🔖 BLOG TOUR 🔖 The Reluctant Bride by Monica Murphy {REVIEW}

The Reluctant Bride by Monica Murphy

Release Date: April 19th 2022

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

Everyone’s for sale, including me. One moment I’m the forgotten daughter of one of the most wealthy families in the country, and the next I’m the blushing bride in an arranged marriage. My fate is sealed in my wedded union with a complete stranger.

In public, Perry Constantine is the life of the party. Easygoing. Adored. In private, he’s brooding. Dark. Angry. But so am I. It’s a contest of wills to see who will break in the bedroom first, and while I try to remain strong, I find myself craving the very man I swore to hate.

My husband.

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My Review:

Not having read other books by Monica Murphy before, I did not know what to expect before reading The Reluctant Bride. Needless to say, I was impressed with this sizzling dark romance that will hook you from beginning to end. A must-read!

She may have been born into one of the countries most elite families, but for Charlotte Lancaster, she is the forgotten daughter among a household full of sons. Her brothers will carry the Lancaster name and not her. That is what her intimidating and angry father keeps reminding her. While her brothers get to have the freedom that they want, Charlotte is ignored and treated with indifference. So she rebelled, which quickly backfired on her.

It’s now more than ever that Charlotte is under the watchful eye of her father and no way of getting out of the Lancaster compound that is her home. That is until her father comes into her room one day to inform her that she is to be married Perry Constantine and the contract has been signed. At first, Charlotte doesn’t like the idea of being tossed around like an object, but it’s her only hope of getting away from her family. Marrying a complete stranger doesn’t sit well with her, until she meets Perry for the first time and realizes that becoming his wife might not be so bad after all.

For twenty-four-year-old, Perry Constantine, being the second oldest son has had its benefits over the years. He doesn’t have the pressure of running Halcyon, the family business. While Perry is out partying and spending the family fortune. It’s Winston, his older brother who has managed to make the company a billion-dollar success. Perry has worked hard to leave his partying days behind him and work for the family business instead. He wants to prove that he can be trusted and reliable. Until his mother tells that he will be marrying Charlotte Lancaster and there is nothing he can do about it to stop the wedding from happening.

He is furious and irritated that he is being forced into marrying someone that he doesn’t know. According to his mom, his wedding will merge the two families and they will be a force to be reckoned against their enemies, the Morellis. Perry has to convince Charlotte to help him end their engagement. Yet, it’s the minute they meet that he is completely taken by her beauty and wit. But she won’t let him touch her and he knows that she has been hurt in the past. There is something about Charlotte that makes him want to make her his and Perry is willing to break down the walls around her to do just that.

I loved reading The Reluctant Bride, this arrange marriage story really had me invested in the story overall and the characters as well. Their chemistry is undeniable from the start, no matter how much neither of them want to get married to one another. For Perry, it’s unfair that the rest of his siblings got to get married for love while he is about to have a fake relationship. But the more he gets to know Charlotte, he realizes that he wants to protect her at all costs. On the other hand, Charlotte might have it all, but her relationship with her father is not the best. The Lancasters are known to be ruthless and be able to open doors due to their wealth/influence. So marrying her to another powerful family takes her by surprise, since she is often overlooked. But things are not always easy and Charlotte’s past has come back to haunt her and she only hopes that Perry is there for her when he finds out about it. The book does end on a cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to read what happens next! :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating:

About the Author:

Monica Murphy is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both a traditionally published author and an independently published author. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance. She is also USA Today bestselling romance author Karen Erickson.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives with her family in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere, along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she’s not writing, she’s reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She’s a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through many angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

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🔖 REVIEW BLITZ 🔖 Just One Dare by Carly Phillips

Just One Dare by Carly Phillips

Release Date: April 19th 2022 by CP Publishing

Series: The Kingston Family #5

Pages: 284

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

A one night stand with no names exchanged.
Six years later, she comes face to face with her baby’s father again.

Aurora Michaels isn’t the same girl she was that spring night. No longer homeless and living in the back room of a diner where she worked, she’s now a member of the wealthy Kingston family. She has her daughter, a career and has adjusted to her new normal.

Billionaire Nick Dare is a man who takes charge. He runs the hotel arm of the family empire and his life revolves around business and travel. A quick stop at his brother's movie premier has him doing a double take.

The woman who haunts his dreams is there. He’s been given a second chance and is determined to make the most of it.

When he learns about their daughter, Nick becomes a man on a mission. Aurora and their child are his. Even if he has to knock down Aurora’s emotional walls to prove it. 

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My Review:

It only took a one night stand and six years later to change the course of their lives forever. Carly Phillips is back with her fifth book in The Kingston Family Series with Just One Dare. This incredibly emotional and steamy second chance romance will leave you rooting for the characters until the very end.

For Aurora Michaels, getting used to her new life has taken some getting to used to. She is no longer pregnant and homeless, with no idea what the next day would bring. With those closets to her gone, Aurora really thought that she was alone in the world. Until she finds out about a whole new family that claims to be hers. The Kingstons represent immense wealth and prestige in New York. To find out that she is the illegitimate daughter of the deceased patriarch changes Aurora’s life right away.

She can finally give her daughter, Leah, the family she didn’t have. But no matter how much she tries to be there for daughter, it still hurts to know that Leah won’t ever know her dad. Little did she know that by attending her brother’s latest movie premiere would alter her future yet again. Seeing Nick Dare again completely takes her by surprise, but Aurora is aware that he needs to know about his daughter. She is not the same girl that he met when she turned eighteen, yet she is still attracted to the man that he has become. Aurora might try to keep her feelings in check, but Nick has other ideas and that’s to make them his once and for all.

For Nick Dare, being in charge of the hotel side of the family empire keeps him extremely busy and away most of the time. Not having a home base and traveling from one hotel to the next is what his life revolves around. So having a relationship is out of the question, especially when he has a “three dates and you’re out” motto. No one has ever captivated him the way Aurora Micheals did when he met her in Miami six years ago. They had a one night stand and only shared their first names. He hasn’t stopped thinking about her ever since. It would be attending his brother’s movie premiere to finally bump into the woman that got away all those years ago. Yet, there is something different about Aurora and finding out that he is a father makes it even more important to prove to her that they deserve a shot at a forever.

I loved the story as a whole, we’ve been teased with Aurora’s story since the beginning of the series and now that it’s here, it really stands out to me. There is so much more involved than just a secret pregnancy romance, we have the characters’ back stories that had me invested in the book as well. On one side there is Aurora’s story of abandonment and how she has her guard up all the time. It’s taking her time to adjust to being part of a family and now that Nick is back he wants to show her that families will do anything for those that they love the most. They have to work together in order for them to be with one another. I really enjoyed the cameos from the characters from previous books in the series make. Leah is the sweetest and made the story that much more entertaining to read. All in all, I would highly recommend checking out this book. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series! :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating:

Meet Carly Phillips:

NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips gives her readers Alphalicious heroes to swoon for and romance to set your heart on fire. She married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her three crazy dogs: two wheaten terriers and a mutant Havanese, who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram. The author of 50 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters who put up with having a mom as a full time writer. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as a romance club pick and was the first romance on a nationally televised bookclub. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter (below) and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.

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🔖 REVIEW 🔖 Following Maggie by Melanie Moreland

Following Maggie by Melanie Moreland

Release Date: April 7th 2022

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Novella

Let Love Guide You Home - Coming Home series from Melanie Moreland

A snowstorm, an unexpected delay, and a caring stranger are all it takes for Sebastian Ruggers to change the course of his life.

Instead of pushing paper and living a life he dreads, he follows his heart and the girl he meets to a new city.

A different life.

Maggie Andrews is heading back to the only town that ever felt like home.

When she meets Sebastian, somehow she knows, together, they’ll find a life together sweeter than the ones they are leaving behind. She can help him find his future. He can be the person she needs.

They only have to say yes.

Sometimes you discover home isn’t only a location on a map—but the person you share it with.

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My Review:

Following Maggie, Moreland’s latest novella packs a punch as we are taken on a journey where two individuals take a leap of faith on each other and let love guide them home.

The last thing, Maggie Andrews, wants is to be stranded in a snowstorm at the airport on her way home. It’s been too long since she’s been to her small town and doesn’t know what’s waiting for her when she gets there. While the rest of the passengers are contacting their loved ones, Maggie realizes that she doesn’t have anyone to call. Until a restless stranger catches her attention as he is trying to sleep. A strange feeling to comfort him takes over her and the minute the two see one another, Maggie knows that her life is about to change forever. They know that they don’t have a lot of time together, and as they get to know each other, it’s evident that they have a lot in common. But when Maggie finds out about what’s waiting for Sebastian when he gets home, she offers him the opportunity to change the course of his life as well.

I really enjoyed reading Following Maggie, the storyline as a whole as well as the characters are relatable. We have two similar characters about to take two different paths, yet brought together by the storm. They have been through so much already and they’re about to give up their old lives to start over again. Soon, it’s their encounter that ultimately brings them together even though they know that they don’t have much time. Until they discover that starting again side by side might just be what it was meant to be all along. There is so much that happens in the novella that I loved, from their chemistry to their sweet moments. We get all the romance as well as a few surprises that I didn’t see coming at all. I would highly recommend checking out Following Maggie as well as any other book by the author. You won’t regret it! :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating:

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🔖 REVIEW BLITZ 🔖 Only One Forever by Natasha Madison

Only One Forever by Natasha Madison 

Release Date: April 12th 2022

Series: Only One #8

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Sports

From Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY bestselling author Natasha Madison comes a brand new stand-alone sports romance. The eighth installment of the Only One Series. A spin-off from the Something So Series and This is Series

Dylan

My dreams came true when I was adopted at ten.

I was the best on the ice. Living the life of what every kid dreams of.

We’ve been best friends since then. Even when she was the annoying little sister following us around.

I would do anything for her.

It is another family vacation; except this time it feels different. Everything feels different.

Alex

All my memories have Dylan in them. From the first time I fell off my bike, to the time I got my heartbroken for the first time.

He’s always been my protector, but it’s time to let the dream of being his go.

One last family trip, one last goodbye.

Except fate steps in and has other plans.

At the end of the day, you only get one forever. 

Amazon, Apple, Nook, Kobo

My Review:

Natasha Madison delivers her most emotional sports romance yet in Only One Forever, the eighth book in the Only One Series. This is not just a friends to lovers romance, but it’s about all kinds of love and the determination to strive for what we want no matter where we comes from.

At the beginning we are introduced to Dylan Stone, captain of the Montreal hockey team, they are playing to get to the playoffs only to see his team lose right in front of his eyes. Yet another loss for the team that has seen him grow for the last eight years. But it’s the team’s lack of wins that has the owners wanting to revamp the team and give Dylan the hint to move on. Ever since Dylan was adopted at ten years old, it has been his dream to become a professional hockey player and follow on his dad’s footsteps. He was drafted to one of the best teams at the time and gave it his all. But there is a void in his life that he can’t deny and doesn’t know why that is. 

Until his best friend, Alexandra, offers him a chance to get way and that’s how he ends up in Dallas. Little does he know that his life is about to change forever. There is a comforting feeling when Dylan is with Alex, they’ve known each for a very long time. Until he starts seeing her in a new light and the thought of Alex seeing someone else makes Dylan angry and doesn’t know why. It would take a family vacation to put everything on the line, Dylan has to decide if he wants to stay in Dallas for good or move on to another team now that he has fallen for Alex.

For Alexandra Horton moving from New York to Dallas should have felt exciting and new. But she can’t help to feel that something is missing and that could be not having her best friend, Dylan, right next to her. She has seen the news of his latest game and wants to be there to comfort him. Yet, she has put distance between them intentionally hoping to start unloving him. It’s every memory that Alex has growing up is with him by her side, until she realizes that she is in love with her best friend. It’s her mission to put some level of distance between them, but the family vacation changes the course of her life forever. Dylan is determined to win her heart at all coast, but there are a lot more obstacles that they need to go through if they are going to make things work.

I fell in love with Dylan and Alex’s friendship right from the beginning. They know how to cheer one another when things get tough and their story is an emotional rollercoaster as they need to figure out their feelings for one another. They have grown up with each other and their families are close, so for them trying to be in a relationship that may or may not work can cause problems among their families. Until Dylan’s past comes back to haunt him and he realizes just how lucky he is to have had people there for him when he was adopted. He has a chance to fight for what he wants and give someone else the help that he once received. I loved their chemistry and the ending was sweet/romantic. I would highly recommend checking out this book as well as the rest of the series, it won’t disappoint. :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating:

Meet Natasha Madison:

When her nose isn't buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she's in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It's a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn't listen to her...

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🔖 BLOG TOUR 🔖 King of Spades by Alta Hensley {REVIEW}

King of Spades by Alta Hensley

Release Date: April 5th 2022 by Dangerous Press

Series: The Wonderland Trilogy #1

Pages: 216

Genres: Romance, Dark, Contemporary

Nick Hudson has a dangerous reputation.

That's what I need if I'm going to survive.

Desperation makes me seek out a ruthlessly powerful billionaire.

I need protection.

He demands my virtue as payment.

I’m falling into a world of luxury and sin.

With every twist and turn, I need more.

Except this is not a man to love.

This is a man to fear.

His obsession grows. So does the threat, until I'm trapped in a world of depravity. I'll need more than Nick's strength to survive. I'm going to need his heart. 

Amazon, Amazon INTL, Apple, Nook, Kobo, Google Play

My Review:

Not having read any other works by Alta Hensley before, I didn’t know what to expect before reading King of Spades. Needless to say, Hensley has managed to deliver a dark twist to this romance inspired by Alice in Wonderland. A great start to the Wonderland Trilogy!

From the moment Lyriope Bailey walks into the Morelli mansion, she sees that everything around her exudes opulence and power. From afar she can see the Morellis work the room with a confidence and skill that can only be born with. They all represent what she has always desired, including having the Morelli name. Yet as the bastard child of Bryant Morelli, Lyriope doesn’t have the luxury of being part of the family like the rest of her half siblings or having access to the immense family fund. There is curiosity in her for wanting to see her family, but there is someone else that catches her eye at the party.

Nick Hudson is an extremely wealthy and connected man in Bishop’s Landing. There is a mystery to him that attracts Lyriope the minute she sees him. It’s his dangerous reputation that is known in the underbelly of the dark world and Lyriope wants access to his private club, Wonderland. It’s when her life is at risk that she turns to Nick for help. But there is a price for everything when it comes to Nick and he wants her virtue as payment. Lyriope doesn’t realize just how much her life is about to change the minute she signs the contract that will bind her to Nick in every way. As she gets to know the other side of Nick that people don’t get to see, Lyriope finds herself falling for him and his twisted world.

I loved all the Alice in Wonderland references throughout the book! Nick is a villain with a past that has made him who he is, but underneath the persona he portrays there is a kind and protective man that wants to keep Lyriope safe. It’s his job to know everything about everyone in his world and he is the perfect person Lyriope could have asked for help. On the other hand, Lyriope knows exactly what she wants and she is not afraid of some darkness whatsoever. If anything, she is more drawn to it than anything else. But there is an even bigger darkness that wants her and she needs to find out why. This book does end with a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read the next book in the trilogy! I would highly recommend checking it out if you love a dark steamy romance with a twist. :) 

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating:

About the Author:

Alta Hensley is a USA TODAY bestselling author of hot, dark and dirty romance. She is also an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author.

Being a multi-published author in the romance genre, Alta is known for her dark, gritty alpha heroes, sometimes sweet love stories, hot eroticism, and engaging tales of the constant struggle between dominance and submission. 

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🌟 BOOK BLITZ 🌟 Hollywood Games by Evie Alexander {GIVEAWAY!}

Hollywood Games by Evie Alexander

Release Date: April 4th 2022 by Emlin Press

Series: Kinloch #2

Pages: 238

Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Brace yourself Scotland, Hollywood’s coming…

Rory’s found the love of his life but can he be sure Zoe feels the same? What can he offer her when his job’s on the line, and his mother’s out to destroy her? When Hollywood superstar, Brad Bauer, shows up wanting to film Braveheart 2 at Kinloch castle, it seems like the answer to all his prayers. However, there’s a catch.

Zoe’s had a crush on Brad since she was a teen. Now he’s here, hotter than ever, and convinced he was married to her in a past life. As Hollywood descends on the tiny village of Kinloch, it’s not just the castle that’s under siege.

A mystical holy man, a sexy starlet, an intense megastar and a couple pushed to the edge. Can Rory navigate the glitter storm and keep his eye on the prize, or by saving the estate, is he about to lose the best thing that’s ever happened to him?

Hollywood Games is a steamy, love conquers all, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, with no cheating, no cliff-hanger, and a guaranteed happy ever after (HEA). It can be read as a standalone but is most enjoyed after reading Highland Games.

When Hollywood meets the Highlands, things will never be the same again...

Amazon

AUTHOR BIO:

Evie Alexander is the author of sexy romantic comedies with a very British sense of humour. She takes a method approach to her work, believing her capacity to repeatedly fail at life and love is what has given her such a rich supply of material for her writing.

Her interests include reading, eating, saving the world, and fantasising about people who only exist between the pages of her books. She lives in the West country with her family.

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🔖 REVIEW 🔖 Breaking the Speed Limit by Melanie Moreland

Breaking the Speed Limit by Melanie Moreland

Release Date: March 31st 2022 by Moreland Books Inc

Series: Reynold's Restorations #2

Pages: 345

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

Single, but unsettled, Stefano Borelli, spends his days creating masterpieces loved by his clients. Surrounded by family and friends, his loneliness still plagues him.

Until she bursts into his life. A stubborn woman with too much baggage, too much to say, and a child in tow.

Far too much trouble.

Except, he likes her spark. The way she refuses to listen. How beautiful she is with her son. How right she feels in his arms.

The way she makes him feel whole.

Can he convince her to give love a second chance?

Book set in Reynolds Restoration world.

Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, Amazon AU, BookBub, BingeBooks

My Review:

As the second book in the Reynold’s Restorations Series, Breaking the Speed Limit by Melanie Moreland is a heartwarming and sweet romance that will leave you wanting for more.

At the beginning of the story we get to meet, Stefano Borelli, a carefree bachelor who isn’t looking for a relationship, until one day on his way home he comes across a woman that would change his life forever. She has a flat tire and refuses his help at every turn. But there is a spark in her that Stefano is drawn to right away. She leaves and he thinks that he might not see her again. Stefano doesn’t chase after women, but he can’t stop thinking about the beautiful stranger. So when she shows up where he works at Reynolds & Co. Restorations and Repairs, he knows that he can’t let her walk away a second time. Yet, no matter how hard he tries to get Gabby to give them a chance, he can sense that she has been hurt in the past. It’s the very same past that comes back unexpectedly that has Stefano ready to protect what it already dear to him. He just needs to convince Gabby that they might just be it for each other before it’s too late.

As a single mother, living paycheck to paycheck is a struggle for Gabby and her son, Theo. She wishes she had enough money to keep him safe and not be looking over her shoulder constantly. It’s the fear of her past coming back to haunt her that has her afraid of the future, until she meets Stefano Borelli. There is an intense attraction toward each other the minute they meet and no matter where she is, he always seems to be there ready to have her back. It’s for the first time that Gabby starts to feel safe again and really wants to let Stefano into her life. He shows her the family and the friendships that she can have and he is determined to make her his.

I throughly enjoyed reading Breaking the Speed Limit! Talk about first impressions and how the characters first meet, it was sizzling! That’s what kept me reading, their banter and insane chemistry is what kept pulling them closer. It only takes one interaction between them for Stefano to know exactly what he wants and will not stop until Gabby gives them a shot. Whereas for Gabby, she feels the pull yet she is afraid of rushing into anything that could put them all at risk of her past. She is able to lean on her new friends and Stefano’s family. His mom is extremely kind and we get to find out more about her and Stefano’s dad. Is being able to fully trust those around her that puts Gabby at ease and she lets herself be loved by Stefano. It gives her the strength to confront her past at the end. Stefano’s relationship with Theo was sweet and caring. All in all, if you are looking for a second chance romance featuring a really overprotective, kind and swoon worthy Italian then I would highly recommend checking out the book. :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating:

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