Sideliners by Dana Claire

Dana is a new-to-me author, and when the opportunity came up to read an ARC of her newest HS football story, I had to give it a shot! : ) 

My Review: 

This was a very interesting and intense story! I'm not a huge HS romance reader because I'm not a huge fan of relationship drama, and this definitely has that! It's well written, though, and I highly enjoyed the characters and friend/family dynamics!

Reed is an amazing character, lots on his shoulders for one so young. Savannah brings that naivete & open heart to the story. I enjoyed them working through things! 

And there are some excellent 😮 twists here, too!

Good read!!

😍😍😍

Links: 

US: https://amzn.to/42A0tO2 

UK: https://amzn.to/3Fy6Hnq 

CA: https://amzn.to/3JQQdcI 

AU: https://amzn.to/3FvEmyj 

B&N: https://bit.ly/3n610He 

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3JSCeTZ 

Universal: http://bit.ly/3LAiiGE 

 

Add to your Goodreads TBR ➩ http://bit.ly/3nl1tWb 

 

Have you read Dana's books? 

I'd love to know what you think! 

TTFN!

: ) 

Zayn by C.E. Johnson

 My love for C.E. Johnson continues in her latest release, Zayn! 

This is book 3 in her Protecting You, Finding Us series - Book 1, River; Book 2, Jaxon. All are wonderful romantic suspense stories that highlight her awesome writing style that just GETS me every single time! 

My Review:

Zayn & Ella's story is full of friendship and love, humor and heart, suspense and just the right bit of steam. I loved it!!

The way this author writes friends/family/found family just really makes me happy in EVERY book. The banter & protectiveness they have with each other means I fall in love with each of them in every single story. And that ... makes me happy! 😁

The way Zayn & Ella interact is lots of fun, even as they're trying to fight their feelings. And Saige is such a ray of light and joy!! Also, if you've read the earlier books, you will understand when I say that Freddy plays a hilarious role in this story, AND Saige's pet is a riot... 🤣

Excellent romantic suspense recommendation! 

😍😍😍😍

Available in KU! 

If you haven't picked up her stories yet, I highly recommend them! 

She's a binge-worthy author, not to mention super sweet in person & a fun dog-mom (and I'm sure her kiddos think she's fun, too... *grin*) 

Let me know what ya think! ; ) 

TTFN!

: ) 

Annoyed At First Sight by Lani Lynn Vale

 Welcome back to the Gator Bait MC world! 

Alice & Cassius try to resist one another, but the pull is just too strong! 

*grin* 

My Review:

There's some good suspense going on in Cassius & Alice's story! And their back & forth was more amusing than annoying to me, so I was able to really enjoy their story. I love the way she & her brother interact, too. 🤣

Cassius is hilarious when he's not being grumpy. Actually, sometimes when he is, too. Heh. I liked his personality, anyway! And we get to see more of the group hanging out, which I highly enjoyed, too. 

😍😍😍

Links: 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BrFHEX

Apple: https://apple.co/3vsHhTn 

Nook: http://bit.ly/3XFH7UQ 

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3oLRpmt 

Add to your TBR: https://bit.ly/3vsHUMJ

Have you listened to me & read LLV yet?

She's got like 100 books - I haven't counted, but it seems like at least that many - and you'll definitely find a series to fall in love with. Or several, like moi! ; ) 

I always look forward to her stories!! 

TTFN

: ) 

The Baby Blitz by Lex Martin

 This series! 

It's fun and emotional and steamy and very enjoyable! 

The Baby Blitz is the latest - happy release day! 

My Review: 

Maggie & Michael (aka Olly) have a couple uphill battles to get to their HEA, but what a ride! I love the banter between these two when they're not forgetting to communicate. Lol

I struggled a bit in the miscommunications. Thankfully, for the most part they're good at being open & honest with each other, and I loved that! I also highly enjoyed getting to experience the pregnancy with them. There are some very real things discussed there! 

Amazing read - with visits from old friends, surprises, and a character redemption I really, really rooted for. 

😍😍😍

Links:

US: https://amzn.to/3VB0Ns8  
UK: https://amzn.to/3S7q8qP 
CA: https://amzn.to/3yPms6m 
AU: https://amzn.to/3TrwJNN 
B&N: https://bit.ly/3s48nya 
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3CIHAfL  
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3yhxCkl 
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3S6TQfI 
Universal: https://bit.ly/3MNy0g3 

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that we didn't see a lot of the characters from the two previous books. On the other hand, this story was more about the pregnancy & things going on there, which was something we missed in the first two. So... balance! I like the storylines in all three a lot, tho!! 

Have you read this series yet?

I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

TTFN!

: ) 

Author Spotlight: Michelle Mankin (New Release - The Right Song)

 Let's talk about Michelle Mankin for a moment. 

Have you read her?

I read part of her Tempest series back in the days before Kindle. Broody, intense rock stars who were trying to heal from multiple traumas, They were darker than my norm - recovering addicts, not necessarily the NICEST of characters, but their stories of healing touched something in me. The writing was phenomenal and the stories pulled me in & made me FEEL. Some of the stories were too intense or contained things I couldn't read (book 1 is a love triangle). But I fell in love with her writing in books 2,3, & 4!

She gave us more broken but healing rockers - and surfers - in her Rock Stars, Surf, and Second Chances series, which produced one of my favorites from her - Oceanside. Ash & Fanny's story is... well, here's my review: 

AND THEN I GOT TO MEET MICHELLE!

And she's seriously one of the sweetest & fun ppl on this planet. Her friends Lisa & Teresa also pulled me into their circle & I have had some of the greatest signing experiences due to their awesomeness. MUCH love! : ) 

(And also the cover model for Rock F*ck Club was a cool dude!) 

She penned a series I can't read at all, but based on what I know of her writing, I'm sure it's brilliant. The Rock F*ck Club is about a group of women who take their sexual power back, which is awesome - I just am not a "sex for sex til you find the one" romance reader. The storyline isn't my jam, but again, I can recommend these books based on what I know of her story telling abilities! : ) 

Ironically, my absolute favorite series of hers so far, Once Upon A Rockstar, is about working girls... You read that right. Inspired by classic fairy tales, the heroines in this series start out as hookers. Their reasons for this profession vary, but again with the hitting me in the FEELS. 

The last of the series was just released and I read it this past week, and as with all of them, it pulled me right in & wouldn't let go! I just love this group of characters so much, and their HEAs are emotional and hard-won. BRING TISSUES! But also a fan, probably, because another hallmark of Michelle's writing is that it is STEAMY. Like, what's more than steamy? Lava? All the hot peppers! LOL  

My Review: 

Jack & Lorelei

Michelle Mankin's stories are always lyrical, beautiful, and steamy. Jack & Lorelei are the same, and so much more!

Their story of falling in love, trust, healing, and forgiveness is woven delightfully. There is plenty of passion - 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 - and it's based on deep feelings from the get go. Jack is aware of the care he needs to take with her bc of her past, and he makes sure to take that care. 

I love the healing that takes place through the story. It's not an easy journey, while at the same time it is an easy one to read, to get lost in, to enjoy! 

I love the way family & friendships are highlighted, the supporting characters from previous stories are also perfectly voiced. This is one of my favorite series from this author, and I'm so very grateful for the things it's taught me, and the blessing I've felt meeting this group of characters. 

😍😍😍😍😍

So, anyway, this is my gushing post about this author, and I hope if you haven't read her yet, you'll give one, or all, of her series a try! 

And of course - let me know what you think! ; ) 

TTFN!

: ) 

Cute But Psycho by Lani Lynn Vale

 Happy Release Day to the wonderful Lani Lynn Vale! 

Are you ready for more Gator Bait MC? 

I love how Etienne wastes NO time when he gets out of prison.

Just his whole vibe from the very beginning is very intriguing!

I love his name, and Matilda's, too, btw. ; ) 

My Review:

I adore Etienne & Matilda! Once they get together, they have a fun & sweet relationship. I love her quirks & his devotion. I love their banter & the way he anticipates her needs & meets them. There is also definitely some 🔥🔥🔥 going on. LOL

There were a couple head-scratching moments that had me a little confused, but overall I enjoyed the story, and these two are one of my favorite LLV couples! Individually & together, the made me smile & I would absolutely hang out with them in life. 

Also, I really love the friendships all around between the guys, and Di & Matilda. 

😍😍😍

Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JkM4Mv

Apple: https://apple.co/3vpDTsb 

 Nook: http://bit.ly/3YXvGsy

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3oKV2ZG

Add to your TBR: https://bit.ly/3SjbApd

LLV books just make me happy, and I'm happy she keeps giving us these stories! 

Have you read this series yet? 

Let me know what you think! 

TTFN!

: ) 

Wish by Cambria Hebert

 Cambria Hebert is one of my tippy top favorite authors! 

Her Take It Off series had me obsessed when I read them. 

Her House of Misfits series still enthralls me during re-reads.

And her Westbrook Elite swimmers are ... Mwha!! : ) 

Wish is her latest in this series, and it's MM - which you know I don't read regularly, and Cambria's Prince (from the Misfits series) is still one of my FAVORITE stories. I highly recommend! Our couple in Wish is Wes, the Elite swimmer, and his Max - and their relationship might be conventionally "forbidden" but it makes sense, and they are perfect for one another! AND WE GET MORE JAMIE & RYAN!

My Review:

Bro!! Wes & Max are angsty, which I normally don't enjoy. With them, tho, it felt... right. They have very intense things to work through to get to where they needed to be, so the longing and push-pull made sense.

Plus, even in the angsty moments, their absolute love and devotion shine from the page!

I love their relationship and also the friendships highlighted with Jamie, Ryan, and their group. Swimming may be an individual sport, but these guys are a true TEAM. I especially enjoyed seeing Max & Jamie's friendship develop. 💚

Great story, lots of 🔥🔥🔥 for those who enjoy that, suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and all the emotions to make you smile!!

Huge thumbs up!! I'm looking forward to even more from this series!

😍😍😍

Links

US: https://amzn.to/3VUCzbM 
UK: https://amzn.to/3ha1vgQ 
CA: https://amzn.to/3W0Y0rw 
AU: https://amzn.to/3VO78zU 

Free in Kindle Unlimited
 

Have you read any of Cambria's extensive backlist?

She is so talented, her stories so fantastic, AND she's a pretty amazing human to boot! 

; ) 

Let me know what you think! 

TTFN!

: )