easy by any means. Naturally there had to be dramatic moments that had me gasp, and worry to build. That's something I love about the stories Natasha Madison writes though. She takes you through the wringer. You feel all the feels. It's really quite glorious. Even if I do cry through many scenes in her books.
Oh this story! These characters! I love it all. If I could befriend fictional characters, it would be the group from these three series. They have grabbed hold of my heart, and I don't want to let them go. Now if you don't know, Only One Forever is the last book in this series. So I should be sad that this is over. Yet I know what the author has said. There is another spinoff in the works! We've already met the characters for that first book. We know how they met. We've witnessed the chemistry. What happens next for them? Save the date for December 27, 2022 when Made for Me releases!
Reader friends, I do hope you'll pick up Only One Forever. Well really I hope you pick up all the hockey books from Natasha Madison. While the stories don't have to be read in order, I think you get the best experience by doing so. Go fall for these characters. They are dear to me, and I hope they'll become favorites of yours as well.
May I suggest a few songs to listen to while you read? Fine Line by Harry Styles, Habit by Louis Tomlinson, Always You by Louis Tomlinson, Still by Niall Horan, Everywhere by Niall Horan, Black & White by Niall Horan, and Till Forever Falls Apart by Ashe and Finneas.
Thank you for taking time to read my long winded thoughts on Only One Forever. As I've said, I adore this series, as well as the two that came before it. I think for my birthday I'm going to start investing in the paperback copies of all of these books. Please go pick up this slow burn, forbidden, best friends to lovers, soul mates romance. Cover to cover I was thoroughly invested. Just have the tissues close by for certain scenes.
Laura
PS: Do you feel like you need a family tree for all of this? Well Natasha Madison has one on her website!
Cover Design: Jay Aheer Photo: Wander Photography
Dylan
My dreams came true when I was adopted at ten.
I was the best on the ice. Living the life of what every kid dreams of.
We’ve been best friends since then. Even when she was the annoying little sister following us around.
I would do anything for her.
It is another family vacation; except this time it feels different. Everything feels different.
Alex
All my memories have Dylan in them. From the first time I fell off my bike, to the time I got my heart broken for the first time.
He’s always been my protector, but it’s time to let the dream of being his go.
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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