E-Reading After Midnight

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Review Round Up ~ January 26

New or Newer Releases:

Million-Dollar Mix-Up: A twin switch, snowbound romance by Jessica Lemmon

3.5 stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Author

This was a fun, sweet read.

Based on how things started, I expected Max and Kendall to have a bit of an enemies to lovers interaction, but both characters are just too nice for that to happen.

I enjoyed getting to see Kendall and Max get to know each other. The semi isolated setting was perfect for the real people to shine through and I found myself rooting for them to find a way to have a happy ending.

There are a couple of twists to the story that were unexpected and that kept things from being trite. We see a few tidbits from Max’s brother Issac that have me curious about his story and I hope to see that soon!

Amazon

TBR Reads:

Western Waves by Brittainy C. Cherry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars - One of the Best

Review Copy Purchased

My first 5 star read of 2022.
I do have to say that this book wasn’t exactly what I expected based on the blurb.I was expecting something dark and instead found a story that was hopeful and sweet.

Damian and Stella are both interesting characters that come together in an unexpected way. It was fun to watch their initial interactions and the evolution of their relationship. I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say that I appreciated how these characters were the balance to what the other needed and they helped each other grow.
There are important messages here about self esteem, self care, and learning what internal messages to give importance too.

The one thing that this book doesn’t touch on, but I am incredibly curious about, is how Damian ended up in the foster care system to begin with. Based on flashbacks and ages, I have guesses, but would have loved to know the real story.

Western Waves is the third book in the Compass series, I have not read the first two books, but that did not hinder my enjoyment here at all. I am curious about the other books in the series- mainly because I enjoyed this one so much!

Amazon

The Segonian by Dianne Duvall

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

Review Copy Purchased

This was an entertaining, semi light hearted follow up to the Lasaran. This picks up almost where The Lasaran left off and tells the story of what happened to Eliana after they were attacked.

The first part of the book has a fairly high tension level smooths out as the action continues. I enjoyed seeing the interactions between Eliana, Dagon, and his crew.

I do wish there had been a little revealed about what happened to some of the other missing women, but I have a feeling those details are in book 3 of the series.

Amazon

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

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Steals and Deals ~ January 25 - 30

Steals:

Blue Midnight (Blue Mountain Series Book 1) by Tess Thompson

Cowboys of Chance Creek Vol 0 - 2 by Cora Seton

Sexy Filthy Boss (White Collar Brothers Book 1) by Piper Rayne

7 Miles High: : A Paradise Series Spinoff Novel (Easy Street Book 1) by Leslie Pike

Royal Firsts: Royal Romance by Nana Malone

Deals:

Never Have I Ever (Always Satisfied Book 2) by Lauren Blakely $.99

Loved You First: A 2-in-1 Collection (Stanislaskis) by Nora Roberts $1.99

Tempting Fate (A Goode Girls Romance Book 4) by Kerrigan Byrne $.99

The Devil Wears Black by L J Shen $1.99

Us After You by Claudia Burgoa $.99

The Friendship List: A Novel by Susan Mallery $2.99

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren $3.99

Handle With Care by Helena Hunting $2.99

Improper (The Phoenix Club Book 1) by Darcy Burke $.99

The Stand by Stephen King $1.99

Other Fun Stuff:

*Prices are accurate at the time of posting, please double check before one clicking. All links belong to E-Reading After Midnight and we may be compensated.

Southern Bombshell by Jessica Peterson ~ New Release & Review

Southern Bombshell by Jessica Peterson is now live!

The Wedding Planner’s Rulebook:

Keep the bride happy.

Keep the wedding party out of trouble.

Never let anyone know you’ve been in love with the groom for years.

I lived by these rules. Until Nate Kingsley.

The Capulets and Montagues have nothing on the Beauregards and Kingsleys. Our families have feuded for centuries, and Nate was always forbidden—which made fooling around with him that much more delicious. But then I fell for him, and he fell off the face of the earth, ghosting me without so much as a goodbye.

Fast-forward two years: as an expert in romance, I’m a wedding planner to the rich and famous. I never expected Nate to show up at my office, least of all with a shiny new fiancée on his arm. She’s got money to burn, and she wants me to plan the most extravagant wedding of my career.

It’s a make-or-break moment for my business. I convince myself I can do Nate’s wedding and keep my feelings for him in check, even if he does look good.

Really, really good.

But when the secrets we buried years ago come to light, what kept us apart suddenly binds us together. Even if my heart belongs to Nate, and his belongs to me, he belongs to someone else. And that’s a rule we absolutely cannot break.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3bxP9Zo

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/SouthernBombshell

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3mxLmSc

Elizabeth's Review

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

Review Copy Provided by Author

Confession time: I had very mixed feelings going into Southern Bombshell. From the blurb we knew that there were forbidden aspects to the story and I was nervous about how those were going to play out - especially since this is a series/family that I have truly enjoyed getting to know.

I should have known that Ms Peterson would deliver a story where our couple got the ending they deserved in a way that allowed them to both be the stand up, quality people we hoped they would be. I am not going to say too much more about what happens with Milly and her love interest because I think you should enjoy the book, and the twists, for yourself. This is a story that pulled me in and had me rooting for everyone to find a truly happy ending.

Southern Bombshell is an excellent way to wrap up the series surrounding the Beauregard family. Not only do we see Milly and her softer side, but we get updates on where her brothers and their significant others are in life. This story had just the right balance on focusing on the principal story and exploring the secondary cast. I will miss this family and look forward to seeing what comes next from the author.

Meet Jessica

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bwTIWSVwEI7n4Oix2I35eOwZo9s0hhJkSUaO3VTkaZthw2q1l-b8ENAmjQQbaO3xwxJ3P9M5iOTKwcBeTSOVOhAg8vXF5t6HkzZ4Q-EFnXVBzSRJ0ZbZT5HKCRwgaiCjPXbzI8RU

Jessica Peterson writes smokin' hot romance set in her favorite cities around the world. She grew up on a steady diet of Mr. Darcy, Edward Cullen, and Jamie Frasier, and it wasn't long before she started writing swoon-worthy heroes of her own. She loves strong coffee, stronger heroines, and heroes with hot accents.

She lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband Ben and her smelly Goldendoodle, Martha Bean. She's hard at work on writing her next favorite sex scene. Stay tuned for exciting news on her next release!

Connect with Jessica

Website: https://www.jessicapeterson.com/

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/JessicaPetersonGR

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KoS0sb

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaPAuthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jessica-peterson

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

View all my reviews

Monday, January 24, 2022

Taste ~ Melanie Harlow ~ Cover Reveal

I’m terrified of falling for him.
But one taste might be all it takes.

TASTE, an all-new enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, surprise pregnancy small town romantic comedy from USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melanie Harlow is coming March 7th, and we have the delicious cover!

The last person on earth I want to be stranded with is Gianni Lupo.

But thanks to the blizzard of the century, I’m trapped in a roadside motel room with that cocky bastard for two straight days.

With one small bed.

Some women might thank Mother Nature for delivering a polar vortex that maroons them with six feet of solid muscle, those deep blue eyes, that sexy grin--but not me. I’ve known Gianni Lupo all my life, and he’s never brought me anything but bad luck and trouble.

So when the tension between us explodes with enough fiery heat to melt my icy defenses, I should have known what the disastrous end result would be--

A big fat plus sign.

After the snow melts, I’m left with more than just memories of the night we spent keeping each other warm. And he might be a rising star on the culinary scene, but he’s got no idea how to handle this bun in the oven.

He says he wants to do the right thing, but I’m not about to spend the rest of my life feeling like someone settled for me.

But just when I think I’ve got Gianni Lupo all figured out, he gives me a taste of the man he could be, of the family we could become, of the way he could love me if I let him.

I’m terrified of falling for him.

But one taste might be all it takes.

Reserve your copy exclusively on Amazon today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JIXsRM
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TasteMH

Add Taste to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3sWbzNO

Cover Designer: Hang Le
Photographer: Michelle Lancaster @lanefotograf
Model: Chase Mattson

About Melanie Harlow

USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she's not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Ted, Lasso, Schitt’s Creek, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.

Melanie is the author of the BELLAMY CREEK series, the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, and the FRENCHED series. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.

Connect with Melanie

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2RPwr51
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NPkYKs
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/36kL7yB
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2NW3UtA
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2sVOz55
Facebook Reader Group: https://bit.ly/3mYzBBo
Stay up to date with new releases and sign up for Melanie’s mailing list: http://bit.ly/2P7MATT
Website: www.melanieharlow.com

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Review Round Up ~ January 18

New or Newer Releases:

How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan

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

Review Copy Received from Publisher via Net Galley

Sophie Sullivan is a new to me author and I picked this book up off of Net Galley based on the blurb and I am glad I did!

Grace and Noah were both interesting characters to get to know. We meet them when both are at a cross roads and after a bumpy start, it was a pleasure to see them navigate new waters together as friends then as more.

Both are people who came to the situation with baggage that colored their reactions. I appreciated that both were willing to seek help/advice from friends on how to move in the directions they wanted to go.
The secondary cast here is interesting and I am curious about several of them. Noah’s brothers play a big part in his story, so I am definitely interested in knowing if they have their own stories to tell.

Amazon

Unforgettable In Love (The Maverick Billionaires, Book 7)

Unforgettable In Love by Bella Andre

3.5 stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Author

This is a solid, entertaining read in the Maverick Billionaire world. Lyssa is the younger sister/foster sister/sister-in-law of the 6 men who have anchored the series so far. In this book we see her come into her own both personally and professionally as she is paired with Cal.

I enjoyed Lyssa and Cal. They had an excellent working relationship that flowed naturally into more. I appreciated the weight that they both gave their differences and the work put in to move past them. The focus on family and maintaining relationships with the larger secondary cast also spoke well of both characters.

The thing that kept this from being a full 4 star read for me - that large secondary cast. This is book 7 in a series and all 6 of the previous main couples make appearances here. At times that can be a bit distracting and keeping track of who belongs to who and what the back story is made it harder to focus on the action related to this book.

If you have followed the series to date, I think you will enjoy seeing Lyssa and getting updates on her brothers. There are also hints in the epilogue that we may not be done with the Mavericks just yet. I am curious to see if the series will continue or if certain secondary characters might launch something new.

Amazon

TBR Reads:

It's You: Book Two by K.P. Kelley

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

Review Copy Purchased

Stop! If you have not read the first book, just stop…. This book picks up right where the first book leaves off, so this won’t make sense unless you have read the first book.

My other disclaimer here is that the 4 star rating is for the two books together and the complete story they tell.

The conclusion of Jack and Darcy’s story is full of push/pull and conflict that honestly flirts with being over the top, but stops just short of crossing that line.

My one frustration with Jack and Darcy (in book 1 and here) is that while they talk to each other a lot, they never seem to listen to each other or really communicate.

Together, the It’s You books weave together an interesting story and had me actively rooting for our main characters to figure things out. I am also curious about some of the backstory hinted at surrounding the town - I definitely wouldn’t say no if the author were to revisit the genre.

Amazon

The Lasaran by Dianne Duvall

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

Review Copy Purchased

Dianne Duvall is an author I have enjoyed before and for some reason drfited away from. The Lasaran has been on my TBR list for a long time and I am so glad that I finally made time for this entertaining read.

This is the first book in a new series, but it definitely intersects with Ms Duvall's Immortal Guardian world. I would strongly suggest that to fully appreciate this book, the reader should have some familiarity with who the Immortal Guardians are.

I enjoyed meeting the characters featured here and returning (at least tangentally) to the Immortal Guardiand I have met and liked before. Reading The Lasaran has spiked my interest in the books I have missed from Ms Duvall and well as the books that are hopefully coming in this series as well.