Sunday, June 28, 2020

Cover Reveal: One Hot Italian Summer by Karina Halle


One Hot Italian Summer, coming Summer 2020 from The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling author Karina Halle!

Cover Designer: Hang Le

After the death of her best friend and writing partner, Grace Harper is struggling both with grief, and with her next novel, the first one she’ll have to write alone.

Fortunately, her new powerhouse agent, the formidable Jana Lee, has a solution for her. She can stay at her villa in Tuscany for a month, soak in the sunshine, relax, and find her confidence again. After all, Jana has a lot riding on Grace’s next book, and the last thing she wants is for her reputation as a “super-agent” to be tarnished.

At first the villa is a dream come true for Grace – that is until Claudio Romano shows up one day with his ten-year old son, Vanni, in tow. Turns out, this is Claudio’s house, and Claudio happens to be her agent’s ex-husband from long ago. Thanks to their annual father and son bonding trip being cancelled, Claudio and Vanni are here to stay.

So is Grace.

With the three of them sharing the same house, Grace’s writing plans are thrown out the window. But even if she’s not pounding the keyboard, she’s still finding beauty and inspiration…in none other than Claudio. He's unlike any man Grace has met before. He’s smart, charming, and wickedly sexy, plus a great father to Vanni. He’d be the perfect summer fling – if only he wasn’t completely off-limits.
But as the hot Italian summer wears on, Grace and Claudio are destined to succumb to the heat, no matter how hard they try to resist each other. One steamy encounter with Claudio could affect Grace’s chances of starting her career over. Or he could be exactly what she needs.


Meet Karina:

Karina Halle is a former travel writer, music journalist & screenwriter, and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author of over 55 bestselling novels, ranging from horror and suspense to contemporary romance. She lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband, and her adopted pitbull Bruce, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails and devours a lot of books. 

Halle is represented by the Root Literary Agency and is both self-published and published by Simon & Schuster, Hachette & Montlake. Her work has been translated and published in 20 languages. 

Hit her up on Instagram at @authorHalle, on Twitter at @MetalBlonde and on Facebook. You can also visit www.authorkarinahalle.com and sign up for the newsletter for news, excerpts, previews, private book signing sales and more.

Connect with Karina: 

Join her Reader Group: https://goo.gl/wpCBSS 
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Friday, June 26, 2020

Diamond in the Rough by Skye Warren

Diamond in the RoughI was so excited for Diamond in the Rough that I read all of it in one sitting. This book completely changes the context of Hidden Gem because not everything is what it appears to be. The story does answer some lingering questions from the prologue but not all. There are even more questions now because of what happens by the end of this book. This book was thrilling, sexy, and full of some revelations but also mysteries as well. I don't know what's going to happen next but I absolutely can't wait to see what Skye Warren has in store for us.
“It feels like I’m losing something precious. Like holding a diamond and watching it dissolve into sand.”

“This is a war that neither of us will win.”
Diamond in the Rough takes place eight years after the events of the prologue. Holly Frank is now 24 years old and has become a best-selling author of children's books. Not that far-fetched considering she told Elijah about mermaids and dragons back then. The story starts off with her traveling to France to find her missing sister, London Frank. As you can tell from the synopsis, nothing goes as planned and she is eventually kidnapped and left in an abandoned church turned prison. There she meets a man from her past and the events that unfold were nothing but captivating. I was enthralled and worried for Holly. I won't divulge anymore details because what happens next will have you wanting more. I also want to note that this book has a direct connection to Overture. Skye Warren fans who have read that series will definitely be pleased by its link to this one.
“That pretty much defines my feelings for her. Being near her is heaven and hell.”

“It’s something deeper than affection. Darker than love. She’s mine.”
As for the romance, Holly and Elijah's relationship is just as haunting, dark, and sexy as it has always been since they first met in Paris all those years ago. Elijah is your tormented hero who is possessive, broody, and dangerous. I loved being able to get inside his head and read about his feelings for Holly. I also liked Holly as well and I don't blame her for what she decided to do by the end of this book. She was constantly kept in the dark and Elijah was being an idiot for making certain decisions on her behalf.
“He’s already hurt me more than I would have thought possible. It seems like my heart would know better than to love a man who’s a thief and a liar.”
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I absolutely can't wait for Gold Mine. This book does indeed have a cliffhanger and I kind of regret starting it because I really want to know what happens next. Diamond in the Rough was incredibly fast-paced and I rushed through it wanting to know if things will be okay. The cliffhanger says it all. Fans of Sky Warren will devour this book. I highly recommend it!

*This ARC was generously provided by Valentine PR & Literary Management and Skye Warren for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★★

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Cover Reveal: UNDENIABLE by Aleatha Romig


Release Date: August 18



Forbidden love...is undeniable.

When she was younger, like all little girls, Sophie Hawkins believed in fantasies. She believed in happily-ever-after and that one day her prince would come. What made Sophie’s dreams a bit different was that the man of her dreams wasn’t a fictional prince but her best friend’s dad. 

Matt was handsome and nice, the kind of man every woman would want. 

Time passes, and through the years, Sophie’s reality changes, yet her attraction and memories of Matt Hamilton never fade. Where boys and men are concerned, Matt remains her gold standard.

When his daughter was young, Matt Hamilton had it all: a family and success. 

With the ticking of the clock and changing of the calendar, seasons pass and situations adjust. Business success remains, but personally, his world changes…until the day fate sets the undeniable in motion. 

Sophie was a sweet little girl, his daughter’s best friend, and a ray of undeniable sunshine. That was before. Now she’s more. She is a grown woman. 

Who can deny the undeniable?

Undeniable, part of the Indulgence series of stand-alone steamy stories, will heat your ereader and make you hot and bothered. Undeniable is a fun forbidden-love story that will whisk the reader away to a time when fantasies could come true.
 


Have you been Aleatha'd?

Grab Your Copy Here!
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Apple Nook | Kobo



Meet Aleatha Romig

Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams and bring your imagination to life!
Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha's twisted style with an increase in heat.
In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.
In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy with PLUS ONE, followed by the sweet stand-alone, ONE NIGHT.
Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Get Aleatha'd Here:


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Monday, June 22, 2020

Artful Lies by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Artful Lies (Hunt Legacy Duology, #1)I was really looking forward to reading Artful Lies. It had promise and I was intrigued by how the characters dealt with historical artifacts and art in a romance novel. However, the main crux of this story was the romance and it unfortunately fell flat for me. I really wanted to like Becker and Eleanor but all I felt for these two was annoyance because of their stupid and petty arguments, jealousy, immature personalities, inability to think beyond their lust for one another. It made me want to go back and read This Man or Promised again because Eleanor and Becker felt like "copies" of Ava/Jesse and Livy/Miller. Now the one thing I can say about this book was that the ending surprised and confused me. I'm not sure what's in store for these two or if their "relationship" can move beyond this but I am curious to say the least. Why did Becker do that? What prompted him to make that decision? What will Eleanor do next?

I felt like the plot structure of this book was flat until the end. Nothing and everything happened. Since the book was told in Eleanor's POV, much of the dramatic tension and narrative of the story was created through her inner monologue. Eleanor dreams of working in a museum that deals with precious artifacts because she loved and studied history. She has personal problems back home like her ex-boyfriend and best friend hooked up with each other and decides to move to London where she meets Becker in a rather cliched situation. They meet again and she ends up working for him. As for their relationship, Eleanor and Becker bicker constantly, which further reinforces the fact that these two are really childish.

In the end, this was an okay read for me. Will I read the conclusion of Becker and Eleanor's story? Maybe. It really depends on if I remember what the story is about by the time Wicked Truths rolls around. In my opinion, the romance wasn't developed very well and I am unsure when Eleanor fell for Becker. She hated his guts and wanted nothing to do with him then suddenly loves him and he is breaking her heart. I had whiplash with these two. I frankly don't see the appeal in Becker either. He tells her to "shut up" during their love scenes and doesn't really treat her that well. Is this supposed to be romantic? I don't find that romantic or sexy at all. I am starting to feel like these types of books might not be for me.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Monday, June 15, 2020

Hidden Gem by Skye Warren

Hidden Gem: A Prologue NovellaThis was such an enchanting, haunting, and mysterious beginning to what I'm sure will be an excellent story by Skye Warren in Diamond in the Rough. There was almost a sinister quality to this book because Holland, the supposed main character of this book, was recklessly following and taking chances with a complete stranger. Elijah, the hero or possibly anti-hero, was an enigma and I'm not sure how to feel about him. It's obvious that he's very attracted to Holly but because of her age and inexperience... he didn't go farther than necessary. But he did use her to get what he wanted and that therein lies all the problems. They certainly do have a lot of chemistry though.
It's pure impulse that makes me lean forward, press my nose to his scalp, and breathe deep. He smells like man and musk and some indefinable scent of Elijah. It shouldn't be as intimate as kissing, but somehow it's even more private, more sensual, more primal, the way I've scented him.

As if he feels it too, he growls. "You don't get to steal that from me. Not without giving it back." Then he grasps my hair in his fist and brings it to his nose. He breathes in audibly, as if savoring the smell of me... "Salt. Sunshine. The goddamn ocean. Why do you smell like the ocean?"
What's fascinating about this book is its connection to Wanderlust. Holly is Evie and Hunter's oldest daughter. She is only 16 years old in this book, which had me really concerned. Elijah was a little bit older, more mature, and obviously new what he wanted. He was a predator. I'm really curious to see how Holly and Elijah's story will play out because the synopsis for Diamond in the Rough intrigues me. It states that the heroine will be kidnapped, but I wonder... by who? If it's who I think it is, this must mean that Elijah has become more worldly than the man he was in this prologue. Some of the things he said could be a foreshadow of what's to come in the actual book.
You don't know the way I have sex. It's rough, Holly. It's... disrespectful. Cruel. You deserve better than that, especially for your first time... You should know better than to talk to someone like me. You should be afraid of me. And most of all, you shouldn't trust me."
Overall, I really enjoyed this short novella and/or prologue for Diamond in the Rough. It's going to be another thrilling series from Skye Warren and I absolutely can't wait!

*This ARC was generously provided by Valentine PR & Literary Management and Skye Warren for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★★☆