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Book Blog, What I'm Reading Wednesday

I’m Reading the Remember When Trilogy by T. Torrest

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I have a habit I’m sure others can understand: sometimes I download a book, start to read it, and for whatever reason . . . I’m not feeling it. Maybe I’m not in the right mood. Maybe I’ve just finished a book that really slayed me, leaving me unable to be open to a new love.

Who knows?

But it happens. And apparently it happened earlier this summer, when I downloaded a book called Remember When. I know I started the book, but for some reason, I didn’t get very far. I’m thinking maybe Sarina or Kristen or Elle had a release about that time and I jumped into that.

Anyway, this week as I trolled the ‘Zon for something new to read, I found a book that intrigued me. It’s called Down The Shore, and of course that pulled me in, since I’m a Jersey girl myself and know exactly what that phrase means. True, this love story was about North Jersey, which any respectable Jersey girl knows is a totally different beast than South. But still. It was also about rock n’ roll and the early ’90s and cover bands, so I decided to give it a shot.

I LOVED this book. The main character pulled me in, her love interest was sweet and hot and wonderful, and the juxtaposition of the friendships was also very cool. Great storyline, wonderful, familiar setting . . . all in all, a wonderful read that I was happy to recommend to my friends.

About halfway into the book, I realized that its author T. Torrest was also the author of the Remember When books. 51OKFbC+kcL._UY250_And since I already had that first one downloaded, I decided to give it another shot.

I’m so glad I did. And I’m pretty sure T. Torrest is trying to kill me.

Just this morning, I finished the second book. The third one is downloaded and ready to go, but today I’m on the road, heading home from a family trip north. So no reading today . . . and then I’m under deadline . . . but still. Odds are I’ll be losing sleep to finish this trilogy.

And no pressure to the author, but this book better bring my two characters together . . . I’m dying here!

This trilogy follows Layla Warren and Trip Wilmington from his first day at her NJ high school during their senior year. The first book is all about the ups and downs of that senior year, how their friendship evolves and then crashes and burns when Layla’s certain Trip can never feel the same way she does. They manage to get it back together, but be warned: this book doesn’t end with a HEA. Not even a HFN. But that’s okay, because there’s book 2 . . .

. . . in which our leads have aged ten years. Are they together? Will they be together? Yes and it’s unclear. Because book 2 ALSO ends on a down note.

But I have faith. And I’m sure the author won’t let me down. Right?

I’ll be sure to let you know.

Find all of T. Torrest’s books here.

Book Blog, Promotion and Publicity, Recipe for Death Series

Death A La Mode is Here!

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The second book in the Recipe for Death series is here!

Jackie’s still adjusting to having a steady boyfriend—not to mention getting used to the fact that Lucas is a death broker/vampire. With the help of his ex-lover Cathryn—whom Jackie doesn’t quite trust—they’re trying to figure out why Lucas was turned—and by whom. 
Jackie’s biggest challenge at the moment, though, is creating a winning entry to the annual Perfect Pecan Pie Festival, the premiere food contest in Palm Dunes, Florida. Testing recipes and running her new restaurant are keeping her busy.

But no one’s too busy for murder.

When people around local up-and-coming folk singer Crissy Darwin begin turning up dead, Lucas is pulled into the investigation. He and Jackie suspect that Crissy herself is the target. But can they solve the mystery before the killer strikes again—and without ruining the Festival?

Pour yourself a nice glass of Lambrusco, cut a slice of pie and settle in to see what happens.

Get your copy here!

iBooks/Amazon/Nook/Google Play/Kobo/Goodreads

And Book 1, Death Fricassee is on sale for only 99 cents!Death Fricassee

iBooks/Amazon/Nook

Book Blog, What I'm Reading Wednesday

I’m reading . . . Wicked Restless by Ginger Scott

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Usually when I post reads to this day on the blog, I’ve finished the book and can tell you how I felt about it overall. Today’s different. I’ve been short on good reads lately, so today really IS What I’m Reading #Wednesday.

I’ve been waiting for this book since I finished the first one, Wild Reckless. I loved that one, even though it was mostly YA, a genre I rarely read; the depth and the plot line overcame any misgivings I might have had.

Now I’m about a third of the way into the second book, and I’m not disappointed. We’re back in Woodstock, a small town near Chicago, and we’re back with the Harper family. This time, younger brother Andrew is the main character. He’s a kid who’s the unlucky recipient of his family’s legacy: the Harpers are the subject of rumors, speculation and bad opinion after the family’s suffered in the aftermath of mental illness.

This story picks up about a year after the first one, but then we jump ahead five years. I’m not going to spoil the plot by talking about why we make the leap; suffice it to say that it works.

I’m eager to read the rest of it and see what happens with Andrew and Emma, his love interest. She’s got a secret we don’t know, and while I can guess at it–maybe?–I’m not sure.

So far, the characters are likable, the story is moving along well, and I’m enjoying it. I’ll come back and update once I’m finished.

Book Blog, What I'm Reading Wednesday

I’m Reading If Only You Knew by Kristan Higgins

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If you follow me at all, you know that I discovered Kristan Higgins earlier this year and devoured ALL her books. One. After. The. Other. And I have no regrets.

Except that once I’d finished them, I had to wait forEVER for her next release. Seriously, does NO ONE think of me and my reading needs??

So I was on cloud 9 when this book finally released.

I’m used to the classic KH plot: female lead (FL) is unlucky in love. She’s either never found the MOHD (Man Of Her Dreams) or she’s been married and Done Wrong or married and widowed . . . whatever, she’s not in a good place man-wise and she’s definitely Looking For Love. (These are capitalized because it’s a thing. Trust me.)

And of course eventually, she meets the MOHD, but not in a romantic, swoon-worthy meet-cute. No, it’s usually in a very embarrassing, I-want-to-forget-it moment. And MOHD usually isn’t very interested from the get-go. (There are exceptions, such as when the MOHD has actually been in her life for some time, just has gone unnoticed.)

One of the trademarks of KH’s books are a singular POV–we have no clue what’s going on in the man’s head. None at all. (Again, there are exceptions. The Blue Heron books do include the male POV.) We’re very much at the mercy of the FL’s take on things.

So I went into If Only You Knew expecting something very much the same. And about a third of the way into the book, I messaged a friend who is also a KH groupie that I didn’t like this one. But of course, I kept reading, because . . . well, KH.

And I was glad I did. Because by the end, I’d cried more than once, I’d felt my heart turn over and I’d giggled.

This story is about more than a relationship. It’s about growth and change and finding out what’s real. It’s about sisters, and about mothers and daughters, and about marriage–both when it works and when it doesn’t. It’s about loss and how we deal with it. It’s about when civilized behavior becomes a mode for other people to justify their actions.

Oh, and there’s a love story.

I loved Jenny and Rachel. I adored Leo. <le sigh> I liked the sub-plots (Evander and Kimber), the unexpected twist and I really, really loved the resolutions.

So now I’m in the midst of a massive book hangover. Who’s going to supply me with my next #BookFix?

 

 

Book Blog, Crystal Cove Romances, Promotion and Publicity

Get Your Ereader Beach Ready!

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Twenty fabulous beach stories, each prices at 99 cents or less! Wow!! Get them now. . .and be ready when you hit the sand and surf!

The Opposite of Wild by Kylie Gilmore

Unleash the wild woman…?

Ex-cop Ryan O’Hare takes one look at buttoned-up control freak Liz Garner and just itches to loosen the woman up. Not that he’s into her. Because a woman like that comes with way too many expectations. Not to mention, she practically works for him, and he didn’t hire Liz to watch after his beloved Harley-stealing Gran so he could turn Liz loose in his bed. Still, there’s something about her, a hidden wild side, that makes him wonder what it would take.
More Than a Kiss by Stacey Joy Netzel

When a kiss is more than a kiss…
 
Something about Sadie drew Zach—and it wasn’t just the amazing kisses they shared during the filming of his commercial. A twist of fate brings them back together in his office, where he discovers she’s a struggling reporter, and she learns he’s a reclusive self-made millionaire. Will his discovery of her mother’s gold-digger history raise enough doubt to undermine his belief in her and break her heart?
The Posse by Tawdra Kandle

After her husband’s death, Jude’s left with her family’s beach restaurant and two nearly-grown children. The last thing she’s looking for is another chance at love.

However, if her husband’s best friends, the Posse, have anything to say about it, love is just what she’s going to get. When they decide the best way to take care of her is for one of them to sweep her off her feet, three begin to vie for her affections. But only one can reach her heart.
The Love I Want to Be In by MJ Fredrick
Love and Rumors by Jean Oram

One photographer who needs money—fast. One movie star with an offer as tempting as his bad boy smile. Can Hailey Summer, who has remortgaged her entire life, save her family’s historic cottage before it’s seized by the taxman by selling out celebrity Finian Alexander? Or will Finian’s own plans for Hailey put the two of them in the tabloids–together?
Cowboy Command by Olivia Jaymes
Bargaining with the Bride by Allison Gatta
Love in a Small Town (Pine Harbour #1) by Zoe York
Temptation (Club X #1) by K.M. Scott
The Other Fighter, part 1 by Tawny Stokes
Behind Closed Doors (Daniels Brothers #1) by Sherri Hayes
Aloha Texas by Chris Keniston
Relatively Famous by Heather C. Leigh

*****Warning*****
This is NOT your typical Hollywood romance. 
When 24 year-old Sydney Allen, the reclusive daughter of famous movie stars, meets the gorgeous but mysterious Drew Forrester at a run down gym in Hell’s Kitchen, her life changes. It’s time for her to decide if he’s worth sharing her identity with, or if she’s better off being alone forever. Or maybe she’ll find out that she’s not the only one hiding something. Dating Drew, Sydney is forced to confront all of her fears at once; celebrity, fame, tabloids, stalkers. Can she survive another high profile exposure to the world?
Miami Dreams by Layla Wilcox

Starting over in theMagic City means believing in second chances when none seem possible.

Recent widow Deena Montgomery answers a model call for a newlingerie line, thinking she is leaving a life built on lies behind her.Photographer Ben “Hottie” Hoddi wants to help her get the job, but doing somight reveal a secret in his past, and Deena has made it very clear that hernew life demands transparency.

The sparks begin to fly as moreexperienced models vie for the spokesperson role. Can Hoddi help Deena withoutrevealing his secret? Can the disillusioned and heartbroken Deena resist thecharms of the handsome, magnetic photographer? Miami Beach never felt asscorching hot to Deena as under these spotlights.
Rebound (Tryst Island Series #1) by Sabrina York
Come Home to Me by Jessica Scott
Sucked into Love by Rochelle Paige

It’s just Jocelyn’s luck that she meets her match at a fake bachelorette party… She knows better than to get pulled into any of her best friend’s antics – especially when it means playing bachelorette for the night!

No man ever wants to be knocked off his feet by a woman he meets while she’s wearing a “suck for a buck” shirt… Andrew knows he wants Jocelyn the moment he lays eyes on her, but he’s never been one to poach on another man’s territory. Imagine his surprise when he sees her again, only to discover she isn’t married and was never engaged.
Smitten by Jamie Ferrell

Dahlia Mallard is determined save her ice cream shop by gettingcountry music superstar Billy Brenton to attend her risqué flavor-tastingevent. But the closest she can get to Billy is his drummer, the womanizingMikey Diamond. The more she gets to know Mikey, the more she wants to save himfrom his bad boy ways. When he discovers she’s using him to get to Billy, willshe still be able to have her ice cream and eat it too?
Can’t Shake You by Molly McLain
Pros & Cons by Sydney Logan

Con artists Jenna York and Ethan Summers always seem to cross paths during their travels around the world. With their partners in tow, the cunning criminals wreak havoc across the globe, stealing from the rich and giving to the richer. While Jenna tries to convince herself that she sees him as nothing more than a professional rival, Ethan finds it a little harder to fight his attraction to the beautiful thief.

When tragedy strikes, Jenna and Ethan join forces, but are the stakes too high? Can they escape this last job with their lives—and their hearts—intact?