Naomi's Reading Palace: November 2019

Park Avenue Player by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland ~ Review & Teaser (@ViKeeland, @PenelopeAuthor)

I'm on a bit of a Ward & Keeland roll at the moment, and grabbing a lot of their reads while they are on Kindle Unlimited. This was another fun read that I devoured quickly. Elodie and Hollis were total opposites, but when they were together there were sparks everywhere!

Title: Park Avenue Player

Author: Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: September 22nd 2019

Buy Now - Amazon US | Amazon Aus

From New York Times bestselling authors Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland comes a new standalone novel.

It started out like any normal day.

Then the fender bender happened.

The guy I collided with drove an expensive car and was drop-dead gorgeous. Too bad he was also a total jerk. We argued over whose fault it was and any other thing that came out of his condescending mouth.

Eventually, the police came and we went our separate ways. The insurance companies would have to figure things out. I had a job interview to get to anyway--one I was excited about.

Though that excitement changed to disappointment the moment the person interviewing me walked in. The guy from the accident.

Whoops!

Yeah, so I didn't get the position.

The problem was, I really wanted it. No, I needed it. Anything to get me out of my current career and back into working with kids.

So, even though Hollis LaCroix was as intimidating as he was devastatingly handsome, I went back to see him and begged for a chance.

To my surprise, he gave me a shot taking care of his troubled niece.

At least my attraction to him wouldn't be able to go anywhere. I wasn't about to jeopardize my job or the strong bond Hailey and I formed.

But resisting the magnetic pull between us wasn't that simple. (Then there was our little underwear game--don't ask.)

We continued to flirt without crossing the line--until it finally happened.

This is the part of the story where we fall in love and live happily ever after, right?

Well, life has a way of throwing some major curveballs.

Ours was one I didn't see coming.

As always from this writing duo, I expected this story to start with a bang, and Park Avenue Player certainly started that way! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these characters and seeing the way they disliked each other to begin with, made me laugh! Elodie was a determined woman to make a better life for herself, and was not willing to give up her dream job easily.

The connection between Elodie and Hollis built slowly and it was sweet to see Elodie build that connection with Hollis' niece Kelsey. They had their own kind of friendship and it was good to see Kelsey get that womanly touch that she desperately needed.

I was so happy that Hollis decided to give Elodie a second chance, as it allowed them to work on the mixed feelings they had for one another. Hollis was such a take charge man and it was good to see that Elodie was able to have that kind of influence on him that would sway him to make the right decisions when it came to Kelsey.

The cat and mouse game between these two was laugh out loud funny... there was a panty incident or two that cracked me up, but Hollis was determined to keep Elodie away. My heart ached for her, but she wasn't going to give up without a fight!

I enjoyed how this story unfolded and the way Elodie and Hollis both fell for one another. They all built a connection, especially Elodie and Kelsey which helped to cement the relationship between Elodie and Hollis. I enjoyed the way the authors wove this story and created a situation that would pull on every mother's heart. Ward & Keeland sure know how to pull a reader into a world that we don't want to leave!

The chemistry was at boiling point between Hollis and Elodie, and I loved this moment between them!

“Let’s see. What do I owe you an apology for? Jerking off to your panties? Or maybe coming so hard in the shower to visions of your face that I can barely see straight afterward? Or could it be wanting to beat the crap out of every asshole guy named Benito in the city of New York? Which is it, Elodie? Will one big, fat apology do?”
There had been very few times in my life that I’d been left speechless, but right now I had no idea how to respond. My jaw hung open, and my heart felt like it might come through the wall of my chest.
Hollis’s eyes dipped to my lips, and I felt my knees go weak. He growled. “Fuck this.”
Before I could register what was happening, he wrapped his big hands around my face, tilted my head, and planted his lips over mine. It took a few heartbeats for the shock to wear off. But when it did, all hell broke loose.

Kindle Loc 2485

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 10-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!

Other reviews featuring Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
Hate Notes
Cocky Bastard
Stuck Up Suit
Mister Moneybags
Playboy Pilot
British Bedmate
Other reviews featuring Vi Keeland
Bossman
The Baller
Life on Stage series

Throb #1
Other reviews featuring Penelope Ward
Step Brother Dearest
Neighbor Dearest
Jake Undone
My Skylar
Mack Daddy
Drunk Dial

British Bedmate by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland ~ Review & Teaser (@ViKeeland, @PenelopeAuthor)

British Bedmate (formally known as Dear Bridget, I Want You) was such an entertaining read! I loved the chemistry between Bridget and Simon and the intense relationship

Title: British Bedmate

Author: Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: October 1st 2018 (first published September 18th 2017)

Buy Now - Amazon US | Amazon Aus | B&N

From the New York Times Bestselling authors of Stuck-Up Suit and Mister Moneybags comes a sexy new standalone novel.

Dear Bridget,
I'm writing this letter because it's highly doubtful I'll ever garner the courage to say this to your face.
So, here goes.
We're totally wrong for each other. You're the proper single mum with a good head on your shoulders. I'm just the carefree British doctor passing through town and temporarily living in your converted garage until I head back to England.
But here's the thing... for some bloody reason, I can't stop thinking about you in very inappropriate ways.
I want you.
The only reason I'm even admitting all of this to you right now is because I don't believe it's one-sided. I notice your eyes when you look at me, too. And as crass as I appear when we're joking around about sex, my attraction to you is not a joke.
So, what's the purpose of this note? I guess it's a reminder that we're adults, that sex is healthy and natural, and that you can find me just through the door past the kitchen. More specifically, it's to let you know that I'm leaving said door cracked open from now on in case you'd like to visit me in the middle of the night sometime.
No questions asked.
Think about it.
Or don't.
Whatever you choose.
It's doubtful I'll even end up sliding this letter under your door anyway.
--Simon

I do love to read books by this duo, but it was the blurb that hooked me on this one. Once I opened the book and started reading the pages, I knew I would enjoy it. Come on ladies... British Doctor, who would not want to read about that?! The more I read, the more I enjoyed it, getting to know both Bridget and Simon... I had hope that these two would find happiness together.

The start of the book had me in stitches! The banter between Bridget and Simon was hilarious as well as the situation Bridget had herself in! I knew that when these two crossed paths again that it was going to be amusing!

Learning Bridget’s story and seeing how strong she was made my heart ache. She deserved to find someone to make her feel beautiful and treat her well. She had suffered so much, but learned to cope and grow. She wasn't sure what to do with her feelings for Simon and she was afraid to act on the connection they had. But a simple letter changed everything for her.

Simon had his own plans, however settling down and having a family wasn't really in his future. I could see that Bridget may be the girl that would change everything for him. The more time they spent together I could see these two finding happiness. But – there's always a but – throw in annoying parents and a twist that broke my heart and I had hope that they could still find their perfect together.

This was such an intriguing read, that I found hard to put down. I loved meeting the characters, watching them face their feelings and step outside their comfort zones. They had amazing chemistry and had more in common than they initially realised.

This was such a sweet moment that melted my heart...

“ ...All the things that you probably think are negatives are actually the things that I find the most sexually arousing: your luscious, plump arse, the slight feminine curve of your stomach, your soft, natural tits. And on top of those things… your eyes—they slay me. Despite everything you’ve been through, they still shine with hope and wonder, whether you realize it or not. You’re beautiful, Bridget. Absolutely fucking beautiful and don’t ever believe otherwise.”

Kindle Loc 1554

Other reviews featuring Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward
Hate Notes
Cocky Bastard
Stuck Up Suit
Mister Moneybags
Playboy Pilot
Other reviews featuring Vi Keeland
Bossman
The Baller
Life on Stage series

Throb #1
Other reviews featuring Penelope Ward
Step Brother Dearest
Neighbor Dearest
Jake Undone
My Skylar
Mack Daddy
Drunk Dial

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare ~ Review & Teaser (@cassieclare)

I'd forgotten how much I enjoy this magical world so I was so excited to get into this series! It was exciting to see old and new characters as they tried to unravel the mystery!

Title: Lady Midnight

Author: Cassandra Clare

Series: The Dark Artifices #1

Genre: YA Fantasy

Published: March 8th 2016

Buy Now - Amazon US | Amazon Aus | B&N | Kobo

The Shadowhunters of Los Angeles star in the first novel in Cassandra Clare’s newest series, The Dark Artifices, a sequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series. Lady Midnight is a Shadowhunters novel.

It’s been five years since the events of City of Heavenly Fire that brought the Shadowhunters to the brink of oblivion. Emma Carstairs is no longer a child in mourning, but a young woman bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging her losses.

Together with her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles, from the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica. If only her heart didn’t lead her in treacherous directions…

Making things even more complicated, Julian’s brother Mark—who was captured by the faeries five years ago—has been returned as a bargaining chip. The faeries are desperate to find out who is murdering their kind—and they need the Shadowhunters’ help to do it. But time works differently in faerie, so Mark has barely aged and doesn’t recognize his family. Can he ever truly return to them? Will the faeries really allow it?

Glitz, glamours, and Shadowhunters abound in this heartrending opening to Cassandra Clare’s Dark Artifices series.

It has been a long time since I have read anything by Cassandra Clare, and I have purchased each book in this series as they were released. However, I just hoarded them until I had the chance to read them. I finally picked up Lady Midnight, and was pulled into the Shadow Hunter world once again, meeting characters that I had glimpses of in the original series, The Mortal Instruments.

This series starts with Emma trying to find out how her parents were murdered. She follows leads and puts herself in danger, and learns that she has a lot of people that will support her. She discovers how important her connection is with her paborati, Julian, and I could see that their relationship was developing into something more than a magical partner relationship, which was forbidden.

Julian had struggled raising his siblings since his older brother and sister were taken away. He played the safe, obedient parental role but soon discovered that he needed to step up a little more to help and to save those he loved. I liked that his brother came back to put pressure on him, however it wasn't easy for Mark to come back to his family.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and all the twists and turns that were thrown at Emma and the Blackthorn family. I loved seeing glimpses of characters from The Infernal Devices as well as the first series, as they came in to help when needed.

Cassandra Clare has an incredible way of building a world that you want to get lost in, and I couldn't help but get pulled into this magical world and the action that unfolded. The ending was fantastic and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

This was a bit of an exciting moment and shows the deep relationship that Jules and Emma have.

She took her witchlight out of her pocket and lit it, ﬁlling the car with bright light. Jules’s shirt was soaked with blood, and worse, the healing runes she’d drawn had vanished from his skin. They weren’t working.
“Jules,” she said. “I have to call the Silent Brothers. They can help you. I have to.”
His eyes screwed shut with pain. “You can’t,” he said. “You know we can’t call the Silent Brothers. They report directly to the Clave.”
“So we’ll lie to them. Say it was a routine demon patrol. I’m calling,” she said, and reached for her phone.
“No!” Julian said, forcefully enough to stop her. “Silent Brothers know when you’re lying! They have the Mortal Sword, Emma. They’ll ﬁnd out about the investigation. About Mark—”
“You’re not going to bleed to death in a car for Mark!”
“No,” he said, looking at her. His eyes were eerily blue-green, the only deep color in the witch-lit interior of the car. “You’re going to ﬁx me.”

Paperback Page 267

Cassandra Clare was born to American parents in Teheran, Iran and spent much of her childhood travelling the world with her family, including one trek through the Himalayas as a toddler where she spent a month living in her father’s backpack. She lived in France, England and Switzerland before she was ten years old.

Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called “The Beautiful Cassandra” based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name (and which later inspired her current pen name).

After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina’s world travels and Britney Spears’ wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favourite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.

Cassie’s first professional writing sale was a short story called “The Girl’s Guide to Defeating the Dark Lord” in a Baen anthology of humor fantasy. Cassie hates working at home alone because she always gets distracted by reality TV shows and the antics of her two cats, so she usually sets out to write in local coffee shops and restaurants. She likes to work in the company of her friends, who see that she sticks to her deadlines.

City of Bones was her first novel.

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