Fiction

All posts tagged Fiction

A Gentleman Never Keeps Score(Review Post)

Published July 10, 2018 by bookbesties

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Once beloved by London’s fashionable elite, Hartley Sedgwick has become a recluse after a spate of salacious gossip exposed his most-private secrets. Rarely venturing from the house whose inheritance is a daily reminder of his downfall, he’s captivated by the exceedingly handsome man who seeks to rob him.

Since retiring from the boxing ring, Sam Fox has made his pub, The Bell, into a haven for those in his Free Black community. But when his best friend Kate implores him to find and destroy a scandalously revealing painting of her, he agrees. Sam would do anything to protect those he loves, even if it means stealing from a wealthy gentleman. But when he encounters Hartley, he soon finds himself wanting to steal more than just a painting from the lovely, lonely man—he wants to steal his heart.

This is my second M/M historical romance and the first book I have read by this author.  I really liked how the author made sure to be historically accurate with the dangers that homosexual couples faced in 1817 England as well as the societal stigmas faced by black citizens.   The fact that this couple is very diverse is something I found very intriguing.  Witnessing Hartley find himself and overcome his past was both inspiring and heart -warming.  I am very glad that the author did not use Hartley’s troubled history as a means to explain his attraction to men and that in spite of his trauma related quarks he was able to find acceptance and love.  I would love to read more of this author’s work and hope I get that opportunity soon as this was such a great read!

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Danielle

Playing Hurt by Kelly Jamieson(Review Post)

Published July 2, 2018 by bookbesties

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He’s playing hurt. She’s laying low. And they’re both flirting with disaster.
 
“Kelly Jamieson is my go-to author for hockey romance.”—Jami Davenport
 
Chase: The last thing I’d ever want to do is let my team down. After overcoming my bad-boy reputation, I was dominating on the ice. But things aren’t going so well this season, and even my parents think I’m partying again. Now I’m really worried about my career. The only bright spot in my life is the Twitter flirtation I’ve struck up with pop princess Jordyn Banks. Turns out she’s a huge hockey fan—and she’s willing to wager a date on her favorite team. . . .
 
Jordyn: Even though I’m an L.A. fan now, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Aces, since I grew up in Chicago. Then I lose a bet to Chase Hartman, and suddenly I’m up close and personal with a pro athlete who’s anything but soft. Not only is Chase the hottest guy I’ve ever met, he’s secretly super sweet. As if I had time for a relationship . . . yeah, right. But when I suddenly have nothing but time on my hands, he’s the only one who understands. Now, with both of our careers at stake, Chase is tempting me to put my heart on the line too.
 
Kelly Jamieson’s USA Today bestselling Aces Hockey series can be read together or separately:
MAJOR MISCONDUCT
OFF LIMITS
ICING
TOP SHELF
BACK CHECK
SLAP SHOT
PLAYING HURT
 
Don’t miss any of Kelly’s alluring reads:
The Bayard Hockey series: SHUT OUT | CROSS CHECK
The Last Shot series: BODY SHOT | HOT SHOT | LONG SHOT
The standalone novel: DANCING IN THE RAIN
 
This ebook includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

OUT JULY 17TH!(CLICK ON COVER FOR LINK)

I love a good Hockey romance and I have read books from the Aces series before. and loved them, and this was a winner for me! Jordyn is a famous musician and Chase is a starter for the Aces! Chase can’t believe when Jordyn and him start a banter on Twitter, after all he has had a crush on her for a while. After date number 1 Jordyn knows that her feelings for Chase will be more than a one time thing. Chase and Jordyn are such a cute pair! Between injuries and daily stress and then mix in some miscommunication and their relationship is on shaky ground! The banter between these two is exhilarating and fun! This was an new way of starting off a romance and, for me, this book had it all; a Twitter battle, some hockey and music all swirled into one to make this book a hit! This was a great read for me and can’t wait for the next in this series!

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Damaris

Release Blitz: MOONLIGHT SEDUCTION by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published June 26, 2018 by bookbesties

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Moonlight Seduction: A de Vincent Novel, from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout is LIVE!

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The de Vincent brothers are back—and so is the intrigue that surrounds them—in New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s sizzling new novel . . .

Nicolette Bresson never thought she’d return to the de Vincents’ bayou compound. It’s where her parents work, where Nikki grew up . . . and where she got her heart broken by Gabriel de Vincent himself. Yet here she is, filling in for her sick mother. Avoiding Gabe should be easy, especially when so much of Nikki’s time is spent trying not to be stabbed in the back by the malicious hangers-on who frequent the mansion. But escaping memories of Gabe, much less his smoking-hot presence, is harder than expected—especially since he seems determined to be in Nikki’s space as much as possible.

Gabriel spent years beating himself up over his last encounter with Nikki. He’d wanted her then, but for reasons that were bad for both of them. Things have now changed. Gabe sees more than a girl he’s known forever; he sees a smart, talented, and heartbreakingly beautiful woman . . . one who’s being stalked from the shadows.

Now, Gabe will do anything to keep Nikki safe—and to stop the de Vincent curse from striking again.

Watch the Trailer:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/embed.animoto.com/play.html?w=swf/production/vp1&e=1523992158&f=68tr6CJfhPy1JH2zkvX2HQ&d=0&m=p&r=360p+480p+720p&volume=100&start_res=720p&i=m&asset_domain=s3-p.animoto.com&animoto_domain=animoto.com&options=autostart

https://video214.com/play/68tr6CJfhPy1JH2zkvX2HQ/s/dark
Trailer by: Jillian Stein

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Available Now!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2GiWCeo
Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/MoonlightSeduction
iBooks: https://apple.co/2p38gCM
Nook: http://bit.ly/2Dn6v7B
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2p4hHlm
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2FBrHIW

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Start the Series Today!
Moonlight Sins (de Vincent series, book 1)
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2v8VLen
Amazon Universal: https://mybook.to/moonlightsins

Nook: http://bit.ly/MoonlightSins-Nook
iBooks: http://bit.ly/MoonlightSins-iBooks
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2EHHQLQ
Audible: http://amzn.to/2DJB1JZ

About Jennifer L. Armentrout

# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Charles Town, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become a passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her Wicked Series has been optioned by PassionFlix. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. Her adult romantic suspense novel TILL DEATH was an Amazon Editor’s Pick and iBook Book of the Month. Her young adult contemporary THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is a 2017 RITA Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

She is the owner of ApollyCon and The Origin Event, the successful annual events that feature over hundred bestselling authors in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult Fiction, panels, parties, and more. She is also the creator and sole financier of the annual Write Your Way To RT Book Convention, a contest that gives aspiring authors a chance to win a fully paid trip to RT Book Reviews.

JLA- Credit Franggy Yanez Photography

Connect with Jennifer L. Armentrout:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLArmentrout
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_l_armentrout/
GoodReads: http://bit.ly/1DiIjR

Stay up to date with Jennifer by joining her mailing list today: https://bit.ly/2qBce5m

https://jenniferlarmentrout.com

 

MOONLIGHT SEDUCTION(REVIEW POST)

Published June 25, 2018 by bookbesties

MoonlightSeduction mm c

Moonlight Seduction: A de Vincent Novel from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout is LIVE!

The de Vincent brothers are back—and so is the intrigue that surrounds them—in New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s sizzling new novel . . .

Nicolette Bresson never thought she’d return to the de Vincents’ bayou compound. It’s where her parents work, where Nikki grew up . . . and where she got her heart broken by Gabriel de Vincent himself. Yet here she is, filling in for her sick mother. Avoiding Gabe should be easy, especially when so much of Nikki’s time is spent trying not to be stabbed in the back by the malicious hangers-on who frequent the mansion. But escaping memories of Gabe, much less his smoking-hot presence, is harder than expected—especially since he seems determined to be in Nikki’s space as much as possible.

Gabriel spent years beating himself up over his last encounter with Nikki. He’d wanted her then, but for reasons that were bad for both of them. Things have now changed. Gabe sees more than a girl he’s known forever; he sees a smart, talented, and heartbreakingly beautiful woman . . . one who’s being stalked from the shadows. Now, Gabe will do anything to keep Nikki safe—and to stop the de Vincent curse from striking again.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2GiWCeo

Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/MoonlightSeduction

iBooks: https://apple.co/2p38gCM

Nook: http://bit.ly/2Dn6v7B

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2p4hHlm

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2FBrHIW

Start the Series Today!

Moonlight Sins (de Vincent series, book 1)

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2v8VLen

Amazon Universal: https://mybook.to/moonlightsins

Nook: http://bit.ly/MoonlightSins-Nook

iBooks: http://bit.ly/MoonlightSins-iBooks

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2EHHQLQ

Audible: http://amzn.to/2DJB1JZ

You guys, after reading Lucian’s book, In Moonlight Sins I have waited so long for Gabe’s book and I must say it didn’t disappoint. To say he’s more sexier than Lucian hurts my heart but its true! 

Gabe and Nikki semi grew up together and after a summer filled with Nikki flaunting herself at Gabe, one drunken night was all it took to break Nikki’s heart and for Gabe to hate her. Flash forward years later and Nikki is back at the mansion, working in her mother’s place while trying to avoid Gabe at all cost and ignore the evil that is Sabrina and her brother and all the strange things that keep happening to her in that house. That doesn’t stay the case for long as Nikki has run in after run in with Sabrina and her creepy as crap brother Parker and after a fall down some stairs Nikki is super focused on just doing her job and getting out as quickly as possible.

Gabe is finding it hard to keep away form Nikki, after years of thinking he hurt her and being angry at her she’s back and her presence is doing something to him. He tries to be her friend at first but finds he wants more than that. When Gabe catches Parker sniffing around Nik he goes into super protective mood especially when he sees her on date. After that, all bets are off and he knows he should stay away but he can’t and finds little moments to steal to have some super hop sexual encounters, man O man they were hot. Someone has been stalking Nikki and causing little things here and there, and when Gabe finds out, he is determined to save her, and also tell her the one secret he thinks will ruin what they have building.

I loved this story, I obviously hated more of Sabrina and Devlin, that bastard, but I am intrigued about his book. I would have love to seen more of Gabe’s “secret” earlier on aside from the small mention in the beginning but I loved how it all came together and I have a feeling that the hotness factor will be turned up with Dev’s book and as much as I dislike the guy I can’t wait to read it. Well done Jenn, with each book of this series I say “its my fav” so it just keeps getting better and better! 

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Vonetta

The Highlander’s Promise: Highland Brides (Review Post)

Published June 21, 2018 by bookbesties

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In a spellbinding new Highlands story from New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands, the laird of the Buchanans finds the one woman who is his equal in passion and courage

Aulay Buchanan has retreated to his clan’s hunting lodge for a few days of relaxation. But the raven-haired beauty he pulls from the ocean puts an end to any chance of rest. Though he christens her Jetta, she knows nothing of her real identity, save that someone is trying to kill her. As she recovers, it will not be easy for Aulay to protect her and keep her honor intact when she mistakenly believes they are man and wife…

Jetta sees beyond Aulay’s scars to the brave, loyal warrior she’s proud to call her own. But as the attempts on her life grow more brazen, Jetta realizes that not all is as she believes. And if Aulay is not her husband, can she trust the desire flaring in his eyes, or his promise to defend her with his life?

This is the second book in this series that I have read.  After the issues I had with the verbal dialogue aspects of the first book, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that those issues had been resolved in this book. I had residual attachment to the Buchanan family from the first book and that made me super excited to read this book and dove right in.  Sadly,as read this book I became extremely let down.  The plot in this book almost mirrored the plot line from the first book exactly.  There were slight differences between them but, the key plot points were all the same, and that left me feeling like this book lacked originality.  That being said I still hold a soft spot in my heart for the Buchanan’s and am eager to read their next book.

3 and a half

Danielle

Knocked Up by Stacey Lynn(Review Post)

Published June 5, 2018 by bookbesties

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First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes baby in a baby carriage. Just not necessarily in that order. . . .
 
Braxton: I should probably be dead or in jail right now. Instead, thanks to some tough love, I worked my ass off and now I own a string of tattoo parlors throughout the Pacific Northwest. And yet the one thing I’ve always wanted—a family—still seems out of reach. When my best friend gets married, I’m just hoping to blow off some steam with the super-hot maid of honor. But after Cara Thompson tracks me down to tell me she’s pregnant, she’s more surprised than I am when I tell her I’m all in.
 
Cara: For the first time in my life, I’m living for myself—not for my parents and their ridiculous expectations. I gave up on my MBA, dropped out of the Ivy League, and moved to Portland to pursue my dream of becoming an artist. And what’s the first thing I do? Get knocked up. For a tatted-up sex god, Braxton Henley seems way too eager to “be there for me.” Is this guy serious? Maybe. He sure is patient. Because he won’t back down until I admit what I know in my heart: that our one night standmight’ve led me to the one.
 
Advance praise for Knocked Up

“Stacey Lynn always knows how to perfectly balance sexy and sweet, and has a modern writing style that makes all of her stories feel fresh and fun.”—New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne

“A broody alpha hero with heart . . . I fell madly in love with Braxton from the very first page. Prepare to pull and all-nighter with Knocked Up.”—USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy
 
“Braxton is your ultimate tattooed father-to-be—sweet and ever so sexy.”—Stina Lindenblatt, author of the Pushing Limits series

The steamy standalone novels in Stacey Lynn’s Crazy Love series can be read together or separately:
FAKE WIFE | KNOCKED UP
 
And don’t miss her passionate Fireside series:
HIS TO LOVE | HIS TO PROTECT | HIS TO CHERISH | HIS TO SEDUCE
 
This standalone ebook includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

OUT JUNE 12th!!!(Click on cover for link)

FIRST: Can I say I am in love with Braxton?
This is the first book from this author that I have read and I was glad because it was a hit for me! While accidental pregnancies are more of a other’s on my blog type of book, I thought I’d give this a try and I was VERY glad I did! Braxton is at his best friends wedding where he meets the bride’s best friend, Cara. One night of letting go and the next morning Cara is feeling embarrassed. Welllllll…….what’s a night of recklessness without a small surprise? Yep Cara is preggers! This story follows two people who now are going to raise a baby together and they now need to get to know each other. Braxton is a sexy, tatted and an alpha so what more could you mant? Cara is insecure at times but I loved the relationship that blossomed between these two! This was a win for me all the way!

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Only because the cover model does not match Braxton

Damaris

Runaway Heiress:A Dare to Defy novel(Review Post)

Published June 4, 2018 by bookbesties

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OUT JUNE 12TH!(CLICK ON COVER FOR LINK)

When a runaway heiress runs into trouble, she may end up exactly where she belongs… 

Brainy and college-educated, American heiress Alexandra Atherton will do anything to avoid marriage to the English peer her mother has chosen for her–even abandon the life of privilege she’s always known. But as her escape goes horribly wrong, Alexandra must invent a new identity to gain the help of a handsome stranger.

Thomas Carlyle, the Earl of Longford, sweeps in and out of London disguised as a humble artist, earning just enough to keep his ancestral Cornwall estate afloat. When Alexandra crashes into his life, she awakens feelings and desires that he vows will stay buried. Despite himself, he needs this beautiful newcomer, for his sisters have run off another governess.

Alexandra is surprised to find she thrives in her new position at Longford’s home. But as she grows closer to Thomas and his sisters, and her relationship with the emotionally guarded earl unleashes their hidden passions, the truth Alexandra’s been forced to hide may end up coming between her and the only man she’s ever loved. 

I could not put this book down!!!  This book is all about desperate times and even more desperate measures and the consequence of both is an incredibly sweet romance.  I found myself inspired by the determination of both the leading male and female characters to remedy their situations at all costs.  I feel like this story focuses more on the support relationships and supporting details than it does on the romance between the leading characters and I LOVE IT!!!  Because the story isn’t soley focused on the romance factor of the story it allows the romance to happen naturally and I really like that in a romance novel.   This is my first book by this author and if this is her writing style for all of her work I can’t wait to read more of her work.

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Danielle

Damn Travis you got me,Again!

Published April 4, 2013 by bookbesties

Walking Disaster (Beautiful, #2)

First, if you haven’t read Beautiful Disaster then STOP, and go read it.

That being said, I wanted this book so much, more than Midnight Sun (Twilight from Edward’s POV) and finally an author actually did it. How many times have I secretly asked this, begged even and Jamie McGuire did it, retold the same story from the male’s POV. If you fell in love with Travis in BD then you will absolutely want to marry him in Walking Disaster.

The story was the same and then it wasn’t,  it was refreshing to see it from Travis’s POV, I mean I thought I had the whole story with BD but I now know the full story. I loved having the other half of the story, I felt a little disconnected to Abby in this book, but that was because this wasn’t her story. She had her story told, now it was Travis’s, which meant more Shepley, whom I love (best supporting actor, ever) and more Trenton who I can’t wait to hear his story. Travis and Abby’s relationship is very tumultuous and seeing the story from his side show’s you just how much (homeboy crazy).

Everyone who had read BD knows the story so I’m spoiling anything when I say this; the breakup scene from Travis’s POV was

I thought it was sad told from Abby’s POV, but from Travis’s POV It killed me! Even though I knew what was going to happen it still got me. There is something about a guy as tough as Travis ‘Mad Dog’ Maddox literally losing his mind over a girl. Although its fiction us women out there all want that guy (if we don’t have him already) that will be our Travis.

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The Epilogue was a good way to wrap up the story without leaving anything left to question and we got a glimpse into what happens later in life for everyone. I wasn’t left disappointed, thank you Jamie McGuire.

4 out of 5 stars.

Admin-Vonetta

Travis Maddox, Come to Mama!

Published April 1, 2013 by bookbesties

I have been dying slowly since Jamie McGuire has said that she was writing Beautiful Disaster from Travis’s POV (Walking Disaster)and then set it’s release date the day after Travis’s birthday(April 2nd). Well the wait is finally, finally over!! Tomorrow, or tonight rather at midnight(for those that have a e-reader and pre-ordered)Walking Disaster will be be a dream no more!

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If you still haven’t caught on to the EPICNESS that is Beautiful Disaster you have like 11 hours to read it before Walking Disaster is released. But worry not, you can always add it to your TBR pile, as long as it’s like, at the top of your pile.  Trust me you will looove you some Travis, he makes you

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You can still pre-order Walking Disaster Here and get Beautiful Disaster Here

Look for my review(non-spoilery) on WD later this week.

Admin-Vonetta