Almost a Bride by Jo Watson ~ Review & Teaser Tuesday (@JoWatsonWrites, @ForeverRomance)

Almost a Bride by South African author, Jo Watson, is released today! It is the second book in the Destination Love series and I found it to be a fun, quirky read! 
Almost a Bride (Destination Love, #2)
Title: Almost a Bride
Author: Jo Watson
Series: Destination Love #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: January 31st 2017

Buy Now - Amazon | B&N Kobo

That awkward moment you catch your boyfriend in bed with another woman and then mistakenly get arrested #chargesdropped

Annie knows life isn't always fair. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes you get mistaken for a crazed intruder when you come home early and find your boyfriend wearing nipple clamps with a coworker on the night you thought he was going to propose to you.

The important thing is to move on, and for Annie that means treating herself to a tropical vacation. But when she runs into her ex and his new woman staying at the same resort, reason is washed out to sea. Caught off guard, Annie pretends she's with Chris, a cute screenwriter she meets on the beach. With his own writing blocked, Chris is happy to help Annie craft a story to save face. Soon Annie isn't just getting over her ex, she's getting under Chris. As her fictional feelings grow increasingly real, Annie has to decide if she's ready to risk her heart on a new relationship.

This was the first book I've read by Jo Watson, and I was surprised as to how much I enjoyed it. Set in South Africa (in the beginning), it was heartbreaking to watch Annie struggle to begin with, but some of the situations she managed to get herself into were amusing! I also enjoy stories that have a fake relationship in them, so it was no surprise that I would like this one!

Annie's life turned upside down from the opening chapters. She walked in on her cheating boyfriend, lost her job and was homeless in a matter of hours. With the help of her close friend Jane, she was able to find some sort of stability. When her friend Lilly suggested an all expenses paid trip to Mauritius, she was hesitant at first, but decided it was time to change her life. Her first meeting with Chris was a little rocky, but after a while they realised how much they liked being with each other. When Annie's ex turned up, Annie somehow found herself in a fake relationship that soon escalated out of control.

I enjoyed this book right from the beginning, I actually devoured it within a day. I laughed at some of the situations that Annie found herself in, swooned as I watched the connection between Chris and Annie grow, and felt her loss as her heart broke. She had a strong group of friends that supported her through her loss and her crazy plan of revenge. What I loved most was how Chris and Annie's feelings grew throughout the story, considering that Chris didn't believe in love and that neither of them were looking for a relationship. Despite the short amount of time they've known one another, they were cute together and found it easy to open up to one another.

Even though this was the second book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. The first book was Lilly's and the next book will be Jane's, who was Annie's best friend. For my first Jo Watson book, I enjoyed the way she pulled me into the story and developed characters that I loved, and a couple that I despised. It touched on a serious topic that was handled well, but overall it was a fun, cute read, and I'm looking forward to more from this world.

Complimentary copy provided by the Publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hehehe... this first kiss was building up to be epic!!

“You should know, I haven’t done this in a while.”
“That’s okay.” Chris smiled as if I was amusing him terribly.
“Okay. Let’s do it then.” I started leaning in again but then pulled away. “So I could be rusty.”
“Okay.” Chris nodded again and this time he started leaning in. I closed my eyes and felt his breath again and then—
“So please don’t judge me on this kiss or anything, because it probably won’t be that good, or maybe it will be okay, but—”
Annie!” He said my name so loudly that I did a double take. “Shut up, I want to kiss you.”

Kindle Arc Loc 1914


Hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat
 
Jo Watson is an award-winning writer of romantic comedies. Burning Moon won a Watty Award in 2014. Jo is an Adidas addict and a Depeche Mode devotee.


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Smut by Karina Halle ~ Audiobook Review & Quote-tastic (@MetalBlonde)

If you're looking for a fun and sizzling read, you need to get Smut! I had a lot of fun listening to this one!
Smut
Title: Smut
Author: Karina Halle
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Published: July 20th 2016 (first published May 16th 2016)

Buy Now - Amazon | Audible B&N Kobo

All Blake Crawford wants is to pass his creative writing course, get his university degree, and take over his dad's ailing family business. What Amanda Newland wants is to graduate at the top of her class, as well as finish her novel and prove to her family that writing is a respectful career.

What Blake and Amanda don't want is to be paired up with each other for their final project, but that's exactly what they both get when they're forced to collaborate on a writing piece. Since Amanda thinks Blake is an arrogant jerk (with a panty-melting smirk and British accent) and Blake thinks Amanda has a stick up her (tight, round) bottom, they fight tooth and nail. That is, until they discover they write well together. They also might find each other really attractive, but that's neither here nor there.

When their writing project turns out to be a success, the two of them decide to start up a secret partnership using a pen name, infiltrating the self-publishing market in the lucrative genre of erotica. Naturally, with so much heat and passion between the pages, it's not long before their dirty words become a dirty reality.

Smut! What a fun read this turned out to be! Amanda and Blake; two people that often bantered in the classroom, became a successful, erotica writing duo. And once they give in to the chemistry between them, become sizzling between the sheets! However, it's not all fun and games as they have personal issues to deal with, Amanda trying to find her feet after a break up, and Blake trying to save his father's book business.

It was sad to see that Amanda's family and friends lacked confidence in her, but it boosted her more to become successful with her writing. She was sure Blake would be a slacker and she'd have to shoulder the work, so it surprised her at how well they worked together. I loved that she was a little dorky, and had a kind heart.

Blake, was the sexy, British business major, who had a knack for writing. He was also very opinionated and known to be a player – more the one night stand type of guy. He was actually a nice guy under that cocky exterior; stepped in for his father at the book store and looked out for his step brother. The more I saw of his sweeter side, the more I liked him. And how scared he was of spiders! That cracked me up, because I would've reacted the same way!

The banter between these two was entertaining! When they got paired up for an assignment, emails were exchanged and I giggled at the awkwardness between them! I liked that they were both nerds and had a lot in common, once they opened up a bit to each other. They were both good people, that looked out for one another, but weren't ready for commitment.

It was quite the enjoyable read as, once again, Karina Halle swept me away with her impressive world building and flawed characters that were perfect for one another. I enjoyed the narration by Lidia Dornet and Shaun Grindell. They were easy to listen to and the British accents were done well, especially by Shaun Grindell. I'll be looking forward to listening to more of their work in the future.

Ahhh, Blake! I really enjoyed his perspective! He always made me laugh!

I knew it. She’s a nerd on the streets and a freak in the sheets.
“I don’t mean to brag,” I tell her in all seriousness. “But you do realize that I could give you an orgasm in thirty seconds.”

Kindle Loc 3170


She takes my hand. “Come with me, naked and afraid man.”
Right. The naked thing.
Everything that’s happened post-sex hasn’t been my finest moment. No wonder the women are only around for one night.

Kindle Loc 4005

Hosted by Anna @ Herding Cats & Burning Soup

Karina Halle is a former travel writer and music journalist and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of The Pact, Racing the Sun, Sins & Needles and over 25 other wild and romantic reads. She lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband and her rescue pup, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails and devours a lot of books.

Halle is represented by the Waxman Leavell Agency and is both self-published and published by Simon & Schuster and Hachette in North America and in the UK.


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.





Other reviews featuring Karina Halle
The Debt 
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Waiting On Wednesday #227 – Long Way Home / Dawn Study (@KatieMcGarry, #MariaVSnyder, @HqnTeenAus)

Finally! Chevy and Violet's book! Whoo hoo!
It's been a long wait... but Dawn Study is almost HERE!
Long Way Home (Thunder Road, #3)
Title: Long Way Home
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: Thunder Road #3
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Expected Publication: January 31st 2017

Seventeen-year-old Violet has always been expected to sit back and let the boys do all the saving.

It’s the code her father, a member of the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, raised her to live by. Yet when her dad is killed carrying out Terror business, Violet knows it’s up to her to do the saving. To protect herself, and her vulnerable younger brother, she needs to cut all ties with the club—including Chevy, the boy she’s known and loved her whole life.

But when a rival club comes after Violet, exposing old secrets and making new threats, she’s forced to question what she thought she knew about her father, the Reign of Terror, and what she thinks she wants. Which means re-evaluating everything: love, family, friends . . . and forgiveness.

Caught in the crosshairs between loyalty and freedom, Violet must decide whether old friends can be trusted—and if she’s strong enough to be the one person to save them all.


Dawn Study (Soulfinders, #3)
Title: Dawn Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: Soulfinders #3
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Expected Publication: January 31st 2017

New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder brings her Poison Study series to its exhilarating conclusion.

Despite the odds, Yelena and Valek have forged an irrevocable bond and a family that transcends borders. Now, when their two homelands stand on the brink of war, they must fight with magic and cunning to thwart an Ixian plot to invade Sitia.

Yelena seeks to break the hold of the insidious Theobroma that destroys a person's resistance to magical persuasion. But the Cartel is determined to keep influential citizens and Sitian diplomats in thrall and Yelena at bay. With every bounty hunter after her, Yelena is forced to make a dangerous deal.

With might and magic, Valek peels back the layers of betrayal surrounding the Commander. At its rotten core lies a powerful magician and his latest discovery. The fate of all rests upon two unlikely weapons. One may turn the tide. The other could spell the end of everything.


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine where I have the chance to spotlight upcoming releases that I’m eagerly anticipating.
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Wicked Bride Games by Clarissa Wild ~ Review & Teaser Tuesday (@WildClarissa)

I'm a little late with my review for Wicked Bride Games, but WOW! I really enjoyed this dark, twisted read! It will have any reader on edge, but it's definitely a read for those that enjoy a little bit of naughty in their lives! 😜
Wicked Bride Games (Indecent Games, #1)
Title: Wicked Bride Games
Author: Clarissa Wild
Series: Indecent Games #1
Genre: Dark Romantic Suspense
Published: January 10th 2017

Buy Now - Amazon | B&N Kobo

Fifty million dollars for three weeks of your life in the hands of a total stranger. Would you do it?

When Naomi Lee finds herself out of a job and out of the money she needs to pay her father’s medical bills, she receives an anonymous letter, containing an offer she can’t refuse.

Max Marino, a wealthy businessman, wants her and he’ll pay any price.
Three weeks of her time, no-holds-barred, in exchange for fifty million dollars.
With no other means to pay her bills, Naomi has no choice but to accept.

However, Naomi isn’t the only one who signs the contract.
And Max isn’t alone in his deal.

Three brothers …
Nine girls …
All competing for the ultimate prize … marriage.

Let the games begin.

WARNING: contains explicit situations, dubious consent, graphic violence, and other disturbing content. Includes scenes involving multiple men & women being dirty together. Every boundary is crossed. Read at your own risk.

What a dark, dangerous and twisted story this sizzling read turned out to be! If you've read Clarissa's work before, you can kind of expect that she can go dark, but Wicked Bride Games was definitely something else!

Now for me, I had a bit of a connection with the main character, but that tends to happen when you have the same amazing first name! * wink * I loved how strong she was despite the crappy situation that she found herself in. She was willing to do whatever it took to help her parents out, considering the hard times they themselves were also facing.

The game that she found herself in was intriguing, but soooo dangerous! I enjoyed that sense of fear that I could feel throughout the story, the lust that grew between some of the characters, and the unknown of what was coming next! There were scenes that would unsettle any reader, but I just couldn't look away!

The dark side of this story enabled me to thoroughly enjoy Wicked Bride Games! I was often on edge, and was amazed after each twist was thrown at me. I've enjoyed Clarissa Wild's dark reads, and she seems to step it up every time I pick up her latest work. Those for the faint hearted should give this a miss, but for those who love reads that will leave you shocked, breathless and a little on edge... snap this one up!!

Complimentary copy provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review.


Just wow! I loved the bluntness in this story, and the characters never held back!

“I may have fu*#ed you like an animal, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still a gentleman when it comes to you.” I press a kiss on her lips, and she doesn’t fight me back. I’m the first to pull away. “And you’re still the only girl I want.”

Kindle Arc Loc 2382


Hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat

Clarissa Wild is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author, best known for the dark Romance novel Mr. X. Her novels include the Fierce Series, the Delirious Series, Stalker Duology, Twenty-One (21), Ultimate Sin, VIKTOR, and Bad Teacher. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire's Bet series, and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.






Other reviews featuring Clarissa Wild
Ruin
Bad Teacher
Fierce series
Fight #0.5
Fierce #1
Flame  #2
Filthy #3

Mr. X
Stalker
Twenty-One (21) 
Viktor 
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Dawn Study by Maria V. Snyder ~ Review & Quote-tastic (@HqnTeenAus)

Maria V. Snyder is one of my favourite authors, and I've been waiting not so patiently for the final book in the Soulfinders series. What an exciting ride it turned out to be!! 
Dawn Study (Soulfinders, #3)
Title: Dawn Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: Soulfinders #3
Genre: YA Fantasy
Published: January 25th 2017

Buy Now - Amazon | Amazon PaperbackB&N Kobo

New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder brings her Poison Study series to its exhilarating conclusion.

Despite the odds, Yelena and Valek have forged an irrevocable bond and a family that transcends borders. Now, when their two homelands stand on the brink of war, they must fight with magic and cunning to thwart an Ixian plot to invade Sitia.

Yelena seeks to break the hold of the insidious Theobroma that destroys a person's resistance to magical persuasion. But the Cartel is determined to keep influential citizens and Sitian diplomats in thrall and Yelena at bay. With every bounty hunter after her, Yelena is forced to make a dangerous deal.

With might and magic, Valek peels back the layers of betrayal surrounding the Commander. At its rotten core lies a powerful magician and his latest discovery. The fate of all rests upon two unlikely weapons. One may turn the tide. The other could spell the end of everything

What a fantastic ending to the Soulfinders series! I have loved each journey that I have been on in this world, and Dawn Study was a well crafted and epic conclusion, to this particular series, that will stay with me for a while to come.

I have fallen for each of the characters on this journey, and getting other perspectives enabled me to get to know them even more. Yelena had a lot to deal with, her lack of magic and the changes that she will have to face in the future. Valek is very protective of her, and it was sweet to see her take some of his advice. Valek was busy doing what he always does, being sneaky and trying to prevent war between both countries. Leif had some hard times himself, and managed to get himself into situations that were hard to get out of. Seeing what Heli was up to allowed me to see how the storm dancers were coping, and how Valek's siblings were developing. And Janco... well he continued to annoy everybody while doing his job.

The story was exciting! The constant sense of danger was there as the group investigated and discovered who was behind the Theobroma. They were able to form new alliances, so they could get inside information to regain control once again. They often had to spilt up to accomplish what needed to be done.

Maria wrapped the story up nicely, keeping me on my toes and keeping me engaged to the plot. I liked the direction of the book and how far the conspiracy spread. I was unsure of who could be trusted, but I enjoyed how risky each character was to regain control of their world once again. It was good to see most of the loose ends were tied up. But, there were a few threads left open, so it will be interesting if we were to get more from this world... I'm excited by the possibility!

Complimentary copy provided by the Publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a beautiful moment between Valek and Yelena... it made me swoon!

“You are more beautiful to me today than yesterday. Each day, when I think I can’t possibly love you any more than I already do, you prove me wrong. So I’m very confident that even if you turn into a turnip with legs, I will love and desire you.”

Kindle Arc Loc 3572

And a Janco moment!!

“How did you know about that?” Janco’s voice held a suspicious tone.
“From you, genius. Am I the only one who listens to you when you talk?” she asked.
“We’re supposed to listen to his prattle?” I asked. “Who knew?”
“Not funny.” Janco mumbled something about checking the area and stalked off.

Kindle Arc Loc 1758

Hosted by Anna @ Herding Cats & Burning Soup

Maria V. SnyderMeteorologist turned novelist, Maria's been writing fantasy and science fiction since she was bored at work and needed something creative to do. A dozen novels and numerous short stories later, Maria's learned a thing or three about writing. She’s been on the New York Times bestseller list, won a half-dozen awards, and has earned her MA degree in Writing from Seton Hill University where she's been happily sharing her knowledge with the current crop of MFA students. She also enjoys creating new worlds where horses and swords rule, 'cause let's face it, they're cool, although she's been known to trap her poor characters in a giant metal cube and let them figure out how to get out. Readers are welcome to check out her website for book excerpts, free short stories, maps, blog, and her schedule at http://www.MariaVSnyder.com.






Other reviews featuring Maria V. Snyder 
Soulfinders series
Shadow Study #1
Night Study #2

Healer series
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Royally Deep by Virna DePaul ~ Excerpt (@virnadepaul, @wordsmithpublic)

Royally Deep, the second book in Virna DePaul's Going Deep series is now LIVE!! You need to check out this cheeky teaser too... things are warming up!!
Title: Royally Deep
Author: Virna DePaul
Series: Going Deep #2
Genre: Adult Sports Romance
Published: January 10, 2017
Buy Now - Amazon | B&N iTunes | Kobo | Google Play

Take one sexy quarterback,
Mix in one adventurous princess,
Add some serious sexual tension,
And you get the royal romance of a lifetime.

Kyle Young—all-star quarterback and lady-killer—thought he knew what he wanted out of life: freedom, football and fun. Then he meets Bella. She seems like the perfect woman: gorgeous, funny, and a huge football fan. But what he doesn’t know? Bella also happens to be Princess Arabella of Salasia.

Yearning for adventure and romance before she devotes herself to her country and marries a man she doesn’t love, Arabella can’t believe her luck when she meets Kyle. Sparks fly between the football player and the princess, and they begin an affair neither of them could’ve imagined.

Soon, however, duty and self-doubt cause Kyle and Arabella to separate. Can he become the prince she needs? And can Arabella overcome her family’s disapproval? Or will their love transform back into a pumpkin at midnight, leaving them both without a happily ever after?


He brushed his fingers across her cheek. “You sure about this?”
That she had an answer to. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

At that, Kyle led her from the door to stand in the muted light. Their room held a queen-sized bed with a charming quilt, and wooden furniture scattered throughout. She thought she could hear the sound of a record player somewhere downstairs, but otherwise it was quiet. Quiet except for her breathing, and the roaring in her ears from her pounding heart.

Kyle’s fingers glided down her face, down her throat, brushing against her beating pulse before brushing against her collarbone. She swallowed. His index finger made a figure eight around her heart, right above her cleavage.

“Tell me one more time,” he said in a low voice. “Tell me you want this.”

“I want this. I want you.” She knew she sounded desperate, but she didn’t even care at this point. “Kiss me, Kyle.”

Virna DePaul is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, and a former criminal prosecutor who writes thrilling, sexy stories about ordinary people overcoming extraordinary obstacles to find love. She has been traditionally published with Penguin, Harlequin, and Random House, and is also a bestselling Indie author.




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