From NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author A.L. Jackson comes the next seductive, unforgettable Bleeding Stars Stand-Alone Novel…STAND is now LIVE!
Zachary Kennedy has never been known as a fighter, but he’ll never regret fighting for her…
I’m Zee Kennedy.
Quiet. Reserved. Predictable.
When my brother died, everyone thought I was just the good guy who stepped up to take his place in the band.
No one knew what I was hiding. The one thing I’ve been fighting for.
For seven years, I’ve never lost focus.
Not until one chance encounter with Alexis Kensington.
Now she’s become my greatest temptation.
I knew better than to touch her, but now that I’ve had a taste, I can’t get enough.
Her kiss becomes my air. Her body my salvation.
She needed a savior and somehow she became mine.
Taking her was a betrayal. But keeping her means risking everything.
One look at Alexis Kensington, and I know she’s worth the fight.
Will my past continue to keep me down or will I finally find the strength to pull myself up and Stand
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DaisyGal’s Review:
The sixth book in A.L. Jackson’s Bleeding Hearts Series, Stand is a passionate romance of finding the courage to overcome loss and regret and accepting the love you deserve.
It’s on those journeys that Fate finds us and takes us where we need to be.
Without a second glance, we can be taken away from
everything we knew, the “people we love” and given a new life.
One that can change us… save us…
What would you do if Fate dropped you at a crossroads?
Would you go back?
Or would you run like hell the other way?
One night is all it took to change Sidney Chandler and Simon McAllister’s future and set them both on separate paths.
But when Fate decides to reunite them almost a decade later will Simon be able to win back the woman he loves? And will Sidney be able to get past what happened between them and move forward?
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DaisyGal’s Review:
In an effort to branch out in my reading, I have really been trying to step outside of my comfort realm and find new authors that haven’t crossed my path before. In doing so, I happened upon a new Indie author, Emersyn Vallis, and her Fate Series, which includes Adjournment, Hanging Pawns, Sacrifice, and End Game. The intrigue and mystery of the series kept me on the edge of my seat, and the adorable characters and light- hearted humor were just the icing on the cake to this sweet romance!
Duke of Manhattan by Louise Bay Release Date: May 16th Genre: Contemporary Romance
I was born into British aristocracy, but I’ve made my fortune in Manhattan. New York is now my kingdom.
Back in Britain my family are fighting over who’s the next Duke of Fairfax. The rules say it’s me–if I’m married. It’s not a trade-off worth making. I could never limit myself to just one woman.
Or so I thought until my world is turned upside down. Now, the only way I can save the empire I built is to inherit the title I’ve never wanted — so I need a wife.
To take my mind off business I need a night that’s all pleasure. I need to bury myself in a stranger.
The skim of Scarlett King’s hair over my body as she bends over . . .
The scrape of her nails across my chest as she screams my name . . .
The bite of her teeth on my shoulder just as we both reach the edge . . .
It all helps me forget.
I just didn’t bargain on finding my one night stand across the boardroom table the next day.
She might be my latest conquest but I have a feeling Scarlett King might just conquer me.
A sexy, standalone romance.
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DaisyGal’s Review:
Louse Bay’s Duke of Manhattan is a story of determination, taking risks, and finding success, and this charming and sexy romance also reminds you that fairytales and happily ever after’s do exist and sometimes you can find love even when you least expect it!
Bombshell, an all-new sexy and swoony standalone from CD Reiss is now LIVE!
Bombshell by CD Reiss Publication Date: May 1st, 2017 Publisher: Montlake Genre: Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:
Hollywood bad boy Brad Sinclair always gets his way, whether it’s the role he wants or the bikini-clad model he has to have. But when a bombshell gets dropped in his lap in the form of a dimpled five-year-old from a forgotten relationship, he knows his life is about to change forever.
Cara DuMont isn’t exactly thrilled when she gets assigned to be the nanny for the latest box-office king. She has one rule: no celebrity fathers, especially single ones with devilish good looks and rock-hard abs.
But as soon as Cara meets Brad and his adorable little girl, she knows she’s in for a world of trouble. Because there’s something about the way Brad looks at her that makes her believe that some rules are meant to be broken…
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DaisyGal’s Review:
This book really surprised me! Not that I would ever really doubt CD Reiss’s incredible writing, but in the way that I didn’t expect the characters and story to have as much depth to them as they did. You know what I mean, light-hearted story… bad boy movie star realizes he has a child…falls for the nanny…seems pretty simple right? Color me so-over-the-top-happy-that-I-was-wrong surprised, there is so much more to both these characters and this story! CD Reiss once again delivers these, along with lots of slow burning passion and romance, and a show stopping performance from her characters who will simply melt your heart!
Have you read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher or watched the new series on Netflix?
I had not heard of either until a few weeks ago, when my 16-year-old told me she was going to start watching the new series. Like any curious parent, I looked it up and then informed her that I thought it would be a little too much for her. She was quite angry about it, because drugs, bullying, and sex were all at her school anyway. ‘All of her friends had watched it already’ and ‘their parents let them.’ I won’t even bother to get into my thoughts right now on the whole ‘letting my kids do something because someone else’s parents let them’ bullshit. I don’t buy it. However, I was surprised to hear this was all going on at her school already.
The kicker of the whole situation occurred a few days later when my 13-year-old presented almost the exact same conversation to me about wanting to watch the show as well. This completely blew me away. How in the world are these things already happening in Middle School? Why is this show almost like a ‘fad’ amongst the teenagers? I really don’t understand it at all. There was no way his eyes needed to see this or be a part of any situation regarding a heavy topic like suicide, and I certainly wouldn’t want to put ideas into either of my kid’s heads for that matter. Of course, he got an even firmer NO.
Then I found out that the kids at his school were showing clips from it on their phones, and he had officially seen episode #13 which was the finale – the life ending one. Seriously? We try so damn hard to protect our kids from the evils of social media, but no matter how diligent we are, unfortunately, other parents aren’t. Then we’re forced to face situations like this that we try to avoid head on. So, we decided we would watch it together as a family. At least this way, we could openly discuss these difficult topics that apparently were impacting the kids in one way or another and make sure we were all on the same page with it.
Title: Who Needs Air Author: Cassie Graham Release Date: April 28, 2017
They fell in love at thirteen. He wrote a book about it at twenty. She watched him walk away at twenty-three. And he made the New York Times Best Sellers list at twenty-four.
Campbell ‘Cam’ Potter stood idly by as August Wyatt took over the world one word at a time. Chapter by chapter, people fell in love with the story he created – the events she lived. And now the book was being made into a movie, it was only a matter of time before August was back in their small hometown in Georgia.
The problem was, when August left five years ago, Cam made a promise to herself. The ending in his book would be the conclusion to their story. There was no sequel, no second chance, no possibility of ever seeing him again. He obliterated her heart and she was determined to never let it happen again.
That is, until Cam gets a late night text from the heartbreaker himself. New chapters are written, fresh storylines are explored and Cam and August find a familiarity in one another.
Sometimes THE END doesn’t mean it’s over.
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I’ve been looking for more unique storylines in my reading lately, so I was really intrigued when I came across this synopsis featuring a young author finding stardom from a book he wrote about his teenage love and their possibility of being reunited years later. Although I haven’t read Cassie Graham’s writing before, my curiosity was definitely peaked, so I just had to snatch up this second chance romance. Who Needs Air was such a refreshing read, and August and Cam’s passionate journey was incredibly heartfelt and adorably wrapped in a seriously sweet dose of Southern charm!
Graham’s writing was beautiful, with a lot of personality and eloquence in her words that flowed smoothly and naturally. There was also a generous handful of sweet southern slang in the story, which I really enjoyed throughout. Each chapter title was a southern saying which was also really clever and cute. Although I did feel the ‘Sweet baby Jesus’ might have been a bit overused, I was completely engaged in the story’s setting of southern cultures, ideals, and lifestyles.
August and Cam were very endearing characters and faced so many challenges during their relationship! I yearned for them to be together and felt their angst when they were apart, and I loved how they never gave up on each other. Together they were whole, and it seemed to just be a given that they should be side by side all along.
I did have some contradicting feelings on whether August’s character was genuine or not. His point of view is only presented in the prologue as he finished writing their story and opened his heart in telling Cam everything that she might not know about his feelings for her. It was incredibly sweet, and I totally ate that up. However, I didn’t understand their lack of communication at times. They would go for days, weeks, months, even years, without any resolving situations, and it seemed strange to me that they shared such love and friendship but didn’t talk through their challenges more. Although Cam was incredibly patient and had an enormous amount of respect for August, I was also surprised at her acceptance of his behavior at times. I know that he was always trying to do things the ‘right’ way, but I would have just liked a little more insight, possibly from August or perhaps from Cam’s mother or Lily, rooting or reinforcing their relationship in some way. I felt like they just kind of went with the flow of his decisions, and I wanted at least one of them to be upset with their situation like I was!
I have one more mention that I’m going to put in here regarding the cover – only because it stuck with me the whole time I was reading this and taking pictures as well. While the artist did a beautiful job with the artwork, I wish I had a red ‘Wooly Willy’ pen to smooth out the woman’s face a bit as the flowers made her look hairy to me. I will just leave it at that.
None of my critiques are meant to take away from this book in any way. There were so many elements to love and twists as well. All of the angst and build-up throughout made it an incredibly passionate story, and I truly enjoyed the characters and their journey of hope and love. Although this is a standalone, I did see that there is a previous book written by Cassie Graham, Anyone But Him, which is about Jennings Cohen (who played August’s movie role in this book) and his girlfriend, Whitley Hayes. I really enjoyed their characters and friendship with August and Cam, so I will follow up with their story as well!
*** ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange of an honest review ***
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Bringing my body into his with a tug, he squeezes my shoulders. Only, this hug feels different. It doesn’t feel like all the other ones we’ve shared since he came back into town. I’m baffled at first, my arms locked around his torso. He doesn’t let me free and I think he may need this. I think he might need me. He sighs, his face falling into the crook of my neck and I finally understand why it’s so different. I don’t know why it took me so long, but my heart soars and my grip tightens. I force my eyelids closed and I breathe him in, using every ounce of my ability to give him back what he’s offering me so willingly.
He doesn’t have to say the words, but I hear them loud and clear. He’s been looking for someone to care about him in this town. Not someone to fawn over him or tell him what he wants. I’ve shown him that even without the book, he’s still important and this gesture – his foreign and surprising hug – is his way of telling me he appreciates it.
He clutches the back of my neck, his signature grasp, and breathes me in as I cling to his sweater, willing my eyes to stay closed. If I look at him or our reflection in the mirror above the headboard, I’m going to lose it.
Sighing contently, he pulls back and I do the same, opening my eyes.
“Night,” he offers with a smile, bringing his lips to my forehead for a split second before turning around and sufficiently closing me out, unzipping his bag.
I blink a few times, speechless as I watch him pull his sweater up and over his head, tossing it on the bed. His muscles strain and the dimples just above his pant line are so pronounced, my fingers ache to touch them. I turn away, reminding myself that we’re just friends. Friends only, Cam. Hands off. No touching his back dimples. It’s inappropriate and…oh, God, he’s unbuckling his pants.
Walking out of the door with embarrassed haste, I close it behind me.
My skin, tingling and hot, I trace my forehead with my fingertips. The prickle of his kiss still evident. Eager to erase the aftereffect of his touch, I scrub my head like a moron, accidentally creating a deep red spot. It doesn’t help. My skin scorches for long minutes.
After changing into pajamas, I climb into bed and wrap myself in the comforter. I need to sleep and forget the last three hours happened.
Just as I’m about to shut my eyes, my phone goes off with a text message.
August: Tonight was exactly what I needed.
Another one comes in.
August: You’re still so important to me. Please don’t ever forget that.
I chew on my lip and study the words until they become indecipherable. Turning on my side, I plug my phone into the charger and close my eyes.
I’m in so much trouble.
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Cassie Graham is a sassy redhead who lives in Arizona with her handsome husband and beautiful daughter. If she isn’t shoulder-deep in writing a book, you can find her watching Supernatural or reading a delicious romance by one of her many talented friends. She likes front porch sitting in her pink rocking chair, drinking Moscato, chocolate, reading books with her daughter and constantly dating her husband.
The past she can’t remember. The secret he hides. And a love that’s worth risking it all.
After a devastating car crash stole both her family and her memory, Grace Stanton was left with no past and an uncertain future. Now Grace likes to keep things simple. No sleepovers, never date a guy more than a month, and never, ever fall in love. Which is exactly why Grace avoids Bad Habit’s lead guitarist, Brody Scott, at all costs. The green-eyed, sexy-as-hell musician has “trouble” tattooed all over him, and Grace isn’t taking any chances with her heart.
Brody knows he doesn’t deserve an amazing woman like Grace—her creamy skin, red hair, or that smart mouth that fuels his every fantasy—but there’s something between them that’s more than chemistry. Something real. He’ll just have to convince Grace that he’s worth the risk—and hide the secret that haunts his worst dreams. But when fate plays a cruel hand, Brody’s darkest sin suddenly threatens his last chance at redemption…and the life of the woman he loves.
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DaisyGal’s Review:
I have been looking forward to this release for so long! The previous book in this Bad Habit Series, Make Me Sin, was a top 2016 read for me and told A.J. and Chloe’s heartbreakingly beautiful story. I have been dying to know if they would get their well-deserved happily ever after, and my curiosity was also peaked at what in the world could be going on between Chloe’s ‘tough as nails’ bestie, Grace Stanton, and the sexy and mysterious Bad Habit guitarist, Brody Scott. Thank goodness, the wait is finally over! In Sin with Me, Geissinger has once again gifted an incredibly suspenseful and sweet romance topped off with her down to earth wit and style, characters to adore, and some of her steamiest writing yet!
I am super excited to join IndieSage PR and 40+ authors and bloggers on the Easter Holiday Hop to celebrate!
How does a hop work? In addition to the grand prize giveaway, each stop will have a chance to win MORE prizes. You can enter one, pick and choose, or enter them ALL. We hope you find new friends, new books, and new authors to enjoy!
My stop will be giving away one of my favorite Scent Pop Candle Co. candles from the Bookworm Box! With a blend of pomegranates, fresh citrus, and vanilla, it’s seriously hard not to keep this for myself – it smells SO good!
For your chance to win and to enter the GiveAway, start the hop HERE!
Ready. Set. Go!
Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter Grand Prize Giveaway, and if you encounter a broken link, you can always come back to this schedule.
Good Luck! Have a great holiday weekend and Happy Hopping!!
The Gravity of Us (Elements #4) by Brittainy C. Cherry
Release Date: April 13th, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer: Quirkybird Designs
Book Four in The Elements Series
By Brittainy C. Cherry
Graham Russell and I weren’t made for one another.
I was driven by emotion; he was apathetic. I dreamed while he lived in nightmares. I cried when he had no tears to shed.
Despite his frozen heart and my readiness to run, we sometimes shared seconds. Seconds when our eyes locked and we saw each other’s secrets. Seconds when his lips tasted my fears, and I breathed in his pains. Seconds when we both imagined what it would be like to love one another.
Those seconds left us floating, but when reality knocked us sideways, gravity forced us to descend.
Graham Russell wasn’t a man who knew how to love, and I wasn’t a woman who knew how to either. Yet if I had the chance to fall again, I’d fall with him forever.
Even if we were destined to crash against solid ground.
DG Book Blog 