Naomi's Reading Palace

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

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
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

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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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Million Dollar Marriage by Katy Evans ~ Review & Teaser (@authorkatyevans, @AmazonPub)

Million Dollar Marriage was quite the enjoyable read. It's a mash up of a few TV shows, so if you like The Amazing Race with a few twists (like being married to a stranger right from the start) you should grab this one! I found it to be a light and amusing romance!

Million Dollar Marriage (Million Dollar, #2)

Title: Million Dollar Marriage

Author: Katy Evans

Series: Million Dollar #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: July 23rd 2019

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

From New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans comes a hot romance about two strangers and their race to fall in love.

If someone had bet Nell a million dollars that she would be saying “I do” to a complete stranger on national television, she’d have called them crazy, but with her crushing student loan payments sending her deep into the red, she’s out of options. This should be nothing more than a business transaction—until she sets eyes on her groom, and everything changes.

The game is on the instant Luke spots Penelope “Nell” Carpenter. He’s out for the money, yes, but getting a little dirty with Nell doesn’t sound too bad either. Everyone knows he’s not the marrying kind, so it’s a good thing it’s just for show. God knows he’s the worst guy his pretty wife should pick for real.

They have nothing in common, but if they want the grand prize, they’ll have to beat out eight other couples. Proving that total opposites attract should be easy enough…as long as they don’t fall in love in the process.

I really enjoyed Million Dollar Devil, the first book in this series, so I knew I needed to continue in this series. Million Dollar Marriage features Luke and Nell; Luke owns the bar from the first book where James and Lizzy met, so I was so excited to get his story!

Nell was one of those quiet girls who studied hard and never really took risks until her friend talked her into trying out for a new reality TV show. It was amusing and a little corny, but I thought it was hilarious to watch these two interact. Nell would try and push Luke away, and Luke just bided his time!

Luke had his reasons for wanting to win this game, but I could see that he was attracted to Nell from their first meeting. He respected her and I could see that he would do anything for her. I loved the banter between them and how they worked well as a team as the show progressed.

These two were explosive once they hit the sheets, there was all this built up tension and I could see they were meant to be. They trusted one another right up to the end, however a little doubt crawled in, and I was yelling: NO! NO! NO! That twist GRRR! Any way... I read through and enjoyed how it all played out.

Once again, I am loving Katy Evans new series. I enjoyed how this book crossed over with the first and we were able to see those characters growing. I enjoy the chemistry, the banter and the sexy times all rolled into an entertaining read! I hope we get more, and soon!

Nell was found it hard to make connections, so I just loved these two teasers!

He’s the first person who gets me. The first person who took the time to take care of me. And the first person in this world I think I might actually trust.

Kindle Arc Loc 2532

His voice is tortured, desperate. “Don’t do that.”
My every nerve ending is tingling as I unsnap my jeans and wiggle my hips out of them. It’s hard to speak without my voice trembling, but I want him to see that I have control and I know exactly what I’m doing. “Do what? I’m getting ready for bed.”
Suddenly, his hands fly out from his sides and he grabs my wrists, holding them immobile. “Don’t fuck with me, Penny. I can’t fucking do this now. You said you want to save yourself for the man you marry.”
I’m breathless, my body quaking for him. “Right. I’m married to you.”

Kindle Arc Loc 2606

My Life in 8 Words: “Hectic, wonderful, complete; everything I ever wanted.”

Katy Evans grew up with books and book-boyfriends until she found a real sexy boyfriend to love. They married and are now hard at work on their own happily ever after. Katy loves her family and friends, and she also loves reading, walking, baking, and being consumed by her characters until she reaches “The End.” Which is, hopefully, only the beginning…

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
Instagram / BookBub

Other reviews featuring Katy Evans
Million Dollar
Million Dollar Devil #1

Manwhore series
Manwhore #1
Manwhore +1 #2

Real series

Real #1

Mine #2

Remy #3

Rogue #4

Ripped #5

Discretion by Karina Halle ~ Review & Teaser (@MetalBlonde)

I do love it when Karina Halle releases a book, and once I came across this one, you know I had to get it. It wasn't always smooth sailing for Sadie and Olivier, they faced a lot of family issues. It was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, where I fell for the characters, but my heart ached too.

Title: Discretion

Author: Karina Halle

Series: The Dumonts #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: August 6th 2019

Buy Now - Amazon US | Amazon Aus

From New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle comes a delicious saga of wealth, luxury, and scandal—and the wicked secrets of success behind an envied family dynasty.

The Riviera means indulgence—if you’ve got money. For Sadie Reynolds, a down-on-her-luck student, the Riviera means dingy hostels and back streets. When a wrong turn puts her in jeopardy, the last thing she expects is to be saved by the most handsome stranger she’s ever locked eyes with. When she later wakes up in a luxury suite with a Mediterranean view, she’s in the tender care of her rescuer: Olivier Dumont, France’s most eligible bachelor, billionaire hotelier, and heir to the Dumont fashion fortune.

Olivier also owns his reputation for scandal. But Sadie is unlike any woman he’s ever met. Her humble persona and wild innocence promise real passion. He’s promising Sadie something too: anything she wants. From Bordeaux to Cannes to Paris, Sadie’s past in America is swept away and replaced with a fantasy too good to be true.

Pulled into Olivier’s orbit of wealth, glamour, and excess, Sadie discovers that the Dumont dynasty comes with a legacy of wicked secrets. And Olivier’s secrets may be the most damning of all…

Karina Halle is another one of those authors that releases a book and I have to grab it. I enjoyed watching Sadie and Oliver meet and fall for one another. Here's a few other factors I want to point out:

I really enjoyed the relationship between Sadie and Olivier, how they were from different world's and met purely by chance. They spent a lot of time together before having to go back to reality.
I liked that Sadie was willing to stand up for herself and face any danger thrown at her. She may be frightened on the inside but she acted tough.
Olivier was such a strong man, who allowed his mistakes rule him. It really saddened me that he carried the burden and didn't discuss them until he met Sadie. I wished that he had opened up more to his close family, as it would've saved him some heartache.
They had an immediate connection, I could see their feelings were growing rapidly and it wasn't going to be long before they acted on their instincts.
There was a touch of suspense and intense moments woven throughout the story arc, which kept me on edge and thinking what may happen between Sadie and Olivier.
It was interesting meeting Olivier's family. I loved his sister and father, however his extended family sure are different... I think my opinion on one of his cousins changed throughout the read, however the others are truly despicable.
I didn't like how a few threads were left open, and I'll have to read Seraphine's book to see what happens with the Dumount business.

Overall, I really loved getting to know Sadie and Oliver. They were so good together and I was glad they were able to stick together. I'm keen to see what happens next to the Dumount business, despite not wanting to see some characters again!

It was fun watching these two flirt around one another!

“And my lack of bathing suit?”
“I just went in naked.”
“I didn’t see anything,” I tell him quickly.
“No? That’s a shame. It was the whole point.”

Kindle Page 71

“You’re too beautiful for words,” he whispers to me, his lips brushing against mine. “None of the words in English will do. None of the words in French will do either. There is no language that can describe what I see before me.”

Kindle Page 74

Karina Halle is a former travel writer & music journalist and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author of The Swedish Prince, The Pact, Love, in English, The Artists Trilogy, Bad at Love & over 45 other wild and romantic reads. She lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband and her adopted pup Bruce, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails and devours a lot of books.

Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon Author Page

Other reviews featuring Karina Halle
Royal Romance series
The Wild Heir #1
The Swedish Prince #2
A Nordic King #3

My Life in Shambles
Before I Ever Met You
Nothing Personal
Smut
The Debt

The Best Thing by Mariana Zapata ~ Review & Teaser (@marianazapata_)

Mariana Zapata has become one of those authors that I pick up once she releases something new. Once again I wasn't disappointed, I fell in love with the whole family and was grateful I was able to be part of the DeMaio circle of trust!

Title: The Best Thing

Author: Mariana Zapata

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: August 7th 2019

Buy Now - Amazon US | Amazon Aus

Some things are easily forgiven. Other things… not so much.

Lenny DeMaio made herself a promise: she was done.

Done thinking about him.

Done worrying about him.

Done reaching out to a man who clearly didn’t want to be found.

Too bad no one gave Jonah Collins the memo.

I discovered Mariana Zapata earlier this year and have devoured a number of her books. When I realised she had released a new book, I was excited to grab it and read it. The Best Thing was a beautiful read, a second chance romance with a twist! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Lenny and Jonah, while watching their connection reignite!

Lenny was such a strong and determined woman who was willing to do anything for her family. She had given up on seeing Jonah again, and when he came back he was determined not to leave. She was resentful at first, always calling him names in her head. However the more time he was around, the less she did that and I could see the shift in her heart.

I could see that Jonah was truly sorry for letting Lenny go. He worked hard to earn the trust back from her and also her granddad Gus and their friend Peter. Jonah was around every chance that he could, but never put any real pressure on Lenny. Jonah was a sweet and incredible guy, who really had a heart of gold.

Mariana Zapata sure knows how to weave a story. I liked that this particular story gave us a glimpse of Luna and Rip too! The story builds slowly as I got to know the characters and hooked me until that final page. I laughed, I swooned and even shed a tear, as I watched Jonah work his way into the DeMaio circle of trust. I cannot wait to read what Mariana Zapata has for us next!

This was a nice moment between Lenny and Jonah. He had worked his way under her skin and she was ready to recognise her feelings.

“What are you thinking?”
I glanced up at the intent face focusing on me, and just went for it because why not? Because I was scared of what he’d say? That should make me want to do it more often.
Life was short. You either took what you wanted or you didn’t. You either regretted not doing something or you regretted failing. Not doing something would keep me up at night. But it was failing that I could laugh at eventually and get over.
So I told him, because that was who I was. Who I had always wanted to be. “That I had wished you had liked me more before—”
He groaned. “I did, Lenny. I liked you heaps. I never forgot about you.”
“You didn’t let me finish,” I said. “And that I also really like you, and I was thinking that maybe I shouldn’t, but maybe I should because you might end up breaking my heart, but you might not. What do you think?”
His slow blink had me smiling at him.
“Too blunt, huh?”
His own small smile crept across that handsome, happy face. “Nah, just perfect.” He shook his head, that smile growing. “I won’t be breaking any hearts. You can take my word for it.”

Kindle Arc Loc 5065

Mariana Zapata began writing love stories soon after she learned how to spell. She probably shouldn’t admit that she started sneaking romance novels from her aunt’s bookshelves way before she was old enough to even understand what it meant when a man flipped up a woman’s skirt… don’t tell her mom. Luckily, she stuck to stories about princesses and princes for a while. In her teens, she wrote boy band fanfiction (there’s still a website up somewhere on the internet with those masterpieces), and in her early twenties, she picked it back up again with Sookie Stackhouse and Twilight. Eventually, her significant other finally told her to do what she wanted to do and she began working on her original work. Her novels tend to include potty humor, bodily functions, and bad words. Mariana lives in a small town called Pagosa Springs, Colorado with her husband/best friend, Chris Letchford, and their two well-beloved (and emotionally manipulative) Great Dane children, Dorian and Kaiser. When she’s not pretending to write, she’s reading sci-fi, fantasy, steampunk or historical romance novels. You can usually find her harassing her dogs, being a hermit at home or cracking jokes at the expense of her family members.

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