NEW REVIEW: Totally Folked by Penny Reid

 

One unforgettable night leads to an unlikely shared connection, and unlikely connections never go unnoticed by the good folks in Green Valley, Tennessee. . .

Totally Folked an all-new small town romantic comedy filled with humor and heart from New York Times bestselling author Penny Reid is available now!

OUR REVIEW:

I'm sure at some point in previous books I strongly disliked Jackson James but as the Winston brothers' stories continued, I definitely got the feeling that there was more to this Deputy Sheriff than what I knew, so when I saw that Totally Folked was going to be featuring him, I knew, just knew!, that Penny Reid was going to have me fall in love with him. Spoiler Alert: I did. 

Totally Folked follows the love story of two complicated people: Jackson James, Deputy Sheriff extraordinaire, and Raquel Ezra, superstar actress and their sometimes frustrating and ultimately rewarding quest for something real. Ever heard of that saying "still waters run deep"? Well, I think that fits Jackson quite well--he's always so outwardly calm, self-possessed, and never out of control. It seems as though he has an almost perfect response to everything and confidence for days but dude has some things he's working through, once you get a peek into that beautiful brain of his. It's through these inner dialogues that we see how deeply some things cut. He hangs on to these as constant reminders to do better, be better, do more, be more and sometimes I was just exhausted for him. I can't imagine trying to be that good all the time. But he was. He was so good. Thoughtful. Reflective. I don't know how anyone couldn't just adore this character. Sure he was flawed--but not in ways that were evil or intentionally hurtful--but it was those flaws that made him human and made you want to seem him succeed, even when he was stubborn and you just wanted him to do or ask for the things he wanted.

Raquel, superstar actress supreme, was equally delightful. She was ...well, what's the opposite saying from "still waters run deep", is there one? From page one, she grabbed my attention with her hilarious running commentary, her outward appearance of confidence and inward uncertainty, and her ability to take risks and follow her heart. I so very much enjoyed her character; she was so easy to love. Similarly to Jackson, the world had a perception of who she was: respected actress, sex symbol, and on top of the world, yet involved with a twat waffle and sure, many of those things were true but those were just these surface level things; she's so much more as her visit to Green Valley revealed to us all. The novella prequel shows glimpses of how much more she is (if you haven't read it, read it!) and the novel digs in deeper to show us more about her insecurities and her strength. I loved how the longer she was in Green Valley, the more she clearly she could see herself and her choices. I loved how she firmly took control of things, even when her inner monologue expressed fear or doubt, and she refused to be pushed around. Speaking of inner monologue, OMG hers was hilarious; I feel like I laughed on almost every page. I really loved her journey for her. She was already a strong person to begin with but to see her evolution in recognizing what she could do and ask for and expect was glorious.

So naturally, when you put these two amazing characters together, it all works out beautifully, the end. Right? HAHAHAHA. Nope. Lots of fun but lots of stubbornness and frustration for the characters (and us), which made reading to the end so enjoyable. I had a really hard time putting this book down for even a few minutes because I needed to see what ridiculous thing would be said or what frustrating turn they'd take next. I needed to see what would happen the next time their sparks collided. I needed to know how they'd resolve things they'd built up in their heads, often making problems for themselves. Needless to say, I was pleased with the outcome, though admittedly sad to reach the end. I want more of these two and I can only hope that the next book in this series gives me more glimpses of these two.

Speaking of glimpses of favorite characters, I was delighted to see more of Cletus, Sienna and Jet(hro), and to get to know Charlotte. Their scheming and mischievousness added more hilarity and giggles. Honestly, every time Cletus shows up, I get ridiculously excited. I love him so much. Anyway, I'm looking forward to Charlotte's book which is coming up next and I am thrilled; the first look guarantees I will be all in for her adventure. In the meantime, I look forward to all of the great things Penny Reid has coming for us and even though it's hard to wait, I know that the wait will be worth it.  

Jackson James follows the rules. He has to. He’s a sheriff’s deputy in a super small town with a super big personality. However, strict adherence to the law during the day has been enjoyably balanced by rakish rules at night. Jackson, typically happy to protect and serve (and serve, and serve), starts questioning the value of wayward evenings when they begin to feel more like being waylaid rather than getting laid. Could it be that Green Valley's most eligible—and notorious—bachelor longs for something (and someone) real?

Mega movie star Raquel Ezra follows only one rule: always leave them wanting more. Strict adherence to this single rule has served her well. Studio execs, reporters, audiences, fans, lovers—no one can get enough of the smart, savvy, and sexy bombshell. But when “generous offers” begin to feel more like excessive demands, years of always leaving has the elusive starlet longing for something (and perhaps someone) lasting.

When Raquel abruptly returns to the quirky Tennessee hamlet, her path crosses with the delectable deputy with whom she spent one unforgettable night. Unfortunately, scandal and intrigue soon follow. Raquel and Jackson must decide which is more important: following their rules? Or, at long last, finding something real.

TOTALLY FOLKED is a standalone, contemporary romantic comedy novel and book #1 in the Good Folk: Modern Folktales series.

Fall in love today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mlffDE
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TotallyFolked
Nook: https://bit.ly/3sOrkTX
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3sShLDy
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2OkmO0L
Google Play: https://bit.ly/39G9JpY
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/36KBgo6
Barnes and Noble Paperback: Coming Soon

Add Totally Folked to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3tFSo8w

Meet Penny Reid
Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

Connect with Penny
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD
Twitter: @ReidRomance
Mailing List: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/
Website: www.pennyreid.ninja

NEW REVIEW: Wreck by Ginger Scott

★NOW AVAILABLE★

𝐖𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤 is LIVE! This is the second book in the brother’s-best-friend, friends-to-lovers Fuel Series by Ginger Scott. Don’t miss this angst-filled read! 

★★★★★ "I’m just going to put and say it—Wreck totally wrecked me! Dustin and Hannah completely tore my heart into pieces.” – The Lovely Books

Purchase 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 (1) here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097TTSBN8

Purchase 𝐖𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤 (2): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097SBSX3J

Pre-order Burn (3): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097SCCH12

OUR REVIEW:

Shift, book 1 in this series had me all up in my feelings, especially at the end. So, of course, I was eager to start Wreck and I was NOT disappointed. Not only did we get to see the fireworks between Dustin and Hannah when they finally see each other again, but we also get to see them figure some things out. The figuring out part was sweet and revelatory--we got more information about what's been happening with them in the last four years (as well as what Bailey and Tommy have been up to), some interesting information about some family stuff, and then we plunged right into the here and now and their continuing love for each other. 

New conflicts.

New sources of OMG!!! Angsty angst-fest.

And KA-PLOW! Another freaking ending that has me so very eager for book 3, Burn. I know logically that this is a romance and we'll get to that HEA at some point but I suspect that Ginger Scott is going to torture us..ahem, her characters, a little more before we get there.

Buckle up, y'all and get ready for an emotional, fun, and quick read that will have you begging for more.

𝐖𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤
When Dustin Bridges left Camp Verde to try to make it on his own, he left half his heart behind. A life with Hannah Judge was just too dangerous. A mountain of chaos and violence was always aiming for the target on Dustin’s back, and that made giving up the only person he ever loved feel necessary.

But impossible isn’t a word Dustin believes in. Defying odds is what he’s good at. It’s how he’s survived. And when fate calls him home, he sees it as his chance to take back his girl, to make his heart whole and to put his makeshift family back together.

Just one thing. That family? And more importantly, that girl? They want nothing to do with him.

When Dustin left Hannah without a word, he broke a promise. More than that, he broke a bond. He broke Hannah. The life she saw in her future was gone in a blink, and in its place she grew a heart of stone and a craving for danger.

But isn’t danger what Dustin Bridges is really all about?

 

*Burn completes their love story in their mid 20s. Coming July 30^th!

Add them to your TBR!

𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗙𝗧: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58077726-shift

𝗪𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗞: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58077746-wreck

𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗡: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58077766-burn

Find more books by Ginger Scott here: www.littlemisswrite.com

REVIEW: The Auction by Tiffany Reisz

OUR REVIEW:

Reading the off-shoots of The Original Sinners Series is always a good time; you get to see some of your favorite characters from the series while seeing them engage with someone new, or someone you haven't seen in a while. In The Auction, a novella, we get to read about Daniel and Anya and how they fall for each other in the weeks leading up to their being auctioned off at Kingsley's annual charity auction. Their first meeting is awesome--lots of snark and wit and you just KNOW that's going to make for a fun time. There's a lot of great banter between Daniel and all of the characters, lots of steamy kink, and for such a short read, a lot of emotional moments. It never surprises me that I enjoy Tiffany Reisz's novels--they're always so well done--and I rather enjoy that picking up any of the books in this series feels like coming home; the characters feel familiar and interesting and engaging. 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3r8O8hk

SYNOPSIS: You’re invited to New York City’s hottest dating event: Kingsley Edge’s annual King’s Trust Charity Auction.

New on the auction block this year is Daniel, a wealthy widower and Dominant. However, he happens to have his eyes on another first-timer in the club’s auction: Anya, a strikingly beautiful virgin submissive from his native Canada.

Too bad Anya hates him on sight. Or does she? There’s a fine line between hatred and burning passion, and Daniel is determined to bring Anya across it. Now let the bidding begin….

 

REVIEW: After the Climb by Kristen Ashley

The Special Edition of After the Climb, a beautifully written second chance romance with all new material from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley is available now and ZERO PENNIES to read digitally!

OUR REVIEW:

 I remember reading After the Climb when it originally released but then I saw that Kristen Ashley made some tweaks and additions to the original manuscript and being the fan that I am, I went in for a rereading. For those who are in a similar position, I'm hoping that if you have the book in your files that you'll read this post during release week and see that you'll get access to it for FREE. WOOHOO!

After the Climb is the first book in a new series and, of course, Court and I are EXCITED. We love a good series and we especially love a KA series, so we're dying for the next books to come out. This series looks particularly exciting because it appears as though it will be multi-generational (and knowing KA, we'll hopefully get more than a few novels out of these characters and their friends). Anyway, let's focus on this new (updated) novel, shall we?

This novel tackles the love story of Duncan and Imogen and how their young love went terribly wrong before it went incredibly right. I've seen some say there are echoes of The Will or older KA novels and I can definitely see it. Imogene gives off a persona that seems a little more posh, if you will, but as we all know, that's just what people see. The 'real' her is warm and caring and all of the things you love about a KA heroine. Duncan also has all of the things you've come to enjoy about her heroes. We're thrust into the conflict at the very beginning and then the resolution is really the primary focus of the rest of the novel. The things that make this novel stand out in the sea of other KA novels is: 1) she wrote this for/with her fans--so perhaps some of what she'd normally do isn't what she did 2) the children play a large part in how things happen 3) and the source of the conflict is something that I don't think she's done before.

All of that being said, this novel has many things that we've come to enjoy about her novels: major food and fashion porn, banter and humor that makes you smile, even while you're shaking your head, characters who start out stubborn as hell but when they finally give in, it's so good, and honestly, all the comfort of falling into a Kristen Ashley novel. 

We're super excited to see what happens with Chloe's novel and where this series goes next. Happy reading, y'all.  

NEW, EXTENDED VERSION!
With many new chapters, and introducing a new series character, this re-released Special Edition version of After the Climb is the book you have, but it’s also so much more!
They were the Three Amigos: Duncan Holloway, Imogen Swan and Corey Szabo. Two young boys with difficult lives at home banding together with a cool girl who didn’t mind mucking through the mud on their hikes.
They grew up to be Duncan Holloway, activist, CEO and face of the popular River Rain outdoor stores, Imogen Swan, award-winning actress and America’s sweetheart, and Corey Szabo, ruthless tech billionaire.
Rich and very famous, they would learn the devastating knowledge of how the selfish acts of one would affect all their lives.
And the lives of those they loved.
Start the River Rain series with After the Climb, the story of Duncan and Imogen navigating their way back to each other, decades after a fierce betrayal.
And introduce yourself to their families, who will have their stories told when River Rain continues.

Grab your e-copy for ZERO PENNIES now!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3e2t6eT
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/AftertheClimb
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2UwBQ6e
Nook: https://bit.ly/3yIQki5
Kobo: https://bit.ly/36ossEv
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3r6vTJp

Order your paperback today! https://www.kristenashley.net/titles/after-the-climb-special-edition/

Add After the Climb to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2RyuRZp

About Kristen Ashley

Kristen Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty romance novels including the Rock Chick, Colorado Mountain, Dream Man, Chaos, Unfinished Hero, The ’Burg, Magdalene, Fantasyland, The Three, Ghost and Reincarnation, Moonlight and Motor Oil and Honey series along with several standalone novels. She’s a hybrid author, publishing titles both independently and traditionally, her books have been translated in fourteen languages and she’s sold over three million books.
Kristen’s novel, Law Man, won the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for best Romantic Suspense. Her independently published title Hold On was nominated for RT Book Reviews best Independent Contemporary Romance and her traditionally published title Breathe was nominated for best Contemporary Romance. Kristen’s titles Motorcycle Man, The Will, Ride Steady (which won the Reader’s Choice award from Romance Reviews) and The Hookup all made the final rounds for Goodreads Choice Awards in the Romance category.

Connect with Kristen

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FyJg18
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3hl0A7e
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Website: https://www.kristenashley.net
Stay up to date by subscribing to her mailing list: https://bit.ly/3mjJiLd

NEW REVIEW: Exposed by Kristen Callihan

OUR REVIEW:

Court and I are very new to the VIP Series...as in we just started reading them about a week ago. And while I kinda want to kick myself for waiting so long to read these, I also love that we've been able to read them back to back to back without any wait time between them. 

In Exposed, we finally get to know the story behind Brenna and Rye. From the very first book (Idol), these two have been snapping and snarking at each other while their bandmates and friends looking on with huge smirks on their faces. It seemed so obvious that there are *things* between them but no one knew why. Now we know....and that, my friends, is something I'll let you discover when you read. As with all of the novels in this series, the banter is top notch, especially between Brenna and Rye. There's always a snark, comeback, or witticism that either makes you have to smile, or sometimes when it's especially too on the nose, cringe. Because each of them knows the other so well, the barbs come early and fairly often, until it becomes apparent that sometime those barbs are just cover for something else.

Another plus in this series is the inevitable hilarity that happens between all of these characters. The history they share means they have lots of ammunition and stories and that means lots of opportunities to embarrass each other and make us laugh. The way that Callihan creates these characters and their world makes them feel real (and surprisingly relatable for being mega rock stars) and I think part of the reason we love them so much is because we feel like we know them and understand them. Like the previous novels, the other bandmates and friends are very much a part of the narrative so you're always getting updates about how they are as you are simultaneously involved in the love story of Brenna and Rye. I don't know about you, but I love it when that happens.

One thing that I think differentiates this novel is that the relationship-phobe was Brenna, not Rye. While both of them definitely had their own personal battles to fight with and through, for once it wasn't the male that was pushing their person away. Like many strong protagonists in this series, a strength can sometimes also be (or mask) a weakness and it was interesting to see both Rye and Brenna work through some things to get to their HEA. 

Now that Killian, Scottie, Jax, and Rye have fallen, we all know that Whip has to be next, right? So the question is will that mean Jules is his person or someone else? And if not Jules, will she get a book too? Either way, I look forward to reading the next book in this series and am secretly hoping that more characters are introduced so we don't have to say goodbye when the next one is over. 

Exposed (VIP #4) by Kristen Callihan is now live!

Brenna

There are some people in life who know exactly how to push your buttons. For me, it’s Rye Peterson. We can’t spend more than ten minutes together before we’re at each other’s throats, which makes working together that much harder. Rye is the bassist for Kill John, the biggest rock band in the world, and I am his publicist. It doesn’t help that the man is gorgeous, funny, talented, and…never takes anything seriously. Avoidance is key.

But everything changes when he overhears something he shouldn’t: a confession made in a moment of weakness. Now the man I’ve tried so hard to ignore is offering me the greatest temptation of all—him.

Rye

Brenna James is the one. The one I can’t have. The one I can’t get out of my mind. Believe me, I’ve tried; the woman loathes me. I managed well enough—until I heard her say she’s as lonely as I am. That she needed to be touched, held, satisfied. And I could no longer deny the truth: I wanted to be the one to give her what she craved.

I convinced her that it would just be sex, mutual satisfaction with nothing deeper. But the moment I have her, she becomes my world. I’ve never given her a good reason to trust me before. Now, I’ve got to show Brenna that we’re so much better together than we ever were apart.

Things are going to get messy. But getting messy with Brenna is what I do best.

 

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

Amazon: https://amzn.to/34QUjwl

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3wg2Sg1

Nook: https://bit.ly/3iC3atM

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3gurUkP

 

Website: www.kristencallihan.com

 

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fOg0Sx

 

Meet Kristen

Kristen Callihan is an author because there's nothing else she'd rather be. She has written New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestsellers. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. Her debut book, Firelight, received RT Magazine's Seal of Excellence and was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, Best Book of Spring 2012 by Publishers Weekly, and Best Romance Book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she's not writing, she's reading.

Connect with Kristen

Website: www.kristencallihan.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/kristen_callihan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristen_callihan/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kris10Callihan

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kristen-callihan

NEW REVIEW: The Blood is Love by Karina Halle

 

OUR REVIEW:

You know what's awesome? A beach vacation. You know what makes that even better? Having Karina Halle's The Blood is Love as a reading companion while enjoying the beach. I've been eager for this follow up to Black Sunshine and it did not disappoint.

In The Blood is Love, the first part is Lenore exploring what it means to inhabit the world as part witch, part vampire. It's, as one can only imagine, a completely mind altering exploration --thinking of living forever, of knowing that different factions want you dead or to use you for your power, to realizing that life as you knew it doesn't really exist to you the way it did before. She takes it about as well as one can expect: it's messy and confusing. Solon being the gentleman vampire he is, gives her the time and space to explore her emotions, never pushing her or really even guiding her, just letting her feel her way through it.

It's during this time that THE INCITING INCIDENT occurs and everything goes from a seemingly 'normal' existential crisis to OMG WTF with a heaping dose of dad's who have issues (among others, as we come to find out). This kicks off the last part of the novel. Lots of action, intrigue, blood, and things of that nature that end with us holding our breath to see if that HEA is coming the way we want it to or if something quite unexpected is going to happen. There were lots of tremulous sighs and holding of breaths.

The Blood is Love is a fun, modern vampire novel complete with moody vamps, hot af sexy times, and a love that endures all. This novel was the perfect beach read and I'm super excited to see what will happen in the spin-off novels!.

True love never dies

The Blood is Love by Karina Halle is now live!

From the fog-shrouded bay of San Francisco to the dark cobblestone streets of Helsinki and all the hidden places in-between, The Blood is Love takes the reader on a sensual and twisted journey deep into Lenore and Solon's lush vampire world in this thrilling sequel to Black Sunshine.

When Lenore Warwick turned twenty-one, she expected lots of bar-hopping, parties with friends, and the occasional hookup. What she got was the realization that she's both a witch and a vampire, and that there are things in this world that want her dead. Thank god she has her enigmatic vampire lover, Absolon Stavig, to help show her the ropes. But while Lenore struggles to fit into her new topsy turvy world, full of blood, sex, and magic, she also has to contend with her messy and complicated love for a vampire who isn't always what he seems.
To make matters worse, her real father, Jeremias, a powerful warlock from the dark side, has professed an interest in her, while Solon's father, the depraved vampire king Skarde, is intent on destroying everything she loves. When Solon and Lenore have to travel to Finland to work alongside Solon's charming and vicious brother, Kaleid, in an attempt to defeat Skarde once and for all, the two of them enter a bloody new world that neither of them are prepared for. Even if their love survives the carnage to come, the chances of them getting out of there alive are slim. Good thing they like to take their chances.

 

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gOeX5B

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/TheBloodIsLove

 

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3iYflRR

 

 

Meet Karina

Karina Halle is a former travel writer, music journalist & screenwriter, and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author of over 55 bestselling novels, ranging from horror and suspense to contemporary romance. She lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband, and her adopted pitbull Bruce, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails and devours a lot of books.

Halle is represented by the Root Literary Agency and is both self-published and published by Simon & Schuster, Hachette & Montlake. Her work has been translated and published in 20 languages.

Hit her up on Instagram at @authorhalle, on Twitter at @MetalBlonde and on Facebook. You can also visit www.authorkarinahalle.com and sign up for the newsletter for news, excerpts, previews, private book signing sales and more.

Connect with Karina

Website: https://authorkarinahalle.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4785031.Karina_Halle

Amazon: https://amzn.to/31HMztJ

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkarinahalle/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/912577838806567/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorhalle/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetalBlonde

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/karina-halle