Book & Author Details: Pride and Paranormal by Adrienne Blake Published by: City Owl Press Publication date: June 1st 2021 Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance Synopsis:
What do love potions and banshee karaoke have to do with one of the greatest enemies-to-lovers’ tales of all time? Everything.
Izzy is the only responsible witch in her poor family of misfits and as such, she has duties to uphold. But a hot, mysterious, and infuriating warlock is determined to get in the way.
When the rich and handsome Fitz Darcy blows into town, sparks fly.
The wrong kind…
He has earned her ire as much as her eye with his constant harsh words and acts, but what will happen when a bit of magic goes awry, and Izzy needs the help of this powerful man she claims to hate?
Will Izzy’s pride get in the way of saving her family’s welfare and reputation? Find out in this witty, funny, fantasy retelling of Pride & Prejudice.
Pride and Paranormal by Adrienne Blake. A magical enemies-to-lovers story filled with witches, warlocks, and vampires on the road to their happy-ever-after. This book is the first in the series of Souls and Shadows but reads as a standalone romance.
AUTHOR BIO:Adrienne Blake is a USA Today bestselling author of mystery and paranormal romance. She is also an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author. Her stories blend plot, humor, and love, all in one sizzling cauldron. Coming soon: Souls and Shadows series.
This will be my first year taking part in this challenge hosted by Cathy746books – better late than never! The rules seem quite easy – just choose books from your tbr and read them between the 1st of June and the 1st of September. You can drop your goal from 20 to 15 or 10 (or I guess an other number you’re happy with) and you can also change your list half way through (#MoodReadersLikeMe).
Book & Author Details: Text in Show by Melanie Summers, Whitney Dineen (An Accidentally in Love Story, #4) Publication date: June 10th 2021 Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance Synopsis:
It’s a dog text dog world…
Autumn Jones is at a crossroads. With no job offers in sight, she can either return to Koshkonong, Wisconsin to work at her dad’s feed store or she can move to New York and help her older sister Helen coordinate the Manhattan Kennel Club Show. She and Helen may fight like cats and dogs, but Autumn would rather live with a thousand Helens than go home after seven years of college.
Jack Campbell is the veterinarian to Manhattan’s elite. Despite their adoration, he does not love them back. In fact, he’s vowed never to date anyone who walks through the front door of his clinic. He spends his days caring for pampered poodles sporting diamond encrusted collars and placating their high maintenance owners. When he meets Autumn, he assumes she’s going to be another client with more money than brains.
Autumn is thrown into a bizarre world of highly competitive rich women who will do anything to win the coveted title of Best in Show at Manhattan’s most exclusive competition. With her haughty sister breathing down her neck, and a high-strung poodle following her everywhere she goes, she doesn’t have time for love, even if she does find herself face-to-face with America’s hottest vet every day.
Will Autumn run back to Wisconsin with her tail between her legs? Will Jack find out that appearances can be deceiving? Will Helen’s dog Fifi win Best in Show? Find out in the hysterical fourth edition of the Accidentally in Love Series, Text in Show.
Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries — not always in that order.
Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.
She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.
Gold Medal winner at the International Readers’ Favorite Awards, 2017.
Silver medal winner at the International Readers’ Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.
Melanie Summers also writes steamy romance as MJ Summers.
Melanie made a name for herself with her debut novel, Break in Two, a contemporary romance that cracked the Top 10 Paid on Amazon in both the UK and Canada, and the top 50 Paid in the USA. Her highly acclaimed Full Hearts Series was picked up by both Piatkus Entice (a division of Hachette UK) and HarperCollins Canada. Her first three books have been translated into Czech and Slovak by EuroMedia. Since 2013, she has written and published three novellas, and eight novels (of which seven have been published). She has sold over a quarter of a million books around the globe.
In her previous life (i.e. before having children), Melanie got her Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta, then went on to work in the soul-sucking customer service industry for a large cellular network provider that shall remain nameless (unless you write her personally – then she’ll dish). On her days off, she took courses and studied to become a Chartered Mediator. That designation landed her a job at the R.C.M.P. as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator for ‘K’ Division. Having had enough of mediating arguments between gun-toting police officers, she decided it was much safer to have children so she could continue her study of conflict in a weapon-free environment (and one which doesn’t require makeup and/or nylons).
Melanie resides in Edmonton with her husband, three young children, and their adorable but neurotic one-eyed dog. When she’s not writing novels, Melanie loves reading (obviously), snuggling up on the couch with her family for movie night (which would not be complete without lots of popcorn and milkshakes), and long walks in the woods near her house. She also spends a lot more time thinking about doing yoga than actually doing yoga, which is why most of her photos are taken ‘from above’. She also loves shutting down restaurants with her girlfriends. Well, not literally shutting them down, like calling the health inspector or something–more like just staying until they turn the lights off.
She is represented by Suzanne Brandreth of The Cooke Agency International.
Book & Author Details: No Gentle Giant by Nicole Snow Publication date: June 5th 2021 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Synopsis:
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow returns with a steamy and electrifying standalone romance thriller where one ginormous protector goes all-in to win Miss Unlucky.
You know the drill. Big hands, big feet, humongous— Yikes. We’re not going there for the thousandth time. I’ve got small-town problems aplenty and zero time for Paxton “Alaska” Charter. Crushing on smokeshow men with caveman vibes can’t end well.
Sure, he saved my little coffee shop from total ruin once. Yes, my ovaries melt watching single dad of the century with his little boy. Of course, I’d sleep like a baby if I let him work his former SEAL hero magic on my mess. That’s not why I’m freaking out.
Nobody told me how devastatingly kind Alaska can be. Or the fact that his stubborn heart’s even more guarded than mine. If he comes barreling into my life, it’s certain doom. And it’s all thrown to the wind the day his kiss claims me.
We have to say goodbye. Right now. Before it’s too late. He can’t keep sheltering my body, stealing my heart, and igniting my soul. I won’t drag this gentle giant down my abyss of ugly secrets. But Alaska has other plans—and they scare me. Because they all involve impossible happily ever afters, no matter the cost.
Full-length small-town standalone romance heaven. The butterflies come in force when one large and in-charge single dad steps in to rescue the girl who abandoned all hope and forgot how to love.
AUTHOR BIO:Nicole Snow is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. She found her love of writing by hashing out love scenes on lunch breaks and plotting her great escape from boardrooms. Her work roared onto the indie romance scene in 2014 with her Grizzlies MC series.
Since then Snow aims for the very best in growly, heart-of-gold alpha heroes, unbelievable suspense, and swoon storms aplenty. With over a million books sold, she lives for the joy of making two people fight with every bit of their soul for a Happily Ever After.
Current fan favorites include her Enguard Protectors series, accidental love novels, plus long beloved MC romance thrillers like the Grizzlies and Deadly Pistols.
Ever heard of Only Fans? It’s not my ideal job, but it pays the bills. It’s even made me somewhat of a celebrity. My subscribers love my provocative shots, and I’m oh-so-good at teasing them. Then he shows up in my small town and complicates everything. See, Mr. Green-Eyed Gazillionaire is so far out of my league it’s ridiculous. We’re polar opposites. That doesn’t change the fact that even though I’m a fantasy to most men, I only want to be his reality. But nothing real can ever happen between us. Logically, I know that. Too bad logic and I have never had anything but a passing acquaintance. Because now, if I’m not careful, I’m afraid this sexy billionaire will smash my poor, pathetic heart into oblivion… A delicious hot billionaire romance featuring two polar opposites adrift on a resort island with a small-town atmosphere, right of the coast of North Carolina.
This is a steamy contemporary romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhanger, and no cheating.
Adrift is the second book in Isabel Jolie’s Haven Island series. The first book introduced us to Tate and Luna, this one is about Tate’s childhood friend Gabe, and Luna’s friend Poppy. You can definitely read and enjoy Adrift as a standalone.
We meet Gabe in his New York office and see that there is a potential insider trading scandal brewing. Gabe may not be the most likeable protagonist at the beginning of the book. He is arrogant and possibly not the best judge of people. But when his mum asks him to go to Haven Island and talk to his childhood friend Tate whom he hasn’t seen for ten years, Gabe is happy to oblige. He is sure that the rift between Tate and his brother must be the fault of Tate and he just needsto talk a bit of sense into him (if you’ve read the first book in the series, you know what it’s all about).
When Gabe meets Poppy, he is attracted to her voluptious curvy figure and the fact that she has an internet subscription business where clients get access to photos. Poppy has found herself doing this activity during the pandemic when money was tight, and although she has always set strict limits, naturally, a lot of people see her in a certain light She is dreaming of opening a restaurant or a bar, and, Gabe, despite all his drawbacks sees that she is special, although she is lacking experience and higher self-esteem.
Both characters go through a huge amount of development and growth in the book, Poppy learning to really believe in her self. You can see how her past experiences shaped her view of herself, and how much hard work and conscious effort it took her to really accept herself. Gabe also had to realise a lot of things on his way to becoming kinder and more deserving of Poppy’s love. Lovely romance with interesting characters- great addition to the series. Looking forward to the next book!
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and the author for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
Author Bio:
Isabel Jolie, or Izzy to her friends, is an Amazon bestselling indie author with an unquenchable thirst for a good, sexy love story. Izzy’s heart pumps faster for stories with strong heroines, down-to-earth realism, and an unexpected twist.
When she’s not writing or reading, she can often be found with a glass of wine in hand relaxing with her husband, daughters, and good friends lakeside.
Izzy fills her Instagram feed with funnies, inspirational “brain candy”, and anything that meshes with her mood of the day. #mood.
Book & Author Details: Cocktails on the Beach by EmKay Connor, Helen Hardt, Leah Marie North, Lyz Kelley Publication date: June 8th 2021 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Synopsis:
Sip something sweet… Savor something steamy…
Feel the heat and find love in these four original romances written by New York Times, USA Today, award winning, and international bestselling authors! AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY.
Are you looking for a hot and naughty book boyfriend to take you away this summer? What’s your pleasure? A sexy billionaire? A smooth-talking bartender? A gorgeous island doctor? A seductive Irishman? These irresistible men are hot enough to melt the ice in your margarita. Start your sizzling read today!
Escape by Helen Hardt
She’s running from one man…and ends up in the arms of another, putting them both in danger.
Exes and Ohs! by Leah Marie Brown
A chance meeting with a gorgeous Irishman has her thinking about Mr. Right instead of Mr. Right Now.
Next Rock on the Right by EmKay Connor.
Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn…that takes you on a wild ride leading to exactly where you’re meant to be.
Her Perfect Guy by Lyz Kelley
She’s his sister’s hands-off best friend. He’s her perfect guy.
One-click now to sip an island cocktail and find your summer bliss!
Her stomach lurches as she sits in the windowless room. He throws her phone to the ground, grinds it against the floor with the heel of his shoe and brings his face closer to hers. There was no turning back now, her life as she knew it was gone.
When the lifeless body of a man is found on an industrial estate, Detective Kim Stone arrives on the scene and discovers he’s been tortured in the worst way imaginable.
But as she breaks the devastating news to the victim’s wife, Diane Phipps, Kim can’t help feeling that something isn’t quite right about the woman’s reaction.
Twenty-four hours later, the victim’s family disappears into thin air.
Then a second body is found staked to the ground in a local nature reserve.
Desperate to crack the case open quickly, Kim and her team unravel a vital clue – a fiercely guarded secret that links both victims and could cost even more lives.
A secret that some police officers are also protecting.
Faced with deceit from those she should be able to trust, family members who won’t talk, and local reporter, Tracy Frost, opening a can of worms on the case of a woman murdered by her husband a year ago – Kim is in deep water like never before.
Kim must find the motive if she is to find the killer who is systematically targeting and torturing his victims. But can she unlock the shocking truth and stop him before he strikes again?
My thoughts: Angela Marsons never disappoints! I can’t believe we are on Book 14 and I still can’t get enough of this fascinating lead character and her team. I really enjoy unpredictable books and this one is in a league of its own!
Kim is stuck with her nemesis-local reporter Tracy Frost- for a whole day. Tracy’s been promised she can follow Kim and her team wherever they go. Very soon Kim sees DCI Woodward’s secret agenda. Kim’s first stop is the family of Trisha Morley who was abused and murdered by her husband. NickMorley had a stellar reputation and a PR team strong enough to put a lot of pressure on the jury. The first trial ended in a hung jury and it looks likely that Nick might walk free.The police have done everything possible. There’s nothing they can do at this point to prevent the injustice. But Tracy can.
Then Kim’s team gets called to a murder scene and what promised to be a slow day begins a frenetic hunt for a twisted serial killer who tortures his victims in horrendous ways. When Kim has to inform the family of the first victim of what happened and immediately senses that something is off in the way the wife and her sister react to the news. The next day they seem to have vanished into the thin air and it is up to Kim’s team to trace their whereabouts using good old policework. Kim does discover the connection between the first victim and the second, but is sworn to secrecy and forced to work with somebody who makes her reflect what it means to be a good police officer and sacrifice everything in order to do your job well.
Both plotlines are fascinating and full of their own twists. There was no way I could have guessed the ending! As usual, there are thought-provoking themes, one of which is whether it is possible to completely disappear in our heavily-digitalised society, why someone might want to do that and what emotional cost it might have.
It was interesting to see the change in the way Tracy and Kim interact with each other- a different level of understanding and begrudging respect that is slowly built between these two strong and determined women. Kim’s team is superb – Bryant, newly married (she won’t let anyone forget it even for a minute) Stacey, Penn, Keats.
The book has Angela Marsons’ trademark short and snappy chapters that keep you on the edge of your seat. The pace is perfect- you understand the urgency of stopping the killer (no, I didn’t guess who it was) and the frustration of not being able to find or interpret the clues, the long hours and the breathless rush when the team finally get closer to solving the case, hoping it isn’t too late.
Another excellent addition to my favourite series of police procedurals.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
Happy Publication Day to The Lucky Escape, a new fabulous romcom from Laura Jane Wiliams, the author of Our Stop and The Love Square.
Synopsis:
ONE CANCELLED WEDDING
When the day finally comes for Annie to marry Alexander, the last thing she expects is to be left standing at the altar. She was so sure he was Mr Right. Now, she has no idea how she could have got it so wrong.
ONE UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER
After a chance meeting with Patrick, an old friend who reminds her of who she used to be, Annie takes a vow of her own: she’ll say yes to every opportunity that comes her way from now on.
ONE SPARE TICKET FOR THE HONEYMOON
Could a spontaneous trip with Patrick be the way to mend Annie’s heart? She’s about to find out as she embarks on her honeymoon – with a man who’s nother husband…
Laura Jane Williams is a writer whose work has appeared everywhere from the Guardian to Buzzfeed, Stylist, Closer, the Metro and the Telegraph. She is Grazia’s former dating columnist, and the author of two previous works of non-fiction: Ice Cream for Breakfast and Becoming, as well as bestselling novels Our Stop and The Love Square.
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about which we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.
The book I’m waiting for this Wednesday is…
Under the Whispering Door by T.J.Klune
Description:
Under the Whispering Door is a contemporary fantasy with TJ Klune’s signature “quirk and charm” (PW) about a ghost who refuses to cross over and the ferryman he falls in love with
When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.
Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop’s owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.
But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo’s help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.
When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.
By turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, this absorbing tale of grief and hope is told with TJ Klune’s signature warmth, humor, and extraordinary empathy.
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: September 21st, 2021
TJ KLUNE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Extraordinaries, and more. Being queer himself, Klune believes it’s important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories.
Book & Author Details: It’s Not PMS, It’s You by Rich Amooi Publication date: October 31st 2019 Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance
Synopsis:
“Romantic Comedy of the Year!” “This novel is a Netflix movie waiting to happen.” “I loved every second of this book!” “Warning: This author causes book hangovers.” “Oh my. Be still my heart.” “Laugh out loud of epic proportions.” “Loved it. Still laughing.”
Ruth “Ruthless” Harper is on the verge of becoming managing partner at her all-male consulting firm and she won’t let anything stand in her way. That includes men, relationships, and that dreaded F word, FEELINGS—distractions she eliminated long ago.
After the worst day ever (a near-death experience and a public wedgie, for starters), Ruth realizes she doesn’t want to live and die alone. She puts together a business plan to find the perfect man and dives head first into the murky online dating pool. All she wants is a high-powered executive who understands how important her career is. If only it were that easy.
Problem is most men are intimidated by Ruth’s confidence and shocked by her bluntness. The exception being her landscape designer, Nick, whose cool demeanor and unsolicited dating advice are driving her nuts. He’s the antithesis of the business-oriented man Ruth envisions for herself, so why do all signs keep pointing back to him?
A romantic comedy novel for the ages. Order now. Don’t delay. Operators are standing by.
Rich Amooi is a Taleflick Discovery Winner, Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Recipient, Holt Medallion Finalist, and the Amazon Bestselling author of 17 romantic comedies, including It’s Not PMS, It’s You, Dying to Meet You, There’s Something About a Cowboy, and Madam Love, Actually.
A former radio personality and wedding DJ, Rich now writes romantic comedies full-time in San Diego, California, and is happily married to a kiss monster imported from Spain. Rich believes in public displays of affection, silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.
Get a FREE romantic comedy by visiting his website at richamooi.com.
readingtonic 