Tag Archives: second chance romance

New Release & Review ~ Crash Into Us by Shana Vanterpool

Title: Crash Into Us
Author: Shana Vanterpool
Genre: Contemporary/2nd Chance Romance
Release Date: December 18, 2017
They met when they were kids.
They were friends, lovers, and then husband and wife.
They were supposed to be together forever.
He was her Superman.
She was his happiness.

And then he went pro.
And she doubted something that was supposed to be forever.
Mistakes were made in exchange for dreams, and hearts were shattered.
Their forever crumbled right before their eyes.

He went on to play for the Washington Warriors. He ate, breathed, and slept professional hockey. All he had left after her was the ice. He was in magazines, he won a Stanley Cup, and he had a crowd of people screaming his name. He had everything. Didn’t he?

It’s hard to move on from an addiction, and she was addicted. Drunk on love too early on, she never truly moved on from her first love. She faded in and out of life, trying to ignore her need. But bad habits have a way of coming back when you least expect them too.

For years they went separate ways, until her Superman falls from the sky.

He was on a helicopter after a big win when the engine cut out. He knows he’s not making it out alive. Even with the screams of his teammates shouting in the background as they crash toward earth, all he can think of is her. He’ll never get to see her again…

Love is unforgiving dragging her back to heartache. She only wants to help him get better from the accident and move on with her life. She never planned on falling back in love with him. She never planned on falling so hard a second time.

Lovesick and broken, they crash right back into each other.

I finished this book pretty quickly and now…I don’t know where to begin.

So, I’ll start where I always do with books written in first person. My preference. Yes, we all know that they aren’t my favorite books to read which probably says more about me as a reader and a person than about the author. But I received an email asking if I wanted to review Crash Into Us and after reading the synopsis I was ALL IN.

…then I received the ARC. First person.

Still, I pushed on and, crap on a cracker, I really liked it. A lot.

I liked Jasmeen almost as much as I had problems with her, but she was stronger than she thought and that’s a characteristic I always enjoy reading. My first impression of her was that she was very sad woman who needed to go out and figure out what fueled her. Oh, and that her mom was a big ol’ ass. But slowly I came to see her strength in her actions, because most people wouldn’t have done what she did to help Gavin.

Who, in my opinion absolutely did not deserve it. Or so I thought.

And this is where my only real problem with the Crash Into Us came into play. The whole reason for their divorce became so murky and muddled after a while that I honestly just stopped caring. I mean, if she’s going to forgive him then the details don’t really matter, right? At least that was my perspective until this part of the story was actually resolved.

I also didn’t love the flashbacks because I don’t think they added to the story. It gave depth, but who they were at ten years old wasn’t all the relevant in the face of accusations of infidelity.

As I neared the 45% mark I had been contemplating calling it quits, and not because Shana Vanterpool is a bad author, she’s not, but because I felt that Jasmeen gave in too easily. Gavin needed to work harder to earn her love back, but he didn’t have to so…

I gave this story 4.5 cocktails because it was good. Really good. The love between Jasmeen and Gavin was intense, for most of us that would be scary as hell, overwhelming, but it was right for them. Crash Into Us was packed with emotion and angst, so if those aren’t your jam you’re not going to like this story, but damn the emotion was so good. It was like crying over Dawson’s Creek or Party of Five or even the early seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, that kind of angst.

It fed my 90’s grunge girl at heart need for good, solid angst. This wasn’t drama for the sake of drama, this was grown folk’s problems drama and damn, I read it in 2 days when I should have been finishing final edits on my own book.

I’ve never read Shana Vanterpool but this book gave me the FEELZ.

Romance author, coffee drinker, and bad boy aficionado. Every second not spent breathing is an opportunity to write and read. I live in Northern California with my family and actress dog, Halle Bella. (Just Bella when she decides to cut the crap.) Escaping with a good book is something I live for and I write so others can do the same.

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REVIEW ~ Oklahoma Starshine by Maggie Shayne

Get your copy HERE!!!

ABOUT:
A deeply moving, emotional story of a mother’s anguish, a father’s love, a family’s hope, this novel will renew your faith and restore your belief in miracles.

Veterinarian and single mom Emily Hawkins’ world is turned upside down when her precious little girl is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Only a bone marrow transplant can save 3-year-old Matilda Louise. Emily isn’t a match, but she’s determined to find someone who is, and that means tracking down Tilda’s biological father and his filthy rich family, a family she believes would’ve preferred her little girl had never been born.

But when she arrives in Big Falls, Oklahoma, nothing is the way she expected. Joey McIntyre, the billionaire’s son who’d been her sweet teenage summer fling, is as handsome and smooth as ever, but he seems to fall hard for Tilda-Lou at first sight, and he’s furious that Emily has kept his child from him. Which makes no sense at all. Soon Emily begins to suspect that the version history she’s believed all these years, might not be the real one. And if that’s true, she’s done a terrible, unforgivable thing.

But none of that matters as dire symptoms set in. The doctor advises Emily and Joe to give their girl the best Christmas ever. Fortunately, Christmas is what the Brand-McIntyre clan does best.

Emily and Joey put their feelings aside, coming together in a desperate search for a way to save their little girl against all odds.

But the truth is that little Matilda Louise is the one who’s saving them.

If you enjoyed Maggie Shayne’s Award Winning Texas Brands Series and Oklahoma Brands, you are going to LOVE the McIntyre Men.

I’ll tell you up front that I am a fan of Maggie Shayne and specifically her Oklahoma-centric series’. I love the feisty Brand women which means I’ll pretty much give every new series at least one book. When I came across Oklahoma Starshine, which combined the Brand women with the hot McIntyre men, I was all in. Throw in a secret baby and the possibility of a second chance romance and I’m a sucker for it!

I won’t rehash the synopsis but let me just tell you that I was totally prepared to have a real good hate-on for Joe…and Bobby Jo. And for a long time, I did. Even longer than Emily probably.

One of the things that often defines Maggie Shayne novels is the big family dynamic and I love it. Almost always. Sometimes though, like in the case of Emily, I think it can come across as bullying. Skepticism is perfectly understandable but seriously, NO ONE considered that just maybe Joe had done something to screw things up between him.

I loved watching Matilda and Joe fall in love as father and daughter, it just enhanced the whole holiday feel of things. To me Emily and Joe were secondary in this story, which was okay.

I loved that all the Brands show up and use all of their quite considerable otherworldly beliefs to help guide Tilda to good health.

Oklahoma Starshine was a lot of fun, magic, holiday spirit with just the right amount of romance to make this a quick, enjoyable read.

***At the time of this review Oklahoma Starshine is just #99cents!***

LIVE ~ Countdown to Midnight by Katy Regenry

From New York Times bestselling author, Katy Regnery, comes a standalone New Years-themed romance novella with TWO happily-ever-afters!

After a busy Christmas surrounded by the wedded bliss of their three married sisters, still-single Elizabeth and Jane Story deserve a little fun for New Years!

Heading to the ultra-exclusive Point on Saranac Lake, they expect a week of ski, snow and socializing . . . what they get is a computer glitch that double-books their luxury slopeside condo to handsome Bostonians, Merit and Amity Atwell.

With few other options, the two sets of sibs decide to share the deluxe digs.

Surgical resident, Amity, is more than happy to renew his acquaintance with med school flame, Jane, whom he’s always considered “the one that got away.” But that leaves bar-owner, Merit, and litigator, Elizabeth, way too much time to get on each other’s nerves…

Spend New Years with the Story sisters and Atwell brothers as they spend Christmas week counting down to midnight!

COVER REVEAL – Crash Into Us by Shana Vanterpool

Title: Crash Into Us
Author: Shana Vanterpool
Genre: Contemporary/2nd Chance Romance
Release Date: December 18, 2017

 

Cover Designer: Letitia Hasser w/ RBA Designs

 

They met when they were kids.

 

They were friends, lovers, and then husband and wife.

 

They were supposed to be together forever.
He was her Superman.
She was his happiness.

And then he went pro.
And she doubted something that was supposed to be forever.
Mistakes were made in exchange for dreams, and hearts were shattered.
Their forever crumbled right before their eyes.

He went on to play for the Washington Warriors. He ate, breathed, and slept professional hockey. All he had left after her was the ice. He was in magazines, he won a Stanley Cup, and he had a crowd of people screaming his name. He had everything. Didn’t he?

It’s hard to move on from an addiction, and she was addicted. Drunk on love too early on, she never truly moved on from her first love. She faded in and out of life, trying to ignore her need. But bad habits have a way of coming back when you least expect them too.

For years they went separate ways, until her Superman falls from the sky.

He was on a helicopter after a big win when the engine cut out. He knows he’s not making it out alive. Even with the screams of his teammates shouting in the background as they crash toward earth, all he can think of is her. He’ll never get to see her again…

Love is unforgiving dragging her back to heartache. She only wants to help him get better from the accident and move on with her life. She never planned on falling back in love with him. She never planned on falling so hard a second time.

Lovesick and broken, they crash right back into each other.
Romance author, coffee drinker, and bad boy aficionado. Every second not spent breathing is an opportunity to write and read. I live in Northern California with my family and actress dog, Halle Bella. (Just Bella when she decides to cut the crap.) Escaping with a good book is something I live for and I write so others can do the same.

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Review ~ Homecoming in Christmas Falls by Ciara Knight

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ABOUT:

Eight years after fleeing Christmas Falls because of a high school prank gone wrong, Ashley Brooks receives a mysterious letter from her mentor asking her to come home. She arrives to face all she left behind—her family, her friends, and the rich boy she’d loved who would never date the girl from the wrong side of town.

Brent Donnelly, high school jock, brainiac, and dutiful son did everything right until the day Ashley returns to Christmas Falls. With one look at the girl who got away he questions all his life choices, including following in his father’s footsteps in the family business.

Faced with a potentially devastating decline of tourism in their hometown, Brent and Ashley must work together to save the magic of their town, but when Ashley discovers he still has feelings for her best friend she must finally face the real reason she left Christmas Falls—to try to heal her broken heart.

Seven fabulous authors bring you this holiday romance series about a group of special friends returning to their hometown at the request of their high school mentor. Each book is a standalone, but read them all to fully enjoy the journey of these remarkable women and their emotional reunion with their mentor, an incredible woman who changes their lives and helps save a small town community forever.

When I first cracked open Homecoming in Christmas Falls and saw that it was written in first person, I nearly closed it right away. It’s just a personal preference of mine, but I have a hard time enjoying stories written this way, but I was SO curious about the story that I pushed past the first chapter and then the second, and soon I was wondering who’s story would be next.

Ashley was a bit of a wild child back in the day, not reckless or even destructive, just energetic for a small town girl who never fit in with her family. Though this is a love story, I really enjoyed watching Ash reconnect with her parents, who she’d always viewed through the eyes of a hurt teenage girl. But nearly a decade apart can change things. Change people and their perspectives. This part of the storyline really enhanced the overall Christmas-y feel of the whole story.

Now Ash and Brent. Ash, despite her gregariousness as a kid, had some self-esteem issues and thought she would never be good enough for the town golden boy, Brent. She thought he’d be better suited—and was already interested in—one of her besties, Piper. So after THE EVENT, she packed up and left town never to return.

Until this year when her teacher, mentor and surrogate mother calls the girls home, setting the stage for the whole Christmas Falls series.

Now that she’s a successful business woman with a clear vision of the past, Ash wants to help the town get back the magic it used to have. She’ll put her business sense to good use, along with Brent, to make the place truly fantastic again.

But this is a romance and Homecoming in Christmas Falls wouldn’t be complete without talking about these two. From the moment they appear on the page together, sparks fly. Brent is gorgeous and sweet, an irresistible combination that Ash succumbs to pretty quickly. Instead of being scared as she’d always been, Ash dives in and lets him know how she feels and her plans for the future.

Then it’s Brent’s turn to chicken out and go running. I was upset with him, but Ciara Knight created really beautiful drama with this part of the story. You could feel Ash’s pain and wanted to do serious bodily harm to a guy that seemed pretty damn perfect…until this moment. But I loved that it allowed Ash to see how strong she really is.

This was a really good read. It was cheesy and sweet and fun and filled with over the top Christmas, and none of that took away my enjoyment of this story.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

To all my friends, family and readers in the United States, I wanted to take a moment to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and tell you that I am thankful for ALL OF YOU!! Those of you who have bought my books, reviewed them or helped pimp them. To those of you who supported and encouraged me, and those who offered critiques that were hard to hear…thank you.

Putting one book out for consumption is hard. Making a career of it is even harder without the right people around to help you succeed. It is a slow climb but we’re all still making it together. So thank you for being the kind of people to help and I hope I’ve given back as much or more to you.

Eat well and be thankful for those that are with you today, and remember those who aren’t with you any longer.

And wish me luck as I embark on my very first vegan Thanksgiving meal.

After your belly is stuffed and your heart is full of mashed potatoes and yummy pecan pie, snuggle up with a good book or two.

Just #99cents

Alex & Baxter

LIVE!! ~ Checkmate Duet Boxed Set

Titles Included: Checkmate: This is Dangerous & Checkmate: This is Beautiful
Series: Checkmate Duet Series (Logan & Kayla)
Author: Kennedy Fox
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trope: Second-chance Romance
Photographer & Designer: Sara Eirew

Release Date: November 16, 2017

Introducing the complete Logan & Kayla saga in the Checkmate series from the USA Today Bestselling duo, Kennedy Fox!

Checkmate: This is Dangerous & This is Beautiful is a second-chance romance that’ll have you swooning and laughing from the first to the last page! Are you ready to play the game?

***

Logan Knight is a real-life knight in shining armor. 
Brooding and mysterious, he’s the kind of guy every girl instantly notices. Between his seductive smirk and charming good looks, it’s no wonder Kayla can’t help the way he makes her feel when she’s near him. 
Too bad he’s unavailable–or so he says.

Kayla Sinclair is a saint and real-life angel.

She wears her heart on her sleeve and inspires Logan to be a better person.

Rescuing dogs, feeding the homeless, volunteering at the local food pantry are just a few of the ways she gives back to others, although no one has ever been there for her.

Falling for her is inevitable, but losing her will destroy him.

Logan may think he has her all figured out, but Kayla is determined to prove him wrong.. This game of push and pull has her running in circles. One wrong move and they could both lose.

When unexpected tragedy strikes and Kayla forgets their relationship ever existed, Logan’s worst nightmare comes to life. He’ll do anything to remind her of the love they shared. It’ll be an uphill battle, but Logan won’t walk away without a fight. Whoever said all is fair in love and war never played by his rules.

Checkmate.

*Recommend for ages 18+ due to sexual content and adult language.*

 

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PRE-ORDER LINKS
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Cover reveal is scheduled for January 8, 2018
Release is scheduled for January 30, 2018

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Brooke Cumberland & Lyra Parish are a duo of romance authors who teamed up under the USA Today Bestselling pseudonym, Kennedy Fox who share a love of You’ve Got Mailand The Holiday. When they aren’t bonding over romantic comedies, they like to brainstorm new book ideas. One day, they decided to collaborate and have some fun creating new characters that’ll make your lady bits tingle and your heart melt. If you enjoy romance stories with sexy, tattooed alpha males and smart, independent women, then a Kennedy Fox book is for you!

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Review ~ Up for Heir – Ruth Cardello

Get your copy HERE!!!

ABOUT:

Spencer Westerly is his own man. He didn’t need his father’s money to build his wildly successful tech company—and he doesn’t want to deal with the fallout from old family secrets. But as much as Spencer wants to avoid Westerly drama, his grandmother—the family matriarch—is determined to pull him back into the fold. And she’s discovered the perfect lure: his college sweetheart, Hailey.

Although she broke his heart, Hailey is still the only woman he’s ever loved. Now that she’s back and looking as desirable as ever, Spencer is determined to get a second chance.

A lot has changed for Hailey Tiverton. The only thing that hasn’t? The inexplicable pull she feels toward Spencer. When they were younger, his work was his priority. Now, he’d better be willing to prove that, this time, love comes first…

I’ll let you know right up front that I am a pretty big Ruth Cardello fan. Also, I got a copy of this from NetGalley for a review!

From the beginning of Up for Heir, I was pretty sure that I would hate Delinda. She made it easy, by being so blatantly manipulative. The old woman has a pretty fractured family, but most of it isn’t her fault, and now that she’s older and lonely, she wants nothing more than to have them all back into the fold.

Too bad she never heard the old adage about catching more flies with honey.

Delinda wants Spencer back in his life and she sees his old college girlfriend as the quickest route to her goal. But I don’t think even Delinda counted on falling in love with Hailey or her niece Skye, which made it easier to like her. More importantly, I understood her and I LOVED the way Hailey managed to get through to her.

Now on to Spencer and Hailey.

Boy, oh boy did these two give me a headache! Hailey with all of her second guessing—though I understood her reasons—was like a bad roller coaster ride. And Spencer, yeah dude, we get it. Your mom is a big ol’ liar and gave you some issues. But you’re a grown man so suck it up and get over it.

You could tell right away that feelings still lingered between them, but they couldn’t get out of their own way long enough to make it happen! Honestly though, I liked Spencer and I wanted him to find forgiveness and reconnect with his family, but if I’m being honest I still didn’t think he deserved Hailey. The way he dropped the ball in college and the way he just jumped to conclusions, doesn’t sound like a guy in love…no matter what the photos say.

I enjoyed Up for Heir, a lot. Despite the fact that both main characters kind of worked my nerves, I had a good time reading this book and it only took me about a day to finish it.

Now I’m very curious about Brett’s story, so I’m going back and getting a copy of In the Heir!

Review ~ The Real Thing – Melissa Foster

Get your copy HERE!!!

ABOUT:

Bakery owner Willow Dalton’s friendship with Zane Walker has always been a bit complicated. Now a scrumptiously hot A-list actor, Zane’s always had a reputation as a player. He’s arrogant, and he’s definitely not boyfriend material. Sure, he did Willow a favor by agreeing to take her virginity before college, but is that reason enough for her to go along with a fake engagement a decade later—even if it comes with a real diamond ring?

Zane should have known better. Nothing involving Willow has ever been easy. Still, he knows her better than anyone, and becoming America’s hottest new leading man means cleaning up his reputation. An “engagement” to curvy, sass-mouthed Willow is the perfect PR move…provided no one gets hurt.

Now Zane and Willow’s little white lie has turned into an irresistible recipe for sweet temptation. And soon no one will be able to tell the difference between their fake engagement and the real thing—including them.

I am so in love with Willow and Zane! It’s been awhile since I read a good Melissa Foster and The Real Thing was the perfect book to break the dry spell! Willow and Zane have had it bad for one another for a very long time so when he needs a serious girlfriend—a pretend serious girlfriend—he sees the perfect opportunity to make Willow his! Damn but I do love a man who knows what he wants and goes after it. Continue reading Review ~ The Real Thing – Melissa Foster

Best Of My Love: LIVE!!!

What a great day! Writing a novel is always a process and sometimes that process goes so smoothly you’re sure that you must  have missed something, left out a key story element or accidentally deleted a chapter.

Then there’s how 2017 has been for me. Busy. Insane. Filled with surprises, both good and bad. Even though I have spent the past few months freaking out that the world of romance readers might forget me if I didn’t get Best Of My Love completed and out into the ether. But I also allowed myself to take my time and make it as good as it can be without those pesky errors that make reading difficult.

The story of Dre and Erick came to me a while ago, while I was writing Feels Like Love but it was kind of emotional so it took me some time to really dig in and get these characters right. Especially Dre who is, acerbic and sarcastic. She has a sharp tongue and she’d not afraid to use it when necessary. But she’s also pretty damn scarred and terrified to trust in love again. Continue reading Best Of My Love: LIVE!!!