Review Tour: Stars Maintain Their Glow

 GENRE: Historical Mystery

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

A mystery – the theft of a precious book. A disappearance without a trace. Three women, three very different destinies, all entwined in time and circumstance.

Maria Eduarda, a mixed-race beauty born into the elite of Portuguese aristocracy, who is reaching adulthood during World War II, in neutral Portugal, in its capital – a melting pot for refugees, the displaced, spies, diplomats and opportunists.

Hertha, born into German farming stock, destined to endure the terrible privations of war as a young child.

Valeria, a child born of a much later generation, who brings the two together.

And a man, Gerald Neale, English diplomat, and spy, devastatingly handsome, fluent in Portuguese but a not-so-nice guy, the shadow behind Eduarda and Hertha.

Stars Maintain Their Glow is the story of two exceptional women whose lives were impacted by social conventions of the time, war and men’s privileges. Their story is gradually revealed through the words of Valeria – her promise to Hertha to complete the book that Hertha felt she could not.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:

Gerald Neale arrived at the Portuguese capital in late June 1940 and was dazzled by the light, the luminous blue of the sky and the warmth of the sun. Young, irreverent, adventurous, and devastatingly handsome Gerald was a bit of a maverick. His father, Frank Neale, had been a cultural attaché to the British embassy in Lisbon for many years. Gerald and his two-year older brother Jonathan were born in Portugal but after their mother’s death, a few months after Gerald’s birth, they moved back to England where their father went to work for the government and never remarried.

Frank and his boys took with them a Portuguese nanny, a young woman with no family who had been raised in a convent but who didn’t feel a call to become a nun. Maria Filomena, her name, was happy to leave her country. She looked after the two boys until they were old enough to go to a prestigious public school in the Sussex Downs. After the boys went away to school, Mena, as they called her, married an English pub owner and moved with her husband to the town of Horsham, south of London in West Sussex, continuing to be in touch with the family. Both Jonathan and Gerald looked at her more like a mother than a nanny, as neither of them could remember their birth mother. With Mena, Gerald learned Portuguese and grew up bilingual. From his father he inherited the passion for old books and rare first editions. Frank owned a valuable, enviable collection of famous authors’ first editions, spanning centuries and different countries.

AUTHOR BIO:

M G da Mota is Margarida Mota-Bull’s pen name for fiction. She is a Portuguese-British novelist with a love for classical music, ballet and opera. Under her real name she also writes reviews of live concerts, CDs, DVDs and books for two classical music magazines on the web: MusicWeb International and Seen and Heard International. She is a member of the UK Society of Authors, speaks four languages and lives in Sussex with her husband. Her website, called flowingprose.com, contains photos and information.

Website

My Review: 

I often would forget that this is not a regency era book. Fortunately, I was constantly reminded of the history aspects of it. The annotations at the bottom of many pages was a nice and helpful touch. This is why I am giving a rating of 5/5.

😊 😊 😊 😊 😊 

GIVEAWAY: 

M G da Mota will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

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VBT: The Earl's Cinderella Countess

 

GENRE: Historical Romance 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 BLURB:

Enjoy this friends-to-lovers romance set in Regency Bath

The one match

She doesn’t want to make…

The Earl of Fleetwood was Eleanor St. Aubin’s first love, but being a mere vicar’s daughter held

her back from admitting her feelings. Now she's a successful matchmaker, and the prospect of

finding Frederick the wealthy wife he needs to settle his inherited debts is a nightmare come

true! But returning from war, Frederick’s facing nightmares of his own. Eleanor feels compelled

to help him, but could she ever be his Cinderella countess?

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

EXCERPT 

Eleanor hesitated. She feared what could happen, how her feelings might escape, if she was

alone with him again.

 “Oh, yes, do,” Penelope urged. “Mary and I shall just chatter on here for a bit, and finish this

wine. You two should go look for the ruins.”

She slowly took Fred’s hand as he offered to help her yo her feet, and blinked as the sun behind

his bright hair dazzled her. They made their way away from the picnic blanket, into the shade of

a narrow pathway that led between trees and flowering shrubs, smelling fresh and sweet in the

warm day. They walked in silence, comfortable, comforting, close together, until they reached a

cliff that looked down on the town between a break in the greenery. It all glowed and

shimmered, just like Fred, just like that moment she had with him.

He seemed to feel it, too, studying the view with a solemn, thoughtful expression on his face. “

‘For whatsoever from one place doth fall, if with the tide unto another brought. For there is

nothing lost, that may be found, if sought.’”

“Such beautiful words of Spenser’s,” she whispered.

“They always make me think of you,” he said, his gaze so very blue and intense as he studied

her. “You are like the fairy queen.”

Eleanor stared up at him, wondering if the sun had dazzled her senses, sent her flying into

another realm. He thought of her as fairy queen. She knew this moment between them, very

still, sparkling, a time out of time, could not last; it would vanish like all dreams. Yet his

compliments, the admiration in his eyes, made her feel so warm and glowing all the way to her

toes.

“Me?” she whispered. “A fairy queen?”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her

friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why

math was not her strongest subject...)

She's never since used algebra, but her books (over 100 so far!) have been nominated for many

awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice

Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She

lives in Santa Fe with two rescue dogs, a wonderful husband, and a very and far too many

books and royal memorabilia collections.

When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs,

and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.

Website

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

INTERVIEW

Did you use any of your own experience as inspiration?

Hello, and thanks so much for hosting me today!! I’m sure I do, though I’ve never lived in Regency Bath

like the characters in “The Earl’s Cinderella Countess,” or in any other time period I’ve loved writing about!

But my experiences with love and dating, with family life, with feeling shy or excited or unhappy, those

definitely come into play with my characters. (And I’ve read “Northanger Abbey” so many times I FEEL

like I’ve been to Regency Bath!)

* On average, how long does the writing process take?

It depends on the story, and on how much I feel like procrastinating at the moment! Usually about 3

months actually writing (more with research)

* If you weren't an author, what other career paths would you have taken?

When I was a kid, I wanted to be an opera singer, until I found out I can’t sing! I also love the idea of

archaeology and interior design

* Out of the characters that you created, who is your favorite?

In this book, I actually loved Mary, the younger sister! She’s everything I wish I could be, full of fun and

outgoing, so I’m happy she’s the heroine of my next book. It’s so hard to pick a favorite ever, but I really

loved Eliza Van Hoeven, the heroine of my book “A Manhattan Heiress in Paris,” who was a musician in

the 1920s

* What advice would you give to someone looking to be a writer?

To read lots and lots! That’s what gave me a love for stories, the spark for creating my own. But I also

got some great advice when I was first starting, BICHOK (backside in chair, hands on keyboard)

* What kind of research (if any) was required for any of your books?

I admit I’m a research junkie! Sometimes (most of the time) it’s hard for me to stop researching and start

writing the story, I love history so much. In this story, I did a lot of reading about the town of Bath in the

Regency period, and what would go into being a matchmaker in a society like this one. (I love “Emma,”

and was inspired by it, but Ella and Mary are much better at this task than Miss Woodhouse!)

*How long after you finish a book do you start another one?

I like to take a break of at least a couple of weeks, more if I can, to refill the creative well a bit and get

caught up on the laundry that’s piled up! I try to set deadlines in order to take a little break…

~~~~~~~~~~~~

REVIEW

It took a couple chapters before I was able to get into the story, but once that happened I couldn't stop reading. I loved the story and even wished I could be Eleanor. From the title, however, I was expecting a more of re-telling of Cinderella.

Rating: 😊😊😊😊 

Blog Tour: Hill Country Promise

 

Meet the Author:

Kit writes sweet contemporary Western romance. She makes her home in south central Texas on her husband’s ancestral farm, where seven generations of his family have lived and loved. When not writing, she can be found sewing, quilting, reupholstering furniture, playing Irish pennywhistle, refinishing old wood, cooking huge amounts of food for the pressure canner, or wrangling various dogs, cats, and people.  

Connect: Site | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

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About the Book:

 

Can a childhood pact …

Lead to forever love?

Best friends Eliana and Luke agreed to marry if she was still single by age twenty-seven. And when her birthday arrived, Luke proposed. At first, everything seemed perfect. A little too perfect. Eliana now realizes she has everything she ever wanted—except Luke’s heart. Can their friendship survive their engagement?

 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | AppleBooks | Google | Kobo

Add to Goodreads

   

My Review

At first both Luke and Eliana seemed to needy. Neither of them could really be clear of what, or who, each of them wanted. This just made the story uninteresting. 

It was only when true feelings were revealed that I was able to enjoy the story.

Rating: 😊😊😊😊

Giveaway:

• Book of Choice (print or eBook) from Kit Hawthorne and Pair of Trinity Knot Earrings

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 Danielle Gorman Virtual Assistant, Author's Pal ​​ Email: authorspal@yahoo.com 

Website: AuthorsPal.com 

 Sign up to become an Author's Pal Tour Host

Review: Seeking Persephone

Title: Seeking Persephone

Author: Sarah M. Eden

Purchased: Amazon/Audible

 blurb and that's what finally made me read the book. It is a  definite marriage - of - convenience story.

In order to prevent his cousin from becoming the next duke of Kielder, Adam decides to marry. He has specific requirements. The lady's family must be in need of money and she shouldn't have the possibility of finding anyone else. Then he finds Persephone. Can a marriage of convenience become something more?

 I liked Adam at the start. The dialogue between him and Jones was extremely entertaining due to Adam's consistent anger.

When the  main male character was broody or distant, the reason wouldn't be revealed untill halfway through the the story. This is the first book I read where the reason is known a lot sooner.

Harry seemed to be the only one who was able to keep Adam grounded. This is the second book I read in which the best friend was a major part of the main male character's life. I would love to read Harry's story next.

Rating: 😊😊😊😊😊

Release Tour: Love Me Ever After

For exes, Mason and Ems, the last thing they expected was to be sharing a home together. Their willpower will be tested in ways neither of them expected, until an unforgettable night of passion brings the two of them back together and changes their lives forever. Readers who love second chance, roommate romances will enjoy Love Me Ever After by Julie Archer, an angsty, accidental pregnancy romance.

He didn’t believe second chances had consequences. Until now.

Sharing a house with his ex was the last thing Mason Miles expected when he came back home. After nearly eighteen months away, he finds himself in the spotlight at work with a career that’s threatening to go stratospheric.

Moving in with Ems was the easy option, although it seems she’s determined to make it hard for him at first - in more ways than one. But he soon realises he can’t let her slip through his fingers again.

For Ems Berry, sharing a house with Mason, more ripped and tattooed than when they were last together, is massively testing her willpower. Until one night of passion in the wrong place at the right time draws them back together.

When he gets a job offer he can’t refuse that will take him away again, can their newly reestablished relationship survive? Especially with the added complication of a baby on the way...

Add to Goodreads!

Excerpt 

Copyright 2021 @Julier Archer 

Luke and Tasha’s suggestion ate at me all day. I had plenty of time to think on the journey for a client meeting, then on the way back. At the same time, I’d browsed the local Ealynn Sands estate agent sites for rental properties. There wasn’t much around unless I wanted a one-roomed studio near the marina for an extortionate price or to spend all my salary on a massive property I’d only use about three rooms in, which I wouldn’t be able to afford either. I would have to bite the bullet and call Sara.

But how would Ems react to me moving in? We hadn’t been in touch since I went to New York. But needs must. I waited until I got back to the station before calling Sara; signal on the last part of the journey was dodgy at the best of times and I didn’t need it cutting out when I was in the middle of this conversation.

Standing by the bus stop, I dialled and waited.

“Hello?” A female voice I thought I recognised answered.

“Hey, is that Sara?”

“Yes…” A note of suspicion crept into her voice, no doubt assuming I was a cold caller about to offer her compensation after an accident.

“It’s Mason. Mason Miles.”

A shriek down the line had me holding the phone away from my ear. “Oh. My. God. Mason!”

“Tasha gave me your number. She’s moving in with Luke and there’s a spare room at yours.” There seemed little point in beating around the bush.

“I never expected you to call me though. What will Ems say?” Sara laughed.

“No idea, haven’t spoken to her in a while.”

“Huh. And don’t I know it.” Sara paused. “It was a bit of a shitty thing to do, Mason.”

“What? Tell her my plans to go on a secondment to further my career, offer her the opportunity to come with me and have her walk out on me? It wasn’t all one-sided, you know.” I don’t know why I felt the need to defend myself, given that all of this had happened eons ago. But I needed a place to live and without Sara’s support, I wouldn’t get a roof over my head.

Sara let out a sigh. “Yeah, you’re right. Anyway, that’s all water under the bridge and I expect you’ve got some hot chick in New York, so there’s no need for Ems to stress.”

I didn’t answer and let her think that was the truth. “About this room?”

“Oh, yes. Look, Ems is working late tonight, why don’t you come around about six and see what you think.”

Suddenly, I had a vision of the future where Ems and I would be taking turns in working late in order to avoid each other. But I needed a place to stay and if that was how it would be, I’d have to deal with it.

About Julie Archer

Author of contemporary romance featuring rock stars, small towns, a healthy dose of angst, some steamy times and always a happy ever after!

When not writing, I can usually be found binge watching teen drama series on Netflix, or supporting Spurs from my armchair, and running around after my two feline children, Corey and Elsa.​

Real Angst. Real Romance.

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This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR

My Review

What attracted me to this book was the blurb. The words "second chance" are used. I am a total sucker for second chance romance stories.

It did take me a few chapters to get into it. Once I did, however, I didn't take too long to finish.

For this genre, this book had a high heat level.

Rating: 😊😊😊😊😊

*** I voluntarily requested to read and review an advanced reader's copy of this book via book funnel.

VBT: Dragon(e) Baby Gone

GENRE: Mystery Fantasy

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BLURB:

Diane Morris is part of the thin line separating a happy, mundane world from all of the horrors of the anomalous. Her federal agency is underfunded, understaffed, and misunderstood, and shed rather transfer to the boring safety of Logistics than remain a field agent. When a troupe of international thieves make off with a pair of dragon eggs, Diane has no choice but to ally with a demon against the forces looking to leave her city a smoldering crater. Facing down rogue wizards, fiery elementals, and crazed gunmen, its a race against time to get the precious cargo back before the dragon wakes up and unleashes hell.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

Modern times gave way to a general idea that reason and logic were enough to stop something from dragging you into the sewers and wearing your skin to protect itself from daylight. Its easy to see why: it doesnt happen to a lot of people, therefore it must not happen. I see it all the time, people who say things like Ive never seen a ghost, so they must not exist.

Oh yeah? Because if spirits did exist, theyd all be tripping over their ghost dicks to haunt you? Do you understand the preternatural forces that conspire, the circumstances that line up, to create any kind of ghost? Let alone one that shows up in your room at night and moans about revenge or betrayal or rattles some chains and teaches you a valuable lesson about being selfish?

Well, theres no such thing as Bigfoot. All those pictures are super blurry and grainy, they say, their voices nasally and snobby, like all the knowledge of the world is pumped directly into their tiny brains through their tiny phones. Go stand out in a remote Colorado forest one night. Turn off your phone, open your eyes and ears, and wait. When you feel those eyes watching, and when you know, deep in that primitive monkey brain, way, way down inside, that theres more than just the animals you have names for sharing that clearing with you, then you can call me to tell me that theres no such thing as Bigfoot.

That is, if you live to turn your phone back on again.

Author:

Robert Gainey is a born and raised Floridian, despite his best efforts. While enrolled at Florida State University and studying English (a language spoken on a small island near Europe), Robert began volunteering for the campus medical response team, opening up a great new passion in his life. Following graduation, he pursued further training through paramedic and firefighting programs, going on to become a full time professional firefighter in the State of Florida. He currently lives and works in Northeast Florida with his wife and dogs, who make sure he gets walked regularly. Robert writes near-fetched fantasy novels inspired by the madness and courage found in everyday events.

Website

My Review

It was the blurb that first attracted me to this book. The main female character is a federal agent. I just think it would be so cool to be an agent of some sort. Based on the blurb, I am expecting use of at least one of the four basic elements.

There was plenty of talk about paranormal and supernatural species. I wouldn't mind having a "cait sith" as a pet.

While I don't know if this book is supposed to be (at least partially) a comedy, there were line that I felt were clever and even funny.

I have enjoyed other books published by The Wild Rose Press. This one was no exception.

Rating: 😀😀😀😀😀

*** I voluntary requested to read and review this book.

Giveaway

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

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Blog Tour: The Restless Cowboy

Title: The Restless Cowboy (Granite Junction Book 2) 

Author: Megan Ryder 

Genre: Small Town Western Romance 

Release Date: April 27, 2021 

Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC. 

Free—from family, duty, and responsibility. 

Cam Miller has spent most of his life bound by choices others made for him. He did what had to be done to provide for his little sister, and he doesn’t regret that. But now, with her off to college, he can finally put ranching behind him and pursue the life he’s always dreamed of... far from Granite Junction. But after one night of passion comes back to haunt him, he fears his hard-won freedom is only temporary . . . 

Independent—from family, relationships, and matters of the heart.

Molly Brennan was living her best life as a rodeo trick rider until a failed marriage forced her from the arena. Now she’s perfectly fine running her own hair salon and raising her daughter solo. She doesn’t need a man, but what could it hurt to indulge in a little no-strings fun with a sexy cowboy? 

When Molly realizes she’s pregnant, she pulls herself up by her bootstraps. She's handled things this far on her own and she can do it again, although she’s finding it isn’t so easy to let Cam go. But Cam’s not the kind of man who shirks responsibility. Finding himself torn between a woman who feels like home and his need to break free, where will Cam’s heart lead him?

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

She nipped the tip of his thumb that was still idly stroking her lower lip, then she soothed it with a gentle kiss. “Neither of us were ready for anything before now. Heck, we’re not ready for anything now either but here we are.”

“Here we are,” he echoed.

She cupped his cheek with one hand and leaned in, lightly brushing his lips with hers, the pain in his soul crying out to hers for comfort, for soothing, and the woman inside of her responded the best way she knew how. He remained still under her kiss, passive, almost frozen in place as if unsure how to respond. She understood his reaction, as torn as she was by their situation, circumstances that had occurred beyond their expectations, that had somehow brought these two lonely souls together. Maybe they could help each other heal in the dark moments of the night.

She stroked his lips with her tongue, a little bolder, and he groaned. “Molly, you don’t know what you’re doing to me.”

She gave a husky, low laugh and let her hand settle on the tense muscles of his abdomen. The hard ridges of his muscles jumped under her fingers and she gently caressed him. “Are you distracted yet?”

“From what?”

“Mission accomplished,” she murmured against his lips.

Ever since Megan Ryder discovered Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught while sneaking around the “forbidden” romance section of the library one day after school, she has been voraciously devouring romance novels of all types. Now a romance author in her own right, Megan pens sexy contemporary novels all about family and hot lovin’ with the boy next door. She lives in Connecticut, spending her days as a technical writer and her spare time divided between her addiction to knitting and reading.

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO |

My Review

First of all, I felt that this was a fast read. This book took me less than two days to read. That always earns a star (or in my rating, a smile).

I love the dialogue. There are many lines that I would highlight on the ebook version. 

Both the main characters seem to have trust issues. Depending on the reader's favorite troupes, that can be a plus or minus. For me, it helps to hold my attention. 

Rating: 😀😀😀😀😀

* I voluntarily requested to read and review this book.

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Release: Game Winning Goal Game winning Goal

As a die-hard hockey fan, Cheyenne doesn’t expect to fall for the injured pro from her favorite team; Kamden is determined to get back on the ice before his career is over. Can Cheyenne and Kamden’s love prove tha koit there is more than just scoring goals? Readers will fall in love with this sports romance from Kay Gordon. The 425 Madison series is complete with season three; GAME WINNING GOAL is live on 11/9!

Cheyenne

Life was good. I had a great job, amazing people surrounding me, season tickets to see my favorite hockey team play, and a cat that I could cuddle. Although it didn’t seem glamorous, I was happy. But when the shy, handsome, and somewhat awkward hockey player slid into my life, I realized that I could be happier. I wanted to be more than just content with life.

Kamden

I knew I wanted to be a hockey player from the moment I put on my first pair of skates. I played

hard for the Titans, proving that I belonged on the top line. But just when I finally made it, an injury took me out of the game. While feeling sorry for myself and waiting to heal, I met the bubbly, beautiful, and smart pediatrician who brought me to my knees. She made me see that there was more to life than scoring goals. A love of the game helps bring these two together and onto a path towards a different kind of love.

Cheyenne and Kamden’s road isn’t as smooth as ice, though. What happens when Kam’s recovery isn’t easy and his position on the team is threatened? Cheyenne has to figure out how to break down his defense and Kam has to realize that he might not always be the one to score the game-winning goal.

After all, 425 Madison is the perfect place to fall in love.

Read Game Winning Goal today!

Add to Goodreads!

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Exclusive Excerpt

Copyright @Kay Gordon 2020

An older man was telling us all about how he’d once considered buying a hockey team, and I was doing my best to feign interest. I let my gaze wonder, so I could people watch, though, and I did a double-take when I caught sight of a woman speaking with a small group of people.

She was wearing a dark purple dress that fell to the floor and long sleeves that went to her wrists. The fabric dipped low on her chest, teasing at the cleavage underneath. The dress was tight at the waist, though, and showed off every curve she had. Her blonde hair had big curls in it, and the tips looked like they reached her shoulders. She appeared to be about three or four inches shorter than me, but I was willing to be everything I had that she had on some killer heels under that dress.

It wasn’t just the way she looked that caught me, though. It was the way she held herself. She was smiling as she spoke, and it was obvious that she had every man around her eating out of her hand. They laughed at whatever she was saying, and she appeared to be enjoying herself.

She was captivating.

“What do you think, Mr. Matlock? Do we have a chance at a repeat of the cup?”

I reluctantly peeled my eyes away from the woman to focus on the man in front of me. With a fake smile on my face, I shrugged.

“I think there’s always a chance. We have plenty of time to turn it around.”

When I glanced back at the woman, I saw that she had removed herself from the group she was with and was heading toward the silent auction table.

“Excuse me for a moment, will you?” I didn’t wait for anyone to reply before walking away.

The woman was looking at one of the lots that included a hot air balloon ride when I walked up. I cleared my throat and fought against shoving my hands into my pockets– a nervous habit of mine.

“A hot air balloon ride, huh?” I wanted to cringe at the lame words leaving my mouth, but I couldn’t stop them. “I’d probably faint before I left the ground.”

The woman looked up at me with a polite but disinterested smile on her face that told me she thought my line was cheesy, too. “Afraid of heights?

When her emerald green eyes met mine, recognition and realization dawned on me.

It was the woman from the game.

“Cheyenne.”

Read Game Winning Goal today!

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About Kay Gordon

Kay Gordon is a married mother of two living near the west coast. She spends her days teaching young, impressionable minds in public school and evenings typing away furiously once her children are in bed. Her favorite genres to read are Contemporary Romance and New Adult/College romance, although she rarely denies a good paranormal or dystopian! When she's not teaching or writing, Kay loves to spend time with her family. They're all a bunch of nerds who can quote Disney movies and Star Wars quickly!

Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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About the 425 Madison Series

Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Rounding out the summer with some hot city nights and coasting into fall with more cool characters at this famous high-rise, 425 Madison is returning for a third season!

With some familiar faces and some brand new residents - you'll be sure to find an author you love and a trope to ignite your taste buds after all 425 Madison IS the perfect place to fall in love!

We’ve got an amazing line of up must-read romance authors including, Lauren Helms, Allie York

J Marie, Kay Gordon, Marcie Shumway, Aubree Valentine, S.L. Sterling, and Fiona Tulle

Prepare for pages packed with new romances, characters, and tropes all from the same well-loved high-rise apartment building in NYC.

Season One and Two feature stories from some of your favorite romance authors: Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Allie York, Aubree Valentine, Kay Gordon, Lauren Helms, Sylvia Kane, Katy Ames, KC Enders, Marci Shumway, and C. Lesbirel. All these authors came together, each with a standalone romance for you to enjoy. Covering all of your favorite tropes each tale offers you something new, something different.

Make sure to follow the 425 Madison Avenue Facebook page for more on release dates, cover reveals, and author spotlights. For exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and news subscribe to our 425 Madison newsletter!

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Catch up on the first two seasons, available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited!

My Review  

This was the first 425 Madison series book I read. I wanted to read this book because the main male character is a hockey player. As a hockey fan, I was a little disappointed. There was less hockey action than I expected. As a romantic, I loved the relationship between Kam and Cheyenne. Rating: 😀😀😀😀 *** I voluntarily requested to read and review an arc of this book via Book Funnel.

Review Tour: Crash

Vivi has a pesky problem who goes by the name of Luke, but he thinks her bitter and combative mouth is just begging to be kissed. Find out if their hostility can be replaced by a single, scorching hot kiss in Evelyn Sola’s CRASH, the third book in The Clark Family series. Fans of hot, enemies to lovers reads will sink their teeth into this sexy, diverse romance.

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Vivi 

For the first time in my life, I’m with the family I choose. Living with my cousin, who happens to be a newlywed, is the best thing ever. There is one pesky downside, and his name is Lucas Clark. He’s a spoiled rich boy who was put on this Earth to torture me. He thinks he can intimidate me, keep me in my place, but I have news for him. No way is he man enough. And it’s annoying. Like, why do his eyes follow me everywhere? Why do I lose all self-control, seeking him out whenever we share the same space? I should be running in the opposite direction, right? His words are harsh, hostile. Until one night, the hostility is replaced by a kiss that almost set us on fire.

Luke 

She’s a tiny ball of energy. Every bitter and combative word out of her mouth is aimed at me. My family thinks I walk on water, so I could use any excuse to stay away from her. She’s nothing more than a man-hating shrew wrapped up in a beautiful package. Those dark eyes of hers? I see them everywhere. Her red lips? They beg to be kissed. And one night, I do. I finally get a taste, but it’s not enough. I want more.

She says she hates me. I’m used to getting what I want, and what I want is to prove to Vivi that hate is the last thing on her mind when it comes to me 

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About Evelyn Sola

A Boston native, wife, mother, and wine enthusiast. If she’s not writing, thinking about writing, you will find her with a book in her hands. While a new publisher, she’s been writing for years, and she will continue to write for many years to come.

Evelyn is obsessed with assertive and confident men who will stop at nothing to get their woman. Her stories are filled with love, passion, and humor.

She currently lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two daughters.

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My Review 

I really wanted to love this "enemies - to - lovers" romance, if only for the trope alone. I was halfway three the book before I got in to it. The dialogue was interesting. There was a happy ending. Rating: 😀😀😀 *** I voluntarily requested and reviewed an advanced reader's copy of this book (via book funnel)

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Review: Joy to the Duke

Author: Darcy Burke

Series: Love is All Around

Purchase: Amazon


This is the first book written by Darcy Burke I have read in which a main character gets sick (to a degree). This, I believe, gave a small touch of suspense.

Calder may have seemed coldhearted, but I couldn't help but feel bad for him the whole time. I was just hoping he would be redeemed sooner rather than later.

I was surprised by the length of the book. This books consists of ten (eleven including the epilogue) chapters.

Rating: 😀😀😀😀😀

Review Tour: Angels on Overtime

Angels on Overtime

by Ann Crawford

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GENRE: Inspirational, metaphysical, visionary

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BLURB:

This divine romantic comedy is a multiple award winner in the inspirational category. Humans Jack and Emily seem to be just trudging through the motions of life, to the frustration (lovingly, of course) of their angel teams, especially newbie angels Brooke and David. Angels on Overtime goes deep and high…it’s a great behind-the-scenes glimpse into our lives—and even into the scenes behind those scenes. And who's love story is this, anyway? Laugh your way to enlightenment with this fun, whimsical, captivating tale that reminds us it's never too late to find love and for dreams to come alive.

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NOTE: The author is reducing the price on this book to $0.99 during the tour (through July 4). 

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EXCERPT

Several drunks snore in a doorway. David notices that they shimmer with light. Their computing angels compute, their watching angels watch, and their whispering angels whisper to them: “You are loved. You are a blessing. You are a miracle. You can wake up to the light that you are—any time. You are loved. You are a blessing.”

Angela and David watch them for a while, until she taps him on the shoulder and points to one particular man. “Look, he’s about to die. You can see his family, his friends, even his dog—they’re all lining up to greet him.”

David notices that the dying drunk shimmers more than the others and that light beings, including one in a canine shape, hover over him.

“But don’t beings move on to their next incarnation, their next phase, whatever that is?” David asks. “How can all of them be waiting for him—and all those beings for all those humans—when they die?”

“It’s a hologram,” Angela explains. “One piece represents the whole. We’re all part of this whole, plus we can be anything at any time, anywhere. So our beloved ex-humans/light beings here can be on to their next phase, whatever that is, and they can be there to greet their loved ones when they pass on and congratulate them for a job well done.”

“But this one was a drunk!”

“That was his disguise, yes. We’re all drops in the vast ocean of infinity, cleverly disguised as a drunk or an angel or whatever we choose. And just living a life on Earth is a job well done. It’s not exactly easy here, you may have noticed.”

The drunk slowly opens his eyes. As he notices his three angels sitting around him, he blinks. When they don’t disappear—they’re really there, he realizes—he tries to sit upright but fails. The computing angel puts away his computer.

“Look, he’s about to talk to his angels,” Angela says. “He’s at the point where he can see between the worlds.”

“Am I dying?” the drunk asks his angels.

“Yes, my love,” responds an angel. “You are. But it’s not an ending. It’s a new beginning.”

“Anything’d be better than this.”

“You did well, my dear,” says another angel. “Earth is one of the toughest places in the universe.”

“Probably could’ve done better.”

“Yes, perhaps you could have,” responds the third angel. “Perhaps next time you will. It’s your choice. And it’s all good.”

Tears roll down the man’s face.

“Your family and friends are waiting for you.” An angel points to a shaft of light that has appeared overhead, much like a spotlight shining in a theater.

“They hated me!”

“They don’t any more.”

“I didn’t do too well here.”

“You evolved your soul. That’s all you needed to do.”

The drunk leans his head back and slumps as the life force leaves his body. His human-shaped form of light detaches itself from his physical body—hands and feet first, then his head, and then the rest of the light body follows. His light form starts to rise. A chorus of cheers and party sounds—barks, too—erupt from the group of light beings as his light form rises up to meet them. 

“Atta boy!”

“Welcome home!”

“Mom! Dad!” the man cries. He throws his arms around them, but not very successfully. He tries again, and this time his arms pass through them a little less rapidly. Third time’s a charm: becoming accustomed to his arms of light, he slowly wraps them around his parents. After a few moments relishing the reconnection, he turns to the next being in the receiving line. “You! You sank my business! You took my entire life away from me! You turned me into a drunk! No—oh my God!” he hoots. “That was you?” After a couple of pats on the back that pass right through his former nemesis, the third pat meets its target. “That was you all along? Holy moly, you sure had me going!”

The shouts of welcome and greeting slowly start to fade up and away. The dog barks more raucously.

“Hey Buddy—how ya doin’ ole pal? It’s been such a long, long time!” 

Angela and David smile at each other.

“Quite a homecoming,” David says.

“Oh, yes. They all get something like that.”

“What’s next for him? What’s next for his angels?” 

“Whatever they want, whatever they choose.” Angela takes David’s arm and they disappear…

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Author Bio:

Ann Crawford has lived by one shining sea, then the other, then the prairie, and now the mountain – just to combine a couple of our great patriotic songs here. She grew up in New York, about an hour north of the city, and then went to college at Boston University. She then lived in Northern California for 23 years until love at first sight called her to move to Kansas. She and her family moved to Colorado about 10 years ago and her writing nest has a view of a grove of trees in a beautiful garden, with the Rocky Mountains in the near distance.

Some of Ann’s social media bios say that she’s a world-traveling, high-flying, deep-diving, life-loving author. Those are all literally true: She’s visited all 50 states and 70+ countries and territories and counting. She can fly a plane (and she even aced the FAA exam!) and loves to scuba dive. Another hobby is playing the piano, including taking lessons.

Jobs? Oh, Ann’s had more than a few. She’s worked in advertising and marketing, talent management, and the financial industry. She’s also an award-winning filmmaker. For her first movie she went to Viet Nam with a group of veterans and filmed them doing humanitarian work and returning to their areas of operation. This movie won a very prestigious award. For her second movie she traveled the world talking to people from all walks of life about how we can make world peace. But her great love is writing books. 

While Ann has won several book awards and is a #1 Amazon bestselling author, her genre is a little complicated; her novels could fall under women’s literature, chick lit, romantic comedy, inspirational/metaphysical/visionary, and fantasy/science fiction—and for a couple of her books it’s all of these at the same time! The main thrust of her books is taking an odd, complicated situation (a starbeing ending up in Kansas, anyone?) and providing myriad insights with usually even more laughs. 

Her first book, Visioning, and her only non-fiction so far, was published in 2001 and it’s been updated twice since then. Over the years have come Mary’s Message (about Mary Magdalene), Angels on Overtime (an inspirational romcom), Spellweaver (about a healer during the witch hunts), Life in the Hollywood Lane (about an actor’s journey through grief after her BFF’s suicide, but also a quirky romcom), and Fresh off the Starship (an inspirational romcom). Coming soon is The Life of My Love (non-fiction about finding the love of your life) and Bazoomerangs, which is about 3 generations of women – an ageing hippie flower child, a middle-aged Trump-supporting bank executive, and a trans woman college student – that’ll also be chockablock with laughs and insights to this wild and wonderful life thing we have going on here.

Website

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My Review:

There was a very cute beginning to the book. I was able to imagine a narrator reading as if it was a cartoon.

This book made me ask two questions. Does everyone have a team of angels? Are angels more "hands on" than we would believe? The fact that it caused me to ask these questions resulted in a five out of five rating from me.

Rating: 😃😃😃😃😃

*** I voluntarily requested, read and reviewed an arc of this book.

Giveaway

Ann Crawford will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Rafflecopter

Review: A Duke Will Never Do

This is the third book in the Spitfire Society trilogy. This has a major tie in to The Duke of Distraction (Untouchables), which I absolutely love.

There are so many quotes I could use as examples of Mrs. Burke's amazing writing. That includes one about "aggressive goats"  that I thought was funny. Was the same excuse used more than once? Was the real reason know? I wondered.

"You were a light in the darkness when I needed guidance most." This is a near perfect wording of why I love brooding male characters. Who would not love to be the one that brings love in to the life of someone that believed they were unworthy of it?

Rating: 😃😃😃😃😃

*** I voluntarily requested to read and review an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book (via bookfunnel).