Monday, September 30, 2024

2024 Favorites ~ Part 2

 

Here is my running list of 5 star (or close to it) reads for 2024. Most of them will be 2024 publications, but there may be a few older books that I have just discovered. Everything is listed in the order that I have read it - with newer reads/releases at the top. 

Falling Like Stars ~ Emma Scott

Never Have I Ever by S L Scott

King of Nothing by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Mind Games by Nora Roberts

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

Nothing But It All by Adriana Locke






*All links belong to E-Reading After Midnight and we may be compensated for purchases made. 

Review Round Up ~ September 30




New Releases:


My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would Recommend to a Friend

Review Copy Provided by Author

Oh my gosh! This book was so much fun with a giant dose of sweet too.
Myers and Bane aka Magnolia and Alex are a truly entertaining pair. I loved watching them meet and get to know each other.
Ms Moreland did a great job of delivering all the elements needed for a fantastic office romance.
The characters are unique and engaging. She's a fantastic foil to his grumpy self. The story is has great elements of humor while also demonstrating a just how sweet people can be to each other in small ways. There is just enough conflict for the story to feel real.
Ms Moreland is a go to author for me and this is just one example of why!

Amazon  



My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would Recommend to a Friend

Review Copy Provided by Author

Ms Michaels is an author known for angst in her stories, but this is not one of those!
All Too Well is actually a feel good read about two former military kids who reconnect as adults and find out that the sparks of youth have turned into a fire.
This was an easy read with likeable characters. I enjoyed getting to know Ainsley, Lach, Rose and the characters that surrounded them in Ember Falls. Ainsley and Lach had a great dynamic that made their affection for each other realistic and had me rooting for them.
As the first book in a new series, there was great world building and a secondary cast. There was a great balance between this and the primary story. I am looking forward to seeing Ainsley and Lach so up in future stories!


world-building
 *Buy links belong to E-Reading After Midnight and we may be compensated if you choose to make purchase. 

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

The Way We Play ~ Tia Louise ~ Cover Reveal

 



Tia Louise has revealed the cover for The Way We Play!



Releasing October 7, 2024


How does one get to be a thirty-year-old virgin?
In my case, start with being risk-averse and cautious, focused on building your career, then inherit your 12-year-old, special-needs brother. Done!
Zane Bradford appeared at the perfect time.
He takes my brother to equine therapy, he gives me rides to work, and he rescues me when I collapse in the shower. (Yes, he saw me naked.)
He says he only breaks things, but I only see him fixing everything. Heck, his job is as a repair man.
This grumpy, angry god with lean muscles, silky dark hair, and ice blue eyes has taken himself out of the game.
But massage therapy is my job, and I'm ready to play.

Hello, I'm Zane Bradford, and I break things.
Starting with my little sister's dreams, followed by my football career.
Yes, I'm grumpy and distant; I'm following the script: No attachments; no one gets hurt.
Rachel Wells is ruining everything.
She walks into my workplace and argues with me, talks back, defends herself.
She gives me romance books to "improve my mood," and insists on massage therapy to ease my pain.
Chronic pain isn't my problem--she is, with her bright green eyes and sassy attitude.
Then she tells me she's never been kissed. (What's wrong with the men in Birmingham?)
The more she tempts me, the more I feel my resolve weakening.
She wants to play, but I'm not going to break.

(THE WAY WE PLAY is a small-town, grumpy-sunshine, sports romance with close proximity, enemies-to-lovers vibes, and a virgin FMC, and an over-protective alpha hero. No cheating. No cliffhanger. No third-act breakup.)



Cover Illustrator: Laura Moore LCM Designs
Cover Designer: Kari March Designs
Photographer: Wander Aguiar
Cover Designer: Lori Jackson Design  


Preorder your copy today!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3MLIxcn 

Audible: Live October 7th    


Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4ccjdqn 




Meet Tia Louise



Tia Louise is the USA TODAY best-selling, award-winning author of super-hot and sexy romances. All her heroes are alphas with hearts of gold, and all her heroines are the smart, sassy ladies who love them. 

 

Connect with Tia

Website | www.TiaLouise.com      

Goodreads | https://www.goodreads.com/Tia_Louise   

Amazon | http://smarturl.it/TLMAA    

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTiaLouise     

Facebook Group |  https://www.facebook.com/groups/tiasbooksbabesmermaids     

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

TikTok |  https://www.tiktok.com/@thetialouise    

Twitter |  https://twitter.com/AuthorTLouise     

Bookbub |  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tia-louise     

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/AuthorTiaLouise       

Newsletter |  http://smarturl.it/TLMnews     

Text Updates |  Text "TiaLouise" to 64600 (U.S. only)

Text Updates |  64600




All Too Well ~ Corinne Michaels ~ New Release

 


All Too Well by Corinne Michaels is now live! 


For as long as I can remember, Lachlan West has been my brother’s best friend and the love of my life. Trouble is, he kissed me four years ago and then never spoke to me again.

I was doing great pretending he doesn’t exist until I was assigned to write an article about former college athletes and I learn that the sexy single-dad is my first interview.

Determined to wow my editor with an amazing sportsball piece. (Have I mentioned I know nothing about sports?) I head to Ember Falls, ready to face my fears—and the man I love.

The grumpy quarterback turned fireman wants nothing to do with me or my article. Yet, somehow I persuade him to let me follow him around for a few weeks, and even if he said yes just to get rid of me, I’ll take it.

But the longer I stay in his small town, the more complicated our story gets. The boundaries we set fall to the ground—along with our clothes.

He holds me like I matter, touches me like I’m cherished and kisses me like he loves me.

We both know I have to leave Ember Falls, and he’ll never follow—I only wish I could write a different ending to our story.



  Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited


 https://geni.us/ATW_Amazon


Signed Paperback: https://geni.us/ATWRB

Amazon Paperback: https://geni.us/ATW_PB

Barnes & Noble Paperback: https://geni.us/ATW_BNPrint


Audible: https://geni.us/ATW_Audible

Narrated by: Connor Crais & Vanessa Edwin


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



Meet Corinne



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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2N1H2Gb

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NVZmhv

Facebook: https://bit.ly/1iwLh6y

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

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2L1Vzo6

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@corinne.michaels

Bookbub: https://bit.ly/2yc6rss

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2m7MkEL

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/corinnemichaels

CMBOOKS TO 77948



Monday, September 16, 2024

Review Round Up - September 16




New Releases


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review Copy provided by Author

Ms Meader brings us back to the Chicago Rebels with a unique meet-cute for a player we met briefly in the previous series installment. Banks is a strong silent player headed into the sunset of his career when he does something unusual in Vegas. He is paired with Georgia, a young socialite, who could not be more opposite.

It was fun watching these two navigate the strangeness of their beginning and find out that maybe they liked each other. Both Banks and Georgia struggled with communication issues which made them seem more approachable and real. We were able to go along with them as they grew emotionally and in their interactions with each other.

I appreciated the way Ms Meader approached the relationship between Georgia and Banks. There was an excellent blend of the personal development of each character and the evolving romance. Given that this the 9th book in the series, there are a lot of cameos for previous couples. Hockey Wife is a standalone read, but is made richer if you have been following along with the series.

Amazon


TBR Reads:


2.5 stars - Below Average Read

Picked up for Free

This was a read I picked up for free and while it was entertaining, I am glad it's not a book I paid for.
A very quick read with a high spice level. Minimal character development and the plot revolves almost entirely around the physical relationship of the main characters.
The entertainment value would have had this as a 3-star read, but the confusing tense changes and random places where the story suddenly became third-person caused it to lose a 1/2 star for me.

View all my reviews







 *Buy links belong to E-Reading After Midnight and we may be compensated if you choose to make purchase. 

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

King: A Pittsburgh Titans Novel by Sawyer Bennett ~ New Release & Review


New Release from Sawyer Bennett King (Pittsburgh Titans, Book #14)

Synopsis:

Jack Kingston is known for his dominant playing skills on the ice, but off, he’s a down-to-earth guy who values a true connection over a meaningless hookup. I love being a member of the Pittsburgh Titans, even if my teammates are constantly ribbing me about women who they claim are throwing themselves all over me. Could I go for the easy lay? Sure, but that’s not my style. I’m more of long-term kind of guy. Instead, I’m going to keep doing what I do best—killing it out on the ice. Everything else will fall into place…eventually. That time comes sooner than expected, in the most unlikely of ways. At the rink to watch our goalie’s kids play Peewee hockey, I meet Willa Montreaux and somehow, by the end of that interaction, I’ve offered to help her coach the Ice Pups. Altruism or were there other intentions in that offer? A little of both, if I’m being honest. As the time I spend with Willa increases, I am absolutely certain I want even more. She’s gorgeous, sure, but that’s superficial. Willa is also funny, loving, determined and smart. SO smart. Doctor smart. Probably too intelligent for a jock like me, but that’s not going to stop me from shooting my shot. Not looking for anything more than a fling and concerned that she’s too old for me, Willa doesn’t want to venture into anything serious. I’m willing to put in the work and give her the space she needs to come to terms with the fact that the connection we have is far more than physical. Willa and I are end game, but I’m willing to play into overtime if that’s what it takes to walk away with her by my side.

Grab your copy of King directly from Sawyer by shopping the Sawyer Bennett Bookstore!

E-Book: https://geni.us/STORE_KingEbook Audio (narrated by Robert Hatchet and Erin Mallon): https://geni.us/STORE_KingAudio Signed paperback (available to US mailing addresses): https://geni.us/STORE_KingPB

You can also get King at the following retailers:

Amazon | Nook | Apple | Kobo | Google



About the Author:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone. A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs. If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

 

Connect with Sawyer:

Facebook | Reader Group | TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | BookBub | Join Sawyer's Newsletter



Elizabeth's Review

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Review Copy Provided by Author


In King, Sawyer Bennett brings us back to the Pittsburgh Titans with a new group players that have recently joined the team.
Jack “King” Kingston is the player who bridges the “older” cast of characters with the new group. He’s an all around good guy that has us rooting for him to find a happy ending.
Willa is a doctor who has baggage. She’s a bit wounded, but also easy to like. I appreciated the fact that Ms Bennett took to a slightly different tact with the relationship dynamics here as they evolved from friends to more.
The meet cute here is adorable and the overall story is slightly predictable, but it’s does an excellent job of introducing us to the newer cast of players that will be featured later. Loyal Titan fans will also be excited to see some of the older character updates as well.

View all my reviews

The One I Didn't See Coming by Piper Rayne ~ New Release & Review



The One I Didn't See Coming by Piper Rayne is now live! 


It’s the classic story—girl returns to her hometown only to end up moving in with her high school crush, who she hates.


Returning to Willowbrook was my only option after Chicago chewed me up and spit me out. Technically, it wasn’t Chicago’s fault. It was his fault—the man I thought I knew who turned out to be a liar.


My older sister, always the one to swoop in and fix things, secured me a job as a yoga instructor on her fiancé’s family ranch. As my self-assigned protector, she’s keeping one eye on me and one eye on Emmett Noughton, her fiancé’s brother.


He’s the charming, fun-loving, take-life-as-it-comes kind of guy, and once upon a time, his name was scribbled in my notebooks. Back then, I was invisible to him. Now, he’s looking at me like I’m the only thing in the room. But he lost his chance with me a long time ago.


It’s easy to keep him at arm’s length and nurse the grudge I’ve held onto for years. Until the house I’m staying in sells, and I have nowhere to go except his house. Now, resisting him isn’t just difficult—it’s impossible.



  Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!


https://books2read.com/toidsc  


Audio Narrated by: Jason Clarke & Ava Erickson


Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3vD4DbL



Meet Piper Rayne



Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write "heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle" about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they're married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they're both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!

 

Connect with Piper Rayne


Website: www.PiperRayne.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PiperRayneRocks

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorpiperrayne

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/piper-rayne

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorpiperrayne/_created/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PiperRayne?ref=shop_sugg

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/PiperRayne

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@authorpiperrayne



Elizabeth's Review


3.5 stars - Above Average Read

Review Copy Provided by Author


I’m struggling a little with this review.
On one hand, I enjoyed Emmett and Briar’s story. It’s a solid addition to the Plain Daisy Ranch family. I think people should read it, but….

The other hand….
This book very much depends on the first two for back story and some of the”who” for Emmett to make sense.
The switch from “maybe and I don’t hate you” to “I love you” seems fast for me. That may be a personal preference thing, but it seemed to me that something got left on the cutting room floor.
The behavior of Gillian (Briar’s sister) here also doesn’t fully jive with the person we met earlier in the series.

My overall take here is that if you are current on the Plain Daisy series, then dive in and enjoy getting to know the maturing version of Emmett. There are lot of opportunities to see previous main characters and where they are now. We also get to know the extended Plain Daisy family better and I am curious to see who may be next for a story.

View all my reviews