RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW: If Only in My Dreams by Carrie Aarons

'Tis the season to … be freshly divorced at twenty-six and moving back into your parents' house?

Because that’s my reality this Christmas. As if it isn’t bad enough that my entire hometown is buzzing with the news of my failed marriage, who is the first person I bump into at the grocery store? The guy who treated me like his personal booty call in high school just happens to be looking at spices while I’m trying to pick up cinnamon for my mother.

And get this; Porter Kelly, the broody, mysterious recluse who exposed his own secrets to the world by writing a book about his family years ago, is the one who acts like I wronged him. His rude remarks on aisle nine are the final straw as my exhausted unhappiness breaks, and I’m officially calling off the most wonderful time of the year.

Too bad it’s literally impossible for the woman whose parents own a railroad that specializes in Christmas train rides to ignore the holiday season. Because I’m back under their roof, it’s mandatory to work in the middle of the red and green merriment, Santa himself, and wait for it …

Porter serenading us with the greatest festive hits of all time. That’s right, apparently my teenage heartthrob turned nemesis not only works for my parents, but can strum a guitar like he’s trying to get every soccer mom on board pregnant. As we’re forced to spend more time together than ever, his past baggage and my marital rejection make their way to the surface, bonding us in ways neither of us knew possible.

I thought I was heartbroken about my ex-husband wanting to end our marriage, but that pain is nothing compared to what Porter could inflict. He seems like a changed man, one on the precipice of a new chapter, which is exactly where I find myself. Would it be crazy to think we could turn the page together?

Returning home was the only option I had. But as I come dangerously close to counting on the first man who broke my heart, I wonder if all of my future dreams are too good to be true.

Read it now: mybook.to/IfOnlyinMyDreams

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My Review

I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review. 

Madison has returned home with her tail between her legs. Her marriage has fallen apart and she's trying to rediscover the person she used to be. Unfortunately, for her, that means working on her parent's Christmas train (Christmas train!!) alongside Porter, her high school booty call. And to say that things are strained between them would be a bit of an understatement. 

It took me a little bit to warm up to Porter, but the more I learned about him, the more his current personality made sense. He is basically the perfect broody book boyfriend. He has a bit of a tragic past, he plays the guitar and sings and underneath his gruff exterior, he's just a big teddy bear. 

Once Porter and Madison get past their issues you can help but cheer for them to make it work. They are an adorable couple and compliment each other very well. And while there was a bit of drama in the book, most of it wasn't between them, which I liked. It's always refreshing when the main characters are just doing their own thing and getting along wonderfully. 

If you are a fan of holiday themed romance novels, this book is definitely one that you should check out. I saw that someone referred to this book as "Hallmark after dark" and I couldn't agree more. 

Author of romance novels such as Fool Me Twice and Love at First Fight, Carrie Aarons writes books that are just as swoon-worthy as they are sarcastic. A former journalist, she prefers the love stories of her imagination, and the athleisure dress code, much better.

When she isn’t writing, Carrie is busy binging reality TV, having a love/hate relationship with cardio, and trying not to burn dinner. She’s a Jersey girl living in Texas with her husband, daughter, son, and Great Dane/Lab rescue.

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SERIES COVER REVEAL: Bayside Heroes Series

Check out these amazing covers for The Bayside Heroes series!!! The Bayside Heroes series is a set of four interconnected STAND-ALONE medical romance novels that will have you panting, faking an injury for medical attention and begging for more. 

Get an alert when each book is live! smarturl.it/BaysideLiveAlert

WASHED UP by Kandi Steiner

Release Date: December 6th

Genre/Tropes: Older woman/younger man

Cover photo: Perrywinkle Photography

Add to Goodreads: bit.ly/WashedUpGR

It was just another day in the Emergency Department -- until she was wheeled in through the doors. Amanda Parks, my childhood best friend's mom who I may or may not have secretly kissed before leaving for college. I haven't seen her in over a decade, and in so many ways, she hasn't changed. Same killer curves. Same hypnotizing eyes. Same reaction from my heart when I see her. But something new? There isn't a ring on her finger anymore... And I'm much more of a man than I was at eighteen.

Washed Up is a stand-alone age gap medical romance coming this winter!

SCREWED UP by Harloe Rae

Release date: December 13th

Genre/Tropes: Opposites attract/No-strings arrangement

Cover photo: Perrywinkle Photography

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59487581

“He might be wrong, but I’m tired of being right.” The extreme focus on my career has led to a lonely existence. I don’t make time for much beyond the hospital walls. And the pressure is getting to me. Those who know me best highly recommend I take the edge off by any means necessary. As it turns out, the new security guard at Bayside Regional is just what the doctor ordered. Dane Owens is a disaster waiting to happen. Maybe that’s why I can’t look away. He plays fast and loose with no plans of slowing down. Especially when it comes to dating. We’re polar opposites, which is precisely why this arrangement is temporary. But there’s plenty to keep us occupied until our expiration date. All I need is for Dane to follow the rules that long.

 
A Bayside Heroes standalone romance.

 

FIRED UP by K.K. Allen

Release Date: December 20th

Genre/Tropes: Single Parent/Workplace

Cover photo: Perrywinkle Photography

Add to Goodreads: smarturl.it/fireduptbr

Through smoke and fire, she’s all I see. Nothing gives me a bigger rush than when I’m responding to an emergency call. As a firefighter EMT, my mission has always been clear. Until I arrive at the scene of an accident and a dark-haired vixen, quite literally, trips into my life. I quickly learn there’s more to the gorgeous photographer than meets the eye. Meadow Matthews isn’t a woman who needs saving, but she just might save me. As a single mom to an adorable little boy, she leaves little time for play. Which is why, when I approach her with a fun opportunity, she instantly declines. Unfortunately, snapping photos of greased-up firefighters for a calendar isn’t her thing. Lucky for us, she fires me up just enough to convince her otherwise.

Fired Up is a standalone single-parent medical romance in an interconnected series in the Bayside Heroes world. Cover coming soon! 

TANGLED UP by Tia Louise

Release Date: December 27th

Genre/Tropes: Second-chance/ romantic suspense

Cover photo: Wander Aguiar Photography

Add to Goodreads: bit.ly/3lsgWjw

I didn’t realize how far I’d slipped until she met me at the bottom. I’m the last man she should save, but that doesn’t stop me from reaching for her. Guilt has been my unwelcome partner for seven years. I’ve drowned myself in work, but every close call triggers memories of that day, of him… Of what I did to her. I have to face the past or this vicious cycle will kill my medical career. Going home, I don’t expect to find her there, still so beautiful with long, dark hair, bright amber eyes, luscious curves. She still dominates my heart, my mind, my bed. Only she’s different now—stronger, bolder, unafraid. I clearly have work to do. We’re a mess, tangled up in a web I created. But I’m determined to treat these wounds, to heal this break. One thing is certain, I won’t say goodbye to her again.

A STAND-ALONE “Bayside Heroes” romance. Small-town, second-chance doctor romance with a touch of suspense. No cheating. No cliffhanger.

4 STAR REVIEW: On the Ropes by Kathryn Nolan

 

Title: On the Ropes

Author: Kathryn Nolan

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 1, 2021

Cover Design: Kari March

Photography: (c) Regina Wamba

Summer in the city heats up when the girl who got away moves in next door.

Dean “The Machine” is a South Philly legend. Much to the dismay of fans who still hound him, the broody former fighter walked away from his boxing career right before clinching another championship belt. Tight-lipped on his reasons for retiring, he’s busy trying to figure out his future when the past literally falls in his lap.

Tabitha Tyler, the fiery redhead who captured his teenage heart, is back in town and staying next door. Only now the girl that got away is all grown up and offering him a strings-free, summer fling. Dean knows better than to start something that will leave him flat on his back and seeing stars.

But there’s only so much temptation a man can take.

Kept away by the secrets that tore her family apart, sparkly filmmaker Tabitha is home for the first time in nine years. And her old friend and new hunky neighbor is just the distraction she needs. It’s the perfect relationship for her – one with an expiration date.

She’s got two weeks to convince him to cave.

He’s got two weeks to convince her to stay.

But when she refuses to let down her guard, Dean realizes that this time…he just might get knocked out for good.

Author’s note: A smokin’ hot, friends-to-lovers, opposites-attract love story in a close-knit South Philly neighborhood with a quirky cast of nosy but well-intentioned neighbors.

My Review

I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review. 

Tabitha is content with her nomadic life, but she is starting to wonder if it is time to start putting down roots somewhere. Dean is an ex boxer, turned handyman, trying to figure out where he fits in in his South Philly neighborhood. When Tabitha becomes Dean's temporary neighbor, the two strike up an old friendship and become friends with benefits. They both agree that it's the perfect way to spend two weeks.

I absolutely loved Tabitha and Dean. Dean may have been a professional boxer, but he is a gentle guy with a heart of gold. He always had a crush on Tabitha so when they get together, he is nothing but an absolute teddy bear of a guy. Tabitha, being the free spirit that she is, was a wonderful counterpart to Dean's quietness and his hermit tendencies. 

I loved how South Philadelphia was essentially a character in this book. Kathryn really knows how to paint a picture with her words and although I have never been to South Philly, I had no problem imaging everything she described. I got a kick out of people sitting in their chairs on the sidewalk, feet in a kiddie pool, drinking beer and basically gossiping. Everyone was considered family and you know what means...everyone knows everyone else's business. But that also means that when you are in a jam, you have people to help you. The neighborhood was one big family and I can't really think of anything better. 

This is a sweet book with lots of heat, but also lots of heart. 

Kathryn Nolan is an adventurous hippie chick and loves to write steamy romance. Her books are filled with slow-burn sexual tension, memorable characters, tons of heart -- and are often set in wild and beautiful locations.

Kathryn started her writing career in elementary school, writing about Star Wars and Harry Potter and inventing love stories in her many journals. She blames her obsession with slow-burn on her similar obsession for The X-Files.

Kathryn is a wanderer at heart, and loves to spend her free time hiking, camping, and traveling in her camper van ("Van Morrison") with her cute, nerdy husband and Walter, their rescue pup. Kathryn is a Philly girl who just moved back home after spending more than 8 years living in Northern California -- and six months traveling across the country in her camper van.

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RELEASE BLITZ & 4 STAR REVIEW: Not So Meet Cute by Meghan Quinn

How did you two meet?

The quintessential question asked to every couple. And the answer is usually some bubbly, lovey dovey tale of being struck in the bum by Cupid’s arrow.

My meet cute (well not so meet cute) is slightly different. I was trolling a wealthy neighborhood in Beverly Hills, searching for someone to take me as their bride, you know, to make my arch nemesis jealous who consequently just fired me.

He was stomping around the block like some sort of gorgeous ogre, mumbling about a business deal gone wrong and attempting to finagle his way out of it.

And that’s when we bumped into each other.

There were no sparks.

Not even a hint of blossoming love.

But next thing I knew, I was scarfing down free chips and guac, listening to this man lay out all of his problems which led to his big ask . . . he wanted me to be his Vivian Ward, you know, from Pretty Woman--minus the frisky behavior.

We’re talking about living in a mansion, intimate double dates, and pretending we were head over heels in love . . . and engaged. Can you imagine?

The absolute audacity.

But people do crazy things when they’re desperate. And I reeked of desperation. So, I struck up a deal.

My one big mistake, though . . . big . . . HUGE? I accidentally fell for the incomparable Huxley Cane.

EBOOK: mybook.to/anotsomeetcute

AUDIO: https://adbl.co/3nMnrOm

My Review

I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review. 

I have to admit that it took me a bit to get into this book. I found Lottie to be a bit annoying and Huxley was way too uptight and kind of mean in the beginning. There was a lot of animosity between the two of them and even though I usually love banter between characters, this felt different for some reason. BUT once Lottie and Huxley got past that and were on the same page, this book improved for me. Huxley needed to loosen up and Lottie was the perfect person to help him do that. I loved their playfulness and they had wonderful chemistry. 

I love the fake fiancé trope because it has the potential to be a bit unpredictable. Especially when the two people don't really know each other, which is the case with Lottie and Huxley. Through out this book they end up having to do some things that not only made me laugh, but made me laugh so hard I had tears in my eyes. Meghan definitely brings her signature humor in this book, so if you are a fan, you'll enjoy this one. 

USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

Connect with Meghan

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7360513.Meghan_Quinn

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn

Website: http://authormeghanquinn.com

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/meghan-quinn

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LitE4x

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW: A Moment for Us (Willow Creek Valley #3) by Corinne Michaels

A Moment For Us by Corinne Michaels is now live!

New York Times Bestselling author Corinne Michaels returns to Willow Creek Valley in this stunning surprise baby/unrequited love romance.

I was totally over Joshua Parkerson.

Sure, I had a teenage crush on him way back when–and everyone knew it–but he never saw me as anything but his little brother’s friend, the girl who got tongue-tied any time he walked into a room.

I had long ago accepted the fact that his strong arms would never hold me, his lush lips would never claim mine, and his blue eyes would never see me as anything more than who I used to be.

But now he’s back in Willow Creek Valley, and there’s a brand-new spark between us–even he can’t fight it. Our chemistry is explosive, and every time we’re together, I swear I can feel the earth shake.

It doesn’t mean anything… how could it? I’m over him.

Until I see that little pink plus sign, and the earth stops turning completely.

Now I want it all again, a life with him. But Joshua built walls around his heart for a reason, and his secrets haunt him.

How can I show him that the ghosts of his past don’t have to define our new family’s future?

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Fe8wo5

Apple Books: https://geni.us/AMFU_AppleBooks

Nook: https://geni.us/AMFUNook

Kobo: https://geni.us/AMFUKobo

Google Play: https://geni.us/AMFU_GP

Audible: https://geni.us/AMFU_Audible

Add to Goodreads: https://geni.us/AMFUGR

My Review

I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review. 

It's not that I didn't like this this book, but I'm not sure that unrequited love (which actually turned out to be mutual pining) and surprise baby are two tropes that should be used together. A lot of the relationship between Delia and Josh felt a bit forced and it wasn't until they have to go through a tragedy that I felt a real connection between them.  

For me, the best parts of the books were when Josh was with his siblings. The Parkerson family has been brought together through their hatred of their father. They've been apart for many years, working in their respective locations, and now they are all in the same place at the same time. It's quite entertaining to watch unfold. 

This book was just okay for me. I guessed the "big thing" that happened and I don't know if that is because I read a lot and can see certain things coming a mile away or because I know that Corinne likes to tug at the heartstrings. Either way, when it happened I just didn't feel the usual emotion. 

Now bring on Oliver's book because the ending of this book gave us a little tease and it definitely piqued my interest. 

CW: death of a loved one (off page) and miscarriage

Corinne Michaels is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of romance novels. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love, and she enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak before finding a way to heal them through their struggles.

Corinne is a former Navy wife and happily married to the man of her dreams. She began her writing career after spending months away from her husband while he was deployed–reading and writing were her escapes from the loneliness. Corinne now lives in Virginia with her husband and is the emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children.

Connect with Corinne

Website: http://corinnemichaels.com

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

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