Review & Excerpt Tour: Too Close to Call by Tessa Bailey

Welcome to today’s stop on the Review & Excerpt Tour for Too Close to Call by Tessa Bailey!

Too Close to Call by Tessa Bailey
Series: Romancing the Clarksons #3.5 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 13th 2017
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All-American wide receiver Kyler Tate’s life is about to change. A fairytale college career skyrocketed him to the NFL draft. Adoration and opportunity are thrown in his direction wherever he goes, thanks to being chosen in the first round by the Los Angeles Rage.

None of the accolades mean anything, though, without his high school sweetheart, Bree Justice, by his side. Four years ago, she walked away from Kyler, choosing a quiet life over the flash and notoriety his career would someday bring.

Now he’s back in their Indiana hometown, refusing to leave for Los Angeles without her. Demanding she give their life together a shot. Her heart never stopped bleeding for the love of her life, but Bree’s decision was final. Too bad their wild attraction has only been amplified by their separation, and Kyler won’t quit until Bree is wearing his ring.

Buy Links:
Amazon US • Amazon UKAmazon CAAmazon AU

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Have I ever NOT enjoyed a Tessa Bailey book? She has yet to disappoint, and her latest novella in the Romancing the Clarksons series is another winner. It’s a second chance romance between an NFL draft pick and his high school sweetheart – need I say more!? We first met Kyler Tate in Too Hard to Forget, an All-American whose family farm was almost taken away. The excitement was real when I heard he would be getting his own story told, with his high school sweetheart. Can you tell I’m fixated on the whole high school sweetheart thing? I’m a complete sucker for second chance romances, and since this is Tessa Bailey, I KNEW she wouldn’t let me down with this trope (her other second chance romance, Thrown Down, was FABULOUS). Kyler and Bree totally stole my heart with their story – it’s sweet, heartwarming, and soso sexy. I loved it!

“I need her. I love her. She’s mine and I’m hers. Her stubbornness is why I love her most of all, so I’m going about this in a language only she and I know.”

If there’s one thing that Kyler Tate regrets in his life, it’s the fact that he let the love of his life go when he went to go play ball in college. Bree and Kyler were IT for each other, and despite them only being in high school, they knew it was forever. But Kyler’s upcoming fame and fortune didn’t mesh with Bree’s desire for a quiet life as a small-town vet. Their breakup tore both their hearts and they have yet to recover. Four broken yet faithful years later, during which not a day went by that he never thought of her, Kyler is back in his hometown… and ready to win back Bree’s heart. He knows he’s not leaving for the NFL without Bree by his side this time.

Their need went both ways. it was solid, immeasurable, and couldn’t be weakened by absence or the passage of time.

Too Close to Call had all. the. swoons!! When I think of Kyler, I literally just think of the heart-eyes emoji, because that’s how that man made me feel. His utter devotion and love for Bree had me smiling and clutching my heart. And let’s not forget about his dirty mouth – it’s not a Tessa Bailey romance without some delicious dirt talk. Bree and Kyler’s chemistry is on fire, but it was the love that never wavered even after four years apart that had me head over heels for this story. If you love second chance romances and a hero who’s desperate to win back his love, then you absolutely must read this novella!

“I’ve loved you as far back as my memory reaches. I will never fucking stop. I came to town for one damn reason, Bree. So I could leave here with my wife. You.”


lacey

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Now here’s an excerpt from Too Close to Call! ❤

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“Bree.” Her blood snapped with electricity at the sound of her name, said in that low drawl. Kyler stepped to the forefront of the crowd. The green eyes that still graced her dreams zeroed in, raking over her like they couldn’t help it.

Heaven above, four years looked incredible on him. Extra inches had been added everywhere. His height. The athletic breadth of his shoulders. The corded biceps that tested the stitching of his T-shirt sleeves. Even his thighs, which were wrapped up in faded denim, were exploding with muscle; thighs she’d spent a good portion of her youth perched on since Kyler never allowed her to sit anywhere but his lap, no matter where they were or whether it was appropriate. “Hello.”

“Hello,” she whispered. “You’re in town.”

His slow nod was so familiar a ripple moved through her. “Here for the week. Can I get you that coffee?”

“No.” She flushed over her own abruptness. “I meant to say, I can’t stay. I’m going to be late for an appointment.”

“Fine. I’ll walk you out.”

His expression dared her to say no. Challenged her. And for the first time since Kyler left, sexual awareness danced in her middle, sending a swift tremble down the length of her legs. Because her body hadn’t forgotten what often lay on the other side of those challenges. “Fine,” she breathed. “Suit yourself.”

For all his sexual energy, Kyler was a gentleman, straight down to the soles of his feet. So Bree wasn’t one bit surprised when his long gait ate up the distance between them. He reached over her head to push open the glass door, sending his scent crashing into her senses, the combination so familiar, Bree’s nipples tightened until she winced. Grassy fields and Nautica Blue aftershave.

Their gazes clashed, but Bree couldn’t decide if he’d worn the scent on purpose. His steady eyes gave nothing away. Before hers could betray her curiosity, Bree turned and passed through the door Kyler held open. And hell if it wasn’t the longest walk in history, his presence behind her looming larger than a mountain. Every eyeball in the diner was sure to be on them and the attention made Bree twitchy, her fingers yanking on the strings of her hoodie.

She needed to get this reunion over with as soon as possible. Being around Kyler would only make her wonder what might have been. That kind of thinking was pointless. Destructive.

Back in high school, the writing had been on the wall when it came to Kyler. Everyone knew he’d been destined for greatness. That he would shake off Bloomfield and put his name in the history books. She’d been selfish to stay with him for so long, absorbing his love and attention, all the while knowing she’d wave good-bye to him someday. The decision was a painful one, but it had been made and now she would stick to it.

Reading Order: Romancing the Clarksons series

 
  

#1 ~ Too Hot to Handle: My Review • EbookPaperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Too Wild to Tame: My Review • EbookPaperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Too Hard to Forget: My Review • EbookPaperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Too Close to Call: EbookPaperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Too Beautiful to Break: EbookPaperback • Goodreads (Sept. 5, 2017)

about the author button

Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days.

Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of eight years and four-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads

Tour Schedule

June 14th
All Romance Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Booked All Night – Review & Excerpt
For the Love of Bookends – Review
Gi’s Spot Reviews – Review & Excerpt
My Book Filled Life – Review & Excerpt
Naughty Girls and Their Books – Review & Excerpt
That’s What I’m Talking About – Review & Excerpt
Whatever You Can Still Betray – Excerpt

June 15th
Booknerd1107 – Review & Excerpt
Happily Ever After Book Reviews – Review
I Love Romance – Review & Excerpt
JordansBookReviews – Excerpt
Literary Misfit – Excerpt
Mama Likes to Read Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Read-Love-Blog – Excerpt
The Readdicts – Review & Excerpt

June 16th
Books,Dreams,Life – Excerpt
Four Chicks Flipping Pages – Review
Lightning City Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
My Girlfriends Couch – Review & Excerpt
Ramblings From This Chick – Review & Excerpt
Reese’s Reviews – Review & Excerpt
TBQ’s Book Palace – Review
Wickedcoolflight – Review & Excerpt

June 17th
Book Angel Booktopia – Review & Excerpt
Booklovers For Life – Review & Excerpt
Caroline Jane Reads – Excerpt
Dog-Eared Daydreams – Review
Mary @ USA Today’s Happy Ever After – Review
Nicole’s Book Musings – Excerpt
Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

June 18th
A crazy vermonters book reviews – Review
Bad boys and bedtime stories book blog – Review
Bridget’s Book Bungalow – Review
Drunk On a Book – Review & Excerpt
Love Notes Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Readers Retreats – Excerpt

June19th
A Taste of Sin – Excerpt
Bobo’s Book Bank – Review & Excerpt
Bookishly Yours – Review
Coffee Books Life – Review & Excerpt
I’m A Book Shark – Excerpt
JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC – Review & Excerpt
Novel Addiction – Review
Oh My Growing TBR – Review & Excerpt
Romance Reviews and More – Review & Excerpt

June 20th
Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt
Book Reader Chronicles – Review & Excerpt
Dirty Girl Romance – Review
Nice Ladies, Naughty Books – Review
Pardon My Blurb – Review & Excerpt
Total Book Geek – Review & Excerpt
Vi3tbabe – Review & Excerpt

June 21st
Alpha Book Club – Review
Bookaliciousbabes blog – Review & Excerpt
Crystal’s Chaotic Confessions – Excerpt
Feel the Book – Review & Excerpt
Jax’s Book Magic – Excerpt
Kimmy Loves to Read – Review & Excerpt
Literary Gossip – Review & Excerpt
Nose Stuck in a Book – Review & Excerpt
The Romance Reviews – Review

June 22nd
A small girl, her man and her books – Review & Excerpt
kimberlyfaye reads – Review
Lover of Big Books Cannot Lie – Review & Excerpt
Nightbird Novels – Review
OMGReads – Review & Excerpt
Pretty Sassy Cool – Review & Excerpt
Sweet Red Reads – Review & Excerpt
The BookWhisperer – Review

June 23rd
ageordielass honest blog on reviews – Review
Brittany’s Book Blog – Excerpt
G & T’s Indie Café – Excerpt
Kris & Vik Book Therapy Cafe – Review & Excerpt
Pink Lace & Silver Buckles Book Blog – Review
Those Crazy Book Chicks – Excerpt
What Is That Book About – Excerpt


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Blog Tour + Review & Excerpt: Hot Cop by Laurelin Paige & Sierra Simone

Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for Hot Cop by Laurelin Paige and Sierra Simone!

Hot Cop by Laurelin Paige & Sierra Simone
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: June 13th 2017
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From NYT Bestselling Author, Laurelin Paige and USA Today Bestselling Author, Sierra Simone comes a steamy contemporary romantic follow-up to last year’s bestseller P*rn Star.

You have the right to remain sexy.

Anything you say can and will be used to get you in my bed.

You have the right to use my body to give yourself a delirious, life-changing orgasm.

If you have trouble…don’t worry, I’m a bit of an expert in that department.

There’s nothing ‘thin’ about my blue line, if you catch my drift, and trust me, I know how to put those handcuffs to good use.

***

Livia Ward wants a baby before she’s thirty. And even though Officer Chase Kelly is exactly the kind of cocky jerk this librarian has sworn off, he is undeniably hot. Both of them think they can give each other what they want–a few nights of fun for Officer Kelly, a no-strings baby for Livia–but this hot cop is about to learn that sex, babies, and love don’t always play by the rules.

Buy Links:
Amazon Ebook • Amazon Paperback • Audible
Amazon UK • Barnes & NobleiTunes

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“You have the right to remain sexy,” he says. “Anything you say can and will be used to get you in my bed.”

When it comes to Laurelin Paige and Sierra Simone, whether it’s individually or together, I expect a romance that is off-the-charts hot, and they have yet to disappoint me in that aspect. What came as a surprise with Hot Cop though, was just how FUNNY this book was, too. This was a fabulously sexy romantic comedy that I absolutely adored. I was smiling and giggling near the whole time I was reading. Livia and Chase’s story is light-hearted, hilarious, and just ridiculous enough that I had the best time reading it. This dorky librarian wants a hot cop to impregnate her – what can be more over the top than that!?

Livia is approaching the dreaded 3-0. She desperately wants to feel like she’s NOT getting old (I don’t see how 30 is old, but to each her own), and to feel young again, she decides she wants… a baby? But since she’s sworn off men, that makes having a baby a little difficult. Just when she’s about to turn to a sperm donor, Officer Chase Kelly enters her life and makes her ovaries go haywire – THIS is the man she wants the father of her baby to be. Except she doesn’t actually want him in her life, just their baby.

Tab Chase goes into Slot Livia; lather, rinse, repeat until baby.

Chase has never met a hotter librarian in his life, and he’ll do anything to get Livia into his bed – including agreeing to her deal to get her pregnant and relinquish all rights to the baby. As a cop, Chase knows that he doesn’t have the time or room for a significant other or family, so this deal is perfect for him. Except the more he’s around Livia, the more he wants to just BE with her – and not for the smokin’ hot sex. Being with Livia makes him feel alive and happy… but can he prove to her that he’s good for more than just his sperm?

Attached. It’s one of those words that I associate with bad things—pleading texts and late night phone calls and possessiveness. A toxic word. And yet, I find I don’t mind the idea of Liv getting attached at all. In fact, the idea of her being possessive of me is rather pleasing. Especially because I’m starting to feel rather possessive of her.

Livia gets a little frustrating when it comes to her determination to have a baby while keeping all feelings for Chase out of her mind. She can’t risk falling for Chase because of the possibility of the hurt that will come if he leaves her. I still enjoyed her character though, and how adorable and quirky she was. I can always appreciate a heroine who stuffs as many books as she can into her purse whenever she goes out.

The relationship between Chase and Liv is fast-paced, cheesy, and there isn’t much depth, but it’s fun and highly entertaining to read. And did I mention all the filthy, dirty sex!? The author duo turns up the heat in Hot Cop – if you’re going to read the book, you definitely read it for the steam. And I’m not sure how they split up the writing, but Laurelin and Sierra’s writing styles worked so perfectly well together I couldn’t tell who wrote which chapter. I am so looking forward to more collaborations from them! Overall, if you’re in the mood for a rom-com starring a hot cop and sexy librarian, I would recommend this book!


lacey

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Now here’s an excerpt from Hot Cop! ❤

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I’m at the steakhouse fifteen minutes early, which is on time in Chase Kelly’s book.  I’ve never been late for work or a date a single time in my life; in fact, I’ve always been early, which is a point of pride for me.  And Livia walks in at seven on the dot, something that endears me to her immensely, although the moment I register that I, Officer Kelly, am charmed, my mind goes blank.

Just blank.

There is nothing but her.

She walks in on heels that make her legs a mile long, her long hair down in a tumult of soft waves.  The maître d’ helps her take off her checkered wool coat, and then I.

Am.

Speechless.

My heart hammers up in my throat as the blood pools deep in my groin.  She’s wearing a bright red dress—so fucking short that I’d be able to finger her easily if we were in a booth, which we tragically aren’t.  The red sets off the warm undertones of her bronze skin, highlights the deep brown of her eyes.  The lines of it hug the delectable curves of her tits, which are just small enough that she can get away without wearing a bra.

My cock thickens as she begins walking toward me, and I can verify that she is definitely not wearing a bra.  Oh God, what if she’s not wearing panties either?

I bite back a groan and push back my chair to greet her as she comes to our table, tugging the hem of my sweater down in one smooth move as I unfold myself to help disguise the effect her presence has on me.

As I step forward to greet her, I notice the color high in her cheeks and the way her teeth dig into the soft coral of her bottom lip.

She looks nervous.

That gives me pause.  I don’t mind a woman meeting me cold or shy or overly eager, I don’t even mind a case of the first date jitters—since first dates are pretty much all I go on, I see a lot of those.

But nervous—truly nervous—that bothers me a little.  Do I make her feel unsafe?  Is it my size?  My job?

In a split second, I change gears.  I can be patient when it comes to the Kelly Trio, and I find that the idea of wooing my nervous little librarian on date after date doesn’t sound tiresome at all…it sounds delightful, actually.  A challenge.  A test to see if I’m worthy enough to remove all traces of trepidation from her face and fill her expression with eagerness and surrender instead.

And get more time with this fierce, sweet bookworm all to myself.

I lean in to kiss her cheek, careful to angle our bodies so that I don’t press against her with six feet, two hundred pounds of hungry cop.  Instead, I anchor her with a firm hand at her elbow, pleased to feel the goose bumps that spread underneath my touch.  And then I brush my lips against her cheek, making sure she can feel them, making sure she gets just the tiniest brush of my scruff as I accidentally-on-purpose slide my jaw against hers as I pull away.

She shivers.

I look down into her eyes as I straighten up, and I’m suddenly aware that I’m supporting a lot of weight in my hand, as if her knees are weak from my kiss.

Well done, Officer Good Times!

Her eyes are wide, the pupils so blown and her irises so dark that her eyes are just huge liquid wells of want, and I feel a familiar tug in my groin knowing that I put that look there.

“I forget how big you are,” she murmurs, her head tilted up to look into my face.

I give her my biggest grin and open my mouth, but she cuts me off before I can say it, shaking her head.  “I know, I know.  I walked right into that one.”

But the ghost of a smile flits across her lips as I help her into her seat and push in her chair.

When I sit across from her and we start looking at our menus, I notice the smile has vanished and the nervous look is back, along with a determined set to her shoulders.  The combination of uneasiness and backbone intrigues and worries me at the same time.

“I don’t know what Megan told you,” I say, “but I don’t bite.”

She looks up from the menu, her teeth back to digging into the plump flesh of her bottom lip.

“Well,” I amend, staring at her mouth, “sometimes I do bite.  But only when I really, really want to.”

Also by Laurelin Paige & Sierra Simone

Porn Star: My Review • EbookPaperbackAudibleGoodreads

Laurelin PaigeUSA Today and New York Times Bestselling Author Laurelin Paige is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio. She is represented by Rebecca Friedman.

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Amazon Page • Facebook Group • Mailing List

Sierra Simone is a former librarian who spent too much time reading romance novels at the information desk. She lives with her husband and family in Kansas City.

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Blog Tour + Review & Excerpt: Dating-ish by Penny Reid

Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for Penny Reid’s Dating-ish!

Dating-ish by Penny Reid
Series: Knitting in the City #6 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 16th 2017
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There are three things you need to know about Marie Harris: 1) She’s fed up with online dating, 2) She’s so fed up, she’s willing to forego the annoyance and consider more creative alternatives, and 3) She knows how to knit.

After the most bizarre and irritating first date in the history of humankind, Marie is looking for an alternative to men. With the help of her friends, she quickly identifies a few possibilities:
Need a cuddle? Use a professional cuddler.
Need affirmation? Get yourself a life coach.
Need an orgasm? Try orgasm meditation!
Why does she need the hassle of a romantic partner when she can meet all her needs with paid services?

But then her irritating date resurfaces. And he’s not at all the person she thought he was. And he suggests a different–and crazier–solution to her dilemma . . .

As everyone knows (or will soon come to realize), traditional relations between humans are a thing of the past. Robots are our future. And if robots are our future, then why do we need other people at all?

Buy Links:
Amazon • Amazon UK • Barnes & NobleiTunes • Kobo

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Dating-ish is absolute perfection. As soon as I finished reading it, “WOW” was all I had in my mind. This book was so much more than I was expecting, even from Penny Reid. It’s without a doubt my new favorite read of hers. It seriously blew my mind – I don’t know how to describe my immense love for this book!! The powerful message, wonderful writing, heartfelt characters, and laugh-out-loud humor all made Dating-ish one of the best books I’ve read this year.

All Marie Harris wants is to find that one person who is meant for her – and in this day and age, it’s all about finding someone through online dating. When she’s notified of a “perfect match,” she agrees to meet with him. But her “perfect match” couldn’t be less perfect for her, and the date ends in a disaster. When Marie goes to her next get-together with her knitting group, though, who should show up but her friend’s neighbor, who is also her not-so-perfect match?

Matt isn’t exactly who he claimed to be when Marie met him, but he has a perfectly good explanation for his strange behavior during their date. It turns out Matt is Professor Matt Simmons, a computer scientist who’s working on building an AI, essentially a robot, to replace human interactions. Marie completely disagrees with the notion of erasing human interactions and proposes to write an editorial on the various methods on human interaction, from cuddling to orgasm meditation. Marie and Matt couldn’t be more different, but after getting over their rough start, an unexpected friendship forms as Matt helps Marie out with her article. The more time they spend together, the more Marie realizes… Matt might actually be her perfect match.

“Marie, you are the sine to my cosine.”
My eyelashes fluttered and so did my heart, but I managed to tease, “Are you saying we’ll never be on the same wavelength?”

Matt and Marie are ridiculously charming and hilarious. Their teasing and banter is fun-filled perfection – I literally couldn’t stop smiling every time these two talked to each other! The development of their friendship felt so genuine and real. It grew slowly and honestly, just like their romance. Honestly, I grew to appreciate their romance so much more thanks to the foundation of their friendship – this book is the definition of slow burn, and though it takes a while for Marie and Matt’s relationship to go anywhere, I promise the wait is so worth it!

“You should have someone who adores you. Who is worthy of you, Marie.” His mouth firmed into a determined tight line. “Never settle for less.”

Funny, charming, quirky, and heartfelt, Dating-ish is another phenomenal read from Penny Reid. Who knew robots and romance could mix so well – or be so sexy!? Let me tell you, our nerdy professor has got a serious dirty mouth on him. The steam in this book might not be high in quantity but trust me, it is definitely high in quality. Dating-ish is everything you can expect from a book Penny Reid – intelligent, unique, hilarious – and so much more. I simply adored this gem of a book. It’s truly a special read, and I highly recommend everyone give this a try, because it’s nothing like you’ve ever read before in a romance.

“You—being with you—was the first time I wanted real life over a virtual existence. You distracted me. I’d never been distracted before.”


lacey

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Now here’s an excerpt from Dating-ish! ❤

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He was quiet for bit, we both were, and I felt myself relax more and more. His palm took a detour every so often, dutifully skipping my hip and sliding along my side, and then back to my leg. Soon, I was so relaxed I felt drowsy.

I felt fingers in my hair, moving the mass away from my neck with treasuring strokes just before Matt nuzzled the back of my neck, causing goosebumps to scatter over my skin.

“Mmm.” I smiled. “Hey. Jared said no tickling.” My voice sounded sleepy.

“Does this tickle?” Matt asked softly, nuzzling me again. I felt the brush of his lips—not a kiss, a brush—paired with hot breath against the bare skin of my neck and a zing shot straight down my spine, making my toes curl and a sudden hot ache twist in my lower belly.

Oh no.

I knew that ache. I hadn’t felt it because of another person’s touch in quite a long time. Nevertheless, no one ever forgets that ache.

My back arched instinctively, my bottom pressing back against his crotch, and I stiffened. I felt my nipples harden, strain beneath the cotton of my bra. I was now fully awake. No longer drowsy.

Nope.

Not even a little.

Matt stiffened, too. His movements abruptly ceasing.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?” he asked, alarm coating his words, and in the next moment his hand was suspended in the air above me. “Did I touch something I shouldn’t?”

I exhaled a short, nervous laugh, gripped by the urge to sit up.

“No. No. You didn’t.” I moved to the edge of the bed, righting myself, away from Matt, needing distance. “I’m good.” I gathered a silent breath and released it slowly because my pulse was racing.

Crap, Marie. Get a grip. It’s Matt Simmons. Professor Matt. The big kid. Why are you reacting this way?

“Did I . . .” These initial words were hesitant, and a moment of silence stretched before he continued, his tone comically teasing as he finished his thought. “Did I arouse you?”

I snorted, shaking my head, laughing at his silly tone. Turning at the waist to peer at him over my shoulder, Matt was grinning at me, twisting a make-believe mustache between his thumb and forefinger.

But then he stopped.

“I did, didn’t I?” he pushed, his hand dropping. He looked pleased, if not a little amazed.

I sighed, feeling a smidge embarrassed, and nodded. “Actually, yes. That’s a sensitive spot for most women.”

“The back of your neck?” He lifted himself to one elbow, his eyes darting to my neck with keen interest.

“My neck in general, actually.”

“Huh.” Matt frowned thoughtfully. “Where else?”

I pressed my lips together and gave him an incredulous look. “I’m not telling you that.”

“Why not?”

“Matt.”

“What if I needed it for research reasons?”

“Matt.”

“What if I told you it was part of our questionnaire?” He tossed his legs over the side of the bed and stood, walking around to my side and offering me his hand. “You should give me a schematic of your body with the erogenous zones circled and rated.”

“Let me guess, you want them rated on a ten-point scale,” I deadpanned as I accepted his hand, stood, and stepped away to gain some distance and straighten my shirt.

He shrugged, crossing his arms, stalking after me. “Or exponential. I was going to say a Likert scale, but a logarithmic scale works, too.”

Chuckling, appreciative of his attempt to diffuse my embarrassment and awkwardness with the joke, I realized Matt Simmons wasn’t a bad guy. He might even be a good guy, just a little . . . peculiar.

And wants to replace romantic relationships with robots. Best not forget that detail.

Yeah, he’d make an interesting friend.

“Thanks.” I gave him a small smile.

“For what?” His eyes moved between mine.

“For the cuddle. Thanks for the cuddle, Matt.”

“Anytime, Marie.” He grinned down at me, his eyes dancing as he leaned forward and whispered, “Anytime.”

Reading Order: Knitting in the City series

Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid Neanderthal Marries Human by Penny Reid Friends Without Benefits by Penny Reid
Love Hacked by Penny Reid Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid Ninja At First Sight by Penny Reid
Happily Ever Ninja by Penny Reid  

#1 ~ Neanderthal Seeks Human: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Neanderthal Marries Human: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Friends Without Benefits: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Love Hacked: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Beauty and the Mustache: Ebook • PaperbackAudible • Goodreads
#4.5 ~ Ninja at First Sight: My Review • EbookPaperback • AudibleGoodreads
#5 ~ Happily Ever Ninja: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Dating-ish: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Marriage of Inconvenience: Goodreads (2017)

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Penny ReidSEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).

By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.

Website • Goodreads • Facebook • Twitter • Newsletter


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Release Day Review + Excerpt & Giveaway: Silver Silence by Nalini Singh

Silver Silence by Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity #1; Psy-Changeling #16 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 13th 2017
Links: EbookHardcoverAudible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh returns to her extraordinary Psy-Changeling world with a story of wild passion and darkest betrayal…

Control. Precision. Family. These are the principles that drive Silver Mercant. At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, with Silver playing a crucial role as director of a worldwide emergency response network, wildness and chaos are the last things she needs in her life. But that’s exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater bears, brings with him.

Valentin has never met a more fascinating woman. Though Silver is ruled by Silence—her mind clear of all emotion—Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. That’s what keeps him climbing apartment buildings to be near her. But when a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, the stakes become deadly serious…and Silver finds herself in the heart of a powerful bear clan.

Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed…

Nalini Singh is hands down my PNR Queen. Every time I pick up a book by her, she amazes me with her intricate world-and character-building. Her books are seriously the best – and as soon as I finished Silver Silence, I knew it was going straight near the top as one of my favorite NS books of all time. It’s up there with Heart of Obsidian and Kiss of Snow, and if you know me, you know how obsessed I am with those books. So to say I loved Silver Silence would be a huge understatement. NS blew me away with this incredible read. She took me back to the early books that made me fall in love with the Psy-Changeling series, where the romance was a much heavier factor that they were in the newer books. Not to say I don’t love the recent books too, but I missed the original feel of the older books. NS gives that feel back to us in spades, mostly in the form of a gorgeous, charming bear alpha who is determined to win the heart of his Psy.

“Have you thought about my offer?” he asked, the laughter still in his eyes.
“The answer remains the same,” Silver said as a burn spread through her chest. “I do not wish to go have ice cream with you.”
“It’s really good ice cream.”

StoneWater alpha Valentin Nikolaev knew from the moment he met Silver Mercant, she was his and he was hers. But this bear alpha is smart and charming, so his courtship of his mate is a COURTSHIP. His months-long courtship has him showing up at her apartment at odd hours, much to Silver’s annoyance – Valentin is a bear she just can’t get rid of or avoid. But when Silver ends up poisoned one morning during an unexpected visit from the bear alpha, Valentin steps up his game to protect the one woman meant for him… all while still trying to win her over.

Solnyshko moyo.” A kiss to the dampness of her neck as he roughly spoke words whose meaning had deepened to raw intimacy with a simple change in order.
Sun of my heart. Sunshine of my life.

The slow burn romance between Silver and Valentin was DIVINE. I was in PNR heaven reading about all the ways Valentin tried to endear himself to Silver, and Silver not giving him the time of day… much. Valentin is one determined bear alpha who does so many adorable things I was swooning and giggling like crazy the whole story (he tells her to call him her teddy bear!!!). Silver is her own amazing, badass character who I’m so happy got her own story. If you loved the earlier Psy-Changeling books, or are just looking for a darn good PNR read, you absolutely must read this book.

“I love you, Valyusha.”
“I’ll be your teddy bear anytime, Starlight.” Taking her hand, he pressed it to the bass beat of his heart. “It’s yours. Forever and always.”

I have to say it. I can’t hold it back anymore… but BEARS ARE MY NEW FAVORITE CHANGELINGS!!!! I love Valentin and Silver – Starlight and her teddy bear – but I have to be honest and tell you that the bear changelings are half the reason why I love this book so, so much. They are playful, ridiculous, party-animals, charming, sneaky – the bear clan had so much personality it was literally overflowing over the pages. I adored the bears so freaking much. They are without a doubt my new favorite changelings (sorry, DarkRiver and SnowDancer!) because honestly, if I were a changeling, I’d obviously be a bear. (Also, I’ve never used as many bear emojis as I have after reading this book.)

If you’ve never read the Psy-Changeling series (what are you doing with yourself), you can still absolutely read Silver Silence on its own. I don’t recommend it, mainly because of how incredible the original series is and how much better you’ll understand the Psy-Changeling world if you read it, especially in this second arc. I know fifteen books can be daunting, but trust me, once you start Nalini Singh, you won’t be able to stop. Either way, if you’ve read the series or not, you have to read Silver Silence and experience the wonder that is bear changelings!

5 hearts
lacey


Now here’s an excerpt from Silver Silence! ❤

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Laughing at the cubs’ antics, Valentin jogged down the slight incline and waded into what had to be ice-cold water after kicking off his boots and socks. He splashed the cubs, laughed when they splashed him back. Running so they could chase him, he turned abruptly and chased them back, to their unhidden joy.

Silver took a seat on the grass. When the female bear looked her way, she inclined her head in a silent greeting. The bear did the same, then they both watched an alpha bear play with two energetic cubs, his hands holding rough care for their small bodies.

By the time Valentin made his way back to her, he was drenched and his eyes weren’t human in any way. When he spoke, his already deep voice was so low it felt like thunder against her skin. “Couldn’t resist,” he said, pushing back his wet hair with one big hand. “If you weren’t in recovery and if I wasn’t in terror of Nova’s wrath, I’d have invited you. The small monsters wanted to play with you.”

Silver didn’t get to her feet. “Can we stay here a little longer?” It was patent that Valentin had an extremely high tolerance for the cold, but he might want to dry off.

“Sure,” he said, and, moving away several feet, shook off the wet.

Fine droplets settled on the skin of her cheek, but she didn’t flinch at the unintentional tactile contact. She also controlled her urge to reach up and touch the water where it lay against her skin. There was no reason to do that, and Silver was alive because she only did things that were rational.

Settling beside her, Valentin waved at the cubs as their guardian led their tired forms toward a path in the trees that was at the same level as the stream. “Gentler climb,” Valentin told her.

“They seem too exhausted to make it to Denhome.”

“It’s all an act—they’re hoping for a ride on their aunt’s back.” His tone held the same fond affection she’d heard when he spoke of Dima. “It’d take more than a few minutes’ play in the water to wipe out those two.”

The cubs had played with Valentin for almost a half hour. “They’re hyperactive?”

“They’re baby bears.”

Silver watched as those baby bears turned toward her and rose up on their back paws, as if in challenge. A stern sound from their caretaker, and they dropped down and scrambled to catch up with her. Their bodies disappeared into the trees as dusk began to turn from orange to shadowy gray.

Beside her, Valentin sprawled out, bracing himself on his elbows. His drenched T-shirt clung to the ridged muscles of his abdomen, pulled tight across his pectoral muscles, shaped itself over his shoulders. His jeans weren’t much better, outlining the raw muscle of his thighs.

Valentin Nikolaev was a man of violent physical strength even in human form. Yet he clearly had iron control over it; when he’d played with the children, they’d displayed zero fear of their alpha.

“You thought about where you’re going to live when you escape the bears who’ve kidnapped you?”

When she raised an eyebrow at him, he grinned. “Fringe netter with his own Internet channel sent out a breaking report last night. Pasha—who obviously needs more work duties—made up a fake account and posted a comment swearing to have seen you being pulled into a black van by six burly bears in bear form.”

“You don’t seem too concerned.” Amber eyes and deep voice, he remained very much a bear in human form.

“Well, according to this ‘eyewitness,’ the getaway driver was in bear form, too. Must’ve been tough for him to steer with one paw since he was drinking a beer at the same time.”

Bears,” Silver said, making Valentin throw his head back and laugh that huge laugh that wrapped around her.

Posted by arrangement with Berkley, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © Nalini Singh, 2017.


Reading Order: Psy-Changeling Trinity series:

 

#1 ~ Silver Silence: EbookHardcoverAudible • Goodreads

The Psy-Changeling Trinity series is a spinoff of the Psy-Changeling series! You don’t have to read the original series to start Silver Silence, but I highly recommend it because it’s an incredible PNR series! And the heroine of Silver Silence is first shown in the original series.

Reading Order: Psy-Changeling series

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh
Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh
Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh Play of Passion by Nalini Singh Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh
 Tangle of Need by Nalini Singh Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh
Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh   

#1 ~ Slave to Sensation: EbookPaperbackAudibleGoodreads
#2 ~ Visions of Heat: EbookPaperbackAudibleGoodreads
#3 ~ Caressed by Ice: EbookPaperbackAudible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Mine to Possess: EbookPaperbackAudible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Hostage to Pleasure: EbookPaperbackAudible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Branded by Fire: EbookPaperbackAudible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Blaze of Memory: EbookPaperbackAudibleGoodreads
#8 ~ Bonds of Justice: EbookPaperbackAudible • Goodreads
#9 ~ Play of Passion: EbookPaperback • Audible • Goodreads
#10 ~ Kiss of Snow: EbookPaperbackAudible • Goodreads
Collection #1 ~ Wild Invitation: EbookPaperbackAudible • Goodreads
#11 ~ Tangle of Need: EbookPaperbackAudible • Goodreads
#12 ~ Heart of Obsidian: EbookPaperbackAudible • Goodreads
#13 ~ Shield of Winter: EbookPaperbackAudible • Goodreads
#14 ~ Shards of Hope: EbookHardcoverPaperbackAudible • Goodreads
#15 ~ Allegiance of Honor: My Review • EbookHardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Collection #2 ~ Wild Embrace: EbookPaperback • Audible • Goodreads
#16 ~ Silver Silence: EbookHardcoverAudible • Goodreads


One hardcover copy of Silver Silence by Nalini Singh (INTL)

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Blog Tour + Release Day Review & Giveaway: Hearts on Air by L.H. Cosway

Happy Release Day to L.H. Cosway – Hearts on Air is live!

Hearts on Air by L.H. Cosway
Series: Hearts #6 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 8th 2017
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3 weeks. 5 cities. 15 impossible stunts. One reality show.

Trevor Cross came into Reya Cabrera’s world with a bang and faded out with a whimper. They vowed to make it work, but life had other plans. After chasing his TV dreams for years, Trev finally became the UK’s next big reality star, but he alienated his family and friends in the process. Now he finally has everything he ever wanted. Women. Money. Fame. But none of it means anything when he doesn’t have the one thing that matters most: love.

Money leaves a gaping hole. Fame surrounds him with loneliness. And no woman makes him feel like Reya used to before the whirlwind of success pulled them apart.

He has a plan to get her back for good. However, with a hectic filming schedule looming, the only way to do that is to convince her to come on the road with him. Reya has been stuck in a rut for a while, and the opportunity to travel across Europe and play her music for new audiences seems like heaven. The only catch? She has to do it with the one boy who ever got close enough to break her heart. But he’s not a boy anymore, and as she gets to know him again she can’t deny her respect for the man he’s become.

Every time she’s around him her heart feels full of air, like a balloon about to pop. Little does she know, Trev’s feelings are just tumultuous as hers. One thing’s for sure, these three weeks on the road together will either make them whole again or break them irrevocably.

Buy Links:
Amazon US • Amazon UK • Amazon CA • Amazon AU
iTunes • Barnes & Noble • Kobo • Smashwords

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I adore LH Cosway’s quirky stories. The feel of her books are different from what I’m used to, and I’m always so happy to read another book by her because they’re like a breath of fresh air. I was incredibly excited to get the chance to read Hearts on Air – I remember the youngest Cross brother, Trevor, and his friend Reya getting close in one of the previous books in the series and couldn’t wait to see how their friends-to-lovers romance would end up. It turns out, their story is more of a friends to lovers to friends to lovers kind of romance – a second chance friends to lovers romance. In their novella, One Epic Night (which is included in this book), we get the beginnings of a newfound love story between these two long-time friends. But Trevor, the adrenaline junkie who can’t seem to ever focus on one thing at a time, always took his best friend for granted and never saw Reya as a priority. So starting Hearts on Air, I was not a fan of Trevor and needed a lot from him to make up for what he did to Reya. I’m glad to say LH Cosway didn’t disappoint!

Hearts on Air takes place two years after the events in One Epic Night – Reya and Trevor tried to make their new relationship work, but with Trevor gone all the time thanks to his new parkour reality TV show, they never saw each other and Trevor never made the effort to try to see Reya. Heartbroken, Reya leaves Trevor in favor of focusing on herself and her goals of being a musician while Trevor galavants across Europe for his show. Two estranged years later, Trevor is in need of a PA for the show and wants his former best friend and girlfriend, the one girl he never stopped thinking about, to take on the role – and he won’t take no for an answer.

In two hours we’d be in another country. I’d be in a strange place and Trevor would be the only familiar thing. I needed to prepare, needed to steel myself. Trev Cross was like honey. I was naturally drawn to his sweetness, but was wary to get too close. We needed to stay friends. I wanted him in my life as a friend, because everything else aside, I had missed him. But I was wiser now. I’d been scarred before by his neglect.
I wouldn’t melt for his charms like I always used to . . .

To say Trevor Cross is Reya’s kryptonite would be an understatement. He was her first love and the boy she never forgot about. She wants to refuse to be his team’s PA, because that would meaning being around him… but since he says that he only wants to be friends again, it wouldn’t hurt, right? So Reya travels with Trevor and his co-stars to different countries, all while Trevor is trying to show Reya how much he’s changed. He’s not the same flighty, immature, taking-things-for-granted kind of guy anymore – he knows how much he lost when he lost her and didn’t fight for her. This time, he’s not giving her up again without a fight… She just doesn’t know it yet.

“…you’re the best friend I ever had, and losing you is my biggest regret, the worst thing that ever happened to me.”

I really appreciated the way LH Cosway showed us the amount that Trevor has changed. I had a hard time believing he could, but he really did learn to appreciate what he had and lost. I loved the way you could obviously tell he still loved Reya, even though we never get his POV – it was so clear with every action and word that he is 100% fighting for Reya this time. Reya is a fantastic heroine who knew how much Trevor hurt her and didn’t make it easy for him to win her back. A large portion of the book was Trevor earning back Reya’s trust and friendship – it’s a fantastic slow burn that has you frustrated and aching in the best way. I literally couldn’t wait for Trevor and Reya to get back together because I knew it would be SO worth it this time around.

“You’re a goddess. I love you. I’ll never stop loving you.”

This second chance friends-to-lovers romance is another fantastic addition to this wonderful series. The Hearts series is honestly one of the most unique ones I’ve ever read, and I can only hope there will be more from the author. Trev and Reya’s story is one that fans of the series don’t want to miss. If you love slow burn that is fresh and exciting, you’ll definitely enjoy this one!


lacey

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Hearts series

Six of Hearts by L.H. Cosway Hearts of Fire by L.H. Cosway King of Hearts by L.H. Cosway
Hearts of Blue by L.H. Cosway  

#1 ~ Six of Hearts: My Review • EbookPaperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Hearts of Fire: My Review • EbookPaperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ King of Hearts: My Review • EbookPaperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Hearts of Blue: My Review • EbookPaperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Thief of Hearts: My Review • EbookPaperback • Goodreads
#6 ~ Hearts on Air: Ebook • Goodreads

about the author button

L.H. CoswayL.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories. L.H. is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads • Amazon Page

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(1) A signed paperback copy of the book, swag and a $50 Amazon giftcard

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