Pieces by T. Aleo ~ New Release and Review

In New York City, an underground society of supernatural beings exists, hidden among everyday humans. They don’t know of our activities or any of our secrets. The districts of the Works are made up of vampires, wolves, shifters, witches, and I’m in the fifth and arguably most important district, the Patchwork. My father is the leader of our group, and he oversees all of the other factions. 

 As his only daughter, that makes me the princess of it all. Cool, right? Actually…no. Sure, I live in a mansion and money isn’t an object, but that doesn’t matter because I can’t leave. I have a guard who follows me around 24/7. My father and three older brothers treat me like I’m a fragile piece of glass, never allowed to take an independent step or make any decisions on my own. It’s beyond frustrating—especially since my father essentially runs my life. 

 He says what I do, when I do it, how I do it, and all that jazz. He tests his formulas and new techniques on me. I’m a walking science experiment. 

 I hate it. 

 I hate my life here. 

 But then he comes along: Killian. He’s just some vampire…or so I thought. But you’ll have to read my story to find out what I mean. To know my secrets. Until then, though, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rebecca von Stein. And I’m a descendant of Dr. Frankenstein. 

 Welcome to the Works. 

 Amazon ~ Goodreads

Elizabeth's Review

3.5 Stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Author

Ms. Aleo is an author whose work I always enjoy. Since Pieces is in a very different genre than her previously published work, I tried to go into reading this as if she were a new author to me.

In Pieces, not only does Ms. Aleo create characters that are interesting and entertaining, she also creates a whole new world for us to explore. We meet the descendants of Dr. Frankenstein, the Von Stein family, who are the ruler of an under ground world that encompasses all of the creatures that go bump in the night. Our heroine, Rebekah, is the mortal daughter of the immortal Von Steins and she chafes at the bounds placed on her life.

Most of Pieces focuses on Rebekah and her struggle to find her place in her family, but we also see some of the struggles her brothers are facing, and the fraying of the fabric that is the world her father created.

I waffled between this being a 3.5 star and 4 star book. I enjoyed it and feel like it is a great launch of a new literary world that will be fun to explore, but I didn't love it. As interesting as Rebekah and her brothers were, I struggled a little with connecting to Rebekah emotionally. Granted, she is only 19 years old, but there were times when she acted just like the spoiled brat she was accused of being.
The ending of Pieces left me curious about where the Patchworks world will be going next, so I will definitely be back! Ms. Aleo should be applauded for taking her talents and branching out to give us a new world to enjoy.


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In Pieces ~ T. Aleo ~ NEW RELEASE

Introducing Toni Aleo's highly anticipated debut Paranormal Romance novel, PIECES. This radiant, powerful + magical love story takes you into a new world where anything is possible; where an underground society in NYC will make you question everything you thought you ever knew.

Dare to venture into... THE WORKS.

NOW AVAILABLE

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Overview

In New York City, an underground society of supernatural beings exists, hidden among everyday humans. They don't know of our activities or any of our secrets.

The districts of the Works are made up of vampires, wolves, shifters, witches, and I'm in the fifth and arguably most important district, the Patchwork. My father is the leader of our group, and he oversees all of the other factions.

As his only daughter, that makes me the princess of it all. Cool, right? Actually...no. Sure, I live in a mansion and money isn't an object, but that doesn't matter because I can't leave. I have a guard who follows me around 24/7. My father and three older brothers treat me like I'm a fragile piece of glass, never allowed to take an independent step or make any decisions on my own. It's beyond frustrating--especially since my father essentially runs my life. He says what I do, when I do it, how I do it, and all that jazz. He tests his formulas and new techniques on me. I'm a walking science experiment. I hate it. I hate my life here.

But then he comes along: Killian. He's just some vampire...or so I thought.

But you'll have to read my story to find out what I mean. To know my secrets. Until then, though, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rebekah von Stein. And I'm a descendant of Dr. Frankenstein.

Welcome to the Works.

BOOK COVER PHOTOGRAPHY + DESIGN || REGINA WAMBA

EDITING || LISA A. HOLLETT

MARKETING + DESIGN + SOCIAL MEDIA || KELLIE GUNDERMAN

 

Reviews

 

"Wow! Toni Aleo is the queen of hockey romance but now she writes paranormal flawlessly. Is there anything she can’t write? I think not. She weaved this new world of witches, wolves, vampires and Dr. Frankenstein’s descendants, that had me hooked from the very first page. It was a fresh new story that I devoured in one sitting. This story was filled with suspense, mystery and romance. It had me on edge wanting, no, needing to know what would happen next." - GoodReads Review \\ Jill M \\ Embrace The Romance

 

"Okay, so what the hell? I didn't see that coming. I mean, really, the queen of hockey writing about vampires, werewolves and Dr. Frankenstein's descendants? Let me be a little sceptical. And after I read it, let me apologize for it. This book was a fresh wave. I devoured it. It took me only one night to finish it because this story didn't let me go. I'm sitting here trying to put together the pieces - not funny - but I can't. I want to read more books like this one. Just keep it up, Toni!" - GoodReads Review \\ Becca

 

"I loved this book it was phenomenal.I could not put it down for anything. I help my breath for most of it and still didn't fully exhale when it was over! The end was left with a bit of a cliffhanger and it has me wanted so much more!" - GoodReads Review \\ Ash \\ Morning Books and Coffee

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Pieces ~ T. Aleo ~ Cover Reveal

Cover Reveal

PIECES

By Toni Aleo | Writing As T.Aleo

   

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY + DESIGN || REGINA WAMBA

EDITOR + PR || LISA HOLLETT

BLOG TOUR + MARKETING || KELLIE GUNDERMAN

 

 

In New York City, an underground society of supernatural beings exists, hidden among everyday humans. They don’t know of our activities or any of our secrets.

The districts of the Works are made up of vampires, wolves, shifters, witches, and I’m in the fifth and arguably most important district, the Patchwork. My father is the leader of our group, and he oversees all of the other factions.

As his only daughter, that makes me the princess of it all. Cool, right? Actually…no. Sure, I live in a mansion and money isn’t an object, but that doesn’t matter because I can’t leave. I have a guard who follows me around 24/7. My father and three older brothers treat me like I’m a fragile piece of glass, never allowed to take an independent step or make any decisions on my own.

It’s beyond frustrating—especially since my father essentially runs my life. He says what I do, when I do it, how I do it, and all that jazz. He tests his formulas and new techniques on me. I’m a walking science experiment.

I hate it.

I hate my life here.

But then he comes along: Killian.

He’s just some vampire…or so I thought.

But you’ll have to read my story to find out what I mean. To know my secrets. Until then, though, allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Rebecca von Stein.

And I’m a descendant of Dr. Frankenstein.

Welcome to the Works.

 

 

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Rushing the Goal~ Toni Aleo ~ NEW RELEASE & REVIEW

 

INTRODUCING

RUSHING THE GOALIntroduced in Toni Aleo’s Bellevue Bullies Series, it’s the Sinclair brothers’ big sister’s turn to find love in the next installment of the New York Times and USA Today best-selling series, the Assassins.

 

Lucy Sinclair was no stranger to pain.

She grew up with three younger brothers, met a bad boy, got pregnant by him, married him, and then suffered through a nasty divorce from him. Pain. That was pain. To top it off, she even had to go through the heartbreaking divorce of her parents. Through it all, she survived. All she cared about was making sure her daughter was happy and taken care of. Despite an ex-husband hell-bent on ruining her life, she fought to overcome. She’s gotten to the point that she’s okay with being just okay. She never cared about herself because she never had the time. It was Angie and only Angie she focused on, but that all changed when Benji Paxton offered to help her daughter on the ice.

 

Benji knew the moment he saw Lucy, he’d never be the same. Especially when she came with the bundle of crazy that was her daughter. His heart wasn’t ready for them. After years spent sobering up and finding who he was without the alcohol, he never forgot he was being punished for not appreciating the love he had when he was younger. Because of his past, he had gotten used to being alone, a recluse, but even he had to admit it was getting old. He was lonely. Hockey wasn’t enough anymore. He wanted a family; he wanted his true love, and Lucy and Angie were just that.

   

Benji and Lucy were just two lost souls. Floating through life with no purpose. But finding each other gave them direction, a chance at a future.

 

Purchase Rushing The Goal

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COVER PHOTOGRAPHY || SARA EIREW 

 

COVER DESIGN || REGINA WAMBA

 

EDITING || LISA A. HOLLETT

 

MARKETING ||  KELLIE GUNDERMAN

 

This book is for any single mom who wants to give up.

Just keep being a great mom. And take care of yourself.

Your prince is coming.

Elizabeth's Review

4 stars – Would Recommend to a friend 

Review Copy Provided by Author

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again that Ms. Aleo is one of my go to authors and she lived up to that with Rushing the Goal. The book combines the fantastic Assassins series with the super fun Sinclair family that we met in the Bellevue Bullies books.

Rushing the Goal follows Benji Paxton, who we met in Overtime as Jordie’s sober teammate/roommate, and Lucy Sinclair, sister to the Bellevue boys. These two meet when Benji is helping the pee wee hockey team Lucy’s daughter plays for and the sparks fly.

I liked Benji when I met him in Overtime, but fell in love with him in this story. He’s a great character and it’s impossible not to root for him when you know his history and what he’s overcome. It was fun to watch Benji pursue Lucy and then later to watch him manage her when life tried to get the best of them. What really hooked me though was watching how Benji treated Lucy’s daughter, Angie. Kids are fantastic readers of people and seeing them together was the cherry on a sundae.

I wasn’t as sure about Lucy being Benji’s love interest. I’ve only had the chance to read one of the Bellevue Bullies books, but in that reading I wasn’t sure if I liked her. In getting to know her here, it was hard not to be impressed with her and the challenges she’s overcome to be where she is now.

Together, Benji and Lucy are great. In terms of recovering from hard histories, they were in different places in their lives and that colors how they approach their budding relationship. Ms. Aleo does a wonderful job of incorporating their histories and issues without making things over-the-top dramatic. Rushing the Goal is part of the long running Assassins series, but could easily be enjoyed by readers who are new to Ms. Aleo’s work. The supporting cast is on the larger side, but the key players are introduced well enough that a new reader wouldn’t feel lost. Long time followers will be glad to see old favorites appear, even if it’s briefly, to catch up on where they are now. This was a great read and has me looking forward to where the Assassins series will be going next.

Overtime (Assassins #7) ~ Toni Aleo

Down and out with an injury keeping him away from the game, Assassins’ defenseman Jordie Thomas lives for the blades of his skates on the ice and the feeling of oblivion off it. With no choice but to heal, he’s forced away from the sport that runs through his veins. With everything at stake and darkness setting in, he quickly finds himself spiraling even further out of control. As his life begins to come crashing down around him and his contract with the Nashville Assassins on the line, he’s given an ultimatum. Ready or not, Jordie is forced to face his past, the fears that consume him, and the one woman he let walk away. 

Kacey King had her professional dreams come true, yet her heart was battered and broken. With an Olympic gold medal around her neck, she’s ready to look forward to the future but without the one man she wanted in it. She’s missing the key pieces of her heart she left months ago with the only person who was capable of destroying it, causing her to falter in all her plans to move on. 

In the game of life, there are winners and losers, and neither Jordie nor Kacey want to be on the losing bench. If only Jordie could convince Kacey he’s a changed man and that he wants her right by his side as his MVP for the biggest and best parts of a life they build together. With emotions running high and the game on the line, can two proud people find happiness with each other, or will their hearts and souls be left in the cold? Will they see that sometimes having someone by your side who knows the good, bad, and broken is better than going it alone and losing everything through the back of the net? They are out of time on the game clock and fighting for the win of their lives. 

But overtime was made for an Assassin like Jordie.

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Elizabeth's Review

4 Stars - Would Recommend to a Friend

Toni Aleo is an auto read author for me - her books are always fun, sexy, and at least one of her characters is usually just a little bit of a mess (sometimes both). The mess factor makes it easier to relate to these amazingly hot hockey players and their equally hot better halves.

Overtime, focusing on Jordie, is probably the most emotional of Ms. Aleo's books that I have read. Jordie is a hot mess and initially he is almost hard to like as he struggles to deal with the issues that he claims he doesn't have. The family atmosphere behind the Assassins team pushes Jordie to getting help and once he gets the kick in the pants that he needs, it becomes easy to root for him.

Kacey, Jordie's love interest, is interesting, but I had a little bit of a hard time connecting with her. She's an incredibly accomplished woman with a great family, but sometimes comes across as whining. Even though I struggled with liking Kacey at times, I wanted her back with Jordie because it was what he wanted and he had made so many strides to improve himself.

I appreciated the in-depth picture that Ms. Aleo painted of Jordie's recovery process and the fantastic support network that he needed to heal and become a better man.

Rushing The Goal ~ Toni Aleo ~ Cover Reveal

RUSHING THE GOAL

COVER REVEAL

 

SYPNOSIS

Introduced in Toni Aleo’s Bellevue Bullies Series, it’s the Sinclair brothers’ big sister’s turn to find love in the next installment of the New York Times and USA Today best-selling series, the Assassins.

Lucy Sinclair was no stranger to pain.

She grew up with three younger brothers, met a bad boy, got pregnant by him, married him, and then suffered through a nasty divorce from him. Pain. That was pain. To top it off, she even had to go through the heartbreaking divorce of her parents. Through it all, she survived. All she cared about was making sure her daughter was happy and taken care of. Despite an ex-husband hell-bent on ruining her life, she fought to overcome. She’s gotten to the point that she’s okay with being just okay. She never cared about herself because she never had the time. It was Angie and only Angie she focused on, but that all changed when Benji Paxton offered to help her daughter on the ice.

Benji knew the moment he saw Lucy, he’d never be the same. Especially when she came with the bundle of crazy that was her daughter. His heart wasn’t ready for them. After years spent sobering up and finding who he was without the alcohol, he never forgot he was being punished for not appreciating the love he had when he was younger. Because of his past, he had gotten used to being alone, a recluse, but even he had to admit it was getting old. He was lonely. Hockey wasn’t enough anymore. He wanted a family; he wanted his true love.

And Lucy and Angie were just that.

They were just two lost souls.

Floating through life with no purpose.

But finding each other gave them direction, a chance at a future.

And had them both Rushing the Goal to be together.

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** Due to the problems I have experienced with the Barnes + Noble Preorder system for my last two books, I will not be offering preorders with them for Rushing The Goal. I appreciate your understanding. -Toni

Hooked By Love ~ Toni Aleo ~ NEW RELEASE and REVIEW

Hooked By Love is finally here!

But to understand the end - you must first start from the beginning...

*** *** *** *** *** *** ***

BOARDED BY LOVE

(Bellevue Bullies #1)

Jude Sinclair here, hockey player for the Bellevue Bullies and lover of all ladies. Hockey’s in my blood, and not to sound full of myself, but I’m good at it…really good. The draft is within my reach—it’s mine to take—but that’s not the only reason people know my name. They know me because of my way with women. They know the score, and I aim to please. I just tend to stay away from repeat performances. In other words, I don’t do relationships beyond my family and friends. I’m happy with life. However, I should warn you that my story and how I see it playing out is about to change due to a certain redhead on campus.

She’s beautiful. Stunning. Breathtaking.

She’s my game changer.

*** He’s trouble from the moment I see him. I don’t know what I’m thinking, but from the moment I meet his gaze, I’m his. It’s a scary feeling.

I’ve never trusted anyone outside my aunt and uncle—and even that took months. I didn’t have it easy growing up. My mom was usually strung out, and she didn’t give me a second thought. Drugs and the men who paid her were more important to her. It was horrible, but I’m stronger today. Because of my past, security is what I need most. Money assures me that I can take care of myself today, tomorrow, and next month. I don’t want to ever be hungry or go without again, so I work hard for every penny.

Oh, by the way, I’m Claire Anderson. I’m a hard-studying sophomore at the University of Bellevue, dancer for the school dance team, and a burlesque dancer at a club, but that’s my secret.

You may think you know how our story ends, but you have no clue. It’s not easy falling in love… or living happily ever after. At first it may seem so, but when is anything worth having ever won without a fight?

Especially when you’re boarded by love.

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*** *** *** *** *** *** ***

CLIPPED BY LOVE

(Bellevue Bullies #2)

Things are heating up for the Sinclair boys! With one already in the NHL, Jayden Sinclair is hoping to be next!

This has been the toughest year of my life. I watched my brother go into the draft without me, my mom got divorced, and the weight of my family’s issues is heavy on my shoulders. I feel like it’s my job to fix everything while working my butt off in school and trying to make my game better. I have to go into the draft. It will give my family the support they need, and it will prove that I’m good enough. But to get there, I have to show I can be the best captain for the Bellevue Bullies. The spot is mine—no one can take it. First though, Jude is making me go on a brother’s weekend. Innocent enough, I guess…until I see her. She’s the biggest competitor I’ve ever faced. Not only for my spot but also my heart. It’s hard to ignore someone like Baylor Moore.

***

I don’t lose. I can’t. My dad has bred me to be the best in anything I do. I am driven, I am smart, and I am going to be the first woman in the National Hockey League. No two ways about it. I’ve worked too hard. I’ve been through too much not to have what I want. I know I can do it. I will make my dad proud, and no one will stand in the way of that. That is, until I let him in. He scares me. He makes me feel. And he could very well be the one person who can make me want more than just to win.

We both have the same goal. Victory. But how do you compete against the person you want to win? It’s not easy. Love isn’t something you can control. It isn’t like a puck that can be handled by a stick.

No, it has a mind of its own and does what it wants. Neither of us saw it coming, and we really don’t know if there is a way to score, especially when you’re being Clipped by Love.

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*** *** *** *** *** *** ***

 

*** *** *** *** *** *** ***

And now... I am proud to FINALLY introduce you all to:

HOOKED BY LOVE

(Bellevue Bullies #3)

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY || SARA EIREW

COVER DESIGN || REGINA WAMBA

Things are out of control for the Sinclair boys! With two already in the NHL, Jace Sinclair is ready to follow in his brothers’ HUGE skates in the last Bellevue Bullies novel…

Jace Sinclair here, and I’m amazing. There is no other way to describe me. I am the leading scorer for the Bellevue Bullies, I’m the captain, and people love me: my family, my teammates, my coach, and the NHL. This is my last year in college–I already have one foot in the draft. Hockey keeps me warm even when it’s freezing. It’s always there when nothing else is. And it pushes me to be the best I can be. It’s my one and only love.

That is, until I see her against a tree with a guitar.

Avery.

The last thing I wanted was to meet anyone. My heart is on the bench because of what happened with my parents, and I don’t want that for myself. I don’t want to be hurt by anyone. I can’t give them that power.

But my heart is begging for ice time, and I can’t control it around her.

* * *

I’ve always been in the background. No one has ever had time for me and that’s fine; I’ve learned to cope. Coming from a family where hockey is life, the last thing I want is some big, burly hockey player charging at me. I don’t have time for it, but Jace Sinclair isn’t one to be deked around.

I didn’t want to meet anyone. I didn’t want to end up freezing the puck with him. It’s not what I want.

I have demons.

I have issues.

Living in the shadows, no one even knew until it was too late. But Jace wants to know. He wants me.

And that scares me the living hell out of me.

We were so worried about what would happen if we fell, but we never thought what could happen in the process of falling. We never saw it coming. But it’s here, and the repercussions are not pretty.

We should have known that there is no way out of the zone when you are being Hooked by Love.

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Elizabeth's Review

4 Stars - Would Recommend to a Friend

Review Copy Provided by Author

I have to admit that I am a fan of Toni Aleo's Assassin series, but this is the first chance I've had to read one of the Bellevue Bullies books. I was a little worried about coming in on the third book of the series, but it wasn't an issue at all - this works great as a stand alone book.

I enjoyed Jace and Avery as a couple and their "love at first sight" story. Jace's sense of humor and devotion to his family were awesome. I loved (a could relate to) the sense of empowerment Avery had for going off on her own to try for her dream. Neither character is perfect and they openly acknowledge their flaws and issues. But, there were times when I struggled a little bit with the believability of their relationship - especially since they were both so young. Jace frequently came across as too good to be true. Avery's history with her family and health caused her to keep things from Jace, which made sense, the sheer number of times it happened seemed to be drama for the sake of drama and detracted from the story for me.

As expected, Hooked on Love is well written and includes great family and friend relationships as well as the romantic relationship between Jace and Avery. People who have read the prior Bellevue books will be glad to know that Jude and Jayden make several appearances in the books so you can get caught up on them. Overall, a fun book that I enjoyed and I am looking forward to going back to read the prior books in the series.

 

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