Author: lizellyn

Collette West – Single

lizellyn Books ,

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REVIEW

Review of Story: I truly enjoyed the story. The story unfolded sweetly like a blooming rose. It was sweet like the scent of rose. It had some intensely difficult part to read like the thorns on a rose bush. I love the baseball backdrop for what amounts to a clean romance with the theme of conquering one’s past, with an added splash of the trials and tribulations of dealing with those with alzheimers’s . Roberta’s past was well constructed. Unlike most history of domestic abuse characters this character included a bit how she dealt with the issue before meeting the love of her life. I liked that there wasn’t anything simple about this character. Luke’s character was a bit more straight forward. I liked the realism that he was a minor league baseball player and not the tallest of the lot. His heart made him a very lovable character.

Review of Audio: Gary Furlong did a nice job of narrating Luke’s character. His voice and delivery seemed to compliment Luke’s easy going character and warm nature. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for Aundrea Mitchell’s audio part for Roberta. The cadence of her voice made it agonizing to listen to her speak. She literally pauses after every grouping of 3 to 4 words. The repetition made it tiring to listen to her chapters.

I always finish every book that I agree to review. This book was difficult to finish because of Aundrea Mitchell’s poor audio part.

LOVED the BOOK; LOATHED the AUDIO

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Underdog Luke “Single” Singleton is yearning to make a comeback. After getting hit in the neck with a pitch—an injury that nearly cost him his life—he has one last chance to play for his hometown team, the Stockton Beavers. But his mom has Alzheimer’s, and he’s all she has to depend on. How can he pursue his career, much less someone special? Personal care aide Roberta Bennett is done dating baseball players. Having had her share of heartbreak, she heads to Stockton hoping for a fresh start. But after she finds Luke’s mom outside, lost, and alone, she can’t refuse when he hires her on the spot. Unbeknownst to Luke, Roberta is all too familiar with the violent tendencies of the pitcher who hit him. Now that they’re living under the same roof, the last thing either of them is looking for is a relationship. But it’s not long before they find themselves drawn to each other. And right when Luke is thinking about finally making a change to his single status, a secret from Roberta’s past emerges with the power to tear them apart.

Giveaway

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Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5440a354946/

Buy Links

Audio

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28262812-single

 
eBook
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1P9v5uu
Giveaway
 
Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5440a354946/
 
Thank You Arc to Collette West!
About the Author
Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball’s biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette‘s impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.
 
Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as manygames as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she’s not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.
 
She is the author of the New York Kings series which includes: NIGHT GAMES, GAME CHANGER, GAME ON, PERFECTGAME, INSIDE GAME and GAME WINNER.
 
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/OetSj
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Collette-West/537935442972229
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Collette_West
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7539982.Collette_West
Narrator Aundrea Mitchell

After receiving her B.S. and MBA Aundrea fell madly in love and decided to start her family. Ten years and five children later she was quickly living the full time wife, mother and household management life. Needing a temporary escape from time to time Aundrea returned back to her first love – reading! After devouring everything she could get her hands on she thought, -what if she could mix her love of performance and literature in a professional capacity? Once getting involved in the world of book narration she quickly became hooked and when not with her family you can find her in her studio working hard to grow in her own storytelling abilities.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/A5Mitchell/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/A5Mitchell

Narrator Gary Furlong
Gary is an up and coming Irish Audiobook narrator and Voice Actor. He has a true flair for accents and dialects and has lived all over the world including Japan, Ireland and Texas. He can make listeners laugh, cry, seethe, think and feel and loves working with authors and writers to bring their message to audio! Gary has over a decade of experience as an actor and improv artist. Do not be fooled by his rugged handsome exterior, on the inside he is even more rugged… too rugged really.  It’s becoming a problem.

Dani René – Between Lust & Tears (Backstage Series Book #2)

lizellyn Books ,

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REVIEW

This is a short book packed with a lot of heat. I’m not usually a fan of short books because I like to have time to get know a character for a while.  This books jumps right in and I couldn’t help but get attached to the characters quickly.

I like how this Rock Star is in his thirties. It makes the story feel more realistic, because he’s reached an age and maturity where he is tamable.

There was suspense element to this book that I wasn’t expecting. It ties in really well to the first book in this series. I love the continuity between the books in this series.

I’m eagerly looking forward to the next in the series.

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HIM

Irresistible. Bad Boy. Manwhore.

That’s what they call him.
But I know better.

You can’t change someone
who doesn’t want to be changed,
but it didn’t stop me trying.

Can I really be the person
to break down those walls?

HER

Innocent. Sweet. Beautiful.

That’s what she is.
I know her better than she knows herself.

You can’t make someone stay,
but you can show them your truth
and let them choose.

Can I ever be enough for her?
Can I be the man worthy of her heart?

*This story is for mature audiences only. Contains explicit scenes intended for adults 18+

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ADD TO GOODREADS

Thank You Arc to Dani René!

Author Bio

Hey darlings,

I am an indie author and freelance graphic designer. I started focusing on writing in January 2015 and after a few fan fiction stories, I decided to publish Ace of Harts it was my first full length novella. On a daily basis I have a few hundred characters, storylines, and ideas floating around in my mind. If I am not on Pinterest or Instagram looking for my next muse, you can find me on Twitter or Facebook. So head on over, I love meeting new readers and authors.

When I am in the cave, I am happiest. If you can’t find me sitting behind my trusty MacBook writing about hot alpha males, I am probably drinking coffee at a coffee shop, or wine tasting one of the few hundred wine farms in my home city of Cape Town, in South Africa.

I have an addiction to reading (who doesn’t?), TV series, music, tattoos, chocolate, and ice cream. I am constantly looking for a new book to get lost in and new book boyfriend to fall in love with. My favorite authors include – M Never, K Webster, KL Kreig, Meghan March, and that’s just to name a few!

Chat soon xo

Author Links

WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / TWITTER

GOODREADS / INSTAGRAM

PINTEREST / NEWSLETTER / AMAZON / TUMBLR
FACEBOOK GROUP / SPOTIFY  /  BOOKBUB

 

Melissa Foster – Tempting Tristan

lizellyn Books , ,

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REVIEW

This is an amazingly sensational (worthy of repeating similar adjectives and adverbs) combination of perspiration inspiring hot romance and perhaps the most heartfelt gay romance I have ever read.  (And, yes – I’ve read a LOT).

The depth of the love between Tristan and Alex is unprecedented.  Their strength and desire to be everything for one another is tear jerkingly tender. They work hard to be what each other deserves.  As they work towards that goal, they win the hearts of readers.

The book is a dual perspective book, where the chapters alternated between Tristan and Alex.  I often found that I forgot who was narrating the chapter. It seemed like their souls meshed into one.

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Tempting Tristan is a stand-alone M/M romance featuring two sexy, lovable alpha heroes.

TRISTAN AND ALEX

Fresh off the heels of yet another bad relationship, Tristan Brewer is taking a break from men to try to figure out where he keeps going wrong. He knows his biggest fault―he leads with his heart, not his head―and that’s never going to change. But after several introspective weeks, he’s beginning to get a handle on things. That is, until badass heartthrob Alex Wells walks into his bar…

Alex has spent eight years in the army, months in a hospital bed, and far too long hiding his sexual identity. He’s guilt-ridden, damaged, pissed off, and up for a Silver Star for the incident that nearly cost him his life―and kept him from his grandmother’s funeral. But all he wants to do is live the life he’s always dreamed of and forget his stint with the institution that allows but doesn’t necessarily accept.

The chemistry between Tristan and Alex ignites from the moment they meet, and the more time they spend together, the hotter the flames burn. But the closer they become, the more Alex’s walls go up, and when the two walk onto a military base, Tristan finds out Alex’s physical scars aren’t the ones that run the deepest.

BUY LINKS

KINDLE US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EZ3ZZIY

NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1123838764?ean=2940158132759

KOBO:

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/tempting-tristan-a-standalone-m-m-romance

GPLAY:

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Melissa_Foster_Tempting_Tristan_A_sexy_standalone?id=5f0VDAAAQBAJ

iBOOKS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/tempting-tristan-sexy-standalone/id1109510535?mt=11

Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Tempting-Tristan-stand-alone-romance-Harborside/dp/1941480519

Thank You Arc to Melissa Foster!

NEWSLETTER:

http://www.melissafoster.com/newsletter

CONNECT WITH MELISSA

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor

TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/Melissa_Foster

WEBSITE:

http://www.MelissaFoster.com

STREET TEAM:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/melissafosterfans

Kelly Jamieson – Top Shelf (Aces Hockey, #3)

lizellyn Books ,

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REVIEW

This is a sincerely thoughtful hockey romance story. It has all the critical elements of a hot hockey romance: sinfully sculpted male, spicy sex scenes, endearing love interest, and a fanatical drive to win games. In addition to all this, this book sets forth a theme about the importance of mental health.

I think this book sets a great message about the need for people to seek help for depression when they need it.  Life can send people some incredible difficult challenges that can put them in a temporary state of depression.  With a little help from professionals, depression can be addresses and conquered. I appreciated the fact that the book stresses that even if a person needs a little help at some point that it doesn’t undo their ability to become strong and independent.

I loved this book, in lieu of the fact that the author downplays the skills of my favorite NHL hockey team.  The heartfelt tension overpowered any irritation I had about choice of hockey teams.

Most of all, I LOVE the TITLE of this book!

This was the first book that I’ve read in Kelly Jamieson’s  Aces Hockey Series. I just added the rest of the books to my TBR.

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Whether it’s a clutch goal or a cocktail, nothing beats “top shelf.” In this novel from the bestselling author of the Heller Brothers Hockey series, a fun-loving jock and an ambitious career woman mix business with pleasure.
 
Not only is Jared Rupp one of the stars of the NHL’s Chicago Aces, he’s also the owner of the Sin Bin, the after-hours hot spot where the whole team hangs out. Lately, Jared can’t take his eyes off the woman he’s hired to give the Bin a more modern feel: a sexy, sophisticated consultant who has carved out a niche updating drink menus. She’s as passionate about her career as Jared is about hockey—and yet he can’t help wondering what kind of cocktail she really wants.

In her line of work, Sidney Frayne is used to guys hitting on her in bars, but Jared gets her hot enough to burst into flames. When he’s wining and dining her, he’s sophisticated as hell; on the rink, he’s a testosterone-fueled powerhouse. Still, Sidney’s bitter divorce taught her to keep her emotions on ice. With her busy schedule—and Jared’s playboy reputation—she’s not sure she’s ready for a fling. Because if she lets Jared into her bed, she just may have to let him into her heart.

BUY AT AMAZON

https://www.amazon.com/Top-Shelf-Aces-Hockey-Novel-ebook/dp/B015BCX0OO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1475757870&sr=8-2&keywords=top+shelf

OTHER GREAT BOOKS THAT I’VE READ BY KELLY JAMIESON:

Kelly Jamieson – How to Love

Kelly Jamieson – Jilted

Kelly Jamieson – Reward of Three

Kelly Jamieson – Rhythm of Three

Kelly Jamieson – Slammed

Kelly Jamieson – Wicked One Night

Kelly Jamieson – With Strings Attached

Thank You Arc to Kelly Jamieson!

Joshua Edward Smith – Duality

lizellyn Books , ,

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REVIEW

If you read the first book in this series, you can understand how it was nearly impossible not to start reading this book. Fortunately, I had the pleasure of not having to wait between finishing book 1 and book 2.

Book 2 continues with a flare of originality. In the sea of many repetitive books, I give a lot of credence to the newness of the material. Also, the heat is turned up a bit higher in book 2.

Following a 10 month time lapse in the story between book 1 and book 2, the relationship between Lisa and Sir takes on a physical relationship.

Sir’s personality or needs (I’m not even quite sure what the proper reference word would be) is not very likable.  That is not intended to be a negative about the book. Hatred for a character makes for a good read sometimes. I admit to having hopes that Sir would eventually redeem himself. I’ll keep that opinion to myself. I will say that I do believe that Sir’s final moments seem to be out of character. I had a difficult time reconciling his final choices.

There is a large cast of characters in this book. I would have liked to have had the chance to know Annie a bit more.

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Lisa and Sir have finally managed to balance their kinky love life with the vanilla world of suburbia. But when Sir starts training a sexy young submissive, the strength of his relationship with Lisa is tested. Could polyamory be the key to maintaining the stability Lisa needs while giving Sir the variety he craves? This captivating sequel to Entropy is a provocative journey through the complex world of physical and virtual sexuality.

Thank You Arc to Joshua Edward Smith!

Joshua Edward Smith – Entropy

lizellyn Books ,

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REVIEW

This book breaks the standard formula for a romance novel. First, the concept of an online romance is uniquely fantastic. To make things more interesting, it is a D/s relationship.  Coincidentally, I had just first heard of the concept of an online D/s relationship a few days before I started reading the book. I felt like I was reading an entirely new genre, which was new and exciting.

The ebb and flow of the developing relationship is less linear than most romance novels.  There are a number of issues that derail or set-back the progression of the relationship.

The depth of Lisa’s feelings grow incrementally throughout the book. The author never seems to make those unexpected leaps that ruins the believability of the book.

I fell in love with Lisa’s character when she starts tweeting from her hospital bed.  (Hey, it’s in the first 20% of the book, which I’ve decided doesn’t count as a real spoiler). Her humor and strength completely endeared me to her.

Sir always says, “Excuse me?” when Lisa says something disrespectful. When I finished the book I screamed, “Excuse me!” Beware of cliffhanger.

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Lisa is adrift—searching for connection on social media to compensate for the absence of love and attention in her marriage. But when a dominant married man entices her to become his online submissive, Lisa’s world starts to collapse around her. Could giving up all control be the secret to finding the serenity she longs to have? Cerebral and erotic, Entropy explores the murky depths of an online affair and how upheaval of the status quo reverberates through a woman’s life and sense of self.

BUY LINK

https://www.amazon.com/Entropy-Joshua-Edward-Smith-ebook/dp/B01442G67A/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1476462156&sr=8-4&keywords=entropy

Thank You Arc to Joshua Edward Smith!

AUTHOR

Joshua Edward Smith was born in Michigan, and now lives with his beautiful wife and three unbelievably awesome children in central Massachusetts. He started writing early, and was a columnist for his college newspaper. He now makes his living as a technology executive, but continues to scratch the writing itch on his blog and on Twitter. “Entropy” is Joshua’s first novel.

Additive Authors: featuring Abbi Glines

lizellyn Bookish

Throw Back Thursday

There’s no denying that I get addicted to certain authors.  Looking at my archive of book reviews, there are certain authors that I’ve blogged about many times.  The books by these authors are consistently enjoyable.  Perhaps you may like these authors as well.  If you’re looking for new authors to read, I highly suggest this addictive author.

FEATURED AUTHOR: Abbi Glines

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Abbi Glines is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, Field Party, and Existence series. She never cooks unless baking during the Christmas holiday counts. She believes in ghosts and has a habit of asking people if their house is haunted before she goes in it. She drinks afternoon tea because she wants to be British but alas she was born in Alabama. When asked how many books she has written she has to stop and count on her fingers. When she’s not locked away writing, she is reading, shopping (major shoe and purse addiction), sneaking off to the movies alone, and listening to the drama in her teenagers lives while making mental notes on the good stuff to use later. Don’t judge.

 

WEBSITE:  http://www.abbiglines.com

LINKS TO RELATED POSTS

Abbi Glines – Rosemary Beach Series

Abbi Glines – Bad For You

Abbi Glines – Hold On Tight

Abbi Glines – Kiro’s Emily

Abbi Glines – Sea Breeze Series

Abbi Glines – Until the End

Abbi Glines – Until Friday Night

Abbi Glines – Up in Flames

Abbi Glines – The Vincent Boys

Abbi Glines – When I’m Gone

Abbi Glines – When You’re Back

Abbi Glines – You Were Mine

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 to Abbi Glines for hours of enjoyment!

 

Cindi Madsen – 12 Steps to Mr. Right

lizellyn Books

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REVIEW

Unlike the ’90s dating book “The Rules” this is a nice clean fictional romance story.  This definitely isn’t some crazy self help book.

Through various characters, there’s a glimpse of how the steps can help some find love, but how a lot of it is left up to interpretation of the steps.  I really liked the emphasis on the combination of respect and chemistry.

The book is filled with a fantastic mix of humor and great friendship. The HEA is sure to please any romance book lover.

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12 steps to finding Mr. Right, composed by dating coach extraordinaire Savannah Gamble

1: Admit to being powerless over your attraction to the wrong type of guy. (Like Lincoln Wells, who broke your heart after an unforgettable one-night stand.)
2: Believe Mr. Right is out there.
3: Take inventory of past mistakes. (See step #1.)
4: Make a list of qualities you want in a man. (Avoid charming baseball players/reason you made these rules in the first place)
5: Take charge of your own life.
6: Learn to love yourself.
7: Sort the hookup guys from the relationship guys. (Avoid a painful brushoff after an amazing night together.)
8: Never, ever settle. (Even if the chemistry is off-the-charts.)
9: Don’t believe you can change a guy. (Once a commitment-phobe, always a commitment-phobe)
10: Communicate your needs.
11: Open your heart & love fully. (Still working on this one…)
12: Don’t ever, ever stray from the steps.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31428210-12-steps-to-mr-right

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Steps-Mr-Right-Cindi-Madsen-ebook/dp/B01LM0F2Y0

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/12-steps-to-mr-right-cindi-madsen/1124511470?ean=9781633757370

Thank You Arc to Cindi Madsen!