New Release Review: The Almost Romantic by Lauren Blakely

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes a brand new fake engagement turned marriage of convenience romantic comedy. One-click your copy of THE ALMOST ROMANTIC today!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/TARAmazon 
✦ Audible ➜ https://geni.us/AlmostRomanticAudio

Narrated in duet by Vanessa Edwin and Teddy Hamilton!

✔ Single Dad

✔ Fake Engagement

✔ Most romantic fake proposal ever

✔ Marriage of convenience

✔ My wife

✔ Found family

✔ Former pro athlete

✔ Starts with a bang

✔ Possessive Hero

About THE ALMOST ROMANTIC:

Fake engagement. Real marriage. Both have an expiration date…

“Marry me.”
They were the last words I expected to say to my fake fiancé, but I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t back down from a challenge.
Pretend I’m engaged to my gorgeous and talented business partner to secure a business deal?
No problem.
Agree to a no-touch rule even though she’s been driving me wild since I met her?
Challenge accepted.
Resist grinning like a damn fool every time that same big-hearted, sunshine-y woman laughs with my little daughter?
Done.
So, yeah, when my fake fiancé’s vindictive business rival threatens to expose our make-believe romance, I can handle that too.
I’ll prove our engagement isn’t fake – by marrying her for real.
A marriage with an expiration date at the end of the year.
But that’s when I run smack dab into the biggest challenge ever – not falling madly in love with my wife.

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/TARAmazon 
✦ Audible ➜ https://geni.us/AlmostRomanticAudio

Narrated in duet by Vanessa Edwin and Teddy Hamilton!

4.5 Stars

I thought this was a really fun book and I really liked both Elodie and Gage and man oh man do they have sizzling hot chemistry together! Despite this being a fake marriage story, I really felt like they were connected and meant to be right from the start. They do start out with a real date and attraction but the business side of life takes over and their relationship turns into an arrangement that can bring them both success. The problem is, that initial attraction doesn’t go away, in fact it grows as they really get to know each other and open up to each other and goes from attraction to so much more.

Again, I thought this was a fun read and it definitely made me laugh and swoon a lot! Elodie is a very strong, bold woman not afraid of going after what she wants and she’s a great match for Gage. He’s the kind of guy who hasn’t had it easy but he’s determined to build the best life he can for himself and his daughter. Both Elodie and Gage also know what it’s like to be a single parent, Gage being a widowed father and Elodie raising her younger sister after her parents died, and they are a great support for each other and the kids. I also really enjoyed the flow of this book, it was a good pace but also felt real and genuine.

Definitely a book I’d recommend for some good humor and spice and all around feel good!

Audio Lovers!

Vanessa Edwin and Teddy Hamilton narrate in duet this sexy, marriage of convenience where he falls first. THE ALMOST ROMANTIC is NOW LIVE in audio, so grab your earbuds and make this your next listen today!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/TARAmazon 
✦ Audible ➜ https://geni.us/AlmostRomanticAudio

Narrated in duet by Vanessa Edwin and Teddy Hamilton!

ABOUT LAUREN BLAKELY:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall StreetJournal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

Website: laurenblakely.com

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks

Blog Tour & Review: Morgan by Riley Hart

Dusty worships my body in ways no man has before

Morgan, an all-new friends to lovers, small town, M/M romance from bestselling author Riley Hart is now available!

When I left Birchbark angry and heartbroken, I vowed never to return.

Fate had other plans.

The father I hate had a stroke, so now I’m back in the Upper Peninsula to take care of him. The locals treat Dad like royalty, while Dad vacillates between open anger and flat-out ignoring me. Throw in my messy relationship with my brothers, and being in Birchbark becomes unbearable.

The only saving grace is Dusty, my childhood best friend. He’s always had my back, save for one night ten years ago that changed everything.  Despite my endless family drama, Dusty becomes my solace, and it’s not long before our emotional connection becomes more. Dusty worships my body in ways no man has before, but more importantly, he’s stolen my heart. Except Dusty’s home is here, and mine is in Santa Monica, as far away as I can get.

While I’m battling it out with Dad and trying to hold the family together, my every impulse is to leave the first chance I get. But I can’t leave Dusty behind. Not again. If I want a chance at real happiness, I’ve got to work through this anger and grief…even if the hits keep coming.

Morgan is a small-town, friends-to-lovers romance with all the feels, heat, and character development you expect from a Riley Hart novel. It deals with themes of grief, loss of a parent/sibling (off-page), and toxic family relationships.

4.5 Stars

I am really excited about this series and I loved Morgan! This book just hit me in the feels right from the start and I really didn’t want to put it down. I love a second chance story and this one really hits all the marks for a really good one – you’ve got best friends, a big misunderstanding, a ten year grudge, dysfunctional family and two men who’ve been in love with each other for their whole lives who may just finally get their chance to find happiness.

Morgan is returning to his hometown after his father has a stroke, it’s not something he wants to do because everything there is bad memories and pain but he’s said he’d come home to help for the summer. That means dealing with his brothers and his father but it also means Dusty, the man he ran away from 10 years ago. But, no matter what happened, these two still have deep deep feelings for each other and that’s evident from the first time they see each other again. There is a lot of pain that these two have to work through, but there’s so much love between them that once they start working through things they both very much want to make it work this time around.

I really loved Morgan and Dusty together, they are just the definition of meant to be! Morgan has lived a very lonely, closed off life since moving away and having Dusty back makes him see what real happiness looks like. And while they find each other pretty quickly, it’s not an easy journey, Morgan still has to work through his relationships with his brothers Rhett and Easton as well as his father. There’s a lot that unfolds for this family, some absolutely heart wrenching and some heartwarming.

I really did love this book and loved seeing Morgan and Dusty find the true love and happiness they’ve always deserved! I am looking forward to more in this series and really hoping we get all of the brothers’ books! A definitely must read!

Start reading today!

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon Worldwide: http://tinyurl.com/umefadf3

Add Morgan to Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/58y946ph

Keep reading for a look inside Morgan!

Easton is thirty minutes late. This is the first time in two months, so I try not to get too frustrated, but it’s hard. Because Morgan spent so much time taking care of his family, I spent a lot of time with them too. In many ways, Easton feels like a little brother to me. While people on the outside know what the Swifts have been through, I saw it from the inside. I felt it through Morgan, as much as someone other than a Swift could feel it. So yeah, I have a bond with Easton. I care about him a whole hell of a lot, but this is also my place of business, and being professional is important to me. “Sorry I’m late,” the tattooed blond in question says as he comes in through the shop’s heavy metal door. Dusty’s Collision Repair is my baby. I’ve always loved putting cars back together—not the fixing of mechanical parts as much as the body work. It’s really all I’ve ever wanted, which is why Easton not taking it as seriously is like sandpaper against my skin. Leaning against the wall, I stare at him a moment. Sometimes it’s hard to believe he’s the same little kid who was the first diaper I ever changed, hard to believe he’s Morgan’s little brother. As far as I know, my ex-best friend doesn’t have any tattoos, and Easton is covered in them. He’s the only Swift who didn’t go to college or who has a record. I guess it’s possible those things have changed with Morgan in the last ten years, but I doubt it. “East, we talked about this. You know your shit—you’re probably the best apprentice I’ve ever had—and it’s clear to me how much you love it.” I’m not sure East has ever loved anything the way he does auto body work, much to Mayor Swift’s dismay. “But I can’t keep letting you get away with—” “Morgan’s back,” he interrupts, making my heart drop to my gut. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, not with Gregory’s stroke, but then I know how Morgan feels about his dad, and about Rhett—and clearly about me since he left town and never spoke to me again. I wasn’t sure my goddamned heart would ever recover. Sometimes I’m still not sure it has. Case in point, my words are still lost to me after the two simple ones East spoke. Morgan’s back. I clear my throat. “And you were with him?” Easton shakes his head. “Haven’t seen him yet. Just thought you might want to know. I won’t be late again.” Cleary done with the conversation, East heads over to the SUV we’re fixing after it was rear-ended, and he gets right to work. I shouldn’t let him get away with that. I should say something, any-fucking-thing, but I don’t. Morgan is back. I’ve often wondered how much Easton or their dad know about our loss of friendship. Rhett is at the center of it, so he knows. Plus, he and I struck up a friendship after Morgan left. Rhett and Morgan went years without talking at all, but now they call each other when it has to do with the family. Rhett wanted to tell him to call me, but I nipped that in the bud. No good would come of it. All it would do is make Morgan pull away even more. The idea of Rhett going to him about anything would get him all up in his head, automatically on the defensive. The Swifts are all tangled in so much family drama, so much pain, that none of them can see any of it clearly. Not my problem. None of it is my problem. But I’ve sure as shit done a good job keeping myself entangled with them my whole damn life. First through my friendship with Morgan, and then in the way it was blown to hell. “Fuck,” I groan to myself before heading to the paint stall, where I have a Honda waiting for me, hoping it will keep my mind off the Swifts, but knowing it won’t.

For more information about Riley Hart and her books, visit her website:

https://www.rileyhartwrites.com

New Release Review: Sinful Mafia Prince by Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine

Sinful Mafia Prince by Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine is now live!

“They took something that belonged to me—and nothing will stop me from getting him back.” The Fiores have made their move. In a last-ditch effort to save their crumbling empire, they’ve managed to take back their heir, landing a blow to the Rossettis—in particular, Dom. But failure is not an option for Dom, and soon he finds himself at a crossroads: Follow his father’s orders and leave Luca to the wolves, or defy the boss and get back what he lost. The question is, will Luca choose to trust Dom to keep him safe even after all he’s put him through, or will he put his future in the hands of his long-lost family instead? As the war between enemies reaches its breaking point, both Dom and Luca face the most difficult decision of their lives. Do they fight for their families or do they fight for each other? Sinful Mafia Prince is the second and final book in USA Today Bestselling authors Brooke Blaine and Ella Frank’s M/M Mafia romance duet. It should only be read after Forbidden Mafia Prince.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/39QpiP5

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/SinfulMafiaP

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3tXwShT

Begin Forbidden Mafia Prince, book 1 in the Malvagio duet!

mybook.to/ForbiddenMafiaPrince

4.5 Stars

This was a fantastic conclusion to this duet! It does pick up right where the first book ends so you are brought right back into the action. And while there is a lot of action right away, this book has a bit of a different feel to it. It wasn’t quite as intense, but I liked that. I liked seeing the softer side of Dom and seeing him open up to Luca as they explore what is really happening between them. It’s a slower pace, but it also allows for them to develop real feelings, instead of just heat of the moment intense fireworks.

I really love these two together, they are so different but it just works. Dom has lived this intense, revenge fueled life and that changes when Luca becomes a part of it. He has a new purpose. And Luca, I loved his tenacity, he just refuses to back down. I thought this was such a great duet, intense and passionate and surprisingly fun!

Meet Brooke

Brooke Blaine is a USA Today Bestselling Author best known for writing romantic comedy and M/M romance. Her novels lead with humor and heart, but Brooke never shies away from throwing in something extra naughty that will scandalize her conservative Southern family for life (bless their hearts).

She’s a choc-o-holic, lives for eighties bands (which means she thinks guyliner is totally underrated), believes it’s always wine o’clock, and lives with the coolest cat on the planet—her Ragdoll/Maine Coon mix, Jackson Agador Spartacus.

Connect with Brooke

Website: http://www.brookeblaine.com/

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1i2g15S

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrookeBlaine.Writer

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBrellas

Instagram: www.instagram.com/brookeblaine1

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblaine

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brooke-blaine

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/brookeblaine11

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/brookeblaine

Meet Ella

Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust and is the co-author of the fan-favorite Preslocke series. Her Prime Time series has been praised as “highly entertaining!” and “sexy as hell!”

A life-long fan of the romance genre, Ella writes contemporary and erotic fiction.

Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.

Connect with Ella

Website: www.ellafrank.com

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GXTNig

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ella.frank.31/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBrellas

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellafrank1/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ella-frank

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ellafrank

Newsletter signup: https://ellafrank.com/newsletter/

Blog Tour & Review: Bruised But Not Broken by Nicole Dykes

We’re on tour with Bruised But Not Broken by Nicole Dykes!

Download your copy of Bruised But Not Broken by Nicole Dykes today!

About Bruised But Not Broken

Ben

Spark of Hope: A bi-weekly trauma support group.

This is my nightmare. When I think of a support group, I think of sad people sitting around talking about their feelings and nothing changing.

And yet, when my brother and his best friend, who happens to be a therapist, presented the idea of holding the meetings at my gym, I caved.

Because I, Benjamin Price, have always tried to rescue the people in my life. But I can’t. I’ve usually failed them.

Now, I’m hosting a trauma support group and desperately trying not to fall into my old habits—of attempting to save everyone.

And then, he walks in.

Bruised. But not broken. No matter how exhausted he may feel, a strength in him calls to me.

And there’s no way I can ignore the need deep inside me to at least try.

Colby

I’m tired. I’m afraid. And I don’t want to go back.

Not to the abusive relationship I told myself I was okay with for years.

But what am I supposed to do?

I have no real life skills. All my life, I’ve been told I’m pretty and that’s it.

Then I walk into a gym, looking for a job, but I find so much more.

I don’t want to trust Ben. I don’t believe his help doesn’t come with a price.

But what choice do I really have?

One thing’s for sure . . . Neither of us are getting out of this intact.

What we lose though, that’s anyone’s guess.

**Trigger Warning**

Bruised But Not Broken is set around a trauma support group and will, therefore, touch on extremely sensitive subjects. I’ll always do my best to handle these topics with care and healing, and with no intention of hurting anyone. But please, heed this warning if you have any triggers.

4.5 Stars

I really loved this book, it’s raw and emotional and also heartwarming and sweet. It deals with the rough topics of experiencing trauma and the healing process. The characters we meet in this book (and even more to come I think) have all experienced trauma and this book seems to highlight that the healing process is personal and individual.

Ben and Colby meet at a difficult time for both of them, but it’s actually perfect timing. they both find something they truly need in each other and it’s a great match right from the start. Ben seems to have this hero/savior complex but it never seems to work out for him, but meeting Colby seems to provide him with that opportunity. But Colby doesn’t want to be a victim anymore, or a kept man, he wants to be his own man now. All that being said, again, these two find something special together, caring for each other and building a true loving relationship together.

There really was a lot I loved about this story, especially seeing these two grow together. They open up to each other and have honest conversations. They get that is what is needed in order to have a healthy relationship and that was so heartwarming to see. I also loved the side characters we meet, I feel as intrigued by them as I did Ben and Colby and I definitely want to see where this series is going. A really good, emotional read, I’m invested in this group!

Meet Nicole Dyke

Nicole Dykes is a wife and a professional assistant/mom to two gorgeous girls. Currently residing in Kansas, she’s a lover of coffee, Kansas City Chiefs, and all things romance. She currently has over 20 published books with her Monroe and Adamson series being the most popular. She enjoys cranking up the angst level, making her readers cry, and turning those tears into the coffee that fuels her writing.

Author Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorNicoleD/

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2Gqe6XP

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoledauthor/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Dykes/e/B01D1SIF04

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/NicoleDykesNL

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMdByWgUA/

Website: www.authornicoledykes.com

New Release Review: The Wishing Tree by RJ Scott

Hope it’s been a great weekend! Today I’m excited to share my review for The Wishing Tree by RJ Scott! This is a wonderful, heartwarming Christmas read that made me so happy and we’ve also got a great excerpt to share!

Happy Reading!

The Wishing Tree

Author:RJ Scott
Series:STANDALONE STORIES
Tag:2021 RJ

It takes an impossible Christmas wish for Bailey to find forever love with his brother’s best friend.

Turning twenty-five and still a virgin, Bailey has barely dated, let alone acted on the private fantasies featuring his brother’s best friend, newly retired hockey star, Kai. All he wants is for Kai to love him, but after a summer when Kai’s anger drove them apart, love doesn’t seem possible at all.

When Kai goes home to Wishing Tree, he knows he owes everyone an apology, not least of all to the man he loves. He’s convinced he can be the man Bailey deserves, and he needs to show Bailey how much he’s changed.

The only problem? Bailey has secrets he’s scared will drive Kai away, and Kai is running out of time to convince Bailey that falling in love starts with a wish, and can end up in forever.

The Wishing Tree is a standalone small-town Christmas MM romance with perfect snow, twinkling lights, a first real kiss, a shy virgin with a silken kink, a retired hockey player, and all the Christmas feels.

More info →

Amazon

Paperback

4.5 Stars

The Wishing Tree is a very heartfelt, sweet Christmas romance about two wonderful men who finally get a chance at the love and happiness they both truly deserve. I completely fell in love with Kai and Bailey and all of Wishing Tree to be honest!

Bailey has been in love with his older brother’s best friend Kai for basically forever. When he is teen he decides it’s time to come out to his family and put the ultimate wish for Kai and love on The Wishing Tree. Kai is busy with his hockey career and doesn’t have time for love, on a visit home he comes across Bailey as he’s leaving his wish on the tree, Bailey reveals some secrets that are too much for Kai at the time.

Years later, Kai comes to the realization that there is more to life than hockey, he’s ready to give it up return to Wishing Tree and try to prove to Bailey that he’s the man he is supposed to love. Bailey has worked to build a good life for himself and be the very best uncle, but he’s never found someone to love, aside from Kai. When Kai returns and confesses his feelings, it’s hard for Bailey to believe it’s all real, but Kai is one determined man.

There’s a magic to this story, it was so endearing and touching and add in the Christmas feels and it’s just so good! I loved sweet Bailey, he’s such a wonderful guy, he can by shy and insecure at times, but he’s also so very strong. Kai is equally as wonderful, yes he’s made some mistakes but he is one hundred percent committed to making up for those. He loves Bailey and is determined to show him, to prove himself to him. Their story is more romantic that hot and spicy, although we definitely get a glimpse at their chemistry. I loved the families in this book as well, they add so much to the story and really bring it all together. Overall a fantastic holiday read about a love that is just meant to be!

EXCERPT

“Hey, Angel.” He bent at the waist, stretching, but twisting his neck as he did, so he could send me a smile. His caramel eyes were such a beautiful shade, just this side of topaz, and his lips were lush and pink and pillow-soft. He called me Angel because according to him my hair, all blond curls and long made me look like an angel. I didn’t mind him calling me that, I secretly loved it, but when my brothers did it too, then I wanted to murder them in their sleep. 

I loved seeing him because he was my entire world and I wanted to tell him everything. 

I hated seeing him, because I didn’t know what to say to him, and how in God’s name would I ever be able to tell him anything? 

“Hey.” I sketched a wave, the card obvious in my hand and, embarrassed, I shoved it deep into my pocket, hoping he didn’t notice. 

“Are you adding a wish?” he asked, then he stalked over to me, and I swear I was going to die on the spot. “I should do that as well.” He lifted the lid to the sheltered card box, and picked up a pen, which he proceeded to tap on the surface. “I’ll have to owe the tree a dollar. I’ll bring it back later.” He glanced up at the tree as if he was apologizing to the skeleton of branches. “I don’t know what to wish for.” He side-eyed me. “What are you wishing for?”

Oh god, my tongue was a hundred times too big for my mouth. I couldn’t tell him all my secrets; I wouldn’t have known where to start. I let out what sounded like a squeak, and same as my brothers, he didn’t pause to let me answer, because he knew as well as they did that I didn’t talk much, that I was shy.

He was a professional hockey player, a star in his own right, twenty-one and with the world at his feet. I’d loved him forever, and I hated that I didn’t see much of him. Just man up and say it. I love you, Kai. Can you kiss me?

RJ SCOTT

Writing love stories with a happy ever after – cowboys, heroes, family, hockey, single dads, bodyguards

USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott has written over one hundred romance books. Emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, single dads, hockey players, millionaires, princes, bodyguards, Navy SEALs, soldiers, doctors, paramedics, firefighters, cops, and the men who get mixed up in their lives, always with a happy ever after.

She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing. The last time she had a week’s break from writing, she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a box of chocolates she couldn’t defeat.

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