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!
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!
Dirty Filthy Rich Men, an all-new sexy, contemporary romance from NYT Bestseller Laurelin Paige is available now!!!
Dirty Filthy Rich Men by Laurelin Paige Genre: Contemporary Romance
From NYT Bestselling author Laurelin Paige, discover a whole new world filled with sex, love, power, romance and dirty, filthy rich men.
When I met Donovan Kincaid, I knew he was rich. I didn’t know he was filthy. Truth be told, I was only trying to get his best friend to notice me.
I knew poor scholarship girls like me didn’t stand a chance against guys like Weston King and Donovan Kincaid, but I was in love with his world, their world, of parties and sex and power. I knew what I wanted—I knew who I wanted—until one night, their world tried to bite me back and Donovan saved me. He saved me, and then Weston finally noticed me, and I finally learned what it was to be in their world.
And then what it was like to lose it.
Ten years later, I’ve found my way back. Back to their world. Back to him.
This time, I’m ready. I’ve been down this road before, and I know all the dirty, filthy ways Donovan will try and wreck me.
But it’s hard to resist. Especially when I know how much I’ll like it.
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DaisyGal’s Review:
Every now and again I just need a change of pace from my normal and sweet storylines, want to turn it up a notch, and let’s be honest here, Laurelin Paige is certainly a Queen of dark and angsty romance! Her creativity offers such unique and page-turning escapes from the mundane. Her characters are flawed, sometimes with even angry and twisted souls, but she somehow transforms them to be the ones that I root for and adore. Her new Dirty Filthy Rich World is captivating, and Dirty Filthy Rich Men, the first book her Dirty Duet Series, is wickedly sexy, thrilling, and totally consuming!
Fast forward 10 years from Dirty Filthy Rich Boys, and the once shy and insecure Sabrina Lind has her confidence, career, and life on track. Not being able to complete her education at Harvard, she now has her MBA and is working at a small marketing company in Los Angeles. Weston King and Donovan Kincaid are now powerful billionaires running their new firm Reach Inc., which is already an industry leader after only five years. When Sabrina finds out that Weston is speaking at a conference, she just can’t resist seeing him again after all this time. Would the man she tried so hard to get to look her way remember her, or is she just as forgettable as she perceived herself to be? Continue reading →
From the New York Times bestselling author of Jake Undone, comes a full-length standalone companion novel and sequel.
A different side to the story: Jake’s side.
“We’re getting a new roommate,” they said.
I thought nothing of it…until she walked in the door. Her hand trembled in mine as she looked at me with fearful eyes. My entire world spun on its axis.
Nina…
It was a mismatch made in heaven: innocent girl from the boonies moves in with tattooed, pierced, badboy engineer.
I came up with a bet, a plan to tutor her in math and coach her through her phobias. What I wasn’t betting on was becoming addicted to her.
But I was living a double life on weekends, and once she found out about it, she’d be gone.
I had to protect myself and that meant one thing: I couldn’t fall in love.
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DaisyGal’s Review:
This can supposedly be read as a standalone and is Jake’s version of the story with some ‘extras.’ I honestly do not usually enjoy follow ups with the ‘other side’ of the story, since they usually drag on and on about what I already know. However, I absolutely loved ‘Jake Undone’ and definitely enjoyed Ward’s writing, so my interest was peaked about this follow up. I’m so glad that my curiosity won out!
Nina Kennedy was alive…but not living…until she met him.
Planes, trains, heights…you name it, Nina was afraid of it and led a sheltered life ruled by irrational fears and phobias. When she moves to Brooklyn for nursing school, that life is turned upside down, as she develops an intense but unwanted attraction to her gorgeous roommate, who’s pierced, tattooed and just happens to be the smartest person she’s ever met.
Behind Jake Green’s rough exterior and devilish smile, lies a heart of gold. He makes it his mission to change Nina’s outlook on life. When he agrees to tutor her, they forge a bet and the stakes are high as Jake forces Nina to face her demons. He just wasn’t expecting to fall hard for her in the process.
What Nina doesn’t realize, is that Jake has been living his own private hell. Once he drops a bombshell, will their love survive it?
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My Review:
‘Jake Undone’ has been sitting on my shelf for quite some time, and in my quest for finding some new authors to read decided to give Jake a chance. My goodness, I couldn’t be more excited that I did! There is so much heart and slow building passion in this romance combined with of so many things that I truly enjoy in a good book. The characters were very intriguing, witty, and down to earth which made this a really fun read. At the same time, they were complex, and there are multiple plot layers within the unique storyline. There is also angst and suspense, which left me unable to put the book down until the very end. The story is just woven perfectly, and not only am I a little bit in love with Jake Green but I am definitely sold on Penelope Ward’s writing!
The Cad and The Co-Ed, a quirky and sexy romantic comedy from Penny Reid & L.H. Cosway is available now!!
THE CAD
Bryan Leech is a cad.
Or, he *was* a cad.
No one is quite certain.
Once the quintessential playboy, Bryan claims he’s done with wild parties and weekend benders. No more one night stands leading to mornings he can’t remember; no more binges and blackouts; no more exploits plastered all over the tabloids and rag sheets. According to Bryan, he’s cleaning up his act.
The only problem is, no one believes him.
THE CO-ED
Eilish Cassidy never thought she’d be a mother at nineteen or still in college at twenty-four. Cut off from every member of her family except her favorite cousin, she’s finally managed to put her life back together. Stronger and wiser, Eilish enters her last semester of university determined to stand on her own. Now she just needs to find an internship.
The only problem is, her best option—by far—places her directly in the path of her son’s father, and he doesn’t remember her at all.
THE PLAN
Bryan is determined to prove he’s changed. Eager to settle down with the right woman, he’s got his sights set on the gorgeous redhead who seems terribly familiar.
Eilish is determined to hide her secret. She’ll do anything to keep her child safe, even if that means ignoring her own wishes and desires.
But what happens when Bryan starts to remember? And what will it take for Bryan to convince the girl he forgot that she’s unforgettable?
New York Times bestselling author, Laurelin Paige introduces an all new Dirty Filthy Rich World, with Dirty Filthy Rich Boys, a FREE prequel novella now LIVE!
Dirty Filthy Rich Boys: A Dirty Filthy Rich Novella
by Laurelin Paige Publication Date: February 27th, 2017 Genre: Contemporary Romance
When I met Donovan Kincaid, I knew he was rich. I didn’t know he was filthy. Truth be told, I was only trying to get his best friend to notice me.
I knew poor scholarship girls like me didn’t stand a chance against guys like Weston King and Donovan Kincaid, but I was in love with his world, their world, of parties and sex and power. I knew what I wanted—I knew who I wanted—until one night, their world tried to bite me back and Donovan saved me. He saved me, and then Weston finally noticed me, and I finally learned what it was to be in their world.
Some men are born responsible, some men have responsibility thrust upon them. Henry Charles Albert Edgar Pembrook, Prince of Wessco, just got the motherlode of all responsibility dumped in his regal lap.
He’s not handling it well.
Hoping to force her grandson to rise to the occasion, Queen Lenora goes on a much-needed safari holiday—and when the Queen’s away, the Prince will play. After a chance meeting with an American television producer, Henry finally makes a decision all on his own:
Welcome to Matched: Royal Edition.
A reality TV dating game show featuring twenty of the world’s most beautiful blue bloods gathered in the same castle. Only one will win the diamond tiara, only one will capture the handsome prince’s heart.
While Henry revels in the sexy, raunchy antics of the contestants as they fight, literally, for his affection, it’s the quiet, bespectacled girl in the corner—with the voice of an angel and a body that would tempt a saint—who catches his eye.
The more Henry gets to know Sarah Mirabelle Zinnia Von Titebottum, the more enamored he becomes of her simple beauty, her strength, her kind spirit…and her naughty sense of humor.
But Rome wasn’t built in a day—and irresponsible royals aren’t reformed overnight.
As he endeavors to right his wrongs, old words take on whole new meanings for the dashing Prince. Words like, Duty, Honor and most of all—Love.
DaisyGal’s Review:
‘Royally Matched’ is a light-hearted and fun read that takes place in the dreamy lifestyle of royalty and elegance. Topped off with a lusty Prince, charming characters, and a reality T.V. show… seriously, who could ask for more? However, Emma Chase has outdone herself in this enchanting tale of two people finding themselves and at the same time finding a very true love. With incredibly sweet and passionate moments, this beautifully written romance has truly captured my heart!
The super sexy, fun-loving, and borderline ‘scandaliscious’ Henry Charles Albert Edgar Pembrook, Prince of Wessco, has never had to face the consequences in living his playboy lifestyle. He has always lived in the shadow of his older brother, Prince Nicholas, where he was quite content hiding behind booze and women. It never mattered if he was a disappointment or not, because no one ever really had any expectations of him. That is until Nicholas renounced his role as future King of Wessco, and Henry has some pretty big shoes to fill as the new predecessor to the throne. Now full of doubt in himself and his ability to lead his country, he is lost but unexpectedly meets the one person who accepts him for who he is, helps him to see that he has so much more to offer, and gives him the courage to be the next King.
‘The tale of an unruly prince who found the queen of his heart, and learned how to be a King.’
When I got dumped by my stupid fiancé a week before the wedding, my plans involved nothing more than ice cream, a blanket fort, and a bonfire of his possessions.
But my friends convinced me that bitter tastes better drowned in Bordeaux, so I came to Paris for a single-moon.
Then I met him. He’s shown me things I’ve never seen before, and I’m not talking about the Louvre.
Is it just the seduction of Paris? Or could this be the real thing?
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My Review:
This is my first read by Melanie Harlow and the first book in her Frenched Series. Harlow’s descriptive writing in the settings and tours of the landmarks in Paris really took me away, and the refreshing storyline was light hearted, exciting, and had a great pace to it. Lately, I have been rather caught up in quite a few really ‘deep’ books, and this definitely lifted my spirits, provided me with a much-needed break, and was a perfect getaway read!
Some men are born responsible, some men have responsibility thrust upon them. Henry Charles Albert Edgar Pembrook, Prince of Wessco, just got the motherlode of all responsibility dumped in his regal lap.
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